Chapter 186 – What Is Etched Into History
===================
Translated by Heavenly Cat
Read it only at Novelbyu.com & Utoon.net
===================
The Empire.
The capital, Antonium, attracted many talented people. But not so much mages. Those with the most remarkable talent on the continent headed to the Mage Tower.
The commonly circulated saying that a proficient mage from the Mage Tower could be revered as a high-ranking mage outside the tower held true.
The Empire’s highest-ranking mage, Nash William.
Nash bit his nails in a corner.
He thought of his one and only older brother, Banshee William.
‘Brother……’
When he was young.
His brother had been praised as someone with talent rivaling even the Fire Dragon.
His brother, who was not the least bit timid no matter where he went.
His brother Banshee, who always showed a composed dignity beyond his years.
Although Nash did not have talent enough to enter the Mage Tower like his brother, he did his best.
Day and night he pored over magic tomes, accumulating knowledge about magic in various fields.
And his ability was recognized, leading him to the position of the Empire’s highest-ranking mage.
But today, Nash.
Was feeling the limits of himself.
‘What am I to do, brother……!’
He missed his brother especially keenly today.
He had every reason to.
In front of the Emperor’s audience chamber.
Ministers came to the corner and whispered to him.
“Sir Nash, can you make sense of this?”
No.
I really have no idea.
Nash felt irresponsible words surging up his throat.
Just what!
Was that spirit currently having an audience with His Majesty?
Elegance itself.
The dignity flowing from its appearance was enough that one would not be amiss in calling it a Spirit King.
Right, giving fifty concessions, let’s say the Spirit King had exceptionally made an appearance.
The problem was that its form.
Was visible to everyone, including himself!
The most basic of basics in spirit magic.
The fact that spirit magic is a magic for the chosen ones. Because very demanding conditions had to be met to witness a spirit in its natural state.
‘But for it to be visible to everyone….’
It meant the spirit was a contracted spirit, one that had formed a contract with someone.
Nash felt as if his entire being was collapsing.
‘To have formed a contract with a Spirit King!’
What kind of mage in the world could manage that?
Perhaps would my brother Banshee know?
This unworthy younger brother cannot even guess.
Nash, who was lamenting, came to his senses.
Anyway, this was good news.
Nash gave a dry cough and said.
“It appears that the god has not abandoned the Empire.”
The ministers whispered among themselves.
“…we asked about the spirit, what are you talking about?”
Brother Banshee!
Unlike you, it seems this younger brother still lacks composure……
Nash, who swallowed a sigh, added.
“The spirit brought the banner that Sir Harkon received from His Majesty as a gift before his northern expedition. It seems that spirit has come to His Majesty with news of Sir Harkon and the Lionheart Knights.”
The ministers’ expressions finally brightened.
“Was that banner really that important?”
“Does this mean Sir Harkon is alive?”
“You should have said so sooner, Sir Nash!”
The ministers’ voices piercing his ears.
Nash’s eyes became distant.
‘Brother Banshee, where did you disappear to along with the Mage Tower? I do not think I am suited to being a bureaucrat. Please, if you would at least accept this unworthy younger brother Nash as a novice mage……’
It was right then, as Nash was lamenting his own situation.
Click
The doors to the audience chamber opened wide.
The Emperor’s voice flowed out.
“Everyone may enter.”
“……!!!”
Generals, ministers, and finally Nash stepped into the audience chamber.
There, a spirit was still floating in the air with an elegant posture.
The Emperor opened his mouth.
“The spirit’s name is Hiel……”
…Hiel, you say?
To be sure, there was no Spirit King by that name in any texts.
Even as Nash was thinking this, the words continued.
“…… Chrysiad Four Season Leaf.”
Just a moment, Your Majesty?
Forgive my impertinence, but are you certain of what you heard?
Is that truly the spirit’s name?
One cannot judge a spirit’s rank by its name, but it was an appearance and name that was clearly extraordinary by anyone’s reckoning. A hunch began to sprout.
Nash had no choice once again but to look for his brother.
‘…Brother, perhaps there is also a Spirit Emperor above the Spirit King?’
This insufficient younger brother does not know.
Nash bowed his head, but the Emperor calmly continued speaking. Of course, Nash hastily snapped his head up in shock at the continuing words before long.
“Th, the Mage Tower?”
The Mage Tower.
