Chapter 194 : Chapter 194
Chapter 194 - Towards the Imperial Family
The other siblings were bedridden, but only the First Son rose from his sickbed.
Swinging a sword until he collapsed from exhaustion was a familiar task, so his body was unbelievable for a sorcerer.
Even if you brought the swordsmen of the north, his physical durability, which would never be pushed back, was extremely sturdy.
Furthermore, as a Millesdusk blood relative, his high elemental resistance and curse immunity further complemented his durability.
It meant he was perfect for a scarecrow.
“I didn't expect to take on such a role while visiting you, but I'm glad to see you're healthy.”
“Yes. My body has no discomfort. For pouring a potent poison into a newly made dokdan, it was a cheap price to pay. And thank you for granting my request.”
In the spacious basement, Kairos, the Youngest Son, and the First Son stood divided into two and one.
“It's nothing. I also had nothing to prepare for a get-well visit other than flowers, so if I can do something like this, it's not bad.”
“Something like this? This is a huge help to me. And to Kairos here as well.”
“It must have been an unreasonable request. I also express my gratitude.”
“It seems more unreasonable for a dragon to be learning a curse. In any case, don't worry about the consequences and come at me.”
The First Son, who had distanced himself to some extent, didn't even take a stance and just crossed his arms.
It wasn't that he was particularly ignoring them. It was because a scarecrow couldn't move in the first place.
While he was being faithful to his role, Kairos recited what he had just learned.
“The most important things in a curse are killing intent. A high degree of imagination. And will.”
The dragon's muttering began to interfere with reality like a western spell.
It was also at that moment that the First Son's eyebrows furrowed slightly. It was a proven fact that dragons were good at handling magic. Then would they be good at handling curses as well?
This had never been proven, and no one had ever seen a dragon that used curses.
The people present here today would be the first to see it, and for some reason, they felt like they knew the result.
“I feel fortunate that dragons don't have the same desire for conquest as humans.”
He uncrossed his arms.
Just like that, Kairos's outstretched fingertips pointed towards this one's abdomen.
Hwarurururuk—!!
Kuuuung—!!
A red beam with a strong sense of heat struck the First Son's stomach.
The reason it struck instead of piercing was because it was deflected by the flat of his sword.
Without it, it was an attack that would have pierced through even high-level curse immunity and inflicted a wound.
Dddddk—
The dragon's curse pushed the First Son back five steps.
His body, which stopped only after friction caused smoke to rise from his soles, had a hand holding a sword that trembled slightly.
“Even though I'm not in my best condition, I didn't expect it to be this powerful on the first cast.”
“How was it?”
The First Son, instead of answering, held up his sword.
On the blade, which was as transparent as the surface of a lake, enough to reflect a person's face, a soot stain spread.
On the outside, it looked like a trace of being hit by fire, but the feel of it was completely different.
“It felt like blades clashing. And a blade heated by fire at that.”
“Would it be alright to try a few more times?”
“I don't mind.”
This time, the First Son did not sheathe his sword either. He didn't cross his arms, nor did he stand askew.
He looked straight at his opponent as if facing a worthy adversary. The scarecrow was ready.
The Youngest Son immediately began to supplement.
“It was very good for a first try. You used the hand gestures that support the imagination well. The power wasn't bad either.”
“But it was weaker than the master in the snowy mountains.”
“At that time, I had also drunk the Dark Elixir and was in my Dracul state. But you are using a method of adding power with the Bloodstone heart and the dragon's fire.”
Kairos had combined bloodflame with this, which was based on the curse of the slash.
That was why the First Son used the expression of a blade heated by fire.
“Kairos, you don't necessarily have to use it in a straight line like I did in the snowy mountains. You can use it horizontally, vertically, or diagonally like its original form.”
“Hmm. I understand. Not being bound by a straight line and focusing on the bloodflame to increase power. I'll remember that.”
The dragon was indeed a good student. If you taught it one thing, it would surely master that one thing and aim for more.
Even though curses were quite unfamiliar to it, unlike magic, it took an interest and tried to delve deeper.
“If you can handle this one curse well, you will overwhelm most sorcerers.”
The First Son quietly nodded at the Youngest Son's words.
After being hit more by the improved curse, he could agree with such a statement any number of times.
“That's decent.”
The First Son muttered under his breath and deflected a red beam that flew in diagonally.
Each time, a strong heat hit his face, and soot remained on the blade.
But the scarecrow also had something to say.
“When you shoot in a straight line, your fingertips are in front. When you shoot in other directions, your hand blade moves in that direction. Such things are easily read.”
“How should I solve that?”
“The Youngest Son would recommend hiding the hand gestures or using a surprise attack.”
“Now even Older Brother can see right through me.”
The Youngest Son nodded. As he had said, he would have recommended hiding or a surprise attack.
However, the scarecrow, who had directly clashed with the dragon's curse, recommended a completely different method.
“Even a swordsman who has mastered the ultimate swordsmanship is best at the downward slash he learned since he first held a sword.”
The fiery slashes flying from various directions were certainly hot, but there was a difference in temperature for each one.
“For whatever reason, the straight-line thrust was the most threatening.”
“It was the attack I was hit with when I was a Magic Dragon.”
“So that was it. It's true that what you've experienced directly remains strongly in your memory. The curse knows that too and manifests itself even more strongly.”
Srrk—
The First Son took out a cloth and wiped the soot-stained blade.
“The straight-line thrust. At first, hone and polish that one thing. Increase the speed of your thrust, and focus so that the power doesn't decrease even if the distance increases.”
The blade, which had become clean, returned to its scabbard.
“At the level of a beginner, it's a relief to be good at just one thing. If you're already good at that one thing, you should strive to be even better.”
“Did our Gatekeeper say that to you, Eldest Brother?”
