Emperor’s Sword [EN]: Chapter 105

The tightly wound spring seemed to have loosened. Baroque was no different from a doll, unable to move, think, or judge. The sharpness he had shown on the airship was dulled and nowhere to be seen, and it seemed his vacant eyes would remain even if someone held a knife to his throat.

Anyone who had faced him even once would not be able to dismiss their doubts. Pachaen and Ramirez looked to Meyer, urging him to unravel the mystery.

Meyer clearly seemed flustered. He tried hard to appear calm, but it only made him look more unnatural.

“It seems you need to explain,” Ramirez’s voice was low and soft, but the meaning of his interrogation was clear.

Meyer avoided the gazes of Pachaen and Ramirez, who were almost certain that he was the one who had done this. But only for a moment, before he began to explain, as if he were wronged.

“You suspect me? But I am innocent. I am just as curious as you are as to why Baroque is in this state.” “Explain how this man came to be in Euclid.” “That… I cannot say.” Not everyone who can be bold in a crisis can be called courageous. Pachaen thought Meyer was being very brazen. Making excuses would not solve the problem.

Pachaen vowed not to let this matter slide. If there was no fault, there was nothing to hide, nor should there be. He had to prove his own innocence.

“I will not let this matter pass. I will inform all the warriors about Baroque’s condition. And I will watch how the Warrior Council handles it.” Pachaen had his own reasons for saying this. If it was only related to Meyer himself, he would not want it to be further escalated.

In such a case, it would not be difficult to hear what he wanted to know. If Baroque’s matter became known to the outside, it would cause unnecessary misunderstandings and could tarnish the honor of the warriors. Moreover, how could he face his sworn brother, Euclid?

However, if it was related to the entire Euclid Warrior Corps and Euclid himself was involved, the situation would become more complicated.

Given that he had vehemently dissuaded Ramirez from going to see Euclid, that possibility seemed unlikely. Pachaen waited to see how Meyer would get out of this crisis.

“Please believe in my innocence. I am truly wronged.” The moment Pachaen and Ramirez mentioned Baroque, Meyer felt that what he had been expecting had finally arrived. Until now, he had not had any trouble because of this matter. But it had always remained a source of inner anxiety.

“But shouldn’t you just explain in detail?” Meyer sighed deeply and began to make excuses.

“Alright, I will tell you. When I first met Baroque, he was injured. He is sometimes in this dazed state, but at other times he is relatively normal. I also want to know why he became like this.

It seems you two suspect that I made him like this, but it really has nothing to do with me. I was just taking care of Baroque.” “Then why did you try to hide it? If you are innocent, there seems to be no reason to avoid it being known to the outside.” “That is absolutely not possible. There are circumstances, so please turn a blind eye to it. Ramirez-nim, do you not trust me? I have never done anything to tarnish the honor of a warrior.” Ramirez simply ignored Meyer’s attempt to convey sincerity with his earnest gaze.

“That’s why I’m telling you to talk. If it’s something that requires secrecy, I’ll keep it to the end, so don’t worry.” Meyer knew that once Ramirez became stubborn, it was hard to dissuade him. Although he had not experienced it directly, he had heard it many times from his sworn brother, Euclid.

Meyer, knowing that he could no longer do anything about it, quickly showed a look of resignation on his face.

“Huu, instead… you must keep the secret.” “Of course. My lips are heavier than you think.” Meyer hesitated, opening and closing his mouth. Ramirez, frustrated by waiting for Meyer’s explanation, jumped up.

“This won’t do. I need to meet Euclid and resolve this.” “W-what are you doing? Do you have to see me die to feel better?” Ramirez looked down at Meyer, who was clinging to his sleeve, with a cold gaze.

“What will you do?” “Alright. I’ll tell you everything, so… please sit down first.” It was clear that Meyer was more afraid of Ramirez going to Euclid than the secret being revealed. There seemed to be something going on.

“Actually, I didn’t even know it was Baroque at first. The first place I saw him was… in the secret temple of Belgersus, one of the seven tribes. All the leaders of the Five Great Warrior Corps and key figures were invited.” “Belgersus invited the leaders of the Five Great Warrior Corps?” “Yes.” “That’s unusual.” “It was to discuss one matter. You must keep this a secret.” “Oh, I said I understand.” “As you know, it’s been quite a while since there was any interaction between the seven tribes, hasn’t it?” “That’s right.” “Their relationship seemed to be more serious than what we thought from the outside. Why else would they ask us for help?” “Get to the point.” At Ramirez’s urging, Meyer paused for a moment. He was clearly trying to choose his words carefully. He needed to be that cautious. Meyer thought that even a single slip of the tongue could trigger a bomb.

“Belgersus was facing a crisis at the time. It might seem like nothing, but if it developed in the wrong direction, Belgersus itself could be destroyed.

I don’t know the exact route… but they had a treasure. And it turned out to be from the Dragon Clan.

When it was revealed that the treasure they had acquired by chance was from the Dragon Clan, Belgersus was flustered. They thought about returning it, but they seemed afraid of being misunderstood.” It was understandable. The Dragon Clan, the strongest of the seven tribes, was incomparably different from the other six tribes. Moreover, they were known for their fiery and simple nature, and Belgersus knew better than anyone that excuses would not work with them.

So, they gathered all the leaders of the Five Great Warrior Corps, with whom they had a friendly relationship, to deal with the treasure. Although the Five Great Warrior Corps were in competition, there was a strong sense of camaraderie among them. Although they seemed to be in conflict and confrontation on the surface, the leaders and key figures actually had deep friendships.

