132 - it is Not a Princess but a Lord

The second divine artifact after Deathscythe, [Red Crown].

As its name suggested, it took the form of a pointed crown that glowed red.

Its design wasn't overly flashy; it was simple yet elegant.

It was also so light that I couldn't tell whether I was wearing it.

However.

‘It isn't a weapon?’

I had expected something like Deathscythe to appear, so I was a little flustered when an accessory came out instead.

Then again, not every divine artifact had to be a weapon.

I turned on selfie mode on my smartphone to check my appearance.

The crown resting on my head went extremely well with my silver hair, red eyes, and haughty gaze.

‘Ooh!’

……At least if you only looked as far as my face.

If you looked lower.

‘I just look like an elementary school kid cosplaying as a princess….’

Since this was my body, I apparently looked like an elementary school kid excitedly trying on a toy crown received as a Children's Day present.

‘N-no! It must be because of the clothes!’

It was only because I was wearing comfortable clothes meant for lounging around the house.

If I wore it with the dress or qipao Lili had made, I was sure I'd look incredibly cool!

I deliberately looked away from reality.

Putting my appearance aside, I decided to check the crown's effects.

[Divine Artifact: Red Crown (EX)]

It is the divine artifact of the most noble and exalted Blood Lord in the entire universe.

Blood Legion (Passive)

- You can grant the legion's blessing to those who acknowledge the user as a true lord.

The target's stats increase in proportion to their loyalty.

The effect lasts permanently.

Lord's Edict (Active)

- Issues an area-wide command to the selected targets.

Special enhancement effects suited to the nature of the command are granted for a set duration.

Upon activation, the Red Crown transforms into its 'true form.' (Cooldown: 7 days)

‘Oh-ho.’

As I slowly read through the description, I nodded.

First, the passive [Blood Legion].

Simply put, it was an ability that raised stats according to loyalty.

I checked the current loyalty ratings of my servants through the system.

[Katarina: Very High]

[Siyeon: Very High]

[Lili: Very High]

[Sera: Very High]

[Dark: Very High]

[Song Ha-eun: High]

[Yoon Suyeon: High]

‘Huh? That's all?’

I had expected it from Katarina, who was practically a fanatic.

But I was slightly surprised to see ‘Very High’ for all of Siyeon, Sera, and Lili, as well as Dark.

‘Dark is extremely loyal too.’

Maybe it was because I fed him a lot.

Then let's check the actual stat increases.

‘Very High’ meant a 10-point increase to all stats.

‘High’ meant an 8-point increase to all stats.

This was still an incredibly powerful effect.

An all-stat buff! It was at least an A-rank item's effect.

However, my expression was a little conflicted.

‘Is it a fixed-value increase?’

My servants already had high base stats.

If it simply added a fixed value rather than increasing them by a percentage,

even powerful people like Katarina, Siyeon, and Sera might not feel a dramatic difference.

Besides, in Auntie Suyeon's case, she hardly ever had to fight, so increasing her combat stats would be of limited use.

It could at least be a useful boost for Ha-eun and Lili.

‘Hmm. It's not bad, but for an EX-rank item, isn't it more ambiguous than I expected…?’

Compared to Deathscythe's insanely cool instant-death area attack, it was bound to feel a little disappointing.

B-but it has a second effect too!

[Lord's Edict].

This was an active ability.

The description said that issuing a command applied a corresponding buff over an area, and intuitive markers floated before my eyes like holograms.

A shield shape.

A sword shape.

A red cross shape.

A winged-shoe shape.

A crosshair shape.

The effects were defense, offense, healing, increased movement speed, and accuracy boost, respectively.

‘Isn't this totally like a game ping?’

It seemed that all I had to do was select the desired marker.

It was an interface optimized perfectly for a gamer like me.

‘Hmm. And using this makes the crown change into its ‘true form’?’

Maybe the crown transformed into something insanely cool.

I was curious, but it could be used only once a week.

I couldn't just use it right now as a test.

‘Still, an area-wide buff skill is really good!’

I decided to save it for an important moment during my next expedition into the murim.

After finishing my examination of its abilities, I checked my outfit again.

A shabby short-sleeved shirt and shorts.

‘Yeah, this really isn't right.’

I opened my inventory and changed into a dress.

Then I turned selfie mode on again.

My snow-white silver hair and red eyes, black dress, and the Red Crown resting lightly atop my head.

Every element came together into one perfect concept.

‘Hehe. It definitely looks much better when I dress properly too.’

This really makes me look like a lord, doesn't it?

Satisfied, I slightly turned my body in front of the smartphone and struck poses from various angles.

"Hehehe. I am the true Blood Lord!"

