novelraw Chapter 306: Episode 306
Chapter 306: Episode 306
A contract is formed with the consent of all involved parties.
The agreement binding one to Balak’s faction was no different. Although it had been practically forced upon him, the contract was technically complete.
Nine specific clauses applied to Momonte Anslake.
Every single one had been meticulously crafted to prevent him from betraying Balak or turning against them. Bound by these terms, he had served Balak faithfully while steadily expanding the Anslake family’s influence. But now, in an absurd twist of fate, his one vulnerability, something that never should have been used against him, had been exploited.
"...Father."
That weakness was his only daughter, the person he cherished most in the world: Valona Anslake. Even now, she couldn’t fully grasp the situation, her mind still reeling from the psychological trauma she had previously endured.
Protecting her for the rest of his life wouldn’t have been enough, yet here she was, taken captive. For a father, it was a sight that brought absolute despair.
"I suppose I should thank you," Leon van Noah sneered. "Thanks to the Anslake family, we’ve been able to supply equipment and provisions for countless soldiers. You’ve worked hard, Viscount Momonte Anslake."
"Please... please, just leave Valona out of this. I beg you, do not touch my child!" Momonte pleaded. "She hasn’t even recovered from her previous shock. She is mentally unstable!"
"That much is true," Leon agreed coldly. "However, I cannot let a traitor live. I’ve known for a while now that you were affiliated with Balak. There is only one reason I let you live despite knowing that."
During the Aneis Kingdom’s internal conflict, the one who had benefited the most from Count Dinen’s disappearance wasn’t the two Transcendents, but Momonte Anslake. Recently promoted to viscount, Momonte had rapidly expanded his family’s influence. He had even secured an ongoing contract with the Balak Merchant Guild, making a name for the Anslakes across the continent through four major guilds.
As a result, they naturally amassed immense wealth and resources. It was no exaggeration to say that the royal family had been steadily relying on Momonte’s support.
The only reason Leon had kept him alive was to fund and prepare his mighty army. It certainly didn’t mean the king was granting him a special pardon or accepting a traitor into his ranks.
Leon called forth the Attackers he had on standby and readied a set of shackles.
"Since you signed the contract, you must already belong to Balak," Leon said. "That bastard Taehyun placed a separate restriction on you, but you don’t need to worry. The only command you’ll issue is for all the guild’s Attackers to be summoned to the royal castle. You won’t be leading any attacks against Balak directly."
"Grr... Leon van Noah, you bastard!"
"She’s a daughter you cherish so much, yet you refuse to save her?" Leon taunted. "And here I was planning to give this bitch a rather fresh gift."
Undead Soldiers materialized beside Valona, who was already bound in shackles. Momonte, who had been struggling against the grip of the Attackers, turned pale with fright and slumped to the floor.
"Ahhh, please don’t do this! I’m a foolish father who couldn’t even properly care for his daughter just to reach this position. How can you force such a choice upon me, Leon van Noah?!"
"If you want to guarantee your daughter’s safety, make the call right now. Otherwise, my mind won’t change."
Momonte fell silent.
He never had a choice to begin with. Balak or Valona. Between the two, the most important thing was his one and only daughter.
With his head bowed in defeat, Momonte’s lips slowly began to part.
---
At that moment, within the Golpein Territory, a man and a woman stood facing each other in a tense standoff.
"Well, well. Now even the head of the Druids has shown up," the man scoffed. "You look pretty decent, but your eyes are completely dead, aren’t they?"
He was facing the Church of Abundance, an organization that had been established in the East for hundreds of years. The Druids revered the energy of the earth, establishing a religion entirely opposite to the Ain Kart Holy Kingdom. They were known to continuously and sequentially rotate their hierarchical leadership.
However, the position of Archbishop was an exception. Naturally, no matter how much a human transcended their physical limits, they would age and eventually face death. The bishops had consistently changed over the generations, but Messiah alone had remained completely unchanged.
"You look pathetic, and your eyes are rotten to the core," Messiah retorted. "It’s truly pitiful."
"Ah, come to think of it, I heard the Archbishop of the Druids is several hundred years old. In that case, despite your looks, should I call you an old hag? Man, it’s really awkward to figure out how to address you."
"Arrogant fool."
