Chapter 78
Chapter 78
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Translator: Ebonarch
Chapter: 78
Chapter Title: Grand Duke's Heir, You've Run Away
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After the emergence of Uroboros—the first in 350 years—the Divinum Grand Temple plunged into serious deliberation. Anyone perusing the annals and histories could tell that the beast's appearance signaled the wrath of the gods.
Fortunately, the public knew it only as a monster, diluting its ominous significance. But scholars and reformist priests in the know couldn't help casting suspicious glances at the Church.
Uroboros had made a beeline for none other than Divinum Citadel, home of the Grand Temple.
As an unsettling tension gripped the Church, I was hurriedly packing a bag with tools in my hotel room.
"When the hell is Armida coming?"
Shura, packing alongside me, shot back.
"What's with Master?"
"I saw it earlier. The essence is huge. To haul that to Kara, we need her."
Shura's eyes widened.
"You're planning to steal Uroboros's essence?"
"Steal? I killed it, so I'm taking my prize. Who's gonna argue?"
"But Sky City Chronos..."
"Cut the nonsense and pack your bag. We can't hand that essence to anyone but Chronos at worst. Lives hang in the balance— you gonna give it to them?"
I had zero intention of handing Uroboros's essence to anyone else. A quick glance earlier showed it was warehouse-sized at least. That much could fill millions of mana rifles, minimum.
For my dream of extended life and humanity's future, it couldn't fall to Sky City Chronos.
"Hurry up. No time."
Stepping out the hotel's front door, we found General Abdul and Kara's soldiers waiting with a massive horse-drawn cart. I beckoned them to follow and slipped into the night toward Uroboros's wreckage.
"Curfew's in effect. You can't go out now."
The city gates and water gates stood barred by stern guards. I stepped forward, glaring threateningly at the holy knights and temple soldiers manning the gate.
"We're investigating the steel monster. Open the gate."
The holy knights and soldiers buzzed in surprise at the sight of me. They'd clearly heard from their predecessors that I'd destroyed Uroboros.
"But the investigation team already left..."
"We're running late. Open up."
"Understood."
The holy knight relented and swung the gate wide. Posing as the investigation team left no room for refusal, especially not against me and Shura.
'Tch. Beaten to the punch.'
Magic lanterns lit Uroboros's ruins like midday. Temple officials swarmed the site for the inquiry. I shoved through, waving my arms.
"Outta the way, outta the way."
A armored man emerged from the crowd. Knight Izenberg.
He greeted Shura first, then welcomed me.
"White Mask, you're here. What the hell happened?"
"Here for the essence."
I pointed at Uroboros, and Izenberg's eyes bulged.
"Why do you want it?"
"Can't leave it lying around. Plenty of eyes on it—what if it gets stolen?"
"Still no. We need to investigate."
"Investigate what?"
"Confirm it's Uroboros. It's a big deal for the Church."
"What's to confirm? It is Uroboros. Check the Yosrahim Empire's history hall. Got pictures. It's in the founding myth."
Izenberg hurried after me.
"So it really is Uroboros?"
"Yep."
Izenberg grabbed my arm and pulled me to a quiet spot.
"White Mask. Do you know why Uroboros appeared?"
"Just some old maid's tantrum. No big deal—don't worry."
"Tantrum from who?"
"Truth is, something's brewing in secret, away from human eyes. Today's mess is part of it. Tied to Chronos—don't dig too deep. You'll get hurt."
"What kind of something?"
"Just know that much. Fudge the report convincingly. The Church will play along, pretend ignorance. The popes already know."
"They do?"
"Yep. Me taking the essence? Chronos-related too. So zip it. You'll get hurt."
"Alright, got it."
I'd bamboozled Knight Izenberg.
But it wasn't a total lie. Taking the essence was definitely Chronos business. The problem was just pissing them off.
I eyed Catrine and Princess Ignatius standing by the tent near Uroboros. They watched me with loaded stares too.
Ignoring them, I marched toward Uroboros with Kara's soldiers.
"Everyone, start work. It's okay if it's rough—make it quick."
As I climbed onto Uroboros, Catrine blocked my path.
"Kid. What're you doing?"
"What else? Grabbing scraps from the steel monster."
"You know this belongs to Sky City Chronos, right?"
"So what? Victor takes the spoils. Loser stays smashed."
Catrine glared sharply.
"Think I'll allow that?"
"And if you don't? Send another Uroboros? Fine by me. Hell, send a dozen this time. I could use 'em."
"You... you?"
I brushed past Catrine, ignoring her.
She'd seen my final blow. I didn't fully get how it happened myself, but its power had shattered the steel giant in one hit.
Unaware of the full context, Catrine had no choice but to stay wary.
"Alright, let's work."
I wrapped Yojjo in the thinnest Aura Blade possible and sliced into the chest steel plate. Thin sheets peeled off continuously, which Kara's soldiers paired up to haul down.
Soon, a massive gap revealed the giant essence. Slightly damaged, but intact enough.
I swiftly cleared surrounding steel chunks, hooked ropes and pulleys, and began extracting the essence.
