SFRW-Chapter 220

Ch. 220 Sword God From The Ruined World

Toredo stood dumbfounded, his jaw slack at the unfolding scene.  

That Grichuk – the Empire’s Blade – still lived was shocking enough, but watching him single-handedly slaughter dozens of paladins and three hundred holy soldiers defied all reason.  

‘Even for Grichuk, was he always this strong?’  

Toredo shook his head in denial.  

As the Empire’s Blade, Grichuk’s martial prowess was undeniable.  

In the northern regions, perhaps only three individuals could face him – and even then, merely holding their ground rather than claiming victory.  

Only Seraph, the Papal Order’s strongest paladin in history, could confidently oppose him.  

The North Blade Grichuk.  

The South Spear Yodre.  

These two represented their respective empires – Griton Empire of the north and Caleo Empire of the south.  

‘And… the Holy Sword Seraph.’  

Toredo glared disapprovingly at Seraph, who remained arms-crossed amidst the slaughter.  

Once considered the continent’s strongest, her defection had disappointed many – including Toredo.  

Though now, the Pope’s conquest of the north seemed more impressive.  

‘How can she remain so indifferent?’  

Toredo gritted his teeth.  

Traitors deserved no mercy – no chance for repentance.  

Suppressing his rage, Toredo unleashed holy power.  

Crimson light – the new divinity granted by Bahat – enveloped Grichuk, meant to purify the unclean and weaken enemies.  

Swish!  

Yet Grichuk casually beheaded a paladin mid-swing.  

Thud.  

Toredo trembled as the head rolled to his feet.  

“Why… why won’t it work?!”  

The holy power had no effect.  

The Divine Sword mocked:  

『Is this fool ignorant of true holy power? Or has his mind become too diseased to distinguish it?』  

Toredo didn’t realize this ‘holy power’ was actually inferior curse magic.  

『Observe well. When faith lacks, one becomes enslaved by heresy, losing all judgment.』  

“Right. Once you fall into cults…”  

Choi Kang-soo clicked his tongue, watching Toredo futilely curse Grichuk.  

When the last soldier fell, Toredo shook with terror.  

“D-don’t come closer!”  

“All. Must. Die.”  

Grichuk split Toredo cleanly in two before sheathing his sword.  

“Wow! What a monster we’ve recruited!”  

Kusak whistled playfully but eyed Grichuk warily.  

‘Kassal… how did you subdue this beast?’  

He marveled at Seo Do-jun’s capability.  

“His swordsmanship’s unique. I’d love to spar.”  

Unlike Kusak, Veronica showed keen interest in Grichuk’s style.  

“I’d like to duel him first.”  

Rakun shared the sentiment.  

“Anytime.”  

Bound by soul chains but retaining free will (so long as he didn’t oppose Seo Do-jun), Grichuk welcomed challenges.  

A battle-lover in life, he recognized Veronica and Rakun as worthy opponents.  

But his primary target remained Seraph.  

The legendary Holy Sword who’d outranked both North Blade and South Spear.  

Unfortunately, Seraph showed zero interest in fighting an undead.  

And then…  

『Don’t! Unless you want humiliation!』  

“Me too! Me too!”  

Ignoring the sword’s warning, Choi Kang-soo volunteered.  

Grichuk studied him briefly before eyeing the Divine Sword.  

“Without. Sword. You’re. Weak.”  

He coldly turned away.  

“You bastard! Who’s weak?! After all my training! Fight me now!”  

『I told you to stay out! You’re still sword-dependent! To him, you’re just prey!』  

Choi Kang-soo raged as Grichuk ignored him completely.  

Meanwhile, Shinjo and Hyun Joo-yeon burned with competitive fire.  

‘A new stimulus for them.’  

Seo Do-jun smiled faintly.  

A declaration of war – no, a Holy War.  

Pope Alfrey, having conquered the northern kingdoms, proclaimed a Second Holy War against the south barely four years after promising peace.  

“Madman.”  

Veronica’s concise review.  

But none could dismiss it lightly – not after his northern conquest.  

The southern kingdoms scrambled to respond.  

“Launching a Holy War without concluding the Lily War? This is full-blown madness.”  

Kusak remarked.  

Seraph smiled bitterly.  

“The Lily War was just a name. To Alfrey, it was barely skirmishes – partly because we avoided full confrontation.”  

No one blamed her cowardice.  

The exiled faction had been hopelessly outnumbered.  

“Now the southern kingdoms must take sides.”  

Gloria observed.  

The Pope offered allied status to those who helped eradicate the remnants.  

“Who’ll join him?”  

Hyun Joo-yeon found this intriguing.  

With Seo Do-jun’s group heading to kill the Pope, any war would be stillborn.  

But unaware kingdoms would scramble to choose sides.  

Then came an unexpected twist.  

The Caleo Empire vehemently denounced the Holy War, declaring they’d fight.  

Their Emperor branded Alfrey a heretic serving evil gods – presenting shocking evidence.  

“Human sacrifice?!”  

Hyun Joo-yeon stared at Seraph in horror.  

“…It’s true.”  

Seraph bit her lip. Apostle Bekha had provided Caleo with irrefutable proof.  

The Pope denied everything, but his reputation crumbled.  

Seraph had hoped to keep this secret.  

Tainted honor couldn’t be restored.  

But now, she embraced the truth.  

“Perhaps it’s for the best. For rebirth…”  

Her heart felt lighter as she coldly led the charge toward the Papal headquarters.  

“Awkward, isn’t it?”  

Kusak muttered.  

“What is?”  

“Look.”  

He pointed at Seraph walking through corridors of corpses, blood dripping from her sword.  

“We said we’d spill the blood, but she’s doing all the work.”  

Veronica laughed.  

“What can we do? She won’t listen. Stubborn mule.”  

“True. But surprisingly…”  

“What?”  

“I thought at least three kingdoms would side with the Pope.”  

“Simple. With Caleo’s fierce opposition, who’d risk joining him? They’d face Caleo’s wrath first.”  

The Pope was amassing 600,000 troops.  

Caleo gathered similar numbers through alliances.  

Though major war loomed, Seo Do-jun’s group would likely reach the Pope first.  

Five days at most.