Chapter 175
Chapter 175
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 175
Chapter Title: Selena's Prophecy
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‘Precognition, huh...’
Arthur had heard that the child who wanted to meet him possessed the power of foresight.
At first, he debated whether he should go all the way to Selom amid the chaos of Count Damor's relocation issue, not to mention the war with Emperor Ruan and the Tomoya Kingdom.
But upon hearing that the child had precognitive abilities, he decided to make the trip.
With the added intent of resolving their relocation matter while he was at it, he set out alongside Jonathan and the Assault Squad.
Meteor and Yubra stayed behind at the castle to keep watch a bit longer, while Tarlun and Natasha accompanied him.
Natasha had joined to observe Arthur up close and judge for herself.
Given the state of the Oscar Empire, he had also equipped Tarlun and Natasha with Britannica from the knight order.
Thanks to that, they arrived in Selom in just two days.
As the Death Knight Order entered the village square, the people on the streets hid themselves in various spots.
A chill wind blew through the desolate streets.
Even the wild animals fled far away, crushed by the overwhelming presence of the Britannica.
Not a single sign of life could be felt.
The ruined village grew even more eerie and cold.
Arthur slowly scanned the surroundings and asked Tarlun,
“How many residents are here?”
“Including us, around a thousand. More than half are women and children.”
“A isolated village like this managing to survive implies some external support. Can you tell me who?”
“A few years back, merchants and various families provided aid. But as time passed, even those visits stopped. There’s an unspoken rule now that to request help from Chaos, the village has to make a donation first. That’s barely keeping us afloat.”
“Doesn’t sound like there are many requests.”
Arthur shifted his gaze to Natasha beside Tarlun.
Natasha replied with a slightly tense expression.
“We’ve been idle for a year.”
Arthur nodded and headed inward.
Upon reaching the forest entrance where the members of the Recluse’s Gathering lived, he dismounted the Britannica alongside Tarlun.
He then said to Jonathan,
“I’ll go alone, so wait here.”
Jonathan bowed deeply and immediately assumed alert positions.
Guided by Tarlun, Arthur arrived at the cave entrance in the woods.
A group had come out to greet him.
They were members of the Recluse’s Gathering.
Tarlun approached them and introduced Arthur.
“This is Arthur Julius, King of the Julius Kingdom. Pay your respects.”
They silently bowed to Arthur.
Arthur quickly surveyed the gathered people.
Every one of them bore the aftereffects, their faces shadowed darkly.
“Where’s the child?”
“We’ll guide you inside.”
Tarlun led the way into the cave.
As Arthur moved to follow, those blocking the front parted to the sides, opening a path.
They bowed deeply as he passed.
From the moment Tarlun had brought Arthur here, they had accepted him.
Entering the cave, Arthur saw Tarlun helping a woman sit up.
He had expected a child, but she wasn’t.
She looked just a year or two younger than him.
As Arthur stood before her, Tarlun said to Selena,
“I’ve brought him.”
“At last, we meet.”
Selena tried to stand on her pale face, but Arthur waved her off.
“Consider the greeting done.”
“Thank you for your consideration.”
A faint smile crossed Selena’s pallid features.
She glanced at Tarlun, signaling with her eyes that she wanted to be alone with Arthur.
He quietly exited.
Arthur went to where Tarlun had been and sat casually on the ground as if on a chair.
“Now we can speak freely. I heard your name is Selena, right?”
“Yes.”
“I got the gist from Tarlun. You wanted to meet me because of your prophecy, I assume?”
“That’s right.”
Selena continued calmly.
“But first, I have a question. How did you learn of the Demon King’s resurrection?”
“I learned it while inheriting Teheran’s legacy.”
Arthur had anticipated questions she might ask on the way here and decided to tie any awkward answers to Teheran.
“But why ask that?”
“When Millerph mentioned the Demon King’s resurrection, I wondered if Your Majesty had received any hints related to it.”
“Teheran prepared countermeasures everywhere in anticipation of the Demon King’s revival.”
“So he foresaw it after all.”
Selena’s face hardened as she sank into deep thought.
Arthur waited silently for her to speak.
After a few seconds,
Suddenly, Selena’s eyes turned pure white.
She extended her hand toward Arthur and spoke.
-The Savior, soon Ragbite will be dyed in blood. Fail to stop it, and greater peril awaits.
It was as if someone had possessed Selena.
Not her frail voice, but a deep bass, and none of her previous aura.
Arthur asked sharply,
“Who are you?”
-One who seeks to stop the Demon King like you. This world’s fate rests in your hands.
“I asked who you are.”
-You will know in time. Time is short. Make haste.
“I said, who are you!”
Arthur shouted, and Selena collapsed limply.
“What happened?!”
Tarlun, who had been outside, rushed in at the sound of Arthur’s yell.
Seeing Selena fallen, he hurried over.
“Selena!”
“Ugh...”
Selena struggled to sit up and told Tarlun,
“It’s nothing. Please leave. I’m still talking with His Majesty.”
“B-but your condition...”
“The prophecy came suddenly. I need to convey everything while I have some strength left. Go.”
