Chapter 37

Holy Kingdom

A paladin called Luan, was patrolling a street in the prime city of the Holy Kingdom Hoburns. It was a city located in the Northern Holy Kingdom that laid in close proximity to three other major cities. To the west lied the port city of Rimun. And to the east, respectively were Prart and Kalinsha.

Luan had grey eyes, short blonde hair and was part of the Paladin Order, an order of warriors that specialize in fighting evil aligned entities such as demons and the undead. It's been 7 months that he has raised from squire to paladin and he was proud about that. He will not work anymore like a dog for a superior like cleaning his armor and other stuff.

He always walked in the streets of the city with his head high, but always stayed calm when paladins of the Nine Colors passed near. They are the strongest warriors in the Holy Kingdom and should show respect.

Bad news arrived in the Holy Kingdom 1 month after he became a paladin. Three human nations were destroyed from a Kingdom called Nazarick. He is a paladin and maybe he will be sent to fight against these monsters.

Luan did not want to fight against those undead beings called Death Knights or Soul Eaters. He always thought those undead as unreal and created to scare the children but now they could be seen on the other side of the Great Wall.

"Oi Luan."

"Ah, Ramiez."

Ramiez, was another paladin that has been a fellow squire. He had blue eyes and was bald. Both of them raised to paladin rank on the same day and had been close comrades.

"How is the patrolling going Luan?" asked Ramiez.

"Nothing around. No criminals, no monsters." answered Luan.

"Thank the gods it's a calm night."

Luan believed in the gods as all the people of the Holy Kingdom. But as a paladin, he was even more devoted. He always visited the temples of the Four Gods with Ramiez and prayed for his life to be peaceful.

"Have you heard any news from that nation?" asked Luan.

"Hmm, the humans there are converting and worship the Sorcerer King as a God."

"What?! How could they abound the Gods and worship the undead?"

"That's what I heard from the traders that live there. In the temples of the Sorcerer King are the angels that heal the citizens and it's free."

"Angels…"

Beings of divine serving an undead was unheard before. It was completely the opposite. Of course, the citizens will worship a being that rules over the angels.

"What a weird nation."

What was more weird was that other non humans were allowed to live inside the cities that had humans. The Sorcerer King is undead and he did not care what race ones belong.

"Thinking about that nation gives me the chills. I'm afraid that a war might start and we will be on the front..." said Luan.

"I hope that does not happen. It will be really… Luan what is it?" asked Ramiez with wonder.

Luan was staring at Ramiez left shoulder with curious eyes. Ramiez turned his eyes at his left shoulder and saw something like a worm crawling on him. Something was behind him.

Ramiez turned and was ready to take his sword. His eyes widened what saw. The creature was like a humanoid creature 1.80 tall, had grey skin, sharp claws and had a head like an octopus.

"Waaaa!"

Ramiez released a surprised shout, but the creature captured him by the shoulder and enveloped his head with the tentacles.

Luan could not draw his sword to kill that creature and help his comrade because he was frozen in fear.

"Ra-Ramiez?!"

The legs of Ramiez were moving like he wanted to escape, but the creature had lifted him. The cries of Ramiez for help could not be heard well. After 10 seconds, his body did not move and the creature released him.

Luan saw his comrade with shocked eyes. Half of his upper head was not there. The creature had opened his skull and had eaten his brain.

"Eeek!"

The creature turned its yellow eyes at Luan and walked towards him. It was about to capture Luan and do the same thing that it did to Ramiez.

"Aaaah, get away from me!"

Luan drew his sword and cut the creature's arm. It moved away from Luan and released a painful scream. The severed arm was spilling purple blood and the other half on the ground was still moving for a moment.

Luan did not wait and hit it with the sword cutting the head of the monster. The creature fell lifeless on the ground. Luan was shocked from this scene and had put his hand on his forehead as he was walking backward.

He had to inform the others about this monster but… he could feel weet tentacles around his neck… another one.

"AAAAAAAAAAHHHH!"

Inside the Royal Palace of Hoburns, the Holy Queen of the Holy Kingdom was standing inside the throne room. Her name is Calca Bessarez, she was a young woman with long vibrant hair of spun gold and lovely cyan eyes. Her face was beautiful like an angel, and many who saw her gentle smile went on to describe her as a saint.

