Chapter 279
Chapter 279. Closing In (2)
Now is the moment of decision.
I thought that way.
One of the four Imperial Knights had died. If that fact reached the ears of the 4th Prince, Eulsis, the 'ceremony' would begin in earnest.
Therefore, I thought it was necessary to strike first decisively.
"Do not fear power."
I also possessed power that matched it. At the same time, I had a buffer called 'Kaldrach'.
Thinking this, I proceeded with my plan.
It was simpler than expected.
All I had to do was destroy the 'Gu Poison Hall' in production and deal with those involved.
***
The air in the underground canal was cold, and moisture dripped steadily from the walls.
Despite the unpleasant environment, Twilight moved almost silently. It was to such a degree that even walking through water made barely any noise.
"Is it really to this extent?"
Observing Twilight's performance through a magical tool, Lazlot shook his head in disbelief.
He had reluctantly accepted Pintel's request to oversee Twilight. After all, someone was needed to coordinate and give directions to some extent.
However, seeing Twilight's appearances through the magical tool, Lazlot thought:
"Maybe I'm unnecessary?"
Twilight seemed as if they had worked together numerous times before this.
― Next, which direction should we proceed?"
While momentarily distracted, Lazlot received a Twilight member's voic through the magical tool.
"To the right."
― Understood, senior.
At being called 'senior', the corners of Lazlot's mouth involuntarily lifted.
Still, maintaining as detached an air as possible, Lazlot examined the blueprint before him.
'Blueprints of the underground canal that Sir Yulian brought.'
Who would have known?
The underground canal thought to be managed by the 'Imperial Family' was actually under the control of the Cryphart family.
And that Yulian, who had fallen out with that family, could manage to obtain the blueprints.
― We've arrived at what appears to be the destination.
Guiding Twilight wasn't particularly difficult, thanks to this.
― Then, let's begin. Azim ul Azim.
― Azim ul Azim.
With those strange words, horrific sounds started to echo through Lazlot's magical tool.
"Azim ul Azim."
Upon hearing those words, Lazlot shook his head in disbelief.
"Hasn't Lord Pintel... gotten into trouble?"
Due to his experiences with all kinds of dirty work, Lazlot knew a bit about non-common languages from other countries.
His past brief knowledge acquired while performing errands through 'Dantes', however, was limited.
The words uttered by the men just now belonged to the language of the Rahman tribe, who resided in the 'Suranun Desert' in the southern continent.
'Azim' meant 'great.'
'Ol' meant 'again,' but the Rahman tribe was known for never repeating synonyms.
When they repeated synonyms, it was only when referring to the 'Great One'. Specifically, they praised the 'Transcendent One' who liberated them in the past.
"... I did say that accepting entry-level cultists was fine."
There wouldn't have been many 'entry-level' members both skilled and loyal to Yulian.
If there were any, it would be the Rahman tribe, who managed to cross the Suranun Desert and enter the 'Adratan Empire'.
'Wait a moment.'
Suddenly, a terrifying realization flashed across Lazlot's mind.
Perhaps the way this tribe came to feel 'faith' towards Yulian wasn't merely a coincidence triggered by Pintel.
Originally, the 'Suranun Desert' located in the southern continent could be considered a jurisdiction of the 'Adratan Empire'.
A territory gained through the conquest war.
However, despite winning, the Empereror Adratan chose not to establish and raise his flag there.
"Because it's a loss."
The Suranun Desert was vast. There weren't many resources to extract due to its barren land.
However, abandoning it would be the same as leaving an attack route towards the Empire unattended.
The Empereror Adratan made a decision.
He decided to retrieve and destroy all the 'Resonance Stones' and 'Resonance Stone Mines' in the Suranun Desert.
Thus, the nations of the Suranun Desert were isolated. With the sole exception of the 'Rahman tribe', who could somehow find their way out of the hellish environment to the Adratan Empire.
"But even that life-and-death road was eventually blocked."
The only exit from the Suranun Desert was through entering the eastern part of Adratan. However, that area was ruled by the 'Oclean family'.
Moreover, the then head of the 'Oclean family' was a devil-like person devoid of human empathy, thus people called him,
'The Demon of the East, Gerard.'
And it was none other than Yulian who killed him.
But how do they know about this? Matters occurring within the Dawn Society rarely leaked outside.
"... Ah."
Finally, he realized why Yulian intended to let Archbishop 'Kolparan Demius' linger despite his encroachment.
Having 'Kolparan' fulfill a role close to an elder was one purpose, but it was also because there was a member of the 'Rahman tribe' under him.
"Al Hashar..."
A swordsman of the Rahman tribe.
Given the deep sense of camaraderie within the tribe, they would have surely shared who killed the 'Demon of the East' who had suffocated them.
As this thought dawned on him, Lazlot felt chills running all over his body.
"All to create his forces, loyal solely to him."
Initially, Lazlot had questioned Yulian's decision to go against Gerard.
