Page 294

"And then what?" I couldn't help but ask.

"Then... he was discovered to have committed murder. Originally, his plan was to use the 'Saint Crest' to create a new Sword Saint. With the protection of the new Sword Saint and his contribution of the research, he thought he could escape punishment. However, things didn't go as he planned. To escape the pursuit, he sought refuge in the Temple, but the priests tricked him, taking his research data and the 'Saint Crest,' sealing his magic, and handing him over to the enraged disciples and relatives of the Sword Saint."

"So, everyone thought he was dead?"

"That's what people believed at the time, but much later, he reappeared under a new identity..."

"It's the 'King of the Undead,' isn't it?"

"Haha, Xuanfeng is indeed sharp to guess it right away." Leimen clapped his hands and laughed.

"Actually, during the great battle, when I saw Samantha become a Sword Saint, I already had some suspicions. There were clues, just a few key points missing." I nodded.

"Yes, later the data and that 'Saint Crest' were sealed in the seven-layered dungeon under Saint Spirit Mountain. When I stormed Saint Spirit Mountain, I didn't manage to get the 'Eternal Holy Grail,' but I did obtain the 'Saint Crest' and the data, so I took them back." Here, Leimen's aged face suddenly showed a childlike smug smile. "Initially, the Temple didn't take the technique seriously, but once I obtained the data, they became fearful, worried that I might succeed in realizing it. So, they retrieved a backup of the data. Just at that time, the 'Radiant Sword Saint' of the Temple was heavily injured and near death, so he offered himself to become the second 'Saint Crest.' However, this 'Saint Crest' still couldn't be successfully implanted into a human, so it was eventually left unresolved."

"I see... But if I'm not mistaken, the first successful 'Saint Crest' was the one belonging to the 'Black Ice Demon Knight' of the Viking Empire, right?" I asked after some thought.

"Correct. The Viking Empire, which reveres dark magic and has always been hostile to the Temple, was well-informed about the Temple's activities. After the failed experiment, the Temple didn't keep it very secret, and eventually, the Viking Empire stole the secret. However, since the Viking's alchemy level was inferior to the Temple's, they took the easiest route—going directly to the Isle of the Undead to invite the 'King of the Undead' to oversee the research. With the Viking Empire providing live test subjects and a fanatical alchemist, it was a smooth collaboration. More than twenty years ago, after Katherine's father, Carter, severely wounded the Viking 'Cangming Sword Saint,' the 'King of the Undead' changed his approach, combining the 'Saint Crest' with a 'Divine Weapon' and implanting it into a talented young Sword Master, successfully creating the first 'Crest Sword Saint,' the 'Black Ice Demon Knight.'"

"So, the rest is easy to guess. After hearing the news, the Temple sent the Pope of the Radiant Temple himself to capture the 'King of the Undead' and bring him back to Saint Spirit Mountain. They used some method to extract his secrets, and then the second 'Crest Sword Saint' was born, right?" Everything fell into place for me. "And because of their different origins compared to other Sword Saints, to avoid offending the proud Sword Saints, their titles were based on 'Knight.' Samantha's 'Saint Domain' power was surely the work of the 'King of the Undead,' using the 'Saint Crest' you stole. But how did he advance to the 'Saint Domain' without a 'Divine Weapon'?"

"You're right. Samantha's situation is actually pretty straightforward. The data left behind by the 'King of the Undead' suggested that if a strong Lion Clan orc, especially one who had mastered the 'Emperor Martial Overlord Art' to the Sword Empress level, were to bear the power of the 'Saint Crest,' it would definitely succeed. But of course, this proposal was never accepted, which is why humans were so anxious about me stealing the 'Saint Crest.' It's also why our alliance's alchemy level is so poor; we couldn't even meet the basic conditions. I considered going to the Isle of the Undead to seek the 'King of the Undead's' help, but due to certain special reasons, I had to give up. It wasn't until you infiltrated Saint Spirit Mountain that this plan was reactivated. Samantha's power was already close to that of a human Sword Saint, and after obtaining the 'Saint Crest,' he directly gained that immense power. He's naturally stronger than human Sword Saints who rely on Divine Weapons to gradually improve, but since that power wasn't cultivated by him, he won't be able to make significant breakthroughs in the future."

"So that's how it is..." I finally pieced everything together. It was clear why Leimen and the old Pope were so concerned about the 'King of the Undead'; they wanted to make Samantha a secret weapon for the orcs. At that time, Samantha was the only one in the alliance capable of bearing the Sword Saint's power, making him the sole candidate. I had nothing to say. Originally, my trip to the human world was to accumulate merits and expand my power to deal with Samantha and ascend to the Orc King's throne. This was a necessary choice, both for myself and for Katherine. The results of that journey were indeed plentiful, with the Dragon Knight, 'Crystal Dragon,' and various other benefits satisfying me. However, I never expected that the most decisive benefit would ultimately benefit Samantha. With the power of the 'Saint Domain,' he would be unbeatable by me until I also became a Sword Saint. If during this time he successfully reorganized the alliance into an empire and ascended the throne, my future difficulty in overthrowing him would increase tenfold.

Talk about a twist of fate!

Seeing my thoughts, the old lion Leimen couldn't help but smile and comforted me, "Xuanfeng, don't be too discouraged. I understand your and Katherine's ambitions. Both Samantha and Katherine are my disciples, and I won't interfere in their disputes. However, as an old friend, I can tell you that Samantha, or rather, his Lieto family, is not as simple as you think. Even if he doesn't become a Sword Empress, replacing him at the Orc King's conference in two years will be difficult. It's better to let him be the 'Saint Domain' figurehead. Even if you don't challenge him, no one will question your courage. I've heard from the Pope that you're working on a Second Combat Aura. Once you become the third true Sword Saint, everything will be in your control. The life of a Sword Saint is counted in centuries; there's no need to rush. Besides, don't forget, I can still become a 'Saint Crest,' too. Apart from you and Samantha, only Katherine in the alliance can inherit it. With two Sword Saints working together, what do you have to fear?"