Chapter 114
Chapter 114
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 114
Chapter Title: For the New Kingdom (1)
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The sky over the capital was shrouded in crimson flames and gray smoke.
It had started as mere embers, but in an instant, it ballooned into a massive inferno.
The burning buildings resembled the karmic fires of hell itself.
People screamed as they fled, crumbling debris from collapsing structures filled the air, and monsters burst through the gaps—it was a nightmare come to life.
Terrified crowds spilled onto the streets, shrieking in panic.
But soon enough, they were torn apart by the swarming monsters.
The blood-soaked streets of the kingdom echoed endlessly with cries and wails.
If hell existed, wouldn't it look just like this?
The Sail Kingdom had devolved into utter pandemonium.
‘Help Princess Irena ascend to the throne as queen.’
That was the content of the special mission.
To complete it, I'd dispatched a horde of monsters to the Sail Kingdom.
Based on past experience, I figured this would wrap up quickly too.
But then, a variable cropped up.
“What?”
The alert popped up saying the Death Knight was under the demonic sword's influence. But that wasn't the end of it.
The 5-star Death Knight had suddenly become a 7-star Death Knight King.
“Hah...”
What the hell was this?
A 7-star monster out of nowhere?
Not even the Eldorado Continent, let alone the gacha, had ever produced one. All I knew were stories from books or tales I'd heard while there.
‘Celia's only 6-star, and now we've got a 7-star?’
The Death Knight getting stronger was a boon for me.
But there was a reason I couldn't just celebrate.
The first one being...
The Death Knight's evolution to 7-star was only temporary.
Not a full, permanent one.
‘Well, yeah. If it could permanently evolve to 7-star just like that, it'd be broken.’
Let any monster hold the demonic sword and evolve?
I'd cycle it through every monster in my dungeon.
The balance would collapse instantly.
Hell, I'd run the Eldorado Continent however I pleased.
But maintaining 7-star status came with a 6-hour limit.
‘This is tricky.’
Six hours was an awkward timeframe.
And after that, it goes action-impossible?
“Hah.”
Just how strong was a 7-star being, anyway?
I hadn't experienced it myself, so it didn't feel real.
At least one thing was certain.
The current Death Knight King could annihilate the Sail Kingdom multiple times over within the time limit.
The problem was, I hadn't dispatched monsters hoping for the kingdom's destruction.
‘If the kingdom falls, Princess Irena can't become queen, can she?’
The mission's main goal was the princess, after all.
That's why I'd devised a plan using Maru.
A scheme to crown Princess Irena queen—destroying the kingdom made no sense.
“Can't just send it somewhere else, either.”
The monsters I summon have fixed activity ranges.
Dispatching them to the Sail Kingdom was only possible because of the special mission—normally, it'd be impossible.
Above all, I couldn't redirect the Death Knight King.
At best, recall it to my dungeon?
But that defeats the purpose.
For now, I had to maximize the Death Knight King's use in the Sail Kingdom.
That led to another issue.
How far should I push its deployment?
Ideally, I'd let it rampage freely.
But reality differed.
‘There must've been omens when the Death Knight evolved...’
If the records were accurate, omens announcing a 7-star's birth would have blanketed the entire Eldorado Continent.
The Church would've mobilized for war immediately.
And not just them—every nation on the continent would be watching.
The silver lining: the omens appeared, but its location remained unknown.
Actively deploying the Death Knight King now would be like advertising a 7-star in the Sail Kingdom.
‘Even if the princess ascends, that'd spell trouble.’
Obviously.
Would the whole world leave a kingdom with a 7-star monster alone?
‘They won't tolerate the potential threat.’
It was obvious.
The Church would strike first.
Their full forces marching on the Sail Kingdom, combing every inch.
By then, the 6-hour limit would've expired, and the Death Knight King gone—but the Church wouldn't stop.
They might even label the entire kingdom heretical.
‘The Church is exactly the type to do that.’
Worse, it wouldn't end there.
Other nations would follow suit, sending troops.
All nations and the Church uniting to erase the Sail Kingdom from the continent wasn't out of the question.
If it stopped there, fine—I could cut losses on the kingdom.
But they'd investigate the surroundings next.
The surrounding mountains.
And my dungeon lurked there.
‘Risk of exposing my dungeon.’
Even if hidden, continent-wide scrutiny would uncover it eventually.
And they'd purge any discovered dungeon on sight.
‘Could I fend them all off?’
Answer: no.
I shook my head.
Might hold the first few waves.
With Celia, 5-stars, and assorted monsters in my dungeon.
Summoning more in real-time would make defense feasible.
But only for the initial assaults. Endless waves would overwhelm eventually.
‘Dungeon falls in the end.’
If my dungeon gets purged?
I die too.
Only one option now.
Never reveal the Death Knight King's existence.
Have it stay quiet for 6 hours until the evolution fades.
That was the smart play.
‘Regrettable, but unavoidable.’
I wanted to watch it shine too.
If I could've sent it to another nation, no dilemma.
Swallowing my disappointment, I tapped the screen.
Issuing orders to Celia.
Minimize variables for now.
“At least we learned about the demonic sword. Good enough.”
This special mission revealed some of the demonic sword's utility.
Continuous exposure causes monster evolution.
