279. Echoes of Shade (3)
279. Echoes of Shade (3)
- 1 -
The first official launch of the Union, and its first meeting.
The first meeting had ended, but the real meeting was only just beginning.
The personnel inside the hall had changed slightly.
Aiden en Cromwell, Adelaide Sen Leoper, and Edgar Sen Hilsa had left, and all available close aides entered and took the vacant seats.
Tok-gak.
Slowly, very slowly. A woman walked out from the shadows of the Shadow's heart.
With each step, the darkness parted, and light poured in through the cracks.
"Let us now begin the main meeting."
The mask of Philia Elskopf, which had been covering Yurena, vanished like mist.
Color returned to her pale skin, and her plain dress became splendid in an instant.
Seureureuk.
The black Shades writhed as if they were living creatures, supporting her from behind.
A magnificent throne formed in the blink of an eye.
A smile graced the lips of the Dungeon Lord Libertas, who sat upon it.
Taking in her subordinates one by one with her eyes, she was the very image of a queen who cherished her loyal servants.
"Report the situation in each nation again."
As soon as the master's words fell, Evangeline was the first to rise from her seat.
On both lapels of her attire, the insignia of the Countess of 'Gener' and the insignia of the Commander of the Hysen Expeditionary Knight Order gleamed as they hung.
It was starlight that announced her newly acquired authority.
"The Minor Kingdom of Kiza is stabilizing."
Currently, Kiza was effectively governed by Aiden and her.
This was because the original tripartite government, divided into three, had been dissolved, and the royal family had effectively become a symbolic prime ministerial government.
"The expeditionary forces of Hiscliff and Marcus have been disbanded and integrated into the Royal Army and Daniel's army, and I am currently doing my best to stabilize the populace."
Chancellor Cromwell was in charge of internal affairs, and Evangeline was in charge of military affairs—subduing rebel forces of nobles still loyal to the former royal family, and continuing civilian support activities that deployed the military.
To dispel the public's anxiety towards the army and the demon beasts, she was continuing various activities across all directions of Kiza.
Therefore, the politician whose name was most frequently on the lips of the Minor Kingdom of Kiza's citizens these days was not the Chancellor, but her.
It was inevitable that there was more talk about the beautiful female knight and commander who helped them in person nearby, rather than about Aiden, who had long performed well in the chancellor's role.
"Of course, all the 'Flowers' have been well-planted as well."
Behind these civilian support activities, the work to neutralize the dungeon mana detectors of all adventurer guilds in each citadel was being carried out in parallel.
Currently, most of the work in the central parts of Kiza, including the capital Kishuker, had been completed.
"I have been listening. You are doing well."
Libertas's gentle smile sent a warm wave through Evangeline's heart.
With that single phrase, she felt as if all the fatigue she hadn't even known she was carrying melted away.
Energy that wouldn't tire her out even if she ran for days and nights was contained in that one word of praise from her.
"How goes Leophere?"
At the next question, Elena rose and respectfully placed one hand on her opposite shoulder in a salute.
Her black-brown hair, almost completely black, fluttered in the air, and her blue-gray eyes shone coldly.
The libertine tendencies from when she was a man were long gone. Now, only thorough loyalty remained in her gaze.
"As already stated, Zenota's provocations continue, but everything is being managed stably."
Zenota was sending scouts disguised as mercenary bandit groups to the borders of Leophere.
Most of them were intercepted at the border, but occasionally those who infiltrated into the territory were quickly annihilated by Kamaya's vigilance.
The Harpies looking down at the surface from the sky, and the knights of Leophere who ran across the land as if flying, linked with them.
Thanks to this, Leophere's borders boasted an ironclad defense.
"Is it certain it's not Duke Driaz?"
"According to what Adelaide unnie's intelligence chief said, that seems certain."
At Libertas's question, Elena shook her head firmly.
"He has been stripped of his position as consul of the Zenota Kingdom and confined to his home. He will be in a very difficult position to exert any influence."
Libertas slowly nodded at Elena's words.
Her expression was still gentle, but there was dark certainty in her eyes.
"Then this attack is Zenota's will."
"That would seem to be the case."