Calca, was the first female ruler of the Holy Kingdom. Calcas succession to the throne, was not well received by the nobles, especially those from the Southern Holy Kingdom. But Calca chose to ignore baseless allegations made by the southern nobles.

With her, were the Custodio's sisters.

"Lady Calca, we should not have a close relationship with the Sorcerer Kingdom!"

The one who spoke was Remedios Custodio. She had short bob-shaped brown hair affixed with a white hairband, exposing her forehead, and she wore a suit of silvery full plate armor and a surcoat. Remedios was the leader of the Paladin Order and a member of the Nine Colors.

"Why Remedios?" asked Calca.

"Because the Sorcerer King is undead."

"Big sister, is right. That nation is ruled by evil."

Kelart Custodio was the younger sister of Remedios Custodio and the high priestess of the Roble Holy Kingdom. Kelart also shares the same bob-shaped brown hair affixed with a white hairband. However, unlike Remedios, her forehead is covered by her hair and the shape of her eyes and mouth varied slightly.

"Ainz Ooal Gown saved and returned our citizens that were used as slaves by the demihumans and he asked nothing in return. How is that evil?"

The soldiers and the paladins were on great alarm some months ago when an undead army of 1,000, appeared at the Great Wall. They thought that it was their turn to be invaded but no. The undead army was returning the citizens of the Holy Kingdom. They were healed and well feeded by the Nazarick authorities.

"Maybe, maybe he is trying to look like a merciful king, so later he can back-stab us when we let our guard down."

Remedios is highly self-righteous in her dedication to her belief that non-humans are a threat to humanity. She would go so far as to kill demi-human children without a second thought just to keep her nation safe. So of course the undead were no different for her, but another threat for humanity.

"You might not be wrong to some extent, but still, both of you are very harsh. What Sorcerer King did, was justice. Now we do not have to fear anymore from any demihuman attack because the Nazarick Kingdom subjected them all."

Calca did not think bad about the immortal king. Sure, she finds it disturbing what he did in Katze Plains. The reports about that battle were heart shocking. But war is war and it doesn't matter how cruel and brutal it is. But the Sorcerer King has given his people peace and prosperity, so as long as he does that, it was fine with Calca.

The southern nobles were a problem. They called the Holy Queen a coward that did not call for a crusade to free the human lands from the undead invaders. Easy said than done. Even the Slane Theocracy had not made a move. It was clear they were afraid of the new superpower, so why the Holy Kingdom must walk into a minefield just because the nobles thought it was the right thing to do.

They had been fighting demihuman tribes for ages and know how they fight. But going to war against an army that has legendary monsters will be a foolish action and Nazarick Kingdom had not taken any harsh action against the Holy Kingdom.

"Sorry lady Calca, but the Sorcerer King is one of the undead and they are all evil no matter how they act."

As always, Remedios was a blockhead. Even if non-humans do good things like helping humans, they were still evil in her eyes.

"Remedios… you should not think like that. Give him a chance. By the way, why don't you get married?"

The eyes of Remedios widened and she did not know how to respond to this. The conversation took a totally weird turn.

"I-I don't think I can. I have a duty and that is to protect your b-body and this nation."

"But think Remedios. Your child might become really strong and a great paladin just like you."

"Her Majesty it's right big sister."

That will be a new road for Remedios. But who would want a woman like her. Because of her hard training, her body did not have anymore the beautiful form of a female, so no man would want to sleep with a woman like that.

Even the Holy Queen had this problem. She yearns for love and it frustrates her that she had yet to find a worthy man. Most of the nobles will just put her down and there were no male human monarc anymore. Calca likes the Bloody Emperor but his Empire was invaded and does not exist. She had no information if he was still alive or the Sorcerer King executed him.

"No way, that is impossible." Remedios shakes her head.

Kinda, is not a good thing because some rumors say that the Holy Queen had some close relationship with the Custodio sisters. If Remedios married someone, those rumors will die.

