Sion proceeded with a large-scale change in the internal affairs, giving most of the important positions to his trusted companions, a few days after thatā¦
After a peaceful period.
Nothing happenedā¦
The nobles did not make any strange moves because of this forceful manipulation of affairs, and trigger the rebellion that everyone was worried would happen one dayā¦
There was no movements, the nobles didnāt even complainā¦
It was a nearly terrifying peace.
During this period, Sion remained in his room, continuing to fight with the expanding pile of paperwork.
Claugh, Calne, Eslina and Nea who would come to disturb him at definite periods, had disappeared completely from Sionās side for this periodā¦ because they were very busy with their promotions and the changes in their subordinates.
Especially Claugh, he had to take up the duty of handling the whole Roland army, and he also had to deal with the paperwork that came with the promotion and whatnot, he was busy with dealing with things that he was unfamiliar with every dayā¦
At that moment, Sion finished reading through a pile of documents, after signing it and writing some instructions, he continued with the next one.
This was the document that the Field-Marshal of Roland Empire had handed inā¦
This was written on this:
āYou actually gave me such a boring assignment! Sion, I will definitely kill you! Wait till I finish what youāve given me, I will definitely kill you!ā
This was a document with a terrifying toneā¦
Its contents may have even made some people blanch, butā¦
Sion laughed.
āAh~ Claugh seems to be having a hard time too. Goodā¦ā
So, he wrote on the document:
āYou will kill me after you finish working, thatās troubling, then Iāll give you some of my work. So you can look forward to it even more.ā
Then, he pulled out a pile of work that he had planned to give Claugh, that needed the Field-Marshalās signature, documents about the plans after todayā¦
He moved it to the pile that was to be given to Claugh.
Sion smiled widely.
āThis way, heāll probably yell at me again?ā
He saidā¦
At the same time his hands stopped sorting out the paper work.
Then he looked out of the window.
He could see the whole of Rolandās capital, Reylude, from his office window.
He looked at the whole capitalā¦
It was a peaceful scene.
These few days, the situation had been very peaceful, there completely wasnāt anything that was happening as predicted.
Andā¦
It was very, very quietā¦
And, this country was in the midst of changing rapidly.
The streets looked like normal from where they were sprawled outside the window, butā¦
This country was changing.
With this move in the personnel, had ensured that all of the important positions in Roland were occupied by Sionās peopleā¦
It was a strange movement, this time, the people who were chosen werenāt all noble born.
But, that didnāt mean that there werenāt any nobles in there. Sion didnāt want to offend the nobles who opposed the king, he did not use any violent methods to proceed with the change in personnel as he wanted to.
He only chose the people according to their abilities, and it had turned out like that.
As long as they had power, Sion didnāt oppose to the background of that person.
He thought that this was expected, and he trusted that this would allow the country to grow rapidly, gaining the power to go against other countries.
Butā¦
The strange action of changing the personnelā¦ a few days after the order had been announced, it had brought about an effect that was far more than what Sion expectedā¦
The country had awoken in one breath.
They had thrown off the control off the nobles who only knew how to consider the benefits to themā¦
This country had awoken.
Many people with talents and expectations had came in from everywhere, their numbers were so large that it made him want to ask, where had these people been hiding before this?
The nobles still existed.
And they had a large power.
They had large lands, finances, personal armies.
But, the people could gain the highest positions in the army and internal government, this was currently the most important matter.
As long as they worked hard, they could replace the nobles, moving Roland.
Building a better country.
Pushing forward a better government.
Creating a better life.
Although the change in jobs had not ended, but most of the documents in the internal government were now flowing towards Sion.
They were files that were directed towards the expansion of Rolandās progress, suggestions that people were makingā¦
They were all different opinions and perspectives that were different from the noblesā, that Sion had never thought ofā¦
They were voices that wanted the best of this country.
They were different from the previous nobles whose voices were selfish, lustful and filled with lies, these were the voices of people who really thought well for this country.
If they did this, would the processing of goods be smoother? Would the movements of the merchant industry be more active?
In the time of a few daysā¦ Sion had only thought of giving the people an opportunity to think of the direction in which the country could expandā¦
Sion looked at the towering piles of documents in front himā¦
āI didnāt think that there would be that many people making suggestionsā¦ā
He smiled in relief, then he narrowed his eyes.
āButā¦ā
It was silent outside.
āā¦Itās too quiet.ā
Sion muttered softly.
The nobles had not uttered a word towards the current situation, it was very clear, this was a strange occurrence.
It shouldnāt be like that.
Sionās eyes sharpened.
āThey couldnātā¦ be so docile? If they understood it so much, that they could be so insightful about the futureā¦ I wouldnāt need to be so troubled, to think of plans to make them submitā¦ā
At this moment, Sion stopped muttering, having a self-mocking smile on his faceā¦
āā¦No, if the nobles had that kind of toleranceā¦ I wouldnāt need to be king, this country would be in their hands.ā
Butā¦
That was not the truth.
The nobles were silly and cowardly, for their personal gain, they could even betray their own countryā¦
They didnāt have any visions of their future.
They only cared about whether they were happy now; they only cared about their own current satisfactionā¦
The present, present, present, presentā¦
The future of this countryā¦
The future of the people of this countryā¦
They had never thought of it. They only thought of themselves.
Even if they had awakened they couldnāt defeat Sion if they continuedā¦
At that moment, wouldnāt they sell out this country without panting or being red in the face? They would betray this country so that they would be able to drink the sweet nectar?
And, they planned to defeat Sion.
Sion understood that very well.
He understood those nobles who had called his mother a lowly bitch.
