The invasion from the Demon World towards the continent continued.
Of course, it seemed that the Astes Empire had either been scared out of its wits by the existence known as Duke Yuma or had completely revised their operation since there had been no further invasions.
There was no clear reward for hunting down the Demon King Vefaron.
The maximum achievement reward that could be attained seemed to have been achieved.
In the end, if there was to be further physical growth, he had to transcend the realm of an ordinary person.
There were reward items corresponding to the achievement.
[Dimensional Travel Orb].
A holy relic that allows traversing between worlds.
Like when the [Seed of Golden Ratio] was granted as a reward, the small silver orb fell before Yuma’s eyes.
It was not an orb that could take him anywhere he pleased as the name suggested.
It would be easier to think of it as having powers similar to a [Return Artifact]. By marking the ‘return coordinates’ to the Intermediate World’s Astes Empire, it possessed the power to return from the Demon World to the Astes Empire.
There were only 2 dimensional travel orbs.
Originally, not knowing what might happen, he had only planned to take Bell for close protection as he thought bringing too many people could only result in variables. But with only 2 in hand, he had no choice but to adjust his plans.
A week into the Demon World’s invasion.
What was clear was that the attitude of the Demon World had changed drastically since the first day.
On the first day, the Demon King Vefaron died at Duke Yuma’s hands.
On the third day, the Demon King Meld, who had boldly aimed to conquer the Dwarf Kingdom, also fell to Yuma.
And since then, no other Demon Kings had descended.
Only the rank 1 Demon Army kept emerging in droves. It was clear that the ambition to consume the continent had been put aside. The absence of more Demon Kings appearing seemed to suggest a desire to minimize unnecessary damage.
The ongoing invasion from the rank 1 and rank 2 demons appeared to reflect a strong will to at least recoup some of the losses from opening the gates to the Demon World.
On the griffon Ethan, Yuma and Cloney were riding.
Cloney had been accompanying Yuma throughout the week-long invasion, helping out in various places across the continent.
It was very effective for Cloney, a mage class capable of both offensive and defensive roles, to take on a support role.
The blue-haired swordswoman, Bell, was assisting in the village of dwarves located nearby the Elves’ neighborhood.
The Elves had managed to fend off the invasion from rank 1 demons and one Demon King all on their own.
Currently, Yuma was heading towards the Lycanthrope tribe, the Baughalark Kingdom.
This was due to an urgent request.
To oust the kingdom’s second prince, Semut, it appeared they had used quite a bit of military force, and were struggling significantly against the demons.
Squeeeek—
Cloney tightened her grip on the reins of the griffon Ethan to not fall off. Glancing sideways, she looked at Yuma’s back.
“…You mentioned you have business in the Demon World.”
Yuma nodded his head.
“Yeah, I do have business.”
He had gathered his party two days ago to relay that he had matters to attend to in the Demon World.
“You said you would go with Sister Bell, right?”
And the selected member to join this journey was indeed Bell.
“Yeah.”
A trustworthy swordsman position.
From Yuma’s perspective, he needed someone who could take the initiative to attack at times when he couldn’t use [Absolute Counter].
Bell would certainly fulfill that role.
If things got critical for Bell, Yuma could protect her.
He had Balmung’s defense magic and Parrying skills, after all.
Cloney slowly parted her lips.
He opened it slowly.
“Bell Unnie is really amazing in many ways. Right?”
Cloney whispered to Yuma.
“She said she feels like she’s about to overcome another wall soon.”
In front of Bell was a wall. It wasn’t an insurmountable one. Instead, it was a wall that was on the verge of crumbling slowly.
Bell began to break it down, slowly and steadily.
As Cloney had said, she would soon surpass the master’s wall and reach the realm known as the Grand Master.
However, Yuma felt an inexplicable inferiority complex within this casual context.
It was Cloney’s inferiority complex towards Bell.
And he realized quite belatedly.
It was an inferiority complex about being chosen as part of the entourage to the demon realm, not him, but Bell.
“It’s not because you are lacking that Bell is coming along. She’s just fitting for the role of a protector as a swordswoman.”
Yuma continued.
