Emperor’s Sword [EN]: Chapter 110

Campanella fled with all his might. He had allowed himself a moment of respite, but now he was in this pathetic state, unable to overcome the last remaining obstacle. However, the reason for his undignified escape was simple.

Mefisto’s sorcery had transformed Asasel. It wasn’t merely an amplification of his abilities; it was as if he had been transported to another world, making it impossible to adapt.

Each of his desperate attacks missed, as if striking empty air, and Asasel seemed to be everywhere and nowhere at once. Sometimes, a blow would land, twisting bones and splattering blood, and Campanella would cheer, but it was short-lived. For some inexplicable reason, the damage would rebound onto him, making the whole situation utterly incomprehensible.

In response to Asasel’s cry to the heavens, vague entities, neither spirit nor soul, answered. They bound Campanella’s hands and feet and wreaked havoc within his body.

Despite the repeated beatings, he stubbornly tried to counter, but it only confirmed that he was no match for his opponent. Campanella decided to flee first and foremost.

Asasel’s pursuit was relentless, and there was no escaping his gaze. Even if he met up with his comrades, he doubted they would have a solution, but he still hoped that a group might find a way, so he blindly followed their trail.

It wasn’t difficult to locate them, but they were moving around so quickly that it was hard to meet them in one place. While fleeing, he realized that all the subordinates he had confined within the forgotten space had emerged.

He also discovered that Chaos was indiscriminately hunting them. However, with his own situation so dire, he had no choice but to ignore their plight. As a result, the people of the secret dimension were suffering even greater losses due to Asasel’s pursuit of Campanella.

This situation was unfolding simultaneously in various other places. Metatron, who no longer cared about the collapsing dimensions, certainly wouldn’t care about the people there! They met their deaths helplessly under his merciless hand.

Herbart, Vindelrat, and Komora dodged and weaved, but Metatron was so infuriatingly adept at drawing people into the conflict that they were desperate. The more they exerted themselves, the more damage they caused, leaving them in a state of torment.

What they found puzzling was how the forgotten space had been opened. The growing sense of unease that things were going awry only made them more anxious.

The same was true for Lucifer. When the people of the secret dimension tried to help, thinking their leader was fighting an intruder, it only benefited Lucifer. He exploited them even more aggressively.

In the end, it was only the people of the secret dimension who were being sacrificed.

The Uranos, the strongest in the secret dimension besides the six leaders, gathered in one place. They were barely withstanding the chaos, and only by combining their strength could they endure.

Aquinas was the only one frantically running around. He found the place where the Uranos had gathered. He then exerted his power to gather the scattered individuals there. When he displayed his authority, a great tremor shook the entire secret dimension, and as if it were a signal, individuals began to gather, one by one.

After Aquinus’s appearance, the Uranos, having regained their composure, realized they had never seen him so angry. They also found it strange that none of the other leaders were present. They were curious about what was happening, but they trusted Aquinus and waited.

Aquinus’s great authority was not infringed upon by Chaos’s interference. Chaos merely lingered in areas beyond Aquinus’s reach, snatching up some of the gathering people like a bird pecking at seeds. He was desperate to gain even the smallest harvest.

The Emperors devised a plan. One suggested that they provoke Marcion, who had a strong competitive spirit, into a fight. After considering it, Romero agreed, thinking that if the plan worked, they might gain unexpected benefits. The problem was who would face him.

They all volunteered, but Romero judged that only a limited number of individuals could match him. The Emperors were the first candidates, and among the rest, only Jesek, Buntval, and Karavan were considered suitable.

Vulcan was also considered slightly inferior, so even if someone weaker volunteered, they couldn’t allow the fight. As expected, the Emperor with a grudge was the most suitable candidate. The Emperor stepped out of the formation and loudly provoked Marcion.

“Hear this, you treacherous leader, Marcion. I have been waiting for an opportunity to punish you, and I have come this far, but I am deeply disappointed that I could not distinguish you among the crowd. If you are not cowering in fear, come out now and settle this with a duel.” The loud voice carried through the air, reaching everyone.

As they were gathered, Herpa saw Marcion’s expression change drastically and tried to stop him, just in case.

“You must not be drawn into the enemy’s provocation. We must think of the great battle that will ultimately decide things, not these petty squabbles that will bring us no benefit.” While his words were true, could emotions be governed by reason alone? Knowing that the voice belonged to one of the Emperors, Marcion’s heart was stirred even more. The Kusans also tried to calm Marcion down. In the end, he heard words he shouldn’t have.

“So, you admit that you gained your position through treacherous means. I don’t understand how someone who is afraid to act without the protection of his followers could have started this great war.

I have seen your measure, so I will not plead any further, but let me give you one piece of advice: how can someone who is too afraid to accept a challenge to a duel aspire to the authority of the Chief Seat [a position of great power or leadership]!

Those who follow you may swear loyalty outwardly, but inwardly, they must despise you! You are truly pathetic, Marcion.” At this point, there was no stopping him. The Kusans fell silent, and Herpa didn’t try to stop him any further. Marcion had already risen to his feet. He flew like the wind and stood opposite the Emperor.

He opened his mouth, letting out a hearty laugh, as if bestowing a favor upon his opponent’s request.

“So, you wanted to fight me that badly? I once served you, but even then, none of you could defeat me. What need is there to speak of it now? Still, if you wish to settle it, I will accept, but annihilation is final, so there will be no use in regretting it.

