Chapter 358 – 102. The Beginning of the Raid (4)
The warehouse outside the imperial palace where the party first started. And Paekhwagung, the building where the central palace is located, came to a stop in the middle.
“The authors are obviously members of the Royal Guard, so how could they be with the magic beasts…”
The group hid in the blind spot of a nearby building and looked around. As Lyles said, a knight in the uniform of the Royal Guard was guarding the surroundings with the Witchbeast.
I told him
“As you know, Witch Beasts are not cute pets. If a Witchbeast full of murderous intent against humans is listening to human commands like that, then that knight has only one identity.”
At my words, the knights’ expressions became heavy.
“Then, are they not humans, but demons?”
I nodded. And soon the knights’ faces were filled with anger.
“How could you, as a member of the Royal Guard, submit to the filthy demons and demon powers!”
Like Lyles said. Mahonin is known as a corrupted being whose mind is broken due to the terrible fear of the demonic beast and the demonic power.
‘But that’s only part of being a married man.’
Humans do not turn into demons only with that fear.
Chloe’s father, Gerard de Aitern. When the Marquis of Gerard gave the name of Knoia, he explained in more detail the conditions for a human to turn into a Marquis.
– It’s not just fear. In other words, it is like awe of God. Awe is a mixture of longing and fear.
In other words, a huge power called demon power. Those who accepted that power as if it were divine power were the Maron people.
‘Perhaps that’s the case with Duke Pedro.’
Duke Pedro started another rebellion in the south. And according to Gerard, Duke Pedro was already carrying out the propagation of a new religion, not the existing Jedinism, behind the scenes.
And the god of that new religion is, of course, Knoia.
‘The power of a god is made stronger by the humans who follow that god. So it could be more difficult to deal with Pedro in the future.’
And even if you don’t follow Knoia, just by fearing its existence, Knoia’s power will become stronger.
Knoia is an existence of chaos. The chaos in Ireland is delicious food for that fake god.
And at the center of the chaos, Duke Pedro will rise as the emperor of the southern empire and the pope who praises Knoia.
‘But that’s troublesome.’
Island has only one owner. There is only one person who can claim the position of emperor. Of course, that position is also a position that I will occupy in the future.
So, I have absolutely no intention of handing over the position to Pedro.
But for now, it’s time to put aside the thought of Knoia’s follower. The problem is to solve the problem in front of you.
I answered Lyles.
“Through Rosette’s vision, I checked all the roads leading to the White Flower Palace. Also, the guards guarding the palace seem to have all become Maronites.”
“Such nonsense! Demon souls are no different from high-ranking demons by their very existence!”
Lyles was right. When you become a demon soul, the Awakener’s mana heart changes like a demon soul stone.
‘With that effect alone, the mana heart will rise to the 1st rank.’
No matter how many knights of the royal guard attached to Grius, they had the minimum level of skill as knights.
If the hierarchy of such people had risen a notch.
In a situation where the number of the party is as small as it is now, the difficulty of breaking through their borders and reaching the White Flower Palace becomes much more difficult.
‘It also seems to have been much stronger than a normal Marjoram.’
Intense demon power is spreading from the White Flower Palace. As if the Demon Beasts were strengthened near the Keiatic Gate.
It seems that the current Baekhwagung serves as a relay for the Keiatic Gate. And there are more guard knights who are wary of the guards more than expected.
‘The battlefield is probably left to the Byrea mercenaries.’
I also feel that now is the right time. Baekhwagung, if something is happening in the central palace. If we don’t stop now, things will get worse in the future.
I answered Lyles.
“The situation at Baekhwagung, confirmed through the rosette, is no different from an impregnable fortress. Even around it.”
At that, the knights gripped their swords tightly in their hands. Like I said. Right now, there was no way to safely break through to the central battle.
It seems that they are also determined.
