Chapter 145 : Chapter 145

Chapter 145

Crusty Heinrich's private reception room was the quietest and most secretive space in his palace.

The large, sturdy door was made of luxurious ebony wood, and when it opened, a soft radiance emanated from within.

‘This place is always unpleasant to visit.’

Isaac Heinrich walked down the long reception room, his brow furrowed.

The floor was covered with a pure white carpet, and with each step, a plush sensation seemed to envelop the tips of his toes.

On the walls were arranged Crusty’s cherished ancient books and rare magic texts.

“You’ve come.”

From afar, the master of the reception room greeted him.

“You seem to be at leisure.”

“No reason not to be. Have a seat.”

Crusty, having set down his teacup, gestured to the seat opposite him.

“……”

Isaac scanned the tabletop with a suspicious gaze.

On the small tea table were a handmade ceramic teacup and a crystal teapot.

Each time tea was poured from the teapot, a gentle steam rose, and a fragrant aroma filled the room.

The large fireplace in the corner of the reception room was made of marble, and an antique mirror hung above it.

The flames in the fireplace seemed to be burning by magic, not by a mechanical device.

“You’re as suspicious as ever.”

“We are not on such terms as to leisurely drink tea together.”

Thud.

A teacup slid across the table to Isaac as he sat down.

He picked up the cup and savored the aroma of the tea.

“Is this the one that poisoned the Pope?”

Pfft.

The corners of Isaac’s mouth lifted as he set the teacup down.

“I’ve heard all about your failure, brother. I hear all the spies you planted in the Holy Nation were beheaded.”

A coup d'état using the king of the Holy Nation.

Luminescia, having bolted its gates, had carried out a change of king, and currently, many cardinals had also been replaced.

The fact that all of them, big or small, had been in contact with the Empire was a story known only to those in the know.

“Why do you think it was a failure?”

“I didn't think you were so lacking as to not be able to admit failure.”

Isaac had targeted Cornelia, and Crusty had targeted Luminescia.

The two princes' plans had clearly failed, and Isaac was preserving himself and preparing his next move.

Crusty lifted the newly filled teacup.

“There were gains. I confirmed three things.”

“Let's hear your brilliant excuse, brother.”

“First. It is about the Pope’s Authority.”

The Authority of Time possessed by the current Pope, Claudio de Cronis.

“I don’t know the exact principle, but it has been confirmed that he sees the future.”

Foresight.

An eye that allows one to avoid a future that is harmful to oneself and walk towards a desired future.

It was a part that the Empire had always suspected.

Crusty seemed to have found something to be certain of through this incident.

“Second. The fact that the Holy Nation has joined hands with Eurasia.”

On the surface, they acted as if they had no connection with Eurasia, but in reality, they had permitted the construction of a medium-sized warp gate in Brussels.

Due to the surrounding environment, Eurasia had always been held back by its means of transportation.

Even if it could only be used in the eastern frontier, that alone would increase its national power to an unprecedented extent.

“Third.”

Crusty paused for a moment, and the corners of his mouth twisted strangely.

“Those bastards from the Holy Nation, their connection with the Gods has clearly been severed.”

At those words, even Isaac showed a surprised reaction.

“Even the Chief Priest level of the temple?”

“The Chief Priest level is certain. Perhaps even the Pope is the same.”

“What is the basis for your speculation?”

“The Pope was poisoned even though he knew there was poison. Would a man of his stature, connected to the Gods, have failed to avoid such a danger?”

“……”

“There is a limit to the activation of the Divine Object. To the extent that he cannot use proper foresight without making such a choice.”

The man who receives the greatest grace from the Gods more than anyone else.

‘If not only the Chief Priest level but also the Pope's connection is severed… the Holy Nation will find it difficult to maintain its current power.’

“That must be why they’ve bolted their gates, wouldn’t you say?”

A plausible, no, a highly probable conjecture.

“So. The reason you called me?”

“I don’t think my work was a failure either, but this time, I’m thinking of joining forces with you.”

“You take me lightly. Did you think you could use me like that foolish Bronz?”

Kugugugu.

Black mana. Just as the Haki leaking from Isaac’s body was about to pressure Crusty.

Hwaaak.

A pure white mana rose from Crusty’s body.

The white mana was seen to offset Isaac’s Haki without difficulty.

‘This isn’t ordinary mana. This is…….’

“Even after obtaining an immortal body, that hasty temper of yours is still the same.”

“……”

“Relying on the Curse of Grotesquery will one day require a price to be paid.”

“That's not something for a person who has meddled with a God’s Authority to say.”

The two princes looked at each other for a moment.

White and black.

As different as their contrasting mana colors, they chose different paths and achieved their current state.

Arch Mage and Sword Master.

Until now, the White Duke and the Black Duke had maintained a balance, but depending on who achieved 8-star first, the war for the throne would tilt greatly.

“If we had obtained Cornelia’s Violet Magic Tower and Luminescia’s Holy Tower, we wouldn’t have come this far.”

As a result, neither of them had obtained another tower.

“It seems our masters also need time to recover, as it happens.”

“……”

“How about it? Won't you build a new tower with me?”

“Are you talking about the southern frontier?”

“Yes.”

“I refuse. You should know very well why we haven’t been able to target it until now.”

The fairy race rooted in the southern frontier.

The special mana they produced had long been evaluated as suitable for creating a new magic tower.

‘If we could use that tree called Yggdrasil as a material, the strongest magic tower, surpassing black and white, would be born.’

If so, the Empire would experience another period of prosperity.

The problem was that they were a very reclusive race, and the 8-star level elves protecting Elvenheim.

