[Absolute Zero] was cast next as the air around me began forming cold crystals and my body gained a white layer on top of the red one. Hexagonal columns of icy white crystals spread all around me, snaking their way to the outstretched sword as well. A storm of ice elements then formed around me as the skill fully formed. My figure was striking as I floated grandly in the air.
I was fully prepared and began the fight by sending my summon over. The instant it landed on the Nest and attracted the attention of a few beasts, the dangerous auras I had been feeling all this time moved.
The three BOSSes that appeared varied in shape. The one standing at the forefront was a 6 meter tall [Emperor Penguin]. It had sleek black feathers on its head and back with a white-yellowish belly that shone in the light. A ferocious expression was on its face as it looked towards the Plague Bearer, and then to my figure hidden in the skies.
To the right of the [Emperor Penguin] was a large white wolf of exactly the same size. It seemed like an [Arctic Wolf] with its dangerously glowing yellow eyes and bared sharp teeth. To the left of these two was something even larger than them, a nearly 10-meter tall beast that seemed very similar to a walrus. It had powerful tusks pointing down from its mouth with an extremely ugly face that was looking at me angrily.
Among all of these three, the fat [Walrus] seemed to be letting out the most dangerous vibes. I felt the extended EPIC sword in my hands as I breathed out dense cold air, and my figure blurred down towards the beast. I tried to keep my excitement in check as I found myself fighting against beings as powerful as these in equal standing.
I didn't forget where I came from, and just how weak I was just a few weeks ago. From the dilapidated apartment in Outer Bank X, to the quick rise from rank F and above. There had been many changes and progress, and they all brought me here today. In a completely different world where beings of all powers were present, and I was closing in on those same levels.
My reminiscing came to a stop as the blade on my hands struck the thick skin of the dark walrus.
THUCK!
Like it met a layer of fat, the sword sank in just a bit, the Freezing Touch effect from [Absolute Zero] activating and causing a blooming flower of ice to bloom from the struck location, but its damage was reduced with the tough body of the beast that had the cold as its home.
The walrus retaliated with a quick swing of its hairless flippers that condensed cold spears as they smacked into my large body. Even with [Flash] still activated and my large body maneuvering in the air, the speed was too fast to evade.
BOOM!
The impact sent me to the side, where the large white wolf was waiting with its jaws spread wide open. Terrible energy was being collected in its mouth as a blue beam shot out towards me.
[Instant Transfer] was quickly activated as I faded away and appeared in the air, looking to the three beasts below. The Emperor Penguin that should have been kept busy with the Plague bearer had formed a hazy gray light on its flippers and smacked them into the body of my summon, and I watched with a surprised expression as the Plague Bearer disappeared from sight, the connection I had with it informing me it was now a few miles into the nest.
[Saint's Return] was already healing the damage my large figure received from the walrus and the blue beam of destructive energy that barely grazed me as I cast [Summon Plague Bearer] to call back the summon, when the Emperor Penguin on the ground shouted with a stern expression...and disappeared from my sight.
An alarm rang out as I felt [Flash] automatically activate to move my body out of harm's way as the large penguin appeared in the air. A hazy gray light was already covering its entire flipper as my body couldn't avoid it in time. The light just barely grazed me, but it was more than enough as I felt my body disappear, and it wasn't due to [Instant Transfer] this time.
When I reappeared again, I found myself in an extremely large and dark environment with barely any light. Ancient frozen and broken structures were all around me, but that wasn't the point that gave me the biggest surprise. The biggest surprise was in this large environment I was transferred into with that attack from the [Emperor Penguin], I was not alone. Multiple auras that were in no way less powerful than ones I had just been fighting honed in at my position.
Chapter 100 - A Tremendous Opportunity II
My mind moved rapidly as I counted the auras I could feel in the surroundings. My eyes shifted with [Regal Archer's Eyes] active as I tried to look into every nook and cranny of the dangerous locations. More than twelve powerful auras were in the large clearing, their bodies emitting stupid levels of power as they began to circle around me.
I calmed my breathing at this unexpected and possibly perilous situation as my large incarnation grasped the long blade tighter, my skills ready to move at the slightest movement. [Instant Transfer] could be used to move me to another location I could see, but the entire area was enclosed with no exits in sight.
There were dense foliage and frozen surfaces all around as I could make out the varying sizes of beasts circling me. Their menacing eyes honed in as I felt movement once more, this time I watched the beasts I had been fighting with appearing one after another. The extremely fat [Walrus] materialized first, with the [Arctic Wolf] after, and finally, the [Emperor Penguin] that had the skill that allowed for all of this to happen.
The air was palpitating with roiling essence as I prepared to fight for my life and find a chance to slip through this encirclement. The penguin looked towards me with its head raised disdainfully when a clear voice suddenly rang out in the surroundings.
"You are a peculiarity."
My eyes searched to see where the voice was coming from as my thoughts rapidly moved, but I could not find the source of the voice.
