Chapter 296: Demonic Realm (5)
koytKbuThe sudden large-scale battle between the Murim Alliance and the demon sect was of such magnitude that it would not be an exaggeration to say the fate of Eastern Murim was at stake.dUm
BYJqfsBoth sides fought more fiercely than ever before. It was, quite literally, an all-or-nothing gamble.jg5xOWH
KvbyHDsHowever, Yuri had no idea that, in Saidor, a Great War between the Righteous and the Demonic had suddenly erupted, and that the outcome of this could change the fate of his beloved Yekaterina.rJG
haoscOUThat was why he criticized Elaine.KVQ79pf
QuG“They said they were going to bring something from the East, and not a word since. No capability, no…”XdHh7j
3Jo6“Who are you talking about?”UxzLrb
qJJ“Elaine and Cheongun. They even took Bernard with them, and they still haven’t achieved anything, right?”BmyQQ
hb3“Maybe right now they’re on their way with all their strength.”iZRwuL6
4tAYGsz“And what’s the point of coming late? When they’re needed, they’re useless.”t6ECFuQ
o6OIZ“Well, that’s true.”ZHu2G
Ff0IeCr“Ah, I need to vent. Hey, master! They said the sense of duty in the jianghu had been lost, and I think it’s true!”pQMo1
vxVke5cYuri stood up and walked toward Moyongchan.A8EIx
lJfRIZThe Anti-Imperial Alliance was resting after having won the first battle.1v7zh
zMXRWhen night fell, the Imperial Demonic Realm showed a different face from the day.NN3y2eB
uD01lThe darkness, as if it had form, crept along the skin, and a thin, line-shaped moon floated above their heads. At first glance, it looked like the mocking corner of someone’s mouth watching them.HQ0EUB
W7qAR9eAnd the stars.ymCe6
b3KMncwAll dyed a deep red, they shone grotesquely.kmbpx
RYIor6hThe sound of the wind brushing past their ears carried with it an echo resembling a ghostly wail.SXa2b
EakNOyJAlthough it wasn’t raining, the ground was sticky, and just standing still for a moment was enough for insects never before seen to crawl up their legs.Ln9sm2
YksYJared let out a sigh.re0cE7v
vOtkZ“This is unbearable…”iQW
UgBmv0He didn’t know exactly what kind of world Cedric dreamed of, but at least this Empire was very, very wrong. There was no way humans could survive long in such an environment.6Exmd
7mJJared had a hypothesis he hadn’t shared with Yuri.MyCfH
VvOaFCedric’s failure.6TBL7NQ
ptDQHe had summoned the entity known as the god from another world, but in the end, he could not control it.udlOY
wk09Cedric did not want to destroy the world, but to create the ultimate world to his liking. Even if it was authoritarian, his intent was not inherently corrupt.A0D
VXDwC5bHowever, what had spread across the Empire was, literally, a Demonic Realm.hsU
A7cK2It was impossible that he had wished for something like this.nVBx
JDtnESFWhether it was the process of accepting that entity or a failure, this certainly was not what he wanted.8cMUbv2
mDaAnd that was what worried Jared the most.nRd
wHm“It might be that, instead of His Highness or Cedric, the victor will end up being some random monster…”DpgP4jV
tQpCrushing an insect crawling on the ground, Jared muttered.waMAmvf
fEXEither way, what was truly the end was drawing near.KDR3t
9zwqHe remembered everything that had happened.jG4K
hZHgnaEverything had happened.GPglFRf
DASAAnd the beginning was obvious—
that troublemaker, Yuri Briol, his lord.TjHblqs
rDPFighting against orcs, setting out for the Empire, battling all sorts of enemies. And now, the fate of the entire world was at stake.KBNdNL
