Chapter 79
Chapter 79
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 79
Chapter Title: The Day the World Turned Upside Down
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“The Horror Lord? No idea what you're talking about. Phiren... yeah, I've heard that name somewhere before.”
“He was the Knight Master of the Payud Empire.”
“Oh! Right, Knight Master. I heard rumors that if war broke out, he'd be someone to watch out for. Him and this guy Davi.”
“Exactly, Sir Phiren. Though he's become something else now, I figured we could leverage his ability to handle magic armor to create even greater combat power. That's why I'm paying extra attention.”
“I still have no clue what you're on about. Haha! But hey, you're my benefactor, so I'll take care of this little request no problem. Here, take it!”
“Thank you. But...”
The sponsor hesitated for a moment in front of the massive magic armor before asking.
“Did you perhaps make a sword as well?”
“A sword? Nah, didn't make one. You need a sword sized to fit this armor?”
“I should have requested it together. How long would it take if I commission one now?”
“Depends on the quality. How strong is this Phiren guy?”
“Terrifyingly strong. He's a Horror Lord, after all.”
“Hmm... that could be tricky. Swords are different from armor. If it's half-baked, the teeth will chip or the blade will snap right away... Ah! That's it.”
Gelly clapped his huge palm and asked.
“Sponsor, you got any ties with the elves?”
“Elves? Why bring up elves all of a sudden?”
“I could hammer out a hammer or axe no problem, but sadly, when it comes to swords, those guys make 'em better than me.”
“Ho, why is that?”
“No idea. I swallowed my pride and asked once, but they wouldn't tell me. Arrogant, unpleasant bunch, even if we are allies.”
“Hmm... I see.”
The sponsor licked his lips and began nodding.
“Thanks for the advice. I just came from the elves myself. Shame I didn't know sooner; I could've asked them too.”
“Hm? You were just at the elves'?”
“Lord!”
At that moment, the forge doors burst open as a messenger came rushing in.
“Big trouble, my lord! Chaos has broken out!”
“What is it! Why all the fuss!”
“J-just now, the elves of the Eternal Forest mobilized on their own! It's a disaster!”
“What? Mobilized?”
Gelly scowled and grabbed the massive hammer beside him.
“What the hell? Did the humans launch a sneak attack or something? That White Knight Order?”
“No! The elves left the forest on their own and charged straight at the White Knight Order's garrison!”
“What are you saying! You're telling me the elves attacked human empire territory first?”
“Yes! Now there's no way out—it's all-out war with the empire!”
The messenger's face was pale as a ghost. Gelly scowled deeply and turned around.
“Sponsor, sorry, but something huge just came up. No time to chat. Hm... Sponsor?”
But when he looked back, no one was there. Gelly blinked his wrinkled eyes and sighed.
“Slippery one, aren't ya. At least take the armor. Those damn elves... Why the sudden rampage? Without even consulting us allies?”
* * *
“The color is so iridescent.”
Davi stared at the orbs on the table with a look of utter confusion.
“Ancient Seal cores, right? I thought you went to contract with spirits... Why'd you come back with these?”
“I did contract with the spirits. These are a bonus.”
“Hmm.”
“Anyway, auction time starts now. First up, the last Ancient Wolf core. Starting bid, 500 gold. Anyone?”
“......”
Tch, I toss out a joke and no one bites?
“Prince! Me! I'll buy it! No cash right now, but credit okay?”
Of all people, the non-knight Tolari was the only one to respond. Thanks, but no...
“Sorry, mages don't count.”
“Aw, harsh. So what's the effect?”
“I'll explain now. The auction was a joke, so forget it.”
I looked around at the knight order members gathered in the drawing room one by one.
“First, the Ancient Wolf core boosts stamina. Improves joint flexibility and elasticity. Plus immunity to most poisons.”
“We've heard the rumors. You're giving these precious items to us?”
Kyle swallowed hard as he asked. I flicked the green orb on the table with my fingertip.
“But don't be too disappointed if you don't get one today. We're heading out tomorrow for new cores. Whoever misses out today gets first dibs on those.”
“Wow!”
Linen, who had been hunching his shoulders, let out an involuntary cheer, then glanced nervously around. Kid's excited. I picked up Regal's core and held it out to the composed knight captain.
“Here, Davi. This one's yours.”
“Me?”
Davi replied with a surprised expression.
“It's an honor, of course, but wouldn't it be better for members with more growth potential?”
“Fair point. But you've always said it yourself: cover weakness with skill.”
“True, that's my motto as a knight.”
“The Ancient Wolf core makes your body more flexible. Eat this and upgrade those skills of yours. Sound good?”
“Indeed... Greater flexibility would let me apply a wider range of techniques in battle.”
Davi nodded as if convinced.
Sorry, but I kinda made that up on the spot. Just trying to get you to take the core.
Of course, getting stronger here would be ideal.
But even without, it's fine. Just recall the 9th regression—Davi already outshone everyone on the front lines against the otherworlders.
The key is the core's final ability: poison immunity.
In the 9th round, a chimera took Davi's life.
Pure strength vs. strength, Davi might've won.
But several of the chimera's heads spewed poison, severely limiting his movements. I shuddered, remembering Davi being devoured by the chimera at the end.
Ugh, never wanna see that again.
With poison immunity, Davi could roam the battlefield far more freely. Anticipating that moment, I held out the core.
“Anyway, it's yours. I'll distribute the others to the members, so no pressure.”
