Ch.26587. Something That Should Never Exist (3)

Strange rumors spreading throughout the Empire.

And supporting these rumors, bizarre processions and marches.

Demons from stories adults made up to frighten children who refused to sleep, barbarians who devour humans, unknown races and creatures.

Since there were too many similar rumors and eyewitness accounts to dismiss as mere fabrications, the Empire finally launched an investigation to quell the growing anxiety.

With the Harvest Festival approaching, these ominous signs were causing additional unrest and confusion.

This was not a good omen for either the Empire or the Church, which might explain why they were so eager to uncover the truth.

“Hmm.”

And then, they witnessed the scene.

Under the partially tilted moon, not yet full, as a pale chill slowly swept through the darkness of this season, it was brazenly filling the surroundings.

Something in heavy black full-body armor.

And snow-white figures positioned around it.

For some unknown reason, they were fighting fiercely.

The one wrapped in black full-body armor was indiscriminately striking down with fists and legs like whips, stabbing and thrusting.

Each time it moved, a blue glow followed like ghost fire, while the snow-white figures that were hit or exposed seemed unable to exert much strength.

“Die. Die even if you’re already dead. I’ll kill you eternally. If I can’t kill your body, I’ll kill your mind and soul, and I’ll kill and kill again your very existence and purpose!”

A vicious voice erupted like violence itself.

Like a massive beast howling and roaring, from every word to every roar and battle cry, everything overflowed with pure killing intent and bloodlust, seeming to fill and consume the surroundings.

“This world is useless. Since nothing has any use, everything must be killed and eliminated! Therefore, massacre! Extermination! All you need is destruction! Annihilation! Life has no meaning. No value. So die. Die ugly deaths, struggling until the end. Even that is futile and useless, you worthless creatures!”

Even if one were to say he was merely cursing his opponents with words, every word he uttered was overflowing with malice beyond mere curses.

“Eternal farewell is the only salvation you can possess. Do not exist. Do not rot and decay. Disappear and vanish!”

The snow-white figures were also fighting back with fierce determination.

But the black-armored entity far surpassed the combined might of more than a dozen barbarian warriors.

The malice and killing intent emanating from that being pressed down heavily, as if about to crush everything around it.

“Ugh…”

Because of this, several observers who were secretly crouching low and watching the scene from a distance began to suffer, unable to breathe properly.

For some reason, just recognizing that being and hearing its words made their hearts constrict and breathing difficult.

“Those in poor condition should immediately leave this place.”

At one man’s command, the rest of the personnel promptly complied.

No one tried to save face or boasted that they could endure.

“I’m also struggling… it won’t be easy for ordinary people.”

With only the man and a woman remaining,

the woman spoke in defense of those who had retreated.

Despite the dark night, her blonde hair reflecting in the moonlight was quite striking.

In response to her sincere expression filled with regret and concern, the man with wave-like blue hair shook his head.

“They are also elites. In other words, the fact that even they were affected means that being is no ordinary entity.”

“What do you think, Lord Medrin?”

“…That appears far from magical harmony, but rather a suppressive… violent aura.”

When one speaks of using force brutally as violence,

the aura that black being was spreading was close to violence with physical effects.

Unless one had exceptional mental fortitude, in front of that thing, everyone would either freeze like a child before a predator, their minds going blank, or tremble uncontrollably… with no other recourse.

In a way, perhaps it was appropriate that Medrin was here.

He was relatively accustomed to such situations, and was naturally less emotionally affected than others, making him perfectly suited for this.

The fact that the Imperial Magic Corps’ 3rd Division Vice Commander personally was deployed for such an operation might seem excessive to some.

But to support the woman beside him, he had no choice but to be here.

“So, what will you do?”

“I’d like to observe a bit longer.”

The woman tilted her head to the side, as if disappointed.

“But it’s all over now.”

“……”

The snow-white figures.

All the adversaries facing them had completely vanished in an instant.

“I expected a march of ghosts or wandering spirits… but the rumors around here were unusually strange, which must have been significant.”

“……”

“Since that’s settled, let’s go quickly.”

As the woman took the lead, Medrin had no choice but to follow.

“More vermin have appeared.”

Amidst the ferocious voice, a strange interest was revealed.

“Excuse me, but who are you? Could you tell us your identity?”

Is she really asking this directly?

Medrin inwardly clicked his tongue at her boldness.

Even from a distance it was apparent, but up close that being somehow felt like an impossible monster, like a giant.

…If this was Kariel, he must have grown in a different sense.

But no matter how he thought about it, there was quite a disconnect from the impression he had been told about beforehand.

Indeed.

“Identity? Insects asking boring questions. Why are minnows so ignorant and foolish?”

“Being disparaged like this for not knowing who you are…”

Darkness descended in an instant.

A powerful impact and a gust of wind like an aftershock.

Before Medrin could reflexively cast a protective spell, his body was already caught in the windstorm.

Though he managed to maintain his balance, he was still pushed back five or six steps…

‘What kind of creature…’

With such a bulky build and heavy armor, it moves so well.

But what’s more surprising is that the woman easily withstood the being’s surprise attack, an assault disguised as a bombardment-like onslaught…

A cross-shaped sword was now gripped in her hand.

