Chapter 80
Chapter 80
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 80
Chapter Title: Night of the Oasis
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*
The night in the oasis was beautiful. Fernandez paused for a moment, lost in admiration as he gazed at the intricate network of canals crisscrossing the city. The pure white moonlight shimmered on the water's surface.
“Benefactor. One hour has passed.”
Kirhas's turquoise eyes gleamed in the darkness. Fernandez unfolded the map. Thirty minutes assuming a smokescreen, then another thirty waiting for them to prepare. That made one hour. The dot on the map had remained in the same spot for the entire time.
The classical tracking spell, woven using the target's blood and organs, was remarkably straightforward in its effects—but equally easy to detect. Fernandez smiled in satisfaction, sensing a slight increase in the Bronze Throne's total mana.
-Thirteen counter-tracking attempts. Their magical forces don't know when to quit.
‘Even thirty attempts would yield the same result.’
Every spell left an afterimage. Magic of this sort, with effects that lingered for so long, was inevitably vulnerable to backtracking. That is, if the caster was an ordinary mage.
Unfortunately for them, Fernandez was no ordinary mage. The enemy had already discerned the nature of the spell and attempted counter-tracking. With every one failing, they had likely finished their preparations by now. Fernandez chuckled softly and tucked away his dagger.
He leaped toward the vast city sprawled radially around the oasis.
“Kirhas, let's go.”
“Yes, Benefactor.”
*
The streets of Mosat City were a tangled maze. It was a commercial hub that had grown around the oasis from the start—and one that carried the ever-present threat of war right on its doorstep.
Though the city itself dated back to the era of the ancient Upper Asit Empire, rampant haphazard development had turned the old districts into a nightmarish labyrinth.
Fernandez was walking through the alleyways of the market, right next to the harem district, when he suddenly stopped at a sewer entrance. Without the map, finding his way would have been quite the challenge.
The lingering trace of the tracking spell from Bain's blood was close by. Fernandez folded the map after glancing at the blinking red blood droplet.
“Kirhas. Get ready.”
“...Yes, Benefactor.”
Kirhas gripped the hilt of her sword, her expression tense. She radiated a feral menace, poised to charge at any moment. Fernandez shrugged his shoulders and pushed open the wooden door of a dingy tavern.
-Creeeak.
The rusty hinges groaned loudly as the door swung inward. The interior was dim, reeking of stale tobacco smoke. Fernandez grimaced slightly as he stepped inside.
-Clack.
Under the tavern's faint lighting, the bartender and patrons all glared at them in unison. Thick killing intent seemed to crawl across their skin. He spotted the bartender setting down the glass he had been wiping and slowly sliding a hand under the bar.
With the sharp hearing of a Religiosa Demonica, Fernandez caught the faint scrape of blades being drawn from sheaths all around.
“Welcome. New faces, are we...?”
“Skip the sizing up.”
“You're no fun at all. This is the best and most exciting part.”
Fernandez ignored the bartender's grin and strode across the tavern. With each step, the lounging patrons rose one by one.
“You seem to have put one of our friends in a tough spot. I don't know why an Imperial's come all the way out here, but...”
The bartender slowly raised his hand. In it was a long, slender scimitar. At the same instant, the patrons drew their blades as one.
“Benefactor!!”
Kirhas drew her longsword and assumed a stance, shouting. There were too many. They had faced larger numbers before, but even a great hero would die if enough blades pierced their flesh!
“Stand down. You're no match for them.”
A low voice came from the back of the bar, from behind a draped curtain. The clear tone swept away the sticky malice filling the tavern. Fernandez peered into the shadows beyond the curtain, where eyes glinted.
“Bold one, aren't you, mage.”
“Are you Shakxi?”
“The joy of life lies in encounters like these. Young mage.”
-Swish.
The curtain parted, revealing a woman with black hair. She had the swarthy skin typical of desert folk and amethyst eyes that sparkled like gems. She wore thin fabric that barely covered her brown skin.
She spun a dagger on her fingertip as she regarded Fernandez, flashing a bewitching smile.
“Younger than I expected. Impressive. Your tricks had me picturing some old grand mage.”
Follow me. She smiled languidly and stepped back into the room. Fernandez and Kirhas followed.
*
The tavern's private room was lavish and dreamlike, lit by lanterns fitted with purple glass beads and oil. The woman reclined on a velvet sofa and lit a hookah.
-Sizzle.
Soon, the liquid atop the hookah began to bubble. She took the hose, placed the mouthpiece between her lips. A decadent aroma filled the room. Kirhas, with her keen sense of smell, coughed and pinched her nose.
The woman chuckled at the sight.
“A young beastkin virgin, eh? Which tribe are you from?”
“We're not here for small talk.”
“But that's exactly why you're here, isn't it? That's why I invited you in. You didn't track us down just to wipe us out, did you?”
A tough one. Fernandez narrowed his eyes and glared at her. The woman smiled stickily.
“Round Table Knight Albert—at least, that's the name we've got on you. Care to share any others?”
“If you share yours first?”
“Ah, young mage. Folks like us have many names.”
She laughed like silk brushing skin. A dizzying, sweet fragrance wafted from her breath. Fernandez quickly examined the hookah. Her eyes were clear and sharp, so it didn't seem drug-laced...
“Sadia Amal of the Shakxi. That's what you can call me now.”
“Angelo.”
