Chapter 302: Episode 302

At the second encounter at Halung Plains. The Aneis Kingdom, which had targeted Balak with approximately 40,000 Undead Soldiers, chose to retreat after suffering over 30,000 casualties and losing most of its S-rank or higher Main Force. Commander Kaiharst, an SS-rank, also endured a humiliating retreat, having lost his left arm. The force was initially assembled with new Main Force units in mind, but Leon van Noah’s mistake was surely his underestimation of Valpurgis.

However, before they could even savor their victory, an unwelcome gift from the Tyrant arrived. The Holy Sword Ludwig, said to be a direct gift from the god Behel, was the only one of its kind on the continent. Imbued with divine power lethal to demons and even dungeon soldiers, it wielded immense power regardless of its wielder’s rank.

Now, that very sword was plunged into the center of their territory.

“Oh, what a shame, we missed him. The contract won’t be fulfilled this way. Unfortunately, I’ll have to try again next time.”

The Contract stipulated Taehyun’s desired “perfect death” for the target.

Seonghwi had no choice but to return to Talos Dungeon with his soldiers, hoping for another opportunity. He had, of course, asked about the Holy Sword before leaving, but even an SS-rank Main Force expert seemed to have no viable solution.

Thus, even before they could deal with the aftermath of the large-scale war, Taehyun and some of his Main Force gathered near the Holy Sword.

“Damn it, as Attackers affiliated with Balak, we’re just as affected by the Holy Sword. My head is still throbbing.”

“Even as Priests, the Holy Sword’s divine power is trying to overwhelm our entire bodies. If this continues, we’ll be completely incapacitated.”

“The same goes for us High Elves. What will you do, Taehyun Yoo?”

It seemed no one affiliated with the dungeon was exempt from its influence. All Undead Soldiers had already been annihilated, all soldiers’ stats had plummeted by two-thirds, and even the dungeon’s inherent mana levels had significantly dropped.

In this state, they wouldn’t be able to fight the next battle effectively.

Furthermore, if the Ain Kart Holy Kingdom learned that the Holy Sword was in Balak Territory, they wouldn’t stand idly by.

Taehyun felt their gazes fixed on him and sighed. Even as Balak’s Master, dealing with the Holy Sword was beyond him. He had even tried using Exclusive Items beforehand, but they had no effect, so it was unlikely he would suddenly come up with a special method.

“Dropin, try to pull it out first.”

“…Why me of all people?”

“You’re an A-rank top-tier Paladin, aren’t you? You’re the most likely candidate. Hurry up, grab the hilt, and pull.”

Ugh.

Although he was affiliated with Balak, he had originally been a Paladin active in the Holy Kingdom.

After a moment of hesitation, Dropin gripped the Holy Sword and exerted force.

However, no matter how firmly embedded it was, Ludwig wouldn’t budge despite his considerable Strength.

“It’s impossible. It’s not just stuck in the ground; it’s completely integrated into the territory.”

“Hmm. Hasla, do you have any ideas?”

“Ho ho, having only lived in the Savaton Jungle, this is the first time I’ve encountered a Holy Sword. Even I find this impossible.”

Even the SS-rank Main Force, Hasla, gave up.

Taehyun also tried contacting Hamolton, but the answer was largely the same.

After that, they tried several more methods, but to no avail.

The Holy Sword Ludwig was already spreading its divine power throughout the territory, expanding its Domain.

If this continued, even the sole survivors, Bigdream, Grizzle, and Granzle, would be annihilated.

They had to find a way before that happened.

Taehyun thought of the Demon Sword he had thrown into the prison and checked all the special ability materials in his inventory.

’Fortunately, I acquired a large amount during this battle, but I might have to use it all at once.’

If the Holy Sword was the source of divine power, the Demon Sword was the source of Demonic Energy. The SS-rank equipable soldier, the Demon Sword, was an ego sword with its own consciousness.

It would surely try to choose its master itself, just as it had said before.

