Chapter 279 – Chapter 279 ― Interlude (1)
Episode 279 ― Interlude (1)
It was a great victory in a way no one could have imagined.
The soldiers who lost their commander collapsed like sand castles.
It was because not one or two, the nobles of the lord level and the elite escort knights were completely caught.
A few commanders and unit commanders, who were stationed in the forward and conversely safe, resisted locally, but after they were trampled on, the Merde forces surrendered.
It must have been because his heart was broken after seeing Roan’s magic that was close to wonder. Among the priests behind Merdegun who were now captives, there were those who dared to ask their demons about the magic from earlier.
Lords are valuable as hostages.
It’s a matter of slowly thinking about what to use 5,000 human prisoners of war for.
First of all, they obtained the military and weapons they had brought with them. It was a great achievement.
A whole day has passed since then.
The conference barracks, where lords and knights were constantly coming and going as they organized the battlefield and distributed hostages, prisoners, and munitions, finally became quiet.
“Your majesty.”
Roan stopped walking at the voice of the attendant outside the tent. He was about to return to his place of residence.
“What’s going on?”
“The Dark Grand Duke of the Southern Dark Spirit asks to see you.”
Aina is waiting at Roan’s residence with Grünent. However, Helen and Urtellia, who participated in the battle together, remained by Roan’s side as they participated in the meeting as human priests and magicians, respectively, who assisted the emperor.
The three of them exchanged glances.
This time, I didn’t feel the stench like before.
“Listen.”
The Grand Duke entered the conference room and glanced at Helen and Urtellia who were still in the conference room.
“I have something urgent to tell you, so I ask for a private meeting. Your majesty.”
Roan replied with a languid expression.
“No.”
The Grand Duke’s brow furrowed as he knelt down. However, unlike before, it was difficult to read exactly what kind of emotion he was feeling. Because he had no skills.
Since returning from the battlefield, Elenir has not been seen. There was word left that he would be escorted by the Southern Dark Spirit Knights and leave for the capital again.
Because of that, the magic tool was still working. It is an object that can be turned on and off only with Elenir’s magical power. Perhaps this magic tool will work until the magical power of the magic stone runs out and then it will stop.
Due to an unexpected problem, not only Roan but also everyone around him couldn’t use their skills.
But once the battle is over. If the battle resumes, just leave it in the rear. No one is taking issue with this now.
Some people wondered why Erenier rushed to the capital without treatment, but Turko explained that when Roan met Erenir, he was furious like never before, and the lords were convinced.
“It looks like you brought someone with you too, so it would be absurd to call it a one-on-one meeting.”
“… There are people who want to meet Your Majesty.”
And the Grand Duke of Darkness looked over at Helen and Urtellia, who were standing by Roan. It was an unspoken question as to whether they would really be okay with them.
“Let it in. And the attendant, go away.”
“All right. Your majesty.”
Footsteps were heard. One was a mess, but the other was very well captured and light footsteps.
And they entered the tent.
The insensitive emperor’s eyes narrowed. I heard the sound of the armrest being smashed, but no one paid attention to it.
“Anmut!”
“Schlaner.”
Urtellia screamed, and Helen gave a low growl. Yurtellia, her tail puffed up, moved her body to unwittingly leap at her Anmut, but Roan held her.
“Your majesty!”
“Wait.”
The Grand Duke rose slowly.
His expression didn’t look much the same as before, but Roan could read that there was a strange feeling of triumph in it. It was thanks to the developed sense of humor.
“It would have been nice to have you by my side.”
“… What are you doing, this.”
“After you stretched out your hand so much, are you now asking me that question?”
Instead of the Grand Duke, Schlaner answered.
How are humans in the military camp? A short thought came to my mind, but among the number of people close to 10,000, there are many demons that resemble humans.
It doesn’t matter if the lord’s escort has a wizard in it.
If it was mixed in, it would be impossible to find unless you deliberately directed it to find it.
Only then did Roan remember Amelie’s words.
The human wizards who were said to have violated the protection magic of the Dark Forest. There must have been a direct mix of Schlaner among them.
Right after the attack on the forest, the Southern Dark Spirit’s army went out to clear it. The Grand Duke probably brought Schlaner out of the chaos.
“Search.”
Helen’s voice rang out. Unlike Urtellia, who was dazed at the sight of Anmut, she did not forget that her priority was escorting Roan.
It was only when he saw Shulaner’s wrist glowing red that Roan woke up. He seemed to have been doused with cold water.
What was there, Roan could have predicted.
“It’s not just invisibility, Master. I hid my presence.”
