The Shadowed Legacy of the Soulless Messenger [EN]: Chapter 460

In Chitai, the educated class who prepared to become scholars or officials were called Seonbi [a term for virtuous scholars], and Garasan was a very prestigious figure among these Seonbi of Chitai.

He was a unique individual who had achieved the top score nine times on the civil service exam, and many prestigious Seonbi came from his school, giving him a high reputation as a pure and upright Seonbi.

Although he spoke playfully to Azadin, his name was actually regarded in Chitai as being akin to that of a saint.

When such a prominent figure sided with Azadin, public opinion in Chitai shifted.

Azadin, who had been called a soulless blasphemer, a slayer of kings, and an unacceptable foreigner, was now recognized as the rightful owner of the royal road.

If Azadin was qualified to be king, then his liberation of Banreung from the vampires, his acceptance of refugees from Butuma and Korasar, and his most ardent fight against the merfolk and naga of the South Sea should also be properly evaluated.

Once properly evaluated, there was no king like Azadin.

Even the Northern Emperor, whom the Church of the King praised as the king of kings, had no clear achievements.

Wasn’t he given such excessive and absurd, unfounded titles just for supplying food to the Church of the King?

If only the prejudice and malice against the Messenger Clan were slightly reduced, anyone would have to acknowledge that Azadin was a hero of the times.

The joining of the Seonbi Garasan provided an opportunity for the people of Chitai to shed their prejudice and malice towards Azadin.

*********

“Why is that guy acting up again? When I sent people to look for him, he didn’t even give me the time of day, but now he’s going to serve under that thunderstruck fool?”

From the perspective of the Northern Emperor, Cohen Lionheart, it seemed as if the whole world was conspiring to ruin the plans he had so carefully laid out.

This was not just a vague delusion of persecution.

The Northern Empire, which was expanding its power in the north, had not only studied Garasan’s books to utilize his reputation, but had also become proficient in his hobbies, such as tea ceremony and Go [a strategic board game], before going to meet Garasan in person.

The most powerful king in the north had sat shoulder to shoulder with a mere scholar, drinking tea and playing Go together.

He was born with the destiny of an emperor, but he did not forget the respect due to a renowned Seonbi.

Even after such efforts, Garasan had refused the offer with kind words, saying that he was only interested in scholarship and education, and would not get involved in real politics, and had secluded himself in his academy.

Yet, that same man had gone to Azadin, who had not read a single line of his books and had no interest in Go or tea ceremony, but was only moving his army, and had entrusted himself to him?

Although Azadin’s forces were rising rapidly, their foundation was weak compared to their momentum.

Azadin was no better than him in any way, so Garasan’s recruitment was enough to instill a strange feeling of inferiority in the Northern Emperor.

“Public opinion in Chitai is wavering. No, in fact, it’s not just Chitai…”

“Public opinion is also wavering in Tarasar and Karasar. Garasan has a certain reputation among scholars in the north, so…”

Although they didn’t say it, if the neighboring countries were in such disarray, then there would surely be rumors circulating in Asander as well.

The vassals were carefully choosing their words, making excuses about neighboring countries, so as not to offend the Northern Emperor.

“Then Chitai will soon fall. What ill luck is this, before we can even send reinforcements.”

They couldn’t even send reinforcements properly because of the heavy snow.

Yet, Azadin, with what skill, was steadily advancing and capturing cities even in this heavy snow and blizzard, making his heart burn with anxiety.

“How about actively using Nether’s secret arts? It’s difficult to send troops and supplies, but if we send one of Nether’s sacred objects to Sebalhan to empower him to fight Azadin, we have a good chance of winning.”

An elf mage had made such a proposal to the Northern Emperor.

However, the Northern Emperor shook his head.

“The power of Nether cannot be controlled by anyone but me. No matter how difficult the war situation is, how can I hand it over to someone like Sebalhan and deal with the aftermath?”

When the Northern Emperor rejected the proposal, the elves exchanged glances.

‘His Majesty is, after all, an unavoidable mage.’

‘He’s trying to keep the power to himself.’

Mages distrust others and are overconfident in themselves, so they don’t give even a tiny bit of power, saying that others cannot control it.

Even if they can’t digest it and their stomachs burst, they don’t give power to others, and that’s the nature of mages, and it was the nature of all humans, not just mages.

It’s hard to know one’s own heart, so how can one trust the hearts and sincerity of others?

In the end, trying to hold all the swords, they end up wearing dozens of swords and collapsing from exhaustion without being able to do anything.

“Dispatch assassins. Even if we can’t send reinforcements, we can send assassins even in this bad weather.”

The Northern Emperor urgently ordered the Northern Aragasa [a secret assassination organization] to assassinate Azadin.

But then, an unexpected report came in.

“Your Majesty. Someone impersonating your envoy approached Sebalhan and handed him a Nether sacred object.”

“What is that now?”

“The envoy was an elf with black tattoos on his body.”

At those words, the elf mages were startled.

Then, the Northern Emperor’s gaze fell on the elves.

‘Come to think of it, there’s been a rumor among the elves lately that King Azadin is a disciple of Kazas and might be friendly to the elves, isn’t there?’

Since ancient times, the elves have enjoyed cannibalism and looked down on humans.

