Chapter 60

Chapter 60
## Chapter 60

### The Calm Before the Storm (1)

A subterranean chamber completely isolated from the outside world.

In the center of this pitch-black void, where not a single ray of light could penetrate, a solitary stone brazier rested silently.

“…The hour has come.”

A deep, resonant murmur vibrated through the absolute stillness, breaking the long-standing absence of any vital presence.

The figure behind the words glided forward through the dark, moving without a whisper of sound until they halted a short distance from the hearth.

In that precise instant,

Whoosh—

Vibrant violet flames suddenly surged upward from the basin, licking toward the overhead ceiling before gradually diminishing into a steady, bonfire-sized blaze.

As the purple radiance cast its glow across the chamber, multiple silhouettes began to shimmer and take shape around the hearth.

[Is everyone… assembled?]

[Indeed, saving the careless idiot who perished recently.]

The dark forms conversed with one another in muted tones.

[What is the immense hurry? Shall we not exchange pleasantries first and proceed with leisure? Hehehe.]

[Hold your tongue before I tear your jaw from your face.]

“It appears the tidings have reached all of you.”

The gathering was slow to find its rhythm, owing to the volatile temperaments of the individuals convened in this space.

This was hardly a venue for social pleasantries, so it was far more prudent to bypass the meaningless banter and address the core matters immediately to expedite the proceedings.

[Ah, quite so. The sheer absurdity of the situation left me laughing aloud.]

[Hehehe~ As did I. To think that someone could meet such a pathetic end even after securing a branch of the World Tree. Hehehe.]

With that, the periodic gathering commenced in earnest.

The participants began exchanging intelligence regarding the latest developments.

“Thus, we still lack any definitive knowledge on how the Church and the High Elf managed to pinpoint Nurabe’s location and launch their assault.”

[Bah! It must have been the direct interference of the World Tree. That fool failed to adequately suppress the sacrificial offering.]

[Hmm~ I find that highly improbable. The old rogue received the proper sealing mechanism directly from my hands.]

A flurry of varying perspectives was traded once more, yet they failed to reach a solid deduction because concrete evidence was entirely lacking.

[Regardless… we must exercise far greater vigilance moving forward…]

[First it was Marcos, who met his end trying to claim sole ownership of the Immortal King’s Fragment, and now Nurabe, who was tucked away so securely… Have we grown far too lax?]

“On the subject of the Immortal King… the recent maneuvers of the Church have been quite peculiar.”

The flow of shared information persisted.

[That bloodline descendant of the Immortal King. Is there a way for us to utilize him?]

[Hehehe! What use is that now that Marcos is no longer with us? Still, it might not be a terrible notion to align our efforts if our ambitions happen to cross paths!]

The dialogue between the dark silhouettes dancing in the violet illumination pressed onward.

Following an extended deliberation filled with arguments, alternative proposals, and eventual consensus…

“Let us settle on that course of action for this matter. Now, if there are no further issues to raise, we shall conclude?”

[Naturally~ The Empire remains as tranquil as ever.]

[The eastern territories are likewise… completely clear…]

The periodic assembly of the Oath of Heaven’s Defiance dissolved the moment their final agreements were struck.

—

“Jin So-ran, handle these in the usual manner.”

Heinz entered the workspace of Jin So-ran, who was actively managing a variety of administrative duties, and deposited a collection of items onto her desktop.

The pile consisted entirely of incredibly costly magical implements, including several designed to grant access to localized dimensional pockets.

Taken aback for a split second, her expression quickly shifted as she stood up abruptly, her eyes gleamining with excitement.

“Goodness… Chief, from what source do you keep procuring these remarkable objects?”

Though she had witnessed such deliveries multiple times already, she could not help but voice her profound astonishment as she scrutinized the merchandise he had provided.

Because such magical apparatuses could only be brought back by those who returned, the available stock worldwide was exceptionally scarce; they remained unattainable even to those possessing vast fortunes.

“I have my methods. Setting that aside, how is the task I entrusted to you progressing?”

“Ah, regarding the pepper? I instructed our people to transfer it all into new packaging and place it in storage.”

Operating with subordinates certainly had its advantages.

He merely needed to issue the directives, and they would efficiently oversee the minor details.

‘Since I cannot distribute them in their original Earth containers made of plastic and synthetic films, a change of packaging is mandatory. Yet, that effort is utterly trivial when weighed against the returns we stand to gain.’

While pepper was a common, low-cost commodity on Earth, the reality within Auterica was entirely different.

It was treated as a luxury seasoning, and because the continent was positioned vastly far from the primary agricultural sources, the potential revenue margins were highly promising.

It served as an ideal initial commodity to launch his commercial network.

‘Initially, I pondered over the prospect of trading synthetic gemstones manufactured on Earth.’

Gemstones crafted through advanced contemporary methods were virtually indistinguishable from naturally formed minerals when subjected to standard evaluation techniques.

They could even be marketed under a premium angle due to their flawless clarity and absence of natural flaws…

‘However, the insurmountable obstacle is that they are entirely incompatible with magical practices because of their Earth origins.’

