The Greatest Warrior of All Time Returns-Chapter 386

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Chapter 386

“Sp—spare me! Please—!”

Splaaash!

Blood sprayed across the dark underground waterway.

“…….”

“Are you alright, Chief?”

“I told you to just call me Isna. The Watchers is finished now.”

“B-But still… Chief—no, Isna-nim. I’ll follow you. I know how hard you’ve tried to save so many people.”

“…….”

Isna looked calmly at the corpses scattered around her.

Once, they had moved together for a righteous cause.

But tempted by Garlan, they had slaughtered their comrades and fled as traitors.

If it had ended there, she might not have been this furious.

But after crossing to the Western Continent, investigating Garlan, and following their trail, she learned the truth.

They had joined hands with Nyarlathotep and were plotting to kill Leon.

Those consumed by revenge no longer had any cause left.

Isna slowly activated a discarded communicator.

—Chief. So you’ve finally decided to come judge me?

A short, cold voice came through the artifact.

“Garlan. You can’t pretend you don’t know what I’ll do.”

—Of course. You’re that kind of person. I have no intention of making excuses. I made my choice, and you simply made yours.

“……Do you really think you can kill him? No—more than that, do you think it’s fine even if the world ends after you succeed?”

—I’m sorry, but I’ve found a method—half of one—to kill Leon Cascadia and drive that monster away as well.

“Did you ever consider that you might be getting deceived?”

—Even so, if the probability isn’t zero, I’ll try. You might have thought about taking him back as an ally… but I’m certain. No matter what happens, I can never stand with him again.

Isna let out a sigh.

“Then wait there. I’ll come and take your head myself.”

—I’ll be waiting. But you’d better hurry, Chief. I have no intention of denying your cause, but I also have no intention of abandoning the current plan.

“…….”

—Ah. Out of old affection, I’ll give you one piece of information. The cult has collapsed. What you see wandering around outside now are nothing more than dying roots and twigs.

That was no light statement.

The cultists were bastards, but among the powers they possessed were many extremely dangerous things if left unmanaged.

There was a reason the Watchers had suppressed the cult’s variables all this time.

“You must’ve had a hand in that process.”

—…….

“At least there’s one thing I can thank you for. Thanks to you, I was finally able to throw away a filthy, crushing burden I’d been carrying.”

Crunch!!

Isna crushed the artifact in her hand.

A menacing light flickered in her eyes.

It was endlessly cold—but to Rebecca, Watchersing her, this display of emotion seemed better than Isna being completely unreadable.

* * *

After hearing the contents of Emperor Credos’s letter brought by Grivy, Melissa narrowed her eyes.

“Just as I thought—this is because of the Eastern Continent that doesn’t like you.”

The Title of the Star was a position respected across all regions, beyond continental borders.

No matter how bad relations were, one was expected to show respect to a bearer of the Star.

Of course, that respect required the bearer to fulfill their obligations—but factions in the Eastern Continent, or places like the Pinas Archipelago that viewed me as a thorn in their side, would never vote in favor no matter what.

The Title of the Star existed as an honor for the strong, and as preparation against massive public threats facing the continent.

“If you actually receive the Title of the Star, from their perspective it’s not just jealousy—there’s absolutely no benefit for them.”

Melissa was right.

To obtain the Title of the Star, one needed achievements or recognition from existing Stars.

Most of what I’d done was either unofficial, or acknowledged only by one side.

In fact, I had already received two awards for developing a hair-loss treatment.

They counted it as one achievement, claiming it was a single starting point—while the opposing side objected, arguing the fields were different.

Merit?

A hair-loss cure?

Fine.

Accepted.

So then—which field’s Star title were they going to give me?

The Alchemical Sage already existed.

They used such petty excuses to stall proceedings.

In the end, thanks to their obstruction, only meetings with the Star title holders—the one thing beneficial to me—remained.

“Leon. If I can’t help, wouldn’t it be better to ask her instead?”

“Hm….”

Indeed.

If it were Isna, she’d have a clear answer.

But receiving her help right now was difficult.

She was currently unreachable.

And with more than half her power tied to Authority, it didn’t quite match my plan.

What I needed was mana and aura.

If I clashed with those who wielded aura or mana at the extreme—like Sword Saint Osberg or Spear Saint Bellion Krevad—and caused their mana and aura to collide with mine, triggering reactions—

My body would inevitably undergo further changes to adapt.

Beyond simply forming a ninth ring, my body would need to evolve further to accommodate multiple forces.

* * *

That was the plan—but a few days later, the royal family urgently summoned me in my capacity as Guardian.

“Your Highness. Leon Cascadia.”

“Ah, welcome. Guardian Leon.”

Others called me Young Lord, but Princess Bata always addressed me as “Sir.”

I didn’t particularly care either way, but since she was the one who granted me the position of Guardian, she took that responsibility seriously.

“I’m sorry to call you so suddenly.”

“No need. House Cascadia is loyal to the royal family.”

“Hehe. I’ve heard the news. Emperor Credos of Boscal intends to grant you the Title of the Star.”

Across the continent, many were reportedly surprised by his decision.

Usually, when granting a Star title, rulers preferred it to be someone from their own nation—not a foreigner.

Especially since Boscal Empire had no shortage of talent.

“Thanks to you, Sir Leon, the prestige of our Bata Kingdom has risen greatly. For that, I’m truly grateful.”

“It’s more than I deserve.”

“The royal family would like to reward your efforts. I heard your wife is with child—shall we send medicinal herbs and food ingredients good for the mother to Cascadia?”

“I would be grateful.”

After offering tea and coffee, she fell silent for a moment.

Then, as if she had gathered her resolve, she spoke again.

