Chapter 69
Chapter 69
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 69
Chapter Title: Guardians of Dawn and the Ruin Golems
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Lidocaine's children had been subdued. One of the massive demon-worshipping groups in the east had vanished.
“Is that true?”
“High Priest!! They’ve come! They’ve attacked us!!”
By the time word reached the nearby demon-worshipping group known as the Guardians of Dawn, the battle had already begun.
“Guardians!! Take up your weapons!!”
“Prove your faith!!”
The Guardians of Dawn charged with their lives on the line. However, the outcome was no different from that of Lidocaine's children.
“W-We’ve proven our faith with our lives. Surely, surely we’ll be saved….”
It was true that the demon worshippers possessed a certain level of combat prowess, contrary to public expectations.
But it was nothing compared to the forces arrayed against them.
“Don’t forget to grab those books over there too.”
“Yes, Damian.”
Demon worshippers amassed considerable funds.
All of it plundered, of course. Returning it to its owners was practically impossible, so the spoils belonged to the subjugation force.
Among them, the ancient tomes all became Damian’s property.
-Lowly one, is that really all you want?
-You could demand more.
When he made that request, Boris and Erwin were the ones who seemed bewildered.
This subjugation wasn’t for profit, but to give up other rewards for some old books?
It was a difference in knowledge. To Damian, those books were more precious than any gold or jewels.
‘Whatever their intentions, they’ve been a big help.’
There were still no odd signs. Boris and Erwin seemed genuinely invested in the subjugation.
If Damian had done this alone, it wouldn’t have ended so swiftly.
“Then, as promised, I’ll start investigating the ruins.”
After subduing the Guardians of Dawn, they agreed to take three days of rest.
Smaller demon-worshipping groups remained, but wiping them out required further investigation.
Naturally, Red Bear Anton and Rienne followed along. Unlike the other mercenaries, the two were contracted to Rubia.
“Damian?”
The moment Rubia tried to depart from the subjugation force, Damian stepped in front of her.
“That investigation. Mind if I join you?”
Everyone was stunned by Damian’s words. Even Rubia’s face showed a flicker of agitation.
“…You, with me?”
“I’ve got a keen interest in ancient civilizations too.”
The biggest reason was the artifact Rubia had used.
‘That bell is dangerous.’
Whether securing it or destroying it, he had to keep it out of her hands.
Whether it was in this ruin they were about to investigate was unknown. But preparing for the possibility couldn’t hurt.
“…It would be an honor.”
Rubia extended her hand with a soft smile. She was probing for changes in Damian’s feelings while clearly enjoying the situation.
“…”
Sparks flew from Erwin’s eyes. Boris didn’t look pleased either.
‘Worried I might side with the reformists?’
In his previous life, maybe. But not this time. Of course, he had no intention of following them to the orthodox faction either.
“May I join as well, Miss Rubia?”
Agnes asked politely. Rubia’s expression hardened for a moment, but she soon extended a hand to Agnes too.
“Of course, Miss Agnes. Your devotion to your ‘fiancé’ is truly admirable.”
She emphasized ‘fiancé’ as a subtle jab. Her lingering resentment from the welcome banquet was obvious.
Agnes had given prior notice that she would follow Rubia.
-I’m coming too. Who knows what might happen.
No major threats, but having a reliable ally helped. He’d eventually pull Anton and Rienne away from Rubia, but they weren’t his people yet.
“Uhahaha. Glad to be traveling together, Damian. Hope we get some fun fights.”
“You and your hopes. What if something goes wrong with the ruin investigation?”
Rienne jabbed Anton’s side when he burst out laughing. It was a familiar sight to Damian.
And so, five people split off from the subjugation force. Their destination: ancient ruins nestled in a cave.
“Doesn’t seem like these guys knew much.”
“Yeah. Ignorant demon worshippers like them couldn’t even imagine the mysteries of ancient civilizations.”
Rubia chattered naturally at his side.
Fortunately, his emotions didn’t waver. He could feel his patience had grown tremendously.
Agnes stayed sharp behind them, ready to intervene at any sign of trouble.
“Kehehhehe. Young love.”
“Quite the chatterboxes.”
Oblivious to the trio’s tangled relationships, the Red Bear couple watched them with fond smiles. To the pair, it was just boy-girl stuff.
The group slowly entered the half-ruined interior of the ruins.
Only scattered, worn weapons and gear used by the demon worshippers remained—no other anomalies.
“This is…”
Deeper in, a massive stone door blocked their path.
Shaaah. A blue clump shot from Rubia’s fingertip and touched the door, vanishing without a trace.
“Mana-blocking stone.”
It was just like the stone door in the imperial palace ruins. The difference? This one was at least twice as large.
“Now it’s my turn.”
Anton stretched. His burly muscles rippled like living things. Without mana, physical prowess was key, he figured.
“Let’s see… Urgh?”
