Chapter 85: True Purpose (1)

Wolfgang hesitated for a brief moment.

Was it the right decision to use this trump card now?

If things went wrong, she could end up in serious trouble.

But her hesitation didn’t last long.

This wasn’t just any threat—it was the potential resurrection of the Winter King.

While Wolfgang might have handled other situations on her own, the Winter King was a problem she absolutely had to stop.

Regardless of the likelihood, this was a threat that had to be dealt with.

Reluctantly, Wolfgang pulled out the crystal orb.

It was a special privilege granted only to the commander of the Vendetta Corps—the authority to summon the entire corps.

Of course, it wasn’t the entire Eastern Defense Force, but the full strength of the Vendetta Corps.

It might not sound like much, but the Vendetta Corps was always on standby, ready to be summoned at a moment’s notice.

They were always in a state of combat readiness, with little time for proper rest.

In fact, it had gotten so bad that they barely had time to shower.

Wolfgang had changed the system so that members could choose to respond to summons rather than being forcibly summoned.

At the very least, they deserved proper rest.

Because of this, Wolfgang wasn’t sure how many would answer the call.

The Emperor, Leifen, wouldn’t be summoned—it would be problematic if he were.

But the rest of the members would likely show up.

“If just Jackal and Galina show up, that’ll be enough.”

With that thought, Wolfgang activated the crystal orb to issue the full corps summoning order.

The orb glowed an ominous purple before the light faded completely.

Milena asked a question.

[Are you sure it worked?]

“Yes, it’ll probably take some time. They’re far away.”

[I see. It’s a relief that you can call for help.]

“Then let’s talk in the meantime. Especially about the Sun God.”

The existence of the Sun God was something Wolfgang couldn’t simply ignore.

After all, it was the source of her power.

The problem was that the power was too overwhelming.

Milena sighed in response.

[I suppose I have no choice. I’m in no position to hide anything from you now.]

“Good. Then my first question: Why did the Sun God just stand by and watch when everything went to hell?”

[He wasn’t just watching. He had no choice but to watch.]

“What do you mean?”

[In the past, the Sun God was in constant opposition to the Winter King.]

In ancient times, before the concept of nations even existed among humans, the Sun God and the Winter King were opposing deities.

Even though the Winter King was an ancient god who had existed since the beginning, the Sun God was no less powerful or authoritative.

Because of this, the Winter King couldn’t fully carry out his will.

But over time, the damage accumulated, and the Sun God began to worry.

Unlike the Winter King, who cared nothing for his followers, the Sun God cherished his believers.

So, the Winter King made a proposal—or rather, something akin to an alliance.

A pact to not interfere in the human realm.

Of course, the Sun God wasn’t foolish enough to trust the Winter King completely.

But as the damage and loss of life continued to grow, he eventually accepted the pact.

“He couldn’t bear the accumulating damage, could he?”

[Yes, that’s correct.]

“I understand, but it was a foolish choice. The Winter King would never keep such a pact.”

[The Sun God thought so too. But surprisingly, the Winter King kept the pact faithfully.]

To be precise, the Winter King didn’t need to break the pact.

While direct interference was impossible, interference through beings in the mortal realm was allowed.

However, while the Sun God’s followers strictly adhered to his laws, the Winter King’s followers used any means necessary to bring about his return.

They even discovered a massive loophole in the pact. Taking advantage of the distraction caused by the Demon King, they prepared for the Winter King’s return—and succeeded.

“What was that loophole?”

[That’s…]

“Hurry up and open it! The commander is calling for us!”

“Don’t rush me. I just found it.”

“Why are you so calm? The commander could be in danger.”

But at the sound of voices from behind, Wolfgang let out a sigh.

It seemed this conversation would have to wait.

She couldn’t openly talk to the goddess of the kingdom in front of the imperial forces.

The Vendetta Corps had responded to Wolfgang’s summons much faster than expected, but they were visibly uneasy.

The reason was simple: they were much later than they should have been.

Even Leifen, the Iron-Blooded Emperor, was taken aback by the situation.

Leifen, who prided himself on being able to reach any corner of the continent, found this time to be different.

For some reason, Leifen couldn’t immediately create a spatial connection as he usually could.

It took time to forcibly open a portal, which delayed their arrival.

As soon as he arrived, Leifen looked for Wolfgang first.

“Wolfgang! Are you alright?!”

“I’m fine, Your Majesty.”

“That’s a relief. Speak freely since we’re together.”

“If you say so.”

Leifen explained that there was some kind of strange barrier around the temple.

It wasn’t a human-made barrier, but it felt eerily familiar, which made him uneasy.

Behind him, Natascha smiled and hugged Wolfgang.

“Commander! I missed you!”

“Yeah, Natascha. I missed you too. It’s been a while, Dena.”

[Commander, I follow your will.]

“I’m always grateful.”

“Me too, Commander.”

Natascha, Dena, and even Black—Wolfgang greeted each member of the Vendetta Corps as they arrived.

However, Galina was glaring at Wolfgang with a sullen expression.

“…What’s your problem now, Galina?”

“You know what it is, don’t you?”

“I do.”

“How could you not contact us even once?! You had the crystal orb with you!”

“I’m sorry. I have no excuse.”

Wolfgang admitted her fault on this matter.

She should have at least contacted them using the crystal orb, but she had been too preoccupied with the situation at hand to even think of it.

Galina spoke up.

“If you don’t have a good reason, I won’t let this slide this time!”

“The Winter King is trying to return.”

That one sentence was enough.

Galina, who had been glaring and fuming, and the other members who had been distracted, all turned their attention to Wolfgang at once.

Leifen spoke on their behalf.

“Is there any room for error in that statement?”

“None. That’s why I issued the full corps summoning order. To prepare for the unexpected, I called all the Vendetta Corps members I left behind in the kingdom.”

“I was wondering what could justify taking such a risk. Now I understand.”

“The Winter King… that damned entity.”

The moment the name “Winter King” was mentioned, the expressions of the Vendetta Corps members changed.

It was inevitable.

They all had their own stories tied to the Winter King.

Especially Jackal, whose connection was even deeper.

“Pull yourself together, Jackal.”

“Sorry, Commander.”

“You have nothing to apologize for. I’m just helping you get your revenge.”

“My revenge? Commander, you’re helping me?”

“More accurately, it’s revenge for all of us. Isn’t that right?”

All of us have been harmed by the Winter King at least once.

Wolfgang herself was no exception—abandoned by her parents, forced to accept death to survive, and so on.

We’ve all been through it.

“The object of our hatred and resentment has returned. Do you think the hatred and anger will disappear just because we killed him once? Can we say we’ve been compensated for the lives he ruined?”

“Absolutely not!”

“You’re right, Commander.”

“Good. Then let’s kill him again. The Winter King, who doesn’t know his place and dares to return.”

Wolfgang’s words were met with unanimous agreement from the Vendetta Corps.

After all, the name “Vendetta Corps” itself meant “Corps of Vengeance.”

It was a name chosen to honor their fallen comrades, but it also symbolized their desire for revenge against the Winter King, who had taken so much from them.

Everyone steeled their resolve and moved forward. It was a bit—no, quite—surprising that even Leifen had come, but Wolfgang had no intention of sending him back.

This enemy was the most powerful, vicious, and horrifying they had ever faced.

“Commander, will this really be the last battle?”

Was it because she thought it would be the last battle?

Or was it because the thought of facing the Winter King again made her uneasy?

Galina asked Wolfgang, who sighed in response.

“Who knows? No one can say for sure.”

But at least this time, I don’t think it’s the end.

There’s definitely something more that I don’t know about yet.