Episode 188
The wind blew, cold and unsettling.
Dale had already gathered some information about the Count of Wallachia’s domain through the shadow court’s assassins. It wasn’t hard to deduce that the Count’s mansion was hosting meetings of the “Order.”
Gilles de Rais, now known as the Count of Wallachia, was at the center of this mysterious organization.
Dale’s immediate goal wasn’t to confront them all head-on.
Yet, he had a reason to venture into the enemy’s lair.
They had summoned him.
Jack the Ripper was merely an invitation for the Shadow Lord from the start.
Just as Jack claimed to be an apostle of Laplace, there were likely others in the “Order” with similar abilities. They must have anticipated this situation through some information.
Thus, as the Shadow Lord, Dale had no reason to refuse their call.
Especially since he had trustworthy allies by his side.
“Master Baro, and Lady Aurelia.”
Lady Shadow wasn’t just a knight protecting Dale from the shadows. She was clad in Saxon’s black armor, choosing to wield her sword alongside Master Baro to support the Shadow Lord.
Like Jack the Ripper, the demons by their side weren’t easily understood beings that scattered sulfurous flames.
To uncover the truth about these demons, Dale needed to see for himself.
With the eyes of truth that the Shadow Lord possessed.
“The Count of Wallachia is expecting you.”
At the entrance to the count’s domain, a pale-skinned butler bowed to Dale, a carriage ready as if on cue.
“Ah, it feels like walking into a tiger’s den,” Master Baro remarked.
Dale replied, “We have to catch the tiger, don’t we?”
Rumors whispered that the new Count of Wallachia was behind the recent wave of terror sweeping the city. People were secretly transported to his mansion daily, supposedly sacrificed for the count’s hobbies.
The carriage crossed the estate and finally came to a stop. The moonlit night was dark as Dale quietly stepped out.
“Welcome, Prince Dale of Saxon.”
The pale-faced butler smiled and bowed.
“The Count considers it a great honor that you’ve chosen to stay in our domain during your journey.”
“I am grateful as well.”
“And coincidentally, a grand festival is taking place at the count’s mansion.”
Dale remained silent at the butler’s words.
“If it wouldn’t be an imposition, would you care to join us, my lord?”
“Then I won’t refuse.”
Dale smiled.
“This way, please.”
The butler opened the path, and Dale walked forward without hesitation.
With Saxon’s two swords, the Killing Blade and Lady Shadow, at his sides.
The festival was held in the hall of the count’s mansion.
Tables lined up like a grand feast, covered in luxurious leather, with an array of dishes spread across them.
Gilles de Rais, the Count of Wallachia, was there.
Wearing a mask like the “Laughing Man” that Jack the Ripper once wore.
“Prince Dale of Saxon, you’ve graced us with your presence.”
The Count of Wallachia spread his arms wide in an exaggerated gesture, causing a flicker of unease on Lady Shadow’s face.
Once a devout knight who claimed to be the standard-bearer of the Maiden of Orleans during the Britannia Independence War.
Now, he wore a grotesque mask, grinning like a clown, with no trace of his former nobility.
“Ah, please pay no mind to this mask.”
Those beside the count were no exception.
‘Nine of them.’
Everyone seated at the table wore masks with crescent moon-shaped smiles.
“Is this a masquerade ball?”
“You could say that.”
A red-haired woman answered. Among those present, she was the only one whose identity was easy to discern. Lady Scarlet.
“It doesn’t seem like you can eat with those masks on, nor are you dancing.”
“Oh, this meal isn’t for us.”
The Count of Wallachia laughed.
“Regrettably, we’ve already ‘dined,’ and this is a modest meal prepared upon hearing of your arrival, Prince Dale.”
“That’s quite unfortunate.”
Dale commented, looking at the sumptuous feast laid out on the table.
“I’m not particularly hungry myself.”
To see their truth, Dale would have to unleash the Shadow Lord’s avatar. But even he couldn’t do so recklessly here. Just as they hadn’t revealed their full strength.
“By the way, one of our comrades has gone missing.”
At that moment, another woman, alongside Lady Scarlet, spoke up.
“I heard they were last seen in Harlem, where you were staying, Prince Dale. Do you know anything about it?”
The masked woman asked, and Dale snapped his fingers.
His shadow spat something out, which rolled onto the table.
It was Jack the Ripper’s head.
”…”
Yet, none of them seemed shocked by the sight. A few swallowed hard, but that was all.
“I hear there have been quite a few crimes in Harlem and the surrounding cities.”
Dale spoke.
“This man was the true culprit behind those murders.”
“Ah, foolish Jack. I warned him repeatedly to act with more grace.”
Lady Scarlet chuckled as if amused.
“Let me ask again. Why did your ‘Order’ invite me here?”
”…!”
Some of the masked individuals were unsettled, but others remained composed. Lady Scarlet maintained her smile.
“When this gathering was first established, it was merely a small group pursuing culinary delights.”
