The Shadowed Legacy of the Soulless Messenger [EN]: Chapter 468

The Soulless Blasphemer’s Night – Episode 470 (469/514)

#470. The Northern Empire and the Overlord 5

Changgok Pass was a crucial gateway, managing the Haheo River, which facilitated trade between Chitai and Eosander. Besides the Haheo River, the area was surrounded by dense limestone mountains, making it a natural fortress.

The Azadin army seized the Haheo River port and took control of the fortress. They began inspecting the cargo of passing ships and collecting tolls.

It wasn’t just a military presence; they had begun full administrative control.

The Changgok Pass gatekeeper surrendered the city seal to Azadin without much resistance, which was possible because all the existing officials had also surrendered to Azadin.

With this, the Azadin army could now trade all the way to the sea via the Haheo River, significantly resolving the supply issues caused by Sebalhan cutting off their supply lines.

Although the warehouse fire caused significant food losses, that was a long-term problem, and they still had enough grain to eat for the time being.

“The water is jade-colored.”

Azadin stood on the watchtower of Changgok Pass, marveling at the Haheo River.

The hot spring water gushing from the Eosander basin mixed with the river, flowing jade-colored in the north, gradually changing to a bluish-gray as it flowed south.

Although ice formed on the riverbanks due to Pimbulbert’s cold, the hot water from Eosander kept melting the ice, so the middle of the river remained mostly unfrozen.

Moreover, the constant passage of watercraft broke the ice, making Changgok a very important place even in this cold.

As soon as Azadin completely occupied Changgok, the governors and magistrates of nearby areas came to greet him.

Azadin stood on the watchtower with the misty, snow-covered mountains of Changgok in the background. As he turned around, his figure had a profound charm, like a traditional ink painting.

The governors and magistrates who had gathered at Changgok Pass were quite shaken by Azadin’s handsome appearance and overflowing spirit, which they had only heard rumors about.

“Yes. What brings you all here?”

“Ah. Your Majesty. King Sebalhan can no longer handle his duties as king, so please lead us, Your Majesty.”

The gathered governors and magistrates all presented their seals of office.

Of course, this was just a formality. It was like a prearranged play with the scholar Garasan.

Azadin praised the governors for governing their cities well and maintaining public order. He returned their seals, allowing them to continue governing their cities.

“As the regent of Chitai, in place of Sebalhan, I declare that this year’s taxes will be waived. You must ensure that no one starves to death in your territories.”

Azadin did not hide his intention to become the king of Chitai and even handled tax matters.

The governors were about to step back, pledging to follow Azadin’s will.

But then, one of the governors asked,

“But Your Majesty, will you now advance into Eosander across the Haheo River?”

The other governors glared at the one who had asked the question.

However, he continued to ask, oblivious to the glares.

“Eosander is an impregnable land that no one has ever conquered, except for the Nagas…”

“Yes. It certainly seems that way.”

Azadin turned his gaze to the snow-covered mountains.

Like Kerim, the holy land of the Messenger Clan, the path leading up to Eosander was extremely treacherous.

Although waterways had been created along the Haheo River, many fortresses overlooked these waterways, making it easy for the defenders to turn any attackers into water ghosts [a term for drowning victims].

The Haheo River was quite wide and had a gentle current, but there were many springs that gushed out at specific times in certain places, making it impossible for anyone but experienced boatmen to navigate properly.

Land routes were out of the question, and waterways were also overwhelmingly advantageous for the defending side.

“It’s alright. There probably won’t be a war with Eosander. With such a severe famine, there’s no need to escalate things by fighting among ourselves.”

“Is that so?”

The gathered magistrates breathed a sigh of relief at Azadin’s words that he did not intend to wage war.

They were also relieved that he did not punish the governor who had asked the king a direct question without thinking.

They had all been intimidated by Azadin’s army and had surrendered their seals of office, but they had been worried that he might declare war and conscript them.

‘He’s even more handsome in person?’

‘Tsk. Elves also look neat, but they eat humans.’

‘That idiot. Why did he ask a question and make a fuss when he could have just left? Whose kid is he?’

But then Azadin spoke.

“Well, that’s only if the Northern Empire agrees. If the Northern Empire wants to fight, then there’s nothing we can do. I’m asking for your understanding in advance.”

‘Ah. Damn it.’

‘I knew it.’

The magistrates retracted their relieved feelings upon hearing Azadin’s words.

Just then, a messenger arrived.

“Your Majesty. A Northern Empire envoy has arrived.”

“An envoy? Hmm. I didn’t see any ship that would carry an envoy.”

Azadin was looking at the ships coming from Eosander from the watchtower.

There were no ships grand enough to carry an envoy.

Did that mean it was an unofficial envoy?

“The envoy is… just one person.”

“Hmm.”

Expressions of shock spread among the governors.

Even though Azadin had come to the border with his army, the Northern Empire still did not recognize Azadin as king and had sent an unofficial envoy.

Was war inevitable?

“And the envoy is… Lord Sion Etar.”

“Ah. Is that so?”

Azadin chuckled.

“Well, I can’t not meet him now.”

*********

After sending the governors and magistrates away, Azadin called his staff together.

