Novel Full Chapter 348 : Chapter 348
Chapter 348. I Wonder (3)
The Heavenly Demon looked at the man kneeling before him with an indifferent expression.
“What brings you here?”
Then Jonsa, choosing his words as carefully as possible, brought out the words in his mind.
“It is said that the rebels of the continent are joining forces to dare to block the god’s advent.”
“And so?”
“How dare such bugs interfere with the great god’s event, but I came here in case it might displease your mood.”
“……”
“If you entrust the command to me, I will wipe them out so that they will not dare to obstruct the great one’s path.”
“……”
He had said all he had to say.
All that was left was to wait for the god’s choice.
Jonsa bowed his head deeply and waited like a priest preparing to receive an oracle.
It didn’t matter whether it was acceptance or rejection.
Whatever answer came back, he would simply obey and follow.
But….
…….
No matter how long he waited, no words came.
Jonsa desperately suppressed the urge to raise his head and look at the Heavenly Demon’s face.
But no matter how long he waited, no answer came, so he had no choice.
He didn’t know what kind of anguish his question was causing the god, but at the very least, he had to look at his complexion to be able to give advice, right?
Jonsa very slowly and carefully raised his face.
And the moment he confirmed the Heavenly Demon’s face….
“Hmm….”
A groan escaped Jonsa’s lips without him realizing it.
There was no emotion revealed on the face of the god looking at him.
A face devoid of all joy, anger, sorrow, and pleasure.
It was a gaze like looking at a stone rolling on the road.
The moment he saw that gaze, what Jonsa felt was the blasphemous emotion of betrayal.
How could he be like that?
How could he look at me like that?
I have crossed a thousand years of time and soiled my hands with all means and methods to revive you.
But how can you look at me with such eyes….
Kwaang!
It was then.
Someone grabbed Jonsa’s head and slammed it into the floor.
And then….
“Blasphemous.”
It was an eerie and ominous voice, as if it could not belong to a living person.
The moment he heard that voice, Jonsa’s heart seemed to sink.
Fear.
How long had it been?
This feeling, as if all the blood in his body was freezing, was dominating his entire body….
Jonsa forced his unwilling mouth open and barely managed to spit out the necessary words.
“For… give….”
“……”
“I ask for… forgiveness.”
“……”
“Please, I beg you….”
“……”
To Jonsa, who was even struggling to breathe, the one who was pressing down on his head slightly turned his head and looked at the Heavenly Demon.
At the question of what to do, the Heavenly Demon finally opened his mouth.
“Let him go.”
That one phrase saved Jonsa’s life.
The hand that had been pressing down on Jonsa’s head disappeared, and he moved like a ghost and returned to his place.
Jonsa, who had barely escaped with his life, was desperate to calm his ragged breath from fear.
To him, the Heavenly Demon said.
“If you have said all you have to say, then go.”
“…Yes.”
He had a mountain of things he wanted to say.
Both logically and emotionally.
But right now, he couldn’t say a single word.
Jonsa was just grateful to be alive and went outside, trembling.
And to him who had gone out….
“Master.”
“Are you alright?”
The disciples hastily ran over and checked his condition.
But….
“Gasp…. Gasp… gasp….”
Jonsa didn’t have the leisure to answer such disciples.
Since when?
He, who had been so tense that he couldn’t even breathe properly, was now panting for breath.
Come to think of it, why had he forgotten?
This was not a relationship between a lord and a subject.
A lord and subject is a social relationship where at least the same human beings share roles based on their positions and needs.
Even if there is a hierarchical relationship, each has a role, and to be faithful to that role, it is a relationship where they can exchange opinions with each other.
In comparison, the relationship between himself and the Heavenly Demon was that of a god and a believer.
A believer is not even allowed to question the god.
That in itself is blasphemy.
Simply follow and obey unconditionally.
That was the proper duty and role of those who follow a god.
“Why did I forget that?”
At the words Jonsa muttered, the Poisonous Heart Ghost Demon, who had claimed to be the gatekeeper, said.
“It seems you have some grasp of your place now.”
Then Jonsa’s disciples became angry.
“You are rude.”
“Our master is the one who has endured and worked for over a thousand years for his revival.”
“Whoever you are, show some respect.”
At the sight of Jonsa’s disciples getting angry, the Poisonous Heart Ghost Demon said as if it were ridiculous.
“You young brats. As an elder of this cult, I will teach you one thing.”
“What….”
