Overgeared Chapter 806:
Chapter 806
A great demon was an existence beyond eternity . From their point of view, 15 years was extremely short . It was a long time for Astaroth, however, despite him being a great demon . The newly acquired body that he obtained 15 years ago from his contract was extremely fragile . It was like walking a thorny road as he mixed among humans . He felt relief whenever he passed the day safely .
"So . . . I persisted for 15 years . ”
The shackle that was called a contract would last until his summoner’s wish was fulfilled . He overcame Piaro and Asmophel, the ones who decorated the golden age of the empire, before securing his own power . He devoted himself to making sure the days passed without blood or vomiting . However .
“This woman . . . !”
Kwaduduk!
Astaroth’s eyes were consumed with hatred as he gazed at Mercedes .
"You ruined everything!”
In fact, the direct cause was the Overgeared King . If that crazy human hadn’t showed up, Astaroth would have succeeded in getting rid of Mercedes and establishing a more solid position . With the way things were going, the contractor’s wish to become the emperor would’ve been quickly realized . As such, the completion of the contract would then secure him enough magic power to look for a chance of resurrection .
Yes, Astaroth hated and resented the Overgeared King for ruining his years of waiting . He wanted to tear out Grid’s soul and chew on the body . But the Overgeared King wasn’t here at the moment, making it natural for Astaroth’s resentment to spill onto Mercedes .
“Why . . . ?! Why did you bring him in?”
Astaroth’s weak body couldn’t bear his wrath as the swollen blood vessels on his forehead were ripped apart, spewing blood everywhere . Astaroth didn’t care, however, as he barely managed to gather his weakened demonic energy and fire it at Mercedes .
Astaroth knew one fact from mixing in with humans for the past 15 years: they were really weak . They were creatures that were little different from the livestock that they raised . It wouldn’t be strange for the injured Mercedes in front of him to die immediately . She would disappear from even a small wave of mana . There was a limit that humans couldn’t overcome .
The lightning demonic energy reached Mercedes; resistance was not allowed . The metal attraction attribute of the lightning pulled Mercedes’s broken sword towards her, preventing any resistance . She was destined to be helplessly killed by her own weapon, Astaroth was sure of it .
On the other hand, the emperor believed in Mercedes . The emperor shouted, “Mercedes! Survive!”
In the 12 years that she had been serving her master, this would be the first time that Mercedes had received her master’s sincere command .
“ . . . ”
Her faint consciousness . Her numb flesh . Mercedes’s vision was blurry, as if she was trapped in a cloudy fog . The only thing keeping her standing was her instinct to protect the emperor . However, things changed the moment she received the emperor’s command .
Mercedes’s vision brightened, her sharp eyes processing the world more completely than before . Mercedes threw her sword, stopping the demonic energy that was flowing towards her .
“It’s useless!”
Astaroth had come flying after the demonic energy . Astaroth ridiculed Mercedes for using the lightning rod principle to neutralize his demonic energy . It was a just a desperate, last-ditch effort after all . His devastating sword flew towards Mercedes’ face .
Mercedes used a sword technique, shouting, “Supreme Swordsmanship 4th Style!”
Her body responded with the technique that had been ingrained in her body since childhood . The skill of an old hero, the technique that exuded the essence of a person labeled a traitor . While it had to be sealed, Mercedes used it at this moment .
"What?"
Astaroth's eyes narrowed in surprise . He was baffled that the sword about to pierce Mercedes’s face suddenly lost momentum before being pulled towards Mercedes’ fingertips . Mercedes created a sword by substituting her hands and arms in its place . Her body shone radiantly as her palms held Astaroth’s sword .
World messages emerged .
[A legendary knight has been born!]
[Every knight in the world will look up to her and praise her!]
“What . . . ?” What . . . ! What?!!!’
The fear sealed deep inside Astaroth’s heart instantly surged up . He got a glimpse of Muller’s shadow, a legend that broke beyond human limits and could threaten a superior species, from Mercedes . Mercedes had evolved . Astaroth wanted to deny the terrible reality before him .
“Knight’s Resolution . ”
Silver sword energy burst out from Mercedes . Her sword energy didn't target Astaroth and headed towards her fellow knights instead .
“Oh . . . ! Ohhh . . . !”
“S-Sir Mercedes!”
The knights who received Mercedes’ sword energy rose up . They were so energetic it was hard to imagine that they had been on the verge of dying not too long ago . A silver sword imprint on their chests burned like fire . There was also a silver sword imprint on Mercedes’ own chest .
“What are you trying to do?!!” shouted Astaroth, feeling threatened . He let out a deep, guttural growl, as if he were a wild beast . However, Mercedes and the knights felt no fear, with infinite courage protecting them .
“For our homeland . ”
“For our homeland!!”
Mercedes and the knights yelled! Then they rushed to Astaroth all at once . Astaroth was forced to give up the sword caught by Mercedes in order to get away from his spot, which was a big deal considering his strength . Thanks to Astaroth, Mercedes got a new weapon and became a complete knight .
Despite her various injuries, she leapt towards Astaroth at a transcendent pace, her sword dancing through the air like it was nothing . Her beautiful swordsmanship captivated everyone’s attention .
