episode_0176

“This guy is a little ugly.”

After reaching a certain level, I no longer felt interested in training martial arts.

I’m just wasting time doing nothing but pruning the branches of a small bonsai tree.

If you ask, “Why are you growing plants that don’t fit any theme?”

I would answer that this excruciatingly boring routine has created a hobby I never had before.

… before realizing the true identity of God.

No, if it were me before I met Anonymous, I would still be swinging my sword.

“Tsk.”

If only time had passed quickly back then, but why does time seem to pass so slowly these days?

Well, anyway.

My current daily life is too peaceful for me.

“Master!”

Like a night before a storm, when the air is so calm that it feels uneasy.

“What’s going on?”

And, just like now.

“… What?”

The change came suddenly.

“… Is that true?”

“Yes, I checked it myself.”

While I was enjoying my boredom to the fullest, Myeong-i came to me in a hurry and said something to me.

“This mountain range…?”

That means, in this mountain range where I live.

“Yes, this mountain range we are in. It seems to have surrounded itself and blocked our escape route.”

So many people, presumed to be imperial troops, gathered that there was no room to even set foot.

“What… .”

The Imperial Army surrounds this mountain range?

…how?

To be honest, the fact that the Empire would subjugate me is not surprising in itself.

Of course I would.

I, too, provoked Lucius, Elia, and Camilla to finish everything neatly.

For me, conversation was easiest with a sword. I never avoided combat.

But, what I’m confused about is something else.

‘how?’

How on earth do you encircle this mountain range?

It’s not a mountain.

It’s a mountain range.

And, as I have always said, this mountain range I am in is a bit too big.

By the way, isn’t it true that the Imperial Army is currently surrounding this huge mountain range?

“How many people are there anyway?”

Even if I estimate it to be minimal, it doesn’t seem like all the Imperial Army has been mobilized.

And, as if to prove my guess.

“What is this… .”

Anonymous nodded in agreement to my question.

At this point, it’s ridiculous.

To subjugate me, to that extent?

I don’t know if there are any surrounding countries, but… anyway, what about other threats?

Did the Emperor who gave him the order judge that the damage that would occur if he were unable to subdue me would be greater than the damage that would occur while the Imperial Army was gone?

If you fail to subdue me, the empire may literally end, but you put more weight on subduing me than that possibility, and do something like this…?

“… Huh.”

How stupid is this?

I couldn’t even finish speaking because I was so shocked by the situation that all I could do was laugh out loud.

but.

I can’t just stay flustered like this.

I too must prepare for battle.

He pushed the bonsai aside, sat up, and asked while caressing the wooden sword at his waist.

“What are the children doing?”

It’s all my karma, so shouldn’t innocent children not be hurt?

“The Heavenly Demon Church and the demons who came here are gathered in one place, waiting only for the Master.”

“Then, gather one representative each from Lily, Jackal, and the Three Swords, including Jack, and have them gather at the cabin.”

“Yes, I understand.”

After hearing what I said, the anonymous man bowed and quickly left.

Thanks to that, I was able to be left alone and had time to organize my thoughts.

“… War.”

Are they coming too?

Among the numerous imperial troops surrounding the mountain range, there are warriors, saints, and close friends called Ironbloods.

If that’s the case, I guess I’ll have to kill them.

They must have also come here to stop me and punish me.

“…”

I feel like I’m starting to feel down.

“Tsk.”

But instead, my head became clearer.

Well, that can’t be helped.

What a complex problem, really, has been summarized so simply and clearly.

‘… It’s not all that happy, though.’

I smiled a bit bitterly, drew my wooden sword, and blew a small wind toward that day.

Soon, the shape of the wooden sword will change slightly.

“With this, I am ready too.”

I’m smiling happily because it turned out to be quite a satisfying shape.

A nameless, locked-up voice is heard.

“Master. Everyone is gathered.”

He turned his head towards me and faced behind me.

“Hmm.”

Behind him, his loved ones were kneeling.

“Let’s meet Cheonma!”

Lily, who was looking at me with the same bold attitude she had shown since our first meeting.