He was worried about it pulling a trick like Leon van Noah’s mind control, but that was the only way to deal with the Holy Sword.

’Come to think of it, it said it liked Yuda, who was imprisoned.’

Taehyun sent communications to his faction members and headed for the underground prison.

—

“The Holy Sword Ludwig has been discovered in Balak Territory. It might be a trap by Leon van Noah, who sent the previous letter, but the will of Behel is now spreading throughout the territory. At the same time, news of Sir Wigan has also arrived, but unfortunately, he is said to be serving Leon van Noah. First, we will head west to secure the Holy Sword. Everyone, prepare for battle!”

News of the second engagement at Halung Plains had already spread across the entire continent.

Information about Wigan, the Paladin Commander, and the Holy Sword plunged into Balak Territory had been confirmed.

Given that a Domain had been declared within the dungeon, it was clear that Behel was calling them.

Luminus, without a moment’s hesitation, once again raised his army and set off for the west.

As a result, over 20 high priests and Neferus, the Inquisitor-General, were immediately mobilized, and Pope Luminus himself announced his direct participation, aiming for Balak’s complete annihilation.

However, the Holy Kingdom’s momentum was short-lived.

The Dungeon Masters, who had not appeared since the war with the demons, launched a large-scale attack on the capital, Ain Kart, delaying their journey west.

A staggering army of over 400,000 dungeon soldiers.

The Holy Kingdom, which had been preparing its forces, was belatedly forced to defend against the offensive from the Naksen Plains, and was temporarily isolated.

—

’It feels like the first time we invaded the Holy Kingdom.’

’This time it’s a bit different. Many of our faction members have become S-rank Dungeon Masters. Especially thanks to Taehyun’s special ability, the number of S-rank or higher Main Force units has greatly increased.’

’As you say, if things go well, we might even succeed in invading the Holy Kingdom?’

The faction members continued their excited conversation.

He had specifically told them to merely isolate it if possible, but judging by their conversation, they seemed intent on completely destroying the Holy Kingdom.

’Of course, if they really destroy it, that would be good for me.’

He didn’t think the Holy Kingdom, which had been maintained for hundreds of years, would fall so easily, but it might be possible if things went well.

First, Taehyun decided to leave the Holy Kingdom to his faction members and looked down at the Demon Sword.

The Demon Sword chuckled low. “I can feel the divine power even here, so it seems the Holy Sword wielder has come. Yes, you need me now, don’t you?”

“It’s not a Holy Sword wielder; the Holy Sword is just stuck in the ground.”

“W-what?! Crazy. Then I’m in danger too. Get me out of here right now…” ’It shrieked.’ “It’s blinding, it’s blinding!”

When it came to taming an arrogant Demon Sword, nothing was more effective than a Flash Artifact. Taehyun shone the accessory he had received from Riel on it, causing it pain.

The Demon Sword, once used by Demonic King Kraktio, seemed to have eyes, for it thrashed wildly in the prison.

“You’ve been talking to that guy over there a lot, haven’t you? What’s your intention? Speak.”

It let out a pained groan. “I-I don’t know what happened to him, but that guy showed interest in me. There’s a suitable meal right now, and I, Ashlanche, wouldn’t just sit still…” ’It shrieked again.’

“Ho ho, this bastard has some nerve. Oh, wait, it’s a Demon Sword, so it probably has no guts. You’ve revealed your crimes. Ashlanche, you deserve punishment. You know that, right?”

’It screamed.’ “I-I understand, just please remove that light.”

“No, I’ll keep going until you sign the Contract.”

“I-I’ll sign it. I will. No, before that, how can I, a Demon Sword, sign anything!”

As Ashlanche said, a sword signing a document was an impossible thing to ask.

However, according to what Riel had told him, it could take on a form through Demonic Energy.

Taehyun held the Contract out to the floor and stomped on the blade.

“Alright, sign it like this. You made a hand shape with Demonic Energy last time, didn’t you? I even prepared a quill pen here.”

