Overlordly Broken: Re

by oblivon2991

"Everything that has a beginning has an end..." At least according to the saying. Many those who embraced this thought reached their end... Many of them never understand the truth behind the quote... But what if the so called end means a new beginning instead of the promised end? What happens when a spark refused to die? Let's find out. (Overlordly Broken Rewrite) Enjoy! (AU)

41. The Gala of Shadows (Part 2)

Written by oblivon2991

Proofread by the Members of The Usual Gang of Drunken Perverted Idiots

Thank you for reading my fanfic and for giving me a chance.

My mother language is not English, so please be patient about the grammatical issues.

I don't own the Overlord(オーバーロードŌbārōdo?) novel or anime series created by Kugane Maruyama.

I would like to thank the excellent job that the Skythewood translator team has done with the light novel translation.

Without their hard and persistent work, I surely couldn't write this story.

Please review it. I know I will make mistakes, and I intend to correct them, as well as try to learn from them and improve myself.

Thank you!

Now let's continue our little story!

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Chapter 41: The Gala of Shadows (Part 2)

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"Begin!" At the moment Baziwood shouted, the battle mages activated the barriers around the makeshift arena.

"[Ability Boost]!" Erya didn't hesitate for a moment. After activating his Martial Art, he started his charge, raising his blade and making a frontal cut.

"Guh!" Elysia caught off guard by the man's reckless charge, feeling her arm cracking at the moment she tried to divert the strike. The girl was forced to jump back then roll away to escape the pressure.

"That's it? That's all you can do?" Erya, of course, didn't let her go. He was before her in under a moment, pursuing her relentlessly, continuing to push his endless-looking assault.

'Clang! Clang! Clang! Clang! Clang!'

The sides almost blurred for the simple onlookers as their battle went on. Sparks were flying everywhere as the kitsune continued to block the hard strikes of the practiced swordsman.

"Hmm, what do you think, Nimble?" On the side, Jircniv asked his trusty Imperial Knight.

By no doubt, Jircniv was also taught swordsmanship and a minimal amount of magic when he was young — the necessary amount to win duels against a fellow noble and not to be completely clueless. Naturally, he was far from the level of the two before him, more so compared to his four Imperial Knights.

That's why he kept people like Nimble and Baziwood around. To protect him and serve as an adviser in matters like these.

A good Emperor knows his limits and seeks to collect and recruit people who can patch the holes in his knowledge and ability. Just like that, Jircniv did so, doing it even now.

"Lord Erya Uzruth, by no doubt more skilled than the girl, also seemingly possesses more strength. His strikes are more aligned and agile, flowing like water despite the brute style that they first imply. Very few can compete with him. Yet, curiously, Lady Elysia is able to keep up with him. If you are curious about my opinion, your Imperial Majesty, it is out of her instincts."

"How interesting…" Jircniv muttered as he tried to follow the fighting sides.

For his eyes, those were trained since youth to see through people, schemes, assassination attempts, and the bureaucratic mess that came leading a whole country; this battle was too fast and chaotic to really follow.

"Indeed, one wrong step is enough for her to lose the match. Yet, strangely, the same stands for Lord Erya too. If he is not careful, Lady Elysia might come up with something that can turn the match. In this stage, Lord Erya holds the definite edge, but this can change at any moment. While the advantage of skill, experience, and strength is in his hands, Lady Elysia possesses the edge of surprise. Unfortunately, I am unable to say for sure which side will win the match, as I possess not enough information about Lady Elysia to do so."

"It is fine… it just makes this duel even more interesting." With Nimble, Baziwood, and the royal guards on his side, Jircniv was seemingly not worried about the possibility someone backstabs him in this crowded place while everyone was watching the match. Thus, he enjoyed the match with a relaxed expression.

"I'm glad I asked Jiji for some additional protection…" He smudged the ruby ring on his index with his thumb before returning his attention to the match.

"Just what I expected from a beast! Clunky and brutish! [Horizontal Slash]!" The man slashed his blade horizontally, making Elysia backflip and avoid the sword only by a hairbreadth.

"Looks like a beast! Act like a beast!" Once more, Erya charged, but Elysia also had something in her pocket too!

"Just be aware this beast can bite through your throat! [Shadowy Evasion]!"

Before the blade met the girl and was able to slice through her, a layer of shadow and blur surrounded her, making her able to avoid Erya's blade and surprise him.

"What? Guah!" Erya was barely able to back away from a potentially dangerous strike, making Elysia cut his nasal bridge.

"You little bitch!"

The man instinctively kicked her away, making her flip in the air and land just before the edge of the barrier.

"Well, how do you like that? Is my bite deep enough?" Though the girl said this — looking unbothered by the kick — she still felt the throbbing pain in her stomach.

This guy was dangerous. Not only was his reach bigger with that sword, but he was also more skilled than she first thought. He was both surprisingly skilled with the sword and could adapt to surprises in a mere moment.

"Dammit! When Raidyn took care of him, he looked so pathetic…" And because of that, and the gear she received, she thought she could deal with him easily. "But why am I surprised? She is a monster. Of course, she can eat folks like him for breakfast."

"…" The man's eyes twitched as he clicked his tongue, wiping the blood from his nose. Though this annoyed state only lasted for a moment because as he inspected the blood on his gloves, his annoyance disappeared, replaced by a cocky smile.

"Fufufu…"

"What's so funny?" Elysia raised her dagger, expecting trouble coming her way.

"I see now…" Erya licked the blood from his hand, tasting it, then proceeded to use the rest of the red substance as some kind of hair gel, pushing his fingers through his hair. "I was careless. It will not happen again. Don't worry. I will tame you properly. It is time to take this game a little bit more seriously."

"…" The man's expression changed, making Elysia remember that manga where the villain's face took that deranged, crazed expression, paired with an almost too calm, unnatural grin.

"Shit…" The girl was aware; the battle just became a lot harder with this turn.

"Here I come!" As Erya made a step forward, the man seemingly disappeared for a moment, reappearing before the girl.

"Ugh!" 'Clang!' Using a skill, she managed to parry the strike, but right after that, the man followed up with a right hook to her chin.

"Guah!" She felt blood in her mouth as several of her teeth were knocked out, the strike sending her flying and smashing her against the barrier the mages set up around the area.

"Da-Dammit…" She could barely keep her balance as she struggled to stand up, still feeling numb after crashing head first against the invisible wall. She definitely has some degree of concussion. Her rattled vision was the sure sign of it.

"Isn't that… cheating?" Raidyn pointed at the man who just went from a practiced swordsman to a street thug in a moment.

"Well, considering the nature of this duel, it is unusual but not against the rules. Lord Erya didn't use any forbidden items or potentially lethal skills."

"Well, that explains things." Not lethal? Right. Because using blades sharp enough to cut stone was not dangerous or potentially lethal — feel the sarcastic undertone.

Yet, thinking about it, in a world where healing magic can restore whole limbs, cure diseases even modern medicine can't, and even bring back the dead, maybe, such tools of war were considered rather harmless.

Based on this, what Lord Vaydark said was true. Compared to some forbidden item that can irreversibly damage the body — or even erase the soul — the blade they use was rather harmless.

'Clang! Clang! Clang! Clang! Clang!'

"Dammit!"

Elysia rolled away from another strike that destroyed the flooring, barely stumbling away from the follow-up attack. She tried to recover and regain her balance after the dirty move, but it took longer than expected.

"Guh!"

The man was not bluffing when he said he would take the duel seriously. Erya became a lot more aggressive with his attacks, changing both in style and demeanor.

Previously, his expression was cold, filled with disgust. But now, after his nasal bridge has been cut, he became like a calculated hunter, grinning wild as he more and more aggressively pushed Elysia to her limits.

"That's all you can do!? That's all your inner beast is capable of!?"

"No! This is the best I can do! [Shadowstrike]!"

"[Impenetrable Fortress]!" At the moment Elysia slipped out of the man's perception and appeared behind him, Erya activated his Martial Art. A loud clang can be heard as the dagger met the barrier of will the man formed around himself.

"Hah!" Erya immediately spun around, striking where he felt his barrier repelled the attack. Yet, he felt something was not right, as his blade met no flesh. His passive danger perception his relentless training developed signed something was wrong!

"!"

And he was right, as in the next moment, a terrible pain rushed through his side.

"Guah!"

Elysia was behind his back, using her dagger, and stabbed the man deep. Her previous attack was just a diversion, a tactic that led her to score her first successful deep strike.

"How do you like my bite?" Elysia grinned cockily as she tore out her blade from the man.

"Damn you!" Lashed out Erya instinctively. But like last time, he once more hit the air.

Using the special blink ability of her cloak, she teleported behind the man even before the blade could harm her.

"[Counterstrike]!" Once more, his strike hit the air as Elysia teleported again. Once more behind his back, she stabbed her dagger in his collar.

Erya's choice of armor concentrated on offense and free movement instead of defense, and now, he paid the price for this.

"Guahhh! [Flash of Strike]!" His quick swing cut the girl before she can back away properly, making her abandon one of the daggers she stuck in the man.

"Guhh… my shoulder." She nudged her shoulder while her eyes twitched with pain, an intense amount of tears blurring her vision.

Fortunately, her reckless tactic was not without reward. As in the next moment, Erya's arm fell limp, dropping his nagamaki to the ground. It was evident. The girl cut right through his collar bone.

"My arm…" He can't move his arm. Most likely, the girl not only cut through the bones but the muscles too.

The pain and the realization dazed his senses, giving an opportunity to his opponent to recover and strike once again — Once more, aiming for the gaps in his armor.

"Grrr! I will not lose!" Recovering his side weapon with his other hand, Erya was like a wild boar as he tried to both defend and counterattack. Raging and struggling to catch up with the girl's rapid movement!

'Slash! Slash!'

A few more strikes, and further wounds opened on his body, making him bleed intensely.

His previously well-kept, long hair was all over, drenched with sweat and blood, making him look really savage.

If he continues like this, he will lose! He can't allow that! Not like this! Not against this beast!

But what to do? What kind of skill was this? How can he counter it?

Such thoughts ran through his mind as he defended against the dagger.

The dagger, which in the next moment slipped past his defense, gouging his left eye.

"Ahhh!"

Instinctively, Erya kicked away the girl hard, making her collide with the barrier once more and spit blood.

"Guh!"

With this, the man managed to get some breathing room, making her lose another dagger — stuck in his socket.

"Filthy animal…" Erya muttered as he stopped himself from falling by placing his leg forth.

"Haah! Haah! Haah!" Elysia struggled, but got up once more, her breath haphazard, her legs and whole body trembling from exhaustion. Just like Erya, only her will made her stand up. She was not used to pain; this made her work harder than she expected.

"How annoying…"

She pulled out another dagger under her cloak — a Mythril dagger of strange design. A Mythril knife that unintentionally drew the attention of the wise elven wizard who watched the events from the sides.

"Hmm…"

"I need to consider my next step…" Elysia increased her grip over her dagger as she tried to come up with a new tactic.

Her reckless maneuvers were not without a price. All these skills required mana and stamina, making her run rather low on her resources.

"I ran out of the blink charges for today…" Which means she can't use her cloak's ability anymore. "Dammit! He is more sturdy than I imagined. I hoped he would fall by now."

Not much choice she had, but direct combat.

"He cut me pretty bad a few times. Guuh! I am losing blood fast." She already feels dazed from the blood loss, making planning and calculation hard, just as well movement troublesome.

"Just give up." She pointed at the man with her intricate dagger. "I won…" She really hoped this would work; else, she will be in trouble.

"Not while I stand! Not while I can draw a breath! I will not allow a filthy demi-human to defeat me! You, slaves! Heal and buff me!" Erya called out for his elven slaves, who stood beside his partner of the night.

"Hey, that's…!"

"Wait… Wait! Wait! Wait! Wait! That's kinda cheating, don't you think?" Raidyn called out, pointing at the man in the end — cutting Elysia short.

She was honestly worried about her friend.

Their minutes-long battle took its toll on both sides. Considering how things stand now, Elysia will die if this continues.

Esdeath needs to do something, or things will end ugly. But what can she do without breaking the rules and disqualifying Elysia? She was so determined and even asked her not to intervene. She will probably never forgive her if she does so.

