Chapter 126
Chapter 126
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 126
Chapter Title: The Seventh Hero
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“Lady Karen, who governs the world, knows everything.”
“Is the Karen you're referring to here the same as the god from my world?”
“Yes.”
Arthur asked sharply.
“Then you must know why you sent me here.”
“To protect the world from the Demon King.”
“Why me? There must be others.”
There was an edge to Arthur's voice.
The white-haired elder replied with a look of deep sorrow.
“Lord Kang Tae-su, you are the seventh hero.”
“The seventh hero?”
“In the battle with Lord Teheran, the Demon King shifted dimensions and had already destroyed six worlds before appearing in the world where Lord Kang Tae-su resided.”
It was something Arthur hadn't even considered, and he realized the Demon King was far more dangerous and formidable than he had imagined.
‘Me, stop a guy like that?’
Arthur shook his head vigorously.
“I'm not as strong as you think.”
“The mere fact that you sent the Demon King back to its original place is an incredible feat.”
Doubt flickered in Arthur's eyes.
“It survived one of Earth's most powerful weapons—a nuclear strike. I haven't seen anything here stronger than a nuke yet. How exactly am I supposed to kill it?”
“The reason the Demon King returned here is to replenish its weakened power. The power it absorbed while destroying six worlds made it even stronger, and Lord Kang Tae-su fought against that might. It barely managed to return here on the verge of annihilation, but right now, it can't even muster half its original strength.”
“Even if it's weaker than when it faced me on Earth, a Demon King is still a Demon King. And it has too many powerful subordinates. Just the ones I saw in the Kanura Continent monster habitat numbered in the tens of thousands.”
“Do not worry. Across the five continents lie beings that are the Demon King's natural predators, slumbering away. They will awaken one by one to aid Lord Kang Tae-su. One such group is those who serve Lady Karen.”
“You mean the Anscent Kingdom?”
“The leader of those who serve Lady Karen is the Saintess, so naturally, the Holy Kingdom will join us.”
“I see.”
A smile tugged at Arthur's lips.
Through Millerph, he had heard that the Saintess possessed healing powers rivaling a healer thanks to her divine power.
Just as having more medics strengthened allied forces on Earth, the same held true here.
Moreover, unlike Earth, true healers were rare in this world.
They were as precious as professional soldiers, available only to high nobility.
The white-haired elder approached and extended her palm, revealing something like white fluff resting upon it.
“This is a gift from me.”
“What is it?”
“It is the power left behind by Lord Teheran.”
“……!”
Arthur's eyes flashed in an instant.
“Before passing, he entrusted me with this: to deliver his power to the successor who would inherit it.”
“He really hid it everywhere.”
Arthur had encountered the opportunities prepared by Rumakas and Teheran multiple times before, so he remained composed.
But his gratitude was immeasurable.
As Rumakas had advised, to face the Demon King, he needed to reach at least the 9-star level that Teheran had failed to achieve.
Progress had stalled since reaching 4-star, so he hoped this would bring a major breakthrough.
As Arthur grasped the fluff, it was swiftly absorbed.
It melted into his blood like dye, racing through every corner of his body.
Arthur closed his eyes gently, sensing its movement.
The white-haired elder bowed respectfully as she watched him.
“Please... shine as the light of hope...”
She vanished in a handful of light.
***
“Count.”
Hearing Aria's voice, Arthur slowly opened his eyes.
Suddenly, his eyes blazed like the sun, and his aura surged wildly.
Everyone around was startled.
Millerph's eyes widened in particular.
‘The Lord's aura...’
It was far heavier and more intense than what he knew.
For such an aura to emanate without drawing mana meant he had fully entered the Sword Master realm.
He must have gained some opportunity.
‘Finally!’
Millerph watched Arthur joyfully from within.
As Teheran's power coursed through him, Arthur felt it breaking through every blockage.
Power surged, gathering toward where his circles had formed.
Then, a new ring took shape.
‘This is!’
He had finally reached 5-star.
Joy lit his face as he felt power incomparable to 4-star.
The distinctive strength he had sensed from Sword Masters now emanated from him as well.
From half-baked to true Sword Master.
There was something he wanted to check first, but matters needed handling beforehand.
Arthur glanced at the white-haired elder in the coffin, then asked Aria.
“Bringing me here—was that a trial to become Saintess?”
Aria, who had been smiling brightly, straightened her clothes and bowed deeply.
“The one who inherits Lady Karen's will greets the great hero. I will never forget this grace.”
“Thanks to you, I gained something precious too.”
Arthur continued with a faint smile.
“Take me to the holy water.”
“There is something I must tell you first.”
Aria clasped her hands before her chest and bowed her head.
“Please allow me to join you, Count.”
“I heard already.”
Arthur glanced at the white-haired elder before continuing.
“If you join us, you'll be a tremendous help.”
“I will do my utmost.”
Aria smiled and addressed the Seven Priests.
“Inform the priests. From this moment, in service to Lady Karen's will, we shall stand with the great hero, Lord Arthur Julius, against the Demon King.”
“Understood.”
“Now is the time to gather our strength. Have everyone assemble at the sanctuary.”
“Yes.”
All but Roth departed among the Seven Priests.
“I will guide you to the holy water.”
Aria turned and walked deeper into the sanctuary.
Moments later.
