Chapter 186
Chapter 186
Chapter 186
The Secret Societies Revealed (2)
Matheus's suspicion didn't last very long.
In the midst of battle, there was no way a commander like Matheus would have the leisure to entertain other thoughts.
Of course, all the tasks a commander should handle had already been completed by the Elysion units.
"Come to think of it..."
Matheus looked at Elli with a hardened expression.
"You're not human."
"...!"
"No, you're not even a living being to begin with. What exactly are you?"
At Matheus's words, Sonya, who was beside him, also hardened her expression.
She too had somewhat sensed it, but Matheus's single statement allowed her to be certain.
"Certainly, you can't be considered a familiar—you're neither a chimera nor a homunculus. You only appear human on the surface, but I can't sense any of the vital signs characteristic of living beings, like a pulse or breathing."
Elli lightly nodded at the two people's words.
"Yes, that's correct. I am a type of ancient golem called an android."
"...You're agreeing so easily that it's actually making my suspicions disappear."
"You two belong to the second-class associates designated by Master. Therefore, there is no need for this terminal to hide its identity."
"Just second-class... Considering how close I am with that kid, I'm starting to feel hurt."
Even though she said that, Sonya's expression didn't really show any hurt feelings.
"For now, I understand the fact that Rudian sent you two. Then I'd like to know the detailed cause and effect of how this current situation came about. If we're associates, you should be able to tell us that much, right?"
"Of course. That's why I, as the hive mind, came here personally."
Elli, who had nodded at Matheus's words, eventually gave them a detailed account of the situation from when she awakened until the present.
And the expressions of Matheus and Sonya, who encountered that truth, began to gradually harden with horror.
***
Even as the two were encountering part of the truth hidden in the world's underbelly, the bombardment by the Elysion units against the extraterrestrial life forms continued without cease.
"Complete incineration of all entities has been completed."
Only after turning the area into something resembling a desert for nearly 10 minutes did the extraterrestrial life forms become completely annihilated.
However, even though the battle had ended, the work of the Elysion units was not yet finished.
"All squads entered combat within the borders of the Morian Empire starting from 1 minute and 15 seconds ago. Currently, 24 squads have completed their battles."
"Currently, 252 squads have crossed the border. However, in the case of the Kingdom of Rohans, following Master's advice, retreat has been set as the top priority should combat with demons occur."
Rather than sharing information, it was closer to consolidating information.
The Elysion network with Elli at its apex was capable of transmitting information almost in real-time even when separated by considerable distances.
"Things are proceeding smoothly."
"..."
Even while the two people who had received the truth were in what could be called a state of mental breakdown, Elli was consolidating real-time updated information to grasp the situation.
"But according to Master's words, things won't continue to flow smoothly like this."
"...What do you mean by that?"
At Elli's words that seemed to suggest this was just the beginning, Sonya's brow furrowed.
"Exactly as I said. Among the summoned extraterrestrial life forms, only an extremely small number of entities possess intelligence. In situations like the current one, the Elysion units alone are sufficient to handle them..."
Elli's next words contained content that would chill the hearts of the two people.
"If they are in close proximity to or have already approached human residential areas, it would be nearly impossible to incinerate the enemy without damage using only the units' firepower."
"...!"
That very situation the two had also considered as the worst-case scenario.
"To minimize damage as much as possible, Master and his companions divided their personnel and departed, but how the situation will unfold is unknown."
Fortunately, during the summoning, most had chosen remote areas where humans didn't live in order to avoid the attention of those around them.
The problem was that even so, such a large number had been summoned that the dangerous situation remained the same.
"Master said this."
"What did he say?"
"If they have a conscience, they'll crawl out on their own, but there will be many who don't."
"...?"
CLICK!
Sonya was greatly alarmed when the muzzle of the Starlight Blaster pointed toward her.
"Huh? Hey! Why are you pointing that at me...!"
Each shot was a magical weapon that transcended common sense, rivaling 8th Class anti-personnel magic.
Elli calmly recited the order Rudian had given her while pulling the trigger.
"If such individuals exist, eliminate them without mercy... he said."
THWOOM!
"Hey, you crazy tin can!"
Sonya hurriedly drew up her magic to the maximum and cast a barrier.
Fortunately, there was no case of Sonya's barrier meeting the blaster's beam.
The blaster's beam passed by Sonya's side and headed straight toward somewhere in a direct line.
And.
BAAAAANG!
A powerful explosion sound that would normally be impossible began to echo from beyond.
"...Huh?"
"...Hmm!"
Sonya and Matheus also immediately realized that explosion sound hadn't occurred normally.
Since all the unidentified monsters had been completely annihilated, normally such an explosion sound shouldn't be heard.
WHOOOOSH!
A clearly unnatural whirlwind appeared where the Starlight Blaster had hit.
Elli pointed her muzzle toward that whirlwind once more and said.
"Stop hiding like rats and come out."
As soon as Elli's words ended, as many as twenty people revealed themselves from within the whirlwind.
"This is... much more intense than expected."
"Kuk! To think there would be something that dares treat us like rats..."
"Even so, we mustn't let our guard down. If it were just one, it might be different, but there are as many as thirty of those things."
The moment she confirmed the opponent's appearance, Sonya's eyes widened.
'To think I couldn't notice even though so many were hiding!'
Even though it was a place that was slightly sloped and visually suitable for hiding, that location wasn't very far from the battlefield.
And it wasn't just one or two, but as many as twenty.
As an 8th Class magician, Sonya should normally have been able to notice their presence, but the fact that she couldn't meant...
