Emperor’s Sword [EN]: Chapter 109

The sobbing sounds, as if about to break, echoed mournfully throughout the heavens and earth. In the midst of the darkness that filled all directions, only that sound was a sign of change. Every living being, without exception, held their breath and listened to the sound. The unfamiliar feeling was momentary, and gradually, they became assimilated into the sound, entering a strange emotional state.

It sounded like the wind to some, but it was clearly a language with meaning. Though they heard it differently, they were all trapped in a hallucination. The irresistible temptation brought new feelings to their hearts, making them mistakenly believe there was peace within. For some, it was just a meaningless gesture. It had no effect at all.

Pa Cheon and Aquinus caught their breath and focused more intently on the sound. The traces left by Chaos were deeply engraved, impossible to erase. Aquinus’s sigh clearly showed the current situation.

‘Everyone is submerged in chaos. The thirsty cry of Chaos has swallowed my precious things. What I feared so much has become a reality. I couldn’t stop it even with my power.’ What… what on earth happened here?

Pa Cheon did not comfort Aquinus. Aquinus did not want to be comforted.

Even if he had known in advance, there would have been no way to block it fundamentally. He couldn’t shake off the regret that he could have minimized the damage if he had reacted just a little faster. Pa Cheon thought. It was something he had somewhat expected, and it was also true that he had left this flow unchecked. It was inevitable.

‘If only I had distinguished and revealed Chaos. If only I had found its true form.’ While Aquinus continued to blame himself, Pa Cheon’s gaze followed the path where Chaos had departed.

Flowing down, bursting, melting. Breaking. And transforming into new entities.

Everyone was captured in the chaos. It was an unexpected event, and its aspect was too terrible.

That was not the end. It was just the beginning.

‘Pa Cheon.’ Metatron’s call did not form any meaning, failing to reach Pa Cheon and passing him by emptily. His wavering gaze went beyond Metatron, past the Guardians and the Vanguard, expanding endlessly. In Pa Cheon’s dazed gaze, Aquinus was reviving.

‘Can you be sure that one of us is absolutely right? Has there ever been a sublime truth in this phenomenal world that must be absolutely respected?’ As if it was unfair that this was the only way to prove himself, Aquinus shouted even louder.

‘Your intervention now is subtly surrounded by excuses, but in reality, it is nothing more than extreme selfishness. The reason why you and I must be called enemies is extremely simple. It’s because I’m on your opposite side. It must be because of our unclear attitude that tests and shakes your firm will.

Dangerous beings who will mercilessly destroy what we cherish. Your appearance, leading that unsightly group, under the guise of preventing something that hasn’t even happened yet… why does it look so pathetic to me? Couldn’t you have been more honest? Couldn’t you have brought a sweet compromise that could deceive our eyes and ears? Were our memories so worthless to you?’ Pa Cheon could not answer. He was not fascinated by Aquinus’s ranting, nor did he fully agree with it. Aquinus’s cry shook Pa Cheon’s consciousness once again!

‘Even if you and I disappear, even if we vanish without a trace, this world will not change. Don’t be mistaken, Pa Cheon. Take off your mask. You are neither perfect nor a weak human like them. I yearned for you to return. If that actually happened to me, and you stood before me again, you should not have been like this at least.

Cicero, your… your current appearance… is like a weak and insignificant being trembling with anxiety and unease, afraid that something precious will be shattered and scattered… yes, that’s right, the very thing we drove out of this world, the one we hated, the dirty smell of Chaos.

With an unorganized, unclear will, you always confused us all. You didn’t even know what you truly wanted, yet you believed you had everything in the world. You pushed not only those around you but even yourself to ruin, and yet you don’t even realize the reason for your existence.

Now, look. Look at the suspicious eyes directed at you. Even Herbart, who once supported you so blindly, is now doubting your true intentions.

What are they saying? That he has come to destroy us and enslave us. That he has come to annihilate us and become the new king. That he has come to break us and establish his glory. Try it if you dare…’

‘Pa Cheon!’ At Metatron’s annoyed call, Pa Cheon was startled and quickly regained his senses. Metatron, along with the Guardians and the Vanguard, were staring intently at him. Metatron’s face was covered with annoyance.

‘You need to explain what happened while you were gone, right?’ ‘Yes, I should.’ Something was wrong with Pa Cheon. It wasn’t just the Guardians who thought so. Ramirez approached Pa Cheon, patted him on the shoulder, and whispered playfully.

‘Pa Cheon, that’s too much to ask. Do you want us to be even more tense here? At this rate, we’ll collapse before we even start.’ Pa Cheon responded with a smile. Metatron pressed him again.

‘What’s the result?’ Pa Cheon’s face hardened seriously, and he opened his mouth heavily.

‘One of two. The one who remains, the one who wins, will speak.’ Aquinus’s opinion was decisive in reaching that conclusion. He pushed Pa Cheon, showing his intention to fight, and Pa Cheon had to silently accept his fiercely burning will to fight.

Unlike the vitality that began to sparkle deep in Metatron’s eyes, the Guardian asked with a gloomy expression.

‘Was there no way to avoid it?’ The question was asked again to himself.

‘Was it really unavoidable? Like Herbart said, was I hoping for this to happen from the beginning, without even considering other possibilities?’ It was Metatron who changed the atmosphere and awakened them to reality.

‘It’s not important now. Come on, there’s no need to think too complicatedly. It’s something we expected from the beginning. Now we need to review the details… Since Pa Cheon is familiar with the situation here, I’ll specially yield the position of commander to him.’ Pa Cheon briefly summarized his opinion.

