#215
The Trials of Jeron (4)
Inside the massive fortress of Undying Castle.
Amidst the oppressive atmosphere where countless Death Knights stood in formation on both sides, a lady in a black dress was respectfully reporting to the figure seated on the throne.
[…As commanded, the plan to invade the continent is proceeding smoothly… Although the advantage of surprise is diminished due to the saint’s foresight… This time, however, we were able to achieve satisfactory results by taking advantage of their lack of preparation and overwhelming combat power…]
The translucent lady, Banshee Queen Olivia, methodically listed the accomplishments of the operation.
The raid force organized by the Undead King struck more than ten locations simultaneously, successfully achieving its objectives except for a few places, including those where the hero party intervened.
Of course, the undead forces were mostly destroyed later by the various nations’ suppression forces, but since all the soldiers, except for a few commanders, were consumables, there was really no loss.
After all, undead were overflowing around this Undying Castle.
[Heh— Well done, Olivia. To think they would underestimate me so carelessly while daring to face me. Did they find this amusing after I entertained them for a while?]
As her report concluded, Hans, seated on a throne made of skulls and bones, let out a soft chuckle.
He then briefly assessed the undead swarming near the castle before swallowing the rising disappointment within him.
‘If only I could move more forces at once, I could have efficiently turned the continent upside down. After preparing for several days, it’s a limitation to attack only ten locations.’
It was obvious that no matter how many undead forces were available, transporting them to the invasion points was a different issue altogether.
Deploying such a large-scale army across the continent from the get-go was not an easy feat.
‘At least it’s possible for someone like me.’
Sorcerers are most efficient in environments where thorough preparations are made.
And this was no exception, even for the Undead King, who could be considered the pinnacle of black sorcery.
‘Using the death energy abundant in this area as a catalyst to make the Undying Castle the core of a grand magic circle. If I also supply my almost infinite black magic…’
What was born from this was the portal, capable of large-scale transportation exclusive to the undead, strategically placed on one side of the castle.
Since the ultimate magic ‘Eternity’s Labyrinth’ could be manipulated entirely according to his will, this was made possible.
If one were to pick a flaw of this portal, it would be that it was essentially a one-way system optimized for sending.
After all, only a few commanding entities could return, so it was easily solvable even if a lich had to accompany them.
[Additionally, I am conducting the investigation as you commanded… However, unfortunately, I am still having difficulty approaching the key figures in the southern alliance… However, I have managed to gather some information about the Obaifo Clan in the east…]
As Hans listened to Olivia’s additional report, he fell deep into thought.
What sort of schemes were they concocting by severing all external ties in the southern tribal alliance?
Just like the case of the Talia Kingdom, the eastern Obaifo appeared to be seizing control of the republic’s political landscape.
‘There’s no way their simultaneous movements at this time are coincidental.’
Adding to this was the recent attempted assassination of the imperial princess and the strange happenings in the Enamel Continent that Harris was currently investigating.
Each and every one of them seemed highly suspicious.
‘Which side would be more beneficial: leaving them unchecked or dealing with them?’
Of course, he wasn’t just concerned about the troubles they might cause.
His sole interest lay in accumulating vast karma through the ongoing ‘continent invasion plan’.
‘At least their presence would ease my task of collapsing the continent. In the short term, they might generate more karma, but… in the long run, they could become variables in my living room theater.’
Having pondered for a moment, the Undead King Hannibal Strauss quickly scanned the situation of his other avatars connected to him and muttered.
[Yeah, I think it’s about time I got involved directly.]
A hint of an impending large event.
*
When Stav lifted the claw-shaped dagger.
‘Ah… Is this the end?’
In that life-and-death moment, surprisingly, Riley felt little fear of death.
Rather, she was overwhelmed with regret for everything she had done until now and sorrow for the bonds she would have to sever.
‘Sister Isea must be really sad, right?’
Especially thinking of Isea, with whom she had formed a bond stronger than family, made those feelings even more intense.
To part ways like this without even a proper farewell, after she had worked so hard for her sake…
‘I hope she doesn’t push herself for revenge and just safely returns to Earth.’
Next, she thought of Hesperon, another Earthling like Isea.
In truth, their relationship hadn’t been that long, but for some inexplicable reason, Hesperon’s presence had become distinctly noticeable just before all hell broke loose.
‘…It seems he has a means to escape alone, but why is he pushing it so far?’
While fighting the traitors and pulling out all sorts of bizarre items, she could vaguely feel his strong will to save her through their deepening connection.
‘Just run away alone…’
She’d silently urged him like that over and over, but he remained focused on his task, making no reply.
Honestly, she had hoped for a moment that he’d change his mind, but now that the end was truly at hand.
Swoosh—!
Finally, the grotesque dagger in Stav’s hand was swung towards her.
Riley couldn’t bring herself to look and tightly shut her eyes…
At that instant, she instinctively grasped something that had momentarily extended from the ‘path’ with Hesperon.
Cough—
Right after, feeling a sense of familiarity and opening her eyes again, what met her sight first was…
“Phew, that was close.”
Soaked in blood yet unable to hide—a dazzlingly confident smile.
And.
And…?
“Ah!”
Suddenly, Riley’s eyes widened.
The familiar ceiling she had seen countless times before.
But now, for some reason, it felt vaguely unfamiliar.
“…Is this a dream…?”
She rose from her silk-covered bedding, brushing her hair back.
Her flowing golden locks sparkled as they danced in the morning sunlight streaming in through the window.
“Ah.”
The events from before were still vivid.
After all, it hadn’t even been a full day and a half since then.
She stealthily glanced outside before hastily getting ready and heading out.
Naturally, the incident involving the attempted assassination of the princess had caused a tremendous aftermath in Jeron.
