Chapter 325 – Even Beasts Recognize Their Owners (1)

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Translated by Heavenly Cat
Read it only at Novelbyu.com & Utoon.net
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Arcana’s common sense.

The effect of a skill did not last long. No matter how strong a buff or debuff it was, it was only for a certain time. Once one got far enough away from the caster, the effect eventually disappeared.

“……Son of a b*tch.”

It had been a long time since false loyalty had run dry.

There was no way to return to reality from the Arcana Continent.
For they had realized it at the point they found out that fact.

“Liu Oujunchun, you son of a b*tch.”

The man they served as a monarch only had the thought of exploiting their loyalty.

In their hearts…… they wanted to stab even their remaining eye with a branch. They didn’t want to share a single scenery of the Arcana Continent or a single one of their senses with Liu Oujunchun.

“Tsk.”

But hadn’t they already paid one eye as a price?

If they completely lost their vision, they would have no means to endure in the unfamiliar Arcana Continent.

Kieeeek!

A bizarre scream was heard from beyond the bushes.

“Damn it.”

The Arcana Continent was still chaotic.

The Demon Kings had been deleted, but not all demon race monsters had disappeared.

Did they think they had no need to walk on eggshells since the kings had disappeared? Or did they want to become kings themselves? Rather, demons big and small formed groups and rummaged through various places on the continent.

“Ptoo.”

Munch, munch.

The man who was chewing on dried-up fruit, Jang An-rim, muttered.

He was curled up tightly, unbefitting his large build.

“How long do we have to stay squashed like this? I’d rather drop dead than drag out my life like this. Even the fact that Liu Oujunchun, that bastard, is peeking at my miserable state makes me so furious I can’t stand it!”

The pale man opposite him, Yong Seong-rak, spoke coldly.

“Consider yourself lucky for this long.”

“What? Lucky?”

“Compared to the five who dropped dead first, haven’t we two been blessed by heaven? Thanks to coincidentally falling not far from each other, even if we have to hunt or chew on grass roots, we’re extending our lives.”

“……”

Jang An-rim, who was about to get angry, tucked his tail.

Yong Seong-rak’s words were not wrong.

If they had been unlucky and isolated alone……

[Man-eating Plant Nepenthes: Lv.530]

[Death Winky: Lv.550]…….

Attacked by monsters encountered in the forest, they would have died away from home early on.

Jang An-rim calmed his excitement and gulped down the fruit.

Then he carefully opened his mouth.

“Then do you have any good ideas?”

Jang An-rim’s own mental power was already on the verge of collapsing. The opposite Yong Seong-rak seemed more likely to make a rational judgment than himself. However, what returned was a shake of the head.

“If I knew, I wouldn’t be doing this.”

“F*ck, same as me. I was wrong to expect anything.”

“But isn’t it time to slowly make our last struggle?”

“……Last struggle?”

“Do you remember? The message that popped up the moment we entered the continent.”

“The message? Of course.”

How could he forget?

Even now, the status window was full of active buffs.

Even without checking the status window, the fact that they were perfectly alive was the proof. They were able to survive in a forest where level 500 monsters poured out because there were all sorts of overpowered buffs.

Tsk, Yong Seong-rak clicked his tongue.

“No, I’m not talking about the buffs.”

“Then what?”

“That everything was the arrangement of the Dark Dragon. I’m asking if you remember the last message.”

“……!”

The super-massive guild, World Unification.

Surviving in a place overflowing with plots and secret feuds, there was only one thing they had gained: the situation judgment ability for survival.

To sum it up in one word: tact.

Jang An-rim swallowed dry saliva.

Then he spoke carefully.

“……Is it what I’m thinking of?”

“Well. I don’t know what you are thinking.”

“No, really……!”

“Haha.”

Yong Seong-rak laughed smoothly and continued.

“The way for us to survive on the Arcana Continent is to head to the Empire. If not that, to at least find a village. You haven’t forgotten, have you? The role cities and villages performed back when Arcana was just a game.”

“I know, I know.”

Jang An-rim nodded his head.

Even an inn in a small village that looked like it could collapse at any moment was safer than a forest or a cave. Moreover, they had to close their eyes even in a shabby inn to avoid various debuffs like [Insomnia] and [Decreased Concentration].

Yong Seong-rak added the reason.

“It’s not just for our lives. If we secure a minimum level of safety and can focus on hunting like in the days when Arcana was just a game? Considering the buffs being applied, leveling up once a day wouldn’t be a dream.”

“One level a day……?”

Gulp─!

‘If it’s one level a day, that’s 30 levels in a month?’

His appetite, ruined by the fishy fruit juice, returned, and vitality flowed into his drooping body. But above all, if they could survive, the fact that they could take revenge on Liu Oujunchun, that son of a b*tch, ignited their motivation.

However, there was the biggest stumbling block.

