Novels online

Chapter 397

< an unknown threat (3) >

It was an ordinary day that day too.

I woke up early in the morning, had a meal with my loved ones, and went to school at the elementary education facility built within the 'commercial employee residential area'..

“Aaron, good morning~!”

“oh! Is Aaron here? Did you hear the news? This time on street Michamp···.”

“You came early today too. He is also a very sincere student..”

Aaron was a very popular person there..

Not only to the children receiving education but also to the instructors hired as teachers..

In fact, that was also natural.

This facility was created and operated by the Hubert Foundation from top to bottom, and most of the parents of the children attending this facility were employees of the Hubert Trading Company..

‘And I am the younger brother of the secretary, who is the closest person to the owner of the business..’

He was a secretary in words, but in reality, he was no different from a second-in-command..

The owner of the store had that much trust and authority..

A faint bitter smile appeared on his lips..

I shrugged my shoulders at the fact that I was being treated like this thanks to my great older sister, but I also felt a lot of pressure..

Before he came here, didn't he live a life no better than that of a lower class person??

‘Even when I think about it now, it doesn’t feel real at all. That I live like this.’

Now, no one can replace Hubert's position in the commercial world..

It is only natural that it has grown to be ranked first not only in the commercial districts near Tarak but also in the Tulk Kingdom and on the entire continent..

Not only was he wealthy, but he also had great political power, so much so that not only the Aonia Counts, where Tarak was located, but also the Tulk royal family could not treat him carelessly, so there was no need to say more..

‘I heard that people actually like it because it provides many more benefits than that..’

Based on this, Hubert Company established a foundation and began investing heavily in Tarak..

Numerous facilities, including the educational facility Aaron attends, have been built, and public institutions have also been able to work more comfortably than before thanks to the support of the foundation..

At the same time, the economy was growing day by day and public security was stable enough to allow people to walk around in the middle of the night, so the entire city was directly benefiting from the Hubert Company..

Under such circumstances, it was no wonder that Aaron was treated so harshly..

There were even rumors going around that he might be Sanghoeju's brother-in-law..

‘It doesn't really feel like it. If the other person is an old man, I agree too... What does your sister think??’

Actually he already knew.

They realized that Hubert, the store owner, was the ‘man’ who saved them..

At first, I didn't realize it because it was unimaginable, but as I watched the attitude of my older sister who had been with me my whole life, I couldn't help but realize it naturally..

Because he, too, had to develop his wits in order to survive in an extreme environment..

‘Well, maybe it's magic or something..’

Isn’t it true that when you run a business, you go through all sorts of things??

It wasn't that strange for the owner of a large business, roughly the size of Hubert's, to disguise his identity for safety..

“I went there.”

“Oppaaaa!”

“100 million!”

When Aaron returned home from school with his friends, little Inyoung threw a headbutt with all his might into his arms..

A lively girl who appears to be about six or seven years old..

It was his cousin Rafi..

“I'm going to my grandmother's house. Let's go together.!”

“···I have to do my homework first..”

“Quick! Quick, quick! Grandma made meat cookies! I told you to bring your brother too. I'm worried that you look weak, actually.!”

“No, I'm not that weak.···.”

But in the end, at his younger brother's urging, he had no choice but to sigh and step outside again..

He, who was in charge of taking care of Rafi while his uncle and sister were at work, could not refuse this little child's request..

“It's a drag · ··· I'm just right. The cookies have just been baked, so sit there and wait..”

“yes!”

“I'll prepare something to drink..”

“Draw it, then.”

The two headed to the house of a neighboring witch doctor..

Although this old woman with a face covered in tattoos looked scary on the outside, she was a friendly neighbor whom the family had become friends with from the very beginning when they moved to the city..

In particular, the distance is so close that Rafi, who comes here all the time, considers her like his own grandmother..

“thank you for this food.”

“Mumbling — Halmoni, Mythe!”

“Heheheheul... Boy, I made a lot, so I guess I'll pack it up when I go..”

“thank you!”

Raffy's words, muttered while stuffing cookies into her mouth, brought smiles to the faces of the old woman and Aaron..

A peaceful daily life.

peaceful days.

It was noisy outside with talk of the war with the Immortal King and all that, but in Tarak... the neighborhood they were in was extremely peaceful, as if even that noise had been avoided..

Even if a big war breaks out, this place will be safe..

This space, which is protected and managed by many people, including my uncle and sister, will become an absolute fence..

A day like any other day passed by with such unfounded beliefs..

and—.

dripping—

“excuse me.”

A sudden knock was heard and a stranger's voice was heard..

A soft voice that cannot be hidden even by a polite tone of voice..

It was late, so Aaron, who was standing at the front door with Rafi in a hurry to go home, carefully opened the door..

“Who are you??”

“Oh, sorry. There's someone I'm urgently looking for..”

What was visible through the door was a young boy..

At most, he's probably Aaron's age.?

