by Park Saenal
“The Fourth Knight, a position designed to protect the Red Knights, became corrupted. It’s my guess that the Fourth Knight is closely related to the Yatan Church. Dive, the one closest to Marie, was a black magician… In fact, he was Yatan’s Seventh Servant and the subordinate of the Fourth Knight. The Red Knights who watched under the pretext of protection were the Fourth Knight’s men.”
“…?”
It was an unbelievable story. The problem was that he claimed the person closest to the empress was a Yatan Servant. Didn’t this mean that Empress Marie was related to the evil Yatan Church? Mercedes and the Red Knights didn’t believe Asmophel.
“The empress can’t be just anyone. The imperial family thoroughly investigated their origins and only welcome the cleanest women. How can the empress be related to the Yatan Church?”
“At first she was a clean girl. But the empress could no longer be clean the moment she was filled with the ambition to place her son on the throne. She held hands with the evil forces that serve the great demons. Humans are weak creatures to temptation.” Asmophel’s expression was exhausted. “I’m also a weak creature of temptation.”
“…?”
“I fell for Marie’s beauty. I had a relationship with her.”
“W-What…?”
Asmophel didn’t use the excuse that his mental state had been weakened by the Yatan essence and that he was brainwashed. It was because of his feelings of inferiority toward Piaro that there was a gap in his mind for Yatan’s essence to affect. It was his own fault in the first place.
“That’s right. I had lost the qualification to be a knight from the beginning. I betrayed my country and the emperor. Piaro was purely a victim.”
Asmophel’s heart was shattered and his soul filled with shame every time he reminded himself of his sin. His guilt towards Piaro and his country was endlessly deep, like the depths of hell.
“That’s right… I’m the one who betrayed the emperor, not Piaro and the Red Knights.
He didn’t even deserve tears. Asmophel’s eyes were bloodshot when he thought about it.
“I only wanted to cover up my sin… For my own sake, I framed my friends and comrades, murdering their families and lovers.”
It was a terrible sin committed under the name of punishment. Asmophel’s body trembled with pain, sorrow, and anger towards himself. But Asmophel didn’t stop speaking. It was in order to reveal the hidden truth to the world. This was the only reason why Asmophel was currently living.
“Stop it.”
Piaro, who had already forgiven Asmophel, tried to stop him. However, it was useless. Asmophel didn’t stop. His trembling voice filled the ears of Mercedes and the Red Knights.
“The knight of the empire, the hero who you once admired and loved is still alive. Please get rid of all misconceptions about him and pour the hate and blame onto me.”
“…”
What the hell was this person saying right now? The Red Knights couldn’t follow the truth. However, Mercedes realized it instantly. Asmophel was telling the truth. In the end, tears flowed down Mercedes’ white cheeks. She was aware that Asmophel was still hiding the truth from her. If Asmophel was truly wicked, then Piaro wouldn’t have forgiven him.
“You…”
Over the past 12 years, one hero lived in desperation and suffering from a false accusation while another hero was ruled by guilt. In the end, the source was Empress Marie and the Yatan Church. The moment she realized this.
‘…I am the hero of your heroes.’
Grid was excited when he saw Mercedes’ eyes. Now that she found out the truth, she had an obligation. It was to make the other Red Knights believe Asmophel’s words. In order to do so…
“I need solid information to be convinced. We will go back to the empire and review the events from 12 years ago to determine if your words are true or false. Once I can be sure that your words are true…”
Mercedes stopped and turned her gaze towards the Red Knights. The confused Red Knights nodded with determined eyes. All of them believed in Mercedes.
“We will help your pursue charges against Empress Marie and punish her.”
It was the duty of the empire and the emperor towards the two heroes.
‘First, I need to investigate Captain Limit.’
Was he also on the empress’ side? Or had he been affected by the Fourth Knight? There was a lot to do. Mercedes was in a rush and said to Piaro and Asmophel.
