Episode 281: Countless Secrets (Part 2)
After leaving the Kingdom of Tart, Demian and his two companions headed straight for the main headquarters.
Upon arrival, they submitted detailed reports of their mission.
The clergy at the headquarters were thrown into a state of shock and fear upon reading them.
“A duke-level demon? How could such a monster be summoned to the surface?”
A duke-level demon was a leader among demons, a ruler of the underworld.
In the past, when such a demon was summoned to the continent, humanity had to brace itself for annihilation.
“What about the sacrifice? How did they manage that?”
“Summoning a duke-level demon with just the people from the southern region of Tart, not even the entire kingdom, seems impossible.”
Referring to the sacrificed people as “just” was callous, but the clergy had no time to dwell on such matters.
“Could it have been a mere avatar?”
“Don’t be ridiculous! Even an avatar of a duke-level demon is on a different scale!”
Summoning a demon to the surface required a significant price, as countless examples had shown.
Yet, this absolute truth had been shattered.
“If it happened once, it could happen again. We must find the cause.”
“I agree. If a duke-level demon is summoned again… if it’s not just an avatar but the real thing…”
The senior clergy shuddered at the thought.
“We were celebrating Slah’s death, and now this happens…”
“Still, it’s fortunate. The three Great Saints and the Holy Knights are all safe.”
Considering the emergence of a duke-level demon, the lack of casualties was almost unbelievable.
“Lord Nokpung mentioned that Demian played a significant role this time as well.”
“Not only did he face the duke-level demon alone, but he also freed Lord Cheongyeom from his seal.”
“His skills are truly formidable. No wonder the Empire is eager to recruit him.”
“It’s not just the Empire. I’ve heard the Mercenary King is also trying to make contact with Lord Demian…”
As the conversation turned to Demian, the clergy’s expressions softened noticeably.
Talking about a young genius was always a pleasure. Demian was like a flower blooming in a swamp.
“But isn’t it a bit strange?”
Someone interrupted the warm atmosphere with a cold splash of reality.
“Lord Demian is indeed a remarkable talent, but facing a duke-level demon alone, even if it was just an avatar, seems odd.”
“Haha, you must have forgotten. Lord Demian is the hero who single-handedly defeated Slah.”
“Slah was a terrifying monster, but not on the level of a duke-level demon.”
“What exactly are you implying?”
“I’m just a bit suspicious.”
The clergyman spoke with a serious expression.
“Creating a hero to infiltrate the enemy ranks is a common tactic among heretics. And isn’t it suspicious that he hasn’t pledged himself as a Holy Knight?”
The other clergy exchanged glances, not in agreement, but in skepticism.
“Geniuses often defy common sense, don’t they?”
“Indeed. Even our founder was such a figure.”
“Lord Demian’s achievements have been acknowledged by the Great Saints themselves…”
“To doubt Lord Demian in such circumstances seems rather suspicious.”
All eyes turned to the clergyman who had raised the question.
He was visibly flustered.
“No, no! I’m not a heretic!”
“That’s exactly what a heretic would say.”
“In these chaotic times, it’s possible that malicious forces have infiltrated our ranks.”
“Take him away.”
“No, no! I’m not!”
As one clergyman was dragged off to the Inquisition during the meeting…
“Haa…”
The Holy Sovereign let out a deep sigh. Her worries were centered around Demian Haxen.
“Nokpung, is it true? Did Lord Cheongyeom really instruct us to reward Demian Haxen appropriately?”
Kneeling on one knee, Nokpung replied, “Yes, that’s correct.”
“Did he specify what kind of reward?”
“He only said to do as Your Holiness sees fit.”
“And you and Gwangmyeong have no objections?”
“I don’t. My sister seemed to have some reservations, but she didn’t voice them.”
The Holy Sovereign rubbed her temples in frustration.
Rewarding Demian Haxen was only natural, given his contributions.
The problem was that his achievements were too significant.
Without Demian Haxen, the Holy Order might have lost Cheongyeom, Gwangmyeong, and Nokpung.
The Great Saints were the Order’s most powerful assets.
Losing three of them would have been a catastrophic blow, threatening the Order’s very existence.
Demian Haxen had prevented that disaster. The Order owed him an enormous debt.
