#155
Turmoil of the Empire (5)
[Hooh, a bet? Kekekek—how interesting. Let’s hear it first.]
The gist of what followed was this.
If a large-scale war broke out through the Rohan Archduchy, even the Saint wouldn’t be able to focus solely on the Immortal King, so they suggested setting the war aside for now and settling the match through a different method.
[Aah—what a boring story. You didn’t think I would accept such a simple proposal, did you?]
That cold response from the Immortal King was exactly the reaction everyone else listening to their conversation amid battle had expected.
The prerequisite for this proposal was that it had to contain an element that piqued his interest; if they couldn’t present such a plan, the conversation could progress no further.
Just as Heinrich was about to speak again at that moment…
[…No, if it’s a brief diversion, it might not be bad. Keheh, an interesting thought has just occurred to me.]
And that interesting thought he came up with was none other than this.
Using the entire continent as a game board—a sort of board game.
If the Immortal King attacked a specific place, the Hero would defend it.
If he failed to defend, it would naturally result in a loss for humanity, and if successful, he could annihilate the Immortal King’s forces that had launched the attack individually.
The victory condition for the Hero’s side was to block the relentless offensive of the Immortal King and head to the Demon King’s castle to defeat him.
Defeat was, of course, the destruction of the continent that had become the game board.
[Of course, since I’m accepting your proposal, there should be a penalty on your side as well, shouldn’t there?]
Not stopping there, Hans let out a sinister smile as if he had found some kind of angle and slowly added,
[First, there will be no notice of time or place. I intend to destroy whatever place I desire, whenever I desire. If you call yourself a Saint, you should be able to handle that much on your own, no?]
“Ugh…!”
And regarding the time limit of this ‘game’ as well.
[Second, I’ll humor your antics for three years at most. I have no intention of dragging out a boring bet! Keheheh, I look forward to seeing if you can come to take my head within that time. That waiting will be a unique pleasure in itself!]
Hans burst into laughter, seemingly excited by this new diversion.
Thus, a bet was struck between the Hero, who sought to prevent a large-scale war and minimize damage however possible, and the evil Immortal King, who pursued nothing but his own amusement.
After all, from humanity’s perspective, it was a condition that couldn’t get any worse.
…the moment everyone thought so and let their guard down.
[And third…]
As his following words continued—
A gaze that seemed to contain an abyss turned to a corner of the battlefield.
***
When the Fifth Princess and the Crown Prince joined forces.
“Long time no see, Riley. You seem to have lived quite comfortably while I was away. You’ve gained quite a lot of weight in many ways.”
“And how was the conference, dear brother? I feel terribly sorry for the church officials. As always, disaster seems to follow wherever you go; one might think you’ve been cursed by the Lord.”
They met and immediately hurled insults at each other with smiling faces.
The Crown Prince had not hesitated to employ all sorts of dirty tricks to keep the Fifth Princess, Riley, in check as she grew and threatened his position at every turn, and she had no choice but to respond even more ruthlessly…
Their relationship had already essentially collapsed beyond the point of no return.
However, given the situation they currently faced, and because personnel from the Capital Defense Force—who were neutral—were present with them, they did not openly clash further.
Even in such situations, considering the political angle was the duty of royalty.
Their uncomfortable companionship toward the Grand Temple lasted only a short while.
In the end, they found their feet bound by the undead army chasing them as if targeting them.
…That soon resulted in their encounter with the Immortal King.
*Should I have somehow taken Riley and escaped back then?*
Oooong—!
Mana surged from Iseah’s body as if boiling over.
It continued endlessly without stopping for a moment…
*Crackle—!*
That massive energy woven according to specific laws finally became the Miracle of Extreme Ice and swept through space.
[Kuaagh! How dare this human brat!]
*Crunch!*
And Akrich Dwell, who had barely blocked that attack, ground his teeth and erupted in fury while frost covered his entire body.
Despite somehow managing to block only direct hits all this time, her ceaselessly bursting magic had eventually caused the permanent loss of countless undead.
They were all useful subordinates belonging to the upper ranks!
*When she was with Lord Karam, she was just struggling to buy time while watching for an opening, but facing her directly like this is killing me!*
That Karam was currently busy blocking some old knight and had no time to spare attention elsewhere.
The other officers were similarly busy moving about.
The only ones idle on this battlefield were the Immortal King and the Hero conversing peacefully.
*Let’s admit what must be admitted. That kid surpasses me in capability as a mage.*
Thinking of that young-looking appearance, it was enough to leave no pride intact, but still, that was a problem he could overlook by considering her a once-in-a-century genius.
More than anything, what Dwell couldn’t understand was…
*What mana for a mere human! How many high-tier spells has she poured out by now, yet she’s still fresh as if at the start!*
It was her amount of mana that overwhelmed him, despite having lived for a long time.
On top of that, couldn’t he indirectly receive some amount of dark mana through his subservience to the Immortal King?
