Episode 988 Judgment of the Commandments (2)
The roots of the Kingdom of Ronia, Ravenholdt.
Rateon, having set foot in his hometown’s capital for the first time in over a decade, headed toward a back alley.The world was in turmoil, but security in the capital was tighter than usual, especially today, as the royal family was hosting a social gathering.
However, no matter how much you focus on security, there are unavoidable loopholes.
This is because there was no time to inspect everyone individually due to the large transient population, and this kingdom suffers from chronic problems befitting a corrupt nation.
The authority of the nobility is so immense that people are overly conscious of their surroundings.
Afraid of being reprimanded, the guards used the excuse of time to avoid thoroughly verifying the identities presented by those associated with the nobility.It was commonplace for them to get angry for failing to recognize someone or to trample on their dignity for being rude. It was better for their own safety to simply close their eyes.
Click.
Rateon entered an old building in a back alley and locked the door.
Everyone has arrived.
Sixteen members of Eon’s commandment execution force, including Cain and Grave, assembled. Adding Rateon, there were 17.
“So, everyone is here.”“The first thing you say upon arrival is that everyone has arrived? Anyone listening would think you’re the leader.”“Ahem.”
Embarrassed by the rebuke Grave casually tossed out, Lateon cleared his throat for no reason.Hierarchy.Grave was the Seventh Aspect, and Lateon was the Tenth. He had to respect the higher rank. After all, it was Lateon who had proposed the hierarchy in the first place.
“Anyway, since everyone is here without anyone missing, let’s get down to business.”
Grave pointed to the interior of Ravenholdt Castle and the city map in turn.
“Rateon, the intelligence officers determined that the secrets your comrade provided were highly credible. They overlapped significantly with the information independently secured by the Rikentia Trading Company, run by the Golden Sinner, and the Magic Towers. In fact, there haven’t been any errors so far.”
The Marquisate of Raunik maintains close ties with the Royal Family of Ronia. To establish themselves as a prestigious family in this field, they needed the King’s influence.The Marquisate has solidified its position by handling the Royal Family’s secret affairs.
Valen did his utmost to ascertain exactly what requests the Marquisate had received from the Royal Family since the raid on the Theocracy, and conveyed them to Rateon,just as Rateon had requested.It was not easy, but as the Knight Commander, he could find out if he set his mind to it.
Furthermore, they shared detailed schedules of the royal family and high-ranking families that had not been publicly disclosed, and the reliability of the information was evident after observing and verifying it in various locations for several days.
In other words, for at least a few days, it was as if the kingdom’s leadership was in Eon’s grasp.
“Shortly after the destruction of the island in the Hiaremar Inland Sea, a significant amount of top-grade magic stones was imported into the Kingdom of Ronia from abroad, both legally and illegally. No matter how you look at it, it is an abnormal figure.”
Cain nodded.
“There is no way a country with merely average magical skills would need so many top-tier magic stones, especially at a time when prices are at their highest in recent times.”“Furthermore, the Marquis Raunik family extracted and stored blood from illegal slaves. We confirmed that a massive amount of blood packs and top-tier magic stones were all tracked from the Zentir Magic Tower and transported to Ravenholdt. There would be nothing to use these as materials other than artifacts.”
Among artifacts, there are also extraordinary items that defy common sense. Natural artifacts, which originate from nature, were a prime example.
widely.
The sound of leaning on a cane was heard.
In other words, a certain artifact possessed by the Kingdom of Ronia and Grimnax captured in the Kingdom of Ronia. I have tentatively concluded that the two are connected.
Serlo Broden, a former Obsidian-ranked adventurer and broker of the underworld, set off. He entered the Kingdom of Ronia after seizing control of the hollow Blood Alliance left behind by the Glory of the Dead from within.Serlo was assigned to support the Commandment Execution Unit, including intelligence gathering and operations.
“Elder Leon of the Diamun Mage Tower was assassinated by the leader of Grimnax on an island in the Hiaremar Inland Sea, and after the situation ended, Grimnax’s executives secretly appeared in the Kingdom of Ronia. They played a role in securing top-tier magic stones through illicit channels. There are more than a few underground organizations that were used and then assassinated without even knowing the consequences.”
Rateon crossed his arms.
“It is certainly more efficient to kill and take rather than pay the price. They are all dishonest bastards, so I can kill them without worry.”“What on earth is Mauler trying to do?”“A large number of Grimnax executives, who operate somewhat like a decentralized network, have gathered here in Ravenholdt. We must confirm that the leader of Grimnax is here. I suspect he is directly involved with a certain artifact.”
