Chapter 379 - Each One's Battlefield (2)
The wooden fortifications, once sturdy, lay in ruins and abandoned. Some of the houses smoldered with small flames, sending up sooty smoke.
All around were corpses, sprawled out, made by various causes of death.
Keirel, who had taken part in the subjugation, wiped bloodied claws and perked his ears.
"No one escaped or played dead. With this, the bandits near Arein have been completely annihilated. Travel will be safe for a while. If the roads are managed well, it'll last even longer."
"Y-yes…"
Liam nodded blankly.
His face was one of dumbstruck disbelief.
As an inexperienced lord, he had been made to follow and observe the bandit subjugation to gain experience. He had watched every battle unfold with his own eyes, but… truthfully, it was hard to believe.
That the bandit groups, long a scourge and threat to the territory, could be wiped off the face of the world in just a few days.
And the mercenaries brought from Arein had suffered hardly any losses. Some were wounded, minor or severe, but none had died.
It was entirely thanks to one man.
Liam's gaze fell on the swordsman clad in a dark-blue robe.
'How can a person be that strong?'
Alone, he had cut down the leaders of four separate bandit groups, each one ruling over their own men, in a single strike.
The sight of blood spraying the instant an eye blinked was seared into Liam's memory.
'I thought, since he's Lord Asher's companion, he must be extraordinary, but…'
It was swordsmanship on an entirely different level.
Since meeting Verden and Adrian, Liam often felt as though he were dreaming.
"My lord, all corpses have been dealt with."
"Ah, yes. Well done."
To prevent any chance of Undead appearing, the bodies were not buried but cremated together.
Then, the bandit encampment was destroyed to a degree beyond repair, so no one could reuse it.
Liam spoke to the mage mercenary, Gillex.
"Let us return to Arein. We'll increase the pace a little, so we reach the city before nightfall. That way, everyone can have a drink before bed."
"Yes, my lord. Everyone! Back home! If we make it today, the lord says he'll treat us, so you heard him!"
"What, free booze? Anyone slacking gets left behind, you bastards!"
"Ha, listen to the wounded bastard brag about lying down in the wagon. Get off and walk."
"My bad."
There was no formal discipline here, just a free, rowdy spirit.
And Liam liked that lively noise.
This was unclaimed land, and he was one of its lords — he could feel it in his bones.
Soon, the subjugation force moved out, with Liam at the lead.
Adrian and Keirel flanked him on either side, fulfilling their role of escort, while the rest followed behind.
Thud, thud.
They sped down the forest path at a brisk pace.
Among the spoils seized from the bandits were not only treasure but also horses and wagons.
Compared to when they had set out from Arein, the purses of the subjugation force were heavy.
The sun began to sink.
Though the cold lingered, here and there signs of spring emerged.
It was a peaceful sight.
As though celebrating the bandit subjugation.
Then, it happened.
"Stop."
Adrian's command.
Startled, Liam instantly raised his left hand. At the signal, the entire force slowed, then came to a complete halt.
Before Liam could even ask what was wrong, Keirel and several other beastkin sniffed the air.
"Urgh, what's with this stench of blood…!"
The metallic tang of blood struck their noses hard.
Stronger even than when they had slaughtered the hundred-strong bandit horde.
Keirel, sensitive as ever, grimaced and pinched his nose.
Adrian dismounted.
"I'll scout ahead. Form a defensive line around Liam. Keirel, Gillex. Stay at his side."
"Got it."
"Yes, leave it to us."
In any crisis, the true commander was Adrian.
Everyone here knew he was the Sword of Shinseong.
Thud, Adrian kicked off the ground.
In an instant, trees and shrubs flashed past on either side as he sped through the forest.
Before long, he found the source of the smell.
"…"
There was an army.
Soldiers in armor lay everywhere. Beside them, others in fine clothes, clearly mercenaries.
Hundreds in number, at a glance.
But the problem… was that all of them had been slaughtered.
'One killer.'
The causes of death were nearly identical.
As if struck by some projectile, all their vitals were blown out.
