Chapter 304: Episode 304

[Yuda (Arthur van Noah) has been summoned to Balak.]

[Regia van Noah has been summoned to Balak.]

The prince who had realized the truth of the Aneis Kingdom had returned. He hadn’t come alone, either; he had brought Princess Regia with him. By now, the two of them were likely waiting inside the Master Room, sipping tea provided by Riel. However, something far more important was currently embedded in the center of the territory: the Holy Sword Ludwig, which Wigan had thrown.

’Wigan was an S-rank Paladin Attacker, too. That means the equipment restriction for the Holy Sword Ludwig is at the S-rank level.’

The Holy Sword was likely SS-rank equipment, just like the Demonic Sword. Even if it had been specially bestowed directly by the Pope, it would normally be impossible to equip gear that didn’t match one’s rank. Taking all that into consideration, it wasn’t impossible for another paladin to wield it. Taehyun looked at Dropin, who was standing there blankly.

“All destiny rests on you. Dropin, from now on, you’re going to be a hero.”

“…Are you kidding me? Just standing here is making sirens go off in my head, and you want me to pull this out?”

“I’ll show you a miracle.”

The world was dyed white. Now that Grai had become S-rank, he harbored a purple aura, but Dropin still only emanated a red aura.

[Dropin]

[Rank: A (Top-tier)]

[Evolution EXP: 3,451/15,000]

[Evolution Probability: 79%]

[Evolution Materials: A-rank Mana Stone X 116, Intense Soul Stone, Paladin’s Soul Stone]

He had performed quite well through his previous Evolution, but due to his lack of skill, he hadn’t accumulated much EXP. With just one more Evolution, he would become an Attacker on the same level as Wigan. Taehyun twirled his finger and shouted.

“Let there be light!”

Dropin was speechless.

“Hey. Is that guy really in his right mind?”

Ashlanche, who had tagged along, raised the question, but no one answered. Meanwhile, the Mana Stones in his inventory were consumed, wrapping Dropin’s entire body in bright light.

[The A-rank Top-tier Attacker Dropin has been selected as the target.]

[Attempting Evolution using materials.]

[Evolution Successful!]

Finally, a miracle occurred. Dropin’s eyes widened in bewilderment at the unexpectedly powerful Divinity.

“Th-This is… Did I just become an S-rank Attacker?”

“I told you I’d perform a miracle. You’ve now reached the realm that Attackers only dream of.”

“I-I can’t believe it. To think I’ve actually become an S-rank Attacker.”

Currently, the number of S-rank Attackers on the continent was roughly under a hundred. Having reached a level that low-rank Attackers always dreamed of, he must have found it unbelievable yet joyous. He was probably several times more thrilled than during his previous Evolution. Taehyun smiled and pointed at the Holy Sword Ludwig.

“No time to celebrate. Hurry up and pull it out.”

“…So this Holy Sword is going to be mine now too? Today really has been a series of unbelievable events.”

“Rank-wise, you’re on the same level as Wigan now. That means you have the qualifications.”

“Phew, understood.”

Having calmed down somewhat, his gaze grew much more serious. Dropin swallowed hard and grasped the sword’s hilt.

[A new owner of the Holy Sword has appeared.]

[The Holy Sword Ludwig is verifying qualifications.]

[Verification Complete]

[The Holy Sword Ludwig has acknowledged the Attacker Dropin as its master.]

Soon, the blade that had been deeply embedded in the ground revealed itself. Although Behel’s Domain, which was spreading Divinity throughout the territory, hadn’t disappeared, it was the moment a dungeon soldier possessed a Holy Sword for the first time. The person in question was busy stroking the back of the blade with a dazed expression, but he had essentially acquired Ludwig for now.

“Crazy, this is crazy. It’d be one thing for a Demonic Sword like myself, but for a dungeon to claim a Holy Sword? Even Lord Kraktio’s sealed soul would be shocked enough to come looking for this place.”

“Ooh, so that is the Holy Sword. Dropin, congratulations. I hope you will continue to serve our Lord with lifelong loyalty!”

“To think that I, who only relied on my Special Ability, would become the owner of a Holy Sword. I won’t be looked down on by those two anymore.”

Dropin must have suddenly thought of Turner and Sihan, as he soon put on a resolute expression. He had been pushed around and humiliated during the Hyacinth raid, so it was understandable.

[Dropin]

[Rank: S]

[Level: 79]

[Class: Frost Hero]

[Title: Savior]

[Affiliation: Balak]

[Loyalty: 89]

[Favorability: 81]

[Obedience: 86]

[Skill: Frostification, Ice Barrier, Hero’s Sword, Behel’s Blessing, Behel’s Advent, Sacred Freeze]

[Special Ability: Salvation]

[Strength: 91] [Endurance: 83] [Agility: 57] [Stamina: 84]

[Mana: 24] [Divinity: 141] [Affinity: 5] [Luck: 32]

[Status: Holy Sword Owner]

Perhaps thanks to the Holy Sword Ludwig, his Divinity had risen sharply. Of course, his relationship stats had also increased significantly, but the most noticeable changes were his Class, Title, Skill, and Special Ability. First, the ’Hero’ class that had been mentioned as a joke was actually applied, and his Special Ability had changed to match the ’Savior’ title. Furthermore, his existing freezing ability had changed into a skill, and he had gained new skills as well. Factoring in his overall increased stats, he was several times stronger than before.

