〈 Chapter 193 〉 Prison Island (2）

*

“We’ve arrived.”

Luel said, slowly reducing speed so that the Central Island wouldn’t crash into Prison Island completely.

‘As expected, fast.’

At this speed, it would take a while for the heroes from the other islands to arrive.

That means it’s time for negotiations.

Of course, there was a method of directly storming Prison Island, but since I needed to defeat the Warden, the odds were slim.

So first, I should take Central Sea System hostage and try to save Gwen.

‘Now then…’

I waited for the boat to come to a complete stop.

Then I brought the Relic Resonance to my mouth.

“Hey, you with the arrow at the entrance.”

I could see the guy startled.

“Yes, you. I’ll give you five minutes, so hold that and cross over to Prison Island. If you can’t, the Central Sea System is done for.”

He froze for a moment but upon hearing the shouts of the surrounding people, he grasped the situation and began to run.

The heroes naturally made way for him.

Meanwhile, I continued speaking.

“There’s a guy named Karkel, the Warden of Prison Island. Deliver the arrow to him.”

This time my side’s bowstring trembled in response.

-Yes, yes!

It was just a vibration rather than a voice, but thanks to the Wind’s Power, I could interpret it to some degree.

I intended to attempt negotiations with Karkel using this method as well.

‘Karkel.’

His figure was already visible on the control room screen.

He was outside waiting for me on Prison Island.

Always wearing a gas mask even if it weren’t in the gas chamber.

A black suit and gloves enveloping his entire body.

And a black cloak adorned with a star-shaped badge representing high-ranking heroes.

Anyone who had sent a character to Prison Island in Hundred Braves would recognize him.

Of course, due to being locked there from start to finish, he was incredibly strong, and nearly all the known information was limited to the relic he possessed…

But his strength was proven by the fact that once a playable character was imprisoned on Prison Island, they could never escape.

‘So I’d rather avoid a fight if possible…’

That would depend on the upcoming negotiations.

If talks fell through, I would have no choice but to prepare for battle.

I was determined to rescue Gwen no matter what.

Meanwhile, the arrow made its way through several people and finally reached Karkel.

But Karkel did not accept it.

-You hold onto it. As far as I know, that arrow can be remotely detonated.

I could see the face of the last person holding it turn pale.

I spoke to him.

“You know well, don’t you?”

-Of course. There aren’t many high-ranking heroes who are archers.

“I’m sorry. I hadn’t considered that. I was rude.”

Honestly, even if the arrow detonated in his hand, it wouldn’t pose much of a threat.

But that made me recognize his caution even more.

“By the way, I seem to have forgotten to introduce myself. I am…”

-Allen Pleuk. One who is taking the Barrier Stone of the Central Sea System as a hostage, and the condition is the release of Gwen Reedval, correct?

Correct.

“That’s right. But I won’t give you too long to decide.”

Once reinforcements from other islands arrive, things would get pretty complicated.

I could probably endure a maximum of…

“One hour. Please make your decision within that time.”

Then I heard laughter from the other side.

-Hah, haha…

“Is there a problem?”

-There is indeed. It’s your side that’s the problem.

My problem?

He stated firmly as I was taken aback.

-What good is taking hostages? I have no intention of hurting them anyway.

He was asserting that I couldn’t touch the Barrier Stone of the Central Sea System.

“Do you truly believe that?”

-That’s quite a cute threat. But my mindset hasn’t changed. You cannot touch the Barrier Stone.

Damn.

At that moment, Luel, who had been watching beside me, asked.

“What’s going on?”

I answered her.

“He hit the nail on the head. It seems he’s figured out we won’t touch the Barrier Stone.”

At the moment, I had been branded as a heinous criminal deceiving the High Priest, so perhaps that could be ignored.

But it seems public sentiment had begun to shift faster than expected in the process of taking the core.

It was probably because I hadn’t harmed any heroes during that process.

‘Perhaps in the long run, this may be good.’

But not right now.

-So, are you planning to stay there for an hour and then back out?

Yeah, if words won’t work…

“No, that won’t happen.”

-Does that mean you intend to fight us directly?

“Yes, if you don’t release Gwen, I have no choice.”

I had to fight.

Of course, storming Prison Island head-on would result in significant casualties.

The heroes on Central Island wouldn’t just stand by either.

But at this point, I had no choice but to give it a shot.

-That’s reckless.

“I’m sorry, but I have no intention of backing down.”

-No, I was just expressing my admiration, not criticism. I have nothing left of that sort.

Admiration… Is that really admiration?

Or is he mocking me?

I was unsure, but it was when I was about to convey my thanks.

-How about a one-on-one duel?

At that moment, I heard murmurings from the crowd.

Just like me, the people around him were probably just as taken aback.

“A one-on-one duel?”

-Yes, I’d like to minimize unnecessary damage as much as possible. If you feel this is unfavorable, feel free to storm in. The result won’t change anyway.

Naturally, it was impossible not to feel it was unfavorable.

The opponent was a saint-level hero.

