Ray glared at Brandil with a vexed expression.
His mind was already troubled, and now Brandil’s sudden appearance and nonsensical ramblings were giving him a headache.
“Put your knife away first.”
Following Ray’s warning, Brandil sheathed his weapon without further argument.
Ray sighed deeply as he gazed at the night sky through the shattered window.
Though it pained him to see this place, once filled with memories of Bella, defiled, there was a more pressing issue at hand.
“Is there any possibility that the resurrected Crown Prince is an imposter?”
“There could be someone who looks exactly like him.”
“Explain in detail.”
“If someone else had disguised themselves as the Crown Prince, I would have noticed. I’m well-versed in such matters. If they used illusion magic to alter their appearance, their true form should have been revealed when I attacked them. Unless a separate barrier was set up, illusion magic can easily be dispelled.”
So unless the kingdom somehow hired someone who just happens to look identical…
“It’s the real Crown Prince.”
“…”
Ray shot Brandil a sharp glance before moving on.
“Come with me. While we walk, explain in more detail what happened in the Sigini Mountain Range.”
Brandil methodically provided the information Ray requested.
Most of it revolved around the First Crown Prince.
As Ray listened to Brandil’s account, he muttered to himself continuously, causing Brandil to wonder if Ray was mentally unstable.
However, Ray wasn’t talking to himself aimlessly.
“Can we trust Brandil’s claims?”
[It’s hard to say for certain, but it’s not impossible.]
Aptel responded.
[Even if ‘the time’ has come, reciting prayers alone isn’t enough to connect with demons or dark gods. If his story is true, there’s a high probability that there’s an accomplice and medium involved. However…]
“What do you mean by however?”
[According to his story, what the First Crown Prince obtained wasn’t a simple ‘blessing.’ No matter how great a demon’s blessing might be, achieving rapid progress in skills that require mastery, like swordsmanship, is impossible. The assimilation of ‘experience’… is a privilege of the Apostle.]
“…?”
A demon, or an Apostle of the Dark God.
The weight carried by those titles was anything but light.
Powerful calamities capable of overturning the tide of large-scale battles with a single entity.
They weren’t beings that appeared lightly or frequently.
“Can demons pick Apostles at will?”
[No. A single demon can create at most one or two Apostles during the same period.]
“For now, let me confirm—how strong are Apostles?”
[It’s difficult to make a definitive statement since there’s a vast gap between individuals.]
“Does the strength of an Apostle depend on the type of demon?”
[According to Lord Ropheiren’s research, the type of demon only affects the nature of the power. An Apostle’s strength directly correlates with the talent inherent in the chosen individual.]
“…”
Ray’s eyes narrowed slightly.
Demons, or dark gods—they were often perceived as transcendent beings embodying absolute power, yet they weren’t entities that could communicate directly. Whether one was a follower or adversary of a demon, understanding a demon’s intent could only be inferred indirectly.
‘If the First Crown Prince truly awakened as an Apostle…’
Did the First Crown Prince possess hidden talents so extraordinary that even a demon chose him as an Apostle?
‘If not… what was so urgent? Could it be…’
[If an Apostle has indeed emerged, swift removal is necessary.]
Ray turned to Aptel.
Aptel calmly continued his assertion.
[We must kill him before he grows stronger.]
“…Right. Even if the First Crown Prince isn’t an Apostle, he needs to be eliminated.”
The Second Crown Prince is dead. The First Crown Prince, having fled to the Rubia Kingdom, has returned with demonic assistance, aiming to reclaim the Empire. The remaining royal family within the Empire lacks legitimacy.
If things continue as they are, the likelihood of catastrophic chaos and large-scale conflict is extremely high.
The First Crown Prince, simply by existing, is no different from a tumor in the world.
Bang! Bang!
Ray knocked on the door of Jimy and Bella’s newlywed home.
Jimy opened the door with a sleepy face.
“Ray? What’s the matter at this hour?”
“It seems there’s internal strife among the Rangers. They’ve descended into the Count’s Territory, causing trouble. Can you take your mom to the Manor and ask the Count to strengthen the borders?”
“Oh dear.”
Jimy quickly understood the situation.
After nodding, Jimy asked Ray,
“Are you going to the Manor too?”
