The Demon King is unfathomable

Chapter 433 The True Victor

The count, along with his family and entourage, left the castle. A small cavalry escorted a dozen or so carriages, hastily heading towards Twilight City.

Meanwhile, the main force of the Salvation Army marched in a grand procession to the plains twenty kilometers away, where they set up a new camp.

In contrast, outside the castle, in the siege camp, only Thomas's caravan and the displaced people living in designated areas remained.

The sun has already set in the distance, and everyone is waiting for the sun to rise tomorrow.

Sitting in his carriage, Thomas was restless, occasionally peeking through the curtains towards the direction of Sparrowwood Castle. His palms and the backs of his hands were sweaty, and his heart was filled with tension.

He often reminded himself that he was a businessman, not a gambler. The risks behind a deal were more important than the potential profits.

However, he now seems to have been thrust into a high-stakes gamble with completely immeasurable gains and risks.

Will the Earl really leave?
Or is this just a delaying tactic?

And what about the King of the Kingdom of Ryan? Does he really not care about this land anymore, or is he deliberately letting these people kill each other for a while, and then coming back under the banner of holiness to clean up the mess?

Anything can happen.

Including the provincial governor who had remained inactive, the Green Forest Army headquarters that was eyeing the situation covetously, and even the imperial army stationed far away at Huangtong Pass... none of them could have been unaware of the chaos here.

Even behind them—this Salvation Army—there might be a force he couldn't have imagined.

The people of Twilight Province seem to have their fate in their own hands, yet it also seems that their fate has never been in their own hands.

Of course, it's too far in the future to talk about these things now.

Thomas was clearly more concerned about his caravan than the future of the Ryan people here; he had to prioritize his own life.

"We can't wait any longer..."

Thomas gritted his teeth, finally made up his mind, stepped down from his carriage, and went to Mr. Colin's carriage.

The gentleman, who always looked calm, was just as leisurely leaning against the window reading a book, seemingly oblivious to the tense and oppressive atmosphere outside.

Yet those languid eyes seemed to have already seen through everything before them, and even glimpsed the future that was not far off.

“Colin…sir.”

He unconsciously changed his tone, speaking softly and urgently, "The Salvation Army has lifted the siege of Sparrowwood Fortress, shouldn't we... pack our things and leave?"

Luo Yan asked casually.

Where do you plan to go after you leave?

Thomas answered without hesitation.

"Of course it's Twilight City! Isn't that why we came here?"

Luo Yan nodded thoughtfully, closed the book in his hand, and said in a kind tone.

"It's true that you came here for this reason, but are you sure you'll find what you're looking for there?"

Thomas paused for a moment.

"What...do you mean by this?"

Luo Yan continued.

"Sparrowwood Territory is just a count's territory surrounding Twilight City. The reason the Green Forest Army targets it is primarily to advance on Twilight City. If you go there, you'll just be moving from an already opened cage to an even tighter one. Since you're in business, you should understand what I mean."

Thomas's expression changed slightly, clearly understanding the deeper meaning behind those words.

The lord's army may have been more gluttonous than the rebellious peasants, but that certainly didn't mean they were merciful. If those guys really had that kind of power, this chaos wouldn't have happened in the first place.

By the time he reaches Twilight City, his goods may no longer be his, just like when he first met Brennan.

Thomas gave a bitter laugh and said dejectedly.

“By Saint Sith… I’m starting to regret making this deal.”

This is not a place for business at all.

Instead of comforting him, Luo Yan spoke from a different angle.

"Then why don't you think about it from another angle? Perhaps it was a divine being who sent you here to help these poor people establish order. If you genuinely believe in the god in your heart and endorse what you consider goodness, this could be your most successful deal."

Thomas was taken aback upon hearing this, seemingly understanding something, and after pondering for a moment, he said in a low voice.

"Could you show me the way?"

"It's simple. You have two paths. Either keep heading south, don't go to Dusk City, and definitely don't stay here. Go through the Rapids Pass in the southern part of Dusk Forest, all the way to the Whirlpool Sea, to a place called Thunder City. Or stay here, continue to take in the starving people who come to seek refuge, and assist the Salvation Army's registration department in registering the identities of the starving people... Continue what you're already doing. I don't think people will forget what you've done for them so quickly."

After a pause, Luo Yan smiled and continued.

