42. An Unfinished Task
Unlike the dawn when he had been busy as an assassin, the morning was peaceful.
“Where is the horse I’ll be riding?”
Olsen soon approached with horses in tow.
Behind him were dozens of carriages and soldiers lined up.
They were the ones Joo-Yeon had asked the Knight King to prepare in advance.
The envoys who had finished the banquet yesterday couldn’t hide their surprise at the sight.
“When on earth did he prepare this much…”
“These are not things that can be prepared in a day or two. It’s as if he knew he was going to the Forbidden Zone.”
The nobles were inwardly shocked.
They were even more surprised after hearing about yesterday’s events.
“The assassins targeted the hero last night?”
“Who on earth would do such a thing…”
“The important thing is not that he was almost assassinated. It’s that the hero killed every single one of them without fail.”
“All of those assassins?”
For the high-ranking nobles, assassination was like an everyday occurrence.
They were used to both receiving and sending them.
They had heard that there were an unusually large number of assassins last night.
And Joo-Yeon had finished them all off without leaving a single one alive.
It was not an easy feat, even for them.
“I thought he was just a hero, but… this hero seems a bit special.”
“It seems that the Edmer family is very close to the hero. We’ll need to show a little more sincerity if we want to get involved in that relationship.”
“I will contact the home country immediately. I will request a priority upgrade.”
“Let’s do that.”
It was time for the nobles to redefine Joo-Yeon’s worth.
The mounted Joo-yeon urged Count Sanderson.
“What are you just watching for? Let’s go.”
Ugh.
The Count’s expression twisted.
Even though he was called a warrior, Joo-yeon was just a former slave.
As a high-ranking noble, it must not have been easy for the Count to endure such humiliation, as he kept gnashing his teeth.
However, it was more infuriating that he couldn’t say anything in response.
The knights who saw him whispered to Joo-yeon.
“Be careful. He may not show it, but you never know what he’ll do.”
But Joo-yeon just snickered.
“It’s all an act.”
“Ex…excuse me?”
Does he think I don’t know that he’s trying to hit my head with an artifact inside the barrier?
“He must be laughing inside, thinking of killing me.”
The knight’s face hardened as he realized what Joo-yeon meant.
“Then Sir Joo-yeon, you shouldn’t go in…!”
“Shhh.”
Joo-yeon approached Sanderson.
Then, he calmly spoke to Sanderson.
“As an observer, you’d better stick close to me. Unless you want to die.”
“I’ll be in a safe place, so you should be careful.”
Joo-yeon finally held back his laughter.
Yeah, whatever you say.
* * *
Even in the northern dukedom, this place was remote.
A majestic mountain range with steep cliffs stretched out magnificently.
Whiiiiiing.
Of course, the towering mountain range wasn’t the only thing blocking people’s footsteps.
Crimson-colored signs were blocking the way everywhere.
＜Restricted Area＞
Steel witchcraft nails were driven into the ground all around, along with the crimson letters.
It was to prevent the Demon King’s musical instrument from leaking out.
That wasn’t all.
“Halt! Who goes there!”
“If you come any closer, we’ll shoot you!”
Sharp weapons were aimed at Joo-yeon.
The fortress built at the only entrance was occupied by the Edmer family’s troops.
It was impossible to just pass by this place, where murderous intent hung in the air.
To pass, the golden badge was absolutely necessary.
Swish.
As Jooyeon took out the golden shield-shaped token,
“Ack, I apologize!”
The soldiers who were pointing their weapons quickly backed away and began to open the fortress gate.
‘Everyone must have wanted to come in here.’
That’s because there were things that were dangerous, but just as profitable.
In particular, those who wished for the downfall of the King of Knights would have cheered for Sanderson.
Although the consent of other forces was needed, if the King of Knights were to fall, they would be able to enter this place.
Moreover, the King of Knights is the most infamous of the remaining colleagues after the death of the previous hero.
Because of that, there may be some who wish for Sanderson to defeat the King of Knights.
‘It’s impossible.’
I wonder if they walked along the opened gate for a long time.
“Right over there.”
The soldier pointed somewhere.
There, a huge lock was wrapped around with chains.
Woosh!
Magic circles were blocking the approach throughout the area, including the only entrance to the cliff.
It was so thorough that you couldn’t even enter by flying into the sky.
Aiden, who was next to him, opened his mouth at the magnificent sight.
However, the real problem was elsewhere.
“Actually, even if you go inside, there’s a high probability that you won’t be able to approach the Hero’s Holy Sword.”
Jooyeon tilted his head at Aiden’s words.
“Why?”
“Because of the barrier.”
“Barrier?”
“I heard that it was created by my grandfather’s colleagues.”
[Great Mage]
[Troll Sage]
[Saintess]
It was a combined barrier of a grand magic barrier, a grand defense spell, and a divine barrier.
It had the power to burn even approaching demons to death in an instant.
“The chains were made by the [Dwarf King], and the wooden stakes were made by the [Elf Godfather] himself.”
Moreover, the legendary great sword [Cheon Soo Kwan Um] provided the materials, and there was also a blood technique that made you a target of the [Death God] just by trying to break it by force.
And the [King of Knights] guards the door.
It was a prohibition made by legendary heroes joining forces.
