Chapter 76

The purpose of "Hawk Eye" to bring about the downfall of the Holy Grinia shocked Shu.

This man, who always maintained neutrality, wished for the destruction of a great nation.

"About the Holy Grinia... If you oppose the destruction of the Great Empire, isn't that contradictory to what you said earlier, that you agreed with destroying the Great Empire?"

"My ultimate goal is the Holy Grinia, but I will destroy the Great Empire as part of the process. There is no contradiction."

"I don't understand..."

The Holy Grinia is a great nation.

More importantly, it has formed strong ties with neighboring countries through the Demon God Religion. These countries, which are essentially vassal states, would readily cooperate if the Holy Grinia were in crisis. In fact, the term "vassal state" is a common one; they are originally allied nations.

In the Great Empire, a revolution is currently being led by the revolutionary army.

The Holy Grinia is a nation that skillfully dominates the eastern half of the continent by utilizing religion.

If this great nation were to be destroyed, it would be impossible without the Subarokia Great Empire. While the Black Cats are indeed powerful as a secret organization, they do not possess an army. It would be difficult to bring about the downfall of the Holy Grinia, especially its mainland, which has the Prophetess of the Prophecy. It should be hard to collapse it from within.

However, "Hawk Eye" says that to destroy the Holy Grinia, they will first destroy the Subarokia Great Empire.

Shu also found this idea incomprehensible.

"How do you plan to eliminate the Holy Grinia?"

"Self-destruction. First, we aim for the Holy Grinia's rule over the continent... or rather, the unification of all countries by the Demon God Religion. Then, the Holy Grinia will lose its enemies and gain peace."

"Yes, the economy and culture will stabilize, making it difficult to destroy."

"That's not the case. By utilizing their doctrine... destruction will be easy."

"Doctrine...?"

The doctrine of the Demon God Religion, which Shu is familiar with, is the extermination of monsters. Monsters are the enemies of humanity and must be completely eradicated.

In terms of daily life, it emphasizes compassion, respect, and wisdom.

By showing compassion, respect, and learning from each other, humans can elevate themselves to a higher dimension. This is one of the most fundamental and important doctrines of the Demon God Religion.

Of course, there are several sects within the Demon God Religion.

One sect lists rules to be followed, believing that salvation comes from strictly adhering to them. Another focuses on the basics and emphasizes flexible responses. There is also a heretical sect that claims to be prophets sent by the Armored God El Magia.

In any case, if self-destruction is considered through the doctrine, it suggests causing internal strife through these sects.

"A power struggle among sects?"

Shu asked "Hawk Eye."

However, "Hawk Eye" shook his head in denial.

"No. The extermination of monsters... we will utilize this teaching."

"...What do you mean?"

"You should know well. The kingdom that was destroyed by this doctrine... the Kingdom of Ramza, Lord Archlight?"

"You knew?"

"It's simple deduction. It's easy for me."

The Kingdom of Ramza, which once tried to execute Iris, was destroyed when the capital was annihilated by the "Gluttony Black Crystal." Technically, the kingdom did not disappear, but the loss of the capital, the central function, led to its practical collapse.

In other words, "Hawk Eye" plans to destroy the Holy Grinia through the wrath of monsters.

"Are you making me destroy that country?"

"That's also an option, but the Holy Grinia is looking at an even more powerful enemy than the Lord of the Netherworld. The Seven Great Demons of the Dibro continent."

"I've heard of them. The continent east of this sea, right?"

"Yes. The Holy Grinia is currently amassing its strength to reclaim that continent."

"Hawk Eye" showed a book he had taken from the forbidden bookshelf.

It was a research book analyzing mythology.

"A research report compiled by a certain archaeologist. He visited various ruins and compiled accurate data on the past of humanity."

"What do you mean by 'past'?"

"The exact time is unknown, but it seems that humans once lived on the Dibro continent. There are records of their continuous battles with monsters. This is also evident in the murals found in ruins, depicting demons and towering monsters."

