The 9Th Class Swordmaster: Blade Of Truth [EN]: Chapter 401

248. Nephilim War (1)

“Here…!!”

Kay Rothschild, clutching the Apocalypse Necklace’s gem extracted from Jarka Hoch’s heart, rushed back to the ramparts, only to freeze in her tracks.

“…”

She stared, speechless, at the sky.

The Rothschild family’s golem [a magically animated being] arts were akin to necromancy [the practice of communicating with the dead]. For generations, they had sought answers within corpses, even at the cost of their lives.

Raised on such teachings, Kay had dedicated her life to disproving the existence of God.

After all, the descent of God was merely a legend from fairy tales; no one had ever witnessed it directly.

Corpses lay at her feet, but God remained unseen.

The Rothschild family’s motto was, in itself, a complete denial of God.

And though she wasn’t very old, it was the core of her being.

Until just moments ago.

Gulp-

She swallowed hard, involuntarily. Her body stiffened, and she found herself unable to move.

“God…”

The word escaped her lips.

Glorious.

It seemed the only word to describe the spectacle unfolding before her eyes.

Streams of light poured from the heavens.

Though the form was unrecognizable, the palpable warmth banished the winter chill, leaving her feeling weightless and numb.

It was undeniable.

God had descended before her very eyes.

For the first time, she felt the immensity of this unapproachable existence.

[Do not tremble.]

Just then.

Kay shivered as an ice-cold hand landed on her shoulder.

[My master cannot falter over something like this. Did you not aspire to become the King of Necromancy?]

It was Jarka Hoch.

Unlike his previous appearance, his face was full of life, but his body was frigid.

Inside his heart was the new gem Hagane had brought, pulsing red with each breath like a real heart, visible through his skin before fading away.

[If so, we must rebel even more against the existence of God. If God governs life, then we have chosen the path of death.]

“…”

[Even now, is there not one person standing tall before God?]

Slap-!!

Kay slapped her cheeks mercilessly as soon as Jarka Hoch finished speaking.

“You’re right.”

She looked at him.

“But my legs won’t stop shaking. It must be God’s pressure.”

But she wasn’t ashamed.

Feeling awe that transcended fear was natural for a human, a creation of God, an unbreakable rule.

“Are you okay?”

[I don’t know if it’s because of the Demon King’s gem, the master of the Demon Realm, but I can move somehow. The power of the Demon Realm seems to resist Yula’s restrictions.]

He said to Kay.

“Then help me. I need to deliver this gem to him.”

She clenched the gem in her hands and said with determination.

[Help you? I’ve said it repeatedly, you are my master. So, give an order, not a request.]

Jarka Hoch hoisted Kay Rothschild onto his shoulder and said.

* * *

Kwaaaaaaaang—!!!!

Kwagagagang—!!!

“How dare you…!! Not lower your sword before God. Are you not afraid of death!!”

Judex stared at Karil in disbelief.

Even as Yula’s divine decree suppressed all humans, rendering them immobile, Karil nonchalantly drew his sword.

Fueled by anger, he moved with intensified speed and blazing eyes.

“Death? I am afraid.”

Karil adjusted his grip on his sword and said.

“That’s why I’ll live.”

Judex felt a chilling intensity in Karil’s eyes.

“What a monster…”

Just then.

Waaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhh—!!

Waaaaaaaah—!!

The Nephilim [a race of beings, often described as giants or demigods, in some religious traditions], descending from the Sky Castle with deafening shouts, poured down towards the ground.

“Kuaaaaah!!”

“Die!!”

“Kneel before God!!”

As if drawing strength from their shouts, Maron, Karanon, and Elanion simultaneously raised their weapons and shouted. The sheer number of Nephilim blotted out the sky, their white wings now grotesque rather than sacred.

“Nephilim in the sky!!”

“Shieldbearers, reform the front lines!! Archers, magic corps, prepare to fire!!”

The soldiers of the Free League moved in unison to meet the approaching enemy. Fear and pressure remained, but their bodies moved with the ingrained reflexes of countless training sessions.

Bang!! Bang!! Kwaaaaaaaang—!!

The soldiers armed with giant tower shields fortified the ramparts, and sharp arrowheads flew towards the sky from between the shields.

Thwack! Thwack thwack!!

Shwaaaaaaaak—!!

Thousands of arrows rained down, followed by the combined flames of the magic corps, the Ulkas Guild, the Immortals, and the Academy’s mages.

Whirr…!!

The moment the flames touched the arrowheads, they ignited, transforming into thousands of fire arrows.

Thwack! Kwajik…! Kwagagak!!

The magic flames burned the Nephilim’s wings, sending them spiraling down in panic.

“Our attacks are working…! Fire!!”

“It’s okay if they’re not higher-ranking Nephilim!!”

“Show the potential of humans!!”

Kinu Mukari, along with Thompson, Nine Darhon, and even Kadin Ruer, who had joined them, rallied their respective units, igniting their fighting spirit.

“All troops, front lines!!”

Drrrrrrrrrrr…!!! Clang!!

The drawbridge of the gate lowered, and the Imperial Knights, led by the Golden Knights in golden armor, drew their swords in unison.

Bellin Valention, the former commander of the Imperial Knights, shouted.

