Chapter 451: The Relic of the Savages (1)

“The Relic of the Savages?”

Aidan looked at Karyl with a puzzled expression, as if to ask what that was. However, Karyl himself seemed just as unfamiliar with the term.

In her past life, Anchar had wielded the power of the spirit beasts, but she had never mentioned anything about a relic.

“The Great Jungle is known for its heavy rains and frequent lightning, but that’s not merely a natural phenomenon,” Anchar explained.

“Are you suggesting it’s connected to the Thunderlord?”

“Yes.”

[That’s impossible... Could Kungen truly be sealed in the Great Jungle?]

[Unbelievable... So those rumors might be true. I knew there was something wrong with that place.]

[Why would Yula leave him in the human realm? Kungen is one of the most feared beings among the spirits, alongside Rasis.]

The Spirit Kings were startled by Anchar’s revelation.

[Who knows? Rasis also remained in the mortal realm rather than the Spirit Realm. Perhaps for a similar reason.]

“Hmm...”

Ignoring their chatter, Karyl turned back to Anchar.

“Where is the relic now?”

“My father has it. I don’t remember it well, but after your visit, he mentioned that the relic had reacted to you.”

“We left for the Spirit Realm immediately afterward and didn’t have time to investigate,” Allen added.

“Well done.” Karyl nodded. “You showed foresight. Thankfully, Halkata came along with us, saving the time it would’ve taken to send someone to the Great Jungle.”

From the Mana Ship, Karyl connected to Israphil in the command center using a communication link.

“You heard that, right? Summon Halkata immediately. We’ll be returning to the capital shortly.”

“Rest assured. I’ve already contacted him.”

Karyl nodded with a smile, satisfied with Israphil’s promptness.

“Well then, hold on tight! Full speed ahead!”

At his command, Karl Mack gripped the ship’s wheel and pulled it hard.

Whoooosh...!!

The Mana Ship surged forward, slicing through the waves like an unstoppable blade.

***

“Here it is.”

Halkata had been waiting for Karyl in the capital. He was holding a long rectangular box, clearly meant to hold a sword.

“Open it,” Karyl commanded.

Halkata pushed the box closer to him. “This relic has been passed down among the Wildings for generations, but no one has ever opened it. Or rather, no one has ever managed to undo the lock.”

“Hmm.”

The box was seamless, with no visible hinges or openings. It was made of wood, and its surface was adorned with intricate carved patterns.

“There’s definitely a trace of spirit energy inside. If they used a wood-based seal to suppress lightning, it makes sense,” Ramine observed.

“Can you burn it open?” Karyl asked.

“Let me try.”

Fwoooosh...!!!

Flames burst from the Ein Trigger on Karyl’s hand, surging to engulf the box—only to dissipate instantly, as if snuffed out by an unseen force.

“Well, this obviously isn’t ordinary wood,” said Ethereal. “It seems to be saturated with moisture. It’s also incredibly dense, meaning Wind Blades would also be ineffective. This is definitely not a man-made seal.”

“Then what are we to do?” asked Karyl.

“There’s only one way. The wood’s foundation is its roots, and roots are dependent on the earth’s power. To break the seal, you must destroy its core.”

“...!!”

At that moment, a massive dimensional portal emerged in the hall, accompanied by a deep, resonant voice.

“What... What’s happening?!” Suan Hazer gasped in shock as his gauntlets began glowing brightly.

“He’s here.” Karyl immediately recognized the voice.

“No way...”

“Is that a golem?”

Everyone stared in stunned silence at the massive figure emerging from the portal. It wasn’t a Mana Knight from the principality—but a true elemental golem, alive and brimming with spirit power.

Given the declining state of the Spirit Realm and the scarcity of spiritualists who could summon intermediate spirits, the sight of such a massive entity was naturally overwhelming.

“Have you recovered, Maktuun?” Karyl asked the colossal golem, who could barely fit through the portal.

“That is not Yula’s seal,” Maktuun said, his voice as heavy as the earth.

Karyl glanced at the wooden box and then back at the giant. “Then whose is it?”

“That seal was created by me,” Maktuun answered.

The Spirit Kings were taken aback.

“What do you mean?”

“Are you saying you sealed Kungen yourself?”