NW7It was no longer a human war where only the ruler changed depending on the victor, but a struggle in which the very survival of humanity was at risk.x72WYS4
eqwr2“And what are you doing there alone, with that tragic face?”a6NY3
VoALaurent approached. Lately, his character had softened a lot, and he spoke in a calm tone. Of course, he was no longer the naive Laurent from before.CBYKo
S8Y1qBut Jared liked this Laurent now better.DP8PYq
p81oie1“Just thinking about some things. Laurent, have you ever wondered what would have happened if you had never met Prince Yuri?”Of7GYVW
DWe5The moment he said that, Jared felt a bit of regret.Nca97
ilXfmFLaurent had lost everything at Cedric’s hands. And it could be said that Cedric had done that precisely because of Laurent’s loyalty toward Yuri.ME3
11YWBut Laurent nodded without giving it much weight.zI03Z7
obk“Yes, I’ve thought about it.”fhPHf
xreRv6p“Oh, really?”7zu2u
JNy6“Either way, I’d be here. Just in a different way.”MbX
hrKa“I suppose so…”jDJ9
fZVaPd“Don’t worry. All that’s in the past. You seem to be worried about Française.”Pl9vsHN
8Ebk“Eh? Ah… well…”5UQ
rK3Laurent gave a faint smile, and Jared, scratching his head, smiled too.RqOPE5E
fOmmdE“Yuri Briol has changed many things.”OiXYmo
eapa“That’s right.”niwwO1F
yLsb26“But in the end, he’s also a human being like us. Don’t forget that.”rw64ucq
gaLpKdLaurent looked at him as he spoke.r5d55
RExC“People—and me too—tend to depend too much on that guy.”GqoQ
7irx“That…”Ku7Ja3x
UTkK“They think he can do anything, because he’s accomplished impossible things. But we can’t leave everything in the hands of Yuri Briol.”GtPIe5g
DWmP9Jared couldn’t deny it. Even now, he had that vague notion that Yuri would somehow manage to solve everything.RVN
pblNnrZAlthough, in the face of this unprecedented catastrophe, Yuri was also just a human being, one unconsciously ended up thinking he was different.Kn7sMsg
8pzLaurent continued in a cynical tone.ueUJrN
1i1“And do you really think Yuri Briol has changed everything for the better?”Z1zsu0
oiF“What do you mean?”yBbw3H4
huR“Do you remember Cory?”a1ZnQ
ap9BrPT“Yes.”dZyt
1f2o“He was just a half-orc who, if not for Yuri Briol, would have died in a short time wallowing in Saidor. But he went out into a wider world, learned magic, and even obtained the power called Dragon’s Tongue.”fNMIi
xCdtONNJared nodded with a serious face. He had already heard the news that Cory had switched sides and allied with Cedric.hQPxZw
qUD“And now he’s become our enemy. Maybe even the toughest of all.”mEm2
rh4VHJared lifted his gaze to the night sky.dSM
qGEBlHis mind filled with thoughts.bZT3Ah
EobZqRIf he had been Cory, if he had been a half-orc hunted all his life, there was no guarantee he wouldn’t have ended up the same. On the contrary, he probably would have taken the wrong path much earlier.7MMBw9
0a6gW“There’s nothing to think about. What I’m saying is that we can’t rely solely on Yuri Briol. We have to do our part too. He’s also a human being.”T1P3
ewtM9“Yes…”toT
K8eyarm“In the end, the task is obvious. Fight anyone and kill them.”Gro
AZtDNIo“Exactly.”MkZUHu
4hQh“And stop looking at the sky so much. It bewitches you.”T0jSG
1b2aLaurent stood up.iuDhAu
60RGSw“See you.”9EkpNu
5Dd“Did you come all the way here just to cheer me up?”trfuAF
JYc“If I left you alone, you’d be a hindrance later.”Lcb
4RrJared watched him walk away and smiled.BGJyu3
koXf“Yes, that’s right.”c74Y
xbRJared lowered his head and closed his eyes.Oglwmt1