"They are just objects! My tools! They are like the summons of a necromancer or the beasts of a beastmaster. I use and discard them however I see fit. She as well used that cloak of hers to blink behind me!"

"That's…!"

"Don't even try to deny it! Isn't that considered illegal? Hmm? Your Imperial Majesty, I ask you to disqualify her for using an illegal item!" Erya spinelessly tried to use bureaucracy to win the match by disqualification.

Whispers filled the room as the man brought to light the trickery. Somehow, he was able to deduce the source of Elysia's skill.

"Interesting…" Jircniv fondled his chin with a smile, finding this duel more and more interesting. "What do you think, Baziwood? Should we allow it?"

"Hmm, the rules of duel state it is a 1v1 fight, not one versus many… summons and beasts belong to a different category than slaves, I am afraid. Also, non-recovery items are allowed to be used. Thus, while Lady Elysia's cloak was allowed, Lord Erya's slaves fall outside of the category which authorized."

"Ah, it cannot be helped then." Chuckled the Emperor light-hearted, waving the sides to continue. "Please, continue your duel. Don't disappoint."

Erya boiled in rage, but it cannot be helped. He can't go against the word of the Emperor. He needs to win this alone.

He really burned the end of his reserves. This battle neared its end, and he was painfully aware of it.

No! He can't panic! He needs to think! There is no way a demi-human can beat him!

Not now! Not ever! Especially not before the Emperor and one of the Cardinals of the Slane Theocracy!

"Suuh!"

Thus, after numbing his pain with a Martial Art and clearing his mind, he came up with a new plan.

'Clang! Clang! Clang! Clang!'

The desperate battle continued once more, going on more than a whole minute.

The sides moved a lot slower than before. Their strikes lost their previous intensity. For every onlooker, it looked like the one running out of stamina would lose. But in the next moment, it looked like one of the sides finally managed to get the upper hand!

'Clang!'

"Last Strike!"

Elysia managed to counter Erya's strike, lunging forth to finish the match. She was so close. She can even "smell" her victory. Yet, the man before her had another idea.

"Not today, bitch! [Shukuchi Kai] [Greater Body Strengthening]!" Elysia was completely caught off guard when the man blurred and appeared behind her, discarding his sword and grabbing her right wrist with his inhuman grasp.

'Crack!'

"Ahhhhh!"

She felt as her wrist broke and fragmented under the man's inhuman grasp! Feeling as the man swung her in the air, grabbing her tail next, and used her like a ragdoll over and over again!

'Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang! Crack!'

Pain washed through all her body as the stone flooring underneath her depressed. Feeling as her tail slowly but surely started to tear out from her backside.

"…" She wanted to scream, but she simply didn't have enough air to do so. The breaking of her bones audible all across the arena, spitting blood each time she landed hard against the stone floor.

"Ugh!" For long moments, the air rushed out from Elysia's lungs as Erya finished his relentless assault, letting her torn, barely dangling tail go.

"Gahh! Gahh! Gahh!" The man finally lost his balance out of sheer exhaustion and fell on his knee, breathing haphazard as he was drenched in sweat.

Laying on the ground, Elysia tried to gasp for air, helpless as she teetered towards unconsciousness. The world started to turn dimmer and dimmer with each moment as it was harder and harder to keep her eyes open, feeling that her bones broke into fragments all around her body.

"This is the end?" She asked herself, starting to hallucinate from the numbness. Almost like someone speaking to her… but who?

"Tch! This is too much. We need to stop them before she dies." Using [Life Essence], Esdeath was too aware of how low Elysia's HP was. She was in a critical state!

"Lady Raidyn is right. This leads nowhere." Agreed, the elven ambassador with a concerned expression, watching as Elysia laid on the ground, her expression empty.

Erya turned the losing battle in a moment, with this move most likely sealed the girl's fate.

"Tch! I will stop this nonsense!"

Raidyn was on to step forward, prepared to pay whatever compensation that man wanted in exchange for Elysia's life, but Vaydark put his hand on her shoulder, stopping the player in her tracks.

"Trust your companion, Lady Raidyn. She is more capable than you might know. Besides, this battle is far from over."

"What do you mean? She is on the ground. She can't…!"

"Watch and see… young one. Watch and see." The old man pointed at the ruined makeshift arena.

"Umm…" Grimacing, Erya stood up, still struggling to keep his balance, removing his dagger from his eye and collar finally.

He barely stood. The minutes-long battle took a toll on him. Not to mention, this last attack used up almost all his remaining stamina.

His body was full of stab wounds and cuts, not to mention, one of his eyes gouged, and his right arm hung limp — losing more and more blood from the open wounds.

He tried to show no weakness before the cream of the Empire and other countries, but it was hard when he was forced to use multiple Martial Arts and was hit to close vital places by the girl.

"How annoying…" Erya straightened himself, then cracked his neck, stumbling towards the half-conscious girl, grabbing his short sword and pointed at her. "This ends, now…!"

Unfortunately, duels like these went until one of the fighting sides couldn't fight, not until death. Thus, even if he wanted to, killing her while helpless may come with the consequence of being punished severely.

"I… Won…" Erya lowered his side weapon, finally realizing this, sure of this guaranteed victory in the grand silence that surrounded them—starting to limp towards the edge of the arena.

Yet, this was his biggest mistake!

'Kick!'

As the man started his way out, using the last remains of her strength, the young kitsune kicked his injured leg, making him break his ankle from the way he fell and from his own weight. He simply doesn't have enough strength to react in time nor to regain his balance.

'Crack!'

"Ahhhh!"

Her eyes were empty, almost like something possessed her; the girl turned on her stomach, crawling slowly over the suffering man.

"Wha…!"

With an inhuman grip, she grabbed his head. The bones in her fragmented hand cracked morbidly as she forced them to get a hold of Erya.

"Wha-What do you want?" Erya felt fear, not because he would lose, but the way this beast stared at him.

It was not a hate-filled stare of a beast. No! It was an empty stare, filled with the void of death! Completely different from the ways this girl glared at him before. It was like she was a completely different person. Like something possessed her.

"Le-Leave me al…""

But before he could ponder on this anymore or beg for forgiveness, the girl's grip intensified, bringing down her head again and again!

'Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang!'

Both of their skulls audibly cracked as Elysia headbutted hard the man over and over again, breaking both of their skulls multiple times, leaving a bloody mess in the place of Erya's face.

"!"

Finally, Elysia raised her head one last time, smiling and muttering something before falling on her side.

"…" The silence was prevalent all around as the onlookers watched the unlikely turn and the brutal end, for long, unable to decide which side won the match.

"What now?" Asked one of the nobles, breaking the long silence.

"How quaint… Baziwood?" Jircniv didn't need to say more, as his bodyguard knew his Emperor too well to understand what he wanted even from calling his name.

"Hmm…" The sizable man went to check both participants right away. "Both are alive. Though, barely. They are unable to continue the match. But considering it was Lady Elysia who fell last, it is her win."

"Ridiculous…" Muttered the Cardinal of the Slane Theocracy disapproving. "It was clear as day. Lord Erya won the match — before that demi-human used her underhanded tactics."

"Cardinal Dominic Ihre Partouche…" Vaydark approached the Cardinal slowly. "…as you know, the rules clearly state that the duel only ends if either side forfeits, dies, or is unable to continue combat. The winner was still not announced when Lord Erya arbitrarily announced his own victory. It was his own fault turning his back to an opponent while she is still able to fight."

"Hmph…" The man's murderous intent was like the chilling frost, making many people around actually shudder and back away. If his gaze could kill, Vaydark would be turned to ash several times over.

"It is still no excuse for the underhanded tactic. Feigning inability is against the code of honor."

"Rich from the man who loved to use such underhanded tactics while he was still in active duty." Mocked the old elf with a cocky smile. "Even during duels…"

"Tch!"

"Gentleman, please, cease your feud. This is the time of celebration, not war." Finally, Jircniv himself stepped between the two, with raised hands trying to chide their enmity. "The two participants offered us a great show. It is only natural that we treat them fairly. Albeit, according to the rules, the duel was quite unusual, according to Nimble as well as Baziwood — both who are the expert of duels — the fight was fair, no unauthorized tools used. Considering it was Lady Elysia who fell last, and both of them are unable to continue the fight, I think it is fair to say the last to fall is the winner. Am I right? Nimble, Baziwood?"

"As your Imperial Majesty says…"

"I spotted no signs of cheating…" Both Imperial Knights bowed, agreeing with their emperor.

"Nonetheless, both will be rewarded — acknowledging their will and great performance. This is the least, after what they went through and how much they entertained us tonight."

"How generous…"

"Long live his Imperial Majesty!"

Once more, Jircniv basked in praise. With this simple move, he managed to gather sympathy and supporters once again.

"Tch! So be it…" Reluctantly, but even the Cardinal accepted the outcome. Though it was not to his liking, such a trivial matter was not worth wasting any more time or energy.

Meanwhile, the fighting sides were already dragged away by their supporters; priests came forth to heal them.

"I will deal with this, thank you." Vaydark hissed away the cleric who came forth to help, preparing his own spell.

"Can you heal her?" Raidyn watched Elysia worried, already prepared to recover potions and items that can heal her friend in a moment.

She doesn't know what happened in the end, but somehow, Elysia managed to win, gaining the needed "boost" to finish the man off. It was almost like something possessed her, changing her aura entirely in the last part.

"It honestly caught me off guard…"

"Hmm, of course, I can. I have, after all, practiced necrodruidism for hundreds of years. Healing this much is nothing, really."

"Necrodruidism?" Raidyn raised her brow. She heard about a few weird people in the game who mixed druid classes and necromancer classes but never met them personally.

"Of course, it was an interesting idea from a roleplayer standpoint. But build-wise? It was quite crappy…"

Druids were innately divine magic casters in the game. Meanwhile, necromancy belongs to the arcane archetype, if you take levels from both, your efficiency to cast spells from both branches is drastically reduced.

"Yes. My clan is the winged Ouroboros clan. We believe life and death are connected. Growth and eventual rot, forming an endless cycle of death and rebirth."

"Hmm, interesting… Still, I understand why you chose druidism. But why add necromancy? Aren't necromancy and druidism from different branches of magic?"

"Hmm, that's true, yes… In most cases."

"Most cases?" Esdeath glanced back at the man, who started to heal Elysia. His hands surrounded by a strange light, glowing with evil purple and green.

"Since tier magic appeared, my clan is researching ways to use it… more creatively — Trying to remove its limits and expand it. And albeit I am sure we are far from the final solution, we came up with a few very interesting discoveries. Among them is the fact, specific divine and arcane magic are compatible with each other. Melding them together creates something new. Something special."

"New? Special?" Now, this was something even she didn't hear about until now.

Back in YGGDRASIL, you needed very specific job classes to use divine and arcane magic effectively together and get a usable build. Very few took the effort actually to experiment with this and get a functional outcome.

"Yes…" Hummed the elder thoughtfully. "Many think of necromancy as a black, blasphemous art. Only good for twisting life and forcing your will on the dead. But it is far from the truth. It is only the surface of what necromancy offers. The truth is… Higher necromancy is about controlling and converting life energy itself — be it positive or negative, bending it to your will. With the right use, it can be used to restore life, just as well to take it and twist it. Combining this with druidism, you gain complete control over nature, death, and life itself."

"Sounds… overpowered…" This guy knows something, that's for sure.

"I am sure Momonga will have a few questions for this guy. I mean… what the hell?! If what he says is true, then these people created something entirely unique, not present, or rather not discovered in YGGDRASIL."

Esdeath was an expert in many things when it came to the game and other matters, but necromancy was not amongst things; she was well versed.

"Momonga was always obsessed with his necromancer build. He knows more things than me…" She either needs to kidnap this guy for questioning or actually ask Momonga and even Mare to write up a few questions to ask him in the matters of necromancy and druidism.

"Sebas is already buying scrolls from the Magician Guild — Scrolls containing spells not present in YGGDRASIL. But that stuff is mostly used for everyday matters. For example, floating items for easier transportation, preserving food and drink, etc."

But to combine necromancy and druidism to create a new branch of magic? If not for their current low profile, Esdeath would grab the man and flee to Nazarick with him.

