Chapter 124: Secret Circumstances (4)
What would it feel like if a task you thought was incredibly easy turned out to be extrely difficult and horrifying?
'Wasn't this supposed to be a cushy job?'
That was the situation Kang Min-ah currently found herself in.
She was a Possessor chosen by Riferoze.
The work she was assigned was incredibly simple.
Using the [Navigation] trait to find paths and guide the way, and relay ssages from the guild chat—that was all.
Moreover, the Riferoze who brought her along was a powerhouse that rivaled the strongest on the continent, so safety was assured.
However, there was one fact that Kang Min-ah had overlooked.
'What is that horrible river?'
Naly, Riferoze's course of action.
Before Kang Min-ah's eyes stretched a pitch-black river.
The water currents were extrely fierce, and grotesque monsters filled the surface.
It was a sight that could aptly be described as half water, half monster.
Keeeyeeeeak!
The surroundings were filled with horrifying cries from all directions.
'I... I never heard this was part of the job―.'
Kang Min-ah trembled with fear and took a step backward.
'What in the world is wrong with this place?'
Information was controlled for Possessors.
Moreover, Kang Min-ah had been captured not long after possessing, so she knew nothing.
"Gluttony, I return to you your na."
Then, before that river, a white-haired girl spoke to an old man, ntioning sothing about the Seven Deadly Sins.
'Could Riferoze also be a Possessor?'
Based on her awkward tone and behavior, and the way she ntioned demons from Earth that Kang Min-ah knew about, it seed that way.
Kuhihihihihi!!!
However, the situation that followed shattered all of Kang Min-ah's expectations.
'That... what is...'
Kang Min-ah stopped all movent and stared blankly ahead.
Kuuuoooong!
Sothing black descended upon the world.
It was a type of calamity.
A concept that transcended human understanding—one of the unfathomable depths of darkness.
What happens when an ordinary human witnesses sothing beyond their comprehension?
"Ah... ah..."
Kang Min-ah's thoughts beca paralyzed.
Even the thought of fleeing ceased.
She stared blankly ahead.
Sothing transcending humanity was unfolding before her eyes.
Kuhihihihi!
The wrinkled yet plump old man's body began swelling progressively.
It was no longer human.
It was sothing massive.
'A monster...'
No, it was certainly a demon.
Ssshhh...
rely from watching, tears stread from her eyes.
Her eye sockets reddened, and the tears looked like blood.
"Ugh."
Only then did she realize her body's condition was abnormal.
That was when it happened.
"Hey! What teeth are you baring?!"
The white-haired girl declared sharply.
And then.
Puuuoooong!!
The demon's body exploded.
Kang Min-ah couldn't even comprehend this.
'What is happening right now?'
The girl standing beside her left a pure white afterimage.
That was all she could see.
A ti shorter than a blink of an eye.
The scenery before her changed.
'Those are the real monsters of this world.'
It was the mont she truly felt the weight of the na Riferoze.
She moved dozens of ters with a single cry.
And the massive demon burst apart.
A giant greatsword had appeared in the white-haired girl's hand.
"Ah... ah..."
Unable to comprehend, she couldn't accept it.
She didn't even feel fear.
Rather, a different emotion blood within her.
"Aah."
It was awe.
The sight of such a petite girl slaughtering a massive demon was like a miracle from the gods.
Furthermore...
"I, I apologize―."
Seeing the demon, defeated by the white-haired girl's power, turn its body direction toward the black river, that emotion only deepened.
"Consu and purify. Thereby prove your existence."
The girl commanded the demon.
At her words, the massive black mass opened its maw and moved toward the river.
Then, sothing impossible occurred.
Sssaaaaaaa!
The water that had been pouring down like a waterfall―
Was being sucked into the black demon's mouth.
However, the river contained more than just water.
Keeeyeeeeak!!!
Monsters carried along by the river began attacking the demon.
From two-ter-tall goblins to several-ter-tall orcs as basic units, and even giant ogres the size of small buildings.
These monsters savagely tore at the demon's mouth.
True to dungeon monsters, they treated even black mages as re enemies.
Thud!
The demon stopped feeding.
It trembled as though in pain.
Then the white-haired girl tilted her head.
"Hm."
Imdiately, the demon began exerting even more force.
Kuhihihihihi!
Where does this terrible hunger end?
Letting out an eerie laugh, it devoured all the other demons as well.
And the monsters the demon couldn't digest,
Swoosh!
Scattered and vanished in the white-haired girl's quiet sword aura.
The power imbued with holy sanctity turned the monsters of the demon realm into particles.
"So it truly disappears when eaten."
The white-haired girl, Riferoze, nodded with satisfaction.
'Aah.'
Kang Min-ah, who watched all of this, still couldn't comprehend anything.
She didn't even notice the notification sound that went 'ting-ting!' in her ear.
'This is truly.'
Having lived for years in a Possessor detention camp.
She had heard tales of a monster nad Riferoze on the continent, but she never imagined it would be to this extent.
That monster wasn't sothing to be feared like the community rumors suggested.
She was an entity to be worshipped.
No, Kang Min-ah was already worshipping her, Riferoze.
