Chapter 228. Entering India (1)
At present, roughly one-third of India was under Pandemonium’s control.
Western India, closer to Pakistan, belonged to Pandemonium, while most people lived in the east or along the coast.
Kang Yujin, Seok Taejun, Lee Jukheon, and Joo Minha had also arrived in eastern India.
“Why are there so many people?”
“I heard India’s population didn’t decrease that much even after Pandemonium invaded.”
“So that’s why it feels this crowded? Their territory shrank, but the population stayed about the same.”
“Indian cities already had high population density even before all this. It’s probably gotten worse.”
The four of them talked as they walked through the streets.
They were currently in Kolkata, a major city in eastern India.
As Ma Taesu had promised, the Black Dragon Society had provided all the vehicles and supplies needed for the journey.
Even so, the route had been much longer and rougher than expected, making the trip exhausting.
“The person we’re meeting... rules over all these people?”
“Yes. Apparently she’s the most powerful person in India.”
One reason Kang Yujin’s group had come to India was because the Indian government had repeatedly requested support from China.
That request had eventually reached them through Ma Taesu.
“Sherawat... she’s the Contractor of the S-rank Constellation ‘Pure-White Hero,’ right?”
"..."
At Joo Minha’s words, Kang Yujin fell silent for a moment.
He remembered Saionji Keito, who had once been contracted with the ‘Pure-White Hero.’
“Welcome, members of the Golden Ram Order.”
When they entered the Victoria Memorial in central Kolkata, a woman dressed in traditional Indian clothing came forward to greet them.
“My name is Sherawat. I am responsible for this city of Kolkata.”
Sherawat, currently the most powerful person in India, appeared to be a woman in her forties.
Her expression carried authority, and confidence could be heard in her voice.
“It is an honor to welcome the members of the Golden Ram Order who liberated East Asia.”
They were guided to their seats, and tea was prepared immediately.
Sitting across from them, Sherawat began speaking in a calm voice.
“As you have probably already heard, there are no fewer than five Demon God-class demons in India.”
“Five...”
“Moloch, Barbatos, Glasya-Labolas, Marchosias, and Dantalion. Every one of them is a powerful demon.”
“I understand that all of them are hostile toward humans.”
“Yes. That is correct.”
At Seok Taejun’s words, Sherawat nodded with a dark expression.
“I heard that in Korea, humans even trade with demons who are friendly toward humanity.”
“Yes, that’s right.”
“Something like that is unimaginable in India. To those creatures, humans are nothing more than prey.”
“Prey...”
“Even after Pandemonium’s invasion stopped, they continued coming into our territory regularly to capture people.”
“Just imagining what happens to those people afterward is horrifying.”
A sigh escaped Sherawat.
“And according to information we obtained recently... they are preparing to launch a full-scale invasion again.”
As she spoke, Sherawat unfolded a map.
Large arrows had been drawn from Pandemonium-controlled western India toward the east.
“That is why we are asking for help from all of you, who have already defeated as many as four Demon God-class demons.”
Sherawat bowed deeply.
“The people here don’t know that Constellations are supposed to descend, right?”
“No. Mr. Ma Taesu said the same thing.”
“And they’re still asking us to defeat five Demon God-class demons? Isn’t that a little shameless?”
“India has Contractors of its own. They probably don’t expect us to do everything.”
After the meeting with Sherawat ended...
Kang Yujin’s group was escorted to accommodations prepared in advance.
The Contractors of the Golden Ram Order who had traveled with them to India were also resting there.
“Anyway, if Mr. Ma Taesu’s information is reliable, we won’t be fighting alone.”
Seok Taejun scratched his head.
“I don’t know how the Constellations are supposed to appear, but if they really show up and fight alongside us, there shouldn’t be much of a problem.”
“That part about not knowing how they’ll appear is the biggest problem.”
Lee Jukheon spoke indifferently while lying across the bed.
“Is there really no more detailed information?”
“There’s nothing we can do. Getting reliable information from foreign countries is extremely difficult.”
Neighboring countries connected by land were one thing.
Getting up-to-date information from somewhere as far away as Europe was extremely difficult.
“Kang Yujin, how do you think you’ll feel if we actually get to fight shoulder-to-shoulder with our Constellation?”
"..."
Lee Jukheon nudged him with his foot, but Kang Yujin didn’t answer.
He was too busy staring into a mirror.
“Joo Minha, does my fringe look weird?”
“It looks fine.”
“How long are you going to keep staring into that mirror?! It’s not like you’re meeting a woman!”
Lee Jukheon shouted and kicked Kang Yujin in the back.
“We’re meeting him in person. I can’t show up looking sloppy.”
“It’s not like you’re meeting him today!”
“We don’t know when he’ll appear.”
“Even so, I doubt he’s going to show up today.”
Seok Taejun chuckled from the side.
“Besides, aren’t Constellations constantly watching us anyway? I’m not sure fixing your hair now changes anything.”
“Should I start going to a salon every day?”
“Hey, you’re joking, right? You’re not serious. Right?”
“Still, I am kind of looking forward to it.”
“Thinking we might actually see our Constellation in person.”
“Right?”
“Well... I feel the same way.”
Everyone here had received help from the Nameless King in one form or another.
The thought of meeting him face-to-face...
naturally made them excited.
“I wonder what he looks like.”
“He’ll definitely look sacred.”
“What does ‘looking sacred’ even mean?”
“I don’t know...”
“But we don’t even know what country he came from, so it’s hard to imagine.”
“That’s true.”
As they continued talking, Joo Minha spoke.
“Come to think of it, we still don’t know our Constellation’s true name.”
"..."
The room suddenly went quiet.
“Now that you mention it... is that common?”
“Constellations don’t usually tell Contractors their true names directly, but in most cases you can guess from their Constellation title.”
“Really? I still don’t know the true name of the D-rank Constellation I used to be contracted with.”
Seok Taejun’s former Constellation had been called the ‘Nephew of the Greatest Hero.’
