Chapter 280: Wedding (2)
Terms used in this episode:
Point organization – A kind of organization where only a few people are connected. Someone belonging to the group does not know everyone, and only knows one direct superior. And that superior also only knows one direct boss. This organizational structure is mostly used in espionage, secret societies, and criminal organizations.
The Guardians of the Holy Cross that operated across the continent was kind of like a point organization.
A small number of people lived in its hundred branches, and only gathered as needed in resolving cases.
There were two reasons why their organization was like that: One was because both the kingdom and the empire would be reluctant to have an international armed group within their countries, and the other was a shortage of personnel.
The Guardians of the Holy Cross was a group who devoted their lives to fighting the demons.
Naturally, its members often had grudges against the demons or demon followers, and ironically, the greater the number of demon followers, the greater the number of those who hold such grudges.
‘In other words, now that the demon followers have lessened, those who had grudges naturally lessened too.’
Their weakening was obviously superficial only.
The series of events in the wild lands and royal capital proved that the present demon followers were not weak.
Rather, they were more like predators who hid themselves in the shadows and waited for opportunities.
However, it was true that the activities of the demon followers had declined steadily over the past hundred years, and this had forced the size of the Guardians of the Holy Cross to become smaller.
‘They have a small number of people, but have to monitor the entire continent, so it’s inevitable that their organization became a point organization.’
They covered the entire continent thinly and widely.
But if they were simply scattered, they would not be able to fight the demon followers properly.
Therefore, the role of the six generals in the Guardians of the Holy Cross was very important.
They were focal points that wandered across the continent and united the branches of the group when necessary.
In the case of knights, it was common for commanders to stand by at the headquarters rather than stand in the front lines.
In fact, Adelia who was one of the seven commanders in the Royal Guard Magic Corps was usually sitting in the office.
But the Guardians of the Holy Cross were different.
Even Kamael, the leader of the six generals, fought all over the continent.
And one of those six generals.
Paladin Joanna looked straight ahead with a frown.
She was a very serious person who until just a week ago was searching the eastern end of the S?len Kingdom for demon followers.
Strict, serious, and sincere.
High Elf Eltharion, the eldest among the six generals, described Joanna with those three words, and the rest of the generals except for Kamael and Joanna were warmly acclaimed people.
“Are you in a bad mood?”
“Wouldn’t it be stranger if I’m feeling good?”
Among the members of the Guardians of the Holy Cross who were conscripted from all over the continent, those who could be called as senior members were murmuring in low voices.
Even Joanna who was usually expressionless was now frowning a bit.
The reason for that.
The flirting couple close to Joanna.
Chu. Chu.
Chu. Chu. Chu.
Chu. Chu. Chu. Chu. Chu. Chu.
The kissing sounds weren’t actually that loud. But seeing those two kissing reminded everyone around them on who they were.
Count Jude August Bayer and Countess Cordelia August Chase.
The couple of the century who everyone in the S?len Kingdom knew.
“Are you envious?”
“Why? Are you envious?”
“Then you’re not envious?”
“I’m not envious. I’m really, really envious.”
“What about me then?”
“I’ll consider it three times if you’re the only man left in the world.”
The senior members who were flirting with each other immediately tried to continue talking, but they quickly shut their mouths.
Because Joanna’s gaze turned to them.
Iron Wall Joanna.
Her innate strength was furthered strengthened by the secret arts of the Guardians of the Holy Cross, so she was armed with a war hammer capable of knocking down walls and a huge and gigantic shield that could block even siege weapons.
Her entire body was covered in white mail and plate armor with some black cloth, so one could truly call her a moving castle of steel.
‘Not yet?’
Joanna looked behind her and asked with her eyes, and one of the members answered in a low voice.
“Three minutes until the start of the operation.”
Because it had been decided to raid the branches across the country at the same time.
Joanna frowned once more at the member’s answer, and put on the helmet that was on her side before grabbing her war hammer.
Clunk. Clunk.
It wasn’t something one should do during a secret raid, but fortunately, there was a reaction when she made that small noise on purpose. The fantasy couple flinched and became more conscious of their surroundings.
But Joanna was not pleased.
Because the couple who realized that the operation was about to start began to flirt more.
‘Jude, Jude. Joanna is seriously staring at us.’
