Highly Esteemed by History (2)
Antonium. A black dark dragon could be seen crossing the skies above it.
I'd have to figure out the precise effects and limits of the legend system going forward.
'It looks flawless on the surface.'
Legends grow stronger the more widely they spread. It only makes sense that their effect is amplified at the place where the legend began. This was a legend officially acknowledged and spread by the emperor's own words. In Antonium, where the emperor resided, the black dark dragon's power and size had no choice but to swell even further.
Thus, the black dark dragon in the sky was even more enormous than when it had last materialized.
Its wings in particular were disproportionately massive, flapping in a way that...
Truly resembled the jacket draped over my shoulders, which did nothing to ease my mind.
If asked why I activated the legend, the answer was simple.
'Would there ever be such a thing as a subdued entrance for Grandfell Claudi Arpeus Romeo?'
Of course, there was another reason. I needed to crush the demons' morale. Besides, the empire couldn't cower forever.
"Do not stir. Lie there obediently."
How heartbroken would Harcon be if he saw this? For the day he would one day visit Antonium, I needed to instill discipline in the demons ahead of time.
"Wait a moment!"
As I approached the gates, the guards, who had been fixated on the black dark dragon, froze.
I understood their fluster. For a traveler wandering the devastated Arcana continent...
My attire was not just neat—it was downright opulent. They must have taken me for nobility. Though suspicion lingered, they addressed me politely.
"...Might I ask for your affiliation and status?"
But did we really need introductions between us?
More than that, I hoped the situation where I had to declare with my own mouth that I was the black dark dragon would never arise...
Someone overly curious might ask: If you didn't want to reveal your identity, why not just open a portal straight into Antonium's walls?
Truly, a question born of ignorance of Grandfell's love for procedure.
"I shall overlook it generously."
I had communicated with the emperor through High El and Chainwalker, but this was our first face-to-face.
Moreover, would the dignified one with unyielding pride deign to enter Antonium through a side door like a portal, bypassing the main gate?
This too was an unavoidable fate of mine.
Finally regaining their composure, the guards' expressions shifted rapidly as they looked at me properly.
"C-Could it be...!!"
Yes, that "could it be" was exactly it.
Thanks to the flashy display, at least I could skip self-introductions. A relief.
As I swallowed a sigh of relief—
A booming shout rang out.
"It's the black dark draaaagon!!"
Oh no.
"The black dark dragon has come to Antonium!!"
I had overlooked it.
Legends didn't fade just because I kept my mouth shut!!
...
And that was merely the beginning.
You have entered the Imperial Capital, Antonium.
Antonium felt unfamiliar even back when Arcana was just a game.
There had been no connection, after all. My memories from those days were filled with grinding quest after quest, holed up in the remote Akshan Base.
So I overlooked it once more.
It was huge!
As the empire's capital, it was naturally far larger than the great city of Frost. Above all, it was Antonium—never fallen to demons or rebels.
It couldn't compare to the past, but it almost felt like an illusion from the game era.
'...Except for one thing.'
Clack—
As I advanced under escort, gazes began to concentrate on me.
Yes, now that the black dark dragon's materialization had ended, those wandering eyes naturally turned my way.
Whispers reached my ears.
"Which noble is that?"
"...He seems awfully high-ranking."
"Royalty, maybe?"
"A grand duke? But I've never seen that face..."
As always, this damn outfit was the problem everywhere.
Nobility wasn't enough—they thought royalty. My face burned with embarrassment.
Still, a relief.
'It doesn't seem to have spread too far.'
Even the mighty empire couldn't grant guards telepathy. Their shouts amid the black dark dragon uproar apparently hadn't fully reached all of Antonium.
But as I said, this was just the beginning.
Thud—
Something hit the ground.
Roll—
"Wha—what?"
At the source of the sound were people staring straight at me. Their eyes unmistakably knew my identity.
Those in Antonium who would recognize me...
Of course, only 'them'.
Yes, the Dreadsden survivors. While staying on the Iron Castle Ho, they must have heard plenty about me from High El and Diend.
And apparently, the descriptions were spot-on.
'They recognized me at a glance.'
I opened my mouth.
"Have you grown accustomed to life in Antonium?"
"...?!"
"Survivors of Dreadsden."
"I-It really is...!!!"
Only then did they seem convinced, eyes welling with tears, forgetting even to pick up their dropped item.
In truth, I had undeniably saved Dreadsden.
So their reaction was understandable, but...
"O bottomless darkness!"
Of all the many epithets, why this one...?
With so many people watching and listening...!
It had already spread far through the emperor, but hearing it firsthand hit differently.
I gazed at the towering Antonium citadel in the distance.
'Let's see...'
Amid this overwhelming attention and welcome, it would take hours to reach the citadel.
I was seriously concerned.
Could I endure without dying of shame until then...?
*
Antonium was vast.
To relay news swiftly, empire mages were stationed at intervals.
Faster than words were legs without legs—telepathy, faster still.
But at this moment, the empire mages were plunged into chaos.
