Chapter 152
Chapter 152
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 152
Chapter Title: Empire's Turmoil (2)
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Tarac City in the Tulk Kingdom was bustling with people as busy as ever today.
The number of monsters descending from the northern mountains had decreased, and with large-scale forces now stationed around the Steel Fortress, stability was slowly returning...
However, since the situation hadn't been fully resolved yet, mercenaries and merchants alike could be seen hurrying about on every street corner.
And naturally, among them was the Hubert Merchant House, which had swiftly grown into one of Tarac's largest trading firms.
"...Then handle that matter accordingly. What about the appraisal results for the gems I entrusted earlier?"
In the office of the Hubert Merchant House's spacious new building, Hubert—who had recently returned from long-term recuperation—flipped through documents and glanced at one of his executives.
"Yes, we commissioned appraisals from the Tarac Precious Metals Guild and three magic towers, and as you predicted, Master, they all reacted quite intensely."
Rumors had secretly spread that Hubert was already dead, but he proved them all wrong by diving straight into preparations for new ventures upon his return.
This time, it was distributing the 'Earth-made synthetic gems' he had considered before.
One might wonder why precious metals now, of all times, when society was in chaos—but for those who already had wealth, such items transcended eras.
'On the contrary, many will be liquidating other assets into easily storable precious metals for safekeeping. This is the perfect time to launch this business.'
The synthetic gems he brought weren't cheap imitations like cubic zirconia.
They were perfect gems—physically, chemically, and optically—crafted from high-purity materials under high-temperature, high-pressure lab conditions.
In fact, they had fewer inclusions than natural gems, making them exceptionally clean, which felt utterly alien in Outerica.
The appraisers from the precious metals guild had fallen into collective confusion over it.
'The value of luxuries is determined by their rarity. They can't be used as magical conduits, but that itself becomes a unique selling point.'
As if proving his point, even the mages were showing great interest.
To them, they were just pretty, useless rocks—but that very impracticality piqued their curiosity.
No matter how they examined them, they were genuine gems, yet their properties differed so vastly from anything they'd seen before.
"...So the magic towers, and even the precious metals guild, are aggressively pushing to buy them. Due to their rarity, they're a bit hesitant, though."
In short, the debut of these Earth-made synthetic gems had been a resounding success.
He had no intention of flooding the market anyway, and since he was the only one who could supply them in earnest in this world, there was no need to hoard them too tightly.
"We can expect promotional effects through them as well. For the first deal, proceed with negotiations offering a slight discount."
This premium product, sold in limited quantities, would prove quite profitable in expanding the Hubert Merchant House going forward.
Rare gems were ideal as bribes, after all.
'Of course, before that, I should present some to the owners of this land, the House of Count Aonia.'
It was thanks to Hari, but they'd provided various conveniences in the meantime, so a gesture of sincerity was in order.
Compared to the benefits he'd gain, the production cost of the gems wasn't that high anyway.
"Ah... and, Marvin?"
"Yes! Master, did you call for me?"
Just before the meeting wrapped up, Hubert's low call made the bearded man respond promptly.
He was the executive in charge of eastern expansion, credited with establishing even small-scale trade with the empire beyond the eastern border through relentless efforts.
"I have something to discuss regarding the empire. Wait a moment."
"The empire...? Yes, understood."
A true merchant never missed even the smallest opportunity.
And so, Hubert diligently fulfilled his duties as a merchant today as well.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ The long-drawn-out Continental Summit had finally concluded.
Of course, not all discussions were settled—it was merely the end of the first gathering—but the fact that the discordant factions had united in agreement held great significance.
Thus, the representatives began returning one by one through the gates in the grand temple.
However, one delegation received an unexpected stay from the Church...
The delegation led by Crown Prince Simon Carte Azerion of the Azerion Empire.
"What do you mean by that? Are you telling us not to return to the empire right now?"
"No, that's not it. We're simply cautioning that it might be dangerous for you to go back now."
"Hah—the destination is the Azerion Empire's capital, Jelon. You're saying Jelon is dangerous? On what grounds?"
A noble serving as the crown prince's advisor, who had accompanied him, pressed the grand temple's bishop blocking their path.
Unwilling to offend due to the opponent's status, he only furtively glanced at the crown prince glaring irritably from behind, licking his lips.
"Hmm, it's a direct word from the Saint. I don't know the details, but he said something unfortunate seems likely to occur in Jelon."
"What? So you're asking us to... based on one person's word."
"Not just anyone—the Saint. One who received a direct revelation from the Main God, no less."
The bishop's gentle tone sharpened slightly at the advisor's careless remark.
It had evidently touched a nerve.
"Ahem... I mean, if it's not a demand, then we'll just be on our way..."
As the advisor cleared his throat lightly and opened his mouth again at the unexpectedly strong reaction—
"I appreciate the concern."
The crown prince, who had been silently watching from behind, interjected with a cold voice.
"I am the crown prince of the empire, and Jelon is as familiar to me as my own bedroom. Even if issues arise, I can handle them sufficiently. If something truly happens, it's my duty to deal with it on-site. I don't think it's a matter for the Church to meddle in, do you?"
Crown Prince Simon disliked this situation entirely.
