Chapter 110
Chapter 110
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 110
Chapter Title: Black Mountains Bloodbath (1)
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The Andels Ruins, once a bustling city in the distant past. Amid the devastation, where time had crumbled everything else to dust, one small religious building stood alone, defiantly intact.
It was a structure from the Emperor Cult, which had shone most brilliantly during the era when the Philius Empire dominated the world.
The Emperor Cult.
The most fanatical group to exist during the Philius Empire's most glorious age.
They branded anyone who did not follow the Emperor as traitors and heretics, hunting them down relentlessly. In that atmosphere of terror, the Philius Empire basked in an even more radiant era of glory. Truly, the ancient times were an age where light and darkness coexisted.
Over a thousand years had passed since the ancient era ended. As the city turned to ruins, looters came, trying to breach the Emperor Cult's building. But none could pass through the "Absolute One's Main Gate." Rumors swirled that it was filled with gold and treasures.
'But what's inside isn't gold or jewels.'
Raymond's lips curved into a sly arc as he stood before the Absolute One's Main Gate. That ordinary-looking iron door was guarded by ancient grand magic—it wouldn't open easily.
And even if it did, what slumbered within wasn't treasure, but another trial. The looters had wasted their time in ignorance.
'This time, it's not enough just to prove imperial blood.'
The Ironhammer Unit was the legacy left by Emperor Hansen Philius, who loved his pranks.
To claim it fully, one had to pass the trial disguised as a prank. Of course, Raymond knew the details, so his steps toward the Absolute One's Main Gate brimmed with confidence.
"Gestain, you've heard the rumors about the Absolute One's Main Gate, right?"
"Yes, Your Majesty. It's such a famous tale."
Raymond spoke without taking his eyes off the dust-covered handle. The rumors were abundant, but after over a thousand years with no one succeeding, it had faded into a minor legend. Yet it wasn't entirely forgotten—Gestain nodded slightly, affirming its existence.
"I'll give you an interesting experience today."
Grinning, he placed his hand on the Absolute One's Main Gate. The Imperial Army knights and Royal Guards escorting him also knew the legends, shooting him looks full of curiosity and anticipation.
He drew a dagger from his bosom and pricked his index finger, drawing a drop of blood. He let it fall onto the weathered handle.
"What do you think the looters lacked, Gestain?"
"No way..."
Gestain's eyes widened, trailing off. Having seen Raymond's action, he vaguely guessed the answer but couldn't voice it.
Seeing this, Raymond smiled faintly and spoke.
"The blood of the Philius imperial lineage."
No sooner had the words left his mouth than the iron gate, sealed for thousands of years, groaned with rust and slid open left and right. Cold, stale air brushed their cheeks.
"Your Majesty, we'll secure the area."
"Do so."
Raymond nodded readily to Marquis Blizzard. Hansen's prank hadn't begun yet, so the Royal Guards could take point for now.
Marquis Tempest led the way, with Marquis Blizzard right behind. The other Royal Guards cleared the path, while Raymond walked a short distance back with Gestain.
"Mana reaction. It's quite strong."
"Something's ahead."
Marquis Blizzard sensed it first and began drawing a magic circle. Marquis Tempest gripped his sword hilt, but Raymond remained relaxed. He was certain no other intruders lurked, and knowing the setup here, he could guess what would appear next.
"It's a stone tablet."
Marquis Tempest stepped forward. He soon spotted a mana-infused stele and reported it. The Royal Guards eased their stances, but Marquis Blizzard's eyes stayed sharp, scanning the surroundings.
"No need to be so tense. Nothing here can threaten me."
Raymond patted Marquis Blizzard's shoulder lightly and advanced. The marquis and Royal Guards hurried after him, but Raymond showed no sign of tension.
He extended his left hand, weaving mana into orbs of magical light that floated to the ceiling. As darkness receded, a small stone tablet came into view.
There was no further path—the front was sealed. Nothing else was there, no mana reactions either, yet the Royal Guards grew agitated.
"Your Majesty...!"
"It's fine. I know what this is, so relax."
Reassuring them, he reached out to the tablet and infused it with mana. Bathed in ample mana, it blazed with light, and the blocking wall parted left and right.
"I'll take the lead from here."
"But... Your Majesty...!"
"We can't allow that!"
The Royal Guards objected immediately. Gestain, haunted by the recent horror of losing the Emperor from sight, also voiced opposition heavily, but Raymond's resolve didn't waver.
"A labyrinth lies ahead. I can find the way from ancient texts, but can you navigate without getting lost?"
In truth, he had no idea how to navigate it. Hansen's prankish trial was so devious even Silvia would struggle leading. What Raymond relied on was the Earth Spirit King's blessing, ensuring he wouldn't lose his way underground.
"Then, Your Majesty, allow me to guard your side closely. Please don't refuse this."