"Of course, you can also take your profits and go back with the rest of the goods... I think you've made quite a bit of money, haven't you?"

On the way, he spent money to buy a lot of Thomas's goods as supplies to "Saint Karen" and the Salvation Army.

He is a person who values ​​fairness.

Along the way, no one could possibly offer a more beautiful price than him.

……

After expressing his gratitude, Thomas left Colin's carriage.

Although he did not announce his decision, he had already made his choice through his actions—this kind-hearted merchant began to organize the caravan members to appease the starving people who were restless because of the Salvation Army's departure.

He wasn't acting out of kindness or piety, but in terms of the outcome, it made no difference.

"Guys, don't worry, the Holy Maiden hasn't left you. She's just temporarily leaving to save more people!" Thomas shouted from a wooden crate as he looked at the starving people gathered at the camp entrance.

“By Saint Sith… is there anyone more deserving of salvation than us?” an elderly woman pushed her way to the front and said in a trembling voice.

Thomas looked at her and nodded, speaking in a gentle tone.

"Of course, there are also many people in the castle in front of you, and they are obviously human too."

The night is getting darker.

Taf, who was lying on the cushion pretending to doze off, yawned and glanced at the castle outside the carriage. A hint of surprise flashed in her golden vertical pupils.

"They actually surrendered?"

Luo Yan turned a page of the book in his hand and spoke in a casual tone.

"What else can we do? Fight with their neighbors?"

Taffy twitched her wings.

"I was just a little surprised. I thought you were going to summon a giant fireball and blast that city wall open with a bang!"

"Why should I do this?"

Taf yawned.

"Anyway, this is easy for you, isn't it?"

Luo Yan smiled noncommittally.

Whether it's easy or not depends on whether the castle's designer considered whether it could withstand magical attacks.

If it were a castle made of ordinary granite, a few meteorite impacts on the load-bearing structure would suffice.

But if the design took into account the possibility of being attacked by mages, and a large amount of obsidian and other materials with anti-magic properties were added to the city walls... then let alone him, even a demigod would have to put in some effort.

But that's not the point.

The key point is that neither supernatural power nor divine power can solve all problems.

……

Silent all night.

The next morning, as the sun climbed over the treetops again and cast its light on the castle's battlements, the mighty Salvation Army returned to their camp outside the castle at the same time.

People cheered their arrival and praised them for not abandoning them after all.

The same goes for the people on the castle.

Although they did not cheer, but stood there in silence, what was clearly reflected in their eyes was not fear and unease, but anticipation for what would happen after the door opened.

Karen arrived at the front lines without a weapon, calmly gazing at the city walls as she waited for the soldiers guarding the city to fulfill yesterday's promise.

Leiden took a deep breath, squinted at the direction of the sun, and gave the final order.

"Open the city gate!"

Upon hearing these words, all the soldiers breathed a sigh of relief.

This includes Karen standing below the city walls, as well as Brennan and the Salvation Army generals who are on high alert.

"...I didn't expect them to be so trustworthy." A centurion muttered under his breath.

The centurion, who had previously been clamoring for a decisive battle in the military tent, smirked and stubbornly said something.

"They're smart...it saved us a lot of trouble."

Brennan glanced at the soldiers behind him and lowered his voice.

"Remember what I said last night? Once we're in the castle, everyone be careful. Don't look around, don't reach out, and don't hurt anyone. Don't act like some naive bandit... For Her Highness's sake, we're the Salvation Army. Got it?"

"Yes!" The crowd's expressions sharpened, and they immediately responded.

Actually, the boss didn't need to mention that at all.

After going through so much, they have long since gotten used to their new identities.

This is much more interesting than being a bandit.

With the support of the gods, they had wine and meat at every meal and enjoyed the worship of the people.

Unlike before, when they had to scavenge food from dilapidated walls and were looked at like devils, as if they were worse off than those noble lords... even though what they stole was less than a tenth of what those nobles took from the people.

With a heavy, long creak, the suspension bridge, which had stood for months, slowly descended and crashed into the moat that separated the two worlds.

The siege was over.

Led by Leiden, the soldiers in the castle laid down their weapons and came out.

Accompanied by Brennan and a group of soldiers, Karen stepped forward and arrived at the castle gate.

Leiden drew his longsword from his waist, examined it for a moment while holding it upright in front of him, and then, without any regret, sheathed it and handed it horizontally to the so-called "saintess".

