Chapter 216
Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 216
Chapter Title: A Continent in Turmoil
Loan unfurled the message.
[Union Faith Division, Sienna, to Loan - Central Versa. Combat occurred during mediation of a land dispute between the Le Dong and Albre families. A significant number of Versa and Le Dong forces were found to be in collusion with Grave. Enemy forces annihilated, key demon escaped.]
It was a message from Sienna.
Following that, the contents of the message Loan had sent after leaving the hills were attached for ‘reference’.
[Grave mining facility discovered beneath the hills. Presumed to be the origin of the materials for the dark magic towers.]
The administration had adjusted the level of disclosure, adding only a simple summary like an annotation.
While the information up to that point was something Loan had experienced himself and merely served as confirmation, the content that followed made his mouth go dry.
[All residents of the southwestern village of 'Aquio' and the northeastern village of 'Laeti' in Ferrara are deceased. The Responsibility Division is investigating this as a small-scale version of the magic circles utilizing the dark magic towers. Casualties are approximately 50 in each village. Both villages are strategic locations, requiring special attention.]
[Final confirmation that a rebellion has occurred in Versa Castle, which is now under Perver's control. Commander Vangelis of the Practical Division, who was assessing the situation, is missing. The safety of Administrator Berthelot, third in line to the Duchy of Versa and currently outside the castle, must be secured.]
[City near Xiong's administrative capital, Leoder, annihilated. A large number of corrupt monks have appeared. Final confirmation that the Orthodox Church's knightly order, led by Archbishop Fabian, is making a stand in Leoder. The severe cold and blizzard season has begun, making Union access impossible. The Stability Division, led by Commander Hans, is on standby on the outskirts.]
[The Rhodes civil war is escalating due to the intervention of local lords and Grave. Vice Commander Oscar of the Faith Division and Runner Lucas have successfully infiltrated Philippa. Confirmed to have received important positions.]
[Large numbers of Grave, Le Tell, and Maligno have appeared in the Barcino bridge area. The bridge area is believed to be under their control. Most members of the Harmony Division, including Commander Lydia, are isolated inside Barcino.]
[Commander Adrian of the Faith Division has killed a high-ranking Le Tell executive known as an 'Apostle' near the Grafton Kingdom. The location of Le Tell's main force is believed to be fluid. Related information is being compiled.]
[Captain Mika summoned to the Grafton Kingdom for an audience with King Simon. Classified as unavailable for one month.]
[Schwerin's eastern village 'Ambert' and southern village 'Marktl' annihilated. Approximately 40 casualties in each. Presumed to be a test version of the dark magic circles. Sporadic attacks by Brien's black mages are also estimated to have caused significant damage to small local cities and villages. The Schwerin Magic Tower has been opened.]
[Norfolk has appeared in the northernmost part of the Grafton territory. Believed to have crossed the Teak Mountains. The Honor Division, including Commander Magda, stationed at the Union, has been dispatched.]
Horrific events were unfolding across the entire continent.
Even though the administration was compiling and retransmitting the information, the fact that all these messages arrived at once meant the incidents were happening simultaneously and were extremely urgent.
Even to Loan, not a single one of these issues could be overlooked; they were all deeply concerning.
What angered him most was the fact that Felsina was not the only place where a dark magic tower had been installed.
Though they were small villages, a not-insignificant number of ordinary people had lost their lives overnight.
He couldn't immediately guess why those bastards had done it.
Loan recalled Marbas's prattling words—'what will happen, will happen'—and bit his lower lip hard.
“Loan.”
Sienna, who had approached without him noticing, called his name.
Her expression was also very grim.
“The situation is mostly dire. But there are things we must do right now.”
Loan nodded, then turned his gaze.
Having finished organizing the area, Berthelot was reassuring the villagers.
“If Administrator Berthelot is third in line in Versa, is he a direct descendant of the Duke of Versa?”
“Currently, Versa is ruled by the late duke's widow, who took over after his death from a chronic illness. She officially inherited the ducal title with approval from the Grafton Kingdom, so Administrator Berthelot wouldn't be in the current Duchess's direct line of succession. Her son, the heir, is only five years old.”
“Ah... if he’s third in line, he must be the late duke's younger or older brother.”
“That’s likely the case. For someone in his position to work as an administrator and come all the way out to the provinces... He’s no ordinary man.”
He was a man who didn't show it.
He was down-to-earth and humble, and he always looked out for those around him.
His position was one where he could have easily harbored ambitions for power, so his choice to become an administrator and work abroad seemed like a measure to avoid burdening the current Duchess and her young son.
‘From Grave’s perspective, he might be a thorn in their side...’
Loan thought.
Perhaps Marbas and the demon sympathizers had come here together, using the Le Dong affair as a pretext to assassinate him.
Marbas's words about hastening the takeover of Versa might have held that meaning.
Sienna said.
“For now, we must protect the administrator. We’ll also have to inform him that Versa has been taken.”
There was no need to hide the truth and protect him in secret, nor should they.
Sienna and Loan approached Berthelot, led him to a quiet place, and delivered the news that Versa had been seized.
Berthelot simply listened. His reaction was surprisingly calm.
As if there was nothing left that could shock him.
“I expected as much. If the men who came with me ended up like that, the situation inside Versa couldn't be much different. Even Claude, who was a dear friend of mine, was a demon. He was the one who insisted I come here and led those men... They must have been well-prepared.”