“Today I didn’t see you. Later when we are reunited, I hope my sword doesn’t turn towards you.”
In her heart, she wanted to kneel down. She wanted to yell at them for making her feel resentment towards them over the years. But it wasn’t possible. She couldn’t change her attitude until the other Red Knights understood the truth. She bowed deeply to Grid.
“Overgeared King Grid, I want to apologize for our rudeness and to ask for understanding. Today’s price will be paid later, even if I have to give up everything.”
“Everything… Okay. I am looking forward to it.”
Grid smiled as his heart thumped.
[Affinity with First Knight Mercedes of the Red Knights has increased by 20.]
It was due to this notification window. Grid knew that it was very difficult to raise affinity with this named NPC.
‘This woman must’ve believed in Piaro and Asmophel. It will be a great contribution when the truth is revealed later.’
Perhaps Mercedes would fall into a crisis in the process. The opponent was the empress of the empire. There was a high chance that Mercedes would suffer a counterattack from the opponent and be labeled a traitor like Piaro. It was good from Grid’s perspective. It might be an opportunity to take Mercedes away from the empire.
“Let’s go.”
Mercedes commanded the Red Knights and approached the aide guarding her horse far away. His name was Sky. A player. He was wearing a helmet, so Grid wasn’t aware that he was a player.
‘Kukukuk… It is a jackpot.’
Sky was excited about being able to glimpse a hidden episode of the Red Knights thanks to Grid. He was one step closer to his grand ambition of making Mercedes his slave.
‘I have to reach the empress at the right timing. Grid, thank you. Kukukuk!’
Satisfy wasn’t a microcosm world, but a world itself. Politics and betrayal were rampant and there were more than a few wicked people. It was impossible for only one person to survive in this huge world where there were conflicting goals between the two billion players. Sky thought like this and it was right.
“Kasim.”
-Yes.
“Go after the witness who overheard the conversation between Mercedes and Asmophel.”
-Are you talking about the aide of the First Knight…? What if I’m discovered by the First Knight?
“It doesn’t matter. Mercedes will understand. In the worst case, she might stop the assassination, but she will also dismiss the aide. In the future, she also has to be careful.”
-I understand.
The current Grid had the power to go beyond reason. His journey to transcend the category of a legend wasn’t over yet.
Chapter 788
Chapter 788
The Overgeared Kingdom was the strongest player force in the game and a threat to anyone. It was a basic thing to target them. There were countless people trying to keep the Overgeared Kingdom in check. But Grid wasn’t aware of this fact. He overlooked the fate of the strong. He didn’t properly defend his kingdom during the National Competition and allowed the enemy to enter.
Grid thought that Khan’s sad end was the result of his own stupidity. Khan was the victim of his ignorance.
After Khan’s death, Grid became obsessed with wisdom. If he had been a bit wiser, Khan’s end wouldn’t have been so lonely. Therefore, Grid challenged being reborn as a wise man. The accumulation of knowledge was slow because of his innate intelligence, but Grid believed that by repeatedly thinking ‘infinite’ times, he could use his own
merits and patience to become a wise man. No, he decided not to believe, but to put it in action.
This was the result. Grid was thinking nonstop. He lacked intelligence compared to others, so he had to think many times more than others. He continued and continued to think whenever facing a situation. His head was constantly working.
Why did he summon only Piaro when he was attacked by the Red Knights and Immortal? It was because Agnus couldn’t be seen. As a result, Grid thought that the Red Knights and Immortal members attacking him might be bait. If he caught the bait and summoned all his knights, his kingdom would be weakened and the empty house could be destroyed. That’s why he first summoned Piaro.
It was this same context that Grid used to judge that Mercedes’ aide should be handled. The reason why Grid was concerned about the aide wasn’t because he was smart, but because he was thinking.
Grid was exhausted. It was different from when he chose without worrying, acted emotionally, and depended on others. The energy consumption of this mindset was enormous.
Sururuk.