Vlad, leader of Gramnax.
As an assassin who has reached the pinnacle of his power, one-on-one combat must be avoided as much as possible. However, if surrounded by a large group, there is no reason why he cannot be killed.
The priority of execution is as follows.
The first is Vlad.The second is the King of Ronia.The third are the officers of Grimnax and the nobles who violated the commandments.
Consequently, all of this is the target.
“Vlad must be somewhere in the royal castle, along with an unknown artifact.”“The grounds of the Royal Castle of Ronia itself are massive, ranking among the largest on the continent. There are even airships docked inside. It is the excess of the kings of old. There couldn’t be a more suitable place to hide something.”“That is why the problem is that it is difficult to pinpoint the location.”
Grave marked the areas on the map of the royal castle’s interior where Vlad was most likely to be. It was a judgment made by the intelligence officers of the Great Hall.
“We will infiltrate the cult via each route to find him. Solo action is forbidden. You must travel with your superior at all times. If you encounter Vlad alone, your head will be severed in an instant, even if you let your guard down.”
The members of the execution unit, with the exception of the leader, all stood up in unison to pay homage to the will.
There are three variables separately.
Cain said.
“Recently, noise in the communication devices has become severe. The cause is unknown. Beta is investigating, but it seems unlikely to be resolved before the operation is executed.”“Right, and I hear that spatial teleportation is also quite unstable. The cause of this is also unknown. Since it appears to be a global phenomenon, it would be advisable to retreat via land or sea.”“Finally…”“A traitor?”
I heard how the fact-finding meeting held in the Iderat Federation ended. It seems there is a traitor to humanity lurking in society.
“I heard there are no traitors among the members of Eon who went with Isabella.”“Since Eon is a fledgling force, perhaps they couldn’t infiltrate it in time. Maybe they can’t bring themselves to target Eon because they are wary of His Majesty Verden. You know, His Majesty Verden is… somehow different.”“That makes sense.”
Serlo nodded vigorously. He still broke out in a cold sweat when he recalled the first time he had encountered Verden on the ownerless land. Nomatter how well he would avoid being caught, acting like a dagger of betrayal while harboring it by Verden’s side was something he would never do, even with a knife to his throat.
“Of course. Because you’re my senior.”“Then what about outsiders….”
Everyone’s gaze turned behind the wall.
There is an external collaborator hired from the Central Continent for this operation.
However, Rateon could not believe that he was a traitor. This was because his origins and the blood flowing through his beast-like body were different from others.The other Aspects thought similarly.
“In case the communication devices fail, if a major disturbance breaks out in the royal palace regardless of contact, I will immediately begin causing disruption from the outside.”
Serlo stroked his beard.
“The Larian Magic Tower, the Bohemirn Magic Tower, the Volcanic Island Magic Tower, the Zentirn Magic Tower, and the Helion Magic Tower have prepared something substantial. As expected of masters of manipulation. While they may harbor a grudge against Mauler, it is likely their primary objective to curry the utmost favor with His Majesty Verden. They should be able to paralyze the capital for up to half a day.”“If I grab the head, the limbs will lose their strength on their own. Then, I shall begin the preparations.”
Rateon packed a set of war gear consisting of full body armor, a sword, and a shield. He planned to enter the royal castle through Valen.Grave and Cain would use other noble families to infiltrate the sect.
Rateon spoke toward the wall.
“I’m looking forward to your performance.”“Phew.”
The smoke from the handmade tobacco wafted.
It won’t be a waste of money.
The Black Tiger Beast—the Black Beast of the Central Continent’s Four Powers was an assistant in the execution of the commandments.
He was hired by Serlo to single-handedly wipe out the Eastern Great Lords of the Ownerless Lands, and was also hired by the Southern Alliance to fight against Rateon. He was alsohired by Reginalf, before he was revealed to be a Sinner of Death, to act as a support measure in case Junia struggled against the Blood Alliance’s highest-ranking officers.
Work only as much as you are paid.That was the Black Beast’s iron rule.
A rumor circulates that the Black Beast is one of the Beast King’s children. He has never once denied this rumor.
* * *
Whoosh───
A chilling downpour poured down due to the artifacts [Sky Flute] and [Bellast’s Crystal] borrowed from the Zentir Magic Tower.The pendulum of the Larian Magic Tower’s artifact [Echomir’s Pendulum] moved regularly from side to side, distorting the magical reactions of the artifacts.