"When you first appeared on this Land, you were very weak and surrounded by others just like you. Yet, every time you returned after that you had grown significantly stronger, strong enough to even take out one of the contenders here. What exactly are you?"
The voice was sonorous and strong, being seemingly feminine. I didn't reply and only continued to keep my focus at the many surrounding beasts. If I saw the slightest signs, I would summon the Plague Bearer and turn this entire area into a land of poison and try to make an escape for now.
I didn't know what other powerful skills these beasts had in their arsenal, the skill that teleported me here making me extremely cautious. The voice rang out once again.
"Oh well, it doesn't really matter. You taking down one of the contenders with your own power qualifies you for the trial currently taking place."
At these words, my tension slightly calmed as I wondered just exactly what I had gotten into. I probingly asked,
"A trial of what?"
The beasts around me reigned in their wild auras as a disdainful voice came from the [Emperor Penguin] this time.
"You humans do not know of the secrets and intricacies of the special locations of the Beast World. These Spiritual Lands you call nests and routinely come to bully those weaker than you are trial grounds meant to give birth to the toughest beasts."
What? My mind absorbed this brand new information as I continued to listen. I was finally able to find the source of the first voice as it rang out once again, this time from a transparent red figure materializing in the air.
"Yes, this is one of the Spiritual Lands where the most powerful beasts appear from. I underwent the strenuous task of upgrading this Tier 1 Spiritual Land into Tier 2 by using quite a bit of treasures for the possibility of creating another powerhouse in this era of war with the Demons."
The transparent figure had a fiery red color with the most exaggerated curves, taking the appearance of a human. She didn't seem to let out any aura of power, but she gave off the feeling of extreme danger. I continued to listen as I watched her move closer, her figure becoming extremely clear with every passing second.
"I have found no success so far, with talented individuals not being borne in these past few decades, and that did no
t change even with the coming of demons. Yet you...dear human, you hold promise."
The red figure floated in front of me with an air of elegance, and I could barely make out its exquisite facial features that seemed to be screaming nobility. Her next words became increasingly stern and cold as [Crisis Avoidance] sent me the loudest signals for the first time ever.
"Especially seeing this ability of yours that seems to stem from a source similar to the Abyss Magic of demons. I'm going to need you to explain very clearly how you came about this, or the next few minutes will be your last. Oh, and if you say any words other than the truth, I will know right away."
My body that was enclosed in the large figure of the corrupted sword saint could feel the piercing gaze that broke past the outer cover and came to land on me. The corrupted tag of this skill that was most likely due to the jewel that woman ingested was actually going to give me trouble now?
I calmed myself down and carefully thought things through. The words left my mouth slowly as [Thought Acceleration] worked at full speed to put everything into account.
"I gained this skill after...defeating and ingesting the essence of a mercenary that was intending to harm the Princess of the Frozen Kingdom I was escorting. The only thing I could note that might have any relation to demons was a jewel that the mercenary ingested during the fight. I myself, have no ties with demons and am working against them."
An eerie silence pervaded after my words rang out, both the beasts and the figure of the red woman not saying a thing. The next moment though, I was surprised to hear the stern voice speak out with a tinge of excitement.
"Haha, no lies in your words! Wow. A human was actually blessed with a Devour Class unique skill? Good! This explains your fast progress and power. Alright, this might not be a wasted trip after all."
Rumbling began to occur around us as the transparent red woman raised her hands. I watched with rapt attention while repeating the words she said and wrapping my head around them. Behind us, an area of a few miles was lit up as the uneven frozen ground was made visible.
A powerful force was compressing the earth as the jagged rocks evened out and the miles around us became flat surfaces. The clear voice that was now tinged with excitement rang out once again.
"I have a kingdom to focus on, so we will make this quick. An opportunity lies in front of you. In this Spiritual Land, you can undergo the Trial of Supremacy. If you are talented enough, rewards you cannot even imagine will be yours."
I tried to keep my breathing under control as I passed this ordeal and it seemed like my life was not under a threat for the time being. My thoughts moved rapidly as I asked,
"This trial that is normally meant for beasts, what rewards can you gain from it?"
"Oh? Well for starters, this Tier 2 Spiritual Land will guarantee the champion of the Trial of Supremacy a safe advancement to the LEGENDARY rank."
…!
Chapter 101 - The Grand Assembly
A busy sight could be seen across the four peaks of the Frozen Kingdom as nobilities moved around rapidly, convening towards the huge hall at the center of King's Crown for a Grand Assembly.
Many were apprehensive as they could see the signs of the full preparation of an all-out war, with battalions of mercenaries and adventurers being grouped with soldiers ready to move out.
The throngs of humans and beastmen usually packing the streets below the four peaks were oddly silent as the air seemed to become stifling and oppressive. The demons that everyone was talking about were arriving. How many of them would be able to survive through this?