“It is only natural that we dedicate our bodies, minds, and souls to him and devote ourselves to him.”
“……”
“To desire recognition for that is in itself a preposterous blasphemy. Realize that.”
Jonsa’s disciples bit their lips.
Is this all it is?
To receive such treatment, we have committed numerous evil deeds for so long….
“Enough!”
It was then.
Jonsa, who had recovered his breath to some extent, hastily shouted.
And then….
Slap! Slap! Slap!
Jonsa slapped his own disciples’ cheeks and shouted.
“How dare you be so rude to the Fourth Elder?!”
Jonsa, who had scolded his disciples like that, said to the Poisonous Heart Ghost Demon.
“My disciples’ education was lacking. Please forgive me.”
To Jonsa, who was showing complete submission, the Poisonous Heart Ghost Demon said.
“This is the only time.”
“Thank you.”
“Get out. And never bother the great one with such trivial matters again. At that time, all of you will regret the fact that you are alive.”
Jonsa bowed his head to express his gratitude and withdrew with his disciples.
And after Jonsa had withdrawn.
“Heavenly Demon, what will you do?”
“Please give us your command.”
The elders who were guarding the Heavenly Demon’s side asked for his opinion.
Although Jonsa’s attitude of trying to achieve merit while daring to hope for a reward from a god was blasphemy itself, the information he brought was not useless.
“If you permit, I will take care of it.”
The one who spoke was the First Elder of the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult, the Heavenly Killing Sword Demon.
He, who had obtained the title of the number one sword of the demonic path in the Murim, was a sword demon who had risen to the position of the First Elder with a single sword in the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult at its peak.
He was thinking of immediately going outside and slaughtering the allied forces waiting outside the gate if the Heavenly Demon’s command was given.
But….
“Leave them be.”
The Heavenly Demon restrained the Sword Demon.
And he continued in a calm voice.
“If they wish to live, they just need to do their best to live.”
“……”
“This does not go against reason.”
The desire to live.
The Heavenly Demon acknowledged this.
Every living being tries to continue its life.
That is only natural.
He does not feel any blasphemy in that.
If there is anything he wishes for….
“I wonder if they can satisfy my desire.”
“Heavenly Demon, that is….”
“I wonder.”
With those words, the Heavenly Demon leaned back on his jade throne and closed his eyes.
The elders did not speak to the Heavenly Demon any further and quietly withdrew.
* * *
June 2, 1532.
On this day, Patrick woke up earlier than usual.
Patrick, who got up from his seat before the sun had even risen, looked at his wives sleeping soundly next to him and smirked.
And Patrick moved carefully so as not to wake his wives and went outside the barracks.
Outside the barracks, those who were preparing food early in the morning were moving about.
They saw Patrick and hastily greeted him.
“We greet the Grand Young Master.”
“Have you woken up? Please wait a little longer for your meal.”
Patrick raised his hand to them, told them to prepare slowly, and then walked away.
The place where Patrick’s steps arrived was a place where the sound of a sword being swung could be heard.
Whoosh!
A rather sharp sword speed.
The man who was sharply swinging two swords was….
“What are you doing so early in the morning?”
“Huh? You’re awake?”
A man who could casually speak informally to the world-renowned Patrick Schneider.
It was Patrick’s friend, Matthew.
Matthew, a 5-star knight, had naturally participated in this war and was now on standby.
But….
“I thought I issued a directive to refrain from training for the time being, since we don’t know when a battle might break out?”
“What kind of training is this? Just warming up my body.”
“Yeah. Then shall we warm up together?”
“What? Ugh!”
Kaaang!
Before his words could finish, Patrick’s sword flew at Matthew.
Matthew hastily blocked the sword.
“Ooh…. you blocked it?”
“Should I not have?”
And then came Matthew’s counterattack.
Patrick dodged and deflected the sword, occasionally countering, playing along with him.
It was more like warming up, just as Matthew had said, rather than a spar.
While doing so, Patrick felt a strange emotion inwardly.
‘This guy has gotten really strong.’
When he first saw him at the academy, there wasn’t even a shadow of talent.
He had decided to teach him the sword just to build a connection with the Elbador Merchant Guild, but he honestly hadn’t expected much.
If he diligently applied himself to his teachings, he might reach the 3-star level around the age of forty.
He had taught him with that expectation.
But Matthew had surpassed Patrick’s expectations.
He had pioneered the 5-star realm while still in his mid-twenties.
A hidden talent that even Patrick had failed to see?