‘It’s fine, let’s continue.’
‘Ueueueue.’
I don’t want to escape from here because it feels good.
But the operation is about to start now.
Cordelia pouted as if to appease her disappointment, and lightly pushed Jude away to widen their distance.
[Finally!]
Melissa shouted in Cordelia’s mind, and Cordelia cleared her throat before looking over the bushes.
It was just a ruin from its outside appearance.
The ruins of a collapsed castle.
But in reality, this was the headquarters of the central branch, the largest branch of the Devil’s Hand.
This branch was led by Koros, a high-ranking demonic human.
For today’s surprise attack, Cordelia and Jude as well as Iron Wall Joanna and a hundred members of the Guardians of the Holy Cross were mobilized.
In addition, even the kingdom’s army was involved in this operation.
More than a thousand kingdom troops were led by Seryu, the Seven-Killings Sword, and they loosely encircled the area from a distance.
It was their role to narrow their siege at once as soon as the battle began, and to prevent the demon followers from escaping.
‘Huu, okay.’
Cordelia held Moonlight that was reborn as an Awakening Myth-rank dragon equipment, and touched with her left hand Ultimate Five – Grand Order that was hanging from her waist. Heavenly Judgment was strapped on her back, so one couldn’t tell if Cordelia was a wizard or not from her appearance.
‘Rear support.’
Standing at the front lines, it was the role of Joanna and Jude to clear the way.
So Cordelia mentally counted down and began casting various magic spells on Jude.
“, , .”
Joanna who was standing next to them was surprised at the continuous spells.
It was surprising to see Cordelia casting more than ten magic spells without breaking a sweat, but Jude who casually accepted that many support magic was also amazing.
‘As expected of Landius’ disciple.’
Most normal people wouldn’t be able to accept that many support spells on their body.
He didn’t look tough because of his smooth and handsome face, but perhaps he’s hiding something huge underneath his clothes.
“Dame Joanna.”
Jude spoke quietly, and Joanna, who was imagining what was underneath his clothes, flinched but nodded her head.
It was time to commence the operation.
“May the light of the holy sun always be with you.”
The greeting of the Solari denomination that had now disappeared.
Jude responded with a hand gesture of the Solari denomination, and Joanna deeply felt her opinion of Jude to be rising.
And right after that.
When Jude looked at the front and Joanna closed her helmet.
One of the Guardians fired a red flare in the sky. Seryu saw this from a distance and conveyed a command.
Begin the attack.
The battle began.
***
The underground of the branch was like an ant nest.
Jude and Joanna quickly wiped out the small number of troops above ground, and entered the underground without delay.
And in that process, Joanna was amazed several times.
‘Strong.’
It was a very simple expression, but Jude was fast and sharp.
He fought with bare fists in the first place, so his speed was great. Moreover, his attacks were also strong and not just fast.
In addition, the rumor that his limbs were like swords was not a lie.
Not only did Jude casually blocked the demon followers’ swords with his arm, but he also split and smashed the walls with his sword-like hand.
His rampage was truly incomparable.
The speed at which he defeated enemies was so fast that Joanna herself was in a hurry just to follow him.
‘He’s really like the leader.’
She wasn’t talking about his strength that made her naturally follow his back. It was because Jude’s movements reminded her of their leader, Kamael.
Jude wasn’t using a sword, but it was clear to her that he was using the Twelve Snowflake Sword Art.
“Kuooooo!”
A demon rushed through the dark corridor with a roar. But when Joanna raised her shield and gripped her war hammer, it was already over.
The Twelve Snowflake Sword Art.
Twelve snowflakes spread with the sword.
The moment Jude clashed head-on with a demon, a white blizzard covered its vision. Jude’s sword-like hand slashed over the demon’s body whose movement was temporarily stopped, and the demon’s lion-like head and giant body fell into nine pieces.
Thud!
A dull sound rang as the frosted pieces crashed to the frozen floor. It was the power of the Twelve Snowflake Sword Art’s extreme Yin energy.
‘No, that’s not all.’
The paladin Joanna could tell. There was divine power in Jude’s slashes.
A Holy Blade.
Divine weapons with heavenly power.
And Joanna finally understood.
What Cordelia cast on Jude wasn’t just ordinary support magic.
‘Enchant!’
