Chapter 229: Holy Nation (1)

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“It was pretty noisy in Alforam over the weekend. Were you all okay?”

It was the mid-break during a lecture that had started early in the morning.

Maximilian, sitting next to Carl, asked with a curious expression.

No wonder—news of the rebellion in the Kingdom of Alforam had spread across the continent like wildfire.

Of course, that had been Carl’s intention.

“I was kept under control inside the dormitory, so I didn’t see much.”

“Then is it true? That the leaders of the rebellion were colluding with the powers of the Demon Realm?”

“I heard it was true. A devil went on a rampage in the palace and caused chaos. If it hadn’t been for Commander Hate, I might have been in danger too.”

“A devil, you say.”

Maximilian clicked his tongue.

Of course, he didn’t even register the idea that Carl could have been in danger.

If a devil really had shown up in front of Carl, he would’ve beaten it down with his bare hands.

Which, in fact, he had already done before.

“The world’s turning into a scary place. Nobles colluding with devils and starting rebellions.”

“The problem isn’t just Alforam. People are still talking about it. They’re saying the other kingdoms need to be inspected as well.”

“But how would they even go about doing that?”

“They’ll have to summon priests from the Holy Nation. There’s no other real way, is there?”

“And what if it’s a trap meant to lure the priests?”

“Then that royal house will be doomed.”

It was a simple logic.

If they had nothing to hide, they could confidently invite the Holy Nation’s delegation.

If the priest group were attacked in the process, the kingdom would take full responsibility.

‘But that won’t be easy.’

As he listened to the cadets’ conversation, Carl flipped through the information stored in his mind.

According to what he had gathered in Alforam, demons had infiltrated many other kingdoms as well.

Carl intended to spread this information across the entire continent through NOX.

After all, negative rumors spread much faster than positive ones.

“The world really is a scary place.”

Clicking his tongue again, Maximilian glanced around before quietly asking Carl,

“That mysterious force you mentioned at our training hall during the break—was it those guys?”

“Yeah. I didn’t expect they’d put down roots this deeply, though.”

When he first heard it from King, he’d thought it was just another underhanded plot.

But the roots of the Demon Realm’s power had undoubtedly settled deep and dark, far beyond their expectations.

‘My job is only to make it known.’

The rest would be handled by the leadership of each nation—especially the Empire.

After all, those people only moved once a massive current had been formed.

Tap tap.

Having successfully resolved the situation in Alforam, Carl enjoyed his lecture with a rare sense of peace.

He sorted through the towering pile of materials and prepared for the next lecture.

In the afternoon, he had a long-awaited club activity, so he would…

“Carl Leipzig, Cadet.”

“…?”

At the soft voice calling him, Carl raised his head.

It was still break time before the lecture resumed.

While the other cadets chatted noisily, a staff member from the Bayern Academy’s administrative office had come to find him in person.

“You’ve been summoned. We’ll handle your lecture and future schedule here, so please proceed to the rear gate immediately.”

“Understood.”

The rear gate of Bayern.

Hearing the set keyword, Carl nodded and stood up.

“Looks like I’ll have to postpone our lunch sparring session.”

“Can’t be helped. I don’t know what it is, but take your time.”

Maximilian waved his hand knowingly and nodded.

If they were sending an academy official as a proxy, then it had to be someone important.

What he hadn’t expected was that the person wasn’t just high-ranking—but extremely high up.

‘This summons came sooner than I expected.’

The rear gate of the Academy.

It was a prearranged signal between Carl and Crown Prince Yulian, who resided in the Imperial Palace.

He had already sorted and sent the Alforam-related information to him.

Carl thought the crown prince would need time to process the situation and summon him a few days later, but calling him immediately meant he was quite agitated.

“Please board.”

A carriage was waiting when Carl stepped out through the rear gate of Bayern.

After being courteously escorted inside, it soon departed toward the Imperial Palace.

The capital always looked the same.

Even though a kingdom’s royal family had just been overthrown, people went about their daily lives as if nothing had happened.

Because, for now, it had nothing to do with them.

Screech.

They arrived at the palace.

Carl got off the carriage and naturally made his way to the Crown Prince’s residence.

The knights guarding the path already knew who he was and simply bowed slightly before stepping aside.

Click.

Once inside, he stood before the Crown Prince’s office when the door opened on its own.

This happened every time, so he stepped inside without hesitation.

Flash.

Dazzling light enveloped the surroundings, causing Carl to furrow his brow.

‘What is this?’

A light like that couldn’t blind someone of his level.

Which meant it wasn’t a natural phenomenon.

As he moved further inside, Carl found a space different from the usual office of the Crown Prince.

“It looks completely empty.”

It was a blank space.

The walls and ceiling were entirely white.

As he slowly advanced, sounds echoed from ahead.

The area seemed endlessly vast, likely a space formed through some kind of barrier.

There was no reason for Crown Prince Yulian to trap him without explanation.

Which meant a third party had arrived.

