Emperor of Steel [EN]: Chapter 165

5. The Veritas Magic Tower’s Tail is Stepped On

1

A week later, Hwang Bo-sung returned from the Hwangbo family estate, but he wasn’t alone. He was accompanied by the former head of the family, Hwang Bo-in, and the elders of the Hwangbo clan.

Hwang Bo-in and the elders knelt before the half-burned imperial palace in Daeryang, begging for forgiveness.

“Your Majesty, please kill us!”

“Do not forgive these wretched sinners who gave birth to a traitor!”

Hwang Bo-in and his group loosened their hair, donned mourning clothes, and pleaded for punishment. Some even banged their heads on the bare ground.

The Hwangbo family, once the most prestigious in the martial world, had fallen so low. After Hwang Bo-gwang became the head, they had controlled the martial world and the Song Empire, committing countless abuses. Seeing their miserable state, people felt no sympathy, instead spitting and pointing fingers.

“Hmph, they’re scrambling to avoid complete destruction.”

“I heard the father himself captured his son, who had fled to the main family, and handed him over to the imperial palace?”

“It’s a classic case of cutting off the lizard’s tail [a metaphor for sacrificing a part to save the whole].”

Only a few felt sorry for the Hwangbo family leaders.

This was because many in the capital had been sacrificed due to the zombie poison and the people’s uprising.

Moreover, when Hwang Bo-gwang and Jo Won-gyun fled, they set fire to the imperial palace, and the flames spread to civilian houses, causing enormous damage.

Fortunately, the rebel army intervened in time and began firefighting efforts, and Princess So-hye and several Taoists [practitioners of Taoism, a Chinese philosophy and religion] joined forces to bring rain, preventing Daeryang from being reduced to ashes.

“Your Majesty! Please kill us…”

Thud!

A stone and a shout flew towards Hwang Bo-in, who was begging for forgiveness at the top of his lungs.

“If you know you’re wrong, you should quietly commit suicide! What are you making such a fuss about!”

“You don’t even have the right to raise your voices!”

Hwang Bo-in and the elders silently endured the stones and filth thrown at them.

Hwang Bo-sung and Hwang Bo-yun, watching from afar, couldn’t help but feel heavy-hearted.

A few days ago, they had reunited with their father and tried to dissuade him from begging for forgiveness, knowing the public sentiment in the capital was volatile. They had somewhat anticipated the current situation.

As a proud martial artist, Hwang Bo-in was so ashamed he wanted to commit suicide. However, he believed such a noble end was not suitable for the father of a traitor. He had to take the lead in begging for forgiveness for the Hwangbo family to survive.

“Sung-ah, what do you think will happen to our family?”

“Well, I don’t think we need to worry about being destroyed for now.”

According to the laws of the Song Empire, it was customary to exterminate three generations of a traitor’s family. In severe cases, nine generations were exterminated as an example.

The problem was that not the entire Hwangbo family had participated in the rebellion.

Hwang Bo-sung, for example, had rendered meritorious service by assisting Luke and helping the rebel army. Hwang Bo-yun had also supported the opposition forces within the family and prevented the spread of zombie poison in the capital. Moreover, they had participated in rescuing the Emperor.

It was impossible to execute those who had rendered such meritorious service.

Therefore, Jo Won-rak was discussing the appropriate level of punishment for the Hwangbo family with Luke, King Biryu, and Lee Yung-mu.

“By the way… I’ve seen my brother in a new light. I always thought he only enjoyed the finer things in life.”

“Hah, they say a capable hawk hides its claws [a proverb meaning someone with great ability may not show it].”

Hwang Bo-yun chuckled and changed the subject slightly.

“The one you serve as your lord seems to have some hidden claws as well.”

“Yes, he won a one-on-one duel against General Lee Yung-mu. I believe there is no one who can defeat my lord, even if you combine the two continents, north and south.”

Unless it was a non-human entity.

