VOLUME 10: CHAPTER 13

Author’s note: Sorry for the delay. Writing is a bit hard these days.

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VOLUME 10: CHAPTER 13

[Demon Continent]

Every day, nearly without rest, Chief Researcher Muuka continued altering the portal connecting the Demon Realm to the Human Realm.

It was an arduous and terrifying task, considering the prior incident that killed over a hundred thousand demons, together with the previous Lord of the Corrupted Land. Muuka was afraid that if he made a single mistake here, another explosion spell from the other side of the portal would be activated and kill everyone.

“The mana signatures…”

Muuka had been observing the mana signatures of the portal for months now. And not once had the mana measuring device shown any aberrations like last time. Muuka believed that it should be safe to finally activate the portal.

“Once the portal activates,” panted Muuka excitedly. “Once it reconnects properly to the mana well below, it should be possible to duplicate and relocate it temporarily!”

As one of the researchers of the Red Tower, if this succeeded, it may very well be his life’s greatest achievement.

The colossal metallic serpent that served as Muuka’s guardian hissed upon noticing its master’s glee.

“Are you excited, too, Arboa?” chuckled Muuka. The metallic snake slithered closer to him, and Muuka stroked its snout affectionately. “Just a little bit more, and we’ll finally be able to safely cross over to the other side.”

The metallic snake closed its eyes in bliss.

Muuka said to one of his men, “Send a message to my master. Tell him the preparations for the portal is finally completed.”

“As you wish, Chief Muuka.”

The tormentor immediately left to deliver the message. A few hours later, he returned with Elrenar, the Lord of the Red Tower.

“Muuka,” said Elrenar.

“Master.” Muuka knelt. “I’ve completed all preparations. By your command, I shall open the portal.”

It was a truly amazing feat. Elrenar knew that without Chief Researcher Muuka, their plans to invade the Human Realm would have probably been pushed back by several years. Although Elrenar himself could also alter the portal to an extent, it would take a lot more time. After all, Elrenar specialized in chimera creation. He was not as knowledgeable about mana flows and portals.

“The mana signatures?” said Elrenar.

“There is none,” said Muuka. “I’m fairly certain that there are no traps on the other side.”

Elrenar smirked. “Good work. Then, a week from now, we shall open the portal. Gather the army. Those foolish humans had been enjoying peace for far too long. As a gift, we shall present the human lands to the Demon Lord Barkuvara.”

Over a million Lesser Demons.

Over a hundred thousand Wraiths.

Tens of thousands of Flesh Eaters.

Demonic Ogres. Demonic Trolls. Twin-headed Wyverns.

A Corrupted Tower.

And dozens of Fire Giants.

Reconnaissance was over.

Finally, it was time for a proper demon army to invade the human lands.

***

[Kingdom of Lukas]

“The person you’re looking for – the one who cured the girl was none other than the current king, His Majesty, King Lark.”

An unexpected name came out of the Information Guild Leader’s mouth. Out of all people in the kingdom, he couldn’t believe that the person he’d been seeking all along was the current King of Lukas.

“The king…”

Jacob Fraser’s stomach started churning upon this revelation. The memories of the events that transpired several hours ago started flashing within his mind.

“Damn it.”

Fraser palmed his face and groaned.

What a blunder.

Not only did the Morton Twins steal several medicines from the Alchemy Tower, they also nearly killed one of the royal court magicians residing in the capital. Moreover, over a dozen soldiers from the patrol were killed during the battle several hours ago.

With the current state of things, it wouldn’t be strange for King Lark to refuse Fraser’s request outright.

“Hey, old man,” said Fraser. “You said the ring should be worth at least five thousand gold coins—”

“—No refunds,” interjected Casius.

“—No, that’s not it,” said Fraser, shaking his head. “Since I’ve paid more than our agreement, I believe I’m entitled to additional information at the very least.”

“Additional information?” Casius stroked his chin. “Hmmm… reasonable.”

Unlike Big Mona, Casius preferred to run his business based on trust and fairness.

“Very well. If there is other information you wish to hear, we’ll try our best to obtain them. Although I doubt you’ll be able to stay long enough in the capital to hear them.”

Fraser said desperately, “Then, tell me. What can I do to win King Lark’s favor? After the incident this noon, I’m afraid that the relationship between our nations had turned even sourer. We’re practically enemies at this point.”

They might even be declared criminals by dawn tomorrow. Hopefully, the king wouldn’t stoop so low as execute another nation’s ambassador.