“…Looks like a guest from the Holy Nation.”

Since he guessed correctly, there should have at least been an answer.

But it remained utterly silent, as if it wouldn’t reveal itself until it saw Carl’s capabilities.

Carl narrowed his eyes.

He was cooperating with Crown Prince Yulian—but he had never bowed beneath him.

He had also prepared some degree of insurance for the event that the forces of the Demon Realm colluded with him or if he showed signs of betrayal.

‘Looks like I’ll need to engrave the idea that we’re equals.’

Crackle—

Gray energy sparked and surged from Carl’s clenched fist.

To dare set up a barrier in the Crown Prince’s residence meant they had considerable confidence.

That was why Carl swung his fist without hesitation.

“This is just a light greeting.”

Craack!

A force so powerful that it even distorted and destroyed the space itself.

As Carl’s fist moved forward, cracks spread through the surrounding space and white fragments scattered.

The pressure was so intense that the barrier maintaining the space couldn’t withstand it.

Normally, a barrier would be deactivated either by locating the life gate or through reverse calculations, as in the Central Plains—but overwhelming force rendered all that unnecessary.

Shhhh—!

Suddenly, a brilliant burst of light surged from the front.

Carl shifted the direction of his fist and struck it, and the two forces repelled each other, pushing both figures back equally.

“…It seems I’ve committed an unintentional rudeness. I apologize.”

It was a man clad in the Holy Nation’s armor.

He lowered his thick fist and nodded lightly, divine power shimmering in his eyes as he looked at Carl.

“I am Ruthwell, a Paladin of the Holy Nation.”

“A Paladin?”

“Indeed. Given the gravity of the situation, we had no choice but to verify you like this. This sacred barrier has the ability to identify beings tainted by evil or corruption. Should such an entity enter, they would be consumed by holy fire and vanish without leaving even ashes behind.”

In other words, they had suspected Carl might be colluding with the Demon Realm.

That much was understandable.

Carl would have done the same in the Paladin’s position.

But even after the verification was over, why hadn’t the man withdrawn his combat intent?

“It’s been a while since I’ve met a worthy opponent. My heart is pounding. I hear you use a sword.”

“What kind of test is this supposed to be?”

Carl narrowed his eyes.

He had no intention of bowing his head just because this was the Holy Nation.

With Crown Prince Yulian, it was a matter of formal courtesy due to status—but he had never pledged allegiance to him.

So there was no way some Paladin of the Holy Nation would earn his respect.

“It’s not exactly a test. I just have a bit of a competitive streak.”

A blatant lie, spoken without the slightest hesitation.

Carl smirked, and Ruthwell extended his hand to grip the air.

“I heard you use a sword. If you wish, I can provide you with one.”

“No need. I’ve got one right here.”

Carl summoned the Heavenly Thunder Sword he had stored within an artifact.

Normally, carrying weapons while meeting royalty was strictly forbidden, but he had received exceptional permission in advance.

Still, out of formality, he had stored it and carried it via artifact.

“…That is the 《Justice》.”

“Looks like His Highness the Crown Prince has been chatty.”

“To be the successor of ‘Justice’ is hardly a trivial matter. Did you know? Our Holy Nation has had a deep connection with ‘Justice’ since ancient times. To meet the successor in the modern day like this is truly a joy—”

Swish!

Carl lightly swung his sword.

A gray lightning bolt crashed down from the sky, striking Ruthwell square on the head.

Crack—!

But his opponent was a Paladin.

A seasoned veteran through countless battles, Ruthwell raised his greatsword and deflected the blow without panic.

Yet there was deep astonishment in his eyes as he looked at Carl.

“As expected. One must at least be at this level to inherit ‘Justice’ at the age of twenty…”

Whoosh.

Using the Dark Flow Footwork, Carl instantly moved behind Ruthwell.

Since the other side had tested him first, he had no reason to hold back either.

At the very least, he had to assert dominance to preserve his dignity.

The Heavenly Thunder Sword cut through space and struck the divine protection shielding Ruthwell’s body.

Tear—!

The once-formless protection gained shape and cracked.

The shockwave was even greater than when Carl had punched, scattering fragments of white divine power.

“…!”

Even though his reaction had been slightly delayed, Ruthwell was truly shocked to see his protection shatter in a single blow.

Just as he opened his mouth to speak—

Carl launched his next technique.

‘Heaven-Flow Twilight Flash.’

A gray tidal wave surged forward.

It tore through the already unstable barrier and rushed toward Ruthwell, jaws wide open to consume him.

“…Kugh.”

Ruthwell stomped back and raised his greatsword, drawing even more divine power.

He seemed intent on withstanding it with his sacred defense—but unfortunately, that was the wrong choice this time.

Crack-crack-crack!

The power that was meant to destroy evil was cruelly torn apart.

Just as a silent scream was about to burst from Ruthwell’s lips—

Clap—!

With a light clap, all the rampaging energies within the sacred barrier vanished at once.

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