Episode 1211
Episode 1211
-The cowardly Empire's lackeys are trying to break through the gate!
-Noble ones, assemble! Those insects dare to steal what is ours!
'Are they still fighting?'
Startled by the shouts of the vampire jiangshi, Lee Han turned his gaze.
It seemed the evil god worshipper priests they'd been forced to sacrifice earlier were attempting to breach the fortress gate.
"How did they get all the way to the gate? The fortress's offensive capabilities are no joke..."
-The one leading those evil god worshippers is no ordinary fellow. Well, you'd need that level of skill to climb the ranks in their order.
This fortress was by no means an easy target.
Though now ruined and decayed, hadn't this been a stronghold used by vampire rebels during their prime?
Even weakened jiangshi could unleash terrifyingly powerful attacks by channeling the corrupted magical energy swirling within these walls.
Yet this small force not only reached the gate but was attempting to breach it.
-No. It's not just skill. They seem furious.
"Huh?"
-Those evil god worshippers didn't come here out of personal vendetta. They came due to contracts and deals. Yet they're pressing forward like this without retreating...
Hamster analyzed coldly.
An evil god worshipper bishop couldn't act purely on madness. Those types usually got weeded out during their priest days.
Even in this situation, retreat would be the tactically sound decision, yet they're attempting a breach.
This clearly went beyond mere capability - they were acting out of sheer rage. And thoroughly so.
"Indeed. Evil god worshippers hate each other. Did Sanguiros's power anger them?"
-What nonsense? If they're angry, it's probably because of you.
"???"
Lee Han was bewildered.
True, he had betrayed the evil god worshippers outside, but that had been unavoidable.
Moreover, there was no way they could know about that.
"Why would they be angry at me?"
-Because from their perspective, you were just watching the battle from the swamp outskirts before quietly slipping into the fortress.
"......"
To the evil god worshippers led by the bishop, Lee Han was the very picture of suspicion.
First observing their fight with the jiangshi, then being the first to enter when the fortress appeared.
From their perspective, it was natural to misunderstand that 'there's something in the fortress this mage is trying to monopolize.'
Lee Han lamented this absurd misunderstanding. Truly, the wicked were so greedy their misunderstandings followed suit.
"How ridiculous. I was merely curious about the professor's school days."
-...?
Hamster tilted his head.
Hadn't he come because of the fortress's magic?
Why the professor's school days...
-...You bastard!!!!
'Oh no.'
Lee Han realized Hamster had belatedly caught on.
The truth was Lee Han hadn't been particularly interested in ancient magic to begin with.
-■■■■■■■! ■■■!!
'Good thing I don't understand the language.'
In his excitement, Hamster began spewing curses mixing archaic language with regional dialects.
Normally he endured things since a mere grape could make him stagger, but seeing him like this meant he was exceptionally furious.
Seeing this, Lee Han pondered slightly.
Had he been too cunning with his deception?
'No. I didn't lie. If Hamster had shown even slight interest in Professor Bagrak, he would've noticed sooner.'
Ultimately, it was the magic criminal's own wicked indifference that backfired on him.
Having finished rationalizing, Lee Han headed toward the upper levels. Once he saw the magic, Hamster's anger would naturally subside.
-You! You must be the kin who warned us about the invaders!
"N-No..."
Lee Han tried to deny it, but the jiangshi had already made up their minds.
-Tell us everything you know about their weaknesses!
The gathered jiangshi near the gate were truly menacing and fierce. Left with no choice, Lee Han blurted out whatever came to mind.
"They're vile beings who worship Prahgal!"
-So it was true! Understood! They're running wild relying on their regeneration. Bring poison! Let's wreck their regenerative abilities!
'Huh.'
Lee Han had thrown out that piece of information half-heartedly, never expecting it would actually help—yet the undead proved surprisingly competent.
Despite having lost most of their memories, they had brilliantly devised a strategy upon merely hearing the enemy's identity.
If the enemy wielded regeneration as a weapon, they could be immobilized with toxins and curses that disrupted it.
"...Well, there's nothing I can do about it now. I'll just head upstairs."
Lee Han gave up cleanly.
He felt slightly guilty toward those outside, but there was nothing to be done.
What else could he possibly do at this point?
-......
Even in his rage, Hamster stared at Lee Han with eyes wide in shock and horror.
This guy...
'Is he carrying some kind of apocalyptic destiny on his back?'
Watching every villain entangled with him suffer was downright spine-chilling.
The most terrifying part was that it happened without him even intending it.
There was no way what had just occurred was premeditated—it was pure improvisation.
How in the world...?
"Has your anger subsided now?"
-...Y-yes, it has.
Unconsciously, Hamster's tone had grown slightly more deferential.
Instinctive fear had brought about that change.
A pure harbinger of doom, regardless of magical prowess!
'Is he really calmed down?'
Lee Han felt a flicker of suspicion.
The previously irritable fellow had suddenly turned composed, which only made him more untrustworthy.
Was he sulking and trying to hide it like this?
'It's not like he's some kind of Gainando. He wouldn't be that petty at his age.'
Though the battle at the fortress gates had grown even fiercer than before, Lee Han encountered no resistance as he moved toward the upper levels.
Occasionally, powerful vampire elite warriors would spot him and speak.
-A comrade who exposed the intruders. The elders await above.
"...Th-thank you."
-Your honorable devotion in exposing the traitors will never be forgotten.
"I'm... quite honorable. Right."
Lee Han ascended smoothly—almost suspiciously so.
At that moment, his expression shifted. Hamster, too, stiffened belatedly.
'The mana is different!'
Unlike the swirling, polluted, and foul mana saturating the fortress, this was dense and pure.