Libertas's head tilted to the side.
The people clearly felt an elegant aura emanating from her.
Lowering her eyes slightly, she was silent for a moment. It was as if all the time in the world had stopped just for her.
Soon after, she raised her gaze and spoke.
"It seems I must send the next gift to Agares. Elena."
"I will prepare the army."
If Elena actively disrupted the north of Zenota, Agares's Demon Realm in the south would gain another opportunity.
An opportunity to gain land, kill the living owners of souls, and grow the dungeon.
And through that gift, Libertas would be able to obtain something she needed from Agares.
After passing over Evangeline, her eyes turned to Serilia Black next.
"Serilia. How are you doing these days?"
The diplomatic advisor of the Kingdom of Hilsa and aide to Edgar, the representative of the delegation this time.
As she bowed her head, her dark blue hair with a grayish tint, styled in waves, rippled.
"With the help of Lady Shue, Hilsa's borders have been stabilized. I would like to take this opportunity to express my gratitude for the assistance you have given us."
"... You should be thanking Master."
Shue replied with her red eyes languidly open.
Serilia smiled, bowed her head once to her and once to Libertas, and then continued.
"The Norn Empire has retreated, and we are currently negotiating the return of prisoners and corpses."
"There will also be soldiers whose bodies do not need to be returned."
Serilia nodded.
"The corpses of such individuals will be sent to Orbis soon. I will also store their souls well."
"Yes. I look forward to it."
A sense of kinship surfaced in Libertas's eyes as she looked at Serilia.
The light of understanding, which only one who had struggled out of a similar mire could possess, spread faintly along her irises.
Serilia Black was originally a noble of the Norn Empire, but through a territorial war and a life-or-death crisis, she encountered an ownerless dungeon core and awakened as a Necromancer.
However, that only served to defer immediate death, and did not remove the fundamental crisis of her life.
In the midst of that, with the desperation of grasping at straws, she sent her own skeleton knight to the Demon Realm to find someone to help her.
[I meet you for the first time, Lady Libertas.]
[Come in. I am pleased to meet you.]
That skeleton knight met Libertas, who was staying in the Demon Realm at the time.
In order to perform the pledge ceremony with Serica, it met with her while she was staying at the House of Baritra at the time.
Thus, Serilia was saved, able to relocate her dungeon, and finally survived to work for her.
So to speak, she possessed a past quite similar to Libertas's own, having gone from human to demon.
This was the reason for the kinship Libertas felt.
"How is the interior?"
"The dungeon surveillance network inside the Kingdom of Hilsa has been completely paralyzed. The adventurers are currently subjugating fakes disguised as dungeons, under the delusion that they are doing their jobs properly."
Serilia had entered the Kingdom of Hilsa when her dungeon stabilized and Libertas began conceiving the 'Solar Eclipse' plan.
That was already two months ago.
During that time, she had steadily planted Libertas's 'Black Flowers' throughout the kingdom, covering the eyes and ears of the adventurers.
"You have done well. I will bestow a reward soon."
Warmth permeated Libertas's voice.
As if receiving that transferred warmth, Serilia's heart grew hot.
Although it hadn't been long since she began serving, Libertas was a good master to her... and such a master's recognition was a reward more precious than anything else.
"Separate from that reward, do not forget to use forty percent of the corpses created in the war with the Norn Empire for your own growth."
"Thank you. Master."
Serilia's eyes sparkled.
Aside from personal preferences, that many corpses would bring great potential to her as a Necromancer.
"Now, two remain."
Thus, the gaze of the master who even paid attention to the growth of her 'Lady-in-waiting Dungeon Lord' soon turned to Amelia and Yurena.
To the Human Archduchess and the Half-Demon Queen.
"The demon beasts within Hysen are coming under the influence of Hysen's government one by one. I really didn't know there were so many of them hiding..."
"The attack on Norn's Arilit is also being prepared step by step. If we can secure a just cause, Queen Mother Echidna from the inside and we in Orbis from the outside will attack simultaneously and split Arilit in half."
Orbis and Hysen were places currently no different from being ruled directly by Libertas.