“Damn it. For me, who once served Lord Kraktio, to suffer such humiliation…” ’It shrieked.’ “I’ll do it, I’ll do it!”

Despite being an Angel Slayer, before the flash, it was nothing more than a helpless Demon Sword.

Thus, Taehyun Yoo successfully completed the Contract, subjugating Ashlanche.

—

Meanwhile, Yuda, hearing the Demon Sword’s screams, instinctively knew Taehyun had come.

’It’s already been several months since I was imprisoned here. I’ve been listening to that damned Demon Sword’s useless conversations to get information about the outside, but at this rate, I won’t know what happened to the Aneis Kingdom. For now…’

Although Taehyun was the one who had brutally massacred his comrades, he would have no choice if it meant getting information.

Regia van Noah suddenly came to mind, but he shook his head and called for Taehyun first.

“Oh, you’re alive. So, what do you want?”

“…What’s happening to the Aneis Kingdom? There must have been an internal conflict.”

“I don’t feel the need to tell you.”

“Even a rough idea is fine. If you just tell me the situation…”

“If I tell you?”

Taehyun asked back.

He should offer a fair price for the information he sought, but being imprisoned, he had nothing to offer.

If anything, it would be subjugation. However, Yuda had no intention of betraying Leon van Noah.

“I’ll grant you one wish. But only if it’s not related to the Aneis Kingdom.”

“Hmm, you don’t seem to understand your situation right now. My Main Force has grown so rapidly that I don’t even need an A-rank top-tier Attacker anymore. What do you think will change if I help just one of you?”

“Longi…”

“Ah, of course, the skill ‘Lance of Longinus’ was strong enough for me to acknowledge. That skill was hardly mere A-rank power. But I don’t really need it.”

Several months had passed since he was imprisoned.

Since Balak had already risen to A-rank, many changes must have occurred during that time.

Yuda frowned and changed his offer.

“You can use me however you want. As long as it’s not related to the Aneis Kingdom, whether it’s for experiments or fighting raid parties, it doesn’t matter.”

“Is that really true?”

“…I promise.”

“A promise is fine, but let’s draw up a Contract. But are you really sure it doesn’t matter if it’s related to the Aneis Kingdom? I wonder if there’s really no need for that.”

“I don’t care what happened. I’ve always readily followed Leon van Noah’s orders, even after he became a Tyrant. My resolve will not waver.”

“Well, it doesn’t matter to me, but how about you hear the information first and then decide? I heard you were even talking to the Demon Sword; you must have been quite desperate, huh?”

Taehyun curled his lips into a smirk.

He was deliberately prolonging the conversation by mentioning the Demon Sword, clearly trying to play on Yuda’s psychology.

Yuda tried his best to appear calm as he replied.

“It’s up to you how you interpret it. If you tell me the information first, the Contract will be meaningless. Is that okay?”

“Honestly, I don’t care even if you don’t sign the contract after hearing it. But after hearing it, do you think you’ll really be able to refuse the contract?”

“You seem to have another trick up your sleeve. Fine. I’ll listen first.”

“I like that attitude. Then, I’ll tell you what you want to know. Listen carefully.”

Soon, the story of the Aneis Kingdom began.

Taehyun recounted everything: from the internal conflict to the Dungeon Masters joining, the Undead Army, and the current situation where war had been declared across the entire continent.

As his expression changed by the minute amidst the shocking facts, Yuda belatedly realized something was terribly wrong.

“W-wait a minute. Then what happened to Regia? She must still be in the Royal Castle!”

“Ho ho, I thought you two had a terrible relationship, but it seems you still care about your family. But what to do? I don’t know anything about the princess either. Now, it’s decision time. What will you do?”

Now he understood why Taehyun had warned him beforehand.

Originally, he had only hoped to resolve the internal conflict and help Leopard van Noah reclaim everything he had lost, but at some point, Leon van Noah had crossed the line and was heading down the wrong path.

Yuda gritted his teeth, looking down at the Contract extended to the prison floor.

“…I’ll change the conditions.”

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep