Episode 110
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Drake from Monster Hunter.
Also known as ‘Monster Catcher Drake’.
There are only a few S-rank adventurers in the Labyrinth City, in other words, adventurers who are skilled enough to hunt monsters in the ‘deep’ like Dale.
A powerful figure known throughout the continent even before coming to the Northern Demon King’s Territory in the Artifact Rush.
There was something else about Dale that particularly interested Drake.
I didn’t feel any mana power from him.
He doesn’t have a circle around his heart like a wizard, nor does he have an aura built up in his body like a knight.
Would it be possible to hunt a monster of that size without relying on the power of mana?
I wanted to watch him fight, but unfortunately, I rarely had the chance to meet him in the depths of the depths.
Furthermore, there was no small amount of interest in the profession called ‘monster hunter’.
Those who make a living hunting monsters.
It is usually a job done by knights or second-rate mercenaries who have only vaguely learned the Auror method, and in this world where monsters are abundant, it is not a particularly special job.
However, ‘Monster Catcher Drake’ was a strong man who was famous even among them on the continent, and it was impossible for a strong man of that level not to use the power of mana.
No matter how much a person trains his body, the threshold is clear.
So one assumption crossed Dale’s mind.
A supernatural power that cannot be explained by mana.
‘no way…….’
It was just then.
“Here, here is the trading license!”
A receptionist approached Dale… no, Faceless, shaking.
A certificate that allows you to appraise a high-purity magic stone weighing approximately 1kg, along with its value, and to trade it freely within the Labyrinth City.
Dale accepts the certificate, and ‘Monster Catcher Drake’ glances at Dale.
The shadow under the hood stared at Drake silently, and the standoff was short.
“Please appraise this artifact and issue me a trading permit.”
Before he knew it, he had placed the loot he had acquired in the labyrinth on the table.
A symbol of quick fortune that adventurers in the labyrinth city so desperately desire.
Artifact.
It was a sword shrouded in darkness.
A black sword reminiscent of the Auror Blade of the Night Raven Knights.
The artifacts of the Demon King’s Realm are imbued with powerful dark powers, and if they are handled by unqualified individuals, it is not uncommon for them to lead to destruction.
That’s why adventurers are provided with the Black Tower’s magic tools that can suppress the power of artifacts in the guild, and even the monster-catching Drake is no exception.
However, in the sight of Drake handling that ominous black sword, the appearance of a magical tool that should suppress the power of the artifact was not visible.
As if handling artifacts of this level was no big deal.
‘Hoo.’
Once again, there were gasps from all over the place, and Dale also did not hide his interest in front of the artifact.
However, this was the end of his activities as the adventurer ‘Faceless’.
The dusk of dawn had begun, and after a brief nap it was time to resume my duties as ‘Dale of Saxony’.
* * *
The Great Labyrinth was not the only problem threatening the Saxon counties and the Demon Lords.
However, it was clear that it was one of the most important threats to watch out for when it came to potentially developing the Demon King’s Territory.
Outbreak.
An abnormal situation in which all the monsters within the labyrinth simultaneously advance to the surface, commonly known as the ‘Labyrinth Flood’.
Fortunately, even if an outbreak occurs, powerful monsters from deep places like the Depths do not easily appear on the surface.
However, if monsters were to pour out of a labyrinth of this scale, it goes without saying how severe the damage would be.
It was precisely this point that was expected of adventurers in the midst of the ‘Artifact Rush’ craze, and opening the Great Labyrinth to allow adventurers to be active was part of that vigilance activity.
At the same time, the threat of the Demon King’s territory does not stop at the Great Labyrinth.
Rather, it was things outside the labyrinth that were really troubling the Saxon counties.
To protect and guard against the attacks of demons appearing all over the territory, and to guard against the people constantly coming and going from the territory.
At the same time, we need to protect the pioneer farmers who are developing the Demon King’s Territory into an ‘imperial land’ and steadily increase their power.
Protecting the ‘winter crops’ that can be harvested from the frozen soil of Saxony, and monitoring the activities of the ‘Dark Lands’ beyond.
Dale’s first task as a lord is to receive reports from the organizations he leads.
The Night Raven Knight, the Black Armor Company, the Winter Watchman, and finally the Shadow Court.
“The Northern Cité pioneer monastery is requesting additional troops.”
“There are reports that a small group of orc tribes are riding wolves and raiding the ‘Kali-Mala Guild’s’ caravans across the mountains.”
“Have you found out about the orc tribe’s stronghold?”
“Without a fixed residence, the entire tribe is made up of wolf riders, sweeping through the Demon King’s territory.”
The Winter Watchman, who is working as the direct intelligence unit of the Viscount of Saxony, reports on the suspicious movements and activities of the demons within the Demon King’s territory.
“Regarding the request of the Cistercian Order, we will review the dispatch of the Black Armor Company after a second inspection.”
“As for the Orc tribe, we will deploy cavalry as soon as we find a temporary base. Increase the number of search parties.”
Rank the threats and form a punitive force comprised of Night Raven Knights and Black Armor Company heavy infantry.
