394
Chapter 394
Zeke immediately went to find Alicia after seeing the monster legion and beast horde heading towards Himonas Castle.
'The numbers are substantial.'
At this rate, it wasn't unreasonable to think Himonas Castle could fall.
When he went to the great hall, all members of the Himonas Knights, including Alicia, were gathered.
Alicia spoke to Zeke as he entered the great hall.
"Where have you been? Anyway Zeke Draker, we received a message from them."
He took the letter Alicia handed over.
Zeke's expression changed strangely after confirming their message.
'They want me handed over?'
They set the condition that if Alicia captures Zeke Draker and hands him over to them, they would cleanly withdraw from Himonas.
Alicia spoke to Zeke.
"Why do those Imperial bastards want you, Zeke Draker?"
"Well, I'm not sure of the exact reason, but I think it's because I've been continuously destroying their monster legions..."
Alicia nodded at Zeke's words.
"That could be it. Whatever the reason, it doesn't matter. I, Alicia, never abandon my companions."
The Alicia that Zeke knew was stubbornly single-minded.
Even in his past life, she never betrayed anyone she considered a friend.
Because Zeke knew this aspect of Alicia's personality, he was even more worried.
'This time, I won't create the same tragedy as back then.'
Zeke, making this internal promise, spoke to Alicia.
"Grand Duke, there's something I'd like to discuss."
"Something to discuss? What is it, Zeke Draker?"
Zeke approached Alicia and whispered something in her ear.
Her eyes widened at his words.
"Hmm?"
"What do you think? Can you do it?"
After considering Zeke's words, Alicia soon nodded.
"I'll try my best."
Zeke smiled with satisfaction at Alicia's answer.
"Good, then let's try to deceive them brilliantly."
* * *
Icarus, the high-ranking Nightmare commanding the Northern Monster Legion, fell into contemplation after seeing the message from Himonas.
"Hmm, the Northern Grand Duke is bringing Zeke Draker captured?"
The lower-ranking Nightmare, kneeling before Icarus, said.
"Yes, they said they captured Zeke Draker using poison because he was too strong."
Icarus snickered dismissively at the lower-ranking Nightmare's words.
"They're trying to use a shallow trick."
The Nightmares, servants of 'The Endless Devourer', were allied with the servants of the 'Writhing Pit of Darkness'.
Because of this, he had already heard about Zeke Draker's mental state from Ropocale.
The letter was originally bait thrown to provoke division between Himonas and Zeke.
But now they claimed the famously stubborn Northern Grand Duke of Himonas immediately used poison to capture Zeke Draker - this was clearly a trap to launch a counterattack.
The lower-ranking Nightmare smiled slyly at Icarus's words.
"They chose the wrong opponent. Other demon realm servants may be ignorant, but Lord Icarus, you're a tactician who has led countless battlefields to victory through strategy."
Icarus spoke proudly at his subordinate's words.
"Those foolish humans probably don't realize we've noticed their trap. Based on what I heard from Ropocale about that guy, he's probably planning to strike at me while pretending to be our captive."
After pondering for a moment, he came up with a clever scheme.
Icarus spoke with a grin.
"Good, we might as well use their plan for our own counterattack."
He stood up and spoke to the lower-ranking Nightmare.
"Tell the Grand Duke's group to bring the poisoned Zeke Draker into our camp."
The lower-ranking Nightmare exclaimed in surprise.
"Isn't it dangerous to let those humans into our camp?"
Icarus shook his head.
"No, they don't know what powers we Nightmare possess. Before Zeke Draker can try to attack us, I'll subdue his and the Himonas Grand Duke's spirits with hypnosis, then Himonas Castle will naturally fall into our hands."
Even the strongest human couldn't resist the hypnosis of Icarus, a high-ranking Nightmare.
The lower-ranking Nightmare nodded at Icarus's scheme.
"That's true. Those humans couldn't possibly imagine Lord Icarus's plan. I'll bring them in!"
* * * * *
The Himonas Knights led by Alicia entered the Noghtmare camp, bringing along the restrained Zeke Draker, as well as the Black Sword Knights, Barbarian Unit, and Knights of Tourn.
The Nightmare camp was set up near the gate the Himonas Knights had discovered, at the campsite with the Elder Dragon ruins.
Alicia looked around.
The gate Zeke had mentioned was in the center of the camp.
'So that's where they summon the monster legion.'
She wanted to rush over and destroy the gate immediately, but with monsters everywhere, she had to hold back and gritted her teeth as she went inside.
Just then, the Nightmare revealed themselves from the cave.
THUD!
The Nightmare spread their wings, flew through the air, and landed in front of the Himonas Knights.
The largest and most solidly built one among them stood before Alicia.
He spoke while looking at Alicia.
"Are you the Northern Grand Duke? I am Icarus, the demon leading this legion."
Though Alicia wasn't familiar with demons, if she knew their true nature like Zeke did, she would have suspected them to be from the Tuma tribe rather than a Nightmare demon, given the strong pressure he exuded.
Having heard from Zeke that the Empire was summoning demons, Alicia showed no surprise and nodded.
"Yes. As promised, I've brought Zeke Draker, so withdraw your monsters and beasts from Himonas."
Icarus grinned at her words.
"How unexpected. I heard the Northern Grand Duke never compromises. Does that conviction break in the face of an overwhelming army?"
Alicia bit her lip and made an angry expression.
She glared at Icarus and said.
"...I have a duty to protect the North no matter what."
Icarus laughed heartily at Alicia's response.
"HAHAHA! Yes, humans are always good at rationalizing things in their favor. I understand."
With an arrogant expression, Icarus pointed at the restrained Zeke behind Alicia.