"Yeah, indeed, as you call it, Lady Raidyn… overpowered." Chuckled Master Vaydark. "Like everything, the art of my clan certainly has its strengths. But also its weaknesses." As Vaydark removed his hand from Elysia, the player spotted the blackened, slightly withered end of his fingers — almost resembling a skeleton. Fingers that slowly regained their health, filling up again with life.

"Ugh…" Slowly, Elysia opened her eyes, fully recovered from the beating.

"Where…?"

"Elysia! Are you… alright?"

"Umm… I think." She glanced around, still dazed. "Ugh! Just my head. I feel like it is on to split."

"Haah! And you surprised? You almost died! You head-butted that guy until both of your skulls cracked! Also, you had only one HP left. Are you insane!? You almost died!"

"HP?" The old master raised his brow curiously.

"Nothing…" Raidyn shook his head. Great, now she almost blew their cover.

"Ughh! Please! Don't scream!"

"Just… don't be so reckless again. Or I will drag you back and kick your butt myself. Even if I had to kick a god's butt for it."

"No promise." The kitsune girl stuck her tongue playfully before her mood turned gloom once more. "Still… I lost. I need to…" Elysia started to shudder, remembering her bet with the man. Now, she needs to fulfill his wish, give everything she owns to him — even herself.

What trouble did she find herself in?! It was out of her stupid impulsive nature she accepted this condition. Sometimes, her new race was really troublesome.

"What are you speaking about? You won!"

"Hah?" The kitsune blinked confused, slowly sitting up.

"You don't remember?"

"I remember being smashed to the ground, again and again, the pain, and a voice… then everything went dark."

"A voice?" Huffed Vaydark with a calculative yet suspicious expression, looking at the Mythril dagger that rested in their sheath. "Interesting. What did this "voice" say?"

"I…"

"I see our winner has been recovered."

Before Elysia could answer, someone cut her short.

"Your Imperial Majesty!" Most people bowed as Jircniv approached Elysia's group, but the Emperor just waved such pleasantry away with a friendly smile.

"Your match with Lord Erya was really impressive, Lady Elysia, is it?"

"Yeah… that's my name, or many people call me that." Muttered the girl halfheartedly.

"You speak with his Imperial Majesty. Address him accordingly!"

"It is fine, Nimble. She just won a seemingly unwinnable match. She has the right to be a little bit personal."

"Thanks, I guess…"

"You are too generous, Your Majesty." Said the Elven Ambassador while bowing deeply.

"…" Jircniv nodded approvingly. "As I heard, you are part of the adventurer group called Silver Wolf. Is that true…?"

"I know… it is a horrible name." Mumbled Elysia, half-hearted.

"I told you we should call our team A-Team instead. But no! You didn't like it." Deadpanned Raidyn.

"No! We're never naming our team after an over-glorified series from the 20th century. Damn! It is because of you, my head is stuffed with such useless information!"

"Interesting…" Mumbled Vaydark, suspiciously eying the two adventurers once again.

"…" Jircniv blinked for a moment, trying to figure out what this "A-Team" was. He was highly educated in many matters but never heard from a team called "A-Team."

Not as it mattered. Instead of pondering on this more, he decided to proceed and ask about it later.

"Ah! Then you are the famous Lady Raidyn we hear so much about recently. The "demon slayer," — as many call you." Jircniv played the innocent, pointing out the obvious.

"Yep, many call me that… I mean, Your Imperial Majesty..."

"I see, hmm… it seems, both of your beauty rivals and even surpasses the wild stories circulating about your group's achievements — If I may point this out."

"Umm… thanks, I guess…" Esdeath slightly blushed, scratching the back of her head, embarrassed.

"Oh, dear! You embarrass them." The beautiful lady on Jircniv's side covered her mouth with her fan, chuckled coquettishly. "But truth to be told, we also expected someone coarser after the stories we heard about Lady Elysia and Lady Raidyn's adventures. If you allow me to ask, are the stories true about that terrible demon and his demi-human horde who almost destroyed the town of E-Rantel?"

"Well… they looked real enough," Elysia confirmed while remembering the horrible experience and her helplessness in that situation.

Ever since, she tries to become stronger, hoping to reach the level of Momonga and Esdeath one day. "...Especially when that thing swallowed Raidyn."

"Oh, dear!" Paled the noble concubine right away, hastening the way she moved her fan.

"Yo-You were swallowed by a demon?" Even the usually stoic Nimble can't leave this without a word, his eyes widening in horror.

"And survived?" Baziwood held his breath for a moment. There was no example in the written history of someone surviving such a trauma.

"Yeah, it was really stinky. That thing must have eaten a lot of crap before trying to eat me. Well, at least he learned to chew before swallowing his food. Always chew before you swallow; remember that."

"I still hear his screams before you splattered him with your impractically big sword from inside out."

"What can I say? I have nothing in my pants. I need to compensate for what I lack. He should have considered what he inserted before doing so."

"Really? A dick joke? Here? It was awful!"

"Yeah, as you say, a dick joke. And it was marvelous!" Grinned back Raidyn wild.

"How… crass…" Jircniv's partner of the night muttered as her fanning motions intensified. Just like her, many ladies blushed intensely hearing this "dick joke" — and understood it.

As for the men? As expected, they were either offended or tried to hide their small smile — occasional laugh — behind fake coughs or their fisted hands, measuring themselves just as big as a sword.

"Ah, Your Imperial Majesty, please, forgive Lady Raidyn and Elysia's crassness. They are from a different background, not properly educated in the ways of court etiquette."

"It is fine…" Jircniv assured the elven diplomat friendly. "She is honest, and we appreciate honesty. In fact, we find honesty quite pleasing. A virtue very few in our court possess nowadays."

"I-I see…"

"If you allow me to say, you remind me a lot of his Majesty the Elven King, Lady Raidyn. I wonder… Are you perchance his relative?"

"Never met the guy…" Esdeath offered a flat-faced expression as she said this. She really had enough of people comparing her to that guy. "I mean… I don't even know my parents."

"My condolences…"

"Lady Raidyn certainly carries royal elven blood, Your Imperial Majesty. Her strength and her heterochromatic eyes are proof of that."

"Very interesting…" Jircniv fondled his chin, already seeing the opportunity in this new information.

"May I interest you two with an extended stay as my guests? I am quite interested in you as adventurers, and of course, personally."

"Unfortunately, Lady Raidyn and Elysia are under an important mission. We will depart from Arwintar in a few days, your Imperial Majesty. They have no time for an extended stay." Vaydark stepped forward and explained.

"How unfortunate. Then a lengthy discussion? Tomorrow, in my residence?"

"Well… I think that fits our time. Right?" Raidyn glanced at the elven council member, who just furrowed his thick brows disapprovingly.

"Splendid! In that case, I will prepare the appropriate reward for Lady Elysia's splendid victory when you arrive!" The Emperor clapped his hands together, seemingly satisfied with the outcome.

"Thank you!"

"Now, as the situation is resolved…" Jircniv snapped his finger, and a lesser army of servants answered his call. Servants, all wearing white masks that covered half of their faces.

"A toast! For this splendid battle! For the people gathered here! For our ancestors' hard work — we couldn't stand here without! And for the Empire! Long it may live, and many more years it will flourish!"

In his extended hand, a servant handed an elegant glass, filling it with wine.

"Prosit!"

'Clang!'

As Jircniv was on to drink his beverage, Raidyn knocked it out from his hand. She was fast! Even the two Imperial Knights can't react in time.

"How dare you!?"

"Explain yourself!" They both pointed their weapons at the adventurer who so daringly interrupted the Emperor's drink.

"It was poisoned…" Raidyn pointed at the place where the glass shattered. The shadowy substance already started to evaporate and dissolve. Even the marble floor can't escape its effects.

If a normal human drank that, they would melt into a puddle of goo in a few moments.

"That…!?" Nimble and Baziwood looked at each other wide-eyed.

"Ahhh!"

"What was that?!" Screams echoed all around as multiple nobles collapsed, the acidic poison already melted their insides, making them vomit blood before a shadow emerged from their body, starting to kill anyone who was near.

"An assassination?"

'Pang!'

In the next moment, Nimble sliced a crossbow bolt made from pure shadows in two before it could reach the Emperor.

The one who shot stood not far, disguised as a butler wearing a mask, an ethereal crossbow projected on his forearm.

"Assassins! Protect the Emperor!" Chaos ensued as many masked butlers and maids who served the guests started to kill, left and right, spreading chaos.

An intense fight ensued between the appeared assassins and the imperial guards who flooded the gala room. Left and right battles were conducted, leaving the civilians caught in the crossfire dead on the ground.

"How did they get in there?"

"I don't know… but we need to escort his Imperial Majesty to safety! That's our priority now!"

Surrounded by the arriving bodyguards and Imperial mages, the two Imperial Knights started to escort Jircniv away — probably leading him to the escape route.

They ignored anyone else who requested their help, only concentrating on keeping Jircniv and his concubine safe.

"Guah!" Zanach stumbled forward in the meantime, raising his hand as one of the assassins wanted to cut him down on the ground. Yet, as he closed his eyes awaiting death, a loud crack and the stumbling of his killer hit his ears.

"Need a helping hand, my Lord?"

Zanach blinked as he opened his eyes, expecting a blade of shadow piercing him. Yet, what was before him was the adventurer who entertained him in this boring party.

"I…" His eyes widened for a moment, spotting the man, or rather creature who wanted to cut him down just a moment ago.

The thing basically missed his head, almost like something hit it with such force and speed it tore it down, and now, the headless corpse just lays there, a few meters away from him, releasing a black fog from his neck that slowly evaporated.

"Ah! Just in time." Finally, Zanach managed to regain his composure, accepting the offered hand and standing up. "Yes, in my current, unsavory situation, I accept some assistance. It is unfortunate, but my bodyguards died in the first minute of this chaos. Lady Raidyn, save me, and the kingdom will compensate your effort."

Best what the kingdom can offer his ass! That Gazef fellow really overestimated the strength of his own soldiers.

"Father is really too reliant on that man."

Yet, without their valiant sacrifice — and albeit useless but gallant steadfastness, he would have died right away when these assassins appeared. In truth, they held themselves pretty well compared to how many enemies started to aim at Zanach once this ordeal started.

"As the Prince of the Kingdom of Re-Estize, I require your aid."

"Sure…"

"Ahhh!"

"Elysia!" Turning in the direction of the scream, Raidyn's eyes widened, paling right away as she realized what happened.

Elysia laid there, a deep cut almost cleaving her at half across her body, losing blood rapidly.

"..." Esdeath blanked out for long moments, rage welling up in her as her eyes sought ceaselessly the one who did the terrible act. Searching for the person who will be the victim of her merciless torture.

The ground cracked around her, air sizzling and trembling. Even the whole room started to dim as the terrible psychic presence made even light retreat and gravitation gain another volume.

Magic users ceased their spellcasting, their magic blocked by the passive [Anti Magic Field] the player started to emit, completely blotting out the use of any low and mid-tier spells.

In the growing pressure and amidst the player's steadily rising ire and rage, the next stage would be flattening the whole room. However, a voice brought back Raidyn to her senses.

"Lady Raidyn! Help!" Zanach's shout brought her back to reality. The chubby prince stumbled forth, raising his hand once more defensively as one of the assassins slowly approached him with a raised shadow blade.

"Dammit!"

Shaking her head, the player redirected her unintentionally gathered energies all around, raising her fist and clenching it, using [Mass Telekinesis], aiming at the assassins in the hall.

'Crunch! Twist! Shatter!'

Immediately, every shady assassin around in a great radius raised in the air, starting to tremble before twisted like a wet rag, some invisible hand squeezing every juice out from their body. If they could scream, their agony would echo the whole gala room.

"Wha-What the hell was this…?" Zanach still trembled, looking around confused as the ground around him was covered by a black substance squeezed out from the assassin before him.

"Simple telekinesis." The Adamantine-ranked adventurer pulled up the prince. "Come... my Lord. It is not safe here."

Ignoring the still flabbergasted Zanach, Esdeath proceeded to the unconscious Elysia. According to her [Life Essence] skill, she is still alive, barely, but alive.

Vaydark was already on her side, doing his best to close the grievous wound and make her recover, shooting lighting on whoever tried to close on them.