‘They are arrogant. They consider their abilities to be comparable to gods, so they won’t come out in a power struggle. Six leaders and a small number of their closest aides. Perhaps… the number of opponents we have to face will not exceed our numbers.’ ‘Perhaps? That’s a rather weak conviction… can we trust it?’ Lucifer immediately said that he couldn’t accept it.

‘It would be quite troublesome if they came out with a war of attrition, so why would they abandon such an advantage?’ ‘Because they can’t gain an advantage by the number of people. The answer to the question. They, and we… seek justification for our actions from the enemy. As a result. Their noble pride does not allow other coincidences to intrude and damage their original intentions. In conclusion, it’s something that Aquinus, who has the final decision-making power, does not want.’ Metatron agreed with Pa Cheon’s opinion and chimed in.

‘That’s right. I would have done the same. Anyway, if we just eliminate the six leaders of the secret dimension, it’s over… it feels a bit anticlimactic than expected.’ ‘If you had such thoughts, I would advise you to discard them now. They have never allowed external intrusion even once. Those who have become gods themselves, having escaped the shadow of God. Despite the fierce internal conflicts, they have maintained this world by adhering to their principles.

Those who constantly try to turn their eyes outward, they have been able to control and suppress their impulses, so it goes without saying that their control and dominance are excellent. That fact alone is enough to admire the presence of the leaders.

If you don’t want to settle down here forever because you like it here, if you truly want to survive here, treat them as seriously as you trust yourself. Always remember that the end of your life does not end with you. I still have things to do. I don’t want to meet my end early because of you.’ It was a casual remark, but Metatron felt a chilling tremor, and his expression stiffened.

‘Is it to that extent? It’s hard to believe.’ Pa Cheon, a being like the last wall to overcome. He acknowledges Pa Cheon as much as he respects himself. Because it was a word that came from such Pa Cheon, it was not something to be taken lightly.

Pa Cheon proposed.

‘Let’s start from different points. The Guardians and I will lead the Vanguard. It’s about dispersing our forces. It seems better than being gathered in one place. We will coordinate our movements through close contact and act together when necessary. The principle is to defeat them individually.’ ‘You’re sure they won’t gather in one place.’ It was Lucifer’s question. Pa Cheon’s attitude towards Lucifer was different from that towards Metatron. It seemed that he could not be completely free from his past memories. Even though it was not intentional, Pa Cheon’s eyes had become colder than before.

‘If they are gathered, we will naturally gather in one place as well. But they have many awkward aspects to come together and join forces. Their self-assertions are strong, and they easily split even with weak external stimuli.

They may join forces temporarily when they judge it to be a crisis, but they basically do not trust each other. They are beings that cannot be unified or be unified.

The checks and balances between them have been the core that has sustained this world. If this prediction of mine is broken… our fight will become more difficult, very much so…’ Metatron did not raise any particular objections to Pa Cheon’s proposal.

Pa Cheon then added information about the leaders of the secret dimension and other things that would be good to know. Among them, there were parts that were so ambiguous that it was questionable whether they had any value as information, and they were perceived as just a list of symbols. After Metatron and his group disappeared, the Guardian revealed the question he had been holding.

‘I want to hear the real reason why you deliberately divided our forces, which are already insufficient?’ That’s right. Although it was not certain, if the power of each side was as balanced as they currently believed, there was no advantage in dispersing their forces. The idea of defeating them individually seemed like a plausible packaging, but the strategy itself seemed unconvincing. Pa Cheon carefully revealed his inner thoughts, looking at each member of the Vanguard, including the Guardian.

‘How many of us will actually return alive? A head-on confrontation with them… no matter how many times I think about it, it’s actually reckless. It’s too risky to push forward hoping for luck. None of you might return alive, but should we still stubbornly proceed? I’ll say it again. My thinking was short-sighted. I shouldn’t have brought you here…’ What on earth was he saying? It was not the kind of words a commander should utter to warriors who were full of courage and burning with fighting spirit. Even if that was the reality, Pa Cheon, who should be devising countermeasures and figuring out how to win, was starting with such weak words. What was his intention? Everyone was more puzzled by that point than agreeing with Pa Cheon’s words. What was his purpose? Pa Cheon’s low but powerful voice echoed in the ears of the Vanguard.

‘The purpose of this battle is not the collapse or destruction of the secret dimension. It cannot be, and it should not be. For the sake of the Spirit Realm, the secret dimension is more beneficial by existing.

But the current state has gone beyond that level. The secret dimension is a place with many variables, and for that reason, whatever we decided before coming here can change at any time. They say they want to fight. We can’t avoid it. But not yet. There is something to confirm before making a decision.’ Pa Cheon unraveled the stories he had kept closed with incomprehensible words.

Pa Cheon’s intention seemed simple, but it was quite complex. He confessed that he had been deceiving everyone, including the Guardian, up to this moment. There were two more urgent attempts hidden in bringing the Vanguard into the secret dimension than the primary purpose of eliminating the threat lurking behind the Spirit Realm.

It was uncertain whether it would end as just an attempt or whether he would be able to grasp the desired result in his hands.

‘One is to weaken the power of Metatron and his followers with the help of the enemy. That goal will be achieved to some extent, unless there is an anomaly.’ Just by looking at Pa Cheon’s confident tone, one could tell the power of the secret dimension and the abilities of the leaders who led them. It was such a place that Pa Cheon had brought the Vanguard to, at great risk.

