Ch.79Descent (1)

Rain poured down.

Countless galloping hoofbeats pounded the earth.

“Drive out the heretics!”

“Their so-called Saint is false. Only the God of Light is true.”

Knights shouted continuously beside an old man dressed in clerical robes. From a hilltop where a single ray of sunlight broke through, a cardinal of the Papal State surveyed the battlefield. After the holy knights’ charge, the scattered heretics fleeing in disarray unfolded like a mosaic painting.

“Your Eminence. The blasphemers will soon be dealt with.”

“What were they trying so desperately to protect?”

“Ruins, Your Eminence. Ancient ruins of unknown origin, they say.”

“Was it the Saint’s directive?”

The white knight shook his head.

“I believe not. According to our spies, there are factions acting independently within the Saint’s forces.”

“So the Saint is not controlling them with unholy power?”

“It seems more accurate to say she’s merely observing them.”

“Hmm.”

The cardinal fell into contemplation.

The battlefield before his eyes—a noble scene where they were gaining the upper hand, ready to proclaim God’s will to the world.

But according to his adjutant’s report, that wasn’t the case at all. The Saint was abandoning these people.

She must have other plans for these valuable ruins.

“Continue the encirclement, just to be safe.”

“You don’t want us to enter?”

“The Saint is a powerful being who can stand against even angels. Rushing in recklessly could not only destroy our knights but put the entire Crusade at risk.”

“I’m uneasy about this.”

Heavy raindrops drummed against his helmet, growing increasingly fierce. The clanking of metal rings echoed like alarm bells warning of danger. Under the dark clouds, it seemed the Saint’s trap was about to spring open. The ominous feeling was reinforced by months of failing to conquer these enemies.

“The Archangel will descend soon. Let’s minimize unnecessary casualties.”

“Is he finally coming?”

“I hear he has eliminated all the dissenters in Heaven.”

The cardinal fingered his necklace. Divine power swirled around the sacred object embedded with a transparent gem.

“We shall drive every demon from this continent.”

“And behead all heretics.”

“Let us exercise restraint for that day. Sound the retreat.”

“We’ll establish a perimeter.”

Bwoooooo—

The horn blown vigorously by a soldier echoed across the battlefield. The holy knights who had been slaughtering the infidels just moments ago unanimously turned their banners. There was no hesitation. They trampled over corpses as they returned to their lines.

“We will cut off their breath later. Let us withdraw for now.”

“Yes, Your Eminence.”

The massacre under the Crusaders’ boots finally ceased by evening.

Blood that the rain couldn’t wash away flowed like rivers around the ruins. Their souls would find no peace.

For the holy knights had heaped endless curses upon them.

#

“Marcus! Quickly, get inside!”

“Haven’t they retreated? Then why—”

“That’s exactly why this is our chance. When will we get another opening like this?”

The heretics scattered throughout the human realm moved with urgency. Men in black robes didn’t even think to cover their heads with hoods.

They ran, clutching a single desperate hope.

“Ancient texts contain demonic summoning rituals, if we’re quick.”

“Weren’t they all burned by the Papal State?”

“They never truly disappear. As long as we harbor fear of demons, they remain inscribed somewhere.”

“W-what does that mean?”

“Right here.”

Inside a cave where damp droplets fell.

The heretic tapped the wall repeatedly.

“In ancient times, they worshipped demons away from God’s gaze. That’s why they prepared temples in caves like this.”

“Then this is…”

“Yes. The sanctuary our order has been searching for—where demons were once enshrined.”

“The Saint has blessed us.”

They fell into ecstasy. Hope appeared to end this dragging war.

The moment of salvation from that cursed army of hypocrites was approaching. Those wicked ones who killed anyone not following the God of Light—demons would never forgive them.

“I’ll begin the ritual, so step back a bit.”

“Alright. Is there nothing else I need to do?”

“Keep the lookouts from entering carelessly. In case the demon becomes displeased.”

“Ah, r-right.”

They trembled involuntarily. The cruel images from hidden scriptures were more terrifying than an angered angel. Yet they had one reason to summon a demon: they could no longer endure the massacres perpetrated by holy knights obsessed with divine law.

“Here I go.”

The heretic gulped. He pulled out a sharp dagger from his breast.

The skin illuminated by a single lamp was too fragile. If the metal sliced through, one pitiful life would perish here. But that didn’t matter. If only they could kill all those damned knights.

Thunk!

“Ugh!”

The carefully raised dagger plunged into his abdomen. Blood gushed forth with a single cry.

Though intense pain reddened his eyes, the heretic smiled. His spilled blood flowed along cracks drawn on the floor.

Not natural fissures, but deliberate markings.

Red lines began forming a pentagram. Under a single flame, the blasphemous image was completed.

One possibility to strike down the holy knights intoxicated with victory and reveling in slaughter.

Seeing this, the heretic cried out:

“Please, kill them all.”

Life drained away. His eyes lost focus. His trembling hand released the dagger and fell to the floor.

The soulless body collapsed onto the ground.

Silence. The sound of rain still pouring outside scattered emptily into the world.

“…”

The remaining men tensed. Had they failed?

It shouldn’t be this quiet. According to the scriptures, the summoning ritual would accompany a massive spatial rift.

It was written to be a shocking sight powerful enough to devour all the holy knights moving under God’s will.

“Was the sacrifice insufficient?”

“Then I’ll step forward.”

They didn’t hesitate. They immediately drew daggers and brought them to their throats.

