#155
The Empire’s Disturbance (5)
Hoo, a bet? Kukukuh— that sounds interesting. But first, let me hear what you have to say.
The gist of what followed was…
If a large-scale war broke out through the Rohan Principality, even the Saint would not be able to focus entirely on the Undead King, so they suggested putting the war aside and deciding the outcome by other means.
Ah— what a dull story. You didn’t actually think I would accept such a simple proposal, did you?
The Undead King’s cold response was exactly what everyone had anticipated, including those listening to their conversation during the battle.
The premise of this proposal was that it needed to have something that piqued his interest; without a compelling plan, the conversation could not progress any further.
Just as Heinrich was about to speak again…
…No, maybe a brief amusement wouldn’t be so bad. Kuhuh, I just thought of something fun.
What he proposed was essentially a board game that turned the entire continent into a game board.
If the Undead King attacked a specific location, the heroes would defend that area.
If they failed to stop him, it would result in human losses, but if they succeeded, they could individually assault the forces sent by the Undead King.
The heroes’ win condition was to withstand the Undead King’s incessant offensives and reach the Demon King’s Castle to defeat him.
Defeat would naturally mean the destruction of the continent that served as the game board.
Of course, if this side accepts the proposal, there must be penalties for you too, right?
Without stopping there, Hans smirked as if he had just found some dirt on them and slowly added…
First, there will be no notice of time or place. I shall destroy wherever I please whenever I desire. If you are truly a saint, you should be able to handle that, don’t you think?
Hmmm…!
Regarding the time limit of this ‘game’…
Second, your fun can only last up to three years. I have no desire to prolong this tedious wager! Kuhuh, I can hardly wait to see if you can come for my neck within that time. That wait will surely be a unique pleasure!
Hans burst into laughter, seeming to find excitement in this new twist.
Thus, the wager between the hero, who was trying to prevent a large-scale war and minimize damage, and the wicked Undead King, who sought only his own amusement, was set.
For humanity, the conditions were no longer worse than before.
…Just as everyone thought that and let their guard down.
And the third…
His follow-up words continued—.
With a gaze filled with the abyss, he turned towards a corner of the battlefield.
*
When the 5th princess and the crown prince joined the scene.
Long time no see, Riley. You seem to have had a pretty comfortable time while I was away. You’ve certainly gained a lot of weight in many ways.
Did you have a good meeting, brother? I feel terribly sorry for the church folks. Seeing how calamities follow you wherever you go, it’s like you’ve been cursed by the Holy God.
They laughed while throwing jabs at each other upon their meeting.
The crown prince, who was gradually growing and felt threatened by the 5th princess, did not hesitate to resort to all sorts of dirty tricks, and she had no choice but to respond with even more ruthlessness…
Their relationship had become irreparably broken.
However, given the situation they were in and the presence of neutral palace defense personnel, they didn’t openly quarrel further.
This dreary circumstance was a part of the royal duty to think politically.
Just as they were making this uncomfortable journey towards the shrine…
They found themselves stuck, seemingly targeted by the undead army.
…Which inevitably led to an encounter with the Undead King.
Should I have managed to take Riley with me back then?
Uuuun—!
Isea’s magic surged within her, overflowing with power.
It kept building up without pause…
Jjeojeojjeok—!
That enormous energy, entwined in a specific pattern, finally turned into a magical phenomenon of extreme ice, sweeping through the space.
Grrk! How dare this little brat!
Kwa-jik!
The Archlich Dwell barely managed to block the attack, frosting over, gritting his teeth in anger.
Even though he had somehow managed to withstand direct hits all this while, her nonstop magic has caused the permanent loss of many undead.
And they were all formidable subordinates!
That guy used to just drag things out with Karam, but facing this little girl directly is a nightmare!
Even Karam was too busy dealing with an old knight for his attention to wander elsewhere.
Other commanders were similarly preoccupied.
The only ones leisurely chatting in this battlefield were the Undead King and the hero.
Let’s admit it. As a wizard, that kid’s capabilities surpass mine.
Considering her youthful appearance, he felt his pride shatter, but he could overlook this since she was indeed a genius of the century.
What Dwell could not understand the most…
How can a mere human wield such magical power! Even after unleashing high magic several times, she’s still as vigorous as ever!
The amount of her magic overwhelmed even his long life experience.
Especially since he had indirect support from dark magic due to his subjugation to the Undead King.
