Ch.427Chapter 427 – Under the Flag (2)

Pine began guiding the Count immediately.

“He’s quite busy at the moment. I can take you to where he occasionally stays, but I’m not sure if he’ll agree to meet with you.”

“I understand.”

The Count was the one at a disadvantage here, so he obediently followed Pine’s instructions.

However, the Count had reason for optimism.

‘I clearly saw a future where I meet that person.’

Though the vision was blurry, the Count had seen whom he would meet.

So he must have learned their identity as well.

He still didn’t know exactly how he would come to learn this, but at the very least, it was true that there existed a future where the Count and Lumen would meet.

Following Pine along wooden pathways and up to an elegant building.

While Pine went inside, telling the group to wait after entering, Cara quietly asked the Count a question.

“How did you know that the hero party’s mage was here?”

“That’s a secret. More importantly, Lady Cara, you don’t seem very surprised.”

“I overheard a bit when I was alone with Chris. About his identity too.”

Cara added that she hadn’t properly heard the full story of how they met.

“But why do you think we need to persuade him?”

“According to legend, the World Tree was created by the hero and Lumen.”

Count Metis said quietly, looking out the window.

“If the elves who know he’s still alive hear him speak, they’re likely to follow his will. And most of those elves probably hold high positions here.”

Considering how sacred the World Tree was to elves, Count Metis judged that their respect for the hero and Lumen who created it would be substantial.

And then.

“The reason we need to persuade Pine is similar. I’ve heard she made great contributions during the last war and has strong support among elven warriors. Her bloodline also puts her nearly on par with the elders. If we can win both of them over, we should be able to achieve our goals without hindrance.”

More precisely, they might complain about fighting alongside demons but wouldn’t go beyond that.

Even that would be enough if they could fight under the same banner.

They just needed to set aside their grudges, if only while fighting against that Order.

“Seems difficult.”

“We need to talk first. He might be more flexible than expected.”

Even if not, he might at least agree that they needed to join forces.

Of course, the Count himself would need to explain the necessity.

‘How should I approach this conversation?’

The Count was quietly planning his approach, recalling the various types of people he had dealt with over the years.

After several minutes of quiet contemplation.

Pine reappeared and addressed the Count.

“He says you may enter.”

“He’s granted permission?”

“Yes. Though he mentioned he can’t spare much time.”

The Count nodded at Pine’s words and quietly rose from his seat.

“Let’s go. Bring the young lady too, just in case.”

“I think we could let her sleep a bit longer.”

Cara said this and approached the carriage.

A moment later, the Count and Cara followed Pine, bringing along someone from inside the carriage.

They followed a long corridor, descended stairs, and went even deeper.

At one point, they passed through what seemed to be a magical teleportation gate.

Noticing the significant time difference between their descent and Pine’s earlier round trip, Cara quietly asked.

“This path is so long—did you really go all the way there and back?”

“I couldn’t keep guests waiting, so I ran.”

Considering elven physical abilities, this was entirely possible.

Cara and the Count accepted this explanation and continued following Pine for several more minutes.

Finally, they arrived at a small door, which Pine gently knocked on.

Instead of a verbal response, the door opened, and Cara immediately frowned.

“This aura…”

“Stay calm.”

Trying not to show the chill he felt despite being ordinary, the Count quietly said.

“Even if the undead aura is powerful, he’s not our enemy.”

“I know.”

She already knew his identity from what she’d heard.

So Cara and the Count quietly followed Pine into the room.

And there, in the center of a surprisingly lived-in room, sitting in a rocking chair, was a skeleton wearing a tattered robe.

The Count immediately lowered his gaze, forcibly suppressing a scream.

‘Even knowing beforehand, this is still shocking.’

The identity of the figure was a Lich, known as the King of the Dead.

Even if the person inside was good, the characteristic aura of the undead remained strong.

No, perhaps the other party was also somewhat wary and deliberately emitting this aura.

The Count tried to calm himself after the shock of seeing him, and the Lich asked in a solemn voice.

[Indeed. Are you Metis’s descendant?]

“Forgive my rudeness, but that’s incorrect. I am…”

[You must be her sibling’s descendant. Metis left for another place with the hero, so her direct lineage couldn’t remain in this world.]

Using a different voice than the one he used with Kei’s group or Pine, Lumen continued speaking.

Despite sitting comfortably in the rocking chair, his unique aura and dignity froze the surrounding air.

[Metis herself seemed unaware of this, but her ability has a distinctive presence. Both that young lady and you have it, which is how I noticed. …Of course, compared to Metis or that young lady, your ability is merely a candle flame.]

“That young lady” must refer to Eve.

The Count was already aware of the difference between his and his daughter’s abilities.

“Indeed, my ability is insignificant. However…”

[Enough. Repeating what the star-gazing priestess can do would be a waste of time. Wouldn’t you agree?]

