Conquering the Saintess for the Legendary Armor
‘If Antoine gets his hands on the evolving legendary armor Selendis, things will get messy. His heroic artifact would evolve into a legendary one, giving him two legendary artifacts in total.’
The legendary artifact in Memphis was called Selendis, an armor. Its ability to evolve and cause evolution meant it could turn any heroic artifact used alongside it into a legendary one, and if paired with a mythic artifact, it would ascend to mythic grade itself. Antoine had learned this information and was now desperate to claim Selendis for himself.
‘The point is, if I obtain Selendis, I can evolve it into another mythic artifact.’
Geum Taeyang’s desire for Selendis wasn’t merely to sabotage Antoine. Right now his absolute demonic sword Luciena remained at heroic grade because he was still too weak, but once he reached S+ level and unsealed its mythic power, the armor Selendis would evolve in tandem to mythic grade. Who could possibly defeat someone wielding two mythic-grade artifacts?
‘But there’s also the Guardian Commander Victoria, and Serazad herself is no easy heroine to conquer. Antoine hasn’t had enough time to figure out how to approach her yet.’
In the Pieta world, legendary artifacts were overwhelmingly powerful yet notoriously difficult to obtain. Their routes were mysterious and extremely demanding. Antoine was still struggling to uncover the method.
‘So I have to finish this now.’
Geum Taeyang, however, already knew the answer. He had conquered Saintess Serazad once before while playing Record of Otherworld Conquest.
‘Still, I should double-check every possible method. The version I know was the 15+ Memphis saga, and I’m currently playing the 19+ version.’
The Memphis saga was every bit as depraved as the Leona saga. With more involved characters, it might even be more complicated. Geum Taeyang wanted to be absolutely certain.
‘I can feel it. Once I get physical with the Saintess, Fortune Monopolizer will trigger.’
And Geum Taeyang possessed exactly that ability. His cheat trait had already proven itself when he found the Morion mine, claimed Leona, and uncovered the true nature of Beatrice’s necklace. Since heroic-grade and higher artifacts counted as fortuitous encounters, Fortune Monopolizer would surely activate here as well. At minimum, he needed to touch Serazad’s hand—the direct link to Selendis. That was why he had been so fixated on securing an A-rank or S-rank guest pass.
“Excuse me, are you the Great Khan?”
At that moment, someone approached Geum Taeyang, who was seated in the S-rank section with Nadia and Sophia.
‘Oh… Victoria Saint-Pierre.’
It was Victoria Saint-Pierre, Commander of the Bellahaim Guardians.
“For security reasons, I must ask you to remove your mask. If you would, please.”
She was referring to Geum Taeyang’s mask. Though the request could have been delivered as a direct order, Victoria spoke with considerable politeness.
“Ah, of course. I was so captivated by the Saintess’s sacred beauty that I forgot.”
With a playful smile, Geum Taeyang removed his mask.
“Ooooooh…!!”
A fresh wave of gasps rose from the crowd still marveling at the Saintess’s beauty and holiness.
“So that’s the Great Khan who unified the Mohican tribe? He’s incredibly handsome!”
“What a striking appearance! I wondered why he wore a mask, but now I understand the striking contrast!”
People could not stop praising Geum Taeyang’s looks.
‘Hell yeah. This is exactly what I wanted…’
The early-game appearance boost had multiple purposes, including hiding his face from Antoine during their power struggle, but Geum Taeyang had also brought the mask specifically to enjoy moments like this. His godlike David-like features contrasted sharply with his image as a barbarian conqueror, creating an enormous impact. He had planned for this. It would satisfy his own vanity while painting the Mohican tribe in an overwhelmingly positive light.
“....”
Antoine, who had personally introduced the Saintess hoping to draw attention, wore a visibly displeased expression as the spotlight shifted to Geum Taeyang instead.
‘That barbarian bastard. I pamper him a little and he gets cocky enough to ruin my social gathering. How vulgar! A naked beast!’
