Chapter 42. White Banner Order (5)
"How disappointing."
Inside a room filled with luxurious items worthy of an emperor's palace, a man let out a sigh.
"Korea's central-western region has completely fallen into the hands of demon worshipers."
The S-rank Constellation "Priest King," Prester John, frowned as he watched the screen.
His throne had ten observation devices installed around it.
Each one displayed events happening in different parts of the world that interested him.
One screen was currently showing Korea's central-western region.
Members of the White Banner Order who had fled from yesterday's battle were being hunted down.
"So this marks the complete collapse of the White Banner Order."
The White Banner Order had suffered a crushing defeat against the Black Dragon Society.
Once the situation turned against them, the Contractors from the Church of the Morning Star had retreated early.
The remaining members of the White Banner Order fought desperately.
But they were eventually destroyed under the Black Dragon Society's relentless attack.
"Sama Yun..."
Prester John narrowed his eyes.
"You performed below expectations."
Sama Yun's defeat had been decisive.
Not only had he lost to Kang Yujin in a one-on-one contest of strength, even his attack using the Constellation Armament had been completely countered by Kang Yujin's group.
He had humiliated himself.
Then Kang Yujin had completely subdued him and taken him prisoner.
Once the White Banner Order saw their leader defeated in such a manner, their morale collapsed almost instantly.
"I expected more after seeing how motivated he was..."
Sama Yun had originally been one of Prester John's promising Contractors.
Prester John had even considered using Sama Yun's White Banner Order as a foothold to expand his influence in Korea.
But Sama Yun's ridiculous defeat had ruined everything.
"It cannot be helped."
Of course, Prester John had no intention of giving up.
Sama Yun wasn't the only Korean contracted with him.
He could send messages to the others and create another puppet to replace Sama Yun.
"Korea may be a small nation on the outskirts..."
Prester John narrowed his eyes.
"But if I intend to control East Asia someday, I should establish a foothold there early."
Prester John had a dream.
He wanted to create the worldwide empire that he had failed to build during his lifetime.
Of course, directly descending to Earth and ruling it himself was impossible.
But ruling through Contractors was entirely possible.
To achieve that goal, he recruited Contractors from countries all over the world and carried out a long-term plan.
At the moment, his plan was still in its early stages.
He had only created organizations similar to the White Banner Order in various regions.
But someday...
He intended to build an empire even greater than the Christian kingdom he had ruled while alive.
"Before that..."
His expression darkened.
"I should eliminate that troublesome Contractor."
The Black Dragon Society had begun rapidly rising in the central-western region after a Contractor named Kang Yujin appeared.
From Prester John's perspective, Kang Yujin was the sort of person who would throw the world into chaos.
People like that had appeared from time to time throughout the history of the Fantasy Realm.
Each one had shaken the world.
That personality was the complete opposite of Prester John, who preferred rule through strict order.
On top of that, Kang Yujin was cooperating with the Black Dragon Society.
Prester John wanted him eliminated as soon as possible.
"What should I do...?"
He muttered.
"I don't have a suitable Contractor in that region..."
Just as he reached toward the observation device...
An Apostle he regularly dealt with entered the throne room.
"Priest King."
"What is it?"
"I came because I believe Your Majesty needs to know about something."
The Apostle bowed.
"Please check Constellation Tube."
"Constellation Tube?"
Prester John looked offended.
"Why should I look at such a vulgar place?"
"It's..."
The Apostle hesitated.
"It would be faster if Your Majesty watched it directly rather than hearing my explanation."
"This is extremely unpleasant."
"I apologize."
The Apostle bowed again.
"But I believe you should see it as quickly as possible."
"Hmm."
Prester John leaned back.
"Then operate it yourself."
The Apostle bowed and manipulated one of the observation devices at the edge of the room.
Then a video began playing.
"Greetings, everyone."
A handsome man with long, curly black hair smiled at the screen.
"I am your eternal ally, your dependable supporter, your hero... the 'Leader of the Expedition.'"
Prester John frowned at the man's frivolous attitude.
"Who is that fool?"
"The B-rank Constellation 'Leader of the Expedition.'"
The Apostle answered carefully.
"He recently began uploading videos while clinging to the Unknown Constellation."
"I asked for his True Name."
"I believe he is the Greek hero Jason."
"Jason?"
Prester John frowned.
"Never heard of him."
He waved dismissively.
"I suppose he was simply some heathen who suffered in hell."
While they were talking, Jason continued speaking endlessly in the video.
"So, as you've seen, Sama Yun's Constellation Armament was completely countered."
Jason smiled dramatically.
"I'm sure everyone was shocked."
Prester John suddenly became more attentive.
"Wait."
He leaned forward.
"Is this man talking about the previous battle?"
"Yes... he is."
Jason continued.
"So how did Kang Yujin's group counter Sama Yun's Constellation Armament?"
He spread his hands.
"You're all curious, aren't you?"
"That's why I've decided to reveal the truth."
Prester John became somewhat interested.
He was curious about that himself.
"To reveal the truth, we first need to talk about Sama Yun's Constellation, the 'Priest King.'"
Jason smiled.
"Those of you familiar with him will know he's an S-rank Constellation."
Then Jason briefly explained Prester John.
"The Priest King's Constellation Armament..."
"You all saw Sama Yun use it earlier."
"It's supposedly a Constellation Armament that freely controls countless iron stakes and uses them to pierce enemies."
Jason leaned toward the screen.
"That's what everyone believes."
Then he grinned.
"But did you know that information is false?"
Prester John stared blankly.
What nonsense was this man talking about?
"Those who know his history will already understand that the Priest King was not some legendary hero."
Jason continued casually.
"He was simply a ruler who built a kingdom through war."
"He may have been a Christian priest, but he possessed no extraordinary martial ability."
Jason raised one finger.
"Which created one major problem."
"What problem?"
He paused dramatically.
"Despite being an S-rank Constellation, his Constellation Armament is terrible!"
Prester John's eye twitched.
"The Priest King's Constellation Armament simply provides a bunch of iron stakes."
Jason laughed.
"Long, awkward iron stakes that are difficult to use in actual combat!"
"Who even uses spears that long nowadays?"
"Are people supposed to form a spear formation?"
He waved dismissively.
"It's an absolutely pathetic Constellation Armament!"
Prester John's face began turning red.
"So when the Priest King allows his favorite Contractors to use the Constellation Armament, he gives them very specific instructions."
Jason leaned toward the screen.
"'Don't use it normally. Control it with magic.'"
"As if that ability came from the Constellation Armament itself!"
Jason pointed dramatically.
"Do you understand now?"
"The Priest King was afraid other Constellations would laugh at him if they learned that his grand S-rank Constellation Armament was nothing more than a pile of useless iron stakes!"
"So he ordered his Contractors to hide the truth!"
"He gave them unfair orders merely to protect his pride!"
"And at the same time..."
