Two weeks after the Fierce God Evil Slayer incident.
Hecate Citadel had undergone a remarkable transformation.
Solid ramparts and massive steel gates.
Dozens of ballistae and catapults were installed along the walls, while barricades and all kinds of traps densely covered the area around the citadel.
As a result, although the zombie legions had launched several assaults, the defenders achieved perfect victories with zero casualties.
It wasn’t just the citadel’s defensive system that had improved.
Hecate Citadel was surrounded on all sides by giant mushrooms.
The mushrooms served as a barrier that prevented enemy invasions, but they also absorbed all the nutrients from the soil, making it impossible for crops to grow.
The mushrooms and moss that grew in the tunnels were far from enough to feed hundreds of people.
That was why the people of Hecate had always suffered from severe food shortages.
‘Of course, chicken porridge is still bubbling away vigorously in the large pot in the village square.’
Rustle—
<Eternal Soup Cauldron>
-Storage Number: MRG-612
-Storage Grade: Safe
The Eternal Soup Cauldron.
As long as the cauldron kept boiling, its contents would always remain full, so hundreds of people could eat from it for days on end without it ever running empty.
However, the Eternal Soup Cauldron was ultimately an item from Morgue’s Magical Warehouse.
‘I can’t summon it every single time.’
In the end, it couldn’t be a fundamental solution to the food shortage.
There was an old saying about this.
Rather than giving someone a fish, teach them how to catch one.
‘……So that’s exactly what I did.’
I turned my gaze toward the inside of the citadel.
New sprouts were growing on the carefully tilled soil.
The ground, which had once been dry and covered in spores, now glistened with moisture.
It had been transformed into arable land thanks to the soil improvement potion prepared by the alchemist Paracelsus.
Staple crops such as corn, potatoes, and sweet potatoes, along with fast-growing vegetables like carrots, spinach, bok choy, beans, and radishes.
We had focused on planting hardy staple crops that grew well in poor environments and fast-maturing seedlings.
At this pace, they would soon achieve food self-sufficiency.
The construction of an ironclad defensive system and the resolution of the food crisis.
‘……I think it’s about time to leave.’
I also needed to begin proper exploration of the Unrest zone in order to receive the promotion quest.
I couldn’t keep the Shadow Knights, the General Zombie, and Jeanne stationed at Hecate Citadel forever.
At that moment.
“Benefactor! You were here!”
Guard Captain Sen Hyal climbed up onto the ramparts.
She was in full armor—helmet, plate armor, sword, and shield.
Soon, the guard captain spoke with a serious expression.
“Benefactor, I heard you plan to explore the interior of the Magical Warehouse. Even though my skills are lacking, could you please allow me to join the exploration team?”
“You want to explore inside the Magical Warehouse?”
“Yes. I wish to stay by Her Highness the Princess’s side and support her.”
A firm resolve burned in Sen Hyal’s eyes.
“But if the guard captain leaves, who will protect the citadel?”
The vice-commander of Hecate Citadel answered my question.
“The vice-commander and the soldiers will guard Hecate Citadel. Thanks to the teachings and grace bestowed upon us by you, Her Highness, and the Shadow Knights, we are confident we can withstand any enemy without issue.”
The vice-commander then looked toward the training grounds.
Over a hundred soldiers were training in perfect order.
From their spirited expressions to their disciplined postures, their level had risen to the point where they were unrecognizable compared to just a few weeks ago.
Thanks to the Shadow Knights’ intense training, every single soldier had been forged into an elite fighter.
At that moment, Shadow Knight Yi Seonggye waved his hand from the training ground.
[Warehouse Keeper, what do you think! They’ve become quite useful, haven’t they? Just a while ago they looked like babies swinging toys around! Hahaha!]
Yi Seonggye laughed heartily.
[Wearing a dragon robe and sitting on the throne is nice, but clashing with soldiers and getting covered in dust suits me much better!]
Not only had the individual combat strength of the soldiers increased, but their weapons and armor had also been replaced with new ones.
By the way.
‘I don’t see Jeanne anywhere.’
Jeanne had spent the past few weeks at Hecate Citadel training her body and mind.
It was to increase her mana synchronization and proficiency with the S-rank artifact.
Guard Captain Sen Hyal pointed toward the sparring arena.
“Her Highness is currently in the sparring arena.”
Last time, Jeanne had sparred with the guard captain.
‘Who is Jeanne’s sparring partner this time?’
The moment I thought that—
Clang—!
A sharp metallic ring echoed.
Two blades had collided in the center of the sparring arena.
A massive white exoskeleton blade clashed against the dark-red Ganjiang Moye Sword.
Jeanne’s opponent was the General Zombie.
An entity whose strength, speed, and durability all ranked at the very top of A+ grade.
In the past, Jeanne and the Shadow Knights had only managed to subdue the General Zombie by combining their powers.
But.
‘……Things are different now.’
Jeanne fought with complete composure.
Black mana surged around her like a volcanic eruption.
Clang! Clang! Clang! Clang! Clang! Clang!
Her attacks flowed like water.
She swung the heavy Ganjiang Moye Sword so fast that afterimages appeared.
Meanwhile, the General Zombie also showed far greater spirit than before.
Thud! Thud! Thud! Thud! Thud!
It perfectly blocked every strike using its shield-like arms.
The shield that had melted during the battle against the Fierce God Evil Slayer had been restored into an even more solid and massive form.
