Chapter 101 – Visitor

[The Emperor who disappeared in the midst of the revolution… Spread of the ‘Order Asylum’ suspicion -Imperial Daily-]

[Military movements of the Allied Kingdoms captured near the border… The clouds of war loom -Imperial Capital News-]

[Allied Kingdoms, troop movements in silence… What is the intention? -Voice of the Citizens-]

Rashid scanned down the headlines of today’s newspaper.

The rumor of the Emperor’s asylum in the Order was already hardening into fact, and in line with this, the movements of the Allied Kingdoms began to grow busy.

The Allied Kingdoms, which adhered to a monarchical system, would not welcome the Empire’s new regime, and this was naturally a situation that could only end in one way.

Following the Gray Morning, the prelude to the second war with the Allied Kingdoms, which would later be named the Twilight War, had begun.

‘It has little to do with me.’

Thus, the Empire was extremely chaotic due to the exiled Emperor and the suspicious movements of the Allied Kingdoms.

However, it was not actually Rashid’s concern.

‘Because I have something else to focus on.’

It was none other than Kane, a chair professor at the Magic Tower University.

‘Now that I’ve finished off the Blood Empress, it’s time to slowly target this guy. If I leave him alone any longer, I’ll end up being exchanged for a scrap of knowledge in his madness.’

Although it was not an article published today.

There was an article stating that the recent chaotic atmosphere of the Magic Tower had been mostly settled.

In other words, the Magic Tower’s internal strife had also concluded to some extent.

‘Zodiac will also start acting in tandem. He must still be aiming for the Immortal Heart. Since that is the core power source to open dimensions.’

Both had a profound connection to the Magic Tower.

If he touched even one of the two, the Magic Tower would rise like a swarm of bees and attack him.

Furthermore, because their interests aligned, unlike other Lazarus Villains, targeting them individually belonged to the extremely difficult category.

Thus, it was well known that defeat itself was near impossible.

‘First, let’s wrap this up.’

Today.

An appointment was scheduled with Kaiser.

Since there was something to receive from him.

Aria, who entered his office just in time, looked alternately at the newspaper on the desk and at him as she spoke.

“It seems a war will break out soon.”

“Probably. The Allied Kingdoms won’t tolerate a transitional government based on a council. It will likely serve as a good excuse for them.”

Rashid stared blankly at her as she very naturally tidied up the inside of his office.

She likewise had an expression showing no particular emotion despite the war looming right before her eyes.

Since she belonged to the Order, it was a natural reaction, but Rashid was curious.

Because the battlefield was a place where legal murder was allowed in itself.

“You will soon submit a leave of absence or return to the Imperial Army.”

“Me?”

At the reaction contrary to his expectations, Rashid took it rather strangely.

“Didn’t you like war? That’s a place where you can legally kill people.”

Moving according to a set route.

Having quickly finished tidying up, she stood in front of Rashid.

“Yes, I know. It’s an interesting place.”

“I thought you would naturally return to the Imperial Army, though?”

“Me? Why should I return?”

It was a correct statement.

She was a person of the Order, and an inquisitor.

From the Imperial Army’s perspective, it would be good if she returned, but.

It was also strange to call her back when she had already become a person of the Order.

“Because if you return, the battlefield you love will welcome you.”

She smiled faintly.

“I am already a person of the Order. The story of war is someone else’s story.”

Rashid suddenly wanted to ask Kaiser about things related to her.

Whether, in the normal progression of events, she continued to remain as an inquisitor during this period.

“More importantly, did you say you secured as many mana stones as possible?”

“Yes, I have converted all available liquid assets into mana stones. Now I just need to watch for the right time to buy government bonds, but since you did not say anything in particular, I was just waiting quietly.”

The moment when government bonds would become dirt cheap.

That timing was difficult even for Rashid to predict accurately.

However, since it was just before the war with the Allied Kingdoms broke out.

Wouldn’t this be the most opportune time?

“If what I know is correct, the Guild Federation will also start buying back the government bonds they threw away. I do not know when that will be, but even now is not bad. Start buying from today.”

A smile spread across her face.

“Since things are chaotic due to the war atmosphere, now would be the opportune time.”

“In the early stages of the war, the Empire might be at a disadvantage. The Valt Kingdom, the head of the Allied Kingdoms, is more stable than ever and is perfectly prepared to wage war.”

The words that followed were important.

“But the Empire won’t lose. Unlike before, the Guild Federation will support with all its might, and because he is in the Imperial Army.”

Before she could even ask, Rashid gave her the answer.

“Commander Leon Stout. The head of the current transitional government and originally a three-star general who oversaw the western border.”

“If it is that person, I know him well. Because during the participation in the Gray Morning, I was assigned to a unit under his command. He is a person with a unique eye for reading the battlefield. He is someone who always looks several moves ahead. Then will he be active this time as well?”

Rashid showed a mischievous smile.

“I do not know that either.”

“You are being too harsh when you know everything.”

Leon Stout.

It was a regrettable thing to say to Kaiser, but to Rashid, he was neither an enemy nor anything else.

Rather, he was a figure who would lead the war to victory and bring a stable reign to the Empire.

“Anyway, buy up the government bonds. Oh, and Kaiser is supposed to come today, you know that right?”

“I have confirmed the appointment with the party leader. And there is one more person you will meet today.”

“There is someone else besides Kaiser?”

Rashid thought about the possible people.

