Chapter 59

Castle Stone, the main castle of the Stone Family.

Sharle Cornelia, who visited the place expected to be a fierce battleground, could not hide her bewilderment.

“What in the world…….”

What greeted them was not the Stone Family’s Black Cloud Knights, but Eurasia’s White Knight Order and Demian Eurasia.

Kiel Cornelia, who was leading the Illusion Magic Order at the head of the procession, was just as bewildered.

Demian calmly told them what had happened.

“You hunted Mainz Kimbel and… imprisoned the lord?”

Kiel Cornelia asked again, trying to understand what Demian was saying.

It was a reaction unbecoming of his usual self, who was nicknamed the ‘Mage of Ten Thousand Ices’ for his ability to wield ten thousand ice spells.

As far as he knew, the current Annihilation Squad had suffered near-annihilation while facing the two Superhumans, Mainz Kimbel and Voltz Kimbel, and had lost their core, the Commander of the Annihilation Squad, Bastian Constantine.

‘They should be in a state where it’s difficult for them to function properly.’

It was thanks to Sharle’s question that the mystery was resolved.

“Could it be that Lord Killian is the new Commander of the Annihilation Squad?”

Demian nodded his head in affirmation.

“…….”

“…….”

Sharle’s and Kiel’s expressions changed subtly.

“It seems Lord Killian’s level was higher than I thought.”

“Everyone who has met Killian comes to think that.”

“In any case, it’s a relief that Eurasia hunted Mainz Kimbel as planned, Uncle.”

“Yes…….”

Kiel Cornelia inwardly let out a sigh of relief.

He had thought the plan had gone awry due to the sudden attack of three Superhumans.

But if Eurasia had solved the problem on its own, the joint Superhuman hunt was as good as a success.

“The Fourth Young Master… no, where is the Commander of the Annihilation Squad?”

The answer came not from Demian, but from behind Kiel and Sharle.

“I am here.”

“……!!”

“……!!”

Startled by the sudden voice, Kiel and Sharle flinched and twisted their bodies.

There stood Killian, wearing the light armor of the Blue Knight Order.

‘Since when?!!’

‘A stealth that even Uncle Kiel couldn't detect?’

“I was hiding my presence just in case. Seeing you two, it seems things went according to plan on Cornelia's side as well.”

Killian belatedly offered a sword salute.

“I am Killian Eurasia, Commander of the Annihilation Squad.”

Kiel nodded his head and accepted the greeting.

“Commander of the Illusion Magic Order… I am Kiel Cornelia.”

“It’s a pleasure to meet you for the first time, Sir Kiel.”

“……Indeed.”

Just standing face to face, he could feel the pressure.

Kiel calmed the throbbing of his pounding heart and met Killian’s gaze.

“It seems you’ve heard the general situation from my brother. But Sir Kiel still seems to have his doubts.”

“Cornelia also came from a battle. There is no need to let our guard down.”

Kiel replied in a stiff tone.

It was because he felt the other’s attitude towards them was high-handed.

‘Is he trying to gain the upper hand?’

It was an act that could be seen as childish, but there was no need to concede.

“It was Cornelia who failed to arrive at the promised time.”

“Did Eurasia not also enter Castle Stone first, contrary to the plan?”

“Thanks to that judgment, we were able to remain safe.”

The Commander of Eurasia’s Annihilation Squad and the Commander of Cornelia’s Illusion Magic Order.

Silence fell amidst the tense battle of wills between the knight and the mage.

Sharle’s forehead creased as she confirmed Demian was simply observing the situation indifferently.

‘Does Lord Demian have no intention of mediating? At this rate, all hell will break loose.’

When it came to pride, Kiel was even more stubborn than the Head of the family.

The Superhuman hunt was the first mission where the two families worked together to prepare for a greater cause in the future.

It would be troublesome if their relationship soured like this.

It was the moment Sharle sighed and was about to step forward.

“Detective Mana. I’ve heard it’s a spell that mages use to grasp the surrounding situation.”

“And so?”

“Wouldn’t Sir Kiel be able to confirm it himself?”

Killian showed a sign of backing down one step.

Kiel, too, did not slap away the hand offered to him amidst the taut tension.

“I accept.”

Violet mana rose from Kiel’s body.

‘Detective Mana’ was a spell that scouted the mana in an area. If an Arch Mage like Kiel used it, it would be a simple task to detect all the mana within Castle Stone.

‘Ho.’

Killian quietly admired the rapidly spreading violet mana.

His control over the 7-star mana was stable.

He was several levels above Mainz Kimbel, and if they were to clash head-on, even Killian could not guarantee victory.

‘A master of this caliber is Cornelia’s third power… If you consider the use of the Magic Tower, they wouldn’t be lacking even if they formed a kingdom already.’

The one who was surprised was Kiel, who had cast the spell, as well.

The numerous mana signatures felt from the basement of Castle Stone were clearly those of the Black Cloud Knight Order, and the mana scattered in various places, though fewer in number, must have belonged to the White Knight Order.

Besides them, mana presumed to be from the Annihilation Squad was also detected.

‘Two 6-stars and the rest are 5-stars, huh.’

A force comparable to the Illusion Magic Order, which could be called the family’s elite.

Up to this point, nothing had deviated much from what was expected.

What was baffling was the mana of the two young masters in front of him.

Although he was using Mana Skin to hide his level, Demian was clearly a 6-star.

And Killian Eurasia.

‘This one is……’

He couldn't get a read on him at all.

If he were to focus his mana to check his accomplishment, he would have to engage in a second battle of nerves.

‘Eurasia has raised a monster.’

Kiel subsided his mana.

It took him less than three minutes to grasp the situation in Castle Stone.

“I believe this should be enough to convince you.”

“…….”

“Brother, I think we’ve kept the family’s guests standing for too long.”

