Chapter 215 Holy War (3)

A huge vacant lot formed where the royal palace had disappeared. The staff who worked inside the royal palace stood there in confusion. Looking down indifferently, Yoon-seok called out to the one hiding nearby.

“Come out now.”

“Greetings, Blood Lord.”

Rein Carvette, the 16th Commander of the Bloodseeker Sect. He appeared immediately at Yoon-seok’s words and prostrated. The light of respect glowed deeper in his eyes.

Yoon-seok asked him.

“Did something happen to the child?”

Although he did beat around the bush, he meant to ask why he was here. But did it sound a little different to his ears?

“If I couldn’t complete your first command, how would I dare to live and stand in front of Blood Lord?”

He banged his head against the ground.

‘Seriously, what do they take me for?’

Yoon-seok sighed and stopped him for now.

“Stop.”

“Roger.”

“Anyway, if there’s no problem, why did you come back?”

“It’s to take the children left behind according to your will.”

In short, the numerous remaining slaves in the city weighed on his mind, and he thought Yoon-seok, the Sect Leader, also wanted to save them, so he returned. Yoon-seok smiled wryly.

‘What the heck? Why are they so nice?’

This was no different from the demons of Heavenly Demon Cult, but their beliefs and way of doing things made it seem like a volunteer organization. However, on that topic, their actions were way more passionate than the Heavenly Demon Cult.

“I was ashamed, but I realized that I could not follow the Blood Lord’s will alone. So I asked the headquarters for support.”

“If you’re asking for support, how many..?”

“A total of 3,194 members, except for the believers who are in trials and cannot be contacted. Everyone is prepared to give their lives for this Holy War.”

“..”

Yoon-seok was speechless. Aside from mobilizing all their power, it was more than 3,000 people? He should’ve seen it coming when he introduced himself as 16th commander or something, but he didn’t expect the scale to be this large.

“..Did I perhaps misunderstand your words?”

Looking at Yoon-seok standing there stiff, Carvette asked carefully. He looked like he was about to bite his tongue and commit suicide right then and there.

“..No. You got it right, so please raise yourself.”

Yoon-seok was a little reluctant, but.. he was worried about the slaves in this city, so it was perfect now that someone was here to take responsibility for them.

“It’s the item you wanted.”

As time went by, Duke Carpaine returned with a portrait frame. However, even though Yoon-seok held the picture, the wave did not activate.

‘It’s not like he brought something else on purpose, but what’s happening?’

After checking with Eyes of Truth, he confirmed Duke Carpaine didn’t have any schemes. Well, belief and truth weren’t always the same, so that he may have mistakenly brought something else, but that wasn’t possible.

Elizabeth Lorwen. Elle’s full name was written on the back of the painting after he took out the frame to check.

‘It is indeed Gerssey’s relic, but are there no memories of this? Or simply because it’s worn out?’

Worried, Yoon-seok stored the painting he received in his subspace bag. The painting was discolored and weathered, making it difficult to know what was drawn. Maybe something would come to mind after he resolved this.

‘Well, if I tell Ashton, he’ll find it soon.’

He didn’t know whether a restoration ability existed, but Yoon-seok knew Ashton would find a way. It was time to move to the next step.

“Who’s the second highest after the king dies?”

“I-is he dead....?”

“Yes. So what’s the answer?”

Duke Carpaine, surprised to hear about the king’s death, thought hard.

“The Queen died after being caught fooling around with the finance minister, and the other princes were also ruined, saying that they may not be his child. The only prince who was recognized desired one of the king’s concubines and was killed two years ago...”

“I’m not curious about that, so just get to the point.”

“..There is no next-in-line. Anyone can take command as long as they step forward first. Especially if external enemies invade the country.”

In other words, with capability, anyone could become the most powerful person in the kingdom, even if it was temporary.

“That’s great.”

“What?”

“You try it.”

“Thank you! I’ll continue to work hard to be of help!”

At Yoon-seok’s words, Duke Carpaine expressed his indescribable joy through his expression. It looked like he misunderstood.

‘..Does he think he can keep the No. 2 spot?’

If so, then Yoon-seok couldn’t help but laugh. Yoon-seok had no plans to let him swallow the whole country under his rule. However, for efficient work, he decided to let his false hopes be left alone for a moment.

“My slave! It’s mine! How dare you take this away from me!”

Since then, Yoon-seok put Duke Carpaine in charge and gathered all the slaves in one place. Of course, some refused or secretly tried to hide their slaves. Many people didn’t acknowledge Duke Carpaine’s rule, although they dominated the capital instantly.

However, they were caught by the Bloodseeker Sect followers who arrived in the city one after another until the number of slaves gathered was about 12,000.

“Take them and leave. And if possible, please help them live a new life. I’ll be right back.”

“Roger. I will take responsibility and let all of them receive a new life!”

With Jang-Il leading them, 3,000 Bloodseeker followers left the city with the slaves on the second day. Yoon-seok and Duke Carpaine watched the procession atop the wall, and when they moved from out of sight-

“What’s our plan..?”

