102. The Beginning of the Raid (2)

I swiftly beheaded the monster.

Judging by the felt demonic energy, it was a Rank 2 monster. The heads of the three monsters, which had the faces of boars, were instantly severed.

‘What. That was too easy.’

I remember the preliminary squad evaluation at Pantheon. Back then, even with Rosette and Chloe, we barely managed to patrol against Rank 2 monsters.

But now, dealing with those guys has become incredibly simple. It’s only been about three months since then, but I can feel how rapidly I’ve grown.

‘But there’s no need to be surprised. The monsters and demonic beings I’ll have to face in the future are at least Rank 1 or higher.’

So, I can’t waste time on even high-ranking monsters, let alone the top-tier ones.

However, other people’s reactions seemed different from what I expected.

“All three of them, judging by their appearance and the pressure they exude, are at least Rank 2 monsters. Yet, he dealt with them so cleanly…”

I heard the knight named Tyler say. The other knights also seemed quite surprised by my movements just now.

But I didn’t pay attention to their reactions and surveyed the surroundings again.

“You said that the underground sewer is a place where the demonic energy purification field of the Holy Obelisk doesn’t reach, right? Isn’t that so?”

Liles answered my question.

“That’s right. That’s why we sometimes see the appearance of higher-ranking monsters that are not found in the Imperial Capital. However…”

He wore a thoughtful expression for a moment, then spoke.

“Still, it’s rare for several Rank 2 monsters to appear simultaneously like this. As you know, the source of the demonic energy of the monsters appearing in the Imperial Capital… those creatures, is the Chaotic Gate of the Old Imperial Capital.”

“Since the Old Imperial Capital and the Imperial Capital are far apart, it’s not easy for sudden gates of high-ranking monsters to be created, is that what you’re saying?”

“Yes. That’s right.”

Liles was right. But I clearly remembered the opening ceremony at Pantheon. The rank of the monster that opened a sudden gate in the Colosseum and appeared at that time was Rank 2.

‘The heart of the Imperial Capital is no longer a safe zone. Especially this underground, where we can’t even receive the help of the Holy Obelisk…’

And I had a feeling that the Rank 2 monsters now were just the beginning. My mother’s rosary resonated.

“This reaction is…?”

Liles looked at the rosary, which was glowing with a light green color. And Siertia also reacted.

“It seems this underground passage has become a Dungeon. The demonic energy is rising abnormally.”

The faces of the High Knights hardened at my words. Liles said,

“We’re in a dilemma. We must enter the Imperial Palace through this place… If there’s something deep within this underground passage…”

Since they are valiant High Knights, they didn’t show a fearful expression. However, this underground sewer was just a passage leading to the Imperial Palace, as Liles had said earlier.

There would surely be a fierce battle there, so they shouldn’t waste their stamina and Mana beforehand. If high-ranking monsters continue to appear like this, the chances of the group’s operation succeeding will decrease.

‘The demonic energy is excessively strong. It seems the underground has already turned into a Dungeon. This might be troublesome.’

With the current party composition, there isn’t even a priest among the group.

Demonic energy lowers stamina and Mana much more than usual. The High Knights have pledged their lives to me, so I want to use their lives valuably.

At least, no one would think of this smelly underground sewer, where even corpses are hard to find, as their grave.

“There’s no need to worry too much. If it’s monsters and not people, there’s no problem.”

I lifted Siertia in front of the knights. Soon, a brighter light green divine power than the rosary began to spread from Siertia.

A vast amount of divine power, as if divinity was being manifested. That divine power erased the demonic energy spreading in the underground sewer.

The High Knights all made the Sign of Zedine towards Siertia.

---

The group moved again.

As expected, the closer we got to the Imperial Palace, the worse the condition of the underground sewer became. It was already no different from the inside of a Dungeon.

Kiyaaaaaaaak-

Even a giant snake, a Basilisk, appeared underground. The Basilisk is a very dangerous giant snake-type monster among the monsters existing in Island.

Each of its scales is very hard, making it difficult to cut through even with Aura. And it possesses a massive size, enough to be mistaken for a dragon.

Although the underground sewer was wide enough to withstand a downpour, the Basilisk’s body filled the sewer.

‘Its strength is as filthy as its size.’

