Chapter 82

The Cornelia Kingdom, established in the western frontier.

A woman wearing an owl mask entered the reception room of the Violet Magic Tower, a symbol of the kingdom.

It was Orchid Owl, the leader of the Walker guild, Absinthe, based in the territory of the Romero Kingdom, and known as a Night Walker.

Seated across from her were Kiel Cornelia, Sharle Cornelia, and Toneri Cornelia.

“With this, Absinthe has joined hands with Cornelia~”

Orchid Owl said, scanning the oath of pledge.

“If the Romero Kingdom falls in the future, the rights and interests specified in the contract will be transferred to Absinthe in their entirety.”

“I hope it turns out that way, Sir Kiel.”

“To think that the infamous Orchid Owl is from a collateral branch.”

Kiel smiled, gazing at the two eyes glittering within the mask.

“Welcome back to the embrace of Cornelia, the home of violet mana.”

“Euhung~ The Mage of the Frantic Night is more of a prude than I thought, huh?”

“What……?”

Orchid Owl held up the pledge with her long fingernails.

And.

Riiip.

“……!!”

“…….”

The pledge was torn to pieces without hesitation in front of the three Cornelias.

“What is the meaning of this!!”

Toneri, his face flushed, shouted and asked.

“Orchid Owl…… You will have to properly explain your current actions.”

Kiel added with a hardened face.

He had already raised his mana to be able to restrain her at any moment.

Only Sharle still had a look of interest on her face.

“Uncle, and Brother Toneri. You must give our guest time to explain. Isn't that right, Lady Orchid?”

“Ahahahaha.”

Orchid Owl shook her body and burst into laughter.

“It seems the princess of Cornelia knows my intentions, doesn't she?”

“I cannot know what is in your heart unless you tell me.”

“Euhung~”

Orchid Owl let out her characteristic nasal sound and tilted her head.

Beyond the mask, her red eyes met Sharle’s.

‘She’s quite a piece of work, just as I’ve heard, Sharle Cornelia.’

There weren't many who could maintain their composure while meeting her eyes.

She wanted to cast an illusion if she had her way, but this was the Violet Magic Tower she had longed to enter.

Winking her eye, she opened her mouth.

“Don't act so friendly just because I'm from a collateral branch. I was just showing you that Walkers don't value honor or oaths like you do.”

“…….”

“Hmm. Your senses seem quite dull from being cooped up in the frontier.”

“…….”

“Speak so I can understand.”

Toneri urged with a voice laced with anger.

“What we want is the assurance of survival and a reward that makes it worth diving into danger.”

She looked at Kiel and gave a slight smile.

“Do you think Cornelia will struggle against Romero?”

“Of course not. At most, three years. That should be enough time for you to bring down Romero.”

“…….”

Kiel glared at her with a look full of questions.

‘There would be no better conditions for Absinthe than this.’

Cornelia had promised all sorts of rights and interests the guild could take, including the exclusive right to information.

Yet, he couldn't understand why she refused to make even this simple pledge.

Soon, Orchid Owl continued with a relaxed demeanor.

“I don't distrust the contract since Sir Kiel has staked his honor on it. And the reward ‘for the guild’ is satisfactory enough.”

“It sounds like there's something you want personally.”

“Bingo.”

“Please tell us what you want, Lady Orchid. If it is something we can grant, we will do our best.”

“An admission ticket to Cornelia's Secret Repository.”

“…….”

“…….”

“Apart from Absinthe's interests, that's what I want.”

At the unexpected remark, the atmosphere in the reception room turned cold.

Even Sharle, who had been mediating the negotiation, had her mouth shut.

“That is not possible.”

“Is it because I'm from a collateral branch?”

“Are you asking, knowing the answer?”

Kiel stared at her with a chilly expression.

“That's a shame. I thought we could continue a much better partnership.”

“More importantly, how do you know about the Secret Repository?”

“Are you looking down on Absinthe's intelligence network? Even Romero knows the rumor that Killian Eurasia and Sharle Cornelia will be getting married.”

“…….”

Kiel let out a sigh.

Toneri also slowly shook his head.

“Rumors tend to be exaggerated.”

At Sharle's words, Orchid tilted her head.

“Are you denying it?”

“There is nothing to deny. Fourth Prince Killian and I have never harbored any affectionate feelings for each other.”

