Chapter 457 (1~): The Gray Shield
The Pope released his Chaos.
Numerous mouths began to appear again. And Cale,
“More!”
He grabbed the Pope by the neck and shook him.
“Why aren’t you using more Chaos?! Use more!”
“E, e, eek!”
The Pope, with a gaze filled with chaos beyond confusion, looked at Cale as he trembled violently.
“…….”
“…….”
The paladins, even the highest-ranking paladin, also watched the scene with astonishment. Furthermore—
“Human, what are you doing?”
Raon and the rest of his allies also looked at Cale, unable to hide their bewilderment.
“Hey!”
Even amidst all that, Cale pressed the Pope.
“Why aren’t you using more Chaos?! Create waves like before!”
“E, aak—”
The Pope didn’t understand what was happening. Neither the enemies nor the allies understood.
Kuuung---
Suddenly, a great vibration, the feeling of the ground trembling, caused everyone except the Pope and Cale to look back towards the window.
—…A dragon!
Cale felt the same. The Sky Eating Water reacted so sensitively that he had to turn his head towards the window.
A small fortress, like a pavilion, situated in the gardens. From this fortress, the outer wall was invisible, hidden by the main fortress.
Probably, on the wall, the sect’s troops were waging a fierce defensive battle against the approaching Demon King’s forces.
Raon muttered in a daze:
“…A dragon…”.
But now, beyond the main fortress, a dragon was visible.
-It’s the form we saw in the Central Plains.
As Super Rock said, it wasn’t the dragon they had seen in Nameless World 1 or Apitoyu’s world. It had a form more similar to an Eastern dragon. A dragon similar to the black and white dragons that manifested in Choi Han and Choi Jung Soo’s swords, rose above the main fortress.
That dragon surely hadn’t reached the wall yet. But—
-It’s overwhelming.
As Super Rock said, that size was so overwhelming that it was visible even from there.
Kuuunguuuuu-
And the ground’s vibration indicated that the dragon was rapidly approaching. A blue dragon. It wasn’t simply a dragon form created with energy. The sharpness of a real living being was felt. With blue scales emitting a faint glow, it had two large horns on its head, and its eyes shone intensely.
Even a sense of sanctity emanated from that enormous dragon that rose alone in the night.
“It’s the Dragon King. The Third Emperor has arrived, without a doubt.”
The highest-ranking paladin’s words reached Cale’s ears. Dragon King— It seemed that’s what they called it upon seeing the blue dragon.
“The catastrophe has arrived.”
Cale couldn’t refute those words.
Kuuung---
The vibration intensified to the point that the windows were trembling.
‘This is bad.’
Cale realized at that moment.
‘It’s more than I imagined.’
After defeating the Transparent Blood Family in the Third World, he would face the Five Colored Blood Family, the last hunter family.
He thought facing them wouldn’t be much different from what he had done so far. That he could face them little by little.
But he realized that was a mistake.
-Without being a god, how is it possible!
The Sky Eating Water’s voice, filled with anger and despair, was heard.
-Why, without being a god, is that guy so powerful!
Three of the Five Colored Blood Family’s most powerful warriors, possessing multicolored-level unique energy.
The Three Emperors.
Cale fully understood the meaning of ‘Transcendence,’ the desire to become the first Wanderer, the first of the Three Emperors, and the weight of transcending everything, who were almost gods, and shouldn’t be considered mere Wanderers.
Kuuunguuuuu--
And a faint figure was seen between the two horns of the approaching dragon.
“…Third Emperor.”
That was one of the Three Emperors. The Third Emperor was approaching. Towards Moraka Castle.
“…….”
The Third Emperor looked down.
“It’s crude.”
That was his assessment upon seeing Moraka Castle’s walls and the main fortress beyond.
“The God of Chaos’ sect is truly crude.”
His gaze turned to the side. He gestured with his hand.
Chrrrrrr-
A man was launched into the air along with a jet of water.
“Kreuk—”
It was one of the God of Chaos’ sect’s superior paladins, who had encountered Cale while chasing Sui Khan.
One of the Third Emperor’s mouths opened.
“They say there’s someone imitating the First Emperor here?”
