Episode 1070 Legions (2)
Viola, who appears to be around the same age as Verden because she used dark magic to alter her body so that aging would not be permanently visible.A dark sorceress with a decadent beauty that catches the eye of the Lone Wolf – Romer.
However, inside is an experienced Black Mage of Glory of the Dead.
About 3 years ago!
Judging solely by the fact that he single-handedly captured a diocese within the Kingdom of Estiria and killed numerous bishops using his specialties of disguise, infiltration, and assassination, he is a figure difficult to confront unless one possesses state-level military power.Furthermore, he demonstrates such loyalty that he ultimately sacrificed his life alongside his mentor to secure the former king’s left leg, which had been buried in the kingdom, and send it back to the main base!
I am valuable!
Were you not even permitted to keep a part of your body in the first servant’s display case? Even in the glory of the corpse, which boasts a long history, there were never many black magicians who could enjoy such honor.
I’ll be worth it… …!
Having regained life through the power wielded by the Great Corpse, this was surely proof of his qualification to reign in the immortal world he had longed for.
The resurrected Viola believed this without a doubt.That is, until she was appointed as a messenger.
‘Do I… really have value to…?’
As soon as she revealed her identity at the gates of Arrein, she was escorted to the fortress by golems and the Northern Guard. Sharp, wary gazes pierced her like blades and would not leave.
Honestly, I was scared.Seriously.
Not only was it her first time serving as a messenger between nations, but the experience of being surrounded on all sides without any proper countermeasures was completely unfamiliar.Above all, this place is extremely dangerous enemy territory.And they are not just any enemy.If the opposing side decides to kill her, messenger or not, there is no way to survive. After all, the man who is nothing short of a nightmare to Viola is the master of this land.
Oh, here it comes.
Viola, wearing a modified black robe that fit snugly around her neck just like before, sprang to her feet and straightened her clothes. On her back was engraved the symbol of the Xerion Empire, reminiscent of a crow and death.
A pounding heart.Cold sweat seeping out cluelessly.
“Ah, crazy fucking fucking fucking fucking fucking… … !!!!”
Just the mere realization of her presence makes me feel like my breath is being taken away. I feel like I’m going to lose my mind. Is that really the 5th-tier mage from back then? It wasabsurd enough that a mage at the entry level of the 5th tier killed a 5th-tier black mage like her in a one-on-one magic battle, but this made even less sense.
thud.
Is it the sound of a door opening?Or is it a hallucination of a rock sinking into my heart?
“It looks like Akand ordered a messenger I know.”“Huh? Is it a sorcerer you know?”“I know him well.”
Verden sat in the seat of honor, bearing the dignity of a king reigning over the continent.
“Because I killed him.”“Oh.”
Junia, Cain, Ennet, and Liam Arrein looked at Viola with intrigued expressions. Eloris discreetly took a seat nearby and joined them.
Viola’s lips trembled.
“The Xerion Empire… Viola, the Glory of Xerion, dares to have an audience with Verden of Eon. As a messenger of the Xerion Imperial Household, I carry His Imperial Majesty’s letter…”“You have become quite polite.”
Verden leisurely clasped his hands together.
“I don’t think it was like that three years ago.”“Aha, ha. Th-was it…?”“Sit down.”
Viola cautiously sat down on the seat, unable to even make eye contact.
The car was ready as if it had been waiting.
As the ripples subsided, Viola’s face was reflected on the calm surface of the tea.Her expression was completely frozen.Even without looking in a mirror, one could tell that her face had turned pale. She also looked twisted, as if she would burst into tears at the slightest touch.
‘Asher, no, Verden, ah, if Lord Verden just lifts a finger, he will die instantly…’
What would it feel like to be resurrected after a mere three years only to find the 5th-tier mage who killed you sitting right next to you as an 8th-tier transcendent being?It would be a terrible nightmare.It certainly would feel that way. Viola could assert this to herself.
I was so flustered by His Majesty’s sudden decree that I set off immediately. I shouldn’t have. I should have brought one more person somehow.
He should have earnestly begged the servants to bring the old man along. After all, the old man had been killed by Verden immediately after Viola’s death.Had he been with her, they could have shared at least some of the fear and despair.
Viola, who had been escaping reality for a moment, squeezed her eyelids shut.Reality returned in a flash.
‘Damn it, the Xerion Empire abandoned me…!’
The skeletal viola really wanted to live.
* * *
Neutralized by
It’s already been three years.
