Ch.86Secret (2)

The southern continent of the human realm was completely burned away in the flames of war.

They could not return to their ordinary lives. They were perfectly divided into two factions.

The Celestial Believers who still believed in salvation from heaven, and the Dark Order who cried for vengeance against them.

Their actions were not much different from each other. They readily harmed the opposing side for the angels or demons they believed in. Blood flowing from bodies was wine, and flesh was rye bread. Those who worshipped at the blood-stained altar resembled the rituals once performed by the primordial demon lord.

“Holy Maiden, what should we do? Demons are attacking our order.”

Just when it seemed the world had become a place where they must kill each other endlessly in an eternal cycle, a ripple occurred.

A great demon suddenly appeared in the south. This fearsome being, previously seen only in myths, completely overturned the balance.

It made no distinction between friend or foe. Rather than showing signs of ruling over humans, it killed them all. Everything it touched was devoured by dark power, leaving not even bones behind.

Ten monasteries supporting the Crusaders disappeared, and the Dark Order branches that had been cheering at this, along with the Grand Cathedral of St. Moriano, fell into the demon’s hands.

“Why don’t they take our side? Aren’t the heavens their enemy?”

“We’re the same to them. Have you been worshipping demons until now?”

“But we’re the ones who decided to renounce our faith and fight against them…”

“Such beliefs don’t matter. Religion is merely a human construct. Higher dimensional beings survive by consuming simpler emotions.”

A believer responded to the Holy Maiden with a trembling voice.

“Are you referring to fear?”

“You’ve studied the scriptures well. That’s right. They feed on the very act of humans fearing death, just as the celestials draw power from faith.”

“That seems difficult to overcome since it’s like an instinct.”

“That used to be true. But we’re different. The Dark Order moves solely by the righteous human conviction, without worshipping anyone.”

She spoke of will. Her eyes were fierce as she looked back.

“Everyone, prepare for battle. To defeat the Crusaders, we must first overcome the demon.”

“This must be a trial sent by God.”

“Demons try to prove their worth through struggle. So do we. Let’s show them what true worth is.”

“As you command!”

The motivated Dark Order soldier stomped his foot vigorously. Each step toward the outside was filled with resolute determination.

The butterfly effect caused by one small human would soon spread throughout the entire order. Those willing to dedicate their bodies and souls to the Holy Maiden would gladly throw themselves into the flames of war.

“Ah… I wish this life would never end.”

The Holy Maiden muttered while looking at the idol.

The mysterious statue that the Dark Order had enshrined for over a thousand years. It smiled as it met her gaze.

“What a wonderful world where one can kill without obligation.”

#

“Demon, come out! Face our blades!”

Upon leaving St. Moriano Cathedral, there were those fervently shouting outside.

Knights in white armor filled the horizon. They were warriors who claimed to hunt demon lords under the name of the Crusade.

“We’ll kill you before you can conspire with the Dark Order!”

They were triumphant.

Humans were always like that. They feared the unknown, but sometimes courage born from ignorance could be greater.

Perhaps it was due to such reckless behavior recorded in history that exceptional talents called heroes emerged. Confidence bordering on recklessness might have drawn the Creator’s choice.

“Knights of the Holy Order, what are you waiting for! Kill that being!”

Thud-thud-thud-thud-

With a battle cry, the knights in white armor began their charge.

They rushed toward the great demon, armed only with their faith. They were like moths flying into flames.

The cathedral walls had already been broken through by Durin, making it easy for the cavalry to enter. If they clashed now, a bloody battle would unfold in the manor.

“The sanctuary must not be defiled.”

Though he always welcomed challenges, he didn’t want the Night Goddess’s secrets resting in the sanctuary to be disturbed.

He gripped the cathedral with force. Demonic energy spread instantly, consuming the structure. The power, spreading like a net, erased the last remaining vestiges of thought.

At that moment.

BOOM-

St. Moriano Cathedral collapsed. He ensured that no one would ever find clues about the forgotten goddess.

Dust rose and covered the view. It was dark and hazy. The power was so terrifying that the holy knights tightly gripped their reins. The black demonic energy flowing from the demon realm was that frightening.

