Chapter 227 – Raising Talent 6 (1/2)

Judging from the fact that Woohyuk almost died while dealing with Harpes last time, it didn’t seem that the Ancient Demons and their contractors would be easy opponents.

Furthermore, if Woohyuk did defeat Cadiz, Lucifer probably wouldn’t stay still.

In other words, in order to clear this legendary quest, he had to ultimately consider battling with Lucifer.

However, the legendary quest was impossible to give up. The compensation for completing the quest would probably resolve a large part of their current financial problems.

While Woohyuk was contemplating this, Leifina, who had been silent, began to speak,

“Lord, what is the content of the quest? Your face has become so dark and pensive. You’re starting to worry me”

“Oh, I forgot to tell you. This quest is…”

Woohyuk briefly conveyed the contents of the quest information window to his party members without adding his opinion.

Helena was the first to speak,

“Aren’t the Krobaichen Isthmus the most dangerous place on the Eeth Continent? It is the only land-based road that connects the East and the West. It’s a never-ending conflict zone.”

“It is. However, now that order has been restored in the West, for the most part, it’s the next stage that we must face,” Woohyuk replied.

The Krobaichen Isthmus had surprisingly many similarities with the Panamanian Isthmus in the Americas.

This similarity was because drastically different continental powers and cultures were developed and naturally divided by a physical barrier. Furthermore, whoever controlled the area usually possessed the upper hand in military strength and control over the other side.

Therefore, to set off on an Eastern conquest, Woohyuk knew that the Krobaichen Isthmus must be taken over and occupied by his faction.

If he was lucky, he could deal and be done with Lucifer, one of the main three Ancient Demons, so it was worth taking the risk aside from this quest.

‘It’s been a long time since I used the undead forces.’

It was still too early to leave for the Eastern conquest.

Thus, it was impossible to mobilize his vassals’ troops, and, like most of his past journeys, he had to keep his movements and plans confidential.

In that sense, his undead forces were the best military means currently available.

He thought that, even if he didn’t bring Death Knight Huperion from Dreadlore, the personnel he gathered so far were enough.

Choi Kayoon pointed out the window while Woohyuk was recalling the list of the elite undead remaining in his possession.

“Huh? Look at those people. They’re doing a strange ritual while wearing Witch School uniforms…”

The location of the people Kayoon was referring to was at the edge of the forest, a little off the road.

Woohyuk stopped the wagon in a suitable position, and then flanked the uniformed people from the side while riding the monster summoned by Choi Kayoon with his other party members.

“That’s weird. My Lord… obviously, I thought that the Witch Cult disappeared from the Rhine Kingdom as a result of the massive subjugation rule…”

“It was probably too difficult to completely eradicate them.”

It was safe to say that virtually all of those who had taken the Qliphoth Fruit could potentially become witches, as they could be manipulated through Aleister’s will.

In that sense, the capital of the Holy Aperia Empire probably wasn’t free from all danger yet, either.

After hearing Woohyuk’s words, Choi Kayoon, who was whipping the riding monster, looked tired.

“Then, maniacs who sacrifice children and have orgies at night could arise overnight in my estate? Suddenly, I feel like the Floren Province is not as safe as I thought. This is a mountain valley, so it’s a good place for them to hide.”

“You have loyal monsters on your side, right”

Since coming down to the Floren region, Choi Kayoon had been hunting and capturing various elite monsters alone.

Of course, Woohyuk provided financial support behind the scenes, but even so, she was quite talented in capturing and training her own elite staff of monsters.

She could now deal with quite a few witches by herself.

While Woohyuk was emphasizing this point, Helena hurriedly opened her mouth while pulling on the reins,

“Stop! It’s a wide area of attack magic!”

At the same time, the clear sky turned red and began to drop numerous fireballs onto the ground.

Kwa-Kwa-Kwa-Kwa-Kwa-Kwa-Kwa-Kwak!

The Witch Cult members had noticed the presence of the intruders.

Woohyuk stared at the red-haired woman who was standing beyond Helena’s guardian defensive boundary.

‘Based on your clothes, it seems you’re an executive member of this band of witches.’

She would certainly know the purpose of this suspicious ritual.

So, he decided that she needed to be captured first.

She probably wouldn’t be forthcoming, but it wouldn’t be too late to work on her and obtain the information he wanted.

“I will capture that woman. You guys take care of the rest of the cult members.”

Woohyuk gave a simple instruction to his party and waited for the right timing.

Afterward, when the bombing of the fireballs subsided, he whipped the monster mount and rushed towards the band of witches.

Slap!

“Keu-Reu-Reulng!”

The monster mount, which looked like a mix between a rhino and a lizard, roared and rushed toward the red-haired woman.

Despite the fierce momentum, the woman calmly raised her staff without any sign of fear.

Rumble!

Sparks erupted from the ground, forming a large circular flame barrier.

As a result, Woohyuk was trapped alone in the barrier and separated from his allies.

However, the barrier wasn’t enough to contain a person who prevented a great catastrophe and who even defeated Ancient Demons.

Hwi-Ang!

When Woohyuk activated the Ring of Prominence, an exit appeared in the circular flame barrier.

[The power of the Ancient Devil Harpes].

Using the ring, Woohyuk was able to freely handle the flames created by those with a lower demonic hierarchy than himself.

However, the woman with red hair, who was not aware of this fact, looked surprised and quickly sought to close the opening in her barrier.

“It’s useless to struggle!”

Woohyuk pulled Grandia out of its scabbard and narrowed the gap.

Then, the witches who were waiting behind the red-haired woman chanted and began bombarding Woohyuk with fireballs.

Bam-Bam-Bam-Bam!

Each of the fireballs was weak individually, but it was a nuisance when combined together.

Helena, who had approached the supporting witches while Woohyuk was releasing his demonic energy, quickly dispatched the witches.

Flash!

The holy magic of the Saintess was diametrically opposed to the magical properties of the witches.

Her power level was also overwhelming enough to cover the entire battlefield, so most of the witches were easily defeated.

Luckily, the witches who were located outside Helena’s magic spell range were taken care of by Choi Kayoon, so the overall battle advantage quickly leaned toward Woohyuk’s party.

“So, what are you going to do now? Will you keep resisting?”