Episode 169
The development of the Northern Demon King’s territory and the reform of the Black Tower.
At the heart of the ever-progressing Duchy of Saxon was none other than Dale, acting as the Duke’s proxy.
While Dale was staying in the Demon King’s territory to fulfill his duties as the Viscount of Saxon, a council was convened.
The Blue Tower of intrigue and deceit, the Sorceress Council.
“It’s a pleasure to see you again, Lord Dale.”
Just moments ago, Dale had been in the office of the Saxon Viscount. But then, a messenger from the City Master arrived, and through them, Dale felt his consciousness transcend physical distance and connect.
The Southern Frozen Lands, known as the Crystal Earth, mirrored the Northern Duchy of Saxon.
A table was set upon that land, and the sorceresses, rulers of the Blue Tower, were gathered there.
In their council, physical distance and location held no meaning. They could exchange information whenever necessary, regardless of where they were or what they were doing.
Dale understood the gravity of such an act in this world.
“Viscount Dale of Saxon, I greet the Chairwoman.”
Dale bowed his head silently, and the hooded master of the Blue Tower, the Chairwoman, chuckled softly.
At the same time, several butterflies fluttered behind her.
They were blue butterflies.
“Your achievements at the Black Tower were truly astonishing.”
A butterfly took flight, and one of the sorceresses spoke. The voice was very familiar.
“Princess Kiara.”
The fifth princess of the Empire, Kiara, a member of the royal family with dragon’s blood, and a covert agent of the Blue Tower.
“Hehe, even if you speak of my identity, nothing will change.”
Kiara removed her hood and smiled gently.
“I’m equally pleased to see you again, even in this manner, Princess.”
“Oh my.”
“Let’s keep the small talk to a minimum.”
Kiara laughed again at Dale’s words, and the Chairwoman interrupted her.
“Lord Dale, thank you for coming despite your busy schedule.”
“Is there a particular reason you summoned me?”
“There are indeed several reasons.”
The Chairwoman spoke.
“You have reached the level of the 5th Circle and become one with the ‘Mother of Ancient Darkness.’ Furthermore, we have been closely observing your activities in the Duchy of Saxon.”
“I wasn’t aware that the Blue Tower had people in the Duchy of Saxon.”
“Our people in the Blue Tower are always required to be secretive and cautious.”
“Just as you did with Lady Sepia?”
Dale asked coldly.
“You needn’t worry about that. Lord Dale, you are no longer an outsider to the Blue Tower. In fact, you are much more than that.”
The Chairwoman continued in a low voice.
“Isn’t that right, Shadow Lord?”
“Is this idle chatter still not over?”
“Hehe, of course not. Gaining your trust is of utmost importance to us.”
The Chairwoman said.
“This council was convened solely to earn your trust.”
“What is it you wish to say?”
“We merely wish to share the secretive whispers of the night and day that our birds and mice have heard.”
”…Go on.”
“The Empire is watching Saxon more closely than ever.”
The Chairwoman said, and Dale responded as if unsurprised.
“It would be strange if they weren’t. Is that really such a secretive piece of information?”
“Please, do not be too hasty, wise Lord.”
The Chairwoman said.
“Next, about York’s Titania.”
Thanks to Dale’s past efforts, the Nightmare Clan won the War of the Roses and effectively absorbed the Lancaster Duchy.
“The Red Tower has contacted Duke Lancaster, and they have obtained information that the House of Saxon was involved in the War of the Roses.”
”…!”
“Next, about Erze.”
“There is a division within the Mountain Assassins regarding Lady Sepia’s actions.”
“There are increasing suspicions within the church about Cardinal Nikolai’s dubious behavior.”
Secrets from across the Empire, closely tied to Dale, began to spill from the sorceresses’ lips one by one.
Even matters not directly related to Dale, but of significant importance, were no exception.
To some extent, Dale had anticipated these things. However, the most shocking revelation was how detailed and precise the Blue Tower’s knowledge of his secrets was, as if they held them in the palm of their hand.
“Confessing that you know someone’s secret is perhaps the most certain proof of trust, wouldn’t you agree?”
After the sorceresses finished speaking, the Chairwoman smiled.
“Are you trying to threaten me?”
“Threaten? As I said, we are loyal to the Shadow Lord from the shadows. We have already taken ‘measures’ regarding the matters I mentioned.”
The Chairwoman spoke with a deeply meaningful smile.
“But there is one thing we couldn’t handle.”
“And what is that?”
“The Mountain Assassins.”
The Chairwoman said.
“As promised, protecting Lady Sepia is no longer the role of the Blue Tower.”
That day, Dale had promised to shoulder Sepia’s debt.