“I have something else to do.”
“Got it. Take care.”
“Yeah, please take care of my mom.”
After thanking Jimy, Ray continued walking while asking Brandil,
“Is the Crown Prince waiting for the Royal Guard?”
“That’s right. He wants to show the traitors of the Empire that he’s still alive.”
“Do the Rangers worship demons?”
“Look, absolutely not. We all have pride. We’re proud to be Rangers. There might be a spy or two lurking around, but Rangers never worship demons.”
“…”
“Hmm, now that I think about it, the captain does seem suspicious. But where are we headed now?”
Without answering, Ray headed toward a mansion isolated from the village.
As Brandil followed Ray, he felt something sticky brush against his skin.
It was a barrier.
Ropheiren, alerted to the intrusion, appeared cautiously but relaxed upon recognizing Ray.
“Ray, what brings you here?”
“I need your help.”
At Ray’s firm tone, Ropheiren immediately knelt.
“Your command?”
“Suspicions have arisen that the First Crown Prince has become a servant of a demon and resurrected.”
Upon hearing the shocking news, Ropheiren remained calm and nodded.
“What shall we do?”
“We’ll infiltrate as the Royal Guard before the news gets out. If the suspicions are confirmed, we’ll eliminate him on the spot.”
“Understood.”
“Conceal our faces and use illusion magic to convincingly disguise ourselves. Is that possible?”
“It’s possible, but if a battle breaks out, the illusion magic will likely be dispelled.”
“Then you won’t participate in the fight. Just stay back, adjust the numbers, and maintain the mood.”
Ray entered Ropheiren’s residence and donned a thick black robe.
The loose hood covered his head, casting a pitch-black shadow over his entire face.
Though the robe was a few sizes too big, dragging along the ground, it added an eerie sense of authority.
Ropheiren hesitantly asked Ray with a worried expression,
“Is there anything else I can assist you with?”
“…When you meet the First Crown Prince, try to dazzle him with words.”
“That’s my job. I’m confident.”
Ropheiren smiled faintly.
Watching this exchange, Brandil shouted in agitation.
“Hey! Are you two really planning to attack the Ranger’s headquarters alone?”
“Make that three of us. And if your story is true…”
Ray replied in a low voice.
“We won’t need to face all the Rangers.”
Before the Count’s Territory tightened its defenses, Ray’s group entered the Sigini Mountain Range.
Thanks to Brandil acting as a guide, they traversed the treacherous mountains in a short amount of time.
After passing the entrance of the Sigini Mountains, they deliberately concealed their tracks.
This allowed the Rangers to easily discover and track Ray’s group.
The moment Ray’s group crossed out of Imperial territory, Rangers emerged from all sides, cutting off their retreat.
One of the Rangers commanded,
“Subdue them. Kill if they resist.”
The Rangers charged en masse.
Ropheiren instantly created a shield to protect himself and Brandil.
Alone outside the shield’s range, Ray became the first target for the Rangers.
Chak!!
The first Ranger thrust his sword toward Ray’s chest.
Ray twisted his body to narrowly evade the surprise attack and countered with a knee strike to the Ranger’s jaw.
Seizing the opportunity, Ray disarmed the Ranger using a joint lock and manifested a Sword Aura.
The surrounding Rangers swung their swords simultaneously as they surrounded Ray.
Pakgak!!
Ray swept his sword in a wide arc, deflecting all attacks from every direction at once.
Three out of the four Rangers lost their grip on their swords due to the unexpected powerful counterforce.
Ray kicked the legs of the staggering Ranger closest to him.
With a crack, the Ranger fell sideways.
In the next instant, Ray flowed with a stab from behind, deflecting it under his arm and striking the assailant’s face with his elbow without turning around.
A crunching sound of crushed nasal bones echoed as the Ranger tumbled to the ground.
“Shall we stop here?”
It was Ropheiren who spoke.
“We’ve come to retrieve the remains of the First Crown Prince.”
Everyone froze.
The Rangers stared at Ropheiren with wounded pride.
Despite uttering only a few words, the Rangers interpreted the situation accordingly.
Ray effortlessly dominated several Rangers, even holding back somewhat.
