Chapter 58
Chapter 58
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Translator: Ebonarch
Chapter: 58
Chapter Title: Beyond the Gate (4)
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A small explosive sound echoed from Chloe's hidden needles. Soon after, a thick green mana sparkled from the giant's wound.
The giant had been unleashing ferocious attacks just moments ago. As time passed and it grew more provoked by my strikes, sparks intensified across its entire body.
Its form surpassed the standard 3rd-rank classification. The giant's assaults were savage and incredibly swift, amplified by a constant berserk state rather than a temporary buff.
And its size was at least three times larger than mine.
'That's why I had to hold back on the power a bit.'
Chloe shouted.
"I've used up all the poison I brought! This beast is so massive that it might not kill it outright, but it should still be plenty effective, my lord!"
She was right. The secret poison she kept hidden on her person was a deadly toxin capable of dropping a standard 3rd-rank beast in one hit.
Checking activated passives.
Immunity to All Poisons
Grants immunity to all poisons. Identifies poison-related status ailments due to poison comprehension effect.
List of active status ailments
Alchemist's Deadly Poison (trace amount applied. Immediate detoxification complete)
Even the trace amounts of poison dispersing into the air triggered my passive instantly.
Kraaaaaah!
The effect was tremendous, as expected. As the deadly toxin spread from the wound through its body, the giant let out an excruciating scream of agony.
The roar shook the entire city hall area.
Yet even this lethal poison couldn't kill the Cyclops outright. The damage wasn't enough.
'With a body that massive, instant death was too much to hope for.'
In the end, the finishing blow was mine.
"Rest now, Chloe."
She'd likely exhausted her mana with that alchemical poison attack via her needles. And per my orders, she'd used up all her secret toxin reserves.
She'd done more than enough.
Kaboom!
In its pain-fueled frenzy, the giant thrashed wildly, demolishing every earth pillar I'd raised. But there was no need to worry. I had plenty of mana left, and the ground was littered with materials for more.
I invoked alchemy once again.
Whoooosh!
Several times more earth pillars than before erupted en masse from the ruins it had made. The Cyclops's single eye trembled with bewilderment.
I dashed up the pillars in one fluid motion, leaping into the air.
"If you want to smash something, try smashing me instead of the pillars."
The giant's siege hammer swung toward me immediately. But I was already gone. I bounded onto another pillar, circling swiftly into its blind spot.
Swoooosh!
The hammer cleaved empty air again. It was no longer a threat. The giant had slowed noticeably. The poison's doing.
'A toxin that would've killed a standard 3rd-rank beast a dozen times over. Of course.'
Its movements seemed sluggish enough to yawn at, to me fully immersed in the fight.
The pillar-jumping pseudo-aerial combat I'd only planned until today now felt second nature.
"Kraaaaaah!!!"
As I evaded strike after strike, the giant grew furious. But it lacked the berserk momentum from before.
Speed, height, attack power— it held no edge over me in any.
The battle's end was near. One might grow overconfident at such a hunch.
Yet the blood of Reinhardt boiled with a warrior's fervor alongside the biting chill of Essenmont's fierce winds.
I grew colder than ever.
With icy reason, I traced the optimal path. Another fruitless swing from the giant. In that opening, the five forms of Lion Heart Sword thrust forth.
My blade tip pierced its eye faster than the Cyclops could react.
Spluuurt!
A thrust pouring every last drop of my mana.
Imbued with the majestic momentum of Lion Heart Sword, my imperial blade burst the Cyclops's head like a watermelon.
I landed lightly on the ground. Chloe's pupils dilated wide, witnessing the final strike.
Thud. The headless giant's body collapsed with a earth-shaking boom.
"I win. You did well too, Chloe."
The dungeon conquest was finally complete.
After collecting the 3rd-rank beast's magic core, I entered the city hall. Smashing the dungeon core in the central foyer spawned the exit gate.
Emerging outside, Anton and the territory soldiers were still waiting anxiously in the wasteland.
The gate vanished simultaneously. Clear proof of successful conquest.
The soldiers' cheers erupted in unison at the sight.
"Lord Reinhardt has emerged!!!"
"They succeeded in the hunt!!! We're all saved now!!"
"Reinhardts truly are different!! They took down beasts we couldn't even touch!!"
"Reinhardt!! Reinhardt!! Glorious Reinhardt!!"
Lord Anton approached swiftly, eyes brimming with emotion.
"Y-You really... took down all the beasts! Unbelievable! As expected of Reinhardt valor...!! You must have suffered greatly!!"
Anton and the soldiers knelt before me as one. Like witnesses to a mythic hero's miracle unfolding before their eyes.
'No wonder they're stunned at this sight.'
My attire was battle dress overlaid with metal armor, splattered thick with the Cyclops's fluids and blood from the headshot.
The traces all over me proved my exploits. Anton raised his hands skyward in praise.
