Next Life – Chapter 19

The men walked without a sound.

They stopped once they reached their target, the Royal Palace of Filat.

The walls were only a few meters high, seeming as though even an amateur could climb them with effort, yet the men, being professionals, were tense.

There were tales of the Hero’s legacy.
Tales that the invaders would face a labyrinth.
Tales that once inside, no matter how skilled, none would return.

It was a place burdened with such rumors.
And the fact that no one who had invaded had ever returned was something they had been told by their client.

“That is precisely why we chose you. You, who have never failed any request.”

The men were not so simple as to be pleased by the flattery from the clearly high-ranking client.
However, they possessed the ambition to succeed in a mission that no one before them had accomplished.
And that was the undoing of Team “Shadow Owl.”

They divided into four groups and scaled the wall.
Human figures were scattered within the grounds, and they surmised they were likely guards.
Melding into the darkness and silencing their movements, they bypassed the guards’ vigilance and infiltrated the palace interior.

The surprising ease of it all only heightened their caution.
Such a simple task could be performed by anyone trained, yet the reason no one could return was not in the garden, but within the palace itself.
It was not unusual for traps to be set inside buildings, but for there to be nothing on the outside was exceptional.

What did the royalty of this country think of deterrence through intimidation?
It should be common for nations to be attacked if they show weakness, and that was probably why they had brought in the guest magician, their target for this mission.
The low walls were an old matter, so it wasn’t simply a matter of financial hardship.
Did they have that much confidence in their internal defenses?

While the men pondered various thoughts, they slipped inside through a window.
The moment they stepped onto the floor made of marble, the surrounding air vibrated, and the scenery changed.

“Wh-what is this!?”

Seized by astonishment, their professional instincts silenced their words.
They should have been inside the palace just moments ago, but now they were in a room made of gray bricks.
Even if they couldn’t realize it was due to a forced teleportation Magic Item, they understood they had fallen into a trap.

Suppressing their shock, they cautiously surveyed their surroundings.
They were enclosed by sturdy gray bricks with no windows, and lamps hung on the walls to their left and right, illuminating their black cloth-covered faces.
The word “dungeon” flashed through everyone’s minds, but they drew their knives and faced the door.
Their plan was to defeat whoever entered next, take them hostage, and escape.

Until a powerful drowsiness suddenly descended upon them.

“Wh-what… there’s a trap item in this room too…”

Their bodies, supposedly trained to resist all status effects, wavered for a moment.
They realized they had been able to resist for even that brief instant because they were trained, but by then, their consciousness had already faded.
Thus, the assassination team, said to be one of the best in Filat’s underworld, was wiped out without being able to do anything.

Some time later, after confirming that their unconsciousness was not a deception, three magicians appeared.
One was Lucas, and the other two were subordinate court magicians responsible for the palace’s defense using Magic Items.

One of them took out a crescent-shaped yellow stone from his pocket.
Called the “Tear of the Moon goddess,” it was a top-tier Magic Item that produced the same effect as the first-class mental magic, “Psychometry.”
With this, they could extract desired information without needing interrogation or torture.

These items, along with the palace-wide variance detection item “Skin of the Snow goddess,” the forced teleportation item “Hidden Hole,” and the forced drowsiness item “Voice of the Wind god,” were the legacy of the first generation Bernhardt and Klaus Adler.
It was said that four other items were used to seal the Demon Lord Zagan.

As the “Tear of the Moon goddess” touched one of the men, the stone began to glow, showing Lucas the man’s memories.

“The organization name is ‘Black Snake’… the target is Marius Tubaan… the client was in his forties, wearing a black hat… his identity is unknown…”

They also learned the man’s real name and past, but it wasn’t necessary right now.
The stone was applied to the other men as well, but there was no further information to be gained.
Once all information was extracted, they dispatched them all.
Intruders were not to be kept alive.

“Did you want to kill Marius, or just anger him? Or did you simply want to test the palace’s defenses?”

No one answered Lucas’s question.

“Failed, you useless fools!”

Bernard von Cooper, the new head of intelligence, was furious and slammed his glass on the floor.
Seeing this, Ashton von Barlows, the new general, spat out,

“That’s why I was against it. I said the palace’s defenses were inexplicably strong. You insisted your plan was foolproof, and look how you failed miserably.”

The two middle-aged men, who could be called the country’s elders, exchanged unfriendly glances.

“If you had known the reason for that strength, you wouldn’t have failed.”

Bernard said sarcastically, to which Ashton replied irritably,

“Only about four or five people know their true identities, including the King. The King trusts those low-ranking nobles more than us, the noble families of high lineage.”