“...I offer my deepest thanks for Your Highness's grace.”
Davi dropped to one knee right there, extending both hands reverently. I placed the core in his hands with a smile.
“Eat it now.”
“Right now?”
“Yeah, don't just gulp it down. Put it in your mouth and hold it still—it'll absorb on its own.”
“Understood. Then...”
Davi put the core in his mouth and closed his lips. Kyle, watching, raised a hand.
“But Your Highness. Isn't that the exact core the Emperor and Crown Prince took?”
“Yeah. Didi and I ate ours too.”
“Setting aside Your Highness and Didi... does that mean the Emperor and Crown Prince have the core's powers too?”
“Probably. Though the Emperor's elderly and in poor health, so one core won't make him battlefield-ready again.”
But the Crown Prince is different. With his core-enhanced talents and natural knightly gifts, proper training could make him a future Knight Master.
“Of course, big bro—the Crown Prince—will be plenty helpful. That's why I send Davi over occasionally for training.”
“I see.”
“Then next...”
I grabbed the two blue orbs left on the table with both hands.
“These are Ancient Seal cores. Most of you probably don't know what that is.”
“Aren't those the sea beasts from the Fiery Archipelago that sink approaching ships? I've heard sailors talk about them.”
Oh, Kyle knows his stuff. I nodded and added.
“Right. Effect: boosts durability. Both physical and magical.”
Seeing is believing, right? I picked up the knife I'd placed on the table beforehand and lightly slashed my palm.
“Your Highness!”
Meredes shot forward like lightning, grabbing my wrist. Damn, her reflexes. Even Davi just flinched slightly.
“It's fine, Meredes. See? Good as new.”
I held out my unscathed palm. Meredes stared wide-eyed for a long moment before bowing her head.
“Sorry for the fuss. It really didn't leave a mark.”
“Looked like you actually cut it? That's the Ancient Seal effect?”
Tolari, leaning on the sofa, looked shocked too. I set down the knife and nodded.
“It massively boosts anti-magic too. You could tank low-tier spells barehanded.”
“Without magic armor?”
“What, you want one?”
“Nah.”
Tolari shook his head firmly.
“The brain acceleration elixir from Your Highness is enough. What's the point of a tough body? I solve everything with magic.”
“Also improves lung capacity. The Ancient Seals said it's great for diving, but it'll help with running or fighting too, no doubt.”
Kyle, watching anxiously, looked thirsty for it just from the description.
“Then first... Kyle, you take one.”
“Your Highness.”
Kyle knelt in place, face full of emotion.
“Thank you, Your Highness. I'll repay this grace even in death.”
No, don't. That's why I'm giving you this—so you don't die.
The Ancient Seal core's key is durability.
Even as the order's weakest, Kyle won't lose his life to most things after this.
“If possible, repay it without dying. The last one's for you, Meredes.”
I placed the remaining core in Meredes's hand. She gripped it expressionlessly and bowed deeply.
“Thank you, Your Highness. But wouldn't others need this more than me?”
“Hm? Why?”
“I have spirit possession. Possessing with the pebble spirit gives me high durability for a short time.”
“Yeah, I know. That's why you should take this too.”
“Pardon?”
“Spirit possession plus core power? Synergy city.”
“But...”
Meredes glanced at Linen beside her. The one left out of cores, Linen waved his hands frantically.
“No, no! Lady Meredes. It suits you way better than someone like me.”
“Exactly. Don't worry about it. Linen gets the next Ancient Bear core we get.”
“...Understood.”
Meredes nodded quietly and placed the core in her mouth. Kyle, still holding his, quickly followed suit.
“If something weird invades the mansion again, perform like you did this time. Got it?”
“I'll keep it in mind. Until the others gain new cores and grow stronger, I'll stake my life to protect everyone.”
Meredes bowed with a sound like sucking on candy. Oh yeah, what about Davi, who ate his first?
“......”
Davi still had his mouth closed, wearing an odd expression. By now, the core should've mostly absorbed. Check for changes?
Race: Human
Current Strength: A
Potential Strength: A+
It appeared!
He had no remaining potential before? Now it's there!
But blurting it out excitedly would look weird. Calming myself, I spoke to Davi like a prophecy.
“And Davi? You can get stronger than now. Since you took the core, don't just focus on skills—challenge other areas too.”
“Other areas...”
Davi mumbled, core still in his mouth. Then the drawing room door opened, and the head maid hurried over.
“Your Highness. A messenger from the White Knight Order just arrived.”
“White Knight Order? No way Davi sent a messenger summoning me?”
“No. The northern elves have crossed the border and invaded imperial territory.”
“The elves?”
Davi rose, narrowing his eyes as he asked. Lania nodded, looking between Davi and me.
“The White Knight Order's vanguard guarding the border has already fallen. The elves have left the Eternal Forest and are sweeping into imperial territory unopposed.”
“What?”
“A messenger from the palace just arrived at the mansion. His Majesty the Emperor is summoning Your Highness. You should enter the palace as soon as possible.”
“......”
I felt my flustered subordinates' gazes pouring toward me. Controlling my expression, I screamed internally.
What the hell is going on!
Just when I was about to start a new route to get along with the elves!
Elves crossed the border? And annihilated the White Knight Order?
Has the anti-empire war started already?
In just one year of regression? What the fuck happened? They weren't supposed to start until I was over twenty, even at the earliest!