Chapter 135
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The hero entered the conference room.
The dazzling lights on the ceiling cast a brilliant glow over the entire space.
In front of the large glass window, the majestic scenery of the bustling imperial palace was reflected.
The emperor, seated on the throne, had an unusual look of anxiety on her face.
No, it wasnt really unusual.
It has become a familiar expression since getting involved with that fellow.
Truly a situation worthy of astonishment.
You!
The emperors eyebrows trembled upon seeing the hero.
What on earth happened? Where is Larze?
She said she was tired and would take a rest.
Could you at least answer the first question?
How should I explain this?
The hero opened his mouth with a brief sigh.
For now, just know that we have one more accomplice.
Explain it properly.
The emperor immediately closed his mouth.
The hero pointed to the entrance with a nod of his chin.
Footsteps were echoing in the corridor.
Thump, thump, a loud, heavy stride.
Tap, tap.
It was an old woman with a staff.
Your Majesty, Leader. Apologies for the delay, I have returned.
Im back.
As Dorempa and Barun arrived, the meeting began immediately.
Dorempa started the situation briefing first.
From how they subdued the Voltar Branch to the ominous suggestions that were beginning to surface.
The hero couldnt help but be shocked when he heard about freezing the entire factory.
Although he had become stronger, there was still a considerable gap compared to the Dawn Knights.
Wait, what about the hostages?
Even if they were frozen, it wont cause significant harm to their lives.
.
The Demonic Church followers were shattered in that state, and the person in charge was arrested and handed over. We dont have a torture specialist in our tribe.
Coincidentally, both the hero and Dorempa captured the Demonic Church bastards in the same way.
Meanwhile, Barun also shared the results of last night.
She had apprehended the conspirators who had infiltrated Harlem and gained some useful information called Tyler.
The emperor, having received the report, formulated plans for the future and summoned them to discuss it.
For now, Ive sent the secret agents to the north. Even if they moved secretly, once evidence of the kidnapping is discovered, we should be able to trace them.
Everyone nodded in agreement.
In a few days, we should be able to roughly figure out where the factories are hidden. Ive already sought cooperation from the Mages Tower. Wizards skilled in locating spells will pinpoint their locations. The problem is
Wandering through the vast north to exterminate the factories lacks manpower. Isnt that right?
Dorempa interjected with an expressionless face.
Euphemia nodded with a serious look.
Indeed, that was the case.
She was currently advancing the plans for the Eastern Expedition, and extensive preparations for that were underway.
Numerous heroes and troops were tied up with their respective missions.
Ill help.
Dorempa, with an assurance as if saying not to worry, looked straight into her eyes.
It was a firm attitude like a rock.
This incident is my responsibility as the Chief. I feel the weight of it. Ill select some elite warriors to join forces.
This is the season when North Hales severe cold weather subsides.
There wouldnt be much difficulty in mobilizing the tribe members.
Euphemia straightened up with a satisfied expression.
The burden on her shoulders seemed much lighter.
Alright, lets move together with our greetings. Fortunately, theres someone who suits you well.
Someone who suits me?
Only then did they realize why the communication bead was placed on the conference table.
Thud, thud, thud.
A few connection sounds followed, and a lively voice echoed in the room.
[Oh, Your Majesty! Oh, Barun! Oh! Leader, oh Are you the rumored Chief of the tribe? Nice to meet you for the first time. Glad to meet you!]
However, contrary to the boyish voice, the owner had a truly fierce appearance.
A massive, bare-chested figure without a single trace of silver hair.
Numerous tattoos painted with crimson dye adorned the powerful physique.
He wore a hat made of feathers of different colors.
His flamboyant presence made Euphemias crown look rather shabby.
From the pulsating veins throughout his body, a beastly power mixed with determination could be felt.
The giant god, Ivar Waitanka.
His tribal name is Roaring Wind.
The tribe member of the indigenous people near the Great Mountain Range.
Although he had experienced the disgrace of the tribe being obliterated by the Demon Army in his youth,
He was a member of the Dawn Knights sent by Euphemia to investigate the Stagnum prison incident in the north.