Several figures came to mind.

First of all, he was the very person who had exiled the Emperor.

There would be more than enough people looking for him.

“Is it someone from the military?”

“No. It is not someone from the military. Inspector Varasha requested confirmation regarding the Emperor’s asylum. I thought she would come even if we refused, so I set up an appointment in advance. The appointment time is in the afternoon. I have scheduled the appointment with the party leader for the morning.”

It was only two days ago that he ran into her.

Meeting her was not very pleasant, but.

In any case, it seemed a wrap-up was needed.

Rashid indicated his consent by nodding silently, and after checking the tidy interior, she continued with her usual smile.

“Then I will prepare to go out. I will have to be away for a while again.”

The price of mana stones was soaring high at the same time the gold price faltered.

It was all because of the rumors he had spread.

‘That guy Kane. He must have got screwed over a bit because of me.’

It was like getting stabbed in the back while acting complacently.

‘What he would do with gold transmutation is obvious.’

His goal was firm.

To accumulate endless wealth through successful gold transmutation, thereby securing the astronomical funds to execute his plan.

In particular, it was also an unavoidable task to hire him.

‘Because he can never be employed with a moderate amount of money.’

Face Changer.

A person who could sell out his country and the world in the face of money.

To hire that crazy mage, moderate money was not enough.

An truly insane amount was needed.

‘Or should I bribe him?’

Although he had set up an insurance called Veronica for now, after all, the most certain gamble was him, not her.

Since he was also perhaps the one and only mage who could send Kane to the afterlife on his behalf.

Thus, he thought about it, but Rashid had no choice but to shake his head.

If he had focused on making money from the beginning, it might have been possible, but now it felt somewhat late.

Additionally, the money was held not by himself, but by her, who had just left to purchase government bonds.

‘It’s ambiguous. That would be difficult.’

* * *

“I brought these with great difficulty. If you knew what I did inside the Imperial Palace, not even being a grave robber, you probably wouldn’t stop at just saying thank you.”

The visiting Kaiser handed over the two promised items.

One was the Blood Sword of the Founding, another treasure of the imperial family, and the other was the Tears of God that had been promised in advance.

“Good work. I have to get what I deserve too. What I blew while saving that woman was one point in all stats. It’s not small.”

The Blood Sword of the Founding.

It was a bizarre sword that was not only forged from Sky-Shattering Steel but also flowed with the blood of the first Emperor; it had no increase in magic power, but it was an artifact that dramatically increased physical abilities.

Furthermore, it was famous for creating a powerful synergy when paired with the Immortal Heart, and one who possessed both treasures could literally overcome even death.

“Did you implant the Immortal Heart?”

“No, I put it on hold for a while due to the probability of failure.”

“If you succeed, you will become an immortal.”

The expression of Kaiser, who handed over the items, did not look very good.

This was due to something completely separate, unrelated to the current situation, and extremely personal to him.

“Why the expression? Did you get a bit upset because you lost everything to the military?”

“No. But I do not see that inquisitor. Have you split up?”

Rashid scowled.

“What are you talking about?”

“That woman. The Dark Blood Ghost Executioner.”

“I just had her do something else, so she went away for a moment. She’ll be a bit busy for the time being.”

“Is she buying up government bonds or something? Was there anything to do at a time like this?”

“Aren’t you collecting them? They’re completely dirt cheap, and if you collect them well, you’ll become filthy rich, though?”

At that question, Kaiser chuckled.

“I am the person who will print those government bonds. There is no meaning in it.”

Rashid smiled bitterly.

“I suppose so. There would be no meaning.”

Rashid recalled the thought he had earlier and spoke to him.

“But did that woman also go out to war again?”

“The Dark Blood Ghost Executioner?”

“Just curious.”

“Well. Did she go to the battlefield again at this time?”

Kaiser tilted his head.

“I do not know. She might have participated, but I have no particular memory of it.”

“The ones who definitely went out were Ryden and Varasha, right?”

“Yes, the two of them will head to the battlefield again. Ah, now that I think about it, that woman must have gone again too. Since this war won’t last that long anyway. At most, it will wrap up within a year.”

“He will appear.”

“The Father of the Nation?”

“It won’t matter to me, but he’s a person who will become your nemesis, isn’t he?”

Unlike Kaiser whose expression was dark throughout, Rashid was smiling mischievously.

“Is it tough?”

“It feels like dying. Just as expected, he even founded a party. The damn Iron Blood Party.”

“A path of suffering is clearly in sight. You’ll probably get to see the inside of a jail cell soon too.”

“Do not think of it as someone else’s business. He might stretch his hand out to you as well.”

“No way. I am planned to be very busy too, so I won’t have the spare energy to help him.”

Kaiser, having finished his business, rose from his seat.

“Anyway, I will leave. Since the business seems finished.”

Rashid had only one thing to say to him.

“More importantly, join the club. Saving the Emperor was because I wanted that.”

“I have already joined. The day after the revolution, Kane came to me on his own. To tell me to join the club. His skill in cutting ties with the Emperor was truly artful.”

“Quick, aren’t you?”

“I have already met Kane, and I also heard about Zodiac yesterday.”

This time, Kaiser flashed a mischievous smile.

“He introduced Zodiac to me as the Dragon King; did you already know? It was the first time I learned that Zodiac was the Dragon King.”

An extraordinary existence.

It was for that very reason.