Chapter 24
Chapter 24
Chapter 24
The Main Characters of the Superhuman War (2)
'...The system of the underworld is quite well-developed here.'
Rudian was currently passing through the middle of an unauthorized entertainment district.
Though he was wearing a black robe instead of his academy uniform which could make him look suspicious to others, looking around, there were plenty of people dressed similarly to Rudian.
Due to the variety of characters gathered here, even nobles mired in alcohol and drugs were not uncommon sights.
-This isn't exactly a pleasant place. What are you trying to do here?
After stating he would contact a group of psychics, but merely wandering around without taking action, Adi's curiosity finally exploded.
'Nothing in particular, at least for now.'
-Huh?
'I'm searching for a tail using Diablo.'
Unlike the neighboring Kingdom of Rohans, the reason why the Morian Empire was still intact from the clutches of demon races was, coincidentally, thanks to the efforts of secret organizations including the Psychic Empire.
Since they had been building their forces in the shadows, the demon races who came in as latecomers were not able to easily expand their territories.
'But that also has its limits.'
Rudian, who knew the names and forces of major demons that had infiltrated the empire, was aware that when the main story begins, most of them would be pushed out by the demon races who would recover all their powers once the Demon Gate opens.
'But at this point in time, they must be fiercely competing for territory.'
The appearance of Kepler had completely derailed Rudian's plan to quietly build his strength at the academy.
'Diablo, even outside the underworld, can you detect collisions of demonic energy within the capital?'
-HMPH! What do you take me for?
Diablo snorted as if his pride had been hurt.
-Once I'm released from this sword, not just this pathetic city but the entire planet won't escape my senses.
Well, if you truly recover all your powers, that would be the case.
Fortunately, even though Diablo's senses were sealed, they still seemed more than sufficient to cover the capital.
'Directly confronting Asmodeus or other demon kings would be suicidal.'
But directly visiting the Kepler family wasn't a good idea either.
What Rudian was aiming for now was to naturally get involved in the territorial disputes between the Psychic Empire and demon races.
'Beings of that level wouldn't directly manage these underground forces. They're more likely to use subordinate demons or minions.'
Especially the number one priority Rudian needed to eliminate.
The one who even received validation from Alec Hyuma in Baran Village.
"If 'that guy' could just take the bait, that would be perfect."
After wandering aimlessly around the area for a while, several members of the criminal organization controlling this district approached Rudian.
"Hey, kid, what's your purpose keep coming in and out of this place?"
As the bite he'd been waiting for finally came, Rudian's eyes gleamed slightly, and he deliberately replied in a curt tone.
"What does it matter what I do?"
"If you're a customer, you're welcome, but if you're an outsider, that's a different story. You'd better leave while I'm asking nicely."
The man with a scar on his cheek standing at the front gestured with his hand toward behind Rudian.
The slight smile formed at the corners of Rudian's mouth, as he had expected something more aggressive.
"How kind."
"What, did this kid eat something wrong...!"
The expressions of the gang members who tried to intimidate Rudian crumpled.
-...That's being kind?
'Of course. Usually, when there's a suspicious person, they don't just end it with a warning like this guy. They drag them to a secluded place to kill them or subdue them to make them slaves.'
Anyway, it wasn't good to use force against someone who was kindly advising him.
Rudian placed his hand on the man's shoulder.
"Hey."
"What the hell is this bastard trying to... HURK!"
The man's words couldn't continue to the end.
THUD!
"AAARGH!"
The man let out a painful scream as his knee was forcibly driven into the ground.
But the pain starting from his knee wasn't the important thing for him right now.
With a trembling voice, the man asked Rudian.
"Si-Sir Knight?"
"......"
A grin.
Though it was just a simple physical enhancement without any technique that made the guy kneel, to these types, even this much was absolute violence.
Just the word 'knight' from his mouth made the man's colleagues who were about to rush in from behind hesitate for a moment.
Rudian asked him.
"Which family do you belong to?"
"Th-The Lohos Family, but..."
"Not the Morte Family. If it had been them, I would have separated your bones from your flesh."
"...HURK!"
-What is the Morte Family?
'They exist, the bastards that screwed me over. They're also the ones I must crush.'
The Morte Family was the name of the criminal organization that had contacted Calline in Iskar territory not long ago.
He didn't know why the capital's criminal force had approached Calline, a minor lord of a border territory.
But thanks to them, Rudian had been slapped hard by Countess Louisa and even dragged to the dungeon where Caslay Lichmond was lurking.
They were truly the source of a massive butterfly effect.
'I should definitely take care of them if I get the chance...'
Just then, a question suddenly flashed through Rudian's mind.
'Wait, come to think of it, why did they approach Calline in the first place?'
Although it was Calline who grabbed the extended hand, it was the Morte Family who reached out first.
'At this point in time, those at the top of the underworld are definitely demons. Even though they get swept away after Chapter 1 ends... At least at this point in time...'
At first, he thought the criminal organizations appeared because of Caslay's dungeon that Lion Hearts had conquered.
But it was certainly strange that they would risk approaching Calline, a minor lord.
'If I try to force it to make sense, they might have approached Calline to increase their followers...'
Or else, the demons might have been planning to wear Calline's skin and quietly take over the Iskar border territory.
