Chapter 214
Chapter 214
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: penny
Chapter: 214
Chapter Title: Variable
-----------------------------------------------------------------
“Your Excellency, large-scale monsters have appeared in the Tomoya Kingdom.”
At Jangjarban’s report, Ruan’s eyes flashed.
The monsters that had been pressuring the Christen capital had vanished without a trace, and it seemed they had turned toward that direction.
But if that were the case, there should have been prior reports from the Guardians.
The complete lack of any mention was even more suspicious.
It seemed likely that some variable had arisen on the Namshar Empire’s side.
Otherwise, there would be no reason to mobilize the monsters.
“What’s the situation in the Tomoya Kingdom?”
“It appears they’re in a temporary ceasefire.”
“Ceasefire?”
“Since we haven’t received precise reports yet, I’ll inform you as soon as they come in.”
“Don’t let your guard down. Keep monitoring the situation.”
“Yes.”
Jangjarban bowed politely and exited.
Left alone, Ruan tried contacting Collepton several times, but there was no response.
So he summoned Hera.
Moments later, Hera appeared.
-You called?
She still exuded a dreamy, decadent aura.
It felt even thicker in the past few days.
“I can’t reach Collepton.”
-I’ll try.
Hera immediately attempted to communicate with Collepton, then her expression hardened.
-We’re cut off from the outside.
“What does that mean?”
-When Guardians concentrate all their power in one place, they block external interference. It seems like that’s the situation.
“I heard they’re in a ceasefire right now, but they’re pouring everything into it? Pouring into what?”
Ruan stroked his chin, lost in thought. Suddenly, he recalled the monsters.
“Can Collepton control the monsters?”
-Of course. Guardians can treat monsters like limbs.
“Then it must be that guy leading the monsters to the Tomoya Kingdom.”
Ruan’s eyes turned icy as he issued an order to Hera.
“Go check it out. If he’s backed into a corner... tell him not to push himself and to retreat.”
-It doesn’t make sense. Only Teheran and his allies could handle an awakened Guardian.
“There are a few who match their level. So go tell him: he’s just been revived after a hundred years—don’t be reckless and die pointlessly.”
-Understood.
Once Hera vanished, Ruan grimaced.
“I think I overestimated him. Don’t you agree?”
His shadow stretched long, casting a massive darkness.
-Guardians aren’t the true warriors of darkness. They’re just minions moved by the Demon King’s power.
“Why does it suddenly sound like the true warriors of darkness are separate?”
-You wouldn’t know. About the Demon King’s true power.
“Oh, really?”
Ruan smiled faintly and continued.
“Then shall we have a profound conversation about that true power?”
***
“Wipe them out.”
At Collepton’s command, the ogres and minotaurs roared at the other monsters.
In response, the monsters howled back and charged madly toward the Tomoya Kingdom.
The vast plain filled with thousands of monsters.
First, use these to pressure the Tomoya Kingdom, then reorganize the Namshar Empire’s forces and advance.
He had also prepared countermeasures against that monstrous guy.
“Pay back what you received.”
Collepton reverted to his Artisan form.
As Artisan, he headed to the Namshar Empire’s camp.
Moments later.
Artisan entered the command tent.
The heated conference of commanders fell silent as if doused with cold water.
Duke Terry, in particular, felt instinctive joy upon seeing Artisan.
But soon his chest and mind cooled, and he observed cautiously without letting it show.
On the other hand, Artisan’s loyal retainer Figuearo greeted him with great excitement.
“Your Excellency, what happened?”
“Emperor Ruan sent an extermination squad. I couldn’t join you because I was dealing with them.”
“Such a thing happened! Are you alright?”
“Do I look like I’d lose to those punks?”
Collepton emanated a murderous aura as he went to his seat and sat.
“I told you to advance unconditionally. Why are you here?”
“Th-that’s...”
Figuearo stammered and glanced at Duke Terry.
Collepton shifted his gaze to Duke Terry.
“Why? We’re overwhelmingly superior in forces and troops. If you’d kept pushing, you’d have conquered the castle by now.”
“A variable named Arthur Julius appeared.”
“That guy showed up here?”
Collepton feigned complete ignorance.
But inwardly, he had somewhat anticipated it.
Having confirmed Artisan was the Demon King’s familiar, he would try to spread the fact and halt the war.
He was curious what they had heard from him.
If they knew his identity...
Collepton glanced at Hubei beside Duke Terry.
Their eyes met, and Hubei smirked slightly, naturally resting his hand on his sword.
Duke Terry couldn’t trust Artisan, so he had filed a false report first.
“We can’t handle his absolute power. So I ordered a retreat.”
“Strong enough that even the Duke couldn’t handle him?”
“We exchanged one round of attacks, but he blocked mine easily. It seems he’s reached the Grand Sword Master realm.”
“What?”
Collepton made a startled gesture.
That way, it would seem like he knew nothing about the guy.
From his own encounter, the guy was likely a Grand Sword Master.
Moreover, he unleashed bizarre attacks like magic, making him trickier.
Duke Terry wouldn’t have been able to handle such a foe.
From that perspective, ‘retreat’ seemed a natural decision.
Collepton nodded as if agreeing.
Meanwhile, Figuearo, who had witnessed the scene, looked puzzled.
