Chapter 201
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 201
Chapter Title: What Are You Gonna Do?
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His stony silence didn't last long.
Edward soon opened his mouth in a low voice.
"I'll give you credit for tracking me down with just that flimsy clue and even finding the Seven Arcs. Impressive."
"Should I say thanks for the acknowledgment?"
He was one of the twelve specters of the Liberation Brigade, someone who prided himself on scheming from the shadows.
That's why getting caught so easily was utterly humiliating and a blow to his pride.
But he didn't let anger make him lose his cool.
He simply pulled an object from his pocket with cold words.
"But coming here alone was your mistake."
"Then why pull out a brush? Planning to do some painting?"
"I do intend to paint."
As Rimon eyed him dubiously, Edward swung the blood-red brush through the air.
The moment a bizarre shape formed in midair...
The shadow at his feet writhed and rose, taking the form of a familiar monster. Rimon's eyes narrowed.
"...I knew something felt off after tasting that blood. So it was paint from the start."
"True art changes reality."
Edward smiled coldly.
He stroked the shadow monster that had risen beside him and continued.
"You survived last time thanks to Countess Rose's luck, but not today."
"Hmm. Sounds like you sent these things to attack me before because you were targeting me."
"Took you this long to figure it out?"
"Nah, I've known for a while."
Rimon scratched his cheek.
He'd suspected the attack was aimed at him.
From what he'd heard, shadow monsters had openly appeared to Rose only when Jessica died and when they were ambushed at dusk.
Plus, there was that prophecy saying 'Ri' would threaten the Liberation Brigade, so he could see why they'd target him.
One problem, though.
"I just don't get why you used such a sloppy method."
"...Sloppy?"
"You're the type who never steps forward, always manipulating from behind. So why go so blatant that time?"
"Because you overstepped by hanging around with Countess Rose."
"Huh?"
Rimon blinked at the unexpected answer.
Seeing the sharp emotion in Edward's eyes—something beyond mere anger—Rimon looked incredulous.
"Wait, are you saying you got jealous because I strolled around London with her and attacked me for it?"
"Don't speak so carelessly. Countess Rose isn't a woman some lowly commoner like you can utter or even glance at."
"And you can?"
"Only a flawless woman like her qualifies to be the crown princess of the Great British Empire."
Rimon was at a loss for words.
"Is that something the guy who schemed from the shadows to crush the Serpent Count house should say?"
"That was for the greater cause."
"Greater cause... You mean shoving aside the Serpent Counts and Makers Guild to seize control of the Great British Empire? Your ambition?"
"Not ambition. A righteous mission."
Edward stated flatly.
With eyes burning with conviction, he glared at Rimon and pressed on.
"The Serpent Count house forgot their loyalty, wasting mercy on the foolish masses. The Makers Guild is vulgar and ignores honor. I'll lead them on the right path."
The Great British Empire belonged to the king by right.
So it was only natural for the Serpent Counts and Makers Guild to pledge loyalty to him.
Under him, the empire would grow stronger, not just dominating Europe but the entire world—a true empire.
That was true 'justice' and the 'greater good.'
Rimon let out a hollow laugh at Edward's unwavering declaration.
"You think that'll go your way?"
"It's already happening."
The moment he heard that...
Rimon furrowed his brow.
It wasn't just from years of experience sensing the implication in Edward's words.
He'd realized the source of the faint commotion starting from afar.
"...You've turned all of London into chaos."
"Sharp as ever."
Edward wore a cold smile and continued.
"I couldn't move my creations until now because I was bound by London's grand barrier. But that annoying curse is gone, thanks to the Magic Lord."
"And now that your monsters rampage through London, the citizens will condemn the Makers Guild for removing the barrier."
"The Serpent Count house's reputation will hit rock bottom for failing to protect the city, too."
"You'll pit them against each other over blame, escalate the conflict, and swallow both factions whole?"
"Everything's prepared. All that's left is to execute."
Rimon scowled at that.
"And you don't care if Londoners die in droves along the way?"
"There won't be that much damage. And if there is, any true Briton should see sacrificing for a great British Empire as an honor."
"...Yeah, that's Liberation Brigade scum for you."
Rimon's face hardened coldly.
Ryu Gangcheol, Bellos, and Eugene were ruthless killers, but not this vile.
At least they knew they were villains.
But Edward's perfect supremacist ideology—treating others' sacrifices as natural, believing himself justice incarnate—was utterly repulsive.
"Blab all you want. You're dying here anyway."
Edward ignored Rimon's look of disgust.
He issued a cold command.
"Deal with him."
Shhhh...
As the shadow monster charged at Rimon's response to the order, Edward was certain of his death.
The world knew him as a mere level-40s player, but his true level was 92.
Especially the shadow monsters summoned by his 『Purgatory Painting Album』—no mere musician could handle them.
At least, that's what he believed.
Slash!
"...?!"
"If you're a painting, stay on the floor like one. Why're you jumping around, you piece of shit?"
...Until Rimon bisected the shadow monster with a flick of his finger.
Stunned by his monster shattering in one blow, but only for a moment.
True to a high-rank player, Edward quickly regained composure and swung his brush again.
Shhhh...
Each swing birthed shadow monsters from the floor like bamboo shoots after rain.
The sight of countless beasts rivaling high-level players charging in would normally inspire despair.
The problem was that Rimon was anything but normal.
Slaaaash!
Each flick of his finger sent flashes through the air, cleaving shadow monsters apart.
Edward's eyes widened at dozens shredded in the blink of an eye.
"You've got some hidden tricks."
