Novel Will Be Taken Down on 17 May or Earlier Chapter 181 - They are all unqualified

──────

 

[Main quest: Warring States Period]

 

a time of upheaval.

 

Is it simple power that it is header for?

 

Is it the emperor’s incompetence?

 

Or is it a fate that can’t be resisted?

 

The continent’s powerful people covet the throne.

 

Your choice will create a new flow.

 

──────

 

The capital city, Antonium.

 

The last bastion of the Empire didn’t fall. Despite suffering unprecedented damage, they didn’t give in to the demons. It was truly a desperate struggle.

 

“Stop! Put your life on the line!”

 

“When the wall collapses, everything is over!”

 

“I will block them even if it will kill me!”

 

Did heaven take pity on that desperate struggle?

 

“…Is that true? The demons are gone!”

 

The forces of the demons that raged throughout the Empire were destroyed overnight.

 

It wasn’t just them. Even the king of the demons, the demon king. Unlike before, they had withdrawn their movement.

 

Clip-clop–

 

A scouting party thoroughly scouted the area around Antonium.

 

They couldn’t believe it even when they saw it with their own eyes.

 

“W-What kind of reconciliation is this?”

 

Just like the news said, the demons were really gone.

 

Without even leaving a trace.

 

It was as if they were scared of ‘something’.

 

“…You go back and tell His Majesty this news!”

 

Everyone in Antonium, including the Emperor, was relieved.

 

“Thank goodness, we were about to run out of food.”

 

“I don’t know what scheme they’re hiding, but…”

 

“Let’s stop being pessimistic. We don’t have a choice, do we? All we can do is not let our guard down and take advantage of this opportunity.”

 

“Yes, you’re right.”

 

They thought they finally had a chance to take a deep breath.

 

But they overlooked one thing.

 

Demons became stronger through negative energy.

 

How did demons appear?

 

Even after appearing on the Arcana Continent.

 

They got stronger day by day.

 

Where did their source of that power come from?

 

Rumble–

 

Soldiers were flocking towards Antonium.

 

They weren’t demons or the reinforcement army.

 

“Your Majesty! Duke Ymir is leading the soldiers…!!”

 

“Marquis Cassano has rebelled against the Empire!”

 

“The feudal lords on the east of the Empire have declared an alliance…!”

 

They were rebels trying to topple the Empire.

 

The Emperor made his way to the walls of Antonium.

 

He looked at the people who surrounded him.

 

A bitter smile hung over his face.

 

“…I was foolishly mistaken.”

 

These were the people who hadn’t responded to the telepathy of the imperial mage or the carrier pigeon. Foolishly, he thought they had been defeated by the demons.

 

He blamed himself day and night for not being able to protect them.

 

However.

 

“You guys were glowering at me since the beginning.”

 

The Emperor’s mouth formed a wry smile.

 

“…It’s not a position to be envious of.”

 

A crown that looked like it would crush you to death by its weight.

 

They wanted to step up and carry it?

 

If the position of emperor was something that could be handed over.

 

He would be willing to hand it over.

 

Whoosh–

 

The Emperor gently closed his eyes as the wind blew.

 

The smell carried by the wind had changed.

 

There was no burnt smell of the smell of blood anymore.

 

“…Really, if everything is over.”

 

Really, if the demons disappeared from the continent.

 

If his burdens disappeared and the people of the Empire didn’t groan in pain.

 

He would be willing to give up the emperor’s seat.

 

The Emperor made up his mind.

 

“I don’t think such an ending would be bad.”

 

He was so tired he couldn’t hold on any longer.

 

The Emperor opened his eyes and recited.

 

“So please don’t blame me too much if we meet again, Harkon. The debt I owe you so far is too much for me to pay off.”

 

Thud–

 

With the Emperor’s empty words.

 

The field of the Qirnberg Machine Tower’s vision shifted.

 

Toward the numerous forces that surrounded Antonium.

 

“Our alliance lasts until the moment we topple Antonium and bring down the Emperor. From then on, don’t trust anyone’s words, Duke.”

