Chapter 110 : Chapter 110
Chapter 110 : The Destruction Dragon's Energy
“Hooo……”
The change that occurred to Haima's Pendant was more than I had thought.
Although I couldn't purify all the Destruction Dragon's Demonic energy dwelling in Haima's Pendant, I succeeded in purifying at least a part of it.
And not just purified, but with a part of the subdued Destruction Dragon's energy contained within it.
‘The Destruction Dragon's energy.’
I still remember.
The horrifying energy that rotted human flesh and blood alive and contaminated the mind just by approaching the Destruction Dragon.
Of course, the Destruction Dragon's energy dwelling in Haima's Pendant was an extremely small part, and the energy I succeeded in subduing with the power of a level 4 Postponer of Ruin would be much less than that, but the important thing was that I had succeeded in controlling a part of that power.
‘This is worth paying attention to.’
Of course, I couldn't be sure yet whether it was a good thing or a bad thing, but that was something I could find out by checking it myself.
‘This much should be fine to test right now.’
In the case of the GF-40 Grenade Launcher from before, it was difficult to experiment with it directly here due to the nature of the firearm, but the essence of Haima's Pendant is, after all, the ability to manipulate the wearer's blood flow.
It meant that this much would be fine.
As soon as I put on Haima's Pendant, which I had set down, an energy, hot as if it would burst into flames, rose up from within my body.
Thump, thump…….
I feel it.
That the power felt through Haima's Pendant is distinctly different from before.
[‘Haima's Curse’ activated.]
[Due to ‘Haima's Curse’, the wearer's blood rampages.]
[Due to the ‘Haima's Curse’ effect, physical abilities are enhanced by 50%.]
[Due to the ‘Haima's Curse’ effect, resistance to the ‘Bleeding’ status effect is very greatly reduced.]
[Due to the ‘Haima's Curse’ effect, a powerful cursed strength dwells in the blood.]
As if to prove it was different from before, the heat and power felt from my body were extraordinary.
That wasn't all.
[The energy of the Destruction Dragon Tiamat dwelling in Haima's Pendant corrodes the wearer!]
The Destruction Dragon's Demonic energy originating from Haima's Pendant oozed out slowly, and was about to run rampant inside my body, but stopped.
It didn't stop on its own.
[The Power of the Postponer of Ruin subdues the energy of the Destruction Dragon Tiamat!]
Only then did the Destruction Dragon's energy, which had been running rampant, slowly quieted down.
“……Look at this.”
Despite having been subdued once by the blood of the Postponer of Ruin, as expected of the Destruction Dragon's energy, it brazenly aimed for the wearer once again.
If anyone other than me had carelessly worn Haima's Pendant, it would have been a situation where they could have been devoured by the Destruction Dragon's Demonic energy long ago.
‘This is interesting.’
How on earth could the energy be so powerful that it could run rampant like this even after being subdued once…….
That's why I was looking forward to it even more.
If I could control this power, what kind of power could I display?
Ssss…….
The Demonic energy that began to surge at my fingertips flows out.
This is not ordinary Demonic energy.
Demonic energy originating from the Destruction Dragon.
As if to prove that fact, as soon as the Demonic energy flowed from my fingertips, the ground around me began to die, turning black.
“Oops.”
It seemed obvious that if I left the Destruction Dragon's Demonic energy out for long, Winter Castle would turn into a land of death, so I hurriedly withdrew the energy.
Srrk…….
The Destruction Dragon's Demonic energy that had manifested at my fingertips was absorbed again, returning inside Haima's Pendant.
I had expected it, as it was the Destruction Dragon's energy, but as expected, it was sinister beyond imagination.
‘Although the Destruction Dragon's energy that I can utilize isn't that large... even this much will be a great help at important moments.’
It meant that even if I couldn't use it as a mainstay, I could utilize it as a trump card.
Haima's Pendant was a good item that I had used myself even before it broke, but after being exposed to the Destruction Dragon's Demonic energy, it had certainly become worthy of the word 'special'.
‘If it's this much, it might be okay to try aiming for a labyrinth soon.’
