Chapter 272
Chapter 272
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 272
Chapter Title: Rematch (1)
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Inside an office overflowing with all sorts of flashy decorations.
"So the tracking failed after all?"
The man known as the Ruler, reading a report on his monitor as usual, unwittingly furrowed his brow and let out a sigh.
Even as he did, his mechanical prosthetic eye relentlessly scanned the compiled data on the 'major hospital terrorist incident and the Holy Knight in white armor,' organizing it neatly in his mind.
'Korea again this time. And holy power, no less...'
- The origin of the holy power from which world remains unconfirmed.
- Thus, his background is either undisclosed or presumed to be from a dimension only recently discovered.
Confirming even that final note, the Ruler rubbed his aching brow and sank deep into his chair.
This incident had become quite the hot topic in Korea, so naturally, the Reverse Heaven Society was monitoring developments nearly in real-time.
The emergence of a new powerhouse—especially one wielding the rare power of holy energy—was bound to introduce significant variables.
"Not content with Hahoe Mask and the vampire Heinz, now we've got a pope-level Holy Knight on top of that? Ha! This is ridiculous."
The Ruler let out a hollow laugh in disbelief.
Of course, returnees with immense power appearing on the world stage wasn't all that rare. The problem lay in the timing and location.
'Hahoe Mask first showed up less than half a year ago. And now, three named-level threats popping up one after another in the same region?'
At this point, it was no mere coincidence.
Rather than dismissing it lightly, it made more sense to assume something was up on that little peninsula.
'And once again, we failed to track their movements.'
Moreover, their behavioral patterns closely resembled those of the previous ones.
Even with the Korean branch of the Reverse Heaven Society laying low after pulling back from the field, their intelligence network was something they took pride in...
'Could this be why the Oracle advised caution regarding Korea?'
Tsk. Clicking his tongue, the Ruler manipulated a nearby magic tool to activate the exclusive communication channel reserved for branch chiefs.
The existence of this Holy Knight posed a high risk of becoming a variable, one way or another. It was best to take preemptive measures if possible.
'Pantheon Korea branch is mobilizing to find him.'
Due to the organization's nature, Pantheon inherently favored those with strong holy power.
Among followers of different gods, hierarchy could only be determined by their sole common ground: 'faith.'
And now, a cleric potentially at the pinnacle of the world had suddenly appeared in Korea.
'Yes, pulling him to our side would be helpful, whether as a figurehead or for real influence.'
And the same applied to them.
For talent of that caliber, the optimal move was to collar them and put them to use somehow.
Asking for help from another branch over an incident in his jurisdiction bruised his pride, but after several failures, he prioritized results over ego.
"Time to widen the board a bit."
He sent a message through the activated magic tool.
Sender: Reverse Heaven Society East Asia Branch Chief, Ruler.
Recipient: Reverse Heaven Society North America Branch Chief, Scribe.
The recipient's location was none other than the headquarters of the Interworld Religious Alliance, Pantheon.
***
'It's heating up more than expected. Guess I need to establish a solid alibi sometime.'
After finishing my outing and returning home, I glanced at the passing public opinion and shrugged lightly.
It was true I'd been at the scene, so if some obsessive type decided on a full investigation, it could get annoying...
'But that means nothing to me. Even under 24/7 surveillance, my new ability would let me slip away effortlessly.'
Before sending Hugo to the strong world, I'd consecutively strengthened my unique skills.
The upgrade for 1.3 million points added an effect to the promising 'Entity Projection':
And another one, acquired for 1.4 million points—
The ability to summon avatars remotely.
What was once limited to summoning clones near my main body could now be done freely within a whopping 30-kilometer radius.
Of course, there was the constraint of needing some awareness of the location for precise summoning, but simply being able to dispatch a clone instantly to any desired spot was a huge merit.
Living in Seoul's outskirts now meant virtually the entire city, plus Incheon and Suwon areas, were within range.
'If it grows further, I might send avatars anywhere in the world instantly, beyond just Korea. Shame the number of entities didn't increase, but it's plenty sufficient as is—this isn't bad.'
My avatars were busily operating from their respective positions right now.
Those temporarily gathered in Tar拉克 had returned to their posts, Hubert—who'd fled south—had rejoined Diana at the merchant guild, and Howard was developing a new suit based on real combat data.
'Still, the Otherworld Teleportation Circle's cooldown dropping to five days is convenient. Already two days... no, just a day and a half left.'
Sure, I could manage without it as always, but having insurance made a world of difference in mindset.
Better to have certainties than rack my brain over cleanup.
'Not that there's any real danger left in Outerica now that the revolutionary's been dealt with.'
Smiling contentedly, I headed to the gym for my daily upper body routine.
***
Immediately after the massive battle in Tar拉克 between the hero party and the Immortal King.
As befitting its significance, news spread swiftly across the world.
It naturally reached the imperial palace of the Azerion Empire, the world's strongest nation, and from there to the successor, Riley.
Upon hearing it, she naturally...
"...So I think I'll have to be away for a while."
"I see?"
...shared it with Hesperon.
"The Pontiff's mourning period is starting anyway, so I had to go once. Opportunities like this, where all the big shots gather, don't come often, right?"
The Pontiff's funeral had proceeded with the grand temple closed to outsiders, held solely among the faithful.
Just as it opened for public condolences, this incident erupted.
