The Max Level Hero Has Returned!-Chapter 1219

The Max Level Hero Has Returned!-Chapter 1219

Chapter 1219
Evangeline's lair was calm and peaceful. She usually only visited to store treasures that truly met her standards, or when she wanted to enjoy the ocean alone. Yet, as of late, she had a new reason to drop by more often.
“Shadie! I’m here!” With a rainbow slime perched on her shoulder, she called out cheerfully as she approached the glowing pond located at the lower part of her lair. At her voice, a pair of black eyes peeked out from the shadows.
Blop! Blop!
Then, it quickly rushed toward her.
“
Hehe.
Were you having fun?”
The creature nodded eagerly and quietly observed what she held in her hands.
“I brought your favorite sweet rice cakes.”
Evangeline had discovered the black slime by pure chance. Their bond began the moment she caught it sneaking bites of the sweet rice cakes she’d left in her room.
She had only known it a few days, but that didn’t matter to Evangeline.
The creature gobbled up the sweet rice cakes one by one until it eventually finished the whole container, slumping over with its mouth hanging wide open.
Burp!
Its eyes narrowed in satisfaction.
“Was it good?”
Still nodding furiously, it looked up at Evangeline and opened its mouth.
Ssss.
At the same time, a black stream of energy was drawn out from within Evangeline and vanished into its mouth.
“
Wow...
My stiff shoulders are gone. Did you do that on purpose? Thanks!”
She hugged the black slime tightly and grinned, while the creature nestled into her arms, clearly enjoying her touch. “But where did you go earlier today? You disappeared out of nowhere.”
She still didn’t know the black slime had traveled through a dimensional passage to reach the Nacha Empire. Evangeline looked at the black slime swaying its body and shrugged.
“Whatever, as long as you had fun. Things on Earth seem pretty chaotic lately, so Mom told me to stay here for the time being instead of going back.”
There had been a sudden invasion from an external force. While they were different from the monsters that came through the other dimensional gates, they weren’t very communicative in the sense that they were willing to talk things out.
They had appeared without warning and launched their attack on the whole of Europe. Since the assault had come out of nowhere, the damage to both the population and infrastructure had been catastrophic.
It wouldn’t have been so bad if they only targeted military forces, but they were ruthlessly attacking civilians as well.
“But it’s weird. They’re using the same kind of mana-disrupting equipment as the ones who attacked Moderation. They shouldn’t be able to overwhelm the army’s firepower,” she muttered, hugging the black slime tightly. “So why is the military losing?”
Of course, with Illyna’s strict warning not to get involved, Evangeline held back even though she felt frustrated.
That was when it happened.
Gurgle...
“Huh?”
Gurgle! Gurgle! Gurgle!!
The black slime suddenly began convulsing violently. Evangeline turned pale in shock. “Shadie! What’s wrong?!
She couldn’t help but think there was something wrong with the rice cakes she gave it. Panicking, she rushed about, unsure what to do. The creature had already dropped to the floor and was writhing, letting out gurgling sounds.
It acted like a cat that was about to throw up. Evangeline stood frozen in confusion.
After a long bout of gurgling, the black slime finally began spewing out a black, smoke-like substance.
“
Eek?!
”
Startled, she stumbled backward, but the slime was too busy retching to care.
Though deeply worried watching it suffer like that, an oddly familiar energy emanated from the black fumes, and it unsettled Evangeline.
“This... This is Dad’s power. But... it’s too dark.”
As if poisoned, the slime continued to vomit out the black smoke, which immediately dissipated into the air.
Evangeline stared at it with concern. Yes, she was worried about the black slime, yet more than that, she was beginning to feel worried about Davey.
* * *
One man had turned a once peaceful small kingdom into a dystopia overflowing with hellish discrimination in what seemed like the blink of an eye. Emperor Abzorba of Nacha left an undeniable legacy, for better or worse.
Possessed by a demon, he’d transformed the Nacha Empire into an unprecedented powerhouse, but it had cost far too much blood.
