Chapter 129
Chapter 129
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 129
Chapter Title: Chapter 44: Black Conspiracy (1)
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"Sir Rodin."
A figure in a black robe emerged from the shadows of the basement. Rodin, who had been working on the knight's corpse laid out on the table, turned his head.
"A messenger from the Association?"
"Yes, that's correct."
"Any special news?"
Rodin paused his work on the corpse and turned to face the messenger fully. The messenger stepped completely out of the shadows and bowed politely right in front of him.
"The resistance forces operating in the Philius Empire's occupied territories are being swiftly crushed."
"That's odd. Weren't we providing them with supplies as well as intelligence support?"
It wasn't on the scale of the entire Association, but they had still been offering a certain level of intelligence support. Without that, the resistance would have been more than half wiped out by now.
With no special reports until now, he'd assumed they were shaking up the Philius Empire's rear without issue. But being crushed this quickly?
"It's true the Association was providing a certain amount of intelligence. However, there are individuals moving so covertly that they evade our intelligence network entirely."
"Covertly?"
Rodin frowned and echoed the word. The Association's intelligence capabilities were top-notch. Even if the full organization wasn't engaged in an intelligence war, it was astonishing that anyone in the Philius Empire could conduct a purge operation beyond their sight.
"Yes, Sir Rodin. They moved with such secrecy that it was hard for us to even pursue them. It's baffling how they didn't deploy such skilled operatives from the start."
If they had cards like that, shouldn't they have used them when the resistance first rose up? At least, that's what the messenger thought.
"No, perhaps they couldn't mobilize them back then. It seems Sir Richard would know more about this."
Rodin muttered almost to himself and nodded. His gaze then returned to the messenger.
"You didn't come all this way just to relay that one piece of news, did you? Has the Association issued any orders?"
"Yes, Sir Rodin. There's one directive addressed to you. Please receive it."
The messenger handed over an envelope sealed with magic from within his robes.
"Hm... I'll read it now."
Rodin dispelled the sealing magic circle, opened the envelope, and pulled out the directive. He read it quickly, then summoned a magical flame to burn both the envelope and the paper.
"Can I execute this right away?"
Despite his tone of concern, Rodin was smiling. The cold smirk on his lips sent chills down the messenger's spine.
"The Association's High Council wishes for you to carry out this plan as soon as possible."
"The end times draw near."
"My role ends here, Sir Rodin."
Rodin nodded silently, and the messenger vanished into the darkness.
"Adjutant."
"Yes, Sir Rodin."
One of his adjutants responded to the call and appeared. He was one of the few living humans among Rodin's close aides.
"The connection to that resistance group we contacted last time hasn't been severed yet, has it?"
"Of course not. Though the purge is underway in earnest, plenty of links remain."
"Then use those links to deliver the 'poison' I developed."
"The end times approach. It shall be done."
"Move swiftly."
"Yes, Sir Rodin."
The adjutant vanished after responding, leaving Rodin alone. He let out a wicked chuckle as he resumed creating undead.
On the outskirts of a small town square in the Ireiser Territory occupied by the Philius Empire, three or four hooded figures gathered in perfect unison.
Each held a leather waterskin in one hand, their faces uniformly tense, as if the contents were something dangerous.
"Boss, do we really have to dump this unidentified liquid into the well?"
"This well is used by both the Philius Empire's garrison and the kingdom's people..."
"I know."
Though his subordinates spoke in uneasy tones, the leader snapped back irritably.
"But this is the only way to liberate the Ireiser Marquisate."
"Innocent people could die, Boss."
"I know. But it's the command from higher up. We have no choice but to obey."
The resistance leadership in the occupied territories consisted of retainers of the Ireiser Marquis family. For legitimacy's sake, they had no option but to follow.
"If you understand, dump it all in the well."
At the leader's order, the resistance swordsmen reluctantly poured the ominous green liquid from their waterskins into the well.
"Now, withdraw."
They slipped away from the square as quietly and orderly as they'd arrived.
"Damn it!"
Raymond cursed as he opened his eyes. The familiar ceiling of the lord's castle bedroom came into view. He'd just woken from a nightmare.
But it felt too real and brutal to call a mere dream—it lingered vividly even now, right after waking.
"Hoo... I need a walk."
Nothing calmed a tangled mind like a stroll. He threw on an overcoat haphazardly and left the bedroom. Three Royal Guards on corridor duty and Silvia followed.
"Out for a walk, Your Majesty?"
Silvia approached with a bright smile. Night guard duty rotated among Gestain, Desia, and her—tonight was her turn.
"To clear my head and get some cool night air."
He replied with a faint smile.
"I'll escort you to the garden."
Silvia bowed politely and led the way. Raymond followed, and along the path, more Royal Guards joined from the corridors, forming a small escort. Even the lord's castle garden was guarded by heavily armed Imperial Army knights.