A haggard Sion Etar entered the conference room of Changgok Pass.

He was also embarrassed about being captured as a prisoner, so he hesitated to speak.

“First of all, I’m glad you’re safe, Sion Etar.”

“I am deeply sorry, Your Majesty. I was powerless and caused you concern. I deserve to die, but I shamelessly returned alive.”

Sion Etar bowed his head before Azadin.

“So, how was it? Did the food in Eosander suit your taste?”

“The Northern Aragasa [a powerful clan or group] were using Kazas’s Hese [a type of sorcery]. It seems that Kazas’s Hese was leaked through the elves, and the Northern Aragasa learned it.”

“Hmm.”

Azadin scratched his cheek at those words.

From Sion Etar’s words, it sounded like Azadin’s teacher, Kazas, was a spy for the elves and had leaked the secrets of the Messenger Clan to them.

‘Well, that’s probably true.’

Azadin knew the bond of blood.

Even though Azadin himself had only received persecution from the Messenger Clan, he could not abandon them. Similarly, Kazas could not ignore the elves.

“What’s the atmosphere in Eosander?”

“I don’t know much since I was confined, but they are also very flustered. And at least the Northern Empire is not the one who gave Nether’s sorcery to Sebalhan. He seemed quite surprised himself.”

“You know that from prison?”

“Well, embarrassingly, I ended up getting engaged to one of the daughters of the Northern Aragasa chieftain.”

“Wait, Sion Etar, you’re married… Ah, I’m sorry. I’m acting like a newbie.”

It was a political marriage, and polygamy was common. Besides, Sion’s wishes were not important in this marriage.

Azadin asked just in case.

“When is the wedding?”

“It was three days ago… I mean, it happened.”

“Did she come with you?”

“Yes.”

“Let’s meet her.”

When Azadin gave permission, the Northern Aragasa woman who had a political marriage with Sion Etar walked in.

Surprisingly, she was a head taller than Sion Etar, with a large, muscular build.

Her forearms were thicker than Sion Etar’s thighs.

Sion, who was by no means short, looked small next to her.

‘She looks like she’d cut a horse’s neck and gulp down the blood.’

She bowed her head before Azadin.

“I am Damil Etar, and I greet Your Majesty, Azadin.”

“Haha. Congratulations on your marriage. So, what answer did the Northern Empire give?”

“As you know, the King’s Church still strongly refuses to recognize King Azadin. Excuse me, but Your Excellency also doesn’t seem to be negotiating much with the King’s Church. So, the Northern Empire is also in a difficult position. From the Northern Empire’s perspective, it would be problematic to lose the support of the King’s Church.”

So, the Northern Empire was telling Azadin to bribe or appease the King’s Church and get their recognition. That’s what they were saying.

Azadin’s vassals’ faces crumpled. It was a statement that could only be made if they were severely disrespecting Azadin.

“So, they’re not sending an official envoy and want to negotiate behind the scenes?”

“That’s correct.”

“They’re still trying to save face even in this situation. Amazing. They must not be in a hurry. Well, looking at the terrain from Changgok Pass, I can see why they’re so confident.”

“I understand that when the Nagas conquered the elves of Eosander, they used the sea route, not the land route.”

Even if Azadin had taken Changgok Pass, he was not a major threat to Eosander. That’s what they were saying.

“Of course, the Northern Empire itself seems to want to talk to Your Majesty. The Northern Empire’s intention was to send letters through unofficial routes as much as possible.”

No matter how powerful the Northern Empire was, they could not ignore Azadin, who had conquered from Banreung in the far south to Changgok Pass, right in front of Eosander.

However, only meeting through unofficial routes was not what Azadin wanted.

“Alright. Is that so? I didn’t want to go this far, but…”

Azadin immediately decided to move to the next stage.

The surrounding vassals felt a renewed sense of fear at the fact that Azadin, who had been acting so unconventionally, had still been holding back, and that he had now decided to do what he had been holding back.

If he had been acting so unconventionally while holding back, how much more bizarre would he act now that he had decided to do things without holding back?

*********

“So. Do you think it went well?”

In fact, the Northern Empire had been very anxious after sending Sion Etar as an envoy with a letter to Azadin.

The King’s Church was wary of Azadin, the King of Kings of the King’s Church, and they could not meet him officially. However, if they did not meet him, it would be a clear sign of disrespect, and they were worried that Azadin would be angry.

The Northern Empire’s army had been trained and refined over the past decades and was proud of being a formidable force. However, Azadin had shown his combat record by splitting Chitai like a hot knife through butter.

The Arangian Guards and the Celestial Fire were also on Azadin’s side, so anyone who underestimated Azadin’s army would be insane.

“Yes. For now, the Azadin army is staying at the border and building a new supply line there. They are trying to open a route to the Guiding Knights Territory by sea, cutting down trees and building ships.”

“Can ships be built that quickly? There aren’t any shipyards there.”

“There aren’t any in Changgok, but there are shipyards in nearby Seocheong.”

“Wait, they stationed troops in Changgok, but they also took Seocheong?”

“Yes. All the magistrates and governors of Chitai entrusted their seals to Azadin and received them back. He hasn’t obtained the throne, but he has effectively become the king of Chitai.”