CH 447

-Boom! Crash! Bang!

A meteor shattered in the sky above the temple, creating a massive shockwave. Antirianus watched from a distance.

It was the middle of the day.

However, as if the sky had shattered like a mirror, meteors poured from the dark, empty cracks in the sky, falling towards the temple and breaking apart.

"Truly, a beautiful display of power..."

-Bang! Crash! Kaboom!

The activated barrier around the temple was so strong and thick that it could withstand meteors capable of reducing a small village to ashes.

Indeed, it was fitting to call this the second safest place on human land.

-Kyaaaaak!

-Gwoooooar!

-Kyaaaaak!

-Uaaaaaaah!

Antirianus gazed upon the countless monsters pouring out of the warp gate, which now emanated a fiery red glow instead of its usual blue.

These monsters of different shapes were killing people.

Imaginary dimensions.

A phenomenon where poorly created life forms from non-existent dimensions struggle to exist in the existing world.

The worst disaster created by an imperfect Akasha.

Destruction begins.

"It's more than I imagined..."

Although he had high expectations, Antirianus seemed satisfied, watching the spectacle unfold.

-Kwoong!

Antirianus admired the magnificent sight of the falling meteors colliding with the temple.

—---

Silence still enveloped the Grand Library.

The Demon King had foreseen the disaster, but it had already begun.

However, the Demon King revealed the solution to the ongoing calamity, telling them how to resolve it.

"This disaster isn't limited to the Empire; it's happening all across the continent."

"The larger the gate, the more dangerous the monsters that come out. So, destroying the giant warp gates should be our priority."

"As you all know, the Empire has the highest number of warp gates on the continent."

"As time passes, more people will die if we don't act quickly."

"It's better to abandon small and medium-sized villages and outposts without proper troops or weapons, as they will face hordes of monsters even if they're not particularly strong."

"Most countries will lose their functionality, and only powerful states like the Empire and Kernstadt, along with their capitals and strategic cities, will continue to function."

"Once safety is ensured in those places, we need to deal with the remaining gates one by one. That's how we'll resolve this situation."

"We must act quickly."

"Every minute we delay now could set humanity's reconstruction back by a year, or even a decade."

The Demon King did not blame the humans who caused this situation.

The damage was already done.

The elite forces of the Empire were gathered here.

The Empire had the most warp gates on the continent.

If they didn't act quickly, the scale of the disaster would turn the Empire to ashes. Meteors were pouring down to destroy the temple.

Everyone listened to the Demon King's words, looking pale.

If the Demon King had planned this to destroy humanity, he wouldn't have shared this information.

The truth of his words would be proven by destroying the warp gates.

The disaster had begun.

The scale of the damage would only grow as time passed, with no known cause or reason for the calamity.

Or could it be that the Demon King shared this information knowing that destruction was inevitable?

No, there was no reason for that.

If the Empire believed that this situation was only happening within their borders, they would face a world reduced to ashes in the future.

In a situation where all the warp gates had become inoperative, communication proved difficult.

There was no need to point out that humanity would suffer even greater damage as time went on, or that this catastrophe affected the entire continent.

Everyone present had a gut feeling.

Although the Demon King's minions may have orchestrated this, the Demon King himself probably did not want to welcome such a situation.

That is why he might be offering a solution to humanity.

The Emperor pondered this.

Even if nothing else could be trusted, they had to believe the Demon King's words about the disaster that had already occurred.

If the Demon King truly had humanity's best interests at heart, they could not kill him. He might know something else that they were not aware of.

However, they could not simply let him go either.

It was certain that something would happen, but if the Imperial Capital collapsed, the empire would come to an end.

In a situation where a catastrophe threatening the entire continent was suspected, the forces that could be allocated to the Demon King were limited.

"Turner, stay in position with the first unit."

"Yes, Your Majesty."

"Shanafel, all remaining forces, except the first unit, and the Royal Mage Corps, follow me."

