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Chapter 142

A single rumor has thrown Medi Island into an uproar.

“There’s someone here who’s acquired the Magical Robes of Temu.”

With just this one revelation, Medi Island was shaken. People came here, fueled by dreams and hopes of acquiring a sacred relic. But to find out someone got it first? Many felt despair.

“Who could have obtained the Magical Robes of Temu?”

“Are you serious? You don’t know yet?”

“What?”

“They say the Crown Prince of the Fresia Empire has it.”

“Is that true?”

“It’s top secret. Only a few people know, so just keep it between us.”

“Oh, got it.”

But how can secrets ever stay hidden among people? The rumor that the Crown Prince of the Fresia Empire had obtained the Magical Robes of Temu spread quickly.

“Apparently, the Crown Prince only brought a single unit of the royal guard.”

“What kind of confidence makes him bring only a single unit?”

“Isn’t this a chance for us?”

A man drinking at a tavern looked over at the person talking.

“The royal guard has only 100 members. It seems there are many aiming for that robe, and that number can’t protect it.”

Everyone nodded in agreement.

Over 50,000 people have gathered on Medi Island. More keep coming. Could he possibly return safely to the Fresia Empire? Even with the Crown Prince’s strength, he won’t get through this crowd.

And it’s not just numbers. Powerful figures are present, too.

The Beast of the Wilderness.

The Golden Shield Order.

The Whispers of the Forest.

The Moonlight Sovereign, and so on.

Several elite 6th-class Knights were stationed around.

Realistically, breaking through them would be impossible.

And then.

Thud!

A noble-looking man stood up, slamming his hand on the table.

“That’s the most exciting thing I’ve heard today.”

“Who…?”

“I am Jazeth von Fresia.”

“The Second Prince of the Fresia Empire!”

He was next in line after the Crown Prince.

“As you all know, the Crown Prince and I are brothers, but we’re also rivals. the Magical Robes of Temu falling into his hands isn’t good news for me. Heroes of the continent, are you going to just stand by? Are you going to let the robe slip into the hands of the Crown Prince without a fight?”

“We don’t want to give it up either.”

“We’re just waiting for the right time.”

“How about waiting for that moment with me? I’ll grant anyone who helps me the title of ‘Friend of the Fresia Empire.’”

The title of ‘Friend of the Fresia Empire’ was a prestigious honor. It was a symbol of respect across the entire continent, especially valuable if the titleholder was at the top of the power chain.

It was an attractive offer for everyone at the tavern, drawing them in.

“Will you join me?”

Jazeth’s voice held conviction.

“I’ll join!”

“It’s better to be part of a group than go solo!”

“I’ll join too!”

"I can’t miss out on the chance to be a friend of the Fresia Empire."

Everyone in the tavern raised their glasses in response.

Adventurers.

Mercenary leaders.

Merchants.

Mage leaders and more.

A diverse crowd gathered to rally behind Jazeth von Fresia.

He raised his glass as well.

"In honor of your support, I’ll cover everyone’s drinks tonight. Enjoy to your heart’s content!"

“Haha, how generous of you with so many people here.”

“How could I skimp on expenses when hosting the continent’s heroes?”

Jazeth downed his drink in one gulp, and the others followed suit.

There were at least 50 gathered here. Some among them led groups of hundreds.

Jazeth smiled, having just gathered an army in an instant.

‘Isaac, I won’t let you take what I want this time.’

Though Isaac was his brother, he was also his sworn enemy.

A war that would only end with one’s death.

It was the perfect chance to kill the Crown Prince.

An opportunity to secure his place as heir.

---

The next day.

Kane, Mikhail, and Isaac emerged from their lodging.

“It seems word has spread already.”

“Looks like they assumed we’d run after getting the Magical Robes of Temu. So many gathering here in just a day confirms it.”

“They’re looking a little crazed, aren’t they?”

Around the inn, figures gripped their weapons, eyes blazing with greed.

“Crown Prince Isaac! You’re not leaving here.”

“We know the Magical Robes of Temu is in your possession. Leave it here, and no one will get hurt.”

“Hahaha! Fools. Do you really think you can stop Crown Prince Isaac? You’d need someone like me!”

A burly, beast-like man with a thick beard pushed through the crowd.

“It’s the Beast of the Wilderness!”

“A Named fighter has entered the scene!”

At that moment, another figure appeared.

A woman in golden armor, her chest emblazoned with a shield emblem.

“Who’s this unrefined mountain brute?”

“It’s the captain of the Golden Shield Order!”

“Can’t believe even that ill-tempered woman wants the Magical Robes of Temu.”

“That’s two Named fighters already.”

And they weren’t alone.

An elderly man appeared mid-air with a sly chuckle.

“Keh keh keh, it wouldn’t do if I didn’t join in.”

Around him, green-robed mages revealed themselves.

They belonged to the Tower of Teal, known as the Whispers of the Forest.

“Even that old monster’s here!”

“There’s no way out of this now.”

Three warriors of the 6th class had shown up.

Isaac’s known strength was High-Tier 6th-class.

