Episode 997 Xerion Empire (4)
Meanwhile, the Eastern Continent.
On the day the Royal Castle of Ronia was attacked by some sort of force, and Eon’s Commandment Executioner Unit pursued Grimnax as he fled aboard an airship.
Our broker—Sero Broden—gathered the artifacts prepared by each magic tower and Valen, Rateon’s comrade, and left the capital, Ravenholt.
It wasn’t easy because it was so crowded, but it wasn’t particularly difficult either.
Having given up being an adventurer, he had spent a long time in the underworld. With his quick wit, Serlo was an expert not only in mediation but also in cleaning up after others.
I guess you could call it my calling.
Still, I didn’t expect the undead.
───The road is rough, so I will drive the carriage! You smash them with the artifact! Point the staff forward and twist! Twist to the right! Twist it!
───Th-this is what I’m supposed to do, h-h-h!
The artifact from the Hellion Magic Tower wiped out the horde of undead blocking the path with an explosion.
Valen could not quite grasp the reality of the situation, as it was the first time he had seen so many undead in the Kingdom of Ronia. The bizarre undead that spoke human language also dealt a great shock to Valen’s mind.
───[Feels… … good. Fall together.]
───Damn it, what is this again.
Whether it was a betrayal of the heart or something else, at the end of the battle, Serlo unleashed his skill with a staff sword and cut down the human who had fallen into an undead with intelligence.Though his body may have aged, the Obsidian-grade adventurer’s ability to defeat enemies had not declined much.
Raid on Ronia Royal Castle.Massive Undead Outbreak.Human Corruption.
As such, the situation was a series of bewildering events.
With the communication system completely dead, we stayed at the pre-arranged assembly point for a while, but the swarming Fallen were not just one or two, so we eventually had to flee. I had to calm downValen, who was at a loss as to what to do after realizing the gravity of the nation-wide crisis, even though the process was violent.We also found a survivor village, but it fell within a few days. How could we possibly deal with a Fallen appearing right inside the village?
I have no idea how much distance I traveled.
Anyway, Serlo struggled to survive fully in a foreign country,and he did survive.
“The Ruler says Rateon is coming here…… Ha.”
Cerlo, looking a mess, lets go of the wrist wearing the communication device.
Most of the Commandment Executioner’s communication devices were destroyed by the undead forces that invaded when the Grimnax officers were executed, as well as by a new type of undead mixed in that emitted sonic waves. Althoughthe risk level was low, delicate equipment like communication devices was vulnerable to them.
This was the reason why Verden could not immediately contact Grave or Cain even after installing a new central signal device.
In other words, Serlo’s communication device, which was not there, was fine from the start. He simply replaced the consumed magic stone only now because he was busy escaping.
Now that His Majesty has arrived, the crisis is over.
Serlo, who had nothing left but to return to the ownerless land, leaned on his cane.
A deserted village.
“I never imagined things would turn out like this…….”“…….”
Outside the wooden building, Knight Valen endlessly runs his hand across his face. Serlo, having passed him, climbs the creaky old stairs.Indeed.These two were not the only ones who had to board Eon’s airship.
Squeak.
“Mmm, mmm!
King Ronia, his limbs bound, sent an urgent look toward Serlo. The king’s luxurious robes had lost their radiance, stained with blood, sweat, and dirt.A thick belly bulged out from beneath his clothes.He looked so wretched that he could hardly be recognized as a king.
“Ugh…….”
The surviving minister of the kingdom trembled in a relatively free state.
Serlo scratched his forehead.
I can’t believe it, even looking at it again. To think I actually found the King of Ronia.
According to the minister who chose to cooperate with Eon… … not long after the raid on the royal castle occurred, when corruption became rampant, the kingdom collapsed from the top down. It is said thatthe tragedy spiraled out of control when those whose lives were already like hell chose the undead.
Before the nobility chose corruption, the high-ranking nobles who had been committing wicked acts began to die off first.
King Ronia, who was as obese as he was skilled at self-preservation, saw the signs of ruin as soon as he encountered the sudden disaster.He loaded his vast fortune onto an airship and succeeded in secretly escaping the royal castle accompanied by his close associates and royal guards.
However, the undead were not easy enough to escape the country safely.
Unfortunately, a force commanded by an Arch Lich, a supreme undead wielding sixth-tier magic, attacked the King’s party.The airship crash-landed during the fierce battle.They tried to salvage the treasure at all costs, but ultimately had to abandon it. While the Royal Guards fought to survive, King Ronia used the power of the national treasure to make a desperate escape.
In the process, three of the five ministers died, one fell into corruption, and the remaining one survived and joined King Ronia.
Eventually, while catching their breath on a secluded forest path… they came face to face with Serlo and Valen’s carriage, which had just made its way through the chaos.
The King of Ronia is subject to the execution of the commandments.
Naturally, Serlo captivated the two of them on the spot. Looking back on the situation, Serlo rubbed his eyes as if tired.
