Final Chapter. Towards Julian

“I am Aitekeia, the Grand General of the Demon King’s Kingdom, Agriel. Representing the White Dragon Clan, I will speak on behalf of His Majesty Yulian.”

Everyone paid attention to him. Duke Gerard also watched him closely.

His appearance could be mistaken for a young man with white hair.

But just by looking at his pointed ears and cold atmosphere, one could tell he was not human.

“These aren’t matters that can be summarized briefly. But I will try to convey only the facts to you as much as possible.”

As he said, the story became very long.

From the story of Yulian von Reinhardt being the son of the previous Demon King, Lucifer.

And how he, as the Count of Essenmund, appeared in the Demon King’s Kingdom.

What kind of myth he had created in that fierce arena.

When all the stories were over, the attendees couldn’t help but be astonished.

“Count Yulian… the Count, grandson of His Excellency March Wilhelm, and son of the Great Saintess Agnes-nim… was actually connected to the blood of the ruthless Demon King…”

Especially Tires Naiart, the commander of the Imperial Knights, famous for his outstanding character and common sense as an Imperial citizen.

He looked at Yulian again with a constantly surprised expression.

Duke Gerard glanced at Wilhelm’s expression.

As Yulian’s maternal and paternal grandfather, he would know the background circumstances well.

But his expression was also full of surprise.

And even pride in Yulian.

‘Hmm. Even March Wilhelm didn’t think the Count would be able to accomplish such things in the Demon King’s Kingdom.’

The place where all the information of the Empire, no, the entire Isrand, gathers is the Aitehern Merchant Guild.

According to Imperial law, trade with the Demon King’s Kingdom has been prohibited for the past 100 years.

But in fact, many of the luxury goods of the high-ranking Imperial family and nobles came from the Demon King’s Kingdom.

As such, Gerard, the owner of the Merchant Guild, also knew some information about the Demon King’s Kingdom.

They must be in great chaos due to the movements of the Southern Army and the appearance of the Apostles.

But as long as that absolute powerhouse, Ustina, exists.

Even if he is the son of the previous Demon King, it is nearly impossible for him to take over the Demon King’s Kingdom under his name.

Ustina is an ancient dragon. Even the 8th Circle Grand Masters cannot guarantee victory against her.

That Ustina was also present inside the current camp.

A tall woman with burning red-blonde hair.

She was listening to the conversation inside the camp silently with her arms crossed.

But Gerard could feel strength from her that was on par with March Wilhelm.

‘That Ustina willingly accepted Count Yulian as the Demon King…’

Moreover, the Yulian before his eyes is said to have created a draw with that monster-like Pedro in the Demon King’s Kingdom.

That is something that cannot be explained by the common sense of the world.

‘And in the world, making the impossible possible…’

Gerard muttered that word inwardly.

That word, miracle.

The current Yulian was best described as a miracle, a human being of miracles.

No, he may have already become an existence beyond human.

Because he is a thorough pragmatist and rationalist.

It was his usual self to scoff at believing in such miracles.

‘A little while ago… I witnessed that myself before my eyes. I can’t deny it.’

When he met him alone a few months ago.

He felt an unrivaled strength that he could not feel from a young swordsman of the same age.

He was already entering the Master level at that time.

In fact, even that much growth was an amazing thing that Gerard had never experienced.

But that young Count has now even transcended the realm of humans.

A little while ago. Yulian made that Pedro retreat from the battlefield.

If you weren’t on that battlefield.

Or if you were an Awakened with insufficient skill, you would have thought that Pedro and Yulian were just glaring at each other and turning away.

But the reality was different.

The two did not reveal their attacks externally.

In reality, they directly competed their strength and attacked each other.

‘Clearly, that was the domination of space… a battle of wits over that.’

But that is also just a guess.

Even he, who entered the Grand Master level through the treasures of the Imperial Palace, could not properly see that level.

No matter how much Yulian is an Awakened who has transcended humans and become a Dragon Demon.

Demons and Dragons are also humans in a broad sense. That is, creatures of God.

All of that could not be explained without the intervention of God.

Again, the eyes of the attendees turned to a young woman.

The person with the highest status among all the people gathered here.

It was Lilia, the Empress of the Holy Lamir Empire.

‘Hmm. The Empress’s atmosphere has changed quite a bit.’

He knew that behind that kind young woman’s image, there was a very excellent aspect as a wise ruler hidden.

