Chapter 167
Chapter 167
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: penny
Chapter: 167
Chapter Title: Luden Gardo
-----------------------------------------------------------------
A day earlier.
The Emperor was conversing with Agna in his office. She had suddenly requested a private audience.
"So... you're telling me to praise that child?"
When the Emperor asked with a smile, Agna cautiously bowed her head.
"Yes, Your Majesty."
"Why? If your suspicions are true, he could become an enemy of the Empire. Even taking back the 'Ka Raniell' I granted him and tightening surveillance wouldn't be enough, yet you want me to praise him?"
The Emperor gazed down at Agna as if to say, explain yourself.
She straightened her posture and began to speak.
"We are currently investigating the connection between Seo Woo-jin and the 'Black Presence.' What their relationship is, what their goals might be, or whether they could be the same entity."
From Crusiel to Jinhan Pass and the Forest of Death.
They were tracking the whereabouts of both Seo Woo-jin and the 'Black Presence.'
"However, we still haven't found any evidence proving a direct link between them."
It certainly seemed like there was a connection.
The 'Black Presence' had appeared only twice so far.
And Seo Woo-jin was always at the scene.
Moreover, they were never sighted together at the same time.
That alone was grounds for suspicion.
But as Agna had just said, no concrete evidence had been found yet.
Even though he was on the list of Class 1 monitored subjects and classified as a yellow-level risk factor.
"Therefore, it would be wise to keep him even closer."
"Hmm..."
The Emperor stroked his snow-white beard.
"You're saying to put a leash on him."
It would signal trust in Seo Woo-jin, preventing him from entertaining other thoughts.
And it would make it easier to monitor and investigate him more closely.
"Precisely."
Agna bowed her head a little deeper.
"Then what would be best?"
Simply handing over some imperial treasure might earn favor, but it wouldn't achieve what Agna truly desired.
"I apologize for presuming to suggest..."
Agna hesitated at the Emperor's question.
What she was about to mention was a treasure that even the Empire handled with utmost care.
"Speak."
The Emperor smiled kindly, as if to say not to worry.
Agna took a cautious deep breath and spoke.
"'Luden Gardo,' stored in the Divine Palace's secret vault, would be ideal."
"...What?"
The Emperor's expression hardened slightly.
At the same time, he understood why Agna had hesitated.
'Luden Gardo'...
"You know what that is."
"Of course, I am well aware."
'Ka Raniell' was a sword forged by the combined might of all life on the continent.
'Luden Gardo' was the same.
It was an armor crafted from the united power of every being on the continent.
But the difference from 'Ka Raniell' was...
'It's made from the blood and flesh of the Demon King.'
The Demon God's armor, 'Luden Gardo.'
Its performance was beyond question—exceptional.
It constantly maintained 'Aegis'-level defensive magic and would never break as long as the wearer had mana remaining.
Moreover, infused with the Demon King's power, it repelled demonic beasts below a certain level from even approaching.
Wearing 'Luden Gardo' and wielding 'Ka Raniell' would make one virtually invincible.
...Or so it was thought.
Until its fatal flaw was discovered later.
"'Luden Gardo' destroys the wearer's mind."
At first, all was fine.
But the longer it was worn, the more one became desensitized to blood and slaughter.
Eventually, it turned the wearer into a mindless killing machine stripped of humanity.
Of course, that alone wouldn't have elicited such a reaction from the Emperor.
Whether a killing machine or not, as long as it could be used effectively, it was fine.
In fact, the Empire had once attempted to cultivate guardian-level powerhouses using 'Luden Gardo.'
The result was a catastrophic failure.
The dehumanized wearer couldn't distinguish between friend and foe.
It nearly wiped out an entire kingdom.
It took the sacrifice of two imperial guardians to barely contain the disaster.
Afterward, the Empire sealed 'Luden Gardo' away in the Divine Palace's secret vault and never touched it again.
Yet,
"You're suggesting we hand over such an item?"
It wasn't a matter of reluctance.
Having already given away 'Ka Raniell,' something like that wasn't worth regretting.
The Emperor's concern was simply whether the previous catastrophe might repeat.
But Agna didn't look worried.
"Your Majesty, only three years at most. Five years at the longest."
That was the time until the Demon King's descent.
It was too short for Seo Woo-jin to be fully corrupted by 'Luden Gardo.'
"Even if he's consumed sooner than expected, it won't matter. By then, the war will have already begun."
A mindless murder weapon stripped of reason.
What better tool for the Descent War?
But the Emperor still seemed reluctant.
Noticing this, Agna continued her persuasion.
"And granting 'Luden Gardo' would allow Your Majesty to gain one additional benefit."
"...Continue."
With the Emperor's permission, Agna let out a sigh of relief and spoke.
"It would preemptively eliminate the instability posed by Seo Woo-jin right now."
It was a reward meant to leash him in the first place.
Whatever connection he had with the 'Black Presence,' whatever goals he pursued.
Even if they were the same entity.
Once he donned 'Luden Gardo,' there would be no need to worry.
He would gradually lose his reason and become obsessed solely with slaughter.
Hearing this, the Emperor slowly nodded.
He was beginning to be convinced by Agna's words.