“There’s no need to whip yourself. Look, you’re growing at a fast pace regardless of who is watching. Cloney.”
Fifteen.
Cloney was only fifteen years old. Everyone often forgot her age because she behaved so maturely for her age.
It was an age where it wouldn’t be strange to throw a tantrum without doing anything.
At fifteen, five circles.
It was a level of growth and stature that would astonish anyone.
“So there’s no need to rush. Cloney.”
The speed of the griffin Ethan gradually slowed down. Cloney buried her face in Yuma’s back.
“…I understand. Yuma-nim.”
Cloney said that after momentarily acting her age of fifteen, pulling her head away from his back.
Cloney and Yuma’s eyes were drawn to the battle unfolding between the Lycanthropes and demons in the kingdom of Baugalarak.
Kwarrrrrrrrr!
The Lycanthropes wielded strong energy in both hands. The same went for the demons.
Jjeoireeong!
Sounds of fierce clashes echoed as strength met strength everywhere.
Cloney flicked her crimson robe and moved forward.
Kiiiiiing!!
A massive bat demon, a flying monster, spewed out red energy from the air.
Cloney’s black hair and red robe swirled violently.
With her right hand, her staff moved swiftly.
The staff quickly traced circles and stars.
Whaaaaaak!
A defensive barrier, spreading like the aurora, danced in the air.
KWAAM!!
The defensive barrier shook violently. The great warriors of the Lycanthropes moved forward, taking advantage of the opening Cloney created with enormous shields.
Yuma drew his sword.
He deflected the thick magic that spread out with Balmung.
[Absolute Counter]
An array of countless stone pillars fell. Bright flashes penetrated through those pillars.
A massive octopus-shaped monster, which was enjoying a feast from a distance, was instantly smashed to pieces.
And soon, it vanished from the world without leaving a trace.
Dust swirled around.
The gazes of the Lycanthropes turned towards Yuma, who had saved them.
“Thank you for coming, God of War.”
The next king of the Baugalarak kingdom stepped out among the Lycanthropes.
Prince Berkan approached Yuma, his gray mane flowing.
Yuma felt the gaze of thousands of Lycanthropes upon him.
“Yuma, you are always saving this continent.”
“You’re performing a salvation, aren’t you?”
Berkan’s gaze was overwhelmingly heated. It felt like he was staring at not just a savior of his clan, but the savior of the entire continent.
The Lycanthropes, who considered themselves the most superior and dignified race in this world, were filled with a reverence that seemed unfathomable—thousands of awe-filled eyes were directed at Yuma.
With the next Emperor, the First Prince Berkan, speaking so, even those who hadn’t thought much of it began to feel a sense of reverence towards Yuma.
Yuma opened his mouth to refute Berkan’s words but closed it again.
The reason Yuma was trying to block the invasion of demons on this continent as much as possible wasn’t just for the Astes Empire, but because the mere establishment of demons in other parts of the continent could pose a threat to the Astes Empire later on.
However, in the end, the actions taken to make the threat to the Astes Empire zero were no different from actions that would save the continent itself.
Yet, he couldn’t blatantly act as a savior.
“Stop the nonsense. Keep your house safe, Berkan.”
Berkan grinned, drawing a crescent with his wolf-like mouth.
“I’ve never had the audacity to kneel before another race in my life. The knees of a wolf are rather noble.”
…Again with this?
A powerful sense of unease washed over Yuma’s mind. The images of countless beings who had knelt before him started flooding his mind.
Cassiela, who had become the first captain of the knights under Yuma during the Dawn Revolution. The Imperial forces of Marquis Tornel on the southern front. And the warriors of the Barbarian Nation Pineon, who kneeled before Yuma after being overwhelmed on the battlefield.
Bang!
Berkan knelt on his right knee.
With the future king kneeling, there was no Lycanthrope daring to stand up straight and stiff in that place.
Bang─
A chorus of whispers filled the air as thousands of Lycanthropes knelt in unison.
Ridges.
And there were Lycanthropes kneeling in the ridges behind them.
Berkan slowly raised his right hand.
“All Lycanthropes of our kingdom, Baugalak, acknowledge you, Duke Yuma of the Astes Empire.”
Every Lycanthrope bowed their heads.
