If a single apostle had shown up, Konstantin’s nerves would have been on edge, his mind racing with strategies for an immediate response.
Had there been two, he would have already been calculating the quickest escape routes, ready to grab Yuffie and dash at a moment’s notice.
But facing three, four, or even all seven apostles simultaneously, Konstantin found himself surprisingly calm, even indulging in an attempt at humor with Princess Yuffie by his side. The gravity of their situation somehow seemed less dire with the full assembly of his adversaries before him, perhaps because the predictability of their presence provided a strange comfort.
Yuffie spoke up, recalling their conversation from the previous evening. “I remember what you said last night, that the demons wouldn’t trouble themselves over a place as inconsequential as Ilinor. You said that, should they choose to strike, it would be the Empire facing their wrath.”
“Indeed, Your Highness. Hence, unless the holy sword remains unresponsive to you, I am inclined to entertain the possibility that you might indeed be the chosen one for this era.”
“The chosen one?”
“Yes. A thousand years ago, such a person was also called a Hero. Your Highness, you must understand, they are the demons’ arch-nemesis, the ones they would go to any lengths to eliminate.”
Yuffie could tell what Konstantin was hinting at, and she frowned and asked, “So how many demons are there now?”
“Seven.”
“Seven?”
Noticing the Princess’s puzzled look, as if she couldn’t quite grasp the significance of the number, Konstantin quickly clarified, “Indeed, it’s not a large number. But… Each of them could probably obliterate about a dozen countries like Ilinor.”
Konstantin paused before adding, “It’s not that they can only destroy a dozen, but that after destroying that many, they would probably get bored.”
“How were such demons defeated a thousand years ago?” Yuffie asked, her curiosity piqued.
“Because the Hero of that time destroyed and sealed them all away—the seven, including the other two, and even the Demon King.” As Konstantin stared at the radiant holy sword, his cloudy eyes seemed to recall the proud days of the past.
Konstantin added, “And it was done by the Hero alone.”
Yuffie nodded, beginning to understand.
If she were the Demon King, she would also mobilize all her forces to crush such a threat in its infancy.
Yuffie then walked up to Konstantin and placed her hand on the hilt of the holy sword. However, before she could even get close, a powerful repulsive force pushed against her, almost throwing her off her feet.
“Your Highness, I advise you not to do that. If this is a genuine holy sword, the repulsive force alone could crush you.”
“Could it be that I haven’t yet awakened the power of destiny within me, and that’s why I’m unable to wield the holy sword?” Yuffie pondered, trying to make sense of the demons’ elaborate plot.
“If this is Your Highness’s way of lightening the mood, you’ve succeeded admirably. I know you have many questions, and so do I. Why don’t we just ask him directly?”
Konstantin shook his head as he looked at the scarlet light cluster on the barrier display, which was almost overlapping with their location in the King’s Tower.
“Your Highness and this old friend from the past are indeed exceptionally talented. Your calmness and lightheartedness in the face of danger are truly admirable.”
The figure of the Wisdom Demon slowly materialized at the staircase of the tower.
Leon was dressed in a very formal outfit, looking quite refined and even wearing glasses. Leon was clapping, seemingly full of appreciation.
“Your Highness, there’s no reason for nervousness. Your strategy was impeccable, and we’ve ironed out all potential flaws. The nobility in the grand hall has been dealt with, effectively dissolving the Five Flowers Alliance. Should you wish, you could ascend as the Queen of Ilinor and align with the Demons as early as tonight.”
“In regards to this old acquaintance from a millennium past, we would be more than open to exchanging insights with you. The Demons are always looking for new allies.”
“What I’ve just said is the greatest sincerity I can offer as an apostle, and what I believe to be the best outcome for both of us. I trust and look forward to you both making the right choice and not letting this turn into an unpleasant situation for either of us.”
Upon hearing the Wisdom Demon’s pitch, Konstantin couldn’t help but laugh, his curiosity piqued more than any fear he might have felt.
