Ch.385Side Story: Guardian Deity of the Republic

“Ah, you can go right in. I’ll escort you.”

It seems there really was a hotline as they said, given how quickly the connection was made. Considering the Acting President must be one of the busiest and most important people in the Republic of Clark, being able to meet immediately is quite telling.

‘Or perhaps they were waiting for someone on their end as well.’

When I first entered the city, I didn’t feel anything unusual, but the longer I stayed, the more I began to sense eyes watching from all around. Not like someone following me closely, but rather a feeling that someone was observing the entire city from above.

“Laila Besh, you should stay here where it’s safe.”

At my words, Laila flinched, about to say something before deeply bowing her head.

“Understood! And, I would appreciate it if you spoke to me more casually!”

“…Sure.”

Seeing how rigidly disciplined she had become made me feel a bit sorry for her.

She seemed taken aback by the attitude of the Management Bureau executives toward me and their somewhat unruly demeanor.

Though they’re executives now, they were once junkyard Resistance fighters living wild lives. Even in suits, their bodies still carry scars and freedom, naturally setting them apart from executives of other departments.

‘Though leaving her here makes me a bit uneasy.’

They know she’s with me, so they probably won’t treat her lightly.

It didn’t take long to reach the Acting President’s office. With direct access at every point, we moved through with free passes, smoothly arriving at our destination.

“The Acting President’s office is at the end there.”

As the former junkyard worker, now Management Bureau executive who guided me here spoke, I asked about something that had been bothering me.

“By the way, how did you introduce me? He must think the Spiritmaster is dead, right?”

“Ah, I introduced you as a close friend of King Orpheus. That’s not untrue, is it?”

“You’ve got guts.”

“Without them, I couldn’t have fought as Resistance in the Republic of Clark.”

He had a point. Earlier I mentioned how these people were different from other executives—somewhat frivolous and light-hearted. But another way to see it is that they’re free-spirited and flexible.

That’s probably why they could tell such lies without hesitation.

“Well, I don’t think my brother-in-law’s visit will do us any harm.”

Saying this, the junkyard member knocked on the door and opened it immediately after hearing a response.

Acting President Nikolai, waiting inside, had dark circles under his eyes. He looked quite exhausted, which confirmed that something was indeed happening in the Republic of Clark.

“I hear you’re a friend of Orpheus.”

Still, thinking me a distinguished guest, he smiled and offered his hand. After shaking hands, we might normally exchange pleasantries, but there was no need to waste time on such formalities.

“What’s been happening in the Republic recently?”

My direct question made his expression falter. The junkyard member who came with me carefully stepped back, trying not to interfere with our conversation.

Though initially surprised by my bluntness, he quickly recovered with a smile.

“Ah, you’re referring to the monsters appearing throughout the Republic lately?”

“…”

“Though the situation is sudden, our Management Bureau and Republic military are doing their utmost to respond.”

He seems to be talking about gods, but that’s not the issue.

“I’ve already resolved the matter of these monsters you mention.”

“What…?”

“You needn’t worry about that anymore. They won’t make any further moves.”

This freedom was hard-won. Unless they want to perish just months after escaping their fate, they’ll have fled with their tails between their legs. I heard that mediocre gods were seizing this opportunity, but they must have acted accordingly after hearing my name.

The problem is something else.

“I’m asking about a different matter.”

“…”

Realizing what I might be referring to, his eyes darted toward the junkyard member behind me.

“Is this person truly an acquaintance of Orpheus?”

“What? Yes, absolutely.”

After the junkyard member’s confident answer, Acting President Nikolai took a deep breath and assessed the situation carefully. This showed how cautious his personality was, asking again as if requiring secondary verification.

“Are you… human?”

At the Acting President’s question, the junkyard member behind me exclaimed in surprise.

“What are you…”

But I extended my hand to signal him not to interrupt, so he closed his mouth and stepped back. Anyone watching might think I was the Acting President.

“I am human. That’s why I’ve come to help you and this land.”

“Ah.”

At my words, Acting President Nikolai let out a deep sigh and covered his face with both hands. This indicated the amount of stress he was under.

To further gain his trust, I asked first.

“Which Archdemon is it?”

“You, you know that much?!”

“I know an Archdemon is involved. I need to know exactly which one.”

So far, I’ve encountered six Archdemons:

Vellica, Archdemon of Deformity.

Magan, Archdemon of Gluttony.

Valkyria, Archdemon of Struggle.

Feiren, Archdemon of Worship.

Dune, Archdemon of Pride.

Learic, Archdemon of Deception.

All the Archdemons I’ve met so far have ultimately been defeated by me.

Vellica was somewhat special, still residing within Stella.

Nevertheless, the other five Archdemons are all dead.

I should at least know the name that will be added to this list.

“It’s Lordron, Archdemon of Domination. He threatens to sweep through the Republic of Clark with his army of demons at any moment.”

Lordron, Archdemon of Domination.

‘A name I’ve heard from Vellica.’

Typically, Archdemons don’t act in groups. They either control magical beasts or use a select few demons as their limbs.

But this Lordron was different. True to his title of Domination, the more beings under his control, the stronger he became. That’s why I heard he commanded the largest force among the Archdemons.

“He threatened me. Said his numerous demons could invade from the sky and destroy the Republic at any moment.”