I will kill you now and make you Emperors realize how futile your dreams were.” “Shut your mouth, you wretch. You broke your oath of loyalty for your own greed, and you dare to speak so shamelessly.” “If we’re going to talk about that, the current liberation of the Spirit Realm is not so different from being released from the Emperors’ rule. It is only natural to be pushed from the throne when one’s power is insufficient. You don’t consider your own lack of power and blame others, which is pathetic.

Now, use your strength and courage to your heart’s content. I will make you realize the limits you cannot overcome.” Marcion’s words seemed somewhat reasonable, but there was a significant difference between the liberation of the Spirit Realm and the Kusans’ rebellion. There was a clear difference in terms of oppression versus voluntary loyalty, and in the legitimacy of the methods.

The attention of both sides was heightened. After all, the strongest warriors from each side were about to clash, and what could be more interesting to watch?

Who would win was yet to be seen, but it was clear that Marcion was stronger than the Emperors in the past, albeit by a small margin. Would things be much different now? However, victory or defeat was not determined solely by superior skill, so it was too early to make a judgment.

In any case, the Emperors had achieved their initial goal. They had drawn Marcion into a fight, and once he had stepped forward, he couldn’t save face without defeating the subsequent challengers. Perhaps one of them might get lucky and win.

Also, they had never faced the limitless powerhouses, so no one could predict the outcome.

The opposite scenario was also possible. If no one could defeat Marcion, the enemy’s morale would soar, and their own would plummet. Romero worried that they might have started something foolish. Moreover, the current battle was not just about determining a winner but about eliminating the enemy, so it could lead to a loss of power.

Therefore, Romero prepared the next challenger in advance and planned to step in immediately if things seemed too dire, to avoid the worst-case scenario. Marcion, unaware of this, intended to display his power to the world and eliminate the core members of the enemy forces.

Judging by his delay in engaging, Marcion didn’t underestimate the Emperor. Those on Harun’s side who were preparing to step up next focused all their attention on observing Marcion’s fighting style.

Both sides were visibly tense, and the desire for their side to win was shared even by the Demon Realm, which had been pushed to the sidelines.

The strange situation that unfolded just as they were about to decide on a renewed attack was not to the Demon Realm’s liking. The thought that they had been drawn into the enemy’s scheme was momentarily overshadowed by the rising tension, and they were busy swallowing dry saliva.

Even Yogwang, the leader of the Seven Stars, who was discussing matters with Herpa, only half-heartedly listened to Herpa’s instructions, focusing his attention on the upcoming clash.

Besides Yogwang, the Seven Stars consisted of Cheonchu, Cheonseon, Cheongi, Cheongwon, Okhyung, and Gaeyang, whose alias was Daedeok.

After Daedeok gave up on the unity of the Seven Stars, the six Guigye [a group of powerful beings] followed Yogwang as their leader and joined the call of the Demon Realm.

There was no inherent hierarchy among them, but sometimes, depending on the role, they would assign positions before important tasks. When there were no major events and things were peaceful, Cheonchu, Cheonseon, and Cheongi would usually lead, and when internal conflicts arose or there were major external battles, Cheongwon or Okhyung would be promoted to leader.

The reason they chose Yogwang as their leader this time was that, although he was considered the most foolish among the Seven Stars, he was deemed the most suitable for the tasks the Demon Realm wanted them to perform.

His sorcery would be useful in war, and he had the ability to withstand interference from the departed Daedeok or Jesek of the Celestial Realm. He was also cunning enough to flatter others with his words, which led to this decision.

He was quite skilled at matching Lanet’s grumbling with a carefree laugh. Herpa’s eyes were on Marcion, but his mind was focused on how to create chaos in the enemy ranks to gain an advantage.

“Is it true that you said it wouldn’t matter even if Daedeok or Jesek stepped forward?” “Of course. I wouldn’t say such things lightly. All of the Seven Stars have exceptional abilities, but I am particularly skilled in sorcery. And Daedeok is excellent at foresight, but not so much in actual combat.

Of course, he may see through my techniques, but that doesn’t mean he can neutralize them.” “I hope the Guigye will make great contributions in this battle and receive great rewards from Metatron or my father, Lucifer, in the future.” “Thank you. I will do my best.” Marcion and the Emperor began their first clash.

At the same time, cheers of encouragement erupted from both sides.

Herpa and Lanet stopped talking and focused all their attention on Marcion’s movements.

They would split and rejoin, and when one followed, the other would retreat.

The Emperor excelled in defensive techniques, while Marcion was outstanding in his unconventional offensive methods. Although they had both experienced a long time, they had never fought properly, so they couldn’t be said to be proficient in each other’s techniques.

The Emperor, having become a Complete One, had not properly inherited the progress of the first Emperors who had left this world. If the Emperors could have achieved a spirit form, Marcion’s rebellion would not have succeeded, no matter how much Metatron had intervened.

The Emperors’ power was based on the authority of the throne and the voluntary loyalty of the Kusans, and their individual abilities were not much different from those of the Kusans. Nevertheless, the abilities they had accumulated over a long period were not to be underestimated.

The Emperor attempted a golden, radiant transformation, and in his hand, a sword with seven iridescent colors shone. Every time he swung the sword, fragments of light beautifully adorned the space. Not to be outdone, Marcion also began to display his power.

Suddenly, scales appeared, and a black, glossy armor covered him. In each hand, he held strange weapons shaped like lightning, which writhed endlessly as if they were alive. If the Emperor’s form was splendid and radiant, Marcion’s was like the incarnation of a demon roaring to destroy the world.

Every time their swords clashed and separated, uncontrollable storms raged around them, accompanied by thunder that could burst eardrums.

As the clashes continued, their movements became more and more mysterious. They were never still for a single moment, moving like streaks of light within the confined space.

