Chapter 163
Chapter 163
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 163
Chapter Title: The Might of Stella
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“What?!”
Daemor shot to his feet and rushed forward.
He examined the lump of metal on the floor from every angle, his voice trembling with emotion.
“I... I’m holding Tehren-nim’s weapon...”
“To be precise, I couldn’t perfectly replicate Tehren-nim’s weapon. Its performance and power are less than half.”
“But how can it possibly stop the Emperor?”
“Would it be all right to demonstrate outside? It’s difficult to explain here.”
“Fine. Use the weapon right here.”
“I’ll do so only if you promise not to hold me responsible for whatever happens.”
“Very well. I won’t hold you accountable for anything.”
Daemor answered firmly.
“Understood.”
Ban flashed a meaningful smile as he picked up the gun.
He gripped it securely with both hands and scanned the room.
Portraits and valuables hung on every wall—nothing suitable as a target.
To show off its power without causing major damage, he could fire out the window, but that wouldn’t properly demonstrate the gun’s destructive force.
As he eyed the windows, Ban’s gaze suddenly sharpened.
He spotted the castle wall beyond the glass.
It wasn’t too close, perfect for showcasing the weapon’s might.
“I’m starting.”
Ban aimed the muzzle at the window.
Daemor tilted his head at the unfamiliar stance, but his eyes sparkled with anticipation.
*A weapon used like that... It’s a first.*
Curiosity and puzzlement filled Rasety’s face.
*They say His Majesty’s weapon roars like thunder every time he fires... Does this one too?*
As her expression darkened slightly, Ban leaned in and whispered just loud enough for her to hear.
“Step back and cover your ears.”
Rasety nodded with clear understanding and casually retreated.
Seeing Daemor and the others focused entirely on Ban, she subtly brought her hands to her ears.
At the same moment, Ban bellowed.
“Behold!”
He pulled the trigger.
Bang-!
A deafening gunshot echoed as a massive iron ball launched from the muzzle.
Crash-!
It shattered the window and flew outside, followed by a thunderous boom!
Startled by the enormous noise, Daemor fell flat on his rear and stared at the window in a daze.
The guard knights turned pale, gulping nervously as cold sweat poured down their faces.
Ban strode confidently to the window and peered out.
The iron ball he’d targeted was lodged in the castle wall before dropping free.
Their ironworking was truly exceptional—the wall was incredibly sturdy.
Anywhere else, it would have buried deep.
He felt a twinge of regret that it hadn’t, but the reactions around him confirmed the gun’s power had left a lasting impression.
*If I add a little flair...*
Ban turned a calm gaze toward Daemor.
Seeing him still sprawled on the floor, Ban dropped to his knees as if he’d committed a mortal sin and bowed his head.
“My negligence. I didn’t expect it to startle you so badly.”
“W-what in the world was that?”
Daemor stared at Ban’s weapon, his eyes trembling.
His heart still pounded from the blast. Something had streaked out like lightning, utterly demolishing the window in its path.
It wasn’t a bow or crossbow, yet it unleashed devastating power.
The impact reminded him of a mage’s spell.
Still bowed, Ban replied.
“It’s made of steel and propels the projectile by exploding compressed force.”
“Didn’t you say its power was only half?”
“Even half was an overestimate on my part. It can’t compare to the one His Majesty uses.”
“Unbelievable...”
Awestruck by the weapon’s might, Daemor sank into heavy silence.
About a minute passed like that.
Boom!
The office door flew open, and knights poured in.
Their faces were etched with bewilderment, harsh breaths heaving from their frantic rush.
“My lord!”
“Are you all right?!”
Diver, who had been monitoring Jonathan’s Assault Squad, burst in shouting as well.
“Seize them!”
“Stand down!”
Daemor rose and shook his head.
“It’s nothing. Diver, stay. Everyone else, out.”
“Yes, sir!”
The knights filed out in unison.
Diver glanced at the wrecked window, then surveyed the room.
One of the envoys was kneeling, the other utterly composed.
*What’s with this atmosphere...?*
Diver approached Daemor.
“Are you really all right?”
Daemor nodded and pointed to the gun beside Ban.
“That’s what made the noise.”
“So the thing embedded in the wall came from that too?”
“The wall? What are you—?!”
Daemor cut himself off mid-sentence and dashed to the window.
“No... It can’t be...”
His eyes bulged as he whirled on Ban.
“You aimed for the wall from the start?”
“That’s right.”
“...!”
Daemor staggered, leaning against the wall in shock.
Clueless, Diver just alternated glances between Daemor and Ban.
Daemor spoke to Diver.
“It’s the weapon Tehren used.”
“Gasp!”
“Even without perfectly recreating it, it has this much power...”
“Tehren’s weapon...”
Diver’s eyes were glued to the gun.
Daemor addressed Ban.
“Raise your head. Look at me.”
“Yes.”
Ban lifted his head cautiously.
