Chapter 40

Chapter 40

Ghost

‘······Really six came?’

The crow knocked the mask with a thud thud.

He thought surely surely, yet the guy brought only the Special Mission Unit. The crow confirmed directly.

The 7th Battalion’s knights and soldiers surrounding the building the guy entered were several layers. Along with that there were even Black Magic Society cadres.

‘This no matter how much the guy it will not work.’

It was the moment the scale’s weight tilted toward the Black Magic Society.

Then—.

“You, the skill seems rusty.”

A low voice was heard from behind. A leisurely voice that did not match the noisy castle. The crow doubted his own ears.

How did he come out from there? No, the crow erased the word ‘how’. The opponent was the guy.

“Person in charge, I was waiting.”

The crow immediately bowed his head. Familiar black shoes stopped in front of the crow.

“The report was not good. Surely did you rust?”

There was no emotion in the guy’s voice. Just dry. Because of that it was more scary. It seemed he would replace the crow as if throwing away a rusty tool as if nothing.

“Haha, it is not that—. Because these Black Magic Society guys became so secretive···.”

“Is that so?”

At the shoes that stopped right in front the crow’s thoughts did not continue.

The guy quietly grabbed the crow’s mask. Not taking off the mask in front of the guy was an oath. Showing the bare face was saying the end.

“Re··· really! Finding out the 7th Battalion Captain’s location and that path all took time! And also··· the guys even the Sanctuary!”

The crow’s mask slightly lifted. The chill entering between that froze the crow’s face. Cold air was cool like a knife.

Thud thud, the guy knocked the mask.

“You said Sanctuary?”

“···Yes!”

“Oh, interesting.”

At the very small interest the crow desperately explained as if a person right before drowning inhaled breath.

“I see. Guide.”

The guy stepped one step away. The crow sincerely expressed gratitude to the guy.

Deceived by the guy’s appearance in the Special Mission Unit he forgot this coolness. This was the guy’s true appearance.

Stupid—. The crow chewed his lips.

“The 7th Battalion Captain is in the basement of the Black Magic Society branch building. On the way there are total two gates with magic circles engraved, and mages guarding between them are thirteen. All armed with high-grade staffs.”

The crow quickly reported. It was an absurd force. Compared to that Galahad was alone. Objectively looking it was a crazy act but—.

“I see.”

The guy answered shortly.

The castle was quiet. Silent taut tension was full. The torch moved diligently to one side.

The direction the crow headed was the exact opposite of that.

‘Drew all the attention.’

The castle’s attention was all concentrated on the building the guy entered saying he would wash and the inside of the inner castle.

At that the Black Magic Society’s building was rather empty.

Who could expect that the guy would move to rescue the 7th Battalion Captain as soon as coming.

“Two soldiers as main gate guard—.”

Before the crow’s words even ended the soldiers collapsed.

One hole each was pierced in the neck. It was a precise ice awl. When time passed and the ice awl melted not even a trace would remain,

Exactly like a ghost—.

“Busy so do not stop and keep walking.”

The guy whispered. Even though he just killed two there was not a small emotion in that voice.

“Yes.”

The crow moved his steps while forcibly suppressing the eerie fear.

He opened the door. A disgusting blood smell tickled the crow’s nose.

“···Hmm? Cadre at this time what—.”

Thud. The guy who was speaking collapsed as is. He could not even close his eyes. Red blood flowed as if spreading from the hole in the neck.

Tak, the sound of flicking the finger was all. Killing a mage with only flicking the finger without even a staff—.

‘Trying to play tricks on that kind of monster? Fuck. I was crazy.’

The crow chewed his lips and moved his steps.

“Oh, you came—.”

The person who recognized the crow opens his mouth. Collapses. Hot blood wet the crow’s feet. It was repetition like a simple work. Without inspiration—.

‘···Crazy fuck.’

The feet were heavy but one had to step. The moment one stops the monster will point at the crow.

The guy’s plan was simple. Sending the crow in first and piercing the necks of the guys who react.

The sound of flicking the finger was all.

The crow’s steps stopped in front of the door with magic security.

“This··· this I have no authority! The guy who originally managed the 7th Battalion branch did not give!”

The crow desperately protested.

The guy’s steps approached. Even though clearly walking the hard basement there was no sound on the guy’s shoes. Exactly like a ghost—.

The guy silently put his hand on the door. The crow gulped saliva.

