Ch.87Chapter 87: Eradicating the Criminal Organization (7)

The group led by Valt stealthily races through the rain-soaked city shrouded in darkness.

Even the usually bustling night streets of the Imperial Capital are deserted today.

This is partly due to the commotion Valt caused when he destroyed the Buddha faction’s headquarters, but also because the atmosphere in the Imperial Capital has been tense lately.

The Emperor and other imperial powers are intensely pursuing the Dark Assembly, and those with any sense are being cautious, avoiding strolls through the streets at night.

Swoosh-

While Valt and his friends move swiftly using magic and aura to increase their speed while concealing their presence as much as possible.

Princess Elias’s eyes widen like lanterns when she hears they’re going to capture the leaders of the remaining four organizations.

“What? Valt, do you really think that’s possible? Even with our strong forces, we’re talking about the leaders of the four organizations. They won’t be alone. It’s obvious they’ll be guarded by fighters at least as skilled as we are.”

Valt responds nonchalantly to the princess as they continue running.

“Princess, you and the others just need to handle those guards. The leaders of the four organizations already have designated opponents.”

At Valt’s words, Airin, who had been quiet until then, flashes her eyes and grins.

“Great! Finally, a chance to show the results of my strength training!”

Airin has somehow become a devotee of muscle training. But her skills are guaranteed.

“That’s still not enough. Even if you, Liris, Solpin, and Airin are our strongest forces, Masters are beyond imagination.”

Valt knows this well.

Having mainly faced Riman at the Academy, Valt recalled his sparring session with Professor Marcel.

‘Masters are truly strong.’

While 8th Circle mages and 8th Tier aura users are generally considered equals, the reality is different.

In one-on-one combat, aura users typically have the advantage over mages.

Magic requires precise formulas and calculations, whereas aura users simply need to unleash techniques they’ve mastered with their bodies.

In large-scale group battles, forces including mages with their diverse strategic options would naturally prevail, but in small-scale fights, especially one-on-one, mages are at a disadvantage.

If Valt had been an ordinary mage, he might have lost to Professor Marcel’s invisible first strike.

But Valt isn’t just any mage—he’s the world’s only martial mage.

Although Professor Marcel claimed to have gone easy on him for instructional purposes, the fact that Valt, at merely the 5th Circle, exchanged dozens of blows with the 8th Circle Professor Marcel became a major topic of discussion at the Academy.

‘But if I wanted to kill, it wouldn’t be difficult.’

Interestingly, Professor Marcel wasn’t the only one holding back during their match.

Valt possessed defensive capabilities fortified by his innate barbarian toughness and that ridiculous throwing technique that even surprised the Emperor, a 9th Tier expert.

Having discovered that his attacks could be somewhat effective against an 8th Tier Aura Master, Valt had devised a strategy that, while accepting significant damage, would trade bone for life rather than flesh for bone.

But today’s protagonist isn’t Valt.

To the worried princess, Valt speaks reassuringly.

“The Masters have their own opponents. What we need to worry about are the 7th Tier experts.”

“You have reinforcements?”

Nod-

With a slight nod, Valt increases his speed and begins running ahead.

Watching him, Elias’s thoughts deepen.

‘What is this? What’s going on? This scheme? He didn’t just attack recklessly? Did he deliberately orchestrate this situation to draw out the leaders of the four organizations?’

Despite her own investigations, Valt knows more about the Dark Assembly than anyone.

She was mistakenly assuming that Valt had faced the Dark Assembly, predicted their tendencies, and crafted this strategy.

‘I thought barbarians were simple and ignorant… but this…’

Valt’s strength. And his strategy.

And there are hundreds of thousands of such barbarians living in the south.

Shiver-

Suddenly feeling a chill, Elias begins to make an even more serious misunderstanding.

‘Did Father foresee this!? That we shouldn’t antagonize the barbarians! Certainly. Father isn’t just seeking a peace treaty with the barbarians but an alliance! An alliance requires blood relations, which means…!’

As Elias’s expression changes amusingly, Lati, who had been following beside her, gently perches on her shoulder.

Lati has an uninhibited personality and easily befriends anyone. Her status as a fairy kingdom princess makes her untouchable even to the Emperor’s daughter.

And fairies are older than they appear.

“Hmm? Elias, what’s troubling you? You have the face of a woman who’s resigned herself to an inevitable political marriage.”

Startled by Lati’s unfiltered comment, Elias stammers. Moreover, her response is almost mind-reading level.

“W-What are you saying! How can a princess of a nation speak so, so casually about such things?”

Lati smiles mischievously and whispers in Elias’s ear.