Kasim disappeared into the darkness.
“Sigh.”
Grid leaned his exhausted body against the carriage. It was like he had just raided a powerful boss monster. Piaro measured his condition and bowed deeply.
“You went through a lot of trouble.”
Piaro was proud of Grid. Rather than being frustrated by Khan’s death, Grid honored Khan by looking at himself. Grid had done well when facing the emperor. Piaro had this type of belief.
Grid asked the smiling Piaro, “Was I right to handle the aide?”
Grid had witnessed the discipline of the Red Knights. They were shaken by Piaro’s appearance, but immediately executed Mercedes’ orders. They doubted Asmophel’s story, but didn’t resist Mercedes’ judgment. Grid believed that the Red Knights in this place wouldn’t talk about Piaro and Asmophel. But the aide was unknown. It was difficult to judge what type of person the aide was when he protected the horses in the distance. That’s why Grid ordered Kasim to handle him.
Piaro nodded. “Mercedes will decide on her own. She will sort out the trustworthy and untrustworthy knights and aides.”
“You trust her.”
“She’s an incredibly smart girl.”
That’s why she was his seed.
“And she grew to my expectations. She will later become a new pillar of the empire.”
In fact, Piaro was very surprised when he was called by Grid and met Mercedes. He hadn’t thought she was alive. It was natural. Didn’t the brainwashed Asmophel destroy all of the Red Knights in the past? Asmophel wouldn’t leave anyone to hit him in the back. It was difficult to expect that Mercedes, a seed of Piaro, would’ve survived.
But Asmophel saved Mercedes. The reason…
‘In his subconscious, he was afraid for the empire.’
Asmophel was reluctant to kill talent even in his brainwashed days. That was Mercedes. Piaro looked up at the night sky.
“I have become greedier because of your words.” Grid declared, “I’m going to make Mercedes mine.”
Grid faced an unprecedented pressure when competing with Mercedes. He felt like she was reading all his actions. At first, he thought it was just her excellent skills, but looking back, it wasn’t. It was clear that she ‘predicted’ his behavior.
‘A scam.’ Grid asserted.
Mercedes was in the same class as Piaro. A wall that normal players could never cross. A transcendent named NPC. Grid wanted to make her his own person. Piaro thought the same. When he exchanged blows with Mercedes, he thought the only way to overthrow her was Fated to Perish.
‘Once more time passes…’
She would grow to a level of rejecting Fated to Perish. Piaro’s greed grew.
“That’s right, Your Majesty. She must be gathered by Your Majesty.”
“Um.”
Grid nodded. He swallowed down the question of whether Piaro yearned for the empire and his country. He trusted Piaro.
“Let’s return to Reinhardt.”
Grid thought that it was highly unlikely the empire was behind this raid. It was highly likely the empress was the mastermind. But the issue was too big to judge for himself. He had to quickly meet Lauel. Grid immediately climbed into the carriage.
‘I’m tired.’
This one day in the empire was like a year. Grid sat on the seat and his eyes moved towards the window. Asmophel entered his gaze. Asmophel was walking on the right side of the carriage with a pained expression.
‘His guilt has gone beyond his heart and imprinted in his soul.’
Salvation would be difficult. Piaro might’ve forgiven him, but the dead Red Knights and their families couldn’t. As Grid predicted, Asmophel was willing to end his life the moment he got revenge on the empress.
‘…Wait.’ Grid made a sad expression only to come up with something. ‘Did all the Red Knights really die?’
The rebels who followed the traitor Piaro. This was the evaluation of the previous generation of Red Knights. Grid heard that ‘most’ of the Red Knights were executed. Yes, most of them. It wasn’t all of them. Some were still surviving as fugitives.
‘Maybe I can give Asmophel a chance to atone?’
Grid didn’t delay. He immediately gave an order to Asmophel, “Asmophel, travel through the continent and find the survivors of the Red Knights.”
“Huh? W-What…?”
