◈ Episode 181. All of Them Are Unqualified──────[Main Quest: Warring States Period (戰國時代)]
An age of upheaval.
Is what they seek merely power?
Is it the emperor’s incompetence?
Or is it an irresistible fate?
The strong of the continent covet the imperial throne.
Your choice shall create a new current.──────The capital, Antonium.
The empire’s final bastion had not fallen. Though it had suffered unprecedented damage, it had not yielded to the demons. It was a desperate resistance in the truest sense.
“Hold them back! Stake your lives on it!”
“If the walls fall, everything is over!”
“Even if you die, stop them before you do!!”
Had even the heavens taken pity on that miserable struggle?
“……Is that truly so? The demons have disappeared?”
The demon forces that had run rampant throughout the empire were annihilated overnight.
And that was not all. Even the demon kings, the rulers of demons, had withdrawn in a way unlike before.
Clatter—The scouts combed through the area around Antonium.
Even after seeing it with their own eyes, they could not believe it.
“W-What in the world is going on?”
Just as the news had said, the demons had truly vanished.
As though they had been frightened by ‘something.’
Without leaving even a trace behind.
“……You, return and inform His Majesty of this news!”
Everyone in Antonium, including the emperor, was relieved.
“We were just about to run out of food. This is a blessing beyond measure.”
“I do not know what scheme may be hidden behind it, but……”
“Enough with the ill-omened words. Do we have any other choice? We can only take this opportunity while remaining vigilant.”
“Yes, you are right.”
At last, they thought the moment had come to catch their breath.
But they had overlooked something.
Demons grew stronger through negative energy.
Then why had those demons—
even after appearing on the Arcana Continent—
grown stronger day by day?
Where had the source of that power come from?
Rumble—Soldiers were flooding toward Antonium.
They were neither demons nor reinforcements.
“Your Majesty! Duke Ymir is leading soldiers……!!”
“Marquis Casano has raised the banner of rebellion against the empire!”
“The eastern lords of the empire have declared an alliance……!”
They were rebels seeking to topple the empire.
The emperor walked out onto the walls of Antonium.
He looked at those who had surrounded him.
A bitter smile settled over his face.
“……I was foolishly mistaken.”
You had not responded to the carrier pigeons, nor to the imperial mage’s telepathy. Foolishly, I believed you had suffered a crushing defeat at the hands of the demons.
Day and night, I blamed myself for being unable to protect you.
And yet.
“You had been watching me from the very beginning.”
A bitter laugh escaped the emperor’s lips.
“……This is not a position worthy of anyone’s envy.”
This crown, so heavy it feels as though it will crush me to death beneath its weight.
Do you truly wish to step forward and bear it yourselves?
If the seat of emperor were something I could hand over.
I would gladly have done so.
Whooooosh—The emperor gently closed his eyes against the blowing wind.
The scent carried on the wind had changed.
There was no longer the smell of blood, nor the stench of burning.
“……If everything is truly over.”
If the demons have truly vanished from the continent.
If the people of the empire will no longer groan in pain even if I disappear.
Then I will gladly surrender the throne.
The emperor resolved himself.
“For such an ending does not seem so bad, either.”
It meant he was so exhausted that he could endure no longer.
The emperor opened his eyes and murmured.
“So even if we meet again, do not reproach me too harshly, Harkon. Even repaying the debts I have owed you until now would already be more than I can manage.”
Thud—With the emperor’s hollow words as the last.
The vision of the Quirnberg Mechanical Tower shifted.
Toward the countless forces surrounding Antonium.
“Our alliance lasts only until Antonium falls and the emperor is dragged down. From that moment onward, do not trust anyone’s words, Your Grace.”
Until the demons vanished overnight as though evaporating.
The Arcana Continent had groaned in suffering.
Yet there was no sign of exhaustion among those gathered here.
It was only natural.
Those gathered here had not fought against the demons.
They had ignored the people groaning in pain.
They had hidden inside their castles as still as dead mice, preserving their strength for this very day.
“The continent desires a new emperor!”
“Emperor! Your incompetence has reduced the continent to this state.”
“This is not rebellion, but revolution!”
Boom—Its purpose was solely demon hunting.
The Mechanical Tower did not possess the ability to distinguish right from wrong.
It merely recorded the scene of Antonium in its memory device.
Boom—Just as the Quirnberg Mechanical Tower was about to move.
A man blocked its path.
Deep blue hair.
Piercing blue eyes.
And a sword aura (劍罡) colder and sharper than either.
The man, who appeared to be young, opened his mouth.
“So this is the machine that goes around doing useless things.”
Swish—Then, without hesitation, he aimed his sword at the Mechanical Tower.
It was a blue sword aura so cold one could feel the chill just by looking at it.
Its radiance was so vivid it made the eyes ache. Even in broad daylight, even to the eyes of those who had not awakened sword energy (劍氣), it was intense enough to be seen clearly.
In a word, it was sword aura beyond sword aura.
The surroundings stirred.
“That man is Sir Shegwin……!”
