Chapter 475
Chapter Title: The Worst-Case Scenario
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475.
*Let's sort out the situation.*
Leo, having left the Tomb of the Defeated, was lost in thought.
*First, this nation is being threatened by the Justice Guild, and they're looking for the tomb of the Knight of the Netherworld.*
According to Crown Prince Jeremin, it was crystal clear that the Justice Guild was the one robbing the heroes' tombs.
*Second, the Grand Duke of Funerals is raising orphan soldiers in this country.*
This was the problem.
*Is the tomb-robbing incident unrelated to the Grand Duke of Funerals?*
The current Necro King didn't possess the authority to resurrect a hero who had wielded immense power in life.
Erebos's authority might have been powerful when he was alive, but not anymore.
*But I can't completely dismiss the possibility, given the fragment of Erebos the Necro King might possess.*
Before summer break.
The Necro King who had visited Lumerne to confirm his own existence had used a faint flame of Erebos.
*He might not be able to resurrect the fragment, but he could potentially wield it to regain the authority he had in his prime.*
If so, it wouldn't be impossible for him to raise a hero as one of the dead.
If that were the case, it was the worst-case scenario.
*Regardless, I need information.*
Leo arrived at a forest not far away.
Sitting on a felled tree stump, Leo took a small potion bottle from his coat.
He then poured the sky-blue liquid onto the ground.
The liquid, which had been writhing on the ground, began to crackle and freeze, eventually turning into something like a mirror.
And from it, an elf appeared.
[You called, O great God of Shadows.]
The one greeting Leo politely was the Master of the Northern Magic Tower, Algren.
Before being the Master of the Northern Magic Tower, he was also the Shadow Lord of the elves.
Leo looked at Algren and said.
“I need some help.”
[Yes, I will prepare at once and send someone.]
“What?”
With that, the communication with Algren ended without another word.
Communication magic leaves traces.
A mage specializing in communication magic could use those traces to eavesdrop.
But the magic Algren created left no trace of mana whatsoever.
It was the perfect kind of magic for the Shadows, who couldn't afford to leave a trail.
Its only drawback was the short connection time.
*That's why I was just going to give him the gist of it. To think he'd send someone without even asking what the situation is.*
Leo wore a puzzled expression.
*Does this mean he's already aware of what's happening in the northeastern part of the continent?*
The base of the elven Shadows was in the northern part of the continent.
And this was the northeast.
Given that he operated in the darkness, Algren was surely aware of the current events.
*Well, he said he's sending someone, so he'll contact me when they're ready.*
And exactly one hour later.
Algren didn't just finish his preparations; he had already dispatched a Shadow.
It was an incredible speed.
Leo greeted the elf kneeling before him.
“It's been a while.”
“You remember me?”
“Wouldn't it be stranger if I didn't? Anyas Begs.”
“For the great God of Shadows to not only remember someone as insignificant as me but also call me by name!”
Anyas, lifting her head, covered her mouth with both hands, her face a mask of profound emotion.
“Ahh! My god. My great and noble god. The god who remembers even my worthless name. Ahh, my heart is pounding so hard I think I might die. Hah! Hah!”
*I knew she was a little crazy, but it seems to have gotten worse.*
“How can your ruby-like eyes hold such a noble and virtuous light? Your pure white hair seems to drive away the darkness by its very existence. Haa… haa…”
Panting, Anyas spoke in a trembling voice.
“My god. Could you grant me one small request?”
“What is it?”
“Please, grant me just a single strand of hair, plucked by your own hand.”
“What for?”
“I intend to use it as a holy relic for the religion I founded.”
“What?”
“Look. I'm the only member so far, but I even made these.”
The flyer Anyas handed him had the words [Join the Church of Leo and Be Saved] written on it.
The back of the flyer was covered with pictures of Leo.
“This is insane…”
He could almost feel the madness.
If he let this continue, she might officially announce this Church of Leo or whatever and genuinely start proselytizing.
As Leo stood there, dumbfounded, Anyas spoke again.
“And I've also compiled a list of all those who have been spreading ill rumors about you recently, my god. Soon, a bloody retribution will…”
As Anyas spoke with motivated fervor, clenching her fists, her ears fluttered like wings.
“Anyas Begs.”
“Yes!”
“Don't make things like this.”
“Pardon?”
“The Justice Guild I'm trying to deal with right now is a cult-like group. I can't become the same as them.”
“B-But unlike those cultists, our church actually has a god?”
At her words, Leo replied dryly.
“Why would I be a god? I'm human. I'll say it again. Don't do it.”
“If you say so, Lord Leo, then I have no choice.”
Anyas's ears drooped.
Seeing her look as if she'd lost all meaning in life, Leo momentarily wondered if he should comfort her.
“Still, Lord Leo. Could you not give me just one strand of hair?”
“Why?”
“To add to my collection.”
*That was a pointless worry.*
Leo decided to completely ignore Anyas, who had rendered his concern meaningless.
“Anyas, do you know about the orphan soldiers that Duke Dotaren was raising?”
“Yes. You're talking about the private army he created by gathering orphans and training them as soldiers, correct? I heard that Crown Prince Jeremin recently transferred Duke Dotaren's orphan soldiers under his own command.”
As expected of a Shadow, she was thoroughly versed in the affairs of the northeastern region.
“Then do you also know that those orphan soldiers are connected to Tartaros?”
At those words, the color drained from Anyas's face.
“Is Duke Dotaren a pawn of Tartaros?”