 

Up until the demons evaporated overnight.

 

The Arcana Continent had been groaning in pain.

 

However, the people gathered showed no sign of fatigue.

 

It was only natural.

 

The people who gathered here didn’t confront the demons.

 

While turning a blind eye to the people groaning in pain.

 

They had been keeping themselves locked in the castle as if they were dead to save their energy for today.

 

“The continent wants a new emperor!”

 

“Emperor! Your incompetence has turned the continent into this state.”

 

“This is a revolution, not a rebellion!”

 

Boom–

 

Its only purpose was to hunt demons.

 

The machine tower was incapable of distinguishing between right from wrong.

 

It just stored the scenery of Antonium in its memory device.

 

Boom–

 

The moment the Qirnberg Machine Tower was about to take a step.

 

A man stood in front of him.

 

Dark blue hair.

 

Bright blue eyes.

 

And more than that, the sword force.

 

The man, who appeared to be a young man, opened his mouth.

 

“Is this the machine that goes around doing useless things?”

 

Sk–

 

Then, without hesitation, he pointed his sword at the machine tower.

 

It was so blue that you could feel the cold energy just by looking at it.

 

The brightness was so clear that it was blinding. It was so intense that it was clearly visible in broad daylight, even to the eyes of those who weren’t aware of the sword force.

 

In short, it was a sword force and so much more.

 

There was a buzz around.

 

“That’s Sir Shegwin…!”

 

Sword Saint, Shegwin.

 

The only Grand Sword Master on the continent.

 

At the same time, he was a transcendent.

 

“But Sir Shegwin, why are you aiming your sword at the Qirnberg Machine Tower?”

 

“…Is it because the demons have become less active?”

 

“Is it because its value has faded? No, even so, you don’t have to point a sword at it, do you? Besides, the demon kings are still huddled in the Arcana Continent…”

 

Amidst pouring concerns.

 

Shegwin nastily twisted the corner of his mouth.

 

“I hate the racket.”

 

Swoosh–!

 

Then he wielded his sword without hesitation.

 

Shegwin’s sword cut through the air.

 

Goo–!

 

Then the Quinberg Machine Tower began to fall down.

 

It was cut in two.

 

It collapsed disastrously, spilling out countless cogs as if it was blood.

 

It was an unrealistic sight.

 

Gulp!

 

Antonium’s transcendent power turned Shegwin into an enemy.

 

Even those who came in solidarity with him were astonished.

 

But the machine tower was neither alarmed nor agitated.

 

In its last moment.

 

What the machine tower stored in its memory device was just Shegwin’s words.

 

– “Is this the machine that goes around doing useless things?”

 

The demon’s natural enemy.

 

A demon hunter who saw the demons extinguished.

 

A decisive weapon that carried on Akshan’s pride.

 

There must be a reason why he called the demon hunting a useless activity. It hoped the last demon hunter could see through Shegwin’s inner thoughts…

 

Thud!

 

.

 

.

 

.

 

I looked at the messages that appeared one after another.

 

[Quest: Useless Act]

 

Shegwin regarded the demon hunt as useless.

 

Talk to Shegwin,

 

Get to know the truth of his actions.

 

– Encounter Shegwin (In Progress)

 

All right, let’s think rationally.

 

Regardless of the content, I was prepared.

 

Like I said, I had experienced it, didn’t I?

 

Akshan’s tradition.

 

I had expected to take over and carry out the quest left behind by another demon hunter.

 

…But what is this scale?!

 

First of all, there wasn’t just one quest.

 

[Main quest: Warring States Period]

 

No, why did the main quest appear all of a sudden?

 

Grandfel.

 

I couldn’t help but resent this big mouth.

 

‘What you said really becomes true!’

 

If I conceded a hundred times and was in good condition, I probably would have welcomed it.

 

The main quest.

 

Unlike the world quests, there was no relevant information about it to the point that even players were divided on whether or not it existed.

 

Even so.

 

“Is this a story that even those who explore the glimpse of creation do not know?”

 

…You still exaggerate even in this situation, Grandfel.

