------------------
HELHEIM SCANS
[Translator - Prøks]
[Proofreader - Prøks]
------------------
Chapter 217: Summons
After examining the fallen Number 3 for a long time, I finally discovered a fingernail-sized crystal embedded in the skin of his wrist.
"This was it."
A means of communication with the Clown. Hidden in this way, it was no wonder it had been difficult to detect.
Tearing off the mask revealed the face of a man in his late 30s.
A completely unfamiliar face.
There were no signs of weapons mastery on his body.
The amount of mana core dispersing in his lower abdomen was at the 6-star level. Lifting his upper lip, I found a black-stained fang, as expected.
Proof of a demonized human.
Unusually, he seemed to be a guy purely specialized in mental magic.
If I had spared him, he might have been useful, but the risk was just as high. He could have figured out my identity.
However, regardless of any practical benefits, killing him was a decision I had made from the start.
The countless Demonized Humans buried here were likely all short-lived mercenaries or low-ranking mages or knights from various clans.
Ordinary humans who wouldn't cause much trouble even if they disappeared without a trace.
Their small, blood-stained stories were all buried in the ground. I didn't want to leave alive the bastard who had created so many Demonized Humans.
I manifested Dark Thunder and completely annihilated Number 3's corpse, then unfolded the letter again.
[Assembly, Summons, ten days from now, midnight]
Thousand-Faced Fox delivered the letter yesterday.
In other words, the assembly where the Seven Demons gather will be held nine days from now at midnight, like last time.
I had expected them to convene the assembly within a day or two, but there was some leeway.
It seemed they expected it would take some time to organize the situation within the Myriad Demons Assembly as well.
There was nothing problematic, but several unsettling questions arose.
'It's ambiguous.'
First, it was once again revealed that the 〈Clown〉 was indeed a lower-ranking member of the Seven Demons.
This was evident from the fact that he was only passively notified of the assembly's summons.
The problem was that there were no other instructions at all. Despite the significant issue of the failed summons, there were no orders for a high-ranking member like the Clown?
In such cases, it's usually one of two things.
Either action guidelines were already prepared among the Seven Demons in anticipation of the summons failing.
Or, the Clown was intentionally excluded.
"…Was it a coincidence that Thousand-Faced Fox came here?"
Somehow, I didn't think so. If doubts were really arising within the Seven Demons and the arrow was aimed at the Clown...
I sat in meditation for a moment, considering various scenarios.
'It's a good thing.'
In any case, nothing would be disadvantageous to me.
Regaining my composure, I manifested multiple layers of illusion barriers and boundary magic inside and outside the cave, then retraced my steps down the path.
Along the way down, I set up boundary magic at intervals so that any intrusion by outsiders could be immediately detected.
I didn't bother touching the Demonized Humans.
They were beings who had lost their minds, waiting only for attack commands, neither alive nor dead.
If I didn't give the command, their bodies would remain, but was that really the right thing to do?
I couldn't quite make a judgment yet.
Perhaps there would come a day when I could close their eyes for them.
* * *
After returning to Keplan, I spent several days holed up in the temporary residence in the south with my subordinates, alternating between rest and training.
It was necessary to fully master the realm I had reached.
In fact, by now, the effects of the elixirs on my body were more significant than repetitive training, but there was nothing problematic.
“Ten Soul Elixirs.”
"......"
"Savior Elixir—aged for a thousand days? Why the hell would you age it that long?”
"......"
"A dried branch of the White Flower Tree."
"Wait a moment."
I called to Zion, who was muttering to himself as he organized boxes in one corner.
"White Flower Tree, you say?"
"That's what it says. Is it good?"
"Bring it here."
As soon as Zion opened the box, a fragrance vibrated through the room. The moment I lightly chewed on the tip of a root, an intense chill filled my body, and I felt impurities being washed away.
"This is the real deal. Who brought it?"
"The Hyark clan."
"Oh. Altair was a man of good manners. Make a separate note of Hyark."
"Do I have to do all that?"
"Come on. That's originally the role of a business manager."
"Damn it."
I ate a fingernail-sized piece of the root's tip, cut off half and kept it, then handed the remaining half to Zion.
"Go share it with the others. It'll be helpful."
Zion pointed to the other half of the root I had kept and replied.
"Is the Commander going to eat the rest?"
"No."
"Then?"
"None of your business."
"He's going to eat it all by himself."
