Return of the Calamity-Class Death Knight

Chapter 137

Chapter 137: Warning (1)

***

Mana-Controlled Sword.

The ability of the sword to freely float in the air according to the user’s will.

At first glance, it sounds similar to swordsmanship, but it was a much higher-level technique.

Historically, there were not many users of Mana-Controlled Sword among the Master Class.

It was not a matter of skill, but a matter of directionality.

This was because in order to use Mana-Controlled Sod, one had to attain a state similar to the Path of Gods. For example, Ten Thousand Flow Perception or Life taking the sword.

Since the realms related to Mana-Controlled Sword are extremely rare, even Damien had only heard of them and had never seen them in action.

However, looking at the records of the Mana-Controlled Sword, it was clear that it was very versatile and powerful.

‘Did they try to implement Mana-Controlled Sword into the Relic Sword?’

They probably couldn’t have implemented it perfectly.

Master Class was a position that only geniuses among geniuses could reach after honing their skills for a lifetime.

Therefore, it was impossible even with the technology of the ancient civilization to completely implement the realm of a Master Class.

However, considering the anecdotes of Mana-Controlled Sword, even just imitating it would be incredibly powerful.

‘So the Relic Sword that Princess Freize is looking for is this.’

As Damien was looking at the paper and lost in thought,

Footsteps could be heard from inside.

Two ancient golems were approaching Damien’s location.

Judging from the fact that they were wearing armor, it seemed that they had just finished massacring the Obter mercenary group.

“Lord Victor! It’s ancient golems!”

Thibaut shouted as he ran back. Damien temporarily put aside his interest in the Relic Sword and gripped Dawn in his hand.

The ancient golems that appeared this time were different from the ones he had fought just now in many ways.

They were bigger, and above all, they were holding different weapons. One was holding an axe and the other a spear.

Damien smiled as he looked at the ancient golems’ weapons.

“I wonder how much they’ll sell for?”

The moment Damien said that the two ancient golems charged at him.

As soon as the ancient golems came into range, Damien swung Dawn widely.

Dawn drew a semicircle and sliced through the necks of the ancient golems one after another.

The headless golems collapsed to the ground.

“……Huh?”

Thibaut asked Damien with an incredulous face.

“L-Lord Victor. Are ancient golems originally this weak?”

They charged first, but they couldn’t even dodge Damien’s single sword strike and their necks were cut off.

To Thibaut, who knew nothing about swordsmanship, it looked like the ancient golems had simply offered their necks.

“Of course not. It’s just that my sword is so fast that they didn’t even have time to react.”

Damien said nonchalantly.

It might sound like an excuse at first glance, but Thibaut could only nod his head.

This was because he had seen with his own eyes how strong Damien was.

“Let’s hurry up and carry these guys. We need to go inside now.”

At Damien’s words, Thibaut quickly got to work.

***

After that, Damien explored every corner of the 5th floor.

Perhaps because it was the researchers’ office, he was able to find various items.

There were books, of course, as well as blueprints of unknown origin and equipment that was still under construction.

Unfortunately, most of the equipment was too old and damaged to be used.

‘That’s why it’s hard to find good items even when you find ruins.’

The ruins were from a distant past. So most of the relics were damaged or destroyed.

Still, it wasn’t a complete loss. He was able to find many relics that could still be used.

‘I’ve been walking around for so long, but I haven’t met anyone.’

Judging by the occasional sounds and the occasional smell of blood in the air, it was clear that there were people on the 5th floor.

However, the 5th floor was so large that they couldn’t meet.

‘This should be enough for Gathdal to appear.’

Contrary to Damien’s expectations, Gathdal did not show up.

‘Why is that? Is he perhaps wary of me?’

While Damien was lost in thought,

“L-Lord Victor… I can’t carry anymore.”

Thibaut said from behind in a tired voice. Thibaut’s back was piled high with the relics Damien had found.

“Let’s go back for today.”

Damien decided to return, not thinking Gathdal would show up even if he stayed.

***

As the two emerged, the attention of people nearby was focused on them.

“Look at that. I’ve never seen so many relics.”

“Even the forces that claim to explore the 5th floor only manage to find one or two weapons at best… how did they do it?”

People were amazed at the sight of Thibaut’s back.

“Look, there’s an ancient golem lying down there! Isn’t that a captain-level one?”

“No way… captain-level ones are difficult even for middle-class knights to deal with, and yet they only have two… wait, that is also a captain-level one!”

From their perspective, Thibaut’s back was no different from a treasure trove.

Everyone was busy crowding around and admiring the items on the back.

