Translator: FenrirTL
Editor: Doodle
=================
< Chapter 185: Temporary Leader of Unit 5 (5) >
‘What kind of monstrous strength is this...!’
Vector froze as he watched the fragments of sword energy swirling like a storm.
He, too, was one of the transcendent beings who had comprehended the Glass Realm, but he could not imagine himself displaying such overwhelming power as they did.
Crackkk!
In the sky, bolts of lightning made of demonic energy rained down incessantly, while on the ground, a storm surged, ceaselessly erasing the falling lightning.
Julius and Ed were demonstrating an unbelievable level of strength.
At a glance, it appeared as though they were simply slashing, stabbing, and exchanging blows.
Yet, even a single movement contained countless intricacies, capable of branching into various directions at any moment.
‘These monsters... They are demons wearing human skins.’
Vector assessed Julius and Ed in this way.
They were not human.
Such power should never have been permitted to humans in the first place.
‘The words of the great God were true. For the divine, a divine position; for humans, a human position and duty. I must spread His word across this world as soon as possible, stripping them of their absurd strength and bestowing proper teachings upon them...!’
However, Vector’s thoughts did not last long.
BOOOOOM!
A thunderous sound echoed from the main gate.
The Black Iron Cavalry was attempting a breakthrough, forming a wedge (∧) formation.
In that moment, Vector’s face lit up with joy.
“They’ve arrived!”
Before the Resurrection Ceremony began, Ed had spoken to him:
-There’s intelligence that Ragnar will attempt to stop the Resurrection Ceremony at all costs. They say the White Armored Dragon Cavalry will intervene directly.
-Those heretics are trying to interfere again...!
-But you need not worry. Their plan is destined to fail.
-...?
-Have you forgotten? There is still a spy we planted within Ragnar. It seems it’s time to utilize them.
-Ah!
-It appears the time has come to reveal their identity.
Ed often reiterated that the forces he had planted within Ragnar had not been completely eliminated.
The House of Ragnar, with its long history, also had deeply rooted conflicts and divisions.
He had always declared that the structure of Ragnar was such that even the slightest shock could cause it to collapse on its own.
And so, he confidently stated that when the time came, he would wield this hidden blade to deal a fatal blow to Ragnar.
Now, on the eve of the Resurrection Ceremony, he was finally unveiling that hidden blade. It was hard not to feel anticipation.
-What is this blade?
-This blade is—
Rumble!
Amid the chaos of dust clouds rising, the Black Iron Cavalry plunged into the melee where the Blood Priests and the White Armored Dragon Cavalry were entangled.
-Torkel Ragnar. The leader of the Black Iron Cavalry.
Vector had found it laughable at the time.
The idea that a direct descendant of the detested Ragnar would betray Ragnar itself was a source of immense amusement.
The Fifth Apostle.
It must have been the divine spirit and flesh of the God himself who directly bestowed grace upon Torkel.
After all, that entity was the rightful "master" of Ragnar.
Considering that Granada Troyban was also a vassal blessed by the Fifth Apostle, this entire war was essentially playing out in the palm of the Apostle’s hand.
Now, the White Armored Dragon Cavalry would taste despair.
The moment they realized that those they believed to be allies had turned against them.
The instant the sharp lances of the Black Iron Cavalry suddenly pierced their backs, their soaring morale would be crushed in an instant.
They would perish here, ignorant of the truth.
And their corpses and blood would all be transformed into nourishment for the resurrection of God!
But then...
“Leave no cultist alive-!”
The lion's roar from Torkel at the forefront of the Black Iron Cavalry reverberated thunderously.
“By your command!”
“By your command!”
The lances of the cavalry and the hooves of their warhorses trampled everything in their path.
Thud-thud-thud!
Crash!
“Urgh...!”
“Why are they attacking us...?”
“The Black Iron Cavalry...! Avoid the Black Iron Cavalry...! Quickly...!”
The ones being slaughtered, turning into heaps of bloodied corpses, were not the White Armored Dragon Cavalry.
Instead, it was the Blood Priests of the Sacred Demon Church.
-Something is wrong!
Vector quickly turned his gaze toward Ed, realizing that events were unfolding entirely differently from the information he had received.
「What is the meaning of this, Young Lord! This is not what was promised! You said the Black Iron Cavalry would assist us—!」
Vector had to stop his transmission mid-sentence.
Ed’s gaze, turned toward him, carried no emotion whatsoever.
At that moment, a thought flashed through Vector’s mind.
‘Could it be... from the very beginning, Troyban’s true target was—!’