On top of that, it spews out a terrible poison like a snake. It’s probably the boss of this underground sewer.

‘Something’s strange. Even if sudden gates can appear in the Imperial Capital, how could a monster of this level be in this place, far from the Old Imperial Capital…’

Grieus’s base. Chris, who is there, is a demonic being. So, he is a contractor and minion of Knoia.

If so, he might have done something related to monsters inside the Imperial Palace.

‘This underground sewer might be where high-ranking monsters appeared due to that influence.’

We’re not far from the Imperial Palace now. I had a feeling that the Imperial Palace might have become a much more dangerous place than I had anticipated. And this underground sewer might be an incubator for raising monsters.

Meanwhile, the High Knights who encountered the monster quickly formed a formation.

“That Basilisk is not a monster! It’s definitely a demonic beast! It’s stronger than the original Basilisk, so everyone be prepared!”

Liles shouted.

The demonic beast Basilisk is a Rank 2 monster. However, its evaluation is lowered due to its characteristic of moving independently without leading subordinate monsters.

As a single entity, it is a dangerous monster that can be evaluated as a Rank 1 monster. The High Knights are the elite of the resistance, so they can catch it, but.

The Basilisk is a tricky monster. It was clear that the High Knights’ stamina would be consumed the longer it took.

“I’ll draw its attention, so quickly attack its weak points!”

And Liles stepped forward to face the Basilisk head-on. The Basilisk has scales that open like gills on its neck.

The breath exhaled through that gap paralyzes its prey. Liles seemed to be thinking of directly blocking that paralyzing breath.

“If you get paralyzed, there’s no priest to remove the curse! So you have to be even more careful…”

But I raised my hand to stop Liles.

“Count Yulian? This monster is for us…”

“No. You are valuable assets. So you must save your strength.”

Leaving Liles, who was making a flustered expression, I stepped forward in front of the Basilisk. Its angry eyes, those yellow snake eyes, stared at me head-on.

Kiyaaaaaaaak-

If you were a living being. It was a scream that would instinctively freeze your body in fear in front of a wild beast. But I was dumbfounded.

‘What’s with this wannabe reptile staring at me…’

The Basilisk is called a dragon because of its huge size. But to me, a Dragon Lord, it’s just a disgusting reptile that clumsily imitates a dragon.

“How dare you stare at me.”

And my gaze met the Basilisk head-on. It roared like before, but soon, after confirming my gaze, it suddenly changed.

“Count! It’s dangerous… Ah, no?”

It was a Basilisk that was rampaging enough to crush the group to death. But its body soon froze.

Iiiiiik-

Like a rabbit in front of a tiger. Its body became paralyzed when it made eye contact with me. And it let out a groan full of fear.

“W-What’s going on! The Basilisk suddenly stopped… No, its body is frozen…?”

“Now’s the time! Let’s get rid of that guy!”

I shouted to the group. They seemed momentarily surprised by the Basilisk’s unexpected reaction. But as expected, the High Knights were High Knights.

Their swords all shone with Aura at once.

Shaaaaaaak-

The Basilisk was quickly cut to pieces. I was satisfied with the result.

‘As expected, monsters of the pseudo-dragon lineage can’t do anything to me.’

The existence at the top of all pseudo-dragon lineage creatures is the dragon. In the face of the overwhelming difference in biological hierarchy, even that high-ranking monster can’t do anything.

‘Basilisk can’t stand up to me in terms of compatibility.’

I am now in a state of having completed my awakening as a Dragon Lord. So it was natural for the Basilisk to feel instinctive fear.

As a result, things became easier.

This underground sewer is a space optimized for the Basilisk in many ways. Because it is a space that is not properly ventilated, if its breath fills this place, it will inevitably be subjected to a paralysis attack.

Rosette, who specializes in firepower, also has difficulty using magic because of the risk of allies being swept away. So easily dealing with the boss of the sewer without wasting any stamina was a great advantage.

‘Besides, if it’s a monster of this level. Chris’s touch must have definitely reached it.’

If this monster was a monster that Chris put a lot of effort into using as a puppet. It’s like I easily gave him a blow.

‘And this is also an unexpected gain.’

I obtained a useful reward from the Basilisk’s corpse.

