Chapter 227 – Facing It

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Translated by Heavenly Cat

Read it only at Novelbyu.com & Utoon.net

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The joining of General Commander Ho-yeol.

Safely rescuing even the last civilian.

And advancing.

Retreat did not exist for the Holy War Allied Forces whose morale had soared to the extreme.

The Lionheart Knights and Goddess Order Paladins skillfully stirring up the battlefield. As they opened the path at the vanguard, the players joined in.

“Drive them continuously without rest!”

“Where do these bastards think they’re looking down on!”

“Behave and stay holed up quietly inside the Demon King’s Castle!!”

Wolf clicked his tongue at the fierce charge.

“He’s amazing, our General Commander.”

Even assuming the Shadow Mercenaries were an exception since they were arbitrary by nature.

Leading someone was by no means an easy task.

Furthermore, a battlefield where one has to risk their life?

The medicinal effect of loyalty does not last long.

However, the Holy War was different.

“This isn’t just at the level of leadership abilities.”

Command, a stage beyond that.

Everyone was voluntarily burning their fighting spirit.

No matter how overwhelming the combat power.

It is a battlefield where the wounded are bound to occur.

However, even those who suffered injuries did not retreat.

Someone rather smiled.

“Tch, I feel like I’ve finally paid off my debt.”

It must be the pride he always speaks of.

Wolf smiled bitterly.

Pride, it seemed like a story entirely distant from himself.

However, it didn’t seem to be the case for the lowest seat, Rockid.

“Move out of the way. Out of the way. I’ll take that bastard!”

At first glance, it looked like he was running wild recklessly, crazy for merits, but.

Wolf’s sharp eyes examined the adventurer Rockid had pushed away.

It was an injury that would have led to a fatal wound if Rockid hadn’t stepped forward.

‘He’s gotten quite soft, Rockid.’

Whether Rockid was considerate of the wounded because he himself had been severely injured.

Whether he was less tainted because he was the lowest seat.

If not, whether he had truly come to harbor something called pride in his heart.

He had no way of knowing, nor did he have any desire to know.

“I just have to think of it as an unbelievable matter and move on, right?”

Wolf’s contemplation did not last long.

Clack-

Pshew-

Crossbow bolts pouring out as much as the pouring enemies.

Even if one couldn’t realize pride, he is a mercenary.

Regardless of the reason, it meant he had to properly earn his keep according to the employer’s will.

“Charge!”

Soon, it was the moment the Holy War Allied Forces entered the Demon King’s Castle.

In order to block their advance, the demons would also fiercely fight to the death.

A sight different from what they had prepared for unfolded.

“…What is it all of a sudden?”

A silence descending upon the Demon King’s Castle that had been full of roars.

Harkon, who was commanding at the vanguard, opened his mouth.

“All personnel, halt!”

It wasn’t that the demons had vanished.

Because the Allied Forces were facing the Demon King’s large army right under their noses.

What was strange was their reaction.

Harkon shouted as if to confirm once again.

“Is it certain there are no mages in the friendly forces?”

“That is correct.”

“Excluding me, there shouldn’t be any…”

Stealthily.

Excluding Pimbi who raised his staff, there were no mages.

Then what on earth could it be.

What could be…

“Did they make them strangle their own necks with their own hands?”

“!!!”

It was exactly as Harkon said.

It wasn’t a simple silence.

Thud-

Thump-

Tremble-

The demons dropped both the weapons and shields they were holding, and clutched their own necks with both hands. Let alone roaring, they couldn’t even let out a choking breath as they fell to their knees on the floor one by one.

“Commander…?”

Yeshika sought Harkon’s opinion.

Since the opponents are demons, letting their guard down is forbidden.

According to principles, they had to swiftly decide the match taking advantage of their collapsed state.

“All personnel, standby.”

However, this was a heterogeneous battlefield that even Harkon had not experienced.

Let alone the common sense of Arcanians.

It was a sight that could not be understood even with the common sense of players.

Leonie opened her mouth.

“I-It’s not just one or two?!”

Tens of thousands.

To be precise, it was seventy thousand.

The named monsters, the demon legion commanders, were no exception.

All the demons fell into a panic and couldn’t even resist.

Turning pale from ‘something’ more terrifying than their own blades.

Hisagi muttered while looking at the towering citadel.

“Could this also be Sir Ho-yeol’s ability…”

That was the only possibility to guess.

