1.
Ash returned to the hideout.
Just in case, Nahan, who was still maintaining the appearance of Ian Red, began sorting through the things he had obtained.
First, the <Artifact Guaranteed Reinforcement Ticket>.
“This definitely has to be Iaso’s Ring.”
Considering Iaso’s Ring already helped ensure his survival against most threats, if he used the reinforcement ticket to elevate its power to Ex rank?
‘Even in the worst-case scenario, I would at least be able to survive.’
He also had various other ideas in mind about how to use it, but he wouldn’t be able to confirm its effects until after the enhancement…
“Let me check the other rewards quickly first.”
Nahan’s next choice was the “Black Wolf Mercenaries’ Memories.”
【<Black Wolf Mercenary Group>】
-Nickname: The Worst Criminal Group, Special Grade Fugitives, Savage Murderers.
-Estimated Danger Rank: SS.
-Group Members
◆Leader: <Nahan – Black Wolf> (In Progress)
◆Vice-Leader: <Laktea – White Sword Demon> (Not Accessible)
◆No.1: <Peter – The Shepherd> (Not Accessible)
◆No.2: <Casler – The Unknown> (Not Accessible)
◆No.3: <Hanlyang – Tal> (Accessible)
◆No.4: <Luna – Persona> (Complete)
◆No.5: <Dalan – The Old Man> (Accessible)
◆No.6: <Ruby Red – Blood Demon> (Accessible)
The status window now displayed the real information of all the members, with the fake data gone.
“Black Wolf is in progress and Luna’s complete… Peter and Casler? I’ve heard of Peter before. Hmm… Does this ‘Not Accessible’ mean I haven’t met them yet?”
It seemed like a reasonable hypothesis, but…
“Then why can’t I access Laktea’s information?”
Spotting this immediate inconsistency revealed that his theory wasn’t entirely correct.
There seemed to be no point in worrying about it too much right now, so he decided to set aside his pondering about the situation for later, closing the status window.
First, the red system window that had appeared when he cleared the main scenario.
【Warning.】
[With the completion of the <Main Scenario>, please be advised that the progression and conclusion of <Original Work - Babylonia> may differ.]
This was something he had expected.
After all, he had struggled as Black Wolf to ensure his survival, causing many changes to the original work.
Some of the information about the original work that Nahan knew had likely evolved into something completely different.
“But it’s good that things are changing.”
Because the original conclusion of Babylonia ended disastrously for everyone.
Twisting the original story for a happy ending.
Simultaneously, dealing with changes in the original’s information.
These two elements had to work together seamlessly to ensure he maintained his advantage with the information while also achieving a happy ending.
“Out of the original 15 episodes, only… 6 episodes remain?”
Even that was assuming the events involving the Sewers, Gaspiel, and other key events in the later stages were absent.
“So there are probably only 4 episodes left.”
<Night of the Zealots>,
<Sky, Earth, Darkness, Light>,
<Demon Clan's Invasion>,
<Full-Scale War>.
He had listed all the remaining events in order, and since the bad ending he encountered was named <Zealot's Plight>,
“The next event has to be <Night of the Zealots>.”
A predictable cliché event where a faction of priests serving the Goddess Aria were revealed to be zealots worshipping something else entirely.
Even though it might be a typical cliché story, Nahan, who now considered it his reality, couldn’t help but worry about what might happen.
“If I want to survive, I’ve got to do something.”
Thus, with a sigh of resignation, he reclined.
Still, he couldn’t help but miss the days when he was an oblivious leader of a mercenary group.
“But still… It’s better than dying without knowing anything, right?”
Comforting himself in this way, ‘Ian Red’ drifted off to sleep.
“…Though, speaking of which…”
What was the deal with the contract between Black Wolf and the Goddess, and why did they seem to follow him around providing assistance?
Since it was an ongoing contract between two parties—”why is it involving me?” Besides, what does it even mean? A contract with a Goddess? Was there anyone around who could explain it all to him?
