Terminally-Ill Genius Dark Knight

170: The downfall [2]

A rugged, stench-filled swamp. In the middle of the rain, two people can be seen walking in the remote village, draped in ponchos. Under greenish light flicker, the dark raincoats, contrasting with the dark surroundings, let the rain drip off making an impressive sight. One figure was exceptionally tall, while the other was smaller, as if not fully grown yet. They were Rick and Amdusias. One of the revived 72 demons and a demonic human.

Amdusias opened his mouth as he glanced around.

[The human world is just as it was before. Still crowded with vulgar desires. Not much has changed.]

“Regardless of age, it’s always been like that, hasn’t it? It’s extremely hilarious how they’re swayed by their desires. Though, I’m sure Amdusias-nim understand that better.”

Recently revived by Rick, Amdusias had been moving to secure his forces. Recently, high-ranking demons like Paimon And Jagan. There had been incidents where high-ranking demons from the 72 demons were killed. At the center of those incidents was Nox von Reinhaver.

The youngest son of one of the three Sword Emperors. Theo von Reinhaver. No matter how they think about it, it was unsettling.

Theo von Reinhaver’s youngest son, despite not having a good reputation, had recently taken up the top student spot at Eldain.

Was it a coincidence?

Amdusias didn’t think so. Whatever his reasons were, Nox was growing his power to exterminate demons. He was expanding his influence as well.

Could he sit idly by and just watch? Amdusias was quite different from other arrogant and foolish demons. While many demons were overly self-confident, Amdusias moved for his own benefit.

‘The danger humans pose was already proven in the ‘Night of Slaughter’.’

In fact, Paimon’s death. Only three humans had been involved. Theo, Celsus, and Noah. As a result, Paimon lost his powers and was sealed. Humans had limitless potential, and Amdusias needed to figure this out for sure.

This was Amdusias’s conclusion.

[Humans are dangerous, no doubt. Rick, you know it too. They’re getting stronger. If we want to achieve greatness, we must act faster.]

If humans decided to unite. A lot of nations, including the Arkheim Empire, would form alliances. In such a situation, the possibility of individualistic demons being left behind was high. Basically, the 72 demons had only come together under a powerful figure like Baal. In other words, they could unite due to the overwhelming strength of a high-ranking demon.

But what about humans?

For the sake of their own interests, humans could compromise or betray. That was their terrifying strength.

‘Among them, Nox von Reinhaver was particularly more dangerous. He could become as much of a threat as the Seven Stars of the continent, the Three Sword Emperors, and four Sages.’

Amdusias. Even the arrogant Amdusias couldn’t deny it. Demons extermination. High-level and executive demons at that. He exterminated the 72 demons multiple times. That was enough to explain how dangerous he was. People with natural talents spread across the continent.

But when one with such talent moved with conviction, without hesitation, and didn’t flinch in the face of a demon far stronger than themselves? In addition, a human with inherent limitations?

He couldn’t take that lightly.

[It’s possible that from the beginning, Nox von Reinhaver, no, the entire Reinhaver family has been building its strength to exterminate us.]

“The possibility is quite high. But the fact that the eldest, Garen, sided with us is puzzling. And Theo’s wife, Priscilla von Aurel, also expressed her support for our side. In my humble opinion, we couldn’t exclude the possibility that Nox acting independently.”

[If so then it’s more puzzling, why is he targeting us?]

Amdusias frowned, as if unable to understand. Mud splashed with every step he took, emphasizing Amdusias massive frame.

He furrows his brow as he speaks.

[Why is he involving himself in a fight he can’t win? Even with many allies, it wouldn’t be strange for him to be quietly assassinated.]

“I haven’t fully figured it out either, I apologize. But I’m guessing it’s connected to his past.”

[His past?]

“Yes. He apparently lost his mother to demons in the ‘Night of Slaughter.’”

[Ho… Now that’s interesting.]

Amdusias grinned with a twisted smile as he spoke.

It made sense. Human emotions were a subject of study for demons.

Why were weak humans able to grow so strong? But, why did they weaken at critical moments? All answers lay in emotions.

The feeling of loving someone, and feeling of hating someone. Feeling to protect.

These paradoxically made humans stronger, yet also made them weak. To Amdusias, this was an unknown realm. That’s why he found humans fascinating.

“Anyway, it seems Amdusias-nim and I are in agreement, that Nox von Reinhafer is a potential threat.”