‘Bringing the Vanguard was to draw out Metatron’s main force. I brought you here to gain their agreement without suspicion. And this battle should be a battle for all of us, not just mine, and… it was a battle that you had to remember. But now it’s different. You have to go back.’ It was an absurd and ridiculous moment. It was unreasonable to make them understand that the reason for bringing the Vanguard was just that. A more plausible explanation had to follow. Everyone wondered if they had misheard. Ramirez burst out in anger and questioned him.

‘Are you saying that? You brought us here to reassure Metatron? And now you’re telling us to go back? Pa Cheon, listen carefully. We came here prepared to die, and that resolve remains unchanged.

Like you said, it’s a battle for all of us. Surviving is a matter for later. You led us here, but whether we fight or not is no longer something you can decide. Yes, so what if we die. If we die because we are weaker than the enemy, it’s natural. No one will blame you. Once you’ve entered a war, death is like an unavoidable fate.

If we’re lucky, yes, if we’re lucky, we might survive and plan for the future. When we left Harun, we didn’t expect the result to be good. But now you’re telling us to turn back so futilely? I can never do that.’ It wasn’t just Ramirez. The same opinions poured out from everywhere, and each of their resolutions was so firm that no one else could do anything about it. But Pa Cheon just shook his head.

‘It’s recklessness. I wouldn’t stop you if it was a valuable death, but it’s not… not at all. Moreover, there is a more urgent reason. It’s something we all predicted, but by now, the Demon Realm and the Emperor’s army must have launched an attack.’ The Guardian interrupted Pa Cheon.

‘With the currently secured forces of Harun, we can fight them sufficiently. That can’t be an excuse.’ ‘Absolutely not. The master of the demonic spirits! Have you already forgotten him? Even if we survive and return from here, if there’s nothing left in Harun… can we really… accept and forgive ourselves? First, we must protect Harun. That is our greatest mission.

The current circumstances do not allow us to defend both at once, so we had to come here first, but we cannot abandon Harun either.’ ‘Then what about you? What can you do alone here?’ ‘I’m not alone. The Guardian is here, and so is Metatron. And the complex situation of the secret dimension will rather make us safe.’ Pa Cheon said, absurdly, that the enemy’s mighty power would be helpful to him. What kind of plan was lurking in his head? Despite Pa Cheon’s persistent persuasion, the Vanguard members did not seem willing to accept it. Once they had made up their minds, they were in no mood to change their minds.

Ramirez did not give up and persistently clung to the matter.

‘Unless the master of the demonic spirits is a fool, he won’t participate from the beginning and just mess around. So we still have enough time. If our strength is of no help to you at all… if facing them is a reckless act, then as you say… we will do so.

But if we can cause them trouble even for a moment, that alone is a compelling reason to stay here. We won’t be welcomed even if we’re the only ones to return, and in that case, I want to bet on shortening the time even a little.’ In fact, there was a decisive reason why Pa Cheon suddenly changed his mind, even modifying his original plan. A secret existence that had not yet been confirmed! An intuition that he could not shake off was flashing a danger signal, making him impatient.

‘Since it has come to this…’ Pa Cheon revealed his second purpose.

‘They are strong. Their current structure is in a state of extreme danger due to the collapse of balance. The name Aquinus is receiving special glory among them. I plan to investigate what kind of power has been working behind it.

If my guess is correct… he will become a variable that I cannot win even if I bury my everything here. Until I confirm the truth lurking behind it, any attempt of ours is reckless. So I thought. We shouldn’t push forward with the original plan without ensuring your safety.’ Pa Cheon confessed that he had been anxious about that thought the entire time he was coming here. If there was even a one in a thousand or ten thousand chance that it would become a reality, then all plans would have to be completely revised at that moment, he said.

‘There is a cancerous existence that can make the secret dimension a dangerous place at any time. That existence, which should be called the curse of all negative wishes, was sealed long ago by the leaders here, including me.’ Pa Cheon said that he could clearly feel that power, though it was weak. He also said that he felt uneasy about the fact that he was being watched by a sticky, secret gaze.

Pa Cheon had begun to feel that gaze from the moment he gained enlightenment and faced Komora in the intermediate realm. That was why the secret dimension became a priority for him. The anxiety that the seal might have been broken was now almost a certainty.

‘In the worst case, if Aquinus is involved in this, nothing can be guaranteed. If it’s not that, it might rather be an opportunity. An opportunity to settle everything at once.’ Despite Pa Cheon’s persistent persuasion, the Vanguard members did not budge.

They were sending indifferent gazes, as if they thought that all the earnest appeals flowing from Pa Cheon’s mouth were lies made up to send them back. At this point, it seemed like it wouldn’t be decided by whose stubbornness was stronger.

The two of them sighed deeply, as if the ground was sinking and the sky was flying away. With faces contorted and armed with stubbornness, it seemed that the Vanguard’s will, which was that they had no choice, had won after all.

‘I have no choice.’ It was the moment Pa Cheon surrendered. It was also the moment he volunteered to expose the Vanguard to an unconfirmed danger. He had to gamble with the safety of the Vanguard. From the moment he entered the secret dimension, Pa Cheon’s senses had become extremely sensitive, and the more sensitive he became, the more his anxiety grew. Pa Cheon wanted a complete victory. He didn’t want to sacrifice anyone. The fact that there was an unconfirmed element of unease was unsettling Pa Cheon’s mind.

The Guardian made a new proposal, hoping to alleviate some of the emotional burden Pa Cheon was currently feeling.

‘I will lead the Vanguard. Pa Cheon, you should check the suspicious parts first. It would be better to join us after that.’ In the end, Pa Cheon ended up moving alone, and the Guardian and the Vanguard decided to delay the moment of confronting the enemy a little longer, as Pa Cheon had requested. There were complaints, but it couldn’t be helped.

