Chapter 39
Chapter 39
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 39
Chapter Title: The Emperor Sword
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-How presumptuous!
Lumacas snorted, but by then bullets—no, aura—had already embedded into his body.
The scales that even a Sword Master's aura blade couldn't scratch had been pierced.
-Th, this can't be...
His voice brimmed with clear bewilderment.
Meanwhile, Arthur's lips curled upward.
The trigger pull, the recoil transmitted to his arm as the bullet fired.
It was the exact familiar sensation.
It felt just like he'd brought the one from Earth via dimensional transfer.
"Impressive."
On top of that, the mystery of Lumacas was solved.
What stood before him was merely a statue; the creature had clearly set up a magical contingency, just like Teheran or Kanmurasas.
He no longer had to watch his step or live in fear.
"Shall we run a test?"
Arthur scanned his surroundings, targeting a stalactite hanging from the cave ceiling like an icicle.
"First, fifty meters."
Arthur aligned the sights perfectly, then pulled the trigger.
Bang!
The stalactite shattered.
No need to zero it in.
"Now, one hundred meters."
He shifted the muzzle to the five o'clock position, then promptly pulled the trigger.
Bang!
Same result.
Arthur grinned deeply as he moved the muzzle to seven o'clock.
The final target.
It was half the size of the previous stalactites, roughly two hundred meters away—the farthest one.
If his skills hadn't rusted, there was no way he'd miss at this range.
The moment he acquired the target, Arthur pulled the trigger without hesitation.
Bang!
Direct hit.
"As expected, this suits me better than a sword."
-So that's the weapon from Earth.
"What's your take on the show?"
-It looks similar to a Lightning Bolt, but its speed and destructive power seem far superior.
"If there were other options, it'd be even better, but this is more than satisfactory. Way better than nothing."
Arthur flashed a meaningful smile as he aimed the muzzle at Lumacas's head.
-What do you think you're doing?
"Will your head shatter like a stalactite?"
-Have you forgotten who I am? I am the Lord of the great dragons. You can't do anything to me with that pathetic weapon.
"Want to make a bet then?"
-What's this all of a sudden?
Curiosity laced Lumacas's voice.
Arthur had gauged his personality during their conversation.
Arrogant beyond measure, intensely curious, and the type who never did anything unless it suited him.
Since he needed the dragon's help, he'd proposed the bet.
Of course, one he was one hundred percent certain to win.
"I already know. What's in front of me is just a shell, and your voice is a magical contingency."
-And so?
"If I shatter your head, everything here is mine."
-Human greed truly knows no bounds. You're making what had to be done anyway quite entertaining.
"What do you mean, 'had to be done'?"
Arthur's brow furrowed.
-To leave this place, you must bring me down with that weapon. It's the way to free me from my bonds and a test to see if you can face the Demon King.
"What?"
-If you fail, you'll become my servant and be trapped here with me until you die.
"That won't happen."
-Foolish creature. If a Grand Master's aura blade couldn't cut me, you think that toy will shatter me?
"We'll see."
Arthur sneered coldly, aimed at Lumacas's face, and immediately pulled the trigger.
Bang!
Aura shot out like a bullet, embedding into Lumacas's forehead.
But it neither shattered nor even cracked.
-That level of power won't let you fight the Demon King, let alone escape this place.
"It's not over yet."
Arthur pulled the trigger again.
Bang!
It hit the same spot where the first had embedded, and he kept firing.
Bang! Bang! Bang!
The aura struck the exact same point without deviation.
The dragon's face remained intact, but faint cracks began to form where there had been none.
-I see...
He finally realized the impacts had been accumulating without his notice.
"If it were a Cheytac, it'd be over in one shot. This one's a bit cumbersome since it's what I have, but it'll end soon."
-If you think your petty trick will bring me down, you're gravely mistaken.
The cracks healed as if by magic.
Rather than panic, Arthur smirked.
"Pulling parlor tricks, eh? You think I'd fall for such an illusion?"
Arthur sneered and pulled the trigger.
The aura launched like lightning, striking deep into the crevice.
Boom!
The dragon's face exploded into fragments.
-No, this can't be!
Arthur shot down the falling debris above him, defending himself.
The large chunks shattered and rained around him.
After clearing all the fragments, Arthur grinned at the dragon's headless body.
"It's over."
With his fighting spirit gone, the gun melted like ice and vanished into his palm.
-How could this be?
Lumacas sounded utterly flustered at being felled by an unimaginable attack.
"Is it really that surprising?"
Lumacas bellowed at Arthur's nonchalant reply.
-Answer me!
"I simply thought of the best way to bring you down."
-That's all?
"Why would anything else be needed?"
-Hmm...
Lumacas fell silent, emitting a low hum, then spoke in a somewhat gentler tone.
-It's the first time. The first human I've met who could surprise a dragon with such a shift in thinking.