Although he had defeated Arsen not long ago, it was unknown where that immortal creature was plotting some scheme.

“It’s very reassuring to think that such a person is on our side.”

“Yes, he will maintain a friendly relationship with the Song Empire until the mastermind behind this incident is eliminated.”

The zombie poison that had spread in Daeryang was the same as the zombie disease that had spread in the former Holy Empire.

Moreover, traces of black magicians staying or experimenting were also found in the burned-down imperial palace.

Since Luke had suspected the connection between the Hwangbo family and Arsen from the beginning of his arrival in the Southern Continent, he had been moving his subordinates to conduct an in-depth investigation into this matter.

“What are your plans for the future?”

“As soon as things here are somewhat settled, I will return to the Symphonia Kingdom with my lord.”

“Return? Then who will lead the family?”

Hwang Bo-yun asked, startled.

“Isn’t there my brother?”

Hwang Bo-yun quickly waved his hand at his younger brother’s nonchalant words.

“I don’t want to. No, apart from whether I want to or not, I don’t have the ability. As you know, all I’ve learned of the family’s martial arts is basic fist techniques.”

The Hwangbo family was a family of martial artists. Naturally, the head of the family was supposed to be the most skilled in martial arts among the direct descendants.

This was also why Hwang Bo-gwang was jealous of his half-brother Hwang Bo-sung’s talent.

“As you said, we won’t be destroyed, but it will be difficult for our family to regain its former reputation. I believe that only you, who have completed the ultimate Three Thunder God Fist, can revive the Hwangbo family.”

“Brother, I’m sorry, but I can’t do that.”

“No, why not?”

“Although my older brother did terrible things to me, there were some things he said that were true. The world… the world is wider than we know. I want to follow my lord to a wider world, to a higher realm.”

Hwang Bo-yun stared at his younger brother’s eyes at his words. The clear eyes were incredibly deep and filled with a seriousness that had not been seen before.

“If that’s your wish, then there’s nothing I can do… but Father will be very disappointed.”

Hwang Bo-yun said with a bitter smile.

Hwang Bo-sung’s heart ached at his brother’s appearance, but he did not waver from his decision.

2

As the Yemaek [a tribal group] and the rebel army entered, Daeryang suffered from the throes of a change of power for a while. Jo Won-rak sought to renew personnel by re-employing the ousted court officials, while also launching a massive purge of Hwang Bo-gwang’s faction.

First, Jo Won-gyun and Hwang Bo-gwang’s close aides were all executed. This was because they had committed terrible atrocities, such as starting a war with neighboring countries and trying to turn all the people of Daeryang into zombies by releasing zombie poison into the wells.

They were beheaded by the executioner’s sword in the main street in front of the imperial palace, while the people watched.

Next, the ministers and imperial guards who had been brainwashed by Hwang Bo-gwang were sent into exile to remote areas with their families after their brainwashing was undone. Although they were not in their right minds, the crimes they had committed as Jo Won-gyun’s henchmen did not disappear. Instead of giving them poison, they were exiled for life to atone for their sins.

In addition, lower-ranking officials, military officers, and merchants who had sided with Hwang Bo-gwang were imprisoned or had their assets confiscated and were deported. They had all tried to make a fortune under Jo Won-gyun’s rule, only to face a backlash.

The punishment of the ringleaders of the rebellion, Jo Won-gyun and Hwang Bo-gwang, was postponed until the end. The one who carried out the sentence on them was not Jo Won-rak, but the Emperor.

The Emperor, who had been in a vegetative state due to Hwang Bo-gwang’s scheme using black magicians, was able to recover thanks to Luke’s divine power and magical treatment. However, although his body had recovered, his heart had not healed.

“The traitor Hwang Bo-gwang is to be executed by dismemberment!”

Hwang Bo-in, who was attending the Emperor’s verdict, closed his eyes tightly. He had already expected it, but it was still impossible for him to feel at ease, as his eldest son was facing a gruesome death by being torn apart.