“First, before that, answer my question,” said Casius in a raspy voice. “Why are you so desperate to find a cure for the Seven Weeks Disease?”

“That’s…” Fraser hesitated whether or not he should tell the old man the details. After all, his little brother was pretty much his only weakness.

“I need more details, young man,” said Casius upon noticing Fraser’s hesitation. “Otherwise, I wouldn’t be able to help you. Just the fact that I’m giving out information like this is enough for the royal family to brand me a traitor. I’m taking risks here. Even five thousand gold coins isn’t enough money if it meant I’ll become King Lark’s enemy.”

Fraser sighed in resignation.

“It’s for my younger brother.”

For several minutes, Fraser explained to Casius his current circumstances. He also told the Information Guild leader that he accepted the position of a royal court magician solely for the purpose of finding a cure for his only remaining family member.

“Although I’ve come from a fallen noble house,” said Fraser. “I’ve amassed quite a bit of fortune over the years. I’m willing to give all of them to King Lark, if that’s what it would take to appease him.”

“Hmm… that wouldn’t work, young man,” said Casius. “Money? The current king probably has enough money to buy this entire kingdom. He wouldn’t be moved, even with a hundred thousand gold coins.”

“Triple Cast, we’re talking about the man who bought all of the slaves in the entire kingdom with his own money, and freed them, all for the sake of taking the first step in the abolishment of slavery. Do you seriously think he lacks gold?”

Fraser had already heard of this preposterous story from the One Stop Clop Merchants. He even saw the thousands of recently freed slaves working as paid laborers in Kelvin Duchy and Kalavinka Port. Indeed, looking at it this way, it did not seem that money would be enough to appease King Lark.

“Then, please tell me,” said Fraser. “What should I do to gain his favor?”

Casius observed the young man before him. He looked so desperate, as though he would willingly grovel before Lark and lick his boots just to obtain the cure for his little brother.

For a full minute, Casius fell silent. He carefully considered everything – the pros and cons of helping Fraser. Eventually, he decided to help the imperial royal court magician.

“There should be a way,” said Casius. “Information. You’re a royal court magician, Triple Cast. I’m sure His Majesty, King Lark, would find the information you hold valuable.”

“You’re asking me to be a traitor?” said Fraser grimly.

“Isn’t this the only option? You have nothing to offer to the negotiation table,” said Casius. “Wealth, power, authority. His Majesty already has it all. The Empire probably believes that they still hold military supremacy in this continent, but once you see that army…”

Casius’ voice trailed off as he recalled the reports of his subordinates.

According to their intel, King Lark was currently in the middle of creating a legion of living suits of armor. Each of those creatures was capable of tearing through wooden gates with their bare fists. Each of them was capable of fighting a high-ranking knight on their own. Once King Lark managed to finish creating the thirty-thousand-strong legion, it would only be a matter of time before the Kingdom of Lukas became the new hegemon. Of course, Casius did not tell Jacob Fraser these. He planned on helping Fraser without crossing the line – he couldn’t risk being branded a traitor.

Casius cleared his throat and did not expound further.

Casius said, “I’ve lived a long time. This old man has lived through the Bloody Thorn Plains Incident, and I’ve seen the rise and fall of the Tyrant King. You can take my words as the grumblings of an old man if you want. Or you can take it as the words of the leader of the best information guild in the kingdom. Triple Cast, your pride may make it hard for you to accept it, but in my eyes, you are insignificant. A big frog stuck in a well. Just in the capital alone, there should be close to a hundred people who could be your opponent. Especially those men directly serving under His Majesty, those men who call themselves the Arzomos.”

This was the first time Fraser heard of the existence of the Arzomos. But based on the words of Casius, each of them was powerful enough to fight an imperial royal court magician.

And there were close to a hundred of them?

Even the Witches of Aravark did not have that many powerful magicians under their ranks.

“If you are truly desperate for the cure, turning your back on your country is the least you could do to gain King Lark’s favor,” said Casius.

Fraser clenched his fists.

Although he disliked the Emperor and Princess Luna, he found it distasteful to turn his back on his country. Although he did not agree with most of the methods of the Emperor, Fraser still held some pride as a citizen of the Empire.

“If you are truly desperate, throw away your loyalty to the imperial throne.”

***

The next day, a messenger visited the imperial envoys. It was a middle-aged man who bore a striking semblance to the merchant who escorted them all the way to the capital.