"Tsk, tsk."
Actually, I had no intention of eating it all myself. The White Flower Tree, which grew beyond the borders of the Fire Scale Mountains, was valuable enough to have excellent effects on high-ranking mages and knights, but its true value lay elsewhere.
It was one of the materials that exhibited excellent effects in restoring damaged mana circles.
I was planning to have Kazen ingest the White Flower Tree at an appropriate time.
While Zion, who had finished organizing, went out to the courtyard for training, I glanced at the mountain of boxes piled up in one corner.
"A lot has come."
Aguro was organizing the gifts sent to the Alliance in my name and sending them here.
In just a few days, gifts were pouring in from various clans across the continent. Among them were many prestigious clans with well-known names. It was safe to assume that a considerable number of gifts were also going to Khaoto's main clan.
It was a world where you had to be quick-witted to survive.
With the news of our activities in the far west of Keplan having spread throughout the continent, it was no wonder many clans were trying to curry favor.
I ate a few Soul Elixirs and slowly sat in meditation on the table.
7th Circle.
And the 6th Circle of Reverse.
This time, too, was the same.
The imbalance between the two circles, which always felt disappointing despite taking a step forward, had not been resolved.
I had to go further. I needed to reach the 7th Circle of Reverse to achieve complete balance and create more destructive incantation combinations.
"Commander!"
After finishing my meditation at an appropriate time, I put on my hooded attire and went outside at the call of my subordinates.
In truth, I would have liked to continue training, but now was not the time.
"Let's go."
"Where to today?"
"From the auction house to the city center."
It was necessary to directly observe the situation in Keplan, which was changing day by day.
I traversed Keplan with my hooded companions, using our footwork techniques.
"Let's split up from here."
After parting ways with my subordinates near the city center, I immediately headed to places where people would gather. The auction house was still teeming with people, and the famous taverns seemed lively, but the atmosphere was definitely different from before.
Even Hote's tavern, which had recently been the most crowded place in downtown Keplan, was like that.
"Hote!"
"Oh? Brother Ruin?"
I slightly removed my hat, greeted him with a nod, and asked Hote about his recent activities.
"Is business good?"
"We're doing alright, but..."
Hote trailed off, his expression looking somewhat complicated.
Looking around inside, it was understandable.
The number of bottles and snacks on the tables was much smaller than usual, and there was an air of anxiety in people's expressions.
It was as expected.
The barrier at the far west of Keplan had been breached, and the restricted demon realm, the mother of all demon realms, had disappeared.
It was a good thing, but it was also something that couldn't be simply laughed off. If demon realms no longer spawned, those who had gathered in Keplan with dreams of instant wealth would lose their purpose in an instant.
There was a possibility that Keplan would become a lifeless city in an instant. The Myriad Demons Assembly must have been aware of that as well.
"Brother Ruin. Would you like to have some bootleg liquor with me, for old times' sake?"
"Maybe next time."
Leaving behind Hote, who was disappointed by our short meeting, I took a round through downtown Keplan and finally stopped by the tavern district in the northwest.
It seemed that the Myriad Demons Assembly was indeed hiding in Keplan.
There were signs that another person had intruded into the Attendant's base.
* * *
One drizzly early morning, after spending several days in a repetitive routine.
As I was meditating on the table in the temporary residence as usual, someone from the Alliance came to visit.
"Ruin-nim."
Secretary Aguro bowed respectfully.
"We will escort you to the Alliance."
Aguro's visit likely meant that the internal situation had been somewhat organized.
"Is the situation settled?"
"The immediate fires have been put out."
"Wait a moment."
After taking a clean bath, I changed into neat attire for the first time in a while and set out with Aguro.
"Let's go."
"We will escort you."
Dozens of the Alliance's regular mages were stationed outside the door. When I took the lead, my subordinates naturally followed behind me, and the Alliance members, a little behind them, surrounded us in a circle as if escorting us.
As I walked, I said to Aguro.
"This is cumbersome. From now on, just come alone."
"Ah, yes. Understood."
"By the way, it seems you haven't been sleeping well?"
"I'm fine. Compared to you, Ruin-nim, and the others who have worked much harder, I'm nothing."
After just a single remark, I simply shut my mouth at Aguro's extremely tense demeanor.
It was a fresh realization that while I hadn't changed, Aguro's attitude towards me was completely different from before.
