Chapter 212
Chapter 212
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 212
Chapter Title: Jeron's Tribulation (1)
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The capital of the Aetherion Empire, Jeron.
Just a few months ago, this city had endured a massive calamity in the form of the Immortal King's assault, yet now it was impeccably restored, with not a single trace of that disaster remaining.
Not only had damaged buildings been repaired, but roads repaved and security forces bolstered as well.
The Empire had poured resources and effort into erasing every remnant of that day, and in doing so, Jeron emerged even cleaner and more orderly than before the incident.
However, no matter how cataclysmic the Immortal King's direct intervention had been—like a natural disaster—
the kidnapping of imperial heirs right in the heart of the Empire's capital was an unforgivable humiliation that could not be overlooked.
Moreover, the crown prince who had been taken was still missing.
"Welcome back, Your Highness. You've endured much representing the Empire. We'll escort you to the palace from here."
It was only natural, then, that security for her return after the first summit would be even tighter than before.
"I didn't expect Sir Starb to come personally. Even if the palace is some distance away, moving around inside Jeron—where security is excellent—shouldn't require it."
Princess Riley widened her eyes in surprise at the middle-aged man leading the group waiting at the main gate of Jeron's grand temple.
She had anticipated an elite welcome, but the commander himself coming all this way was unexpected.
"Last time, complacency led to disaster. Failing to prepare after that would make us more than incompetent."
And rightly so—he was one of the Master-level knights stationed in the capital.
The captain of the Imperial Guard, responsible for the palace's defense.
While the Royal Guard focused solely on protecting the Emperor, the palace—the Empire's most critical facility—fell under the Imperial Guard's purview.
Yet here was its captain, waiting personally at a spot over an hour away by carriage from the palace.
"Even if the Immortal King returns, we've prepared thoroughly to ensure Your Highness escapes unharmed. No need to worry."
Starb continued bluntly, bowing his head slightly.
He had been among those who fought the Immortal King directly, and his confident tone suggested ironclad preparations.
'Come to think of it, this guy fought alongside that incredibly strong old man against Hans. He was badly injured then, but he's fully recovered now?'
Hesperon, watching their conversation from behind, nodded faintly.
A few months had passed since then—more than enough time for a knight of his caliber to heal.
"Viscount Pristin? That's what they say. So please, don't worry too much."
Having heard Starb's assurance, Riley glanced back at Isea, standing behind her.
"...Understood. With this level of force, it would be inefficient for me to force my way in."
Isea nodded reluctantly in agreement.
She should have been with the hero party by now, but she'd gotten their prior approval to delay joining.
Still, considering her strategic value, the longer the delay, the worse it was.
'No spatial transfer in the capital, so accompanying them to the palace would take three or four hours round trip. I've already wasted considerable time—if I push it further...'
It would be unfair to her comrades waiting trustingly for her.
"Then I'll take my leave, Your Highness."
"We're always grateful for your service representing the Empire, Viscount Pristin. Please take care."
Isea exchanged smiles and a handshake with Riley, who clasped her hand.
She scanned the escort once more, then nodded subtly to Hesperon last.
He might not offer much combat aid, but excluding herself, he was whom Riley trusted most—his presence alone would help.
Though his roguish smile in response only heightened her unease.
"Then, Your Highness. We'll escort you to the palace. Please board the carriage."
With that, as she vanished into the temple to use the gate again,
the escort and delegation mounted horses and carriages, beginning their journey.
'Well, I figured as much.'
Hesperon scratched his head lightly inside a carriage far from the princess's.
A mere outsider of no special status couldn't ride with her—it was expected.
Riley could have insisted, but with her impending crowning as crown princess, avoiding scandal was wise.
'Hans isn't planning an attack anyway, so nothing major should happen. Even if trouble brews, there's a pinnacle knight, dozens of advanced ones, palace mages, and artifacts galore.'
His presence wouldn't change much regardless.
He'd abnormally progressed from novice to intermediate mage, but could barely handle one knight here.
'And that's only thanks to skills and stats.'
Leaning on the carriage window with the delegation servants, he gazed blankly at the passing scenery, lost in thought.
Before the main body fainted, he'd forgone unique skill upgrades for stats—now vastly improved in every way.
'The investment paid off with new skills too.'
Herculean Strength, from evenly boosting physical power.
Hypervigilance, from agility and senses.
Keen Insight, from intellect and reasoning.
Unlike Super Recovery from pure vitality, these compound skills had superior initial bonuses.
'Better than nothing for specialized avatars, but invaluable for someone like me without standout traits.'
They synergized perfectly with his already high stats.
