Ch.216Chapter 216: Dark Ash (5).

# Chapter 216: Dark Assembly (5)

Inside the Magical Engineering Research Institute, filled with lingering magical energy.

Amidst the emptiness where the component had been and Valt’s low lament echoing through the air, the sounds of fierce battle at the entrance faded away like a lie, replaced by heavy footsteps drawing closer.

BANG—!

Kwan’s forces cautiously entered the research institute through the shattered blast door.

Though they were on high alert due to the ominous magical energy, their eyes reflected determination to complete their mission and assess the situation.

At their forefront stood Torogin, a high-ranking warrior of the Southern Alliance.

He held his breath as he witnessed the interior of the research institute, which had become a slaughterhouse due to the terrible influence of magical energy.

Destroyed devices, experts and soldiers who had collapsed in horrific states after being corrupted by magic, and the still ominously fluctuating magical energy.

And in the midst of it all, he discovered Valt’s group standing intact, uncontaminated by the magical energy.

Though they were all exhausted, their eyes still contained an unextinguished flame.

Valt, despite being shocked at having missed his target, maintained his composure.

“Prince Valt?! Princess Liris?!”

Torogin’s voice mixed relief with shock.

He was relieved that Valt was a survivor of this horrific scene, but his shock at why they were here and how all this had happened was greater.

While it was unlikely that Valt had brought this magical catastrophe, his forces still kept their weapons ready, maintaining caution toward Valt’s group.

Valt’s party still stood in shock over the missing component and the frustration of having let Morbis’s group escape.

His face remained calm, but deep in his eyes, there was profound regret at having missed his target.

He spoke softly.

“Torogin…!”

His voice was composed, but he couldn’t hide the pain as the dense magical energy stabbed at his lungs, making it difficult to breathe.

“This is terrible…”

His words carried multiple meanings.

The Dark Assembly’s intervention, the magical contamination, Kwan’s wrath—all these worries were implied.

It wasn’t the situation to carelessly voice unconfirmed speculations, and it wasn’t in his character to promote unnecessary fear.

“I will report to Kwan myself.”

Torogin nodded.

However, one thing needed to be clarified.

“What happened to… the water-producing machine?”

“The Dark Assembly bastards took it.”

“…Kwan will be extremely angry. Warriors, collect the debris immediately and gather any possible evidence!”

He immediately ordered his warriors to search the research institute to confirm Valt’s words.

The place where the component had been was empty, with only collapsed devices, horrifically transformed victims, and traces of dense magical energy remaining.

“I’ll leave the report to you.”

Valt nodded briefly.

“Yes. It would be better to write it as a document.”

Valt feared his father’s wrath.

***

In a temporary command post deep within Gerungtia Fortress.

Kwan was reviewing Valt’s report from the research institute.

The report in his hands crumpled. The horrific damage to the research institute, the missing component, and the name “Dark Assembly.”

“…It’s gone? With those Dark Assembly bastards? And that device… was the source of magical energy?”

Kwan’s voice was low, but the anger contained within pressed down on the command post space like the pressure just before a volcanic eruption.

He knew the dangers of magical energy better than anyone.

And he felt betrayed by the fact that what he had been desperately seeking was such a thing.

Moreover, those bastards had invaded his territory and taken it.

He… had suffered this humiliation because he hadn’t personally intervened due to a strange premonition.

“Dark Assembly… How dare… How dare they toy with me, Kwan, and steal what’s mine?! They’ve grown too bold…!”

Kwan’s anger exploded, but his reason remained cold.

He knew he had no choice but to remain in Gerungtia for now to manage the magical contamination cleanup, fortress reorganization, and search for remaining Dark Assembly agents inside.

Since the Dark Assembly had already escaped through spatial movement, pursuing them with a large force would be inefficient.

As Gerungtia Fortress itself was in an unstable state due to the influence of magical energy, most of his forces needed to focus on cleanup and defense.

Kwan spoke to the warrior prostrating before him.

“I give this order. Maintain the blockade around the research institute, but evacuate all personnel outside the control zone. Away from the magical contamination area.”

Kwan took a moment to breathe. His voice carried determination.

“And provide my youngest son with all necessary supplies and information… Find clues to predict the Dark Assembly’s next destination and pass them to him. Pursuing the Dark Assembly… I entrust that to my youngest.”