——-

「Basilisk’s Heart」

* Rank: Unique

* Details: It is the heart where the essence of the Basilisk is concentrated. It has long been used as a spiritual elixir by Mana awakeners as a massive aggregate of Mana. The effect of the spiritual elixir increases further depending on the size of the individual. However, it is a very toxic heart, so special treatment through alchemy is required over a long period of time.

* Effect: Permanent Mana increase + 30MP when consumed immediately / Effect reduced to + 20MP when treated with alchemy.

——-

Like the Snow Wyvern, the Basilisk stored its essence in its heart.

Especially if it’s a large one like now, filling the space of the sewer, it was an aggregate of Mana that could not be compared to ordinary magic stones.

I secretly took the heart.

‘Very toxic, so alchemy treatment is required?’

I barely managed to hold back the laughter that was about to burst out. I am immune to all poisons. The poison of such a trivial reptile has no effect on me, a Dragon Lord.

Alchemy treatment naturally takes time. And if it’s a Basilisk as huge as this, the time it takes to detoxify and refine it will also be very long.

‘Besides, the Mana increase effect decreases when treated with alchemy.’

It’s natural that fresh food is delicious. It seems that consuming it immediately has a better effect. I quickly absorbed the heart into my body.

Immediately, vitality filled my Mana Heart.

‘Good. This is not a primeval forest. Mana and magic were insufficient to use Breath. I got a good elixir just when I needed it.’

Breath awakened in the primeval forest. But when I returned to the Imperial Capital, the Mana distributed in the atmosphere was so faint that it could not be compared to that place.

However, since I increased the capacity of Mana with the Basilisk’s heart. Using Breath has become much easier.

“What on earth happened? The Basilisk couldn’t move at all the moment it faced the Count…”

“It seems that it is greatly affected by the Holy Sword as it is an evil demonic beast. The divine power of my sword seems to have temporarily neutralized the Basilisk.”

The knights buzzed at the words. The Holy Lamire Empire. Although Grieus, the head of the central order, is a corrupt priest, ordinary citizens are deeply religious.

Since they had already confirmed the divine power emitted by Siertia. No one doubted my words and made the Sign of the Cross once again.

“Then, I’ll ask you to take care of the rest.”

Liles nodded at my words. Soon, the High Knights dismantled the Basilisk’s corpse blocking the sewer.

“Hoo. The work is finished. Then, if we pass through this passage, we can enter the backyard of the Imperial Palace!”

“Everyone has worked hard. Then, for a moment…”

I lifted Siertia and used a divine spell on them. A light green, warm light enveloped the entire group.

---

Eventually, the group almost reached the end of the underground sewer.

The original planned route, we detoured considerably at the end more than planned. If we entered directly beyond the passage where the Basilisk was, it would be the backyard of the Imperial Palace.

At the suggestion of Count Yulian, the entry route was modified at the end.

“I’m sorry for continuing to ask for complicated route guidance. But if we raid along the original route, the group may be in danger. I ask for your understanding.”

“No. The Count is right.”

Liles was newly surprised. It is an underground sewer full of terrible smells and demonic energy. If he were a nobleman of noble status like the Count, it would be a place he would not want to be in for even a moment.

So when he finally reached the passage leading to the backyard. He could say to go outside right away. Even his own and the High Knights’ feelings were like that.

The Count was calmer and more cautious than anyone here.

Like his words. If someone from the rebels was already using this underground sewer. If they were using it as an incubator to raise monsters.

The passage connected to the place where the Basilisk appeared. The rebels may already be entrenched outside.

‘We didn’t think about that fact in our haste. But the Count had already taken all those numbers into consideration.’

And the High Knights also knew the detour well. The Count’s choice was a definite choice in the current situation.

Not only that. In the meantime, while a little time was consumed detouring. The Count did not rest for a moment and cast divine spells on them.

The beautiful sword that made the knights lose their minds. That sword was surprisingly a Holy Sword. That was the great Sword Empress that any swordsman in Islan would know.

It was Atlin von Reinhardt’s Holy Sword. It was Siertia.

High Knight Tyler spoke to Liles, who was lost in thought.

“Sir Liles. Isn’t it known that Siertia is definitely a Holy Sword that chooses its own master?”

Liles nodded at the words.