Karnak, Monarch of Death

When crossing the Baracant Mountain Range, Leven had been quite worried. The hidden dungeon of the Black God’s Cult, known as the Governor’s Vault, was undeniably within the territory of the Lacania Empire and under the jurisdiction of the Brigade of Purification.

Yet here was the Eustil Kingdom’s King’s Order, an organization from another country, crossing the border to investigate it. It was the perfect scenario for diplomatic trouble. Of course, they had to cooperate with the empire. Leven had expected this from the start. What baffled him was the attitude of his companions.

Imperial nobles were infamous for looking down on the Seven Kingdoms Alliance. And special task forces like the King’s Order and the Brigade of Purification were even more isolationist, rarely acknowledging other organizations. And yet, oddly enough, his group seemed completely confident.

—They’ll treat us well when we arrive.

—Aren’t we comrades fighting against the same cult?

—Don’t worry, we actually get along fine.

There’s no way things could be that easy... so why are they acting so relaxed?

Leven was the only one secretly anxious about their reception. But when he finally met the Brigade of Purification, he realized his companions were absolutely right.

***

In the central hall of Fort Harlan, a lavish banquet was spread across a long table. Rows of fine alcohol, roasted meats, and fresh fruits were laid out, along with local delicacies prepared by renowned chefs.

The Brigade of Purification had prepared this feast in honor of Karnak’s group. It was undeniable that they were receiving VIP treatment. With a wine goblet in hand, Leocolt and Karnak exchanged casual conversation.

”Well then, enjoy yourselves.”

”We’re grateful for your hospitality.”

”Hospitality? This is only what you deserve, haha.”

The atmosphere among the others was just as lively and amicable.

”I heard Lord Karnak has reached the seventh circle?”

“And Sir Serati has become a blue knight?”

”You truly are exceptional individuals.”

No one found their rapid growth suspicious. A genius tutored by a legendary mage becoming a high-rank mage through sheer effort was nothing outrageous. In fact, Stronoff, one of the imperial mages, seemed rather envious.

”If only I could obtain an artifact like Dallas’s spellbook...”

To Serati, it was a ridiculous statement. Forget the spell book. He has the man himself with him.

But since Karnak and Varos had progressed at such a ridiculous pace, Serati’s own growth— despite reaching blue knight— seemed ordinary by comparison. Regardless, everyone appeared quite friendly. Even Alius and Lapicel were included in the warm reception.

”I truly appreciate what you did for us back then, Priest Alius.”

”Oh, think nothing of it.”

”It’s good to see you well too, Miss Lapicel.”

”Thank you!”

The only one feeling out of place was Leven.

”It is an honor to meet a descendant of the renowned Strauss family.”

”Strauss... as in Gellard, the martial king?”

”I’ve heard his heir, Emil, is a remarkable talent...”

They kept their polite distance. They seemed to only acknowledge Gellard and Emil, as if Leven didn’t exist.

Yeah, yeah, I’m the completely unremarkable Strauss nobody, Leven.

Of course, he only complained internally. Saying it out loud would be unwise. Still, it was unexpected. Their relationship with the brigade wasn’t not bad. They were treating Karnak’s group like saviors. Unable to contain his curiosity, Leven discreetly whispered to Serati.

—What exactly happened in the past?

—We saved them from a witch.

—Here too?! What, does this witch roam all over the entire empire?!

—N-No, it’s not like that...

Avoiding his gaze, Serati hesitated before giving a brief summary of the witch incident and the Hudel affair. After hearing the full story, Leven nodded in understanding.

So that’s it. They really do owe their lives.

It made perfect sense that the Brigade of Purification would treat Karnak with such respect and gratitude. Karnak’s group did all the hard work, and these guys took the credit. And before that, Karnak had literally saved their lives.

To them, Karnak wasn’t just some powerful mage. He was a true hero, someone who acted for justice. He had gained nothing in return for saving their lives, and he didn’t even seek recognition.

—Honestly, it’s only fair that they admire him.

Leven accepted it. Serati, however, felt like throwing up.

—A hero? Admiration? Wa-Wait, what the actual hell...

—Well, in the end, he did do something good, didn’t he?

—Hah. I used to think that too, you know.

—What?

***

After the banquet ended and everyone had retired for the night, Karnak was in Leocolt’s office, discussing their future plans.

”You already know the terms we proposed, correct?”

”Yes, of course.”

The condition Karnak had put forward when requesting the Brigade of Purification’s cooperation was simple.

—We have obtained intelligence that cultists are secretly gathering the remains of ancient mages in a dungeon in the Mellard region. We will take custody of the remains, and the Brigade of Purification may claim all other merits and glory.

At first glance, it seemed like Karnak’s group would take the core reward, leaving only scraps for the Brigade of Purification. But Leocolt fully understood the practicality of the offer.

”That makes sense. After all, it’s possible that Archmage Elezar is backing the cultists.”

So far, they had found no direct evidence that Elezar was one of the Three Saints of the Black God’s Cult, but her high political standing made any investigation difficult. Still, Leocolt had gathered enough circumstantial evidence to be highly suspicious.

”She’s reacting exactly how a guilty person would.”

Despite constant pressure, Elezar’s close associates had been playing it safe, carefully avoiding any actions that might escalate the situation.

Hearing this, Karnak raised an eyebrow. ”Even innocent people tend to act similarly when pressured, don’t they?”

”Not someone like Elezar.”

It wasn’t as if Elezar had ever been particularly humble to begin with. She was a woman who had always carried herself with arrogance. She had every reason to remain arrogant, but now, she was suddenly acting meek and cooperative?