“…”

“If I didn’t want that, he told me to plant his subordinates within the Republic. He himself would… succeed me as President.”

Acting President Nikolai spoke with depression and indignation.

“Is this reality?”

Clutching his chest as if his heart ached, large tears finally fell from his eyes.

“I thought the Republic of Clark was human pride blooming in harsh conditions, unlike the fertile lands of the Han Empire or Griffin Kingdom.”

The pride he held as a leader.

“I thought those who fought for freedom without yielding under Archdemon rule had proven human greatness through honor and victory.”

The responsibility he held as a leader.

Everything was crumbling within him.

“Is this truly reality? Must I accept that Magan, who exploited and oppressed us, was actually protecting the people of the Republic?”

To be coldly honest, that wasn’t entirely wrong.

Due to the cooperative relationship between Archdemon Magan and three other Archdemons, others couldn’t covet the Republic of Clark.

But now the throne was vacant.

It was inevitable that others would rush in, drooling with desire.

“I never thought I’d experience such powerlessness. To think that the choice I must make as Acting President is merely to hand this land over to an Archdemon.”

As I watched him grow more despondent with each word, I fell into my own thoughts.

He was righteous, just like Laila Besh from the Management Bureau whom I met earlier.

“The Republic is truly a land of many possibilities.”

I couldn’t help but say this.

Because they knew tragedy better than anyone, they strove to prove their purity by distancing themselves from it.

Both Acting President Nikolai and Laila Besh—it wasn’t just that I happened to meet good people, but rather that such people were abundant in the Republic of Clark.

People inevitably grow closer when facing a common enemy.

Those who defeated Magan were maintaining their humanity, determined not to become like him.

“There’s no need to worry.”

Having judged that I could trust and rely on them, I patted his shoulder and headed outside.

“The Republic will be safe.”

Clunk.

As I opened the door and stepped out, the junkyard member followed.

“Where are you going?”

Though he might have despaired at the news of another Archdemon, he was gathering his wits and preparing to fight again.

“To meet him.”

Saying this, I opened a window in the corridor, stepped onto the railing, and went outside.

“Spiritmaster?!”

Leaving behind the member who called me by my old title in surprise, I flew to the rooftop of the building.

Now that I knew who was watching over Clockwork and what their purpose was, it was time to confront them directly.

“Lordron.”

The sky distorted. A night sky without a single cloud.

Literally emerging from a swirling sky, spreading his massive wings, appeared a horned Archdemon.

Lordron, Archdemon of Domination.

Like other Archdemons, he resembled a human but was clearly different.

His entire body was like ash, but contained dormant, condensed heat within. His downward-pointing horns on either side looked like spears of punishment directed at those he dominated.

“Spiritmaster.”

Knowing my identity, Lordron whispered my name as he faced me.

In the gale created by his wings, I calmly asked.

“There’s no room for dialogue or negotiation. But I’ll give you a choice.”

My mercy is limited to humans. I’m not generous enough to extend it to gods or Archdemons.

“Either withdraw and retreat now, or meet the same end as the six Archdemons whose positions are now vacant.”

More than half of the ten Archdemons had disappeared. Vellica had told me that Archdemon activity had decreased because of this.

“Human chosen by the continent. Sage who continues to live after marking the end of the fate spoken of by gods.”

Lordron raised the corner of his mouth while attaching quite grandiose modifiers. It was a kind of mockery directed at me.

“I know you fought and won against the continent. Your handling of countless sleeping souls was truly magnificent.”

“…”

“Yes, wielder of vast mana. Even you, once called Spiritmaster, are essentially a necromancer.”

Despite knowing I was staying in the Republic of Clark, Lordron proceeded with his plans.

That means he had finished preparing to face me.

“Look around. Are there any souls for you to control in this land?”

His boisterous laughter erupted afterward. Even with power, how could I possibly face him without souls to use?

Just as a corpse mage is powerless without corpses, a necromancer is powerless without souls.

It was a common strategy, but…

“I’m a bit surprised you thought such standards would apply to me…”

Of course, I can’t use my full power. Perhaps I’ll never again exert my full strength by manipulating souls for personal use.

Nor will I need to.

“You’ve made quite a low-probability gamble.”

“A powerless necromancer with vast mana versus an Archdemon using his full power. Isn’t that a fight worth having?”

How careless. I was about to click my tongue and show him the gap in our abilities as he challenged me after only partially understanding my capabilities.

“…!”

I involuntarily turned my head at the intense presence.

Then I relaxed the power I had concentrated and gradually released my condensed mana.

“Hmm?”

Lordron also seemed to notice her presence, furrowing his brow as he looked toward the high walls of Clockwork.

With the moonlight at her back.

Blood-red eyes glaring at us, gripping her weapon, Baekseol.

“You arrived quickly.”

I didn’t want to make her move unnecessarily, but seeing her state made me realize my mistake.

If an Archdemon appears in Griffin, I go there.

After all, I belong to the Norsweden family of Griffin.

So conversely, if an Archdemon appears in the Republic of Clark…

A guardian will appear to protect them.

The junkyard members who protected freedom now work as executives in the Management Bureau, the core of the Republic.

And the woman who always led the junkyard, swinging her axe at the forefront…

Had become a wolf encompassing the entire Republic.

Their guardian deity.