Chapter 346: Meteor Strike (1)
Chapter 346: Meteor Strike (1)
“I know. But even so, I…”
***
The Erotika airship belonging to Eros, the archangel of love, was fortunately located in the northern part of the empire, within the realm of the emperor’s army.
Landius stayed in place despite the successful discovery and operation of Erotika because the assault operation using Erotika had to be kept secret.
“Gather here.”
Traveling around the continent using Erotika was not allowed.
Therefore, Jude and Lucas directly headed towards the northern part of the empire after finishing their respective tasks.
“This is the last temple of Eros. You know that, right?”
“Of course. This is the starting point of Adelaide.”
Instead of going straight north across the eastern part of the empire, Jude and Cordelia went through the northern part of the kingdom and the western part of the empire. In short, they turned around and headed to the northern part of the empire.
Because of that, their journey was almost twice as long, but it could not be avoided.
Crossing the east that was occupied by demon followers was dangerous, even for Jude and Cordelia.
Unnecessary risks had to be avoided in order to carry out the grand operation with full force as the fate of the world was at risk.
“By the way, Jude. There’s something I really want to do when I meet Adelaide.”
Jude had a bitter smile at the words of Cordelia who was on his back.
Because he knew what Cordelia wanted to do without him having to ask her.
‘I mean, I actually want to try it too.’
Adelaide Hastings, a woman with a transcendental beauty.
The strongest person in the world in the realm of beauty, surpassing Cordelia who was called an incomparably beautiful girl.
Yet there was not a single illustration of her bare face.
‘It was said that an illustration could not express her beauty.’
It was a very good excuse, but what was interesting was the fact that the Adelaide here in Pleiades always wore a veil for similar reasons.
‘They said that anyone who saw Adelaide’s face would suffer from lovesickness.’
So she covered her face with a veil.
For Adelaide herself and everyone in the world.
It was an absurd story, but it was true to some extent. They remembered several incidents of that happening in their previous lives.
“So, you want to lift her veil?”
Cordelia immediately nodded when Jude got it right.
“Yes, yes! Aren’t you curious?”
“I’m curious too.”
Because he had never seen Adelaide’s face in all his past lives.
“That’s why when we meet this time, I’ll ask if I can take a look. Even just a peek.”
“Hmm… I’m interested too. Should I ask if I can look too?”
At Jude’s words, Cordelia tightened her arm around his neck instead of nodding like usual.
“No! Never! I’m the only one who should see it!”
“KAAAAK! I mean, why only you? Are you afraid that I’ll fall for Adelaide?”
Cordelia groaned at Jude’s question before hugging his neck and whispering softly.
“Uhh… J-Just in case…”
Jude flinched at her cute-sounding voice mixed with anxiety and nervousness. He similarly whispered softly, suppressing his urge to immediately hug Cordelia and passionately kiss her.
“It’s okay, I only see you, Cordelia. Because my princess will always be the best.”
[AAAH! STOP! PLEASE! There’s a person here!]
Melissa screamed in a desperate voice, but Jude and Cordelia did not listen to her.
If it was someone else, Cordelia would have shouted that it was creepy and to stay away from her, but the one who spoke those very childish yet pleasant words was Jude.
So Cordelia was blushing and at a loss on what to do, while Jude had a deeper smile.
[Hang in there, Melissa. This is our destiny.]
Melissa did not hear Valencia’s voice, but she actually knew it too.
The two of them who were stuck with this lovey-dovey couple would have to suffer from shame and goosebumps for the rest of their lives.
[But… Come to think of it, both of them would have eternal youth. Hmm… it seems like it’s going to be a very long time.]
Cordelia was a Seraph, so her lifespan and youth were guaranteed to be like that of High Elves, and because Jude also became a superhuman, he possessed a body that would live for a long time than normal humans.
In short, they would remain young for at least a thousand years in the future, and Melissa did not think that the couple’s love would grow cold within those thousand years. Rather, it was possible that they would still remain lovey-dovey with each other.
[Eueueueue…]
I should research and create a male artificial spirit or explore historical sites to find a lover.
