CHAPTER 194: THE GUARDED STONE

When Aint Armian created a model Saint Bird in the city hall and proudly revealed his name before everyone.

The situation came to an end.

All three evil ones were either killed or captured and transported to Wienderk’s prison.

And in the subsequent additional search, no evil ones were discovered.

Of course, it wasn’t certain.

"We can’t directly check inside."

Examining another person’s aura hall or mana heart was taboo, and even Aint Armian couldn’t freely search through their insides.

But externally, there were no more who appeared to be evil ones, and it was the same when examined through the Dragon Faith Order’s artifacts.

Thus the situation was concluded for now.

But it wasn’t over.

[Duke Wienderk announces cancellation of the 198th Continental Academic Conference and holding a memorial service for those who died in this evil one incident...!]

Though the cause was clearly revealed and the culprits caught, it was an incident that left eleven victims.

Especially since the deceased were nobles and royalty, it couldn’t just be passed over or continue with a festive atmosphere.

[Waves of condolence pour out for the victims...]

The Continental Academic Conference was cancelled, and memorial services and funerals took its place.

But where there is darkness, there is also light.

Swoosh-

When Aint Armian drew back the curtains, the scene outside the window was revealed.

Below, countless gathered crowds.

"Aint Armian!"

"Aint Armian!"

And the name they were chanting.

This incident that produced eleven victims had given birth to a hero named Aint Armian.

"Stand back!"

Duke Wienderk sent knights to protect him, but it seemed he couldn’t step outside even one foot.

"Ugh. A life without freedom. I really didn’t expect this."

Get used to it. That will be your life from now on.

It was natural for people to be enthusiastic about heroes.

When chaos comes, people look for someone to depend on. That’s a hero.

The founding emperor of Armian was once like that, and Aint Armian would be the same.

Because that was the most likely path for the world to survive.

By the way, the nouveau riche bastard left first?

"Yes. He said he’d go first and move the mana stone composite to where it’s needed. When I said I’d go with him, he told me to maintain this atmosphere a bit longer before coming."

Gerhard Goldenheim had left first.

Since teleportation magic circles couldn’t be used with the mana stone composite, considerable time was needed to move it again.

Where it’s needed?

"I think he said the Dragon Faith Order."

The Dragon Faith Order. I don’t know about the need, but it’s certainly a safe place.

"I agree."

A place that outwardly advocated religion but was full of excellent wizards.

And a place that despised demons and evil ones.

At least if the mana stone composite safely reached the Dragon Faith Order, it would be impossible for evil ones to cause trouble again unless a demon was summoned.

But will they accept it?

"I heard they’ll do anything if you pay them..."

...That sounds like them. They’re the second most money-crazy bastards after Goldenheim.

More precisely, the magical experiments and research that could be done with money.

"But what’s the real purpose of the evil ones? What do they gain by killing eleven people?"

Well. Three things can be guessed for now.

First, preventing the Continental Academic Conference from being held. Second, killing power holders to cause chaos and weaken this side’s forces. Third...

Knock knock-

Just then, someone knocked on the door.

"Lord Aint Armian, you have a visitor."

"A visitor?"

"...Well."

Before the hesitant clerk could finish speaking, the door burst open.

There stood a completely unexpected person.

"...Your Grace?"

"First time meeting you, Aint Armian."

The master of Wienderk, Duke Gransis Wienderk.

"I’m sorry for visiting so suddenly. Normally I wouldn’t commit such rudeness, but the situation being what it is, I was a bit urgent."

The duke naturally sat on the sofa.

"Ah, no."

At the sudden appearance of such a big shot, Aint Armian had no leisure to blame him for it.

Calm down, Aint Armian.

If Gardner hanging around his neck hadn’t infused him with energy, it would have taken longer to collect himself.

Current Duke Wienderk or whatever, you are Aint Armian. The future emperor.

There’s no one you should feel intimidated by.

Moreover, you’re the hero of Valerich right now. From his position, he should be bowing in gratitude for catching evil ones.

He didn’t really expect even bowing, but thanks to that, Aint Armian threw off his bewilderment.

The duke’s eyes showed interest at that sight.

"It’s fine, Your Grace. However, I expected you would summon me."

Though he had greatly helped resolve the situation, it was something done without any consultation with the territory’s actual owner.

It was natural for the duke, whose mood had been soured, to summon or seek out Aint Armian at some point.

