Chapter 220

* * *

We barely managed to get through the cafe’s schedule.

Everyone was so exhausted that we ended up closing early.

After resting for about an hour, the Star Child appeared for the regular meeting.

Thinking it was good timing… I explained the recent events.

“Angel Medic, the King of the Underworld, Vistavern, Frohadin, and Chaos…”

Just when I thought we had finally tipped the scales.

“This is troubling.”

Variables disrupt plans.

This variable was quite large.

“Apostle of Chaos or whatever, they are ultimately human. Fighting amongst ourselves is nothing more than cutting off our own flesh. One wrong move, and we might hand over the initiative to them again.”

I didn't even want to imagine the scales tipping back again.

Chaos alone was a headache, but if the Demon Lords started reaching out again on top of that….

“…We need to deal with this as soon as possible, but the problem is that we don't know where Chaos' headquarters is.”

The Star Child sighed deeply and crossed one leg.

“We’ll look into it on our end as well. If we track his carriage that was heading for the frontier, we might find a clue.”

“Understood.”

The Star Child sighed deeply.

It was rare to see him, the unparalleled absolute powerhouse, looking so worried.

“Ah, I should probably explain first.”

The Star Child looked at Nerjin, Bianca, Savo, and Lilac.

“You probably don’t know much about Chaos.”

Honestly, I didn’t know much either.

“With the birth of this universe, two conceptual gods were also born, Cosmos and Chaos, who are in charge of order and chaos, respectively.”

Since they were born from the same origin, it would not be an exaggeration to call them brother gods.

“If we only look at the basic framework, Chaos also has Stellar Force as its source, just like Cosmos.”

The Star Child closed his eyes and then opened them.

The fate of certain annihilation swirled in his eyes.

“But you must have felt it too, right? The ‘destiny of certain annihilation’ that cannot coexist with the Stellar Force of Chaos.”

As soon as I saw the black and murky Stellar Force that Vistavern and Frohadin wielded, a desire for destruction had indeed welled up.

“Order and chaos cannot coexist. They may have the same origin, but it’s no exaggeration to say that the two powers on opposite ends of the spectrum are completely different. The power of Chaos, which symbolizes the endlessly expanding nature of the universe and the chaos of dark matter that annihilates all things, is the polar opposite of Cosmos, who protects the constellations, nebulae, and star clusters. In the ancient texts of the Cosmos Empire, there were even official names to distinguish them, ‘Stellar Force’ and ‘Chaos,’ or by the names of the two gods, ‘Cosmos’ and ‘Chaos.’ In any case, to us Peacemakers, they are like fated enemies. They are the ‘enemy’ who seeks to destroy the world according to the principle of universal annihilation.”

The Star Child tapped the table with his finger.

“The winter break is going to be very busy… so be prepared.”

“Yes, understood.”

After discussing a few more things, we immediately put on our Peacemaker robes and went out on patrol.

Since there were also vicious criminals who used Christmas as an opportunity.

“Got him!”

A non-lethal bullet was fired and hit the thigh of a pickpocket in the distance.

The pickpocket, who collapsed to the ground as if he had a cramp, was caught by the people around him.

“Good job, Lilac.”

“Yes!”

It was snowing.

“I will become a maid who is not ashamed to stand before my Master.”

The clear sound of a shell casing along with the clanking sound of reloading.

“You’re already more than enough.”

We set up a sniping point on a high clock tower in the capital and enjoyed Christmas.

* * *

A few days passed since then.

I repeated my work at the Academy, the cafe, and for the Peacemaker, and I did not neglect my training.

Soon it would be the New Year and the beginning of the year.

Now, the final gateway remained.

The year-end ‘Duel Assessment.’

“…”

I sat in the waiting area and waited blankly.

In the arena in the distance, cadets were dueling.

They seemed to be fighting quite fiercely…, but honestly, to my eyes, it all looked the same.

‘Who’s my next opponent?’

The private duel assessment was decided strictly by drawing lots.

Very simple and intuitive.

‘From Class B…’

“Cadet Martin? It’s your turn.”

I went out to the arena.

My opponent was a spear user whose name I didn't know, but I dodged the spear thrusts he unleashed, approached him, and tripped him.

Then I pointed the muzzle of my gun at his brow.

“W-winner, Martin!”

“…”

I turned around and headed back to the waiting area.

I’ll be honest.

I felt nothing.

My current level was not that of a cadet.

Objectively speaking, it wouldn't be strange for me to be listed in the Platinum Numbering and stand shoulder to shoulder with the Platinum Knights.

‘Ah.’