“… Upset.”
With Urtellia’s subdued murmur, Helen’s search light faded.
Finally, the hidden malice of ‘greed’ filled the tent. Both Helen and Urtellia frowned.
Recognizing the object on Schlaner’s wrist, Roan laughed.
He naturally thought that Shulaner had artifacts, and he knew that jewel artifacts had the ability to be added to objects or change their appearance as needed.
But I never imagined it would turn out like that.
“Under.”
What was revealed at first glance under the wizard’s robe was a smartwatch that was used in conjunction with a mobile phone.
The unique thing is that there is a jewel that keeps changing color in the middle of the part where the screen should appear.
At a glance, Roan recognized that it was the main body of the ‘Dragon’s Relic’ that appeared in the game.
The strange energy that filled the tent was emanating from the smart watch.
And Roan noticed that Shulaner’s wand had a jewel similar to the dragon’s relic.
“… Was that wand also a relic?”
“Ah, Your Majesty is old. The introduction is late.”
The Archduke introduced Schlaner and Anmut with a very aristocratic, impeccable gesture.
“This is the human court mage, Schlaner. He said he really wanted to see His Majesty. And that prisoner, Your Majesty knows better than your convictions.”
Roan quickly looked over Anmut’s condition.
I couldn’t figure it out exactly, but at least his body, which felt like a feeling, seemed to be fine. The problem is that I am blind…
‘Is it brainwashing?’
Roan narrowed his eyes. At least, seeing the familiar black longsword on Anmut’s waist was comforting to Roan. It was because the peach-colored jewel embedded in the permal was intact.
‘Fiora.’
All you have to do is take the sword.
Anmut was a warrior and an ally, but he might have to kill him if need be. Urutellia’s favorability might drop sharply, but I was prepared for the time being.
“You, what are you trying to do?”
“You don’t want to miss the opportunity.”
Roan rose from his chair.
“A chance of treason?”
“If the emperor changes, it will not be treason, Your Majesty.”
Roan’s purple eyes flashed.
“Certain.”
Roan took the lead without warning.
Dense murderous spirits shot out at the Grand Duke and Schlaner like a spear.
Bondi skills originate from the characteristics of beings. Roan’s ‘overwhelm’ came from Roan’s high physical ability, swordsmanship, and fighting spirit. Even without a skill, the underlying power is just as powerful as the skill.
However, the Grand Duke’s reaction was also quick. It was a move in anticipation of a raid.
The Grand Duke quickly drew his sword and swung it dangerously. It was a rapier with a much thinner blade than Roan’s longsword.
And surprisingly, Roan’s life was disrupted right in front of the Archduke and Schlaner.
Schlaner’s eyes widened at the sudden swing of the sword, but the Grand Duke and Roan did not take their eyes off each other.
“I accepted to live, to live…”
Muttered Helen, drawing her sword.
Standing beside her, Yurtellia gazed at Anmut with her red eyes, then began to glare at the Grand Duke. Her tabby cat ears clung to the back of her head with fury.
However, neither Yurteria nor Roan and Helen moved hastily.
The brainwashed Anmut is both a hostage and a weapon of the Archduke. Anmut was looking at Urtellia, whom he had spent a long time with, like an inanimate object. Yurteria felt like her heart was being trampled upon by the sight.
“Cowardly cubs, if you are old, you fight with your skills! Why did you make a human like a double body!”
Suddenly, Urtellia, gnashing her teeth, fired harsh words at Shulaner. Schlaner’s expression contorted into a mess.
“Shameless. Aren’t you guys the first to mess with my plan!”
“What?”
The Archduke took his gaze away from Roan and glared at Schlaner with a terrifying glare. It was a ‘shut up’ expression.
But whether he was ignorant or not caring, Schlaner yelled at Urtellia.
“The war was also prevented by that demon king, and he tried to steal information about me by entering the royal palace! Why are you interfering! Even the demon lord, why did you suddenly say something like a truce after arguing for a war for a long time?”
Helen’s lips parted slightly at Schlaner’s pointing. I’m dumbfounded.
“Because of that, the supply and demand of power was delayed, and the barrier had to be moved! As a side effect, I couldn’t move for a while, and I used up the power of this artifact to enter that cursed forest! Because of that, the summoning was delayed again!”
“Human.”
Roan’s cold words stopped Shulana from shouting as her face reddened.
“You are saying what I want to ask. Why are you trying to summon it?”
Then Schlaner frowned and said.
“Why? Don’t you know what I’m trying to summon?”
“Explain.”
A natural command fell from Roan’s mouth.