But still, as a very young woman, she inevitably lacked the dignity as an Empress.

But Lilia’s atmosphere was different now.

Not only was her expression determined, but he could also feel the will of a person carrying something huge on her shoulders.

He could read a firm determination in those blue eyes that even high-ranking nobles like himself could not ignore.

He could tell that something had definitely happened not only to Yulian, but also to Lilia.

‘Hmm. To be burning with a sense of rivalry against such an Empress… Chloe has chosen a difficult path.’

For a moment, Gerard thought of his most beloved daughter, Chloe, in his mind.

But he immediately focused on Lilia’s next words.

“Grand General Aitekeia has explained it very well. And the people gathered here represent Isrand, beyond the Empire. So I will say it again to you all.”

It was a very clear and beautiful voice.

But at the same time, it was a powerful word that focused everyone gathered here.

Lilia Lamir Aschterique.

She was the Empress of the Empire, and at the same time, the Saintess of this era.

“Now, any ill-fated relationships or political purposes are not important. Humanity is being threatened in the future by that impious and evil Demon God, Knoia. Everyone will be able to feel with their whole body that the end of humanity is approaching.”

Having said that, Lilia turned her body at the same time.

Her gaze was directed at a man.

Yulian von Reinhardt.

And his name flowed out of Lilia’s mouth again.

“So, whether it is the Empire or the Demon King’s Kingdom, it doesn’t matter what affiliation it is, humanity must unite as one. That is the will of Jedin and Yunir.”

At those words, the Imperial officials gathered in the camp buzzed.

It was unbelievable that the name of Yunir, the Goddess of Darkness, flowed out of the mouth of Lilia, the Saintess of Jedin.

At the same time, Lilia spoke in a voice full of firm will.

“Here is a blessed Saint who has inherited all the will of Jedin and Yunir. One who is blessed by the two main gods. Yulian von Reinhardt. And I, as the Empress of the Empire, will declare a Holy War with his name!”

Holy War.

The atmosphere of everyone gathered here changed at those words that Lilia resolutely shouted.

And Lilia proved to everyone gathered here that Yulian was a true Saint, not a lie.

“You must all be curious. How the Demon King’s Army crossed the Althern Mountains.”

Lilia explained that miracle for a long time.

---

After the meeting was over, I headed to the camp assigned to me.

As it is the outskirts of the Imperial Capital, it wouldn’t take long to go to the Imperial Palace.

But now is a time of war.

As such, the Imperial Army had set up its headquarters on the outskirts of the Imperial Capital.

“It’s already dawning.”

And one person had already entered and was waiting in that camp.

It was Aylin.

She greeted Lilia and me together.

“You both have worked hard.”

As Aylin said.

I led the Demon King’s Army and crossed the Althern Mountains to arrive at the border of the Old Imperial Capital.

Since then, battles and meetings have continued.

Even if it’s me, I was physically and mentally exhausted.

Of course, Lilia was the same.

Without having time to talk at length, all three of us hurriedly changed into simple clothes and lay down on the bed in the camp.

It was a field camp.

But the Imperial Army had already been informed who would be staying here.

The bed was clean and comfortable.

Lilia and Aylin quickly fell asleep.

I stroked the hair of the two people who were hugging me tightly and sleeping.

“Huu…”

Still, I couldn’t fall asleep right away like the two of them.

And it was at that moment.

Surprisingly, blue vines were growing around the bed.

The blue vines and leaves gently wrapped around the three of us.

And soon, blue particles spread, and a refreshing scent filled the camp.

It felt like entering the cleanest and most sacred area of a primeval forest.

‘No. It’s not just a feeling, the origin must be the same.’

The vines that are growing now were vines connected from the World Tree.

And I quickly felt comfortable from the Mana spreading from those vines.

The will of the World Tree was immediately healing me, who was exhausted from fatigue.

‘The World Tree has begun to regenerate.’

And that regeneration of the World Tree was the source of being able to bring my Demon King’s Army over the Althern Mountains without any casualties.

The miracle created by my children growing in Aylin and Lilia’s wombs was that regeneration.

I was convinced at this moment.

That this regenerating World Tree will be the most powerful counterattack weapon to stop Knoia.

I soon fell asleep.

In that dream, I felt like I could hear the voices of my children.

Time passed while I was asleep like that.

In the late afternoon, I woke up and headed to the headquarters of the White Night Knights.