< Chapter 105 - John Berelf #4 >
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[The reason I headed east was because of Landius.]
As Kamael began to speak in earnest, both Uther and Cordelia began to erase their embarrassed expressions and focus.
Of course, my earlobes were still a bit red.
[Landius and Lena were infiltrating the eastern part of the empire to capture Archbishop Manuela… that devil’s apostle.]
“Then to join?”
[That’s what it is.]
At first glance, it seemed like an obvious story, but in fact it wasn’t.
It would have been a waste of energy to have all five Paragon heroes roam around together.
The five heroes of Paragon were strong.
Since each of them had powers comparable to or greater than that of a Grand Sword Master, it was more efficient to have them work individually.
However, Kamael chose to travel east rather than west of the Empire for two reasons.
[First, there are more branches of the Holy Cross Guardians in the eastern part of the empire than in the western part. Second, the movements on the Eastern Continent are unusual.]
Originally, Kamael’s trip to the Empire was to visit the Imperial branches of the Holy Cross Guardians that had lost contact.
And those two reasons could be broadly intertwined into one reason.
‘The reason why there are more branches of the Holy Cross Guardians in the East is because of the Eastern Continent in the first place.’
The Devil’s Mouth, one of the five groups of devil followers.
They had almost taken control of the Anut Empire, a great nation in the East.
Because of this, the eastern part of the empire was always under threat from demon followers and demons from the east, and the Holy Cross Guardians established more branches to protect the eastern part of the empire.
[Many of the branches in the East have collapsed due to the surprise attack. For now, I am focusing on collecting the survivors, while also assessing the number and scale of the demon followers who came from the East.]
It wasn’t a very good situation. So Cordelia raised her hand and asked.
“Kamael, I have a question.”
[Speak.]
“How about you Masters infiltrate the system and burn down the Prime Minister’s Office?”
It was meant to be a question, not a suggestion.
And Cordelia thought it was a very good suggestion.
‘Can’t you just give it to the Prime Minister?’
Then, the Prime Minister won’t be able to do anything foolish.
But as soon as he heard Cordelia’s words, Kamael sighed.
[ha.]
“Why, why?”
When Cordelia blushed in embarrassment, the crow clicked its tongue and shook its head, and Uther grabbed Cordelia’s cheek, which was blushing for no reason.
[There are two reasons for this. One is that there is no evidence.]
“yes?”
[You and Yuder have been claiming that the Prime Minister is a follower of the devil and that the entire Prime Minister’s Department has been taken over by the followers of the devil. Do you have any clear evidence?]
At Kamael’s question, Cordelia blinked and looked back at Uther, who shook his head.
Because it was as Kamael said.
[Furthermore, attacking the Chancellery would mean war with the Empire. It would be a fight with ordinary humans, not demon followers. This is not the work of the Holy Cross Guardians.]
“But, but.”
Cordelia, speechless, wiggled her fingers and tugged at Uther’s sleeve, and Uther narrowed his brows. After thinking for a moment, he met Kamael’s gaze.
“If you are sure, and if it is not a fight against the entire Empire… then the Holy Cross Guardians can join in too?”
[This is only a story of possibility. The final decision is made by the leader of the Guardians.]
Although he was the strongest and highest ranking among the six commanders of the Order of the Holy Cross, he did not lead the entire Order of the Holy Cross.
As he said, it was the role of the commander leading the Order to decide on the life-or-death matter of the Order of the Holy Cross, which was the war against the Empire.
Cordelia looked frustrated at Kamael’s answer, but Uther nodded immediately.
“All right.”
[Okay, I’ll contact you again once things are settled here.]
The crow, having said that, flapped its wings once, but instead of flying away, it said a few more words.
[And Uther, Cordelia. Elves have had a strong resistance to the temptations of demons for generations. Furthermore, they have lived long lives and have not forgotten old grudges. To us, it is a distant past, but to them, the incident of the overlords of Hell descending is not so distant. They will still remember that event.]
So, cooperate with the elves.
They will be of great help to you and the Emperor.
“All right.”
“May your muscles always be with you.”
It was obvious that it was about to leave, so Cordelia clasped her hands together in greeting. Kamael’s raven smiled bitterly. After whispering a very small muscle to join, it spread its wings and flew up.
Just a few seconds like that.
Cordelia, who had been quietly watching the crows fly across the sky, pulled on Uther’s sleeve again and asked.
“Please translate this.”
The conversation I had with Kamael earlier.
Isn’t this just a list of reasons why you can’t hit the jackpot?
Uther smiled bitterly at Cordelia’s request.
Cordelia may have been a bit lacking in political sense, but she had really good intuition.
“That’s right. To put it as concisely as possible, this is the story of Kamael.”
Make the Emperor declare the Prime Minister his enemy.
At the very least, let the Emperor declare that the Prime Minister and his department are a group of devils.
“Is it a pretext… a fight or something?”
“Similar. Moreover, in that situation, it’s not a fight between the Empire and the Guardians of the Holy Cross, but rather the Guardians of the Holy Cross, who have joined forces with the Empire, fighting against a group of traitors who have been corrupted by demon followers. It’s a completely different story.”
