Chapter 25
Chapter 25
Chapter 25
The Main Characters of the Superhuman War (3)
After searching through the area for a while, Rudian was finally able to locate Elvin and his group with Adi's help.
'...Found them.'
As expected, Elvin wasn't alone.
Three other men and women were also with Elvin.
'Adi, can you sense it?'
Despite finding his actual target Elvin, Rudian's gaze wasn't directed at him.
Instead, his eyes were fixed on the delicate blonde woman standing right next to him.
-Yes, I can sense it.
Adi also seemed to understand Rudian's words and let out an admiring exclamation.
-Would you call something like that a mutant?
It was clear that even Diablo was showing signs of considerable surprise.
-To think that such an irregular exists in this era, this is rather unexpected?
Even Diablo, the primordial Demon King, was impressed, so there was no need to further elaborate on how remarkable the other person's capabilities were.
Rudian spoke her name aloud.
"Maria Kepler."
The strongest psychic in human history.
At first glance, one might mistake her for a delicate noble lady.
But she was an anomaly who had claimed the position of final boss for an entire chapter in , a world full of all kinds of overpowered characters.
"Diablo, is the concealment perfect?"
-Hmm, naturally this would be one of my powers, so what need is there to ask... Is what I'd like to say, but in this case, I think it's better to be cautious.
If even Diablo was saying this, it seemed advisable to keep a distance and approach carefully.
'That place is definitely within the Morte Family's territory. And the master of that family is... Viscount Gude von Belstad.'
Gude von Belstad.
He was merely an insignificant extra who had already died in the original work with little significance.
But at this past point in time, he was someone who ranked as the number one priority Rudian needed to eliminate.
***
Unaware that Rudian was stalking them,
Elvin's group was accomplishing the purpose of their late-night excursion.
"Found it."
"The location?"
"El Granhart Theater."
"...So that fellow was indeed involved?"
Viscount Belstad was from the upper class, but as such, he had financial mobilization capabilities no less than those of a great noble.
"Has the demon race already extended its reach to the Empire's nobles? Damn those wizards, they act all high and mighty normally, but they don't even realize their own house is on fire!"
Elvin muttered in a low voice, swallowing his anger.
In contrast, Maria with her calm expression dispassionately spoke about the details of the operation.
"It could be that the Viscount himself is a demon, or it could be someone else. The moment we make contact with the demon, I'll use this artifact to separate the space."
"What are our chances?"
"Referring to the literature passed down in my family, even if we're dealing with demon king level, we can handle it as long as the Demon Gate hasn't opened. Though if there are multiple opponents or if they can use their full power, it would be difficult..."
"It's unlikely that an actual demon king level being would directly descend."
If a demon king level being could use all its power, humanity as individuals would essentially have no way to resist.
The idea that four mere academy undergraduates would defeat such a being would sound insane to anyone else who heard it.
But they were serious, and they had confidence in their chances of victory.
"Let's hopeViscount Belstad is just a simple underling."
Viscount Gude Belstad had been the source of recent conflicts with the Psychic Empire to which they belonged.
Of course, the actual entities clashing were the Morte Family under his command or other underworld organizations, but after a long pursuit, the Psychic Empire had discovered the existence of Gude behind them.
And the fact that he was also connected to the demon race.
Using their noble status, Elvin's group smoothly entered the theater.
And they immediately began their infiltration toward the manager's office on the third floor, deceiving the eyes of the numerous spectators and staff inside the theater.
"...Our prediction was correct."
The lingering demonic energy in the surroundings and the smell of blood.
These couldn't be detected outside the theater where crowds gathered, but after crossing just one wall, a blatant smell of blood was stimulating the nostrils of Elvin's group.
"How has no one noticed yet when it's this obvious?"
Those sensations were becoming increasingly stronger as they moved upward.
The Luda siblings, sensitive to energies, were grimacing and complaining.
"They must have used magical treatment. I've heard that Viscount Gude Belstad wasn't just a simple merchant, but a brilliant wizard who was once designated as a successor in the Magic Tower."
"Then this place is essentially a wizard's workshop."
Maria calmly stated that they had entered a tiger's den, yet she was still smiling broadly.
Charging into a wizard's workshop unarmed was essentially suicidal, but at least for her, this was by no means a reckless undertaking.
El Granhart, one of the three greatest theaters in Nevan, at its highest floor.
The one who greeted Elvin's group was a manager in his early 50s with graying hair slicked back.
"Well, well, what brings the esteemed undergraduates of the Maha Empire Academy all the way here?"
"Viscount Gude Belstad, no need to play innocent."
Elvin stepped forward.
"Did you think we wouldn't know that you were behind all those lowly scoundrels who have been bothering us?"
"We...?"
Gude's lips curved like a crescent moon.
"So it was you lot who indiscriminately attacked and vanished from my business establishments like thieves...?"
"That's rich coming from someone who employed actual thieves."
In reality, Gude had hired unsavory characters from the thieves' guild and placed them in various locations throughout his businesses.
Elvin was mocking that fact.
"I merely employed them legally, mind you."
"How absurd. Do legally employed individuals stab people with knives and get acquitted the next day?"
"If they're innocent, perhaps they might."
Gude, who had been chuckling, suddenly dropped his polite speech and began emanating a fierce aura.
"Hehe, Kepler family, Luda family... For obscure merchant families without even a proper territory to dare meddle with my Seoris Union Commerce Association..."
CRACK!
"Even if the identity of the thieves turned out to be nobles, the damage we've suffered so far is by no means small. It would be best for your families to prepare for the consequences."
The moment Gude mentioned families, Elvin's composure, which he had maintained well until now, instantly shattered.