To justify the countless atrocities, he’d used a form of radical supremacism. He claimed that the race most prevalent in the Nacha Empire was the center of the world, and that they were the ones who bore the noblest, purest bloodline. He crushed and subjugated all other races under that pretext, raising national unity through fear and oppression.
As such, even after he blatantly abandoned the empire, the Nacha Empire remained in chaos, torn apart by various warring factions. People soon began to ask the question of what the emperor’s ultimate goal could possibly be.
“What does that damn demon who took over His Majesty’s body even want?” Executioner Shardran, ranked the lowest among executioners, was also the most unrestricted among them.
Ever since the emperor’s behavior first turned strange, Shardran had quietly conducted his own investigation. When every one of his suspicions proved true, he’d revealed all his findings to Princess Myurin.
To the woman who once loved her father's warm presence, the being who stole his body was nothing short of an object of hatred. So, despite the internal instability shaking the empire, she pushed ahead with her search and destroy objective.
She pulled out an old map. “Shardran says the demon who stole Father’s body is here.”
“And where is this?”
“The heart of the continent. Originally, there was a great tree holding up the world that stood there. However, ever since the war began, horrifying contamination has been spreading from that place. If there’s a force powerful enough to cause such an obscene level of pollution... it can only be him.”
Her body trembled as if she might break into tears any second. She bit down hard on her lip. “There’s only one way to reach the heart of the continent.”
She then explained the structure of their world to Davey, even though the knowledge alone could bring about a massive catastrophe for her people if put into the wrong hands.
“You have to activate all the World Stones located at the ends of each continent. Only then will a path to the center open. Without them, the barrier won’t open. Unfortunately, we don’t have enough mana stones or manpower to do that.”
‘You’re worried about making a key? Why worry about the lock when you’ve got bolt cutters?’
“No need. I’ll just break through it.”
“
Ah.
No, you can’t!” Startled, she yelled in a panic, “If you do that, the entire continent could collapse!”
She wasn’t saying it couldn’t be done, of course. She was instead worried about what would happen afterwards.
“I can help gather more materials. The Nacha Empire has been accumulating and storing the divine beast’s ore for a long time. By performing a special process, we can convert it into a massive amount of mana stones. As for manpower, we’ll seek help from the resistance’s mages. To secure their cooperation, I plan to ask for support from Lady Shuneria, whom they trust.”
“Isn’t the black slime ore a national secret weapon of the Nacha Empire?” Davey’s eyes narrowed at her, surprised she was offering up her own country’s deepest reserves.
“It’s just a tool of war, after all, and I have no intention of prolonging this war any further. I will soon liberate every nation we’ve conquered, then atone for all we’ve done. Until now... I was too afraid, too powerless to step forward, but...” She trembled with clenched fists. “If Father wanted someone to stop him... then I’ll be the one to fulfill that wish.”
If that was what she believed, then so be it. Davey had nothing to add or argue.
“Will you go?” she asked him.
Davey gave her a simple nod. “I don’t usually let enemies live. By the way, do you still have attachment to your father’s body?”
“No. He’s... already gone. The Executioners seem to think we still need a holy sword, but from what I’ve seen you’re capable of, you don’t seem like someone who needs such a thing.”
“You’re not wrong.”
“Thank you...” She turned her back on him. “Honestly, I want to go with you. I’d love to see that monster die with my own eyes as well. I hate that monster who turned my father into a war-crazed demon.”
She didn’t say anything else.
Davey spoke up, “What you’re trying to do won’t be easy. Depending on how it turns out, I wouldn’t be surprised if you ended up on the guillotine.”
After all, the Nacha Empire had invaded and trampled countless nations in their unending wars.
“That’s... something I’ll have to work through step by step. I’ll give you all the support I can, as long as it helps you slay that monster. If you need anything, just tell the Executioners.”
Davey looked silently down at his hand.
