The phantom king? The timing seems to be suspicious, too suspicious for him to just say hello.
"Were you sent by the Aploras?"
"How did you know?"
"Because I intentionally made a girl named Jade Aplora to get angry at me so that I can catch strong people"
"So it was a trap from the beginning, huh"
When Loki told me that he didn't lie about being one of the seven kings, I already made my aura to cover everything around me within a ten meter radius with me at the center. I can't let my guard down in front of a 'King'.
"So what will you do? Will you kill me or will you let me escape?"
"I'm not going to kill you since I need to take you all the way to the capital. That guy is pretty pissed off after all" He said with a smile.
So he's the happy go lucky type, huh.
That would mean that I am his target.
"Alfred, this is an order. Get in the car and go as far away as possible, now"
With no hesitation he left me and the phantom king behind. The car vanish from the horizon. Thanks to his high loyalty towards me, he didn't doubt what I said and quickly did it.
"Imaginary world: Transparency"
The phantom king disappeared. Well, it fits his title for him to suddenly disappear.
The aura got a reaction! His on my right side already!
"Phantom World: World creation"
The surroundings quickly turn white. A circular white room with a ten meter radius.
The phantom king became visible again. I rush towards him.
"Invisibility!"
As he shouted a skill of his in confusion why he wasn't able to use any 'skills', I showered him with punches on the face. Not letting him have any time of rest, I punch and punch and punch him again and again within ten seconds.
The circular white room disappeared and we both fell to the ground. I healed myself to restore my stamina and to remove this aching feeling in my head.
I summoned Zoe.
"Tie that guy up, now"
Using the rope I took out from my inventory, Zoe tied the phantom king tightly.
Shortly after Alfred came back.
I have to say using world creation for the first time really tired me a lot.
"Master, what happened?"
"Nothing, just some assassin trying to kill me. I've taken care of it so now go to the dungeon with Zoe. She will help you a lot. Also take this ring with you, it is a magical ring that can store things. Inside there is food that will last you for a whole month. So get going now"
He wasn't going to kill me but rather take me away though.
"I understand. Please take care of yourself more, master"
He took the ring from my hand without questioning me any further. Zoe and Alfred went to the labyrinth and I put this guy's body in the car and started to drive again after getting some rest.
When I tried to put an enslavement collar on him, it didn't work. How strange. Is it part of his immunity as an apostle? But the real thing that actually surprise me is the fact that his soul is white. Which means that this assassin is actually a good guy.
He started moving.
"Oh your awake now. Don't worry I healed you right after"
"W-where am I?! How the fuck did I lost?! Why wasn't I able to use my magic earlier?!"
How noisy of him.
"You are in my car. I beat you till you fainted. And you weren't able to use magic because of me. That's it"
"Huh?! Give me a proper explanation asshole! Now! Now! Now!"
"Shut up or I will castrate you"
He flinch. He became quiet.
What I use back then was 'Phantom World: World creation' which is a temporary dimension that I created. In that dimension, I am the ruler there meaning I can do anything I want. I simply made all mana to disappear and make the 'Skills' he receive from the Gods useless. There, only physical power was allowed. Due to my low amount of aura, I wasn't able to maintain it for more than ten seconds.
Even if he is an apostle himself, I have complete authority in my own dimension which made him no different from an ordinary person. Taking that moment when he was confused why he wasn't able to use magic, I quickly beat him up till he fainted. A tactic that will only work once on someone.
Within my dimension, I am already comparable to a demi-god. And since I didn't want anyone to enter it, only the two of us were there. Not even Loki was able to enter it since he will need time to process and make a crack to enter. I didn't want any Gods including Loki to see the effects after all.
We stop to make camp, my aura has its own limits. I started cooking dinner while he was still tied up.
His stomach growled.
"If you sign this contract, I will let you go. I will also give you dinner"
"Okay"
Since he can't break the enchanted ropes that even give Alfred a hard time, his hands weren't tied. His feet to his waist are tied but because of that he now looks like a merman.
After signing the contract I let him go. He then run away.
"Idiot! As if I will do that-"
He stop. It was like he hit a wall, an invisible wall.
"I-I can't get any further?" He muttered.
"You idiot. You sign the contract without even reading it"
He came back and snatch the paper.
"WHAT?! I'M YOUR SERVANT?!"
Since I can't turn him into my slave, I turn him into my servant something like a butler.
He destroyed the paper but the paper gathered into my hands and fix itself. I can't believe that this guy would actually fall for something like that. Even though I did it, I didn't expect it to actually work and it somehow did work. I am amazed how stupid this guy is.
