Chapter 230
Chapter 230
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 230
Chapter Title: Atop the Upper Dungeon Boss
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Above the boss of the upper dungeon.
“Uwaaaaaah!”
A boy was letting out a shout.
The boy was none other than Hanok Wilbria.
He was a Sword-Tooth Clan youth.
The reason Hanok was yelling was simple.
He had finally qualified for the 16th Ascension quest.
A chance to jump straight to Bronze Hero rank in one go.
It was an incredible opportunity that every Pioneer would envy.
But more importantly, Hanok had something personal at stake.
He had made a promise with Leyzon.
Once he accumulated enough experience for the 16th Ascension, he would return to Sahā Village.
Sahā Village was home to Yuria.
Hanok wanted to see her as soon as possible.
He hurriedly turned to look at Leyzon.
Leyzon chuckled in disbelief.
This was the first time he'd seen Hanok so desperate.
“Estelle, take Hanok back to Sahā Village for me.”
“Waaaaah!”
Hanok expressed his joy with his entire body, jumping up and down in place.
Could anyone be that happy?
Even if he went, he'd have to come right back anyway.
Now that he can access Hero-rank dungeons.
From here on, they'd be running even more than before.
Seeing him so blissfully unaware made Leyzon hold his tongue for now.
Besides, Hanok had a separate important mission.
Ascensions from Hero rank onward are handled exclusively by the imperial family.
Leyzon planned to observe the process through him.
Back when he was just replaying dungeons, he hadn't paid much attention to it.
But now, nothing intrigued him more.
How did the Empire handle Ascensions?
This was a chance to witness it firsthand.
Plus, Hanok's status is perfectly positioned for it.
He had won the Imperba Ducal Territory tournament in the past.
That gave him a separate identity as a Sun Buffalo Guild member.
Leyzon intended to make full use of it.
Use everything available.
Classic Leyzon.
“Hanok, after you visit Sahā Village, you'll head straight to the Imperba Ducal Territory. Keep that in mind.”
To reach the 16th Ascension, he had to clear the Ascension quest.
Which meant he couldn't linger in Sahā Village for long.
“Yes, yes!”
Who knew if he really understood.
As Leyzon turned away, sending off the love-struck Hanok.
“Leyzon, it's done.”
Just then, Iden called out to Leyzon.
The reason was straightforward.
“You've leveled up.”
Iden's Corruption level had finally risen by 1.
Iden had been traveling with Leyzon more than almost anyone else lately.
His Corruption experience was already substantial.
Added to that, this upper dungeon push had pushed him over the edge.
Now, including Syria, they had two undead at Corruption level 19.
“Hm, not much grinding left for the others either.”
This applied to Pauli and Estelle too.
They'd both hit 19 Corruption soon enough.
“What about Syria?”
“I'm still a ways off. Hero-rank dungeons make a real difference; everything else barely moves the needle~.”
Level 20 Corruption was still a distant, treacherous road.
No need to rush it.
They'd get there eventually—it was inevitable.
More importantly, my own Corruption experience should hit 19 soon too.
Steady progress.
Best to appreciate that.
“Syria, summon a Shadow Wolf for me.”
“On it!”
Syria eagerly created a Shadow Wolf at the long-overdue movement order.
Leyzon had entrusted Hanok's transport to Estelle.
In the meantime, he planned to head to the Imperba Ducal Territory.
From now on, there was much to do to infiltrate the imperial family.
Puppet Troupe Master.
Just you wait.
I'll dig up every last detail.
Imperba Ducal Territory.
The largest fief in the east.
With its high population density, the Imperba Ducal Territory was always bustling with people.
Right in the heart of it all.
There stood a sign and building reminiscent of a sun-buffalo.
The Sun Buffalo Guild.
One of the major Pioneer guilds.
Inside the guild master's office of the Sun Buffalo Guild.
Guild Master Buffalo—commonly known as such—was sighing heavily.
Lately, things had been going exceptionally well for the Sun Buffalo Guild.
The reason? The downfall of their rival, the Moon Goat Guild.
The Moon Goat Guild had suffered a crushing defeat at the last upper Pioneer tournament.
As a result, their standing had crumbled, while the Sun Buffalo Guild surged ahead.
On top of that, their heavy investment in Sahā Village was paying off big lately.
Serving as a vital hub for countless merchants had funneled massive funds into the city.
Sahā Village had even branched into finance.
The city's growth was exponential.
No wonder nobles had started reaching out more frequently.
They were eyeing the money flowing into Sahā Village.