This was a security tool the Black Magic Society that fled to the North put their heart into. No matter how much the guy—.

Click.

Before the crow’s monologue even ended the door opened.

He knew the guy caught mages amazingly well. Because of that bizarrely fast magic and unhesitating judgment.

However, this door was a different story.

The crow also knew how tricky the magic security on the door was.

Such a door the guy opened with only knocking thud thud.

Exactly as if knowing well—.

“Not walking?”

At the guy’s question the crow was startled and walked.

Cool breath was felt behind the neck.

Exactly—.

“This is entry forbidden······.”

It seemed a reaper was behind the back.

Gulp.

The crow desperately moved his steps.

****

“Captain, the emperor deceived us. Making the North wage war with the demon race to fill his own belly he thinks—. The real enemy is not the demon race but the emperor.”

The elderly man who was the 7th Battalion Captain blinked his elderly eyes. One of the company captains was chattering bizarre words.

Did he become senile and hear hallucinations? That possibility was large. Even so there was no way a Northern warrior held hands with the demon race.

Yes, of course.

“Stupid old man, not even knowing one is being deceived. Keeping this kind of old man as captain, there was no development. Always hungry and cold—. It is all your fault.”

The elderly man could not hold back and answered.

“Originally the North is cold. This guy.”

“No, it is no longer cold. We—.”

The guy rolled up the forearm. There a complex picture seen for the first time was engraved.

“Received the choice.”

The elderly man fully squinted his eyes.

“The head melted. To think still not awakening. The empire only sows discord and fills its own belly. This is a created grudge—.”

The appearance of speaking too confidently and the armament more decent than before, and even the face full of oil—.

At that the elderly man laughed hehe—.

“Sorry but, the demon race is your enemy.”

Then, a leisurely voice was heard.

It was a guy wearing clothes that stuck tightly to the body and neatly brushed the hair. Noble—? It was a high-class clean appearance that did not match the North.

“Who are you.”

“Can’t you tell by looking. I am an intruder.”

“······Intruder?”

“Yes, it will be confusing because handsome, but now I am an intruder.”

“This guy playing—.”

The knight fully furrowed his eyes. He stood up roughly and drew the sword. Aura fully rose from the sword, yet that color—.

“Oh, it is ash color. Ash color aura—. Is it power received from the demon race?”

“Stupid guy, coming down without even a weapon? I do not know what method one used, but this is the end.”

“Hmm, regrettable. Because now there is no time.”

The man clicked his tongue and flicked his finger.

The knight moved. That movement was extremely fast. It was not the speed of a company captain guy.

Fast movement and roughly risen aura—.

That looked threatening at a glance.

“Stupid.”

The elderly man opened his eyes wide. The man said what he was going to say instead.

“Aura is the power of belief. Because of that it is hard to realize and does not easily increase either.”

The knight roughly swung the sword. The ash color aura wavering looked exactly like a magic beast gaping its mouth—.

The man faced that from the front yet did not move.

“Because of that aura cuts the thick hide of magic beasts and destroys magic. Yet—.”

Tak, the man flicked his hand.

The knight’s sword was right in front of the man’s neck, yet the man did not even move his eyes. Rather he looked at the sword and clicked his tongue.

“You cannot even pierce this simple barrier.”

The knight’s sword full of ash color was blocked by a translucent wall. The knight’s face was dyed earth color.

The knight tried desperately, but the sword did not move as if stuck.

Aura not cutting magic—.

Only then whether feeling something was wrong, urgency rose on the knight’s face.

“Painting color on noble belief by oneself—. Thanks to that your belief lost light.”

The knight tilted. The knight’s chest split horizontally. The knight divided into two collapsed vainly.

The elderly man admired softly. The man’s words were correct. Aura was the power of belief. Because of that one could cut anything.

Yet that stupid guy added foreign matter to that belief.

What is important in belief is not the size. It is the root.

Still it was clear one became strong right away.

Handling such a guy in only one move—.

“Amazing.”

“A smart knight is not that difficult an opponent.”

“A smart knight···. Correct words.”

The elderly man nodded.

A knight has to be stupid.

‘Because stupid belief is the hardest.’

Then, the man put his hand on the iron bars. The thick iron bars collapsed without even making a sound.

“I came to rescue. Let’s go.”