The problem of the Demon King was indeed an issue, but right now, the Imperial Capital might evaporate at any moment.

If their elite forces were to stand by here to monitor the Demon King, the Empire might vanish without a trace.

In the blink of an eye, the troops withdrew like a receding tide. The Emperor and Bertus left their positions.

Olivia Lanze looked at the High Priests of the Five Holy Religions with a determined expression.

"We need to address this situation as well. High Priests and commanders, please respond quickly to this crisis."

Although Olivia spoke with a stern face, all the High Priests, and even the Holy Knight, knew what she intended.

They had seen her serious expression, but also noticed the subtle twitch of her lips.

It seemed they could guess what the woman was thinking in this astonishing situation.

But like the Emperor, they had no choice but to leave. They couldn't just stand by and watch the situation unfold.

The Imperial Capital needed the strength of the knights, priests, and High Priests.

They had to do something before the damage spread any further.

"Let's go."

The knights and the High Priests of the Five Holy Religions left their positions.

Only the Holy Knight Commander, including Eleion Bolton, and the direct force he led, remained in place.

In an instant, there were very few people left.

Scarlett and Saviolin Turner stood right next to Reinhardt.

Olivia Lanze.

Ellen Artorius.

However, in a situation where they didn't know what might happen to the Demon King's safety, both Shanafel's elite forces and Eleion Bolton remained on guard.

Despite the circumstances, they were well-prepared for any sudden attacks or unexpected situations.

Even if Olivia Lanze made an unexpected move, they were more than capable of handling it.

Of course, that was assuming Olivia Lanze was the only one who would make such a move.

Silence passed as time went on.

In the midst of a situation where meteors fell on the temple and monsters appeared on the Imperial Capital.

They endured the anxious time, bearing only the duty to monitor the Demon King.

While Olivia observed the situation with an inscrutable expression, Ellen bit her lips and kept a watchful eye.

Saviolin Turner stubbornly stood by Reinhardt's side, refusing to leave.

Bang!

Suddenly, the entrance door burst open like an explosion, and the soldiers guarding the outside poured in.

All of them were dead, bearing deep sword wounds.

And a middle-aged man with a stark expression entered.

"Epinhauser...?"

Saviolin Turner, as if unable to believe it, stared at Epinhauser, who walked in slowly with a sword in hand.

Then.

-Whoosh

As if they had always been there, water vapors gathered in the air, and this time, a silver-haired girl appeared from the opposite side.

"Who is she...?"

"!"

The silver-haired girl, a first-year in the Royal class.

Olivia and Ellen could not help but widen their eyes at the sudden appearance of the girl.

Strangely enough.

The girl, who had been friendly with Reinhardt as soon as she entered, suddenly raised both hands to the sky.

-Crash!

In an instant, numerous ice spears hanging from the ceiling stabbed into the ground, blocking the path so that no one could move.

"What is... happening...!"

That wasn't all.

Scarlett, who had been beside Reinhardt, suddenly picked up the chair he had been tied to and threw it towards Epinhauser.

The Demon King's eyes widened as the chair flew.

"Sarke... gaar...?"

The red-haired girl spoke in an alien voice.

"Your Highness, you must survive."

Meeting the eyes of Scarlett, who was and was not herself, Reinhardt clenched his teeth.

-Snap!

"Ugh!"

Epinhauser grabbed the chair the Demon King was tied to and set it down, then swung his sword several times to break the restraints, and crushed the handcuffs with his bare hands.

"Professor...?"

Reinhardt looked at him incredulously.

"We don't have much time to talk."

Epinhauser, still with a stark expression and not showing a hint of approval, handed over the Flame of Tuesday, which he had somehow retrieved.

In Epinhauser's hand, the silver sword was ablaze with blue magic.

Swordmaster Epinhauser spoke.

"Go, Reinhardt."

-Bang! Crash! Clang!

"Could it be the Order...?"