They entered the innermost garden of the sanctuary.
There was a small pond, and at its center atop a stone sat a single white vial.
It exuded an extraordinary aura even at a glance.
Sure enough.
Aria crossed the stone bridge over the pond, scooped pond water into a golden bowl beside the vial, and returned.
She approached Millerph.
“Uncle.”
“Yes.”
Millerph stood before her, hands clasped over his chest, head bowed.
“I will sprinkle holy water to heal you. Receive its energy with a reverent heart.”
“Understood.”
“Then let us begin.”
Aria opened the white vial and dropped a few drops of holy water into the bowl.
The water shone brilliantly.
Not ordinary light, but a sacred glow that purified the soul just by beholding it.
Aria softly recited a verse from the holy scripture, dipping her hands into the bowl.
Her noble and sacred aura intertwined.
A mystical phenomenon occurred.
The two energies spiraled together, merging into one.
The clear water turned emerald, emanating an extraordinary energy.
Aria cupped water in her hands, anointing Millerph's crown, shoulders, and forehead, then traced a cross in the air with her hand.
In a clear voice, she declared.
“By Lady Karen's grace, I shall protect you.”
Light faintly appeared on his forehead where the water had touched.
Then Aria drew a small bell from her bosom, dipped it in the bowl, and rang it toward Millerph.
Ding—ding—.
Despite its size, a deep, noble resonance filled the sanctuary.
The light on his forehead grew brighter, enveloping Millerph.
He felt a warm energy embracing his chest.
He instinctively knew it was the holy water's energy Aria had mentioned.
As it sought to enter his body, he relaxed his guard and accepted it willingly.
With the new energy entering, Altros's energy rampaged wildly.
Meanwhile, Millerph's own energy slowly absorbed the holy water's without his conscious will.
Each clash of energies caused mana to boil, colliding with Altros's power.
His face twisted in pain each time.
Aria watched briefly before turning to Arthur.
“Now it's your turn, Count.”
“Me too?”
As Arthur looked puzzled, Aria smiled faintly.
“I will bestow a blessing upon you.”
“Ah.”
Understanding, Arthur approached and bowed politely.
“May Lady Karen's grace be with you always.”
Aria traced a cross toward Arthur and prayed with hands clasped.
She dipped the bell in the water and rang it toward him.
The noble bell toll resounded.
“……!”
Arthur's eyes widened.
With each ring, his mana stretched out like it was yawning, expanding endlessly.
Power welled up uncontrollably.
Rather than control it, Arthur let it flow naturally.
Mana raced through his body.
He felt power accumulating, the five formed rings solidifying like the five viscera.
Aria silently watched Arthur and Millerph absorb the holy water's energy.
Confirming the ritual proceeded without issue, she turned to Roth.
“Uncle.”
Roth shook his head in fluster.
“You are the Saintess now. Mind your words and actions befitting your station.”
Aria nodded with a sad smile.
“Please lead the Seven Priests from now on, Lord Roth.”
At her words, Roth knelt on one knee respectfully.
He drew his sword from his waist and raised it high with both hands toward her.
Like a knight swearing fealty to his lord.
“I, Roth Tamell, shall serve you with all my might so that you may bring light to this darkened world.”
Tears welled in Aria's eyes.
He had cared for her like a father despite her being an orphan.
Now, he pledged to protect her as her guard knight.
“I will never forget this grace.”
“I believe the Saintess will bless and illuminate this dark world.”
“I shall do so without fail.”
Aria held back tears and smiled.
***
At that moment.
Boika's wounds healed rapidly.
Even the gunshot from Arthur mended, putting the Devil Squad on high alert as they scanned their surroundings tensely.
Kassan and Mullan, standing guard right beside Boika, flashed alert eyes at the sudden killing intent.
‘No way?’
They both looked at Boika simultaneously.
Knowing his strength, they had bound him tightly with ropes, to the point of calling it severe.
Yet he snapped his eyes open and broke the ropes effortlessly, making their precautions seem pointless.
“Damn it!”
Mullan rushed at Boika swiftly.
“Raaargh!”
Boika roared like a beast.
He sprang up like lightning and punched at Mullan.
Thud—!
As Mullan flew back, Kassan shouted.
“Devil Squad!”
He charged at Boika, swinging his sword.
Boom!
Boika raised his arm like a shield to block, then kicked out.
Thud—.
Kassan was flung back as if hit by a galloping horse.
“Take this!”
Latel, blocking the sanctuary entrance, shouldered his shield and hurled himself at Boika.
Boom!
But Boika didn't budge.
“What the...?”
Latel's eyes bulged.
“G-Get... lost.”
Latel was sent flying powerlessly by Boika's swinging fist.
“I'll... kill you all.”
Boika glared at the sanctuary entrance, radiating terrifying killing intent.
He kicked off the ground and smashed into the door.
Boom!
The massive steel door shattered and fell away.
He charged madly into the sanctuary.
Moments later.
Entering the garden, he spotted Aria and Roth, along with Millerph and Arthur enveloped in light.
Rage surged at the sight of Arthur.
“I'll tear you... to shreds!”
As he rushed Arthur with overwhelming killing intent.
Someone leaped over Boika's head, blocking his path.
It was Dark.
He gripped a dagger wrapped in pale gray aura in reverse grip and spat one line.
“You're not worthy to challenge him.”