“You can stop the Emperor with this?”
“Yes. This ‘Stella’ will be more than enough for defense.”
“Stella? So that’s what you call the weapon.”
“Yes. His Majesty bestowed the name after testing its performance.”
“Does it hold special meaning?”
“Well...”
Ban scratched the back of his head sheepishly, a smile tugging at his lips.
“His Majesty said it was named after one of his weapons with similar performance. But among all of them, I’ve never seen one weaker than this.”
“...!”
Daemor’s eyes nearly popped out.
Stella already packed incredible power, yet it was the weakest of Tehren’s arsenal? The revelation hit him like a hammer.
Tehren Julius!
Hero of the Oscar Empire!
Between him, his successor Arthur Julius, and the Emperor Ruan who wielded absolute power—which was the right choice?
His mind swirled in chaos.
Before delving deeper into his thoughts, Daemor asked one more thing.
“How many Stelllas can you provide?”
“I’m sorry, but I can’t give you any.”
“What?! Then how are we supposed to stop the Emperor?”
Daemor exploded in anger.
Undeterred, Ban smiled, picked up Stella, and set it down before Daemor.
“I’ll give you the blueprints. With Vulcan Territory’s technology, mass production should be possible.”
“W-what are you saying?”
Daemor’s eyes went wide.
Ban met his gaze squarely and declared with confidence.
“His Majesty commanded it: Share Tehren-nim’s power with our allies.”
“He truly said that?”
“He wants everyone to grow stronger together. Please understand—he reserves his absolute power solely for crushing the Demon King.”
Daemor fell silent for a moment, then his eyes flashed as he turned to Diver.
“Prepare the knights. We’re heading to the Julius Kingdom to meet King Arthur Julius.”
***
“This is something I’ve never seen before.”
Millerph eyed Selena with deep puzzlement.
He and Lord had carried her to her quarters and cast healing spells.
But her condition wasn’t something healing magic could fix.
Instead, the medicine Lord brought proved effective.
Confirming she was in a deep sleep, Millerph stepped outside.
Lord followed shortly after and expressed his gratitude.
“Thanks to you, the child is safe.”
“I didn’t do much.”
“No, your help was invaluable, Millerph-nim.”
In truth, Millerph’s advanced healing spells had stabilized her quickly enough to administer the medicine.
Otherwise, they’d have waited while she groaned in agony.
Watching her suffer helplessly would have filled him with self-loathing and torment.
It happened every time, but each instance brought incomparable agony to both Selena and him.
Millerph sat on a nearby boulder.
“Will you explain what happened?”
“Of course.”
Lord began describing Selena’s affliction.
Unlike the others, she was born here.
From birth, her mana had gathered in her head.
Normally, a mana core formed below the navel, circulating through the body like blood—but all her pathways were blocked, trapping the mana in her head as she grew.
Only the faintest circulation kept her alive.
Millerph’s expression hardened.
“You couldn’t find a cure? With the herbs here, you should’ve been able to brew one.”
“I tried everything possible, but nothing worked...”
Lord’s voice caught.
Millerph could feel how dearly he cherished her.
For now, he had no way to heal her—a true pity.
With a heavy heart, he asked.
“Her special ability stems from that, I take it.”
“Yes. We believe it’s the gift of foresight.”
“Sounds like there have been plenty of incidents.”
Lord nodded wordlessly, lost in memories.
This place, known as an abandoned city, was the only spot in the Oscar Empire where rare herbs grew.
That drew frequent raids from bandits and mercenaries.
The Gathering of Hermits could use magic, but mostly healing spells—those capable of offensive magic had left the group.
Time and again, Selena’s visions had saved them from disaster. They revered her like a saintess of the Holy Kingdom.
Millerph listened as Lord shared all this.
“Those who left the Gathering of Hermits... are they the mercenaries called Chaos?”
“That’s right.”
“Hmm.”
When Millerph had arrived in Selrom, he’d considered recruiting Chaos alongside the Gathering.
A mercenary group composed entirely of mages, known for accepting any request.
He’d suspected ties to the Hermits because they took jobs only from Selrom—and in a peculiar way.
They left requests and payment at the fountain in Selrom’s square.
Never dealing with people directly.
That’s why he’d pegged them as offshoots of the Gathering.
Rising, Millerph told Lord.
“I’ll give you time to think it over. And please tell everyone: Being different makes one special, not sinful.”
“Understood.”
“Then, where can I find Chaos?”
“Why them...?”
Lord worried they might be targeted for elimination.
Rumors painted them as ruthless—refusing no job, no matter how taboo or brutal.
If they’d tangled with the Julius Kingdom...
Lord’s face darkened sharply.
Millerph read his concern and offered a faint smile.
“I mean to give them a chance at a new life. No need to worry.”
“Really?”
“I’m merely a guide conveying His Majesty’s will.”
“You mean...”
Millerph nodded.
“His Majesty wishes to join forces with them.”