Chapter 128 : Red Sword
Chapter 128: Red Sword
“Damn it.”
Daphne Phillian spat out the snow that had gotten into his mouth.
Screams and shrieks did not cease. The stench of blood mixed into the icy cold was so severe it nearly numbed his nose.
Fortunately, the Empire’s knight order, having regained their senses, formed ranks and charged forward. The Kingdom’s lasers ran across the snow, driving back the monsters.
The alliance was gradually regaining its shape.
But that did not mean the chaos shaking Daphne’s mind had disappeared.
‘Four Heavenly Kings…’
He had heard of them before. But that was from a very long time ago, when the Demon King had not yet become familiar—mere products of human imagination born from fear of the Demon King. Things that belonged only in old fairy tales or plays.
That the Demon King did not keep subordinates with such childish titles was something even a child knew.
And yet… they were real?
‘She was strong.’
Setting aside the childish name Spirit Sorceress of Darkness, her abilities alone could not be ignored.
The snow she had raised swallowed everything. The lumps of flame that poured down with it shattered the ice walls and collapsed the search party’s formation.
‘What were those? They were almost like mana cannons.’
But there was no way the Demon King would use mana cannons. It was regrettable that the avalanche and ice walls had obscured his view.
Daphne drew his bowstring again. The arrow of mana that formed pierced straight through the heart of a troll that had been targeting him.
The three arrows that followed tore apart the neck and upper body as they writhed and regenerated.
‘Damn it, there are too many monsters.’
Under normal circumstances, it would not have been a problem. But the situation was the worst—no, the environment created by the Demon King was the worst.
‘Everything was intentional. They’re trying to wipe us out by driving us into chaos.’
From the avalanche to the magical bombardment and the monster horde—everything flowed with unnerving naturalness.
Of course, the alliance was strong. He did not think they could not stop it. However, the damage required to reach that result would only increase, and the thought that the Demon King had intended precisely that made his teeth grind.
‘The Demon King’s calculations….’
At that moment, he felt the flow of mana. Mixed with demonic energy, it was utterly alien.
He followed the flow. He saw the masked Spirit Sorceress of Darkness. Beside her stood a black-haired man.
‘A demon…?’
For some reason, he felt familiar. It was the man he had seen when climbing Ergest before—the one who had even deceived his own senses.
‘His face looks….’
He resembled someone named Pale. Of course, the feeling was completely different.
‘He’s unguarded.’
It was an opportunity. Suppressing his presence to the utmost, he drew the bowstring. He loaded it with mana and detonated it in an instant.
A flash blazed.
Crack-
In the blink of an eye, it reached right before the Spirit Sorceress of Darkness’s nose. Just as he thought it had hit, a hand abruptly slipped in.
‘Strong…!’
He drew the bowstring again and again. The flashes aimed precisely at the target, yet were continuously blocked.
Black flames surged without end.
‘No doubt about it. A Dark Flame demon.’
Most likely a high-ranking demon.
‘I have to take him down here. I can’t let him escape.’
He swiftly swept his gaze across the battlefield. The situation itself was unfavorable due to the avalanche, but Hero Hillan Cargill and the elite of the alliance were performing in a manner worthy of their reputation, so they were not being pushed back significantly.
‘They’re commanding the monsters. If we kill them, we can seize the upper hand.’
Daphne ran toward the ridge. At that moment, the sound of a horn echoed once more.
A sense of dread brushed across his mind.
Kwoooooo-
With a massive roar, demon race members resembling orcs riding wolves leapt down. Hundreds of Peul Orcs were with them.
“...My God.”
Daphne bit his lip and drew his bowstring. He unleashed a flash toward the massive demon race member at the front.
* * *
“Huff, huff...!”
Daphne let out ragged breaths.
The demon race was strong. Their swordsmanship was crude, yet powerful, and despite their large frames, they were fast and agile.
But even so, they were only demon race members around the mid-tier, and there was no reason he could not kill them—if not for the Peul Orcs that charged in recklessly, throwing their lives away.
Around him, dozens of Peul Orc corpses were piled up.
The battle had been ferocious, and wounds continued to accumulate on his body. Nevertheless, the allied forces ultimately held them back, and the demon race member who had been fighting him fled atop a wolf.
“Are you all right?”
“...Yes. More importantly, are you all right, Hillan?”
“I am fine as well.”
The battlefield itself was utter chaos. Red-stained snow mingled with blood, and corpses lay fallen in between.
The alliance had climbed the mountain with confidence, only to pay dearly for falling into the Demon King’s scheme.
Even so, victory was still victory, and cheers of joy at having survived rang out.
“Rescue the horses buried in the snow!”
“Save the wounded first and get out of here!”
“Recover the bodies!”
But it was brief. The victory was short-lived, and the alliance quickly began to clean up the battlefield.
Daphne used his senses to detect signs of life felt beneath the snow.
“Dig here, here, and over there.”
“Yes!”
Daphne himself also dug out knights who had been buried in the snow. That was when it happened.
As he melted the snow using mana and descended, a hand suddenly shot out and grabbed his ankle.
