kscans

Chapter 173 - Interlude: Those Who Move in the Dark

The Imperial Guild.

The Guild Master’s office.

In a room illuminated only by the light of a lamp, a man sat at his desk, a glass of wine in hand.

He was a former A-rank adventurer and the current Guild Master of this guild. Having finished all the paperwork submitted by his staff, he was taking a moment to breathe.

Normally, he would just go home, but it was so late that he planned to sleep at the guild tonight. The sleeping quarters here were luxurious, of course, so there was no issue.

But the Guild Master was in a foul mood.

"...Hah. His Majesty Yorune’s requests are too damn detailed. This is overkill, even for defensive measures. But the citizens just keep saying how it makes them feel safe. It’s so irritating."

He grumbled to himself.

Yorune’s policies, unlike his predecessor’s, were focused on defense. The Former Emperor had also worked on defenses, but only did the bare minimum. That was because his philosophy was to attack rather than defend.

Even as old age made his thinking more peaceful, his fundamental nature never changed—namely, his obsession with battle. It was only his rationality and his love for his two daughters that allowed him to keep it in check. Of course, the Guild Master knew nothing of this.

To him, the Former Emperor had simply changed.

It was then that the door opened.

There was no one else in the guild but him. An enemy? he wondered, tensing up. A figure wrapped in a black robe entered.

He couldn't see their face at all, and there was a strange smell in the air.

"It’s been a while, Guild Master," the robed man said. "Do you remember me?"

At the sound of that voice, the Guild Master shot to his feet. "That voice… Could it be, Chancellor Vil-sama?"

It was only natural he’d be shocked. The Chancellor had tendered his resignation after the new Emperor ascended the throne and had been missing ever since.

"The very same," Vil confirmed. "Forgive me, but for certain reasons, I cannot show you my face."

"Not at all, my lord," the Guild Master said, bowing his head in deference. "I’m sure you have your reasons. Please, don’t concern yourself."

"I see," Vil said. "I’m glad to see you haven’t changed. Now, to the main subject. My king, Dion-sama, has been resurrected."

"Dion-sama?! But how?" the Guild Master exclaimed.

The dead coming back to life was a miracle, an impossibility. It was a natural question.

"I used a certain secret art," Vil explained. "As a result, Dion-sama was revived as a monster, and I, as the price, was transformed into an aberration."

"A… a monster?" the Guild Master stammered. "Then, the battle on the border… Don’t tell me…"

He seemed to have grasped the situation.

"You never fail to meet my expectations," Vil said. "Now, that’s enough of that. I came to see you for one reason: to ask for your cooperation."

The Guild Master pondered this for a moment. "Cooperation? For example, pulling some strings to prevent forces from being sent to the border?" he suggested.

Vil shook his head. "The opposite. I want you to send more forces to the border."

With a look of surprise, the Guild Master asked, "Why? If you reduce their forces, taking the base would be simple. There’s no reason to increase them."

"You’re right," Vil agreed. "However, our objective isn’t to take the base. It’s to take the country."

After a moment of thought, the Guild Master’s eyes widened. "You mean… to reduce the forces in the Royal Capital?"

Vil nodded at his conclusion.

Indeed, in terms of reducing forces, the capital was just as viable. However, according to reports, there were no significant enemy groups in the vicinity. They were all at the border.

"I have no concerns about our forces," Vil said with a smirk. "I’m using a new magic I’ve acquired to conceal them. They’re on standby around the Royal Capital even now."

"Incredible," the Guild Master said. "To think you’ve mastered such power… I am in awe. Very well. Fortunately, Yorune has been recruiting C-rank adventurers and sending them to the base. There are still a few parties in the Royal Capital, including some B-rankers. With my authority and some extra reward money, they’ll jump at the chance."

He laid out a rough plan.

The ones to watch out for among adventurers were the A-ranks, but B-ranks couldn't be underestimated either. It was a mystery why they hadn’t gone to the base yet, but if the Guild Master could handle it, Vil would leave it to him.

"In that case," the Guild Master said, a grin spreading across his face, "upon the successful conquest of the Royal Capital, what will my compensation be?"

"I shall grant you the seat of the new Emperor of the Empire," Vil declared. "Under the command of Dion-sama, the King of the World, of course."

At this ultimate reward, the Guild Master gasped. "What! Such a reward for me… I understand completely. My body, my life… everything is for Dion-sama."

He prostrated himself on the floor.

It was easier to win someone over with the most desirable and realistic reward, rather than offering something like immortality.

"I’m counting on you," Vil said, and then he left the room.

Once alone, the Guild Master returned to his desk, pulled out some documents from a drawer, and began to write, his smile hideously contorted.

Meanwhile, at the border, in the monsters’ stronghold.

The King was displeased with the latest report.

His predictions about troop deployment had been wrong, and they had built and used a large number of fences and makeshift catapults. His strategy had been based on General Goltor’s personality and tactics, yet it had been completely ineffective.

Had he changed his approach? No, he knew that man’s personality. He wouldn’t change his ways so easily, as it would affect his soldiers’ morale. Did that mean someone else was giving him ideas?

There were those who would offer the general opinions, but no one who would challenge his policies. So it had to be an outsider.

It was hard to believe he would accept the words of someone he barely trusted. But if it was someone he did trust, that was a different story.

(So the general has found a trustworthy outsider,) the King mused. (I never heard of such a person when I was alive. Did it happen after my death? Should I have that one investigate when he returns? No. We’ve come too far to waste any more time. I’ve received reports that the new kings of the other nations are starting to notice. At this point, I don’t care if a few unexpected things happen. Fortunately, I’ve acquired a rare monster.)

He shifted his gaze.

There stood a red-skinned, quadrupedal lizard—no, a Giant Salamander.

Its name was Salamander, a monster rarely seen in these parts. They were originally from the eastern border.

Why was it here? He considered it a stroke of luck. Just then, he sensed a presence behind him. There was no need to turn around; it was someone he knew well. It was Vil.

"I have returned."

"You’re back," the King said. "So? How did it go?"

"All preparations are complete," Vil reported. "Arrangements with the Three Nations are in order. As soon as his work in the Empire is finished, we can move at any time."

"Fufu. I see," the King chuckled. "Considering how quickly he works, I’d say he’ll be done in about two days from now? Making arrangements with adventurers isn’t so simple. The experienced ones have sharp instincts."

The King did not underestimate adventurers.

They were people who had clawed their way up through sheer ability. They had their fair share of experience. This time, thanks to some foolish show-offs, they were able to kill more than expected, but he would not let his guard down.

Just because there were a few fools didn’t mean they were all the same. In fact, it was highly likely that this incident would make them more cautious.

As he was thinking, Vil spoke again. "I apologize for interrupting your thoughts, but I have one more thing to report. I found an interesting monster in the forests of the Republic, so I brought it back. Please, take a look."

Upon seeing it, the King smiled.

Elsewhere, Redorza the Sage of the Seven Demon Lords muttered to himself.

"...That’s odd. They’re nowhere to be found. I’m sure I let them run rampant here."

He gazed out at the desolate forest, ravaged over a three-hundred-meter radius.