Chapter 229

Chapter 229

“Your Holiness.”

The Pope didn’t look too well. He sighed and rubbed his forehead.

[Dylan, I bring bad news.]

He braced himself.

“Tell me.”

[The demonizing is spreading faster than anticipated. I’ve already received over 70 estates being impacted, regardless of the country. And the report is coming in faster.]

“That’s not good.”

Dylan’s face became stern. Ravis seemed to have realized something and quickly asked.

“Then what’s your stance on sending priests to Magalia!”

He sighed lowly and rubbed his temple.

[There is no guarantee the demonizing will stop even if His Majesty kills all the demons. The problem is the demonic stone hidden in the town. So, I’m thinking about sending people to those estates. You’re no exception, Ravis.]

“Your Holiness.”

Ravis growled.

The Pope told him the reason: Ravis isn’t used to fighting, and he had experience destroying demonic stones before.

[Leave it to Dylan to rescue the saintess. I won’t hear anything else. This is an order.]

They knew the Pope must have thought a ton before coming to this conclusion. Even though this was to save humanity, it also was ignoring the Emperor’s bluff. He could come back later and hold this against him, which means the group might lose its position as the country’s religion. The Pope will be dismissed for sure.

[Your Holiness, there’s something…]

[I expect both of you to follow the order.]

He got off immediately. The light started to diminish from the orb. But Dylan and Ravis looked at it without a word.

After a moment, Ravis pondered and then came to a conclusion.

“…. I’m going to Magalia.”

“Brother Ravis.”

Dylan was surprised as Ravis was usually all for following Pope’s order. But he looked determined.

“I know His Holiness was serious, but I can’t leave it like this. If I ignore the saintess’ situation after she was kidnapped trying to save me, then there will be no point in helping anyone moving forward. And Theres also probably wants me to go to Magalia.”

He remembered every word when Theres appeared.

[Ravis, my child. She is someone I sent down to Ridrian for this world. She was the one I kept my eyes on, and someone who could fulfill my will. But it won’t be easy. Protect her at all costs. Only she can save the world.]

Iona thought she was pretending to be a saintess, but she actually was a saintess sent by Theres.

‘But Theres’s order means nothing to me.’

He was already trying to protect her on his own will. It was the other part that worried him the most.

A lady who was sent to Ridrian by the Goddess. He was hoping that when Iona finds out, she wouldn’t be hurt.

“Whew. Get ready if you’re really thinking of going. Let’s leave right away.”

Dylan put the orb away. He looked up in determination.

“Let’s get ready.”

***

Magical red arrows poured down the sky, a torrent of deadly projectiles aimed to strike Ridrian. With an unearthly grace, he dodged tens of them, moving in a way that seemed almost inhuman. Swiftly, he swatted away the only arrow that dared to obstruct his path.

“It’s annoying to use magic without an incantation,” Ridrian thought to himself, but there was no time to dwell on it. He knew he was no match for his opponent, Ryuga, regardless of the magic’s lack of formalities.

Having faced Ryuga’s patterns three times already, Ridrian had gained a keen understanding of his adversary’s style.

“His power is strong, but it’s not fully honed,” he analyzed, recognizing Ryuga’s potential.

Ryuga was undoubtedly experienced, but the gap was evident compared to Ridrian, who had spent his teenage years on the relentless battlefield.

Ryuga’s reaction time and physical strength surpassed that of ordinary individuals, but Ridrian had grown accustomed to it after their previous encounters.

The moment Ridrian landed on a boulder, he threw magic to where he assumed Ryuga used his magic. The boulder flew toward the demon.

Ryuga’s face turned pale as it came at him with such speed. He tried to dodge quickly, but it was too late.

***

“Darn!”

Ryuga cursed as he clashed with the boulder, causing it to explode, and the remnants slid down the other side. The battle was intense, and he could feel the weight of the situation pressing down on him.

“Cough cough! You’re just a darn key!”

Ryuga’s relaxed face was no longer there. He couldn’t hide his anxiety.

He was the demon who showed the most potential out of all the young demons. Even Recaldo favored him the most, so Ryuga was determined to catch the human emperor and earn the respect he wanted.

“If though you absorbed his power, you’re just a human! You can’t even begin to think what us demons are capable of!”

Ryuga became hysteric and started to pull out his demonic power. The atmosphere started to turn everything black.

“Don’t get in my way.”

He put even stronger demonic power into his sword as he watched Ryuga trying to pull something. The emperor’s sword, Lotuburu, started to shake.

“Get out.” Ridrian used his pure demonic power to push away Ryuga’s.

Ryuga spilled blood as he lost in the battle of power.

“Looks like you are of demon blood too.” Ryuga taunted as he saw Ridirian struggle to control himself. He scoffed.

It looked like the sadism the emperor always felt on every battlefield started to boil up.

‘You can’t kill.’

Ridrian was reminded of Iona’s advice and pushed down his urge to kill. Ryuga shouted at him as Ridrian didn’t take his chance to kill him.

“Are you ignoring the instinct of the demon? Even though you have his power!”

Ridrian realized whom Ryuga was talking about. It was the old demon who swallowed Ridrian.

“He just showed up on his own will. I never called him.”

Ridrian grabbed his sword and reflected on all the attacks. Ryuga ground his teeth while panting.

“I’ve been lenient with you since I must catch you alive!”

“You’re not going to kill me. I’m so thankful.” Ridrian scoffed at Ryuga. He was such a fool for not stepping down, even though there was a clear skill difference.

As Ryuga stepped back, he summoned his power to create a massive magical barrier – a feat only achievable by a grand wizard. The absence of drawn symbols on the ground revealed the magnitude of his skill.

“Let’s see how long you last, key!” Ryuga’s smile sent shivers down Ridrian’s spine as he channeled his magical power into the barrier, creating a swirling magical storm.