Episode 117
Deep within the labyrinth, the heirs of two ducal houses faced a monstrous creature that exuded pure malice.
It was an absurdly gigantic spider, stretching over several meters in length.
Yet, its size was not the only bizarre aspect of this creature.
The spider’s legs were composed of human limbs, each several meters long, and its eyes were adorned with human faces. These faces displayed a range of emotions—joy, anger, sorrow, and happiness—yet all of them wept tears of blood.
It was as if the bodies of a dozen people had been dissected and reassembled into this grotesque spider form. This was no simple monster like an orc; it was an aberration, even by the standards of this world.
“Fascinating,” remarked Mikhail Lancaster, observing the creature.
“I’ve heard tales from enthusiasts about the Great Labyrinth of the Demon King’s Domain.”
“Stories of ancient demons, no doubt.”
“Do you think the human bodies making up that creature were victims of their experiments?”
“Who knows?”
“Some say the ancient demons still bide their time in the deepest parts of this labyrinth.”
“It’s amazing where people pick up such stories.”
Dale remained silent. He didn’t know everything about the Demon King’s Domain either.
“At the very least, human bodies don’t just appear in a labyrinth without reason.”
One thing was certain: the bodies forming the creature were unmistakably human. Where they came from and how they were fused into such a horrific form was a mystery.
The spider’s eight eyes, each a human face, stared at them, weeping tears of blood while expressing a myriad of emotions.
“Once the succession dispute with the York family is settled, our Lancaster house will fully commit to the alliance with the Saxon family and the ‘pioneering of the Demon King’s Domain,’” Mikhail declared, gripping the hilt of his sword, the Peacemaker.
He spoke of the grand alliance between the Lancaster and Saxon houses against the demons.
“In other words, delving into the deepest darkness of this labyrinth and the Demon King’s Domain isn’t impossible.”
“Your proposal will be considered favorably,” Dale replied, finding no fault in the offer.
“However…”
He paused, knowing that accepting the proposal and negotiating its specifics were two different matters.
“You understand that as long as I’m engaged in the pioneering efforts of the Demon King’s Domain under the name of the Saxon Viscount, I can’t leave immediately.”
“Oh, there’s no need to worry about that,” Mikhail replied with a knowing smile.
In this world, nothing happens swiftly. Preparing for war takes months, and even crossing continents is a slow process compared to 21st-century standards.
“Since the Saxon Viscount has joined hands with us under the demon alliance, it’s only right that we show our sincerity first.”
“What do you mean?”
“While the York family gathers their allies, my father will also rally the Lancaster house’s forces in preparation. That will take considerable time.”
Wars don’t erupt overnight, especially not between major houses like the Lancasters and the Yorks.
“When the time comes, my father will send an envoy to the Demon King’s Domain.”
Thus, Mikhail continued, “Until then, I will assist in the pioneering of the northern Demon King’s Domain as the Saxon Viscount desires.”
He seemed uninterested in the potential treasures and artifacts within the labyrinth.
“I vow to protect the lands of the pioneer farmers and wield my sword against the demons threatening this land.”
“And for what purpose?”
“For the peace of us all,” Mikhail Lancaster smiled. For the peace of us all. Dale remained silent.
At that moment, the monstrous spider, composed of human bodies, charged at them with terrifying speed, like a jumping spider.
But as it lunged, Mikhail Lancaster was enveloped in a red and white aura.
Mikhail’s avatar, the ‘Armor of Ideals,’ symbolizing the Apostle of Fire and Light, shone like the sun, unleashing flames of destruction rivaling the sun’s heat.
The light of dawn wrapped around the blade of the Peacemaker as Mikhail charged forward.
‘Avatars are quite convenient,’ he thought.
The armor of ideals.
When a mage unfolds the world of ideals, it signifies a divergence from this world, revealing their innermost thoughts. In contrast, knights face fewer restrictions, except in cases as vile as the Holy Swordsman.
In simple terms, knights can unleash their full power with less burden than mages.
The Apostle of Fire and Light wielded the Peacemaker, tearing apart the human bodies forming the monstrous spider.
The human faces replacing the spider’s eyes screamed in agony, shedding their expressions.
A pure white flame erupted.
