The Return of the Legendary All-Master

[Translator - Kiteretsu]

[Proofreader - Kyros]

Grand Duchy of Rodrian.

He had returned to the Imperial Capital and was now seated in his office, handling official duties.

Bzzzz—

The communicator on his desk vibrated with a high-pitched signal tone.

Grand Duke Rodrian set down his documents and reached out to the communicator, channeling mana into it.

At that, the communicator glowed and displayed the face of Duke Alpheor.

"What is it?"

He asked in a dry tone. Duke Alpheor cleared his throat once and got straight to the point.

<Your Grace, we require the strength of the Imperial Knights.>

The Imperial Knights.

Grand Duke Rodrian furrowed his brow.

"The Imperial Knights? Are you preparing for war or something?"

<It's not exactly that, but…>

"If it's not a matter of utmost importance, the Imperial Knights do not move. You haven't forgotten that, have you?"

The one who led that order was none other than Grand Duke Rodrian himself—and even the Emperor of the Empire could not casually command the Imperial Knights.

They were not loyal to any individual, but wholly devoted to the Empire itself.

<Please. At this rate, we might be swallowed by the Kingdom of Austro.>

"Swallowed?"

<Yes. The truth is…>

Duke Alpheor then began explaining the quest that had descended upon the Empire.

He also reported that the 1st to 3rd Knight Divisions had been completely annihilated.

Grand Duke Rodrian let out a heavy sigh, his expression dark.

"How… just what kind of judgment could lead to deploying the Empire's main forces on such a scale only for them to be wiped out?"

<That's precisely why I'm asking for your help… If the Imperial Knights move, we'll surely be able to obtain the reward.>

"…Hah. I refuse."

<W-What…?>

"Duke, I have no interest in such rewards."

<Are you saying you're just going to sit by and watch as the Empire falls into peril?!>

"No. Our Imperial Knights are ready to lay down their lives for the sake of the Empire."

<Then why…>

"Isn't this crisis the result of the Emperor's own greed?"

Grand Duke Rodrian had returned to his emotionless expression as he posed the question to Alpheor.

<…What exactly are you trying to say?>

"Tell him this: that he should clean up his own mess."

<Y-You don't seriously believe that's an acceptable answer, do you?>

"Why wouldn't it be? If an invasion does occur due to the loss of forces, then call again at that time."

<We should act beforehand—>

Alpheor's words were cut off.

Rodrian had forcefully severed the mana link, terminating the transmission.

Bzzzz—

The communicator began to ring and vibrate once more, but Grand Duke Rodrian simply shoved it aside.

"Your Grace, Count Iandorf is here to see you."

As soon as the transmission cut off, the butler entered the office as if he had been waiting for the moment and gave his report.

"They sure came well-prepared."

Grand Duke Rodrian's lips twitched slightly.

Duke Alpheor, likely anticipating that the communication wouldn't work, had organized an envoy led by Count Iandorf and sent them directly to the Grand Duchy via teleportation.

"What shall we do?"

"Send them back."

He had no intention of granting them an audience.

"Well… they've said they won't leave until they're let in."

"They knew I would refuse?"

"That seems to be the case."

"Let them do as they please. Whether they freeze to death or not, show them no concern."

"Understood."

The butler exited the office.

Shouting and yelling could be heard from outside, but Grand Duke Rodrian ignored it entirely and returned to reviewing his documents.

"You can't enter! Unauthorized outsiders are not allowed inside!"

"It'll only take a moment. Step aside."

"I said no—agh!"

Thunk.

Along with the butler's scream, the door burst open violently.

Grand Duke Rodrian pressed the bridge of his nose and rose from his seat.

An uninvited guest had arrived—he wouldn't be leaving unscathed.

Fastening his cherished sword to his waist, Rodrian began to step outside.

But the intruder was quicker.

The office door swung wide, and in the blink of an eye, a man was standing directly in front of Grand Duke Rodrian.

"I couldn't read him."

Rodrian's face stiffened.

Who in the world is this man?

[Information cannot be read.]

Can't be read?

Rodrian's pupils quivered slightly.

"Would you hand over the key?"

"…The key?"

"I'm trying to get to the dungeon, but the path is blocked. I considered forcing my way through, but that didn't seem polite."

"And barging in here like this is what you call polite?"

"I made an effort to be courteous. Seems it didn't go over well."

The man's cold eyes scanned Rodrian from head to toe.

"Damn it… I can't move."

He wanted to draw the sword at his waist, but his body wouldn't respond—like it had broken down.

"…Just who are you?"

Rodrian bit down on his lip as he asked.

He'd never heard of someone with this level of power in the Empire.

Which could only mean—he was from another nation.

"No need to know. Just hand over the key."

"…And if I say no?"

