Chapter 199

Chapter 199
## Chapter 199: Seeking Randolph

“Absolute masterpieces, honed over eons into their definitive states.”

Just as ancient beings living for millennia are recognized as spirits, or stones and trees enduring ten times longer are worshiped as divine, the gear within this vault carried that same weight of sanctity. Here, the passage of ages felt infinitely more profound.

What term fit such objects?

“Godly relics.”

Every single item here was a divine armament. Most chose to shroud their own magnificence; they hadn’t been forged for vanity or to parade their worth. Even the most sophisticated appraisal techniques would likely fail to grasp their true nature. While that was common for unique-grade gear, these treasures occupied a different stratosphere entirely. The level of insight required to see through them was staggering.

Yet, that barrier didn’t exist for me. I could perceive them clearly—the hidden data of every object in the room. This was surely the result of my evolved “Eye of Truth,” a power that allowed me to bypass all deceptions after achieving total mastery.

I walked past the literal mountains of wealth, focused on the single most peculiar “information” signature my eyes could find.

**[Wooden Stick Containing the First Flame]**

Its physical form was underwhelming, to say the least. It looked like a crude, blackened log, roughly the width of a man’s shoulders and charred from burning. However, among the glittering legends in this vault, this stick was the most singular and extraordinary anomaly.

**[Primordial Grade]**

**[The wooden implement that bore the ‘First Flame’ during the dawn of time.]**

**[‘The spark carried by this vessel gave birth to myriad civilizations and served as the genesis of all creation. Is it not the mother of existence, the primary deity?’]**

**[‘Even the forces of ruin could not douse the fire bound to this wood. Once unleashed, this flame burns without end, granting life eternal. While it persists, the world endures.’]**

It felt as though a voice was echoing in my mind—a man’s voice, heavy with self-pity and profound sorrow. But the actual fire on the wood was long gone.

The “flame” was symbolic. It represented the spark of civilization across all races that began with fire and continues today. Despite repeated cycles of world-ending calamity, society always rebuilt itself. That was why it was called the flame that destruction couldn’t kill. This simple stick was the thing that “Destruction” feared above all else.

Still, one detail was baffling. The stick itself lacked any practical utility. Aside from its rank and poetic lore, it offered no stats or active abilities. Was its grade based purely on its historical weight?

“I only get one choice from the Armament God’s collection.”

I had to be deliberate. Passing over incredible unique gear for a charred stick based on a fancy description felt like a massive risk. But my indecision was brief.

**[Reward selection finalized.]**

**[You have picked the ‘Wooden Stick Containing the First Flame.’]**

Even if it was just a symbol, it was enough. This object was the physical manifestation of hope. It was too significant to be left to gather dust in a vault.

At that exact moment—

*Roooaaar!*

**[The ‘First Flame’ ignites upon the wooden stick.]**

**[You have earned the right to bear the ‘First Flame.’]**

**[Hidden Quest – Transport the ‘First Flame’ to a new destination.]**

**[The location where the First Flame resides will be shielded from the easy reach of ‘Destruction.’]**

**[Furthermore, you may use the First Flame to forge the wooden stick into a new form.]**

**[Achievement ‘First Primordial’ unlocked!]**

**[‘Great Presence’ doubles the earned honor (10,000).]**

**[Honor has exceeded 20,000.]**

**[You are eligible for the ‘Qualification of Glory’ at the ‘Sanctuary of Honor.’]**

A light flickered to life on the charred wood. It looked like a common fire, yet it was the very spark of creation. The First Flame only reveals itself to the one who claims it.

Suddenly—

“What is that?”

A faint, translucent figure resembling a small dragon drifted before me. I blinked, thinking it was a trick of the light, but the creature reacted to my gaze with shock.

—Can you… actually see me?

**[‘Honor’ threshold met to speak with the ‘Primordial Armament God’s soul.’]**

**[Hidden Achievement ‘Encounter with a Primordial’ unlocked!]**

**[‘Great Presence’ doubles the earned honor (5,000).]**

—

High Dryad Rommel began every morning the same way: inspecting the holy sapling.

“My brother looks well today!”

This became his ritual after discovering the sapling was spiritually tied to Randolph. Randolph was Rommel’s savior and the protector of the woods. He had breathed life back into the fading Basrak Forest and planted this sapling to anchor its vitality. If the tree ever showed signs of distress, Rommel and every dryad in the grove would mobilize instantly to help Randolph.

“Wait… my brother seems quite agitated today.”

The sapling’s aura was different this morning. Its leaves rattled with a harsh, rigid sound. Was it reflecting a dark mood from Randolph?

“No…”

The child who understood the whispers of the wild, always lingering by the sapling, spoke up. If it wasn’t Randolph’s temper, what was causing this reaction?

“No? Then what is it?”

“The elves…” the child whispered.

Elves. A group of them had visited recently, led by Elder Aruwen, searching for Randolph. They had moved on quickly. Was the child talking about them?

“The elves are gone. So many. The Great Mother is mourning. And so, the sapling mourns with her.”

The Great Mother was the World Tree. Since all sacred saplings were her progeny, they felt her grief as their own.

Rommel paled. “What do you mean? The elves are dead?”