His original goals—fixing the conflict with the Nacha Empire and punishing the one who tried to kill Park Seung-Hyun—were nearly resolved. All that remained was to deal with the anomaly inside him.
Thanks to that black slime, the worst had been avoided. Still, letting the ember of conflict linger was dangerous. That was why he felt so drawn to the heart of the continent. Beyond just dealing with the emperor, he needed to find out exactly what in that particular dimension was provoking him so strongly.
It was pure instinct.
“
Ah...
” Myurin suddenly muttered quietly, as if a thought had just come to her. “
Ummm.
Is polygamy allowed in your world?”
“There are plenty who aren’t into that, but in some political circles, sure, it happens. Why?”
“
Ah...
It’s nothing!” She quickly waved her hands, keeping her words inside. “Take care out there.”
She turned her back to Davey and said nothing more.
* * *
“The center of the world,
huh?
I’ll go with Behemoth and check it out. You should—”
“No, I’m coming too.”
Reina's eyes widened. “Are you sure you're up for it?”
“Exactly—I’m not and that’s why I have to go. Judging by what’s happening to me, it probably has something to do with this dimension. I need to look into what the hell is going on with it.”
[Hey. Contractor, what about that idiot?]
Behemoth, walking behind Davey, pointed toward the mermaid So-Ya, who was sitting by the Imperial Palace pond with her tail dipped in the water.
[That idiot can’t fight. If possible, let’s just send that idiot back first.]
“I’m not going! Guardian, I’m coming with you!”
[You moron!!!]
They were the epitome of two peas in a pod.
“Just stay here. I’ll send you two back all at once later.”
“
Hehe,
really? That works for me.”
Behemoth frowned, but didn’t argue further.
“Davey.” At that moment, Shuneria Recken approached, dressed in her pure white saintess robes.
“What are you doing here?”
“I heard you were going to meet with Her Highness.” She clasped his hand and released a burst of holy power. For someone who only ever used miracles, such a display of holy energy was surprising. “This is all I can do for you. You probably don’t need it, but...”
“No, it’ll be useful. Thank you.”
If someone was offering even a little holy power, Davey would gladly accept it.
He looked at Shuneria and gave a small smile, then reached out and gently patted her head. “This place is just filled with your enemies, isn’t it?”
“I can change that, I know I can. Hatred only breeds more hatred. Her Highness said she’d change this nation and this continent. I’ve decided... to try believing in her words. I for one will join in with anyone—don’t care what land they’re from—as long as they want to change the miserable condition that exists in this dimension.”
It seemed most of the saintess candidates were remarkably selfless. Well, except for Alice, the former candidate turned Archbishop who had a sharp temper and only cared for herself, people like Saintess Candidate Lena and Iro were all deeply altruistic.
“Do what you want.”
“We're ready.” Shardran approached from afar, dressed in the formal armor of a battle priest. When Shuneria bowed politely, he took her by the shoulder and gently lifted her back up.
Then, quietly, he bowed his head to her. “Please don’t bow to me. If Her Highness took your hand in trust, then showing you respect is only proper.”
“But still...”
“I’m just an Executioner. You, on the other hand, are now officially recognized as a guest of honor by Her Highness, along with these individuals.” He looked nothing like the rough and abrasive man from their first meeting. Back then, he had seemed ready to draw his sword at any instant.
Though Shuneria looked slightly uncomfortable with the change in treatment, Shardran didn’t seem to care at all. “I’ll guide you to the heart of the world.”
“Let’s do it.”
“Yes, sir. The wyverns of the Dragon Knights are ready to—”
“No need,” Davey said calmly, then snapped his fingers. “The ones at fault should pay the price.”
As he spoke, the air split open and a massive black dragon appeared.
Its overwhelming size and pressure dominated the surroundings, yet it slowly backed away, glancing at Davey.
“We’ll be traveling, and we require your top speed. Lower your head.”
[Contractor...]
“If you do that much, I’ll overlook this incident.”
[V-Very well!]
As Megalodria lowered its head, Behemoth let out a faint snort.