‘No way.’
Patrick knew.
To interpret this achievement with the word ‘talent’ would be to insult the blood and sweat this friend had shed.
This person, who couldn’t be found to have an iota of talent, had pioneered his current realm through an effort that defied common sense, an effort piled upon effort.
Come to think of it….
From the academy to his knight’s training journey, and then to the pioneering of the Great Forest and various battlefields, Matthew had participated without fail.
Due to his lack of skill, he hadn’t had any particularly noticeable achievements, but honestly, he had grown by experiencing major incidents where it wouldn’t have been strange if he had died at any moment.
So….
‘It’s a waste.’
Patrick said, still crossing swords.
“Stew?”
“It’s Matthew.”
“…Wouldn’t it be better if you went home?”
“……”
“If you die, I think your sister will kill me, so….”
At that moment….
Swiiiiiiiiish!
A terrifying blow, cutting through the wind, flew towards Patrick’s neck.
Kaaaaang!
Patrick blocked it lightly with one hand and said as if complaining.
“Such a temper….”
“Do I look like I wouldn’t have a temper? You damn son of a bitch!”
Kakang! Kang! Kaang!
A series of slashes flew in.
It was Matthew attacking with all his might.
It might not be much to Patrick, but the sincere anger contained in the attack reached Patrick’s heart.
Kaaaaang!
Patrick parried the sword strike that carried Matthew’s full weight.
But although Matthew was pushed back significantly, he did not lose his grip on his sword.
And he was about to charge again, but….
“Sorry, my bad.”
“……”
“Give me a break, my friend.”
When Patrick went this far, Matthew calmed his ragged breath and said.
“Damn it, what are we doing right before a decisive battle….”
“I said I’m sorry….”
It was rare for Patrick to apologize repeatedly to someone like this.
But what Patrick had just said was that much of a great offense.
However, he was that worried.
Even as a 5-star knight, his strength was far from enough to protect himself in this final battle.
Of course, he knew that he still had to fight with his life on the line.
It was none other than Patrick himself who had screeched that everyone must gather their strength to increase the odds of victory even by a little and had conscripted the forces of the entire continent.
But still, he couldn’t momentarily erase the selfishness of wanting to save this friend.
“If you say such bullshit again….”
It was then.
“Master.”
Persona came running in haste and shouted.
And she said with a serious face.
“The gate to the Den of Demons will open soon.”
“Yeah. I see.”
Patrick sighed and sheathed his sword.
And he gave instructions.
“Line up the entire army in front of the gate.”
“Yes, sir.”
The moment of the decisive battle had arrived.
* * *
Woong-woong-woong-woong-woong-woong….
The gate leading to the Heavenly Demon’s Den of Demons had finally expanded to its limit.
The gate, which had been about ten meters in size until recently, had now transformed into a huge size of over several hundred meters.
And in front of that gate, Patrick stood with everyone.
‘It’s finally starting.’
This would probably be the final battle.
Patrick closed his eyes for a moment.
This was one of the habits Patrick had since his past life, before a very important battle.
He closes his eyes and thinks.
About what?
About what he must protect.
In his past life, what came to mind were his master, the junior brothers of his sect, and his friends and wives.
And now….
‘Mother, Father….’
Starting with his parents, everyone in the Schneider Duchy came to mind.
The duchy had become too large in scale now, but still, within it lived people precious to him.
If so, then the job of the Radiant Dragon Great Master and the job of the Double Dragon were not different in essence.
‘I will protect them.’
Whatever it takes.
And the moment Patrick opened his eyes….
“The gate is opening.”
Persona’s voice was heard.
Simultaneously, the beasts of hell began to burst out from beyond the gate.
The first to greet them, who extended out with otherworldly forms, was….
[ Radiant Dragon Twelve Sword Forms: Second Form: Great Dragon Cross Sword ]
It was a giant cross-shaped slash.
Kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa!
The giant cross-shaped slash that exploded on those who were pouring out of the gate crushed and pulverized the beasts of hell.
“Wow….”
“How terrifying.”
“He’s a monster, alright.”
The allied forces, who had momentarily been intimidated by the appearance of the monsters, regained their morale at Patrick’s single move.
And then….
“Let’s go!”
Long words were unnecessary.
With that one phrase, Patrick charged ahead of everyone else and into the gate.
His back view made everyone’s hearts pound.
About 6,000 elite soldiers followed that small back and jumped into the gate.
To protect their world….