The great Master issued an order to Chief Administrator Celia.
Everyone in the dungeon focused on Celia’s words.
“Our first goal is the salvation of the Seil Kingdom, so that we may spread the Master’s will.”
At her words, Necros, the guardian of the first floor, tilted his head.
“Clack?”
It was a question of why they were going to save a human kingdom.
To Necros’s question, Celia slowly explained.
“Currently, the White Order is committing unspeakably cruel acts within the kingdom.”
She spoke of the situation the Seil Kingdom currently faced.
And she explained that the White Order even harbored the ambition of swallowing the Seil Kingdom whole.
“…The Order has been continuously encroaching upon the domain of the Master we serve. What do you think will happen if the Order devours the kingdom?”
Only then did Necros nod.
It was true that the Order had invaded the dungeon on multiple occasions.
The dungeon was currently located in the Mountain Range of Silence. Furthermore, the Seil Kingdom was a nation close to the Mountain Range of Silence.
If the Seil Kingdom fell into the hands of the White Order?
The rest was obvious without needing to be said.
“How dare they displease the Master. They deserve to die ten thousand times.”
They intended to use this opportunity to formally hold the Order accountable for its crimes.
“Furthermore, we intend to offer the kingdom to the Master.”
Celia had been in continuous communication with the princess of the Seil Kingdom.
Even if it was difficult at the moment, she had a plan to help Princess Ilena and seize the Seil Kingdom.
But a variable had arisen.
And in a favorable direction.
‘To think the Master would provide so much help….’
Celia’s gaze turned to Maru.
Maru was not the only being who had crossed over from another dimension.
Even a gargoyle said to have guarded the Master’s residence had crossed over.
It was unmistakably the gargoyle obtained from the Demon Realm Merchant Association’s auction house.
The once-worthless gargoyle now boasted power equivalent to the dungeon’s mid-bosses.
‘Its magical power is incredibly refined. As expected, the Master is truly amazing.’
Celia nodded as if it were only natural.
Even just Maru and the gargoyle sent by the Master would be tremendous help to their forces.
On top of that, He had sent Verter, the adjutant who assisted Azmo.
Thanks to that, they could devise a far more perfect scenario than the original plan.
Celia smiled and opened her mouth.
The broad framework had already been laid out by the Master.
They would act according to His will, but the details were to be executed by herself, the Chief Administrator.
“According to the Master’s will, the supreme commander of this operation will be Maru.”
Celia introduced Maru to everyone.
Because Maru was the core of this operation.
‘He is truly a fearsome person.’
Celia had merely been thinking of swallowing up the Seil Kingdom.
And placing Princess Ilena upon the throne as queen.
There would certainly be tremendous opposition to that. Still, she had judged that if they slowly expanded their influence, they could one day completely devour the kingdom.
But it seemed the Master wished for a swift resolution.
Just as Maru had recruited Vice-Captain Riana of the Paladin Order, this time the target had shifted to the Seil Kingdom.
‘It means he will capture the hearts of everyone in the Seil Kingdom, just like that miracle.’
If that happened, the Seil Kingdom would undoubtedly transform into a nation that praised the Master.
‘A kingdom where everyone praises the Master.’
It would become a nation that truly moved for the Master’s sake, not one that merely ruled over itself.
Celia marveled at the hidden depths of the Master’s intentions.
Words like “truly great” were insufficient to describe Him.
“Maru will accompany Princess Ilena of the kingdom.”
At Celia’s words, skeleton knights brought armor.
It was ordinary armor that adventurers might wear.
Maru was slated to perform miracles from now on.
If he donned royal armor or paladin armor from the start, the wonder of the miracles would diminish.
This was as far as Celia’s calculations went.
“Ah, it would be best to change Maru’s sword as well.”
Celia also pointed at the demonic sword Maru was holding.
No matter how much holy power Maru possessed, carrying a demonic sword was unacceptable.
The power continuously emanating from the demonic sword risked alerting the Order.
“Please take this sword instead.”
Celia handed Maru the sword at the Death Knight’s waist.
The sword was made from the fangs of a young wyvern. It was a weapon obtained through auction at the Demon Realm Merchant Association.
Celia had transferred the sword to the Death Knight, but the Master’s order took precedence.
Maru placed the demonic sword on the floor and grasped the one Celia offered.
“It certainly suits you well. Even if it is from a young one, it is a sword made from wyvern teeth. Not only is it durable, but its cutting edge is no less than that of an ordinary famed blade.”
Moreover, it made no difference whether Maru possessed the demonic sword or not.
From the beginning, the skill “Loyalty as a Paladin (S+)” was already connected to Gang-hyeon, so it did not matter.
As long as Maru’s existence itself did not perish, the effects of that skill would persist.
However, there was another who coveted Maru’s demonic sword.