He tried to turn his head hastily toward the Black Flower, but—
「Our Cardinal of the Third Apostle, you are far too slow on the uptake. Well, thanks to that, we were able to make it this far.」
Suddenly, someone appeared before the Cardinal.
A person wearing a plain, unadorned mask without any design.
It was a Retainer, known as the shadow of Troyban.
Only then did Vector come to a realization.
The Sacred Demon Church was built on a foundation of five Apostles, each of entirely different origins, and their respective factions.
Until now, the faction of the Fifth Apostle, which handled military strength centered around Troyban, was attempting to oust the faction of the Third Apostle, which oversaw rituals and ceremonies.
All to seize the Black Flower.
And once everything was over, they would throw all the blame onto Ragnar, concealing the truth.
It was a cunning plan.
Slash!
Puuuuh—
That was Vector’s final thought as his head was severed.
*******************
The Black Iron Cavalry seemed determined to demonstrate why they were one of the Four Great Divisions that symbolized Ragnar.
Piercing through, shattering everything.
Wherever they passed, only traces of thorough destruction remained.
The ground was littered with nothing but the fragmented corpses of the Blood Priests, smashed into bloodied masses, and the hoofprints of their warhorses imprinted in the flowing blood.
However,
‘Something is off.’
Theo felt an intense sense of unease.
‘It’s too direct.’
Though the Black Iron Cavalry’s greatest strength lay in breakthroughs and destruction, right now, it seemed as though—
‘They’re heading toward a specific destination...!’
Then Theo saw it.
At the end of the Black Iron Cavalry’s path.
The partially blooming Black Flower bud.
Fwoooosh!
Even though the High Priest had died and the Resurrection Ceremony had been stopped,
the blood spilled by the dead Blood Priests had somehow formed a stream, slowly flowing toward the Black Flower bud.
Drip, drip, drip—
Thanks to this, the bud was gradually beginning to bloom, albeit very slightly.
A dark glow was faintly emanating from within.
‘No way!’
Whoosh!
Before Theo could even fully process his thoughts, his instincts kicked in.
Umbra, leaping out from the shadows, carried him instantly toward the Black Flower bud.
And then—
“...Caught you.”
Just before the Black Iron Cavalry could reach the Black Flower.
As Torkel, with his helmet pulled low over his face, reached out toward the Black Flower with a voice filled with joy for the first time,
Theo intervened mid-motion, swatting away Torkel’s outstretched hand.
Boom!
Neighhhh!
Torkel’s armored warhorse reared violently, twisting its body as it sharply changed direction.
“Theo Ragnar, what do you think you’re doing?”
A peculiar glint flickered in Torkel’s eyes.
Unlike his usual composed demeanor, he made no effort to hide the murderous intent he directed at Theo.
“That’s what I’d like to ask you, Commander of the Black Iron Cavalry. Have you misunderstood the mission objective?”
“Our mission is to stop the Resurrection Ceremony.”
“No, that’s incorrect. More precisely, it’s to ‘eliminate the Blood Priests.’”
“...”
“Isn’t it?”
Torkel remained silent for a moment.
“Theo Ragnar, do you realize that what you’re doing now is overstepping your bounds?”
At that moment, Ayan appeared before Torkel, urging her horse forward.
“Is that so?”
“It is. I’ve heard that you were recognized for your achievements concerning the Mysteries of the White Tower and temporarily appointed as unit leader. But remember, that only applies within the White Armored Dragon Cavalry. Interfering in the domain of the Black Iron Cavalry is beyond your authority.”
Ayan was exuding a murderous intent as if she intended to rip Theo apart at that very moment.
But for Theo, it only stung his skin slightly and posed no real threat.
In fact,
Rumble!
[‘Skill: Lesser Drake Fear’ has been activated, overwhelming the enemy’s momentum.]
The force emanating from Theo pushed back Ayan’s oppressive aura.
Neighhh!
The armored warhorses collectively recoiled in surprise.
Ayan had to spend considerable effort calming her own horse.
“So, am I correct in understanding that recovering something as significant as this falls entirely under the Black Iron Cavalry’s jurisdiction, and I should mind my own business?”
“What exactly are you trying to say?”
“I’m asking about your ‘true objective.’”
Theo did not miss the brief flicker of surprise on Ayan’s face.
‘As I thought.’
Their goal didn’t seem to be completing the mission.
‘Originally, the Black Dragon’s command was for me to carry out an assassination amid the chaos…’
But it appeared that Ayan and the Black Iron Cavalry had already aligned themselves with Torkel.
At some point, the entire Black Iron Cavalry had stopped their massacre and encircled Theo.
It was as if their sole aim was to claim the Black Flower at all costs.