“Maktuun... Don’t tell me you sided with Yula!”

The Spirit Kings’ power surged forth, filling the hall with an oppressive aura that left everyone struggling to breathe.

“Calm down, all of you,” Karyl said firmly, quelling the growing unrest. “If Maktuun had sided with Yula, things wouldn’t have turned out the way they did back in the Spirit Realm.”

He looked up at the golem with a sharp gaze. “Of course, if that was all an act, I won't be leaving your heart intact, like Yula did.”

“...I didn’t seal him to obey the rules Yula imposed after our defeat,” Maktuun said, his voice unshaken. “There were reasons to seal him long before that.”

“What reasons?” Karyl pressed.

“Yula feared Kungen because he, too, wielded the power of light. But the Thunderlord is unique among the Spirit Kings. He doesn’t possess only the power of light.”

“Rather, Kungen encompassed light, heat, freedom within water, the breath of wind, and the darkness of thunderclouds,” Rasis added.

“Indeed.” Maktuun nodded. “After the Spirit War, unlike with other Spirit Kings, Yula was hesitant to seal Kungen. If the other Spirit Kings disappeared and he remained, the natural world would lose its balance, overwhelmed by unbound lightning.”

“Like the erratic climate of the Great Jungle,” Anthem Howard murmured, nodding in understanding.

“That’s why, just before retreating to the Spirit Realm, I used my own power to seal Kungen. Among the Spirit Kings, only the strength of the earth could contain his power.”

“Why did Yula leave your seal untouched?” Karyl inquired.

“Perhaps Yula assumed Kungen couldn’t break free of my seal. Given Yula’s ability to traverse freely between the Spirit Realm and the mortal world, she likely trusted that I wouldn’t undo the seal under her watch.”

“But Kungen’s power will be necessary to stop the Tarak. Even Yula would understand that,” Karyl remarked, his tone thoughtful.

Though Yula would likely be reluctant to see Kungen’s seal broken, with Rasis already free, the Thunderlord’s presence might no longer hold much significance to her.

It’s the small gaps like this that we must exploit to create the larger openings necessary to bring our enemies down

, Karyl deduced.

“Maktuun, can you break that seal?” he asked.

“No. It’s impossible.”

The blunt reply made Karyl frown. “You created the seal. What do you mean, you can’t break it?”

“When I sealed him, I embedded additional spells to ensure his power wouldn’t be unleashed into the world. Breaking the seal requires not only the strength of the earth but also physical force channeled through it.”

“That seems straightforward. A spirit contract could solve it.”

“You cannot form a contract with me as you are now.”

“...What?” Karyl narrowed his eyes. “What do you mean? I’ve formed contracts with the other Spirit Kings. Is there something special about you?”

“No, that’s not it. I am not yet fully restored. My heart still resides in the Spirit Realm. In my current state, manifesting my power in the mortal realm requires someone who wields the pure strength of the earth.”

“The earth’s strength... My mana is draconic and colorless. I can use earth-based magic.”

Maktuun shook his head slowly. “It must be pure earthen mana. Only someone with an affinity for the earth element can do it. The good news is that I’m willing to establish a contract myself, so mastery of spirit power isn’t critical.”

“Someone with earth-element mana...”

At that moment, a hesitant voice broke the silence, “Excuse me.”

It was Suan Hazer, gazing up at the massive golem.

“Could you lend me your power?” he asked, his voice trembling.

“You?” Maktuun gazed down at him. “Those are Kalduan’s gauntlets. I see... I crafted them at Quenite’s request, using the Blue Turtle’s energy. I never thought I’d meet the one who found them.”

Maktuun’s gaze lingered on Suan’s gauntlets, reminiscing about the legendary spiritualist.

“Suan Hazer is a Sword Master-level fighter with earth-element mana...”

“This might just work,” murmured a few voices, along with Aidan.

“Perhaps.”

To everyone’s surprise, Maktuun shook his head.

“If someone is to wield my power, he is better suited than you.”

The golem pointed not at Suan, but at Gordon Fabian.

“Ha! A fine judge of character, I see. You hear that, Suan? You’ve got a long way to go, kiddo,” Gordon beamed with a mocking grin.

