Chapter 227

At dawn on that day, Mu-Gun, accompanied by the Golden Lion Knight Order, traversed the portal to the Pantheon Royal Palace from the Stonia fief. Isaac and the Crimson Rose Knight Order accompanied them in this venture.

Welcome.

A mage from the Pantheon Kingdom, who opened the portal, greeted Mu-Gun and his party.

Im sorry to trouble you so late.

Not a problem. We cannot be fussy about day or night since this is for the safety of the Royal Capital. The mage shook his head.

Thank you for understanding. Do Sir Walter and Sir Leon know that we are coming?

Of course. Actually, Sir Walter and Sir Leon are waiting for you, Young Lord Argon.

Me?

I think they are curious about you after hearing about your contributions, Young Lord Argon.

I see.

Then, I will guide you to the citadel within the inner walls.

The mage took the lead, and Mu-Gun and his party followed suit. The Pantheon Royal Capital comprised the inner citadel housing the Royal Palace, surrounded by two layers of fortress walls encompassing the inner citadel and the city beyond.

The Golden Dragon Knight Order and the Magic Corps, recognized as the Pantheon Kingdom's most elite forces, were stationed within the citadel of the inner walls, readying themselves for the Wolfkans' assaults. Mu-Gun's group made their way to the citadel to rendezvous with Walter, the Golden Dragon Knight Captain, and Leon, the Commander of the Magic Corps.

Navigating through the meticulously laid-out city, befitting a Royal Capital, Mu-Gun and Isaac reached the inner walls. They were led to the command building within the citadel, where Walter and Leon eagerly awaited their arrival.

Master! Young Lord Argon of Venatia and Young Lord Isaac of Stonia have arrived.

The guide mage knocked on the door and announced their arrival.

Come in.

The authoritative voice welcomed them to enter. The mage, in turn, opened the door and indicated for Mu-Gun and Isaac to proceed inside. Mu-Gun offered a slight bow to the mage in gratitude before entering, with Isaac following suit.

Upon entering the command building, they were greeted by the sight of a Grand Master Stage Knight, four Master Stage Knights, a mage clad in a white robe, and a cleric adorned in a resplendent golden priests robe, all assembled in one place.

Pleasure to make your acquaintance. I am Argon of the Venatia fief. It's an honor to meet Sir Walter and Sir Leon, the pride of the Pantheon Kingdom. Likewise, it's a pleasure to meet Sir Hellion, Sir Khalif, Sir Rhesus, Sir Henatu, and Cardinal Barius. Mu-Gun greeted them politely.

I am Isaac from the Stonia fief. I am also very honored to meet the pillars of the Pantheon Kingdom. Isaac also greeted, following Mu-Gun.

Haha, looking at the two of you, the future of Pantheon is truly very bright. Especially Young Lord Argon. The Golden Dragon Knight Order Captain, Walter Samuel, spoke with his eyes on Mu-Gun.

You are too kind with your praises.

Its not an exaggeration. You are the second Grand Master of the Pantheon Kingdom, so it is definitely not an overstatement.

But have you really reached the Grand Master Stage? The Vice-Captain of the Golden Dragon Knight Order, Hellion Cressus, looked at Mu-Gun and asked.

Instead of answering, Mu-Gun extended his right hand and manifested a golden Thunderbolt Sword.

Oooh! Hellion and the other Master Stage Knights exclaimed in admiration.

I think this is enough as an answer.

It is impossible to create an Aura Blade with lightning property so simply without a sword unless you are a Grand Master Stage Knight. I acknowledge that you are a Grand Master, although Im not sure if we are qualified to do something like that. Walter acknowledged.

𝚏𝗿𝗲𝐞𝚠𝕖𝐛𝗻𝗼𝐯𝕖𝚕.𝚌𝗼𝗺

I heard that you call yourself Gods proxy. Is that true? Cardinal Barius, who was watching from the side, asked.

That is correct. The almighty Sky God Yupir saved me and granted me the power to ward off evil. Mu-Gun answered.

The Sky God Yupir was the moniker of the Thunder God in this world. The Sky God Yupir was one of the most powerful Gods in the Avalon Continent and was also renowned as the God of War.

I can definitely sense the scent of God from you. It is even more evident from the lightning Aura Blade that you just showed us. By the way, I am worried. Throughout history, the arrival of the Sky God's proxy signified the descent of the Demon God, intent on bringing about the world's destruction, Cardinal Barius expressed his concerns.