The elves were just saying that to boost morale, that they could survive no matter who won between Cohen and Azadin, but to the already displeased Northern Emperor, it was a statement that made him think that the elves were trying to play both sides.

And then…

-Kuurururung!

Suddenly, Asander Castle began to shake.

There was a natural hot spring in the front yard of the castle, and that natural hot spring was boiling and spewing out sulfur gas, and geysers were exploding all over Asander.

“Earthquake?!”

“No, what is this suddenly…”

“Ugh…”

Cohen felt the Nether’s magic within him fluctuate.

This was not just a simple earthquake.

“Y-Your Majesty. The sky…”

The attendants who came out of the Asander government building looked up at the sky in shock.

The sun in the sky was being swallowed by a black shadow.

“Solar eclipse?”

“No, the astronomers have already calculated the eclipse dates for the next 200 years, and today is not an eclipse. That is…”

The sun in the sky turned black, and those who saw the black shadow screamed.

Many people testified that a large eye appeared from the black shadow that covered the sun.

*********

Just before reaching the capital of Chitai, Junggyeong, Azadin’s army was encamped in front of a gate called Baekhogwan.

When the prestigious Seonbi Garasan came out in support of Azadin, most of the governors returned to neutrality.

From Sebalhan’s point of view, it felt as if they were weighing him against the invader, even though he had given them military power, tax collection rights, and the position of governor.

They might think that they had kept their loyalty to the royal family by at least not engaging in hostile acts, but remaining neutral was already an act of betrayal.

However, from Baekhogwan onwards, the king’s direct forces were guarding it, so unlike other places, a full-scale siege began.

The troops of Baekhogwan were equipped with a considerable amount of gunpowder weapons, befitting their name as the king’s direct royal guards, making it impossible for Azadin’s army to attack recklessly.

Baekhogwan was so large and urbanized that it was impossible to use the tactics of bypassing it with the mobility of light cavalry and then besieging it, as was done with other castles.

“It’s okay. If we win here just once, then Junggyeong is as good as ours.”

The chieftains of the nomadic tribes who had been guiding Azadin so far made confident promises as they prepared for the siege.

But then, suddenly, an earthquake occurred.

“Ugh?!”

“What is this?!”

The gates of Baekhogwan shook, and parts of the walls collapsed on their own.

The soldiers, surprised by the earthquake, soon cheered as they saw Baekhogwan being destroyed.

“As expected, King Azadin is the true king!”

“Since justice is with us, even the walls made of metal and stone are bowing their heads in shame.”

The people of Chitai enjoyed saying things that were embarrassing for Azadin to hear, the person in question.

They were claiming that everything was the will of heaven, that the great cause and destiny were with Azadin.

“Thinking that they would have murdered and looted civilians while saying this makes me sick to my stomach.”

Jibeck was tired of the people of Chitai who rationalized everything as the will of heaven.

“Bear with it. They’re still on our side. But…”

Azadin frowned as he saw the sky darkening.

Azadin was not the only one who sensed the anomaly.

As the tremors from the earthquake subsided, a black shadow swallowed the sun, and the whole world darkened.

And from the sun swallowed by the shadow, an eye appeared.

For a moment, a disgusting gaze was felt, as if a transcendent being was peering into this entire world.

The gate guards of Baekhogwan and Azadin’s army, both armies that were preparing for battle, were all stunned and watched the scene.

And immediately after that ominous sight, a tremendous blizzard of cold air poured down from the sky.

-Jjeojeojeok!

The moment the gale from the sky reached the ground, the moisture remaining on the ground froze all at once, causing a tremendous event.

The moats and ponds near the gates of Baekhogwan already had ice on the surface, but not only the surface of the ponds but also the bottom froze, and the entire lake shattered.

-Jjeojeojeong!

The sound of the entire lake splitting was as loud and thunderous as thunder, to the point that the eardrums of those who heard the sound nearby were about to burst.

Living beings that were unfortunately hit directly by the cold gale instantly froze to death as the blood in their entire bodies froze, regardless of whether they were humans, horses, or sheep.

“Your Majesty?!”

“Everyone, duck down!”

Azadin stepped forward and unleashed the magic of the Divine King’s Scripture.

The shield of light that had been facing forward to block the blizzard was raised into the sky, blocking the cold gale pouring down from above.

Although the king’s protection blocked the cold gale, the temperature around them dropped rapidly even if they were not directly hit, and the soldiers were terrified.

Everyone was startled and immediately retreated to their tents.

“Light the fires. Immediately dismantle and cook the animals that have frozen to death.”

Azadin also stopped the battle, and the Wolgak Bow that Azadin was wearing on his waist snapped and fell off.

The sudden cold had caused Azadin’s bow, which had been neglected in terms of glue application, to break.

Usually, if a bow suddenly breaks, it is said to be an ominous sign, but in this case, the cause and effect were so clear that there was no need to discuss whether it was ominous or not.

‘The fact that it’s this cold is ominous in itself. This isn’t magic, it’s just naturally cold. This is a big problem.’

Azadin kept an eye on the enemy’s movements while making sure that his soldiers did not die from the cold.

But then…

-Woooowoong.

The Grimslawen’s mace, which could be called a Nether sacred object among the weapons Azadin possessed, reacted.