Ch.96Divergence Point (3)

The first war in the human realm had not ended.

Though they had cut off the head of the Dark Order and claimed the spoils, humans were numerous. Throughout the abandoned continent, forces loyal to the Holy Maiden still remained, vigilantly watching for opportunities.

“Avenge us! Punish all those wicked ones!”

“We will capture all the non-believers! How dare they follow a false prophet!”

Of course, it was an opportunity for survival. At Durin’s second stronghold, established after destroying the Order’s headquarters, humans gathered almost daily. They were all weary of the Crusaders’ plundering and cruelty. As the flames of war repeatedly scorched their daily lives, they had come to wish for complete destruction.

“What should we do? Accept them all?”

“His Majesty would be quite pleased to see this. Leave them be—we need visible spoils as well.”

Durin did not drive them away. It was unfortunate that devotion to a demon was as useless as a stone, but they made for good spectacle. With stone sculptures of Durin visible throughout the streets, they created scenes that would displease the heavens.

“Remove that. It’s blasphemous in His Majesty’s sight.”

Of course, he maintained boundaries. At his command, legion soldiers mobilized to destroy all statues placed in the streets. Some who pretended to be fanatics gasped in shock, but anyone who made even the slightest noise had their head cut off. Establishing order among humans was easier than with demons. Those without fighting spirit quickly submitted when their lives were threatened.

Another month passed this way.

As the war shifted to a mopping-up operation and the Crusaders engaged in local skirmishes along border regions, just as the atmosphere of a new war began to stir, a great upheaval occurred in the human realm.

“Your Majesty. May you be praised.”

“My King.”

Serphin, the Green-Horned Demon King of Istria.

After a millennium, the source of evil had descended once more. All eyes, including those in the heavens, would be watching. Seemingly aware of this fact, the young demon appeared slightly tense.

“Durin.”

Amidst the assembled demons and humans paying homage, she first sought out her regent. Though it appeared to be an act of celebrating victory, in reality, it was seeking a place of comfort. At the king’s call, Durin rushed forward.

“Your Majesty.”

As always, he was majestic. His red eyes suggested he could protect against any enemy that might come.

As a warrior who physically embodied the strength of the demon realm, his mere presence made all creatures bow their heads.

However.

“Why…”

Serphin noticed something else. Taking a careful step forward, her small white hand touched the regent’s armor.

Countless engraved wounds, and a severed horn. The traces left from his fierce battle with Lucretia caught her eye.

“Were you injured so severely?”

“The traitor is a formidable enemy. A warrior not easily defeated even by me. However, in the next battle, I will certainly end her life.”

“Countless battles lie ahead of you.”

She gently caressed his chest, ignoring the regent’s boastful words.

“Don’t get hurt.”

Serphin infused him with demonic energy. Though the severed horn and scars didn’t disappear, the Demon King’s power now surrounded them.

“I’ll regularly bestow my protection on you. I hope you won’t be injured by opposing demonic energy again.”

“I am deeply grateful, Your Majesty.”

“Don’t just answer with words—prove it in the next war.”

The king said this as she passed by Durin. Her moment of heartache was brief. She stepped forward to meet those waiting for her.

She put duty before personal feelings.

“All those wounded by the false heavens have gathered here.”

The young demon endured all gazes upon her. Golden demonic energy created a massive veil. A powerful aura of dominance invaded their minds. Not admiration for strength, but blind loyalty. Pleasure that shook the soul. Serphin exerted all the power she had cultivated during her years as ruler.

“Do you see the blade of vengeance hanging in the sky? The abandoned children will rise again and bring down the hammer upon the hypocrites.”

“Ah! Great Avenger! What is your next command?”

“Abandon your faith! We will never look up to the heavens again, so hold your heads high and face them directly!”

She seemed to have practiced extensively during the past period.

Serphin skillfully captivated the audience, demonstrating her abilities without reservation.

Durin silently observed the scene. His eyes, hidden behind his helmet, concealed his emotions, not revealing what expression he wore.

Yet one thing was certain.

He was reminiscing about a previous era.

#

The war that had ignited like wildfire in the human realm gradually spread across the entire continent.

Heretics emerging from all corners proclaimed the end of the world and did not hesitate to denounce the heavens that had not answered.

Authority was shaken.

The element that Durin once considered most important for the demon realm’s recovery.

The human realm vividly demonstrated what happens when that collapses. Beyond the nearby territories within reach, everything else fell away. Many places tried to maintain their faith but did not support the Papal State with its improper conduct. They sought methods other than the Crusaders to protect themselves.

“Your Holiness. This cannot continue.”

The Papal State was naturally in a state of emergency. Their efforts to blockade the southern continent and contain the fractures had been in vain. Once the rear became unstable, everything would end. With the demon’s descent upon this land, all dormant seeds would raise their heads.