It soon became clear that Marcion’s power surpassed that of the Emperor. It was evident that Marcion’s dark light was gradually engulfing the Emperor’s rainbow light.

With all directions blocked by Marcion, the Emperor, who was gradually focusing only on defense, sighed inwardly.

‘How can there be anything more tragic than not being able to avenge my enemy with my own hands!’ Reality was harsh. He felt as if he could slaughter Marcion with his will alone, but when they actually clashed, it felt like a distant dream. There were slight differences in speed, change, and strength. It was commendable that he had even managed to hold out this long. Marcion, as if he had victory in his grasp, shouted triumphantly.

“Having experienced the greatness of Emperor Marcion, you will have no regrets even in death. Know that it is an honor…” “I yield.”

‘Yield?’ Marcion was dumbfounded by the unexpected words of his opponent. Was this a battle to determine who was superior? And how could an Emperor, with all his pride, so easily admit defeat!

Another Emperor from Harun’s side stepped forward to face Marcion.

“Since he has admitted defeat, I will be your opponent now.” Only then did Marcion’s face twist. There was no reason to be happy about winning.

‘These guys are!’ As he followed the retreating Emperor, another Emperor blocked his path. He attacked Marcion with a different technique than the previous Emperor.

Red and blue currents of energy emanated from his entire body like threads, blocking Marcion’s movements. Marcion was not flustered by the sudden change in technique. He crossed his hands and swung them once, cutting through the sharp currents without fail. He then charged straight at the Emperor.

Marcion’s eyes widened as he searched for the Emperor who had vanished with a swish. He was furious.

“Are these guys mocking me? How can you retreat in the middle of a fight? Have you no shame!” After a moment of searching, Marcion finally managed to locate his opponent. He planted his two massive swords upside down into the ground and shouted.

“To think you would try to face me with such shallow tricks.”

With a loud crash, the ground cracked open, and the Emperor quickly jumped out.

The Emperor, who had soared high into the sky, shot out a palm-sized oval disc.

Marcion’s sword struck the disc and followed the Emperor. However, surprisingly, the disc was only deflected and did not break. The deflected disc split into two and targeted the Emperor, moving even faster than before.

When he struck it again, the two became four. Four became eight, and eight became…

Eventually, they collided with each other, increasing in number at an alarming rate.

Soon, Marcion was surrounded by discs. And the Emperor who had thrown the discs at Marcion had disappeared without a trace.

It was Marcion who was flustered by this. The reason for his confusion was not the threat of the discs but the disappearance of the Emperor. The attacks of the discs continued, and he had no time to find his opponent’s location.

“Wow.” “He’s going to win.” “Kill Marcion.” Harun’s camp was buzzing. It certainly seemed as if the Emperor had gained the upper hand.

“Ugh!” Marcion’s shout, filled with rage, erupted first. And it was followed by a powerful explosion of light that filled the empty space between Harun and the Demon Realm.

“Everyone, take cover!” “Retreat!” Harun’s commanders shouted urgently, and the Emperors and Buntval stepped forward to form a defensive barrier. The situation was similar on the other side. If the Kusans hadn’t reacted quickly, the damage from the light storm would have been immense.

Despite Marcion’s immense power, the discs remained. No, their numbers had increased tenfold, and they continued to torment Marcion. It was absurd.

Could they actually win? While Harun’s camp was filled with such expectations, the Demon Realm was gripped by unease. However, the Kusans were unwavering. Their faith in Marcion was not so easily shaken. They were certain that he would eventually win, even if it seemed otherwise for a moment.

At the very moment when the people of the secret dimension were flocking towards Aquinus, Pa Cheon and the advance team were also paying attention to the changes. Pa Cheon thought that now was the crucial moment.

‘We must endure a little longer. We must wait for the decisive moment to ripen. Forgive me. It is truly regrettable that I cannot seize the opportunity without your sacrifices.’ Pa Cheon said that it was not yet time to move. Ramirez, seeing Pa Cheon’s prudence, sensed that there would be no fighting in their secret dimension.

Nevertheless, he couldn’t help but feel tense. The fact that they were present at the scene of a massive change that was unfolding and changing every moment was enough to make him breathless with tension.

The color of the wind that was blowing was not yet clear. When the events that were unfolding behind a veil came to the surface, everyone would have to make a choice.

To protect their own unique values, they could no longer hesitate. If anyone wanted to express their firm will, they had no choice but to risk their lives.

As the Kusans expected, Marcion’s composure was not compromised. He withdrew his attention from the movements of the discs that were confusing his eyes and senses. And he made his move.

The Emperor also knew that it was time to settle the score. He didn’t know what means Marcion would use to escape the crisis, and he was uneasy, but he only needed to prepare his strongest move. So, he made his move.

It’s unknown how their timing aligned so perfectly. Whether it was coincidence or they had anticipated each other’s decision, it didn’t matter. They clashed. Immense forces collided, each roaring that it could not tolerate the other.

The first exclamation of awe burst from Vulcan’s lips.

“Incredible power.” The two forces collided and mingled. Then, space fell silent. But the silence didn’t last long. It merely soared high into the sky, embracing all the air currents. The ensuing aftershock slammed into the surroundings.

“Kuh-erk.” If not for someone’s pained groan and the desperate shields erected by both sides, the scene would have seemed like a fantasy. Beautiful. That’s what everyone felt. But the essence of that beauty was destructive power. An irresistible force that sought to drag all existence into non-existence.

Even though they were far away, protected by a strict barrier, the shockwave was unimaginable. The weak collapsed, and many were swept up into the sky by the currents.

To be caught in it meant the end. No one could protect them.

