Chapter 89
Chapter 89
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 89
Chapter Title: Parsia
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Arthur entered the office with Skevin, where Ban was waiting.
"What's the occasion? Aren't you busy?"
Arthur looked puzzled.
"I came to show you the designs I made before starting work on what you mentioned before. Here."
Arthur took the blueprints from Ban and spread them out on the table.
He had once suggested installing crossbows at each outpost when the Griffon appeared.
These were the designs for that.
"Hmm, it looks like a modification of the blueprints I drew up before?"
"You recognized it right away, as expected."
Ban smiled and began explaining the blueprints.
He had incorporated Cheytac's automatic loading and magazine functions into the existing crossbow, shortening the reload time that had been its main drawback.
"It can load up to six shots?"
"That's right. You can fire them one by one or all at once."
"You've improved the efficiency and destructive power."
"Not only that, but the effective range has more than doubled, and I've maximized shock absorption after firing to boost accuracy to 70%."
"When can we start production?"
"Tomorrow."
"Good. Then produce plenty. The Del Knight Order might use them too."
"Understood. And there's something I wanted to tell you."
Arthur nodded as if to say, go ahead.
Ban glanced at Skevin before cautiously speaking.
"Um, a while ago, the captain asked me for something..."
"What request?"
Arthur looked at Skevin in surprise.
Skevin bowed politely and replied.
"I went to discuss the knights' armor and equipment."
"And?"
"I have no idea what he's about to say."
Skevin looked baffled and turned to Ban.
"What are you trying to tell the Young Master?"
"I've given some thought to his request to unify all the armor and equipment in the deep blue of the Phoenix Knight Order."
"The color symbolizing the Julius Family shouldn't be a problem, right?"
"That's true, but..."
Ban trailed off and looked at Arthur.
"Do you think that color suits the count's family as it is now, Young Master?"
"What do you mean by that?"
Skevin's voice sharpened.
Meanwhile, Arthur seemed to guess what Ban was getting at and stroked his chin.
"Well, something from a hundred years ago wouldn't suit the Julius Family now. Since you've brought it up, you must have some ideas of your own. It must be pretty radical if you couldn't even mention it to Skevin. Don't hold back—tell me."
"Thank you for saying that. I'll share my opinion freely then."
Ban pulled a sheet of paper from his pocket and spread it on the table.
Skevin's face twisted upon seeing it.
"What on earth are you thinking?"
"Hmm..."
Arthur examined the new armor and equipment designs on the paper with a serious expression.
They were a deep blood-red.
The helmet, evoking a skull, was especially striking.
Ban watched Arthur's reaction carefully before speaking cautiously.
"You once mentioned wanting armor that would instill fear in enemies just by looking at it, so I designed this with that in mind as much as possible."
"I see."
A smile tugged at Arthur's lips, and Skevin hurriedly shook his head.
"This won't do! We're a family called the 'Empire's Spear' that faced the Demon King's army. The dragon helm is enough for a striking image."
"I know. But it's too conspicuous. From my experience, it's hard to carry out covert operations wearing something like that."
"Then think of something else..."
Arthur held up a hand to stop him and said to Ban.
"Go with this design for unification. But embed a golden dragon in the center of the chest. That way, no one will mistake it for the Julius Family."
"Ah, that should work."
"And make about fifty sets in black as well."
"In black?"
"For me and the Devil Squad."
"Understood. Since I'll be working on the crossbows at the same time, it'll take two or three months."
"Sorry, but hurry as much as you can. We don't know when they'll attack."
"Yes."
Ban gathered the blueprints and left once his report was done.
Arthur checked the various reports on the desk and asked Skevin.
"How's that guy doing?"
"You mean Keda Alpha?"
"We can't leave him camping outside the castle forever."
"He said they were performing the ritual today, so the results should be out by now."
"What's the success rate?"
"According to Millerph, it's impossible to know."
"If he desires it earnestly enough, there will be a response."
"I hope he regains his power."
"That would be ideal."
Skevin tilted his head at Arthur's pessimistic tone.
"You don't like him?"
Arthur signed a report and looked at Skevin.
"Someone truly desperate enough to stake their life doesn't set conditions."
He thought of Keda, who had boldly offered conditional loyalty, and added.
"It's hard to build trust with someone like that."
"I understand."
"Keep watching him. He knows his only way to survive is with me, so he'll try to make contact somehow..."
Arthur trailed off and suddenly turned toward the window.
A tremendous power suddenly emanated from outside the castle, and a streak of light fell from the darkening sky like a meteor.
That location was where Keda's group was camped.
"Looks like his earnest desire got through."
"A powerful force is coming from there."
Tension, curiosity, and anticipation crossed Skevin's face.
Arthur curled his lips and stood.
"Or maybe not."
***
"Finally..."
Keda shed tears of joy at the spirit's appearance.
Atop the altar, the wind spirit 'Parsia' gazed at Keda.
Her eyes were as cold as ice.
Her sky-blue hair, reaching her waist, fluttered gently in the breeze. Her slender frame radiated immense power rather than frailty.
An aura of nobility far surpassing any aristocrat emanated from her.
She was what a goddess would look like.
-Were you the one who summoned me?
Her voice was as cold as her gaze.
Keda's heart swelled just from her responding to his call. Without dwelling on her reaction, he quickly answered.
