Chapter 300

EPISODE 300 – HODL ELVES (4)

[I headed east first because of Landius.]

As Kamael began to talk in earnest, Jude and Cordelia were focused on erasing their embarrassed looks.

Their earlobes were still red though.

[Landius and Lena infiltrated the eastern part of the empire to catch the demon’s messenger… Archbishop Manuela.]

“Will they be joining us?”

[Not likely.]

It seemed like a natural thing to do so, but it wasn’t.

It would be huge waste of power to keep the heroes of Paragon together.

The heroes of Paragon were strong.

Since each one of them was comparable to or greater than a Grand Sword Master, it was more efficient for them to move individually.

Nevertheless, Kamael chose to travel east rather than the west of the empire for two reasons.

[First, the Guardians of the Holy Cross have more branches in the eastern part of the empire than the western part. Second, the movement in the eastern continent is unusual.]

To begin with, Kamael had gone to the empire to visit the imperial branches of the Guardians of the Holy Cross whom they had lost contact with.

And broadly speaking, those two reasons could be combined into one reason.

‘The reason why there are more branches of the Guardians of the Holy Cross in the east is because of the eastern continent in the first place.’

The Devil’s Mouth, one of the five groups of demon followers.

They were almost in control of the Anut Empire, the great nation of the eastern continent.

Therefore, the eastern part of the empire was always threatened by demons and demon followers from the east, so the Guardians of the Holy Cross established more branches there to protect the eastern part of the empire.

[Many of the eastern branches have been destroyed in a surprise attack. For now, we are trying to gather the survivors and figuring out the number and size of the demon followers from the east.]

It wasn’t a very good situation. So Cordelia raised her hand and asked.

“Kamael-nim. I have a question.”

[Speak.]

“Can’t Master Landius just infiltrate the imperial capital and defeat the Chancellor?]

Her words were both a question and suggestion.

And Cordelia thought that it was a very good suggestion.

‘Can’t they just beat up the Chancellor?’

So the Chancellor would not be able to do anything serious.

But as soon as Kamael heard Cordelia’s words, he sighed.

[Haa.]

“W-why?”

Cordelia blushed in embarrassment, and the crow clicked its tongue and shook its head. Jude pulled Cordelia’s cheeks that had turned red for no reason.

[There are two reasons for that. One is that there is no evidence.]

“Eh?”

[You and Jude are claiming that the Chancellor is a demon follower and that the entire House of Lords have been controlled by the demon followers. But do you have any clear evidence of this?]

At Kamael’s question, Cordelia blinked her eyes and turned to Jude who shook his head.

Because it was just as Kamael had said.

[Moreover, attacking the Chancellor means war with the empire. It will be a battle against ordinary humans and not demon followers. This is not the job of the Guardians of the Holy Cross.]

“I-I see.”

Cordelia was speechless and wiggled her fingers before pulling Jude’s sleeve. Jude narrowed his brows and pondered for a moment before meeting Kamael’s gaze.

“If we are certain and if we’re not fighting the entire empire… are you saying that the Guardians of the Holy Cross can possibly join the war?”

[Well, it’s only a possibility. The final decision will be made by the leader of the Guardians of the Holy Cross.]

Kamael was the strongest and highest-ranked among the six generals, but he did not lead the entire Guardians of the Holy Cross.

As he said, it was the job of the commander-in-chief who led the Guardians of the Holy Cross, so it was that person who would decide if the Guardians would go to war against the empire.

Cordelia became frustrated at Kamael’s answer, but Jude immediately nodded.

“I understand.”

[Okay, I will contact you again when things have been sorted out to some extent.]

The crow said before flapping its wings widely, but added a few more words rather than flying away.

[And Jude, Cordelia. The elves are strongly resistant to the temptation of demons for generations. Moreover, those who live long do not forget old grudges. It’s a distant past for us, but for them, the descent of the overlords of Hell is not so far in the past. They still remember those days.]

So cooperate with the elves.