Meanwhile, Metatron was staring intently at one place with burning eyes. Having approached this close, it would be normal to be greeted by even a small sign, but instead of the expected reaction, not even a single shadow could be seen passing by.

‘Hmm, these guys are not ordinary. That must mean they are confident.’ At this moment, Metatron was overlooking one fact. How many beings could be free from Metatron’s senses? Even though this place was a secret dimension, there wouldn’t be many. But currently, not a single presence was detected by Metatron’s sensitive senses. Or rather, it was more accurate to say that the realm of his senses was being damaged and interfered with by something.

‘Good. I’ll make them realize how reckless it was to show such confidence in front of me. Lucifer!’ ‘Yes.’ ‘Take the vanguard. Crush that magnificent palace to pieces. Then we’ll see if they crawl out.’ Lucifer nodded and turned around. He checked the great demons lined up around him, as if inspecting them again.

‘The battle has begun. Annihilate all living beings. Erase mercy from your minds. Show all beings why they call us demons.’ Did he even understand the meaning of those words?

‘I will carry out the order.’ A thunderous shout echoed, as if to collapse the surrounding space. Lucifer and the seven great demons soared into the sky at once. Any super-powerful being in the spirit realm would have trembled with fear at the sight of their majestic appearance.

A huge palace hung high in the air. Lucifer’s gaze, having instantly shortened the distance, fixed on one spot. The goal was the same. They scattered in all directions, surrounding the palace and lining up. The fact that there was still no sign bothered them, but there was no reason to hesitate.

They unleashed their power at once.

Splendid beams of light emerged from all directions and converged at the top of the palace.

Fzzzzzz, kururururung, kwang! The light passed through the palace without resistance, and the cracks that started from the center quickly spread. The magnificent palace scattered into fine dust. It was instantaneous. The palace, which had been so huge and magnificent, disappeared cleanly, as if it had never existed, as if everything had been a dream or an illusion.

As the view suddenly cleared, the gazes staring at the empty space were filled with questions.

Metatron muttered, dumbfounded.

‘Pa Cheon, your prediction was wrong from the start.’ The great demons, who had been tense, were also drained of energy and just exchanged blank stares. The loyal great demon, Bali, quickly reported.

‘There’s nothing there. It seems they have fled.’ It would have been better if he hadn’t bothered to confirm it. It was natural that there was no answer. Lucifer ordered the great demons to investigate a wider area. Metatron pondered.

‘Are these guys gathered in one place, waiting for us? If they have joined forces… that’s the worst-case scenario… Knowing that they are fully prepared and waiting, should we engage in a head-on battle, or…?’ He thought that things had been going strangely from the beginning. His worries grew. Pa Cheon, the Guardian, and himself shared a common fate. For this reason, his anxiety grew even larger.

‘Follow me.’

At the very time Metatron was moving to find Pa Cheon, and Pa Cheon was heading to another place, those who had to face them as enemies were gathered in one place.

They were in deep silence.

Was there still something to decide among them? Before long, the silence was melted away by Herbart’s calm voice.

‘Whatever our positions were, it’s time to unify them into one. Further conflict is foolish. Cicero, Metatron, and the Guardian. The abilities of these three beings cannot be discussed without us joining forces. Now that they have declared themselves our enemies, we must decide on a corresponding response. And quickly!’ Komora carefully presented his argument, conscious of Aquinus.

‘There’s no time to think about this and that. We just need to issue a general mobilization order and wipe them out. Then, we’ll cross the dimensions and conquer the entire spirit realm. Perhaps we’ll inevitably clash with the Heavenly Palace in the process… but it’s worth a try. Any further hesitation is giving up on survival. The truth we wanted to know has now become too clear. The gods broke the promise first. Our fight is a perfectly natural and obvious decision for survival. There’s no more reason to hesitate.’ Komora was dissatisfied with Aquinus’s actions and couldn’t let go of his lingering feelings. Campanella added his support.

‘Let’s advance. Now that we’ve united our wills, there’s nothing to fear. Cicero, Metatron, and the Guardian are formidable opponents, but this is our world. The place where our powers work. No matter who they are, they are no match for us here. There’s no reason for us to shrink back. Even if we give up our advantage… we are enough on our own.’ Unlike Komora, Campanella was quick to give up.

Aquinus had called the five of them to one place and first ordered all the living beings in the secret dimension to be moved to another space. Then, he had closed off the space. Campanella didn’t like it, but he had no choice but to accept it.

‘So, are we just going to rush in and win, no matter how we look? After showing such a sight, do you really think you can maintain your honor and pride as leaders and gain respect?’ Bart’s statement instantly dampened the momentum of Campanella and Komora, who had been excitedly talking. He had no intention of stopping there.

‘The victory you gain may be valuable to you, but I cannot accept it. There have been few challenges so far, but in those cases, I have always respected my opponents and fought fair battles.

Respecting the enemy was not only about my own self-confidence, but it also made the victory I would gain later more valuable. I hope you all don’t forget that. If you’re planning to plot and trap them, backstab them, or create a favorable situation to fight, I’ll step out at this point.

When Cicero came here with a small group, wasn’t it because he believed that we, at least the ones he knew, would fight a fair battle?’ Campanella retorted.

‘Then let me ask you. If you have to give up winning for the sake of a fair fight, would you still make such a claim then? Are you saying that it doesn’t matter what happens to this world or the beings that belong to us because of your own pride and honor?’ ‘I never said that.’ ‘In that case, what would you choose?’ ‘Well, of course…’ He couldn’t answer quickly.