“Che, I meet the Heavenly Horse… .”

Although our first meeting wasn’t a good one, Jackal is still connected to me.

“Meet the Heavenly Horse.”

Then, Jack, who had suspicion in his eyes when they first met, now only has respect left.

“Meet the Heavenly Horse.”

“Meet the Heavenly Demon Lord!”

Finally, after defeating the Reaper who introduced himself as the Lord of Death, Stella and Amber, who greeted each other for the first time in the cave.

After confirming that everyone was gathered, I nodded with a small smile.

“Nice to meet you.”

Their heads dropped as soon as I finished speaking.

The only person looking at me was Anonymous.

I didn’t bother to stop them from bowing their heads, but instead opened my mouth and spoke to them.

“Everyone, you know what’s going on right now, right?”

“Yes!”

“Then, let’s get straight to the point.”

That’s why the matter was so urgent.

“I will decide what you will do from now on.”

Although, he opened his mouth in a small voice.

“—!”

The answer that came back had a huge resonance, with a variety of voices piled up.

He added with a satisfied smile.

“You all-”

* * *

The imperial army, having confirmed that the sun was beginning to set, began to advance simultaneously.

-Thump! Thump! Thump!

The reason they decided to advance at such a late hour was very simple.

Historically, strategically, when it comes to surprise attacks, visibility is poor.

Because late at night had a higher success rate.

They were not dissatisfied because the success rate was directly related to the soldiers’ survival rate.

However, if it is something unexpected.

“… Damn, why is it so far away.”

It’s not just enemies whose vision is obscured.

“It feels like we’ve already walked for half a day… The sun has completely set… .”

Because the mountains were too dark to rely solely on the faint light of a torch.

Is that all?

“Eww!!!”

“What’s going on?!”

This place is called the Demonic Realm because the entire mountain range is called the Demonic Realm.

“There was a cliff right in front…!”

Even though the magic was purified by the warrior, the terrain did not change.

The current terrain is like an iron fortress created by the great nature.

“Fuck… !”

There’s no way they could break through that easily.

So, how long has it been since they advanced?

“…”

While silence was surrounding them.

“Damn it… Everywhere I go there’s nothing but cliffs… How the hell am I supposed to get up here… .”

No one responded to the man’s muttering that broke the silence.

There are two main reasons for this.

One is that he was right,

Another reason is that he doesn’t have enough energy to respond to the words that broke the silence.

Let me explain again, this is a devil’s paradise.

Among them, the one who is most highly regarded in the world is the ‘Top of the World’.

The rugged path and sharp rocky mountains befitting its reputation slowed down the advance for a considerable time.

But did they know?

The thought that suddenly occurred to all of them, ‘I want to quickly handle this and go back.’

How wrong it is.

“… It’s the Demon King!!! The Demon King has appeared!!!”

How I will regret that thought.

“It’s true… .”

“Mo, everyone, prepare for battle!!!”

The direction pointed by the man who screamed so loud it seemed like his ears would rip, at the top of a steep cliff.

When everyone’s eyes turned there.

“Ah… Are we here already?”

They heard.

A truly thin, slightly trembling voice.

“First, I should introduce myself.”

They saw.

Truly sad, slightly wavering eyes.

“I am an ignorant and coward.”

The coward, Cheonharang, pulled out his wooden sword from his waist and began to adjust his posture.

“And, the Demon King you call yourself, the Heavenly Maitreya who stands above all others.”

Cheonma and Cheonharang made expressions of hesitation as they aimed their wooden swords at the imperial troops gathered here and closed their eyes.

The first form of the divine swordsmanship

When she finally opened her eyes.

“Even the heavens you boast about will bow their heads at my feet.”

It seems like he has decided on something.

“I don’t have any ill feelings toward you, but you’re blocking my way. How can I not clean it up?”

Completely, he had the eyes of a ruler.

“So, don’t be too resentful.”

After she finished speaking, she put down her sword.

Optimism

The tip of the sword reaches not to themselves, but to the sky.

-thud!

I brought down everything that stood on my head.