Chapter 89: Angels' Invasion (Patreon)

Emperor of the Baharuth Empire, also known as the Bloody Emperor—Jircniv Rune Farlord El-Nix.

A few days ago, Jircniv had ordered one of his counts to investigate a mysterious tomb. This tomb was linked to the individual who had reportedly saved the life of Gazef Stronoff, the warrior captain of Re-Estize Kingdom.

That mysterious figure, an unknown magic caster known as "Aurelius Nova Lucifer,” had piqued the Bloody Emperor’s interest. He wanted to know more. 

Was this magic caster truly superior to Fluder Paradyne, the head of the Imperial Magic Academy and the most revered court magician in the Empire?

Rumors had reached Jircniv's ears about Aurelius, claiming that he possessed power far beyond the norm. For someone like Jircniv, whose hobby was collecting intelligence and comparing it to the strength of his own Empire, such a figure was irresistible.

But the greatest question that troubled Jircniv was: who was the superior magic caster, Aurelius Nova Lucifer or Fluder Paradyne? To resolve this mystery, the Emperor, with the help of Fluder’s magic, first pinpointed the likely location of Aurelius’s base of operations—an ancient, unknown tomb. Then he ordered his count to organize a secret investigation.

The count secretly hired several teams of Workers—mercenary adventurers—and sent them into the tomb. Now, the Emperor was waiting for the results, discussing the matter with Fluder and a select few of his trusted subjects in his inner chamber at the Imperial Castle. 

Jircniv turned to Fluder and asked curiously:

"Gramps, do we have any news of the Workers who entered the tomb?"

Fluder, standing respectfully before Jircniv, replied calmly, "According to the first report received through magic from one of our spies trailing them, it seems the teams have been wiped out."

Jircniv narrowed his eyes slightly, counting the time in his mind.

He had sent several elite teams of Workers, all of whom had a reputation for their strength and skill. For them to be eradicated so quickly, within a day or perhaps even less, was alarming.

Everyone was visibly surprised by the news. But Fluder remained composed, nodding as if he had anticipated this outcome all along. 

"That may be true," Fluder continued, "but it would be unwise to rely solely on magical reports. We cannot be certain of what happened until more concrete information comes through."

"How long until we expect the adventurers to return?" Jircniv asked.

Fluder explained, "We've issued an order for immediate retreat after learning there were no survivors, but we estimate it will take around four days for them to return."

Jircniv frowned. "So, we won't have solid information for at least five days then... Until the adventurers return, we’re left in the dark."

The Emperor sighed, a little frustrated. The loss of the Workers was unfortunate, but they had chosen to go into that dangerous place for the sake of money. It was no surprise that they had met a terrible end. Jircniv silently offered a brief prayer for their souls before turning his attention back to Fluder.

"But the Count is a fool. If he had managed to let someone from E-Rantel hire some adventurers, our plan would have proceeded more smoothly. His incompetence is irritating—being my pawn is one thing, but being too incompetent becomes a liability. Still, he should serve as decent bait."

"You are absolutely right, Your Majesty," Fluder agreed, nodding solemnly.

"It’s unfortunate that our Workers were wiped out, but thanks to their sacrifice, we’ve learned something crucial about Aurelius’s personality. Even so, I can't say the Count was entirely useless," Jircniv remarked. “However, it’s unlikely that this event will sour the relationship between the Kingdom and Aurelius Nova Lucifer. For us to achieve that, we’ll need to feed the information about the ruins directly to the Kingdom’s Adventurer’s Guild."

Fluder nodded. "Indeed, if Aurelius Nova Lucifer reacts with hostility and attacks the Empire, it could be disastrous. That’s why this situation must be blamed entirely on a reckless noble’s blunder."

"I am well aware of Aurelius Nova Lucifer's power," Jircniv said, his voice low. "He was able to obliterate those teams of elite Workers without effort. Have we truly managed to pull this off with just one foolish aristocrat?"

"Of course," Fluder confirmed confidently. "We took every precaution. No one besides those present in this room knows the full details of our plan."

"Good. That’s all I needed to—"

Rumble!

Jircniv stopped mid-sentence as a deep, trembling sound resonated through the floor. The windows and furniture rattled violently. It didn’t feel like an earthquake.

A series of loud crashes echoed as if something enormous had collided with the ground repeatedly.

"What in the world is happening?!" Jircniv shouted, rising from his seat. "Someone check the situation—what's causing all this chaos?!"