As always, Aquinus was organizing the situation.

‘Of course, that’s a given. As long as they don’t lose their fairness first, it’s impossible for us to do anything underhanded. We’ll end this fight within our own ranks. Then, if there is anyone who survives until then… that person will decide everything. The living don’t need to worry about the dead. They can enjoy the glory alone.’ Aquinus’s words also implied that there might be no one who would survive the fight with Cicero. He was taking this fight that seriously. Aquinus’s eyes shone brightly. His firm will and conviction seemed unbreakable.

‘All preparations are complete… Now, all that’s left is to fight them. When the fight with them begins, our beautiful world will gradually disappear. The forgotten space, which was our beginning and starting point, has been blocked off.

Forget your fears. Let go of your regrets. Renew your resolve. We have been in conflict with each other, but now we must join forces. And if possible, survive. I ask you to restore this world to its former state… That is the task of the survivors.’ Aquinus and the leaders led all the living beings of the secret dimension to a place called the forgotten space. And they separated it from this place. What they wanted to protect was equally desperate for them. As Aquinus said, the preparations were complete. Now, all that was left was to fight. And they had to do their best to survive.

‘Lastly… I’ll go meet Cicero.’ ‘Why?’ Leaving Komora’s question behind, Aquinus disappeared from that place. Only his voice answered those who remained.

‘I need to see what our fate holds. No matter how much I deny it, Cicero is still Cicero.’ Komora shouted angrily.

‘I don’t understand why he’s so afraid. I honestly have doubts about whether it’s okay to entrust Aquinus with the decision-making power for all matters. He’s still clearly haunted by Cicero’s ghost.’ ‘I’m worried too. I can understand his caution, but if he lacks decisiveness… there’s a lot of room for criticism. Moreover, how can we expect him to win if he can’t overcome Cicero?’ Then, Vindelbandt looked back and forth between Komora and Campanella and said mockingly.

‘You, who should be the most supportive, are the first to have doubts. With such shallow minds, it’s no wonder you can’t gain our trust. I used to have many disagreements with Aquinus, but not anymore. I fully support and trust him. Why? Because he, at least, doesn’t pursue his own interests like you do.

I wonder if you can even understand the weight of the burden he carries… And I want to believe. He is the wisest and strongest among us. We may not be able to bring back the old Cicero, but it’s enough to put him to sleep in eternal silence. If he can’t do it, none of us can.’ Despite Vindelbandt’s mockery, Campanella strongly asserted his point.

‘As I said before, I’ll ask all of you. Aquinus often acts unilaterally, ignoring our opinions. If his decision goes against the interests of all of us, what will you do then? Should we blindly trust and follow Aquinus even then?’ It was a question not worth answering. If such a thing actually happened, everyone would abandon Aquinus without hesitation. That much was clear.

The dangerous ones want freedom.

Tension weighed even more heavily on Harun, from which Pa Cheon and the Vanguard had departed. It was a natural change, as the core forces that played a central role had left.

Fortunately, the core forces, including Metatron and Lucifer, had also left the enemy camp, so they were balancing each other out. In fact, strictly speaking, it was now safe to say that Harun had the advantage in power.

The emperor and the demon army were so close that they could see even the movements within their camp. With each other so close, the vigilance was strict.

As time passed, the light of tension subsided, and the anxiety was washed away. They were not negligent in observing the enemy’s movements, but it was relatively peaceful. Still, they did not forget to tighten internal control in preparation for any possible emergencies.

The leadership that was actually leading Harun was Romero and Gregos, with Jeseok, No Gun, and the emperors adding their strength, and the Wisdom Warrior Corps busily moving and volunteering as their hands and feet. The organization of the army was impeccable, and morale was high.

It was noteworthy that none of those belonging to Harun now believed that the enemy would invade and bring destruction.

This stable atmosphere was the best possible state at a time when they were facing the enemy. This psychological stability was due to two facts.

One was the increase in the power of the leadership due to the addition of the emperors, and the other was the sense of security due to the protective barrier that Pa Cheon had set up. Only a very small number of the enemies had the power to break through the barrier and invade Harun’s interior.

Moreover, the reliable appearance of the emperors, who were constantly watching the enemy camp, had changed the general prejudice they had initially held. They were in charge of certain areas and volunteered as watchmen.

The crowds who discovered Romero and Gregos on Harun’s main road were busy expressing their gratitude and respect. Behind them, Boober and Holdin, the vice-leaders of the Wisdom Warrior Corps, followed with the Wisdom Warriors.

They looked around at the commanders of each corps, encouraging them, and at the same time, urged them not to let their guard down so that the organized forces could advance easily. After looking around all the way to the 7th Corps, Romero, who had climbed onto the watchtower, pointed to the enemy camp and said.

‘After Metatron and Lucifer left, they immediately joined forces. They will try to break the barrier by all means.’ Gregos continued.

‘I don’t think there’s anyone there with the ability to break the barrier. But that doesn’t mean they’ll just sit back without trying anything. There will be attacks by even a small number who can infiltrate. We just need to be thoroughly prepared for that.’ Romero thought about who might have the ability to break the barrier. Could it be Emperor Marsion? He shook his head inwardly. It was a fact confirmed by the emperors who had joined Harun, so it must be true.

They said that even they had difficulty removing the barrier. They asserted that there would be no one that strong in the enemy camp, citing the fact that Marsion was strong but not much different from them.