"You’re quite an arrogant bitch yourself, you know."
Her green priestess robes fluttered in the wind. At the same time, their auras clashed in midair, the sheer pressure causing the surrounding buildings to collapse. It was a war of nerves between two Transcendents who had surpassed human limits.
The first to move was the Sword Saint Repilder, gripping his Sword of Annihilation. He closed the distance in an instant, his eyes flashing dangerously.
[The SS-rank Mercenary Sword Saint Repilder is casting Presence of the Sword Saint.]
[The Church of Abundance’s Archbishop Messiah has cast Shade of the Earth.]
[Sealing Failed!]
[The energy of the earth has blocked the restricted-use skill.]
The sword thrusting toward her slender figure was abruptly blocked. Repilder didn’t feel the least bit regretful about his restricted-use skill failing to seal her, but the Baekho that suddenly appeared right before his eyes was a different story.
[Guardian of the Earth, Baekho]
The beast’s size was truly comparable to a mansion within the Golpein Territory. The energy of the earth faintly flowing from the massive claws that blocked his blade was also highly unusual.
"You’re a guy from another dimension," a voice echoed in his head. "You seem to be quite skilled with a sword, but I wonder if you can face me with that mana."
"Wow, now even the Baekho is talking," Repilder mocked. "Do all you Druid folks keep one or two of these pet dogs around?"
"Stop pretending to be relaxed!"
The middle of the street was gouged deeply by the beast’s strike. Repilder, who had stepped back just in time, whistled as he watched Baekho raise its massive paw again.
’Baekho, huh. I don’t know if I can handle this with my remaining Unique Mana.’
SS-rank mercenaries and above could extend their summoning duration using their own Unique Mana. However, even that had its limits.
He had already maintained his summon for over five days, meaning his reserves of Unique Mana were running dangerously low. Messiah and Baekho had immediately noticed his bluff, but with the Tyrant keeping a close eye on the territory, it was impossible for Repilder to simply retreat.
[The SS-rank Mercenary Sword Saint Repilder has cast Falling Sword.]
[The SS-rank Mercenary Sword Saint Repilder has cast Falling Sword.]
[The SS-rank Mercenary Sword Saint Repilder has cast Falling Sword.]
"Alright, let’s play for a bit, doggy."
"I’ll make sure you can’t run that arrogant mouth of yours anymore."
In an instant, massive Swords of Annihilation covered the sky. Messiah climbed onto Baekho’s back and began casting arts exclusive to the Archbishop.
[The Church of Abundance’s Archbishop Messiah has cast Law of the Earth.]
Soon, hundreds, no, thousands of trees shot up from the ground. Although they weren’t as massive as the World Tree within Balak, they were more than enough to block the swords raining down from the sky.
The two Transcendents engaged in a fierce close-quarters battle in the middle of the crumbling territory, each aiming to take the other’s life. Deafening booms and the sharp crack of shattering stone echoed as the Sword of Annihilation and the massive claws clashed once again.
The battle, which could only be described as a clash between monsters, continued to shake the entire Nihalas Plains, leaving tremendous devastation in its wake. As the fierce exchange of blows dragged on, Repilder began to feel the limits of his mana.
"Hey, I don’t think I can push myself any further. Can’t you just let me fall back now?" Repilder muttered. "I’ve defended the territory well enough so far, you piece of shit."
"What kind of nonsense are you spouting?!"
"I wasn’t talking to you. Ah, finally got a response."
In a flash, a summoning circle formed around him. Fortunately, his contractor must have been watching the battle within the territory, as a summoning item was used just in time.
"Oh no! Baekho, stop the summon!" Messiah cried out.
"Grr. You won’t escape!"
"Whoops. This is troublesome. See you later at the capital!"
Baekho urgently lunged forward, perhaps possessing an immobilization skill. Repilder lightly waved his hand and unleashed his final skill.
[The SS-rank Mercenary Sword Saint Repilder has cast Divine Punishment.]
[Thousands of Swords of Annihilation stored in the dimensional rift are fired at the target.]
Following the Falling Sword, thousands more Swords of Annihilation rained down relentlessly. Because of this, Baekho, who had been charging in full force, had no choice but to halt its attack and prioritize defense.
Seizing the opening, Repilder successfully returned to the capital to prepare for the final decisive battle.