After a while, the turbulent air calmed, and the noisy surroundings grew quiet.

And everyone saw it. The Emperor, who had recklessly overreached, was in a critical state from Marcion’s attack, lying in the cold embrace of the earth. He was still twitching. Given a little time, he could heal himself. But there was someone who wouldn’t allow the Emperor to recover. The Emperor lay beneath Marcion’s feet, gasping for breath, unable to escape on his own. The other Emperors rushed out. Seeing this, Marcion warned,

“Do you wish to hasten your death?” Marcion’s question was like an irresistible command. The Emperors gritted their teeth and glared, but there was nothing they could do for their dying comrade.

“Hurry… kill him.” The Emperor on the ground barely managed to utter the words, so faint that only he could hear them. Marcion had been waiting for this moment. Usurping the Emperor’s throne, taking his first steps toward dominion—it was all for this moment.

The fate of another being under his control, that was the expression of life, his only pleasure. Anticipating the thrill of declaring death, Marcion’s face was filled with unparalleled satisfaction.

The moment Marcion killed the Emperor, a new conflict was highly likely. The moment the other Emperors, unable to restrain themselves, jumped in, a major battle would reignite.

But Marcion hesitated. Even as he pressed his foot down, crushing the Emperor, his gaze was on the other Emperors. Their eyes, filled with the desire to kill him. Marcion smiled. He smiled as he slowly killed the Emperor.

“Let’s kill him.” One of the Emperors, unable to bear it any longer, spoke. Their resolute appearance made Herpha open his mouth.

“Prepare yourselves.” Romero also gave orders to the commanders on standby.

“Reform the ranks.” At that critical moment, a change occurred that drew Marcion’s attention elsewhere.

The appearance of Karma!

Karma, who had disappeared with the master of the demonic spirit, had appeared at this very moment. He was slowly approaching Marcion, but his attention was fixed on the dying Emperor, not Marcion.

It was so absurd that a stranger was approaching him without any caution, so Marcion issued a warning.

“Stop there.” Karma ignored the command. And he continued to close the distance with the same stride as before. Herpha recognized Karma and shouted,

“Karma, what on earth are you doing?” Where had he been, and now he was provoking Marcion.

‘Herpha knows him… Karma… so, he’s the one Herem mentioned.’ That fact couldn’t make Marcion hesitate. The only thing to give to someone who ignored his warning was death.

Without any preliminary movement, Marcion’s sword pierced Karma.

But Marcion’s expectations were shattered. The Emperor, who had been twitching under his feet, was gone, and Karma, who should have been screaming in pain from the sword, was also gone.

Karma was holding the Emperor in his arms, far away from Marcion. He didn’t even realize how he had moved or how he had taken the Emperor from under his feet. Marcion must have been surprised. He was staring blankly at Karma’s back with a dumbfounded expression.

Herpha said to Karma,

“To interfere in someone else’s fight, return him immediately and step back.” Why was he doing such a pointless thing! He was supposed to follow his orders, so why was he doing things he wasn’t told to do, making his position difficult! That was the meaning behind his words.

Karma grinned and lifted the Emperor, who was tucked under his arm, with one hand, grinning.

“Kid, don’t order me around.” “…” ‘Karma is defying orders!’ Karma looked at the Emperor’s face with a curious gaze, examining him closely.

“You won’t follow my orders?” He said, turning his gaze from the Emperor to Herpha.

“Don’t talk nonsense. You have no right to order me. No, I don’t take orders from anyone anymore. I have given myself freedom. Nothing can bind me.” “Betrayal… is it?” “Betrayal… let’s say so. From now on, I will only do what I want.” Herpha thought it was a mistake. There was no point in trying to persuade him any further. Herpha warned Marcion, lest he underestimate Karma and make a mistake.

[He is Karma. He is as strong as my father, Lucifer. He only followed Metatron’s orders, but as you just saw, he has declared that he has broken free from that constraint. So, do not provoke him carelessly.]

Marcion, who was already pondering how to deal with the one who had crushed his pride, decided to observe him further after hearing that he was a powerful being who could rival Lucifer.

He was not an ally, but he wasn’t exactly an enemy either, so there was no need to turn him into one, as Herpha had said.

“It’s tiresome. Watching you all calculate and scheme makes me sick. Didn’t you all gather here to fight? Fight. No matter which side falls, you must settle the score!” Then, he laughed and lifted the Emperor high above his head.

“Fight, I said fight!” The Emperor’s body, burning in fierce flames, melted away. The flames flowed down Karma’s hand, over his wrist, and soaked his upper body. Karma laughed madly as flames erupted from his entire body, burning everything.

The Emperors launched the first attack. They were followed by Harun’s elite forces, and the demonic realm and the Emperor’s army clashed. The second major battle was beginning.

Among the tangled masses, one figure stood out: Karma. Karma didn’t distinguish between enemies. He acted like the sole predator in a place teeming with prey. He didn’t obsess over victory like Marcion; he simply enjoyed tearing through the chaos.

Karma was alone, but the tangled masses were an excellent shield and an impenetrable maze. There were many places to hide and easy to evade. And when things got tough, when the Emperors swarmed him and the Kusans attacked in droves, he would briefly engage them before slipping away.

He would disappear for a while, then reappear when the battle was at its fiercest, adding to the chaos. The damage he caused was increasing exponentially. Yet, there was no way to catch him. Harun, the demonic realm, and the Emperor’s army were all exhausted from fighting each other.

But upon closer inspection, there was one clear principle to Karma’s indiscriminate attacks. He never struck at the main forces. He only chipped away at the edges.