Rumble rumble rumble. Damian stepped forward first. His back muscles swelled as if about to explode, and the stone door groaned open to either side.
“Let’s keep going.”
Damian wiped sweat from his brow and entered.
‘This much now?’
He’d done it alone to test his growth.
It wasn’t just swordsmanship. His physical strength had grown far beyond when he’d pushed aside the mana-blocking stone in the palace ruins.
“Hmm.”
“Well, damn…”
Everyone except Agnes, who’d seen Damian fight up close, looked shocked.
“No way…”
Anton was the most stunned.
He prided himself on pure strength. His massive muscles proved it.
Even he lacked confidence in opening that door alone. He’d stepped up first out of sheer curiosity.
Yet Damian did it solo. Though smaller-framed, the power within surpassed Anton’s.
‘Trained by the Iron Wolf, they say.’
A classical method of honing the body apart from aura. It had once reached the empire’s peak.
But its limits were clear.
The Iron Wolf’s way was to overcome inferior aura. As aura techniques evolved, his followers all fell by the wayside.
Damian was even more unique. He couldn’t use aura. Yet he’d cultivated physical might and wielded it effectively.
‘I’d like to spar with him.’
Not just Agnes or Ciel. He wanted to test himself against this man too.
“Did you build that body just in case? I thought you did it to show off to someone.”
Rubia wriggled her fingers. If she’d known about those firm muscles, she’d have touched his back instead of his face at the welcome banquet.
“You can’t solve everything with mana alone.”
“Damian’s right. Human strength isn’t just mana.”
Agnes chimed in. Rubia’s gaze swept coldly over her, but she didn’t escalate.
“As if that happens often… Oh, looks like we’ll need ‘mana’ now.”
At her signal, everyone drew on their mana.
A vast chamber. In its center stood stone soldiers wielding enormous stone swords.
Ruin golems.
The most threatening foes in ancient ruins.
Nothing like modern golems. These divine relics still functioned after millennia to guard the ruins.
Countless mages had dismantled and analyzed them, yet their secrets remained.
Thud. Thud. Thud.
Sensing intruders, the golems’ eyes glowed red. They raised their massive stone swords and charged.
“Anton, take the front. Agnes and Rienne, move together and cover the flanks. Rubia, you know what to do. Just don’t overdo it.”
Damian issued swift commands. Confidence laced his voice.
“Yes!”
Agnes drew her sword with a shout. The other three hesitated briefly before following Damian’s lead.
No clear chain of command among them.
The Red Bear couple answered to Rubia as their employer.
Rubia followed Damian’s orders too—for her employees’ sake, if nothing else.
Yet she sensed an odd power in his commands.
Beyond mere confidence: familiarity.
Damian exuded the traits of a seasoned mercenary.
‘It’s been a while.’
Handling multiple foes with a small group was ranger squad basics.
Only Damian could issue the perfect orders here. He knew the other four’s traits precisely.
Agnes’s 《Sword Dance》 was familiar now. Just give her room to move freely, and her graceful dance would carve through enemies.
Anton’s trait: 《Aggregation》.
Absorbs damage and returns it. Thus, keep him at the forefront, soaking the most attacks.
Rienne’s trait: 《One Thrust》.
Builds power over time for a devastating stab. Needs support since combos are tough—Agnes would provide it.
And Rubia.
‘No need to overthink her.’
Unleashed, her magic was a living natural disaster. Damian would handle the rear like in his past life.
“Too much power, and the ceiling might collapse.”
“Don’t worry. I’ve got experience.”
Restraint was key. Full power here risked cave-ins.
“More from the right! Reform the formation.”
Damian commanded while darting everywhere, supporting as needed.
He used Stone Scales to direct golems toward Anton, slashed those nearing Rienne.
Gifted Hellfire to survivors of Rubia’s attacks, bit off golem arms with Predation.
No one in the empire matched Damian in this style of combat. Experience made the difference.
“Phew. Looks like it’s over.”
Anton wiped sweat, grinning. Golem wreckage filled the ruins under Damian’s command. Their side had taken no damage.
“Good work.”
Unlike Agnes’s bright expression, Anton and Rienne looked grave.
They wanted to ask how Damian commanded so flawlessly, but Rubia’s presence as employer stopped them.
Thud. Thud. Thud.
“Doesn’t seem over yet.”
Rubia pointed ahead. In the dark ruins’ depths, a massive golem slowly rose.
“What now, Damian?”
Even veteran Anton deferred. He acknowledged Damian’s command now.
‘Shall I try this?’
Damian didn’t answer. No need for orders.
He placed a hand on the Tear of Eternity. As he walked forward silently, the others just watched.
“That’s…”
Rubia started at the anomaly but trailed off.
Kwaaang!!! Stone Scales bloomed from inky blue mana, smashing the golem. The impact swallowed all other sounds.