“A demon?”
Leo, with a slight anger in his tone, struggled to suppress his fury.
“Are you saying that the so-called revolutionary army sold their souls to a demon?”
Unlike the idiomatic usage in Khan’s world, where “selling one’s soul to a demon” was a common phrase, in this world, such transactions were a reality. Many people borrowed a demon’s power at the cost of their souls, and sometimes, these individuals even caused demons to manifest in Midland.
Leo was furious upon realizing that the ‘corruption of the revolutionary army’ that Welt spoke of was connected to a demon.
“Not all of them. But half of the leadership… maybe even all of them by now might have signed contracts with demons.”
“You must have informed the Pantheon Church about this.”
“…Hmm. It’s been a while, so there’s quite a bit of dust. Eson, go fetch a duster. It seems the lack of maintenance has rendered this place unusable. Next time, I’ll have to assign someone to manage the hideout as well. Tsk.”
Despite suddenly shifting the topic and assigning a trivial task, Eson was about to complain before seeing the lowered, somber eyes of Welt, and he quieted down.
It was an implicit order to leave.
The upcoming conversation was not meant for Eson’s ears.
“…Damn. Fine, I’ll step aside quietly.”
Eson, typically the type to voice a few complaints, recognized the gravity of the situation. His strategic understanding surpassed his curiosity about the sudden mention of demons; it was more crucial for Welt to safely conduct the conversation.
“Tell me later.”
“I will.”
After Eson left, only Khan’s group and Welt remained in the old, shabby vigilante hideout.
“Well then, shall we resume our conversation?”
Despite the situation, where he was surrounded by those who could kill him at any moment, Welt showed no sign of being overawed. His composure stemmed not from confidence in his abilities but from the awareness of his own utility, akin to a shrewd negotiator.
“The answer to whether I informed the Pantheon Church is no. The first reason being that my certainty was based on circumstantial evidence, not solid proof. The second being that the Pantheon Church, despite its formidable power, refrains from deeply entangling itself with foreign political situations. Lastly, I had a personal wish to provide a chance for the comrades in the revolution to redeem themselves.”
“Once someone sells their soul to a demon, there is no chance for redemption.”
“That’s the Pantheon Church’s one-sided stance. I have never encountered a demon in my life. Moreover, the moment the revolutionary army is crushed by the Pantheon Church, my country will be left in ruins beyond any hope of recovery. How could I allow that?”
Welt conveyed the grim reality of the principality with a weary expression. However, Leo seemed unsatisfied with the explanation and immediately retorted.
“But do you understand that your inaction could endanger the entire continent?”
Demons were cunning.
They exploit the desperations of mortals, projecting their power onto Midland. Their influence spreads, creating more demon worshippers who, in turn, increase the number of victims. Despite the Pantheon Church’s warnings about the dangers of demons, it was futile. When faced with a being that could grant their deepest desires, anyone would be tempted to grasp their hand.
“I am aware. But that argument doesn’t resonate with us very much.”
“What do you mean…!”
“The notion that the continent might suffer due to a demon? What can we do about it? Our world is confined to this large landmass of a principality. No, for most common people, their little town is their entire world.”
As someone born into noble status within the empire, often referred to as the center of the continent, Leo, who walked the path of a paladin, couldn’t comprehend such a perspective. Thus, he found himself at a loss for words.
“The same goes for me. This principality is my world. So, I live to protect my world.”
“So, do you have a way to resolve this situation?”
Khan, noting Leo’s speechlessness, asked Welt with a hint of sarcasm.
“The revolutionary army was organized to oppose the tyranny of the rulers, but how are they any better than the rulers of the principality? No matter how noble their cause, a demon worshiper is still a demon worshiper. What if the revolution succeeds? That would only be a bigger problem.”
“A country ruled by demon worshipers? I’d like to see that. Though it will undoubtedly be burned to the ground by the Pantheon Church.”
Ludmilla’s mocking laugh had merit to it.
With the Pantheon Church’s capabilities, eradicating a mediocre human nation outside the empire would be a simple task.
“In the end, whether the revolution succeeds or fails, this country is doomed.”
“I am aware of that as well. Of course, I haven’t been idle.”
The resignation in Welt’s voice shifted to a sudden sharpness, as if the preceding conversation had merely been a prelude.
“But before discussing the solution I’ve prepared, let’s clarify your objectives. What do you want, and how can I assist in making it happen?”
Welt knew that Khan’s group had needs, and Welt, in turn, needed their strength. It was about making the terms of their exchange clear.
“I want you to join my plan and lend your strength. The revolutionary army I belong to lacks sufficient military power. In contrast, you are formidable warriors, capable of compensating for our lack of force.”
“We’re searching for the Sorcerer’s Ruins.”
“If it’s the Sorcerer’s Ruins you’re after… I see. Now I understand why you sought out ‘Welt, the former leader of the revolutionary army.’
By aiding the revolutionary army in defeating the regular army, you’d be free to move through the regular army’s territory.”
“That’s part of it. The prince of the principality is not exactly a trustworthy person either.”
“That’s true.”
Welt easily understood Khan’s reason for seeking him out.
