Chapter 16

Cannibal Emperor Kairoth.

According to official records, he lived in the same era as Nazrak and was a former monk of a certain sect who made one-third of the continent his territory and even ascended to the throne, a great figure indeed.

However, from the point when unification of the continent was almost within sight, he began to wield excessive tyranny and was eventually deposed and executed by the rebels.

How else would he have earned the terrifying title of "Cannibal Emperor"?

Considering that Argon, the leader of the rebels, later unified the continent and received the glorious title of Great Emperor, in some ways, he was a truly pitiful figure.

"Is this really the remains of the Cannibal Emperor Kairoth?"

"Yes."

"How did you know the remains of Kairoth were here? Besides, it’s known that Kairoth was executed by Emperor Argon…."

"Camille."

"Yes."

"Don’t you usually not read books?"

"Me?"

Camille was genuinely taken aback by Otto’s question.

After all, it was Otto, not Camille, who usually avoided books.

"Have you seen this?"

Otto took out a book titled "Nigellos Saga" from his pocket and showed it to Camille.

"Isn’t that a wild history? It’s not a formal history book, is it?"

"The 'Vayzen Saga' is a book that records the stories of the era when Nazrak and Kairoth were active. It’s more like a fairy tale than a history book."

That’s why people who considered themselves well-read never bothered to look at it.

It recorded unreliable folk tales and hearsay as if they were facts, making it hard to trust.

"Camille."

"Yes."

"Do you know who decides what is formal history and what is wild history?"

"Well…."

Camille answered.

"Isn’t it determined by the person who writes it?"

"Exactly. History is written by the victors."

"That’s true."

"The formal history books say Kairoth was executed by Emperor Argon. But this book says that Emperor Argon never managed to capture Kairoth. It says he hid in this area and died alone due to severe injuries."

"So you believe this book?"

"I decided to check it out, just in case. Like grasping at straws."

Otto smiled wryly.

‘You don’t know how much I’ve suffered, do you?’

Kim Dojin, as Otto de Scuderi, had done everything to clear "Feudal War," even reading all the books in the library.

He thoroughly searched the map to find hidden dungeons and obtained objects and items there, and even discovered ancient ruins that no one else could find.

Finding the remains of the Cannibal Emperor Kairoth was the result of that arduous effort.

"I understand what you’re saying, my lord. But what does finding Kairoth’s remains have to do with Condor’s return?"

"You’ll see."

Otto said, then removed a golden fake eye from Kairoth’s remains and put it in his pocket.

"I’ll sell this to buy something delicious. Hehehe."

"…."

"And this… I need to be careful when moving it. Very careful."

Otto used a long pair of tongs to pick up the mace lying on the ground and put it in a sack.

"Why are you using tongs? Wouldn’t it be easier to move it with your hands…."

"Touch it, and you’ll die."

"Surely not."

Camille’s face stiffened.

"Is that mace… cursed?"

"Correct."

"That’s not good. If you touch such an object…."

"I have a plan."

"Even so, if you touch a cursed object…."

"You won’t have to worry. Just watch. Got it?"

"…I understand."

In the end, Camille gave in.

After all, Otto had done many incomprehensible things before, and Camille believed he must have a plausible plan this time too.

* * *

A month passed.

Otto spent his time reducing taxes, comforting the families of soldiers who died in the war, and taking care of the people’s livelihoods, gradually winning their hearts.

Thanks to this, the people’s perception of Otto changed significantly.

After more than two months of showing a reformed attitude, the hearts of the people in the fief began to move.

This was partly because the people of Ort Fief had not experienced Otto’s tyranny.

The people of Lassen Fief and Ort Fief had only heard rumors about Otto and had not experienced him directly.

Therefore, the people of Iota Fief, who were enemies of Sauron Fief, still strongly disliked and distrusted Otto.

While the people of Ort Fief and Lassen Fief’s hearts were slowly improving, those of Iota Fief and Sauron Fief remained unchanged.

However, Otto was not disappointed.

‘People’s hearts will eventually change. It just takes time.’

Otto knew all too well that changing the deeply ingrained negative perceptions of the people was not an easy task.

Time passed, and the "Condor’s Counterattack" event was just one day away.

That night.

"It’s about time."

Otto poked the fireplace with a poker, muttering to himself.

"What’s about to come?"

Camille, who had come to report a special matter late at night, asked Otto.

"Condor."

"Is he really coming back?"

"He’ll return, much stronger. Terrifyingly so."

"So you’re going to fight him with the mace of the Cannibal Emperor Kairoth? Surely not?"

"Exactly."

"I’ll fight instead."

Camille showed determination.

"You can’t even handle mana. If you touch that cursed mace…."

"Camille."

"Yes?"

"I appreciate your concern, but I’ll be fine."

"But…."

"Think about it."

"What should I think about?"

"Suppose you use the mace to defeat Condor."

"Yes."

"Then who will subdue you?"

"…!"

