by Park Saenal
[Insight has increased by 30.]
[Intelligence has increased by 30.]
[The Legendary Blacksmith’s Appraisal skill has improved. When you observe an item, the understanding of it will increase.]
“Wow. Amazing.”
Grid was delighted. He was pleased that he had uncovered the purpose of the Goddess’ Essence and the secret behind how the spear was joined. Now he also received bonuses.
‘Even more.’
Grid turned to stare at Isabel. Her complexion had noticeably improved. It was the healing effect caused by the ripple that occurred when the Goddess’ Essence touched Lifael’s Spear.
‘First, save Isabel.’
This was imperative. Isabel needed to be healthy to be separated from Lifael’s Spear.
‘Then I can proceed with the disassembly and assembly process.’
The mission was clear. Grid rose from his spot. He handed the Goddess’ Essence to Isabel, who admired it.
“Drink.”
Isabel refused, “I-I don’t want to.”
“Why?”
“I can’t receive such a precious thing.”
“Aren’t you at the crossroad of life and death? Just drink.”
“I don’t want to.”
“Why won’t you drink it? Just drink a drop.”
There was 1 ml of Goddess’ Essence. The volume of one drop of water was 1/20ml, so it meant there were 20 drops. Isabel’s health improved because of just one drop resonating with Lifael’s Spear. Isabel could be healed if she drank one drop directly.
Grid was confident. But Isabel was stubborn.
“I appreciate the courtesy, but I don’t want to be beholden to you anymore.”
“No, isn’t it just one drop?”
“I don’t want to.”
The last five days. Isabel had many conversations with Grid while they were alone. In the process, she discovered something. Grid was already married. She couldn’t look at Grid in this way anymore. Isabel suppressed her feelings for Grid. In order to do so, she needed to draw a line. She didn’t want to receive Grid’s kindness anymore.
Grid shrugged as she bowed her head. “Isabel, aren’t you misunderstanding me?”
“…?”
“The reason I helped you is because it benefits me. It isn’t unconditional goodness. So don’t be mistaken and drink it right now. I’m busy.”
Isabel was too embarrassed to refuse after Grid’s words.
“Come on.”
“…”
Isabel accepted the small glass bottle from Grid. Then she hesitantly raised it to her mouth. She was concerned that she would accidentally drink several drops.
‘She has become very timid.’
Originally, Isabel was a very willful girl. But she suffered thanks to Drevigo and Pascal. She was a tool, not a human, and was going to die… She had listened to those words for a while and couldn’t help changing. She truly was a poor kid.
Grid sighed and took the bottle from her. He placed a drop of liquid on his finger and raised it to Isabel’s mouth.
“Lick.”
“Eh…”
Isabel’s face reddened. A man. Furthermore, the man wanted her to lick his finger. Her mind became complicated.
“Ah really, do I have to feed it to you directly?”
Grid shoved his finger into Isabel’s lips.
“Hah…!”
Combined with the title effects, Grid’s dexterity was over 2,300. Isabel shivered as Grid’s finger entered his mouth. The sensations that she felt for the first time stirred her body and made her dizzy.
“Hah…!”
The thick and solid finger touched Isabel’s uvula…
Omitted.
After a moment.
“Hah… Hah…”
The drained Isabel collapsed on her bed. A warm blue light wrapped around her body. The Goddess’ Essence was immediately effective. Her platinum hair started to shine beautifully again, while her rough skin became transparent and smooth.
“Really pretty. Now if you can just recover your old figure.”
Isabel’s faced turned redder at Grid’s compliment. She covered her face with both hands and gasped for breath, while Grid wondered.
‘Her status is odd.’
Her health is recovering. But why did she look more tired?
Dok. Dok dok.
As Grid was feeling puzzled, a homing pigeon tapped on the window. It was a homing pigeon sent by Irene. Grid received the letter before taking Lifael’s Spear.
“You said there was a smithy here? I will go to the smithy, so you rest here.”
“Yes…”
Isabel’s eyes were wet as she peeked at Grid through the gap in her fingers. It seemed like she was eager for something. Her eyes were enough to remind him of Irene in bed.
Gulp.
Grid involuntarily swallowed his dry saliva. It was to shake off his raunchy imagination.
‘It seems that the process of restoring her health is quite pleasant.’
Grid thought and left the room.
“Nyang.”
Noe was sunbathing on the windowsill in the corridor. Grid looked at the cat rolling around on his plump stomach like he was pathetic.
“Tsk tsk, I gave him a job, but he’s just sleeping.”
Grid wasn’t aware that an assassin had come after him five days ago. It was a pity for Noe.
[White Transformation is activated.]
[You don’t have any divine power. White Transformation has failed to be activated. Side effects will occur to your body.]
[You have resisted.]
The notification windows kept popping up.
Before heading to the smithy, Grid stopped in the garden and put down Lifael’s Spear. Then he sat on a bench and opened the letter.
[I can feel the movements of the child in my belly. Every day is mysterious and fun. I want to share this happiness with you soon. Dear Husband, what do you want your child to be interested in when they grow up?]
[Answer your wife’s question. This will affect the child’s abilities after they are born.]
