106 – 47. Unexpected Situation (1)
Upon receiving the notification that the owner of the abyss had begun to destroy the world, Ian’s gaze became intense.
‘The quest is not a device that predicts and informs about the situation. The fact that such a text has appeared means that Lucifer has already started moving.’
Even by just looking at when the quest had last popped up, it was impossible to know.
‘From the preparation for the war game to the recent Satan. The quest has never once informed me of the situation in advance.’
It might seem a bit lacking as a bonus that the possessor could use, but Ian didn’t particularly harbor any complaints.
Of course, it was a bit inconvenient. If the situation could be predicted and informed in advance, it would be much easier to prepare.
‘But revealing the answer in advance would make it too easy.’
It was uncomfortable. Ian’s feelings as he looked at the quest window were all there was.
If the status window appeared only when it came right up to your nose, there might be a bit of a problem. But it wasn’t to that extent.
‘Not too fast, not too slow, somewhere in between… As long as it maintains that level, there shouldn’t be a problem.’
Just maintaining this much was enough for the role of the status window.
Having read the situation, Ian looked at his sister, who was trembling slightly while holding the Holy Sword.
It must be unbelievable. The fact that the revelation came down so suddenly would not have been within her calculations.
‘Especially considering Ariel’s reaction, it seemed like she wasn’t communicating well with Elysion.’
If someone who usually kept their mouth shut suddenly warned of an impending danger, anyone would be fearful.
Thinking about it, Ariel’s reaction wasn’t strange at all.
“The presence of my brother has descended…”
“Yeah. It means that the last remaining Demon King has officially started moving.”
“What should I do? Do I need to block it right away? No. Should I gather my colleagues first?”
His younger sister, grasping her head in confusion, unsure of what to do in the rapidly unfolding situation.
However, Ian remained calm, especially as the situation intensified.
“A helper for the hero can’t afford to be flustered together.”
It was his role to assist her in making the right judgments and to correct her if she veered off course.
Therefore, he had to find even more composure.
Of course, it wouldn’t be strange to feel fear now that the final demon king had started to move. However, Ian wasn’t particularly scared.
“Lucifer’s target is undoubtedly me or Ariel, but he can’t attack us directly in the heart of the empire, practically in the midst of our enemies.”
Even if blinded by anger, Ian thought that Lucifer was not someone who acted recklessly.
If he failed, there would be no chance to expose himself openly.
At first, it was a priority to create chaos in the empire using all the power he could muster.
“Although Lucifer is the enemy of the royal family, if the empire is under attack, the main forces will turn towards defense.”
He would tie up those who could pose a threat to him, like the imperial knights or retired masters, and handle the hero party in the meantime.
The meaning behind these actions was simple.
“No matter how much he is Lucifer, he can’t attack us right away.”
The decree had been given, but it wasn’t too late to prepare a response.
Ian was confident that it was enough to prepare for the impending clash with Lucifer.
Zing!
[From Bedon Arcane Isle. I apologize for sending you a message like this when your body may not have fully recovered, but there’s an urgent matter I’d like to request. Can you come to the palace as soon as possible?]
“Perfect timing.”
After confirming the message sent by Bedon through the device, Ariel finally raised her eyebrows.
“…What’s going on?”
Mashin was in the midst of an attack, yet he was smiling? Unable to understand this sight, Ariel looked at Ian with trembling eyes.
“Ariel, let’s see your swordsmanship in real combat. Get your things ready now. We’re going to Hwangdo.”
“What? We’re going to Hwangdo? Now?”
Taken aback by Ian’s sudden words, she froze stiffly.
***
The moment he received the message, Ian immediately began preparations.
Ariel was quite taken aback by the sudden trip to Hwangdo, but there was no time to hesitate.
There was no time to spare in the courtyard where the order had been given. Moreover, if the royal palace personally called for him, it meant the situation was serious.
Instinctively realizing that there was no time, Ariel quickly finished her preparations.
Originally, the plan was to take a carriage to Ashran and then use the teleporter that led to Jido.
But with the help of the chief magician sent from the royal palace, they were able to shorten the time.
As soon as they entered Hwangdo, Bedon came running towards them in a single step.
The image of him always smiling and being carefree, with his lower lip pouting, did not easily leave Ian’s mind.
‘As expected, did Bedon call Ian because of Lucifer’s mischief?’
Ian mulled over the conversation he had with Bedon once again.
Starting with the news that the atmosphere among the demons had changed and that Bedon had suddenly grown in size, he had reported that the demons had launched consecutive attacks.
“Fortunately, there haven’t been any major casualties yet. But if we don’t eliminate the cause and leave it alone, the situation will deteriorate into a disaster. When that happens, even if the Imperial Knights defend the empire, it won’t be enough. That’s why I called for you.”
“You mentioned that before, didn’t you? That you have eyes that can read the flow. Are your predictions based on that…?”
Ian’s cautious question was met with Bedon nodding his head slightly in response.
A future awaiting destruction, unable to stop Lucifer. Perhaps the flow Bedon had witnessed was pointing to that.
As it had never been wrong so far, this time wouldn’t be an exception.
In that moment, there was only one thing Bedon could ask Ian for.
