Chapter 330
[Only one acknowledged by the Will of the World as worthy to save it,
One who has overcome the trials of those who have reached the pinnacle at the world’s center,
One who has earned the approval of the dragon dwelling deep within the valley,
One who has obtained the roots of the World Tree from the elves’ domain,
One who has retrieved the fragment of a god resting in the sacred land,
At the end of it all, they shall obtain the weapon to vanquish the Demon King.]
The ghost finished explaining and continued.
[It’s a rather straightforward prophecy. If you fulfill all these conditions, you will gain the weapon needed to defeat the Demon King.]
“Did you fail to accomplish it? Or did you succeed but still lose?”
[The former.]
The ghost spoke gloomily.
Taesan mulled over the prophecy the ghost had recited.
Not long after, Bardray came looking for him. He sat down on a chair and spoke.
“Now that I think about it, I never asked your name. Descendant of Kariat, what is your name?”
“My name is Taesan.”
“Taesan? That’s an odd name. Did you choose it to live in hiding?”
Bardray tilted his head as he spoke.
“I am Bardray Alkeraite, rightful heir to the throne of the great empire.”
He spoke with confidence, as if taking pride in his own achievements.
“Let me confirm once more, Taesan. You came here to defeat the Demon King, correct?”
Taesan nodded. Bardray’s gaze darkened.
“If so, how much do you know?”
“I know the prophecy. And I know that the Demon King will appear soon.”
“You know quite a bit. As expected of a descendant of Kariat…”
Bardray looked surprised for a moment before his expression turned serious.
“Yes. I don’t know the exact date, but the Demon King will soon reveal himself. The other kingdoms are living in complacency, treating it as a trivial matter, but the empire is different. We have been preparing for this for a long time.”
Training soldiers, studying the prophecy, identifying where the Demon King would appear—the empire had made thorough preparations.
But the most crucial element was still missing.
“The Demon King is a being that brings destruction to the world. And it has always been a chosen hero who defeats him.”
Bardray looked at Taesan and spoke calmly.
“I had originally intended to be that hero… but I have changed my mind. I will recommend you for that role to His Majesty.”
“Are you certain?”
Taesan was slightly surprised by Bardray’s words.
The ghost he had known was not the type to yield such a position to another. He wasn’t the kind of man who would entrust his life to someone else out of consideration or understanding.
But now, Bardray was willingly giving that role to Taesan.
Bardray spoke without hesitation.
“You are stronger than me. Overwhelmingly so.”
It had only taken one battle for Bardray to realize it.
No matter how many times they fought, Taesan’s strength was something he could never surpass.
“It is only natural for the strong to claim the right. More than that, isn’t this what you want? To become the hero, make a name for yourself, and escape the persecution and scorn your bloodline has suffered?”
“I won’t deny it.”
“Then there’s no issue. A weak man coveting such a position is nothing but pathetic.”
Bardray smirked and patted Taesan’s shoulder.
“That settles it. Get up. We shall meet His Majesty.”
Bardray walked through the corridor with pride.
The maids and attendants who saw Taesan hesitated for a moment before quickly bowing toward Bardray.
His authority and power were absolute.
And he accepted that as a matter of course.
‘So this is the kind of person you were.’
Taesan muttered in a voice only the ghost beside him could hear.
The ghost groaned.
[This is a bit embarrassing.]
After walking down a long hallway, they arrived at the audience chamber.
Bardray addressed the throne.
“Your Majesty, ruler of the empire. Your bloodline offers its greetings.”
“No need for such formality. Raise your head. That goes for the one behind you as well.”
Taesan lifted his head and looked toward the throne.
Two seats were occupied. A middle-aged man and a slightly younger woman sat upon them.
The warmth in their eyes as they gazed at Bardray made it clear that they were his parents.
[…I miss this.]
The ghost murmured, his voice carrying emotions he couldn’t fully conceal.
But no one in the room could hear him.
The emperor looked down at Bardray and spoke.
“So, Bardray. You intend to fulfill the prophecy?”
“Not exactly. I am not the one.”
Bardray shifted his gaze toward Taesan.
“He will be the hero.”
“I have heard the story. The descendant of the past hero, Kariat. I knew his bloodline had survived… but to think it still persists to this day…”
The emperor looked at Taesan with surprise. But soon, his eyes darkened.
“I have heard from Bardray that you are strong. But how can I trust that you will not succumb to corruption?”