No matter what preparations Gerhard Goldenheim had made in advance.

"How could I do that? You are the benefactor who removed Valerich’s troubles. It’s nothing for me to move one step in my own territory, not some distant place."

This Duke Wienderk is quite humble? The founding duke was arrogant beyond measure and was educated by the founding emperor several times.

Aint Armian tried to ignore what Gardner was saying as if it were unexpected.

"I received a rough report. Thanks to your activities, we found and caught evil ones without much damage."

"Yes."

"Impressive. Not only recovering Armian’s secret swordsmanship known to be lost at such a young age, but already achieving this level of accomplishment. The head of Armian must be very pleased."

"You’re too kind."

Aint Armian showed humility.

At that moment, Aint Armian didn’t see a small flicker of interest in the duke’s eyes.

Nor that the duke’s judgment and conclusion about him had been made at that moment.

"However, stepping forward in that situation was hard to see as purely from a sense of justice. You were looking for a stage to make your name known, and Valerich became that stage - that’s my thought."

"That’s..."

"Ah, don’t be anxious. I have no intention of blaming you. That’s not why I came. Rather the opposite."

"...The opposite?"

Aint Armian asked cautiously.

"Long ago, when the founding emperor rose in anger against demons, it was we Wienderk who most reliably stood by his side, I take pride in that."

How about it.

"Shall we repeat that legend together once more?"

The duke smiled slightly.

==

While Aint Armian was meeting with the duke, Gerhard Goldenheim was walking through the mountains with Rosalia Wienderk, having left Valerich.

The reason for using past tense was because they had encountered an unexpected obstacle.

"..."

Gerhard Goldenheim and Rosalia Wienderk faced off against a man standing alone blocking their path.

Through the black clothing covering his entire body, pitch-black pupils stood out particularly.

The man extended his finger pointing behind Gerhard Goldenheim and Professor Rosalia Wienderk.

"That thing."

It was a relatively thick voice.

"I need to take it."

"Who are you?"

"Is there a reason to tell you?"

There was no need to ask.

As he began to reveal his aura in earnest, the magic faintly seeping out was proof that he was an evil one.

"I’ll give it to you."

"What nonsense?"

Rosalia Wienderk’s brow furrowed at Gerhard Goldenheim’s unexpected words, but he continued speaking without concern.

"Instead, let me ask just one thing. No matter how much I think about it, I can’t come up with an answer."

Gerhard Goldenheim had pondered and pondered again why evil ones had killed eleven people.

But no clear answer emerged.

Demon summoning at least had the possibility of annihilating the continent’s power holders gathered to watch the academic conference all at once.

If that had succeeded, humanity would have suffered a tremendous blow.

But what would be gained by killing merely eleven nobles?

"Stopping the academic conference? Or just killing some as venting anger? Or maybe..."

Gerhard Goldenheim paused briefly.

"Expelling Wienderk from the empire? But is that possible with just that level?"

"Stopping the academic conference."

"I see."

"Now hand that over as promised."

"Sorry, but promises without contracts have no obligation to be kept. So you should have written a contract first."

"You deceived me."

"You lied too, so aren’t we even?"

Actually, he didn’t know if it was a lie or not, but that wasn’t important.

"Professor."

"You had a useless conversation, Gerhard Goldenheim."

"Just in case."

Rosalia Wienderk stepped forward.

"I think I said the same thing recently, but I’ll say it again. I detest anyone coveting what’s mine."

"I’m targeting it for the first time."

"The one behind you is probably the same anyway. You filthy evil one."

She opened her subspace and drew out her staff.

"Tell your master clearly. What the price will be."

In the clear sky without a single cloud, snowflakes began falling one by one.

"Everyone stand back, I’ll handle him."

"But..."

"Stand back."

The Red Shell Knight Order members who had been hesitating at Gerhard Goldenheim’s words retreated.

A joint attack would be effective, but if the angry Rosalia Wienderk seriously unleashed magic, it would likely become 1-1 rather than 1+1.

Above all.

"...Ha, damn it. Sir Harten."

"Yes, I sense it too."

There wasn’t just one enemy.

"Die."

Immediately after ice rain poured down at Rosalia Wienderk’s gesture.

Kieeeek!

Grrrr-

Monsters revealed themselves from various parts of the mountain range.

