Chapter 149
Chapter 149
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 149
Chapter Title: Reunited with Tiabel
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"Urghhh..."
"Ughhh..."
Sizzle.
Screams of humans writhing in agony filled the underground facility, thick with red, blood-like steam.
Whirr, whirr.
At the center of the intricately and sturdily constructed underground building stood a massive magic circle, exuding intense mana from a negative dimension.
"P-Please, spare me! Please let me live!!!!!"
In the center of the magic circle.
A stone bed stained with countless bloodstains lay there.
Upon it, a man who appeared to be in his mid-thirties writhed, his limbs bound by mana bracelets.
Thud, thud.
Footsteps approached through the eerie glow of the magic circle in the space devoid of magic lamps.
The writhing man desperately lifted his head to look at the approaching figure.
"Spare me! I am Karmans, the chief knight of the 5th Legion in the northern empire! Please let me go!!!"
For some reason, Karmans had been sleeping in his bedroom when he was dragged here.
He had been a promising knight in the Raviter Empire, but now he was consumed by terror.
"Heh heh heh..."
The man, his face hidden up to his nose by a black robe, silenced Karmans's cries with a cold smile.
"Wh-Who are you! How dare you torment an imperial knight like this! If the empire learns of this, you and your entire family will be torn apart!"
Realizing from the man's sinister laugh that this was no savior, Knight Karmans threatened him in the name of the empire.
"Noisy fool."
The voice of the robed man was calm and devoid of emotion.
"Why... why have you captured me! Do I have some grudge against you!"
Facing the invisible killing intent emanating from his captor, Karmans steeled himself for death and demanded the reason.
Even in death, he wanted to know.
Who would dare torment and kill an imperial knight, and for what reason.
"I need your mana."
"What!"
Karmans was stunned by the mention of needing his mana.
"I need your hot mana... my loyal knight."
"Wh-What nonsense is this? Why would I be your knight!"
Desperately trying to grasp his situation at the words "loyal knight," Karmans struggled.
Rustle.
At that moment, the man slowly removed his robe's hood.
"Gasp!"
Karmans's eyes widened wider than ever in his life at the sight of the man's revealed face.
"You will be reborn. Your mana will be eternally loved in my heart, and your flesh will be reborn as an undying Death Knight. Carboxavedian... Rohindaimah..."
"Y-You... why... Ack!"
Knight Karmans, who used honorifics even toward his killer, stared in despair.
As the man chanted an incomprehensible incantation, the magic circle activated, unleashing tremendous pressure on Karmans's body.
Clank, clank.
Stab, stab, stab.
Suddenly, hundreds of iron spikes protruded from the stone bed.
They mercilessly pierced the prone Karmans's body.
Drip, drip.
As the spikes embedded into his taut skin under the pressure, blood flowed rapidly along them toward the magic circle.
Fsssh.
Upon touching the magic circle, Karmans's blood turned into vivid red smoke.
"Heh heh heh. Come. Come to me."
The man gazed ecstatically at the smoke formed from the blood.
Surprisingly, the blood smoke swirling above the magic circle was sucked into the man's nostrils.
"Kuhuhuhu..."
The man inhaled the smoke with satisfaction.
His eyes slowly turned blood-red.
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'So this is Hildrian!'
I had imagined a rural backwater when thinking of Isle Hildrian.
Unlike the Kalian main continent, it was a remote empire on the northern continent.
Hearing that half the year was winter, it was natural for me to picture somewhere like Alaska or Norway.
But it was different.
'Nothing like Neruman.'
As the knight had instructed, I flew and soon a castle appeared.
An ancient yet impeccably maintained grand castle.
No sooner had I approached than over a dozen white wyverns appeared.
They surrounded me and led me to meet the lord of the place, and upon hearing I had come at the invitation of the Empress, they were surprised and assigned escort wyverns.
Of course, they had verified my identity via magic communicator in the meantime.
'Looks like they're properly welcoming me.'
I hadn't reached the imperial palace yet, but upon arriving at what seemed like a satellite city of the capital, over twenty wyverns appeared in the sky.
Sky Knights of the Guard, wearing white cloaks symbolizing the Hildrian imperial palace, fluttered their cloaks as they arrived.
They took positions on either side of me in a defensive formation.
Whether it was a welcome or surveillance, I didn't mind.
Who else in Hildrian would receive such treatment?
'The buildings aren't all that different.'
Perhaps due to the cold climate, the bricks were thicker and houses shorter, but the designs were no different from the main continent.
'That must be the imperial palace.'
