Chapter 83

The threat of the demon Chromulia became known in just seven days.

The Republic of Balom was destroyed by the dark magic ritual *Black Hope Garden*, and its citizens were manipulated into becoming Chromulia's vanguard.

In other words, they became the pawns of the Truth of All Things and the Black Blade of Yama.

*Black Hope Garden* spreads a pleasure-inducing substance that directly stimulates the brain, manipulating the consciousness of those within its range. Through the demon Chromulia, the Truth of All Things activated *Black Hope Garden*, destroying cities under the influence of the Demon God Cult and turning all their inhabitants into soldiers.

The total number was 260,000.

Regardless of age, gender, or occupation, all humans were used as soldiers.

Many of them were not useful as combatants.

However, with the brain's limits removed by the pleasure-inducing substance, they possessed superhuman physical abilities and broken minds that felt no fear. They were sufficient as cannon fodder.

"Hmm. So that's the army of demon worshippers."

An elderly man with the air of a master sighed.

His long white hair, tied back, swayed in the wind.

"Did you see the demon, Miss Floria?"

"Confirmed."

Next to him stood a beautiful blonde woman with a bow.

Her bow glowed, revealing it to be a weapon manifested by magical equipment.

"Master Rihtray, we need to wipe them all out, right?"

"If possible, I would like to free the people who are being controlled. Let's start by having Miss Floria snipe the demon and see how it goes."

Currently, the two were standing on the city walls of the capital of the Kingdom of Flor.

The kingdom was in a dire situation, besieged by the army led by the demon. Several cities had already fallen, and all their citizens had joined the demon's army due to *Black Hope Garden*.

The 260,000 people, their minds invaded by the pleasure-inducing substance, were now attacking the capital.

It was an overwhelming number, making victory seem impossible.

Most cities, terrified by the large army, barricaded themselves and were wiped out by *Black Hope Garden*.

However, the two awakened magical equipment users dispatched from the Holy Grinia had no reason to fear. *Piercing Light* Rihtray and *Heaven's Eye* Floria were instructed to slay the demon at any cost, even if it meant destroying the 260,000 people. They were prepared to do so.

Of course, it would be better to save them if possible.

To observe the situation, they decided to start with Floria's sniping.

"Then, I'll take the shot."

Aiming diagonally upward, she drew her glowing bow and arrow.

Floria, known as *Heaven's Eye*, could target her prey from an overhead perspective. She could observe the impact point and ensure a direct hit. With enough magical power, the arrow's range could be extended indefinitely.

This ability could also be used for reconnaissance.

She had used this power to locate the demon.

A female demon in full armor. In reality, it was just a servant-type magical equipment, but they were unaware of this.

The glowing arrow traced a path under the blue sky.

◆◆◆

The arrow, accelerated to five times the speed of sound, was about to pierce the demon Chromulia's heart.

*Such a straightforward attack.*

However, it was impossible for her to miss such a conspicuous attack. Chromulia produced a dark sword and deflected the light arrow, which then dissipated.

In retaliation, she created a dark cube and shot it in 64 segments.

A meteor shower of darkness rained down on the capital.

However, it was shot down by 64 arrows fired from the city walls. The speed was so fast that it was impossible to see. Floria, an awakened magical equipment user with 70 years of training, found this level of difficulty to be trivial.

*Not bad.*

From this exchange, the Truth of All Things and the Black Blade of Yama realized that their opponent was an awakened magical equipment user.

Such combat skills could only be acquired after awakening and becoming immortal.

If the opponent was an awakened magical equipment user, they could not use the forbidden dark magic *Black Hope Garden*. The moment they deployed the magic circle, it would be destroyed by the magical equipment.

They had to start by eliminating the awakened magical equipment users.

*Two on two... Not bad for a skirmish.*

Through her servant, the Black Blade of Yama muttered.

What appeared to be a legendary battle between a demon and a holy knight was, in reality, a battle between awakened magical equipment users for the fate of a nation.

The Truth of All Things and the Black Blade of Yama.

Rihtray and Floria.

Both sides of the awakened magical equipment users engaged in battle.

They clashed at the midpoint between the demon's army and the capital.

◆◆◆

Shuu, Iris, and *Hawk Eye* were hiding in the outskirts of the imperial capital. It was a place where no one visited, so no one else was there besides the three of them.

"Finally, the battle has begun."

Using vibration magic to manipulate light, they observed the distant scene. Through this magic, they could observe the situation in the Kingdom of Flor from the Great Empire of Subarokia.

Their purpose was to gather information on the awakened magical equipment users of the Great Empire of Subarokia and the Holy Grinia.

Another reason was to monitor the progress of the war.

This war was to be completely controlled by Shuu and *Hawk Eye*. Ultimately, they would ensure the victory of the revolutionary army and the completion of the Demon God Cult's spread across the continent.

"At the Black Cat's council meeting, I said it would be ten days. I was worried about the delay, but it seems to be going as planned."

"Yes. It seems the holy knights haven't realized that it's a servant-type magical equipment. If that's the case, the full-scale support for the revolutionary army will be delayed... I may need to push the revolutionary army forward."

"According to the latest information, the revolutionary army is about to control 90% of the vassal states. Their financial power is almost equal to that of the Great Empire. An invasion of the mainland of the Great Empire is imminent."

"Then, *Hawk Eye*, use your expertise in information manipulation to make the Great Empire anxious. I want them to form an army to suppress the revolutionary army."

"That's already done. It will be announced to the public as an imperial decree tomorrow."

"Excellent. You work fast."

As they conversed, the battle intensified.

Chromulia wielded her dark blade, which Rihtray deflected with his spear. Floria's arrows were neutralized by the dark cube projectiles.

