Ch.294EP.63 – A Knight’s Valor Contains No Recklessness (5)

Human-shaped God.

The beings known as “human gods” were entities that should “absolutely” not be worshipped among gods.

Gods originating from nature typically take forms like trees or rocks and are generally harmless to humans. Even animal-form wild gods, while possessing some wildness, are basically benevolent or indifferent to humans as long as they aren’t provoked to anger.

However, unlike these nature gods or wild gods, human gods had a completely different orientation from the aforementioned beings.

What does this mean?

– [I’ll rule over you from now on.]

They desire to interfere excessively in human society and reign over it.

That’s why human gods are called terrible beings.

After all, human gods are “gods resembling humans.” How terrifying is that…

Hmm? You don’t quite understand what that means?

It’s simple.

Since they originated from humans, they are infinitely “greedy.”

They possess desires unnecessary for gods—desires that only humans should have, like lust for power, sexual desire, and exhibitionism. Basically, they’re not satisfied with just being worshipped; they want to stand above humans and reign like a [king] of a nation.

…Perhaps someone might question:

– Is that really such a bad thing?

If an all-powerful god becomes king, wouldn’t that country avoid corruption and become an eternal paradise of happiness?

Shouldn’t we consider the positive aspects too?

…they might say.

Yes, that statement is correct.

However, that earthly paradise has one drawback.

Namely:

– [Why should I listen to you?]

The drawback is that this earthly paradise is formed solely by the god’s subjectivity, not humanity’s ideal.

What if a god creates an ideal world where everything is resolved through violence?

What if a god creates an ideal world where those who aren’t physically beautiful must die?

What if…

– [I want that country, let’s go to war.]

What if they issue such childish commands?

While all this might sound exaggerated and false, it’s actually a sanitized account of some of the footprints left by human gods.

Looking at ancient records, historians well know the horrifying and chilling truth about countries ruled by human gods.

Hence the assessment:

– A child with absolute power.

This was a sentence evaluating the identity of human gods, and no one called it extreme.

Human gods are beings who would throw bombs at people for fun even if they held them in their own hands, and who would never mature no matter how much time passed.

Therefore, humanity should never become entangled with human gods.

Because they would do anything for their own amusement and purposes.

This was the strong warning from historians…

*

*

*

Great Archfiend.

Among Modred’s warriors, there was no one who didn’t harbor hatred toward the Great Archfiend.

After all, that monster was the very culprit who had caused all their suffering.

While clearly an enemy they hated and wanted to kill…

“A hu, man…?”

Those who faced the Great Archfiend for the first time doubted their eyes.

The Great Archfiend resembled a human, specifically taking the form of a beautiful woman.

“To be precise, it’s a [human god]. And that’s just taking the appearance of a woman; it’s a creature that doesn’t really have a gender, so don’t be deceived by its appearance. Even that exterior is merely stolen from others.”

“!?”

“I’ve heard that this monster devours the most beautiful humans of each generation and adopts their appearance as its own. Solely for the reason of beauty… In other words, it devours both men and women indiscriminately. Never be enchanted.”

“……”

Gulp…

It was a stern warning from their lord, and they swallowed dry saliva.

The shocking information coming at once made their minds dizzy, but one thing was clear: this being was definitely not one that benefited humans.

As if to prove this:

Wheeeeee-!

Around the Great Archfiend swirled a gritty, muddy energy.

It was a demonic energy that shouldn’t be visible to ordinary humans, but it was so dense that it was visible even to the eyes of others.

And toward such an ominous being:

“Die, you monster!”

Ganok swung his sword without hesitation.

Woooong!

Ganok’s sword raised a powerful blade cry.

Indeed, for someone of his level, producing such a blade resonance was as easy as breathing, but the resonance emitted from his sword added something extra to the ordinary blade cry.

[Woooong!]

The wailing of ghosts. The power of spirits added to Ganok’s blade resonance, emitting a strength unlike anything seen before.

Whaaak!