But Sahā Village proved tougher than expected.
Rumors swirled that the Bloodless Sovereign was involved.
Word was, she had personally dipped into finance.
No noble could lightly ignore a Sovereign.
Power dictated the natural order.
So the nobles could only fret over Sahā Village from afar.
Unable to make a real move.
The Sun Buffalo Guild had not only recouped their investment but profited handsomely.
There had never been a boom like this.
So why was Guild Master Buffalo sighing?
The reason was simple.
“My eyes are ruined.”
Buffalo was a man who adored women.
Then one day, he beheld unparalleled beauty.
Syria Nosferatu.
Vampire Queen.
Ever since seeing her, his eyes were spoiled.
No other woman stirred him anymore.
Buffalo covered his face with his hands.
At least now he was immune to women's temptations.
But what if Syria appeared again?
He'd turn into a yes-man in an instant.
Dangerous.
Not a good trend.
Because a dangerous man stood behind her.
The mastermind who elevated Sahā Village, the black curtain of the world.
The Abyss, Leyzon.
Syria's master.
If he brought her back and spoke to him, resistance would be futile.
Stay sharp. You're the Sun Buffalo Guild Master.
Buffalo steeled himself, eyes flashing.
No more being swayed by women.
His resolve felt ironclad.
Knock knock—
Right on cue, a knock sounded.
“Come in.”
As Buffalo answered, a man with a spear slung over his back entered.
His name was Ovilon.
Once the guild's rising star, now a solid mid-tier member.
“G-Guild Master, we have a visitor.”
“A visitor?”
What visitor at this hour?
As Buffalo looked puzzled, Ovilon cleared his throat awkwardly.
“You should see for yourself.”
“Fine, let them in.”
Ovilon wasn't one for empty words.
Without further ado, Buffalo told him to bring them in, and Ovilon glanced back.
Clack—
Soon, the sharp click of high heels reached Buffalo's ears.
The pronounced sound made his ears twitch.
He could sense upright posture and confidence from the footsteps alone.
At the same time, Buffalo slowly turned his head, eyes glazing over blankly.
Before him appeared a woman.
Slender, snow-white legs peeking from beneath her skirt, long hair blending white with streaks of red billowing behind her.
Crimson lips and porcelain skin.
Her large red eyes held a captivating allure that stole gazes.
Buffalo's mouth fell open dumbly at the sight.
A peerless beauty.
The term fit her perfectly.
And he remembered her face.
He could never forget.
“Hi?”
She greeted him, and Buffalo nodded blankly.
“Y-Yes.”
“Leyzon asked me to come. You'll help, right?”
“Y-Yes.”
His resolve from moments ago crumbled in an instant.
Today, too, Buffalo was nothing but a yes-man.
Leyzon's request to Buffalo.
It was to arrange a meeting with the Imperba Duke.
Major guilds had regular dealings with nobles.
Of course, the duke himself rarely showed.
At most, an aide handling his affairs would appear.
That was fine.
He'd relay the message directly to the duke anyway.
“Hmm, so that's how it is.”
Leyzon had asked the Nightcrows for intel on the eastern noble faction.
They had already decided to join forces with him.
So they compiled and delivered as much information as possible.
Sure enough, the eastern nobles were in a tough spot.
Compared to the other three factions, they lacked both legitimacy and power.
They were barely clinging on to avoid losing their seats.
The Imperba Duke's recent moves showed clear anxiety.
He knew what happened if he kept getting pushed back.
None of the other dukes would spare a fellow duke if one seized power.
Dukes shared power in many ways.
They'd find any pretext to drag him down.
“Damn, I wonder if this is really the right move.”
Leyzon eyed the man before him, dressed in an ill-fitting suit.
His tattoos and nose ring still stood out glaringly.
Look at that menacing mug.
Of course, Leyzon himself had a rather fierce face too.
“What, trying to back out now? You've been on board with us from the start.”
“The only ship I boarded was the Sahā Village partnership.”
“Syria.”
“One ship! Absolutely one ship!”
Buffalo nodded vigorously in agreement.
Leyzon approved of his enthusiastic affirmation.
“You just chime in from the sidelines. The Imperba Duke is desperate enough for even a cat's paw.”
Leyzon smiled, and Buffalo sighed.
Was it right to bring the world's black curtain to a duke's meeting?
But with Syria there, he couldn't refuse.
“Think of it positively. It's not a bad deal for you either.”
With that, Leyzon looked up.
The Imperba Duke's mansion loomed before him.
The eastern noble faction.
Time to become their backer.