Within Hisagi’s knowledge.

The existence that would make seventy thousand demons tremble in fear was only one person.

Because it was only Ho-yeol.

However, if that was the case…

“I feel as if the emotions he is feeling are being conveyed.”

If Ho-yeol usually was always consistent.

From the current Ho-yeol, a quiet anger seemed to be felt.

However, they could understand.

Looking back on the actions the demons committed.

Beside interrupting the regular academic conference.

Putting civilians in danger.

And adding one last reason…

Shouting loudly against formalities.

Shouting the incomprehensible word Claudi cannot be left out either.

Hisagi nodded his head.

“I too have somewhat understood his feelings.”

Therefore, I too will not hesitate.

Ching-

Hisagi advanced, dragging his spear.

“The target the Allied Forces will bestow mercy upon is not demons.”

A spear swung without hesitation with narrowed eyes.

Starting with such Hisagi.

Those who had stopped began moving again.

‘Mr. Ho-yeol…’

‘What on earth is happening, Sir…!’

‘Don’t look away, focus on the battle in front of you.’

Purposefully turning away from the citadel where Ho-yeol and the Demon King must have faced each other.

.

.

.

Mage Tower.

Crystal Hall.

As expected, Banshee made a fuss.

“W-What is that again?! Nasrow, isn’t that your field?”

The demons are strangling their own necks with their own hands!

The only thing he could think of was Illusion Magic.

However, Nasrow shook his head.

Yes, at first glance, one might casually mistake it for Illusion Magic.

“It is absolutely not Illusion Magic.”

“…It’s not? Why is that? With your level as Senior Nasrow, isn’t manifesting that level of Illusion Magic possible anytime? You were the prodigy of Illusion Magic, weren’t you!”

“Senior Banshee, please reconsider the words you said.”

“…Eh, the words I said?”

“I’m talking about the evaluation regarding Illusion Magic you spat out.”

Banshee was someone who had blabbered a lot of things by nature.

An evaluation regarding Illusion Magic…

He definitely seemed to have made a perceptive evaluation that hit the mark, but.

As Banshee agonized, Nasrow spoke with his own mouth.

“It uselessly consumes an extreme amount of magic power.”

“…No, I said such a thing?”

“I definitely remember it.”

There was a bone in Nasrow’s words.

Fire Magic, which boasts the worst magic power efficiency among elemental magics. It was largely thanks to being dumbfounded hearing such a thing from the Flame Magic Studies Senior, Banshee.

Banshee mumbled and opened his mouth.

“That’s because I was a bit immature back then…”

“I didn’t say it to receive an apology. Because it’s the truth.”

“Then what does your statement mean?”

Due to being pushed around here and there.

The Senior Mage of Enchantment Magic who unintentionally became quick-witted.

Kiko Armin continued the words.

“You mean it really isn’t Illusion Magic…?”

Nasrow unexpectedly stood up from his seat and said.

“That is correct. That is not Illusion Magic. Regardless of the amount of magic power or manifestation ability, I’m saying it is magically impossible. I assure you, no matter how much it is Chief Lee Ho-yeol…”

There was a point to Nasrow’s words.

Bangrit’s sparkling pupils.

He was someone whose field of vision capturing magic power was as outstanding as his magic sensitivity.

“I cannot see any noticeable magic power in the area.”

If it really was an Illusion Magic that deceived tens of thousands of demons.

The area around the Demon King’s Castle would have been flowing with uncontrollable magic power.

Marcelo looked at the cat, the Tower Master.

‘Like the Illusion Magic manifested by the Tower Master’s physical body.’

Then what on earth was the cause.

Marcelo.

Even the Tower Master scratching his head with his hind foot.

It was a moment when they couldn’t guess the cause of that bizarre phenomenon.

Only Matis silently closed his eyes.

‘It is Black Magic Studies.’

Matis looked at his own hand.

A magic tool that responds to heterogeneous magic power.

The ring had not only turned black but was cracked.

Matis realized again.

‘Even though we aren’t directly facing it.’

We were merely looking at an illusion projected simply with magic.

An immeasurable level of heterogeneous magic power broke the magic tool.

Matis swallowed a groan.

‘Sir, just what are you…’

It is a heterogeneous magic power stemming from the past and background.

‘What kind of past have you experienced?’

Matis couldn’t dare to guess.

No, he didn’t even want to guess.

