Chapter 463
Chapter 463
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>Translator: Ryuma
>Chapter: 463
>Chapter Title: Council of Shadows
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An ancient fortress draped in darkness.
The former owners of this fortress were all dead, and now those who scorned its grandeur and worth had taken it over.
Step...
Step...
“Master, this place is as unpleasant as ever.”
A man accompanied by a somewhat naive-looking disciple. The disciple took pride in his master, regardless of the discomfort of this place.
The mere fact that his master could stride in here so boldly was proof of his lofty status.
“It’s fine now, but once we enter the chamber, don’t say a word or show any reaction. The ones gathered here could fly into a rage at your mere presence.”
“Yes… Understood. I’ll keep that in mind.”
The fortress was dilapidated yet majestic.
Though decayed now, it was clear it had once flourished.
“Um… Master.”
“What is it?”
“The one who killed Shurazjin… what kind of guy do you think he is?”
The man known in the world as Gregory walked with his disciple.
A master of shadows and one of the great powers of the current era.
“It’s not worth a second thought. Shurazjin died because he was weak. Keep that in mind.”
“…Separate from the traitor Jian, it must’ve been the work of those clinging to him. Did you see the shadow he left behind?”
“…I did.”
“It wasn’t an ordinary shadow.”
Swish…
Gregory held out his hand to stop his disciple.
“From now on, don’t say another word. The moment you open your mouth will be the moment you die.”
“…….”
Step...
Step...
Gregory approached and sat at the round ring-shaped table.
“You’ve arrived, shadow man.”
“Hekina-gong.”
Hekina of the Highwing.
One who acted human and spoke like a human.
Yet he was a troll.
The chieftain of the great Highwing tribe, worshippers of the Cloud Primal Spirit.
No one would question his presence here.
“I’ve said that title makes me uncomfortable… Do as you like.”
“I’ll sit.”
“I’m not the master of this gathering, so don’t seek my permission.”
Whooooom…
Whoooooom…
Whoooooooom…
Even indoors, an immense wave of mana pressed down like a physical force from nearby.
“…He’s here.”
“His mana is as arrogant and mad as ever.”
Boom…
A heavy thud echoed as if something massive had settled around the fortress.
Sssss…
Soon, the presence shrank to something incomparable to before. But the aura remained the same.
It was clearly the presence of a mad one.
He had entered the fortress.
“Hmm… Just the two of you?”
“Azanik, you’ve arrived?”
“Indeed. Who’s the human trailing behind?”
“My disciple.”
“Oh? I thought he was a snack.”
“Your jokes go too far.”
“It wasn’t a joke, so no need to mind it.”
Azanik glared with human-like eyes.
Soon, cold reptilian eyes scanned Gregory’s disciple before fixing on Gregory. The disciple trembled, legs giving out just from meeting that gaze.
Gregory, on the other hand…
Sssss…
Calmly met Azanik’s gaze.
“…Amusing. Truly amusing.”
Azanik knew few had ever met his eyes so ordinarily, and inwardly acknowledged Gregory.
As he took his seat, he spoke.
“Someday I’d like to taste your flesh. I wonder if it’s as arrogant as its owner.”
“I’ll take that as a compliment.”
“I came because there’s important business. But where’s Agras?”
“He’s coming.”
Step...
Step...
A plainly dressed mage pulled out a chair and sat.
“You’re late.”
“You knowing that surprises me.”
“I had some matters to coordinate. With the first plan already derailed, there’s no rush, is there?”
“Watch that loose tongue of yours… Do you crave punishment?”
“If punishment comes, I’ll take it after everything’s done. If you still care then.”
“…Agras.”
The great Agras.
One who transcended human lifespan.
Known for endless evil deeds, he had vanished so suddenly that many thought him dead.
But he lived on.
Vividly, clearly.
“First, thanks to all of you for responding to this urgent summons. Let’s start by sorting out the incident.”
The reason they had gathered so hastily.
“The Federation collapsed as planned. But as you all know, it’s only a half-success.”
“Did the plan leak somewhere?”
“No. Even if it did, it couldn’t have been stopped. This plan was unstoppable even if known.”
Circulate the new drug Hume mixed with the blood of the Three Giants to infect with Frost Plague. Detonate the infected to revert them into massive mana, then absorb it to revive the Three Giants.
Agras had been certain of success up to the midpoint. But when the infected showed signs of explosion far sooner than expected, he realized something was off.
“Someone intervened. They cleanly sealed the end of the Frost Plague.”
“What method exactly?”
“Not certain, but… probably tampered with the Frost Plague’s resonance. Felt like they merged with the resonance and manipulated the flow? Accelerated the explosion and then sealed it. Ha… ingenious method.”
“This isn’t the time for admiration.”
“It was an absurd opponent. Undid our massive preparations in one move. Enemy or not, have to admit it. Right?”
“…….”
Azanik was displeased, but Agras wasn’t wrong.
Even he couldn’t confidently claim to stop the Frost Plague’s explosion.
“Our enemies have bought time with this. Probably aiming for the Council’s collapse.”
“Cut the nonsense, Agras. You have countermeasures, of course?”
“Naturally. That’s why we’ve gathered so much Atromil.”
