LIGHTNOVELSTORY Chapter 38 - Kidnapping. (1)
From the moment the dark mage appeared, the dungeon subjugation was essentially over.
The most important thing now was finding more clues related to dark magic.
As soon as dawn broke, Cael quickly organized a search party.
Some soldiers were sent back to the family estate to relay the news.
“The monsters taking their own lives must certainly be the result of mental-type dark magic. We’ll search thoroughly in case there are other traces nearby.”
It was a strange sight – a considerable number of monsters ending their lives by smashing their own heads.
Fortunately, Cael seemed convinced this was the dark mage’s doing.
‘Well, at least that explanation worked out.’
In reality, Celestia was behind all of this.
She was the one who killed the dark mages and massacred the monsters, claiming she would make this place her base.
The dungeons and monsters were easily dealt with thanks to her, but the situation had unexpectedly escalated.
I tried to keep the incident from growing larger.
First, I gave Cael credit for defeating the mage.
Since Cael and the knights were unconscious at the time, no one knew the truth.
‘Cael doesn’t seem to believe it, but there’s no evidence either way.’
Besides, this wasn’t entirely bad for Cael.
The achievement of killing a mage would serve to spread his reputation far and wide.
“I’m counting on you, Sir Cael. Please continue your hard work.”
There wasn’t much else I could do for him.
From now on, he would be drawing attention in my place, so all I could do was offer encouragement.
“I will follow your orders, Young Master!”
Cael bowed politely and began leading his forces in the search.
As his figure disappeared, I slowly made my way to the carriage.
Though lodging was available in town, I had other matters to attend to now.
“Celestia.”
The source of this incident sat proudly inside the carriage.
I looked her straight in the eyes and warned her.
“Don’t cause any more large disturbances.”
I meant this sincerely.
I had barely managed to cover things up – if anything else happened here, I wouldn’t be able to handle it.
Right now, it was appropriate to restrict Celestia’s actions.
While clearing up misunderstandings.
“First, I have no immediate plans to conquer the continent. So there’s no need to create a lich from the corpse.”
I addressed the first misunderstanding.
I had never ordered the conquest of the continent.
This was all the result of Ariel’s misunderstanding.
‘Though I can’t exactly call it just a misunderstanding.’
I have been pondering this since I heard about the situation from Celestia yesterday.
The original game’s goal was “Isekai Conqueror,” focused on conquering and ruling all nations.
As such, Black Raven’s objectives had to be based on this.
‘Even if I want a comfortable life, Black Raven’s goal would still be world domination.’
There was no point in me, as the leader, denying this.
So, I merely said I had no plans for conquest right now.
Even if I changed my mind about conquering the continent, that time would come when I could properly command Black Raven.
In the game, a single touch was enough to control characters, and paying money made organization management smooth.
However, I didn’t have such cheat keys now.
‘Current synchronization progress is 25%.’
As it continued to progress, my authority as a leader was expanding.
Recently, reaching 25% allowed me to absorb the abilities of mages hunted by members.
Eventually, various functions identical to the game would unlock.
Even so, there was still a long way to go.
With the leader’s full authority not yet unlocked, I had no intention of moving hastily.
Celestia responded to my words in a gentle voice.
“You mean there are still preparations to be made?”
Exactly.
Right now, I needed time.
I nodded slightly and moved on to the next topic.
“Second, I’ll allow you to make your nest here. But I forbid any harm to the Hartwell territory.”
She could instantly reduce several kingdoms to ruins.
Moreover, with the cash-summoned dark hounds at her disposal, it was safe to say no one could oppose her.
At times like this, it seemed better for me, holding her leash, to utilize Celestia.
“Hmm… Is that so? Once again, I’m amazed by Master’s wisdom.”
Celestia’s red lips curved into a smile at my words.
I’m not sure what she’s thinking, but I hope she doesn’t make any more misunderstandings.
“How could I defy Master’s orders? But I can hunt those who threaten Master, right?”
“Just don’t leave any traces. Otherwise, do as you wish.”
Fortunately, it seemed we could communicate well.
It was right to eliminate those who threatened me anyway.
If Celestia handled such people for me, I’d welcome it.
Since I felt bad about only receiving benefits, I offered one carrot.
“I’ll ensure the High Council doesn’t interfere with you. From now on, build your dungeon as you please.”
One word from me would officially guarantee Celestia’s freedom.
‘Now I won’t have to worry about the South anymore.’
Who would dare settle in a place with a 7-star monster?
Celestia rose gracefully and whispered softly.
“Then I’ll prepare until Master calls for me.”
Building a dungeon here would require constant effort from now on.
Establishing a dungeon befitting a 7-star monster’s dignity would take considerable work.
‘Wait, if that was the plan, couldn’t she have just enslaved the monsters?’
I wondered if killing them all was unnecessary, but that was Celestia’s problem.
“If I have any other orders, I’ll send a Phantom.”
With this, I gained another card I could play directly.
* * *
After finishing her conversation with Master, Celestia gracefully returned to the mountain.
Knights patrolled throughout the mountain, but concealing her presence was simple.
She moved without hesitation, knowing she could control minds with enchantment if necessary.
Celestia stopped at a location halfway up the mountain.
Before her lay the corpse of a mage, dead with his neck twisted grotesquely.
This was the first mage she had killed after being released from her seal.
“…”
Master had said there was no need to create a lich.
Then wouldn’t anything other than a lich be acceptable?
Besides, Master’s future plans would require a new army.
– Don’t leave any traces.
Remembering Master’s words, Celestia raised her hand.
An eerie energy swirled around at that moment as black mist settled on the corpse.
“O wandering soul from the realm of the dead beyond. Answer my call.”
