Chapter 198
Chapter 198
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 198
Chapter Title: Spirits' Confrontation
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Natarsian's face lost its smile at the advice that bordered on a threat.
'Arrogant bastard.'
At his age, with that level of skill and the accomplishments he'd achieved so far, it was understandable.
He probably thought he was the best in the world.
But Natarsian decided to show him that he was on a different level from anyone he'd faced before.
"It's been a while since I received some advice."
"I said it for your own good, so don't take it the wrong way."
"Of course not. How delightful it is to know someone is thinking of me."
"Good, now give me your answer."
"Before I answer..."
Natarsian's eyes grew as cold as Arthur's as he asked,
"What's the reason you came to see me?"
"To discuss our future."
Arthur answered without the slightest hesitation.
Natarsian grew increasingly intrigued by his response.
But he kept his expression icy cold and asked another question.
"It seems I'm included in the future you're envisioning."
"For now."
"For now..."
Every word from Arthur grated on his ears.
But he wasn't one to be swayed by provocations.
"You've got quite the spirit for someone so young."
Natarsian continued with a meaningful smile.
"King Valtre promised to fulfill my lifelong wish, just like you. I saw potential in him, but I see none in you right now."
"Is that so?"
"As it's my lifelong wish, I can't share it with just anyone."
"Hmm."
It seemed like a test for Arthur.
Natarsian must have confirmed King Valtre's hidden power.
To win him over, Arthur needed to show something at least equal to—or greater than—King Valtre.
That wouldn't be easy with ordinary means.
'Looks like there's only one way.'
Arthur glanced at Millerph with resolve.
"When I give the signal, create a space for just the Grand Duke and me."
"Understood."
Millerph replied and prepared his magic.
"You can see for yourself."
Arthur stepped toward Natarsian.
"I'm looking forward to it."
Natarsian also stepped toward Arthur.
A moment later.
They stopped about three meters apart.
"What are you going to show me?"
"Wait and see."
Arthur turned and nodded to Millerph.
A transparent barrier then enveloped them like a defensive wall.
"It must be something so impressive that others can't know about it."
As Natarsian smirked and asked, Arthur replied with a meaningful smile.
"That's part of it, but also... I didn't want you to be embarrassed in front of your subordinates. They might not show it outwardly, but imagine their disappointment. Consider it a courtesy."
"What a needless gesture."
"Is it, though?"
Suddenly, a warm breeze blew from somewhere, and a form materialized in front of Arthur.
'What is that?'
Natarsian sensed an unusual aura from the wind and immediately drew up his mana.
A red aura rose from him, wrapping around his body like armor.
As he assumed a defensive stance, a humanoid figure floated in the air, gazing at him.
It exuded pure power and noble presence, with winds swirling constantly around her.
It was then that someone flashed in his mind.
'No way!'
Parsia had guessed why Arthur summoned her and acted accordingly.
-Long time no see.
Natarsian's face twisted.
"Wind spirit... Parsia..."
-I didn't expect you to have grown this strong.
"To meet you again, you wench..."
During the Nanshar Empire's invasion, the fiercest battles had been against the Alpha Family, and she had been their most troublesome foe.
Parsia replied with a subtle smile.
-I'd forgotten some old emotions, but seeing you like this brings them back. But I'm not here to fight you today.
Natarsian glared at her with murderous eyes.
"Then why have you appeared here?"
Parsia moved to Arthur's side before answering.
-You're the new contractor, aren't you?
"...!"
Natarsian's eyes widened in shock.
Arthur smiled faintly and said,
"You look surprised."
"You've contracted with a spirit? And with Parsia, no less, who's practically an enemy of the Feridri Family..."
Natarsian's aura blazed like flames.
'What?'
Arthur, unaware of the history between them, felt inwardly flustered.
-There's a lot of bad blood between us.
Parsia briefly explained their relationship to Arthur.
'So that's what happened.'
Arthur had summoned Parsia to suppress Natarsian's aura, but it had only ignited his rage.
It wasn't something to worry about, though.
Natarsian would soon retract his pressure.
"I had no idea you two had that kind of history."
"If you thought scaring me with her would work, you've made a mistake."
"Looks like it."
"You know what they say? Failure comes with a price."
The moment Natarsian's hand gripped his sword hilt, a massive flame appeared before him and took human form.
"...!"
Natarsian's eyes bulged.
Salamander glared at him coldly and growled,
-Draw it, and I'll burn you to ash.
"H-How..."
With Parsia already summoned, now the fire spirit appeared too.
He couldn't believe Arthur had contracted with two spirits.
"That's more like the reaction I expected."
"How is this possible? Spirits never allow double contracts."
"They gave me special treatment. Like with Tehran."
As Arthur spoke, the ground behind Natarsian erupted.
-Nosble's son, Earth, greets Lord Arthur Julius.
"Th-This can't be..."
Even Earth, the highest earth spirit, revealed itself.
Natarsian's jaw dropped.
The shocking situation left his mind blank for a moment.
Regaining his senses, he asked Arthur,
"Is this even possible?"
"If you can't believe it, experience it firsthand. It wouldn't hurt."
"You think I'd lose?"