"Then I'll have no choice but to break through by force."

"Not kill me instead?"

"I'd rather avoid bloodshed."

The man gave a faint smile.

What a truly beautiful face he has.

Without a smile, his expression seemed cold and aloof—but once he smiled, that chill vanished, replaced by an air of mystery.

What should I do…

But in truth, the answer was already clear.

The man standing before him was not someone he could handle, no matter how hard he tried.

If this man truly wished it, he could reduce the entire Grand Duchy to ashes without effort.

And yet, the fact that he was offering a chance—it meant he had no desire to kill.

"Then promise me one thing."

"A promise?"

"I'll hand over the key, but once you're done using it, you must return it. Also, do not destroy the surrounding barrier."

"I promise."

Pleased with the answer, the man shifted his gaze away from Grand Duke Rodrian.

Only then did the stiffness in Rodrian's body vanish, and he regained control of himself.

Cold sweat…

Though the exchange had been brief, his entire body was drenched in sweat just from being under that man's gaze.

Rodrian opened a drawer in his desk and took out a blue box.

Inside was a red key.

This key temporarily disabled the barrier that blocked the path.

Without it, one couldn't enter the dungeon—and it was also required to deactivate the barrier when leaving.

"Thank you for your wise decision."

The man accepted the key and immediately turned to leave.

"Wait! That key only needs to be turned once. Never turn it twice."

"Because the barrier will be fully deactivated?"

"…A clever one, aren't you."

"Don't worry. Since you've resolved this peacefully, I will do the same."

With those parting words, the man vanished.

Left alone, Grand Duke Rodrian's legs gave out beneath him, and he collapsed into his chair.

His body still trembled uncontrollably.

"…What kind of monster is that man, and where did he come from…?"

Rodrian muttered to himself over and over again, a dazed look in his eyes.

* * *

Jeong-hoon, holding the key, used Heavenly Demon Lord's Dominion to instantly arrive at the barrier.

There was a small hole at chest height in the barrier.

[A 'Key' is required to disable the barrier.]

A message floated up as he approached.

That was why Jeong-hoon had turned around and gone to meet Grand Duke Rodrian in the first place.

===

[Player Information]

- Nickname: Khazix von Rodrian

- Level: 1,520

- Class: Sword Master (5th Advancement), Lord of the Rodrian Grand Duchy, Commander of the Kalderean Imperial Knights

===

He was a fully advanced 5th-tier Sword Master—a master refined to perfection.

At the same time, he was the lord of this Grand Duchy and the sword that guarded the Empire.

In terms of dimensional standards, he was undoubtedly a top-tier powerhouse.

<What a pity. If that guy had seen your level, he would've pissed himself.>

Tenebris, who had been silently observing everything from the side, quickly realized that Grand Duke Rodrian had failed to read Jeong-hoon's information.

"You didn't know? I already did."

Jeong-hoon had known all along.

<Huh? You found out before I did?>

"He told me."

[The opponent failed to view your information.]

That message had appeared once before—when he met Yoo Yu-chan.

It's probably because of the disparity in status.

Ever since Jeong-hoon became the Master of a Dimension, he had become a demi-god—half-human, half-divine.

So it was only natural his information couldn't be read.

<Damn it… And here I was, looking forward to seeing you surprised for once.>

Jeong-hoon casually ignored Tenebris, who muttered with disappointment, and inserted the key into the small hole.

It fit perfectly.

Just as Grand Duke Rodrian had asked, Jeong-hoon turned it only once.

[The barrier has been temporarily disabled.]

The barrier blocking the path vanished instantly.

As soon as Jeong-hoon removed the key, the barrier immediately began preparing to regenerate.

"Let's go."

Placing the key into his inventory, Jeong-hoon crossed the threshold.

Roughly five minutes later, the barrier reformed and sealed the passage once again.

<So, out of all these dungeons, which one are you actually headed for?>

There were over twenty visible to the naked eye.

Jeong-hoon passed them all without a second glance.

"Do you know how I found the Demon Realm last time?"

<How would I know that?>

"Just watch closely."

* * *

Using Heavenly Demon Lord's Dominion, Jeong-hoon bypassed one dungeon after another, until he finally reached the northern edge.

There, unlike the other portals, a black portal shimmered ominously.

<Whoa… Baal! Was your Demon Realm this easy to find before?>

Tenebris asked with an incredulous look.

Baal replied with sweat trickling down his face.

<Most likely, no.>

It was only because it was Jeong-hoon that this place could be found.

For anyone else, it was a place far beyond reach—completely hidden.

"Honestly, even this wasn't easy."

There had been countless monsters he had to hunt as he passed through the dungeons.

[Translator - Kiteretsu]

[Proofreader - Kyros]