Chapters Chapter 232: Kang Chul-In Decides to be Crowned! (1/2)
Kang Chul-In, who had just sold his friend out, visited the satellite city of Balnibarbi. He then returned to Laputa amidst much support and applause from the citizens.
“T-This place is...”
“Feeling better now?”
Inside Laputa’s sickbay, Kang Chul-In greeted Kim Sung-Hee, who just regained her consciousness.
“You’ve done well.”
He grinned and welcomed her.
“I, I...”
“You escaped somehow even after being infected by the undead virus.”
“...!”
“I assume it wasn’t easy to escape?”
“That...”
“You’ve done excellent work. Just a small pity that R8 was broken… Nonetheless, it was a mission perfectly executed. Thanks to you, we could deduce immediately that Aleister and Rothschild had formed an alliance and react accordingly.”
“Does that mean…!?”
“Aleister is dead.”
“...!”
“I smashed his life vessel in front of him, so he shall never be seen again. And this… is a present for you.”
“T-This is!?”
Kim Sung-Hee was extremely surprised.
What Kang Chul-In handed over to her was a green wand with a jade-colored skull.
“Jadeite Skull Wand!”
Aleister’s keepsake!
An epic item which could not only grant the user the necromancy ability, but could also amplify his or her dark mana!
It was simply priceless.
“You can have it.”
“R-Really?”
“Of course. You deserve it.”
“...!”
“B-But!”
Kim Sung-Hee was extremely delighted, but she was troubled somewhat. She was an adventurer with zero association with the dark element.
“No.”
Kang Chul-In thought otherwise.
“This item suits you the most.”
“Sorry?”
“The undead virus was more menacing than I thought.”
“...?”
“The treatment was slightly delayed. Due to the long infection period, we couldn’t stop your mana from changing its properties.”
“Huh? Does that mean...”
“Look there.”
Kang Chul-In pointed at a mirror in the room.
Kim Sung-Hee appeared normal, as if she had never been infected by an undead virus before.
“You are fully cured.”
“...!”
“You didn’t become an undead. Well, two or three days late and you might have become a banshee.”
“That means I...”
“You are alive.”
“...!”
“In fact, even better than before.”
“I-Is that true?”
“Certainly. Do you know about Mana Fire?”
“Yes, I do.”
“Try it.”
“Alright.”
Kim Sung-Hee complied to Kang Chul-In’s instructions. She sparked up a Mana Fire on her palm.
Flick, flicker!
A flame pillar struck up.
It was a tier lower than Kang Chul-In or Dorian’s flame, but it was brighter and more concentrated than any other adventurer’s.
“T-This is...”
Kim Sung Hee was in awe again.
“My Mana Fire… It’s black!”
“That’s right.”
Kang Chul-In explained.
“Mana Fire is often black for those with an abundance of dark mana.”
“...!”
“In other words, your mana now possesses a dark-element.”
“Ah…!”
“It was an unintended change due to the infection, but it’s not too bad of a consequence.”
“Is that so?”
”Dark Mana can erase an enemy’s life force. It’s kind of a debuff.”
“...!”
“That’s not all. Dark Mana is effective even in small amounts. It can also increase the user's affinity with the undead or dark magic. In other words...”
Kang Chul-In looked at Kim Sung-Hee.
“You are now a battlemage capable of casting dark magic. In addition, you can be a necromancer if you practice hard enough.”
“...!”
“Well of course, dark mana is not easy to handle. If not handled with care, it can change its user’s personality for the worse, and even cause him or her to go mad. We refer to this as being consumed by one’s own mana. However, this problem can be mitigated with an item.”
Kang Chul-In passed an item to Kim Sung-Hee.
It was a tiny stone.
“What… is this?”
“It’s an Infinity Stone.”
“...!”
“An S-rank Infinity Stone. It may not be as good as SS-rank, SSS-rank or U(Ultimate)-rank, but it can boost your battle abilities by at least 15%. Naturally, you will have more control over your mana.”
“Y-your Majesty!”
Finally, Kim Sung Hee addressed Kang Chul-In as ‘your Majesty’ instead of ‘you’.
She was born a chaebol [1] heiress. Although she did sign a contract with Kang Chul-In, she had still been a prideful woman.
It was surprising to hear her address someone else with such honorifics.
“I’m thankful with just the Jadeite Skull Wand alone...”
“Didn’t I promise you?”
“...!”
“I told you I will make you stronger. I’m just keeping my word, so there’s no need for such gratitude.”
Kang Chul-In began to step out of the sickbay.
“Rest well. I will visit again. As for personal tutoring, let’s defer it until you fully recover. Well then, farewell.”
“Where are you going?”
“To work.”
“W-Wait a minute, your Majesty!”
Kim Sung-Hee called Kang Chul-In frantically.
Dulkuk.
He had already left the sickbay, however.
Indifference is the best policy for you.
Kang Chul-In let out a cunning smile.
He had no intention of letting Kim Sung-Hee go.
He pretended to be indifferent and planned to slowly influence her to become his subordinate through his private tutoring. There was no way Kang Chul-In would let someone with necromancy abilities and dark mana get away.
“Your Majesty… you kept your words...”
Kim Sung-Hee stared at the sickbay door in admiration. She had no idea of Kang Chul-In’s intentions.
***
Kang Chul-In decided to put his ancient memories aside for now.
According to the Emperor of Blood and Iron, he would naturally learn about his past stories as he fulfilled his ambition of conquering Pangaea. Even if he didn’t want to, he couldn’t stop subplots from laying out anyway.
The least c.u.mbersome way was to focus solely on the Pangaea conquest.
It was a waste of energy otherwise.
3 months left till the next Lord meeting… What's on my priority list?
Kang Chul-In wondered in his private office, in which five Rothschild heads were displayed as trophies.
There were many things to be done.
Kim Sung-Hee’s issue was settled, and the Awakening quest was on hold until a new quest arrived.
He couldn’t go dragon hunting without Death Calling, as his army would likely get annihilated.
In that case,
“Marriage, then crowning.”
Kang Chul-In mumbled.
It was winter soon, and all Lords were concluding their wars to focus on domestic affairs.
In order to later advance towards the east, the heart of Pangaea, Kang Chul-In had to strengthen Laputa’s foundation.
“Check quest details.”
Kang Chul-In commanded.
[Crowning quest]
Goal: To ascend the throne!
Reward: