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Chapter 305

Many people had perished, but many heroes had also emerged.

It was only logical that the Twelve Superhumans and Nine Stars went through some changes in the process. People from all over the continent now called them the Three Celestials, Six Stars, Ten Superhumans, whose strength matched their names.

Moreover, there was someone who existed beyond any of these categories—he was the Hero King. Just as his name suggested, he was at the top of the countless heroes.

He constantly traveled a path lined with glory, and those who followed him consistently came out on top. Despite his abrupt and cold ending, he was a legend and had often been talked about on the continent.

Some even said that Avalon’s current ruin had to do with the absence of Emperor Marcus, the death of Duke Agnus, and the Hero King’s disappearance. Of course, it was a given that should the Hero King reappear after three years, then the continent that had stagnated would go through another period of upheaval.

But now, even the Hero King was solemnly talked about as the continent kept changing and the memories of the past heroes faded.

***

“There they are!”

Icarus’s eyes flew open as she heard Duke Eima shouting behind her. A group of men were gathered behind him. They all wore well-oiled dark brown leather armor, but it would be a mistake to think it was regular leather. What they were wearing was, in fact, ogreuis, a material that was harder and sturdier than iron.

Across the entire continent, there was only one group who was given the privilege of wearing it.

“The Despera Knight Order of the Swallow Empire!”

“There’s also Erhaim’s Wilhelm Knights behind them.”

“Oh, dear…”

At Christian’s muttered response, Icarus whirled around to shout at Cain.

“Just what the hell have you—!”

Icarus suddenly stopped as she flinched.

Cain’s face was uncharacteristically grim.

“Sir Cain, you…?”

“The most unsettling hunch is almost always the right one.” Instead of Cain, it was Christian who responded.

He drew his sword. The holy sword, often known as the White Blade, gleamed in the sunlight.

“I will assist,” Christian spoke to Cain.

“I won’t refuse.”

Duke Eima, the Ice Emperor, chuckled darkly.

“And what is the answer to my question?”

“Do you need an answer?”

“I see. Hahahaha.”

“There’s no need to talk further.”

Pah!

Before anyone could stop him, Cain kicked off the ground as hard as he could

CLANG!

The alleyway rang with the sound of two swords clashing.

Clang! Clack! Clang!

Bright crimson sparks flew as they exchanged blows.

Cian wielded an inky black greatsword that was almost two meters long, while Duke Eima’s weapon was an oddly shaped short sword that was no longer than 150 cm.

‘In a battle of physical strength, I won’t lose!’

Brrrrrrrr.

Cain’s aura-infused sword shook.

Duke Eima noticed this and grinned.

“You must believe that if it’s a battle of strength, you won’t lose, right?”

“...!”

“But unfortunately for you, I don’t plan on entertaining that notion one bit.”

Crack, crack.

Cain flinched at the odd noise; then he frowned as his hand, which was gripping his sword hilt, became cold. Soon, that coldness turned to ice, which quickly spread across his entire body.

“Application—?”

“You’ll be in trouble if you assume that it’s just the aura changing form.” Duke Eima’s grin became wider. “After all, I have to uphold my position as a Star, right?”

Cain’s muscles twitched as he jerked his body. He was trying to shake the cold and ice loose, but as his body had started to freeze, it was impossible.

“This—”

“I told you, didn’t I? This isn’t just an application of aura.”

“....”

“The Hubalt Empire calls this ‘True Aura.’ While the name is different, it is essentially the same.”

As if he was teaching his opponent, Duke Eima continued to explain patiently. “The Swallow Empire calls this the ‘Manifestation of Aura.’”

“....”

Cain’s grip on his sword tightened.

There was no way he didn’t know since the disparity between the strong and the weak grew wider as a result of this.

“Don’t try to teach him.”

As if they had been waiting for this moment, a new voice butted in.

Duke Eima was confused.

“After all, you’re not the only one who can do that.”

“You—”

Duke Eima turned to Christian and found the knight’s face to be contorted with contempt.

A bright, unadulterated white light poured out onto his blade.

“Divine Power?”

“Oh, is that how you see it?”

The white sword moved swiftly.

The problem was that Cain was right in the sword’s path. Soon, Cain’s body was enveloped in a light and, at the same time—Crack!—something broke with the sound of a window shattering.

Cain clenched and unclenched his fist when the force that had been impeding his movement disappeared.

Duke Eima remained focused on Christian’s sword.

“It’s very fascinating,” the Duke gently mused. “To think that you can also aura that way.”

“Do not be so arrogant,” Christian warned him. “Our advancements have not fallen behind that of Swallow.”

Duke crossed his arms, unbothered by Christian’s warning.

“It’s not arrogance.”

“...?”

“It is confidence.”

“...!”

“But who knows, if what happened at the Great Plain of Kraden three years ago were to happen again, then perhaps I would lose my confidence.”

“You’re talking about the Hero King.”

Duke Eima walked forward, shaking his head.

“But enough. Let’s stop with the idle chatter. I don’t want to waste precious time making conversation.”

With an odd noise, Duke Eima’s sword transformed.

He had just swung his sword lightly, but the outcome was astounding.

An enormous form appeared in the skies. A massive dragon had been instantly formed with that small motion. It immediately opened its jaw to attack Cain and Christian.

“But even if he

“This… how can you manifest an aura to this degree!” Christian gasped.

Despite the fact that the dragon was, in essence, a mere block of ice, it still exuded an immense presence and sense of danger.

There was a reason why Duke Eima was given the title Ice Emperor, as well as the Far North Spirit Knight. He was a special case as he had obtained an element after he had become an Absolute.

A tremendous roar swept over the two knights, enveloping them with a terrible chill.

“Ugh!”

“I’ll ask again, where is Jousha Sanders, the Hero King?”

“Damn, if this continues…”

Cain focused all his energy on raising his blade in front of him.

At that moment…

Woosh!

“Let me handle this.”

Holding the spear, robed individual finally stepped exactly in the middle of Duke Eima and the other two knights.

He threw a punch with all his might at the incoming ice dragon.

Boom!

Human fist slammed into the ice dragon and a roar, unmatched by everything that had sounded before, rang through the air.

The figure’s face became visible through the shattered ice.

“You—!”

Duke Eima’s voice dripped with astonishment, and his eyes widened as he discovered who the robed individual was.

***

‘Where is this place?’

It was very dark. Completely indistinguishable, absolute darkness. Furthermore, it was devoid of any sound.

But right now, there was a change that was beginning to take place.

It first started with a small buzz. It was just a faint sound that unless paid attention to, it was easy to miss. But soon, that small buzzing quickly echoed through the space until it caused the entire area to vibrate.

- How long are you planning to sleep?

But how could vibrations cause a sound?

- By now, you should have the guts to accept the truth?

One thing was clear; it didn’t come from a human being.

- The world has changed, so we can’t wait any further. Get up.

The echo’s voice was the only sound in the otherwise dead silence.

- You made a promise with me, a demonic artifact. Don’t waste any more years.

“...I know.”

The human voice was the first sign that someone was present.

Another change then took place. With a little rustling, a human-shaped object sprang up.

Two eyelids appeared from the shadows; they silently shined, darker than the depths.

“I just needed some time.”