Weapon-Eating Bastard [EN]: Chapter 177

Weapon-Devouring Heir 177

There was a type of equipment I had been planning to acquire once I came to the Theocracy.

That was a relic.

The word ‘relic’ originally refers to the remains of a saint or sage.

In the Theocracy, it is sometimes used in that sense, but in modern times, the meaning has somewhat changed, similar to terms like ‘holy object class’ or ‘monster class.’

In modern terms, a relic can be simply described as a weapon with a well-known ‘narrative,’ or, more complexly, as an object with a ‘mythical archetype.’

Objects from stories passed down through myths and legends, tales that have been passed from mouth to mouth for generations.

Words and thoughts inherently possess power, and objects from stories that have influenced countless people over ages naturally possess immense mystery.

What if it’s a story that has influenced the entire world?

Whether the story is real or not, if the relic is genuine, it will possess some kind of magical and mystical mystery.

Therefore, relics are not merely weapons with powerful force and special abilities.

They are objects that contain mysteries that cannot be easily explained or identified by modern magic and sorcery.

‘The Heaven Breaker is the same.’

The Heaven Breaker, a weapon successfully restored after traveling through Northern Europe and Ireland.

The origin of this weapon is unclear, but it carries the symbolism of the ‘chief god’s spear,’ which appears commonly in various European myths.

Although I haven’t fully mastered it yet, the Heaven Breaker itself possesses the status of a top-tier relic.

That’s why relics are rare and have tremendous value.

I demanded it from the Theocracy.

“I will accompany you to the relic vault, Young Master Lee Cheol.”

Saintess Christina was the one assigned to me.

Originally, to enter the relic vault, one had to be accompanied by someone of bishop rank or higher.

“I appreciate it.”

“We are merely providing reasonable compensation. However, as I mentioned before, some relics…”

“Don’t worry. I’m not shameless enough to ask for a piece of the True Cross or the Holy Lance.”

“Yes.”

Saintess Christina gave a faint smile.

“Shall we go in now?”

Following Saintess Christina’s gesture, I looked at the massive door before me.

If the Sungmu Yi family’s armory was focused solely on practical aspects, the Theocracy’s relic vault looked more like a giant work of art than a warehouse where equipment was stored.

From the entrance, there were beautiful sculptures and religious symbols, and the building itself possessed architectural beauty.

Creak!

Saintess Christina held out a gold ring infused with magic.

Then, the door slowly opened.

“Then, please feel free to look around. I will wait here.”

Leaving Saintess Christina at the entrance, I stepped inside the relic vault.

‘I’m allowed two things.’

The Pope allowed me two items stored in the second-class vault or below.

One was in return for punishing the traitor, and the other was an apology for dragging me into the Theocracy’s affairs.

Originally, I had only planned to get one relic from the vault, but since things turned out this way, I recalled another item I had seen in my past life.

‘There’s definitely all sorts of things here.’

The relic vault didn’t just contain Christian relics.

It contained treasures from all religions, including numerous pieces of equipment that the Theocracy had recovered from around the world during the Great War.

‘I was told that access to the 0th and 1st class relic vaults inside is impossible.’

The 0th class mainly consists of the remains or relics of historical figures in Christianity.

I didn’t expect that in the first place, and I wouldn’t use them even if I got them, nor could I.

Rumor has it that there are pieces of Noah’s Ark or the Ark of the Covenant, but what would I use those for?

The 1st class is the same.

That’s related to saints and sages. Some even contain the remains of saints.

‘First, let’s find that one first.’

The Theocracy’s relic vault doesn’t just contain items related to Christian legends.

Rather, there are many that are not.

‘Found it.’

I discovered a sword that appeared before my eyes.

It was a long sword with an ancient Chinese design. The handle was old and worn, and only the blade remained.

‘Mountain Shattering Sword.’

A sword known to possess absolute destructive power that could shatter a mountain with a single strike.

The power itself is celestial class.

However, it was equipment that was said to be not even worthy of being evaluated as a masterpiece, let alone a holy object class.

‘A half-finished relic where the weapon’s material cannot withstand its power.’