A purple blade energy, or rather a dense blade force, extended continuously, bisecting about a hundred monsters around Ganok.

It was a moment that demonstrated how powerful the blade energy of Modred’s strongest knight could be when swung with all his might.

However,

Kwoong!

[How dangerous, really. You’re still strong despite your age, aren’t you?]

“……”

…When did it appear?

What blocked Ganok’s full-powered strike was truly a grotesque group of ten undead.

“De, Death Kni, ghts?”

At first glance, they looked like “fallen knights” or Death Knights, but with heights easily exceeding 5 meters and massive, bulging muscles, what should these be called?

[I modified fallen knights. I prepared knights who were quite strong in life to face you, and stuffed a thousand ghouls into each of their bodies. Even you might find them difficult to handle?]

“…You’ve prepared something troublesome.”

The Great Archfiend was arrogant but certainly not a fool.

It must have been wary of Ganok, who had wounded it decades ago and escaped its curse by his own power.

To avoid being defeated as in the past.

Even a regular Death Knight would be considered a high-level monster, but an undead created by combining a Death Knight with a thousand ghouls!

“Chimera Knight…”

It was a knight’s murmur, and an appropriate naming.

At the same time, it was undeniably a nightmare-inducing name for a monster from today onwards.

Hook-!

“Hup!”

With the sound of wind being torn, a Chimera Knight swung a massive spear that appeared from nowhere.

It wasn’t just a mindless swing relying on brute force, but one that hinted at sophisticated martial arts techniques, and though frustrating, it was clear that the knight had been renowned in life, as the Great Archfiend had said.

Kwajik!

But when such refined technique was combined with immense power, it wasn’t something that could simply be deflected.

Literally:

Kwoooong!

It was a strike that shook the earth.

“…This won’t be easy.”

If there had been just one, it wouldn’t have been difficult to handle, but unfortunately, there were ten Chimera Knights.

And not just any ten…

Hwook!

Whik.

“They even coordinate their attacks?!”

Proving they were knights in life, the ten Chimeras moved strategically, and Ganok broke into a cold sweat, feeling absurd.

It was like facing an entire order of knights alone, and he instantly realized it would take considerable time to overcome this.

And during that time, surely…

[Kill that old human without fail. He’s old and ugly now, so I don’t need him anymore. Ah, even if you can’t kill him, make sure to hold him back until I kill all those humans.]

Clatter.

[Yes, good. If you complete your mission, I’ll give you a living body, hehe.]

Clatter!

With sinister light burning in their red eyes, the Chimeras emitted an even more ominous aura.

A living body.

In other words, the promise of living again, an irresistible temptation for those living in death.

Yet, an act that showed no honor whatsoever, unimaginable for those who were knights in life.

This was why they were called fallen knights or Death Knights, and Ganok gritted his teeth.

“You’re all disgracing the name of knights!”

With an angry roar, Ganok charged again.

As if to break through at once and reach the Great Archfiend.

However,

Kwaaang!

Clatter.

“!”

The formidable wall of Chimeras allowed no gaps.

* * *

Kugugung.

“……”

Gradually, it approached.

With a smiling face, as if enjoying the attention, as if flaunting its leisure.

At a point when only about 300 meters remained to the fortress:

[-Surrender, kneel down, and bow your head. If you do that, I’ll forgive you even now.]

The Great Archfiend spoke.

Keeeeee…!

Despite being about 300 meters away, a chilling voice penetrated everyone’s ears, and they hardened their faces.

Not because of that spine-tingling voice…

“For, give?”

[Yes, forgive. I’ll forgive what you’ve done wrong to me. Isn’t that merciful?]

“……”

Crack!

That nonsensical “gibberish” was enough to provoke anger.

They cast an even more ferocious gaze.

Did it just dare to utter the word forgiveness before them?

“After settling in our territory uninvited, pretending to be a god and trying to manipulate the living, you speak of forgiveness? Is that a word that should come from your mouth, you worm?!”

[I’m not a worm, I’m Inanna. Why won’t you listen?]

