Seeds of the Dark Flame

The dining hall was close by. It had been built nearby for the sake of Lord Medrup, who rarely took proper meals—or more precisely, for the two assistants who had to look after him.

Honestly, after his last duel with Nix, Lord Medrup had already reached a realm beyond humanity. Meals were no longer strictly necessary for him. Even without consuming any food, he could sustain his life indefinitely. It was similar to Bagloros’s “absorption,” yet on an entirely different level.

Because of this, Lord Medrup often skipped sleep and meals to immerse himself in research and experiments. While he himself was fine with it, it was pure torment for the two assistants helping him. That was exactly why the dining hall had been placed right next to the laboratory and research room.

Of course, being adjacent to the lab and research room meant countless barriers, purification spells, and other intricate magical precautions had to be set up—work that would have been more troublesome than building an entirely new laboratory for an ordinary mage. For Lord Medrup, however, it was easier than boiling an egg. If my memory serves, he had completed it all perfectly in less than an hour, according to what John once told me.

“I will prepare the meal now.”

Normally I would have asked John or Sarah, but they were likely out in the field, dealing with the invasions launched against various nations in Lord Medrup’s absence. That left me no choice but to cook myself.

“Ah, Lord Anak. Allow me to prepare the meal…!”

Gail hurried over. His attitude was far more respectful and deferential than usual—almost unnaturally so. For a moment it felt strange, but I quickly realized it was both gratitude for safely rescuing his master and a fresh awareness of the gap between us.

And in front of the master he respects, he can’t help but act like a young disciple.

“No, it’s fine. I already know where the ingredients and utensils are kept.”

Having to wait while being taught each item one by one would have been troublesome in its own way.

“Besides, I won’t be making anything particularly grand.”

Even though Lord Kainaknus had only just woken up, the potion had mostly restored him. Even without that, as the Dragon’s Ally, his digestive system could handle anything. Still, while complex treatment was underway on the other side, we couldn’t very well feast on a lavish spread here. This meal was merely an excuse to step away, so a simple snack was enough. Afterward, I could continue the conversation with Lord Kainaknus.

“…They really are remarkably capable assistants.”

The freezer and ingredient storeroom were stocked full of diverse, fresh ingredients that would have made any famous restaurant proud. Rowell and Aegina’s house also had a freezer in the basement, but more than half of those ingredients were things one would rather not mention. This place was truly an ideal pantry.

“……”

Faced with such variety, grand dishes I had wanted to try for a while flashed through my mind—though fortunately, I had neither the time nor the mental leeway to attempt them.

In the end, after some time passed, bowls of chicken soup—slightly larger than usual—were placed before Lord Kainaknus and me at the table.

“I’m not sure if it will suit your taste, but please eat.”

I had rushed the broth instead of simmering it properly, but even I had to admit the flavor turned out quite decent.

“It is delicious. You are skilled in cooking as well, Lord Anak.”

“I am merely embarrassed to receive such praise for such a trivial skill.”

I couldn’t help but speak with excessive formality. This was no ordinary person—it was Lord Kainaknus, the Dragon’s Ally. He had been my idol ever since I was a child, from the very moment I learned of my talent as a summoner. It would have been stranger if I hadn’t felt nervous in front of him.

“I had wished to meet you as soon as possible, but I never expected it would be under these circumstances. This old man has shown an unsightly display.”

Lord Kainaknus bowed his head once more.

“I thank you once again for saving me, Lord Anak.”

“Please speak casually. Compared to you, I am merely a much younger junior.”

The Dragon’s Ally, Kainaknus. The only living summoner who had formed a contract with a dragon. That alone proved the nobility and greatness of his soul, and his countless legendary exploits were on par with those of Rowell and our companions during the last great war.

Moreover, his fighting style—fighting alongside his summons rather than merely commanding them, and even surpassing them in combat prowess—was the very pinnacle of what every summoner dreamed of. For a summoner who could only order his creatures around while remaining powerless himself, it was the ultimate object of envy.

