Chapter 119
Chapter 119
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: penny
Chapter: 119
Chapter Title: The Empire's Resolve
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Boom! Boom! Boom!!
The Empire's Masters, idols to the masses.
Those known as the Empire's Spears knelt and bowed their heads with earth-shaking steps.
"We are ashamed."
Samkaa, the Earthen Spear.
A man whose striking impression came from the deep scar running from his cheek to his ear.
Even this man, who seemed like he would never kneel before anyone, found his knees light here.
Before the Empire itself.
"I never imagined they would fail."
A light tone, as if incredulous.
But unlike his casual voice, the aura emanating from him was not to be taken lightly.
*He's grown stronger again.*
The identity of the man before whom the Earthen Spear knelt in fear and awe was Modred.
Modred of Glory Lactus.
The man who had turned the commonplace kingdom of Lactus into a vast Empire.
"Indeed. I never thought they'd fail after unleashing such an assault."
Standing beside the Emperor with her spear in hand was the Saintess of Lactus.
"As expected, even a nation on the path to ruin like Carpe was hiding its true strength."
Before her stood the Empire's Crown Prince.
Baldri of Lactus.
The iron-willed prince was rediscovering Carpe's power and expressing astonishment, while at his side, the princess glared at them with a hardened expression.
Rabian of Lactus.
The geniuses who would inherit the Empire.
"If I had gone, plucking the head of that powerless queen would have been as easy as picking cherries."
The Earthen Spear and the others had nothing to say.
In the current situation, even ten mouths wouldn't help.
Even though they knew the princess's arrogance was misplaced, they couldn't speak up.
"Reflect on this for a while, Sam."
"......Understood."
As the Earthen Spear withdrew, the princess boldly questioned the Emperor.
"You're not punishing them?"
"Their failure wasn't due to foolishness. They simply lacked the strength."
"Yes, the holy relic didn't function properly to begin with. Thanks to that, the other Masters waiting couldn't transfer over. It was a clear mistake, but the Empire deemed it sufficient."
Carpe had simply been stronger than expected.
Failing to gauge that was the first error.
Pushing ahead despite the relic's malfunction was the second.
Those two factors had led to the Empire's failure.
"It was complacency, in other words."
"Yes, the current situation is the result of the Empire's complacency."
So how could they punish the Earthen Spear?
As the prince looked down at her as if to say *now do you understand?*, the princess's nose twitched. The saintess, watching the two with an affectionate gaze, looked up at the Emperor and added,
"The Empire's failure has been exposed to the world. The Monstrous Spear and Flowing Spear have fallen. Replacing their numbers and the power of their spears will take much time. And the same goes for the clamor from the small nations and minority tribes below."
Small nations were already uniting in fierce resistance against the Empire.
They had intended to make an example of Carpe, but with that failure,
It had only led to the Empire being looked down upon even more.
"The alliance isn't something to fear, but clashing with them now would clearly harm the Empire."
"Continue, Saintess."
The saintess's tightly bound pink hair swayed in the gentle breeze.
"There's no need to say more. The Empire has lost Masters, while Carpe has gained. If stabbed in the side while fighting the alliance, it would surely be fatal. And if someone betrays us, that wound would grow even larger."
"Betrayal, against the Empire?"
"Those who discard their nation's welfare for personal ambition exist everywhere. Throughout continental history, there are those who unearth their hidden ambitions and rise."
Because of such fools,
Nations rise and fall.
"Moreover, Your Majesty seeks to conquer the fallen lands. That is the only path to strengthening Lactus's divine power and establishing it as the one true god."
"Indeed. Even those iron-clad duchies will one day kneel before our spears. Once Lactus becomes the sole god, this world will know no strife."
Even the impure fallen ones.
Would cast off their impurities before Lactus's spears.
And thus, the world would have peace and prosperity.
"New paths will open."
The Conquest King Modred.
He desired a wider world.
"Then we must endure."
With great ambitions, impatience must be cast aside. They would need to bide their time and rise when the moment came.
But that meant the Empire's advance would halt.
Even if understood in the mind, flames of unease rose in the heart. As the Empire's sovereign's mood soured, the saintess spoke clearly.
"Three years."
The saintess held up three fingers.
For the next three years.
"In three years, we will replenish two Masters and their spears. We shall offer spears and knights stronger than before to Your Majesty."
During that time, the Empire would build its strength.
"Is it possible?"
"It is."
"If it's you, then yes."
The prince's eyes narrowed.
A figure trusted more than even he or the princess.
The Empire's Saintess, Eili.
As their eyes met, the prince lowered his gaze once more.
His status as prince could not place him on equal footing with her. At least, that's what he thought.
*For now, that is.*
It would be different in a few years.
"The Empire will stockpile for three years."
"And after three years?"
"We shall offer it all to Your Majesty."
Meaning every nation on the continent.
The Emperor's lips curved into a smile.
"That's excellent."
The Emperor's laughter quietly shook the hall.
* * *
【Empire's Invasion】
-The Empire's sudden invasion.
Having expended holy artifacts, relics, and vast forces, the Empire staked everything on this invasion.
Nations hostile to the Empire are not limited to Carpe. With forces tied up checking various small nations and minorities, the Empire will have no choice but to revise many plans after this invasion's end.
[You have repelled the Empire's invasion.]
-Reward.
[Reverse Cloak] has been granted.
【Master of the Mad Dragon】
-You have become the new master of the Mad Dragon.
-You have incurred the wrath of all dragons.
[Dragon Bone] has been granted as reward.
【Empire Master Slain】
-You have slain the Empire's Monstrous Spear.
Lactus's power has been slightly weakened. The god Lactus rages. Gain [Faith +10].
