Chapter 73

The battle between the "Reaper" and the "Absolute Realm" was intense.

However, the king's monster is an absolute powerhouse. The power of the awakened magic armors is considerable, but they gain their strength through relentless training, taking advantage of their characteristic of immortality.

Humans are not monsters.

They can only acquire power through diligent training.

“Haa… haa…”

As a result, Ruto was on the verge of defeat.

After losing his left arm to the death magic, the battle became one-sided. Humans maintain balance with all five limbs, and losing just one arm can throw off their sense of balance. In intense combat, even a small change in balance can have a significant impact. He was quickly cornered, and the situation tilted in Shuu's favor.

“If I had been awakened for a hundred years, we might have been more evenly matched.”

“Who are you…?”

“Encounters with awakened magic armors are rare. I’ll take a bit more of your magic power. I’ve used a lot of death magic, so I need to recover it.”

Shuu used death magic to steal Ruto’s magic power.

As an awakened magic armor, Ruto immediately recovered.

Shuu used death magic again to steal magic power.

The magic power recovered.

This cycle began to drain a large amount of magic power.

“Guh… ugh…”

“Even so, I’m a bit stingy. I can’t rest until I recover what I’ve used.”

Unfortunately, the king's monster, who had awakened from magic to magic, does not have a natural means of recovering magic power. Monsters can only steal magic power.

They steal life energy by killing and generate magic power through eating. Shuu has the additional means of obtaining magic power through death magic.

Only awakened magic armors can be drained of magic power without limit.

Ruto’s right hand and both legs were pierced by iron stakes and pinned to the ground. He couldn’t move properly, and the continuous draining of magic power made it difficult to use his magic armor effectively.

“Well, it’s almost over.”

Shuu deployed a magic circle at his feet. Using combination magic, he formed the iron stakes.

The stakes were then brought down on Ruto’s heart.

◆◆◆

The blue sky was dyed crimson.

A dragon emitting heat flew through the sky.

It was the magic armor of the "Flame Dragon" magic armor user, Ike Arilour. He is a transformation-type magic armor user, and among them, he manipulates a special possession-type magic. He hosts a powerful fire dragon within his body and fights with it.

Ike’s target is the location where the "Reaper"’s magic power can be sensed.

(The captain’s magic power is weakening…!)

It seems he was thrown a considerable distance by the forbidden spell "Earth Annihilation Wind Pressure," and it takes time just to move. This time feels agonizing.

Ike enhanced his vision using a non-elemental magic enhancement.

He could see Ruto lying far away.

(That’s it!)

Ruto had lost his left arm, and his remaining limbs were pinned to the ground. Shuu was about to deliver the final blow. Ruto was Ike’s last remaining comrade and was about to be taken by the "Reaper" again.

“I’ll make it in time—”

—It’s impossible.

Ruto was pierced from behind by an iron stake. His heart was pierced, and he was likely dead instantly.

Once again, Ike could only watch.

It felt as if time had stopped, and his heart froze. But in the next moment, his hatred burned fiercely.

“Gaaaaahhhhhhhh!”

He poured magic power into his magic armor and attacked the "Reaper" like a burning meteor.

The speed reached subsonic levels, and the intense heat intensified. A single blow could destroy a small village. If used on a person, it would certainly kill them.

The "Reaper" Shuu noticed Ike.

However, he thought it was too late.

He could attack faster than the "Reaper" could respond.

“Haaaaaaaahhhh!”

The ground was kicked up with a thud.

The heat passed by.

When the dust cleared, Ike was grabbed by Shuu’s face.

“You should have done that silently if you wanted to catch me off guard.”

Even a disaster-like magic armor attack can be absorbed by Shuu’s death magic. If Ike had launched a conspicuous attack like that, it would naturally be defended.

Ike groaned and struggled.

“Let… go!”

“Sure.”

Shuu threw Ike. Ike rolled without taking a defensive stance and let out a cry of pain.

Aris, who had been watching the battle from the outside, finally approached Shuu.

“Are you going to kill him now?”

“Yes, he has no value alive. Killing him is more beneficial.”

Destroying a large force targeting the "Reaper" within the Svarokia Empire is beneficial for Shuu and will not harm him.

The power difference is absolute.

It cannot be overturned.

“I’ll curse you… even if I die, I’ll kill you.”

“Is that so? Die.”

There is no mercy.

Shuu killed Ike with death magic. He instantly drained the life energy and converted it into magic power, absorbing it. The fallen Ike did not move.

The last curse he spat out had no power.

“It’s over, Aris.”

“Ke-ho! I was surprised!”

“That was such an obvious attack. You should have noticed.”

The shock wave from Ike’s final attack had blown Aris away. The wounds from the immortal magic armor had healed, but the sand in her mouth remained. She tried to spit it out.

The sound of spitting was heard by Shuu as well.

“According to plan, I’ve eliminated the forces targeting me in the Empire. I’m looking forward to the reaction of the upper echelons.”

“You’ve caused quite a stir. There should be no one left who will try to kill you, Mr. Shuu… the ‘Reaper’!”

“Yes, I’ve also spread the word to the revolutionaries.”

The power of the "Reaper" has spread throughout the world. More accurately, it has spread within the sphere of the great empire.

They should understand that attempting to kill Shuu will result in significant damage. In other words, the annoying plans to kill the "Reaper" will disappear. Instead, they will try to curry favor with Shuu.

