“That guy is a bit ugly.”
After reaching a certain level, I lost interest in training and just spent my time aimlessly trimming the branches of a small bonsai tree.
If someone were to ask why I was nurturing such an out-of-place plant, I’d say that this unbelievably boring daily life had forced me to pick up a new hobby.
…Before I realized the true nature of that god.
Or rather, if I hadn’t met the Nameless, I would probably still be swinging my sword.
“Tsk.”
If anything, those times passed so quickly, but now time feels like it’s dragging on.
Well, anyway.
My current routine was overly peaceful for me.
“Master!”
Like a night too calm before a storm.
“What is it?”
And then, just like now.
“What…?”
Change came abruptly.
“…Is it true?”
“Yes, I confirmed it myself.”
While I was indulging in my boredom, the Nameless hurriedly came to me with some urgent news.
“That mountain range…?”
He was referring to the very mountain range I was calling home.
“Yes, it seems like the imperial army has surrounded this very mountain, blocking our escape.”
Numerous people presumed to be from the imperial army were gathered, claiming there was no room for us to step.
“What…”
The imperial army has surrounded this mountain range?
…How?
Honestly speaking, the fact that the empire wanted to hunt me down was not surprising.
Of course, they would.
I had already riled up Lucius, Elia, and Camilla to wrap things up neatly.
To me, conversing with my sword felt the most comfortable, so I never shied away from combat.
But what shocked me was something else.
“How?”
How on earth could they surround this mountain range?
It’s not just any mountain.
It’s a mountain range.
And this mountain range I inhabit is, as I often told, a bit excessively large.
Yet, the Nameless claims that the imperial army has surrounded this gigantic mountain range?
“How many of them are there?”
Even if I considered the slightest estimate, it looked like all the troops of the empire had been mobilized.
And, as if to confirm my suspicions.
“What the…”
The Nameless nodded in agreement with my question.
At this point, it was utterly absurd.
To hunt me down, they would go to such lengths?
I’m not sure about neighboring nations… but still, what about other threats?
Has the emperor deemed that the damage caused while the imperial army is absent is less than the damage he would incur if he failed to hunt me down?
If they couldn’t take me down, could it not mean the end for the empire itself? Yet, they chose to prioritize hunting me down…?
“…Ha.”
What a foolish act this is?
I couldn’t help but chuckle at the absurdity of the situation, unable to finish my sentence.
However.
I can’t just remain flustered like this.
I too need to prepare for battle.
Pushing aside the bonsai, I stood up and adjusted the wooden sword at my waist.
“What about the kids?”
They’re all my responsibility, and the innocent kids shouldn’t be harmed, right?
“The Cheonma Church and the demons that came here are gathered, waiting just for you, Master.”
“If so, then gather Lily, Jackal, and one representative from each of the Tri-Sword group, including Jack, and bring them to the cabin.”
“Yes, understood.”
Hearing my words, the Nameless quickly bowed and rushed off.
Thanks to that, I was left alone, gaining some time to organize my thoughts.
“…A war.”
Would they be coming too?
Amidst the numerous imperial troops surrounding the mountain range, would the Hero, the Saint, and my close friend, Iron Blood, also be there?
If that’s the case, then I suppose I will have to cut them down.
After all, they must have come here personally to stop me.
“…”
A sinking feeling started to set in.
“Tsk.”
But surprisingly, my mind became clearer.
Well, it makes sense.
The truly convoluted problems became neatly simplified.
‘…But that doesn’t mean I’m particularly happy about it.’
With a bittersweet smile, I drew the wooden sword and blew a gentle wind toward that day.
Soon, the form of the wooden sword changed slightly.
“With this, I’m ready too.”
It took a pretty satisfactory shape, which made me smile.
Then came the muffled voice of the Nameless.
“Master. Everyone has gathered.”
Turning my head to look behind me.
“Hmm.”
There they were, my precious ones, kneeling behind me.
