Chapter 190 : I Will Definitely Return

“The green guy has left his post. I can feel it. What about the related information?”

[Green, you say, surely……!]

The hand under the robe that was holding the crystal sphere, having reacted with surprise instead, stopped with a cracking sound.

“You don’t know anything at all?”

[A, as you know. The movements of the Seven-Star, especially the Magic Tower Masters, are treated as top secret information even within the Magic Towers. Unless there are witnesses from the outside, for us…….]

“You say there are no witnesses?”

At the answer mixed with a shout that felt almost desperate, the finger crackling with black demonic energy paused while aiming at the crystal sphere.

“That Rosen Thal guy who likes to show off so much is moving in secret? Why?”

To the question that sounded like he was talking to himself, the shadow inside the crystal sphere answered quickly.

[I don’t know about the Magic Tower Master, but I confirmed that top-tier Magic Knights like Haoran, Flute, and Rud have left the six Magic Towers, including the Green Magic Tower. It seems they vacated their positions at least a month ago…….]

At that, the hand stroking the gray beard as if contemplating paused.

“Ah, that guy’s information. I told you to leak it.”

[Yes, that is correct. It seems they took the bait properly.]

“But there is still no news about what happened to that brat?”

At that sarcasm, an urgent answer followed again.

[I, I am, sorry. All the spies sent into Drasen were filtered out, and since it is such a remote area, it is difficult for general informants to infiltrate. Even if we bribe laborers for the castle wall construction, there is a limit to the information we can collect…….]

The lower part of the face revealed under the hood frowned slightly.

“Enough. That much is sufficient.”

[……Pardon?]

“Six top-tier Magic Knights cannot openly attack Drasen. Even if they hide their identities, their demonic energy and martial prowess will become their identities. They probably intend to wait for him to come out of the castle to work on him. It will take time.”

That calm explanation seemed to have relieved the reporter’s fear somewhat.

This time, conversely, a question followed from beyond the crystal sphere.

[But do you intend to just hand over the experiment to them like that?]

“It doesn’t matter. The situation is turning somewhat urgent to linger on the new blood now. Since he was known as a guy sacrificed over 10 years ago anyway, I should forget about him.”

[Urgent, you say?]

“You don’t need to know. Anyway, it means I will end the matter regarding him like this. Focus more on Deluna or Trey’s work.”

[……Understood.]

“Still, just in case, make sure to find out about his movements for sure. Isn’t he a guy like a loach? There is a possibility he might flee avoiding the Magic Knights.”

[Yes. However…….]

“Unless he eats and sleeps on the streets all day, how can tracking his movements be this impossible? They say even this time, we only knew after he appeared in Drasen?”

[I, I am sorry! I tell you again, right now we cannot employ proper magicians in Iron. It is a situation where there are few proper informants. Please forgive me.]

At those words, the hand under the robe stroking the beard clenched again with force.

“Keep saying sorry, sorry……. There isn’t a single thing done properly…….”

Crack.

That hand, whose skin was turning gray, headed towards the head of the person prostrating and trembling beyond the crystal sphere, then settled down nervously.

“……Consider yourself lucky that the number of personnel in the organization has decreased significantly. I will give you one more chance.”

[T, thank you.]

“Keep monitoring his tracks steadily, but for now, pay attention to that investigation team or whatever in Aslan first. For some reason, it bothers me.”

[We are currently investigating by deploying general informants just to trace their route. As you know, as that Veil Lifting spreads…….]

“I know, I know. They say that 3rd Prince guy made it? It really bothers me. The guy I put so much effort into poisoning is tied down by the situation and can’t do anything. I should have just killed the King back then.”

[I am sorry…….]

The gray finger tried to move nervously again.

Soon, trembling, it returned to the armrest as if forcibly suppressing anger.

“……Did you think things would turn out like this. What is the current situation of the Cult?”

[That Veil Lifting is spreading rapidly in the northern part of the Empire as well. Since the Northern King holds a grudge against us, securing proper information is becoming difficult.]

“Iron and the northern part of the Empire. You mean our Cult’s biggest bases are all in a paralyzed state.”

[I am sorry.]

Tap. Tap.

The finger that had turned gray tapped the armrest, and with that light movement, the stone armrest was being gouged out soundlessly.

Then after a while.

“Since everything got twisted, we must defend as much as possible for now. Where is the tail connected to Aslan?”

[It is the Imperial Viscount Legner family.]

“Legner? Ah, where that guy is?”

[Yes.]

“Hmm. Probability of being discovered?”

[It would have been better if they were discovered before. Now that all related people are dead, you can consider the probability of the tail being caught as practically nonexistent.]

“Is that so? Can you bet your life on it?”

[O, of course.]

“……Good. But still, ensure minimum defense.”

[By defense, you mean……?]

That single question eventually made the gray hand, which had been flinching continuously, explode.

Bang!

“Do I have to instruct you on even that method one by one!?”

– Nyaaaaa!

The voice ringing through the narrow stone chamber along with the armrest that burst out as if exploding.

As if that force was conveyed, the shadow beyond the crystal sphere hurriedly bowed its head again.

[I, I will watch the movements of the Royal Investigation Team. I will list it as top-level alert information along with that Muno Drasen and the Dragon Sword Duke so that a report can come in immediately if even one investigation team member heads to the Empire. Mobilizing remaining members as much as possible……!]

“Not enough…….”

[If, if that investigation team wants to enter the Empire, they will try to get permission. Then since they will contact the Imperial Family, wouldn’t you know immediately!?]

