Previously, I handed Bailie four Attribute Absorption Orbs.
Thus, four 『Shape Faders (A+)』 were created, and before entering the ruins, the four Blispiel clan members — including myself — each took one.
The Shape Fader Epio had used when taking Brenda’s Flame Spear full-force had stored the spellcaster’s mana. I used it to transform one of the scattered fanatic corpses into Brenda’s exact appearance. Unlike Clara, Brenda’s traits weren’t ultra-high-grade, so a normal corpse sufficed for the forgery.
Afterward, we placed the corpse disguised as Clara in a suitable spot.
“…This should be enough for the disguise.”
Finishing the work, I fell into brief contemplation.
The Dragon Horse Cult vice-leader who infiltrated Snowflower Swamp had personally come here and killed Brenda. But the chances of that vice-leader still wandering the ruins were low.
The cult’s higher-ups have a means to remotely monitor the mental states of those under 『Fanatic Brainwashing (U)』. The reason for moving in person was likely detecting the fanatics’ intense reaction — triggered by the “Priestess of the Sun” keyword I’d thrown out.
Anyway, Snowflower Swamp has an extraordinary number of branching paths. At first glance, it seems extremely difficult to conquer… but in reality, that’s not the case at all. Most branches ultimately lead to the “upper layer,” so even if it takes time looping around, you’ll eventually reach the deepest part.
Thus, the vice-leader is probably hiding in the deepest section, simply waiting for Clara to arrive.
“Clara, take this.”
I handed her the Formless Robe and explained how to use it. She, who should be a corpse by now, couldn’t afford to be seen by a cult executive.
After that, we headed to the deepest part.
The Dragon Horse Cult… an organization I’d inevitably clash with while recovering MacGuffins.
Among its members, there are four powerhouses to watch out for.
The cult leader, Hagel Vinter, is naturally included, along with the three vice-leaders.
In the original story, the identities of all three vice-leaders were revealed early in Part 2, around the time their status windows were also disclosed. Readers — myself included — were plunged into shock and horror because, unbelievably, every one of them was level 50 or higher.
As you know, level 50 marks the benchmark for Continent’s Twelve Heroes-tier strength.
Later mocked as combat power gauges, the Twelve Heroes still held immense prestige at the time.
With the worldbuilding not yet fully expanded, the “Triple Star” were predicted to rival the continent’s strongest, and standout figures like the Sword Saint or Thousand-Man Slayer were treated as near-final-boss candidates.
A cult with a Triple Star-spec leader and three Twelve Heroes-spec vice-leaders — to readers back then, the Dragon Horse Cult appeared as an overwhelmingly dominant single force.
Moreover, the vice-leaders’ reveals came during what felt like Reca Chronicles’ peak popularity, so watching others’ reactions was half the fun. I still vividly remember the comment section nearly exploding right after the sheets dropped.
“Can’t wait to see how Epio deals with these vice-leaders,” “All these monsters in one faction — did the author trade plausibility for candy?” “Power inflation’s gone insane…” Reactions were roughly like that.
But readers at the time had no idea.
That it was only the beginning…
Back to the point — ranking the vice-leaders by ease of dealing with:
First is the toadman warrior, “Tikus Pebbleforge.”
Tikus is a tank type with high [HP]. His pure combat power slightly edges out the later-mentioned Aliki, but he sticks to a very straightforward fighting style based on personal preference. His personality is simple and brutish, making him the most manageable of the three.
Second is the cat beastkin woman who possesses 『Fanatic Brainwashing (U)』, Aliki Wi Gates.
She’s a core figure in the cult for multiple reasons — chiefly for mass-producing fanatics via that brainwashing skill, greatly expanding the cult’s influence. As a spirit summoner, her raw combat power is the weakest of the three, but only by a slim margin, so she demands far more caution than Tikus.
Last is the pure human male, Lucian Arabal.
