Ruins Greatsword

Edgar was considering how to deal with these two.

Though he had yet to fully grasp the truth, what they said seemed to be true.

If they had truly been deceived and used, then they could not be entirely blamed. The blood debt should be borne by the true mastermind behind it all.

In Edgar's view, the mastermind was likely someone behind the Black-armored Tarnished whose arm he had severed.

That man had mentioned something about a mission. He was likely part of some kind of church.

As the lord of the castle, Edgar swore that he would find the murderer and make them pay their blood debt in blood.

"I still don't know the truth. Once I've tortured everything out of that man, I'll decide how to deal with you."

"Even if you were truly used, you still took part in this tragedy. I'll decide your punishment later. But if you are merely trying to evade responsibility with this excuse, then there is only one fate awaiting you: execution by my own hand."

"I also won't let you treat the residents. You could poison them while getting close to them. I know Perfumers are capable of that."

Edgar decided to leave the two of them alone for now. He would first capture and interrogate the one-armed Tarnished.

In Edgar's eyes, the Confessor, whose weapon had broken and who had lost an arm, posed no threat whatsoever. That was why he had not been in a hurry earlier and had taken the time to hear out the Perfumer.

Lucian silently watched everything unfold. Though the sudden arrival of the Perfumer and the Leonine Misbegotten had caught him by surprise, the Confessor's defeat was already certain. All he wanted now was to rest properly, then find Melina to level up.

However, the Confessor, whom everyone had regarded as meat on the chopping block, pulled out a Branch that glimmered with an eerie light.

Everyone's gaze was involuntarily drawn toward it.

That enchanting pink radiance made them unable to look away, making them want to touch the beloved phantom within the glow.

This was the terror of items related to an Empyrean. Simply taking one out was enough to mentally control everyone present.

The Confessor was no exception, but his unwavering faith in the Two Fingers allowed him to regain his senses first.

Seizing the instant when everyone was distracted, he thrust the Branch toward Singh, the Leonine Misbegotten.

Seeing the Confessor move, everyone snapped out of their daze. Singh swept out a massive hand, intending to knock the Confessor back.

But the Confessor poured magic into the Branch. The mark of the Haligtree flashed past, and enchanting pink mist drifted from the Branch, instantly enveloping Singh.

Singh's movements seemed to have been paused. He stopped moving altogether.

Edgar rushed in and kicked the Confessor flying, then drove his halberd through the Confessor's other arm.

"Singh! Don't breathe in that gas!"

Evan rushed to Singh's side and pulled out a Perfume Bottle, but he did not dare spray it.

He had never seen anything like this and had no idea what effect it had. He did not dare gamble on the consequences of using an Aromatic carelessly.

Singh's movements gradually returned, but an unnatural pink light flickered in his eyes.

"Singh, are you all—"

Evan backed away from Singh. He had noticed something was wrong. The Singh before him was no longer the original Singh.

Singh bared his fangs in place, one hand reaching toward the Greatsword embedded in the ground, only for his other hand to immediately seize that wrist.

It was as if two consciousnesses were fighting for control of the body.

Seeing this, the Confessor on the ground knew he had succeeded. Singh only needed one command now to turn back into a mindless, bloodthirsty beast.

"Go get that legendary Greatsword and kill them all!"

Edgar kicked the Confessor in the face, knocking several of his teeth out.

But he could not stop the Confessor's wild laughter.

"Hahaha, you're all going to die!"

Edgar kicked him in the head again, finally knocking him unconscious.

Singh had received the command. The balance in his mind instantly shattered, and scarlet, bloodthirsty eyes lit up. Ignoring the iron Greatsword on the ground, he ran on all fours toward a room in the castle.

He was so fast that the three of them could not stop him at all.

Evan's face turned pale, and Edgar's expression was no better.

"The legendary Greatsword... You didn't steal Castle Morne's Ruins Greatsword, did you?"

Evan began to explain.

"There were two of them, both Confessors from the Two Fingers Church. The other was skilled at stealth. During the rebellion in the castle, he stole that Greatsword and brought it to our hiding place."

"They likely showed us that Greatsword earlier so that the controlled Singh would know where it was."

Edgar stared at Evan warily, unable to believe it.

"I've never heard of anything capable of controlling a living being's consciousness."

Lucian retrieved the Lordsworn's Greatsword from the pile of Misbegotten corpses and walked over.

"It was a Bewitching Branch, an item connected to the Empyrean Miquella. It makes those affected obey commands unconditionally. I just didn't expect him to have something like that."

"What?! It's connected to Lord Miquella..."

"There's actually something like that..."

Lucian's mood was heavy as well. Singh, the Leonine Misbegotten, had given him an intense sense of pressure. Since arriving in this world, the only one who could compare to Singh was the Grafted Scion.

And if Singh got to wield the Ruins Greatsword, his strength would likely rise by several more degrees.

Ignoring their shock, Lucian continued.

"Do you have any way to heal wounds? Anything that can suppress fatigue will do as well. Use everything you have on me. We have to fight side by side soon, or we'll all die."

Lucian had recovered a little, but he was still in no condition to fight.

Edgar looked at Lucian with concern. He did not want the warrior before him to keep fighting.

But the situation was dire. The Leonine Misbegotten's strength could not be underestimated, and Edgar might not be able to defeat him even at full strength. This was not the time to hesitate.

With a sigh, he began casting a healing incantation.

Evan silently took out several Perfume Bottles and scattered medicinal powder over Lucian.

As Singh's companion, he knew how terrifying Singh was. Only this Tarnished warrior, who had slain hundreds of Misbegotten alone, had a chance of defeating him. Healing Lucian was essential.

"This is a healing Aromatic. It can steadily restore your injuries. There's also Uplifting Aromatic, which can temporarily invigorate your spirit."

Lucian felt the wounds on his body gradually heal, and his mind was no longer exhausted.

He picked up the Flask of Crimson Tears dropped by the Confessor and stuffed it into his pouch.

Then the three of them braced themselves. They would be fighting side by side next.

Before long, a red figure carrying an odd Greatsword crashed into the courtyard, smashing the Misbegotten corpses beneath his feet into pulp.

That Greatsword was formed from countless melted blades, black and lightless. It was the Greatsword of vengeance that bore countless laments and rage—the Ruins Greatsword.

"ROAR—!!"

The red-haired beast roared, then raised the Ruins Greatsword high and poured magic into it, awakening the dead souls within the blade.

Black energy surged from the sword and flooded into Singh's body. The muscles across his body began to swell, and his skin took on the hue of stone.

No changes could be seen elsewhere with the naked eye, but if Lucian remembered correctly, the Ruins Greatsword's buff enhanced every attribute.

Lucian's expression turned grave. Facing a Leonine Misbegotten who had used the Ruins Greatsword's skill, he did not dare imagine how difficult the battle would be.

I adjusted the Ruins Greatsword's skill effect. Back in the game, it was a legendary weapon, but it didn't feel impressive enough. Also, Wind Spirit Moon Shadow's usage count will recover over the next couple of days. You can guess what the recovery condition is, though it seems pretty obvious already... As usual, please send some recommendation votes. ∩_∩