Kwan had discerned Valt’s abilities and his sense of responsibility for this situation.

While large forces were tied down, a mobile elite small team could track the Dark Assembly’s next move.

And his youngest son had never disappointed him so far.

“If they discover their whereabouts or identity, tell them to report to me immediately. I will make them regret being alive.”

Kwan’s orders were issued.

It was the judgment of an absolute ruler trying to deal with the Dark Assembly in the most efficient way, even in his anger.

***

At that time, Valt’s group had evacuated to their quarters away from the contaminated research institute.

Due to magical energy qualitatively different from the Death Knight incident, even they couldn’t stay there long despite their training.

‘It’s terrible. Do we have to fight while enduring this? Anyone with average skills would quickly be consumed by the magical energy.’

Kwan’s orders were delivered to them.

Gerungtia had just entered the path to prosperity.

The content was that Valt should pursue the Dark Assembly and report the progress since Kwan couldn’t withdraw Gerungtia’s forces at such a time.

There would be no troop support, but they could receive information and supplies.

“Kwan’s direct order…? Hah… This is maddening.”

Professor Riman muttered. His face showed a complex expression.

Having eagerly joined the mission after a long time, he wasn’t comfortable finding himself in such a situation.

“I suppose large-scale forces are difficult to mobilize right now.”

Airin understood the situation. Having directly witnessed the entire Gerungtia Fortress suffering from the influence of magical energy, she could understand.

“Damn… Things are getting complicated. I’m scared of Valt’s father too.”

Yuria’s face showed bitterness.

Lati also had a worried expression.

“If only we… hadn’t let them escape…”

As his disciples fell into despair, Riman added a word.

“Don’t blame yourselves. It would have happened anyway. Sorry to say this to Valt, but if this had happened in Duron, the damage would have been several times greater.”

Riman’s words were true.

If Valt hadn’t appeared, the Dark Assembly wouldn’t have changed their plans, and they might have faced a much harder battle in Duron.

Moreover, if Duron suffered severe damage, it could have hindered the supply of magical items throughout the continent.

It was unfortunate for Gerungtia, but from the perspective of the entire continent, this actually reduced the damage.

“The warriors of the South are strong. They’ll shake it off soon.”

Valt said this while feeling the weight of his new mission.

In any case, it was a situation he had brought about, and now the responsibility to stop its ripple effects fell on him.

Plans were forming in his head.

Where would they go with the component?

Why did they want a device related to other dimensions, other worlds?

What was their ultimate goal?

A device related to dimensions that could cause magical energy explosions…

Its purpose couldn’t be good for humanity.

Under his calm face, he steeled his cold resolve against these terrible possibilities.

Torogin quickly organized the situation at the scene and rapidly delivered the necessary information and supplies to Valt’s group.

According to the analysis of magical traces left in the research institute, the destination of the spatial movement magic used by the Dark Assembly agents couldn’t be determined.

However, he said they had to predict the next destination based on existing information such as the Dark Assembly’s past activity areas or types of artifacts they targeted, as well as clues that could be obtained through searching for remaining Dark Assembly agents inside Gerungtia Fortress.

As per Kwan’s orders, minimal supplies and maps were provided immediately.

They had no choice but to set a pursuit route by predicting the Dark Assembly’s next target or activity area.

But the first problem was to clean up what had already happened.

“Let’s return the airship first. They must be waiting anxiously in Duron.”

At Valt’s words, Siloin brightened.

“I’ve been waiting for you to say that. Actually… they’ve been contacting me continuously.”

“I’m sorry. We’ll depart right away. By the way, is Duron alright?”

Siloin nodded.

“Yes, all the remaining Dark Assembly agents have been arrested or eliminated, and the kingdom has returned to stability. Taking the Tempest was clearly wrong, but isn’t it fine since the outcome was good?”

Valt smiled slightly at Siloin’s words.

“You’re like a father who generously overlooks his youngest daughter’s mistake, unlike mine.”

At those words, Siloin’s face turned slightly red.

The mission in Duron concluded in Valt’s homeland, the South.

However, it was a foregone conclusion that they would have to enter an even greater storm ahead.

Valt boarded the Tempest, feeling a heavy sense of responsibility.