The Mountain Shattering Sword has flaws compared to its power, which is that the weapon itself cannot withstand the force, so it breaks as soon as it is swung.

It was a weapon that no one wanted to hold, except for its magical and mystical significance.

But it was different for me.

‘I can only absorb the Mountain Shattering Sword’s ability.’

From the beginning, I wasn’t trying to swing the Mountain Shattering Sword to obtain it.

It was to absorb it through Black ki [dark energy] and gain its ability.

‘It’s practically equipment with the value of a celestial-class weapon for me.’

I held the Mountain Shattering Sword in my hand.

I was careful not to let it slip out of its sheath, as I couldn’t afford to break it by swinging it carelessly according to legend.

Next, I searched the relic vault again.

Next, what I was looking for was not armor, equipment, or accessories.

It was a relic, but not equipment.

‘Golden Apple. Here it is.’

The apple of the gods that appears simultaneously in Greek mythology, Norse mythology, and Celtic mythology, and a legendary elixir that many heroes sought in numerous legends.

It is measured as a 3rd class relic in the Theocracy’s relic vault.

‘Serena, who handled the Theocracy incident in my past life, was granted this elixir.’

Serena’s power was considered to have surpassed Lee Seo-hyun from the moment she absorbed the Golden Apple.

‘Honestly, compared to others, my magic power is by no means lacking…’

The large amount of magic power absorbed through Black ki, the Spirit Jade Stone, the elixir absorbed from the Mirenae Village, the elixirs I made and consumed myself, and the energy accumulated from traveling around the territories.

Someone my age… no, honestly, if you just look at the total amount, my magic power is by no means at a level that I could have obtained at my level.

But that’s when compared to others.

Currently, I was feeling a lack of magic power.

‘What forms the basis of all my power is magic power.’

The Heaven Breaker, Mujin, Black Night, Eunhan… the abilities of the numerous weapons I possess, and the numerous techniques I have accumulated from them.

When the amount of magic power increases, the overall level and perfection of all those techniques improve together.

Moreover, the power of the Golden Apple is not just about increasing magic power.

‘These two are enough.’

In fact, I had the Mountain Shattering Sword, which was a celestial-class weapon for me, and an elixir to fill my shortcomings.

I took those two treasures and left the relic vault.

* * *

Saintess Christina looked a little surprised as she looked at what I had chosen.

At first, she even seemed to try to dissuade me.

The Mountain Shattering Sword was a famous weapon in many ways because of its uniqueness.

She seemed to be wondering why I would bother to obtain such a flawed piece of equipment.

“It’s okay. This is better.”

“Thank you, Young Master Lee Cheol.”

“Yes? What are you talking about all of a sudden?”

“…It’s nothing.”

Saintess Christina looked at Lee Cheol with deep eyes.

‘Among all those pieces of equipment, why would he choose such a flawed weapon?’

Choosing the Golden Apple was understandable. It was a legendary elixir that would not rot or wear out for a long time.

But choosing the Mountain Shattering Sword… I thought it was probably out of consideration for the Theocracy.

This Theocracy incident has many hidden things.

Most of what Lee Cheol did corresponded to most of those hidden things, so some of the main achievements were hidden.

What if Lee Cheol received too much compensation and came out?

‘He knew that and chose appropriate equipment. Young Master Lee Cheol.’

Saintess Christina couldn’t help but misunderstand, and Lee Cheol unintentionally earned points with Saintess Christina.

“Next is the secret archive. Shall we go right away?”

“Yes, has the restoration from the attack been completed?”

The secret archive was the place that was invaded by the Kabbalah’s puppeteer during the terror.

“It’s still in progress. There was a gap in the facility that I thought would never have a gap, so I have to rebuild the security system from scratch.”

“That must be hard work.”

“Still, it will be easier for Young Master Lee Cheol to enter without any complicated procedures.”

I headed straight to the main building.

The secret archive was, as Saintess Christina said, chaotic in many ways.

It seemed to be because the restoration work was still in progress.

‘That’s a strange method.’

Instead of the wizards’ incantations, the Theocracy’s holy magic corps’ wizards were replacing magic with prayers.