“Right.”

[If we do that, sufficient defense will be possible even in exceptional cases.]

That countermeasure the reporter hurriedly put forth seemed to have softened the gray grip, which was about to get excited again, a little.

“……Right. That should be enough.”

[Then when will the Grand Plan…….]

“I said the situation is changing urgently. Iron won’t be able to pay attention to us forever.”

[Then we will lie low.]

The moment the gray beard nodded, the light of the crystal sphere disappeared.

And.

“The day the Steel Eyes look elsewhere and the Dragon Sword leaves. Only then will I complete the Grand Plan that has been postponed. And I…… definitely…….”

– Will return.

Wooong.

The last single word ringing low vibrated the stone chamber along with dense demonic energy.

* * *

“What do you mean?”

To Victon’s question, Muno chose his words inwardly.

Although he heard this and that explanation about the power dynamics of the Imperial power such as the Northern King and the Imperial Family, this is the ‘Empire’ in the first place.

If the Emperor or the Imperial Family had stepped up strongly, there was no way the Northern King alone, not even the entire Four Directional Kings, would try to settle this case.

Victon also showed that he was aware of the situation with that sigh on that day.

However, before he could answer, Victon added words first.

“His Majesty is not taking it seriously. Since it’s information from an enemy country in the first place.”

Those words were a little unexpected.

“First, the source of the information cannot be trusted, and second, credibility is low in that it was delivered to the Northern King first, not the Imperial Family; that’s how the higher-ups judged it. So there were no volunteers even among the inspectors.”

Conversely, it meant Victon dared to volunteer for this task.

“Ho-oh. And you believed that?”

“Yeah. Because I know you are not that kind of guy. At least regarding the Evil cult.”

……Not the Royal Investigation Team, but me?

‘Hmm. That gives me goosebumps a bit.’

It meant the Imperial Family even figured out that the source of that information was him.

“……Should I say thank you for believing me?”

“It’s not time to say such things yet. There is no guarantee that information didn’t leak, and no guarantee that it is real.”

“You said you believe me?”

“You could have been deceived.”

“Hmm. Well, could be. Still, I know one thing for sure really.”

“What?”

“That you are truly loyal to the Imperial Family.”

“……What does that mean?”

“Because it seems you don’t think even a little that the mastermind behind the Evil cult could be the Imperial Family.”

Clang.

At that moment, a blue sword touched Muno’s neck.

‘Heh…….’

Speed invisible to the eye.

“Not everything is meant to be spoken. Black Knight.”

Muno’s gaze scanned the sword flowing with thick demonic energy stuck close to his neck.

A real magical tool of a different dimension from the faint demonic energy seen in the market.

It was an object that bothered him since he met Victon again.

‘At least one speed-related ability increase, but there are a total of three patterns felt. Meaning there are two more unknown magics.’

Muno gauged that ability with instinctive senses.

Then.

“If you were an Imperial citizen, right now for the crime of insulting the Imperial Family…….”

Just when he thought the sword was coming in a little closer to his neck.

“Mm. I apologize.”

He gently pushed that blade away with his fingertip.

“What?”

What’s so hard about saying one word.

“Like you said, I am an Iron citizen. An enemy country person. Can’t you understand even that much? Even when I apologized?”

At those words, Victon’s eyes twitched, and soon the sword disappeared.

“By any chance, is there a reason you said that?”

“Mm, no. I just doubt everyone and see.”

At those words, Victon, who frowned slightly again, soon sighed small and turned around.

And the voice heard.

“……At least the current Emperor, His Majesty, is not such a person.”

“Huh?”

“Because that person wants to continue maintaining this peaceful era. I can guarantee that on my honor.”

Did he want to say that he wasn’t loyal to the Imperial Family blindly?

“Now, then……. Wait for the signal.”

“Will do.”

Victon disappears turning into smoke with those final words.

As soon as he did.

‘Lauel.’

Lauel, who nodded immediately at Muno’s glance, quickly disappeared in the direction Victon vanished.

“Will it be okay, Sir Muno? He seems like a person with good character, just trusting for no reason…….”

“What are you talking about? Lauel is just trying to find a sniping point from a distance.”

Of course, while finding that sniping point, she might collect miscellaneous information and observe Victon’s movements, but.

That is merely additional information obtained because Lauel’s senses are special.

“Uh? Ah……. Hm, oh my. Right, it was needless worry. Don’t mind me.”

“Don’t mention it.”

There was no need to give useless stress to the old man who jumped up and down saying the world is being polluted.

Now the party who had no talent for infiltration just had to wait for Victon’s signal.

In this room of the lodging where the inner castle wall was visible.

“Could you tell me more about that story of the world’s pollution in detail?”

“Mm? Ah, of course. Since you are also a Spirit Master, you should know.”

Muno asked Imadi for teachings on the story that made his heart beat again.

He wanted to confirm once more why that story made his heart race.

And he didn’t know why, but.

– Miya…….

While having strange thoughts that whenever he thought about that, he seemed to hear the cry of the baby dragon he missed.

“First, I should start talking from when Deus suddenly began to flourish. At that time…….”

The old Spirit Master passed on knowledge of the past to the young Spirit Master.

And the young Spirit Master was busy receiving that knowledge with shining eyes.

And a while after that.

– Kwaaaaaang!

Along with the noise heard from afar, red flames were seen shooting up above the inner castle wall.

It was the signal they had been waiting for.

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