Illusion Sword Master

Chapter 7

＜The Darkness that Shrouds the Empire (2)﹥

We were walking through the back alleys of the imperial capital.

“That way.”

Cherzia guided me, holding onto my arm.

I wasn’t even in good enough shape to walk, let alone run, and Knight Roland had to take the lead because of his duty.

“We wouldn’t have found it without a guide.”

The imperial capital was a grand and magnificent city. The shadows hidden beneath its grandeur seemed deeper and darker than I thought.

The complex, winding alleys of the city resembled a massive labyrinth. Even someone with a good sense of direction would get lost easily.

“How can there be no beggars?”

It was surprising that such a place existed in a city teeming with people. Was someone managing this to reduce the number of prying eyes?

No, that wouldn’t be necessary.

The desolate atmosphere of the empty alleyway stimulated my instincts. I shouldn’t venture deeper into this place.

Cherzia also responded to this unease, trembling slightly.

“But, I haven’t introduced myself yet. I shouldn’t not know the name of my comrade who’s working with me on this noble task. May I ask about yourself?”

It was as if she intended to break the tension. Knight Roland, whose face had been heavy, forced a cheerful smile.

I had been holding back on talking about myself, intending to reveal only a little, but it didn’t matter at this point.

“I’m Ethan, a student at the Imperial War Academy’s Magic Department.”

“I was worried that magic department students these days lack loyalty, but it’s a relief to see someone like you. Ethan, I’ll definitely reward you after this mission is over.”

“This isn’t a task I’m doing for reward. If I can help, I’ll do my best to rescue the talented children who will take responsibility for the empire’s future.”

“You’re… a mage with a knight’s spirit. Both in appearance and mindset.”

Just like how magicians have a bad impression of knights, knights also have a bad impression of the gaze they receive.

That’s why Roland, the lord, looked even more touched by my words.

As soon as he saw the Gold Lion Badge, he began to cosplay as a loyal subject, which was separate from his true intentions.

He was an imperial inspector with the royal family as his backing.

If we’re already involved, it’s better to score points. If things go well, he could become my stepping stone.

“This is weird.”

As I re-examined the situation, I felt a sense of unease.

“Lord Roland, why are you being so cautious in your approach to Marcellus, the Duke? Even if he’s a noble with a high reputation, he can’t compare to the imperial family’s authority.”

Nobles or not, I’ll crush them with evidence. This was the imperial inspector’s way, and the Gold Lion Badge had also gained notoriety through this process.

“You know as well, but the current imperial family is not that solid.”

Lord Roland let out a deep sigh, as if the ground had given way beneath him.

I also knew that this vast empire was in a state of great turmoil.

To summarize the current situation in the imperial family:

The emperor, who had led the empire with overwhelming charisma, had stopped all public activities 10 years ago.

His three sons were now vying for the next throne, but in reality, it was a struggle between two sons. The third prince, born to a concubine, had no influence in this race.

In any case, the imperial family, which had been unified under the emperor’s name, was now divided into two factions, led by the first and second princes. The nobles had also taken sides and were looking out for their own interests.

It was only natural that the imperial family’s power would weaken and the nobles’ power would grow.

I knew that.

“But is this really not too chaotic?”

In a place like the capital, a noble could commit corruption with impunity, the city guard was bribed, and the imperial inspector knew about it but had to be extremely cautious.

Luckily, this uncomfortable topic did not continue.

“That… That’s the path to the prison.”

Cherzia pointed to somewhere, her body trembling like she was having a fit.

At first glance, it was just a stone wall, but if you looked closely, you could see that it was an illusion created by magic.

Unlike me and Cherzia, Lord Roland, who couldn’t sense mana, looked at me as if asking for an explanation.

“The wall is an illusion. There’s a path behind it.”

“Is it magic?”

“I’m not sure.”

I was certain that some power in this space was interfering with people’s perceptions.

However, I, as a magician, couldn’t confirm whether it was magic or not.

It operated similarly to magic, but it wasn’t composed of mana.

“Tell me what you see. I hope it’s not the case, but I have a hunch.”

“I see a dark, murky energy. I don’t know what to call it.”

“Ah, I see. That’s black magic. Marcellus, the Duke… It seems he’s involved with black magic.”

I didn’t know much about black magic.

It was a power obtained by making a contract with a demon, and demon worship was considered a serious crime in the empire.

I thought it had been eradicated decades ago, but it seemed to be alive and well in the capital.

My survival sensor lit up again.

“Damn. I might be walking into a den of black magic on the first day of my vacation.”

If a noble were to risk losing everything and still extend a hand, it would be a tremendous power.

I desperately wished for Roland to turn back even now.

“The Black Magician grows stronger as they offer sacrifices to the demon they’ve contracted. Children with magical talents are the demons’ favorite sacrifices. This place is extremely dangerous.”

That’s right. This place is perilous to anyone who sees it.