Inevitably so.
-No, I tell you, I know!
They had witnessed it with their own eyes just moments ago.
A colossal dragon crossing the skies, large enough to blanket Antonium entirely, vanishing beyond the clouds.
No need for telepathy—they had noticed.
-It has to be the black dark dragon—no other dragon like that!
On that day when torrential rains poured over Arcana, these mages had sighted over a dozen dragons.
With a comparison, they were certain.
That massive dragon was undoubtedly the black dark dragon they had heard roaring.
-The black dark dragon has appeared!
-I saw it too!
-Argh, this is frustrating!
-Frustrating? I'm more frustrated!
Everyone in Antonium must have seen the black dark dragon. His Majesty surely knew as well.
Why expend mana on such unremarkable news?
But the mage's doubt didn't last.
The suddenly uproarious streets.
The mage, venting via telepathy, startled.
An oddly unfamiliar attire for an Arcana native.
An overwhelming mana presence pressing on the skin.
Such a being appeared with the black dark dragon...?
"Wait a second..."
It wasn't that black dark dragon they meant, but this one!
"No, explain properly!"
But no time for grumbling.
This news had to reach His Majesty posthaste.
Ideal if he could telepath directly to Naysh William in the palace, but...
"Curse my meager mana."
His manifestation power fell short.
In the end, he sent it to the nearest mage by the citadel, only to receive...
A familiar question in return.
-What is it? Why telepath obvious news?
Yes, such unavoidable circumstances.
Thus, Hoyeol paraded through crowds, basking in welcomes and epithets, finally reaching the citadel only after strolling Antonium's streets...
*
They say extreme experiences can sometimes be helpful?
I was feeling it firsthand.
No matter how shameful, it wouldn't kill me...!
'Thanks for teaching me that, everyone...'
More draining than tussling with primordial evil—hours after entering Antonium.
I had braced myself, but it was truly arduous.
Yet it wasn't over.
The chattering mouth reminded me.
"Magnificent harmony."
Don't appraise someone else's home from the entrance, Grandfell. The emperor's palace, no less!
Still, such a day had come for me.
Setting aside the lowly demon hunter class.
Back when Arcana was just a game, players' levels were too low for empire contact.
Post-cataclysm, even more so.
I hadn't even imagined shuttling between Arcana and reality like this.
Let alone saving the empire.
Thus, I realized belatedly.
"So it was real..."
The moment I saw the emperor rise from his throne at the sight of me.
A practical issue dawned.
Yes, other players would agonize here: 'How to start the conversation?'
Even heaven's Jessie Haynes had said so.
-"It was so awkward back then!"
She had fretted over misspeaking before the emperor.
Not as much as me, but I understood why even the oblivious Jessie said that.
'The intimidation is no joke.'
Excessively ornate.
The emperor's backdrop—the palace—was exceedingly grand.
Of course, it didn't faze me. Beyond Grandfell's aesthetics, Yusra's Golden Palace was as grand or grander.
So my dilemma differed slightly from other players'.
How should I address the emperor?
I had spoken casually even to transcendent beings like Yunak Seus and Agentress.
No expectation of honorifics coming naturally.
'Especially considering the Claudy lore...'
Better to stay silent.
But my worries were unfounded.
The emperor spoke first.
"It is an honor to meet the legend."
...His retainers looked more shocked than me.
I hadn't expected such deference from the emperor.
Not strange they froze.
Even without Claudy's halo, my accumulated [Reputation] was no trifle.
In the empire's intact days, I'd have been treated as a VIP anywhere.
'...Still, it's awkward.'
Time to wield social wisdom appropriately.
Above all, I had no intent to entangle deeply with the empire.
As said, already overwhelmed!
'Rebuilding Claudy territory is headache enough.'
Shouldering the empire too? Regrettably, not in the slightest!
Thus, imperial authority must remain with the emperor.
He must maintain imperial dignity.
But I couldn't crush Grandfell's pride with honorifics...
'At least when others are present.'
Avoid casually addressing him informally in company.
Best to dive straight into the main topic.
Crossing Arcana, I'd surveyed the surroundings.
'Plenty of time.'
Still margin before meeting Kichi.
So I pressed on without delay.
"Small talk later."
"Do you have urgent business?"
"Surely you know."
As emperor, empire's head, he must be agonizing over it.
Restoring cities around Antonium, reclaimed from demons' grasp.
'Thanks to Claudy's halo giving me freebies.'
I had mana to spare.
And the targets were minerals?
Even when I had zilch for walls, I'd raised them effortlessly.
No more worries.
Especially that mage-looking fellow.
'His face rings a bell...'
I'll handle the Main Quest too.
Rest easy for once.
No stepping foot outside the palace.
*
Mage Tower.
"Achooo!"
Senior flame mage Bensy William sneezed.
...Someone talking about me?
My ears had itched earlier.
But focus, Bensy William.
"From now on, it's nonstop competition. Against adventurers...!"
Rumors from the Mage Tower lately were ominous.