------------------
HELHEIM SCANS
[Translator - Prøks]
[Proofreader - Prøks]
------------------
Chapter 227: The Vassal Clan Banquet (2)
Paaht—
The moment I stepped inside, a suffocating wave of gazes descended on me.
Their eyes scanned my appearance, and one by one, faint signs of confusion began to appear.
But as Fichte and the Lotus Swordsmen followed behind me, that interest quickly faded as if it had never been there.
I naturally moved toward the right, slipping in among the Lotus Swordsmen and taking a seat.
“You’ve arrived.”
Following the flag bearer’s guidance, I sat down and once again slowly observed the others gathered on the first floor.
They were few in number, but it wasn’t difficult to tell that each one represented the elite of their respective clans.
On the far left, three men wearing massive greatswords were members of the Hyark Clan’s pride—the elite force known as the Dominion Swords.
They were the smallest group in number, yet each of their individual power levels surpassed anyone else on the first floor.
I also spotted Altair of the Six Dominion Swords.
'Even the Deathly Venom Squad and the Battle Wolves are here.'
The half-naked men whose yellow-stained bodies were decorated with bizarre armaments, their faces hidden by hats, were the Deathly Venom Squad of Bellusia.
The long-haired men clad in white snow leopard hides, each wearing knuckles on every finger joint, were unmistakably the Battle Wolves of the northern Solsar Clan, rarely seen outside their territory.
“This hardly feels like a banquet.”
It felt less like a celebratory gathering and more like a show of force, displaying each clan’s finest warriors.
The arrogant expressions etched on each face were impossible to miss.
It was only natural for such pride to show, coming from the closed-off group standing atop the continent—those who left the Myriad Demon Assembly and now stood at the peak as the Vassal Clans.
Just then, as I stared intensely toward the second floor, Fichte spoke.
“It won’t take long.”
“…What was the meeting about again?”
“A discussion to finalize the agenda. It’s mostly a formality, so it should end soon.”
The condensed aura emanating from the second floor.
No one was actively revealing their qi, yet it was unmistakable.
Faint traces of overwhelming power strong enough to dominate even the elite gathered on the first floor.
Clack—
In that moment, every gaze turned upward in unison.
In the midst of the silence, the sound of a door opening somewhere in a corner of the second floor rang out like thunder.
‘A barrier?’
Kugugung—
That’s when the structure of the manor began to shift.
As if it were natural, all the elite from each clan moved to the sides, and I rose from my seat as well.
“Looks like it’s over.”
Kugugugugung—
One of the Dominion Swords of Hyark walked forward slowly, stopping at the center of the first floor.
From there, the structure began to rearrange in a perfect circle.
The flags of each clan formed an even ring around him, and ornate high seats as tall as the second floor began to form above those flags, encircling the space again in a round layout.
It felt like the arrangement for a tribunal.
As each clan’s elites lined up under their respective flags, I remained standing alone, staring straight at the second floor.
That’s when the six clan heads appeared on their high seats all at once.
The Clan Head of Hyark.
The Clan Head of Ardehain.
The Clan Head of Solsar.
The Clan Head of Ziek.
The Clan Head of Bellusia.
The Clan Head of Gaion.
As everyone’s attention focused, the Clan Head of Ardehain gave a small nod and spoke.
“Host, Ardehain. Let us begin the Vassal Clan Banquet.”
* * *
I quickly scanned the faces of the clan heads.
There was no visible indication that could serve as evidence of the Myriad Demon Assembly.
If anything, Alshura’s complexion seemed even lighter than when I last saw him in Keplan.
‘Has he already been taken in? Or is he being deceived?’
There’s no room for optimistic assumptions.
The Myriad Demon Assembly has already infiltrated the Vassal Clans deeply.
It may not be outwardly apparent, but at least half of the clans gathered here are likely already under their influence.
“Since this is a Special Assembly rather than a Regular Assembly, I believe the formal ceremonies of a Regular Assembly are unnecessary.”
The Clan Head of Hyark, Leonlight Hyark, opened his mouth in a heavy tone.
