Chapter 123
Chapter 123
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 123
Chapter Title: The Heir's Abduction
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Looking at his collapsed master, Havel sheathed his sword.
Perhaps because it had been so long since he'd crossed blades with someone worthy of being called a rival.
The exhilaration surging through his body felt deeply satisfying.
'More than that, immortality after all.'
Havel glanced at his wounds, now fully healed.
Arnold had clearly pierced through Havel's Diamond Demon Body, inflicting real damage.
But to Havel, who had become an Immortal, such injuries were now meaningless.
It was as if his body itself was telling him he was no longer human.
"So, Gnawer."
Havel called out to the one who had watched this fight.
"The conditions you mentioned? I've not just met them—I've exceeded them."
The Gnawer had promised to reveal the duality of the gods if Havel defeated the wraith.
Havel had done just that, as if to prove the creature's words true.
That the wraith was his master had been unexpected.
But now, even the Gnawer would know.
There was nothing good to be gained from making an enemy of Havel.
Woooong!
In that moment, beside the fallen Ron, a black wooden sword floated into the air.
Havel immediately realized it was the Gnawer's doing.
The wooden sword approached Havel and hovered before him.
A moment later, with a crunching sound, a mouth formed in its center.
"Let's... talk."
As the wooden lips parted, an unsettling voice emanated from somewhere deep within.
Just from that voice, Havel sensed his Calamity stirring in response.
'Fitting for the master of Calamities.'
This aura was distinctly different from the others who had wielded Calamities before.
"But talking like this won't mean much."
At that, the Gnawer made another proposal.
"As a Transcendent, you've surely received an invitation to the Demonic Hall as well."
Just as it said, when Havel became a Transcendent, he had seen those words listed.
Demonic Hall.
There had definitely been something like that.
"I'll be waiting for you there, alongside the 'Whisperer' and the 'God's Venom'."
With that, the wooden sword dropped straight to the ground.
Was it suggesting they all meet there since they were already talking?
Havel had been curious about the Demonic Hall anyway.
He had a feeling he'd learn many things there.
"Cough, urk."
At that moment, Ron let out a cough.
He had taken that attack and was already regaining consciousness.
This one wasn't normal in mental fortitude either.
"What, you're already awake?"
"Heh, urgh... Can't die even if I want to."
Though he had risen, his body was in no state to stand.
"Did you talk with that Martial King bastard?"
He must have overheard in his daze.
"Yes."
"Tch. Guess I gotta find another place to freeload."
Thinking it would surely be smashed now that Havel was involved, he gazed up at the sky.
"Mana cig, stick one in my mouth."
Even requests aplenty.
Havel rummaged through his pockets and pulled out a mana cig.
When he placed it in Ron's mouth, miraculously, flames burst forth.
Ron took a long drag in and out.
"Hoo."
Just that much improved his expression noticeably.
"Havel."
He spoke around the mana cig with surprising ease.
"Lately, the world's giving off some seriously bad vibes."
"Yes, I'm aware."
"Yeah. It's like our time—something's gonna shake the entire continent again."
Ron glanced at Havel.
Havel appearing at this timing wasn't coincidence.
Pity, from a master's view.
Havel was surely fated to become the continent's star once more.
"If it's coming, let it come."
But Havel responded indifferently.
"I'll just crush it all."
Ron let out a hollow chuckle at those words.
Well, that's how this guy was.
Ron looked up at the dawn-lit sky.
Perhaps his tenacious life clung on for this.
To at least greet his disciple as a proper master.
Might be a vain thought.
But Ron decided to say it once more.
"You worked hard getting out of the Demonic Palace."
Havel fell silent at those words, then let out a faint smile.
"It was nothing."
Like the bravado he'd spouted to his master as a child.
The mana cig's scent wafted on the wind.
Gazing at it, Havel continued.
"Master, I hear Banpellyon has recovered quite a bit now."
He hadn't heard much from Arthur's side while in the 7th Hierarchy.
But seeing Banpellyon's growth, he could feel Arthur's efforts clearly.
Banpellyon would grow greatly from here on.
Perhaps even surpassing its former peak.
"So why not stop wandering aimlessly, Master."
How about settling in Banpellyon?
It was the same offer he'd made when Banpellyon rose to prominence before.
Havel coughed awkwardly, waiting for a reply.
But none came.
When Havel turned curiously to look at Ron.
Hiss—.
The flame on the mana cig in his mouth had weakly gone out.
Ron seemed oblivious, simply with his eyes closed.
His form was so serene—
"...Master?"
Havel unwittingly spoke in a stiff voice.
Ron had long passed the age of dying.
In that state, meeting Havel.
As if to show he was still a capable master, he'd poured out his strength.
Down to his last drop, no doubt.
With a chilling premonition, Havel rushed to Ron.
"Master!"
"Snore... grrr..."
Suddenly, Havel's feet halted abruptly.
A snoring sound was emanating from Ron.
Havel stared blankly.
He'd thought the man had used his final strength to enter eternal rest.
But he'd just fallen asleep.
And so quietly it had even fooled Havel's senses until the snoring started.