[The others didn’t think that way, which is why they’re dead. Pathetic fools.]

If Nox heard this conversation, he’d be horrified. For someone in his position, who needed to hunt down all 72 demons, this was unsettling news. Especially since Amdusias, known for his arrogance, wasn’t underestimating him.

“Given the wisdom you possess, Amdusias-nim, it’s only natural you would see things this way. I don’t mean to disparage the other GrandDukes, but they tended to underestimate human potential”

[Our goal, above all, is the revival of him. Even among GrandDukes, Baal is the only one who can lead us. Until that time comes, we must move cautiously. Remember, we must not draw their attention. And…]

Amdusias continued with a lower voice.

[Nox von Reinhaver and someone who could become a burden to us, Eleanor de Rivalin. Hurry and eliminate them. Money, after all, is a variable even demons struggle to control in war.]

“Yes, don’t worry, GrandDuke”

Rick bowed his head, agreeing with Amdusias’s opinion.

Then, the two of them arrived in the middle of a forest. This place would serve as their base, where they would strengthen their forces for a quite long time and prepare for a larger war. For them, it was a conquest. For humans, it was a battle of conquering the devil. And it would begin from this place. Only Nox was aware of this fact at the time.

However, even Nox didn’t know their exact location. The demons’s base and sanctuary, or Pandemonium which refers to demons itself, was randomly located. Just as it was in the game. but with no way to confirm how much it connects to reality, Nox didn’t have many choices.

There was no other choice.

He had to dig out where they were. While they are moving secretly at the moment. Nox also preparing for his own battle. He hoped that it would be enough to completely sever the demons’ life.

————————————————

‘It seems I’m going to be busy for a while.’

Even though I’d survived and gained quite a bit of lifespan, I couldn’t let my guard down.

I need to be cautious about the fact that the third episode wasn’t over yet. While the major battle had ended, it was still far to reverse the situation.

Eleanor’s Rivalin merchant group. Half of this is already in Rick’s hands. Even though Eleanor, the one with authority had returned alive, the situation remained dire. The biggest issue was that the imperial family was involved. In addition, that was Louis, who stands in a position completely opposite to mine. It was stifling that the first prince was acting as a dangerous factor.

Even if the Rivalin family had power, they weren’t traditional nobility. If the legitimate imperial family started suppressing them?

It would only lead to a full-blown conflict, where one side would face ruin unless the other backed down. This was probably what Rick was aiming for.

‘Besides… considering the current situation, it wouldn’t be surprising if another of the 72 demons had been revived. Honestly, I wouldn’t be shocked if two or three more popped up at this point.’

The 72 demons would continue to revive. That was something I couldn’t stop. It was part of the predetermined scenario. No matter that this world, Inner Lunatic, had become my reality, and I was now Nox von Reinhaver, it didn’t change that fact.

To keep them in check, I need power. Not my own power. I need bigger power.

Precisely. I need a strong enough backing to restrain even Louis, the first prince.

“Did you seek me out to check my brother’s power?”

I was currently meeting with a girl in noble attire on the top floor of Sidus’ hall. She was none other than Penelope von Arkheim, one of the direct descendants of the imperial family and my potential bride—though it was more or less forced.

The princess, she was one of the legitimate successors to the throne.

I nodded slightly and smiled at the princess.

“That’s right, Please lend me your strength”

I made a bold move, speaking firmly. Penelope von Akrheim, if it was her, who was working hard to protect her influences, she maybe couldn’t refuse my proposal. Even if Eleanor had lost some of her influence, that was only temporary.

To recover the power, what mattered most was leadership and resources, and who possessed both? Eleanor, the great merchant, the [Golden Fox] If we join forces with her, we could ultimately bring down the first prince. This would also help to rebalance the power dynamics between factions while restoring Eleanor’s Merchant Group.

“Sorry, but I don’t like it.”

“…What?”

I couldn’t help but stunned and asked back. Why? She rejects this offer now?

Did Penelope have another source of funding? No, had she already allied herself with Louis, the first prince?

Worst-case scenarios began to flash through my mind. If things continued like this, it would be dangerous. My life was at stake. I barely managed to stop myself from breaking out in a cold sweat as I looked at her. Her golden eyes gazed at me calmly. I asked as calmly as I could

“May I ask what the reasons you’re rejecting my proposal?”

“Well…”

Princess Penelope flashed a mischievous smile, more than usual.

“It’s not polite to ask your bride candidate to help out another woman, is it”