Chapter 263
The chimeras, having undergone human experimentation, had lost their weaknesses and pain perception. Even an ordinary person would not easily succumb to attacks that could overpower them.
Argon clenched his lips.
“We can’t afford to be bound here. Remember, they are victims of the human experiments.”
It was heartbreaking to consider killing them. But there was no way to reverse their current state. Even the Empire’s top physicians couldn’t undo the perfect integration of chimeras with other organisms.
Merriott’s angry face reflected his frustration. “Are we just going to leave them like this? It would be more merciful to end their suffering!”
While the chimeras deserved sympathy, there was no turning back. Unless they were fully assimilated, there was a slim chance, but they were already seamlessly integrated with other creatures.
Agreeing with Merriott’s outburst, Vivian and Baekrang nodded. Just as they were about to strike down the chimeras, a thunderous voice erupted from behind.
“Enough! Will you keep leaving them like this? It’s better to send them off without suffering!”
Everyone turned to see Kasa, who had struggled to speak under the oppressive authority until now. But his next words left them dumbfounded.
“They are my family.”
“What?” Merriott’s disbelief was shared by the others.
“How can I not recognize my own family?”
Kasa’s matter-of-fact tone resonated with the truth. Argon sighed inwardly. It was a pity—the family turned into chimeras.
In a heavy voice, Argon said, “Leave them to him.”
“Are you out of your mind? We should stop them!” Baekrang protested, but Vivian held him back.
“Just let it be.”
“Lord Vivian!”
Baekrang stared in surprise, but seeing the sadness in Vivian’s eyes, he turned away.
As they attempted to break through the chimeras, a sudden interruption occurred.
“Duke Vivian, may I make a request?”
Vivian halted at the sound of Kasa’s voice.
“…?”
Kasa’s gaze held steady, and he smiled.
“Can you create happy memories for them before they die?”
It was a difficult task. Especially for chimeras devoid of reason. But Vivian was susceptible to such requests.
Taking a deep breath, she raised her hand.
Snap!
The chimeras, previously fierce, began to calm down.
“For ten minutes. After that, they’ll revert. If they regain self-awareness, they’ll plunge deeper into despair.”
Kasa bowed gratefully.
“Thank you.”
Vivian’s eyes glistened. She was granting them a final respite.
And so, with determination, Argon, Merriott, Baekrang, and Vivian pushed forward, aiming for what lay beyond the chimeras.
* * *
Kasa was exceptionally sharp-witted. Even Yan acknowledged his intelligence and strategic acumen.
Kasa delved into how this situation had unfolded. His father, a prominent candidate for the position of chancellor, had been falsely accused of involvement in a conspiracy. After that, family members began dying one after another.
But why were their family members now grotesque chimeras, trapped in glass containers?
Kasa’s brilliant mind quickly deduced the reason: “A prototype.”
His father, warm and gentle, was also thorough and relentless in his work. He must have come close to uncovering the Emperor’s secrets. The Emperor, wary of his abilities, had tried to suppress the revelation, resulting in the charge of conspiracy.
But that wasn’t enough. Kasa suspected there was more to it—hence this gruesome transformation.
As he faced the chimeras, or rather, his family, Kasa sighed. “This isn’t how I wanted to see you.”
The true chimeras stood there, seemingly lost in the illusion Vivian had created. Their faces lacked aggression or excitement.
Drawing his sword, Kasa stepped forward. But before he could act, an alarm blared, and he slammed into the ground.
“Forgive me, everyone.”
As life surged into Kasa’s blade, the serene expressions on the chimeras’ faces contorted. Even lost in the illusion, their instincts sensed danger.
The chimeras lunged at Kasa, their claws razor-sharp. He braced himself, willing to be torn apart by their desperate assault.
“Kyaah!”
“Ugh!”
The struggle intensified.
But Kasa pushed forward, toward the chimeras—toward his family.
And then, the room fell silent.
* * *
Vivian turned her head as she crossed the room. Her eyes held compassion.
“Poor souls,” she murmured.
She sensed what was happening behind her. Over time, Kasa’s strength had grown, and the number of chimeras he faced steadily diminished. Each victory meant more of his family’s blood staining his hands.
Argon clenched his teeth. “Bahamut.”
He was right—this madness had to end. If they couldn’t eliminate the mastermind behind this tragedy, the chaos would escalate further. Who knew if, after several soul transferences, the entire continent would face destruction?
Before that happened, killing the architect of this catastrophe was the best course of action for the nation.
Merriott and Baekrang nodded in agreement.
As they passed through the experimental chamber, they reached a single space.
Vivian’s pulse quickened. “I’ve found it.”
A crimson magic circle glowed.
And then it happened.