“That’s why I asked. If you remembered the last message. The problem is not that Liu Oujunchun is peeking at our vision. It’s safe to say the entire Arcana Continent is under Lee Ho-yeol’s influence, in the palm of his hand. And we are practically the only enemies of such Lee Ho-yeol.”

“Damn World Unification……”

Five Stars my foot.

Now that they were freed from Liu Oujunchun’s control, there were no shackles like these shackles. But while chewing over his anger, a question arose. It wasn’t reality, and their faces weren’t known. The guild they belonged to……

“If we make up our minds to hide it, couldn’t we hide it as much as we want?”

As expected, it was the wrong answer.

“Why don’t you recall why we rejoiced.”

“That’s because we thought we were chosen by Liu Oujunchun……”

“Right, because it was a rare opportunity. The Connectors, the only way to enter the Arcana Continent. Lee Ho-yeol possessed one, and World Unification monopolized the remaining seven.”

That meant, inside Arcana, any player Lee Ho-yeol didn’t know belonged to World Unification.

“No, damn World Unification seriously……!”

They were not confident they could hide the fact that they were players from Arcanans. Just as Arcanans looked alien in reality, they would be nothing but foreigners from the perspective of Arcanans.

Yong Seong-rak’s words finally made sense.

“So what’s left is a gamble. Lee Ho-yeol, we have to bet on luck whether he will show mercy to us, who would have been an eyesore to him, or not.
For that’s the only way we can survive.”

Since they were out of control, Liu Oujunchun might be a different story.

They had no ill feelings toward Lee Ho-yeol. But Lee Ho-yeol’s position would be different. To Lee Ho-yeol, they would be mere mayflies that wouldn’t be satisfying even if he beat them to death.

Jang An-rim and Yong Seong-rak.

The two men ended the conversation with solemn faces.

“When dawn breaks, we have no choice but to toss a coin.”

And the next day, the two men moved as planned.

During that, they realized……

“……Hahahaha.”

That the goddess of fortune was still on their side for now.

[The war for hegemony over the continent begins.]

[Golden Maxima declares war on the Empire.]

[Forest Yugrick declares war on the Empire.]

[Valor Cansel declares war on the Empire.]

[Thrill Akamond declares war on the Empire.]

War quest.

It was even a declaration of war toward the Empire.

Does that mean……?

Jang An-rim opened his mouth, half in doubt.

“Th-These forces, the Empire! So it means they are Lee Ho-yeol’s enemies?”

“Right.”

“……Hey, Yong Seong-rak. Isn’t this an opportunity for us?”

Nod.

“That’s also right.”

Along with Shining, they, World Unification, were the ones who had possessed the most war experience in the Chronicles of the Arcana Continent. Thanks to that, the two men knew very well what kind of rewards a war quest brought.

Yong Seong-rak opened his mouth quietly.

“In a war quest, the winning side takes everything……”

The deliberation was not long.

“Isn’t it better to earn according to our abilities rather than gambling?”

──────

I headed straight to the Empire.

A situation where war was declared.

In my heart, I wanted to open a portal to the Emperor’s palace. Could a body that values procedures do that? I stood upright in front of the main gate of Antonium, the capital of the Empire.

‘When I first entered, I literally put on a show.’

……What was there to be proud of?

To prove I was the Dark Dragon, I had materialized the Legend of the Dark Dragon, and even marched majestically amidst the cheers of the people. Anyway, I did all sorts of embarrassing things in the world.

Of course, there was no need for that today.

“Open the gate!”

The guard who recognized me shouted simultaneously with a salute.

After that, well, it was smooth sailing.

It wasn’t as much as the past, but Antonium had regained an appearance befitting a capital.

Clop-clop─

Restoration of procedures.

It meant they now had the luxury to escort guests to the Imperial Palace in a carriage.

Thanks to that, I agonized in the swaying carriage.

‘Is this okay?’

The 4 Families’ declaration of war must have been conveyed to the Empire as well. The bustle felt from the scenery passing by the carriage window was the proof. I wondered if it was right to be treated as an honored guest in the midst of that……

A shameless impression popped out.

“One should refrain from excessive fuss over a minor disturbance.”

……Of course you would think so, absolutely!

I’d rather keep my mouth shut than suffer from my loose tongue.

Eventually, I arrived at the Imperial Palace. Only after coming face to face with the Emperor did I open my mouth again. The Emperor did not stay on the magnificent imperial throne, nor did he stand in his place; he hurriedly walked out to welcome me.

“I do not know how to repay the grace you have bestowed, O Dark Dragon. As the Emperor of the Empire, I convey my infinite gratitude.”

If you are truly grateful, first…… could you please start by refraining from calling me Dark Dragon?

The reason the Emperor of the Empire conveyed his profound gratitude to me was simple.

‘Honestly, it was worth receiving greetings.’

Akshan’s decisive battle weapon, the Quernberg Mechanical Tower.

