Chapter 326 – Even Beasts Recognize Their Owners (2)

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Translated by Heavenly Cat
Read it only at Novelbyu.com & Utoon.net
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It was always like this.

Memories that had been fuzzy only became clear once a situation arose.

The setting of the Four Families came to mind.

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Maxima’s wealth came from Midas’s Jewel. Those who served Maxima were guaranteed immense wealth, and those who fought for Maxima were armed with armor adorned with gold. The overflowing wealth called the strong of the continent to Maxima’s territory, and Maxima did not refuse such people. That was the origin of Maxima’s Golden Elites.

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Golden Maxima.

To summarize, an incredibly large fortune was Maxima’s ability. Indeed, the saying that money solved everything in the world didn’t exist for nothing. It was to the point where it was said that if they failed, it was because the amount was insufficient.

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Yugrick’s generous mercy was enough to comfort the wounded. Even if they were the twins of the Sun and Moon, heartbroken and abandoned by heaven. The twins, saved by Yugrick, did their best to repay the grace, passing judgment on those who defied Yugrick.

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Forest Yugrick.

To put it simply, this person had a lot of good people around him. Above all, the twins of the Sun and Moon were reliable mercenaries that could not be bought even with billions of gold.

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Cansel took courage and headed to his hometown, the vast northern nature. It was the providence of nature to follow a strong leader. The majority of the northern barbarians served Cansel as their leader and followed him.

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Valor Cansel.

This one was a half-human, half-beast. He wasn’t just any animal; the setting was that half was a legendary beast. Thanks to that, it was faithful to the detail of being worshipped like a god by the barbarians.

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Prosperity followed the footsteps left by Akamond. A gold mine was discovered in an insignificant village, which soon prospered into a city, and the mercenaries hired by Akamond also came to possess martial power comparable to most knights in just a few months.

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Akamond of the Shudder.

The Akamond family’s ability was just as overpowered as the rest. Comparing it to a player, it meant it was no different from casting all sorts of wide-area buffs on those around him.

As one could see, the Four Families were all amazing.

So I could understand why even the Empire couldn’t be confident of victory. But what was that? The position of the Emperor wasn’t something achieved, but rather thanks to the Four Families seating him there?

‘How had it been realized?’

I couldn’t get a handle on my rampaging dark history.

In a way, it was natural.

The aftermath of the Claudi manifestation alone was overwhelming enough to handle.

Tracing back and guessing the tracks left by the Four Families?

‘If I knew that, I’d be a shaman.’

But what was certain was this.

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

That was absolutely not Claudi’s will.

Someone would ask.

If the abilities of the Four Families were real, wasn’t it okay to withdraw their loyalty to Claudi? Wasn’t it implausible from the start that such beings were serving Claudi?

If so, I would answer.

Do you think a dark history is called ‘history’ for nothing?!

That was right.

To the extent that it could be called a history.

Only by adding flesh to a nonsensical setting to secure historical research and plausibility.

Could it finally be called an infinitely deep and dark history.

As for why the Four Families came to grasp such immense abilities.

There was a reason very much like me for that too……!

The Emperor suddenly asked me.

“Even beasts recognize their owners……. Of course, your words are correct. But why did you say such a thing? And what does it mean to be possessed by a demon? May I dare to ask?”

I spat out without a change in expression.

“Because they are abusing it.”

“……What do you mean by abusing?”

“The blessing I bestowed upon them.”

That was right.

In my dark history, the Four Families weren’t even families originally.

They just started as servants 1, 2, 3, and 4 serving the Claudi family, gained freedom by having their abilities recognized, and upon leaving the Claudi territory, they merely received their current names and blessings as gifts.

‘If one were quick-witted, one could have recognized it.’

The abilities the Four Families possessed.

Maxima’s wealth.

Yugrick’s mercy.

Cansel’s valor.

Akamond’s influence.

All of that was overflowing for the Claudi family.

In other words, Claudi had just handed over what was overflowing.

To the Four Families……!

‘Truly amazing self-consciousness, Ho-yeol.’

Just sharing what overflowed from Claudi’s vast vessel.

You’re saying the Four Families became the practical owners of the Empire that unified the Arcana Continent, maintained their power even now when demons sprang out, and had now become monsters marching toward the Empire?

“You bestowed a blessing upon them……? Are you by any chance speaking of the Four Families? Does that mean you knew about the Four Families? I cannot believe it. It’s not that I doubted you, but I couldn’t even imagine it.”

I observed the Emperor’s extremely low-class reaction.

From the looks of it, it seemed he didn’t even know the relationship between Claudi and the Four Families. No, from the start, the Emperor didn’t seem to know much about Claudi properly. It was understandable.

‘Currently on the continent, only a very few knew about Claudi.’

Dragons, elves, Great Evils, Mary, and so on.

Those who lived through eons or witnessed Claudi’s end were the ones who grasped Claudi’s true nature and reputation. Of course, what was important was not Claudi’s greatness.

‘……It’s better not to know about Claudi.’

Please, I hoped he wouldn’t even be curious about my dark history.

To do that, I couldn’t stay still.

I shouldn’t even give him time to think.

