Chapter 416: Bipolun (5)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 416: Bipolun (5)
“First question. Where did you learn black magic?”
“...”
“I think I'll start with your left ring finger.”
“I-I'll talk!”
As Kang Hyun-woo's menacing aura flared, a terrified Sefran began to speak.
“...It was three years ago.”
That day, like any other, he had been swinging his sword all night.
His inferiority complex toward his younger brother had become his driving force, so he didn't stop even when his palms were torn and bleeding.
And then, someone of unknown identity appeared before him.
“His face... I don't know. He wasn't wearing a mask, but strangely, I can't recall his features. I can only assume it was some kind of black magic. He made me an offer.”
“An offer?”
“...He offered to teach me black magic.”
At first, he naturally refused.
No matter how inferior he felt to his brother, Sefran wasn't foolish enough to trust a complete stranger.
Above all, as the eldest son of the Bipolun barony, he knew better than anyone what it meant to learn black magic.
If it were ever revealed that he had practiced black magic, he would undoubtedly be hunted by heretic inquisitors for the rest of his life, regardless of the reason.
Of course, as a noble, he might avoid summary execution, but that wouldn't change the fact that he'd be locked in an underground prison for life.
Even if he couldn't become the head of the family, he had no intention of joining hands with a black mage.
But there was one thing Sefran had overlooked.
The man hadn't been asking for permission in the first place.
-Gaaaaah!!!
With black magic forcibly injected into him, Sefran was initiated into the dark arts.
Hearing this, Kang Hyun-woo scoffed.
“For someone who was 'forcibly initiated,' your achievements are quite impressive. Just how many lives have you taken so far?”
“...”
It went without saying, but without talent, it was difficult to achieve much even with black magic.
Sefran, on the other hand, had managed to reach the 4th Circle in just three years.
Even though he clearly didn't have that kind of talent.
“Second question. How did you grow your power?”
“...I kidnapped vagrants off the streets and offered them as sacrifices.”
“Were there children among them?”
“...”
Sefran remained silent.
But there was no need for an answer.
Kang Hyun-woo's gaze turned ice-cold.
“Next question. What did the one who taught you black magic demand in return?”
“I-I can't say.”
“You must take me for a fool.”
Slice—
In that instant, dark red blood splattered through the air.
“Gyaaaaaaah!!!”
Having lost his left hand in a flash, Sefran screamed in agony.
“Since you've practiced black magic, you should know this well. Sometimes, a peaceful death is a mercy.”
Rumble—
Kang Hyun-woo's killing intent flooded the office.
Under its pressure, the barrier surrounding the office began to shake precariously, as if it would shatter at any moment.
Sensing that his words were no empty threat, Sefran frantically clutched his wrist, his face pale.
“H-He told me to betray the Grand Ducal family!”
“...What?”
At that moment, a heavy silence fell over the office.
Sefran watched Kang Hyun-woo's expression carefully as he continued.
“...He said that when the time came, I was to betray the Grand Ducal family, cooperate with the rebel army, and attack the capital. If I succeeded, he promised me stronger black magic and a ducal title in the empire.”
“A ducal title in the empire? Are you talking about the Eustaff Empire?”
“N-No. I'm talking about the Orsia Empire.”
“The Orsia Empire...?”
Tap, tap, tap.
Intrigued by Sefran's words, Kang Hyun-woo struck the acupoints around the severed wrist, stopping the bleeding and the pain.
Feeling much more comfortable, Sefran caught his breath.
“...Do you happen to know the justification the noble faction used for raising an army?”
“More or less.”
Orsia possessed enough national power to be called an empire without exaggeration.
However, the noble faction, dissatisfied with its current status as a mere 'duchy,' had taken advantage of the Grand Duke's collapse from a mysterious illness to start a rebellion.
This was the rebel army's justification, as Kang Hyun-woo had deduced from the information he'd gathered.
However, this was hardly a cause that would resonate with the common people.
Whether Orsia was called a duchy or an empire was of no concern to them.
All they cared about was being able to eat three meals a day with their families.
But a severe drought that had lasted for the past year shattered even that simple wish.
As a result, people began to starve to death across the Orsia Duchy, which had once boasted the largest granary in the south.
On top of that, there was the Grand Duke's absence and the unsettling movements of the Eustaff Empire.
Taking advantage of the chaotic situation, the noble faction raised an army and presented the people with a plausible-sounding justification.
-The Grand Ducal family is indulging in luxury and pleasure, neglecting the affairs of the state, and now innocent people are dying.
Those who had watched their families starve to death right beside them believed the noble faction's words without question.
And the rapid increase in the rebel army's numbers was thanks to the voluntary enlistment of the starving populace.
“Marquis Kailix, the leader of the noble faction, plans to overthrow the Grand Ducal family, establish the Orsia Empire, and crown himself emperor. But... it won't be easy.”
“Not easy? What do you mean?”
“Because the Eustaff Empire is behind all of this.”
Sefran himself had only learned of this fact recently.
On the night he was lucky enough to reach the 4th Circle, the man who had taught him black magic three years ago paid him a visit.
“...At first, I think he saw me as just a disposable pawn. But he must have been pleased with my progress, because he taught me more black magic and gave me various pieces of information. He told me that the Eustaff Empire was behind this rebellion and... Hmph?!”
Just as Sefran was about to continue, he suddenly clamped both hands over his mouth.
It was an action completely against his will.
Seeing this, Kang Hyun-woo instantly realized a prohibition spell had been activated.
“I'll change the question. Does the noble faction know that the Eustaff Empire is involved in this rebellion?”
“...Besides the upper echelons, I doubt they do.”
“And they're cooperating even though they know? A man who wants to be emperor is content with being another country's puppet?”