Gestain said. Raymond nodded readily, and the one-armed sword saint finally relaxed his rigid expression.
"I'll stand by your side as well."
This time, it was Marquis Tempest. Raymond nodded again. The labyrinth passages were wide enough for three abreast without feeling cramped.
"Very well."
"Thank you, Your Majesty."
"Let's move."
Raymond led, with Gestain and Marquis Tempest close behind. Thanks to the Earth Spirit King's blessing?
Even in the complex labyrinth laced with Hansen's nasty pranks, Raymond pressed forward without losing his way.
He faced dozens of forks, but instinct guided him. No hesitation, no pauses. Thus, he escaped the maze in just three hours.
'Even with the Earth Spirit King's blessing, it took three hours...'
Emerging, Raymond shook his head. Without it, relying on Silvia's skills alone would have doubled or tripled the time.
No sooner had he exited than an iron gate emblazoned with the Philius Empire and Emperor Hansen's crest appeared.
Pricking his finger again with the dagger, he dripped blood onto it. The weathered mechanism glowed faintly as it absorbed the blood.
Clank!
With a strange, rusty grind, the door opened. The Royal Guards hurriedly sent magical lights inside. Darkness fled, revealing a vast interior.
Hundreds of rectangular stone sarcophagi, each big enough for one person, lined the walls of a long passage.
"No traps."
Desia reported after scanning with mana. Glancing at Silvia beside her, she nodded silently, confirming no hostiles.
Raymond was already sure, but for the Royal Guards' extreme paranoia over the Emperor's safety, these steps were necessary.
After reconfirming safety, Raymond walked the long passage. About five minutes in, the end came into view.
A massive stone tablet was embedded in the dead-end wall, densely inscribed in Continental script. Up close, it was filled with just over 500 names.
"A roster...?"
Raymond muttered. His eyes darted across it keenly. He soon found what he sought. His gaze halted, and he read aloud softly.
"Ironhammer Unit Chief Commander, Rackle Bronze. Awaiting here the day the Empire rises again."
The roster and the chief commander's name suggested an entire Ironhammer engineer corps lay dormant here. Curiosity stirred in Raymond.
'I wonder how many I can awaken?'
His dominion, restored from saving the Spirit Realm, dwarfed what he'd used before. Hitherto, only some Royal Guards and Shades; now, who knew?
Extending his hand to the giant tablet, he channeled not mana, but dominion. It greedily sucked it in.
'It's draining the bottom now...'
Ultimately, it devoured all his dominion. Then, the names glowed vivid gold. Golden waves swept the passage like tides from the tablet.
The sarcophagi burst open in unison, exhaling cold air. Sudden mana flares erupted everywhere, prompting tense Royal Guards to draw weapons—until Raymond raised his hand, calming them.
"Your Majesty... those are...?"
Gestain approached cautiously. Raymond grinned.
"Don't tense up. They're loyal to the Philius Empire and the imperial family, just like you."
Their loyalty was so profound they'd volunteered for indefinite hibernation magic.
Thud! Thump!
The dwarves' iron boots clanged loudly on the stone. Fresh from hibernation, they staggered, disoriented far longer than Royal Guards or Shades. Same conditions, different mental fortitude.
"Your Majesty."
The first to recover bowed. Likely the Ironhammer chief, Rackle Bronze.
"I am Rackle Bronze, supreme commander of the Ironhammer Unit, from the Dwarf Legion of the Otherrace Army that entered hibernation. It is my infinite honor to meet Your Majesty."
The Otherrace Army was the Philius Empire's ancient formation. With Golden Dawn elves and now dwarves, reviving it seemed fitting.
"Sir Rackle, the Empire's fortunes are dire. I need your aid."
"We stand gladly at the Empire's forefront."
Satisfied, Raymond nodded and peered past Rackle's shoulder. Dwarves were rousing one by one. All 500 sarcophagi stood open.
He'd awakened them all.
"We're about to exit the Black Mountains' outskirts."
A middle-aged senior commander dispatched from the Free Ishiria Kingdom's royal army reported cautiously to his superior.
"Is that so? Understood."
Exiting the outskirts meant bracing for full-scale monster battles, but the receiving general looked noticeably relaxed.
"We must heighten the troops' alert status."
"No need for that, senior commander."
"But General...!"
"I said there's no need."
The general raised his voice. He yawned briefly, as if tired, then gestured behind.
"You mean the Ghost Unit? Their scouting is excellent, but they can't evade all Black Mountains monsters."
"They can evade them all, senior commander. Maintain standard alert levels and worry not."
"May I know why?"
"You'll learn soon. It's classified for now."
A Ghost Unit member listening from behind slowly raised her head.
Her gray robe and deep hood hid her face, but the chain-shaped emblem on her chest felt oddly familiar.
She pushed back the hood, revealing bright purple hair.
"That's right. You all just need to trust this Elpis."