"Then... what after the war ends?"
Was there a way to deal with the monster clad in 'Luden Gardo' and wielding 'Ka Raniell'?
Agna gave a small smile.
Then, in a voice full of amusement as if to say not to worry, she replied.
"Seo Woo-jin is a hero. And have we not already prepared the heroes' final curtain?"
"Indeed, so it is."
The Emperor nodded, pleased with Agna's answer.
"I approve Crusiel's plan. Summon Seo Woo-jin to the imperial palace tomorrow and retrieve 'Luden Gardo' from the Divine Palace's secret vault. I shall personally grant it to him."
"I receive Your Majesty's command."
Agna bowed at the waist in response, and the Emperor looked down at her with satisfaction.
The same smile appeared on both their faces.
A chilling smile laced with cruelty.
* * *
"Is there anything you desire?"
And now.
Seo Woo-jin began happily pondering the Emperor's question.
'What should I ask for?'
He had enough weapons with 'Ka Raniell.'
Mana condensers were unnecessary for him as well.
He possessed chaos energy, a fusion of mana and demonic energy.
Unless it was on the level of a Yeoryong heart, it wouldn't even register for him.
'Hmm, what should I request to make it seem like I chose wisely and start some good rumors?'
Seo Woo-jin furrowed his brow in thought.
It was then.
"It seems nothing particular comes to mind."
Startled by those words, Seo Woo-jin jumped.
"Ah, no. It's not that..."
He hurriedly spoke, fearing the Emperor might say to forget it if he had nothing in mind.
But the Emperor's follow-up words made Seo Woo-jin's eyes widen.
"Then, may I decide for you?"
The Emperor's generosity was immense.
Just look at how readily he had given away the Empire's greatest treasure, 'Ka Raniell.'
For such a man to personally select a gift, there was no reason to refuse.
"I am deeply grateful for Your Majesty's grace."
Seo Woo-jin awkwardly offered his respects and bowed his head.
"Let me think... What might you need right now?"
'He's going to give me something good.'
As he watched the pondering Emperor, Seo Woo-jin couldn't hide his growing excitement and smile.
"Yes. That will do nicely."
The Emperor reached a decision faster than expected.
"Retrieve 'Luden Gardo' from the Divine Palace's secret vault."
"Y-Your Majesty!"
"That is...!"
At the Emperor's words, cries akin to screams erupted from the shocked nobles.
'Huh? What's wrong? What is it?'
In the audience chamber, only Seo Woo-jin looked baffled, unable to grasp what was happening.
"I humbly submit, Your Majesty. 'Luden Gardo' is far too excessive a gift for a mere hero..."
Prime Minister Drunak stepped forward to remonstrate with the Emperor.
But the Emperor shook his head.
"No matter how precious 'Luden Gardo' is to the Empire, can it compare to the merit of slaying the Apostles? In my judgment, there is no better reward, so Prime Minister, desist."
The Emperor's voice was firm.
The nobles fell silent upon hearing it.
Not perfectly, but they had some inkling of the Emperor's intentions.
"However, Your Majesty."
Only Drunak persisted, bowing his head toward the Emperor, but the Emperor's expression grew sterner.
"Tut, Prime Minister."
It meant no further objections would be tolerated.
Drunak let out a small sigh and retreated to his place.
'What the hell is Luden Gardo?'
Why was the Prime Minister opposing it so vehemently?
And why were the other nobles so startled?
'Could it be on the level of Ka Raniell?'
That might be it.
'Yeah. Nothing less would provoke reactions like these.'
Seo Woo-jin's anticipation hit the max.
'Jackpot!'
His eyes gleaming, Seo Woo-jin eagerly awaited 'Luden Gardo's arrival.
And soon enough.
A knight, bearing the Emperor's orders, arrived carrying a large box.
His extremely cautious demeanor confirmed it was indeed a most precious treasure, as the Emperor had said.
"Hero Seo Woo-jin, hear this."
The Emperor's solemn voice rang out.
"For your great service to the Empire and the continent, I grant you the imperial treasure 'Luden Gardo.' Strive ever harder toward victory in the Descent War."
"Thank you."
Seo Woo-jin smiled and bowed at the waist.
For such a treasure, he could bow a hundred times over.
"You must be curious, so go ahead and inspect it."
At the Emperor's words, Seo Woo-jin cautiously approached the box the knight had brought.
Gulp-.
Someone swallowed dryly.
The atmosphere was strangely hushed.
But Seo Woo-jin paid it no mind.
He dismissed it as mere awe that he was receiving such a treasure.
As he reached out, there was a click-, and the box's lock released.
The lid opened.
'Oh...'
Admiration filled Seo Woo-jin's eyes.
'Armor, huh?'
The first thing he noticed was the rippling mana.
It was so dense and red it could pass for demonic energy.
And enveloped within that mana was black armor.
Ornate gold embroidery along the seams made it breathtakingly magnificent.
"This is 'Luden Gardo.'"
Seo Woo-jin reached out and grasped it.
Thump-!
His heart pounded, and his chaos energy reacted.
'...Well, now?'
Seo Woo-jin's eyes narrowed.
Ever so slightly, in a way no one else noticed.