“Let's just say it's something I heard too.”
The scarecrow, who had avoided the question, moved from his spot.
“I think this is enough for a get-well visit. If I take any more of the dragon's blows, I'll be the one in a sickbed.”
“My apologies. And thank you. Your advice was very suitable for me.”
“What advice for a dragon. Just live on your own.”
The First Son climbed onto the Bone Wyvern that had crawled out of the spatial artifact.
“The empire we are going to as an envoy will not be very peaceful.”
“Yes. As an empire we are going to with only the official seal and without proper notice, I expect quite a commotion.”
“Also keep in mind that there are very many who are aiming for you outside.”
“I will be careful with every step I take, so don't worry. I know that Eldest Brother also has a lot to do.”
“As much as you, the envoy?”
The First Son, even after mounting the Bone Wyvern, couldn't take his eyes off this side.
In his gray eyes, which usually showed no emotion, a faint worry was present.
It was an amazing sight to see for the first time, both as the Youngest Son and as a player.
“Youngest Son.”
“Yes. Eldest Brother.”
“Even if you turn the whole world against you, Millesdusk will not abandon you. So you can move boldly.”
The Youngest Son's eyes went blank for a moment. Then a slight smile appeared.
“You say things so casually that the Family Head wouldn't be very pleased to hear. Thank you.”
Drrrrrrk—
He opened the roof for the Bone Wyvern to fly out.
The First Son, who was looking up at the sky where the black sun was visible for a moment, spread the wyvern's wings.
“Come back alive.”
“You stay healthy too, Older Brother.”
Whoooosh—!!
The wyvern soared into the sky through the opened roof in an instant.
Not long after the roof closed, the outer wall opened. It was the envoys, including the Head Maid.
“Youngest Son. The preparations are complete. In addition, the Family Head has.”
Kuuuuuuuuuung—
A loud noise echoed from outside. It was not an awkward sound to hear, but a somewhat familiar noise.
The envoys who came out of the Dark Moon Grand Castle confirmed the source of the sound.
There was a black ship at the airship landing platform prepared in Eclipse.
At the stern, a giant skeleton was spreading its arms, and under the ship, rib-like skeletons were decorated.
The black sails, which pirates might use, resembled the black sun and absorbed the sunlight.
The airship, as large as the Ashen Queen, was the transport of the envoy representing Millesdusk.
The flag of Millesdusk fluttering above the sails. The five-headed hydra opened its mouth wide.
The black flag looked as if it would devour anything it saw.
“We depart now.”
“Youngest Son! Have a safe trip!”
“I leave Eclipse in your hands.”
The Butler stayed behind to protect this place, and the envoy boarded the ship.
“Dante. To be honest, I didn't think you would take me with you.”
Josephine, who had quietly come to my side, said in a low voice.
“I won't be of much help in the empire, both in terms of military power and ability.”
The Youngest Son smiled faintly.
“That's not what I want. From the beginning, you are the greatest weapon the envoy has.”
“...Me?”
To her, who asked back in surprise, I nodded my head.
“The Imperial Family recognizes Wisdom as the highest form of justice.”
“U-uhm.”
“The proof that that's not the case is alive and well right here.”
“Aah…!”
To Josephine, who had a look of realization, I continued.
“The mask of hypocrisy that Wisdom wears. I'm going to rip that off first. You are the hammer and chisel needed for that moment.”
“I understand what you mean very well.”
Josephine affirmed with a slightly more relaxed expression. She seemed relieved by the fact that she could be of help in some way.
In the meantime, the Head Maid approached.
“Youngest Son. It seems that a certain key is needed to reactivate the ship.”
“What do you mean by a key?”
“We couldn't find anything other than a ring-shaped groove.”
A ring-shaped groove. The Youngest Son fiddled with his finger.
“Everyone, get off the deck and go inside. We are departing.”
I followed the Head Maid to where the groove was.
It was a place surrounded by large windows that offered a clear view of the outside.
Here, where a platform that looked like something a demon would come out of was placed, there was a groove, just as the Head Maid had said.
I took off the Ring of the Ashen Sea and fitted it inside.
Shwaaaaaaaaaaaaa—
At the same time, a purple light spread out, and a noise signaling its operation echoed.
Lights came on in various places, including the ceiling of the ship and this place.
“It will take four days to fly west to the empire. It will decrease as we go, but I believe there will also be battles with aerial monsters.”
“You don't have to think about the latter. The best of the aerial monsters is on this ship.”
The Head Maid slowly nodded.
“I understand.”
“When you arrive, your role will be to contact the on-site intelligence agents and control them. You'll do well as a former senior.”
“I will do my best.”
Kuuuuuuuuuuuuung—
The black ship gradually ascended into the sky. Like the Ashen Queen in the ring, it moved freely at the will of its master.
It gradually accelerated, heading west.
Even so, we arrived later than Wisdom, but I was confident of producing better results than them.
At the very least, I was confident of ruining their results.
The black ship carrying the envoy flew above the clouds. It flew from the direction of the rising sun to the direction of the setting sun, with the black sun at its back.
The Youngest Son, who had set the direction, moved away from the platform and looked for the Forest Witch.
“Lores.”
“Is there something you want me to do?”
“Today, too.”
“I brought as many of the second blue flames as you asked me to.”
She held up a container large enough to fit a person's head, along with extra bottles. Inside, it was full of the second blue flame.
“Well done. But there's something you have to do while we travel to the empire.”
“I barely got to say goodbye to Halsin and Kio. I'm busy.”
“I know. That's why there will be additional pay for this job.”
“……”
A light entered the eyes of the salaried worker and embezzler.
“One of your talents, Forest Witch, embezzlement. This time, let's try it on the Imperial Family.”