by Park Saenal
He farmed… No, he could now borrow the natural mana of the ground. It was similar to the Natural State that belonged to the legendary Piaro.
***
Daluka. A legendary assassin wrapped in the veil of mystery. There were many speculations that Doran and Kasim were disciples of Daluka. Then one day 10 years ago. The Eternal Kingdom were lucky enough to obtain one of Daluka’s hidden techniques.
From then on, they started raising the Silver Dragons group. They took 5,000 orphans from all over the kingdom and trained them as assassins, giving them Daluka’s hidden technique.
Of course, it wasn’t easy. Of the 5,000 children who endured the training and survived, only 40 were trained in Daluka’s technique. Of these 40 people, not one of them had mastered the technique. They could only scratch the surface.
But this alone was enough. One year since the launch of the Silver Dragons group. The Silver Dragons had a 100% success rate with their missions. Prince Ren was confident. With the power of the Silver Dragons, the Eternal Kingdom would grow until they could eventually threaten the Saharan Empire.
At that time, the silver dragon drawn on the flag would spread open both wings again.
‘What is happening?’
The 20 members of the Silver Dragons were baffled. Agricultural fields spread out in all directions from Reidan’s outer walls. They had to pass through this place to get to Reidan, but the conditions of the farmers were strange.
‘Why are they farmers?’
There were dozens of farmers scattered through the vast fields. But their movements were unusual. The way they wielded the sickle and hand plow was reminiscent of swordsmanship. In particular, a few farmers were strong enough to make the Silver Dragon members sensitive towards them. They seemed like influential people who would represent a kingdom.
‘What is this?’
The Silver Dragons had learned Daluka’s Absence of Worldly Desires technique. It was a breathing method that allowed them to infiltrate many places, even if it was only at the 5th stage. And the 20 people assigned to this mission were elite 5th stage Absence of Worldly Desires members. It meant they wouldn’t show any agitation, even when facing death.
However, the farmers couldn’t help making their hearts unsettled.
‘It is better to move more carefully.’
The Silver Dragon members made the correct judgment and lay flat on the ground, crawling through the fields. They didn’t want to be seen by the farmers. The result.
‘Pant pant… It’s dirty.’
A lot of time and stamina was consumed by the time the Silver Dragons reached Reidan’s outer walls, making them fall behind schedule. Originally, they should’ve already had the duchess. Yet they hadn’t even crossed the outer walls yet? It was truly shocking for the Silver Dragon members.
But they were elites.
‘Erase the shaking.’
The members regained their calm thanks to Absence of Worldly Desires. Then they used ‘Daluka’s Clothes.’ It was a technique that could achieve the ultimate stealth by making them like a chameleon.
Susuk.
Sususuk.
Even the gods in the sky wouldn’t be able to see them right now! Then fire arrows flew towards the backs of the Silver Dragons climbing without any doubts.
“Heok!”
How were they noticed? The Silver Dragons avoided the magic and hurriedly looked around. The magic flew from the direction of one person. It was a farmer eating potatoes. The sun-tanned skin really made him seem like a hillbilly. It was unexpected, but this person was certainly a farmer.
‘Did he use the magic?’
It was fast and powerful magic that they couldn’t completely avoid!
‘The farmers in this area are crazy!’
The eyes of the Silver Dragons shook. Their 5th stage Absence of Worldly Desires started shaking.
‘We can’t delay any longer. Should we ignore him and continue the mission?’
‘No. Witnesses must be taken care of immediately in order to complete the secret mission.’
The Silver Dragons made a quick decision. They dropped down from the wall towards the farmer chewing potatoes. A magician had very weak defense. They believed that they could easily overpower the magician.
The magician’s bombardment? There was no need to worry about that. Don’t give him time to cast!
“Heok?”
The confident faces of the Silver Dragons distorted. The guy was a farmer or magician. Now he was creating a shield and pulling out a sword?
‘What is his identity?’
Farmer, magician, swordsman. It was uncertain. Bland shot Fire Blast at the Silver Dragons. Using another spell while creating a shield as well?
“Double casting!”
The Silver Dragons paled. Their 5th stage Absence of Worldly Desires was broken.
At the same time.
“Throw it again.”
King of Shadows, Kasim. The strongest assassin who had taken numerous lives was busy spending time with a newborn baby. He kept forcing the baby to do something.
“Abu! Abuuuu!”
The baby clamored with sharp eyes that resembled his father’s. It felt like he was saying that he would do it this time. Then…
Peok!
Lord flew a block at a doll 3m away and it fell. It was an achievement that had taken two days. The growth was much faster than what Kasim predicted. Kasim was convinced as he felt something beyond admiration.
‘This child…! This child will be able to master all of Master’s skills!’
Chapter 343
Chapter 343
The power of a legend was truly great. Duke Grid, who saved the 1,000 northern troops, and caught the ankles of the 5,000 royal troops. He clearly proved his strength. Honestly, Prince Ren felt awe. Grid, who swept through the battlefield with four golden hands, was like the incarnation of the battlefield itself.
But!
‘The important thing in a war is resources, but power!’