“Then we will give our lives here. If that Grius is left unattended, this imperial capital will fall into further chaos. I will break through the road to the White House head-on and open the road for the Count from now on…”
“No. You don’t have to.”
“That means…”
The knights were silent for a moment. Maybe he misunderstood my words. Lyles said with a grim expression.
“You may not believe in our skills. But somehow, we will definitely pave the way!”
“That’s not what I meant. If I didn’t believe in the sutras, I wouldn’t have come here with you. So, I will decide where the Lords will lay down their lives.”
The knights’ expressions changed once again.
“If you’re going to give your life…”
“At least not here. Even simply by looking at the numbers, they were outnumbered by more than 5 to 1. Besides, since it is in the middle of enemy lines, it is meaningless to make a charge that cannot decapitate Grius.”
“But with the guidance of that person named Rosette, we looked at all the routes. Enemies are possible either way. If we could fly like Rosette, there would be a way, but that’s not possible…”
“No. That’s right. Then we will fly away like rosettes.”
At that, all the knights looked at me with puzzled expressions.
“Wow, what are you talking about? We are not witches, so we cannot fly!”
“I am serious. Because it is possible.”
And I explained the plan to them.
***
The party was hiding in the courtyard behind an imperial building not far from Baekhwagung. Everyone was ready to move according to Yulian’s plan.
It was early in the morning after entering the underground sewer late at night and entering the middle of the imperial palace. And behind this building, the number of guards was at least small. It was the best condition for the party.
“I think those knights are quite surprised.”
Rosette nodded at Lucia’s words. It seems that Rosette was also taken aback by Yulian’s words a moment ago. The reaction of the knights was natural.
“It’s natural for a witch like me to fly. It is not common sense to them.”
At those words, Lucia was proud inside. The knights still did not know everything about Yulian’s true value.
That Yulian wasn’t just good at swordsmanship. His hidden lineage, aside from that of the Demon Dragon.
He was a cadet who was proficient in all of the 6 disciplines taught at Pantheon Academy.
‘Is Julian-nim good at alchemy?’
Lucia, who knew that fact, also said.
“It doesn’t really fly, though. Entering the rooftop through the back wall of the imperial palace like this would be like flying.”
At the same time, Julian shouted.
“There are fewer troops guarding the back of this building than Baekhwagung. Hurry in.”
“All right!”
At Yulian’s words, the knights rushed out all at once. They hurriedly cut the throats of the Royal Guard knights in front.
The elite of the resistance army. Like the 5 High Knights, their swords were very swift and sharp. Lucia was also surprised by their swordsmanship.
‘It’s true that Julian-nim’s sword is superior. They are not lacking either.’
But even Lucia had no time to relax. She had to deal with the magic beasts with the royal knight who had become a horse marriage.
After a brief battle, the enemies behind the building were cleared.
“As Rosette understood, the border on this side is the most sloppy. However, if you wait, the volunteers may flock to your side. I will hurry up and enter the rooftop.”
At the same time as he said that, Yulian quickly attached himself to the wall of the building. He called out to his companions.
“I will quickly denature the wall. Grab that bump and hurry up to the roof.”
Yulian’s hand shone with mana radiation. At the same time, the shape of the outer wall of the building changed.
For mana awakeners like knights, climbing the outer wall of a building is not a chore.
The imperial palace was designed in such a way that it was impossible to secretly climb the walls in order to prevent such impure outsiders from entering. In other words, it was the same structure as the outer wall of a prison.
‘But if it’s Julian-nim’s alchemy. I can transform so that the knights can climb to the rooftop.’
A straight outer wall with no place to hold anything with your hands. Knob-like protrusions quickly formed on the outer wall.
Although Rosette and Lucia knew about Yulian’s alchemy. The knights, who had no way of knowing that fact, were frightened.
“You are really using alchemy as planned. This building is over 8 stories high, and alchemy enough to transform the entire wide wall…”
“Really… That’s nonsense. I’ve never seen a swordsman use alchemy so skillfully.”