Sword Saint, Shegwin.
The continent’s one and only Grand Sword Master.
And at the same time, a transcendent.
“But why has Sir Shegwin pointed his sword at the Quirnberg Mechanical Tower?”
“……Because the demons’ activity has died down?”
“Does that mean its value has faded? No, even so, there is no need to point a sword at it, is there? Besides, the demon kings are still lurking on the Arcana Continent……”
Amid the pouring concern.
Shegwin crooked the corner of his mouth askew.
“I despise noisy things.”
Slaaash!
Then he swung his sword without hesitation.
Shegwin’s sword split the air.
Rumble!
At that, the Quirnberg Mechanical Tower began to collapse.
Cut clean in two.
It poured out countless gears like blood as it crumbled miserably.
An unreal sight.
Gulp!
That transcendent might was enough to horrify Antonium, which had made an enemy of Shegwin.
Even those who had joined hands with him were shocked.
But the Mechanical Tower was neither shocked nor shaken.
At the final moment.
What the Mechanical Tower stored in its memory device was only Shegwin’s single remark.
—“So this is the machine that goes around doing those useless things.”
The natural enemy of demons.
The demon hunter who looks twice even at an extinguished demon.
It was a decisive battle weapon that had inherited the pride of Akshan.
There must surely be a reason why he called demon hunting useless. Last demon hunter. Please, uncover Shegwin’s true thoughts……
Thud!...
I stared at the messages that rose one after another.
[Quest: Useless Deed]
Shegwin regarded demon hunting as a useless deed.
Speak with Shegwin and determine the truth behind his actions.
─Encounter Shegwin. (In Progress)
Good. Let’s think rationally.
Putting the contents aside, I had been prepared for this.
Like I said, I had experience, didn’t I?
Akshan’s tradition.
I had expected that I might inherit and carry out a quest left behind by another demon hunter.……But what the hell is with this scale?!
First of all, there wasn’t just one quest.
[Main Quest: Warring States Period (戰國時代)]
No, why a main quest all of a sudden?
I had no choice but to resent Granfell.
To resent this bastard’s careless mouth.
‘Your words really did become seeds!’
If my condition had been perfectly fine, I might have welcomed it.
A main quest.
Unlike world quests, there was so little information related to them that even among players, opinions were divided on whether they existed at all.
And on top of that.
“Is this a story unknown even to those who explore the fragments of the Creator.”
……Your bravado remains unchanged even in this situation, Granfell.
To put it plainly, even AAU had no concrete information regarding main quests. But the system did not lie.
Besides, this is incredibly convincing, isn’t it?
‘It’s a romance every player would dream of at least once.’
If it was a quest that could make one emperor of the empire.
Then indeed, it would not be lacking to call it a main quest.
But as I said, the problem was my condition.
I’m already up to my neck in trouble, so what good is it if a quest pops up!!
Main quest?
Akshan quest?
Fine, all of that is fine.
But before that, releasing the effect of the clattering Circle, [Transcendent], came first. Yes, Granfell. It means I have to follow the “procedure” you value so much.
Because I had heard it clearly.
‘Calling demon hunting a useless deed.’
Sword Saint.
At the same time, the continent’s one and only Grand Sword Master, Shegwin.
Even from the image of Shegwin left behind by the Quirnberg Mechanical Tower, I caught an unpleasant scent.
The thought that he might be related to demons.
‘Well, I’d be glad if it’s just needless worry.’
In any case, to carry out Akshan’s quest, I had to encounter Shegwin.
[Man.
Tong.
Ji]
Now that it had lost its effect, the only way to meet Shegwin was to rely on the coincidence of a rift. If, by chance, coincidences overlapped and we met…….
‘First of all, there’s no way we can avoid a clash.’
As if Granfell of all people would just let it pass.
Shegwin had smashed a perfectly fine Mechanical Tower.
To Granfell, that was no different from destroying a comrade.
So I murmured coldly.
“I shall strictly hold you accountable for your rash actions.”
That was why, all the more.
I had to resolve the Circle, no matter what.
As a fellow transcendent, I would have to at least match his level before we could exchange words.
However, at this moment.
There was another thought that came before all else.
Antonium.
The emperor who had worn a bitter expression on the wall.
And Harkon, who had been that emperor’s right arm.
‘If Harkon learns of this news…….’
Harkon would move by any means necessary to save the emperor.
To save Antonium.
Then what would become of the [Main Quest]?
I looked at the quest objectives.
─Capture Antonium. (Choice)
─Defend Antonium. (Choice)
A quest objective that required choosing a faction, like a [Battlefield Quest].
I coolly weighed both sides’ forces.
In siege warfare, the defending side was fundamentally at an advantage.
And Antonium had not fallen even under countless demon attacks. Even so, such an Antonium was now nearing its limit, and the number of forces surrounding it was also considerable.
On top of that, I had witnessed it with my own eyes.
The overwhelming might of the Sword Saint, Shegwin……!
They say you can see only as much as you know.
Perhaps because I, too, had reached the realm of sword aura.
