[Translator - Pot ]

[Proofreader - Kawaii ]

Chapter 322: You've Finally Made It Up Here

I held onto Zamuel and Ghir with both hands and shrouded us in a veil of dark mana.

In that state, I spread my Black Wings and flew over the castle wall. No one noticed our presence.

“This is pretty convenient.”

Ghir said in admiration.

“Though holding a man’s hand is a bit gross.”

“I agree,” I said, nodding, then asked Zamuel, “Where should we land?”

“Let’s land here for now.”

We touched down in a suitable spot and, following Zamuel’s lead, went to find the underworld godfather.

“Lord Zamuel?”

“Crescione, it’s been a while.”

A godfather, or more accurately, a godmother, Crescione.

She was a woman who appeared to be in her middle years.

She had the sharp aura unique to a sword-wielder and wore her hair cut short.

“It has been a long time. But more importantly, what brings you here?”

“Calm down. I’ll explain everything slowly.”

After hearing the explanation, Crescione hummed thoughtfully.

“Hmm…”

We waited quietly while she deliberated.

Just because she owed a debt and felt a sense of loyalty didn’t mean she could readily accept any favor.

“First, there are a few things I would like to confirm.”

“Ask anything you wish.”

Ghir and I quietly stepped back to watch their conversation.

“Who are the people accompanying you?”

“This is Ghir Svaltalfar. He is the older brother of the young clan head, Drak.”

“Ah!”

There was no one in the underworld who did not know of the Svaltalfar, the renowned clan of assassins.

“Is he not the genius of great repute?”

Ghir, contrary to his usual insolent self, replied in a nonchalant tone.

“Calling me a genius is embarrassing at this point.”

“Ahem. He seems more… than I expected.”

Crescione swallowed the rest of her words, but I knew what she was going to say without having to see.

‘She means he doesn’t seem as crazy as she thought.’

I agreed. When I first met him, I thought there was no crazier bastard in the world.

“Then who is the man next to him?”

Zamuel answered that question for her.

“Karzan. He is the big shot who took over the Grunewald underworld and a trusted confidant of Young Master Allenvert.”

“Ah!”

Crescione looked at me with surprised eyes.

“So you are the man of great fame.”

“You know of me?”

“How could I not?”

“It is a surprise that my fame has spread all the way to the underworld of the distant royal capital.”

I impersonated myself without batting an eye.

“I am carrying out a mission under the secret orders of Young Master Allenvert. If you cooperate, you will be able to receive many favors when the underworld of Litvaleur is reorganized in the future.”

“…I appreciate the clear calculation.”

After hearing my name and Ghir’s, Crescione’s expression showed that she had made up her mind.

“It is a dangerous task, but one that is well worth the risk. There is profit to be made, and I have the justification of repaying my debt to Lord Zamuel. There is no reason to refuse.”

Zamuel grinned.

“My thanks, Crescione.”

“Don’t mention it. It would have been difficult before, but now, it is more than possible.”

Her words implied just how chaotic the situation inside the castle had become.

“…I’m counting on you. There is no need to overdo it.”

“Do not worry.”

Crescione stood up and said.

“I am just grateful that the moment to repay my debt has come. I will depart immediately.”

“…”

Watching the scene, I whispered quietly to Ghir.

“What’s with the atmosphere? Is there something between them?”

“…Suspicious.”

Zamuel cleared his throat.

“It’s not like that.”

***

Verdzig sat in his command tent and checked the time.

“…It’s time.”

It was the promised hour.

“Ulbhild, Lady Siena.”

“Yes, brother.”

“Speak, Second Young Master.”

“Prepare yourselves. We will begin immediately.”

They had no intention of just sitting back and watching while Allenvert was infiltrating the castle.

“We will strike the castle gates with the loudest night raid possible to draw the attention of the 3rd Prince’s faction.”

It would be good if the gates collapsed, and it would also be good if Allenvert could exploit any openings created while they were busy defending.

‘The former wouldn’t be so bad.’

But it wasn’t strictly necessary. What was important was not competing for achievements, but for each side to carry out their mission and ensure the success of the operation.

In truth, this was something that would have been impossible without the trust between the two brothers.

“Your Highness, please help defend the main camp.”

“I will.”

The 8th Prince looked at Verdzig’s back and the castle of Litvaleur that lay before him.

‘There is just one worry.’

It was the fact that there was no telling what the cornered 3rd Prince might do.

‘No, there’s one more.’

The incompetence of the 1st Prince.

Even he could not fully calculate what kind of result that would bring about.

.

.

.

“Fire! There’s a fire in the warehouse!”

“We’ve spotted suspicious individuals!”

“Don’t chase them! Just focus on putting out the fire!”

“Enemy attack! The Grunewald army is attacking the castle gates!”

“Hold on! Send out everyone we have left!”

“Understood!”

The 3rd Prince’s command was in a frenzy, responding to urgent reports coming in from all directions.

“…We just have to hold out as long as possible.”

They were the ones left behind by the 3rd Prince, designated as ‘sacrificial pawns’ to buy as much time as possible.

‘Damn it.’

With their clans taken hostage, there was nothing they could do.

“…There will be no surrender. When the Dark King becomes a Demon God, I will be sure to return and slaughter the clans of those who surrendered.”

The 3rd Prince, Lavinia, Ivan, and Casimir had all left, leaving behind only that chilling warning. No one was left here.

