47. Courtesy to the Hero
When Joo-yeon raised the Demon King’s heart above his head.
The Knight King’s face was frozen with seriousness.
‘Surely… He doesn’t plan to become [Demon King].’
He wanted to believe that it wasn’t the case.
However, if the man who inherited him became the Demon King, it would be an unprecedented disgrace to the world.
What’s more, he wouldn’t have the face to see his close friend, the hero who died before him.
He had to stop it somehow.
‘Even if I have to kill him… I have to stop that.’
Murderous intent swirled in the Knight King’s eyes.
For the first time since leaving the training room, he put his heart into his sword.
Throb.
Then, the Demon’s curse within his body surged.
It shook the Knight King’s iron-like spirit and sapped his strength.
‘Why does it… interfere at a time like this.’
Usually, he could suppress it with the Knight King’s power.
However, perhaps because the heart was right before him, the Demon’s curse was raging to an unbearable degree.
If it continued like this, he wouldn’t be able to concentrate no matter what.
Moreover, Joo-yeon was an existence who had ＜inherited＞ his strength.
Like the Demon King, he also had special abilities.
He wasn’t an easy opponent to defeat in a situation where the curse was interfering.
That was something he had learned from the training over the past few days.
‘He knows many of my weaknesses.’
He might really have to risk his life.
However, the Knight King wasn’t a man who would give up and run away in advance.
With a calm expression, he drew his sword and ordered Albert, who had followed him.
“Albert.”
“Yes, my Lord.”
“If… I fail to kill him, I entrust you with what comes after.”
“M… My Lord!?”
Albert’s eyes widened.
To think that he would try to kill [him], whom he cherished like a disciple.
However, his answer would not change even if that were the case.
“I will carry it out, even if it costs me my life.”
For Albert’s loyalty was directed at only one person, the Knight King.
At that moment, Joo-yeon’s mouth opened.
“Then you must die to be of help.”
BOOM!
At the same time, the black heart in his hand burst.
Then, a tremendous amount of demonic energy began to surge into the surrounding space.
[H… How dare you!]
It was the mountain range that was already as good as dead from the Demon King’s demonic energy.
However, at the heart’s cry, all the demonic energy scattered around began to gather in one place.
[You… I will never… I will never forgive you!]
The Demon King’s heart screamed.
At that terrifying voice, Adien and the soldiers who were coming to clean up the Earl’s soldiers collapsed to the ground.
“M… My ears…”
“We’re going to die… We’re going to die…”
They could barely breathe just from hearing the voice.
It felt like their breath would stop at any moment.
It was a power that made one feel death itself.
Even though it was just the [Demon King’s] remains, it was an overwhelming power.
The Knight King, who had approached without anyone noticing, shouted at the newly arrived knights.
“All of you, spread out the defensive formation! Protect Adien and the soldiers!”
“Yes, sir!”
The 100 knights moved quickly.
“Everyone, push forward with all your might! Do not yield to that damn bastard!”
“This is in front of our former Lord! Everyone, show him the results of your training!”
The 100-man Knights’ Order was by no means weak.
In an instant, a giant blue barrier protected the soldiers.
But unfortunately, it was the Demon King’s power.
“H… It’s not enough…”
“Raise your chivalry to the limit…!”
The knights were powerless before the Demon King’s might.
As the blue barrier began to turn black in an instant, the Knight King drew his sword and stabbed it into the ground.
BOOM!
A giant sphere formed around the sword.
The Knight King had personally exerted his power to protect his soldiers.
Of course, even with his power, he could not ward off all evil.
The demonic aura that had lingered in the mountains for ages, and even the curse of the Demon King within his body, were sapping his strength.
Finally, a trickle of blood flowed from the Knight King’s mouth.
Gulp…
“Your Grace!”
At the sight of the Knight King coughing up blood, the faces of the hundred knights, including Albert, turned pale.
Some of the knights disregarded their defense and tried to rush forward.
However, the Knight King waved his hand to stop them.