Groooo─.

The Great Archfiend, visibly displeased at being called a worm, emitted demonic energy, and each time, the monsters also emitted powerful auras.

Though they had stopped advancing for now, it seemed they would charge without hesitation once the Great Archfiend gave the order.

[You should think twice before speaking. But since I’m merciful, I’ll tell you again. Surrender, swear loyalty to me, and offer sacrifices. I don’t need much, just prepare a million living bodies and souls, bring your child yourself and rip out its heart. If you do that, I’ll make you king of a country. I’ll also promise you eternal life.]

“……”

[Isn’t that a truly merciful offer?]

“…You’re talking bullshit, worm.”

It was a proposal that made their stomachs turn just hearing it, and the soldiers felt the same.

Even if they weren’t Modred warriors but greedy individuals, they wouldn’t have accepted that offer.

Listening carefully to those words, it was essentially no different from saying become an obedient, immortal [slave].

Their anger was justified.

[I told you I’m not a worm!]

Whaaak!

But not understanding what strange statement it had made, the Great Archfiend waved its hand with a contemptuous look.

[Kick, kigik…!]

[Kieek.]

[Kieee!]

As the Great Archfiend became angry, the wraiths revealed themselves.

About 20,000 of them…

“Wh-what, how can there be so many wraiths…!”

“My God…”

“C-could it be using the souls of the monsters we’ve killed?!”

The wraiths kept increasing, and one Modred strategist speculated that the Great Archfiend was forcibly creating wraiths using the souls of dying monsters.

The number was similar to the approximately 20,000 monsters they had killed so far…

‘This, this means killing monsters isn’t the solution!’

The strategist’s face turned pale.

If the speculation was true, it meant that the more monsters they killed, the more wraiths would continuously increase.

It was like giving birth to new monsters by killing monsters, and anyone who didn’t feel their body temperature drop knowing this would have to be someone who had lost all sense of fear.

[Haha, good, good! That face is really amusing!]

The Great Archfiend laughed as if pleased.

As if finding the despairing expressions of humans utterly delightful.

And the Great Archfiend wanted the humans to despair even more.

It wanted those who dared to forget its “mercy” and rebel to regret.

[More, more regret and suffering, please…!]

The Great Archfiend, eyes gleaming as if feeling a thrilling pleasure, was like that…

“-You’re just playing around. Why are you making such a fuss by yourself?”

[…?]

…It blinked its eyes.

“No, thinking about it, it’s strange. You act like a victim, but you haven’t suffered at all? Yet you pretend to be the victim… You’re just a hopeless criminal bastard.”

[Oh my?]

Despite hearing such insolent words, the Great Archfiend exclaimed in admiration.

One of the things the Great Archfiend loved most was “beauty.”

It loved beautiful things like paintings, sculptures, or jewels, and that beauty included beings called handsome men and beautiful women.

In that sense, the human who had just uttered those insolent words possessed enough beauty to satisfy the Great Archfiend’s aesthetic sense.

If only they had “spiritual power,” they would have been sufficient as a vessel.

[You’d make a pretty good addition to my collection? No. Would you like to be my slave? If you do that…]

The Great Archfiend was about to make such a proposal again with a merciful heart, but that was a fatal mistake for the Great Archfiend.

Because…

Peoong!

He kicked off the ground in one breath, soaring through the sky, giving himself the opportunity to reach the Great Archfiend.

[!!]

Seeing the human suddenly approaching right before its eyes through the air, the Great Archfiend had to be greatly surprised, but a god is still a god, even if rotten.

[Kigigigi!]

Shwaaaaa!

The 20,000 wraiths swarming around the Great Archfiend rushed to block him, and soon he seemed about to be crushed under the evil spirits.

…Common sense would dictate so.

“-Now I can finally release my transformation properly.”

Wudududuk-!

[!!!?!!]

─The next moment, a massive sonic boom occurred, and its shockwave mercilessly tore apart the Great Archfiend and the 20,000 evil spirits.