“Greetings, envoys of the Empire,” said the messenger in a loud, confident voice. “I am Mona Gaultier, commonly known as Big Mona. His Majesty, King Lark’s most trusted vassal, and one of the Head Merchants of the kingdom. I’ve come here to personally deliver a message from the crown.”

Two massive men with tinges of silver hair silently stood next to Big Mona. Although the two did not show any hint of hostility, the heavy pressure they subconsciously exuded made the imperial soldiers wary. Behind Big Mona were several royal guards acting as his escort.

“W-Welcome,” said one of the merchants from the Empire. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Sir Gaultier. I am Nigel, the representative of the Golden Crow Association.”

Big Mona had heard of the Golden Crow Association. He knew very well that it was one of the most influential merchant groups in the entire Empire. Had he met these merchants a year ago, Big Mona would have willingly flattered and cajoled their group. But now, things were different. Although the Golden Crow Association was still several times larger than the merchant group Big Mona was affiliated with, it would only be a matter of time before they would be able to overtake them.

He believed that King Lark, his most beloved partner, was the most powerful existence on the entire continent right now. Money naturally followed those with power and authority – this was something history had proved true countless times before. As one of King Lark’s vassals, Big Mona had no reason to bow to these imperial peasants.

Nigel lowered his head, and Big Mona felt euphoric seeing this.

Volunteering to deliver the message to the envoys was indeed the right decision!

“W-We’ll bring Her Highness, Princess Luna, and the royal court magician, Lord Fraser, right away,” said Nigel. He, along with the other merchants, looked utterly terrified. They must have been expecting themselves to be thrown to the chopping block.

“Hurry up,” said Big Mona smugly. “I don’t have all day.”

“Y-Yes, right away!”

Big Mona resisted the urge to cackle at the sight of the imperial merchants scurrying away like rats. He resisted the urge to smirk and spit on their faces. It was truly exhilarating to see these merchants, who held far higher authority than him, become this meek and subservient.

Oh, if only he could force them to crawl and lick his feet!

“For now, please allow us to escort you the sitting room, Sir Gaultier” said one of the merchants.

“There’s no need for that,” said Big Mona. “I’ll wait here.”

Sitting rooms could accommodate a dozen people at most. Big Mona wanted a larger stage, a larger audience. He wanted to see everyone’s faces the moment he delivered the message from the crown.

A few minutes passed, and soon, a woman and a man entered the grand hall. They briskly walked toward Big Mona and introduced themselves.

“Daughter of the Sun and Moon of the Great Empire,” said Princess Luna. “Luna Lockhart Mavis. I greet the messenger of His Majesty, King Lark.”

“Royal Court Magician and Vice Master of the Fourth Tower, Jacob Fraser. I greet the messenger of His Majesty, King Lark.”

The Princess looked sick – her legs were wobbly, as though she would fall down at any moment. If not for her hastily worn make up, the dark marks around her eyes would have been visible. Jacob Fraser, on the other hand, looked conflicted.

“Mona Gaultier,” Big Mona introduced himself once again. “King Lark’s most trusted aide. I’ve come here to deliver the crown’s message.”

Big Mona took out a scroll and opened it.

“I will be now speaking on behalf of His Majesty.” The fat merchant puffed out his chest and cleared his throat. He said loudly, “After careful investigation, we have found out that the Morton Twins are indeed behind yesterday’s incident. We’ve already meted out appropriate punishment for the two. As per the laws of the Kingdom, the twins had been executed in the dungeons. If you wish to retrieve their corpses, you may do so.”

The imperial envoys shuddered upon hearing this.

There was no public execution.

The king simply decided to kill the twins after confirming that they were the culprit.

The imperial envoys couldn’t help but be terrified of King Lark’s decisiveness.

Big Mona continued, “We’ve also secured the Broken Boar Weapons Shop and the information broker who acted as its shopkeeper. After investigation, we’ve found several classified information regarding our kingdom being stored at the shop’s second floor. It is, without a doubt, a product of decades-long espionage. It is thus decided that we shall no longer entertain any attempts of forming friendly relations with the Empire.”

Big Mona closed the scroll and said, “Long story cut short, leave the capital immediately and go back to your country. Be glad that we’re sparing your lives even after you killed several of our patrol guards. Just think of it as our king’s mercy.”

The imperial envoys trembled with rage after hearing those rude remarks. Still, none of them dared to openly show hostility. They all knew who was at fault here. Indeed, they should be thankful that the King was benevolent enough to allow them to return to their country.