Chapter 248. Vault (1)
The king of the underworld, Roafra, Grond Veil di Validus.
The head of the Estiria court mages, Leonil Bertanas.
These two were the individuals the kingdom had to be most wary of.
The power and influence each of them wielded was enough to split the kingdom in half, even surpassing the royal family. To Silis, they were dangerous factors that had to be eliminated at all costs.
If the two forces were ever to unite completely… even with Silis's ability and the support of the Marquis of Esperanza, it was highly likely they wouldn't be able to withstand them.
Thus, they had to be defeated separately.
The plan was to deal with Leonil first, using the coronation as the turning point, and afterward, subjugate Grond.
For that, the foremost priority was ensuring the two never met directly. No matter what variables might arise.
So one of them had to be forcibly isolated, and that was none other than the king of the underworld. The closed-off city of Roafra was the perfect prison.
But then.
'Grond is dead?'
Silis brushed her lips with her fingers.
For the king of the underworld to die at this juncture… she had no clue what could have happened.
It couldn't possibly be that the pinnacle of Vintert had been assassinated.
The security was ironclad, and besides, if anyone capable of such a feat existed, there would have been at least a faint sign beforehand.
But this came far too suddenly.
A man who never left Roafra — there was no way he had been swept away by some natural disaster, nor slain by demi-humans or abnormal species.
'I've never heard that his health was poor or that he suffered from some dangerous illness.'
Nothing fit. It was pitch-dark uncertainty.
Silis did not like this kind of confusion.
Quietly, she clenched her small fist and focused her consciousness.
───Lorian, tell me immediately what has happened in the underworld.
───…This is Asher.
───Asher?
An unexpected name.
But something clicked.
───I thought Asher had recently disappeared. Could it be related to Vintert secretly mobilizing troops for reasons other than civil war?
Silis had been monitoring Roafra.
Solely to keep track of Grond's residence.
Thanks to that, Lorian was able to report news of the underworld so quickly, but since they kept as much distance as possible, it was impossible to discern the details of Vintert's situation.
Being exposed was not an option.
She couldn't risk the few loyal people she had being killed by those kinds of vermin. That was Silis's opinion.
───Then I shall explain.
Through telepathic resonance, Lorian conveyed the story.
Asher and Galliark had infiltrated Roafra.
By the king of the underworld's command, a massive hunt had begun. Ordinarily, the two should have been dragged away as corpses.
But the reality was the exact opposite.
───Though he had Galliark as a companion, it was effectively Asher alone… who split Roafra in half. There were no civilian casualties, but in the process, about one quarter of Vintert's subordinate forces were killed or went missing, and the rest completely lost their will to fight and surrendered.
Lorian had later confirmed the scene.
His spirit had shuddered at that moment. This was far beyond the realm of an ordinary mage.
───Furthermore… several dozen minutes later, most of the Ashen Castle collapsed. Then, a colossal iceberg — seemingly Asher's magic — fell, and afterward, news of Grond's death spread.
───The corpse, was it confirmed?
───I did not see it myself, but Black Hand Robert proclaimed it. As of today, a new king has risen in the underworld. Judging by the circumstances, it seems true.
The news was shocking.
Silis furrowed her brows and braced against the window frame.
Strength welled into her slender fingers. The reality was beyond even her expectations.
'Grond's death is good news. But…'
It was also a problem in itself.
The emergence of someone powerful enough to overwhelm Grond and all of Roafra alone. In other words, a mage on Leonil's level had appeared.
'That Asher was such a figure…?'
The gap was staggering.
She had indeed received reports from the Marquis of Esperanza, and judged him to be exceptional, but she had never imagined to this degree.
Her mind grew heavy, and her forehead flushed with heat.
Lorian whispered.
───Though Roafra has suffered great damage, fortunately, the main plan is unaffected. What will you do, Your Highness Silis?
What to do indeed.
Silis closed her eyes and pondered deeply.
