Chapter 94
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 94
Chapter Title: Deal and Command (1)
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Kang Sa-hu couldn't bring himself to respond right away to the Queen's request for a Necromancer funeral rite.
The Queen smiled faintly upon seeing him hesitate to answer.
"I understand it's not easy to reply on the spot. Even for a Hunter renowned across the world, performing the funeral rite for England's Queen would surely draw opposition from many."
The Queen took a sip of tea to wet her throat.
"However, while reviewing your entry screening results, I came across something intriguing. Sir Kang Sa-hu, your mother is a British citizen. And you yourself were once a British citizen as well."
"...Yes, that's correct."
Recalling how he'd once tried to retain dual citizenship but been denied, left with only his father's Korean nationality, Kang Sa-hu nodded.
The Queen smiled again at his response.
"Before the funeral rite, I wish to grant you British citizenship, along with a knighthood."
"...Pardon?"
Caught off guard by the abrupt declaration, Kang Sa-hu faltered, and the Queen added an explanation.
"No matter who you are, conducting my funeral rite requires legitimacy the people will accept. Oh, no need to worry about internal backlash. The Round Table Knights and I will handle that."
Her subsequent detailed plan made it clear this wasn't some spur-of-the-moment decision.
From public opposition to the royal family's outward image and Britain's international standing.
And even meticulously covering historical traditions to build that legitimacy—watching her lay it all out, Kang Sa-hu was struck anew by the reality of the woman before him as ruler of a nation.
No matter how great her power and authority, she couldn't wield them recklessly.
To make just one choice for herself, she had to weigh so many issues. Seeing that, he caught the faintest glimpse of how burdensome her life must have been.
"...That's the process I have in mind, but most importantly, I'd like to hear your thoughts."
Finishing her explanation, the Queen gazed steadily at Kang Sa-hu.
In silence, he retraced the plan she'd hastily woven together for justification and legitimacy.
Her scheme entangled the complex relationships of countless people, forming the foundation to realize her choice.
He couldn't assess its practicality without knowing the internals, but...
The fact that she'd devised such thorough details spoke to her ironclad will and resolve.
"......"
Gazing at the Queen waiting quietly for his reply, Kang Sa-hu lifted his teacup and took a sip.
"If I may humbly report—before coming here, I was ambushed by a smuggled Paladin."
It might seem like an out-of-left-field topic, but...
The Queen listened intently to his words.
"I've heard. Two Paladins—the Captain and Vice-Captain, no less."
"Yes. They were lying in wait for me in front of Stonehenge and attacked to achieve their own ends."
A faint, uncontainable gleam flickered in his eyes.
"This being Your Majesty's domain, and their target only me, it ended there. Still, it dredged up the horrific agony from seven years ago."
"......"
This time, the Queen's lips pressed shut tight, unlike before.
"Years have passed, and Britain now coexists with diverse faiths and peoples. Yet over half the populace still adheres to the Church of England."
Striving to keep his tone neutral, Kang Sa-hu cautiously met the Queen's gaze.
"Thus, should another tragedy like seven years ago unfold, I've agonized over whether the unbreakable bond between us Necromancers and the Round Table Knights might fray."
"...I see."
The Queen nodded solemnly.
Having worn the crown longer than anyone, she grasped his intent immediately, even cloaked in euphemism.
"The Vatican and Britain are indeed bound by ties hard to sever. Yet the Round Table Knights—Britain's historical bedrock, still upholding it from the shadows—share bonds with Necromancers that surpass even that."
Necromancer and Paladin.
And between them, the Round Table Knights.
Reflecting on those dynamics, the Queen—unlike in casual conversation—fixed Kang Sa-hu with heavy, dignified eyes and declared in a firm voice.
"Clashes between the two orders lie beyond our sway. But such bloodshed will never again stain Britain. Should blood flow in defiance of my authority and decree, the sword-wielder shall face the Round Table's judgment without escape. This I promise."
A vow sworn in the Queen's name.
Mere words, perhaps—but knowing a Queen's proclamation carried contractual weight, Kang Sa-hu harbored no doubt.
"I vow the same. When Your Majesty one day departs this life, I shall personally conduct your funeral rite—not to end in regret and loneliness, but peaceful repose."
Midday, with the sun high overhead.
In a spacious room, Adelaide sipped tea while gazing out the window.
Her eyes fixed on the sun-drenched pane, yet her mind endlessly replayed the battle at dawn.
The Necromancer Kang Sa-hu, seen again after seven years.
His skill—no spells cast—awakened abilities and raw physical prowess had pinned her and Adalberto down.
Recalling it idly, she narrowed her eyes at the ceiling and smiled faintly.
