Chapter 218

218

“What… what do you mean all of a sudden?”

Romina looked flustered at Glenn's words about separating for a while.

“Parting ways… I suppose you have something you want us to do.”

“I have to return to the legion once this matter is over anyway, but could you explain things in detail first?”

Ridenhall and Rowen also looked quite confused when Glenn suddenly brought up disbanding the party.

“Of course, I’ll explain.
Let’s set up camp first.”

Considering that they would all have to leave for their respective destinations tomorrow morning, it was better to camp here.

Glenn could have simply given them a rough explanation and returned to Raigle, but one particular person was showing such a disappointed expression that he decided to spend at least one more day with them.

Setting up the campsite took only a few minutes.

With Lunatic Inventory, they could prepare everything needed for camping, including utensils, bedding, and even beds.

Snap!

Whoosh-!

Even starting a fire was easy.
Glenn simply took out some firewood and tossed it down, and Romina solved the rest by snapping her fingers.

Only after everyone gathered around the campfire did the conversation begin.

“Let’s see.
To explain the detailed plan first, I’m going to send Ridenhall to the southern front and Romina to the northern front.”

The southern and northern fronts.

Those were the places defended by the forces of the Elchisco and Wordsworth territories.

“Hmm.
The southern and northern fronts.”

“Why?”

Romina asked.

She could probably guess why she was being sent there, but it seemed she wanted to hear a definite answer.

“I want each of you to deal with the Demon King's Army pushing into those fronts.”

Raigle was one thing, but the two territories above could not defend themselves against the Demon King's Army with their original forces if Glenn was absent.

The Demon King's Army had relatively few eight-star level fighters.

Honestly, if Glenn had not been constantly moving between the fronts and defeating the Demon King's Army, not only Raigle but even Wordsworth would have been occupied by the Demon King's Army long ago.

Of course, this situation was caused by the Lunatic Trial given to Glenn.

Under normal circumstances, the war might have gone badly, but the difference in military strength would never have become this extreme.

That's why I've been running around everywhere.

He had already defeated one of the eight legion commanders of the Demon King's Army and turned two others into allies.
What more was he supposed to do here?

Yeah.
You have to do more.

It was true that Glenn had been traveling between the fronts and winning overwhelming victories in every battle.

However, the fronts without Glenn would still continue suffering defeat after defeat.

That was why Glenn planned to place Romina and Ridenhall on the northern and southern fronts, respectively, to cover the gap caused by his absence.

“Both of you have just reached eight stars, too.
You shouldn’t lose to an ordinary legion commander.”

The only forces that the two of them might have trouble dealing with were roughly the top three legions of the Demon King's Army.

However, the Third Legion had to defend the capital, Halpeim, where the Demon King's Castle was located, while the Second Legion served as the supply and command headquarters.

The First Legion, led by Rowen, was the only one with some freedom, but even they were planning to withdraw from this war.

“If you two are the people I think you are, I believe each of you could probably take down one of the remaining legion commanders.”

Ridenhall and Romina were currently much stronger than ordinary eight-star warriors.

“Hmm.
Indeed, the two of them should be able to handle the remaining legion commanders without much trouble.”

Rowen nodded repeatedly in agreement with Glenn.

“Also, the one heading to the southern front, the Elchisco territory, is a man named Golams Hemisphier, the commander of the Sixth Legion.”

Golams Hemisphier.

Judging by the unfamiliar name, it seemed he was another newly created legion commander, just like Rowen and Kasim Brion, due to the Lunatic Trial.

“You should know this, but among demons who wield swords, there are two major types.
Magic Swordsmen and Dark Knights.
Golams is quite famous among the latter.”

“Ah.
So he’s a defense-type guy.”

“Hmm?
Defense type…?”

Rowen tilted her head with a puzzled expression.

Glenn chuckled and shook his head.

“It’s nothing.”

“He’s always been a little strange with his expressions.”

“Hmm.
I see.
Anyway, Ridenhall, I’ll explain the details about him to you separately.”

“Yes.
I would appreciate that.
I suppose the deployment plan will proceed without objection, so I would be grateful if you could spare me some time.”

Ridenhall sounded as though he had already resigned himself to the sudden deployment plan.

Romina also stopped looking disappointed and listened carefully to Glenn.

“I’m sorry for informing you unilaterally without even asking what you wanted.”

“Haha…
Honestly, this isn’t the first time something like this has happened, so I suppose I’m used to it.”

“It’s fine.
Since things have turned out this way, I’ll just spend some enjoyable time with Lady Triss.”

The Wordsworth side certainly seemed to have plenty of breathing room since Kasim Brion and the Fifth Legion, who should originally have been putting heavy pressure on the territory, had been defeated.

