Fort Helm

That man was watching the mountain where flames soared.

“Such a commotion unable to catch just two bastards.”

Speaking coldly, the man turned his body.

A man with a blue cross carved on his shoulder knelt.

“I apologize.”

“The lord?”

“He said not to expand damage further.”

“Tell Rammus Trading Company’s head to liaise with the lord and wrap up the matter.”

“Yes, Master.”

“Is there still no news from Nekkelman?”

“Seems he was done in.”

“Tsk tsk. Deploying hundreds of people and even giving an artifact. The knights’ capability is truly disappointing.”

The man lifted his head and spoke with a hardened expression.

“If you give me an opportunity, I’ll kill those two bastards right away.”

“Pickel, even you alone would be difficult.”

“No. Master, I…!”

“Deploy the entire knight order. Recover Nekkelman’s artifact and kill Banteras’ descendant. Bring the archaeologist to me. If he resists, it’s fine to cut off arms and legs.”

“…Yes.”

“Let’s confirm. Whether killing Banteras’ descendants truly washes away this damn clan’s curse.”

The man turned his head back to the mountain.

Pickel bowed lightly and assembled all Blue Cross Knights to head to the mountain.

‘Skill to kill level 4 mages, rampage in the encirclement, and subdue Nekkelman. While we Avala are cursed to this extent, even Banteras’ descendants are exceptional.’

The man had been monitoring since the moment archaeologist Kelt spread Banteras’ emblem at the society.

He intended to capture him if appropriate results came, but Kelt didn’t produce even mediocre achievements.

Nevertheless, one day while watching with a thread of expectation.

He heard a report that Pernok was proceeding with Banteras investigation cooperating with Kelt.

Actually confirming, Pernok was spreading Banteras’ emblem to related people.

From then the man watched Pernok.

Because he thought in a situation where all history was lost, the only person who could clearly express and find Banteras was a descendant who inherited that tradition.

And Pernok precisely found Banteras relics the man had investigated early on.

He understood Banteras to an excessive degree to excuse as merely groping back history.

The man used metal powder passed down to Avala.

That immediately took on blue light upon touching Banteras descendants.

And the moment the assassination brothers sprinkled powder on Pernok completing the final confirmation work, the man clearly recognized him as an enemy to kill.

The day staining the entire body with Banteras’ blood.

Avala would be liberated and descendants would enjoy glory!

He wanted to confirm the tradition passed down through Avala generations.

‘In this special world where mages rampage, we who should inherit Avala’s special power were cursed and degraded to ordinary people. If we can just grasp Banteras’ glory, Avala’s long-cherished wish will be fulfilled in my generation.’

The man lifted the back of his hand before his eyes.

Reddish spots began floating on hazy flesh.

A curse passed down through descendants’ generations.

“Master!”

The man lowered his sleeve to the back of his hand and looked back.

Pickel came with an excited appearance.

“Why did you come here without going up?”

“We captured the archaeologist.”

“Banteras’ descendant?”

“The archaeologist knows where that bastard is hiding, and says strange things.”

“What?”

“He says he knows a method to solve the curse and requests to meet you directly.”

“…What?”

“The archaeologist came directly and said this. What should we do?”

The man spoke coldly.

“Bring him.”

“Yes, Master!”

After Pickel left, not long after, Kelt with both hands tied by rope entered.

When Pickel closed the door, Kelt gulped dry saliva and stared at the man.

“A-ahem. N-nice to meet you! I’m called Kelt. I’m an archaeologist chasing Banteras…”

“You came to find me directly?”

“…T-that’s right.”

“Why?”

“We were attacked not knowing the reason. But I heard that reason from a fellow named Nekkelman. And Pernok knows the method to solve that problem.”

“What is my problem.”

“Cursed Avala descendants will never be able to use the special power they possess, and die not passing age 50.”

The man twisted his lips.

“He truly was Banteras’ descendant.”

“No. He’s one who chases Banteras like me.”

“Nonsense! The curse wasn’t recorded in any records! Those who know this curse are only Avala clan or the Knight King’s descendants who directly performed the curse! How can you say one who knows that isn’t a descendant!”

“He too received records by tradition. That’s all I know. But Pernok told me to convey this.”

Kelt, who cleared his throat, shouted with all his might.

“What Avala wants is at the holy land! And I found the holy land! How about cooperating for an answer that satisfies both sides!”

“A bastard who knows about Avala spouts such nonsense?”

“In the first place, wasn’t it you who executed the attack after sloppy background investigation? We’re too tired and just want to go to the holy land, so we won’t make an issue of that.”