So, the conclusion was unexpected. When he intervened during a lull, the fighting intensified. He clearly didn’t want either side to gain an advantage. It seemed like he wanted a quick resolution, and his actions were guiding the battle in that direction.

But even that didn’t last long. Karma’s rampage, which seemed like it would never stop, was about to be pushed to the sidelines by the appearance of one being. He had silently infiltrated the masses at first, so no one noticed him. But even if he didn’t reveal himself, he was a special being who couldn’t be hidden.

The Emperors had once said these words to Pateon:

“He disappeared while fighting Metatron. He was an Emperor who inherited the lineage of Pandua. He was the strongest and wisest. The rebellion began with his disappearance.” “The missing Emperor of Pandua failed to overcome the final stage of the wraith form. If he had overcome that, he wouldn’t have been defeated by Metatron.” The strongest of the Emperors, who were revered by the Emperors and Kusans, the Emperor of Pandua.

The sole possessor of the wraith form who had inherited the progress of the first Emperor, the Emperor of Pandua.

He, who had disappeared after the battle with Metatron, had appeared in the boundless Harun.

His appearance was not just the addition of one strong warrior; it meant something entirely different.

The Emperors were the first to recognize him, followed by Marcion and his Kusans.

While the Emperors cheered, Marcion and the Kusans were pale with fear. The mental shock they received was so great that some were frozen, exposing themselves to enemy attacks. Marcion stammered to Herpha,

“It’s… wrong. Metatron, Metatron must come.” Herpha looked bewildered, not understanding the situation.

“Hurry, give the order to retreat. We must escape.” “Why on earth?” It was only a blink of an eye ago that they were burning with the desire to end it all. So, why wouldn’t Herpha ask? What was Herpha’s fault? Marcion yelled at the innocent Herpha.

“The Emperor of Pandua… the one who disappeared, the one we thought was dead, he has appeared, so everything is wrong.”

The Emperor of Pandua was among them.

He stood on the battlefield of choice, a death festival for the living.

Neither the dying nor the ones dealing death noticed him at first. What was the force that made him stand out while being within the scenery?

He was the only spectator excluded from the festival.

The moment his heart moved and his will, which refused to be a piece of flotsam swept by the waves, manifested, he no longer remained within the scenery. He was distinct. He no longer wished to remain a bystander.

The first being to pay attention to the Emperor, who had decided to intervene, was Karma. He could sense it.

‘My heart is pounding. My heart feels like it’s going to explode. I shouldn’t pay attention to him. Don’t focus on him. I have to pretend I don’t know him. No matter what he decides… I have to let go of my attachment and leave this place. I have to… but I can’t.’ He decided that he would no longer run away, afraid and without even trying to overcome it.

Karma recalled the difficult decision he had made, and a new stubbornness welled up within him.

‘I will never be bound by anything again. I will not run away. If anyone infringes on my freedom, no matter who they are… I will kill them.’ The Emperor of Pandua was aware of every being gathered in Harun. Those who were leading the war, those who were falling meaninglessly as victims of the war, and those who were watching without participating.

He focused on one particular being among them. It was not Karma.

‘Was this it, the role entrusted to me? Guardian, you have overestimated me. I am not suitable to stop the fate that has begun to roll. There is a clear reason why I must participate in this war, but that one is not my responsibility.’ The master of the demonic spirit!

The Emperor of Pandua was able to distinguish the master of the demonic spirit, whom no one else had found.

The master of the demonic spirit also realized this. A powerful obstacle had suddenly appeared. The uninvited guest was a burdensome presence that made him tense. Before he appeared, Karma’s actions alone seemed sufficient to create the intended flow. He had been taking his time, thinking he could appear at the decisive moment. But now, it seemed impossible.

Karma, who had been in the center of the battlefield without being threatened by anyone, approached the Emperor of Pandua. He swept away those blocking his path as if removing bothersome obstacles.

Karma couldn’t contain his excitement and trembled all over. If he wanted to close the distance with the Emperor, there were many other ways. He was showing off his power to the enemy, displaying his might. He wanted to show that he was not intimidated. A force that hindered Karma’s approach was activated.

Karma opened his mouth.

“Good. Is this the power of the wraith?” The power of the wraith form, first demonstrated by Pateon, was the culprit that turned back Karma’s power.

About half of the surrounding masses were pushed into a safe zone beyond Karma’s reach, and the rest voluntarily retreated.

The space that had been densely packed was now empty. The fierce fighting suddenly stopped. It was a sudden phenomenon that occurred as if by magic, too naturally, even though no one had ordered it.

Now, attention was focused on how the fight between Karma and the Emperor would unfold. But the Emperor’s attention was actually directed elsewhere. Not Karma, but the master of the demonic spirit! How would he stop the massacre that would be committed by him?

He couldn’t quickly determine if it was possible with his own power. Since he hadn’t completed the wraith form, there were bound to be enemies he couldn’t guarantee victory against. Such anxiety had been confirmed by Metatron in the past.

The master of the demonic spirit was judged to be a threatening presence, though not as much as Metatron. There weren’t many actions the Emperor could take unless he was confident that he wouldn’t have difficulty stopping him.

The reason he was here now was purely because he had taken on that task.

The reason the Emperor had come to this place was because of a promise with two beings.

The Guardian and the Ancient Dragon.

The Guardian had saved the Emperor from the brink of annihilation, and the Ancient Dragon had safely hidden him. And they had demanded their price with great confidence. The Emperor of Pandua, one of the seven stars, had left Yongcheon to keep that promise.