“Greetings, Cheonma!”
Lily, who looked at me with a boldness she exhibited right from our first meeting.
“Pleased to meet you, Cheonma….”
Jackal, who although had an unpleasant first encounter with me, was still tied to me.
“Pleased to meet you, Cheonma.”
Jack, who had looked at me with suspicion during our initial meeting, now only held respect in his gaze.
“Pleased to meet you, Cheonma!”
“Greetings, Cheonma!”
Finally, even Stella and Amber, whom I first greeted after defeating the Reaper who introduced herself as the lord of death.
Seeing that everyone had gathered, I wore a small smile and nodded.
“Good to see you all.”
As soon as my words came to an end, their heads lowered.
Only the Nameless was meeting my gaze.
I didn’t stop them from bowing but spoke to convey my voice.
“Everyone understands the current situation, right?”
“Yes!”
“Then I’ll move straight to the main point.”
The matter was urgent after all.
“I will now assign you tasks.”
Although I spoke in a quiet voice.
“—!”
The reply returned was a blend of various voices, creating a massive echo.
With a satisfied smile, I added.
“All of you-”
*
The imperial army, noticing the sun slowly setting, launched a concerted assault.
– Thump! Thump! Thump!
The reason they chose to charge at such a late hour was quite simple.
Historically and strategically, surprise attacks were most successful when visibility was low.
Late-night operations had the highest success rates.
That success rate was directly linked to the survival rate of the soldiers, and thus they harbored no grievances.
However, what they hadn’t anticipated was.
“…Damn, why does it feel so far?”
The obscured visibility wasn’t only for enemies.
“I feel like we’ve been walking forever, and the sun has completely set…”
The dim light of a torch was simply too weak for the darkness of these mountains.
And as if that weren’t enough?
“Argh!!!”
“What happened?!”
This entire area was a Demon Realm.
“Right in front of me, there’s a cliff…!”
Even though it had been purified by the Hero, the terrain had not changed.
The current landscape was indeed a fortress crafted by the remarkable forces of nature.
“Damn…!”
They had no chance of breaking through easily.
How much time has passed since they began their advance?
“…”
During this weighty silence, one soldier broke the noise.
“Damn… every step I take leads me to cliffs… how the hell are we supposed to climb up here?”
His grumbling disrupted the stillness, but no one answered.
The reasons were clear—twofold.
One, because his words were correct; and another, because they lacked the strength to respond.
Let me reiterate: this is a Demon Realm.
Among those, the most highly esteemed, the “Peak of the World.”
Its daunting paths and jagged peaks had significantly slowed their march.
But did they know?
How wrong they would be to think, ‘I just want to finish up quickly and go back’?
“…A Demon King!!! The Demon King has appeared!!!”
How much they would regret that thought.
“It’s real….”
“Everyone, get ready for battle!!!”
The soldier who had screamed bloody murder pointed toward the steep cliff above them.
As everyone’s gaze turned there.
“Ah… have they arrived already?”
They heard it.
A voice that was fragile and trembled slightly.
“First, I should introduce myself.”
They saw it.
Eyes that were sorrowful and trembled slightly.
“I am just a simpleton, a coward.”
The coward, Cheon Ha-rang, drew the wooden sword from her waist and prepared her stance.
“And, as you call me the Demon King, I stand atop everyone as the Cheonma.”
Cheon Ha-rang aimed her wooden sword at the gathered imperial troops, a hesitant expression on her face, closing her eyes.
Divine Slaying Sword Technique – First Form
Finally, when she opened her eyes.
“Even the skies you boast shall bow beneath my feet.”
It was like she had made a resolution.
“I bear no animosity towards you, but as you block my path, how could I not act?”
She had completely the gaze of someone who rules over all.
“So don’t hold too much resentment.”
As she finished speaking, she swung her sword down.
Heaven’s Fall
The tip of her sword reached not them, but that sky above.
-Thud!
All those who stood over her were brought crashing down.
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