As she suddenly appeared at the main gate of the imperial palace, cradled by a blood-soaked man, the guards who rushed over due to the unauthorized spatial transport were left utterly shocked at the sight.
It would have been strange if there hadn’t been a stir, considering they had even carried out a terror attack in the capital to assassinate the current first-in-line to the throne, the princess.
Especially since the outlaw was the head of the royal guards, who should have been the first to protect the royal family!
This had caused the imperial guard to come to a standstill for extensive investigations, prompting the imperial inspectorate and the magic tower of the royal palace to mobilize, along with the palace’s knight order that acted solely for the emperor.
If it weren’t for the continuous raids by the army of the undead and the fact that she had sent news of her safety, Isea wouldn’t have stayed still either.
Naturally, the princess Riley herself had an unbelievably busy schedule planned for the day.
The first place she headed upon awakening was none other than…
“Welcome, Princess.”
“Was there any unusual activity last night?”
The royal hospital, where Hesperon was hospitalized.
She quietly asked the hospital director standing beside her, gazing at him asleep on the bed as if he were dead.
“He experienced a few fevers but has recovered quickly and is stable now. He is surprisingly well-trained for a sorcerer. Honestly, if he hadn’t been, he wouldn’t have been able to make it this far.”
Located on the outskirts of the palace, this hospital was the pinnacle of the empire’s medical care, known as the anti-thesis to the afterlife world.
It housed an array of the best medical staff who could handle almost any ailment.
A pharmacist capable of managing nearly every drug in the world, surgeons capable of perfectly suturing severed parts, alchemists that could brew potions and cultivate artificial organs, high-ranking sorcerers skilled solely in healing magic, and even bishop-level priests invited by the Holy Church Order.
The place was equally famed as the shrine of Rosellia Temple with the saint housed in it, making its reputation well-known…
“Having put considerable effort into his treatment, he is not in danger for now. However, he must be prepared for the possibility of permanent disabilities.”
“…Disabilities… to what extent…?”
Naturally, there were some things even they couldn’t fix here.
The hospital director replied to Riley’s trembling voice with an unfazed expression.
“His right eye had to be sacrificed to gain power, leaving us with no way to rectify it. Most sorcery tools at that level are tightly regulated; I have no idea how he obtained one.”
If it had merely been an external wound, they could have healed it using regeneration procedures or even transplanting newly grown eyes.
But if the loss was a cost of a specific ritual, their hands were mostly tied.
“The right hand… It’s also beyond full recovery due to the curse deeply embedded and mixed with the abyss. We can mitigate it to some extent, so sealing it to keep the curse from manifesting is the best course of action.”
However, he added that if excessive force was exerted, there was a risk that the sealed curse in his right hand would resurface.
Even if his status had been enhanced, Hesperon was just an apprentice sorcerer who had recently ranked up.
Being matched against numerous high-ranking knights and even managing to restrain those at the peak must have had its price.
If it weren’t for Heinrich’s holy power, he might not even be alive now.
“Ah, we could also amputate the hand and transplant a new one. It would take considerable time for rehabilitation and would result in a decline in his previous strength, but if he intends to live solely as a sorcerer, that wouldn’t be a bad option.”
It was a matter of choosing between living with the dangerous seal for the rest of his life while trying to maintain previous strength or opting for a new hand that would be weaker than before but cut off the root of the cause.
Riley silently gazed down at Hesperon, who was lost in a deep sleep.
That wasn’t a choice she could make.
When he woke up… he would have to choose for himself.
Knowing his overflowing talent, she couldn’t help but feel guilty about the situation.
“Hmm, I feel I’ve said too many inept things. However, I managed to restore his vitality and life force damaged by overusing black sorcery to some extent. Although I had to use quite a few precious materials in the process, I should do at least that much for the princess’s savior.”
Following that, the emotionless words of the hospital director trailed off, but Riley stood silently, merely gazing down at Hesperon.
Then the hospital director paused his speech, carefully bowed his head towards her, and quietly left the room.
Maintaining composure in any situation was his creed, but that didn’t mean he was oblivious.
Swish—
As soon as the hospital director left.
Standing still, she slowly reached out, gently stroking his right arm wrapped in tightly bound bandages etched with runes.
Her hand then gradually moved upwards, heading towards his right eye, which looked as if it were asleep.
“…Again, I owe you a debt.”
She hadn’t even repaid the debt from before.
He, who could have escaped alone, had recklessly used dangerous items to save her.
He probably expected this outcome to some degree himself.
‘…You fool.’
Despite that, he had chosen the path without the slightest hesitation.
As if satisfied just to save her, wearing a smile of no regrets.
Gulp—
Suddenly overwhelmed by emotion, Riley quickly withdrew her hand and took a deep breath.
After gazing at him for a moment, she took another deep breath and turned to head out.
“I’ll come back later.”
She still had many things left to do.
Stepping outside the hospital, her expression gradually hardened, and by the time she completely exited the ward, she exuded an intimidating aura that could chill anyone to the bone.
“…What’s the status?”
“The escaped Lord Stav is currently being tracked, but he’s in poor condition and is expected to be captured soon.”
“All the stragglers have been secured, and interrogations have begun to identify any collaborators.”
“We are compiling a list of individuals who exhibited strange behavior before the incident occurred. I will report back within the day.”
She muttered softly, and one by one, the aides that had quietly followed behind began adding their comments.
“Priority is given to identifying the mastermind. Do you understand?”
“Yes, I will relay this to everyone.”
“I will exert every effort.”
The iron-blooded princess, furious from being ambushed, bared her fangs for revenge.
Pooling her forces and the empire’s collaboration that she had built up thus far.