Silently escorted by the Hildrian Guard Sky Knights, I flew for a while.
Suddenly, a massive fortress rose abruptly from the plains.
'Whoa!'
As I drew closer, an exclamation escaped me.
A scale rivaling the Bazran Empire's imperial palace.
Countless buildings protected by endless walls.
At the center of tall and short structures stood what I assumed was the inner palace.
The inner palace, where the Hildrian Emperor resided, towered at least ten meters higher than the outer walls.
The guiding Sky Knights led me toward the inner palace.
'People, horses, buildings. It's a living place.'
Hildrian, isolated from the main continent and treated like a myth.
It was no different from Neruman.
Despite centuries without proper exchange with the continent, their civilization was similar.
Officially closed to outsiders, but clearly cultural exchanges occurred.
'Hm?'
Perhaps because I was invited by the Empress who ruled Hildrian, we headed straight to the inner palace.
During the flight, a natural scene caught my eye.
'Ugh, whoa! What the hell is that!'
The weather was still chilly, midway between winter and spring.
But no.
A vast space that appeared to be the inner palace.
Flowers bloomed, fruits hung from trees, and people coming and going wore light clothing.
'Magic!'
Indeed.
Like the mana barriers around elf villages, a closer look revealed faint mana barriers.
It seemed they used temperature-control magic to regulate the weather.
'Magic stones must be overflowing.'
Nothing to say.
A sight that made me, who had come begging for magic stones due to poverty, feel humbled.
Maintaining temperature control over such a vast area meant enormous magic stone consumption, regardless of magical prowess.
The Bazran Empire barely maintained a single greenhouse, but this was on another level.
Like the difference between a supermarket and a corner store.
Enviously eyeing the Hildrian inner palace, I headed to what appeared to be the imperial air squadron.
'If they gave me even half of what's used there, I'd never worry about Neruman's magic stones for life.'
The cost of defying nature with human power.
Enormous magic stones were consumed, all translating to money.
Flap, flap.
The lead Guard Sky Knights landed first, and I followed naturally.
'So this is the imperial exclusive air dock.'
It was absurd.
Even the Bazran Emperor's air dock was built with expensive marble substitutes, but this went further.
The hangar doors for wyverns were all gold-plated, and mana energy emanated from within.
No doubt, an optimal hangar using magic stones and magic, hard even for nobles to afford.
'Spoiling the kid.'
If smart Bebeto got a taste, it'd be a headache.
Rustle.
As Bebeto landed, about a hundred knights suddenly appeared.
Wearing white cloaks symbolizing the imperial family, they stood in formation waiting for me.
'Welcome ceremony or arrest?'
The military knights' faces were expressionless.
Overhead, a dozen wyverns circled as if distrusting me, and sharp mana from knights emanated from various spots in the air dock.
Like a school delinquent boss unwittingly entering a yakuza office.
Though I exuded a relaxed air, inwardly I was tense.
I still didn't know the exact reason the Empress had summoned me.
"Welcome, Count Kaiyer."
As I jumped down from Bebeto, a Guard Knight in his early thirties called my name precisely and bowed.
"The imperial palace looks splendid."
With nothing particular to say, I complimented the palace.
"Please follow us."
The Guard Knight responded stiffly.
"Very well."
I removed my helmet, secured it to Bebeto, and replied calmly.
Zap.
At that moment, gazes filled with various emotions came from all directions.
'Something's up.'
Not directed at me, but something related to my appearance.
I sensed it from the well-trained Guard Knights looking at me with fear or tension.
'Mages too.'
My senses, sharpened by mixed mana, detected mana from all sides, including the scent of magic.
'Isn't this welcome a bit excessive?'
Not just courteous, but overwhelmingly deferential.
I was famous in Neruman, but not infamous in Hildrian.
Moreover, I had come simply because the Empress wanted to see me.
Yet the auras told me otherwise.
They treated me as extremely dangerous.
'Whatever. Boil me or fry me, do as you like.'
I wasn't cocky enough to think I could win against the imperial family without Bebeto.
I relaxed and followed the knights leisurely.
'Heh heh heh.'
Entering the inner palace proper from the air dock, beautiful palace maids came into view.
A field of flowers.
★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★
"Thank you all for gathering on my birthday."
The grand banquet hall of the Bazran Empire's imperial palace.
A lavish birthday party for the newly ascended Emperor Poltbiran was underway.
Around where Poltbiran stood, gifts piled high—mostly rare treasures unseen on the continent.
Items engraved with high-circle magic, swords embedded with egg-sized jewels.
Exotic monster hides, gems, ornaments.
