Episode 17: Empire (5)
I arrived at the heart of the palace, where the Imperial Blood Vault located.
The emperor awaited before a massive gate connected to the treasury, clad in a wide robe and a face-concealing veil.
A glimpse of golden eyes shone through the veil.
“Let’s go.”
The empire’s treasury, the Imperial Blood Vault.
A subspace crafted by applying sorcery techniques to harness the overflowing demonic energy within great demonic beasts’ bodies.
Here, sorcery referred to the eastern art of manipulating divine power, distinct from demonic energy, to create mystical phenomena.
Sorcery wasn’t particularly efficient or destructive for two reasons:
1. Unlike the divine-power-rich eastern air, the central continent’s divine power was scarce, making it unsuitable for use.
2. Unlike Aura or demonic energy, divine power couldn’t be stored in the body.
To wield divine power, one needed spells, formations, or catalysts for indirect manipulation.
Casting a single spell could take over a week, and even then, the central continent’s lack of divine power weakened its impact.
Thus, the empire adapted by using abundant demonic energy instead of scarce divine power.
The messenger who disappeared like shadows was one such application.
However, this increased casting time and danger, rendering demonic energy-based sorcery impractical for battlefield deployment.
Only the emperor’s bloodline could unlock the treasury’s sealed gate.
The emperor cut her palm with a short dagger, sprinkling blue blood before the gate.
With a tremendous rumble, the gate began to open.
Inside, what looked like human hearts were piled like mountains, still pulsing as if alive despite ages since extraction.
At their center was a hole, as if it contained all the world’s darkness.
Light couldn’t escape it; nothing beyond was visible.
“Are you ready?”
The emperor asked, gazing at me as if gauging my reaction, her golden eyes glinting eerily through the veil.
There was nothing to prepare. I’d visited this place two or three times in the game.
Though virtual, experience was experience.
The emperor reached into the hole first. The moment her hand touched the black-hole-like void, her form flipped and vanished.
I extended my hand, too. As it met the darkness, my vision compressed, and my body felt inverted.
When I opened my eyes, I stood on white marble. Transparent cases displayed artifacts—masterwork weapons forged from great beasts.
It felt less like a vault and more like a museum showcasing art. The emperor, waiting ahead, spoke.
“You’re the first in my reign to visit this place.”
“I’m honored.”
“Stay as long as you like. Take your time and choose what you desire.”
But first—
“How many can I take?”
The emperor turned, surprised by the question.
“Hmm? I thought most would marvel first. That’s your priority?”
After a brief pause, she continued,
“Two. You may take two artifacts, any you choose.”
I’d expected one at most. This emperor was truly generous—suspiciously so.
But even if she had ulterior motives, my task remained unchanged.
I’d crush the seeds of doom in the south, the Red Star, and the east.
If that aided the empire’s prosperity rather than hindered it, I had even less reason to hesitate.
‘Two near-endgame pieces. Let’s go.’
Time to shop.
***
In the game, accessing the empire’s Imperial Blood Vault was limited.
One could gain entry by earning the emperor’s recognition for great deeds while they still lived, or by defeating Enoa Blackwind, who’d overtaken the empire, when an imperial bloodline remained.
Excluding the emperor, it was a late-game location. Some items there were viable even until the endgame.
I gazed at a massive scythe on display: “Sacrificial Scythe of the Great One.”
It increased attack range by 40% and scaled damage with the player’s current HP. Now that this was reality, I didn’t know how it was implemented.
‘I don’t need swords or spears.’
I already had Radiata, a Reinforced Armament gifted by Irena.
It grew stronger with blood, boosting strength, regeneration, and Aura.
Not endgame-tier, but sufficient to carry me through.
Besides, I had no intention of using anything but a longsword.
Eleven years of swordsmanship training didn’t extend to other weapons.
I could learn, but it wouldn’t be efficient. As I turned to move on, the emperor, following me, spoke.
“Hoh, the Sacrificial Scythe?”