And now, they were leaving the task of repaying that debt to her? It was an overwhelming responsibility.
”…I might have to extend the paperwork deadline by five months.”
“Excuse me?”
“Nothing, never mind.”
The Holy Sovereign relaxed her expression.
There was no point in worrying about a problem with no clear solution. Besides, they couldn’t ignore the hero who had saved the Order.
“Nokpung, you should rest now. You’ve done well.”
“It was my duty for the Order.”
“Oh, and on your way out, could you ask Lord Demian to come in?”
Nokpung left the Holy Palace.
Shortly after, Demian Haxen entered.
“Your Holiness, I came as requested.”
The Holy Sovereign was taken aback by Demian’s presence.
She possessed a divine ability to see through a person’s essence.
With it, she could gauge a person’s capabilities.
In the short time since she last saw him, Demian Haxen had grown even stronger.
A chill ran down her spine.
As the Holy Sovereign, she had witnessed many geniuses, including the Great Saints.
But none had grown as rapidly as Demian Haxen.
Was it even right to call this growth? Was he even human?
She shook her head. Now wasn’t the time for such thoughts.
“Lord Demian, you’ve done a great service. Thank you.”
“I only did what was expected of me as an honorary Holy Knight.”
The Holy Sovereign gave a wry smile.
For someone of his caliber, the title of honorary Holy Knight seemed inadequate.
Perhaps he should be elevated to an honorary Great Saint.
“Cheongyeom, Gwangmyeong, and Nokpung unanimously recommended that you receive a fitting reward. I agree with them.”
“I didn’t do it for a reward.”
Demian spoke earnestly.
Yet, for some reason, the Holy Sovereign couldn’t shake the feeling that he wasn’t being entirely truthful.
”…But my limited mind can’t fathom how to properly reward you. So, I’ve decided to let you make a proposal.”
She looked directly into Demian’s eyes.
“Demian Haxen, tell me what you desire. Even if it means emptying the Order’s vaults, we will provide what you seek.”
This was no empty promise.
The Holy Sovereign was prepared to deplete the vaults if necessary.
Thanks to Demian Haxen, the Holy Order continued to exist.
Emptying the vaults seemed a small price to pay for such a debt.
“In that case, I humbly request…”
But Demian Haxen’s request was surprisingly modest.
“Please grant me access to all the secret tomes held by the Holy Order.”
”…Is that really all you want?”
The Holy Sovereign asked, bewildered. Demian nodded.
“Yes, that’s all I need.”
In truth, Demian’s request wasn’t as modest as it seemed.
The secret tomes of the Holy Order were all master-class texts.
They included works from master-class individuals produced by the Order, those defeated by the Order, and the Great Saints throughout history.
Demian was asking to study these invaluable texts.
“You could ask for something else.”
“Right now, those are what I need most.”
Demian’s request was driven by his desire to reach the level of a Grandmaster.
Watching Cheongyeom and Vahel fight had made him realize the necessity of reaching that level.
“I never expected to encounter a duke-level demon.”
He always prepared for the worst.
But even Demian hadn’t foreseen the appearance of a duke-level demon.
The future he knew had vanished. Anything could happen now.
Thus, he resolved to reach the Grandmaster level as soon as possible.
“I already know what I’m lacking.”
As a Death Knight, Demian had once reached the Grandmaster level.
He knew what it took to achieve that status.
What he needed now wasn’t elixirs or potions, but knowledge to fill his technical gaps.
“If that’s your wish, we must honor it. But… it still feels insufficient.”
The Holy Sovereign pondered for a moment before speaking to Demian.
“Demian Haxen, are you familiar with the first Holy Sovereign?”
Demian nodded. It was impossible not to know.
The first Holy Sovereign, Bartoleo.
The first to awaken divine power as a Holy Knight.
A superhuman who shattered the head of an evil dragon with a single mace.
A hero who saved humanity as part of the Salvation Squad.
After the Salvation Squad rescued humanity, countless heroes emerged, but none could even come close to the legacy they left behind.
That’s why people regarded the Salvation Squad as a group of transcendent beings, surpassing even the Grandmasters.
“I will grant you the opportunity to experience the insights left by them.”