Emperor Of Steel [EN]: Chapter 95

10. Confronting the Enemy

Arsene had dispatched a special familiar to observe the undead’s assault on the Zhuge family. This familiar, resembling a large, winged eyeball, was a demonic creature known as an ‘Obscura’. Its unique ability allowed it to record what it saw and either show it to its master or transmit it in real-time.

‘Heh, they’re… fighting… well.’ Arsene’s face broke into a satisfied smile as he watched the undead overwhelm the Zhuge family compound, pushing back even the most skilled martial artists. Though some were felled by the wooden puppets, he was delighted, even clapping when the lich merged with a death knight and grew to a massive size.

‘Heh. Heh. Heh, the… giant… transformation… ability… is… working… perfectly!’ But his joy was short-lived. He jumped in shock as the giant death knights were crushed and sliced apart by a Gigant that suddenly appeared.

‘H-how… can… there… be… a… Gigant… in… the… Southern… Continent…!’ Actually, Gigants weren’t entirely absent from the Southern Continent. Merchants from Rhodosia sometimes brought them to build their own guard forces, and kings and nobles of the Southern Continent, curious about Gigants, would purchase them. Therefore, it wasn’t unusual that the Zhuge family, who specialized in wooden puppets, would have acquired one for research.

However, what surprised Arsene even more than the Gigant was something else: the golden aura emanating from the Gigant’s greatsword. ‘Could it be… a descendant… of… Rakan?’ The only known lineage of the Gold Sword on the continent was the Rakan Marquisate. Of course, he knew that Emperor Rudolph was secretly learning it, but there was no reason for him to be in the Southern Continent while embroiled in a civil war. Besides, Grand Duke Gregory of the Holy Empire could also use a gold aura, having developed his own swordsmanship based on it. However, Arsene hadn’t considered that possibility. Thus, he assumed the Gigant rider was a descendant of Rakan.

‘Come to think of it, Rudolph once complained that the curse hadn’t worked properly.’ Moreover, this descendant of Rakan, named Luke, was on a winning streak. He had made a name for himself as an outstanding rune knight and had successfully revived his ruined family. ‘But I heard he hasn’t reached the level of Sword Master yet, so how…?’ To use a gold aura, one must first become a Sword Master. This meant that the information he was receiving was incorrect.

‘Fools! What were you looking at and listening to? No wonder the Magic Tower fell so ridiculously! I’ll have to give them a thorough lesson when I get back!’ Arsene blamed his dim-witted descendants, but the truth was that his own indifference was the reason for his ignorance. He hadn’t paid much attention to the Rakan family, even ignoring Rudolph’s request in the past. He was too focused on his long-prepared grand plan and thought he could deal with Rakan’s descendants whenever he wanted. While he was so complacent, Rakan’s descendant had grown incredibly strong—strong enough to easily defeat the creations Arsene had confidently unleashed.

‘Heh. I… don’t… know… why… that… guy… is… in… the… Southern… Continent… but… it’s… good. I’ll… take… this… opportunity… to… twist… his… neck… myself.’ He no longer had a reason to fulfill Rudolph’s request, but he couldn’t just let go of the one who had destroyed the undead he had painstakingly created. Arsene, radiating murderous intent, jumped up from his seat and set off for An-gyeong, where the Zhuge family was located. He happened to be in the Song Empire for some business, so it didn’t take long to reach An-gyeong.

The Zhuge family had barely repelled the attack. They quickly repaired the family’s defensive formations and treated the wounded warriors. Zhuge Mun once again thanked Luke. ‘If it weren’t for your help, we, the Zhuge family, would have been in great trouble.’

‘No, I just lent a small hand.’

‘Hahaha. Too much modesty is impolite.’ As the two were talking, a clear and firm voice came from outside the door. ‘Brother, it’s Soha.’

‘Yes, come in.’ The door opened, and a beautiful woman in her mid-twenties with obsidian-black eyes and long, flowing hair entered. Zhuge Soha, upon meeting Luke’s gaze, blushed slightly. She bowed politely to Luke and then handed a scroll to Zhuge Mun. ‘I’ve compiled the casualties and property damage from this attack.’

‘Very well, thank you. But what happened to the fleeing enemies?’ At Zhuge Mun’s question, Soha bit her lip with a look of regret and resentment. ‘We chased after the fleeing enemies, but we couldn’t capture a single one. According to Brother, they took poison and committed suicide when they were about to be caught.’

‘What about Guigokja?’

‘We searched the area within a ten-mile radius, but we couldn’t find any trace of him.’

‘Hmm, that’s a shame. Did you collect the belongings of those who committed suicide?’

‘Yes, the Qingying Bureau [a secret intelligence agency] has begun analyzing the poison and weapons they had to uncover the mastermind.’

