Chapter 40 《The Hound of the Storm》 – (2)
(I)
‘The world won’t always go the way you think it will.’
That was the first thought that crossed Big John’s mind as he looked at his collapsing territory. His father’s voice, who had passed away long ago, rang vividly in his ears.
“This makes no sense….”
His trembling voice escaped into the air as misty breath. Between the icy grip surrounding his domain, massive columns of fire and thunderous roars erupted.
“….”
Big John knew deep down that without the lava moat and the seemingly bottomless abyss that had once shielded Lavaheart, it would be impossible to stop the undead army.
But even then, he hadn’t expected everything to be destroyed in less than three minutes.
Like how parents secretly believe their child is special, John had thought his territory could withstand the vampires a little longer. It was a vain dream.
-Save meeeee!!
-Undeaaaaaad!!
“….”
Screams erupted from all directions.
The undead were unlike humans, or even demons. They possessed neither emotions nor intelligence, following only the commands of the master who summoned them.
To the cold and ruthless skeletal legion, soldiers’ lives and the livelihoods of the territory’s people were meaningless.
“Ah….”
What could that Progenitor Vampire possibly want to cause this devastation? Why was it so different from other vampires who had suffered under them? Could attempting negotiations have saved more lives?
“….”
…But it was already beyond John’s control, and there was nothing more he could do. From then on, everything happened in a blur.
-Are you the lord of this place?
“Huh…?”
From a gap in the crumbled castle walls where John had been hiding, an undead approached. Entering John’s hazy field of vision was a zombie wearing a maid’s uniform.
“A maid…?”
Unlike the other skeletal soldiers roaming the territory, this one possessed intelligence and spoke human language—a peculiar creature.
It was unmistakably Tina, the Zombie Maid who served alongside the Progenitor Vampire.
-From your expression, I’d say yes.
“….”
She unsheathed a grotesque and massive greatsword from her back. Its blade, still smeared with sticky red blood, suggested it had already claimed many lives.
“…I must really be underestimated.”
Big John let out a bitter laugh at the zombie maid’s actions. He, too, drew his sword from his waist and stood up.
“Sending a lackey, huh….”
Big John, a veteran adventurer of decades, had no intention of surrendering his life to a mere servant of the Progenitor Vampire, no matter how dire the circumstances.
…Or so he believed.
-Hmph.
“Huh?”
This time, it was the zombie maid who scoffed. Her short twin tails swayed slightly, catching John’s eye.
Then came the pain in his abdomen.
For a fleeting moment—so brief he couldn’t even register it—he had blinked, and the maid was already upon him, driving the hilt of her sword into his stomach.
“Urgh…!”
The impact knocked the wind out of him, and his vision blurred. A mocking whisper followed in his ear.
-Yeah, you were underestimated.
“….”
His strength drained, and darkness consumed his vision.
Everything had happened so quickly that John’s mind couldn’t keep up. The only thing he understood was that the zombie maid had incapacitated him in an instant.
“What the….”
Muttering incoherently, he lost consciousness.
And when he opened his eyes again, standing before him was—
-Lucky you, huh?
…the Progenitor Vampire herself.
“The, the Progenitor Vampire….”
For the first time, a terror unlike anything he’d ever felt crept over him.
***
(II)
“I—I don’t know the exact whereabouts of the Prime Minister….”
“….”
The first piece of information from Lavaheart’s lord was far from satisfactory. Hearing that infuriating word, “don’t know,” grated on me, and I didn’t bother hiding the displeasure twisting my face.
“W-Wait, please!”
“….”
Seeing my expression darken, the lord panicked, clearly fearing for his life. He hurriedly tried to stop me and continued speaking frantically.
“But! But! I do know the hero’s location!”
“…!!”
His expression instantly shifted to one of interest at the lord’s words.
Yes, I had only ever pursued Lilianel’s whereabouts but had never paid attention to the hero’s location.
In the current situation, Lilianel would surely be clinging to the hero’s leg, crying. The hero’s location must inevitably be Lilianel’s as well.
“…The hero?”
“Y-Yes, the hero, Sir Vellius Grandius.”