Among the three vice-leaders, he stands out with the highest level and combat power, plus mastery of rare spatial magic as a magic swordsman. He even lent the cult leader Hagel Vinter his family heirloom, the 『Bell of Promise (S)』 — when Hagel rings it, Lucian instantly teleports to him across space.
Setting aside conquest difficulty, priority kill order based on utility: Aliki > Lucian > Tikus.
I don’t know which vice-leader is in these ruins, but judging from Brenda’s corpse, it’s probably not Aliki. As far as I recall, none of the spirits contracted to her can cleanly bisect a human body.
So either Tikus or Lucian — personally, I lean toward the latter.
The straightforward Tikus would likely pulverize with blunt force rather than slice cleanly.
Either way, I’d confirm soon enough. Recalling Snowflower Swamp’s structure in my mind, I advanced.
A short while later.
Despite wasting considerable time conquering Hellaquel in the lower layer, we were the first among the expedition parties to reach the deepest part.
I asked Plebelziam.
“Pleb. How many people inside?”
[Two. One high up, one on the ground. I’ll need to get closer for precise locations.]
“As expected. Clara, hide.”
“Got it, Aiden.”
Clara, fully draped in the 『Formless Robe (S)』, activated Insulation — her presence vanished completely.
We entered the deepest section.
It was an enormously vast cavity.
“Whew! So this is the deepest part?”
“Seems like it, Young Master.”
“Then there might be a national-treasure-grade artifact somewhere here?”
As prearranged, we conversed like ordinary expedition members. Then we pretended to search for relics somewhere in the area. Of course, the core reward — the 『Snowflower Amulet (A)』 — had already been swallowed by the Dragon Horse Cult, making it pointless.
Soon, Plebelziam sent a telepathic message.
[The vice-leader from that Dragon Horse whatever is hiding eighty paces southwest from your current facing direction.]
The cult possesses the camouflage robe 『Rift Hider (A)』. It has no major penalties but inferior concealment compared to the 『Formless Robe (S)』. The vice-leader here is surely using it while waiting for Clara.
[…Hey, Aiden. I’m sensing some seriously fucked-up waves from the hidden guy — you really plan to face that? One wrong move and it’s instant wipe.]
Pleb voiced concern.
But I’d taken out insurance in advance, so it’d be fine.
I don’t know which vice-leader it is, but the insurance I’d prepared is more powerful than expected. The guy will probably struggle just to save his own skin here.
Even knowing that, tension still gripped me anew.
Fortunately, the Serene Clarity (A) trait kept my body from trembling.
I swallowed dryly.
Southwest from here, eighty paces… Slipping a hand into my pocket, I fiddled with a copper coin while carefully measuring distance.
“Who’s there!”
Shouting that, I hurled the lightning-charged copper toward the vice-leader’s position!
Whoosh!
Something flashed immediately after. At the same instant, the fiercely flying coin bounced off something and soared far away. A mana barrier.
Soon, a young man’s voice rang out.
“Sharper instincts than expected. Never thought a talent like you would be in a ruin like this.”
A man who appeared early twenties shed the 『Rift Hider (A)』 and boldly revealed himself.
Finally, the unveiled Dragon Horse Cult executive.
But it was neither the toadman warrior Tikus, nor the spatial magic swordsman Lucian, nor the high spirit summoner Aliki.
Drowsy-looking eyes.
A faint smile on his lips.
Disheveled, lusterless white hair — similar yet different from Clara’s.
The features were so distinctive that even on first meeting, I instantly recognized him.
But the opponent was so unexpected I briefly lost my wits.
No way it’s this guy.
Even I found it hard to believe.
But yes — it’s definitely “him.”
…Status window!