The King's voice would address the entire kingdom. Magical devices that passed the soundwaves from the floating King's Crown all the way to the smallest niches of the Frozen Kingdom would get to hear the words of their ruler. The soldier, the mercenaries, adventures, and the common people would all be getting addressed.
In the large hall of King's Crown, Roark was majestically sitting down on an extravagant white chair. Besides him were smaller but way less extravagant seats where two princes and a princess were sitting.
They were the only ones sitting in the hall, as the rest of the nobles and powerful figures were standing upright on the left and right sides, leaving a clear path in the middle. There were golden stairs leading down from where the Ruler of the Kingdom was sitting, where many guards could be seen spread out.
Among these guards were eight Battalion Commanders that let out the powerful aura of EPIC rank, standing on either side of the King with their weapons ready to be drawn at an instant.
King Roark looked at these collections of people and recalled the reports he continued to receive about the advancement of the Demon Legion as well their defense line that continued to be pushed back. His powerful voice rang out in the large hall, and also throughout the kingdom.
"The first thing I will discuss is the issue of succession, where the Ministers of Affairs will note down my words to be inviolable from this moment on."
Surprised looks were passed between the people at the mention of the succession of leadership. Wasn't it already decided that Crown Prince Aeneas would be taking the crown after his father retired?
King Roark looked towards his oldest son, and well as his daughter before he continued speaking.
"Strike out the name of Aeneas Belmont as the next ruler of the Frozen Kingdom."
BOOM
Silence. Shock. Dumbfoundedness.
The ministers scrambled to pull out an old doc.u.ment as the nobles moved around in shock. Nobles looked towards the face of Crown Prince Aeneas, who had a calm look despite the huge bombshell that directly involved him. The question on their minds was, what had occurred with the prince to cause this, and how was he not phased by it currently?!
"My son has failed to show the proper judgment of a future ruler these past few years, and has lost his right because of it. The one to succeed me in the event of my retirement...or death, shall be Adelaide Belmont."
The nobles that did not think they could be more surprised received another shock, as one successor was named right after another was taken down. The king would not let them revel in their shock for long as one name was taken down by the ministers and another added in, where he continued speaking.
"Battalion Commanders! Swear fealty to the future ruler of the Frozen Kingdom!"
His powerful voice was addressed to the EPIC individuals that held the military power of the kingdom. They had risen together with the king, and were extremely loyal with bonds being closer to that of brothers. The eight EPIC individuals present nodded with impassive faces as they kneeled towards the icy face of Princess Adelaide.
BOOM!
Wild power flew out as the Battalion Commanders spoke imposingly.
"We greet the future Queen!"
The scene would be etched down in history as the magnificent and powerful individuals swore their fealty to the future ruler. Power was everything in this world. Even if the LEGENDARY Roark Belmont were to disappear from the face of this world tomorrow, as long as these EPIC Battalion Commanders were behind the new ruler, they would face no opposition.
The face of Adelaide remained as icy as ever as she nodded, while the face of the one formerly known as Crown Prince still retained its calmness, forcing many people to wonder what was holding the face of this prince together. As for their younger brother who sat beside them, he was the only one showing emotions of shock among the four royalties present in the seats as he looked back and forth between his family members.
"With that matter being settled, we will move on to the next."
The strong voice of the King rang out once again. The voice commanded the attention of all people as waves of LEGENDARY power emanated outwards, almost bringing the weaker individuals in the hall to their knees.
"In the coming days, we will be fighting for the livelihood of our kingdom."
"We are a peaceful kingdom, with no wars waged over the last decades. We want to continue developing and live i
n happiness, living behind all the misery that many humans faced. This world is rich with life, but we are only a minor part of it. Now, a force threatens to destroy all that we have built."
Somber faces were apparent all around as the speech of the King continued. The shock of the change in succession was slowly put in the back of their minds as their attentions were brought back to the imminent threat they faced.
"We will fight to make sure that the misery they are trying to bring to our kingdom never reaches the fortress walls. The hate and war that these demons bring, we will shut it out!"
The strength of his voice seemed to be getting stronger as he continued, leading people and leaving them in a trance as they listened.
"My people! Soldiers, Mercenaries, and Adventurers!"
"I promise you now that we will fight with all our power to ensure victory against the demons!"
"Our strength lies in our resiliency, our unity, and our humanity!"
OOOH!
The buzzing of power could be felt as the powerful individuals in the large assembly hall and the common people listening throughout the kingdom felt their spirits and power being raised.
"Defenders of the Frozen Kingdom! The demons who despise you, want to enslave you, and take all of the work you have built over the years. Do not give in to them!"
"You are the last bastion of humanity in this world of beasts. It is not an option for you to be taken down! So Fight!"
"Fight for the liberation of our people!"
"Fight for the free land that we have created!"
"Fight...for Humanity!"
OOOOOOH!!!!
The spirits and vigor of all the people listening rose to an all-time high as the King's Speech finished. The King gave the command, and Battalion Commanders began moving out with their soldiers, mercenaries, and adventures as they prepared for the coming clash against the demons.
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