Ch.9331. Because It Depends on the Other Person.

In the case of outsiders stranded within the village, while some patiently waited for the situation to calm down, others actively sought information to understand what was happening. Considerable movement was taking place.

The village guard was responsible for mediating and preventing this commotion and confusion, but they were just as overwhelmed. In this case, it was nearly miraculous that the situation hadn’t erupted into a riot, thanks to the swift assistance provided by personnel from the Eden Revan Alliance branch.

“You’re working hard.”

“…One wrong person let in, and we have this disaster.”

Ruslan, a blue-skinned female demon working at the Eden Revan Alliance branch, was maintaining smooth communication with the guard, just in case.

The two stood side by side at the entrance of the branch building, each with their own emotions as they observed the bustling crowd inside against the backdrop of the now-desolate village. Unfortunately, this disaster was caused by those called remnants of the Demon King’s army—openly referred to as demon remnants—which meant there was a significant risk that the Eden Revan Alliance could also face backlash.

The extreme hostility between the Alliance and the Demon King’s army remnants wouldn’t matter much to those whose judgment was clouded by anger.

‘I suppose what matters is what people want to believe.’

Rather than resenting an enemy they cannot resist, people instinctively prefer to direct their resentment toward weaker parties who will silently endure it. Though the Alliance wasn’t actually weak, they couldn’t exactly retaliate against the villagers either.

Earlier that morning, several men who had attempted to attack Kariel were killed by soldiers following the demon army commander. Currently, they had set up a small temporary camp near the village entrance.

Because of this, no one could easily attempt to escape through the entrance. While people might be able to slip out through other routes, they couldn’t take their belongings with them. Even those who came empty-handed and might somehow escape…

“This incident will certainly spread rumors among the local merchants.”

“The lord will take action to maintain his dignity, but… who knows. Things might work out unexpectedly well.”

At the guard’s regretful words, Ruslan briefly contemplated how a ruler might handle the aftermath.

“We’re fortunate this is Metran. In another country, even we might have been killed in retaliation just for being demons, or strung up on the gallows.”

“They would go that far?”

“Yes, absolutely. But here, thanks to Lord Grandeus, this is one of the few nations where demons who escaped from the Demon King’s army have peacefully joined the human alliance. Many have received help here, so the animosity is relatively mild.”

Metran doesn’t symbolize Grandeus merely because he defeated Rueld. He influenced many places, starting with Metran.

Even in situations where conflict and discord might arise, he led them to unite peacefully in the name of justice, despite his presence being the most jarring element. What made this possible was his overwhelming power. Even the Demon King’s army couldn’t easily launch offensives where he was present, despite their numerical and qualitative advantages in violence.

“By that logic, the son of the great hero who saved the world seems to be having quite a difficult time as well.”

Surprisingly, the guard didn’t speak ill of him.

“Aren’t you resentful toward him? He’s being named as the culprit behind this situation.”

When Ruslan asked this, the guard replied:

“It would be a lie to say I feel no resentment, but actually, it should be the opposite. We should be grateful to him… but I suppose people don’t care about that right now. I grew up hearing many stories about him since childhood, but not everyone has. More importantly, aren’t you facing criticism at the branch for accepting him?”

“That’s something I have to accept. It’s a clear fact.”

Perhaps.

This situation might not have been caused by the hero’s descendant after all.

That demon, the so-called last commander of the demon army, might have had business here originally.

But when he arrived, he found the hero’s descendant was here?

That could be the case.

“Such a coincidence? Tsk!”

Even as he said it, the guard clicked his tongue softly, as if doubting his own words.

Ruslan spoke as if making a wish:

“Whatever happens, I hope things work out well.”

“When everyone was rushing to the Irenis Order chapel, I thought something terrible would happen. But seeing him dismantle the situation head-on, I realized he’s quite remarkable.”

“You saw it yourself?”

“From a distance.”

His presence was extraordinary from the start.

Though outwardly he looked like a youngster much younger than herself.

It was truly impressive—from his entrance to how he drew in the crowd and imposed his will throughout.

“Are all those with the hero’s bloodline like that?”

“I wouldn’t know.”

Whether his greatness was inherited or innate.

Or perhaps both.

…Only they themselves would know.

“By the way, the rats were stirring yesterday, and strangely, not a single cat can be seen. The chickens didn’t crow today either, did they?”

“Oh, now that you mention it, that’s right.”

“I heard they were all found dead. Without any warning signs. Their owners were devastated. Some people are worried it might be an epidemic.”

“Such a thing?”

Generally, before major calamities, animal instincts and intuition respond before human perception.

Though she hadn’t witnessed it herself, she recalled colleagues and others mentioning these strange signs.

‘Perhaps.’

The crisis might not have even begun yet.

They say misfortunes come in clusters.

Or perhaps.

Situations become entangled at such overlapping points.

====

Just by blocking the entrance and preventing signal fires from being lit, the village becomes completely vulnerable.

Even if signal fires were lit, it would take at least half a day for the lord to assemble troops and rush here.

From the beginning, this place, being in the interior of Metran and facing little threat from foreign powers, had only enough troops to maintain public order.

In the past, men and women alike had called themselves warriors and fighters, but now they had grown remarkably weak.

Unconditional peace thus corrodes even the strongest spirit.

“It’s time.”

Bargo moved toward the village entrance.

Some followed him, while others stayed behind to organize the camp.

Whatever the case, their business here was nearly finished.