The Mage Tower where his brother resided is safe, apparently.
And not only that.
“Sir Harkon and the Lionheart Knights as well…?”
“Frost has not disappeared without a trace?!”
“Of course. Holy City Muon, the goddess’s holy land, could never fall!”
Those who had disappeared without a trace from the continent are alive, apparently.
Even if it be in a different world from the Arcana continent.
They are alive and breathing, apparently.
The Emperor opened his mouth.
“I do not know how you will regard me.”
That is what Hiel, the spirit, said.
That there exists a ‘rift’ connecting the Arcana continent and the world of adventurers.
It could not be understood immediately, but for now it was enough.
“Shamefully, I found myself breathing a sigh of relief.”
As the Emperor, he should have blamed himself for being unable to protect them.
For not realizing it.
Yet the swelling emotion was too much to suppress.
But the Emperor did not forget his duties.
“Moreover, the truly unbelievable tale begins now.”
Right.
He had to convey the heroic tales that Hiel had delivered.
Because it would be a waste to know only to himself.
“Listen. Let the scribe record everything without omission.”
Rustle
Soon, the Emperor’s words began to be inscribed on parchment.
“You mean they saved Frost, which had fallen into the clutches of a Demon King? The adventurers who had hidden their identities on the Arcana continent risked their lives and…?”
“The Mage Tower, those high-and-mighty mages, have begun to move. They would not bend to your Majesty’s words, nor the commands of the previous generation, nor anyone’s order…!!”
“To think the dwarves are helping the Empire, helping humanity……”
Those unbelievable pieces of news were all becoming history officially recognized by the Emperor. Included in that was also what had happened just yesterday.
“The dozens of feudal lords under Grand Duke Ymir, who had surrounded Antonium. And the withdrawal of Shegwin, the Sword Saint and Grand Sword Master, as well……”
Scratch-scratch-scratch
In the middle of the quill pen writing without pause.
Someone among the subjects spoke.
It was not that they dared to doubt the Emperor’s words.
“Your Majesty, this is an achievement that is difficult to believe easily.”
“Hm.”
The Emperor nodded.
Indeed, one might think that.
But here there was the greatest assurance of all.
Flutter!
The Emperor unfolded the banner.
The Lionheart’s symbol, the banner bearing a lion.
On its back, characters written in different handwriting.
『Jesica Bright.
Enoch Loren.
Kazet Honor……』
The last Knight Commander, Harkon.
These were the names of the Lionheart Knights.
The man who had raised the doubt carefully examined those names.
Soon, his eyes reddened.
Not wanting to be disappointed by false hope, he had doubted.
But there was no mistaking it.
This handwriting…
“…Kazet, my son. You are safe.”
It was unmistakably his son’s.
“Forgive me, Your Majesty. I withdraw my doubts.”
The Emperor once again examined the final passage.
『I pray for your wellbeing, my liege.』
How could I ever forget your handwriting, Harkon.
The Lionheart Knights who set out on a northern expedition.
After they had disappeared without a trace, the Emperor had continuously blamed himself.
‘I have gone over the pledge you presented countless times and regretted it.’
Yet such an Emperor.
‘It became something in vain, yet that is precisely why I am glad, Harkon.’
Was now smiling.
From those lips, words continued.
“And since all these achievements originated from a single man, have the scribe record his name accurately.”
“……!!!”
Gulp!
In the tension.
“The Empire’s savior.”
That name.
“A single ray of light within the boundlessly deep darkness.”
Rang out from the Emperor’s lips.
“Lee Ho-yeol.”
*
Indeed, one comes to viscerally feel that time on the Arcana continent is faster than reality.
Click
The moment I set down the teacup with the teabag steeping in it, my vision flickered.
[Your relationship with the capital, Antonium has dramatically increased.]
[Your influence in the capital, Antonium has dramatically increased.]……
Harkon and the Lionheart Knights’ banner.
It seemed Hiel had successfully delivered the news to the Emperor.
But Hiel……
You, what news did you deliver and how?
The increase in relationship and influence, I had expected that.
Setting aside the circumstances.
At any rate I had succeeded in driving out the rebel forces including Shegwin.
As if to prove it, the quest objective was updated too.
[Main Quest: Warring States Period]
A time of upheaval.
Is what they pursue a mere power?
Is it the Emperor’s incompetence?
Or perhaps an irresistible fate?