Having just stepped into the position of 'Bishop', building rapport with other bishops should have been crucial.
'Choosing to antagonize Gerard and undermining his reputation...'
Now there was a reason for this, leading to death.
'... A private force with deep loyalty to the new Dawn Society.'
Lazlot speculated that he might have been caught in the wrong scheme.
***
"Ugh."
Upon hearing that Twilight had completed Yulian's order, Lazlot headed to the underground canal to verify it.
And there, the horrors awaited Lazlot.
Like managing a demon, viscous substance was splattered everywhere, and an appalling stench hit the tip of his nose relentlessly.
There weren't just traces. There were demon corpses scattered about, and in the iron cages, live demons could be seen.
"They were managing the demonic energy of the demons with Resonance Stones, it seems, senior."
The sight and smell almost made Lazlot gag, but the word 'senior' nudged him forward.
"Resonance Stones?"
"Yes."
"If there were Resonance Stones, there would've been mages managing them..."
Lazlot looked around. Amidst the demon corpses, there were human corpses, who appeared to be mages, mixed in.
"Urp."
Unaccustomed to seeing human corpses, Lazlot felt slightly nauseated.
He tried his best to control his expression, so as not to show it.
'Their efficiency is terrifying.'
Leave only one who can communicate, and eliminate the rest. That was Yulian's order, and Twilight executed it well.
However, one concern suddenly popped up.
'It's good that we cleared the path and instilled faith by dealing with Gerard, but...'
Can he completely control them?
The precision in dealing with tasks was evidence of Twilight' formidable skills.
There was certainly a risk if, for some reason, cracks appeared in the faith of such a 'military group.'
'It will be troublesome if a strong impression isn't imprinted in their minds.'
Such is the nature of faith, no, the human mind.
"You... do you know whose jurisdiction this place is, committing such acts!?"
Lost in thought, Lazlot turned at the sudden booming voice.
A man who had been bound was being dragged along by Twilight.
"This place is directly managed by the Empire's Imperial Family! The royalty themselves! To commit such atrocities here..."
Whack──!
The Twilight member pulling the collar struck the man. Then, the Twilight member shifted its gaze to Lazlot.
"What should be done?"
Startled by a blow, the man looked up at the Twilight member in shock. He then turned his gaze to Lazlot, seemingly waiting for instructions.
"We were ordered to leave only one who can speak... so..."
Casually relaying Yulian's order, Lazlot was startled. The Twilight member suddenly drew its blade and began to aim at the man's arm.
"Uh, ugh... Aaaaaah!"
Clang, clang, clang!
Crrrreek──.
As the man's screams reverberated, the demons caged in iron bars began causing commotion.
Demons track fear. Sensing that 'fear', their nerves sharpened further.
"Just a moment!"
Seeing the demons, Lazlot was startled and flailed his hands.
"What are you trying to do!?"
"... Did you not order to leave only one who can communicate?"
"Well, yes."
"If there's a mouth, communication is possible."
Hearing the Twilight member's question, Lazlot was sure. Ah, the perception of the Rahman tribe is completely different from mine.
Despite the headache, Lazlot tried to remain calm as he spoke.
"Let's leave him for now. Sir Yulian said he will come personally, and if he passes out beforehand, it'll waste time."
"I also know ways to keep him conscious..."
"For now, just do as I say! If those demons go on a rampage, it'll become troublesome!"
Hmm.
The Twilight member wielding the blade groaned and then nodded.
"Understood, senior Lazlot."
"... Lazlot?"
The trembling man suddenly looked up sharply upon hearing Lazlot's name. After which, he made eye contact with Lazlot.
"Hugo."
"Lazlot, why... why you!?"
It was a face Lazlot knew. Of course, the 'Hugo' before him was one of Aiden's disciples and a Monsignor in the 'Dawn Society'.
Since the formation of the 'New Dawn Society', he chose not to re-enter, and his whereabouts had been unknown, but to think he'd be here.
"Weren't you working under Sir Aiden? How could you..."
"That's how it came to be, Sir Hugo."
"Are you really betraying Sir Aiden's grace?!"
Grace? What shameless talk is that?
Lazlot stared blankly at Hugo in disbelief.
The image of Aiden manipulating him with the brothers of the 'Genmel Orphanage' as hostages came to mind, slightly raising his anger, though he swallowed it back.
'Huh?'
Lazlot suddenly sensed something strange. It became silent around him.
Like a stage left in silence after a play, it was as if the air was waiting for the protagonist's curtain call.
Clap, clap, clap.
With applause, the protagonist appeared.
The audience gathered here, whether human or demon, held their breath and watched as he stepped onto the stage.
"Your efficiency is faster than I expected, Sir Pintel. I'm thinking it was a good choice to entrust this task to you."
A playful laugh pierced the silence.
Clacky's Corner:
Yulian having his own cult.
P. S.
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