episode_0096

When Rex closed his eyes, old memories that felt like nightmares resurfaced.

Memories of powerless days.

That day was supposed to be a happy one, where the smile never left.

It was the day when his older brother, a high-ranking warrior, completed his mission and returned to Elvengard.

Applause and cheers poured in from all directions.

Just knowing that it was all directed towards his brother made Rex’s heart swell with pride.

But that happy day did not last long.

In the dead of night.

His brother started recounting tales of battle.

Rex went to fetch water from the well because he was thirsty.

Their once intact home was ablaze.

His brother’s head was severed, hanging by someone’s hand.

That horrifying face was unforgettable.

Of course, the pale face of the monster holding his brother’s head was also unforgettable.

Young Rex drew his sword, tears streaming down his face, aiming it at the monster.

The monster, its pale face covered in blood.

Knowing there was no chance of winning, he did not back down.

And when the monster raised its sword.

The priestess of the World Tree intervened.

The priestess spoke to the monster, who nodded in agreement and turned away.

Rex remembered it all.

Young Rex, freed from the fear of death, fainted as he let go of his sword.

Upon waking up, he heard that the name of the monster who killed his brother was Transylvia.

A mere monster who had lost human intelligence.

From that day on, Rex vowed revenge.

Only to avenge his brother.

To forget the nightmare of that day.

To kill the pale-faced monster and uphold justice.

“Fifty years ago! Do you remember the high-ranking warrior you killed in Elvengard? I am his brother, Rex! I embraced his dead body and vowed revenge as I sharpened my sword! I have been waiting for this day!”

And now.

Rex stood before the monster.

Unlike back then when there was a considerable height difference and he had to look up.

Now, he was looking down.

No longer trembling under the overwhelming pressure.

He didn’t know with what audacity he had returned here, but.

He was determined to avenge the defeat of fifty years ago today.

To kill the monster disguised as a human.

“Hey. What kind of trouble did you cause in my absence… Huh?!”

“I challenged my disciple to a duel! This guy will fight in my place.”

“…?”

But the thrown gauntlet hit the wrong person’s face.

And the conversation took a strange turn.

“A proxy for the duel? Does he think I can’t handle it myself?”

Rex gritted his teeth.

He couldn’t forgive this at all.

Whether it was a disciple or a disciple, if he knocked them down, Transylvia would have to step in himself.

“What do you mean by that? Why should I fight instead-”

“Hah! You look like a pathetic kid for a monster’s disciple. You really look like a little thief.”

“Cancel that statement.”

Although he got a little annoyed in the middle.

The determination of the person did not seem very high.

“With that attitude, you can just fight the duel for me.”

“No. Why should I have to fight?”

“I will teach you to the best of my ability. Just as the best weapon is tested on the battlefield, the best swordsmanship is also tested in real combat. You must engage in real combat with an opponent steeped in evil-”

“That’s not the problem. Why should I have to face the one who came for revenge on you? Deal with your own mess.”

Moreover, the relationship between the disciple and Transylvia did not seem very close.

Amidst the argument.

Rex’s irritation peaked, and he stomped his foot.

“Push aside those without determination! Transylvia! Come out yourself!”

What I want to kill is none other than you.

You, who mocked and taunted my brother that day.

Rex screamed, his fists trembling.

“If it weren’t for that dirty priestess you conspired with that day!”

Indeed, that day should have ended differently.

That monster should have been killed.

But everything went awry because of the priestess who let the monster go.

“Priestess? Conspiracy? What does that mean?”

“Don’t play dumb! The priestess you conspired with brought you into Elvengard, and helped you escape!”

If Transylvia conspired with the priestess, everything made sense.

Why my high-ranking brother was suddenly ambushed and killed.

Why Transylvia broke through the encirclement and escaped.

In reality, the priestess was immediately held accountable the next day and stripped of her title.

She never returned to Elvengard again.

Nowadays, she seems to be known as a witch.

“Because of that damn witch! After I kill you, I will seek revenge on her as well-”

“Hey.”

Rex felt the air turn cold.

His heart sank.

Pushing Transylvia aside.

An orc, who had seemed unenthusiastic all along, stepped forward with determined steps.

In his hand, he held the glove Rex had thrown.

With a threatening demeanor, he approached Rex, thrusting the glove into his chest.

“The duel will be in three days. Each side will have one representative. The priestess of the World Tree will be the judge.”

“······.”

Peering into the orc’s face.

“If I win, your statement just now will be retracted, and you will apologize.”

Anger was emanating from him.

.

.

.

“Yeah, yeah. You should have shown that determination from the beginning. Hold onto your worries. I will do my best to teach you righteousness. Even though the possibility of winning against an Elvengard high-ranking warrior without realizing righteousness is slim.”

