Ch.220Chapter 220 – Heavenly Demon VS Holy Maiden

While people were still bewildered by the Heavenly Demon Art that unfolded from Cheon Hyeryeong’s fist, I hurriedly walked toward the iron stake.

Since I had driven the stake into the ground to use my ability on this land, it shouldn’t have been shaken by the attack just now.

I shook the iron stake to check if it was still firmly fixed in place.

“This thing doesn’t budge at all.”

The iron stake wouldn’t move no matter how I shook it back and forth, up and down, or side to side.

I thought that even if a typhoon came or strong winds blew, holding onto this stake would keep me from being blown away.

If it was this securely fixed, it meant I could use my ability.

“Haa…”

I took a deep breath, pulled a hammer from my chest, gripped it in my right hand, and struck the iron stake.

—Clang!

The shockwave and noise from the hammer hitting the iron stake spread in all directions.

People’s attention turned toward me and the stake.

I swung the hammer at the iron stake once more.

—Clang!

Again, the clear sound of metal striking metal rang out.

And finally, I brought the hammer down on the iron stake one last time…

—Claaang!

When the third and final hammer strike hit the stake, a soft white light emerged from it.

The white light that formed at the highest point of the stake gradually traveled down toward the ground, then began to spread outward in all directions from the stake.

It looked like ripples spreading from a stone thrown into a calm lake.

“Ohhh… so this is the Count’s ability.”

“I never thought I’d see this ability with my own eyes.”

The priests of the Sun Order seemed quite amazed watching me use my ability.

Is it really that impressive…?

Anyway, as the light traveled down the stake and spread across the ground, the land that had been contaminated with a dark red color began to regain its original freshness.

The withered tree trunks became sturdy again, and new leaves started sprouting on the branches.

“The land is truly coming back to life!”

Etherna approached my side and kept exclaiming in admiration as she watched the land regain its vitality.

“I shouldn’t just stand here! I’ll call everyone to check how far the contamination has been removed.”

After watching the land being purified for a while, Etherna suddenly remembered her duties and walked toward the priests and holy knights.

After she left, Cheon Hyeryeong approached me.

“My dear. The more I see your ability, the more I realize its immeasurable value.”

“Well, my ability is pretty amazing.”

“Is that all you can say? Your ability cannot be described with such a modest word as ‘pretty.’ Even the Heavenly Demon Art that I’ve mastered… seems truly insignificant before your ability.”

I looked at Cheon Hyeryeong, who spoke as if lamenting.

“It’s all in how you use your abilities. Without the Heavenly Demon Art, we would have had to fight the undead horde… and there would have been casualties.”

Cheon Hyeryeong looked at me after hearing my words.

“My dear. Do you know what the essence of the Heavenly Demon Art is?”

“The essence… of the Heavenly Demon Art?”

“Yes. The essence of the Heavenly Demon Art.”

I became curious about why Cheon Hyeryeong suddenly brought up the essence of the Heavenly Demon Art.

“Judging by your expression, you seem curious. Then I shall tell you. The Heavenly Demon Art was originally created by the first Heavenly Demon who wanted to transcend ‘heaven’…”

Cheon Hyeryeong was explaining to me where the Heavenly Demon Art originated.

To summarize her explanation, the Heavenly Demon Art was created from the will to transcend heaven and place it beneath one’s feet.

Therefore, anyone who wishes to master the Heavenly Demon Art must pledge to become a being who reigns above all others.

Moreover, since the Heavenly Demon Art was created with the purpose of transcending heaven, its goal was not to protect someone but to crush everything with tyrannical force and make all bow beneath one’s feet.

That’s why most techniques of the Heavenly Demon Art are purely offensive.

Although there are evasive martial arts like the Heavenly Demon Divine Step and protective ones like the Heavenly Demon Strengthening Technique, the main techniques of the Heavenly Demon Art, represented by the Heavenly Demon Divine Fist and the Heavenly Demon Dominion Step, are all offensive.

Therefore, the Heavenly Demon always had to exert overwhelming power and absolute authority, crushing anyone who dared to challenge the Heavenly Demon’s authority.

“But since meeting you, things other than martial arts have begun to flow into my life.”