"Tricks, sure. But enough to take your head."
"...Insolent fool."
"We'll see who's insolent."
Edward's eyes filled with killing intent.
For someone prophesied to be the Liberation Brigade's doom, this skill wasn't surprising, just unexpected.
But Rimon's mocking sneer bruised his ego.
That's why he decided to use his unique skill sooner.
"『Constellation Descent X』, Kaiser."
Flash!
The moment he activated the unique skill granted only to the Liberation Brigade's twelve specters...
Edward transformed.
Mechanical armor extended from his back, encasing his body, while the blood-red brush elongated into a spear gripped in his hand.
Exploding with power, Edward sneered coldly.
"Get the picture now, commoner?"
Confidence brimmed in Edward's voice.
With the 'Artist of Hell-Paintings' embodied, he rivaled a monarch.
No matter Rimon's hidden talents, he couldn't handle this.
It was temporary until the holy relic's durability ran out, but enough time to kill Rimon and upend London.
"Yeah, I get it."
Was he numb from the overwhelming power?
Rimon nodded calmly.
He pulled something from the box on his back and continued softly.
"Thanks for summoning your constellation so quick. Saves me wasting time."
"...What?"
As Edward blinked in confusion at the random remark...
Rimon sheathed his held sword, gripped the one from the box, and stepped forward lightly.
One step closing distance.
One step piercing mental gaps.
One step slicing Edward's shoulder.
Slash.
Only after Rimon's three steps did Edward feel the emptiness and slowly turn his head.
Seeing his bare shoulder and the arm clutching the brush on the floor, his eyes bulged.
"Gaaahhh!"
Clutching the spurting shoulder amid belated agony, Edward screamed.
Rimon sneered at the sight.
"Making a fuss over one arm? The other specters fought till the bitter end."
"You... You're...!"
Even writhing in pain, those words jolted Edward awake.
No matter how off-guard, the power rivaling a monarch's, yet severed before he could react.
The mention of other specters.
Above all, the sword in Rimon's hand conjured one figure in Edward's mind.
"Rimon Asfelder!"
"Show some respect, punk. Who calls an elder so casually?"
"So it was you... You from the start! You damn ghost!"
Edward ground his teeth.
He should have realized when the prophecy named him the spark threatening the Liberation Brigade.
No one but this demon who'd pushed three specters to death could be so horrific.
His perfect disguise and the prejudice that the Sword Duke wouldn't play musician had blinded him to Ri and Rimon being one.
But now it was too late.
Underestimating him as a mere musician, Edward was cornered before fully using the constellation's power.
"A so-called Sword Duke hides his identity and ambushes? You honorless...!"
"Not your place to say."
Who was he to lecture honor, him who only hid and manipulated?
Scoffing at Edward, Rimon continued coldly.
"Any last words?"
"...!"
Feeling the killing intent in Rimon's icy gaze, Edward's face stiffened.
Arrogant, but not stupid.
Even at full strength, he'd avoid facing Rimon. Losing an arm made resistance impossible.
'Die like this?'
'Me, crown prince of the Great British Empire?'
'Just because I didn't realize his identity and let my guard down briefly?'
Trembling at the unbelievable reality for a moment...
Remembering something, Edward bellowed instinctively.
"Kill me, and my creations won't vanish! No—they'll rampage, destroying London!"
"Think I'll buy that lie?"
"It's no lie!"
Edward shouted desperately.
The 『Purgatory Painting Album』 wasn't mere summoning.
It was a dimensional skill linking the 'shadow world' to reality via paintings.
His paintings were gates summoning shadow world beings, but also restraints preventing excessive erosion.
And for emergencies, he'd left paintings across London.
If he died, they'd lose power in a day, but until then, spew endless monsters in frenzy.
Hence the name 'Purgatory.'
"Hmm, is that so?"
Rimon conceded for now.
Summons rampaging upon summoner's death weren't rare.
"Then cancel the skill now."
"What?"
"Erase all your shadow monsters. You can cancel it, right?"
"Don't talk nonsense!"
Edward snapped.
Doing that meant instant death by Rimon.
That insurance was for exactly this scenario.
Though he'd never imagined using it against this man, not Rose or Carl.
"Hand over the Seven Arcs and get out! Or I'll make my creations go berserk now!"
"You want me to obey so Londoners don't die randomly?"
"Yes!"
Too ridiculous for anger.
Gazing at Edward with emotionless, dry eyes for a moment.
Rimon asked again in a languid, sunken voice, as if confirming.
"So, you're gonna try a 'hostage situation' against me?"
If Yuna Kyung were here, she'd have facepalmed with her wings.
But Edward sneered coldly.
"Call it what you want. Just remember Londoners' lives are in my hands."
"...Guess I have no choice then."
Rimon nodded.
The instant Edward's face lit with triumph...
A flash grazed his neck.
Slash!
His head hit the floor, eyes wide in disbelief till the end.
Body crumpling, blood fountaining. Rimon spoke coldly.
"If you're doing a hostage play, pick your opponent better."
He never compromised on hostage situations.
Unaware of that simple, ironclad rule, Edward had made the worst choice.
Gazing indifferently at the corpse for a moment.
"...All according to plan, huh."
Rimon absorbed the starlight fragments from the body, then turned.
He swung his sword lightly.
Crack.
The central statue split neatly, revealing a glass case.
More precisely, the item inside. Eyeing it oddly, Rimon pocketed the whole thing and spun around.
Amid screams growing louder since Edward's death, he muttered softly.
"See, that's why you get insurance when you get old."