Chapter 167

Chapter 167 – Chapter 32: Giants #4

Felicia, who was wearing a white nightgown over pearl pajamas, crossed her legs on the chair and narrowed her eyes . She stared at In-gong sitting on the bed and opened her eyes .

“So, to summarize, the four knights each have the power to appoint an apostle . The eastern barbarian king Karatus and Berkintox whom we fought today were the apostles of war?”

“That’s right . ”

In-gong nodded . Felicia paused before saying to In-gong,

“Now, as the Conquest Knight, Shutra is able to appoint an apostle . ”

“Exactly . ”

Approximately 10 minutes ago, In-gong had called Felicia to his room to explain briefly about the apostles . The story was quick because Felicia had already seen Karatus and Berkintox .

“Hmm . So, what is the difference between an apostle and being a member of the King’s Knights?”

An apostle was able to receive the strength of one of the four knights . However, this was also the same for the King’s Knights . After Felicia became a member of the King’s Knights, she gained confidence in her stamina and magic power .

In-gong scratched his cheek and explained to Felicia,

“Uh… it is a bit strange, but if we say a king’s knight is just a subordinate, an apostle would be more like family? The relationship is a little closer . The king’s knights can consider themselves as minor apostles . ”

“Is it like the difference between someone you know and someone important?”

“Well… a little bit?”

It was a somewhat strange analogy, but the meaning was there . Felicia bit her lip and turned her gaze slightly away before asking In-gong again,

“Are there any restrictions on making an apostle? For example, every time you make one, the power of the knight weakens . ”

Felicia was sharp . In-gong sighed and replied,

“It is like Noona said . The power of the knight is needed in order to make an apostle . In my case, it is the power of Conquest . ”

“Is it the concept of becoming weaker to give strength to an apostle?”

If one point was subtracted from 10 strength, he would only have nine points left . Felicia’s question mixed with the worries in In-gong’s head .

“That’s not it . It’s more like collecting magic power to use a powerful spell? I’m exhausting my accumulated power to make an apostle . That depleted power will be restored over time . ”

His power would be slightly weak Immediately after creating the apostle . However, it wasn’t a permanent loss, so he could bear it .

“But there seems to be a certain limit on the number of apostles which can be sustained with the strength . That is why I need to do some research . ”

Currently, In-gong’s Apostle Appointment was only level one . There might be some innovative changes once it reached a higher level .

‘And… there are the cases of the other knights . ’

The War Knight had put forth several apostles . The apostle of death, who had appeared in Thunderdoom Fortress, had a much stronger power of death than the power of war Berkintox and Artman had . Additionally, the Famine Knight didn’t have even one apostle . His power of Famine was weaker than In-gong’s power of Conquest .

The main reason for the gap between the knights was time . How long they had been a knight, and how long they had handled the power? The War Knight and Death Knight were obviously very old . Otherwise, the current situation couldn’t be explained .

“Hrmm… then Shutra, how many apostles can you appoint now?”

“Just one . ”

In-gong shrugged as he replied to Felicia’s question . Felicia sighed and crossed her legs in the opposite direction .

“This is why you need advice . ”

“Yes, I am worried about who to appoint as an apostle . ”

He could only make one person his apostle right now, so he was worried about it . Felicia narrowed her eyes and asked,

“Who are the candidates?”

“All of the King’s Knights . If I had to add anyone else, maybe Caitlin noona and Chris hyung?”

“Caitlin and Chris?”

“I trust both of them . ”

The two people had taught him aura and Divine Beast Authority . He had already established an alliance with both of them even before he formed a relationship with Felicia . Felicia twisted her lips at In-gong’s words and spread open her fan to hide her face . Then she said,

“Hum hum, wouldn’t it be better for the first one to be among the knights?”

Her ears were twitching slightly . It was at that moment that Green Wind appeared suddenly beside In-gong in her solid form and nodded .

“Princess is right . Master, I think so as well . It should be within the King’s Knights . ”

According to Felicia and Green Wind, Chris and Caitlin weren’t knights, so they were eliminated . Felicia, who had a strong sense of pride, said quickly,

“As a non-combatant, shouldn’t Nayatra be subtracted?”

“That’s right . Princess’ words are very correct . It is good if someone other than Nayatra is an apostle . ”

Nayatra was quickly eliminated .

“And… General Vandal is too far away isn’t he? There are many times when he won’t be together with you . ”

“He isn’t with Prince . ”

Once again, Green Wind agreed with Felicia’s words . The two people carefully excluded Vandal and Silvan from the candidates .

“Well, well . So, now, there are four candidates?”

Felicia glanced at In-gong with expectant eyes . In-gong tried to hold back a laugh as he told Felicia and Green Wind,

“In fact, I have already set the candidates . Three people . ”

“Three people?”

“Noona, Green Wind, and Carack . There are two reasons for selecting these three candidates . ”

In-gong raised his fingers one by one .

“First, they need to have a long experience with the power of Conquest . Second, they need to be someone emotionally close to me . It is good to have someone who meets those conditions in order to have a more efficient apostle . ”

Karma had always followed In-gong, so she had a long experience with the power of Conquest . However, she was unfortunately eliminated because of the second reason .

“Umm . ”

Felicia made a satisfied sound after hearing the two reasons from In-gong . Green Wind then pulled at In-gong’s arm and asked,

“Master, then it is me as well?”

She had been with him for a long time and was emotionally close . As Green Wind’s eyes gleamed, Felicia quickly folded up her fan .

“No, Green Wind is always with Shutra . The apostle should be someone who is able to fight independently . ”

Both the barbarian king and Berkintox had moved apart from the War Knight . As Felicia swiftly eliminated Green Wind as a candidate, she opened her fan with a large sound .

