Episode 35. Integrity and innocence (1)
Harkon remembered his last day in the Empire.
The master’s bitter voice was still unforgettable.
“The ordeal never ends. Harkon.”
“…your majesty.”
“What does God want from me? Even if I become emperor, I can’t fathom what that means. I feel like I was thrown into a deep darkness where there is no light…”
A demon appeared and the adventurers disappeared.
Even that was not enough, the territory of the empire evaporated without a trace of the people.
Even the Magic Tower.
Harkon was sure.
The culprit behind all this is the devil.
But even knowing the reason, there was no way to fix it.
Fighting against the devil beyond that strength was a series of despair.
His lord knew that too.
“They say that a demon corps commander has appeared in the Northwest. be a commander Thousands of soldiers will die in this expedition as well. I drive them to limb with my hands.”
“Your Majesty, those words…”
“Harkon. Every night I ask God Goddess what did we do so wrong? If you feel sorry for us like this, please let me know what choice I have to make.”
The emperor laughed bitterly.
“But there was never a response.”
Harkon said nothing.
He was simply fulfilling his duty as the master’s sword.
“I will return after defeating the demon corps commander. your majesty.”
That was my last memory.
When you come to your senses during an expedition.
“…!”
Harkon woke up in a strange world.
At that time, for the first time, Harkon was able to understand his master’s heart.
The feeling of being truly abandoned by God.
“Why! why do we We have a demon corps commander…!!”
This strange world is the home of adventurers.
The adventurers who disappeared are here.
The building that evaporated, the People’s Magic Tower, also exists here.
When I found out about it, I even had hope.
But that hope quickly vanished like a bubble.
“…you guys don’t know why either?”
The adventurer’s hometown was also in chaos.
The devil’s grip had reached this place.
‘What am I supposed to do here?’
The first thing that came to my mind was the magic tower.
‘If it’s the Mage Tower.’
if it’s their wisdom.
Is there a way out of this situation?
But aren’t they the wizards of the mage tower that even the emperor didn’t care about?
Asking for their help was not realistically expected.
Then, rumors came.
“…Yusra Islands?”
Legendary Treasure Island.
The story of how Yusura Islands appeared in this world.
A flimsy hope?
I honestly didn’t expect it.
‘Legends are just legends.’
Even if the treasure of the Yusra Islands exists.
What good would the treasure be in this situation?
Nevertheless, the reason Harkon and the Lion Heart Knights found Yusra Islands was simple.
I felt like I would really go crazy if I stayed still.
‘…I can’t lose.’
If the cause of everything is the devil.
Because I wanted to resist the devil’s tricks to the end.
Then, I met a company adventurer.
‘What about that brooch? It must be the magic tower…!’
At first, I thought it was a one-of-a-kind opportunity.
To think that there would be an adventurer with a close relationship with the Mage Tower.
I thought that if I went through him, I would be able to contact the Mage Tower.
It was approached with that purpose.
But as time went on, the idea changed.
‘…Even when I found out about my impure purpose.’
rather than making it an issue.
generously passed
That generosity also showed up in battle.
Even if you have that kind of magical ability.
They just open the way for them to be active.
Harkon, who has seen the arrogant wizards of the Mage Tower.
He couldn’t help but admire it.
‘This is truly the attitude of a true nobleman…!’
It was from then.
“Sir Hoyeol.”
The title for adventurer Ho-yeol has changed.
But the admiration did not end there.
The island shook and revealed a golden palace.
Harkon was well aware of the creepy aura.
‘I can’t believe the devil exists here too.’
He was also a very strong guy.
Harkon swallowed a sigh.
‘After all, did I play on their palms again this time?’
But the sighs soon turned into sighs of relief.
“I was waiting.”
“…?”
“You despicable devil who pretends to be evil.”
“…!!”
It was also because of the heat.
Harkon couldn’t believe it even when he saw it.
how the devil
How can you be so confident in front of a guy who claims to be evil?
‘What is that unshakable grace?’
This kind of attitude was not seen even in the emperor himself.
Harkon couldn’t help but blame himself.
“…My negligence, Your Majesty. If only I knew a little bit sooner.”
If only I had known of Lord Hoyeol’s existence.
Even before the devil’s clutches spread throughout the empire.
I could have killed them.
Regret for a while.
Soon, Harkon’s eyes flashed.
‘okay. This is an opportunity to correct mistakes.’
No more excuses were needed.
Even here in the world of adventurers, demons existed.
It didn’t matter if this was a trial from God or punishment from heaven.
‘I will fight.’
How can you say that you will protect the empire and the emperor if you can’t even defeat the demons of this world!
As if supporting Harkon’s decision, Hoyeol’s words continued.
“I don’t believe in God.”
Indeed, it is a declaration befitting of Ho-yeol.
‘Maybe we’ll get along well.’
Harkon laughed.
Pounding—
the sleeping lion’s heart started beating again.
*
Knights of the Lionheart.
Why are they called Arcana’s strongest knights?
I can see why.
Skeletons
approaching with the sound of grinding bones.
The level of those ugly bastards was a whopping level 500.
It was only natural to be shocked the moment you checked it.
I heard Leonie’s absurd voice.
“…The difficulty level is also crazy. Really.”
Of course, there are differences in the level of expression.
I agree.
No matter how bad it is, what is the difficulty level?
[Soldier unable to sleep: Lv. 500]
[Soldier unable to sleep: Lv.
500] [Soldier unable to sleep: Lv
.
There are so many that you can see them from a distance.
Even if the undead are a race with clear weaknesses.
If the level difference was this extreme, even the weak points would have to be blunted.
‘Anyway, it’s impossible to save mana.’
