novelraw Chapter 166 : Chapter 166
Chapter 166 : Chapter 166
Chapter 166
The sky over the Central Continent seemed deeply colored.
This was because, after the murder of the Fifth Prince Bronz Heinrich, a tension thick with the clouds of war had covered the entire continent.
At its center was the Asran Kingdom.
It was one of the vassal states boasting military power that ranked among the top on the continent, a place that flaunted one 8-star knight and five superhumans as symbols of its national strength.
In such an Asran Kingdom, a secret meeting had been arranged.
It was a meeting between Prince Naskin Asran, an 8-star knight and the designated next king, and the Empire's Second Prince, Isaac Heinrich.
‘Just facing him felt like I was being crushed.’
Isaac thought so as he watched Naskin Asran, who silently drank his tea even with him right in front.
His build was enormous, and the energy radiating from his restrained state was enough to overwhelm even himself, who had mastered the 7-star level.
He was a man still called a prince despite being over fifty, thanks to his still-reigning father.
The prevailing assessment was that the Asran Kingdom had been able to prosper as one of the five vassal states because he, arguably the strongest, was active as a knight on duty.
“Prince Naskin, I must have your answer today.”
At Isaac’s question, Naskin, who had been silently drinking tea, looked at him.
“Eurasia has been growing stronger at a rapid pace.”
Unconcerned by the attitude of not addressing him with respect, Isaac nodded.
“If we do not bring them down this time, the balance of the continent will collapse.”
“Is it not the security of the Empire, rather than the balance of the continent?”
“You are soft. Do you think Asran will be unaffected?”
At Isaac’s words, silver-white mana shimmered from Naskin’s body.
“Watch your mouth, Prince. You are not yet the emperor.”
“It is you who should watch your mouth, Prince. The moment you inherit your father’s throne, the strongest knight of Asran will no longer be able to step onto the battlefield.”
“I could become a conquering king.”
He would entrust politics to reliable retainers, and he, an 8-star knight, would personally conquer weaker kingdoms to expand his territory.
Naskin Asran did not hide his ambition.
“It’s not impossible. But that, too, would likely require the Empire’s permission.”
“I do not need the Empire’s permission. What can you all do, busy with the war for the throne?”
It was a rather rude remark.
If the speaker had not been an 8-star knight, he would have met his death long ago.
“The war for the throne has reached its final stages.”
Taking a sip of the tea placed before him, Isaac continued nonchalantly.
“And you have waged several wars without permission during that time.”
Two small neighboring kingdoms had been destroyed and had become the territory of the Asran Kingdom.
“Have you forgotten that it is thanks to me that the Asran Kingdom was not engulfed in the flames of war?”
At Isaac’s words, Naskin burst into laughter.
“Was that not something you did on your own because you did not want to lose the initiative to Prince Crusty?”
The Balder Kingdom and the Sorn Kingdom, which he had personally conquered and destroyed.
Those two kingdoms had ties to Prince Crusty.
Naskin had shamelessly coveted Crusty’s power, and Isaac, highly valuing his recklessness, had drawn the Asran Kingdom into his own sphere of influence.
‘My father did say he wouldn't be easy to handle... How did a guy like this reach the 8-star level?’
Tsk, tsk.
Though Isaac clicked his tongue inwardly, he tried not to show his displeasure.
Personality and talent were separate matters, after all.
‘The Black Duke said that it would be difficult to hunt Killian Eurasia with anyone less than Askin’s level.’
The number of 8-star superhumans the Empire possessed was five, including the Emperor.
They could not be dispatched unless it was a war the Emperor personally led.
“I make this proposal not to Prince Naskin, who will be the future master of the kingdom, but to the great knight, Naskin Asran.”
“Hoh?”
At Isaac’s attitude of setting the mood as he spoke, Naskin showed interest.
“If you win the war against Eurasia, I shall grant you half of their territory.”
“…”
A momentary silence fell.
