Episode 110
Drake, the “Monster Hunter.”
Known as the “Beast Slayer Drake,” he was one of the few S-rank adventurers in the labyrinth city, capable of hunting the deep-dwelling monsters, much like Dale.
Even before the artifact rush drew him to the northern demon territory, his name was well-known across the continent as a formidable force.
What intrigued Dale about Drake was something unusual.
He couldn’t sense any mana from him.
Drake didn’t have the magical circles of a sorcerer nor the aura reserves of a knight.
Could someone really hunt such formidable monsters without relying on mana?
Dale had hoped to witness Drake in action, but deep within the labyrinth, their paths rarely crossed.
Moreover, the profession of “Monster Hunter” itself piqued his curiosity.
Those who made a living hunting monsters.
Typically, it was a job for knights with rudimentary aura training or second-rate mercenaries, not particularly special in a world teeming with monsters.
Yet, “Beast Slayer Drake” was renowned across the continent, and for someone of his caliber to not use mana was unheard of.
The limits of human physical prowess were clear.
Thus, a thought crossed Dale’s mind.
A power beyond mana.
“Could it be…?”
Just then, a guild clerk approached Dale—no, Faceless—trembling.
“Here, the trade permit is ready!”
The clerk handed over a certificate allowing the trade of a high-purity mana stone weighing about 1kg within the labyrinth city.
Dale accepted the certificate, and Drake turned his head slightly to glance at him.
The shadow beneath Dale’s hood met Drake’s gaze, and the moment passed quickly.
“Please appraise this artifact and issue a trade permit.”
Dale placed the spoils he had acquired from the labyrinth on the table.
An artifact, the symbol of sudden wealth that adventurers in the labyrinth city coveted.
A sword shrouded in darkness.
A black blade reminiscent of the aura blades wielded by the Night Raven Knights.
Artifacts from the demon territory were imbued with powerful dark forces, and those unworthy who dared to touch them often met with ruin.
Thus, adventurers were provided with magical tools from the Black Tower to suppress the artifact’s power, and even Drake was no exception.
Yet, as Drake handled the ominous black sword, there was no sign of any magical tool to suppress its power.
As if handling such an artifact was nothing to him.
“Interesting.”
There were gasps from those around, and Dale couldn’t hide his intrigue either.
But his role as the adventurer “Faceless” ended there.
The dawn was breaking, and it was time to resume his duties as “Dale of Saxon.”
The Saxon Barony faced more than just the threat of a single grand labyrinth.
However, it was clear that the potential threat it posed to the demon territory’s development was significant.
An Outbreak.
A phenomenon where the monsters within the labyrinth surge towards the surface en masse.
Fortunately, even if an Outbreak occurred, the powerful monsters from the deep layers rarely reached the surface.
Yet, the damage from a labyrinth of this scale unleashing its monsters would be catastrophic.
This was why adventurers were encouraged to explore the grand labyrinth, as part of the efforts to monitor and prevent such threats.
At the same time, the threats to the demon territory were not limited to the grand labyrinth.
In reality, what troubled the Saxon Barony were the threats outside the labyrinth.
Defending against the attacks of demons appearing throughout the territory, protecting the people traveling across the land.
Safeguarding the pioneer farmers cultivating the demon territory as “Imperial Land” and steadily expanding their influence.
Protecting the “winter crops” harvested from Saxon’s frozen lands and monitoring the movements in the “Dark Land” beyond.
Dale’s first task as lord was to receive reports from the organizations under his command.
The Night Raven Knights, the Black Armor Company, the Winter Watchers, and finally, the Shadow Court.
“The Northern Sito Pioneer Monastery is requesting additional troop deployments.”
“There are reports of small orc tribes on wolves raiding the ‘Kalimala Guild’ caravans crossing the mountains.”
“Have you located the orc tribe’s base?”
“They are nomadic, with the entire tribe consisting of wolf riders sweeping through the demon territory.”
The Winter Watchers, acting as the Saxon Baron’s intelligence unit, reported suspicious movements and activities of demons within the demon territory.
“We will review the Sito Monastery’s request and consider deploying the Black Armor Company.”
“As for the orc tribe, we will deploy cavalry as soon as we locate their temporary base. Increase the search parties.”
Prioritizing these threats, Dale organized extermination squads with the Night Raven Knights and the Black Armor Company’s heavy infantry.