I immediately opened my mouth.

“So leave it to me.”

“!”

Perplexity crept into the agonizing Emperor’s face.

“Why do you say such a thing? I do not know what kind of connection the Dark Dragon has with the Four Families. But I cannot do that. As the Emperor, I……”

“Are you truly confident, Emperor?”

“……!”

He must have known himself that he had to step onto the battlefield as the Emperor to protect the Empire and its people. But what was showing from the Emperor was not courage, but fear.

“I……”

The Imperial Family, Seric Rose.

From ancestors to descendants.

The cruel truth of the Empire that must have been passed down secretly.

“……I apologize.”

That weight was enough, even for the Emperor.

It was enough to turn him into a man staggering in front of a family’s truth.

Of course, I had no intention of blaming the Emperor.

“You have nothing to apologize for.”

“No, I……”

“Seric Rose, your family is the same.”

“……?”

“I understand your feelings.”

Being shocked by a family secret?

Even if everyone in the world didn’t understand, I would.

I, who somehow ended up acknowledging the position of the Claudi family head.

Must understand generously.

The reality of the Claudi family that I’ll face in the future will absolutely not be easy……!

Besides.

“And this was entirely my responsibility.”

“Your responsibility, what does that mean……?”

“It means it is a burden I must shoulder as the owner.”

How could a meddlesome person who liked to shoulder everything stay still?

In the end, it was Claudi who had given the names and blessings to the Four Families.

So I would take responsibility according to procedure.

The Emperor gently pressed his forehead.

“I apologize again.”

I understood that too.

A situation twisted complexly by Granfel-style speech.

It wouldn’t have been easy to grasp.

But there was nothing to worry about.

‘Slowly.’

Let’s see, calculating the speed at which the parchment flew.

And considering the speed at which the Four Families were marching toward Antonium.

It seemed there would be a bite soon.

*

Ignite Maxima.

The massive man was equipped with resplendent armor.

Among them, the absolute highlight was the giant jewel embedded right in the center of the helmet.

How many carats was that?

No, it seemed faster to calculate by weight.

Since it was a jewel larger than a normal adult man’s fist.

‘……Wouldn’t the price be whatever you call it for something like that?’

Jang An-rim rolled his eyes while bowing his head.

It was dazzlingly radiant everywhere he looked.

Twinkling.

‘I expected it since they declared war on the Empire, but…… what exactly are these incredible troops? Where did such NPCs pop out from? Is it a bug?’

But the question was brief.

Jang An-rim smiled inwardly.

It seemed splitting up was the right decision.

-“I will choose Akamond.”

The four forces that appeared in the quest.

Yong Seong-rak chose Akamond. The reason was simple. Yong Seong-rak’s class was [Blockader], a rare class that could only be acquired in Ericton, a small village in the eastern continent.

-“I have to hope there are school and regional ties on the Arcana Continent, too.”

Akamond was marching toward the Empire from the eastern territory.

He bet his hopes on the possibility that someone who recognized the value of a Blockader like himself might exist on the Akamond side. In contrast, Jang An-rim himself.

‘I have nothing particularly outstanding to show off.’

His class, [Lancer], was neither a rare class nor a hidden class. Unlike Yong Seong-rak, he had no regional, school, or blood ties to rely on. So Jang An-rim had tried to join Akamond following Yong Seong-rak.

However.

-“No. I think it would be better to split up here. If even one of us chooses the correct answer, couldn’t he pull up the one who chose the wrong answer?”

There was nothing logically wrong with Yong Seong-rak’s words. So Jang An-rim chose Maxima reluctantly. But this seemed like an excellent choice.

“Adventurer, I have been interested in you all for a while!”

Ignite Maxima.

The master of Maxima was incredibly hearty.

Jang An-rim bowed his head flatly.

“If you only accept me, I will repay that interest with results.”

“Yes, you are full of motivation. Good to see.”

“Thank you!”

It was on a different level from a son of a b*tch with no roots like Liu Oujunchun.

Didn’t he recognize a talent like me and acknowledge my value?

Jang An-rim swallowed his saliva.

An estimate came to his mind.

‘In this war, Maxima wins unconditionally.’

Even the Empire in its healthy days in the past would have found it insufficient to win a complete victory against this Golden Legion. But wasn’t the current Empire driven to the brink of ruin?

‘If we win, I’ll grasp a massive reward.’

On top of that, with Ignite, this man’s broad-minded personality and wealth.

Even if he achieved moderate merit, receiving chests of gold didn’t seem like it would be a big deal.

Jang An-rim asked for forgiveness internally.

‘Sorry, Yong Seong-rak.’

It was a pity, but he wouldn’t be able to pull him up.

Jang An-rim intuitively felt that Yong Seong-rak was a more outstanding person than himself. If he led such a Yong Seong-rak to Maxima, wouldn’t all his merits be snatched away by Yong Seong-rak?

But as long as Yong Seong-rak wasn’t there.

“It might be presumptuous to say, but Antonium was a city no different from my front yard. I know well how many city gates Antonium has, what buildings are where, and its current power.”

Jang An-rim spat out words, wrapping them up nicely.