They only had lustful thoughts.
āā¦Yes. A dirty bloodlineā¦ā
Sion stared at his own hands, saying softly.
āMy body hasā¦ dirty blood. The nobles who had been strung along by lustā¦ my father who abandoned my motherā¦ the blood line of my predecessor tells meā¦ā
What are the nobles thinking? What do they want to doā¦
It is too quiet.
But, it wouldnāt last if this continues.
Then, what are the nobles thinking?
Why have they not reacted?
Whyā¦
Would the nobles do that to defeat meā¦?
Sion glared out of the window.
At that moment, someone knocked on the office doorā¦
āā¦Report. In the Akmer regionā¦ the nobles have started to rouseā¦ā
Sion didnāt hear the rest of the report.
Itās coming.
He thought.
Itās finally beginning. The short rest had ended, the real Roland was showing itselfā¦
The nobles would definitely not show their weaknesses.
They probably would turn it into a large war? And it was a war that was abnormally deep and ugly like a swampā¦
The first light wasā¦
Sion narrowed his eyes.
āYesā¦ the source is Akmerā¦ right?ā
That was the territory of Baron Kellar Froaude.
Yes.
It was the territory of Miran Froaudeās father.
Sion ordered the subordinate outside the door:
āCallā¦ Claughā¦ā
The Akmer region was slightly north of Froaudeās capital, its geographic location, was closer to the neighbouring country.
Because it was near to the allied country Runa, it was the reason that it was responsible for all dealings with Runa.
There was a piece of fertile land in that large territoryā¦
But, because Roland was near the southern end of the Menoris Continent, the weather was warm, and it was steady for all four seasons, hence every district had fertile landā¦
And Froaudeās mansion was in the wealthy Akmer district.
No, compared to a mansion, it should be a small palaceā¦ or it should be more accurately a walled city.
Although the neighbouring Runa was an allied country, but, if there was war between the two countries, Roland would use this as their fort, to defend against the Runa army.
So, the mansion that Kellar Froaude stayed in was quite secure.
But the interior designs were not simple, on the other hand they were colourful but graceful, filled with the tastes of the baron who was the second richest.
Many nobles started to gather hereā¦
The hall was now noisy with the society partyā¦
While the orchestra played its beautiful songs, the nobles enjoyed rich wine, gourmet food as they casually interactedā¦
In that time, there would be nobles who continued to stream in, the banquet would become more noisy, and sophisticatedā¦
Miran Froaude stared fixedly at thisā¦
This scene.
With his cold eyes.
With that cold, extremely cold expression.
He stared at the gathered nobles coldly.
āAs expected of Otou-sama. If you spread the order, there would be many nobles who turn upā¦ā
He said politely.
The smiling man by his side said:
āAh, this is thanks to your hard work, Miran. Because you gave me the chance to speak with Duke Stearead, so I was able to call over so many famous people.ā
Saying that, he looked at Froaude.
He was a short, plump old man. It wasnāt hot in the room, but his face was slick with oilā¦ he had a faint demeaning smile, and a small aura.
But, Froaude looked at the old man, smiling.
āHow can that be, my abilities arenāt as good as Fatherās. I will still need your protection even after today.ā
He said.
He called this man Fatherā¦
Yes, this old man was the person who was in charge of governing this landā¦ the head of the Froaude family, Kellar Froaude.
Comparing the father and son, although he was a man, but he had a slim figure, and had a sharp beauty, Froaude didnāt look like his father at allā¦
Actually, that was to be expected?
Because they werenāt related by bloodā¦
Kellar stared at Froaude.
āOh. I will continue to protect you, donāt worry! Because you are my son whom Iām proud of. My adorable childā¦ My choice was the right oneā¦ When you were still small, from the first time I saw youā¦ Youāve grown up well to be talented and handsome. And your performance has displayed your abilities. Although I love the other lads too, butā¦ youāre the best.ā
He said.
When Kellar looked at Froaude, his eyes didnāt look like they were looking at his son, but rather like he was looking at his loverā¦
Froaude smiled when he heard this.
āIt is an honor to be Fatherās son.ā
āā¦Oh. Adorable child.ā
Saying that, Kellar stroked Froaudeās back gently.
In a moment.
Froaude narrowed his eyes slightly.
Cold eyes.
Those devil-like eyes that as if had no light, narrowed slightlyā¦
Staring at Kellar with an expression like a black hole.
His eyes at that momentā¦
Froaude gently pulled Kellarās arm away.
āOtou-sama. It has just begun. Letās leave the pleasure for later. So that we do not waste this night, let us finish up with boring work, alright? Your guests have almost all reachedā¦ā
Kellar nodded forcefully when he heard this.
āYes. Youāre right. Duke Stearead is coming tooā¦ I must let him see my best sideā¦ā
Froaude shook his head when he heard this:
āOtou-sama should have any problems. Thenā¦ā
He raised his hand lightly, the orchestra stopped their performance when they saw this, the music circulating in the hall stopped suddenly.
Followed byā
āEveryone, today you have all come to attend my banquet, I am very grateful for that.ā
Froaude said with a bland, clear voice.
A voice that was clear, but like a devil whose emotions had all been wiped away.
The nobles gathered turned to Froaude when they heard his voice.
Froaude bowed to them politely.
āThe organizer of this banquetā¦ is Duke Shetelud Stearead, and my father Kellar Froaude.ā
The thundering applause made Kellar nodded his head, pleased, then he raised his hands to express his feelings.
Froaude looked at all of this, then checked that the five doors in the hall had started to close.
