The Game of the Greatest Black Mage
Chapter 177

[Translator - Prøks]

[Proofreader - Prøks]

Chapter 177

The one happier than anyone else about the news was Felix.

Seonghyun couldn't enter the royal castle by himself, so he naturally went to the Black Knights' headquarters to tell Felix.

Upon hearing the news, Felix jumped for joy.

‘Is it because they're feline beastkin? They sure do love to jump.’

Anyway, when Seonghyun told him he had gotten the information, Felix spoke with a look of great joy.

“Ahh! Sir Seonghyun! You've succeeded!”

Felix, who had spoken informally at first, now seemed more accustomed to formal speech as he firmly grabbed both of Seonghyun's hands.

Next to him, Beki also celebrated happily.

“Nyanyang! I knew you could do it, Customer Seonghyun-ong!”

“Thank you. And thank you too, Beki-nim.”

Felix and Beki received Seonghyun's thanks.

Beki, in particular, looked even more moved and said, her voice growing teary.

“Pol-nim will be very happy in heaven-nyan.”

“Ah.”

At Beki's words, Seonghyun looked troubled.

Why?

-Hohoho, I am right here, you know. But it is true that I am happy.

Because Pol's ghost was right there, following Beki with a benevolent smile.

Still, it was true that he was happy.

Seonghyun nodded and comforted Beki.

“I will go and land a huge blow on Basilica for him.”

“Nya, nyaoong. Still, please take care of yourself-nyan!”

Beki said, her gaze full of worry.

Seonghyun nodded his head.

They could delay no longer.

Seonghyun left for the royal castle with Felix, and Beki, left alone, waved until they were out of sight.

Watching Beki worry so much about Seonghyun, Felix looked at Seonghyun with a serious gaze. Then, as if making a vow, he spoke.

“We must ensure the war proceeds in a way that brings no harm to the city, no matter what. I swear it on the honor of the Black Knights.”

At that heavy vow, Seonghyun nodded his head.

He could clearly see the firm resolve in that promise and oath.

Seonghyun, too, was simply here to do a quest, but he had grown very fond of the city's scenery, not to mention Beki.

Therefore…

‘I have to make sure there's no damage.’

If he hadn't seen all this, he wouldn't even have had such a thought.

And so, Seonghyun and Felix, their resolve now firm, headed for the royal castle.

He usually didn't take his familiars when going to a place like this, but…

He didn't summon his other familiars, but he did call for Helena, as she was also aware of most of the information.

However, after she appeared, Helena's expression was not a pleasant one.

Rather than a stern look, it was a completely blank expression, devoid of any emotion.

“War, you say. A rather poor decision.”

The sight of Helena speaking with that expression was powerful enough to make even Seonghyun flinch slightly.

It seemed Helena was also furious.

As Seonghyun, along with Helena, followed Felix, they entered the royal castle just as Sibren had and stood before a great hall.

A great hall and a great throne.

And the white tiger beastkin sitting there, the king of this place, Nyao, looked them over and said.

“You've brought the information.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

Felix replied to the solemn and serious Nyao.

Seeing this, Helena smiled slightly and whispered to Seonghyun.

“He's trying so hard to act all solemn, isn't he?”

“Be quiet.”

As Seonghyun quietly scolded Helena, Nyao must have heard them.

He let out an awkward cough.

“Ahem-hem.”

And as Nyao looked them over and opened his mouth to speak…

[『The Absolute Ruler of Ninyaru, Karnyao Hel Bellios』 is watching you.]

In a rare show of surprise, Seonghyun's eyes widened at the message.

‘His name wasn't Nyao!?’

To think it was just ‘Nyao’ taken from ‘Karnyao.’

Seonghyun was genuinely surprised, but thanks to his nonchalant demeanor so far, he was able to hide it well.

As Seonghyun kept his head bowed, Karnyao—no, Nyao—spoke to him.

“Raise your head.”

He thought he might start laughing a little if he raised his head now, but he couldn't refuse.

Seonghyun raised his head as ordered.

Nyao looked at Seonghyun with a slightly quizzical expression.

Did something good happen?

Seonghyun seemed to be holding back a slight smile.