Kariat had defeated the Demon King, only to fall into madness.
Even after countless years, his name was still spoken with fear, as he had left behind a terrible legacy.
If Taesan truly was Kariat’s descendant, the emperor’s doubts were valid.
Taesan answered,
“No amount of persuasion from me would truly put Your Majesty at ease. I can only prove myself through my own strength.”
“Hmm.”
The emperor stroked his chin.
After staring at Taesan for a moment, he smirked.
“I like that.”
He slapped the armrest of his throne with his palm.
“If you had tried to embellish yourself with flowery words, I would have rejected you outright. Nothing is as cheap and worthless as another’s words. What matters is power. Simple, yet undeniable strength.”
Taesan had been preparing to negotiate further, expecting rejection. But he halted in surprise.
The emperor gestured.
“And so, I will test your strength. Come forth.”
Clank.
Knights who had been hiding behind the pillars revealed themselves all at once.
The emperor clenched his fist.
“If you truly are as strong as Bardray claims, then defeating them should be effortless. Prove it to me.”
Boom!
The knights charged at Taesan.
Taesan stomped his foot.
Clang!
Swords and shields rained down, trying to crush him. Dozens of knights moved in perfect harmony to pressure him.
‘Not bad.’
While they weren’t strong enough to clear the labyrinth, they were capable of making meaningful progress within it.
The overall power level of this world was higher than Arulia or Vekeseta.
But that was all.
The emperor’s pupils widened as he observed.
Taesan was avoiding the attacks fluidly, without even moving a single step.
He glanced briefly at Bardray.
Bardray was watching with awe written all over his face.
He had already gathered the information from the prophecy. With the ghost’s knowledge, there was no need to remain by Bardray’s side to complete the quest.
However, the reward for this quest depended on the emotions of the ruler of this ruined world.
The God of Regret, Rigrit, didn’t just want the Demon King to be slain.
He wanted Taesan to experience this world alongside Bardray.
If that was the case, then playing along would benefit him as well.
Taesan flicked his fingers at an oncoming shield.
With a tearing sound, the knight was sent flying.
The impact sent the surrounding knights crashing into the walls like dominoes.
“…Kuh.”
The knight whose shield had been struck coughed up blood.
His shield was completely shattered, reduced to scrap metal.
“Is this enough?”
“…Ha!”
The emperor, who had been staring wide-eyed, rose abruptly from his throne.
“To think you could incapacitate the empire’s proud knights with a single finger! Astounding!”
He clapped his hands, his face genuinely delighted.
“Excellent! Descendant of Kariat! You have earned the empire’s recognition. We shall call you our Hero and spread your deeds across the land!”
After that, the emperor bombarded Taesan with questions.
How did he attain his strength?
Where had he lived?
What had he encountered and defeated?
Like a noble eager to hear grand tales, he inquired about countless things, forcing Taesan to improvise his responses.
It took some effort to finally be excused.
As he walked away, Taesan muttered,
“They seem more harmonious than I expected.”
While the emperor had been questioning Taesan, Bardray had stayed beside him, conversing as well.
And judging by the warm gaze of the woman who appeared to be his mother, the family seemed to have a close bond.
That was unexpected for Taesan.
“I thought things would be colder, given that you killed all your siblings.”
[Oh? You remembered that?]
The ghost had once told him—he had six siblings, all of whom he had killed.
The ghost spoke.
[The Kabert Empire worships strength to an extreme degree. Here, those of noble blood must kill their siblings to prove their worth. It is simply the way of things.]
“That’s… quite fascinating.”
By Earth’s standards, it was an incomprehensible concept.
“Was there no resentment?”
[None. I was simply far stronger than them. Though… they did say something as they died. To make the empire eternal, to give it overwhelming power.]
But the empire had fallen before the ghost could ascend to the throne.
A heavier air surrounded him.
An hour later, Bardray came to see Taesan.
“A ball?”
Taesan asked. Bardray nodded.
“Yes. It will be held in an hour. You should attend.”
“…Is that really necessary?”
Taesan had already gained the emperor’s recognition. He wanted to proceed with the prophecy as soon as possible.
But Bardray disagreed.
“It is necessary. What is the first requirement of the prophecy?”
“To be acknowledged by the Will of the World as worthy to save it.”
“That will is sealed beneath the imperial palace.”
Bardray pointed to the ground.
“It is a force too powerful, sealed away long ago. It takes time to unseal it.”
“I see.”
