345. Red Curse (4)
The strange thing happened in the blink of an eye.
The rock piled with red stones seemed to be trembling slightly, so I was about to approach and take a closer look.
puck!
Without warning, a rock at the top exploded.
“… … !?”
“Lowering!”
Masain is frightened and opens his sword to block Seongjin’s path.
But that was just the beginning.
Plop! puck!
Soon, a mountain of stones exploded one after another.
The red ground carrying the rock also begins to shake violently. It felt as if a large-scale earthquake had occurred nearby.
[What is this? what’s this?]
The Demon King muttered in confusion in his head.
[That’s strange, Seongjin Lee! The rules of the world are becoming stronger! Those insignificant rules are coming together, resonating, and turning into something incredible!]
Seongjin was also overcome by strong anxiety. It felt like a premonition that had been vague until now suddenly took on a clear form and was suddenly materialized!
Pow!
At that time, a huge explosion occurred in the distance.
If this place wasn’t Delcross, it’s hard to believe that hundreds of kilograms of dynamite would have exploded at once.
Shaking.
The ground beneath my feet shakes violently from the impact.
“omg? Lowering!?”
“Is there a problem?”
The resident knights scattered here and there were startled and ran towards Seongjin. But soon a tremendous scene unfolded before their eyes.
Kwakwakwakwakwa-!
The small mountain you see over there is completely collapsing. It was towards the Earl of Bathurst’s hunting ground, where they had been hunting deer until just yesterday.
A huge noise and acrid dust rose up, instantly covering the hunting ground and camp.
“uh… … .”
What’s going on?
Why is a mountain that was fine suddenly sinking?
As Seongjin blinked and looked at the scene, Masain next to him shouted as if he had been waiting.
“I knew it would be like this!”
No, Lord Masaine? What is that?
By the way, such an incredible thing has happened, so why aren’t you surprised?
“Isn’t this where you are? “Nothing new anymore!”
“what? for a moment… … .”
“Surely this isn’t the end? “Even if I try to stop you, won’t you still insist on going there?”
“… … .”
“Then I will follow you! Do you understand?!”
No, Sir Masaine! What on earth do you think I am?
One way or another, Seongjin felt very wronged.
Plop! Burbubbuk!
Meanwhile, the red stones are breaking apart helplessly. Eventually, the rock, unable to withstand the shock, begins to slowly sink beneath the collapsing ground.
Kurrrrrr… … .
‘It’s dangerous here too. I don’t know if it’s an earthquake or something, but I’m sure we’ll be caught up in it!’
Seongjin, who realized that the vibration under his feet was getting stronger, put aura into his voice and shouted with all his might.
“Everyone listen! Stop work and come back here right now! “We’re going down the mountain right now!”
The resident knights began to move quickly according to orders. Except for one Lord Haven.
“no! my stone! “I couldn’t even count the exact number!”
He was waving his hands in vain, looking at the collapsing rock.
“My, my precious liquor!”
“What a crazy guy!”
Quick. Seongjin, who had blood on his forehead, kicked him hard in the stomach from behind.
Pow!
“Come to your senses, Lord Haven! “What are you doing now?”
“Oh my! But, low… … .”
“The stones you found are exactly 37!”
“… yes?”
“I remember everything. No doubt it’s number one! So now, come to your senses and do your duty as an imperial knight!”
Light slowly returns to Lord Haven’s eyes, which were looking at Seongjin blankly for a moment.
“Sorry… “I do it, sir!”
Seongjin clicked his tongue as he saw him quickly return to his demeanor.
The guy who does it when he does it, what kind of obscenity is this!
“Fight the resident knights, Sir Kurt! “Check to see if anyone has been left behind!”
Seongjin ordered Sir Kurt, who was unusually nervous.
“And once everyone’s safety is confirmed, immediately take the knights and take refuge down the mountain!”
“Yes, sir!”
“And if you see anyone escaping from the camp, help them as much as you can!”
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Sir Kurt looked at Seongjin in confusion at those words. Because it sounded as if the prince would not join them.
‘And what about you?’
However, his gaze soon lands on Lord Masain, who is standing behind Seongjin with his mouth shut.
Sir Kurt nodded as if he understood something.
“yes! “I will follow your orders!”
Wong wong!
As if he had been waiting, Max approaches Seongjin and barks passionately. This is probably because he already knew what his master was going to do.
Whoa whoa!
-If you go, I go too! You’ll need me! Because I am strong and huge!