After that, it wasn’t difficult at all. As if the knights were flying, they climbed the wall and reached the rooftop.
And if the knights could. Lucia could too. Suddenly, everyone else climbed, and only two remained.
Come to think of it, the order in which you climb actually doesn’t matter. Yulian posted the other articles first. Rosette then flew up to the rooftop with her magic wand.
‘Did he think of the knights’ pride?’
When you’re lost in thought for a moment like that. Yulian spoke as if he had read Lucia’s heart.
“Actually, I don’t want other men to see inside your skirt. I sent them up first.”
Lucia was taken aback by Julian’s words. As he said, Lucia’s outfit was the Pantheon’s battle regalia. The bottom is a skirt.
If Lucia went up first, the knights might see it. Of course, those proud knights didn’t have to commit such impure things. Lucia inadvertently made him blush.
‘Yulian-sama… You took care of me.’
But at the word panties. Inadvertently, he became conscious of Yulian. Julian continued to speak.
“Then let’s go upstairs. If you go up first, I will follow.”
“Yeah? Uh, then my panties… Oops!”
I inadvertently made a mistake at Yulian’s words. Then Julian said playfully.
“So rather good. Because I want to be the only one lucky enough to see your panties.”
“That… If you say so…”
“It is a joke. If you leave the bumps on the wall like this, the pursuers can climb up the wall like us. I have to climb back up the wall with alchemy. Let’s hurry up.”
“Yes, four!”
It was a joke too. The Julian he fell for was different from other men who were sloppy and dark inside. I’m not a pervert who would leisurely peek at a woman’s panties in an emergency like this.
‘You must have been joking to ease my tension.’
Lucia hurriedly climbed the wall. It’s actually a very urgent situation. I kept getting conscious of Yulian’s words.
She with her male avoidance. Although if she were other men she would feel bad just looking at herself. Because Julian is different.
‘But Yu. If it’s Yulian-sama, it might be okay to show her panties.’
And then, suddenly, someone called.
[Miss Lucia. Be careful. If you’re that pervert Julian, you’re sure to be curious about what’s inside Lucia-san’s skirt.]
Although she was startled by those words that suddenly walked inside. Not for the first time, Lucia answered calmly.
[Yulian is not that pervert. And… I… There’s no way you’ll be curious about my panties.]
[But. If it were me, Julian, I would say it openly. Tell Lucia to take off her skirt. Isn’t that so?]
At those words, Lucia was taken aback for a moment. The one who spoke to her was Yulian’s sword. Siertia.
Surprisingly, Siertia, an ego sword, was able to talk to people other than her master.
[And I, Julian, pretended nothing was wrong, but I think I am proud of being praised by those knights as a very excellent holy sword. Then, as my master, it is also your duty to preach my beauty directly to the knights…]
Not only that, but unlike the famous holy sword, he was a huge talker.
Even as if Julian had become his lover. Siertia continued to talk obscenities beyond imagination to Lucia and Rosette.
I don’t think I should have such thoughts with the Holy Sword. To Lucia, Erti was like a woman who had gone a little insane.
‘What am I thinking? Still, Siertia, Erti-sama is Jedin-sama’s holy sword.’
Lucia ignored Erti’s words and hurried up to her rooftop. After all, the guards were not even on the roof.
Yulian hurriedly shouted to his party.
“Fortunately, the buildings around the Paekhwa Palace are not too far apart. I will climb over the roof and enter the roof of the Baekhwa Palace.”
“Yeah! All right!”
The knights responded energetically.
And Lucia was feeling it. That the knights were following Yulian’s orders wholeheartedly.
‘I’m glad… That other people recognize Yulian-nim’s true value.’
Because they are so talented that even Lucia can recognize her skills right away. That feeling for a while.
The party finally jumped over the roof of the building and entered the roof of the Baekhwagung.