The man took out the water bottle at the waist and put it in his mouth. A familiar blood smell fully spread. It was not a human’s.

“Are you drinking the blood of the demon race?”

“Unexpectedly the taste is good.”

At the man’s answer the elderly man laughed. The blood of the demon race tasting good, is there this kind of crazy guy.

“The guy was an opponent one could not win. How would a guy who received the demon race’s power win against a hunter who eats the demon race.”

The elderly man coughed roughly. A mage drinking the blood of the demon race—. As expected one has to live long to see.

The man stood in front of the elderly man. The attire was neat, and that hair was also neatly brushed, but tiredness was full on the face.

The elderly man admired softly. Eyes with not a single hesitation, that was eyes only one who believes in oneself can have.

Like the Grand Duke—.

‘No, a little different?’

“Are you not getting up?”

The man asked while looking at the elderly man.

At some point all the restraints were released, but the elderly man’s body was still heavy.

Things one had to do if leaving here came to mind. One had to strike and kill all the guys who colluded with the demon race. Guys one spent quite a long time with.

For such a thing the elderly man was aged.

However, what can one do.

This was also the elderly man’s fault.

The elderly man raised his stiff body.

“Where is the weapon?”

At the man’s question the elderly man laughed and grabbed the staff standing in the corner.

“For an elderly man a staff is the best.”

After a long time the staff settled with a chak—.

****

Bang bang!!

Someone roughly knocked the door.

When Tom opened the door stinging gazes poured.

“The vice-captain and company captains are all gathered and waiting. Until when do you plan to make wait?”

A fiercely looking knight asked roughly. Behind that soldiers were long.

At the pouring sharp momentum Tom’s back became damp. Sweat fully flowed from the palms. Tom desperately laughed.

“Ahaha, because our captain is a person who washes really meticulously. He thinks that is courtesy. Anyway because the 7th Battalion’s fame is so high it seems he is being more courteous.”

At the praise the knight’s face slightly loosened.

“Cough, an empire guy acting clean. Tell him to finish quickly.”

“Yes yes, understood.”

Tom closed the door while bowing.

Only after closing the door did Tom breathe the full breath. Sweat was full on the back and hands. It was the feeling of lifespan being cut a handful.

“Now one cannot endure much longer.”

Tom said while looking at the members.

It was after already sending back several times. Every time the guys’ knocks became rougher.

“There is no choice.”

Gilbert drew the sword.

“When the door opens I will cut the knight’s neck. Damien jumps out between that and Gwen throws fire.”

“Explosive Fireball?”

“Yes, fire. The youngest takes the rear.”

Nod.

Gilbert’s order was clear. At the appearance of everyone nodding Tom was startled.

“You mean piercing that?”

Only the soldiers standing outside were dozens. Even the crossbows between that—. How does one pierce that.

Then—.

Bang bang bang!

The door shook as if it would break.

Gilbert gestured. Adrianne grabbed the sword hilt. It was an atmosphere that would not hesitate to fight.

“What are you doing inside there! Come out right now!”

As if patience reached the limit it knocked rougher than before. The door shook as if it would break soon.

“I will block.”

Tom hurriedly headed to the door.

He grabbed the door handle and desperately thought. If it was Captain Galahad how would he have—.

“This side came receiving His Grace the Grand Duke’s order! Opening so forcibly is a rebellion against His Grace the Grand Duke!”

At the extreme expression the knock stopped for a moment.

However, that was also a moment.

“Do not talk nonsense and open the door! Daring to sell the Grand Duke’s name?!”

It did not work.

Gilbert gestured. Each finished preparations.

Really thinking of fighting—. Tom screamed inwardly.

“Open! Cannot wait anymore!”

Bang! The door split a little. Tom bit his lips.

Since he made the excuse of bathing, one had to show that.

“Everyone please turn your eyes a bit.”

At Tom’s request everyone turned their heads.

Tom took off the armor without hesitation. Completely—. Cleanly—.

Tom slightly pulled the door handle. The shaking door opened roughly.

Beyond that numerous gazes stuck at the same time. Tom screamed an unadorned scream.

The knight who was huffing was flustered at Tom’s naked body.

“Didn’t I say washing!”

“Cough, finish preparing. Now one cannot wait anymore. Because an order came from above.”

The knight stepped back one step.

Tom realized this was the last.

Tom who quickly put on the armor adjusted the shield and blocked the door. Gilbert stood beside. Damien prepared to jump out.