The nobles vented their frustrations toward the sky in irritation.This was because dampness was unpleasant.Not only the nobles attending the royal social gathering, but also the knights serving them covered their bodies and heads with fairly thick robes.
There is no failure.
Hiding in the carriage of the Marquis Raunik, Rateon intended to unleash the full power he had recently pushed to the limit.Vlad was a heavyweight.The moment he killed him, his mastery would be proven, and his rise to power would be guaranteed. Furthermore, he would execute the King of Ronia and the corrupt nobles to complete his revenge.
Rattling.
The procession of carriages carrying offerings for the Ronia royal family climbed the uphill road. Soon, they would arrive at the gates of Ravenholdt’s castle.Trusting in Valen, Rateon barely managed to suppress his boiling blood.
The world is chaotic.
The greater the chaos, the more unpredictable situations are bound to occur. Even with meticulous planning, it is difficult to overcome unexpected variables.
Who would have known?
That Ravenholdt’s royal castle would fall.
Kwaaaaang!
A massive explosion, loud enough to ring the eardrums, struck the entire capital. Caught off guard by the unexpected situation, Rateon immediately looked out through a gap.The debris of a building blown away from the center of the royal castle had destroyed the residential area.
A moment of silence fell.Immediately afterwards, screams and shouts spread.
‘what…….’
Lateon expanded the sense of energy.
Soldiers and knights entered the royal palace to assess the situation. Just as Valen was about to join them belatedly, Rateon, who had stepped out of a carriage amidst the commotion, urgently grabbed his shoulder.
“Lord Rateon, look, very different from what you said—”“It’s not us.”
Rateon stared at the royal castle, sensing a chilling presence.It was ominous.There was something there. Inside.
“Lord Valen, do not go in under any circumstances.”“What?”“For now, step back as far as you can! I’ll explain later!”
Rateon started the communication device.
“Hold on! Halt on! There is another uninvited guest at Ravenholdt’s castle! Do not enter under any circumstances! I repeat! Do not enter under any circumstances!”
───Confirmed… … Outside the royal castle… … Waiting.
───What… … an uninvited guest?
───A commotion already… …? How did the disturbance… … .
The noise got worse.
“The disruption isn’t over yet. Don’t disrupt it yet!”
Rateon pondered for a moment, then channeled his energy as if he had made a decision. Not everyone can just stand by and watch. Someone has to go in and find out the definite truth.
“Stand at your posts.”“Lord Rateon!”
Rateon threw off his robes, donned his war armor, and galloped. The nobles, for whom their own safety was paramount, had already fled amidst the repeated roar. Hepassed through the now-empty castle gates and arrived at the epicenter.
This is crazy.
The surrounding buildings were half-destroyed, and the ground was overturned, revealing its interior. People lay collapsed everywhere. They appeared to have fainted rather than died.Some had died instantly, though.Recalling the interior map anew, I realized this place was near the treasure vaults beneath and above ground of the royal castle.
“Even the Royal Knights fell victim. The security system was neutralized to the point where we couldn’t even put up a proper resistance. Coincidence… … Is it a coincidence? It must be a coincidence, right? Then again, what kind of lunatic would pull off something like this just to rob the royal castle’s treasury?”
Tsk tsk!
Rateon’s sword sliced through the horizontal.
The woman standing just outside the radius of the sword path tilted her head. She was laden with all kinds of treasures, like a grave robber who had struck it rich. Thefunctional golden crown perched on her head stood out in the rain.
“You have a good hunch.”“You…”“We already saw each other once in the port city. At night.”
The beautiful woman who had been speeding madly in a carriage through the night streets of Belfort was right before his eyes. Rateon swallowed hard. Rateon was not the only one who remembered the person who had briefly crossed paths.
“I heard there was artificial interference with the magic. So you were the ones plotting something here? What is your purpose? Where did you come from?”“Eh…”
Thump.
Rateon reflexively covered his mouth. He almost blurted out his true feelings without realizing it. Even now, his heart was itching so much that it was hard to hold back.
‘no way.’
The woman smiled.
“Eon. I haven’t met you alive yet, but here I am, entangled with Verden again.”“……A Transcendent?”“Well, I wonder?”
A light flashed in the sky.
Kwag
A massive lightning strike hit the royal castle’s seaplane dock vertically. The ceiling and all security devices were shattered, revealing the seaplanes inside.
So that’s a seaplane? I like it.
The woman threw the crown behind her back without hesitation.
“Then go ahead with your business.”“You’re just leaving?”“I have no further business at the Royal Castle. I also managed to get my hands on a better sword than I expected. I’m glad I came here first.”