"I don't know what happened, Lady Raidyn, but it was quite effective." Only a few assassins remained around, still fighting with the royal guards.

"Who did this?" Asked the player with an angry expression and cold tone. She can't care now about the problems of the old man.

"That coward who fought with Lady Elysia…" Vaydark admitted, in his mind still searching for the logical explanation for his loss of magic power for a few moments. "While she was busy dealing with the invaders and protecting the people around — with her barely recovered state. That mongrel struck her down from behind. I am sorry, I was unable to protect her."

"Where… is… he?" Her voice was cold, yet, everyone around can feel the merciless blood thirst barely contained by her will.

"WHERE IS HE!?"

Vaydark really doesn't know to pity or rather laugh at the misfortune of that man. Raidyn looked terrifying now. The polite and understanding adventurer disappeared, replaced by a monster, a demon…

"He escaped, disappearing in the chaos."

"Hmm…!" 'Crack!' Raidyn hit the ground with such force it depressed the ground around them, making many lose balance in the whole room.

"Master Vaydark, I have a request. Please, protect Prince Zanach and Elysia. I have a few mongrels to hunt." Elysia's HP steadily recovered thanks to the elven council member's help. She will probably be fine if she leaves him in his care.

"Still… what if more will appear?" Esdeath was unsure how to proceed. One way she can just ask a few servants to track down and capture the man. On the other hand, she wants to do it herself.

"Before you storm away. Please listen to me, Lady Raidyn." The old master halted the adventurer from her hasty action.

"The Emperor fled through most likely a hidden escape route. Albeit, you may think he is safe while escorted by his Imperial Knights, I think the one who ordained all of this expected him to act this way. He will probably walk into an ambush."

"Please, excuse me. But I don't see how that is my problem? My friend was almost killed. My only concern now is to track down and torture her betrayer." Raidyn squinted her eyes, furious.

"But…"

"He has those Imperial Knights with him, no? They looked quite capable. Also, isn't that man — what was his name? Funky Paradigma?"

"Fluder… Fluder Paradyne." The sweat dripping elder corrected Raidyn.

"Whatever… isn't he capable of teleporting? Surely, he placed some kind of teleportation beacon on the Emperor?"

"Hmm… possibly…" Vaydark looked thoughtful. "Unfortunately, whoever organized this raid prepared it for a long time. A very powerful individual or being who may even be capable of tier seven magic. Against such a thing, even the combined might of Fluder and the four knights fail."

"Why do you think that way? More importantly, why do you think I can deal with such a thing?"

"The servants of the Imperial Palace were hand-selected by the assistant of the Emperor himself. Going through a strict background check before they are allowed to serve here. It seems all of them were possessed by some kind of shadow creature. Their presence was hidden by strong magic that not even the Imperial Mages or Master Fluder himself could detect. Not to mention, controlling so many is close to impossible without considerable magical reserves or an artifact. As for how do I know you can deal with that monster who organized this? It is just a feeling. A feeling I have felt ever since I met you. A feeling you can deal with anything that stands in your way. Nothing more." Admittedly the old man was almost broken.

"I see…" Just now, Esdeath remembered that sentient item called [Orb of Death] — they recovered from Khajiit's corpse. If more such items exist, raids like this are possible.

"It still didn't answer my question… why has that old man not extracted him yet?"

"He is currently occupied. This gala was not the only place that had been attacked. Currently, he is fighting with the appeared invaders above the capital."

"Appeared invaders?"

"Currently, I am exchanging [Message] with him. Unfortunately, according to him, his opponent and their reinforcements are more capable than he first estimated, not backing away to endanger civilians to defeat him and his apprentices. This makes his work a lot harder. Also, I sense something jamming dimensional movement. If we try to teleport, we might end up somewhere else, worse, in pieces."

"I see…"

"I ask you again. No! I beg you, Lady Raidyn. Leave your revenge for later. You can find Erya easily with the Emperor's connections. But if Lord Jircniv dies, the whole Empire will be thrown into chaos. Civil war will surely ensue if that happens. A civil war that will negatively affect not only the Empire but every surrounding country, many people will die if that happens. Not speaking… our journey will also be delayed if the government of the Empire destabilizes."

"…" Zanach considered what he heard, watching and listening to the two from the background, protected by the nearby knights who arrived as reinforcements.

True, if Jircniv dies, the Kingdom finally gains some room to stabilize. With a civil war breaking out, they even gain the chance to get back some lost territory. But after that? What if someone even worse than Jircniv comes?

Strife, struggle, and chaos are usually the perfect time for geniuses to rise and take over — As well for terrible tyrants to cement themselves in the power structure.

In Jircniv's case, his obvious plan to slowly exhaust the kingdom with their yearly skirmishes in the field of Katze was in itself commendable. But it was far from enough actually to weaken the kingdom enough for a total takeover. He needs to do that for at least a decade or two for that to happen… and for that time, he, that "monster," and Marquis Raeven would come up with something that can turn the tide…

Which means, it was better for Jircniv — as a calculable variable — to remain on the throne for the time being than a new, maybe even worse monster to emerge from the mess once the Empire recovered from the bureaucratic chaos they find themselves. A monster, they don't know what to expect, or how they think, or even how to handle properly.

All of this concluded: Jircniv must survive, or his and Marquis Raeven's plan to stabilize the royal faction and the kingdom will be thrown into chaos.

Moreover, if Zanach survives and Jircniv dies, those plotting nobles can even frame him as a possible conspirator who caused Jircniv to die, giving them the chance to weaken the royal faction further.

"Yet, if he survives the ordeal… his hold over the Empire will weaken. He needs considerable time to regain the trust of the nobles and consolidate power in his hands once more."

In truth, it would be best if that Fluder figure or a few of those four Imperial Knight would die. It would make his and Marquis Raeven's job a lot easier in the long term and give the kingdom an edge over the much better trained Imperial army.

"He is right," Zanack spoke up in the end, determining the best way to proceed. "As the second Prince of Kingdom of Re-Estize, I require your aid to save the Emperor of the Baharuth Empire. Save him from possible danger. In exchange, the Kingdom will honor your effort generously."

"Is that an assignment?"

"You can consider it that way… yes."

"Tch! Fine! But I still don't know where he went." She already sent a servant after Erya; he will not escape. Better solve this mess before it will escalate further and mess up things more.

"I can help you with that…[Summon Contracted Familiar]."

"…" Nothing happened as the man cast his spell.

"[Summon Contracted Familiar]!"

"…" Again, nothing.

"[Summon Contracted Familiar]! Answer me, dammit!"

A small fairy appeared with pink hair and green eyes from the appeared summoning circle, wearing black gothic Lolita clothes. She was no bigger than the size of a pinkie, yet had a certain presence of death and decay.

"What do you want again?" She asked grumpily in her cute, squeaky voice.

"Finally, you came! I called you three times already!"

"…" The tiny creature watched the man annoyed, motioning him to continue while circling her finger. "Hurry up… old man. You dragged me away on my special night with my boyfriend. If not for him telling me to come, I would have ignored your call."

"Yes. Khm… as said, I would like you to lead this individual towards the person I marked."

"You marked the Emperor?" The player asked the necrodruid surprised.

"Yes, once the first assassin appeared, I figured such a thing might happen. Thus, I marked him."

"Ok…"

"Pixel, time is of the essence. So, please, hurry up."

"…" the small being glanced at Raidyn, then back to Vaydark. Again at the adventurer, then back to the wizened master.

"I don't want to…"

"Any reason behind it?"

"She feels weird… I have Goosebumps even being near her. I will simply not do it!" She crossed her arms and even turned her head away like a huffish child.

"Hmph! Fine, in that case, I will terminate our contract. But be aware, once that happens, you will lose all benefits being my familiar…" Vaydark raised his hand and was on to snap his fingers — with that most likely terminating the familiar contract.

"Tch! Fine then! But you owe me big time. Geez! Forcing a girl in such unsavory situations. You really are the worst… you ancient freak."

Floating closer to Raidyn, the small creature measured her again.

"Follow me, but don't lag behind… I have things to do, freak."

"…" Raidyn looked at Vaydark then back at Pixel, raising her brow confused. Almost like she asked: What's her problem?

"Don't worry, Lady Raidyn. She will lead you to the Emperor. I will take care of the young Prince and Lady Elysia in the meantime and make sure these assassins are dealt with in the palace."

"Thanks…"

Wordless, the fairy already flew over the people, forcing the adventurer to close the gap between them quickly.

---

Scene Change: Secret Passage:

In a secret underground passage, Jircniv and his partner of the night fled, surrounded by the four Imperial Knights, battle mages, and the royal guards who joined them along the way.

"In a few minutes, we will reach safety, Your Imperial Majesty."

"Good…" Jircniv was hard in thought ever since those assassins appeared.

Who was the culprit? How did they manage to replace all the servants with those beings? Where is Fluder when he needs him? And many more.

"Jiji should be already there… extracting me to my safe house. Then where is he?"

He didn't answer through the communication crystal, which means something happened to him.

It was a coordinated attack, prepared for a long time. There can't be any other way!

The best that his Empire could offer could barely deal with those things in the gala hall. Even he only managed to reach the hidden passage leading out from the palace because his bodyguards were around.

"Fortunately, I stationed Nazami and Leinas in the palace; else, they couldn't come to my aid in time."

He expected something similar might happen. Expecting someone will try to poison him or send another assassin after that breach. But an open attack? Right after assassins failed not one but two times? This was too much! Just who the hell has the balls and resources to pull something like this?

The Kingdom? No! They neither have the people or resources to do it.

The Slane Theocracy? Why would they do it? They are his allies!

Is it possible the nobles he offended or took away their wealth finally gathered their courage to rise?

Many such ideas raced through his mind as they proceeded through the secret tunnel.

"Dear… what will happen now?"

"It will be fine… everything is under control." He tried to assure his escort. Even under pressure and time of distress, the Emperor of the Baharuth Empire kept his facade.

Though, deep inside, he shook, of course, fearing he might not live long or his power would weaken drastically after this "accident." Fearing he would lose the throne, he fought for so hard and long. Yet, outside he was still peerless.

'Bang!' Suddenly, a green fireball with the size of a lesser house smashed against the first row of his guardian retune, killing many of his bodyguards and even a few battlemages who followed them too close, leaving only melted armor and charred remains behind.

"Defensive formation!"

"Guah!" Jircniv felt the heat even behind Nazami Enec, who protectively jumped before him in the last moment, pushing him behind his tower shields, protecting him and his concubine from the blast and shrapnel.

The red ruby glowed brightly in his finger as the protective enchantment Fluder himself created activated.

"So, she was right. After all, they came this way..." Came the coarse, dark voice from before them as the smoke slowly died off and the surrounding started to cool. "Do I use too much force? Hmm, possibly. It is so hard to judge how much force to use when you face an ant…"

Around them, the whole section of the corridor was charred black and melted, some places still glowing from the heat, green fires burning all around.

"How dare you attack his Imperial Majesty's escort?! Don't you know who stands before you!?" Nimble shouted in rage as the Four Imperial knights and the remaining guards took formation once again, recovering from the terrible blast.

"How lively… Still alive, I see. Good. I expected nothing less from that fancy armor of yours. Actually, I am glad. It will be troublesome if the young Emperor dies." The figure in the patterned dark robes noted entertained, seemingly not intimidated in the slightest by the Imperial Knight's threat.

Under the hood, a charred, dark, demonic skull "mask" covered his face. A "face" which carried a golden magical symbol engraved in his forehead, in the middle of the symbol a ruby embedded. Paired with twisted golden horns that protruded forth and razor-sharp teeth — also colored gold. Their sockets burned with evil green fires, one which was embedded with a blue, glowing jewel. This creature before them really looked demonic, that's for sure.

"Is that really a mask…?" Jircniv questioned himself as he peeked through the gap between his guardians and Nazami Enec, who, like an impenetrable wall, stood between him and the appeared opponent.

Behind this figure, on his two sides, two more beings stood. A skeletal being that was wearing intricate red robes, gold running through the cracks on his face, and a floating skull the size of a dog, burning with ethereal blue fires.

"Is it possible we came face to face with legendary monsters Jiji once told me about?"

Whatever was the case, his instinct screamed the one before them was dangerous — not less the two who stood behind him.

