Chapter 194
Chapter 194
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 194
Chapter Title: Mangblo's Return
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***
“What’s he up to?”
At Ruan’s question, Hera replied politely.
-He hasn’t left his room at all.
“He’s too valuable to discard.”
-I can restore his strength. But it would require offering up life force.
“No problem. Give him what he wants.”
Ruan answered without the slightest hesitation, then gazed down at the base of the tower.
Having issued and then canceled the mobilization order, the Central Guardian Knight Order was waiting outside the castle walls.
Now that he had acquired Nightmare, there was no need to step forward needlessly and expend forces.
With the Demon King’s familiars under his command, he could simply order them to deal with Artisan.
He would only intervene if they requested reinforcements.
Sensing the approach of dark power, Ruan had climbed to the highest point.
For now, drawing attention wasn’t advantageous.
Especially if Jangjarban detected them—it would be a headache.
Given his personality, he wouldn’t tolerate even this situation with Ruan.
The best course was to keep the truth hidden and make maximum use of him.
Ruan asked with a sinister smile.
“How many of the Demon King’s familiars are there?”
-Including me, five in total. Some have awakened, but I don’t know who.
“Then you might even fight each other if you crossed paths as enemies.”
-At first, maybe. But once the power of darkness reveals itself, we’d recognize one another.
“You say you’ve awakened, yet you still lack a physical body. Any reason for that?”
-There’s one I desire.
“Oh? Is that so?”
Ruan’s expression turned intrigued.
-He’s a descendant of the World Tree. I’ve been waiting for a chance to claim his mana as my own.
“Altros is a descendant of the World Tree too, isn’t he?”
-His mana isn’t pure.
“A seeker of dark power quibbling over purity? That’s amusing.”
Hera replied with a sinister smile of her own.
-The purer and clearer the mana, the denser and more potent the darkness becomes.
“Is that right? Now I’m curious who you’ve set your sights on. Someone I know?”
-Millerph, disciple of Mardro.
“……!”
Ruan’s eyes flashed.
The guardian mage of the Julius family.
Mardro, who inherited the lineage of Kanmurasas that fought alongside Teheran against the Demon King.
She desired his disciple, Millerph.
It was truly delightful.
“Uhahaha!”
Ruan threw his head back and burst into loud laughter.
Startled by his sudden reaction, Hera glanced at him curiously.
“Perfect choice.”
-Thank you.
“From now on, destroy or kill anything connected to Teheran. Erase any traces that can’t be destroyed. The five continents must worship only me, their absolute ruler.”
-It shall be done.
That was when Hera bowed her head to Ruan.
In the distance, an unidentified object approached at high speed.
“It’s here.”
Ruan wore an expectant expression, and Hera stood beside him, waiting.
Moments later.
A man passed through the window and stood before Ruan.
Like Hera, he had horns protruding from both sides of his head, black hair cascading to his waist, a sturdy muscular build, and sharp eyes.
The notable features were the bat-like wings identical to Hera’s and the large X-shaped scar across his chest.
Hera gazed at him with reddened eyes.
-You……
He who once ruled the skies with griffons and gargoyles under his command—the mightiest among the Demon King’s five guardians, Mangblo.
The man stared piercingly at Ruan.
Ruan met his gaze with a subtle smile.
The two sized each other up in silence.
Seconds ticked by.
As heavy silence blanketed the area, the man spoke first.
-I’ve heard Nightmare’s message. Are you his contractor?
“Insolent fool.”
Ruan summoned Nightmare.
A massive darkness surged behind him, dominating the surroundings.
The man immediately dropped to one knee and paid his respects.
-Mangblo, one of the Demon King’s five guardians, greets the great one.
“Now that’s more like it.”
Ruan smiled in satisfaction and gestured toward Hera with his chin.
“What’s your relationship with her?”
Mangblo shifted his gaze to Hera and replied.
-She is my wife.
“Oh ho~ A reunion after a century, then. Must have been agonizing. Take some time alone—enjoy the joy of reunion.”
Ruan stepped aside with a smile playing on his lips.
As he exited, he heard urgent footsteps rushing toward the tower base.
The only one who would sense Mangblo’s presence and come running was Jangjarban.
He had given them that brief time precisely to handle this.
Soon, Jangjarban appeared before Ruan with a grave expression.
“Your Majesty, are you all right?”
“What has you rushing here like this?”
“I sensed something flying toward this place just now.”
“I didn’t feel a thing.”
“I’ll check it out.”
Ruan silently stepped aside, clearing the way.
Jangjarban entered and scanned the surroundings.
‘What’s going on?’
The aura he had clearly sensed while ascending the stairs had vanished completely.
It couldn’t have been a mistake on his part.
It was unmistakably an aura of darkness.
Darker and more sinister than anything from the monsters.
That was why he had dropped everything to rush here…
‘For now, I’ll withdraw. But next time, I won’t let it slip away.’
Jangjarban emerged with a resolute expression.
“I must have been mistaken.”
“No harm done. After fierce battles with monsters, it’s understandable to err.”
“Thank you for understanding. But what brings Your Majesty here at this hour?”
“I came up to clear my thoughts.”
“Your Majesty, did you withdraw the knight order’s mobilization because of Grand Duke Narasiyan?”