Indeed, the sociopathic narcissist Antoine’s earlier genial demeanor had been nothing but an act. He was a racist and an arrogant noble supremacist at heart. Watching the barbarian Geum Taeyang steal everyone’s attention, the inferiority-ridden prince seethed with discriminatory insults in his mind.
“Ah…!”
Victoria Saint-Pierre, who had politely asked Geum Taeyang to remove his mask, also reacted strongly. Her eyes widened as she froze in place.
“Hm? Is something wrong, Commander? Do I have something on my face?”
Geum Taeyang asked with feigned innocence.
“No. Thank you for complying. Please enjoy the rest of the evening.”
Victoria quickly averted her gaze, offered a hurried bow, and left in a rush.
“As expected of our Great Khan—wherever he goes, he draws admiration and praise.”
Sophia beamed with a proud, maternal smile at the sight of everyone’s eyes on Geum Taeyang. Unlike Antoine, the confident Sophia felt no jealousy. She simply felt happy when her man was recognized and admired.
“Hmm…”
Nadia, meanwhile, alternated glances between Geum Taeyang and the retreating Victoria with a peculiar expression. It wasn’t simple jealousy. The sharp-witted princess sensed something was off.
“On behalf of the Church of the Goddess of Light, I would like to express my gratitude to all the nobles from various nations who have once again visited Memphis and joined us for the Goddess Festival.”
Serazad stepped onto the dais and began her speech, known as the Holy Words, to the crowd gazing at her with reverent eyes.
“Since ancient times, our church has worked to harmonize the continent’s many religions. The Goddess Festival was born from that very effort.”
The Saintess’s eyes shone with emerald light. The Saintess of Memphis wielded spirit energy. The goddess of the Church of the Goddess of Light was Selendis herself—a spirit deity. Spirits symbolized harmony, striving to bring balance between nature, humans, and gods. The Church of the Goddess of Light carried on that spirit.
“I am well aware of Memphis’s many shortcomings, both great and small. As Saintess, I will strive to atone through virtuous deeds and earn your forgiveness.”
The reason Serazad traveled abroad was simple: to prevent the royal family’s growing unpopularity from harming the people of Memphis.
Twitch…!
Antoine, the target of that indirect jab, felt his face twitch.
“Even after the banquet ends, you are free to explore the temple. This is a place without any restrictions or bindings.”
With that, Saintess Serazad’s Holy Words concluded.
“She looks even younger than Athena, yet she’s so composed.”
“She’s twenty-one this year, I believe.”
“That’s right, Great Khan. The same age as my cousin Kyle.”
Once the speech ended, the blessing and baptism ceremony began. Those receiving the blessing knelt before the Saintess and kissed the back of her hand, after which she would bestow her blessing. Only A-rank and S-rank guests were eligible, making it a mark of high status and prestige.
Thanks to Nadia, Geum Taeyang’s group had secured S-rank passes and joined the line. While waiting, they watched the Saintess from afar and chatted quietly.
“May health and peace be with your kingdom, your people, and your family.”
“Ooooooh…! It is an honor, Saintess… *kiss*…!”
Every time a noble took the Saintess’s hand, an emerald aura of spirit energy radiated from it. The recipients’ faces were filled with awe at witnessing such rare energy.
“You are the Great Mother of the Mohican tribe, correct? In fact, I personally recommended to the Bellahaim side that you be invited. I wished to meet you.”
When the S-rank line reached its end, Sophia Barbara came face-to-face with Saintess Serazad.
“I see! I am truly honored that the Saintess herself recommended us.”
“I have long heard of the Great Mother’s virtue and beauty, said to be the incarnation of the Gaia Goddess. I would love to visit Galatea someday.”
“You are always welcome, Saintess.”
Saintess Serazad was well aware of the wrongs Memphis had committed against the Mohican tribe. Now that circumstances allowed it, she sought to build a positive relationship through the symbolic figure of the Great Mother.
“Then, this must be the one who has been making the most remarkable achievements lately…”
Once Sophia’s blessing ended, it was naturally Geum Taeyang’s turn. Serazad turned her gaze toward him.
“!!!!”
