Chapter 475

475.

‘Let’s organize the situation.’

After departing from the loser’s grave, Leo became lost in thought.

‘First. This country is threatened by the Justice Guild, and they are searching for the tomb of the Knights of the Nether.’

According to Prince Jeremin, it was evidently the Justice Guild that was robbing the hero’s tomb.

‘Second. The Grand Duke of Mourning is raising an orphan army in this country.’

The question lies here.

‘Is there no connection between the robbing of the hero’s tomb and the Grand Duke of Mourning?’

The current Demon King does not possess the power to revive a hero who wielded immense strength during their lifetime.

While Erebus would have had formidable power in his lifetime, that is not the case now.

‘However, it might be premature to completely dismiss the possibility that the Demon King could possess a Piece of Erebus.’

Before summer vacation.

Seeking to confirm his existence, the Demon King attempted to use Erebus’s faint flame in Lumeran.

‘Even if it is impossible to resurrect the fragment, it might be possible to utilize the power from its prime at a level that could be attained.’

In that case, it wouldn’t be impossible to bring the hero back as an undead.

If that were true, it would be the worst-case scenario.

‘Anyway, I need information.’

Leo arrived at a forest not far away.

Sitting on a tree stump, Leo took out a small potion vial from his cloak.

He poured the sky-blue liquid onto the ground.

The liquid, which had been wriggling on the floor, soon began to freeze, transforming into a mirror-like surface.

And then, the image of an elf appeared.

[Did you summon me, Great Lord of Shadows?]

The one who respectfully greeted Leo was Algren, the Master of the Northern Wizard Tower.

Before becoming the head of the Northern Wizard Tower, he was also the Shadow Lord of the Elves.

Leo spoke to Algren.

“I need some help.”

[Yes, I will immediately prepare and send someone.]

“What?”

With that, the communication with Algren ended without any further words.

Communication magic leaves traces.

Specialized mages in communication magic can tap into this magic using those traces.

However, the magic created by Algren leaves no trace of magic power.

This spell is perfect for the shadows who must not leave traces.

The downside is the short connection time.

‘I just wanted to briefly communicate the necessities. But he didn’t even ask what the situation was and said he’d send someone.’

Leo looked puzzled.

‘Does he have some grasp of what’s happening in the northeast of the continent?’

The base of the elf shadows is in the northern part of the continent.

And this place is in the northeastern part.

With his activities concealed in the darkness, Algren must surely have been aware of the matter at hand.

‘Well, he said he’d send someone, so I will get a response when the preparations are ready.’

And precisely one hour later.

Algren, having not only completed the preparations but also dispatched the shadows, showed nothing short of incredible speed.

Leo greeted the elf who was kneeling in front of him.

“It’s been a while.”

“Do you remember me?”

“Wouldn’t it be stranger if I didn’t? Anyas Begs.”

“To think that the Great Lord of Shadows remembers someone so insignificant and even knows my name!”

As Anyas looked up, she covered her mouth with her hands and showed a deeply moved expression.

“Ah! My Lord, Great and Noble Lord. The fact that you remember my insignificant name fills my heart with joy so much that I feel like I might d*e from it. Haak! Haak!”

‘I knew her head was a little off, but somehow it seems worse now.’

“Your ruby-like eyes, how can they shine so majestically and nobly? Your pure white hair seems capable of dispelling even the darkest darkness itself. Haah… Haah…”

After catching her breath, Anyas spoke with a trembling voice.

“My Lord, may I ask a small favor?”

“What is it?”

“Would you mind giving me one strand of your hair that you’ve plucked with your own hand?”

“What do you need it for?”

“I intend to make it a sacred relic of the religion I’ve created.”

“What?”

“Look, although I’m the only one who has joined so far, I’ve also made something like this.”

Anyas handed over a leaflet that read, “Join the Church of Leo and receive salvation.”

On the back of the leaflet was a full picture of Leo.

“Such madness…”

The madness was palpable.

If left alone, there’s a chance that Anyas might officially announce the founding of this so-called “Church of Leo” and start serious missionary work.

Leo stared blankly while Anyas continued.

“And recently, I’ve compiled a list of all those who have spread nasty gossip about you, Lord. Soon, there will be a bloody judgment…”

Her ears were fluttering like wings as she spoke with fervor.

“Anyas Begs.”

“Yes!”

“Stop making these things.”

“Huh?”

“I’m dealing with a group like the Justice Guild, which is akin to a heretical religion. I can’t be the same.”

“But my Lord, unlike those heretics, our religion truly has a deity.”

To which Leo answered dryly.

“Why am I a god? I’m human. Let me say it again. Don’t do it.”

“If Lord Leo says so, I have no choice.”

Anyas’ ears drooped.

She looked as if she had lost the meaning of life, making Leo briefly consider whether to console her.

“Even so, Leo Lord, couldn’t you at least give me one hair?”

“Why?”

“To add to my collection.”

‘I was worrying unnecessarily.’

Leo decided to completely ignore Anyas, whose actions contradicted his concerns.

“Anyas, do you know about the orphan army cultivated by the Duke of Dotoran?”

“Yes. You’re referring to gathering orphans and training them as soldiers, converting them into mercenaries, right? I heard that Prince Jeremin recently moved the orphans under Duke Dotoran’s command to his own.”

She had a complete grasp of the information in the northeast region, as befits someone from the Shadows.

“If that’s the case, do you also know whether there is any connection between this orphan army and Tartarus?”

At his words, Anyas’ expression changed.