The sharp blades were about to take another life against soft skin.

Boom—

The world shook. Falling dust obscured the heretics’ vision.

Had the holy knights begun their attack? No. They had no magic battalions.

BOOM—

This impact was stronger. Enough to make them stagger.

And so they could smile. It wasn’t a failure. The departed life had not been in vain.

“L-look over there!”

“My God!”

The shouts of warriors standing guard outside reached them. The heretics rushed out.

The rain had stopped. The moment they faced the light, the world seemed frozen.

Water droplets suspended in air. Dark clouds unmoving. Sunlight obscured.

Between them, darkness arrived. A swirling blasphemy began filling the sky.

He has come. He has descended.

The savior who will punish angels and wash away our pain with blood.

“Aah.”

The heretics knelt. Some worshipped and took their own lives.

They offered their lives to the demon, advancing fearlessly into darkness.

Finally, a black pillar appeared above the pile of bodies.

BOOM!!

Just like in the mythical scene.

Demonic energy that tore through the heavens’ watchful gaze descended upon the world.

The Great Demon.

A being to oppose angels and rule through fear.

The heretics who had lost everything prayed desperately:

“Punish them.”

Their own safety didn’t matter. Those who survived at death’s edge wanted only destruction.

“Fulfill our revenge.”

The last remaining heretic completed his prayer as he took his own life.

#

Crossing dimensions required more strength than expected.

A powerful repulsive force pushed against them. Ordinary beings couldn’t have withstood it.

They gained new appreciation for Heaven’s power that had sent armies numbering in the tens of thousands to the demon realm. If just five of them felt such impact, they couldn’t imagine how many resources would be needed to send a legion.

“That’s a problem for our sorcerers to worry about.”

Ludmila, who had joined their party, said. She was gazing ahead, unconcerned by the dimensional currents.

“Can’t you hear it? This sound.”

As the demonic energy cleared, the first view of the human realm appeared.

They seemed to have arrived at some ruins, as collapsed debris came into view first. There was no time for appreciation.

Red energy was gathering around them. It held life, like blood.

—Avenge us.

—Overcome them.

—Punish them.

Whispers filled with resentment continued. The energy spread like heat haze, swirling and pleading.

It was like a cry directed at them.

“This is…”

“Soul remnants. According to scripture, it’s a byproduct that appears when humans offer tributes and pray to us.”

“Are they used to rule over humans?”

“Not exactly. We can only hear the voices. The vessel to receive them is separate.”

As Ludmila said, the red energy passed through the two demons. It wasn’t absorbed like demonic energy, just flowing past.

It was heading toward one place.

“…”

The Hero standing in a daze. When he raised his hand, the energy immediately wrapped around his wrist and seeped inside.

“Seems I have work to do here.”

“Gather those soul remnants while we search for the ruins. It’s my duty to deliver them to you in place of the Prophecy Witch.”

“Duty?”

“Like a prank played by fate. Only we sorcerers know about it.”

Ludmila smiled. She flipped her robe back and spread her arms wide.

“Now that we’ve returned to this world, it’s time to rebuild our foundation. The time has finally come to fulfill the thousand-year longing of the observatory.”

Durin blocked the path of the happy sorceress.

“First, I’ll establish a bridgehead. Ludmila, once we find other ruins and make contact with scout beasts, we’ll see where to bring down the legion.”

“But there’s something to do before that.”

Ludmila pointed her finger toward the distance. The faint sound of horns could be heard.

Clearly the sound of an army. At the same time, they felt the hypocritical power that Heaven’s creatures would possess.

“Humans?”

“We should greet them properly.”

“In that case.”

Durin stepped forward. The red glow emanating from outside his helmet was hotter than ever.

“This will be fun.”

He intended to give them a grand welcome ceremony.

#

“W-what was that beam just now?”

“It seems the heretics inside the ruins have done something.”

“Damn it. How did they know summoning rituals? That’s papal classified information.”

The cardinal’s mind was in turmoil. Demonic energy had been detected from the ruins they had surrounded, suspecting the Saint’s trap.

It wasn’t power humans could handle.

Only the Saint, who claimed divine revelation to punish Heaven, or demons from mythology could wield such power.

Since the Saint was currently engaging the Crusade’s main force on another front, there was only one possibility left.

“We thought it was just a detachment, but this is a disaster.”

“We should wait for the Archangel as originally planned, Your Eminence.”

“And prepare demon-binding formations too. Quickly gather all available priests to prepare. This isn’t an entity we can face unarmed.”

Looking at records from when demons descended to the human realm 1,000 years ago, it was literally hell.

Heaven’s light was erased and prayers were drowned by screams. Songs praising slaughter reached the sky—it was beyond imagination.

“If possible, call the hero from the main force. Though the Saint is powerful, she’s no comparison to an actual demon. The situation is urgent, so move quickly.”

“Yes, Your Eminence.”

The cardinal sighed as he watched the holy knight rush away.

The situation was heavier than expected. His 60-year-old body was too frail for such a burden.

He wanted to pray for divine help through this crisis, but dark clouds filled the sky. It wasn’t clear.

No matter how hard they tried, their voices wouldn’t reach.

“The Archangel must come quickly.”

His worried words flowed out. He feared for the future of the human realm.

If demons came, surely…

“Y-Your Eminence!”

The answer came immediately. A messenger running even faster than the holy knight had a face filled with confusion.

“Demons!”

So it has come.

“Demons have appeared in the human realm.”

God.

Please save us.