“This sword symbolizes control over nearly a hundred kilometers of land on both sides of the River Runaway, and also the castle behind me… King Devallo I entrusted it to Theron Gard’s ancestors, and now I pass on this honor and responsibility to you on Theron Gard’s behalf.”

Karen nodded slightly and accepted the longsword, which was far too heavy for her, with both hands. "Thank you for your approval."

"I did not endorse you; I was simply fulfilling my promise."

Leiden gave a slight smile.

He is, after all, a Platinum-level knight; even without a title, he still has his own dignity.

The soldiers behind him might not be able to tell who the woman was, but he could tell at a glance that she was just a pretty village girl. Any nun in the castle would know more about the Holy Scriptures and how to pray and offer blessings than she did.

"...We were not defeated by your army, nor by your mercy, but by the gods behind you."

Brennan narrowed his eyes slightly, his hand already unconsciously resting on the axe handle.

The knight must have been half asleep and forgotten his current predicament.

He's just a Platinum-level knight. Although he only recently broke through to Platinum level, his axe is still quite effective!
Noticing Brennan's gaze, Leiden did not back down at all, and stared back without flinching.

Theron might be scared, but he won't.

Dying on the battlefield would be the greatest honor for him; he had fulfilled his vow. He couldn't wait for this guy to pull out his axe and show him who was stronger.

Just as the two were about to clash, Karen suddenly spoke up, interrupting their argument.

“You’re right, you certainly didn’t lose to us on the battlefield.”

Leiden paused for a moment, casting a surprised look at her, seemingly not expecting her, who had the upper hand, to give in.

However, in Karen's view, this was not a concession; he was simply telling the truth.

If it weren't for divine intervention, the moat beside her would never be as clear as it is today; it would surely be filled with the blood of farmers and soldiers.

All they got in the end was a pile of rotten stones and a pile of corpses left to rot.

Just as Leiden was at a loss, Karen continued in a gentle tone.

"Whether you approve of me or not is irrelevant. I have no other identity or title; I am simply a nun who serves God."

“However, I still want to say that the gods themselves are the embodiment of the will of the people. And this so-called people are not only the people behind me, but also the people behind you, as well as the count who has already fled.”

"And of course, that includes yourself."

Brennan was completely confused by what he was saying.

To be honest, his brain couldn't handle something so complicated. He'd much rather grab an axe and fight the knight in front of him, teach that blockhead a lesson, and make him face reality.

However, standing in front of Karen, Leiden suddenly realized what was happening, and his heart was filled with turmoil.

The gods are the embodiment of the will of the people.

In other words... the fall of Quemu Fortress today was not the will of any god.

It was their shared aspiration that led them to this point.

"...I never thought that my inner conflict would be resolved by the rebel nuns. Hehe, I'm suddenly starting to admire you. Perhaps you really did hear a divine message."

At least, a village girl wouldn't say such things.

It couldn't be a nun either.

A bitter smile appeared on Leiden's face, but behind that smile was more relief.

He still couldn't be sure whether this so-called "holy lady" had truly seen divine grace, but she had certainly heard the voices in everyone's hearts.

Whether it was told to her by a deity or heard by herself.

Karen looked at him and smiled.

It wasn't because of his repentance or surrender, but because I was genuinely happy that he was able to break free from the prison he had built in his heart.

So what's your choice?

Leiden gave a sarcastic smile.

"Choice? Why ask me? I am your prisoner, what choice can I make?"

Karen gently shook her head, correcting him.

“I have not captured you, nor have the Salvation Army behind me. If you remain loyal to your lord, you may now ride off to follow in his footsteps, along with the soldiers behind you.”

She paused for a moment at this point before continuing.

"But if you choose to serve the god in your heart, and acknowledge that the will of the god is the will of all people, then I hope that from now on you will take pride in protecting your people, rather than enslaving them in the name of God."

"No matter which king you are loyal to."

Leiden's body trembled slightly, and he raised his dejected head, casting an incredulous look at Karen once again.

In that instant, he, who was lost in confusion, suddenly understood his destiny and finally realized why this saintess had come to him when he was in a state of confusion.

no doubt--

She was sent by the gods!

And the answer in his heart was obvious.

Rather than serving a worldly king, they should serve the gods who have mercy on them.

