Chapter 113
Chapter 113
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 113
Chapter Title: Chapter 38: Black Mountains Bloodbath (4)
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"Looks like we have a guest."
A High Elf seated by a clear-running stream rose to his feet. Moments later, a woman in black robes emerged from a rift in the darkness behind him.
"The moonlight is beautiful tonight, isn't it?"
"I bring word from the Association to the Spirit Proxy, Sir Ode."
"I am prepared to heed the will of the End. Speak."
"The Emperor of the Philius Empire has left the forward fortress with a small entourage. The Association views this as the perfect opportunity to eliminate him."
Sir Ode's eyes gleamed with curiosity at the woman's words.
"The Emperor of Philius? The one who annihilated Lord Rodin's Fourth Legion?"
"Yes, Spirit Proxy."
"He just up and left the forward fortress? Doesn't that scream trap?"
"The Association dispatched agents to confirm—no escorts trailing behind besides his companions. Even if it's a trap, they can't conjure an army out of thin air on the spot."
Ode scratched his chin, piecing it together. Even if the Doomsday Society issued orders, he held a high enough rank among the executives to exercise some veto power.
Right now, he was gauging whether assassinating the Philius Emperor was feasible.
"Are the Philius imperial 'Shadows' accompanying the Emperor as well?"
"Yes. Only ten Royal Guards are with him openly, but we've confirmed about twenty 'Shadows' trailing secretly."
"I hear the Sword Saint is his bodyguard... I wonder if he's still with him."
The Sword Saint was no pushover. Even Ode, who had reached the realm of Grand Spirit Master, had to stay wary.
"He is. To that end, the Association will provide combat troops for you to use as shields, Spirit Proxy."
"Shields... Not a bad idea."
Spirit Masters weren't built for close-quarters combat, so facing the Sword Saint head-on would be a hassle. But with fodder to block the front, things changed.
Buy enough time to create distance, and he could dominate with ranged attacks.
"How many combat troops can you spare?"
"All thirty who can mobilize immediately."
"Thirty... That's decent."
Ode slowly nodded, curling his lips into a sinister smile.
Thirty wasn't enough to handle the Sword Saint, Royal Guards, and imperial Shades outright, but Ode brimmed with confidence.
He just needed them to buy a split-second when the Sword Saint charged. The moment distance opened, he could tear the man apart.
"How long until the combat troops arrive?"
The Emperor could head back to the fortress anytime—they needed to move fast. If support dragged, he'd go alone.
"If it takes too long, I'll move first."
Philius's young Emperor, Raymond, wasn't just on the Hashashin 'Black Book'—the Doomsday Society had marked him for priority assassination. One of their barons, Sidington, had died by his subordinates' hands, and Night Enforcer Rodin had lost his Fourth Legion.
"Those who've received orders will converge on your position first. I assure you, they'll all assemble and be combat-ready within a day."
"Good. I'll wait."
"All according to the will of the End."
With that, the woman vanished. Ode tilted his head back to gaze at the sky. Tonight's moon seemed especially dark.
"Your Majesty, we've entered the danger zone. From here on, we can't count on immediate support from the forward fortress."
Marquis Blizzard explained. His voice was calm but laced with unmistakable tension.
Now they had to protect the Emperor from a Grand Spirit Master who had single-handedly wiped out two thousand troops—with only a handful of escorts. Even the ever-composed marquis couldn't help but feel the strain.
Gestain the one-armed swordsman was there, but he'd only recently become a Sword Saint. Against a Grand Spirit Master or if the enemy brought numbers, it'd be a tough fight. Marquis Blizzard kept his tension high, scanning the forest uneasily.
"No need to worry, Marquis Blizzard. Nothing will happen."
"We'll make sure of it."
Raymond reassured the marquis, while Marquis Tempest exuded fierce confidence.
The Royal Guards were few, but all were viscounts or higher—elite. With two marquises who could stand among the empire's strongest, there was no cause for alarm.
"They're coming. Approaching fast from about five hours out."
Sylvia warned in a steady voice. Blessed by the Spirit King, her High Elf senses had sharpened further—she could now detect hostile approaches from five hours away.
"Five hours..."
Desia narrowed her eyes, murmuring to herself. Faint blue mana swirled around her staff before dissipating. If they prepped a magic circle now, the enemy might notice and scrap the ambush.
"What now?"
"Hide our intent. Act like we're out hunting."
Raymond answered Desia's question. He planned to play the reckless emperor on a wartime hunt. His saddle already bore a bow and quiver.
"Five hours... We're far enough from the fortress that instant response is out, but too far risks slow reinforcements if things go south. Might as well hunt around here."
