"Kodanus! Maximum output for Summer Mirage!"
"Yes!"
Kodanus enchanted an arrow with magic and shot it towards the side of the fortress they intended to infiltrate. The arrow struck the fortress wall, and as the Beauty of Nature magic dissipated, a brief, warm gust of wind swept through.
Nema, who had been maintaining the scouting spell, nodded.
"The two sentries on the watchtower have fallen asleep."
Beauty of Nature, Summer Mirage—its warm and drowsy power had put the sentries stationed on the upper levels of the fortress to sleep. Already exhausted, they succumbed to the sweltering summer heat, unaware that they had lost consciousness.
"Hm…"
Kodanus seemed slightly drained, likely from expending too much mana.
"Alright, well done, Kodanus. Now, Kodanus and Nema, you two stay here and follow Kahsan's orders. The rest of us are going up!"
Nefti swiftly dashed through the furrows of the field and arrived at the base of the fortress. Yaravin followed closely behind, leaping up against the fortress wall, gripping the gaps between the bricks, and climbing rapidly as if he were running on flat ground.
The fortress walls had protruding windows designed to hinder climbers and allow arrows and stones to be fired from below. Yaravin effortlessly grabbed onto one of these windows with both hands and propelled himself forward, leaping across.
Nefti and Yaravin avoided the windows, which were too narrow for a person to pass through, and continued scaling the fortress walls.
When they finally crossed over the ramparts, they found themselves face to face with a holy knight from the king's church, Azadin, and two of Azadin's servants, all waiting for them.
"So, you were expecting us? We put the sentries to sleep and had a scouting spell in place—how did you know?"
"It was the magic of the king's church. 'Unified Will.' Thanks to that, we could sense when you put the guards to sleep."
Zebeck had cast the Unified Will spell on the guards, ensuring that if they were to die or lose consciousness, he would be immediately alerted. He had positioned them in the watchtower and the embrasures.
"Oh, impressive. Just how did you manage to win over a holy knight?"
Nefti was genuinely impressed. The holy knights of the king's church were mostly the remnants of nobles who had lost in succession disputes—greedy bastards, every last one of them. Some younger ones, still naïve and uncorrupted by the world, were exceptions. However, Zebeck, with his dark circles and gloomy expression, looked older than he actually was.
"When one's cause is righteous, allies naturally gather."
Hearing that, Yaravin, Nefti's servant, stepped forward toward Azadin. He widened his eyes and jutted his chin, provoking him.
"Hey, you eyeless freak, Azadin! You think your cause is righteous? You dare to boast while obstructing the noble will of Lady Arael? You've got some nerve!"
"What are you? You're no herald, are you? A servant, then?"
"..."
"A servant, huh."
When Ishmael said that, Midiam let out a chuckle.
"A servant daring to talk back to a herald…"
"Sh-shut up, brat! I may be a servant, but I'm just as skilled as any herald!"
"..."
"Pfft?! D-did you hear that, Ishmael? That's exactly what people who failed to become heralds always say! If he were really that capable, he'd at least be a servant by now. Wow, I've never actually heard someone say that out loud before!"
"You little—"
Yaravin's face turned bright red as Midiam openly mocked him. He had always justified his servitude by thinking it was a choice driven by his family's poverty. Yet, to outsiders, it sounded like nothing more than an excuse. Being called out on it by a young girl left him flustered and embarrassed.
"Enough. Yaravin, stand down."
Nefti pulled Yaravin back and stepped forward herself.
"When one's cause is righteous, allies naturally gather. A fine saying, Azadin. And you, holy knight, you're quite something yourself."
"You flatter me."
Zebeck gave a slight nod in acknowledgment. Nefti smiled at Zebeck, then turned her gaze to Azadin, Ishmael, and Midiam before speaking again.
"Azadin, allow me to tell you Lady Arael's will. Lady Arael intends to establish a nation for the Aragasa."
"A nation?"
"Yes. To cast off the curse of service and build our own country with our own strength! If we succeed, the Hubris scum won't dare look down on us and call us soulless beings. That is why we follow Lady Arael—because her will is noble."
"...!?"
"A nation, you say?"
Midiam and Ishmael were stunned by the revelation. However, Azadin remained indifferent.
"That's quite the grand proclamation, but without a concrete plan, it's nothing but empty talk. Even if you somehow abolish the service contract with the Emperor, what about the Clan of the Eight Divine Kings, who already see us as a thorn in their side?"
"There is a concrete plan. Azadin, the copy of the Book of the Divine King—that is the key to our plan."
"The copy of the Book of the Divine King?"
"Yes. If we gather them, we can break the curse of service and establish undeniable superiority over the Yaegas Divine Clan. You're aware, aren't you, that the Yaegas Divine Clan has been weakening recently? No matter how much their kings and nobles claim to be descendants of the gods, too much human blood has diluted their lineage."
"That's blasphemy!"
Zebeck, who had been listening, immediately objected.
"As a holy knight, I'm sure that's hard to hear. But even Count Lantarik has acknowledged this. The king's virtue is waning. Even when a rightful king sits on the throne, monsters roam the desolate lands, and the dead rise from their graves to wander. The only one who can save this world is Lady Arael, the goddess of this age, who was not born within the bounds of humanity."