To reach the site where the Sorcerer’s Ruins were discovered, one had to venture into the regular army’s territory, particularly passing through the largest canyon gate in the principality.
A gate so formidable that even the Greenskins, who once flooded the lands of warriors, couldn’t cross it and turned back.
“It won’t be easy. The Sorcerer’s Ruins are a place the principality has heavily guarded. Mages from the Tower often visit for research. Recently, an old mage has taken up residence there.”
“So, if we help with your plan, we can secure access to the ruins?”
“To be honest, it will still be difficult. The city where the ruins are located, is deep within the regular army’s territory. However, depending on how much you can contribute, we might be able to change the stakes.”
Finally ready to reveal his hidden ‘plan,’ Welt paused meaningfully before continuing.
“Soon, there will be a large-scale clash between the regular army and the revolutionary army. It will be the largest since the revolution began and might significantly tilt the fate of the principality. The location will be the canyon gate we mentioned earlier, and the revolutionary army’s leadership is determined to break through the canyon on that day.”
“…So, they might invoke the power of a demon.”
“Indeed. It would be impossible for the revolutionary army to break through a gate guarded by nearly ten knights with their strength alone. They’ll undoubtedly resort to a demon’s power. Naturally, all attention will be focused on the gate. The presence of the revolutionary army will be forgotten….”
That will be the time for us to move.
—
The ruler of the Georges Principality, First Prince Raul, was a highly egocentric individual. Though capable, his greed surpassed his abilities.
“These foolish wretches are seeking their own graves.”
“…It’s not something to take lightly.”
“A bunch of vermin squirming around without even a single knight among them? What war are we talking about? Isn’t that right, sir Ehhram?”
Despite being the de facto ruler of a nation, Prince Raul’s tone still bore the mark of a spoiled child, a fact that caused Ehhram to frown in discontent.
“Knights are not invincible. While they are protected by Aura, the Aura is not infinite. With the aid of magical artifacts, their spears can still pierce a knight’s heart….”
“Ha! Even so, they are just vermin who will be swept away when faced against someone like Sir Ehhram, won’t they?”
“If you annihilate them all, you will never ascend to the throne of the principality.”
“That’s something you don’t know! These vermin are delaying my ascension, so they need to be eliminated swiftly. It’s actually convenient that they’re gathering in one place.”
Prince Raul’s eyes gleamed with murderous intent. It wasn’t the look of a novice who had never personally killed anyone.
It was the gaze of someone with the power to erase hundreds, even thousands of lives with a single word.
“Leave only the bare minimum of troops required for border defense and send all elite soldiers, knights, and mages to the Dieren Canyon. We will wipe out the revolutionary army there, and I will become the king. Naturally, sir Ehhram, you will have to be there as well.”
“My duty is to assist Your Highness.”
“Then I will go to the Dieren Canyon as well.”
“…Stay in the fortress city behind the canyon. We can’t have you risking yourself against their blind strikes.”
As First Prince Raul’s personal campaign was confirmed, the revolutionary army, without hiding their massive offensive, began their march towards the Dieren Canyon.
“According to our operative, the Great Swordsman Ehhram has headed to the fortress city. Prince Raul will be there too.”
“If it’s that brutal prince, he wouldn’t want to miss the moment of his massacre. Comrade Camus Ecel’s predictions were accurate!”
“……”
Camus Ecel glanced with his hazy eyes at the revolutionary army’s leadership, who were laughing joyfully and praising him.
『……!』
‘Yes, I can see it.’
Behind the backs of the leaders who showed no tension about the impending war, Camus Ecel saw the figure of a demon. Evidence that each, to varying degrees, had accepted a demon’s power.
There was no justice in the tyrannical rulers of the principality, nor in the revolutionary army that rose against them.
Even if the revolutionary army won, they would go down in history as demon worshipers who sold their souls to massacre the rulers.
Camus Ecel was acutely aware of this fact.
‘This is a necessary act.’
There were no excuses. Only actions and results mattered now.
“We will reclaim freedom for the principality’s people.”
With Camus Ecel’s determined proclamation, the revolutionary comrades cheered.
At the entrance of the Dieren Canyon, where the unprecedented battle would occur, eight figures rose, overlooking the path to the gate.
“Alright, let’s split into two groups as planned. I’ll take Aries and Leonir as Group 1. Welt and the others will be Group 2. Alejandro, the most crucial role is yours.”
“Yes, boss! Leave it to me!”
Saluting in a clumsy manner, Alejandro and Group 2 disappeared deeper into the Dieren Canyon.
According to Welt’s plan, they would follow Alejandro, the master of stealth and infiltration, towards the fortress city.
The role of Group 1, waiting at the canyon’s entrance, was simple.
Exterminate a demons.
“If they start using a demon’s power…”
“Yeah. At that moment, don’t hesitate. Go wild.”
Khan chuckled at the savage dialogue between Leo and Aries.
‘He might gain a new companion.’
Whoever the new demon trapped alongside Augrabes’s avatar in Aecharis’s pocket would be, it would surely regret its choice.
Especially at the hands of an Apostle of the Goddess of Justice and his warriors who had reached superhuman levels.