Chapter 260
Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 260
Chapter Title: Fist Maniac, Gledrickson
Valhalla Guardian Captain.
Fist Maniac, Gledrickson.
He was currently bound by his own squad members.
To be precise, he had allowed himself to be bound by them.
Gledrickson was a Stage 6 Colossus-tier powerhouse.
In Empire terms, he ranked between Silver Hero and Gold Hero level.
He could have blown away every Guardian around him without breaking a sweat.
Yet he stayed put meekly, for one simple reason.
He trusted that his squad wouldn't pull something like this without cause.
"So that prophet guy can cure the Black Plague?"
"He says he's not a prophet—he's from the Empire."
"Hmmm."
Gledrickson eyed Leyzon through half-lidded eyes.
There wasn't full trust in his gaze.
But it was true that he had cured the Guardians' Black Plague.
Whether prophet or not, the Black Plague was a dire issue for Earth Beasts.
This made him someone who couldn't be dismissed lightly.
"Alright, alright, I get it. I won't kick up a fuss now, so untie me already."
The Guardians fumbled to release his bindings.
Once freed, Gledrickson swung his arms lightly in circles.
Then he spun on his heel.
Boom!
In an instant, Gledrickson loomed right in front of Leyzon.
The Guardians panicked and rushed to intervene, but Leyzon paid them no mind.
"Prophet—or no, Empire man. Just one warning."
Gledrickson's eyes blazed a fierce crimson.
"Everyone here has suffered day after day from the Black Plague.
If you so much as think of trying anything funny, I'll make you pay, no matter what it takes."
Valhalla Guardian Captain.
He issued the sternest warning he could from his position.
Even if it earned him Leyzon's grudge, so be it.
That was the weight of his role.
Sometimes, someone had to step up and take the bullet.
Leyzon knew that all too well.
"But if you're truly here to cure us..."
Gledrickson bowed his head before Leyzon.
"Then I'll stake everything I have to repay the favor."
His tone had shifted to one of utmost sincerity.
"Don't worry. Curing the Black Plague benefits me too."
A bit of healthy suspicion wasn't a bad thing, either.
It would make their trust even deeper once the wariness faded.
"More importantly, aren't you suffering from the Black Plague too?"
"Yeah, that's right."
"Get in line."
After that, Leyzon finished treating Gledrickson and every Guardian in the squad.
Thanks to them, he siphoned off a hefty dose of Transcendent power.
Evolution EXP was steadily building up.
If he absorbed the Black Plague from all the other Earth Beasts too, another evolution was surely in reach.
"It's really gone."
"We're free! Free at last!"
The Guardians cried out in joy upon being freed from the Black Plague.
Gledrickson was no different.
"Whoa, it's actually gone?"
He flexed his arms in disbelief, amazement etched on his face.
They had been liberated from the Black Plague that had tormented them their whole lives.
The joy was profound.
"Gledrickson."
Leyzon called to him and pointed down at the underground city below.
"I'm going to treat the other Earth Beasts now, so round up the ones who ran off."
Gledrickson's eyes widened.
"There'll be more than a few..."
"That's why I came here prepared for it."
Gledrickson fell silent.
Then he abruptly bowed his head.
"I formally apologize for doubting you earlier. You are the lifelong benefactor of us Earth Beasts."
"Just hurry up and go."
"Haha, you got it. I was planning to head out to find the Lunar Maiden who supposedly cures the Black Plague anyway. Guess I don't need to now!"
The moment Gledrickson turned to dash off with an excited grin, shadows surged up.
His ankle was snared in an instant, sending him sprawling face-first.
"Hold up. Stop."
Leyzon's eyes flashed.
"Gledrickson, tell me more about that."
Someone had just casually dropped the name "Lunar Maiden," and it was too valuable to let slide.
While the Guardians went off to gather the Earth Beasts, Leyzon heard Gledrickson's story.
The reason he'd been away.
It was to seek out the Lunar Maiden.
Rumors swirled that she could cure the Black Plague.
Normally, he'd dismiss it as another wild tale.
But the Lunar Maiden herself was mysteriously free of the plague.
She roamed the world, gathering Earth Beasts personally.
And at each stop, she performed some kind of ritual as she traveled.
All to heal her followers' Black Plague.
True or not, desperate Earth Beasts had to grasp at any straw.
And conveniently, the Lunar Maiden had appeared in the nearby Horn Mountains.
Gledrickson was naturally swift-footed.
He could make it to the Horn Mountains easily.
So he'd gone to verify the rumor himself.
But shortly after he left, Leyzon emerged from the collapsed tower, causing a commotion.
He was Valhalla's Guardian Captain.
Duty to Valhalla came before chasing rumors.
That's why he'd rushed back.
After hearing about the Lunar Maiden, Leyzon reached a conclusion.
'This has to be Carmen.'