“Your Highness, no king can compare to you…at least not on this land beneath my feet.”

He knelt on one knee and offered up his sword.

"The sword passed down through generations of the Kechter family was once wielded for lords who betrayed their people, and I am well aware of that shame. If it can fight for the innocent, that will be its greatest glory."

Karen took the sword from his hand. The weight of the two swords was already making her body feel a little uncomfortable. After all, she was just a mortal without any supernatural powers.

However, she was not crushed in the end, because her belief was no less than that of anyone else present.

She handed the sword that symbolized the castle to Brennan, then drew the longsword she was holding and, with all her might, draped it over his shoulder.

“...I believe the people of Twilight Province will accept your and your family’s allegiance.”

Her fair face flushed red, and she held her breath as she spoke in a low voice.

"Hold this for me, I... can't carry it anymore."

Leiden paused for a moment, then remembered how heavy his sword was. Before the Holy Maiden collapsed from exhaustion, he hurriedly took the sword from her.

……

The long siege was over, the Salvation Army took over the castle, and raised the sacred banner on the castle tower.

As for the ten thousand guards in the castle, some chose to retire and return to their hometowns, while others chose to follow Her Highness the Saint and join the Salvation Army.

Of the ten thousand garrison troops, three thousand were the lord's standing army, professional soldiers, and seven thousand were conscripted peasants, including serfs and free men.

Besides the combat personnel, the castle also housed the families of over 20,000 soldiers, as well as church clergy and people of all sorts of other backgrounds.

Although these people are not soldiers, in a life-or-death situation, everyone can become a soldier.

It is foreseeable that if a real war breaks out, the Salvation Army may eventually win, but it certainly won't be an easy victory.

After settling the surrendered soldiers and their families in the castle, Brennan went to the Lord's Hall.

Standing before the enormous stained-glass window, he looked down at the peaceful wilderness outside the castle, his expression complex, his heart filled with countless emotions.

At this moment, Karen walked into the lord's hall, stood not far behind him, and announced in a gentle voice.

“I have fulfilled your three wishes. There is enough food in the castle and camp to fill your granaries. And the gates of this castle are open to you. The holy light behind me has not broken its promise.”

Brennan turned around and remained silent for a moment.

"You're planning to leave?"

Karen answered softly.

"It depends on the guidance of the Holy Light."

She had sworn before the gods to be poor and to serve them for the rest of her life, and she believed that this was the condition for the god sitting in the carriage to take her away from hell...

If she betrays her vow, fate will eventually take everything she has and send her back to that hell.

That is why she had no interest in readily available glory and power.

This could be called fanaticism, but it could also be a form of clarity. She knew very well that she was not a "saint," nor did she have enough power to bear things that did not belong to her.

however……

Although that's what she thought, the people around her had already become inseparable from her.

Brennan's expression grew increasingly complicated.

He originally planned to change the flag back once the castle was breached, but now... not only his men, but even he himself didn't want to go back to those old days.

It is also ironic.

Just a few days ago, he was debating whether to tear up the contract, but now he can't bear to see it end.

“Our contract is not over yet…” he said after a long silence. “My wish is for our granaries to be filled with grain, but I didn’t say… how big the granaries are, or how long it will take to fill them.”

He paused, then forced himself to continue.

"Many people in the Twilight Province are still suffering from hunger, including my former brothers, and there are eleven other rebel groups like ours... I think they are part of us too, and the 'we' I'm referring to includes them."

He blushed a little when he said those words, feeling that his statement was somewhat greedy and sophistical.

However, Karen did not mock his wish; she simply smiled gently and said...

“I’m glad you think that way, although such a contract shouldn’t be made with me or the god behind me, but with the people around you.”

"But we don't know where to go! And you happen to know, so why don't you lead us on this journey?"

Brennan couldn't help but step forward and said excitedly.

“We will continue to use the banner of the Salvation Army! Those knights cannot see your power, but I can! Your Highness, we are willing to follow in your footsteps! Together we can build a world without hunger, right here on this land beneath our feet!”

Meeting those earnest, even fanatical, gazes, Karen remained silent for a moment before speaking honestly.

“I cannot answer your question, but I believe the deity I serve has heard your request… Please give me some time; I am also waiting for His guidance.”

Unfortunately.

On this path that no one had ever imagined, she had no idea where their future lay.

(End of this chapter)