I found the princess on the terrace of the same Manor, and she somehow also found out that I had arrived as her veiled face turned towards the skies I was at. I could feel the smile from the veil as the princess went towards closed doors with me following close behind. The updates I heard when she began talking to me privately were huge, to say the least.
The discussion was occurring as I also took the time to finish absorbing the EPIC cores and start on the LEGENDARY ones that I recently gained.
The forces of the Frozen Kingdom would be clashing sometime soon if they hadn't already, and I had to move fast to join them before too many casualties occurred. The other thing that caused me to be pleasantly surprised was the fact that this Princess was now the future Queen. A slight smile came to my face as I thought of the implications of this.
I didn't want to spend too much time here while others could be battling this instant, so after knowing about the location of the forces being cl.u.s.tered between Valen County and Shadow Dukedom, I ended the discussion early while enjoying the icy look on Adelaide's face that seemed to portray calmness, but I could see worry at the same time.
I couldn't help but reach out towards the delicate face and pushed aside the blue hair, bringing the crystal face fully into my view.
"Don't worry, I'll be sure to bring your family back safe and sound."
The girl seemed dazed as my hand brushed past her face, and I flashed away with [Teleport] towards the direction of the battle. I already set the Frozen Kingdom as one of the three Teleport Points I could come back to no matter how far I was.
My direction was the battlefield as I prepared myself for the oncoming clash against demons. I looked through my constantly changing attribute panel at this time and was met with an unexpected surprise.
[Noah Osmont][Occupation: Hunter]
[Vitality: 410]
[Focus: - ]
[Strength: 418]
[Skill(s) :: [F][E][D][C][B][A: Flight-100, Instant Transfer-100, Pain Resistance-100, Recorder-100, Language Comprehension-100, Lion's Roar-23,Water Barrier-100, Pierce-100, Executor's Speed-100, Sense Heat Source-100, Silent Communication-75, Regal Archer's Eyes-100, Cook-38]
[A+:: Arctic Zone-100, Relegator's Spear-23, Immutable Regeneration-100, Abstruse Cover-100, Barrier of Illusion-100, Paladin's Blessing-11, Pursuing Infernal Lightning-1]
[S :: Protection of the Wounded-100, Flash-79, Aura of Belligerence-88, Enfeeble-89, Phoenix Arrow-1, Shield Slam-8, Obfuscation-88, Rune of Defense-88, Dragon Scales-88, Budding Farmer-8, Ricocheting Shield-1, Bear's Fighting Style-1, Archer's Gamble-1, Lion's Heart-76, Speedster-76, Smouldering Sword Strike-25, Earthen Spears-1, Thought Acceleration-76, Crisis Avoidance-76]
[S+:: Saint's Return-100, Devastation-95, Plague Bearer-100]
[EPIC :: Corrupted Sword Saint's Incarnation-38, Iceberg-25, Absolute Zero-35, Bone Spears-9, Bear Emperor's Fur-14, Life Steal-1, Teleport-5, Arctic Breath-1]
[LEGENDARY :: Sigil of Hegemony-1]
[UNIQUE :: Spiritual Land Management]
[Equipment: (3x B-Ring of Storage)(A-Ring of Storage)(S-Storage Pouch)(S-Veiled Suit)(EPIC-Kingslayer)(EPIC-Rat King's Mask)(EPIC-Prismatic Guardian) (EPIC-Unshattered Charity) (EPIC-Tigereye's Roots]
Skills that I had been actively using so frequently and a few that were always activated had long reached the required proficiency for combination. [Abstruse Cover] and [Barrier of Illusion] were quickly combined to give the rank S [Illusory Cover].
The biggest surprise that occurred next was me putting the seemingly incompatible skills of [Summon Plague Bearer] and [Saint's Return] that should have been polar opposites, and yet the [Skill Combination] shone a blinding blue light, an unexpected product coming out right after.
[Summon Holy Blight] :: A being that should not exist. Releases an aura that surrounds itself and the summoner, providing constant healing while releasing destructive and poisonous plagues on its foes. Among its tools are Noxious Breath, Zombie Master, and Two-Faced.