Considering that countless such cases already existed in the Kingdom of Rohans, it wasn't an unlikely possibility.
"Hey."
"Y-Yes?"
The man who had been about to flee, knowing nothing good would come from getting involved with a knight, had to stop at Rudian's question.
Rudian placed his hand on the guy's shoulder again and asked.
"Do you know where the Morte Family's territory is?"
It seemed like he might be able to achieve what he wanted faster than expected.
***
In the Fourth District of the Morian Empire, the Western Commercial District.
"It's here, brother."
Maria Kepler, a third-year student in the Liberal Arts Department of the Maha Imperial Academy, stepped into one of the most famous commercial districts in Nevan with her group.
"Are you sure we haven't taken a wrong turn? This place is frequently patrolled by guards."
Elvin Kepler furrowed his brow, showing signs of suspicion.
This was an area filled with theaters, restaurants, and specialty shops dealing with magic items that even ordinary commoners found difficult to access.
"To think that demons would control such a street... Does that make any sense?"
Despite Elvin's doubts, Maria replied without changing her expression.
"Our intelligence network is thorough. When it comes to demons, we're linked with the temple, so it's reliable."
"Even if that's true, we can't cause a commotion in a place like this."
In this street, the surrounding people were mostly nobles, and if they acted inappropriately causing mass casualties, it would be impossible to clean up the mess.
But Maria smiled and dismissed Elvin's concerns.
"Don't worry. I've brought a secret weapon from our family to prepare for that."
"D-Don't tell me... You brought an Oparts-class artifact?"
An Oparts-class artifact would be designated as a national treasure even by the empire.
It wasn't something that could be handled by mere local nobles who weren't even dukes or Viscounts.
Elvin's expression showed faint bewilderment at Maria's shocking statement.
"There's a high chance those Four Great Magic Towers will notice! No matter what this is about, we're in a position where we need to move covertly!"
"That's exactly why I brought it out. We don't know what might emerge."
The moment the Four Great Magic Towers become aware of their existence, an all-out war between the towers and the organization would break out.
Knowing this better than anyone, cold sweat trickled down Elvin's forehead.
Elvin turned to look at the twin companions who were about fifteen years old.
"Your roles are crucial. You must find traces of the demons."
The expressions of the blonde twins, Nell Luda and Del Luda, turned solemn under Elvin's gaze.
"Of course."
"Leave it to us, leader."
The Luda twins possessed sensitive control abilities that could sense the energies of others even in the middle of a crowded street.
A power from a completely different system than magic.
As Maria watched the two concentrating to search for demonic energy, she let out a small sigh.
"As expected, the Luda family's psychometry is first-class. It's still a shame to have lost such talent to you, brother."
"Don't be like that. It's all for the purpose. Besides, you'll be leading everyone soon anyway, so what does it matter?"
The Luda twins, who had advanced to their second year in the Knight Department this year, were perfect bottom-tier students in the lowest 98% of their class.
Their physical bodies were also so frail, far from what a knight should be, that their growth potential had been underestimated early on.
But the reason they entered the Knight Department despite this was to support Elvin, who was aiming for the position of the Sword Master's disciple.
Though they lacked physical strength, the Luda twins had information-gathering abilities using psychometry and the social skills to actively utilize it.
Maria chuckled at Elvin's flattery and changed the subject.
"By the way, I heard that Karen's side acquired a new freshman this time?"
Maria, belonging to the Liberal Arts Department, brought up the famous incident that had spread even to her department this season.
Elvin nodded at those words.
"Yes, it's quite a topic since it's the first time it has happened since Lord Crux's transfer. It seems Princess Lucielle entrusted that guy to Karen."
"She does like Karen quite a bit. It's not a particularly good flow for us, but..."
"The princess isn't our enemy anyway. In the coming war, we need to recruit the knight faction or at least draw them to neutrality."
"What's the possibility that this freshman Rudian will shake things up?"
"...I'm not sure?"
If it's a talent that even made the Sword Master break the unwritten rule to bring him in, he's definitely someone to be wary of.
The fact that Karen suffered a setback while trying to test his capabilities recklessly shows his limitless potential for future development.
But if we're talking about the possibility of this Rudian overturning the current plans that Elvin and his family have laid out?
"He's just a first-year youngster. I'll be graduating next year. I'll be the one becoming the Sword Master's disciple. The outcome won't change."
"I see."
Elvin and Karen belonged to the Delphione Foundation and were competing as candidates for Sword Master Kaitel's disciple.
What Elvin should be wary of was not Rudian but Karen Leticia, whom he had been competing with for seven years.
'Come to think of it, I boasted about arranging a meeting soon, but what should I do about this?'
Although the family and organization's matters took priority, it had already been three days.
Rudian's feelings must be quite hurt by now, and it was a major breach of etiquette.
'Hmm... Should I ask Adel for help?'
Elvin frowned, pondering how to resolve the situation with Rudian.
"Do you have something on your mind?"
"Ah, no. It's just a personal matter..."
Elvin shook his head, erasing Rudian's existence from his mind.
Now was the time to focus on how to complete this life-threatening mission.
"Let's go."
"Yes, brother."
Elvin had no idea.
That far away, on top of a distant bell tower, the very person he had erased from his thoughts was watching them.