Chapter 445
Chapter 445
-----------------------------------------------------------------
>Translator: Ryuma
>Chapter: 445
>Chapter Title: Even If Bitten by a Wyvern
>-----------------------------------------------------------------
Even if bitten by a wyvern, you can survive if you keep your wits about you, right?
The anomaly that had erupted in the Sanctuary.
While it was highly likely the work of Salvatium, the scene unfolding before his eyes was too riveting to look away from.
So, to sum it up...
- Heh heh. Look here, Patriarch Kahazar. Why not take a seat? Didn't Hermit say he'd look into it? As a guest, you ought to follow the host's lead...
Parapus was slyly pressuring Kahazar.
- Patriarch Kahazar. Don't act rashly—sit down. Didn't Hermit say to wait? And from the looks of it...
- With our magic sealed, we'd best play it safe, no?
Count Taurus had crossed the line.
So, how did Kahazar respond?
- You mongrels... acting like people and piling on?
Considering Kahazar's usual affable demeanor up to now, the shock was something else.
Truly, eyes devoid of malice.
Pure, unadulterated disbelief.
The word "mongrels" wasn't meant as an insult. At least, to Kahazar, that's all they were...
Crunch, crunch.
Aster munched on the puffed corn he'd pulled from his subspace as he watched Parapus and Count Taurus.
They might have sold their souls to Decullan now, but they were still archmages by title.
Their pride couldn't be ordinary.
And now, having suffered such humiliation...
'No matter how prestigious their houses, he won't just let that slide...'
So, how would the two respond?
He watched with anticipation, and Parapus was the first to speak.
"Heh heh, Patriarch Kahazar. Your words were a bit harsh. I'll overlook it this once. Just mind yourself next time..."
Kahazar's voice cut in right then.
"If you don't understand."
"...?"
"What will you do about it?"
Kahazar gazed at Parapus with genuine curiosity. The emotion in those eyes was intrigue, and...
Pity.
Laced with a touch of disdain.
Parapus had spent his life in the imperial court—a survivor of its political snake pit, where one needed not just magical prowess but political savvy to endure.
There was no way he couldn't read those emotions. But the moment he did, Kahazar's voice drilled into his ear.
"Why the silence? What will you do if I don't understand?"
"..."
"Nothing to say? Of course not. Let me make it crystal clear, then. Understanding is the magnanimity of the powerful. So, what can the powerless do? No idea? Fine, I'll tell you."
Kahazar continued in a kindly tone, as if speaking to a child. But the content was anything but kind.
"'Submission.' That's it—adapt and obey. Got it? Do you know what you need to do?"
"..."
Parapus made no reply. He couldn't.
This humiliation... His smile lingered on his lips, but inside, he felt twisted up. Of course, such intense emotion was fleeting.
Parapus composed himself as he always did and offered a generous smile.
"Heh heh, got it. I'll keep that in mind..."
"While you're at it, one more thing."
Kahazar pressed on, eyes fixed on Parapus.
"If you're on a leash, don't flaunt half-baked pride. Knowing your place is one way to earn your master's favor. You can believe me—I like my dogs that way."
"I'll keep it... in mind."
"Good. And..."
Next, Kahazar's gaze settled on Count Taurus.
"Count."
"..."
Count Taurus didn't answer. He couldn't.
Unlike Parapus, honed by court intrigue, he couldn't stomach the humiliation.
As if he didn't know. "Dog," "place"... He was no exception.
But to Kahazar, Taurus's reaction was just amusing.
"Look at you..."
A scoff burst out.
Count Taurus's face flushed purple. Moments later, killing intent poured from his eyes.
"Patriarch Kahazar...!"
His roar echoed. The ambient mana surged in response, rough and wild. The magic circles dampened its full force, but to Kahazar—stripped of his magic—it was plenty threatening.
But then.
Slap—!
A sharp crack rang through the space.
"..."
Count Taurus blinked. His cheek burned. His gaze snapped left as he calmly assessed.
So.
He'd been slapped.
...By whom, exactly?
None other than.
Kahazar.
He'd strode forward and backhanded Count Taurus's cheek, curling his lip.
"Count, didn't you bow your head to Decullan? So why are you still holding your head high like some noble soul? What, because your main house is outside the empire, you think Decullan can't touch House Taurus? Is that why you're so stiff-necked?"
"You dare...!"
Slap—!
Kahazar struck the count's cheek again. Taurus's vision flashed as he unleashed his killing intent. His core's mana roiled and lashed out.