And the dark organization, Black Cat, will realize that the current "Reaper" is useful.

Shuu’s power will grow.

It is not a matter of physical strength or authority, but the invisible power of fear will increase. The phantom of the "Reaper" will grow and swell rapidly.

Assassination of key figures.

Destruction of fortresses by forbidden spells.

Defeat of the Empire’s awakened magic armors.

The words may not be many, but their weight is immeasurable.

“We’re going back, Aris.”

“Yes, sir!”

The two disappeared from the scene.

For five days, no one came to this place until a reconnaissance team was sent to investigate the missing extermination team. The Glen Rock Formation, which had become a flat plain, would later be called the Dusty Plain.

◆◆◆

The attempt to slay the "Reaper" failed.

The report quickly reached the emperor, and naturally, the four great dukes knew as well.

“Ruto Reaven, an awakened one, is dead. I didn’t expect the ‘Reaper’ to be an awakened one as well.”

Emperor Gias Sritarti Murjif Barat Noaz Svarokia muttered. Only an awakened magic armor can kill another, leading to the mistaken belief that the "Reaper" is an awakened one.

They would never imagine that its true identity is a monster.

The great dukes in the same room also spoke one after another.

“Our attempt to cultivate young awakened ones backfired.”

“Yes, it’s been fifty years since the Empire had an awakened one. It’s a shame.”

“There’s nothing we can do. It’s our fault for underestimating the ‘Reaper’.”

“This time, it’s our mistake.”

Noaz, Ista, Saus, and Vest spoke in turn. The Svarokia Empire has multiple ace awakened magic armors, as does the Holy Grinia to the east.

For a country, an awakened magic armor is a trump card in war.

A single person can change the course of a battle.

They are equivalent to strategic weapons.

With infinite life, an awakened magic armor can gain infinite power through training. As long as they are not killed, they can continue to be a powerful force for the empire.

“If the ‘Reaper’ is an awakened one, we should refrain from attacking. It’s better to offer a reward and hire him. Fortunately, he is not a freelancer but belongs to an organization. I don’t want to lose more troops to the ‘Reaper’. We also have the revolutionaries to consider.”

“I agree with you, Your Majesty. The ‘Reaper’ should be used.”

“What is it, Noaz? Is there something you want to use him for?”

“Yes, the northern vassal state… it seems they are starting a full-scale rebellion. They are influenced by the revolutionaries. We should hire the ‘Reaper’ to take their heads. There are rumors that the Holy Grinia is supporting the revolutionaries. I don’t want to waste extra budget and effort.”

“I’ve heard about it. It’s a good plan. Prepare the budget and submit the documents. I’ll sign them myself.”

“Yes, I’ll do that after this.”

There was no longer any thought of killing the Reaper among them.

Originally, the dark organization Black Cat was an indispensable part of the Svarokia Empire. Thanks to the strong dark organization, unnecessary darkness does not spread. It’s a necessary evil.

The "Reaper" is a part of Black Cat and a senior member responsible for the assassination department.

The death of "Inferno" Schmidt, a general, is frustrating, but it’s no longer a concern. They are not the type to make irrational decisions.

“Your Majesty, by the way, it’s almost time for Black Cat to hold a meeting.”

“It’s an unpleasant time for them to gather.”

Ista’s suggestion was known to Emperor Gias.

The revolutionaries are gaining strength, and the Holy Grinia is looking for opportunities in the empire. The continent will soon be in turmoil. The Svarokia Empire is preparing its strength and even digging up past powers.

“I’m preparing for the war. The reports should have been sent to you.”

“The staff of Albein, right? I didn’t expect you to revive the power of the legendary hero…”

“To be precise, it’s not the hero’s power but the power he sealed.”

“Still, it will be a trump card in war.”

“I’ve seen the experiment records. Practical use is almost within reach. I’m looking forward to it.”

Noaz showed strong agreement. Of course, not only Noaz but also Ista, Saus, and Vest were not opposed. However, if the legend is true, the staff of Albein is sealed with a terrifying power.

Saus expressed concern about this point.

“But can it really be controlled? The staff is sealed with a power that rivals or even surpasses an awakened magic armor. I don’t think a mere human can control it.”

Saus is not saying this without basis.

He has read the experiment reports and received advice from experts. Gias responded to this.

“Yes, I’ve received the reports. The full power cannot be used. Under ideal conditions, it’s 70%… in actual battle, even 50% would be a stroke of luck.”

The Svarokia Empire has a large number of magic armors and soldiers even in normal times. They have ample storage of magic tools and potions. Most importantly, they have multiple awakened magic armors and the staff of Albein, which sealed the prison king Belorg.

“Regardless, the priority is to welcome the Black Cat meeting without incident.”

The other four nodded deeply at the emperor’s words.

From now on, the empire and the revolutionaries will compete for the "Reaper". It will be a war of how to offer the most attractive rewards.

The "Reaper"… no, the King of the Underworld, Shuu Arkwright, cannot be ignored.

The fate of the country depends on the King of the Underworld’s mood.

The continent is about to enter an era of chaos.

Thus, Chapter 4 of the Ancient Era, "The Reaper," ends.

In the next chapter, the Black Cat meeting will finally take place. And the war between the revolutionaries and the empire will reach a conclusion…

When Chapter 5 is completed, I will post it.

Until then!