‘Why the false report? Didn’t Duke Terry talk with that guy? And there was some mysterious woman who conversed with him for quite a while? What to do? Pretend not to know?’
As he grappled with inner conflict, Duke Terry looked at him and said.
“Now that His Excellency is here, reorganize your knights immediately and prepare to sortie.”
“......Understood.”
Figuearo replied without argument and left the tent.
From observing Duke Terry so far, he was someone who moved with utmost caution.
Above all, his loyalty to the Empire matched his own, so Figuearo decided to overlook it for now.
That said, even with the knights reorganized, they couldn’t move freely due to the Julius Kingdom’s forces waiting in the rear.
Duke Terry must know that too.
The false report to deceive Artisan, and now this—what was he thinking?
Figuearo silently stared at the tent before heading to his knights.
“Hmm.”
Duke Terry confirmed Figuearo’s presence had left, then spoke.
“What are your plans from here?”
“This time, I’ll command personally and crush them in one go.”
“The Julius Kingdom’s forces are currently stationed in the rear.”
“......!”
For a moment, Collepton frowned, then smoothed it.
Duke Terry watched even that small movement.
The reaction wasn’t like him at all.
He hated when plans went awry or variables arose.
Thus, the emergence of a third force should enrage him.
Yet it ended with just a frown?
And silence too.
‘He’s definitely different from the one I knew.’
It was hard to dispel the suspicion.
If he was the Demon King’s familiar as Arthur and the Saintess said, it would come to light eventually.
No need for him to risk exposing it himself.
It would be easier to plan ahead if it happened in front of everyone, and advantageous for his own schemes.
“What about them?”
“For now, Duke, go reorganize the troops. I’ll think it over and call you back.”
“Understood.”
Duke Terry bowed politely and exited.
Collepton waited until he was completely out of sight, then turned to Hubei.
“What happened?”
“After Lady Krasena suddenly vanished, it collapsed rapidly.”
“So how many spirit mages are left?”
“I’m sorry. Everyone except me...”
“Useless fools!”
Boom!
Shattering the armrest, Collepton stood and approached the table with the map.
He pondered while looking at the marked points.
‘How to deal with those guys? He’s surely prepared fully and waiting for me.’
As his eyes deepened.
He sensed a familiar energy approaching.
‘Why here?’
Collepton told Hubei to find some way to summon Krasena.
Alone in the tent, black mist appeared before him, and Hera revealed herself.
She examined Collepton and gave a meaningful smile.
-Who beat you up?
“What brings you here?”
Collepton scowled.
Among Guardians, they had invisible territories of their own.
No fixed regions, but they avoided interfering in each other’s areas as an unspoken rule.
Her sudden appearance soured his mood.
-I brought a message from Lord Ruan.
“If it’s that, you didn’t need to come all the way here, ah...”
Collepton recalled blocking external interference while concentrating power to heal after Arthur’s fatal wound.
Ruan must have tried contacting him then.
“I was focusing my power and couldn’t pay attention.”
-Why send monsters to the Tomoya Kingdom? You’re not borrowing those guys’ power too, are you?
“Are you interfering in my business now?”
As killing intent filled Collepton’s eyes, Hera extended her hand apologetically and nodded.
-I overstepped without thinking.
“If you know, just deliver Ruan’s message and go.”
-Fine. Lord Ruan said...
After relaying the message, Hera added one more thing.
-From watching Lord Ruan up close, I can tell defying his orders is utter folly.
With that, Hera vanished completely.
Collepton’s face twisted hideously.
‘How does he know everything? Has he met that guy?’
Ruan even knew he was losing to Arthur.
Above all, how did he predict the Julius Kingdom’s involvement after ordering the Tomoya attack?
If he grasped the current situation, it wasn’t coincidence.
First, his pride crumbled knowing Ruan knew he was being pushed back.
But he could turn it around.
He had enough time and troops. Even with the enemy’s reinforcements, his monsters gave him superior forces.
And if Krasena returned!
Collepton smirked viciously.
“I’ll show you what a true war is.”
***
Tutatatatata-.
Arthur annihilated swarming monsters from all sides with his double machine guns.
Not to be outdone, Natarcian charged into the monsters, swinging his sword relentlessly.
Each swing of his deep red aura-clad blade turned his surroundings into a wasteland.
Such devastating attacks.
But pouring attacks without mana management had depleted his mana.
“Damn it!”
Natarcian paused, catching his breath, and looked at Arthur.
He showed no concern for mana consumption, unleashing massive barrages to slaughter monsters.
Damian and the Kingdom Knights moved systematically, eliminating monsters too.
But there were too many.
No end in sight despite the kills.
At this rate, they’d be the ones to break.
It was regrettable they couldn’t use the mage corps prepared for large-scale battles.
‘We need another plan.’
As worry filled Natarcian’s face.
Suddenly, the sky felt blood-red. He looked up.
A red moon hung in the sky.
‘What? No way?’
Natarcian quickly turned around.
Maybe Herrick was preparing wide-area magic, but he was nowhere.
Then what?
As doubt deepened, Arthur’s shout rang out.
“Everyone, retreat!”
“Why retreat all of a sudden...”
As Natarcian tilted his head, someone stood beneath the red moon.
A white-robed white-haired elder.
Millerph stretched both hands skyward, holding up the red moon.