This was utterly inexplicable.
Hoo.
Regardless of what thoughts Dwell entertained, Isea let out a light sigh and began to channel the magic bubbling within her once again.
Her unending magical flow wasn’t due to any special trick.
It was simply the effect of her unique skill, Infinite Power.
Thanks to that skill, which exponentially increased the energy she could manipulate, her magical output was nearly infinite.
As a great mage, her output was no issue, and given a little time, she could unleash high magic non-stop.
Though most of my Karma was invested in magic stats, my unique skill’s enhancement level isn’t that high.
Still, at this level, she had combat endurance that normal mages could hardly match.
Of course, at the level of the Undead King, such advantages wouldn’t mean much.
She twisted her head to gain a grasp of the battlefield while preparing new magic.
Kuooon—!
Kyaaa—!
Kuuung!
What first caught her eye were two Bone Dragons pounding on the Imperial Palace’s barrier from afar, and the magic formations attempting to intercept them.
She thought she had lost support from Marquis Lawrence’s magic, but seeing the barrier glow dimly, it seemed that he could no longer provide assistance.
You dare ignore me!?
She ignored the Archlich’s words in front of her, turning her gaze to observe the battlefield around her instead.
Of course, she didn’t forget to unleash the prepared magic onto him.
Chakachak—!
Chaeng!
Kruuh!
Damn it, a ghoul!
On one side of the battlefield, the captain of the royal guard, Conwell, was pushing against the Death Knight Lord that had troubled her, while on another, the captain of the royal protection was battling a ghoul lord that had grown monstrous.
Hahaha! Shatter!
There was also a massive creature covered in crimson scales, spinning with one undead in each hand, wildly rampaging through the enemy ranks…
Whwwww—! Ka-kwang!
I feel your limits approaching—! I sense your fear!
Bullsht!*
As she confirmed the situation of Count Garfield resisting against a gigantic Dread Phantom, Isea quietly nodded with relief.
The battles occurring between the Imperial Knights and the undead army looked relatively similar, so there didn’t seem to be any concerning developments.
Perhaps due to the Undead King’s absence, places of concern aren’t suffering much. Although I’m a bit worried about that side.
Her gaze turned back to the area where Count Garfield was.
Since he lacked skill and status enhancements, he looked noticeably worn down due to the accumulated fatigue from the consecutive fights against the powerful Death Knight Lord, which was to be expected.
However, what truly mattered was not such a battlefield.
Isea shifted her focus to the most crucial space in this area.
Right where the Undead King Hans and Saint Heinrich were present.
Their ongoing conversation was edging closer to the climax.
…I’m curious if you’ll come. That wait will surely be another kind of joy!
With unexpected developments that no one could have predicted.
…What’s that? Is he truly insane? …No, he must be.
The Undead King, who proposed turning the continent into a strategic board for amusement, and the Saint, who accepted it to prevent greater damage.
Or was it the Saint who proposed it first? Either way, I’m relieved. Thanks to this madman, it seems things might work out well. …Please tell me he won’t try to end this here after having such a conversation.
Indeed, she felt it was a good choice not to force the matter.
If she had attempted to escape with Riley at the first signs of difficulty, her political standing as the fifth princess would have considerably diminished.
In fact, it was too risky to execute it considering I was being chased by undead officers without my escorts. Thankfully, it ended up favorably… huh?
Just as she was relaxing just a bit.
And the third…
The Undead King Hans quietly spoke, turning this way.
His gaze, filled with the abyss, froze her soul just by facing it.
And whether or not that mask-like piece stuck to the skeleton was a part of a Hahoe Mask, that wasn’t the most pressing issue right now.
Jjeojeojjeojjjeok—!
Kwa-gagak!
Due to letting her guard down, it took her a bit longer to perceive it.
In that instant, dozens of tendrils of the abyss reached out, slicing through everything, while simultaneously a massive blade of light struck the Undead King’s barrier.
Hannibal!
Ah— calm down. It’s just a necessary procedure.
As a colossal shockwave from the clash between the Undead King and the hero swept the surroundings, people heightened their tension in preparation for what might come.
However, there were already some who were far too late to respond…
Kuh!
Count Garfield, who was struggling against the Dread Phantom even in his exhausted state, coughed black blood.
Certain tendrils of abyss had risen from the ground, piercing his body, wrapping around him, and driving him down with their mouths buried in his nape.
Count Garfield!