"Me? Or our knights and soldiers? Is there anyone who can stop you if you go berserk after touching a cursed mace?"

"Of course…."

"But it’s different with me. I’m weak. How much can I go berserk? At least I’ll be weaker than you if you go berserk, right? Isn’t that so?"

"You’re not wrong…."

"You have a different role to play."

"What is it?"

"I’ll tell you when the time comes."

Otto said, then poked the fire in the fireplace with the poker.

"Why are you poking the fireplace so much?"

"It’s cold."

It was the season before the harvest, and the wind was getting chilly, so it was essential to keep the fireplace on at night.

"And…."

Otto poked the fireplace with the poker and pulled out a black lump, blowing on it with his mouth.

"When it gets cold, roasted sweet potatoes are the best. They’re so sweet and delicious."

"…So that was it."

Camille closed his eyes, giving up.

* * *

A day passed.

Swish!

It was a day of heavy, cold autumn rain.

"This rain will mark the start of the real cold weather."

"That’s true. I’m worried. This winter should be warmer. Last winter was too cold, wasn’t it?"

"Yes, it was."

The soldiers guarding the gate of Ort Fief, as usual, passed the time chatting about various things.

Suddenly.

Thud, thud.

A figure in a robe with a deep hood approached the gate.

"Stop."

The soldiers stopped the man with the deep hood.

"Who are you and where are you from? Identify yourself."

"I am…"

The man with the deep hood replied.

"The rightful owner of this land."

"What do you mean?"

The soldier who tried to verify the man’s identity frowned.

"The rightful owner of this land? Do you think you’re the lord…."

At that moment.

Swish!

The man with the deep hood swiftly drew his sword and cut the questioning soldier in half.

"What a madman!"

"Who’s wielding a sword here!"

Shocked soldiers grabbed their spears and surrounded the man with the deep hood.

"To those who have betrayed their loyalty… there is only death."

The man with the deep hood muttered and then swung his sword, cutting down all the soldiers guarding the gate.

"Ah?!"

Only one soldier survived.

The soldier, terrified, fell to the ground, wetting his pants and trembling.

After the massacre, the man finally lifted his deep hood slowly.

Cordor’s face was revealed.

Although his skin was dark purple and his eyes were bloodshot, it was definitely Cordor’s face.

"Wh-What? My lord…?!"

The surviving soldier, recognizing him, was startled.

"Go."

Cordor said to the surviving soldier.

"Go and tell them that I have returned. The rightful and true lord of this land, the lord of Ort Fief, has returned."

"Aaaaaah!"

The soldier, terrified, ran as fast as he could.

* * *

"My lord!"

Camille immediately ran to Otto upon hearing the report.

"He’s here?"

"From the gate to here… he’s been slaughtering everyone. No one who stood in his way has survived."

"Just let him through. Blocking him will only result in a pointless death. Just clear the way."

"I’ve already given the order not to block him."

"Good."

"What will you do now?"

"I have to go."

Otto stood up, slinging the sack containing the mace over his shoulder.

"Are you sure you’ll be okay?"

"Will I be okay?"

Otto smiled wryly.

Thump, thump.

Honestly, he was scared.

Since entering the game world, he had seen people die and participated in wars, but he had never fought a one-on-one, life-or-death battle.

"I have to do it even if I’m not okay."

"My lord…."

"There’s no one else who can do this. I have to."

If he couldn’t stop Cordor, it wouldn’t just be Otto who would die.

If he failed to clear "Cordor’s Counterattack," the screen would turn gray with the following message:

Cordor, having succeeded in his revenge, immediately began to massacre the people of the fief and wielded tyranny.

One year later.

Cordor’s soul was taken by a demon, and the demon, taking control of Cordor’s body, opened the gates of hell in Ort Fief.

After that, an army of demons swept the world, and finally, the Great Demon descended, turning the world into a hell of sorrow and despair.

Camille had seen this message countless times while trying to find a way to defeat Cordor.

In other words, if he couldn’t defeat Cordor, the world itself would be destroyed.

And the only person who knew this in the world was Otto.

‘I hate being the one to take the fall.’

But there was no one to pass the responsibility to, so he had to do it himself.

"He’s here."

Outside, Cordor was waiting in the rain for Otto.

"What’s going on?"

"That appearance… it’s not the same as before, my lord!"

"Now he’s even killing our soldiers…."

"Has he sold his soul to a demon?"

In front of everyone.

Swish.

Otto reached into the sack.

Chill!

A cold chill spread from the handle of the mace throughout his body.

It felt like being submerged at the bottom of a frozen lake.

"Ugh!"

Crack!

Otto, trembling all over, clenched his teeth and firmly grasped the mace.

The only way to defeat Cordor before his awakening was to use the mace of the "Cannibal Emperor Kairoth"….

"Cough, cough, cough!"

The cold from the mace and the heavy rain made him cough.

Right then.

- Who is there?

An unknown voice echoed.