episode_0181

A night when deep darkness descended.

This place, with its steep cliffs and withered old trees, had an ominous atmosphere, almost like the afterlife.

In the midst of all this, are you fearless, or do you have an important mission?

There were those who climbed this magic realm.

“There is a being out there that threatens the peace of the Empire, our family.”

These are the knights of the empire who received orders from the emperor.

Although the sun has long since set, and even the moon that should take its place has turned away.

“Today, after eliminating that threat, we return to the Empire. To the bosom of our families. Understood?”

“Yes!”

They moved forward with their weapons in hand, their faces determined and their resolve strong.

However, no matter how determined you are and how great your motivations are, you can’t help but be nervous when you’re up against an opponent.

The imperial army’s expressions were not entirely bright.

Instead, some of them stepped forward with a frightened, thoughtful look on their faces.

So, how long has it been since we started marching?

Gulp. The sound of swallowing saliva and the sound of stepping on rocky ground. The sound of breathing trembling with nervousness and the sound of a heightened heartbeat became tiresome after a while.

“… Who are they?”

“Well, the Heavenly King said that he only needed to invite two people… .”

The two groups came face to face.

“They are! Show the light of the empire to those who hide in the darkness like cowards!”

“Yes!”

The imperial army was the first to move.

They each rushed towards the black masked men, each holding a weapon in their hand.

Against him, Amber and Stella, who belong to the Ghost Sword among the Three Swords of the Heavenly Demon Sect.

“Ugh, you said to avoid killing if possible.”

“If you cross the line, I’ll kill you. Even the Heavenly Demon said to prioritize our own health.”

And then Jack smiled and muttered.

“Ahahaha. What should I do?”

An attitude that seemed so calm that it was difficult to understand from the Imperial Army’s perspective.

However, none of those belonging to the Heavenly Demon Sect questioned the attitude of the demon sword. Rather, they just waited for Jack’s next words with an expression that seemed to anticipate what would happen next.

“They pointed their swords at me, shouldn’t we fight back?”

Jack also responded to their gaze by placing his hand on my scabbard.

“There, the only guests invited by Master Cheonharing are the two behind the rock.”

Sreung. The sword stored at his waist is pulled out, and unlike Cheonharang, a sharp blade is revealed, which seems to indicate his intention not to look at the inside of his hand.

“We just have to enjoy this situation.”

Within, Jack, who had added a small amount, jumped into the center of the rushing Imperial Army formation.

“Ah! Jack! I’ll go with you!”

“… Ugh. I don’t know.”

As if they would not back down, Stella and Amber also followed Jack and ran after him with their weapons drawn.

“Don’t back down! We are a small minority!”

“Yes!”

“Heaven protects us!”

The Imperial Army further solidifies its formation, raising its shields and thrusting its spears out.

“Don’t make them climb the mountain!”

“Yes!”

“Fight for the Heavenly Demon Lord!”

The three swords of the Cheonmasingyo swing their swords to pierce the empire’s shield.

Then, thud. The two groups collide with a huge vibration that shakes the ground.

Soon, a thunderous roar filled the place, and the occasional groan of pain enriched the monotonous sound.

The sun has set, and even the moon has turned its head away. In this place where visibility is so limited that they cannot see even an inch ahead, all they can rely on is the torches in their hands, and…

-visor!

There was only a small spark that appeared as swords clashed with each other.

And, a little bit away from this chaos.

Belle, who could be said to be the culprit of the incident, looked at Anna with her shaking pupils barely controlled.

“If what the principal said is true… How, how do we handle this…?”

“… That’s right.”

Anna, who received such a look, also frowned and lost her mind, as if she had no idea how to resolve this situation.

‘How did it end up like this…?’

Anna blamed herself, but when you think about it, you can’t blame her entirely.

The moment Anna judged that her and Belle’s lives were in danger, she informed the Imperial Army of their location through the crystal ball she had in her arms, just as she had previously discussed with them.

The imperial army, having received the signal, headed here to rescue Anna and Belle and achieve their goal of subjugating Cheonharang.

However, the problem was precisely this.

‘When we knew that he had no intention of harming us, he had already sent the signal… .’

Anna did not understand Cheonharang’s intentions exactly, and Cheonharang did not clearly tell Anna his intentions either.

This is what happened because of such a trivial misunderstanding.

“… Damn it!”

However, Anna cannot afford to waste time just blaming this situation.