“You’re in our class, remember? No use putting on airs with me. Besides, I have ways of knowing~ Hehehe, but what will you do? Valt’s line is quite long.”

At Lati’s words, Elias looks at Arias and Solpin who are running right behind Valt.

And lately, he’s been constantly with Liris, the vampire princess.

‘If Father’s goal is an alliance, these are unavoidable opponents. I’ll face them all.’

Elias was making a strange resolution.

***

Step-

Light footsteps.

Anyone well-versed in martial arts would recognize these as the refined steps of a considerable expert.

Riman, the owner of these footsteps, mutters quietly to himself.

“It should be around here… Is this the place?”

As he extends his aura sense to scan the surroundings.

Something registers in Riman’s perception.

Had it felt like hostility or surveillance, he would have cut it down immediately, but Riman felt no such intent, so he left the anomaly alone.

Flutter-

With the sound of tiny wingbeats, it approached—a very small bat-shaped construct made of blood-colored magical energy.

Only then does a smile cross Riman’s face.

“Hooh~ Vampire magic. Alright, I’m supposed to follow you, right?”

Without hesitation, Riman swiftly follows the small bat.

And they arrive at a certain building.

The blood-colored bat seeps into an ordinary-looking house.

Recognizing what it is, Riman mutters.

“A barrier. And a very sophisticated one at that. Interesting.”

Entering the barrier without hesitation, Riman meets Liris, whose hair has turned white.

“You’ve arrived, Professor.”

Seeing the white-haired Liris for the first time, Riman looks momentarily stunned, but quickly recognizes her and asks with curiosity.

“Oh? Liris? What’s with that appearance?”

Following Valt’s instructions, Liris had contacted Riman separately and brought him to where she was monitoring the leaders of the four organizations.

Naturally, this barrier was created by Liris to avoid detection by enemies, and it’s difficult for uninvited people to even find it.

Especially at night, when vampire powers strengthen.

“It’s the mark of my soul contract with Lord Valt. No need to be surprised.”

“S-Soul contract? Are you two in that kind of relationship?”

At those words, Liris, who had thought Riman was a good person, blushes slightly and answers.

“I won’t deny it. Are you prepared?”

“Come on… I didn’t know Valt had a girlfriend. What preparation? We’re just going in casually.”

Despite his words, Riman’s expression reveals undeniable anticipation and enthusiasm.

“Girlfr… Ahem… Lord Valt said he’ll arrive in five minutes, so we should time our start accordingly.”

“Sure, just say the word. I’m ready anytime.”

Nodding, Liris focuses on watching the place where the leaders of the four organizations have entered using her blood bat reconnaissance magic.

She likely plans to initiate action just before Valt arrives.

“Liris.”

At the sudden call, Liris looks at Riman.

“Yes?”

“You follow behind me. I’d lose face with Valt if my disciple’s girlfriend got hurt.”

“Such concern isn’t… No, I understand. I’ll do as you say, Professor.”

After a brief hesitation, Liris decides to follow Riman’s instructions.

Simply because his words made her feel good.

***

Shortly after.

Thirty seconds before Valt’s group arrives at the location where the four organizations are supposedly—no, definitely—having their secret meeting.

By then, Valt’s group had thoroughly explained the operation’s outline.

Professor Riman and Liris would launch a preemptive attack to throw the enemies into confusion, while Valt and his companions would deliver additional strikes to inflict maximum damage.

Afterward, Riman would focus on the leader of the Shadow Reaper, an 8th Tier Master.

But since Riman’s victory couldn’t be guaranteed, Riduin and Lati would support Professor Riman.

However, they would absolutely not engage directly in the fight.

If the 8th Tier expert found Lati or Riduin more annoying, they would immediately become targets.

Therefore, Valt would be deployed to protect Riduin and Lati. Since Lati and Riduin were at greater risk, Valt had volunteered to protect them. Moreover, as the strongest among them, Valt could most quickly rescue anyone in danger, acting as a helper.

He believed this would prevent his friends from getting hurt.

If a one-on-one situation between Riman and the Shadow Reaper leader could be established, then the strongest members mentioned earlier would each take on one of the four organization leaders.

The rest would handle the leaders’ guards.

While the overall blueprint of the operation was drawn, it still had many holes due to being hastily devised.

The rest would have to be handled with improvisation according to the battlefield situation.

The place where Valt’s group arrived was very remote. There would be no need to control their power here.

Taking in the location, Valt mutters quietly.

“The place is perfect.”

Just as he says this, as Valt’s group reaches the assembly point.

KWAAAANG!!

An explosion announcing the start of battle!

Before Valt’s group’s eyes, a massive display of aura, explosions, and blood-colored magical blasts erupts.