But because of Helena standing next to him, Nyao couldn't say anything about it.

“...Ahem-hem, yes, you have accomplished a great deal this time. So I wish to give you a fitting reward.”

‘Am I finally getting my reward?’

The rewards that had piled up until now must be enormous.

Even the Hidden Raid reward had been postponed, hadn't it?

‘Unfortunately, I didn't get the Slayer title either. Even though I killed Sibren afterward, I guess the system judged that the raid had already ended. I was disappointed I couldn't get it.’

‘But if he gives it to me like this, that's a different story.’

“However, we are currently in a situation equivalent to wartime, so the reward…”

Just as Nyao trailed off, implying the reward would be postponed, Seonghyun's expression fell in disappointment.

Well, it wasn't something he couldn't understand. It was definitely a wartime situation.

‘It’s disappointing, but it can't be helped.’

Seonghyun thought so and was about to let it go.

But there was someone who couldn't just let it go. And that someone was right next to him.

Glare—.

As Helena glared at Nyao with eyes blazing fiercely, Nyao flinched, startled.

“Your Majesty?”

At the sight, Felix looked at Nyao with a puzzled expression.

Nyao cleared his throat and continued speaking.

“...Postponing it would normally be correct, but since you have achieved such a great feat! I shall grant it right now. From my collection behind me, two…”

The moment he was about to say two items, Helena glared at him again.

Nyao hastily changed his words.

“…More than two, I shall bestow three items. Choose what you desire.”

Was it just his imagination, or did his voice sound a little moist toward the end?

Nyao, who spoke with his eyes closed, also looked like the corners of his eyes had grown damp for some reason.

Helena, on the other hand, was nodding her head in satisfaction.

Felix, too, couldn't help but be amazed as he looked at Seonghyun.

‘To think His Majesty would so generously give away his items.’

Until now, Nyao had only ever given a single, appropriate reward, even for great accomplishments.

In Felix's eyes, Seonghyun couldn't help but seem both enviable and amazing.

While Felix was admiring him, thinking ‘That's our Seonghyun,’ Seonghyun himself was wondering if this was really okay.

‘It feels like Helena practically blackmailed him…’

He had that thought, but he didn't refuse.

In any case, it was a gain for Seonghyun.

He smiled.

[The Hidden Chain Quest reward will now be given!]

[It will be enhanced and given along with the Hidden Raid reward.]

[You may choose three items from the collection of 『The Absolute Ruler of Ninyaru, Karnyao Hel Bellios』!]

The text appeared. And seeing it, Seonghyun couldn't help but be very satisfied.

‘I get to choose from over there, right?’

Not a single item had a glow less than golden.

Even the orange light of Unique items was only visible here and there.

Three items from among all that.

In truth, it looked far better than the treasury in Pentagrid's castle.

As Seonghyun walked among the mountain-like pile of treasures, information on countless items appeared before him.

‘Unlike at Kahku's Third Warehouse, I can see the information this time.’

It felt the same as the lord's treasury.

‘What should I choose?’

He did feel like he could upgrade his items right away.

Among the equipment Seonghyun was currently wearing were the breastplate, boots, cloak, and ring from the Wind Watcher set, which he had used for the longest time.

As for the ring, there were many slots for rings anyway, so he’d leave it for now. But he did want to replace the breastplate, boots, and cloak.

He looked to see if he should replace them with items from a single set.

The grade of his existing items was Unique, so choosing from this place, which was filled with at least Unique-grade items, was the perfect opportunity.

And as luck would have it, he could choose exactly three items.

As Seonghyun looked around for a breastplate, boots, and a cloak, one set in particular caught his eye.

‘Oh?’

『Robe of the Shadow Lord』

→《Legendary》

→ This is the robe of a great Black Mage who was once called the Shadow Lord.

→ However, the Shadow Lord himself said this robe was a precious item he received from someone else. It is unknown who that being was, but for them to be someone that even the Shadow Lord dared not defy, they must have been a being of even greater power.

→ Black Mage Class Exclusive Item.

→ Damage of Black Magic skills +20%.

→ Mana cost of Black Magic skills -20%.

