Chapter 268
Chapter 268
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 268
Chapter Title: The Great Conference (2)
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【Then let's begin the conference right away. The agenda is the extermination of the Nebula Klazie.】
Navardoje's voice echoed through the conference hall. The atmosphere was completely different from when she had faced Ronan and his companions. The participants straightened their backs and listened intently to her words.
【I assume you all know about the tragedy that unfolded in Adren five days ago. The radiant City of Dragons has been reduced to complete ruins. If not for those who fought with their lives on the line, the giant would have turned its spear toward the mainland.】
Navardoje briefly summarized the events. The participants' faces gradually twisted in dismay. Even though they had heard the news beforehand, they couldn't hide their shock.
Duaru's descent had turned the continent upside down. There had been a case during the Sword Festival where a Nebula Klazie member named Darman transformed into a pseudo-giant, but this was on another level entirely.
Dragon King Azidahaka had lost a leg, and more than two-thirds of the resident dragons had perished. The world's most powerful city and nation had been reduced to a floating ruin.
【I take full responsibility. No matter how I was fulfilling other duties, I was too passive. This time, I've called you all here to root out that fanatic group from the continent once and for all.】
“However, how do we exterminate enemies who wield such bizarre powers?”
At that moment, a familiar old man raised his hand and asked a question. It was Parjan's elder, Alogin, whom Ronan knew well.
The image of him gasping from a fatal wound at Parjan's summit was still fresh in his mind, but fortunately, he seemed fully recovered now.
“My colleagues and I sent warnings across the continent to beware of the fanatics after the Sword Festival. Indeed, many nations and groups, including the Empire, heeded our advice and launched large-scale purges. But eventually, we hit a wall.”
【Because of that barrier?】
“Yes.”
Alogin affirmed. Several others nodded in agreement.
As he said, nearly all the subjugation forces were facing difficulties. The Nebula Klazie wasn't a group of fools.
They had achieved some success in the initial days when preparations were lacking, but as time passed, the enemy began to systematically counter the forces. The biggest change was that even among the regular followers, some were now wielding the Star's Blessing, albeit weakly.
These so-called 'shells' were deployed in at least two or three per branch, regardless of size. Subjugation teams had to grind through troops until the blessing was depleted, leading to massive losses. Zaifa muttered softly.
“I don't get it. Just chop them down when the barrier drops for a moment.”
“Shut your mouth, cat.”
Naviroje reached back from her chair and yanked his tail. Of course, monsters like Zaifa or Naviroje, who had independently mastered countermeasures, could minimize unnecessary casualties.
However, such skilled and experienced individuals were rare across the continent, and even they had limits. Most who faced the Star's Blessing either retreated or were annihilated without breaching it. Navardoje nodded.
【Exactly. Some of them use magic that unconditionally blocks our attacks. That's why we can't deploy large forces at once. Getting surrounded and focused down would be the end.】
“Yes. Many died that way.”
【I offer my condolences to the brave souls who fell. But today, you can rejoice a little. I gathered you to share and develop a way to counter that trick.】
“Pardon? What do you mean...”
Alogin's eyes widened. Navardoje smiled meaningfully. She turned to Ronan and Asel.
【Children. Can you show them once more what you showed me?】
“No problem at all.”
Ronan nodded readily. He stood up along with Asel, who was desperately holding back hiccups. Seeing Ronan's face, some participants began to murmur.
“Isn't that a Phileon uniform? Those kids are the ones who took down the giant?”
“...So that's him.”
“I heard he also repelled that monster at Parjan's holy site, but I didn't expect him to be so young.”
Most were impressed, but some eyed him suspiciously. Suddenly, Adeshan tugged at Ronan's clothes.
He tilted his head.
“Hm? What's up?”
[There are suspicious people here.]
Adeshan conveyed her meaning via telepathy instead of speaking aloud. Shadow mana was seeping from her shoulders as she scanned the participants. She must have sensed something.
“Ah.”
Ronan sighed, realizing too late. He hadn't considered there might be Nebula Klazie spies among them.
With Adeshan's abilities, rooting them out would be easy. Just as he was about to suggest it to Navardoje, who was smiling warmly, she spoke first.
【Hold on. There's something to do first. Isran?】
“Confirmed.”
Navardoje turned to the Shadow Archduke. He, who had been silent, nodded. A calm voice flowed from the Archduke's parted lips.
“As you said via telepathy, I've been watching everyone here. Indeed, when the barrier came up, some reacted with excessive panic. Their racing heartbeats still linger in my ears.”