He thought hard about it but, with no answers forthcoming, Nahan eventually opened his eyes and sat up.
“Let’s rest later and move on.”
When one’s head is too cluttered, it’s better to get the body moving.
“First…”
Enhance Iaso’s Ring.
Click.
Placing the ring on the floor and drawing the reinforcement ticket, he wondered if just bringing them close together would work?
Perhaps there might be instructions written on the back.
…Tap.
As the golden ticket fluttered, it lightly brushed against Nahan’s left wrist.
And the next moment.
【The contact between the <Reinforcement Ticket> and the <Artifact> has been confirmed!】
【Using the <Artifact Guaranteed Reinforcement Ticket>!】
A brilliant light erupted.
【The Transcendent Artifact – <Divine Shield(SS-)> is being enhanced to <Ex> Rank!】
From his left wrist,
“What the hell?! Wait a moment!”
Though in a panic, Nahan tried to remove the ticket, but it was already gone. Desperately, he tried to take off the equipment, but then,
【Gardner’s Shield is the best in the world!! It will never break against any force!!!】
A thunderous roar reverberated through his mind as a spiritual entity seemingly merged with him.
-[Gardner’s Shield is the best in the world!! It will never break against any force!!!]
“Ugh, just stop…”
-[Gardner’s Shield is the best in the world!! It will never break against any force!!!]
“Argh, my head’s going to explode.”
-[Gardner’s Shield is the best in the world!! It will never break against any force!!!]
Following these triumphant cries, the deafening noise finally ceased.
“Damn it, this is so aggravating…”
Plump.
Nahan collapsed.
【Congratulations!】
【<Divine Shield(Ex)> has recognized you as its rightful owner!】
【The Creator of the Iron Wall – Balak Gardner’s soul will guide you.】
This was how he learned, just a bit late.
-[Gardner’s…?! Ah, was that the earlier cry? Let’s see… one, then two, then four… three? Hmm? What nonsense is this? Like spitting up a tendon.]
“Shut up, you’re giving me a headache.”
-[Tch, just don’t listen if it’s too loud. You poor fellow.”
“Shut up…”
Just like that,
Nahan realized he had gained another noisy companion.
2.
Baron Gardner’s Territory.
Although the land was left in disarray following the <Black Wolf>‘s attack, it quickly returned to its former glory thanks to Hestia’s survival.
The buildings and mansions spread over the expansive grounds were built with practicality in mind.
In the uppermost floor of the mansion, at the head of the Gardners, only family members and those explicitly recognized by the master were allowed in the conference room, where a meeting was currently in session.
The topic under discussion was tomorrow’s party.
“Rohan. Is there anything more to be prepared?”
“No, Master.”
“You’ve worked hard.”
As the meeting was nearing its conclusion, Hestia, who had kept silent throughout, finally spoke up.
“The party should be canceled.”
Her small but clear voice reached the ears of everyone present in the conference room.
“Hestia. I understand how you feel, but…”
A flustered Balkin glanced at Tehelaran Gardner, the family head, as he attempted to comfort her by taking her hand.
But Tehelaran stopped him and asked,
“Reason?”
“It’s too dangerous.”
“Continue.”
Quickly unfolding her folded paper, Hestia spoke.
“We have already been attacked twice, and each time we have failed. Against a group of less than five criminals.”
The paper contained information about Black Wolf and the current status of the empire.
“Attempting to restore the damaged image of Gardner with a gala may seem like a good approach. However, if this becomes an opportunity for them to attack us again?”
“Quit worrying, Hestia! If they dare to come again, I will protect us!”
“Didn’t we lose even when both Father and Brother were present, not to mention the Hero as well?”
Her calm, navy-colored eyes spoke volumes.
“That…”
“I’m not blaming anyone. I didn’t handle things well during the kidnapping either.”
“Oh, thank you.”
“Here, take this. It’s some jerky I prepared for you, Brother.”
