Chapter 347
Volume 36 Chapter 7
7) Eternal Colleague Zahab
Sponsored Content
Geomchi, the instructors and the trainees fell into a deep anguish .
A number of people were worried in Royal Road .
‘How should I proceed with this quest?’
‘ Find the mushrooms in the Yulun Mountains… It will be dangerous with my skills . ’
‘What direction should I raise my attack skills in?’
A character’s growth and quests . Royal Road was like real life and had many choices . People would encounter crossroads that would cause struggle .
But the concerns of Geomchi, the instructors and the practitioners wasn’t at such a high level . They didn’t live a complicated life . If they were hungry then they ate and they fought strong opponents .
Geomchi-2 had a psychiatrist as a girlfriend but there were still things he didn’t understand .
‘Insomnia? Why can’t I sleep at night? Can’t I just close my eyes after lying down and snore?’
‘Am I stuck in a depression while hating the world? It isn’t a complete lie . I would commit suicide if I needed to roll around in a field of dog poo . ’
If psychiatry was used on them then the result would be that they were suffering because of Weed .
“Teacher-nim, I’ve realized that we’ve been too lazy after seeing Weed’s adventure . ”
“I am ashamed that I haven’t caught a dragon first . We have no pride as teachers . ”
“I understand, Teacher-nim . This is all our fault . We didn’t properly support Teacher-nim . ”
Geomchi and the instructors were upset by Weed’s adventure .
It was common sense since Weed had played Royal Road longer . In addition, he invested more into it over a long time . They praised him after he founded a kingdom but succeeding in quests with complex conditions annoyed them .
It felt like going to catch a strong monster for a quest was just a simple errand .
There was no need to distinguish between the good and bad guys . In the past, they made money during the days of poverty from the quests but now they weren’t enthusiastic about it .
But…
“Weed is fighting the Chaos Dragon…hrmm . ”
“He hasn’t won yet Master-nim . ”
“Even so, my body is itching . ”
Geomchi and the students envied the thought of fighting against a dragon . They had already been melted by a dragon’s breath so they knew how reckless it was . No matter how good they were with a sword, they couldn’t fight a dragon . They were aware of the limitations of a swordsman in modern times and quietly raised their power .
However, now they heard that Weed had a quest that required going to the past and fighting a dragon . It was a thrilling thing .
“Dragon slayer . I was aiming for this title from the beginning . ”
“Sob, I missed the chance at greater glory . ”
Geomchi, the instructors and the trainees felt like they had been complacent and lazy .
“What have we been doing so far?”
“The Martial Artist Master Quest . ”
“That… . raising the disciples . ”
Geomchi and the instructors were teaching their skills to NPC disciples . They needed to pass on their martial arts in order to pass through an advanced dungeon .
“Swung your sword . ”
“Until when?”
“All night until it seems like you are going to die . I will kill you first if you stop . ”
The teachers weren’t caring or understanding and became irritating when inspecting the students’ skills . Nevertheless, there was a discerning selection of disciples .
They might have plenty of experience but couldn’t endure the training . Talent was important but they would rather teach those who would die by the sword .
“My parents are bandits… . ”
“I need to be strong in order to get revenge . ”
“I just want to become like Teacher-nim . ”
“Do you want to join your parents?”
The disciples grew like sprouts and passed a dungeon . After that, their lives were their own .
Some joined the Arpen Kingdom as knights while others decided to wander the world as mercenaries . Some decided to switch directions from a swordsman to a merchant .
“You want to be a merchant?”
“Yes, sorry Teacher-nim . ”
“No, a merchant is also a good profession . ”
Geomchi-101 allowed the disciples to deviate from the path . He knew the benefits of a merchant . Merchants familiar with a sword could go hunting .
Geomchi-5’s disciples were beaten too much and fled as soon as they escaped the dungeon . And they became famous bandits somewhere .
“The disciples I raised learned a few skills . ”
Geomchi-3 recalled the last few days . He had taught his disciples martial arts for a month . It strengthened their skills, enhanced their body, expanded their vision and gave them superhuman health .
The skills were raised again and again over the course of the training . The skills would disappear if they didn’t reach advanced level 3 within 3 months . In addition, they wouldn’t be able to proceed with the Martial Artist Master Quest .
Sponsored Content
The Swordsman Master Quest could be delayed at any time . The Martial Artist one couldn’t . If they made even one small mistake or failure then their master qualification would be discarded . It could be considered quite an unfair penalty .