Her eyes widened in shock—the same reaction Victoria Saint-Pierre had shown an hour earlier upon seeing his face.
“I am Geum Taeyang, Great Khan of the Mohican tribe. It is an honor to meet you, Saintess.”
Smiling gently, Geum Taeyang stood before her and looked down with his divine smile.
“Ah…! Yes, of course. It is a pleasure to meet you as well, Great Khan Geum Taeyang.”
Serazad seemed to lose herself for a moment before snapping out of it with a small flinch.
“....”
Guardian Commander Victoria Saint-Pierre, standing behind the dais to protect the Saintess, also witnessed that flinch.
Crunch…!
Geum Taeyang soon dropped to one knee. Serazad stared at him blankly.
“Ah, my apologies.”
With visible effort, she extended her right hand to him. Geum Taeyang took her pale hand and pressed a kiss to it.
♥
At that instant—
Fortune Monopolizer has activated for Conqueror Geum Taeyang.
‘Just as I thought. That’s how it works.’
Grinning, Geum Taeyang savored the activation of his cheat trait now that he had made physical contact with Serazad, the key figure connected to the legendary artifact Selendis.
“I think it is a positive thing that such a young leader has been born to the Mohican tribe. I hope we can maintain friendly relations with Memphis going forward, Great Khan Geum Taeyang.”
Though visibly flustered, Serazad seemed reluctant to let the conversation end and tried to prolong it.
“I will do my best.”
Geum Taeyang responded with only a short answer and his divine smile.
“Umm… May health and peace be with your nation, your people, and your family…”
Disappointed, the Saintess recited the final blessing in a slightly subdued voice.
Then Geum Taeyang leaned in and whispered something completely unexpected.
“The red flower has bloomed, Saintess Serazad.”
“!!!!!!???????”
Serazad’s reaction was even more dramatic than when she had first seen his face.
Geum Taeyang casually walked away once his turn ended. Serazad could not tear her eyes from him.
“Ah… Aaah…!”
Guardian Commander Victoria Saint-Pierre watched the two of them with a stiff expression.
“Is it really okay for us to just wander around like this, Great Khan?”
The first day of the social gathering’s banquet had ended. It was already past 2 a.m., yet Geum Taeyang and Sophia had no intention of sleeping in their assigned S-rank guest quarters. Instead, they were actively exploring the temple.
“The Saintess herself said we’re free to look around. The Church of the Goddess of Light values harmony, so they say letting outsiders wander once a year brings harmony to the temple.”
“Ah…! I see!”
Geum Taeyang spoke smoothly to the visibly tense Sophia. What he said was no lie—it was the truth, exactly as it appeared in Record of Otherworld Conquest.
‘This is how the protagonists of each mode discover the temple’s hidden secrets. The things they need.’
For example, stumbling into a secret chamber and learning of the existence of Memphis’s legendary artifact.
‘I don’t need those kinds of hints anymore. I’m after something else.’
Geum Taeyang was searching for something as well—something entirely different.
‘Found it!’
Drawing on his game memories, Geum Taeyang located his target within the vast temple of the Goddess of Light.
“Great Mother, doesn’t this statue’s hand look suspicious? It’s almost like it’s asking to be pulled down. And look at those joints—they’re oddly detailed.”
In a secluded corner, a statue of a woman stood against the wall—one of the apostles of the goddess Selendis.
“You’re right! Those joints do look unnatural!”
Sophia’s eyes sparkled with curiosity rather than caution. She nodded eagerly.
“Let’s just pull it.”
“Is that really okay?”
“Why wouldn’t it be? No one said we couldn’t touch anything.”
“W-well, that’s true, but…”
Geum Taeyang had already taken hold of the statue’s hand. Sophia hesitated, yet she clearly wanted to see what would happen.
—Rumble rumble rumble rumble!
“See? It moves!”
When Geum Taeyang pulled the hand downward, a mechanical sound echoed as if a switch had been flipped.
“The wall—the wall is opening, Great Khan!”
—Rumble rumble rumble rumble!
The wall beside the statue slid open, revealing a doorway.