Chapter 1210. The Demon King of Sunset’s Castle, the Final Story (3)

'Damn it!'

“I... I leave the rest to you.”

'Shit!'

“This is my final request.”

I had no choice but to slam my fists on the ground.

“William, you idiot! Damn it! What the hell are you protecting? How could... someone like you...” I[1] shouted.

“Mr. William,” Emilia said.

“I know nothing... I’m just a stupid bastard...” I cursed.

I couldn’t suppress the anger that was filling up inside me.

The promise he made to me. The promise to protect Lee Ki-Young no matter what and to never let him die crumbled away as if they were meaningless.

Actually, I got help. In my attempt to cast aside this worthless body of mine, I found myself indebted to him once again. All those thoughts about having grown stronger and being able to defeat any foe crumbled the moment I laid eyes on the Monarch of Sunset.

I was sure Woo Hyo-Yeol felt the same thing.

The Monarch of Sunset's strength was so overwhelming that an ordinary human wouldn’t be able to comprehend it.

I finally realized why they were called transcendent beings, why they were beyond the line that separated mortals and transcendent beings, and why Mr. Lee Ki-Young said that we weren’t ready yet.

‘I couldn’t move.’

The moment I saw the demon, I tensed up. A fear that was incomparable to the demon I saw in the dream enveloped me. The moment our eyes met, I experienced death hundreds of times in that short period of time.

‘If only I can move...’

What if I were prepared? What if I at least had the power to fight against him? What if I had analyzed the situation or had made a move to protect Mr. Lee Ki-Young instead of staring at the Demon of Sunset like a fool?

What would have happened if I had moved one step closer to him while everyone was yelling out to attack?

At least he wouldn’t use the Magnetic Field Position Shifter so that I could get out safely. I could have found a way so that everyone, including him, could get out safely. No, not

could

, I definitely would have found a way.

Woo Hyo-Yeol had to have decided that he needed to protect the Saint of Flower and Fertility until the very end. He sacrificed himself all because I stood there like a fool. He was trying to buy time because I couldn’t do anything.

It was because I was weak... It was all because I was weak...

“

AAAAAAHHHH!

”

I slammed the ground repeatedly, but it didn’t change anything.

I clenched my fist really hard, but it wasn’t painful at all.

I kept recalling his final moments.

He smiled quietly, seemingly telling me that he was leaving the rest up to me, as if he was telling me to fulfil his final request. That scene wouldn't stop appearing in my head.

I would never understand how he felt while saying those words and how he could make such a decision. He clearly trusted me. He trusted an incompetent person who only made mistakes. He trusted an idiot who could only stand like a fool at a critical juncture.

“And you call yourself the Genius Swordsman of Rohen... damn it... Yeah right...” I scoffed.

“Mr. William,” Emilia said.

“

AAAAAAH!

Damn it...! You stupid bastard! You idiot!” I yelled.

“Mr. William!” she shouted. “...”

“You must get a hold of yourself, Mr. William,” she said.

“How am I supposed to keep it together in a situation like this?! How?! How!” I shouted.

‘They know nothing. These fools know nothing about Mr. Lee Ki-Young... They don't know why he came here and why he was trying to carry everything on his own... They don’t know anything at all.’

“Tell me! How am I supposed to keep calm in a situation like this?! How?! Emilia! I couldn’t do anything. Nothing... even until the end... I couldn't do anything,” I told her.

‘These fools...’

“If you know what the Saint of Flower and Fertility felt while making sure that we're going to be safe! If you know that, you would never—” I paused because I could see Emilia crying her heart out.

“...” “...”

It wasn’t just her.

“...”

Everyone in the familia looked sorrowful. Miloe, the youngest member of the Flower and Fertility Familia, was sobbing so hard that she could hardly stand. Rhonda Daisy, who was comforting her, was also fighting back her own tears.

“

Heuk... heuuuuuuk...

he... promised... to see the clear sky together...

heuk... heuuuk...

Saint Lee Ki-Young promised... we would do that...”

I heard a mournful cry.

I then realized that Miloe had spent some time with Mr. Lee Ki-Young.

They would drink tea together or hold a prayer meeting for the Goddess of Flower and Fertility. I was sure she really admired Mr. Lee Ki-Young. I hadn't noticed it until now, but her eyes were always on the Saint of the Flower and Fertility.

It was the same for Rhonda Daisy. Although they couldn't spend a lot of time together, she would occasionally be assigned to become his personal attendant, so I was sure they had a few deep conversations.

“Shit! Shit!” Miguel was cursing loudly. He was a rare case in the familia because I met him in the back alleys of Arhendel. He hadn’t uttered a single curse word until now.

I also recall him having a short conversation with Mr. Lee Ki-Young at a small gathering. I was sure he was influenced by Mr. Lee Ki-Young, even though they couldn't really meet often.

After Mr. Lee Ki-Young's return to the Flower and Fertility Familia, his eyes grew a bit mature, and his persistent paranoia had somewhat subsided.

He was also indebted to Mr. Lee Ki-Young, as Lee Ki-Young had saved his life during the fight against the Forsaken Saint. It was the same for everyone. He was either our benefactor or someone with whom we had spent quite some time.

In other words, we were all indebted to him.

I wasn’t the only one who was sad. He appeared like a bolt of lightning out of the blue, and he became deeply ingrained in the hearts of the entire familia in the proverbial blink of an eye. Emilia, who rarely showed her emotions, Pavallonya, who always treated others coldly, and even those who opposed accepting Mr. Lee Ki-Young as family, were all drowning in despair.

“...”

“...”

“Mr. William,” Emilia said.