She casually turned her back, resting her wrist on the sword at her waist.
“If I may offer some special advice before you go, it would be in your best interest to leave the kingdom in a hurry.”“…….”“Because we have to keep our promise.”
With those words, the woman leisurely disappeared. Soon, two royal seaplanes took off from the anchorage and headed west.
“What the hell is this bullshit? Fuck, is this a dream?”
Rateon stood there blankly for a moment before shaking his head. The sight of the royal castle, with more than 30% of its grounds reduced to ruins, brought him back to reality.Not long after, he could feel the kingdom’s troops swarming in. It was the force from the outskirts of the capital.
Grave crossed the space.
“Damn it,
At that moment, the communication device lit up.
───Assassins… …the scent converges… …the royal castle, anchored… …what to do… … .
It was the voice of the black beast.
I couldn’t hear the entire sentence, but the meaning was clearly conveyed. It seems those Grimnax bastards are trying to leave Ravenholdt using an airship.Vlad must be there, too.
Grave said.
“A temporary retreat or continuation. We must make a decision right here.”“There is only one answer.”
───Retreat… … There is… … no reason.
Cain also agreed.
Rateon gave an order on behalf of the phases.
“Everyone, storm the royal castle and hijack the airship. First, pursue Vlad. Serlo, you cause a diversion, then blend in with the Marquis of Raunik and join us later. I entrust Lord Valen to you.”
King Ronia targeted Vlad first, knowing he could capture him later if he wanted to. He knew that if he let him get away, he would surely regret it someday.
A chase ensued for over a dozen days.
Conflict zone with the lower water tribe.
They shot down Grimnax’s airship with a surprise attack while maintaining strict distance. After inflicting maximum damage in this way, they engaged in a decisive battle on the ground.
and.
“……Fuck.”
Rateon encountered Mauler alone.
* * *
The impact penetrated beyond the shield.
BANG!
Rateon, having been sent flying far away, left a scar on the coniferous forest. Suppressing the breath that threatened to burst from his lungs, he took a stance.
Was it not just ghosts, but even rats running rampant?
The monster approached.
“How dare you covet my territory. Verden should still be away. Is this Adrian’s order?”
Overwhelming killing intent.
“So a Transcendent is coming out here… The plan has completely gone awry. I should have finished this in Ravenhold somehow, but because of that woman!”
Crunch.
Rateon had never before faced a transcendent being attempting to kill him. Though death was the only thought that came to mind, he did not yield.
The first commandment. Do not undermine the dignity of the intellect.
Rateon aimed his sword.
“Those who violate the commandments will surely be judged. Whether within or outside the realm of the Transcendent One.”“You worthless worm.”
Mauler let out a chilling laugh.
“Since Eon was the first to invade the territory, the legitimacy lies with me. I look forward to seeing how Adrian and Verden react upon seeing your corpses. Sure enough, they will disregard even the rules of the Transcendents and charge at me.”
Rateon, having detected Mauler’s presence first, deliberately lured him here. This was because if the fellow got involved in the melee, the execution unit would suffer heavy casualties.Consequently, Mauler instead revealed his presence only sparingly, to prevent the other Aspects from noticing and fleeing.
Starting with Rateon, they will definitely kill them one by one.That intention was conveyed.
Rateon accepted the situation, knowing that he could not avoid the difficulties.
“Fuck off, you bastard.”“That’s a last will and testament like Adrian’s.”
Strong stance.
As soon as Mauler saw his distinctive stance, Rateon charged. He must unleash his full power in a split second. Otherwise, he wouldn’t even be able to lay a hand on him!
Strongness – Shocking
A heavy pressure was felt from the gauntlet that hadn’t even been extended yet. It was undoubtedly the technique used on Adrian before the World Conference.In response, Rateon concentrated all his energy into his shield.
Seasonal period: Daebanwi
──────!
As the shield Rateon held up blocked the punch, the explosive recoil returned the impact to Mauler more than double.It was the moment Mauler felt pain as his own technique was reflected back at him.
Tremor
A technique whose power is maximized the greater the opponent’s resistance.
Screech!Crash!
The Sword of War struck Mauler’s neck, then transferred rotational force to the Shield of War and struck Mauler’s jaw with all his might using the blade.A combination of technique and skill.A thrilling sensation never felt before stimulated Rateon’s senses.
If the conditions are met, is it around the extreme point?
Mauler lightly ran his hand across his neck.Two drops of blood.That was the best Lateon could do. Mauler’s resistance was strong enough to rival any transcendent martial artist.
