The Holy Alliance.
At the center of the continent stood Holy Krata, surrounded by a ring of allied nations.
Among them, the southernmost was Marfane, Krata’s brother nation. Its territory extended from Krata’s western border and served as the key point of entry for all goods bound for Krata. It was said nothing entered Krata without first passing through Marfane.
“The sun’s setting.”
At the southern border of Marfane—marking the boundary of the Holy Alliance—stood a towering wall.
Atop that wall was Gorban, the newly appointed border count responsible for this southernmost territory.
He stroked his white beard as he gazed at the sinking sun on the horizon.
“Prepare to close the gates.”
This was the first checkpoint for goods entering from the south. Since many of these were destined for Krata, inspections were especially strict.
Once night fell, no shipments were allowed through. Merchants had to wait in the village outside the wall and resume their journey in the morning.
“Hurry up!”
“The sun’s almost down!”
“We need to make it through before then!”
Merchants yelled as they rushed their parties forward. But no matter how fast they moved, they couldn’t speed up the inspection process.
The soldiers followed protocol, checking each wagon one by one.
“Can’t you go faster?!”
“These goods have to get through today!”
“I said no!” The gatekeeper barked back at them, “If it’s so urgent, you should’ve come earlier! Stop whining! If you can’t get through now, try again tomorrow morning!”
The merchants scowled in frustration but had no choice but to retreat.
“Let’s go, come back tomorrow.”
“Clear out. You heard him.”
“You deaf?”
The soldiers’ stern tone forced the crowd to back off.
“Damn bastards. Just glorified gatekeepers…”
“Krata’s dogs sure know how to bark.”
“Bullshit…”
With nothing else to do, the merchants muttered curses under their breath.
That’s when it happened.
“…Huh?”
One of the gate guards spotted something and nudged his fellow sentry.
“Something’s coming.”
“Another merchant?”
“No… something else.”
The others turned their heads.
What they saw—
“What the hell is that?”
A streak of light hurtling toward them.
Just after sunset, the blinding flash stole everyone’s attention.
“What are you all doing?!”
Realizing the streak was now only hundreds of meters away, the gatekeeper shouted.
“Close the gates!”
Creeeeak!
The soldiers rushed to seal the gates. Others atop the walls readied spears and bows.
“Hmph.”
Gorban clenched his fist as he watched the well-trained soldiers move in unison.
What the hell is that…
He had been dispatched here by Marfane after Krata requested increased security along the southern border.
There had been a prophecy from the Saintess of Krata, warning of trouble from the south.
FLASH.
The light screeched to a halt just outside the gate, sending up sparks like a grinding blade.
BOOOOM!
A delayed shockwave exploded outward, knocking over merchant wagons and sending people flying.
“Gaaaah!”
The force was so strong even soldiers had to shield themselves behind their gear.
“…”
Gorban, who had crouched low from the blast, slowly raised his head to peer over the wall.
Hisssss…
A woman stood amid the dust, her blue hair whipping in the wind as she panted from exertion.
Gorban’s eyes widened.
“The Tower Master of the Blue Tower…?”
He had seen her once at the Hero Party’s send-off ceremony.
A peerless genius in magic, she had been granted the title of Blue Tower Master at a remarkably young age.
It was said that after Clay’s execution, she had locked herself away in the tower.
So why is she here…?
While Gorban tried to piece it together, the soldiers reacted first.
“Wh-Who goes there?!”
“Identify yourself!”
Startled by the explosion, they didn’t recognize her. Though they had seen drawings of the Hero’s party, they hadn’t imagined this woman would show up at their gate.
“…I’m a little late.”
That’s what she said.
“What?”
“What does she mean?!”
The soldiers didn’t understand. But Gorban, who overheard from above, swallowed dryly.
No way… was she trying to make it through before sundown?
Had she rushed to enter Marfane before the gate closed?
Gorban shouted down.
“Wait! Everyone stand down!”
He quieted the troops and turned to face her.
“You… you’re Lady Yuru, Tower Master of the Blue Tower, aren’t you?!”
“….”
Yuru looked up, her cold eyes meeting his.
Gorban inhaled sharply.
There’s something wrong with her…
She looked hostile, which made no sense—she was a hero of the Holy Alliance.
He quickly called out.
“It’s already late! Would you consider resting at the lodging outside the gate and returning in the morning?”
The gate curfew was non-negotiable.
Upon his appointment, Marfane’s king had explicitly ordered Gorban to strictly enforce it. He had pledged to do so.
“…I’d like you to open the gate.”
Yuru’s voice was ice.
“I-I’m sorry, but it’s royal policy! I’ll come down and personally escort you!”
Gorban quickly descended the wall, unlocked the gate slightly, and stepped outside.
“I truly apologize, Lady Yuru. But I’ll see to your comfort—”
That’s when she stepped forward.
“P-Please wait! You can’t enter yet!”
He rushed to block her.
“It’s not about denying you respect. These are our guidelines. Please—”
“Respect?” Yuru looked him straight in the eye, “If this were respect, you’d move aside. Are you saying I’m not even allowed through?”
“I… I…”
Shit…
Gorban glanced at the sword on his hip.
What the hell am I supposed to do…
He didn’t know why she was so furious, but this was bad.
If he let her pass, who knew what might happen?
“Please, Lady Yuru. I’ve been ordered—”
“I’ll say this once.”
A magic circle flared beneath her feet.
“Respect me while you can. This is your one chance.”
Gorban looked down at the glowing runes. They pulsed with a strange hum.
“Kh…!”
He gritted his teeth and drew his blade.
“Please stop th—”
Thunk.
An ominous sound echoed through the air.
Everyone froze.
“Count…?”
Gorban’s head hit the ground.
From outside the stunned silence, his body slowly collapsed.
Shhhh.
Yuru lowered her hand. She had drawn his eyes to the magic circle, then silently conjured an ice blade.
“You… you!”
The gatekeeper finally came to his senses.
“What are you waiting for?! Attack—!”
But he never finished the sentence.
Because the magic circle under Yuru’s feet…
Wasn’t fake.
“I told you to treat me with respect.”
As her hollow gaze swept across the crowd—
BOOOOOOOM!
The ground cracked open. The wall began to crumble.
“I’ll leave no witnesses.”
She whispered, and drew dozens more spell circles into the already-falling ground.
♧
“They’ll probably come looking for you.”
Barungenia. In the Demon King’s office.
Beatrice sat across from Clay, calmly explaining what would happen next.
“You mean because of Lilien?”
“Yes.”
Beatrice nodded.
“She was probably under royal orders. She would’ve spoken despite my warning.”
“Then why did you let her—”
“For the counterattack, Clay.”
Beatrice smiled faintly.
“Your body’s disappearance alone would spark some rumors. But those would remain small.”
But the idea of him being seen walking?
That was different.
“Whether you’re undead or not, the Holy Alliance will be outraged. They’ll claim Ezer failed to dispose of a traitor properly. They’ll send someone to ‘oversee’ things.”
“Someone like…?”
“Guardian Knights. They’ll come.”
She lowered her voice.
“The execution is done. The justification has been made. Now they’ll come to erase any lingering doubts. Watch them carefully.”
By observing how the Guardian Knights moved, they could get a better sense of who truly stood behind Clay’s downfall.
“And while we’re at it, let’s take a few of their heads.”
She said it like it was nothing. She was, after all, one of the Demon King’s Four Generals.
Clay lowered his gaze slightly, then answered.
“Let’s do that.”
Because now…
He had decided.
(End of Chapter)