Chapter 292
Chapter 292. Prince and Demon King, vessel (1)
Could Pintel stop the tri-horned demon?
Such worries occurred, but seeing Pintel's 'Blade Magic' from earlier put those concerns to rest.
He had certainly grown. No special tools or teachings were given, but there was certainty in his growth.
― Kraaaaaaah!
As they neared the center of the imperial palace where the 'Demon King' likely resided, the number of demons with 'horns' began to increase rapidly.
Unsurprisingly, they were far more formidable than the lower-ranking demons encountered earlier, and they became more troublesome due to their slight intelligence.
"Risek, take the left, and Lehadran, handle the right."
The fortunate thing was that he wasn't alone.
Normally, piercing through those demons would have taken quite an effort, but thanks to the assassins from the 'Rahman Tribe', a great deal of trouble was averted.
"Ugh...!"
Of course, the resistance from the horned demons was not weak.
Even the assassins from Rahman, who had gained experience in the Suranun Desert, found it challenging to avoid injuries when faced with multiple 'uni-horned' or higher-ranked demons.
'Still, just a single groan and that's it?'
Meanwhile, what was fearsome about them was the 'Twilight' group's attitude.
Even with injuries, they only uttered a painful sound once and continued to cut down the demons as if nothing had happened.
'Terrifying fellows.'
Adjusting my mask once, I thought to myself.
***
Slaughtering numerous demons, Rim Hashar suddenly found himself with a question.
'Why are we here?'
For what purpose are they present in this place?
Such a question crossed Rim Hashar's mind.
'Why did Sir Pintel have us escort this individual?'
In the absence of Sir Yulian, the 'Twilight' should prioritize protecting Pintel above all.
However, unable to ignore his orders, Rim Hashar began the escort of the 'Black Knight'.
Carrying out orders when given.
That was the commitment given to Pintel and the reason they could leave the Suranun Desert.
'But must we simply watch as our Rahman tribesmen suffer for someone unrelated?'
It was the moment when he felt he could not understand Pintel's actions.
― Kraaaaaaah!
"Risek!"
A bi-horned demon rushed one of the Twilight members. Seeing his comrade knocked back by the attack, Rim Hashar couldn't help but shout.
Intending to help, just as he moved, another demon fell into Rim Hashar's view.
"Damn it."
An unfavorable situation to offer aid.
At that moment, the 'Black Knight' propelled himself off the ground, swiftly severing the bi-horned demon's horns.
― Krurururrrk!
The demon let out a scream of agony. Unfazed, the Black Knight twisted his body in mid-air, kicking the demon far away.
"Be careful."
With cold words, the Black Knight reached out to the fallen 'Twilight', who grasped the offered hand and stood up.
"One of you, support this Twilight. You may return. Pintel will understand."
Although it seemed indifferent, his words contained concern for the Twilight members.
As the injured Twilight rose with a groan, another came to his aid. Seeing this, the Black Knight headed straight inside.
***
Watching the Black Knight advance through the interior of the imperial palace, Rim Hashar felt a sense of déjà vu.
'Familiar.'
He couldn't quite pinpoint why, but a sense of familiarity began to arise from the Black Knight.
This question started overshadowing the previous curiosity about Pintel's command.
'Where have I seen it?'
The source of these feelings was the Black Knight's swordsmanship.
The way he stepped and wielded his sword. Upon seeing it, someone's image began to surface in his mind, though the outline wasn't clear.
"Indeed, the assassins of the Rahman Tribe are experienced."
As he was sorting through his thoughts, the advancing 'Black Knight' muttered to himself.
A sense of déjà vu.
An unknown sense of familiarity.
That feeling began to take shape with the recent words of the 'Black Knight'.
'No.'
Initially, Rim Hashar denied the thought in his head.
However, considering that Pintel—known for his strong pride—would bend his will to aid the 'Black Knight', suspicion turned into certainty.
"Yu...!"
An urge to voice his realization surged up to his throat, but Rim Hashar managed to suppress it.
Why would Yulian conceal his identity? It's hard to speculate. However, if it were 'Yulian'...
'If it's the Liberator's will.'
There must be a reason.
Therefore, Rim Hashar kept silent.
There's no way a mere mortal like him could comprehend the thoughts of a being as transcendent as the 'Liberator', and even if he did, it would be of no help.
'We are merely tools for the Liberator.'
Thinking thus, Rim Hashar gripped his scimitar tightly and pushed off the ground.
The demon that was blocking the Black Knight was cut down with such force that Rim Hashar's muscle tendons bulged.
― Kyaaaah!
As he watched the demon spill slime and collapse sideways, the Black Knight hesitated momentarily.
He didn't look surprised. However, it felt as though behind the mask, he was smiling.
"Finally, you're proving to be helpful."
Somehow, the tone was curt, different from 'Yulian'.
Yet, compared to Yulian's speech devoid of human emotion, it now started to hold a more 'human' essence.
'Ah.'
Now I get it. Why he wears such a 'mask'.
'The Liberator has transcended humanity.'
As a being who transcended humanity, the 'Liberator' would not understand the human heart.