Bardray studied Taesan for a moment before placing a hand on his shoulder.
“You seem concerned.”
“What do you mean?”
“You worry that the people at the ball might react negatively to you.”
Now that he thought about it, he was playing the role of Kariat’s descendant.
It would make sense for him to fear appearing before so many people.
It seemed Bardray was addressing that concern.
“Do not worry. You possess great power.”
Bardray spread his arms.
“This is the great empire, Kabert. Unlike other kingdoms, we do not concern ourselves with trivialities. We revere strength. Your ancestor and your bloodline are meaningless.”
He grinned.
“Stand with pride. Recognize your worth, and do not hide. That is what you must do.”
With those words, Bardray dragged Taesan to the ball.
There, he declared Taesan’s identity.
He was a descendant of Kariat.
But he was also a man of overwhelming strength, someone Bardray personally acknowledged.
True to Bardray’s words, the nobles at the ball did not dismiss or fear Taesan.
Instead, he found himself struggling to fend off the advances of noble ladies.
If he had truly been Kariat’s descendant, having suffered persecution all his life, Bardray’s actions would have left a deep impression on him.
But Taesan remained indifferent.
He eventually slipped away from the ball, stepping onto the terrace to take a break.
Bardray approached him.
“Are you all right?”
“Yes. Thank you for your concern.”
“As long as you are enjoying yourself, that is enough.”
Bardray swirled the wine in his glass.
“Those who wield power must be honored. Petty matters have no place in that. That has always been my belief.”
“I see.”
Taesan silently listened to Bardray’s words.
Just then, someone approached.
“Prince Bardray. So, you were here?”
“Oh.”
Bardray’s expression changed in an instant.
Even Taesan could see how much brighter he became.
[Ah.]
The ghost let out a faint sigh.
A woman had arrived.
The woman wore a white dress, her voluminous blonde hair shimmering as it moved. Her blue eyes sparkled like gemstones.
She was a breathtaking beauty, as if radiating light itself.
And the moment she appeared, the ghost visibly wavered.
Even when facing his family, he had only shown longing.
But now, his emotions surged chaotically.
Bardray chuckled.
“Levantia. So you attended the ball as well.”
“How could I refuse when Your Highness invited me?”
The woman, called Levantia, covered her mouth with a laugh. Then, with a curious gaze, she looked at Taesan.
“So, is this the descendant of Kariat who caused all the commotion?”
“That’s right.”
“It’s a pleasure to meet you.”
Levantia grasped the hem of her dress and curtsied toward Taesan.
“I am Levantia Corieze, daughter of the duke of the great Kabert Empire, and the fiancée of the man standing beside you.”
Levantia smiled warmly.
And the ghost…
He simply stared at her in a daze.
—
After the ball ended, Taesan returned to his room.
Throughout the entire process, the ghost remained silent.
He had simply watched as Levantia departed, not uttering a single word.
The silence continued through the night.
The next morning, Bardray visited Taesan with a troubled expression.
“My apologies, but it seems this will take a bit longer. The imperial mages are unable to break the seal.”
“Can you take me there?”
“If you wish.”
Following Bardray’s guidance, Taesan descended into the underground of the imperial palace.
There, a group of mages was sweating profusely in front of an enormous magic circle.
“Y-Your Highness.”
“What is the situation?”
“…As much as I hate to admit it, the mages of the past were superior to us.”
A mage bit his lip bitterly.
“We can’t even comprehend the spell structure required for the unsealing process. I regret to report that this will take considerable time.”
“I see.”
Bardray did not blame them.
He simply accepted the reality and assessed the situation.
“Lamenting our lack of ability is pointless. We may need to summon those who reside at the center of the world.”
“But whether they will come to the empire is…”
“They are also part of the prophecy. Since this is necessary to fulfill it, they shouldn’t refuse. However, it will take time.”
“There is no need for that.”
Taesan stepped toward the magic circle.
He raised his hand.
The watching mages gasped in shock.
“If you touch that carelessly—!”
BZZT!
A violent repulsion force erupted, trying to push Taesan away.
The magic circle sought to reject and eliminate any who approached. A heavy killing intent surged toward him.
Taesan activated a skill.
[You have activated Magic Dispel.]
CRASH!
The magic circle shattered.
Taesan dusted off his hands.
The mages who had been trying to stop him froze, their eyes wide with disbelief.
Taesan spoke calmly.
“This should be sufficient, correct?”