Ruan nodded silently.
“He won’t attack Artisan alongside Marquis Valtre either.”
“That’s my thinking as well. But I worry that sly fox might have contacted Narasiyan, swayed him successfully—and perhaps done the same with Artisan.”
“Surely he hasn’t reached out to Artisan too?”
“Logically, no. But human affairs are unpredictable. That’s why I’m proceeding cautiously.”
“I’ll have the knights fully prepared to mobilize at Your Majesty’s command anytime.”
“With you here, I feel truly secure.”
“I’m merely doing my duty.”
Jangjarban bowed deeply.
After receiving a few instructions, he departed.
Having mentioned Valtre, Jangjarban would be preoccupied checking both sides for a while.
Ruan waited inside the tower until Jangjarban’s presence fully faded, then reentered.
Mangblo and Hera appeared before him.
They bowed with utmost reverence.
Seeing their brightened faces, Ruan asked.
“Did the reunion go well?”
-Thank you for your consideration.
“You saw the one who just appeared, right? What do you make of him?”
Hera answered first.
-Among the guardians, only Mangblo could match him.
“You think the same?”
Ruan turned to Mangblo.
Mangblo pondered, recalling Jangjarban.
He had hidden his aura upon sensing someone’s arrival.
Still in soul form, only spirits, or mages and shamans of comparable power, could detect him.
The key was that Jangjarban had sensed the aura leaking while flying through the skies.
That alone marked him as beyond human limits.
Not on Teheran’s level, but facing him would require readiness for death.
-I can’t be certain of victory either.
“The empire’s guardian god indeed. But with my situation as it is, I can’t simply rejoice. He might turn his sword on me.”
-Is he a subordinate you cherish, Lord Ruan?
“Of course. He’s my right hand and my mighty sword.”
-Then may I claim him?
“……!”
Ruan’s eyes gleamed, a sinister smile curling his lips.
“I hadn’t considered that.”
-No suitable human had caught my eye before, but he seems more than satisfactory. With your permission, Lord Ruan, I’ll make him mine.
Ruan nodded, extremely pleased.
“Do it.”
-May I make one request then?
“What is it?”
-The stronger the mental fortitude, the longer it takes to seize the soul. Create a situation to weaken his spirit, and I’ll dominate him swiftly, awakening fully.
“Hmm…….”
Ruan stroked his chin thoughtfully.
Jangjarban was a knight approaching Grand Sword Master level.
Short of grave injury, his mental strength wouldn’t falter easily.
The only sure way now was against Artisan, but even that wasn’t guaranteed.
He was that exceptional.
Still, dangerous situations could be arranged.
“I’ll devise a plan.”
-Thank you.
As a smile formed on Mangblo’s lips.
“……!”
His eyes flashed, and his mouth curved upward.
Hera followed with a deep smile, addressing Ruan.
-One of the guardians awaits to see you at the summit of Turest Mountain.
“Awaiting?”
-It may be an inconvenience, but you’ll need to go in person.
“He can’t come here due to prying eyes?”
-Yes.
“He has a physical body, then.”
Ruan glanced at the tall mountain visible through the window and nodded.
“Been a while since I got some fresh air.”
***
Refugees from the Namshar Empire arrived at Grada Castle.
Arthur, with Skevin, selected Aslan Territory for their settlement.
He had already sent Mentu, the former knight commander there, along with the Tasel Knight Order to prepare Aslan Castle.
He instructed Keda to let the refugees rest a day before moving out.
With Millerph and Blizan returned, Arthur prepared to depart for Tomoya Kingdom.
Drakan and Sir Helm hurried back upon Skevin’s contact.
In the command office, the commanders gathered and firmly opposed Arthur.
“Absolutely not.”
“We don’t know what schemes he might unleash next.”
“Agreed. It’s not just him anymore—Grand Duke Narasiyan has joined, making it even more dangerous than before.”
Finally, Millerph chimed in.
“Everyone opposes it—must you still go?”
“Sorry, but my decision stands.”
“I figured as much.”
Millerph nodded as if expecting it and continued.
“You can’t go alone. If you won’t yield on that, we’ll act on our own, regardless of His Majesty’s will.”
Their resolve rang clear—no further retreat.
The others wore grim determination, agreeing with Millerph.
“Fine, ease up on the faces.”
Arthur grinned and shook his head helplessly.
“I wasn’t planning to go alone this time.”
“You always try to move solo, so we had to speak up. Forgive any impertinence.”
“Impertinence? I know it’s out of concern. I’m the one who’s sorry.”
Arthur smiled warmly at them.
“I’ll name those accompanying me to Tomoya Kingdom. Millerph.”
Millerph tucked his staff under his arm and bowed politely.
“Skevin.”
Skevin bowed deeply, delighted to be included.
“And Aria and Blizan. Total of four.”
“We obey!”
Blizan snapped a sharp salute, and Aria clasped her hands, bowing.
Arthur looked alternately at Drakan and Sir Helm.
“I leave the kingdom to you.”
Thud!
Drakan slammed his black spear down, and Helm cradled his Death Bow, bowing at the waist.
They replied in unison, resolute.
“We shall guard it with our lives!”