 

To put it plainly, AAU didn’t have any specific information about the main quest. But the system never lied.

 

Besides, it was plausible, wasn’t it?

 

‘It’s romantic, something that every player would embrace once in a while.’

 

If it was a quest that allowed you to become the emperor of an empire.

 

Indeed, it was worth being called the main quest.

 

But as I said, the problem was my condition.

 

I couldn’t afford to care about it right now, so what was the point of having this quest!!

 

Main quest?

 

Akshan’s quest?

 

It was all good.

 

But before that, the first thing I had to do was release the effect of the clanking circle, [Transcendent]. Yes, Grandfel. It means that you must follow the ‘procedures’ that you value so much.

 

I had heard it clearly.

 

‘It’s useless to hunt demons.’

 

Sword Saint.

 

At the same time, the continent’s only Grand Sword Master, Shegwin.

 

I, too, smelled something unpleasant when I saw Shegwin’s appearance left behind by the Qirnberg Machine Tower.

 

I wondered if it had something to do with the demons.

 

‘Well, I hope it was just paranoia.’

 

Anyway, in order to carry out Akshan’s quest, I had to encounter Shegwin.

 

Now that the [map] had lost its effectiveness, the only way to meet Shegwin was to rely on the coincidence of the ruptures. If we happened to meet by chance…

 

‘First of all, we can’t avoid a collision.’

 

Would Grandfel just let him go?

 

Shegwin smashed the machine tower that had been intact.

 

For Grandfel, this was no different from destroying his comrade.

 

So I recited coldly.

 

“I will strictly hold you accountable for your frivolous action.”

 

So I had even more reasons.

 

I had to solve the circle somehow.

 

As a fellow transcendent, I had to match his level so that we could exchange words.

 

But at this moment.

 

Above all else, I had a different thought.

 

Antonium.

 

In the castle walls, the Emperor had a bitter expression on his face.

 

The right-hand man of the Emperor was Harkon.

 

‘If Harkon finds out about this…’

 

Harkon would do anything to protect the Emperor.

 

He would move to save Antonium.

 

So what would happen to the [main quest]?

 

I looked at the quest goal.

 

– Take over Antonium. (Select)

 

– Defend Antonium. (Select)

 

Like the [battlefield quest], the quest goal was to choose a faction.

 

I measured the strength of both sides with a cool head.

 

In a siege, the attacking side basically had the advantage.

 

Moreover, Antonium didn’t collapse despite the attacks of countless demons. Antonium was gradually reaching its limit and the number of besieged forces was also significant.

 

Besides, I had checked it with my own eyes.

 

The Sword Saint Shegwin’s overwhelming power…!

 

You have to know to truly be able to see.

 

Perhaps because I had also reached the level of sword force.

 

I could see how outrageous Shegwin’s swordsmanship was.

 

‘The Qirnberg Machine Tower has great durability.’

 

[Pentagram of Pure Knowledge].

 

Thanks to this item, I knew all the minerals that the Qirnberg Machine Tower was made of.

 

No matter how great the walls of the capital city were, they couldn’t be compared to the minerals that made up the machine tower.

 

‘He cut down the machine tower like he was cutting tofu.’

 

Stronger than Harkon.

 

It was a level that couldn’t be overcome by the current me.

 

So, from a player’s perspective.

 

The Empire and the Emperor had no chance of victory.

 

Even if Harkon angrily joined, the result wouldn’t change.

 

So if I chose to defend.

 

I would fail the main quest miserably.

 

However.

 

“I can’t fathom how you feel, Sir Harkon.”

 

I.

 

Grandfel.

 

Since when did I make rational decisions?

 

Yes, it all depended on pride.

 

The heavy pride in my heart was speaking.

 

“But one thing seems certain.”

 

I recited while thinking it over.

 

“Every single one of them, without exception.”

 

They were going to overthrow the emperor and become the new emperor?

 

Those bastards.

 

Didn’t they just hide and stay still until the demons ravaged the continent?

 

I could concede a hundred times and consider it an influence from when Arcana was just a game.

 

Like the Mage Tower whose hands got tied up because it had too much power.