【As expected. Who are they?】
“Those with red circles above their heads.”
Suddenly, the Shadow Archduke raised his index finger. A blob of blood formed on his fingertip and dispersed across the conference hall.
“W-Why is this coming toward me?”
“What...”
Humming... The split blood masses settled precisely above thirteen heads. Three soldiers, one mage. Two with crowns, and seven high-ranking nobles of some sort. Adeshan, examining them, muttered in surprise.
“...All of them. It's those guys.”
“Whoa, that was close.”
Ronan unwittingly cursed. He hadn't expected so many traitors.
With Adeshan's cross-verification, it was certainly accurate. No need for his suggestion now. Navardoje coldly addressed them one by one.
【How disappointing. If you have any last words, speak now.】
Her stern expression showed no trace of her former benevolence. The named ones began speaking, breathing raggedly.
“Th-This is absurd slander! Mother of Fire, will you believe that mosquito?!”
“Damn it, this is intolerable. Krati! Send us back at once!”
“A ridiculous misunderstanding. P-Please, give me a chance to defend...”
Various reactions poured in. The other participants looked at them with eyes mixed with contempt, pity, and shock. The Shadow Archduke asked.
“What should we do?”
【Do as you please. Traitors anyway.】
“Ah. In that case.”
The Shadow Archduke smiled. His sharp eyes curved, flashing with the red glow unique to vampires. As the named ones raised their voices claiming innocence...
Suddenly, darkness blanketed the entire conference hall.
“Wh-What is this?!”
“Hey, light a fire or something!”
Shouts of confusion erupted everywhere. Pitch blackness blinded them. Ronan noticed the traitors' voices fading one by one. About ten seconds passed. Light returned to the chaotic hall.
“H-How did this... Hiiiyaahhh!!”
Asel's scream echoed simultaneously. He clung to Ronan beside him, shrieking shrilly. Even Schlieffen, who had maintained composure, twisted his face for the first time.
“What...”
The thirteen traitors were now mummified husks of bone and skin displayed on the table. Not a drop of blood remained under their pale skin. Their sunken eye sockets stared at the living.
“It's been a while since I feasted. My thanks, Eternal Flame.”
The Shadow Archduke chuckled. He sat in the same spot, wiping his mouth with a handkerchief. Navardoje said.
【I'm the one who's grateful. You always handle things swiftly.】
Snap! As Navardoje lightly snapped her fingers, the mummies burned away like paper. Tension thick enough to choke on gripped the hall.
Ronan stared at the two immortals, speechless. He could now understand why Azidahaka had questioned why she spared him.
'Good thing he's not the enemy.'
Her doubt about mercy made sense now. In his previous life, she wouldn't have burned a giant alone for nothing. Confirming no more traitors, Navardoje turned back to Ronan.
【Child. Now it should be safe.】
“...Looks like it.”
【Sorry for working you so hard. Just once more, show everyone here that hope remains.】
Ronan nodded. Music to his ears. Her once sharp gaze had softened back to the gentle one that stroked his head.
“Don't worry about it. This is nothing. Asel, let's start.”
“Hic... Sniff... M-Mummies...”
“Stop crying, man. You're the scariest one here?”
Asel was openly sobbing now. Calming him as best he could, Ronan demonstrated the method to breach the Star's Blessing using his blood, just as he had in Adren.
Schlieffen and Adeshan acted as assistants. Ronan coated Adeshan's whip with his blood and spoke.
“Alright. Now just swing it.”
“L-Like this?”
As Adeshan swung her arm, the whip flew and smashed the Star's Blessing. Crash! The eerie curtain shattered into pieces. Asel clutched his head and screamed.
“Kyaahhh!”
“Woooah...”
Adeshan's eyes widened. The unbreakable barrier crumbled like glass. She and Schlieffen destroyed more instances using swords and whips coated in Ronan's blood.
“M-My god! It really...!”
“...Am I dreaming?”
Every time Asel erected a Star's Blessing or the two destroyed it, gasps of astonishment filled the hall.
Even proud powerhouses like the Shadow Archduke, Zaifa, and Balzac couldn't hide their surprise. Navardoje, smiling satisfied, addressed a corner of the hall.
【Well? See some hope now?】
Blacksmiths and engineers led by Doron were gathered there. Katan from Aurora Scarl, who had forged Ronan's sword with extreme light, occupied a seat.
They watched the miracle unfolding before them in stunned silence. Too absorbed to answer Navardoje's question, she let it slide generously. Doron said.
“...What do you think, Didikan.”