“I don't know the details, but... Marquis Kailix is no pushover. He must have an ace up his sleeve.”
“Hmm...”
Sefran's words sent Kang Hyun-woo into a brief moment of thought.
If his information was true, it meant there were a total of three factions involved in this rebellion.
At this point, it was hard to even call it a civil war.
“Then, the last question. Does the bastard who taught you black magic belong to Malefis?”
“?!!”
At Kang Hyun-woo's words, Sefran's eyes began to tremble violently. Seeing him break out in a cold sweat and refuse to answer, Kang Hyun-woo realized further questioning was pointless.
Kiiiiing—
“?!”
“Don't feel too wronged. This is the same feeling the innocent people who died at your hands must have felt.”
Overwhelmed by the oppressive aura radiating from the ink-black Aura Blade, Sefran forgot all his noble dignity and trembled like a frightened mutt.
In truth, Kang Hyun-woo hadn't intended to kill Sefran at first.
As mentioned before, even if he was a black mage, unilaterally executing a noble would be a considerable risk even for Kang Hyun-woo.
But then he learned that Sefran had not only kidnapped vagrants for human sacrifices but had also sacrificed children.
Now, he had more than enough reason to kill him, even if it meant taking the risk.
Vwoom!!
The moment Aura bloomed from Kang Hyun-woo's fingertips and swung in an arc.
“Tonight!!”
Sefran shouted desperately.
“T-Tonight! They said they're coming to see me tonight!!”
“They?”
“The ones you just mentioned, Sir Kang Hyun-woo!!”
At those words, Kang Hyun-woo withdrew his hand.
What was that saying? You can even squeeze water from a dried squid?
“If you don't want to die right now, you'd better explain in detail.”
“O-Of course!!”
Facing the murderous Kang Hyun-woo, Sefran swallowed dryly.
*
After my brief meeting with Sefran, I returned to my room and spent some time sharing the information with the other three.
Amelia seemed shocked by the news that the Eustaff Empire was behind it all, pressing a hand to her forehead.
Just as I was hugging and comforting the pale Amelia.
“I have come to apologize on behalf of my older brother.”
“...?”
Sir Leonique, who had appeared out of nowhere, bowed deeply to us.
I was taken aback.
“Uh... well, this is a bit sudden. Please, raise your head.”
“Ah, my apologies. My explanation was a bit lacking.”
To summarize Sir Leonique's words—he wasn't much of a talker—he was apologizing on behalf of Sefran for the disrespect he had shown us.
It wasn't something I was particularly concerned about, so I told him it was fine.
I'd already cut off his left hand and a few fingers, after all.
'Well... I reattached them for now, but I'm going to kill him soon anyway.'
Sir Leonique still seemed uneasy and repeatedly asked me to name anything I wanted as compensation for both the magical beast subjugation and his brother's rudeness.
But even so, there was nothing I really needed.
It's not like I was short on travel funds.
“If you insist, could you give me some information about the rebel army?”
“The rebel army... you say?”
“Would that be difficult?”
“Not at all. It's just a bit surprising. What kind of information are you looking for, exactly?”
“Anything will do.”
Right now, I needed quantity over quality.
“Hmm... Are you aware that the rebel forces are marching toward the Bipolun territory?”
“Yes.”
“Then this will be quick. This is probably information you won't hear anywhere else.”
He took a letter from his coat.
“This is a report from a scout team that arrived half a day ago. It says the rebel army has suddenly changed its direction of march.”
“What?”
...Changed their direction of march?
“Then where is the rebel army heading now?”
“The capital.”
“The capital?”
Sir Leonique's words left me speechless for a moment.
Even a newborn would know that if they don't capture the Bipolun territory first, they'll be vulnerable to a pincer attack during a siege on the capital.
And yet they're heading straight for the capital?
'...Are they insane?'
“Thanks to this, an emergency military council has been convened, so I don't have much time. I apologize once again for my brother's rudeness. I will see you at the dinner banquet.”
With those final words, Sir Leonique left the room.
But I barely registered his departure.
My mind was completely filled with thoughts of the rebel army.
'What on earth are they planning?'
If it were just the noble faction, I might have dismissed it. But knowing the Eustaff Empire was behind them, there was no way the rebels would change their course without a reason.
They definitely had a trick up their sleeve.
Either that, or they had something they were counting on.
'...Could it be?'
*
That night, I went to see Sefran as planned.
He greeted me with an expression that said he'd been expecting me.
“Th-Then, let's go.”
Sefran immediately left the mansion and headed for the mountain behind it.
I didn't know the exact reason, but unlike before, the other party had set the time and place for this meeting in advance.
It would be a lie to say I wasn't suspicious, but it was also an undeniable opportunity.
Following Sefran from a distance, I glanced up at the sky. It was an especially dark night, thanks to the thick clouds.
'Are we there?'
Sefran stopped around the middle of the mountain.
I used the Ghost Divine Art to completely erase my presence.
I'm not sure how much time passed.
Step—
'...They're here.'
I sensed a presence.
It was definitely not the gait of an ordinary person.
And since the family's knights had no reason to be climbing the mountain at this hour, it had to be a black mage from Malefis.
'I'll subdue them first, extract information, and then kill them.'
It was a hassle, but it was a necessary step to double-check the information.
If my opponent was a black mage, they might spit out false information even under torture. So, I needed to use Tam to absorb their memories and confirm the credibility of the information.
Just as I was staring in the direction of the presence, secretly raising my energy.
'...Huh?'
The figure that emerged from the darkness had a very familiar face.
Hair darker than the night sky, eyes just as dark, and a chest that looked ready to burst.
It was Melissa, the black mage I had encountered in the border city of Wavel.