“We will pour all of our strength into taking the eldest brother’s main camp.”

It was truly an all-or-nothing gamble.

If they failed, they would lose their base and be surrounded and annihilated.

‘But if we succeed, we can turn everything around.’

For them, the only option left was to defend their post with the heart of a prayer, believing in that hope.

***

“Wow. It’s like fireworks in the middle of the night.”

From our position atop a steeple, we confirmed that a fire had indeed broken out near the 3rd Prince’s base, just as planned.

“She’s quite capable, isn’t she?”

“Well, it is their home turf. It probably wasn’t too difficult.”

Contrary to his words, a slight smile was playing on Zamuel’s face.

“The night raid has begun, too.”

With the addition of the night assault led by Verdzig’s special forces, the soldiers of the 3rd Prince’s faction were running around in confusion amidst the chaos erupting both inside and outside.

“This is the perfect chance.”

It wouldn’t be too difficult to quietly infiltrate the enemy camp in the midst of this confusion.

However.

“Tch, a barrier?”

A transparent magic barrier blocked our path.

“Hmm, it’s pretty sturdy.”

Ghir said after tapping on the barrier, then looked at me.

“A magic barrier, you say?”

Those were my favorite words.

‘Dark King, you son of a bitch.’

I habitually thought of the Dark King’s wooden box.

If my Penetration technique, which had shattered even that, was with me, then something like this was nothing.

“Everyone, put up your defensive auras. It might explode, just in case.”

I wouldn’t be fooled by the same trick twice.

“Alright, get ready.”

Soul-Slumbering Black Moon, activate.

Vwoooooooom!

A massive shockwave spread out, and the magic barrier shattered like glass.

Cr-cr-crack!

Shatter!

“What? It didn’t explode?”

I was secretly nervous, so that was a relief.

“Let’s go.”

.

.

.

“What is this?”

To our surprise, it was completely empty.

“Wow, did we strike out?”

“We got baited.”

I scratched my head as I looked at the 3rd Prince’s empty quarters.

“Don’t tell me… they all went to attack the 1st Prince?”

“Looks like it.”

“Damn it. This complicates things.”

We hurriedly changed our course toward the 1st Prince’s quarters.

“But Karzan, isn’t it a good thing if the 1st Prince gets captured?”

I shook my head at Ghir’s question.

“Not necessarily. If the 1st Prince, the central figure, is gone, there’s no guarantee that the rest will all rally behind the 8th Prince, a younger brother with a weaker claim to legitimacy.”

“The problem is that this means we have to save the 1st Prince, capture the 3rd Prince, and deal with Ivan and the Grand Commander of the Royal Guard.”

Zamuel pointed out.

“Is that even possible?”

Ghir frowned.

“Wouldn’t it be better to call for reinforcements right now? We’re at a huge disadvantage.”

“Well, you’re not wrong.”

I said, grinning. \

“That’s why I brought this little guy.”

A single Blood Bat popped its head out from my coat.

“You heard that, Skella?”

[The situation has changed.]

The Blood Bat replied.

[Personnel?]

“Brother Verdzig, Sister Ulbhild, Lady Siena, Brother Knut, Rudgarda.”

I said.

“And finally, you have to join us as well.”

In war, a plan can change at any time.

What’s important is how quickly and how appropriately you respond.

***

The 1st Prince’s faction knew that the 3rd Prince would launch an all-out offensive.

After the defeat of Duke Montera’s support army, if they weren’t going to surrender, their best option was to take the 1st Prince hostage.

However…

“Grand Commander of the Royal Guard, Casimir! Are you now slaughtering the very guard you trained yourself?!”

Casimir advanced, killing his former subordinates with emotionless eyes.

“Surround him!”

“It’s useless.”

It was meaningless whether a few people surrounded him or if they formed a line with spears, shields, and swords.

“Damn it!”

That wasn’t the only problem.

“That man is?”

“It’s Ivan of the Black Society!”

The aura of Ivan, who was unleashing his ghost-like sword, was truly murderous.

‘That bastard again!’

Count Gamigin, who had already been routed by Ivan once before, felt a surge of fear.

‘Damn it.’

He was no match for this man. He had been defeated without being able to do almost anything, and he had no choice but to turn his horse and flee.

“Gamigin! I spared your life, and now you offer your neck again!”

“Eek!”

Gamigin hesitated. Should he throw his sword, or draw it?

“Fine! You’ll have to kill me first to pass!”

At last, he mustered his courage. Even if he were to die, he could not run away pathetically.

If he did, even his own subordinates would lose their morale, flee, and be killed.

This decision was not born of instinct, but of a conviction he had affirmed countless times.

“Your courage is commendable. I will at least make it painless.”

“Shut up!”

The sword that Gamigin swung as if in a seizure cut through empty air.

“?!”

Just as Ivan’s sword, which had dodged the attack with ghost-like footwork, was about to end Gamigin’s world…

“A courageous answer. I like it.”

“?!”

With a voice that suddenly cut in, Ivan retreated backward.

“Karzan!”

“Yo, long time no see.”

Karzan bared his teeth, aiming his bracelet-sword at Ivan.

“How dare these bastards trick me? They’re all dead.”

“…Ha!”

Ivan burst out laughing at the sight.

He could tell at a glance. The fact that Karzan had ascended to the 8th-tier.

“You’ve finally made it up here, Karzan.”

To the same realm as himself.

[Translator - Pot ]

[Proofreader - Kawaii ]