“A captain-level golems with no damage at all. The mages will go crazy over this.”

“And it’s not just the mages, is it? They also have the weapons used by the captain-level ancient golems. How much would the knights covet those weapons?”

However, unlike the first day, there were no people trying to bargain.

“To survive after encountering three ancient golems…”

“You shouldn’t approach them carelessly. Look at what happened yesterday. He beat Sir Heyden like a dog.”

This was because everyone was afraid of Damien because of the incident that happened yesterday.

Thanks to this, Damien was able to walk the road comfortably without anyone blocking his way.

That’s when it happened.

Three men blocked Damien’s path. All three were wearing armor and a considerable amount of mana could be felt from them.

“What business do you knights have with me?”

Damien spoke to the three. Then, the man in the middle stepped forward.

He was a man wearing large glasses and a checkered bakerboy hat.

“My name is Sanchez, and I serve Sir Duplessis.”

The knight, Sanchez, spoke, raising his chin slightly. He had a rather arrogant attitude.

When Damien just stared blankly at Sanchez, Sanchez spoke again.

“I said I serve Sir Duplessis.”

“So what? Tell me what you want.”

Damien said curtly. Sanchez frowned.

“…You don’t even show respect after hearing Sir Duplessis’s name? As I heard, you’re a really cheeky guy. Well, fine. I don’t want to talk to you for long either, so I’ll just deliver Sir Duplessis’s message briefly.”

Sanchez took out a scroll from inside his coat and unrolled it.

“I, Duplessis, am greatly angered by the incident yesterday. Considering the humiliation you gave Sir Heyden, I should behead you right now and feed your corpse to the pigs.”

The people around him hardened their expressions at the grim content.

Only Damien, the person involved, listened with an indifferent face.

“However, I heard that you are quite capable. I have no intention of wasting talent. So I will give you a last chance. Come to me, apologize for your wrongdoings, and serve me until your bones crumble. Then I will forgive your sins.”

Sanchez rolled up the scroll again and put it in his arms. Then he spoke as if he were moved.

“Isn’t he a truly magnanimous man? He says he will forgive a sinner like you. Sir Duplessis is truly a model of nobility and worth serving…”

“What if I don’t go?”

Damien interrupted Sanchez’s words and asked. Sanchez glared at Damien, displeased that his words were cut off.

“I don’t know why you’re curious about that, but…”

Sanchez approached Damien. Then he whispered in Damien’s ear.

“If you don’t come… Sir Duplessis plans to mobilize all his connections to ruin you.”

“Really?”

“Yes. Sir Duplessis is one of only two high-class knights in this kingdom. Can you imagine how extensive his connections are? A wandering swordsman like you can be killed without him even making a move.”

Sanchez said with a mocking face.

“You might get hit by a stray arrow while entering the ruins. The ruins themselves might be banned from entering. You won’t be able to rest comfortably outside either.”

As the story went on, a meaningful smile appeared on Sanchez’s face.

“If you don’t want to go through such things, it would be better for you to obediently apologize to Sir Duplessis.”

To Sanchez, he must have thought he was giving the most terrifying warning possible, but to Damien, it was just annoying.

‘I’m busy looking for Gathdal, and now this bullshit. What a jerk…’

It was ridiculous that a mere high-class knight was making such threats.

‘I can’t publicly reveal that I’m a high-class knight.’

Although not as rare as the master class, high-class knights were still quite rare, with only a few existing in each country.

If it became known that Damien was a high-class knight, his identity might be exposed.

Just then, a thought crossed Damien’s mind.

‘…Wait, I might be able to use this to draw out Gathdal.’

Gathdal was currently in the middle of collecting souls for his research.

He would need the souls of excellent warriors to get good results.

‘Given Gathdal’s personality, he must have a way or two to collect information even while holed up in the depths.’

If he clashed with the Duplessis faction, Damien’s fame would inevitably rise, and Gathdal would also become interested.

‘I might even be able to lure Duplessis into the depths of the ruins by provoking him.’

In the ruins, where no one could see, he could easily crush Duplessis.

“Why aren’t you answering?”

Damien snapped out of his reverie at Sanchez’s question.

“You seem to want an answer?”

“That’s obvious. Answer quickly. Will you accept Sir Duplessis’s mercy or….”

Damien opened his spatial ring and took out his club.

At that, Sanchez and the other two knights recoiled in fear.

“…Why did you take that out?”

“Oh, you’re curious about that?”

Damien laughed, patting his palm with the club.

“This is my answer.”

Sanchez and the two knights hurriedly tried to grab their sword hilts.

However, Damien’s club struck the heads of all three men before they could.

***