◈ Chapter 326. Even a Beast Knows Its Master (2)
It was always like this.
Only when the situation actually came crashing down did hazy memories become clear. The settings of the Four Houses came back to me.──────Maxima’s wealth came from the Jewel of Midas. Those who served Maxima were guaranteed immense riches, and those who fought for Maxima were armed in armor adorned with gold. Their overflowing wealth drew the strong from across the continent to Maxima’s domain, and Maxima did not turn such people away. That was the origin of Maxima’s Golden Elites.──────Maxima of Gold.
To summarize, Maxima’s ability was an absurd amount of wealth. Indeed, there was a reason people said everything in the world could be solved with money. There was even a saying that if you failed, it was because the amount had been insufficient.──────Yugrik’s generous mercy was enough to comfort the wounded. Even if they were the twins of the sun and moon, abandoned by the heavens and fallen into despair. The twins who were saved by Yugrik did their utmost to repay that grace, passing judgment upon those who defied Yugrik.──────Yugrik of the Forest.
To put this one simply, they were blessed with remarkable connections. Above all, the twins of the sun and moon were like reliable mercenaries that no amount of money could buy.──────Cancel embraced courage and headed toward the vast northern wilderness of his homeland. It was the law of nature to follow a strong leader. The majority of the northern barbarians served Cancel as their chieftain and followed him.──────Cancel of Valor.
This one was half-human, half-beast. Not just any animal either, but a setting where half of him was a legendary beast. Thanks to that, the detail that he was worshiped like a god by the barbarians was also faithfully included.──────Prosperity followed in the footprints Akamond left behind. A gold mine was discovered in a worthless village, which soon flourished into a city, and even the mercenaries Akamond hired came to possess strength comparable to most knights in just a few months.──────Akamond of Tremors.
The Akamond House’s ability was just as fraudulent as the rest. If compared to a player, it meant they were no different from someone casting all sorts of wide-area buffs around them.
As you can see, every single one of the Four Houses was extraordinary.
So I could understand why even the Empire could not be confident of victory against them. But what did he say? The imperial throne had not been seized, but had merely been placed there by the Four Houses?‘How in the world did that come to fruition?’I truly cannot get a grasp on this rampaging dark history.
In a way, it was only natural.
Even dealing with the aftermath of Claudi’s realization was already overwhelming enough. And now I had to trace back and speculate on the deeds left behind by the Four Houses?‘If I knew that, I’d be a shaman.’But one thing was certain.
“It seems demons have possessed them.”
That was absolutely not Claudi’s will.
Someone might ask. If the abilities of the Four Houses are true, wouldn’t it be fine to withdraw their loyalty toward Claudi? Wasn’t it lacking plausibility from the start that such beings were serving Claudi?
If so, I shall answer.
Do you think dark “history” is called history for nothing?!
That’s right.
Only when enough flesh is added to an absurd setting to secure historical accuracy and plausibility.
Only then can it be called a history, infinitely deep and dark.
Why did the Four Houses come to grasp such immense abilities?
There was a reason for that, one very much like me……!
The Emperor suddenly asked me.
“Even a beast knows its master……. Of course, Your words are correct. But why did You say such a thing? And what do You mean when You say demons have possessed them? May I dare to ask?”
Without any change in expression, I spoke.
“Because they are abusing it.”
“……
What do You mean, abusing it?”
“The blessing I bestowed upon them.”
That was right.
In my dark history, the Four Houses were not originally houses at all.
They had merely begun as servants 1, 2, 3, and 4 who served the Claudi House, then gained their freedom after their abilities were acknowledged, and as they left the Claudi territory, they were gifted their current names and blessings.‘If you had sharp eyes, you could have figured it out.’The abilities possessed by the Four Houses.
Maxima’s wealth.
Yugrik’s mercy.
Cancel’s valor.
Akamond’s influence.
All of that was something the Claudi House had in overflowing abundance.
In other words, Claudi had merely handed over what overflowed and spilled out to the Four Houses……!‘What an incredible sense of self-importance, Hoyeol.’All they did was share what overflowed from Claudi’s vast vessel. And yet the Four Houses became the true masters of the Empire that unified the Arcana Continent, maintained their power even now after demons burst out, and had now become monsters advancing toward the Empire?
“You bestowed blessings……? Are You perhaps speaking of the Four Houses? You knew about the Four Houses? This cannot be. I was not doubting You. I simply had not even thought of it.”
I observed the Emperor’s extremely intense reaction.
From the looks of it, he did not seem to know about the relationship between Claudi and the Four Houses. No, in the first place, it seemed the Emperor did not know much about Claudi at all. It was understandable.‘There are very few on the current continent who know about Claudi.’Dragons, elves, great evils, Mary, and so on.
Only those who had lived through eons or had witnessed Claudi’s end understood Claudi’s true nature and reputation. Of course, what mattered was not Claudi’s greatness.‘……
It’s better not to know about Claudi.’Please, I hope he does not become curious about my dark history.
To make that happen, I could not remain still.
I could not even give him time to think.
I immediately opened my mouth.
“So leave it to me.”
“!”
