Chapter 287

Chapter 53: Palao’s Will (2)

“You should be grateful to me, not angry.”

Thanks to me shouldering the disgrace and blocking the outsiders, the front line would be maintained.

“I know your kind very well. Always pretending to be noble and righteous, but unwilling to bear even a tiny speck of dirt.”

Haley glared sharply at Rashar.

“Have you ever thought about how you can eat and drink thanks to the donations I gathered while holding back nausea among the nobles?”

And she criticized her choice to prioritize conscience.

“You, with your head in the clouds, will blame yourself, thinking you blocked the retreat of the outsiders and drove them to their deaths.”

“But remember, it’s because I took on this disgrace that you can keep your paradise today.”

She justified her actions as she believed she was making a wise decision.

Even though those sacrificed were outsiders, who neither were born nor grew up on this land.

Watching Haley full of conviction instead of guilt, Rashar found herself at a loss for words.

‘Am I truly the foolish one, or are they the wicked ones?’

It was a moment of grinding teeth in the face of a question without an answer.

“Hey, you idiots!”

A voice suddenly shouted.

Surprised, they turned to see who had shouted.

Emerging through the crowd of outsiders was a lone boy.

“It’s you…!”

Rashar’s eyes widened as she recognized him.

It was Rancho Kannos, the only apostle of Meferoseta, who emerged through the throng.

“If you want to die, die alone!”

Rancho, red-faced, shouted brazenly as he appeared without any preannouncement.

“Why are you pulling me into this mess?!”

Stamping his feet, Rancho continued unleashing a stream of invectives.

Rashar was utterly flustered by his sudden appearance.

Though surely less taken aback than the knights within the barrier.

Rancho Kannos, a man who could utilize the authority of foresight at any time.

Though constrained by the rule of not divulging the future he sees.

However, this constraint was only applicable when conveying precise details.

‘Actions are not restricted.’

His direct intervention to change the situation was not considered a violation of the rules.

Therefore, in Biharin, there is a convention that assumes all the actions of Meferoseta’s apostle aim to alter the future.

This led to cases where the apostle became high-handed, worsening the situation.

Nonetheless, it’s impossible for ordinary people to completely disregard or ignore the power of foresight.

And in not being able to see the future, Rashar was similar to the ordinary.

‘What future did he witness to come here so furious?’

Amidst the shared curiosity of those who recognized Rancho’s identity at once.

“Quickly! It’ll be futile if it’s too late!”

“All right, all right.”

Another person emerged from the crowd, the same as Rancho.

A figure with pure white hair, neatly braided, sighed deeply as they appeared.

“Colin?”

The figure was Colin Behir, the first apostle of Karlos.

Rumored to be involved in crafting a holy beast, his presence there was bewildering.

As Rashar’s sense of curiosity soared, Colin let out another sigh and reached out.

“Old man!”

Haley, realizing the significance of his gesture, screamed to stop him.

But a golden light shimmered, and the Barrier of Patience began to crumble.

Rashar’s eyes gleamed differently in an instant.

‘I don’t know what happened for these two to come here, but’

She couldn’t pass up this chance.

“Rashar!”

Even before Rancho finished calling her, Rashar kicked off the ground and drew her sword.

The Palao knights, who had stood ready and tense behind her, swiftly raised their swords.

There was no need to issue any specific command.

All orders had already been given at headquarters before coming here.

– You are permitted to kill those who resist.

Following those words, the knights of the Order of Palao swung their swords without hesitation.

Red blood splattered onto the white world tree statue.

Never had Rashar imagined the day would come when she’d be engaging in slaughter at a place symbolizing harmony, but she did not stop her hand.

As events unfolded so far, common sense dictated that the outsiders realized the situation.

They needed to back Rashar’s side to reclaim the gate.

Just as the outsiders were about to add their strength, having quickly grasped the situation.

“Don’t get involved. This is something we need to resolve on our own.”

Once again, Rancho screamed loudly.

Consequently, none of the outsiders took part in the battle.

Colin, united with Rancho, casually waved his hand to keep them at bay.

“Oh, oh!”

Each time he moved his hand, the outsiders were pushed back.

As if suggesting that their intervention bore only misfortune.

Even after ensuring outsiders didn’t meddle through divine intervention, the battle raged on.

“Wow, our Apostle is no joke. I’ve never seen Rashar fight before.”

“She’s said to be a genius for a reason. She’s really something.”

The Palao affiliated outsiders, starting with Joseph and Kirish, exchanged words back and forth.

“Wow, how mana flows through the air. Is that the domination stage?”

“If one could control mana like that, there’s no need for long-range or AoE magic.”

“But that’s not right. Mana has its ranks. No matter how skilled, knowing how to execute magic is better.”

“That magic can be nullified, can’t it?”

“Really, why argue about such things? It’s not a game of rock-paper-scissors. Everything has its pros and cons.”

“Mana Domination is 5 billion, right? When will I ever see that…”

“K said not to buy anything related to mana.”

“A man from Switzerland bought that platinum rank but ended up achieving nothing. Just wasted 5 billion.”

“Handling mana is pointless without talent.”

Their banter, oscillating between chats and jabs, continued for a while longer.

As Rashar’s prowess continued, the victory leaned more heavily to one side.