On my way back, my gaze fell on another match that had started.

…It was Elisha.

Her opponent was a nameless cadet from Class B.

I had heard in passing that he was the youngest son of some famous swordsmanship family….

Ah, it was starting.

The rapier in Elisha’s right hand flew like a butterfly and stung like a bee, but it was no use.

“Kuk!”

Elisha fell, and the winner was declared.

“…”

Seeing the fall of Elisha, who was once on par with Gilbert…, my heart pricked.

I should be used to it by now, but I just couldn't get used to it.

Elisha bowed with a confident expression and returned to the waiting area.

And from a distance… I saw her dejected expression after she had turned away.

‘I really hope the Star Maiden’s power recovers quickly.’

Only then would I be able to erase the Demon Lord’s brand engraved on Elisha’s left arm….

I also went up to the waiting area and waited.

My next opponents were Mary, Adela, Luri, and others, but it was clear that none of them were a match for me now.

Where were Bord and Anette, you ask?

They….

“Winner, Gilbert!”

Gilbert was on his way up, having defeated them.

To be honest, I never thought Gilbert would beat Anette.

Anette was also Platinum Knight-level strong…, to think he would beat her.

The duel assessment quickly reached the finals.

“Both cadets, forward!”

I stepped onto the arena.

Gilbert stood on the opposite side.

Cadets swarmed the waiting seats around the arena, and the Academy teachers were also positioned all around to prepare for any unforeseen circumstances.

It was to prevent me and Gilbert from going berserk like we did during the Grand Festival’s duel assessment.

…Honestly, there was no way the teachers could stop me….

“Both sides, to your positions.”

Hectia stood as the referee.

The thought that they wouldn't be able to stop me vanished.

“Ready.”

Gilbert drew his sword.

“…!”

That crazy bastard.

To think he would draw not a normal sword, but the Imperial Treasured Sword!

The sword, which had compressed the universe, was fierce.

“You’re crazy, Gilbert.”

I, too, drew the shotgun that symbolized the Ulvhadin Patriarch, engraved with the hunting dog emblem.

It was my trump card, which Nerjin and the Star Child had improved upon again and again, even replacing parts from my original shotgun.

“No, I’m perfectly sane.”

As we stood there, aiming at each other, Hectia shouted.

“Begin.”

Just as I was about to fire my shotgun, Gilbert slammed his sword into the arena floor.

“…?!”

Surprised by this, I immediately opened the chamber, took out the unused bullet, and then rummaged through my ammunition pouch and picked up a Diamond Bullet.

‘That stance! Could it be, he’s going to use his ultimate move, ‘Mana Crevass,’ from the start?!’

Slamming the sword into the ground and injecting an infinite amount of mana to cause an explosion was a fatal blow.

In the original story, didn't the Mana Crevass he used on Kragach’s body blow away more than half of his torso!

I had to prepare too!

I had to respond with the best move I had, the Diamond Bullet, to be able to protect myself from that attack!

“…?”

But then, Gilbert also knelt on one knee in that spot.

He bowed his head deeply.

His appearance was like that of a noble knight.

“I, I am Gilbert.”

“…”

The audience was filled with silence.

No one could open their mouth in front of this inexplicable event.

“I fight for justice.”

“…”

“I exterminate evil.”

“…”

“And I have decided to stop the apocalypse.”

“…”

“But, I realized that it is by no means easy. That in the end, I can do nothing alone.”

I stared blankly at the solemn recitation.

‘Why the sudden outburst…?’

Then Gilbert stood up proudly.

Staring at me with fiercely shining black eyes.

“Martin, I have made my decision after long and careful consideration.”

He looked as if he was about to kill me.

Even I swallowed nervously, but.

“I, Gilbert.”

He placed one hand on his heart and declared.

“Will serve as a subordinate to Martin von Targon Ulvhadin. In the war against the apocalypse, I will fight under your command. I will listen to your orders and be with you.”

“…?!”

The cadets and teachers in the audience all gasped in astonishment.

“Therefore, this match is also my defeat.”

Gilbert bowed to Hectia, the referee, then bowed to me in the same way before descending from the arena.

“…”

“…?”

“…?!”

“…!”

In the midst of the chaos, the final duel assessment of the year-end came to an end.

The Academy, with a look of utter bewilderment, named me the winner, and I raised my hand with a blank expression.

The other cadets, also at a loss, were either muttering a small ‘Wow…’ or clapping while glancing around, but Gilbert, who had already gone down from the arena, was the only one shamelessly shouting, ‘That’s so cool, Martin!’

‘What the.’