They'd entered the danger zone to lure into a trap, but balance was key.
This distance was perfect. Time to pretend to hunt deer while waiting.
"As you command, Your Majesty."
Gestain approached as Raymond grabbed his bow and arrows. Raymond nodded and began the "hunt"—lure in disguise. Three hours passed.
"Hit!"
Raymond's arrow pierced the deer's neck. A watching Royal Guard shouted the mark. Third one. The act was getting old, and the enemies close.
Sylvia approached cautiously.
"Your Majesty, they're closer. Right nearby now."
Her voice was rigid with tension. Her wind spirits screamed warnings.
She'd guided them so far, but today she fought as a combatant. Battle-tested or not, nerves ran high.
"Royal Guards, prepare for battle—but stay subtle."
"As His Majesty commands."
The Royal Guards chorused, prepping without show. Raymond nodded approval, stowing his bow.
"Lady Sylvia, how much time?"
"About ten minutes."
"Thank you."
A Royal Guard viscount bit his lip at her reply, easing tension. No formations—they couldn't tip off ambushers.
"They're here."
Sylvia's voice cut sharp. Her tension meant they were very close. But Raymond sensed nothing.
Only Gestain extended his lone hand, gripping his sword hilt, face grim.
"Your Majesty!"
Gestain charged, drawing. A deep blue aura blade erupted, and red blood sprayed in the air.
"Gaaah!"
"Argh!"
Screams rang as black-clad assassins appeared. Severed limbs painted crimson arcs onto the dark ground.
"Enemy attack!"
Someone barked sharply.
"Royal Guards, draw swords!"
"Shields of the imperial bloodline! Protect the Philius Empire's rightful heir!"
Royal Guards surged forward, golden cloaks billowing. Dozens emerged from shadows, auras heavy—but the Emperor's shields charged without hesitation.
"Ice Storm!"
An ice storm ravaged ahead, blanketing vision in white. Supreme AoE magic—bloodbath ahead, surely.
But the storm's wake was eerily quiet.
A massive earthen shield had risen from the ground, blocking the way.
"Spirit Shield. High spirits summoned."
"High spirits, foolish High Elf—plural."
Had he heard Sylvia? A sharp voice accompanied a rift in the silence as a figure emerged. Black-robed, he was Ode, the Doomsday Society's Spirit Proxy executive.
As Ode said, four high spirits of earth, water, fire, and wind flanked him, radiating deadly menace.
"I'll summon high spirits too."
"No need."
Sylvia gathered mana, but Raymond raised a hand to stop her and stepped forward.
"Your Majesty!"
"Danger!"
Royal Guards protested, but Raymond was unmoved, resolute. He advanced steadily, Gestain following sword raised.
"Those high spirits can't harm me. Don't worry."
Extending his right hand, he summoned the Thousand Knights' aura—a white light coalescing into a sword's form. Ode's eyes lit with a grin.
"The Thousand Knights' Soul Sword... Heard the rumors, but first time seeing it."
Not fear—curiosity. Raymond found Ode pathetic.
"I'll make you feel fear."
"Will you now?"
Ode smirked confidently, raising his hand. But the high spirits didn't budge.
"Apologies, contractor. We cannot treat him as foe."
"He is our benefactor. The Spirit King commanded us—no army of flame can fight our savior."
The water and fire high spirits withdrew first. Earth nodded and sank. Wind dispersed into air.
"H-High spirits disobeying me? Then how about this!"
Ode surged mana, opening all reserves to tear a gate to the spirit realm. Dimensional portal swirled with immense power.
"Shall we end it?"
"No, Gestain. Let's watch the worm's final throes."
Raymond smiled benevolently, signaling. Shades melted from the night's darkness.
"We are Shades."
"Shadows guarding the empire's glory."
"By imperial command, we execute you."
Shades joined, and Doomsday fighters crumpled. Ode accelerated the portal.
"I am the Spirit King's proxy! Here and now—that will descends!"
Thunder roared; earth quaked. A colossal calamity loomed.
Even Royal Guards and Shades swallowed hard, but Raymond stood firm.
"Hold steady."
"Imperial command! Royal Guards, hold position!"
Marquis Tempest snapped. As Guards and Shades held, the portal fully opened—flames descended.
"The Fire Spirit King."
Sylvia murmured softly. A red-robed spirit pierced the fiery veil—the Fire Spirit King.
"Proxy, did you summon me?"
"Fire Spirit King! By contract, I beseech you—punish this foe to the Spirit King's will!"
Ode prostrated. He could summon spirit kings as proxy, but not command them fully.
"One who defies our will..."
Feeling the Fire Spirit King's gaze, Raymond simply smiled.