"Beyond expectations."
She murmured in satisfaction.
"Your read was spot on, Reina."
As she stared wistfully out the window...
The door to her room flew open.
Her gaze naturally turned that way.
Seeing Kang Sa-hu stride in, eyes blazing with thick, seething fury, her wistful expression vanished in an instant, replaced by a faint smile.
"...My. Even against foes, this is a lady's chamber."
"Lady, my foot."
Dismissing it curtly, Kang Sa-hu marched up and planted himself before Adelaide.
She watched him approach, noted no blood seeping from his chest, and smiled.
"Healed that wound already?"
No reply came.
Silent, sharp-eyed glare fixed on her, he spoke.
"Enough with the sly routine. Spill your true motives."
The blunt opener drew a bright smile from Adelaide.
But when her lips parted again, Kang Sa-hu's eyes widened in shock.
"Shall I? Mr. Kang Sa-hu."
"......"
He hadn't observed her long, but her prior actions rang false—this was her true face. Glaring, he pressed on.
"Doesn't add up for assassins to show solo with such meager gear. And you—you flinched when you slashed my chest."
"Yes, indeed. Never dreamed you'd skip armor in this world."
Her frank admission shifted Kang Sa-hu's expression subtly.
Amused, Adelaide eyed it.
"Wondering why Adalberto and I came alone? Spot on. Never meant to kill you from the outset."
"Then why bother coming?"
Adelaide beamed, finger jabbing upward.
"To thwart the will from on high."
"......!"
Will from on high.
The implication was crystal clear.
"...So the Vatican's finally coming for us after all?"
Gleam surged in Kang Sa-hu's eyes, sharpening to points.
Two horn-like flares jutting skyward—Adelaide offered only her inscrutable smile.
"Who knows. The Vatican? Not quite right, not quite wrong."
"More wordplay?"
"Oh, quite serious."
A bitter smile tugged her lips.
"Seven years back, the hardliner Captain launched the purge of Necromancer remnants. Total failure. That fiasco swayed the Cardinals' Holy Father election."
Seven years prior: the Vatican's Necromancer extermination op.
Three hundred Paladins stormed the stronghold, only for most to perish pointlessly, roiling Vatican internals.
Adelaide peered straight into Kang Sa-hu's eyes.
"They're fixated now on shepherding the flock through God's Gate trials. But once that's steady, they'll cry Jehoshaphat anew and march into your underworld."
Jehoshaphat.
At the term evoking divine judgment, Kang Sa-hu's eyes blazed fierce.
"Think those Paladins can take us down? On soil guarded by Round Table Knights?"
"No, not Paladins."
"...What?"
Stumped by the non sequitur, Kang Sa-hu paused. Adelaide wagged her head.
"God's instruments must be flawless. They can't crumble before evil without delivering judgment."
Her words sowed confusion in him.
Before he could speak, the thrum of a helicopter touching down echoed—come to fetch him.
Paladins disembarking came into view.
"Time's short. Even spilling this, not everyone's on board. Hardliners among Paladins especially."
Her pace quickened; Kang Sa-hu flicked a glance at the window.
Adelaide sat primly, unblinking eyes locked on his.
"Siblings arriving won't spring my detention right away. While I'm here, Paladins won't unsheathe against you. Captain's authority alone moves them."
"And non-Paladin factions?"
Her face shadowed at the query.
"...Can't promise. My certainty? At least three months' grace."
"Why three months?"
"Gates and monsters."
Succinct reply.
"Classified, but a mighty beast's holed up in Rome's Pantheon. Prioritizes human prey, won't emerge. Vatican-adjacent and formidable—forces slaying it are slated for three months."
"...A monster? Gate Break hit, and they still haven't cleared it?"
His baffled question drew a sad headshake.
"A monstrosity of nightmarish power. Grand, wicked epithet to boot. Five S-rank Hunters faithful to the Church tried and failed."
A monster with an epithet.
Fresh intel lit Kang Sa-hu's eyes.
"What epithet?"
Gazing down at the Paladins—post-helo greetings exchanged, hastening toward the manor—she smirked.
"Blasphemous even from these lips, but no point hiding now."
She swept back her green locks, turning to him.
"I'll say it. Lest misunderstanding—no jest, no prank. This monster truly bore such a name."
Dragging it out amid urgency—what moniker could it be?
Frustrated, Kang Sa-hu stared as she finally uttered it.
The dread beast no dispatched S-rank could fell.
"Hell Baron Elibefar."
"...What?"
His eyes bulged at 'Hell Baron.'
"S-rank, or so they say."
Adelaide wrapped up with a wry look.