The proof was quite evident why. Every member of his bodyguard retinue was handpicked and trained by the Four Imperial Knights — and the mages trained by Fluder Paradyne himself. All were equipped with the best-enchanted armor, weapons, and even some magic items his Empire can provide.

Against someone who can take out multiple mages and knights with such equipment, even surrounded with his four Imperial Knights, he can't be sure of their victory.

"Stand behind us, Your Imperial Majesty." Nazami "ordered" Jircniv as he gently pushed the Emperor further behind.

Jircniv felt the man's nervousness and rage.

He understood why he was angry, as he was always a man who greatly cared about the life of every single knight the Empire had—considering each dead soldier as a great loss for the whole Empire. However, he never saw him nervous! This means, even he was unsure of their victory or capability to protect him.

"De-Dear! Do something!"

"Can't this woman shut up just once?! Do I look like I can do something with this situation?"

Jircniv can't help but internally shout.

His favorite concubine was intelligent and the best partner during their "nightly" activities, with a beautiful face, fitting body, and noble pedigree. But he can't help but find her annoying in this situation.

His best soldiers just melted to a puddle by a single attack! How should he deal with that!? He was not a fighter in any way, nor a mage. He would probably just die if he went against these monsters!

No! He can't panic! He needs to remain cold and collected. Raise his head high and find a solution.

Yes! There is always a way out! He just needs to find it. Just like he always did before.

"Fufufufu… Ah! The smell of fear is so invigorating." The robed figure in the middle laughed, entertained by all of this play.

His lower jaw slightly lowered, signifying the thing Jircniv theorized ever since inspecting him.

That skeletal face was not a mask, but his actual face! Which means: This person before them was an undead—some kind of lich in fact — the same stands for the two behind him.

"…" Jircniv gulped audibly.

He heard the legends about such dreadful creatures. Even read many stories where they were the main antagonists.

They were terrible, undead beings, magic casters who can take on whole armies alone, massacre whole cities and grow in power through every death they shed.

Back then, reading and listening to tales about such beings, he was entertained, even confident: With the help of the four and Fluder, they could take on any threat! Even monsters like them! But standing before this thing, he actually started to doubt they ever had a chance to win at all.

How can humans face such beings? How could the heroes of old win? He questioned himself over and over.

"If Jiji were here, things would be different."

With Fluder around, there would be at least a little hope they could get away and possibly win. But without him? Seeing how this thing melted his soldiers like a piece of cheese when thrown into the fire, feeling his presence that was so crushing only his [Medallion of Mental Protection] granted him some defense… Even with his four Imperial Knights around, Jircniv started to doubt their chances of victory.

"I am lucky I have this medallion."

His concubine was already frozen and was on to faint. Even his soldiers visibly trembled in the presence of this thing.

"Tch, how annoying…" Leinas muttered, raising her spear defensively. Half of her beautiful face was covered by her cloth-like golden hair, hiding the part which was deformed by a terrible curse.

"I wonder when she will try to flee." Jircniv knows this woman well. She was only truly loyal to herself, only accepting his offer to join the four because he promised her all the help she needed to find a cure for the terrible curse that deformed her face. The curse that made her fiance back away from their marriage and made her family disown her.

She even told him bluntly: if danger befalls them, she will prioritize her own survival over his.

"How ironic…"

Thinking about it, it was his idea to recruit the members of the Imperial Knights according to their fighting power and not their loyalty. Thinking about it, maybe it was not his best idea.

"You monster! Don't fret. We will free you from your otherworldly burden! Don't worry, your Imperial Majesty, we will triumph! Justice, always triumph..." Nimble bellowed threateningly. His raised sword already started to glow by the divine magic he infused it with.

"Haah…" Jircniv groaned internally.

Nimble was the other end of the spectrum. Different from Leinas, he was zealously loyal even in the face of an opponent he probably can't defeat or face. In other words: an idiot.

Though Jircniv himself would never say this out loud, sometimes blindly loyal subordinates were just as annoying as "money chasers" were. More so! From time to time, more dangerous to the one they intended to protect.

"Ufufufu…" The creature just laughed at the measly taunt, remaining unmoved. Instead, he pointed at the people before him with his black, pointy finger. "You four are the famous imperial knights. Correct?"

"…" No one answered, just glared at the thing full of hatred. Fully prepared to strike if any openings appeared.

"How lucky I am… Now I don't have to collect you individually."

"…" Still no answer, only glare.

"I wonder how strong you will become once I raise you… Indeed, your body and items are worth collecting. Indeed, good material. Hmm… And that curse of yours, young lady. Very intriguing construct. Maybe I can make good use of it once I claim you." Fondled his sharp chin, the creature, thinking. "Hmm… I need to make sure you will not be damaged too badly."

"May I know who you are? You were the one behind the attack and the assassination attempts?" Asked Jircniv.

He needs to find out more or buy some time for his forces to catch up with them and deal with this thing.

"Where are you… Jiji? I pay you dearly to deal with such problems! WHERE THE HELL ARE YOU WHEN WE NEED YOU THE MOST!?"

"Hmm… possibly." Answered the being cryptical, starching his bald head thoughtful. "Though, I must admit. I have no interest in you personally. The goal of my comrades aligns with your "exchange" or replacement, death? What Farigh said? Hmm..." The creature grinded together his golden teeth, thinking. "Ah! It doesn't matter..."

"Exchange? Replacement?" Jircniv tried to bring some sense to what the thing said, squinting his eyes suspiciously.

"Fufufu… You will see. Ah! Well! Let's try some toys against the famous four, shall we? After all, I am only here to collect some quality material and to have some fun. Testing bodies before use is only natural, no?" By simply raising his arm, the strange, demonic lich was on to cast his spell.

"Are you sure, my Lord? We can take care of these people for you."

"Yes, my Lord. Don't waste your precious magic power for the likes of them." The two strange liches spoke for the first time since Jircniv spotted them. One having the voice of a male, the second is a female.

"No! No! I want some entertainment. Sitting in my castle for so long, doing experiments all day, and sending my assistant to every single task starts to feel tedious. Yes! I want to do some field testing myself. To feel the same thing as in the past… Why do you think I came all this way? I could have sent some servants and been done with it; instead, I am here, far from my cherished home."

"Please forgive us…"

"I understand, my Lord…" The two undead bowed respectfully, not daring to question their leader's decision.

"Hah! [Holy Slice]!"

"Nimble! Wait!"

Without warning, Nimble charged forward, raising his sword to strike down the creature while it was occupied by his self flattering.

He had enough! They either end this threat now, or it will do the same with them! Now was a perfect time to do it while the creature was busy with his meaningless chatter!

'Clang! Rang!'

"How feisty!" Chuckled the thing as a barrier appeared around him, repelling Nimble easily accompanied by the bell ringing. A barrier that made the Imperial Knight jump back and take guard position.

"Insolent! How dare you…!?" The ethereal blue fires around the floating skull intensified, floating slightly forward, almost like she was on to charge.

"It is fine…" But the leader just waved away the outcry of his subordinate, making her calm down just like that.

"Do you really think I would just leave myself open to a head-on attack? I don't know if your simplicity is funny or insulting." The charred lich turned towards Nimble, and the green fires in his sockets intensified.

Immediately, Nimble's whole body started to tremble, feeling as some enormous, threatening presence looming over him.

"Tch! Not good…"

"You should have expected such a thing… you fool." Leinas scolded the man, already looking for ways where she could escape this situation.

"But, I see you are impatient. You want to fight, to protect what's dear to you. I understand, I admit; sometimes I ramble too much. My fault…" Admitted the odd undead.

After this, silence befell to the two sides as they awkwardly stared at each other for long, agonizing moments.

"Khm… In that case, let's start the field test. I hope you don't mind if I start with something that fits your difficulty level. [Mass Raise Death Trooper]!" As he cast the spell, the dark orb that embedded in the head of his black metal staff glowed with violet color, painting the crystal halo that surrounded the head, and the golden rings hung from it the same color.

Immediately, the charred and melted bodyguards on the ground surrounded by a black goo, molding and transforming them into armored undead. Undead those wore twisted, spiked black armors. In their eyes, violet glows visible, carrying serrated, black swords.

"I think this will do for now. Play around with them, will you? I like to test my future puppets before converting them. To motivate you, if you defeat them, you can face my two assistants right there." He pointed at the two liches who stood behind him with his thumbs, making the jewel-embedded golden bracelets clang on his wrists. "If you even defeat them, you have the chance to face me. If you overcome me, you are free to go. I.."

"You are an undead! How should we trust a vile being like you?" Baziwood questioned, not trusting the word of the undead the slightest.

"How rude you interrupt me. Haven't your mother… ah! It doesn't matter. Let me explain. I am not a living being. You are outmatched. You can't really expect any reinforcements for a while. Not even your famous Fluder Paradyne…" After each element on the list, the undead opened a finger on his bony hand. "…Not as he or that famous magic caster from the Theocracy would have any chance against me… Fufufu..."

Muttered the thing confident and proud, making every present person pale in dread.

"In this situation, tell me, why would I lie to you? Hmm? Compared to the living, the dead have no reason to lie, you know? ~ No… better said, why would I lie to mere playthings?"

"You damn…"

"I wish you luck. It was some time that I enjoyed a good battle. Ah! I can hardly remember when I faced a worthy challenger. I really wish to face someone strong and worthy…"

The being remained silent for a few long seconds, almost like trying to recall his last challenging battle.

"No matter, I bragged long enough. Entertain me, will you? Please, surprise me. Oh! And leave the Emperor alone. His expression of fear is just funny to watch." By snapping his fingers, one of the assistants made a dimensional movement, removing Jircniv from the field of battle.

At that moment, the Death Troopers lunged at the Four Imperial knights and the remaining bodyguards, starting their relentless battle.

"Wha…!?" Jircniv can't even comprehend what happened when the first strike cleaved in two his concubine

"Lelaine!" Despite her sometimes annoying bragging, that woman was his favorite. Watching her die just like that made his heart twist in horror and sadness.

"I am sorry for your loss. It is really sad when something beautiful leaves this world…" The leader patted Jircniv's shoulder gently, doing so comfortingly. "Ah, but well. It is unavoidable. Living beings grow old, then die. Your existence always hangs by a thread. So fragile, it is painful to watch. Unfortunate, but it is in your kind's nature. You can fight the iron teeth of time and death, but in the end, you lose. That's how things work. Everything that has a beginning must end once… Oh! What a nice ring you have, can I see it? Thank you!"

Without asking, the black lich removed the magic ring from Jircniv's finger, measuring it with great care.

"Hmm, not bad compared to the work of an amateur… whoever made this really gave their all."

Jircniv trembled as he started to realize the unavoidable fate that awaited him, watching as his bodyguards and Four Imperial Knights struggled against the undead that was raised from his fallen soldiers —fighting a desperate but seemingly losing battle against otherworldly monsters.

Blurring, again and again, his mortal eyes can't fully comprehend the immense battle fought before him.

'Clang! Clang! Bang! Bang! Bang!'

"Damn! Another casualty!"

"Watch out!" Nazami blocked the black blade with his adamantine shield, using the second one he carried to bash away the attacking undead trooper.

His "double shield" fighting style was just an imitation, but he used it with great finesse and precision — fending off the undead, defending his fellow soldiers, and counter attacking effectively.

'Crack!' The thing embedded in the wall from the great strike, but it only took a few seconds to remove itself from the depression on the wall, cracking back its dangling jaw to its place.

"Haah! [Holy Strike]!" Nimble hesitated not, charged against the barely recovered undead, and cleaved it at the half with his holy energy-filled blade.

One undead was down, but several more still remained.

"Impressive…" The undead leader clapped calmly and invigorated. The green fires in his sockets flared up for a moment in excitement.

Though the four Imperial Knights held themselves firm by working together, the remaining bodyguards were not that lucky. In fact, more and more of them fell as they were outmatched by the monstrosities their former comrades turned to.

"[Cursed Thrust]!" Vile energy surrounded Leina's spear, piercing through the undead directly. The undead trooper, though cared not, grabbed her spear and pulled himself closer and closer, trying to bite through the woman's skull.

"How annoying…" Clicked her tongue the cursed noble impatiently as with a twist, and a sideway motion tore out her spear from the stomach of the undead. Her opponent lost balance as their body lost its spinal support, stumbling back, which allowed her to behead the thing with a quick swing.