【Queen's Knight】
-You have protected Carpe's incompetent queen. She is no longer incompetent.
The <Queen> will deliver the reward personally.
【Hero of the Nation's Salvation】
-You have become the hero who saved the nation. You are no longer a wastrel.
Trait acquired - 「Hero of the Nation's Salvation」.
Trait - [Count Family Wastrel] has been erased.
"!!"
Clench!
Kallias gripped his fist tightly.
"Ah."
A shiver ran through him.
The hairs on his body stood on end.
To Kallias, the wastrel trait had been no less than a longtime enemy.
He thrilled with joy, setting aside all other rewards.
How much had he suffered because of that damned trait?
When lacking strength, one should at least win people's goodwill, but because of it, during his pilgrim days, he had mostly just fought.
He had nearly lost his life more times than he could count.
But now, that trait was finally!
Gone, thanks to 「Hero of the Nation's Salvation」.
*A hero of the nation's salvation can't be a wastrel.*
Of course.
Kallias smiled contentedly, basking in the warm sunlight like a prisoner freed from chains.
"......"
*What's wrong with him? Did he hit his head? His head seemed fine.*
Forgetting this was Beatrice's underground chamber.
*Hero of the Nation's Salvation, huh.*
Trait - 「Hero of the Nation's Salvation」
-People look up to you.
Conversing with a hero can change a person's fate.
It draws forth people's respect.
Trust imbues your words.
You cannot ignore harm to the nation.
*Not particularly useful.*
Still, better than nothing.
Above all, it had erased the wastrel trait, so he felt good.
Good enough to waltz with Emily right now.
"Ah, right."
Joy was fleeting.
Time to check the other rewards.
First, the new cloak.
[Reverse Cloak] had impressive specs.
His Twilight Cloak was nearly in tatters, breaking his heart, but this timely treasure had arrived.
「Reverse Cloak」
Grade - Unique
-This cloak, worn by the Knight of Reversal, reduces cold and heat when equipped and possesses repulsive force that deflects most opponents' attacks.
The description ended there, but Kallias eyed the grade on one corner.
A Unique-grade cloak, no less.
Even the Rare-grade Twilight Cloak had been exceptional.
The Reverse Cloak would be at least as good, if not better.
"Where'd you get that cloak? I checked your body thoroughly. Er, searched it?"
"Searching someone else's body? Want me to search yours?"
"......"
Despite his words, Kallias didn't move.
He just sat on the bed's edge, gazing endlessly at the cloak.
"......??"
Beatrice saw Kallias's lips twitch.
*Poor guy.*
He still seemed out of it.
Beatrice decided to leave him be for now. After such a fierce battle, it was best.
*Nice.*
An excellent cloak.
White, perfect for a pilgrim.
Incredibly tough, with the bizarre property of deflecting enemy attacks—a precious artifact that could block potentially lethal blows.
*Faith up is never bad.*
Slaying the Monstrous Spear had granted +10 Faith.
The surging holy power tickled his lips.
He seemed close to raising his holy power quality to second grade.
*The Manhwabong Yuk is due for its fourth staff too.*
But it couldn't be done ordinarily; full preparation was needed.
Next, the dragon bone.
*A dragon heart would have been better than a dragon bone.*
But the bone wasn't bad.
The draconic power within would aid Kallias greatly later.
It could craft artifacts, possibly even relics, so sellable if short on cash. And above all,
*If the Dragon Bone Physique absorbs all the draconic power, it'll change everything.*
If his physique fully comprehended it, Kallias wouldn't suffer backlash, and efficiency would rise.
Draconic power.
A force that could grow even stronger.
[You comprehend 3% of draconic power.]
[Next draconic backlash will reduce pain by 3%.]
Still a distant goal.
*How much agony do I have to endure to comprehend it all?*
Recalling the pre-collapse pain made his legs tremble.
Even Kallias, veteran of countless stabs, had felt fear from that unprecedented torment.
Yet it was a power he couldn't abandon.
*The Mad Dragon Sword Baramut's power is immense, even just harbored in my heart.*
His physical abilities had already surged exponentially.
Just from that.
But using draconic power would awaken him to higher realms.
Temporarily matching Masters.
Enough to block the Earthen Spear's—the Empire's second spear—strike.
But the drawbacks were clear.
*First, it hurts too much.*
Backlash with unimaginable agony.
Second, duration.
*About three minutes, right?*
It couldn't be maintained long. Not tied to holy power presence.
"Because I'm not a dragon."
A more fundamental reason.
Different race.
After brief contemplation, he shook his head and rose.
"Time has been bought anyway."
He had repelled the Empire's invasion.
Protected the queen.
The repercussions for the Empire would not be light.
The next 3-4 years would be quiet.
Plenty of time.
*They'll focus on rooting out rebels and strengthening Carpe and the Church internally.*
Then prepare for war.
Carpe wouldn't forget the Silver Moon.
And during that time,
*I need to leave for a bit.*
He had done all he needed here.
He had come for the main quest to begin with.
Carpe's civil strife.
The Empire's invasion.
With both resolved, no reason to stay.
He could head north or wander leisurely elsewhere.
He was a man who, since rebirth, had never lingered long anywhere.
To grow stronger.
His sole advantage.
The unique path to strength only he possessed.
Grace of the Dead.
Since arriving in Carpe, Kallias hadn't used Grace of the Dead once.
Directly tied to quests.
Grace of the Dead was something no one else had.
Strong grudges.
A special phenomenon etched into the soul.
To find it, he had to leave.
To harsher places.
To more intense places.
And from the start,
*I'm a pilgrim.*
He still was.
A pilgrim who hadn't found his sword.