“Oh? Not what I expected. Beitasser lineage? An Inquisitor's name?”
The woman—Sadia—exhaled a long plume of smoke and laughed. Her white teeth gleamed in the light.
“So, you're not one of Iron Side's bastard pups. Prefer the Holy Pantheon's mutts, do you? That changes things.”
“Enough chit-chat. Let's get to the point.”
“Don't live so plainly, lad. Life's short, and pleasures are few.”
Kirjat Shakxi. The Sultan's direct elite operatives. Assassinations, rival eliminations, sabotage, opinion manipulation, intelligence gathering... The terrifying symbol that handled all the dirty work the Sultan couldn't openly touch.
They were one of the two swords held by the current Kirjat Sultan, Isa Musq Yahya Al'Hashir—alongside the Kirjat Immortal Battalion, the most infamous organization.
Fernandez felt deep intrigue watching Sadia's nonchalant expression. Exchanging mind games was basic for a black mage. And through this thick fragrance...
This woman was a black mage too. A fairly high-ranking one.
“You've studied magic, Sadia.”
“That's why I'm not killing you right now, young knight. How can a knight blessed by Shild, a great Round Table Knight of Beitasser, an Inquisitor, and a mage superior to me all be the same person? Which is the lie? Which is your true face?”
“All three are me. Now, to the main topic.”
“The main topic, you say...”
Sadia spun the dagger on her slender fingertip.
“What do you want? Why track me down by tormenting our informant?”
“What's beneath this city. At least, a passage to the entrance.”
“Terms of the deal?”
“Name them.”
Sadia let out a low chuckle. Impressive. She was genuinely intrigued by this young man. Her intel pegged him as a new Round Table Knight from the Dane Kingdom, operating with Iron Side lately.
Yet here he was, casting spells on her informant, dodging all her counter-tracks—and even walking into the lion's den after realizing his spell was exposed?
Such audacity, such sharpness. Her type. If he'd been Iron Side's dog, she'd have dealt with him on the spot... But an Inquisition man named Angelo? That changed things. Not an enemy of the Shakxi, at least.
As a Shakxi of the Sultan, Sadia calculated swiftly. She licked her lips and eyed Fernandez.
“Curious what Iron Side wants from this city.”
“To capture Shakxi and interrogate them?”
“No, if you know what's slumbering underground, it'd be more than that.”
“The third seal of the Necropolis Conclave. An ancient seal no one's ever breached.”
“And you've come... A knight blessed by Shild, a superb black mage... Heh, got to hand it to Iron Side's talent scouting.”
Sadia's eyes turned cold. She spoke threateningly.
“Breaking the Necropolis seal is taboo, Inquisitor Angelo. You've got plenty of demon hunting back home—why trek to this desert? We turn a blind eye to the great seal because we don't want to relive Upper Asit's tragedy.”
“You're not turning a blind eye—you're outright worshiping it. That mercenary your informant hired was Mumto's faction, wasn't he?”
“Corruption's a useful tool, depending on how you wield it. We follow the Sultan, not religion.”
Fernandez drew a dagger from his bosom. A crude blade of dark green steel etched with intricate brass filigree. The Necropolis dagger. Sadia's face hardened at the sight.
“The seal's already starting to break, Sadia. Too late. If you don't want to recreate Upper Asit Empire's fall, cooperation seems wise.”
“...Let me see it.”
Sadia carefully lifted the Necropolis dagger and examined it closely. Sweat beaded on her palms. Ancient Asit engraving style. Authentic.
“Where'd you get it?”
“Caught an escaped wraith. It had made it all the way to Dane Kingdom. If they break the seal here, well. What do you think happens?”
“...Mosat City has forty thousand innocent citizens.”
“Not so innocent for long.”
“Threatening me?”
“Advising you. Help, unless you want a legion of forty thousand wraiths.”
Sadia swallowed and slowly set the dagger down, handling it like live explosive. She quickly made the sign of the cross and fell silent.
Five pillars guarded the Necropolis great seal, one buried beneath Mosat City. Legends said Upper Asit Empire fell alongside the Necropolis's rampage, turning that land into the great desert. The thought flashed through her mind.
If one seal opened on its own? If the wraiths and demons slumbering within poured into Mosat City? The city's fate would end that day.
The seal had held for at least two thousand years. Few knew of the great seal, but none feared it breaking in their lifetime. It was an unbreakable ancient incantation, even if you tried to shatter it.
If it was unraveling now...
“You're going to reinforce that seal?”
“No. I'm going to unseal it completely.”
“...Insanity!”
Sadia shouted harshly, and footsteps approached from beyond the curtain. Fernandez sensed the men drawing swords and smiled.
“And personally rip apart the Conclave slumbering inside.”
“You talk like you've done it before.”
“Of course.”
Fernandez met Sadia's eyes. Her purple gaze sparkled like jewels. He read anxiety and fear within.
Why had Iron Side given him this dagger? A joker card for the Shakxi. Why push him to break the Necropolis seal?
‘Doesn't matter.’
Success or failure, it'd sow chaos and burden on Kirjat. A no-lose gamble for Iron Side. Foolish. Fernandez smirked. A shallow ploy.
He'd never made a losing deal, even with archdemons.
“I'll clear the path. But I'm coming with you.”
“Fine.”
Fernandez pocketed the dagger with a smile. If Iron Side's aim was just stirring chaos in Kirjat...
It was merely a convenient trick from his perspective.