The skill made me stop my constant teleportations towards the direction of Valen County and Shadow Dukedom as I gave it an even closer look. I couldn't help but summon the beast right away to see just how insane it had become now that it was EPIC.
A malachite runic circle twice as big as it was previously came to life, this time colors of gold were inlaid with the abundant green. The formation of this new summon was grand, as when the light died down, an even larger monstrosity that now neared 10 meters came to be.
It now seemed like a humongous green humanoid with runic tattoos of gold all over its body. The wings on its back were now bright gold, filled with thick muscles that dangerously flapped in the air.
OOOOOH!
It let out a deadly shockwave as it was released for the first time since its upgrade, the waves of power it released were much higher than even the [Emperor Penguin] at its peak. I didn't think my excitement could increase even more, but I was curious about its additional skill besides the ones that had a name change but still held similar functions with many more additions. I sent the command for it to use [Two-faced], and watched as an amazing sight opened up before me.
The nearly 10-meter tall green-gold monstrosity shrank down to two meters with a blinding light, and the result was as if I was looking in a mirror. A figure with long black hair and golden wings of light that held a face that was 99% similar to mine made its appearance.
My face, or really its face, seemed to hold the most compassionate gaze as the whole body was letting out a sheen of golden light. This was the poisonous abomination? Haha!
I laughed at the unexpected usage of the [Two-faced] skill that this upgraded Holy Blight could use, and rushed towards where the battle was occurring with even more vigor as many ways to use my new skills played out in front of my eyes.
As I continued to teleport across the frozen plains, I found that I was self-reflecting on the things I was currently doing. I began this journey because I felt weak and cowardly, and I wanted to change that.
I moved with even more conviction when I received the information on the enemies that had caused all of the death and destruction that took away the lives of my family and many more people. Now, even though all of those reasons were still what carried me forward, I also found myself looking forward to even more of these fantastic things I continued to experience.
The ability to cast the amazing skills that I continued to gain, magical environments like Spiritual Lands which held their own secrets for me to unravel, the foods and cultures I come across, and the many people I met along the way.
Even with the goal of getting back against my enemies, I also enjoyed and looked forward to experiencing all of these great things while I moved along in this journey. I was just touching the rank that was LEGENDARY at this point in time, which rank would I reach months or years from now? There were too many things for me to look forward to and unravel, and I couldn't wait!
Chapter 110 - The Ill.u.s.trious King, Roark Belmont
Sometime before, in the cold mountains between the Valen County and Shadow Dukedom.
---
Lines of soldiers, adventurers, and mercenaries were filling up a wide path between two large mountains. This path was the only way to pass through to even get near the counties and dukedoms surrounding the Frozen Kingdom, unless you wanted to trek through the dangerous mountains.
Horses and other magical beasts were standing on the side of humans, patiently watching for the forces of Demons to arrive. King Roark was in an enclosed tent talking with a few Battalion Commanders when a blaring horn rang out through. Everyone inside the tent stood up imposingly as they looked at each other, knowing the battle was about to begin.
King Roark took the lead as his body began thrumming with wild energy, heading to the front lines and instilling a sense of power to any people he passed. A few miles away from them, large groups of beasts could be seen as a terrifying sound also began to echo.
GHUUUUUM!
The sound
s of their heavy steps were not the first thing that reached them, but the extremely clear droning sound that continued to come out every few seconds.
GHUUUUM!
The defenders of the Frozen Kingdom were fully battle-ready as they saw their enemies come to full view, hearing one last droning sound before everything came to a standstill.
The forces of the Demon Legion had stopped. They stood cleanly in their lines, multiple different ranks of C through S mixed in together. Large reptilian beasts and [Demon Ox] could be seen carrying many of the demons that had more power.
A few [Mephitic Turtles] stood imposingly as EPIC Demon Commanders could be seen on top of their hard shells that were fastened with luxurious seats. There were multiple Demon Commanders, many of them holding dangerously red glowing weapons.