“So, what happened?” “We decided to keep the treasure for a while. Even if the Dragon Clan found out about this, Belgersus might be misunderstood, but it was unlikely that we would be.” “I suppose so. No one but the seven tribes would be able to recognize that it was a Dragon Clan’s treasure. But what was that treasure that caused such a fuss?” “That is something I really cannot tell you. It has nothing to do with Baroque, so I will only talk about matters related to him.” Ramirez clicked his tongue.

“I was looking around the secret temple at the time. It was a very beautiful place. I was admiring the scenery here and there when I got lost…” He had lost his way. It was as if he had come to another world, the scenery changed, and jagged mountain peaks filled his vision.

He was standing on the top of a mountain covered in mist. When a cliff so high that the bottom could not be seen appeared right in front of him, Meyer was bewildered, not knowing what had happened.

He turned back and wandered for a long time. How long had he wandered in the thick fog and stuffy humidity that confused his vision? He had flown in the air and quickly looked around, but the secret temple he had to return to was nowhere to be seen.

“I realized that it was a different space. There was an exit to another space in the secret temple of Belgersus.” “So?” Meyer used all the methods he knew to find the exit of the overlapping space.

When he could not find it, he felt dejected and decided to find out where this place was. It was purely by chance that something caught his eye.

It was something he had not found even after looking around several times. It was cleverly disguised, but it was clearly installed to hide the entrance to some place. Meyer was convinced that it led to the secret temple.

When he opened the moss-covered lid, a chill that assaulted his entire body rushed out. Meyer hesitated for a while whether to go in or not. But when he realized that there was no other way, the only option was to bravely step inside.

“A long, long passage appeared. As I went inside, the only thing I could confirm was the traces of long years everywhere. After walking for a while, I came to a large plaza. It was then that I realized that it was not an exit.” Meyer went to the center of the plaza. There was a pond with clear blue water, and in the middle of it, a blue flame of a much darker color was burning on the surface of the water. Meyer stared at the strange scenery, momentarily losing his mind.

Realizing his situation, Meyer immediately examined every corner of the plaza. He found nothing. Dejected, Meyer turned to walk back out. It was then.

“The pond began to bubble and something popped out.” “What was it?” “I don’t know. I still don’t know what it was.” What Meyer saw was a black object. That was the only way he could describe it. It was not a spirit. Nor was it a beast. Yet, it moved and spoke. It seemed unaffected by the blue flame, entering it and hiding itself.

“What did you talk about?” “He said he would save me.” “Oh, my…” Ramirez began to find Meyer’s increasingly strange story a bit absurd.

“I was dumbfounded.” Meyer ignored the strange creature’s words and tried to get out. But he couldn’t. Whether it was the creature’s ability or not, he couldn’t take a single step.

Panicked, Meyer shouted and resisted. It didn’t take long for him to realize that all of it was useless.

“He offered to save me, but he set one condition.” “Could that condition… be related to Baroque?” “That’s right. He entrusted two of them to me. He was one of them.” “And the other one?” “He didn’t last long and died. Baroque, as you can see, is a bit strange, but he has been doing well so far.” “So, you obediently took Baroque and left that place as that strange creature told you to?” “I… had no other choice. If I had refused, I wouldn’t have been able to get out of there.” “Why didn’t you tell Euclid about this? Was it because of your promise with that creature?” “That’s one reason, but anyway… I begged for my life in a humiliating way.” He spoke briefly, but it gave a glimpse of what kind of experiences he had in that place.

“As a warrior of the Euclid Warrior Corps… I have tarnished my honor. I was really… scared. That place… was like hell. My abilities were useless there, in front of that monstrous creature. I was less than a wriggling worm.” Warriors tend to be rigid and simple. As he himself expressed, begging for his life was something he could never reveal, a disgrace from his point of view.

“What did that creature want? Was it just to accompany Baroque?” “Yes, he told me to take him and use him as a subordinate. He said he could be used very usefully. Until now, no one has recognized Baroque. Even if they did, they wouldn’t have thought much of it.” Pachaen looked at Baroque again. A vacant gaze. All Pachaen could feel was that Baroque was not normal.

“You said one of them died? Why did he die?” “I don’t know. He suddenly had a seizure and just… died.” “So, what did you do?” “Baroque took him out. I followed him and he buried him in the ground.” “Buried him in the ground?” “Yes.” Spirits do not have funerals. There was no custom of burying dead spirits. Pachaen had a strange feeling.

“So, what were you going to do? Were you going to bury Baroque’s matter like this?” “Then what else could I do? I tried to treat Baroque and find out what was going on, but… I failed every time. And anyway, Baroque was a capable and loyal subordinate who blindly obeyed my orders.

So… I stopped trying to investigate further. The more I dwelled on it, the more I was reminded of what happened back then… so I stopped.” Pachaen looked at Baroque with pity, who had to live without his past and even his will.

“Is there no way to treat him?” At Pachaen’s question, Ramirez tilted his head, neither affirming nor denying.

“Well… I don’t know yet.” “If we go back to the secret temple of Belgersus, can we find that exit?” “I don’t know. I know the general location, but I can’t guarantee that I can find it again.” It was a memory he never wanted to recall, so Meyer was in pain even while speaking. What he was worried and afraid of was that this fact would be known to Euclid.