"Here, food is ready"
"Meh"
"Don't worry, you are not the only like that"
I gave the guy who is frozen still due to shock and disbelief a bowl of stew. I took a look at his stats while I am at it.
[Status information]
Name: Maximos
Class: Assassin
Sex: Male
Race: Human
Age: 22
Level: 84
HP: 3,600/3,600
MP: 13,000/13,000
Strength: 32
Agility: 65
Stamina: 49
Intelligence: 15
Level cap: 100
Psychological state: Extremely upset that he was fooled to sign a contract which resulted to his most embarrassing moment in life so far
Status: Servant
Abilities: Invisibility, Physical enhancement
Attributes: None
Title(s):
-Phantom King
Blessing(s):
-God of Illusions' gift
+
Why the heck is his level so high when he is only a year younger than me?! Does that mean that he has been killing monsters when he was really young? Right now, that is the only thing I could think of that could explain this. Not even the knights from the empire or Talep who are older than this guy are like this.
I took out Will's body and put his soul again.
"Aaaaahhh!!!!"
Will scream right after seeing my face. The last thing he remembered is that I killed him so having this kin of reaction is also to be expected.
"You're alive, and also greet your new brother-in-stupidity, the phantom king"
"I'm not dead yet?" (Will)
"Who is that supposed to be?" (Max)
"This guy is the former apostle of the Demon of Lust, Will Kertodes. And I am planning to make him suffer so that he will atone for his sins"
I was able to put the soul enslavement on him which make things go faster. I don't want to remove his memories since he can't atone for the sins he committed if he doesn't even remembers what he did wrong, right.
The two talk and somehow got close like best friends seeing each other after a while.
"What are you planning to do to us?" (Will)
"You two will accompany me to the holy kingdom for some things. Oh right I forgot to tell you guys that I am the hero"
The two froze.
"Hero? As in the hero from another world that the gods chose?" (Max)
"Yeah. So do your best or I won't give you guys your salary"
"Just kill me already~!" Max whine.
"Sure, let's do that. That way I will get your blessing, right"
I stood up and took a very sharp sword from my inventory.
"I was joking! I'm joking!"
"Good"
These two may be idiots but they are efficient. I still need some things anyway. The two now have accepted the fact that they will be working under me.
The two fall asleep and I continued on with my training.
Morning came and we tidied things up.
"Will, you'll go to the Xyhn kingdom and get as much info as you can"
"I don't have any money so how am I going to go there?!"
"You can just use your skills. I took away you special skill but the rest should still be there"
"Really?"
"This is an order: You are absolutely not allowed to have intercourse with anyone unless I say so. You are also not allowed to tell anything about me or what you are doing. Any information will be good just stay there for a couple of months and get useful information"
Will scream, "NOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!"
Since he is my slave, he can't disobey my orders even if he wanted to.
We parted ways. Will went to Xyhn while me and Max head to Aigreos.
The reason why I wanted Will to go to Xyhn is because that kingdom is known to be notorious and brutal. A kingdom that can do anything to their slaves no matter how cruel it may be. That kingdom is also known to be a famous place for gamblers. A kingdom where you can do any illegal activities you want in broad daylight. The empire and Aigreos which are the neighboring kingdoms of Xyhn wasn't able to change their ways since the people of Xyhn worships the Demon of Greed.
So it was a religious conflict. The holy kingdom believes that people must choose their own religion therefore they weren't able to touch the Xyhn kingdom. As for the empire, as long as they profit they won't do anything.
Having as much information from that kingdom right now would be extremely beneficial to me for my future plans as well.
"Do you know who the sorcerer king is, Max?"
"Yeah. She is also the oldest among the seven kings. Why ask though?"
So the sorcerer king is a girl.
"Because she will be attending the banquet"
"Really?! How come you know something like this?" He ask with very curious eyes.
"I have my own connections, so deal with it"
After two days, we arrive at the capital of the holy kingdom, Aigreos.
Why do they name their capital and country the same? Its theirs so I'll just ignore it.
"What are we going to do now?"
"We need a grand entrance. They knew that I have arrive to this world for almost six months already so I need to show them what I can do despite being level zero"
"You are at level zero? How is that even possible?!" He said mockingly.
We went out of the car and I put it into my inventory.
"Spirit summoning: Fegonia"
The legendary frost gryphon Fegonia appeared. The summoning made Max tremble.
"Don't tell me that we will be riding that creature?"
Is he afraid of heights by any chance?
"Yes. And also wear this cloak and mask. This is an order: You are not allowed to communicate with anyone in any way. You are also not allowed to talk unless I say so"
Max quickly wear the cloak and the mask that I gave him.
