‘Relics’ in <Let’s Kill the Demon Lord> refer to the heirlooms of saints who have left their names throughout history, both past and present. Alternatively, they are a general term for items containing their desires or psyches during their lifetime.
The Holy Grail in front of us now, the Demonic Essence, is also one of such relics.
‘The power of this chalice is to materialize the residual psyche of the Demon Lord, the source of power held by demons.’
The power of this relic can be easily exemplified by the demon seen in the slums, which is a creation of this ‘Demonic Essence.’
A product of the Demon Lord that gives power comparable to demons, even to ordinary humans. However, the cost is not trivial.
·Becoming a demon. It means giving up being human by transplanting horns.
“To create this single horn, a lot of demon blood and soul stones are needed. A lot of money and time have been invested for this one horn.”
“Is that so?”
“If you were to use this horn, just how powerful could you become?”
Why are you curious about that?
I almost blurted out those words impulsively, but I managed to hold back.
“It might not be impossible to overthrow the Sword Saint’s fortress.”
Tenellon continued, extending the hand holding the horn towards me.
Seeing this, I thought to myself, ‘Screwed.’
I hadn’t thought for a moment that he would offer it so easily.
Julian joined the Dawn Society solely for power. Thus, I thought he would express a desire to possess the ‘horn,’ which is fundamental to his goal.
Pretending to be Julian, I only mentioned it out of politeness…
‘To give it away this easily!?’
Without showing it outwardly, I began to think of ways to get out of this situation.
A little while ago, Tenellon mentioned how much investment was required to make a single horn. Naturally, refusing the offer would upset him.
But if I don’t refuse, it would mean undergoing the horn transplantation.
‘…Crazy’
I stealthily glanced at Tenellon’s face. Though it was difficult to read his expression due to the mask he wore, I could still see his eyebrows raised and the corners of his mouth turned up.
Just a slight peek, and he readily offers the horn—how welcoming are you?
“That… Archbishop, I think this is a bit too hasty of a decision.”
Just when I couldn’t help but lament over such excessive generosity, Elenoa, who was beside me, spoke up.
I sighed with relief internally.
“Sir Julian has not yet fully expressed his intentions. To bestow upon such a person the title of bishop, let alone offer such privileges, is premature. Other bishops would surely express their dissatisfaction if they knew.”
“Hmm… Is that so?”
Well done, Elenoa!
I clenched my fist.
“What do you think, Julian?”
“I have no choice. I didn’t come here wishing for the organization’s dissolution.”
“Is that so? That’s unexpectedly considerate of you.”
I could feel the mask Tenellon wore twitching, seemingly more pleased.
“Then, Julian, we won’t bother with a formal bishop ordination ceremony. You wanted a cooperative relationship, after all.”
I nodded at his words.
“Then, as the Archbishop of the Dawn Society, I have a favor to ask you…”
***
After finishing the conversation with Tenellon and stepping outside, Elenoa sneakily turned her head to look at Julian’s face.
Always smiling.
Because of that, it was impossible for Elenoa to predict what he was thinking, but she knew the primal desire he harbored.
‘Obsession with power’
When she first met him at the palace, she could feel, almost tangibly, the intense thirst for power this man possessed.
‘To think such a person would refuse the Archbishop’s generosity.’
Before leaving the room, Elenoa recalled the groundbreaking proposal Tenellon had made to Julian. Not only offering him a bishop’s position on the spot but also granting him a horn crafted from a relic—it was an excessively bold gesture, and Elenoa internally clicked her tongue.
The horn crafted from the Demonic Essence may not be perfect, but it’s an undeniable fact that it grants immense power to its user.
Because of this, creating just one horn requires a vast amount of time and money.
‘Julian’s reputation may be remarkable, but to welcome him this warmly…’
Tenellon’s treatment of Julian was noticeably different from his interactions with other members of the order.
This caused a bit of unease.
Surely, there would be members of the order who would harbor dissatisfaction with the Archbishop’s excessive treatment.
“Miss Elenoa.”
While she was sorting through her thoughts, the sudden sound of Julian’s voice made Elenoa hide her true feelings behind a smile.
“Yes, what is it?”
“You seem troubled. Is there something you’re worried about?”
Elenoa flinched for a moment.
The unease that had been growing since Julian was brought into their fold was as if he had seen right through to her inner thoughts.
“Why would that be? Now that the ‘demon’ of the northern front is with us, what is there to be anxious about?”
“Is that so?”
Saying this, Julian’s gaze turned back towards the interior of the monastery.
He appeared to be looking at something.
Elenoa followed his gaze, and familiar figures were approaching.
“It’s been a while, Julian. You remember who I am, don’t you?”
The man who spoke with a sneering laugh was Alphas Mayend.
Behind him was the imposing figure of Monsignor Felkor.
Elenoa could roughly guess why Alphas had come.
Like Felkor, he was a former member of the Azure Knights and a talented knight who had risen to the position of deputy commander.
‘I figured something like this might happen.’
