Chapter 573: To This Move of Mine, How Shall Your Excellency...
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 573: To This Move of Mine, How Shall Your Excellency...
Inside the exquisite and luxurious crystal coffin lay an old man dressed in simple robes.
The old man’s eyes were slightly closed, his expression peaceful as if he were merely slumbering. His face even held a faint, lifelike flush, making it seem as though he might rise from the coffin and wake from his nap at any moment.
His hands were crossed over his chest, and on his finger, he wore a ruby ring engraved with the Dion family crest. Under the refraction of the dim light, it exuded the dignity of one who had long held a high position.
However, if one shifted their perspective and the rainbow light of the gem faded, a different kind of aura could be seen on the old man’s face—one of approachability.
A familiar... peacefulness.
As memories resurfaced, this same aura seemed to have appeared on a young and handsome face as well.
"Even when faking death, you don't forget to wear a mask. Should I call you terrifying, or pathetic?"
Muen whispered sarcastically.
No, for this old bastard, the several masks on his face had likely grown deep into his flesh long ago. It was impossible to distinguish what was real from what was fake.
"But even with a mask on, I imagine you should still be able to hear the wails of those poor souls, Lord Speaker."
Muen’s expression turned cold and solemn. He reached out toward Marquis Dion in the coffin, and a black flame, flickering like an elf, leaped from his fingertip.
The flame wavered silently, yet it seemed to echo with countless agonizing shrieks from the soul. This was the sound of a million-fold sin, a fire of transgression built upon countless spirits.
And soon, another wail would be added to the chorus.
"Stop."
A cold shout suddenly rang out, and the black flame instantly vanished from Muen's fingertip. Muen looked up, his brow arching slightly, seemingly surprised by the uninvited guest.
At the other end of the cellar, Sharp stepped out from the shadows.
His face was grim to the extreme. He let out a long sigh of relief when he saw the old man’s body still intact in the coffin, but when his gaze fell back on Muen, his expression turned heavy once more.
"You are..."
Sharp’s eyes flickered. All the intelligence he had gathered recently converged in his mind, causing a name to almost burst from his lips:
"That Bruce from the Lower District? The so-called Dark Emperor, and... the Campbell family's lapdog?"
"I didn't expect the famous new head of the Dion family to know the name of a nobody like me."
Muen tipped his hat in greeting. A slight smile appeared on his characteristically deep and cold Slavic face. "I am truly flattered."
"A nobody? Your reputation was terrifyingly large not long ago."
Sharp’s tone was mocking. "However, we all thought that after everything, you would hide away like a turtle in its shell, obediently waiting for the dust to settle. I didn't expect you to have the guts to show your face. What’s the matter? Unable to use the Campbell family's power for the moment, so you’ve clung to the Princess's legs instead?"
"We...?"
Muen ignored Sharp’s mockery, merely chewing on those two seemingly ordinary words.
"As expected, the Dion family is also a member of the Inner Council."
"Nonsense," Sharp countered with a cold laugh. "I never said the Dion family had any connection to the 'Inner Council' you speak of. This is the noble Upper District of Belland, not your sewer. Making wild slanders requires evidence, Lord Dark Emperor."
"I don't need evidence, Mr. Sharp."
Muen smiled. "With things having reached this point, we both know the truth in our hearts. After all, once certain cards are flipped over, it’s hard to turn them back. For instance, the Campbell family forces I exposed, or whether the Dion family is a member of the Inner Council, or perhaps..."
Muen lowered his head, staring at the aged face in the coffin. "Just how filthy and wretched a soul is hidden beneath the young and handsome physical shell of our excellent First Prince?"
"You..."
Each word was like a sharp blade, causing Sharp’s face to turn pale. He narrowed his eyes with ill intent.
"So, you really do know?"
"That’s why I’m here, isn't it?"
"Where was the leak? Was it Princess Celicia? Did she notice something last time? Or was it because..." Sharp pressed, gritting his teeth.
"Do those things matter? Whatever has been done cannot leave no trace. Surely Mr. Sharp understands such a simple truth."
Muen adjusted his top hat.
"Of course, that trace might be a cup of fragrant coffee, or it might just be a lingering thought left behind by a useless dead man. But the conclusion remains: though you’ve fooled many, this magic trick isn't perfect."
"So... it seems you intend to continue this futile struggle? Heh... foolish!"
Mana began to gather in Sharp’s palm as it hung naturally from his sleeve, and the hem of his clothes fluttered in a cold draft. "I can give you one last chance, Mr. Bruce. We admire you. Leave this place, let everything you know rot in your gut, or swear loyalty to us. I can guarantee you will still have a place in the Lower District! Otherwise..."
"Otherwise, you'll kill me?"
Facing Sharp’s death threat, Muen shrugged nonchalantly. "In the end... the ones who know nothing are you. How about I offer a condition instead? Take your arrogance and conceit and crawl into hell yourselves. That would save me the trouble of doing it manually."