“Okay, Max. Come with me!”
Yesterday, it was rewarding to practice with Max by his side, and before he knew it, Seongjin had become quite accustomed to finding a connection with the dog. She quickly activated her Danjeon and sent a large amount of aura to Max –
Huuuuk-
Soon Max’s size began to increase.
Kurrrrr-
Around that time, changes slowly began to occur even in the collapsed hunting grounds.
As the thick dust slowly cleared, black smoke began to billow out from underneath.
“… Demon species!”
Masain sighed softly.
Even Seongjin, who had no divine power, could tell right away.
A hole with a radius of hundreds of meters was created when the mountain collapsed. That incredibly strong magical energy is pouring out from the depths of unknown depths.
“come!”
In the midst of this evil and ominous atmosphere, a giant reptile’s head covered in horns slowly began to rise.
Crrrrrrr… … .
* * *
The huge explosion could be felt even in the imperial palace office.
“… … !?”
Amelia, who was reviewing documents in the Emperor’s office, was startled by the shock and ran to the open terrace.
“That one?”
The far southwest sky is covered with thick dust. Considering that my eyesight was greatly enhanced by the aura, it was a place quite far from the ecliptic.
“It’s the Earldom of Bathurst. “Now a demon species has appeared there.”
Amelia’s face turned pale at the calm voice.
‘Mores!’
My hands began to shake with worry.
However, contrary to her desire to rush out of the office at any moment, her mind was spinning infinitely calmly.
‘Calm down, Amelia! What can I do against the demonic species now without any divine power? calm down. And think. I am now by my father’s Majesty’s side!’
Something only you can do.
Only I can skip unnecessary procedures and send a helping hand to Mores in the shortest possible time!
“your majesty!”
“Your Majesty!”
At that moment, several knight commanders, including Balthazar, burst into the Holy Emperor’s office.
“Magi! “I can feel strong magical energy!”
“It is the emergence of a demonic species! Ah, Lord!”
“I will send the Holy Knights under my command right away! “Please command me!”
Holy Knights… … .
Naturally, the face of my most trusted younger brother flashes through my mind. Amelia ordered the servant next to her.
“Call Logan right now. And quickly move the Lilium detachment… … .”
But before she could finish speaking, the elderly man bowed his head in sorrow. It was Lord Ulgen, leader of the Knights of St. Bastian.
“Sir, I may be presumptuous, but that is… … .”
“What is it? “Lord Ulgen.”
“His Majesty Logan has already led his horse and rushed out of the imperial palace. He probably moved as soon as he sensed the demonic species… … .”
Amelia was secretly impressed.
Logan, you’re so fast!
“And of course, the Lilium Detachment hurriedly followed behind them.”
Logan must have been worried about Mores, too. Normally, she would have had the presence of mind to take care of the special unit, but it seems that she was clearly anxious.
‘good. ‘There is no force that can reach the scene faster than Logan and Lilium’s special unit!’
The fire was quickly put out.
So, what she has to do now is to find and assist in areas that Mores and Logan had not thought of.
“I never believe that the Lilium Detachment’s strength will be insufficient.”
However, nothing has yet been determined about the exact classification, population, or power of the demon species.
‘Father, His Majesty spoke calmly. It is said that a demonic ‘bell’ has appeared in Bathurst Territory… … .’
If so, there was a high possibility that it was a type 1, stand-alone demon. However, you should not just believe that and neglect your preparation.
“Considering the scale of the explosion, even if it is a single type, it is highly likely that it is a class 2 or higher species. So, immediately organize additional forces and prepare for an emergency… … .”
Amelia, who was saying that, looked back with a start.
He was just as impatient as Logan. What kind of excess of authority is this in front of your Majesty, Father?
“… … .”
But Seonghwang just stared at Amelia.
Amelia calmed herself down after seeing that the corners of his mouth were slightly curved. Seonghwang implicitly delegated full authority to her.
“Assemble the Knights of St. Grazie, Sir Agnes. The place where the explosion occurred is presumed to be near the count’s hunting grounds. Although it is not a densely populated area, the empire’s subjects may have become involved. We need the help of those with extensive lifesaving experience.”
“Yes, sir.”
“If necessary, cooperate with the 3rd Knights of the SS. Considering the total strength of the territory reported by the Earl of Bathurst, it would not violate imperial law if the two knights moved together.”
“I will.”
Sir Agnes, leader of the Knights of St. Grazier, bowed her head with a kind smile.