Geomchi and his intern disciples were rather satisfied .
“Martial arts isn’t the same as other professions so this treatment is appropriate . ”
“Yes of course, Master-nim!”
Each one of them had their own pride and entered the mountains for 3 months . The mountains had an atmosphere where the disciples could quickly cultivate their martial arts .
They trained their skill proficiency upon the branches and animals in the forest . A variety of unique training courses were designed to train their newly acquired skills . Once their levels became higher, their combat skills would become stronger . The result of their swordsmanship also differed .
In fact, it was hard and boring for humans to swing their sword for 3 months . However, Geomchi yelled at them to swing their swords every day .
“I’m can still continue… . Geomchi-505 handpicked me . ”
“Why are they so tough? I just want some rest . ”
During to the competition in the mountains, their swordsmanship rose at a tremendous rate . Each one of them achieved at least advanced level 9! Their bodies were completely trained and special stats and achievements were added .
“We have just been playing around . ”
Geomchi nodded heavily .
“It can’t end here if we want to save our pride . ”
“Teacher-nim has the right idea . ”
“Normal monsters are like chickens and can’ be compared to the strength of a dragon . ”
“Yes . ”
Geomchi and his disciples had already caught a variety of monsters in the north . They ran furiously through dungeons and defeated monsters, but they placed no value in it .
“We should create a group of knights . ”
“That is a great idea!”
Geomchi thoughts weren’t sympathetic to his disciples . Being a great teacher made him feel better . Geomchi often displayed erratic behaviour and this time he spoke after thinking deeply .
“After looking at Weed’s battle, knights are the ones who fight systematically and can increase the effect by dozens of times . Winning or losing a battle can depend on the performance of the knights . ”
“Yes, that’s right . ”
“And the fight of those children on the Central Continent is spreading . ”
“Yes . ”
Rumours spread that the Haven Empire was going to invade the north . The users who volunteered for the military and the Grass Porridge Cult of the Arpen Kingdom started formulating battle plans .
“We should organize a proper troop of knights and how properly show those guys . Then we can catch that bastard called Bardray . ”
“Your disciples can’t keep up with Master-nim . ”
“After completed a perfect victory, we will then move onto a dragon . ”
“Yes, as you command . ”
Weed had left the Arpen Kingdom for a long time and would be amazed when he returned .
“Won’t they perish with no king?”
“Yes, we should go back . ”
If a kingdom was left unattended by the king, security would worsen due to bandits or thugs . Therefore, residents would quickly escape .
However, the security around Morata and Vargo Fortress was very good . There were a few burglars in the commerce area but there was a great revival of the economy .
Currently the Arpen Kingdom had almost extended through their entire north . Even residents living deep in the swamps or mountains were dependent on the Arpen Kingdom’s economy and culture .
Adventurers and warriors belonging to the Arpen Kingdom received requests to fight monsters . Merchants completed business deals and miners developed the mines . Residents were thankful to have work .
The Arpen Kingdom established a large army to fight against all the monsters in the northern area . The birth rate in the north miraculously increased and it wasn’t just humans living on the spacious land… .
“Chwik!”
“I can build a house here . Mother chwi chwik!”
“If we buy this cave then there will be no place to lie down . Chwi chwiik!”
The orcs that came from the east by the north flourished in the north! The orcs had settled around Vargo Fortress and orc users could start there . They mainly chose appearances that resembled Karichwi .
The orcs reproduced quickly and became an iconic feature around Vargo Fortress . The orc troops consisting of 20,000~50,000 could face any tough monsters .
They didn’t conquer the inside of dungeons but there were no large scale monsters wandering around the mountains . The orcs migrated to the far mountains . And the orcs continued building houses around Vargo Fortress .
“This deer leg tastes chwi chwit delicious . Chwik!”
The orcs didn’t burn it over fire and liked the taste of blood flowing from the leg . Plenty of users liked the wild life of the orcs . And the fortress was overflowing with orcs .
“Get out of the way . Chwi chwit!”
“Chwi chwit I was first!”
The orc leaving the fortress clogged the roads like workers commuting during rush hour . One orc user led a minimum of 100 baby orcs out of the fortress .
“This fat pig chuchik!”
Sponsored Content
“That orc is ugly chuchichik!”