"It has nothing to do with the Order."

Epinhauser merely stood in front of Reinhardt and said that.

It had nothing to do with the Order.

Reinhardt was even more shocked by Epinhauser's words. Epinhauser did not add any more, as it was not in his nature to make teasing remarks.

Lucinil was already in the midst of fending off the attacks of the magicians and knights who were attacking her.

Turner could not understand the situation, but was already charging toward Epinhauser.

-Bang!

However, Turner's charge was stopped by someone else's charge before it could reach Epinhauser, and she tumbled to the ground.

"Loyar...?"

A white-haired woman in tattered clothing, who had somehow been freed, looked at the Demon King and spoke.

"Your Highness."

-Groan

"Right now, you must focus on surviving."

Seeing Loyar transform into a white wolf, the Demon King clenched his teeth.

Shanafel's First Unit.

The Holy Knight Commander and his direct subordinates.

They were still outnumbered.

Whether the Demon King intended this disaster or not, if the disaster was indeed planned by the Demon King's subordinates, this situation was bound to happen.

At this point, it's not a matter of judging whether the Demon King is good or evil.

The empire had no choice but to withdraw its forces.

Hence, the planned rescue operation began.

Saviolin Turner could not let the Demon King escape.

Had not the Emperor left the strongest of mankind here in case something happened?

The knights of Shanafel, bound by their duty, must fulfill their obligations.

She carries out the command.

"Do not let the Demon King escape!"

At Turner's shout, they all begin to move.

But behind Reinhardt, Ephinhauser and Lycansloth block their path.

The Demon King struggles to his feet.

His chains are broken.

He witnesses Sarkegaar, who flies around and attacks the mages while freely changing his appearance; Lucinil, who materializes out of steam and attacks the surroundings with magic; and Loyar and Ephinhauser, who block the charging knights.

With a determined expression, Olivia seems to know what she needs to do.

Thud!

Olivia Lanze, who steps forward, runs like the wind toward Reinhardt.

Soon, Olivia Lanze catches up with Reinhardt, grabs his arm, and they escape together.

Ellen Artorius watches the unfolding disaster, chaos, and the Demon King's escape without taking any side, observing silently.

—---

[Achievement Unlocked: 'Completion of Causality']

[You gain 50,000 achievement points.]

[Perk 'Status Purchase' is now active.]

[From now on, you can exchange 5,000 achievement points for one status point.]

"Run. Run, Reinhardt. You must run."

Olivia holds my hand and runs.

There's no time to waste.

Screaming that she doesn't have to do this to save me is pointless.

I thought dying was the best option.

I thought preventing these events by sacrificing my life was the best choice.

But I didn't die.

In the midst of doubt and suspicion, people either didn't or couldn't kill me.

My life was prolonged, albeit clumsily, due to people who had doubted and felt betrayed by me, as much as those who tried to believe in me, and eventually, this incident had occurred.

I had tried to resolve something by dying, but ultimately, I failed to resolve it.

That's why this happened.

I won't consider dying, even if it's all my responsibility in this despair.

I tried to prevent the worst situation with my death.

I tried to accomplish something through death.

But, I couldn't die when I needed to.

Now, there's nothing to be achieved through death.

So, I won't force myself to crave death.

I have to live.

To live.

I don't know what I have to do to live.

But.

With the lives I've exchanged for countless deaths.

With the lives that will be forcibly exchanged with countless other lives.

I can't easily give up.

I can't make countless lives, dying worthless deaths, futile because of me.

I can't make the lives that will die because of me meaningless.

Even if I feel wronged, angry, or sad about the situation I'm in.

I can't die.

I have to live and find what I can do.

I can't wallow in despair, blaming myself for being useless, and believing I shouldn't exist.

I felt that way just moments ago, but I can't anymore.

The scene I saw was beyond anything I could have imagined even when I thought of hell.

-Krururung

There was a crack in the barrier surrounding the temple, and through that crack, meteors poured out and collided with the ground.