Euclid had always been proud of his sworn brothers. If he were to find out about this, how disappointed would he be? Meyer wanted to prevent that at all costs.

“Baroque.” Pachaen called again. There was no response from Baroque.

“Has he been like this often?” “Sometimes… not very often. After a certain amount of time, he would return to normal.” “Does he not know who he is at all?” “I told him… but he didn’t seem interested. Baroque is very simple. He only follows my instructions. He doesn’t pay attention to the orders of others.” “Have you not thought about the purpose of that strange creature sending Baroque with you?” “Of course, I was worried. But since there have been no problems so far…” Pachaen also thought about why that creature had sent Baroque with Meyer.

The answer did not come. As of now, he could not guess anything. To find out the creature’s intentions, he had no choice but to watch Baroque for a while longer.

Faced with an unexpected result, neither Pachaen nor Ramirez could quickly decide what to do. Since Baroque’s condition was not normal, it did not seem like a good idea to separate him from Meyer.

“Are you going to keep this a secret from Euclid until the end?” “If I could… I would like to.” As long as there were no problems, it was the best choice and wish for him. Meyer had no intention of making things complicated. Meyer pleaded with Ramirez and Pachaen several times to keep the secret.

The problem was Baroque’s former subordinates. They wanted to know why Baroque was ignoring them. And if possible, they wanted to revive the Baroque Warrior Corps as it was before.

‘The Baroque warriors were attacked. Was it a simple coincidence, or was it a planned event by someone? If it was planned, why would they do this? There’s nothing to gain from this.’ Even if Baroque was needed, there was no reason to kill his subordinates. They were just ordinary warriors with no significance. No matter how he thought about it, it was full of incomprehensible things.

Ramirez poked and prodded Baroque several times to check his condition, but nothing changed.

“Let’s watch him for now. If you find anything strange, please contact us.” With those words, Pachaen stood up, and Ramirez also left the place. Even then, Baroque’s unfocused gaze remained the same.

Ananda, who had heard all of Pachaen’s explanation, had a serious expression. Ramirez told him not to worry about the matter anymore.

“There’s nothing more to think about. It doesn’t seem like something we need to use our divine powers for. And no matter how pitiful the Baroque warriors are, don’t get involved any further. It’s just a waste of time.” Pachaen could not let go of his feelings so easily. Ananda also had the same thoughts as Ramirez.

“It seems we won’t be able to find out anything without going to the secret temple of Belgersus. Or unless we treat Baroque and bring him back to his senses.” “Shall we go to Belgersus?” At Pachaen’s sudden suggestion, Ramirez waved his hand.

“There’s no time for that. You just focus on what you have to do. Don’t get involved in unnecessary things.” “What are you going to do now? Are you going to Meden?” Ananda could not easily let go of his worries.

“I’m going to watch the situation a bit more before going.” “Do you really have to go there?” Pachaen questioned whether he really had to go to the Metheus Stone Tower. He couldn’t shake the feeling that it was a waste of time.

Ananda felt the same way. He was following the guardian’s instructions, but there were some suspicious parts. However, he could not doubt Ramirez. He was also worried about whether they could go there and back without any problems.

Without the permission of the Round Table, they could not even go near the Metheus Stone Tower.

There was a huge stone field in the center of Meden where the Round Table was held, and they could not go to the river without passing through it. Moreover, the area was heavily guarded, so even Ramirez would have difficulty going back and forth without being noticed.

“Will they allow us?” “We’ll make them.” Pachaen silently watched Ramirez, who seemed confident as if he had some secret plan.

‘How great would it be if all the unsolved mysteries were solved there? If the traces of the Sohoja remain there, there’s nothing to lose by going. Right now, time is not that important. It’s more important to distinguish between what is certain and what is not. I’m sure we’ll find some clues.’ Pachaen decided to think as positively as possible. Even if the night seems long, morning will come someday.

Pachaen, Ramirez, and Ananda entered a room where the leaders of the Five Great Warrior Corps were gathered. They stood up and greeted Pachaen’s group with courtesy.

“Welcome. I hope your stay has been comfortable?” It was Eier, the leader of the Eier Warrior Corps. He was a gentle man. Pachaen’s preconceived notions about warriors were generally filled with images of stubborn, eccentric, and rough individuals. Of course, this did not apply to Anshangte, but that was generally how they were perceived.

In that respect, these leaders of the Five Great Warrior Corps had completely shattered Pachaen’s thoughts. Their ordinary appearances and gentle expressions played a part. In particular, Eier’s tone was so polite that he did not seem like a warrior just by his appearance.

“What brings you to us?” At Ananda’s polite question, Euclid answered.