This alone was absolutely incomprehensible.
“Hoo.”
Regardless of what thoughts Dwell was having inwardly, Iseah let out a light sigh and drew up the mana beginning to fill her body again.
In truth, there was no special secret to her endless mana.
It was simply the effect of her unique skill, 「Perpetual Motion」.
Thanks to that skill, which caused the energy she could handle to explode, the amount of mana she could utilize was literally close to infinite.
Since she was a grand mage herself, output was not a problem either; if given even a little time, she could truly fire high-tier spells without rest.
*Since I invested most of my karma into stats to learn magic, the actual enhancement level of my unique skill isn’t that high, but.*
But even at this level, she possessed combat endurance that ordinary mages couldn’t hope to match.
Of course, if the opponent was someone like the Immortal King, such advantages wouldn’t mean much.
She prepared a new spell once more while turning her head to grasp the overall situation.
[Kuaaaaah——!]
[Kyaaaaah——!]
*Boom!*
The first thing she saw was two Bone Dragons battering the Imperial Palace’s barrier in the distance, and a magic circle attempting to intercept them.
She had thought Count Lawrence’s magical support had been cut off at some point, and seeing the barrier’s light grow dim, it seemed he had overexerted himself to the point where he could no longer provide additional support here.
[Ignoring me…!]
She ignored whatever Akrich in front of her was yapping about and turned her gaze again to survey the surrounding battlefield.
Of course, without forgetting to pour the spell she had prepared at him.
*Swish—!*
*Clang!*
[Kuaaah!]
“Kuk! A mere ghoul!”
On one side of the battlefield, Royal Guard Captain Conwell was pushing back the Death Knight Lord who had tormented her, while on the other side, the Captain of the Imperial Guard was facing the Ghoul Lord rushing at him with a mouth gaping wide like an ogre’s.
“Kwahahaha! Shatter!”
And there was a massive figure covered in dark red scales, spinning like a top while grabbing undead in both hands and completely tearing through the enemy lines…
*Fwoosh—Boom!*
[Are you reaching your limit—? I can feel your fear—!]
“Bullshit!”
Having confirmed Count Garfield as well, resisting against the massive Dread Phantom, Iseah quietly nodded as if relieved.
The battles between the Imperial Knights and the undead army occurring everywhere were also flowing in a generally similar manner, so there didn’t seem to be much to worry about.
*Perhaps because the Immortal King isn’t interfering, there are no places being pushed back significantly. Though that side looks a bit unstable.*
Her gaze turned again toward Count Garfield.
Without the corrections of skills and stats, fatigue seemed to have accumulated from consecutive battles, and he clearly looked exhausted.
It was natural, since to buy time against the formidable Death Knight Lord, he had squeezed out every last bit of his strength alongside her, pouring out his power.
But what was important now wasn’t a battlefield like that.
Iseah turned her head to the most important location in this area.
Right where the Immortal King Hans and the Saint Heinrich were.
Their conversation, which had been ongoing for a while, was slowly reaching its conclusion.
[…I look forward to seeing if you can come. That waiting will be a unique pleasure!]
With an unexpected development that neither she nor anyone else could have predicted.
*…What the hell is that. Is he really crazy? …No, I guess he is crazy.*
The Immortal King who declared he would use the continent as a chessboard for amusement, and the Saint who accepted it to prevent greater damage.
*Wait, did the Saint propose it first? Anyway, that’s a relief. Thanks to that madman, things seem to be working out somehow. …Surely he wouldn’t try to end it all here after going through such a conversation?*
Then she thought it was indeed good that she hadn’t overdone it.
If the situation had gotten even slightly difficult and she had taken Riley and escaped the battlefield as she had first thought, the Fifth Princess’s political standing would have greatly diminished afterward.
*Truthfully, I couldn’t put it into action because it would be more dangerous if we got caught by undead commanders while separated from the escorts. Still, it’s a relief the situation is ending well… huh?*
In that very moment when she had slightly let her guard down.
[And third…]
Immortal King Hans spoke in a low voice.
And turned his head this way.
A gaze seemingly containing an abyss—one that froze the soul merely by meeting it.
Moreover, the thought that the mask fragment attached to that skull seemed to be part of a Hahoetal was not a very important issue right now.
*Vzzzzt—!*
*Clash!*
Because she had let her guard down, she perceived it only a moment too late.
In that instant, dozens of abyssal tendrils extended from all directions, an equal number of sword lights cut down all of them, and conversely, a giant blade of light even slashed through the Immortal King’s barrier—all occurring simultaneously.
“Hannibal!”
[Aah—calm down. It is merely a necessary procedure for a moment.]
As a massive shockwave swept the surroundings from the sudden clash between the Immortal King and the Hero, everyone raised their guard and prepared for the worst.
However, there were already those far too late to respond to something…
“Kkeoheok!”