“The Demons, embracing tolerance now? Is this about turning us into pawns and handing us over to the Wicked Demon? Frankly, Leon, I was under the impression all six apostles had convened for a goal far more significant than Ilinor. To think it was all for such a trivial aim.”
“Has the Demon Race really stooped so low over the past thousand years?”
Leon, far from being provoked by Konstantin’s scorn, simply nodded in agreement. “It’s true, our arrogance was our downfall a millennium ago. Under the leadership of our new demon king, we aim to avoid past mistakes.”
“Also, rest assured that, at least for now, his majesty has no intention of using the power of the Wicked Demons. If you sincerely wish to cooperate with us, his majesty will grant you the autonomy you deserve.”
“Ah, you might manage to deceive this young princess, but as for me, even if my memories from a thousand years back are a bit blurred, my deep-seated instincts remain intact. I’m fond of the hero’s philosophy from back then—’kill without mercy.'”
Seeing that Konstantin remained unfazed, Leon sighed.
‘So, it’s not going to work, is it?’
He made one last attempt. “You should know that the holy sword barrier you’ve cast is fake, and moreover, you can’t even pick up that fake holy sword, right? This barrier holds no threat to me, and your resistance is futile.”
“I’ll echo the hero’s words from back then— How would you know if you don’t try?.”
Konstantin’s invocation of the Hero’s legacy, even after a millennium, underscored the enduring respect and admiration held by every member of the Human Union’s forces, from the highest to the lowest ranks. The Hero’s sayings were collected and revered, serving as both motivation and a battle hymn for the troops.
-‘How would you know if you don’t try?’-
A thousand years ago, in humanity’s darkest hour, the hero had used those very words to rally countless kings and people, reigniting their will to resist. Even now, on the verge of death, Konstantin was determined to carry on the hero’s will! He wouldn’t let the victors of a thousand years ago be tarnished by his actions!
With this resolve, Konstantin stopped talking and focused all his mental energy on manipulating the holy sword barrier.
And it seemed that the barrier was moved by his determination and will.
But… Suddenly the barrier—
Buzz!
The countless sacred incantations within the barrier stirred collectively, spinning at high speed and radiating an even stronger radiant power, causing the entire barrier to shine brilliantly.
But that wasn’t all.
What surprised Konstantin the most was that the holy sword, which served as the eye of the barrier and was embedded in the ground, began to buzz and vibrate, as if trying to free itself from the crack in the floor.
‘What is this?’
‘Is the holy sword trembling?’
As the caster, Konstantin could sense the emotion emanating from the sword—it was excitement, as if it was finally going to be returned to its rightful owner.
‘Could it be that the hero’s spirit in heaven was truly responding to me?!’
Konstantin, filled with excitement, reached out to grasp the holy sword.
But a burst of light erupted from the sword, sending him flying.
Buzz! Buzz! Buzz!
The holy sword’s vibrations increased in frequency, as if it was cheering, trying to shake itself free to welcome someone, to get their attention quickly and be drawn from the ground by them.
‘Could it be that this princess is truly the chosen one of this era?!’
‘Did she awakened her powers at this critical juncture?’
Constant couldn’t think of any other humans present besides the two of them.
At some point, a figure appeared on the top floor of the tower.
No, it would be more accurate to say that it was because of this figure’s arrival that the holy sword and the barrier had reacted so strangely.
It was because of this that Leon had intended to immediately attack Konstantin and disrupt the bizarre holy sword barrier. But as he made out the figure’s appearance, the Wisdom Demon froze in his tracks, forcibly stopping himself.
And so, Reji arrived at the holy sword unimpeded.
Although it wasn’t the true holy sword that he had forged using countless “enhancement stones” to create a “+20” weapon.
But nonetheless, Reji reached out and grasped the hilt of this “Radiance Sword,” a sword that symbolized the end of the night and the arrival of light. It may not have been the strongest among his collection of “holy swords,” but it was undoubtedly the most significant.
With barely any effort, Reji lifted the sword lightly.
At the peak of the King’s Tower, bathed in the night’s shadows, a dazzling light of radiant shone forth, and in this moment, the sacred radiance illuminated the entire royal city.