'Each and every one of them is an incredible expert!'
Though they were all composed of men, their ages ranged from young adults to the elderly.
The problem was that even at a glance, there wasn't a single one among them who could be taken lightly.
Sonya broke into a cold sweat and gritted her teeth.
'To think such people existed in the world... As Archduke Quihiller said, the world is indeed too vast...'
All of them were Sword Master level or above! Moreover, Grand Master level individuals were scattered among them here and there.
If they had belonged to any nation, the balance of the continent would have immediately tilted.
'What exactly is their identity?'
If there was one characteristic, it was that they all carried heavy armor and great swords.
"Who are you people?"
At Sonya's question, the middle-aged man at the center of the group grinned.
"...You don't know us? Duke Sonya Bluephil Bellatrix."
"I'm asking because I don't know."
At Sonya's retort, the middle-aged man stroked his chin as if surprised.
"Hmm, I thought you had commissioned them since those Celestial bastards were interfering so terribly."
As if he disliked thinking deeply, he shook his head and continued speaking.
"Well, fine. It would be strange to hide our identity from the actual power holder of the Empire... We are the Iron Guards."
"...Iron Guards?"
"Well, we changed our name after hiding in the shadows. You must have heard the name Bloody Iron, right?"
Bloody Iron.
It had been a while since she'd heard it, but it was definitely a name in Sonya's memory.
"Bloody Iron... you mean that group of murderers that existed 500 years ago?"
"Oh, how fortunate that you know of us."
"Wh-what kind of ridiculous... Then are you saying you're the legendary Mercenary King of the past!"
"Correct, Duke Sonya."
Bloody Iron.
Led by the mercenary king Maslan Kaibrek of that era, it was a mercenary group that possessed around thirty members. Though it had fewer numbers compared to its fame, each member could use aura, making it the strongest mercenary group of its time.
Of course, normally they would have remained as an ordinary S-rank mercenary group that dominated an era, but they were lucky enough to conquer an ancient dungeon and succeeded in gaining power from that dungeon.
The problem was that after they gained that ancient power, they went on a rampage without distinguishing between heaven and earth, and that's when their legend of infamy began.
"I heard you were designated as continental public enemies 500 years ago and were subjugated... but you're still alive..."
Hearing Sonya's muttering, the leader of the Iron Guards, Maslan Kaibrek, waved his hand as if embarrassed.
"Ah, of course we lost some of our brothers back then. But even with several nations banding together, they couldn't completely deal with all of us."
In the past, after gaining ancient power, they had all reached the realm of Sword Master.
No matter how they had gained power through irregular means, since a full 500 years had passed since then, it wouldn't be strange for many to have reached Grand Master level.
"So, what is your purpose? Why were you hiding in such a place as quiet as dead mice?"
Sonya noticed that the opponents definitely didn't have pure intentions.
GRIN!
Just as Sonya thought, Maslan bared his teeth and revealed his sinister intentions.
"Naturally, it was to send those monsters to North."
"...!"
"If the situation had flowed in a moderately tense manner, we were planning to strike you from behind and retreat... We never thought monsters worse than those creatures would suddenly appear."
Maslan's gaze turned toward Elli and the Elysion units beside her.
"Still, we've confirmed all of your abilities. Those firearms resembling muskets are threatening, but their maximum power is something we can sufficiently handle."
"So, what are you planning to do?"
SWOOSH!
Maslan and the Iron Guards members pointed their great swords and smiled coldly.
"Naturally, we must eliminate future troubles."
"With just the likes of you?"
"We are those who inherited ancient power. We're not stupid fools who only swing swords purely, you pile of scrap metal."
CRACK!
At that moment, Maslan brought his sword down vertically and sent forth a massive slash.
"...!"
At Maslan's strike, which was much more powerful than expected, Elli attempted evasion rather than defense.
KWAKWAKWABANG!
However, several Elysion units that couldn't evade in time were caught up in that strike and were crushed completely.
Elli calculated the combat power of Maslan and the Iron Guards from that previous strike.
"...Highest-tier Majesty level. Victory rate calculated with current combat power is 54%. Victory is possible, but complete annihilation of units is expected."
Even though the odds of victory exceeded half, if significant damage was expected, she had to increase her combat power further.
Elli immediately contacted Rudian.
"Master, I request the unlocking of 4th-tier siege weapons."
The answer came immediately.
-4th tier? Who did you meet that you need 4th tier from the start?
"The enemy introduced themselves as the Iron Guards."
-Ah, damn it. Of all people, it had to be those bastards?
Rudian's irritated words could be heard through the telepathy.
-No way. Even 2nd tier turns the ground into a wasteland, but 4th tier would cause too much collateral damage.
Except for the Starlight Blaster, all of Elli's weapons belonged to area-of-effect attacks, so they couldn't be used easily.
"However, if combat continues like this, there may be even greater damage."
At Elli's concern, Rudian immediately presented a solution.
-Don't worry. I'll send Rebecca to your location.
Rudian's laughter-filled words rang in Elli's ears.
-Iron Guards or whatever, let's clean them up properly this time.
With Rebecca's current power, she should be able to sufficiently handle even somewhat significant villains from the original work.
CRACK!
The moment Rudian's words ended, an ultra-long-range spatial movement gate opened around Elli.
And from that gate, a red-haired girl, Rebecca, popped out.
"...?"
The moment Elli saw Rebecca who had appeared before her eyes, she tilted her head slightly.
The expression of Rebecca, who had come as reinforcement... for some reason looked considerably unpleasant.