-Your name is Tsav. -Yes.
No surname.
Commonly known as "Man-Eating Ghoul."
Ah, assassins raised by the Gwen Mohsa Order are all like that.
So you killed eight people in a month?
You really went on a rampage, didn't you?
Oh, that's not true.
I'm an honest man.
So I'll be honest with you.
Actually, I killed 12 people. You've got to add another 50%.
-What-- -See?
I'm actually honest and a people pleaser.
I'm always given crappy tasks.
You've killed people…
Don't you feel any guilt?
Excuse me, are we discussing good and evil?
I really don't get stuff like morality.
Of course.
It wouldn't sit right with me to kill someone I admire.
But other than that, I don't get any of it.
And the reason why my mind wasn't affected by the Order
is probably that I'm too stupid to understand those things.
I know very well how the Order operates.
They use pain, drugs, happiness, and all sorts of methods on kids to…
Am I some kind of chosen one?
Oh no, that's too much pressure.
Aren't you scared?
If you're lucky, you'll get life imprisonment.
If not, it's the death penalty.
Aren't you scared?
I'm terrified.
But being scared won't change anything.
So I want to enjoy the moment.
Most people don't think like that.
Do you just have no imagination?
You're so mean!
I got a great imagination, okay?
But…
I don't really understand.
Is there anything more important than the gains and losses of you
and someone you admire?
This is interesting.
Tsav.
How do you choose who to kill?
No idea.
I kill them if they're easy to deal with.
Easy to deal with?
Well, this man named Taldy
disappeared from his government office in broad daylight, in just 70 seconds.
Would you call that easy to deal with?
I'm not talking about the method, but the feeling.
To me, the difficulty of killing someone isn't much different.
That's why when I have to kill…
I choose someone I won't feel heartbroken over.
How do you judge that?
I don't know. It's just my intuition.
It feels easy doing it.
I see.
This is great.
Tsav.
-Death is too good for you. -What?
If there's a punishment worse than death…
That's right.
I am sentencing you to be a hero.
No… No, wait. Wait a minute! A hero is…
Yes, that's right.
You're not even allowed to die.
See?
I'm basically a pushover, aren't I?
The more I investigate my target, the more I think,
"I can't kill someone like that. He has a wife and kids!"
that kind of stuff.
-That's why I've never killed my target. -Can't believe a man like that is a hero…
-But if I've got nothing to show for it, -Still the same after dying so many times.
-the Order will scold me again. -I've heard this story dozens of times.
That's why I chopped people who had nothing to do with it into mince
and brought them back.
-Aren't I the best-- -Tsav.
Shut up.
I'm sorry, bro.
Did I talk too much again?
Why don't we just gag him?
If we sleep in the same room, he'll talk all night long.
I just can't keep quiet.
Look, guys. Don't I have a tragic past,
having undergone abusive training in the Order?
Back then, I was locked up in an underground dungeon--
Shut up!
Don't make me say it again.
See? Xylo is angry.
Whoa! Sorry, bro!
Alright, Dotta, you apologize too.
Why do I have to apologize too?
That's what I hate about you. Don't you realize that?
Alright, alright.
Dotta, you should learn to say something witty too.
Alright, hurry up and apologize.
They're pretty close.
At this rate, they'll arrive at night.
Y-Yes.
So?
How many Holy Knights will remain?
About 50.
They're all trustworthy soldiers.
That's not nearly enough.
Though Venetim has also recruited prisoners from Milnid Jail…
Recruited prisoners?
Through bribery?
Yes.
He said they're all on death row, so I can do whatever I want with them.
The punishment for criminals is the same, no matter where they are.
I can see them.
It could be faerie scouts.
Really?
Let me see.
It looks a bit like a dog.
Could it be a cir sith?
He can see at this distance?
His eyesight is beyond human level.
Tsav, can you handle it?
Well, I'll try.
Even if I miss,
please don't kill me.
Is that the Daisy made by Verkle Corp.?
Yes. It's a sniper weapon tuned by His Majesty.
Ah, but are you sure about this?
Wouldn't it be pitiful if they had friends--
Can't you shoot without running your mouth?
Roger that.
How was that? Bull's-eye, right?
Yeah, but there's still more.
Alright, alright…
-Is it okay to leave it to them? -Another one from the back! Hurry!
-Don't worry about that duo. -All the enhancements
-They can complete their missions. -went into range and firepower.
-Especially Tsav's sniping. -Its rate of fire isn't great.
-I've never seen him miss. -Hurry up and shoot!
-Alright. -You got it.
-Now we just need to set up the traps. -I really am a genius.
Yeah, here comes the next wave.
-You weren't listening, were you? -What?
You're not giving up even in this situation?
There's no way I'm letting people who'd be happy to see us dead run wild.
Besides…
there's still the matter of showing how useful that person is…
Over there!
