The Legendary Apostle

The road was peaceful, marking the triumphant return of the Knight's Order, but suddenly, disaster struck. A highly respected Knight had died.

If someone is merely praised by nobles, they are likely quite hypocritical. However, if even commoners genuinely respect them, it means that person is truly worthy of respect.

Many civilians in the city heard the news of En Edwin's death. "Heavens, how could such a righteous Knight die?"

This winter was destined to be shrouded in gloom, but the old Sword Saint had no time to mourn. He had already retrieved the [Hero's Sword]. Regrettably, he, the Sword Saint of this year, was not the one recognized by the holy sword.

When he was younger, he had gone to the Outland to confirm this. He couldn't pull the sword out. The massive stone block seemed sealed by some powerful restriction, impossible to destroy. They could only transport the stone block and the holy sword back to the Imperial City.

If humanity were to fall once more, and a true Hero were to appear, perhaps there would still be hope. Therefore, they absolutely could not let this sword fall into the hands of the demon race.

"I must see Your Majesty, and the Pope. This matter concerns the survival of humanity and must be addressed immediately." The aged Sword Saint had already arrived at the Imperial Palace. The Demon King's awakening meant that a Hero must exist, so he needed to select the Hero as quickly as possible.

A person's talent and lifespan are both limited. If he couldn't end all this within his lifetime, it would be a betrayal of his disciple, En.

"Lord Sword Saint, what is so urgent that it cannot wait until after Lord Edwin's funeral? Wasn't he your disciple?"

Everyone knew that En Edwin was the most promising disciple of this old Sword Saint. He was the most talented swordsman to appear in many years, and given time, he would surely surpass the old Sword Saint himself.

"I know, but please also know that he was my disciple, and I am honoring his dying wish." The old Sword Saint took a deep breath, his grief and anger compressed within his weathered eyes. This old man had to live longer – 10 years, 20 years, 30 years, until the day he could no longer wield his sword.

He was Sword Saint Eugene, the most outstanding swordsman in the Empire for a hundred years.

"Very well, I understand. I will inform His Majesty immediately. As for the Pope, I believe you know that His Majesty and the Pope have never gotten along."

"I will find a way to handle that, but the selection of the Hero Squad must begin."

"Can't we do as we did before, and wait for talented individuals to grow before making them members of the Hero Squad?" the court official pushed up his glasses.

"Such a Hero could never defeat the current Demon King. If someone can pull that sword, I will pour all my blood into cultivating them." The old Sword Saint stood his ground. This matter had been decided in his heart after they encountered that Blood Demon warrior on their way back.

"What exactly did you encounter? There was no Demon King's Army on the way back, or did an ambush by the Demon King's subordinates intercept you?"

Upon hearing this question, the old Sword Saint instinctively gripped the sword at his waist, but quickly calmed himself. He replied to the person before him, "We encountered a Blood Demon. It had shackles on all four of its limbs, with broken chains and ancient runes on the shackles. It had blood-red pupils and wielded an incredibly overbearing greatsword."

In just a moment of combat, the Knight's Order was scattered.

"Lord Eugene, are you joking? Beings that only appear in religious stories, how could they possibly exist? I recall your Level is 75, did even you lose?"

"He was stronger than me. In the instant we clashed, the other members of the Knight's Order didn't even leave behind bodies; they simply dissolved into blood mist."

"But do Apostles truly exist?" The court official's face had changed, losing its previous slow demeanor.

What was an Apostle? It was something he had heard about in stories since childhood. In the face of such powerful beings, any army, no matter how large, seemed fragile.

The current problem was, if the Demon King had even subdued such a legendary monster, how powerful could the Demon King himself be? He couldn't imagine.

He didn't chat further with the Sword Saint, but instead, at the fastest pace, went to notify the Emperor of the Empire. The Gard Empire had been established for 200 years, and such a risk could not be ignored.

The Emperor of the Empire moved quickly. He set aside other work and rushed to the old Sword Saint's side, his expression grave. "Master, is everything you're saying true?"

"Yes, I'm certain. The one we clashed with should be a legendary Apostle. The Imperial Knight's Order, nearly 2000 strong, was the most elite part besides the Royal Knights. Yet, half of them didn't even leave bodies behind. Your Majesty, do you know what I'm saying?"

"I will inquire about this. I will inquire personally. Master, was it really just one person who caused such a tragic outcome? Or did you encounter an attack from the Demon King's Army?" He didn't disbelieve his master who taught him swordsmanship, but as the ruler of a nation, he had to consider more.

Perhaps they were magically deceived by high-level demons and experienced hallucinations. That would be better than a mythical creature arriving in this era.

"Every survivor of the Knight's Order can testify. I am not telling a single lie!" The old Sword Saint was very certain. His mind was clear at the time, because in such a life-or-death battle, one had to cast aside all chaos and draw their sword calmly.

But that powerful being, right before his eyes, killed his disciple. No matter how angry he was, no matter how he struck with his sword, the damage he inflicted was insufficient to kill the [Blood Demon]. This was a legendary Apostle, but now, it had likely become a subordinate of the Demon King.

"Alright, I understand. If we are to select the Hero Squad and begin their training now, when will we be able to defeat the Demon King's Army?"

"I hope it's within my lifetime, Your Majesty. The Empire has been around for 200 years."

"Master Eugene!"

"You are the Emperor now, and I am your subject. You don't need to address me like that."

After a brief silence, the man who was the Emperor composed himself and instructed the court official beside him, "Go and invite the Pope here. This is urgent. Since the Holy Sword has returned, we can begin. What I don't understand is why you insist on starting the Hero selection today. Isn't it too hasty?"

"Because I also saw another Apostle, the legendary [Black Robed Prophet]. It was not long after En's death that I saw him."

The old Sword Saint had not mentioned this to anyone before. He was telling the Emperor now because, as the highest authority in the nation, the Emperor must be informed.

"Did that prophet say that the Hero would be found today? What happened afterward? Didn't you bring the prophet back?" the Emperor asked again.

"Your Majesty, it was raining at the time. He whispered in my ear, but then quickly disappeared into the rain."