He had heard in detail from the Ancient Dragon about the crisis currently facing the spirit realm, but after seeing it firsthand, it was clear that it was beyond the limits of what he could do with his own power. It was a diagnosis that took into account the aftershocks that would come from the secret dimension. If so, there was only one option.

The Emperor of Pandua, while observing Karma’s movements, quickly issued instructions to the other Emperors.

The Emperors consulted with Romero, and other leaders also joined in, offering their opinions.

The Ancient Dragon and the Guardian had considered Meden as the last bastion to avoid the chaos that was about to befall the spirit realm. Romero had also received such instructions from the Ancient Dragon. Meden was the optimal fortress to stop the enemy. And above all, the Ancient Dragon was nearby. That was what the Emperors and Romero were discussing.

Since the fight with the master of the demonic spirit was difficult to predict, they were to take their forces to Meden.

But getting there was the problem. If they could go, there was no reason to refuse, especially with the protective barrier removed.

In the end, Romero and the others decided to retreat to Meden with their forces.

The Emperor of Pandua had his own plan. He calculated that while he fought Karma and faced the master of the demonic spirit, the allied forces could escape.

The Emperors also decided to retreat together. They would lag behind, blocking the pursuing enemies and delaying the chase.

But it seemed unlikely that the master of the demonic spirit would let them go so easily. They would have to accept a certain amount of damage.

However, their calculations were wrong from the start. As the Emperor of Pandua faced Karma, the master of the demonic spirit incited Herpha and Marcion to clash again, reigniting the conflict.

Moreover, he directly intervened, inflicting massive damage on Harun’s forces. This put the Emperor of Pandua in a desperate situation.

“Everyone, retreat!” Romero, trusting in the Emperor of Pandua, issued the retreat order. Continuing to delay would only increase their losses. The Emperor of Pandua disengaged from Karma and immediately moved to block the master of the demonic spirit.

“You think you can stop me?” With Karma leading, the demonic realm and the Emperor’s forces pursued the allied army. The Emperor of Pandua tried to thwart their attempt.

“Not so easily.” Karma, at the very front of the large army, hesitated. He could feel an immense power blocking his path.

The power rising from the ground was like a massive wall, and it seemed to be doing more than just defending.

The hot-tempered Kusanus [a type of warrior] who stepped forward were swept up like leaves in a storm, tossed around and then slammed to the ground. The Emperor’s power was fully activated.

As the area of effect of that power gradually expanded, the allied forces were busy retreating.

Karma chose to break through head-on. The master of the demonic spirit also launched a proper attack. A torrent of energy, like dozens of dragons unleashed at once, surged along the ground, swirling and rushing in.

The Emperor maximized his spirit energy, colliding his power from a point beyond his reach. By the time the attacks reached him, the offensive power of the master of the demonic spirit and Karma had weakened considerably.

As the Emperor’s attacks focused on them, the two concentrated solely on that. This was an opportunity the Emperor welcomed. He immediately began a protracted battle, alternating between attack and defense, confusing the two.

Since he was one with space, it didn’t seem like a quick victory was possible. With his body scattered throughout space, he was attacking while looking for an opportunity, making it quite difficult to deal with. In any case, the clash between the three prevented the allied forces from pursuing the coalition army.

The Emperor of Pandua left Karma to deal with, and Kepler was leisurely retreating.

That was something that bothered the Emperor. Kepler, seeing the direction of the coalition army’s escape, knew that Meden was their destination.

‘To underestimate my abilities, Emperor, you cannot stop me.’ A wicked smile played on Kepler’s lips.

Karma frankly admitted that he was struggling. He could avoid the Emperor’s attacks if he wanted to, but he couldn’t afford to do so. After several head-on clashes, he was a mess.

When the Emperor transformed, his entire body was bathed in gold, and it was incredibly difficult to keep up with his movements. Moreover, he would frequently become one with space, nullifying their best attacks, and they were often troubled by attacks that slipped through their defenses.

He was getting frustrated. If it was a slight disadvantage in a close fight, it would be one thing, but he was constantly on the losing end, which was understandable.

“Kuh-uk.” A groan of agony escaped his lips. Staggering back from the barrage of blows, he was injured by a spirit spear that pierced his foot. And that was just the beginning.

The chain explosions of spirit energy coming from all directions were concentrated precisely on the spot where Karma stood, as if they had guessed his final position. At this point, anyone would be overwhelmed. He had used every means at his disposal, but it was difficult to even find an opportunity to attack.

The allied forces had moved far away, not daring to approach. Even though the Emperor could have harmed them as well, he didn’t.

The master of the demonic spirit teleported. The Emperor realized he had made a mistake. He also quickly identified the location of the coalition army and teleported.

Kepler stood in front of the coalition army. The Emperor, who soon followed, blocked Kepler.

The clash between the two prevented the coalition army from advancing any further. They considered going around, but there was no way to escape.

If they stopped here, the allied forces and Karma would soon catch up, and they would be trapped in a fight from both sides. They considered teleporting to Meden, but that was an even more dangerous option. Most of them would be defenseless against the enemy after teleporting. That would turn their plan to defend Meden into a result that would lead everyone to their deaths.

Romero was also at a loss. The best they could do was to prepare to face the enemy and reorganize their ranks.

Kepler harassed the coalition army while blocking the Emperor’s attacks. Soon, Karma arrived, and the allied forces joined in, putting the coalition army in a crisis.

The Tested Ones, Herpha and Marcion

The crisis facing the coalition army seemed impossible to resolve. Even with the addition of the Emperor of Pandua, who could be considered their best ally, the losses were increasing exponentially.