"Thieves? A minion of demons dares to talk about thieves?"
"......!"
As soon as the word 'demon' was mentioned, the Viscount's expression changed dramatically.
Gude, who had been thinking of this as merely a power struggle between nobles, realized that his opponents were of a completely different nature than he had expected.
"Well, so you came knowing everything."
"I'll kill you and eradicate all the demon remnants hiding in the region!"
A faint magic sword formed on Elvin's blade.
True to his reputation as one of the top students at the academy, his skills had already surpassed the Intermediate Expert level.
"I see, so your actions were meant to interfere with the grand plan...?"
Beads of cold sweat slightly trickled down Elvin's forehead as Gude's killing intent gradually grew.
Of course, while the pressure emanating from Gude far exceeded Elvin's expectations, he had the most reliable lord and sister by his side right now.
But in that tense standoff, Gude uttered something that broke Elvin's concentration.
"I'm not sure what you hope to accomplish with just five, but this works out well."
"...Huh?"
"...Five?"
At the Viscount's sudden remark, Elvin and his group's eyes momentarily wavered.
"......?"
Seeing their suddenly shaken appearance, even the Viscount who had spoken seemed puzzled.
The number of personnel deployed for this operation was only four.
Yet Gude was mentioning the number five.
What that implied was...
"Hello, seniors?"
SWOOSH!
At that moment, the gazes of Elvin, Maria, and the Luda siblings swiftly turned backward.
There stood a familiar brown-haired boy, smiling awkwardly.
"You, you are!"
Elvin's eyes, who was the first to recognize Rudian's identity, filled with astonishment.
"I thought I should join in. Of course, I'm not causing trouble because the senior abandoned me for three days."
But in Rudian's eyes, there was a subtle anger of someone who had been neglected for three days.
During the Second Heaven-Demon War in the main story of , Gude Belstad, who had risen to the position of Court Minister, was a famous icon of betrayal in the work.
Before the demons reorganized their battle lines and embarked on a full-scale invasion, Gude very faithfully divided the Empire from within.
And decisively, he achieved a tremendous accomplishment by assassinating the Empire's guardian deity, Sword Master von Delphione, Viscount and Duke Vincent Delphione, leaving his name prominently in a corner of history.
'I didn't expect to fight this guy already....'
-Name: Gude von Belstad
-Race: Human
-Age: 53
-Titles: Seoris Union Trading Company Head, High-ranking Servant of Demon King Asmodeus, Servant of Nightmares
-Strength: 13(+15)
-Agility: 10(+22)
-Vitality: 18(+32)
-Magic: 45(+60)
Total Combat Power: 4,070
Characteristics: Temporarily gained immortality through a servant contract
While his overall stats except for magic were inferior to Alec Hyuma's, he had tremendous additional abilities befitting a high-ranking servant.
'His magic is incredible? They said he was a high-ranking wizard, so that was true.'
SWISH!
While Rudian was examining Gude's status window, Elvin's sword was suddenly at Rudian's neck.
"How did you tail us?"
Elvin couldn't hide his bewilderment.
Even if he and the Luda siblings might not notice, there was one person in this place whose senses could never be deceived.
That belief was almost akin to a religion.
"No, before that... What is your identity?"
He felt like capturing Rudian and torturing him if he could.
But with a definite enemy like Gude in front of them, he couldn't afford to spend much time on Rudian.
"Are you an ally or an enemy! Choose one."
Rudian replied nonchalantly.
"I'm an ally. For now, one of my objectives is the same as seniors'."
"One of your objectives?"
Rudian's finger pointed toward Viscount Belstad, who was behind the group.
"The objective of striking down a minion of demons."
"......!"
The fact that Gude was a minion of demons was top-secret information that even the Psychic Empire had discovered through extreme confidentiality.
To their gaze filled with shock and disbelief, Rudian cleared his throat and said:
"I belong to a secret organization dedicated to protecting world peace, 'Adora'."
-...Master.
Adi looked at him with an expression of disbelief, but Rudian deliberately ignored that gaze.
Elvin and his group also had turned to sullen expressions.
Given the characteristic of the Psychic Empire operating in the shadows, Elvin had encountered many secret societies, but in his life, this was the first time he had met an organization that so blatantly proclaimed the title of 'world peace'.
"This is the first time I've heard of an organization called Adora..."
"It's not as large as your Psychic Empire."
"...You even know our name?"
Not only Elvin but even Maria's expression behind him hardened rapidly when the name of their organization came up.
"So, what do you want?"
"I'd like to make a deal, for starters."
"A deal?"
Rudian pointed at Gude with his finger and said:
"Seniors came here to deal with that guy, Viscount Gude Belstad, right?"
"...That's right."
"In such a blatant manner, here in the capital's busiest area."
"......"
"But even seniors can't kill that guy right now."
"What?"
Rudian's gaze shifted to Maria, who was quietly observing the situation behind Elvin.
"Demonic beings, especially those who are servants of a Demon King class, can't be killed by simple physical force."
"......!"
"No matter how powerful psychics seniors are."
For a moment, Maria's expression wavered slightly as her eyes met Rudian's.
Maria Kepler.
The fact that the Psychic Empire had sent her meant they were serious about eliminating Gude Belstad.
But no matter how much of an anomaly she was even now, compared to her counterpart in the main story, the current Maria was still in an incomplete state.
"Let me propose something before we make a proper deal."
"Speak."
To Elvin's cold one-liner, Rudian grinned broadly and slowly opened his mouth.
"Let me help you deal with that guy. In return, would you form an alliance with us?"
As Rudian spoke, his gaze was directed not at Elvin but at Maria.
"What do you say, Senior Maria."