Relying on his exceptional intellect and keen insight, Broken Sword Knight completed countless extremely difficult quests, eventually rescuing twelve high-ranking undead who had once served the Undead Monarch.
With the help of those twelve high undead, they opened the tomb sealing the Undead Monarch.
From half a month after the closed beta began, Broken Sword Knight had been tackling this astonishingly difficult questline, and only today had he finally reached the final stage.
As long as he pulled out the Holy Light Sword sealing the Undead Monarch before him, the Undead Monarch who had once unleashed an apocalyptic disaster upon the Glory Main Plane would return to the mortal world.
"Broken Sword Knight, finding the Monarch is an accomplishment that can never be erased. Believe me, you will receive rewards beyond your imagination!!"
Among the twelve pale skeletal figures, the dim Soul Fires flickered. One skeletal warrior clad in heavy armor fixed its hollow eye sockets on Broken Sword Knight.
"This Holy Light Sword can only be drawn by a human, and the person must bear both the aura of life and the aura of death. Otherwise, even if you manage to move the Holy Light Sword, the Grand Duke's death energy will devour your soul and cause the seal to freeze completely.
Therefore, we have only one chance!!
The history of that age has long been forgotten by humanity amidst the wars, but if we disturb this seal, it will inevitably draw the attention of human powerhouses.
In our current state, we cannot face those beings who can tear space itself. Only with the Monarch's return can we reclaim our sealed power.
Broken Sword Knight, the hope of the undead rests upon you.
All of this, for the undead!"
As the armored undead's deep voice faded, the atmosphere grew incomparably solemn.
At that moment, Broken Sword Knight felt that an epic scene was about to unfold by his own hand. Every outcome depended on his choice now.
He turned his head. All he saw was a land of death. The horizon was hidden by dense gray fog, and the ground was a lifeless, withered gray-black soil of the dead.
A half-man-high tomb was tightly wrapped in shriveled vines. The old, decaying cross driven into the soil before it did not look particularly remarkable.
The only difference was the cross-shaped Holy Light Sword thrust before the cross, seemingly flickering with holy radiance that clashed starkly with the surrounding desolation. The existence of this legendary sword lent a hint of sanctity to the entire scene.
"As you wish. The future of the undead will be opened by my hand."
Broken Sword Knight drew a deep breath, his eyes flickering with anticipation.
Even if he was about to unlock a prison filled with death, his cancer could spread at any moment, what was there to fear within a game, even if that game deserved a question mark?
He stepped forward, and under the gaze of the twelve undead, he brought his hands together and grasped the hilt of the sword carved with angelic symbols. Then, using all his strength, he heaved the deeply buried Holy Light Sword up from the ground.
From beneath the blade, a flood of holy radiance erupted, as if there had been a source of light long blocked by the sword. Now that the blade was lifted, that source spilled forth without restraint, shining brilliantly.
The dim space shrouded in gray fog instantly lit up, and it seemed that angels were singing hymns by his ear, holy and pure.
But the splendor was short-lived. After a few moments of sacred brilliance, a torrent of deathly aura burst skyward from the tip of the sword.
In the pure white holy light, gray death energy mingled and surged.
"After one hundred thousand years of waiting…I have finally returned."
On that day, the skies over the Radiant Empire were dark.
---
Nolan Empire, royal capital.
Angel's Wing stood before a full-length mirror, looking at the reflection of the elegant, handsome figure clad in luxurious noble attire. A perfect aristocratic smile curled at his lips.
"Young Master, the Grand Duke is already waiting for you in the main hall."
Angel's Wing turned to look at the little maid dressed in a black-and-white maid outfit and nodded slightly.
"Take me there."
"Yes, Young Master."
The two turned and left the room. The enormous manor was like the palace of a king. After winding through its halls, they arrived in an incomparably lavish ballroom.
Golden splendor, ornate carvings, walls hung with vibrant oil paintings, crystal chandeliers set at every corner, elegant nobles moved gracefully, chatting among themselves.
The ladies wore pristine lace gloves and dazzling jewels that caught the eye. The men bore family crests on their chests and wore medals of honor bestowed by the king, proud and dignified.
This was the highest-ranking banquet in the Nolan capital. No guest here held a title lower than Earl.
Creak~
As the doors of the grand ballroom swung open, the murmuring crowd fell silent and turned their attention in unison.
Angel's Wing, clad in a black noble suit, stepped into the hall.
At that moment, a middle-aged man with a powerful presence and world-weary eyes emerged from the crowd.
He wore gray warrior's armor that clashed starkly with the opulence around him, and in his hand was a silver-white cross-shaped longsword gleaming with cold light.
Under everyone's gaze, the middle-aged man walked up to Angel's Wing, took his hand, and raised it high above his head.
Then, he announced to all present.
"Nobles of Nolan, bear witness. This child of the Lost Planes, Angel's Wing, shall, from this day forth, be my disciple. I shall grant him the surname of the Tempest family."
Cheers filled the hall as all the nobles erupted in excited discussion.
The news that the Tempest Duke, who had touched the threshold of the Legendary rank, had accepted a disciple again after ten years spread across the capital within half a day.
In the Storm Sea, a player stumbled upon the lair of a dragon, just as the dragon had gone out hunting.
In the Ancient Forest, a player, relying on natural charm and his skills with women, managed to coax away a prodigiously gifted elf.
In a certain temple, a player, through unshakable faith, gained the favor of a deity.
Although most players were living miserably, this world had never lacked for the lucky ones.
The chain reactions triggered by players entering Glory were just beginning to emerge.