“I promise to grant any request you have, but only once. O benefactor of the kingdom.”
Once more, Yuma found himself receiving a baptism of worship.
*
Belle’s blue hair flowed like a lion’s mane. Sharp light glimmered in her pink eyes.
The ground that Belle stood on was the holy land of the Elves.
The third sacred site in Alvheim, the central part of the continent, where the [Racial Council] had previously been held.
Just when they thought they had driven all the demons away and were in a peaceful situation, the unexpected invasion of three upper-class demons forced the Elf side to request urgent assistance—a move they had never made before.
And it was just when Yuma was heading towards the Lycanthrope kingdom of Baugalak. Belle and Luke, the chieftain of the White Night clan, along with the warriors of the remaining clan, were on standby to assist.
The blade of the White Night shone distinctly amidst the Elves.
Flames erupted from Luke’s colossal greatsword.
One cut.
Luke’s horizontal swing swept through the bodies of a dozen or so demon-type monsters.
Boom─!
Belle stomped the ground heavily.
Duke Yuma’s new form shot out like a beam of light.
The defensive energy and sword aura surged upward.
Right in front of her was a demon with four arms, each holding a sword—two on each side.
Its red face had four eyes to boot.
Without a mouth, this demon menacingly thrust all four swords at Bell.
Ka─ang!!!!
The high-speed sword strikes rushed toward each other’s necks.
They collided and locked blades.
Ka-gakang!!
The indigo sword aura of the demon was shattered in a shower of sparks.
Without hesitation, Bell closed the distance to the demon.
She blocked all dozens of sword strikes that spread out chillingly. The sounds of cutting and shockwaves echoed messily.
Ssergak!!!!
A red gash erupted from the demon’s side.
Chwaaaak!
Sharp sparks of sword aura flew off Bell’s armor.
A beam of light flowed from her eyes.
She wouldn’t dodge.
Not from each other’s sword paths.
Not from the sword’s extreme.
This cold tug-of-war wouldn’t stop.
Bell was convinced.
The demon swordsman before her was a Grand Master-level demon.
‘So.’
She had to surpass this guy.
The demon’s arms bent in a bizarre fashion, striking like whipping blades.
Bell moved her feet.
Footwork.
What she inherited from Yuma wasn’t just swordsmanship. It was everything needed to wield a sword. She received it all.
The demon continued its fierce sword strikes.
Learning.
Bell learned every destructive and treacherous sword strike from the demon.
Ssergak!
And she understood.
The bizarrely bent arm soared up into the air. The demon’s eyes spun wildly.
Three remaining arms. Three swords gleaming coldly at Bell.
Bell launched herself again. Every sense in her body was on high alert.
Her eyes weren’t just focused on the sword strikes; they looked beyond, just a bit further.
Transcendence.
Her senses transcended something. Bell’s eyes shone vividly.
Ssergak!
One of the demon’s arms was severed. Now, it had just one remaining arm, parallel to the other.
The weight of the sword meant nothing. The arm held no significance.
Just slicing through.
Bell remembered only that chilling sensation.
She poured out all the swordsmanship she learned from Yuma.
Certen Style.
Cutting Slash.
White Flame Style.
Meteoric Sword.
The cutting strike Bell unleashed sliced through the trajectory of the demon’s sword aura that had already been released.
Ssergak!
The four astonished eyes of the demon widened in shock.
A slash cutting across its upper body diagonally.
─Ha.
A winter chill emanated from the corner of Bell’s mouth.
Her body felt weightless.
Mana rooted in her lower abdomen accelerated its movement.
The energy that had spread throughout her body thickened. It took root more intricately, branches reaching to her fingertips.
Smoke billowed from Bell’s body, as if she were shedding a skin.
The wall that had merely cracked.
Completely crumbled.
Tap.
Her right foot touched the world beyond the wall.
The demon’s strikes surged, drawing a diagonal cross.
Zzeok.
A blue sword aura devoured the very sword strike, just grazing the demon’s neck. The demon’s head rolled on the ground.
“Ha.”
Bell let her sword hang low, gazing at the azure sky.
The Grand Master.
She reached the highest peak attainable by humans.
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