Chapter 206
Chapter 206
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 206
Chapter Title: The Demon King's Familiar
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***
"Hmm......"
Valtre let out a low groan.
The commanders gathered in the office wore stiff expressions and remained silent.
A heavy silence was settling in endlessly.
Clunk.
Natarsian entered as the door opened.
Demian and Heric followed behind him.
As soon as they appeared, the Tomoya Kingdom commanders quickly moved to block Valtre's front.
They all stared with rigidly hardened faces.
Natarsian walked calmly forward and stood before them.
"What do you think you're doing?"
Hoan bellowed.
"Have you betrayed Emperor Ruan to incite a rebellion here?"
"Did you say rebellion?"
Natarsian furrowed his brow, and Hoan flinched.
He had stood on the ramparts with Valtre and watched him face off against Artisan.
A Grand Sword Master was truly formidable.
He had pushed Artisan back with unimaginable power.
Had Artisan not retreated but clashed head-on, he surely would have crumbled.
And the Ferridri family's mammoth mage corps lived up to expectations.
Every member was a 5th Class or higher expert.
In particular, the corps leader Heric's abilities had been shrouded in mystery, but what he revealed today was that of a 7th Class grand mage.
He alone could plunge Tomoya Kingdom into peril.
And Demian, leader of the Kingdom Knight Order, was at the boundary between upper and peak Sword Master levels.
Even if all of Tomoya Kingdom's commanders unleashed their full might, it was impossible to predict if they could handle him.
Valtre, seated on the throne, stood up.
"Everyone, calm down."
As he stepped forward, they parted to the sides.
Standing before Natarsian, Valtre asked confidently.
"What brings you here?"
"Have you forgotten that I said our alliance still holds, or has Tomoya Kingdom severed ties with the Ferridri family?"
"With the fate of the kingdom at stake in this war, why would we break the alliance?"
"Then you must know why I'm here."
Natarsian flashed a meaningful smile as he walked to a chair by the window and sat.
Valtre sat across from him, with the table between them.
"Thanks to you, we averted crisis. We're grateful."
"If Tomoya Kingdom falls, I can't realize my dream, can I?"
"True. I've promised to fulfill Your Excellency's long-cherished wish."
Valtre smiled and continued.
"How did it feel facing Artisan?"
"He was strong."
"To reach Grand Master level with bare fists—respectable, even as an enemy."
"Impressive. It's several times harder than ascending with the sword."
"What are your plans going forward? I'll provide maximum support."
"That would be welcome. Better than nothing."
"Urgh."
Valtre's face twisted.
His subjects, already resentful of Natarsian's scorn and mockery, showed their displeasure.
Hoan cautiously interjected.
"Mind your words."
"Sir Hoan."
Natarsian called him in a reasonably polite tone.
Hoan swallowed hard and carefully met his gaze.
"Explain why I should."
"Because His Majesty is the king of a nation, while you, Sir Natarsian...!"
Hoan's words halted as Natarsian's eyes flashed.
"Tomoya Kingdom and the Ferridri family are allies. When under Tomoya's rule, we served him as king, but not anymore. Remember that."
"......"
"Like it or not, that's the truth."
Valtre nodded in agreement.
"He's right. And I still regard him as Grand Duke. You all should do the same."
"Understood."
Hoan bowed politely, then bowed to Natarsian as well.
"Forgive my rudeness."
"Now we'll have some quiet."
Natarsian turned to Valtre with a satisfied expression.
"Since Your Excellency thinks of me that way, I won't forget decorum either."
"Thank you for your consideration."
"Not at all. I return what I receive. Did you sense anything special from Artisan?"
"He was strong."
"And?"
"Nothing else comes to mind. If anything, the Nanshar Empire's forces were several times more numerous than expected, and their strength considerable. Did Your Excellency sense something particular?"
"Not really. Same as Your Excellency."
Natarsian's vague reply confirmed Valtre hadn't detected the aura of darkness.
"Their retreat to the border means no immediate attack intent. We should prepare countermeasures in the meantime."
"Our knight orders will advance to the border once reorganized. How about Tomoya Kingdom's knights join?"
"Good idea. Easier to engage them outside than from Tomoya positions."
"Agreed. We'll depart as soon as ready, so make haste."
Natarsian stood from his chair and added.
"To efficiently exterminate them, how about granting me command of the forces?"
"Understood."
"You plan to just watch again?"
"That was the intention, but if Your Excellency wishes my involvement, I'm willing."
"I see."
Natarsian turned and continued.
"But is it necessary?"
"I think so too. With Your Excellency here."
Valtre smirked bitterly at Natarsian's turned back.
Natarsian curled his lip upward.
'You’ll step up on your own.'
***
Leaving the office, Natarsian climbed the ramparts with Demian and Heric.
Gazing toward the border, he said to Demian.