At that moment, my gaze happened to fall on Gail, who was bringing a spoon to his mouth. Come to think of it, Gail’s own fighting style was probably the result of admiration and respect for his master, Lord Kainaknus. He simply couldn’t reach that level yet.

And the same was true for me. No matter what summon I called forth, I myself remained hopelessly frail. Protected by ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠layers of summons and equipped barriers, I could only entrust the fighting to others. I could never truly fight alongside them.

Yes—neither with the summons who lent me their strength, nor with my companions.

“That is not so. During the last great war, you fought the Demon King’s army on the front lines alongside Lord Rowell. You are not someone this useless old man can compare himself to.”

“There is no one who does not know of the ancient pact between dragons and elves. A pact is absolute. From the very moment it was formed, it became an unbreakable law of this world. That is no reason for you to belittle yourself, Lord Kainaknus.”

It was not like the contracts or laws of insignificant mortals, which could be broken at the cost of punishment or consequences. This pact was absolute from the beginning—something that could never be broken by any means. Unless it was revoked by the great gods who had been present at its formation and all those bound by it, it would never shatter. Furthermore, the reason Lord Kainaknus was bound by that pact was because he had achieved the dream of every summoner: a contract with a dragon. There was no fault on his part.

“Hearing you say that puts this old man’s heart somewhat at ease. Still, the fact that I caused you trouble remains unchanged. Moreover, it happened because of my own complacency and carelessness.”

From everything I had heard so far, it had all been part of Urshis’s plan to lure me in. ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠It wasn’t really Lord Kainaknus’s fault. Besides, there had been a traitor involved.

“I had hoped to use your name to curb the Dark Temple’s activities, but I never imagined they would capture me.”

“You never expected Urshis himself would move, after all.”

That went for me as well. I had thought they were nothing more than summoners pretending to be Dark Priests, but I never imagined Urshis was directly controlling them.

“…By the way, that man called Alsh Unak—was he being controlled as well?”

As expected, Lord Kainaknus had noticed it too. Or perhaps he had simply seen it for himself moments earlier.

“I cannot say for certain. What is certain is that he was being used by Urshis.”

“I see.”

“More importantly, did you hear anything while you were captured? Plans, objectives, anything of the sort?”

Lord Kainaknus shook his head at my question.

“Nothing particularly noteworthy. Only that Urshis wishes to rule this world. However, within the dark flames he plants in his followers, his seeds are also cleverly hidden.”

“Seeds?”

Seeds? What did that mean?

“Those who accept the flames also harbor a portion of Urshis’s will. Though faint, the more flames they accept, the stronger Urshis’s will becomes…”

“…In the end, they become puppets controlled by Urshis.”

Yes. They were literally seeds. Not a simple soul connection, but an imprint carved directly into the soul. Little by little, very slowly. The more flames one accepted, the more easily one could be controlled by Urshis. The stronger one became as a Dark Priest, the more completely one fell under his control.

“Then Urshis still has many options left.”

I didn’t know the exact number of Dark Priests, but at the very least, those who had accepted the flames far outnumbered the ones we had seen at El Nergavil or the forest house.

As expected, it isn’t over yet.

If every one of them carried a seed, it made sense that they hadn’t been overly concerned about Alsh Unak’s defeat or the fall of El Nergavil.

“He still has plenty of cards left to play.”

I set down my spoon. The unpleasant prophecy that had surfaced in my mind had killed my appetite.

“The investigation into the summoners contacted by the Dark Temple has already progressed to some extent. If we continue, we will surely…”

But even Lord Kainaknus’s voice lacked conviction. Yes—if everything up to now had gone according to Urshis’s plan, then the traces and movements of the captured Dark Priests might also have been deliberately leaked.

Perhaps a few low-ranking members could be found, but we would never again so easily locate places like El Nergavil or the forest house.

“If that man regains his sanity, he will surely notice something.”

“I hope so.”

I had said the same thing to Lord Medrup and held some hope in it, but had Urshis not prepared for that possibility as well? No—if I were being coldly rational, it was safer to assume he already had.

And even if something did come out of his mouth, it would likely be information we already knew.

At best, he’ll simply say that I was the real target all along.