“Is Duke Dotoran a lackey of Tartarus?”

Leo shook his head, looking at her.

“No, the guy probably doesn’t even know he’s being used.”

The fact that Anyas showed no special reaction suggests that she didn’t consider the orphan army significant.

But the orphan army was extremely powerful, certainly not a force that a minor kingdom could possess.

‘If they grow enough to transition from simple soldiers to knights, they could alter the balance of power in the northeast of the continent.’

The fact that a group with this level of combat power wasn’t on Anyas’ radar means that their existence has been concealed perfectly.

‘Artkan of the House of Art is certainly capable of doing so.’

“Deploy the Shadows and investigate Duke Dotoran thoroughly.”

“If we find any connection to Tartarus, should we start the hunt?”

“No. Report to me. If we move rashly, it could cause significant damage to us.”

“Lord Leo, do you know the identity of the Demon active secretly in this country?”

“It’s Grand Duke Artkan.”

When the name of the mighty figure was mentioned, Anyas’ shoulders shook slightly.

“Move carefully. He’s probably wary of us too.”

“As a trusted servant of the Demon King, Artkan must know that you are the reincarnation of the Hero of Beginning, Kyle.”

‘The moment I came here and saw the orphan army, he must have anticipated that I had figured out his existence.’

But Artkan did not leave the country.

‘He must be trying to accurately gauge the extent of my power.’

“Lord Leo. What about the Justice Guild?”

Anyas asked.

“It doesn’t seem like the Shadows were unaware of the Justice Guild. What have the Shadows thought of them so far?”

“There were mixed opinions.”

Anyas narrowed her eyes.

“They have gained a reputation by inciting wars in conflict zones not only in the northeast but around the world.”

“But why did the Shadows leave them alone? Is it because they were neither traitors nor enemies?”

“Yes.”

Anyas avoided Leo’s gaze.

“The Shadows only intervene in matters related to Tartarus. Even others who saw through the true nature of the Justice Guild have tacitly allowed their actions.”

The Justice Guild’s process of expanding their power has been simple.

They appear in areas prone to conflict, escalate the war, and then resolve the conflict, making them appear as if they established justice, subsequently receiving praise from the war’s victims.

Their influence has grown through this cycle.

The reason those who understand their true nature have allowed them to continue is that their blade hasn’t been directed at them.

“The Justice Guild is also one of the most active factions against Tartarus.”

The Justice Guild’s blade doesn’t target the Shadows or those like them.

Instead, in battles against Tartarus, they serve as shields for the Shadows and sometimes assist with dirty work when required.

Their existence in this web of interests is what has allowed the Justice Guild to survive until now.

There are also factions that oppose the Justice Guild, but they can’t easily fight against them.

Right now, there is no central focus that can gather the goals of all people in the world.

‘So long as these interests are intertwined, it will inevitably lead to civil war, which is exactly the structure that Tartarus would desire the most. But…’

After uncovering their true nature, Leo had no intention of tolerating them.

“Lord Leo, do you intend to deal with the Justice Guild?”

“Yes.”

“Shall I gather the Shadows?”

“No.”

Leo shook his head.

“If the Shadows were to act, the already negative perception of Shadows would only worsen.”

No matter what, the Justice Guild publicly proclaims itself as righteous.

If such an organization were simply erased, it would certainly lead to new misunderstandings.

Just before summer vacation, Melina’s declaration gave the Shadows a status equal to that of a hero.

But even with the proclamation of the Dragon Lord, people’s perceptions would not change easily.

“From now on, it’s up to what you choose to do.”

“Our choice?”

“Yes. I want the term ‘Shadows’ to disappear.”

“Huh?”

“All those who fight for the world are heroes. You have the full qualification to be called heroes. So, I want to create a world where you are called heroes, not Shadows.”

“Lord Leo…?”

Anyas covered her mouth and looked deeply moved.

“To dream of such a world… To even plan such an ambitious goal…”

Overwhelmed with emotion, Anyas clasped her hands together, and assuming a prayer-like pose towards Leo.

“Please let me worship you as a god.”

“Absolutely not.”

Just then, as Leo frowned,

Swoosh!

An elf emerged from the shadow of the tree.

Anyas’ expression disappeared.

“What is it?”

“I report.”

The Shadow urgently bowed his head.

“A massive battle has occurred at the border between the Kanel Kingdom and the Petimon Kingdom.”

“Is it a large-scale attack by the Petimon Kingdom’s forces?”

As Leo stood up and asked, the shadow hastily shook his head.

“No, it appears that someone acting alone attacked the Petimon Kingdom, and now the Justice Guild is responding.”

“If the Justice Guild is involved to the degree that they’ve intervened, it likely suggests an extraordinarily powerful figure. Who is it?”

Hesitating for a moment, the shadow spoke.

“The one currently in combat with the Justice Guild is believed to be the Iron bl**d Mage.”

Anyas stiffened.

“Iron bl**d Mage…? Tiar?”

It wasn’t just Anyas.

Leo’s expression also hardened.

Leo recognized the name from the textbooks.

The Elven Hero, the Iron bl**d Mage Tiar.

A legendary hero who achieved remarkable feats in the war against Tartarus.

But also a hero who created a cruel magic using the Magic of the Stars, and thus came to be shunned among the elves.

And the era when the Iron bl**d Mage was active was…

‘A hero from a thousand years ago.’

Leo felt that the worst-case scenario he had anticipated had indeed come to pass.

‘Demon King, you’re bringing heroes back as undead.’