Dragon Horse Cult leader Hagel Vinter.
This guy, who successfully changed his family registry after numerous trials and errors, surprisingly doesn’t trigger ‘heavenly punishment’ even when active on the continental forefront.
But the reverse holds true.
If the main Schnifelt family screws up, Hagel takes a penalty too.
As explained before, the penalty from ‘heavenly punishment’ is 90% perception-based, 10% reality-based. Thus, for Hagel, who covered the ‘Schnifelt’ ‘perception’ with the ‘Vinter’ surname, only 10% of the penalty his kin receive applies to him.
Consider the Sun Cathedral destruction incident.
In the original, all witnesses died.
Thus, the ‘perception’ penalty from the Sun Cathedral destruction is 0, leaving only the 10% reality-based.
The penalty Hagel, of the Vinter family, receives is 10% of that 10%, resulting in 1%. A level you can mostly ignore.
But in this incident, even with matriarch Iris personally involved, two witnesses were left.
And if I add seasoning, the penalty’s scale multiplies exponentially.
Even if less affected by heavenly punishment, at that level, even Hagel would temporarily become incapacitated.
I plan to use that gap for gain.
“The yellow dot on the hologram… is still crossing the map at a constant speed.”
“After losing vice-leader Lucian in the last Snowflower Swamp incident, Hagel has been holed up in ‘Melkina’ ever since.”
The mobile fortress Melkina is the Dragon Horse Cult’s headquarters.
The leader guy is thoroughly guarded.
Even with a heavenly punishment penalty, aiming for his life with our forces is impossible.
But what I’m aiming for this time isn’t Hagel’s safety.
“…Soon, I can shake out their entire foundation.”
I laughed lowly.
The power inflation in Reca Chronicles accelerates sharply from late Part 2 onward.
After the protagonists roughly defeat the Dragon Horse Cult, the Schnifelt family finally steps forward.
Iris, the Part 2 final boss, appeared out of nowhere around that time.
She made a flashy debut by grinding several near-Twelve Heroes level figures and three level 50 powerhouses at once.
She’s a monumental character who showed a glimpse of the absurd strength in the ‘transcendent tier,’ over level 80, often called that among avid readers.
Readers were literally dumbfounded.
Flud: ??? What? What the hell?
·Physical Mage: Is this DrXgon Ball?
·Keepcro: Schnifelt raid core forces three got ground by one out of nowhere. She’s Regenshauer’s wife, right? Totally random lol
·Black Flame: Hagel used First-Void, but that Third-Void spell might be a technique like Vice Wolf, gathering qi in a weapon and firing. Let’s watch the development.
And when Iris’s sheet was revealed.
The comments exploded like oil on fire.
-[BEST Comment] AngerControlX: Crazy author bastard I’ll beat you what the hell a shut-in rich girl who never showed her face is way stronger than the continent’s strongest swordsman you wanna die if you keep this brain fart I’ll find your house and death stare break window headbutt all
·Heartree: Hey Noname
·Trueblue: Hey under the sea
·Niku: Yo now Continent’s Twelve Heroes are power meters? End times end times soon level 99 will appear lol
As someone who’s reread Reca Chronicles countless times, looking back, the foreshadowing for Iris’s strength was quite meticulously sprinkled.
But author NonameC deliberately focused the spotlight only on Regenshauer and Edval in the story, diverting attention from such hints.
A kind of narrative trick?
Iris in main story Part 2 was level 81, and considering her appearance timing, she was truly an out-of-spec character in many ways.
Even the Part 3 antagonists, the Five Heroes, average mid-to-late 70s. Their leader Bellifort is half a step below Iris, so until Part 4, no single entity is stronger than her.
Despite this foundation, the reason for the massive power inflation in the finale Part 4 is simple.
The ‘Great Barrier’ blocking intercontinental exchange across the seas for ages sank, creating contact with Ciencia, the largest of the three continents.
That place, origin of heart methods and meridians, had more population than Prima and was a demonic realm full of fantasy species living hundreds of years.
Even excluding the ‘Twin Monsters’ standing side-by-side as worldview strongest, there’s the ‘Ten Pivots’ equivalent to Continent’s Twelve Heroes there. All ten in the Ten Pivots are level 60+, basically Triple Star grade.
The Ten Pivots include some non-human fantasy species, and unlike the Continent’s Twelve Heroes with brisk generational turnover, some have sat in the upper ranks for centuries. Separate from power inflation’s severity, the Ten Pivots’ strength has sufficient plausibility.
In this worldview, the normal potential level pure humans can be born with is 70 or below, and above that are mostly cases of acquired potential increase.
Level 71 Regenshauer is estimated to have had mid-to-late 60s potential during Blispiel affiliation, then raised [Spirit] through repeated efforts.
In short, the Thousand-Man Slayer reached humanity’s pinnacle in normally attainable realms. Mid-to-late 60s level could contend for continental top in any era.
Rarely, some are born over 70, but that’s even rarer. Those received divine blessings or have innate extraordinariness.
That’s why the expression ‘Schnifelt family’s 1,000-year masterpiece’ for Iris isn’t exaggeration.
Among characters directly appearing in the main story, few have potential above Iris, and only two directly appearing were born with higher innate potential than her.
And both are beyond the Great Barrier.
One hasn’t even awakened yet.