What the 'Liberator' born in the heart of the desert did was wear a 'mask' to hide his 'divine visage' and learn 'humanity'.
'Indeed.'
Currently, the vessel remains unbroken, yet all phenomena in this world pointed to him being the spiritual reincarnation of the 'Liberator'.
Otherwise, why would the 'reincarnation of the Liberator' wear a mask to conceal his appearance?
"Azim ul Azim."
With thoughts reaching that point, Rim Hashar muttered to himself. Though the 'Black Knight' didn't understand the words, the eyes of the accompanying Twilight members burned with resolve.
"Azim, ol Azim."
"Azim! Ol Azim!"
Having wandered under uncertain orders, the 'Twilight' now raised their weapons, signaling a stronger will.
"Kyaaaaaaaah!"
There came a wave of demon hordes. However, preventing the 'Rahman assassins' who had begun to have 'faith' was impossible.
***
'... What's going on all of a sudden?'
Initially, seeing the wave of demons, I wondered if the 'Twilight' were finally being pushed back.
Starting from uni-horned to bi-horned.
Several demons were using their 'intelligence' to encircle the 'Twilight' and me, making it seem like the situation would become unfavorable as time passed.
'Suddenly, it feels like the vigor has returned?'
Yet, as Rim Hashar murmured something, the strength of the 'Twilight' seemed to return.
Why? I don't know.
Maybe they've gotten stronger by praying.
'Is there such a spell?'
No idea.
Just, you handle it yourselves.
'Is it the Audience Room?'
As I continued forward, the Audience Room of the Emperor came into view.
Considered the core of the Imperial Palace, the eerie 'demonic energy' emanating from there was indicative of the 'Demon King'.
"Leave this to us and proceed."
Rim Hashar's voice suddenly turned formal. Perhaps he had noticed my identity? Such a thought passed, but my body had already propelled itself into the Audience Room.
BOOM──!
Upon kicking open the grand door adorned with the Emperor's seal, the lingering remnants of the 'Demon God' felt outside intensified.
'... It's not just one or two horns at this point.'
Clicking my tongue inwardly, I glanced inside the Audience Room. The once proud statue of Emperor Adratan lay shattered as if forecasting his fate, with visible battle marks around it.
"Keheuk, cough."
A coughing sound came from within the Audience Room, from the throne meant for the Emperor.
Maintaining my guard, I stepped in.
"Have you arrived?"
Sitting upon the throne was none other than Prince Kaldrach. Despite various wounds, Kaldrach's body was drenched in blood.
Still, amidst it all, Kaldrach did not release his grip on his sword.
True to his nickname as the 'Iron Blooded Prince', these injuries wouldn't kill him, but he did appear at risk.
"You're late, Yulian. Had you arrived sooner, you might have been of help."
Even when faced with the gruesome mask of the 'Black Knight', Kaldrach saw through my identity.
No, he had spoken as if aware that the 'Black Knight' was me in our previous encounters.
"How unfortunate. It would have been good to be of assistance."
"Kuku, you manage to speak so sentimentally."
Kaldrach graced my words with a chuckle, then began coughing up blood.
The blood he spat began to stain the throne.
The seat adorned with gold and precious metals, symbolizing the pinnacle of imperial power, grew dirtier.
"Still, you have achieved what you desired. Isn't it because you wished to sit on that throne that this incident arose?"
"Yes, it's not so bad."
Bearing a bitter smile, Kaldrach gestured with one hand towards his right leg.
"Could you remove this?"
A thorn was lodged in his leg. It wasn't an ordinary thorn. It was formed from concentrated 'demonic energy'.
"So Eulsis is still alive."
"If I could kill him so easily, I wouldn't be going through such trouble."
"Where is he now?"
Removing my mask, I pulled out the thorn lodged in Kaldrach's leg.
Tossing the mask of the 'Black Knight' into the air, it transformed into Angelica and was absorbed into me.
"Ugh... It would've been nice if you had removed it gently."
"Where is he?"
"I don't know. However, he's certainly nearby."
Speaking calmly, Kaldrach glanced at his sword. The middle of the blade was stained crimson. He had evidently struck 'Eulsis'.
"What about Abisha?"
"... Abisha is facing off against Abigail. She should not lose. Unlike Abigail, Abisha has had numerous real battle experiences in the blizzard forest."
Not a conventional battle, but a 'witch versus witch' duel. It seemed Kaldrach deemed Abisha should have the upper hand, as no concern reflected in his words.
"First of all, I owe you an apology."
Enduring the pain from the thorn, Kaldrach suddenly began to apologize.
"Isn't it a bit late for that?"
Indeed, why place me and the 'Dawn Society' on a balance for the sake of the 'throne'?
"Well, it's not too late. The matter seems more pertinent to be discussed now."
Now a matter to discuss?
As suspicion about Kaldrach's words arose, I felt the presence of 'demonic energy' stirring above.
"Regrettably, the horn I possessed has been taken."
Clacky's Corner:
Yeah, definitely a cult.
Also, will Yulian use the horn he has to fight against the Demon King?
P. S.
8 chapters left.