When Shu flipped through the research book, he found materials of murals.

Indeed, it looked like humans were fighting monsters.

"So, if humans are living on the Slada continent, does that mean they lost the war on the Dibro continent?"

"That's correct. Impressive, Lord Death."

"From the materials, it seems there were multiple 'Kings' of monsters... so, the Seven Great Demons."

"Yes, the seven 'Kings'... the Seven Great Demons defeated humanity. They crossed the sea and migrated to the Slada continent. Many engineers and warriors were lost in the war, and they were forced to live a primitive life when they first arrived in the Slada continent. However, some of the technology from that time has been passed down."

"For example?"

"The Apollis-style magic. It's widely known as military magic, but isn't it strange? Looking at the Slada continent as a whole, both the Subarokia Great Empire and the Holy Grinia use the same magic system."

"You're right, that is strange."

The technology related to weapons, military systems, and the mechanisms of academies for training magic knights differ significantly between the Subarokia Great Empire and the Holy Grinia.

However, both use the Apollis-style magic.

This suggests that magic originated from the same place and was adopted without modification by both nations. This is useful as circumstantial evidence that the ancient technology was passed down from the Dibro continent.

Even the seemingly useless forbidden spells and divine spells might have been usable by the ancient humans.

However, after being defeated by the Seven Great Demons and forced to migrate to the Slada continent, the users were lost in the process.

Only their existence and technology have been passed down to the present day.

"I see, it's starting to make sense."

Shu understood.

He grasped "Hawk Eye's" plan to destroy the Holy Grinia.

"Do you intend to let the Holy Grinia rule this Slada continent and then invade the Dibro continent? And then the Seven Great Demons of the Dibro continent will destroy the Holy Grinia? Given that humans lost to them in the past, this history is a fact that the Holy Grinia wants to erase."

"Yes. According to my prediction, after unifying the Slada continent, they will amass their strength. This might take a hundred or two hundred years. Next, to create a record of defeating the Kings of monsters, they will target the Lord of the Netherworld, Archlight, or the Undying King, Xenon Life. If successful, they will invade the Dibro continent."

"That's quite a long-term plan."

"To destroy a great nation, it's natural."

"You might die of old age before that happens."

"That's not a problem."

"Hawk Eye" said this and released his magic concealment.

Then, a vortex of magic power was released. Shu recognized the vast and distinctive magic power.

"You were awakened?"

"Surprised? I'm an awakened magic knight."

Shu was indeed surprised, but upon reflection, it wasn't that strange.

The Black Cats are a dark organization that has infiltrated the Subarokia Great Empire. The leaders who operate in the shadows are naturally people who can stand against a nation. Especially leaders involved in combat, like "Black Iron" and "Tyrant Dragon," could be awakened magic knights.

Shu was still surprised that "Hawk Eye" was awakened, but he also understood.

"Because you have an indefinite lifespan, you can plan such a grand scheme..."

"I intend to destroy the Demon God Religion, even if it takes hundreds of years. I hate that religion."

Shu sensed the flame of hatred again.

For "Hawk Eye," destroying the Holy Grinia and eradicating the Demon God Religion from the world is a matter of life and death.

Shu asked what could drive him to such lengths.

"Why do you hate the Demon God Religion?"

"Oh, you're showing a lot of interest in me today. Well, since you gave me the opportunity to enter this forbidden library, I'll answer."

"Don't make it sound like you're doing me a favor. You know I'm the Lord of the Netherworld, and our interests align."

"Hehehe."

That eerie smile was the usual "Hawk Eye."

His skill in conversation to gain the upper hand was always impressive.

"Well, there's also a personal favor... I want to have a good relationship with you."

"Favor?"

"More accurately, a favor to your partner."

"Iris?"

"Yes, her."

Shu looked confused.