“We have gathered you here to ask for a favor.” Euclid’s overall demeanor was cold, but his eyes held warmth. Ramirez wore a disgruntled expression. “A favor? What could you possibly need to ask of us?” Eier explained, “We have gathered you here to ask for your mediation with Meden.” “Mediation?” “Whether they want it or not, we will proceed with our plans as scheduled. This will inevitably lead to a clash with Meden. The result will be disastrous. It will lead to an outcome that no one desires. We should negotiate directly, but as you know… dialogue with them is impossible. The differences in our positions are too clear, and there seems to be no room for compromise.” “Knowing that, you’re asking us to mediate? Besides, what ability do we have to mediate?” “You two are capable. Here’s what we think. What we want is not so much practical gain, but justification. If Meden doesn’t intentionally oppress us, we can accept any demands. However, it must not be outwardly visible. What we want is just one thing: for Meden to tacitly allow the formation of the Warrior Council and, furthermore, to officially recognize it.” “Goodness, isn’t Meden’s position that they can’t tolerate that… isn’t there no room for negotiation?” “No. What do you think they truly want?” “They want to prove that they represent the Limitless [a term for their world or society]. And they’ll use this opportunity to break the spirit of the warriors they’ve been planning to suppress.” “I think so too. Even if the council is formed, if their current status remains unchanged and we acknowledge it… the situation could change.” It was a remarkable statement. Warriors were no less prideful than practitioners [those who use magic or spiritual energy]. Yet, for them to speak like that meant they had emptied their minds. If an external enemy hadn’t appeared, they wouldn’t have humbled themselves to this extent. In some ways, these warriors might be purer than the practitioners of Meden. They wanted to protect it. This was the common thought among the leaders of the Five Great Warrior Corps. The conflicts between warriors so far had been nothing more than tests of strength. There could be differences in how they respected each other. Warriors confirmed their existence through combat. That was the essence of life as they saw it. The moment the warriors, who seemed like they could never unite, temporarily set aside their pride and began to acknowledge each other, they returned as one entity belonging to the Limitless. For the sake of the precious land they had to protect, the warriors had decided to put aside their pride for a while. Pachaen saw no falsehood in their eyes, only truth. Ramirez praised them, genuinely surprised. “Amazing, truly amazing. If that’s possible… Meden won’t make any more unreasonable demands. Yes, that’s right.” “This is just our intention. It’s not the intention of the entire Warrior Council. There will be many other leaders who will maintain a hardline stance. Also, the more Meden pressures us, the more those who sympathize with them will increase. So, outwardly, we shouldn’t put forward any other conditions, just that one word: recognition of the Warrior Council. Other than that, we plan to internally coordinate and accept any demands from Meden. Even if they send practitioners to oversee us, we will comply, and if it’s not wrong, we are willing to follow their instructions with pleasure.” “To that extent?” “Yes.” “Hmm.” Summarizing Eier’s words, it seemed that on the surface, Meden would be raising the warriors’ pride by recognizing the Warrior Council and placing them on an equal footing, but in reality, it meant they would be submitting to Meden. It was a decision that could not have been made without a cold and objective assessment of their own capabilities. If the discord between Meden and the warriors, which was considered the biggest obstacle, could be resolved, and further, if unity could be achieved, the power of the Limitless could be maximized. As of now, it didn’t seem too difficult. “Good. Leave this to me. Even if there are difficulties, I will see it through to the end.” Ramirez, who rarely made hasty promises, was speaking loudly because he was moved by the noble decision of the five warrior leaders. The more one has, the harder it is to let go of greed. Could someone who has tasted the advantages of power empty their mind and go under someone else for the sake of the greater good? That was what Ramirez admired. “Thank you. A messenger from Meden will arrive soon.” Ananda was inwardly pleased with the leaders’ decision, but her heart was still heavy. Pachaen was thinking the same thing. “What are your plans for dealing with the warriors who have different opinions? I’d like to ask if you have any specific measures in place.” Rommel answered. “In the end, I believe they will follow our intentions. The reason for forming the council was to unite the divided forces of the warriors and to keep those with impure intentions in check. In that process, we came to the conclusion that we had no choice but to join forces with Meden. We have sought a way to achieve our desired goals without damaging our pride as much as possible. So far, most, if not all, practitioners have criticized and ignored the warriors, and on top of that, they have been slandering us as a group that should leave the Limitless. A prime example is the Great Practitioner Capo. We couldn’t stand this biased view. Even the general entities outwardly fear us, but due to the influence of the practitioners, they tend to look down on us. We know it well. The reason why the warriors could unite so easily was because of the resentment that had been building up for a long time. If we had our way, we would want to fight Meden, but… that would lead to an irreversible outcome that would destroy us all. What we want is not that big. To be recognized as members of the Limitless. To be willingly accepted as comrades to face the difficulties ahead. If the arrogant practitioners of Meden recognize the Warrior Council… the resentment we’ve held so far could be somewhat resolved.” ‘The resentment towards the warriors seems quite deep. Didn’t even Ananda consider the warriors as the ones the advance team should be most wary of? In my view… it seems that the warriors, rather than the practitioners, think of the Limitless with a purer heart. Those who give up their greed for the greater good are the ones the Limitless needs.’ Pachaen looked at the five leaders with a new perspective. However, no matter how noble their intentions and how selfless they were, there was no guarantee that they would overcome all the obstacles ahead. If a chairman emerged from among them, it would be fine, but if an unexpected warrior became the chairman, everything could fall apart. Even if a chairman was chosen, if the Warrior Council was run like a subordinate organization following Meden’s orders, the warriors would rebel, and in the end, division would be fostered. ‘Considering the importance of the Five Great Warrior Corps, that won’t happen.’ The leaders were well aware of the situation where they couldn’t just relax. They had already reached an agreement among themselves, but they hadn’t even informed their close aides of this fact. That’s how difficult it was for the warriors to accept. “A meeting to elect a chairman will be held shortly. The Five Great Warrior Corps have decided to jointly nominate a single representative. If nothing goes wrong, the representative we nominate will be elected as chairman.” Eckhardt’s words surprised Pachaen’s group. They were curious about who they had chosen as their representative. “Though I am inadequate, I have been entrusted with this important task.” It was Eier. Pachaen nodded. He thought he was the right person. ‘Eier was playing a central role all along.’ Eier was a figure who was considered the best not only in terms of skill but also in terms of character and leadership among all the warriors in the central region. This was evident from the fact that the other four leaders had chosen him as their representative without any objections. “Please, the three of you, attend as well.” “Is it okay for us outsiders to attend?” At Pachaen’s words, Eier waved his hand as if it were absurd. “It would be disappointing if you said that. How can you be called outsiders?” Ramirez, embarrassed, let out an awkward laugh. “It’s nice of you to think that way… but don’t forget that we are practitioners.” ‘Why would he say that?’ Pachaen was about to scold him but stopped himself. “It would be fortunate if things go smoothly, but there will be many difficulties. From the moment you express your intentions, it’s best to be especially careful.” Ramirez also nodded. “I will. It won’t be easy. They… no, never mind.” Pachaen looked at Ramirez with suspicion as he trailed off. The warriors’ meeting was held again. It was a gathering to elect a chairman to represent the warriors, so the tension was even higher than before. The warriors, who knew very well that the nature and status of the council would change depending on who was elected as chairman, were busy coordinating their opinions. From the entrance of the meeting hall, one could feel the heated atmosphere. Pachaen, who had entered, whispered to Ramirez in a small voice. “If it’s Eier, he’ll be elected chairman without much opposition, right?” “We’ll see.” Ramirez neither affirmed nor denied it. There were those who looked at Pachaen, Ramirez, and Ananda with displeasure as they appeared in the meeting hall, but overall, they didn’t show much resistance. Pachaen, who was seated in the prepared seat, looked around. Then, he made eye contact with Stre. Stre sent him a smile that was hard to decipher. Pachaen, not wanting to deal with him, coldly ignored him. Rommel, who was the temporary chairman of today’s meeting, stood up and calmed the still noisy hall. “I believe you all know the detailed procedures, so I will refrain from mentioning them. First, please recommend candidates. You must receive recommendations from at least five council members to be officially registered as a candidate. Unless a disqualification is found, there are no special restrictions on candidate qualifications. Once registered as a candidate, there will be a brief question period. Candidates must be recommended within this meeting to be eligible. Please keep this in mind. If a candidate is unable to attend this meeting, they can register a proxy. In that case, the recommenders will be the guarantors. If there are two or more candidates, they will be decided by a duel, and the election of the chairman will be decided by a majority vote for the final victor. Are there any questions?” Stre stood up. All eyes were focused on him at once. Byrom, who was sitting next to him, also looked a bit surprised. “You said that if there are two or more candidates, they will be decided by a duel… can a proxy be used?” Pachaen couldn’t help but chuckle. It was natural that the meeting hall became noisy. It was absurd. Was it even possible to have a proxy in an important duel to decide the chairman? “That’s not allowed.” “I don’t think it’s something to be determined as not allowed.” Another warrior stood up. He was a bit far from where Stre was sitting. But Pachaen remembered him. ‘That guy is the one who was having a serious conversation with Stre near the entrance of the meeting hall earlier… what are they planning?’ Rommel was on edge. The warrior who had just spoken was not on good terms with him. “Beromjandu, what do you mean?” “For example, let’s say Leader Rommel is recommended as a candidate. If he sends one of his subordinates to the duel, there’s nothing wrong with that, is there?” “That won’t happen. Leader Berom, it seems your subordinates are more skilled than you… I’m not like that.” “Hahahaha.” “That’s right.” “Leader Berom, stop talking nonsense and sit down.” “What are you even suggesting?” There were jeers from all around, but Berom spoke his opinion without wavering. “There’s no reason to limit it. What if the candidate is unable to fight in the duel? Therefore, if we examine the qualifications of the proxy and there are no particular flaws, I don’t think there’s any problem. There’s no reason to add a clause that it must be the candidate themselves. Although, that’s unlikely to happen.” There was some logic to Berom’s words. Rommel looked at the four leaders sitting on his left and right. Euclid stood up. “What kind of conditions should we put on the qualifications of the proxy?” Berom seemed to think for a moment, then spoke without hesitation. “They must be a warrior. For example, it would not be acceptable to send a practitioner. Second, since it’s an important duel to elect the chairman, they must be someone with a confirmed identity. It would be difficult if they were not a well-known figure. If these two conditions are met, I don’t think there’s any problem with using a proxy.” “That’s a very agreeable opinion. But what if… if a proxy is elected as chairman, will they be able to fully fulfill that role? Who would recognize that person as the chairman of the council? Isn’t that right?” “That’s a separate issue. Surely, that wouldn’t actually happen? I’m just saying that since it’s possible, we shouldn’t limit the use of proxies.” There were many different opinions. In the end, perhaps because it wasn’t a very important issue, it was decided that proxies could participate in the duel. Pachaen felt uneasy for some reason. But he thought it was just a needless worry and buried it in his heart. “Now, let’s start receiving candidate recommendations.” It was the moment Rommel finished speaking. Euclid stood up from his seat. The hall was filled with tension because of who he was going to recommend. No one had thought that he would recommend someone, let alone be recommended himself. That was the case for all the leaders of the Five Great Warrior Corps. Well, they could recommend themselves. “I recommend Eier, the leader of the Eier Warrior Corps. Considering various factors, I believe he is the most suitable person.” At that moment, Eckhardt, Rommel, and Ockham stood up one after another and supported Eier. The hall was in an uproar. Looking at the situation, it seemed that the Five Great Warrior Corps were putting forward a single candidate, which meant that they had already reached an agreement among themselves. With things turning out this way, others thought that further recommendations were meaningless. Judging from the agitated atmosphere in the hall, there was a high possibility that a single candidate would be decided as is. There was also the reason that they didn’t want to go against the Five Great Warrior Corps, but it was obvious that they would be humiliated if they stepped forward. It was perhaps natural that the faces of some influential warriors showed signs of disappointment. “Is there no one else?” Rommel asked again to confirm. The hall was silent. No one recommended themselves. It seemed that there would be no further candidate recommendations. At this moment, Stre stood up. Who would it be? The tension in the hall was extremely high. “Eier is undoubtedly the right person to be the chairman of the Warrior Council. But… it’s a bit anticlimactic if the chairman is decided by a single candidate. So, I’d like to recommend someone. That person is…” Stre paused, sweeping his gaze across the hall, and the warriors’ eyes were all focused on his mouth. The only warriors who could compete with Eier were the other leaders of the Five Great Warrior Corps. Considering that, there was a lot of interest in who he would nominate. “It’s Leader Sultan of the Sultan Warrior Corps.” Sultan. Stre recommended him. Sultan, who had been silent on one side, had his arms crossed and his eyes closed. He didn’t seem surprised at all. Stre continued, “He was once a member of the Five Great Warrior Corps, so his abilities are beyond question. Even if we only consider his skills and leadership, I don’t think he is inferior to Eier.” Then, Graham, the leader of the Northern Corps, followed. “I also support Sultan.” He was a warrior who was also the teacher of Roy, who was now a colleague of Lazio. Following Graham’s brief expression of support, voices of recommendation followed from here and there, as if they had agreed beforehand.