“What kind of rudeness is this during a conversation?”

“Do you converse with insects? Don’t be mistaken. This is just the soliloquy of my merciful self.”

This one is truly insane.

And when a madman possesses unimaginable power, the violence they wield is truly catastrophic.

In this situation, even Medrin would have been pulverized without any chance to resist.

…Of course, if not for her, they wouldn’t have approached so defenseless in the first place.

“Then in your soliloquy, would you mind introducing yourself?”

“You trash! How dare you question me! Who gave you permission!”

This is completely unreasonable.

The battle between the two that began so suddenly only became somewhat observable after Medrin had retreated a good twenty paces.

‘Incredible.’

If not for someone of her skill level, how many could possibly stand against that thing?

Whether the Church considered this matter so important, or whether they were just lucky, I’m not sure.

What’s certain is that despite the unexpected situation, their battle was taking on an intense aspect.

After more than ten minutes of fierce combat that thoroughly devastated the surrounding terrain…

“Hehehe! Trash. You persist in meaningless resistance.”

“…Haa. Phew! Enough of that! What is your identity?”

Only after he had suddenly backed away did the woman, finally catching her breath, ask in an exasperated tone.

“I have no name. I am massacre, I am extermination.”

“……”

My mistake for asking for an answer.

So she just asked directly.

“Do you have some connection to a child named Kariel?”

“What about that trash?”

“…Weren’t you connected to him?”

“He was the one who confined me in darkness and silence. But who am I! Such things cannot constrain me!”

“……”

“The world is meaningless. Worthless. Useless. Everything should be eliminated and annihilated. How frustrating. Still…”

His body gradually began to fade.

“That trash, these insects overflow in such numbers. The world is… absolutely wrong.”

And with that, the black being vanished without a trace.

…To call such a thing a black knight would be an insult and blasphemy in itself.

Blasphemy against what?

Against chivalry and knights themselves.

Medrin felt the fatigue rush in like a tide as the tension drained from him.

Though it might not have seemed so, he had been on high alert throughout this long period, ready to intervene at any moment.

“You did remember what that thing was rambling about, right?”

“…What do you plan to do?”

“For things like this, we need to consult an expert.”

The woman seemed to have something in mind as she indicated where they should go.

“Is there an Eden Revan Alliance branch nearby? Let’s go there together.”

“Are you assuming that was a being from the demon realm or something influenced by it?”

“It might be just speculation, but there must be a connection. Besides… if it was that powerful in an incomplete state, if we were to pit the Imperial army against that being… how many troops would we need?”

“…It’s more a matter of quality than numbers.”

Just by existing, that thing would crush the unprepared like mice before a cat, without even a chance to resist.

“Lord Medrin. As you know, I’m one of the top three experts in the Church, right?”

“……”

The Second Saint.

Known as the Saint of Atonement.

The Church’s three major knightly orders:

The Apostle Knights.

The Holy Knights.

And the Crusader Knights.

She was the commander of the Crusader Knights.

And before taking the position of commander, she was known by the fearsome title of the Church’s Execution Blade.

In other words, it was like this.

While Medrin’s position was by no means low, she was one of the highest-ranking figures in the Church.

And such a being claimed that even exerting her true abilities, she could barely hold her ground.

But Medrin had already noticed that she was downplaying her strength.

As long as the opponent wasn’t overwhelming, once she noticed something unusual about them,

the important thing was to extract whatever information was needed.

She had maintained the battle for this long period to achieve that, and had likely gained some certainty.

“So I was thinking, wouldn’t it be right to consider something of that caliber a Demon King or similar entity? By demon realm standards, perhaps a Legion Commander, Territory Lord, or War Lord.”

“But how could a Demon King manifest in the middle realm without any precursors? Besides…”

For some reason, that being seemed unaffected by holy power.

“No, as you said, it’s better to ask those who know about these things.”

“So, would you mind helping out a bit more?”

“…Yes. That’s my role.”

The demand for teleportation magic was always high, but Medrin’s role was truly special.

It’s not without reason that he often became entangled with important figures.

Afterward, Medrin gave a few instructions to his subordinates who were still suffering from aftereffects, then headed straight to the nearby Eden Revan Alliance branch.

And luck was on their side.

Indeed it was.

“That was probably the Demon King of Extermination. Based on your description, that’s the only thing that comes to mind.”

By Eden Revan Alliance standards, a considerably high-ranking figure happened to be staying there.

Red eyes and snow-white hair.

And beyond that, marble-like white skin that surpassed mere paleness.

Contrasting with this, sophisticated black attire.

The vampire youth who greeted them with dignity, the Second Prince of the Blood Sharing Family Peace Association belonging to the Eden Revan Alliance, Filbar, resolved their curiosity with a charming smile.

“Even if it was just a one-night dream, how could a Demon King manifest in the mortal world so defenseless…”

Medrin realized that the incident was more complicated than expected and worried about how to report it.

……And.

Currently, in a luxurious guest room in the Imperial Palace.

Though they didn’t know it,

another skinny Demon King had just finished his meal and was nonchalantly lying on the bed, enjoying a sweet afternoon nap.