Bab 381: I’ll Be Back (2)
150 years ago from now.
The continent had successfully defeated the Seven Great Devils under the leadership of the Holy Kingdom, and made international laws prohibiting wars between nations and races. At first glance the law was absurd but no one opposed to it. It was because they realized the chaos which came from that action would break the wall between the Devils and humans and they felt terrified at the thought of devils.
Thanks to that, the present continent is more peaceful than the past. The western part of the continent was centered on 5 Kingdoms, the central part is the Holy Kingdom, and the east was stabilized around Runtel. The North too had a much better life once the war with Orcs had died down.
And South…
"It always was. There were kingdoms which were terrible."
Ignet Crescentia's words couldn't be refuted by anyone. Even Judith didn't. She too had a miserable childhood but she heard about how horrible the South was.
'There is no such thing as another hell for those who have no money and power.'
Serious corruption.
The fierce and messy power struggle between the people which hadn't gone down despite years of time.
When the external threat disappeared, the high ranking people were excited to fill their own needs. It was common for princes and lords to fight each other for the throne and the tyranny of a monarch is often seen. Another king was born by the commander of the knights who set out to corrupt the world. The pain of war between it was a burden for the people to bear.
Those who couldn't stand the taxes turned into thieves. Children who lost their parents in war learned to pickpocket to survive and someone turned into criminals.
Ignet Crescentia knew this better than anyone and wanted to change it. if that was impossible she wanted to build a country which is free from this pain. So he wanted to accept those who were wandering with no way to go.
Her sword and life meant to look after those who suffered.
"isn't that a too risky goal?"
"What do you mean?"
"Do I have to spill it out? You know what I am talking about."
Of course, not everyone has favourable thoughts of her goals. In fact most of them expressed a serious concern. No matter how subtle the meaning, the birth of a new king would cause a lot of mess.
Actions done with a good heart don't always lead one to good results. On the contrary, it could cause angr to many creating a dimensional rift.
Bratt was talking about that and Ignet didn't agree.
"So, what are the results now?"
"Results?"
"The result of abandoning the South. Do you know how many people suffered from the civil war and corruption and continued to live under the pretense that it was for the welfare of the human world? Still…"
Ignet took a pause and continued.
"… the devils summon the devil. He is not an ordinary devil and even a Demon King which never appeared in our history, right?"
"…"
"Of course, I had no intention of making a reckless move to call myself as the king."
Ignet looked around.
She could see Bratt Lloyd who was impressed, and Ilya who looked worried and Even Judith who was an orphan had te same expression.
And she showed three fingers.
"Ability, relation, cause."
"…"
"…"
"If you have those three things in a proper way, the side effects can be minimized."
It is natural to hone the abilities. To become a vessel which everyone embraces it takes strength and fortunately Ignet had the talent. The swordsmanship that can decorate the history and the charisma, judgement and actions to support her. That brought to where she is today.
Of course, the ability alone isn't enough. If one was going to face the entire continent alone, forming friendship is also essential. It was for that reason she joined the Holy Kingdom. Acting like the commander of the most prominent kingdom, she build friendships and more relations and further walked to her goal with the support of Avilius.
What she needs now is a cause.
The Holy Kingdom, the cause of the continent's power to acknowledge the birth of a new kingdom. The victims of the civil war in the southern part of the continent, and creating a nation to care for those who the other kingdoms didn't want to embrace, who can resist that?
"… I admit that it was quite reckless. It is still close to idealism but considering your abilities, it isn't without possibility."
"Thanks for letting me know."
"But there are many concerns. You build a kingdom with calculations and noble thoughts, but not everyone will be the same. If the awareness that anyone could create a kingdom spreads, even idiots will start to call themselves as kings and new chaos will start to grow…"
"Lloyd's eldest son."
Looking at Ignet who cut his words, bratt made a serious expression. The other person looked so solemn that he didn't want to push his words. He looked in hope for an answer and she said.
"Is it the change or the side effects of the change that you are burdened with?"
"…"
"Of course, it is the latter, but it seems to me that there is a fear to change itself."
"…"
"I apologize if I am wrong. Maybe it is my prejudice to high ranking nobles. But…"
"No, there is no need to apologize."
Bratt Lloyd shook his head and continued.
"I cannot tell you… that I didn't feel that way."
Growth requires change and development requires innovation.
And a sea knows that well.