“Don’t stop! He must have weakened after crossing into the human realm.”

“God watches over us!”

“Charge!”

Those at the vanguard did not retreat. Instead, they gritted their teeth and advanced toward the demon. They showed more warrior-like qualities than angels. Durin was somewhat impressed.

“This much is needed to be called a challenger.”

He felt ecstasy. Beyond the dust-covered world, holy power sparkled. Starlight meant only to kill him rushed forward.

“You are warriors. Not mere moths.”

At that moment, Durin engaged in battle with sincerity. He raised his hand. A great sword appeared from within the black demonic energy.

“I’ll honor that courage.”

Time slowed down. The spearhead approaching slowly aimed for the demon’s skull. It seemed ready to pierce through at any moment.

Seeing this, Durin slashed his sword vertically. The demonic energy drew a thin line. The sharp blade pointed precisely at a holy knight at the vanguard.

A face beyond fear, filled with madness. Durin smiled with satisfaction.

CRASH!

The demonic energy that had voraciously consumed the cathedral changed direction. Dozens of strands erupted from behind Durin and struck the holy knights. They cut down everyone except one.

White armor turned red and shattered into pieces. Throats that had been calling out to God were severed. Bodies rained down where the violent storm had passed. The knight order was annihilated with a single sword strike. Only one knight barely survived.

“Ugh, uwaaaaah!”

Faith dominated his body. His eyes were already rolled back, showing only the whites.

He was probably looking up at the high heavens. Durin carefully wrapped the body of the knight who was asking to see God.

CRUNCH!

He caught the clumsily swung sword and crushed it. At the same time, he pulled with force, causing the knight to lose balance. The head that came along was caught in his other hand. Blood and tears flowed from the eyes visible between his fingers.

“I’ll show those watching from the other side.”

“Urgh… kuhup!”

“How truly great your challenge was.”

Crunch.

As the skull shattered, the soul leaked out. He couldn’t even scream. Blood and flesh dripped from the gauntlet.

He spreads terror in the human realm to strengthen demonic energy. There was no need to dry-kill with fighting spirit. It was more effective to cruelly end lives one by one.

The more they put holy war forward, the more fear would rise above faith, so Durin was willing to welcome battle.

Step, step.

Durin walked outside the wall. Standing on corpses, he surveyed the horizon.

The Crusader forces, excluding the knights, surrounded the demon. The troops gathered to prove their faith rather than follow the Pope’s orders couldn’t move rashly. They had witnessed the miserable end of those who had bravely rushed in.

“……”

But they did not retreat. They were not the kind to flee from fear.

The Crusaders were an army that opposed enemies who defiled their faith. If they fled before a demon, it would be recorded for posterity as a cautionary tale. They couldn’t bear such humiliation.

“U-uwaaaah!”

“Charge!”

“Don’t flee from the demon!!”

Those who had kissed the golden cross collectively challenged Durin.

Praying to see each other again in heaven, the believers sacrificed their lives for their god. They hoped their god would be moved by this glorious battle.

“Oh God!!”

Prayers that were almost screams enveloped the battlefield.

#

“My goodness…”

The Dark Order patrol was taking in the scene. They had come here to monitor the large-scale Crusader forces, but now they were speechless.

“Was the demon’s power this great?”

“It might even surpass an archangel.”

Thousands of troops were crushed under the demon’s hand. It wasn’t a war but a massacre.

Every time the great demon rode his warhorse and swung his sword, dozens lost their lives. Blood and flesh separated and rolled on the ground. It seemed too miserable to even hope for salvation.

“The Holy Maiden ordered us to subjugate it.”

The heretic couldn’t help but hesitate. They were a group gathered for revenge, not faith.

While they would gladly give their lives to bring down the Papal States, this was different. They hadn’t joined the Dark Order to become demon food.

“Damn it.”

He wanted to say something, but only curses came out.

As seen from the destruction of St. Moriano Cathedral, the demon made no distinction between friend and foe.

The Crusaders and the Dark Order.

Regardless of color, all were made sacrifices for slaughter.

Rushing in would only mean death. Just like the Crusaders who called out their faith and became pieces of meat.

“……”

Unable to make any judgment, he could only bite his lips in the end.