Chapter 219 – The Temple of the Nephilim (2)

For an instant, I couldn’t believe what I had heard.

The name that the figure dressed in white had spoken. I wasn’t the only one horrified upon hearing it.

“K-Kuarne…?”

Edward, who had recovered his senses a little late, instantly paled. Even Horn, who had remained stunned, trembled slightly in her eyebrows. Meanwhile, the white figure descended the steps with light footsteps.

Kuarne, the Second Corps Commander. Leader of the Demon King’s Army and absolute sovereign of the infernal region of Gehenna. That being had just presented himself before us, none other than humanity’s great enemy.

My thoughts tangled into chaos. The Second Corps Commander, Kuarne? Really? If that was true, how was it possible that he was in the human world? Acting as a priest? Was it all part of some plan by the old elf?

I turned abruptly. The old elf was trembling as if static electricity was running through him. He was so shocked he could barely stand.

“H-h-how can you be here?! Corps Commanders can’t cross into the human world!”

The old elf shouted as if he were screaming. Fear, panic, confusion, and horror were drawn across his face. That confirmed two things the elder wasn’t colluding, and that being truly was the Second Corps Commander.

Kuarne smiled faintly and replied.

“Calm yourself, elder of the dark elves. This is nothing more than a projection of myself, a sort of avatar, so to speak.”

He spoke with a clear voice, trying to calm us. But that voice, no matter how kind it sounded, seemed to tear at the soul. Kuarne stopped halfway down the stairs. At last, we could see his face.

An androgynous face, difficult to classify as male or female. Only from the voice could we infer he was a man. At a glance, he appeared human. But his skin, his hair, even his clothing were so pure white that they looked bleached.

His eyes, opalescent white, reflected an inhuman coldness, as if they had been artificially waxed. He looked like a walking wax figure. An uncanny resemblance to the angels who had once nearly exterminated the Ancients.

If Kuarne had been given a pair of wings, he would have been identical to those doves. In a melodious voice, he said.

“The former priestess has been absent for some time, so I am merely taking her place. As the old elf well knows, the previous priest was a human woman. But one day, she disappeared without a trace. Someone had to protect the temple, and that is why I am here.”

“Whatever the reason, it is still an invasion of a Corps Commander into the human world!”

Edward, sweating cold, drew the large sword from his back. He pointed it directly at Kuarne.

“This is a blatant violation of the Treaty between humans and demons!”

The shout of Edward, the Black Bear Hero. It was the natural reaction of a warrior facing a mortal threat. However, Kuarne, with his blank and disinterested gaze, barely reacted.

“As I said, this is not my true body. It is not a violation of the treaty.”

His voice sounded apathetic, as if he considered it a trivial matter.

“Besides, I have absolutely no combat ability. I could swear it before God himself.”

Kuarne insisted on his innocence.

“And that crap, are we supposed to believe it?”

I whispered to Horn in a low voice. She swallowed hard and nodded with difficulty.

“…It’s true. I’ve been sensing his mana for a while… and I feel absolutely nothing. He’s not hiding it. He’s literally an empty shell.”

Kuarne smiled softly.

“Can you believe me now, brave heroes?”

“Brave heroes…?”

Edward blinked, confused. Should he feel flattered that the leader of the Demon King’s Army praised him?

“However, setting aside my personal appreciation, I regret to inform you that you have committed a grave mistake in this Temple of the Nephilim.”

At those words, Edward froze. His face instantly crumbled.

“W-wait a moment…!”

A desperate scream. From his chest erupted a black vortex that began devouring him like a black hole.

Screams, the sound of flesh being torn apart, the smell of blood.

In the place where Edward had been just a moment before, only the echo of death remained. The Warrior-ranked hero disappeared without leaving the slightest trace.

It all happened in the blink of an eye. The Temple of the Nephilim does not distinguish between good and evil. Whether human or demon, whoever breaks its laws is punished without exception.

Kuarne shook his head, showing a genuinely regretful expression.

“The temple’s first rule you shall not draw your weapon under any circumstances. He violated that fundamental rule. I hope the others do not follow his example.”

Kuarne had not intervened at all. It was Edward’s own recklessness that condemned him.

“…Fuck.”

I had only come to the temple to search for the fifth fragment. That was the only goal.

And yet, here I was, facing humanity’s greatest enemy. And worse, I couldn’t even draw my knife.

Edward’s fate was a warning far too clear.

I glanced at the old elf. He was trembling like a leaf. His face was one of complete defeat. It made sense—he had betrayed his race only to fall now before the leader of the demons.

As if understanding it all, Kuarne smiled at him cruelly.