In the past, the Sky God Yupirs proxy had also appeared on the Avalon Continent. Every time that happened, the Demon God also descended without fail.

However, it is also true that the Sky Gods proxy eventually saved the world by defeating the Demon God. Leon Villagrant, the Pantheon Kingdoms Archmage, said positively.

As you pointed out, the Demon God will surely descend. The Sky God has appointed me as a proxy and bestowed upon me the power to stop it. It's crucial to understand that I alone cannot stop the Demon God. All the nations in Avalon, including the Pantheon Kingdom, must unite their strengths and stand against the impending threat of the Demon God.

Aptly said. But I dont know if the nations of Avalon will willingly join forces.

While Walter concurred with Mu-Gun, he harbored doubts about the possibility of unity among the nations of Avalon. These nations had engaged in numerous conflicts over the centuries, accumulating deep-seated resentments and mutual distrust. Achieving unity was a far more complex challenge than it may have sounded.

If we inform the other nations of the Demon Gods descent, they will also be wary and prepare countermeasures, Mu-Gun said.

I wonder if they will believe us.

"If we claim that the massive monster invasion this time is connected to the Demon God, they won't be able to overlook it. Plus, if we extend a hand to the other kingdoms facing these giant creatures without any strings attached, they're likely to believe in our words."

Are you sure that the movements of the huge monsters are related to the Demon God? Leon asked.

"While there's no concrete evidence, it's certainly not a coincidence that the massive monsters unexpectedly departed from their usual habitats to target humans precisely when the arrival of the Demon God had been predicted."

If so, we cannot rule out the possibility of the high-ranked monsters attacking us, Walter said.

The Wolfkans, responsible for the recent assault on the Pantheon Kingdom, along with the Sybellian, Whiteliger, and Blackboss that targeted other realms, were among the lower-ranked colossal creatures.

The vast mountain range encircling the Avalon Continent harbored considerably more formidable monsters. If the colossal creatures were indeed under the sway of the Demon God, it became challenging to dismiss the prospect of higher-ranked monsters launching an attack.

The likelihood of that happening is quite high.

Hmm, if the highest-ranked monsters attack, I am worried that the damage will be colossal. One of the Golden Dragon Knights, Khalif Maximoff, expressed his worries.

All the nations in the Avalon Continent will have to join forces to minimize the damages.

"After handling the Wolfkan invasion, my initial proposal will be to bring this matter to His Majesty, the King," Mu-Gun stated. In response, Leon affirmed his commitment to addressing it at a national level.

We, the Sky God Church, will also do our best to ensure that the nations of Avalon can unite under the same banner.

Barius also pledged support from the church. Mu-Gun recognized that if the Pantheon Kingdom and the Sky God Church collaborated, other kingdoms would be more inclined to heed their words. For now, Mu-Gun chose to entrust this matter to the two of them.

Also, with all due respect, may I make a suggestion? Mu-Gun spoke carefully to the figures at the command building.

Speak freely.

What do you think about going on the offensive first instead of waiting for the Wolfkans to attack?

You want us to attack the Wolfkans first?

There is no other reason, I just want to reduce the damage to the citizens living outside the Royal Palace.

Wolfkans were inherently brutal creatures, leaving a trail of destruction in their wake and indiscriminately taking the lives of any beings that crossed their path.

Numerous people resided in the city surrounding the Royal Castle. While evacuation orders were given in anticipation of the Wolfkans' assault, finding a truly secure place to retreat proved challenging, barring the confines of the Royal Palace.

The issue lay in the limited capacity of the Royal Palace to accommodate the entire citizenry. A substantial portion of the population in the outer cities found themselves vulnerable to the Wolfkans' threat. As the creatures advanced toward the castle, these cities stood on the brink of devastation, with the imminent loss of homes for all its residents.

Mu-Gun aimed to avert such extensive damages. He wouldn't have broached the topic if the associated cost was exorbitant. Given the combined strength of the Knight Orders and Mu-Gun's abilities, victory seemed achievable without direct confrontation, as they strategically relied on the protection of the castle walls.

Indeed, they had previously engaged in battles beyond the fortress, particularly at the Venatia and Stonia fiefs.