“Where is Pernok?”

“If you send me back, I’ll take it as a signal to cooperate and bring him. Just in case, let me say, if you start tracking again or form an encirclement, we’ll leave this place immediately.”

“Your guts have swelled considerably.”

“Even cutting my neck here won’t change the situation. Now, choose. Will we join hands and obtain what we want? Or will you kill me and live forever trapped in the curse?”

“Pickel!”

The door immediately opened and Pickel entered.

“Confine this bastard and search the mountain thoroughly!”

“Yes!”

Kelt was obediently dragged away by Pickel.

The man blankly looked at the mountain where flames were extinguished.

But no matter how much time passed, he couldn’t find even Pernok’s shadow.

He who stood stupidly until day brightened frowned and called Pickel.

“Withdraw all forces and release Kelt.”

* * *

Not even half a day after Kelt disappeared to the mountain, Pernok came.

Though numerous forces kept eyes wide open, Pernok walked into the mansion leisurely as if going for a stroll.

Inside, 10 Blue Cross Knights stood holding artifacts.

‘All supply-type.’

Like Nekkelman’s, weapons that would crumble if they squandered output.

“Leave the artifact here and go up. Master is waiting.”

Pernok smirked and put down Nekkelman’s artifact on the ground.

Then killing intent that seemed to cut skin disappeared as if washed away.

Pernok climbed the stairs and opened the only door.

A middle-aged man with cold impression sat and only turned his head.

“Sit.”

Pernok examined his nape.

Reddish spots were trying to surge up to his chin.

‘Is that the curse?’

Though he traced the Knight King’s memories several times, the curse had only explanation while form was vague.

Seeing directly, he seemed to know why Avala’s descendants tried to tear Banteras descendants to death.

‘The moment those spots invade to the crown, that bastard writhes in pain and dies. No, even now he must suffer considerable pain. The curse progressed to his nape.’

Pernok sat opposite the man.

Then the man immediately sprinkled thick powder on the back of Pernok’s hand.

When blue light sparkled around the back of his hand, the man spoke coldly.

“This is our clan’s tradition to confirm Banteras’ descendants. Will you still insist you’re not?”

“Was it that powder they sprinkled on me at the mountain? But as you heard from Kelt, I’m not Banteras’ descendant. There was some mistake.”

“I can cut your neck right now.”

“Doesn’t look like much life remains, so don’t overdo it?”

“Only Banteras’ royal family could know this curse.”

“No, I know that curse. Though I don’t know why Banteras’ records vanished from this world, I obtained ancient records containing quite useful information. And in it, things about your curse and Avala are written too.”

“Just glib words.”

“Avala. A tribe believing in evil arts that captured Banteras’ people and performed all sorts of cruel experiments. You did many unspeakable things as the price for obtaining power. How much so that the land of knights that tried to compete fairly with strength even cast a curse on your clan.”

“What is our power.”

“Means of Cognition Seizure that manipulates opponents like puppets. But you can’t use it, right? The Knight King blocked the power’s source. With the ‘Red Mark.'”

“Where did you obtain this record?”

“Stone tablet. But when I touched it, the tablet disappeared and all records entered my head.”

“You expect me to believe that?”

“If you won’t even believe, why did you call me? Let’s stop pointless probing. To be straightforward, I have no interest in your clan’s evil arts or curse. I simply want to find Banteras’ holy land.”

When the man glared, Pernok grinned.

“Right now our two purposes are too simple, aren’t they? You solve the curse, and I find the holy land. The method to solve all that is ultimately at the holy land.”

“Holy land? Did you think I wouldn’t know that Banteras perished to ‘calamity’?”

“Hahaha, you know one but not two. Do you think Banteras would leave their brilliant history and culture as is while knowing they’d perish?”

At the meaningful words, the man closed his mouth.

“Banteras moved their treasure to a new ‘holy land’ preparing for possible situations. And on the stone tablet I obtained, records to find that place were written.”

“What’s at that holy land?”

“The Knight King’s Dragon Jade that will wash away all curses in the world.”

“Dragon Jade?”

“Content that doesn’t exist in Avala, I see? Well, people who know Dragon Jade’s existence are extremely rare.”

“Do you think I kept you alive to play word games?”

“Does this look like a game? If you doubt, confirm it. Because Dragon Jade that will lift your curse sleeps at the holy land.”

Pernok buried his body deep in the chair as if he had nothing more to say.

Confidence was felt in the gaze looking up leisurely at the man.

The man, who pondered silently for a long while, glared at Pernok with cold gaze.