'How is he exactly the same as back then.'
With a mix of absurdity and relief, Havel sighed and plopped down beside him.
At that moment, a cluster of lights appeared at the plain's edge.
The other climbers had followed up.
As he gazed there absently, a familiar figure came into view.
"Ah, Lord Havel!"
The first to spot them, a mage-clad woman, waved her hand.
It was Elashia.
And beside her were the dust-covered Pyod and Baria.
The three had apparently teamed up and made the climb successfully.
"You're here."
Havel gave them a casual wave.
"Eh? Who's the old geezer?"
"Whoa, he looks like an ancient tree trunk."
Elashia and Pyod approached and commented on Ron.
"My master."
The two immediately stiffened.
"Uh, ahem. Well, he does look strong."
"I can feel the weight of his years!"
They hurriedly tried to smooth over their remarks.
Meanwhile, Baria habitually pulled out his book.
With the 7th Hierarchy cleared, he planned to check outside info right away.
Then Baria suddenly froze.
His face turned grave, and he rushed over.
"Lord Havel."
"If it's about Graiza betraying you, forget it."
Havel knew Graiza had deliberately used Baria to send him to August.
So if it was an apology for that, no need.
"I have nothing to say about that."
But Baria seemed to have something more important.
"Banpellyon is in Babel right now."
Havel blinked at that.
Baria's words meant Arthur Banpellyon was there.
"Already?"
It had been mere hours since clearing the 7th Hierarchy.
How had Arthur heard and arrived so quickly?
"Like the other floors of the 7th Hierarchy, there's a time distortion between the 79th floor and the safe zone."
"A whole month has passed outside since the 7th Hierarchy cleared."
A month had gone by just transitioning from the 7th Hierarchy to the safe zone.
Havel clicked his tongue.
These damn Calamities couldn't even handle time axes properly.
"And that's..."
Baria chewed his lip before finally speaking.
"Lord Arthur has been kidnapped."
Havel's face hardened the instant he heard it.
"They say it was done by selected members of the Dawn Knights."
"Someone targeted Lord Arthur and put out a bounty."
Banpellyon was a house just starting to rise.
With its entire foundation wiped out before.
To rebuild, they had to recruit masses of talent.
And in that process, gaps inevitably formed.
A spy had infiltrated the house.
That person had lain low, then struck at a vulnerability to abduct Arthur.
Arthur was Banpellyon's only bloodline.
If he were kidnapped and killed.
Banpellyon would end there.
The kidnappers might be aiming for that.
Taking advantage of Havel being in the Tower.
To finish off Banpellyon.
"Ha."
An incredulous sound escaped Havel's lips.
A new house rising meant someone else lost their seat.
It was something that often happened when new houses emerged.
But to dare, so boldly, touch Banpellyon.
"Find them."
Havel's voice murmured lower than ever before.
Sensing his rage, the three straightened up.
For their lord Havel had given a direct order.
They had to make those who touched the lion's fangs pay the price.
Babel.
The city built along the mountains where the Tower stood.
Even in this Babel, outposts of the Five Great Families and other houses existed.
As if proclaiming themselves the world's pinnacle.
The houses stationed in Babel had diligently expanded their outposts.
And among them, the newly established outpost of Banpellyon.
Banpellyon had one too—a small building hastily procured by the Beltella Merchant Group.
Meager compared to Banpellyon's recent fame.
But in the short time available, it was the limit.
Yet even that small building now stood empty.
Because Banpellyon's young patriarch, Arthur Banpellyon, had been kidnapped.
"Expand the search radius. They might have already slipped out of Babel."
There stood Banpellyon's steward, face set in grim resolve.
The one who had guarded Banpellyon even after its fall.
Benjamin.
Deep fury burned in his eyes.
Beside him was the passionate knight inspired by Dante.
Dorison.
"Steward, we haven't even finished searching Babel. Isn't it too early?"
"Better than losing Lord Arthur a hundred times over."
It might blemish Banpellyon's reputation.
But Arthur's safety came first.
"Have you identified the kidnapper?"
"Real name Voltia, from the western Tesagur territory."
"Identity seems falsified for now—will take time."
The steward swept a hand over his face at that.
'Too slow.'
Was it because Banpellyon was still building its base?
The response was far too sluggish.
'We've only matched the Five Great Families in size.'
'No matter how big we grow like this, it'll all be an illusion.'
He clutched his throbbing head.
Boom!
At that moment, someone kicked the door open.
It was Lancelot, one of the Dawn Knights trio alongside Dorison.
Renowned for his scouting skills, he barreled in, panting.
"Lancelot, what's wrong?"
Dorison asked in bewilderment.
Lancelot shouted through heaving breaths.
"Havel—Lord Havel has left the Tower!"
About time.
Everyone else stayed calm.
But Lancelot's face remained deathly pale.
Because the real problem was elsewhere.
"Lord Havel already knows Lord Arthur was kidnapped!"
Unlike the puzzled steward, Dorison's face drained of color.
He'd faced Havel personally.
"W-We have to move, now!"
Babel was on the verge of destruction.