“Furthermore, the Hwangbo family is ordered to close its doors for 30 years. They are forbidden from serving in the court, and they cannot engage in any activities in the country under the family’s name.”

The elders standing next to Hwang Bo-in sighed deeply. Banning domestic activities meant they could not participate in martial arts or business matters. This was practically the same as destroying the family. However, considering the crimes that Hwang Bo-gwang had committed, it was fortunate that an imperial order to exterminate three generations of the family had not been issued.

“And another traitor, Jo Won-gyun…”

“Father! Please spare me! I only committed crimes because my uncle, no, that Hwang Bo-gwang told me to!”

Jo Won-gyun, who was bound, crawled out on his knees and begged. However, that appearance only made the Emperor more furious.

“Shut up! How dare a sinner wag his tongue so carelessly!”

“Hieeek!”

Jo Won-gyun cowered at the Emperor’s shout.

‘How could such a sly and cowardly man be my son?’ The Emperor felt both anger and despair at the same time.

“Jo Won-gyun, you poisoned your own brother with opium and tried to assassinate your younger brother. You also deserve to be executed by dismemberment, but I cannot leave any more history of patricide in the imperial family, so I will strip you of your title and exile you ten thousand miles away.”

“Your grace is boundless, Father!”

Exile ten thousand miles away was practically deportation, and in reality, Luke had decided to take Jo Won-gyun to the Symphonia Kingdom when he returned home. He would spend the rest of his life doing hard labor in a foreign land, feeling that living was more painful than death. However, Jo Won-gyun, who had not yet realized that, was simply grateful to have survived, bowing and expressing his gratitude.

A month later, after the punishments and rewards related to the civil war were completed, Luke met with King Biryu and Jo Won-rak and expressed his intentions.

“Now that things here are settled, I will return.”

Then Jo Won-rak and Biryu tried to dissuade him.

“Has the investigation into the mastermind already been completed?”

“Crown Prince Jo Won-rak’s coronation ceremony is scheduled to take place in two months. Wouldn’t it be better to stay and see it?”

The Emperor, who had suffered a great mental shock from the civil war, had expressed his intention to abdicate. Accordingly, Jo Won-rak, who had been officially appointed as the Crown Prince, was scheduled to be crowned in two months.

King Biryu, who had left only a few escort units behind and sent most of his troops back home, was planning to stay and see his son-in-law’s coronation and wedding, but Luke’s thoughts were different.

“The expedition has taken longer than I expected. I cannot leave the kingdom empty any longer.”

He had prevented the Song Empire from falling into Arsen’s hands, and he had tracked down and eliminated all the black magicians who had been supporting Hwang Bo-gwang over the past month, so there was no reason for him to stay here any longer. Above all, as the Southern Continent expedition had exceeded three months, the knights and soldiers were also starting to want to return home.

‘The one thing that’s disappointing is that I didn’t find any traces of Arsen here.’

He had planned to capture and kill him if he was on the Southern Continent, but even the black magicians did not know his whereabouts. According to the captured men, they had not been able to contact him for some time, and they did not know the reason themselves. If the statement that they had not been able to contact him was true, Luke thought that it might be somewhat related to the fact that he had defeated Arsen last time.

“Tsk, well, if that’s the case, there’s nothing we can do. Instead, how about forming an alliance between the Symphonia Kingdom, the Song Empire, and our Yemaek?”

“There’s no reason to refuse that.”

Luke, King Biryu, and Jo Won-rak formed an alliance to confront the danger of Arsen. They decided to send envoys to each other’s countries to exchange information regularly and to provide active assistance, including dispatching troops, in the event of a crisis. Frankly, this alliance was first proposed by King Biryu and Jo Won-rak, who had learned of Arsen’s existence while interrogating the rebels.

Arsen, who alone possessed enough power to wash the Southern Continent in blood, and the black mages of the Veritas Magic Tower.