”That means she’s hiding something. If she truly had no connections to the cult, I would’ve lost my head already.”

This was why Leocolt was convinced that Elezar was behind the cult. Naturally, that also meant that the remains of the ancient mages could not be left in the Brigade of Purification’s custody. If they did, Elezar’s forces could easily make them disappear from within the organization. It was far safer to hand them over to the Seven Kingdoms, beyond Elezar’s reach.

The Brigade of Purification would still claim all credit for eliminating the cult, so they had nothing to lose. With both sides in agreement, all that remained was to finalize their strategy. Leocolt spread out a map of the empire.

”We’ll cause a huge commotion outside, then?”

”Yes, and while the distraction holds, we’ll infiltrate the dungeon.”

The biggest problem with the Governor’s Vault was its proximity to the imperial capital, Thea Krahan. The proximity meant Elezar could appear at any moment. It was absurd to call a location that required a full day’s travel on foot nearby, but for an archmage of her caliber, it wouldn’t even take an hour to fly there.

Of course, outside the dungeon, even Elezar wouldn’t dare confront the Brigade of Purification outright. That would be as good as admitting she was the cult’s mastermind. But inside the dungeon, she could unleash her power freely. They wouldn’t even get close to the remains of the governors before being stopped.

So, if Karnak’s group was going to steal the remains, they had to do it before she noticed. The Brigade of Purification would stage a large-scale purge of cultists in the Mellard region, keeping Elezar’s forces occupied, while Karnak’s team slipped inside and secured the remains.

”All the Brigade of Purification needs to do is take care of the cultists around the dungeon and then withdraw.”

At Karnak’s words, Leocolt smirked. ”That works perfectly for us. This alone will earn us considerable merit. Plus, we get to strike a blow against Elezar in the process.”

***

The next morning, the western division of the Brigade of Purification set out from Fort Harlan with great fanfare. They were heading for the Mellard region. They made no effort to hide their movements. There was a grand display of gleaming armor, strong warhorses, and well-sharpened weapons as they boldly marched.

Karnak’s group was disguised in similar uniforms among them. They blended in perfectly with the ranks of soldiers. They didn’t look out of place at all. It was just as the saying, Hide a tree in the forest.

The group traveled for two days, and the march was surprisingly uneventful.

As the soldiers set up camp for the night, Varos chuckled. ”They say traveling is supposed to be difficult, but this doesn’t feel like hardship at all.”

While not as comfortable as traveling with the Altas merchant guild, the soldiers still took care of most of the menial tasks, making things considerably easier.

Karnak, however, still looked unhappy. ”I’d still rather be home. Damn it, when will I finally get back to my estate?”

Frankly, he had every right to complain. He had wealth, a noble title, and a grand mansion, yet he hadn’t had a chance to enjoy any of it. Of course, if you looked at why, it was entirely his own fault.

”Wait a minute. This isn’t my fault, is it? Wasn’t all of this caused by that bastard, Tesranach?”

”Then why do I still feel like it’s your fault, young master?”

”The funny thing is, I also feel like it’s my fault, too.”

Varos chuckled, then changed the subject. ”Well, I suppose I should check on Sir Leven again.”

”Yeah, you do that.”

In the past, when Varos had said he would turn Leven into an aura user, it wasn’t just an excuse to get time off. He had been steadily refining Leven’s swordsmanship.

”Try swinging again, Sir Leven!”

“Got it!”

Leven repeatedly swung his sword in a clearing at the edge of the campsite. Each time, Varos pointed out areas that needed improvement.

At one point, Leven, impressed, asked, ”How do you know Delphiad swordsmanship so well?”

Delphiad swordsmanship was the ancestral style of the Strauss family. Yet Varos, who had no connection to them, displayed a deep understanding of its techniques.

With perfect composure, Varos deflected the question. ”Anyone who makes a living by the sword would know Delphiad swordsmanship, wouldn’t they?”

”Well, that’s true.”

The basic forms of Delphiad swordsmanship were widely spread across the continent. A warrior of Varos’s caliber would naturally be familiar with them. Satisfied, Leven resumed his practice.

As he watched, Varos fell into thought. He’s definitely talented...

No matter what he was taught, he picked it up quickly. He fit all the criteria of what people called a prodigy.

So why hasn’t he awakened his aura yet?

It wasn’t quite the same as Lapisel’s case. Even though she had lost her memories, her soul belonged to a future martial king, meaning that if she really forced it, she could probably use aura even now.

She’s probably rejecting it subconsciously, though.

Forcibly drawing out aura put an immense strain on the body and could negatively impact future growth, which was why Varos never forced it unless it was absolutely necessary. But Leven was already physically well-trained.

And yet, he still hasn’t even sensed aura? Varos frowned, recalling the past. Just how did Gellard train him to make him awaken aura in such a short time?

***

Four days after leaving Fort Harlan, the Brigade of Purification finally arrived in the Mellard region. It was also time for Karnak’s group to part ways with them.

”Then go ahead and raise as much hell as you want,” Karnak said.

At his remark, Leocolt replied with a smirk, ”Of course. You all take care as well.”

As they watched the brigade disappear into the distance, Serati turned her gaze westward. ”So that’s our destination? That’s one hell of a mountain range.”

”What can we do? We still have to go.”

Karnak’s eyes reflected the massive ridgeline stretching endlessly across the horizon. It was a range that cut across the central continent, often called the Spine of Lacania. And within it lay the dungeon known as the Governor’s Vault, hidden deep within the Tienparal Mountains.