With Grond dead, the plan's purpose was essentially nullified.
'Asher…'
He was connected with the Marquisate of Esperanza.
Up until now, he hadn't interfered with Silis. There was a good chance he might even be of help.
But nothing was absolute in this world. She knew that well.
Her father, the once ordinary king of Estiria, who had grown so cruelly monstrous.
That was why she assumed the worst.
'If Asher joins hands with Leonil.'
Even if the possibility was slim, what if it came true?
Without a doubt, it would be a greater threat than Grond. No matter how thoroughly they prepared, facing those two together would be overwhelming.
Silis did not trust others.
The only ones she trusted were fellow avengers who carried the same pain and dreams as herself.
Asher, the mage of Grey who took commissions.
She had thought leaving him be was best. But with things as they were, there was only one choice. She could not allow a variable that might shatter her plan to remain unchecked.
───The 'Roafra Sealing Plan' proceeds unchanged. However, since Leonil might sense something strange about Grond and head to the underworld, we will advance the coronation a little earlier, even if it strains us, to keep his focus elsewhere for now. As for spreading false information, leave it to Flona and Seba… no, to the black market merchant, Cland.
───Understood, Your Highness.
───And…
Silis paused.
She tapped the window lightly with her fingers, pondering.
Asher, that enormous variable.
He might become an enemy, but not yet.
Judging by his actions so far, unlike Grond, there was room for negotiation.
Rather than dismissing him only as an obstacle to eliminate, it might be better to approach him more amicably.
Therefore.
───Arrange a meeting with Asher.
***
Roafra was a city of survival of the fittest.
A lawless zone beyond the reach of the kingdom's authority, where the rules set by Vintert, the ruling force, were law.
Of course, some were dissatisfied, but no one openly expressed it. No one dared oppose Vintert, or Grond.
Only the strong could have everything.
That was the underworld. And at this moment, the apex of Roafra was Verden.
'So there was such a place beneath the castle.'
The underground of the Ashen Castle.
It was the only place outside Verden's magical influence, and also the chamber Grond often used as a sanctuary.
Verden reclined on the upper seat.
The texture was soft yet tough, water-resistant. Judging by his knowledge, the sofa was clearly made from the hide of a magical beast.
To use armor material simply for furniture — any adventurer would be appalled at such extravagance.
The entire room was decorated with such luxuries.
The chamber was vast enough to hold dozens of people, and from the ceiling hung a chandelier made of finely crafted magic stones.
All around, numerous ornaments of unknown origin but clearly high value filled the space.
At that moment, Gail approached.
"I have brought Fury Gold Buzz tea and cheesecake."
Silently, he set down the tray and teacups.
Though Gail had served as Grond's secretary for many years, tension was evident in his demeanor. Bowing deeply, he carefully withdrew.
Verden lowered his gaze.
'Fury Gold Buzz, is it. Been a long time.'
When he had once taken on a commission in the duchy, it was Count Rodenmeyer who had treated him with those tea leaves.
He lightly stirred his magic power.
With Telekinesis, he mixed in half a spoon of sugar, then savored the tea along with the cake. The quality was top-grade, the taste just as he remembered.
There might have been poison, but it did not matter.
Ainber granted its bearer immunity to toxins. Wearing the ancient artifact of the Demon King, Verden was fearless.
The attitude of one convinced that nothing could possibly kill him.
Robert, sitting diagonally across from Verden, found that terrifying.
"..."
His gray eyes shifted slightly.
Unlike Grond, Verden's face revealed no emotion. Combined with flawless, mysterious features, the sense of fear doubled.
Tak.
Verden set down the teacup.
At once, his gaze fell upon Robert, who clenched his fist tightly under the table.
"How is Galliark's condition?"
"W, we gave him first aid with a top-grade potion, and he is currently being treated by a priest brought from Aurofl. They say it will take some time to recover fully, but there should be no permanent damage."
"And Draken?"
