“I need to summon the forces from the Demon King’s Castle.”

After several days of deliberation, Clay had finally reached his conclusion.

“Naiad, could I ask you to serve as a courier hawk?”

Naiad tilted her head at his sudden request.

“A courier hawk? I’m not a bird, you know.”

“There isn’t much time left.”

The hesitation had gone on for too long. It was possible everything was unfolding exactly as Tia intended, so he’d exercised caution—but if this was going to be the end result anyway, he should have made up his mind sooner.

“You can get to Barungenia quickly, can’t you?”

“Mm…”

“I know it’ll drain a lot of your energy.”

“…Fine.” Naiad sighed, “You’re asking like that, so how can I refuse? Just tell me what you need delivered.”

“It’s not a complicated message.” Clay answered quietly, “Tell them to leave only a minimal garrison behind and mobilize the entire army.”

“What?” Naiad’s eyes widened, “Even Beatrice?”

“Even Beatrice.”

“You’re preparing for total war?”

“Yes.”

There had been the option to target only part of Krata’s territory. Starving Krata from the outside by surrounding it wasn’t a bad tactic.

“But I intend to strike at Lutan directly.”

That approach might’ve already been anticipated by Lutan.

Even if he never left his own territory, it was still strange that he had made no move to reinforce Marfane or Yaphenon. It was only logical to assume Lutan had a hidden card to flip the situation.

“No matter what strategy Lutan has planned, I’ll crush it with overwhelming force. It might be reckless, but finishing this in one strike may be better.”

“I-Is that really okay?” Naiad’s concern deepened, “Moving so hastily might be dangerous.”

“Danger is part of the plan.”

But Clay no longer wished to let Lutan remain untouched.

“If we want to rebuild the world, we have to bring Lutan down first.”

And—

“I need to confirm what Yelena told me.”

As long as Lutan stayed hidden, there was no way to confirm the most vital information. Sooner or later, he’d have to dive straight into enemy territory.

“Maybe now really is the perfect time.”

The best moment might be when the enemy least expects a full-on assault.

“Naiad, I’m counting on you.”

“…Fine.” Naiad nodded, “I’m worried, but if you’re set on this, I’ll go. Just don’t do anything reckless before the troops arrive.”

She was worried Clay might act prematurely due to the short timeframe.

“I mean it. Don’t go ahead and put yourself in danger.”

“I understand. Thank you.”

When Clay expressed his gratitude, Naiad pouted slightly but then clenched both fists.

Fwaaah—

Her already-blue body began to shine an even deeper shade of blue.

And then, finally, she transformed completely into a glowing blue dot.

“Off I gooo!”

Fwoosh!

With a flash of brilliant light, she vanished.

“She’s gone.”

It was a special teleportation technique only spirits could use—one that drew heavily on their life force. It used heightened resonance with nature to let them traverse space at incredible speed.

The distortion it created required a tremendous amount of energy. It was likely she’d collapse afterward, but Clay had no choice but to ask her anyway.

“Syltanaro.”

『Yes, my Lord.』

Clay spoke to the sword hanging at his hip.

“I’m going to check the Krata border myself.”

『What? But my Lord, you told Naiad you wouldn’t act recklessly.』

“If I didn’t, she might’ve refused to go.”

He had no choice but to reassure her, but if it was to be an all-out war, he couldn’t sit idle.

『But you already sent the Darkmoon Knights to scout the border. Do you still need to go?』

Cardin’s entire Darkmoon Knights were currently deployed. That was why they hadn’t intervened when Tia and Clay fought.

“There’s something I need to see with my own eyes.”

Clay wouldn’t budge.

“Will you come with me?”

『I am your sword, my Lord. Wherever you go, I follow.』

“Good.”

Clay began walking.

“Let’s move out.”

Before Syltanaro could object further, Clay had already slipped outside the castle. He moved silently along the walls and down deserted paths to avoid having to explain himself to Neville or the soldiers.

Rrrrumble…

The weather wasn’t looking good. The sky darkened, and thunder rolled occasionally.

『My Lord, it seems it will rain soon.』

“I assume you’re not going to tell me we should turn back just to avoid getting wet?”

『Of course not.』

“Then don’t worry about the weather.”

Back in the days of the Hero, the weather had never mattered when setting off on a journey. Camping outdoors was a given, and if it rained, they’d take shelter under large leaves.

“….”

Usually, it was Yelena who brought those leaves. She’d return with a massive one and say, “Use this to stay dry,” and the whole party would burst out laughing.

Grit.

Clay clenched his teeth. An inexplicable pain stirred within him, making his chest ache.

“Let’s hurry.”

This time, he simply ran through the rain.

♧

Swoooooosh—

The rain only grew heavier. Even after Clay arrived at the border, it showed no sign of letting up.