8th-grade shadow monsters flew through the sky, and dozens of Orcs, 7th-grade monsters with massive muscular builds resembling ogres, approached with thundering steps.

Thump thump!

Gerhard Goldenheim secretly gripped his excited necklace.

"Wait. It’s not yet time for you to step forward."

Then he drew out his staff and manifested magic.

Rumble-

Massive rock piles struck the Orcs. That was the signal.

"Each take two! Process them as quickly as possible and regroup at the carriage!"

"Yes!"

The Red Shell Knight Order, who had been holding their breath, all kicked off the ground at once.

Roaaaaar!

When the Orcs knocked away the rock piles and revealed themselves again, the knights’ swords greeted them.

—!

Though sword and flesh collided, an explosive sound rang out.

And the results were all the same.

Graaaah!

Orcs falling with screams, knights not missing the opportunity to slash again.

Mere 7th-grade monsters couldn’t possibly face the Red Shell Knight Order, one of Goldenheim’s finest.

It didn’t take long for all the Orcs to fall as bloody messes.

But they couldn’t immediately return to the carriage.

"...There are more enemies."

"Same here."

Because the Orcs were only the beginning.

==

Gerhard Goldenheim overlapped several layers of defensive magic circles on the cart carrying the mana stone composite while monitoring the situation.

The battle between Rosalia Wienderk and the evil one was evenly matched, and the battle between knights and Orcs was one-sided.

’Easy enough.’

While the attack during return was unexpected, the forces prepared for such attacks didn’t disappear.

Gerhard Goldenheim thought they would block them without difficulty.

"More enemies!"

"Many monsters!"

Even when knights discovered other monsters and engaged in battle again, that thought didn’t change.

And.

"Where do you think you’re going?"

It was the same now.

A rocky fist that erupted from the ground struck someone who had been stealthily approaching. The fist couldn’t advance further, but the opponent’s stealth was completely broken.

"...Oh no, I’ve been caught. I thought it was perfect, but how exactly?"

"I roughly expected this would happen."

Nothing was caught by the detection magic spread all around. However, Gerhard Goldenheim had other means.

"Even so, it’s not something you can easily find... Well, whatever. I’m asking just in case, but you wouldn’t consider just giving that to me, would you?"

"As if."

"Right, I suppose so."

The robed man, the evil one, shrugged his shoulders.

His atmosphere suddenly changed.

"Then I’ll just take it."

The magic extending from his right hand became a giant fist and instantly shattered the rock.

Simultaneously, black flame masses flew toward Gerhard Goldenheim.

Gerhard Goldenheim hastily erected a rock barrier, but it easily melted away.

"...!"

At the stronger destructive power than expected, he urgently manifested the next magic.

Crack-

The ground split and his body sank below with the cart. The fire masses struck the wrong place.

"You’re doing troublesome things."

The evil one threw himself into the crack without hesitation. Immediately after, a flow of magic-infused sand struck him.

Clang clang clang-

The sand that could instantly crush ordinary monster hide was blocked, unable to penetrate the magic.

"Such a trivial trick... what?"

But the real thing was separate. Glass bottles hidden within the sandstorm.

They exploded precisely near the evil one thanks to the sand, covering his entire body.

And smoke began rising from all directions. The flowing liquids ate away at the magic.

"...This is that thing. Holy water made by the Dragon Faith Order. I took quite a hit!"

"Just one hit?"

Gerhard Goldenheim’s voice came from within the crack. Steel spears that sprouted from the crack walls pierced through the corroded magic.

And small spheres entered those wounds.

————!

Chain explosions occurred, twisting the evil one’s body.

The spheres’ identity was none other than mana stones inscribed with Explosion.

"Ugh, that was a bit dangerous! But with just this much, I can’t be...!"

The evil one’s tattered body rapidly regenerated.

Or tried to.

BOOOOOOM!

If a massive greatsword that erupted like a volcanic explosion hadn’t precisely aimed for the gap and failed to penetrate his body.

"Huh...?"

The evil one’s eyes widened as his lower half was completely blown away.

"Huh huh...?"

As if unable to understand, he tilted his head.

"Where on earth did this come from?"

"Are those your last words?"

Even if there were any, he had no intention of listening.

The greatsword swept from bottom to top.

The evil one’s body was completely split in half.

Brutishly overwhelming aura completely decomposed the split flesh.