What is happening!
The shocked crown prince and imperial knights let out cries of alarm, while Heinrich’s face twisted as he raised his holy sword once more.
But at that moment.
Fwooom—!
An overwhelming energy burst from the Undead King Hans, engulfing the surroundings.
As if all this had been mere play until now, a terrifying presence ramped up rapidly.
Rich dark magic, threaded with the essence of death… began to seep into the palace’s barrier, flooding the area with darkness.
Pzzzt—!
Sparks flew from the boundary where their energies clashed in retaliation.
Even the undead within that range began breaking away from the barrier’s influence, growing more and more intense in their presence.
Thanks to Heinrich, who spread his divine aura to protect the people, that cursed energy did not significantly impact them.
Yet, as he momentarily lost focus due to the Undead King’s overwhelming might, he failed to notice…
Normally, in a wager, there should be a prize involved.
Kuh—!
Just as everyone snapped to attention due to the abrupt shift, the crown prince, held by the now-defeated Count Garfield, was already captured by the Undead King.
Your Highness the Crown Prince!
You, Undead King!
The scene descended into chaos as furious imperial knights clashed with undead blocking their path.
But Isea had no time to pay attention to that.
It wasn’t because she had always found the crown prince disagreeable.
It was the Undead King Hans’s gaze, devoid of focus, that locked onto her when their abyssal eyes met head-on.
A chilling shiver raced up her spine.
…Riley!
The moment she sensed the danger, her mental faculties surged, and her thoughts accelerated.
In that slowed time, as her head slowly turned towards where the princess would be, her immense magical energy churned within her body, rising like a tsunami to compose the magic she intended to use in no time.
It’s okay. I had set up the barrier around Riley before the battle, and I always carry magical equipment, so if I can buy just a little time…
Rapid situational assessment and countermeasure planning—as well as a magic spell almost complete.
She decided in an instant to rescue Riley from this place, even if it meant straining herself.
But.
The moment her head completely turned to the side.
Whewuhuh… such a beautiful lady you are… You remind me of my youth…
Huh?
Without any indication, the Banshee Queen, Olivia, suddenly appeared from behind, embracing Princess Riley.
…No!
Her magic surged uncontrollably.
Twisting the nearly complete structure of the spell within her body, she desperately changed its intended use.
Kuhk—!
Blood gushed from Isea’s nose and mouth.
But this level of pain was manageable. It posed no issue in using magic right away.
Thus, the magic circle to save Riley from that ghost quickly unfolded around her—
Grrr—! How long do you intend to ignore me, little human—!
Pzzzt!
Suddenly, her control over the magic was disrupted by a surge of dark magic.
For just that brief moment, it lost its efficacy.
Huh?
Though she lost control of her magic for only an instant, that brief moment was enough time for Olivia to drag the princess to the Undead King’s side.
Uhk!
Your Majesty… I have arrived…
Hmm— yes, indeed, one is better than two.
As Olivia brought the princess over, Hans, who had just clashed with Heinrich, slowly took a step back, nodding his head.
Thus, the Crown Prince Simon and the 5th Princess Riley had both fallen into the grip of the Undead King.
Isea, who gazed at them in shock, turned her distorted expression toward Dwell.
You, you… you—!
Unable to continue her words, her body trembled with fury as Infinite Power began to operate ceaselessly, channeling immense magical energy outwards.
After a moment of glaring at Dwell, she turned her head again, fixating intensely on the princess, her face a ghastly pale that could be mistaken for an undead.
Moreover, due to the strain of overusing her magic, blood was streaming from her nose and mouth.
Yet, despite this, she held back from acting recklessly, thanks to the firm reasoning that had trained her to the level of a great mage.
Even facing a situation where rage surged to the brim and dizziness threatened her senses, her mind remained cold, evaluating the surroundings and maintaining control over her body.
Rushing in recklessly would not aid her cause.
No! C-Captain Conwell! Conwell! Save me right now! I—I will be the Emperor of this Empire… Ugh!
Hoo, hoo—.
While Simon struggled, choked up, and lost his words, Riley remained calm, focusing on breathing and maintaining her composure.
For now, let me make do with these guys. Give it your best shot. I’ll keep you alive for now, but whether you can withstand it in human form is something I can’t guarantee. Kukukuh—.
Thus, the two most promising candidates for the next Emperor of the Empire— fell into the Undead King Hans’s grasp.