The demon realm was even less likely. With Lucifer and the great demons gone, the strongest would be Herpa and Lanet at best. What supported this speculation was the current standoff. If they had a way to remove the barrier, they would have advanced long ago.

Despite this diagnosis, Romero and Gregos’s faces were not very bright. Their worries were elsewhere.

The master of the demon spirit!

In fact, there were no countermeasures for him. First of all, too little was known about him. The vague concern about an opponent they did not understand grew over time.

Harun’s leadership gathered in one place.

The corps commanders had been busy reorganizing their subordinate units these days. The headquarters was not involved in this at all and left it to them. It was accepted positively because it was not that there were many flaws in the hastily formed units, but rather that unique personalities were being given according to the commander’s character and preferences. Some were thickening the middle of the command layer, while others were simplifying the middle and focusing on small unit sizes. When the corps commanders’ reports were finished, Gregos brought up the issue that he had been pondering.

‘Instead of crouching here, how about we actively try to subjugate them?’ Was it because he didn’t like being cooped up inside the barrier? Romero had been watching Gregos’s inner thoughts for a long time, so he remained silent.

The other commanders, who did not understand Gregos’s intentions, looked bewildered. They thought that all they had to do was defend. They had thought that their focus on responsibility was until Pa Cheon and the Vanguard returned. But why would they have to go out and face the enemy? Yama Cheonju, the commander of the 1st Corps, actively expressed his opinion.

‘The difference in power between us and them is small. If there is an unexpected variable that we have not grasped, our predictions will be wrong. Is there any need to give up our advantage and try to compete equally with the enemy? Even if we defeat the enemy, our losses will not be insignificant. There is no room for compromise.’ It was only natural that everyone agreed with Yama Cheonju’s opinion. Seolran asked.

‘Is there a variable that we are overlooking?’ She thought that Gregos, who was wiser and more cautious than anyone else, would not have brought up such an issue for no reason. Gregos’s face, as he revealed his inner concerns, did not look comfortable.

“I’ve had a bad feeling lately. The fact that we’ve lost contact with the old dragon, and various complex thoughts seem to be clouding my judgment. Don’t worry about it.” As if that wasn’t enough, Romero added,

“I think it’s because of the master of the demonic spirit. To be honest, we haven’t prepared any countermeasures against him. It’s clear that he will intervene in some way, but I’m anxious because I can’t predict how.

In the worst-case scenario… if the master of the demonic spirit has the ability to remove the barrier… and if the demon realm and the emperor’s army advance through that gap, what could be more threatening? So, the proposal is to reduce the enemy’s power to a level that is not threatening at the current time when a certain level of safety is guaranteed. Isn’t that right?” Gregos nodded in agreement.

Only after Romero’s detailed explanation did everyone look like they understood. Even though it was a valid opinion, they still couldn’t help but hesitate.

Afterward, they were pushed by various pending issues that needed to be addressed, and the matter was put on hold for the time being. It was not an easy decision. They decided to take more time to deliberate.

Metatron tried to communicate with Pa Cheon several times, but in the end, he failed. The conclusion he reached afterward surprised the others.

“I was right after all. There is some kind of incomprehensible power here. The secret dimension, it’s not an easy place.” He visited the place where they had first parted, but of course, they wouldn’t still be there. Metatron was in a difficult situation for the first time. Lucifer offered his opinion.

“There’s no need to waste time looking for them. If we find the enemies, we’ll naturally meet them eventually. It seems that’s the only way for now…” Lucifer trailed off. Considering his personality, which liked everything to be clear, this was unusual. However, considering that Metatron was in a bad mood, it was understandable.

‘What on earth is this ominous feeling that I can’t identify? What’s going on… I feel a strange power that is beyond my judgment. Something unusual is happening here.’ Metatron also began to sense the same energy that Pa Cheon had felt. He could no longer naively think that everything would go smoothly once they found the enemy’s trail.

It wasn’t easy to find the enemy right now. Even when he tried to expand his senses far away to detect the traces of life, his senses didn’t reach beyond a certain area. An unknown mysterious power was casting a huge shadow, mocking him.

Metatron concluded that the power came from the leaders of the secret dimension. The deeper his conviction grew, the harder the shell of his heart became.

‘I need to be more careful. There’s no harm in being cautious.’ Metatron and his group had to turn their steps somewhere again. To encounter the enemy, who was surely somewhere in this vast world, as quickly as possible, they had to move again.

‘A place I never wanted to come back to. To think the moment would come when I would stand before it again.’ Towering stone pillars soared high into the sky, and the floor was filled with strange patterns. Each pillar was surrounded by a metal plate connected to the ground, and a bright light emanated from it, illuminating all directions. The stone pillars were arranged in seven concentric circles, each with seven pillars. Pa Cheon stood at the starting point of the first stone pillar, muttering with a blank stare.

“We thought that by building this place, we became gods from humans. We thought that by imprisoning him here, we would be free forever. And finally… we were able to abandon our hearts. By no longer remembering our souls, we overcame death. That was the beginning of the tragedy.” Pa Cheon stroked the stone pillar, recalling the past. As he thought of the being at the beginning of his memories, a chilling coldness invaded him.

“It’s amazing. To think that the vivid experience from that time would still remain within me, not forgotten.” With each step forward, the shadow of anxiety rising from within became a clearer entity.

One, two, three… now there was only one stone pillar left. The seven stone pillars in the center were larger and more majestic than the others. The metal plates were connected, and the bulging part in the middle was exactly at the center of the concentric circles. Various shapes and patterns were densely packed on the surface, and the chains extending from the ends of the stone pillars met at one point. Pa Cheon’s hand brushed against the metal plate that reached up to his waist.