“Hold your ground. Protect the soldiers.”
“But…”
“Do you not hear me!”
“U…Understood!”
The knights gritted their teeth and held their positions.
Albert was perplexed.
“Your Grace?”
Just a moment ago, the Knight King had been trying to kill Joo-in at all costs.
Protecting the soldiers was important, of course.
But why was he not killing [him] and wasting his energy instead?
But then he looked at the Knight King and gasped.
‘Your Grace… [The Knight King] is smiling?’
At first, he did not understand why.
But he soon realized.
“I’ll borrow this for a moment.”
“……!”
Thud.
Joo-in grabbed the holy sword that the remains of the hero Ryu-jin were holding.
Albert’s face hardened at the sight.
‘まさか…’
Normally, no one could hold that sword.
Only the chosen one could lift it.
[Hero]
It was not merely a title given by the people.
One’s very class had to be [Hero].
If anyone else were to hold the sword, they would incur the wrath of the gods.
They would be hunted by the entire continent and the temples, and would even receive the gods’ curse.
Only high priests were allowed to transport it, with the permission of the ＜Holy Sword＞. That was why the Knight King had contacted the temple to request a high priest.
With no hero present, that was the only way to transport the holy sword.
If Joo-in could truly retrieve the body of the hero Ryu-jin, then he would also need to transport the holy sword.
Because only those who had received the blessing of the gods could hold the holy sword.
‘That’s why the previous duke also told you to wait until the priest comes.’
Jooyoung only had the potential to be a [Hero], he wasn’t one yet.
However, Albert’s thoughts were interrupted.
It was because Jooyoung calmly raised his sword.
Swish!
Everyone’s eyes shook at that sight.
‘The holy sword isn’t resisting him……!’
It was as if it was acknowledging him as its rightful owner.
Soon, a light burst from Jooyoung.
Boooom!
It was different from the dark energy they had seen before.
A bright, golden light erupted as if announcing the dawn.
The corners of the Sword King’s lips twitched at that sight.
“My, my. It’s been a long time since I’ve seen that.”
“What……is that?”
“It’s the light of the holy sword.”
“Excuse me?”
Albert couldn’t believe it.
“Doesn’t the holy sword only shine in the hands of a hero?”
He had believed that Jooyoung wasn’t a hero.
After all, there was no evidence.
The world thought of Jooyoung as a hero, but it was only speculation.
Even so, the reason he hadn’t said anything was because of the benefits that would come to his lord’s family.
That was definitely it.
‘Was he not pretending to be a hero, but really a hero?’
The holy sword was clearly a divine relic.
It could never exert its power on its own.
That was common sense.
But look at what was in front of their eyes.
Boooom!
The light of the holy sword was driving away the darkness.
That was a power that only a true hero could use.
It was then that Albert’s and the other knights’ pupils shook at the unbelievable sight.
Jooyoung opened his mouth.
“Now let’s let that guy rest in peace.”
Of course, he wasn’t talking to the remnants of the Demon King but to the holy sword.
Jooyoung raised the holy sword above his head.
Then, as if it had been waiting, a light burst forth.
＜Holy Sword Ascalion＞
It was the sword that only a hero could use that had reacted.
And then, an even stronger light burst out from the holy sword.
FWOOOOSH!
The Maou’s Heart tried to block it somehow.
[Why… why!!]
From Noble mtl dot com
None of its powers worked on Jooin.
After all, the holy sword was a sacred relic forged by the God of Light himself.
It was no match for something like the Maou’s Heart.
[Ah… no… no… noooooo.]
“What do you mean, ‘no’?”
Jooin swung the holy sword forward.
A radiant light followed the blade and poured down on the Maou’s Heart.
CRACK!
The holy sword’s light spread out in all directions.
It was a warm and gentle light that seemed to fill one’s heart with warmth just by looking at it.
The light soon reached the fallen knights and soldiers.
“Huh? My wounds…”
“They’re disappearing!”
Their injuries gradually vanished, and so did their fear.