Kellar continued:
āI am very thankful that everyone here has accepted the invitation by Duke Stearead and me. Everyone gathered must know, why weāre gathered here?ā
Everyone chorused:
āTo teach that arrogant brat, Sion Astal a lesson!ā
āIf we hand over our country to that tyranny who underestimates us, and surrounds himself with trash, we will definitely be destroyed!ā
āPull that man off the throne!ā
Everyone expressed their opinions, Kellar nodded.
āYes. Now we must stand out. Although he has the blood of royalty, but he is only a dirty lad brought into this world by a lowly womanā¦ Having that person as our king, would make us the butt of jokes by the neighbouring countries. Before his power continues to grow, we should push him back.
āAnd the moment is now! My brilliant son Miran has thought of a great plan. I believe that it has spread to everyoneā¦ We will lend the power of the Runa Empire who the previous king had deep ties with, to pull down Astal. I hope that everyone can help me.ā
The whole hall was immediately drowned with agreements from everyone.
The plan seemed to have succeeded.
Froaudeās eyes gleamed sharply.
At this moment, the doors to the hall closed slowlyā
One, twoā¦
Kellar said:
āI will let our hound Miran explain the specifics of this plan. Perhaps my teachings have been lacking somewhereā¦ This child is not good at dealing with peopleā¦ Please understand, and give him your warmest protection.ā
There was a wave of laughter in the hallā¦
So, Kellar turned to Froaude with a satisfied expression, proud at his sonā¦
āNe, Miran, Iāll leave the rest to you.ā
In this period, the doors continued to close one by one.
Threeā¦ Fourā¦
Fourā¦ when the last door was still open, Froaude turned his attention back to the gathered group.
Then, he bowed his head to express his regardsā¦ then spoke:
āFirst I wish to ask something of everyoneā¦ Lately have you been attacked by an unknown person? According to my research, the king has hired assassins, trying to wipe out the nobles who oppose the kingā¦ā
Froaudeās voice had not fallen silent, when the nobles started to murmur.
āYes, they did come.ā
āThey came after me too! I was nearly killedā¦ It was a good thing that the other person wasnāt able to get what they wanted.ā
The hall started to buzz with these.
Froaude nodded when he heard this.
āAs expected? So there would be that many people gathered here. The king didnāt succeed, right? Heās underestimating us. He actually sent assassins of that standard after usā¦ Actually, those lowly acts would only make us love our country moreā¦There must be some people who would feel that, making that Astal man the king, is a very dangerous thing, after being targeted by the assassins? I believe it too, that there may be some people here who donāt agree with allowing that man to become kingā¦
āThe king failed. Because he sent those ineffective assassins, us nobles who have the power and love the country very much were allowed to gather here. That we were able to summon so many peopleā¦ My plan has succeeded. Firstly I must express my gratitude to everyone who has come forward to the banquet.ā
Saying that, he bowed his head.
The nobles applauded passionately to Froaudeās speech.
Froaude accepted this thunderous applauseā¦
Then when he raised his head again, he smiled faintlyā¦
He stared at the nobles in the hall.
The nobles were sure of their own stands, and they did not doubt that they would winā
They would save this country personally.
Everyone was filled with hope.
Froaude looked at the faces of the noblesā¦ he looked at every face, seeming to smile mockinglyā¦
At this moment, Kellar told Froaude:
āNe, Miran, donāt pretend, tell the plan to everyone. Even I donāt know about the detailsā¦ how will we join forces with Runa to defeat Astal?ā
The nobles looked at Froaude again when they heard thisā¦
āYou, you actually said something so disrespectfulā¦ā
āWhat are you sayingā¦ā
But Froaude interrupted them.
āAh, youāre so stupid that you canāt understand what Iām saying? Noā¦ for my personal wishes, I can betray my country without changing my expressionā¦ Someone like you or perhaps you donāt understand this language? You ate my bait without hesitation, free baitā¦ā
At this moment, Froaude checked that the last door had been closed.
āā¦Even if I say more, itās useless. Anyway you will die here. All the doors have been closed. And you will be unable to leave. Nowā¦ā Saying that, he raised his finger slowly.
He raised that finger with a special black ringā¦
At this moment Kellar said:
āWhat, what is going on? Miran, why did you say something so strangeā¦ā
But, Froaude didnāt turn back and said:
āDarknessā¦ appearā¦ā
In the moment he muttered softly.
Something unbelievable happened.
Resting under Froaudeās feet, the shadows lying on the ground suddenly swelled, breaking into several dark shapesā¦
Attacking the nobles.
In a momentā
The hall became hell.
Brains, bodies, arms, legs continued to be stripped from the nobles, flying into their air.
Every time the shadows crossed, blood, blood, bloodā¦
Flooded the hallā¦
āYouā¦ā
Kellarās legs folded in, and he collapsed on the ground.
Froaude turned back slowlyā¦
He laughed.
Froaude laughed. Seeing the nobleās foolish appearanceā¦
Seeing the piteous appearance of his father who had slumped down in front of him, he laughed.
āThis- whatās going on, Miranā¦ Unless youāre going to make meā¦ā
Froaude nodded simply.
āI had planned this from the start, Father, I have been awaiting for this day very patiently.ā
Kellar looked stunned when he heard this.
āYou, youāre jokingā¦ Miran. Tell me, this, this is a lieā¦ I, I have always, always loved you since the day I saw you as a childā¦ā
Froaude laughed again when he heard this.