‘Good. We must avenge the family members who died in this attack, but we must also uncover the mastermind for the sake of the Song Empire’s peace. So, please continue your hard work.’

‘Yes, you can count on me.’ After finishing her conversation with Zhuge Mun, Soha turned her gaze to Luke. ‘I didn’t expect him to be so young. He’s not much older than me.’ She had thought he would be quite old to have defeated the infamous Guigokja. But contrary to her expectations, he was a rather young man. Moreover, he was quite handsome, and his dignified aura and unyielding strength, unusual for his age, made her heart flutter.

‘Are you done admiring him?’

‘Ah, yes!’ Soha, startled by Zhuge Mun’s words, hurried out of the room. Zhuge Mun chuckled at his sister’s uncharacteristic flustered behavior. He had a good idea why she was acting like that. ‘She seems like a very intelligent young lady.’

‘Yes, she’s my youngest sister, and because there’s a big age gap, some people mistake her for my daughter. Haha.’ At Zhuge Mun’s words, Luke nodded as if he understood. He, too, would have made the same mistake if he hadn’t heard their conversation. ‘Actually, she’s like a daughter to me. Our parents passed away a few years after having her as a late child, so my wife and I raised her.’

‘I see.’

‘She’s smart and has a good character, but she’s too stubborn. She’s reached the age to marry, but she refuses to marry anyone she doesn’t like.’ Zhuge Mun said with a sigh, then subtly asked Luke with expectant eyes, ‘Have you, sir, had your wedding?’

‘No, my retainers are urging me, but…’

‘Is that so?’ A smile appeared on Zhuge Mun’s face. But the one who was happier than anyone was Zhuge Soha, who was secretly eavesdropping on their conversation outside the door. Her heart was beating even faster than before. ‘Finally, the heavens have sent me my husband!’

Luke, sensing Soha’s presence, made an inwardly dumbfounded expression. He couldn’t read minds, but judging from Zhuge Mun’s expression and Soha’s actions, he could guess what they were expecting. ‘Hehehe. Too bad, but I already have someone.’ Just as Luke was about to tell them the truth to avoid any misunderstandings, a powerful energy suddenly pierced his mind.

Clang!

The energy was so sinister and evil that Luke dropped the teacup he was holding. ‘T-this is!’

‘Sir, what is this energy…?’ Zhuge Mun, also sensing it, asked with a surprised expression. ‘A formidable enemy is approaching. Just in case, take the family members and evacuate to the cave.’ Luke said, his face hardened, as he stood up. The energy from before was on a different level than Guigokja from yesterday. It felt like even a hundred Guigokjas wouldn’t be able to win. ‘Ah, I understand. But are you going alone…?’

‘This is something I have to deal with.’ Luke left the room and used fly magic to head north. The eerie, sensed evil energy. The source of the terrifying magic, like a giant tidal wave, was hovering in the sky north of the Zhuge family compound.

‘Heh. Heh. Heh, to… come… here… on… your… own. You… have… good… instincts… but… you’re… a… foolish… one.’ A gaunt skull wearing a gray robe with swirling black magic. On the surface, it was no different from the lich he had seen before, but the magic it exuded was so intense that even high-ranking demons would have to bow down. But Luke hadn’t rushed out in response to that intense magic. The lich’s spirit that was moving the magic was very familiar. Even after hundreds of years, even after dying once and wandering through purgatory before being reborn, he could never forget… no, he must not forget the one who had finally appeared before him!

‘A-r-s-e-n–!!’ Luke’s shout, filled with intense resentment, echoed like thunder in the sky. The force was so fierce that even Arsene flinched. ‘What is this guy? Does he know me?’ As far as Arsene knew, there were only a handful of people who knew of his existence. Luke de Rakan, the descendant of Rakan, was not among them. So how could he know so accurately? But there was no time to solve that question. Luke had attacked him without warning. Luke, instantly maximizing his build-up ability, rushed at Arsene and unleashed a Thunder Bringer.

Kwarururung—!

‘K-e-e-e-e-ek!’ The fierce lightning condensed in his fist struck Arsene’s body as if to shatter it. But the lich Arsene, who had lived for over 500 years, was not weak enough to fall from that. ‘You… trash. How… dare… you!’

‘I’ll eliminate you. Forever from this world!’ Luke’s blue eyes turned crimson as he charged at Arsene, who had launched a counterattack.

Kwarurung! Kwaaaang!

Purple lightning tore through the black flames that covered the sky. Luke’s rage, having faced his enemy after 500 years, exploded like a volcano. That rage, which would never subside until his enemy was destroyed, shook the sky and the earth.

(To be continued in Iron-Blooded Emperor Volume 11)

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