And anyone who stood in their way would be eliminated.
‘It doesn’t look like assassination will be enough.’
If that were the case, there was only one solution.
-Commander’s Duel (대장전).
Thud!
Theo planted the blade of his Drake’s weapon firmly into the ground as he faced Torkel, Ayan, and the Black Iron Cavalry now encircling him.
“Advanced Swordsman Theo Ragnar. I will now fulfill my mission.”
[‘Skill: Hatchling Synchronization’ has been activated, opening the Upper Dantian.]
[‘Skill: Fairy Buff’ has been activated, drastically increasing magical power.]
[‘Skill: Worm Eater’ has been activated, enhancing offensive capabilities.]
.
.
[Nirvana has been fully opened.]
[Dragonborn Awakening has begun.]
Rumble!
The relics of the Ancient Dragon in Theo’s possession all unlocked simultaneously, unleashing a storm of magical energy.
The hem of Theo’s sleeve fluttered.
His bangs swayed.
Theo felt the world around him changing rapidly.
Nirvana.
The reward he received for clearing the Seventh Scenario Quest signified the expansion of his mental domain.
Having already opened the gates of the Pantheon and witnessed the existence of the gods, Theo’s mind was incomparable to that of an ordinary person.
And the spiritual elevation he had achieved naturally melded into his newfound understanding.
At this moment, the Black Iron Cavalry felt an illusion that they were being overwhelmed by Theo’s aura.
“My mission is the purging of Torkel Ragnar.”
Each word Theo uttered pounded into the ears of the Black Iron Cavalry.
As Ayan and the other members stiffened their expressions, gripping their spears, Theo delivered his final declaration.
“Anyone who obstructs this will be deemed traitors to the will of the House and executed on the spot.”
[All Buff Mode has been activated.]
[Duration: 10 minutes.]
Crack! Crackle!
Now, the magical storm mixed with bright yellow thunderbolts, creating a thunderstorm of destructive energy.
“Protect the Commander—!”
With Ayan’s urgent cry, the nearby members hurriedly gathered to shield Torkel.
Boom!
Whistle!
Theo immediately kicked off the ground with force and charged toward Torkel.
“Where do you think you’re going—!”
“Dieee!”
Spears from the Black Iron Cavalry rained down sharply toward Theo’s head and back.
However, Theo, without breaking his stride, spun the blade of his Drake’s weapon, deflecting the onslaught entirely. At the same time, following the essence of the Two-Step Swordsmanship, he unleashed the swords strapped to his waist.
Flash! Flash! Flash!
Thud! Thud!
The Moon-White Sword, Dragon Slayer Sword, and Spirit Mausoleum Blade shot out in a straight line, piercing through the necks of armored horses and embedding themselves into the hearts of cavalry members.
Splash!
They didn’t even have time to scream before their bodies shattered into dozens of fragments, raining down to the ground.
“Parmaaahhh!”
“Zander!”
“I’ll kill youuu!”
The other cavalry members roared in fury, moving to target Theo’s back, but—
“Wasn’t this supposed to be an assassination? Now it’s a full-blown fight instead. Wow, this is totally chaotic, huh?”
A playful voice giggled from above, completely mismatched with the devastating outcome it heralded.
As if a meteor shower had fallen, dozens of forces descended vertically, scattering the cavalry members in all directions.
It was Amore Tan and the members of Unit 1.
Those who had decided to assist Theo in stopping the Black Iron Cavalry revealed themselves at last.
Amore glanced at Theo with a sly smile.
“Well, I guess that’s just how things go with Ragnar, huh? Tee-hee.”
In the meantime, Theo had already closed the distance to Torkel.
Their first clash erupted.
BOOOOOOM!
However, Theo’s attack failed to reach Torkel.
A dragon-shaped aura, created from a mixture of Dragon Force, demonic energy, and other chaotic energies, surrounded Torkel, shielding him.
“I wasn’t planning on revealing this yet… but you’ve forced my hand. Impressive. How did you grow strong enough to threaten me like this in just one year, little brother? Surely, you didn’t turn to the forbidden like I did?”
Torkel smirked coldly.
Yet, in his frosty gaze, jealousy and envy toward Theo were unmistakable.
Zzzzzing!
Theo’s Drake’s weapon trembled violently, as if repulsed by the sight of its opponent.
“The madness of the Mad Dragon Emperor, and even the demonic energy of the Nameless Sovereign?”
Theo raised an eyebrow instead of answering.
For Torkel, a Ragnar heir, to possess two forms of forbidden power utterly unfit for his lineage—it was inconceivable.
“Just what are you, really?”