The steep pricing of jewels in Auterica did not stem solely from their visual appeal.

A massive portion of their worth was tied directly to their utility as crucial components for amplifying magical endeavors, including defensive arrays, experimental research, and the creation of enchanted tools.

Under those parameters, if he were to peddle non-functional goods that possessed zero magical conductivity—stones that offered nothing beyond visual beauty—he risked entangling himself in highly inconvenient complications.

‘There is absolutely no reason to invite scrutiny or court danger during the foundational stages of this enterprise. I can always introduce them as high-tier novelty items later on, once our position is secure.’

Naturally, it would be a waste to completely abandon such an outstanding commercial concept.

Transforming a specific limitation into a distinctive selling point was the very core of business strategy.

The wealthy elite would undoubtedly obsess over such an exclusive, non-conductive novelty.

“Where has everyone else gone?”

Heinz, having neatly categorized his thoughts, scanned the immediate surroundings and directed his inquiry toward Jin So-ran.

The density of personnel within the premises had visibly dropped since his last visit.

It appeared that more than half of the usual crowd was missing.

“Ah, an issue arose regarding the operations in Incheon. Jin-seok departed to oversee it personally, so a resolution should be reached shortly.”

A substantial influx of individuals had aligned themselves with Heterosis as the organization expanded.

This included not only the hardcore militants from the past, but also members hailing from the moderate factions and the unaligned groups.

Among those ranks was Jin-seok, a Gamma-tier operative who had previously held an executive title among the hardliners.

‘Yet he has proven to be remarkably compliant. I had fully intended to convert him into Blood Essence had he shown the slightest hint of defiance.’

He had been absent from the estate due to his responsibilities managing the outer regional territories, and when Heinz tracked him down at a later date, the man immediately capitulated and pledged his absolute fealty.

Because the man possessed such a highly developed instinct for self-preservation, the integration of the militant faction moved along at an accelerated pace, leaving Heinz viewing his conduct with quiet approval.

‘It remains somewhat frustrating that I could not extract deeper intelligence regarding Alpha. However, his total disappearance strongly implies that he has already departed from the domestic borders, does it not?’

Alpha, the supreme commander of the former militant wing, was calculated to be a Level 8 vampire.

Heinz had been keeping an eye out for an opening to permanently eliminate him, but the figure’s whereabouts had remained a total mystery since that fateful day.

They maintained an ongoing search utilizing the full reach of the Blood Alliance, yet their investigations had yielded no tangible breakthroughs.

“On account of your actions, Chief, the situation surrounding the Blood Alliance has turned vastly in our favor. By extension, the authority of our Heterosis is scaling up significantly.”

Heterosis, experiencing a rapid surge in growth by leveraging the absolute might and financial assets provided by Heinz, effectively steered the Blood Alliance and multiplied its reach.

Naturally, this was kept as a highly classified expansion, quietly strengthening their hold over various criminal enterprises because an overt display of their scaling operations would inevitably draw the suspicious gaze of the Guardians and the Supernatural Ability Management Bureau.

‘The individuals who purchased those gold bullion pieces have also integrated into our ranks.’

They were currently displaying highly favorable progress in locking down secure distribution networks for the magical tools.

Reflecting on their initial business transaction, they were undeniably competent operatives.

‘Come to think of it, I ought to relocate my base of operations before long… ’

He had completely ignored personal luxuries previously, his cognitive space entirely occupied with strategic planning after discovering the existence of the Heaven’s Turn Society.

However, he now possessed the breathing room to relax his mind slightly, meaning he could begin making deliberate arrangements for his comfort.

‘Though perhaps not this very instant.’

“You mentioned an issue requiring attention in Incheon? My schedule is entirely clear at the moment, so I shall handle it personally.”

It was imperative that he bring total stability to the Blood Alliance as rapidly as possible.

They were presently standing on the precipice of a monumental shift that would thoroughly convulse the lands of Auterica.

The moment that massive ordeal concluded, the overarching strategy designated as Operation ‘Home Theater: Demon King and Hero’ would swing into full motion, leaving Heinz with scarcely a moment of free time.

—

A full fortnight had slipped away since the High Elf Rapori commenced the grand hunt for the elusive Immortal King.

They had systematically combed through a considerable number of woodlands based on their calculated likelihood, yet their endeavors had yielded absolutely nothing.

Heinrich managed to take his seat at the provisional status briefing convened after the vanguard finished clearing one of the primary target zones, allowing him to receive the direct updates.

He found himself deeply enmeshed in the logistics of this grand endeavor now, to the point where it took absolute precedence over his standard responsibilities within the holy knight order.

‘Though my actual contributions amount to little more than watching from the rear and executing basic tasks.’

Rapori offered a slightly strained smile as he systematically filed away the geographical surveys detailing the sectors they had thoroughly scrutinized.

“…Alas, we have exhausted our search through every single woodland that held the highest probability, yet we stand empty-handed. It makes it rather difficult to hold my head high after stepping forward with such absolute assurance.”

Both the Saintess and the Archbishop offered firm gestures of disagreement to comfort Rapori regarding his apparent loss of confidence.