"Marvelous! Simply marvelous! You really deserve your fame!"

The charred lich enjoyed this, treating all of this as a game — Almost like a sadistic puppet master who played around with his victims before finishing them.

The number of bodyguards has fallen drastically since the battle started, yet, the few that remained still held themselves against the undead — mostly thanks to the four imperial knights' peerless teamwork. Yet, the same can't be said about the undead soldiers. Barely a few remained after the minutes-long intense battle that started too close to its end.

"The assets are secured, targets eliminated. VIPs successfully extracted from the city." From the shadows, behind the three liches, a short female stepped out.

She wore body-fitting ninja gear, sporting red eyes and blonde hair knotted by a black ribbon.

"Ah! Yes! Yes! Good. Good. As expected. You always deliver, like the one from "Thirteen" your group named after."

"Though, we have a problem."

"Problem?" The lich turned to the girl intrigued.

"This…!?" Jircniv eyes widened, spotting the girl.

He knew that face! The face which resembled — no! — was the same as the "Twin Killers Who Lurked in the Shadow"!

The leader of the famous assassin group…

"Ijaniya…" Muttered Jircniv in horror, lowering his head with trembling shoulders. Almost like some realization dawned on him, his terror was overtaken by his rage at this moment. "Tell me, leader of Ijaniya, Tira. Since how long have you conspired with undead monsters? Since how long do you aim at Emperors? Since how long have you betrayed humanity for mere coins?"

"…" Tira's conversation with the undead stopped, both looking at Jircniv with an empty expression. "Since they pay our fee and don't demand fealty." This was her simple answer before continuing their conversation with Tira.

'Slash!'

"Gahh!"

"Your Imperial Majesty!" Finally, the last undead was cut down, crumbling to dust as the negative energy that fueled them dispersed.

Barely a few bodyguards remained. Even the four Imperial Knights looked weathered, worse to wear after the battle.

'Clang Clang! Clang! Clang!' Yet, despite their obvious disadvantage, they charged against the undead right away. Their strikes are colliding with the hard barrier, rattling it with shattering force.

"Haah! So you say, my shadow wraiths are defeated already? As well the group sent against Fluder Paradyne and his apprentices failing?" The thing raised his head and muttered, almost like he communicated with someone telepathically.

He sounded more annoyed than intimidated as he said this. No! The word morose and depressed would better fit. Like someone disturbed his morning walk through the park, and now he had to turn back.

"How disappointing. Well, it cannot be helped. Though we can probably destroy this whole country and have fun, the others probably disapprove if someone discovers me — a bunch of old folks. The goal! Always the goal, no fun at all." Mumbled the skeletal being grumpy amidst the assault that rattled his barrier, slowly creating cracks on it. "They are simply boring."

The leader sighed with his nonexistent lungs and shook his head, watching the effort of the bodyguards for a moment, calculating how much time he has left before they get through.

"Ah, well, let's collect the corpses before we move on. Shall we? We can always run more tests later. Ah, those nobles were really stupid selling out their country for some temporary, fake power. But oh well, their loss. Greedy people are usually fools. They will be taken care of later regardless."

"Wha-what!?" Jircniv backed in horror, realizing what the undead implied.

He was right from the beginning! He was sold out by those traitor cockroaches! But who? Which house? Only a few or all of them participated in this conspiracy?

"Look out!" Baziwood's eyes widened as he saw the undead raising his hand, pointing a finger towards the group lazily.

"This will be enough to knock you out. Well… hopefully. [Lesser Chain Dragon Lightning]!"

Dragon-shaped lighting left the finger of the undead, chaining together, melting the armor, and cooking alive the remaining bodyguards.

"Guah!"

Immediately, the Four Imperial knights collapsed from the trauma as the spell hit them, starting to smoke right away.

Although their enchanted adamantine armor and magic items protected their body from the fate that befell the royal guards, their ability to fight further effectively disappeared.

"They fall so easily? ~ I expected more… This day starts to turn more and more disappointing. It was like when those pests from Zuranon tried to steal from us. Ah well. Collect their bodies. They will serve well once raised. Or rather use them for alchemical experiments? Hmm? Decision… decision…"

The undead pondered thoughtfully while his assistants started to collect the bodies.

Jircniv's expression was already blank, losing all hope to get out alive; he collapsed on his knees as despair overwhelmed his senses.

Just what kind of sin did he commit to deserve this treatment? Why did the Gods punish him with such a catastrophe?

True, he killed many — indirectly — ruined many lives to reach the top. But all of this for the betterment of his Empire and people! Why must the world punish his ambition and goal to leave behind a lasting Empire?

Why…? JUST WHY!? WHY DID HE HAVE TO ENCOUNTER SUCH LEGENDARY MONSTERS!?

'Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang!'

"Huh?"

Suddenly, the whole section started to tremble. Above them, on the ceiling, more and more cracks began to appear. Something was coming, and "it" was angry!

"Are we waiting for someone?" Asked the demonic being confused.

"The guards think the Emperor is being escorted to his safe house already. The jammers and decoys you provided are still in place. There shouldn't be anyone who knows what is happening here. Less breaking through the fifty meters thick magically hardened stone above us..." Explained Tira analytically.

"Then… what is that?" Pointed the strange lich on the barely holding, heavily cracked ceiling.

'Bam!'

At that moment, the ceiling gave in, tens of tons of rubble fell below on the two assistant Liches and the help they summoned.

'Cough! Cough! Cough! Cough!'

"You madwoman!" A squeaky voice echoed from the dust after the "explosive entrance." "Why do you have to smash through the flooring!? I almost died!"

"Oi! It is not my fault you turned in the wrong direction — getting us both lost in this freakish labyrinth! I just made a way because you said they were below us!"

"Shut up, you freak! I know where I am going! I never lost my way before!"

"Yet, we turned back five times! FIVE TIMES! I bet you don't even know where you are going, just flying around aimless!"

"How intriguing…" The demonic lich fondled his beard that dangled from his skinless chin. The fires in his socket dimmed almost like he raised his brow with a curious expression. "A Death Fairy, here? How rare a specimen… I thought they died out a long time ago. Hmm, just what I miss from my collection of feys."

"La-Lady Raidyn, you're here!?" The blankness from Jircniv's eyes disappears the moment he spotted the legendary adventurer who appeared from the dust cloud. Hope started to resurface amidst the shadow of despair.

Yes! Maybe, she can defeat this thing! Maybe, he can still escape this seemingly hopeless situation. Maybe, something better awaits him tomorrow.

It is decided! If he survives this encounter, he will lead a better, more virtuous life!

Hope is all Jircniv had now, and he will not let it go until he can't draw a breath!

"Ah! Jircniv-dono, just who I am looking for. I finally found you."

"Yo-You looked for me?" He can't believe it! His people still care enough to send someone like her to save him!

"Well… yeah, according to Vaydark-dono and Prince Zanach, it will be problematic if you disappear or die. Thus, they asked me to come."

"I see…" Jircniv sweatdropped.

For Zanach to ask her to rescue him amongst all? The word odd was the slightest term he can describe the situation.

Above all, he expected Zanach to ask her to prioritize his own safety over the enemy nation's ruler — which relentlessly tried to subdue the Kingdom.

After all, the Re-Estize royal family's national interest was him to disappear and chaos to overtake the Empire, not his rescue and reinstatement to the throne.

"I didn't expect this…"

Or, is there something behind this gesture?

Damn! He can't blank his mind with meaningless questions now! He needs to concentrate!

"Lady Raidyn, as the Emperor of the Baharuth Empire, I ask you… no! I hire you as an adventurer! Banish this vile being! Once I am safe, whatever your wish and is in my power will be yours!"

Maybe, she has no chance, and like his Imperial Knights, she will fall. But damn! She was his only chance! He needs to trust her power to overcome this threat! This, or he will die here and now! No other way remained!

"Ok… I suppose…" That simple answer caught Jircniv off guard for a moment, yet, his heart fluttered with happiness and the renewed hope of his survival.

"Hmm, strange, I can't read you…" Mumbled the charred lich, ignoring the emperor's sudden proclamation. "Who… or what manner of being are you? You look so familiar. Please forgive me; I am quite old, my memory is not like when I was young."

"I…"

'Rumble! Rumble! Rumble! Bang!'

The rubble trembled for a few moments before being blasted away. The assistant liches emerged once again, frothing in rage, their eyes burned with hatred.

"[Soul Fireball]!"

"[Death Bolt]!"

The deadly attacks closed on the adventurer at a fast pace, making the fairy on her side panic.

"Aiii! We will die!"

"Look out!" At the moment the attacks collided with the adventurer's back, vile bluish flames and a black miasma swallowed her.

"Guh!"

Jircniv raised his arm, covering his face from the sheer heat and the strange chill he felt in his soul.

His heart sank at the moment he saw the adventurer swallowed by the attacks, knowing she most likely died or was gravely injured.

"She didn't wear any armor… I was a fool to think she could rescue me."

"You idiots! That death fairy was irreplaceable!" The first time since he appeared, this demonic lich was furious. A dark aura resurfaced from his body and darkened the whole corridor.

"Eiiii!" Even Jircniv fell to his bottom, trying to back away as far as possible in sheer terror.

"We are sorry…"

"I apologize; we didn't know…"

"Haah… no matter. Hopefully, enough remained from her corpse to be raised. Now finish your work, then we can… leave."

Suddenly, like some invisible force snuffed them out, the still-burning blue flames and the dark miasma disappeared, revealing the unscathed adventurer.

Behind her, a humongous sword was embedded in the ground. No! It was too big to be called a sword. Massive, thick, heavy, and far too rough to be handled reasonably. Indeed, it was a heap of raw metal—all of it surrounded by sheer malice that made even undead shudder in fear.

"Well, that was surprising, but not unexpected." Grinned Raidyn as her sword absorbed all the magic that remained from the attack.

"How…!?"

"How is she still alive!?" Gaped the two liches behind the adventurer. A bad feeling started to resurface in their subconscious watching her and her terrible cursed sword.

"Interesting…" Mumbled the dark lich. "To survive two tier four spells without any injury? Impressive. Who are you, if I might ask? And that sword of yours… so much malice it vomits. Hmm, is that a cursed item? I wonder…"

"Please, Lord Jiggalig, let us deal with this pest."

"Yes, we can deal with her!"

"Silence, you fools! You already destroyed a precious being. One which cannot be replaced or found anymore. I don't want to hear a word from you today!"

"A-Are we still alive?" Slowly, the fairy peeked out, evidently hiding in Raidyn's breast pocket. "Whew! I thought I was a goner for a moment. But that's it! I will double my service fee!"

"Ah! Marvelous! She is still alive!" Clapped the evil being cheerful and happy. "I am so glad! Now, please, can you hand her to me? I have sought to find a specimen like her for a long time. I promise I will take care of her well. I usually take good care of my collection."

"Ah…. Th-that's… a night lich!?"

"Ancient Night lich..." Corrected the being, teacherly. "…there is a difference."

"What the heck!? What's a thing like that doing here?!" The fairy seemingly panicked, even hiding behind the adventurer.

"So, you know what he is?" In truth, Raidyn had never heard of an undead subspecies called night lich before. In the game, they most likely didn't exist at all.

"OF COURSE I KNOW! THEY ARE MYTHICAL UNDEAD ABLE TO EASILY TAKE ON DRAGONS AND DESTROY WHOLE COUNTRIES! ARE YOU A BUFFOON, OR WHAT!?"

"Wha-What?!" Jircniv was already nauseous seeing all the things that happened today. But this? This was too much.

"Too much… this is too much…this is a nightmare." Yes, he simply lays down and hopes he wakes up from this nightmare. Yes, that will be the best.

"Is he…?" Raidyn wanted to make some sense of what the Emperor was doing, but she just can't find the right word to describe it.

"Ah, yes. I understand his reaction. I am indeed fearsome, above all amazing." Lord Jiggalig — as he was called — laughed satisfied. "Not accidentally, I can rule my own country from the shadows using a puppet king while doing my experiments. I am amazing, after all."

"How modest…"

"Indeed I am…"

"This starts to drag out…" Tira remembered the "ancient" night lich. "If we don't leave soon. We will be discovered."