“Even so, you’re nothing but a worm.”“Ugh, ahhh…!”
A huge hand snatched Rateon’s head, helmet and all.
Crunch crunch crunch.
It was a terrible pressure. The war armor crafted by Gharun was deteriorating in real time with a metallic sound, and Rateon’s head inside rose to a red heat, appearing as if it would explode at any moment.
“You said you’re the Ruler. You look more useful than Vlad. Surrender and I’ll spare your life.”“Get lost, Aaaaaaaah……!!”“Speak up before your head gets crushed.”
Rateon, lifted for the first time in his life, struggled but did not budge.Rateon, who employed a fighting style that combined offense and defense, had a particularly poor matchup against Mauler, who was overwhelmingly superior in both destructive power and resistance.
If only the communication devices, space, and movement had been intact.
A blood vessel in my eye burst.It feels like my lens is going to be crushed.
“……!”
Just as Rateon’s limbs were about to go limp, a purple light surged in. Mauler reflexively withdrew his arm, and Rateon fell to the ground.The sword energy passing between the two sliced through the trees in a vertical line.
Invasion of the Transcendent’s territory.
Mauler’s gauntlet shattered Rateon’s helmet.
“I suppose I can take this as a declaration of war?”“There has been a lot of unnecessary friction lately. It’s time to reach a conclusion.”
As soon as news of Mauler’s southward advance reached him, Adrian appeared, having come down alone from the Kingdom of Estiria to the Kingdom of Ronia.
Who is stronger.
* * *
Verden said.
“So, Adrian fought a one-on-one duel with Mauler… and the woman who raided Ravenholdt’s royal castle intervened in the middle of it?”“Yes, since it happened far away, I do not know how it concluded, but the woman headed to the battlefield, and before I knew it, things had quieted down.”
Adrian and Mauler changed locations, determined not to be disturbed by anyone else.Mauler, whose intracranial pressure had risen to the limit due to the blow to his head, could not even stand properly and lost consciousness.When he regained consciousness, he saw a beautiful woman.
I thought a Transcendent might come from Eon, but there are two. It looks like they will get in the way of our appointment, so it would be better to get rid of them.
The woman crossed the forest without even glancing at Lateon, who was sitting on the ground.
The rest is as Your Majesty knows.
Adrian and Mauler went missing together.
‘Vlad, who suffered a great wound on an island in the Hiaremar Inland Sea,’ had his left arm severed by Grave, but he was unable to finish him off due to a massive horde of undead suddenly swarming from the west.When Rateon rejoined the execution squad, an ‘undead of a different caliber’ appeared. Rateon took the creature’s blade into his neck in place of the unsuspecting Cain.
and.
The emergence of the Corrupted.Internal division.War against the undead forces.
With a series of worst-case scenarios unfolding one after another, they arrived here at Tinfold. Cain led the survivors, while Grave and the Black Beast commanded the extermination squad, heading toward the source where the undead were appearing.
Verden extracted only the core memories and imprinted the woman’s face in his mind. He spoke after hearing Adrian’s whereabouts from Rateon.
“Rateon, on the way here, I encountered the corrupted Marquis Raunik, so I wiped them out. There were quite a lot of them.”“……!”“But Serlo wasn’t among them. He must have narrowly escaped with Valen. He’s not a man who would die easily. So don’t worry too much.”
He stood up.
“I will leave Arsir behind, so use it to protect Tinfold. It seems several communication devices are broken, so I will leave a spare. I will head west to check on the whereabouts of Grave and the others, and then find Adrian.”“But the clues…”“She judged Adrian and Mauler to be obstacles. So, it is highly likely that she views me as an obstacle as well.”
Verden asserted.
“He will come looking for me, provided that promise hasn’t been fulfilled yet.”
* * *
Somewhere in the lower waterman tribe.
“This mighty presence… has unleashed its full stature. Is this some kind of invitation? Hahaha, I can’t help but come.”
Hisril Del Roharun, who possessed exceptional sensory abilities, strapped on swords he had meticulously sharpened.On the left was a sacred sword obtained from the treasury of the Kingdom of Ronia, and on the right was the light sword [Silendar] that Adrian had used.
I left behind the gate of death that was nearing completion.
I’m going to enjoy this properly for the first time in a while.
The Empress of Delharun recognized Verden’s location through his presence. Although she did not yet know his true identity, a smile of euphoria flowed from her lips as she instinctively sensed that he was a formidable and difficult opponent.
