Translator: Dreamscribe

Shining Prince Leon Protection Alliance.

If you had to name the largest guild alliance in Arsilan Saga right now, anyone would think of the Shining Prince Leon Protection Alliance. It was a massive organization formed by the union of five guilds, centered around Evanth.

Known as SPL for short, the Shining Prince Leon Protection Alliance also had a great reputation. They continued Leon’s legacy by helping newbies and even conducted various volunteer activities in real life.

They couldn’t turn a blind eye to injustice.

They couldn’t ignore those in hardship.

If someone was in trouble, they helped them.

‘Because Leon nim taught us that way!’

They didn’t take unified action to boost the guild’s influence. SPL had been founded purely to protect Leon and spread his values.

With the start of the main quest and the Magic Barrier gauge decreasing, players speculated that Leon might know the reason. Naturally, SPL couldn’t sit this out.

The SPL Protection Alliance's president, ‘IWantToBeScoldedByLeonNim’, shortened to Leku, led the members with his unique charisma.

“President! We found traces of Leon nim! This way!”

“Member Lerorong, I commend your outstanding tracking skills.”

Leku nodded and gave him a thumbs-up. Led by SPL, many guilds and players followed behind.

Kwaaaah!

In the distance, a black current surged upward. Had they not looked closely, it would have been hidden behind the Magic Barrier. The moment Leku saw the brilliant light pushing back the black current, he realized that Leon was there.

Every player ran at full speed toward that place.

It was a ruin. An utterly desolate ruin.

It looked like it had once been part of a city, or perhaps an old castle. It was surprising that no one had discovered such an area before, but right now, no one had the time to think about that.

Kwaaaah!

Light and darkness collided.

[Kraaaah!]

The Death Knight was struck by a sword aura made of light and pushed far back.

This Death Knight looked even stronger than the one that had destroyed Gron Village and invaded Lunatie. It was fully armored and wore a black cape.

A devastating aura raged around it, making players afraid to approach.

[Kugh! You… you should have perished along with your kingdom!]

Were those words the trigger?

Leon charged at the Death Knight with a cry full of rage. His speed was incredible. Their exchange of blows left only afterimages, until finally, with a burst of light, the Death Knight’s body was split apart.

Thud!

The Death Knight dropped to its knees.

Leon wasn’t unscathed either. A long gash across his chest spilled blood that poured down in heavy drops.

[Keh, keheheh! I do not die. I will return and destroy everything you hold dear.]

The Death Knight mocked Leon.

[Yes, the bugs summoned by Ella… I’ll cut down everything they cherish. I’ll rip the Arsilan people apart one by one in front of them! Just like the Lord of Erosion did to your kingdom!]

"The heroes will have nothing to grieve about. I’ll protect them, no matter what.”

The Death Knight believed itself to be immortal.

Leon staggered forward and pulled something from his coat. It was a broken sword with a worn-out hilt and hardly any blade remaining. Just a fragment of the blade was still clinging to it.

[Th-That’s the Holy Sword…!]

Crunch!

Leon plunged the broken Holy Sword into the Death Knight’s chest.

[KRAAAAAAH!]

The Death Knight let out a blood-curdling scream.

It sounded like a soul being torn apart.

The Death Knight’s body was engulfed in a black current and disintegrated, leaving behind a magic circle on the ground.

It was a horrific-looking magic circle.

It closely resembled the one they had discovered after the Goblin Subjugation.

[S-Stop! I-If you do that with a broken Holy Sword, you won’t survive either!]

“It doesn’t matter.”

A blinding light burst out from the broken Holy Sword. It was as if Leon’s very soul was being incinerated.

Perhaps it was due to the Holy Sword’s instability?

The Death Knight was consumed by the light and vanished, but the black traces of Erosion that lingered in the area remained.

Sssshhhh!

Leon gripped the hilt of the Holy Sword tightly. The swirling black Erosion seeped into Leon through the sword. The back of his hand split open, and blood began pouring from all over his body.

Leon staggered to his feet and exhaled deeply.

He tucked the broken Holy Sword back into his coat, then skillfully took out bandages and wrapped them around his hand and arm.

Leku and all the players who had watched from afar were in shock.

When the Death Knight had attacked Lunatie, there were players who angrily asked where Leon had been. Some even posted malicious comments claiming Leon had abandoned them.

Had Leon really turned his back on the players?

Not at all.

Leon had been fighting the Death Knight alone.

Without anyone knowing, even getting injured like that.

“Ah…”

“Huh…”

Leku and all the players could only cover their mouths in silence.

At that moment.

[Magic Barrier: 85%]

The Magic Barrier had recovered by 2%.

Ah… Leon nim…

Everyone’s hearts trembled as if they were about to break.