Chapter 118
Chapter 118
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 118
Chapter Title: The Queen's New Sword
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“Je…….”
“The Empire’s Monster Spear is dead!!”
“Uwaaaaaah!!”
The death of the Monster Spear.
Even though it had been due to exhaustion allowing a sneak attack, the kingdom’s forces couldn’t care less about such trivial details.
What mattered was the death of a master.
The Empire’s Monster Spear was dead!
The kingdom’s troops, their morale skyrocketing, forgot their earlier despair and began slaughtering the Empire’s soldiers.
The Empire’s masters were the ones thrown into panic.
“Ha…… To think it could turn out like this over just one guy? We ended up falling for our own scheme.”
Their plan to drive Grand Duke Cloy berserk, kill the queen, and topple the royal castle had gone entirely up in smoke.
They hadn’t expected the archbishop to die so pathetically, to begin with.
Who could have imagined it?
The notorious wastrel among wastrels, known even in the Empire.
That Kallias would save the kingdom!
‘This is a huge loss.’
The Empire had lost two masters.
But what had the kingdom lost?
Nothing, really.
The only ones who died were the vermin infesting the kingdom. The pillars upholding the nation were still intact.
And now.
It was as if another pillar had been added.
They couldn’t let this stand.
“A newly born star shines brilliantly, but it’s just as easy to snuff out.”
Thud!
The Wraith Spear made his decision.
“Wraith Spear! Where do you think you’re going!!”
“You’re fighting so boringly, I can’t help but look elsewhere.”
His spear gleamed as if licking its lips.
The Empire’s second spear.
Wraith Spear, Samkaa.
The spear he wielded, Myriad Ghosts, sealed the souls of the strong he had slain.
The more noble knights’ souls it contained, the greater its power.
The number of souls trapped in Samkaa’s spear was beyond counting.
All souls of noble knights.
Proud trophies from his victories over the mighty.
And those trophies became immense power to aid him.
“Howl, Myriad Ghosts.”
Whoooosh!!
In an instant, pitch-black wraiths shrouded everything behind the Wraith Spear.
His target: the nape of the newly emerged knight’s neck.
The Wraith Spear immediately thrust his spear.
Along its trajectory, the dark wraiths shrieked in eerie wails, transforming into black spears.
Each spear formed from the wraiths carried the weight of a mountain.
“Block this, new sword of the queen!”
Swoosh.
The queen’s sword finally turned its head.
Kallias’s ash-gray pupils shifted back to those of a dragon.
Chilling!
A shiver ran down his spine.
Every hair on his body stood on end.
It had been a long time since he last felt such intense killing intent.
A faint thrill curled at the Wraith Spear’s lips, and at that moment, Kallias’s sword moved.
Shing.
“!”
He had expected the power of the mad dragon and a clash with brute force, but no.
‘It deflected it!’
His strike had been perfectly deflected!
The deflection pulled him in like a vortex, forcing the Wraith Spear to step back.
But even if he retreated, the Wraith Spear still had his wraith spears.
Spears forged from the souls of the continent’s strongest.
They were not to be taken lightly!
Nearly a hundred Myriad Ghost Spears shot out in unison, only to be cleaved apart one by one.
“……What.”
A crisp, exhilarating slash!
The Wraith Spear could feel the intense draconic power mixed within.
But that alone couldn’t stop the Empire’s spear.
The reason he halted his advance and planted his feet was entirely different.
‘The souls are vanishing.’
Samkaa, wielder of the Myriad Ghost Spears befitting his title.
He could feel the number of souls in his Myriad Ghost Spears dwindling.
Souls dissipating? Impossible!
“……What is that sword?!”
At the Wraith Spear’s question, Kallias’s lips curved into a smile.
[Devouring Sword - Roas]
Grade – Spirit.
Indwelling Souls – Intermingled Souls.
Unique Ability – Devour.
Noble Devours – 36
‘Jackpot.’
He had been startled when the Wraith Spear suddenly attacked, but the flash of inspiration upon seeing the Myriad Ghost Spears sent chills down his own spine.
Spears made from wraiths—essentially souls.
So why not devour them with the Devouring Sword?
The split-second idea was put into action immediately.
‘Even using draconic power, this is impressive. As expected of the Empire’s spear.’
His hand gripping the sword trembled slightly.
The Myriad Ghost Spears he had slashed in an instant had chipped the Devouring Sword’s blade in places.
Immense power.
Hesitate, and he’d be dead.