<Hagel Vinter>
[Level: 59/63]
[HP: 16] [Strength: 12] [Agility: 16]
[Mana: 24] [Spirit: 06] [Sense: 15]
[Divinity: 05]
[Traits: Demon Venerable (S+), Star of the Snowfield (A), Blessing of the Elements (A), Charisma (B), plus 3 others]
[Skills: Compressed Fusion (S), Four Seasons Vital Method (A), Snowfield Mana Training (A), Four Seasons Secret Magical Combat (A), plus 4 others]
[Description: Age 38, human. Charismatic leader of the Dragon Horse Cult.]
Yes.
Hiding in Snowflower Swamp’s deepest part wasn’t one of the vice-leaders — it was the man above them, the cult leader himself.
Why the hell are you coming out of there?
[MacGuffin No.429 / 『Priestess Pursuer』 recovered.]
[Achievement Points +750]
Seeing the MacGuffin recovery message finally snapped me back.
Dragon Horse Cult leader Hagel Vinter.
The one before me now was level 2 lower than the Hagel who appeared in the main story, with slightly fewer traits and skills.
No — that’s not the issue.
If my predictions were correct, this guy shouldn’t be in Snowflower Swamp right now. The timeline demands it.
…Or so I’d like to say, but it’s already happened — escaping reality won’t help.
I asked him.
“…You don’t look like an expedition member. Did you enter the ruins without reporting to the Church of Utility?”
“Well now, who knows?”
Hagel answered vaguely with a sly smile. To someone unaware, it was the kind that naturally inspired goodwill. Tell them this man would soon brainwash tens of thousands and plunge the continent into chaos — no one would believe it.
“More importantly — how about working with me?”
Clack, clack… Hagel slowly approached us. My three visible companions shifted into combat readiness.
As seen with Sotiris, Hagel has quite the thirst for talent. He likely plans to capture me — someone he finds interesting — take me as a prisoner, and slowly brainwash me using Aliki’s unique skill.
It’s certainly unexpected that the leader himself is here… but if anything, it’s a good thing.
If I can eliminate the Dragon Horse Cult leader Hagel right here and now, nothing could be better.
Crackle!
I drew Ure from my waist and manifested its lightning blade.
Then subtly moved my left hand to signal Plebelziam in a certain way. Moments later, he returned telepathy.
[Tell me. I’ll relay your voice upward.]
One application of Plebelziam’s telepathy is “mediating” between two nearby people.
Thus, what I quietly murmured would also transmit to “him,” currently observing from the ceiling.
‘Seeing the weapon in my hand, you must realize I know the Thousand-Man Slayer’s whereabouts, as mentioned in my letter.
So lend a hand, Sword Saint.’
And in the next instant.
The air in the chamber completely changed.
Even the composed Hagel sensed it — his expression stiffened slightly as he turned his gaze upward.
Right after.
Something plummeted rapidly and crashed into the ground.
Booooom!!
The impact kicked up a massive cloud of dust throughout the area. As the smoke suddenly cleared, a middle-aged man with a strong, resolute impression came into view.
<Edval Heimfjord>
[Level: 68/68]
[HP: 24] [Strength: 17] [Agility: 16]
[Mana: 17] [Spirit: 12] [Sense: 12]
[Divinity: 06]
[Traits: Sword Saint (S+), Indomitable (S), Super Intuition (A), plus 2 others]
[Skills: Flowing Dimension Slash (U), Dearside Strong Swordsmanship · Extreme (S), Dearside Dual Vital Method (A+), Butler-Style Weapon Arts · Extreme (A), plus 7 others]
[Description: Age 50, human. One of the Triple Star at the pinnacle of the Continent’s Twelve Heroes, and the strongest among them — the man called the Sword Saint.]
Sword Saint Edval.
Lost in sentiment, he gazed at Ure in my hand. That lasted only a moment before he turned his back to us and faced the Dragon Horse Cult leader.
“…An extraordinary presence for a young man. I’ve never heard of a talent like you buried in obscurity — the world is truly vast.”
“………”
The smile that had lingered on Hagel’s lips vanished completely.