"Is that so? That is your answer? Very well."
The already bone-chilling cellar grew even colder following those words of judgment.
The anger on Sharp’s face gradually subsided, replaced by a killing intent as deep as an abyss.
"Die."
Without a moment's hesitation, Sharp’s fingers twitched.
The magic circuits he had already constructed merged into the air instantly.
A faint white mist drifted. As Sharp clenched his hand, the extremely compressed air transformed into countless invisible blades, forming a web of interlaced edges that lunged toward Muen.
No incantation, no visible process of spell construction.
As the current head of the Dion family and an elite Radiant-Tier mage, Sharp Dion’s magical attainment far exceeded those of the same rank. Non-incantation magic and concealed construction had long since become part of his instinct. He had once been the brilliant prodigy of his generation, with few rivals on the path ahead.
Therefore, even facing a legendary figure like this, he maintained absolute confidence in his victory.
Screee—!
Though it was merely the collapse of air pressure, it produced a terrifying sound like steel being twisted. Where Sharp’s palm clenched, a thick white mist of mana spread, and the space itself seemed to ripple with distorted waves.
Puchi.
Puchi.
Puchi.
Flesh was torn open, and a faint scent of blood began to permeate the enclosed cellar.
Behind the slightly distorted space, Muen’s expression was grave.
In truth, because of his Death Premonition, Muen had already pulled back and retreated the instant before the magic took effect.
But it was still too late.
His Alchemy Core burned hot, granting him speed far beyond his tier, yet the wind blades still left clear gashes on his body.
Had it not been for that speed and the early warning, he would have been torn to shreds by now.
"More troublesome... than I... imagined."
Muen looked down at the bleeding wounds on his body.
Bone-chilling mana seeped into them. Although it was instantly devoured by the black flames within him, it still proved that this new Marquis possessed the genuine ability to kill him.
After all, his current self struggled to deal with an ordinary Fifth-Tier expert, let alone a Radiant-Tier mage who far surpassed the norm.
Sharp was clearly not on the same level as the pair of mage sisters he had encountered in the Forest of Death.
Furthermore, Sharp was extremely cautious. Despite holding an absolute advantage, he had given Muen no opportunity to close the distance from the very start.
If he couldn't get close, even with the black flames, the chances of victory against a powerful Radiant-Tier mage remained slim.
"What, not going to attack?"
Watching the focused Muen, Sharp gave a slightly distorted smile.
"The place where I am standing is the only exit to this cellar. Or have you realized the gap between us and finally decided to give up?"
More glows of mana flashed behind Sharp in succession. The Death Warning in Muen’s mind was now as sharp as a swarm of frenzied hornets.
"Heh, I wouldn't go so far as to say 'give up'."
Muen exhaled deeply and shook his head, temporarily suppressing the stinging buzzing in his mind.
"I admit, in terms of raw strength, I am indeed no match for you."
"However..."
Muen reached out and gripped the ancient artifact, "Single's Resentment."
With a forceful pull, a rapier that once belonged to a certain silver-haired girl was drawn from the umbrella handle. It seemed to still carry the girl’s scent, along with... a biting chill.
"To this move of mine, how shall Your Excellency respond?"
Muen thrust the rapier into the ground. Condensed ice immediately spread toward Sharp like ink dropping onto white paper.
"Princess Celicia’s Divine Blessing!"
Sharp’s pupils constricted.
He had thought the Princess had only chosen to provide a little help because of her engagement to the Campbell family. He never expected she would give her personal sword, along with a portion of her Divine Blessing power, to this fellow!
Damn it. To help him to this extent—does she really already consider herself a Lady Campbell?
"But so what? Divine Blessing power isn't invincible!"
Sharp roared.
A low, thick, and rhythmic incantation, as profound as an operatic chant, echoed rapidly through the cellar. The several spells Sharp had just constructed were quickly dismantled and transformed into a new spell in an incredibly short time.
"Deflagration!"
Intense fire ignited out of thin air, but it was controlled perfectly. It did not explode in the cramped space but instead formed a wall of flames, blocking the encroachment of the extreme cold.
While resisting the Divine Blessing power, Sharp did not relax his vigilance toward Muen. He knew that a battle-hardened, experienced opponent would never pass up such a golden opportunity. Thus, in secret, the spells intended to deal with Muen were already prepared, waiting for him to take the initiative...
"Hmm?"
But to his surprise, behind the wall of fire, Muen did not take the opportunity to attack.
Instead, he turned around without hesitation. Before Sharp’s widening eyes, Muen wound up his fist and smashed it toward something with all his might!
In that moment, Sharp finally realized the true meaning behind Muen’s question of "how shall Your Excellency respond."
He wasn't trying to escape. He was...
"No!"
Sharp’s eyes turned bloodshot as he roared in fury at the man about to "destroy the evidence":
"Father!"