“‘Despair’… it has woken up… it’s terrifying.”

“Despair…?”

Rommel couldn’t grasp the full meaning—the massacre of the elves or the awakening of such a force. But he knew this was no trivial matter.

*Whooooosh!*

The sky turned a bruised purple, a violent gale kicked up, and thunder rolled across the horizon. Rommel’s face turned grim.

“Something terrible is coming.”

The air smelled of iron and blood. Rommel watched the storm clouds gather. It was time to prepare for the worst.

—

The Demon of Pride, King Friedrick, sat upon his throne in the Iron Kingdom. The man who had crushed every neighboring state in his path let out a roar of manic glee.

“Haha! This is getting brilliant!”

His subordinates flinched. They knew that Friedrick’s laughter was usually followed by a massacre. He had already conquered over twenty cities; at this pace, the Empire itself was at risk of being trampled by this metal-clad monster.

“The Black King has secured the dark elves. And now Despair is back in play. I have nothing to fear.”

He had wondered what the Black King truly wanted. He’d assumed it was just the death of his rival, the White King, but the man’s recent maneuvers suggested a much larger scheme.

“The Empire’s Eight Families Knight Order is finally stirring.”

That was the most interesting development. He’d thought the Empire was busy with internal policing, yet their elite military wing—the Eight Families—was mobilizing. Was it to stop the Black King? Or perhaps to deal with Friedrick himself? Those knights answered only to the Emperor and hadn’t moved in a century—not since they took down the ‘Mad Demon.’

“Has the Emperor finally woken up?”

Even Friedrick didn’t know the truth about the Emperor. The man slept in a sanctuary hidden from the eyes of gods. If he was awake… Friedrick shook his head. Regardless, the mobilization of the Eight Families would shift the continent’s balance.

Was this all a fluke? It felt like gear teeth finally clicking into place. He didn’t know what the final machine would look like, but the “real beginning” was here. The demon’s grin widened. Between the Black King, the Eight Families, the awakened Demon of Greed, and the Demon King, everyone was dancing to the same chaotic rhythm. Only one piece was missing from the center of the board.

“Who will be the final piece of the puzzle?”

It could be anyone. But Friedrick wasn’t waiting to find out.

“Raise the war banners. I am going to the Valan Kingdom personally.”

He needed more strength before the climax. He would force the King of Valan to choose: total submission or a shallow grave.

—

Returning to the Labyrinth City, I was stunned by the transformation.

“The place has exploded while I was gone.”

It actually looked like a metropolis now, even if the “citizens” were mostly monsters.

“Labyrinth City is the best!”

“Jobs everywhere! Great pay in magic stones!”

It was turning into a melting pot of races, much like Kramdel. Since I’d designated this as the main base, growth had gone into overdrive.

“Kraahaha! You’re back at last!”

The ground shook as the Golden Goblin King sprinted toward me.

“Look at this! The haul from the labyrinth!”

A rift opened in the earth, and dozens of golden goblins scrambled out, dumping massive sacks of gold and gems. He’d been working with his kin to strip the labyrinth of its riches—a job Hudson usually handled, but the King clearly wanted to impress me.

“Good work,” I said.

“20% is my cut!” he shouted.

“Fine.”

I’d promised him a fifth of the loot if he secured the labyrinth himself. Even with his share gone, there was tens of millions in gold here.

“Kraahahaha! 18% is mine! I’ll go find even more!”

“18%? You just said 20%.”

“Hmm. 18% feels right today.”

I wondered if he’d lost his mind, but he seemed genuinely thrilled to take less. It was likely an effect of my honor or specific traits influencing him.

“I should house the First Flame here.”

The city was the perfect spot. With the flame and the right structures, it could become the world’s capital. I needed to anchor the fire before I could reforge the wooden stick. As I scouted for a location—

“Lord Randolph!”

Hudson was running toward me, looking frantic.

“You’re just in time,” I noted.

“No, Lord, we have a situation!” Hudson whispered as he reached me. “The White King has sent a summons for the main commanders.”

“The White King?”

“Yes. And Marquis Wyzer sent word too. He wants you to go to King Valan with him.”

“Me? Why not Serengeti?”

“He didn’t say, but he’s insistent. Also…”

“There’s more?”

“A letter from Priest Andrew.”

I ripped open the parchment Hudson handed me.

*Elder Aruwen and her people never made it to the Primordial Forest. I am going in to investigate and won’t be back soon. Please understand…*

Andrew had gone into the woods, and his tone suggested he was hoping I’d follow. The White King, Wyzer, and Andrew—all three were pulling me in different directions. And yet, there was one more.

“The Empire sent this,” Hudson said, handing me a final letter.

It bore the Imperial seal, designed to self-destruct if opened incorrectly. I pressed my own Emperor’s seal against it, and the parchment unfurled. I felt a chill as I read:

「On the night of the full moon, by the grace of the ‘Great Moon,’ a banquet for the special envoy shall be held. As this is a grand occasion, all legitimate protectors must provide the finest offerings. The ‘Eight Families Knight Conference’ will commence immediately after. You are required to attend without fail, O Golden Goat.

-Golden Mask-」