A magic spell that strengthened weapons.
Generally, it was impossible. Even those who strengthened the human body through hard training couldn’t stand the magic that was originally for inanimate objects.
But Jude could stand it.
It was Jude’s power who had become one with Sword Origin.
“Keep going! ”
Even when Joanna stopped walking in surprise, Jude was moving. Despite being a swordsman, he used magic to light up the darkness and literally eradicated the demon followers who were hiding or looking for an opportunity to attack.
As Joanna’s opinion of Jude increased further, she clenched the war hammer and chanted holy words to revitalize herself and everyone around her.
“Follow the count!”
“YEEEEEES!”
The demon followers strongly resisted, but the Guardians of the Holy Cross was more powerful.
While Jude and Joanna opened the way, Cordelia and the other members finished the rest, so all the troops left in the branch were being swept away like autumn leaves.
And around thirty minutes later.
Having reached the lowest level, Jude caught his breath as he stretched out his arms.
Behind Jude’s back was the gatekeeper, a giant gargoyle who lied frozen on the floor.
A demon with a power equivalent to that of a mid-ranking demonic human.
It was the strongest enemy Jude had fought since the battle began, and the reason why Jude was roughly breathing.
But his intuition told him that this battle would not achieve its goal.
‘They ran away.’
Most of the enemies he encountered on the way here were demonic humans.
Due to the various events that occurred in the S?len Kingdom over the year, the number of low-ranking demonic humans had decreased, but there were still many of them.
Moreover, the figure of Koros, leader of the branch and a high-ranking demonic human, was invisible.
‘Did he notice?’
It wasn’t impossible. He couldn’t help but be careful since six generals that were scattered all over the continent had gathered in one place.
The demon followers would most certainly notice it.
Furthermore, there was also a demonic human with a prophetic ability, though imperfect, among Saluzia’s subordinates.
‘Still, we achieved a lot.’
Only Koros and some demonic humans had escaped.
The central branch of the Devil’s Hand was annihilated in this battle.
The demon followers throughout the S?len Kingdom were wiped out.
A large number of troops were needed to cause a huge-scale turmoil, such as the events in the wild lands and the royal capital. Even if some demonic humans survived, there was a clear limit to what they could do if they didn’t have enough troops to support them.
‘They’ll most likely run to the empire.’
Since all the things they had planned for the S?len Kingdom had failed, it was possible that they would rather strengthen the empire.
‘Anyway… we resolved one thing.’
Cordelia planted a flag, but it ended without any problems so he was satisfied.
With a small smile, Jude touched the small object in his pocket. He specially ordered it from Cassius.
“Count August Bayer.”
At Joanna’s call, Jude turned around as he held the object.
“It looks like the high-ranking demonic humans have escaped.”
Joanna frowned at Jude’s words, but soon corrected her expression and said.
“But just in case, I’ll order a search.”
“Yes, thank you for your hard work.”
After thanking her, Jude looked around the room on the lowest floor again.
It was a place he had seen several times in the game, but there was a slight difference from reality.
‘The Devil’s Hand.’
A group of demon followers who worshipped Asmodeus, the overlord of lust.
When they entered what appeared to be the room of the branch leader, Koros, the crest of Asmodeus that was painted on the wall immediately caught his gaze.
The overlord of lust and Hell’s best swordmaster too.
In the game, she was an overlord who directly descended on earth the day of the Great Summons to announce the beginning of Armageddon.
‘He really escaped.’
There were no objects left in Koros’ room. He took what he had to take, and the rest seemed to have been discarded so that it would not fall into the hands of the Guardians of the Holy Cross.
“Jude! Did you find anything?”
Hearing Cordelia’s call from afar, Jude turned around. After hiding into his pocket the object he was holding, which was a ring, he shouted back.
“No! I found nothing! I’ll be going there now!”
“Hurry!”
“Okay!”
Their conversation was a bit silly, but it made him smile even more.
‘The next part.’
After Ga?l and Adelia’s wedding.
The next event that would happen.
Jude touched the ring on his chest pocket again before he hurriedly took a step forward.
***
A rain of fire poured down the sky.
Keynes and Sarah were dead.
Adelaide informed them of Kamael’s critical condition, and Joanna wept as she reported the death of Eltharion, the eldest general and spiritual pillar of the Guardians of the Holy Cross.