However, that only lasted for a moment.
Clang! Clang! Clang! Clang! Clang!
The General Zombie began to be pushed back little by little.
Sharp strikes pierced through its hard chitinous exoskeleton.
Jeanne had always held the advantage in speed and technique.
The only thing that had held her back was the overwhelming difference in raw power.
……But not anymore.
Jeanne had achieved perfect harmony with the S-rank artifact.
As proof, the appearance of the Ganjiang Moye Sword had changed.
Its previously crude, club-like form had become sleeker and sharper, and a dark-red glow flickered along the blade.
At that moment, the General Zombie knocked the Ganjiang Moye Sword away.
Thud—!
The sword shot high into the air.
At the same time, the General Zombie’s chitin blade came rushing in.
Shiiiing—
A perfectly timed strike aimed at the opening.
However.
Clang!
A blade shot out from Jeanne’s black armor and deflected the General Zombie’s attack.
The S-rank artifact ‘Symbiote Breastplate’ obtained as a reward for sealing the Fierce God Evil Slayer.
The living armor known as Symbiote not only maximized the wearer’s abilities but also automatically defended against attacks directed at the wearer.
The wearer and the Symbiote existed in a symbiotic relationship.
‘It’s practically an omnidirectional automatic defense system.’
Thanks to that, she could focus entirely on attacking.
Clang! Clang! Clang! Clang! Clang! Clang! Clang! Clang—!
An all-out offensive that ignored defense entirely.
Every one of Jeanne’s stats now clearly surpassed the General Zombie’s.
Clang—!
With a violent metallic screech, Jeanne and the General Zombie were both pushed back.
Then, Jeanne raised the Ganjiang Moye Sword high.
……!
At the same time.
Vrrrrrm— Vrrrm— Vrrrrrm—
Five-colored orbs rose around Jeanne.
Gray, green, blue, red, yellow.
The symbols for Metal, Wood, Water, Fire, and Earth were engraved on them in order.
Ding!
<Ganjiang Moye Sword> / Two-Handed Weapon / S
A greatsword designed by a legendary blacksmith, imbued with the harmonious energies of Yin and Yang.
A single strike can cleave even Mount Tai, and it is said that no fragments will cling to whatever it cuts.
-Attack Power +6270
-Skill ‘Five Elements’ can be used
The item skill ‘Five Elements’, which she had never been able to use before, had finally activated with the release of the Ganjiang Moye Sword’s true power.
Soon, a five-colored aura began to coil around the blade.
Then.
[Five Elements]
A brilliant beam of light surged forward like a whirlwind.
Kwaaaaaaaaang!
The General Zombie quickly crossed both arms.
Two massive shields overlapped to form a solid wall.
But.
Slice—
The five-colored beam pierced straight through the shields and cut down the General Zombie.
More precisely, it passed through it.
Thump!
The General Zombie collapsed limply like a puppet with its strings cut.
At the same time.
Shing—
The Ganjiang Moye Sword stopped right in front of the General Zombie’s face.
Jeanne was already standing tall before it.
[…I acknowledge my defeat.]
The General Zombie lowered its head and accepted the result.
But at that moment.
Crack!
Jeanne smacked the top of the General Zombie’s head with the hilt of her sword.
“Use proper honorifics. Not ‘acknowledge my defeat,’ but ‘I acknowledge my defeat.’”
[I understand… I acknowledge my defeat.]
“Good.”
Jeanne sheathed her sword with a satisfied look.
It was an utterly overwhelming victory.
Soon, cheers erupted from all around.
“Her Highness has won!”
“That sword strike was so fast I couldn’t even see it.”
“The final strike made of that brilliant beam of light was incredible too!”
The soldiers gazed at Jeanne with expressions full of admiration and awe.
Among them, the one most deeply moved seemed to be Guard Captain Sen Hyal.
“Kyaaaaaaa~! Your Highness, you’re so cool~! The light of Ravianglily! You are truly noble—!”
It felt a little out of character, but maybe it was just my imagination.
Anyway.
After watching that spar, I finally felt confident.
I walked over to Jeanne.
“Looks like you’re ready.”
“…Yes, Master!”
Her voice was filled with confidence.
Jeanne’s eyes blazed with determination.
I took an item out of my inventory.
Ding!
<Key of the Six Principles>
A key that twists the six principles of causality.
When you think of a specific target and open a door with the Key of the Six Principles, you can move to the location of that target.
However, it cannot be used on targets you have never encountered.
The preparations were finally complete.
Jeanne, who had received the Key of the Six Principles, spoke with a resolute expression.
“I will travel to the location of the Greed Death Lord, ‘Dvergr Andvari.’”
Then.
Click— click— click— click— click— click—
The six prongs of the key began interlocking with one another.
In the blink of an eye, the Key of the Six Principles fused into a single form.
A golden radiance poured out from the key’s surface, brightly illuminating the surroundings.
At that moment.
Craaaaack—!
Space split open, revealing a golden door.
Jeanne inserted the Key of the Six Principles into the groove at the center of the golden door.
Clunk!
The key slid in with a heavy sound.
Then.
Ding!
[Target location has been identified.]
[Gate to the ‘Black Gold Forest’ has been activated!]
Beyond the wide-open golden door, a dark-blue gate began to shimmer.
……All right, shall we go?”
“Yes, Master!”
The seven traitors who had destroyed Ravianglily.
It was time to confront the second of the Seven Betrayers of the Nation.