→ Cooldown of Black Magic skills -10%.

『Breastplate of the Undead Lord』

→《Legendary》

→ This is the breastplate of a great Death Knight once called the Undead Lord, whose origin and identity are said to be completely unknown.

→ It is known to be a breastplate he possessed even before he came to be called a Lord.

→ Black Mage Class Exclusive Item.

→ Defense +44%.

→ When hit, recover Mana equal to 10% of the damage taken.

『Root of Black Magic』

→《Legendary》

→ These boots were made by an unknown, great Black Mage.

→ However, what is certain is that, more than any other, these are the boots most necessary for a Black Mage.

→ Black Mage Class Exclusive Item.

→ Wisdom and Intelligence +20%.

→ When both feet are on the ground, Mana Regeneration +20%.

[The following effects will be acquired when the above items are equipped.]

『Remnants of the Great Black Mage Set (3/8)』

→ Power of Black Magic skills +20%.

→ Damage +20%.

→ Mana Regeneration +10%.

→ [Locked]

→ [Locked]

→ [Locked]

→ [Locked]

→ [Locked]

It was truly a set that could be called the best for Seonghyun right now.

The Remnants of the Great Black Mage set.

Just as Seonghyun was about to select them, Helena started sweating a little and looked away, feigning ignorance.

‘That’s strange?’

Normally, if Helena found a good item, she would say he had chosen well. If not, she would chime in and say it wasn't quite right.

‘Why is she feigning ignorance?’

When Seonghyun looked at Helena, her reaction seemed a little embarrassed.

‘Oho.’

Seeing that, he knew for sure.

Seonghyun chose the three items.

[You have selected all items.]

[You have acquired the rewards!]

As he equipped them all, another expected message appeared.

[The Legendary-grade item, 『Staff of Lord Helena』, is now included in the 『Remnants of the Great Black Mage Set』.]

[The 4-set effect of the 『Remnants of the Great Black Mage Set』 is now active.]

[The 4-set effect, 『Cooldown of Black Magic skills -20%』, has been unlocked.]

‘So the great Black Mage really was Helena.’

When Seonghyun looked at Helena with that thought, she scratched her cheek, looking quite embarrassed, and said.

“They’re items I made in my immature days… Th-They’re embarrassing. To think he had things like this…”

An embarrassed Helena.

It was a rare sight, and Nyao stroked his chin with a smile.

Then his eyes met Helena's, and he quickly turned his head away.

In any case, after equipping all the items, he could feel that he had become significantly stronger.

Furthermore, with this, all his stats now received a +30% boost from item and title effects.

He was already strong, but now Seonghyun had become even stronger.

Nyao, the king of Ninyaru, spoke to him.

“You have achieved a great feat, so you deserve a good rest, but I shall give you a new mission.”

“Yes.”

As Seonghyun bowed his head and answered, Nyao spoke to him.

“Will you participate in our war? It is fine if you refuse.”

At those words, a system message appeared before Seonghyun's eyes.

[If you accept, the Hidden Chain Quest, 『War with the Mastermind of the Labyrinth』, will continue.]

[If you refuse, the Hidden Chain Quest, 『War with the Mastermind of the Labyrinth』, will be completed midway.]

[If completed midway, the rewards will be reduced, and the opportunity will be lost.]

[Do you accept?]

[Yes / No]

The choice was obvious.

Seonghyun looked at Nyao and said.

“I, too, will participate in the war.”

“Excellent.”

[You have accepted.]

[The Hidden Chain Quest, 『War with the Mastermind of the Labyrinth』, will continue.]

He thought this would be the end of the messages.

However, as Nyao continued to speak, a new message followed.

“Impressed by your strength and resourcefulness, Knight Seonghyun, I hereby appoint you as the captain of a special detachment. Form a special unit with the White Knights and shake Basilica to its core.”

[The Hidden Chain Sub-Quest, 『Ninyaru's Special Detachment』, has been generated.]

The creation of a very interesting quest.

A special detachment.

Seonghyun looked at it and replied.

“Thank you. I will show you results.”

Ninyaru's special detachment was formed.

[Translator - Prøks]

[Proofreader - Prøks]