They were putting considerable effort into engraving security magic even on simple magic that selects intruders, and the level was considerable.

I wondered how the puppeteer broke through this level of security and invaded.

“What is the direction of the Papal States’ follow-up measures regarding this incident?”

I slowly moved my steps and asked Saintess Christina.

She closed her mouth for a moment as if organizing her thoughts, then slowly opened her mouth.

“We discovered a Kabbalah laboratory on the outskirts of the Theocracy. There was a signature called ‘Puppeteer Mohammed.’ Young Master Lee Cheol suddenly broke the case, so we were able to collect considerable evidence. First of all, we plan to put everything on him and track down the terrorists. Of course…”

Saintess Christina continued in a meaningful tone.

“On the surface, that is.”

“Internally, you mean you’ll be chasing for six nights [searching relentlessly].”

“That’s right. All 36 of the Theocracy’s Paladins and Holy Knight Orders, as well as dioceses from various countries, will officially begin the chase.”

“That’s a pretty strong measure.”

The direction was quite different from the Theocracy so far.

Revenge for the terrorists was a natural story, but this was not that level.

“With this incident, His Holiness the Pope has also changed his mind to actively exercise his influence.”

I nodded.

“Has there been any talk about what will happen to the requirements I mentioned?”

“You mean Young Master Lee Cheol’s forces establishing a base in the Theocracy.”

“In addition, there’s also the alliance.”

I wanted to create some kind of close connection with the Theocracy, including the business I created with Jung Jin-soo and the forces of the Black Turtle Association.

“I understand that it is currently being discussed at the College of Cardinals. But…”

“What’s wrong?”

“Does Young Master Lee Cheol know that your brother has sent a similar proposal?”

A similar proposal? My brother to the Theocracy?

“Who is it?”

“It’s Young Master Lee Gun-sung, the Extreme Sword.”

I stopped walking without realizing it.

Numerous thoughts came to my mind.

What I came to find, what I was invited to, the timing of the incident, Kabbalah and Behemoth, and the third brother who made some kind of request to the Theocracy at this time….

In an instant, I felt those complex elements fit together like a puzzle.

‘Could it be that all of this…’

There is no definite physical evidence or clear circumstantial evidence. It’s just a feeling.

But that’s why I couldn’t help but be more suspicious of this incident and the name Lee Gun-sung, which I didn’t expect to hear now.

Being able to handle things on this scale without being revealed.

How far did my third brother see? Or is it just a coincidence?

There’s a high probability that it’s not.

When I thought that far, I became wary of my third brother.

And… a smile appeared.

‘I caught it. The end.’

I caught my third brother’s movements.

If it wasn’t a coincidence, but an incident that happened according to my third brother’s plan.

His purpose, means, and all the backgrounds behind him.

The clue to bring my third brother to the surface is in my hands.

“Young Master Lee Cheol?”

Saintess Christina looked at Lee Cheol and widened her eyes slightly.

A certain sharp look that could not be described flashed.

“I’m sorry for taking some time to organize my thoughts. So, what has the Theocracy decided to do?”

“First of all, the ‘Theocracy’ will be in a position to accept both sides. It is not desirable to bring in the power of foreign forces, but the Extreme Sword has made a very attractive proposal.”

“I see.”

I understand.

From the beginning, Jung Jin-soo’s forces and the Black Turtle Association are growing at a tremendous rate, but they are still only emerging forces.

It’s not as good as the forces of my third brother, who has the Sungmu Yi family on his back and is exerting a strong influence in European and Western cultural spheres by expanding his forces in various ways.

Of course, the Theocracy would have to hold on to both sides.

But then Saintess Christina continued.

“But.”

Saintess Christina turned her head and looked at me.

“His Holiness the Pope, who knows the truth of this incident, and I, and Bishop Francis as individuals… will support Young Master Lee Cheol.”

I smiled at those words.

“That’s enough.”

“We’re here now that we’re talking.”

Saintess Christina said, looking ahead.

A glass door was erected there.

It was a door with shattered glass stuck like ice shards.

Beyond that, a huge number of bookshelves could be seen.