They believed that Luke’s help was crucial to stop those who might once again extend their dark influence over the Southern Continent.

In response, Luke formed a four-way alliance, including the Holy Artenia Empire.

This four-way alliance not only involved information exchange and military cooperation but also restructured trade relations between the countries.

After discussing matters such as tariff reductions, increased trade volume, and securing settlements for merchants among the allied nations, they signed the agreement.

“But are you really not going to consider a royal marriage with our Yemaek? I have another fine daughter besides So-hye.”

“Our Song Imperial Family also wishes to be connected to Your Majesty Luke by blood.”

King Biryu and Jo Won-rak, having witnessed the power of Luke and the Symphonia Kingdom’s army, had persistently proposed royal marriages to Luke over the past month.

While an alliance was beneficial, a royal marriage would be akin to becoming one family.

However, Luke firmly shook his head.

“I am already married, and I have no intention of creating a harem.”

One of the reasons Luke was hurrying to return was the issue of royal marriages.

He really didn’t want to do it, but the two kept pressing him.

Even the Red Dragon King, Lee Yung-mu, subtly tried to introduce his great-granddaughter.

“Then, it can’t be helped. If you change your mind later, please contact us anytime.”

‘I won’t be contacting you for such a thing,’ Luke thought inwardly, before leaving Daeryang the next day with the Symphonia Kingdom’s army.

3

The size of the Symphonia Kingdom’s army had increased since their departure.

The fairies who had initially come to the Southern Continent to assist Jo Won-rak had joined, and many of the former warriors, previously known as the Divine Army or Blood Band, had decided to follow Luke instead of returning to their homelands.

Most of them were young ronin [masterless samurai], and they harbored a strong desire for a new world they had never seen.

“I heard there are no sects in the Northern Continent?”

“I heard it’s like Yamatai [an ancient Japanese kingdom], where warriors are under the control of a lord.”

“Watch me, I will rebuild the Ilwol Sect in my new land!”

“But it seems you’re not the only one trying to revive a ruined sect.”

At one warrior’s gesture, his companions looked at those following Hwang Bo-sung.

They were the warriors of the Hwangbo family, who had been isolated this time.

As they could no longer operate within the Song Empire due to the imperial decree, Hwangbo In handed over the family head’s seal and some of the family’s secret manuals to Hwang Bo-sung.

He decided to entrust the family’s future to his third son, who had chosen to settle in a foreign land.

It was a kind of branch family, and he hoped that Hwang Bo-sung or his son would one day return to the Central Plains martial world and restore the family’s fallen reputation.

Jincheon and some elders, along with talented young warriors of the family, decided to go to the Symphonia Kingdom together.

Hwang Bo-sung, who had refused to inherit the family, could not refuse his father’s request.

“Your Majesty, with this many, we could create several more knight orders as regular units, wouldn’t you say?”

At Shirley’s words, Luke grinned.

The highest virtue of a knight was martial prowess.

There were quite a few among the former warriors who were excellent in martial arts.

“You’re right. The military personnel will be quite pleased. The finance minister will grumble about the money going out, though.”

Still, there was a gift that could appease the finance minister’s complaints.

It was the increase in trade due to the formation of the four-way alliance and the treasures gifted by the Song Imperial Family as a token of gratitude.

Most of the treasures were from the imperial palace’s vault, and many were rare items that seemed to be related to the ancient Avalon Empire.

‘They’re more than enough to cover the expedition costs… but somehow, there are some I don’t want to sell,’ Luke thought.

In particular, Luke was deeply interested in a secret book called the “Record of Light Arts.”

It was said to be a record left by Shin-in Hee-chang, a figure from the ancient Southern Continent, and it contained Hee-chang’s martial arts and Taoist techniques.

According to the Song Imperial Family’s eunuch, Hwang Bo-gwang had also learned a martial art from it, which was probably the Extinguishing Heavenly Flame Palm or something he had shown when fighting Hwang Bo-sung.

