A conference room inside Argen Mansion in Brilliant.
The leaders of the reinforcements who joined late were silent at the current situation of Brilliant, which was more serious than expected.
The first prince joined hands with Heukseong and occupied the royal castle. It is not coming out of the castle, and the demonic energy is getting thicker inside.
The situation was more urgent than Ren thought.
‘The fact that the demon energy is getting thicker means that the demon summoning ritual is progressing smoothly.’
The moment he recognized it, several scenes began to pass by like a panorama in Ren’s mind.
A kingdom on fire.
Collapsed buildings.
A royal castle covered in black darkness and demonic energy.
A huge summoning circle and the appearance of a demon unfold within it.
Memories keep coming, one after another.
‘It’s as if they’re practicing before starting the main game.’
This never happened in my previous life. This incident probably occurred because many things were different from my previous life.
However, as in the previous life, the devil will not be summoned to destroy the kingdom in this life.
Ren shook off the memories with that promise.
“It is unknown what the strength of the enemies is, but the confirmed number is at least five of those of advanced level or higher.”
Cleta looked at the faces of those gathered in the conference room, smiled with satisfaction, and continued speaking.
“It’s only the numbers confirmed to break the demonic barrier. “There are probably more Black Star forces inside.”
“Are you saying that a place called Black Star is such a powerful force? I wasn’t even aware of its existence until now… … .”
Devon asked, not understanding. There was a reason why he wasn’t particularly interested in the world, but basically, it was because this was the first time that the power of the Black Star began to be properly revealed.
“It’s the same for us too. “The only person who noticed about them was the master.”
Devon was once again impressed by Cohen’s words.
I heard that he hid himself as a gravedigger and confined himself to the graveyard, but even during that time, he possessed intelligence far ahead of others.
‘Were you keeping in check the forces threatening the continent? also! You’re amazing… !’
Of course, Devon didn’t show it outwardly.
“There are seven senior knights here. Huh, when I first came back to Brilliant, I felt hopeless… … .”
Alan said, feeling once again amazed.
When Cohen came to Provident as reinforcements, he heard that Brilliant’s situation was serious and returned first.
Until just a year ago, except for Morgan, there were not even five people in the entire kingdom who were higher level knights or higher.
In terms of royal power, there is only one person, Jeffman, the former leader of the Order of the Golden Lion.
The rest were nobles belonging to the kingdom, and two of them were old men who had retired from the front lines. Except for Arjen, who is not from Brilliant in the first place.
But look now. There are seven senior knights gathered here. Six of them, excluding Devon.
The growth was too rapid to be considered an increase in power in just one year.
‘The kingdom has done nothing.’
Alan now clearly knew that at the center of it all was a person named Ren Argen.
‘With this level, we can really drive out the Black Star and regain the kingdom.’
Despair turned to hope as soon as reinforcements arrived.
I don’t know how much stronger the enemy would be inside the castle, but with Ren Argen, the odds of victory were good enough.
“We will exclude princes from this operation.”
Louise widens her eyes at Ren’s unexpected declaration and glares at him.
“wren. Is it because you think my skills are lacking? then-.”
“no. majesty. This operation is too risky. “Princes must be alive to succeed to the next throne.”
“I can decide what to do.”
“You have reached the level of a senior knight. Congratulations.”
“… … Did you know?”
“yes.”
The knights looked at Ren and Louise with slightly surprised faces at Ren’s words.
Most people didn’t know that Louise had risen to the level of a high-ranking knight.
The only ones who noticed were Cleta and Layton.
‘Did you figure it out just from that brief encounter? ‘Your senses are amazing.’
‘As expected of you, Ren! ‘You don’t know anything.’
‘Your master’s level has truly reached master level. Even I didn’t immediately realize the level of His Majesty the Third Prince.’
While everyone was expressing various exclamations, only one person glared at Ren with shining eyes.
She with shining silver eyes is Scarlet Arzen.
She was glaring at Ren like an animal with prey in front of it.
Ren, noticing her eyes, turned his head as if feeling burdened.
‘Ha, maybe the crazy trait is directed at me. It’s difficult.’
Ren decided to quickly change the topic.
“Anyway, princes have separate roles. Each country is probably checking Brilliant’s situation and sending reinforcements. “You two, please stand by in case of any unexpected situation and welcome reinforcements.”
“i get it.”
“Sure.”
Louise bent her will. In fact, he had only just reached the upper level. Looking at the people here, Louise’s skills were still a bit lacking to just ask them to participate in the operation.
“Then, the detailed direction of the operation… … .”
The meeting, led by Cleta, lasted quite a long time.
* * *
The capital of the kingdom, which was quite lively and bright before leaving for the north, has a very different atmosphere.
People are still out on the streets, people are still exchanging goods for a living in the market, and the voices of citizens can be heard here and there.
They looked at the knights running towards the castle with bewildered eyes.
Ren glanced at them and then turned his head.
How anxious I must be. It seemed like something had happened in the royal castle, and a huge demonic barrier had appeared not long ago.
People died and fighting broke out, but the aftermath did not spread through the city.
From their perspective, they must be worried about whether they should leave this place or not.
If you leave because you are anxious, it means abandoning your nest, so it would not have been easy for you to fall off your feet.
It is said that Ren’s family has already evacuated out of Brilliant along with Francis.
When this incident is over, I will go see my mother and younger brother who are probably worried about me.
“Tsk.”
There were many people who would take care of his family, but not these people.
“No need to worry too much.”
Cleta immediately understood what Ren was thinking and said that.
In the current situation, it is not a good idea to complicate your mind.
The important thing is to quickly understand the intentions of the Black Star and attack the Royal Castle.
“it’s okay. “By the way, I understand what the bishop meant.”
Ren was becoming aware of the thick energy he could feel from the royal castle that was getting closer.