Adela and Luri also had expressions of not knowing what was going on, Anette was just blinking her eyes, and even Elisha, Bord, and Mary were bewildered as to what was happening.

Kazaks, who had considered Gilbert his lifelong rival, was as still as a man who had died standing up.

“So.”

After the duel assessment, we gathered in the Café Exploration Club room for the first time in a while.

To be precise, it was only me who was visiting after a long time; the main characters had been coming and going diligently, so it was well-decorated to their tastes.

…That wasn’t the important thing.

“You, Gilbert…!”

As soon as the award ceremony was over, I went up to Gilbert and confronted him.

“What in the world is this…!”

“The club room.”

Gilbert cut me off and answered.

“I’ll reveal everything in the club room.”

Then he looked around.

At the main characters who had come to grasp the situation, Adela, Luri, and the entire Prince Kazaks faction.

“You can come too.”

And so, chairs were arranged in a circle in the club room.

The other cadets sat there.

In the middle of that circle, two chairs were facing each other, and those were my and Gilbert’s chairs.

“So. What are you…?”

This Gilbert guy really seemed to be out of his mind.

Seeing him smiling brightly made my stomach churn even more.

“What were you thinking, pulling a stunt like that?”

“There was no particular ill will. It’s just as I said, Martin.”

“…”

“For a long time… I thought that I alone could atone for the mistakes of the Cosmos Empire and save the continent. I thought it was the responsibility that came with the bloodline and talent I was given. But… it wasn't. You are better than me. So, I decided to follow you.”

My insides were boiling.

“So, you’ll be my subordinate?”

“Yes.”

“Why should I?”

“Uh, huh?”

Gilbert blinked his eyes.

“Let’s hear the reason why I should have to put up with your face and use you.”

“…Uh…”

Not expecting me to come out like this, Gilbert dragged out the end of his sentence.

“…It’s, not to brag, but I’m strong.”

“Yeah, I know. Who doesn't know you were favored with talent.”

“If you can have me as your subordinate, wouldn’t saving the world be easier…?”

“Saving the world is something you want to do.”

My tone, as if to say that it wasn't for me, made Gilbert flustered.

“Huh? Ah, it wasn’t?”

“That’s right. My goal is also to save this world from the apocalypse.”

Looking at the foolish Gilbert, my brow furrowed.

“In the world I’m trying to save, you don’t exist.”

“What…?”

“People are classified into three types. At least, that’s how I classify them. People I am grateful to and want to save at all costs, and people I don't care about either way. I try to save these two groups. They are the people of ‘my world’ that I want to protect. But.”

I shot up from my seat.

“At least you belong to the other group. The kind of person I would be happy to see die in an accident on the street.”

I turned my body to leave the club room.

“Martin!”

Gilbert called out to stop me.

I was about to continue walking, as if to say, ‘What now?’, but.

“I was wrong!”

It was so ridiculous that I turned around.

Did he even know what he did wrong?

“I was wrong for not trusting you and blocking your way in the numerous incidents so far, hey, Martin!”

His words weren't worth even a moment of my time.

I kicked open the club room door and came out.

I walked down the hallway with irritation.

My legs strode out coolly, but my mood was foul.

My insides were churning.

‘Is that guy’s head filled with flowers?’

“Martin! Wait a minute!”

He had run up to me at some point and blocked my path, raising both hands to show his palms.

“Just listen to me…, keok!”

I grabbed him by the collar.

I pushed him down and brought my face close.

“Gilbert.”

“Let, go of this…!”

“When we were fighting the demon count at Dr. Keren’s lab, you didn't step in even when I was on the verge of death.”

“That was…”

“Shut up! In the ecological park, you tailed me and even followed me into the Time Chaos Dungeon.”

“…”

“You barged into the club I made without a word and muddied the waters. Ah, was that when you met Vistavern? You, who couldn't protect a single person, beat me like a dog on a rainy day after I had protected the grand plaza.”

“…”

This wasn't the dregs of Martin’s emotions.

Purely… my own grudge.

“In the Grand Festival’s duel assessment, you looked down on me to my face and said you wanted to get stronger.”

“…”

“During the raid on the Agency… you dared to block my path head-on.”

“…”

It was the culmination of everything that had piled up.

“I was judged for running a violence circle and all the evil deeds I had committed and even wrote an apology. But.”

“…”

“Have you ever apologized to me…?”

“…”

Gilbert’s mouth closed like a clam.

His eyes darted around.

He struggled to open his mouth.

“That’s, what I was about to do now…, ugh!”

I threw him by the collar.

Gilbert fell to the floor.

Without looking back at him, I walked away.