If they joined forces, even the Crown Prince would struggle to escape.

More powerful figures appeared by the second.

Finally, Jazeth made his appearance.

“Brother, lay down the treasure and leave, and I’ll spare your life.”

A sinister grin crossed Jazeth’s face.

His words offered life, but his expression held no intent to spare.

Isaac scoffed in disbelief.

“You’re underestimating me far too much. Isn’t that right, Kane?”

“Seems they’ve looked down on you quite a bit.”

“Surely, you don’t think I’m someone to be disrespected like this?”

“While your attitude may be light, you’re not the type to be openly disregarded.”

“Is that a compliment or an insult?”

“It’s both, really.”

When Kane made a joke, Isaac clutched his chest, feigning pain.

A remarkably laid-back attitude—not what one would expect from the Crown Prince of an empire. This was precisely why so many underestimated him. But he was, indeed, the Crown Prince of the Great Fresia Empire.

The First Heir.

The Successor of the Moon.

“I might tolerate my brother Kane treating me comfortably, but I haven’t given permission for others to treat me this way,” Isaac said, drawing his sword.

A surge of Moonlight Mana exploded from him.

The air froze instantly as the chill of the Moonlight encased the surroundings.

What people didn’t know was that Isaac wasn’t at the high level of a 6th-class warrior as rumored.

He had long surpassed that, reaching the Mid-Tier of the 7th class—a true powerhouse, second only to the Twelve Star Lords.

And now, with the Magical Robes of Temu in his possession, he had leaped to the 8th class, reaching a strength equal to the lesser ranks of the Twelve Star Lords.

The power Isaac was releasing sent shivers through the Beast of the Wilderness, the Golden Shield Commander, and even the mages of the Whispers of the Forest.

“This...this isn’t what we heard!”

“Who ever said he was our equal!?”

“A monster…he was hiding his strength!”

Everyone present went pale. Isaac’s overwhelming mana made it hard even to breathe. Many began to collapse, unable to withstand his force. If even the 6th-class warriors struggled to breathe, the others were far worse off.

“I’d prefer you step aside rather than waste your lives,” Isaac’s voice parted the crowd like a sea.

With sheer presence, he had completely subdued everyone present.

“Let’s go, brother,” he said, preparing to leave with Kane and the others.

“W-Wait!” Jazeth called out, stopping Isaac in his tracks.

Isaac glanced at him with pity.

“Jazeth, if you wanted to best me, you should’ve gathered real allies. What do you think you’re doing here?”

It was a tone Issac only used with Wendy—a terrifyingly cold voice that pierced Jazeth’s ears. Jazeth trembled, feeling a surge of fear toward his brother.

‘If I don’t kill him here, I’m dead!’

Only one thought dominated Jazeth’s mind: Isaac had to die.

But from the moment he decided to confront his brother, his fate was sealed. Any thoughts of challenging for the throne were over.

Now, he could only think of saving his own life.

“We...we have hundreds here! Behind us, men from the Lycera Theocracy and the Hatzfeld Kingdom are ready as well! This is just the power of the Magic Robe! Are you going to retreat after seeing this power? Let’s take it from him!” Jazeth stoked the crowd’s greed.

The power of the treasure lay right in front of them.

Seeing such strength on display only made the treasure more alluring.

No wonder it was a relic that brought bloodshed.

Those who had been paralyzed by fear now found courage.

Blinded by greed, they lost their sense of reason.

“That treasure is mine!”

“There’s no way I’m letting it slip away!”

“Get lost! I’m the one who’ll claim it!”

All at once, they lunged toward Isaac.

A frenzy gripped the crowd in an instant.

To them, nothing but the Magical Robes of Temu mattered.

---

Thud!

Several people were knocked down.

Some lay unconscious, but those who still retained consciousness rose again and charged forward.

They were like the undead.

Unless their lives were completely snuffed out, they kept coming back, like monsters that couldn’t be subdued.

“What’s the plan, Young Master? Will we keep fighting them? They’re coming in waves without end,” Mikhail asked, swinging his sword as Kane looked toward the sky.

Their mania was merging with an overwhelming sense of destruction.

And if only that were all…

The blood from the wounded was rising to the sky.

Blood infused with mana and life—life essence.

Oblivion energy reacting with blood mana amassing in the sky had become immense.

‘Isn’t it about time they showed up?’

The House of the Sun, which had orchestrated all of this, had yet to reveal itself.

The battle had started from the inn, sprawled out across the main road, and now into the dense forest.

Even though they’d knocked many unconscious and subdued others by sheer force, the fevered greed of the crowd showed no sign of diminishing.

Instead, it only intensified.

The desire to possess the treasure.

The hope that they, too, might reach the 8th class.

This was why they were rushing forward like moths to a flame.

‘If they’re not going to show themselves, I’ll force them out.’

Kane gathered mana laced with blood, releasing it with a forceful grip.

Boom!

A shockwave swept through the area.

Just then, a shadow dropped from the sky, blocking the shockwave with ease.

A new figure appeared.

A face far too familiar to Kane finally revealed itself.

“…Ray Hatzfeld.”