“Kreuk!”
He wasn’t in a condition to answer. His body was already full of fractures, barely breathing. In fact, that insignificant’s answer didn’t matter to the Third Emperor.
“The Demon King said something interesting, so I came to see, and I hear something even more interesting.”
They came to the Demon Kingdom to find Choi Jung Gun. As the path wasn’t clear, they tried to contact the Demon King for information. They had to find Choi Jung Gun as soon as possible. They had to kill that Wanderer who had learned about ‘The Transcendent.’
“Even then, we couldn’t do the job properly because of the God of Chaos’ sect.”
Due to the appearance of a Saint from the God of Chaos’ sect, they couldn’t use their power properly, and they had to let Choi Jung Gun go, only contaminated.
“Ryeon.”
“Yes, Third Emperor-nim.”
The Wanderers Cho and Ryeon.
The Third Emperor spoke to the two Wanderers, who possessed transparent-level unique energy.
“Isn’t this situation very similar?”
The Wanderer Ryeon nodded. Intelligent, she immediately understood what the Third Emperor meant.
“It seems similar to the Primordial Night.”
The sacred land ‘Primordial Night,’ created by the God of Chaos’ sect in New World, attacking the Wanderers from the back.
And the ‘Moraka Castle,’ where the God of Chaos’ sect was waiting to cause trouble in the Demon Kingdom.
And the battle that took place there.
But in those two battles, there was always something strange involved.
While the Wanderers Cho and Ryeon attacked the Primordial Night, they realized that the situation had been manipulated by someone.
“It seems they have gotten involved.”
And this time is similar. The God of Chaos’ sect and the Demon King’s forces. There’s something strange between their confrontation.
“Yes. It seems there are fake Wanderers imitating the First Emperor.”
As they had imitated the God of Chaos’ sect before the Wanderers Cho and Ryeon. This time, they did the opposite.
“Cale Henituse, right?”
“Yes. It seems he’s here.”
A gleam appeared in Wanderer Ryeon’s eyes. She had to help the Third Emperor find Cale.
“Interesting.”
The corner of the Third Emperor’s lips rose.
“I thought he would be in New World, but he’s here now. Truly interesting.”
But unlike his smile and interested tone, his eyes shone.
“…Truly, cunning.”
Does he dare imitate the Five Colored Blood Family, even the First Emperor?
“Before finding Choi Jung Gun, I must kill these guys first.”
That’s why he decided to act himself.
The Third Emperor. He was a tenacious person, completely dedicated to what interested him.
That’s why, he even thought that Choi Jung Gun, who would surely have died from Chaos contamination, might be alive, and went to look for him. And he acted himself in this matter. Because he didn’t tolerate any interference in his work.
“…….”
His gaze turned downwards, towards Moraka Castle. All the castle’s lights were on, and living beings could be seen running around. He didn’t know if they were from the God of Chaos’ sect or demons. But Cale Henituse’s group should also be there.
“Destroying something as crude as that doesn’t require much time.”
He decided to destroy Moraka Castle, which seemed so crude to him.
If he destroys it completely, everyone will die.
And even if—
Somehow they survive and escape the castle ruins…
“If they try to escape, killing them will also be fun.”
The Third Emperor cruelly smiled.
“…….”
Wanderer Ryeon silently observed, saying nothing. The Three Emperors were warriors of a different level, so they would destroy Moraka Castle in an instant. Perhaps today they would also destroy the God of Chaos’ sect.
Multicolored-level unique energy.
Such power is truly like that of a god.
Neither the God of Chaos’ sect nor the Demon King’s forces would know the true power of the three Wanderers.
‘That’s why the God of Chaos’ sect is trying to betray and is doing various things.’
Following the direction the God of Chaos desires.
But even the God of Chaos doesn’t know the true power of the Three Emperors. The God believes that only gods are powerful. But that’s not the case.
‘The proof is the Three Emperors.’
At least, the Five Colored Blood Family’s Wanderers know the greatness of these three. As they were almost gods, although they weren’t, it was impossible to imagine the kind of world they would create in the future.
‘Hmm.’
But Wanderer Ryeon had to suppress the feeling that a groan was about to escape.