What could I do? It wasn't like I could suddenly crack a joke...
As soon as I arrived at the Alliance, dozens of Alliance members were lined up in front of the main gate, with the Administration Head waiting for me with a formal posture.
"What's the occasion today? Tell them to go do their jobs instead of this."
As soon as I shook my head, Aguro and the Administration Head, who quickly assessed the situation, dismissed the Alliance members and guided me and my subordinates to the top floor of the Alliance.
The Alliance Head's office.
Inside, Mahon and Fichte were sitting side by side.
"You've arrived."
"Welcome."
Looking at the state of the two, I inadvertently let out a hollow laugh.
"Both of you have dark circles under your eyes."
Fichte smiled, but Mahon didn't.
Suddenly, after staring at me and my subordinates for a long time, Mahon bowed his head and said.
"I would like to formally apologize now. I owe a great debt to Dark Light and Samael. On behalf of all the magic scholars of the White Magic Tower and the Alliance, I express my gratitude."
I now knew that Mahon was no longer affiliated with the Myriad Demons Assembly.
It wasn't just a matter of intuition. I had seen the Alliance Head try to eliminate Mahon when the barrier in the far west was breached.
"It's alright. We've all been through a lot together."
I nodded and accepted Mahon's apology.
I had things to ask Mahon, and Mahon would have many questions for me. But we both knew that this was not the time.
As if sensing this, Mahon spoke to me first.
"There are no more traces of demon realms in the far west. The position of Alliance Head has been temporarily appointed to me with the consent of the other three major magic towers. Does Dark Light have any thoughts on this?"
"Absolutely not."
"I thought as much."
Mahon carefully presented two options.
"If it's alright, I would like Dark Light to take on the role of a high-ranking Elder of the White Magic Tower."
"Are you crazy? I still have a long way to go."
"I would also like you to take on the position of Vice Head of the Magic Tower Alliance."
"Vice Head when I'm not even Head? If I become Vice Head, everyone in Keplan will gather and point fingers."
"Who could dare to point fingers when everyone has witnessed Dark Light's incantations?"
"Anyway, I've told you I hate troublesome things."
"It's not a bad proposal for Dark Light or Samael. There will be absolutely no troublesome tasks. It's just an honorary position. In return, we will grant you access to the Sky Orb."
"……Hmm."
"All the magic scholars of the White Magic Tower hope to connect with Samael. Of course, that includes me."
Fichte smiled and chimed in.
"It might be good to accept it, Ruin-nim."
I pondered for a moment and turned the conversation to Fichte.
"The Myriad Demons Assembly. Have you checked for suspicious individuals?"
Fichte shook his head.
"We have checked all the personnel from the three major magic towers and the mercenaries who were in the far west at the time, but there is no one particularly suspicious."
"Hector Kart?"
This time, Mahon replied.
"Crimson Flame joined later."
"Then shouldn't we be even more suspicious?"
Mahon shook his head firmly.
"Crimson Flame is not a suspect."
"……Let's move on for now. There's still no contact from the Divine Clans?"
Fichte, slightly frowning, replied.
"We sent letters to both Divine Clans except for the Seren clan of Mount Hwa, but there has been no response so far."
"They need to know their place. They don't even know how the situation is unfolding."
"We have also issued invitations to the Vassal Clan Banquet, so they will at least become aware now."
As if suddenly remembering, Fichte took out a neatly folded pure white invitation from his pocket and handed it to me.
"This is the invitation to the Vassal Clan Banquet."
"The date?"
"A month from now."
"Fortunately, I have no prior engagements."
I stood up and looked at the two of them.
"If anything happens for the time being, contact the Crazy Mage Squad."
Mahon looked at me with a puzzled expression.
"Are you leaving already?"
I folded and unfolded my fingers, as if calculating something.
"Come to think of it, today is the ninth day."
"The ninth day?"
"It means I have things to do. The 13th Elder has now become the Alliance Head, so please take good care of Keplan. You'll know if you look around, but the atmosphere outside is a bit uneasy. Do your jobs well and let's meet again. It won't take long."
As if sensing something, Fichte's eyes suddenly sank.
"Please be careful."
I nodded and left the Alliance Head's office.
------------------
HELHEIM SCANS
[Translator - Prøks]
[Proofreader - Prøks]
Join our Discord for release updates!
https://discord.com/invite/dbdMDhzWa2
------------------
