When Duanmu Huai returned to the camp again, he was greeted by Princess Noren, Princess Fureya, and Princess lty.
The latter was shrinking back, not daring to approach Duanmu Huai, while the forr was full of excitent, as if she had just watched an exhilarating movie.
Behind them was the fully prepared United Army.
"Welco back in victory, Great Judge."
Noren lifted her skirt and bowed to Duanmu Huai.
"With this, the Demon King has been eliminated, and the demon clan’s army was destroyed under your Iron Hamr. For the first ti, humans have achieved a brilliant victory over the demon clan. Logically, we should hold a grand banquet to celebrate the Demon King’s destruction, then press our advantage, plant the flag of the United Army on the Demon King Palace, and declare the demon clan’s total defeat..."
"However?"
Duanmu Huai didn’t need to guess to know sothing was wrong, so he directly SKIPPED it.
"My spy just sent an urgent report."
Princess Noren took out the letter from her side.
"Today at 13:00, the Guardian Country officially declared war on us and the Summoning Country. The army led by the new Hero has already launched attacks on the two countries."
Princess Noren’s attitude was rather calm, not at all like soone whose country was being attacked, while Fureya and lty beside her looked very upset.
"The reason?"
"Well... according to the leading Hero...destroying the Demon King is the glorious mission bestowed upon the Hero by the Deity. Any attempt to eliminate the Demon King before the Hero is an act of disrespect and desecration towards the Deity..."
"Ha? What a joke! We are also Heroes!"
Upon hearing this, Fureya couldn’t hold back any longer.
"If eliminating the Demon King is a given for Heroes, then we have no issue in eliminating the Demon King too!"
"Sister, you’re really loud."
However, with just one sentence from Noren, Fureya had no choice but to shut her mouth.
"Perhaps you don’t know, sister, so I’ll kindly tell you. For many years, it’s always been the Hero from the Guardian Country who defeats the Demon King. While our country and the Summoning Country also have Heroes, previously the Heroes of our two countries mostly defended our own nations. It’s not wrong to call them Heroes, but they’ve never had the accomplishnt of defeating the Demon King."
"Just because the Demon King was not defeated by their Hero this ti, the Guardian Country wants to start a war?"
lty looked incredulous, while Noren just shook her head.
"As I’ve said before, the people of the Guardian Country rely on their divine protection for survival. Who knows what they’re thinking, maybe it’s an order from the Deity they worship."
"So what’s the situation now?"
"To be honest, it’s not optimistic. By the ti I received the ssage, our defense line had already been breached, the Hero of Cannon had been killed by the Guardian Country’s Hero, and at this rate, I’m afraid even the Sword Brave won’t be their match..."
However, before Noren could finish her words, a bird cry suddenly ca from the sky. Then everyone saw a small bird, like a falcon, descend from the air and land on Noren’s shoulder. Noren reached out and took a letter from its claws, opened it, and her expression slightly altered.
"This is really..."
"What’s the matter, Noren?"
Fureya hurriedly asked as she looked at Noren, who quickly finished reading the intelligence and then gave an answer.
"I just received news that the Hero from the Guardian Country has already broken through the final periter. Not only did they kill the Sword Brave, but they also used the reason of being a ’heretic who fell into the demon path’ to kill Father... claiming that Father secretly sided with the demon clan..."
"What a joke!"
Upon hearing this, Fureya was also incensed and jumped up.
"Bring my Gryphon at once, I need to return imdiately! I want to see what skills this Hero from the Guardian Country actually has!"
"I told you not to rush, my dear sister. The situation in our country is utterly chaotic now, and according to the intelligence, the Hero of the Guardian Country also provided evidence. Many people witnessed Father transforming into a demon beast and then being slain by the Hero, so the nation is in turmoil, not knowing what to do."
"There’s no way Father could be a demon beast! It’s absolutely impossible!"
"Please calm down, my dear sister. Even if we say that, it’s useless. Since many have witnessed it, once they choose to believe it’s the truth, then it becos the truth. We can’t persuade the public to believe us without any evidence..."
"What should we do now?"
lty was also very worried, for if the Magic Tool Country couldn’t hold, then the next target would be the Summoning Country...
But Princess Noren did not imdiately answer; instead, she looked towards Duanmu Huai.
"Sir Judge, what do you think?"
"Under normal circumstances, I would say the Tribunal doesn’t care about, nor is it interested in human internal conflicts, whatever level of fighting it’s up to you. But this ti..."
Duanmu Huai rubbed his chin.