“De… monic… sword….”
It was Verter, the former vice-captain of the Paladin Order who had once invaded the dungeon.
Verter had pursued the vampire Aren, who possessed the demonic sword, and ended up in this dungeon.
The result was that he was slain by the Death Knight and became the Dullahan he was now.
The head held in Verter’s hand kept spitting out the words “demonic sword….”
Even in death, his desire to possess the demonic sword was tremendous.
But Celia did not permit it.
“Death Knight, please keep this demonic sword in your custody.”
A Death Knight should be able to possess the demonic sword without suffering great harm.
The Death Knight, who held a pickaxe, nodded.
“Then we are more or less finished. Next, I shall speak of the formations. First, Necros.”
She called upon Necros, the floor guardian, first.
Necros possessed the Corpse Explosion skill. As an Arch Lich who also had the skill to turn corpses into skeletons, he was worthy of being called a one-man army.
But in this matter, no variables were permitted.
“I will assign fifteen skeleton knights and Verter to you, Necros.”
Fifteen 3-star skeleton knights.
And with the addition of the 4-star Dullahan Verter, the group was threatening in itself.
“De… mon… sw….”
Verter was still crying out for the demonic sword when he met the eyes of Necros, who had become his superior officer.
“De….”
Necros was a being who possessed the “Corpse Explosion” skill.
“…….”
Verter’s mouth closed.
The formations were generous.
The Master had newly bestowed upon them a flood of monsters.
Rather, it was merely a pity that their numbers were limited to one hundred.
Of course, it did not matter much.
Because all of them were prepared to give their lives for the Master.
They were opponents absolutely not to be underestimated.
The preparations did not take long.
“Now, let us all advance.”
At Celia’s words, the monsters began to leave the dungeon.
* * *
The Death Knight picked up the demonic sword that had fallen to the floor.
Zzt.
Pain coursed through the Death Knight’s hand.
Fortunately, it was not great pain.
“…….”
The Death Knight also headed outside the dungeon, gripping the demonic sword.
* * *
“Count! Have you truly joined hands with a demon!”
High Priest Titan barked.
High Priest Titan was leading the Order’s delegation.
He had attended the banquet held at Count Berton’s mansion.
The banquet, which ought to have been merry, reeked of nothing but the stench of blood.
Corpses were strewn across the floor. Puddles formed from the blood flowing out of them.
“I know nothing of this! Rather, is this not all a trap set by the Order!”
Count Berton shouted as though he had been wronged in response to High Priest Titan’s words.
Why were skeletons and the like in his mansion?
And wearing knight armor, at that.
“Daring to sully the Order’s honor with your filthy mouth! This won’t do. Paladins, hear me! Capture the Count alive and bring him to me! I shall interrogate him personally!”
At High Priest Titan’s command, the paladins who had been in a brief lull slowly advanced.
The Count lamented at the sight.
‘Damn it! If only I had listened to the steward…!’
Henryk, the head steward, who had appeared during the banquet.
He had said he suspected the Order.
But was it not the Count himself who had denied it? He had even locked the head steward in the underground dungeon, thinking he was being insulted.
It was useless to regret not having listened to him now.
The deed was already done.
‘Of all the times….’
The Count’s gaze shifted slightly to the side.
Among the corpses fallen on the floor were the remains of skeletons.
The skeleton knights had fought alongside the Count’s knights, persistently attacking the Order’s paladins.
Looking only at the current situation, it would not have been strange to say the Count had made a contract with a demon.
Of course, the Count believed this was all a trap set by the Order.
‘To prepare all this… those Order bastards….’
A thoroughly prepared trap by the Order.
He had simply been caught in it.
‘If I can only escape from here…!’
However, on the Order’s side was not only High Priest Titan but also Commander Gerard, who led the Paladin Order.
Their martial prowess was extraordinary.
When those two swung their swords, the knights’ armors were cut like paper.
The Count may have had greater numbers, but the Order held overwhelming superiority in quality.
Indeed, the Count was being pushed back little by little.
“Summon all the knights in the mansion!”
But the Count’s shout merely echoed.
The butlers and maids remaining in the mansion had already fled.
Count Berton bit his lip.
‘I have to get out of here at least….’
Only by escaping could he convey his grievance to the outside.
If he were caught like this, he would be branded a heretic by the Order without having his grievance resolved.
Being branded a heretic by the Order was a truly terrible thing.
‘My wife….’
If that happened, not only the Count’s family but all his blood relatives being dragged away by the Order was a given.
There was even a saying that it was better to take one’s own life than let that happen.
‘I absolutely cannot let that happen!’
Of course, the Count had no intention of killing himself.
The kingdom would soon fall into his hands.
‘Yes, I just have to settle matters now!’
He would subdue them at once and immediately march to seize the royal palace.