If it weren’t for Kepler, the situation would have been the opposite. The Emperor was preoccupied with Kepler and couldn’t focus on other things, and there was no one on the coalition army’s side who could stop the now free Karma. Even when Jeseok, Nogun, and Buntval attacked him simultaneously, they suffered a miserable defeat, let alone win.

Four Emperors attacked at the same time in their place, but that wasn’t enough either. The number of those dying was overwhelmingly greater on the coalition army’s side.

The Emperor of Pandua, who couldn’t possibly be unaware of this, made a new decision, even though his own fight was urgent. After pushing Kepler away from the center of the coalition army, he took his place above their ranks. He first knocked Karma out to the perimeter.

He created a large barrier that covered the entire coalition army, just like Pacheon had done. Kepler mocked him when he saw it.

“Is a barrier the best you could come up with?” Karma tried desperately to break the barrier.

Whoosh, whooong. It had an effect. Instead of breaking, the barrier absorbed Karma’s power and reflected it back.

Kepler’s expression changed. He attacked to gauge the strength of the barrier. Herpha shouted for everyone to move back.

As Herpha had predicted, Kepler’s first attack was reflected back, sweeping through the allied forces’ ranks.

Those inside the barrier were wondering why the Emperor hadn’t used this method sooner. Unlike the barrier that Pacheon had created, the Emperor was controlling the power of his attacks from within, so this result was possible.

From the allied forces’ perspective, it was an absurd situation. It seemed like the outcome of the battle would be clear if they pushed just a little harder, but they had no way to do so even though it was right in front of them, which was frustrating.

However, Kepler was still completely relaxed. He was confident that the barrier the Emperor had created would not be an obstacle. It was the confidence he had gained from the previous clash.

“You’re admitting that you have no other options. If you’ve truly hit rock bottom, then you’ve lost to me. It seems like the time has come to end this.” Now it was the coalition army that was becoming anxious. If the current barrier were to collapse, then, as Kepler had said, there might be no other way. They would have to fight to the end and meet an honorable end without being humiliated.

Once they reached that point, they renewed their resolve. Kepler started doing something unexpected. He ignored the coalition army and turned his attention to the demonic realm and the Emperor’s forces.

“Now, it’s time for you all to decide.” What was he talking about? Marcion, who had expressed his despair when the Emperor of Pandua appeared, asked in confusion.

“What are you talking about out of the blue?” He had followed them here on a whim because the master of the demonic spirit, Kepler, had performed better than expected. The thought that they might win. But he had forgotten that this hope had not arisen from his own power. It wasn’t just Marcion who sensed something unusual in Kepler’s attitude. Herpha had also read a subtle nuance in Kepler’s attitude.

“Now is the time to make your stance clear. Me or Metatron? Who will you serve?” Marcion looked uneasy.

Herpha was tense. It had been confirmed that Kepler was a powerful being they could not handle. Moreover, seeing Karma go to Kepler’s side and stand guard, they knew that the two were working together. This was not a problem that could be resolved with a smile.

“Choose now. If you serve me, we will be together, but if you choose Metatron, I will kill you with my own hands first.” It was a forced choice, thrown at the perfect time, in the best possible situation.

Metatron was in an unconfirmed, distant place. But the master of the demonic spirit was right in front of them, threatening them and demanding an immediate decision. There was unrest among the allied forces.

The Kusanus were watching Marcion’s reaction. In fact, from their perspective, Metatron and Kepler were the same. They were all the same kind of people. They would have tried to take everything if they had the chance, depending on the situation. But based on what they had seen so far, neither Metatron nor Kepler were people they could handle.

Marcion, who was already terrified by the reappearance of the Emperor of Pandua, had no other choice. He was going to be killed! He had to live first.

The problem was Herpha.

Marcion answered first.

“I will serve you… as my master.” The Kusanus had a ‘well, of course’ expression. They seemed to be welcoming the fact that they wouldn’t die right away.

“And you?” Kepler’s question was directed at Herpha. Herpha laughed. He laughed loudly.

“Hahahaha…” Raag also laughed. But Lanet and Herem did not laugh. They couldn’t laugh. They saw that Kepler’s eyes were turning cold. He was definitely going to kill all those who defied him.

“What’s so funny?” Herpha, who had stopped laughing, spoke slowly in a tone that could not be more serious.

“I can’t help but laugh at what you’re doing. If you think about it, you’ll know why I’m laughing. You wouldn’t say you don’t know, would you?” “I don’t know.” “If you were truly strong… if you were an absolute being who had transcended everything, you wouldn’t make such a ridiculous demand at this moment. Your haste is nothing more than a self-declaration that you can’t guarantee anything afterward. You’re not confident in winning. Are you telling me to serve and follow someone who will be momentarily arrogant but will eventually die miserably without gaining anything?

I’m not that foolish. I can’t bet everything on you when you can’t guarantee anything. After you have everything… if you tell me to choose then… I might seriously consider it. But not now.” “So you won’t acknowledge me?” “Isn’t that obvious? It’s useless to tell the servants of a house that the master has changed while the master is away. The demonic realm belongs to the powerful. There’s no reason why you can’t have it.

But not yet. If you try to take it now, you won’t be able to take any of us. You’ll only get corpses. Is that what you want?” The coalition army, who had been listening to their conversation from inside the barrier, were impressed by Herpha’s unyielding spirit. It was incomparable to Marcion, who had quickly bowed his head as soon as the words were spoken.

Seolan couldn’t take her eyes off Herpha and Herem.

Now the choice had been passed from Herpha to Kepler. If Kepler agreed to Herpha’s proposal, then Marcion would be the only one who looked ridiculous.

