Volume 3 Chapter 244

Volume 3 + Chapter 244: The Ring of Clarity

The great doors of the Holy Temple were opened.



A figure walked in, coming before the Knight King and the Silver Edge Knight.



Upon seeing this person, the Silver Edge Knight looked slightly surprised, “You are…?”



“Knight King, Silver Edge Knight, greetings to you both.”



It was an old man, none other than Master Sander, the highest authority among authorities in the field of archaeology.



He bowed respectfully toward the Knight King and the Silver Edge Knight.



The Silver Edge Knight had heard of him—just recently, Sander, together with the Fearless Knight, one of the Four Great Knight Commanders, had gone to the ruins of an ancient human civilization to conduct an archaeological exploration, and unearthed a legendary holy relic.



“Mr. Sander, regarding the research on that legendary relic, I have heard you’ve already made progress—is that true?” asked the Knight King.



“Knight King, from the high tower in the very depths of the ancient human ruins, we recovered a legendary relic. Afterward, I led my team in tireless research, deciphering the ancient texts left behind by our human ancestors. We have achieved tremendous results!” Sander replied.



“That relic’s power is said to rival the Holy Sword and the Holy Spear—can this truly be so?”



“Yes! The might of this legendary relic has already surpassed our understanding. Please, see for yourself!”



Sander’s expression was extremely excited. He produced a box, supporting it with one hand and opening it with the other.



From within the box, the object released a mysterious radiance and waves of ancient aura.



“This… this is…!”



The Silver Edge Knight was dumbstruck. He could sense that the object inside was something no human civilization of the present world could possibly create. It was a holy relic that surpassed nearly every weapon and item he had ever seen. Perhaps only the Holy Sword and the Holy Spear could be compared with it.



When the glow slowly faded, lying upon red satin was a ring.



“Knight King, according to the information left by the ancient human civilization, we have learned this ring’s name—the Ring of Clarity,” said Sander.



“The Ring of Clarity?” the Knight King repeated the name. “So this is the result of the Holy Temple Knights’ expedition? In the preliminary report I reviewed earlier, you mentioned this relic could grant its bearer godlike powers.”



“That is correct!”



Sander was very certain.



“Once one puts on the Ring of Clarity, they can, according to their will, launch an attack against the soul itself, erasing the soul of any living being! This power is exactly like the myths of the Sun God!”



In human world mythology, it was said that when someone spoke blasphemously and insulted the Sun God, the Sun God descended and erased that sinner’s soul.



This was something even children knew—the power of the gods.



“Knight King, what shocked us most is this: unlike the Holy Sword and the Holy Spear, which require recognition by the relic, and only those with the corresponding imprints may wield them—the Ring of Clarity has no such limitation. Anyone who wears it can wield the power of a god!” Sander explained. “That is the greatest difference between this legendary relic and the Holy Sword or Holy Spear!”



“This… can it be true!?”



The Silver Edge Knight found it unbelievable.



“A relic of such might, and yet without restriction—usable by anyone?”



“Yes, there are no requirements for the bearer’s identity—anyone can use it,” Sander replied. “Like the Holy Sword Gram, the Ring of Clarity was not made by humans of the mythic age. It seems to be an even older relic! Even the civilization of the ancients could not unlock its mysteries!”



The Knight King fell silent for a moment after hearing this. Then he lifted the Ring of Clarity, attempting to place it onto his gauntlet.



The Ring of Clarity released a dazzling light.



Beneath the Knight King’s feet, a domain appeared, as if he himself were the sovereign of that realm, able to dictate the life and death of any within it.



Overcome with instinctive terror, both Sander and the Silver Edge Knight fell to their knees, feeling as though they were mere fish laid upon a chopping block, utterly at the mercy of the Knight King’s blade.



“It is indeed so—there are no restrictions upon the user,” the Knight King said in awe. “The Ring of Clarity truly responds to the bearer’s will, capable of erasing any soul.”



“Knight King… but please, I beg you, do not experiment recklessly,” Sander forced himself to remain rational. “Though the Ring of Clarity appears to hold unreasonably overwhelming power, it also bears a side effect that cannot be ignored. It is an even more dangerous relic than the Holy Sword or Holy Spear.”



“Side effect?”



“Yes—the Ring of Clarity will backlash upon its user. Though it can launch soul attacks, it also causes permanent, irreparable damage to the wielder’s own soul. To kill ten thousand enemies is to wound oneself seven thousand.”



The Knight King was not surprised.



The Holy Sword and the Holy Spear did not harm their wielders. But the Ring of Clarity was different.



For an artifact of such universal accessibility, a price had to be paid.



He removed the Ring of Clarity, returning it to its box.



Both the Silver Edge Knight and Sander exhaled in relief.



“Knight King, one more point must be added—the strength of the Ring of Clarity’s attack also depends upon the power of its user. If a weak soul strikes at a stronger one, it may not inflict much damage,” Sander said. “The stronger the wielder, the stronger the souls they can erase.”



“Have you tested this?”



“Yes. One of my team members used it before. Like me, he was just a mortal. When he unleashed a soul attack, it killed only a chicken. Afterward, he was backlashed, his soul injured. He has been in a coma ever since… it seems he will be bedridden for quite some time,” Sander sighed.



“I see. I understand.” The Knight King nodded.



…



After finishing his report on the legendary relic, Sander departed the Holy Temple, leaving only the Knight King and the Silver Edge Knight.



“With the Ring of Clarity, we will be able to eliminate the Fallen Sword Saint.”



The Knight King looked at the relic inside the box.



“Knight King, this Ring of Clarity must be worn by a strong individual if it is to unleash its greatest effect,” the Silver Edge Knight said.



“Tia is out of the question.”



The Knight King immediately rejected the idea of the Knight Princess.



The Knight Princess was destined to become the Human King in the future. How could her soul be permanently damaged?



“We must choose the most suitable candidate to wield the Ring of Clarity.”



Suddenly, the Silver Edge Knight thought of someone and smiled.



“Knight King, I have an excellent candidate! Not only is he a formidable warrior, he harbors deep hatred toward the Dragons. Even knowing the terrible price of using the Ring of Clarity, he would not hesitate to wield it, if only to slay the evil dragons!”



“Oh? Such a person exists?” The Knight King grew interested.



“Yes. If we entrust the Ring of Clarity to him, he will even owe gratitude to our Holy Temple Knights,” the Silver Edge Knight smiled. “You should know him well—he is none other than…”