episode_0066

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Somewhere far from Vespians, at the bottom of an unexplored dungeon where even the records have been discarded and no one in the world knows of its existence.

“It’s been a while. Is everyone doing well?”

Five men and women in black robes gathered there, engaging in a secretive discussion.

“Despite the sudden summons, everyone has gathered here. As the leader, I couldn’t be happier.”

The secret society of Abyss priests, Kumayokcheonhoe, who have become internationally wanted criminals for their socializing indulgence.

They were the core executives of Kumayokcheonhoe, including the leader, the five Abyss priests.

Or should it be said, the five Abyss priests who have come to be.

“Well, isn’t it obvious that one seat is conspicuously empty?”

Ariane, the focal point of the association, gestured towards the vacant chair, raising her eyebrows slightly.

Expressing doubt about the absence of the old man who should have been sitting there.

“Hugh Casval, right? Unfortunately, he embraced the Abyss not long ago. It’s a regrettable incident.”

The leader of the association conveyed the news with a composed voice. The stone of Kumayokcheonhoe, Abyss priest Hugh Casval, had ultimately met his end.

“D-Dead…?”

The middle-aged man, whose obesity was impossible to conceal even with his robe, stammered, looking bewildered. His speech was hesitant, like that of a child.

“Oh, really? Well, it wasn’t surprising, given his age.”

Ariane shrugged her shoulders lightly and brushed her purple hair. A distinct smirk was evident on her face beneath the hood.

“He didn’t die of old age. He perished in a clash with the Shrine sect.”

“He dared to challenge the sect? What audacity for a feeble subordinate. Has he succumbed to dementia?”

Now Ariane openly mocked Hugh.

“Tsk.”

In response to the overtly taunting laughter, one of the Abyss priests who had been listening glared at her, clicking his tongue.

Although the organization lacked cohesion, it was still deplorable that instead of mourning, they resorted to mockery and ridicule after a fellow member of the same organization had been slain.

Truly, it was an unpleasant and contemptible behavior.

“You should watch your words, Ariane.”

Therefore, the abyssal priest Orde restrained Arianne with an irritated voice. With a voice closer to that of a child than a young person.

“Why me? It’s not even wrong, kid.”

Arianne turned to Orde, raising the corner of her mouth in a sneer, revealing her contempt.

“You, an old man who at best hides behind low-level undead, dare to meddle with a sect, calling yourself a branch leader. Even if you don’t know your place, there’s still a limit, isn’t there?”

Such a sharp sarcasm. Arianne believed she had every right to express such sarcasm.

Unlike Hugo Casval, who died trying to do something inappropriate for his weak position, she had successfully annihilated one of the sect’s branch leaders.

“I never liked that old man from the start.”

Even their inclinations were completely opposite.

Hugo’s habit of boasting about conspiracy and manipulation as true strength was nothing but a weakling’s self-justification in Arianne’s eyes.

So, could she have tolerated him without disgust?

She honestly felt it was better that he died rather than being brought up, though she didn’t voice it out loud.

“Even so—”

“Why, do you feel a sense of camaraderie because we’re both of the same type?”

Arianne looked down on Orde with disdain as he tried to argue again.

“Is there really any difference between who hides and trembles behind someone else? There’s no difference between you and that old man, is there?”

Orde’s patience reached its limit due to the blatant mockery hidden in her words.

“Arianne.”

Rising from his seat, Orde muttered Arianne’s name.

Suddenly, the shadow of the small-framed youth expanded, and within it, the growls of beasts began to echo.

“Did I permit you to call my name so casually? You impudent little novice.”

Arianne’s ridicule grew even deeper. Vast magic began to unfold, distorting the atmosphere around her.

A life-and-death situation was about to unfold between the two core members of the Kuma Yeokcheon Society.

“Oh, Arianne, Orde. This fight is bad…!”

A middle-aged man with a hesitant tone, spreading his arms wide, interjected between Ariane and Ord, saying, “That’s enough. Don’t fight in front of me.”

The stern Deputy Chief, who had been quietly listening with a fist against his chin, intervened with an emotionless tone to stop the two.

“Aren’t we fugitives persecuted and oppressed? We should be making amends among ourselves, not giving the clergy a reason to smile.”

His speech was calm and composed.

However, Ord, feeling as if his head were being sliced by a blade, hastily sat back down.

“No, this brat started the argument first—”

On the other hand, Ariane, as if protesting against Ord without fault, frowned but…

“Ariane.”

“…Fine. Fine.”