Despite the thick, solid walls of the chamber, the screams could be heard both inside and outside the room, the noise growing louder by the second.

Suddenly, one of the guards, pale with fear, rushed toward him, shouting breathlessly.

"Your Majesty! Angels have descended! So many angels of them have appeared in the courtyard!"

For a moment, Jircniv couldn't grasp what the guard was saying. Angels? Here? 

His mind refused to make sense of it. Though the guard had no reason to lie, everyone rushed to the window to confirm for themselves.

Soon, they saw them—humanoid figures with dark wings standing in the courtyard and hovering above the imperial castle.

The ministers and officials stood wide-eyed, frozen in shock.

"Angels?! Why are angels descending upon the Imperial Palace?" Jircniv’s voice filled with disbelief. "Minister of Foreign Affairs! Was there any warning or report of such an event?!"

"I've heard nothing, Your Majesty!" the minister replied, equally panicked.

"Are these angels summoned by the Slane Theocracy?" 

"But they look nothing like the angels summoned by the Theocracy.”

"More importantly, how could they have penetrated the castle’s defenses so easily? The Imperial Guard Corps should have intercepted them before they got this far, especially with His Majesty present!" another shouted in frustration.

The figures of angels standing outside were strikingly beautiful, with a beauty that transcended normal human features. 

Conventionally summoned angels typically had radiant, glowing wings and a mechanical body. However, these angels were different; they had dark, black wings sprouting from their backs, and they were true living creatures, not just summoned entities.

Their numbers seemed to exceed a hundred, and at the center of the courtyard stood a figure that Jircniv instinctively knew was their leader. A golden-haired angel, radiating authority, was seated in the middle of the formation.

Jircniv swallowed hard, and his throat felt dry. The situation was spiraling out of control, and he knew instinctively that this could escalate into a full-blown crisis. No, it was already one.

Suddenly, the golden-haired angel gazed in his direction with cold, apathetic eyes, sending a chill down his spine.

"Fluder! What are these angels?" 

"I cannot say for certain, Your Majesty... I’ve never encountered angels of this kind," Fluder replied, his face grim.

Among the knights below, surrounding the angels, one stepped forward—Nazmi Enec, one of the Empire’s Four Imperial Knights, bearing a shield in each hand.

However, before he could even say or do anything, the leader of the angels finally opened her mouth.

"People of the Empire, listen!" the voice commanded. "I am Gabriel, leader of the Fallen Angels from the 8th floor hierarchy—the one who serves Aurelius Nova Lucifer!"

Jircniv’s eyes widened as nine angels formed a protective circle around the golden-haired one, Gabriel, ensuring no one could interrupt her.

"Emperor of this nation," Gabriel continued, "you have dared to provoke the Great Tomb of Nazarick, the home of Aurelius Nova Lucifer. He is enraged by your actions. Therefore, you are worthy of punishment."

Jircniv’s face contorted in disbelief. How had this come to pass?

Looking around the room, he saw only stunned expressions. His advisors were all equally bewildered.

"As an example of our wrath, all humans here will perish. Rasiel, begin."

A black-haired angel, Rasiel, who seemed to be Gabriel’s closest lieutenant, stepped forward, his hands clapsed in a praying posture.

[Om~]

Suddenly, intense heat surged from the ground, and black flames erupted, consuming the courtyard.

Knights, guardsmen, and even magic casters—everyone in the courtyard was engulfed in the flames, their screams echoing horribly. Their flesh burned away, their organs and bones reduced to dust.

The fire was merciless.

But Rasiel and the other angels remained unharmed, standing calmly as if they were beyond the reach of such destruction. In mere moments, the courtyard was empty.

No bodies, no traces—just black powder scattered on the ground.

"This is just a taste of our power," Gabriel declared coldly. "Now, to atone for your mortal sin of offending Aurelius Nova Lucifer, you shall all come with us to face the punishment you deserve."

A trembling servant turned to Jircniv, his eyes wide with terror. "Y-Your Majesty…"

But before anyone could react, Gabriel raised a hand and cast a powerful spell: "[Sacred Shackles]." It was a 9th-tier spell.

Instantly, a glowing halo formed around everyone present, binding them in shining divine chains.

No one had time to resist. The shackles immobilized them, robbing them of any chance to fight back.

Without further notice, Gabriel cast an illusion spell over the entire imperial castle, concealing the events from anyone outside. Then, as if they had never been there at all, the angels vanished—taking with them everyone they had captured.

Of course, among those taken was also Leinas Rockbruise, one of the Four Imperial Knights.