Agras rested his chin on his hand as he spoke.
“We’ve begun manufacturing Atromil bombs.”
“Bombs? The Federation’s already collapsed. What for?”
“To reignite the explosion of the frozen infected.”
“…….”
“Simply put, the mage who stopped this hung an impossibly sturdy lock on the infected’s resonance. Strength no normal mana reaction could break.”
“And… the bomb shatters it?”
“Yes.”
“…When will the bombs be ready?”
“Can’t say for sure, but ten days or twenty at most.”
Azanik scowled at the delay, and Agras soothed him.
“On another note, we’re preparing the direct revival of the Three Giants.”
“…What? Is that possible?”
The Three Giants were kings of an ancient era.
Summoning them back to the present was no small feat.
“There are those offering aid. Or rather, they accepted my request.”
Gregory, Hekina, and Azanik voiced doubts.
“A new ally?”
“Are they trustworthy?”
Agras smiled quietly, then called out.
“Come in.”
Swish…
Step...
Step...
A man and woman approached silently.
The man was a pale elf in black armor.
“Hmm…”
“Ho…”
An extraordinary power.
“From the Church of Eternal Life.”
“Church of Eternal Life?”
“Didn’t it die out after the Immortal vanished?”
“Even so, it remains a powerful group. And they hold secrets tied to the Immortal’s eternal life, so they’ll aid in the revival ritual.”
As the black knight moved to sit, Azanik spoke.
“Not you.”
“…….”
“I said, not you.”
“Whew…”
The woman behind the black knight removed her robe’s hood.
Flinch…
A beauty that stunned them all. The finest sculpture under the name of human, they thought.
“I almost sat there and left.”
“…Because we didn’t recognize you?”
“I don’t want to ally with those who can’t gauge their opponent.”
“What’s your name?”
“Silroy.”
Silroy.
An unfamiliar name.
Yet, something ominous about it.
And an unreadable power.
Clearly strong, but to what degree, unknown.
Grrr…
Azanik glared at Silroy with reptilian eyes, and she grinned.
“Let’s skip the hassle and get to the point. Your proposal intrigued me. Reviving the Three Giants? What then?”
“…You want to know that much?”
“Whatever, don’t tell if you won’t. We all have things to protect.”
“Your answer?”
Silroy laughed brightly.
“Fine! I’ll help revive the Three Giants.”
Afterward, minor discussions followed, and the council members dispersed one by one.
“Master, is allying with the Council the right choice?”
“…Their goals are merely my means. Likely the same for them.”
Gregory departed.
“…Is this truly our only remaining path, Babrashi?”
Hekina departed.
“The Atromil veins are taking root.”
“Hmph, one reason I haven’t killed you.”
“Oh? Then I’ll need more reasons to stay alive. Still… a dragon’s body is different indeed. Atromil seeps in without side effects.”
“Don’t love being your test subject, but this immense power feels good.”
“Once the veins complete… You’ll rule all the land, Azanik.”
“Better be. But why bring that troll along?”
“Their forces aren’t vast, but can’t ignore them. No better for checking the Baldur tribe.”
“Hmph… Fine. And… that Silroy…”
“Ah! What did you think?”
“No idea. Felt nothing from her.”
“Same here. But as a tool for the plan, no issue. Won’t be a problem later. Provided you gain great power, Azanik.”
Azanik and Agras departed.
“Thaliad.”
“I told you not to call me that? What if we’re caught?”
“…Silroy. What’s your plan? Why accept their proposal?”
“Ahaha! We’re using each other. Same for them, right? Knew from the start their ideals and plans differ.”
“The Three Giants… dangerous ones.”
“Ah, you saw them. How were they?”
“Worst tyrants. No direct ties to me, but enslaved all races.”
“Three Giants or whatever, doesn’t matter to me. In the end, the grandest plan will devour them all.”
“And that grandest plan is yours?”
“Who knows? We’ll see when the time comes.”
“…….”
The black knight asked.
“The reapers you mentioned?”
“Found them. Two.”
Finally, the black knight and Silroy departed.
* * *
Kang Seol struggled to control his emotions upon hearing the name Agras.
“Kang Seol, what’s wrong?”
“No… nothing.”
The yaksha within him raged at the name Agras. Kang Seol had to rein it in.
“I’ll tell you about the Council’s plan I knew.”
Jian’s revealed plan was close to the draft, but not much different.
“They plan to achieve two goals with one means.”
Hearing of the massive impact spreading from the Frost Plague carrier Hume, Kang Seol’s group was shocked.
“…We must inform Ur before it’s too late.”
“Huh? Oh… yeah.”
“First things first.”
Kang Seol looked at Sindio, who nodded.
“We’ll examine the ruins slowly. I’ll go deliver the news with Kang Seol first.”
“Huh? Yeah, that’s best.”
Kang Seol and Sindio retraced their steps out.
Kang Seol quickly scribbled Jian’s info on a note.
“Take it slow. …Hm?”
Sindio blinked at the sky.
“Reply already?”
A bird perched on Sindio’s hand, lifting one leg.
Kang Seol unrolled the note.
The first line wiped the expression from Kang Seol’s face.
- Ur is dead.