“Who is the strongest in this world?”
A simple yet endlessly fascinating question.
The topic of strength always garners attention.
The hierarchy of strength is inherently ambiguous because strength cannot be quantified.
Even if one attempts to establish a hierarchy, it can be overturned by factors like compatibility or a single moment of carelessness.
Ultimately, it holds little meaning.
Yet, it remains an ever-present topic of discussion.
Perhaps the fascination stems from a primal instinct in living beings to rank and compare themselves.
Even within the Demon King’s army, this question persists:
Who is the strongest after the Demon King?
A question that invites speculation, a curiosity worth pondering.
Depending on who is asked, the answer might vary greatly.
But in this case, those variations don’t matter, for the answer is already clear.
When this question is posed, demons and humans alike unanimously name one man.
Some call him the Guardian.
Others refer to him as the Sword Star.
However, these titles are mere labels for the ignorant.
Those with even a shred of understanding in magic or swordsmanship call him something else.
Those who have witnessed him, without exception, express their awe with the same word:
Monster.
His name is Redros Arcinders, the First Duke.
Guardian of the Demon Race.
The mightiest swordsman among demons.
The demons both revere and fear his power.
Thus, they hold his strength in awe.
Even those who harbor ambitions to challenge him cannot deny their respect for his overwhelming might.
Such is Redros, a man revered by all demons.
And yet, at this moment, a heavy sigh escaped his lips.
“What’s the current situation?”
His question echoed in the empty conference room.
The conference room, located within the capital of the Arcinders duchy, Svalin, was a significant place.
At the head of the long table sat Redros, while the other chairs were usually occupied by heirs to the dragon lineage.
This room was used to discuss matters that threatened the safety of the demon race or events of similar gravity.
Normally, not a single seat would be empty.
But today, every chair was vacant—except for one.
“Lillia hasn’t made any notable moves, and there’s a rumor that Valian is planning to attack the Empire soon. For now, neither seems interested in us,” said a woman with snow-white hair seated to Redros’s right.
Known as the Princess of the Fallen Kingdom, Snow Magnolia was the deputy commander of Redros’s knights.
She answered with a radiant smile.
“What about the others?”
“Gawain and that idiot Hella are still missing. The Wolf seems to have joined Lillia. As for Shine, who knows? Probably wasting time as usual.”
Snow shook her head in disapproval. Then, as if recalling something, she added,
“Oh, right, a new religion has recently emerged in the duchy. I think it’s called… the End Faith or something?”
Her expression was uncertain as she tried to remember the name.
“Have you located Lady Aria?”
The moment Redros asked, Snow’s bright smile froze. Her tone turned somber as she replied.
“Not yet… I did find out that Gawain took her last.”
“But you don’t know where Gawain is.”
“No…”
Snow’s response was weak, her shoulders slumping. It was clear she was deeply disheartened.
Seeing this, Redros spoke.
“You’ve done well. This is more than enough. Do you desire a reward for your efforts?”
Snow’s mood visibly brightened at his words, her face lighting up with a smile.
“Really? Hehe… Then I have one request. Would you grant it?”
She beamed, her voice brimming with excitement.
“Of course. What is it you want?”
Redros agreed readily, prompting Snow to smile even more brightly. She fidgeted shyly before saying,
“Then… I’ll say it. Redros…”
“Hm?”
“Recently… you haven’t spent much time with me.”
“That’s…”
Caught off guard, Redros’s voice faltered. Snow stood cautiously, her white hair swaying like falling snow, and approached him.
“Every time I visit, the air feels cold, like frost. It’s empty, as if something is missing.
And it… breaks my heart, you know?”
Her voice carried a mix of tenderness and melancholy as she drew closer.
Finally reaching his chair, she stepped behind him.
“Tonight… I’d like to fill that emptiness for you…”
“She positioned herself behind him, leaning close so her lips brushed his ear. Her arms wrapped tightly around his neck, as if unwilling to let go.
In a soft, pained voice, she whispered near his ear,
‘Is this… okay?’
Snow waited anxiously for Redros’s reply, her sapphire-blue eyes closed tightly in anticipation.
As the moments dragged on, her nervousness grew until he finally spoke.
‘For now, let’s handle the remaining tasks first.’
Her hands, which were holding him tightly, trembled. She opened her lips slightly, as if to say something, but then closed them again with a sigh.
Her gestures were steeped in disappointment, a clear sign that she hadn’t heard the answer she wanted.
Then Redros spoke again.
‘…I’ll come see you later.’
At those words, Snow’s face lit up with joy. She cried out excitedly,
‘Yes! I did it!’
She released her arms from around his neck, stepping back in front of him.
Standing before Redros, she asked for confirmation,
‘Then I’ll wait for you, okay?’
Redros nodded slowly, and Snow let out a short cheer before skipping lightly toward the door.
Her steps were buoyant, and the hum of a cheerful tune escaped her lips, making it clear how elated she was.
Thud.
The sound of the conference room door closing echoed as she left.
Now alone, silence filled the room.
In that silence, Redros let out one of the heaviest sighs he had ever released.
‘This is giving me a headache…’
Lately, everything happening seemed to burden him endlessly. If only things could be resolved with a sword, it would be easier, but these issues were far too intricate to solve that way.
Even the strongest can feel weary, and now was one of those times for him.
‘Where are you, Lady Aria?’
His voice, tinged with worry, reverberated through the empty room.