"Yes."
-What is your relation to Jerome Alpha?
"I am his grandson. And the sole surviving heir of the Alpha Family."
Parsia looked around at the men bowing to her before asking again.
-Do you wish to join with me?
"Yes!"
Keda answered firmly, as if he had been waiting.
-As promised, I'll give you the chance. But if you break the contract again, you'll lose not only what you possess but everything connected to you.
"I'll keep that in mind."
As Keda nodded heavily.
"Did you call me?"
Arthur entered the tent.
The men who had been bowing to Parsia looked at him in utter confusion.
But soon, displeasure turned to anger.
One of them shouted coldly.
"We're in the middle of a ritual! Please leave!"
Arthur ignored him and looked at Parsia.
A gentle breeze stirred around him, brushing over him as if appraising him.
After a moment, Parsia spoke.
-You're Teheran's descendant.
"You know him?"
-The only human all spirits hoped to be with.
"He was quite popular. So why did you call me here? Don't tell me you want to join with me too?"
-Interesting.
Parsia smiled for the first time and continued.
-My children told me. A human with a special aura appeared. I was curious about who it was.
"I see."
It must have been the spirits sensing the unfamiliar aura when Millerph cast magic to verify Keda.
"So, now that you've met me, what do you think?"
-My children had reason to be curious. You've piqued my interest too.
"I was curious what a spirit looks like myself."
Parsia asked with a puzzled expression.
-You don't fear me.
"Is there a reason I should?"
-Most humans, except those contracted with us, fear or revere us upon seeing us.
"That varies by person."
-Well, having met Lord Rumakas, it's no wonder you're not surprised.
"How do you know..."
She knew a fact only he and Millerph were aware of.
As Arthur's smile faded and his eyes turned cold.
-Demon King.
"...!"
Arthur's eyes flashed.
-Everything that happens where the wind blows is reported to me.
"Then..."
-I've been watching you since you entered Lord Rumakas's sanctuary.
"Ah..."
-Of course, I know the Demon King has returned. He is the enemy of all spirits.
"'Enemy'?"
A sudden curiosity arose.
"Did the spirits step in when Teheran fought the Demon King?"
-Yes, the spirits helped him.
"Hmm..."
Arthur's face twisted.
Even with the aid of dragons and spirits, he hadn't defeated the Demon King.
It was shocking.
Considering how the united forces on Earth bombarded him relentlessly yet failed to bring him down, it was perhaps inevitable.
"He was a monster here too."
As he pondered how strong he needed to become to defeat an immortal-like being.
-I'd like to give you power, but you're sorely lacking for a contract.
"No surprise, compared to Teheran."
-But I'll place a sliver of hope in your potential.
"Do as you like. By the way, you."
Arthur turned to Keda.
Keda glared back with dissatisfaction.
Arthur's sudden appearance had interrupted the ritual just as the contract was nearly complete.
"Speak."
"Think carefully. She said if you break the contract, everyone connected to you loses everything."
"I'm not that foolish."
"Don't be so sure. People's hearts change with their circumstances."
"If I seem like I'll break it, can't you just stop me, my lord?"
"I won't honor a request to stop you even if it means killing you."
"It doesn't matter. These men here will be witnesses, so no need to worry."
Keda replied firmly.
The dozen or so retainers following him bowed deeply with resolute eyes.
Arthur nodded at their reaction.
"Understood."
"Then we'll finish the ritual, so please wait."
Keda readjusted his posture and looked at Parsia.
Parsia gave a meaningful smile.
-I overheard your conversation. How intriguing.
"As you heard, there will be no more breaking of contracts."
-I hope so. I, Parsia, hereby swear by our soul-bound contract to share my power with the heir of Jerome Alpha's blood and those who follow him.
As her words ended, a strong wind blew from outside the tent.
It swept over everyone there once before being absorbed into the pendant on the altar.
After a moment.
The pendant hummed in resonance and glowed brightly.
At the same time, a faint aura rose from Keda and the men's bodies.
Their presence grew stronger by the moment.
They were likely receiving the spirit's power.
'This is the power of a spirit!'
Keda finally understood what his father had only described in words.
Strength surged through his body.
Images flashed in his mind of his father and the family knights falling helplessly to enemies.
Rage boiled uncontrollably.
"Those bastards..."
Wind stirred around his body.
It grew stronger, affecting those nearby.
The men empowered by the spirit felt no pressure, but Arthur was different.
Like when he first encountered Rumakas, the immense power pressing down on him startled him.
"Is this the extent?"
-Our power is greater than you imagine. Best not to get arrogant.
"Thanks for the advice, but..."
Arthur grinned and drew his mana to its maximum.
A golden aura bloomed, and a tremendous presence erupted.
"I'm stronger than you think too."
He confronted the spirit's pressure head-on and repelled it.
"This!"
Keda gasped in shock and restrained his presence.
Parsia smiled meaningfully and said.
-We shall meet again soon.
"Come anytime."
Arthur grinned and left.
Parsia gazed at where he had stood for a moment before turning to Keda.
-Will you follow him?
"For now, he is our hope."
-I see. Never forget that the wind's blessing is always by your side.
With that, Parsia vanished.
A warm breeze blew where she had been, enveloping everyone once before departing.