Chapter 35
Chapter 35: The Arken Empire
There is nothing that humans cannot conquer.
Under that motto, the Arken Empire has enjoyed a period of prosperity since the death of Godwin.
The first emperor, Geoffrey Arken, was a great hero, a strategist, and a politician.
He declared that he would establish an imperial foundation that would not collapse for hundreds of years.
That declaration has proven true even to this day.
The current emperor of the Arken Empire, Godfrey Arken, was the most incompetent and greedy king.
His greed was so deep that any other kingdom would have gone completely bankrupt in 3 years, yet he has continued his capricious rule for 40 years.
He still holds power, and the Empire remains standing.
Truly, one could say that the Emperor’s authority descends from the heavens.
“But the Emperor’s authority comes from the treasury.”
The treasures and holy relics accumulated by previous emperors are what sustain the Empire.
Being able to touch that treasury means being able to share that authority.
And there is not a single noble who does not know this.
“Blinded by gold and servile to gold.”
Because the Emperor is incompetent, they flatter him; because he walks the wrong path, they support him.
The speed of rot will accelerate, the thousand-year imperial foundation of the first emperor will crumble, and the downfall will quicken.
— So, what place do you plan to rob? —Jed asked with an astonished expression.
— The Sealed Vault.
— The Sealed Vault…
Sealed Vault.
If the Treasure Vault stores valuable treasures and relics containing holy power, the Sealed Vault, on the contrary, seals evil things that must not be revealed to the world.
And there, spellbooks left by demons, and magic books and tools developed by demon worshippers, are sealed.
Jed’s expression rotted even further.
Robbing the Treasure Vault was already walking into a death trap, but the Sealed Vault was no different from adding fuel to the fire.
— Just in case, let me ask… can you tell me what you plan to steal?
There was no reason it couldn’t be done.
— Among the grimoires of the Great Demons, it is called the Shadow Arts of Barbatos.
Among the Seven Great Demons of Hell, Barbatos, known as the Demon of Shadows and Schemes.
— Barbatos… —Jed muttered with a serious face, then raised his head.
— …Who is that?
— You don’t know him?
— Those damned followers of Amon mention him occasionally, but a demon named Barbatos… I’ve never heard of him.
He was called one of the Seven Great Demons, but in reality, he was the least influential demon rarely heard of.
— It is natural that you don’t know. From the beginning, he is not a demon who commands followers like other demons.
It was closer to being intentional than being so pathetic that it was hard to even mention him.
Barbatos is a demon who prefers to move in secret.
He knows that having low recognition is advantageous for using his abilities, so he demands no initiation ceremonies or tremendous prices.
“But the conditions are tremendous instead.”
The conditions for wielding shadows are the most demanding among all the magic left behind by the Great Demons.
Even the lowest-circle magic that Ferda used, ‘Shadow Hand’, cannot be handled properly by most mages.
So there are practically no followers of Barbatos, and few people seek his grimoire.
“So it can be used as a hidden card.”
Because it is magic with low recognition, there are no countermeasures against it.
For mages, a surprise tactical battle is the most important thing.
— Assuming we steal that Shadow Arts thing… —Jed spat out the discomfort lingering in his mind.
— How do we get there?
Ferda crossed his legs and spoke.
— You tell me. If it were you, how would you get there?
— Are you dumping this on me?
— It’s your field.
— I’m not a petty thief. The only things I’ve stolen are women’s hearts.
— Stop the nonsense and tell me.
— Hmm…
Jed rested his chin on his hand and exhaled.
After about 5 minutes of silence, he opened his mouth.
— There have been quite a few guys who tried to rob the Empire’s treasury. Among them, the group that did it half-decently succeeded with 10 people.
— And?
— From my point of view, you would need at least 20 people and around a year of work. Are you going to hire 20 of those thieves?
— No.
20 people and a year.
There is no such luxury.
— Then how much time would it take?
— Right now.
Jed momentarily forgot what to say.
It would only exhaust his mouth to ask, “Did you forget what you just said?”, so he let it pass.
— To execute it immediately, and without any consequences… that means I have to steal it alone, right?
— That will be so.
— How am I supposed to handle a place that failed even with 10 people challenging it?
Ferda watched him and replied with serious eyes.
— You can do it.
Jed felt like he was going to die from the absurdity.
Yet Ferda felt the same absurdity.
“He has a severe case of exaggeration.”
Jed Swallow.
Right now he is just a libertine going around seducing women, but he possesses the talent of a master thief.
His achievement: he entered the Imperial Treasure Vault, which no one else could penetrate.
“Without even a plan, to boot.”
Officially 3 times, but according to Jed’s claim, he has already visited it 12 times.
He already knows the weaknesses of the surveillance system and that it can be breached.
“Of course, that is a story for the future.”
Expecting the reputation of a master thief right now is difficult.
