Chapter 404

Rumors spread that a second attack by the demon cult and minions of the demon king in Rajeon resulted in a huge number of casualties. The curse of the demons that caused the dead to rise and attack the living terrified people. Although extreme situations like the persecution of heretics did not occur in Hwangdo, people were still afraid of what the demon cultists could do if they drew their swords. The appearance of terrifying Death Knights in the cities where people lived only added to their fear. However, stories also spread that two champions carrying relics appeared in the midst of the chaos and slaughtered the undead, demon cultists, and Death Knights in Rajeon. The Empire's support and Shanafeil were the ones who ultimately resolved the situation, but the Empire exaggerated the achievements of Reinhardt and Olivia. The champions' identities were not known, but rumors spread about them. Some knew that the man was Reinhardt, a second-year student of the Temple Royal Class, and the woman was a sixth-year student of the Temple Royal Class named Tiamat. The truth that only a few knew would soon become known to everyone. The appearance of two champions who could face the demon king gave hope to the people. The news of the demon cult attack was being accepted as news of hope rather than a disaster. The rumor that the demon king's opponent had appeared would expand into a rumor that the demon king would soon be defeated. Those who knew the truth knew that Reinhardt and Olivia could not be the demon king's opponents no matter how strong they were. However, whether the hope was fake or real was not important. If peace could be maintained through false hope, it was not much different from real hope. It was to prevent people from falling into confusion in their belief that the dream of a hero could never be realized. "People can endure the present with the belief that the demon king's opponents will defeat him, whether they can actually face him or not. After a few days, Berthus sat in his office, contemplating. Although there was the Emperor's ashes, the attack on Rajeon was planned by Berthus himself, and he knew that civilian casualties were inevitable. However, he did not expect further damage to occur, especially in this way. The demon king was inevitably hostile to the Imperial family. It was natural for him to be angry about the failure of his connection with the revolutionary forces and even to be angry about being used. The appearance of demon cultists was to complete the demon king's unfinished plan. If the demon cultists were the demon king's forces, they should have known that the Rajeon incident was not part of the demon king's plan. Therefore, the demon cultists would not have direct contact with the demon king. However, there was a possibility that the demon king, who was angry about what happened last time, deliberately caused this incident to show what would happen if they attacked somewhere seriously. If they were to spread our name around carelessly, it would be to warn Berthus. The demon king spared Owen de Gate more, but he took revenge by destroying Rajeon. If this incident was the demon king's intention, Berthus paid a price. Then the problem became much bigger. Berthus estimated that the demon realm remnants were a very small number. He had estimated that their individual forces were very strong, but they were not a majority. However, if there were demon cultists as well... The number of demon cultists could not compare to the five major religions, but they had powerful high-ranking priests of the demon cult who could cast a curse that could encompass the entire capital city, despite being a small province. It was a city-level terror." This is proof that the demon remnants can already carry out a war. Being able to wield the power of the demon cult is like the demon king having an army. If a curse that kills the dead and resurrects the living to kill them were to unfold on the battlefield, regardless of actual combat strength, soldiers would be shocked and either fall asleep or flee. "Whether there are orders from the demon king or not, that's not important." That's not important. The demon cult is already a very significant security threat to the Empire and must be eliminated. Berthus did not feel guilty that this happened due to his mistake. "Rather, it's good. I found out before these guys did something worse somewhere in the Empire." In the current continent where rumors are spreading that the demon cult's influence is expanding due to the demon king's actions, some people are falling into fear and seeking salvation from the demons and demon king. The tumor that would have grown bigger if left alone has revealed itself. This is not a crisis. It's a chance that won't come again, and the tail of the revealed demon cult must be caught and pulled out. "Knock knock." "Your Highness, Owen de Gatmora requests an audience." Berthus held his breath at the sound of the knock. "Tell him to come in." Berthus knew what business Owen had brought with him. "Your Highness, the demon clan has brought their opinion." "Opinion...?" "They say this was not their doing. Of course, it's not certain whether this is true or not..." The demon cult and the demon clan are not related. That claim may be false, but it is clear that the demon clan is reluctant to lose their connection to the royal family because of this incident. If that statement is true and the demon king has no connection to the demon cult, what position is the current demon king taking on the demon cult? "If that statement is true, they will hesitate to put the demon cult under them, and if it's false, they already have the demon cult under them." Although it's impossible to be certain, the task at hand is simple. Finding and eradicating the demon cult before the demon king does is the top priority right now. If they are even a little late, the demon cult's power will be swallowed up by the demon king. "Tiamata..." The commander-in-chief of the Holy Knights, Illeion Bulton, was staring wide-eyed at the white and black sword in front of him. The one who brought it was none other than Olivia Lanche. Olivia showed Tiamata to him with a calm expression, and then held it in her hand again. "Welcome to your change of heart, and to have received the choice of Tiamata...."