“Hmm… then that must be it.”
It wasn’t clear and tangible, but I thought I had the general idea.
When Cordelia nodded as if she understood, Uder pulled her cheek again and spoke.
“Anyway, we’re going to meet the Marquis of Buckingham, the leader of the nobility in the northwest. If we just get the Emperor there safely, then what Kamael said will happen.”
“Okay. But why is it short?”
Instead of answering, Uther simply smiled, and Cordelia did the same, pulling Uther’s cheek.
&
The next morning, the group hurriedly left Sanwang’s mountain retreat.
The mountain king’s men were still locked in the underground prison, because there was nothing they could do about it right now.
“I told him to just starve them for a few days to get rid of their strength and then tell the local lord.”
“Well, as expected from our Yuder. He’s smart.”
The group continued on, with Cordelia delighted, and were able to rejoin Sarah around noon the next day.
“I met with Elio Lombardi, the Crown Prince of the Elves. Vincenzo Lombardi, who had already realized that the situation was serious, immediately accepted all of Your Majesty’s requests.”
“Ohhh.”
The Emperor was greatly delighted by Sarah’s words, turned to the Empress Dowager sitting right next to him and smiled brightly.
“Oh my, I hope this turns out well.”
“Yes, Your Majesty. It was very good.”
Normally, I hated seeing elves using money to show off, but now they were no different from trustworthy heavenly troops.
“Count Bayer, Count Chase. What do you two think?”
“We also think it’s a very good thing.”
The Emperor’s smile grew deeper as Yuder answered.
After destroying the mountain king’s fortress, the emperor began to rely on Uder and Cordelia, knowingly or unknowingly. Sometimes, it seemed like he trusted and followed them more than the Royal Knights.
“Then let’s leave early tomorrow morning. Okay, Mom?”
“Yes, that would be good. It’s already late today. You have a good idea.”
“Hehehe.”
As the Emperor smiled bashfully at the Empress Dowager’s praise, Cordelia, who was watching, also smiled brightly. Although he lacked the dignity of an Emperor of the Empire, he was childish and cute.
“Thank you for your hard work, Sarah. I will never forget your achievement today.”
“Your kindness is truly infinite.”
When Sarah bowed to the Empress Dowager’s words, Leon, who was standing over there, smiled happily.
‘Hmm, it feels kind of warm.’
Although the system had been taken over by the Prime Minister and they were on a desperate run, the atmosphere was quite good.
‘Well, what’s good is good.’
It’s much better than sitting there in despair and crying.
After reaching a reasonable conclusion, Uder looked back to the north, in the direction of the land of the elves.
&
The elves of the Empire lived in the Shadow Forest, located in the western part of the Empire.
In terms of scale, it was a forest larger than the Forest of Eternity, and was essentially a small independent state within the empire.
‘The seven gates that guard the forest of elves.’
The seven gates, which were said to be impregnable, were like an iron fortress, but not all of them faced outside the forest.
Only the Red Gate and the Blue Gate were installed on the outskirts, and the remaining five gates were installed one by one facing into the Shadow Forest.
“Elio Lombardi, who guards the Red Gate, is not only the crown prince of the elves, but also the sword master.”
The Emperor nodded at Leon’s explanation. The Emperor, who loved big, strong, and cool things, also liked the stories of the Sword Masters.
“I’ve always wanted to meet you.”
Elio Lombardi.
The expressions Kamael, Leon, and Crown Prince were used, but in fact, they were incorrect.
For the elves there was no king.
However, Elio Lombardi was the heir to the Lombardi family, which held the most powerful authority in the Privy Council, the decision-making body of the elves of the Shadow Forest.
Furthermore, he also enjoyed the trust of the elves’ godfather, Vincenzo Lombardi, so it was highly likely that he would succeed to the position of head of the Privy Council after Vincenzo Lombardi passed away.
“You are the Crown Prince.”
“I guess that’s what it is.”
Because he was a man who was no different from the king’s grandson.
For a moment, Uder thought back to Elio Lombardi from the original.
In Heroes Chronicles 2, his role was a good one. He was a trustworthy NPC who fought together in the fight to prevent one of the seven disasters.
‘It was popular.’
Because he’s handsome.
In fact, there were no elf NPCs who weren’t handsome, but Elio boasted an especially handsome appearance, as befitting a crown prince.
‘hmm.’
Unknowingly, Yuder felt alert and hugged Cordelia’s waist even tighter, and Cordelia, not knowing what was going on, looked back at Yuder.
“why?”
“just.”
And then two more days.
The group, moving along the mountains and forests, avoiding the sidewalks where people walk, arrived at the Red Gate entrance.
&
“Wow.”
There was one thing in common between the Shadow Forest and the Eternal Forest.
The fact was that there were incredibly large trees standing densely like a castle wall.
The sight of the huge trees, which must have been at least 20 meters tall, covered in thick white fog was truly magnificent.
It was a land that no one would dare enter.
But instead of being afraid, the young emperor repeatedly expressed his admiration together with his younger siblings.