‘…Cale Henituse…’
When she saw Cale, she remembered the ‘First Emperor.’ The Third Emperor was angry at Cale for imitating the First Emperor, but Ryeon kept thinking about something else.
‘I don’t think it will be easy.’
Cale Henituse. He’s different. His appearance when looking directly into the God of Chaos’ eyes. He had something similar to the First Emperor, but also different. He’s definitely weaker than the First Emperor, but—
‘Why do I feel this?’
But soon, Ryeon had to stop her thoughts.
“Advance.”
As soon as the Third Emperor finished speaking, the enormous blue dragon began to move.
Saaa—saaa—
Along with the sound of waves. But there were no waves. Not a single drop of water was visible around it. Even so, those who heard the sound of waves felt the terror of a gigantic wave, of a tsunami, approaching.
“Young Master Jimon!”
Young Master Jimon, the owner of Moraka Castle, silently observed everything, and had to make a decision at the call of the true housekeeper.
But he couldn’t decide.
“Young Master, you must escape!”
The elderly housekeeper was firm.
“Otherwise, your life will be in danger!”
At her words, Young Master Jimon opened his mouth.
“And the others?”
“……!”
The housekeeper pressed her lips, unable to continue.
“Escaping now isn’t difficult for me! But, the employees of this castle? The administrators? The demons of my clan? The territory residents living in the castle?”
In this castle, there were more Moraka Castle residents than members of the God of Chaos’ sect. They would be confused by what was happening in the middle of the night.
“Young Master. But if you don’t escape now, you might not have any more opportunities.”
The elderly housekeeper opened her mouth.
“We can no longer simply observe.”
She pointed to the blue dragon approaching the walls.
“The castle will collapse soon.”
“Damn it!”
Young Master Jimon didn’t know what to do. He pressed his lips and made a decision.
“Let’s go!”
He left the main office and pointed to a place.
“Let’s go to the gardens!”
In this Moraka Castle, there’s only one person who can be considered on Jimon’s side.
Cale Henituse.
He had to go with him.
“He’s the person who saved the Count. Perhaps he has a solution! I can’t escape like this!”
He couldn’t escape. The demons of Moraka Castle. Revenge for Count Rupe. And the territory might be destroyed by the results of this battle. He couldn’t allow that, he had to do something.
“Hurry, follow me!”
Young Master Jimon hurriedly ran towards Cale. He had dragons by his side, and well, many powerful people, so he had to ask them, no, beg them to give him time for the castle demons to escape.
“Damn it!”
He had been caught up in the Demon King’s conflict. To counter it, he attracted the God of Chaos’ sect, but now everyone was going to die.
“Damn it!”
Young Master Jimon, unable to contain the anger he felt, ran towards where Cale was. In his heart, besides anger towards the enemy, there was anger towards himself for making the wrong decision, and for his own inability for having lost the Count to the Demon King.
But that disappeared, and now only despair remained. He couldn’t escape like this after being manipulated. He couldn’t escape alone. Young Master Jimon’s steps quickened as much as his despair.
And,
“Kreuk!”
While Cale was distracted looking at the blue dragon, the Pope used all his remaining strength to release all his Chaos.
Cale Henituse, surprised by the blue dragon, even the reddish-gold lightning had decreased its intensity. The Pope didn’t miss that opportunity.
“This is what you wanted, you fool!”
A huge gray wave fell upon Cale again. As Cale was right in front of the Pope, it seemed the wave was vertically trapping him.
“!”
And the Pope was petrified.
“Heh heh.”
Cale smiled.
“As expected.”
Cale, who had pretended to be distracted on purpose, smiled with satisfaction.
And he brought out his shield again towards the approaching wave with countless mouths.
The instant the gray-stained shield vibrated…
The countless mouths stopped. And the Pope shuddered at Cale’s gaze. Cale’s eyes shone.
“Goodbye.”
With those words…
“E, earnestly…?”
The Pope realized what Cale was trying to do.
“Are you trying to kill me?!”
The Pope smiled.
“Yes, kill me!”
Both the Pope and Cale smiled. And…
“This is bad.”