“Does Your Majesty know what this scythe does?”
“It’s a wondrous weapon that grows larger when swung. Spilled blood clings to the wielder, aiding their movements.”
My heart raced as I asked,
“Do you know the abilities of all the artifacts here?”
“I don’t know everything, but I might know about what you’re seeking.”
‘So you basically know it all.’
“Could I ask for your guidance?”
“That would be fine.”
With the emperor’s help, I explored the artifacts. Beyond weapons, there were accessories, potions, and sorcery texts. Familiar from the game, they felt novel in reality.
I narrowed it down to five candidates, based on game stats and the emperor’s explanations, mostly accessories and armor:
- Rosary of the Beast Slayer: Increases physical damage by 35% against all enemies, with an additional 35% against beast-type enemies (no extra boost against hybrids). The emperor said it enhances strength.
- Wraith of a Thousand Threads: Armor with a 30% chance to summon a wraith clone upon being hit, reducing damage taken by 7% per clone, up to five clones for a total 35% reduction.
- Eye of the Fallen Saint: Boosts critical hit chance by 80%. In reality, it doesn’t amplify damage randomly but reveals enemies’ weak points visually, useless if not targeted.
- Meteor Chain: Reduces physical damage taken by 60% but increases fall damage by 800%, and the accessory breaks upon death by falling.
- Ring of the Corrupt Goddess: Restores 9% health per enemy killed and grants immunity to all poisons. Enemies in the Twilight Alliance region grow stronger but become vulnerable to sorcery.
Four were accessories; only one was armor. Armor was treated as consumable, quickly worn out by beast attacks on the northern front, while accessories were more durable.
After brief deliberation, I chose two: the ‘Rosary of the Beast Slayer’ and the ‘Ring of the Corrupt Goddess’.
The reason was simple: 70% increased physical damage, immunity to all poisons, and 9% health recovery per kill. With this trifecta, I’d be near-invincible. Who could resist?
“All chosen to counter demonic beasts… I understand your selection,” the emperor said.
The locked glass cases opened. No overwhelming aura or dramatic atmosphere emerged—just ordinary-looking items: a ring and a rosary.
They looked refined but so mundane it felt odd. Grasping them, I expected a dramatic change—
Nothing happened.
Noticing my reaction, the emperor chuckled softly.
“Those artifacts only reveal their true power when properly worn and facing demonic beasts. Without a demonic beast before you, they won’t respond.”
So the rosary reacts to demonic beasts?
It likely meant enhanced strength when facing them.
‘Maybe it could serve as a radar.’
Most demonic beasts roamed openly, but some moved stealthily.
The translucent great demonic beast from the Radiata campaign was a prime example.
I hung the rosary around my neck and slipped the ring onto my finger.
Instantly, thick veins pulsed across my skin, then vanished.
My physical capabilities surged noticeably.
This enhancement would double against demonic beasts.
My pectoral muscles swelled almost to bursting.
As I clenched and unclenched my fist, testing my grip, the emperor spoke abruptly.
“By slaying the first demonic beast, you drastically reduced the threat of demonic beasts and monsters in the north. All thanks to your efforts.”
“It’s due to Your Majesty’s leadership.”
“Me? No, we must be clear. This is entirely your achievement.”
The emperor laughed softly.
“Come to think of it, you don’t have a dukedom.”
Indeed, the emperor had granted me only the title of duke.
Nobles with titles but no land were rare but not unheard of—high in name, low in influence.
I hadn’t expected a dukedom to begin with, so I’d brushed it off. I didn’t particularly need a title or estate.
Tilting her head, the emperor continued.
“The nobles are restless. You, having toiled on the front, may not have noticed, but strange rumors are circulating in the capital.”
The emperor averted her gaze briefly. A subtle ripple crossed their calm golden eyes. As the silence stretched, the air grew heavier.
“The Red Star. Have you heard of it?”
Thanks for the chapter!!!!!
ReplyDelete