The barriers surrounding the Holy Kingdom were expanding outwards day by day.
At first, the barriers only surrounded the Holy Kingdom, but soon, they had crossed the Holy Kingdomâs borders and were about to invade the neighboring kingdoms. The Alliance had been laying siege on the Holy Kingdom, but they had to retreat if they didnât want to be swept up by the barriers.
Seeing how they had to stop from time to time and block the Waves even as they were retreating, it wasnât easy for the Alliance.
However, the Alliance showed a surprising degree of strength in the face of adverse war conditions.
The former members of the Western expedition, who had the experience necessary in dealing with the demons and demonic beasts, became the main force as they desperately tried their hardest to make sure the newly recruited soldiers werenât devoured by the evilness of demons and beasts they were encountering for the first time. And when the soldiers had difficulty dealing with those monsters, the strong knights and mages stepped forward to deal with them.
And at the center of all this was Park Joon-Min, the Warrior who was praised as the Apostle of God.
As if his body had multiplied, the Warrior flashed from the East to the West, frantically running around the widely spread out defense line.
After all, only the master of the Holy Sword could heal the soldiers contaminated by demonic energy, and only the Warrior could deal with the mighty beasts of Chaos that even the superhumans couldnât handle.
However, even the Warrior couldnât be omnipotent and even the mighty holy power of the Holy Sword could not stop the barrier from pushing forward and expanding its territory day by day.
The priests and Templar Knights had been swallowed up by the veil alongside the Holy Kingdom in the beginning. In order to cover for their absence, the Warrior had been running around and covering the entire frontline by himself â something that was going beyond what his ability should be capable of doing. It was unreasonable to expect more from him.
âUghh. Was Hyung always right under this kind of pressure?â
Park Joon-Min could feel himself choking under the soldiersâ gaze as they looked at him. It felt like he would suffocate at any moment under the soldiersâ expectations who wanted him to show abilities that went beyond his limit.
The more that happened, the more he overtaxed himself.
[While His grace is infinite, it is the human body that uses it. In your current state, your body may collapse very soon.]
It was to the point where the Holy Sword Balmung tried to dissuade his owner.
âWithout the priests, Iâm the only one who can stop the corruption from the demonic energy. If Iâm lazy, itâll be the soldiers who suffer more.â
But Park Joon-Min was reckless. It was as if the soldiers dying on the frontlines from the demonic energy was his responsibility.
[I do not agree with you overworking yourself.]
In the end, the Holy Sword had to call on its Holy power and force the Warrior to take a break.
âAh, no. Stop it. At a time like this, we need to save at least one more soldier.â
When the Warrior showed such an all-consuming reaction, Balmung and the others around the Warrior finally realized that the Warrior couldnât overcome the pressure and was falling apart from the inside.
It made sense. He may be called the Warrior, or the Apostle of God, or whatever else, but at his core, he was nothing more than a young man in his late twenties. In the other world, he would have recently gotten a job and started training for it. It wasnât unreasonable that he wasnât able to bear such a heavy burden when in the other world, he would barely be a new employee who was just starting to get trained.
âHopefully the Indomitable Grand Duke returns quickly. Then, the burden on the Apostle would lessen a bitâŠâ
The fact that the Warrior hadnât completely collapsed was all because his sworn brother had promised to return soon before leaving.
âAt that age, the Indomitable Grand Duke had already been in charge of the frontlines of his country. Although the Grand Duke hasnât truly led as a commander until recently, itâs true that the success or failure of a war was always on his shoulders.â
When it didnât look like Park Joon-Min would be recovering anytime soon, some people even began to compare the Warrior to the Indomitable Grand Duke.
Of course, there was no comparison.
In recent years, the Warrior had indisputably achieved many great accomplishments during the war and played the biggest role in supporting the frontline, but when compared to an influential giant like the Indomitable Grand Duke, he would be severely inferior.
Aside from the major accomplishments at the borders of his own country, the Indomitable Grand Dukeâs success in the Central and Western regions, where he had zero relations, was incredible.
He had been the first to detect and inform the world of the Western regionâs collapse when no one knew about it, and he had even infiltrated the Demon Kingâs land alone and searched out the traces of survivors. Then, the Indomitable Grand Duke had successfully, and miraculously, evacuated thousands of Qeishas and refugees.
All of that had been done by himself without getting support from anyone.
On top of that, the Indomitable Grand Duke had uncovered every detail, and shared it with the world, that the Holy Kingdom was colluding with the Demon King and conspiring to detain the Warrior. In the end, it was the Indomitable Grand Duke who saved the West by eliminating the Demon King. So, it was rather difficult to list all of his dazzling achievements.
Even if it wasnât the Warrior, there was no one who dared to compare himself against the Indomitable Grand Duke.
Of course, behind that heroic path was a lot of pain and anguish. And that was the difference between the Indomitable Grand Duke and the Warrior.