I could tell just how absurd Shegwin’s swordsmanship was.
‘The Quirnberg Mechanical Tower’s durability is considerable.’
[Pentagram of Pure Knowledge].
Thanks to it, I knew exactly what minerals made up the Quirnberg Mechanical Tower.
No matter how impressive the walls of the capital might be, the Mechanical Tower was made of minerals so precious they could not compare.
‘And he cut through that Mechanical Tower as if slicing tofu.’
Beyond Harkon.
It meant he was in a realm the current me could not even aspire to.
Therefore, from an extremely player-like point of view.
The empire, the emperor, had no chance of victory.
Even if an enraged Harkon joined them, the result likely would not change.
Which meant that if I chose to defend.
I would end up spectacularly failing the main quest.
However.
“I cannot presume to understand your feelings, Sir Harkon.”
When had I.
When had Granfell.
Ever made rational judgments?
Yes, everything followed pride.
The heavy pride within my chest was speaking.
“But one thing seems certain.”
I murmured, as though chewing over the words.
“Without a single exception.”
What, they’re going to drive out the emperor and become the new emperor?
Those bastards.
They hid away without moving an inch until demons turned the continent into a wasteland?
Even if I gave them every benefit of the doubt, perhaps it was an influence from the days when Arcana was nothing more than a game.
Like the Magic Tower, bound because it possessed power too great.
But even if I try to understand, I cannot.
In the end, the Magic Tower broke through its contradiction and changed.
And who was it?
No, did I fight against great evils, demon kings, and even an upper demon king because I wanted to die?!
“All of them are unqualified.”
So this was another alignment of wills.
“Shegwin, you are no different.”
Granfell’s pride.
And the combined product of the indignation I, Lee Hoyeol, felt.
There was no hesitation.
Before my eyes, something flickered.—Capture Antonium. (Failed)—Defend Antonium. (In Progress)
Sword Saint?
The continent’s sole Grand Sword Master?
Certainly, that is an impressive epithet.
But when it comes to epithets, I am not one to lose either.
An infinitely deep darkness.
A single ray of light within that darkness.
And even the Evil Dragon Hunter! ‘Damn it, saying it with my own mouth only doubles the shame.’ But leaving epithets aside, it wasn’t as if I had any reason to be inferior, was it?
Yes, like Shegwin, I too was a [Transcendent]
after all.
Even if I was a half-baked one whose effects were sealed, in any case.
So what I had to do was simple.
Scrape—I rose from my seat and looked out the office window.……
I will raise you without fail, elixir herb.
*Annex.
Elsidore opened the door of the annex and walked through the Golden Palace. Naturally, his destination was the garden. Seeing Elsidore, the servants of the Golden Palace began to whisper among themselves.
“……
Doesn’t he seem to be in a good mood?”
“Shh, watch what you say! I’m scared he’ll hear.”
“I feel the same way, but isn’t it strange?”
Ever since he had been confined in the annex of the Golden Palace.
Elsidore’s face had always looked deathly.
Enough to dim even the radiance of the elf’s sculpted features.
For Elsidore had always only shot out murderous glares.
“But get this, they say he was even smiling inside the annex!”
Elsidore’s face had changed.
Why was that?
There was only one thing they could think of.
“……
It’s been since he started visiting the garden, right?”
That was true.
Elsidore had changed after he began tending Hoyeol’s garden.
The servants chimed in, making a fuss.
“As expected, elves really are close to nature, just like the legends say!”
“……
Could it be that he suddenly made a garden in the annex for the elf’s sake? Doesn’t that seem right? He isn’t normally the kind of person to do that!”
“He may seem blunt, but he’s deeply considerate, isn’t he?”
Twitch—The elf’s large ears quivered.
What, that bastard was being considerate?
The bastard who dared reduce me to this state is deeply considerate?
Elsidore ground his teeth.
“……
I will kill him, without fail.”
However, the effect of [Hierarchy of Blessing]
was still active.
Unlike his solemn resolve, Elsidore had no choice but to tend the garden with care.
“How laughable.”
The reason Elsidore had regained his smile?
It was simple.
Because what Elsidore let slip was a sneer.
“After putting on such an air of superiority.”
Going to all this trouble just to water a mere flower bed like this—how insignificant. Insignificant, just like an insect. Elsidore had been regaining his self-esteem in the garden by brooding over Hoyeol.
“What truly meaningless effort.”
One day.
“What would change just because it was watered?”
And another day.
“I’d like to show that arrogant wretch Sisley’s flower garden.”
Heh heh heh.
Just as Elsidore’s expression was growing brighter by the day.
Exactly four days later.
Elsidore’s face went pale as he entered the garden.
“?”
In the few days when he had been too busy sneering, pouring out curses, and enjoying speaking ill of him to look closely. The flowers in the garden had grown to a degree incomparable to before.
Elsidore muttered.
“……
How on earth?”
In a mere four days.
Those insignificant flowers.
More than even Sisley’s flowers, which had lived for eons.
Could they grow so large and splendid, and emit such a profound aura?