Chapter 85

I closed my eyes and assumed a natural stance.

Swoosh.

The mana dwelling in Aether spread into the surroundings.

The Authorities were the power of the Gods who reigned as the absolute rulers of the world.

The realm of the absolute, reached by the ancient Human, the first user of mana.

‘I recalled that sensation.’

Using the body of Killian Eurasia, who had awakened the blue mana, said to be the original color of mana, I pushed the performance of the Mana Heart to its maximum.

My sensory range expanded, and all information in the vicinity of the Annihilation Squad's main building was gathered.

“Zodiac, who did you say I am?”

“The one and only…… Second Sword of the Annihilation Squad.”

“Wahahaha! That’s right, I am the Second Sword of the Annihilation Squad! The 6-star Knight, Yulian!”

I could see Yulian crossing swords with Zodiac in the Annihilation Squad's second training ground.

“I think that’s an illness at this point.”

“Indeed. Yulian is also having a hard time between Sir Serena and Sir Philip.”

I could also see Aron and Miller watching Yulian with pitiful gazes from the side of the training ground.

Whoosh.

The mana expanded.

In another space, Gala was washing Hazard.

“Hazard, you’re on the small side for a wolf, so you must always keep your shoulders back and be confident.”

[Growl?]

“The Annihilation Squad must be able to intimidate the opponent just by existing. You know what I mean, right?”

[Growl!]

“Huhu.”

[Grrrowl~]

In the reception room, Philip and Haman were drinking tea.

“Did the Commander say not to disturb him while he trains?”

“Yes. He is the type who, once he enters the training ground, swings his sword for hours on end. Let’s have some tea and report to him slowly.”

“I see. By the way, this tea tastes excellent, Chamberlain Haman.”

“Hahaha. It is a tea made with the Head Apothecary's formula. It’s specialized for vitality recovery.”

“The Head Apothecary’s……!!”

“If you’d like, I can brew you another cup.”

“Ohh…….”

The voices of Philip and Haman were not clearly audible.

Swoosh.

It was the moment Killian strengthened his mana a little more.

“……!!”

“This is…….”

“……Commander?”

“…….”

“Hmm…….”

[Growl?]

“Sir Philip, what is it?”

The Annihilation Squad members flinched and looked around.

Their gazes were soon fixed on the materialized blue mana.

“Hmph.”

Killian settled his mana and opened his eyes.

His entire body was damp with sweat.

‘A failure.’

With the Authority of Observation, I should have been able to see and hear from this distance without being detected.

The current level was closer to detection using mana sense rather than an Authority.

“I thought I’d be able to at least imitate an Authority once I became a complete Superhuman…….”

Tsk.

Killian clicked his tongue softly.

It was superior to the mana sense of an ordinary Superhuman, but the result was disappointing compared to what I had expected.

‘If it’s impossible even with a 7-star Mana Heart…… is my only choice to aim for 8-star?’

Sheathing Aether, I downed a bottle of the recovery potion I had prepared.

My depleted stamina and mana were rapidly restored.

“The day to visit the temple isn’t far off.”

Eurasia had not visited the Pantera Temple once since becoming a kingdom.

This was because an uncomfortable relationship had been maintained ever since it was confirmed that they were connected to the Empire.

‘It’s certain that the Pantera Temple and the Empire are in collusion.’

For now, Simon Eurasia, the kingdom's greatest power, was holding his position, but they couldn't wage war without him forever.

Sooner or later, Eurasia would eventually have to confront the Pantera Temple at least once.

Killian saw that time as being after the war with the Brussels Kingdom ended.

“To think we have to wage war with only the kingdom's knight orders……”

Simon had clearly demonstrated the power of an 8-star in what could be called a preliminary battle, but such a surprise attack would not work twice.

Eurasia's best option was to end the war before the new Imperial Knight Order arrived and the Brussels Kingdom could regroup.

“Bringing down a kingdom won't be easy…… but it’s not impossible either.”

A smirk.

The corners of Killian's mouth curled up.