Saying this, Cheon Hyeryeong pulled me into her arms and embraced me.

“Thank you. Because of you, I am discovering what joy in life means. The life of a Heavenly Demon is interesting, but the new pleasures I’ve learned since meeting you seem to enrich my life even more.”

“Well, if you put it that way, I’m grateful too…”

Honestly, I can’t imagine that the arrogant, contemptuous Heavenly Demon who appeared in the Erasto Chronicle and the person standing before me now are the same individual.

‘Who do you think I am?’

‘How laughable to see such insignificant creatures running wild.’

She was truly a terrifying existence in the game, but seeing her here, I can feel that she is, after all, human.

Because she is human, I can sense her fragrant scent and warm body heat, right?

And so, I had to remain in Cheon Hyeryeong’s embrace until Etherna returned.

“Lord Patos! They say the contaminated land has completely recovered. You’re truly amazing.”

Only after Etherna returned could I confirm that the purification of the contaminated land had been successfully completed.

“Huhu, of course. He is to be my husband, after all.”

Although it was my work, Cheon Hyeryeong was proudly taking credit as if it were her own achievement.

Husband and wife are one body, or something like that?

But for that, she and I are still… ahem.

“Then we can now return to the Gelebrio Empire.”

“That’s true, but… could you possibly help the suffering people in the city?”

Just as I was about to head back to the empire after finishing my work here, Etherna asked me to help the people.

“Holy Maiden. Isn’t that something you should handle yourselves?”

“What did you say?”

“Wasn’t fixing the contaminated land your responsibility to begin with? You called upon my husband-to-be to do your work, and now instead of sending him back, you want to give him more tasks? Your intentions are truly not pure.”

Cheon Hyeryeong, apparently displeased that Etherna was trying to give me additional work, stepped forward and stood between Etherna and me, blocking her.

“But bringing vitality back to a lifeless city is something that must be done…!”

“Whose job is that? Is it the job of the husband here? Or is it the job of one who dreams of being a wife?”

“…”

Etherna fell silent at Cheon Hyeryeong’s words.

She was pointedly asking whether it was my responsibility or the Holy Maiden’s responsibility to heal and help people.

Etherna seemed to have no response to that.

“Think carefully. You are a Holy Maiden. Is it truly the work of a Holy Maiden to entrust your duties to others?”

“That’s…”

Cheon Hyeryeong was essentially verbally beating Etherna one-sidedly.

Etherna, having been verbally thrashed by Cheon Hyeryeong, looked at me as if seeking help, but…

‘Should I help her? Or not?’

I too felt conflicted about Etherna’s request for help.

To be honest, I wanted to return to the Gelebrio Empire right away and enjoy the comfortable meals prepared by Sister Regina…

‘But it doesn’t feel right to turn my back on sick people and leave…’

It also bothered me to abandon people suffering from drinking contaminated river water due to the negative energy flowing through the polluted land.

After a bit more deliberation, I was able to reach a conclusion.

‘Even if it takes some time, let’s help these people before leaving.’

I had already expected this trip to take a while anyway.

As for returning, I could ask Cheon Hyeryeong to help somehow.

“Lady Etherna. Could you guide us to the city?”

“What?”

“Since I’ve come this far, I want to help the people before leaving.”

When I took Etherna’s side, her face, which had been one-sidedly beaten down, brightened up.

Surprisingly though… Cheon Hyeryeong also smiled and nodded.

“As expected of the man who will be my husband. That attitude of enduring a little inconvenience to help others is truly the image of an admirable ruler.”

She seemed to have quite a misunderstanding.

[ROAAAAR! Who dares enter my domain and disturb my slumber…]

“How noisy.”

During this process, a large knight-like undead appeared before us, but when Cheon Hyeryeong used her Heavenly Demon Dominion Step, it was flattened like dried squid pressed by a hydraulic press.

‘Wait… isn’t that a Death Knight General?’

Judging by its attire, it seemed to be one of the highest-ranking undead controlled by the demon cult’s necromancers… and she just crushed it with one Heavenly Demon Dominion Step?

Indeed… I should try not to get on Cheon Hyeryeong’s bad side.