The largest beast on the Demon Legion's side was a [Komodo Dragon] nearing ten meters. On its back could be seen an expertly made tent where a gorgeous figure was now coming out of.
Demon King Gremory, of the 56th rank, had made his appearance. He had a sly smile on his face as he pushed the scantily clad figures of [Succubi] back into the tent on top of the beast as he stepped outside.
His appearance was met with horror as he released a pressure that seemed to press down on the wills of all those standing against him.
[Demon King's Haki] was fully activated as Gremory made his debut. He had an imposing air that made him seem like the most powerful in the world, the waves of LEGENDARY power making themselves extremely clear.
Fear.
Silence.
As these two forces stared at one another, not a single force moved. Only the cold winds of winter that ravaged the mountains could be heard whistling by.
King Roark Belmont was at the forefront of the forces as his body began to burn up and began to expand. He released a blast of light that passed through the snowy fields and offset some of the terror released from the Demon King. His vigorous voice rang out right after.
"My people!"
HUT!
The soldiers, adventurers, and mercenaries lined up behind him shouted strongly as they smashed their feet or weapons into the ground, making for an imposing air.
"A battle that decides our fate is here!"
HUT!
The impact of their weapons or feet hitting the ground was getting stronger as the whole mountain range trembled when it occurred.
"Fight for your lives!"
HUT!
"Fight for Honor!"
HUT!
"For the families back home!"
HUT!
"For Humanity!!!"
OOOOOH!!!
The forces were screaming and moving at full speed as they felt their bodies strengthened to unbelievable degrees, reaching levels of power they had never crossed before. This was one of the skills of the great King Roark Belmont.
{Ill.u.s.trious Ruler} :: Majesty is in your blood. Your words carry great momentum to all the subjects that are fortunate enough to hear them. Applied effects are Clear Mind, Strengthened Will, and Boost Power.
Unique Skill, {Ill.u.s.trious Ruler}. One of the main factors that allowed Roark Belmont to rise through the ranks and obtain the loyalty of many powerful human forces, eventually uniting them under his rule. The addition of his capable wife, Annalise, had made it possible to preserve the human kingdom for the last century.
His body had finally finished expanding, and he stood closest to the Demon Legion as they saw the ruler they would be clashing with today. Roark's body stood more than five meters tall. A thin layer of stretched armor tightly hugged his body as it shone a golden light.
He seemed like the personification of a man made of gold as multiple protrusions of his steeled muscles imposingly stood out. No weapons were in his hands as his fists shone dangerously, seemingly more dangerous than any sharpened blade. This was the LEGENDARY skill that all those who stood against him feared.
[Gold Man] :: Overcome the limits of your body as it is strengthened to its utmost potential. +300% Physical Damage, +300% Speed, +300% Armor, +300% Healing Effects. The illusive power of gold follows all of your attacks.
His gold figure let out swirls of wild power as his eyes found their target, and he disappeared from his location. The battle had begun!
BOOM!
The scene was too fast to catch, but the Ill.u.s.trious King has already reached the center of the Demon Legion, his fist directly clashing against the LEGENDARY Demon King Gremory. The Demon King had a wicked smile on his face as his palm met the glistening gold punch.
The entire tent behind him was ripped to shreds as a gold force traveled all around the area. The weak [Succubi] that were still in the tent atop the beast found their bodies becoming shredded as they turned into messy pulps of blood and gore.
Demon King Gremory looked at the gold human in front of him with a curious smile, not caring the least about the deaths of all the playthings he brought with him. The Demon Commanders on their own beasts saw this clash, but they had full confidence in their leader and focused their rush to meet the Battalion Commanders of the human forces.
YAAAH!
Clashes began to occur between the two armies as all sorts of elemental attacks roiled out. Arcs of lightning could be seen in one location while huge waves of water smashed down and drowned the demon forces. Walls of earth constantly rose and fell as bubbling magma burned soldiers and adventurers.