"Does this qualify you for the priesthood? Even without Tiamata, Olivia is capable of more."

She has become the owner of the powerful and great symbol, Tiamata. To put it harshly, there are people who would support her even if she were to push out the current commander-in-chief of the Holy Knights and take his place.

Illeion Bulton looks at Olivia Lanche with a determined expression.

"May I ask what led you to change your mind?"

"...."

It's not to protect everyone, but to protect only one person.

Since Reinhardt saved her life, she will use her life for Reinhardt's sake.

But Olivia knows that she cannot say such things.

"I saw the demon cultists."

"...It seems that the rumor that you were in Rajeun is true."

"Even if humans band together, it won't be enough. I couldn't just sit back and watch humans disrupt the world."

Olivia gives a universal reason.

Disliking being forced to conform to universal standards, and struggling with the obligation of being a saint, Olivia eventually returns to where she belongs.

"Well, you're still a student, so you don't have much to do yet. But as an honorary position, I can give you duties and authority. Of course, I can also provide manpower for what you want to do."

Illeion Bulton looks at Olivia and asks.

"Do you have anything in mind?"

As a saint with a high reputation, Olivia can have a significant impact just by spreading hope in the Ode to the Divine Temple in Tuwan. She was sincere and hardworking in helping people and saving someone.

Illeion Bulton thinks that just by speaking hope to those who are in despair, people can gain peace of mind.

Olivia seems to have something in mind, and she answers immediately when asked.

"I want to be an inquisitor."

"...."

Illeion Bulton's expression stiffens at her words.

The saint of Eredian.

He thought she would be engaged in saving, helping, and protecting something.

But she returns and volunteers for the task of interrogating and killing someone as soon as she comes back.

It's not so strange that she volunteers for the task of identifying heresy, as she returned to the sect after witnessing the terrible things that the demon cultists were doing.

The commander of the Holy Knights looks at Tiamata in Olivia's right hand.

For generations, the champions of Tuwan have killed humans, not demons, monsters, or undead.

Hunting the demon cultists is what the champions of Tuwan have been doing.

Can Olivia Lanche break free from that mold?

"Okay."

Illeion Bulton believed that this was Tuwan's will. Translation: Rumors spread like wildfire. Especially when intentionally spread by the royal family, the speed only increased. The attack of the demon cultists at Tiamata and the appearance of Tuwan's champion and Alus' champion spread quickly, along with their names. It was inevitable that the news would spread like wildfire, especially with the mention of the demon king on the continent. Within the Royal Class, they already knew about it, but it was important that it spread outside of the Royal Class. "That person is..." "Alus' champion..." Ellen and I were taking lessons from Sabiolin Tana, but of course, we were also listening to regular classes. With the name Reinhardt on the attendance list, it was inevitable that many people's eyes would be on us. Not only the students in the regular class who were taking the same class, but also the teacher, were looking at us with awe. It wasn't just in class. "Hey, you...you're popular..." Liana muttered as we walked down the street. We weren't out anywhere, just on our way back to the dormitory after our psychic class. "Buzz buzz." So, now Liana and I were walking together, and many students were murmuring and following us from behind. "Maybe they're dating." "Even heroes need to date." "They could just be friends." "Really?" Like some kind of idol with a fan club following us, I couldn't say anything about the overwhelming attention. I felt like a dog being walked. Liana seemed to be equally bewildered by the attention. Why were they following us? Why? There was nothing to see by following us! "Hero! Look over here!" Being called a hero was creepy. "Hey, you bastards! Go home and wash your feet and go to bed! Why are you following me? Huh?!" In the end, I exploded. I guess I'll be known as the hero with a bad temper now. Liana declared that she couldn't walk with me anymore and went back to the dormitory. People calling me a hero made me feel terrible. I never thought that the expectations people had for me would turn into such a burden. Even worse, there were fans who followed me around even when it had nothing to do with class. Even crazier, there were people who approached me with baseless confidence and challenged me to fights with Alusbringa. "I'll test whether you're qualified to be the owner of Alusbringa." I don't know if it was because they were interested or just overflowing with confidence. "What is this guy saying?" *crash* "Oof!" "If you want attention so badly, go take a dump in the Main Street fountain, you crazy bastard. You can eat all the attention you want for the rest of your life."

-Boom!

"Ow!"

It seemed like even those who seemed to want to try something with me were starting to appear, even though I didn't look particularly intimidating.

"Oh my god! You're so cool!"

"...I want to kill myself."

Being a hero.

I realized in real time that it was a profession where mental strength was important in a slightly different sense.