"It's your choice then-

The conversation ended because a man in armor with light-greyish brown hair arrived inside without warning. His was the Vice Captain Gustav Montagnés. Remedios wanted to scold him for interrupting their conversation and for coming inside the room without knocking.

But the man looked very worried. Gustav kneeled before the Holy Queen.

"Your Majesty, the city is under attack-

"What?! The undead is attacking us?! How did they get this far?!"

"Remedios stop!"

The female paladin shut her mouth. She was not letting the man finish the report.

"Vice Captain, who is attacking us?" aske Calca.

"Octaman, your Majesty! The enemies are Octaman! They are everywhere and are killing our citizens!"

"Octaman?!"

The creatures known as Octaman, are sea demihumans.

Like in the lands, inside the ocean existed nations of merman that have the upper body of a human and the tailed lower body of a fish or tritons that has the same form but are like an advanced species and stronger. They were one of the few sea species that were really peaceful with humans. Sometimes they show up near port-cities to trade or help the ships from sharkman attacks like the Sea Dragon.

Octaman lives in the depth of the ocean where light cannot reach. Their Empire was really large and nobody dared to attack their territories, because the monstrous Emperor was a fearsome being that can destroy every oceanic nation by himself. Lucky for the different races, the Emperor slept for thousands of years.

Like the sea giants and trolls, Octaman can walk on land but they are not very fast like underwater. It was impossible to be killed by humans underwater, but even in land they were dangerous.

"But how did they get inside the city?"

"From the sanitation, your Majesty."

They know that slime monsters could be found there, but never they had imagined that Octaman will invade them in this way.

"Prepare my armor, I want these monsters out of this city!"

"YES!"

Now the armored Calca went outside the palace with many holy warriors from the Paladin Order and divine magic casters . On horses they rode on the streets of the Holy Capital.

They saw many citizens crying and running in their direction. Some of them were wounded from encountering the monsters.

A young paladin was after them to protect the citizens from sudden attacks. His face was covered in purple blood that meant that he had been in an intense fight with the sea enemies. He stopped when he saw the Holy Queen and bowed his head.

"There is no need for that warrior. How many are they?"

"Thousands of them, your Majesty! They are coming from every direction!"

Why is this happening? Calca did not know that. These creatures should invade sea territories because the land was not their environment. There is only one reason…

They see humans as food.

"Tch! Let's go!" shouted Calca.

The Holy Queen rushed to help the paladins that had stayed behind to fight the enemy in front. As they approached, the cries of humans and monsters could be heard. They arrived at the wide plaza and saw them fighting brutally. Some paladins and soldiers were slaying some of them and the Octamen were doing the same.

The Octaman used their claws as weapons and the tentacles to capture if their prey was close to their face.

"ATTACK!"

"OOOOH!"

"FOR THE QUEEN!"

The army of the paladins clashed with the sea monsters. Purple and red blood flooded in the air and spread on the ground. The paladins cut heads and tentacles. The Octaman swing their claws cutting the humans and capturing them to eat their brains. The brain was what they wanted from humans. It was very delicious for them.

"YAAAAAAAART!"

Remedios flexed Safarlisia, the holy sword of the Roble Holy Kingdom and killed many Octaman in her way immediately.

The Octaman stepped back from the paladins because they were not in great numbers. This small army was here to cause as much damage as they can so the army will have it easy to invade the city. But it will not matter if he comes first…

"Cursed humans! Brothers, Attack!"

"For the Emperor!" shouted a musculous Octaman to give courage to his fellow comrades.

They clashed again and the Octaman were more aggressive this time. An Octaman punched a paladin meters away, killing him. Another one shot some black liquid from his mouth and fell on the face of a priest.

"GAAAAAAAAAHHH!"

The face of the priest was melting. His black hair was burned, his eyeballs fell and even the skull was melting. He now looked like a burned tree stump. The Octaman were still dangerous but they were having problems with the summoned angels. They had never fought these beings before and the flashy thing that the humans that wore robes released was unknown to them. The Fireball thing was very dangerous and killed them on spot.

Remedios was having an epic fight with a white Octaman. Every strike she landed was blocked by the fists of the Octaman.

[Holy Strike]

The divine power did nothing against the massiv Octaman and it made him confused.