Something that shouldn’t have been possible under normal circumstances.
But he currently harbored the Mad Dragon Sword in his heart, with his physical abilities awakened by draconic power. It was burdensome, but manageable.
“Wraith Spear. Summon more ghosts.”
“…….”
The Wraith Spear was dumbfounded.
To dare stand before him and demand more ghosts?
Yet, inexplicably, every time the bastard swung his sword, ghosts vanished—an unprecedented occurrence.
In fact, Kallias urged him on with glee.
The Wraith Spear’s face twisted in frustration.
‘Failed to kill him in one blow. No more chances for me.’
Victor, whom he had shaken off, was watching him, and the other knights were ready to pounce at any moment.
He couldn’t push further.
“Not summoning any?”
Kallias thought he might even evolve the Devouring Sword into a soul sword today, but the Wraith Spear showed no intention of obliging.
He could feel the Devouring Sword’s power grow with each devoured soul.
No change in form, but he vaguely sensed the sword’s aura strengthening.
This was due to his heightened senses from draconic power.
“Tch. I’ll remember this day forever.”
Thud!
He vanished.
‘Close.’
As expected of the Empire’s master.
His instincts were impeccable.
Realizing the unfavorable matchup in an instant, he abandoned the fight.
Not for nothing was he the Wraith Spear.
“Actually, for the best.”
In truth, cold sweat trickled down his nape. Consecutive battles with the Wraith Spear would have drained his draconic power. The situation had already grown taxing.
Swoosh.
Kallias’s pupils returned to normal as he reined in his aura.
[Draconic power used in a human body. Adaptation via reverse scale reduces backlash.]
“……!!”
Draconic power backlash.
A wave of agonizing pain crashed over Kallias like a tsunami.
“Urk!!”
It felt like his entire body was being shredded.
The sensation of razor-sharp blades slicing everywhere assaulted him without mercy.
It was as if every nerve cell was burning.
Indescribable, excruciating torment.
‘This…… is what it was?’
Amid the mind-shattering pain, Kallias could barely hold onto his sanity.
“Guh…… Graaaaaah!!”
Kallias collapsed to the ground, howling, his eyes flashing. His aura flared.
[Constitution, Soul Fusion comprehends draconic power.]
[Draconic power comprehended by 3%.]
[Next draconic power backlash will reduce pain by 3%.]
Kallias’s mind snapped.
* * *
As the Wraith Spear retreated, the Empire’s forces fled without exception. The other masters did the same.
Thus, they paid no mind to Kallias collapsing in screams. The kingdom’s troops, who should have pursued, hesitated at the sight of him down.
The queen clutched her skirts and ran.
Toward the fallen Kallias.
Just before she arrived.
“Kallias! Snap out of it! You haven’t paid me back yet!!”
The red-haired golden paladin, Helena, burst from the shadows to check on Kallias.
A woman with water-blue hair appeared behind her, followed by other knights and soldiers who swiftly gathered, guarding the perimeter.
Thanks to them, Queen Clara regained her composure.
She stared at the fallen Kallias and Grand Duke Cloy, steadying herself.
Both were still alive.
In poor condition, but alive.
The kingdom’s master, Gerald, lived too.
Critically injured, but alive.
That was enough.
As long as they lived, vengeance could wait.
“…….”
“…….”
The battlefield fell into a lull.
The Empire’s army retreated en masse, their broken morale devoid of any will to resist.
Pursuing and annihilating them would have been ideal, but the kingdom’s forces were in shambles too.
The Empire’s sudden raid had been terrifying, and the rebels’ uprising from behind a dire threat.
The palace was half-destroyed, and though victorious, the soldiers’ eyes were hollow.
Kallias had led the charge, but now that he was down, they lost their focal point, succumbing to anxiety.
This couldn’t continue.
Without anyone telling her, the queen swallowed dryly and stepped forward.
Clutching her pounding heart with one hand, she addressed the hollow, anxious soldiers.
“Listen, everyone.”
The queen’s resolute voice.
Still that of a young girl, yet laced with the dignity of a king.
“The traitorous nobles incited the rebels, and the archbishop’s church brought in the Empire. Carpe has lost many fine people because of it.”
“…….”
“…….”
Among them was Sullivian, a guiding light and teacher to many.
“But we prevailed. In the end, we repelled the arrogant Empire.”
Though the queen herself had done nothing.
It infuriated her to no end, but there was no time to dwell.
The Empire’s invasion had been fierce, the palace in ruins.
The damage was immense, the recovery time and effort unfathomable.