Once he held the kingdom, he need only bar and lock the gates.
‘Good. There’s still a chance.’
The Count gripped his sword tightly once more.
Blue light enveloped his sword. It was aura.
“Yes, come! I shall fight you with my noble honor at stake!”
At the same time, the Count’s knights also ignited their auras.
The knights were already crossing swords with the paladins. To survive here, there was no other way.
“Ha! Is that the honor you possess? What you possess is not honor—only corruption and betrayal!”
How dare one who betrayed humanity and joined hands with a demon speak of honor.
High Priest Titan snorted at the Count’s words.
The two groups pointed their swords at each other.
At the very moment when the time of slaughter was about to begin.
The lights inside the banquet hall began to go out.
“……!”
At the same time, the sky outside the windows darkened.
* * *
The central headquarters of the White Order.
From a building located on the outskirts of the headquarters, children’s laughter never ceased.
Twenty children sat in one room.
And before them, an old priest smiled benevolently.
“Hehe, it is good to see you brimming with such passion. I hope you do not forget that everything we enjoy is a blessing bestowed by the Goddess.”
“Yes! Priest!”
The old priest looked at each of the children’s faces one by one.
The children here were the talents who would bear the future of the Order.
The priest’s flesh was old. However, the fact that he was teaching the sprouts that would grow in the future reignited even his faded passion.
‘This, too, must be fate.’
Not much life remained for him now. But he thought positively.
‘The day I shall meet the Goddess directly is not far.’
The day his life ended here would be the day he met the Goddess.
That was why he taught the children even harder. Hoping that when he met the Goddess, he could say with pride that he had fulfilled his duty….
“Today’s lesson ends here. If there is anything you are curious about, please ask.”
Outside the window, the sun was already setting.
Had they been ordinary children, they would have wished for class to end quickly, but the children here were not ordinary.
At the priest’s words, the children raised their hands, each as if wanting to ask their question first.
At the sight, the old priest felt proud.
They would go on to live lives of service for the Goddess.
Some would become priests who spread the Goddess’s word, and others would become swords that protected the Order.
Perhaps they might even fight against the forces of evil that opposed the Order.
Many trials would follow them in life, but he had no doubt that, looking only to the Goddess, they would overcome any hardship.
The priest chose one of the children with a raised hand.
The child smiled at having been chosen and asked,
“Father! I want to know about the Dark Empress!”
The being the child spoke of was one that had plunged the continent into terror in the distant past.
The Dark Empress, Sallestra.
A Great Calamity monster of no less than seven stars.
At the child’s question, everyone looked at the priest with eyes sparkling brightly.
“Hoho…”
They were still children after all.
That was what the priest thought.
Children in the midst of growing up were deeply interested in the wide world.
They were especially interested in monsters, and among them, they particularly liked stories related to the Dark Empress.
A seven-star being that had nearly swallowed the continent in the past.
To stand against her, the Order joined hands with every nation on the continent. And in the end, they succeeded in sealing Sallestra, the Dark Empress.
The children were thrilled by the victory the Order had achieved.
The priest gathered his thoughts and began the story.
“That being appeared without any omen. On a dark night, no less.”
It had already been hundreds of years since that being appeared.
Even the old priest knew only what he had read in books or heard in stories. Even so, he tried to make it feel as vivid as possible.
“Suddenly, the stars in the sky began to fall, and the moonlight was swallowed by darkness.”
The children swallowed and listened closely to the priest’s words.
“The sky turned black. But soon after, red specks appeared in that dark sky.”
There was much debate about those red specks. Some claimed only that the stars had fallen, but it did not matter either way.
After all, was the purpose not simply to entertain the children?
“At that moment—”
At the same time as the priest spoke, the sunlight vanished from the sky outside the window.
“……”
It was not that evening had come.
It had literally darkened all of a sudden.
“Wow! Just like you said, Father, it’s night for us too!”
The children clapped their hands in wonder, laughing and chattering.
But the priest’s expression was grave.
He slowly walked toward the window.
Stars twinkled in the darkened sky.
And yet, for the sun to suddenly disappear.
It was by no means an ordinary occurrence.
And then.
“Huh?!”
The stars embroidered across the sky began to fall all at once.
“F-Father…?”
Only then realizing that the atmosphere was strange, the children looked at the old priest. Some even began to cry.
But the old priest stared blankly at the sky. Then he slowly murmured,
“Oh… Goddess.”
The sky from which the stars were falling.
“Please… watch over us.”
Red specks began to rise across the black sky.
* * *
- The monster “Death Knight (★★★★★)” has been continuously affected by the Demonic Sword.
- Due to the influence of the Demonic Sword, the Death Knight’s grade has been temporarily raised.
- Death Knight (★★★★★) has temporarily evolved.
- Legendary monster, Death Knight King (★★★★★★★)