"Fine! Fine! Just a moment. So, where was I? Ah! Right! You seem like an interesting person with such a unique weapon. It is hard to find someone who possesses and can properly control a cursed weapon. Work for me."

"Excuse me?" This guy makes no sense.

"As I said. Work for me. I take care of my subordinates. And well, you look strong, and above all, a puzzling person with that sword. It would be a waste to kill you. I like interesting people…"

"First, you want this fairy? Now you ask me to work for you?"

"What can I say? I am a lich of many interests. I still want that fairy, but seeing you can handle that cursed sword, I am interested in you too. I am a collector, you know?"

"Umm…"

"What do you say? Deal?"

"First, I don't even know your name. I usually don't go along with people who I don't even know." What the hell is this? Raidyn was more and more confused. How should she handle this guy?

One way she could simply smash his skull and deal with it. On the other hand, she never heard about night liches before. It would be best to capture and interrogate him. Also, he acted way too odd for an undead. Maybe an anomaly? Another reason to collect and investigate his origin.

"Ah! Sorry about that; I am Lord Jiggalig Mordecaih Al'Rubrik, or as many call me, the Great Collector. The King who hides behind the shadows. And many more things… Behind you, my current assistants, Issachar and Jephthah." Glancing back, the Elder Lich waved, the demi-lich, well, she had no hand, and instead, she just bowed floating. "Nice to meet you, Miss…?"

"Raidyn. Adamantine rank adventurer."

"Raidyn, where did I hear that name?" Lord Jiggalig scratched his bald head, pondering.

"You are really odd for an undead. You know that?" Above all, he speaks too much. Does he have verbal diarrhea, or what?

"Many say that. You know, the people of my "club" say I am the oddity amongst them. Compared to the rest who only seek to kill and rule over people, I rather collect things and experiment. Sometimes seeking challenging foes to improve myself, do puzzles, and have fun — as others might say. I also love good stories. Sometimes, I even disguised myself as a traveler to listen to other people in bars. As I often say: Why do you have immortality and power if you are always depressed and can't have fun. It is kind of meaningless, don't you think?"

"I see..." This fellow really loved to speak about himself, that's for sure.

"Hmm, please, make your decision. I have not much time left."

"Do I have a choice in the matter?"

"Unfortunate, but I want that fairy. I would also like to take you and your sword. I ask you to come willingly. It would be bad if I need to damage you irreparably. I have so many questions to ask. I am sure you as well have many stories to share. That sword must have quite a story..." Lord Jiggalig started to caress the long beard that hung from his chin, almost like he was impatient.

"Haah! You see, you look like an interesting fellow. I would gladly converse with you. But you see, I have an assignment I need to fulfill. It would look bad on my record if I fail. And as I might imagine, you don't want to hand over the Emperor."

"It is unfortunate, but he is needed for the plan of my schemer fellows. I can't hand him to you."

"In that case, it cannot be helped. Just don't complain if I kick your ass. Once more, sorry about that."

"Do your worst… I expect a good show." The two liches behind Raidyn raised in the air when Jiggalig waved his bony hand, using the [Fly] spell. "Take her alive if possible. And do not damage the fairy. Tira, thank you and your group's service, as agreed, the promised reward will be handed over by our connections. You are dismissed. I'll take it from there."

"As you wish, but do not underestimate her. Reports state she brutally killed a high-level demon under E-Rantel."

"E-Rantel, you say?" Suddenly, Jiggalig eyes flared up before bursting out in a heartfelt laugh. "Whohahaha! That's rich! Now I want her even more! I can't wait to see his face when I show him the person who ruined his precious pet project he worked on for decades! Oh! I can't wait to see his face when I tell him he can't touch her! It will be hilariou…!"

'Crash! Bang! Clang!'

"Hmm?" As Jiggalig turned back his head to the scene, the flames in his socket intensified.

"Ma-Master! Help! She was too fas..." 'Crack! Shatter!'

Meanwhile, Raidyn already changed position, holding her super heavy and overly long heap of iron with one hand, positioning her leg on the head of the demi-lich, shattering her skull and the two jewels serving as her eyes by just simply exerting some pressure.

"Crunchy…" She giggled sadistically, holding the elder lich dangling upper body in the air by grabbing his skull.

"What in the nine hells…"

The elder lich was cut in half, the adventurer holding what remained from his upper part in the air.

"If you send henchmen, send normal ones." Slowly, Issachar's skulls started to crack. He tried to get away, but his severed arms were unable to get hold of the adventurer.

"Hel…"

'Shatter!'

In the end, just like his fellow, he crumbled to dust. The negative energy that fueled his false life evaporated.

"Well, this was unexpected. I hoped they could at least hold you for a while. Such a waste, they were good assistants."

"I see you are not really concerned about them."

"Many more of them serve me in my domain. I bought those two fellows because they were not crucial in my plans. Although their death is regrettable, it doesn't really bother me."

"How nice of you…"

"I have no reason to lie to you," The being added, still calm and polite. "But seeing your strength and how easily you took care of my assistants, I have no other choice but to take you a little bit more seriously. I hope you can entertain me. It has been a long time since anyone could challenge me properly. It is… hard to find challenging foes of my status." Jiggalig sighed, almost lonely. "Please, do your best."

"You know, in this cramped place, you have the disadvantage of fighting with me. Also, your precious cargo probably will be destroyed…" Raidyn pointed at the Emperor, who watched the happenings, still trembling.

"Yeah, you are right. It will probably happen. How troublesome. Ah! I have an idea! [Mass Levitation]." The four Imperial Knights' bodies were raised from the rubble, floated near Jircniv, and gently touched down.

"..." The adventurer just raised her brow, questioning, watching the creature before her.

"Barely, but they are still alive. It will be a pity if they go to waste. Never waste away precious living material; remember that."

"Right…"

"[Mana Barrier]!" Pointing his finger towards Jircniv and the knights, an energy dome surrounded them. "It will probably be enough. If you defeat me, that barrier will disappear, and you can take them. If not, you, your sword, and that fairy will be mine. Deal?"

"Your funeral… just don't complain if I smash you to pieces. Your majesty, please, remain calm until I deal with this."

"Ri-Right… please, do your best." Jircniv gulped, his heart throbbing in his throat. Even so, deep inside, he wished all the strength for this adventurer to win the match.

"IT IS NOT FINE! HE IS A MONSTER! HE WILL KILL YOU IF YOU FIGHT HIM!" Shouted the fairy, complaining endlessly.

"Shut up!" Raidyn shouted at her, having enough of her constant complaining. "If you shat your pants already, go hide behind that barrier."

"Ugghh! You don't understand! No matter how easily you took care of those two, you can't take care of him! He is a monster amongst monsters! A GOD MONSTER!"

"Well, I wouldn't say god… but close enough." Jiggalig fondled his beard modestly as he hummed and nodded. "There are still several stronger beings than me, though."

"Ughh! I had enough! Good luck dying here! I am out!" The tiny fairy started to fly away, heading in the opposite direction the Night lich stood.

"Not so fast, little one… [Hold Spe…]" 'Clang!'

By throwing her sword, Raidyn collapsed the ceiling. The small fairy barely managed to escape amidst the falling rubble.

"Noo! You know what you have done!? Now I have to chase her down!"

"You can do it after you beat me, as our deal stands."

"..." The fires in Jiggalig's evil eyes intensified, as if he glared at her.

"Well then… let's start!" The sword returned to Raidyn's hand, almost like it had its own will. "Let's dance!"

---

Scene Change: Outside:

The fires burned bright in the city of Arwintar, painting the night sky bright.

Many buildings collapsed all around the city, signaling the intense clash between the Imperial air forces — mages and griffin knights — and the invaders who wrought havoc to the capital out of nowhere.

"Oh, my! Old gentlemen like myself shouldn't fight this hard." Fluder wiped his sweat, looking quite exhausted from the long battle.

"Master Fluder, are you alright?" Asked one of his apprentices, lowering himself to the ground.

"Yes… yes… a little bit battered but I'll manage." Waved away the concern of the wise elder, hitting his back with his hand to numb away the pain of old age. "Now then, I hope little Jircniv is still alive. It would be problematic if he disappeared or died."

"Let's hope so. I sent Lady Raidyn after him." Vaydark appeared at this moment, lowering himself gently to the ground, using the [Fly] spell.

"Ah! My friend, you are late — like always from battles."

"I had to take care of the trouble that had arisen in the palace. Many enemies appeared there too…" Vaydark just shrugged, explaining why he couldn't come sooner.

Naturally, he had to ensure Elysia and Zanach were safe too — as he promised to Raidyn — but Fluder didn't have to know about that.

"I see…"

"I guess the cardinal already fled." As expected, they didn't remain to help. Typical of the Theocracy, they only cared about themselves.

"Yes, in the first sign of trouble, his retinue escorted him away, then outside of the jamming field, teleporting him back." Fluder sighed while shaking his head. "Many died due to their cowardliness. But we can't change the past, instead…"

'Rumble! Rumble! Rumble! Rumble!'

"What is this?"

"Another attack?"

Suddenly, the ground began to quake before it erupted with great force, revealing Raidyn who wore her armor, pushing her sword against her opponent's stomach — shooting out from the ground like a bullet.

"Guahh!" The creature roared in rage as it struggled against the adventurer. The sword visibly pierced him, making him lose balance in the air. "Take this!" The blue jewel in his eye started to gather a massive amount of mana, before firing at Raidyn from close range.

Immediately, a terrible ray of condensed mana cut through the whole city, scorching the nearby mountain, only leaving a wide and deep trench in its way, melting and disintegrating everything.

"Lady Raidyn!" Vaydark shouted in fright, hoping she could still fight after this. Because if not, they probably can't stop the rampage of a monster that can bring such destruction with a single spell. Worse, they need to abandon their mission and return home.

Yes! He recognized that thing! Remembering the rampage, he wrought in the past… hundreds of years ago before their king stopped him.

"This will teach you…" Jiggalig grinded his sharp teeth, holding his hand against the hole where the sword pierced him. "But… it has been some time since someone managed to damage me. Not to mention, breaking through my barriers so easily. You really are strong. I commend you." While laughing low, the undead king recovered a vial containing violet energy, crushing it. Immediately, the cracks on his body healed, recovering fully.

"Much better… I wonder if she is still alive. I hope she is alive..." He muttered whishfull.

"Ah! The spasm has finally gone, thank you…" As nothing happened, Raidyn jumped out from the melted hole the ray created, massaging and cracking her neck.

"How marvelous! You are still alive! Are you a god-kin, perhaps?" The undead hummed, pondering. "It has been some time since I fought someone like you. But wait a moment, there is something not right. Yes, something I should remember…"

"Raidyn-dono, are you… alright?" Vaydark ran to her as Raidyn instantly appeared not far from them.

"Yeah, yeah… I am fine." The adventurer sighed, walking past Vaydark and Fluder.

The player raised her arm, and an invisible force yanked back her sword to her palm. "You can find the Emperor and the four imperial knights down there, surrounded by a barrier. Rescue them. I weakened the barrier enough so you can remove it. And… evacuate the area, possibly the whole city. This will be messy. I will try to draw him away…"

"Thank you; it will be done."

"Those eyes… That power… That attitude! That mocking, cocky smile! Now I remember… I remember now! That cursed elf…!" The undead lowered his head suddenly, mumbling and starting to tremble as if he remembered something.

"I REMEMBER NOW! YOU… I will annihilate you! You hear me!? Descendant of that cursed pest! You hear me!? I will squash you and his cursed bloodline! I will have my revenge!" It seems something clicked in the lich, losing his previous polite nature and cold temper.

Albeit, it was night, complete darkness blotted out the sky and stars above the city, centered around the mighty undead as he continued to curse Raidyn and her "bloodline."

"Haah! Haah! Ti-Tier 8… the mythical tier! Tier 8..." Meanwhile, Fluder was on to drool, falling on his knees in awe, fear, and orgasm. "We can't win… it is impossible! Haah! Haah! Tier 8! Tier 8! The chasm of magic… TIER 8!"

"Fluder! Get yourself together!"

"Bu-But… tier 8…" Continued to mumble the great sage as he was frozen on the place.

'Smack!'

"We have no time for this! Get up!"