“Especially the Lion Heart Knights, who could be called the Emperor’s right arm. They do not exist in Antonium or on the Arcana Continent at this point in time. Because after being swept into a Rift, they have completely settled in our adventurers’ world.”

“Oho. Is that true? That is good news. The Knights of the Lion’s Heart who swing their swords putting their lives as collateral would be a tricky opponent even for the Golden Elites.”

Ignite clapped his hands together.

Jang An-rim smiled wickedly inside.

Look at this, even if they were realized, their roots were NPCs.

‘I can see right through him.’

If the goddess of fortune existed, Jang An-rim was willing to readily offer about one gold coin as a sacrifice from the gold and silver treasures he would receive as a reward from that goddess.

‘……No, a gold coin is a bit much anyway. Let’s make it a silver coin.’

Of course, the shallow faith didn’t last long.

Suddenly.

Ignite stopped clapping and continued.

“Ah, but you see.”

“Yes. Please ask me anything.”

“I had a question for adventurers for a while.”

“A question? If I can resolve it, I will do anything.”

“Oho, will you do that? This, I’m thankful.”

Nod─

Ignite moved his finger.

Similarly, a soldier plastered with gold all over his body stepped forward.

For a moment, Jang An-rim flinched.

‘Suddenly?’

Was he trying to test my martial power? If so, he resolved not to back down. A dozen overpowered buffs were currently applied. Even if it wasn’t many-to-one, he was confident in a one-on-one battle.

However, that too was Jang An-rim’s delusion.

Overlooking the inner thoughts of a human no different from himself.

He had overlooked them as the inner thoughts of a mere NPC.

“I was curious about the authenticity of the rumor since I was cooped up in the west. That is, adventurer, I wanted to check if the blessing you guys possess is real. Why, it’s hard to easily believe, isn’t it?”

“A blessing? What kind of blessing are you referring to?”

“Are you asking because you don’t know?”

Ignite’s pupils flashed fiercely.

“Do you think I, Ignite, would have several questions for a lowly foreigner? The only thing I am curious about from you is one thing. The Blessing of Resurrection. Whether it is true or false.”

“R-Resurrection? What does that mean?!”

“Good, since you also readily agreed, let’s hurry and check!”

“W-Wait……!”

Before Jang An-rim could say anything.

Sling─!

The sword of the Golden Elite shone.

Slash─!

At the same time, a fountain of blood surged from Jang An-rim’s neck. A few drops of blood splashing in all directions splashed on Ignite’s face too, but he didn’t frown even a little.

He just watched.

“What’s this?”

The adventurer, Jang An-rim, who was now nothing but a lump of meat.

“The Authority of Resurrection or whatever, it was all a lie.”

A momentary entertainment on the expedition to the Empire.

Jang An-rim’s life was treated insignificantly like that.

Boredom settled in Ignite’s eyes again.

“It made no sense in the first place, my Lord. How could mere foreigners grasp such an absurd blessing like resurrection?”

At the loyal subject’s comfort, Ignite nodded his head passably. Yes, there were existences that lived through eons, but there were no existences on the Arcana Continent that lived forever.

Even if that was Claudi.

But a mere adventurer resurrecting?

“As expected, it was a nonsensical rumor.”

It was the moment Ignite spat out his impression.

Flutter─

Suddenly, a parchment fluttered in the air. The soldiers drew their swords on guard, but Ignite waved them off with a hand gesture. From the looks of it, it was a letter imbued with magic.

If so……

“It must be only her, Retel Akamond.”

Clenze Yugrick, that playboy, or Smite Cansel, that hairy beast, were far from magic. You plot behind the scenes in a cute way, unlike your haughty appearance, Retel.

The corners of Ignite’s mouth went up as he received the parchment.

“Of course, I welcome it anytime.”

Since the Four Families moved, the fall of the Empire was an established fact.

So the biggest problem was who among the Four Families would occupy the Emperor’s vacant seat. In that sense, Retel Akamond would be not a bad partner. If Maxima and Akamond joined forces, the other two wouldn’t be a match.

However.

Swish─

“……?”

The smile disappeared from the corners of Ignite’s mouth as he unfolded the parchment.

Luxurious yet never extravagant parchment.

It was clearly written there.

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From this time forward, all status and blessings of the Maxima family are revoked.

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That was not a ‘disposition’ handed down only to Maxima.

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From this time forward, all status and blessings of the Yugrick family are revoked.

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From this time forward, all status and blessings of the Cansel family are revoked.

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From this time forward, all status and blessings of the Akamond family are revoked.

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“……?!!”

The gazes directed all at once toward the last sentence.

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Head of the Family, Granfel Claudi Arpheus Romeo.

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Soon, the punishment arrived.

“M-My Lord?!”

As Ignite raised his head at the urgent cry, he saw the astonished face of the Golden Elite. It didn’t take a long time for Ignite to realize the reason.
For it was heard in his ears.

Crack─

The heirloom passed down through generations in the Maxima family.

“Midas’s Jewel”

The giant jewel embedded in the helmet started to crack.

“?!”

And as if predicting the future to come.

Cra-cra-crack─!

“!!!”