“Ugh.”
A desperate groan echoed—a near-death lament.
But within that space, alongside the soul transference magic circle they sought, lay another figure.
Four of them approached cautiously. Diana, spotting the fallen person next to the magic circle, cried out.
“Commander Damian!”
It was none other than the missing Damian. His abdomen bore a gaping wound, evidence of an attack.
Struggling to open his eyes amid the chaos, Damian stared at the familiar faces before him. His voice trembled.
“Th-this is a trap…”
His unexpected words left the four standing there, their expressions frozen in confusion.
* * *
As Yan and Juda Caballan stepped into the room…
Shwaaak!
A sharp sword strike rained down upon them.
Yan and Juda Caballan were among the pinnacle of Chosins. They could easily evade most sword attacks, but this one was different.
Thwack! Thud!
Both of them were sent flying, crashing back to where they had stood. The force of the blow was immense.
“Someone this powerful exists,” Juda Caballan muttered, narrowing his eyes. But it wasn’t just one person. Four figures confronted them.
Wait, not just one?
Facing them were not one but four individuals. These were no ordinary opponents—they were formidable.
Yan, fully engaged in combat mode, spoke up. “They seem like the Seven Sins. And the one at the back… resembles the Royal Knights’ commander.”
“I see golden armor,” Juda Caballan noted. The armor bore the number “1,” signifying the first among the Royal Knights.
However, the golden helmet concealed the wearer’s face entirely.
Juda Caballan raised an eyebrow, sensing the formidable aura from their foes. “I was a frog in a well. The world is much broader than I thought. Others would have laughed if they saw me.”
“But someone properly trained and at the pinnacle won’t mock,” Yan reassured him.
Juda Caballan chuckled at Yan’s encouragement. Then it happened.
Yan’s pocket bulged, revealing something. Juda Caballan’s eyes widened.
“Undead?”
Yan was equally surprised. “Momon!”
“Quiet. I have a reason to step forward,” Momon grumbled as he emerged from Yan’s pocket. His form expanded, revealing a strapping young man with golden hair.
Suddenly, Momon’s gaze locked onto the Royal Knights’ commander.
“So, that’s the one who hijacked the body of the First Knight from a thousand years ago—the Death Knight.”
The Death Knight’s eyes gleamed, and the room seemed to brighten.
And then…
Crash! Crash! Crash!
An explosion erupted where Yan and Juda Caballan had stood. The Death Knight had swung his sword with incredible force.
Indeed, he embodied the ancient nation’s might. But…
“Hmph!”
His opponent was no less formidable.
Whooosh!
Dust filled the air, only to vanish as Momon’s white shield deflected the attack. Yan and Juda Caballan stood there, stunned witnesses.
“I’ll handle these guys, including the distant ones. You focus on that one.” Momon’s words left Yan wide-eyed.
“Even Juda Caballan?”
“Using only the mana I’ve accumulated won’t be enough to defeat them. So, you’ll need to charge him up.”
Charge him up? Yan exchanged a bewildered look with Juda Caballan.
But there was no time to waste.
“Very well… I’ll do my best,” Yan said, launching himself toward the Emperor’s chambers.
“Hehehe! Where to?”
One of the Seven Sins sneered, trying to break through their ranks. But Yan faced the attack head-on.
“Shh! I’ve got this.”
Momon emerged, and with a single blow, he severed the arm of the Seven Sins who had dared to underestimate him.
“Argh!”
The injured foe screamed, pointing at the mastermind behind this chaos.
Momon grinned. “Yes.”
His intense gaze fell upon the Royal Knights’ commander.
“This one is the undead who hijacked the First Knight’s body a thousand years ago—the Death Knight.”
The Death Knight’s aura intensified, and simultaneously…
Boom!
An explosion rocked the room as the Death Knight swung his sword again. The area where Yan and Juda Caballan had stood was obliterated.
“Hehehe! Who dares ignore me?”
Juda Caballan, now fully focused, stepped forward. “What… happened?”
“I have a task for you, don’t I? Finish things here quickly and follow me. Time is of the essence.”
Juda Caballan’s resolve solidified. “Understood… I’ll do my best.”
With that, Yan soared toward the Emperor’s chambers.
“Hehehe! Where to?”
One of the Seven Sins mocked, but Yan faced the challenge head-on.
“Shh! I’ve got this.”
Momon emerged, and with a single blow, he severed the arm of the Seven Sins who had underestimated him.
“Argh!”
The injured foe pointed at the mastermind behind the chaos.
Momon grinned. “Yes.”
His intense gaze fell upon the Royal Knights’ commander.
*“This one is the undead who hijacked the First Knight’s body a thousand years ago—the Death Knight.”