Overgeared

It was a reunion that took place after a long time. The dukes unraveled the years of misunderstandings and grudges and then returned to reality. They first mourned Duke Diworth. The mourning didn’t last long, but the shortness didn’t mean it was insincere.

Despite having little affection for each other and having different ideologies and political stances, Diworth had been a colleague who served the same imperial family. Consequently, it was natural for the dukes to mourn his death. It was just that this was an attitude derived from a minimum of justification.

The dukes didn’t feel sorrow or regret. Wasn’t it strange to feel sadness for the death of a person they didn’t know very well? The dukes operated in different territories and didn’t have much contact with each other unless they had a particularly close relationship.

It was rumored that Diworth had been addicted to alcohol every day since he was middle-aged and he was particularly violent. Additionally, it was said that it was common for him to abuse or kill his soldiers under the guise of military discipline. Diworth’s death was rather cold. It wasn’t a problem to feel regret about. They didn’t know if they should look forward to the future of the Tiphon family, which would be led by his son now.

‘It is right for those who lose their qualification to leave.’

Suddenly, Grenhal wondered what the assessment of him would be when he died. He was afraid to think about this. Morse spoke to Duke Grenhal who was making a bitter expression, “At the very least, I will cry for your death.”

“Hahat, that is very kind of you.”

The time for mourning was over. Duke Grenhal turned his gaze toward Grid. “The moment we return to the empire, we will hold a great funeral for Duke Diworth.”

Diworth might’ve threatened Grid’s life, but the dukes couldn’t compromise about this part. Since he was a duke of the empire, Diworth’s death would be paved with heroism. Grenhal wanted Grid to understand that his words contained this meaning. Understanding what Grenhal meant, Grid nodded. “The work of the empire isn’t something I should interfere with. You don’t have to tell me about it.”

“Thank you for your understanding.”

Now the situation was roughly over. It was time to discuss further exploration of the ruins. In fact, only a few hours ago, the dukes had suggested for the expedition to be discontinued. The followers who had learned six secret techniques were difficult to deal with and also appeared often. Thus, it was better to retreat before their physical strength and mental strength were exhausted. However, things had changed.

“Duke Grenhal!” 10,000 troops led by Marquis Fulbas were running toward them from afar.

“Hmm... There are too many nutrients in the soil, so the crops are rotting quickly...” Additionally, there was Piaro by their side now.

That’s right. The dukes relied on Piaro. It was a habit they had learned from the days when Piaro was the pillar of the empire. Everywhere on the continent, there were powerful people threatening the empire, and the empire had suffered from several major wars. It had been Piaro who emerged and saved the empire. His presence had helped them overcome crises and allowed the people to enjoy peace of mind, including the dukes.

In particular, Duke Grenhal had received great help and considered Piaro as a spiritual mentor. For the dukes, Piaro was such an existence. The belief that Piaro would prevent all future hardships encountered at the ruins gave courage to the dukes.

Despite this, an unexpected figure spoke like he was rebuking their attitude, “We will stop the expedition for a while.”

It was Grid.

“Huh?”

The dukes had seen Grid’s greed from the beginning. Grid’s desire for new strength and treasure was stronger than anyone else. They had realized it the moment they witnessed the greed that appeared in his eyes when he saw the Secret Technique Box. Yet he was going to abandon his greed and stop exploring...? At this moment, the empire’s reinforcements had arrived and Piaro had been called. The exploration would be much easier than before, so it was hard to understand why the exploration should stop.

Grid explained to the somewhat puzzled dukes, “I’m worried about the great demon running wild on the continent.”

A little while ago, Grid blamed himself for causing Piaro to feel guilt. Then there was a sense of strangeness when he heard the whispers of his colleagues comforting him. Originally, wasn’t this a place where all communication and teleportation magic was blocked?

Since arriving at the Ruins of the War God, the whisper system hadn’t worked. Once Piaro was summoned with the permission of the war god, this rule collapsed. He didn’t know if it was the war god’s mistake or not but the whisper system was opened.