"Hand him over. Then I'll withdraw the monster and beast legion from Himonas."
"You better not break your promise."
"My, only humans break promises and deals. To demons, promises and deals are sacred. We never do such things."
Alicia glared at Icarus before making a hand gesture.
Then Sven dragged the restrained Zeke towards Icarus.
Icarus nodded to a Nightmare beside him.
A frail-looking Nightmare, incomparable to Icarus, nervously approached Zeke.
That Nightmare took the chains from Sven and dragged Zeke Draker towards Icarus.
Alicia spoke while looking at Icarus.
"Make sure you keep your promise."
As she spoke through gritted teeth and turned to leave the camp.
"Ah, wait."
Icarus stopped Alicia.
"What is it, demon?"
Icarus grinned at Alicia's words.
"It seems our calculations aren't quite finished."
"What trickery is this? We did as you said..."
Just then.
Sven, who was behind her, rushed at Alicia and restrained her.
"Sven! What are you doing?!"
When Alicia turned her head back, she saw Sven's eyes were unfocused.
She turned to glare at Icarus.
"You... what did you do?!"
At that moment.
The frail Nightmare holding Zeke's chains, not the large one who introduced himself as Icarus, stepped forward and spoke to Alicia who was resisting Sven.
"How dare a mere human try to use tricks against the noble Nightmare race…?"
The Nightmare made Zeke Draker kneel and said.
"I am Icarus, the high-ranking Nightmare leading this legion."
Icarus had prepared his counterattack while hiding his true identity.
Icarus pulled the chained Zeke forward.
"Sorry your plan failed, Zeke Draker. My body odor is a powerful hypnotic scent. Any human who smells it becomes brainwashed and my prisoner."
Alicia ground her teeth hearing Icarus's words.
"Z-Zeke Draker! Come to your senses!"
Alicia cried out upon realizing their plan had failed.
Then Icarus burst out laughing in amusement.
"HAHAHA, it's useless. Humans can never break free from my hypnotic scent."
All the Himonas Knights who came with Alicia had unfocused eyes.
Seeing this, Icarus smiled and said.
"As promised, I'll withdraw the beasts and monsters. Because you'll open the castle gates yourselves."
Alicia ground her teeth in frustration while being held by Sven and glared at Icarus.
Icarus approached Alicia.
"Don't make such a frustrated expression. I'll personally take good care of you. Tormenting a strong-willed girl like you..."
STAB!
Suddenly Icarus's expression changed.
He couldn't continue speaking as he saw the sword pierced through his stomach.
"Huh? Huh?"
Icarus slowly turned his head.
Zeke was looking down at him with cold eyes while holding Roland.
The Black Sword Knights and Barbarians behind had already subdued the other Nightmare.
The situation had reversed in an instant.
Icarus looked at Zeke in disbelief.
"H-how?"
Since Zeke had overcome a high-ranking Nightmare judge with mental strength, he could easily resist Icarus's hypnotic scent.
Zeke spoke while looking at the shocked Icarus.
"I already knew you were the leader. Your idea to reverse my plan was good, but you didn't realize that was also part of my plan."
As Zeke spoke, white light emanated from Roland in his grip.
CRACKLE!
Roland generated lightning while pierced through Icarus's body.
"ARGHHHH!"
Icarus screamed and collapsed.
Chains shot from Zeke's hand and wrapped around Icarus's body.
The now restrained Icarus couldn't accept how the situation had completely reversed.
Alicia, who had been pretending to be immobilized, easily shook off Sven.
Even under hypnosis, it was impossible for Sven to restrain Alicia who possessed the strength of a great warrior.
Alicia gritted her teeth looking at the fallen Icarus.
"Arrogant bastard, what were you going to do to me? Should I crush your head under my foot? Damn demon."
Zeke stopped the fuming Alicia.
"We can't kill him yet. We need to find out why they tried to attack Himonas."
Zeke gripped the chains binding Icarus and said.
"Tell me whose orders you followed to attack Himonas."
When Icarus trembled in rage at being caught and didn't answer, Zeke unleashed his holy light again.
CRACKLE!
"ARGHHHH!"
Icarus foamed at the mouth from the pain of his muscles contorting.
Zeke spoke to Icarus again.
"I'll ask again. Why did you attack Himonas?"
The holy light's power, antithetical to demons, was enough to break even the strong-willed high-ranking Nightmare Icarus.
"W-wait! I-I'll talk, please just not that...!"
Zeke nodded for him to speak.
Then Icarus looked at Zeke and said.
"We-we were ordered to find something while attacking Himonas."
"That's what I'm asking about, what was it?"
Icarus trembled as he spoke to Zeke.
"Th-the King's Tomb."
Zeke paused at his words.
"King? Which king are you talking about?"
When Icarus hesitated to answer, Zeke unleashed his holy light again.
CRACKLE!
"URGH! Pl-please!"
"Quickly tell me which king you're looking for."
Icarus looked at Zeke and said.
"We're looking for King Ca-Caligula's tomb!"
Zeke stopped his holy light at Icarus's words.
Then he looked at the fallen Icarus and said.
"You're looking for the tomb of Caligula, the Vampire King?"
Icarus nodded.
"Y-yes."
Zeke frowned at Icarus's words.
'The Nightmare are looking for Caligula's tomb. Does this mean someone in the Empire knows about Caligula's tomb?'
Just then, Liam shouted while looking up at the cliff.
"My lord! A demon beast has appeared above!"
Zeke hurriedly looked up where Liam was pointing.
He immediately recognized the identity of the demon beast that appeared there.
A grotesque demon beast that looked like a mix between a sheep and a wild boar.
'Taotie.'
Taotie, one of the Four Fiends, had revealed itself.