Celestia’s eyes began to glow red.
Simultaneously, the flesh rotted and fell from the corpse, leaving only stark white bones exposed.
“Rise, my faithful servant. From this moment, you are reborn as a Death Knight.”
An ethereal blue flame began burning in the skeleton’s eye sockets.
In some ways, it looked no different from dark magic.
But this was a skill only she, the Empress of Succubi, could use.
[Soul Binding]
The ultimate ability of a succubus, said to seduce even the souls of the dead.
The newly reborn Death Knight knelt before Celestia on one knee.
“What was your name?”
“I am Death Knight Shadwick… I serve only you…”
Shadwick, reborn from dark mage to Death Knight.
His sense of self was firmly imprinted.
She commanded with a satisfied smile.
“Now, we shall create an army of death. Go.”
The Death Knight silently bowed his head in submission.
Then, he departed along the mountain, heading outside the Hartwell territory.
As long as there were no traces.
From now on, everything would happen outside the Hartwell territory.
And it would appear to be Shadwick’s independent actions, unrelated to Master.
* * *
Meanwhile, Cael was continuing his thorough search.
It was truly serious that a dark mage, designated as a heretic by the Holy Kingdom, had appeared in the Hartwell territory of all places.
The only consolation was that there was just one mage.
‘Young Master said he didn’t sense any additional auras.’
Ethan’s image flashed through his mind.
He was the one who had detected the mage’s aura.
Though skeptical at first, seeing these results, Cael had to acknowledge it.
The fact that the Young Master’s abilities were remarkable.
Moreover, his abilities weren’t limited to magic.
‘He defeated the mage in a single strike.’
A precise strike that instantly pierced the mage’s heart.
Unfortunately, Cael had fainted and couldn’t witness it directly.
When he regained consciousness, everything was already over.
Though Ethan claimed that Cael himself had dealt with the mage, he quickly realized this was false.
He could easily distinguish whether that strike was his own or not.
Considering all circumstances, it was reasonable to conclude that Young Master had personally dealt with the mage.
‘Has he been hiding his strength all this time?’
If so, why would he try to conceal his power?
His reputation would soar if news spread that he had killed a dark mage.
The Holy Kingdom would certainly commend his achievement and bestow the title of Honorary Holy Knight.
This would allow Ethan to gain the Holy Kingdom’s backing.
Yet Ethan denied killing the mage and instead tried to pass the achievement to Cael.
As if trying to hide his strength.
‘Could it be…’
A thought crossed Cael’s mind.
‘Has he been planning for the heir position all along?’
He must be preparing to compete with his siblings for the heir position.
But Albert was no easy opponent.
He held the advantageous position of being the eldest son and already had the vassals’ support.
Without variables, he would become the heir and next family head.
There seemed no room for Ethan, an illegitimate child, to squeeze in.
‘Is that why he’s giving me the credit?’
He clearly planned to build power secretly while hiding his abilities.
Cael understood noble nature well.
Though the Count treated Ethan well now, the situation would reverse if he noticed Ethan aiming for the heir position.
‘He might fall from the Count’s favor.’
No, that would definitely happen.
Though it seemed harsh, the noble world was cold.
It was inevitable for an illegitimate child with only half noble blood.
‘This situation has become complicated.’
Accepting this achievement would essentially make Cael Ethan’s man.
‘Still, it’s not completely impossible.’
Hadn’t the second son Bastel essentially dropped out of the competition?
That alone was a big opportunity for Ethan.
Suddenly, an inexplicable sense of déjà vu struck him.
“…”
Was it really a coincidence that Bastel had shut himself in his room?
‘As if someone…’
Cael shook his head.
He was probably being too sensitive.
He decided to focus on his duty rather than dwell on these thoughts.
Just then, reports came in from knights all around.
“Commander! We couldn’t find any additional traces!”
“Nothing here either!”
It seemed all they had were one mage corpse and the monster corpses.
“End the search! We’re returning!”
Cael issued the order in a firm voice.
They had already secured all necessary clues.
It was time to return to the Hartwell estate.
‘In a way, Young Master saved the Hartwell territory.’
It was obvious what would have happened if the dark mage hadn’t been dealt with.
To Cael, Ethan appeared as a savior.
* * *
Twilight settled over the streets of the Arcadia Empire.
The majestic spires of the Imperial Academy pierced the sky.
Lined with massive stone buildings, the campus was filled with students’ energy.
Among them, one man hurriedly left the Academy.
He was a professor currently employed at the Imperial Academy.
The man carefully moved while checking his surroundings, disappearing into a deserted back alley.
Moving deep into the alley, he sensed an ominous presence and a damp smell.
Another figure was waiting for him there.
He spoke as soon as he saw the man.
“Jade?”
The professor called Jade checked his surroundings once more before carefully handing over a document.
“Name’s Albert Hartwell. A promising student with talent in magic. He’s returned home now, but it’ll be convenient to kidnap him when he returns to the Academy.”
After passing over the documents, Jade fled the scene.
Being caught like this would bring nothing good.
Though he was selling student information because he needed money, this was the Imperial Academy.
As a place even imperial family members attended, the discovery of such actions would surely mean disaster.
Emerging from the alley, Jade acted naturally as if nothing had happened.
As he was about to return to the Academy, someone called his name.
“Oh my, if it isn’t Professor Jade?”
Turning his head, he saw a familiar face.
“Director, what brings you here…?”
Why was the Academy Director here?
Surely he hadn’t been discovered?
No, that was impossible.
He had acted quickly and discreetly.
It must have been a chance encounter.
“Oh, nothing much. By the way, Professor Jade.”
Director Dietrich’s expression subtly changed.
“Would you come to my office for a moment?”