Just as his epithet “Red Tyrant King” suggested, the massive man stood out with his enormous blade slung over his back and his striking red beard.
“I would like the Clan Head of Ardehain to specify the agenda being proposed.”
At the Red Tyrant King’s words, the Clan Head of Ardehain, Phroha, nodded.
Her finely wrinkled face and her eyes carried an air of mystery.
However, the qi she exuded seemed somewhat lacking compared to a certain old companion.
“Lotus Swordmaster.”
At her quiet murmur, Loren, who stood in the rear ranks behind Phroha, took one step forward and unfurled the scroll in her hand.
“I am Loren Ardehain, Lotus Swordmaster of Ardehain. Since ancient times, the Six Vassal Clans have stood against the forces that threaten humanity and have protected the order of the continent. Fortunately, in the past few centuries, no threat significant enough to endanger the stronghold of the Vassal Clans has appeared. However, the values we pursue as Vassal Clans must never be questioned. And now—”
Loren looked around the hall and continued.
“A force that threatens humanity has appeared.”
“……”
“You likely already have your suspicions. Ardehain has determined that we can no longer stand by and watch the atrocities of the Demon Clan, and thus, we have called for this Vassal Clan Banquet.”
The Clan Head of Solsar, his body completely covered in snow leopard hide, looked at Loren.
“You’re not trying to speak in generalities, are you? Get to the point, Swordmaster.”
Loren bowed slightly toward the Clan Head of Solsar and then raised her chin firmly.
“Ardehain proposes the annulment of the Non-Aggression Pact.”
The uproar followed soon after.
“What?”
“What are you talking about!”
“What nonsense is the Swordmaster spouting?”
The Clan Head of Solsar narrowed his eyes, glaring at Loren and Phroha.
“Lotus Swordmaster. No, Clan Head Phroha. Did you truly just speak of annulling the Non-Aggression Pact?”
The Clan Head of Ardehain, Phroha, nodded.
“That is correct.”
The Clan Head of Solsar let out a sigh.
“I fail to understand. Our Solsar Clan has long guarded the northwest border according to the tradition of the pact. Even if we are distant from the shifting tides of continental affairs, we have still received reports about the Demon Clan. Are you truly saying this is serious enough to warrant annulling the pact?”
“The pact states clearly that it can be annulled only when absolute cooperation is required. That alone makes this a matter for discussion.”
“The Demon Clan… From what I’ve heard, even their true nature is still unclear. On what basis did Ardehain make such a judgment?”
“Their nature is clear.”
“Has the Clan Head confirmed it personally?”
“I’ve brought someone who can give a definitive account.”
“…Don’t tell me it’s that person?”
“That’s right.”
Slowly, the gazes of Clan Head Phroha and Loren turned toward me, and almost at the same time, the sharp stares of the entire hall pierced into me.
Naturally, I rose from my seat. As I took a step forward, I suddenly felt a hand grab the edge of my sleeve.
“Lord Ruin.”
Fichte whispered quickly, just loud enough for only me to hear.
“…Please don’t let yourself get agitated. I’ll be watching as you speak. You don’t need to answer difficult questions. I’ll step in when necessary. Ardehain will be standing behind you.”
“You worry too much, Military Commander.”
“…”
“Don’t worry.”
I smiled and stepped forward.
* * *
Just standing in the center brought a heavy sense of pressure.
Looking around, damn—it felt like I’d become someone who committed a terrible crime.
Prisoner Number One, Ruin Samael.
By majority vote of the Six Vassal Clans, sentencing is declared.
Verdict: Execution.
Shit.
It truly looked like the six clan heads seated on the high seats were delivering judgment on a criminal.
“So you’re Ruin Samael.”
The moment my name was spoken, uncomfortable sighs and coughs came from among the elites gathered on the first floor.
No one openly voiced their doubts, given where they were seated, but the meaning behind the stares was clear—displeasure.
Just like those six bald monks earlier, they clearly didn’t like the idea of an outsider attending the Vassal Clan Banquet.