There comes a time when faith cannot overcome enemies. Human will was strong but simultaneously weak.

“What of the heavens?”

“I am constantly praying. We humans are doing our utmost.”

“Our best is creating the worst. They truly do not see the crisis facing the continent.”

Distrust was rampant even among the cardinals. As the situation rapidly deteriorated while the heavens remained silent, complaints grew. Honestly, if they could just properly defend the Papal State, they wouldn’t need to worry, but now things were different.

“The Dark Order has fallen into demon hands. It means they too can harvest power from this human realm.”

“But according to records, demons cannot properly handle faith. Can they utilize it?”

“They won’t use it as nourishment but will spread poison. They’re already spreading blasphemy beyond the south across the entire continent, and soon the Papal territories will be infiltrated.”

“Stop such blasphemous talk! The war is still confined to the south, yet you speak as if demons have already devoured the human realm.”

“I’m saying we need vigilance! I brought this up first because it’s frustrating to see us still leisurely holding meetings!”

Voices grew louder. The elderly clergy raised their voices and pointed fingers. A gathering for the salvation of faith quickly turned into an emotional dispute. Amidst the chaos, the Pope alone gazed at the sky.

“Hmm…”

A faint sigh escaped. Unlike the outside world being consumed by darkness, the sky of faith remained clear. The sun sparkled.

Divine grace was still intact. It just wasn’t looking this way. One might lament becoming an abandoned child, but the leader of the faith did not doubt.

“Soon… it will be.”

He was actually smiling. The voices of those arguing subsided. They asked the Pope, who had been quietly observing from the beginning.

“Your Holiness. What do you mean?”

“Has an answer come from the heavens?”

They were desperate. Thirsty souls rushed forward frantically.

The Pope answered their prayers.

“The heavens have moved.”

His eyes focused on the space between passing clouds. The sparkle grew stronger.

According to records, the sun gains strength when angels move. Though there was no whisper, it would come soon.

It meant the day when angels would descend upon this land was not far off.

“Prepare to welcome our distinguished guests. We shall receive salvation.”

Hope.

The Pope finally proclaimed it. The cardinals’ faces brightened. A merciful hand from heaven had reached down into the pit of hell. They could put an end to the chaos and once again create a great nation of faith.

“What are you waiting for? Move quickly!”

“We must tell the holy knights to organize a new crusade.”

“If we collect offerings from each country, we can certainly mobilize once more.”

“With the heavens on our side, we must stake our fate on this.”

The atmosphere transformed. The wind of holy war blew.

Smiles spread across the faces of the elderly clergy who swayed like reeds. Each gained confidence that they could rise again.

“…”

The Pope still did not participate in the meeting. His upright head did not look down upon them.

He continued to gaze at the sun. There was something unusual there.

A black spot invaded between the rays of light. It meant darkness had come to the realm governed by God.

Demons. Beings that feed on human fear. Furthermore, children once loved by the Creator God but ultimately abandoned.

“The continent will be ruined.”

Despair. The Pope foresaw a grim future. But this time, no one listened. The fervent followers of heaven were only thinking about gathering forces to wage holy war once more.

The lamb of the Creator God closed his eyes.

Witnessing the flow of the world beyond human control, he prayed for salvation.

#

“We cannot maintain the southern blockade like this. The Demon King’s descent!”

“This is beyond human hands. We must quickly seek the power of angels.”

“Has there been any word from the Papal State?”

“They say the heavenly descent has been moved up, but there’s been no further news.”

The Crusaders moved their forces quickly. Though they had been provocative and aggressive against demons and heretics, an enormous fear caused all operations to be withdrawn.

If they wanted to live, a hasty retreat was appropriate.

“So the southern expedition ends here.”

“Such incompetent leadership. How can they not even pray properly?”

“It’s always been this way, hasn’t it? In the previous crusade, they just plundered and sent all treasures to the center, so it’s clear what kind of people are in charge this time too.”

“That’s why we’re in this state. The heresy spreading like wildfire is all karmic retribution.”

“And we who remain will have to clean up after them, which is truly frustrating.”

The current situation was deplorable.

It wasn’t even clear what the war was for. They just massacred and were massacred in return. The sword wielded in bloodlust had now passed to another being—perhaps it was God’s will that they receive judgment properly.

“Humans are just beings that die off. It wasn’t different before, and it won’t be different now.”

Resignation. The knights accepted the changing world.

The faith of those dying on the front lines had long lost its meaning. Only those who wanted to massacre under the authoritative name of the Pope were eagerly climbing to higher positions.

That was the reality of the human realm, and the reason why the faithful ended their lives in martyrdom.

“They will fight for demons, but what should we look to as we fight?”

While accepting demon rule, they would welcome a new being into their hearts.

Unlike the empty holy knights.

The fractures spread faster than the Papal territories had anticipated.