Count Garfield, who had been overexerting himself to keep the Dread Phantom in check despite his exhausted state, vomited black blood.
Several abyssal serpents that had shot up from the ground at some point had pierced his body, coiled tightly around his entire form, and buried their maws into the nape of his neck.
“Count Garfield!”
“What is this!”
The astonished Crown Prince and Imperial Knights roared, and Heinrich also twisted his face and raised his holy sword once more.
But then.
*Fwoosh—!*
An enormous aura erupted from the Immortal King Hans’s body and enveloped all directions.
A terrifying presence rapidly amplifying its power, as if everything until now had been a joke.
An intense abyssal energy imbued with death rather than ordinary dark mana…eroded the influence of the barrier covering the capital, dyeing the surroundings in darkness.
*Crackle—!*
Sparks flew incessantly at the boundary where these forces clashed against each other.
Even the undead within that range escaped the barrier’s influence, their presence gradually growing stronger.
Thanks to Heinrich spreading a sacred aura to protect the people, that cursed energy could not greatly affect them.
But in the moment his mind had been briefly captivated by the Immortal King’s momentum, leaving him unable to pay attention.
[A bet should naturally have a prize.]
“Kkeo—kkeokeok!”
By the time everyone came to their senses from the sudden change, the Crown Prince whom the dying Count Garfield had been protecting had already fallen into the Immortal King’s hands.
“Your Highness, the Crown Prince!”
“You bastard, Immortal King!”
The infuriated Imperial Knights and the undead blocking their path threw the area into chaos in an instant, but…
I Se-a had no time to concern herself with that.
It was not because she had always disapproved of the crown prince.
When the unfocused gaze of the Immortal King Hans turned her way, and she met those abyssal eye sockets head-on.
A spine-chilling cold ran up her back.
‘···Riley!’
The instant she sensed the crisis, I Se-a’s mental power surged, and her thoughts began to accelerate.
In that slowed time, her head slowly turned toward the side where the princess would be, while the mana filling her body moved like a raging torrent, instantly forming the spell she desired.
‘It’s all right. I set up a barrier around Riley before the battle, and she has the magic tools she always carries with her. If they can buy even a little time···.’
A swift assessment of the situation, a search for countermeasures, and a spell on the verge of completion.
In a single instant, she decided on every course of action and steeled her resolve.
Even if she had to overextend herself, she would get Riley out of here.
But.
When her head had turned fully to the side.
[Ohoho··· Is she not a terribly beautiful young lady···? She reminds me of myself in my younger days···.]
“Ngh?”
There, the Banshee Queen Olivia had already appeared without a trace of presence, embracing Princess Riley from behind.
“···No!”
Her mana ran wild.
She forcibly twisted the spell structure that had been nearly complete within her body, wrenching its purpose into something else.
“Ghk—!”
Blood surged back up from I Se-a’s nose and mouth.
But this much was fine. It posed no problem to casting the spell right now.
And so, around her, a magic circle to rescue Riley from that ghost unfolded in an instant—.
[Grrr—! How long do you intend to ignore me, human child—!]
Crackle!
At the sudden interference of dark mana that shot out.
It lost its function in an instant.
“Ah?”
She lost control of her mana for only the briefest moment, but that short instant was enough time for Olivia to take the princess and move to the Immortal King’s side.
“Ugh!”
[My king··· I have brought her before you···.]
[Hmm— Yes, two are better than one after all.]
While Olivia brought the princess over, Hans, who had clashed with Heinrich once again, slowly retreated and nodded.
Crown Prince Simon and Fifth Princess Riley had, in the end, become prisoners of the Immortal King.
Staring at them in shock, I Se-a turned a face twisted like a vengeful fiend toward Dwell.
“You, you··· you—!”
Unable to continue, her body trembled with rage as 「Infinite Power」 operated without pause, and an immense amount of mana began to pour out in streams.
After glaring at Dwell for a moment, she turned her head again to look at the princess. Her face was so pale that, at a glance, one might mistake her for an undead.
On top of that, blood was streaming from her nose and mouth from the backlash of her reckless mana manipulation···.
Even so, the only reason she did not act rashly now was the firm reason she had trained to the level of an archmage.
Even faced with a situation so chaotic that rage rose to the top of her head and made her dizzy, one corner of her mind was calmly grasping the situation and controlling her body.
Because charging in blindly now would be no help at all.
“No! Co, Cornwell! Cornwell! Save me at once! No! I, I am the one who will become emperor of this empire··· Mmph!”
“Hoo, hoo—.”
Simon, who had been struggling before his mouth was covered, and Riley, who was calmly repeating deep breaths in an attempt to maintain her composure.
[For now, I shall be satisfied with these two, unsatisfactory though they are. Do try your hardest. I will keep them alive for the time being, but I cannot guarantee how long they can endure in human bodies. Kekeke—.]
And so, the two most likely candidates to become the next emperor of the empire—.
Fell into the grasp of the Immortal King Hans.