Why I Quit Being the Demon King

Why I Quit Being the Demon King Chapter 320

72. Post-war processing (3)

“Cadenza Ball.”

“Did you call His Majesty the Cardinal?”

“Are you feeling a little better?”

“Thank you for your concern.”

“I’m not in a position where we can get along comfortably, so I guess this is the end of how we greet each other.”

“Judging by the fact that you called me, it seems that your Majesty still has some greed left in him.”

“It’s greed. If governing the world according to God’s law is

greed, it would be greed. “How about you?”

“I think it’s right to take responsibility for it with your life, even tomorrow. “I just can’t do that because of my friend’s will.”

“Lord Hollywhig was a great warrior.”

“It is as you said. He can’t be compared to someone like me… I’m just carrying on the life he gave me. You’re a sore loser.”

“You don’t know much about my war, but

I heard there is a saying that there is always victory and defeat.”

“In a war fought with the support of 2 million soldiers from five countries, only the person responsible came back alive. I accepted that number because I needed someone to clean up the mess. “Now that His Highness and Leo Paladin is back, I plan to resign from my position.”

“Aren’t there only three Zodiac Knights left alive? If you quit, now two. Consider that.”

Cardinal Le Sulet took a long sigh as he said this.

“In the end, this world will belong to the demons

.”

“What do you mean?”

“I still don’t trust you, Lord Zeke. “He was chosen by an angel… but if he was truly a friend of mankind, why would he avoid this war?”

“Not trusting him just because he made that choice…

“Not only did he escape the battlefield alone, but he also forcibly took Leo Paladin with him. Her Majesty’s wife, the Queen of Verde, wanted war. He hoped that demons would be completely eradicated from this world and there would be true peace

. The person blocking the path was none other than Zeke. Why did he appear on this earth neither too late nor too early?”

“You may be suspicious, but Zeke is not that different on the outside and the inside.”

At that moment, Le Sulet’s eyes lit up.

“Then how about asking him?”

“What do you mean?”

“Avenge the death of the greatest Zodiac Knight.”

Cadenza’s shoulders trembled.

“Revenge

“Do you intend to leave our hero like this?”

Cardinal Le Sulé spoke quietly to Cadenza, who was unable to continue speaking.

“I will pay the cost. “The Lord gathers people together.”

Cadenza’s eyes came alive again.

“please.”

Regin was a hero.

He was a warrior who picked Balmung, the divine sword of rock,

and was also a soldier who brought an early end to the war against demons.

The Yellow Dragon Knights he led were the elite of the Verde Kingdom.

The royal palace was planning to prepare a large welcoming ceremony for the return of Regin.

Because of the defeat in the war, the country’s power declined, but instead, they tried to refresh the atmosphere by exaggerating the achievements of the Yellow Dragon Knights.

However, Regin sent a messenger and politely declined the welcome ceremony.

Even the king didn’t even bother to stop by Acoma.

In the personal letter he sent, it was written:

-The Yellow Dragon Knights under my command will immediately move to the southern border and prepare for a possible attack by demons.

Just a few lines of an official document once again made the residents of Akoma Castle chant Regin’s name.

The residents of the castle were secretly dissatisfied with the welcome party.

As taxes had already risen due to the war, life had become difficult, and

there were rumors that a special tax was planned to be collected for the expedition’s welcoming ceremony.

But Regin refused and headed straight to the battlefield.

Without even seeing his wife and children, from whom he had been separated for several months on an expedition, he drove his army south along the fastest route.

The news spread not only to Acoma Castle but also to the entire Verde Kingdom.

Retired knights and boy warriors not yet fifteen left home following the Yellow Dragon Knights.

Wealthy merchants contributed money to the army.

Over the past month or so, the Kingdom of Verde

has made every effort to heal the wounds of war.

Priests were mobilized to hold large-scale prayer meetings and touring performances were performed by knights demonstrating swordsmanship.

we are strong God has not abandoned us.

Such a message was instilled into the king’s people, bordering on brainwashing.

But it didn’t have much effect. The peasants hid their wealth and hid their sons.

The gloomy atmosphere completely changed with the appearance of Regin.

Meanwhile, Regin

reorganized his army as soon as he reached the southern border.

The numerous mercenaries who had been drawn to his fame were mixed together with the knights of the Yellow Dragon Knights.

Experienced soldiers were appointed as officers to teach young warriors.

The Yellow Dragon Knights had strict military discipline. Thanks to that atmosphere, Eojung-i-tteo-jung’s army was able to lay the foundation in just a few days.

While Regin’s army was settling down in the border area with the demons, Zeke and his old Neuekan colleagues were also staying there.

“It’s more than what I heard.”

The silver Jushak returned after scouting the surrounding area and reported to Zeke.

“Is that so?”

“There are even rumors going around that 2 million people have died. “I heard that among the 4th generation warriors, most of those ranked A or higher were killed in action.”

“It seems like we should have been more proactive in stopping it.”

Zeke sighed.

I never thought even Oridon would die in battle.

The human was also a warrior.

In some ways, dying while fighting was nothing more than a routine of life.

However, even the remaining people could not remain calm.

Jushak shook his head at Zeke’s words.

“If Lord Zeke had actively prevented the vacuum of the demon world, he would have been accused of being a black hero again. “There was a prevailing atmosphere that demons were nothing.”