“We hold nothing but immense appreciation for your tireless dedication, Lord Rapori. It was our own clergy that finalized the sequence of the search zones to begin with.”

“In truth, there remains a distinct possibility that he has taken refuge in an entirely separate region devoid of forest cover. Even if that proves true, your work has allowed us to drastically narrow down the remaining territory, which is an incredibly positive outcome.”

“On account of those findings, the Church’s mobile tracking units are currently redirecting their full attention toward terrains that lack dense vegetation. It goes without saying that our operational productivity has seen a massive upgrade.”

Precisely as they detailed, the bulk of the investigative personnel were being re-routed toward arid regions, empty plains, and desolate wastes.

Naturally, the woodland surveys had not been completely abandoned, but the leadership required comprehensive contingencies to ensure they were prepared for any sudden developments.

Archbishop Latiaus turned his gaze toward the massive continental chart affixed to the wall, comparing it against the logs detailing the priority rankings.

“Shall we now review the subsequent cluster of potential sites? Let us see… this current phase involves sectors carrying an estimated probability of roughly 30%.”

“Haa, it feels as though even those percentages carry very little weight at this stage.”

“Ahem, such is the nature of these trials, Your Holiness.”

“Ah! You speak the truth. This data is the direct culmination of countless individuals working in unison. It was improper of me to show such discouragement.”

The Saintess let out a soft murmur, an expression of lingering disappointment crossing her features.

She was clearly experiencing a degree of internal restlessness due to the total absence of progress, irrespective of her outward assertions that everything was fine.

“Very well, given the late hour, we shall initiate the systematic clearing of these designated sectors starting first thing tomorrow morning.”

“Ah! Our deepest thanks to you, Lord Rapori. You have surely exerted yourself immensely, so please retire to your chambers and find some well-deserved rest.”

The briefing drew to a close, prompting Heinrich—who had been monitoring the real-time developments of the hunt for Hans—to make his way back toward his personal quarters.

‘At long last… The pivotal moment is nearly upon us.’

On this exact fifteenth day of their systematic sweeping operations, the treacherous monster-infested woodland located in the western reaches of the continent had finally been rotated into the upcoming target group.

‘It is a massive relief that my timing aligns perfectly.’

He had only just managed to secure the final breakthroughs from his personal inquiries.

Simultaneously, as Heinrich walked toward his designated living area,

[Hehehe… My endeavors have finally yielded absolute success!]

A chilling, macabre burst of laughter, sounding as though it had crawled directly out of the abyss, reverberated throughout the confines of a hidden cavern.

[Precisely as anticipated, there exists no barrier that can truly obstruct this Hans. Such a task is trivial when this body is permitted adequate time.]

Hans, the true bloodline inheritor of the undying sovereign, now manifesting as the Arch-Lich Hans, parted the fabric of his dark vestments to expose his skeletal structure.

Positioned prominently within the hollow expanse of his ivory rib cage was an object that radiated an undeniable aura of absolute power.

A pitch-black gemstone, the localized portion of the ‘Immortal King’s Heart’, throbbed with a rhythmic, lifelike pulse.

Yet, a profound alteration had overtaken the object compared to its previous state.

It was no longer opaque; it had transformed into a translucent entity.

[Hehehe… A localized phase-subspace anchored directly upon this physical form. It occupies a space, yet it remains untraceable to the world. With this advancement, this vessel edges ever closer to absolute flawlessness! Hahaha!]

He had successfully manifested an alternate pocket of reality that existed concurrently with his own physical vessel, depositing the core organ he had harvested via the application of “Immortality” directly into that hidden layer.

To put it plainly, he had effectively reconfigured his own skeletal frame to function identically to a spatial storage artifact.

An extraordinary feat that remained entirely outside the capabilities of any mortal… or any entity tethered to life.

Naturally, because it was achieved through highly irregular practices, he had to forfeit the ability to completely separate the pocket from himself, and the physical dimensions of the space were strictly confined to the interior of his chest cavity…

However, such minor restrictions were of zero consequence to his ambitions.

‘My primary objective has already been completely fulfilled!’

By converting his actual physical structure into a pseudo-dimensional pocket, he gained the ability to completely bypass the inherent restrictions of the fragment, establishing an unobstructed conduit to draw forth immense quantities of malevolent magical energy.

It went without saying that this configuration allowed him to obscure his lifeforce with absolute ease.

The challenge of masking his presence was drastically diminished now that the item was no longer exposed to the natural world, operating instead through a singularly controlled pathway.

‘Furthermore, I am now capable of executing “Immortality” to its absolute maximum potential.’

At present, even if his entire physical form were to be utterly reduced to ash, he could instantly reconstitute his vessel utilizing the continuous flow of dark essence provided through the spatial conduit.

To truly claim victory over him, an adversary would need to employ an attack capable of cleaving reality itself or a specialized incantation designed to distort dimensions.

‘And there is absolutely no scenario where Hans would merely stand motionless to receive such a devastating blow.’

It was a highly gratifying outcome across all parameters.

These events unfolded a mere handful of days prior to the moment Rapori’s vanguard units were scheduled to begin their sweep of the monster-infested woodland.