“So you’re Ruin Samael, the one brought by Ardehain.”
“Let’s correct that. I wasn’t brought—I came on my own.”
A brief silence followed.
Aside from Phroha, looks of disbelief appeared on the faces of the other five clan heads.
The Battle Wolves of the Solsar Clan began to emit raw, threatening qi.
“What kind of insolent tone is that!”
I looked at them and smiled.
“I am Ruin Samael of the Samael Clan.”
“How dare you…”
“Enough.”
The Clan Head of Solsar restrained the Battle Wolves and turned his gaze back to me.
“Do you understand what kind of place this is?”
“Of course. And I have no intention of talking in circles.”
Standing in the middle of hostile territory under a storm of sharp gazes, I met eyes with each of the clan heads one by one.
“We don’t have time, so let’s get to the point. You’ve probably heard what happened in Keplan. The Demon Clan appeared, and I was right in the middle of it. The leader of the Magic Tower Alliance colluded with the Demon Clan, and because of that, Keplan was nearly reduced to ruins.”
“…”
“The commander of the Demon Clan required at least an 8-star knight just to be held off. And this isn’t the end. Stronger demons will appear. If the Vassal Clans don’t unite now, humanity has no future. I assure you.”
The unpleasant gazes disappeared in an instant.
But it wasn’t hard to tell that it wasn’t because they acknowledged what I said.
Saaah—!
As the unpleasant stares vanished, what filled the space instead was a vicious atmosphere.
“You guarantee it… Who exactly?”
“I do.”
“…You’re the one guaranteeing it?”
“Of course.”
“How?”
“Because I saw it.”
“What a bland statement.”
The suffocating atmosphere began to tighten around my entire body.
When I glanced back for a moment, I saw Fichte furrowing his brow deeply and shaking his head.
It was then that the Red Tyrant King, Leonlight, spoke up.
“Dark Light. I’ve heard well of the divine presence you showed in Keplan. I also know that you’ve recently begun to stand out as a rising figure.”
Leonlight looked at me.
“But that alone isn’t enough… The Demon Clan, you say. If it’s truly necessary, the Non-Aggression Pact can be annulled. But I don’t believe that’s the case right now.”
“You really don’t know what’s important.”
“It is an important matter. We Six Vassal Clans are history itself, built upon the blood of countless years. You have no understanding of the weight of your own words and actions.”
“The weight, you say?”
Leonlight, with a slightly disappointed expression, looked at Ardehain, then turned his gaze back to me.
“Return to your seat.”
I did not avoid his gaze.
“This has nothing to do with Ardehain.”
“Nothing to do with it? Then—”
Leonlight’s tone changed completely in an instant.
“Are you saying that you yourself are guaranteeing that a transcendent-level knight is needed?”
“Wait—please, just a moment.”
From behind, Fichte quickly stepped forward to the center.
“Allow me to add something. We have already secured substantial evidence regarding the Demon Clan that Lord Ruin spoke of. Our Ardehain—”
I cut Fichte off.
“Military Commander.”
“Lord Ruin?”
“I told you. You don’t know what brought me here.”
Stopping Fichte, I turned to face Leonlight.
“I understand perfectly. I said I guarantee it myself.”
Amusingly, at that moment, Leonlight wasn’t even looking at me.
His gaze was fixed on the Ardehain Clan.
When Phroha and Loren remained unresponsive, Leonlight began to crack his neck left and right.
“Looks like Ardehain thinks lightly of us Hyark. I’ll hear your reasons afterward.”
Leonlight slowly rose from his seat and finally met my eyes.
Paaah—!
His mana core opened.
With a tremble of his red beard, a vicious presence erupted from his massive frame, spreading outward and engulfing the surroundings.
As the condensed, ferocious qi came crashing down on my body—
Wiiiiing—
I opened all the circles in my heart and looked up at Leonlight.
“Hyark. You’ve lost your senses.”
------------------
HELHEIM SCANS
[Translator - Prøks]
[Proofreader - Prøks]
------------------