When the Deputy Chief called her name with a resolute tone, she reluctantly complied, though she seemed annoyed.

“Anyway, he’s such a boring man.”

Ariane shrugged her shoulders slightly, as if to surrender. Unlike when teasing Hugo or arguing with Ord, she surprisingly submitted obediently to the Deputy Chief’s words.

Of course, for Ariane, it was nothing more than a matter of course. However, unlike other officers who could easily overpower her, the Deputy Chief was a formidable opponent, so she couldn’t be sure of victory.

“Alright. It seems everyone has calmed down… let’s continue our discussion.”

Glancing briefly at the now seated Ariane, the Deputy Chief lightened the mood by smiling and then informed all the officers of the matter.

◆◆

First, the Deputy Chief corrected Ariane’s misconception.

Contrary to her belief that Hugo Casval had been slaughtered like a dog by the knights and priests, there was a surprising chance of success for Hugo.

An undead army created from a massive corpse they happened to obtain, and a giant corpse summoned by sacrificing adventurers and priests.

If used properly, it wouldn’t have been so far-fetched to wipe out the knights of the Vespyrian branch.

One of the eight tribes, Yotun, is a race with some resistance to divine miracles despite being a tribe of demons. Even if weakened after being resurrected as undead…

If they had deployed hit-and-run tactics with corpse giants as their vanguard, they could have truly wiped out the paladins. The prophecy was quite clear.

In reality, there seemed to be some tactical misstep, as they were killed shortly after summoning the corpse giant.

“Well… so, what are you trying to say?”

“The corpse giant summoned by Hug is Yotun resurrected as undead. In other words, it means that although it has decayed, it still possesses a heart. Doesn’t that pique your interest?”

Yotun’s heart.

It is the source of the colossal strength unique to the giant race and its resistance to divine power, a magical mechanism harboring a chilling cold akin to extreme frost.

Now that it was rare for any heroes’ party to reach the territory of the demons, its heart held an immeasurable value, whether in terms of money or magic.

“I, I want to eat it!”

“While it does spark interest… it’s already in the hands of the clergy, isn’t it? Whether they purify it or destroy it, it’s likely been dealt with long ago.”

“Perhaps the archbishops haven’t eaten it. As a health supplement.”

While a middle-aged man openly expressed his greed, Orde and Ariane showed a sullen response.

It’s unlikely that the clergy would have left the demon’s heart alone.

“Usually, that would be the case… but this time, it seems we’ll have to make an exception.”

The prophecy explained the detailed circumstances.

After subduing the paladins, they transported the remains of the corpse giant to the church headquarters to extract the heart. However, the extracted heart had disappeared overnight.

“They probably stole and sold it somewhere. Who knows if those things change at all. Aren’t they afraid even after death?”

Ariane let out a bitter laugh, revealing open contempt toward the clergy.

“So… are you suggesting we find and steal that heart?”

“I’m not ordering it. Since such a thing happened, it’s just a suggestion if you’re interested.”

In response to Orde’s question, the prophecy shook his head in denial.

What he meant was not an order to take care of Yotun’s heart, but merely sharing information that such a creature has been released into the world, so if you are interested, keep an eye out.

Yotun’s heart was undoubtedly a treasure of considerable value, but Eokcheon Huiju had no particular interest in the item.

It could be said that it was a level where it would be nice to have, but there would be no particular regret if it were not there.

Therefore, instead of giving orders, Eokcheon Huiju simply shared information about the heart with everyone, leaving it up to them whether to take care of it or not.

Upon hearing Huiju’s words, the officers showed various reactions.

“I’m good. The knights are probably wandering around with their eyes lit up, why would I go looking for trouble? Send a few sacrificial pawns and be done with it.”

After a moment of contemplation, Arianne sighed lightly and gave up on searching for the heart. It was too risky.

Although she mentioned the thought of sending a few subordinates, the term “sacrificial pawns” openly revealed that there was no real expectation.

“Hmm….”

Orde rubbed his beardless chin and fell into deep contemplation.

Definite danger and uncertain gain. Weighing in his mind which side to choose.

“I hate knights! I’m not going!”

The chubby middle-aged man whined like a child and neatly gave up on Yotun’s heart.

At least that’s what he said. No one could know what his true feelings were.

Who could know what a half-crazed human might be thinking?

Even as Abyss priests, they couldn’t understand the thoughts of a madman.

Anyway, that day’s meeting ended there.

The five Abyss priests, each harboring different thoughts, left the dungeon, dispersing to various places, hoping to meet again next time.

It was two days later that Helde accepted the top escort mission.