“Thus, persuading them is left to the Black Tower and Lord Dale.”
“You certainly keep your promises thoroughly.”
“If you change your mind, it wouldn’t be difficult for us to handle it again.”
“There’s no need for that.”
The Chairwoman said, but Dale shook his head.
“As I said, protecting Lady Sepia is a task for me and the House of Saxon.”
After shaking his head, Dale spoke.
“Furthermore, I am grateful for the information and measures you have provided.”
Even now, those who manipulate secrets and information across the continent.
The Blue Mastermind.
“As I mentioned, we of the Blue are always ready to serve the Shadow Lord.”
The Blue Tower Master said, and that was the end.
The connection of consciousness broke, and Dale found himself back in the office of the Saxon Viscount.
”….”
He looked around and sent the City Master’s messenger away, who seemed bewildered.
The Blue’s information network, spread like a web across the entire Empire. He hadn’t underestimated their skills, but he had underestimated them nonetheless.
At least for now, there was no doubt that they were loyal to the Shadow Lord.
Moreover, their ‘Blue Web’ was undeniably beneficial to Dale at the moment.
But that was all. While there was no need to reject the information network they provided, it was too dangerous to trust them completely.
‘It’s not something to dwell on now… but it’s a headache.’
As they say, pondering the Tower of Intrigue and Deceit was a matter for another time.
For now, Dale needed to focus solely on fulfilling his promise.
The Mountain Assassins. A secret organization of Dark Elves from the desert, tasked with purging the outcasts of the Elven society.
The Blue Tower had once dealt with them to protect Sepia’s life, and in return, her life was held as collateral.
But now, it was no longer their role to bear that debt.
“Master Baro.”
“Ah, shush. Keep your voice down.”
As soon as Dale appeared in the Shadow Court, Master Baro lowered his voice, uncharacteristically.
Dale tilted his head in curiosity, noticing the Shadow Saintess asleep, her head resting against Baro’s chest.
“The young lady has finally fallen asleep.”
”….”
Seeing this, Dale nodded and turned away without a word.
The night was deep, and the winds of the Demon King’s territory howled. Or rather, it was the wind of the newly developed northern lands, no longer to be called the Demon King’s territory.
“Do you know anything about the Dark Elves of the desert?”
“Haha, come on. I’m the continent’s top assassin. Of course, I know about them.”
In the castle’s courtyard, Master Baro laughed heartily, chugging his beer. Dale continued speaking calmly.
“Soon, I plan to make contact with those Mountain Assassins.”
“Phuh! Cough, damn!”
“Well, damn.”
Master Baro spat out his beer in surprise, and Dale couldn’t help but curse as well.
“We can’t make too much noise, and the Shadow Court is the only group that can move with us.”
“Ah, why is it that all the troublesome tasks fall to me?”
Master Baro grumbled as if it were someone else’s problem.
“Still, thanks to you, the young lady’s life has improved.”
After grumbling, he continued speaking, his voice unusually serious.
“Thanks to the Black Tower folks, she’s suffering less from pain and seizures, and it’s nothing like the days when she was left among those fanatics.”
“Are you still pledging yourself as her knight?”
Dale asked. Master Baro swallowed hard for a moment.
“Stabbing my lord in the back, becoming a disgrace to knights, bearing all sorts of infamy….”
“Haha, come on. Don’t say such embarrassing things.”
Master Baro turned his head, cursing.
“As long as you’re with me, the Shadow Saintess will be protected under the name of Saxon.”
Dale said.
“The Seven Swords of the Continent aren’t just some stray dog bones.”
Master Baro chuckled, taking another swig of his beer.
“Well, after rolling around in this miserably cold snowfield, I suppose a desert wouldn’t be much different.”
“Glad to hear you say that.”
Dale chuckled softly at Baro’s words, then glanced at the beer in Baro’s hand.
“Care for a drink yourself?”
“No, thanks.”
“Ha, not appreciating the taste of beer? You’re missing out on half of life’s pleasures.”
”…”
Dale shook his head in disbelief and turned away. The night sky was exceptionally dark.
An injured elf lay there.
“Ah, truly pitiful.”
”…”
In the back alleys of the city, where the dawn was deep and no human presence could be felt, a hooded woman stood. The moonlight spilled over, briefly illuminating her bronze skin beneath the hood.
The dagger in her hand gleamed with a cold, pale light.
“This is the last mercy we can offer you.”
”…”
The wounded elf remained silent.
“Before the vile Golden Empire can stain you with disgrace, the Goddess of Shadows will take you in.”
In the cascade of moonlight, a shadow leapt from the ground.