“Actually, the real reason I called you is to deliver bad news.”

“What is it?”

“You may have been expecting it, but… the Continental Alliance has requested an indefinite postponement of the Star title ceremony.”

Indefinite?

The Star itself didn’t matter much to me, but this was unusual.

Seeing my reaction, she continued.

“All current Star holders are absent. Not just absent—they’re dealing with a serious matter. They’re gathering from across the continent to prepare an investigation into a rift.”

“A rift?”

“Literally. A massive rift appeared in the Western Continent. The investigation team sent there was wiped out without leaving any trace. Not only was their immediate annihilation alarming, but the nature of the rift itself is extremely dangerous.”

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She described it as a Break-type rift.

If the core isn’t extracted within a set time, it brings catastrophic disaster.

According to investigators, extremely dangerous lifeforms exist inside—making standard investigation nearly impossible.

The only confirmed detail was the presence of residual monsters leaking out of the unstable rift—specifically, dragons.

Thus, the continent planned to purify the rift before catastrophe struck.

“The danger level is at the highest tier. If left alone, it wouldn’t just devastate the Western Continent—it could affect even our Central Continent.”

Leaving it be was not an option.

Hence the Stars gathering.

“What stance is the Bata Kingdom taking?”

“We’re supporting with supplies. Only the Stars can enter the rift.”

I fell silent.

Supplies, huh…

“Give the order, Princess.”

“Sir Leon, I’ve heard you’re well-versed in pharmacology—enough to develop hair-loss medicine.”

“A minor hobby.”

“Could you make enhancement potions without side effects?”

Enhancement potions did exist.

But most produced by the Alchemists’ Guild or the Mages’ Association shared one trait.

Side effects.

They forcibly drew out physical power—side effects were unavoidable.

“Side-effect-free ones have minimal effect. So I ask—can you do it, Sir Leon?”

I replied indifferently.

“Side-effect-free… It’s possible.”

Her eyes widened.

“Really?!”

“Yes. It’s not impossible—but why? Does the Bata Kingdom need to go this far?”

“Strictly speaking, this was a direct request from Emperor Credos. He benefited greatly from your medicine and seems to trust your skills.”

“Hm….”

“In return, Boscal will supply Bata with a large amount of resources. Cascadia will likely receive substantial support as well.”

In that case—

“Understood. How much do you need?”

“There are five Stars entering: the Sword Saint, Spear Saint, Fist Saint, Bow Saint, and Light Saint. Enough for five people to use for at least a week.”

A week.

Depending on the intensity of combat, consumption would vary greatly.

I quickly calculated.

Potions for sustained combat support, ones to prevent rebound from excessive mana or aura use, and basic stat enhancement…

Then a question arose.

“Your Highness. Why insist on such a small number?”

“According to investigators, something changed in the rift during the annihilation of the first team. Entry is now limited—only five people can enter. Any more, and entry itself becomes impossible.”

A conditional rift.

Similar to the one at the Coral–Bata border?

Perhaps the same type.

If it were the work of Outer Gods like Yog or Nyarlathotep, the symptoms would be far stranger—so they were unlikely.

The remaining suspects were—

The Watchers’s traitors.

Or the cult.

I added the cult for a simple reason.

The cult had suffered near-total destruction due to Nyarlathotep.

If they were gone, then who was managing the dangerous artifacts they once possessed?

“Give the order, and I’ll go destroy it.”

I said calmly.

“If Bata and Cascadia stand to benefit.”

But she shook her head.

“You are a valuable asset of the Bata Kingdom, Sir Leon. I cannot send you into danger lightly.”

In short: You’re more important. Even if we use the Stars as scouts, you’re not going.

I wasn’t sure whether to feel grateful.

“I understand. I’ll have everything ready and delivered to the palace within four days.”

“Thank you, Sir Leon. The royal family is always grateful for your loyalty.”

“May I ask one favor?”

“What is it?”

I made my request.

She looked puzzled for a moment, then nodded.

* * *

A peaceful day flowed by in Cascadia.

But—

Above the skies of the Cascadia Duchy, on the hidden sky island R'lyeh, a very different scene unfolded.

—Kieeeeeeeek!!!

A muscular mandragora was dragged screaming along the floor.

Thrown into a bizarre device, it emerged moments later—skinny and scrawny, all muscle gone.

Other mandragoras screamed in terror, but their cries held no aggression.

Mandragoras were only really useful for one of my potions.

But—

“Wow… this effect is insane. Are you going to sell this too?”

“Who knows.”

“If you sell this, the Alchemical Society and the Mages’ Association will foam at the mouth. There are no side effects.”

Melissa’s eyes sparkled.

“Let’s sell it!”

“You’re already raking in money from hair-loss treatments. How greedy are you?”

“Well, still—”

“Luna, do you have any Oselia flower stems?”

“I’ve got a few.”

Oselia flowers usually had stems about ten centimeters long.

But—

What she pulled from her subspace was a stem two meters long—like a muscular mandragora.

“Is this really it?”

“Uh… yeah, I think so… but why is it so big?”

“No idea. I left it in my subspace for a long time and it turned out like this.”

Same components—but overwhelmingly stronger reactions.

“This is ridiculous.”

I surveyed the finished potions.

Physical enhancement. A

ura amplification.

Mana circulation agents.

Regeneration potions.

Reaction-speed boosters.

They drew out tremendous latent power from the user.

But that wasn’t enough.

I laid out the potions and took out a wind instrument.

[The power of Communion manifests. Buffs seep into the potions.]

I infused them with the buff obtained from the Hall of Communion.

A true ultimate buffer should be able to buff not only people—but objects as well.

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