Clara, born blessed as a Dragon God cathedral priestess, aside, Epio born raw with potential reaching 80 is mysterious in many ways.
Iris’s terrifying mana.
Chesa shuddered recalling it.
“My insight isn’t deep, but even scouring the entire Prima Continent, I don’t think anyone who can beat her will appear.”
“No. It’s hard to conclude that definitively.”
“…Really?”
Personally, I see two… maybe three candidates on Prima Continent with a chance to beat Iris.
But the last is only mentioned in setting for greatness, no character sheet in the setting book, so exclude from candidates for now.
“The first candidate is ‘Tisie Verdad,’ one of the elders of the ‘Ascetic Church.'”
“………”
“…Why that look?”
“It’s the first time Aiden used an honorific like ‘nim’ for a third party.”
“Ah.”
Come to think, am I that arrogant a character?
But I truly respect Tisie’s life personally. As a Part 3 ally in Reca Chronicles, he boasted top-tier popularity among readers.
“More importantly, Ascetic Church is that one settled in rugged mountains, right? Former Triple Star, ‘Bruno Geiger’ affiliated.”
“Yeah. Tisie-nim is Bruno Geiger’s church entry同期. Though not famous in the world, he’s a powerhouse with a chance to win against Iris.”
“…As I know, Bruno Geiger is already over 100. His entry同期 would be age where movement is inconvenient, no?”
“No need to worry about that.”
Among Ascetic God blessings is one for eternal youth. Along with Estriel’s Circulation God blessing, one of two directly affecting physical age.
Chesa asked me.
“Who’s the other? Famous?”
“Hm… A notorious drunk in certain regions.”
“…Drunk?”
That guy with ‘EX-‘ grade trait is an uncontrollable bomb. Approaching rashly at our level risks annihilation, so prioritize way behind Tisie.
Actually, both candidates I named fall far short of Iris in level. They have a chance to win, but basically underdogs, doubtful if over 10%.
But no business before numbers.
When time comes, I plan to recruit all powerhouses led by Tisie and preemptively strike Schnifelt family’s Winter Dew Island.
Time passed like that.
The day to depart for Grand Valley arrived.
[Spirit Step (B)/Shadow Travel (B)/Water Surface Walk (B) have all reached ‘Mastery’ stage. The three skills merge into one.]
[You have acquired Silent Realm (A)!]
[‘Beginner’ stage. Effect is minimal.]
Experiencing life-threatening crisis at Sun Cathedral greatly advanced my skills. Achieved considerable in three major footworks, naturally acquiring upper compatible Silent Realm.
“Aiden-nim! I wanna go too!”
Clara, who holed up in her room for days after hearing of Tanya’s death, refusing to come out. But after a few days, she regained her usual energy.
I don’t know how her mindset changed direction due to her friend’s death.
But she’s definitely hostile toward Schnifelt and Dragon Horse Cult now.
To lighten the mood, I smiled and said.
“Let’s go pick up Linia, who’s still in private lessons.”
Grand Valley.
The skilled artisans gathered here are the main capital constituting Alpanium Library’s overwhelming wealth.
This golden land, pouring out rare natural materials of all kinds rarely found elsewhere, naturally attracted artisans from everywhere. Historically, competition to recruit them was fierce, and the final winner was Alpanium Library.
Unlike other power holders, alchemists didn’t force mass production of weapons.
Instead, they chose to grasp artisans’ needs and win their hearts.
Based on abundant funds and countless connections, the library side swept up rare materials hard to get in the valley and supported them, giving artisans autonomy. This directly led to productivity increase, and now top-grade equipment worthy as any noble house heirloom pours out daily.
The precision mobile fortress Talos roaming Prima Continent was made 300 years ago in a dwarf workshop in Grand Valley.
Boasting unbelievably flashy achievements, among external artisans circulates the adage ‘Supply Grand Valley enough materials, and they can artificially make even gods.’
With huge interests entangled, Grand Valley’s security is murderously thorough.
Around the valley forms large-scale barrier <Absolute Dome>, maintained and repaired by hundreds of elite mages. The spell’s power is below the barriers guarding four great cathedrals, but with library pouring so much money into maintenance, it gained durability far surpassing Sacred Cradle.
Roughly checking with new Mana Eye (B), breaking this mana dome would need about 5 million nano.
Moreover, countless knight captain-grade mercenaries over level 30 (armed with Grand Valley equipment) are stationed, so infiltration is unthinkable.
“From Blispiel Clan.”
“Welcome.”
Showed Seal of Struggle and safely passed Grand Valley entrance. The four companions follow behind.
Quickly head to a village corner.
Soon arrived at a cabin.
“Anyone home?”
“Who is it?”
“Came from outside with something to ask, Bernhard Schlegel.”
“Visitor for me? Been a while.”
Greeting us with hoarse voice was an old man with snowy white hair. Looks elderly, but solid muscles give very hale impression.
“With so many fine dwarves in Grand Valley, few seek a human artisan like me specifically. What’s the business?”
“Rather than lengthy explanation… just look at this sword.”
Saying that and gesturing lightly, Epio stepped forward from behind. The kid drew Plebelziam and placed it on the table.
“Reddish blade tinged with fire qi, hilt shaped like a dragon. Could this be…!”
Bernhard’s eyes suddenly widened. Clearly recognized at a glance the features of Plebelziam passed down in his family.