It was because he recalled the report he had received from Crimson Wolf a while ago.

Just then, the members of the Annihilation Squad entered the training ground.

“Commander, your way of summoning your subordinates is becoming more and more special.”

Yulian, who stepped forward as the representative, asked.

Killian shrugged his shoulders.

“I didn't summon you.”

“…….”

Philip, standing beside him, opened his mouth with a troubled look on his face.

“I sensed the Commander’s mana, so I thought it was a summons.”

[Growl, growl.]

Hazard chimed in with a cry that was neither wolf nor dog.

“Ah, that?”

It was a mistake.

The moment I was about to say that, Portran and Serena, who had been outside the main castle, came in.

“We have returned after completing our mission.”

“We have returned after completing our mission.”

Killian nodded at Serena and Portran’s sword salutes.

Portran had investigated the situation near the border, and Serena was on her way back from a visit to Hennessy.

“But why is everyone gathered here?”

Portran asked, tilting his head.

“I gathered them in advance, knowing you all would be coming.”

Killian said in a matter-of-fact tone.

“No, just a moment ago, didn’t you say you didn't summon us?”

“Did I?”

“…….”

“His Highness the Prince is like this sometimes, so you must understand, Sir.”

[Growl, growl.]

At Haman and Hazard’s reactions, Yulian’s face became one of disbelief.

Killian, who had been smiling slyly, turned serious and looked at Serena.

“Crimson?”

“I have met with him.”

She opened her mouth, feeling the gazes of those around her focused on her.

“Crimson Wolf and the elites of Hennessy have been assigned as the exclusive escorts for King Bruges III.”

“The King of Brussels is making a foolish choice.”

No matter how deep their acquaintance, the Walker Guild were outsiders.

Entrusting the king's protection to such people was an act that deviated from common sense.

“They said the political situation was chaotic due to struggles over vested interests. I didn't expect it to be this bad.”

“It’s an incomprehensible choice, even during a war.”

Philip and Miller each added a comment.

“Of course, we wouldn’t have known if it wasn’t for Crimson Wolf's information, but……”

Zodiac looked at Killian with eyes waiting for an answer.

“Portran, what is the current strength of the knight orders deployed at the border?”

“The Red, White, Black, Blue, and Yellow Knight Orders are widely deployed in the border area and are receiving supplies. Currently, only ten percent of the forces remain at the main castle.”

“And Brussels?”

“Two thousand knights and five hundred mages conscripted from their affiliated families are on standby near the border. The commander is Count Konrad.”

Killian’s gaze turned to Serena.

“And the royal side?”

“The Royal Magic Order, led by Count Revric, and most of the Royal Knight Order that Count Konrad did not take with him are stationed there.”

Two Arch Mages, and many high-ranking knights and mages.

No matter how much of a Night Walker Crimson Wolf was, he couldn't face them all.

“They say both the Commander of the Royal Knight Order and the Commander of the Royal Magic Order of Brussels are 7-star Masters.”

The Commander of the Royal Magic Order, Revric Roach, and the Commander of the Royal Knight Order, Konrad Norton.

Not only them, but their vice-commanders were also identified as having reached the level of Superhuman.

‘A diversionary tactic will be needed to infiltrate the royal castle.’

Count Konrad was going to war with only the knights and mages seconded from some fifty families.

Even with Crimson Wolf and Hennessy's help, it was necessary to reduce their Superhuman-level forces at the very least to completely seize control of the royal family.

“The rumors?”

“That the King of Eurasia was injured during battle. We are spreading it from the outskirts of Brussels through the information network.”

Gala, who had been stroking Hazard's fur, reported with a firm gaze.

“Timing is important in these matters.”

“By now, the rumor should have reached the royal capital.”

“I heard Crimson Wolf also passed that information to Count Revric.”

Rumors among the public and reports from the information guild.

They won't be able to resist believing it.

“And…… this is a personal report.”

Killian nodded as if to tell her to speak.