Enabling what was once impossible—like his initial skill, Cord of Binding.
'Though I couldn't use it without learning summon magic.'
This skill, granting contract bonuses, had lain dormant since linking with Riley.
But with mental growth and Keen Insight, new potential bloomed.
On a whim for practice, he focused on Cord of Binding as usual.
A faint link sharpened, sensing Riley clearly in the lead carriage.
'Deeper focus reveals her condition or mood...'
But pushing further risked true perversion, so he stopped.
Still, mastering it could aid future summons...
'Hm? What?'
As he severed the link,
fragments of her hazy emotions flowed through: suspicion, puzzlement, faint wariness.
'Suddenly?'
His brow furrowed—these ill fit a peaceful return.
She wouldn't feel unease without cause.
Pondering, he focused deeper for clarity.
And simultaneously—
KABOOM—!
A massive explosion erupted nearby.
"On guard!"
Imperial Guard Captain Starb's command rang out,
and SHING—!
CLANG CLANG!
the escorts drew weapons, encircling carriages in formation, radiating sharp auras as they scanned all directions.
"Sir Starb? What's happening?"
"Cause unknown, Your Highness. It's dangerous outside—close the windows and stay inside."
From Hesperon's position, only the princess's carriage rear was visible, but Riley and Starb's voices carried from ahead.
Ignoring the commotion, he intensified Cord of Binding.
Unlike their voices, her dread was solidifying.
Then, her emotions shifted: bewilderment, surprise, joy.
Directed at him.
'...She senses me too.'
The skill strengthened bonds bidirectionally—not mind-reading.
Weak links let only he sense faintly, but stronger ones equalized.
'Maybe telepathy's possible someday.'
But later—urgently, her emotions conveyed intent amid the shock.
'Suspicious... outside...? The commotion? ...No? Not certain?'
Imperfect link, but he poured focus.
His growth shone; mutual compliance stabilized Cord of Binding rapidly.
BOOM—! KABOOM—!
Amid successive blasts, distant screams confirmed trouble.
"Don't act rashly—stay vigilant! An attack here today targets Her Highness! Suspect everything approaching!"
Starb, weapon drawn, bellowed, entering the formation to guard the princess's carriage and mages.
'Wait—surely they don't suspect...'
Keywords sparked Hesperon's thoughts.
All senses flared in Hypervigilance, absorbing data.
Intermediate mage level, but specs defied norms.
Keen Insight extracted anomalies from the influx.
'This feels... off.'
Subtle discord—overlooked without suspicion—in the escorts.
Common without coordination, not definitive.
'If they weren't the Empire's elites.'
Alert surged, crisis bells rang.
Before action—
the situation escalated instantly.
SHWOOOSH—
In slowed time, one sword-flash beautifully slashed the air.
Admiring the "slowness,"
CRUNCH! CRACK!
SPLOOSH—!
red blossoms slowly bloomed where the aura passed.
And with that alone—
no living mages remained around that man—Starb.
'Ah, damn! Why do bad hunches always hit?'
Protective barriers and artifacts meant nothing against a top pinnacle knight's ambush.
Worse, it didn't end there.
Numerous auras, slightly delayed, pierced comrades'—former comrades'—bodies simultaneously.
STAB—
"Gahk!"
SLASH—!
"Kuh, what treachery...!"
Some endured or reacted knightly, but it barely mattered.
Many died, survivors outnumbered by traitors.
"Gahk! Captain, why...!"
"You should have joined me sooner."
Above all, Starb—the Imperial Guard Captain—stood with them.
He'd eliminated all mages save accomplices, then mercilessly skewered his subordinates.
💬 Mind Hub — Hannibal Strauss This is bad. Avatar death is a huge loss. Escape at least—you. Your grown Hero's Footsteps should work somewhat even inside Jeron's barrier. — Hesperon What about Riley if I bail? Any way out? If the Immortal King pops up now...! — Hannibal Strauss Impossible. Where do you think you are? Needs at least an hour prep. In accelerated thought, Hesperon sought solutions.
Main body unconscious—no reinforcements via portal, no emergency unsummon.
Time tight, barrier blocking other avatars.
'No way out.'
Abandoning Riley to flee via Hero's Footsteps alone...
CRUNCH—!
...Starb's vicious aura shattered the princess's carriage barrier with accomplice mages.
"Sp-Spare me! I'll cooperate!"
"Eek! I saw nothing! Please...!"
Worse, knights approached his carriage murderously.
— Hannibal Strauss You can't turn this with your power. Once more: abandon the princess and escape now. 'Damn...! That useless—!'
It looked hopeless.