However, Rowen, who did not know that, began seriously explaining Kasim Brion to Romina.

Soon, after hearing about what had happened recently from Romina, Rowen's eyes widened.

“Ho…
You defeated that beast of a man?
With your strength, I suppose it was possible, but…”

She was especially shocked to learn that it had happened less than a week ago.

According to what Rowen had heard, Glenn had predicted Raigle's defeat immediately after defeating Kasim Brion and had quickly moved to help them.

“I’ve felt this since the first time I met you, but you truly are an incomprehensible existence.”

“Well, I often get told that I’m unusual.
Anyway, all three of you will have to work hard.
If you take care of that, everything should work out.”

Seeing the considerate reactions of his party members, Glenn smiled faintly and took out Lucy's butter-scotch pie, which he had carefully saved inside his inventory.

It had been a long time since he received it, but thanks to the time-stopping effect of Lunatic Inventory, it was still as fresh as when it had just been baked.

Rowen tasted it for the first time.

She held the pie in her mouth and stared wide-eyed at her plate.

At first glance, it might not have looked like much of a reaction.

But considering her blunt personality, it was an enormous reaction.

If I ever happen to visit Wordsworth, I should make sure to stock up on some.

“Glenn.
There’s something I’m curious about.”

As Glenn watched Rowen quietly munching on the pie, Romina cautiously spoke to him.

“I understand that Ridenhall and I are going to our respective fronts, while Rowen is returning to the Land of Demons.
Then what about you?”

“Ah.
I forgot to mention that.”

Everyone's attention focused on Glenn.

A sly smile slowly appeared around his lips.

“I’m going into the Land of Demons, beating up the Second Legion and its commander, and coming back.”

Everyone in the group was left utterly stunned by his words.

The Holy City of Istirenne was currently burning with excitement because of one person.

Glenn Wordsworth.

The hero who had traveled between the northern and central fronts and defeated the legion commanders of the Demon King's Army one after another.

Throughout the streets of the Holy City, where festivals were being held, cheers calling out the name of the Third Saint could be heard without end.

Of course, the war against the demons had not yet been won.

Still, it was much better than allowing the people to sink into despair from the fear of defeat.

“Truly astonishing.”

From the balcony of his office, where he could see both the cathedral square and the city at a glance, Pope Agostino IX spoke in quiet admiration.

“Considering the strength of the demons and the Holy See in this war, I would say this is an achievement that should have been impossible.”

Cardinal Grazia Delleda, standing behind the Pope, added to his words.

The holy war against the demons had continued for hundreds of years.

But there had never been such a large difference in military strength as in this war.

Because the Holy See was at a disadvantage this time, they had no choice but to endure until a new generation of heroes appeared.

Therefore, unlike previous wars, when they had boldly marched into the fields and fought with all their strength, they had adopted a defensive stance.

Yet under such circumstances, Glenn had not merely stopped the enemy's attacks.

He had even defeated two of the highest commanders of the Demon King's Army.

How could they not be astonished?

“When I look at him, it feels as though the Main God took pity on us and sent us a hero.
Don’t you think so, Cardinal Delleda?”

“I think so as well.
And I also believe this is not the end.”

Grazia's deep sea-blue eyes shone seriously.

“Perhaps the long war that has continued since the time of our ancestors may finally come to an end.”

With a complicated expression in his voice, the Pope looked down at the scenery of Istirenne.

Ending the long war with a victory was certainly a good thing.

But the fact that it might be accomplished by the hands of a single person would create many complicated problems.

“Sister.”

“Yes, Your Holiness.”

“Do you know that there are many people who are wary of Brother Glenn?”

Cardinal Grazia thought about the meaning behind his question before answering quietly.

“…I believe so.”

Glenn Wordsworth.

Ever since he appeared in the Holy City, many things had changed within the Holy See.

He had eradicated the Black Cult, which had long been a major problem for both the country and the religious order.

He had also captured the traitors secretly helping them from the cathedral and various places throughout the Holy See.

Of course, as a Saint who could hear the voice of God, everything he did was simply because he had received divine revelations and acted upon them.

But the divine revelations Glenn Wordsworth received were far too numerous and detailed.

Even just comparing him with His Holiness and the Saintess, there is a huge difference.

The Pope and the Saintess received divine revelations at intervals ranging from as little as a week to as much as six months.

But Glenn?

He receives divine revelations almost every day, and their contents are incredibly detailed.

No one could deny that everything he had done so far was right.

But when something went too far, admiration and awe naturally began to cross over into fear.

Some of the nobles who are becoming increasingly aware of his growing influence will surely try something.