This was an unexpected turn of events that no one had foreseen. Although Sultan had once been powerful enough to contend for a position in the Five Great Warrior Corps, his influence had waned significantly after Rommel took his place, and his reputation had faded. He was known for his terrible temper, even going so far as to disband his own followers in a fit of rage over not obtaining Barok [a highly coveted item or position].

It was puzzling that so many people would recommend such a man. The leaders of the Five Great Warrior Corps exchanged bewildered glances as they watched this unfold.

Of course, Sultan’s abilities were not significantly lacking. However, even at the height of his power, there was a clear gap between him and Eier. The fact that he was a candidate was not a major cause for concern. Nevertheless, the current atmosphere was unsettling, with many aspects that didn’t quite make sense.

Ramirez and Ananda carefully observed Sultan’s expression.

Rommel had to proceed with the meeting.

“Leader Sultan… has been officially registered as a candidate. Is there… anyone else?” Rommel was more troubled than anyone. The Rommel Warrior Corps, which he led, was the most recently prominent among the Five Great Warrior Corps. It was an honor he had achieved by pushing out Sultan, who had originally held that position. Therefore, he could not easily accept Sultan, who could be considered a nemesis, as a candidate.

Although it was unlikely, if Sultan were to become the chairman, the disadvantages Rommel would face, knowingly or unknowingly, could be quite significant. Moreover, knowing Sultan’s temperament well, he was troubled by a sense of unease.

With no further recommendations, the candidate registration was closed. Rommel announced the decision, his unease evident in his voice.

“We will decide the chairman through a duel between the candidates. In the meantime, the Five Great Warrior Corps will jointly ensure the safety of both candidates to prepare for any unforeseen incidents. Now… I will close today’s meeting.” The first murder. It happened at the very time the candidates for the chairman of the Warrior Council were being decided.

A warrior from the Eckhardt Warrior Corps was found with his throat cut, his limbs spread wide and deeply embedded in the roof of a building some distance from the meeting hall.

This incident caused an uproar in Meso Harun. An investigation was launched to find out who was responsible, but the culprit was nowhere to be found.

The security of the Five Great Warrior Corps, which was responsible for joint security, became more thorough, and the leaders were busy holding meetings every day to discuss countermeasures.

The second murder. This time, a warrior from Sultan’s side was killed. He was found with his right heart, the one related to the Prisma [a source of power or a vital organ], removed. After that, the murders continued.

Amidst a flurry of wild speculation, Harun was gripped by fear and tension. Everyone was horrified and uneasy at the audacity of the murders, which were being carried out in a place where so many great warriors had gathered, and at the fact that they were happening despite the tight security of the Five Great Warrior Corps.

The culprit was not only strong enough to instill fear but also elusive enough to leave no trace. Meanwhile, the duel between the two warriors who had been nominated as chairman candidates was drawing closer.

Angshant, who had gone out to gather news, entered the inner chamber with a serious expression.

“To leave absolutely no clues… if this continues, there’s a high chance we’ll be lost in a maze.” “It’s because discipline has become lax. They should at least scream before they die; how can we get any clues or even see the culprit’s tail if they just fall over?” Gunter looked around at his colleagues as if seeking agreement. The advance team had gathered together for the first time in a while. Due to the series of unfortunate events and the overall unsettling atmosphere, Pachaen had gathered everyone in one place. This was largely to prevent any unforeseen incidents.

“There’s some truth to what you say… but would they have had the strength to do that when they were dying? It’s amazing that the guy killed them so quickly that they couldn’t even make a sound,” Donatus said, and Pachaen agreed.

Nevertheless, there was no excuse for the warriors’ lax response. The first time could be understandable, but it was hard to believe that no one knew about it when it happened again.