“These guys!!”

Then, the knight pushed in. Tom desperately endured, but he could not withstand the knight. Tom who was kicked rolled on the floor as is. Gilbert inhaled breath.

The moment of imminent—.

“The 7th Battalion really has an urgent temper.”

A leisurely voice was heard. Everyone’s heads turned at the same time.

Galahad was leisurely brushing his hair. The neat attire and clean face was the face of one who washed and came no matter who looked.

Even Tom was confused to that extent.

At that the knight stepped back one step as if flustered.

“Guide.”

There was not even a drop of sweat on the forehead of Galahad who said so.

****

Armed ones and those wearing black hoods were sitting around in the banquet hall.

Uncooked meat and alcohol were full on the dining table. They tore and ate meat with blood dripping.

“Until when does one have to wait?”

Black Magic Society cadre Devilian squinted his eyes.

What was contained in that voice was annoyance not anxiety.

Now the belly was gradually full so the initial purpose came to mind.

“They say washing saying one will have courtesy before coming.”

A voice mixed with mockery was heard from the side.

“Bathing—.”

Laughter burst here and there.

“Isn’t it having other schemes?”

Then, someone raised a question.

Silence continued for a moment and then laughter burst. The guy who spoke laughed first.

Only the force placed around the guy was over a hundred. If an abnormality occurred a report would have come up long ago.

Even if piercing that secretly—.

“What can the guy do. It is already our domain.”

Devilian laughed.

No matter what the guy did the result was determined. It was only meaningless struggle.

It was the reason they were leisurely eating without urging.

“Now the Sanctuary will open soon.”

At Devilian’s declaration exclamations burst here and there.

“We will open a new era.”

The vice-captain received the words. Confidence was full in the voice. Everyone nodded.

Red pupils shone insidiously in the darkness.

‘Almost arrived. It is the Society’s full-scale launch.’

Devilian muttered softly.

All situations were perfect.

He called Galahad who muddied the North’s water to the 7th Battalion.

By killing the guy he will twist the relationship between the North and the empire.

With that open the gate—.

‘He will open the era of black magic.’

He will no longer hide.

“Still isn’t it too late? The cadre wearing the crow mask is also not seen.”

Then, another cadre muttered reluctantly. It was a guy who always made weak sounds.

Tsk, ruining the atmosphere—.

“The Sanctuary is opening, what correlation is that.”

Devilian said full of conviction.

“Adrianne? Even if that person comes directly it does not matter. The Sanctuary is the grave of those who did not receive the choice. Aren’t there plenty of chosen knights here? Adrianne is insufficient!”

At Devilian’s words everyone burst into laughter. Shh! Devilian put the index finger to his mouth. Everyone waited for the continuing words.

“One has to bring about the Grand Duke level!”

The Grand Duke—!

The laughter became larger than before.

Then, the door opened roughly.

A clean and handsome noble who would only be in the capital entered.

“Oh, everyone was gathered. Sorry for being late. Because the work became longer than thought.”

Stinging gazes fully poured on the man.

The man faced them one by one.

Very meticulously as if examining something—.

“As expected it was a banquet.”

The man made an incomprehensible sound and headed to an empty seat.

The center was drawn to the man in an instant.

It was the feeling the man was the protagonist of the banquet.

“Hmm, raw meat. The taste is quite barbaric.”

The man who clicked his tongue scattered the alcohol in the cup on the floor. And took out the water bottle and poured into the cup.

Red liquid filled the cup. The smell wafting was extremely familiar. A fishy yet cursed terrible smell—.

It was the blood of the demon race.

The man turned the cup with a bing—. That smell fully spread.

The knights on both sides were startled and stepped back. Others also squinted their eyes.

The man leisurely brought the cup to his mouth. He savored as if drinking high-class alcohol and emptied the cup.

‘We are barbaric—?’

The man who put down the cup wiped the mouth area with a cloth.

“Come, since time is also late I will enter the main point right away.”

Main point—. It was confidence as if found from that side.

‘What is this—.’

Devilian squinted his eyes at the subtle unpleasantness.

Then, the man lifted the fork and knife.

Exactly the appearance as if preparing a meal.

Subsequently—.

“Come, so where is the upper-rank demon race?”

The man raised the corners of his mouth as if waiting for high-class cooking.

Heavy silence settled on the banquet hall.