“You can go in, but the barrier that allows entry doesn’t disappear. There will also be a defensive wall near the Holy Sword and the hero’s remains. I heard it’s called the Absolute Barrier. My grandfather sometimes comes here, but it’s not without reason that he hasn’t been able to bring the hero’s remains.”
“Ah. That’s no problem at all.”
“……?”
At that moment, Jooyeon pointed to Aiden’s arms.
“Take out that token.”
Once again, the golden shield-shaped emblem revealed itself.
Aiden’s expression was bitter.
“Only those of the King of Knights’ bloodline can use that emblem. So, those demons must have tricked Your Grace, Father.”
However, Aiden couldn’t readily open the entrance.
“……Bringing harm, could it be that you want to lift the seal?”
“Of course, we must lift the seal. Why else would the King of Knights have allowed it? It’s the only way to bring the Hero’s remains.”
Creak…
Aiden thought it would be fine, but Joo-yeon’s will was firm.
‘To think that we can lift the seal at this timing.’
Originally, in the Valentino Saga, this would only be possible in the latter half.
‘Lifting the seal isn’t the end. It’s also difficult to move inside.’
In fact, the Demon King’s corpse polluted the surroundings and cursed everything.
If it weren’t for the Hero’s corpse and the Holy Sword, it would have been a force that could have destroyed the entire North.
That was why players had to enter this place later on and retrieve the polluted Holy Sword and purify it.
As such, items capable of withstanding the Demon King’s evil and curse were necessary. There was a huge chain quest waiting for that.
‘Reversing a corrupted Holy Sword is never an easy task.’
It could only be overcome with the highest level items and equipment.
However, Joo-yeon had no intention of doing that.
Rather, he intended to hurry more.
‘The Hero’s corpse gets more polluted as time passes.’
Later on, there wouldn’t even be a chance to find it.
It could melt away in the Demon King’s curse and disappear without a trace.
In the worst case, the Hero’s corpse could become corrupted and revive.
‘I never want to see that happen.’
This wasn’t a game.
Having been in this body for a long time, it was a complete reality for Joo-yeon.
So, he wanted to block the path leading to the bad ending.
Of course, retrieving the remains and the Holy Sword were the objectives, but there was also another reason he had to check on the Hero inside.
‘My memories are a bit incomplete.’
Was it because of the possession?
As if the film had been cut, he couldn’t quite remember the last battle with the Demon King.
To be exact, he remembered clearly the part where he had struck down the Demon King, but he couldn’t remember much about his comrades or what happened after subduing the Demon King.
Still, he felt like something would come back to him if he saw the scene of the last battle in person.
‘Actually, it would be normal for even the King of Knights to hesitate before opening it. It’s not just any mid-to-late game content for nothing.’
So, he had overcome the King of Knights’ opposition, which would have been impossible otherwise.
Joo-yeon had persuaded him himself.
[How long do you intend to leave him there?]
[I too wish to bring him back and give him a proper burial. But… …]
[The Demon King’s corpse is the problem, right? But don’t worry. If it’s me, I can handle him.]
From Noble mtl dot com
[……!?]
If this were a game, this would have been absolutely impossible.
Just by looking at the Demon Lord’s corpse directly, the player would have been corrupted.
However, Joo-yeon believed in the one and only ability he possessed.
With such confidence, even the Knight King ended up nodding his head.
[Really… Can you really bring that man back?]
[Just believe in me. A hero who sacrificed his life for the continent deserves to be treated properly.]
[I will believe you.]
In fact, even the Knight King wished for it more than anyone in his heart.
Of course, the chance comes only once.
And that was the moment Joo-yeon and Aiden approached the barrier.
“Kuaaagh!”
Suddenly, Aiden fell to his knees.
“My Lord!”
The knights ran towards him, but they ended up falling to their knees as well.
[Absolute Defense]
The power protecting the barrier was activated.
“……It seems like the barrier has read our intentions!”
“It seems to have noticed that we are trying to remove the barrier…!”
A situation where even the knights of ＜Obedience＞ could not properly exert their strength.
“That’s why even your grandfather could only watch from the entrance. Joo-yeon.”
Although it was a benevolent power, the barrier seemed to be saying that the hero should stay here.
It seemed to be saying that the hero’s remains should continue to purify this place without rest. That he could not be sent out anywhere. That he could not be allowed to rest.
Because of that, the power of several heroes was needed to break the absolute defense. If not that, then high-ranking demons would have to come.
However, Joo-yeon smiled as he swallowed a health potion.
‘Yes. I knew this would happen.’
Paaaht!
He put strength into his hand.
Soon, his unique ability turned back the power of the barrier.
Kwakwakwakwang!
It was a truly tremendous explosion.
It was powerful enough to shatter even the barriers that had been enveloping the forbidden zone all at once.
Aiden, whose pressure had disappeared in an instant, opened his mouth in astonishment.
“……The barrier has been shattered!”
With this, there was no need for a token anymore.
No. That wasn’t important right now.
He had heard that in order to open the absolute barrier, the hero’s comrades had to join forces.
‘To think that he would open it with his own strength alone…’
He was a hero after all.
Was he even stronger than the previous hero?
Aiden couldn’t help but be astounded by Joo-yeon’s power.
**