"So while everyone's gathered, we'll hold a strategy meeting too. Hmm, it's informal, but it could count as the third summit..."
"You have to go to a gathering like that. You're the Empire's official representative now, Crown Princess."
"...Y-Yeah."
The reason Riley looked so downcast about this obvious schedule was that she couldn't bring Hesperon along.
They'd made a point of meeting once a day, so suddenly being apart long-term left her inexplicably uneasy.
"Maybe I can find a way to bring you with me..."
"Huh? Nah, no need to push it. This is a crucial time—no sense stirring up scandals. Besides, your master will be there."
"Ugh, true, but..."
The goals of this holy site visit were attending the Pontiff's funeral and the strategy meeting.
As the delegation leader, she had duties to fulfill, and bringing along someone with no official title or rank—a supposed 'lover' the palace hushed up about—to such an important event was impossible.
No matter their actual relationship, it wouldn't look good publicly.
This differed from the second summit, when he'd tagged along with the hero party to the Roselia Grand Temple.
'With the title of 'Disciple of the Otherworlder,' forcing it might be possible, but no need to create flaws on purpose.'
Disciple of the Archmage or the princess's benefactor—neither justified inclusion in a national delegation.
Shrugging lightly, he offered a compromise to soothe her.
"Still, just in case, I'll see you off on departure day. And greet you on return. It'll be fine for a short escort."
"...Hmm, if it's not an issue... No, you're right. I'd appreciate that."
She nodded slowly, a vague smile on her face.
Not yet formally invested, but with her crown princess position confirmed, her security was far tighter than before.
The delegation included master-level knights and archmages stronger than Hesperon, but his history of saving her multiple times would provide significant mental reassurance.
And a little time later.
Right after the hospital terror and Heinrich's flashy debut on Earth.
The day arrived for Riley to depart for Roselia Grand Temple.
***
Jeron Grand Temple, on the outskirts of the Empire's capital.
"Then please take care, Princess. I'll be waiting."
"Mm."
Hesperon, who'd accompanied her to the entrance, bowed politely to see Riley off.
The delegation leader responded with a solemn nod before calmly leading her dozens of escorts inside.
Her resolute figure exuded the charisma befitting the next emperor, but to him—who remembered her pouting alone just yesterday—it was simply adorable.
With the imperial delegation fully vanished inside...
"Whew—this solo outing's been a while. Or is it my first?"
Hesperon stretched and turned away from the temple entrance.
'Entered immortality right away with Riley, then joined the hero party... back to holing up in the palace with her.'
Though dispatched for that purpose from the start, actually experiencing it felt oddly nuanced.
Especially lately—nothing but chatting with Riley in the palace or personal training?
'Of course, harvesting karma and raising realms is the ultimate goal.'
This was Jeron, the capital of the Azerion Empire.
One of Outerica's largest, most representative cities.
Yet his memories consisted of...
'Let's see. Excluding palace confinement and pure transit...'
The Immortal King's rampage that wrecked everything.
And rolling around protecting Riley on the way back from the second summit.
'Talk about a dry life.'
He could've at least toured a bit.
But sightseeing the city now held no appeal.
Three years in this world, yet his experiences' density dwarfed others'.
The phase of marveling at bustling streets had long passed.
"Hmm, time to head back. Got things to do."
Fiddling with the eyepatch over his right eye, Hesperon shrugged and boarded the waiting carriage.
Feeling it start moving slowly, he quietly organized his plans.
Thanks to steady growth elixirs and training, he'd grown familiar with his new abilities.
Centered on the 'Arm of Craving' in his arm, plus other powers and magic tools, he could probably hold his own against pinnacle-level foes.
'Well, I'd still lose in a real fight.'
Curse-enhanced attack power seemed ample, but defense lagged far behind.
Thus, his recent efforts involved imperial summoner mages to find a familiar resilient to the potent curse within him.
One comfortable with negative energies.
'Full circle back to summons. I have a backup plan, but... it'll take more time.'
Sighing as he pondered his path, he reached for the carriage's closed window.
No tourism planned, but enjoying the scenery couldn't hurt...
Rattle—
The window wouldn't open.
"Hm?"
Rattle— rattle—
Wondering if it was stuck, he tried several more times. No dice.
Blocking his 'Brute Strength'-infused power meant not just physical force, but magic and mysteries at play.
Realization hit, his thoughts cooling sharply as senses sharpened.
Thud thud thud—!
Right on cue, the leisurely carriage surged into a mad gallop.
Even the luxury shock absorbers couldn't fully dampen the shakes; inside felt like an earthquake.
No more thinking needed.
Shrrrip—!
He instantly unsealed the bandages around his right arm—
Boom—!
And shattered the carriage side, leaping out.
Using countless black threads from his right hand to cushion the impact, he landed safely.
A stunning display of destructive power ripping through the sealing magic array in one blow, paired with artistic control—but he couldn't smile.
"...Not bad. Looks like you're more than parlor tricks with tools."
A band of masked figures had surrounded the nearby slums.
But the one addressing him without a mask was unmistakably familiar.
'Ah, again... This is turning into trauma...'
He really didn't mesh with this city.
Hesperon sighed at the familiar face.
Stab, the suspected perpetrator of the princess assassination attempt—the one who'd cost him his eye and cursed his arm.