He had just received reports of the Church's increasing interference with the dispatched forces to the duchy, so their current behavior seemed like some political maneuver.
Of course, given the Church and the Saint's reputation, the warning wasn't entirely empty.
They must have sensed something to issue it.
But halting and hiding somewhere safe because of their words would cause bigger problems.
'It's different from being away for the summit. It could give Riley an opening if mishandled.'
Moreover, with his strong national pride, he was confident in the capital's defenses.
The empire had used the grand temple raid as a lesson, pouring total resources into fortifying the imperial palace with ironclad defenses ever since.
No matter how strong the Church was, the Azerion Empire was the world's undisputed superpower.
The territory it effectively controlled, resources, and population were on another level, and the defenses concentrated in the capital were akin to an impregnable fortress.
'Even against the Immortal King himself. Unless he brings his entire undead army, a small force like the temple raid won't cut it.'
Simon truly believed that...
But above all, his personal safety mattered most, so he didn't entirely ignore the Church's warning.
As a precaution, he requested heightened security beyond usual, pressured the capital defense forces, and mobilized additional escort troops.
Only after about a day, when all preparations were complete, did he cross the gate to Jelon's grand temple.
...All those efforts.
Were merely within someone's palm.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ ⚙ IMMORTAL KING'S UTTERANCE ⚙ Oh ho—worthy of the empire's capital indeed. Above a sea of clouds spread out below his feet.
Hans, cloaked in darkness that devoured even light, gazed down at the ground with deep, abyssal eyes.
Through the Eye of the Abyss, the defenses of the empire's capital, Jelon, were undeniably formidable.
Countless spells densely layered the central imperial palace—who knew how many resources and manpower they'd poured in—and the barriers radiating outward like spiderwebs from there were no joke either.
'They've even accounted for scouting near the capital beyond expectations. Getting any closer from here would expose me immediately, no matter how well I conceal my aura.'
He could evade the saintess's detection spanning the entire continent somehow, but concentrated surveillance like the city's barriers was impossible to counter right now.
The Immortal King's aura was too ferocious to suppress further.
'On another level from Tovea, the satellite city. Maybe that's why they invested so heavily in capital defense. Makes sense—it was just recently that a nearby city got ransacked.'
Additionally, the warning delivered through Heinrich in the Church's name must have played a part.
In a way, it was self-inflicted, but Hans no longer cared.
'I've made more preparations than usual myself.'
As this was a crucial scenario, he'd spared no expense from his stockpiles.
A grander scale left a stronger impression, after all.
'It's about time.'
Timing was critical too, but not an issue for him.
And finally.
'Time to begin.'
Hans plummeted from the clouds like a meteor.
Beeeep! Beeeeep—!
Dong dong dong—!
Alarms blared across the city simultaneously, but he accelerated unperturbed.
Woooong!
A tremendous energy enveloped and swirled around the entire city in an instant.
It activated countless spells in the blink of an eye, and the spreading halos beautifully illuminated the city like a chain reaction.
Kwaaaang—!
Right after, Hans's body collided directly with the barrier encasing the capital.
⚙ IMMORTAL KING'S UTTERANCE ⚙ Kuhuhu—Not bad, but blocking this body with such a barrier? Impossible. He tore through the sparking barrier effortlessly and surveyed the surroundings upon entry.
Beeeep—! Beep!
The first thing that caught his eye was the massive imperial palace at the city's heart, now an iron fortress from the densely activated spells.
A synergy of magic, shamanism, alchemy, and every ability imaginable—the epitome of Outerica's mystical achievements.
'How much money did they pour into this...? It's even more spectacular fully activated than I imagined. Even for Hans, breaking that would take considerable time.'
His goal wasn't to strike the palace directly anyway...
But passing by after coming all the way here would be rude, no?
'At least a greeting is proper.'
That way, they'd feel their investment was worthwhile!
With such warm consideration no one would appreciate, Hans quietly opened his mouth.
"Come forth. Entrascio, Herathos." At that moment, the darkness shrouding his body writhed, swiftly consuming the surroundings...
And from within, two colossal shadows tore through space and emerged.
🐉 DRAGON ROAR 🐉 [ROOOAR—!] [SCREEECH—!] Two true dragons roaring fiercely, whipping up gales.
But they were just the beginning.
⚙ IMMORTAL KING'S UTTERANCE ⚙ Then, Olivia, I'll leave commanding the rest to you. Entrust it to me... This girl shall fulfill the king's command to the best of her ability...
Undead army executives appearing one by one around him...
Kuuung—!
"Aaaagh!"
Puuung—!
"Get out of the way, quick!"
Explosions echoed from various parts of the city, black smoke billowing up.
The pre-infiltrated slaves... no, extras had begun their operations simultaneously at the signal of Hans's intrusion.
'That started too. As expected of the capital—more places to plunder than Tovea. Well, they'll have to survive on their own once done.'
Of course, survival just meant deployment to the next site, but with luck, some might last till the end?
Hope was always like that.
"Kuhuhu— Ahh, splendid! This is the prelude to ruin! Mortals, remember my name! I am the Immortal King, Hannibal Strauss! Kuhahaha—!" Thus, with impeccable timing and self-promotion.
The Immortal King personally invaded the empire's capital, Jelon.