Whether he had been controlled or not, and regardless of how much he knew about Urshis’s plans, as long as he hadn’t lost his memories, he would definitely reveal that Urshis’s goal had been me.

It would be convenient if he claimed to have no memories while under control, but I had known from the beginning that hoping for such a situation was unrealistic. And if that happened, the facts I had been hiding would inevitably come to light as well.

Even so, I had brought him along—just in case, and to ease my own guilt a little. I simply couldn’t abandon him just because I didn’t want to reveal the truth. The reason I still hadn’t spoken up was either a futile hope that such a convenient situation might occur, or because I lacked the courage to confess myself.

—Coward.

As Lady Rofena had said, the Demon Commanders had been right to call me that.

Being cautious was better than being reckless. That was true in most cases. But was being cowardly better than being brave in most cases as ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠well?

“…It seems to be difficult work after all.”

I looked up toward the laboratory. I needed to shake these pointless thoughts from my head. This was no time to wallow in self-pity or melancholy.

As I had already said, the fact that Urshis’s target was me didn’t matter—aside from the emotional aspect. Even if Lord Medrup knew the truth, he would keep it secret from everyone else, including Rowell and Aegina, if that was what I wanted.

There was no need to worry about that ridiculous prophecy. Yes. Nothing would change.

“Lord Anak?”

At Lord Kainaknus’s call, I realized I had been frozen in place, still holding the plate I had been about to set down.

“Ah, I didn’t realize…”

Lord Kainaknus quietly watched me, my posture awkward. But he said nothing more. Without another word, he stood up and placed the empty plate down.

“By the way, who was the person standing beside Lady Elena and Lord Medrup?”

Ah, right. I still needed to tell him about Granbipra.

* * *

A fairly spacious room. Its walls were completely sealed off, and in the center stood only a small table and a single communication crystal. A masked man and three figures clad in robes sat facing one another.

“How is the Belpopu Kingdom?”

“There is some movement from the Third Prince, but he cannot act freely due to the king’s surveillance.”

“And the Secas Alliance?”

“Several nations are accumulating grievances due to the trade treaties, but it is still at a minor level.”

Though the mask hid his face, everyone could tell his mood was foul.

“…Even though a major variable like the appearance of the Monster Legion has emerged, no one is making a move?”

His voice was calm, but the faint anger and disappointment beneath it were unmistakable.

The masked man, who had even lost the influence he once wielded over Peltecheru alongside Raze, had no choice but to lie low for a while. Not only the hero’s party, but even the other leadership members were searching with fire in their eyes for the executive who had given orders to Raze. There was nothing he could do about it.

But the situation had changed. The sudden reappearance of the Monster Legion. Their indiscriminate attacks on various nations. It was clearly a major event capable of shaking the world order—and for the executives ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠of the High Assassin Guild, who held real power in the upper echelons of each country, it was an alluring opportunity.

“Yes. Because the hero and the Sage’s Tower are responding swiftly…”

Although the information itself was restricted, once a large-scale attack had begun, the news was bound to spread quickly.

People would feel anxious about the return of the Demon King’s army, and there were plenty of individuals everywhere who would try to profit from that anxiety. Their actions would surely sow chaos across all levels of society, and the already precarious balance of world affairs would begin to waver.

That was the natural course of events. And in such a situation, the masked man believed he could achieve the results he desired. After all, as long as the hero and his companions existed, there was no risk of the world being destroyed like in the last great war. Therefore, the key was how much one could exploit this crisis. It had seemed like a clever plan.

However, contrary to his expectations, the current state of each nation was one of perfect calm. Nobles, commoners, and even the royal families who knew the full situation were outwardly continuing their ordinary daily lives as if nothing had happened.

Even the nations that had been directly attacked by the Monster Legion were only taking minimal actions—restoring damaged areas and increasing defensive forces—while maintaining an astonishing level of composure.

This was all thanks to the hero’s party and the mages of the Sage’s Tower. Thanks to Medrup and the mages under the Sage’s Tower, the hero’s party could arrive on-site almost immediately after the Monster Legion’s movements were detected, and they had repelled every attack with minimal casualties.