We’ve done all we can.

Let’s go request support now.

“Didn’t you say there were other kids when Cherzia escaped? We need to stop them from being sacrificed and prevent Marcellus from becoming an even greater threat before it’s too late.”

My expectations were crushed once again.

“Cherzia, don’t be afraid. I and Ethan will risk our lives to protect you. Those who have been threatening you won’t be able to touch a single hair on your head. So, please guide us a little further?”

No. Why do you have to risk your life for me?

“P-please save my friends…”

The girl trembled and bravely nodded her head.

This time, too, our decision was made without consulting me, and the matter proceeded with just the two of us.

Roland, the righteous knight who symbolized the imperial authority, holding the golden lion emblem.

Cherzia, the brave guide who took on the task of saving the other kids despite being terrified.

And Ethan, the righteous and strong magician who shared their determination.

The three of them, who had gathered to protect the peace of the imperial capital and save the innocent children’s lives, entered the den of the Black Magician.

In this case, the fact that the magician was a petty citizen who only thought of their own safety, without a sense of duty or justice, was insignificant.

The fact that they were despairing because their golden vacation had turned into a dangerous journey due to an unexpected turn of events was also unimportant.

Beyond the distorted stone wall, which was warped by black magic, there was a staircase leading underground.

Below, as the girl had described, there was a prison.

The air was thick with a foul stench, and dried bloodstains were visible everywhere.

Inside the iron bars, a corpse that had already begun to rot was left abandoned.

This was a different kind of horror from the battlefield.

If that place was a hell where orcs swam in a river of blood and fire, this place was like the entrance to a dark abyss where someone’s twisted evil had settled.

“Amazing.”

I felt a sense of awe towards Cherzia.

To think of coming back here again.

Unlike our worries about being attacked by all sorts of monsters, nothing happened while we advanced quite deeply.

“Ah, no!”

Cherzia suddenly screamed.

“What’s wrong?”

When I asked, Cherzia trembled and pointed to the empty cell.

“T-there’s no one! They were all here before. The monsters must have taken them away!”

“Monsters?”

“Dead people… dead people who came back to life and moved. If you get taken away by the monsters, you can’t come back!”

“Calm down. Screaming won’t do any good.”

I tried to calm Cherzia, who was getting worked up, while looking at Roland.

“It seems they’re talking about ghouls. Be careful. They’re quite troublesome opponents for those who aren’t used to them.”

“Compared to Oklang, how is it?”

“Oklang… overall, it’s similar, but much more troublesome. They’re stronger and more agile than ordinary humans, and they won’t die until their limbs are severed. They’ll keep fighting until then.”

It was an explanation that made me want to go home.

“Anyway, let’s hurry. The children’s lives are at stake.”

Roland Lord took off as soon as he finished speaking.

I hesitated for a moment, wondering if I should follow him.

‘No, I betrayed Roland Lord, and if he finds out, he’ll hang me from the gallows.’

I steeled myself and followed him.

It was easy to track where the children had gone.

The torn clothes and bloodstains that hadn’t dried yet were a clear trail.

Following the trail, we arrived at a grand, spacious room.

Everything we had been searching for, or everything I had worried about, was gathered here.

The first thing that caught my eye was the octagonal magic circle drawn on the floor. It seemed to be used for some sort of ritual, with eight stakes placed at the end of each direction, binding the children.

Only one stake remained empty, and if Cherzia hadn’t escaped, she would have been tied up there.

Next, there were the bizarre creatures surrounding the magic circle.

Ghouls.

Around twenty bare, corpse-like bodies with pale skin and empty eyes were waiting.

Finally, there was an old man with white hair standing calmly in the center of the magic circle, welcoming us.

“Hehehe. It seems I’ve caught the tail, but it’s a bit lacking… I was in a hurry to perform the ritual, but the pursuers and the fugitives have returned at the same time.”

The black magician looked more sane than I thought, but…

“Marcel Count. You, who were once a loyal servant of the Empire, why did you resort to black magic? Give up your resistance. You can still avoid immediate judgment.”

“Ah, the old gods will surely help me. I… I saw it. When they descended upon this land, the false masters disappeared, and I stood tall as the ruler!”

The old man ignored Roland Lord’s words and spouted nonsense.

I corrected my initial impression of Marcel Count.

That old man was out of his mind.

He was even more insane than Professor Dars, who talked about demonic magic in his lectures.

“Marcel Count!”

“Silence! Do not dare to raise your voice in front of the master of this land! The only thing I allow you is to offer a sacrifice and quietly sleep!”

As the Count shouted, the ghouls waiting in line charged at us.

“There are too many. We might lose a few. Please protect us, Cherzia.”

A thin, blue aura spread around Roland Lord’s body.

With the knight’s symbol, the aura, on his body, he charged into the midst of the ghouls.

Can I escape safely on my own here?

‘No, it’s too late for that.’