Orc users lived separately from each other in order to hunt and seek food . It was easy for the orcs to be comfortable in the fortress . They purchased bad food from merchants and used it to raise their children .
The occasional passer-by could watch a cute orc baby one day only to have it grow 2 metres and 30 centimetres the next day . The orc families formed a large force and could go to larger hunting grounds to face stronger monsters .
The dream of an orc user was to become an extremely strong orc warrior . Eventually they would lead a tribe containing tens of thousands of orcs .
“Leave for undeveloped land, chwi chwi chwik!”
Orcs and their children discarded their stable hunting grounds and good to look for remote areas in the north .
In fact, high level orcs didn’t necessarily prefer life and death adventures . But it could be difficult to settle a tribe consisting of thousands of orcs . Due to the nature of an orc, they could only establish a habitat quickly with strong forces .
The orcs left Vargo Fortress to find more dangerous areas and many orc villages quickly formed in the Arpen Kingdom .
But the internal affairs of the Arpen Kingdom was solid .
“I’ve never seen that road before . ”
“Yes, it was made by an architect . ”
“Did a bridge always connect that river?”
“I don’t know . It wasn’t there a few days ago . ”
“Let’s adventure further north . I know a good hunting ground and ruins . ”
“Is there a supplies plan?”
“Before there was nothing in the wilderness but now there is a city . ”
A colossal civil construction project!
Now the Grand Buildings were only local events . Every city had a population of humans, dwarves, orcs, avians and barbarians so there was an unthinkable development .
“How is all of this possible with our taxes?”
“Then all this is the king’s money?”
“I don’t know but the Arts Centre possesses at least 890,00 works of art . ”
“There is also an operation to restore Mordred, the capital of the Niflheim Empire . ”
“Villages are also being built by the ceramists . ”
“It really makes no sense . ”
“I’m glad that we live in the north . We never would’ve been able to see it change so quickly if we hadn’t . ”
It was determined that the prestigious guilds were the losers in the Central Continent and that the Haven Empire would invade the north . The prestigious guilds didn’t dare try to become lords in the north . The users and residents unconditionally protected the Arpen Kingdom . If anyone tried to build an independent village in the north then the residents and users would wage a vicious war of aggression .
In fact, there practical reasons for the Arpen Kingdom to forget about the Haven Empire for the moment and just devoted themselves to trade and hunting .
The quality and quantities of the users kept on increasing . The tax income of the Arpen Kingdom was very large but it was difficult to afford the expenditure .
In fact, all of this was due to the combined effort of the users . Merchants sold grains to farmers that they then planted . Miners dug out silver, gold, iron etc . Adventurers explored ruins and unearthed antiques and treasures . Tailors and blacksmiths became busy as orders kept on increasing . The beginner avians that had no money willingly pulled out their own hair to be sold . No matter how many feathers were pulled out, they would just grow back again .
And all the taxes were gathered at the capital of the Arpen Kingdom to be distributed . It barely changed after Weed had become king .
“Be careful of aides or family ties in politics . ”
Deceit still existed in an era like this . Therefore Goldman, Yellowy, Bingryong and the wyverns monopolized the positions of power in the kingdom . They were silent in front of the dictator but exercised their rights when Weed was absent .
“Gol gol gol, gold is gold!”
Goldman received the tax money and invested it in different areas .
“Money shouldn’t rest . Gol gol!”
He didn’t deposit it in any savings and made immediately investments! Goldman permitted the important development projects in the north .
Areas like great architecture, urban road construction and expansion, military establishment, large granary and mine development were all worked on .
Money was generously poured into these projects .
“The money remaining in the kingdom is 0, gol gol gol . I worked hard today gol gol . ”
Weed harnessed the Mapon and Beiner cities around Jonas Castle .
The Embinyu Church was approaching so he was running out of time .
“But we are the good guys . ”
“Things like compassion and generosity isn’t useless . All of this… We unconditionally destroyed cities and killed civilians . We also have prisoners of war . There is no justification for it . ”
Warrior-1 still hadn’t been corrupted by the evil mentality and desire to destroy .
“Aren’t these actions really bad?”
“It is in order to deal with the upcoming large battle . The entire continent is in danger of being subjugated by the Embinyu Church . This is a sign to save the world but it is too hard without your cooperation . If you fear small sacrifices then you can’t protect the peace . ”
“I understand . ”
Weed used saving the world to scam the warriors! His subordinates had absolute loyalty so they would believe in anything . Weed destroyed the infrastructure of the cities in order to damage the Haven Empire .
