Chapter 351: All That Glitters Is Not Gold

On the steps of a church, in the heart of the human territories, a huge armored figure sat with his elbows resting on his knees.

His armor was a gray reminiscent of freshly cooled volcanic rock, and beside him, leaning against the wall, rested a halberd nearly as tall as he was.

Worshippers came and went from the church, offering him bows as if he were a figure worthy of admiration.

He, meanwhile, didn’t even bother to turn and look at them.

He was too busy staring at the clouds through the slit of his helmet and wondering at what exact moment his life had gone to hell.

More than eight months had passed since he woke up in this world.

At first he had been convinced it was all a trip caused by some cheap drug and that sooner or later he would come back to his senses.

But he had quickly realized that wasn’t the case.

And that somehow he had ended up inside something very much like Eternal Conquest Online, with his character, his gear, and a quest he hadn’t asked for.

With a bored gesture, he opened his interface for the umpteenth time that day.

[Player Profile]

[Name: Dovah_SlayerXX_777]

[Level: 77/100]

[Class: Heavy Knight (Tank)]

[Current Equipment:]

[Armor: Volcanic Obsidian Plate (Rank SSS)]

[Main Weapon: Skysplitter Halberd (Rank S)]

[Inventory: LOCKED]

[Experience needed to Level Up: LOCKED]

Then he lowered his eyes to the next window, the one he knew by heart.

[Main Quest]

[Name: Toward a New Golden Age

[Description: An unprecedented enemy threatens the continent. The Emperor of Death, another reincarnated one, has already subjugated numerous kingdoms in the south and continues expanding his dominion. Strengthen humanity and stop his advance before it’s too late.

[Objective: Eliminate the reincarnated one known as "DarkLord69."]

[Rewards:]

[Inventory Unlock.]

[Level-Up Ability Unlock.]

[Equipment Removal Unlock.]

Donovan let out a long sigh that fogged the visor of his helmet. Eight months had gone by, and he was still exactly where he had started.

He knew what he had to do. The problem was that doing it on his own bordered on suicide.

The Emperor of Death controlled the entire south of the continent, had whole armies under his command, and, if the Inquisition’s reports were correct, even the Demon Lord’s subordinates might be involved with him.

Attacking alone would be stupid, even for someone as strong as Donovan.

That was why he needed the clergy and the Inquisition, along with everything they could contribute in soldiers, resources, and intel.

The problem was that they seemed to be in no hurry.

’Always the same,’ he thought, clenching his fists inside his gauntlets. ’We have to wait, we have to prepare, the goddess will mark the right moment... their fucking goddess can suck my dick.’

For months, everyone around him had assumed Donovan was hunting the Emperor of Death out of duty.

Out of faith.

Out of justice.

They couldn’t have been more wrong.

Donovan felt nothing but indifference toward the Emperor of Death.

Since the two of them had probably arrived in this world in a pretty similar way, only the other guy had ended up ruling a third of the continent while he became the Church’s armored mascot.

What Donovan really cared about was the reward.

Because if defeating the Death Emperor meant getting out of that goddamn armor, he was willing to save all of humanity if that’s what it took.

At first, the gear had seemed incredible.

It was SSS-rank, practically indestructible, and took care of almost all his needs for him.

He didn’t have to worry about eating, drinking, or sleeping much, or about the cold, the heat, or even going to the bathroom.

But as they say, ’all that glitters is not gold.’

Donovan had been trapped inside that armor for eight months.

And to make matters worse, being regarded as an envoy of the goddess had turned him into some kind of woman magnet.

Nuns, priestesses, inquisitors, and even noblewomen constantly threw themselves at him. Some of them had even organized themselves to decide who would be the lucky one to bear his first child.

For Donovan, that would have been a dream come true.

If not for the fact that he’d been stuck in involuntary celibacy for eight months, courtesy of his armor.

’What did I do to deserve this punishment?’ he thought, letting his head fall back against the wall.

"Donovan!"

The church door opened behind him, and a young woman hurried out.

She was a priestess with ash-colored hair tied back in a ponytail, kind eyes, and a clerical robe that fit her a little loosely.

Her name was Lynn, and she was the same priestess who, eight months earlier, had prayed for a savior while her village burned under the attack of the half-humans.

Ever since he had crushed those monsters and saved her people, Lynn hadn’t left his side for a single day.

And she was, to Donovan’s misfortune, one of the ones who put the most effort into trying to have sex with him.

"Sorry for the wait," she said, catching her breath. "Mass ran longer than expected. Thank you so much for waiting for me."

"It’s fine," Donovan replied, getting to his feet. "I didn’t have anything better to do anyway."

"Now I have to go to the orphanage," Lynn continued. "I promised the children I’d bring them sweet bread and read them a story before dinner."

Donovan sighed, resigned.

Another afternoon wasted.

"I’ll go with you."

"Really?" Lynn’s face lit up. "They’ll love to see you! The children always ask about you."

Donovan picked up his halberd, and they were about to head down the steps together when a man came running down the street.

He wore the Inquisition’s uniform, with the emblem embroidered on his chest, and he was out of breath. The moment he reached Donovan, he dropped to one knee and bowed his head.

"Lord Donovan," he said between gasps. "Forgive the interruption. I bring an urgent message from the Holy See."

"What is it?"

"Your presence is requested immediately," the inquisitor replied. "A council has been convened. They’re going to discuss what measures to take against the Death Emperor."

"...Are you serious?"

"Completely, sir."

Donovan nearly jumped for joy. After eight months of waiting, someone had finally deigned to get off their ass.

"Then what the hell are we waiting for!" he exclaimed, slinging the halberd over his shoulder. "Let’s go!"

And without waiting for a reply, he set off down the street with determined strides, dragging the inquisitor along, who had to scramble to his feet to avoid being left behind.

"Huh? Hey, Donovan! What about the orphanage?!" Lynn shouted, watching them walk away.

But he didn’t even hear her, or if he did, he chose to ignore her.

"Wait for me!" Lynn cried, gathering her robe in one hand and stumbling down the steps. "Don’t leave me behind! Donovan!"

She tripped on the last step, miraculously regained her balance without dropping the basket, and broke into a run down the street.