’Hah, he really became a hero. Is a guy who was B-rank at best going to save the continent now or something?’

Calling a dungeon-affiliated Attacker a Savior was a bit amusing. Now, following the Holy Sword, it was time to create the owner of the Demonic Sword. Leaving Dropin, who was grinding his teeth in determination, alone, Taehyun called Grai over.

“My Lord, will I become a great being like that too?!”

“No, you’re going to be the most evil bastard around. Just imagine yourself swinging a Demonic Sword and smashing everything to pieces.”

Grai was left speechless.

The highly expectant knight became sullen. In truth, there would be no greater achievement than the dungeon’s Main Force possessing a Demonic Sword, but Grai seemed so completely captivated by the charm of the Holy Sword that he had even forgotten he belonged to a dungeon. Taehyun shattered his vain hopes in an instant and cast Evolution once again.

[Knight of Balak Grai]

[Rank: S]

[Evolution EXP: 12,841/20,000]

[Evolution Probability: 61%]

[Evolution Materials: S-rank Mana Stone X 72, Mighty Soul Stone X 1, Knight’s Soul Stone]

SS-rank could only be reached after going through a total of three Evolutions. Although each stage required a massive number of Special Ability materials, it was entirely possible if he invested everything he had currently gathered in his inventory. He was slightly worried about the Evolution Probability, but it was all or nothing. Without hesitation, Taehyun attempted Evolution in rapid succession, quickly growing Balak’s representative knight.

[Evolution Successful!]

[Evolution Successful!]

[Evolution Successful!]

[Evolution Successful!]

As the magic of Evolution slowly enveloped Grai’s entire body, Ashlanche and Dropin watched intently without blinking an eye. Then, just as the final Evolution was about to take place, an anomaly occurred.

[Unexpected Success!]

[The physical age of Grai, who has successfully evolved, drops rapidly.]

[Physical Age: 13 years old]

[The size of the equipped gear has been readjusted.]

It was a side effect that triggered at an abysmal probability. The three nearby looked down in bewilderment. His height had shrunk in an instant; his cheeks now held baby fat, a miniature greatsword was clutched in his tiny hands, and his eyes were bright and clear. Before they knew it, Grai had gone from a handsome young man to a pretty boy, looking around his surroundings.

“M-My Lord. My Lord. Where are you?”

“…Hah, you went from an orc to a human, and now even your physical age has gotten younger? Up, look up. Look up here.”

“Ah! My Lord. You’re up here. But why did you get tho big?!”

“You’re the one who shrank. No, let’s check the messages first.”

“M-My bodyyyyy?!”

Grai belatedly realized his body had shrunk, but the evolved rank was the most important thing right now.

[God of Balak Grai]

He had gone from a knight to a full-blown guardian deity. Looking at him tearing up and panicking right now didn’t exactly inspire confidence, but the SS-rank wouldn’t lie.

[God of Balak Grai]

[Rank: SS]

[Level: 98]

[Class: Knight]

[Title: Being for Balak]

[Affiliation: Balak]

[Loyalty: 100]

[Favorability: 100]

[Obedience: 100]

[Skill: Defend Balak, Sword of Balak, Descent of the Guardian Deity, Indomitable Will, Infinite Combo, Dimension Rend]

[Special Ability: Summon Lord]

[Strength: 163] [Endurance: 128] [Agility: 136] [Stamina: 154]

[Mana: 64] [Divinity: 13] [Affinity: 32] [Luck: 64]

[Status: Decreased Physical Age]

Stats that absolutely wouldn’t fall behind even compared to the SS-rank Main Force, Hamolton and Hasla, caught his eye. He had definitely undergone a transformation through Evolution, as the changes were palpable starting from his Class and Title. Moreover, his Skills and Special Ability had also been newly changed, filled with effects meant exclusively for the guardian of Balak. Taehyun felt a slight sense of unease looking at the ability named ’Summon Lord’.

’It’s not an effect that summons me while he’s fighting an enemy, right? If so, that’s a huge problem.’

Just imagining being stuck by Grai’s side for the rest of his life gave him goosebumps.

“Bwahahaha. What is this? He’s a total kid. A little brat like this is going to wield me? Don’t make me laugh. Ahahahaha!”

“D-Don’t laugh. How dare a mere Demonic Thword laugh at me!”

“Ahahahahaha. Look at the way you talk. It doesn’t suit you, it doesn’t suit you at all!”

“You bathtard!”

“Urgh?!”