āā¦So what? Do you want me to love a person as ugly and foolish as you? Do you want me to love the foolish you, who has no future? If youāre joking, please keep it to a minimum. From the beginning, I have always treated you like a pawn. I have already decided where I want to go. And you, are only one of the pawns that I am using to reach my goal.ā
Kellar said:
āDonāt, donāt say such nonsense! You were only five years old when I met you?! Youā¦ you couldnāt have been tricking me the whole timeā¦ You love me, your fatherā¦ā
But, Froaude smiled at this moment.
Those red lips parted in the darknessā¦
āā¦At that moment you didnāt have the large authority that you have now. You had your brother, who was the original lord of the Froaude family was your brother. But, he died. And not only that, your relatives passed away because of accidentsā¦ leaving you as the only one. You gained a large land, money, powerā¦ After you set everything in order, I moved inā¦ But, that was what I gave to you, now, I want it backā¦ā
Kellarās face blanched even furtherā¦
āHow, how can that beā¦ Then, it was a five year old child who killed the Froaude familyā¦ā
āNot yet. Youāre left. But thatās going to end tonightā¦ā
Saying that, Froaude slowly put his hand on Kellarās headā¦
Kellar said:
āā¦Please, I beg you, wait. But, but, we had seventeen years together as father and son, and as lovers. Youā¦ā
Froaude smiled when he heard that.
āā¦Lower your voice, itās very piercing. Goodbye, my lord father.ā
āNo, donātā¦ā
His voice disappeared.
As if enveloping Kellar, a silver black shadow seemed to swell in a momentā¦
His head, arms and legs disappearedā¦ leaving a body that seemed to have been gnawed on thoroughly by beastsā¦
The voice of the other organizer of this party sounded from behind Froaudeā¦
Stearead who had been threatened by Froaude to change to the royalist faction said with a shaking voice:
āYou, you actually dared to killā¦ your fatherā¦ andā¦ā
Saying that, he looked at the center of the hall.
An unbearable sight laid before him. The nobles were continually assaulted by the shadowsā¦ they were dying.
Stearead looked upon this and said:
āā¦It seems that it was right to stand on your side, Colonel Miran Froaudeā¦ No, after that surprising shift in internal affairs, you have been promoted to Lieutenant General, right? Or, perhaps I should call you Baron Froaude?ā
Froaude turned back.
āRemember, if you ever dare to betray me, I will kill you mercilessly.ā
Stearead glanced around the hell-like scene in the hall when he heard thatā¦
Nearly all the nobles were killedā¦
Stearead smiled self-mockingly and said:
āAfter witnessing this scene, who would dare to betray you? Weā¦ how would we be able toā¦ fight with this kind of monster? I will never betray youā¦ā
But, he had not finished.
In the next moment, his body disappeared, leaving behind Steareadās head that was smiling sadlyā¦
Froaude said:
āā¦Eh? This situationā¦ it isnāt the power of myā¦ ring that caused thatā¦ā
So he turned to the middle of the hall.
In the middle of the hall, nearly all the nobles were eaten by the shadows that Froaude had createdā¦
But, at the backā¦
A man was standing by the side of the door that had closed firstā¦
Froaude narrowed his eyes...
āā¦ā
It was a strange man.
He had messy and pink-coloured hair, a colour that was rare. He wasnāt as tall as Froaude, but he could be counted as tall? A fairly proportionate body figureā¦ it could be seen that had been trained well.
Even though he was facing a situation like this, those slim eyes still brimmed with confidence, staring at Froaudeā¦
Froaude asked:
āā¦You actually defeated my shadows, who are you?ā
The man shrugged.
āIf I am here, it means that Iām obviously a guestā¦ā
Froaude shook his head immediately.
āNo. You are a visitor from another country, right? Just based on your pink hair colourā¦ Roland almost has no one with that hair colour.ā
The man smiled when he heard that.
āā¦Oh? Everything was seen through? As I thought, you are a very capable person. Those icy eyes are terrifying.ā
āI want to thank you for your praise, and take it as a complimentā¦ But, you say that with a casual smile, it doesnāt seem like a compliment. Then, your presence in Rolandā¦ What are you here for?ā
āEh? Do I look like someone who has to answer that?ā
Froaude hearing that, raised his hand slowly.
āThen, no matter whether youāre willing, I will have you answerā¦ā
The man whistled when he heard that.
āIs that it, the black ring your wear on your finger? The weapon that summoned those black shadows earlier? It seems as if it shouldnāt be meddled with. You controlling such a large amount of shadows casuallyā¦ and to be able to use that weapon so skillfullyā¦ to reach that height, it must have been quite painful? You are indeed are very skillful person. I really donāt want to clash head-on with you. And I have a job to do. I donāt want to waste any energy hereā¦ā
Then.
āDarknessā¦ā
The man frowned.
āThat wouldnāt doā¦ā
Saying that, he raised the golden ring that he was wearing on his finger.
āLightning beastsā¦ā
āAppear!ā
The two of them shouted at the same time.
In a moment, the darkness beneath Froaudeās feet swelledā¦
Contrary to that, light appeared around the manā¦ no, it would be more appropriate to say that it was lightning instead of lightā¦
Several lightning blocks appearedā¦
They slowly formed several beasts.
Froaude narrowed his eyes when he saw thisā¦
āā¦As expected. I saw the ability that vanished Duke Steareadās body, it was clearly not caused by magic. You have the same weapon as meā¦ā
He said midly.
The man shrugged.
āAh, I really donāt want to fight with you. Seeing my lightning beasts and having that reactionā¦ that is my first time seeing that happen. Was this matter within your expectations?ā
Froaude shook his head.
āItās not like that. Iām still quite surprised. You appearing here is already beyond my expectations. Of course I didnāt think that someone among the nobles would have realized my plan and attempt to kill me, butā¦ if it were a normal opponent, this shadow could have solved everything.