-Look, there's more on the side too. -I heard you're so eager
-Roger that. -to make a name for yourself
-We haven't killed them all yet. -that you put your troops in danger.
You're such a slave driver.
What noble family are you from?
-Yes, we're almost done. -I'm not a noble.
-I think that's it. -No way.
-Ah, here they come again. -Would Galtuile let someone
-Roger that. -like that be a commander?
Is that a faerie?
Oh, you mean under the shadow of that rock?
-My uncle is the High Priest. -That's a faerie.
That's practically the highest rank in the Temple.
No wonder I've never heard of it.
Bro, it's done.
Every shot hit its mark!
Dotta and Tsav, stand by here.
Kivia, let's go.
Take it all out.
We don't have enough equipment here.
The Commander is leaving.
Hurry up and get ready.
I heard you're staying, Commander Kivia.
Can't believe you want to see the heroes die with your own eyes.
While I find it a bit degrading,
I'll pray for your safety.
I'll pray for your safety too,
Kivia.
Pelmerry. Don't go too far from me.
This guy is the goddess killer.
You…
All right, Hord.
I will not leave your side.
Hord, was I useful in this mission?
You were perfect.
There's no doubt about it.
In that case…
will you say, "As expected of Pelmerry"?
Understood.
As expected of Pelmerry.
We'll take our leave now.
Is that the ninth goddess?
Yes, it's Lady Pelmerry.
The one who made a covenant with her
is the Commander of the Ninth Order of Holy Knights,
Hord Clivios. You know him, right?
He's said to be an aristocrat who once owned vast lands in the south.
Clivios's red wine is a high-end product.
However…
What we have here doesn't look like wine at all…
Gosh, this is tiring.
Are we going to lure the Demon Lord into this fortress
and detonate these barrels?
Yes, we'll kill Iblis repeatedly with potent poison.
That means we'll die too, right?
I don't like this.
It's kind of pissing me off.
Should I kill someone?
What?
Kid, what did you just say?
You want to die?
You lowly heroes shouldn't get carried away--
Stop it, Zofflec!
I get it.
Why did you make a move?
To vent my anger.
Bro, you kick rocks when you're angry, don't you?
Rocks are different from humans.
Oh, that's human discrimination!
Humans are also part of nature.
Bro, I don't think it's a good idea for you to favor them.
I have found you, Xylo!
Goddess!
Have you been watching the house?
Let us skip the small talk.
More importantly, you sneaked out without telling me, didn't you?
That is not something my knight should do.
Lady Teoritta.
We have fulfilled our duty.
Please have mercy on us.
Xylo.
You seem to have had a fun time doing recon with Kivia.
There's no such thing as "fun recon."
L-Lady Teoritta!
We picked these berries from the forest.
They're pretty sweet.
The two of you went
to the forest together?
To pick berries?
That sounds like fun.
-No, we were just -You got a map?
-fulfilling our duties. -Yep.
Xylo, my knight!
-I met the Ninth Order of Holy Knights! -Bro, here.
I see.
Don't you dare give me "I see"!
Listen up!
Seven times in a day! That goddess over there
gets her head rubbed seven times!
So what?
I haven't even gotten my head rubbed once!
I'm not asking you to do it seven times,
but at least half of that…
I haven't even gotten my head rubbed once!
Here!
I see.
-Ugh! Why do you not get it, my knight? -Forget about that.
-I told you to rub my head! -At this rate,
-Just rub my head! -we'll be trampled by the faeries,
and it'll all be over.
Commander Kivia.
Some strangers have arrived at the back gate.
They say they're here to see this man.
Me?
You guys…
I heard something is approaching this fortress.
We're just lowly miners,
but I'm sure there's something we can do to help.
You understand our situation, don't you?
You're the king and the heroes who saved our lives.
It's only natural that we want to help you.
I'm sorry.
We're neither the king nor heroes.
Go back to your families.
It's also for our own sake.
We're all from villages around here.
After losing the mine, if this fortress falls too…
We'll lose our food, shelter, and emotional support.
It's not like I don't understand, but you barely survived…
You came at the perfect time, my people.
-It's His Majesty! -You are
-So majestic! -all warriors
-As majestic as ever! -of my kingdom.
Warriors in the truest sense of the word!
Your Majesty.
Don't say such nonsense!
What are you talking about, Commander in Chief Xylo?
We're seriously short on troops right now.
I know that.
But these guys…
Of course, I won't ask you to sacrifice the lives of my people.
However, they can help me.
What?
No matter how complicated the sacred seal engraving is,
if they see my blueprint,
anyone can follow it.
With the strength of my people who obey me,
we can turn this fortress into an impregnable military stronghold!
And, let's claim the glory of victory together!
Yes, Your Majesty!
My people!
Begin the work immediately.
