Episode 172
After being defeated by the “Black Prince” and marked with a geass of absolute obedience, Cardinal Nikolai became a puppet of Dale, raising suspicions within the Papal States.
Among the nine councils of the Vatican, there exists an intelligence organization tasked with monitoring corruption and heretical acts within the church.
The Congregation of Inquisition.
As the head of this organization, Cardinal Dimir was relentless in his suspicions towards his colleague, Cardinal Nikolai.
And after a tenacious pursuit, when Dimir finally obtained the “sole evidence” to prove his colleague’s betrayal…
A few blue butterflies fluttered into the air.
At that moment, as if entranced, Cardinal Dimir tossed the evidence into the brazier behind him.
The most crucial aspect of being a spy for the Blue Tower is to remain unaware of one’s own role as a “Blue Spy.”
The imperial family, countless nobles, the church, and even the White and Red Towers were not exempt.
As the head of the church’s premier intelligence organization and an elder of the White Tower, Cardinal Dimir knew many secrets. And each time he uncovered a hidden truth, there was always someone else who became aware of it.
The shadowy figure behind the Blue Tower.
“What do you know about our people’s rules to be speaking so boldly?”
The dark elf’s voice was icy, but Dale remained unfazed.
“Does the mercy you speak of truly consider the position and circumstances of those involved?”
“A mere human dares…!”
“As I’ve said repeatedly, I am not of the Empire.”
The “Black Prince” enveloping the Shadow Lord’s avatar spoke.
“I am aware that the mountain assassins extend ‘mercy’ to the elves exiled across the Empire. To fulfill your mission, you cannot remain ignorant of the Empire’s affairs.”
“Then you must also know of the disgrace that awaits those children in the Golden Empire.”
The dark elf continued coldly.
“Becoming playthings for powerful nobles or being forced into lives of debauchery… For elves with near-immortal lifespans, it would feel like an endless hell.”
Thus, they believe that taking the lives of the exiles is the only mercy they can offer.
To carry out this mission, they need a network to gather information on the exiled elves within the Empire and the skill to infiltrate the deepest parts of noble estates, understanding their movements.
It’s a mission that cannot be accomplished without knowledge of the Empire.
“Well, then why not consider the Shadow Empire instead of the Golden Empire?”
In the northern part of the Empire, the frozen lands ruled by the continent’s greatest dark sorcerer, the Duchy of Saxon.
“I swear by the name of the Shadow Lord, if I and Saxon take in these young elves, there will be no fear of them being tainted by the Golden disgrace. Would you still point your blades at them?”
“Does the young Saxon dare to claim the title of ‘King of Shadows’ so fearlessly?”
“As I’ve said, I am here to prove it by meeting your leader. The decision can wait until then.”
Master Baro stood protectively in front of the frightened elf girl, and the Shadow Lord and Lady Shadow were no exceptions.
Given the situation, even the dark elves, who value their beliefs, had to consider a compromise.
“Mountain assassins, you must know that the old woman of the mountain is also interested in the Shadow Lord.”
The sorceress of the Blue Tower, a snow elf named Erze, spoke up.
“In the meantime, I will take responsibility for this child, pledging on the honor of our kin.”
”…”
“I trust you are not so foolish as to insist on stubbornness in this situation.”
Erze’s words finally prompted the dark elf to reluctantly sheath her blade.
“Follow me. I will lead you to our land before dawn.”
After sheathing her weapon, the dark elf spoke.
“Even if you fall behind or get lost in the desert, that will be your burden to bear.”
“Ha, it feels like we’re willingly diving into a sandy hell.”
Master Baro muttered humorlessly, but no one laughed.
Loading their supplies onto the desert horses prepared by the mountain assassins, they slipped out of the city under the cover of dawn.
Sorceress Erze promised to stay behind and care for the young elf.
A damp, dry wind blew, and even the sparse weeds quickly vanished. As they approached the city, the desert landscape began to reveal itself beyond the horizon.
Despite the name “land of scorching heat,” the night desert wind was chilling, cutting into their skin. It was a cold, frozen wind.
