Chapter 152

Chapter 152
## Chapter 152

The Empire’s Turmoil (2)

Tarak City, situated within the Tulk Kingdom, was brimming with its usual chaotic energy.

Although the influx of aggressive beasts migrating down from the Northern Mountains had finally slowed, and a massive military garrison had taken up positions near the Iron Fortress to steadily bring back order…

The danger had not evaporated entirely, meaning a constant stream of armed mercenaries and traveling traders still crowded the thoroughfares.

Unsurprisingly, Hubert’s Trading Company, which had risen to become a dominant mercantile force in Tarak, was operating at full capacity amid the rush.

“…Make sure that enterprise is overseen precisely as discussed. Moving on, what reports did we receive regarding the evaluation of the jewels I left in your care?”

Hubert, having recently reappeared after a prolonged period of recovery, questioned one of his top managers while shifting through stacks of paperwork inside the primary office of the grand estate housing Hubert’s Trading Company.

“Sir, precisely as you anticipated, the three magic towers along with the Tarak Gemstone Association all exhibited immense fascination the moment we requested an official inspection.”

Though whispers had circulated claiming Hubert was deceased, he was swiftly shattering those falsehoods by orchestrating a massive commercial venture the second he stepped back into the light.

His grand design centered on distributing ‘Earth-made synthetic gemstones,’ a project he had engineered prior to his absence.

A skeptic might wonder why luxury ornaments mattered during times of societal upheaval, but such high-value commodities remained perpetually sought after by affluent individuals, regardless of political instability.

‘In truth, the current climate is ideal for introducing this merchandise, as wealthy elites will be desperate to liquidate their cumbersome property into highly portable, easily concealed jewels for protection.’

The laboratory-grown items he possessed were not mere cheap substitutes like cubic zirconia.

They represented flawless mineral structures, mirroring natural gems identically in their physical weight, chemical bonds, and optical brilliance, having been manufactured using pristine materials under extreme thermal and barometric conditions in advanced facilities.

Consequently, they lacked the internal flaws common to mined minerals, presenting a pristine clarity that amounted to an impossible paradox within Auterica.

The purity was so unprecedented that the veteran evaluators at the Gemstone Association were utterly baffled by what they saw.

‘The premium placed on high-end goods relies entirely on perceived scarcity. Even though these items carry the deficiency of being incapable of channeling arcane energy, that characteristic can be repositioned as an exclusive marketing trait.’

Validating his theory, even prominent sorcerers were demonstrating an intense fascination with the samples.

To a practitioner of the craft, an inert stone was nothing more than an attractive trinket devoid of functional utility, yet that exact deviation from the norm provoked their intellectual curiosity.

No matter how rigorously they scrutinized the artifacts, the composition was undeniably authentic gemstone, yet the structural markers defied everything recorded in historical texts.

“…Consequently, both the arcane sanctuaries and the Gemstone Association are aggressively vying to acquire our stock. They showed a minor degree of caution purely due to how unprecedented the items are, however.”

To put it plainly, the introduction of these Earth-made synthetic gemstones had achieved spectacular success.

He had no intention of flooding the market with massive volume, but there was little reason to operate in absolute secrecy either, given that he maintained a total monopoly on the supply chain within this reality.

“This initial rollout will simultaneously generate incredible word-of-mouth publicity. Proceed with the negotiations, and grant them a modest price reduction as a gesture of goodwill for our inaugural transaction.”

This elite line of merchandise, restricted to limited releases, would serve as a powerful engine to elevate Hubert’s Trading Company to new heights in the coming days.

Furthermore, flawless, unrecorded jewels served as the quintessential currency for securing political favors.

‘Naturally, it is vital that I present a choice selection to Aonia County, the noble house governing this territory.’

This gesture was largely out of respect for Harley, but given the extensive backing the noble house had provided, offering such a token of appreciation was the bare minimum required to show his reliability.

Besides, the baseline acquisition cost of these manufactured crystals was trivial compared to the immense financial returns they would secure.

“Ah… one more thing. Marvin?”

“Present, Master! You required my presence?”

A heavily bearded individual answered Hubert’s quiet summons instantly, just as the corporate briefing was drawing to a close.

This particular agent was tasked with pushing the firm’s reach toward the east, having successfully brokered a modest commercial contract with the neighboring Empire situated just past the eastern demarcation line.

“I possess vital intelligence regarding the current state of the Empire, so remain behind for a private discussion.”

“News from the Empire, sir? Understood, I shall wait.”

Never letting a profitable opening slip by was the fundamental philosophy of a true businessman.

Guided by that principle, Hubert committed himself entirely to his corporate responsibilities throughout the day.

—

The protracted Continental Summit finally reached its conclusion.

Granted, this merely marked the finalization of the inaugural assembly, and a multitude of complex debates remained unresolved, yet it was a historic milestone that these rival factions, previously locked in bitter standoffs, had gathered under one roof to sign a mutual accord.

Following the adjournment, the dignitaries representing their respective realms began departing sequentially via the holy portal within the cathedral.