‘If I study it well, it might be a great help in eliminating Arsen,’ Luke thought.

Luke was returning in a good mood like this.

While heading to the northern port of Yeosun, where the Oster was docked, he received a long-distance magic communication from Prime Minister Hans in the Symphonia Kingdom.

– Your Majesty, have you been well?

“I’m doing well, having achieved my purpose in the Southern Continent and on my way back, but what’s the matter? It’s not yet time for our regular communication.”

Luke had promised his vassals to have regular communication with the Symphonia Royal Palace every fifteen days while on the Southern Continent expedition.

The vassals had wanted to do it at least every three days.

However, the amount of magic stones consumed in long-distance magic communication was not small, and above all, it was quite bothersome to catch the communication waves, so Luke pushed for doing it every fifteen days.

Of course, contacting Reina in the Holy Empire was an exception.

Anyway, it wasn’t yet time for regular communication, so he was puzzled that the Symphonia Royal Palace had initiated a magic communication.

‘Could something big have happened in the country?’

As he thought that, Duke Hans spoke with a slightly stiff tone.

– Actually, there is something urgent I need to tell Your Majesty.

“Something urgent?”

– Yes. Lord Belphar reported that he had personally investigated a Grain Merchant Guild trade fleet that had been acting suspiciously a month ago.

And Belphar’s report, after being out of contact for a while, was quite surprising.

He said he had found the location of the remnants of the Veritas Magic Tower, whom they had been searching for diligently.

“What? You found the hideout of the Veritas Magic Tower remnants? Where is it?” Luke asked, grinding his teeth.

To him, Arsen’s Veritas Magic Tower was an irreconcilable enemy that he had to pursue relentlessly and destroy.

– Surprisingly, they were hiding in the Sea of Death, the Hell Archipelago, located between the two continents.

Then, Hans told him in detail the story he had heard from Belphar.

After listening to his story, Luke clicked his tongue.

“Huh! I never even considered the Hell Archipelago.”

To find the remnants of the Veritas Magic Tower, he had mobilized the intelligence department and the fairies to search the two continents and nearby islands.

However, the Hell Archipelago was an exception.

It was because the surrounding waters were so treacherous that it was called the Sea of Death.

It was the same even when Luke was the Demon King Seymon.

Even then, the Sea of Death was considered a forbidden place, one of the most forbidden places, due to its terrible reputation, where humans did not dare to venture.

To think they were hiding there!

– But according to Lord Belphar, the remnants are currently relocating the magic tower.

“Relocating?”

– Yes, I don’t know why, but they were fully loading personnel and supplies onto dozens of trade fleets. It looked like they were moving.

“Grrr! We must hurry and strike before they go somewhere else.”

They had luckily discovered their hideout.

He thought that he had to catch them for sure before they hid in another location.

“Immediately send the navy to track down those who have already left. I will go to the Sea of Death!”

– Understood, Your Majesty.

After ending the magic communication, Luke ordered the troops to march at full speed.

At this, the Gigantes [large, powerful constructs] and the trailers carrying the troops began to move at full speed.

The Blood Band and the warriors of the Hwangbo family were to be taken care of by Zhuge Soha and Hwang Bo-sung and follow at a slower pace.

Whoosh!

The Oster, carrying the Symphonia army, sped through the rough sea.

It was originally a fast ship, but when Luke urged it to go at full speed, it was able to traverse the sea twice as fast as when it came to the Southern Continent.

“We must be careful from here, as the Sea of Death begins here,” said the captain, a seasoned sailor.

Luke nodded.

If a ship sank in the Sea of Death, it would be difficult for him to save all his subordinates, no matter how capable he was.

So, the Oster, reducing its speed, cautiously headed towards the entrance of the Sea of Death, where they could find a familiar figure.

It was Belphar, riding a sperm whale.

Belphar had gone to the Symphonia Kingdom to report and then rushed back here to monitor them.