It was the moment I thought…
“Give your heart. So that the Ho-Yeol Lord can reach the Giant!”
Suddenly heard Harkon’s cry.
“Offer your heart!”
He could feel the morale of the Lion Heart knights boiling.
It was not an illusion.
Knights who go to the forefront.
They literally started crushing the skeletons.
What stands out among them.
Three knights including Harkon.
[Halkon Kings Guard: Lv.600]
[Yesica Bright: Lv.430]
[Enoch Loren: Lv.400]
Goooo─
The softly shining blade of Harkon.
Every time he swung his sword, the skeletons sat down helplessly.
Harkon’s level was overwhelmingly superior to Skeleton’s, so it wouldn’t be strange.
But Yeshika and Enoch.
How can I explain the performance of these two knights?
‘In terms of level, it’s definitely inferior. but.’
Although not as good as Harkon, he was doing a great job.
That it is stronger than the level.
I could figure out why.
‘A shining sword. It’s also that one.’
Gooooh—
it wasn’t a bright light like Harkon.
But Yeshika and Enoch.
A faint light shimmered from the two swords.
That’s the source of strength that even offsets the level.
I looked at the light with Grandfel’s gaze.
Just like the first time I witnessed “magic”.
Expression of search interference…
Like when scrawling a word I didn’t know on paper.
I was able to recognize the identity of that light.
‘…sword skill.’
Does such a thing really exist?
Even I had doubts.
But you don’t have to think too hard.
It’s like magic, because it’s something you’ll know when you experience it.
And at this moment, what’s more important than that.
‘By the way what? Give your heart for me?’
Harkon’s attitude was getting more and more extreme.
‘scary. scared.’
Of course, I don’t even care about that declaration.
I was feeling it for granted.
It was natural for the players present to react violently.
“…How did you build that level of intimacy?”
“Ugh, that’s a monster. monster.”
“As expected, you are more than I imagined, Mr. Hoyeol!”
Taemin Nam.
It seems that it is not a common sight even for top-ranked players.
Wouldn’t this be a situation where you could put strength on your shoulders?
I don’t know what it was, but I might have felt proud.
But my shoulders were heavy.
Noblesse Oblige.
Thanks to that tiring setup.
Because I couldn’t help but feel responsible for the sacrifice of the Lion Heart Knights.
therefore.
“I found it.”
A shadow sitting on a throne.
A message that floats over your head.
[Seven Deadly Incarnation of Greed: Lv.650]
I didn’t waver even in front of that evil.
Another step—
a step full of confidence.
Upright back and neck angle.
A gaze that does not bend even on a lofty throne.
I opened my mouth.
“How long are you planning to sit? You little devil.”
As always.
“Befitting an inferior race, you can’t find any manners.”
.
.
.
“!”
Taemin Nam and Leonie.
The two of them shouted without asking who came first.
“Everyone get out of here!!”
“Don’t come any closer!!”
It wasn’t another monster, it was a demon.
It is basic that it is stronger than the absolute level.
Demons who inflict terrible status ailments.
‘I’m not an opponent who can do anything with the number of heads!’
The guild members, whose level and equipment items were lower than themselves, could not stand it at all.
It was an order made with such judgment.
Even so.
“Fuck really.”
Leonie bit her lower lip.
It was never something that I could be fine with myself.
My current level is 352.
It was a difference of 300 levels.
“…Does this seem like a big deal?”
369 levels.
The situation was not different for Nam Tae-min.
Berserker and Barbarian.
Although they were the ones whose fighting spirit increased as the war situation was unfavorable.
On the contrary, his excellent fighting sense was telling.
I guess I got it right.
However, the two were quick to judge the situation.
‘…Even if I can’t do anything.’
can’t be a burden
Having made up his mind, Nam Tae-min opened his mouth.
“I will endure as long as I can. However, if I can no longer resist the abnormal status… I will withdraw from the battle without notice.”
“me too. If it doesn’t work out after a fight, I’ll just sever the Achilles tendon…”
“Oh, that’s a good way.”
I will cut my Achilles tendon myself.
A declaration worthy of a berserker and a barbarian.
It was an ignorant way to hear it, but it was the best judgment.
Because I’ve seen these two often.
A player who has a status effect and aims a knife at an ally.
It was better to crawl on the ground than to be a threat to our allies.
It was an injury that could have been treated if it survived.
“…?!”
It was when I thought so.
The guy sitting on the throne moved.
at the same time.
Suddenly, my heart started to feel tight.
[The Seven Deadly Sins, the incarnation of greed, is watching you.]
…What is this message?
“Damn it.”
You can’t resist even for a moment?
Not usually demons.
Literally, it is ‘evil’.
At this rate, getting a status ailment is only a matter of time.
He might aim a knife at Ho-yeol at his ally.
I have to step back quickly…
[Judgement is clouded by the unbearable desire.]
…Is there any need for that?
If you just draw this stuffy chest.
Could it be that everything is over?
[Status Abnormality: Greed occurs.]
It was the moment the two of them tried to pick up the sword with trembling hands.
Hoyeol’s voice was heard.
“There is no need for that.”
It was a very generous voice.
“Here I am.”
Enough to calm even the greed that was seething in my heart.
Cheng─
Two swords falling to the floor.
…What am I thinking?
Suddenly, the two came to their senses.
It wasn’t an illusion.
Ho-yeol neutralized the status ailment of the gigantic evil.
For sitting arrogantly on a throne.
“Who are you? How…?”
The uneasy, trembling voice is proof of that.
[The ‘Vampire Count’s Orb’ has been selected as the sacrifice.]
[The skill ‘Exorcism’ is activated.]
[Invite the incarnation of the Seven Deadly Sins to the ‘ritual’.]
The demon hunt has begun.
