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Chapter 173: 093. Kasim Derian -2 (Part One)

Late at night.

A torrential downpour had come to visit the streets of the Theocratic Empire’s capital city, Laurensis.

The gloomy clouds overhead had swallowed up the moon a long time ago, making it difficult to survey the surroundings with just the light coming from the many fire pits and lit torches placed on the city’s outer wall.

A man kitted out in a set of golden armour walked out from the pitch-black darkness outside the city’s wall.

“You there, halt!”

The Paladins on guard raised their swords still sheathed in their scabbards, and stood before the golden knight, impeding his progress. They were supposed to be patrolling the vicinity of the city’s wall, so they couldn’t help but furrow their brows at this event.

That armour belonged to the Order of the Golden Cross, seemingly proving that this lone knight was a member of that famed knight order.

‘However, he’s alone?’

Didn’t they usually move in groups? More importantly, why did this knight show up here of all places, the middle of the wall where there weren’t any checkpoints or gateways to enter the city itself?

Normally, they would’ve let such suspicions slide by without much concern, but with the current timing being what it was, they simply had to confirm this knight’s identity first.

The Paladins cautiously approached the golden knight.

The mystery knight was easily over two and half metres tall. And with the golden armour adorning that hulking physique of his, it was like looking at a real giant.

The Paladins had to raise their heads to look at him.

A withered-looking beard stuck out under the helm covering the golden knight’s face.

“What brings you here, sir?”

“…”

“Ah, could it be that you’re carrying out a secret mission?”

Despite the Paladin’s questioning, the golden knight didn’t say anything or move a muscle.

When the eerie silence continued on, the Paladins frowned even deeper.

“Are you from the Order of the Golden Cross?”

The Paladins grew tenser and placed their hands on the hilts of the swords.

Only then did the golden knight start tilting his head this way and that. With just the movement of his head, he scanned his surroundings.

His unfeeling eyes darted around under the helm.

He confirmed the presence of four Paladins in front of the wall, then seven more on top of the wall itself.

But what about the surroundings? No other combatants could be seen near or on top of the wall that seemingly stretched on forever. Probably because the Paladins’ shift change had happened not too long ago.

The information provided by Cardinal Mikael proved to be spot-on.

Most important of all, the moonlight had been obscured. Even the falling deluge ensured that the torches didn’t illuminate much.

Both vision and hearing had been blocked off.

The golden knight lowered his head.

The Paladin was making an uncomfortable face. “If you persist like this, it’ll be troublesome for us. Please provide your identity docu…”

“I heard that he made a deal with the devil.”

“…I beg your pardon?”

A dazed expression floated up on the Paladin’s face.

The golden knight grasped the hilt of the sword tied to his hips. It must’ve been at least two metres in length.

He began drawing it out.

The Paladins flinched in surprise and tried to yank their weapons out in response – and that was when the golden knight finished what he wanted to say.

“From now on, the Seventh Imperial Prince who has signed a contract with the devil shall be judged as a heretic.”

By the time the blade fully emerged into the rainy night sky, the upper halves of the Paladins before the golden knight had already split apart from their lower halves.

“…?”

The Paladins flinched and looked down at their bodies. Crimson liquid trickled down from the gaps of their silver-hued armour.

“Wha…!”

Their torsos toppled over as they died on the spot.

“What’s going on down there?!”

“Ring the bell! Intruder!”

Just as the Paladins on the wall urgently tried to ring the siren, the golden knight made another move.

When he took a step forward, everything in the world slowed down.

The relentless downpour suddenly fell so much slower.

The Paladins were trying to ring the warning bell or blow the whistles they carried around in slow motion.

The golden knight kicked the ground and dashed up, then extended his hand to grab the wall.

Everything moved so slowly, yet only his movement remained fast and explosive.

His fingers dug into the wall’s surface, and his figure powerfully leapt up. In the blink of an eye, he landed on top of the wall tens of metres high. The golden knight tightly grasped the giant sword with his right hand.

There was no other movement beside that.

“What the…!”

The heads of all seven Paladins on top of the wall flew off. At the same time, the falling raindrops expanded before exploding.

The lifeless bodies of the Paladins crumbled to the floor. No screams came from them to disturb the heavy downpour.

Kasim Derian didn’t even bother to assume the position of swinging around a sword. He simply raised his head to look.

He could see the Theocratic Empire’s imperial palace in the distance.

That was where the Seventh Imperial Prince could be found. The one who had made a deal with the devil.

**

(TL: In 1st person POV.)

“I’m screwed. My damn mouth did it again!”

I was currently inside the library holding my head in despair.

Goddammit!

Those bastards at the Church of Caiolium! They obviously had no thoughts of surrendering, did they?!

