Chapter 85
Chapter 85
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 85
Chapter Title: The Alpha Family's Secret
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***
"How many are there, exactly?"
The people inside the castle walls were astonished by the endless line of wagons stretching out.
Arthur watched the scene from atop the walls alongside Ban.
"That should be enough, right?"
"It's incredible, my lord. How did you manage to gather so much?"
"The timing was perfect."
"With all this iron, we can pick up the pace."
"That's exactly what I was going to ask. You heard about the monsters showing up today?"
"Yes."
"I want crossbows installed at every outpost if possible."
"Crossbows..."
"It's not for perfect defense—just to buy time until reinforcements arrive."
"Understood. I'll go check the materials."
As soon as Ban bowed deeply and headed down the stairs, Millerph climbed up.
"My lord."
"Did you learn anything?"
"He spilled everything he knew."
"Anything I need to know?"
"Marquis Valtre has a substantial hidden force."
"Of course he does."
Arthur turned to gaze outside the castle as he continued.
"He's preparing a rebellion. He's hiding far more than what that guy told us."
"We might need to watch him even more closely than the emperor."
"Hmm."
Arthur pondered with a serious expression for a moment before turning back to Millerph.
"If Ingenium was telling the truth, we'll hear from them soon enough."
"You plan to meet them?"
"I have to see what kind of people they are firsthand. I'll decide after confirming with my own eyes."
"Understood."
Millerph bowed politely.
"Shall we go meet those guys now?"
"You mean the Alpha family?"
Arthur nodded and started toward the stairs.
"Keep an eye on the Alpha family's eldest son. I sensed something special about him."
"Something special..."
Alertness flashed across Millerph's face, mingled with curiosity.
Skevin had brought them here.
If even he, on the verge of Sword Master realm, hadn't noticed, it couldn't be ordinary.
And it wasn't as if a Sword Master was hiding his presence.
'What could it be?'
For once, Millerph felt the distinctive curiosity of a mage bubbling up.
***
A short while later.
Arthur and Millerph entered the underground prison.
The A-block where Yarve had been confined reeked of blood.
After glancing briefly at the firmly shut iron door, they opened the door to the opposite B-block and stepped inside.
There, about a dozen men were locked behind iron bars.
Keda, who had been leaning against the wall staring out the window, bellowed as Arthur entered.
"What are you planning to do with us!"
Arthur glanced at Millerph, who promptly cast a spell.
Click.
Creeeak—.
The lock on the bars unfastened, and the door swung open.
"Come on out, all of you."
Keda eyed Arthur warily.
"What's this about?"
"You wanted to be freed, didn't you?"
"What's your game? Don't tell me the imperial army is already...!"
Millerph gave Keda a faint smile.
"We had our reasons on our side. It's resolved now, so you're free to come out."
"Speak plainly."
Doubt piled up on Keda's face.
Sensing his suspicion wouldn't easily lift, Arthur decided to lay it all out.
"There was a spy keeping tabs on us."
"A spy?"
"We're currently at war with Ruan Barotas."
"Who's th—!"
Keda's eyes widened in shock.
Ruan Barotas!
The emperor of the Oscar Empire.
Stunned by the revelation, Keda stared blankly at him.
Arthur gestured for them to come out, then walked to a spot with chairs and sat down.
Keda watched him silently, thinking.
'If they're at war with the emperor... this might be our last chance.'
Calming his racing heart, he stepped out confidently.
Once everyone from the bars had emerged, Arthur spoke.
"I hope you understand—we had no choice but to do it this way under the circumstances."
"You're really at war with the emperor?"
"Please, speak to the count properly."
At Millerph's barbed remark, Keda paused briefly, then considered.
They weren't enemies, so no need to show hostility—and he might even get their help.
His clothes were in rags, but he straightened them, placed a hand over his heart, and bowed deeply.
"Keda Alpha, eldest son of the Alpha family, greets the count."
Arthur nodded and replied curtly.
"Arthur Julius."
"It's an honor to meet you."
"Given my situation, I don't have time to spare. Skip the formalities and get to the point."
"Understood."
"I heard your family fell after being branded devil worshippers. Do you truly worship demons?"
Keda met Arthur's gaze with a resolute expression.
"Do we look like such people to you, my lord?"
"I can't say."
"We're innocent. We were framed by someone."
"Was there any reason you'd be worth framing?"
"I still wonder about it whenever I get the chance. Why would they slap such an absurd charge on a family loyal to the imperial house?"
"!"
Arthur's eyes flashed sharply.
Their plight mirrored exactly what the Julius family was facing now.
The downfall of a house utterly devoted to the emperor.
And by the vilest of false charges.
It was too much to chalk up to coincidence.
Somehow, a massive conspiracy loomed behind this incident.
'This feels ominous.'
While Arthur was lost in thought, Millerph observed Keda.
No special aura stood out.
But if Arthur had sensed it, he couldn't dismiss it.
The fact that even he couldn't detect it only amplified his questions and curiosity.
'What in the world?'