Verden had not forgotten the memory of the magical battle he had fought with Viola. It was the first time he had truly engaged in a life-or-death battle with a sorcerer.Viola the Skeleton served as excellent fertilizer for Verden’s growth.
Verden picked up the teacup.
“I suppose Nosa has been resurrected as well.”“Ah… yes.”“The damage you inflicted on the Kingdom of Estiria, both directly and indirectly, was considerable. Enough to show that the aftermath of unleashing the undead legion in the southern granary still lingers.”“Th-th-that wasn’t what we wanted; it was at the request of the Third Prince of Estiria…”“The Third Prince Evers died three years ago, just like you. He hanged himself after suffering a crushing defeat in the struggle for the throne.”“Hiccup.”
Viola was terrified.
He looks mentally unstable.Still, he’s cheap.
No matter how many times you are reborn, the past cannot be erased.
Verden did not let go of the subtle pressure that felt like it was suffocating him. When considering the terror the Glory of the Dead had committed in the Kingdom of Estiria, Viola would have no excuse even if she died a second time.
Letter.
Chak.
Viola quickly placed the letter bearing the seal of the Xerion Empire in the center of the table.
What a nasty crow.
Junia personally tore off the Crow Seal, as if to boast of being Verden’s closest confidant. Of course, this was to first check if there were any magical issues.Even if it was just for show, Junia liked the very act of such a plausible process.
I took out the letter.
Inside, several sentences were written in handwriting elegant enough to make her admire it. She unfolded the letter and showed it to Verden.
Dear Verden.
I pay tribute to your determination to unite the divided continent and seize hegemony.
Day of the crescent moon.
I will wait at the bay where the Dead Sea, the Blue Sea, and the wilderness meet.
For a true war.
The letter written by Akand specified the date and place along with a brief greeting. This meant that they should hold talks before the war began.
“hmm.”
It was daytime before the crescent moon rose—in other words, the date of the meeting was the day before Luneska’s execution, which had been confirmed at the summit.As expected, Akand responded to Luneska by dispatching a messenger earlier than scheduled.
Verden asked.
“How many?”“His Majesty hasn’t said a word…”“So you don’t care how many show up? That is truly a great deal of confidence.”
Verden placed the letter into the subspace and stood up.
“Cain, share this news with the World Alliance.”“Understood, Senior.”
As soon as Emperor Xerion’s letter was delivered, the atmosphere became such that it was time to disband.
Tension set in on Viola’s face.
“May I return now…? As a messenger, I must personally convey Lord Verden’s intentions to His Imperial Majesty…”“This letter Akand sent me is not a request, but a notification. No matter what decision I make, Akand will be there when that day comes. There is no reason for you to go back and report the will of the World Alliance.”“Please spare my life.”
Viola immediately knelt down.
“I… I haven’t done anything since my resurrection. Besides, Lord Verden already killed me once, didn’t he? Killing me a second time would feel unsettling…!”“I don’t think so.”“The Third Commandment of Divinity! I have heard of the Third Commandment. It is true that I killed many people, and I did use innocent people as sacrifices…! But I never violated the dignity of a sentient being, you know?! So please, have mercy…! I barely managed to get this life, and I don’t want to die like this…!!”
She, who had tried to kill Verden with an arrogant gaze, begged until her hands were worn out.The overflowing tears were not a lie.
“As expected, the instinct for survival outweighs loyalty to Arkhand. Unless they are the servants, most of the black mages belonging to the Glory of the Dead must be like this.”
Verden found Viola ridiculous, but killing her was a separate matter.In war, messengers are not to be killed.
“The messenger’s safety is to be strictly managed by Eon until the deadline for the meeting. Ennet is to take full charge, and Liam is to select personnel and organize a surveillance team.”“Yes, Your Majesty.”“If he appears to be scheming, you may judge at your discretion and execute him on the spot.”
Of course, war customs do not apply to a messenger who shows even the slightest sign of unrest.
‘Huh? I’m not going to die? Really?’
Viola took a deep breath as soon as she saw a glimmer of hope that she could survive. Then, she immediately bowed her head low in submission.
“I will remain as if dead, like a skeleton……!”“That is what I must do.”
The reunion with the messenger ended there.
* * *
“Please come this way.”“Yes…….”
Liam led Viola to the space where she would be confined—or rather, where she would stay for a while.As long as the fierce dragon Ennet was in charge of the guards, if Viola lifted a finger, her head would be blown off before she even realized it.
Moreover, Arrain Fortress is a stronghold protected by Verden’s highest-level magic circles and guard golems. Even a Transcendent would find it difficult to manage the surveillance itself.
Yunia giggled.