What favor could a member of a secret organization have for Iris, a former holy knight and witch? Shu couldn't understand at all. However, "Hawk Eye" spoke sincerely about wanting to repay the favor.

"I was raised by a demon knight. I don't know my birth, but according to him, I was abandoned in the forest."

"Raised by a monster?"

"That was in the Kingdom of Ramza, about twenty-two years ago."

"Ramza Kingdom...?"

The Kingdom of Ramza was where Shu and Iris met. It was also the country where Shu was born.

Shu knew nothing about what happened after the capital was destroyed by the "Gluttony Black Crystal."

This piqued Shu's interest in "Hawk Eye's" story.

"So, 'Hawk Eye,' you weren't bothered by the fact that I'm the Lord of the Netherworld because you were raised by a monster?"

"That's part of it. There's also the fact that you avenged my foster parent. The demon knight who raised me was killed by the church's holy knights. I'm grateful to the Lord of the Netherworld, Archlight, for avenging him and collapsing the Kingdom of Ramza."

"Then, why is it a favor to Iris? From what you said, it sounds more like a favor to me."

"It's a favor to her parents, I believe their names were Lord Daria and Lady Rose."

---

Twenty-two years ago.

The boy rejected the holy knight's proposal.

"I want to stay with the knight uncle!"

The demon knight, with an evil appearance, seemed pleased.

To the church, which only saw monsters as evil and enemies to be destroyed, this was a heretical statement.

One of the holy knights denounced the boy.

"Kill him! He's a child of evil! We must destroy him!"

The boy, raised by a monster, was thought to be tainted by its ideology.

In other words, he was corrupted.

The holy knights thought this.

This opinion quickly spread, and the gathered holy knights began to speak of killing him.

"Be careful. The demon knight is tough."

"Killing the child will make it easier."

"First, we need to surround them. We can't let them escape."

"Lord Daria, let's do it!"

Thirty holy knights were prepared to slay the disaster-level monster. Daria was their leader.

Holy knights follow the commands of their leader, so the battle wouldn't start without Daria's order. The holy knights were preparing their magic armor, ready to act on a single command. The demon knight and the boy would be erased from existence with a single order.

However, Daria did not give the expected order.

"No, let's protect the demon knight and the boy."

He ordered the church to protect the monster.

This was clearly an unacceptable order for a holy knight. Naturally, there was opposition.

"Lord Daria! What are you saying! This is heresy!"

"I trust you. I'll pretend I didn't hear it. Give the real order."

"Lord Rose, please talk some sense into him!"

The attention turned to Daria's wife, Rose.

They were known for their good relationship. They thought Rose's words would influence Daria. However, Rose was on Daria's side.

"I also think we should protect them."

"Lord Rose too!?"

"Calm down. The teaching of the God El Magia is to destroy evil that harms people. It doesn't apply to harmless monsters. I can feel a strong bond and compassion between the demon knight and the boy. We should respond with love. It's a mother's intuition, I suppose."

Rose had a five-year-old daughter.

She understood the feelings of a parent for their child and a child for their parent. She believed these feelings were precious and should not be severed by others.

The job of a holy knight was to destroy evil and maintain sanctity.

However, Daria and Rose, as believers, thought about elevating sanctity through love. Even if the other party was a monster, they believed it could become holy through compassion. This was the basis of their decision.

However, not everyone thought this way.

Many holy knights believed that monsters should be absolutely eradicated.

"I can't follow you!"

"Holy Knight Daria and Holy Knight Rose... you've fallen to evil."

"Heresy must be destroyed!"

Out of the thirty or so holy knights, about half, fifteen, aimed their magic armor at the two. The remaining half were hesitant, aiming at the demon knight while observing the situation.

Of course, Daria and Rose tried to persuade them.

During this time, the boy and the demon knight were talking.

"Uncle, what should we do?"

"Escaping seems difficult. More than half are armed. Let's observe for a bit. Starting a fight now would be a bit disadvantageous."