Surprise and fear. Asmophel’s face turned grey from the unexpected command.
Grid stared into his wavering gaze and explained, “I will absorb the previous generation of the Red Knights. It isn’t impossible to absorb them. Isn’t that right?”
“You want to gather the survivors of the old Red Knights?”
“Yes.”
“Is it really appropriate for me to be the one to find them? Why are you leaving it to me instead of Piaro…?”
Asmophel stopped talking. He grasped Grid’s intent but he didn’t dare say the word ‘atonement.’ He bowed his head with a dark expression.
“Piaro forgave you.”
“…”
“Won’t the others be the same? They will all feel like Piaro.”
“…”
“Find them. Then talk to them.”
Asmophel could only think that the command to ‘find the old Red Knights’ was purely out of concern for himself. It was also a chance to bring the ‘power of the previous generation’ to the kingdom. It was an example that showed Grid’s mindset of thinking about his precious people, which was the greatest driving force behind the Overgeared Kingdom.
“Always be happy.”
“…”
“This is the dying wish I received from Khan. Let us try to be happy together.”
“…I will keep that in mind.”
Asmophel stopped walking and bowed deeply. He didn’t raise his head until the carriage that Grid was in had disappeared from view.
Piaro cheered for Asmophel on his journey of atonement.
‘Have strength.’
Please come back with old friends.
***
[Hwan Kingdom’s Resident (1)]
★ Hidden Quest ★
You have to meet the minimal qualifications to challenge the Chiyou test.
First, go beyond the level of an ordinary person.
Quest Clear Condition (1): Don’t die until you reach level 400.
* Every time you gain 20 levels without dying while the quest is ongoing, you will gain a large number of additional stats.
* If you die, you will lose all the additional stats you have acquired. The lost stats can’t be restored.
* If you die, the quest clear conditions will change to number two.
Quest Clear Condition (2): The number of deaths must be less than 5 until you achieve level 400 (Number of Deaths: 2/5).
* This is the last chance. If you fail to complete the second clear conditions, you will completely lose your qualification to challenge the Chiyo
u test.
In the past, Veradin visited the East Continent and completely focused on the yangbans of the Hwan Kingdom. He anticipated that he could benefit from the greatest power on the East Continent. As a result, he was the first player to visit the Hwan Kingdom and received the hidden quest to become a ‘yangban.’
It was because he gave off a good impression to the yangbans. At that time, Veradin was level 290. He tried hard to go over level 300 without dying and secured a tremendous amount of stats as a result. But it was all blown away. He touched the Overgeared Kingdom and died two times already.
“Maybe…”
Veradin gulped with a pale complexion. Grid’s words ‘the first time’ constantly revolved in his head. Grid really would try to find and kill Veradin many times.
“…In the meantime, I will hide.”
Veradin always believed he was better than others. For a person who manipulated other people, Grid and his items that violated common sense caused him to feel a new shock and horror. He didn’t want to face Grid anytime soon. It was the first time that Veradin feared another person.
‘I can’t believe I’m feeling like this towards an ordinary person…!’
Kwaduduk!
Anger filled Veradin’s body. He suddenly had a question. It was about the reaction of the Red Knights to the farmer summoned by Grid.
‘Why did they look so shocked?’
The necromancers were in the rear of the battlefield. They were too far away so Veradin couldn’t hear the conversation. This was bad.
‘There is something. Something….’
Maybe the key to breaking the current crisis was the farmer? Veradin looked at new possibilities.
At the same time, the outskirts of Titan.
Chaeeeng!
Mercedes’ sword blocked a dagger flying through the darkness. Sky belatedly realized that his neck would’ve been pierced if Mercedes hadn’t acted and hurriedly raised his shield. Mercedes looked into the darkness.
“Tell the Overgeared King I know what he’s concerned about. Please let me handle it.”
-…Understood.
“…?”
A chill went down Sky’s spine as a gloomy voice was heard from the darkness.