Right now he is just a libertine flirting with women, far from being a thief.
Ferda was proceeding with the plan taking all of that into account.
— There is no need to worry. In any case, I will set the stage.
— You, Regent-nim?
Ferda nodded and pointed to his eyes with his index and middle fingers.
— All you need are two eyes. The rest are mere secondary factors. Understood?
— …Somehow, I’m getting more anxious.
At those words, Jed became even more anxious.
In his experience, there was no task that demanded greater ability than being told to prepare simple materials.
“Can I really follow this human?”
He had come enticed by the promise of help with his debut in high society, but the further he went, the higher the required standards seemed to rise.
— Your face is full of worries.
— Do I look like I won’t do it? Someone’s life is on the line here.
Jed replied bluntly.
His deep thoughts had to be giving him a headache.
“Thinking too much always leads to a bad move.”
If he refuses, the Shadow Arts of Barbatos must be abandoned.
Or it becomes even more complicated.
“I’ll have to use that card.”
Ferda decided to tip the scales for him.
— The Sealed Vault contains the Empire’s shameful secrets that they want to hide.
— …Is that so?
Contrary to his answer, his face asked why he was being told this.
— Among them, there will probably also be stories about the Red-Eyed Tribe.
— !
The whining Jed was nowhere to be found.
Strength returned to his two eyes.
— Are you sure?
— I don’t have a single thought of breaking our contract.
Jed had set the condition that he would leave if Ferda tried to get rid of him or merely use him.
So he did not think deeply.
His answer was concise.
— To hell with it, let’s do it.
Everything moved according to Ferda’s thoughts.
Before setting off in earnest, Ferda visited Count Consillus.
— Greetings, Regent-nim. I heard you have business in the Empire.
— That is correct.
— May I ask what business takes you there?
— Actually, I was going to ask you that. There is no proper reason to go, but it is something for which I must go.
— Ah, I see. That kind of feeling.
Consillus stroked his beard and answered.
— Wouldn’t it be good to mention the vacancy of Thesalos Walcher? Stating that a suitable new person is needed…
— Ah, I have thoughts on that part. There is a suitable person, but that suitable person hasn’t appeared.
— If you give the order, I will make inquiries.
He could describe his characteristics, but he did not want to search so desperately.
If he goes into hiding upon learning that he is being sought, that would be even more troublesome.
So Ferda spoke briefly.
— There will be a guy who will take your breath away the moment you see him.
— Take your breath away…? What specifically?
— There is no need for details. You too will feel your breath catch the moment you see him. Just give that position to that knight.
— Understood. I will do as Regent-nim wishes.
Gathering wandering knights had failed, but they were still looking for guardians for the territory.
He decided to believe that one day he would come seeking them out of interest.
Consillus began to think of other ideas.
— Wouldn’t it be good to ask about the Grand Council?
— The Grand Council?
— Yes. All the kings of Serdes and nobles of Duke rank or higher hold the qualifications to attend, but they need someone to verify their identity, so it would be good to drop by under the premise that His Majesty the Emperor or his blood relatives intend to attend.
The Emperor or the princes.
Not an agreeable group, but Ferda would face them often from now on.
— Good. I will use that as the reason to go. What is the current situation of the Empire?
— It is a complete mess.
Consillus shook his head.
— Right now, a three-way power struggle is forming.
— The central figures of the three-way struggle?
— They are the Imperial Emperor, the Crown Prince, and the Second Prince.
— The Emperor is fighting against his own sons?
Consillus nodded.
— I know it is absurd, but it is true. At one point, the Crown Prince and the Second Prince were doing politics to bring down the Emperor.
— But they failed.
— Yes. The Emperor may be incompetent, but regarding his own power, he is extremely cunning. He made the Crown Prince and the Second Prince fight over succession rights and resolved it that way.
Presenting a new future instead of an existing enemy, thereby creating a new enemy.
If only conflict flourishes within that, power gradually weakens and loses its essence.
‘They say even rotten fish has its uses……’
There is a reason he has lived and eaten well for so long.
— So, on the surface, it is a three-way struggle.
— On the surface…… yes, on the surface it is.
Consillus wondered why Ferda used the phrase ‘on the surface’, but did not probe deeper.
Ferda thought about those three figures and asked Consillus.
— If it were you, which of those three do you think would be best to align with?
— Speaking for myself, I believe it would be the Second Prince.
— The reason?
— The Second Prince always values national defense, and in fact, he goes to many places, repelling monsters and securing the Empire’s territory. He is also interested in monster subjugation, making him outstanding enough to be compared to the first emperor.
It was as Consillus said.
In fact, the core of the Second Prince consisted of warlords whom the Crown Prince failed to recruit.
The idea is to compensate for the lacking power with martial achievements.
— Of course, that cannot be called the absolute correct answer either. If he had properly cared about national defense, he would have contacted this Far East.