"It must have been a brutal fight beyond words!! Yet you return unscathed alongside the marquess's daughter!! Your prowess is truly heroic and unparalleled!!"
Chloe, by contrast, had only a bit of dust on her— relatively pristine.
Of course, she'd contributed greatly to the conquest. But appearances made it clear who'd borne the brunt.
Thus, the soldiers' cheers focused on me.
"Not just us—the territory folk will sing your merits far and wide!!"
"Reinhardt!! Reinhardt!!"
Chloe simply screened her face with her fan, ignoring it all.
The group departed the wasteland once more. By the time we reached Anton's manor, it was late afternoon.
"It's too late to head back to the capital now! I'll prepare a grand banquet! Please, both of you, stay one more night at my manor!"
Music to my ears. With battle tension and adrenaline faded, fatigue set in. As Anton said, staying over was the right call.
After washing up, dinner awaited in the manor's dining hall. Far more lavish than last night's.
With the territory's threat gone, they'd apparently gathered every nearby delicacy. More dishes than yesterday.
Chloe still seemed displeased with her outfit.
'Compared to army rations, this is nothing.'
Having endured the worst field meals as an active soldier, this was a feast. Even bits of meat here and there.
Post-meal drinks flowed, ripening the banquet's mood.
"Frankly, I thought my line ended here. Those beasts were so ferocious and terrifying. Lord Julian, you'll be remembered forever as this territory's savior!"
"You're too kind, Sir Anton. Mere 3rd-rank beasts. Nothing special."
"So young, yet so humble! Here, our territory's specialty brew. Care for a long swig?"
Anton leaned in with a whisper.
"Truth be told, it can't compare to the capital's fine liquors. But it's made from a very famous fruit in our lands."
He glanced slyly at Chloe.
"That fruit... it blesses matters between men and women... with remarkable effects."
I caught his meaning at once. The so-called stamina booster soak.
The system confirmed it. Like unearthing treasure in an obscure backwater.
"Pardon my presumption, but the marquess's daughter eyes you unusually. Of course, I've heard you're betrothed to Her Highness the princess..."
Anton winked cautiously.
"A night of fun in a remote village like this? No one would know. And capital nobles these days are quite open-minded, or so I've heard. Heh. I've prepared your bedding with extra care tonight."
Hmm. Anton's thoughtfulness, in his way. The reward appealed. But my purpose in coming to Neuber was something else.
"Then, for you, my lord, allow me a tune!"
Anton stood abruptly. Chloe shot him a withering glance, as if he were being ridiculous.
But surprisingly, he had talent. No—he sang exceptionally well. Almost like a bard rather than a lowly knight.
Mixing upbeat and melancholic songs, he heightened the banquet's energy.
As singing ended, he took up a hornpipe and played. Just as masterfully.
Both the songs and melody felt familiar. The guests' reactions suggested fame. Even Chloe nodded along.
'Probably... a piece by 'that person.'
As Anton's performance closed, applause filled the hall. I joined in; Chloe gave a brief clap, seemingly impressed.
"Whew... I don't sing outside banquets. Tough after so long."
"Nonsense, Sir Anton. Astonishing. Better than capital bards, even."
"Never. Especially compared to that one..."
Anton spoke carefully to me.
"Compared to Riel, Lord Julian's father."
Bard Riel. The legendary 'devil-voiced' minstrel. Secretly Demon King Lucifer, Julian's true sire.
"In my youth, I spent brief time in the capital."
Anton shared his connection to Riel. As shown earlier, music was his true gift over knighthood.
He'd gone to the capital on knight training pretext but secretly immersed in its music, against his father the previous lord's wishes.
And twenty years ago, the capital's top musician was the devilish bard, Riel.
"A short show. But I shared a stage with him once. He gifted me this hornpipe as thanks for that encounter..."
I checked the hornpipe's grade via system. Uniquely, as expected.
The very reason I'd come to Neuber.
The banquet ended. I headed to the room Anton prepared. Unlike last night's, it had a spacious bed.
Fresh, tidy futons. Incense candles burned, filling the air with pleasant scent.
I'd drunk plenty of Anton's brew. But Immunity to All Poisons neutralized most. The virility boost lingered, leaving me quite heated.
Fresh off my first mission, battle excitement still thrummed.
My blood kept surging.
'Virility brew. Potent stuff.'
And I wasn't the only one feeling it. Chloe, in nightdress, visited my room.
"Something wrong, Chloe?"
I knew, but asked anyway.
"You're still up too, my lord. The food here's meh, but the booze? Surprisingly decent."
She crossed her legs in a chair by the room's table. Her legs, bared beneath the red nightdress, were alluring.
"Can't sleep myself. Fancy a drink and a game?"
On the table: booze, snacks, and wooden blocks she'd brought.
Blocks and game. Chloe whispered an invitation to a sort of card game.