Because Matis knew the dangers of heterogeneous magic power better than anyone, as the founder who established Black Magic Studies. Therefore, he was merely worried.

‘If that past flows backwards.’

If the Sir becomes 『Blackened』 because of it.

The aftermath would bring unimaginable results.

Therefore…

‘I know whether this is an impolite thought. However.’

Such a past.

A past that no one else could have endured if it wasn’t the Sir.

That it is a relief that the Sir, and no one else, experienced it.

‘I, Matis, dared to think of it.’

.

.

.

Above all, making him shut his mouth was urgent.

Calling out Claudi, Claudi out of nowhere…!

Already, let alone the world, that name must have echoed even to the Mage Tower.

Even so, I couldn’t just stand back and do nothing, could I?

Just in case, he might go further and recite my full name.

‘Even if I endure everything else, for that damned Romeo…!’

On TV, on the news, on the community.

The bait will keep rolling all day.

Pride or whatever, I really don’t have the confidence to walk around with my face held high in shame! That’s why I manifested Black Magic, 『Black Coffin』. And disallowed the sensory activities of the demons including the Demon King, Andras.

And it was now.

If you are quick-witted, you must have noticed from my words.

The fact that I am the Claudi you were so eagerly looking for.

That’s why I appeared like this.

So what’s the reason you looked for me bringing up that name?

It’s an obvious statement, but I’m not the one answering.

───────
Exorcism Ritual : Invitates a demon to the consciousness.
───────

If it is the space of consciousness, one can converse regardless of senses.

I asked Andras, who was trembling in fear.

No, I interrogated him.

“It shouldn’t be a name a mongrel who doesn’t even know his place could know.”

“…”

“Speak, where did you hear that name.”

Were my words a bit harsh?

But honestly, I have reasons to be angry.

Grrurg-

Andras foamed at the beak.

I haven’t even started a proper interrogation yet, but are you already surprised?

His condition is so terrible that it makes me wonder if I can hear the answer I want at this rate.

Even so, Andras stubbornly conveyed his words.

“Great evil… From the great evil… I heard…”

Great evil?

Yeah, there’s no way that name entered your ears for nothing.

Anyway, they have loose lips, demons.

Truly acting well together among yourselves.

As expected, it was a good thing I blocked his speech first, Ho-yeol.

Self-praise was brief, I continued to interrogate him.

“Which of the six is it.”

The Seven Deadly Sins.

Among them, Greed is one I personally shoved into hell with my own hands, so six is correct.

From Andras’s perspective, it must be a story he absolutely must hide.

However, no matter how much he struggles, it will be impossible to keep his beak shut.

What kind of space is the Exorcism Ritual.

The initiative of the consciousness was with me.

It meant that if I ask, he has no choice but to answer.

“G- G- Gluttonyyyy…!!”

Gush-

Andras spouts blood from his mouth.

It seems he even signed a contract to keep the secret.

‘Anyway, great evil or Demon King.’

There’s a reason they say the ones with means are worse.

‘So should I call this fortunate?’

It was the Seven Deadly Sins Gluttony whom I had some acquaintance with.

Why, that day when heavenly luck found me through the blessing of the siren.

I witnessed Gluttony through the [Telescope of the Demon Eye].

Well, what would appearance matter to a demon for whom possession is daily life, but.

Even though I look like this, I’m a Demon Hunter.

If we encounter by chance, I might be able to figure it out by feeling.

‘By the way.’

A question naturally followed.

So Gluttony, how does that bastard know my name…

No, how does he know the name Claudi?

‘For some reason, the questions are endless.’

It was the moment I swallowed my lamentation about my fate and looked back on my memories.

‘…Wait a minute.’

I ended up remembering.

That day when heavenly luck followed.

The single question that remained with me.

That was right.

The Elder Dragon, Yunakersus.

The elf clan led by Argentress.

The Transcendent, Urs.

The great evil Seven Deadly Sins, Gluttony.

A hair-trigger situation that seemed like it would burst at any moment.

I remembered the transcendent riding a broom who sorted out that situation.

Then the questions began to interlock.

‘…!’

Skal’s Dragon Knight Class Quest.

The ‘Great House’ specified there.

And this moment.

Andras saying he heard the name ‘Claudi’ from Gluttony, who was at that place.

Soon, I ended up reaching a conclusion.

…That messy situation was sorted out by the name Claudi?!