It was because of the presence of a huge and beautiful door nestled between the fog and trees.
Red Gate.
The large arched gateway was red, as its name suggests.
But it wasn’t as red as blood.
It was a soft red color with a hint of pink, like Cordelia’s hair, and it actually made my heart feel warm.
“His Majesty the Emperor.”
As the red gate sparkled in the moonlight and opened wide, well-dressed elf knights and soldiers came out and lined up in front of the gate.
In particular, Elio Lombardi, who led the group, even showed courtesy by getting off his horse and bending his knees.
“I have heard the whole story. From here on, I, Elio Lombardi, will take care of it.”
“Oh, okay. Please take care of it.”
The Emperor was greatly pleased by Elio’s polite and dignified appearance, and the Empress Dowager also smiled.
Although the elves often got into fights while taking care of state affairs, judging by their attitude today, it seemed that they had not forgotten that they were still vassals of the empire.
‘He’s the most handsome after Yuder.’
Cordelia thought with a big smile, and Uther gently hugged Cordelia’s waist again and pulled her towards him. Melissa’s eyes became lukewarm.
“I will serve you.”
Elio, who had once again shown his respect, turned around and began to lead the way. The Emperor, riding on horseback with the Empress Dowager, followed behind him, smiling brightly.
The next step was to follow the set procedure.
The party of Uder followed the emperor, and the elven knights and soldiers followed the party.
“Wow.”
The emperor looked inside the gate and exclaimed in admiration again.
This is because, despite it being a military facility and a gateway, there were scenes here and there that looked like something out of a fairy tale book.
Houses built inside large trees, rest areas made of large mushrooms, deer as big as horses, and little fairies flying around.
‘Fairy?’
It was at that moment that Cordelia’s eyes shone sharply.
“It’s late today, so let’s take you inside and I’ll pick you up at the Orange Gate tomorrow morning.”
When Elio, who was walking ahead, turned to look at the Emperor and spoke, the Emperor nodded again.
And then a few more steps.
When the party of Yuder and the knights and soldiers following them passed through the gate, the large and beautiful red door finally closed tightly.
Elio turned around.
He swung his sword and cut the Emperor and Empress Dowager’s throats with his sharp sword strokes.
Without any sound or movement whatsoever.
Just a moment.
With a swift sword strike, not a single drop of blood spurts from the severed neck.
Elio’s swordsmanship was perfect.
And that’s why he was able to realize.
“Eh, Sir Elio?!”
The emperor said.
The neck was not cut off. The sword only cut through the air.
Why.
Elio, who couldn’t even imagine the fairy’s footsteps, swung his sword a second time instead of asking for a reason. But this time, it didn’t unfold perfectly.
Because the Empress Dowager shouted as she hugged the Emperor tightly.
“B, blink!”
Even Uder, who is now no exaggeration in saying that he is a scroll craftsman, can only make one scroll per month, a short-distance space jump.
The moment it was used, the Emperor and Empress Dowager moved to Kirara and Sarah, who were holding the Emperor’s younger siblings, and Kirara immediately pulled out the Moon Crystal and shouted.
“Moonlight!”
Log Master’s secret message has been activated.
Elio quickly turned his gaze to change the direction of the attack, but by then Kirara and the Emperor’s party had already disappeared.
That’s why Elio understood.
I noticed it from the beginning.
It was a reaction that could not have been seen otherwise.
And he was not wrong.
“Oh my, I believed you!”
Cordelia shouted, clenching her fists, and Uther furrowed his brows.
It was fortunate that it worked out, but it wasn’t the situation I wanted.
Elio Lombardi.
A good translation of the original.
Moreover, the elves were already highly resistant to demons, as many others, including Uther himself, have mentioned.
The demon followers had little to offer the elves, who already enjoyed immortality and vast wealth.
But still, Cordelia was suspicious of Elio.
No, I believed Elio would betray me.
Why.
For what reason.
“Because I’m a sword master.”
There was no other reason.
That was really all there was to it.
But Cordelia had her own reasons.
‘70%!’
There were a total of ten existing Sword Masters that Uder and Cordelia had met so far.
And among them, there were seven who became enemies of Uther and Cordelia, either through brainwashing or betrayal.
So, the new Sword Master I met was more likely to be an enemy than an ally.
‘There is a possibility!’
Of course, it was a wrong calculation.
It was a total mess. This wasn’t probability and statistics.
However, Cordelia insisted strongly, and Uther, who was weak towards Cordelia but trusted her unique intuition, prepared a countermeasure, saying that it would be better to lose than lose.
And the result.
“That bastard knew I’d betray him! I knew it!”
You’re a sword master! You’re a swordsman!
Besides, I figured it out when they kept saying that elves don’t betray.
You mean a flag?
The moment Cordelia’s strangely excited scream rang out, Elio made his decision. No, it was already decided when he drew his sword.
“Hit!”
The troops that had been hidden at the gate in case of an emergency appeared. The moment Elio gave the order, over a hundred elves began to attack.
“Fuck.”
Uder said and opened the door.
&
< Chapter 105 - John Berelf #4 > End