I calmed down a bit. Regardless of whether people knew him well or not, everyone here considered him family. In the end, Mr. Lee Ki-Young wouldn’t want me to act like this.

“I’m sure he’s alive, Mr. William. This is Mr. Lee Ki-Young we’re talking about...” Emilia reassured me.

“Yes, I... I want to... believe that as well. No... I’m sure of it,” I said.

“Are you going to send a rescue party, sir?” Miguel asked.

“Of course, Miguel,” I answered.

“In that case, you should send one right now—"

“You shouldn’t do that, Mr. William. That’s...” Emilia interrupted.

“What do you mean, Emilia?” I asked.

“Think about why Mr. Lee Ki-Young sent us to this place,” Emilia said.

“Rather than figuring out the reason-”

“First of all, we need to figure out where we are and why the Saint of Flower and Fertility sent us here. If we go back there, there’s no guarantee that we won’t experience the same thing. We could get lost or...” Emilia trailed off.

“Emilia... are you suggesting that we leave Saint Lee Ki-Young there all by himself?” I questioned.

“I simply think following his will is a priority,” she answered.

Boom!

“You...!”

“Please stop, Miguel. This is not the time for us to be arguing among ourselves. The same goes for you, Miloe and Rhonda Daisy. Stand down, you two.” I ordered.

There was some truth to Emilia's words. If I were to approach it logically instead of emotionally, following her suggestion would be the right thing to do.

Lee Ki-Young couldn't possibly do things carelessly.

I couldn’t help but think there was a reason he moved us here instead of outside the Demon King’s Castle, and why he only moved us here instead of moving us away with Woo Hyo-Yeol’s party. He made a move as if he knew the future.

Obviously, he couldn’t see into the future, but the Saint of Flower and Fertility would always take everything into consideration. He gathered and analyzed information that ordinary people couldn’t see, and he would always guide us toward the most optimal future.

Everything was connected in his mind.

Even the smallest action was the best move for our future selves.

There was definitely a reason why he sent the Flower and Fertility Familia to this place, and I was sure there was something we needed to do for the big picture he was drawing.

‘The problem is...’

The Saint of Flower and Fertility would probably cease to exist in that future.

This plan probably relied on his sacrifice.

‘Damn it.’

It was unclear whether disobeying his will or respecting it was the right thing to do.

‘Even if we return to that place, would it change anything?’

We would most likely get annihilated. I couldn't imagine any other scene aside from getting swept away once again without being able to do anything.

And that was when I heard a voice...

𝙛𝒓𝒆𝙚𝒘𝒆𝓫𝙣𝓸𝙫𝓮𝒍.𝒄𝒐𝓶

[The Goddess of Flower and Fertility advises that you follow his will.]

‘Goddess of Flower and Fertility.’

[The Goddess of Flower and Fertility says she can still feel him. She says that she completely trusts her children, and she strongly encourages you to rescue him, to not let him get hurt any longer, and help him return to his loving family.]

‘He’s alive.’

[The Goddess of Flower and Fertility is willing to sacrifice many things in order to rescue Saint Lee Ki-Young. She’s committed to seeing this fight through to the very end, no matter the outcome.]

The path was decided.

“We won’t go back,” I announced.

“Sir.”

“Not now,” I added.

“...”

“The Flower and Fertility Familia never abandons their family members. Even if the possibility is slim, we will go and rescue him,” I continued.

“...”

“However, at the same time, I believe there’s a reason why he guided us to this place,” I said.

“Sir! Right now—” Miguel shouted.

“I received a message from the goddess,” I revealed.

“What?”

“Yes... from the goddess... Herself has...” I mumbled.

“How long has it been...” he mumbled.

“She said that she can still feel him, and she said that we must follow his will. She advised that we have to rescue him no matter what, save him from his pain, and return him to his family. She must have taken his situation into account...” I explained.

“The Saint of Flower and Fertility!”

“Are you saying Mr. Lee Ki-Young is safe?” Emilia asked.

“He’s safe... for now,” I answered.

Boom! Boom!

“And...” I paused.

“...”

“I have an idea as to why Mr. Lee Ki-Young sent us here,” I said.

I turned my attention to the source of the sound and saw a big, burly man.

He was holding a giant shield and was covered in heavy armor. The warrior looked like he was having a hard time holding up his shield. He was moving forward with great difficulty, but there was life in his eyes.

[You have encountered the Demon King of Sunset’s Castle’s Injured Gatekeeper of the Dark Shield.]

[You have encountered the Demon King of Sunset’s Castle’s Injured Blood-Crazed Holy Knight.]

“I’ll determine whether you’re worthy or not,” said the Gatekeeper of the Dark Shield.

“

Whoo...

Although I’m not in good shape... I’ll play along for a little bit,” the Blood-Crazed Holy Knight said.

“I don’t really like it, but...”

Boom!

“Come at me,” the warrior mumbled after putting down his massive shield.

***

“Let’s go,” I[2] said.

“What?”

“We’re going to kill the Monarch of Sunset. That’s our only option,” I told them.

“But... Woo-Hyeol oppa!” Lim Chae-Ryeong shouted.

“Of course, there’s probably a reason why he sent us here... but that’s just his way of thinking,” I said.

“

Huh?

”

“I’m not obligated to follow his plan. And the same goes for him,” I continued.

“Oppa... wait...” she said.

[You have encountered the Demon King of Sunset’s Castle’s Injured Eryel, the Queen of Succubi and the Mistress of Seduction.]

“But only if you can beat me...” Eryel said, "you can go back to him if you want[3]."

1. William’s POV ☜

2. Woo Hyo-Yeol’s POV ☜

3. Veela: It's written in reverse on purpose for some reason ☜