But, with someone like you existingā¦
And you killed Duke Steareadā¦
I know. You are here to kill Duke Stearead who had contact with me. And along the way you would clear away the nobles who followed Duke Steareadā¦
From that, your origins doesnāt need to be spoken out loud.
Who was it who had to kill Duke Stearead? Who was it to command you to kill himā¦?
Which noble was it? It should be the person behind the scenes, who remains unseen and commanded Duke Steareadā¦
Which country did that person sell Roland and Sion out toā¦?
āWhich country are you from? Eh, I have two or three theories in mindā¦ā
The man frowned when he heard this, having an expression as if wanting Froaude to release him.
āā¦How terribleā¦ Just by exchanging a few sentences with you, it seems that I have leaked everything out without my noticeā¦ It seems that I am going to get someone mad at me. So, from now on, I will say nothing else.ā
Froaude replied:
āEh. It doesnāt matter. I will cut down that ring along with that finger, then I will capture you, slowly delaying you, until I have gotten all my answers, until you die.ā
The man laughed when he heard this.
āHow scaryā¦ If that is so, so that I can explain, no matter what I cannot capture youā¦ that means, I can only kill youā¦ā
Saying that, the man waved a hand in Froaudeās direction.
āI want your ring!ā
In a moment, the lightning beasts moved towards Froaude at the speed of lightā¦
But, Froaude had several shadow beasts collide with them at an unexpected speedā¦
Froaude ran forward quickly.
He used the hand without the ring to point at the man, tracing out a magical formation in the air.
āWHAT I SEEK IS BURNING FIELDS>>>ā¦ā
The man scowled when he saw this.
āUrghā¦ heās using magicā¦ Thatās not good!ā
Yelling, he charged towards Froaude, waving his ring finger.
āLightning beasts!ā
He materialized a lightning beast in front of Froaudeās magic formation, cancelling the magic formation.
Froaude moved a step back and said:
āAppear!ā
A shadow was released in the direction of the lightning beast.
Both sides separated.
Six shadow and lightning beasts were fighting against each otherā¦
Both sides were equally matched.
It seemed as if they were unable to get ahead of each other.
The man had a distressed expression.
āAh, youāre good. I could see this from our clash. This is troublingā¦ it seems that it would be hard to have a conclusionā¦ā
But Froaude smiled faintly.
āNo. You should have discovered it? You canāt use magic. No, I should say, you have forbidden yourself from using magic. Perhaps it is to cover your identity, so that no one would be able to know which countryās assassin you are, right? You canāt let me see you using your countryās magicā¦ so, you cannot use magic. That is the largest difference between you and Iā¦ If the power of the rings are equal, then I am at an advantage because I can use magic.
This is the first reason why this situation has benefits for me.ā
The man frowned when he heard this.
āOh, the first? Donāt tell me there are other reasonsā¦ā
āYes, that's right, you also have a disadvantage. Because you cannot use magic, you will be unable to match up to my strength, so even if it seems you are talking to me casually, in actual fact you are actually searching for a way to escape. But, unless I give the command, otherwise the doors to the hall will not open. This way, your lightning beasts and you will have no choice but to break down the doors to escape, butā¦ I will not let you have that chance. If you send one lightning beast to break down the door, I will use that opportunity to rip out your throatā¦ā
The man shrugged when he heard this, seeming to want to surrender with his hands up.
āā¦Hey, that canāt be? It was only an exchange of a few blows, but you could interpret so many things? Wouldnāt you feel tired? Even if you arenāt tired, someone probably has told you that youāre annoying? You must have had no friends?ā
Froaude smiled bitterly when he heard that.
āI wouldnāt feel tired, but the latter part is right. Ne, letās stop with the nonsense. Please make a choice. Are you going to surrender? Or knowing that you will be killed, attempt to escapeā¦ā
The man simply said:
āOr suicide? There should at least be this option? If I am unluckily caught by you, I may not want to reveal my countryās top secrets under intense questioning.ā
Froaude narrowed his eyes.
āAre you going to do that?ā
The man shook his head, laughing.
āNo, I wouldnāt. I have a better plan.ā
Saying that, he reached into his pocketā¦
āThe fourth choice.ā
He took out a blue gemā¦
āThe crystal of Iino Dwoe ā¦ This thing can let me win this fight.ā
Saying that, he threw the gem up, in a moment, the gem stopped in mid-airā¦
Then it started to vibrate.
Something seemed to resonate with it and release a piercing sound, the gem vibrated in the airā¦\nThe man immediately controlled the lightning beasts, releasing the shadow beast, making to chase after itā¦
Then, he stoppedā¦
Looking at the gem.
The man took out the gem without hesitation and wanted to use the lightning beasts to destroy the door. He clearly knew that Froaude would attack himā¦ but he attempted to destroy the doorā¦
At that momentā
āā¦Damn it.ā
Froaude seemed to groan, then he used the darkness to destroy the door nearest to him.
The man seeing that.
āAs expected of a highly-skilled opponent, youāve made a good judgment. Butā¦ itās too late.ā
With that, the man bounded off.
Following that, Froaude made preparations to escapeā¦
But, the gem suddenly cracked.
In a moment, blue flames spat out from the gem, destroying the ceiling and floorā¦ yes, it wasnāt burning them into pieces, but destroying them.
In a moment, the temperature in the room rose by several hundred degreesā¦ then the difference in temperature caused the walls and ornaments to be destroyed even though they were not in contact with the fireā¦
The flames reached out quickly.