Lady Scarlet explained.
“How to obtain the most exquisite delicacies, how to savor food to experience the ultimate taste—this was a gathering hosted by a few imperial nobles who couldn’t contain their overflowing wealth and leisure.”
“How did it become an organization of madmen worshipping the whispers of demons?”
“To know the limits of pleasure.”
At that moment, another man answered.
“Pleasure comes in many forms.”
The man said.
“Intellectual pleasure, physical pleasure, the pleasure of indulgence, the pleasure of fine dining… Our Order respects each other’s pleasures, as long as we don’t lose our dignity and grace.”
And Jack the Ripper lost that dignity and grace. At least, that’s how they saw it.
That’s why he was discarded.
“We believe that at the end of the horizon of pleasure we seek, demons exist.”
Dale frowned at the man’s words.
“What do you think, Prince Dale? Are you interested in our pleasures?”
“Is that why you summoned me?”
“Indeed.”
Lady Scarlet smiled.
“We regret Jack the Ripper’s foolishness, but to make room for you, Prince Dale, it was a necessary sacrifice. In our rituals, the ‘number of seats’ is of absolute importance.”
“Did you think I would willingly join your ‘Order’?”
“Aren’t you curious?”
The man asked in return.
“Whether the demonic ritual to be held here will fail or succeed. And what will happen afterward… Whether demons will truly appear in this mansion or not. And what form those demons will take.”
Curiosity. At that word, Dale fell silent for a moment.
“Very well. I find myself quite intrigued.”
After a pause, Dale surprisingly agreed.
“But before that, there are conditions you must uphold.”
Meanwhile, in a chamber of the Red Mage Tower.
“Too weak. Far too weak. This won’t even reach the Shadow Lord’s feet.”
Father Bloodstain said.
”…!”
“That’s the truth.”
Rei Eurys bit her lip. Father Bloodstain and Winter were right.
“It’s not about what you have.”
Father Bloodstain spoke, his voice carrying a gentleness unimaginable to those who knew his cruelty.
“It’s about courage.”
”…”
“The courage to believe that the lie you hold can overwhelm the Shadow Lord’s truth.”
At that moment, the end-of-the-world chill that Winter had given began to stir within Rei’s body. It was akin to what the Shadow Lord possessed. But wielding and harnessing that power was a difference as vast as heaven and earth.
“The Shadow Lord has courage.”
Except for the red, none of the other magical powers could compare to the Shadow Lord’s.
“But remember, Rei. Human history is a history of lies.”
Father Bloodstain said.
“Facing the darkness of night and wild beasts, they lit artificial fires, crafted bricks to build fortresses, and forged steel in furnaces to wield swords. In doing so, they overcame the truth of being the weakest creatures and faced their fears. Look at the result. This is the ‘power of lies’ that humans possess.”
”…”
“Do you have the courage and resolve to stand against the Shadow Lord, Rey? Are you prepared to bring the light of spring to this world by defeating him?”
Rey recalled the countless times he had faced the “Black Prince,” only to be bested. No matter how hard he struggled or how much he tried, he couldn’t even come close to matching that ever-growing presence.
An inexplicable fear and dread tightened around his heart.
“You’re afraid, aren’t you? But true courage can only be found amidst fear and terror,” said the Crimson Duke.
“The anthem of courage is the anthem of humanity. Unlike me, who has forsaken humanity, you are undeniably human, Rey. That’s why I believe in you.”
“Father…”
“Because you are my son, and you will bring spring to this world.”
“But if the Order succeeds in their dark ritual…”
Rey began, but the Crimson Duke cut him off with a cold laugh.
“The Order is nothing more than puppets dancing to the whims of the Gentleman and Lady Scarlet. I won’t say their achievements are meaningless, but that’s about the extent of it. Perhaps the only thing worth noting is their ‘ultimate creature.’”
The Crimson Duke continued, approaching the weary Rey, worn out from endless training.
“But it is you alone. As the aged Golden Lord once said.”
Marquis Eurys embraced his son, Rey Eurys.
“Rey, you are the only hero who can stop this world’s winter and usher in spring. You will become the new Golden Lord.”
His voice carried a resolute conviction, free of any doubt.
“Believe in me, Father.”
And so, Rey Eurys nodded in agreement.
“That I am your son.”
A seemingly insurmountable wall of despair.
As the false hero seeking the truth of the Shadow Lord, the very embodiment of this world’s unfairness, Rey accepted his fear and steeled his resolve. It was at that moment.
“Let’s call it a day and have some dinner,” the Crimson Duke suggested, turning away with a gentle smile.
Behind him, people hung from hooks, groaning. They were like slabs of meat suspended in a slaughterhouse.
The empire was not ruled by humans. To those who could not be called human, the people were nothing more than cattle or chickens in a pen.
Yet, the ruler of the empire knew. Only humans could turn the wheels of history and become the bearers of truth and lies.