The Indomitable Grand Duke had gotten plenty of time to grow and improve while having the full trust and support of the Adenstein royal family. However, the Warrior hadnât.
After appearing in front of the world, the Warrior had risen too quickly and had been exposed to a great deal of pressure before he could mentally mature.
But to the people, something like that wasnât important. What was important was that the Warrior was a person who fell short of the Indomitable Grand Duke.
While no one was aware of the problem, the Warrior became sicker.
[Stop! Stop! I give in! Iâll lend you my strength so stop doing crazy things!]
When the Warrior disregarded the Holy Swordâs help, or lack thereof, and risked his life by jumping into the battle line, the Holy Sword raised both hands in surrender.
But by that time, the Warrior had completely lost the ability to speak and became a soulless character who was fighting on the battlefield mechanically.
âI just have to hold on until Hyungâs back. As long as he comes back, we can do anything.â
Occasionally, the Warrior muttered to himself, but it was only about the return of his sworn brother.
âHeâs completely broken.â
âWhat if he causes an accident?â
Only the foreigners expressed concern as they observed the changes in him. After all, they were the only ones who knew the burden he carried.
âWell, he has the Holy Sword, so I doubt heâll cause an accident but, Iâm afraid that heâll charge into the barrier.â
When Kim Woo-Young expressed his concern as he watched the desperate Warrior, Lee Soo-Hyuk criticized him from next to him.
âWords can become seeds, [1] so be careful with what you say. Especially at a time like now. Didnât you hear what the mages were saying? Theyâre saying that if you spoke carelessly near the barriers, whatever you said will really happen.â
The mages dispatched to the frontline had found that the barrier wasnât just a mass of demonic energy, it was a more intrinsic and deep-rooted darkness. Soon, news spread throughout the frontlines that wicked and evil hearts could become a reality and find a loyal vassal.
Since itâs said that people are being cautious of even foul language, Lee Soo-Hyuk wasnât over exaggerating with his concerns.
âHa, seriously. When is he coming? As long as we have the captain, that barrier and whatever else would be resolved all at once.â
It was almost like blind faith, but no one doubted that their captain, who had never fallen short of their expectations, would surely handle this terrible barrier.
However, the Warrior fell apart before their faith could be realized.
âJust continuing to block the demons like this will never give us the answer. In the end, as time goes on, the barrier will spread, and one day, it will spread throughout the continent.â
The Warrior gathered the Allianceâs commanders and insisted that they attack the wall itself.
Normally, it would be a reasonable statement and rationale they could easily agree to. However, the Warrior, even though he had been the one to bring it up, didnât seem determined to win. Instead, he looked anxious and a bit insane. That was why the commanders couldnât simply agree.
âThe mages are foregoing sleep and looking for a way to break through that barrier. So I donât believe it is a good idea for us to unreasonably charge at the barrier right now.â
The commander of the Adenburg Empire, who had dispatched the most soldiers to the frontline, rejected the Warriorâs words to his face.
âAt the very least, I believe it would be a much better decision to wait until the Indomitable Grand Duke appears. As he has been through countless difficulties, I am sure he will find a way.â
The officers of the Adenburg Imperial Army nodded their heads in agreement with their commanderâs words.
However, the Warrior had reached the limit of his patient and refused to bend, his attitude was unyielding.
âIt has been three months since Hyung-nim said he would return. No matter how wide the continent is, there is nowhere that would take that much time when he is traveling on the Wyvern. If he were to come back, he would already have returned.â
Until a day ago, the Warrior had been chattering about how the moment his sword brother returned, all their crisis would be gone as if it had been a lie. So when his attitude suddenly changed, the Adenburg Empireâs people protested.
âAre you saying that he is deliberately not returning to the frontlines! Publicly, he is a hero who has sacrificed himself numerous times for the continent, and privately, he is your sworn brother! Your words are highly misleading.â
âWhen did I say that he was purposefully not coming back? Iâm just saying that there may be circumstances stopping him.â
The Warrior was being stubborn. He was acting like someone would die immediately if he didnât jump through that wall.
âIf you continue to insist upon such an unreasonable advance, the Empire will move separately from the Alliance. We did not bring the Empireâs precious soldiers to this far-off country so they could commit suicide.â
The Adenburg Empireâs commander was equally unyielding.
âCome, come. Letâs all calm down. Iâm sure the Warrior didnât say something like that just to have the soldiers die in vain. Iâm sure he has a reason.â
The Tennessia Kingdom had now become an ardent supporter of the Warrior and its people were trying to mediate in the overheated atmosphere.
âI hope you have a compelling reason.â
Park Joon-Min immediately responded to the Imperial commanderâs statement.
âThere has been a prophecy.â
It was strange that the Warrior spoke of a prophecy all of a sudden, but his attitude was even stranger. Until a moment ago, he had been so impatient it had been to the point of lunacy, but now, he was very calm and serene.