"You're under a grand delusion."
"Is that so?"
As Natarsian drew up his mana, a tremendous pressure exploded outward, as if it would blow everything away.
"Parsia."
At Arthur's command, she erected a wind barrier in front of Millerph's transparent membrane.
Arthur also deployed golden aura armor for defense.
Seeing them counter his pressure, Natarsian sneered mockingly.
"I'll shatter it all."
As he tried to pour more power in, Salamander and Earth moved.
They layered fire and earth barriers in front of the wind wall, reinforcing the defense.
"As if."
Just as Natarsian was about to unleash his full power.
A dazzling light appeared before his eyes.
"...!"
A cluster of brilliant, shimmering lights pierced the spirits' barriers and gathered.
Then, something astonishing happened.
"Wh-What...?"
Another spirit appeared.
With all the spirits he knew already present, he was utterly confused.
"Wh-Who are you...?"
The presence was so holy he couldn't speak casually.
-I am Nigras, ruler of light.
'Light?'
He'd vaguely heard of spirits beyond the four major elements.
They were called nature spirits, said to be stronger than the four majors.
-Are you just?
At Nigras's pure, upright voice, Natarsian answered.
"Yes."
-The ones you should face are not these. Use your power against the wicked horde.
"Do you mean the Demon King?"
-Within that realm.
'Within that realm?'
That implied others besides the Demon King.
Realizing there were forces he didn't know about, Natarsian withdrew his power.
He then shouted toward Arthur beyond the spirits' barriers.
"Order your spirits to stand down!"
The barriers vanished in an instant, revealing Arthur.
"You look full of questions. Answer me first before asking yours."
"Urgh."
His unyielding attitude furrowed Natarsian's brow.
But with the situation tilting against him, he had no choice but to play along.
"Listen well. My lifelong wish is to unify the fractured continent."
"You want to return to the Ragbeit era."
"Correct. That's why I planned to help the Tomoya Kingdom clean up the Oscar Empire and Julius Kingdom, then aid me in unifying Oscar."
"Hmm..."
Arthur pondered, tilting his head.
"Then what about Valtre's deal with Ingenium? Does that contract—removing Altros—become void?"
"I'll handle that."
"How?"
"Unlike Emperor Ruan, Crown Prince Ingenium has the talent to embrace all. I'll place him on the Ragbeit throne in the future."
"...!"
Kill Emperor Ruan, create a new empire, and put his son on its throne?
It sounded utterly absurd.
"You think Ingenium will accept that? Valtre and you killed his parents. If it were me, I'd sharpen my blade for revenge."
"Perhaps. But once he learns Emperor Ruan allied with the Demon King, he'll understand us."
"What!"
Arthur was stunned.
"I never imagined you'd reveal this to him. He's been brainwashed by the Demon King's familiar."
"How do you know?"
"A few years ago, the crown prince visited me. He begged to meet the emperor just once, saying he'd explain later. I relented, and that evening, I sneaked into the palace."
Natarsian recounted the events in detail.
He couldn't meet the emperor, but he sensed dark energy from a secret chamber beneath the office.
It was built during the Golden Emperor's time, known only to him among the nobles.
He considered investigating but sensed the dark aura meant trouble for the emperor.
He left without meeting and heard from Ingenium the next day that the emperor had changed.
At a recent noble assembly, the altered aura confirmed it.
Even Knight Order Captain Jangjarban hadn't noticed, only he—as a Grand Sword Master—had.
"If you sensed that, you must have sensed something else too."
Natarsian smiled meaningfully at Arthur's words.
"You mean Altros?"
"I once clashed with him in Tomoya territory."
"Really?"
"He summoned a powerful weapon with dark energy. If he's also a Demon King's familiar, are they aware and tolerating each other?"
"Doubtful. They're probably watching for an opening. Familiars have their own hierarchy."
"I see."
Arthur nodded, organizing his thoughts.
Natarsian weighed Arthur against Valtre, considering who would benefit him more.
Silence lingered for a while.
Soon after, both having sorted their minds, they met each other's eyes.
Natarsian spoke first.
"What do you want from me?"
Arthur smirked and replied,
"I need your power."
"To sweep away enemies with my strength?"
"Don't misunderstand."
Arthur waved dismissively with an exasperated look.
Then, smiling faintly, he continued.
"I can handle them alone."
"What?"
Natarsian scowled and glared sharply.
"Listen. I'm reaching out only to fight the Demon King. Nothing else."
"You expect me to believe that?"
"No need to answer now. Think it over. When you decide to join me, convince Valtre to come along."
"You plan to ally with him too?"
"The enemy is the Demon King. The more allies, the better, right?"
Arthur turned away without regret, adding,
"You'll seek me out one day."
"What?"
"My business is done. I'm leaving."
"Hmm..."
Arthur had hidden his power, as expected.
But he shouldn't be able to hide it from him.
Yet he couldn't gauge it. Probably protected by the spirits.
'What a monster.'
With a stern expression, Natarsian turned and gazed into the distance.
Dust clouds rose as the Busta Knight Order approached.
Rather than bruised pride, his heart raced, sensing their aura before Arthur did.
"It's been ages since my blood ran hot."