Chapter 618
Chapter 618
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: uly
Chapter: 618
Chapter Title: God's Atlantis
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Empire's Five Dukes
The five dukes who prop up the Yustria Empire.
Millennium Duke, Water Robe Duke, Fool Sword Duke, Iron Man Duke, Illusion Duke.
Among them, the Millennium Duke was the oldest, while Elena, the Illusion Duke, had only become one of the Empire's Five Dukes a few years ago.
The mission I received from Elena was to deliver a letter to one of the Empire's Five Dukes, the Fool Sword Duke.
Why have me do something so trivial?
'The Fool Sword Duke's territory is a place you can't reach with a space teleportation scroll. On top of that, it's a dangerous and remote area, so sending any ordinary knight or soldier would just get them killed.'
More than anything, there was someone constantly getting in Elena's way right now. The crown prince, who craved absolute power. She had to avoid the Empire's Five Dukes joining hands at all costs.
'Sigh. Looks like I'll be suffering for at least a few days. The task is important, and who knows what might happen, so I'm reluctant to use auto-proceed...'
Clop. Clop.
I whipped the reins of the horse I'd been given and galloped across the land.
But after half a day, I had to dismount. It wasn't by my choice.
The horse had abandoned me and fled. But the horse hadn't ditched me for no reason. It was acting like it had been brainwashed by someone.
"You damn bastard..."
I looked up at the sky.
There was a black demonic horse. With eight legs shrouded in black smoke, it looked at me and curled its lips into a sneer.
World Leaf.
Sleipnir.
I had once tried to kill it at the urging of the Lord of the Skies. I failed back then, and now Sleipnir was harboring a grudge and interfering with me.
"Lightning Strike!"
I called down lightning toward Sleipnir. But it proved it wasn't just any ordinary sky-flying horse, dodging all my bolts by darting this way and that through the clouds before vanishing.
"...Damn it!"
I clicked my tongue.
Chase after the escaped horse and catch it again? I wanted to, but that horse wasn't ordinary. I'd forgotten the name, but it was said to run for a full week without tiring. It was fast too—impossible for me to catch up on foot.
'Pull out a motorcycle or helicopter?'
I considered it but decided against it.
I could already feel the system watching me lately; I didn't want to do anything too conspicuous.
'And if weird rumors start spreading, it'll be a hassle.'
I started trudging along the road, then realized I was just walking and activated auto-proceed.
"Where are you headed alone, sir?"
"......"
A band of thieves appeared before me.
I narrowed my eyes and glared at them. Filthy, dark-skinned men in ragged clothes. About fifteen of them—no women in sight.
Normally, I'd have killed them on sight without a word.
"Hey. Who ordered you to kill me?"
But today alone, this was the fourth band of thieves I'd run into. I'd let the first three slide. The area was barren land, so bandits were common. But four attacks in half a day? Even I had to get suspicious.
"Who dares give orders to us? Don't insult us!"
"Bandits talking about insults. So you weren't really ordered to attack me, right?"
"You came into our turf! Don't beg for your life even if you don't want to die! We'll kill you and take everything you've got!"
"These idiots don't even know what my cloak is."
I muttered irritably.
I was currently wearing a cloak with a white base embroidered with a blue butterfly. Any empire citizen, even a kid from the neighborhood, knew the blue butterfly symbolized House Valdert.
"Heh. You think you can claim to be a knight of House Valdert, you lowborn scum? I know your type. You're no knight material. Scammer, count yourself lucky—we'll kill you before House Valdert hunts you down!"
"......So, basically, I look like easy prey to you."
"Kill him!"
I pulled a spear from my inventory—the one I'd been practicing with lately—and clashed with the bandits.
'This is easy.'
Using the spear's long reach made the fight a breeze. The bandits, mostly armed with swords, got sliced or stabbed before they could even close in.
"Hah, huff...! R-Really a Valdert knight?!"
In less than a minute, the bandit leader was left alone, staring in shock. He glanced at me warily, then turned and bolted at full speed.
'What an idiot. Does he really think he can escape me?'
I took a javelin stance. Even mass-produced, it was dwarf-made, fitting perfectly in my hand.
'Astrafe.'
Lightning surged along the spear. I hurled it at the fleeing bandit leader. With a thunderclap, it streaked through the air like a bolt and pierced him clean through.
The result was more gruesome than expected. His body exploded into chunks that sprayed everywhere.
'Even accounting for the extra mana, this power is beyond what I figured. Astrafe's doing?'
I walked over, retrieved the spear, and continued on my way.
I arrived at a fairly large village.
Having walked for three days, I planned to rest here today and set off again tomorrow.
'There must be a spear shop, right? Even if not, a village this size should have some beauties.'
As soon as I entered the village gate, people stared at me.
"......"
They quietly sized me up. Not the welcoming type.
"Insolent bunch."
I flicked my cloak dramatically and muttered loud enough for them to hear. The villagers flinched and dropped their gazes.
My current status was knight of House Valdert—higher than commoners.
"For one such as I to grace this rundown village, it's only proper to receive the village chief's thanks. Fetch the chief."