“Hahaha, it’s fun watching you have a meltdown like the world is ending every time you nudge me. But a meeting with that ancient king? Could it be a trap?”“That can’t be it.”
Although Akand was a schemer, he adhered to the customs of war, such as sending messengers safely. That is why Verden also respected those customs.Arranging a meeting before the war to launch a surprise attack is an act of disregarding convention, so surely there would be no engagement.
They will surely intend to officially declare war through talks. I don’t know yet how they plan to negotiate with a high-ranking prisoner like Luneska, though.
Verden, who understood Draven’s life, saw right through Akand’s ways.
“In any case, the Corps must complete its preparations before the meeting begins. The schedule remains unchanged, so focus on your assigned missions.”“Confirmed!”“Of course, Senior.”“What should I do?”
The gaze was drawn to one side.
Although Eloris was not wearing armor, with the [Sword of Dawn] strapped to her waist, she exuded the aura of a paladin, radiating intense dignity. She was anancient god resurrected from the future.Perhaps for this reason, she gazed at the demon god with eyes shimmering with anticipation and the morning star.
“…….”
Verden answered a little late, as he had not yet decided what to do with the Apostle of the Morning Star who wields divine power that does not belong to the Luas religion.
“For now, move with me.”“Yes, Lord Verden.”
Junia suddenly looked back and forth between the beautiful woman who reminded her of a star and the handsome senior known by the nickname “New Star.”
Cain narrowed his eyebrows, displaying the twins’ characteristic intuition.
“Don’t say unnecessary things, Yunia. It’s just speculation and rude.”“Still, I have to do what needs to be done.”
Thinking of her older sister Isabella, Junia opened her mouth confidently as if she had made a decision.
“Senior, you didn’t even make proper progress with the others because you were too busy.”“……?”
Junia was keeping Eloris, not Verden, in check. It was meant to warn her senior not to show unnecessary interest since he has someone to take!As a side note, Junia was on the Isabella faction, while Cain was on the Callia faction.
Verden, understanding the meaning of Junia’s words, said
“Eloris is a married woman.”“Gasp.”“I told you not to.”
Thump!
Cain smacked the back of Junia’s head with a light tap.
* * *
You have some interesting juniors.
Eloris, now alone with Verden, covered the corners of her mouth and let out a laugh.
“Well, to be precise, since her husband died, she’s not a married woman, but a widow.”“But she’s come back to life, hasn’t she? Even though she’s a devil.”“Then shall we call her a married woman who has returned?”
Eloris did not let her lips droop, perhaps because it was a somewhat amusing sight. However, on the other hand, she was lost in thought.It was due to a kind of religious confusion.
Since I unintentionally ended up practicing multiple religions.
Eloris manifested the two divine powers of Ash and Morning Star and asked what she should do.
Even he himself doesn’t know what to do.
An ordinary believer might just let it slide, but Eloris is an Apostle of the Morning Star. Common sense dictates that serving two gods is not permitted.
‘The remnants of the evil god absorbed my blood and regained a body close to its original form. A soul empowered by the Goddess of the Morning Star dwells within it; this must be a mystery born of the harmony between spirit and body.’
The soul’s faith goes to the Goddess of the Morning Star.The source of the body is the God of Demons.
As a result of the different divine forces not clashing or opposing each other, Eloris was reborn as a god with the body of a god.
In other words, he is close to a ‘god.’ That is why he must have come to his senses faster than I judged.
There is one more troublesome problem that will arise if discovered by the Luas religion. Just as Verden does not reveal his divine power, her existence also needs to be concealed.
“My temple is located in a place called the Blue Mountains. You should be able to stay safe there.”“I see. It is because it would be undesirable for my true identity to be discovered by the Luas Cult.”
Eloris immediately understood. This was because she remembered Verden’s words from the ancient adventure story that the Luas religion was a monotheistic religion.
I’m not telling you to go to the temple right away. You have time, so feel free to explore the world a bit more. And, first, I’m going to craft the armor for you to wear.
Verden turned his head slightly.
Because we don’t know how the war will turn out.
If the war situation spirals into its worst, the force known as Eloris might be needed, even if it means risking discovery by the Luas Church.
Verden and Eloris headed to the dwarf fortress in the ownerless lands. While they were on their way to meet G’harun again, Isabella arrived at the fortress.
“Isabella? What’s going on all of a sudden? I didn’t hear anything.”“I didn’t think that’s something you should be saying over a communication device.”
Isabella immediately got to the point.
“Can you let me join the Demon Realm Suppression Corps?”