Lauel quickly sent whispers to the Overgeared members and heard the news in real time. There was news that Berith had just entered Fort Taleren which was the last gateway to the capital of the Haken Kingdom, and a group of people had gathered to block him. It included Kraugel, Hao, and Alexander. The Overgeared members also reported that the continent’s best spearmen, Kirinus and Rachel, were gathered at the fortress.

Once Lauel received the news, Grid became nervous. There was Zibal and the magic machine Raiders, and Grid didn’t know how much stronger Kraugel had become. Hao had taken a step forward by contracting with Grid, and while Grid didn’t like Alexander, he acknowledged Alexander’s skills. If they were joined by Rachel and Kirinus, who were at least on the level of Grenhal...

‘They might raid Berith without us.’

much power as possible, not to concede Berith to others. Even if the other person was Kraugel, Grid had no intention of giving up on Berith.

have to take

colleagues. As they crossed the Red Sea and explored the ruins, they had gained between two to six levels. In particular, Faker’s development was remarkable after mastering the secret technique. Yura, who had been pointed out by the war god, seemed to gain a sense of enlightenment. Euphemina had copied skills that could be called fraudulent from the

journey of the past month had not

enough for

the Overgeared Kingdom, from the hundreds of Overgeared members to Piaro, Mercedes, Jude, Sticks, Noll, Kasim, and Maxong. In fact, they intended to rely on everyone’s power and give them an opportunity to gain experience and levels. Now the proper growth that the

my

the historical site and Berith should be switched. Of course, they couldn’t just leave like this. It would be painful if the dukes got something from the historical site

of the

Overgeared Kingdom was to be created. The dukes’ deaths weren’t desired. Grid suggested to the dukes, “Stop the exploration for a while and

the other hand, Berith was only a modest villain. Was it necessary to say which one should have a higher priority? Time was limited. It was much wiser to remain here and explore the ruins than return to the

reluctant to say this but... For the empire, it is better to let Berith be more active. The more that other kingdoms receive damage from Berith,

“The sense of crisis on the continent is already high enough. At this time,

“...”

to fight Berith together is to protect the empire’s status as our strong ally. Are you going to kick away His Majesty’s favor?” Lauel deliberately went out hard. He

dukes’ affinity with Grid was high after

it was better to cooperate with the Overgeared Kingdom in this matter in order

and Grid interjected, “Additionally, we can shorten the time it takes for us to cross the Red Sea. The great sage Sticks will arrive here in a moment and take all of us

is a space where teleportation magic is blocked. It

environment has changed.

story proceeded smoothly. The dukes used communication magic to talk with their family members and confirmed it was possible. Now the group had come

dukes standing with

seem too friendly to the Overgeared

the hell is

and the 10,000 troops looked shocked simultaneously. Grid and the dukes were in the middle of a serious conversation. Then the

“P-Piaro...!”

while those who regarded Piaro as a traitor were alarmed. Of course, there were far more people in the latter group. The imperial family had declared a long time ago that Piaro was

of those extremely rare people. He was a great noble and had experience building up achievements with Piaro early on. The marquis froze like a stone statue for a moment before his eyes reddened.

to see you in good

your parents still

their teeth, but they

a long time. They always opened the barn doors and took care of the people whenever there is a disaster, even if they went skinny from hunger... The people praised them as gods and believed they would

bellies are fat now, unlike me who was so greedy that

must be someone to fill the barn. Don’t you

“Sir Piaro.”

wasn’t a hero for nothing. However, the marquis was in a position of a servant who shouldn’t doubt His Majesty the Emperor. Thus, Marquis Fulbas

nobles, who had recently become distant from him because of someone’s work, also cried with him. The cracks that had just occurred started

Baget, frowned. ‘Piaro is

it happened the moment

voice of War God Zeratul rang in Grid’s ears. -Can you safely

is he saying suddenly?’ The frustrated

100 knights armed with transparent white armor, and the atmosphere they gave off was unusual.

one of the Five Pillars of the empire. In the past, Grid had fought against Kyle face-to-face. If Braham and Mumud hadn’t opened up their power because of the quest at the time... Grid and Agnus would’ve

Seven Dukes as he hadn’t shared a past with Piaro, so he would be thoroughly hostile. The war god gave an even bigger threat to the nervous

to me, unlike you. He acknowledged his shortcomings and climbed the

“...!?”