Chapter 192
Chapter 192
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 192
Chapter Title: Demon King's Guardian
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“They seem intent on destroying all the territories.”
“It’ll cause significant casualties for their forces, though…….”
Skevin couldn’t read what Artisan was thinking.
Unlike him, whose face had hardened, Dark spoke calmly.
“They plan to end it all at once.”
“……?”
“Even if Emperor Ruan flees, they want to eliminate everyone who follows him so he can’t mount a counterattack.”
“What about the casualties on their side?”
“With the combination of the Dark Squad and the Spirit Squad, they shouldn’t suffer major losses, right?”
“Ugh…….”
Skevin’s face twisted.
If that was the case, it meant Artisan had no fear whatsoever of Emperor Ruan.
He was treating victory in the war as a foregone conclusion.
Then again, no one had expected Duke Sahaza to collapse so helplessly.
On top of that, Duke Burman’s forces hadn’t even crossed the Gopra Mountains before being annihilated.
They could only speculate that the Dark Squad was behind the attack—no one knew for sure who did it.
There might even be another group on par with the Dark Squad.
In any case, it was clear that Namshar Empire’s military strength far surpassed that of the entire Oscar Empire.
Fortunately, the typhoon was heading toward Emperor Ruan’s side, but the future was still concerning.
“Urgent report!”
Ramni rushed up to the ramparts.
Skevin and Dark looked at him with grave expressions.
“Grand Duke Natarsian’s forces have entered Tomoya’s royal palace!”
“What?”
Skevin’s eyes widened in an instant.
An unbelievable situation had unfolded.
Grand Duke Natarsian betraying Emperor Ruan?
He was one of the founding contributors to the Oscar Empire alongside the Julius Family and the last bastion of strength Emperor Ruan had reserved.
With the Oscar Empire in dire peril from Namshar Empire’s invasion, why go to the Kingdom of Tomoya?
It could only be judged that this had been prearranged with Marquis Valtre.
He had thought the rebellion was too easy to pull off, but now everything made sense.
With a reliable ally like Grand Duke Natarsian, they could launch the rebellion, and that’s why so many nobles had chosen him over Emperor Ruan.
“Marquis Valtre is a terrifyingly meticulous man.”
“In that case, Emperor Ruan…….”
“If he hasn’t prepared another option, we have to assume he has no chance of winning.”
“I wonder if they can hold out until His Majesty returns…….”
“When the border forces return, we’ll devise countermeasures. Devil Squad, continue with reconnaissance.”
“Yes.”
It was then, as Dark bowed his head and turned to leave.
“Captain!”
This time, Perry rushed up in a hurry.
Panting heavily from how fast he had run, he spoke.
“Th-the Kingdom of Tomoya has sent an envoy!”
***
“Hmm.”
Arthur raced across the vast plains on Kan like an arrow.
He had ordered Keda and Blizan to move with the refugees, while he alone returned to Grada Castle first.
After riding nonstop for two days, he arrived in Grada Territory.
Kan seemed to sense Arthur’s urgency and galloped without rest.
His rough breathing and pounding heartbeat transmitted through the saddle to Arthur’s entire body.
He was truly sorry—and grateful.
“Just a bit more.”
When Arthur stroked Kan’s nape, he let out a mighty cry as if it were nothing and charged forward with renewed vigor.
Arthur took the western mountain path to avoid the eyes of the territory’s people.
He needed to check the security situation anyway, and now he had a reason to visit Rumakas’s Lair.
It was due to the earnest requests of the spirits he had contracted with.
They begged him to meet Cassandra and pass on a message.
Later, even Nigras joined in.
With a very serious expression, he insisted on meeting Cassandra, leaving Arthur no choice but to grant their request.
Upon arriving at the western cliffs, the sentries greeted him.
“Your Majesty!”
Those on the watchtower quickly descended to the ground.
As Arthur dismounted from Kan, he asked.
“Anything special to report?”
“Nothing, sir.”
“How’s the territory situation?”
“It’s quiet. But during the shift change, I heard an envoy from the Kingdom of Tomoya had arrived.”
“From Tomoya?”
“Yes.”
“Hmm.”
Arthur seemed lost in thought for a moment before speaking.
“I’ll be heading down for a bit, so don’t mind me and continue your duties.”
“Understood. Sal—”
The sentries saluted crisply and returned to the watchtower.
Arthur swiftly leaped down the cliff.
Arriving at the lair’s entrance, he gazed at the dragon emblem carved into the wall.
Its size was almost the same as before.
He had worried it might have grown larger, but it was a relief.
As soon as Arthur entered the lair, he headed straight to where the Sovereign Sword was.
When the Sovereign Sword appeared, the spirits revealed themselves.
They knelt before the Sovereign Sword and spoke.
—The son of Nosble, Earth, greets the Sovereign.
—The son of Metea, Salamander, greets the Sovereign.
Following them, Parsia and Nigras, who had met Cassandra once before, bowed politely.
As their greetings ended, the Sovereign Sword shone as brightly as the sun, its hilt and blade bathed in golden light.
And then Cassandra appeared.
He looked upon the spirits bowing their heads before the Sovereign Sword with a stern expression.
—It’s been a while.
Earth spoke in an emotional voice.
—Sovereign, please save us!
Salamander added his plea.
—Exterminate those disrupting the order of the Middle Realm and establish peace!
—I must have my seal broken first to move. That will take time.
—Sovereign.
Nigras raised his head to look at Cassandra.