Several strategies using it came to mind.
‘Anyway, wrap up the mission first.’
Hoping this special mission ends smoothly.
Gazing at the burning kingdom, Celia wore a faint smile.
Someone appeared behind her as she leisurely spectated.
“U-um... The t-tea is r-ready...”
A human woman in maid attire.
Her trembling hands clutched a tray. The clinking of the cup atop it was deafening from her shakes.
“P-please e-enjoy...”
Her voice quivered violently, tears welling in her eyes.
The terror etched on her pale face spoke volumes of her fear toward Celia.
The maid glanced nervously at Celia before averting her gaze.
Celia eyed the tea the maid offered.
Silver tea leaves floated atop the cup, striking against the brew. The leaves themselves shimmered silver, tinting the tea a silvery hue.
“Mm, nice aroma.”
It blended floral notes with sweet fruits.
Celia brought the cup to her lips.
The fragrant tea slid smoothly into her mouth.
The scent was sweet, yet the taste was deep and rich, not sugary.
“What's this tea called?”
Pleased, Celia asked the maid its name.
But the maid, gripped by terror, couldn't respond.
“P-please, spare me!”
She dropped to her knees, begging for her life.
It was only natural.
She'd been an ordinary maid in a noble's estate until moments ago.
Then this horned woman appeared.
Her arrival turned the mansion into hell.
From the maid's view, it was like everyone suddenly went mad.
Knight and soldiers stabbed their own throats with weapons, suiciding.
Others followed suit.
The noble she served hanged himself; his wife bashed her head against garden stones repeatedly.
It was horrifying, grotesque beyond words.
Now, she was the sole survivor in the mansion.
“Oh dear. I'm asking you—what's this tea called?”
Celia grabbed the sobbing, pleading maid's head.
Staring into her eyes.
“Please, spare...”
The maid's pupils lost focus.
As if her soul had fled.
“......”
Celia smiled sweetly and asked again.
“What's this tea called?”
“Yes, it is called ‘Breath of Moonlight.’ These leaves can only be harvested once every hundred years, on nights when the blue moon rises—that's how it got its name.”
The maid answered expressionlessly.
No tremor in her voice.
“I see. Bring every bit of ‘Breath of Moonlight’ from the mansion.”
The maid obeyed instantly, leaving the room.
Celia finished her remaining tea. Then...
“My master has given me an order.”
She relayed another command from the great one.
Shadows emerged at her words.
“Relay to Death Knight—er, Death Knight King—that he must stay hidden for 6 hours.”
Master wanted the Death Knight King's presence concealed.
She knew what that implied.
‘As expected of Master.’
He'd judged no need to reveal all cards. Celia nodded, issuing further orders to the shadows.
“Master doesn't want the Death Knight King revealed to the world. Eliminate all witnesses who've seen him.”
Even if spotted, remove the eyes.
Master would approve.
One shadow vanished at her command.
She ordered the rest.
“Necros's strategy is excellent. He's doing splendidly.”
Necros used skeletons to herd humans toward Princess Irena's location.
Then revealed himself to her knights and Maru, staging a subjugation.
Princess Irena now enjoyed overwhelming public support.
“Tell Necros to keep it up.”
Another shadow vanished as Celia spoke.
“Vetter's handling things well—no need to interfere.”
Vetter, lieutenant of Azmo's managed dungeon.
A slime by race, dubbed a master of transformation.
Indeed, Vetter was bustling.
– Her Highness the Princess leads knights in monster subjugation! Everyone, rally to her!
– Her Highness has slain an Arch Lich!
Disguised as human, Vetter gathered crowds, spreading word of the princess's feats—that was his mission.
And more.
He looted nearby shops, hiring human agitators with the funds.
– The kingdom's nobles made pacts with demons, causing this disaster!
– Everyone, lend strength to the princess!!
It easily incited the crowds.
Effects showed immediately.
Furious at the crisis, people armed with crude weapons and sticks swarmed noble estates.
This very moment, Princess Irena's position soared.
Growing closer to the goal, Celia was satisfied.
“The new kingdom for Master is near.”
Princess Irena's knight-led march halted.
A knight bellowed.
“Arch Lich ahead!”
A 5-star monster Arch Lich appeared.
But no fear on the knights' faces.
Having slain two already, they were confident.
“Knights, form ranks! Mages, shields ready!”
Even Maru beside the princess had a role.
“Sir Maru! Same as before, please.”
The knight bowed politely.
The knights respected Maru.
From their view, he'd one-shotted two Arch Liches.
They were genuinely awed by his power.
‘A holy knight through and through.’
Rumors spread: Maru was a former holy knight.
One burst of holy power evaporated the Arch Lich without trace—no suspicions.
Amid cheers, Maru drew his sword.
Advanced, emanating holy power.
Then the forward Arch Lich cackled loudly.
“Clack clack clack!”
Sudden move from the Arch Lich.
Chanting a spell?
The knights panicked.
“Arch Lich is casting! Shields now!”
But Maru understood its words.
This was Maru and Necros's third encounter.
“Clack clack clack!”
A fourth meeting promised.
“Clack clack.”
Even a fifth.
“Mages, what are you waiting for? Shields up!”
This Arch Lich's dark spell incantation dragged on, terrifying the knights.