Millerph heightened his senses to the maximum.
Still nothing.
Just ordinary presence.
A fierce gust blew in through the open door.
It swept through the underground prison and out the window.
But one part of the wind circled Keda's body before vanishing.
'What was that?'
It wasn't just passing by—it felt like it was enveloping and protecting him.
Such a phenomenon only occurred with affinity to spirits.
'No way?'
Millerph raised his hand to chest height, palm out.
"I'm just checking something—don't panic."
"What are you doing?"
"It's simple."
A small whirlwind formed in Millerph's palm.
Keda was startled to see magic cast instantly without incantation.
'At least 6th Class...'
As Keda reeled, Millerph flicked his hand.
The whirlwind flew toward Keda.
"What are you trying to confirm...?"
Keda's face hardened as he tried to back away, but Millerph hit him with petrification magic.
'Damn it!'
Just before the whirlwind struck his chest, a strange aura emanated from Keda.
At the same time, wind rose from him, scattering the whirlwind.
"So that's it."
Conviction settled on Millerph's face.
Arthur, who had watched it all, looked at Keda with full of questions.
'What was that just now? Magic?'
Keda cautiously opened his eyes, seeing nothing had happened to him.
The whirlwind was gone.
He asked Millerph, who gazed at him meaningfully.
"Why did you stop?"
"I didn't stop it."
"Then..."
"You—or rather, the Alpha family—must have contracted with the wind spirit."
"How did you...?"
Shock and fluster were plain on Keda's face.
The Oscar Empire had mages; the Namshar Empire had spirit sorcerers.
At their peak, the spirit sorcerers had grown so powerful they threatened the Oscar Empire.
But for some reason, as time passed and their numbers dwindled, so did the Namshar Empire's strength.
Now, spirit sorcerers were legends, their lineage all but extinct.
"Explain what happened."
"Urgh..."
Keda hesitated briefly, then nodded as if resolved.
"The Alpha family was the last lineage of spirit sorcerers."
"My guess was right."
That meant Keda spoke the truth.
Devil worshippers couldn't possibly receive a spirit's protection.
"Why not use the spirit's power?"
"We broke the contract."
"What?"
Millerph's face twisted.
Spirits were as great and fearsome as dragons.
Breaking a contract with them was courting death.
"What on earth..."
A sigh escaped Millerph.
Keda revealed his family's shameful past with a bitter expression.
"My grandfather's greed caused all our spirit sorcerers to lose their powers."
"Greed..."
Millerph stroked his chin thoughtfully, then continued.
"He tried for a double contract with another spirit, didn't he?"
"Yes..."
"But the spirit hasn't fully abandoned you—it still protects you, so the contract isn't completely severed?"
"The benevolent Lady Parsia granted us one chance."
"Lady Parsia?"
Millerph was stunned.
She was the highest wind spirit, her power comparable to a 7th Class mage.
Suddenly, he recalled words from the Namshar Empire's golden age.
-The strongest sword exists. None can evade it.
'It was about the Alpha family.'
Yet even with that one chance, their situation made no sense.
If the spirit's power returned, everything could resolve in an instant.
Seeing the questions on Millerph's face, Keda nodded.
"The day before the ritual, we were branded 'devil worshippers.'"
"I see."
"We couldn't even receive the spirit's blessing back then, so running was our only option. Even now, two years later, I don't know why we were hit with that wicked charge."
"Hmm..."
As Millerph wore a pitying look, Arthur's eyes gleamed sharply.
'There must be a reason. And...'
If the aura from Keda was the spirit's...
A sudden doubt arose.
Every time he sensed Keda's aura, it felt incredibly soothing. Like being held in his mother's arms as a child?
'Why does it feel this way?'
As Arthur's gaze deepened, Millerph's mind raced.
'The lord sensed the spirit's aura? Is that even possible?'
Everyone sank into their own thoughts, silence falling.
As heavy quiet settled...
Arthur spoke gravely.
"You're free now. Tell me if you need anything—I'll provide what I can."
Keda met Arthur's eyes directly and replied politely.
"Take us in."
Arthur, having half-expected it, asked calmly.
"What can you offer me?"
"My life, my lord."
"Your life..."
It didn't feel like that was all. There had to be more.
Sure enough.
Keda added with venom in his eyes.
"When the day comes to avenge my family, let me take Artisan's head."
"Who's Artisan?"
As Arthur tilted his head, Millerph answered for Keda.
"Artisan Sharman. Emperor of the Namshar Empire."
"!"
Arthur frowned.
That would require war between empires.
Saying it meant he harbored at least some desire for such a war.
Though they were at war themselves, Arthur had no intention of accepting someone who wanted more conflict.
"You've said enough. Leave quietly."
As Arthur rose from his chair, Keda shook his head.
"I don't want war. I only said that because I know if a crack appears in the Oscar Empire, Artisan will invade."
"!"
Arthur's eyes flashed, and Millerph looked at Keda in surprise.
Keda continued with utter certainty.
"He's already on the move."