At the center of the Demon Legion, Gremory pulled his palm that had stopped the much larger fist back as he stretched his body, treating what was about to come as a light exercise. This was arrogance of an extreme degree. This was arrogance born out of trust in one's own dominating strength.
The body of the Demon King lost its upper layer of clothing as his red chest and abdominal muscles made themselves prominent. The horn shooting from his head shone in a dangerous red light as he laughed.
"The King in the North! Entertain me with all your best, for I have been truly bored so far!"
The Ill.u.s.trious King was not one to be told what to do, as even before the words finished, the tight golden body moved dangerously and a ferocious axe kick smashed into the head of the Demon King.
BOOM!
Chapter 111 - Pain
Blasts of gold and red could be seen appearing in and out of the huge battlefield as the strongest powers of LEGENDARY rank clashed against one another. The King of the Frozen Kingdom looked like a sculpted figure of gold as he displayed a graceful fighting style that used his skill, [Gold Man], to the fullest.
A vigorous fighting style was being used as all sorts of punches and kicks were thrown out heavily, blasting into the body of the Demon King. Roark was dishing out purely physical attacks with extreme speeds that the smiling Gremory had to bring all his attention to blocking the strikes with his fair palms.
BOOM!
Their figures clashed once again as Roark looked at the battlefield around him. The EPIC Commanders were furiously clashing against their counterparts while trying their best to protect their regiments, but many deaths were occurring.
The [Komodo Dragons] would throw out blazing flames as an area of attack that burnt tens of soldiers, while the [Mephitic Turtles] were throwing out poisonous beams of light that decimated the human forces.
OOOH!
Roark let out a roar as his body moved faster, keeping an eye on the Demon King as his figure quickly went to reinforce a struggling Battalion Commander. The commander was being overwhelmed by two EPIC Ogres that were using their powerful maces to corner him. If he didn't get help soon, he would only face death.
Roark saw that the Demon King stood still at the position he left him in as he neared the Battalion Commander, glad he could save at least one of his friends in this battle.
He just missed the imperceptible smile on the Demon King's face.
The two ogres were near his attack range as he prepared to intercept them, when a drastic change occurred as he felt a large impact.
BOOM!
>
Seemingly out of nowhere, even with his eyes still kept on the Demon King behind him, something of similar strength had smashed into him and pushed him back. His golden figure looked up in shock as he was met with a beast shining in blue color. It had the striking head of a lion, a pulsating red venomous tail, and wide outstretched wings.
He could hear the laughs of the Demon King as he confirmed the identity of a LEGENDARY ranked beast in front of him, his face changing all color.
This was a primal beast called upon from Demon King Gremory's unique skill, {Primal Conjurer}
The [Blue Manticore] roared furiously as another one exactly the same size as it with terrifying power also appeared.
A demon king in the back, two LEGENDARY beasts in the front. The King was cornered.
OOH!
A battle cry escaped his lips as his body flared up even more, pushing [Gold Man] to its fullest as he disappeared from the location and began to fight the two beasts. The Battalion Commander he had wanted to save? Only a pile of flesh remained as the two ogres finished him off.
Pain.
Weakness.
That was all Roark felt. He looked around the battlefield at the many dying soldiers, mercenaries, and adventurers. All they left behind were dying screams. Blasts of gold continued to clash with the two LEGENDARY beasts, Roark was actually moving speedily in the air and avoiding the sharp stingers the [Blue Manticores] were waving back and forth.
The Demon King had a red cloud supporting him as he rose in the air, his voice ringing out.
"Haha, you actually had the strength to hold out against the attacks of two primal beasts? Good, good! Look around you though, look to your people that are dying by the thousands!"
Gremory's mocking voice rang out as the King kept his focus on trying to tear down the defenses of the LEGENDARY beasts before their owner decided to participate too, but the words shook him as he observed the despairing state of the battle.
His EPIC commanders were being pushed back, some of them dead. His two sons were far in the back commanding the forces and preventing more deaths, but nothing was changing the state of the battle.
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