Approaching Froaudeās backā¦
Suddenly, the shadows protected his back, butā¦
Even that shadow was burnt away by that blue flameā¦ no matter how much shadow he released, it was all destroyed.
At that momentā
Froaude had reached the door that led out of the hall, suddenlyā¦
āUrghā¦ā
Froaude frowned.
The door had collapsed with the walls, blocking the exitā¦
It was the end.
He thought.
There wasnāt any time to escape from the other routes, even if there were sufficient time, the flames had already approached areas where the strength of the darkness was unable to defend against.
If he used the darkness to destroy the door and wall in front of him, there would be a gap behind him, Froaude would be burnt to deathā¦
āā¦ā
He had lost.
He thought.
He had lost terribly.
He had underestimated his opponentā¦
Froaude stopped suddenly, closing his eyesā¦
And at this momentā
āHey! What are you doing! Arenāt you going to escape?!ā
Someone caught his arm, pulling him over forcefully.
A strong power.
Froaude raised his head, for some reason, Claugh was actually in front of himā¦
āā¦How did youā¦ Claā¦ā
But he didnāt say anything much.
The flames that could destroy everything, were quickly swallowing them.
Froaude turned back, glaring steadily at the blue flames, waving his ring.
In a moment, a large amount of darkness appearedā¦
The largest amount of darkness that he could create so far continued to expandā¦
He was struck dizzy for a moment.
His arms were almost bursting with the effort. Even so, he frantically held onā¦
āField-Marshal Cl-Claugh. Eight, eight seconds. I can only hold back the flames for eight secondsā¦or soā¦ā
This was the limit.
No matter how many darkness was created, they were all extinguished one by oneā¦
But Claugh smiled broadly.
āFroaude, youāre very strong! Enough. Hold on!ā
He shouted, swinging his right arm. Then, the tattoo on his arm glowedā¦
Claugh touched his arm gently to the wall in front of them, andā¦ in an instant, the wall cracked into piecesā¦
āWeāre going!ā
Claugh grabbed Froaudeās clothes, pulling him out.
They escaped out of the mansion quicklyā¦
After that.
The whole mansion was swallowed by tongues of flame.
But, the fire continued to spread.
The flames expanded as if wanting to burn everything in this world passionatelyā¦
āDamn it~ How far is it going to go!!ā
Claugh dragged Froaude, running at an unbelievable speedā¦
The scene was distorting.
The scene was warping.
Froaude watched this as he was dragged along.
The air was expanding because of the high temperature, so everything was distortingā¦
Then, when the flames had reached their maximum range, they suddenly vanishedā¦
Andā¦
The world returned to normal.
The mansion had completely been decimated.
It was a stunning display of power.
If the flames had continued to spread, they probably wouldnāt be able to escape?
Froaude narrowed his eyes.
No, if Claugh had not appeared at that crux in time, he would not have been able to escape from that hall, he would have been burnt aliveā¦
Then at that moment, he already had prepared to die.
But, that manā¦
He had grabbed Froaudeās clothes without turning around, running frantically, Froaude looked at himā¦
Froaude stared at Claugh for a long while in their current stateā¦
Looking at Claugh who was desperately dragging Froaude and runningā¦
He thought.
āā¦ā
Thenā
āā¦That, I have something I want to talk aboutā¦ Field-Marshal Claugh.ā
Claugh hearing this.
āAh? Itās not the time for that now! Weāll talk about it later, later!ā
But Froaude said:
āItās fine if itās later, butā¦ I have some information that you must know about. Will you give me a little time?ā
āAh thatās enough. How annoying! What is it!ā
Froaude said with his usual mild tone:
āField-Marshal Claugh is using his full strength to escapeā¦ But in truth the fire has already extinguished. In other words, what are you escaping from?ā
āAh?ā
Claugh yelled foolishly, turning back.
He had a dumb-founded expression, looking in shock at the scene were there wasnāt any flames, thenā¦ he released Frouadeās collarā¦
āWhy didnāt you say that earlier!ā
He shouted angrily at Froaude.
Froaude dusted off his dirty clothes as he stood, shrugging:
āItās because, even though the fire had stopped, the funny situation where you were dragging me and running desperately was quite amusingā¦ so, I didnāt notify you in time.ā
Claugh hearing this.
āYouā¦ youāre the same as ever, an annoying personā¦ā
āThen I apologize. Have I made you angry?ā
Claugh hearing that, glared viciously at Froaude.
āAh? You have always made me angry. This time too, Sion worked so hard, hoping to reduce the sacrifices, so that he can govern the country in this peaceful situation, but you moved by yourself, moving firstāā
Froaude nodded:
āThe funny thing that I referred to just now is this. Iām very aware that you hate me. But why did you come to save me then? Whatās happening now?ā
Claugh frowned.
āThisā¦ Because Sion wanted me to come and help you, so I could only come. I didnāt want to come at allā¦ā
But Froaude tilted his head in suspicion.
āHis Majesty? But, thatās strange. His Majesty only sent you, the Field-Marshal to come and help me?ā
āOf course not! He wanted me to bring the soldiers. Sion said, Froaude is aiming to wipe out the nobles, but the other side will want to retaliate. He said that it was too dangerous for you alone, so he told me to take a large group of soldiers and leave the capitalā¦ But, you are always acting by yourself, taking the first step, this made me feel concernedā¦ I wanted to punch you, so I quickly came here, and went ahead of everyone else.ā
He saidā¦
Froaude hearing that, felt more confused.
āYou left the other soldiers, and came here first?ā
āYes, thatās right.ā
āBut you clearly said it yourself, you didnāt want to come, youāre here on His Majestyās orders, you came here reluctantly, but you abandoned your soldiers and came here firstā¦? I donāt understandā¦ā
Claugh revealed an irritated expression when he heard that.