Chromulia also had the support of the Truth of All Things. His systematized dark magic was annoying the two S-rank holy knights.

Iris watched the scene with admiration.

"This is dark magic! It's organized like the four elemental magics!"

Being skilled in light magic, she was somewhat familiar with dark magic, which is also a polar attribute. The inefficiently systematized dark magic was now being used efficiently, which was surprising.

Typically, dark magic involves curses that cause status abnormalities, affecting the body or mind as debuffs. Due to its ambiguity, it was difficult to imagine and learn. Systematization made it easier to learn, easier to cast, and more effective.

Iris was also interested in the systematized light magic.

*According to *Hawk Eye*'s information, the Truth of All Things is developing yin-yang magic... I'll have to steal his research records later.*

Seeing Iris's keen interest, Shuu thought:

The Truth of All Things is not only an awakened magical equipment user but also an excellent magician. Over 150 years, he developed 15 yin-yang magics, from the first to the fifteenth tier.

Of course, there are still incomplete parts.

Especially for complex forbidden spells or divine spells, there are many areas for improvement. The Truth of All Things' magic power and computational ability are insufficient to cast divine-scale yin-yang magic. Further organization is needed to prevent it from remaining theoretical.

"By the way, Mr. *Death God*."

"What is it, *Hawk Eye*?"

"Actually, one of the Holy Grinia's awakened magical equipment users has joined the revolutionary army. They were sent as support from the Demon God Cult."

"Who is it?"

"Garan Rigaard. He is known as the holy knight of the *Floating City*. He awakened about 150 years ago, so there is almost no information on his magical equipment."

Awakened magical equipment users are highly confidential.

The ease with which *Hawk Eye* obtained this information was impressive. However, it was too late to be surprised. *Hawk Eye* was indeed formidable, and there was no choice but to accept it. Moreover, they had obtained *Hawk Eye*'s information-gathering abilities through a contract, which was reassuring.

The news that an awakened magical equipment user had joined the revolutionary army was also welcome.

"If this can put some pressure on the Great Empire, it will be a fortunate turn of events."

The power of awakened magical equipment users is immense.

This was evident in the battle projected by magic in the air.

◆◆◆

Rihtray swung his spear.

However, Chromulia's dark blade flowed like rubber, deflecting the attack and shooting dark cube projectiles to pierce Rihtray.

Rihtray then produced another spear, deflecting the dark cube projectiles with his left hand. An arrow slipped through the gap in his body. It was a precise shot from Floria.

Rihtray and Floria had not practiced coordination.

However, as masters, they could adapt to each other spontaneously. Rihtray maintained a narrow line of fire while engaging in combat, and Floria never missed an opportunity to shoot.

"You're quite skilled. Almost like a master."

Rihtray praised her.

Her combat skills were far beyond those of a wild monster. The attack with dark cube projectiles was manageable, but freely manipulating the flowing dark blade required combat sense. The dark magic used in between was also not to be underestimated.

*You're not bad yourself.*

"I am one of the highest-ranking holy knights."

They still had the leisure to converse.

The dark blade and spear clashed, vying for distance, and occasionally engaging in combat.

"There!"

Floria released a glowing arrow.

Chromulia neutralized it with dark cube projectiles.

She then retreated, taking distance.

*This is getting tedious.*

Fighting awakened magical equipment users was not leading to a conclusion.

Chromulia then ordered the followers she was controlling to advance.

*Advance.*

The 260,000 people, stripped of their reason by *Black Hope Garden*, were like puppets. They moved at Chromulia's will, eagerly advancing when commanded.

The massive invasion began, shaking the ground.

Rihtray's expression turned grim.

"I hoped they would stay put..."

His ideal was to defeat Chromulia in a one-on-one duel.

It was the best way to minimize casualties. However, with the advance now underway, there was no choice. Even if they were controlled, they would cause damage. As a holy knight, he had to carry out the slaughter, despite the cruelty.

"...There's no other way."

Rihtray raised his spear.

His magical equipment could produce a light spear, a very simple weapon-type magical equipment. When mastered, he could wield two spears for a two-handed style. However, this was just his basic combat technique. The true power of his awakened magical equipment was the ability to generate an infinite number of spears.

"Die by my magical equipment."

The magical equipment spear looked like a regular spear. Despite being called a light spear, it had little light element.

Rihtray's spear contained the concept of light, and if thrown, it would travel at the speed of light. He could also follow up with additional attacks using light. He could manipulate light directly.

With application, he could converge multiple sunbeams and rain down countless lasers.

A rain of light fell, and the 260,000 people died one after another.

*How cruel.*

"I don't want to hear that from a demon."

Chromulia remained calm even as her followers were killed. Her voice was cool, and she exuded a sense of ease despite her armor concealing her expression.

Rihtray and Floria were slightly suspicious.

But they thought she was just a heartless demon.

Sunlight rained down as a weapon, killing everyone.

However, this was all part of the plan for the Truth of All Things, who was behind Chromulia.

*When a large number of humans die, a vast amount of magic power is released. By synthesizing it, a creature is born. I call this soul magic.*

Chromulia's tone changed as the thoughts of the Truth of All Things mixed in.

A magic circle spread across the ground, where bodies lay, and it glowed.

The Truth of All Things' magic eye, which could see the truth of the world, had finally created a new magic. It was a magic that created a spirit from magic power and constructed a body with magic power. Specifically, it was a magic to create undead creatures.

A forbidden magic that sacrificed 260,000 people to create undead.

*Arise, Death Holy Knight.*

Black mist overflowed, covering all the bodies on the magic circle.

The mist converged at the center of the magic circle, leaving no bodies behind.

In their place, a pure white knight emitting a deathly aura appeared.