On the road to Styx, in the port city in the Valhalla base...
“W-What do you mean…!”
“As I’ve explained.”
“E-Eek?!” Kwak Jung freaked out. “D-Do you expect me to believe that?”
His response was not exaggerated. After his visit to the underground historic site in Esmeralda, Kang Chul-In revealed that he was someone who had returned to the past. How could one not be surprised?
“It’s up to you to believe it or not.” Kang Chul-In shrugged. “However, if you really can’t believe it then I expect you to follow my orders without any questions, even if you don’t understand their rationale.”
“...”
“I won’t entertain any objections.”
“Huh...”
“Or disobedience.”
“...!”
“Instant death.” Kang Chul-In warned. “Any infringement and I will swing my sword.”
“...!”
“Even if it’s you.”
“Your Majesty...”
Kwak Jung couldn’t utter another word.
This man… he is serious…!
Kang Chul-In’s declaration was shocking. Even though Kwak Jung was frequently beaten up by Kang Chul-In whenever the latter felt like it, he was still his master’s favorite subordinate. To warn him of the death penalty… it indicated how firm Kang Chul-In’s resolve was.
“Your Majesty… what you just said, is it true?”
“I won’t say it twice.”
“...”
“I didn’t tell you that story to ask for your consent. It was to prevent you from going astray if you don’t understand my orders.”
“Argh…!” Kwak Jung moaned.
He could neither believe nor not believe Kang Chul-In’s story.
It doesn’t seem like he’s lying, however… He recruited me when I was a mere gang member. He also somehow realized that I had lung cancer and brought me to do surgery...”
Kwak Jung pondered about Kang Chul-In for a moment.
True… if he had lived twice, he would have known much more than the rest. He would know how to become strong quickly, and he would have seen through the Lord’s personalities and traits… d.a.m.n, this man… knows too much to be someone from the present...”
He began to piece together the truth. The astonis.h.i.+ng moments that Kang Chul-In had shown… they were possible if he was indeed someone who had returned from the past. It was just difficult to believe it, even though his brain could comprehend it.
“Just take it easy.” Dorian told Kwak Jung.
“Sorry? What do you mean?” Kwak Jung replied in confusion.
“It’s simple.”
“S-Simple?”
“Yep.”
“H-How…?”
“Think about the reason.”
“Reason?”
“Why do you think us earthlings were summoned to Pangaea?”
“...!”
“Level up. Lord shops, quest system. Haven’t you wondered who made these things?”
“W-Well...”
He was curious of course. Pangaea gave ordinary earthlings an opportunity to experience miraculous events. Anyone would have wondered what the fundamental reason for all these were.
However...
“Even now, quite a few explorers are researching to uncover the secrets of this continent. I also have quite a lot of friends who study ancient ruins professionally.”
“Hmm...”
“It’s weird from the very beginning. The humans, units, objects and buildings that we Lords can summon, where did they all come from?”
“...”
“Those summoned humans? They can’t remember anything. If we ask them about it, they reply that ‘we were asleep beyond the dimension’ like robots.”
Dorian was right. Nothing made sense in Pangaea. Even if one tried their best, not a single inquiry could be addressed in this continent.
“But when we listen to Kang Chul-In, it all makes sense.”
“...!”
“1,000 years ago. Dragon Lord Emilia and the Emperor of Blood and Iron fought with the Agnaga, which led to the demise of both parties. However, before they died, the two of them created System Erinyes to prepare for the second coming of the Agnaga and to reconstruct this world. At the center of it all is Kang Chul-In, the reincarnation of the Emperor of Blood and Iron.”
“Ahem…!”
“Well, doesn’t it make sense? Even if you don’t want to believe it, there’s no other plausible explanations. Also...”
“Also…?”
“Look at me!”
“I beg your pardon?”
“Do you think I believe Kang Chul-In because I’m really an idiot?”
“...”
