Chapter 86

A village on the outskirts of Brussels, which would take a full month to reach on horseback from the royal castle.

Into that place, lined with abandoned houses where people no longer lived, a man dressed as a traveler and a hunting dog entered.

“It wouldn’t be strange if a ghost appeared.”

Confirming that there was no sign of anyone around, Killian took a step forward.

[Growl. Growl.]

Hazard also followed, looking around at the unusual environment.

Fwhoosh.

When Killian released his mana, he felt the presence of two people around the middle of the village.

“The Arch Mage must be Count Revric. And the mage he brought is 6-star.”

Confirming that the other party had also sensed his mana, he walked down the main road nonchalantly.

It was thirty minutes later that he arrived at the tavern where the meeting was scheduled.

“Welcome.”

In a tavern that looked like it could collapse at any moment, an old man wearing a robe greeted Killian.

The Arch Mage, who was the Commander of the Royal Magic Order of Brussels and called the King's right-hand man.

“Count Revric Roach.”

“That is correct.”

Killian gave a slight bow to the old mage and sat down.

Count Revric threw back the robe he was wearing.

White hair, grown long down to his neck, was revealed.

Killian's eyes, which had been quietly scanning him, glinted slightly.

‘He’s wearing magic tools like armor.’

Two earrings, three rings, a pendant around his neck, and the staff standing beside him.

Killian recognized that even the robe he was wearing was imbued with magic.

‘Well, if we're counting, I’m no slouch either.’

The sword and its sheath, the pendant, and even Sharle's magic tool that was concealing Hazard's identity.

It wasn't intentional, but Killian didn't fall behind in the number of magic tools.

“Thank you for accepting my proposal. You must have had a hard time traveling this long way.”

“It was no trouble. Being younger than the Count, I should be a little more diligent.”

“Huhu. Just as I heard from Crimson Wolf, you are full of spirit for your age.”

“I tend to hear that a lot.”

The corner of Count Revric's mouth twitched.

For decades, he had lived as an Arch Mage revered by his disciples and as an absolute power in Brussels.

Even the princes treated him with respect, yet Killian Eurasia was treating him like a mere baron from his own country.

‘They said his confidence pierces the heavens from being entrusted with a heavy responsibility at a young age…… but he has no sense for diplomacy.’

Without showing his uncomfortable feelings, Count Revric looked at the detection dog sitting next to Killian.

“Our agreement was for each of us to bring only one trusted subordinate. Was it not?”

“It was.”

“I am aware that a knight of the Annihilation Squad entered the village before you. In that case, how do you intend to explain this detection dog?”

‘So he noticed.’

Killian shrugged his shoulders as if it were nothing.

“It’s a wolf we’re raising in our Annihilation Squad.”

“A wolf……?”

Not a damn dog?

It was small for a wolf and large for a dog.

While Revric was tilting his head, Killian continued.

“Don’t be so uptight. I brought him along knowing the dangers of this village. I heard from Crimson Wolf. In the past, a large-scale magic experiment failed, and all the residents died, didn't they?”

“…….”

“Even if it’s a ruined village, it’s still territory belonging to an enemy nation, so shouldn't I have at least one form of insurance?”

If you can't even show this much understanding, my heart will ache.

Killian strung together words that were like sophistry.

“You’re quite the eloquent speaker for your age.”

“I tend to hear that a lot, too.”

Killian and Revric exchanged intense gazes.

It was Revric who spoke first.

“Well, fine. The situation won’t change just because one detection dog is added.”

“Thank you for understanding. Then let's not waste each other's time and get to the main point.”

Seeing Killian's attitude of trying to lead the atmosphere, Revric smiled faintly.

‘It’s unexpected that Crimson Wolf told him about the village…… but this is for the better.’

He knew the dangers of the village and yet brought only one extra detection dog.

For him, it was not a bad situation.

‘Unless he brings the entire Annihilation Squad, nothing will change anyway. The young whelp got lucky and reached the level of a Superhuman, and it has made him careless.’

“Fourth Prince, is there any need for Brussels and Eurasia to shed needless blood?”

“That sounds strange. The opponent Eurasia declared war on is Heinrich, not Brussels.”

“Haha. Why are you being like this when you know full well. The ruler of the continent is the Empire. Brussels is also just a small and weak nation, busy trying to survive before that great power.”

“So, the proposal you want to make is?”

“Brussels will help the Fourth Prince become the king of Eurasia.”

“…….”

“Eurasia's succession has not yet been decided. And I understand that the Fourth Prince has no background from his maternal family?”

“It sounds like you’re telling me to betray Eurasia.”

“Of course not.”

Revric shook his head and let out a faint laugh.

“It is simply to reduce unnecessary sacrifices and maintain peace.”

“…….”

“Besides, it won't be easy for Eurasia to procure military provisions, will it?”

“How kind of you. But that's not a problem for the Count to worry about.”

“…….”

“If it's a proposal, it should be more personal. How exactly are you going to support me?”

At the expected reaction, the corners of Revric's mouth twisted.

“In a single war, numerous military merits are established. I will help the Fourth Prince become the hero of this war.”

It meant exchanging information in advance to properly secure military achievements.

“In the future war for the throne, Brussels will support the Fourth Prince both materially and spiritually. With that, you should be able to end the war for the throne in one fell swoop.”

The proposal was that Brussels, with its fertile farmlands and well-paved land routes that could extend to the central continent, would add its support to Killian, who had the skill to become a Superhuman at twenty-three and serve as the Commander of the Annihilation Squad.