“...Sir Daphne.”
Soon after, a face appeared, followed by the upper and lower body. A pale-faced knight recognised him.
Daphne realized the man was one of the escort knights of the Third Prince.
‘...Why is an escort knight buried in the snow?’
There had been an avalanche, so it was possible. Still, a heavy sense of foreboding crossed his mind.
“...We, we must save him.”
“...Don’t tell me, His Highness the Prince?”
“Y-yes!”
The knight shouted. As if on cue, voices rang out from outside the pit.
“Sir Daphne! This is bad!”
“His Highness the Prince has disappeared!”
The escort knight shouted once more, driving the point home.
“The demon race kidnapped His Highness the Prince and Sir Kawol!”
“...!”
* * *
Martin’s last memory was of the knights protecting him and the Platinum Shield Mage Corps spreading defensive barriers around him. And then, the demon race breaking through all of it.
The force that seized the back of his neck was irresistible.
‘Was I...kidnapped?’
He had come to find the tower and rescue Kaede, only to be taken instead?
Rather than fear of having been kidnapped by the Demon King, he felt so dumbfounded that he could not even laugh.
He was also a Prince, and having stepped into the Demon King’s territory, he had not failed to consider the possibility of being kidnapped. That was why he had brought the Platinum Shield Mage Corps and excellent escort knights—yet this still happened.
‘But where is this place?’
A cold chill was felt against his back. Above him, the sky was visible.
It was a small pit. When he barely crawled out, a pure white snowfield came into view.
“You are...!”
And he discovered the demon race member called the Spirit Sorceress of Darkness.
“Nice to meet you. Your Highness, the Third Prince of the Empire. If I were to introduce myself again, I am one of the Four Heavenly Kings who serves the Demon King, the Spirit Sorceress of Darkness.”
Bow-
It was the same courtesy as before.
“...Why did you kidnap me.”
Martin tried his best to remain calm. He could not understand any of it—why this was not the tower, or why he was calmly conversing with the Spirit Sorceress of Darkness.
“You’re quite impatient. At times like this, it’s good to recall the saying that the more urgent it is, the more you should take the long way around.”
“I asked why you kidnapped me. Do you think the Empire will stay still?”
“Making them stay still is precisely what we have to do.”
“We?”
Only then did Martin realize she was not alone. Another masked woman was with her.
“Let me introduce her. Like me, she is one of the Four Heavenly Kings who serves the Demon King—the Dark Knight.”
“Dark Knight?”
Unlike the Spirit Sorceress of Darkness, who wore robes, she was heavily armed in black armor. Wearing a mask instead of a helmet and visor was somewhat strange, but a faint demonic energy could be felt.
Their eyes met.
“....”
“...You.”
For some reason, she felt familiar.
The long golden hair flowed down to her waist.
The emerald eyes reminiscent of a lake.
The composed air about her.
“I am one of the Four Heavenly Kings who serve the Demon King, the Dark Knight.”
And the trembling voice as well.
It couldn’t be.
There was no way his younger sister would be acting as the Demon King’s hound.
“We have gathered here because we wish to make you a proposal.”
Unlike his head, his chest burned hot.
“...Kaede?”
That was why he said it. Even after speaking, the words felt unreal.
The idea that the kidnapped imperial princess was working for the Demon King was....
“...Yes, that’s right, Brother. You recognized me right away, as expected.”
The Dark Knight removed her mask. The all-too-familiar face of his younger sister was revealed.
“...It’s really you, Kaede?”
“Yes. The Empire’s Ninth Imperial Princess, Kaede Zespine, greets you, Brother.”
And at the same time—
Shing-
Kaede drew her sword. She slowly approached and levelled the blade at Martin’s neck.
“But the current me is also a Dark Knight who serves the Demon King of Dark Flame.”
“...What does that mean? Have you truly become the Demon King’s hound! You, an imperial princess of the Empire?”
“Yes. But I am not alone.”
Because—
“Brother will serve the Demon King of Dark Flame together with me.”
“...Huh?”
“Brother.”
I am doing this for you.
So—
“You must trust me completely.”
I do not want to lose you.
The Dark Knight’s gaze was resolute.
* * *
By the time Berje arrived at the place where the two royals and the princess were, the conversation was well underway.
Ernan, who had been sitting off to the side at a distance from the two royals, drawing in the snow with her finger, greeted Berje.
“How long has the conversation been going on?”
“It’s been almost 30 minutes. I was about to die of boredom on my own.”
“Boredom is a good sign.”
It meant the conversation was continuing at length.
Given that a positive answer was difficult to obtain from the outset, something short would inevitably have been negative.
“What happened to the alliance?”
“They realised late that the Third Prince had disappeared. They’re searching in all directions, but they won’t make it here.”
“Did I do well?”
“You did well.”
Thanks to Ernan firmly drawing the surrounding attention, they were able to station monsters nearby more easily than expected and dispatch them at the desired timing.
Thanks to the massive wave of snow she raised, they inflicted heavy damage.
It was not something that could not have been done without Ernan, but he could not confidently say it would have been as perfect as this. She had unquestionably played a major role.