“Are you saying… you want me to postpone the decision?” “You could say that.” “Hmm.” Marcion interjected.

“It would be unfair if you accepted that.” “You’re right. To share the glory, it must be done before everything is decided. I can’t accept the mentality of wanting to enjoy the benefits without paying any price.” “Then there’s nothing more to talk about.” “If it’s not voluntary submission, then it’s death. I’m not proposing a deal right now. If you want to live, bow your head before me. There is no other choice.” Kepler became curious. There was something he wanted to confirm.

“Herpha, your commander, has refused my rule. Do you all feel the same way? Is your loyalty to Metatron so admirable that you are willing to accept death for him?

He has abandoned you. Even though death is upon you, he cannot protect you. Yet, will you remain loyal to him? There is still a chance. Is there anyone who will be loyal to me?” Karma separated the demonic realm warriors to one side. The effect of that one move was significant. Some of the conflicted Asuras [a type of demon] and Rakshasas [another type of demon] followed the demonic realm warriors, and those who had been firmly standing behind Herpha were also experiencing inner conflict.

“This is your only chance. If you are foolish enough to remain loyal to the end and die as a member of the demonic realm, then so be it. That’s a noble thing to do. But if you want to live, you must follow me. Choose.” The final chance to choose was given. About half of them abandoned Herpha, saying they would follow Kepler.

Herpha shouted.

“I cannot promise you survival. If you choose to stay with me to the end, there is nothing I can give you but death. I will not resent or ridicule you for betraying me. Make your decision. Only those who will die with me, remain.” Herpha did not hold onto those who were conflicted. In his heart, he even wished they would cling to the master of the demonic spirit.

‘Rather than die like this, choose the path to survive to the end. And witness the conclusion of this chaos with your own eyes. If you are not proud to be a member of the demonic realm, what good is it to lose your life for it? Go, go. Leave me and choose the master of the demonic spirit.’ But he couldn’t say those thoughts out loud. He roughly counted the remaining people. Two out of three had left. Yet, he thought there were surprisingly many left.

The demonic realm without Lucifer and the Great Demons was nothing like this. Since the focal point for unification had disappeared, the device that held them together had also been released. Perhaps this was inevitable from the moment Metatron entrusted the demonic realm to Herpha. It wasn’t that Herpha’s leadership was lacking. But he didn’t have the same dominant control as Metatron or Lucifer.

Kepler did not hesitate.

“Kill them all.” It was a cruel order. He was not solving it himself, but using the hands of the subordinates he had just gathered.

Karma led the demonic realm warriors at the forefront of the attack, and Marcion immediately joined in, not wanting to be outdone.

The remaining demonic realm army was being decimated by those who had been their comrades just moments before. The demonic realm army, led by Herpha, Raag, Herem, and Lanet, was reduced to less than a thousand in no time.

Mountains were piled up with corpses, and blood flowed like a river. The screams and shouts gradually subsided. Herpha was also injured. He possessed power comparable to a Great Demon, but he was no match for Karma.

Then, suddenly, Herem broke through the enemy’s defense line, aiming for Kepler. Kepler welcomed Herem, who was charging at him, covered in blood except for her eyes.

“Do you want to kill me?” “Keep your promise. Keep the promise you made to me.” Herem’s murderous attack was extinguished before it could even reach Kepler. Kepler laughed.

“Ah… that promise? That’s right, I did. Now that I think about it, I haven’t kept the promise I made to you. That promise is still valid. If you want, I can fulfill it now.” Herem’s attack stopped. Kepler gave an order to the entire army.

“Halt the attack.” The attacks of Marcion’s army and the demonic realm army stopped. None of the survivors who were surrounded were unscathed. Those who were in a critical condition, as if they were about to die at any moment, collapsed as soon as the attack stopped.

Karma asked Kepler.

“Why are you stopping them? You’re not thinking of letting these guys live, are you?” “Wait, Karma. I know what you want. My intentions are the same. But there’s one thing left to take care of before that.” “Take care of?” “Bring Herpha and Raag here.” Karma looked at the two Kepler had pointed out. Herpha smiled, revealing his white teeth.

“You won’t get me before you kill me. Let’s finish this quickly. Any further conversation between us is meaningless.” Herpha was exhausted. He wanted to rest. If death could give him peace, he wanted to enter that place as soon as possible. Karma opened his mouth.

“There’s no need to rush. We will decide your fate. Now, let’s go. Kepler wants to talk to you.” Kepler was far away. The demonic realm warriors who had surrounded them opened a path. Herpha and Raag walked along that path.

As they entered the open space, the group behind them reunited. The moment they reached Kepler, the demonic realm warriors’ attack began again. Herpha turned around and shouted.

“What are you doing!” He saw those who were being brutally killed, surrounded by enemies. Herpha was about to fly towards them when Kepler, who had approached unnoticed, blocked his path.

“It’s over. Don’t cling to the past anymore.” Herpha knew it too.

‘Yes… it’s over. It’s ending so futilely.’ “Herem, come here.” Kepler called Herem. Without even looking at Herem, who was standing next to him, Kepler kept his gaze fixed on Herpha.

“Now, I will fulfill my promise. I clearly said that I would save Herpha from a crisis once. Right?” “… !” “If I hadn’t stopped it, he would have been a cold corpse. So, I have kept my promise. Right?” “…” “Now there is no debt between us.” Herem was looking elsewhere at that time. The last resistance. Among the demonic realm army, only one person was still alive, Lanet.

She was barely managing to withstand the relentless attacks of the demonic realm warriors and was struggling.

Herem thought she had made eye contact with Lanet. But that was just her imagination. One person stood in front of Lanet. Karma.