Episode 147
“We’ve received intelligence that the demon tribes scattered around the Demon King’s territory are rallying in perfect unison.”
One of the scouts from the ‘Winter Watchers,’ tasked with monitoring enemy movements ahead of the main forces of the Anti-Demon Alliance, reported in.
“It means there’s someone giving them ‘orders’ after detecting the movement of our large forces.”
This movement confirmed the lingering presence of high-ranking demons and remnants of the Demon King’s army in the area.
Long ago, the Demon King Balor and his followers left the demon realm, seeking a place to survive. Although most were defeated by the ‘Hero from Another World’ and the Empire, not all of them vanished without a trace.
“Are you saying a high-ranking demon is commanding the remnants in the Demon King’s territory?”
“Only they could organize the demons and issue orders so efficiently.”
A high-ranking knight from Lancaster questioned, and Dale nodded in agreement.
“Fools who know nothing of the goddess’s mercy,” the Master Templar scoffed.
“As long as the goddess is with us, we must bring down their fortress and enlighten the land of the heretics with her light.”
He recalled the ‘Pillar of Light’ he once cast upon the ghouls of this land.
“Nothing changes. We will move our forces to uproot the demons and cast a veil over them.”
The Master Templar’s words were met with a nod from Borenius, a 7th-circle white mage.
“A war is upon us.”
“A war the goddess desires.”
In the camp of the Empire’s army and the Anti-Demon Alliance, where hidden motives intertwined, at least the Master Templar’s heart was not darkened. It was a pure, unyielding white madness, unmatched by anything else.
The ‘Crusades’ of the Anti-Demon Alliance were gradually advancing into the darkness of the Demon King’s territory.
And with each step deeper into the frozen lands, an inexplicable sense of foreboding settled in Dale’s heart.
To put it bluntly, the strategy was reckless.
What should have been a carefully planned operation had turned into a hasty push with the main forces, plunging into the unknown dark lands. Even though the army was composed of the Empire’s strongest, it was precisely because of this that Dale was even more concerned.
At that moment, he recalled Mordred, who treated the holy sword as if it were his own father.
’…What?’
As the thought crossed his mind, Dale’s breath caught.
Mordred’s reckless and audacious demeanor seemed all too familiar.
It finally clicked.
The impulsive actions and reckless strategic decisions of the Empire’s 7th Prince Mordred were eerily reminiscent of the infamous ‘Philip,’ the genius of defeat, the son of the holy sword.
They were like two peas in a pod.
It was almost unbelievable.
In response to the Anti-Demon Alliance’s movements, demons across the Demon King’s territory were gathering.
As if they had always been a single, organized entity.
The number of demons assembling was growing exponentially, and they began launching guerrilla attacks against the main forces of the Anti-Demon Alliance.
Strictly speaking, this was enemy territory, and Dale and his forces were effectively isolated with no way back.
“Hold the line! Don’t break formation!”
“Raise your shields! Hold them off until the mages can unleash their barrage!”
As they drew closer to their destination, the resistance from the demons intensified. Their aim was to keep the forces pinned down and isolated.
It was relentless guerrilla warfare.
“Let’s pull back the troops.”
At that moment, in the Empire’s encampment on the frozen ground of the Demon King’s territory, where the leadership of the Anti-Demon Alliance had gathered, Dale spoke up.
“The situation is worse than anticipated.”
“Retreat, after coming this far?!”
Gasps echoed around. Under Prince Mordred’s command, the Empire’s main forces had swiftly gathered and advanced deep into the Demon King’s territory. To turn back now seemed like a decision that would lead to nothing.
Yet, the ‘Black Prince’ remained resolute.
The forces here were potential enemies in a sense. Even if they were defeated, they had nothing to lose.
However, if that defeat meant total annihilation, it was a different story. Political responsibility aside, Dale himself might not escape the fate of being wiped out.
If they were isolated and suffered a crushing defeat deep in the Demon King’s territory, even Dale might not survive. No matter how many exceptional warriors were gathered, it wouldn’t change the outcome.
He knew all too well the tenacity and malice of high-ranking demons and shadow sorcerers.
“Yes. We haven’t suffered any losses yet, so we should withdraw the entire force immediately.”
“Finally revealing your true colors, Saxon traitor!”
The Master Templar’s voice rose.
“Despite the Emperor’s command to conquer the Demon King’s territory, it’s clear why this cursed land remains in the hands of demons!”
“If we advance any further, we’ll suffer irreparable losses.”
Dale replied calmly.
“No one will make it back alive.”
“You…!”
Screech.
At that moment, the Master Templar’s sword was drawn, aimed directly at Dale’s throat. Yet Dale’s expression remained unchanged.
“We who serve the goddess will not turn our backs.”
“Is that so? At least my men will have to turn back.”
“What did you just say, you damned fool?”
Simultaneously, Prince Mordred spoke coldly.