Elenoa inwardly clicked her tongue upon seeing Alphas’s face.
The reason he was stripped of his deputy commander status was due to corruption he was involved in.
It was none other than Julian, standing before her, who had exposed and dealt with that corruption.
One of the anxieties that arose from bringing Julian into the Dawn Society was already showing itself.
Probably, Alphas had gathered the former knights for the purpose of satisfying some petty revenge.
‘He might act arrogantly, but this man would surely remember Alphas’s face.’
They had frequently clashed at the palace, after all.
“I’m sorry, but have we met before?”
Huh? He doesn’t remember?
Elenoa was quite taken aback by Julian’s smirking demeanor.
They couldn’t possibly not know each other.
After all, Elenoa had clearly seen them arguing at the palace.
Inadvertently, Elenoa examined Julian’s face, but it was impossible to read his intentions behind his mask-like smile.
“That damned way of speaking is still the same, you bastard.”
A slight tremble could be felt in Alphas’s curse.
He must have been as baffled as herself.
He knew the man was incomparably more arrogant than ordinary people, but he hadn’t imagined it to this extent.
‘The basis of this arrogance is his belief in his own martial prowess.’
In such a tense situation, his expression remained as undisturbed as a calm lake, a moment that truly proved the audacity of the man known as Julian.
“Ahem.”
Clearly, if the situation was left unattended, it would undoubtedly lead to trouble.
Having thought this far, Elenoa cleared her throat once.
As everyone’s attention shifted to her, she finally spoke.
“If you’re thinking of causing a disturbance, perhaps it’s best to stop?”
“Bishop Elenoa, this is a form of education. Education for someone who has just joined the Dawn Society.”
“Is that so? Then, I must intervene even more.”
Seeing Alphas respond with ‘Is that so?’ Elenoa smiled gently.
“Now, Sir Julian’s rank has become higher than all of yours.”
At Elenoa’s words, Alphas opened his eyes slightly.
“What do you mean by that?”
Ahem, Elenoa cleared her throat once more and continued.
“The Archbishop has recognized Sir Julian as a member of the order and has simultaneously bestowed upon him the position of a bishop.”
“What do you mean, Bishop Elenoa!”
As the order members murmured in surprise behind her, Elenoa looked steadily at Alphas’s face.
Annoyance was evident on Alphas’s face as he cautiously spoke.
“Is that true?”
“Why would I bother to lie to you, when there’s nothing in it for me?”
Crack!
The sound of Alphas grinding his teeth was unmistakably clear.
“That’s how it is.”
Julian, smirking.
His smile seemed to carry a hint of mockery towards the former Azure Knights in front of him.
“Well, if there’s nothing else, I’ll be going now.”
With those words, he began to walk away again.
Alphas glared at him with wide eyes.
A murderous intent so palpable it wouldn’t have been surprising if it burst forth enveloped him.
Despite the palpable hostility, Julian walked past him as if it were nothing.
‘No wonder he’s called the “demon of the northern front.”‘
Elenoa thought to herself as she followed behind Julian.
***
Walking down the corridor, I internally clicked my tongue seeing the aura of rage hovering over Alphas’s head.
‘This damned man has really accumulated a lot of bad karma.’
Just when I was already frustrated with the fact of having joined the Dawn Society.
And now, these people, whose stories I don’t know, were showing hostility towards me, making my headache seemingly pointless.
Alphas’s feelings were clear.
Someday, a hatred sharp enough to point a blade at me.
‘For someone to hate another this much… Or is it just that he’s petty?’
Whether it’s Julian’s doing that he’s become like this.
“Let’s continue the conversation we were having.”
While I was grumbling internally, Elenoa, who was following, spoke up.
“The Archbishop has asked Sir Julian to secure soul stones.”
Soul stones (魂石).
Demon hearts that come only from demons of a certain rank, Tri-horn or higher, and serve as vessels to gather the residual psyche of the Demon Lord.
“So, it’s a request to kill demons.”
“Well, if you put it that way, yes.”
“But if it’s an unreasonable request, I will refuse. After all, I am also affiliated with the ‘Closed Eyes.'”
While being a member of the Closed Eyes does ensure some autonomy, overstepping boundaries could lead to being caught.
After all, I need to keep my affiliation with the Dawn Society hidden.
“Don’t worry about that. Coordinating with the Closed Eyes side shouldn’t be too difficult.”
Her tone was somewhat satisfied.
Initially, I couldn’t fathom where her confidence stemmed from.
But not long after, as I stopped by the office to carry out my duties as a member of the Closed Eyes, a message arrived that hinted at the source of her confidence.
“Sir Julian! A mission to subdue a Tri-horn demon has been issued from the secretariat!”
Leaving Razlot’s urgent tone behind, I reviewed the mission order he had brought.
A mission to subdue a Tri-horn demon, arriving just as I had joined the Dawn Society.
It was the moment when the suspicions I had harbored in my mind became reality.
‘It seems the Dawn Society has its tendrils even in the royal secretariat.’
Cliche Novel 