At the expected reaction, a smile played on Isaac’s lips.
“It seems to be to your liking now.”
“How can I trust those words now?”
“I swear it upon the rank I have achieved as a superhuman and the honor of the master of the Black Magic Tower.”
“…”
“According to reliable information, Simon Eurasia has mastered the 8-star level.”
“What...?!”
Astonishment colored Naskin’s face.
‘How long has it been since he reached the 8-star level...’
How much effort had he himself poured into stabilizing his 8-star level?
He had subjugated monsters in numerous mountain ranges and participated in wars, cutting down knights and mages.
Yet, his Heart Break symptoms hadn't stabilized, so he had asked the Empire’s Alchemist to produce Heart Break Herba.
But the realm of a master had seemed so distant.
‘Simon Eurasia. How did that man…’
“I hear there is an apothecary in Eurasia who has reached the level of an Alchemist. If captured, I will hand him over to you as well.”
Gulp.
Unconsciously, Naskin swallowed.
Half of Eurasia’s territory and an apothecary who had reached the level of Alchemist.
There was not a single thing that wasn't covetable.
Confirming that he had begun to waver, Isaac drove the final nail in.
“The five superhumans under my command. The four knight orders and one mage corps they lead will join you. In addition, the Deravia Kingdom, which Crusty will draw in, will also be added.”
Normally, with that many forces, the amount of spoils falling to Naskin should have decreased, but.
“What do you say? If you promise now, I believe I can keep the conditions of handing over half the territory and the Alchemist.”
Bang.
Naskin slammed his fist on the table.
The table, unable to withstand the superhuman’s power, collapsed on the spot.
“You must absolutely keep that promise.”
“Of course, Sir Naskin.”
Standing up, Isaac extended his hand with a smiling face.
Naskin stood up and grasped Isaac’s hand.
“I will make you the emperor.”
“Welcome to our official alliance.”
Isaac smiled with satisfaction.
An 8-star knight had the power to unite an army.
If Naskin participated, the aspect of the war would be different from the previous one between Cornelia and Romero.
‘Killian Eurasia. This time, even you will not be able to do anything.’
Furthermore.
‘If I bring down Eurasia, I will take one step closer to a great existence.’
Hiding his sinister intentions, Isaac put on a friendly smile.
***
At the training ground set up deep within the forests of Elvenheim.
Killian and Rundel were quietly exchanging blows.
Unlike the peaceful forest, their exchange was proceeding more fiercely.
Claaang.
Clang.
“I never thought you’d ask me to repay your kindness in this way.”
Parrying Killian’s sword, Rundel smiled leisurely.
The sunlight filtering through the trees illuminated the sweat-stained faces of the two knights.
Creating distance, Killian caught his breath.
“The best way to overcome a wall in a short time is to push the body to its limits.”
Especially if the opponent was an Elf who had lived for hundreds of years and reached the 8-star level.
“You’re not wrong.”
Whoosh.
Killian’s body was pushed back by Rundel’s sword as he approached again.
Even without using mana, the difference in physical strength was considerable.
‘It’s not just physical strength that’s different.’
He himself was a superhuman, yet in speed, vision, and sensory perception, not to mention all the other minor details, he could not keep up with the High Elf.
Killian was in a state where his senses were sharply focused to react to Rundel’s movements at any moment.
“You could push a little harder.”
“You’re trying to overdo it without even reinforcing your body with mana.”
“It has to be at least that much for me to feel a sense of crisis.”
“…”
At Killian’s nonchalant words, Rundel shook his head.
“I said I would help with your training, not that I would inflict serious injuries.”
“This is about overcoming the second wall just a few years after forging a Mana Heart. Do you think I would come without that much resolve?”
“They say Eurasia has little chance of winning the war without you, don't they? I don’t want to shatter even that small possibility with my own hands.”
Rundel replied firmly.
“You have a firmer personality than you look. That’s something your queen should learn.”
Killian’s gaze turned to the opposite side of the training ground.