Yet.
“Carpe has won.”
A victory marred by wounds, but a victory nonetheless.
“Carpe is strong! We will use today’s pain as a stepping stone to grow even stronger!”
Tears welled in the queen’s eyes.
One streamed down her cheek.
No one pointed it out. Everyone here understood its meaning.
The queen was furious.
And grieving.
Thus, this was a monarch’s encouragement and vow to the nation.
“Carpe will never forget.”
Today’s humiliation.
Today’s rage and sorrow.
And.
“Those who led us to victory.”
The queen’s gaze took in the fallen Kallias and the ruined palace.
Those crushed beneath collapsed walls, those who fought on without arms until their honorable end, those who took Empire soldiers down with them, leaning against the ramparts.
All had fallen fighting for Carpe.
The survivors.
And those who perished honorably.
All were victors.
“Victor.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
“Treating Grand Duke Cloy and Count Jervan is the top priority.”
“Understood.”
The queen gazed at the crumbling palace turned to rubble and clenched her fist.
She drew her sword and declared.
“The incompetent king ends today.”
* * *
Bubble bubble.
The first sound was that of boiling liquid.
Listening closely, it was familiar.
‘Beatrice’s workshop?’
Likely hers.
He wondered why he was here.
The mansion’s basement workshop was far from complete.
So why was he here?
Kallias opened his eyes.
“……What are you doing.”
“Seemed like you woke up.”
“Could you move your face? Can’t get up like this.”
“You can sit up like that, right?”
“Then I’d bump into your face.”
“Or something else.”
“??”
Kallias saw her alluring red lips.
He frowned.
“Why am I here.”
“You got hurt, so you’re here. A lot of time has passed.”
Beatrice clicked her tongue, stood, and scooped the bubbling liquid into a bowl.
She blew on it, cooling it with a spoon.
“How long.”
“Winter’s gone. It’s spring.”
“!”
Kallias bolted up, only to endure searing pain.
“Urk.”
“Careful. Your bones and muscles were all torn. A normal person would’ve been bedridden for years.”
Beatrice laid him back down and brought a spoonful of mysterious potion to his lips.
“Say ah.”
“……I can feed myself.”
“Ignoring my kindness?”
“Is this kindness?”
“It is. What else would it be.”
“Feels like you’re mad at me.”
“I am.”
He couldn’t think of any reason she’d be angry at him.
“You collapsed, and Carpe’s stabilizing. The palace is mostly rebuilt too. Know what they’re calling you out there? The queen’s knight. The wastrel’s really climbed the ladder.”
From winter to spring.
He’d arrived at the palace near winter’s end, so three or four months had passed.
“……I see. This is?”
“That’s what you’re curious about? It’s TD Potion. A hundred times purer than what you feed the sixth squad.”
“Clinical trials?”
“Done. It’s safe, so drink. It’ll help recovery.”
No reason not to.
Kallias downed the potion in one gulp, feeling changes in his body.
“Good?”
“Not bad.”
With the Mad Dragon Sword inside him, sensing draconic aura felt easier.
He personally experienced the beneficial effects of the trace dragon blood in the potion.
The refined troll blood helped too, sharply reducing pain.
The tickling sensation meant rapid healing.
“No worries about Carpe. Rumors spread that two Empire masters died, and they poured in that many sacred relics, time, and troops but failed to catch even the queen. The emperor’s furious, they say.”
“Should be quiet for a while. What about Crasion?”
“Crasion…….”
Beatrice’s eyes sharpened as she started to answer.
Then she sighed deeply.
“You already knew?”
“From the start.”
“How?”
“Since I was holding Vivi.”
“……Vivi being cute is the problem.”
“What’s Crasion like.”
“Sigh, same reaction. Crasion’s a heretic cult anyway. Factions wanting the Empire to grow and those who don’t.”
Split down the middle.
Either way, the odds of danger hitting Carpe anytime soon were low.
‘Similar.’
Matched what he knew of the situation.
Having repelled the Empire’s invasion, it was time to recover and build strength.
Feeling his body heal, Kallias checked the windows before him.
[Empire’s Invasion]
[Empire Master Slaying]
[Queen’s Knight]
[Mad Dragon’s Master]
[Hero of the Kingdom]
Over five quests completed.
Time to check their rewards first.
“Why are you grinning like that? Head injury?”
“……No. Leave me alone.”
Beatrice looked exasperated.
“……This is my room?”
Kallias silently began checking the quest rewards.