With a stature comparable to Dorempa among humans, he revealed sharp teeth in front of the communication bead and laughed heartily.
Euphemia listed Ivars strengths as if making excuses.
Even if he looks like that, he has excellent intuition, good physical strength, and is one of the top Dawn Knights in terms of combat skills.
Well, he seems that way. Nice to meet you, Ivr.
Ivar, as if measuring Dorempas stature, glanced at him with pitch-black pupils, then burst into hearty laughter.
[Truly a reliable partner, indeed. Ill be counting on you.]
The conversation progressed rapidly.
Ivar stated that he had nearly completed tracking the Stagnum Escape Incident.
He had also made some progress in investigating the Demonic Church active in the north, making him a suitable candidate for this incident.
[Well then, lets meet at Biren Fortress in two days. Until then, Ill tidy up the remaining matters here.]
That sounds good. Ill also summon the warriors of the tribe.
[Ah, the tribe, huh]
Ivar, for a moment, wore a nostalgic expression.
He was also a member of the indigenous tribe that resided near the Great Mountain Range.
In his childhood, he had been forced into a nomadic life by the destruction of the tribe by the Demon Army.
Okay then.
Once the meeting concluded, Dorempa stood up first.
After scanning the audience with his mysterious azure eyes, he quickly left.
Although the color resembled Cucullis, it felt strangely different, almost alien.
May I excuse myself as well?
Barun, requested permission to attend to the wounded organization members, who had sustained injuries during the nights search and suppression.
She was about to leave the room but paused for a moment, turning to look at the hero.
Hero.
What is it?
Its about the girl you brought with you.
Nyhill? Has something happened to her?
No, its just
Barun, about to say more, closed her mouth, feeling like she might be overstepping her bounds.
Time changes things.
It makes one hesitant to step forward into things they cannot take responsibility for.
In truth, it wasnt quite appropriate to bring up such matters in front of the emperor who oversees the shadows.
So, she pulled out different words that were on her mind.
She seems like someone Id like to treat warmly.
The hero, who had been staring at Barun for a moment, nodded.
I understand what you mean. Go ahead and see her.
Thank you.
With a deep bow, Barun showed respect to the emperor and stepped back.
Now, the conference room was left with only the two of them.
Chin-!
The emperor, who had just shown a stern expression as if it were a lie, suddenly stood up, approaching the hero with a thoughtful face.
So, what happened to Larze?
I went to the hiding place to retrieve an artifact and she was waiting for me. She already knew my identity.
What? How?
The hero proceeded to explain, but the emperors expression remained unchanged.
While investigating the demonic realm, she obtained records related to a doppelganger Thanks to that, she was able to discern our deception.
Could this information potentially expose the presence of a doppelganger to other investigative teams?
As the emperors face became more rigid, the hero raised his head, reassuring her.
Even with access to all the worlds information, you didnt know about the existence of a doppelganger until the real one spoke of me. Obtaining such accessible records wouldnt have been easy. And she acquired this information not too long ago.
The doppelganger was a forgotten entity.
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The hero could be certain.
Everyone who remembered him had died, and even they didnt know exactly what kind of entity he was.
He could be wandering in some remote region through oral traditions. However, he couldnt have any connection to the current me.
Well, Im relieved but.
The emperor, dishevelled her hair in a manner that seemed uncharacteristic, then wiped her forehead with a warm hand.
By the way, there was no information about you in the imperial archive.
If youre concerned, keep an eye on the information circulating in Canis black market or other information networks for a while.
Isnt that what you should do Why are you so calm?
The hero chuckled.
One panicked person is enough, dont you think?
With that confidence, the emperor was left speechless.
The two remained silent for a moment.
The first to speak again was the hero.
By the way, about Dorempa.
Why the Chief?
It seems his personality has changed too much since before. His appearance and all. Any idea whats going on?
Changed from when?
Euphemias expression became peculiar.
She had been in constant contact with Dorempa since her coronation.
There hadnt been much change in the unresponsive and cold Chief.
When was it changed?
During the time he was not yet the Chief. There was a brief encounter.