[Idiot. Let’s see how riding you goes.
Tsk.
]
[I refuse to be called an idiot by you!]
Megalodria, clearly pissed at being mocked by Behemoth—the dumbest among the Divine Beast Kings—snapped its tail around the whale’s neck and hurled it into the nearby pond.
Sploosh!
Behemoth first sank to the bottom, then resurfaced with a growl, baring his fangs.
It used to act on nothing but raw instinct. In fact, he’d been so violent that it’d even turn its fangs on his own master if annoyed. Yet despite that history, it was clear that it had changed for the better.
Shane Scrift, its previous contractor, had said that no matter how much he tried, Behemoth would never listen to him. Then, ever since it had been hanging around So-Ya, its intelligence had begun to improve in surprising ways.
[You’ve got a death wish!]
[Fine. Let’s use this chance to settle who’s the strongest Divine Beast King.]
The fight was about to erupt when Davey intervened. “You two wanna die?”
The squabble ended as quickly as it began.
Just as Davey was mounting Megalodria, he turned to Shardran and spoke, “
Oh,
right.”
“What is it?”
“Have someone check on Her Highness. She might have an arrhythmia.”
“Sorry...?”
* * *
“It looks like he’s heading toward the center.” Woochi, the hero who governed souls, approached Goddess Freyja with a hollow look on his face. “I usually try to keep my mouth shut, but seriously... Why does a dimension like this, one that tests gods, even exist?”
Goddess Freyja, who had been dipping her feet into a pond and playfully splashing the water, turned her beautiful face to look at him.
Even though Davey had stabbed him in the back with the whole Bi-Yeon situation, Woochi still considered him a disciple, almost someone akin to his little brother. Once he realized that the reason Davey had ended up in such disarray was a problem that lay with the dimension itself, Woochi couldn’t hide his displeasure.
Facing his question, Goddess Freyja closed her eyes in silence, then slowly opened them again.
She smacked her broken tablet a few times until the screen flickered to life, then held it out to him.
[He gained too many levels far too quickly.]
“What happens if Davey fails this trial? You slapped him so hard because you were worried he might, didn’t you?”
Goddess Freyja turned her gaze back to the pond, her expression calm.
[If that child fails...]
The tablet let out a harsh static noise, then shut off completely. Even so, she didn’t seem to care.
Instead, her lips moved as she told Woochi directly.
The moment Woochi heard what she said, his eyes widened in pure instinctive shock.
Before he even realized it, he had already fallen to his knees.
* * *
They had reached the heart of the world. The massive great forest at the center of the continent was worthy of its other label, ‘the very core of the world.’
“So this is the heart of the world, eh? I’ve got a bad feeling about this.”
Davey’s eyes narrowed as he surveyed the enormous barrier that blanketed the entire forest. They had reached the area in record time, and what awaited them was no ordinary magical defense. He could tell right away that it wasn’t the domain of a mere demigod.
“Goddess Freyja.”
He knew that as the Creator, no one but her could break it.
He had boldly declared he’d smash his way in, but even with the powers of Taboo and Predatory Assimilation, he wasn’t sure whether he could break through or not.
As he stood silently observing it, Executioner Shardran approached, adjusting the magitech gauntlets on his arms.
“Her Highness will be contacting leaders from each region, and then it’ll take about two days to activate the World Stones and open the fissure. Please be patient for a bit, even if it gets boring.”
Davey said nothing. He simply reached his hand out toward the barrier.
Then it happened.
[Come find me.]
A familiar voice called out to him. It was one he hadn’t expected to hear.
“What the hell?” Davey muttered, visibly startled.
He could faintly sense the sickening energy of the emperor beyond the barrier, yet the resonance carried by that voice belonged to something in an entirely different realm.
[Come find me.]
The voice echoed again. No one else seemed to hear it, even though it was perfectly clear to Davey.
He knew exactly whose voice it was.
Seeing his expression frozen in surprise, Reina looked over at him with concern.

Chapter 1219