Above the sky beyond the temple, unidentified flying beasts spewed crimson flames and horrifyingly white frost.

The catastrophe happening was on a different level from the attack on the Rajeurn by the Demon God Cult.

Is the world coming to an end?

The Gate incident occurred earlier than originally planned.

There's no point in regrets, like nothing would have happened if I had just stayed put.

I have to move forward.

I may not know what to do when I get there, but.

For now, I have to live.

I run with Olivia.

Who will die and who will survive in the unfolding battle?

The knights of Shanafel follow me. My body has been worn down due to the lengthy imprisonment, but I must do what I can.

The concept of buying status with achievement points.

The most important ability is magic power.

The higher the magic power, the more it enhances my overall physical abilities.

In other words, increasing magic power alone has the added effect of raising other overall physical abilities. Therefore, magic power is the most efficient and superior status.

I invest achievement points into magic power.

In an instant, my magic power rises by about 10, jumping from A-rank to S-rank.

This is already on par with a formidable Archmage.

I could invest more points and become a monster with magic power surpassing Saviolin Turner, but I'll hold off for now.

If this happens, will I hear them say that this filthy demon king was hiding his power too?

There's no time for that.

In an instant, my tremendously increased magic power, along with Magic Body Strengthening, breathes life into my weary body. My physical abilities may have diminished due to malnourishment, but my magic power isn't damaged.

I have to leave the temple.

I don't know what I have to do once I'm out, but I have to leave.

But no matter how much my magic power has increased, the ones following me are the Swordmasters of Shanafel's knights.

They will catch up to me soon.

I don't know if I can win even if I fight, but if I'm being attacked, even if I use Alsbringer, I'm outnumbered. The same goes for fighting alongside Olivia.

Is this how I'll be caught and killed?

Just like this?

Will all the sacrifices become meaningless?

As I ran ahead,

In the streets of the temple that had become a battleground,

Someone stood, as if blocking my path.

-Fzzt! Fzzt! Vrrrrrr!

"Who is that…?"

"Liana…"

Liana de Grantz was glaring at me, blue sparks flying from her entire body.

Yes.

Now that she knows I'm the Demon King, she cannot forgive me.

I was actually wondering why she hadn't appeared sooner.

Blocking my path like this, Liana sought to kill me; it felt like a predetermined sequence.

Lightning is instantaneous.

Evading it is nearly impossible.

Furthermore, Liana's lightning, at its peak power, is inescapable. Even if I somehow endure it with my Magic Body Strengthening defense, I'll be caught by the pursuing Shanafel knights.

Death or capture.

I cannot escape her lightning.

Just as I was about to halt my desperate sprint,

A brilliant blue flash, laden with fierce currents, was launched from Liana's outstretched hand.

-Kaboom! Kwoooom!

Overwhelmed by the shockwave that tore through the air, Olivia and I were left speechless.

The lightning bolt grazed my cheek and passed by.

It wasn't aimed at me.

-Agh!

-Arggh!

It targeted the Shanafel knights chasing after me.

We could only stare blankly at the knights hit by the lightning, flung away or trembling in place.

"What are you doing, you idiot?! Hurry up and come this way?!"

Liana, her face twisted with rage, shouted.

Ah.

Could it be?

Did she know all along?

Since when?

How?

As Olivia and I approached, Liana began to gather lightning without a word.

-Vrrr! Vrrr! Vrrrrrr!

Dozens of sparks flashed in the air, then, in an instant, a lightning bolt as powerful as a thunderstorm struck not only the fallen knights but also swept through their surroundings.

-Kwoooom!

The struck trees exploded, and bricks from the ground burst apart, revealing a scene of devastation.

The intense lightning, at its peak, not only destroyed objects but relentlessly struck the fallen knights as well.

The ferocious lightning, uncontrolled due to her anger and radiating in all directions, said it all.

Liana knew everything.