Your Majesty…
Alright.
Everything is going according to plan so far.
Now then, Xylo.
Please explain the details of the plan.
Tatsuya, seal off the underground passage. Take about twenty Holy Knights with you.
Tsav, take the back door.
If anything approaches, blow it all away.
Oh, so it's my turn, huh?
By the way, where's Dotta?
He has another mission.
Next, the miners will stay at the rear of the front line
and support the Holy Knights from there.
We've been ordered not to raise the castle drawbridge.
It's a dangerous position.
There's no need to push yourself. Just hold out for half a day.
Yes, I'll continue with the sacred seal tuning.
And then?
What will you do, Xylo?
I'll take the initiative.
I expect nothing less from my bro.
Yeah.
Listen up.
Hold off the faerie's attack as much as you can.
I'll drag out Iblis's true form.
Before it reaches this fortress,
I'll use the pre-arranged traps
to kill it.
For everyone to survive…
this is the only way.
Are you kidding me?
I'll kill you!
Don't get carried away!
Why must we obey the heroes' orders?
Tell me! Aren't you all worse than humans?
You goddess killer!
Could you please not make my bro angry?
I don't want to get caught in the crossfire.
W-Why didn't you shoot at me?
What do you mean, "why"?
Because you're big and energetic, you should be able to do the job properly.
Bro…
Tsav. I agree that this method is effective…
but don't do it again.
Oh, right.
It's better to just kill him--
No, take him away and stop the bleeding with a sacred seal.
So, what do you want?
To be honest, I have a letter addressed to you.
-It's from… -No.
Burn the letter.
Uh…
It's from Frenci Mastibolt.
Speaking of the Mastibolt family, if I remember correctly…
they're the night-gaunts in the south, right?
They said they would lend us their army…
Personally,
I'd like to ask for their help…
If possible…
We're not talking about this anymore.
I-I get it.
It's just unfortunate to lose those two thousand soldiers…
By the way, Jayce and Rhyno couldn't make it?
Jayce replied, "I don't want to tire Nelly out."
"Watch it, or I'll kill you."
Rhyno didn't reply.
Even though he volunteered to be a hero,
he's still as eccentric as ever.
What about the mercenaries?
I tried to contact them.
But if there's no payment…
Dotta is taking care of the money.
I hope he can make it in time…
Okay, quickly take it inside.
-Tie it tightly. -Let's send the miners away quickly.
-Ready. -It's truly the end of the world
if even they are forced to fight.
The end of the world…
Your Majesty, what should we do next?
Xylo.
-Hold it like this, I'll set the position. -If…
-Yes. -I mean, if…
If someone really wanted to wipe out humanity…
what would you do?
What?
Xylo, do you like conspiracy theories?
Boring as hell.
You know that strange article you wrote?
It mentioned Demon Lord worshipers, or coexisters…
No matter how you look at it, that's fake news, right?
It's natural for you to think that way.
But if there really are Demon Lord worshipers,
or a faction advocating coexistence with the Demon Lords,
trying to make humanity lose from behind the scenes…
Don't you think everything makes sense?
Including this illogical battle order.
If such a person truly exists…
they'd be a scumbag worse than dirt.
The Demon Lord is still far away…
They're here, my knight.
Those are coiste bodhar,
the vanguard of the army.
Alright.
Let's begin.
The survival of humanity hangs on this battle.
We must protect our homeland!
Everyone, prepare for battle!
That damn king…
I told him to go to the rear and provide support…
This is it! Fire!
Defensive barricade, activate!
Well done, everyone!
Your attack has severely damaged the enemy's morale.
Prepare the next volley!
His Majesty.
Isn't he standing too far out?
Venetim. Honestly, if something happens to His Majesty,
-Here they come! Fire! -…this fortress is done for.
-Damn it, I missed! -I tried my best to hold him back,
but he wouldn't listen to me…
If your mouth isn't useful, then what good are you?
Tsav, you're often rude to me.
Clear a path for the cavalry!
Begin supporting Commander Kivia and the others! Fire!
Let's go,
Thirteenth Order of the Holy Knights!
Charge!
-Zofflec! -Roger!
All forces, turn around!
Disrupt them! Don't let them get near the fortress!
Kivia and the others are pretty good.
Bro!
What's that?
That's…
Yes. I've confirmed it on my end too.
I don't want to believe it, but…
-They're human. -Are they human?
Fire arrows!
-Watch out! -The defensive barricade is on fire!
This is bad!
The sacred seal won't work like this!
Retrieve the barrels! They'll ignite!
The second wave is coming!
There are too many of them!
We can't withstand the next wave.
Damn it…
The front gate can't hold much longer.
They're breaking through!
Damn it…
At this rate,
-They're in! -…before the Demon Lord
-Put out the fire! -appears…
We'll all be wiped out!