Chapter 166
Chapter 166
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 166
Chapter Title: Contract with the Emperor (3)
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It was only natural, really.
Kang Hyun-soo was a player bearing the divine title of Demon-Subduing Blood God.
So what kind of power would someone on par with him possess?
“This person possesses the level of martial prowess held by a named player with a divine title?”
“That’s correct.”
Kang Hyun-soo answered with a calm expression.
This wasn’t a lie at all.
If anything...
‘His actual power is likely greater than that of a named player with a divine title.’
What was the strength of Doppelganger King Taliman, who had fully recovered his pre-death prowess thanks to the infusion of demonic energy?
It was powerful enough to topple a small nation single-handedly.
‘Well, when disguising demonic energy as mana, his power does drop a bit.’
Was it because he had become Kang Hyun-soo’s summon?
When he was a demonkin, using about 50% of his demonic energy made it impossible to pass it off as mana.
But now, he could use up to 80% and still disguise it as mana.
‘I should test it with Demon Dragon Karas or Orc Lord Kashku too.’
In the case of the Tiger King, was it because he lacked the knack?
Or because his commander rank was low, limiting his intelligence?
‘He can’t hide his demonic energy at all.’
On the other hand, Doppelganger King Taliman’s ability to conceal his demonic energy had actually improved.
‘It might be due to buffs from the commander appointment and commander’s blessing.’
With only two samples so far...
‘I can’t know for sure yet.’
Once he had more summons enhanced via the demonic energy orb...
He’d probably get more precise results.
“May I test this individual’s power myself?”
At that moment, Duke Richard of Loyalty stepped forward and asked Kang Hyun-soo.
“You might end up embarrassed.”
Even at Kang Hyun-soo’s words...
“Even if that’s the case, I must risk it. To accurately assess the level of protection for His Imperial Majesty.”
Duke Richard of Loyalty did not back down.
‘Still the same as ever.’
Rather than his own honor or pride...
‘Protecting Emperor Charles XIII comes first.’
From Kang Hyun-soo’s perspective, it wasn’t a bad proposal either.
“If His Imperial Majesty permits it, I have no reason to refuse.”
At Kang Hyun-soo’s response...
“Then let’s head to the training grounds right now.”
Charles XIII said, his face brimming with excitement.
A duel between Duke Richard of Loyalty—one of the top three powerhouses in the Dark Knights—and this newcomer.
Charles XIII, who admired players, had no reason to pass up such a rare spectacle.
A short while later.
Duke Richard of Loyalty and Doppelganger King Taliman faced each other, taking their positions.
-How much power should I show?
At Doppelganger King Taliman’s question...
-Go all out, but without revealing your demonic energy. Duke Richard of Loyalty is no pushover.
He hadn’t received a divine title, but...
Among those below that level, Duke Richard of Loyalty maintained the pinnacle of skill as a player.
Even as standards for named players rose over time...
‘He upheld his saint title while serving as the First Guard Captain protecting the emperor.’
With more time...
‘He could grow into a powerhouse surpassing even Doppelganger King Taliman.’
If he got careless and lost or took an injury...
‘It would only complicate things.’
Having received the order to give his all without revealing demonic energy, Doppelganger King Taliman...
Bwooom!
Began radiating explosive mana.
“Urk!”
A cry escaped from Charles XIII, who was only a normal human.
“Protect His Imperial Majesty!”
The guard knights channeled their mana to shield the emperor.
Yet even the guarding knights were drenched in sweat, tense as could be.
“Impressive indeed. Here I come.”
With a composed expression, Duke Richard of Loyalty gripped his sword and shield.
Thud!
And charged at Doppelganger King Taliman.
KABOOM!
Aura clashed against aura, unleashing a massive shockwave.
BOOM! BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!
They collided repeatedly at speeds too fast for a normal human like Charles XIII to follow.
‘Impressive as expected.’
Duke Richard of Loyalty’s skill was well-deserved.
‘If he weren’t the Guard Captain, he might have earned a divine title.’
A guard knight’s duty was to protect the emperor.
Thus, they couldn’t devote much time to hunting for levels.
And yet, to display such prowess...
‘A shame.’
If he weren’t a guard knight...
He’d be a great asset in safeguarding all humanity.
‘Well, it’s not impossible.’
If he eased off guard duties a bit to focus on leveling...
And if they prevented his pre-regression fate of dying while protecting the emperor...
‘He’ll definitely be a huge help in the fight against the Demon King.’
KABOOM!
Amid the fierce clash, Duke Richard of Loyalty began to fall back bit by bit.
Duke Richard of Loyalty tried to find an opening somehow.
But he only got pushed further into a corner.
“I concede defeat.”
In the end, Duke Richard of Loyalty sheathed his sword and admitted defeat cleanly.
However...
‘He’s fired up now.’
Fighting spirit and fury blazed in Duke Richard of Loyalty’s eyes.
‘He holds the position of First Guard Captain, but...’
At his core, Duke Richard of Loyalty was a quintessential martial artist.
For the empire’s top expert to suffer defeat...
‘It’s bound to dent his pride.’
On top of that...
‘Duke Richard of Loyalty probably realizes Taliman didn’t go all out.’
A named player’s status wasn’t just from good items, skills, and levels.
They needed that intangible sense and instinct beyond skills.
‘A powerhouse like Duke Richard of Loyalty would notice.’
Even Kang Hyun-soo had seen Doppelganger King Taliman hold back his mana at crucial moments.
It was solely because he was following Kang Hyun-soo’s order to disguise demonic energy as mana.
‘But Duke Richard of Loyalty can’t know that.’