In the face of that overwhelming martial prowess, reverence for the hero’s party was growing even stronger than fear of the Monster Legion’s revival. Furthermore, Medrup was using the Sage’s Tower to demonstrate his presence to the political circles and royal families of each nation, thereby preventing premature unrest.

His mere existence served as a deterrent. That was the Light Hero Rowell and the Yellow Sage Medrup.

“There is some movement, but no one dares to act recklessly.”

“…What about the movements of the other executives?”

“After the assassination attempt on the Summoner of Deception, they have all been desperately keeping their heads down. Moreover, their influence over the guild’s funds, branches, and lower-ranking members is gradually waning.”

The robed figures saw the masked man’s hands clench.

It was because the organization had grown too suddenly and become excessively bloated. What had started as a loose alliance of small organizations and mediocre assassins had reached this point through massive funding and support from high-ranking figures. It was not a group united by ideology or conviction, but one formed purely for profit. Furthermore, because it was not a single unified structure but literally a coalition, problems were bound to arise over time.

The power struggles among the leadership executives had already reached their limit, and the aftermath of the last great war had drastically reduced the number of top-tier assassins, weakening the organization’s overall strength. Even those currently classified as the highest-ranking assassins were at a level that would never have earned them that title in the past.

“…Well, fine. Even if that is the case on the surface, it does not mean there is no unrest beneath the surface. That alone is sufficient help.”

“Then what shall we do?”

“Make contact with the Third Prince of Sugriva Kingdom. That ambitious fellow will surely welcome contact with the High Assassin Guild.”

“But the Third Prince is lacking in both ability and noble support…”

The speaker suddenly stopped mid-sentence as an intense killing intent turned toward him.

“Since when do assassins voice their own opinions when given orders?”

“M-My apologies.”

He quickly lowered his head. It was behavior unbecoming of a top-tier assassin, yet there was not a trace of hesitation in his action.

“Do not forget. You lot only need to follow orders. That is why I placed you in the highest positions.”

They merely bowed their heads at the masked man’s words, unable to say anything. No matter how high his rank was, they too were top-tier assassins. Even though it was three against one in the narrow room, strangely enough, their demeanor carried a hint of fear toward the masked man.

“Then be on your way.”

At the masked man’s words, the robed figures hurriedly stood up and placed their hands on the wall. A hidden teleportation circle activated, and their figures vanished from the room.

…Do you truly intend to proceed like this?

Shortly after they disappeared, a woman’s voice came not from the communication crystal on the table, but from within the masked man’s robes. He reached into his clothes and pulled out another communication crystal.

“Of course. No matter how well the hero and the Yellow Sage respond, there is no way there will be no impact at all. Moreover, since the damage is not that great, it is actually the perfect situation to exploit. Even if not right now, there will surely be those who try to take advantage of this chaos. Even if I failed to secure Bagloros, I cannot let this opportunity slip by.”

But it seems you are rushing too much. The other executives of the High Assassin Guild and the Sage’s Tower are still searching for Raze’s backer. If you move too hastily…

“That is why I am using those useless fellows. They do not even know that I used Raze, and instead believe that I am investigating the other executives to uncover his backer.”

However, at present, each nation’s dependence on the hero’s party is increasing. If this leads to the hero’s party exerting direct influence…

“That will not happen. They have no interest in ruling. They may help the weak, but they will not dominate them.”

His voice held both certainty and a mixture of respect and faint mockery.

“Even if the Monster Legion has revived, this situation will end soon enough. And when it does, things will be completely different from when the great war ended. The fervor of victory and the sense of relief from the last war are already fading from people’s hearts. No matter how virtuous someone may be, as long as he is a king or a ruler of the people, he will ultimately prioritize his own country’s interests.”

The man stood up. His voice was filled with strength, and his posture was as dignified as that of an emperor.

“Destruction is the foundation for a new order. It is foolish to desperately try to restore the old order. The world has already changed, and at any given time, those who stand at the top are always a minority. What matters is who stands at the top. Is that not so?”

…I will follow my lord’s will.