“Fine. If that treasure called Dragon Jade is at the holy land, not only will I spare you bastards, but I’ll promise sponsorship of all future research. But if there’s no Dragon Jade…”

“I’ll stake my neck. I have to act together with you anyway, so what tricks can I pull? I came with that much resolve. At minimum, I hope you don’t act like you’ll kill me.”

Like Pernok’s words, all subsequent actions occur under the man’s supervision.

From the point of coming here, all daily life is monitored.

‘Dragon Jade… Can such a thing really exist?’

Ancestors said the only condition for lifting the curse was killing Banteras’ descendants.

‘If our side’s records faded as generations passed, or if they left the treasure called Dragon Jade as a secret only close aides knew, the reason we don’t know Dragon Jade is also explained.’

The man began believing Pernok’s confidence originated from some basis.

Above all, the certainty he could no longer escape from his grasp added leisure to speculation.

‘If there’s no Dragon Jade, I just kill this bastard. A rat with no escape hole should rightfully be used for experiments.’

The man, who finished calculating, spoke calmly.

“Until Dragon Jade is confirmed, I’ll restrain all your actions.”

“Everything’s fine, but you must thoroughly follow our side’s investigation method. And share Banteras information you know too. If we reference it, better methods might emerge.”

“I’ll decide by watching what you do.”

“Then don’t forget the words that you’ll generously sponsor us when this succeeds.”

“Finding the holy land first would be good.”

Pernok smirked.

“I’m Pernok. You?”

“Call me Victor.”

“Good, Victor. Let’s forget past matters and start cleanly.”

Victor grasped the hand Pernok extended.

* * *

Victor gave orders to everyone to support Pernok’s excavation.

When everything occurred according to Pernok’s will, Kelt had an expression of disbelief.

“Where on earth does this courage come from?”

“You weren’t bad either.”

“Don’t joke. I truly almost collapsed from weak knees the moment I faced Victor. I did it gritting my teeth not wanting to die.”

“Thanks to that, we obtained a solid sponsor called Avala.”

“Where does this look like sponsorship! It’s surveillance!”

“Look over there. From Rammus Trading Company’s head to agriculture society branch chief, mercenary groups and such, renowned people of various factions are all gathering. We’re using them.”

Like Pernok’s words, wealthy people everyone knew were gathering at Victor’s mansion.

“Crazy bastards. What glory will they enjoy that they join hands with those evil bastards called Avala?”

“The day Avala’s curse lifts, a new nation might be born in the world.”

“It’s to that degree?”

“Avala manipulates people. Top sorcerers can even perform cognition manipulation of hundreds of thousands.”

“No, then. Are you really thinking of lifting such dangerous bastards’ curse!”

“Why would I?”

“You said something called Dragon Jade is at the holy land.”

“If such a thing exists, I’ll eat it, why would I give it to others?”

“…?”

“Dragon Jade was never an item that existed from the start.”

Kelt had a dumbfounded expression.

“What are you thinking lying like that! If Dragon Jade isn’t at the holy land, they’ll immediately draw swords and try to kill us first!”

“Hahahahahaha!”

Pernok burst into laughter and shook his head.

“I said it. The place we’re going is a tomb. That tomb absolutely forbids outsiders’ entry. Do you know what that means?”

To Kelt blinking eyes, Pernok smiled and said.

“Bastards who disturb the rest must pay the price.”

“But ultimately, you too must bear the risk, won’t you?”

“If those bastards stand in the vanguard, even that diminishes.”

“Even so, why deliberately enter knowing the danger?”

Pernok suddenly recalled the Knight King’s lingering attachment.

The appearance of all despair he had to see at death’s moment concentrated on someone.

The Knight King’s helplessness who had to just watch that.

“Because there’s something there I must save.”

The Knight King’s artifact is what’s obtained as compensation.

“Those bastards won’t even set foot in the mausoleum.”

Amid hundreds of forces and mages lined up, Blue Cross Knights grasping artifacts guard the barracks.

Combining all this battle strength would raze even considerable castles in one night.

But this much is insufficient.

More power must be gathered for the ‘danger’ lurking in the tomb to awaken.

“They’ll despair as soon as they enter the tomb.”

Victor doesn’t know the tomb.

So he doesn’t know they’ll die, and makes carefree sounds like he’ll immediately kill Pernok if there’s no Dragon Jade inside the tomb.

“After squeezing Victor to the maximum and scraping together even Avala’s bottom. We’ll erase all related bastards from this world. And we enter the Knight King’s mausoleum.”

He couldn’t be happier that sacrifices who’ll die on their own rolled in.