“What on earth is luck?”
Serlo smiled broadly.
To think I would achieve such a feat.
He, who is not even a figure of Eon, captured the king of a nation who had violated the Three Commandments of Divinity. Above all, all by himself! Furthermore, since the King of Ronia is also an object of hatred for Rateon, he has effectively incurred a debt to Rateon!He even managed to get the national treasure of the Kingdom of Ronia into Serlo’s hands.
“Thanks to you, I have firmly solidified my position. With this, I have become a more important figure to Your Majesty.Perhaps someday I will become an executive of Eon. Hahahaha .” “Mm-
Serlo shakes his head and turns his back.
“You should have behaved yourself better.”“Ugh!!!”
King Ronia struggled to speak, saying he had something to say, and the kingdom’s minister kept nodding his head, saying he would do anything.
Serlo sat on the stairs, mocking them for being so self-centered.
Time passed.
The shadow of His Majesty’s airship, Arsis, landed next to the village.
“You have no idea how much trouble you went through to capture the King of Ronia alive in the midst of this chaos. We had no choice but to let Vlad escape, but I am thick-skinned enough to save face as part of Eon’s execution unit, don’t you think?”“Thank you for your hard work.”“…You worked hard.”“Speak well of him to His Majesty Verden.”
Serlo personally handed over the King of Ronia and his ministers to the commandment execution unit.Cain controlled the surroundings.Rateon met the eyes of the exhausted Valen, and they nodded once at each other.
It won’t be too late to talk about it later.
For now, the priority is to re-establish the southern part of the Eastern Continent. There are as many as two Gates of Death here. The undead have disappeared for now, but the situation remains unresolved.
Rateon crouched down and pulled out the cloth covering King Ronia’s mouth.
“If I had my way, I would cut you down right here, but that would be meaningless. You shall be executed with your entire past deeds exposed. Through this, the continent will truly realize that there are no exceptions to Eon’s commandments.”“W-what have I done to deserve this! Let me meet the Divine, no, P-Your Majesty! I will explain everything properly!”“I will handle the execution. Consider it an honor.”
Rateon smirked, unleashing his burning desire for revenge against the corrupt kingdom.
It was then.
Paaaaaaaat!
As a bright yellow light spread from above, an airship engraved with a golden cross appeared. Everyone’s attention was captivated by the aftermath of the special space created by the sacred object.
Serlo muttered in bewilderment.
“Ruas religion……?”
* * *
The sudden emergence of the Luas Theocracy changed the atmosphere flowing everywhere. Rateon, Cain, and Serlo instinctively sensed that something was amiss.
Something falls from the airship of the Holy Kingdom.
Bang! Bang! Bang!
The members of the Seongyul Seongdan landed on their legs, clad in heavy armor. Armed with great shields and sacred maces, they formed a rank.
King of Ronia.
An Inquisitor of considerable stature strides forward.Rateon stands in his way.
“What business does a Paladin have here?”“Get out of the way.”
Far from revealing his name, he dared to speak condescendingly to the Aspects of Eon in a commanding tone. No matter how much it is a world religion, this was clearly an act that crossed the line.
“What are these guys? They must be from the Holy Kingdom, but are they really Holy Knights…?”
Rateon furrowed his brow at the armor, which was completely different from the Paladin weaponry he had known until now.Detailed information about the Holy Order had not yet been conveyed to them.
I don’t know why, but they are targeting the King of Ronia.
Still, since conflict with the Luas religion is not good, it would be best to admonish them but stop at a warning.
Rateon endured as much as possible.
“The commandment is being enforced. If you do not step down immediately, I will force you.”“There is no priority in God’s will. If you do not move aside, I will punish you for blasphemy.”“You crazy bastard.”
Patience?Forget it.
“You don’t get it. How long has it been since the Undead crisis broke out in the southern Eastern Continent, and you shamelessly stick your face in my face demanding that I hand over the King of Ronia? On top of that, you threaten to punish me for lese-majesty?”
He showed hostility.
“God or not, His Majesty Verden’s will comes first. If you don’t want to die, get lost.”“……You are desecrating the Light.”
The Inquisitor gripped the large mace. Rateon also mustered his strength. A suffocating tension arose between Eon and the Holy Kingdom.
“stop.”
The Inquisitors stepped back to the sides. Eon’s execution squad widened their eyes upon witnessing the commander appear from behind them.
“Saint…!”“Ruler, I have a matter to resolve personally with the former King of Ronia.”
Leonhardt bowed his head slightly.
I would like to speak with him for a moment. Please.
It was difficult to refuse when a newcomer of the Luas religion acted this way. Conversation, huh? Rateon met Cain’s eyes and stepped aside.
“I have no intention of handing him over.”“Thank you.”
Leonhardt slowly approached King Ronia as if he understood. The King trembled and looked up at Leonhardt.