“Hmph~ If it's an excuse, it's a poor one.”

“Some would call this a clear fact.”

“How do you explain the admission ticket to the Secret Repository that Killian Eurasia possesses?”

Orchid Owl pointed to Sharle's empty neck with her long fingernail.

She was referring to the pendant that allowed entry into the Magic Tower.

‘Does she even know about the Magic Tower’s assimilation authentication system for blood relatives?’

Toneri tried his best to maintain an indifferent face as he observed Sharle's expression.

For some reason, the Magic Tower was rejecting her.

As a result, time was being delayed in creating a Magic Tool to replace the existing authentication method.

“That is a trophy that Prince Killian rightfully earned.”

“A trophy?”

“Yes.”

“That sounds like I'm allowed to aim for it.”

“Such rude remarks……”

Just as Toneri was about to point out Orchid Owl's words and actions.

“If you bring it, I will convey your opinion to His Majesty. The Magic Tower does not discriminate against those from collateral branches, after all.”

“That's an interesting proposal.”

“Sharle……!!”

Toneri's voice trailed off with a look that said, "What are you talking about?".

However, Sharle simply showed her usual smile.

“How about it, did you like this proposal?”

“Of course. I like it very much.”

Smirk.

Grin.

The two women exchanged smiles for a moment.

“Well then, see you again.”

Shhh.

Orchid Owl, who had risen from her seat, left the reception room.

Kiel, who was staring at the torn pledge on the table, opened his mouth.

“Sharle, Orchid Owl is a Night Walker. And a Knight Slayer with experience hunting Superhuman-level knights.”

Absinthe's Orchid Owl and Hennessy's Crimson Wolf.

Their infamy, who were once part of the same guild, was known throughout the continent.

“To throw the Fourth Prince of Eurasia as prey. It was not a good choice.”

“Uncle, you still don't know much about Killian Eurasia.”

“No matter how much of a Superhuman he is, if he becomes Absinthe's target……”

“That man is no ordinary Superhuman.”

“…….”

“……?”

“Uncle and brother, there will be no reason for you two to be disappointed.”

With those words, Sharle left the reception room.

Belatedly, Toneri let out a deep breath.

“To not fear a Superhuman. Sometimes, I feel like Sharle is not my younger sister, but my older sister.”

‘Toneri, it's the same for me.’

Kiel also let out a small sigh.

“By the way, where has Father gone?”

“He is on a top-secret mission.”

“A top-secret…… mission……?”

“There is such a thing.”

Despite Toneri's question, Kiel did not answer and quietly left the room.

‘Brother must have contacted Simon Eurasia by now.’

***

“You made contact with Hennessy?”

“Yes.”

“Crimson Wolf is not an easy man.”

“I plan on slowly making him my man anyway.”

At Killian's nonchalant attitude, Escardo let out a hollow laugh.

“The title of Annihilation Squad Leader seems to suit you naturally now.”

“I heard you haven't issued a summons to the affiliated families.”

Currently, Eurasia was confronting Brussels at the border, but they were not conscripting knights from the frontier families.

“Are you considering the Monster Wave?”

In the frontier, there were numerous mountain ranges as well as families.

Since Simon became the head, they had found stability through periodic subjugations, but the eastern frontier was originally a barren land where it was difficult for humans to settle.

‘Brussels is a kingdom made up of about 50 families.’

Although Eurasia had about 100 families, the level of individual families was not very high, and not all of them possessed a knight order.

“What are His Majesty's thoughts?”

“As this is Eurasia's first campaign, he believes it is necessary to decisively break the enemy's momentum.”

“In that case, it would be best to start the war before the Empire's reinforcements join.”

Considering the Monster Wave, Eurasia would have to deploy all five of its knight orders.

“That would be necessary.”

“The Commander of the Knights will also be going on the campaign himself.”

“That was the plan.”

“……?”

“I had even finished all the preparations for the campaign.”

Escardo's face scrunched up.

“His Majesty said he would personally face the Empire's reinforcements.”

“Personally……?”

“Even in your eyes, isn't it confusing who is the king and who is the commander of the knights?”

At the middle-aged knight's disgruntled voice.

“…….”

Killian remained silent.