The Empireâs Sword Star, Marek Schnail Roachmin, had never spoken in the meeting before, but now, he stepped forward.
âA prophecy at a time like this. Iâm very curious about what this prophecy said.â
The old knight, who had lived more than 200 years as an Adjuster, turned to look sharply at the Warrior. It was as if he was trying to dig into every detail behind that calm expression.
âGod does not want that evil barrier to exist in this world. He has asked me to drive that darkness out.â
âIâm sorry to say this, but I donât believe that you, the Apostle, have the power to break through that barrier.â
The air in the conference room instantly chilled at Marekâs blunt remarks that left out all niceties. In recent years, the Empire had built up a force and reputation that no one dared to oppose, but even so, Marekâs words were excessively rude.
âOf course, the Empire is not disrespecting or looking down upon the Apostleâs merit. If you werenât at the frontlines taking care of the soldiers, I doubt they would be as sane as they are right now from the demonic energy.â
Belatedly, the commander from the Empire stepped in and took control of the conversation. However, the mood in the conference room had already chilled and it didnât warm up again.
But it seemed like Marekâs rudeness didnât register with the Warrior because his expression remained calm.
âI will show you at the next Wave. If you still feel that my strength is insufficient, then I will not bring it up again.â
Instead, the Warrior smiled leisurely and said he would prove that he was capable of breaking through the barrier during the next Wave.
The Warrior stepped forward after the Allianceâs superhumans successfully blocked the first Wave.
In the middle of the battlefield tainted with the black bodily fluids of the demonic beasts, the Warrior stabbed the Holy Sword into the ground and knelt on one knee. He closed his eyes.
A dazzling flash of light fell from the sky and instantly melted the numerous beasts that poured out of the barrier the moment the second Wave started.
Forget screaming, there werenât even traces left behind. The beasts evaporated as if they never existed in the world in the first place. Even the beastsâ corpses lying on the battlefield were engulfed by the light and disappeared.
âOh! Oh, Heavenly Father!â
âThank you! Thank you God!â
âGod has not forsaken us.â
The soldiers who witnessed this amazing miracle laid flat on the floor and praised God.
It was at this moment that the embers of faith, which had been buried and forgotten in face of the Holy Kingdomâs atrocities, began to burn again.
âSo in the end, he couldnât stand to watch the fall of his grace and stepped forward.â
Marek watched this scene with a hard face.
âHow was it? Do you now believe that I have the strength to remove that barrier?â
The Warrior approached like a phony religious leader while saying a cheesy second-rate remark.
âLet me ask you one more thing.â
Marek frowned at the Warriorâs cocky and sly attitude. He was so different from before.
âHave you also received the powers of Avatar?â
âIf youâre asking about His glorious power, thenâŠâ
Marek nodded at the Warriorâs words and stepped back.
âThen can I assume that the issue is now settled?â
Marek didnât respond as he disappeared amongst the soldiers who were screaming as if they were truly looking upon God.
That day, plans, including what to do beyond the barrier, were drawn up.
As if they were already victorious, the commandersâ excited shouts echoed out the barrack.
âIn the end, the boundaries that separated the worlds have come to an end. From now on, this world will become a chessboard for the Transcendental beings, not the humans.â
Marek took a deep breath as he stood outside the barrack.
âI hope that idolatrous man does not expect too much.â
Even the Warrior, let alone all the other soldiers, had completely changed after hearing the prophecy. It was no different from saying that the Transcendental beingsâ will begin to dominate their proxies.
âWould there be someone among the proxies who have not forgotten themselves?â
From the start, it wasnât possible for a weak human to overcome the strong will and power of a Transcendental being.
Marekâs face finally softened as he lifted his head to look up at the northern sky. He was looking in the direction the Dragonâs Companion had gone. The Dragonâs Companion had said he would be returning quickly.
âYou are the only one I can trust.â
He hoped and hoped again that the Dragon, who had once balanced the world before Adjusters like himself had one, would not forget her mission of moderating the world.
At that moment, Kim Seon-Hyeok was paying the price for crossing the borders of the world.
âIt really wasnât intentional this time!â
He had belatedly realized that the time flowing through the gaps of the space and time didnât flow the same as the world.
Edda sighed at the screams of the married man whose time spent outside had unexpectedly extended.
[You will live a life that is close to eternity. The time spent in the gaps of space-and-time is like scooping out a handful of water from the ocean.]
âThatâs not the problem right now.â
Kim Seon-Hyeok frowned at Eddaâs carefree words.
âI promised that I would return as soon as possible.â
[I see. I still do not understand, but alright.]
Edda accelerated when he continued to pester her.
Redvern, with Geheimnis on his back, chased after them quickly with his tongue lolling out
1. This is a Korean proverb, âë§ìŽ ìšê° ëë€â which means that things can happen as you say, so donât say things recklessly.