Despite his lighthearted tone, Suan’s expression remained serious.

“Forgive me for speaking out of turn, O Great Spirit King,” Valvont began, “but I would argue that Suan is a better choice than that old man. Perhaps you could reconsider?”

“What? Old man? Look who’s talking. Defending your little protégé like some doting parent!” Gordon scoffed.

The two began bickering, though everyone knew they were comrades whose teamwork in battle was second to none.

“You humans truly represent the pinnacle of mortal limits,” Maktuun grumbled. “Your energy reminds me of the comrades I fought alongside in the Mythical Age. While I recognize this young one’s potential... the war has already begun, and lending my power to an established warrior will yield greater results.”

“Your reasoning is sound,” Valvont admitted. “However, Anchar and Aidan have managed to stall Lice, buying us valuable time.”

“And what can be achieved in such a short time?”

“A lot,” Valvont replied calmly. “Perhaps, during that brief window, he might even surpass Gordon.”

“What?! Have you lost your marbles, Valvont?” Gordon hollered. “You think this greenhorn, who only just became a Sword Master, can surpass me in a matter of days?”

Valvont’s eyes gleamed. “Suan is extraordinarily talented. When I first saw him, I wanted to take him as my disciple right away. My only regret is not teaching him my techniques sooner.”

“Late or not, you’ve already taught him all eight stances,” Gordon retorted.

“It’s not enough.”

“...What are you trying to say?”

There was something unsettling in Valvont’s gaze as he looked at Gordon, who faltered slightly under the weight of his stare.

“You and I, in the end, are nothing more than the setting sun,” Valvont argued. “We’re not among the Ten Godslayers. But Suan—he needs to go to Pharel with Karyl. Isn’t it our duty to equip him with the strength he needs?”

“Don’t tell me...”

“There’s one way to ensure Suan surpasses you.”

Gordon let out a low sigh. “You’re suggesting I teach him my Automata?

“Suan’s earth-element mana makes him the ideal candidate to learn your ultimate defense technique,” Valvont said, a sly grin spreading across his face.

“That’s insane... You’re asking me to just hand over my legacy to a kid.” Gordon scoffed.

“Who knows? Maybe he’ll be your true legacy. Wouldn’t it be nice to have a disciple to look after you when you’re too old and weak to even lift a spoon to your mouth?”

Valvont’s laughter rang out as he caught sight of Gordon’s disgruntled expression.

“Think about it. The boy is heading off to save the world. You know his character as well as I do. That naive kid would throw himself into an enemy’s blade without hesitation for his lord. If we want him to come back alive, he needs a way to protect himself.”

Gordon furrowed his brows as he stared at Suan. The younger man tensed under his piercing gaze, flinching slightly despite his sturdy build. Next to Gordon’s towering presence, Suan’s large frame seemed almost insignificant.

“Do you have what it takes?”

“...What? Ah, yes! O-Of course!” Suan stammered.

𝚏𝕣𝕖𝚎𝚠𝚎𝚋𝚗𝐨𝐯𝕖𝕝.𝕔𝐨𝕞

His flustered reaction was only natural. This wasn’t about some simple technique; it was Gordon Fabian’s legendary Automata, the absolute defense said to withstand even the spells of a Great Sorcerer.

The opportunity to learn this skill was more valuable than gold, and Suan couldn’t hide his excitement.

“Alright,” Gordon finally said.

“Good,” Valvont exclaimed, patting Suan on the shoulder with a satisfied grin. “Learn well, Suan. His defense technique is a secret none of us have ever been able to master.”

Karyl couldn’t help but chuckle at the scene. It was clear that Valvont had been scheming for a while to get Suan to learn Automata.

“Karyl, how much time do we have left?”

“Well... I can’t give you an exact number. One day, maybe two. Regardless, we can’t afford to take things slow.”

“Understood. So we need intensive training,” Gordon nodded, turning to Suan with a resolute expression.

“Now, grit your teeth.”

“...Pardon?”

Gordon lifted his massive warhammer, Martyr, with a sly grin.

“First, let’s toughen you up a bit.”

Gordon Fabian—the name of the legendary Sword Master, known as the mightiest on the continent in terms of raw physical strength, was synonymous with brute force.