novelraw Chapter 303: Episode 303
Chapter 303: Episode 303
Taehyun finalized contracts with two individuals. Well, to be precise, one was an Attacker locked in his prison, and the other was an arrogant sword hilt.
First was Yuda. In exchange for the information he sought, he agreed to become an Attacker affiliated with Balak.
The conditions, however, were the crucial part.
His primary demand was a face-to-face meeting with Leon van Noah. If the current situation in the Aneis Kingdom differed from what he had heard in prison, he would immediately void the contract.
Furthermore, if the information Taehyun provided proved true, he intended to take Regia van Noah and defect to Balak.
Whether the tyrant would simply let his older brother defect to Balak was questionable, but Yuda had been fiercely confident he could pull it off.
He would likely try something foolish like resolving the issue through conversation, but since they had drawn up a binding contract, Taehyun had nothing to lose even if Yuda died. There was no need to worry.
Of course, it would be a stroke of luck if he managed to bring Regia back alive.
"Now that the contract is signed, you won’t be able to act up anymore. Call me Master."
"Hey, I am the Demonic Sword Ashlanche. Ashlanche! Like I’d submit to a guy who isn’t even a demon... Aaargh!"
"Now, repeat after me like a good little sword. Mas. Ter."
"Aaaaargh! M-Masterrrrr!"
Even a demonic sword was powerless against a blinding flash artifact.
Despite the desperate screams, it was a rather satisfying result.
After a few more rounds of this "repetitive learning," Ashlanche declared complete submission and swore to be a loyal subordinate.
Taehyun stroked Pinyas’s ears as she rubbed her face against his chest, and asked, "What level of power is required to wield you?"
The demonic sword fell silent.
"Oh? Not going to answer?"
"Eek! An SS-rank Main Force is required! Especially one with a Knight or Swordsman class!"
The answer spilled out the moment Taehyun raised the artifact.
An SS-rank Main Force meant someone on the level of the Sword Saint of the Golpein Territory or Commander Kaiharst.
Unfortunately, Balak currently lacked a Main Force of that caliber. But that was only a temporary problem; Taehyun could create one right now if he set his mind to it.
Taehyun pondered, keeping his foot firmly planted on Ashlanche.
’Since I’m creating a Main Force to wield the demonic sword, a Guardian or a Keeper would be best. Should I just go all-in and use Evolution to bring Grai up to SS-rank?’
Removing the holy sword was the top priority, but if an SS-rank Main Force was an absolute necessity, it was worth careful consideration.
"Kyaaagh. My head hurts. B-But this feeling... Ahh, Master Taehyun."
With the divine power slowly encroaching upon Balak’s territory, Behel’s Domain had to be removed at all costs.
Enjoying the soft touch of the fox ears, Taehyun satisfied his curiosity first.
"Ashlanche, can the wielder of the holy sword cancel Behel’s Domain?"
"Of course, that’s impossi—I mean, impossible."
"So you’re saying it has to be removed entirely through you?"
"Y-Yes. That is correct!"
Behel’s Domain could only be dispelled by the demonic sword, leaving the holy sword embedded in the territory.
He definitely needed an SS-rank Main Force to wield Ashlanche.
However, making such a hefty investment solely to dispel Behel’s Domain wasn’t exactly cost-effective.
’I’ve already secured the demonic sword. If I create an SS-rank Main Force, I can keep using it. Hmm... a way to claim both the demonic and holy swords at the same time. There’s only one answer.’
Mana stones and soul stones tumbled out of his inventory.
He had already verified these materials for his special abilities, but he needed to double-check.
Taehyun counted the exact quantities. It would be cutting it close, but it was possible.
"Riel, summon Grai and Dropin."
"I’ll send them to the Master Room right away."
The decision was made. Now, all that was left was to completely devour the generous gift Leon van Noah had thrown his way.
Although the Resistance members had been exposed because of the Ain Kart Holy Kingdom, both sides had essentially played one of their hidden cards.
