hotmtlnovel Chapter 189
Chapter 189
[Congratulations! You have neutralized the family traitor and successfully prevented the resurrection of
[Rating: SS]
[You have been rewarded with ownership of the Orb of Disgrace.]
[As a bonus for your evaluation, your skill ‘Lesser Drake Fear’ has advanced to a new skill.]
[Level up!]
[Level up!]
Tssssss!
The madness and dark energy that Torkel had absorbed poured from his body like a fountain of blood.
According to the quest, the orb was now Theo’s to claim and absorb if he so chose.
—Take it. Take it now. This is the perfect opportunity—it’s weakened, diluted.
As expected, the orb within Theo’s sword emitted an increasingly intense will.
Even with Theo’s strengthened mental fortitude, courtesy of Nirvana, the pull was almost overwhelming.
—Please... take it!
—Don’t you desire it? With that orb, you’ll be able to see the same ‘world’ I see.
The temptation was undeniable.
If the orb could grant him even a fraction of the inspiration the sword’s orb had provided thus far...
If it could allow him to see the Dragon Emperor’s world, there would be nothing left to fear.
—Claim that ‘world’ for yourself.
Theo made his decision.
He would absorb the essence of the orb—the distilled remnants of its madness and dark energy.
Stretching out his right hand, Theo activated the skill he had just earned.
[Skill: Drake Fear has been created.]
[Drake Fear]
Grade: B+Proficiency: 5%Effect: Unleashes the primal killing intent of a drake to overwhelm enemies. Proficiency increases the ability to materialize mana for direct use.
Materialized mana.
If Theo could wield mana like an extension of his body, it would drastically enhance his control over his telekinesis.
[Drake Fear and Hatchling Synchronization synergize with Nirvana. Telekinesis reaches maximum effectiveness.]
WHOOOSH!
A massive vortex formed in Theo’s palm, drawing in the essence of the madness and dark energy.@@@@
The energy from the Dragon’s mana within Theo and the orb’s essence began to mix.
BOOM!
A violent explosion rocked one side of Theo’s body.
The conflicting natures of the two energies caused a violent backlash.
Theo flinched but gritted his teeth and continued absorbing the orb’s power.
[Fairy Buff activates to neutralize mana conflicts.]
[Skill: Worm Eater activates, forcibly assimilating unneutralized energies.]
CRACKLE!
The violent friction caused veins to bulge on Theo’s arm, but gradually, the energy began to stabilize.
[Mana capacity significantly increased.]
Theo allowed a faint smile to cross his lips.
「So this is what’s been keeping you. Stupid fools—can’t even handle a single unit properly. Tsk!」
A chilling voice froze Theo in place.
The orb within his sword, more active than ever before, screamed in alarm.
Instinctively, Theo jerked his head to the side.
SHING!
A blade sliced through the air where Theo’s head had been a moment ago, clipping a few strands of his hair that now fluttered to the ground.
“...!”
“You dodged that? Impressive. Now I see why Arnold and Harke met such tragic ends.”
Before him stood an elderly man, grinning coldly.
‘Granada!’
The head of Troivan had arrived in person.
‘No, this might actually work out better. If we can steal all of the power from the Chosen One, it’ll be even more beneficial.’
The full Orb of Disgrace was lost, but if they could instead harness the power of the Chosen One who had absorbed it...
It might even better serve the Dragon Emperor’s goal of ascending to godhood.
Perhaps, with this power, the Dragon Emperor could even restore the now-depleted ability to regress.
At that moment, Ed noticed Unit 5 and Theo’s dragon legion moving to shield him.
But really, how much could they hold out?
‘Let them try. It won’t be enough.’
***
The unexpected betrayal of Torkel.
The emergence of the new White Armor Vanguard and Black Iron Brigade.
And now, the sudden appearance of Granada.
The cascade of emergencies left Holcus trembling uncontrollably.
Barely a year had passed since he’d become an official combat officer, yet he found himself thrust into one deadly situation after another.
He’d once thought life in the brigade would be full of camaraderie and adventure, but there was no romance to be found—only death, death, and more death.
But Theo... he’s crossed that line more times than I can imagine.
He recalled something Rey had said during one of their sparring sessions.
—"Don’t judge him by appearances. Theo’s been through a lot. Far more than you realize."
At the time, Holcus had dismissed her words, thinking she was just boasting about her closeness to Theo.
Now, he understood.
The seemingly polished and commanding figure Theo projected was just a facade.
Holcus felt ashamed, recalling how he had boldly declared before his sister that he would become Theo’s sword.
What kind of world must he be living in?
Even standing beside Theo terrified Holcus, yet Theo moved forward unflinchingly.
Holcus couldn’t help but admire him.
But he also questioned whether he had any right to stand at Theo’s side or even dream of doing so.
One thing, however, was clear.
I can’t let Theo die here!
Granada was advancing, cutting through the forest of makeshift defenses Unit 1 had hastily erected. His target was clear: Theo.
The scene reminded Holcus of Theo’s own desperate pursuit of Torkel through Troivan’s forest.
Now, not just Unit 5 but the entire White Armor Vanguard was throwing themselves into the fight to protect Theo.
Yet, against the overwhelming force of Granada, they were powerless.
Still, Holcus refused to step aside.
He stood directly in front of Theo, ready to face Granada head-on.
Even if it meant dying right here and now.
The thought of protecting Theo at all costs filled his mind, eclipsing everything else.
“DAMN IT ALL! TROIVAN OR WHATEVER, SCREW THEM ALL! COME AT ME!”
He knew full well that he was nothing more than an insect in Granada’s eyes.
His resistance might only buy a fleeting moment, but if that moment was enough for Theo to escape, it would be worth it.
With a battle cry, Holcus charged. Granada’s blade moved effortlessly to sever his neck.
CLANG!
As expected.
The sword in Holcus’s hand shattered almost instantly.
The edge of Granada’s cursed blade, Hrunti, pierced toward his throat.
Yet, even in the face of death, Holcus didn’t flinch. He kept his eyes locked on Granada until the very end.
“Ragnar-born. And you carry the spirit of the Ranké. Admirable.”
Then, just as Granada’s blade was about to claim his life, Holcus heard it—a voice, tinged with amusement.
CLANG!
The cursed blade recoiled violently, knocked upward by an overwhelming force.
A shadow stepped in front of Holcus.
“Patriarch...!”
It was Kyle.
The head of Ragnar had arrived.