"Your concern for the people is admirable. However, we mustn't lose sight of the fact that the safety of the king holds greater importance than the lives of tens of thousands of citizens."

Respecting Mu-Gun's viewpoint, Walter articulated his stance, giving precedence to the safety of the king. The other four Master Stage Knights aligned with this perspective. The Knights of Avalon held loyalty to their liege as their foremost duty, making the safety of their sovereign the paramount concern.

They were prepared to sacrifice thousands or even tens of thousands of lives if it ensured their lord's survival. Mu-Gun harbored no intention of condemning their perspective; it was a deeply ingrained value for them.

"I believe Sir Walter is apprehensive about leaving the castle unguarded. However, viewed from another angle, if the Knight Orders venture out and confront the Wolfkans, it could be a proactive measure to ensure the safety of His Majesty, the King," Mu-Gun pointed out.

What do you mean by that? How does vacating the Royal Palace contribute to His Majesty's safety?

"The Royal Palace, housing His Majesty the King, is only a short distance beyond the Capital's walls. In the unlikely event that the defense line is breached and the Wolfkans penetrate the walls, His Majesty's safety within the Royal Palace would be compromised. Conversely, engaging the Wolfkans at a distance from the Royal Capital ensures the safety of His Majesty."

"That's an intriguing proposition. Nevertheless, His Majesty the King would never permit us to leave the Royal Palace."

"How about this? The Golden Dragon Knight Order and the Magic Corps will stay here, safeguarding the Royal Capital. Meanwhile, the Golden Lion Knight Order of Venetia and I will venture into battle, confronting the Wolfkan group. Wouldn't His Majesty be more amenable to that arrangement?"

"Stonia's Crimson Rose Knight Order will join you as well," Isaac interjected, having silently observed the discussion until now.

Hmm, is it really necessary to do that?

"Pantheon has already endured considerable damage from the Wolfkan invasion. The cities surrounding the Royal Capital boast the largest population in the kingdom. If these cities were to suffer from the Wolfkan assault, it could, in the worst-case scenario, threaten the very existence of Pantheon. Safeguarding the cities around the Capital ultimately translates to protecting Pantheon, and by extension, ensuring the safety of His Majesty the King."

"What you're saying makes sense, Young Lord Argon. Anyway, I don't anticipate a Wolfkan attack today. Let's keep a close eye on the situation for now, and at the break of dawn, I'll enter the Royal Palace and request an audience with His Majesty to seek approval for your plan," Leon affirmed, nodding in agreement with Mu-Gun's proposal.

As the Archmage of the Pantheon Kingdom, Mu-Gun enjoyed the trust of King Pantheon IV. If he personally presented the agenda, Pantheon IV was unlikely to raise objections. Moreover, from Pantheon IV's perspective, Mu-Gun's proposal seemed to carry minimal risks.

Understood.

Dawn was approaching shortly, and the situation didn't demand an immediate decision. Mu-Gun opted to entrust the matter to Leon and await the outcome. As time passed, the first light of dawn painted the sky, prompting the knights who had been stationed on the inner walls to disperse and withdraw.

Mu-Gun, along with the Golden Lion Knight Order, made their way to the Palace's lodging. The Golden Lion Knights, having fought in the Stonia fief and swiftly journeyed to the Royal Capital, were fatigued to the point that they fell asleep upon reaching their quarters, skipping breakfast altogether.

In contrast to their weariness, Mu-Gun retained his energy. After a modest breakfast, he patiently awaited an update from Leon. However, as time stretched on, there was still no news. Frustrated, Mu-Gun had no alternative but to continue waiting for the moment.

Around noon, Leon sought out Mu-Gun in person.

I am sorry for being late. Leon smiled bitterly.

It is fine. You must have had a reason for that. Has His Majesty given his permission?

"Fortunately, he granted permission. Here you go! This is an authorization document stating that the Golden Lion Knight Order and the Crimson Rose Knight Order have the right to leave the Royal Capital at any time and engage the Wolfkan group. You are also allowed to use the Capital's Portal. Take it.

Leon handed Mu-Gun a document.

Thank you. I will make a move immediately.

Having obtained the permit from Leon, Mu-Gun gathered the Golden Lion Knight Order and the Crimson Rose Knight Order. Without delay, they utilized the portal, transporting themselves directly to Vellica, a city neighboring the Edencia fiefdom.