While Melissa was suffering, Jude and Cordelia who suddenly met eyes then kissed each other on the lips despite Cordelia being on Jude’s back, and Valencia shook her head as she coldly looked at the two.
And a day passed.
Jude and Cordelia finally arrived at the discovery site of Erotika and were greeted by familiar faces.
***
“My disciple!”
“Master!”
“Cordelia.”
“Lena-nim!”
Landius and Lena ran towards Jude and Cordelia who were running at them too.
“May the muscles always be with you!”
Cordelia was the first to shout and greet them, and Landius loudly chuckled. He made the muscles of his entire body bulge and responded by raising his fist.
“May the muscles always be with you.”
[He’s clearly not normal either.]
Melissa’s remark was ignored again this time.
Lena softly giggled and Cordelia brightly smiled at that sight.
“By the way, my disciple, did you receive my letter?”
“Yes, Master.”
If he had not received the letter in the first place, he would not have come to this place.
[He seems to have some hidden intention.]
Valencia’s words were correct.
And Jude knew what that hidden intention was.
“Ahem, ahem, ahem.”
His cheeks turned slightly red and he awkwardly cleared his throat.
His wide shoulders lightly shrugged.
“Congratulations on opening the eighth door.”
“Ehem, ehem, thank you. As I wrote in the letter, I’ll lead you to the path of the eighth door… Wait a minute.”
Landius unknowingly looked up and down Jude’s entire body before he blinked his eyes. He took a step back and viewed Jude’s body again, but with wide open eyes this time.
“W-Wait. Wait a second.”
What is that?
Why is your body like that?
You’ve become a superhuman now.
You’ve completely transformed and crossed the border.
Huh? How?
Why?
How in the world?
“F*ck.”
There was only one answer.
Jude had also opened the eighth door.
He was definitely at the sixth door when they separated, but now, he had crossed the seventh door and opened the eighth door.
“Ahem, ahem, well… I somehow did it…”
Jude awkwardly grinned and Cordelia quickly covered her mouth with both hands, though her eyes were smiling very happily.
Cheonmujiche.
The incarnation of martial arts from the heavens!
“Huu…”
How many times did I die while trying to open the eighth door?
I literally crossed the line of death several times and died.
But Landius’ frustrations (?) did not last long.
Soon after, he forced himself to smile and patted Jude on the shoulder.
“My disciple, I’m proud of you.”
They were in a situation where a stronger person was much welcomed.
Moreover, Jude was a person who remembered his past lives more than anyone else.
Jude was different from Landius himself who failed to open the eighth door and lost his life before the Great Summons. Jude always experienced the Great Summons and had to live through those hellish times.
So Landius could admit it.
It was not just because of Cheonmujiche. Jude was qualified to open the eighth door.
“M-Master.”
“Yes, my disciple. I admit it. I have no choice but to admit it.”
“I-It’s not that…”
Pak! Pak! Pak!
Loud patting sounds were heard from Landius’ hand tapping Jude’s back.
His show of affection by tapping Jude’s back felt like he was smacking Jude to the ground.
“Landy.”
Lena shook her head as if it could not be helped. She grabbed Landius’ arm while Cordelia quickly grabbed Jude’s arm.
“Huu… Anyway, my disciple. Congratulations once again.”
“Yes, Master. Thank you. Again, congratulations.”
After their heart-warming finish, the four headed to Erotika besides each other.
“As expected, it’s pretty.”
Erotika was a cruise ship and not a battleship, and a very beautiful vehicle befitting the archangel of love.
The white ship was adorned with gold everywhere.
It was the so-called airship, but it was more like an airplane or a spaceship than a general sailing ship.
“I’m Adelaide Hastings. It’s an honor to meet you.”
Upon entering Erotika, Adelaide and three priestesses serving Eros greeted the party.
‘Wow, it’s true.’
A white veil covering the face.
It was not as translucent as the one often used by ladies, but the white cloth had gold embroidery, so no one could even figure out the approximate shape of Adelaide’s face.
But Cordelia gulped without realizing it.
She thought that Adelaide was a great beauty just by the splendid lines and atmosphere of her body dressed in white clothes.
“Cordelia?”
Instead of replying, Cordelia tightly hugged the arm of Jude who laughed a bit.
“I’m Count Jude August Bayer. This is my fiancée, Countess Cordelia August Chase.”
The two slightly bowed before being guided by Adelaide to the inside of Erotika and the rooms that were assigned to them.
Jude had visited Erotika once in his past life, so he spent his time reminiscing the memories that came to mind while enjoying the cuteness of Cordelia who had been nervous since earlier.
And the next morning.
“Lord Jude, we’re back.”
Lucas arrived at Erotika with Claíomh Solais on his waist.
But for some reason, his atmosphere changed.
If the previous Lucas was a simple bright boy, it now felt like he became a more mature adult.
‘Is it because of the memories of his past lives?’
The past lives Lucas remembered were not that many compared to Jude.
He barely remembered his past lives when he became a demonic human, and the other past lives he recalled to some extent were those of his memories with Scarlet and Kajsa.
But there was one.
He became different when he met on the road leading to the horizon his own self who was with the Jude that reached the sword horizon.
He recalled many memories of that time, and was able to mature both mentally and physically.
“Oh my, did our Lucas become cool?”
“Thank you. Lady Cordelia has also become more beautiful.”
In the past, Lucas would have turned red from shyness, but he could now accept it lightly and smile.
“Oh dear, you really have become so cool. I think my heart pounded a bit.”
Regardless of whether Jude was taken aback or not by Cordelia’s words, Lucas had a relaxed smile again.
As for the two people behind Lucas.
Scarlet and Kajsa.
‘Hmm… did he make a decision already?’
Cordelia pursed her lips and eagerly observed the three, eventually reaching an answer.
‘He has not decided yet.’
Well, there’s a very important battle in front of us, so it feels like everyone has taken a step back for now.
All three of them are very close, but they don’t seem to have crossed the decisive line.
‘Well… that’s very much like Lucas.’
I wonder if he would just eventually run away later because he couldn’t choose one of the two?
‘But Scarlet and Kajsa would still chase him, asking him on who it is.’
It was a mess, but Cordelia had a smile as she imagined the likely future.
It might be someone else’s matters, but she briefly prayed to Solari, hoping that the three of them would be happy in the end.
“Looks like everyone has gathered.”
The last to arrive that evening were Count Bayer and Count Chase.
“Adelia’s ancestral regression was successful.”
“Wow!”
Cordelia jumped up from her seat in her delight at Count Chase’s good news, and Jude smiled too.
‘Everyone in the family are angels except for Edward.’
Jude could imagine the appearance of Edward whining that he would try ancestral regression too.
“Sir Landius, are the battle preparations complete?”
Landius immediately nodded at the question of Count Bayer.
“That’s right. Rather… It’s only now that I have met you. I am Landius, Jude’s master.”
“I am Alex Bayer, Jude’s father. Thank you very much for being Jude’s master.”
As the two politely greeted each other, Cordelia unconsciously blinked her eyes.
She did not find it strange that the two were respectful to each other, but found it very awkward to see Landius speaking formally and showing respect like that.
[I keep forgetting it, but Master is only in his 30s now.]
Landius was now in his late thirties.
So it was natural for him to treat Count Bayer with respect, as the count was now in his late forties.
“Then let’s do a last check.”
The eldest, Velkian, was unreserved.
Gathering the party together, he began to explain with a clear voice.
“There are about five to six days left until the descent of the archangel.”
A considerable amount of time had been wasted in powering up and getting Erotika running.
However, the remaining time was not that important as they would stake everything in the one shot they had in this battle.
“Those who have gathered here will participate in the assault operation.”
There were Jude and Cordelia.
Lucas, Scarlet, and Kajsa.
The five heroes of Paragon.
Red Wind and Sun Song.
Count Bayer and Count Chase.
And the Sword God, who had shut himself in the deepest part of Erotika since his arrival, remained silent.
There was a simple reason why they restricted other great swordmasters and archwizards from participating.
“We must not be caught moving around.”
Archbishop Manuela was a clever man.
He would have known a long time ago the fact that this group would aim for the imperial capital in the end.
It would have been a too obvious sign that the strong people who were active at the frontlines had suddenly disappeared.
If all the strong people from the other side were gone and had gathered in Erotika, the demon followers would also rally their strong people in the imperial capital.
“The chancellor’s army has not made any significant movements over the past 15 days.”
Everyone was just staying still.
Neither the Grand Sword Masters nor the top-ranking demonic humans left for the frontlines.
“But… it will be soon.”
Archbishop Manuela would not only keep defending like this.
He would clearly do something to defend against his enemy’s attacks.
And Velkian’s prediction was not wrong.
The day Count Bayer and Count Chase arrived at Erotika, the chancellor’s army finally began moving.
Instead of staying in one place, they began marching with a fierce speed.
Towards the east, west, south, and north.
They marched towards all directions.
Moreover, it was not just a march. There were those who stood in front of the advancing army of the chancellor.
“The 7 major catastrophes.”
There were only four left because Jude and Cordelia had already stopped three.
But it also meant that there were still four left.
Each of the four catastrophes took the lead as they advanced in all directions.
The one who destroyed the Sword School.
Georg the Slayer raised his long sword towards the kingdom’s army.
The one who killed the empire.
The incarnation of plagues, the Snow-White Knight, scattered death as they headed south through the east.
The flood that engulfed the continent.
The raging waves on the ground that swept the west.
The one who killed the sky.
A woman whose whole body was gray stepped towards the north. The earth touched by her feet lost its life and turned ashen gray, and black clouds covered the sky, hiding the sun.
Archbishop Manuela chose to defend by attacking.
He lured the emperor’s army and the kingdom’s army by dispatching all at once the catastrophes he had been saving so far.
It was impossible to ignore these catastrophes.
Countless people would lose their lives if they were left alone.
“They will stop the catastrophes.”
They would utilize all their forces to stop them.
So they would be unable to do anything else.
And they would be unable to think of anything else.
It was a fairly effective tactic.
The archbishop’s thoughts were not wrong.
In fact, even in the history that had been repeated so far, mankind had no choice but to be dragged around by the catastrophes dispatched by the archbishop.
But that was different now.
“There is no reason for us to be afraid.”
Spoke Count Bayer.
Before Count Chase would head north to stop the one who killed the sky, the Gray Lady, he put his hand on Jude’s shoulder and said.
“Thanks to you, we have a lot of strong people now.”
The Sword Saint of Stars, Musu, would stop Georg the Slayer.
Ga?l and Adelia would confront Georg’s army.
Seven-Killings Sword Seryu and Sword of Swiftness Sebastian Leguin would stop the Snow-White Knight along with the elves of the Forest of Eternity.
Elune was not alone.
The Sword Masters of the empire was by her side.
The elves from the Shadow Forest would summon the spirits to face the raging waves, and shamans from the wild lands who were under the command of Violent Avalanche would scatter the waves with the force of nature.
In the north, the Sword Masters of the empire would also be coming forward.
Count Bayer himself and Count Chase would join in to stop the Gray Lady.
“So Jude, leave it to us.”
Count Bayer stepped back.
Count Chase snorted and placed a small bag in Jude’s hand.
“It’s an elixir.”
The only one Count Chase possessed.
“It’s nothing much to me, so use it.”
“Yes, father-in-law. Thank you very much.”
At Jude’s smile, Count Chase snorted again before getting off Erotika.
Rain fell from the sky.
They did not know that it was because of the clouds of the Gray Lady that had began to cover the northern part of the empire.
But Count Bayer and Count Chase firmly stood and looked forward.
They watched the white ship soaring upward as it spit out fire with a loud noise.
“Please, Cordelia.”
Count Chase softly spoke and Count Bayer took a deep breath. They remembered the last time they saw Jude and Cordelia.
The two people of destiny.
The couple of the century who would determine the fate of the world.
“Go and come back.”
Count Bayer once again said as he looked up the sky.
He watched the Erotika soaring towards the sun.