War wasn’t just limited to the battlefield. Those who had a bigger perspective of the strategies and tactics spread out like cobwebs would win. In that sense, Grid was the worst. A ruler plunging into enemy lines alone? It was truly stupid.
‘Grid! I will make you regret the fact that you entered the middle of the enemy troops!’
After a while, a separate group would hit Reidan from the rear, and then the Silver Dragons would capture the duke’s wife. Then the initiative would be completely on Prince Ren’s side. Grid would be completely isolated. The victory of the royal army would go as he planned.
‘Huhut! Your stamina can’t endure forever!’
In fact, Grid’s movements were different from when he first appeared. He was tired and dusty from dealing with the soldiers, arrows, magic, and the surprise attacks of the knights. He had clearly become sluggish.
‘I just need to buy a bit more time!’
A dark smile spread on Prince Ren’s face as he watched Grid. He already felt like he had won. He just needed to hang on longer.
Puk!
Puuoooook!
“Kuak!”
“Heeok!”
A rain of arrows from Reidan’s soldiers fell around Grid. It felt like the arrows wreaking havoc on the royal soldiers were becoming stronger?
‘I must be mistaken.’
At first, he thought so. But he soon realized.
‘I wasn’t mistaken!’
Puuoooook!
“Kyaaak!”
The number of casualties from the arrows were rising rapidly. It was clear that the attack power of Reidan’s soldiers had increased significantly since the beginning.
‘What is this…?’
Chucksley called out to Ren, who was pale and nervous.
“The archery skills of the enemies are growing in real time! If this is the case, we won’t be able to control the damage to our side! It’s better to have the knights keep Duke Grid in check, while the soldiers defend against the ar
rows!”
“No! We can’t do that!”
Training one knight was much more difficult than nurturing 1,000 soldiers. Prince Ren wanted to minimize the sacrifices of the knights. The role of grabbing Grid’s ankle should be left to the soldiers.
‘I just need to endure a little longer!’
It wouldn’t be long now. Soon, an army would appear and hit the enemy archers from behind. However!
“Prince! The arrival time of the reinforcements has been exceeded!”
“…?”
Prince Ren looked up at the sky. It was just before the sun was about to set. If things went according to Prince Ren’s plan, it was time for Hurent’s group to arrive here and slaughter the enemies. Then why?
‘Why haven’t they arrived yet?’
Hurent was comparable to Chucksley. Hurent and the 2,000 troops couldn’t be held back by monsters or thieves. Prince Ren thought for a moment before his eyes widened.
‘It can’t be!’
What if Grid had discovered the existence of the second group?
‘He might’ve prepared an ambush for them!’
Grid! A person who didn’t receive formal education managed to see the flow of the battlefield?
‘Does he have an innate talent for strategy?’
Grid noticed the existence of the second group and prepared an ambush for them! It was just amazing. Then another sad piece of news was passed onto the disgruntled Prince Ren.
“Prince! I can’t detect the Silver Dragons!”
“W-What?”
There was a magic power detector implanted in the bodies of the Silver Dragons. The purpose was to thoroughly supervise and manage them, as it was possible the brainwashing might be broken and betrayal would occur.
Now they couldn’t be detected? This meant the death of the Silver Dragons.
‘How?’
Prince Ren had 100% confidence in the abilities of the Silver Dragons. He didn’t doubt that they were the strongest assassination group on the continent. Yet they failed to abduct one woman? He couldn’t even imagine it.
‘Unless the duchess is protected by someone as strong as Grid, it is unlikely that the Silver Dragons will fail… Heok!
Perhaps the duchess had a protector that was as strong as Grid? The Overgeared members who assisted Grid during the Reinhardt golem invasion in the past. Prince Ren shook as he was reminded of their existence.
‘Considering their abilities at the time, can the Silver Dragons go against them?’
Grid!
‘What the hell are you…?’
Prince Ren was suffering from extreme confusion when Chucksley shouted at him.
“It’s difficult to come back from this situation! We should change our strategy now!”
“W-Why? What should we do?”
“It’s meaningless to buy time!”
Chucksley tightened his grip on the sword he was holding.
“Put all our strength into killing Duke Grid!”
It was a signal. The knight captain Chucksley and deputy captain Andu. Those two skilled people, 50 royal knights, and thousands of soldiers rushed towards Grid. It was an offensive that wasn’t afraid of losing people.
Dust covered the area where Grid was standing.
***
‘It’s dirty.’
The average level of the enemy was only 130. Setting aside Grid, most rankers would be able to slaughter the royal soldiers alone. However, Grid wasn’t in a position to hurt the royal soldiers. He had an obligation to concede the experience to the soldiers of Reidan.
It was hard.He had to subdue them without killing! He had to regulate his strength, causing his stamina to be quickly consumed.
‘In the first place, there are too many of them.’
5,000 enemies. When he faced them directly, there seemed to be no end to them. The soldiers of Reidan killed hundreds of enemies with their arrows, but nothing changed. When 10 soldiers were killed, countless others took their place.
The attacks coming from all directions? He would’ve been hit a few times if it wasn’t for the God Hands.
‘War is never easy.’
He wanted to evolve Reidan’s strength so that he wouldn’t suffer from this again. Grid breathed out roughly as dust covered him on all sides.