"You have a place to go."
"......?"
"Go to Julius Kingdom and meet him. Convey my words: Can he yield the five continents to me?"
"......!"
Demian's eyes flashed wide.
Heric looked flustered and asked.
"Your Excellency, what do you mean by that suddenly?"
"The Artisan we faced today wasn't the old him."
"Twenty years have passed. Just as we've grown stronger, so has he. Nothing strange."
"That's not what I mean."
Natarsian spoke firmly, then gravely alternated glances between Demian and Heric.
"I sensed an aura of darkness from him."
"......!"
"When blocking my attacks, he used the power of darkness. It seems he's become the Demon King's familiar."
"Ah, Father......"
Demian looked stunned, as if deeply shocked.
Heric's face darkened rapidly, turning serious.
If he was the Demon King's familiar, the Nanshar soldiers might have gained dark powers too.
No signs yet, but if so......
"Damn it."
Natarsian met Demian's eyes.
"In the worst case, we need Arthur Julius too. Valtre's forces will help greatly, but if Artisan reveals dark power, who knows how it'll turn."
"I understand."
"He might not have gone far—could be watching near the border."
"I'll depart immediately."
Demian hurried down.
Natarsian turned to Heric.
"I have a request. If I maximize my mana power... recovery will take considerable time."
"No one will threaten Your Excellency until you're recovered."
Heric's eyes burned fiercely.
***
"Damn it."
Klepton's anger hadn't subsided over losing to Natarsian.
Without using dark power at the end, he would have fallen.
Artisan's inherent strength was immense, but he hadn't expected an even stronger foe.
To defeat him, he'd need to unleash his full power—but that could turn allies into enemies.
Nor could he sway them immediately.
Thinking of Ruan awaiting victory reports drove him mad.
The joy of awakening was fleeting; impatience filled his chest.
"This is maddening."
No solution from mere pondering.
He'd create a situation alone with him.
For that, he needed bait to lure him.
What would make him charge madly, emotions overriding reason?
"Hmm......"
As Klepton sank into deep thought, Hubei burst into the tent.
"Your Majesty!"
"What is it?"
Klepton scowled at him.
"A knight who seems to be Tomoya Kingdom's knight order leader is approaching the border."
"Why?"
Klepton tilted his head.
Perhaps sending an envoy to negotiate.
But not in a single day, and their mage corps was overwhelming.
With superior forces, no reason for envoys.
"Confirm. Might not be coming to us."
"Spirit's already tracking. Report soon."
Hubei glanced outside, waited, then his eyes flashed.
"As Your Majesty said. He's crossed the border, heading west."
"What's west?"
"West is... Julius Kingdom!"
"What?"
Klepton furrowed his brow slightly, then burst into hearty laughter.
Now it clicked: seeking aid from Julius Kingdom.
Likely deemed their forces insufficient.
Their numbers alone were several times greater.
More importantly, a knight order leader must be his son.
Perfect bait to lure Natarsian.
"Capture him."
Klepton sprang up and exited the tent.
***
'Artisan as the Demon King's familiar......'
Demian grew angrier the more he thought.
Isn't the Demon King the common enemy of the five continents?
Selling his soul to such a monster shamed him as a fellow knight.
No matter how dire the empire's plight, allying with the Demon King was unforgivable.
Better to halt the Oscar Empire war and request aid—relations wouldn't have soured this far.
All because of his ambition.
'Ambition? More like greed.'
As Demian scowled and galloped furiously, a gale suddenly assailed from ahead.
Whoooosh-.
Trees snapped around it.
"What the—?"
Demian drew his sword and swung at the flying trees.
He cleaved them easily, then gaped at Artisan before him.
"Y-You......"
"Where are you rushing off to?"
Klepton sneered, fiddling with his fists.
Demian wheeled his horse to flee, but Hubei had summoned wind spirits behind.
"Damn!"
Demian swung full force at Hubei—better odds to escape than Artisan.
"Get lost!"
A thick crimson aura blade raged forth.
"You go nowhere."
With Hubei's words, a wind barrier unfolded.
Boom!
It blocked the aura blade and encircled Demian, halting movement.
"You think this stops me!"
He swung mercilessly.
Aura blades barraged the barrier repeatedly.
Kwarung-!
As it dispersed, Demian darted to escape.
"Where to!"
Klepton, now beside him, punched the horse Demian rode.
Splat-!
Piercing its body.
Demian vaulted from the saddle into the air.
He unleashed his ultimate toward Klepton, slashing down with full might.
"Take this!"
Ferridri First Form.
Flash!
Flash-.
The sword gleamed like lightning.
A single red streak plummeted toward Klepton's head.
"Hm."
Klepton's face hardened as he glanced at Hubei.
'This guy's nothing.'
Murderous intent filled his eyes.
Instantly, darkness engulfed the surroundings.