“It’s been a while, my lord!”

At Belphar’s greeting, who had almost flown onto the deck of the Oster, Luke nodded and asked.

“Are they still on the island?”

“The first trade fleet that entered has already set sail, and the second trade fleet that entered is still staying on the island.”

They were probably loading personnel and supplies onto the ships right now.

“Fortunately, it’s not too late yet.”

“My lord, will you wait for them here? Or will you attack the island?”

At Belphar’s question, Luke thought for a moment and then made a decision.

“It would be more advantageous to operate troops and Gigantes on the island rather than at sea. We will attack them on the island.”

“Then, I will lead the way, please follow me.”

Belphar, who had already crossed the Sea of Death on a sperm whale, led the way, and the Oster was able to pass through the Sea of Death easily, avoiding reefs and sea monsters.

As they cut through the eerie gray fog and the dark sea, islands made of jagged cliffs appeared.

The ship circled around the islands and approached Thanatos Island from the rear.

Whoosh!

Luke, who had flown into the sky with Fly magic, activated Hawk Eye magic.

Then, he began to see the sight of carriages lined up at the pier on the opposite side of the island and black mages loading personnel and supplies.

‘Grrr! It’s definitely the Veritas guys!’

Although it was quite a distance, Luke could tell at once that they were mages of the Veritas Magic Tower just by the aura they were emitting.

In particular, one of them had a considerable aura, and he wondered if it was Arsen, but unfortunately, it was not.

‘Is it a Meister [master mage] of the Veritas Magic Tower?’

He thought that someone with that level of skill would be at least a Meister.

However, the mage Luke sensed was Nesta, the former Meister.

He had sent his son Albert’s body, who had died in Belphar’s counterattack, to Arsen and remained to clean up the Hell Archipelago.

‘Well, whoever it is, they’re someone I have to eliminate anyway,’ Luke thought.

To Luke, the Veritas guys were pests that had to be completely eradicated.

Whether they were skilled or not, there was no need to know the details of the pests’ identities.

‘But I’ll try to capture them first. Someone with your level of skill will know quite a bit about Arsen,’ Luke decided.

Having made that decision, Luke returned to the Oster and began a strategy meeting with Renard, Shirley, and other commanders.

“Are the black mages on that island the same group that attacked Enbury City and the southern cities?”

“That’s right, Countess Shirley. They are the remnants of the Veritas Magic Tower. Lord Belphar has been tracking them down all this time.”

At Luke’s explanation, the commanders’ expressions quickly changed.

They had wondered why the king had suddenly hurried his return, but it was for this reason!

Quite a few were surprised, but none were afraid.

Rather, they saw it as a good opportunity to retaliate for the previous attack.

In fact, the commanders and most of the Imperial Guard were deeply ashamed of the attack. They felt useless because they had remained at the garrison while their comrades in the royal army were falling to protect the city.

By the time they had rushed to the scene, the King and Grand Duke Gregory had already resolved the situation.

‘This is a chance to make up for our shame.’

‘We can avenge our comrades!’

Luke addressed them, their eyes gleaming with determination.

“Even now, those cowards are running away like rats. We must wipe them out quickly.”

“Your Majesty, do you have a specific plan in mind?”

“I don’t think we need any tricks. The current situation is enough to push through with a straightforward approach.”

They hadn’t encountered a single enemy scout ship on their way here.

That’s how careless they were.

They believed that their ships couldn’t enter the Hell Islands, which were riddled with reefs and sea monsters.

“Your Majesty is right. First, after the Oster’s barrage, we’ll secure the coast with the Triton unit, then land the Gigant unit to wipe them out completely.”

Luke nodded at Count Renard’s suggestion.

“Good, I’ll provide the coordinates for the bombardment.”

Luke also planned to support the bombardment with magic attacks.

If the enemies were to gather and deploy defensive magic, the power of the bombardment would be reduced.

Of course, subduing the enemy’s Meister-level [Master-level] black mages was also a priority.