***

Porte Hugo, Commander of the 27th Imperial Magic Order, and Porden Hugo, Commander of the 29th Imperial Knight Order.

The two Superhumans were leading their Magic Order and Knight Order westward.

The Hugo was a prestigious family that had produced four knight order commanders and magic order commanders in the same generation, and two of them had been tasked with helping Brussels subjugate Eurasia.

“To think I'd come all the way to this remote kingdom in person.”

Porte Hugo muttered, his body swaying on the plodding white horse.

“I agree.”

Porden Hugo, riding a white horse alongside him, nodded.

“The one who said nothing about the princes' competition, to suddenly give such an order……”

“The more we try to understand the minds of our superiors, the more our own heads will hurt, wouldn't you agree.”

“If they intended to keep Eurasia in check, they should have moved sooner.”

“Well, it would get more complicated if Eurasia were to leave the frontier and move its capital to Brussels.”

Unlike the barren frontier, Brussels had fertile plains.

From Eurasia's perspective, simply by acquiring the Brussels Kingdom, they would be able to easily procure military supplies and food.

The same was true for Cornelia, which was adjacent to the Romero Kingdom.

“In the unlikely event that the tide of war turns against us, we will retreat after retrieving at least the ‘Piece’.”

The recovery of the Piece.

That was the top-secret mission given to the two commanders.

Porden nodded as if he understood.

“It turned out for the better. It seems like a good opportunity to make Eurasia submit and make a strong impression on His Highness Crusty.”

“This is not something to be taken lightly. The king of Eurasia is an 8-star, the same as the Commander of the Imperial Knights.”

“Unlike my brother, who has the moniker ‘Thunder,’ you seem nervous.”

Porden joked as he praised Porte.

He himself was a knight with the moniker ‘Awl’.

“Rumors are not to be believed. The claim that Simon Eurasia has reached the 8-star level is also just a rumor; nothing has been proven.”

“You're being optimistic.”

“Don't they lack a Magic Tower? Their situation is different from Cornelia's.”

“Cornelia with its Magic Tower is also a nuisance…… but Eurasia is not a group to be taken lightly either.”

It was a kingdom that had been at the center of the Kingdom Alliance hundreds of years ago and had pushed a sword to the Empire's throat.

‘If Simon Eurasia has truly reached the 8-star level, we must reinforce our troops. We need at least two more commander-level individuals.’

‘In another day, we will arrive in Brussels' territory. I must call the girls and relieve the fatigue of the journey first.’

It was when Porte and Porden were each lost in their own thoughts, marching westward.

“Halt!”

Porte suddenly shouted in a voice imbued with mana.

“Detective Mana.”

Porte's yellow mana spread, and detection magic manifested in the area.

“Brother…… what is it?”

“Prepare yourselves. It's an ambush.”

Porte pointed to the mana barrier that his detection had revealed.

Beyond the barrier, about five knights and mages could be seen.

“How did they get here……”

“……?”

At Porte's reaction, Porden enhanced his vision with mana.

Only then did he recognize the identities of those blocking the path.

“Si, Simon Eurasia……!! Everyone, maintain formation!!”

Porte stepped forward in front of the Knight Order and Magic Order, who were quickly forming a line.

“With what face have you appeared, the ringleader of the rebels who defied the sun of the Empire!!”

A voice imbued with mana echoed throughout the area.

“The ringleader of the rebels. That's not entirely wrong. Isn't that so?”

Simon burst into a hearty laugh and looked at Celot Cornelia.

Celot, too, could only shake his head with a somewhat stiff face.

“Simon Eurasia and Celot Cornelia!! Seeing the ringleaders of the rebels gathered so amicably, it seems the heavens are blessing us!!”

Porden, standing next to Porte, shouted, imbuing his voice with mana.

Simon, unfazed, quietly opened his mouth.

“The uninvited guests are acting rashly.”

“King Simon, shall I assist you?”

At Celot's question, the corners of Simon's mouth went up.

“Are you not tired from warping us all the way here?”

“…….”

“Please rest.”

Shing.

Simon drew Tetillon, which was at his waist.

“Then, I will be watching.”

Celot retreated with the mages.

Simon, who stepped forward alone, aimed Tetillon towards the front.

“Carpe.”

At the quiet murmur.

Rumble-rumble-rumble!!

Haki began to strike down upon the area.

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