Leyzon's Earth Beast undead, Carmen.
She had left the Empire to treat other Earth Beasts' Black Plague, gathering them along the way.
To cure the Black Plague, she needed to collect Earth Beasts.
It matched exactly what the Lunar Maiden was doing.
If it was Carmen, returning to the Empire would be a breeze.
Luck was on his side.
"Gledrickson, think you can bring that Lunar Maiden here?"
"Someone you need, huh?"
"Yeah, high chance it's someone I know."
"Got it. I was heading that way anyway."
He leaped to his feet at once.
Leyzon was the one who'd cured their Black Plague.
He'd do anything for such a benefactor.
"I'll be right back. Take care of the rest."
"Sure. If it's who I think it is, just mention 'Abyss' and she'll know."
Gledrickson shot into the sky just as he'd arrived.
A guy who prided himself on speed—he'd be back soon enough.
In the meantime, Leyzon could handle the treatments.
"...Lord Leyzon, forgive me. I wasn't able to help at all."
That's when Nuga-il approached with a gloomy expression.
He looked bitter about doing nothing while Leyzon was attacked by the Guardians.
"Nuga-il, your resolve is enough for now."
He planned to extract plenty of materials as payment for the cures anyway.
He'd confirmed Nuga-il's loyalty; now it was just a matter of getting stronger.
"Hurry up, everyone! It's first-come, first-served!"
"Just trust us—it really worked!"
Meanwhile, Guardians below were herding in Earth Beasts.
They'd apparently prioritized friends and family.
Those close to them would be more likely to believe the claims.
To spread trust, increasing the number of cured was key.
Leyzon didn't care who came first.
"Time to get to work."
Today, he'd cure every Earth Beast in Valhelonia.
The treatments stretched from one day into two full ones.
There were more Earth Beasts in Valhelonia than expected.
True to form, their population was densely clustered.
The line never ended.
It should've been exhausting, but the cures didn't stop.
Leyzon soon found his rhythm.
His technique grew smoother, more efficient with each one.
Undead Creation proficiency rose accordingly.
'Didn't expect to solidify the basics like this.'
Who knew he'd use Undead Creation so much?
He could feel the proficiency climbing steadily.
Still, the fatigue was real, separate from the gains.
Leyzon kept at it straight through to the third day.
The Earth Beasts marveled at the sight.
Leyzon was a total stranger to them.
They hadn't dreamed he'd treat them this earnestly.
"Saint, you'll wear yourself out. Eat something first."
"Haha, the Black Plague's plagued me for years—it's not gonna kill me overnight. Take your time."
"Thank you. Truly, thank you, Saint."
For Earth Beasts, where morals and laws were hazy at best, Leyzon's healing was a novel warmth.
Before long, they started calling him "Saint."
A kind soul, despite his fierce looks.
Saint Leyzon.
His name spread across all of Valhelonia.
'Feared as the Abyss back in the Empire... and now Saint.'
Leyzon chuckled wryly, chewing on bread someone had handed him moments ago.
Life's ironies never ceased.
'Not that my motives are purely selfless.'
He cured the Black Plague for his own gains.
Yet to others, he seemed driven by pure goodwill.
He'd explained a few times that it benefited him too.
But they just praised his humility.
Once an image stuck, even a saintly one was hard to shake.
'Like how I gave up and became the Abyss in the Empire... guess I'm fated to embrace Saint here too.'
Nicknames weren't chosen—they were bestowed.
On the fourth day.
Finally, Leyzon had cured every Earth Beast in Valhelonia.
They embraced and cheered wildly.
Lives long tormented by the Black Plague.
Liberation brought tears no one could hold back.
"Saint! Hooray!"
"Saint! Hooray!"
The Earth Beasts chanted his name in three cheers.
Even if it was for his own profit, seeing them happy felt rewarding.
Leyzon waved back casually and headed to a sunny spot.
"Guardians, Nuga-il—I'm resting for a day. Keep watch around here."
"No one gets near!"
Nuga-il replied energetically.
Leyzon entrusted it to him and slowly closed his eyes.
Sunlight seeped into the dull ache and fatigue permeating his body.
Thank goodness for the link to Pauli’s Photosynthesis.
Having a reliable recovery method made pushing limits worthwhile.
'Absorbed a ton of Transcendent power.'
The reserves brimmed full.
Once Carmen brought the Earth Beasts and finished their treatments, evolution was certain.
'Thousand-Year Sorcerer.'
Wait for me.
I'll return stronger than you can imagine.
As Leyzon grinned lazily amid the photosynthesis,
"What?"
"What's that?"
A commotion erupted from the Guardians' side.
Leyzon cracked his eyes open halfway and listened.
"The Lunar Maiden's group is marching here armed?"
"Wasn't the Captain going to fetch her?"
Leyzon's violet eyes gleamed quietly.
Something had gone wrong.