In addition to this, Revric said he could provide assistance from his subordinate high-ranking mages on a personal level.

‘He's completely misjudging me. That Crimson Wolf fellow, he must have leaked the information perfectly.’

What he could do for him, why Killian had to join hands with him.

Revric was still chattering away earnestly.

“To summarize, you'll leak information through Hennessy and offer up a few of Brussels' nobles as sacrificial lambs?”

“That’s right. Most of them are viscounts and barons, but since they are close to Count Konrad, it won’t be to the extent that they won’t be recognized as military achievements.”

Revric's voice as he addressed Killian had become friendly at some point.

“How about it?”

“It is certainly a tempting offer.”

“In that case…….”

“I refuse.”

“…….”

Revric's expression, which had been relaxed just a moment ago, hardened.

“You look like you can’t understand?”

“May I ask for the reason?”

“That method won't be enough to fool Eurasia's eyes.”

“Isn’t the Annihilation Squad in charge of Eurasia's intelligence?”

“The intuition of Superhumans.”

“…….”

“You should at least know that the intuition of a Sword Master isn't so trivial as to be played by such tricks.”

“You're making a foolish choice. To think you'd throw away an opportunity that rolled in for such a reason……”

“And.”

Killian cut Revric off.

“I've already caught a big fish.”

“…….”

“If I'm going to establish military merit anyway, wouldn't it be better to catch a shark than a minnow?”

“…….”

Killian's and Revric's eyes met.

A moment of silence lingered.

“Kheheheh…… Hahaha!”

The old mage burst into laughter.

Killian smiled back at him.

When the laughter ceased, Revric's face no longer held the same gentle smile as before.

“Killian Eurasia, you are making a big mistake.”

“I think you are too, Count.”

“You must have heard from Crimson Wolf what kind of place this is.”

The place farthest from the capital of Brussels.

In the past, it was a village where nearly 10,000 people lived, but now it was a ruin where not even a single ant could be seen.

“They say Brussels tried to build a Magic Tower and failed?”

The construction of the Magic Tower was led by Revric Roach, the Commander of the Royal Magic Order.

However, a rampage during the process resulted in thousands of casualties, and the kingdom later closed off the village to cover it up.

“Why do you think I chose this place for our meeting?”

“To silence me if things go south. It’s an obvious trick.”

“You know well.”

Revric was the one responsible for the research here.

And the numerous magic circles installed for the research were still effective.

Revric's gaze turned to Hazard.

“And yet you show up with just a single dog like this. It’s not even funny.”

“It’s the way of the commander to take the lead.”

“No, you know nothing. This is the limit of a brat who has just stepped into the realm of a Superhuman.”

Revric released black mana.

That alone activated the magic circles in the area.

Killian looked at the mana barrier that separated him and Revric.

The black mana did not end with a single barrier but formed an additional six layers.

‘Is this a confinement magic?’

A magic that separates space.

Judging from the mana reaction, at least three or more formulas were engraved.

In addition to this, more than ten magical reactions were appearing from outside the building.

‘So it was true that they tried to build a Magic Tower.’

The numerous magic formulas, remnants of the failed Magic Tower construction.

Revric was awakening the scars engraved on the village to deal with Killian for certain.

Shing.

Killian drew Aether and slashed the barrier before him.

Swish.

A sensation like cutting through water.

The phenomenon of mana being absorbed into Aether did not occur either.

Swoosh.

This time, he tried to emit mana.

The blue mana exuded a powerful momentum for a moment.

Zzzzzzt.

The mana that touched the barrier was absorbed as it was.

Revric wiggled his finger with a triumphant look on his face.

“They say the sword of the Annihilation Squad has the ability to absorb mana? This is a magic I've specially prepared for you.”

Following the emission of mana, he tried using Haki.

Rumble.

The Haki, which seemed ready to dominate the space at any moment, was also sucked into the barrier.

Slice.

When he slashed the empty air, the mana chains that had been hiding their form were cut apart.

‘A linked magic that is a fusion of at least five 7-star magics.’

Even for Killian, it was a level that would not be easy to break without being prepared for a reflux.

“Just because you’re a Superhuman doesn’t mean you’re invincible. You crossed the wall at a young age and acted rashly.”

Revric fidgeted as he watched Killian unable to easily decide to risk a reflux.

Kiiiiing.

The cube of a regular hexahedron, formed by the connection of the six barriers, was binding Killian.

Carpe, the pride of knights, Carpe Illusion, which could be called a higher-level technique, and Haki, the exclusive property of a Sword Master, none of them worked.

The barrier, created with the suppression of a 7-star knight in mind, was fully unfolding.

“Even if you manage to escape from there, dealing with a Superhuman whose reflux has begun is no trouble for me.”

[Grrrowl~]

Hazard barked loudly at the tightening cube.

“You should have brought the Annihilation Squad instead of that useless mutt. Then you wouldn't have been taken down so futilely.”

“…….”

“Don't feel too lonely. I'll send the guy outside to follow you soon.”

“…….”

“No one will remember how the Fourth Prince of Eurasia met his end.”

“…….”

It was when the hexahedron had shrunk enough to bind Killian's body.

“That’s too much.”

Killian, who had been listening quietly, opened his mouth as if to grumble.

“Why are you treating this one like he doesn't exist?”

[Growl!]

Hazard shouted as if responding to Killian's words.

Revric, who was watching, let out a hollow laugh. He thought Killian was acting composed until the very last moment.

“What a mutt like that can do is……”

“Count.”

Killian lifted the growling Hazard.

“Our Hazard tears people apart.”

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