The holy sword’s power had healed them.
However, the Maou’s Heart felt something different.
[GYaaaH!]
Its very soul was being cleansed as it came into contact with the light.
What little remained of the Maou’s energy was rapidly dissipating.
[W… wait a minute!]
It tried to flee, but it was no use.
Jooin, who was holding the holy sword, uttered a cold statement.
“Light spreads to every corner of the world.”
FWOOOOSH!
The holy sword’s power illuminated the entire mountain range even faster.
The Maou’s Heart was struck directly by the light before it could even think of escaping.
[GYaaaH!]
FSSSSSSSSSSSSS.
The Maou’s Heart, which had been pitch black, turned white.
The same thing happened to the evil spirits that had been blackening the mountain range.
Wherever the light touched, verdant sprouts began to emerge, reclaiming their original color.
[How… why…]
The Maou’s Heart expressed its resentment as if it had been wronged.
All it had to do was take his hand.
Then it could have had everything.
[I could have become the new Maou, lived an eternal life as the strongest of the mazoku, and even ruled over everything…]
He said he couldn’t understand how I could attack him when he had broken my heart.
Joo-yeon laughed incredulously.
“Why? Because I obviously don’t need your petty power.”
What? The Demon King or the demons?
Borrowing such power was an insulting suggestion.
Not to mention my memories with the hero Ryu-jin, becoming the strongest was something I could do on my own.
Plus, I was a gamer.
‘This time, I’ll finally clear the last achievement.’
At that moment, the holy sword let out a wail.
Boooom.
I don’t want to see that guy’s face anymore, so let’s finish this quickly.
Joo-yeon agreed.
He swung the holy sword at the same time.
Flash!
Finally, the Demon King’s heart disappeared without a trace along with the light.
The Demon King’s body also turned to dust and scattered in the air.
He could no longer torment the hero Ryu-jin or the people of the North.
That was the moment.
Thud!
“……!”
Another body fell before my eyes.
It was the hero’s remains.
Ryu-jin’s skeleton collapsed, unable to maintain its form.
Joo-yeon sighed.
‘The bones that were intact until now suddenly collapsed.’
The timing was also too coincidental.
It happened exactly when the Demon King’s heart shattered.
The surroundings, which had been forbidden, also returned to their original state.
Then there was only one reason why the remains were damaged.
[Now it’s my turn to… protect you.]
“……!”
Hero Ryu-jin.
He had endured until now to protect Joo-yeon and the continent.
No matter how much the Demon King’s heart tried to corrupt him with its wickedness.
Even if his own body was corrupted because the holy sword’s power was insufficient.
He had been protecting this place.
He had intended to keep his promise to Joo-yeon until the end.
Joo-yeon was speechless for a moment.
He was always like that.
The heroes who always died on their own accord.
[Don’t die. It’s enough if I’m the only one who dies here.]
[Live, Jooyeon. Only you can carry on my will.]
[I’m sure that dying protecting you will be my pride in the future.]
Jooyeon was troubled by the self-destructing character, but well.
Like other colleagues, the warriors were very proud to die instead of Jooyeon.
So was the face of RyuJin, the warrior who had just collapsed.
[I… I… kept my promise to you.]
He must have been in pain until now.
But the guy in Jooyeon’s memory was smiling as if he was really happy.
It was like a smile of relief that his sacrifice was not in vain.
Jooyeon remembered his face clearly.
‘You… tried to keep your promise to me until the end.’
At that moment, the Knight King approached Jooyeon.
His face, which had been haggard, looked calmer than ever.
“Don’t feel sorry.”
“Why?”
“He just acted like a warrior until the end. So don’t pity those who have kept their pride until the end. There is no greater insult to him than that.”
Jooyeon could feel the Knight King’s heart.
Only now did he realize the sense of relief that he had seen the end of his close friend and the regret that he could not die with him.
Jooyeon smiled without realizing it.
“Take me away.”
“No, I have something to do before that.”
“What?”
What?