Duke Carpaine bowed deeply to Yoon-seok.

“It was said that the nobles who heard of the king’s death are protesting against the fallen princes.”

In other words, it meant that they had to move fast to conquer the kingdom. But, Yoon-seok replied flatly.

“So what?”

“..What do you mean?”

Duke Carpaine was baffled. It was funny. Yoon-seok hadn’t said anything yet, but he was disappointed when it was not what he expected.

“Tsk, tsk, tsk. How foolish humans can be.”

Asnat, standing next to him, sneered. Although it was surprising, he could still underestimate humans even after being treated like this..

‘Ah, I’m not a human anymore.’

For some reason, Yoon-seok felt angry. Even though Yoon-seok didn’t ask him to do it, Asura punched Asnat.

Punch!

He was too lazy to do it himself, so Asura was in charge of Asnat now. However, after getting hit so many times every day, maybe he gained resistance. Asnat did not give in and continued to condescend while looking at the duke.

“Do you think human power is meaningful to people like us?”

It was a little annoying that he referred to them as we, but he wasn’t wrong.

“B-but Asnat..”

“He spared you guys because you were convenient.”

“Then..”

“Don’t expect anything. If he were a person who only wanted to do things the easy way, he wouldn’t have been doing this here.”

Asnat. Who was he? He spoke like he knew everything about Yoon-seok. Well, he couldn’t refute because everything Asnat said was right.

Punch-!

The WP acquired was less than expected, but he obtained Gerssey’s relic and freed the slaves. Now, what he had to do here was over.

「 To Lady’s Commandment, the registration list of b Death God} increases.」

The black magic radiating from Yoon-seok covered the ramparts. It was daytime, but the sun was covered, making it as dark as night.

「81,084 people in total are registered on the list.」

Yoon-seok registered all the remaining people in the city on the list. He already sent out the people with low or no bad deeds out along with the slaves, so there was no reason for hesitation. Asnat looked amused.

“I didn’t expect you to kill everyone. It seems like I can’t figure you out.” historical

Asnat stared at him like he was looking at some incomprehensible species. Well, that was probably good. Ever since he promised to walk on the Demon Path, he never hoped anyone understood him.

“..P-please! Save me!”

As if he’d figured out what Yoon-seok was trying to do, Duke Carpaine began to tremble. It was ironic he desired so much power and yet begged for his life at this moment.

“I-I’m regretting it. Sincerely!”

Yoon-seok didn’t doubt his sincerity since everyone was like that in front of him. They always regretted it instead of reflecting. He wouldn’t have done that if he knew this would happen.

“I’ll live like a new person in the future. So please..”

A plea to forgive him for his past mistakes. However, Yoon-seok’s eyes were cold as ever. Mistakes could only be claimed when water was accidentally spilled; these sins could never be washed away.

That didn’t mean that people don’t change. An individual’s behavior, way of thinking, and nature can all change. However, it couldn’t be tolerated.

Yoon-seok sincerely thought so.

‘Demonify.’

Yoon-seok grabbed Asnat’s neck with one hand, and he soared above the dark city. He looked down at the screaming duke left behind on the wall and the citizens who came out into the streets as magic surrounded the city.

“..”

They each felt guilt. Because they were born and raised that way, it must’ve been nothing but a daily routine for them. There must be many who felt wronged. They weren’t aware, but wasn’t that a deadly sin? What sin did those who died for their entertainment, who had to suffer, commit?

Crackkkkkkkkkkk-!

Yoon-seok, looking down at the city for a while, slowly clenched his fist. Panthenium, the capital of the Demon Kingdom Geronian, completely disappeared from the Seheranbad continent.

「You killed civilians of a different dimension.」

「Acquired 810,840 in total.」

A tiny amount of WP and approximately 810,000 AP. Asura’s stats also rose steadily.

Yoon-seok, who was reading the emerging notifications beyond the destruction, realized belatedly. He didn’t know when, but his left hand, holding Asnat’s nape, felt empty.

“Ah..”

How did he run away? The answer was simple. When Lady’s Commandment, which prohibited dimensional shifts, had disappeared, he ran away without looking back. Suddenly, Yoon-seok smirked.

“What an eyesore.”

Yoon-seok quickly opened the list and found his name. He pressed it without hesitation.

「Move to the target’s back registered in the list.」

「The unavoidable characteristic is given to the first blow.」

Where he arrived was not the waiting room but a dreary old castle made of stone. But were his stats sealed?

He still hadn’t sensed his arrival and was laughing.

“Pffthahahaha! Bahahahaha!”

Asnat’s laughter was contagious. For some reason, the corners of Yoon-seok’s mouth had risen.

“I want to see what kind of expression he’s making right now! Puhahaha!”

“Do you want to see?”

“Pfft, Ba-ha! Pff..?”

Asnat froze. It looked like the comment that he wanted to see him was just lip service.