“Truly lamentable. This country exists precisely because our ancestors built and protected it, yet allowing those of inferior blood to run rampant.”

Bernard agreed with the King regarding his dissatisfaction.
They took pride in their ancestors’ efforts to build and defend the country alongside the King, but they believed they should be granted the same treatment in return for their ancestors’ gratitude.

“This country is united because we stand together and support it.”

“Indeed. Even fallen nobles are still of the correct bloodline of this country and can be tolerated, but to make a commoner like Marius a guest!”

The way they spoke to the King, using words like “tolerated,” was extremely disrespectful, yet they believed they were in a position to do so.
Since the royal family was descended from the first generation Bernhardt, the founding ancestor and legendary Hero, it was only natural that they, descendants of Bernhardt’s collaborators, should enjoy privileges.
Without understanding or imagining the hardships the royal family had endured since the founding of the nation.

Now, their target was Marius, the newly appointed guest magician, a commoner whose origins were unknown.

“A Royal Court Magician, a position that even Klaus Adler declined and no one has since occupied. Why should someone like that…?”

The one who voiced his regret was Wilson, one of the court magicians.
He had seen Marius’s strength during a mock battle and was dissatisfied with the position he was given.
He believed that only those of noble blood were worthy of such a glorious position, and for that reason, he was kept away from Lucas, but Wilson also saw Lucas and Nilson as “inferior beings who are favored by the King simply because they are slightly more capable,” perhaps a fitting title.

“If that’s the case, we’ll have to target him outside the palace. But I hear Marius is holed up in the palace, afraid of something?”

“Perhaps he’s afraid of meeting us, the glorious nobles of the first rank? Because he’ll realize how lowly he is.”

They truly believed this in their hearts.
They did not truly understand the meaning of being able to use “Dispel” without incantation, or to annihilate a pack of Wyverns in an instant.
It was hardly their fault that Wilson, who advised them on magic and could perform the duties of a court magician based on his pure skill, held similar thoughts.

“I see, perhaps no-incantation and such are slightly impressive techniques. But with just that, they can be easily killed.”

Wilson “advised” his companions, who were surprised by the information about Marius, with these words.
He also said that the weakness of mages lies in surprise attacks and hand-to-hand combat.
Regardless of whether they could use no-incantation, the number of opponents they could handle at once was limited.
Moreover, they could prepare equipment made of Zepar Steel, which has magic-nullifying abilities.

Wilson spoke with such confidence that Bernard and Ashton did not doubt him.
If Nilson, the commander of the magic corps, had heard this, he would have declared, “Isn’t that simply something you wouldn’t want to experience?” and Lucas would have warned him, “Thinking only in terms of yourself is a recipe for disaster.”
They were, in essence, alike in their adherence to their own values and their refusal to accept anything that did not align with them.

“Besides, how can he not speak Taliant Language when he comes to the glorious Kingdom of Filat, that country bumpkin.”

Bernard further insulted Marius.
He knew that Firmiyan Language was more prevalent globally, but he believed it was only because many people had submitted to the barbaric Firmiyan Empire.

To such a Bernard, Wilson posed a question.

“Lord Bernard, isn’t the lady Helka, one of Marius’s language teachers, your stepdaughter?”

“Indeed.”

Bernard’s face contorted visibly.
His second son, Alvin von Cooper, was indeed serving as Lovisa’s maid and was now married to Helka, who was Marius’s language teacher, and they had children.

“I heard that girl, being a princess’s maid, must have been very well-trained, but she turned out to be incredibly headstrong. She’s from a count’s family, after all, just a low-ranking noble.”

“I’ve heard rumors that she was a wild horse that even the Princess couldn’t tame, but was it true? It must be a disaster for you, Duke Cooper.”

Ashton taunted Bernard, who responded with a nauseated expression.
His own son had married a daughter of an influential noble family, and he was perfectly content.
Before Bernard, who turned red and tried to protest, could speak, Wilson intervened.

“It seems Marius will be participating in the ‘Demonplay.’ How about we target him there?”

“Hmm. If it’s outside the country, I won’t have to hold back.”

Bernard and Ashton immediately began calculating in their minds.
Seeing the two of them, Wilson chuckled to himself.
He intended to use them to become the head court magician.

“So, that’s what they said.”

Emma read out the report from Helka, and Lovisa let out a sigh.

“Helka, why does she always choose such dangerous paths?”