Only the highest-ranking paladin realized something was wrong and tried to attack Cale, but—
Kwaang!
Choi Han blocked him.
“Kreuk.”
In the brief instant the paladin couldn’t advance due to Choi Han’s intense determination, groaning as he tried to resist…
The shield,
Puuk!
Sank into the gray wave. And the Pope could hear something else Cale said.
“Bon appétit.”
What?
The Pope tried to say something, but stopped.
His heart pounded strongly. No. It wasn’t his heart. The energy within his heart suddenly reacted.
Chaos in the Wind.
It suddenly reacted. If this exploded, the Pope would die, but at the same time, the gray disease would spread to the Demon Kingdom, and the situation the God of Chaos desired would be created.
‘Ah-’
But that energy wasn’t going to explode. The Pope realized.
“E, this guy—”
For the first time, a bad word escaped his mouth as he looked at Cale. But he couldn’t simply look at him.
-Churp.
The Glutton moved.
-Like.
The instant the Glutton decided to eat…
The Pope felt the energy in his heart churn.
“Keheuk!”
Blood flowed from his mouth. And—
“Ah—”
“……!”
Everyone had to witness that strange scene.
The mouths that had only been eating… One after another…
Kiii—kii—
They began to emit a strange moan. It was like a cry.
“Human!”
And Cale’s arm turned more gray. The gray slowly spread from his elbow to his shoulder. When Raon shouted in surprise…
-I found it.
“I found it.”
Malicious smile. Cale smiled.
Kuaaaaa--!
Kuaaaaa---!
The countless mouths screamed. And—
“Kaaaaak!”
The Pope began to writhe. The energy in his heart moved.
As it was the God of Chaos’ Sacred Object. That energy contained Chaos, and it moved towards whoever desired it, absorbing Chaos.
A terrible scream filled the space. The gray wave undulated. Most couldn’t see what was happening inside the wave. But one thing was clear.
The countless mouths were crying for help.
But no one dared to approach.
From within the gray wave, the laughter of a human who was turning gray was heard.
Neither sacred.
Nor beautiful.
It didn’t even seem solemn.
It could be said that there were only terrible screams and a disgusting sight.
That sight quickly came to an end.
“Keheuk!”
The Pope fell to the ground, vomiting blood. The gray wave collapsed in an instant, and the countless mouths disappeared.
Only Cale remained standing alone, stroking his shield. Cale was now covered in gray up to his collarbone, going over his shoulders. But he had a satisfied smile on his lips.
-I’m full.
The indestructible shield. Even stained with gray, the design was clear. In the center of the heart-shaped design, there was a round gray ball.
-I’ll keep it.
Chaos in the Wind. The Glutton had eaten very well.
-But, Cale.
The Glutton Priestess softly said:
-I’m contaminated with Chaos.
Right. Cale was also contaminated with Chaos. Chaos contamination. Both the shield and Cale were only resisting. Cale was pretending not to feel pain.
-I can resist! I can use purification!
The Vitality of the Heart. The Crybaby had told him that. Cale thought so too.
-Cale.
But the situation was difficult. The Glutton Priestess softly said:
-I think it will be difficult to stop.
The blue dragon. The Glutton Priestess honestly described the current situation before the enormous dragon approaching to destroy Moraka Castle.
-In this state, contaminated with Chaos and containing a Sacred Object, I can’t stop it with all my strength.
And the Priestess continued:
-But we still have to stop it, right?
Cale sighed lightly instead of answering. Upon hearing the sigh, the Glutton Priestess smiled slightly, saying in a resigned tone:
-If we don’t, everything will collapse.
The Glutton Priestess was only speaking the truth today. Cale saw Young Master Jim on hurriedly running from the gardens towards this fortress. He saw a huge blue dragon in the distance. Wow. With a headbutt, it would knock down the walls.
“Escaping alone will be difficult.”
With the gray-stained shield, Cale spoke to his companions for the first time since the battle began.
“Let’s finish this quickly.”
Tuk. Cale kicked the unconscious Pope and nodded to the highest-ranking paladin.
“Escape? Or keep fighting?”
Those were the first words Cale addressed to the highest-ranking paladin.
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