“······.”

He couldn’t hold back.

He should have.

He should have handled it more calmly.

“But why suddenly show such determination?”

“Just shut up, please······.”

The moment Yulia’s name came up.

And the moment he heard the threat against Yulia.

He couldn’t hold back, stepping on the gas pedal instead of the brakes.

He doesn’t regret it.

He would probably make the same choice if he went back in time.

How could he stay silent when Yulia was being slandered?

“What’s this talk about a pact with the priestess? I don’t understand a word you’re saying. My memory is not clear.”

Yulia conspired with Transylvia and allowed the attack?

It’s nonsense.

Even if things are different now, at that time, Yulia was a true priestess who deeply cared about Elvengard’s future more than anyone else.

He’s completely mistaken.

If he’s so obsessed with revenge that he can’t see reason.

Then I have no choice but to beat some sense into him.

Since he declared he would kill Yulia, there was no option to just stand by.

First of all, I was angry, and that played a part.

And if that bastard really kills Yulia later on, the social repercussions would be immense.

The financial city, Petenbourg, would fall, and a global depression would ensue.

Wars would break out, and countries would be devastated.

If humanity fractures before facing the final boss, we have no chance.

If it seems like harm will come to Yulia.

No matter how small the threat may be, I must crush it right now.

“Why did they set the duel three days from now? What if we don’t realize the misunderstanding before then?”

“We need to set a deadline to increase efficiency. And…”

And.

The commotion that happened here will soon reach Petenbourg.

To prevent detailed information from leaking, the duel was intentionally decided to be held without an audience.

Even with vague information, Yulia will realize that she is involved in this duel.

Once the news reaches Petenbourg.

It takes at least three days for Yulia to reach here.

Whether she succeeds or fails to realize the misunderstanding within that time, she has to leave anyway.

‘If this continues, I might get caught up in it…’

Instead of preventing the worst-case scenario of Yulia’s death.

I have chosen to allow Yulia’s pursuit.

“Alright. Let’s start quickly. We don’t have time.”

“It’s a shame, but we’ll have to wait to clash weapons as bloodsuckers.”

“…Not, a shame at all.”

Since I have chosen this path.

There is no turning back now.

I have to step on the revenge that is heading in the wrong direction properly.

“Okay. Then let’s start now. I will pass on to you the will of the Dakiar family, which Dakia Jackson established after Dakiar’s creation.”

***

“This is insane. How can this be happening?”

“What can we do? Cancel the duel and discipline Rex High Warrior.”

“The duel is a personal freedom. It will cause chaos if we try to stop it.”

In the meeting room where the elders gathered.

The high elves sighed endlessly while puffing on their magic pipes.

They were bewildered by the sudden commotion.

On the day Rex High Warrior returned.

He happened to encounter Transylvia, who had just entered Elvengard, and challenged her to a duel.

And the proxy for the duel was none other than Cheon Michael Jackson.

He was the hero who saved Elvengard.

Even if things went wrong, it seemed like they were going wrong in a chaotic way.

“But isn’t this… actually an opportunity?”

“An opportunity?”

“Cheon Michael Jackson has the authority to hear the strategic asset of Elvengard, the prophecy of the World Tree. If Rex High Warrior fails to control his power in the duel and kills him, couldn’t that prevent the leak of the prophecy?”

“What nonsense is this! Elvengard does not forsake its gods!”

“Let’s be honest! You know very well which side is beneficial to the national interest!”

The meeting room quickly turned into chaos.

Stopping the duel was a problem.

Not stopping it was also a problem.

Although banishing Transylvia might seem like a solution.

Even so, the duel would take place outside Elvengard without any change.

“I heard the news! Stop the duel now! Immediately!”

“High Priestess?”

At that moment, the door burst open violently.

The High Priestess, Mia, rushed in urgently, breathing heavily.

She seemed more desperate than ever.

“High Priestess. I understand your concern for Cheon Michael Jackson.”

“You may be aware of the recent confusion in the prophecy and be conscious of him, but…”

“I’m not worried about that person!”

Frustrated, Mia shouted out loud.

These old men still don’t understand the situation properly.

But having briefly watched Eugene’s sword and confirmed the power of his magic.

Mia could confidently say that there was no chance of Rex winning.

“Hey. Is there any chance that the High Warrior will lose?”

“Ha! How could a High Warrior lose.”

“Currently, Rex is the closest to embodying the true spirit of Meridya. He never backs down even in battles against the Injuk Swordmasters.”

“No matter how strong Michael Jackson is as a mercenary, he can’t possibly compare.”

“This is outrageous…”

Communication was impossible.

Mia tightly closed her eyes, suppressing her anger internally.

It was a situation where Elvengard had lost its full power overnight.