Lovisa was not foolish; she understood that Helka’s actions were motivated by her loyalty.
She had infiltrated the Cooper family and was sending information back regularly, but why did she have to stir up trouble with her husband and his father every single time?

“If she acts so brazenly, no one would ever suspect her of being Lady Lovisa’s spy,” Emma said. Lovisa agreed, but she wished Helka would choose a method gentler on her heart.

“In that sense, Marius-sama is similar.”

“I agree with Helka,” Emma declared.

Emma’s assessment was that Marius enjoyed cacao tea and lemon tea, had a fleeting nostalgic look when eating apple pie or beef steak, and glanced at Lovisa the most among the three. She believed him to be fundamentally kind, having lived in a world devoid of deception, and apart from his strength, he was almost an Ordinary Person.
It was Helka, this woman, who instinctively perceived this and interacted with Marius at a level that didn’t provoke him.
To an outsider, and likely to Marius as well, she would appear to be insane. This was Helka’s basic stance: by being perceived as insane, she would make it easier for Lovisa and Emma to act.

“But I agree with you on the point that you don’t need to keep up the act in front of us. Also, it’s disappointing that you’re not trying to bring Lord Alvin to our side. Disuniting and weakening the Cooper family would benefit the royal family.”

Emma shrugged, having tried to feed Alvin information for that very purpose, only for it to be ineffective.

“Those people are self-righteous, narrow-minded, and stubbornly cling to their own values, but they have enough sense to notice if we tried to draw Alvin in.”

Lovisa’s tone turned naturally sharp, and there was a reason for it. These were people who not only took pride in their lineage but also commodified it, possessing a mindset devoid of self-improvement.

“For someone like that… I have overstepped, forgive me.”

She was about to say they could be manipulated in any way, but sensing that Lovisa did not want to expose Helka to further danger, she fell silent.
Helka was already in the midst of it, so it was the same thing, Emma thought, and Helka would probably agree, but Lovisa couldn’t let go of her inherent kindness.
Emma, who didn’t dislike this kindness, decided not to say anything as long as things could still be rectified.

“It’s alright. My own inadequacy is certainly the cause. More importantly, I wonder if it’s safe to keep Helka with Marius any longer. His Majesty has also started complaining to Lucas and the others about his severe headaches.”

While Lovisa trusted Helka’s intuition and acting skills, she couldn’t guarantee how effective they would be against Marius. Therefore, she wanted to avoid precarious situations as much as possible.
More than that, it was terrifying how sparks seemed to be scattered in places she wasn’t aware of.

“I believe I can be of assistance in that regard. I have mostly learned the Firmiyan Language.”

“Eh?”

Lovisa was surprised by Emma, who then spoke to her in fluent Firmiyan Language, albeit a little haltingly. She could understand most things except for the more difficult concepts.

“How is it?”

“…You are the one I fear the most, Emma.”

“Thank you.”

For Emma, Lovisa’s words of fear were synonymous with trust, so she bowed without a flicker of emotion.

In a certain place on the Taliant Continent, shadows were gathering.

“Are the humans trying to kill Marius?”

“How?”

“Assassination, they say.”

Loud laughter erupted.

“Humans are good at making us laugh.”

As one of them said, chuckling, the others agreed.

“Indeed.”

“It can’t be helped. They’re a fortunate species, believing they survive by their own power thanks to a few individuals like heroes and champions.”

Humans had never won battles against these shadowy beings.
In every era, they had won thanks to outstanding individuals known as heroes or champions.

“Speaking of which, I heard humans are on high alert, wondering if there are any of our agents among them. I believe the password is something like, ‘Do not repeat the tragedy of Seraeno.'”

Another burst of laughter ensued.

“Are the humans trying to make us die of laughter?”

“This is a new weapon beyond imagination. It feels like eating a mushroom that makes you laugh, as humans would say.”

The tragedy of Seraeno, caused by disguised demons and their subordinates, was supposed to be a lesson for humans.
The shadows mocked them.

“Our agents are everywhere, yet no one can find them.”

“Humans are like that. Marius might be capable, but that’s about it.”

They mocked the foolish humans who didn’t notice them.

“Let’s begin the end of humankind.”

“Wait a minute, the information about where Auraniess sleeps is completely missing, and that bothers me.”

“Shall we split into two groups then? We’ll go to the Kingdom of Filat, and you’ll search for Auraniess.”

“Fine. If anything, I’d prefer to be a subordinate of Auraniess.”

“Idiot. They say Auraniess is so strong that even the Demon Lords consider them monstrous.”

The greatest war humanity would face, known later as the “Twilight of the New World,” was slowly but surely approaching.