As a result, the opposition eventually surrendered, throwing down their weapons.

Of course, Haley didn’t give up resistance until the end.

Yet due to Colin’s persistent intervention, her rebellion was of little consequence.

In the end, Rashar succeeded in subduing Haley by pinning her down with her knee.

‘Even having occupied the gate without authorization, Haley remains an apostle of Temoria.’

Rashar didn’t have the authority to summarily execute her.

Especially since a Meferoseta apostle had recently fallen on the front line.

For the time being, restraining Haley rather than eliminating her was the best option.

“Old man! Why are you interfering?!”

Haley’s voice, laced with aggravation, echoed as she was pinned to the ground in her own blood.

Colin clicked his tongue and murmured under his breath as he faced her accusations head-on.

“Because he has eyes, see whom Rancho’s choice is beside.”

A remark indicating Haley had made a wrong choice and a testament to it.

Knowing this well, Haley raised her voice even more in desperation.

Why, why was the successor of foresight siding with Rashar over her?

‘It’s the right choice! My choice is wise!’

If we don’t hold these outsiders, then what will happen next?

How do they plan to face another legion approaching grimly, coloring the ground black?!

Despite accepting disgrace for the necessary choice for this world, why?!

Cries of frustration were rising from Haley as she yelled at the top of her lungs.

That’s when the crowd of outsiders parted, revealing fully armed knights.

At the forefront stood a person whom Haley recognized and cheered for.

“Greg!”

Leading the knights to the gate was Greg Tembon, the chief officer of the southern front.

It so happened the new apostle that appeared belonged to Temoria just like Haley.

“How many apostles will be coming to this crowded place?”

Before anyone could finish murmuring, the clashing sound of metal on metal rang out.

As the second round seemed about to commence, outsiders nervously began arming themselves one after another.

However, contrary to expectations, Greg, with a formidable cadre of knights, showed an unexpected reaction.

“Honestly, this is unbelievable.”

The sharp voice and scornful eyes betrayed nothing if not clarity in their misunderstanding.

Those emotions were directed at Haley, now disgracefully grounded.

“Are you even aware of yourself as an apostle? Have some shame.”

Spitting out his disdain, Greg turned to Rashar and spoke.

“Why didn’t you kill her?”

Rashar gulped nervously at his icy tone and responded.

“I didn’t think it was my prerogative. There’s the issue with the front line’s barrier and an official trial…”

“Did the Barrier of Patience seem so fragile that it would collapse over some vacancy?”

Adding a line stating that there was no need to regard someone who never fulfilled her duty.

With that, Greg gestured to his men behind him.

This prompted the knights to advance and confiscate Haley’s relics and restrain her.

Feeling betrayed by Greg, whom she thought would aid her, Haley raised her voice again.

“Greg! What are you doing?!”

“You’ve humiliated the order thoroughly with your shortsighted thinking. Don’t expect to escape quietly.”

“What?”

“Even Jose is furious about this incident, so you can look forward to it.”

At Greg’s cold admonishment, the knights took Haley away.

Afterward, Greg turned to the assembly and spoke.

“I promise there will be definite punishment regarding today’s incident.”

Although a promise made to those who would leave held little significance.

Greg repeated the assurance of Haley’s punishment and lowered his head slightly.

“Let’s keep the farewells simple. Thank you for everything. Even the High Priest of Temoria wishes to convey his deepest gratitude and apology. I’m sure those who sent an apostle here have reached the same decision.”

The moderates, who had been purging extremists and consolidating real power within the order, decided not to detain the departing outsiders.

Having conveyed that intention, Greg turned to Rashar.

“You’ll handle the aftermath, Rashar. Leave the knights just in case.”

With that, Greg promptly departed, as if there was nothing more to see.

Once Greg left, Rashar went about removing the bodies and cleaning up the scene with a composed face.

Afterwards, the knights of the Palao and Temoria orders formed ranks around the gate.

Among the outsiders eyeing each other nervously, the first to make a move were Kirish and Joseph.

Approaching the gate, they turned toward Rashar.

It seemed that they had something to say but paused momentarily.

Instead of leaving any words, they quietly waved their hands before vanishing.

Rashar stared at the spot where they had disappeared.

‘Is this really the end?’

Though there hadn’t been much interaction, they had still seen each other for quite some time.

‘We won’t meet again.’

Thinking about the sudden parting, she felt a pang of regret.

But she couldn’t show it outwardly.

Keeping a composed facade, Rashar remained in her spot.

Starting with Joseph and Kirish, the outsiders densely gathered around the gate began to leave one by one.

As time passed, the crowd thinned, yet the procession of those leaving Biharin seemed endless.

Many gathered at Loborre via portals and teleportation magic circles.

Whether when the setting sun cast its glow on the earth.

Or when the stars twinkled in the deep night.

Or when the horizon grew bright with the early dawn.

When the brilliant sun shone brightly from above.

Rashar solemnly bade farewell to them from beside the gate.

After patiently standing watch for a day and even half longer, until the sunset slowly approached again.

Yang Taeho appeared on the path leading to the Temple of Temoria.

As their eyes met, both flinched for their own reasons, their shoulders trembling.

Then, unknowingly, Rashar glanced at the path leading to the Shrine of Palao.

Sure enough, K was walking along that path.

Damned System