'This place is a battlefield of gods.'
It was then that the pure white-haired girl approached her.
"Ho, you have eyes that understand the faith of belief."
At those words, Kang Min-ah's consciousness snapped back.
'When did I?'
She was lying on the ground, her body nearly prostrate, and her hands were extended toward the sky as though offering reverence.
Seeing Kang Min-ah like this, Riferoze asked.
"Will you try believing in Astia, the Most High Father?"
***
Before the Continental Palace, positioned in the center of the seven palaces.
"Brother, so why exactly did you co to the Imperial Palace?"
"Soone was calling for ."
Erik brought up the matter of the Moon Fragnt.
It was a vibration summon feature that ignored the [Inventory].
At that, Jang Du-sik shouted in surprise.
"Right! That's right! My wife asked if you really received that from you!"
"And?"
"She asked to check with you and tell her, so is it okay to tell her?"
"You've already told her, Du-sik."
Erik tried to flick his forehead but stopped.
'It's just Du-sik being Du-sik.'
He didn't even bother explaining since Du-sik wouldn't understand anyway.
"But brother, has the master still not sent a reply to Rife?"
"Sigh."
Drrrr!
Just as his head was growing complicated, the Continental Palace at the heart of District 1 opened wide.
And what appeared was.
"Brother! What did you do wrong?"
"That shouldn't be possible... Why is she coming out here?"
Black-armored knights numbering in the dozens. Agents in similarly-colored uniforms.
Even Jang Du-sik, and Erik himself, were taken aback.
"I, I have done nothing wrong!"
"Why are the Executive Branch and Information Bureau here?"
Erik quietly scanned his surroundings.
He thought that if necessary, he might have to attempt a forceful escape.
'What nonsense has the First Prince gotten into?'
Perhaps that idiot had made a fuss about so expenditure of funds.
"Follow quietly."
The black-armored figure said so.
Erik followed obediently.
Resisting here would surely cause bloodshed.
'The Empire's Shadows... why?'
Black clothes symbolized the other side of the moon.
Those who didn't shy away from all the Empire's dirty work—those who abandoned honor for a deeper loyalty—were the Empire's Shadows.
Prominent examples included the Executive Branch and Information Bureau, and they led Erik and Jang Du-sik to the Imperial Palace, encircling them.
'That crazy First Prince.'
Throughout the walk to the Audience Hall, Erik sent a guild chat ssage to his master.
Still silent.
He even considered sending an ergency signal to call his master.
'And I haven't even used the Tier Selection trait yet...'
The tier-first conquest reward left by his master.
Perhaps the First Prince coveted this.
'In truth, starting from money issues, there were many reasons for that guy to resent .'
However, all of Erik's expectations were completely off the mark.
"You've co."
The Throne in the Audience Hall.
Upon it sat a massive Emperor.
Seeing the Emperor's firm appearance, Erik felt relieved.
"Your Majesty the Emperor, I offer my respects."
Erik imdiately bowed his head in greeting.
Beneath his lowered head, the back of his close-cropped head was visible.
'That's... brother!'
Jang Du-sik bowed as well, then sneakily glanced at Erik.
His blinking eyes seed to ask: is this situation actually safe?
The Emperor resolved Du-sik's question.
"Khahahaha, raise your head."
A hearty laugh filled the Audience Hall.
Erik and Jang Du-sik raised their heads.
'The Magic Tower Master?'
Erik looked at the old man beside the Emperor.
"Is he not your master? Please, do calm her down."
He spoke desperately to Erik.
'This old man who showed no interest before...'
Erik lowered his head sympathetically.
Then he spoke.
"How can I accomplish sothing that even Your Majesty cannot?"
At those words, blue magical power rippled around the Magic Tower Master.
A level beyond simply visualizing magical power—a realm where specific forms were actually manifested.
That monstrous power was―
"Stop."
Dispersed by a single word from the Emperor.
Then the Emperor asked Erik.
"Why is there such an edge to your words? I don't believe I've treated you unfairly."
"I apologize."
"In truth, the Magic Tower Master's words aren't entirely wrong. Riferoze, she truly is a remarkable being. She's certainly worthy of respect. However... how can we do anything about that temperant of hers?"
Erik squeezed his eyes shut.
It felt like he was being scolded in place of his master, even though she was the one at fault.
"When she said she'd smack the Northern Archduke, I thought she was insane. However, she actually went through with it. I an, what can you do about such obsession?"
Erik imdiately thought of a way to resolve this.
Thus he spoke.
"Then wouldn't sending my master to the Papal See work?"
The Emperor would absolutely not make that choice.
He didn't ntion that Riferoze protected the Imperial Capital, but her re presence here changed the power balance of the Empire.
'At minimum, either the Emperor or the Imperial Magic Tower Master would gain more freedom of action.'
Just as Erik predicted, the Emperor waved his hand.
"That's just a figure of speech. Erik, your words have had quite an edge since earlier."
Erik also had a rebuttal for this.
"The First Prince, Your Highness, has been troubling ..."
At that straightforward comnt, the Emperor burst into laughter.