“I only believe him because he seems believable! Do you follow me?”
Kwak Jung did not reply.
“...”
He just stared at Dorian with an awkward expression.
“What an a.n.a.logy...” Kang Chul-In swept his face with his palm.
“W-What?”
Dorian raised his eyebrows after observing Kwak Jung and Kang Chul-In’s response.
Brrrr…! His body trembled.
“You guys...” He began to ramble in anger. “You two were thinking that I’m an idiot, weren’t you!?”
He exploded.
“...”
Kang Chul-In and Kwak Jung were at a loss for words.
“Is he going through p.u.b.erty?”
“I think so.”
They then had a discussion about Dorian’s condition.
“What the… at that age?”
“Mental maturity isn’t always proportional to age.”
“Ahem…! W-We shall have to be careful...”
“Yes. It’s a sensitive period, alright.”
“I agree. I was reckless during p.u.b.erty too. I think that was when I began to go astray...”
“Treat him well.”
“Ah, yes… as a senior...”
The two of them arrived at a conclusion that Dorian was definitely going through p.u.b.erty.
“You b.a.s.t.a.r.ds…!” As a result, Dorian really hit the ceiling. “I’m out!” He sulked.
“Don’t look for me! I warned you!” Dorian left as he huffed and puffed.
“...”
Only the two of them were left in the room. Kang Chul-In and Kwak Jung shook their heads.
“I really think he’s going through p.u.b.erty.”
“I concur.”
The subject and his sovereign shared a consensus.
“Anyways.” Kang Chul-In changed the topic.
“Yes, your Majesty.”
“Whatever I say from this point onwards, make sure they are addressed without any delay.”
“Certainly.” Kwak Jung nodded.
It didn’t matter whether he believed or not. How could he disobey this man?
Kwak Jung might complain now and then, but he would comply to any of Kang Chul-In’s commands. No, any officer in the Valhalla Kingdom would.
“So...” Kang Chul-In began to hand his instructions over to Kwak Jung.
***
Meanwhile, in Styx, in the Gullveig Alliance’s camp...
“Brynhildr.” Mei Ling spoke. “You are our hero who will stand on the frontlines and fight against Kang Chul-In.”
“Yes, your Majesty.” Brynhildr, the white knight, kneeled in front of Mei Ling. “I, your humble servant, will do you proud and defeat Kang Chul-In no matter what.”
Such confidence! Brynhildr was confident that he could defeat Kang Chul-In this time. That confidence was well-grounded. He had perfected his light-speed sword skills, which allowed him to challenge anyone.
However...
I’m sorry, Brynhildr.
Mei Ling’s eyes were cold.
But I hope you don’t blame me too much. I can’t earn your loyalty; hence this is the only decision I can make as a Lord.
Mei Ling was cold-blooded at this moment. A disposable talent; that was Mei Ling’s perception of Brynhildr. She had already planned with Kwak Jun and Milenius to use Brynhildr as the bait to hunt Kang Chul-In down.
“Go, Brynhildr.” Mei Ling commanded. “Kang Chul-In will arrive soon. Please lead our alliance to victory.”
“Yes, your Majesty!” Brynhildr replied and excused himself politely.
***
Pssssshhhh! Poseidon, the ironclad battles.h.i.+p, cleaved through the water. Once a possession of Neptune Spear, it now belonged to the Valhalla Kingdom.
I won’t lose this battle.
Kang Chul-In stood on the stern of Poseidon and braced himself as he observed the port city, Styx, from a distance.
He had to win. Styx was the lifeline of the Gullveig Alliance, which led straight to its heart. Kang Chul-In had to emerge victorious and conquer the enemy’s central region. Only then could he conquer Pangaea and prevent the second coming of the Agnaga once and for all, thus completing the Emperor of Blood and Iron’s legacy.
However, this was under the a.s.sumption that there wasn’t any variable that could exceed Kang Chul-In’s expectations.
