NOVEL NEXT Chapter 60
“Chomguak.”
[Right on!]
With a single word, the cockroach’s head was cleanly severed.
Since it was a bug, such verb forms were used without any issue.
-Hek hek!
While my hands petted Helbok, my gaze remained fixed on the bug.
Chomguak, Heosah, Gusahl.
Outcomes with kill-related verbs were applicable without issue if the level difference with the opponent was significant.
I couldn’t even compare myself to the bug, so it was a poor example.
“Hmm.”
Roughly up to level 30, I should be able to kill with verbs.
My current level was 74.
Up to level 70, I could use useful verbs even if they didn’t include kill.
Conversely, against opponents with higher physical levels, the verbs were extremely limited.
‘There probably won’t be many useful options for Cecilia.’
Up to level 80, I could somehow manage with verbs, but the opponent that might invade soon happened to be Cecilia.
The only verb I could use against her was that which immobilizes.
It binds the opponent’s movements, but even that would be fleeting.
‘The blood of the dragon tribe exists, but where’s the mana?’
After thinking a bit more, a headache began to throb in my temples, so I cleared my mind.
To hell with it. The kids will figure it out.
Wasn’t that the whole point of raising talented individuals?
It was due to that guy’s safety paranoia that I felt anxious; objectively, Cecilia was not a match for my dungeon’s opponents.
What good is it if I alone am at a high level?
If my subordinates mob her, even Cecilia wouldn’t stand a chance.
Even though the hunting party was subpar, my subordinates all surpassed level 80.
-Knock knock.
It was at that moment I heard a knock.
I thought it was Charlotte, but when I opened the door, I couldn’t see anyone.
Only after lowering my gaze did that face come into view.
“….”
“….”
Ellin gazed up at me, staring.
What is she doing here?
In the midst of that natural gaze handling, I could see her hands fidgeting behind her back.
‘Is she trying to convey something?’
I silently waited for Ellin to convey it herself.
Not long after, Ellin extended her shaking hands.
A small sculpture carved from wood, about the size of a palm.
No matter how I looked at it, it was clearly based on me; it resembled me too much.
I was momentarily speechless and dazed.
The deep green hue indicated her feelings toward me, so I understood her goodwill well.
But to express it like this was quite touching.
The sculpture was completed to an extent that I couldn’t believe a child made it.
Of course, beyond the craftsmanship, Ellin’s heart made me feel like a proud father.
I had been single my whole life, but in this moment, I truly understood why doting fathers existed.
“Thank you.”
I accepted the sculpture and patted Ellin’s head.
Her lips curled into a happy smile.
My touch tousled Ellin’s hair, adding to her cuteness.
On a whim, I gave her a piggyback ride, eliciting a soft giggle from Ellin.
-Hek hek!
Ellin fumbled over to Helbok.
Proof she’s still a kid. Seeing that fluffy Helbok probably ignited her desire to touch it.
I carefully set Ellin down on the ground.
Gently taking Ellin’s wrist, I pulled her towards Helbok.
“You can pet him.”
After hesitating and glancing at me, Ellin ultimately began to stroke Helbok.
Helbok seemed quite pleased too, sticking out his tongue happily.
Eventually, Ellin even climbed onto Helbok’s back, but Helbok looked the happiest of them all, so I let it be.
While enjoying the momentary happiness, occasionally, unease crept into my heart.
I felt it just then.
All I hoped for was that this peace would not be disrupted.
…Not something that the Seven Lairs’ boss planned, but still.
-Roar!
While petting Helbok and Ellin, I fell into thought.
For now, I had no major concerns apart from Cecilia.
Even if she came, I believe my subordinates could easily fend her off.
But it was always wise to prepare for the worst-case scenario.
If one becomes complacent here, they won’t live to tell the tale.
If there was a worst-case scenario regarding Cecilia, it was only one.
Cecilia grasping a holy relic.
I only recently learned of Old One’s Lieutenant, so I’ll exclude that; the holy relics I knew of were two.
One was the holy relic owned by Roxanne.
The other was the holy relic currently stored in the Imperial Papacy.
Since both were holy relics, there was no way to determine who had the upper hand.
However, if forced to choose, I would certainly select the latter.
‘She wouldn’t really bring it with her, would she?’
The conditions for players to unlock holy relics were during the time leading up to the clearing of the 10th layer of the Abyss.
In other words, only after clearing the third-ranked, the inversely progressing dual-star tower would one receive the holy relic.
That kind of holy relic could be used against the seventh-ranked Grave of Faith─
“…Who knows.”
The very name implies a Grave of Faith.
In the end, ownership lies with the congregation, and that congregation has their eyes set on killing me.
Of course, if the holy relic were to explode, that would be the end of it.