 

But even if I tried to understand, I couldn’t.

 

In the end, the Mage Tower broke its contradiction and changed.

 

Besides.

 

As if fighting the great evil and the demon kings weren’t bad enough, did you think I confronted the high-ranking demon king because I wanted to die!?

 

“They are completely unqualified.”

 

So this was another mutual agreement.

 

“Shegwin, you are no different.”

 

This was the mutual agreement between the pride of Grandfel.

 

And the injustice that I, Lee Hoyeol, felt.

 

So, I didn’t hesitate.

 

My vision began to flicker.

 

– Take over Antonium. (Fail)

 

– Defend Antonium. (In Progress)

 

Sword Saint?

 

The only Grand Sword Master on the continent?

 

His alias was definitely grandiose.

 

But when it came to aliases, I didn’t lose.

 

Infinitely Deep Darkness.

 

Ray of Light in the Darkness.

 

And Evil Dragon Hunter too!

 

‘Damn it, saying it with my own mouth makes me feel even more ashamed.’

 

But besides the aliases, I had nothing to bow down to, right?

 

Yes, because like Shegwin, I was also a [Transcendent].

 

Even if the effect was half-qualified and sealed, anyway.

 

So all I had to do was simple.

 

Creak–

 

I got up from my seat and looked out the office window.

 

…I have to grow the elixirs.

 

*

 

The annex.

 

Elsidore opened the door to the annex and strolled through the Golden Palace. His destination was, of course, the garden. The employees of the Golden Palace whispered when they saw Elsidore.

 

“…He looks happy, doesn’t he?”

 

“Hush, watch what you say! I’m afraid he’ll hear you.”

 

“I thought so too, isn’t it amazing?”

 

After being confined in the annex of the Golden Palace.

 

Elsidore’s face was always sullen.

 

So much so that the elf’s appearance that looked like a sculpture faded.

 

Elsidore always had a murderous look in his eyes.

 

“But, well, he was smiling in the annex, too!”

 

Elsidore’s face had changed.

 

Why was that?

 

There was only one reason they could think of.

 

“…It’s after he stopped by the garden, right?”

 

Indeed.

 

Elsidore changed after he started managing Hoyeol’s flower garden.

 

The employees made a fuss.

 

“As expected, just like the legend says, elves are friendly to nature!”

 

“…Could it be that the sudden construction of the flower garden in the annex was for the elf? Don’t you think that could be it? He’s not the type of person to do that!”

 

“He seems cold but he’s actually very thoughtful.”

 

Prick–

 

Elf’s big ears twitched.

 

What, that bastard was being considerate?

 

How could the bastard who put him in this situation was being considerate?

 

Elsidore sharpened his teeth.

 

“…I will definitely kill him.”

 

However, the effect of [Hierarchy of Blessing] was still active.

 

Despite his determination, Elsidore had no choice but to take care of the flower garden with sincerity.

 

“That’s funny.”

 

Why did Elsidor regain his smile?

 

It was simple.

 

Because Elsidore was actually sneering.

 

‘He pretended to be great but this is all he could do.’

 

He couldn’t believe he was going to the trouble of watering a flower garden like this. How trivial. It was trivial befitting of a bug. Elsidore was regaining his self-esteem by contemplating Hoyeol in the flower garden.

 

“It really is a pointless effort.”

 

Day after day.

 

“What difference will it make if I water it?”

 

And after day.

 

“I want to show Sisley’s flower garden to that cheeky brat.”

 

Fufufu.

 

Elsodre’s expression was getting brighter day by day.

 

Exactly four days later.

 

Elsidore’s face turned pale as he entered the flower garden.

 

“?”

 

In the past few days, he couldn’t look closely because he was so busy laughing, swearing, and enjoying taking behind Hoyeol’s back. The flowers in the flower garden had grown incomparably larger than before.

 

Elsidore murmured.

 

“…How?”

 

In just four days.

 

Those insignificant flowers.

 

They exuded big, splendid deep energy.

 

Even more than Sisley’s flowers that had lived for eternity.