However, if asked who came out on top, it was naturally Taehyun.
Leon van Noah had likely intended to use Behel’s Domain to mobilize the Ain Kart Holy Kingdom, but unfortunately for him, he didn’t know about Taehyun’s trump card: Evolution.
’You persistently sent your forces to Balak and even handed me this reward, but it looks like it was all for nothing. What a shame. I almost feel sorry for you, Leon van Noah.’
’Slayer Seonghwi, the Resistance, the Demonic Orb, Valpurgis, the non-human races... If I add an SS-rank Main Force wielding both the demonic and holy swords to that lineup, I can easily shake the Aneis Kingdom by utilizing the Frost Queen Yuslan and Sword Saint Repilder as wildcards.’
"Awooo."
"Hey, you punk. Don’t bite my clothes!"
"But stiiill."
"Hey, hey, wait. Stop. Watch where you’re drooling!"
Amidst the chaos, Taehyun welcomed Grai and Dropin, preparing to unveil another massive surprise.
---
The sound of heavy footsteps echoed through the throne room.
The two brothers, separated for decades, had reunited following their father’s death, and now they stood face-to-face once again.
The younger brother, once renowned for his kindness, had become a tyrant. The older brother, practically chased out of the royal family, had become an Attacker.
They stared at each other, letting the heavy silence stretch on.
The first to speak was Yuda, who had abandoned the name Arthur van Noah to live entirely as an Attacker.
"I came back alive from Balak... You probably don’t believe it. But you must have a rough idea, Leon."
"It would be more accurate to say you made a contract with Taehyun. So, what brings you here, Yuda?"
"I’m not here as Yuda right now. I’m here as Arthur van Noah. You’d do well to watch your tone."
"I asked what brings you here."
Arthur remained silent.
The tyrant on the throne fixed him with a frigid glare. In that instant, the fragile hope Arthur had been clinging to crumbled.
He had wanted to believe that Leon had simply changed due to Leopard’s death, but even after the internal conflict was settled, his demeanor remained as cold as ever.
The gentle brother from their childhood was truly gone.
Unable to hold back the intense emotions welling up inside him, Arthur finally snapped.
"You damn bastard. You’ve done enough. What more are you trying to achieve with all this madness? Wasn’t your original goal to restore what our father lost?!"
Leon offered no response.
"I pitied you! That’s why I followed your instructions ever since the succession ceremony. Even when I doubted your methods, I helped you, believing it was for our father’s sake. But allying with Dungeon Masters to summon Undead Soldiers wasn’t enough for you? Now you’re waging war across the entire continent?! Have you completely abandoned your humanity, Leoooooon?!"
The once-peaceful capital had degenerated into a desolate, lawless wasteland, and the palace maids lived in constant terror of the tyrant.
It was a mockery to even call it a kingdom anymore. Arthur hadn’t helped his brother and marched on Balak just to see their home reduced to this.
Thinking of the comrades who had sacrificed themselves for him, Arthur poured out all his pent-up fury.
"Say something! Make an excuse!"
"...Hmm, is that all?"
"What?"
"It’s a pity. If you weren’t already bound by a contract, I could have easily utilized you through mind control. For now, I’ll let you go. It’s not out of any lingering affection—the original owner of this body is just making a huge fuss, begging me not to kill you. You’ve outlived your usefulness anyway, so it doesn’t matter. Get lost."
The heavy doors to the throne room swung open.
The Centrix Duke and Viscount Lawrence Crowley stood there, nodding lightly and gesturing toward the exit.
It was nothing short of a forced exile. It felt sickeningly similar to the day he was abandoned by the royal family.
Arthur bit his lip, bowed his head, and miserably walked out of the royal palace.
’...Taehyun was right. That guy is no longer the Leon I knew. I have to get Regia out of here, at least.’
His steps naturally carried him toward the Marius Garden.
However, the once-vibrant garden was unrecognizable. The abundantly blooming flowers had all withered, likely tainted by the necromancer’s foul energy.