Leo shook his head as he looked at Anyas, who had asked in a chilling voice.
“No, that fool probably doesn't even know he's being used.”
Seeing Anyas's reaction, it was clear she hadn't considered the orphan soldiers to be a significant threat.
The power of the orphan soldiers was immense.
It was by no means a military force a small kingdom should possess.
*If they grow up and become not just simple foot soldiers but a proper knightly order, they'll be strong enough to change the balance of power in the northeast.*
The fact that Anyas hadn't paid much attention to a group with this level of combat strength meant their existence had been perfectly concealed.
*That bastard Artkan is more than capable of it.*
“Unleash the Shadows and investigate this Duke Dotaren thoroughly.”
“If we discover the presence of Tartaros, shall we begin the hunt?”
“No. Report to me. If you engage recklessly, our own losses will be severe.”
“Lord Leo, do you know the identity of the demon secretly operating in this country?”
“It's likely the Grand Duke of Funerals, Artkan.”
At the mention of such a monumental figure, Anyas's shoulders flinched.
“Move carefully. He'll be wary of us, too.”
“Understood.”
As the Necro King's confidant, Artkan would know that Leo was the reincarnation of Kyle, the Hero of the Beginning.
*He must have anticipated that I would realize his presence the moment I came to this country and saw the orphan soldiers.*
But Artkan had not left the country.
*He's probably trying to gauge the extent of my current power.*
“Lord Leo. What should we do about the Justice Guild?”
Anyas asked.
“I doubt the Shadows were unaware of the Justice Guild. What has been the Shadows' assessment of them until now?”
“Opinions have been divided.”
Anyas narrowed her eyes.
“They have gained a reputation for instigating wars in conflict zones, not just in the northeast but all over the world.”
“And yet, the reason the Shadows left them alone is because they are neither traitors nor enemies?”
“Yes.”
Anyas avoided Leo’s gaze.
“The Shadows only intervene in matters related to Tartaros. Besides us, others who have seen through their true nature also turn a blind eye to their actions.”
The process by which the Justice Guild had grown its power was simple.
They would appear in regions rife with conflict and escalate the wars.
Then, they would resolve the conflict and be praised by the war's victims as if they had established justice.
That was how they had expanded their influence.
But the reason those who saw their true nature tolerated them was because the tip of their blade was not pointed at them.
“The Justice Guild is also among the most aggressive forces in the fight against Tartaros.”
The Justice Guild's blade wasn't aimed at them.
On the contrary, they served as a shield in the battle against Tartaros and, when necessary, handled their dirty work for them.
It was because of this web of interests that the Justice Guild had survived until now.
Even those who ostracized the Justice Guild couldn't rashly fight them.
The world currently lacked a focal point to unite everyone's goals.
*As long as these interests are entangled, it would turn into a civil war. That would be the very scenario Tartaros desires most. However…*
Now that he knew their true nature, Leo had no intention of turning a blind eye.
“Are you planning to deal with the Justice Guild?”
“Yes.”
“Shall I summon the Shadows?”
“No.”
Leo shook his head.
“If the Shadows get involved, their already poor reputation will only get worse.”
No matter what anyone said, the Justice Guild publicly advocated for justice.
Erasing such a group would undoubtedly give rise to new misunderstandings.
Just before summer break, Melina's declaration had granted the Shadows a status equal to that of heroes.
But even with the Dragon Lord's declaration, people's perceptions wouldn't change so easily.
“From now on, it's up to you.”
“Up to us?”
“Yes. I want the word 'Shadow' to disappear.”
“What?”
“Everyone who fights for the world is a hero. You are more than qualified to be called heroes. So I want to create a world where you are called heroes, not Shadows.”
“Lord Leo…”
Anyas covered her mouth, her face a mask of profound emotion.
“To think you dreamed of such a world… to think you were formulating such a grand plan…”
Overcome with emotion, Anyas clasped her hands together and assumed a prayer-like posture toward Leo.
“Please, let me worship you as a god.”
“Absolutely not.”
Just then, as Leo scowled.
*Swoosh-!*
An elf materialized from the shadow of a tree.
The expression on Anyas's face vanished.
“What is it?”
“I have a report.”
The Shadow bowed his head, his face urgent.
“A massive battle has broken out on the border between the Kanel Kingdom and the Petiman Kingdom.”
“Did the Petiman Kingdom's army launch a large-scale attack?”
As Leo rose from his seat, the Shadow quickly shook his head.
“No, sir. A single individual attacked the Petiman Kingdom's army, and the Justice Guild has responded.”
“For the Hero Guild to step in, they must be an incredible powerhouse. Who is it?”
At Anyas's words, the Shadow hesitated before answering.
“The individual currently engaged with the Justice Guild is presumed to be the Iron-Blooded Sorcerer.”
Anyas's face stiffened.
“The Iron-Blooded Sorcerer…? Tiar?”
It wasn't just Anyas's face.
Leo's expression hardened as well.
It was a name Leo, too, had seen in textbooks.
The elven hero, Tiar, the Iron-Blooded Sorcerer.
A great hero who had achieved brilliant feats in the war against Tartaros.
However, she was also a hero ostracized among the elves for creating excessively cruel magic with star magic.
And the era in which the Iron-Blooded Sorcerer was active…
*A hero from 1000 years ago.*
Leo felt his worst-case scenario had just become a reality.
*The Necro King… that bastard is resurrecting heroes as undead.*