Kingdom Building Game: Starting Out With A Million Upgrade Points!-Chapter 98: The Guardian’s Bargain

Arkanos stepped closer, his eyes drawn to the still figure of his father. The silence in the tomb was intense, almost suffocating.

As he gazed upon the body, a strange pressure built in his chest.

Looking at the lifeless body brought a wave of forgotten memories.

He winced, feeling memories rushing in. But he steadied himself, drawing a slow breath, pushing the memories back.

Arkanos’ eyes drifted to his lower body, where he noticed a massive slash in his abdomen, revealing blood and organs that were still strangely fresh.

’Must have been how he died… it’s strange, though. It doesn’t look like the cut from a regular weapon… maybe a magic user with powerful wind magic. Well, it doesn’t matter at this point how he died.’

That was what he thought, but later on, it would.

His eyes shifted to his father’s hands, the fingers still curled gently.

His gaze lingered on the right hand, and there, nestled on the ring finger, he saw it. A ring—green as an emerald, shimmering faintly in the low torchlight.

His heart skipped a beat.

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"El’Deron," Arkanos muttered.

He activated Appraisal.

〘═════════════════〙

Item Name: El’Deron

Item Type: Uster (Spirit Housing Medium)

Class: Legendary (S Rank)

Effect: Houses a Legendary Class Spirit

Current Capacity: 1/1 (1 Nature Spirit)

Current Status: Replenishing Mana (2,000/150,000)

〘═════════════════〙

"Found it."

The words slipped from his lips, barely more than a whisper.

Arkanos reached out but hesitated, his fingers hovering just above the ring.

For a brief moment, he remained still. Then, he lowered his head slightly.

"I pay my respects… Father," he whispered.

Silence followed.

Finally, he reached forward, grasping the ring.

Slowly, carefully, he pulled it free from his father’s finger. The emerald shimmered faintly as it left its resting place.

Arkanos held it in his palm, studying it for a moment before closing his fingers around it.

He exhaled. "I have obtained what I came for."

With the ring in hand, Arkanos watched as the stone lid slowly slid back into place, sealing his father’s tomb once more.

Vorthan exhaled. "It seems I was correct. An Uster, indeed. Glad to see my senses haven’t dulled, even after five hundred years."

Arkanos turned away, his gaze now fixed on his knights, his words directed at Vorthan. "I believe this is the part where we bid farewells and leave you to your… tomb guardian duties."

Without waiting for a reply, he called out, "Knights, move out."

The sound of armor shifting filled the air as his men prepared to leave.

But just as they were about to step forward, Vorthan spoke again.

"And just where do you think you’re rushing to, Arkanos?"

His tone was almost amused. "Have you forgotten what I said? A price must be paid. Taking something from the tomb requires a sacrifice. One you agreed to make."

Arkanos stopped.

Then, slowly, he turned back to face the ancient dragon. A smirk played at his lips.

"Oh, just stop it and be direct, old dragon," he said with amusement. "You want something, don’t you?"

Vorthan narrowed his eyes. "It seems you are perceptive as well."

Arkanos crossed his arms. "I wouldn’t call it perceptiveness—just observation."

"You are supposed to be the guardian of this entire tomb, yet here you are, specifically in my father’s chamber. It’s obvious you knew someone would come here one day, seeking something. So you waited. And now, you plan to make a deal. Am I right, or am I right?"

A deep, rumbling chuckle escaped Vorthan’s throat. "Truly an interesting young man you are, Arkanos."

The dragon shifted, lowering his massive head slightly. "As per my contract with Bloodbane, I am unable to leave this tomb. However, I am permitted to negotiate with his descendants." His crimson eyes gleamed for a moment before he spoke. "In exchange for an item they seek—or for knowledge."

Arkanos exhaled, tilting his head slightly. "So, now that I’ve taken this ring, I’m obligated to fulfill a request of yours? As per a condition of the contract?"

Vorthan’s lips curled into what might have been a smirk. "Indeed." Your journey continues on novelbuddy

Arkanos remained still for a moment, his fingers tapping idly against the cold emerald of the ring. Then, he nodded.

"No matter. Speak. I’m all ears."

Vorthan’s gaze bore into him, as if weighing his worth. "It is simple," he said finally. "A piece of my being was stolen long ago—a fragment of my soul. I want it returned."

Arkanos raised a brow. "Stolen?"

Vorthan’s expression darkened. "Yes. By a wretched being I encountered before meeting Bloodbane. A summoner, skilled in forbidden arts. He bound a shard of my essence into an artifact… a sword—a vessel that should not exist."

Arkanos considered this, his mind already working through the implications. "And you want me to retrieve it."

Vorthan nodded. "Precisely. It lies in the Holy Empire of Threshia, embedded in a stone, in the lands of those who do not deserve it." His voice grew low, almost a growl.

"Bring it back, and our contract will be fulfilled."

At those words, a chime echoed in his mind. A translucent green window materialized before him.

〘═════════════════〙

System Quest Issued!

Quest Name: The Shard of the Tomb Guardian

Difficulty: S+

Description:

You have taken the legendary ring El’Deron from the tomb of Bloodbane, but in doing so, you have entered a contract with the guardian, Vorthan. A fragment of his soul was stolen long ago and bound within a legendary artifact—the legendary sword Excalibur of the Holy Empire.

Forged with divine metals and tempered in dragon’s fire, Excalibur contains the stolen shard of Vorthan’s essence, granting it immense power.

Objective:

Locate Excalibur

Reclaim the sword by any means necessary

Return the stolen fragment to Vorthan

Rewards:

Title: One Who Strikes Deals With Dragons (Trust when encountering dragonkind will always start around 50%)

Time limit: 1 year

Failure Penalty:

Permanent hostility from Vorthan

??? (Severe Consequences - Blood Contract backlash)

〘═════════════════〙

Arkanos narrowed his eyes.

’So Excalibur is a legendary sword forged with a shard of a dragon’s soul? That explains its mythical reputation.’

’Guess this is another reason I must conquer the Holy Empire.’

He exhaled slowly, dismissing the window.

Arkanos then gazed at the dragon for a moment before sighing. "Very well." He slipped the ring into his pocket. "I’ll retrieve your stolen fragment."