Sponsored Content
“I like this a lot . ”
Funes was the capital of the Beiner Kingdom . The canals resulted in a city with a beautiful view . Boats rode around the canals for a picturesque and beautiful scenery . The city still existed in the Haven Empire but the scale of it was a little smaller .
“Living in a village in this place would be nice . ”
He could relax and enjoy life .
“There is no doubt that the value of this land would climb in the future . ”
A craftsman asked the commander .
“I think this is a beautiful city… . should we really let the soldiers loot it?”
“Block off the canals with stone and dirt . ”
“Then all the water will overflow and be lost . ”
“Exactly . That is my aim . ”
Weed was unmatched when it came to planning wickedness!
This was an unexpected side effect of what he studied in school . He would read maths and English books at night before closing his eyes because he was sleepy . However, his eyes cleared of the fog when he thought of bad things . All his sleepiness fled and curiosity burned inside him . Thinking of bad actions increased his concentration and enhanced his imagination!
“Break the large buildings in the city . Built a large statue in the middle . ”
“Yes, I understand . ”
He forced the residents and artists to build a bronze statue up to 65 metres . A statue of a bald Weed holding his thumb upside down! It was a work that celebrated the tyrant Weed .
“My mood will climb when thinking of this . ”
Weed didn’t care about angering the Hermes Guild now . He had already shattered the Mapon and Beiner Kingdoms so there was no restoring their relationship .
“Over time, this bronze statue might remain in the city and I can see it at a later date . ”
He had plundered so many riches that there was no place to put them . Necessary things were snatched and battle equipment used . Trading with merchants for combat supplies weren’t necessary anymore as they looted most of it .
The most emphasis was placed on forced conscription . A training centre for the soldiers was opened at Jonas Castle . The young men trained with swords and shields .
“You need to fight the Embinyu Church in order to survive . ”
The residents were used to increase the headcount of the soldiers .
“Let go of my father . My mother is sad . ”
A pretty, nine year old child grabbed a soldier’s leg and begged for her father to be returned . A pretty woman wailed from behind . She was the wife of a man forced into conscription .
The scene that Weed passed by was enough to touch the heart .
“Attendant . ”
“Yes . ”
“Bring that child over here . ”
The soldiers caught the child and dragged her over . The soldiers had become cruel after so much looting .
Weed said in a friendly tone .
“Child . ”
“Please save my father . ”
“The world is at risk so I can’t accept your request . ”
“Give me back my father . ”
“Your father is fighting with us for world peace . ”
“No, you are a bad person . ”
Weed was notorious throughout most of the continent . The Embinyu Church did bad things but they were hidden actions . Weed was a brave warrior with the task of saving the world .
“I am like a lonely hero in the movie who is always misunderstood by the people around me . I suppose this is evidence of that . ”
“You are just like fungus . ”
“Yes, I understand little girl . ”
“Gleaming baldy . ”
“This is evidence that I’ve lived my life with frugality . ”
He had unshakable spiritual strength .
The Embinyu Church was still quite far away because their advance was slower than expected . They didn’t want to arrive until the tower was completed and the Chaos Dragon summoned . This was the decision of the high priests .
The fanatics fell asleep in broad daylight . Then they would secretly march through the mountains and forests in the middle of the night . In the evening, Weed could see the videos about them and calculated that they would arrive in approximately 16 days .
Another reason was that they avoided going straight through cities and villages . The Embinyu Church captured troops defeated by Weed and turned them into fanatics .
“There is quite a variety of choices . ”
Thanks to that, Weed had time to prepare for the war . This was a different time zone so there were a large number of the variables that could affect the fight . The power of the Embinyu Church was enough to dominate the entire continent .
But Weed and his subordinates’ abilities were also strong . They could compete to become the strongest power on the continent .
“The Embinyu Church is approaching to cooperate with us . ”
“Rubbish! Their army is coming to make a blasphemy of the Atrock Temple . ”
Weed sent troops to the Mapon and Beiner Kingdoms to ask for cooperation against the Embinyu Church . He wanted to coerce some priests to face the advancing army . Weed led the troops directly to the Atrock Church in the Beiner Kingdom .