“And just in case, lay mines in the passages where they might escape before the attack.”

The mines created by Jegal Soha had been used to destroy the Grenada navy in the past.

Even after the war ended, production continued, and they were also loaded onto the Oster.

They had been brought in case there was a need to block the Song Empire’s naval port, but there had been no opportunity to use them.

But now, they were going to be used here.

“Your Majesty, I will take command of laying those mines.”

Belphar volunteered, and Luke nodded.

He had guided them this far, so he was judged to know the passages where the ships could escape well.

“Hurry up with the battle preparations as much as possible. The faster we move, the more of the rats that are disrupting the continent we can exterminate.”

“Yes, Your Majesty!”

With that, the strategy meeting ended.

The commanders, who had quickly dispersed, began to rush preparations for the revenge battle.

4

“Huuuugh—! Damn it!”

Nesta, who had returned to the pyramid after watching the loading work at the pier, sighed and downed a glass of liquor.

He had been drunk every day since Albert’s death.

He had sent the body because Arsen had said he would revive him, but it was of no comfort.

For a black mage, resurrection meant becoming a lich [an undead being].

Moreover, if one was resurrected by someone else after death, rather than becoming a lich on their own while alive, their consciousness and memories from their previous life would not be fully preserved.

It was the same as creating a puppet with Albert’s power and memories.

“How did I raise that guy… to go so vainly!”

Arsen and some of the elders considered Albert incompetent for not preventing the fall of the Magic Tower.

But Nesta didn’t think so.

He had thought that black magic research would be exposed to the world someday.

Of course, the plan was to take over the continent before that happened, but things had gone awry.

He couldn’t blame Albert for that.

In fact, how many times had Arsen’s plans gone wrong or failed?

“Grandfather, please stop drinking.”

As Nesta opened a new bottle of liquor, a young black mage beside him tried to dissuade him.

This black mage, Zehart, was Albert’s son, Nesta’s grandson.

His white magic was at the 5th circle level, which was not considered very high, even considering his young age.

It was because he had grown up consuming all sorts of elixirs to enhance his magic power, receiving special guidance as the son of a Meister [Master].

He had talent for magic, but no passion.

He was only interested in living comfortably on the foundation laid by his predecessors.

Still, he was very interested in making money, and he had shown his talent by growing the Grain Trading Company into one of the leading companies on the continent in a short period.

“Excessive drinking is not good for your health.”

“Shut up. What does it matter since I’ll become a lich anyway when I die?”

Nesta retorted bluntly, pouring whiskey into his glass.

“By the way, what about what I told you to find out?”

“Are you talking about the assassin who killed my father? I’ve gathered all the information coming out of the continent’s ports through the trading company, but there’s been no progress.”

There were no ships that had passed by the Hell Islands at the time, and no castaways had been rescued from the sea.

“Perhaps he used all his strength in the fight with my father and died after falling into the sea while escaping. Or maybe he was severely injured and became food for sea monsters.”

“Hmph, I guess so. My son wasn’t someone who would die so easily.”

Zehart cautiously spoke to Nesta, who was wearing a bitter smile.

“But I’m not sure if it’s okay. If they were able to infiltrate spies this far, it means that there are people outside who have some idea of our identity.”

“So?”

Nesta glared at him, and Zehart, who had flinched for a moment, calmly continued.

“I told you last time… it’s not too late, so how about sending out scout ships around the Hell Islands and tightening the security?”

“Hmph, what in the middle of leaving!”

Nesta grumbled at Zehart’s request, slamming his glass down and raising his voice.

“We’re short one ship to carry the cargo right now, and you want to send out ships for no reason to stop a few rats from sneaking in? It’s better to move quickly!”

“But just in case…”

“What do you mean, ‘just in case’! You’re too cautious for no reason! A young man should know how to move boldly…”

KWA-AAANG!

Nesta was about to scold his grandson when a huge explosion suddenly silenced him.