“As the representative of Saxon and leader of the Anti-Demon Alliance, I’ve decided we cannot continue this battle.”
“Do you dare defy the command of an Imperial Prince?”
‘I understand how Philip’s knights must have felt.’
Dale thought, as if it were someone else’s problem, and answered.
“Yes.”
“Ha, this damned fool dares to defy the Emperor’s command…!”
But Dale did not back down. Sacrifices for the sake of the mission were inevitable, but that didn’t mean accepting a pointless death.
“You are correct.”
Hearing Dale’s words, the Master Templar tightened his grip on his sword.
“The eldest son of the Saxon family, the ‘Black Prince,’ colluded with demons to undermine the Anti-Demon Alliance from within and committed treason by defying the Prince’s orders.”
“What a ridiculous accusation.”
Dale sneered coldly, and the tension in the command tent rose.
“I am merely making the best decision to win this battle.”
“As long as the goddess watches over us, do not doubt the victory of this battle!”
“Is that so.”
With those words, Dale placed his hand on the hilt of his sword, unwilling to be outdone.
“Perfect timing.”
He continued.
“Then let’s settle whose words the goddess will heed right here.”
“What did you say?”
“I am requesting a Trial by Combat.”
In a Trial by Combat, two individuals fight to the death, and the goddess grants victory to the one with the ‘righteous claim.’ It was an archaic church law, but it was the perfect way to resolve the current situation.
“In other words, you’re proposing a duel to the death?”
The Master Templar laughed incredulously.
“Have you forgotten that there is no Saxon champion here to fight for you?”
“There’s no need to worry about that.”
In the tense atmosphere, Dale smiled.
“I’ll fight myself.”
“Ha, hahahaha!”
The Master Templar laughed again.
“The Saxon whelp dares to commit the ‘Great Sin of the Seven Deadly Sins’ without knowing his place!”
“Which of us is committing a great sin will be decided after the duel.”
Dale murmured calmly.
“Then let us make our vows to the witnesses of this duel.”
He turned to the leaders of the Anti-Demon Alliance in the tent: Prince Mordred, Lady Scarlet, and the high-ranking knights of Saxon and Lancaster.
“If I win, let it be agreed that the goddess does not favor this battle, and we will withdraw the troops.”
However, if the Master Templar wins, the opposite will be true.
“Even if I fall and die here, my death will be a martyrdom to convey the goddess’s will… and the Saxon family will not hold this duel against anyone.”
“Agreed.”
“Now it’s your turn.”
At that moment, Dale spoke.
“Master Templar of the House of Lusignan, vow that if you fall and die in this duel, your actions will be seen as martyrdom to convey the goddess’s will, and you will not hold the Saxon family accountable.”
“You dare…!”
Dale spoke as if the thought of his own defeat had never even crossed his mind. The expression on the Master Templar’s face froze once more.
A duel of martyrs, risking their lives to discern the “will of the goddess.”
“Truly fascinating.”
At those words, Lady Scarlet of the Red Tower finally spoke up.
“What do you think, Prince Mordred? Doesn’t the duel between these two seem quite intriguing?”
“Hmph.”
Mordred snorted dismissively, as if it were none of his concern.
“Very well, there’s nothing more certain than cutting off a head to hear the goddess’s voice.”
He laughed, then continued, “If I win, do you agree to withdraw your forces without question?”
“I promise.”
The alliance leaders volunteered to oversee the duel, and with their assurance, Dale turned his head.
There stood the Master Templar, clad in a white surcoat emblazoned with a blood-red cross.
Just as Dale was about to snap his fingers and overlay the world with the dark and wintry night—
“Wait.”
Mordred’s voice rang out, halting the duel.
“Do you intend to unleash your world of thought in the midst of a ‘martyr’s duel’?”
A knowing, sardonic smile accompanied his words.
“I am a sorcerer. And for a sorcerer to fight, he must unleash his world.”
“Yes, but this duel is a sacred resolution conducted under our supervision,” Mordred replied. At last, the white mage Borenius interjected.
“Indeed, Your Highness! Unless we observe every aspect of this duel, we cannot know what schemes the ‘Black Prince’ of Saxon might employ. This duel must be conducted with complete transparency. In other words…”
“Either let everyone here enter your ‘world,’ or fight without unleashing it,” Lady Scarlet added, surrounded by red and white.
In the midst of it all, Dale gave a wry smile, as if he had expected this.
“Very well. Since you insist.”
He laughed softly, then whispered, “Shub.”
”…!”
In an instant, tendrils of darkness wrapped around Dale, scattering the blood of the abyss.
To prove his talent before everyone, and to emerge as an extraordinary force.
Silence was no longer an option; this power would inevitably be revealed.
“H-How…!”
The Master Templar and the white mages couldn’t hide their shock, gasping in disbelief. Even Prince Mordred and Lady Scarlet of the Red Tower were no exceptions.
There stood the avatar of the Shadow Lord, clad in the armor of the abyss.