At the sight, Raymond let out a short sigh but slowly strolled, taking in the garden. No corpses or bloodstains remained, but traces of battle lingered, and the flowers and trees weren't fully restored. Still, it wasn't a bad view for contemplation.
His purpose wasn't admiring flora anyway—it was fresh air and clear thoughts—so the garden's state didn't matter much.
"Your Majesty! There you are!"
He was walking the expansive garden, organizing his thoughts, when footsteps and a familiar voice approached. Turning, he saw Count Denitz.
"Count Denitz? What brings you here so late?"
He couldn't even joke, 'Did you have a nightmare too?' The count's expression was gravely serious.
"Undead."
"Undead?"
"Yes, Your Majesty. An undead horde has seized Palbion City."
"Undead appearing out of nowhere?"
Raymond frowned, incredulous at the sudden undead outbreak. But the count's earnest face made it clear this was no joke.
"Explain."
"Palbion City is a key stronghold hiding major resistance facilities. The Imperial Church suspects the city's resistance is plotting something."
"Count Denitz, what's your take?"
"I share the Imperial Church's view. The Palbion resistance must be behind this."
"We need to summon Count Potas immediately."
Raymond muttered to himself and pulled out a small blue crystal to contact Count Potas, infusing it with mana.
Soon, the air split open, and Count Potas stepped out in his red uniform, bowing.
"I greet Your Majesty."
"How much does Central Intelligence know about the Palbion incident?"
"As much as the Imperial Church has grasped."
"Has the entire city fallen to the undead?"
Count Potas rummaged in his pocket for a sheet of paper and unfolded it, scanning it quickly.
It was a hasty report on Palbion he'd grabbed while responding to the summons.
"Palbion had 1,000 troops from the homeland garrisoned there. Contact has been lost, and they're presumed wiped out by now."
"Not confirmed?"
"We can consider it near-certain."
"And the citizens?"
"Likely the same fate. With the city swarming undead, survivors are improbable."
It was cold, but factual. As head of the Philius Empire's top intelligence agency, Count Potas had to analyze objectively.
"Any count on undead numbers?"
To determine suppression forces, their numbers were key.
"At least 10,000."
"Then we'll need to deploy nearly that many ourselves."
"They're undead, Your Majesty. Without locating the necromancer, we may need even more."
Regrettably, necromancers rarely showed themselves upfront. They usually lurked at mana range's edge, commanding undead. Knowing the [Empire of the Dead] novel world better than anyone, Raymond bit his lip and turned to Count Denitz.
"How many troops can we mobilize right now?"
"The Ireiser front isn't stable enough to divert forces there immediately. Available numbers are limited."
If the Ireiser front collapsed, Third Marshal Marquis Direp's army would penetrate deep into occupied Philius territories, expanding the front to meaninglessness. Count Denitz was determined to prevent that.
"Damn it!"
Raymond swore. The count's expression suggested mobilizing the Imperial Army wouldn't be easy either.
"Your Majesty."
A sudden presence made Raymond look up. Marquis Blizzard of the Royal Guard stood there.
"What is it?"
"Bishop Gustav of the Imperial Church requests an audience with Your Majesty."
"Bishop Gustav? At this hour?"
"Yes, Your Majesty."
Raymond pondered briefly, but it vanished quickly. The Imperial Church had brought the Palbion intel.
Bishop Gustav must have grasped the severity and moved to meet Emperor Raymond immediately.
"Let him in."
Though not the audience chamber but the ruined garden, Royal Guard presence required Raymond's permission. Grand Marshal Count Denitz, with his trust, was an exception.
Bishop Gustav soon entered in his bishop's robes. Raymond masked his frustration and greeted him.
"Long live His Majesty the Emperor!"
The Imperial Church's greeting was unique. They always shouted "Long live" upon seeing Emperor Raymond, so devout and solemn it couldn't be refused.
"You bring news of Palbion?"
Raymond asked. Bishop Gustav smiled faintly and slowly knelt on one knee.
"Our delay in purging has led to this unfortunate event, disturbing Your Majesty's peace. Grant our Inquisition Unit leave to punish them."
Raymond glanced at Count Denitz, who shook his head sternly—no troops to spare.
"Until the Ireiser front stabilizes, the rear must hold defensively."
Count Denitz stated. Bishop Gustav looked up.
"No military support needed, Grand Marshal."
"What? Tackle undead without army aid?"
"If Your Majesty permits, the Imperial Church will gladly lead the 'crusade' vanguard."
It sounded like volunteering for death. Count Denitz shook his head in disbelief, but the bishop was resolute.
Reading his expression, Raymond spoke slowly.
"You have grounds for that confidence?"
"Of course."
Bishop Gustav grinned and rose.
"The Imperial Church has the Holy Knight Order. They will eradicate the undead horde."
The source of his confidence was the Imperial Church's Holy Knight Order.