“Count Revric has conveyed his desire to meet Your Highness the Prince through Crimson Wolf.”

“He took the bait?”

“We need to discuss the location, but so far, it’s within our plans.”

“To think a nation that has endured for 200 years would be so careless.”

At Killian’s laughter, the Annihilation Squad members tensed up.

This was because they knew that in this kind of atmosphere, an absurd mission was bound to be assigned.

“Annihilation Squad, I will now issue a new mission.”

***

Celot, who had returned to the Cornelia Kingdom via the Magic Tower, headed for the King’s Hall.

It was called the King’s Hall, but it was a place Hegel used as if it were a training ground.

“Greetings to the Commander of the Royal Magic Order.”

“Greetings to the pillar of Cornelia.”

The two 5-star knights guarding the front of the King’s Hall performed a sword salute.

“I have come to see His Majesty.”

“Pardon our impertinence…… but His Majesty the King has ordered that no one be let in.”

“That’s probably because your bodies would melt from the mana if you were to step in carelessly.”

“…….”

“…….”

“It’s fine. I have come to discuss matters of state.”

“……Understood.”

“We will follow your command.”

At the command of Celot, the Arch Mage who had mastered the 7-star and was the undisputed second-in-command of the royal family, the two knights enveloped themselves in mana and opened the door.

“…….”

A blast of hot mana leaked out.

As Celot stepped inside, the door to the King's Hall closed.

Before his eyes, he saw a mana barrier that was spread out in several layers.

“Ice Chamber.”

Celot enveloped his own body with 7-star mana.

The temperature in the area slowly dropped, centered on the mana emanating from his body.

His gaze turned to Hegel, who was sitting in his seat without a single movement.

Four energy balls were floating around him.

‘To this extent already…….’

Celot marveled quietly as he looked at the 8-star magic that was being completely controlled.

‘He is rapidly absorbing the magic grimoire that Prince Killian gave him.’

The solar magic grimoire that the Fourth Prince of Eurasia had brought from the Secret Repository was a great help to Hegel's achievements.

Moreover, Eurasia was providing Heart Break Herba through a private transaction.

‘To think a day would come when we would receive help from that barren Eurasia.’

Producing an 8-star mage, whose lineage had been cut off for 200 years, and thus being able to confidently declare a kingdom, were all possible thanks to Eurasia's help.

Celot recalled the mission where he had helped Simon.

He had cast a large-scale warp magic using the mana of the Magic Tower.

It was not an easy attempt even for a mage of his caliber with the assistance of the Magic Tower.

In the end, the warp magic was a success, and Simon was able to arrive at the scene without the slightest bit of exhaustion.

‘Simon Eurasia.’

The first 8-star knight to appear in Eurasia, which had been demoted to a family.

The realm he had achieved seemed worthy of the title God of War.

‘It was to the point of being embarrassing that I had once considered him a rival.’

It was when Celot was reminiscing about his past mission.

“You’ve come.”

Hegel, who had awakened from his meditation at some point, was shining with brilliant eyes.

“I apologize if I disturbed you.”

“Not at all. I heard the report that you helped Simon and dealt with the Empire's forces heading for Brussels.”

“I was late because I was taking care of some work my brother had postponed.”

“I see.”

Hegel nodded his head calmly.

“You have a look on your face as if it’s a matter of course now.”

“Ahem. How was Simon’s martial prowess?”

Hegel asked, brushing off Celot's words.

Even after Cornelia declared itself a kingdom, Celot was still in charge of state affairs as a regent, and in the midst of that, he had even gone on a mission to help Eurasia as payment for the Heart Break Herba.

From Hegel's perspective, he couldn't help but be mindful of his younger brother.

Fortunately, Celot was not so dull as to not consider Hegel’s position.

“There are many Sword Masters across the continent…… but it seems insufficient to group them together like that anymore.”

“Hoh. Then?”

After collecting his thoughts for a moment, Celot opened his mouth.

“If Simon Eurasia himself were to step onto the battlefield. Brussels would not last more than half a year.”

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