Episode 534: Return to the Demon Realm
The cliff loomed endlessly, as if marking the world’s end. Here, it was known as the “Cliff of Chaos.”
Not far from this imposing natural barrier lay a sprawling encampment. It was the base of the punitive forces, including the Helmut Knights.
Tomorrow, a fierce battle awaited.
Inside Helmut’s tent, the commanding knights gathered for a strategy meeting. Sabikang was among them.
Helmut surveyed the knights and continued, “This is the canyon known as the ‘Rift of Chaos.’ Once inside, you’ll find a basin surrounded by cliffs. Tomorrow, we’ll drive them all into this trap. And here, we’ll wipe out the ‘Red Wolves’ to the last man. Those who dare challenge the Emperor’s authority must face severe punishment.”
His final words were directed at Sabikang, as if speaking to him alone.
“Understood!” the knights responded in unison.
The “Red Wolves” referred to the remnants loyal to the traitor Baritan, named for the red wolf insignia on their armor and weapons.
Helmut nodded. “These are elite among elites. We can’t afford to be careless. But we outnumber them significantly. We can overwhelm them.”
Sabikang tilted his head, stepping forward. “I don’t quite understand.”
Helmut’s eyebrow twitched. How dare a mere human question him?
Suppressing his irritation, Helmut asked, “What is it?”
“To leverage our numerical advantage, wouldn’t it be better to fight in open terrain? Why drive them into such a narrow space?”
“You’re ignorant of magic because you’re from the Central Plains. Unlike you insignificant humans, demons aren’t constrained by space.”
“Then there’s even less reason to confine them to a narrow area, isn’t there?”
Helmut slammed his hand on the table in frustration. Bang!
“Just follow orders. Are you defying me?”
“I’m merely curious.”
“You humans think it’s admirable to act on your whims, but in the demon realm, obedience is more important than life itself. Understand?”
Helmut’s eyes burned with contempt and disdain as he glared at Sabikang, who met his gaze calmly.
Sensing the tension, Zeke, the strategist of the Helmut Knights, intervened.
“Sabikang, this plan might seem odd to you, but there’s a reason.”
Sabikang turned his attention to Zeke, willing to listen.
Zeke continued, “Once inside the Rift of Chaos, a barrier designed by Count Hound will activate.”
“What kind of barrier?” Sabikang asked.
“A barrier that neutralizes the Red Wolves. It selectively debuffs those wearing their armor, effectively nullifying their strength.”
Sabikang nodded, finally understanding. “I see. That makes sense.”
As Sabikang left the tent, Helmut watched him go, grinding his teeth. “Arrogant…”
“Don’t let it bother you. He’s still adjusting,” Zeke reassured.
“You have a generous heart.”
“Perhaps thanks to you, Commander.”
“What do you mean?”
Helmut turned to Zeke, who smiled gently. “I’m proud of you, Commander. I’ve never respected anyone more.”
“Why the sudden flattery?”
“It’s not flattery… I’ve never been ashamed that you were once human. I hope you don’t let that burden you. It might drive you into a corner.”
The other knights watched the exchange with tense expressions. Helmut’s gaze softened as he looked at Zeke.
“You truly understand me.”
“Because I respect you that much.”
“Thank you. But…”
A flash of light cut through the air.
In an instant, Zeke’s head was severed, falling to the ground with a thud.
Blood gushed from Zeke’s body, which lay motionless.
Helmut sheathed his sword, muttering coldly, “You’ve always talked too much. Sometimes you say unnecessary things.”
He turned to a knight standing nearby. “You’re the new strategist.”
“Yes, Commander,” the demon knight replied, bowing deeply.
As the wind rustled the tent, Sabikang’s silhouette briefly appeared outside before vanishing. A faint smirk seemed to linger on his face.
**
The next day, the battle raged fiercely.
Helmut cut through the battlefield, slaying enemies with ease. Yet, he never lost sight of Sabikang.
Sabikang fought with a prowess uncharacteristic of a human, his sword sweeping through the Red Wolves, leaving them in screams and defeat. Even their summoned monsters fell effortlessly.
“Go on, show off all you want. This will be your grave,” Helmut thought with a sneer, shouting to his subordinates, “Now! Start the wolf hunt!”
At his command, the Helmut Knights formed a fan-shaped formation, driving the Red Wolves into the Rift of Chaos.
“Retreat into the canyon and fight in the narrow terrain!” shouted Duran, leading the Red Wolves. His men retreated into the rift.