The powerful of the continent covet the imperial throne.
Your choices will create a new current.
─Defend Antonium. (Success)
As a result I saved the Empire from crisis.
I expected that level of quest reward, is what I’m saying.
But the degree of this is excessive, isn’t it?!
[Your favorability with the Empire has reached its maximum value.]
Maximum already?!
Hiel’s past record suddenly coming to mind.
I, who had an enormous amount of needless hype built up among the dwarves because of Hiel’s loose lips which are the spitting image of Granfel’s, have felt this before. I could sense it intuitively.
‘You salted this one heavily again, Hiel.’
…right, what has already been spilled cannot be undone, so let me think positively.
Simply.
At least the D.End did not step forward, right? That alone is something.
“At last, that wretched scheme has come to nothing.”
……saying the word ‘bubbles’ without any sense of guilt pricking at you.
As expected, Granfel’s shamelessness grows thicker day by day.
But it is not over until it is over.
One more quest that was updated.
[Quest: A Pointless Endeavor]
Shegwin considered demon hunting a pointless endeavor.
Converse with Shegwin,
and discern the truth behind his actions.
─Encounter Shegwin. (Success)
─Find the connection between Shegwin and demons. (Success)
─Hunt the True Name Demon, Shegwin. (In Progress)
Shegwin was not possessed by a demon.
He had fallen into corruption of his own accord, becoming a demon himself.
It seemed he thought he had simply regained his youth, but those jet-black pupils were those of a demon. Above all, what better proof than the [Natural Enemy] activating.
The Sociality of Space-Time.
Because of its rules, succeeding at the quest was out of reach.
I blurted out.
“Rules that are not rational will need to be revised.”
I am vehemently against it, even if you do not know why, Granfel.
Because Shegwin is a demon.
Even if I could somehow struggle through with the boost from [Natural Enemy].
The other Transcendents were there.
This mouth of mine that blurts out things it should and shouldn’t!
Above all, Granfel had no reason to look favorably on Transcendents.
Honestly, they looked petty to my eyes too.
Strong as they are.
To stand by and do nothing while the Arcana continent was laid to waste by demons.
‘Though there might be circumstances like the Mage Tower.’
As if Granfel would take those circumstances into account!!
This time it was Shegwin who was the target.
Even if I could let it slide this time, the next time…?
‘Just imagining it is dreadful.’
Suddenly telling Transcendents they have no dignity.
Imagining myself giving them a dressing-down!!
I am once again immensely grateful to the procedures of the social gathering.
‘Of course, you are the exception, Shegwin.’
Not being possessed and having his body taken, but becoming a demon of his own accord?
And it’s not like there was some grand purpose either.
Just to regain youth?!
“More foolish than anything.”
As for someone else.
Just hearing the word immortality.
They shudder at the thought of being tormented by dark history for the rest of their lives!!
Shegwin, you are…
‘…enviably fortunate beyond measure.’
Even I cannot forgive you at that level.
Granfel’s feelings need no explanation.
There is no way a powerhouse the caliber of Shegwin would lose his life to anyone.
Meaning that eventually we will clash again.
‘Do not get carried away just because you unlocked the Circle.’
The Circle that amplifies magic manifestation by 1,000 percent.
But Shegwin was also a Transcendent.
Meaning I cannot know what kind of effect he would unleash with swordsmanship and Sword Force. The one certain thing is that it would have an effect no less ferocious than the Circle.
‘Ultimately, I have to prepare.’
In my own way.
I have to make preparations in every direction without fail.
Naturally, swordsmanship is included in that.
Suddenly, the thought of Shegwin’s famous sword crosses my mind.
It did look quite impressive.
Well, it doesn’t seem like my weapon will fall behind it either.
“I look forward to the day we meet again, Ghost Iron.”
No less than the best blacksmith among the dwarves, Wallsweil, is forging an Ego Equipment! So what is needed is a swordsmanship ability and physical vessel worthy of the equipment.
And I know a fine teacher who can pass that down.
No, they are not someone close enough to be called a teacher, but…
I did not delay.
Scratch
I picked up the quill pen without hesitation.
The recipient was the Master of the Explorer Alliance, Fabian Delon.
The purpose was the Explorer Alliance’s magic tool, the [Hellfire Torch].
.
.
.
──────
Legacy of Akshan: Summons an Akshan Demon Hunter from the hellfire.
──────