"Final stretch! Careful now."
The ropes strained taut, ready to snap under the essence's weight.
Tension thick, a woman approached from behind.
"Grand Duke's Heir Yahn?"
I whipped around. Princess Ignatius. She beamed at me.
"It really is you, Grand Duke's Heir."
I turned away coldly.
"Nope."
"Then why'd you turn when I called you Grand Duke's Heir?"
"Nah, sounded like 'son of a bitch' from behind—who wouldn't turn?"
"Huh?"
"Everyone knows Yahn's the world's biggest villain. Wouldn't piss you off? You've been scheming since morning— even I have limits. One more stunt, and it's war."
"That's..."
"Beat it! You're a Grand Saintess—don't act like gutter trash."
I jumped down beside the cart loaded with essence.
'Whoa, close call.'
Catrine and Princess Ignatius clearly suspected I was Karl's Grand Duke's Heir. From the mask incident to her behavior now—it went beyond suspicion.
But suspicion or certainty, didn't matter. As long as I kept the mask on, they had nothing.
I was lover to Shura, Yin-Yang Grand Saintess, and Padila, Kara's queen. My prior identity? Conveniently, the reviled depraved Grand Duke's Heir. Linking those spelled trouble for anyone.
With the giant essence safely aboard, I cut the ropes and yelled.
"Go! Head back!"
We returned to Divinum Citadel essence in tow. Catrine tailing us the whole way was nerve-wracking, but this prize was worth it.
With this essence, humanity could hold out a month longer against the Age of Ruin.
Townsfolk gawked at us. A giant essence lighting the dark night was a spectacle, but I was deeply worried.
Too many would covet it.
'Armida needs to hurry...'
This essence could upend national power balances—a once-in-a-world treasure. Other kingdoms would eye it too; we had to ship it to Kara before rumors spread.
Then Evelyn wormed through the crowd toward me.
"White Mask. You snagged this?"
Damn, the most dangerous one latched on. I eyed her warily.
"Don't even think about it."
"Why so harsh? I fought too. Gimme my cut."
Fair point—she'd helped, mouse-tail though it was. Couldn't deny her share outright.
"Come to Kara later. Pay you in gold."
"How much?"
"What're you after?"
"This much? At least 100,000 riff gold."
I rubbed my face.
A few sword swings and she goes for the kill. But compared to the essence's value, it was a drop. Plus, 100,000 riff buys off Evelyn and her crew—a steal.
"Fine. It'll be ready—come get it."
"You mean it?"
"Yeah. You don't trust anyone, huh?"
Evelyn smirked, eyeing the essence oddly.
"Impressive haul. How'd you pull it off? Place was swarmed by that firefly glaring daggers. Enemies, but allies anyway?"
She was circling.
"We settled—100,000 riff. Done."
"Forget that. Bigger deal."
"Like?"
"We rebuild Uroboros from that essence. Kara gets a monster weapon, we get paid—win-win?"
I shot her a sharp look.
"Oh, so I hand the essence to you first?"
"Pretty much."
"Pass. No tricks."
"We'd really build it. Just 1 million riff."
I waved her off wildly. Couldn't trust her, and immobile hulks like Uroboros held little appeal.
Uroboros might shine in its battlefield, but elsewhere? Useless solo. Age of Ruin hordes hit all fronts at once—one breach, whole line crumbles. Mass weapons or mobile reinforcements were key.
"Nah. Melting it for mana cannons or rifles is the real profit."
"Suit yourself."
I slid her a sly glance.
"Levships, though? Those I like."
Levships ignored terrain, zipped through skies—perfect for rushing hot zones.
Evelyn waved it off.
"Too big for a levship."
"Then no."
"Small one? Maybe."
"Even small?"
"Gotta check, but doable. Want me to?"
"Yeah. Make it sturdy."
"Got it."
I settled on dealing. Best to shoo Evelyn quick and keep friendly ties for now.
Risk of scam? Collateral swaps minimized that—not a bad bet.
Back at the hotel, Armida stood at the entrance. Spotting me, she unloaded immediately.
"Little bro! What happened?"
"What now?"
"You took down Uroboros?"
I ordered Abdul and the soldiers to step back, then leaned on the cart.
"You saw?"
"No, but mid-chat with Saint Prosia, word came."
I gaped.
"You were just talking that whole time? I trusted you blindly, busting my ass?"
"W-Well..."
"Sigh. My fault for hoping."
I sighed deeply; Armida grinned sheepishly.
"Anyway, you did it. And honestly, I suffered too. Saint Prosia's just brooding, motionless. Nemisora folks shoot glares. Then interrogation."
"Interrogation?"
"Who are you?"
"What'd you say?"
"No idea. You never spill your past."
I shrugged it off, untying the essence ropes.
"Keep denying."
"Can't. Saint Prosia ordered me to find out."
"Tell her ten more Uroboros, and maybe. This gig pays well."
"You're insane?"
"Gotta eat. These 'holy' types always mooch. Exactly ten. No haggling."
I bluffed hard. Ten Uroboros would cripple humanity, but Chronos wouldn't dare—not if they had brains.