Chapter 375: The Real Thrill is Breaking Through Obstacles (3)

“Now, what I’m about to say may sound a bit extreme, but we need to evacuate everyone in Namaran out of the city. Every single person, without exception.”

“…What?”

This was the office of the Count of Namaran.

Siluria Namaran, the former lady of Namaran and now its Count, furrowed her perfect eyebrows slightly as she paused her busy day.

“What do you mean by that?”

She felt bewildered.

She had just exchanged greetings with Lloyd earlier in the afternoon.

He had expressed his pleasure at meeting her again and his concern about the recent signs of the cliff’s impending collapse.

And now, less than half a day later…

“Have you already figured out the cause of the collapse?”

Knowing Lloyd Frontera, that might be the case.

He had saved the city from the threats of dark wizards and Hell Knights.

Back then, he had demonstrated remarkable foresight and resourcefulness.

The Count’s guess was correct.

“Yes, I have.”

“Then there must be a reason for this evacuation order, right?”

“Of course.”

“Can you share it with me?”

“Of course. The Second Namaran Barrier Incident will occur.”

“…What?”

The Count’s face froze.

Lloyd continued calmly.

“The incident will occur exactly six days from now, at midnight. The reinforced piles installed around the cliff will activate through dark magic. They will form a kind of magic circle. Thus, a mana barrier similar to the previous one will envelop the city, and all life within will perish.”

“What…?”

“And a Hell Knight will awaken. Unlike last time, in its complete form.”

“…”

“The city will turn to ashes, and the nearby regions will also be devastated by the Hell Knight’s rampage. That’s my forecast of the event’s progression.”

“Are you saying you had some sort of prophecy?”

“No. But-”

Lloyd smiled faintly.

“I discovered some crucial clues while investigating the damaged piles. I inferred and reached this conclusion based on those clues.”

To be honest, he was lying.

In fact, he had seen it just a moment ago through the Ending Spoiler.

In the latest version of the Ending Spoiler, his future self…

‘Got brutally killed by the Hell Knight.’

He had been separated from Javier at that moment.

He faced the complete Hell Knight alone.

They clashed.

He fought hard.

But that was all.

The Hell Knight was powerful enough to easily overpower a Sword Master.

Moreover, the Hell Knight descending on Namaran was?

One of Hell’s First Legion Commanders, a named entity.

Despite his efforts, he couldn’t withstand it.

He even sang, but it was useless.

He waited for Javier while becoming a bloody mess, but it was no use.

Eventually, his body was torn apart, his limbs broken, and he met a bloody end. In his final moments, as he tried to raise his shovel, a sword pierced his heart.

That was the rough outline of the future he saw in the latest Ending Spoiler.

‘Tsk. It hurt so much.’

Lloyd involuntarily shuddered.

The sensation of the sword piercing his heart was vivid.

The problem with the Ending Spoiler was its vividness.

He could feel all the sensations of the ending moment as if he were there. Including the pain.

“Anyway, so-”

Lloyd shook off his thoughts and continued.

“If we do nothing, everyone will face a horrible disaster.”

“How certain are you of this prediction?”

“100 percent.”

“…”

Lady Namaran, now Count Namaran, kept her mouth shut.

Lloyd gave her some time to think.

Soon, she voiced her doubts.

“Okay. I’ll trust you. Because it’s you. You saved my father and the city. But I still have questions.”

“Yes, please ask.”

“Is evacuating the city the only solution?”

“Yes.”

“Why? If the incident is six days away, we have enough time to prepare to fight.”

“Are you uncomfortable with the idea of fleeing?”

“Yes, a bit.”

The young Count nodded.

“Ordering a total evacuation is not an easy decision. This city is everyone’s home and livelihood. If abandoning it is the best solution, it feels like we’re running away without trying anything.”

“Yes, I understand that feeling. But don’t worry.”

“Why?”

“Because the evacuation is not about running away.”

“Then what is it?”

“It’s a trap.”

“A…trap?”

The Count’s brow furrowed.

Lloyd’s smile grew more confident.

“Yes, if we’re going to solve this, we need to uproot the problem entirely.”

“You mean you’re setting a trap to catch everyone involved.”

“Exactly.”

“Can you tell me more about this plan?”

“Of course.”

Lloyd smiled contentedly.

Fortunately, the Count trusted him.

Now he could confidently proceed with his plan.

He moved closer to her and whispered.

“So, here’s the plan… hush… make sure everyone is safe… whisper… at the town hall… blah blah…”

Lloyd’s whisper continued.

The young Count’s eyes grew wider.

And the next morning.

The plan to evacuate all residents of Namaran was announced.

♣

“No, seriously. Are they telling us to leave our homes and go outside the city suddenly? Just like that?”

“But Dad? They’re setting up tents for us to stay in for a few days.”

“Tsk. Are they telling us to be grateful for tents? What about work?”

“They said it can’t be helped. But they’ll provide food.”

“Food distribution? So we won’t starve. How thoughtful. Tsk.”

“But Dad.”

“What.”

“The young Count also made a request in the announcement.”

“What request?”

“It’s all for our safety.”

“Safety?”

“Yes.”

“What safety?”

“The collapsing slope. They need to evacuate the city to conduct a full geological survey.”

“A full geological survey?”

“Yes.”

“Who’s going to do that?”

“Lord Lloyd Frontera.”

“What?”

In the kitchen of a modest home in Namaran.

A single father, grumbling over breakfast, paused.

He cautiously asked his daughter.

“Did you just say Lord Lloyd Frontera?”

“Yes.”

The daughter nodded firmly.

The father’s disgruntled expression vanished.

“Hmm, really? Lord Lloyd Frontera will conduct the survey?”

“Yes, it was in the announcement.”

“Ah, I see. I didn’t know that. They should have mentioned that first.”