This power, which makes you feel eerie and upset just by looking at it, is clearly a magical force wielded by demons.
It was clear evidence that the warlocks’ demon summoning was making progress.
‘Damn, were you really able to summon a demon? ‘How on earth?’
If that were really possible, shouldn’t they have taken over Brilliant during this time in the past life and summoned a demon to devour the continent?
If this vague feeling is not false, it is truly dangerous.
“We should hurry.”
Ren’s expression suddenly hardened. Those who noticed the heavier atmosphere increased their speed a little more.
Dozens of knights rushed forward, pulling harder on the reins of their horses.
The sound of horses’ hooves pounding the ground echoed throughout the capital.
Citizens who are stuck inside their houses with their windows tightly closed glance outside at the loud noise.
A ray of hope that would restore the gloomy atmosphere of the city ran through the streets.
“All of the kingdom’s soldiers are already being controlled by warlocks! “Don’t hesitate to attack first the moment you see it!”
Ren shouted to the knights. It was a fact known to the knights who had previously attacked the kingdom, but if the reinforcements were not made aware of this repeatedly, mistakes were bound to occur in actual combat.
“But subdue it if you can. They are simply citizens of a kingdom who are being unfairly manipulated. However, if that’s not possible, don’t hesitate to cut off his head.”
It’s something that can’t be helped. If we worry about their lives for no reason, more people may be sacrificed.
“We’re almost there.”
As I ran at a fast pace, it was quicker than I thought to reach the castle gate.
“As planned, Ren, Cohen, and I will take the lead and break through the castle gate. The Order of the Golden Lion and the Order of the White Horse are next. “The rest enters backwards.”
At the front, Cleta, Cohen, and Ren rushed to the gate, holding the reins with their left hands and holding their swords with their right hands.
The horses were quite tired, perhaps because they had run at full speed for quite a long distance without stopping.
“It would be best to leave the horses behind.”
“I agree. These horses should be worth a penny or two.”
Cohen, who was an administrator, naturally had no choice but to think about the kingdom’s finances after this incident.
Since money was all around, the administration also suffered from headaches if the kingdom’s financial situation was not good.
“The soldiers are blocking the entrance anyway, so we can’t kill them all, so it might be better to just walk.”
As the three people got off their horses, everyone following them also got off their horses.
“Let’s go in first.”
Cohen was the first to rush through the castle gate, as if to relieve his resentment of not being able to perform well in the North.
“It’s an attack!”
A soldier at the entrance to the castle spotted Cohen and shouted.
Dark, shimmering magic energy shines over the eyes. It means that although it looks fine on the outside, it is swallowed up by demonic energy on the inside.
Cohen swung his sword without hesitation.
Paang!
He hit the head of the soldier wearing the helmet with the blade of his sword. The soldier rolls several times on the ground due to the brain-shattering shock and then passes out.
He probably won’t die, but he won’t wake up easily.
“It’s the enemy!”
“Stop it! “It’s an attack!”
The soldiers nearby came rushing in.
Ren and Cleta, who caught up late, leisurely dodged the soldiers and made their way inside.
Pakak!
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At that time, a black hand came out of nowhere on the floor and grabbed Cleta’s ankle.
Pakak! Pakak! Pakak!
There wasn’t one. Dozens of black hands suddenly rose from the ground and headed towards the three people.
“A warlock.”
“It’s so busy.”
“It reminds me of the old days. “When I went to the desert, the warlock used similar magic.”
Even in the chaotic situation, the three people were relaxed.
In particular, Ren felt a new emotion, perhaps because it had been a long time since he had fought a warlock.
Did Kaiden use black tentacles at that time? It seemed a little trickier than that, but I don’t think it was particularly difficult to deal with.
‘I’ve grown a lot too.’
When dealing with Kaiden, I wouldn’t have dared to deal with him without the help of Xalatan, the leader of the Red Moon Tribe.
But what about now? Isn’t there a clear change in attitude when faced with black magic?
It would be no exaggeration to say that all of this was clear evidence of how much Ren had grown so far.
“Big! Captain! Mr. Cohen! Cleta!”
The knights of the two knights who came late were nervous, not knowing their intentions.
“Quickly clear a path!”
“We must help Lord Ren! You idiots! Move!”
“Captain! “You should worry about us before Lord Ren, right?”
The vice-captain of the White Horse Knights felt that the situation was not as easy as expected.
The knights came flocking. Even if you can easily suppress the soldiers, it becomes a little annoying since the knights use ki.
‘It’s not that there are few numbers.’
Soldiers and knights who can easily fill three positions. Meanwhile, the black magic of the Black Star was stronger than expected, as if it was assisting their abilities.
“hehehehe… .”
Devon turns his head at the unpleasant sound of laughter.
Sooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!
A stab that is too fast to have been made by soldiers is aimed at his neck.
“Huh… !”
He barely twisted his body to avoid the sword.
‘If my senses had been a little less sensitive, I would have died.’
Devon got goosebumps. The fact that I almost died as soon as I entered the castle gate made me realize how dangerous this place was.
‘How on earth… … ?’
I didn’t feel any presence at all until I raised my sword. No, even though it’s right in front of me, I feel like I’ll miss this article if I look away.
A prosecutor wearing a black mask. Life shines in the eyes revealed behind the mask.
‘Magi… , Is it black magic?’
Devon grabbed the helmet of the soldier who came next to him, knocked him down, and fell backwards.
“The black knight is hiding! Everyone be careful! “It has the ability to hide its presence!”
Devon fixed his gaze so as not to lose sight of the Black Knight. I wanted to go help Ren right away, but I couldn’t.
‘Damn you. I will definitely kill you.’
Devon frowned at the frustrating situation and rushed in with his sword raised.