MTLNOVEL Chapter 302: Ren and Liara
[ 879 B-rank monsters have been slaughtered, Evolution Points +99,999,999 ]
[ 100X rewards activated | 9,999,999,900 has been added ]
[ You've obtained a new title: Monster Nemesis ]
[ Monster Nemesis: The strength of your monster opponents is reduced by 20% each time this title is equipped ]
[ Congratulations, you've entered the top 500 in the novice ranking—current rank 377 ]
[ Benefits of your new ranking will be discussed very soon ]
[ Congratulations, you've cleared one calamity. Just one calamity remains to evolve your territory ]
An influx of notifications flashed before Rowan's eyes, filling him with delight as he scanned through each update.
The evolution points he earned by using the Curse of Death to slaughter the monsters were almost a hundred times the points he spent to activate it.
The effect of his new title was splendid, and his new ranking was truly something to rejoice over.
At the same time, the soldiers who witnessed the monster's miraculous downfall began celebrating among themselves.
They began making loud victory chants while hugging each other.
Merla and Eliman joined the celebration alongside everyone else.
Dragun stood back and observed everything with a smile on his face.
The villagers who had frozen at the sight of the towering Grim Reaper finally relaxed their minds and heaved sighs of relief.
Rowan heaved a sigh of relief and turned to look at his soldiers, who were still rejoicing among themselves.
Their joyful shouts reached his position.
"Ha—just one calamity left to defeat. I wonder what it is."
Rowan muttered as he struggled toward his people, exhaustion weighing on each step.
He had been worn out greatly from the just-concluded battle.
Activating and controlling the Curse of Death took quite a toll on his mind.
If he hadn't been a C-rank powerhouse with powerful mental strength, he would have collapsed right after unleashing the curse.
"Look—Lord Rowan is approaching!"
Winston called out, pointing as Rowan drew nearer.
Everyone turned their attention toward him.
He appeared quite small from their vantage point, still far away.
"I'll go fetch him."
Dragun said, gathering mana before propelling himself toward Rowan.
He arrived beside Rowan in a soft burst of energy.
"You did well," he remarked with a smile as he supported Rowan.
Rowan returned Dragun's smile and allowed himself to be supported.
"I know I might be asking too much, but what kind of power was that? When did you get your hands on something so potent?"
Dragun was a wandering mage who had traveled many lands and witnessed all types of magic, yet he had never seen power like Rowan's. Naturally, he was curious.
"I can't discuss that right now… not even in the future," Rowan replied with a gentle smile. If they learned the nature of his power, they would be greatly surprised—and word of it might reach those who would use it against him.
The face of the sinister leader of the Cult of Ember Justice flashed in his mind, and he shook his head.
"I have to prevent everything that happened here today from reaching others," Rowan muttered.
"You said something?" Dragun asked.
"Nah. Please take me back to my people," Rowan replied.
Dragun nodded, tightened his grip, and activated his flight spell.
"Lord Rowan!"
"Lord Rowan the Conqueror!"
"Lord Rowan the Great!"
The people's welcoming shouts washed away the mild dizziness gathering in Rowan's head. He opened his eyes and beamed.
Dragun set him down amid the jubilating crowd, and they quickly surrounded him.
Their jubilation swelled louder still, excitement and sincere gratitude were evident in their voices.
[ Your people wish you the best! ]
[ Three of your soldiers pray the ancestors bless you with hundreds of offspring ]
[ Your people wish you prosperity and more strength ]
[ Several soldiers wishes that the gods bless you with an harem or beauties ]
Rowan read the notifications with a bright smile on his face.
At that moment, his mind flashed back to the time he awoke in this world: the first meeting with the people, the first war, his first evolution, his wedding—and every other event that had taken place in such a short time.
As these memories rewound, the smile on Rowan's face grew even wider and brighter.
Merla and Eliman, standing not far from the jubilating crowd, watched with gentle smiles on their faces—but their minds were far from settled.
Merla leaned closer to Eliman and whispered, "That power—what was it?"
"Believe me, I have no idea. That power is unlike anything I've seen—several times more powerful than any spell I've ever witnessed."
"Yeah, that power is in a league of its own. I wonder how someone like Rowan managed to get his hands on something so potent."
"Who knows? But one thing is certain: he's no ordinary person, and his people are not ordinary at all. His soldiers possess inhuman strength, yet there isn't a single trace of mana in their blood."
"Even knights derive superhuman strength and agility from mana, but these guys—they're just different," Merla muttered in a low tone as she observed the soldiers.
If one looked at them, nothing would seem unusual—there wasn't even the faintest trace of mana detectable on them.
But they were a different breed in battle.
"Their strength rivals Tier-1 knights! It takes a normal human about a decade of life-and-death training to reach Tier-1, but that doesn't apply to these warriors—some aren't even eighteen!"
Merla and Eliman continued their discussion for a short while.
Rowan observed them and reminded himself to speak to them afterward, to prevent news of today's events from spreading.
The jubilation was still ongoing at the battlefield entrance when suddenly Riela and several villagers ran toward them, concern and worry etched on their faces.
"Rowan…" Riela called out in a worried tone.
"Lord Rowan, something bad has happened!" the others cried as they approached.
The cheers died down as they arrived, and all heads turned in their direction.
"Ren and Liara, something is happening to them! It's very bad! You need to come with us Lord Rowan!"