The Pope and Cardinal Grazia had officially recognized Glenn as the Third Saint and supported him.

But there were certainly some powerful local lords who disliked his continued achievements and growing influence.

For example, Albelluce.

The House of Count Albelluce.

Along with Raigle, it was considered one of the most prestigious noble families in the Holy See.

“A few days ago, Brother Nillas came to the Papal Palace.”

It seemed the Pope had been thinking along the same lines as Grazia.

“He did?”

“He asked us to summon Glenn Wordsworth to the capital.
He even brought signatures from the various local lords.”

“The holy war is still ongoing.
It would not be wise to withdraw such an important force.”

As expected, there were already movements to restrain Glenn.

“He suggested that instead of returning Brother Glenn to the capital, we should send Sir Ignat and Sister to the front lines.”

“…Did Albelluce establish this proposal under the pretext of the Red Stake Assassin's movements?”

“Yes.”

He was referring to the infamous assassin of the Demon King's Army who had assassinated numerous high-ranking figures.

“Yes.
He claimed that it was about time for that man to become active again, so we should summon Brother Glenn, who possesses excellent foresight.”

“Certainly, neither Sir Ignat nor I would have much grounds to argue against that.”

After all, in several previous wars, she and Ignat had lost the Saintess they were guarding to the Red Stake Assassin.

“What a cunning move, just as expected from Albelluce.”

Having experienced failure once, neither she nor Ignat could carelessly reject such a proposal.

Cardinal Grazia bit the corner of her lip as she recalled the face of Nillas Albelluce, the cunning head of the family.

In the heavy atmosphere, the two continued their conversation.

A crow sitting on the roof quietly watched them.

Somewhere inside the cathedral.

Even though it was broad daylight, thick darkness covered the surroundings, suggesting that the place was inside the building or underground.

“I’m sorry…
but I’m late.”

Standing there was a middle-aged demon with experienced-looking eyes and dressed in black.

One of his eyes was closed.

However, because of that, he was able to share his vision with his servant, the Three-Eyed Crow.

Rogers, the commander of the Seventh Legion of the Demon King's Army.

The humans of the Holy See called him the Red Stake Assassin.

—We haven’t accepted that proposal yet, so don’t worry, Sister.
Still, there is no reason for Saint Glenn to blindly follow my orders.
Therefore, we should first ask for his own will and the will of the Main God.

—…Understood.
First, I will contact Saint Glenn.

The Pope and the Cardinal were discussing how they should deal with him.

But Rogers had already infiltrated the cathedral, the deepest part of Istirenne.

“You won’t make it past this week, no matter what you do.”

Under his white, graying hair, his red snake-like eyes gleamed sharply.

“By the way…
what happened on the front lines is quite unexpected.”

He had been unable to receive any news while infiltrating the enemy's capital.

He had never imagined that even Rowen, the strongest warrior after the Demon King, would be defeated.

But he did not pay much attention to it.

No one can escape the Red Stake.

Rogers took a dark red stake from inside his robe and looked at it.

It was the masterpiece of Penelope Ogma, the commander of the Eighth Legion, which slowly brought its target to death.

If that were combined with Rogers's assassination techniques, the finest in the Land of Demons, no one would be able to escape death.

Glenn Wordsworth.
They said they were going to summon him to the capital.

A smile spread across his wrinkled lips.

Good.
If I send him to the afterlife along with the Pope and Cardinal, the entire course of the war will change greatly.

He had never failed an assassination until now.

His confidence seemed to reach the heavens.

Of course, he would never let his guard down.

It was his experience and skill that had allowed him to survive decades of war.

Tap.

“Hmm?”

Cardinal Grazia was returning to the Heresy Inquisition after finishing her private meeting with the Pope.

A young-looking girl was standing in front of her, blocking the path.

Despite her youthful appearance, the girl's expression was completely emotionless.

“…I intend to pass.”

“Are you Cardinal Grazia, Your Eminence?”

Her voice had no rise or fall.

Looking closely, Grazia realized that she had seen the girl somewhere before.

“…You’re Glenn Wordsworth's?”

“I am Tasha Pellevin, the trainee knight serving Young Master Glenn Wordsworth.”

“Yes.
What is it?”

The girl lightly bowed in greeting.

Then she looked up at Cardinal Grazia with her usual calm and straightforward expression.

“Your Eminence, do you know about the Red Stake Assassin?”

“Oh?”

Grazia's eyes narrowed.

Her previously expressionless lips slowly curved into a smile.

The timing was almost too perfect.

It felt as though she had just received a divine revelation.

“Then, let’s hear what you have to say.”