However, knowing it with the head and accepting it with heart are two different things. Despite the fact that he experienced the wide world through travel and commoners alongside him, he was still a noble. It was fear of going outside the box.
Like now.
He had known for a long time how dire the situation in the South was. However, he wasn't concerned. Under the excuse of it couldn't be helped, everyone ignored the chance to help the South get better and attempted to better their own places.
He took it lightly.
But was it fear of change?
What Ignet spoke caused a ripple in Bratt's mind. It made his thoughts which ere confined to a frame go wider and gave him a realization.
After thinking for a moment, Bratt turned his gaze to Ignet. With a more serious expression he said.
"Talk more."
"About what?"
"Your sword, the sword you made to become a king. I am curious to see what your thoughts are."
"Hmm."
Ignet hesitated for a moment.
Although she spoke, she wasn't without a sense of shame when it came to saying her true thoughts. However, as soon as she stopped thinking, she smiled.
'still I want to look good and great to all.'
It didn't have to be that. Even if she is clumsy and bad, just be honest. That is the first step to an honest exchange.
Ignet nodded and began to speak about the various things she had been holding on.
"Hmm…"
"Uh."
"No, it is a bit…"
"…"
The reaction was varied. Some nodded and some frowned. There were times when they looked down. Even Judith reacted strangely to the word of her becoming the king than to her intention of a sword to become the king.
But no one laughed.
Even if it was an idea which couldn't be accepted, they tried to understand it as much as they could and that alone made possibilities open for them. Feeling that, ignet smiled.
Of course…
Such time doesn't last long.
Wheik!
"…"
"…"
"…"
"…"
A sudden energy rose from Ignet and engulfed the surrounding.
No, actually it wouldn't be right to use the word sudden. Everyone was feeling it. the darkness which was leaving her body and coloring her surroundings. Her body hadn't escaped from the evil.
… the truth is she can not be human now. And everyone knew it.
"Phew."
Suddenly, Ignet got up and exhaled.
She wanted to be the king.
But now she was here. The Heart Demon disappeared but the influence her body touched didn't disappear and it was corrupting the body. the mind is still human but it wasn't known how long that will be. The body and mind were closely related.
'Before being reborn as the Demon King, it has to end.'
The demon looked at the heroes.
Judith
Bratt Lloyd
Ilya Lindsay
And Airn Pareira
Ignet looked at the last person and said.
"Airn Pareira, raise the sword."
"…"
"I want to end from your sword."
Wheik!
As soon as she said it, flame rose, it wasn't the red flames, but the dark ones of demons and surrounded Ignet.
The heroes all stood up watching it. Judith, bratt and Ilya moved back.
Only Airn stayed there. He was the only one left to face the demon which was left behind by the Demon King.
He shouldn't hesitate.
It shouldn't be that way, but the aura from his sword was so small that it couldn't be compared to the fight with Heart Demon.
Woong….
The aura sword gradually faded away.
He couldn't help it. The reason Airn was able to come this was because of the respect he had for this woman. He thought killing the Demon King was a way to get Ignet back.
But now, he couldn't.
Swinging a sword at Ignet who was struggling to hold her self, was far from creating a flower for the sake of a loved one.
Woong
Wooong…
In the end, the aura sword shrunk to the size of a candle light.
However no one could blame him, not even Ignet. She sighed and looked at the three.
Bratt tried to deal with the clown. Judith used most of her strength to save him.
The answer was fixed.
The demon looked at Ilya Lindsay.
"Ilya Lindsay pick your sword for Airn.'
"…"
"I know well that you wouldn't hesitate…"
Wooong!
"… you know me well."
Seeing the sky sword being used, Ignet smiled. Airn stood there unable to do it, Judith and Bratt watched him confused. Only Ilya held her expressionless face. She approached the demon and took the stance
And…
"I hate it."
"…?"
… and drew back the sword
"What are you doing?"
Ignet was shocked. She couldn't understand this.
Judith and Bratt are exhausted, Airn is heartbroken. Only Ilaya could take her down. Ilya to must realize it.
Still she won't raise the sword?
What is she planning to…
"I will not kill you."
"I, We, Airn…"
Phew, Ilya Lindsay exhaled and then spoke courageously.
"… not the power to kill you, but with the power to save you, we'll come back."
Status Power Mingguan
-- Peringkat
Power 
-- Power
stone