"He is being treated as well but… if you wish, I can dispose of him immediately."
Draken had tried to kill Galliark.
Since he had endangered their group, Robert believed the new king would be enraged. Yet Verden felt otherwise.
Having already dealt with Grond, there was no reason to make a fuss.
And besides, Galliark had not died.
"Leave him."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
Your Majesty?
Verden frowned.
As displeasure showed, Gail and Robert straightened their backs instantly.
"Change the title."
"Pardon? Then, how should we…?"
"Just call me by name."
"Understood, A, Asher-nim."
"So. How is Roafra now?"
Robert immediately explained.
The power shift in Roafra had taken place in just one day.
In such a sudden upheaval, the groups that had barely survived had holed up in their respective hideouts. Having experienced an irresistible power, it was a natural reaction.
Fearing they might be killed at the whim of the new king, none dared leave Roafra.
There was nowhere to hide, and they believed that if they tried to flee, they would be executed on the spot.
"There will never be anything to trouble you, A, Asher-nim. Should any sign appear, I will personally prevent it in advance."
Robert spoke confidently.
He had to prove his usefulness in order to live. That was how much he did not want to die.
Verden nodded.
Still, he pondered what to do next.
Naturally, remaining in Roafra was not the answer.
The throne of the underworld was far too small for Verden. The power he had built was never meant to rule merely an underground city.
Unlike Grond, he had no intention of declaring himself king and becoming a goblin in a cave.
'I have achieved all my objectives, so it is about time I left the kingdom…'
But for now, he could not.
Leonil was still alive.
There was no way he would overlook or spare those who had conducted human experimentation. That very act was Verden's reverse scale.
However, disposing of Leonil in a single stroke would not be easy.
Even if not a Transcendent, one could not underestimate the power of a 6th-tier magus. If a magic battle broke out in Capital Retia, the collateral damage would be immense.
Therefore, Leonil had to be drawn out.
Or else, an opportunity to meet him alone had to arise.
"..."
Verden fell into silent thought.
The silence weighed heavily on the atmosphere.
Robert's eyes wavered.
'Dangerous.'
No one could tell what the new king was thinking.
But perhaps… perhaps he was debating whether or not to dispose of Gail, Draken, and Robert himself.
He had to show a reason to be spared immediately.
Straining his mind desperately, Robert's eyes suddenly lit up. Yes, there was something. A gift grand enough to present to the new king.
"Asher-nim, I have something to show you right away."
***
Robert was in charge of Vintert's finances.
It was thanks to his outstanding ability that he had not only claimed but held on to the position of chief.
Grond had valued Robert highly.
Because amassing immense profit by moving tens, hundreds of billions was far greater than mere physical strength.
Strength was indeed the law of the world, but it could not encompass the world entirely.
───Therefore, I entrust it to you.
A passage leading further down, into the depths beneath the underground city.
As he walked it, Robert recalled the command from that time.
"Grond secretly granted me the authority to access his vault. It was proof of trust, but also a command to keep the vault filled. And I never once disappointed him in that regard."
But Grond was gone.
The throne he had usurped was taken by the new king.
Verden spoke.
"So you mean to hand that vault over to me?"
"Since it was you, Asher-nim, who dethroned Grond, it is only natural that his wealth belongs to you as well. At least here in Roafra."
Robert smiled faintly.
It was his sly scheme, offering another's fortune in exchange for trust and his own survival.
Before long, they arrived at the far depths beneath the Ashen Castle.
Perhaps because it lay below an underground lake, a faint stench of damp water tickled their noses. Along the neglected, old passage, moss had grown between every crack.
"Then, I will open it."
Robert fumbled along the wall.
Pressing on a brick, the mechanism began to stir. Looking closely, one could see it was designed to disrupt magic power.
A device undetectable by mana detection.
Kugugugu…!
With a rumble, the wall opened.
Beyond it lay a metal door of immeasurable thickness.
Robert introduced it.
"This is Grond's vault."
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