"Y-Yes, sir, knight!"
Having finally snagged a House Valdert knight identity, how could I not abuse it a little?
I crossed my arms sternly and waited for the chief. Then a young boy approached me, carrying a basket of flowers.
"K-Knight, sir. Would you like some flowers?"
"No need."
"Knight, sir! P-Please buy some flowers! I haven't eaten in three days!"
The boy grabbed my left leg. Annoyed, I shook him off with a kick.
"Aaaagh!"
The boy went flying. Even so, I'd shown mercy—I'd controlled my strength.
"S-Sorry! Spare me! Knight, sir! Please spare me!"
"Indeed. As expected of a beggar, you're skilled at groveling. I'll let you live."
I glanced around.
'The village women watching must have seen my generous mercy.'
Then I spotted a girl. In ragged clothes, holding a flower basket. Our eyes met, and she trembled, backing away. I approached and knelt on one knee.
"Milady. I happen to need flowers. Would you sell yours to me?"
"Uh, um, th-that..."
The girl panicked. Up close, it confirmed it—she'd grow into a beauty.
I grabbed the flowers from her basket and stuffed money in instead.
'These flowers...'
I didn't really need them.
I tossed them onto the boy still prostrated on the ground.
"You seem to like flowers, so consider this a gift. Take it."
I looked around again. No one in the village dared meet my eyes.
In the distance, an old man came huffing and puffing. By his vibe and timing, the village chief.
"S-Sorry! How dare I keep a knight waiting!"
"It's fine. I walked here without rest. I'm tired and want to rest well in your village."
"I'll guide you to an inn!"
"Chief. As the village head, you must have the best house. I'll impose on yours."
"Our home is too humble for a knight! I'll show you the village's finest inn! It's been ages since a knight visited, so the innkeeper won't even charge!"
The chief seemed to have my number.
"You see me as too shameless. Of course I'll pay for lodging."
I pulled out a money pouch. Gold coins gleamed inside—1 million penni total, about 10 million won.
In a poor village like this, it was a fortune. All eyes turned to me.
"Chief. Let me stay at your house for the night... and this money is all yours. Ah, of course, you'll attend to me, but I can tip extra."
"We'll welcome the knight to our home!"
"Heh. Knew it."
I didn't skimp on money.
I earned it not to save, but to spend.
We arrived at the chief's house. Better than the others nearby.
"Knight, sir! Just a moment, please! I'll have my wife and daughter-in-law clean the best room right away!"
"Hm. Very well."
I replied disappointedly. The daughter-in-law behind the chief was older and plain—not my type.
"Chief."
"Yes, knight, sir."
"Virgin, widow, married—doesn't matter. Bring beauties. And the more, the better."
"That's..."
The chief trailed off, looking troubled.
A strapping man seeking beauties? The reason was obvious; the chief knew.
I showed him a pouch—not the money one, but filled with radiant gems.
The chief's eyes bulged.
Gems like these could buy the whole village and more.
"Gems based on the woman's beauty. One for you, one for the beauty. You know the value of one of these, right?"
"Y-Yes, of course, sir."
Greed burned in the chief's eyes. Old didn't mean wise or detached from desire.
"If the beauties satisfy me, I can give more gems. Bring them within three hours. I'll trust the long-time village chief."
"Won't keep you waiting long!"
The chief rushed out, clearly picturing candidates.
I sat leisurely on the tidy bed, waiting for beauties.
The chief returned in about an hour, with a cloaked woman beside him.
"Chief. You haven't forgotten my conditions, right?"
"You'll be satisfied! Ridella! Before the knight, sir! Take off your cloak!"
"Yes."
A soft, gentle voice.
'Voice passes for now.'
The cloak fell away.
Long golden hair gleaming in waves. Green eyes turned to me. Pale skin, sharp features. Slightly drooping eyes gave a soft air.
"...Impressive. Who'd think a village like this had a beauty like you."
"Y-Yes. The village's finest. Took a lot of convincing."
I gave five gems to the chief, five to Ridella.
"Thank you! Knight, sir!"
"Out."
"Yes! Have a pleasant time!"
The chief left beaming. I stared piercingly at the woman and said,
"Introduce yourself."
"I'm Ridella. I just had my coming-of-age ceremony."
"A virgin?"
"......Yes."
Ridella blushed faintly and nodded.
I started undressing first; she hesitated, then followed. B-cup breasts, slim waist. Long legs gave a model vibe.
Her underwear was damp—she'd showered before coming.
She hesitated to remove it fully.
"Didn't expect a beauty like you. That desperate for money?"
"......I want to leave this village and live in the city. I need money for that."
"Fair enough. A shame for someone like you to rot here."
I approached her hesitant form. My hand naturally went to her crotch. Fingers stroked soft golden pubic hair, then delved into her secret place. Confirming her hymen, I smiled satisfied.
Puk!
A sharp knife plunged into my heart.
I reflexively looked at Ridella's face. Gone was the shy virgin's expression—now cold assassin's eyes stared back at me.