Brynhildr.
That man was the most likely one. The Emperor of Blood and Iron’s wife... to be precise, the man who used the armor, sword and swordsmans.h.i.+p of ‘Brynhildr Freyja Norn Arondight’. n.o.body else could stop Kang Chul-In.
Of course, even he only had a minuscule chance.
“Your Majesty!” Suddenly, Clémenceau, the Trident fleet admiral c.u.m naval commander, reported to Kang Chul-In. “We are sufficiently close to the enemy fleets now. We will be in the range of fire within five minutes.”
“Is that so?”
“Yes, your Majesty.”
“Send the Poseidon to the rear and put the Serpent on the frontlines.”
“Will do, your Majesty!”
Serpent, the ironclad battles.h.i.+p, was the vanguard of the Trident fleet, equipped with thick plates of armor that could resist most bombardment.
“Also.”
“Yes, your Majesty.”
“Send in the Trinidad fleet first.”
The Trinidad fleet comprised of ‘extremely special’ wooden s.h.i.+ps that were manufactured in the Balnibarbi region.
“Straight away, sir?”
“We can’t afford to test the waters. We have to launch an all-out attack from the very beginning.”
In other words, Kang Chul-In was ready to overwhelm the enemy with numbers as soon as the battle commenced.
“Your wish is my command.” Clémenceau saluted towards Kang Chul-In.
Pow, pow!
At that moment!
The announcement regarding the firing of the Gullveig Alliance’s cannons echoed in the battles.h.i.+p.
“I shall go first.”
Kang Chul-In began to make his way.
“Y-Your Majesty?”
“I shall entrust you with the commanding of the fleet!”
“...!”
“Ah, also.” Kang Chul-In added. “Even if I’m mingled with the enemy, fire without hesitation.”
He wanted to penetrate the enemy defense alone and wreak havoc, even if that could lead to fragging!
“That’s too dangerous, Your...”
Clémenceau desperately tried to hold Kang Chul-In back, but... Kang Chul-In had already leaped off the stern of the battles.h.i.+p.
“...!”
Everyone was shocked, or rather, aghast. Kang Chul-In was not das.h.i.+ng across the water like he previously did in Venedig.
Flick! A pair of brilliantly s.h.i.+ning wings emitting an immense amount of energy appeared on Kang Chul-In’s back, just like a jet engine!
***
In Styx, the port city, in the Gullveig Alliance’s camp...
“Report the current situation to me as soon as possible.” Mei Ling ordered.
“I do not want any delay in the battle report. Understood?”
“Yes, your Majesty!”
The commanding officers replied loudly.
Tsk, tsk… they are gonna lose anyway...
Kwak Jun clicked his tongue as he watched the scene. All the data of the Gullveig Alliance’s strategies, tactics and its army composition had been handed over to the Valhalla Kingdom.
If you know your enemy and yourself, you can win every battle. Furthermore, the Valhalla army was extremely proficient in battle. Over time, the Valhalla army would attack the weak spots in the Gullveig Alliance army and annihilate its camp!
I will surrender to the Valhalla army when the timing’s right...
Just as Kwak Jun was lost in thought...
“Arghhhhhhhhh!”
“D-Demon! A demon…!”
“Argh!”
He heard an ear-piercing scream from outside the command center.
And...
Banggggg! The wall of the command center crumbled down with a huge sound. Then… the ‘demon’ emerged through the collapsed wall.
“W-Who are you?” Mei Ling shouted. “Who could you be...”
However, she couldn’t complete her sentence.
Crack! Saturnus, the Emperor of Lunacy and Night who had crawled out of h.e.l.l, grabbed Mei Ling by her head.
“H-Heukk…!”
“Die.” Saturnus ordered a death sentence. “Weak b.i.t.c.h, you are not worthy of your t.i.tle.”
As soon as he finished his sentence...
Crack! Mei Ling’s head was shattered into pieces.