Myriad's Conquest 21 Devil Count Alkmash - Part 1

Adrian was taken aback from hearing Vargas' declaration, he didn't think the ghost beside him would actually be so heroic. Adrian could feel that Vargas was really sincere and determined.

Sacrificing his life to defeat one of the commanders of the Devil's army despite being outmatched was a brave act no doubt. Even though it couldn't save the Kingdom of Phoenicia from annihilation, but still, Vargas' act has given other natives' forces a chance to fought back the cripple invading army that has lost their second in command.

And what Adrian admired was actually Vargas' reason to fight. Truthfully, because Adrian came from the earth where humans were the only sentience beings known to have existed and when he arrived in this world and saw many people of different races co-exist peacefully, he simply felt marveled at the sight and that was all.

But that was not the case for Vargas. He came from a cruel and harsh world where races exterminating and enslaving each other. The scenery of different races co-exists peacefully in this world was wonderous and truly magical for him. No wonder a mighty determination could be felt from his declaration.

*Ding!*

[System Notification: The objective for the quest "Uncover the secret of Carthag" has been updated and upgraded due to the new information.]

[Quest: Kill the Devil Count Alkmash: (0/1).]

Quest notification rang once again. After reading the quest objective, Adrian sighed and smiled bitterly, 'It looks like, I really didn't have other choices huh?'

It's weird but Adrian could really felt that this whole thing seems to be pre-arranged. As if he was being led around by someone, from the moment he arrived in this world, to Seastar's rebuilding, Yarra's event and now this ruin.

Adrian set his gaze at the G.o.ddess' statue and muttered some words in a low voice, "It's you, isn't it?"

Being played around by someone sometimes would make any person feels very uncomfortable and unwilling. But Adrian didn't feel like that at all, instead, he didn't mind it even for a bit.

Then, he removed his sight from the statue and shakes his head lightly. Unbeknownst to him and Vargas, a serene light flashed across the statue's eyes, and the gentle smile on the G.o.ddess' face somehow turned into a mischievous one. However, it was just for a short moment before the statue returned to normal again.

"You said that Alkmash's strength was no longer at Supreme-Tier...but how strong he is now, roughly speaking?" Asked Adrian as he was looking at Vargas.

Vargas holds his transparent chin and thinking for a while, before he replies hesitantly, "The usage of Time Living Gra.s.s should decrease his strength by several times. I guess... he might still have the strength somewhere around Peak Transcendent-Tier or Legend-Tier."

'If it's true, then Alkmash's strength attribute is probably between 5.0 and 8.0... But I don't know his other attribute's condition, though... This could be problematic.' Adrian contemplated inside his mind.

Adrian was unable to access Alkmash's stat due to the sealing barrier blocking any appraisal. But he was sure that with his current strength, he still had a chance to kill the weakened Alkmash. Furthermore, he had thought to include Zilong on the fight as well. With their combined strength, Alkmash will definitely fall.

"Very well, I agree to fight that Devil Count, but I'm gonna wait for one of my subordinates to arrive here first. He's a Champion-Tier warrior." Said Adrian as he agreed to help Vargas.

Vargas had a surprised look on his face, "And here I thought you didn't know anything about the tier system... By the way, what is your tier currently? Since I've become a ghost, I couldn't sense the power that came from any living being, thus I don't know how strong you are."

Adrian looked at Vargas weirdly, "You can sense other people's power?"

He asked because he was confused. Vargas did not have the System, so how could he know other living being's strength?

Vargas shrugged his shoulders and spoke nonchalantly, "Yes, but back when I'm still alive, though. Once your overall strength reaches Sage-Tier, you can somehow feel how strong other peoples are. Besides, warriors with the strength of Legend-Tier and above have this kind of domineering aura that came from their body, which could be felt even by ordinary people. So, it's pretty much easy to know someone's tier."

'Domineering aura? Could it be having lots of strength attribute points would result in receiving an additional effect? Or is it something else entirely? Ah! No matter...' Adrian shakes his head again and recovered his mind.

"I'm a Transcendent-Tier warrior, and I can increase my strength to the Legend-Tier for a few minutes if I use my trump card. Therefore, with my subordinate's power, I'm sure we could kill Alkmash." Said Adrian confidently.

Vargas nodded happily, "Great! That is great. I believe this is the day of Alkmash demise, hahaha. Once again, I thank you for accepting my request, Sir Dornan."

"No problem. Let's wait for my subordinate first before we begin." Said Adrian as he smiled lightly.

"Yes..." Vargas excitedly replied. He had waited for 400 years. There's no problem for him to wait for another few minutes.

***

A while later, Zilong along with the men of the 1st and 3rd squad arrived at the catacomb.

They were utterly shocked when Adrian introduced them to Vargas. Afterward, Adrian explained the reason why Vargas was here and the situation regarding Alkmash, they started to get anxious.

All the militia men couldn't help but look at the person who sat in the center of the sealing barrier with a dreadful gaze. That person was a member of the legendary race that came from another realm. One of the devils who commanded the infamous army that brought terror and destruction to Gloria 400 years ago.

Many pages of history regarding the Devil Invasion already lost to the pa.s.sage of time and forgotten, but several tales and oral stories about the atrocities that the devil's army has committed still lingered. Everyone in the entire Gloria knows about it.

"So, what's your opinion about my plan, Zi?" Adrian asked Zilong regarding his plan to kill Alkmash.

"I will follow your command, Lord. That Devil is a threat to our village. It's better to remove him as quickly as possible." Said Zilong seriously as he agreed with Adrian's plan.