“Cardinal Diggory. We will gather the available imperial palace council members and send them to Bathurst Territory. Take the abbreviated process. And I called Dorian from the administration and told him to prepare relief supplies that could be obtained urgently.”
Although he was in front of the princess, who was barely the age of his granddaughter, Cardinal Digory felt an inexplicable sense of intimidation and bowed his head.
“All of this is being done urgently for the sake of the citizens who have fallen into despair. “I will report to the crusade afterward, so you can skip the preliminary procedures, which may take some time, for now.”
* * *
Just when the explosion occurred and the sandbox began to collapse.
Fortunately, the camp was nearing the end of its evacuation process. Because I was planning to move my hunting ground starting today.
Most of the members had already moved, and the only people left in the camp were a few servants who were packing up their belongings and a few residents.
Of course, they had to move on the sidewalk, but were suddenly mesmerized by the earth-shattering vibration and rushing dust.
‘There’s no way for those people to escape like this!’
Edith, who had boarded the imperial carriage with the driver, looked at them with nervousness. Her head, which was always dazed in a peaceful mood, turns quickly when faced with a sudden crisis.
‘If we can get them on this carriage… … !’
However, it is a precious carriage prepared only for members of the royal family. Is it okay to decide something like that on your own?
-Sir, why are you taking the carriage again?
Suddenly Edith remembered the light conversation she had with the prince this morning.
Even though he had a rare vehicle called a wolf dog, he was suspicious of the prince who rarely gave up his carriage.
-Once you’ve dragged it, wouldn’t you have something to carry with you? The stones that the resident knights found had to be carried, and the game had to be carried as well. It would be too unreasonable to ask the residents of the territory to move all those deer.
But it’s a luxury dinner for VIPs. Put bloody game on there? I was dumbfounded, but what he said next was even more shocking.
-Edith, if there’s anything you want to bring, don’t hesitate and bring it. Let’s take anything, whether it’s a rock or a grass. There are people who purposely go out to collect stones, right?
-… yes?
Edith bit her lip after making a decision.
Yes, you won’t blame me. Aren’t you the kind of person who talks about carrying dirty game and even insignificant stones?
“everyone! “Get in the carriage!”
A voice heightened by aura resonates loudly throughout the camp despite the commotion.
“There is no time to wait! hurry!”
The residents of the territory thought for a moment, but the strong shaking had already reached their feet. Eventually, they started to squeeze into the carriage.
“Hurry!”
* * *
Meanwhile, members of the hunting club were also moving around.
Embarrassed by the sudden natural disaster, they abandoned the workers and ran away in a hurry, taking only their guards with them.
However, the Earl of Bathurst, who was the last to remain after sending the members away, stopped talking and turned his head in surprise. This is because the Countess, who was thought to have left first, returned to the camp and stood motionless on her horse.
“ma’am?”
“… William.”
She barely turned around at his call, looking somewhat dazed.
“How did it happen? “It feels like I was dreaming.”
“What is that?”
The count was about to turn his horse, but the guard quickly stopped him.
“Count! You must avoid it quickly! My wife said I… … !”
“iced coffee!”
At that time, as if she suddenly remembered something, the Countess quickly opened her mouth.
“William! Beware of suspicious guests visiting the mansion. He’s been planning something while going back and forth with the Count of Bathurst for a long time! And somehow I helped him.”
“Welcome! Come here and talk! huh?”
The guard knight, who could not see the count, grabbed his reins and spurred him on.
Many, many, many.
The camp starts to move away.
“ma’am!”
“Listen, William! He said he was going to tear down our mansion! “I heard it clearly with my own ears!”
“We must escape now!”
“Ah, but I don’t remember his face. Maybe he was wearing a mask. “No, I don’t even know now if he was a man or a woman.”
“Okay! Okay, please go this way… … !”
As the Count cried out in a desperate voice, the wife, who had been staring at him blankly, curled her mouth. As time passed, fine wrinkles appeared around her eyes, but in the eyes of the Earl of Bathurst, she still had the beauty of a goddess-like smile.
“I can’t do that. “I know now that I can never escape from him.”
Fantasy-like scenes were passing through her unfocused eyes.
Knife held in hand. People she loved dearly, covered in blood and no longer breathing.
It was clear now that death was approaching. If we don’t make a choice now, a dark future is sure to come.
“I love you, William. Please, Margaret… … .”
Those were her last words.
A pile of black dirt fell mercilessly on the head of the countess as she walked away.
fantasy,