I want the child to be interested in martial arts.
I want the child to be interested in magic.
I want the child to be interested in learning.
I want the child to be interested in theology.
I want the child to be interested in techniques.
I just want the child to be healthy.
‘I don’t like number four.’
Grid had a negative opinion of religion thanks to Drevigo and Pascal.
‘I don’t want number six either. The child might turn out like Jude.’
Among the remaining options, the most attractive one was…
‘Techniques.’
Grid thought that his child would become the estate’s labor force when they were older, and started to write his reply. He wrote that he loved Irene and then gave his answer.
‘I will go to her once I finish my work here.’
Grid finished the letter and tied it to the leg of the homing pigeon.
Kwaduduk.
The homing pigeon flew towards the south west. It was the direction of Winston. As Grid was looking after the pigeon, someone approached.
Chapter 270
Chapter 270
“Duke Grid! What are you doing outside today?”
It was Pascal, who was accompanied by his men. A person needed to bend in order to obtain anything big. Pascal was determined to obtain Grid and completely abandoned his pride. He placed his disgrace deep into his heart and acted politely to Grid. He also didn’t forget to have a bright smile on his face.
“Huh…?”
Pascal instructed his men to drop the treasure chest. His eyes shone. It was because he found Lifael’s Spear.
“T-This…”
The false smile that concealed his anger inside transformed into a real one.
‘Isabel seems to have finally died.’
She was just like a cockro
ach. It would be more comfortable if she died.
‘It feels like a 10 year blockage has finally been relieved.’
Rebecca’s Daughters were meant to follow commands. They should be controlled. In that sense, Isabel, Rin, and Luna were truly troublesome. The former Pope Ruiz, who led the church to the light, and the former Pope Drevigo who corrupted the church. These girls served both popes, so they grew to a level where they could judge right and wrong. Rather than obeying orders unconditionally, they questioned it.
It was serious.
‘They are tools.’
For Pascal, who planned to make the Rebecca Church a part of the Saharan Empire, the current Rebecca’s Daughters were an eyesore. But now Isabel was dead, so his worries had disappeared. He would give Lifael’s Spear to a new owner, then order Rin and Luna to be removed in turn.
‘Finally, my world will come.’
He felt like he was flying with joy. Pascal’s heart wanted to burst out. But he refrained after looking at Grid. Grid was looking at him with cold eyes. “A girl who had her life sucked out for Goddess Rebecca and the church has died. Why are you so happy?”
‘Sucked out?’
Pascal’s face distorted. He wanted to beat Grid up for using such words to diminish serving the noble goddess. But what about all his patience so far?
Pascal barely repressed his anger and opened his mouth. “As you have said, Isabel is a child who has served the goddess and the church for all of her life. That child is heading to the goddess’ side… She can serve the goddess forever in the world of the gods and live happily ever after. I am happy and proud, so I can’t help smiling at the thought.”
‘Bullshit.’
Grid couldn’t stand the nonsense. Pascal handed him the treasure chest.
“I wish you would accept this today.”
[Pascal wants to give you 1.8 million gold. Would you like to receive Pascal’s gift?]
[If you receive the gift, you must unconditionally accept one of Pascal’s requests.]
“Damian won’t be pope anyway. What can he do if he wins the hearts of the congregation? There are only 100 senior priests with voting rights and at least 80% of them are already mine. Duke Grid, please look at the future and make a wise choice…”
“I don’t want it.” Grid interrupted Pascal’s words. “I have no intention of holding hands with you, when just looking at your face makes me nauseous.”
Grid hated Pascal. This was because Pascal resembled those who tormented him in the past. He couldn’t erase the image of Pascal bullying Damian and Isabel in his mind. He would never hold hands with Pascal, even if he was given 100 million gold. In the first place, political issues were also intertwined.
“That’s too bad.”
The smile had disappeared from Pascal’s face. His patience had reached its limit.
“Then is it fine to stop talking nicely? For the past few days, I have done my best to be friends with you, but you always mock my efforts and insult me. Don’t you know the meaning of courtesy?”
“Why should I be polite to you? Don’t you usually enjoy mocking and insulting your opponent?”
“Ack…!”
Grid’s attitude showed that he wouldn’t be persuaded. Pascal was nervous and spoke bluntly.
“Tell me what you want! I’m willing to give you whatever you want as long as you join my side! What would make you hold my hand?”
“You will give me anything?”
“Yes!”
“Hoh, isn’t this very tempting?”
There was finally a nibble. Pascal was delighted and prepared to listen to Grid’s requirements. Grid told him, “A thousand trillion.”
“…?”
A thousand trillion? Was it the name of a treasure?
‘It is the first time I’ve heard of it?’
Grid spoke again to Pascal, who was struggling to understand.
“Give me one thousand trillion gold. Then I will be your true friend.”
“This is crazy!”
He reflexively exclaimed. One thousand trillion gold was the empire’s treasury. No, it was an astronomical sum that would wipe out all the treasuries of the nations on the continent. Grid demanding such a ridiculous amount showed he wasn’t normal.
“What? Crazy? You said you would give my anything I want, but I’m crazy?”