"I intend to visit the Guardian Country. I have a feeling there might be sothing wrong with the Deity they worship. Anyway, we can discuss the rest on the way."
Soon, as the Divine Machinery turned, the United Army set out again. However, this ti they were not continuing forward but rather retreating the way they ca — the soldiers had so complaints about this, but once they heard the situation from Princess Fureya and Princess Noren, they quickly changed their minds.
No matter what madness the Guardian Country is up to, they absolutely cannot be allowed to succeed!
On the return journey, Duanmu Huai also explained to everyone the situation regarding the Guardian Country’s Hero. Upon learning of the Hero’s outrageous divine protection, the three princesses were speechless.
"I see, I didn’t realize the Guardian Country’s Hero has such outrageous protection. I finally understand why historically it’s always been their Hero who eliminates the Demon King."
Princess lty sighed in disbelief. Indeed, not eating, drinking, or sleeping, nor ever feeling tired, with strength that defies belief, that is not what humans typically are. Other Heroes, no matter how formidable, need to eat, drink, and sleep. How can they be compared?"
"So what do we do next?"
After expressing her feelings, Princess lty looked at Princess Noren and asked again. Although she didn’t get along with Princess Noren, lty had to admit that in the face of the nation’s survival, personal grudges had to take a backseat.
Princess Noren thought for a mont, then spoke.
"There’s no other way. Given the situation... I suggest that the United Army directly invade the capital of the Guardian Country. The original plan was to attack the Demon Clan’s Royal City, but the situation is urgent, so we have to change the target slightly."
"Huh? What!?"
Upon hearing this, both Fureya and lty were stunned.
"Wait, wait, Noren, what are you saying?"
"Yes, Princess Noren, entering another country’s territory without permission is tantamount to declaring war!"
"Oh?"
However, faced with their questions, Noren just tilted her head, looking puzzled.
"I thought we were already at war. They’ve invaded our territory and even killed my father, which is clearly an act of war, isn’t it? In that case, it’s only natural for us to strike back. Also, didn’t the Great Judge easily defeat the previous Hero, Lu Ti? If that’s the case, dealing with the current Hero should be a breeze."
"But... what about the people of the Guardian Country?"
lty remained very concerned.
"What if they stand in our way..."
"Then kill them all."
This ti, the one who replied to lty was Duanmu Huai.
"I suspect that the deity they worship may likely be so kind of evil being, and the so-called protection is actually a curse to bind humans. Therefore, by the standards of the Tribunal, I will treat it as an exorcism of the Evil God, and anyone who obstructs my mission will be considered a heretic by the Tribunal and eliminated."
"This... "
Hearing Duanmu Huai’s response, lty was dumbfounded, while Princess Noren chuckled.
"Looks like I don’t need to say anything else. My views align with the Great Judge."
lty sighed helplessly, then closed her eyes tightly.
"Father, Mother, I hope you are safe..."
The only thing she could do now was to pray.
Unfortunately, lty’s prayers were in vain.
Flas shot into the sky.
The Royal Palace of the Summoning Country was engulfed in fire, and within it, a young man wielding a Longsword, clad in armor, walked steadily forward, eyes unwavering. Ahead of him stood the Queen of the Summoning Country.
"What are you trying to do? Are you trying to start a war?"
"I’m not trying to start a war."
The young man shook his head.
"I’m just following God’s will, here to eliminate heretics who do not revere the Deity. What you’ve done exceeds the domain of the Deity; the task of defeating the Demon King is one only the Hero should undertake. However, you tried to act without permission, which is blasphemy against the God!"
"Stop joking, kid!"
At that mont, the King and the First Princess, accompanied by several Attendants holding sharp swords, rushed over, blocking the Queen.
"We will hold him off here, you must go!"
"Huh?"
Seeing the reaction of the King and the First Princess, the Queen was taken aback.
"But..."
"Go quickly!"
While speaking, the King brandished his Longsword and charged at the young man before him. Seeing this, the Queen nodded decisively and quickly turned to leave.
"Clang!"
The Twin Swords clashed, producing a clear sound. The King tightened his grip on his Longsword, but the young man blocking his attack remained expressionless.
"Do you also want to stop ?"
"Of course, it is the Master’s order, and we want to see what you’re capable of!"
As the King spoke, suddenly his body began to morph—stretching and twisting into a shadow-condensed Monster. Not only him, but even the Princess and those Attendants shed their shadowy disguises, revealing their true forms.
"I see."
Holding the Longsword, the Hero looked at the shadows surrounding him, remaining calm as he swung his Longsword.
"Since you are all fallen heretics, then in the na of God, I will execute you all!"
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