STM 87

Borhumi had fallen.

The news spread across Tubain in an instant. The death of Grand Duke Borhumi and the sudden emergence of a demonic rift were enough to throw everyone into shock.

Fortunately, the rift wasn’t large, but the monsters could not be contained, so all of Borhumi’s forces gathered at Crystal Lake. Yet with no one left who could wield the power of Borhumi’s divine beast, suppressing the monsters costed them a lot. Fear began to spread that the whole of Tubain might once again be overrun by monsters.

Now only Grand Duke Montaine, the sole person able to use a divine beast’s power, had become Tubain’s last hope. Her claim to the imperial throne is now certain.

“Montaine is urging us to decide.”

High Priest Cheki sighed as she set down the letter in her hand. The seal of Montaine was stamped upon it. Ariona’s gaze shifted heavily, alternating between the letter and his teacher. .

“They’re telling us to support Montaine?”

“Yes. Montaine now understands that the future we spoke of was real. I just didn’t expect that future to come so soon.”

Cheki shook her head in regret. They had moved too cautiously, believing they still had time. From the moment they first heard about the prophecy, there had been one future she paid the most attention to.

‘Tubain’s calamity begins with a newly opened demonic rift.’

A demonic rift? Why? Where? She had spent all that time searching for the reason and the location. She had deciphered old scriptures, analyzed the cause, and narrowed the range where the rift might appear.

To investigate further, she had reluctantly shared part of the information with Montaine and Sarne and received copies of their ancient records in exchange.

There was only one reason Borhumi hadn’t been told. It was because there was a strong possibility that a dark mage was among the Grand Duke’s closest aides.

“Shouldn’t we have told the Grand Duke the truth earlier and asked for cooperation?”

When Ariona asked, Cheki shook her head.

“You heard the reason why Borhumi’s divine beast disappeared too. There really was a dark mage among the Grand Duke’s inner circle…”

High Priest Cheki sighed.

“That was exactly what we feared most, not knowing how many dark mages might be hiding among the noble houses.”

“There aren’t any in the Kun family.”

Ariona spoke with certainty.

“No dark mage could ever approach Grand Duke Kun. The Kun family is cursed by black magic, so if the Grand Duke even suspected anyone of practicing it, he’d hunt them down. That’s why Kun is the only house we can truly trust.”

Cheki agreed, at least partly. Ironically, the curse placed upon Kun had made it the safest region from black magic.

“But we don’t have any time left.”

Cheki looked again at the letter.

“Tomorrow, the key figures of the divine beast houses and the temple will gather in the imperial capital to discuss this matter. It’s been decided that we’ll reveal what we know and bring it into public discussion.”

“Tomorrow? Why so suddenly…?”

“It has to be tomorrow. You know why. Tomorrow will be the one perfect moment when people will believe our words. We can’t afford to lose that chance.”

Her expression hardened as though she was standing before a decisive battle. But her subsequent words were laced with a sigh.

“In the end, Montaine will take the throne.”

Ariona bit his lower lip at the thought of the High Priest’s prediction.

“But nothing has been decided yet, right? People don’t know that Kun’s divine beast is still asleep. If the Kun beast awakens, the situation will change. There must be a clue somewhere within Kun’s lands…”

“No one can enter Kun territory right now because of the curse.”

“But…”

“The calamity has already begun. For now, we can only place our hopes on Montaine, the only remaining divine beast house.”

Cheki murmured softly and turned to look out the window. Yet Ariona could see the concern in his teacher’s face. Was there something more in Montaine’s letter?

“Is Montaine asking for something?”

“They want proof of our support, something they can be certain of.”

“What kind of proof… Are they asking for a contract?”

A heavy sigh left Cheki’s mouth.

“Yes, they’re demanding a bond of soulmates.”

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Whoosh!

The sword sliced through the air, releasing a streak of light like lightning accompanied by a rush of wind. It struck the training boulder with whip-like precision, and the rock, taller than a man, was split in half.

The aura emanating from the blade was astonishing, but its wielder didn’t look satisfied and stared down at the hand holding the sword with a cold gaze. In contrast, Rick, who had been standing nearby waiting, had a very different impression.

“Most of your strength has returned, Grand Duke. I’m relieved.”

Rick exclaimed in awe, but Tairok didn’t even look at him. He adjusted his grip on his sword and was about to resume training. But Rick had something important to report.

“Grand Duke, an important guest has arrived.”

Even the word “important” didn’t stop Tairok’s steps, so Rick followed and whispered.

“It’s your friend. He said he needs your permission because he’s found a way to lift the curse. You really should meet him.”

Rick thought that would surely get a reaction. For Tairok, nothing was more important than breaking his family’s curse.

But to his surprise, Tairok merely paused for a moment without even turning his head. Instead, he asked a question.

“Any other messages?”

“Letters keep coming from Borhumi asking for help with monster hunting. And many noble houses are inquiring about the White Branch Conference that’ll be held in the Imperial Capital tomorrow. It’s been quite some time since the last one.”

The White Branch Conference began long ago when those associated with the power of the Divine Beast gathered together to stop fighting and cooperate when a crisis struck Tubain.

Since then, it had continued as a formal annual gathering until the fall of the Kun imperial line, when it was suspended. Now, after ten years, it was to be held once again.

The problem was that the location this time was the Imperial Palace.

“Most people are wondering whether you’ll attend, Grand Duke.”

Though the matter concerned him directly, Tairok spoke in an indifferent tone.

“And?”

“There are no other urgent reports.”

“Nothing from Adeye either?”

Rick couldn’t hide his surprise at the name that came from Tairok’s mouth. Again?

Ever since they’d returned from Borhumi, Tairok had asked several times about news from that place, more precisely, about Adeye Lu.

But it wasn’t entirely incomprehensible. Rick himself had heard something unbelievable from Haas.

‘You won’t believe this. Adeye Lu dragged me away while I was unconscious and hid me from the monsters. And it wasn’t just me. I even vaguely saw him dragging the Grand Duke’s body to safety.’

Even listening, it felt like a lie. But Haas, speaking, seemed even more astonished. Even though he was someone who had experienced it firsthand.

‘At first I didn’t understand why he was doing it, but it turned out he knew the monsters were about to appear. He even comforted me, telling me I’d be alright… Anyway, he helped me. It’s hard to believe, but I owe Adeye Lu.’

Haas seemed so confused about being indebted to Adeye that he kept scratching his head.

‘What am I supposed to do in that case? Thank him? But it’s Adeye we’re talking about!’

After hearing that nonsense for too long, Rick had told him,

‘Just ignore it. Maybe Adeye Lu just lost his mind for a second. He’s still that same stupid, selfish pervert.’

‘Actually… he’s not stupid or selfish at all.’

‘What?’

‘Adeye Lu was quite useful. He’s some kind of overpowered stick, and with that thing he knocked out Borhumi’s soldiers in one hit and even shattered the barrier! No wonder the Grand Duke seems to trust him now. What do you think that stick is?’

Then Haas started praising that club until Rick’s head hurt. Whatever that weapon was, it seemed that Lu hadn’t been entirely useless for once.

That must be why Tairok had changed his opinion of him, and why he was curious now. After all, the two of them had survived death together.

And if what Rick heard was true, Adeye Lu had protected both of them from the monsters. Because of that, the only one injured by the attack had been Adeye himself.

Rumor had it that he was on the verge of death.