Bewilderment spread across the Emperor’s troubled face.
“How can You say such a thing? I do not know what connection the Dark Dragon has with the Four Houses. But I cannot do that. As Emperor, I…….”
“Are you truly confident, Emperor?”
“……!”
He himself must know that, in order to protect the Empire and its people, he had to step onto the battlefield as Emperor. But what showed through from the Emperor was not courage, but fear.
“I am…….”
The imperial family, Seric Rose.
From predecessor to successor.
The cruel truth of the Empire that must have been passed down in secret.
“……
I apologize.”
Its weight was enough to make even the Emperor.
Into a man who staggered before the truth of his family.
Of course, I had no intention of blaming the Emperor.
“You have nothing to apologize for.”
“No, I…….”
“The same goes for your house, Seric Rose.”
“……?”
“I understand how you feel.”
Being shocked by a family secret?
Even if no one else in the world understood, I.
I, who had somehow acknowledged myself as the head of the Claudi House.
Had to understand him with generosity.
Because the true nature of the Claudi House I would have to face in the future.
Would absolutely not be easy……!
Besides.
“And this is entirely my responsibility.”
“Your responsibility? What does that……?”
“It means it is the burden I must shoulder as their master.”
As if my meddlesome nature, which loved shouldering anything and everything, would stay still.
In the end, it was Claudi who had given the Four Houses their names and blessings.
So I would take responsibility according to procedure.
The Emperor quietly pressed a hand to his forehead.
“Once again, I apologize.”
I understood that too.
A situation twisted into complexity by Grandfell-style speech.
It would not be easy to grasp.
But there was no need to worry.‘It’s about time.’Let’s see, calculating the speed at which the parchment was flying.
And considering the speed at which the Four Houses were advancing toward Antonium.
I felt like a bite would come soon.*Ignite Maxima.
The giant man was equipped in dazzling armaments.
Among them, the most overwhelming was the enormous jewel embedded in the very center of his helmet.
How many carats was that?
No, it seemed quicker to measure it by weight.
After all, it was a jewel larger than the fist of an average adult man.‘……
At that size, isn’t the price whatever he asks?’Jang Anrim rolled his eyes while keeping his head bowed.
Everywhere he looked was so radiant it hurt his eyes.
It glittered and sparkled.‘I expected as much when I heard they declared war on the Empire, but……. What the hell is with these absurdly high-level troops? Where did NPCs like this come from? Is this a bug?’But his questions lasted only a moment.
Jang Anrim smiled inwardly.
It seemed splitting up had been the correct decision.
-“I will choose Akamond.”
The four forces that had appeared in the quest.
Yong Seongrak had chosen Akamond. The reason was simple. Yong Seongrak’s class was [Blockader],
a rare class that could only be obtained in a small village in the eastern part of the continent, Erickton.
-“We’ll have to hope there are school ties and regional ties on the Arcana Continent too.”
Akamond was advancing toward the Empire from the eastern domain.
He had placed his hope in the possibility that someone on Akamond’s side might recognize his value as a Blockader. In contrast, Jang Anrim himself.‘I have nothing particularly outstanding to put forward.’His class, [Lancer],
was neither a rare class nor a hidden class. He had no regional ties, school ties, or blood ties to rely on like Yong Seongrak did. So Jang Anrim had intended to follow Yong Seongrak and join Akamond.
However.
-“No. I think it would be better to split up here. As long as one of us chooses the correct answer, won’t we be able to guide the one who chose wrong?”
Yong Seongrak’s words were not illogical. So Jang Anrim had reluctantly chosen Maxima. But this seemed to have been an excellent choice after all.
“Adventurer, I have long been interested in you lot!”
Ignite Maxima.
The master of Maxima was nothing if not magnanimous.
Jang Anrim bowed deeply.
“If you will accept me, I will repay that interest with results.”
“Good. You’re overflowing with motivation. I like the look of that.”
“Thank you!”
He was on a completely different level from a rootless son of a bitch like Ryu O Junchun.
Didn’t he recognize talent like me and acknowledge my value?
Jang Anrim swallowed his saliva.
Calculations formed in his head.‘Maxima will absolutely win this war.’Even the Empire in its former intact state would likely have lacked the strength to win a complete victory against this golden army. And was the current Empire not in a situation where it had once been driven to the brink of collapse?‘If we win, I’ll seize a tremendous reward.’On top of that, with Ignite’s bold personality and wealth.
It seemed like even if he made only a moderate contribution, receiving gold by the chest would be nothing.
Jang Anrim asked for forgiveness inwardly.‘Sorry, Yong Seongrak.’Regrettably, I don’t think I can pull you up with me.
Jang Anrim instinctively knew that Yong Seongrak was someone superior to him. If he led such a Yong Seongrak to Maxima, there was no telling if all of his achievements might be stolen by Yong Seongrak.
But if Yong Seongrak was not here.
“If I may be so bold, Antonium was practically my own front yard. I know how many gates Antonium has, what buildings are where, and I am thoroughly aware of its current military strength as well.”
Jang Anrim dressed up his words plausibly and spoke.
“In particular, the Lionheart Knights, who may be called the Emperor’s right arm. At present, they do not exist in Antonium, nor on the Arcana Continent. After being caught up in a Rift, they have fully settled in the world of us adventurers.”
“Oh-ho. Is that true? That is good news. The knights of the Lionheart, who swing their swords with their lives on the line, would be troublesome opponents even for the Golden Elites.”
Ignite clapped his hands.
Jang Anrim laughed sinisterly inside.
Look at that. Even if he had been realized, at his core, he was still an NPC.‘I can see right through him.’If the goddess of fortune existed, Jang Anrim was willing to offer one gold coin from the gold, silver, and treasures he would receive as a reward to that goddess.‘……
No, even so, a gold coin is a bit much. Let’s make it a silver coin.’Of course, his flimsy faith did not last long.
Suddenly.
Ignite stopped clapping and continued speaking.
“Ah, but you see.”
“Yes. Please ask me anything.”
“There is something I have been curious about regarding adventurers for some time.”
“Curious? If I can resolve it, I will do anything.”
“Oh-ho, will you now? My, I am grateful.”
Flick─Ignite moved a finger.
Likewise, a soldier whose entire body was plated in gold stepped forward.
At that moment, Jang Anrim flinched.‘All of a sudden?’Was he perhaps trying to test his strength? If so, he vowed he would not back down. With more than ten fraudulent buffs applied to him at the same time right now, he did not know about fighting many at once, but he was confident in one-on-one combat.
But that, too, was Jang Anrim’s misconception.
The inner workings of a human no different from himself.
A misconception born of dismissing them as those of a mere NPC.
“I had been curious about the truth of the rumors ever since I was stuck out west. In other words, Adventurer, I wanted to see whether the blessing you possess was real. After all, how could one believe it so easily?”
“Blessing? What blessing are you referring to?”
“Do you ask because you truly do not know?”
Ignite’s pupils flashed with a pale light.
“Do you think I, Ignite, would have many curiosities about a lowly outsider? There is only one thing I wish to know from you. The blessing of resurrection. Whether it is real or false.”
“Re-resurrection? What do you—?!”
“Good. Since you have so willingly agreed, let us hurry and confirm it!”
“W-wai……!”
Before Jang Anrim could say anything more.
Shing—!
The golden elite soldier’s sword flashed.
Slice—!
At the same time, a fountain of blood surged from Jang Anrim’s neck. A few drops of the blood spraying in every direction splattered onto Ignite’s face, but he did not so much as frown.
He merely watched.
“What is this?”
The adventurer who was now nothing more than a lump of flesh, Jang Anrim.
“The Authority of resurrection or whatever it was—utter nonsense.”
A fleeting diversion on the imperial expedition.
Jang Anrim’s life was treated as worth that little.
Boredom settled in Ignite’s eyes once more.
“It made no sense from the start, my lord. How could those who are nothing more than mere outsiders grasp such an absurd blessing as resurrection?”
At his loyal retainer’s consolation, Ignite nodded moderately. Yes, there might be beings who lived for eons, but there were no beings on the Arcana Continent who lived for eternity.
Even if that being were a Claudi.
And yet, a mere adventurer had resurrection?
“As expected, it was an absurd rumor.”
The moment Ignite voiced his thoughts.
Flutter—suddenly, a piece of parchment drifted through the air. The soldiers drew their swords and went on guard, but Ignite waved them back. From the looks of it, it was a letter imbued with magic.
If so……
“Retel Akamond. It can only be her.”
Clenz Yugrik, that idler, and Smite Cancel, that hairy brute, were far removed from magic. For someone with such an aloof appearance, she schemed behind the scenes in an adorable manner. Retel.
The corners of Ignite’s mouth rose as he received the parchment.
“Of course, I am always welcome.” Now that the Four Families had moved, the empire’s fall was a foregone conclusion.
Thus, the greatest question was which of the Four Families would take the emperor’s vacant seat. In that sense, Retel Akamond would make a rather good partner. If Maxima and Akamond joined forces, the remaining two would be no match for them.
However.
Rustle—“……?”
The smile vanished from Ignite’s lips as he unfolded the parchment.
A parchment refined, yet by no means lavish.
Written clearly upon it was this.──────As of this moment, all positions and blessings of House Maxima are hereby stripped.──────It was not a “sentence” issued only to Maxima.──────As of this moment, all positions and blessings of House Yugrik are hereby stripped.──────As of this moment, all positions and blessings of House Cancel are hereby stripped.──────As of this moment, all positions and blessings of House Akamond are hereby stripped.──────“……?!!”
Their gazes turned as one toward the final sentence.──────Family Head, Grandfel Claudi Arpheus Romeo.──────And then, the punishment arrived.
“M-my lord?!”
At the urgent shout, Ignite raised his head and saw the horrified faces of the golden elite soldiers. It did not take Ignite long to realize why.
Because he heard it by his ear.
Crack—the heirloom passed down through House Maxima for generations.
『Midas’s Jewel』
The enormous jewel set into his helmet had begun to crack.
“?!”
And as if foretelling what was to come.
Craaaack—!
“!!!”