-Nunu, what are you guys doing there?
-Nothing much, master.
-Have you memorized the lay out of the capital of the empire?
-Yes! Anything for Layla.
I wish he was this diligent for other things.
-We will start the plan tomorrow night. Make your final preparations.
-Understood.
"Spirit synchronization: Ello"
Using spirit synchronization which I got right after getting Fegonia, I can now use my familiars abilities however I won't be able to use mine, at all. So there are its own ups and downs to this skill.
I then changed my form into someone that I know from my world. Someone who is also a member of the ten great families, the handsome idiot from the clan that specialize in politics.
I don't want them to know what I really look like to begin with.
We sat on the gryphon and flew to the skies.
We landed right in front of the church and many people look at us with curiosity.
The holy knights were hostile so I removed my right glove and showed them my mark of being the hero.
"The hero is here!"
"We are now save!"
"Is that a legendary beast?"
"As expected from the hero"
All of them cheered. They were welcoming us.
We then went inside the church to meet the pope
On the way, I met Talep, Phoebe and Zel. I pass them a piece of paper secretly since they don't know that it is me.
We continued our walk while the three stop to read the letter and look at me. I made a pose that only they know and they quickly understood what was going on. Since those three are not stupid they should be able to do as I said.
We ended up on a big door and I open it. Two men was on the other end. One was the king and the other one was the pope. Here in Aigreos, the two hold the same power. Since they are best friends nothing bad has ever happened to the kingdom with two rulers.
People muttered and whispered about Fegonia who is a legendary beast and the mysterious person who is right behind me.
I kneel down. Both Max and Nia followed my lead and kneel down as well. I then release a lot of my holy attribute. The spirit synchronization only stops you from using your own skills, not your attributes.
"It is an honor to be on your presence. I am Lucas, the chosen hero of the Gods and Goddesses"
So this is the pope that was able to kill a demon general like Levi. I can feel massive amount of the holy attribute not just from the pope but from the king of Aigreos as well. How monstrous of them.
"There is no need to be like that, oh hero" (The pope)
"Please, rest for now. Your journey here must have been exhausting" (The king)
Since I am late going here, for them to see that I have tame a legendary beast will make them slide this matter.
"May I ask, is that legendary beast in your command?" The king ask.
"Yes. Her name is Fegonia. And she is very beautiful"
"Indeed"
"We shall rest now"
"By all means"
A priest led us to our room. The room was really big and fancy. I immediately put sound proofing runes.
"If Nia is a summoned spirit, then why did you not release the summoning when we landed?"
"That is because I don't want them to know that. They think that I tame Nia instead of me being able to summon her. There is a huge advantage to that, you know"
"Oh I get it, that does make sense"
"You should rest for now, because you will be very busy tomorrow night"
"Okay~"
Nia took some sleep while Max rested on the bed.
-How are you guys doing there, Zoe?
-He is doing very well, master.
-I see. Tell him to make sure to eat a lot.
-I will.
Alfred will get even stronger by the time he goes out of there.
A priest came by and said that the banquet will begin tomorrow evening. With that I explain to the guys in the capital of Lorazio the plan on how to rescue(kidnap) the princess.
A the day goes on, I felt many signatures who possess large mana pools and those who are powerful enough to become a threat to Nunu. Basically, some are noteworthy but are small fries to me. The worrying one is that there are about eight individuals on the same level as the tower master. Not including Gwen, there are seven others. I wonder who those guys are.
After a day the banquet have started. It was being held outside at a huge garden. Different envoys from many kingdoms came and they brought their own guards to secure the area.
Dragons, Elves, Dwarves, Beast men, and many more came to the banquet.
They made me wear an extremely dashing white suit and pants as well as my shoes. But, Max still wore his mask and cloak.
A girl from the beast tribe came forward to me. She was wearing something similar to what the westerns wear in my world.
"Greetings. I am from the scarlet fox clan and envoy of the the Western Beast Federation, Vulposh"
Her luscious aura that kept emitting towards me though it has no effect on me.
Its gone. The aura just now vanish. I offered her a handshake so that I can see her stats and it was quite high. Slightly higher than Zoe's.
Some from the other races began to approach me as well and I shake their hands one by one to see their stats. It took me longer than expected to talk with almost all of them. Some invited me to come to their territories while some just said hello like the elves.
Those who have about the same power as the tower master was the Dragon Kingdom's envoy who is a true dragon. The fairies from the elven nations. The master blacksmith from the Dwarven nation. And some others.