Many were headless.
There were traces that looked like arrows, yet strangely, none of the arrows strewn about bore blood.
He couldn't discern exactly what had killed them.
And for all this carnage, there wasn't a single dead warhorse.
Only humans had been slain.
'Not an ordinary hand.'
Shrrk.
Gripping his demonic sword, Adrian advanced.
He followed a faint presence, cautious of possible danger. Passing among corpses, he entered the blood-stained woods.
And faced it.
"Oh? I thought you were far away, but you arrived already? For a human, you're fast."
An elf sat on the branch of a blood-red tree.
Around her, several corpses skewered with arrows were displayed like ornaments.
Among them were the lords who had ambushed the subjugation force and tried to kidnap Liam — Lord Harsbeg, Lord Frol, Lord Delgar.
Adrian asked.
"What was your reason for this massacre, Elf."
"I didn't start it. I just asked them where Asher was, and they tried to kill me. By human standards, you'd call it self-defense. Thanks to them, I did get my answer."
"What?"
"Since I answered their question, I'll ask one of mine."
Green light flashed in Merquien's eyes.
"What are you?"
Heavenly Sword, Adrian Chambers.
Eye of the Great Forest, Merquien.
The former Four Greats of the Central Continent and the current Four Greats stood face to face.
***
At the silver fortress of the Society, a sharp tension swirled.
One careless move, and a magic battle would erupt. A situation on the verge of explosion.
Behind, vast magic power stirred faintly.
Verden had no intention of fighting, but with
A heavy silence hung.
It broke in an instant.
"This is… astonishing. The time I acted under my true name must have been before Shinseong was even born."
It was little more than a murmur to herself.
Then, regaining composure, the Sage of Wisdom, Melard, spoke again.
Her gaze fixed on Verden.
"I was told someone saw me in another's memory. Is that correct, Shinseong?"
"Yes."
"Then tell me. Whose memory you received, and what connection you have to the Black Hour."
At once, the Sage of Guardianship leveled her bracelet at Verden.
The same artifact Ethan had once used in the Midros territory, a Society item that discerned true intent.
It demanded only truth, like a courtroom's gallows looming close.
But Verden, with no thought of lying, felt no burden.
He answered,
"I received the memory from Harkan Dazest."
Fwoom.
The bracelet flared red.
Magically confirmed as true, as fact.
Melard's hand trembled.
An old friend's name, and the mention of
She clenched her fist, and asked again.
"Can you… prove it?"
"Of course."
If he had no solid proof, he wouldn't have spoken at all.
Verden slowly raised his right arm for all to see.
The Sage of Power twitched, but Verden ignored him.
Without any hostility, he simply activated his mana circuits and concentrated his magic power.
Fwoooosh.
Celestial attribute.
Gray light flickered.
Without stopping there, when Verden traced his fingertips through the air, a constellation was drawn.
"Ah…"
Harkan had been a scholar of the Black Hour, and personally, he had also delved deeply into astrology.
He had founded the Black Hour together with Melard, and researched alongside her. There was no way she would fail to recognize the legacy Harkan had left behind.
The eight who had created the Black Hour.
Pure and youthful Mages, who had gathered to study magic in depth.
That dear past, which would never return again, shimmered before Melard's eyes.
"Harkan's last moments, how were they?"
Within a collapsed cave, Harkan had looked upon the night sky, and breathed his last.
"He seemed at peace. And, he asked me to stop Dahit, and the founding members who sided with him, so that the Black Hour would not trample the world."
"Worrying about others to the very end. How like him."
Melard gave a sorrowful smile, and waved her wrinkled hand once.
"The Shinseong of the Eastern Continent, Asher, is not a spy of the Black Hour. Therefore, Sages, you may put down your guard."
"Will it be fine not to bind him?"
"He is the successor of my friend. I shall vouch for him."
At the assurance of the Sage of Wisdom, the other two Sages lowered their magic power.
"It seems, we have treated a most honored guest far too poorly. Have you eaten, Shinseong?"