"So you admit defeat in the bet?"
-Using aura like that would be a huge threat to enemies. I acknowledge my loss.
"Then everything here is mine."
Arthur walked toward the pile of gold and treasures, examining the items closely.
Mountains of gold and treasures included rare-looking weapons, exotic artifacts, and magic tomes.
He planned to take the weapons back to the castle and distribute them to those in need. Millerph and Aild would love the magic tomes.
The problem was getting it all out, since he'd have to climb the cliff.
"Hmm, what to do?"
As Arthur pondered, one item gleamed exceptionally bright.
A beer-bottle-sized vial contained something radiating pure transparency.
Its noble emerald-like glow drew him in unwittingly.
'What is that?'
Arthur stepped over gold ingots and picked up the vial.
Even just looking at it, it seemed incredibly precious.
"What's this?"
-An Elixir.
"What?"
Arthur's eyes widened.
He was more shocked than when he'd gotten the gun. He never imagined a legendary elixir would be here.
-Good thing. It goes to someone who knows its value.
"There's someone who absolutely needs it."
-It's potent enough to revive even the dead. Use it on someone worthy.
"It's for the person who'll help me greatly, just like Kanmurasas helped Teheran back then."
-A mage of the count's family? Must be my servant's disciple or their disciple. I'm curious what he's like.
"He's a good man."
Arthur grinned and glanced at the pile of treasures.
"Any way to take all that alone without calling for help?"
-Just store it in the helmet you're wearing. It has a subspatial storage function.
"What's subspatial storage?"
-It's like an independent dimensional pocket, often used to store items.
"How do I use it?"
-Simple. Go to the items you want to store, channel mana, and will it so.
"That's straightforward."
Arthur channeled mana while focusing on the treasures, just as instructed, willing them into the subspatial storage.
The mountain of items vanished in an instant.
At the same time, the contents appeared vividly in his mind, as if he were seeing them with his eyes.
"Ooh, incredible."
-To retrieve an item, just visualize it in your mind. And now that you're the master here, you can come and go freely.
"I might have reason to return."
-The day will come when you can't control your power. Come back then.
"Can I control my power here?"
-Dragon lairs are enchanted to suppress mana rampages.
"Ah."
-And that weapon you got today has tremendous potential. It'll grow stronger as you do.
"I'll keep that in mind. It's time to head back. Lots of people waiting for me."
A sudden question struck Arthur as he smiled.
"Could I know the real reason you told Teheran to send his successor here?"
-The appearance of his successor means the Demon King has emerged. That bastard wiped out our kind. I wanted to empower someone for revenge.
"I see."
It felt like another piece of the power he'd gain.
"How long did you wait?"
-About a century? Part of me hoped you'd never awaken. That would've meant the Demon King was gone for good.
Hearing he'd waited a hundred years, Arthur suddenly felt pity.
It was preparation for the Demon King's return, but he sensed genuine concern for the Julius Count Family too.
He wanted to do something in return.
"If you need a favor, name it."
-Why the sudden kindness? Ah, pity for me. Well, a century is a long time for humans.
"Consider it repayment for looking out for the Julius Count Family."
-Interesting.
Lumacas chuckled before continuing.
-When the time comes, someone will find you. Tell them then that I'm sorry.
"Anything else?"
-That's it. It's the one regret in my perfect life, so I hope you tie it up nicely.
"Got it."
-Finally, one last thing for you. Sometime, you'll gain power rivaling the gods.
"That's why you reacted like that."
Arthur finally understood why Lumacas had gotten annoyed when he'd tried to release his power.
Likely due to the gun's hidden potential.
But even if the Sig Sauer grew stronger, it was still just a pistol.
It couldn't surpass that.
Yet the dragon spoke of power beyond dragons—what could he mean?
"Why say that?"
-That's all I'll tell you. I hope you don't follow the Demon King's path.
"What do you mean?"
Arthur asked in shock.
"Was the Demon King human?"
-Now I go to eternal rest. Face the Demon King only after achieving nine stars.
A pure white light appeared before vanishing into the helmet.
At the same time, Lumacas's deep voice echoed.
-May the dragon's blessing be with you.
"Hmm..."
Arthur's face filled with questions.
The statue crumbled into sand, swirling into a whirlwind that rose to the ceiling.
As it turned to golden mist and faded, Arthur said,
"Rest well."
Moments later.
The whirlwind weakened, gold dust drifting down.
The dust settled into the ground, from which a sword erupted, shining like the sun.
From hilt to blade, it gleamed gold, shaped like a dragon's maw birthing a blade—extraordinary.
Immense power emanated from it.
As Arthur approached and grasped the hilt, fierce resistance pushed back.
"What the—?"
Startled, he stepped back. Red letters appeared on the blade.
[Emperor Sword]
Lumacas's voice rang out.
-It is your sword.