The demons within the subterranean lair had been dealt with, and the seal on the dungeon was restored. Scheffiel Mycenae’s sages were responsible for resealing it, while the rest of the knight order packed their belongings, preparing for their journey to Saxon City.
“Merlin, what are your plans now?”
“I’ll head back. It’s rather dull here.”
“Back to Saxon City?”
“Indeed. I need to make some preparations.”
“Preparations for what?”
“For my next journey, of course.”
“Could you take me along?”
“Well, perhaps if the opportunity arises.”
“Do you have something specific in mind?”
“That’s a bit complicated.”
“Might I ask your affiliation?”
“The Ten Rings of Authority.”
Scheffiel Mycenae and Yue Wu continued their leisurely chat, filling the quiet moments. Their conversation only ceased when one of Scheffiel Mycenae’s subordinates arrived to report.
“Your Highness Scheffiel Mycenae, everything is ready. We can depart at any moment.”
“Understood. Gather everyone; we’re ready to leave.”
Scheffiel Mycenae nodded, dismissing her subordinate. Then, she turned her gaze back to Yue Wu.
“Merlin, would you care to join us?”
“Certainly. I’ve been wanting to ride a horse.”
Seeing Scheffiel Mycenae’s subordinate lead her horse forward, Yue Wu was suddenly struck by an impulse to ride as well.
“Bring another horse, specifically for Sir Merlin.”
Scheffiel Mycenae emphasized her instruction to her subordinate, making it clear the horse was for Yue Wu.
“Riding a horse shouldn’t be too difficult, should it? It won’t throw me off, will it?”
Yue Wu cautiously glanced around, then leaned in close to Scheffiel Mycenae’s ear.
“Ah! You mean you’ve never ridden a horse before?”
Scheffiel Mycenae’s face flushed crimson.
“No, I haven’t. Could you teach me?”
Yue Wu said, rubbing the back of his head with a slight blush of embarrassment.
“I—I can.”
Scheffiel Mycenae’s voice suddenly grew exceptionally faint.
“Thank you so much, Scheffiel Mycenae.”
Yue Wu raised his hand and gently stroked Scheffiel Mycenae’s head. She, in turn, lowered her head, allowing him to caress her.
“N-no need to be so polite.”
This time, Scheffiel Mycenae’s voice was even softer than before, so quiet that only she could hear her own words.
“Your Highness Scheffiel Mycenae, the horse has arrived.”
A member of the knight order led forward a magnificent white horse.
“Then let’s begin now.”
“Merlin?”
Scheffiel Mycenae, who had been ready to teach Yue Wu how to ride, noticed his sudden silence.
“My apologies, but something has come up. I won’t be joining you.”
“Has something happened?”
“It’s just a minor matter.”
“I’ll come with you!”
“What about your knight order?”
“I can instruct them to proceed to Saxon City and await my arrival. After all, you’re heading back there too, aren’t you?”
“Uh, alright.”
In the end, Scheffiel Mycenae took mere seconds to finalize the knight order’s travel arrangements.
“Everything’s arranged. Let’s go.”
Scheffiel Mycenae seemed to relish every moment she would spend alone with Yue Wu, her demeanor akin to a young girl smitten with first love.
“Then let’s depart.”
Yue Wu extended his hand, and Scheffiel Mycenae gracefully took it. Their movements, in that instant, displayed remarkable synchronicity.
An Angel’s Wing skill transported them to the designated location. However, upon arrival, a sudden surge of danger prompted Yue Wu to push Scheffiel Mycenae away. He, in turn, was seized ‘tightly’ by a colossal hand.
“Merlin!”
Scheffiel Mycenae immediately grew anxious.
The sudden appearance and subsequent capture by the Nightmare Beast left everyone present stunned. They only reacted once Scheffiel Mycenae cried out.
‘What an entrance,’ Yue Wu thought, showing no signs of panic despite his predicament. ‘This surprise is certainly… substantial.’
Even after being caught, Yue Wu remained remarkably composed, completely devoid of panic.
“Hey, fatty,” he called out, “didn’t your mama ever teach you that grabbing things without washing your hands is terribly uncivilized?”
“Ma…gic…power…so…hungry…”
The Nightmare Beast, oblivious to Yue Wu’s taunts, simply brought him closer to its gaping maw. Yet, just as the meal was within reach, it suddenly vanished.
“Merlin!”
The moment Yue Wu materialized beside Scheffiel Mycenae, she instinctively wrapped her arms around him.
“Can someone explain what’s happening?”
Yue Wu looked at the dozen or so people behind him, eager to understand the situation.
“W-well, Sir, we aren’t entirely clear on the specifics ourselves.”