“If the revelation has come down to us, we can’t hesitate. I will gather those who have been active in the Hero Party.”
“Summoning those scattered will not be easy. Especially considering the elusive state of Illyan Sigurd’s whereabouts.”
“Solving that is my role, isn’t it? Don’t worry. As Nunu said, my eyes are special. It might take some time, though… Can I also help clear out some demons?”
Blocking the military force of Astelgia, who had stopped wandering the dark land and started walking towards the light.
He knew that until recently, fatigue had accumulated from facing Satan, but for Bedon, it was an inevitable request.
“I might feel guilty for rolling the dice when I should be giving you time to rest and recover.”
Bedon frowned with regret.
However, Ian didn’t seem to mind. He had no intention of resting even if Bedon had suggested it.
“I need to confirm the power of the younger sister raised by feeding her items. When is there time to rest?”
As he had mentioned before, the upcoming battles with Lucifer couldn’t be handled alone.
No matter how strong Ian was, he could only corner Lucifer, not defeat him.
“Unless it’s the Demon King, the only weapon that can cut the life of a Satan is the Holy Sword Elysion.”
Without Arielle, the user of the Holy Sword, it was impossible to defeat Lucifer no matter how much they fought.
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That statement had a simple meaning.
“That’s why Arielle needs to test the new equipment she obtained, and above all, there is a need for allies on the same side to fight.”
Ariel had to synchronize her breathing to some extent to be able to fight Lucifer.
For that purpose, the best way was probably only through real combat.
“Why did I agree to assess his swordsmanship? Ariel must be frustrated that it turned into a demon extermination. Well, it can’t be helped.”
This had to be accepted unconditionally. There was nothing to consider or hesitate about.
Ian, thinking like that, accepted Bedon’s request without a moment’s hesitation, and that was the reason.
“Kerruk!”
“Kraaa!”
“D-demons… I never expected there would be so many….”
The reason Bedon asked Ariel to exterminate the demons, and the horde of demons gathered there, made Ariel’s expression distorted as she looked down from the cliff.
It was beyond comprehension where such a large number of them had gathered.
“I thought I had killed quite a few demons too…. Not as much as my brother, though.” Ariel hunted a considerable number of demons during her activities in the warrior party.
Her Holy Sword was also the most efficient weapon against demons. However, Ian, finding it difficult, was subtly encouraged by his colleagues to urge Ariel.
Always craving praise, she would swing her sword whenever she saw demons, hoping to gain recognition from her colleagues.
The demons with severed necks from countless swings alone could fill up a whole city.
“But there were still so many left… In this situation, what I did seems like nothing at all.”
She thought she had killed more demons than anyone else.
It’s not self-praise, but honestly, she believed she had killed at least one-tenth of the demons existing in Astelgea.
But she, who had lived with such pride, felt her self-esteem melting away as she looked at them, swarming like that.
“Don’t think in such a negative way. Just because the enemy numbers are greater than expected doesn’t mean everything you’ve done will go to waste.”
“Okay, got it. So, all we have to do now is eliminate them all?”
“Yes. We’ll wipe them all out and then go back. Can you do it?”
“It might be difficult alone… but, not right now.”
In response to Ian’s nonchalant question, Ariel smiled brightly.
While she was confident in facing demons, it was certainly a daunting task to defeat enemies of such numbers.
If it were her usual self, she might have wondered how to handle it.
But not now.
“As long as I have you… I’ll be fine.”
Not only was she the youngest in the Empire to reach the level of a master, but Ian, who had defeated numerous demon kings, was also behind her.
She could fight alongside the strongest human on this continent. That fact gave Ariel courage.
With her self-esteem restored, Ariel looked at Ian while lifting her previously bent knee.
“So, what should we do? Descend below the cliff and launch a surprise attack on the enemy’s center?”
“You can do as you please. This time, we’ll test your judgment. Are you ready?”
“Yes! Then let’s go!”
Ariel glanced at the holy sword in her right hand before shifting her gaze downwards once again.
Now, all she had to do was give the signal and aim for the enemy’s center with Ian.
As she thought that, while adjusting her posture, it happened.
“One… Two… Three…”
Counting numbers is slow. Run faster.”
Thud!
“What, what the… ack!”
The moment Ian approached Ariel from behind and kicked her back.
Pushing a sibling off a cliff? What is this madness?
Weren’t they supposed to fight together?
“Oh. Oppa!”
Ariel, unable to comprehend what was happening, looked at her brother with wide eyes.
In response, Ian just lifted the corners of his mouth.
“This way, we can test Ariel’s survivability in an isolated situation with a rush.”
Ariel, gradually diminishing with screams.
She looked unfairly distressed, but for Ian, it was inevitable.
After all, there was never any intention to jump off together in the first place.
Of course, the reason for coming here was to synchronize with Ariel. But with so many enemies, wouldn’t it be necessary to see if she could fight alone?
If her survivability was confirmed, then it wouldn’t be too late to fight together.
“Iaaan!”
Of course, Ariel, seemingly not understanding such facts, expressed her frustration.
Yet, Ian, sitting on the edge of the cliff, only gazed at her, scratching his head.
“Maybe there was a misunderstanding…”
With a chuckle, he looked at his sister fighting the demons in slow motion.
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