Second World

"This is one powerful war tool," Jack remarked of the Totem Banner. "Themisphere's national treasure might be great for a country's development, but this one is more powerful in terms of war purposes. It truly suits Verremor's war-mongering nature."

"I think we should leave," Jonathan said. He was glad of the three-level increase, but he preferred he didn't have to go up against a monster like that archdemon again.

No demon came out of the portal. Probably that archdemon had chased away the other demons on the other side so it could hoard all the corrupted mana for itself once it got the chance.

Still, they thought it was wiser if they didn't stay there for too long. Jack stored the Totem Banner in his inventory and led the others back to where they came from.

A gap had appeared there. Severus mentioned that they could sense when an artifact was removed from its station. they opened a gap in the dome then.

The five ran out through that gap. Seeing everyone had come out, Severus ordered the mages to close the gap.

"So, you have taken the Totem Banner," Diana asked.

"I have," Jack answered. He then asked Severus, "How's the rune diagram doing? Will it be okay with just one artifact?"

"Yes. The closing of the portal proceeded as before one of the artifacts was taken. The portal had weakened enough that we no longer need two."

"Will this cause the process to take longer?" Jack asked.

"A little, but not much," Severus answered. "At this point, the power from the second artifact was mostly wasted. There was a limit as to how fast this portal can be closed. It won't go any faster even if we add more artifacts to power up the diagram."

Jack nodded. With this Totem Banner, he now had something to make peace with the Verremor nation.

"Thank you, everyone, for your aid. I truly appreciate them," Jack announced.

"It is our honor, Your Majesty," Alfredo and the others said.

"I won't take your time any longer. Everyone can go back to your duties," Jack said. He used his king badge to return Alfredo and Jonathan to where he summoned them from. Severus opened the barrier for the rest to walk out before returning his attention to supervising the mages.

Jack wanted to head out, but he noticed Arlcard was still there. The vampire normally just unsummoned himself after a battle ended.

"Can we talk in private?" Arlcard said when Jack looked over.

"Sure," Jack said. Diana and Dimitri then excused themselves and walked away.

Jack and Arlcard walked to another part of the ruin. Some soldiers were fighting monsters around this ancient ruin but they were too far to hear them talk.

"What is it?" Jack asked.

"Is there by any chance you will be visiting Sangrod Empire again?" Arlcard asked back.

"I have no plan at the moment, but I'm sure I will have to go there again at one point in the future," Jack replied.

Arlcard nodded. "In that case, call me when you are there."

"O... kay. What is this about? What do you want to do there."

"I need your help with something in that country. I will tell you when we are there," Arlcard said, then vanished.

"Shit! Can't you at least say goodbye first?" Jack grumbled. He heard a notification soon after.

"You have received a companion quest, Blood Debt."

"Companion Quest?" Jack turned to Peniel.

"This is surprising. Normally, only when your relationship with your companion had gone deeper can a companion quest be available," Peniel said. "I seriously doubt you and that vampire's relationship can be said as anything but deep."

"What are you talking about? Of course, our relationship has gone deep. He is just shy to express it. I mean, who can resist my charm, eh?"

Peniel responded by vanishing into her hidden dimension.

"Hm, I guess she is also shy," Jack muttered. He opened his status window and checked the quest given by Arlcard.

*

Blood Debt (Companion Quest)

Difficulty: SSS

Rewards: ???

Meet Arlcard in the Sangrod Empire and help him resolve his matters

*

'Blood debt... Doesn't sound like a peaceful quest,' Jack thought. But then again, most decent quests in games are rarely peaceful. This was even an SSS difficulty. Arlcard didn't sound so urgent, though. So, he would just leave this quest for later.

Jack didn't bother walking up to the warehouse to exit this place. He used his king badge and teleported himself back to Thereath Palace. This was another new function of his Themisphere faction badge after becoming a king.

Arriving there, he now had the time to check on the archdemon's loots.

There were the usual coins and mana cores. A few materials and equipment. The most unusual that exuded powerful mana were three items. One of which was an insignia for a guild unit.

*

Demonic Legion Insignia (Unique Insignia, for guild purposes only)

Allow the training of Demonic Legion

*

"Sweet," Jack whistled. "John and Jeanny would love this. Oh... Only Jeanny now, that annoying guy mostly hangs out in this palace nowadays."

"Demonic Legion is a very powerful guild unit, you are very lucky to get this," Peniel said. She had come back out from her hidden dimension.

"Of course, my luck is undeniable. But I'm actually expecting a legendary item. That archdemon was originally an eternal grade, after all."

"It was suppressed to a mythical. So, don't get your hopes up," Peniel said.

Jack shrugged and looked at the second item.

*

Gate of the Underworld (Unique consumable, Disaster item)

Summon the underworld horde to the surrounding area

*

"Whoa, a disaster item! Let's just put this aside," Jack said and stored the item. He had a fleeting thought about giving this disaster item to Wicked Witches. To let them use it at World Ruler's headquarters. But he decided against it. Though this disaster item was unstable, he might have a use for it later.

He then turned his attention to the last item. He froze once he read its description.

*

Heart of Archdemon (Legendary material)

For crafting purpose