“There is a big gap between gaining the upper hand and wiping out a race. Even if it weren’t for Deus, we would have failed to conquer the demon world.”

“Well, there is an enemy that does not acknowledge its very existence…

There is no soldier who would not be desperate to attack and destroy them.”

“The war between kingdoms will end when they occupy the royal capital and eliminate the king… but if they have no choice, the demons will abandon the land and hide in the rough terrain and wait for the future. The border is expanding and there are many places to protect, but the hidden enemies are powerful and even complete strangers of different races. “It is not a war that will be easily resolved.”

“I thought you were against it because of Deus again.”

“If you include him in the calculation, you will definitely lose. Even if he quit being the Demon King, he is not so heartless that he would abandon his people.”

Jushak nodded and began to talk again about the information he had gathered.

There were conflicting testimonies about the course of the war, and there were many areas of ambiguity.

Since it was a story I was not proud of, everyone was not honest.

“So what do you plan to do? If we stay in the border area like this,

there will be frequent clashes with demons. “Isn’t it difficult for Lord Regin to keep fighting against the demons?”

“That’s true, but… in a way, this situation itself may be holding Regin back. “At least you won’t have to abandon your position as commander and return to being a knight and charge at Deus.”

“Then I’m glad.”

Zeke’s vassals, including Jushak, knew roughly the identity of Deus and the people around him.

As a result,

they were not simply confined to the framework of the devil and the hero.

“Mr. Jushak, you’ll have to work hard too. For the time being, I will have to act as a swordsmanship instructor for young warriors.”

“Even though we’re young, aren’t we part of generation zero? “He’s a much higher pureblood than me, so he’ll learn quickly.”

At that time, a person came to Zeke’s barracks.

The moment he saw him, Zeke’s expression hardened.

Jushak bowed and stepped back.

Only after that did Zeke sigh longingly and offer to shake his hand.

“Mr. Cadenza.”

Cadenza did not open his tightly closed mouth for a long time.

“Let’s run for a while.”

Zeke nodded at Cadenza’s request.

The two men rode through the field on horseback.

This was a land without a name.

In the past, when the continent of Jose was in the sky, this area was under the sea.

Now the sea water has almost completely subsided and wild grass has covered the place.

Cadenza rode his horse quite far from the fortress.

The low hill was as barren as a sand dune.

“The reason I used honorifics to everyone was to prevent jealousy. It’s funny to say it in front of you, but I was someone who was praised as a genius. Before I met Ori Don, there was nothing that could compare to me, whether it was magic, swordplay, or sacred arts. Even if I started learning a few years late, I caught up quickly. But it was so lonely to go forward alone. “Others

say it’s a blessing, but… it feels more like a curse.”

He said while looking at Zeke.

“He was that kind of friend to me. Oridon.”

“I guess you won’t use honorifics anymore.”

“Because I can’t take my time. Now all that’s left in my life is revenge. “You know who that person is, right?”

“As expected… is it him?”

“Don’t say it’s him. “If you were human.”

“What do you plan to do next?”

“I’m going to gather an army. I’ll be a private soldier

. There is only one goal. Deus killing him.”

Cadenza took a step closer to Zeke.

“Zeke! Be on my side. Let’s avenge Oridon with me! Oridon considered you a friend until the moment he died.”

“Mr. Oridon is a friend to me too.”

“Then…

“Mr. Cadenza.”

“If it’s a word of rejection, don’t say it out loud. “Because I will hate you.”

Zeke paused for a moment, then

opened his eyes and looked at Cadenza.

“Still, I will say no.”

“Are you planning to betray humanity? Have you forgotten your pride as a warrior?”

“no. “I am a warrior.”

“Then why are you protecting the demon lord?”

“I’m not protecting anyone.”

“He killed Oridon!”

It was humans who invaded the demon world first.

Zeke thought of these words, but did not say them out loud.

Those words could easily be misunderstood as siding with the demons.

Humans must be on humans’ side. At least if you want to live as a human.

-Why don’t you stop being human?

Deus’ words struck me again.

“Zeke, I know you have a personal crush on him. I also acknowledge that he is an attractive human being. “I know you got a lot of help from him.”

“It’s not a story that ends with a lot of help. “Everything I have now is thanks to him.”

“Know. But even so, you are a warrior. A hero must not be on the devil’s side.”

“I’m not saying I’m going to be on his side.”

“Then the conclusion is simple, isn’t it? “Come with me.”

“That can’t be possible.”

“You’re not trying to say something trivial like neutrality, are you?”

Cadencha got angry at Zeke who couldn’t speak.

“Zeke! Even when you went to Neuekan against the orders of the Holy Emperor, I

tried to be on your side. It was I and, above all, Oridon who repeatedly blocked the hardliners’ ideas to subdue Neuekahn. What about Regin? I have never once thought of Regin as not being part of my family. “I looked after him like his own brother.”

“I’m really grateful for that.”

“But now you’re coming out like this. How could Oridon’s death be so light to you?

“Are you planning to bury your friend’s death just because you received some favor from Deus?”

“It’s not like that.”

“Then swear. He said he would kill Deus. He will lead the Demon World Expeditionary Force until the moment he dies. Regin will definitely be with me.”

Zeke didn’t answer.

Cadenza’s expression turned cold.