— That is true.
Having heard his opinion as well, Ferda nodded as though he had made a decision.
— Then I will write three letters: to the Emperor, the First Prince, and the Second Prince.
— Shall I assist you?
The Empire still believes Count Consillus holds more influence than the Regent.
However, Ferda shook his head.
— That won’t be necessary. I will send them in the name of the Regent of Valdrova.
— If that is your will……
The reason Ferda sent three letters was because he was curious about their intentions.
The thirsty man digs the well; the desperate man reaches out his hand.
Ferda was curious to see which of them would approach him.
Count Consillus stepping back was due to that same sentiment.
— I have a separate request for Count Consillus.
— Please, speak.
— By any chance, is there an unclaimed corpse?
A nameless corpse with no known origin.
— An unclaimed corpse…… yes, there should be one. Recently, a corpse was discovered near the territory.
Good timing as well.
— Good. Burn that bastard at the stake.
— Burn at the stake……?
Consillus blinked.
Not cremation, but burning at the stake.
Consillus could not hold it in and asked him.
— If I may ask…… is this for the sake of this Far East?
— Of course. At least it is not done for my personal greed.
— Then I understand.
— Burn it in the most vile manner possible. That will be enough.
— Haha, the gods will be angry.
Consillus fiddled with his necklace.
It was an amulet held by believers of Alte, the state religion of the Empire.
— Where in the world is there a human who has not sinned even once?
— That is true.
Damaging an innocent corpse was uncomfortable, but Consillus did not complain.
Whatever it was, to wish for the prosperity of this Far East territory, he needed to trust Ferda.
After sending three letters to the Empire, Ferda boarded a carriage.
Receiving a reply immediately was naturally impossible, and Ferda had no intention of waiting for one either.
That was the core of sending the letters.
‘What matters is how they will react to unilateral communication.’
Those accompanying him were Jed, and Knight Arwen under Count Consillus along with his subordinate soldiers.
After traveling for a full week, they finally spotted a massive castle wall stretching across the plains.
‘Arken Empire.’
The scenery of the capital, with its well-maintained greenery and fields in harmony, stirred the heart.
Jed, looking out the window, smiled with excitement and said:
— The Empire is impressive every time I see it. Coming here has its charm.
— Is that so?
All nobles and commoners desire the Imperial capital.
The Rosnova Family was also a family that wished to become part of those central nobles.
But Ferda felt no need for it.
Inside is truly a den of monsters in human skin, the real beginning of hell—why would anyone want to enter?
They arrived at that grand castle gate.
Ferda informed the sentry of his identity.
— Please wait a moment.
The sentry went inside the guard post to verify.
Yet even after several minutes, no order of passage arrived.
— Our start seems a bit bad, doesn’t it?
Jed made an ominous remark, but for Ferda, it was not.
— This is a green light.
— A green light?
— Making a noble wait means there is a reason for it.
Shortly after, a luxurious white carriage pulled up inside the castle gate.
Having to switch carriages meant there was business to enter the Imperial palace.
Which meant his letter had received a response.
The knight leading the way placed his hand over his chest and greeted politely.
— Welcome to the Empire, Your Regency! I am Marco, Captain of the 5th Imperial Knight Order.
— A pleasure.
— This way……!
Ferda followed his guidance and switched carriages.
When Jed attempted to board as well, Marco stopped him.
— I apologize, but who might you be?
— I’m an attendant?
Marco’s face hardened coldly.
— Attendants may not board the carriage. Only guests may enter the Imperial palace.
— Oh, is that so?
— Step back. This carriage is heading to the Imperial palace.
Jed stepped away from the carriage with an uncomfortable expression.
Thus, only Ferda entered the Imperial palace along the path.
‘Extravagant beyond words.’
Was it like ‘putting on airs before a silkworm’?
Ferda’s carriage was also splendidly decorated, but the exclusive Imperial carriage felt like a completely different dimension of comfort.
Ferda glanced out at the scenery reflected beyond the window.
Befitting the Empire’s boulevard, it was clean and bustling with people overflowing with laughter.
It was a sight full of hope, worthy of a place every noble dreams of.
There is a reason nobles who enter the capital feel a fever the moment they leave it.
Where there is happiness, there is equal misfortune.
And that misfortune was targeting Ferda at that exact moment.
Ferda’s sharp perception caught an unusual gaze.
A man hidden in an alley was glaring sideways at the carriage.
‘He is aiming for this carriage.’
The guarding soldiers had not yet recognized the man.
Initial suppression clearly would not happen.
‘Suppressing before the ambush…… is possible.’
Only oneself can protect one’s own body.
Ferda reflexively formed a mana sphere.
Not knowing what the man might do at any second, he secretly finished preparations to counterattack.
As the distance closed, that man leaped out and blocked the carriage.
Hiiiii!
The horses reared in terror and came to a halt.
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