Chapter 111
Chapter 111
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 111
Chapter Title: Spear of Skana
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"Then I'll head in for a moment and come back out."
Altros stepped into the cave at the lowest level of the castle's underground.
Valtre stared at his retreating figure with a grave expression.
'What in the world is going on?'
How could he possess the token passed down only through the Tomoya bloodline?
The family precept demanded they first grant the request of anyone holding a fragment of Armet, leaving Valtre no choice but to comply.
But what did he intend to verify in this empty space...?
Doubt piled up on Valtre's face.
Altros, who had entered the cave, felt a surge of emotion, his eyes growing moist.
"It's been a long time."
He carefully scanned his surroundings and moved his steps toward somewhere.
He stopped in front of a vast wall and quietly chanted in runic tongue.
"Power of darkness..."
He spread both hands toward the wall.
Black mist rose from his palms like an aura, enveloping the wall.
Once the wall vanished as if trapped in clouds.
"Dark Eyes!"
With Altros's low shout, his pupils turned pitch black.
The thick fog cleared, revealing the wall's interior as transparently as water.
A straight spear!
It exuded nobility and overwhelming power.
Truly worthy of being called a 'god's weapon,' it fueled the flames of greed in his heart even more fiercely.
"You're still there."
Altros curled his lips into a smile and reached out toward the spear.
As black aura burrowed into the wall to wrap around the spear!
The spear blazed with blinding light.
"Where do you think you're going!"
Altros swiftly swung his hand.
The black aura coiled around it, preventing the light from leaking out.
The light vanished in an instant.
But it soon pierced through the aura.
"Damn it!"
As Altros grimaced, a resolute voice echoed in his mind.
-Get out!
"Your prickly personality hasn't changed."
Altros responded calmly, as if this weren't his first time.
-This is no place for the likes of you. Get lost!
"You still won't accept me."
-I uphold justice! Someday, I'll pierce that heart of yours brimming with evil!
"You're quite harsh to someone visiting after so long."
Altros feigned composure outwardly, but rage boiled within.
When he had ascended to 8th Class, the first thought in his mind had been this one.
He judged that with this power, he could surely subdue it.
The opportunity had come, and he had even revealed his hidden identity to enter here...
'Damn it! Someday... you'll serve me.'
His eyes gleamed coldly as he turned around.
But amid the disappointment, a relieved smile spread across his face.
'I worried for nothing.'
***
"Now explain."
Back in the drawing room, Valtre sat across from Altros and stared him down piercingly.
Altros smiled brightly and opened his mouth.
"You must be very curious."
"Where did you get the fragment of Armet?"
"Your question is wrong."
"Then?"
"What does it mean to hold the token passed down only to the Tomoya bloodline?"
"What are you trying to say?"
Valtre's eyes sharpened.
Altros met his gaze with a relaxed smile.
"It's from so long ago, you wouldn't know. Ask Notiang later."
"You... with her...!"
Valtre's eyes widened in shock.
"Ask her who the true heir of the Tomoya family was, and everything will become clear."
"True heir? What do you mean!"
Bang!
Frustrated, Valtre slammed his fist on the table with a shout.
Altros, far from flustered, continued with a smile on his lips.
"The world is full of secrets. But when the time comes, all will be revealed. So please, Marquis, don't be impatient. When the secret comes to light, make a wise decision."
"Hmm..."
Valtre suppressed his boiling anger and regained his composure.
Then, in a deep voice, he said.
"I don't know why you're saying this, but if I hadn't lived wisely despite being born a bastard, would I still be alive today?"
"You're right. If you'd fallen out of His Majesty's favor, you wouldn't be in this position now."
Altros rose from his chair and added.
"I hope to stand by your side for a long time, Marquis."
"What do you mean?"
"You'll understand if you think about it a little. Then I'll return to the palace and await good news. His Majesty also specifically said to bring your nephew, as he misses him after so long."
"W-What!"
Valtre's eyes bulged as he shot to his feet.
"As long as I'm by His Majesty's side, nothing unfortunate will happen, so don't worry. I'll wait outside, so prepare him."
With that, Altros exited.
Valtre stared piercingly at the door he left through, his clenched fists trembling.
He never imagined he'd take his son as a hostage.
To so blatantly reveal his intent to pressure him by keeping Bredy close.
If he refused...
"Damn it!"
Yet somehow, learning Altros was of the Tomoya bloodline brought him comfort.
Ruan Barotas was the one who annihilated the Tomoya family.
Bredy, on the other hand, was their sole surviving heir.
The Emperor wouldn't know Altros's identity, and there must be a reason for serving his enemy.
'I need to confirm it!'
Valtre also rose and left the drawing room.
A short while later.
Arriving at the building with the castle's tallest tower, Valtre walked somewhere.
Right below the tower was a door exuding a dignified air.
Standing before it, he showed slight tension, straightened his clothes, and took a deep breath.
Knock knock.
After politely knocking, he entered.
Warm sunlight streamed through a large window, gently enveloping the room.
A white-haired woman stood by the window, basking in the light and greeting him warmly.
His wet nurse and spiritual pillar, Notiang.
"Have you eaten?"
Valtre asked more politely than ever.