Similar to the Old One’s, it had a high probability of exploding with a 100% chance.
However, if I were to kill Cecilia and destroy the holy relic, Calandas would easily gobble up the Empire.
At that point, they’d try to kill me with a force empowered by the Empire.
Yet, if I completely disregard the holy relic, I’d be killed by Cecilia.
I would prefer to preserve it as long as possible, and should I face a life-or-death crisis, I planned to blow it up without caring for consequences.
‘But it’s still somewhat regrettable. That’s the most badass option.’
To blow up my favorite weapon with my own hands!
If that situation really came, I’d probably do it with tears in my eyes.
In this world, there are magical powers, auras, divine powers, dark magic, and racial traits.
Many mysterious powers correspond to each other, but there was an external power that could break that balance.
Night Mana Luna.
Although it’s only described as night mana by setting, it’s a bit ambiguous to refer to it as such.
This is because Luna isn’t tied to effort or talent, nor is it granted by race or birth.
The power accumulated by the holy relic itself is Luna.
The Empire’s holy relic is the Moonlight Sword Lunatic.
Only the owner of the Moonlight Sword could claim Luna for themselves.
As someone who has immersed into this for 30,000 hours, I declare that the Moonlight Sword is the most overpowered item.
While resembling mana and aura, its actual power is the top-tier alternate version, along with a massive boost to physical specs just by owning it.
That’s the basic passive.
The true value of the Moonlight Sword shines in its usage effect.
As the name suggests, the Moonlight Sword demonstrates its utmost power on nights when the moon is high.
In other words, its effectiveness diminishes in daylight, but the Moonlight Sword manipulates day and night.
This is the extreme night effect even in broad daylight.
Through manipulation, it could create extreme night within a radius of 3 kilometers centered on the owner.
In the domain of night, only the pitch-black night spreads, amplifying Luna’s already overpowered power even more.
‘That’s the truly badass thing.’
The extreme night effect made it incredibly cool to the point it could make one piss themselves.
A true trifecta of overpowered, romantic, and badass.
As much as I’d love to have it for myself, that’s too greedy, isn’t it?
After all, Cecilia’s Moonlight Sword threatened my life.
Before coveting the Moonlight Sword, my life took priority.
***
On a late night with a full moon.
The Solarian Sanctum was engulfed in darkness with no light in sight.
High bishops from the former cult gathered in one place, solemnly holding their ground.
Despite the chilly outdoor winds, none voiced their complaints.
That place was the inaugural holy relic inheritance ceremony.
As there were no precedents, there were no set rituals or prayers.
It was hard to gauge how grand it should be, but they merely followed the teachings of the night.
This was to become a more sacred ritual than a royal succession ceremony.
Amidst the focused attention of the crowd, a woman stepped forth among them.
Armored in silver mail, she was the shining star of the Empire that would illuminate the dark night.
Her consistently dazed expression harmonized unknowingly with the midnight hour.
“Cecilia.”
Standing before Cecilia was the Pope.
With his fingertips wet with holy water, he traced the sign of the cross.
Not the horizontal sign of the sun, but the vertical sign of the night.
The Pope placed his hand over Cecilia’s head.
Cecilia bowed her head solemnly.
With his eyes gently closed, the Pope recited the baptismal words.
“The primal fear of the children originates from the night. I, having compassion for the wretched, give my half. So that even in the night, there may be a dazzling light. No longer shall the night be a stage for malicious deeds.”
At the end of the baptismal words, Cecilia knelt down gracefully.
That posture resembled a knight’s inauguration ceremony.
In reality, it contained a sanctity beyond that comparison.
“You are no longer the shining star of the Empire. You shall become the source of light illuminating humanity through night and day. Cecilia, recite the covenant.”
In the silence, Cecilia softly opened her mouth.
Night’s Meditation 24:12.
Solaris, I am a believer who worships your other side.
In this veiled vision, watch over your child.
If your lambs await the dawn during the night,
This body shall become a constellation, guiding them to the dawn.
Please ensure they do not walk chaotically in the snow.
Please do not let them wander with open eyes in the midst of the night.
The believer of the teachings of the other side humbly prays.
Slig. The Pope unsheathed a sword.
The sword drawn as gracefully as silk rested upon Cecilia’s right shoulder.
“Cecilia. I ask that you become the sun that shines alone during the day. At night, let the light of the other side illuminate humanity.”
“I shall obey.”
Cecilia humbly accepted the sword.
The blade shimmered with a dim silver reminiscent of moonlight.
The guard resembled the shape of a crescent moon, and the pommel formed a circle like a full moon.
Cecilia closed her eyes and felt Luna’s sensitivity.
……In reality, her covenant was a lie.
Regardless of what happened to the Empire, she was solely fixated on her master’s revenge.