The father chuckled.

His earlier cynicism towards the evacuation order now seemed awkward, and he added a comment.

“Then we must follow the evacuation order. When should we leave?”

“They said we’ll be assigned tents within five days.”

“Alright. Then let’s pack our things after breakfast.”

“Yes, Dad.”

The father picked up his bread, and his daughter smiled.

Similar conversations took place all over Namaran.

In shabby stables.

At morning market stalls.

In the bedrooms of newlyweds.

At guard posts starting their day.

Everyone puzzled over the sudden evacuation order.

They questioned and complained.

But upon hearing Lloyd Frontera’s name?

They agreed without hesitation.

The reason was simple.

Most of the city’s residents considered Lloyd their savior.

If it was Lloyd Frontera’s plan, they could trust it.

They might be inconvenienced for a few days, but they were willing to comply.

However, not everyone was so easily convinced.

Some still questioned the announcement.

Especially the vassals of the Namaran Count.

“My lord? With all due respect, this seems a bit… strange.”

“Why?”

The Count put down her fork.

She paused her meal and looked at the administrator who had rushed in early in the morning.

“The total evacuation order you announced. It’s… a bit… hard to understand.”

“Hard to understand?”

“Yes, my lord.”

The administrator cautiously spoke.

“I know the collapsing ground and mysterious mana explosions are issues. I understand the need for measures. A full geological survey to find the cause makes sense. But do we need to evacuate the city for that survey… it’s a bit…”

“Strange, you mean?”

“Yes, my lord.”

The administrator nodded honestly.

The Count smiled.

“I understand. It’s natural to have such questions. It’s strange. Anyone would feel that way after a bit of thought. But if we don’t follow Lloyd Frontera’s advice, we’ll all be in great trouble.”

“What? Are you saying the geological survey is just an excuse?”

“Luckily, I have a quick-witted and capable administrator.”

“…”

“The collapsing ground is just a surface issue. There’s a bigger problem hidden, and Lord Lloyd Frontera suggested the evacuation to uproot that problem.”

“Then you, my lord…”

“Yes, of course, I trust him. So, Administrator?”

“Yes, my lord.”

“Convince the other vassals. Now is not the time for debate, but for action. Understand?”

“…Yes, understood.”

The administrator, who came to question, was instead convinced.

Within half a day.

The vassals of Namaran Count agreed with their lord.

From then on.

The evacuation plan proceeded smoothly.

A large camp was set up outside the cliff city.

In just five days, the tents were assigned, and the residents moved out.

Most of the livestock were included.

The city was completely evacuated.

Meanwhile, Lloyd?

Filled the empty city with tens of thousands of insects and worms.

While the Count executed the evacuation plan.

He scoured the nearby forests and fields.

With the help of the insect-killer Ggoming.

Javier, with his superhuman senses, was also mobilized.

They focused on catching insects.

Moths, grasshoppers, worms, beetles by the bagful.

Even more mosquitoes, the pesky ones.

And then they waited.

They spent a day in the now-empty city.

Endured a silent noon.

Passed a crimson afternoon.

Welcomed a night illuminated only by moonlight.

Finally, at midnight, with the traveler’s constellation in the northern sky.

A strange and unstable change emerged.

Tzzzz…!

The cliff supporting the city.

The reinforced piles installed around the cliff.

Dozens of piles emitted an eerie light.

A menacing purple-black mana barrier formed.

Tshaaaa-!

A nightmare-like barrier rose, threatening to swallow moonlight and starlight.

The Second Namaran Barrier Incident was beginning.

♣

Tshashashat… Tzzzt!

The bags shook.

From within the tightly tied openings.

Thousands of beetles writhed.

Their life force absorbed entirely by the sinister barrier.

Their dying struggles were palpable.

The situation in the other bags was similar.

Thousands of grasshoppers.

Worms, moths, mosquitoes.

All writhed, their wings, antennae, legs, and bodies thrashing in death.

Their life force drained, leaving them shriveled.

That stolen life force infused the barrier.

The barrier refined the life force.

Focused it on one point.

The public hall in Namaran’s city center.

The monument in the hall’s center trembled.

…Crack!

The life force concentrated.

Corrupted into the power of evil spirits.

The monument, erected to celebrate overcoming the previous barrier incident, cracked.

Craack!

From within the splitting monument, a transcendent being awakened.

A dark knight from the past.

The First Legion Commander of Hell, Sir Geo-Rexius, who had been vanquished by Javier and Lloyd.

• I am…

Craack!

The black bones resurrecting from the brink of hell and oblivion.

Unlike before, his form was complete.

His limbs intact.

Armor of pure dark mana covering his obsidian-black bones.

The armor roared with the power of a reaper.

The greatsword, ruling over hell’s demons, emitted a chilling cry.

• I have not finished the fight.

Craaack, Craaack!

He extended his hand.

The monument shattered.

His touch, imbued with the power of massacre, split the hall floor.

• Today, I am fully restored. Swordmaster Javier Asrahan. Devious Lloyd Frontera. Do you think you can stop me again? If so, you are mistaken.

Craack, Craaack!

He slowly lifted his torso.

The infernal flames surged around him.

A terror that would make any living being tremble spread.

Sir Geo-Rexius roared with genuine intent.

• Only a non-existent Grand Master could defeat me! So come, Javier Asrahan! Let’s finish our unfinished battle!

Sir Geo-Rexius roared with genuine intent.

But at that moment.

From behind, a leisurely, sly voice prodded his skull.

“Hey, come on. This is your first Grand Master, right?”

• …What?

What was that?

Sir Geo-Rexius, startled, turned around.

And realized.

Javier’s merciless Grand Master’s fatal blow was coming, with the force to split the universe.

…Kwaaaaa!