It was unclear what the culprit’s exact intentions were, but it was noteworthy that they were targeting warriors from each candidate’s camp. Ramirez clicked his tongue and spoke in a disdainful tone.

“The warriors’ reputation has taken a hit. The leaders of each warrior corps must be furious. I was going to watch the chairman election… but it looks like it’s going to be delayed? Pachaen, what should we do?” It was a question about the timing of their departure to Meden. There was something unsettling about leaving in this state.

At this point, Ananda, unlike his usual demeanor, urged Pachaen to leave.

“Since Meden said they would send an envoy, the schedule might be further delayed. So, we’ll stay here and watch the progress, and it would be best if you two left first.” As Ananda suggested, with the series of incidents and the visit of the Meden envoy, it was unlikely that the duel would proceed as planned. Pachaen hesitated for a moment.

“How long will it take?” Ramirez shrugged and trailed off.

“I don’t know…” “Okay, I guess we have to. Perikan.” “Yes.” “You and Cairo will assist Ananda and be responsible for the safety of the advance team. Don’t let your guard down for a moment, understand?” “Understood.” At Perikan’s loud reply, the advance team members wore awkward expressions. They were unfamiliar with Perikan’s actions and words towards Pachaen.

The Arihans [beings from the Celestial Realm] from the Celestial Realm thought that Perikan’s current attitude was similar to how the gods treated the Cheonchu [a high-ranking position or title]. Considering Perikan’s reputation, abilities, and status, it was not something that could be accepted without any resistance.

Pachaen, feeling the piercing gazes directed at him, looked bewildered.

“Why are you all like that?” Neoul stared intently at Pachaen.

“This isn’t something I should say… but… did that… person perhaps… have some fatal… weakness that shouldn’t be revealed that you’ve caught? And that’s why you’re using it as leverage…” Only then did Pachaen realize why the atmosphere had become strange. How was he supposed to explain this? Pachaen was flustered and embarrassed.

Perikan glanced at Pachaen’s expression and then subtly turned his head away. He had no intention of helping him. A faint smile flickered on Perikan’s lips.

Cairo was also pretending not to notice. Ramirez and Ananda, who knew the situation well, kept their mouths shut.

“Think what you want. I can’t think of a good explanation either.” “Oh, come to think of it, didn’t you say you were an emperor when you were in the human realm? Still, isn’t it too much to try to continue your connections from the human realm into the spirit realm? It seems excessive to try to wield your power from back then here.” Pachaen was speechless at Neoul’s sharp advice. It was too bothersome to explain everything, and there was no need to, so he subtly changed the subject.

“Anyway, Neoul, if the enemy’s main force occupies the southern region, it will be a confrontation with the Celestial Realm. Do you have a plan?” “I don’t know.” At the indifferent answer, Gaksi added.

“Even the enemy’s main force won’t be able to invade the main realm.” Considering the skills of the immortals in the advance team, including Neoul, that statement didn’t seem credible. However, the generals of the Celestial Realm, who were in charge of actual military power, were strong enough to fight against the enemy.

As someone who had not experienced it firsthand, it was natural for Pachaen to send a look of disbelief. At this point, Ramirez added weight to Gaksi’s words.

“They wouldn’t be crazy enough to try to attack the Celestial Realm. What chance of victory would they have if they were facing enemies on both sides? Even if the leaders of the Celestial Realm are more patient than others, they are in a position to keep the Demon Realm in check, so they wouldn’t just stand by and watch such an eyesore.

There’s one thing I’ve always wondered: who is stronger, the gods of the Celestial Realm or the immortals of the Celestial Realm? I think they’re probably about the same.” Pachaen looked surprised. Neoul and Gaksi puffed out their chests as if to say, “See?” Neoul couldn’t control his expression and kept grinning triumphantly.

Regardless of the situation outside, the atmosphere of the advance team was clearly different from before. It was peaceful and relaxed. They were not just an advance team in name only but had truly become worthy of the name. It was a confidence that stemmed from that.

Moreover, the friendly attitude of the warriors, which had been considered the biggest obstacle, was also a factor that reassured them. As a result, it was fortunate that the warriors, each with their own tendencies, were united under the name of the council. If the conflict and confrontation had continued, the advance team’s journey would have been a continuous series of unavoidable tensions.

As the situation seemed to be unfolding unexpectedly well, the team members released the tension they had been holding in.

“The culprit will be revealed soon. What could possibly happen?” Like Gunter’s optimistic expectation, all the advance team members seemed to think that this incident was not a big deal. They had come together to cooperate, but they were warriors who had been facing each other as enemies until recently. It was not unexpected that such an accident would occur. They probably thought that even if something bigger happened simultaneously, it wouldn’t be surprising.

However, Pachaen had a bad feeling.

‘Ominous.’ It was much later that he realized that the chaos in Harun, which he had not taken seriously, could be quite serious.

The murders did not stop and occurred simultaneously in various places. The killings, which seemed to be gradually narrowing in from outside areas rather than the places where the core warrior corps were staying, showed no signs of stopping.

Judging from the series of incidents, it was clear that there was more than one culprit. The planned and meticulous killings seemed to be aimed at causing unrest throughout Harun.

The basis for this judgment was the excessively cruel methods of the killers and the fact that the bodies were placed as if they were trying to display them in conspicuous places.

Even for warriors who had spent almost every moment in battle, where death was a constant companion, this kind of heightened tension was not pleasant.

If the enemy was clearly visible, they would not be too afraid, even if it was overwhelming, as long as they were prepared to die.