At Lumen’s words, the Count quietly bowed his head.

Looking at the Count, Lumen softened his tone slightly.

[Be at ease. I’ve merely decided to talk according to your request, not because I wanted to complain about anything.]

“Thank you for your understanding.”

[In the future you saw, you and I conversed, correct? Why did you ask to see me?]

“If you would permit me.”

After showing proper respect, Lumen nodded.

With Lumen’s permission, the Count took a deep breath.

And a moment later.

[…You call that speaking?]

The air froze as Lumen showed clear signs of anger.

Biting his lip to prevent himself from fainting, the Count saw Cara quickly place her hand on him and use holy magic.

‘Thanks to you, I survived.’

Whether it was holy magic with a calming effect or not, his fear subsided slightly.

Feeling slightly relieved by that light, the Count looked forward to see Lumen standing up from his seat, looking down at him.

[Mind your words.]

Unlike before, his voice was clearly filled with hostility.

[If you weren’t my comrade’s descendant, I would have taken your life immediately.]

“…However.”

[Despite appearances, I spent almost my entire life fighting demons and continued to be wary of them even after death.]

Lumen said in a cold voice.

[To someone like me, suggesting we join hands with demons is excessively provocative. I nearly burned you on impulse, so be aware.]

Lumen clearly warned the Count.

And the Count…

Thought he saw a slight chance.

‘The fact that he spared my life means there’s room for negotiation.’

Ending with a warning meant he could control himself enough not to act on anger.

In other words, he could listen to reason.

The Count’s greatest concern had been that Lumen would lose his temper and dismiss him and Cara.

‘At least he’s listening to me.’

Now, what he needed to do was…

Persuade this ancient hero.

“If I may, could you listen to my story a little more?”

Lumen didn’t answer.

But understanding this as implicit permission, the Count continued.

“I realize I’ve said something you would find offensive, Lord Lumen.”

[If you knew and still said it, that makes it worse.]

“But I had to say it. To caution against letting anger cloud your vision and missing what’s more important.”

Lumen again said nothing.

Soon he quietly muttered.

[You sound just like that friend of mine.]

Had the hero once said something similar to Lumen?

The Count was slightly curious, but he had to set that curiosity aside for now.

At least while Lumen was precariously maintaining his rationality.

He needed to speak.

[Tell me what important thing I was about to miss.]

“It’s simple. We must defeat the Order.”

The Count slowly began.

“The Emiris Order has expanded its influence across almost the entire continent and enjoys widespread public support. Most people don’t know its true nature, of course. But using that thick shield of trust, they’ve been committing numerous atrocities in the shadows.”

Lumen remained quiet.

And addressing such a Lumen, the Count quietly continued.

“They bring monsters from other countries to kill people, kidnap people and turn them into monsters, showing complete disregard for life as they attack those around them.”

“And worse, they’ve created completely innocent victims… Like me, they’ve cloned the Order’s previous Saint to use as their tools…”

At Cara’s words, Pine’s ears twitched slightly.

Though slightly taken aback, Cara continued without showing it.

“…and they’ve summoned innocent people like Kei, who isn’t here, and Eina, who is here, from other worlds to use as their test subjects.”

At those words, the last person behind Cara and the Count, Eina, stepped forward slightly.

Sensing an aura very similar to Kei’s, Lumen spoke.

[A soul from another world.]

“I’m Eina. Like Kei, I was summoned from another world.”

Using the name Kei had given her long ago, Eina quietly continued.

“I was summoned by the Order, subjected to biological experiments without any choice, and ultimately lived as their puppet. I’m one of the victims.”

Lumen remained silent for a moment.

Then, in a much gentler tone, he quietly asked.

[Are you alright?]

“I’m fine. Fortunately, I was rescued relatively early. But there are others still suffering from aftereffects.”

Eina said quietly.

“Most victims have regained their senses and are being protected thanks to Kei’s efforts in Ferarius. But many are traumatized by the fact that their bodies were modified and that they moved according to others’ commands.”

[Trauma?]

“It means psychological shock. …Because of their brainwashing, the sense of guilt is relatively mild, and some forget or overcome it, but occasionally some cry out in the night or vomit from distress.”

Was she recalling her fellow experiment subjects?

Eina spoke with a dark expression.

“I don’t know much, but I do know that if we leave them alone, more victims like us will appear.”

“Moreover, the experiment they conducted through them was aimed at artificially creating heroes.”

Cara said, narrowing her eyes.

Noticing Lumen’s slightly changed demeanor, Cara continued.

“Though their original purpose may be different… the fact that they tried to use heroes as tools remains unchanged.”

“And they’re using the byproducts of that technology in horrific ways.”

Following Cara’s words, the Count continued.

“If we leave them be, this continent—this world that the hero tried to protect—will be ravaged at their whim. Everyone will have their bodies and minds violated as their tools, losing their futures.”

Lumen quietly looked at the Count.