ZF4GQXHe sharpened his senses.ZKzu
MzlvLaurent was right.8ekaLc
7OqThe task was singular.4cvGLrA
VNOzwWhoever stood in the way, he would kill.NRwVOo7
Lo3XAnd when, in the end, he drove his sword into Cedric’s heart, everything would be over.zXpKo
rPDZ4iQIt didn’t matter how strong that god from another world was, nor what black magic or power Cory possessed to aid Cedric.rVwzF4
77xPF4He set aside all complicated thoughts.RvnI
8gRtJ“Fuuu…”Ki2Gm
7IUHe opened his eyes.Xi8rjXh
1whC1“This is getting interesting.”p03k
6SNffob***ALIsi7b
pN3cCedric floated in the darkness with his eyes closed.q9g7i8J
InoMtyHe was adjusting himself so he could fully wield the power he had suddenly received.C4XW4W
mnrDWAs some had suspected, Cedric was buying time.8J862O
qu8rZBut the reason had nothing to do with what they expected.xcx
4PspL1It wasn’t that a problem had arisen in summoning the god from another world; he was simply taking a moment to properly control a power that had grown far too vast.1OW8
03ORYis[Ah…]8xNk
dARMIn the midst of intoxication from that overwhelming power, he suddenly heard a voice calling to him from beyond his consciousness.lKkISQg
WRNHCedric opened his eyes.zAr1hn
pRN96pIThen, his mind emerged from the darkness and returned to his body.k2vHxs
7gKUCzHe was sitting on his throne.12nPgh
cwd“Lord Cedric.”SB0yi2q
QM78qIt was Eugen, who had now become his servant. He had once been the crown prince of the Empire, but had become Cedric’s slave after succumbing to black magic.yyr
dGK“What is it?”090
vTai“A problem has arisen.”vKT
cxx6At these words, Eugen bowed his head until it touched the floor.veucSW
MXZf“A problem…?”0yM
u4XprfeCedric smiled disdainfully. With the absolute power he now possessed, the problems of the human world were trifles.Unpw
FiQ“There have always been problems.”q3fVhA
2ulAINothing surprised him anymore.jIoyL
GHQY4And it was all his brother Yuri Briol’s fault.MvV
mgrnLTMatters that should have proceeded without hindrance began to fail one after another ever since Yuri began to act. If not for him, Cedric wouldn’t have had to rush to summon the god from another world.MdM6I
s7fOBlvCedric looked down at the bowed Eugen and smirked.yPeUOG
9OyTe5“So, what kind of problem is it this time?”Hg9
pwvp5“The forces of the Heavenly Demon Sect could not attack Briol.”JvzpwOk
YSSSst5“They couldn’t? Does that mean they were defeated?”sx8
vX0d8“No, they stopped before reaching Briol.”qGig
qZ4Cedric gripped the throne’s armrest. This was not the same as failing.oJBlJRW
Bj1NlbC“They didn’t even get there?”qlUhj
0QdHis voice was laced with anger, and Eugen trembled as he lowered his head even further. His servility was such that it was hard to believe he had ever been a crown prince.ulOZ3UI
7bMsdHe banged his forehead against the floor several times before speaking.yFpjY8M
65ze5“Yes. They encountered another force from the East in front of Saidor.”f0U
Zdp“From the East?”tMa
a3XcCedric let out a laugh of disbelief.Lyrw
n2gsy“From the East, you say?”sQDS
8WX“The Murim Alliance. Even the leader of the Alliance himself appeared, said to be the strongest in Eastern Murim.”J5NM
aDZRO“And so what…?”LdrDx8
nYUoYkCedric put a hand to his forehead.Y5pE
jj3LHe had been waiting for the Anti-Imperial Alliance to arrive in the Empire. And while Briol was left unguarded, using Dan Socheon’s position, he had summoned the troops of the Heavenly Demon Sect.RYDo
wIrkHis intention had been to crush Yekaterina to provoke Yuri.L68g
