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Tap tap—
A small boy ran through the city, dyed red on all sides.
“H-huh… Ack! Uuuh…!”
He ran so hard he could taste blood in his throat, yet he could not stop his legs.
The sacrifice of his parents to save him was meaningless, because the pursuer chased him with snake-like red eyes, glaring wildly.
Still, running desperately had created some distance, so the boy tried to stop for a moment to catch his breath.
“Krahahaha!”
However, a cruel demon soldier appeared from the corner and leapt at the boy.
“Uaaah!!”
“Got you, little one! Krrrhh… You ran well like a little rat. But now, let's stop this game of tag.”
“D-don’t… come…!”
The demon cast its shadow over the fallen boy and stepped closer, one step at a time.
Swish—
With a clean slicing sound, the rough voice of the demon stopped.
The boy cautiously opened his eyes, seeing that the danger had passed.
“Are you alright?”
In front of him now stood a man in a white robe, face and body fully covered, exuding an eerie presence.
“…!”
“It’s alright. Don’t be scared. I am someone from the Order.”
The man raised holy power in his hands to prove himself to the boy.
Feeling the warm light for a moment, the boy finally shed tears of relief.
“The demons… are…?”
“…It’s better you don’t see.”
Behind the priest, a few people in armor were quietly handling something—it seemed they were dead.
“Are you hurt anywhere?”
“…No.”
“Where is your family?”
“They… went back…”
“…I see.”
The priest embraced the boy tightly.
“I’m sorry I came late.”
“…Sniff… thank… you…”
After comforting the boy briefly, the priest slowly stood.
“This place is dangerous. Move along. Survivors are gathering not far from here.”
“Priest… you’re not coming with me…?”
“I wish I could.”
The priest turned his head, bitterness in his eyes.
“Saving even one person like you is the priority.”
“…I-I’ll go alone…”
“You’re mature. There shouldn’t be more demons there, so it will be fine. Farewell.”
Patting the boy’s head, the priest, Ridenhall, left quickly.
Clack clack—
Following him were six skeleton knights, hiding their true forms under heavy armor.
Over roughly twenty minutes, Ridenhall moved through the Delphius estate, saving nearly a hundred people.
‘Fortunately, civilian casualties are low.’
Most of the corpses in the streets were soldiers and knights who had resisted. Their deaths were not light, but at least the innocent who had no chance to defend themselves were not massacred in large numbers.
The reasons were several:
The defensive troops of Delphius had been destroyed not long ago.
And forces that should have been looting homes were already gone.
‘Thanks to my brother drawing the demons’ attention properly.’
Glenn had broken through the central avenue from the checkpoint to the Delphius mansion at terrifying speed.
Because Glenn wielded a spear, he could save the residents in a way only a spear could.
‘He’s a thoughtful person.’
Although Glenn claimed he only aimed to eliminate the enemy commander and stop meaningless slaughter, Ridenhall could sense the depth of his intentions.
I will slightly revise the plan.
From now on, you will go around this city and save anyone alive.
Watching Glenn Warzworth standing proudly at the entrance of Delphius Mansion, Ridenhall smiled faintly.
Kugugugu—
The sound of battle between the enemy division commander and Glenn came from the direction of the mansion.
‘This cannot be.’
Kaien’s face twisted.
‘This cannot be. Cannot be! Impossible!!’
Watching the scene unfold in real time, Kaien’s thoughts accelerated again and again.
In the world, multiple gods exist.
The human worship of light and sun, Minis, and the demons’ worship of darkness and moon, Nox. Other races also worship different gods.
Each god has its own power and grants it to their devoted followers.
Occasionally, someone may receive favor from two gods, but only if their wills align. Normally, full devotion to one god grants one the god’s power.
Yet…
“Who the hell are you!”
Kaien shouted at the silver-haired man rushing toward him. The man had been surrounded by holy power when arriving here, massive in density.
But now, the man was surrounded by magic, superior to Kaien’s.
Fshhhhh—
“!”
The sword wreathed in magic aimed for Kaien’s vital spot, and Kaien raised his weapon to block.
Kaahhng—!
He barely matched the speed and blocked, but his body was bounced backward.
“Krahk!”
Kaien’s body smashed into the wall behind him. The cost of blocking the man’s attack was enormous.
He brushed off debris and stood, but his body was weak.
“Cough! Cough…”
His legs shook continuously, and over half of his 8-star magical energy was depleted.
“Impossible… krrhh…”
How could holy power and magic coexist in a single body? Kaien, with his lifelong knowledge, could not understand the phenomenon surrounding the man.
“Enduring well, aren’t you.”
The man had reached Kaien, wearing an arrogant smile. Kaien bit his lip, feeling the pride of a high-ranking demon collapse.
“Still… you don’t seem to need a skill… are you 8-star?”
“Who are you… really?”
“That’s not important, is it?”
The human was right. Kaien did not need to know his identity.
What mattered was that this man possessed 9-star power and wanted to kill him.