Euphemia lost words for a moment.
How old are you anyway?
Does that matter?
No, forget it. Its better not to know.
Anyway, if it was about that old time, there might be some speculation.
Although I dont know about before, becoming the Chief and receiving the baptism must have changed him. Both in appearance and in his heart. Closer to a dragon.
Baptism? Closer to a dragon?
Ah, you might not know.
Euphemias brief explanation inferred this:
According to the legend, the distant ancestors of the Frost Dragon tribe were dragons.
Not subspecies like Wyverns, but real ancient dragons.
Living for hundreds of years, wielding infinite mana, and having a length of tens of meters from head to tailsuch was the creature in the legend.
Among the descendants of the Frost Dragon tribe, some were born with a very faint trace of dragon blood, and there was a ritual called baptism to transform it.
Its said to take place in the dormant sanctuary of the Frost Dragons. A place known only to the Frost Dragon tribe.
This is the first time Ive heard of it.
Its not widely known. Rather, its kept quite confidential.
Only the chieftain could undergo the baptism.
Depending on ones aptitude, the extent of transformation towards the dragon was determined.
Dorempa, according to reports, achieved the closest resemblance to a dragon among all the previous chiefs.
Usually, it ends with a change in one arm or leg, but he underwent a complete transformation of wings and the entire left side of his body.
So, did his personality change like a dragon as well?
Like a dragon precisely? Im not sure, but he certainly must have changed. Transforming the body like an ancient creature that lives for centuries, its hard to believe the mind would remain unscathed.
Euphemia looked at the hero with an uneasy expression.
In one of the records, it was expressed as devoured.'
The heros face subtly frowned.
It reminded him of what Cuculli had said before.
I am the strongest among my thirty brothers!
In that case, she was likely a strong candidate for the next chieftain.
Will she also be baptized?
It was a good thing for her to awaken dragon blood and become stronger.
It meant an increase in the forces to resist the Demon Kings army.
However, the combination of her innocent appearance and the dryness Dorempa had just shown created an indescribable frustration in the hero.
Why is that?
No, its nothing.
.
.
.
Afterward, brief discussions about future plans ensued.
What about the cooperation initiative the Demonic Church is proposing with the hostile races?
In this incident, there were no clues but I need to be vigilant
Still, in the heros mind, there was a lingering thought to talk with Cuculli.
* * *
On the other hand, discussions on countermeasures were not limited to humans alone.
Creak-
This place was once a thriving location filled with human hopes and vibrancy.
Now, only the ruins of collapsed and decaying magic streets were left.
It was close to noon, yet the sunlight couldnt pierce through the thick fog and dispersed into the surroundings.
The entire area was tainted in a deep black hue.
A silhouette slowly moved through the wreckage, crossing the desolate streets.
Ah
She sighed softly, stopping in front of a peculiar structure at the end of the road.
The building was made of fleshy substance, trembling as it emitted an eerie noise.
A gust of sticky wind tousled her faded hair.
On her forehead, a sinister pattern was embedded.
If someone witnessed this pattern in any human city, it would likely be met with countless blades within minutes.
Enter.
The structure, made of flesh, trembled and emitted a strange noise.
The irregularly shaped red glows blinked from the entrance, and the shadows distorted from impossible angles.
Quaack-
Wooong-
A gruesome sound echoed from inside, as if someone were chewing on something tough.
Despite the unsettling atmosphere that would make anyone with a shred of courage turn away, the Church leader didnt hesitate.
She confidently stepped forward.
Creak-
Passing through the narrow and pulsating corridor, she reached the innermost room.
At the entrance, she kneeled and prostrated herself with all four limbs.
The thorny spikes on the floor burned her flesh, stabbed her bones, but she continued without uttering a word.
And she whispered.
I, your humble servant, offer insignificant pain to request a momentary revelation from the great Third Apostle.
The blood trickling from her knees flowed into the scorched floor.
Then, at a certain moment
Blink-
A sound of eyelids opening resonated from the dark shadows.
The Queen of Agony, the Third General of the Demon Kings army, Malekia, gazed upon her servant.
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