Chapter 35
Meanwhile, at the same time.
The Grand Temple was thrown into chaos.
Although it had been on high alert ever since the Demon King’s return, this time the gravity of the incident was unlike any before.
“What? Cardinal Ruben got caught by a high-level demon?!”
“Yes. There are numerous witnesses. It seems a few other knights also went to the Demon Realm with him. How could this happen…?”
“This can’t be… this can’t be!”
The shout of Marquis Miles echoed thunderously throughout the Grand Temple. The news about his father seemed to shake the very heavens.
Why did it have to be his family again?!
A few months ago, Meteo and Rearwin had miraculously returned from the Demon Realm.
“Damn Demon Realm nest!”
Since the Demon King’s return, this was the first time someone of the cardinal rank had been swallowed by a high-level demon.
Many knights had perished alongside demons before, but the death of Cardinal Ruben would severely crush the morale of the Grand Temple.
He was considered the strongest and most outstanding paladin in the Grand Temple.
Faced with this unprecedented crisis, all the cardinals gathered together.
“It’s not just anyone—it’s Cardinal Ruben. This is a serious problem. As you all know, Ruben is one of the pillars of our Grand Temple. Losing a paladin of his caliber only six months after the Demon King’s return… it will plunge the entire nation into despair.”
“We cannot be certain that Ruben is dead. Being Ruben, we can still hold hope for his survival, can’t we?”
“That’s right. In the past, some have survived high-level demons, and recently even the Meteo training knight miraculously returned.”
“That was truly a miracle. Records show that many knights even more outstanding than Cardinal Ruben never returned from the Demon Realm.”
“…….”
Silence fell among the cardinals.
They had nothing left to say. The odds of Ruben returning seemed almost fifty-fifty.
No, some believed he would never come back. It was only natural to assume that anyone swept away by a high-level demon would perish.
“…This is serious. If news of Ruben spreads, the nation’s mood will become even gloomier…”
“All the blame will fall upon our Grand Temple.”
“The mood had just slightly improved with the appearance of the girl wielding divine power after 150 years.”
The cardinals grimaced bitterly.
Though the Grand Temple had many outstanding paladins, no one could replace Ruben. He was the symbol of a paladin, the embodiment of a living holy knight.
With his potential death, one of the nation’s greatest hopes would vanish.
Yet there was nothing the Grand Temple could do to save him. Even if they ventured into the Demon Realm, they would have no idea where he was.
It would only result in greater sacrifices.
Thus, the Grand Temple had no choice but to respond in this way.
Bishop Miles, on the Pope’s behalf, made a proclamation.
“…The Knights of God will continue the war against the demons without faltering or fear. The priests shall pray with one heart that the children of God who were taken to the Demon Realm return safely. We shall prevail.”
All they could do was continue their duties. The Grand Temple began a battle of prayer and patience.
After all, fear of death was a daily matter.
It was no different than reminding everyone that even a cardinal and great paladin could not escape death.
Meteo only heard the news after completing his training. He immediately sought out Miles.
“Father!”
Miles had just finished preparing for departure. He too had to continue eliminating demons.
He mounted his white horse and looked down at his son.
“So you’ve only just heard the news, it seems.”
“Is it true? Was grandfather really kidnapped to the Demon Realm?”
“It’s heartbreaking… these demon bastards… when will we finally root them out?”
Meteo was at a loss for words. His father’s blue eyes blazed more intensely than ever.
“Whether it’s demons or magic, I won’t leave a single one of them alive. We must capture and kill the Demon King’s father or child if necessary. I will not forgive a single weed from the Demon Realm. Let’s go!”
With unparalleled intensity, Miles spurred his horse forward and dashed off like an arrow.
Meteo could only stare blankly at them amidst the dust raised by the knights’ gallop.
‘Father… to get this angry…’
Meteo had never seen his father like this. Grandfather must really be in danger. Meteo felt his chest tighten.
Will he come back?
No, he will. He had to believe that.
There was no way the greatest paladin of all could fail to return.
“Meteo!”
At that moment, Lucas’s voice called out. Meteo turned toward it.
“Lucas.”
“You’re here! I’ve been looking all over for you.”
“What’s the matter? If it’s about grandfather, I already know.”
Meteo’s chest felt as heavy as a thousand weights.
“Y-Yes… how could this happen… but you, Meteo, survived the Demon Realm! Cardinal Ruben will surely return!”
“…Thank you.”
“But what I wanted to tell you isn’t that. Crescent didn’t come to training at all today. I even checked her dorm room, but it seems no one’s there. Where could she have gone all of a sudden?”
“What?”
Meteo’s eyes widened at the unexpected news.
Where could Crescent have gone? And she even skipped training!
Crescent was more diligent than most trainee knights. She had never missed or been late for training even once.
“Meteo!”
Meteo immediately ran toward the dormitory.
He had to see with his own eyes whether Crescent was truly absent.
Bang! Bang! Bang!
He knocked several times, but there was no sign of life inside. Finally, Meteo struck the locked doorknob with the hilt of his sword.
“Crescent!”
When the door opened, the room was empty. The bed was neatly made, and the chairs were arranged.
He checked the wardrobe—one set of training clothes was missing.
“…Where did she go?”
As he pondered, Meteo remembered his mother.
If she found out, it would be disastrous. Grandfather was already caught by a demon, and now Crescent was missing. She would surely faint.
And she would feel guilty for failing to protect Crescent, whom she cherished like her own daughter.
For his mother’s sake, he had to find Crescent as quickly as possible.
He calmly considered where she might have gone. Could some troublemaking trainee have locked her up or harassed her?
Edgar and his gang had caused her trouble more than once.
But that had ended when the joint training camp began. Edgar no longer bothered Crescent after that day.
She had thrown a knife with such force that she nearly decapitated someone. Meteo had witnessed the terrifying intensity of her strike firsthand.
‘Then what on earth happened…’
As he was about to leave her room,
“Meteo!”
Lucas caught up to him. Meteo urgently asked.
“Lucas, can you find out if anyone saw Crescent today? I’ll check outside the temple.”
“Yes! Of course! It’s an honor to help you, Meteo!”
“Thank you.”
Meteo hurried off, leaving behind Lucas with shining eyes.
But even after searching the nearby village thoroughly, Crescent could not be found. Night fell, and the next morning came, yet she still had not returned.