āIāve had enough, youāre very annoying, so didnāt I say, I was here to punch you!ā
āYou clearly didnāt want to come, but you came to save my lifeā¦ You are a strange person.ā
āDo you have the rights to say that?!ā
Froaude smiled lightly.
āBut, I still have to express my thanks to you. If it werenāt for you, I could have probably died, thank you for saving my life.ā
Claughās expression turned serious.
ā...Before you sincerely thank me, tell me, what were those blue flames? What was that, what happened? I have never seen magic like that.ā
Froaude looked back when he heard that, he looked at the mansion that had been destroyed and left ashes and an empty land.
āThatā¦ It was my first time seeing something like that, too. But I know one thingā¦ā
Claugh hearing that, stared at Froaude.
āWhat?ā
But Froaude ignored his gaze, closing his eyes, then opening them again, staring at the destroyed mansionā¦ then raising his head to look at the sky unfurled behind the mansion.
The sky was clear.
It was a cloudless sky.
It was so clear, as if there were no worriesā¦
Butā¦
Everything now looked so fake.
It was a fake steadiness.
It was a fake silence.
Froaude glared at the sky.
āā¦It seems, our warā¦ has already started.ā
He muttered with his usual bland and calm voice.
The scene changed back to Roland again.
This time it was solemn and quiet.
The throne where the king of Roland would seat on.
Sion was sitting on itā¦
He was looking at a strange scene in front of him.
Looking ahead, beasts that were made of lightning suddenly appearedā¦
The beasts locked down on Sion, attacking.
Butā¦
āā¦ā
Sion didnāt move. Not only that, he didnāt look nervous at all, staring at these beastsā¦
āItās useless.ā
As he said thatā¦
The beasts plunged towards Sionā¦
But, things happened in a blink of an eye.
Holding something, it swept past, faster than thunder and lightningā¦
The lightning beasts disappeared.
It was incredible.
The lightning beasts were killed, as if they did not exist at all.
In exchange, what appeared in front of Sion wasā¦
Someone who had blond hair and narrow eyes, and unearthly beautiful features.
A handsome man.
But he didnāt hold any weapons.
But, he turned his gaze to the entrance to the throne roomā¦
He said with a clear voice:
āā¦Eh, an interesting attack tactic. Lightning beasts huhā¦ But, itās only fun. It wouldnāt work in front of me. If you have any conspiracies on the king of this countryā¦ā
In a moment.
The man had an unbelievably strong killing auraā¦
Sion nearly made a noise.
The man in front of himā¦
The killing intent that the current head of the Sword Family Eris who was tasked with protecting the countryās king, Lucile Eris was releasingā¦
Sion was trembling because of the killing aura that the man who was protecting him was giving out.
Although he had seen it a few times, but he felt that this man was like a monster.
Then, Lucile slowly smiled at the person who was standing to the left of the entrance:
āYou will disappear. You wouldnāt feel any pain, just vanish. You can tell your companions, tell them, if they dare to touch Rolandā¦ there will be consequences.ā
But, he didnāt need to explain.
Lucile was very special.
As long as he stayed in this countryā¦ no one would be able to harm Sion.
The other party seemed to understand this. The presence disappeared immediately.
Or perhaps he escaped?
Confirming that, Sion said:
āPerhaps it would be better if we caught him?ā
Lucile turned back, smiling warmly.
āThat is for you to decide. Or are you begging me? If thatās the case, I can catch him back for you. Strange lightning beasts are quite interesting, what about it? Do you want me to go?ā
As has asked, he stared at Sion in amusement.
But Sion shook his head.
āNo need, Iām not requesting for you to do anything. Iām concerned that if I ask something of you that I should not ask for and make you angry, I would be killed by you. Anyway, letting him see the pressuring and terrifying presence that you have, and letting the person behind the scenes know about this; this is currently the most effective method, right?ā
Lucile even smiled, looking at Sion, as if he were evaluating the value of something, and listened carefully.
No, in actual fact he was really evalutating.
He was evaluating whether Sion had the ability to fully make good use of his function as the king of this country? If that were the case, then protect him, or elseā¦
This man could kill Sion without a change in expression?
He was that kind of person.
And, no one could go against him.
Lucile stared at Sion for a while, then said:
āYes. Youāre fine. You havenāt spoiled yet. This country has a good king. The chaotic era is coming soon? But I believe, as long as you are king, this country can survive.ā
Saying that, Lucileās body slowly thinned out like how he had first appeared, as if he were a light ray.
He was a monster indeed.
To Lucile, he was only erasing his presence, but, people could no longer see him.
The presence was beyond Sionās detection.
But, Sion was already used to this sceneā¦
Sion told Lucile who was invisible:
āIf I couldnāt protect this country, what would you do?ā
And, a voice spoke simplyā¦
āAt that time, I would kill you, then set up a new, stronger king, so, you donāt have to think too much about it, just let go and do your best. At the time, when you lose your power, I will kill you.ā
Sion smiled bitterly.
āHow comforting.ā
He muttered softly.
Then he hugged his arms.
āā¦Let go and do what?ā
Saying that, he lapsed into silence.
Then he thought.
The lightning monster just nowā¦
It wasnāt any normal magic.
That wasā¦
What had actually happened?
If that was an assassin sent by the noblesā¦
Claugh and Froaude had not returned.
He didnāt know if they were safe.
There was not enough information.
The information was really lacking.
What had happened to change in the countryā¦
Sion remained like this, unmoving for some time.
