In Volume 1, Ernan finds out from Rume that the Manas descendant is still alive. He gets tossed out from Rume’s cave with one hand completely mangled and the other healing with the help of his bodyguards. His bodyguards are introduced in this volume and they are extremely powerful and strong and helped Ernan become the commander of the knights.

Arin heads off to Elka to meet Berouze, the highest prophet, aided by John and Ugdrasil as guides. Kenneth gives John a sword that he’s been meaning to give him. As Kenneth sends them off and asks himself if the day that Berouze prophesied is finally here. Then he realizes that there is one more thing that he forgot to give to John and goes after him. Ernan leaves his best men in the forest to find the Manas descendant.

John and his crew bump into Ernan’s men, Scar and Talon. Arin, knowing about these men, doesn’t want to stay but John decides that they will camp together. Talon starts to have suspicions that John may be the boy that they are looking for as not many people walk the woods so easily.

Talon goes out to get food, when he bumps into Kenneth and recognizes him. They start fighting. Scar and the ogre start fighting along with Arin. Ernan, horrified that the descendent of Nathan Manas he believed was killed long ago is indeed alive, sends out two of his best men to find and kill Zian.

Meanwhile, Arin decides to journey with Zian and Ugdrasil to Elka to meet the prophet Berouze. And when they meet two more travelers, Scar and Talon, in the Taas Forest, suspicions mount on both sides.

The great warrior Leon Manas, son of the legendary Nathan Manas, now carries the powerful sword Brumhart. Though this blade is coveted by many, only the heirs to the House of Manas can wield it. But that doesn’t stop the sinister from trying. Ernan, once trusted knight of the House of Manas, murders his commander, robs him Brumhart and orders the death of Leon’s only son, Zian. But the men sent to perform this infanticide come up against a mysterious figure in a dark cloak who defeats them only to disappear with child into the thick of the Tass Forest. Sixteen years later, Ernan has become a feared tyrant, but still has not been able to unsheathe Brumhart. Thus begins the tale of this desperate king and the young boy who would be one.

I can’t quite put my finger on why this one worked for me. It has a unique twist, though. One is that power is used to create balance in this world rather than for abuse, and the second is the betrayal of the honorable man who believed in not abusing power. These aspects piqued my interest and caused me to feel invested in the characters.

~ Ed.

For more information and to get free downloadable wallpapers & avatars, check out www.ChooseWeapon.com

The manga is original adaptation of the Archlord MMORPG in the vein of TOKYOPOP's Warcraft and Ragnarok manga
The online multiplayer game is supported by a community-based Web site: www.archlordgame.com
Check out some cool video trailers on the Korean site