In the center of the decay stood a woman, looking down at the dead petals.
It was Regia van Noah, the third princess of the Aneis Kingdom. Arthur approached her, his expression unreadable.
Arthur stood speechless.
"Ah, Arthur. Look at these flowers. Every single one of them has withered. It used to be so beautiful..."
"...Regia."
"How did it come to this? Why... why did you take so long to return? Do you know how long I’ve waited? It was so hard being here all alone!"
Regia threw herself into his arms. It was the first time he had felt her warm embrace since they were children.
Although the politics of the nobility had driven them apart over the years, her warmth remained exactly as he remembered.
Arthur hesitated for a moment before gently patting her back.
"...I’m sorry. I won’t leave you alone ever again. Let’s get out of here."
"W-Where are we going?"
"There’s only one place left for us now."
Since Taehyun’s information had proven true, the condition was met. It was time to fulfill his end of the bargain.
Yuda pulled the contract from his pocket and handed it to her.
"You just need to sign this."
"W-Wait a minute. Where exactly are we going? Shouldn’t you at least explain things first?!"
"I’ll explain the details later. For now, just know that we’re heading to Balak."
"...Heavens."
Of all the places to flee, they were seeking refuge in a dungeon.
However, since Regia van Noah knew that Yuda’s raid party had been wiped out in Balak, she could somewhat piece together the underlying circumstances.
"I understand. I just need to sign here, right?"
"Wait a minute. Even considering I was captured, aren’t you accepting this a bit too easily?"
"What do you mean? The mere fact that they kept you alive and let you return is proof enough that they’re different from ordinary demons."
"...I think you’re under a massive misconception, but whatever."
With Regia van Noah’s signature, the second contract was activated. Yuda immediately pulled out his communication device and contacted Taehyun.
"I’ve made my choice. We’re going to Balak."
—"I didn’t force you. You made this choice yourself. Don’t regret it later."
"I won’t. And make a contract with my surviving comrade, Hicleu, as well. Tell her I asked, and she’ll accept right away."
—"Alright. I’ll summon you over now."
With that, the prince and princess of the Aneis Kingdom officially affiliated themselves with Balak and were transported to the dungeon.
---
Meanwhile, the Centrix Duke, who was observing the garden from the top floor of the royal palace, turned to Leon van Noah.
"It appears he is taking Princess Regia van Noah as well. Are you truly going to let them leave?"
By affiliating with Balak, they were now enemies of the kingdom. Even for a prince and princess, there could be no exceptions.
Yet, unlike any other day, the tyrant showed mercy.
"Let them go."
"...Understood."
The Centrix Duke harbored his doubts but simply bowed his head and left the throne room.
Leon van Noah stood in silence.
Left alone, Leon van Noah scowled at the system message floating in the air.
[Leon van Noah Synchronization Rate: 49%]
The emotions and memories of the body’s original owner were slowly bleeding into his mind.
Until recently, he had barely even noticed the synchronization rate, but the number had steadily climbed, making the lingering consciousness difficult to suppress.
’Damn it. This is exactly why I sent him to Balak to be dealt with quickly.’
He should have purged his remaining blood relatives from the start. Chewing on his regret, Leon van Noah pulled out a communication device.
—"This is Paieon of Goldenfish."
"Make your move on the Anslake Family. You know the target, right?"
—"Yes. Viscount Momonte Anslake’s daughter, Valona Anslake. I have my orders."
"Execute it as quickly as possible. I need the four guilds ready to mobilize on my command."
—"Understood!"
The royal special intelligence agency, Goldenfish.
They were the royal family’s loyal hounds, handling everything from gathering continental intelligence to espionage, sabotage, and reconnaissance.
Infiltrating the Anslake estate and kidnapping the target would be child’s play for them.
Leon van Noah’s gaze shifted between Balak and the Ain Kart Holy Kingdom on his world map, a sinister smirk curling the corners of his mouth.