The desert night was incomparably colder than the day. The temperature plummeted below freezing, and the darkness was deep.
Far away, the endless dunes stretched out, with a bluish darkness settling over the horizon. As Dale glanced up, countless stars sparkled in the desert night sky.
The desert horses ran tirelessly, as if they knew exactly where to go. They were horses raised and trained in the desert, not the Empire.
“Three horses mean there are more dark elves around.”
Their mission is to track down and offer mercy to the exiled elves scattered across the Empire. It’s likely that some are currently infiltrating deep within the Empire. In many ways, it was a network similar to the Shadow Court.
“Master Baro has unexpectedly become a point of intersection.”
Aside from repaying a debt to Sepia, Dale’s mind was already calculating the cold, unyielding scales of profit.
As soon as their footprints were made, the wind blew, and the swirling sand covered their tracks.
As darkness receded, the dawn light peeked over the eastern sky.
Finally, the biting cold and darkness vanished, and the desert, true to its name, began to unfold.
“Ah, damn it. It was freezing just a moment ago, and now it’s scorching hot.”
“Please, stop with the nonsense.”
“What else should I call it if not damn hot?”
“Damn it.”
Dale cursed again, and Baro shrugged, seemingly amused.
Just then, the desert horse of the dark elf running ahead came to a halt.
“Ah, apologies. I didn’t mean to offend you, it’s just that… oh dear.”
Baro started to speak but then fell silent.
Rumble!
The ground beneath them began to shake, and the dark elf spoke.
“Sand Lurker.”
“Oh dear.”
Master Baro muttered as if it were someone else’s problem.
At that moment.
A black robe fluttered around Dale, casting a shadow over the sandy area.
“You’re quite calm for someone facing a desert predator.”
Dale said, submerging the area in shadow with his cloak. The dark elf did not respond.
In the area where shadows and sand intertwined, two lurkers emerged.
The Shadow Lurkers, loyal to the Shadow Lord’s command, unleashed their shadowy spines.
Screams echoed from all around, and flesh, blood, and bones floated on the lake of shadows.
“I warned you.”
The dark elf said, watching the scene.
“Even if you fall behind or get lost in the desert, that will be your burden to bear.”
With that, she spurred her desert horse into a gallop.
Chasing after the rapidly disappearing dark elf, Dale and Baro also grabbed their reins. However, unlike before, their horses struggled to keep up with her. The presence of the sand lurkers, screaming all around, was unsettling them.
“Damn it.”
Watching the dark elf fade into the distance, Master Baro muttered in disbelief.
“We’re screwed.”
Dale replied, left behind in the desert.
“I told you to stop with the damn nonsense.”
In the scorching desert sun, the two were left with only a small supply of water and food.
“I told you, everyone has a plan until they get punched in the face.”
The sun set over the desert, and the darkness of night descended. The scorching heat of the day seemed like a distant memory as the chill and shadows took over, with the pale dunes stretching endlessly beyond the horizon.
“Not much water or food left,” Master Baro muttered as he gathered the supplies they had.
“How long do you think we can hold out?” he asked.
“How about you? How long can you last?” came the reply.
Master Baro chuckled. “Long enough for one of the Seven Swords of the Continent, I suppose.”
Dale nodded, satisfied with the answer. “The old crone is said to be at the peak of the Desert Mountain. We’ll have to search the area based on that.”
“Better than looking for a needle in a haystack,” Baro replied.
In the darkness, a few blue butterflies fluttered their wings.
Their flight ended abruptly as they became ensnared in a web, ceasing all movement without a struggle.
The room was filled with webs, damp and shadowy.
In that room, the blue figure finally moved ‘her body.’ The spider’s legs twitched, skillfully navigating the web, freeing the trapped butterfly.
The blue butterfly settled on her finger, and the naked woman spoke softly as she watched.
“Ah, you’ve brought new whispers again.”
The blue webs spread throughout the empire were no mere metaphor.
“Go now, light the path for the Shadow Lord.”
The blue butterfly she released fluttered away, and Arachne, the blue figure, smiled quietly as she watched it disappear.