“Ah, no. I became delirious due to my shock…”
Grid waved his hand at Pascal. He didn’t want to hear any excuses.
“The negotiations have collapsed. Then let’s each go our own way.”
Grid reached for Lifael’s Spear. It was for the purpose of moving to the smithy. Then the silently watching Kamiyan aimed his sword at Grid’s neck.
“Leave Lifael’s Spear. How long is an outsider going to carry the item of the church?”
“…”
Grid’s eyes sank as he looked down at the shining blade.
“Second.”
“What?”
“This is the second time you’ve pointed a sword at my neck. I’m the duke of a kingdom.”
Kamiyan ridiculed him, “So what? Will you run to Wiesbaden, your king, and tell on me?”
The knight of another nation was disparaging his king. How heated would Grid become? Kamiyan deliberately tried to provoke Grid. Grid would lose his temper and be unable to use his skills properly. But his intentions came to naught. In the first place, Grid didn’t have much loyalty to the king.
“It’s good that you called my king’s name as if he was the next door neighbor’s dog.”
Grid grabbed Lifael’s Spear.
[White Transformation is activated.]
[You don’t have any divine power. White Transformation has failed to be activated. Side effects will occur to your body.]
[You have resisted.]
“You can’t afford to play with me.”
The reason that Grid couldn’t attack the elders and Pascal was due to the Goddess’ Curse. On the other hand, what about Kamiyan? He wasn’t a priest of the Rebecca Church.
There was no reason to hold back.
“Let’s go.”
Suuk.
Grid knew the strongest spearman, Pon. He had watched Pon fighting. In fact, they had sparred many times. Grid had developed an incomplete method of Pon’s spear technique.
Chaaeng!
The spear moved in a diagonal manner, causing Kamiyan’s sword to be deflected downwards.
“You!”
Kamiyan was surprised by the naturally flowing spear and stepped back. Grid extended his right leg back in this gap and stabbed the spear forward.
Peeeeeong!
[Lifael’s Spear’s option effect is activated, causing the skill ‘Light Wheel’ to be generated.]
[Lifael’s Spear’s option effect is activated, dealing an additional 5,000 damage to the target.]
“Keook!”
Kamiyan couldn’t believe it. Grid’s stab suddenly shifted to a circle. It was an irregular attack that even those with ‘Keen Senses’ couldn’t respond to.
“Cough! Cough!”
Kamiyan was hit in his waist by a heavy blow, causing him to fall down while coughing up blood.
‘Such power…!’
Kamiyan was stunned. The pain was as if his bones were broken, while his internal organs felt like they were going to burst. This was the power of a myth rated weapon and skill.
“T-this is impossible…”
Pascal was astonished as he watched Kamiyan. Red Knight. One of the strongest knights on the continent fell down so easily? There was something even more surprising.
“H-How can you use Lifael’s Spear?”
The Rebecca Church’s three divine artifacts were available only to selected beings. They needed to have innate transcendent divine power. The person also needed to pray to Goddess Rebecca for at least nine years. Finally…
‘They needed to be a woman!’
Pascal shouted.
“Y-You…” Grid remained impassive
as Pascal turned pale blue. “Grid, you! Are you a woman?”
“…”
It was the most uncomfortable phrase Grid had heard since he was born. It wasn’t even worth arguing about, so the 181cm tall and sturdy Grid tightened his grip on Lifael’s Spear. He really meant to kill Kamiyan.
Pascal couldn’t accept it and used Heal. Kamiyan was able to recover thanks to this and rose from his spot. There was fear on his face as he fixed his sword posture.
‘I has been a long time since I’ve seen Heal.’
Heal in Satisfy was much better than in usual games. It was because too much had to be given up in order to become Rebecca’s priests. There were very few users who chose to become a Rebecca priest.
‘There are too many eyes watching.’
People were flocking to the garden. Grid believed that killing Kamiyan could adversely affect Damian’s election, so he withdrew.
“I will leave it for today.”
Kamiyan’s eyes glared at he gazed after Grid who was leaving leisurely.
‘Kill…! I will kill you Grid!’
The reason he was defeated today was due to his carelessness. He never dreamt that Grid could use a divine weapon.
‘Damn bastard!’
The wound in his side was causing him severe pain. He felt nauseous. Kamiyan pledged that he would make Grid kneel in a week when Earl Chirita back.
“Then I am going.”
The smithy inside the Vatican. The weapons for paladins were produced here. Grid held the Legendary Blacksmith’s Hammer in his hand.
“Shall I begin?”
Ttang! Ttang!
Lifael’s Spear. The weapon that a god made was reinterpreted by human hands.
Chapter 271
Chapter 271
Combat. In particular, replaying battles where one was defeated was a big help to their growth.
Kamiyan closed his eyes and replayed it.
‘When Grid decided to stab me.’
What if he didn’t defend, but decided to push forward instead?
‘I would still be hit. If Grid hit me from the side, the result would be the same.’
What if he backed off?
‘I would still be hit. At that time, Grid was already narrowing the distance between us with the maximum stride.’
No matter how he looked, defense was the best choice. However, the problem was that Kamiyan’s swordsmanship couldn’t defend against it.