Knowing the foul-tempered Emperor's nature, kingdoms had sent carefully selected gifts, augmented by nobles' bribes.
After the ceremony of tribute, Poltbiran rose from his elevated seat with an arrogant smile.
Even as Emperor, he considered the faces of envoys and royalty on his birthday, avoiding extreme sarcasm.
Past emperors had used courteous language to some degree, but Poltbiran was different.
In his eyes, they all seemed slaves or commoners; he opened his mouth in madness.
"On this joyous occasion, I shall issue one command."
The Emperor suddenly declared a command.
Rustle.
All envoys and nobles bowed their heads.
"You all know that Neruman's lord, Kaiyer, has raised the flag of rebellion against me and the empire. He dared seduce my brother the Prince and Princess to sow discord, defied imperial edicts repeatedly. My merciful heart can no longer tolerate; I have resolved."
Words utterly mismatched with a birthday party.
Amid cheerful eating and drinking, the Emperor brought up Neruman.
The gathered confirmed once more he was no ordinary man.
"Envoys of Kubiran Kingdom, Kerper, Andain Kingdom, and Gets Duchy, receive my command."
Named kingdoms' envoys paled.
Unlike subservient duchies, kingdoms were allied with the empire.
Yet the Emperor addressed them as imperial nobles.
The envoys hesitated briefly.
"We receive the imperial command."
"We receive the command."
They bowed in unison.
Provoking this tyrannical Emperor could doom their kingdoms tomorrow.
"You kingdoms have survived decades under the empire's grace, maintaining your thrones. Now repay that grace. Not with worthless trinkets, but become vanguard soldiers for the empire! I desire your kingdoms at the forefront of the Neruman subjugation war."
Boom.
It felt like the envoys' hearts sank, echoing in the silent hall.
The Emperor's words meant stripping kingdoms of independent military rights, subordinating to the empire.
Refusal equaled defying the Emperor.
Envoys' faces turned ashen.
One wrong word, and war with the empire; acceptance made them no different from duchies.
"Within a fortnight, give your firm answer. You know I'm not that merciful. Kuhuhu."
Poltbiran's arrogance, beyond mere cruelty, radiated madness.
The banquet hall fell silent instantly.
Relations between empire and kingdoms, quiet for centuries post-territorial wars.
One mad Emperor's word turned it into thin ice.
Even in a world of survival of the fittest, this was wrong.
An unfounded imperial order.
Now, only the kingdoms' choices remained.
Submission or resistance—a fierce survival decision.
★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★
Crunch, crunch.
'Ooh! The taste is exquisite.'
After arriving at the inner palace with the knights, enduring the beautiful maids' glares, I entered a building.
A fine three-story stone palace.
Clearly for guest reception, I was assigned a room three times larger than an office, and at the adjoining ten-person dining table, a feast was served.
'Not beef, yet so tender.'
On the wide mithril plate, thick steaks.
Not beef, but the tender texture and subtle honey-infused sauce aroma drove my fork furiously.
Gulp, gulp.
"Kyaa!"
Chewing meat then sipping clean, fragrant wine.
Not dry, but sweet ice wine that cleared the lingering oil and refreshed the palate.
'Yes, if you invite me, this is the treatment expected.'
I hadn't met the Empress yet, but satisfied.
The spacious adjoining bedroom's bed, large enough for five adults, seduced with smooth white linens, begging for a nap; antique landscape paintings lent luxury and mental comfort.
'Better than Bazran imperial palace.'
Thanks to Isis, former imperial princess, I knew palace facilities.
If Bazran was a five-star hotel, this was a seven-star masterpiece.
'What happened to Clisia? Not arrived yet?'
Mid-meal, I thought of Clisia.
If she arrived first, she'd have sought me out.
Yet no word by sunset.
Guard Knights outside prevented free movement.
'No way she's dead.'
We had some connection; I worried considerably.
Knock knock.
"Who is it?"
The maids who served and vanished through the side door didn't appear despite the knock from outside; likely not in the adjacent kitchen.
'Who is it.'
Not my home, but my space now.
I wiped my mouth with the white cloth napkin and headed to confront the silent visitor.
"Who is it."
I asked again.
'What now.'
No answer to the second query.
Clunk.
I roughly grabbed the handle and flung open the door.
"Hey, if you're here, say so... Gasp!"
Mid-scold as the door opened, a figure suddenly brightened my view.
'Ti-Tiabell!'
Indeed.
Knocking at my door, standing boldly before it: the translucent white-haired beauty with slightly upturned eyes—Tiabel.