Furthermore, within the labyrinthine city, the role of the ‘Shadow Court’ is to monitor conflicts that occur between people.
“It seems that a faction of noble adventurers, led by S-rank adventurer ‘Edward of Dulles’, is exerting influence on the streets.”
“The tendency to blatantly ignore and reject adventurers who are not of noble birth is accelerating.”
Not everyone in the city bows obediently to Dale’s rule.
From the smuggling of goods obtained in the labyrinth to factional strife and trends among adventurers.
‘Being a lord is not easy.’
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It’s such a tough task to rule over just one ‘Demon King’s Territory’.
What about the case of his father, the Duke of Saxony, who rules over the Duchy of Saxony, including the Demon Territory?
The weight that the Black Knight was carrying as the ruler of the North was something that even Dale could not fathom.
Dale smiles bitterly as he feels the son’s heart once again understanding his father’s suffering.
It was just then.
“Now, Your Majesty the Count of Saxony!”
A soldier ran urgently towards Dale, who was sitting on the throne.
“Sir, this is a major report!”
“Go ahead.”
“Uh, in the labyrinth city, on the street of the guild… … Ah, there was an accident while handling an artifact!”
The soldier continued speaking, panting as if he would suffocate at any moment, as if he was in such a hurry.
“While appraising the ‘Sword of Darkness’ that the monster hunter Drake brought, he’s running wild and running wild!”
Artifact’s rampage.
For a moment, Dale swallowed his breath.
The ones who appraise the artifacts of the Demon King’s Spirit are the black magicians of the Black Tower who can handle the ‘power of darkness’.
They are also made up of skilled people who have reached the level of 5th circle or higher.
Even the warlocks couldn’t handle the power and went berserk.
This must not be an ordinary thing.
“I will personally investigate the situation. Be prepared to speak immediately.”
“Yes, I will follow your orders!”
Dale stood up without a moment’s hesitation, and the two knights who guarded him followed behind.
Lady Black, Lady Shadow.
As I turned my back on them, armed with the black armor of the Night Raven Knight, I involuntarily recalled the events of this morning.
The black sword that is causing the outburst must have been obtained by ‘Monster Catcher Drake’ this morning.
The dark sword went berserk, emitting a power that even the black magicians of the Black Tower could not handle.
So how did that man… …the monster hunter Drake manage to hold that sword and stay unharmed?
* * *
The guild street in the labyrinth city.
Cassius, the 5th circle black magician, was there.
Five circles accelerated madly, black magic swirling around the ground beneath their feet.
The thing he holds in his hand is the artifact that the monster hunter Drake obtained… …a black magic sword.
There is no trace of reason in his expression as he holds the sword.
With a mad laugh, his pupils are turned white and he is drooling profusely.
At the same time.
The magic sword in the wizard’s hand was swung.
All around, black flower petals were fluttering.
Scattered black flower petals fell to the ground, and each time they did, the ground was immersed in darkness.
Just like the dark lake that Dale unfolds.
and.
The area was submerged in waves of darkness, and at the same time, ‘things’ emerged from the lake.
Shadow Walker.
Like Dale’s Shadow Cloak once was, it is a ‘shadow creature’ made of darkness itself.
“Never back down!”
“Even when we die, we die in the same place!”
The heavy infantry of the Black Armor Company surrounding the area took up their positions, and the Shadow Walkers charged towards them.
‘That’s not something a single infantryman can stop.’
That’s why Dale didn’t hesitate.
“Everyone step back immediately!”
Dale shouted, and at the same time Dale took a step forward without hesitation.
Covering the lake of darkness with black magic swords scattered, he put on his ‘shadow cloak’.
“Keeeeeek!”
The Shadow Lurkers all unleashed their thorny tentacles.
The swirling thorny tentacles began to mercilessly slaughter the intangible bodies of the Shadow Walkers.
I could clearly sense it.
That Dale’s shadow cloak and that magic sword share the same power.
Artifact is a general term for ‘items imbued with magical power.’
Among them, the reason why the Demon King’s Artifact is called the ‘Artifact of Darkness’ is because it was not created by human hands.
For example, the Holy Sword is a blade that was forged by the first lord of the White Tower, and most artifacts used by noble magicians are also ones that were infused with power by famous high-ranking magicians.
But that wasn’t the case with the so-called ‘artifacts of darkness’.
It was once a favorite of high-ranking demons, including the Demon King Balor; in other words, it was a dark treasure forged by the hands of demons.
That’s why.
There was no reason to hesitate.
Phew!
Centered around Dale’s feet, the surrounding area was isolated from the outside and formed a barrier.
The world of ideas.
Even after I reached the level of the 4th circle, two years have passed since then.
Dale’s world finally revealed itself as it swallowed up the black magician holding the magic sword.
A white and dark winter night.
In the cold and darkness, another ‘scenery’ was added to decorate Dale’s imaginary world.
Black Castle.
Just as Dale took possession of the Demon King’s Territory and became its lord.
It was no exception even in this world of white and dark winter nights.