He’d only think it was deliberate restraint because it was just a spar.
‘Well, it’s partially true.’
If Doppelganger King Taliman went all out, demonic energy would leak.
‘I even shortened his name to “Ri” midway.’
He couldn’t risk exposing demonic energy over a mere spar.
Clap clap clap!
Charles XIII clapped with a beaming smile.
“Magnificent! Truly magnificent! I had no idea the Dark Knights had such a powerhouse!”
Charles XIII was thoroughly thrilled.
He’d already been overjoyed just to meet Demon-Subduing Blood God, the named player with a divine title who led the Dark Knights.
Now, a powerhouse his equal had appeared.
And moreover...
‘Such a powerhouse will protect me.’
Duke Richard of Loyalty was strong.
But even when the undead legions invaded the capital, he couldn’t step up to show his prowess.
Why?
Because Duke Richard of Loyalty’s duty was solely to protect the emperor—himself.
But if a player stronger than Duke Richard of Loyalty became his guard...
‘I’ll have both the sharpest spear and sturdiest shield.’
Charles XIII’s mood soared to the heavens.
“Remove your helmet. I want to see your face.”
At Charles XIII’s request, Doppelganger King Taliman removed his helmet.
And at that moment...
Swish!
Golden hair cascaded down like a waterfall.
Revealing a pure, delicate beauty who looked no older than her early twenties.
‘Huh?’
Even Kang Hyun-soo was quite taken aback by Doppelganger King Taliman’s disguise.
-What’s with that face?
-You said it had to be 180 degrees different from my pre-death demonkin appearance, Master. Changing gender was the surest way.
-Ah, I see.
Kang Hyun-soo was momentarily speechless.
He had given that order, true.
‘But I didn’t expect him to actually change genders.’
Doppelganger King Taliman was a demonkin adept at disguise, even able to transform into other races.
But he had never once shed his male gender identity.
Thus, naturally...
‘He’d never disguised himself as a woman in life either.’
He had followed Kang Hyun-soo’s command to the letter.
Yet...
‘It’s a bit scary.’
Summons retained their pre-death memories and abilities.
But they were ultimately Kang Hyun-soo’s summons.
Separate entities from their former selves.
‘ I knew that, but...’
He’d never felt it so vividly until now.
‘To think he’d discard his male identity just to follow orders faithfully.’
-I also thought adopting a female form would help lower the emperor’s guard.
‘True enough. But...’
It was too much.
Charles XIII gaped, eyes wide, staring at Doppelganger King Taliman in a daze.
Meanwhile, Duke Richard of Loyalty...
‘My skin’s crawling.’
Was glaring at Kang Hyun-soo like mad.
From that gaze...
‘It’s too cowardly to use a honey trap!’ came Duke Richard of Loyalty’s voice, it seemed.
‘It’s not like that.’
This was an unexpected accident even for Kang Hyun-soo.
-Why go for such a knockout beauty? Just being a woman would’ve sufficed.
Doppelganger King Taliman’s transformation was a peerless beauty rarely seen in the world.
Which made sense, of course.
‘It’s like creating a person with Earth’s CG tech.’
And with zero uncanny valley or artificial feel—a masterful job.
-Demonkin males aside, human males drop their guard around beauties too, right? So I gave it my all.
Kang Hyun-soo was speechless at Doppelganger King Taliman’s reply.
He had executed Kang Hyun-soo’s instructions perfectly, even sacrificing his gender identity in the process.
How could Kang Hyun-soo reprimand such loyalty?
-Good job.
-Thank you.
‘Did his intelligence rise too much?’
After becoming a brigade commander, he’d pulled something way outside Kang Hyun-soo’s expectations.
‘Well, no harm done.’
Charles XIII still hadn’t snapped out of it.
‘He’s totally smitten.’
Kang Hyun-soo hadn’t intended a honey trap.
But it had turned into one by accident.
Charles XIII was the emperor of a great empire.
He’d surely seen countless beauties.
But never one like Doppelganger King Taliman.
Plus...
‘He’s a player he admires.’
One with prowess worthy of a divine title, no less.
‘And the image of a dark hero from a secret organization fighting for humanity.’
It was understandable for Charles XIII to fall at first sight.
“You’re Lady Ri, correct?”
Charles XIII finally came to his senses.
“Yes.”
“Your skill is remarkable for one so young.”
“This is all thanks to my lord’s grace.”
“Your lord? You mean Duke Darklord?”
“Indeed.”
Hearing Doppelganger King Taliman’s answer, Charles XIII shot Kang Hyun-soo a jealous glance.
‘Why me?’
He’d been looking at Kang Hyun-soo with admiration moments ago, but now it was like a rival in love.
And then...
“How did you come to serve Duke Darklord?”
He asked something utterly random.
“My lord...”
Fortunately, Doppelganger King Taliman spun a suitable story.
It was about being his lifesaver.
-Don’t let things get weird.
It’d be trouble if Charles XIII turned hostile toward Kang Hyun-soo.
-Understood.
Doppelganger King Taliman’s acting and storytelling were impeccable.
So much so that...
Charles XIII’s jealous glare instantly turned to respect and gratitude.
‘He’s completely hooked.’
Kang Hyun-soo felt Doppelganger King Taliman could not only guard but outright control Charles XIII.
‘Nothing bad for me.’
Truly, not a single downside.
Yet his conscience twinged.
‘Feels like I’ve committed a grave sin.’
It was indeed a grave sin.
He’d set fire to a young boy’s heart.
And the one who lit it was...
‘Sorry.’
Kang Hyun-soo offered a sincere apology to Charles XIII in his mind.