“Then give me one thing I want as well.”
“What?”
“You promised to give Sister Lavinia some scales, didn’t you?”
“What do you want?”
“May I tell you later?”
This felt familiar, like last time.
“Do as you like. As long as it isn’t excessive, I’ll grant it.”
Unlike Kaede or Ellena, Ernan was not one of Berje’s subordinates. Their relationship had begun with goodwill from the start, and her assistance had been immense up to now.
He was more than willing to grant a request or two.
“Lord Berje.”
At that moment, Kaede called out to him.
“The conversation is finished.”
“What was the result?”
Berje strode over to them. Kaede lowered her head silently, while Martin lifted his glare.
“If we can reach a mutual point of agreement, I am willing to cooperate as a business partner with the Demon King.”
“Cooperate?”
Not a subordinate?
“I am a Prince of the Empire, and my goal is supremacy over the Empire. An emperor who rules the greatest nation on the continent cannot become the Demon King’s subordinate.”
“And if you don’t, you won’t become Emperor.”
“Even if I fail to become Emperor, I am still a Prince. Even if I do not ascend the throne, I will never, even in death, watch the Empire become the Demon King’s puppet.”
“Then you may as well die.”
Berje released killing intent.
“Demon King!”
“I gave you an opportunity through Kaede. That was not extending a hand—it was granting mercy. Because your sister begged for it.”
And yet Martin rejected it.
“If you kill me, the Empire will surely destroy you.”
“I do not fear the Empire.”
“If that were true, you would not have made such an offer to me in the first place.”
“I already told you.”
Because of Kaede.
The killing intent thickened. Even with his breath feeling choked, Martin clenched his teeth and replied.
“Nonsense! There is no Demon King who moves at the words of a kidnapped imperial princess!”
“I do not move at the words of an imperial princess, but I do move at the request of my subordinate, the Dark Knight.”
“No matter how you put it, you would not do it if it were not beneficial to you.”
“Of course. However, it is different from what you imagine. There is merely an inconvenient path and a slightly more convenient one.”
“Making me your subordinate is nothing more than a convenient path?”
“Yes. But you threw away that lifeline, so it has lost all meaning.”
Then, of course, he had to die.
Whoosh-
Black flames flickered.
They surged over Martin, engulfing him.
“Kyaaaaaaah!”
A horrific scream that tore through his lungs burst out. Wrapped in flames, he rolled across the snowfield. Even so, the fire did not go out.
“Demon King!”
“Wait.”
Kaede bit her lip. She wanted to save her brother immediately, but she could not move.
After a long while, Berje waved his hand. The flames died down.
Martin, now disheveled, revealed himself while gasping for breath. His eyes had lost all light, blank like empty paper.
“That was a taste. There will not be a second time. What will you do.”
“...An Emperor cannot become the Demon King’s hound.”
Even so, he repeated the same words. His resolve was worthy of praise—if Berje were not the Demon King, and if Martin were not of the Empire.
“Instead....”
“Instead?”
“I will leave something else behind.”
“Something else?”
“A hostage.”
“Kaede is already my subordinate.”
“Not Kaede. I will offer my elder sister—my elder sister.”
There was only one person Martin could call elder sister.
“The First Imperial Princess?”
“That’s right. I will ensure there are no problems even if you kidnap my elder sister.”
“Spouting nonsense in a convincing way is one of your humans’ defining traits.”
Berje seized Martin by the throat. Martin flailed helplessly in midair.
“Pretending to offer a hostage while using my hand to eliminate a political enemy?”
Did he think him a fool?
“T-then I will hand over a divine relic! Something that can serve as proof of trust!”
“A divine relic?”
“The sword that symbolizes the Emperor of the Empire! Without inheriting it from the late Emperor or obtaining it, one cannot be formally acknowledged as Emperor!”
A sword absolutely required to be recognized as Emperor.
If that claim was true, it held greater value than most hostages.
Berje loosened his grip.
“You cannot become a subordinate yourself, yet you can hand over something like that?”
“In the end, it is only a symbol. It cannot be more important than a person. But it is true that without it, whoever ascends the throne will have weakened legitimacy, so it is suitable as a token of mutual trust.”
“And you can hand that over so casually?”
“I can tell you where it is. And offer a bit of assistance.”
“It would be in the Empire’s vault.”
It was obvious. There was no way the sword symbolizing the imperial family, the Emperor, and the Empire would be managed carelessly. The issue was not knowing where it was, but whether it could be stolen.
If Berje acted rashly and exposed his demonic energy, the repercussions would be far greater than now.
“I have the authority to enter the Empire’s vault. At that time, I can accompany one escort knight up to the entrance. The rest will be your part, but that far isn’t bad, is it?”
“That depends on what kind of object it is. If it is merely trash with symbolic value....”
“Absolutely not! It is a fire-forged sword made from the bones of a Red Dragon. The Red Dragon Sword, Barstain. The blade, red like flames—”
Crack-
“Ghk, w-what are you doing...!”
“What did you say was red?”
The blade.
Red?