episode_0074

“Ah…, unfamiliar ceiling.”

A pure white space.

Returning from the mental world, what I saw was an unfamiliar wooden ceiling.

Looking at this ceiling, reminiscent of a traditional Korean village experience, I recalled the events before coming to the mental world and glanced to the side.

There, I saw Sister Lucy sitting demurely on a chair, reading a book.

The sound of the paper turning, rustle, rustle, was like ASMR.

“Oh my.”

Then, Lucy, hearing my mutter, turned her head and looked at me.

When our eyes met, she smiled with a twinkle in her eyes and said,

“You’re awake? You finished faster than I thought. It’s rare for a hero to pass the Trial of the Holy Sword so quickly.”

“…Quickly? How long has it been since I received the Trial of the Holy Sword?”

Even if I only calculate the time I spent screwing Machina in the mental world, it must have been easily over several hours….

Lucy, in response to my question, closed the book she was reading (probably the Bible) and thought for a moment before saying,

“Has it been about 10 minutes?”

“Only 10 minutes?”

“The flow of time is different in the mental realm where the Trial of the Holy Sword takes place. Um…, Hero, haven’t you ever had an experience like this? An experience where you only took a short nap but had really diverse dreams?”

Well….

I don’t know because I’ve never paid attention to such experiences.

After getting up from the bedding, I took out the Holy Sword that was stuck in my inventory.

“…Huh?”

When I picked up the Holy Sword, I felt a subtly warm sensation, unlike usual.

【Holy Sword: Machina】

【Detailed Description: One of the three Holy Swords created by the Goddess. It is the last bastion created for when the world is stained with all evil, and it is a weapon located at the pinnacle of all divine artifacts. It basically takes the form of a sword, but its shape changes depending on the user.】

【Attack Power: 4500 + (User’s highest stat x 3)】

【Special Effects: 1) Additional damage to demons + 400%

2) Nullifies demonic mental interference

3) Equipment cannot be destroyed

4) Increases affinity with holiness

5) Holy energy manifestation possible

6) Holy Sword synthesis possible】

…Something seems different from the Holy Sword’s description in my memory? I thought only “Cannot be used” would disappear, but something extra has been added.

The most noticeable thing is the large number of special effects. And the changed attack power value.

‘Clearly, before, the attack power was 1500 + the highest stat, but now it’s just tripled.’

Ah, it finally appeared. 【Holy Energy Manifestation】.

The Holy Sword’s greatest characteristic and symbol. Holy Energy.

This is a technique that draws out the divine power inherently embedded within the Holy Sword and embodies it in the form of energy to surround the Holy Sword.

Of course, naturally, it can also be used like normal energy. In this case, the power is naturally doubled. Depending on proficiency, it can be extremely enhanced to more than double. Also, it’s the reason why the hero Leon was somehow able to act as a hero despite being labeled as incompetent.

‘With this level of attack power, and the ability to manifest both Holy Energy and energy together, I guess that’s why you said there are only about 3 people who can beat me.’

Certainly, if I were to unleash a full-power attack in my current state, the power would be incredibly devastating.

…Can I control this power?

[Now, let’s go and destroy that blood demon sword that dared to suck up master’s magic power enviously!!]

“Damn it, you scared me.”

I almost dropped the sword at Machina’s sudden voice.

Looking at the Holy Sword, I could see faint shimmering lights flickering on it.

“Is something wrong?”

“No…. There’s a bug. More importantly, how long are you going to stay here? The Trial of the Holy Sword is over.”

“Don’t you like having a beautiful girl nun like me in the room?”

Tilting her head, she looked up at me with the cutest and most lovely expression possible.

After quietly gazing at her for a moment, I blurted out a word.

“I don’t like it, so get out of here.”

“Hmph.”

I finally kicked this self-proclaimed vampire nun out of the room.

Then, looking down at the Holy Sword that was emitting a faint light, I said,

“By the way…, was it possible to have a conversation?”

[Of course! As long as the link with Master isn’t severed, we can talk anytime, anywhere! Because I am Machina’s Master!]

I see, that’s right.

Is this the power I obtained by eating the Holy Sword until I fainted?

Truly…, confusing.

“Then I want to ask about the Blood Demon Sword, are you talking about the red sword that the Sword Demon used?”

[Yes! That’s right! The Blood Demon Sword. It’s a sword that was used by an unknown warrior in the eastern continent of Pilgreah in the past. He cut down countless martial artists to the point of being called a Blood Demon, and the blood of tens of thousands of lives gathered in the sword, imbuing it with evil power, and after that, humans called the sword the Blood Demon Sword. That’s the origin of the Blood Demon Sword. Another characteristic is the ability to absorb the opponent’s energy and blood, as Master also felt.]