"Hello. I wasn't able to come here earlier since it was crowded. I hope you don't mind"
A little girl with a mage's robe greeted me. The vibes I am getting from her is somewhat similar to Gwen despite her childish appearance.
"I am Hasshule. The court wizard of the empire. I am known better as the sorcerer king though"
Wait what? She is the sorcerer king? As the oldest of the seven kings I thought that she'd look old as well.
"It is also nice to meet you. I am Lucas"
I offered a shake hand.
"Well, how does my status looks like~?"
She knows?
"I can feel a very small amount of energy from your hands. It is somewhat similar to appraisal somehow. Master and I already know this of course. If you are wondering who my master is, that would be the tower master"
So Gwen also knows about this. I wonder if the other envoys also know about this.
"I'm sorry if I didn't told you about it"
"It is fine"
"I am now going to talk with the tower master for a moment, please excuse me"
Me and Max went to where Gwen is leaving the sorcerer king behind.
"Tower master will you please accompany me?"
"Of course!" She happily replied.
"Stay here and watch every little move of Hasshule's. Later on the sorcerer king will do something. This is an order: Do not let her get away here no matter what. Make her stay here no matter what" I whispered to Max.
I already knew that the sorcerer king will be here base on Gwen and that she was a girl base on Max but I didn't expect that she will look like a child.
I absolutely can't let her ruin my plans.
We then went back inside.
"I will be going now and please keep your word"
"Make sure that you won't cause too much of a ruckus"
I quickly went out, unnoticed.
I am currently three hundred meters away from the garden. The guards were only stationed within two hundred meters so this should be enough already.
I undid my transformation so that I can use my powers again. I also made some runes so that they won't be able to detect me.
-Nunu, Mel, let the rescue operation... Begin!
-Understood!!!
"Open
The pouch open and using the skeletons from my inventory, a giant skeleton knight appeared. The skeleton knight towered the buildings here in Aigreos with the height of a hundred meters tall, it attracted the attention of everyone in the garden. The undead magicians fired their own spells after scattering.
The ones who were guarding the area fired long range spells and hit the giant skeleton.
Nothing happened.
They were shock since half of the spells fired were imbued with the holy attribute. However, right now I am making sure to cover the giant skeleton and the undead magicians with my own holy attribute without touching it. I am also personally manipulating them using
The giant skeleton shriek really loud that everyone covered their ears.
In the garden, the guests prepared themselves so that they can react to any unexpected event. Because just now they saw undeads immune to the holy attribute and not to mention to summon a giant skeleton like that will take at least two minutes but it only took me ten seconds, and but they didn't know that. Which is why they were on guard because they didn't felt anything.
The sorcerer king immediately drew her wand but a telepathy call came in.
-What is it?! I am very busy right now!
-The capital is under attack!
-Figure it out by yourselves! I will get there shortly!
'What is up with all these?! First a giant skeleton knight and now the capital is being attacked?!'
Hasshule's thoughts were in disarray. Not know what to do due to all the sudden events.
"Let the guards take care of it"
"Where is the tower master?"
"The hero is also missing?!"
The people in the garden questioned and started to look for the tower master and the hero.
"Master Gwen is also not here? Wait, the hero said that he was going to have a talk with the Master"
The sorcerer king, Hasshule fired a loud sound that resonated onto the whole garden. All the attention went to her
"Ten minutes ago the hero went away with the tower master to have a talk, so there is no need to think about that. What's more important right now is that we faced whoever the idiots went to ruined the banquet!"
Due to the achievements of the sorcerer king Hasshule many was convinced and believe her. Therefore all of their attention went back to the giant skeleton and the undead magicians.
-Master! The princess has been abducted!
-What?!
The sorcerer king quickly went back in but only got herself trap by a man in the hall. Max have already removed the cloak and the mask before confronting Hasshule.
"Maximos? What are you doing here? No, that doesn't matter right now. I need to go somewhere quickly"
Max threw a knife to Hasshule. It was so fast that her barrier was barely able to stop it.
"What is the meaning of this, Maximos?!"
"I can't let you go away. Master's orders" He replied.
"I see. The incident here and the one on the capital is made to ensure I would stay here, right?"
That is correct. Michael orchestrated everything to ensure that the sorcerer king would stay here since she possess the biggest threat, since she is the strongest mage in the empire. She who rivals her master's strength who is a thousand year older than her.
She would need a whole minute to use a high level of teleportation spell to go back to the empire, but even if she use a short teleportation which need to be casted for five seconds she wouldn't be able to since her opponent is the fastest one among the seven kings.
And so, the battle between two kings started.