Helmut nodded, satisfied. “Everything is going as planned.”
The Red Wolves had no choice. Fighting in the narrow canyon could mitigate their numerical disadvantage.
“But they don’t know it’s a trap.”
Helmut led his knights into the Rift of Chaos without hesitation. The enemy, holding out as long as they could, was gradually pushed deeper.
“Once they reach the basin, they’ll try to escape with magic and bombard us,” Helmut anticipated.
He saw through their strategy. They had no other viable options.
“But it won’t work!”
The enemy was finally pushed into the basin. Now, it was only a matter of time before the barrier was complete, preventing their escape.
Helmut continued to cut down foes, glancing around. He spotted Sabikang fighting like a demon.
His skill was extraordinary. No other human could fight like that in the demon realm.
A human… acting like a demon…!
Helmut’s expression twisted with hatred and disdain.
“You make me uncomfortable because you constantly remind me of my past.”
Indeed, Sabikang was a source of deep-seated inferiority for Helmut.
To become a demon, Helmut had sacrificed everything—body and soul.
But Sabikang hadn’t. He had endured, surviving in the demon realm until he caught the Demon King’s eye for some trivial reason. Now, he fought alongside demons in his human form.
A man who made a different choice. A man who dared to stand shoulder to shoulder with demons.
It was no wonder Helmut despised him.
As the clash of weapons echoed, Helmut briefly recalled his last day as a human.
**
Clang! Clang! Crash! Clang!
The sound of clashing weapons filled the air.
Young Philbert rushed to the window, peering down.
The courtyard was in chaos.
There was no reason for such a commotion at night. This small kingdom had always been peaceful.
Philbert, the crown prince, had never seen or heard of such a tumultuous drill.
“Something must have happened!”
His heart pounded wildly.
“Ah!”
He let out an involuntary cry.
Below, he saw his father.
His father, usually dressed in regal attire, wore armor and a helmet instead of a crown.
Soldiers’ bodies lay strewn across the courtyard.
Then,
Bang! Bang! Bang!
Someone pounded on the door.
Startled, Philbert turned and shouted, “Who is it?”
“Your Highness! It’s Captain Marlon! Please open the door!”
Ah, Marlon.
His father’s loyal retainer and his own swordsmanship instructor.
Philbert had never been so relieved to hear his voice.
As soon as Philbert rushed to open the door, Marlon hurried into the room and knelt on one knee before him.
“Your Highness, the situation is dire. You must leave immediately.”
“Just me?”
“The king has ordered us to ensure your safety and get you out of here!”
“But my father is still out there fighting!”
“I know, but right now, you must escape!”
“But…”
“There’s no time! Your Highness!”
“Alright, alright…”
Reluctantly, Philbert nodded and stepped out of the room.
As he descended the stairs, he glanced back with a worried expression.
“But where do we go now? Do we have anywhere to go once we leave the castle?”
At that moment, Philbert felt an inexplicable sense of unease.
There was something off about the way Marlon was looking at him.
It was a feeling only a child like Philbert could sense.
“We plan to find Count Ricard once we’re out. He can help you.”
“Oh… okay.”
“Is something wrong?”
“Marlon?”
“Yes, Your Highness?”
“I left something in my room…”
As Philbert turned to head back, Marlon quickly blocked his path.
“You can’t. We need to hurry…”
And then it happened.
Thud!
Philbert shoved Marlon aside with his shoulder and sprinted away.
Marlon, now furious, shouted after him.
“You little brat! Stop right there!”
Philbert didn’t look back. His mind was a whirlwind of confusion.
Why had Marlon, who had always been kind to him, suddenly turned so frightening? Why was his father fighting with the soldiers?
Could this be the rebellion he’d only heard about in old stories?
If so, wasn’t that terrifying?
He had just made it out of the inner castle when—
Whoosh!
The chilling sound of metal slicing through the air made him turn around.
Thud!
“Ugh!”
A soldier, who had been about to strike Philbert, froze in place.
A sword protruded from his chest.
With a sickening squelch, the sword was withdrawn, and the soldier collapsed.
Covered in blood, Philbert stared at the soldier who had saved him, who shouted urgently.
“Your Highness! Why are you here? You must esca—!”
Thud!
“Argh!”
The soldier gaped at the blade that had pierced through his abdomen.
“Ahhh!”
With a final battle cry, he spun around and swung his sword.
Slice!
A helmet, still containing a head, flew into the air.
Watching the scene unfold, Philbert thought to himself,
“This can’t be real…!”