Grandma Muma’s abilities failed to discern the man’s true strength. He felt like an unfathomable black hole, utterly beyond her comprehension.
“I can explain, my lord.”
Luoge East stepped forward.
“A Magical Girl!!!”
Upon seeing Luoge East, Yue Wu’s eyes immediately sparkled like stars. He circled her, peering from every angle, causing everyone else to fall into an awkward silence.
“Merlin.”
Scheffiel Mycenae, unable to bear it any longer, gently reminded him.
“Ahem, alright, then keep it brief and get to the point.”
Yue Wu regained his composure and began to listen to the full story.
“Oh, I see. This is simple enough.”
After Luoge East’s explanation, Yue Wu understood the entire situation, including the identity of the large, corpulent creature.
“Then, Sir Merlin, how do you propose we handle this matter?”
Luoge East, having learned of Yue Wu’s ability to use teleportation magic, intended for him to transport them to the Empire to seek reinforcements.
“Merlin, perhaps we should retreat. My father, the Emperor, can surely provide assistance.”
Given the current understanding of the Nightmare Beast, Scheffiel Mycenae shared Luoge East’s idea: they needed to call for aid.
“There’s no need for such trouble. We’ll simply eliminate it.”
Yue Wu pondered for a long time but found no information about such a Nightmare Beast, nor did such a monster exist in the game.
“Sir Merlin, it’s futile. We should still seek assistance from the Empire, just as Her Royal Highness suggested.”
Lucy stepped forward. Though she couldn’t quite place why, she felt a strange sense of familiarity with this man, yet she couldn’t recall where she had seen him before.
“That’s far too much trouble. Just wait for me; it’ll be quick.”
Yue Wu didn’t bother saying anything further to them. He simply strode directly towards the Nightmare Beast, which, in turn, noticed his approach.
‘Unrivaled Swordsmanship: Activated.’
‘Weapon Master: Activated.’
‘Double Mana: Activated.’
‘Attribute Corrosion: Activated.’
After activating these passive skills, Yue Wu raised his hand. A flash of golden light heralded the appearance of a magnificent, exquisite knight’s sword in his grasp. Its guard was forged from gold, and its hilt was adorned with jewels, exuding an aura fit for a king.
“Fatty, are you ready to face your fate?”
Mana surged around him, causing the ground to tremble violently. Numerous luminous particles erupted from the earth, all flocking towards the knight’s sword in Yue Wu’s hand.
“Ma…gic…power…hungry…”
The Nightmare Beast reached out to grab him, utterly oblivious to any impending danger. Its mind was solely consumed by the urge to devour anything imbued with magic, especially the most potent sources.
‘Sacred Light Slash!’
Once Yue Wu had condensed his mana to its optimal level, he swept the knight’s sword diagonally upwards to the left. A golden sword aura, unleashed at such close range, severed the Nightmare Beast’s arm before it could even near Yue Wu. Moreover, the severed limb immediately began to corrode.
Did they think it was over? The answer was a resounding no! With Unrivaled Swordsmanship activated, Yue Wu was a max-level Swordsman from the game. Combined with Weapon Master, wielding a weapon that surpassed even a Saint-grade artifact, and the Double Mana output from one of a Mage’s core passive skills, he was practically a pseudo-Magic Swordsman, a fusion of countless abilities. Yet, at this moment, Yue Wu was arguably stronger than any true Magic Swordsman, not by a mere factor of one or ten, but by an immeasurable degree.
‘Extreme Speed Blessing.’
Under the effects of the blessing magic, Yue Wu’s speed became astonishingly swift. His sword swings were imperceptible, visible only as countless golden flashes streaking across the Nightmare Beast’s massive form.
“It’s over.”
After unleashing countless slashes upon the Nightmare Beast, Yue Wu instantly used Angel’s Wing to teleport high into the air. He then activated the passive skill Levitation and the blessing magic Flight. His sword had vanished, replaced by a staff adorned with vibrant flowers. Yue Wu raised the staff, beginning to condense a Mana Cannon.
“Guh~ Ma…gic…power!”
The Nightmare Beast raised its sole remaining arm, yearning for the object in the sky, for it was the very thing it craved most.
‘Quadruple Mana: Activated.’
Double Mana had transformed into Quadruple Mana, amplifying the Mana Cannon’s power severalfold.
“Then feast to your heart’s content! Sacred Light Cannon!”
The instant Yue Wu’s words left his lips, the Mana Cannon struck the Nightmare Beast, engulfing it entirely. The creature froze mid-reach, its arm still extended, then ceased all movement.
Although the Mana Cannon was swallowed by the Nightmare Beast, its immense magical energy caused it to detonate within the creature’s body. The beast disintegrated into a pile of ashes, vanishing from existence in an instant.