Target: none other than.
Kahazar.
To kill this insolent fool...
"Enough."
"..."
Count Taurus froze and turned toward the voice. He blinked in stunned disbelief.
The voice belonged to Pahren.
"Why..."
A weak murmur escaped him. Kahazar chuckled and shook his head.
Pahren's voice followed right away.
"Count Taurus, you would do well to heed Patriarch Kahazar's advice."
What did that mean?
- If you're on a leash, don't flaunt half-baked pride. Knowing your place is one way to earn your master's favor.
Know your place.
In other words: don't get cocky.
Count Taurus stared at Pahren in dismay, then... very slowly... nodded.
And.
Thud.
He collapsed to his knees and murmured softly.
"I'll... keep it in mind."
His eyes rippled vacantly as Kahazar patted his shoulder and returned to his seat. Sitting down, he eyed Pahren.
"Nice for you. You've got some useful mongrels, Patriarch Pahren."
"They lack self-awareness, that's all."
"Tch."
Kahazar finally sat, clicking his tongue in clear dissatisfaction.
With those two idiots disrupting the flow, he had no choice. Still, he turned to Pahren.
"So, what does great Patriarch Pahren think? Oh, didn't we mention? Those ragtag Salvatium scum are gunning for the Sanctuary?"
"I recall."
"And?"
"Well."
Pahren pulled a cigar from his pocket and lit it. He exhaled smoke and closed his eyes briefly.
Savoring it, he slowly opened them again. It didn't take long for his mouth to open.
"Didn't you hear earlier? As guests, we must follow the host's instructions."
"So... we'll wait for Hermit?"
"What more reason do we need?"
"..."
Kahazar stared hard at Pahren.
Why?
What's the angle?
What schemes lurked in that black heart of his?
But oblivious or not, Pahren just savored his cigar. Kahazar wasn't the only one who sensed something off.
Aster tilted his head at Pahren.
'...What the hell's with this guy?'
Stalling.
For no reason.
Sure, volunteering to help the Sanctuary wouldn't fit his character—but blocking Kahazar and the keystones wasn't normal either.
Ignoring them outright would suit Pahren better.
'No way?'
What if Decullan, not Salvatium, caused the Sanctuary's anomaly?
That would make sense...
'...Bullshit.'
It didn't hold up to scrutiny.
Only the Hermits knew how to operate the warp gates in and out of the Sanctuary. Rumor had it you needed a special token...
Above all.
'What does Decullan gain?'
Decullan would sell even their in-laws for profit, but if there was none, they wouldn't care if those in-laws made a fortune.
Raiding the Sanctuary meant losses, not gains.
So why?
'There has to be some scheme...'
Nothing clicked.
What were they after?
Stalling for time?
'Until Decullan and their ilk assemble outside the Sanctuary? So they can take me down?'
Plausible, but something was missing.
Why...
Doubts mounted.
Time passed.
And—
Boom...!
The space shook again.
Screeech—!
The magic circles sharpened, pressure intensifying. Still no word from the Hermits.
Something must have gone wrong...
His eyes met Pahren's right then.
"..."
"..."
The two stared silently. Pahren's eyes remained impassive, but a glint of interest lingered. Aster stared piercingly.
To uncover what he was hiding...
That's when it came.
"Tower Master."
"..."
Aster looked at Pahren instead of replying. Pahren continued calmly, unconcerned by the lack of response.
But what he said was anything but calm for Aster.
"How about Reverse Heaven?"
* * *
Meanwhile, at that moment.
Deep underground in the Sanctuary.
Slash, splurt—!
Blood sprayed as a blade cleaved the air.
The Hermits' bodies fluttered like paper scraps. Elder Four wiped the blood trickling down his forehead.
Elder Nine spoke up right then.
"So, how much longer do we keep circling?"
"Two more spots."
"...Two? Isn't that too roundabout? Better to head to the core and grab the fragments..."
"Didn't I say? Eliminate all variables."
The variables: the observing archmages.
That was why Elder Four toured the underground control rooms, activating the mamemjin.
"Even archmages can't handle this level..."
"Enough. No arguments. Remember, you're here to assist me. Understood?"
"...Understood."
The two elders nodded grudgingly at Elder Four's firm tone.
They knew cooperation was key to success...
'Two more.'
Activate two more magic circles, and even unbound archmages would lose control of their magic.
And further...
'...Even Pahren.'
Elder Four's eyes gleamed with greed.