A strange sound flowed out. Pa Cheon spoke in a trembling voice, as if he couldn’t believe it.

“Is it really… is the seal really… broken?” Pa Cheon completely revised his plans. He thought of all the possibilities he could. And he created scenarios by substituting variables one by one. The blurry monochrome sketch was gradually filled with various colors and became clearer.

After a while, Pa Cheon focused on examining what was in front of him. He was hoping to find some clue.

The small tremors gradually turned into larger shakes and spread throughout his body. At the center of the stone plate, where the various chains met, there was a fine crack, and what shimmered through it was pitch-black darkness.

He had hoped and prayed that his premonition would be wrong this time. Pa Cheon was despondent.

“Aquinas, is it really… did you do this? I hope not. If it was you, then you and the secret dimension will gain nothing.” His composure was shattered. He felt more regret than anger. Just then, he appeared.

It was Aquinas. He appeared on the opposite side of Pa Cheon, with the central metal plate between them. Aquinas’s face was also stiff. It wasn’t because he saw the brilliant golden light emanating from Pa Cheon’s eyes. Nor was it because he didn’t have an excuse he should have prepared. It was because his own heart was as agitated as Pa Cheon’s.

Pa Cheon asked,

“Who… did this?” Aquinas shook his head.

“I… don’t know either.” What was the reason that made him accept that answer without a shred of doubt? Was it okay to understand that his trust in Aquinas was that deep?

The fact that Aquinas was not involved in this matter was like a ray of salvation for Pa Cheon. And he was genuinely glad. He breathed a sigh of relief, and Pa Cheon’s eyes returned to their usual calm.

He demanded an explanation with a look. Aquinas revealed everything as if it were his natural duty.

“It must be one of us. But I don’t know who it is. I haven’t even figured out who among them knows that the seal has been broken and who doesn’t. It would be more accurate to say that I didn’t have the courage to open my mouth and gauge their reactions.

I’ve been observing all of them as suspects for a long time, but I haven’t found anything. It could be one of them, or all of them… or it could have been done by a completely different being.

Or maybe Chaos broke the seal on his own. That’s a futile thought. It’s impossible. If he could break the seal on his own, he wouldn’t have been excluded from us, and he wouldn’t have been trapped here. One of us! The possibility of another being is slim.” “Yes, you’re right. Chaos’s will was not complete enough to break the seal on its own. Although his nature makes it easy to receive power… this place is an exception.” The seal that the seven leaders of the secret dimension had combined their powers to create could only be broken in two cases. The first was when one of the participants in the ritual directly broke the seal. The other was when the seal was broken by a power far superior to the combined abilities of the seven of them.

So, Aquinas’s conclusion was no different from Pa Cheon’s. But there were still many unanswered questions that couldn’t be ignored. The most representative of them was this.

“What is there to gain by releasing him from the seal?” What did they want to gain? There was no clear answer to this question.

“If the one who released him is really one of us… and if they have gained what they wanted, whatever it may be, the situation wouldn’t be like this. There hasn’t been any significant, noteworthy change so far.” “No, there has been a change.” “What is it?” “…?” “It’s you.” Aquinas chuckled and stared intently at Pa Cheon.

“Am I a suspect?” “I don’t know. I know you can’t lie. But if the current situation is the intention of the one hiding in the dark, it’s clear that he would have influenced you in some way to put you at the forefront.

Whether you wanted it or not, I’m sure that his intention is hidden in everything surrounding you. He must have been trying to make you the leader among the leaders to plot something. Even to me, it’s clear that your balance has been broken, and because of that, the secret dimension is in a situation where it could collapse at any time. Also, your problems don’t end in the secret dimension.” “Okay. Let’s say that’s the case. Now… what are we going to do?” “We have to find him. We can’t let things go according to his will. If we can’t destroy him, we’ll… imprison him again.” Aquinas was negative. He thought it would be impossible to find him unless he revealed himself.

“Cicero, do you know? He’s different from before. His breath lingers throughout this world, but he can’t be found anywhere. If he wants to hide, there’s no way to find him.” “I don’t expect him to reveal himself. He wouldn’t want to repeat the same mistake. Have you forgotten? The moment he separated from us, he became a completely independent entity. He knows that the greater the risk, the greater the fulfillment of his desires.

If he judges that it’s an opportunity to achieve his intentions faster, and if he thinks he can get everything with his own hands through direct intervention, he will appear even if we don’t want him to.” “Is his goal still… to destroy everything?” “That much won’t change. He has become more cunning and cautious. The fact that he, who used to react immediately, has waited for so long is enough to guess. Now, the core of the problem is not who broke the seal.

Aquinas, let me ask you one thing. Why did you let it get to this point? The moment you knew the seal was broken, you could have told everyone and come up with a plan?” Was it a reproach? He thought about whether there was really another way at that time. There wasn’t.

“If you were me, you would have done the same. When I found this place, I learned that the seal had been broken a considerable time ago. The fear that his abilities would have fully recovered.

Yes, the first emotion was fear. And above all, I… I couldn’t trust anyone else. I knew that it was done by one of them… and they might also know this fact and be silent, so I couldn’t easily open my mouth. I had to wait. I hoped that they would move first, so that I could find some kind of opening.

But everything was smooth and extremely peaceful, to the point that I even doubted whether the seal had actually been broken. At that moment, I had a strange new expectation. That he had changed. That he wasn’t the same as the old him I knew. So time passed, and I waited with my mouth shut for some change to occur.” “What about Comora’s case?” “It was the first sign. Comora often showed fear. He moved impatiently to get what he wanted, and as a result, he was rejected by everyone. As long as he was being wary, he couldn’t get what he wanted.