"But-But this should have killed you!"

Remedios was shocked that her strike was not effective. Every non-human in her eyes was evil and that strike should have killed him, but that white Octaman had a positive karma, so her technique was useless.

"HAAAAA!"

The white Octaman was about to punch Remedios, but she blocked it with her sword. That strike sent her a few meters away. This was a strong one.

Remedios went towards the sea demihuman and was about to strike her again.

[Flow Acceleration]

The female warrior disappeared from his vision. He observed around for a moment and-

"Khu!"

The white Octaman felt pain. On his chest, the blade of a sword could be seen. Remedios was behind him and had penetrated his body with her holy sword. Remedios the White was victorious. The sea warriors fell on the ground and Remedios returned to help the paladins.

[Holy Ray]

Calca released her spell. The rays of light pierced many Octaman. As a 4th tier spell, it was very strong and unknown for the Octaman. They did not know how to defend themselves from this.

The bodies of the angels spread light and because of that, Calca saw something coming from the sky.

GET AWAY! GET AWAY!

All the paladins heard their queen and ran after her. The strange object fell on the plaza and killed all the Octaman there, and the angels that stayed behind to buy the paladins some time to escape from that place.

Calca returned again to see what happened. All of the Octaman were dead and that object was a…

"The Tower of Silica!"

All of them were shocked seeing the tower of a fortress that lays near the great river of Roha on the north of Houburns not far away from here. Who or what could throw this large tower so easily?

Something was not right. The land was shaking moment after moment and the walls of the building were beginning to crack. Something was approaching and it was like an earthquake.

"What is going on?!"

Suddenly, upon the city fell a long tentacle thing destroying countless buildings. And another fell, another one, another one causing dust and smoke to rise.

"RRAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHH!"

The terrifying roar spread like a shock wave, breaking the windows of every building. Calca and her paladins could see it as the creature passed the wall. No that could not be called a wall for that thing but just a fence.

Calca thanked the gods that her citizens had escaped immediately. If they would have been her, it would have been real chaos.

"What in the world is that thing?!"

It was 450 feet tall and had ten legs like crabs. The body was massiv and had an exoskeleton like armor. The face was frightening and had sharp teeths. The light of the moon gave him a majestic form of a Demon God.

"We-We have no chances against that monster!"

"Whe are going to die!"

"Gods have mercy!"

The paladins were horrified by this monster. Every step he took caused an earthquake. There is no way they could fight him. The humans are just ants before him.

The monster was far away from the plaza but he had heard them. He turned his four eyes and saw the Holy Queen. Of course he did not know who that punny human was.

The monster opened his arms.

"I am Kraken! The Oceanic Emperor. Look upon me and despair, oh humans!" Kraken introduced himself to the world.

The Emperor had captured many objects with his tentacles. Calca was beginning to understand what he intended to do.

"Let's get away from here! Quickly!"

The army of the paladins were heading to another gate. Kraken threw all the objects he had on his tentacles upon the city. It was like a rain of huge rocks trees, buildings and pieces of walls. Everywhere was chaos and the paladins were trying to hide house to house till they reached the gate.

"Don't look back!"

All of them heard their queen and did not see behind the hell that was happening. Some paladins and soldiers got crushed under the huger rocks coming from the sky and Calca could do nothing to help them.

Houburns was lost. The Holy Kingdom will get crushed by this colossal monster that destroys cities like sand castles.

Kraken reached the royal castle and sat upon it. It looked now like a throne to him.

"I am the Holy Emperor now. Everything belongs to me! Bring me humans Octaman." demanded Kraken

The army of millions of Octaman entered inside the city and brought dead humans that had been killed on the other invaded cities and villages around the Holy Kingdom. All the Octaman kneeled and prayed to their God Emperor. Kraken grabbed the human corpses and devoured them.

Truly, the Holy Kingdom was lost. The coasts of the nation had been invaded by the imperial army north, west and south.

Calca was out of the city and was heading to the people that were waiting upon the mountains. These monsters will not stop till they have everything on their control.

Calca cannot save the Holy Kingdom. She needs help immediately or everything will be crushed by the Oceanic Emperor Kraken.