“What's there to say.”
The werewolf Didikan beside him nodded. Essentially a blacksmith, he was also an excellent researcher.
“I'm proud they're my friends. Really.”
The idea of mass-producing that blood was bubbling in his fluffy head. Navardoje continued.
【Work with the children of the night. With those who handle blood, you'll find a solution.】
“Understood.”
【Good. Let's resume the conference. Anyone with ideas, share freely.】
Navardoje smiled. Hands shot up from over a dozen participants immediately.
The grand conference transcending races soon concluded. Participants received their assignments and returned whence they came.
The moon shone brightly. Clouds drifted sparsely across the sky, but not enough to obscure the celestial glow. Orculus Fortress, headquarters of the Nebula Klazie's Southeast Diocese, rose in that midnight twilight.
“Contact lost again? This time the Manta branch?”
“Y-Yes.”
“Damn it, what the hell is going on? Ten branches in three days—does that make any sense?”
The subordinate trembled and bowed. Ramirins clicked her tongue. The Southeast Diocese bishop had been under extreme stress lately. Communications with nearby branches were cutting out.
At first, only small branches went dark, so she dismissed it. Bait branches getting purged was common, even intentional to bleed the enemy.
But since yesterday, mid-sized branches with over five hundred members were also silent. Each had at least two branch leaders directly empowered by the Pontiff, making it baffling.
Who could challenge elites wielding the Star's power? Occasionally, news of monsters like Zaifa killing a branch leader trickled in, but those were rare strokes of luck. Ramirins raked her hair roughly and ordered her subordinate.
“Strengthen the guard. The Pontiff is in a foul mood after Adren. Ensure no incidents.”
“Y-Yes, ma'am!”
The subordinate scurried off like a kicked dog. Decent in bed, but spineless otherwise. Sighing deeply, she slumped into her chair.
“What the...”
The organization's mood had soured recently, since the Adren descent was thwarted. The Pontiff, failing expectations, had raged and purged many responsible.
“...Some cute new recruits joined.”
She needed a mood booster. As she called for male followers...
A tearing scream erupted outside.
“Kyaahhh!!”
“What happened!”
It was her subordinate's voice. Ramirins rushed out. Rounding the corner, her eyes bulged.
“What in the...”
Dizzying blood stench assaulted her. The corridor was carpeted in corpses. Hundreds of white-robed bodies lay dismembered.
“Ulkanto branch leader...”
Her eyes met a corpse's. She muttered blankly. Ulkanto, skilled with the Star's power and versatile at night, was reduced to a torso. A woman's voice echoed from down the hall.
“Are you the head here?”
“You...”
Ramirins gasped. An unmistakable figure from her era stood there. She shook blood from her great sword and spat.
“Guess so.”
“Naviroje?”
The former Sword Saint Naviroje. As Ramirins opened her mouth...
Sensing killing intent, she urgently bent backward. Swoosh! A crescent sword beam grazed her chest.
“Kuh...!”
“Show your head.”
Naviroje, having loosed the beam, kicked off the ground and closed in. Ramirins gritted her teeth. As she righted herself, Naviroje was already swinging.
“Fool, you think I'm like the other trash?!”
But Ramirins didn't dodge. She had a way to counter and retaliate in this dire moment.
Ramirins raised her arm. A barrier surged with mana waves. The Star's Blessing that made her an undefeated warrior since her twenties.
As she prepared to counterattack...
Slash! The blade tore through the barrier and slit her throat.
“Huh?”
No time to comprehend. Naviroje's face remained impassive. Ramirins's head soared. Thud—! It hit the ceiling, then splattered on the floor.
That was it. Naviroje shook blood from her blade. Her great sword gleamed not its usual dark green, but a twilight crimson.
'Tougher than expected.'
Naviroje twisted her wrist after felling the foe. It had taken more effort than thought. Ronan's effortless slicing of blessings was impressive.
“Diluted, so inevitable...”
Muttering, Naviroje entered the bishop's room. Beyond a large bed strewn with vulgar tools loomed a grand window.
Naviroje swung at it. Crash! Glass shattered, moonlight flooding in. Sounds previously muffled reached her.
“Kyaahh!”
“S-Spare me! Please!”
Screams burst from everywhere in the fortress. Imperial troops poured through the broken gates like a tide. Nebula Klazie followers were massacred without organized resistance.
“At this rate, it'll be over soon.”
Naviroje murmured, watching the scene. This marked the start of the large-scale purge operation.
Exactly two months since the Adren tragedy.