When even those who supported him left and he was left alone, he left this place and went to the people. That’s when I first suspected Comora. But that was only for a moment, he couldn’t recover anymore and moved away from the center.” Aquinas revealed all the changes that had occurred while Pa Cheon was away from this world. Pa Cheon went through each one, understanding them in detail. He had to find a clue.

‘It’s perfect. He’s thoroughly hiding himself and only manipulating everything from behind. Or rather, the changes are so slow that I even doubt whether he was involved at all. Where is he? What is he plotting through someone?’ The most worrying thing was if Chaos had fully awakened. He can’t leave here. The secret dimension was another seal for him. If he could leave this world due to a completely unknown variable, the latent danger would also increase.

But that was a worry that could be excluded.

‘If he has fully awakened… no, that can’t be. It’s not time yet.’ Aquinas said something unexpected.

“The only person I can trust right now is you, Cicero.” Was that so? Only Pa Cheon, who was not in the secret dimension at the time, was free from suspicion. The fact that he was recognized as an ally even though he came as an enemy was quite interesting.

Pa Cheon and Aquinas had a sincere conversation for a considerable time. Pa Cheon revealed information that Aquinas was hearing for the first time. The emotional shock that Aquinas was receiving was immense.

“The moment he gains self-awareness by breaking away from the position of a transmitter, he becomes Chaos. He’s a dangerous being, but he’s controllable enough. The problem is when the self-awareness that awakened him is destroyed and his domain is expanded.

At that time, the awakening is achieved, and at that moment, he becomes a completely different being. Chaos, who has gone back to the original driving force, can use infinite power and wisdom and brings chaos to all concepts.” Aquinas was curious.

“If it’s you… can you control him?” “No, the awakened Chaos corresponds to the final stage of annihilation.” “What do you mean?” “…Before a new world opens, this universe goes through a period of great purification and then immediately enters a rest period. Along with the annihilation of Chaos.” “Then… then his annihilation is…” “Yes, Chaos is born the moment the world opens, but the awakening is achieved in the final period. This is just a hypothesis, but if Chaos broke the seal not by someone else’s doing but by his own… it means that he has achieved awakening.” “Then… what should we do?” “Nothing…” “Is… that so.” The self-deprecating repetition continued in Aquinas’s mind for a while.

He had even thought that his own power and abilities could bring destruction to this world. He couldn’t deny that there was a bit of pride in his constant warnings to himself. The appearance of Pa Cheon, who had gained enlightenment, was a fresh shock to him.

But he didn’t feel despair even about Pa Cheon. But was the awakening of Chaos such a desperate situation? He couldn’t accept it.

However, Pa Cheon’s assertion was about Aquinas and the others. Dealing with the awakened Chaos was entirely Pa Cheon’s role and duty. The hidden last secret of Pa Cheon was tied to that.

Most of the secret facts about Chaos were passed from Pa Cheon to Aquinas. But in the end, Pa Cheon avoided mentioning anything related to himself.

Marcheon, who had led his subordinates and joined the demon realm’s camp, showed a completely different power than before, now that the being who had suppressed him was gone. Marcheon, who had a rather straightforward personality and didn’t hide his feelings from others, didn’t care about Herpa, the great commander of the demon realm. He spoke and acted without hesitation. He pressured Herpa, raising his voice with a tone full of dissatisfaction. The long discussion with Marcheon was enough to tire Herpa’s mind and body.

“Are you just going to waste time like this? How can there be such a timid person? It’s not right to work together, so what should we do? If it weren’t for Metatron’s request, I would have declared my own independent path long ago.” When there was no reaction from the other party, Marcheon raised his voice even louder and rebuked Herpa.

“How did someone who is afraid of fighting come to represent the demon realm!” By now, anyone would have reacted, but he didn’t budge. He had his eyes half-closed and was immersed in his own thoughts.

Marcheon’s eyes twitched, as if he was upset. Unable to bear the frustration, Marcheon slammed the table.

Bang! Unable to withstand the force, the stone table shattered and collapsed. Amidst the flying stone dust, Marcheon stood up abruptly.

“Fine. I’ll launch an attack even if I have to do it alone. I heard that you were Pa Cheon’s son, but I thought you had abandoned your past after becoming Lucifer’s adopted son, but now I see that it was all a disguise.

Lucifer, who entrusted the demon realm’s army to you without knowing that, is truly pitiful. Now that I know, I’ll consider the alliance with you, no, with the demon realm, as null and void. When Lucifer returns later, I will question and challenge him about this matter.” Only then did Herpa open his eyes. It wasn’t just the two of them in the room. As always, Lanet was with Herpa like a shadow.

Lanet narrowed her eyes and glared at Marcheon, displeased with his arrogant behavior. Herpa slowly opened his mouth. His voice was exactly like Pa Cheon’s.

“Calm down. Even without your urging, my mind is already extremely complicated.” “What!” “If there was something to gain by advancing right away, as you say, why wouldn’t I do it? Isn’t it because I’m hesitating because I might lose everything along with what I gain?” “To think that you’re already thinking about losing without even trying, I can’t understand why Lucifer adopted such a weakling.” Herpa only smiled. Unlike the behavior that Marcheon showed to others, Herpa had already realized that he was actually a deep and cunning person. He also guessed that his current exaggerated appearance was completely different from his true intentions.

Herpa spoke seriously, as if he genuinely agreed.

“I know, right?”