Enough time had passed by, but the Church didn’t send any communication whatsoever.

How could I not despair in light of that?

Tomorrow was supposed to be the tenth day in the grace period. If there was no response by then, I would have no choice but to lead an army of holy undead and subjugate them.

“How the heck did the situation end up like this?”

From the get-go, I had nothing to do with this organisation called the Church of Caiolium. But for some reason, they started picking fights with me as soon as I came back home from Aslan. And then, they tried to start some nonsense with an inquisition, and now, I might have to go on a forced military expedition, too!

‘Even though that last bit was my own fault, but whatever!’

If they hadn’t provoked me first, none of this crap would’ve happened.

At first, Ronia up north. Then the Vampires, followed by the lycans, and now, an internal conflict too?

What a bunch of battle-hungry lunatics these people were.

“Urgh…”

I recalled the Holy Emperor’s expression from some time ago.

This happened shortly after the inquisition. He personally came to visit me.

His face back then was quite different from when he was mercilessly beating the living snot out of his son. No, it was a benevolent smile meant for his beloved grandson. With such a nice smile on his face, he said the following words to me.

-Once you’re ready to set off on your expedition, let me know. I shall aid you in any way I can.

Dear grandfather, is that something you should say to your youngest grandson?!

I knew that this world was insane, but just how many people out there would be as happy as he was to send their grandson to a warzone?

…But then again, the holy undead legion numbered past fifteen hundred, so there was that. A combat force boasting such a scale should easily sweep aside the Church of Caiolium, and then some.

The Holy Emperor had also summoned the five main forces of the empire in the central plaza of Laurensis, just in case.

The plan was for me to join them and set off sometime tomorrow, our destination being the Church of Caiolium’s headquarters.

And I was to be the commander of all five forces, to boot.

If he was really worried about his grandson, then he could’ve ordered Oscal the sword king to come with me! I mean, to me, he looked like the type to thoroughly enjoy fighting.

I knew that complaining hundreds of times over wasn’t going to change anything. Everything was already set in stone.

Without a doubt, the Church of Caiolium would not surrender. No, they should’ve already gathered some forces to set up a cordon around their headquarters just to make my life difficult.

“I wonder, will they surrender if they see my holy undead?”

I couldn’t help but wonder. Wasn’t I able to change the minds of the citizens and nobles of Laurensis?

“You may be able to do so, but I fear it’ll not work with Cardinal Mikael.”

I shifted my head to my side at that voice.

It was a girl with golden locks and blue eyes – Alice Astoria.

“Here, your highness. This tea will clear up your head.”

She poured red-coloured tea in a cup and placed it on top of the table.

“Ah, sorry about that. Did I disturb you during your study?”

She smiled awkwardly at my question and shook her head.

I raised the teacup to take a sip, but another question popped up in my mind first. “You say that that cardinal won’t surrender?”

“Yes. Cardinal Mikael’s conviction is strong. As such, he will surely stick rigidly to his beliefs and enforce it no matter what.”

I couldn’t help but recall Nasus the Lich after listening to her explanation.

That undead opposed me back then while being lost in its beliefs and loyalty towards Aslan. So lost, in fact, that it even resorted to using a power that eroded away its soul.

One’s faith and belief system would depend on their convictions, or so I figured.

‘Wait, now that I think about it, I haven’t summoned a Lich yet, have I?’

I took out the Necromancer grimoire I acquired back in the dragon’s lair – or should I call it Aslan’s ancient tomb?

Anyways, all sorts of knowledge on summoning undead creatures were contained in this book. One of them happened to be related to Liches, but there were other just as interesting creatures to be found within as well.

Such an existence could strengthen this weak ol’ me. A guardian strong in close-quarter combat, where I wouldn’t have to resort to hitting the enemy with sheer numbers.

This creature that required a physical body was…

Diiing-! Diiing-! Diiiiing-!

Suddenly, the bells’ tolls resounded out.

I looked outside the windows at the ground below.

Paladins were hurriedly rushing around in the palace’s corridors.

I asked in confusion, “What’s going on out there?”

“I’m not sure, your highness. What could it be…?”

Even Alice was tilting her head in confusion.

It was right then that knocks came from the door of the library. It opened a short while later and Charlotte, who was charged with my protection, peeked her head inside.

“What happened?” I asked her.

“It seems that an intruder has broken in through the city’s eastern wall. He murdered all the Paladins stationed there and scaled over the wall, your highness.”

A sneak attack at a time like this?

“Who is he? Hang on, could it be a Vampire?”

“We still haven’t located the criminal yet. However, according to the reports, he seems to be a considerably skilled swordsman.”

It seemed to me that they still needed more time to investigate.