“Is this the first time I’ve seen you since the World Conference?”“S-Sir! It is, it is so unfair! Eon has suddenly turned the Kingdom of Ronia into this…! It is a heinous criminal act that violates international law! How on earth can any international community tolerate a perfectly fine country being reduced to this state!”
King Ronia’s words, blaming even the undead crisis on Eon, drew a hollow laugh. Thinking that he would die if dragged to a masterless land like this, he grabbed the Saint’s leg and begged earnestly.
“Shouldn’t the Religion of Luas, the center of the international community, not stand idly by?! To attempt to depose the king of another nation by arbitrarily imposing the absurd rule of the ‘Commandments’! As a member of the international community, I request protection from the Great Saint! O Saint! Please protect me!”“Protection…… I ask the King of Ronia.”
Leonhardt spoke in a low voice.
“Why didn’t you protect the people afflicted with the Bloodcrying Plague? Why did you disinfect the village of Tyr instead of protecting the people?”“Th-that is…”
King Ronia had long forgotten what Tyr Village was, but sensing that the problem was disease control, he glared at the minister kneeling beside him.
“This fellow advised summoning fire mages to contain the plague! To call such a wicked act a brilliant plan!”“Huh?! However, Your Highness also called it a truly brilliant plan…!”“Shut up! We could have stopped the plague without you!”“Didn’t Your Highness say that peasants could be discarded since they can be replaced by things like freezing!? O Saint, I merely spoke!”
The King of Ronia and his ministers blame each other and shift the responsibility.It is utterly ridiculous.It was the King of Ronia who proudly told the King of Water that he had eradicated the Blood-Crying Plague at the World Council watched by everyone.
Uncle Roland.
Kill him.
It seemed as though someone were whispering.Was it the voice of the heart?The hesitation vanished from Leonhardt as he watched the argument.
“……!!”“……!”
Leonhardt drew the Holy Sword. Rateon and Cain reacted immediately, but the Inquisitors rushed in and hindered their movements.Serlo thrust his staff sword into the trajectory of the Holy Sword.
The holy blade of the holy sword [Luens] shattered Serlo’s sword. The crown of King Ronia’s head and torso were severed as if crushed.A bone fragment from the King, having bounced strongly to the side, pierced the minister’s neck and forehead.
“Burp…… Gulp…….”
The minister let out a groan, his body trembling like an aspen tree before going limp. Blood gushed from the corpses of the King and the minister for a brief moment.
Rateon gritted his teeth upon seeing King Ronia with his internal organs and fat fully exposed.
“The King of Ronia was subject to the enforcement of the commandments. Above all, he was a prisoner captured by Eon.”“…….”“His Majesty Verden will not sit idly by……!”
Covered in blood, Leonhardt stared blankly up at the blue sky. The familiar faces of the people of Tyr village, who had been burned alive by order of the King of Ronia, flashed before his eyes.
I took revenge.
Leonhardt felt a strange sense of relief mixed with anxiety that he had crossed the line. Still, the people of Tyr village who had died in agony must have found peace by Luas’s side.
“This is it… this is all there is to it…”
* * *
The sun is shining brightly.
Sweat pooled inside the airships of the various factions monitoring the Hiaremar Inland Sea. It was the sweat of people unable to move their bodies even slightly.No matter how painful their joints were, there was nothing they could do. They didn’t know what would happen if they didn’t keep silent. They wanted to avoid death.
The power of life is sublime. For sometimes, one must display an indomitable spirit to survive.
Akand opened his eyes.
“Therefore, death, which takes away all of that, is also supreme. What are your thoughts, being deeply descended from great blood?”“That the ancient king recognizes me—should I call this an honor?”
The 7th Great Demon King────Vangelis Ruin Akenad appeared holding a staff. Spatial waves trembled and spread out in all directions.
Two beings faced each other on the deck of a marine vessel belonging to the Alliance.
“Hmm, so you could sense the situation outside even while sealed. After all, the Archenad Sorcerer Kingdom did not exist during the War of the Transcendents.”“The Sorcerer Kingdom has always existed. Oldark has never ceased to exist.”
Vangelis twitched his eyes when Akand mentioned the progenitor of the bloodline.
“…As expected, he was not just a simple tyrant.”“Be patient. As you have always done. Everything will soon be revealed.”
Akand shifts his gaze.
“By the Apostle of Fate, by the Resistor, or…….”
He stared at Verden and Isabella, who had landed next to Vangelis.
“By the Destroyer of Fate.”“……This is the worst.”
Has the punishment of the taboo already run its course?
It appears that he has fully recovered from the wounds sustained on the island in the Hiaremar Inland Sea, even from the parts where the concept of destruction had directly penetrated.
Verden opened the path of destruction.
“It will be different from last time.”“There is no need to rush, Destroyer of Fate. And Demons. True war follows due process. Until I declare war…”
Akand asserted.
There is no death.