To help the reconstruction of the Empire, I had deployed the mechanical towers centering on Antonium. Wasn’t it the Quernberg Mechanical Tower that had played a great role even on the Arcana Continent where demons, including Demon Kings, were running wild triumphantly?

But the presence of the Quernberg Mechanical Tower on the Arcana Continent where Demon Kings were deleted and swallowed by the Omen, even the Demon Eyes in the night sky closed their eyes, and only mediocre demons ran wild not knowing their place?

I didn’t even need to say it.

“I have received a message that the Empire’s scouts have reached the territory farthest from the Empire, the village of Dredsen. Since it became ruins, it cannot be restored in a short time, but that news has been an immeasurably great strength to the people of the Empire.”

The scouts reached the village of Dredsen at the edge of the imperial territory.

Security in areas closer than Dredsen?

It meant it was secured early on.

The Emperor continued.

“I have also heard the news that new forces have appeared on the Arcana Continent. From the perspective of the Empire, which had already unified the continent, it must not be welcome news. However.”

The corners of the Emperor’s mouth went up slightly.

“I, as the Emperor, found myself rejoicing. Regardless of whether they become a threat to the Empire or not. It must mean that the Arcana Continent has finally become like the Arcana Continent again. I also heard the news that this was the arrangement of the Dark Dragon.”

Ah, that goddamn Dark Dragon really!

“I thank you once again.”

By the way, even hearing polite speech from the Emperor should have been burdensome. Was it because I exchanged conversations with the President in reality? If not, had my iron face grown thicker? It wasn’t as ticklish as before.

Thanks to that, I could abruptly bring up the main point.

“Is that all you have to say?”

“……!”

The Emperor clearly looked like I had hit the nail on the head.

His small smile was suddenly tinged with bitterness.

A momentary silence, then the Emperor opened his mouth.

“I apologize. There is no way the Dark Dragon, who observes the continent from behind, could not have noticed. You are correct. The 4 Families, they have declared war on the Empire. Of all times, when the Empire sprouted the seed of hope……”

Yeah, I thought it was absurd too.

Even so, there’s such a thing as business ethics.

4 Families, you guys weren’t even deleted and restored.

What’s the reason for staying still and then declaring war at a timing like this?

‘It’s absolutely not because I’m sensitive about my dark history.’

Let’s see…… right! It was because it was an action pride absolutely could not tolerate.

However, somehow the Emperor’s reaction was unusual.

What position did the Empire hold on the Arcana Continent?

To the point where it wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say they practically unified the Arcana Continent where war never ceased. It was an Empire boasting a vast territory. What that meant was simple.

The Empire was bellicose, unwavering, merciless to enemies, and brave. We don’t have to look far. We can know just by looking at the rebellion that occurred not long ago.

Centered around the Sword Saint Shegwin.

Nobles and private soldiers who planned the fall of Antonium.

That battle was clearly the Empire’s disadvantage to anyone’s eyes.

Even estimating it without the transcendent being, Shegwin, it was the same.
For there weren’t even 10,000 intact soldiers left in the Empire that had been hacked to pieces by demons. However, it was the Empire and the Emperor who had not backed down despite an overwhelming disadvantage.

Compared to then, the situation was much better now.

‘Why is he so intimidated?’

If the 4 Families were realized, those settings would also be realized.

So I understand up to the point of not being confident of victory.

Nevertheless, the Empire and Emperor I knew were not ones to give up before even fighting.

The Emperor closed his eyes gently.

“……Has the time come, my ancestors.”

Soon, he opened his eyes, looked at me, and continued speaking.

“I believe the ancestors will understand as well. Shouldn’t there be no secrets the Empire hides from the Dark Dragon, the savior of the Empire?”

A secret to hide.

I wondered what it was.

This, it was a truly big secret.

“The Imperial Family, Seric Rose. The reason Rose could occupy the Arcana Continent and the imperial throne was not because they were strong. It would be absurd to unify the Empire with the fragile thorns of Rose.”

The Emperor laughed out loud.

“That is correct. The reason Seric Rose could become the Emperor was simply because they wished for it. The 4 Families, they…… so perhaps the time has indeed come.”

It was a hollow laugh, as if he had given up on everything.

“They must think the time has come to pull down the puppet they seated as they pleased in the past and reclaim their throne. As the practical owners of the Empire, they intend to reclaim that position.”

……No, wait a minute.

I couldn’t follow what he was talking about.

The 4 Families, they were that powerful?!

Actually, it might not have been a strange thing.

Since I couldn’t grasp everything even about the realized actions of Claudi.

But even while I hadn’t fully grasped the situation, I could be confident about this one thing.

The 4 Families were the owners of the Empire?

……No, then what am I?

I, Claudi, am the owner of those 4 Families?!

Soon, my feelings were expressed in Granfel-style speech.

“Even beasts recognize their owners.”

With an exceedingly chilling voice.

“It seems you have been possessed by a demon.”