However, this case was different. Due to the culprits, who were indistinguishable and mixed in with the group that everyone thought was the end, the warriors could not trust each other and had to be wary, and they could not let their guard down for a moment. This kind of tension and fatigue was greater than expected.

In the case of warrior corps with a strict hierarchy, the turmoil was not severe, but in the case of warriors without affiliation, the reaction was different. They often caused disturbances due to frequent clashes, and they even risked their lives over trivial matters.

The Five Great Warrior Corps, which was in charge of the overall security and defense of Harun, did not have the capacity to deal with problems occurring in the surrounding areas, not the center. The leaders of the warrior corps met every day to find the culprit and devise countermeasures. There was no suitable solution. Despite their best efforts to strengthen security, the killings were happening as if to mock them.

The leaders, who were racking their brains, eventually resorted to emergency measures. Rommel, who was in charge of finding the culprit, began to sweep through the entire Harun area with his warriors. For this task, Rommel asked for help from several other warrior corps, and they willingly stepped forward to lend their strength.

They first identified warriors whose identities were unclear and investigated their movements. They also narrowed down the list of suspects based on information received from the surrounding area. Those who required more detailed investigation were forcibly arrested.

There was considerable resistance. Most were relatively cooperative to avoid being identified as suspects, but there were quite a few who were not, and some of them resisted fiercely. The Warrior Council of Harun had not had a good start.

“Can’t you let go of this? Call Rommel. Do you just arrest anyone without affiliation? Do I look like the kind of guy who would do such a thing to you?” A warrior was being dragged away by Rommel’s warriors. It was happening on the main street, drawing the attention of all the warriors.

“Be quiet. If nothing suspicious is found, you’ll be released.” “Shut up.” The tip of a parashu [a type of axe or weapon] was thrust deep into the abdomen of the resisting warrior.

With a short groan, the warrior slumped, and Rommel’s warriors carried him away. This was not the only place where this was happening.

“What’s your name?” “…” “I asked what your name is.” Thwack. “Ugh.” Pang was on the verge of passing out.

“Pa… Pang. It’s Pang.” “What corps do you belong to?” Pang had answered that question several times since he was dragged here. Yet, that damn guy was asking again.

Under the guise of interrogation, they would ask detailed questions, and if there was a suspicious point, they would inflict pain as if trying to get a confession. Since the investigators in charge were not the same and were replaced several times, he had to answer the same questions repeatedly. It was the same now.

“That’s… a question you asked earlier…” “You just need to answer my questions briefly and sincerely. No questions allowed.” Thwack. Pang, who was hanging from the ceiling with his whole body bound in chains, screamed again at the pain piercing his abdomen. Pang stared at the silver, shimmering chains with his eyes barely open. The pain inflicted in a state where he could not resist drove Pang into an even more miserable state. The fear that he might die gradually made him weaker.

‘I can’t cut that with my strength. Am I going to end my life here… like this?’ “Affiliation?” The person sitting in the chair asked playfully, wiggling his fingers. He seemed to enjoy watching Pang’s distorted face.

“If I… had an affiliation, I wouldn’t have been caught like this… ugh.” This time, it was his back. Pang struggled not to lose consciousness from the pain that washed over him.

“I’ll ask again. Affiliation?” “None…” “You’re not a warrior. Right?” “That’s right.” “What brought you to Harun?” “I heard a rumor.” “What rumor?” “I heard a rumor that the… advance team was here… and I came to find them.” “Oh, really? Where did you mainly reside? No, looking at your appearance, you’re clearly a wanderer, so you wouldn’t have a fixed residence.” “I lived in the garden.” The warrior looked at Pang again, surprised by his answer.

“You came from the garden?” “Yes.” “You came all the way here from that far away, chasing the advance team, for no reason? You’re a suspicious guy after all.” “I came to meet a friend.” Clang. Pang looked anxiously at the door of the interrogation room as it opened again.

‘Is it going to be replaced by another guy?’ Pang didn’t know which corps the warriors interrogating him belonged to. Pang had heard about this incident. He had also heard that the Rommel Warrior Corps was in charge of the large-scale investigation throughout Harun. The people Pang saw didn’t seem to be from the Rommel Warrior Corps.

“Hey, you’re being called.” “What’s going on?” “It seems like you’ve been selected for the outer patrol… I don’t know the details.” “What about this guy?” “Hand him over to me.” “Tch, I could have gotten something out of him if I had just pushed him a little harder… what a shame.” Pang met the gaze of the warrior who was glaring at his face without looking away.

“You still have fire in your eyes. I should have just let him die.” “You should go quickly. You might get scolded by the leader if you’re late. Eric is the leader.” “Huh, Eric is the leader? Oh man… you should have told me sooner.” The warrior rushed out.

The new warrior who came in was very different in atmosphere from the previous one.

If you could judge a person’s character by their face, he would have been a gentle and soft person.

“You’ve been through a lot. It’s just that things have gotten noisy, and you’re the only one suffering.” “What do you mean?” “The culprit is strong. Even if you claim you committed the murders, not many people will believe you.” Pang was not relieved by those words; instead, he felt wronged and resentful. What was the point of catching him and tormenting him when they knew that?

“But why are you doing this to me?” “We just do what we’re told. We have to pretend to investigate by catching the easiest targets, so we can at least get through this quietly… it can’t be helped.

Even if the culprit was right in front of us, do you think we’d be able to catch them with our skills? It’s impossible. To find and catch those guys??”