Things didn’t go well.
Malekith’s Dragonflights that had devastated the southern region had begun to head north, and the barbarians who took control of the northern region were now heading south.
It was no exaggeration to say that the destruction of the S?len Kingdom was eminent because the central region that lost its royalty had no power to stop the attacks from the north and south.
Jude sat in the middle of the battlefield.
His whole body was covered in blood.
Some were shed by Jude himself, and some were shed by others.
Some must have been the blood of Keynes and Sarah.
Jude let out a long breath. He tried to forget everything for a while by shutting off the magic communicator device that continuously delivered the news.
But he couldn’t.
It was impossible to find serenity in this place where the corpses of the Guardians of the Holy Cross, the demon followers, and many innocent civilians were piled up on each other.
‘Father.’
The Sword of Wind he inherited from his father.
Count Bayer no longer existed.
Or rather, the Bayer family itself was gone.
The battle in the north killed Count Bayer and his heir, Ga?l who was Jude’s only brother.
The Bayer county was destroyed by fire, and Jude could only save Maja.
“Thank goodness, young master.”
Maja was in tears as she looked at his face.
Despite losing her legs due to her lower body being crushed, she smiled at the fact that Jude was safe.
A month after the disappearance of the Bayer county, Maja died.
It was the result of accumulated injuries and the curses left by the demons.
Jude clenched his teeth.
He felt like tears would come out again when he thought of Maja’s face.
But it was useless.
A single tear streamed down Jude’s sweat and bloodstained cheeks.
His father, brother, and Maja.
The entire Bayer county.
He lost everything.
The demon followers took them all.
All that remained was the incomplete Sword of Wind that he learned from his father.
However, Jude could not throw away the Sword of Wind. He practiced the Ninth Heaven’s Nine Doors and also learned the Twelve Snowflake Sword Art from Kamael, but he still used the Sword of Wind as his foundation despite being incomplete.
Because he was the only one left.
Jude continued to cry.
He was only eighteen now.
He was not even twenty years old.
In the end, Jude began to cry like a child.
And the sound of footsteps was heard.
Jude heard a gentle call.
“Jude.”
A soft whisper.
Jude turned his head.
A red-haired girl appeared beyond his vision blurred with tears.
“Cordelia.”
Instead of answering him, Cordelia sat down to look at Jude before smiling. She simply spread out her arms and hugged Jude. She buried Jude’s face on her chest as she shared her warmth.
Cordelia also lost a lot.
Count Chase was killed along with Count Bayer, and her older sister, Adelia, was engulfed in the royal capital rebellion and lost her life. Her older brother, Edward, was still alive, but he lost his mind and became a madman.
But Cordelia did not lose her smile.
She became the only light in Jude’s gray-filled world.
And time passed.
When the sky dyed red by the sun had turned dark, and the sea of stars spread out.
Jude sniffled as he gently pushed Cordelia away. And at that small gesture, Cordelia smiled again.
“Are you okay now?”
Jude nodded as he blushed.
They had already slept together several times, but embarrassing things were still embarrassing.
“Oh my. You’re so cute.”
Cordelia pinched Jude’s cheek and sat down next to him. She held Jude’s hand once again.
The desolate battlefield.
The desperate news that came one after another.
But it wasn’t completely gray. So Jude held Cordelia’s hand and spoke impulsively.
“Cordelia.”
“Yes?”
She looked his way.
He became an adult too quickly, but gazed at her with his blue eyes.
The place was not good.
It was hard to say that the atmosphere was good too.
But Jude couldn’t resist the urge as held out the object he had been hiding in his pocket.
A small ring.
It was not fancy, but a beautiful keepsake from his mother.
They were already engaged.
They already had engagement rings.
But still, Jude gave it to Cordelia, his beloved, and Cordelia smiled again. She accepted the ring with tears in her eyes.
“Pretty.”
Cordelia said as she looked at the ring Jude put on her finger, and Jude’s cheeks reddened again.
He whispered to Cordelia who was the only light in his gray world.
“I love you.”
“I love you too.”
Cordelia shyly smiled and so did Jude.
For a brief time, the two smiled together, forgetting the despair that enveloped the world.
They looked up at the dark sky that was devoid of stars.
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