The scene changed againā¦
Somewhere in Roland.
An elderly manā¦
āIndeedā¦ Never mind. Anyway we have already killed the traitor Stearead. This way, that guy Astal wouldnāt be able to grab a hold of my tail? Nowā¦ā
He said to the man with messy and uncommon pink-coloured hair standing beside him:
āIn the futureā¦ How many futures will this country have? Going against that countryā¦ will there be many futures?ā
Saying that, the old man smiled.
Thenā¦ the location changed again.
Runa Empire.
In a city that was close to the Roland Empireās boundaryā¦
There was a man and girl with pink hair that was rarely seen.
It was a girl who was very cute. She was tiny, and looked to be about twelve or thirteen years old.
She had long hair and her fringe was cut right above her eyebrows. She wore a black dress that was outfit, but at the same time looked like a fashionable uniformā¦ She had slim eyes, although she was young, she was a beautiful girl who would endear people.
But her toneā
āReally! Why do you laugh foolishly in front of the king, donāt you feel embarrassed? Sui Onii-san!ā
She scolded anxiously, without stopping.
The man beside her who was called Sui looked to be a little cowardly, but he smiled mysteriouslyā¦
āAh? Kuu-chan, I donāt think that I was laughing foolishlyā¦ā
He had the same hair colour as the girl called Kuu-chan, and they looked alikeā¦
They were probably brother and sister?
But their personalitiesā¦
Kuu said:
āLook! Again!! Thatās enough! Itās so embarrassing in front of so many people. Be more serious. We are the ambassadors from Gastark! If Sui Onii-san is not more serious, we will be mocked at by the Runa people!ā
āThat, thatās right. Iām sorry, Kuu-chan. Then, then, what do you think of this?ā
Saying that, Sui pressed his lips firmly together, but those eyes that were always smiling and that gentle face had no trace of nervousnessā¦
āThereās no change!ā
Kuu got even more angryā¦
This wasnāt the capital of the Runa Empire.
But, the king of Runa Empire was sitting in front of themā¦
And it was clear that even if Sui wasnāt smiling cheekily, these two people were proceeding with an unnecessary conversation, it was clear that they werenāt very suited as ambassadorsā¦
Butā¦
āā¦You, what are youā¦ā
The king of Runa spoke with a trembling voice.
āā¦Whoā¦are youā¦ā
Sui and Kuu hearing that, turned to look at the kingā¦
Kuu said:
āDidnāt I say we are the ambassadors from Gastark! Our king says that he wants to work with Runa, so we are here to build relations with you! Of course we wouldnāt let you oppose us.ā
The king hearing thatā¦
āBut, butā¦ the Runa Empire are allied to Roland alreadyā¦ā
Sui shook his head:
āDonāt say such pretty words. We already know of the secret contract between you and the nobles from Roland, attempting to pull down the current king of Roland. If I didnāt remember wrongly, it should be Duke Stearead who is at the center of these nobles, who pushed forward this plan?ā
When the king of Runa heard that, he froze momentarily.
āYou, you even know about thisā¦ā
But Sui beamed from the beginning to the end.
āBut Duke Stearead is already dead. He was killed by our companion. And we have already successfully contacted the most powerful nobles in Roland. Itās only sooner or later before Roland is taken down? Then, let me ask you againā¦ Your Majesty, what is your choice? To depend on us Gastarkā¦ orā¦ā
At this moment, he turned his head.
Countless bodies were lying in front of him.
It wasnāt ten or a dozen corpses.
A hundred, two hundredā¦ A large number of Runa soldiers were on the groundā¦
It was an unbelievable sight.
This siblings, lending each otherās power, had cleared out the Runa soldiersā¦ and the elite soldiers by the kingās side.
The king was trembling.
Looking at the two monsters in front of himā¦
Seeing the king shivering uncontrollably, Sui said with a steady expression:
āAh, please donāt be scared. As long as you listen obediently, we wouldnāt do anything to you. I think it would be wise if you chose us? But, I think you are unable to make up your mind? Then Iāll give you a little time to think, we still have some things to do in Runa, when we finish that job, we will come back to find youā¦ I hope we will have an answer by then.
If you value your lifeā¦. No, or I should say, if you value the life of your precious daughter, Princess Einaā¦ this would be more effective, right?ā
In a moment. The kingās face turned greenā¦
Sui smiled when he saw that.
āAhaha! You donāt care about the other commonersā lives, but your daughterās? Ahahaā¦ How interesting. Then, we look forward to your reply. Ne, Kuu-chan, where do we go next?ā
Kuu hearing that, pouted.
āYou already forgot?! Really, so I canāt leave Sui Onii-san alone! You should at least be independent! Ne, think back for yourself. Answer in five seconds. Come, fiveā¦ fourā¦ā
Saying that, Kuu started to count, Sui seeing that, had a troubled expression.
āDonāt, donāt say it like thatā¦ Tell me. I really forgotā¦ I think itās some mountain with a village, right?ā
Kuu hearing that, revealed a bemused expression.
āYouāre really hopeless. Itās Rajit Village. Itās said that the Runa army has been researching on a child with Alpha Stigma .ā
Sui modded.
āThen we should go to look at this Rajit Village? And we have to get to the Alpha Stigma ā¦ā
āAnyway, we have to be quick. If he loses control and destroys himself, we canāt get the crystalā¦ā
āThen letās go!ā
āYes!ā
The duo left the hall as they conversed casually.
They stepped over the bodies without any commentā¦
Looking at thisā¦
The king who had eighty thousands soldiers and controlled everything in the Runa Empireā¦