And we were composed of several high-ranking heroes.

Surely, coordinating as a team would be more advantageous than a one-on-one.

‘But…’

This proposal was incredibly tempting.

As he said, it was a method to minimize the damage around us.

There’d be no need to kill heroes or lose comrades.

‘Plus, it’s not like there’s no chance of winning.’

My gaze shifted to the crimson sword embedded in the center of the control room.

‘Rose Sword.’

If I could get that sword into Gwen’s hands, she would possess the power of a saint-level hero for a short time.

But what does that mean for me?

‘If I use it myself, while not exactly Gwen, I should still reach around that level.’

Having decided that, I spoke to Luel.

“We’re going with Plan B.”

Luel looked worried and asked.

“Plan B… you mean to fight directly?”

“More precisely, it’ll be a one-on-one duel between me and Karkel. This is too good of an opportunity.”

“But for that…”

I approached the Rose Sword, which had been stuck there since the head of the Reedval family placed it there, never to be extracted since.

I grasped the sword with both hands and said.

“Yes, I’ll definitely need this.”

I could still feel a strange energy emanating from the Rose Sword.

Or maybe that strange energy was something already within me.

‘Precocious.’

[Precocious]

The growth rate of the body is slightly slowed. Life span is also slightly reduced. However, skill proficiency increases somewhat quickly.

([Precocious] cannot be undone using the Rose Sword.)

This was the first trait I inherited.

And at the same time, it was a trait that had unknowingly helped me a lot until now.

If not for it, my current swordsmanship and archery ranks would have been at least one tier lower.

‘At the same time, it’s a curse placed on the Reedval family.’

It seemed that curse was resonating slightly with the Rose Sword.

But as stated in the skill description, [Precocious] could not be undone using the Rose Sword.

Activating the Rose Sword was the same.

But…

‘Inheritance Marks.’

Among them, the trait [Inheritance Compatibility].

[Inheritance Compatibility]

Possesses traits suitable for the inheritance of the stigma. Effects of inherited skills and traits are slightly increased.

Thanks to this, I was able to resonate with the Rose Sword, even if just a little.

Of course, activating the Rose Sword was still impossible.

To activate the Rose Sword, I needed one last piece.

‘Sublimation.’

[Sublimation]

Temporarily raises the grade of a skill or trait by one tier. In exchange, it loses part of its lifespan.

Ultimately, it was the same as when I activated the Royal Sword last time.

I had to deploy all three of these to barely activate the sword.

Even if I managed to activate it, the problem would be the considerable burden it would place upon my body.

That’s why I needed Luel.

She would have to offset some of the fatigue on my body when wielding the sword with her healing magic.

“Please.”

“…Understood.”

“Thank you.”

Upon hearing her response, I pushed the Rose Sword counterclockwise with all my strength.

The magical light that had been filling the control room slowly vanished into the sword.

“Now then…”

I just need to pull it out.

‘Sublimation.’

I infused [Precocious] with Sublimation.

As a metallic taste filled my mouth, it felt as if the resonance with the Rose Sword grew even stronger.

With this, I felt certain I could pull it out, even if it would be strenuous.

‘Activation.’

And in that moment…

My vision turned red.

*

“That’s absurd.”

On Library Island in the Fog Sea Area.

Schurz, who remained alone there, muttered as he heard the sound of Central Island moving far away.

‘Allen Pleuk.’

He recalled that guy.

A figure resembling Freira in some way.

‘Freira.’

She was a rather important existence to him.

She was the first and last Demon King he had allowed to live.

‘A Demon King who begged me to kill her.’

To him, killing Chaos Beasts and the Demon King was as natural as eating food.

But when faced with food begging to be eaten, he could only be taken aback.

He didn’t want to consume it that much.

…Which meant he didn’t want to kill her that much either.

So he decided to keep her alive until she no longer wished to die.

However…

‘It may be about time.’

Seeing Allen Pleuk made him confident in that thought.

It was impossible for her to be unhappy with a disciple like him.

For some reason, he could imagine that scene.

‘And this could be the last time.’

To be honest, he didn’t have high hopes for Allen Pleuk.

After all, a saint-level hero named Karkel was holding the fort on Prison Island.

And Karkel was not an easy opponent.

‘Allen won’t be able to defeat that eccentric guy.’

There was no way that was possible, no matter what method he used.

The only reason he was ranked lower among the heroes was because he had locked himself away on Prison Island; he was not a foe that anyone could easily defeat.

So he had some level of confidence regarding his gamble with Allen Pleuk.

‘We will put an end to the distortions of the High Priest that we have allowed to go unchallenged. Allen Pleuk.’

That process might just be his last.

He was willing to sacrifice himself in order to end the High Priest.

But before that, there was one last thing he wanted to do—visit Freira.

‘She’s my long-saving main dish.’

He opened his palm.

On it sat a single snowflake.

‘Just wait a bit. As soon as that guy returns…’

Then it happened.

“Huh?”

His eyes widened.

“What’s this?”

*