The two women's statements were merely to share the current situation with the other three nations.
"Now then..."
Thus, the talk of the human lands concluded, and what began next was.
The story of the other race spanning this world, the demon beasts and the Demon Realm.
"Dantalion is moving."
Yuran rose from her seat.
In her hand, a black feather fan swayed.
Her attitude was so calm that it was ill-suited for speaking of an immediate threat.
"Recently, his spy, Wepar, has 'escaped.' Of course, all of that is something she did 'on her own'."
"What information did you give Wepar?"
At Elena's question, Yuran grinned. Her five black tails swayed, revealing her continued composure.
"I let her know only as much as we wanted. Only the outline regarding the Solar Eclipse operation, and informed her of about half the lands we control."
"I am worried about whether Dantalion himself might move."
Nirvana, the Alraune of the Black Union Flower, said as her eyes curved.
Her naked body, which seemed both covered and uncovered by the Black Union Flower, held glints of light.
Even while speaking of concern, she still exuded a sensual atmosphere, subtly drawing the gazes within the room.
"Though he refrains from force and focuses on expanding his dominion, if he harbors genuine Frenzy, the continent will tremble in fear. He is the longest-living Archduke."
Having lived a long life, she knew well of Dantalion's stature.
Though she had simply failed to find a good master and thus hadn't been able to achieve proper growth over that long life, she was an existence that could easily have become at least a high-grade demon beast under the right conditions.
In fact, while serving Libertas, she had now become an elite-grade Dungeon Lord of a similar rank.
Esther answered with a calm face.
"He will clearly seek to meet Master directly. After all, he is suspicious by nature and does not judge anything until he sees it with his own eyes."
Nirvana had a look in her eyes asking how Esther, a human saintess, knew Dantalion's character, but Esther merely quietly directed her gaze at her own master.
Yurena asked with a worried expression.
"Won't it be dangerous?"
Saya shook her head as she spoke.
"Now that he finds it difficult to trust most of his close aides, he will try to face Master rather than attack. As he is someone as concerned with his own noble status as he is with suspecting others, he will not launch a surprise attack on the spot."
The faces of those filled with worry became much more at ease.
Though she appeared young on the outside, her words, as a member of the Tengu clan who were ancient Yokai, carried weight.
"Do not worry, my dears. The initiative in this game is still with me."
Seeing them, Libertas concluded the meeting with a smile.
"Above all, the plan is progressing faster than calculated, so there is nothing to worry about. It is all thanks to you all."
In her eyes as she looked around at her subordinates, warmth and clear affection shone.
"All thanks to you."
She emphasized it once again.
Having gained leeway, Libertas now did not hesitate to reveal her emotions.
"Ah..."
"Mm. Ahem."
Feeling that, the faces of the women who were not yet accustomed to her blatant emotions turned red.
In the case of those close aides who were more accustomed, they composed their expressions, but their hearts fluttered just the same.
"When the solar eclipse that covers that sky begins..."
Libertas whispered in a low voice.
Everyone in the meeting hall held their breath and listened intently to her words.
"We will have nothing to fear."
A light of the same color as her eyes flickered through her gaze.
A fleeting moment. Everyone shuddered.
Because the power of an Absolute One, the will of a Ruler, clearly emanated from her.
"Until then, let us all do our best."
Libertas's confident voice filled the space.
Even after that sound vanished, its lingering resonance remained for a long time, deeply engraved in all their hearts.
And thus, the real meeting of that day ended.
And immediately after.
"Master. Duke Dantalion's messenger has arrived."
Saya approached Libertas and conveyed the message.
Libertas smiled softly.
The shade of Libertas, which would cover the world, was only growing ever larger.
- 2 -
The villa of Baritra, built in the capital of the Demon Realm, Pandemonium.
There, Dantalion was watching a small woman revealing herself from the darkness.
"... So you are Libertas."
"It is a good afternoon. Dantalion."
As he looked at Libertas, who addressed him casually without any formality, Dantalion's eyebrows twitched beneath his mask.
To outward appearances, they were the two who appeared youngest among the demon race.
However, this was a meeting between two who were in reality amassing the greatest power on the human continent.