Originally, any labyrinth was not a place that a level 4 Player could dare to aim for, but it was true that for me right now, the lower floors of an easy labyrinth were worth trying.
‘Of course, even that would be impossible alone… but I won't need to worry about that.’
After all, right now I had the guys from the 4th Special Task Force, who are very good to use.
***
In the desolate winter landscape where a cold wind blew. Many people had gathered in the plaza within Winter Castle.
On the faces of the people dressed in black, traces of sadness and mourning were cast.
It couldn't be helped.
Because the main figures of the funeral being held now were family, friends, and colleagues to those in Winter Castle.
In the center of the plaza, coffins covered with white cloth were lined up, and on top of them, portraits of the fallen soldiers, including Baronet Eldran, along with swords and bouquets, were placed.
In the quiet and reverent atmosphere, the Lord of the castle came out and began the eulogy.
The Margrave honored the sacrifice of Baronet Eldran and the brave soldiers who died protecting Winter Castle from the invaders, and he prayed for their repose, at least with the rough expressions characteristic of a Northern man.
While everyone bowed their heads in silent prayer, a mournful song rang out with a sad melody.
The funeral procession carried the coffins, left the plaza, and headed for the cemetery of the fallen soldiers.
While the soldiers stood in line, holding their weapons and saluting, people laid white flowers in front of the victims' graves, one by one.
Amidst the flower petals scattering in the wind, the tearful farewells of the Winter Castle people felt heavy.
Originally, Winter Castle didn't hold such events so grandly, but the funeral honoring the souls of the fallen soldiers was an exception.
It is not for the dead.
It was for those who remain, and for those who will live in Winter Castle in the future.
After the short and intense joint funeral for the fallen soldiers ended, Edric spoke.
“Everyone worked hard.”
“What do you mean, worked hard? We just stood there.”
“That's what's called working hard.”
“Yes, well.”
Conlan spoke.
“But we couldn't even recover Baronet Eldran's body, is that alright?”
“You know, don't you. Even if we go back there now, not even bones would remain.”
“Is that so?”
“In the first place, it was rare for anyone among the fallen soldiers to have their body recovered safely, it was that fierce of a battle.”
“Hmm, that's true too.”
Conlan scratched his head as if embarrassed.
Edric, who had been watching the funeral come to an end with an unreadable gaze, slowly turned his gaze, and then spoke as if he had discovered something.
“Spring will be here soon.”
“Does such a thing even come to Winter Castle?”
At Albino's question, Edric nodded his head slightly.
“It does come. Though it's very short, and sometimes it even snows.”
“……How is that spring?”
As Albino spoke as if he was dumbfounded, Edric laughed heartily.
“Well, I don't know about that either. But what can I do when everyone calls it spring?”
“……Ignorant Northern bastards, anyway.”
“Why do you say that? Aren't you a Northerner now too?”
“Hmph, what nonsense……. That will never happen.”
“Haha, we'll see.”
The cold snap that had hit Winter Castle passed, and the warm wind from the south began to blow.
Though I don't know how long that wind will last.
***
The countless incidents that had hit Winter Castle were almost all concluded, and the same daily routine returned once again.
If there was one thing that had changed, it would be that the subject of the training, the core routine of the 4th Special Task Force, was no longer Edric.
“Vell, as the Captain of the 4th Special Task Force, I order you. Train the soldiers.”
That was the first thing I heard when I was suddenly called to Edric's office.
In a word, he was telling me to do the work he had been doing until now.
“Did you make me Squad Leader for this?”
“I wasn't the one who made you, it was Margrave's order, who highly values your abilities.”
“Isn't that the same thing? After all, all the evaluations of me must have come from you, Captain.”
When it comes to this kind of promotion review, the opinion and influence of Edric, the person in charge, are bound to have a profound effect.
To put it bluntly, how much would Margrave know about the 4th Special Task Force's situation?
“What I want to say is simple. I am a soldier, and I cannot go against the orders of the Margrave, my superior and my lord. So, you should just do as you're told.”
Edric didn't speak long.
I also left Edric's office, as I had nothing to gain from arguing here.