Completely sealed off, it had been imperceptible from outside, but upon entering the upper levels, its presence became palpable.
Strangely, Lee Han sensed the scent of blood in that mana.
"...Can mana really carry such a strong scent of blood?"
-A mage with sharp senses can discern far more from mana. Since they're Sanguiros worshippers, it's likely mana obtained through sacrificial offerings.
With a graver expression than before, Lee Han slowly walked down the corridor.
The deeper he went, the stronger and more noxious the mana became.
-Has the magic not awakened yet? Huh?
-It will awaken soon! Wait with faith! Surely you don't intend to act like those traitorous fools just because a few Imperial grunts are skulking about?
-How dare you insult us? Watch your tongue!
Though Lee Han didn't recognize their families or names, he guessed these were the highest-ranking figures among the western vampire clans.
These Moradi Family Heads wore the most opulent and powerful robes he had ever seen in the region—garments not merely enchanted but steeped in Sanguiros' blessings to a disturbing degree. Such attire would have required sacrifices beyond the ordinary.
"...Ahem. Cough."
His forced cough went entirely ignored. The Family Heads acted as if nothing existed in the world except themselves and the magic.
No matter what happened outside the fortress—even if an intruder coughed right beside them—none of it mattered.
-They're utterly bewitched by the magic.
"Bewitched by magic...?"
-It's not just mages who fall under magic's thrall. Even those unrelated to magic can be ensnared.
To Hamster, this sight was all too familiar.
How many mages had been devoured by magic in their research? Countless magic criminals had clung to their spells even as their bodies burned to ash.
-Now I see why they dared challenge the Empire. So this was their trump card.
When the vampire families in the western part of the Empire were exposed for their worship of the Evil God and criminal acts, they chose rebellion over acknowledgment and cooperation.
At the time, it seemed like madness had seeped into their very marrow, but looking back now, it appeared they had some semblance of belief to cling to.
They were preparing a grand spell by borrowing the power of the Evil God.
And not just any grand spell—one so compelling that even the heads of several powerful families were utterly enthralled, believing, "Once this is complete, we can turn the tide of war!"
-What kind of magic is this? Try touching it. We need to see how it reacts.
Hamster pleaded fervently with Lee Han.
Nothing excited a mage more than magic of unknown origin.
But the spell these vampire family heads were preparing, though its power was pure and immense, was impossible to decipher.
It wasn't a conventional magical formula—it was powered by the Evil God's might, making it unreadable.
I knew you'd take interest. Within this spell lies an ancient demon trapped.
Sanguiros' voice boomed thunderously. The family heads, even at their master's words, remained dazed, fixated only on the spell.
Hamster, excited, pressed further.
-An ancient demon?! What kind? One whose name I might know?
Hahahaha... Yes, yes! A demon so fearsome, knowing its name would shock you. What if you melted it down and consumed it?
-Melt it down and consume it?! That's absurd! There's no way that's possible!
Hamster shrieked as if convulsing.
Yet, beneath his outburst, there was a mage's desperate plea—begging to be convinced, to be given a plausible explanation.
How could a mere mortal absorb the power of a greater demon?
Doing so would make their soul explode.
It is possible! With the power of a being surpassing gods, it is possible! Do you know how many sacrifices are contained within this?
-Ah, I see! Using the souls of those sacrificed in the west as reagents... to evolve oneself?!
Hamster cried out in a trance-like voice, forgetting the situation entirely.
It was an utterly captivating idea.
He had thought this was just the reckless rebellion of foolish vampires, but hidden within was such an enthralling ancient spell.
By offering countless souls as sacrifices, even a mortal could evolve and expand their soul.
The same applied even to the mightiest of demons. If they kept offering sacrifices to amplify the power, eventually, the demon would melt away.
It didn't matter which family head had prepared this ancient spell or how much Sanguiros had contributed. Hamster, burning with excitement, shouted.
-We absolutely cannot let those corpses have it!
Hahahaha... No need to worry. I am a generous god. I know how to bestow upon those who serve and respect me. Mortal, sweep these corpses into the spell and complete it. The finished magic shall be my gift to you!
-!!!!
Hamster's heart nearly stopped from exhilaration.
Who would have thought that earning the favor of a corrupted Evil God by chance would lead to such a golden opportunity?
Though he regretted not being the one to obtain that power, witnessing the completion of this spell firsthand would be satisfaction enough.
-Sweep them in! Quickly! Before the Evil God changes his mind!
Before the words even finished, an immense surge of magical power flowed from Lee Han. Hamster nodded excitedly.
'So he's realized the importance of this spell too!'
But something felt off.
The power surging forth was too much like lightning...?
BOOM!
Before anyone realized it, the Thunder King Perkuntra's power was shaking the surroundings. Hamster panicked.
-Why summon a spirit like that just to deal with these mindless fools?
In that instant, Hamster locked eyes with Lee Han. Within this mage's gaze, another presence now flickered.
Mahuda, the hunter demon summoned from the Bracelet of Ten Thousand Demons, was assisting Lee Han.
At that sight, Hamster felt the most intense foreboding he had ever experienced.
That was absolutely not the demeanor of a mage seeking to claim the spell for himself.
No way...
No way...?!
The Thunder Spear was complete.
-The Thunder Spear of Demon-Subduing and Evil-Slaying!
Perkuntra and Mahuda chanted in unison, their voices brimming with battle lust.
These two instinctively understood the situation—rather than annoying the mage with pointless questions, they would simply cooperate!
"Throw it!"
Lee Han didn't even give Hamster a chance to persuade him. He unleashed the most powerful grand spell and drove it straight in.
At the horrific destruction that followed, Hamster and Sanguiros screamed in unison.