The next Empress to lead Hildrian wore a lush red dress contrasting her white hair.
"Insolent! Show respect to the Princess!"
Perhaps because I was a noble invitee, the Guard Knights reddened and yelled.
They hated seeing me dumbfounded before the next Empress.
"Haha. We meet again."
"Gasp!"
"Th-This!!"
No need to grovel.
Tiabel hadn't formally stated her name or title.
No reason for me to bow first like a fawning puppy.
Instead, the knights' faces flushed like lava, ready for a duel.
"L-Long time... no see."
'Huh? What's with the haughty girl.'
In Neruman, Tiabel exuded untouchable arrogance.
An ice beauty who seemed bloodless even if pricked—yet she blushed at my greeting.
'Uwuu...'
Adorably so.
The beauty with white hair, white brows, and cool blue lake eyes flushed, drawing viewers into delight.
"..."
The knights' expressions changed too.
First time hearing such from Tiabel; they stared at us in shock.
'You lot will never get this even in your dreams.'
Truthfully, first seeing Tiabel, I wondered if she ever smiled.
She radiated haughty nobility like an aura.
If Hunter Siri's joke held, Tiabel's smiles and today's demeanor were impossible.
Judging by the knights, she'd never blushed like this before me.
An inexplicable pride swelled within.
A happiness only men know.
"Please, come in."
"Yes..."
Tiabel nodded and entered at my invitation.
Thud, thud.
Two near-master level Guard Knights tried to follow.
"I order you to wait outside."
No way I'd let them.
"What!"
Confusion crossed the Guard Knights' faces.
A mere guest blocking them—how absurd.
"Wait outside."
"Understood!"
Tiabel's quiet word.
The knights bowed and retreated.
'Loyalty's no joke.'
One glimpse revealed all.
Every action toward Tiabel screamed genuine loyalty to her and the imperial family.
Creak.
Thud.
The door closed.
Flinch.
Tiabel trembled slightly as it shut.
Likely her first time alone in a room with an adult man.
'Now, miss. Shall we talk.'
Tiabel stood with her back to me.
Viewing her slender figure, my mind raced.
Magic stones essential for Neruman's growth.
To obtain them, I needed to win this woman's heart—the future ruler of Hildrian.
Already branded a bad boy by women.
Time to eat the cake and have it too.
No turning back, conscience be damned.
Me, the playboy.
I liked myself this way.
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"I missed you."
"C-Cough!"
I knew she had a unique personality.
But never imagined such passion behind the haughtiness.
Tea with a subtle fragrance set in the room.
Maids silently appeared upon the Princess's arrival and prepared it.
The silent woman fiddled with the teacup in her slender hand, then suddenly said she missed me, gazing at me.
'Driving me crazy.'
I needed to win her favor, but not like this.
Tiabel had seen me exactly twice.
I didn't want to overinterpret "I missed you," but her blushing, sparkling eyes—how could I not know a woman's heart?
Yet my mind wasn't at ease.
A line from a third-rate movie.
First impressions matter in relationships, but Tiabel and I weren't at that level.
'First time feeling this, huh.'
On one hand, I understood.
In Hildrian, none dared raise heads to her; steeped in imperial dignity and authority.
Then in Neruman, my carefree joking amid her brief relaxation left a deep impression.
Like how I felt seeing Ye-rin at school.
"An honor."
Of course, not unwelcome.
Already overwhelmed by women.
Whatever happens, happens.
"I'm sorry. I made you come all this way when you're busy."
Her usual demeanor remained.
She tried her softest tone, but it was still slightly stiff—making her cuter.
Tiabel, considerate for my sake.
Worth the trip for that alone.
"Haha. No. I wanted to meet Her Imperial Majesty the Empress aiding Neruman. And here I am, seeing Tiabel again as desired."
Sway.
When had she heard such?
Melting at honeyed words.
Like a fly in a web, blissfully unaware.
'Am I really not tempting fate?'
Tainting a pure soul.
Pushing forward, but not fearless of divine retribution.
"My mother, did she perhaps say anything stra—"
"Princess, His Imperial Majesty commands you and Count Kaiyer to enter the palace."
As Tiabel began speaking, a knight's booming voice from outside.
The Empress, oblivious to the mood.
'Now to face the tiger for real.'
I'd used Tiabel as excuse, but vaguely sensed otherwise.
No way the Empress summoned me just because her daughter missed me.
'We'll see upon meeting.'
Smiling at Tiabel, my mind calmed.
My purpose in coming without refusing the Emperor's call.
For Neruman and myself, it must be achieved.