“Listen, everyone.”

His face was weary, but his eyes burned with determination.

“We have been defeated, our lord has disappeared, and our country is gone. But the people we must protect are still here.”

Clang-! Thud!!

The knights brought their swords to their chests. The sound of armor echoed.

“I do not ask you to follow a new king. But he, too, does not demand our loyalty. Isn’t it strange? Our strength may be insignificant in his eyes.”

Bellin Valention pointed to the village inside the castle.

“But we have a duty as knights, apart from the king’s orders. You know what that is.”

“Yes!!!”

“Let’s fight. Never let those guys invade the castle!!!”

Bellin Valention pulled on the reins, turned his horse, and shouted.

“Advance!!!”

Waaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhh……!!

Waaaaaaaah……!!

The knights’ shouts shook the earth as much as the Nephilim’s cries.

“You guys…!!”

The four archangels were taken aback by the fierce resistance, unsure how to deal with Karil and the human army.

“Maron, Karanon. Lead the 1st and 3rd Nephilim legions and annihilate the human army on the ground. Elanion, lead the remaining legions and stop that man.”

“Judex, you will…”

“I will spread the oracle.”

He pointed to the sky.

In the night sky, a pure white light rippled like an aurora.

“When the oracle descends and the word of God echoes through the earth, humble humans will have no choice but to obey the command.”

“Understood.”

“Yes.”

As soon as Judex gave the order, they scattered.

“I will serve God.”

He placed his right hand on his left chest and lowered his head. The light from the sky began to focus on him.

“Stop him!!!”

“Don’t let anyone approach Judex-nim!!!”

Elanion rushed towards Karil with a greatsword. Hundreds of Nephilim followed, flapping their wings.

“Who says so?”

Just then.

“Do you really think that you guys can stop Karil?”

“…!!!”

Elanion turned at the voice and swung his greatsword.

Boooooooom…!!!

Miliana, her upper body covered in dragon scales, stood her ground, gripping the flat of the greatsword.

Crack…! Kaggeugeugeuk…!!

The scales covering her arms meshed with the greatsword, creating a grinding sound.

Crack-!!

Ignoring Elanion’s magic power, she strengthened her grip, her fingers digging into the thick metal.

“How dare you…!!”

Elanion tried to shake her off, but her fingers only dug deeper.

Tteojeok…!!

A crack formed around her fingers. She pulled on the greatsword, launching herself onto Elanion’s back.

“…!!”

Hanging on, she wrapped her arms around his neck.

“Don’t even think about approaching him, you big pigeon chicks.”

“Keuk…!! Keureuk!!”

Elanion struggled, panicking at her unexpected strength.

‘What kind of power is this…!’

He was mortified that he couldn’t shake off a single human.

“Thanks to the guy I met for the first time, I’m gritting my teeth a bit.”

She shouted, grinding her teeth.

“Digon!!! Are you just going to watch!! We can’t lose to the knights!! We were always the first on the battlefield!”

Waaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhh—!!

Waaaaaaaah–!!

Led by her cry, Digon began to sprint, leading their horse, Kargon.

“How does it feel to be held back by the humans you ignored?”

Karil walked leisurely among the Nephilim and stood before Judex.

“Judex, the leader of the Nephilim. Only you can use the power of God. But even you need time to perform the ritual.”

“…”

“I wonder if you’ll have enough time? Let’s see if God’s grace is faster, or my sword.”

“You…”

Karil swung the sword of Polsetia with all his might.

[Stop.]

Just then.

Shining hair, shining face, shining body.

The radiant appearance was dazzling.

Without explanation, it was clear that the figure of light was the incarnation of Yula.

“Have you finally come? It’s the first time I’ve seen you like this.”

Karil looked ahead.

“Oh, God…!!”

Judex lowered his head, flustered.

“Ptooey-”

Karil spat, expressing his feelings upon encountering God.

“Here!!”

A small gem flew in an arc. Karil snatched it.

The last of the three relics of the oracle.

Karil stared at the gem in his palm.

“What is the oracle you will give to humans?”

Clutching the gem, he said to Yula.

[I am saddened that you are fighting due to misunderstandings. Soon, a rift in the world will occur, and a giant tower called Parel will appear.]

Yula’s voice echoed in everyone’s minds.

[This is a cataclysm occurring throughout the dimensions. You must not fight each other, but join forces.]

Karil glared at her.

He wanted to cut off her neck, but knew it wasn’t her main body.

“Really? If it’s a crisis, then we’ll have to fight.”

“…What?”

Judex looked at him in surprise.

“But not together. Instead of those winged guys, give me the Sky Castle. That would be more helpful.”

Karil smirked, his eyes predatory. He held the gem Kay had thrown in front of Judex’s face.

“Here, I’ll give you this as the price for the Sky Castle.”

“Y-you crazy bastard…!!!”

Judex was speechless.

“How dare you speak so casually in front of God…!!!”

“Nonsense? I’ve never spoken lightly.”

Squeeze-

Karil tightened his grip on the gem.

“Listen carefully. I’m always serious. I don’t think I’m close enough to joke around with you guys.”

He said to Judex.

“If you can’t hand it over…”

His sword blazed with aura.

“I’ll have to take it.”