"I only managed some dried meat."
"My, my. Then let us go in, have a hearty meal first, and continue the discussion afterward. Our cook's skill, you see, is quite excellent."
The look in Melard's eyes, as she regarded Verden, grew endlessly soft.
'Trust has been formed.'
It had been worth the risk, bringing up the Black Hour.
Just as he was about to follow her into the fortress, the Sage of Power thrust out his staff to block the way.
"Wait. My verification is not yet complete."
…Verification?
Even with a Sage vouching for him, there was still more procedure?
"Say, 'magic tower bastard'."
"?"
"Magic tower bastard. Pronounce it properly. With feeling."
What on earth.
Did those words carry some profound meaning?
Though a little bewildered, there was nothing difficult about it, so he did not ask back.
Instinctively recalling the Bohemirn magic tower, Verden spoke.
"…Magic tower bastard."
"Mm, good."
The Sage of Power nodded.
Utterly satisfied. Whatever it was, he seemed to have passed the standard.
***
The earlier murderous atmosphere had vanished without a trace, and Verden now dined with the three Sages.
Though many words were exchanged in passing, they were idle chatter unrelated to the current affairs of the magic world.
It was simply peaceful.
After finishing the meal, the four sat around a round table.
Before each of them was a cup of tea with a deep aroma.
Melard opened the conversation.
"Now, let us continue the serious discussion we could not finish on the terrace. Will that be all right, Shinseong?"
"Yes."
"Good. Then I shall ask. What is your reason for seeking the Society?"
Now, the true matter began.
Verden recalled the thoughts he had organized, and opened his mouth.
"I have heard that the Society is founded upon the principle of reforming the age. That its ultimate purpose is to overturn the current magic tower system, which, having abandoned selflessness for selfishness, has rotted away."
"That is correct."
"However, ever since the ten magic towers became the pillars of the magical world, for hundreds of years… the fortress they built and ruled over is, without exaggeration, absolute."
But.
"Recently, a great crack has formed in that wall."
The runaway of the magic tower's power source, said to contain infinite magic power and thought to be indestructible.
The vast shock of it shook not only the magical world, but the world itself.
The Sage of Power, the Sage of Wisdom, and the Sage of Guardianship — who still hid their face — all reacted with dismay.
They guessed what those words implied.
Verden said.
"What I desire is the annihilation of the Bohemirn magic tower. As this aligns with the Society's purpose, I seek an alliance."
"Madness."
The Sage of Power exhaled sharply.
The subject matter was far beyond anything expected.
The other Sages said nothing, but their faces were aghast.
Melard carefully asked.
"Whatever your reasons for opposing the Bohemirn magic tower, Shinseong, setting aside your motive… is this not too lofty a goal?"
"Yes, far too close to idealism."
The Sage of Power shook his head, stroking the long white beard upon his chest.
"The Bohemirn magic tower ranks second in martial strength. And the tower master is a mighty Transcendent, called Omnipotent. Your strength falls short."
And that was not all.
"Without a justification the world can accept, to attack a magic tower outright would be suicide. Both we and you would be branded as nothing more than terrorists. It would be the same as turning the world into an enemy."
"And no matter how sincere your words, words alone are not enough. You must show, through action, that you have the resolve. Do you have a way to address these problems we raise?"
All valid points.
And, expected questions.
Verden answered.
Without hesitation, firmly.
"In the Central Continent, Balrog Bessias's second disciple, Rayshen Tailroad, is present. Within two months, I will kill him, and thus prove my resolve."
"W-what?"
"And as for justification, I already have it. More precisely, for a certain group."
Verden looked at Melard.
At that gaze, she tilted her head — and then, suddenly, her eyes flew wide.
A chill ran through her.
"S-Shinseong, don't tell me…!"
"Yes."
Verden declared softly.
"I propose the usurpation of the Black Hour, the force currently waging war against the Bohemirn magic tower."
To conceal the Society, and to use the Black Hour to bring down the Bohemirn magic tower.
At last, Verden had begun to aim his blade at the Transcendent.
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