‘Was I worried for nothing?’

He had come out to scout personally just in case, but nothing in particular stood out. In fact, the area was so quiet it almost looked like Yaphenon wasn’t even guarding the border.

‘It doesn’t feel like a trap either.’

The atmosphere was so nonchalant that it gave Clay a strange sense of discomfort.

『My Lord, something feels off.』

“Yes, I think so too.”

There was no reason for them to leave things this undefended. Even if they trusted Neville, it was hard to imagine Lutan placing that much faith in him.

Especially since Neville had returned after having been in the Demon King’s grasp. It wouldn’t be odd if Lutan remained suspicious of him.

‘Should I go a bit further?’

Clay pushed onward through the rain. He remained hyper-aware, but there was still nothing to sense. At this level, it really did seem like no defenses had been established.

‘Could he truly believe that taking me down is all that matters?’

Clay was the axis around which everything revolved. From Lutan’s perspective, perhaps removing Clay would solve all his problems.

‘But what if I don’t move?’

Even if only the Demon King’s army moved, any undefended regions near the border would be decimated.

‘Which means…’

There was one more possibility.

‘No way…’

It would mean that Lutan was willing to let Krata fall.

‘That’s absurd.’

Abandoning Krata would be no different than giving up all his power. Clay shook his head at the thought.

“!”

Something was coming.

Clay’s body stiffened as he turned his head.

『My Lord.』

“Yeah… something’s approaching.”

He couldn’t tell what it was. But whatever it was, it carried an enormous amount of divine power.

『Could it be Lutan?』

“No.”

It wasn’t quite at Lutan’s level. Clay furrowed his brow.

‘If it’s not Lutan, but still radiating this much divine power…’

FLASH!

A golden light suddenly appeared.

So bright, it made even the lightning seem faint.

“Who goes there?!”

The soldiers guarding Yaphenon’s border saw the light and shouted.

BOOOOOM!

But only thunder answered. The light itself gave no reply.

“Identify your—”

Slice.

One of the shouting soldiers had his head severed cleanly. The others screamed in horror.

‘That’s—!’

Clay’s eyes widened as he identified the one who had rushed in and struck down the soldier in an instant.

Valruel.

The First Seat of the Guardian Knights, fully armored save for his helmet, wielding a divine weapon.

“Y-You bastard!”

The soldiers, enraged by the death of their comrade, charged—only to be effortlessly cut down by a single gesture from Valruel.

“Aaaahh!”

Those who survived collapsed and scrambled back on the ground in fear.

Without a word, Valruel advanced to finish them.

“Stop.”

Clay appeared and stepped between them.

“Well now.”

Clay stood not far from Valruel, speaking calmly.

“To think the First Seat of the Guardian Knights would show up alone.”

“…”

Valruel remained silent. He simply raised his head and glared at Clay.

“Is that why you didn’t wear a helmet?”

Despite wielding a sacred weapon, Valruel had left his head exposed. It could only mean he had no intention of hiding his identity.

“If you wanted to meet me, you could’ve done so without crossing the border like this.”

“Demon King.”

Valruel finally opened his mouth—his voice slow and seething.

“All of this is your fault.”

His rage was palpable.

“If you had just stayed dead after your execution, none of this would’ve happened!”

“You show up and spew nonsense.” Clay let out a small laugh, “If anyone’s been sacrificed until now, it’s me. I fought the previous Demon King because I was told to. I died because I was told to. Who sacrificed more than I did?”

“You should have stayed dead!”

“Don’t be ridiculous.” Clay spoke softly, but firmly, “If people got hurt, it’s because they drove me into a corner. If people died, it’s because they were the ones who tied me to the execution block. You just chose me as an easy target to blame.”

“Silence!” Valruel raised his sword, “Even if you bore that much pain, there are paths that should never be taken!”

“You mean becoming the Demon King?”

Clay couldn’t help but chuckle.

“Maybe I would’ve considered another path—if you’d offered one.”

“Don’t joke with me!” Valruel charged at him, “I’ll kill you—and slaughter every foul thing clinging to you!”

BOOM!

His downward swing struck where Clay had just stood.

“Getting ahead of yourself, aren’t you?”

Clay dodged backward as Valruel pursued, slashing repeatedly. Each swing caught the Yaphenon soldiers nearby, cutting them down.

“D-Dammit!”

“H-He’s killing everyone!”

“What do we do?!”

“G-Get behind the Demon King!”

Unlike the soldiers in the capital, the border guards had no clear stance on Clay. But in this moment, instinct drove them to take shelter behind him.

“I don’t particularly enjoy this situation…”

Clay glanced at Valruel and smirked.

“But I’ll gladly take the goodwill you’re creating for me.”

(End of Chapter)

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