“Hit Duke Grid!”
“…!”
Grid frowned. Chucksley and the knights who had been by Prince Ren’s side. They were simultaneously rushing towards him? The soldiers built a defensive formation around them and also ran.
“This is a bit dangerous?”
Grid was thinking when a whisper from Lauel was heard.
–Pull out your power.
The chunnibyou instructed Grid. Lauel sensed his reluctance and urged him.
–You can’t afford to let the soldiers attack any longer. Excessive greed will poison you. I’ll let the soldiers know what they have to do, so go crazy.
–Yes, I understand.
There was no room to spare. Grid nodded and took a position that was suitable for unfolding his sword dance.
“Duke Grid!”
Laden and the northern troops rushed to protect Grid.
“It’s too unreasonable! Leave it to me and avoid them!”
“…You.”
Laden’s expression was shrouded. At first glance, he was ready to die. Grid realized why Marquis Steim appreciated Laden so much.
‘His loyalty is at the level of Jude.’
No, it was higher than Jude. Jude didn’t care about his life because he had no thoughts, but Laden was prepared to sacrifice his life despite having a normal brain.
‘It would be better if he had the skills to back it up.’
Grid didn’t know Laden’s skill and misunderstood to the end. Meanwhile, Laden wielded his sword at Chucksley.
“I won’t let you pass!”
“Newbie! Open the path!”
Laden and Chucksley’s swords collided in the air.
“Think about your body.”
Grid grabbed Laden’s shoulder and pulled him back. Thanks to this, Laden was safe from Chucksley’s attack. However, Grid was the one in trouble instead. Chucksley let dozens of knights to strike at Grid.
“Duke Grid!!”
Laden hurriedly exclaimed. It was impossible for Grid to deal with dozens of knights alone. Even the four golden hands were useless because they were busy dealing with the soldiers. The shouting Laden feared the worst for Grid. Grid couldn’t help smiling.
“Cute guy.”
“…?”
He was smiling in this situation? Laden was worried that Grid had lost his mind. Then an amazing sight occurred in front of him.
“Pagma’s Swordsmanship, Restraint.”
It was a daunting sword dance. Grid’s feet trampled on the desert sand and was reminiscent of a military style.
Jeeeong!
The air around Grid became heavy and oppressive.
“Umm…”
The knights and soldiers around Grid lost their momentum and retreated. There was only one person. Chucksley was able to overcome the oppression with his mind and body, and stabbed at Grid. But his sword didn’t reach Grid.
Pahat!
Something rose from behind Grid. It looked exactly like Grid and rushed out to defend against Chucksley’s sword. It was Doppelganger Randy, who copied Grid’s appearance.
“A clone…!”
Chucksley and the knights were agitated.
It was common sense that clones were merely illusions. However, Grid’s clone clearly felt real. It was like facing another Grid.
“Pagma’s Descendant! Why do you have these techniques when you’re a blacksmith?”
The confused Chucksley shouted.
“The power of pets.”
“Power of pets?”
What was that? Chucksley’s mind became complicated because Grid used hard to understand words. Meanwhile, his swordsmanship overwhelmed Doppelganger Randy, who only had 30% of Grid’s abili
ties. But he couldn’t play around forever.
“Dragon’s Stretching.”
The qigong master’s third advancement class, ‘Master of the Flow.’ Its single combat ability was relatively inferior, but it was a class that existed for war because it could change the climate and terrain…
In order to fulfill his role as Grid’s aide, Lauel used a skill he obtained after becoming Master of the Flow.
Kurururu!
The desert shook. The earthquake stirred up the area, causing the sand to pour down in all directions and swallow up the royal troops.
“Blackening.”
Kuwaaaaaang!
Darker than the starless night sky. Grid released his power in the center of the chaos and brought disaster to the royal army. Pagma’s Swordsmanship, Wave, Link, Kill, Transcend, etc. Grid poured out everything without holding back. He also had the support of Lauel, the northern troops and Reidan’s troops, causing the war to end quickly.
The northern army in the middle of the battlefield was forced to suffer great damage, but it was a great achievement for Reidan because they weren’t damaged and they raised their levels. It was truly a one-sided victory.
But Asmophel wasn’t satisfied with this result.
“Please give me a chance to do something…”
He wanted to be seen by His Lord. Then Grid cried out to the eagerly waiting Asmophel.
“Asmophel! Recover the loot with the soldiers!”
“…Yes.”
It was this role again. Asmophel, who was once considered one of the two pillars of the Saharan Empire. The tears of a person that Piaro acknowledged soaked the battlefield.
Chapter 344
Chapter 344
‘He is already tired.’
Grid played a big role on the battlefield, but Lauel wasn’t satisfied. Honestly, it was below expectations.
‘I wanted him to show that he wasn’t lacking anything.’
The ability to read and respond to the enemy’s movements, ability to utilize the terrain, the timing to use skills and take potions, the abilities of the items, etc. The current Grid wasn’t bad overall, but it wasn’t enough to compare with the high rankers.
This wasn’t meant to disparage him. The most appropriate expression was not the best or the worst.