Adrian didn't reply back, but he gave Zilong a nod. Since Zilong has guaranteed his a.s.sistance, Adrian's determination soared high. He was one-hundred percent confidence on their chance to defeat Alkmash.

He turned his body facing Vargas and ask, "So, what's next?"

Vargas did not answer, he instead walked towards one side of the catacomb's wall. As he gets there, he's fiddling with the broken part of the wall and took something from it. Next, he returned back and showed the thing on his hand to Adrian.

It's a small artifact the size of an adult palm with blueish warm color and exquisite decoration, it also has the form similar to that of a star.

"This is the Star of Gloria, a Legendary-grade sealing artifact. The Temple's Chief Oracle gave it to me when I received the mission to go into this realm. Back then, I didn't understand why would the Chief Oracle gave me this valuable artifact... Hehehe, it looks like she already knows my impending doom." Said Vargas softly while he smiled bitterly.

Adrian and the rest of his men didn't speak, they merely silently listened to Vargas.

After gently caressing the artifact for awhile, Vargas resumed speaking, "This artifact can only be used once. Only the person who activated it could release the seal manually. Otherwise, just like I'd told you before, the seal will be automatically released if the energy powering the artifact has depleted. Thus, once you're ready, I'll release the seal... But you must be careful. There is no turning back once the seal is released."

Once the seal was released, there's nothing left that stands between Alkmash and the outside world. It's imperative for Adrian and Zilong to attack him then.

Adrian spoke seriously, "Alright, we know."

"All of you listen up!" He called out every militia's men presents.

Hearing that their lord has called them, all the militia started to gather their attention on him.

"We're gonna deal with someone really powerful and dangerous, and I'm sorry to say this... but with your strength, all of you will merely become a burden. Therefore, only Sir Zhao and I will engage that Devil. So, you all only need to standby near the exit and protect Sir Vargas, did you guys understand?" Said Adrian sternly.

Most of the militia seems to be reluctant, but they know their strength wasn't enough to help their lord in the fight. They could only accept the order as they simultaneously replied, "YES, LORD!"

"Good, go then." Said Adrian shortly.

Just as the militia and Vargas want to fall back towards the exit —

"Vargas, wait!" Adrian suddenly called for Vargas.

Vargas turned his head, "What's wrong, Sir?"

"Could Alkmash hear our talk for inside the barrier?" Adrian was worried about this. If that Devil Count could really hear their conversation earlier, things will get ugly.

Vargas shook his head, "No, definitely not. The barrier completely severed any connection he had with the outside. However, it did not work containing his inborn ability, though. I don't know why."

Adrian sigh in relief after he knows the answers.

"I see. You best follow my men, then. I'll give you a signal to release the seal once we're ready."

Vargas gave Adrian a nod and sincerely said, "Good luck to you two and remember, don't underestimate him."

After seeing the militia and Vargas have positioned themselves near the exit. Both Adrian and Zilong walked closer towards the sealing dome that was surrounded by the pillars and the G.o.ddess' statue.

Both of them were wielding their own respective weapons as they ready to engage the Devil which was sealed within the barrier.

As they stood near the sealing dome, Adrian glanced at Zilong and instructed him, "Zhao, when the seal is released, don't hesitate to throw everything you've got. Use all of your trump cards right away. The faster we kill that devil, the better it is."

"Understood." Zilong complied without a shred of hesitation as he stared intensely at the cloaked devil.

"Inferior Dragon's Sacred Armor!" Adrian quickly activated his Dragon's Sacred Armor.

White golden energy armor clad his entire body from head to toe. His overall attributes were raised as the result of the technique's activation.

"Sacred Armor!!! He... is actually a bloodline user..." Vargas saw the scene of Adrian's body transformation with a shocked expression.

'It must be an Ascended-grade bloodline... No! It definitely is...' Vargas makes a conjecture regarding Adrian's bloodline inside his mind.

According to his own knowledge, Sacred Armor technique was only available to the holders of Ascended-grade bloodline and above. Those kinds of high-grade bloodline were extremely rare and valuable. Vargas could only sigh as he feels envy for a bit. If only he had a high-grade bloodline in the past, his strength back then would definitely touch the untouchable level — the Supreme-Tier.

The militia knows that their Lord had a super bloodline, not to mention it was a Dragon bloodline. But beyond that, they know nothing what bloodline was all about due to their lack of knowledge. They understood that Adrian had just activated his bloodline power after they had heard Vargas' shout earlier.

Adrian's body was letting out huge pressure of an overbearing aura. Even Zilong, who stood beside him also staring wonderingly.

However, the person who caused the commotion didn't pay any attention to all of that. Instead, he waved his hand and shouted, "Vargas, now! Release the seal!"

Vargas, who stared longingly at Adrian's Sacred Armor, snapped out as he realized Adrian had given the signal.

He immediately touches the Star of Gloria in his hand and mumbling something.

Not long...

*Shuush*

The glittering sealing barrier was gradually shrinking before finally disappeared. The cloaked devil was visibly startled by the change as his body jolted.

"Zi! Now, let's go!" Adrian shouted while at the same time he dashed forwards.

Zilong hastily makes his move.

Both of them rushed to attack the cloaked devil with the fastest speed.

"Star Dragon Cleave!!!"

"Dawn of Heaven Strike!!!"

Gloria's Defender and East Dragon Spear respectively radiating their own unique aura as both weapons delivered their frightening strike at their master's unsuspecting enemy.