Nesta, who had instantly sobered up, jumped up, opened the window, and looked at the port where the explosion had occurred.

“What the hell is going on?”

KWA-BANG! BOOM! KWA-KWA-KWANG—!

As if waiting for his words, explosions erupted again, and pillars of fire shot up from various parts of the pier.

Ships docked at the port were being destroyed and burned, and people engulfed in flames were jumping out of the black smoke-emitting buildings and into the sea.

A rain of steel and fire continued to pour down on the heads of those who were screaming.

“W-what is this…!?”

“It seems someone knows about this place and is attacking.”

At Zehart’s words, Nesta snapped back.

“Who doesn’t know that! What kind of bastards dare to do this!”

Zehart sighed inwardly.

It seemed that a country or organization related to the rat that had assassinated his father last time had stepped forward.

Did his grandfather really not know what he knew so well?

That couldn’t be.

He had just lost his cool, his cold reason, due to the grief of losing his son.

“As far as I know, there are only three countries that possess a fleet capable of such intense bombardment: Grenada, the Holy Empire, and the Kingdom of Castille.”

He had heard that the Kingdom of Symphonia was also focusing on strengthening its naval power recently.

However, he didn’t think that a country that had just started building its navy would have advanced this far into the sea.

Luke’s expedition to the Southern Continent was kept strictly secret, and the existence of the Oster was also treated as classified, so Zehart couldn’t help but misunderstand.

“Grrr! Then it must be the Holy Empire. Those guys are always eager to catch black mages!”

As Nesta gritted his teeth with fire in his eyes, Zehart quickly advised.

“We need to get out of the Sea of the Dead first.”

They could fight here.

However, the Sea of the Dead had only one entrance, and if that was blocked, they would be in danger of being isolated.

“Hmph, what do you mean, escape! I’ll kill all the temple lackeys with my own hands!”

Nesta, who had released a murderous aura, flew to the pier despite Zehart’s dissuasion.

Zehart sighed at his appearance.

“He’s completely lost his mind.”

Zehart was already married, so he understood Nesta’s feelings.

He also held resentment for his father’s death and despised the hypocritical followers of God.

However, he thought that someone in his grandfather’s position shouldn’t live in a drunken stupor or lose their reason.

There were still many undead and dependents who had not been moved to the new base.

Moreover, if the leader went berserk with revenge in a situation where everything was in chaos due to the enemy’s surprise attack, the subordinates would have no choice but to die.

“Young Master Zehart, where is the former Meister…?”

“Where is Nesta?”

“The situation is urgent! Communication magic isn’t working because of a large-scale mana disturbance!”

While Zehart was sighing, the Magic Tower elders rushed over and chattered.

After hesitating for a moment about what to say, he gave an answer that the elders could accept.

“Grandfather has gone to the pier first. He ordered us to bring the undead and disciples, as he will face the enemies there.”

“I understand, we will do so.”

After sending the elders away with a fabricated message, Zehart gathered a few valuables and documents and headed north of the island.

There was a cave hidden by rocks on the north coast, and a ship was always waiting inside.

It was a ship he had prepared a few years ago to escape in case of an emergency like this.

‘By now, the pier will be under concentrated attack. Judging by the bombardment, a large-scale landing will soon follow.’

If it was the Holy Empire army, they would surely go for a thorough annihilation battle.

With incomplete undead, and with a significant number already moved, they were no match for the Paladins or priests who mainly used divine power.

‘I need to get out of here so I can tell the progenitor [Arsen] what happened here, right?’

He didn’t have even a speck of guilt about leaving his grandfather and the Magic Tower people behind.

They were the ones who had despised him for not having a passion for magic and had laughed at him behind his back, so he didn’t care what happened to them.

“Since they are so capable, they can get out on their own. I, who am incapable, will leave first.”

Zehart scoffed as he looked back at the pier.

He was quick-witted, and he hurried north.