It was an explosion of light akin to the sun’s corona. Dale instinctively understood the nature of this overwhelming heat.
The corona, enveloping the sun, is a plasma atmosphere extending from celestial bodies.
‘Plasma…’
A collection of particles, ions, and free electrons created by heating gaseous matter.
The Apostle of Fire and Light wielded an overwhelming destructive force befitting its name.
The plasma storm swept through, leaving nothing behind. Not even a handful of ashes remained. The heat was so intense that even the ‘magic stone’ the monster should have dropped was obliterated.
“Oh, dear,” Mikhail said, dispelling his avatar with a sheepish smile.
Yet, even the blue flames he emitted couldn’t illuminate the shadow beneath the hood of the Faceless One.
”…”
Dale remained silent, contemplating the day when that plasma storm might be directed at him.
Mikhail Lancaster was strong. Yet even he couldn’t compare to the Seven Swords of the Continent.
The one closest to the Seven Swords. Even Mikhail couldn’t reach them.
The world is vast, and there are many strong individuals.
Even Dale, hailed as the Empire’s greatest genius, had mountains he couldn’t yet climb. But these figures didn’t instill despair in him. Instead, they fueled the fire in his heart.
The Lancaster and Saxon alliance against the demons.
But it was too soon to announce it officially. The moment it became known, the York family would feel threatened and take action.
Thus, Mikhail Lancaster wielded his sword for the peace of the Demon King’s Domain as a mere ‘adventurer.’
Secretly, he became the ‘Messenger of Peace,’ protecting and pioneering the Demon King’s Domain according to the Saxon Viscount’s wishes.
An Aura Master, a knight capable of using an avatar, possesses the power of an entire army.
A One Man Army.
Having such a force wielding a sword for the peace of the Demon King’s Domain was an incomparable asset for Dale.
Especially for the demons who avoided direct confrontation with the Saxon forces and resorted to guerrilla tactics against pioneer farmers, the presence of ‘Mikhail Lancaster’ was nothing short of hell.
Demons didn’t have grand ideologies of spreading evil. Their raids on farms were mere struggles for survival. But Dale’s pioneering efforts in the Demon King’s Domain were also a ‘struggle for survival,’ aiming to cultivate more crops in Saxon’s frozen lands and provide a home for the people of the duchy.
Demons and humans. Two forces that couldn’t coexist, fighting for survival.
That was the truth of the Demon King’s Domain pioneering. Yet, many in the domain believed they were cultivating the goddess’s land against evil. Numerous pioneer monks, armed with religious conviction, were cultivating the frozen lands against the demon threat, and Dale had no intention of denying their beliefs.
Belief can blind one’s vision while instilling unwavering resolve.
Even if it’s a twisted and distorted belief.
“Oh, Catherine! My dear Catherine!”
“Hehe, Prince Philip, you’re too much…”
Philip, the notorious playboy, smiled as if he didn’t know what to do in front of a lovely woman.
The black sheep of a count’s family, a genius of defeat, the son of the most disgraceful Holy Swordsman across the continent.
Yet the smile that “Catherine of York” directed at Philip was pure and beautiful beyond comparison.
“Even if the world points fingers at you, Prince Philip…”
Catherine gently caressed Philip’s cheek, leaning in to whisper softly in his ear.
“I know. I know that you will rise as a hero of this empire.”
“Ah, you speak the truth!”
Catherine’s voice was as sweet as a saint’s whisper, and in the face of her kindness, Philip couldn’t hide the surge of emotions welling up inside him.
“I can see it, the ‘true worth’ of Prince Philip that others cannot.”
Her smile was unlike the cheap grins of the courtesans Philip had encountered countless times. Her whispers were far from the flattery that dripped from their lips.
It was a voice of sincere sweetness, speaking directly to the deepest part of his heart.
“Oh, Catherine! My love, my fiancée!”
Unable to contain his affection, Philip embraced Catherine. Yet it was not an act driven by desire. Contrary to his reputation as a libertine, he held her with the tenderness one would reserve for the most precious being in the world.
“So, my beloved lord, please do not betray my expectations.”
Nestled in Philip’s arms, Catherine whispered softly into his ear.
Her smile vanished as if it had never been, replaced by an icy expression devoid of any emotion.