Notiang approached with a kind smile and grasped his hand firmly.
"Coming to see me at this hour means something important has come up."
She led him to the chairs and sat.
Valtre nodded and met her eyes.
"Today, one who holds a fragment of Armet appeared."
"I'm curious who it is."
Notiang felt anticipation mixed with an ominous premonition. Few held Armet's fragments, and none would visit at this hour.
Valtre asked with a serious face.
"He told me to ask you who the true heir of the Tomoya family was. What does that mean?"
"W-What...?"
Notiang stammered, visibly flustered.
"Wh-Who said that...?"
Valtre answered gravely.
"The man closest to Ruan Barotas had a fragment of Armet."
"Who was it?"
"The guardian mage, Altros."
"He's come!"
Notiang's eyes widened as if they might tear.
***
"Young Master, as you predicted, he took Valtre's son. Nothing seems to have happened since."
"Hmm."
Arthur's gaze deepened at Skevin's report.
Taking the heir as hostage was a major event in itself, but why accompany him all the way with Altros?
Though it was for the Magic Tower, something told him there was another reason.
Above all, it was suspicious how readily he'd sent his heir.
Even with the Emperor holding leverage, Arthur couldn't understand Valtre's actions.
In any case, the deeper the rift between the two factions, the more advantageous for him.
He also confirmed the Emperor was greatly wary of Marquis Valtre.
The Emperor would want to end the war with him swiftly.
'I can't let my guard down.'
As Arthur set a resolute expression, a knock sounded, and Millerph entered.
Seeing him immediately brought Blyzan to mind.
"He woke up?"
Millerph smiled and bowed his head.
"He's looking for you, Young Master."
Arthur hurriedly left the office.
"Captain!"
"Brother, boo-hoo-hoo."
Alteon and Bukas hugged Blyzan, shedding thick tears.
"I'm sorry."
Regret was plain on Blyzan's face.
"If the captain died, we were all going to die together!"
"You're okay now, right?"
"Yeah."
As Blyzan gave a faint smile, the door creaked open. Arthur strode in and stood before him.
Alteon and Bukas stepped aside, and Blyzan propped himself up.
Then, gripping Bukas's shoulder, he struggled to his feet.
"C-Captain..."
"Don't push yourself."
Alteon looked worriedly between Blyzan and Arthur.
His eyes pleaded for Arthur to stop him.
But Arthur merely watched silently.
Blyzan knelt on one knee and bowed his head.
"I, Blyzan, have failed my mission. And committed a terrible atrocity. I will atone with my life."
"Captain!"
"What are you saying!"
Alteon and Bukas's eyes widened.
Arthur watched the white bandages around Blyzan's body stain red, then slowly spoke.
"Raise your head."
Blyzan looked at Arthur.
"You've greatly disappointed me."
"I'm sorry."
"First, report what happened."
"I took their awakening agent."
...!
Arthur frowned at the unexpected answer.
"I see."
Millerph nodded as if he had anticipated it and approached Blyzan.
"I thought there was no other way."
"You nearly caused a disaster."
"I'm sorry."
"If you feel anything strange in your body, tell me immediately."
"Understood."
Millerph cast a recovery spell on the struggling Blyzan and turned to Arthur.
Arthur looked at Blyzan and spoke.
"Blyzan."
Blyzan remained kneeling, head bowed silently.
"My disappointment stems from how lightly you spoke of your life."
...?
"You splendidly completed your mission."
"But..."
Arthur turned from Blyzan, who hurriedly lifted his head to protest, and looked at Alteon and Bukas.
"Return alive without dying. That was the mission I gave you. Correct?"
Alteon and Bukas answered with smiling faces.
"Yes!"
"The Count clearly said so!"
"Blyzan."
Blyzan stared blankly before hastily bowing at Arthur's call.
"Yes."
"I will never forgive dying without my permission."
Blyzan's eyes reddened. He fought back tears.
"...Thank you for waking up."
His chest surged with emotion.
Blyzan finally shed thick tears, dropping to both knees.
Then, pounding his chest with his fist, he shouted loudly.
"Hah!"
Millerph, watching warmly, said to Arthur.
"It'd be best to monitor him for about a week."
"If you need anything, just say. I'll get it all."
"Yes."
As a smile formed on Millerph's lips.
"Count!"
A knight rushed in.
All eyes, including Arthur's, sharpened instantly toward him.
"Monsters have appeared near the territory outskirts!"
"Orcs again?"
"Monsters with bull heads and horns, they say."
"What?"
Arthur glanced at Millerph.
Millerph asked the knight with a hardened face.
"Did they say anything about the monsters using swords like humans?"
"Ah, yes, they did!"
"Hmm..."
Millerph grimaced and said to Arthur.
"They're Minotaurs, monsters created by the Demon King. Not as strong as Ogres, but powerful nonetheless."
"Got it."
As Arthur turned to leave, Blyzan struggled to his feet.
"I'll go too."
"Stay put until you're recovered."
He firmly refused and turned away.
Blyzan gazed at his back, vowing deep in his bones.
To become even stronger.
So he'd never disappoint Arthur again and fight by his side.
'I will become my lord's sharpest sword.'