I had been thinking that I should personally guide the 4th Special Task Force members at least once anyway, and it seemed the opportunity had come sooner than expected.
Well, I didn't like the fact that it was due to others' will and not my own, but.
“I will be conducting today's training.”
The reactions were varied.
“Hmm, they said you became the Squad Leader, is it starting already?”
“Idiot. Can't you tell just by looking? That lazy captain dumped it on Vell.”
“Ah, I see.”
“What kind of training is it?”
Conlan and Albino chattered among themselves as always, and Alicia looked at me with sparkling eyes.
To be honest, it was to the point of being a little burdensome.
Of course, as it was the monumental first training, I had no intention of doing ordinary training.
Shouldn't there be discipline established between the instructor and the trainees?
“The first training is nothing special. All of you, try attacking me at once.”
“Huh?”
“Hooo.”
“Vell, that’s…….”
Amidst the strange reactions, I added one more word.
“I won't use magic, so don't worry unnecessarily.”
Conlan laughed fiercely, as if it was amusing.
“Hah, even so, aren't you looking down on us too much? Even if you've gotten stronger, do you think you can take all of us on without magic?”
“Arrogant. Can you handle it?”
“Vell, even so, that’s…….”
It seems I need to provoke them a little more.
“Don't worry, just come at me. What, are you scared now that I've told you to attack?”
“You said it. Let's loosen up our bodies for the first time in a while.”
“A mage, taunting without magic……. I'll show you that even for you, some things are impossible.”
“……I won't go easy on you.”
The power of 'U scared?' was immense.
I didn't know even Alicia would grip a wooden sword and emanate a desolate chill.
Of course, that didn't mean I had any intention of backing down.
“Just try and come.”
I also gripped my wooden sword tightly.
It's time to establish the Squad Leader's dignity.
***
The 1:3 spar that started as the Squad Leader's establishment of discipline naturally ended in my victory.
Shall I say it was a good time to teach the fearless squad members how high the sky is?
……Well, to be honest, there were some dangerous moments, but only a few.
“Kkeuk…… Am I alive?”
“……Damn monster bastard.”
“How……?”
Conlan and Albino groaned, clutching their bodies that had been beaten by wooden swords, and Alicia also looked at me, unable to hide her shock.
In this spar, I didn't use Weapon Summon, of course, nor the Fang of Blazing Fire, the Orb of Water, or Nak's Legacy.
It was because these things were just too powerful and dangerous to be used in a spar.
In other words, it could be seen that I utilized everything except those, but that alone was enough to subdue the rest of the task force members.
‘This result is more than I thought.’
Although I had gotten astonishingly stronger compared to before, the task force members hadn't been playing around in the meantime either.
They had built up experience and combat skills while crossing the line of death together, and in reality, everyone had gotten stronger by that much.
Especially in the case of Alicia, who had outstanding skills to begin with, she was almost close to level 5 in terms of level.
Nevertheless, in this spar, I had subdued all of them without relying on firearms.
‘The physical ability enhancement from Haima's Pendant and the mobility from Hermes's Gale Boots are more useful than I thought.’
In addition to that, although I didn't use it directly, the physical ability supported by the Demonic energy inherent in my body was also immense.
It was to the point where even Conlan, the strongest among the task force members, was pushed back in a power struggle against me, so there was no need to say more.
“Damn, when did he get that strong?”
“Don't compare yourself to that monster bastard. That thing isn't an understandable creature.”
“……Vell, you've gotten stronger.”
The task force members threw out a word each, unable to hide their surprise, but the training was not over yet.
“If everyone has rested enough, shall we get up? Ah, no. That's not it.”
Without needing to say much, there was a very time-honored training method passed down in the 4th Special Task Force.
“Footrace, one person.”
***
“……”
A deep gaze, from which it was impossible to tell what he was thinking, gazed at the shadow of the noble fortress beyond the snowfield.
Winter Castle, Kreutz.
Looking at the shield of the Empire that had finally revealed itself at the end of a long journey, a faint smile spread across the uninvited visitor's lips.
“I found it.”
Luna moved her steps.
Steps that were somehow light.