However, a specific group found themselves unexpectedly detained by the clergy…

It was the diplomatic party accompanying Crown Prince Simon Carte Azeria of the Azeria Empire.

“What is the meaning of this restriction? Are you suggesting we are barred from returning to our homeland at this moment?”

“Please calm yourself, your eminence, that is not our position. We are merely offering a solemn counsel that journeying back to your territories right now carries immense peril.”

“Preposterous— Our path leads directly to Jeron, the seat of power for the Azeria Empire. To claim Jeron is unsafe requires substantial evidence. What is your proof?”

The high-ranking aristocrat serving as the royal consultant to the heir demanded answers from the cathedral bishop blocking their path.

He maintained a level of decorum befitting the clergyman’s lofty rank, though he nervously glanced back at the Crown Prince, whose expression radiated intense irritation from the rear of the procession.

“This warning originates directly from the lips of the Saint. While the precise nature of the threat remains obscured to me, he explicitly foresaw an ominous event targeting Jeron.”

“An omen? Are you proposing that the leadership of an empire alter its course based entirely on the premonitions of a singular individual?”

“He is not merely an individual; he is the Saint. He functions as the direct vessel for the sacred prophecies granted by the Main God.”

The bishop’s tone, which had previously been diplomatic and patient, sharpened noticeably in response to the nobleman’s dismissive skepticism.

The blatant lack of reverence regarding holy visions had clearly struck a nerve.

“Ahem… My apologies, I merely meant to imply that if this is not a mandatory directive, we shall proceed with our scheduled departure…”

As the advisor attempted to smooth over the tension, clearing his throat in frustration at the negative reaction,

“We acknowledge your benevolence, however…”

The Crown Prince, who had watched the entire exchange in silence, intervened with a voice like ice.

“I stand as the rightful heir to the Empire, and Jeron, our magnificent capital, is my sovereign domain. I am more than equipped to suppress any disruption that manifests, and should a crisis emerge, it is my sacred obligation to stand at the vanguard to eliminate it. I do not believe the clergy possesses the jurisdiction to dictate my movements.”

Crown Prince Simon was deeply irritated by this sudden obstacle.

He had freshly reviewed intelligence detailing how the holy order had been aggressively expanding its influence over the military regiments sent to the duchy, leading him to view this current warning as nothing more than a calculated political play.

Granted, he knew the advisory could not be dismissed as complete fiction, given the formidable mystic reputation surrounding the Church and the Saint.

They had undoubtedly detected an anomaly to warrant such a formal statement.

Yet, if he showed weakness and sought refuge in a fortified sanctuary simply because of their forebodings, the political fallout would be disastrous.

‘This is entirely different from temporarily vacating the capital to attend an international council. Remaining in hiding would hand Riley a perfect opportunity to usurp my influence.’

Furthermore, he placed immense faith in the defensive grid of the capital city, harboring fierce nationalistic pride regarding his realm’s military might.

The imperial leadership had taken profound lessons from the recent infiltration of the holy cathedral, systematically fortifying the structural wards protecting the sovereign palace ever since.

No matter how vast the spiritual authority of the holy order grew, the Azeria Empire remained undisputed as the preeminent superpower on the globe.

The sheer expanse of geography they governed, their endless supply of raw materials, and their massive citizenry existed on an entirely different scale compared to the clergy’s resources, and the defensive network protecting the capital—where the pinnacle of their state resources converged—amounted to an impenetrable stronghold.

‘Indeed, even if our adversary is the mythical Immortal King himself, unless he marches with the entirety of his undying legions, he cannot hope to achieve anything substantial using a mere strike force like the one that breached the cathedral.’

Crown Prince Simon harbored absolute certainty in that assessment…

Nonetheless, because his personal survival remained paramount, he did not entirely dismiss the ecclesiastic intelligence.

He issued immediate commands to reinforce his personal vanguard, applied administrative pressure to compel the capital defense force to deploy auxiliary battalions along his route, and only when every security measure was flawlessly executed—roughly twenty-four hours later—did he finally step through the portal into the Jeron Cathedral.

…Yet all of his calculated maneuvers…

Were already unfolding precisely within the designs of an architect.

—

[My, my— It truly lives up to its reputation as the heart of the Empire.]

Suspended far above the vast expanse of mist stretching out beneath his position,

Hans, cloaked in absolute shadow, directed his gaze toward the metropolis below with eyes that resembled twin voids of light-devouring darkness.

The defensive arrays protecting Jeron, the seat of the Empire, when viewed through the metaphysical lens of the “Abyssal Eye”, were undeniably formidable.

He could scarcely estimate the sheer volume of wealth and magical talent invested into the infrastructure, but the inner district anchoring the sovereign palace was completely saturated with an array of protective hexes, and the interlocking barrier radiating outward from that epicenter like a massive web possessed defensive capabilities that demanded respect.

‘Their reconnaissance perimeter encircling the municipal borders is far sharper than I anticipated. A closer approach would trigger an immediate alert, regardless of how thoroughly I mask my spiritual pressure.’