Claude, he had said, was Marbas’s name when he was human.
Sienna said.
“As the Union, we cannot turn a blind eye. Since we are the closest to Versa, Loan and I intend to head to the castle. What will you do, Administrator?”
“I will go to save my nephew. I hope the Union will also aim to retake Versa, but I would appreciate it if you could focus more on rescuing any survivors who might be inside.”
“Your nephew... you mean the young duke?”
“Yes. The late duke was my older brother.”
“I see. In that case, from Loan's and my perspective, your safety, Administrator Berthelot, is of the utmost importance. Must you really go?”
To Sienna's question, Berthelot nodded, his gaze unwavering.
“Understood. I will report the situation to the Union and consider the best course of action.”
After that, Berthelot had to stay close by Sienna's side.
He did so until she sent her message and received the optimal mission and route from the Union administration.
In the meantime.
Loan returned to the rest of the group.
He had to inform them of the situation, as he might have to leave for Versa immediately.
Bella, Melville, and Gradin seemed quite shocked to hear Loan’s story.
Melville said.
“This is truly a disaster. Does this mean you’re heading to Versa Castle, Master?”
“Yes. It seems Sienna and I are the closest members. And Administrator Berthelot insists on returning as well.”
“I see...”
Melville's voice trailed off, his expression troubled.
He seemed torn between his duty and his desire to help his master.
He was an honest man, his feelings plain to see.
“Melville, you are the rightful lord of Pobel. With Grave’s atrocities occurring across the continent, you must look after the people in your territory. Just as you are now.”
When Loan drew the line and dissuaded him, Melville looked deeply moved.
He seemed ready to follow his young master's words, even if they were unfair.
Feeling the weight of Melville's gaze, Loan turned his attention to Bella.
She spoke up immediately.
“I... I want to properly investigate what just happened. If there’s any demonic power left behind, I want to get rid of it, and I want to be free from the memory. So, if it’s okay... It’s shameless of me to ask, Young Master, but could the Union perhaps look after me?”
“Of course. As I’ve said before, Miss Bella, you possess far more than you think. The Union might even be the one asking for your help. It will be mutually beneficial.”
At Loan's answer, Bella's face brightened.
It seemed she had been wrestling with many worries in a short time.
However, he was a little concerned about having to send her off alone.
“Hmm... if you’re going to the Union, how about we go with you? It’ll be safer with this many of us traveling together.”
Gradin suddenly interjected.
Behind him, the dwarves strode forward.
When Loan gave him a questioning look, Gradin continued.
“For starters, I’m of the same mind as the young lady. It’s not entirely clear yet, but it seems certain we’ve done something wrong, and what you said about ‘pride’ keeps coming to mind. As they say, you should brush the dirt off your boots before entering the burrow.”
Although they had prevented a major incident, the damage from the dark magic towers had occurred elsewhere.
It might still be happening now. And there could be more dark magic stones than just those mined from beneath the hills.
If the dwarves cooperated, it would be helpful in many ways.
Besides, the Union was currently where the largest population of dwarves resided.
“Thank you for saying so. I’ll send a message ahead.”
“We’re the ones who should be grateful. Now we can finally keep our promise to go see Alik. His family was always boasting about the great things he was doing at the Union, haha.”
Gradin’s laughter spread through the entire group of dwarves.
Their laughter eased the heaviness in Loan's heart.
The news Sienna brought was also welcome.
“Loan, I’ve received an update. We are to rendezvous with a nearby unit on the outskirts of Versa Castle in two days.”
“That gives us some time. Is that alright?”
“The castle has already fallen to the enemy, and it’s not exactly small. The number of enemies inside is also considerable. We can’t just rush in blindly.”
It meant the objective was reclamation and annihilation rather than rescue.
It might seem cold, but the Union didn't appear to be overly concerned with the survival of the Duchess of Versa.
That might be why Berthelot's safety was even more important.
Fortunately, Berthelot was some distance away, attending to the villagers.
He might have been disappointed if he had understood the implications.
“Understood. We’ll depart as soon as we’re ready.”
Suddenly, Melville, who was standing nearby, hesitantly chimed in.
“Um, Master. Since you have two days, perhaps you could rest a bit while traveling by carriage.”
“Hmm?”
“There’s not much else I can do to help. I want to go with you, but I know I should follow your words.”
“We would be very grateful if you did.”
Sienna cut in and replied.
It was a welcome suggestion for Loan as well.
There was something he needed time for.
“Thank you, Melville. That would be a great help.”
Loan said, looking at the floating corpse—no, the green mass whose original form was now indiscernible—and the dark priest.
“Well then, I’ll see you at the Union.”
Loan, Sienna, and Berthelot bid farewell to their erstwhile companions.
The dwarves led by Gradin, along with Bella, headed for the Union first. Melville procured a four-horse carriage from Le Dong before turning back toward his own domain.
The carriage was spacious and comfortable enough for the three of them inside, but Loan chose the roof.
He had decided to continue his research and interrogation during the two-day journey, a decision Sienna was very pleased with.
The green mass Loan intended to take with him had been quite overwhelming for her as well.
“Alright, let’s depart.”
Berthelot decided to drive the carriage himself, and they set off.
Loan sat cross-legged on the roof, levitating the green mass and the dark priest side by side before him.
The dark priest turned his eyes to the green mass, then began to struggle, making muffled sounds.
His expression was one of absolute terror.
He seemed to know something.