“Pledge Sword . "
The knights couldn’t count how many times Mercedes stabbed Astaroth with her silver sword energy; it was just too fast to be seen by the naked eye . She stabbed so much and so fast that it made the illusion that the universe was pouring out into the air .
“Kuak!"
Astaroth crashed to the ground and coughed up blood .
Kuwaaaang!
The floor collapsed . The ground vibrated but the knights stood firmly in place . Due to Mercedes’ buff effect, their courage and physical abilities had increased significantly .
“You . . . !” Astaroth’s pale face became paler as he barely raised his body . Dozens of swords could be seen in his vision . It was in the sky above him . Mercedes watched Astaroth being damaged by the buffed knights and held her sword in front of her chest . The straight line seemed to represent her heart .
"Didn't I tell you? I will punish you . ”
Mercedes’s sword energy fully unfurled, revealing wings of silver light fluttering behind her . Her glowing sword gave Astaroth a sense of despair .
“Why?!”
Why were the legends always disturbing him?! This call rang out as Mercedes’s sword came down like an angel descending to earth . Astaroth lost his power in the aftermath of the thunder stone’s destruction, and was unable to cope with her attack . Thus, he was split in half, turning to grey .
“Waaaaaaaah!”
The knights’ shouts filled the great hall . Their momentum seemed to cover all of Titan . On the other hand, everyone, including the emperor, Bain, and Goldhit were silent . The second legend in the empire’s history . Bain and Goldhit couldn’t help feeling jealous .
In addition, there was the emperor .
“ . . . ”
He was ashamed . From the moment he was born, he had reigned over the world . This was the first time he was unable to raise his head . Mercedes approached him . Her life was saved after becoming a legend, but her body was covered in **** wounds . Even so, just the fact that she was still beautiful was amazing .
"Your Majesty, please forgive my disloyalty in not trusting you . ”
“ . . . ”
The emperor was silent as Mercedes knelt down before him . She was dominated by guilt, making the emperor feel even more pained .
"That . . . you are putting the burden of blame on yourself?”
"Knights can’t blame their masters . ”
"Piaro and the former Red Knights didn’t betray me?”
"Yes . Everything was the work of the evil great demon . ”
“Did you know it from the beginning?”
"I only found out recently . Piaro and Asmophel are serving the Overgeared King . ”
Mercedes’ explanation followed, explaining the truth that she had heard and seen to the emperor . The emperor listened quietly while the knights were in tears .
“I see . . . It was like that . . . ” The emperor nodded after he found out the truth . He lamented while feeling regret and guilt over the past . He was grateful that Piaro met a new master and overcame the past feelings .
“Mercedes . ”
"Yes, Your Majesty . "
What decision would the empire make? Would he forgive Piaro’s sins, and redeem him as a hero? Or would he cover up the past mistakes? No matter what choice the emperor made, Mercedes had to accept it . Honestly, though, she hoped that the emperor would tell the truth to the empire . She dreamed that Piaro would be stripped of the ‘traitor’ label .
The emperor’s voice entered her ears, “I will strip you of your knight qualifications . ”
" . . . !"
“Y-Your Majesty!”
Mercedes was at a loss for words while the knights were agitated . Bain and Goldhit were also greatly confused . The emperor was getting rid of a knight who had become a legend? It didn’t matter what the reason was; it was an incredibly stupid choice .
Bain was absolutely obedient to the emperor’s commands, and had never dared give his opinion before, making what he was doing now all the more incredulous . He stood in front of the emperor, admonishing . "Your Majesty, you should reconsider . . . ”
It was useless, as the emperor didn’t give in . He shook his head and approached Mercedes, who was shocked to the core . He touched Mercedes’ delicate, wounded hands .
“This isn’t a command, but a request . Mercedes, give me a chance for atonement . Please serve my old friend and help him spend his last years in peace . ”
Piaro, who was regarded as the best genius of the empire since childhood, also came from an excellent lineage . It was natural for him to be approached by the emperor when he was still a prince . The two of them were friends for a long time and accumulated a friendship beyond status . This was why the emperor’s sense of betrayal towards Piaro was so large, and also why he hated the existence of the Red Knights . Piaro’s betrayal was a great ordeal and pain for the emperor .
“Please, I’m asking you . ”
“ . . . ”
The emperor shed tears . It was the first time Mercedes and the knights had seen it . They realized that the emperor was also human . Mercedes was unable to refuse his request . In the end, “ . . . I will leave . I will protect the old hero and pass on his happiness to Your Majesty in the future . ”
"Thank you . . . I really thank you . ” Then . "I'm sorry . ”
Did the emperor ever meet anyone with a pure heart since the time he lost Empress Aria, and the time he was betrayed by a friend? Sadly, he hadn’t . But things would change in the future . The weeping emperor smiled as the great burden in his heart was relieved .
The Saharan Empire was destined to become stronger in the future .
At the same time . . .
[A legendary knight has been born!]
[You have succeeded in sealing the weakened great demon Astaroth!]
[The 1st place raid compensation is acquired!]
“ . . . No, what is this?”
Grid’s mind became blank .