“Shutra, choose—me or Carack . ”

Her tone indicated that she was feeling a little bit impatient . Green Wind ignored Felicia’s words and grabbed In-gong’s hand .

“Master . I believe in Master . I definitely believe in you . ”

In-gong finally laughed . He looked between Felicia and Green Wind, and asked,

“Do you both want to become stronger?”

Becoming an apostle would make them stronger than they were now . Felicia avoided In-gong’s gaze as she replied,

“I-It isn’t like that . Just…”

“Just?”

“Master, I want to be your first apostle . ”

Green Wind suddenly interrupted . Her passionate voice seemed to be trying to reach his heart . Then In-gong looked at Felicia .

“Noona as well?”

“I-I don’t care about being your first apostle . I just like to be first . ”

“Well, I see . ”

In-gong’s eyes narrowed, and Felicia’s ears turned redder . She eventually cried out,

“Anyway! Decide quickly—me or Carack . ”

“Master . ”

Instead of answering, In-gong nodded a few times before getting up from his seat . He had a new proposal in order to make it fair for everyone .

“Call Carack and ask him . ”

&

“Hrmm, I don’t know what an apostle is, but I think it should be Green Wind rather than Princess . ”

After being invited, Carack heard about the situation and said that with folded arms . As Felicia and Green Wind looked at Carack for different reasons, Carack explained in a relaxed voice,

“Doesn’t Green Wind always fight with Prince? So, if Green Wind becomes stronger, Prince will as well . If there is only one apostle, then I think it is right to strengthen Prince’s power . After all, the most important thing is the Prince’s safety . ”

As expected from Carack, it was a reasonable and relevant reason .

“Oh… Orc, you are a good guy . It seems that I have misunderstood you . ”

Carack laughed at Green Wind’s words .

“Then how do you normally see me?”

“I saw you as an orc, Orc . ”

Green Wind said bluntly, and Carack laughed again .

“Hmm, then is it decided on Green Wind?”

In-gong asked all of them to be precise . Then he looked at Felicia, who covered her face with a fan and said,

“Lots . ”

“Huh?”

“Let’s draw lots . All three people have good reasons . ”

Even as she spoke, shame grew in her voice . Carack clicked his tongue .

“Princess, obsession is bad . ”

“Am I acting obsessed?”

“You are obsessed . Obsessed Princess . ”

Green Wind added, dealing the heaviest blow . Felicia stared in disbelief, and her long ears sagged . It was at this moment that In-gong couldn’t bear it any longer and burst out laughing .

“Well, actually… there is no reason to argue . ”

“What does that mean?”

Carack blinked as he asked . Felicia and Green Wind both stared at In-gong . In-gong shrugged and replied,

“The apostle of the Conquest Knight is a little special . ”

The Four Knights of the Apocalypse had different powers . Therefore, the creation of an apostle was slightly different for every knight .

“Now, I can appoint one apostle . If it were the same as other knights, then I can make only one fixed apostle, but… the Conquest Knight has an ability that makes it different . ”

The King’s Knights . With a crown on his head, this was the power of the Conquest Knight, who was born with the fate of a king .

“The Conquest Knight can upgrade any knight to an apostle . It is a temporary, non-permanent upgrade, so I can change the person receiving the upgrade, depending on the situation . ”

The members of the King’s Knights were already like minor apostles . So, it was a type of power-up which turned minor apostles into real apostles .

‘Thanks to this system, Karma can become an apostle as well . ’

It was a bit of a sorry story, but if he had to prioritize the appointment of an apostle, Karma was the one in the lead . She would become the first one to receive the Apostle Appointment, and he would change the apostle depending on the situation . Karma was one of the most important people on missions due to her great mobility .

After hearing In-gong’s explanation, Carack shook his head and pointed at the chair where Felicia was sitting .

“Is it just like that big chair? As it grows, the number of people sitting on it at the same time can increase?”

“Exactly . As expected of Carack . ”

Yes, it was a decent analogy . Green Wind nodded . However, Felicia was different . She stared straight at In-gong and said,

“Wait a minute, wait a minute . Then why didn’t you say that from the beginning?”

Things would have gone a lot faster if he had said that first . At Felicia’s question, Carack and Green Wind also looked at In-gong with curiosity . In-gong shrugged and replied,

“It was cute seeing you argue with each other over who should be first . ”

In particular, Felicia…

Felicia’s face turned red at his words, and she fanned herself angrily . Her expression was now grouchy . Carack shook his head while Green Wind narrowed her eyes .

Some time passed as they talked . As Felicia stretched out with weariness, Carack asked like he suddenly remembered something,

“Prince, then should you give Apostle Appointment a try? Who will be the first apostle?”

“Huh?”

“Even if Apostle Appointment isn’t permanent, there still has to be the first apostle . ”

He once again had a logical and valid point . Felicia and Green Wind asked at the same time,

“Shutra?”

“Master?”

In-gong laughed awkwardly .

&

“Uh, can I really be the first?”

Karma, who was invited to In-gong’s room in the middle of the night, asked Felicia and Green Wind . Although she knew very little about the Conquest Knight, it soon became clear that Felicia and Green Wind placed great meaning in being the first apostle .

Poor Karma’s shoulders sagged, while Carack put a big hand on her shoulder and said reassuringly,

“This is the most fair solution . ”

If he chose either Felicia or Green Wind, the one who wasn’t chosen would be out of control . Felicia and Green Wind both had the same expression on their faces as In-gong turned to Karma with a somewhat tired expression .

“Karma, close your eyes . ”

Karma closed her eyes, and In-gong reached out toward her . Then the Conquest Coat of Arms emerged on Karma’s forehead . The new power of the King’s Knights, the apostle promotion…

In-gong gave Karma strength, and a pure white light enveloped her body .

&

“What did you do that you didn’t sleep all night?”