"Lady Arael?"
Azadin was dumbfounded by those words. To him, Arael was nothing more than an annoying sibling, yet Nefti, despite being his senior, practically worshiped her as if she were a goddess.
Because of the Curse of Service, Azadin was condemned as a child of misfortune, while for Arael, it became proof of an extraordinary birth. Some belittled it, others praised it—the blatant disparity was infuriating.
"So? Arael possesses incredible power, yet she had to ally with that worthless count who slaughters civilians?"
"Hahaha! You say such foolish things for a herald, Azadin. Your concern for the people of Hubris is not bad, but that's only a virtue in times of peace. In war, isn't it a fundamental principle to destroy the enemy's supply lines first? If we spare the people of Hubris out of pity, and later they become a force that oppresses the nation we are trying to build, then that would be a case of personal sentiment ruining the greater cause."
"You plan to incite discord in this world and build a nation amidst the chaos? That's pure delusion."
"Delusion? How dare you call Lady Arael's will a delusion?"
Yaravin, who had been listening, flared up.
"Azadin, haven't you heard that a great cause attracts allies? You may dismiss Lady Arael's will as mere delusion, but it seems your followers would rather become our comrades."
"A-Ah, no! What nonsense—"
Midiam denied it, but Ishmael neither affirmed nor denied.
'A nation of Aragasa… If there were no way to achieve it, it would be nonsense, but if there were no basis for it at all, then a competent herald like Nefti wouldn't have sided with Arael. Considering how many heralds have switched allegiance, Arael must have the ability to realize what she proclaims.'
The very thought made his heart race.
"What do you think, Azadin? Isn't Lady Arael's vision of an Aragasa nation grand? If you wish to become our comrade, say the word. Lady Arael would always welcome you with open arms."
"Hahaha. That's quite a generous offer."
Azadin burst into laughter.
"Indeed, if it's for Aragasa, it's an offer that would set my blood on fire. And seeing so many standing with Arael, it seems this is more than just a mere delusion—it must have a solid plan and credibility."
"Right?"
Nefti brightened at Azadin's apparent praise of Arael's vision.
"Azadin, welcome."
Nefti extended a hand for a handshake.
'He doesn't seem to be just some incompetent fool merely related to Arael, so he'll be a great help.'
Nefti genuinely welcomed Azadin. However, Azadin shook his head.
"I appreciate the welcome, but I still have to decline."
"What?"
"You bastard!"
Yaravin, watching the scene unfold, was incensed.
"Aren't you an Aragasa? We're trying to build a nation for our persecuted people, and yet you won't jump in with both feet but instead nitpick at everything?"
"No, calm down, calm down. You're too quick to get riled up. I mean, I sincerely want to join you and contribute."
"Then why?"
"But if I give in too easily, wouldn't Count Lantarik be getting too much for free?"
"What? What do you mean—"
"Why don't you go tell Count Lantarik this: if he doesn't guarantee the safety of civilians, he won't be able to persuade me. Also, since I am Arael's only blood relative, fighting or killing me is not an option. If he is truly serious about an alliance with Arael, then letting a few civilians go should be a small price to pay."
The moment Azadin finished speaking, Zebeck burst into laughter.
"Well, that's quite a plausible argument."
Zebeck knew little about the Herald Clan or the Aragasa. However, he could see how much Midiam and Ishmael were shaken at the mention of 'a nation of Aragasa.'
After all, weren't they persecuted as soulless heretics?
Even Azadin wasn't entirely unmoved by the idea. Yet, he was making such an unreasonable demand on purpose.
Nefti let out a hollow chuckle.
"What? So, you want us to conspire with you to extract concessions from the count?"
"Exactly. Isn't that quite a reasonable proposal? If Count Lantarik acknowledges me as Arael's kin, he would have to take my suggestion seriously."
"Sorry, but that's impossible. Such a demand would never work. Count Lantarik—"
"He needs to kill people indiscriminately for his black magic research, right?"
The moment Azadin said that, Nefti flinched in shock.
"You—"
"This bastard!"
Yaravin and Nefti scowled, realizing that Azadin had spoken while fully aware of the truth.
"Nefti! This bastard is toying with us! He never intended to join Lady Arael in the first place!"
"So, in the end, you're forcing us to use violence."
Nefti also drew her sword. But Azadin did not.
"Stop. I don't want to kill you."
"…What?"
"Are you out of your mind, Azadin? I know you're injured. And do you really think your followers will stand by you? Sure, the only ones certainly on your side are that holy knight and these soldiers, but even they must know that no matter how many of them there are, they stand no chance against us."
It was a small fortress, but there were about twenty soldiers stationed there. Yet, as a herald, Nefti dismissed them as if they were mere scarecrows.
'But she's probably right.'
Zebeck had witnessed the power of the heralds before, so he knew their words weren't just bluster. He had confidence in his own skills, but after seeing Azadin, he felt he would have to give his all just to take on a single one of them.
But if the servants turned against Azadin?
'There are artificial spirits flying in the sky, and the killing intent is so strong it stings my skin. There are likely more heralds lying in wait below, ready to reinforce them at any moment.'
And yet, in this situation, Azadin was nonchalantly saying, 'I don't want to kill you.'
'What is this man planning?'
Ishmael, too, was curious.