“The guardians of the forest. I have no intention of wasting my strength dealing with them.”

“What if you don’t have to?”

“……”

“What if, without needing to commit your and my forces, the elves have no choice but to make such a decision themselves?”

“There’s no reason for those guys to do that unless they’ve gone mad.”

“I have planted a Piece of Grotesquery in Yggdrasil.”

“……!!”

“I will not rely on the power possessed by the Piece of Grotesquery, but I have never denied its usefulness.”

Crusty, with a benevolent smile, extended his hand toward the teacup.

“When it comes to the Piece of Grotesquery, you are more of an expert than I, are you not?”

If he chose now, the share of the spoils to be obtained later would also increase.

“The queen of the elves will soon be deprived of her throne.”

Several possibilities arose in Isaac’s mind.

The fairy race that serves the God of the Forest, Silvana.

If he could subdue them, and thus obtain a new magic tower and interfere in the southern frontier.

‘Killian Eurasia.’

The superhuman of a weak nation who had inflicted humiliation on him came to mind.

“Let me hear the conditions.”

The God’s Authority and the Curse of Grotesquery.

The conversation between the princes who had meddled with transcendent power deepened.

***

A man dressed in black leather with sharp, pointed ears.

The elf, characterized by his tall stature, dark skin, and short hair mixed with black and silver, knelt on one knee before Ashirian de Silvana.

“The chief of the Black Moon tribe greets the queen of Elvenheim.”

“Chief Drago, it has been a long time.”

Drago Nightforge.

The chief of the only dark elf tribe among the ten tribes that make up Elvenheim.

Possessing noble blood and having lived for over 500 years, he was called one of the ten keepers protecting Elvenheim.

Also.

“Is synchronization with Yggdrasil yet to happen?”

He was also one of the seven chiefs who did not follow Ashirian, who had seized the throne by slaying the former king.

The Black Moon tribe was open, unlike the other reclusive tribes.

Therefore, they did not just stop at refining the Mana Heart, but also pursued the footwork and swordsmanship of the Walkers, as well as the Shik and research of mages.

That was why they were able to possess the highest military power among the ten tribes.

The leader of such a tribe did not recognize the new queen.

If she could have her way, she would like to resolve it by fighting, as befits their belligerent nature, but she already had a record of slaying the former king.

Moreover, they also had their own justification.

“I believe I told you that synchronization in an unsecured state is dangerous.”

“We cannot watch the tribe's territory be contaminated forever.”

Drago’s argument was that she should either stop the contamination by synchronizing with Yggdrasil or come up with another countermeasure.

“You have come to deliver an ultimatum to me.”

“Your Majesty, I must have a definite answer today.”

It was when a chilly atmosphere was flowing between the two elves.

“You might as well join hands with the Empire.”

“If we join hands with them, the entire Elvenheim will not be able to escape the flames of war.”

“If a war breaks out, we just need to win.”

“Foolish words!”

The class of existence that Ashirian emitted leaked out.

“The survival of the tribe is more important to me than Elvenheim. Do not make me commit any further rudeness.”

Drago also emitted a confronting class.

The 7-star class completed by accumulating 500 years of time.

He, who had already faced numerous superhumans, was showing off that his class was not inferior to the queen’s.

Saaaaaaa.

As the classes of the two elves collided, the plants in the area began to wither.

Just then.

“Your Majesty the Queen, the sinner has been brought in.”

“Let them enter.”

A silver-haired man, bound by Bongsinseok, was brought before them.

“……?”

“He is the knight of Eurasia that Yggdrasil once prophesied.”

‘Eurasia?’

Drago also knew Yggdrasil’s prophecy well.

Although it was said when the former king’s clarity had faded, it was by no means words to be taken lightly.

“A knight of Eurasia. And silver hair means……”

“The Fourth Prince, Killian Eurasia.”

“……”

“You must know the rumors well.”

He knew.

He was the sword forged by Simon Eurasia, the greatest knight of the eastern frontier who had achieved 8-star with a body that lived a short life.

‘I heard he was a 7-star master. Was he subdued by Rundel?’

“He is one who trespassed on Yggdrasil with ulterior motives. I was in the middle of interrogating him after capturing him.”

“And?”

“I intend to hand this person over to you.”

“For what reason?”

“You must know that he is related to Yggdrasil’s prophecy. But he simply won’t open his mouth.”

“Is not Sir Rundel here?”

“Rundel is chasing the other ones who are on the run. I originally called them to interrogate them myself, but considering your devotion to the kingdom, I will pass the opportunity to you.”

“We may end up at war with Eurasia. Are you trying to place that responsibility on me.”

“The Black Moon tribe is also a member of Elvenheim. Just a moment ago, you seemed ready to go to war with the Empire?”

“……”

“You suddenly show a passive side. Are you afraid?”

Drago’s black eyes twitched.

“Dragging this out like this will only lead to ruin in the end.”

“I will take that as your acceptance. Take Killian Eurasia to the training ground.”

“The training ground……?”

“They say the knights of Eurasia speak with their swords. Confront him directly with your sword, subdue him, and find out his intentions.”

“……”

Drago realized too late.

That he had fallen into the queen’s trap.

Even so, he could not go back on his word now.

“Bring him. I will make him open his mouth on the honor of the tribe.”

Drago left the place after saying those words.

Killian belatedly made eye contact with the queen.

“You will have to keep your promise on this side as well.”

“How arrogant. Take him away quickly.”

Although she spoke coldly.

‘The die has been cast.’

The queen’s two eyes were smiling.