---
[The chill of the Frost Queen Yuslan pierces your entire body.]
[The Commander of the Frost Army, Baphunreiter, is watching you.]
The double-edged sword that came down from the North had finally reached Ashlan, the capital of the Aneis Kingdom. To be exact, it was a standoff starting from the city walls opposite the capital. Judging by the fierce glares exchanged, it was clear that neither side had erased their hostility.
Taehyun waved his hand as he looked at Yuslan, who had appeared on the opposite side.
"It hasn’t even been that long since I released you from your seal, and you’ve already come all the way down here. I guess my words really bothered you that much?"
"You’re the child who freed me back then," Yuslan said. "It’s nice to see you again like this, but I can’t deny feeling a slight sense of disappointment."
"It’s only natural that you weren’t satisfied with Duke Peyton. But the two guys who are about to show up will be a bit different. Ah, should I say three guys?"
As soon as Taehyun finished speaking, a dimensional gate formed above the city walls. Yuslan, who had raised her hand, identified the two beings emerging from the gate and formed a smile on her lips.
"Oho, those two are definitely different. However, you are no exception either. Once that capital falls, my next targets will be you lot."
She was Witch Yuslan, a being on the same level as an SS-rank Hero. That was likely the reason she could act so relaxed even with two Transcendents standing in front of her.
For now, her gaze turning toward the capital Ashlan went exactly as Taehyun had planned. Taehyun looked at the Undead Soldiers and Main Forces pouring out from the city gates and issued orders to his faction members.
"Move all the shield-bearers to the front. Station the flying units in the rear so they can strike at the enemy’s weak points at the right moment. And if possible, deploy the Main Forces alongside the melee soldiers and have them conserve their skills."
The roughly 450,000 dungeon soldiers swiftly moved into their respective positions. Some faction members were stationed with the soldiers due to their class characteristics, but others fell back to the rear out of concern for the dungeon’s destruction.
However, Seonghwi was the only one who stood beside Taehyun, maintaining his position at the front lines.
"Alright. Give the order. Newbie, who do I need to take care of?" Seonghwi asked.
"Come to think of it, the contract hasn’t been finalized yet. For now, please deal with Duke Centrix. He turned his back on us."
"Hmm, the Sword Duke who supposedly splits dimensions, huh? He might just run away if things get desperate, so it’s best not to put too much faith in me."
"Well, if that happens, the Demon World gate will automatically be off the table."
A light banter continued between them. Meanwhile, the Siege-type Soldiers in the rear prepared to fire, gradually securing their line of sight.
Taehyun looked down at the communication device in his hand before finally ordering the advance.
"The final objective is Leon van Noah’s head. Everyone, advance!"
"Cover the entire capital in frost crystals!" Yuslan’s voice echoed.
"It is the royal command of His Highness Leon! All soldiers excluding the Undead Soldiers, prepare to counter the bombardment!"
"All Attackers, prepare your items! Focus on the Main Forces and target the key enemies!"
Soon, the voices of the commanders rang out across the battlefield. At the same time, the south and north gates of the capital opened, and the kingdom’s army and Undead Soldiers that had been waiting on standby poured out.
Duke Centrix headed to the south gate, and Viscount Crowley to the north gate. The four S-rank Attackers split into teams of two, taking on both armies simultaneously.
[The SS-rank Guardian, Commander of the Magic Palace Kaiharst, has cast Teaching of Ruin.]
The first to cast a skill was Commander Kaiharst, who was defending the east gate. Taehyun watched the massive mace hurtling toward the shield-bearers’ position and issued an order to Grai.
"Block it!"
"Yeth thir! Underthtood!"
Instantly, the Guardian of Balak, who had grown, or rather, regressed through Evolution, made his appearance.
[The SS-rank Guardian, Guardian of Balak Grai, has cast Defend Balak.]
[The effect of Teaching of Ruin is blocked.]
[The power of an equivalent level has been completely nullified.]
"What? My Teaching of Ruin was..." Kaiharst stammered in disbelief.
"Not a chance ath long ath I’m here!" Grai declared.
"Are you telling me a little kid like that blocked it?!"
"Grr. I can’t thtand it!"
From his very first appearance on the battlefield, the little kid Grai drew the attention of every enemy present.