Cassandra met his gaze and furrowed his brow.
—Nigras, for you to wear such an expression means something gravely serious has occurred. Has the Demon King been resurrected or something?
—It’s even more serious than that.
—What?
Cassandra’s face briefly showed puzzlement before hardening.
—Don’t tell me that one has been summoned?
—Yes, Nightmare’s seal has been broken.
……!
In an instant, all the spirits’ gazes turned to Nigras.
Their faces stiffened rigidly.
It was the first time Arthur had seen the spirits make such expressions, and he grew serious as well.
What on earth was Nightmare’s seal that it elicited this reaction?
Unable to contain his curiosity, he spoke up.
“What is Nightmare?”
Cassandra shifted his gaze to Arthur.
—A spirit of darkness.
“……!”
Arthur’s face twisted.
Hearing that, he understood why the spirits had such looks.
Just as Nigras, the spirit of light, was the natural enemy of the Demon King’s power source, darkness, a spirit of darkness would be the natural enemy of light.
It posed a great threat not just to the spirits, but to him as well.
“Judging by the spirits’ grave expressions, it must be quite formidable.”
—That’s one way to put it. While Nigras, the spirit of light, acts as executioner to those wielding the Demon King’s power, Nightmare erases all light.
“It erases light? A truly monstrous being has appeared.”
Arthur smirked mockingly as he asked.
“How do you compare to it in strength?”
—You’ve reached 6th rank and now your arrogance pierces the heavens.
Cassandra wore a disdainful expression but continued firmly.
—I am the king of spirits. No one can stand against me.
“Then that’s a relief.”
As Arthur inwardly sighed in relief, Cassandra added.
—But even I have headaches sometimes.
“What kind?”
—If its contractor becomes the Demon King, the situation turns dire.
“Even if I achieve 8th rank?”
—No matter how strong a human becomes, they’re still human. The source of our power differs fundamentally from spirits.”
“I see.”
Arthur nodded gravely.
Having reached 6th rank, he feared no enemy except the Demon King. His plan was to swiftly sort out the chaotic Oscar Empire situation and prepare for war with the Demon King.
But now, this spirit of darkness variable had emerged.
And if it allied with the Demon King, even the great king of spirits took it seriously.
He needed countermeasures.
“What should I do?”
—Nightmare being freed from its seal means it has a contractor. Find and kill the contractor. It will return to the natural world.”
“Doesn’t that seem off? If it already has a contractor, it shouldn’t link with the Demon King.”
—Not quite. Unlike other spirits, Nightmare can seek a stronger contractor. If the Demon King revives, it will likely contract with him.”
“What a headache.”
—Nigras will locate it. Then you handle the contractor. No human can oppose you, so it shouldn’t be difficult.”
Arthur looked at Nigras and said.
“The sooner, the better, so find it now.”
—Understood. Until next time.
Nigras bowed to Cassandra and vanished.
Cassandra said to Arthur.
—I have urgent matters to discuss with these ones, so could you step aside?
“Can’t I hear it?”
—It’s not for human ears. And you whelp, didn’t I tell you to revere me? Seems my advice was too soft.”
“If you think you can force me with power, abandon that idea. I won’t bow my head for that.”
—That’s for me to decide.
“Don’t you lack the leisure for banter right now? With Nightmare rampaging, the king of spirits is sealed in the Sovereign Sword. If you wait until I reach Teheran’s realm, you might be trapped forever. Find another way.”
—Insolent fool, don’t try to teach me.
Despite his stiff tone, Cassandra smiled meaningfully.
Arthur realized their discussion likely concerned his own seal.
“I’ll stay far away, so consult well. The sooner for me, the better.”
He flashed a meaningful smile and moved to the center of the cavern.
While Cassandra conferred gravely with the spirits, Arthur decided to do the sword training he hadn’t managed before.
He had no sword, but image training would suffice.
He assumed the stance of drawing from a sheath.
Then, exhaling deeply, he executed the basic sword forms Skevin had taught him one by one.
‘Fast yet precise, light yet heavy.’
His movements flowed into one, tracing beautiful lines.
***
Skevin was meeting the envoy from the Kingdom of Tomoya in the reception room.
His face twisted upon reading the letter the envoy delivered.
“What nonsense is this?”
“It’s exactly as written. His Majesty wishes to ally with the Julius Kingdom.”
Bang-!
Skevin slammed his fist on the table and glared as if he’d devour the envoy.
“We will never join hands with those who betrayed us, and they will pay for their treachery.”
“His Majesty said to relay this: ‘Everything ends in death. Only by surviving can you exact revenge.’”
“What did you say!”
As Skevin shot to his feet and approached the envoy, Dark quickly held him back from behind.
“Please calm down. This is an envoy from the Kingdom of Tomoya.”
“It’s because of those bastards that Helot is as good as dead!”
Skevin knew better than anyone that he needed to think rationally, but thoughts of the deceased Helot made his rage uncontrollable.
“I can never forgive Valtre!”
“I feel the same.”
“……!”
Skevin and Dark whipped their heads toward the entrance.
Arthur entered with a resolute expression and addressed the envoy from the Kingdom of Tomoya.
“Relay every word I say from now on, without missing a single syllable.”
“His Majesty wishes to stand with you……!”
The envoy rose and began to speak but froze mid-sentence.
A chilling fear washed over him that continuing might cost him his head under Arthur’s menacing aura.
Arthur spat a single phrase with murder in his eyes.
“I’ll see to it that my words are heeded.”