“Oh! Thank you very much, Hestia!”
Crunch! Crunch!
After quickly circling around Balkin again, Hestia faced Tehelaran once more.
“I understand your reasoning. The Gardner Family is the empire’s strongest shield. If we don’t recover from the tarnished reputation, not only will the demons from the frontier but also the corrupt nobles will start to look down on us and run rampant.”
Hestia’s words were accurate.
Since the first attack, Gardner’s reputation had significantly dropped, and after the second attack, it had almost vanished entirely.
But thankfully, with success in driving them off and through spreading some rumors, they were gradually rebuilding their lost renown.
So,
This was the moment to capitalize on this, to quickly recover their honor and host a gala to firmly place the final stamp.
-Come and see,
-Gardner remains strong.
Only then could they continue to operate as the empire’s greatest deterrent.
Only then could they help Emperor suppress “those bastards.”
Still, Tehelaran, with a composed expression, asked Hestia,
“Even knowing that, why are you against it?”
“Because it’s a double-edged sword.”
This sword signified that the Black Wolves were subdued by the Hero’s party and the Gardner family, who were not afraid of them, celebrating openly.
If the gala concludes successfully, this news would spread.
-The Black Wolves also fear Gardner.
But if,
“Should Black Wolves take this gala as provocation and decide to attack again—during or after the gala—then…”
“We will lose our strength. And we will not recover, greatly.”
Tehelaran ended Hestia’s faded sentence with a faint chuckle and lifted his head.
“The gala shall proceed as scheduled.”
“Lord Master!”
“Tsk. Afraid of a little challenge like this… Very well. I’ll explain further. Everyone, except Hestia, leave.”
“Understood, Lord Master!”
With a thunderous response, the Gardner warriors left the room, leaving only Tehelaran and Hestia in the office.
“Lord Master!”
“Relax, drop the honorifics.”
“No! I shall maintain this form of address until you change your decision!”
“Hestia…”
Turning his head toward her, Tehelaran asked gravely,
“Does it frustrate you to have such a foolish father?”
“What…?!”
“I know too. Gardner men have always been foolish—after all these years, they remain no less stupid.”
“Lord Master!!”
Softly.
After speaking, Tehelaran gently stroked the shield used by the ancestor placed beside him.
“However, because they are so stupid, they’re fearless. Their short-sightedness prevents them from fearing anything—be it injury or death.”
When the mind is clever, the body enjoys peace; when the body is strong, the mind enjoys tranquility.
“Our Gardners, on the other hand, have always had the luxury of carefree minds… Hence, I’ve always been the one to toil while protecting everyone.”
“Only this time, Hestia, I must seek your help.”
When Tehelaran pressed the button, the fireplace rotated to reveal a hidden space, and Hestia immediately understood upon seeing it.
“The Divine Shield of Heaven…”
The relic of the Gardner family, which maintained the frontier wall against the hands of the Demon Army through the continuous generation of massive amounts of aura. Absolutely vital for maintaining the wall,
“Disappeared after Black Wolf’s visit.”
Hestia deduced the entire situation from the information before her eyes.
“So, this was a deliberate provocation to Black Wolf. Whatever it takes, the <Divine Shield of Heaven> must be recovered.”
Tehelaran nodded.
The Divine Shield of Heaven.
The family relic that plays the largest role in establishing Gardner family as a force of deterrence.
Currently, it’s being maintained through the residual aura and Tehelaran’s own aura, but it won’t be long before even that becomes impossible, likely within a few days.
If we can’t retrieve the Divine Shield of Heaven before the wall collapses…
“A second war against the demons will start. Thus, we must find it by any means.”
Even if the Black Wolves have chewed it to pieces,
“We must retrieve it, cutting them open if need be.”
3.
Thus, the next day.
“Garner’s Shield is the best in the world!! It will never break against any force!!!”
Accompanied by Balkin’s toast(?), the gala began.