4wYhY2QHe wanted to surprise that brother who always interfered with him in unexpected ways, then watch what kind of face he made when enraged.7mPa
l2ajHe had even warned him when they met.h1Zx
Tik7aBut he had failed.DSWxOR
26VIf at least they had posed a threat to Briol, he could salvage some pride, but they had been stopped before they even arrived.XiC5i
D8JeQAfter mocking him by saying he should take care of his woman, he now looked like a complete fool.Dvs
zd8nrtWhen Cedric fell silent, Eugen struck his forehead against the floor again.ekemI2
2pkHIo“I’m sorry.”Vlh
HwgrSd“You don’t need to apologize.”tAE9Hte
obmPCedric leaned back in the throne.XSDjG
Ns3vL“At least tell me you found out how those Murim Alliance people got here?”YVMzu
Q20Nn“Yes… yes…”tKzd
q1k“Good. If you hadn’t, then you’d have to apologize. Now, tell me how it happened.”Q2ea
3qlPoL“Well…”QjEW8
EkiAs Cedric had guessed, it was connected to Yuri. So obvious it was no longer even amusing.DQtXm
BDUR7o“They say a merchant named Elaine personally went East to negotiate. She’s the owner of the Elaine Trading Company, and they obtained information that the Prince of Briol, Yuri Briol, is in fact its true owner. I suppose they planned it all in advance.”8h1Td
rsQo“I see…”tE5da2
m9Gl4ICedric lowered his head and twisted his lips.exS6x1
k5Bmwx“So, in the end, it’s all because of that guy.”sabvLGn
DVECtHe couldn’t understand how his brother managed all of this. He could foresee most people, but not him.nntWBb
N6Q2rbCedric could anticipate most of the world, but Yuri Briol remained the only one he could not surpass.vtgaBJa
IEgyFinally, he nodded.SNB
LPPqpKf“I wanted to win at least once in this game, but in the end, I’ve lost again.”BdGBVM
irghCqV“I’m sorry.”HysJ
roV7T“You don’t need to apologize.”ZzL
HGKOj8Cedric frowned.Aen
ycvHhlr“This isn’t a game for nobodies like you to meddle in. It’s between Yuri and me, so why the hell do you keep apologizing?”pJHowb3
38Ve0b“Forgive me!”Vuvr
aOs26l2“Get out.”gy51FOU
9uIRBNEugen crawled backwards without raising his head. Cedric watched him leave and muttered.dSESkq8
r14trm“In the end, I couldn’t win. It’s time to close the game…”4AmA
mGDoJX6Cedric’s plan had reached its final stage.6Rax
igngdLVThe entertainment was over. With the overwhelming power he had gained thanks to the god from another world, it was time to end it all.ZjAIX
z6QMHe did not feel particularly pleased.wyopp
LNbPh7qDeep down, he knew he would be left as the loser in his game against Yuri.weKC
gAmpMikBut suddenly—18x44
l3FkGy“Ah…”6RfF
IEkCedric’s face lit up.m3du
q37h0IoHe still had one card left.z6Q
mNK9R“Yes, of course.”jidp5k
BseHe was not satisfied with simply ending the game. He wanted to give Yuri one last blow of despair, to see him break and collapse. And there was still a way to do that.B96Sr
4idsyHSomeone who had originally been Yuri’s subordinate. And who had now become one of his most valuable assets.QrWFecA
jpes“Eugen, bring me Cory.”FeQsG
5XE0mSk“Yes.”krH6
tBDgNk5Cedric smiled broadly as he recalled that ugly, stunted half-orc. A monster who delighted in seeing Laurent’s twisted figure.Mz12NL
wY2EgWPThat man in whom Yuri trusted now showed without reservation the darkness he had hidden for so long.cJBUwOh
8g6The more one pretended to be virtuous, the deeper the darkness within.IRT
VqLL0L2“Yuri’s going to love this. Hahahahaha…”nhnGvM
kzzSCedric’s laughter echoed like a lingering specter.gO0EZ
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