Chapter 149
Chapter 149
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 149
Chapter Title: Chapter 51: King Escape Operation (4)
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"Urk!"
The Chains of Eternal Torment bound the black silhouette.
But the one captured wasn't Duke Alipis, whom Raymond had targeted. It was an executive of the Doomsday Society, whose shadow the duke had briefly possessed.
"To think you'd use something like this..."
Raymond sighed in disbelief, his face a mask of exasperation.
It wasn't impossible for the Chains of Eternal Torment, which pursued its target relentlessly, to fail.
But he hadn't anticipated Duke Alipis dodging it this way, leaving him flustered.
"Damn it!"
He spat a curse and thrust out his hand. A spear of flame materialized and pierced the heart of the Doomsday Society executive bound by the chains.
"Gah!"
The executive let out a short scream before going limp and lifeless. But since it wasn't the intended target, Duke Alipis, the outcome left Raymond dissatisfied.
The Chains of Eternal Torment consumed a great deal of mana. He regretted not using it more carefully, but what was done was done.
Duke Alipis, having sacrificed his subordinate to evade the lethal spell, immediately lunged toward Marquis Incred.
"Not on my watch!"
Gestain stepped forward, and Desia began chanting a spell, but Doomsday Society executives swarmed like bees, blocking their path and preventing them from stopping the duke.
Seizing the chaos, Duke Alipis melted into the shadows. Marquis Incred tried to track him with magic, but unfortunately, the duke was a fraction faster.
By the time Marquis Incred was about to cast a spell to locate and counter him, a blade infused with shadow was already aimed at the marquis's back.
"Argh!"
Even a grand magus couldn't hold the advantage in close quarters against an assassin of similar caliber.
Marquis Incred swiftly defended and counterattacked with spells that required no incantation, but Duke Alipis parried with shadow energy or dodged with agile movements.
Finally, the shadow dagger sliced into Marquis Incred's abdomen, eliciting a scream of agony.
"Grraaagh!"
Marquis Incred tried to staunch the bleeding with magic, but the duke's abilities extended beyond mere shadow manipulation. Deadly poison and curses thwarted the healing spell, worsening the wound.
"Marquis Incred!"
The king's remaining royal guards held back King Rudel, who was about to rush to the marquis's side.
As Duke Alipis raised his shadow dagger to finish the fading life of Marquis Incred, Gestain deftly blocked his path and swung his sword. He had dealt with the Doomsday Society executives and rejoined the fray.
The aura blade scattered brilliant light, and Duke Alipis seemed to respond adequately before retreating.
But others lay in wait behind him—Raymond and Sylvia.
"I'll provide support!"
Sylvia's voice rang out. Raymond charged at Duke Alipis, keeping her behind him. He felt the wind carrying a blade's edge whistle past right after.
While the duke deflected the wind blade, Raymond closed the distance in an instant.
The Soul Sword, gleaming with pure white radiance, swung down. Duke Alipis's swordsmanship was refined and masterful, but Raymond's was no less formidable.
As the two fiercely exchanged blows, Gestain joined in. With the Sword Saint's addition, Duke Alipis began to give ground bit by bit.
He sought an opening to retreat, but Desia's magic support—having eliminated the interfering executives—made evasion difficult.
"Damn it!"
This time, it was Duke Alipis who cursed. Frustration boiled over as things didn't go his way.
All the Doomsday Society executives he had summoned were dead, and the regular fighters were dwindling rapidly.
Moreover, though gravely wounded, Marquis Incred hadn't fallen yet. His magic continued to press the duke.
"Ngh!"
A stifled groan escaped him. Raymond's Soul Sword pierced the duke's Shadow Veil, deeply slashing his abdomen.
It was a mortal wound, spilling entrails. The pain was excruciating, and massive blood loss clouded his mind momentarily.
Yet Duke Alipis showed no faltering in his combat stance, wielding his shadow dagger against Gestain and Raymond. But that didn't last.
"Cough!"
The backlash of excessive movement without staunching or treatment hit immediately. A gush of red blood poured from Duke Alipis's mouth.
As he staggered, Gestain swung his sword.
"D-Damn it!"
Realizing too late the approaching aura blade, Duke Alipis raised his shadow dagger with a curse.
"Too slow!"
"Gaaargh!"
Gestain's sword cleanly severed Duke Alipis's right arm. Blood sprayed into the air, and as the duke failed to recover his wits, Raymond closed in and unleashed the Soul Sword.
Not a single strike, but a flurry. Blinding white flashes rained down.
Even Duke Alipis, hailed as the pinnacle of shadow lords, couldn't block the sharp, relentless barrage with only his left arm remaining.
Duke Alipis collapsed limply. Blood poured from his mangled body, forming a crimson pool.
He moved no more. The Doomsday Society fighters had suffered near-total annihilation.
But it wasn't over yet...
"They're coming again. Over two hundred strong."
Sylvia warned. Two hundred exceeded the number they'd just slain.
"They're forming an encirclement."
"Can we break out?"
"It won't be easy."