While he could successfully evade the sweeping diagnostic senses of the Saintess, which monitored the entire geography of the continent, it was a different matter entirely to bypass a localized, high-density sensor array like the perimeter dome protecting this metropolis.

Suppressing his presence below the activation threshold was unfeasible, primarily because the intrinsic essence of the Immortal King was far too volatile and destructive to be fully contained.

‘This network exists on an entirely different tier compared to Tobea, which amounted to a mere outpost settlement. That explains why they spared no expense reinforcing the capital’s defenses. It is logical, given that a neighboring jurisdiction fell victim to a massive siege just days ago.’

Furthermore, the strategic manipulation he had executed through Heinrich, utilizing the authority of the Church to broadcast a warning, had clearly spurred them into action.

One could view this heightened alert as a self-inflicted complication, yet Hans remained completely unbothered by the development.

‘Regardless, our own preparations are significantly grander than usual.’

He had committed the totality of the metaphysical power he had gathered into this single operation, recognizing it as a pivotal milestone in his overarching narrative.

The greater the scale of the cataclysm, the more indelible the terror it would stamp upon the collective consciousness of this world.

‘The hour approaches.’

Coordination was a critical variable for maximum dramatic effect, but tracking the perfect moment presented no obstacle to his senses.

And at long last,

‘Let the performance commence.’

Hans, who had been hovering motionless above the cloud layer, plummeted downward like a falling star.

Beep! Beeeeep—!

Clang, clang, clang, clang—!

Piercing alarms erupted simultaneously across every district of the city, yet he ignored the defensive response entirely, throwing himself into a rapid acceleration.

Wooong!

A cataclysmic wave of raw energy instantly manifested, spiraling violently around the entire perimeter of the settlement.

The sudden pressure triggered thousands of reactive counter-spells simultaneously, creating a cascading sequence of magical flares that bathed the city streets in brilliant, artificial light.

Boom—!

An instant later, Hans’s physical form slammed directly into the magical dome shielding the capital.

[Ahahaha— You have executed some admirable craftsmanship, but a simple energy wall is far from adequate to halt my advance.]

He effortlessly shattered the discharging barrier with his bare hands, gliding into the interior airspace while surveying the terrain.

Beeeep—! Beep!

His attention immediately locked onto the colossal sovereign palace dominating the urban center, which had transformed into an unassailable bastion of overlapping, fully primed incantations.

It stood as a monument to the peak of mystical architecture—a flawless synchronization of conventional wizardry, ancient shamanistic arts, high alchemy, and diverse esoteric disciplines operating in perfect harmony.

‘The financial capital required to construct this… It is an incredible spectacle to behold when brought to maximum output. Even with the strength Hans possesses, a direct breach would require a calculated investment of time.’

Of course, his primary objective did not involve launching a frontal assault against the palace walls…

Yet, it would be terribly impolite to pass through the sovereign capital without offering some form of acknowledgement, wouldn’t it?

‘I should at least deliver a proper greeting.’

If only to validate that their astronomical defensive spending was worth the investment!

Hans muttered the thought under his breath, his mind filled with a twisted sense of benevolence that no citizen below would ever appreciate.

[Now, manifest before me. Entracio, Heratos.]

In tandem with his command, the ink-like shadows wrapping his silhouette writhed violently, blotting out the ambient light of the sky…

From the depths of that expanding void, two colossal, terrifying figures tore through the fabric of reality and stepped into the physical realm.

[KuoOoooooh—!]

[Kyaaaaaah—!]

A pair of massive Bone Dragons unleashed a synchronized roar, the sheer force of their acoustic waves generating gale-force winds that swept across the rooftops.

Yet their arrival marked only the opening salvo.

[Olivia, I grant you supreme authority over the remaining legions.]

[Your will shall be done, Master… This servant will exhaust every ounce of her being to manifest your desires…]

The elite commanders of his deathless host began materializing in the surrounding airspace one after another…

Boom—!

“Aaaack!”

Boom—!

“Clear the thoroughfare!”

Deafening detonations and columns of toxic black smoke began erupting from various sectors of the city.

The thralls… or rather, the background actors who had been systematically seeded within the city walls prior to the operation, commenced their coordinated acts of sabotage the moment Hans breached the perimeter.

‘The secondary phase has successfully launched. As expected of a capital city, the targets for devastation are far more numerous than what Tobea offered. Well, those agents will simply have to rely on their own cunning to survive once the curtain falls.’

Naturally, even if they managed to escape elimination, their sole reward would be reassignment to the next violent theater of war…

But should fortune smile upon them, a few might endure until the final act.

That glimmer of possibility was the essence of hope.

[Hehehe— Ah, this is magnificent! This is the grand overture of absolute ruin! Slaves of mortality, engrave my title upon your souls! I am the Lord of the Undead, the Immortal King, Hannibal Strauss! Hahaha—!]

Accompanied by his theatrical self-introduction,

The Immortal King commenced his devastating descent upon Jeron, the heart of the Empire.