Then I suddenly felt embarrassed that I was doing this alone in my room, so I decided to stop.

‘Sigh…. What am I even doing all by myself….’

***

“Come, everyone, gather in the living room. This True Ancestor has unlocked a new divine artifact.”

I decided to show off my new item to my servants as well.

At my call, my scattered servants gathered in the living room.

Their gazes turned toward the Red Crown atop my head.

“Wow! It's a crown!”

Lili was the first to react.

She looked extremely moved.

“It goes so well with the dress Lili made! You look like a princess!”

'What? You mean I look like a lord?'

So even you think so, Lili?

I puffed up at Lili's praise.

“You are exceedingly beautiful, Master.”

“It is a noble bearing befitting my lord's majesty…!”

Katarina and Siyeon gazed up at me, needless to say.

The other servants all admired me as well.

In my field of vision, red symbols floated above their heads, indicating that [Blood Legion] could be applied.

“There is something I wish to test.”

I activated [Blood Legion] on my servants one by one.

Whrrrrr!

Red light flowed from the crown atop my head, then gently seeped into the foreheads of every servant, from Katarina to Auntie Suyeon.

Red symbols briefly appeared on their foreheads, then vanished.

‘Good. I applied the passive to everyone!’

I was gazing proudly at my servants when.

Somehow, the atmosphere became strange.

Thud—!

All of a sudden, they put on deeply moved expressions and dropped to their knees.

‘Huh…?’

“My lord has personally bestowed upon me the seal of blessing. This Katarina has no regrets even if I die!”

“Master…. Thank you. I shall devote my loyalty to you for the rest of my life.”

Solemn-faced Katarina and Siyeon led the way.

“Wow! Is this a good-job stamp, Master? Lili is so happy!”

“Th-thank you…! To think you would give me such a mark…. It's warm….”

“Grr?”

Lili beamed, Sera's forehead turned red, and Dark looked bewildered.

“True Ancestor-nim, to think you would take such good care of us, sob…!”

“Oh my~. True Ancestor-nim. I'm so touched~!”

Even Ha-eun and Auntie Suyeon, mother and daughter, were moved.

‘I only raised their stats a little, but everyone seems incredibly happy.’

I was considerably flustered by the unexpected atmosphere.

Still, I confirmed that Ha-eun's stats had risen meaningfully.

Auntie Suyeon was also delighted to find that her Stamina and Agility had increased, leaving her far less fatigued in daily life, so the bestowal ceremony had been a success in its own way.

Now that I had obtained the crown, my second divine artifact, without a hitch.

‘I could enter Chapter 2 of the sixth floor tomorrow, right?’

It was time to climb the Tower again.

***

The next day.

I immediately entered the sixth floor of the Tower of Trials together with my servants.

Ding!

[You have entered the sixth floor of the Tower of Trials, Nightmare difficulty.]

[The second story begins.]

[Objective: To be revealed shortly.]

‘The objective will be revealed shortly?’

Until now, what I had to do had appeared immediately upon entering the Tower.

This was the first time something like this had happened.

‘Well, it'll show up if I wait.’

For now, I decided not to think much of it.

Only two weeks had passed in reality, but since the chapter had changed, a much longer time must have passed in the murim world.

As my vision brightened, I saw the inn I had previously used as a base.

‘Huh?’

But.

The surroundings were completely different from what I remembered.

Where there should have been just one old, ordinary inn standing alone.

What I saw before me now, however, was an impressive grand building.

A grand building bearing a huge signboard reading <Blood Cult> in Chinese characters.

‘Huh? That's the inn?’

And that wasn't all.

The area had originally been nothing but a quiet street, but now new buildings and temporary dwellings had sprung up densely around the grand building at its center.

Could those all be Blood Cult buildings too?

‘No way, has the cult grown this much already?’

The last thing I had seen was the opening of Blood Cult Branch No. 2.

It had grown beyond comparison to how it was back then.

I was left dumbfounded.

It was while I was standing there in confusion for a moment.

“The Blood Lord is here!”

“Oh! The Blood Lord has returned!”

“Huh? The Blood Lord? I've never even seen them before…!”

Beginning with someone's shout recognizing me, Blood Cult members swarmed toward me like a cloud.

“We greet the Blood Lord!”

‘Whoa. There are so many people!’

I felt a little overwhelmed when countless people suddenly rushed over and bowed.

But at that moment, strange things began appearing in my field of vision.

‘Huh?’

Symbols floated above the heads of countless people.

They were the exact same symbols as when I had granted the [Blood Legion] effect to my servants.

Which meant.

‘Could it be the Red Crown? This….’

Could it strengthen not only my servants, but every member of the Blood Cult?