There, Ashirian de Silvana was perched on a tree, and Hazard was acting cute in her arms.
[Grrrrowl~]
Hazard let out a pleased cry at the queen’s hand stroking its fur.
“What a spiritual beast.”
[Grrrowl~]
“Hazard, would you like to spend the rest of your life in my forest?”
[Grrrrrowl~]
“You show excessive loyalty. Killian Eurasia is not that good of a master.”
[Grrrowl~]
“A pity.”
A look of disappointment appeared on the queen’s face.
It seemed they were not just sensing each other’s presence but were having a conversation that transcended species.
‘That Hazard. Is it now seducing even the Elves?’
He had brought it as a countermeasure for the reflux, but he hadn't known the queen would show such deep affection for the creature.
Her warm smile held a deep trust and affection.
It was not an emotion one would expect from someone they had met less than a week ago.
“Her Majesty loves not only nature but animals as well.”
Rundel said with a fond smile.
“Compared to that, we have a long way to go.”
Killian said, raising his sword again.
At that, Rundel, who had been staring at him, also raised his sword.
“There’s no need to be so hasty. You are achieving faster progress than any human I have met in hundreds of years.”
“That’s not enough.”
In the peace of the forest, a movement that broke the silence continued.
The air was heavy, and in the forest where the flow of mana was stable, only the sound of clashing blades broke the stillness.
The duels between the two that followed always ended in Killian’s defeat, and each time, his spirit was sharpened keenly.
About a week had passed since he began staying in the Elf forest.
“I hear the Asran Kingdom and the Deravia Kingdom are marching on Eurasia.”
Rundel brought up the subject heavily.
His expression was as cold as usual, but worry was seeping through.
Killian paused for a moment, mulling over Rundel’s words.
“To Eurasia... they’ve finally made their move.”
“As you well know, this war is no simple war.”
The 8-star knight of the Asran Kingdom, Naskin Asran.
The 8-star mage of the Deravia Kingdom, Ariel Deravia.
Two royals who had made a name for themselves, no less than Simon Eurasia, were said to be joining the war.
“I hear the private soldiers of the First and Second Princes will be joining as well.”
Rundel quietly warned.
“How about returning now? Without you, Eurasia has no chance of victory.”
Killian shook his head and readjusted his grip on his sword.
“You know, don't you? If I don’t reach the 8-star level, it’s a fight I can’t win anyway.”
Allied nations would send support troops, but even with the current Killian added to them, he couldn't overwhelm the battlefield.
‘For now, they can hold on with Sir Escardo, but I cannot rule out the possibility that the Empire will send in additional 8-star superhumans.’
Therefore.
“The only thing I can do now is focus on getting stronger.”
“…”
The two stood in silence for a while.
Rundel, staring intently at Killian, opened his mouth.
“Yes. Perhaps my thinking was shallow.”
Having confirmed Killian’s resolve, Rundel slowly began to gather mana.
The mana emanating from his fingertips intertwined with the forest air and expanded.
“Alright. Let’s go a bit more intensely today.”
Swoooosh.
Rundel cloaked himself in green mana.
Killian also reinforced his body with blue mana.
“Come.”
Kwaang!
Killian’s body trembled from the unprecedentedly intense flow of mana.
“...!!”
It was as if his body was screaming.
But that was all.
Seeing Rundel fail to break through his defense, Killian spoke.
“What I need isn’t hesitation.”
The 8-star level was a realm reached by only a few of his close friends.
Moreover, Killian, who had built up his skills much faster than them, needed to have a more dangerous experience.
To risk his life.
“That is the only way for me to reach the 8-star level now.”
Tzzzzzzzzz.
Aether absorbed Rundel’s mana.
Green mana began to rise from Killian’s body.
“Come at me with the intent to die, Rundel. Otherwise…”
Carpe Illusion.
Constantine Style.
Green Zone.
The green mana, having accepted its new master, deployed its domain.
“You will die.”