Despite the former remnants of the Demon King’s army walking openly, no one dared to stop them.

Though the surroundings were empty with most people inside, Bargo began climbing the stairs as if it didn’t matter.

His destination was the same place as before.

If he were going alone, it would take only seconds, but moving with his subordinates was both a show of force and a way to instill pride in them.

Even if he died, this scene would be transmitted to their comrades through the eyes and ears of the subordinates who survived here.

‘…If they survive?’

Why such a premise?

Bargo paused briefly and looked up at the sky.

“Commander?”

“Strange.”

It was quiet.

Places where humans gather are always infiltrated by beasts and insects.

Yet, he could hardly detect such presences.

‘Something is…’

Strange.

But it was too late to retreat.

‘A trap?’

Something was different, but…

“Let’s go.”

Even so, he couldn’t stop here.

Bargo needed to confirm.

He had so many questions.

For Kariel.

And for those who orchestrated this situation.

And the decisions that would be made by beings observing all this from a distant place.

He was extremely curious.

‘How far does your arrangement extend?’

The Demon King of Wisdom.

The first thing that came to mind was, of course, gold.

A wolf or fox in the form of gold.

But what appeared even more vividly was…

…the vast golden land.

It was still clear.

Forming mountains, strange rocks, deserts, icebergs.

…Everything free and harmonious in the golden land.

But even that gold…

Did not invade the sea.

What was the reason?

An odd question, but…

He had long regretted not asking it.

Though it’s an answer he could no longer obtain.

====

“Um, are you really going to be okay?”

Kariel did not draw his sword.

To onlookers, he merely gripped the sword hilt as if in prayer for a moment.

Then, as if without regret, he released his hand from the sword.

The anticipation of those watching—whether out of curiosity, surveillance, or other reasons—quickly turned to disappointment.

“……”

Kariel only nodded slightly at Leo’s question.

Even if he somehow used that to overcome the current crisis…

…it would only be a compromise.

It would be the same as surrendering.

Even if someone criticized him for clinging to useless pride or stubbornness, he had no choice.

I don’t want it, and it doesn’t want me either.

Above all, they say I’d have to form a covenant if I draw it, which is even more absurd.

“The divination is very ominous.”

To Leo, who had retreated back to the group…

Deike adjusted his hat with a gloomy face, reminding them of the danger.

“This isn’t just about someone living or dying.”

Luciri snorted.

“Always so dramatic. Isn’t someone dying a big deal? How could that be a small matter?”

“……”

Luirin remained calm, yet somehow seemed absent-minded.

Leo asked her, concerned:

“Are you okay?”

“Oh, me? Yes. I’m fine.”

Her master, Kariel, was clearly not fine.

He still looked so unsteady that even standing seemed difficult.

However, he had no more time.

With the Salvation Knight Order people who had been by his side now gone…

He was clearly alone.

And over there…

Those who had just reached the 4th level, climbing the stairs…

Were burning with hostility toward Kariel, with clear purpose.

Bargo stopped ten paces away.

He asked with indifferent eyes:

“Were you hesitating to draw it until I arrived?”

“No.”

Though still struggling, perhaps due to the enemy’s appearance…

His demeanor had changed.

Kariel quietly responded to Bargo’s question.

“Then?”

“Because it’s not mine.”

“…You won’t draw it? Or you can’t draw it?”

“Think what you will.”

“How disappointing.”

So you too were just a clown?

Bargo, having his soldiers stand back, gripped his jet-black spear again.

“Then.”

His figure disappeared, and only his afterimage stretched out, shooting toward Kariel.

Like an arrow fired in a straight line, it traversed distance and space in an instant.

Before the onlookers could reflexively shift their gaze or turn their heads…

Bargo had already reached Kariel’s face.

“!!”

But…

…

It was Bargo who first stepped back slowly to create distance.

“What trick is this?”

Kariel’s extended sword…

The one-handed sword given by Elhermina was stretched out straight.

Had Bargo deliberately closed the distance, he would have been pierced through.

No, that premise is strange.

It was merely extended.

Who would voluntarily throw themselves onto it?

“……”

Kariel looked as if he wanted to click his tongue.

Lacking the energy to do so, he seemed to substitute a short exhale for a sigh.

“……”

Something had changed.

Something was different.

But what it was, he couldn’t tell.

Compared to when he first saw him, this was merely a faint ember that could go out at any moment.

Yet somehow…

…it didn’t seem easy to extinguish.

====

-The black light star the sword babbled about is a problem for later. What’s important now isn’t that.

It’s a situation where you’ll either die or pass out.

-In your emptied state, you’re now more susceptible to external forces than before.

To the point where even a gentle breeze could not just graze but cut through your skin.

Kariel’s body and senses were currently in an unspeakably miserable state.

-Use everything to the maximum. Even so, you’re now far inferior to an ordinary human, full of defects.

Still, the techniques remain.

The skills remain.

The body optimized for them remains.

Though the body has never been completed or refined.

-Now that you’re completely empty, you can actually unleash everything. I’ll temporarily awaken your sensory aspects. Since physical limitations are meaningless now, let’s release everything.

Even so.

-If you lose control of your body even slightly? Your own heartbeat will cause your insides to be violently shaken. That’s how poor your condition is.

Above all.

-The compatibility isn’t good, but precisely because of that, now is when the compatibility has become quite suitable. Don’t forget your specialty.

What you’re about to do…

-Depends entirely on your opponent.

And that was your specialty, wasn’t it?