“Understood.”
Tarlun reluctantly went back out.
Selena looked at Arthur and asked,
“Did you hear?”
“Who was that?”
“I don’t know either. But everything that one has said so far has come true. And this is the first time it’s spoken directly like just now.”
“How did it communicate before?”
“Only in my dreams until now.”
“Never seen it, then.”
“No, always just the voice.”
Selena found the situation bewildering too.
Meanwhile, the words it spoke to Arthur echoed in her mind.
‘It definitely said Ragbite would be dyed in blood. What does that mean?’
As she pondered, Arthur asked,
“What’s Ragbite?”
“I’m not sure either.”
“It said it would be dyed in blood, so probably not a person.”
“Lord might know.”
“Before asking him, shall we finish our business first?”
Selena nodded and said,
“That one said Your Majesty is not only the savior of Selom but of the world from the Demon King, and that I must be your eyes.”
“What?”
“It seems it wants me to aid Your Majesty with my abilities.”
“You called me here just to say that?”
“Yes, it insisted you must come here.”
“There must be more to it.”
Arthur slowly looked around.
Just an ordinary cave, nothing special caught his eye.
Insisting he come here meant something was here.
“Nothing here.”
As Arthur stood, Selena rose too.
“I’ll come with you.”
“No need to push yourself.”
“I’m fine.”
“Stick with Tarlun, and tell me right away if it’s too much.”
***
“Mm...”
Arriving at Chaos’s base, Arthur wore a complex expression.
Unlike the Recluse’s Gathering, their neatly built homes showed a desire to live properly and a strong will not to flee the world.
Natasha and the Chaos members appeared at the village entrance fenced with barriers.
They were terrified at the sight of the Death Knight Order.
No knight order had ever come this far before.
They feared their precious home might be destroyed.
Yet they vowed to defend it.
Arthur dismounted Khan and ordered Jonathan to stand by. Then he walked toward Natasha alone.
Natasha looked at Arthur and said to her comrades,
“It’s the King of Julius.”
“He looks younger than I thought.”
“That’s our savior?”
“But his presence...”
“And he’s handsome too...”
Whispers came from behind Natasha.
Arthur heard them but pretended not to as he stood before her.
“Fewer people than expected.”
“Some don’t leave home except for requests. Including them, about a hundred.”
“I see. Made your decision?”
“Can I be honest?”
Arthur nodded, and Natasha decided to spill everything she’d thought.
“This isn’t just my opinion—it’s everyone here’s. And since you said it’s okay to be honest, I will. No retaliation, right?”
“Of course.”
“Then I’ll trust you and speak.”
Natasha’s eyes turned icy as she asked,
“Would you have sought us out without the war? I doubt you even knew we existed.”
“Correct.”
Natasha’s face twisted at Arthur’s unhesitating reply.
“Mm...”
The Chaos members showed clear disappointment and displeasure.
“So in the end, you mean to use us as vanguards and discard us.”
“That’s not it.”
“What changed your mind?”
“Nothing did.”
Arthur continued, looking at Natasha and those gathered around her.
“You all know the Julius Kingdom’s situation. My goal is to take you in and bolster our forces. That hasn’t changed.”
“See! He wants to use us!”
“Who’d let themselves be used!”
“Get lost!”
Shouts of anger erupted from all sides.
Arthur pressed on, unfazed by their reactions.
“I’ve never seen you as mere war tools.”
“Who’d believe that!”
“You think we’re idiots? No one buys it!”
“Leave! Get off our land!”
Those venting their rage finally exploded.
Some stepped forward before Natasha, emanating killing intent.
Gray mana frosted their hands, poised to unleash attacks.
The atmosphere turned murderous, on the brink of eruption, but Natasha just stared silently at Arthur.
‘Well, what now?’
Arthur didn’t even glance at them, instead asking Natasha with his eyes.
‘Testing me?’
Natasha smirked as if reading his mind, replying with her eyes.
‘Why not?’
‘You’ll regret it.’
‘Our lives are regret incarnate anyway.’
“Fine.”
Arthur suddenly spoke with a meaningful smile.
Golden aura bloomed from him, unleashing a tremendous presence.
At the same time, those ready to attack unleashed their spells in unison.
“Rock Blast!”
“Rune Flare!”
Over ten fiery spears and boulders flew at him.
“Your Majesty!”
Tarlun’s eyes widened.
The unforeseen attack happened in an instant, leaving no time to react.
But something was off.
The knights who should protect him didn’t move.
They weren’t surprised or panicked—just calmly watching.
Frustrated, Tarlun asked Jonathan,
“What are you doing?!”
“Just watch.”
Jonathan replied calmly, adding,
“Our interference would only hinder His Majesty.”
“What do you...!”
The attacks engulfed Arthur.
Boom! Boom! Boom!
But they couldn’t pierce his aura armor.
With a chilling smile, Arthur gathered mana in his right hand.
Golden aura surged as the K1 Rifle materialized.
“For crooked ones like you, the stick works best.”
Arthur gripped the K1’s barrel like a club.