'Smack!'

Two more slaps were needed to the wizened wizard to regain his senses, blushing slightly, getting up, wiping the drool from his mouth.

"Sorry… I… I… my senses dulled." Apologized the magic caster with a shameful expression.

"Get to work."

"Do you think she can...?"

"We can only hope… else; we are all doomed."

"I don't know what's your problem with me..." Raidyn walked forward in the meantime, stopping underneath Jiggalig. "Not as I care… I only know one of us will be put down tonight." She embedded her sword in the ground, cracking her fingers behind her back like a pianist who prepared to play, then equipping the sturdy weapon again, smashing and neutralizing the massive green fireball with a simple cut in the air.

"Still… tonight, I will give you fun! Just the thing you sought after..." She grinned wild, prepared to close the distance.

"Curse you!" The blue crystal in the being's socket started to charge once again, vomiting condensed mana against the adventurer once more. Jiggalig focused all of its power on the adventurer and made the beam narrower, increasing the penetration rate and focused power greatly.

Yet, Raidyn was visibly not worried. No! On her face only her confident, cocky smile was visible as the ray engulfed her completely - a smile which pissed Jiggalig off even more.

Ignoring the beam which seemingly disintegrated everything in its way, leaving a seemingly bottomless, melted hole which glowed with blue radiation, she made her mighty jump.

The speed and force behind her jump condensed and solidified the superheated plasma underneath her legs, creating a sizable cavity underneath the city, filled with plasma stated matter mixed with compressed mana.

In the moment she shot out from this hole with an unimaginable speed — seemingly ignoring the terrible beam — a terrible battle ensued between the sides once more, painting the skies bright with death and flames.

A battle that was so terrible it was visible from even miles away, shaking and ruining most of the capital and their surroundings.

A battle that took at least half an hour.

A battle which drove the sides farther and farther from the capital, through the abandoned countryside, entirely to the nearby forest!

A forest that entirely turned into barren nothingness as the mark of the colossal battle which was conducted here. Leaving only death and charred remains of the once lush green.

"No…! I will not allow it! I will not…! [Greater Soul Drai...]!" The being gathered his remaining magical energy, trying to drain away Raidyn's soul in one last desperate attempt.

Yet, it was useless, as with a swath of her terrible cursed weapon, she severed his hands, using the heap of iron like a baseball bat, smashing him to the ground as a finishing move.

"HOME RUN!"

"GAH!" 'Bang! CLANG!'

A deep crater was created where Lord Jiggalig landed, half of his body and limbs missing, horns broken, skull already started to crack and was on to shatter.

"So, this is how it ends… the five-hundred-year-old story of Lord Jiggalig… the collector, the infinite, the shadow king, will end here." Jiggalig released a painful chuckle, almost like he was reminiscing about his past — all his battles and achievements.

He was a being who survived the fall of the Six Great gods, even the Greed Kings—seeing their terrible power firsthand—ruling undisturbed in his corner of the world while the evil deities wreaked havoc and eventually defeated, surviving and eluding even Dragon Lords.

He, the mighty undead king, will reach his end here, far from his home and his servants. In the countryside. A place where no one will find his remains. In an unmarked grave like a simple peasant. It was a sad end for a mighty being like himself.

All this happened because he was bored and ventured out. How foolish he was not to expect someone like Raidyn to show up - Especially so close to that "pest" king. Thinking so confident he surpassed him long ago...

"Whew! This was intense. Thank you for the good battle." Raidyn landed near him, resting her sword on her shoulder. Her armor was visibly charred, showing signs of the intense duel.

"You are lying; you still have the strength to spare. You are holding back, I can tell. I was not even a challenge…" As he said this, the night lich sighed almost regretful, another crack appearing on his ruined skull. All his rage visibly disappeared, replaced by regret and sorrow.

"Umm… sorry?" Great, now Esdeath feels bad because she defeated this guy. Why is her consciousness doing this with her? She just wanted to give him the good battle he sought — as she knows well how it feels when someone can't find a proper challenge.

"Hah! Don't be sorry… I enjoyed myself at least one last time. Thank you for making it enjoyable and not ending it fast." As he gave away a false sight, he turned his head towards the player. "Ah! Tell me, at least, are you the spawn of that cursed elf king? I want to know before my essence disappears…"

"I don't think so… I mean, I never even met the guy." Yet, everyone thinks she is his child. It is starting to get annoying.

"Ah! Sorry for my impulsive outlash then. I apologize. It was shameful of me acting so rashly. Just the memories..."

"It is nothing…"

"Then… a god-kin? Or… a player, is it?" Theorized the lich as he started to slowly fall apart. "Hunters of gods from another world... Yes, only they carry the strength to make the Dragon Lords of old flee in despair. Like… Lord Surshana did back then..."

"How do you know about the players?" Esdeath eyes squinted suspiciously. This guy knows more than he initially showed.

"Heh… then I was right. A player, then. To be killed by a being that imbalanced the world itself, one from those brought undeath forth... It was an honor. It is a fitting end then." Another crack appeared on his skull as Jiggalig started to fall apart, turning back his sight towards the night sky one last time.

Slowly, the green lights in his sockets started to dim away, signaling his final rest is close. "I never realized how beautiful the night sky was… the stars… I wonder…" He tried to reach towards the night sky by what remained from his hand, but it right away crumbled to dust.

"A pity…"

At this moment, as this ancient undead mentioned the night sky, Esdeath remembered her guildmate, Blue Planet, remembering his love of nature and the clear night sky.

"Dammit! Great, now I have to deal with this mess. [Greater Stasis]!" She cast her skill, freezing the undead king's last moments.

This skill freezes the target in space-time, making the target invulnerable to any damage or status effect. In exchange, they can't move or act in any way until the effect lasts.

"Shalltear, are you there?" She contacted the guardian of the first three floors, and she right away received the answer.

[Message]: "Of course, Esdeath-sama. Do you need my services?" Shalltear sounded giddy contacted this way. It seems she was impatient to receive any important task.

"Come to my position; I have a task for you…"

---

Scene Change: Two days later:

The capital was still in ruins after the battle of Raidyn and the terrible lich. The monster who — according to the grand public — was the mastermind behind the events that happened that night.

But as always, the Empire prevailed thanks to the heroes who saved the day.

Houses can be rebuilt. New people can move in the place of the dead ones. And slowly but surely, life will return as it were back then.

Yes! Life always finds a way! Thus, even now, people celebrate this momentary victory, doing their best to restore their homes once more.

As the common people celebrated the hero's victory over the shadow — which almost took away everything from them — in the Imperial palace's reception hall, the elves, Brain Unglaus, and a grumpy kitsune awaited the return of the hero who defeated the terrible "demon lord".

"What takes so long? She is in there for hours…" Elysia's eyes ticked, waiting for Raidyn for hours.

"Be patient, Lady Elysia. Don't you know the saying? Never rush an Emperor." Methild, the roguish noble, grinned quipping.

"You just came up with that a moment ago."

"Possibly, but still a wise saying, don't you think?"

"Hmm…" Brain and the rest just smiled, glancing at each other.

At this moment, the door opened, and the sitting people could see as Jircniv shook hands with Raidyn one last time.

"Thank you once more, and don't forget, heroes like you are always welcomed in my court. Anything you need, just say, and if it is in my power, it will be done."

"Thank you…"

"Of course…" By nodding with a big smile, Jircniv looked around once more, leaning close to the adventurer, whispering. "Are you sure you don't want to take my offer? You would have everything."

"Fufufu… it is flattering, and you honor me, but unfortunately, my mission and occupation make it impossible to root myself permanently."

"I see, how unfortunate." Jircniv was visibly disappointed. His beautiful, shining eyes made him look like a sad puppy. "Well, if you change your mind, you only need to ask."

Raidyn patted his shoulder gently. "I will. And if you need something, don't hesitate to send a message, and I will come. Take care of your people, Emperor Jircniv."

"Definitely…" Jircniv nodded approving, his gloom disappearing immediately. "In that case, I hold you no more. I wish you good luck with your mission. And don't forget, there is always a place for you here."

By waving, several royal guards stepped forward, bowing and started to escort the group outside.

"What took so long? We have been waiting for you here for hours?" Elysia whispered to Raidyn as she walked on her side.

"Why so upset? You had cakes and that coffee-like thing. You can even choose items freely from the treasury…."

"Still, how can the two of you speak for so long? It was hours! Hours, you were in there!"

"What can I say… Jircniv-dono likes to speak… a lot." Hearing this, the guards looked at each other, then back forth, pretending they didn't hear anything.

"Weird…"

At the entrance of the Imperial palace, Vaydark and his apprentice already awaited them.

"We have the coordinates…" Said so the wise elder with a confident smile, and with that, the group started their journey again, leaving the capital behind to continue their heroic adventure.

Back in Jircniv's office, the Emperor slumped in his seat, exhausted from the long conversation.

"She was quite pleasant…" Baziwood leaned forth.

"Yes, definitely a unique woman." Jircniv pondered for a moment. "Our conversation was quite… eye-opening."

"Indeed it was…"

"Though, I didn't expect her to refuse all my offers. Even the marriage proposal."

"My Emperor, if she would have accepted it, it would have caused an uproar amongst the nobles. As well, it would provoke enmity from the Theocracy. Considering their war with the Elven Kingdom…" Loune Vermillion — the assistant and favorite scribe of Jircniv — gulped even considering the prospect and the consequences.

"Maybe Lady Raidyn refused your offer because she knew all of this…" Theorized Baziwood.

"Possible…" Jircniv sighed once more, leaning back in his seat, and watched the ceiling. "Not only beautiful, charismatic, but strong, intelligent and versed in politics… and even of royal blood."

Not speaking, he doesn't get the same sinister feeling from her like he did in the Golden Princess' case, moreover, not an old hag hiding in the skin of a little girl... In other words, the perfect mate he was looking for for so long.

"Definitely a lot better than any other candidates…" He pondered, listing in his head the others.

Though she is quite crass sometimes, the rough edges can be smoothed with practice. Considering her upbringing and profession, it was not surprising.

"A few years of court life would solve the issue…"

"Have you perhaps fallen in love, my Emperor?"

"N-No! Of course not!" Jircniv covered his momentary embarrassment with a fake cough. "I just considered the possibility of what she could bring to the Empire. A mate like her would surely improve our relations with the elven nation. Not to mention, we would have a weapon that can protect us against any threat. A person like her would make us more independent from the Theocracy too."

"Of course…" Baziwood suffocated his heartfelt laugh under a subtle grin.

Though Jircniv came up with his own explanation — or if you asked Baziwood, excuse — The leader of the Imperial Knights recognized a "crush" when he saw one.

But it was not surprising. She, after all, made a deep impression on him.

Not only did she save him from a threat that could potentially end his whole country easily, but during their conversation, Jircniv probably realized their compatibility — All of which led him to develop some kind of tie to the woman.

If you asked Baziwood, it was weird for a man to develop such feelings, but not unheard of.

Strength, after all, was attractive for both sexes — especially for women — but it was not unheard of that men also found a strong partner preferable.

"Fufufufu…"

"What's wrong? What's so funny, Baziwood?"

"Nothing, my Emperor. I am just glad everything ended as they are."

"Right…"

"What will you do now, my Emperor?" Inquired the assistant, finding such a topic quite uncomfortable.

"First thing first… it is time for a house cleaning."

"Another one?"

"Yes, I was careless and overconfident last time, and this mistake of mine almost brought my Empire to its knees. It will never happen again. It is time to find those who worked together with the enemy. And purge them… once and for all!"

The fires in Jircniv eyes lit anew. Making the sentimental part of his disappear once more, replaced by the cunning, ruthless Bloody Emperor everyone knows so well.

That day, Jircniv started the second purge, seeking those who betrayed and sold him out, scheming with the invaders to bring the Empire to its knees.

With the situation resolved in the Imperial capital and the coordinates set, the journey continues… Where Raidyn's way will lead? Read further and find out.

---

A/N:

Well, this is it! The second part of the promised double chapter!

I hope it is worth the looong! Loong wait!

Sorry about the delay once more… work, games, lack of muse, and other things blocked my path. XD

In the next chapter, the journey continues!

The criminals of Re-Estize!

What will happen next? Wait and read!

RnR!

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