A child who looked younger than him was smiling brightly at the door..

“···I might be able to help you if you tell me the name of the person you are looking for..”

However, an honorific word naturally came out of Aaron’s mouth..

It wasn't really my intention.

It was just something that came out instinctively without even being aware of it..

“Ah... I don't know the name..”

The other person trailed off and looked at them with narrowed eyes..

Cool eyes that lick your entire body in an instant like a snake.

Saah—

At the same time, goosebumps appeared all over Aaron's body and tension rose..

My saliva dried up and cold sweat began to flow..

Before he knew it, Rafi was hiding behind him and trembling. Fear and ominousness of unknown origin began to bind them..

“···Wow, it sucks again this time. There's no doubt we've gotten closer.···.”

The boy in front of him muttered in an annoyed tone, but Aaron couldn't bear to say a word..

Even though I knew that the emotions contained in those words were not directed at me, I was so overwhelmed by them that I couldn't speak..

“Aaron? Rafi? Why aren't you leaving yet?···.”

At that time, an old woman who had finished cleaning up in the kitchen found them standing in the front door and approached them..

Her eyes naturally turn to the boy standing in front of the door..

Right after that.

Huh—

There was a wind inside.

And before we knew it, Aaron’s stiff body began to relax little by little..

“uh?”

When I came to my senses, I found him sitting blankly with his back against the wall far away from the entrance, holding Rafi in his arms..

Looking at the back of the grandmother standing in front of you.

“Hmm? How did you know?”

The cold voice of a stranger is heard again.

But the old witch doctor did not answer..

Because I didn’t even have time to say a word right now..

“···Ah, I never thought there would be a great sorcerer in a place like this. This is difficult. I don't want to cause a fuss.”

The unidentified boy seemed worried..

How should I resolve the current situation?.

Of course, no matter how the decision was made, it was clear that it would not be good for others..

But just before that conclusion was reached, the situation changed again..

“grandma! Are Aaron and Rafi here? Sorry, the kids didn't come home until late.···?”

The moment Aaron heard the voice of his beloved older sister, who was very familiar to him..

“···I found it.”

The corners of the boy's mouth were torn as he looked in that direction..

Sharp fangs visible from the wide open mouth.

A pair of animal-like eyes starting to turn bright red.

Immediately after encountering him, Aaron's mind went blank for a moment..

My vision was shaking here and there, and tinnitus was ringing in my ears..

Faced with fear that I could not control, the trauma that had been buried deep rose to the surface..

“Diana! With Aaron and Rafi···!”

“under! I think I'll miss it···.”

“grandma···!”

A loud noise flowed into his ears and he felt someone moving his body, but he was unable to think as he was exposed to hostile magic..

If the old witch doctor hadn't planned it out in advance, there would have been permanent mental damage..

Still, perhaps thanks to that, I began to come back to my senses little by little and was able to briefly perceive the situation..

“no!”

With a cry similar to that of an older sister, the grandmother who was holding Rafi in her arms vomited blood and collapsed..

I couldn't understand why it happened, but he quickly ran over and hugged them both..

“Haha! Annoying things cause trouble. Still, with this···.”

Then, chunks of light, unknown when they appeared, began to scatter colorful brilliance..

Beautifully twinkling halo of light.

At the same time, a warm energy spread and Aaron's mind became a little clearer..

“···government ordinance? No, high elf? why here···.”

There was a hint of confusion in the boy's voice..

But that only lasts a moment.

He soon regained his composure and cornered the sudden intruder..

‘older sister···.’

In a space where only dusk falls everywhere.

A boy holding an old woman and a girl in his arms looked blankly into the distance..

There his only sister was lying motionless on the floor..

‘How... What should I do?···!’

My head is stiff and doesn't work well..

But even in that situation, I could understand the current situation..

Even a woman who suddenly steps in and blocks the boy won't last long..

The despair I thought I had forgotten now slowly raised its head..

At the same time, the faces of the most reliable people in the world appeared in his mind..

The moment when despair was everyday life, the naive and serious look when we first met..

A cold and charismatic figure who showed up when Rafi and the grocery store were in crisis and solved all their problems..

Lastly, the delicate and intelligent person who gave them various considerations so that they could settle down well in this city..

I know it's shameless since he's only gotten help so far, but he's the only person on Aaron's mind right now..

Aaron couldn't move his tongue so he chewed his lips and shouted inwardly..

Even though I know that it won't reach the other person,.

‘mister—!’

But then.

A miracle occurred that no one could have predicted.

Hehehe—!

As if answering his call, the sky cracked..

Kwaaaaang—!

the world collapsed.

At the same time, the twilight that covered all directions quickly faded into the light of dawn..

“uh···?”

Aaron lifted his head in a daze..

The scene of that moment was deeply embedded in his mind..

An angel with wings of light spread wide has descended on earth..

***

Temiran McClair, a boy in his early teens standing at the center of the chaotic scene..

