Holy Kingdom – Crossroads (5)

After a brief argument and a moment of silence, sudden commotion erupted from outside.

-Thud thud thud thud.

“…It’s noisy outside.”

Seeing this as a good opportunity to escape the awkward atmosphere, Jade rose from his seat.

“I’ll go check what’s happening and come back.”

“Mm.”

Annie slumped her shoulders and nodded listlessly.

-Creak.

When Jade opened the door and checked the hallway, dozens of holy knights were hurriedly running toward somewhere.

“What in the…”

Clearly something had happened. Jade hastily grabbed one of the holy knights.

“Excuse me! Where are you headed?”

The holy knight frowned at being suddenly stopped and questioned during an emergency.

“Who… Ah, Hero-nim.”

But recognizing Jade’s face immediately, he answered politely.

“We’re rushing to respond to reports of a criminal attempting escape.”

“Escape? Is the criminal highly dangerous?”

Jade froze at the holy knight’s answer to his question about this unprecedented prison break in the Holy Kingdom.

“Well… It’s your former companion.”

“…What?”

-Thump thump.

Jade’s heart began pounding wildly at the shocking news.

He’d already been feeling dizzy from remembering Rena during his argument with Annie.

And now of all times, an escape attempt?

‘Rena, what are you thinking? Why are you doing this to me?’

He’d lost count of how many times this had happened. Since arriving in the Holy Kingdom, Jade had started resenting Rena for continuously causing him pain.

“How is escape possible? Rena should be wearing a Magic Suppression Collar. Unless… demons?”

“There’s no demon involvement. We heard she’s with a mage from the Magic Tower. Despite significant forces being dispatched, they requested our reinforcements too, suggesting the situation isn’t under control.”

“Surely Rena hasn’t harmed any holy knights…”

“According to reports, no casualties yet. But we need to verify firsthand. I must go now.”

The holy knight gave a slight bow and moved to rejoin his group.

“Wait.”

Jade grabbed the knight’s arm again as he tried to leave.

“Is there a problem…”

“May I accompany you?”

Jade couldn’t let Rena cause more trouble.

The holy knight hesitated briefly before responding.

“Hmm… I think that would be acceptable. Your abilities could greatly help apprehend the criminal, and she is connected to you.”

“Thank you. Let me just retrieve my weapon from my room.”

“Understood. I’ll wait here.”

Jade quickly returned to his room.

-Bang.

Closing the door, Jade shut his eyes tightly. Finally unable to contain himself, he cursed under his breath.

“Fuck… What the hell do you want from me…”

“What’s wrong? Something big happen? I saw holy knights outside.”

Seeing Jade’s grim expression, Annie asked anxiously.

“Rena tried to escape. The Grand Temple is trying to stop it now.”

“W-what?”

Annie gaped in shock at the sudden news.

“An escape? What are you talking about? You’re joking, right?”

“I just heard about it myself. Don’t know details yet.”

Jade began gathering his sword from the desk, leaving the stunned Annie behind.

“Th-then where are you going now?”

“Where do you think? To stop Rena immediately. Can’t let her commit worse crimes.”

“Then I’m coming too! I’ll get my staff from my room-“

“No time. Come without your staff or go get it – choose.”

-Clank.

Jade immediately exited after gathering his gear.

-Thud.

“Ah.”

Left alone in the room, Annie collapsed onto the floor and clutched her head.

“Brother, what the hell are you doing…”

Resenting her brother Ian.

Following the holy knights underground, Jade immediately witnessed the chaotic scene.

“They’re coming again! Fall back!”

“Form ranks quickly!”

“Heal the injured!”

“Keep supporting Captain-nim nonstop!”

-Boom! Crash! Rumble!

Massive collision and explosion sounds continuously echoed from ahead.

Jade asked a priest in the rear about the situation.

“What’s happening now?”

“Ah, we’re providing rear support. Captain and Cardinal Sir Daniel is currently engaged in combat.”

“Sir Daniel…”

-Always remember. Show no mercy to demons, and punish those who assist them in the Goddess’s name.

The man who had suddenly appeared days earlier while Jade was returning from meeting Rena, offering various advice.

Though Jade disliked Daniel’s words, he’d immediately sensed the man’s immense power during their first meeting.

‘He was truly strong. But the battle continues despite his involvement?’

“Even with Sir Daniel involved, they’re not subdued yet?”

“Normally it would’ve ended instantly… But the accomplice is the Tower Lord’s disciple. Whether this is the Magic Tower’s will or independent action is unclear. Regardless, aiding a demon spy means the Magic Tower will pay.”

“The Tower Lord’s disciple… Could it be…”

Jade felt unease wash over him.

The Tower Lord’s disciple.

If it was who he thought, they had terrible history. And now Rena was cooperating with that person.

“May I proceed forward?”

“You might be endangered if caught in combat.”

“I’m the Hero. And this involves someone connected to me. I’ll take responsibility.”

“Understood. Be cautious of the barrier currently deployed.”

“Thank you.”

“The Hero has arrived! Make way!”

Jade pushed through the crowd of holy knights and priests toward the front.

“Wait.”

-Whoosh.

The first sight greeting Jade was Rena collapsed on the ground.

“Keuk… *cough* *cough*!”

Her clothes torn to near-nakedness, Rena clutched her stomach groaning as if recently attacked.

‘No. Is she badly hurt?’

Instinctively, Jade nearly rushed to help her.

But as his surroundings came into focus, he froze.

“…More nonsense.”

“Thank you.”

Rena was holding hands and conversing amiably with Ian, the man from the garden.

‘Wh-why is that bastard with Rena…’

Moreover, white fluid flowing between her thighs drew attention – unmistakably male seed.

“Rena?”

“Jade…?”

Rena’s eyes widened in shock at Jade’s sudden appearance.

“Rena. What… are you doing?”

“Haa… It’s you. Thank goodness.”

Completely oblivious to Jade’s turmoil, Rena looked relieved to see him.

‘Ha… So that’s how it is.’

Disgusting.

Jade found Rena’s once-beautiful face now repulsive.

He’d endured all her deceptions and betrayals.

Tried to bear even being stabbed by her sword.

Because she’d said her love was genuine.

And now she’d attempted escape.

Came to stop her before it was too late, only to find her holding hands with that bastard who’d disrespected him.

Though he hated to imagine it, the situation clearly indicated they’d done that too.

Even her love… had been a lie.

“I’ve been falsely imprisoned. I’ll explain after escaping, just help me-“

“…Shut.”

“Huh?”

“Shut up.”

Too noisy. Rena’s babbling sounded like meaningless static to Jade now.

“Rena, you betray me to the end. I regret agonizing over what to do about you all day. It was all meaningless.”

“J-Jade? Listen, this is-“

Jade could no longer hear Rena. His mind was consumed by one thought: ‘It’s all over.’

There was only one way to end this twisted fate.

Jade gripped his sword hilt until it nearly shattered.

-Shiiing.

He raised the blade toward Rena.

“…Are you serious?”

“No need for excuses. You got caught abandoning me for that bastard. Sold your body too.”

“Wh-what…?”

Rena looked bewildered, appearing innocent and wronged.

But Jade was no longer fooled by such acts.

‘Still making excuses even now. Rena, you’re truly vicious.’

He refused to be deceived anymore.

“Don’t speak another word. I won’t listen to more lies.”

“…”

“Draw your sword. I’ll end your wickedness today.”

“Please. Just hear me-“

Tears welling in her eyes, Rena began pleading with Jade.

“*Sob*… Jade, give me a chance-“

“Here I come.”

Without an ounce of mercy, Jade charged straight at Rena.