Such a skilled individual suddenly appearing, alongside the suspected imperial spy Brandil, and mentioning the Crown Prince’s corpse—it naturally led them to conclude that they were facing elite members of the Empire, perhaps even the Royal Guard.
The only oddity was that despite being guided by Brandil, they seemed unaware that the First Crown Prince was alive. This made sense if Brandil intentionally withheld the information.
Ropheiren flaunted his arrogance, swirling his blue robe.
“Are you completely opposing the Empire? If not, lower your weapons.”
“…”
“Do you think you’ll willingly hand over the remains? His Majesty has proposed negotiations with the Rubia Kingdom. His message will soon reach the Kingdom.”
“Negotiations…?”
“Yes. We’ve been ordered by His Majesty to inspect the state of the remains before the negotiations. We’ve already confirmed that the First Crown Prince’s body hasn’t left the Sigini Mountains. We need to meet with your superior.”
The atmosphere among the Rangers settled.
Even without Ropheiren’s demand, the revived First Crown Prince instructed them to lead any returning Imperial trackers straight to him.
Arthur, the captain of the Rangers, also enforced this order.
The commanding Ranger sheathed his sword.
“Follow us.”
*
“Hahaha…”
Crown Prince Carinus burst into laughter after hearing the Rangers’ report.
“Negotiations? His Majesty is attempting to negotiate with the Kingdom to retrieve my corpse?”
That’s absurd.
Neither the current Emperor nor the Second Crown Prince were known for their leniency.
“They’re probably pretending to negotiate, lulling us into complacency. Once they confirm the location of my body, they’ll send troops to sweep this place clean.”
Carinus chuckled maniacally for a while before standing up.
“Or maybe this is all a diversion. While the two intruders distract the Rangers, the Royal Guards might already be flooding into the Sigini Mountains.”
“Such…!”
At the startled Ranger, Carinus waved his hand dismissively.
“Well, it doesn’t matter. All I need to do is announce my survival.”
Carinus strode out of the tent.
Confidence, anger, greed, and anticipation swirled in each step he took down the mountain.
He was intensely curious about the reaction of the Royal Guards upon seeing him alive and well.
“I’ll personally rip off your limbs and punish you adequately.”
Down below, the ‘traitors’ cloaked in robes were surrounded by Rangers as they ascended.
Carinus’s steps grew hotter as he approached them.
Fiery crimson flames erupted around him, consuming the surroundings.
All gazes, including those of the traitors, were drawn to Carinus as the flames spread unexpectedly.
Carinus’s lips curled into a delighted smirk as he met the hidden gaze beneath the robes.
“Traitors of the Empire, have you come to find my corpse?”
The traitors remained silent, frozen in place.
Carinus’s joyful laughter reverberated through the mountains.
“Surprised, aren’t you? That I’m alive and well?”
After laughing for some time, Carinus’s expression hardened.
The fury and greed filling his chest spilled out as crimson flames.
The crimson flames surrounding Carinus emitted an overwhelming pressure that even the highly trained Rangers struggled to endure.
There was something in those crimson flames that stirred primal human fears.
Everyone lost the ability to speak.
Just as Carinus, drunk on omnipotence, was about to unleash a maniacal laugh—
Someone beat him to it with a mocking chuckle.
“Kukukukukuku…”
“…?”
All eyes turned to Ropheiren, who had burst into laughter.
Ropheiren fearlessly stepped toward Carinus.
The closer he got, the wider his grin stretched beneath the robe.
“Traitor to the Empire, have you become a servant of a demon to prolong your worthless life? How disgraceful and foolish.”
“…You’re the one who’s mad.”
Whoosh!!
Greedily devouring flames answered Carinus’s rage, spreading toward Ropheiren.
Though momentarily frightened by the alien flames, Ropheiren quickly regained his composure and smiled.
From behind.
“First Crown Prince Carinus.”
A chilling coldness spread.
“You’ve chosen the wrong entity to worship.”
Carinus’s gaze slowly shifted to Ray.
Ray calmly met Carinus’s crimson eyes.
Perhaps, the eyes Bella faced that night were etched into Ray’s mind.
Yes, since I’ll kill you with my own hands anyway.
I’ll perform the destruction you desire least.
Ropheiren, standing beside Ray, whispered softly.
“Traitor, witness the zenith of Imperial history.”