The lord bowed so deeply that only the top of his head was visible, his voice still trembling with fear and tension as he continued.
“A few days ago, I heard that the hero, who had been heading to the northernmost border for a demon extermination, entered the fortress city of Nevirthol.”
“Nevirthol…?”
“Yes, the fortress city of Nevirthol, known for its seven layers of walls and as the most strategic point in the Avilia Kingdom.”
As if I didn’t already know, the lord helpfully added more information. Without pause, he spilled everything he knew.
“The Prime Minister and the hero share a bond that goes beyond mere camaraderie. It is certain that the Prime Minister, who fled to Nevirthol, summoned the hero there.”
“Hmm….”
I crossed my arms and fell into thought.
Indeed, as the lord said, Lilianel’s only option now was to somehow use the hero.
Of course, even she wouldn’t believe she could resist me with someone like the hero, but still, it was the only lifeline she could grasp.
Thus, Lilianel would desperately need the hero, and the two were bound to meet at least once.
And conveniently, the place the hero was headed was Nevirthol, the kingdom’s most strategically important fortress.
…The “fortress city,” the most ideal place for Lilianel to hide herself.
“…Is this true?”
“Y-Yes, it’s true.”
“If it’s false, you won’t die peacefully.”
“Eek….”
At my cold warning, the lord trembled. He stammered as he tried to further substantiate his report.
“If-if you wish, I can show you the letters in my office. P-please believe me….”
“Hmm….”
I looked down at him coldly.
This time, unlike before, he didn’t seem to be hiding anything.
“Hah….”
I let out a sigh and turned my gaze away from him.
“Missed the mark….”
Mizael had said Lilianel would flee to either Lavaheart or Nevirthol, and I had chosen Lavaheart first. Unfortunately, it was the wrong choice.
“Still, it doesn’t matter….”
Well, since my next destination was Nevirthol anyway, the plan didn’t require much adjustment.
…If the lord’s words were true, this time I’d draw the winning ticket. A golden opportunity to crush Lilianel and that cursed descendant of the First Hero, Varius, together.
“…Tina.”
“Yes, Master.”
I called Tina, who had been holding her greatsword. She responded with a voice so polite and gentle that it couldn’t even be compared to how she had addressed the lord.
I issued an order to my loyal subordinate.
“Summon all the troops scattered throughout the city. We’re heading straight for Nevirthol.”
“…Understood.”
Now that the hero’s location, likely alongside Lilianel, had been confirmed, there was no need to linger in this dingy mining city.
I ordered Tina to prepare for our immediate departure for Nevirthol.
Then, I turned to Isera, who had been standing quietly beside Tina.
“Isera?”
“…At your command, my lady.”
The Snow Woman with a stunningly beautiful appearance bowed her head in response.
I gave her another command.
“I have a solo mission for you.”
“Whatever it may be, as my lady wishes.”
She knelt on one knee, ready to receive her orders as though accepting a royal decree.
“I thought of something interesting.”
I smiled faintly and issued her instructions.
“You are to head to Nevirthol ahead of us.”
“Before the others…?”
She looked at me with a puzzled expression. I nodded again.
“Yes, I’ll lend you the undying dragon Kelrathus. Ride it and reach Nevirthol before us.”
“….”
“…And disguise yourself as a human.”
“…!!”
Isera’s pupils dilated.
Even Tina, who had turned to gather the undead troops, froze momentarily.
I smirked wider as I continued.
“Don’t get caught, and find a way to infiltrate Lilianel’s faction or join the hero’s followers. I’ll provide you with all the magical tools you’ll need.”
“The hero’s faction….”
“Yes, the hero’s, Lilianel’s.”
Killing her outright wouldn’t let her experience the most intense emotion I wanted her to feel.
“…Betrayal.”
The misery of being stabbed in the back by the one you trusted and relied on the most.
“…You’ll feel that too, Lilianel.”
Clutching the sting of betrayal and reeling from the blow,
You’ll sink into the endless swamp of death and skeletons.
“…Just wait a little longer.”
I’m coming now.
—
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