“Ah… Ah…”

The elder was breathing heavily. He bit his lower lip hard, tasting the metallic flavor of his own blood.

The old elf thought, ‘Didn’t I endure all these humiliations for the survival of the dark elves?’

They had nearly been exterminated by that monster, Kang Geom-Ma. But at least a score of his people were still alive. He had to save them at all costs.

Calculating rapidly in his mind, the old man made his decision.

He clung to Kang Geom-Ma like a shadow. Kuarne frowned at the scene.

And then let out a sarcastic laugh.

“Don’t you regret betraying your own race to join the humans?”

“I do not regret it.”

It was a lie. The elder knew well the devastating power of the Second Corps Commander.

No matter how strong Kang Geom-Ma was, he was still far from being a match for such a transcendent being. Had we been in Gehenna and not the temple, we would all have died like insects.

‘Nevertheless.’

Though he had nearly been exterminated by the humans, the enemy of his enemy was now his only hope. The elder, Rog, bet everything on Kang Geom-Ma.

It was, in essence, a desperate gamble on his potential. If he managed to awaken all his power, he might not only defeat the Second Corps Commander, but even the First.

This was a fact that even Kuarne undoubtedly knew.

He had probably come to this temple not only to watch but perhaps to eliminate any threat at the root, even if it meant impersonating the true priest.

If that were the case, Kuarne would be guilty of an unforgivable crime.

“I can hear the noise of your thoughts from here,” Kuarne said disdainfully.

At that moment, Kuarne’s eyes flashed with a murderous light. The old elf felt his body freeze instantly.

“I’m glad you say you don’t regret your choice.”

Kuarne spat the words with a twisted smile.

“That way I can exterminate the dark elves without the slightest bit of compassion.”

I couldn’t believe the absurdity of the situation. They were fighting among themselves. The old elf was hiding behind me. Now that I thought about it, except for me, everyone here was a demon. Well, Horn was almost human, so I guess she didn’t count.

‘Damn it.’

I recalled once again the reason I had come to the temple. With a look full of annoyance, I spoke.

“It doesn’t matter if you’re the Second Corps Commander or whatever. You said you’re acting as a priest now, right? Then do your job instead of causing chaos.”

What mattered wasn’t that Kuarne had appeared. What mattered was that he had no intention of fighting.

Maybe, ridiculous as it sounded, he really was here fulfilling the priest’s role for now.

And even if he wasn’t, it didn’t matter. I just had to accomplish my goal and leave.

Of course, someday I would make this bastard pay for Edward. Not now, but that day would come.

“I must have made you wait too long.”

Kuarne smiled coldly. He turned and gestured for us to follow.

“Come. I will try to answer some of your doubts.”

He was still using that gentle tone. Just before following him, I decided to provoke him a little.

“Kuarne, you know very well that it was my hand that cut your brother’s neck.”

“Of course I know.”

He answered without hesitation, his emotions perfectly controlled.

“But I don’t feel even a shred of sadness. In fact, I’m glad those useless fools became nourishment for your growth. We’ll discuss the rest inside the Temple of the Nephilim.”

***

At that very moment, in a dark hall.

A silver-haired woman, Yu Se-in, prayed with her hands together.

Sweat had soaked the carpet beneath her knees. Her white ceremonial robe, now wet, had become almost translucent.

Suddenly, Se-in abruptly opened her eyes. She shifted her gaze toward a corner.

Leaning against a marble column, a golden-haired man was watching her in silence. His torso, hidden in the shadows, was barely distinguishable.

Se-in shot a cold look at the man.

“And what are you doing here?”

The blond shrugged without uncrossing his arms.

“Nothing. I was just curious to see what a saint does.”

His voice sounded impeccable. But to Se-in’s ears, it was nothing but provocation. From the beginning, she deeply disliked that hypocrite defiling a sacred place.

Se-in said coldly.

“Of course. I suppose for someone from the demonic world, seeing someone else praying must seem very curious.”

A slight change crossed the blond’s face. Although the darkness prevented a clear view of his expression, Se-in could feel it.

He was furious.

“…Didn’t I warn you not to mention where I come from?”

Despite the implicit threat, Se-in didn’t even blink. She answered him with a sarcastic smile.

“By simply hiding your true identity and origin, I’ve already done more than enough for you.”

“….”

The blond uncrossed his arms and slowly walked toward her, emerging from the shadows.

Beneath his golden hair, his pupils shone an intense blue.

The darkness tore away as his face appeared before Se-in.

“Don’t you think so?”

Se-in stared at him.

“Leon van Reinhardt.”