‘Regretting what has already happened doesn’t improve anything.’

Anna held tightly to the sword she had used since her days as a warrior, crouched down next to Belle, patted her trembling shoulder, and then stood up.

“… Principal? What are you going to do…?”

“It’s my fault. I’ll take care of it myself.”

“net…? What, what is that-”

Before Belle could finish speaking, Pod. Anna’s new form disappeared from Belle’s sight.

“Hey, principal…?!”

Anna leaped up onto the rock, holding her sword in her hands as she pondered over whose side she should take.

-Hey!!! Where are you going…! Choi, at least explain…! Oh my gosh!!! I’m scared…!

“…”

Ignoring the crying coming from behind.

* * *

The highest point of this mountain, where even oxygen is thin.

“Are you here?”

Cheonharang, who was bathed in moonlight all over his body at the top, turned his head when he felt a presence.

“It’s been a while, everyone.”

A greeting delivered with a truly awkward smile.

Although not much time has passed, it feels like it’s been a long time since I last saw them.

“… What is this, grandma? Did you come out to greet me?”

However, isn’t it only Cheonharang who feels awkward?

“Cheol-hyeol-nim…! Even in this situation…! Ah. Harang-nim, it’s been a while.”

“… Long time no see.”

Camilla, Elia, and Lucius greeted her with somewhat stiff expressions.

“… Yeah.”

Their reaction somehow brings a bitter smile.

Until just a few weeks ago, we were just joking around.

It feels chilly, perhaps because the place we are facing is high up, or perhaps because of the frozen atmosphere.

Like that, we exchanged glances in silence for a while.

‘If things continue like this, there will be no progress in the story.’

Cheon Ha-rang, who remembered the truth, took a step towards them, putting away the artificial smile on his face, and readjusted his grip on his sword.

Since Cheonharang was standing on top of the steep cliff, the heads of the group of warriors naturally tilted upwards, and it seemed as if Cheonharang was looking down.

“… Hmm.”

Cheon Ha-rang, who was looking down at them for the first time in his life, felt a bit of an unfamiliar emotion and opened his mouth in a low voice.

“Okay. Have you made a decision?”

We didn’t even talk about the decision maker.

There was no need to do it because everyone here already knew it.

“ did.”

And, whether this thought was correct or not, the answer to the question also came back to Lucius immediately.

‘There is no hesitation.’

Clearly, I felt relieved at that fact, even though I knew it wasn’t a positive decision for me.

Why? I couldn’t figure out why.

However, it wasn’t an unpleasant feeling, so he nodded and added.

“Yeah what-”

“Before we announce the decision, can we ask you a question?”

I didn’t expect the question to come back before I even finished speaking.

‘…a question.’

Cheon Ha-rang, who was rolling his eyes to find an answer, shrugged his shoulders slightly, unable to think of a reason to refuse.

“What… Try it.”

Lucius nodded at Cheonharang’s positive response and took a step forward and asked.

“Hasn’t it changed that the Lord Cheonharang returned to his original place… his hometown?”

The question is about your purpose.

“Um.”

I thought about it for a moment before giving the answer.

‘Has my goal changed? Do I still want to go back there?’

And the answer was simple.

“Yeah.”

My goal hasn’t changed.

This also played a part in my greed as an unmanned being, which is one of my few interests.

The desire to accomplish something miraculous with my own hands, like crossing dimensions to return home.

Although he has only achieved an unstable ridgeline, if he can do it, he will be able to achieve a complete ridgeline.

‘…and.’

The true heart that lies deep within.

More than returning to my original home, I’m curious about the growth of the land.

Because I’m curious about the anonymous reaction to it.

I’m curious to see how he will act, and I hope it shatters my belief that nature is unchangeable.

“I will go back.”

Cheonharang, who had declared briefly, aimed his wooden sword at the group of warriors, and upon seeing this, the group of warriors also took out their weapons.

“… You are so firm.”

Elia clutched the rosary tightly to her chest.

“I like that about grandma, though.”

Camilla, carrying a large sword larger than her body on her back.

“… Okay, I’ll get back to you with the answer.”

Finally, Lucius took out his holy sword.

“We will stop Cheonharangnim.”

They declared so with determined expressions, but without losing their smiles.

“If you can, try it.”

Cheonharang thought about it, giving a somewhat sad smile and answering with a hint of laughter.

‘The one who blocks the end of the warrior party.’

It seems like I’ve become the final boss in their story.