I was expecting it since I experienced it directly.

Anyway, a sword used by a warrior who cut down countless martial artists….

The Sword Demon happens to be holding such a sword.

I heard from the Sword King that the Sword Demon became a monster pursuing power after wanting power for revenge, so the means became the end.

Appropriate in many ways, if appropriate.

[But you don’t have to worry! After all, that sword can only absorb Master’s power about 1-2 times at most!]

“…There’s a limit to the total amount it can absorb?”

[Yes! Only Machina can withstand Master’s big…, beautiful…, passionate power!]

Don’t make it sound weird to the listener.

I sighed and put the Holy Sword in my inventory.

“I’m going to sleep.”

* * *

The next day.

First of all, it was quite refreshing.

It was the most refreshing awakening I’ve had recently.

“Are you there?”

“? I’m here. What’s wrong?”

I was feeling a good morning awakening, but there was a voice coming from outside.

“His Majesty the King is looking for Leon, the envoy of the Flame Country.”

“….”

He’s looking for me as an envoy, not as the benefactor who protected Baihu.

After conveying that I would be there soon, I changed my clothes and came outside. Outside, there was a man named Jangsan whom I had seen before.

“Let’s go together.”

“I understand.”

Step, step.

I walked along the road with him.

Perhaps the other person wasn’t much of a talker, as he didn’t say anything first while walking.

I didn’t have anything to say either, so I walked without saying anything until I reached the place where I had to go.

“Here it is.”

“Is the Queen here?”

“Yes. The princesses of Baekryeon and Sacheon have already arrived, so please rest assured.”

“I understand. Then….”

Just as I was about to enter the main hall of the palace, Jangsan grabbed me.

“Just a moment, are you alright?”

“?”

“May I ask you a simple question?”

“What kind of question?”

He briefly stroked the hilt of the sword he had, and then said.

“The sword of Baekryeon, did you take care of it?”

“No. All I did for Baekryeon was physical training and practical experience. Her sword has not changed.”

“Is that so? That’s a bit disappointing, and reassuring at the same time.”

“Is that all for the question?”

Jangsan nodded silently at my question.

After confirming that, I went inside.

“Leon!”

“Young master, you’ve come?”

“You’ve finally arrived. There’s a saying in Jo, the early bird catches the worm.”

“Then the worm should wake up late.”

The Queen chuckled at my words and said.

“First of all, I’ve said it many times, but I’ll say it again. Baihu is an important existence that has protected this land through a contract with my distant ancestor. Originally, we should have rescued him ourselves, but we didn’t have the ability to do so. Convey that to him.”

One of the officials handed over a small brown wooden box. When I opened the wooden box, there was a small bottle inside.

“What is this?”

“It’s the tears of Haetae. Well…, even if it’s called tears, it’s not real tears, but a lump of energy squeezed out by the divine beast Haetae.”

“Hmm….”

I wanted to take a closer look after hearing that story, but since the business didn’t seem to end with handing over this one thing, I put the wooden box in my inventory and looked at the Queen.

“You have confirmed the message from the Flame Emperor of the Flame Country. There were quite a few interesting stories written there. I heard that this Flame Emperor suddenly inherited the position and is still young…, but it’s quite an interesting story.”

I don’t know what’s written there that makes her say such a story….

But she seems to be quite satisfied.

“The Beastmen Alliance, and the unknown existence called the Heavenly Demon who is leading them. An alliance to defeat that existence…. In other words, let’s form a Flame Alliance.”

Flame Alliance.

Is she saying to make a flame oath?

Certainly…, the Flame Emperor knows how to grow the scale.

And judging from the reaction, the Queen of Jo seems to be positively considering the Flame Emperor’s alliance.

“We refuse.”

Never mind.

“There are many things written, but there is no benefit to us. There is no reason for us to bear such a risk. That is my personal opinion. However….”

The Queen paused for a moment, then said.

“However, you are our benefactor. I will ask you, our benefactor. Do you need the power of our Jo?”

Suddenly she’s making me play a choice game here.

“I need it.”

“Good. Then we will not accept the Flame Emperor’s Flame Alliance. Listen! From now on, our Jo will lift the isolation policy!”

The Queen declared heartily.

“Our Jo will form an alliance to deal with the fragment of evil called the Heavenly Demon! Each manager should measure the troops and resources to be sent to the Flame Country and send them quickly!”