“You’re right.”

When Demian called for Vice-commander Las, who was waiting nearby, he began to guide the Illusion Magic Order to their resting place.

“Let’s talk about the details inside.”

“We’ll prepare a meal through the family’s servants.”

It was a natural gesture, as if they were receiving guests in their own family.

“Lead the way.”

“The young masters of Eurasia have a strong bond.”

Kiel and Sharle walked with reluctant expressions.

***

A dark night.

Two knights were crossing the forest.

They were Morris and Norland, 3-star knights belonging to the White Knight Order.

In their hands, as they ran side by side, were the handles of a coffin about two meters long.

“Damn it, if I knew it would be this heavy, I wouldn’t have let the other guys go.”

Norland, who was running with his arms and legs enhanced by mana, grumbled.

“At this speed, we’ll enter the Bastoni Family’s territory in two more hours. Don’t let your guard down until then.”

“What could possibly happen on a quiet night like this?”

“…….”

Ignoring Norland’s sarcastic response, Morris glanced at the 200-kilogram coffin.

‘Coffin of This World’.

A high-grade magical tool that could preserve a dead person’s body for up to a year.

Inside was the Imperial knight Mainz Kimbel, who had lost his life a few days ago.

Originally, five knights were moving the Coffin of This World, but three of them had returned to Castle Stone a few hours ago.

It was to minimize the dispersal of their forces in case of an unforeseen situation.

“Focus on the mission. If you keep talking, you’ll just lose stamina.”

“Tch. You’re no fun at all.”

After that, Norland continued to grumble, but Morris paid him no mind.

He simply thought over the contents and purpose of the mission once more to see if there were any discrepancies.

‘By the way, the rumor that Sir Bastian died was true. To think the Fourth Young Master would come to lead the Annihilation Squad……’

Morris recalled the new Commander of the Annihilation Squad with silver hair.

The moment he declared he would hunt the Empire’s Superhuman and then announced the end of the hunt was vivid.

It had been several days, but it still felt like a shiver ran down his spine.

He naturally began to gauge the strength of Cornelia and Eurasia, who were called the hegemons of the western frontier.

Was it because of the added presence of the Fourth Young Master and the Annihilation Squad he led? Eurasia’s power felt equal to that of Cornelia, which possessed the Magic Tower.

And those two families were simultaneously preparing for a Declaration of the Kingdom.

It was certainly a situation that would be irksome for the Empire, which had reigned as the hegemon for a thousand years.

‘The Head Apothecary will probably handle Mainz Kimbel’s body herself.’

There was no telling what benefits her research results would bring to the family in the future, so Norland, who was not tense while carrying out such a grave mission, felt all the more strange.

‘I need to pick up the pace.’

He wanted to use the warp stone as soon as possible to complete the mission.

‘When I get back to the family, I need to quench my thirst with a cold ale.’

“Norland, stop grumbling and pick up the pa…….”

Before he could finish his sentence.

“……!!”

“……!!”

Suddenly, black mana raged from the coffin they were holding.

Morris, who had thrown himself back reflexively, drew the sword from his waist and checked the situation.

The coffin lay sprawled on the ground, emitting an ominous mana.

Around it, he could see the torn and scattered body of Norland.

Morris was not unscathed either.

“Kugh…….”

He groaned as he checked his own severed left hand.

If his reaction had been even a little slower, he wouldn't have avoided the same fate as Norland.

Morris maintained his composure and looked around.

There were no signs of an ambush.

If that was the case.

‘It’s the coffin.’

He glared at the ‘Coffin of This World’, which was billowing streams of sinister mana.

It was around the time the question ‘how?’ began to run through his mind.

Clunk.

The seal of the coffin, which had been tightly shut, was released.

Creeeak.

The lid slowly opened.

“What the…….”

A man was rising from the coffin.

Morris' eyes widened in disbelief at the incredible situation.

Mainz Kimbel, who had completely extricated himself with slow movements, stood up on the ground.

After fumbling with his own body for a moment, he focused on the black mana, not the gray-brown one, that was emanating from him.

“Is this the Black Duke’s mana…….”

A voice like scraping metal leaked from between his pale lips.

As far as he knew, he was the only one who could bring the dead back to life.

Mainz’s face contorted.

It was because his body’s senses were not what they used to be, due to having been dead for a long time.

‘This magic didn't activate when Voltz died, so why only for me…….’

He belatedly noticed Morris watching him.

Ten seconds had passed since he had gotten out of the coffin.

It was enough time to grasp what had happened to him.

“……I have no sword.”

He picked up Norland’s sword, which was rolling on the ground.

His mana was unstable.

“But it’s enough to take care of a bug.”

The moment Mainz’s body leaned forward.

Grasp.

Morris' neck was in his hand.

“Kgh… ack…….”

Morris, who dropped his sword due to the ruthless grip, struggled.

“It would have been better if it were those bastards from the Annihilation Squad.”

For a moment, the black mana, assimilated with his emotions, burst out explosively.

Thud.

The body of Morris, his neck broken, fell lifelessly to the ground.

Immediately after, Mainz’s body staggered. It was because he had used the Black Duke’s mana in an incomplete state.

“Damn it…….”

He remembered the silver-haired and green-haired knights who had put him in this state.

He wanted to find them and kill them right away.

Twisting their necks and pulling out their entrails would not be enough.

“…….”

Mainz Kimbel collected his breath.

He calmed the mana that was about to run rampant and cooled his head.

‘I must go to the temple.’

The Pantera Temple, located on the eastern frontier.

If he used the warp stone there, he could return to the continent in one go.

The priests of the temple would read his movements, but it was no longer important.

‘Killian Eurasia. I will kill you for sure.’

Mainz, who had returned from the dead, staggered as he walked.

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