‘The North? You’re going to the North?’
‘Yes!’
Bliss answered cheerfully as I questioned her with a bewildered tone.
I paused in sweeping the church’s courtyard and asked again.
‘Why on earth?’
‘A request came from the Imperial Family.’
An imperial request, huh.
‘But aren’t we supposed to be helping with Birren’s restoration right now?’
Indeed, after the events of that fateful day, we had been assisting in Birren’s recovery.
The city had plunged into chaos after losing its lord and seeing key infrastructure destroyed. It was the hero’s suggestion that we stay and help rebuild.
At first, we had no idea where to begin and worked aimlessly, but the help sent from the papacy recently had finally set everything on track.
And now we’re supposed to leave?
‘The believers dispatched here will take care of it,’ Bliss said.
‘But…’
‘It’s fine. They’re experts. Plus, Birren is a key location for the Church, so the higher-ups will ensure more support flows here.
With that support, the restoration will progress even faster.’
I couldn’t argue with her reasoning, so I fell silent.
Damn it. The issue wasn’t the restoration itself.
I had grand plans to use the chaos in Birren as an excuse to stay put and avoid unnecessary trouble. Now, those plans were crumbling to dust.
I felt like my insides were burning.
Bliss, oblivious to my thoughts, clasped her hands together and smiled brightly as she continued.
‘Also, the two sandworms we hunted sold for a high price. That money has been allocated to Birren’s restoration budget. Isn’t that wonderful? Maybe the gods are blessing us!’
‘Ha… That’s great news…’
I couldn’t care less about that!
We went through all the effort, and someone else reaps the rewards? This is like cooking a feast only for a dog to eat it!
I was seething.
In a drained voice, I asked, ‘So… why are we heading to the North?’
The North—imperial territory known for its harsh winters, barren land, and monster infestations.
From what I’d heard, it didn’t seem like a livable place, yet many people managed to survive there.
Just thinking about it made me shiver as if I could already feel the bone-chilling cold.
Why on earth would we go to such a place?
Bliss answered with a cheerful tone.
‘Oh, it’s for the Hunt Festival.’
‘Hunt Festival?’
‘Yes!’
What the hell is that?
I asked, my voice dripping with suspicion.
‘What even is that?’
“Ah, the Hunt Festival refers to the large-scale extermination of monsters in the northern regions,” Bliss explained.
“A large-scale monster extermination?”
“Yes. Luina, do you know what lies beyond the northern regions?”
“The northern regions…”
I placed a hand on my chin and pictured the map in my head. Closing my eyes, I visualized what lay further north.
“The Eternal Winter.”
“Correct. It’s the permafrost region where Glacia, one of the Four Great Monsters, is known to appear.
Luina, are you aware that the permafrost region is home to many monsters?”
I nodded. It was a fact I had known for some time, having experienced it firsthand.
The permafrost region spans the entire northern edge of the continent, which means parts of it also extend into the demon territories.
I had once visited the permafrost region within the demon lands.
The memories were vivid:
A white, snow-covered expanse and dense forests.
‘The snow… there was so much of it.’
Everywhere I looked was buried in snow.
“Once a year, monsters descend from the permafrost region in large numbers.
When this happens, northern nobles gather to hunt them down. The northerners call this the Hunt Festival,” Bliss continued.
“And how does that involve us?”
“Well, this year is a bit different.
It’s tradition to send scouting parties ahead of the festival to check for abnormalities among the monsters.
This year, when the scouting party was dispatched, they discovered something unusual.”
“What did they find?”
Her tone turned serious, prompting me to ask curtly.
What could they have found to warrant calling on a hero?
Bliss’s expression stiffened as she answered.
“They found orcs in the permafrost region.”
“Orcs?”
“Yes, orcs.”
‘Why would that be an issue?’
I couldn’t hide my confusion. Orcs weren’t exactly mythical creatures—they showed up wherever conditions allowed.
Why such a big deal over orcs?
“Is that really so strange?”
“Normally, it wouldn’t be. But this time is different. According to the scouting party, the orcs were carrying black flags.”
“Black flags?! Don’t tell me…”
Bliss nodded gravely.
“Yes, it’s as you think. The orcs were carrying flags bearing the crest of Duke Redros.”
That changed everything.
Now I understood why the imperial family involved a hero.
A black flag with Redros’s crest meant those orcs were under his command, effectively making them part of the Demon King’s forces.
It was clear the empire wouldn’t let this slide.
“When do we depart?” I asked.
“As soon as possible. Likely tomorrow.”
“Got it. I’ll prepare immediately.”
I nodded resolutely.
“What about you, Bliss? Are you getting ready?”
“I’m about to start now.”
“Already?”
“Yes, since we’re heading to the North, there’s a lot to prepare.”
“That’s true…”
I clutched my broom, realizing I, too, needed to finish my work and start packing.
“Alright, I’ll get going now.”
Bliss waved lightly and walked off, presumably to prepare her belongings.
Left alone, I resumed sweeping.
“The North, huh… Redros’s domain is up there too, isn’t it?”
Then it hit me.
Orcs with Redros’s flag, the permafrost region connecting human and demon territories, and Redros’s domain bordering the permafrost on the demon side.
Wait a minute.
Could it be?
Did those orcs cross over from his side?
Stunned by the realization, I dropped the broom I was holding.
Now I had a reason to head North.