The Demonic Sword that had been flying around in circles in the air was snatched out of it. At that moment, powerful Demonic Energy surged into Grai’s entire body.

[A new owner of the Demonic Sword has appeared.]

[The Demonic Sword Ashlanche is verifying qualifications.]

[Verification Impossible]

[The God of Balak Grai has forcibly obtained the Demonic Sword’s acknowledgment.]

[The SS-rank Mountable Soldier Demonic Sword Ashlanche’s Special Ability ’Equip’ has been activated.]

[It will now follow Grai as its master.]

Soon, the Demonic Energy that had been rushing in like a typhoon was absorbed into his body. At the same time, Behel’s Domain, which had been spread throughout the territory, disappeared, instantly resolving the issue of the Divinity. Taehyun checked the status window of Grai, who had become the Demonic Sword’s owner, again, but fortunately, nothing had changed except for his decreased Divinity.

’So there were no negative effects. Anyway, did his personality become childish too?’

Before he knew it, Grai was punishing Ashlanche by slamming the sword against the floor.

“How do you like thith, you punk! Take thith, and thith!”

“Ugh. It hurts, I said it hurts!”

“If you thought my anger would end here, you’re thadly mithtaken!”

“Aaaaaagh, spare meeeee!”

The Demonic Sword was in a pitiful state, but since they had secured an owner for it and even dealt with Behel’s Domain, they had achieved their goal. With that, Taehyun and Dropin began heading back to Balak first.

—

Meanwhile, in Dahendal, the central capital of the Derk Empire. It was the last city in the empire that had barely been holding out while fending off the Frost Queen’s Frost Army for the past few weeks. For a while, they had managed to block the attacks of the main forces with the help of Duke Peyton’s family and Viscount William’s family, but even that had become difficult now.

“It is indeed just as that demon bastard said. To think you’ve held off so many of my soldiers until now. I shall praise you myself. However, the fun ends here. Since I have another destination, there is no need to delay any further.”

Soon, frost crystals began falling from the sky. It was likely a high-circle area-of-effect spell cast directly by Witch Yuslan.

’So this is where the Derk Empire meets its end as well. How futile. It’s far too futile.’

Blood poured down like rain, and his consciousness was slowly fading. His physical state was battered and bruised. Having lost his right arm during the battle, his own end was approaching all the same. Duke Peyton let out a bitter laugh and trudged forward. The reason he naturally thought of the Emperor even in the midst of this apocalypse was probably because he was a loyal subject.

As a result, his steps naturally headed toward the Imperial Palace.

The heavy palace doors creaked open. Duke Peyton dragged his body with all his might, heading toward the room where Emperor Huront Davernos resided.

“Urgh, Your Imperial Majesty!”

He was met with silence.

“…Hah, how could this be?”

A freezing chill swept through the inside of the room. In the center of it, a man could be seen frozen solid while sitting in a chair. It was the Emperor who had ruled the Derk Empire for decades. Huront Davernos. Duke Peyton slumped to the floor with a despondent expression.

If even the one person he had devoted his loyalty to was dead, there was no longer any hope left for the Derk Empire.

“…What is that?”

Suddenly, he saw a large coffin near the frost crystals. Duke Peyton slowly approached and checked inside the coffin. At that moment, intense emotions welled up inside him.

“Th-This child is?!”

The distinct black hair, the peaceful face as if he had fallen asleep, a body that looked no different than when he was alive. And even the large scythe clutched in his arms… Unless his eyes were deceiving him, it was definitely Junhyun Cha, who had been an Attacker. Duke Peyton immediately embraced Junhyun’s corpse, feeling its cold warmth.

“It’s all my fault, Junhyun. When you said you were heading to Balak, I should have stopped you somehow. It’s my fault for letting you go.”

He choked back a sob.

“Please forgive this inadequate father. You refused to acknowledge me as your father until the very end, but to me, you were my most precious son, Junhyun.”

Tears continued to fall uncontrollably. His entire body was trembling, overwhelmed by intense emotion, but the hand stroking his son’s cheek was incredibly tender. Duke Peyton stared out the window while holding Junhyun’s corpse.

“Duke Peyton, where are you? I intended to personally turn you into a frost crystal and keep you as a collectible. But since you are so hard to find, I’ve lost all desire to do so. I shall simply fill the entire capital with frost crystals.”

Before he knew it, Witch Yuslan was calling his name and casting her magic once again. The moment that spell finished casting, the capital would likely disappear from the continent along with it. Sensing his end, Duke Peyton belatedly thought of Balak’s Dungeon Master.

“I see. You knew this would be my end all along. Ah, how futile this is. Derk Empire, may you be eternal…”

Before his desperate wish could even be fully voiced, frost crystals stormed into the room. Even as his entire body froze over, Duke Peyton held Junhyun’s corpse tighter, a contented smile on his face. And so, the capital Dahendal was conquered by the Frost Army, signaling the fall of the Derk Empire.

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