Heinrich twitched his eyebrows when he saw Diana lying unconscious behind him..

‘Yeah, now that I think about it, there's something that bothers me a little..’

Until now, I thought that what Saint Riesta sensed was naturally Hella..

The timing and location of the observation were too perfectly aligned to consider other possibilities..

‘however···.’

At the time I didn't know much about the demon world and thought it was just that, but now I know for sure..

At that time, Hella, who had only recently been created, was just a special high-ranking demon race and could not be considered a complete demon king..

Thanks to his natural lineage, he was able to be born as a transcendental entity right away, but he lacked the essential elements to be called a true demon king..

In fact, wasn't it some time after moving to the Demon World that I came under the gaze of the Demon God??

Considering the changes that occurred after defeating Duke Goeran and absorbing Abnormal, there was nothing more to say..

“Phew! It's frustrating that nothing is going right. This shitty situation can't be a coincidence... This is why you have to walk the line well from the beginning. Because you're losing out on the power game of your superiors, your activities are leaking out all the time.?”

It became even clearer when I saw the young boy's irreverent attitude..

The object of the saint's observation was Temiran from the beginning..

Looking at the exquisiteness of that period, it seems that the appearance of Hela, a half-demon king, was the trigger..

‘···Yes, unlike me, who is only a saint in appearance, Riesta is a real saint. A messenger who conveys the will of the Lord to the world. And we came to Tarak following the words of the saint..’

In other words, this situation was all guided by the Lord..

After thinking about it that way, I realized one more thing..

At that time, Riesta clearly added that she felt 'closer to a demon follower than an undead'..

Demon follower, not the devil.

According to the saying, Temiran is···.

Heinrich quickly gathered his thoughts and opened his mouth softly towards the boy with a stern expression..

“Temiran McClair. What's happening in the demon world right now. Were you involved in that too? So that the Demon Dragon Duke can summon the monster of the abyss.?”

“···what? Do you even know that? How on earth does the main church know about the situation in the demon world??”

“The eyes of the Lord are everywhere. Even the Demon World is no exception..”

“It's crazy. Were you fanatics always this capable??”

Temiran scratched the back of his head roughly and grumbled with an annoyed expression..

It looks like he has no intention of hiding it now..

Well, looking at the timing when the monsters of the abyss began to appear in the demon world, you must have realized that it would be useless to try to ignore it..

“Tsk, does this mean that the name and color is the god’s dog? I thought he was a brat because he just got beaten up here and there by the Immortal King. There was a reason why that cautious and thorough senior failed..”

“You are mistaken. We never just accept things. Thanks to this, humanity is gradually moving away from that threat even at this very moment..”

“You have great confidence too..”

Seniors probably refer to revolutionaries who were former apostles..

I had some idea about his involvement in Temiran's disappearance, but it seemed like the revolutionary was trying to prepare a successor before starting work in earnest..

‘I don't know why he was chosen.’

It was unfortunate for the parties involved..

Not only was he kidnapped and turned into a vampire because he was born with unknown qualities, but he was also imprisoned for twenty years and brainwashed..

“···The god you serve is also very diligent. If you commit a sin and are thrown into the abyss, you will spend your time quietly reflecting. In the meantime, he was reaching out in all directions and pulling out bloody tears from many people..”

“right? i think so too. If you're going to do it, do you do it right? What happens if you go through all the hardships for no reason? Anyway, that guy needs to work harder on himself before trying to manipulate others..”

The answer is somehow out of focus.

Heinrich looked at him with narrowed eyes, but the boy's face still showed only annoyance..

Well, it was even more strange that he was sane since he had been kidnapped and brainwashed ever since he was a child..

“Surrender meekly. If you calmly tell me everything you know, I will spare your life. your mother is still waiting for you.”

“···Kick, mother.···.”

Heinrich issued a warning, holding out a holy sword covered in brilliant lightsaber..

No matter what happens, the opponent is a vampire.

No matter how much he was an apostle chosen by God, his compatibility with the saint who held the holy sword was nothing short of the worst..

If you fight him head-on, he will eventually be reduced to ashes, and even if you try to run away, it will not be easy to outrun him who has “Great Blessing: Wings of Radiance” and “Blessing: Leap”..

He knows that too, so he's been making threats like that since a while ago..

‘···As expected, the person holding the hostage is tricky. I wish I had noticed a little sooner..’

Heinrich wasn't just talking about it for no reason..

I had been looking for an opportunity to take action several times before, but each time he was threatening Diana, who was unconscious behind him..

The moment he shows even the slightest hint, he will probably move right away..

No matter how great he was, I didn't have the confidence to save Diana and kill him alone in these streets..

‘Yes, Heinrich.’

Heinrich, a saint who used divine power, was the polar opposite of a vampire..

However, there were also beings in the world who were the opposite of vampires in a different sense..

for example···.

The king of vampires who is awakening his divinity through the karma of preying on his own kind..