Sylvia shook her head grimly in response to Raymond's question. It seemed they'd spent too much time dealing with Duke Alipis.
"Don't worry. I'll hold them here..."
"Marquis Incred!"
"Your Majesty. The curse in Duke Alipis's weapon is stronger than I thought. I can't recover from this with my magic."
Marquis Incred spoke. He didn't elaborate, but it was clear his life was ebbing away.
Yet King Rudel shook his head in trembling denial, unwilling to accept losing the pillar that had sustained him since childhood.
He wanted to throw a tantrum, but the situation forbade it, driving him to the brink of madness.
"Please go, Your Majesty."
Marquis Incred urged, his voice weak.
He seemed ready to collapse, yet he clung to life with all his might for the king and the future glory of the Jayst Magic Kingdom.
"Your Majesty! We must go!"
As the royal guards urged him coldly and silently, the remaining knights finally seized King Rudel and led him away.
Witnessing this, Marquis Incred offered a final smile, gathered his mana, and bought them time. During that span, Raymond and the others reached the secret passage connecting to outside the palace.
No sooner had they escaped through the secret door than Lancer pulled out a small whistle and blew it.
Piiiek—
A shrill high-pitched sound echoed, followed by the heavy thud of hooves approaching from somewhere, growing nearer.
A considerable number of warhorses were on the move. Sure enough, amid a cloud of dust, over a hundred mounts appeared on the main road, led by lightly armed riders.
"These are agents from the Haipel Special Operations Bureau!"
Lancer calmed the wary royal guards. The Haipel agents approached and handed over the warhorses to him.
With many lost in the recent battle against the Doomsday Society, the horses filled the gap perfectly.
Thanks to Marquis Incred holding the rear, no pursuers appeared as they escaped the capital's central district.
The group safely reached the deep mountains where the stealth airship awaited.
"Your Majesty!"
Lieutenant Barnet Riart greeted King Rudel fervently. He and the airship were fully prepared. As Raymond and the others boarded, it took off immediately.
A few airships launched belatedly from the capital in pursuit, but the stealth ship slipped out of the capital region before any net could form.
No further chases followed. The Doomsday Society's grip was near-absolute only in the capital; mobilizing forces elsewhere was impractical.
Of course, detection by patrols could complicate things, but guided by Haipel intelligence, they crossed the Philius Empire border without incident.
"We're heading to the Edriger Governorate."
Lieutenant Barnet Riart reported.
The airship flew toward the site of Edriger Kingdom's former capital, now the governorate's headquarters.
Beyond the border, no threats loomed. Though Edriger had fallen recently, it was firmly Philius Empire territory now.
Forces from the Jayst Magic Kingdom couldn't pursue here.
"Landing now."
The flight from the border to the governorate was shorter than expected. With open skies ahead, the airship—flying the Philius emperor's and Jayst king's banners—touched down on the largest clearing at the Edriger Governorate.
Count Denitz and Count Potas waited there with a small retinue for Raymond.
Finally, Raymond, King Rudel, and the others disembarked from the fully landed stealth airship.
They had arrived safely.
The Philius Empire had successfully extracted King Rudel from the Doomsday Society-dominated capital and secured his safety.
Haipel Special Operations Bureau provided modest aid in the process, revealing to Raymond that Haipel Empire was also hunting the Doomsday Society and deemed them enemies.
"Do you think this opens diplomatic channels with Haipel Empire?"
Late at night, in the Edriger Governorate's office, Raymond asked Count Denitz. The count rolled his eyes thoughtfully, organizing his response.
The silence didn't last long. After about five minutes, Count Denitz spoke cautiously.
"Your Majesty. I too hope for positive diplomatic shifts with Haipel. But after decades as de facto enemies with severed ties, even this foothold may not guarantee change."
Raymond nodded slowly at the count's candid view.
"So, no major changes right away?"
"Yes, Your Majesty. Yet, after long isolation, even a tenuous link with Haipel is an achievement no predecessor emperor accomplished."
"Count Denitz, aren't you gilding my image too much?"
"It's the truth, Your Majesty. This is all your direct achievement. Changes may come in some form—please don't be impatient."
Count Denitz bowed calmly.
"I hope for positive change."
It was Raymond's honest sentiment. He knew the [Empire of the Dead] worldview lore intimately, so Haipel Empire's might was no mystery.
To face them, Philius needed power rivaling its ancient peak.
Preparing for war with Haipel while the enigmatic Doomsday Society lurked behind was unwise.
Haipel's emperor likely thought similarly. Otherwise, why send agents to aid Philius in rescuing King Rudel?
A knock sounded then. Raymond permitted entry, and a golden-masked Royal Guard viscount entered cautiously.
"Your Majesty. Incoming magical communication request."
A late-night magic comm to the emperor, reported personally by a Royal Guard, meant a weighty matter or diplomatically vital figure.
"Speak of the tiger, and it appears—truly."
Count Denitz grinned. Raymond's eyes widened.
"No way...?"
"That 'no way' is correct. A magic comm request from Haipel Empire."
The long-broken diplomatic bridge was mending.