“I am fighting against the Embinyu Church . ”
“Don’t try to lie . We know that you are leaving the desert to occupy a fertile land . ”
The volatile atmosphere around the Atrock Temple indicated that it would soon be a battle . His infamy had risen due to the repeated conquest war .
The temple had combat priests that were very brilliant at battle . Of course, Weed and the desert warriors didn’t want to start a fight .
“It isn’t a lie . I have received the blessing of Atrock . That’s why we should fight together!”
Weed shouted within Atrock’s Temple .
-Your absolute charisma has overwhelmed the army . Leadership has strengthened and they will listen to any command .The soldiers have become full of courage . They won’t feel fear under any circumstances .
The soldiers will become calm without falling into chaos .
The high loyalty means that betrayal or defection on the battlefield won’t occur .
The soldiers’ experience will greatly increase after battle .
Atrock’s Cry wasn’t a skill he learnt but a blessing received by the god .
“That person has God’s blessing… The Embinyu Church is our enemy as well . We will fight together . ”
The situation was reversed in an instant and he could obtain the cooperation of the priests of the Atrock Church . He used this method to gain support from the paladins and priests of the 7 large religions like Tyr, Mi-ne, Freya and Lugh .
There were other kingdoms but they were too far away so he didn’t ask them for help . He also failed to enter to pass through Dulmore Fortress to reach the capital of the Beiner Kingdom . Therefore he concentrated on gathering other people .
The patron god of the barbarians . He headed to the temple and recruited 200 barbarians who were decent warriors! The defensive capabilities could be comparable to the desert warriors . They were useful in battle even if they couldn’t gain any large achievements .
The Hagar Church dealt in lightning magic . Weed had discovered traces of the Hagar at Montvertruria . Excellent magicians had built the church themselves but only existed in the warring period before disappearing shortly afterwards .
The Hagar Church ran to join him as soon as he arrived .
“God Hagar has told us to fight along with you . ”
“Eh? What is this?”
“The Hagar cannot be excluded from going to fight the Embinyu Church . ”
They cooperated in order to raise their reputation . This choice might cause their destruction to come faster .
And Weed had a really unexpected visitor .
When looking at the date, it had been a long time since he arrived on the Versailles Continent in the past .
Zahab the sculpting master visited the camp on horseback .
“After we parted at Portu Castle, I heard rumours that you were alive and came to confirm it . ”
“I’m glad that Zahab-nim is still alive . ”
Weed hadn’t expected to see Zahab again .
He had already been quite old even in the original time . After spending 22 years on the Versailles Continent in the past, his hair had turned completely white . But his eyes were still clear and his physique sturdy .
“A tremendous change seems to have happened as you are now leading a great army . ”
Weed was far inferior to him in the past but now Zahab couldn’t even defeat him .
“I roamed around the world after escaping with you . I feel like this world is really terrible . ”
“In what way?
“The definition of justice is ignored in this era . I wanted to fight to correct this but realized the limits of my strength . I was too weak to freely help others . ”
Zahab was extremely strong but he was invincible in the warring period . All the kingdoms had above average military power . If he touched the wrong army then even a sword master would have his throat cut .
“I collected many talented people and taught them swordsmanship and sculpting . ”
“Ah, I can see that . ”
“There are 100 people but their skills aren’t as reliable as yours . ”
Weed thought it was a waste and would rather just teach sculpting . But having Zahab’s group join without do any harm .
Weed said in a complex voice . It was his typically voice when trying to flatter someone .
“In fact, I have something to tell you . ”
“What is it?”
“I tried not to let other people know this but… I believe I can tell Zahab-nim . Did you know that the Embinyu Church is even hiding in this world?”
“What?”
Zahab was a genuine man . He didn’t forget his first love Queen Evane for his entire life . Apart from that, he only cared about the sword and art . This type of human was the easiest to target .
“The Embinyu Church right now is much mightier . It can’t even be compared to the future . So I am preparing for a war to stop the Embinyu Church . ”
It was a typical pattern when bragging about what a great guy he was!
“Think about Queen Evane who you always longed for . The lonely queen protected her land from the Embinyu Church by herself . I won’t hold it against Zahab-nim if you say no, but… Do you want to fight with me?”
Weed reached out hand to Zahab . If he refused then Zahab would’ve abandon his first love Queen Evane for a comfortable life . As expected, Zahab grabbed his hand vigorously .
“I’m willing to fight . ”
The bald Weed laughed . He would make the old man Zahab work until his spinal cord was removed .