Furthermore, monitoring conflicts and tensions among people within the labyrinth city was the role of the Shadow Court.
“An S-rank adventurer, ‘Edward of Dulles,’ seems to be exerting influence over the noble adventurer faction in the city.”
“There is an increasing tendency to openly disregard and exclude adventurers not of noble birth.”
Not everyone in the city bowed willingly to Dale’s rule.
From the black market trade of labyrinth goods to factional disputes among adventurers.
“Being a lord isn’t easy.”
Managing just one “demon territory” was this demanding.
One could only imagine the burden on his father, the Duke of Saxon, who governed the entire northern region, including the demon territory.
Understanding his father’s struggles anew, Dale allowed himself a wry smile.
Just then.
“Lord Saxon!”
A soldier rushed towards Dale, seated on his throne, in a state of urgency.
“An urgent report!”
“Speak.”
“An accident occurred in the guild district of the labyrinth city… during the handling of an artifact!”
The soldier, breathless and on the verge of collapse, continued.
“The ‘Dark Sword’ brought by Monster Hunter Drake went berserk during appraisal and is rampaging!”
An artifact gone berserk.
Dale’s breath caught for a moment.
Appraising artifacts from the demon territory was the domain of the Black Tower’s dark sorcerers, skilled in handling “dark forces.”
Even they, at the level of 5th-circle sorcerers, couldn’t control the power, leading to this rampage.
It was no ordinary incident.
“I will assess the situation personally. Prepare my horse immediately.”
“Yes, my lord!”
Dale rose without hesitation, followed by two female knights at his side.
Lady Black and Lady Shadow.
Clad in the black armor of the Night Raven Knights, they followed him as he recalled the events of the early morning.
The berserk black sword was undoubtedly the one Drake had acquired that morning.
The dark sword, emitting a power even the Black Tower’s sorcerers couldn’t handle, had gone berserk.
How, then, had Drake managed to wield it without issue?
The guild district in the labyrinth city.
Cassius, a 5th-circle dark sorcerer, was there.
His five circles spun wildly, creating a vortex of dark magic centered around him.
In his hand was the artifact obtained by Monster Hunter Drake… the black magic sword.
There was no trace of sanity in his expression.
With a maniacal grin, his eyes rolled back, drool dripping from his mouth.
Simultaneously.
The magic sword in the sorcerer’s hand swung.
Black petals scattered in all directions.
The petals settled on the ground, and with each touch, the earth was stained with darkness.
Much like the dark lake Dale conjured.
And then.
The area was submerged in a wave of darkness, and from within the lake, “they” emerged.
Shadow Walkers.
Creatures of shadow, much like Dale’s shadow cloak once was.
“Do not retreat!”
“We die where we stand!”
The Black Armor Company’s heavy infantry held their ground, and the Shadow Walkers charged at them.
“Those are not something mere infantry can handle.”
Thus, Dale did not hesitate.
“Everyone, fall back immediately!”
Dale shouted, moving without delay.
He overlaid his “shadow cloak” over the dark lake created by the black magic sword.
「Kieeeek!」
The “Shadow Lurkers” unleashed their thorny tendrils all at once.
These swirling, spiked tendrils began to mercilessly tear through the intangible bodies of the Shadow Walkers.
It was unmistakably clear.
Dale’s shadowy cloak and that cursed sword shared the same power.
Artifacts are generally known as “items imbued with magical power.”
Among them, the artifacts from the Demon King’s domain are called “Dark Artifacts” because they were not created by human hands.
For instance, the Holy Sword was once forged by the first master of the White Tower, and most artifacts used by noble-born wizards were infused with power by renowned high-level sorcerers.
However, those known as “Dark Artifacts” were different.
They were the cherished possessions of high-ranking demons, including the Demon King Balor—dark treasures forged by the hands of demons.
Therefore, there was no reason to hesitate.
Whoosh!
Centered around Dale’s feet, the surrounding area became isolated from the outside, forming a barrier.
The world of thought.
Two years had passed since he had reached the realm of the fourth circle.
Dale’s world, now wielding the cursed sword, engulfed the dark sorcerer, finally revealing its true form.
A stark and shadowy winter night.
Amidst the biting cold and darkness, another “landscape” had been added to the tapestry of Dale’s inner world.
The Black Castle.
Just as Dale had claimed the Demon King’s domain and become its lord, so too did this castle exist in the stark and shadowy world of that winter night.