"I hoped it would provide him stimulus. However, he still seems far behind. That's why I sent him north."
Erik felt relieved that he didn't have to see the First Prince.
Then he suddenly realized sothing odd about the Emperor's words.
"Wait... did you say you sent soone who just ca out of the dungeon to the north?"
The Northern Archduke Territory was symbolized by luxury and indulgence.
Even the capital of the Archduke had the continent's largest casino.
'He wouldn't have been sent there just to play.'
However, if you went higher than that, the barren lands and undead of the Northern Mountain Range appeared.
There was still a possibility.
"You sent him to fight undead, correct?"
"Indeed. I sent him along with the Pri Minister's son."
Erik's eyes narrowed.
Below the throne, a red-haired head was visible.
The Pri Minister wore an extrely satisfied expression.
'Are these people insane?'
Pushing a prince who'd just returned from dungeon conquest into the northern demon realm in less than a month?
It was practically forcing him back into military service.
'Going to the military twice?'
Erik's ill feelings toward Leonardo disappeared.
All that remained was pity.
"Khehehehe, you do have a human side to you."
"This seems too harsh."
"An Emperor strengthens his children through hardship."
Erik bowed his head slightly.
His lips curved into a smile.
The First Prince was pitiful, but the Emperor's words gave Erik peace of mind.
He realized the reason the Executive and Information Bureaus were summoned wasn't about him.
'I was worried for nothing. This should be fine.'
Erik was satisfied with how things were proceeding naturally.
The light small talk had ended, so what would co next was the main topic.
"Bring them."
The start of that main topic was items worth enormous amounts of gold.
Watching materials pile up, Erik observed his surroundings sharply.
'All the attendants are gone too.'
Everything present in this space was only necessary for the conversation.
The rest were shadows in black uniforms and armor.
In other words, what would be said next was important information that must never leak.
"Sacred relics of the Almanism Church."
Erik's eyes widened.
Sacred relics of the Astia Order? Where did these Almanism Church relics suddenly co from?
"Didn't you have elves round up all the clerics of the Western Church? Those are items confiscated from the empty church."
"May I ask the reason you're giving these to ?"
"Ah, those fools withdrew from the Garcian Kingdom."
"So... the Almanism Church is withdrawing from their main base?"
"Indeed."
Still, he didn't understand.
Why give sacred relics of another religion as a reward?
"Didn't you once say through a Possessor that you could sell these for 1 billion gold? If you sell them all, you'd get 100 billion gold."
The Emperor seed to have a good mory.
He rembered what Erik had casually ntioned when dealing with sacred relics in the past and was providing accordingly.
"I did this as thanks for your efforts."
"I graciously accept."
Erik took them.
At that ti, sacred relics of other denominations were items he couldn't use or sell.
It was just sothing he'd carelessly ntioned.
'However, now things might be different.'
You don't know until you try.
Besides, it was nominally a 'gift', wasn't it?
There was no burden in accepting it.
Only, his actual heart felt much heavier.
'What is he trying to say that he's going so far as to give gifts?'
Dwelling in such worry, the Emperor opened his mouth.
And what ca out was a statent he could never have anticipated.
"It's been quite a while since the Second Empress was confined. According to Imperial law, once a wife is chosen, responsibility must be taken to the end."
The content was equally shocking.
Beyond shock, it was bewildernt.
"―There is a rule that if there are no children, divorce is possible."
Erik thought carefully.
Imperial law would be an oath made with the Moon.
How could that be broken...
'Isn't the Third Prince the one born to the Second Empress?'
The child of the Emperor that burned in Erik's hands, disappearing—the imperial disgrace.
'Even if he was a degenerate, he was still the Third Prince.'
That figure had silver hair and crimson eyes.
Was he denying his own son?
If so, the reason for having the shadows secure the Audience Hall with iron security made sense.
"I'll tell you why I called you so secretly."
However, the Emperor proved to be soone far beyond Erik's expectations.
"No matter how much I think about it, with silver hair and crimson eyes, he doesn't seem like my child."
Erik's eyes nearly burst from their sockets.
Sothing he'd never even imagined occurred.
'The First or Second Prince...'
Unlike the Third Prince, the First and Second Princes were quite old.
In other words, if a silver-haired, crimson-eyed child appeared then.
"Could it be... Your Highnesses the Princes―."
Erik's words couldn't finish.
GHAL!!!
Because the Emperor's voice rose.
"Huh―. How is your thinking so twisted... Are you truly the disciple of that Riferoze?"
The Emperor uttered these words, then sighed.
Continuing to speak.
"Didn't that silver-haired, crimson-eyed child steal the power of the Moon and artificially create it? That's the suspicion in this situation."
What he ant was this:
The Second Empress had deceived the Emperor, carrying another child.
"Huh―. That's not the saying 'cuckoo in the nest'?"
Jang Du-sik blurted out understanding in a way even a fool could comprehend.
It was simple yet shocking enough that Du-sik would speak nonsense before the Emperor.
HAHAHAHAHAHA!!!
However, instead of becoming angry, the Emperor burst into boisterous laughter.
Continuing to speak.
"A cuckoo indeed―. Not entirely wrong."
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