They will be of great help to you and the emperor.

“We understand.”

“May the muscles always be with you.”

Kamael’s crow that was about to really leave laughed when Cordelia even put her hands together as she gave him that greeting. After whispering the muscles greeting too, the crow spread its wings and flew away.

And a few seconds later.

While watching the crow soaring through the air, Cordelia pulled Jude’s sleeve again and asked.

“Explain it.”

The conversation we had with Kamael.

Didn’t he just give us a list of reasons why we can’t attack the Chancellor?

At Cordelia’s request, Jude had a bitter smile.

Cordelia’s political sense was a bit lacking, though her intuition was really good.

“Okay. In the simplest words possible, Kamael meant this.”

Make the emperor declare the Chancellor an enemy.

At the very least, let the emperor declare that the Chancellor and the House of Lords are demon followers.

“Is it like… a justification for a fight?”

“It’s similar. Furthermore, in such a situation, it will not be a battle between the empire and the Guardians of the Holy Cross, but rather the forces of the Guardians of the Holy Cross will be joining forces with the empire to fight the rebels who were corrupted by the demon followers. It’s a whole different story.”

“Umm… I see.”

She didn’t clearly understood everything, but she roughly got the gist of it.

When Cordelia nodded as if she properly understood it, Jude pinched her cheek again and said.

“We’re going to meet Marquis Buckingham, the head of the northwestern nobles, right? We just have to safely take the emperor there, and all that Kamael said will come true.”

“I see… But why are you pulling my cheek?”

Jude simply smiled instead of answering, so Cordelia pulled Jude’s cheek in the same way.

***

The next morning, the group hurriedly left Mountain King’s bandit hideout.

Mountain King’s subordinates were locked up in the prison because there was nothing the group could do for now.

“Let them starve for a few days and lose their strength before we report it to the lord nearby.”

“Well, as expected of my Jude. You’re clever.”

Cordelia was pleased and the group continued their journey. Sarah joined them again around noon the next day.

“I met Elio Lombardi, the grandson of the elves’ king. Vincenzo Lombardi had already realized that the situation is very serious, so they immediately accepted all of His Imperial Majesty’s requests.”

“Ooooh.”

The emperor was delighted with Sarah’s words and turned to the empress who was sitting next to him and had a big smile.

“Empress Dowager, it’s good news, right?”

“Yes, Your Imperial Majesty. It’s a really good news.”

The elves usually didn’t want to lend their power or influence, but they could be trusted now with their thousands of troops.

“Count August Bayer, Countess August Chase. What do you two think?”

“I think it’s very good news too.”

The emperor’s smile deepened when Jude replied.

After the destruction of Mountain King’s bandit hideout, the emperor had begun to rely on Jude and Cordelia without realizing it. He sometimes seemed to trust and follow them more than the Royal Knights.

“Then let’s leave early tomorrow morning. Is that fine, Empress Dowager?”

“Yes, that would be good. It’s already late today. That’s a great idea.”

“Hehehe.”

The emperor giggled at the empress dowager’s praise, and Cordelia who was watching also smiled. He lacked the dignity to be called the emperor of the empire, but he was childlike and cute.

“Dame Sarah, you have done a great job. I will never forget your current contribution.”

“I am honored, Your Imperial Majesty.”

Sarah expressed her courtesy at the empress dowager’s words, and Leon who was also present had a warm smile.

‘Well, it’s kind of a heartwarming situation.’

The Chancellor had seized control of the imperial capital and they had desperately escaped, but everyone’s mood was quite good now.

‘Anyway, good things are good.’

This was much better than crying in despair.

Jude came to that conclusion and turned to the north where the land of the elves were.

***

The elves of the empire lived in the Shadow Forest located in the western part of the empire.

In terms of scale, the forest was bigger than the Forest of Eternity, and it was almost like a small independent country that existed within the empire.

‘Seven gates protect the elven forest.’

The seven gates that were called impregnable were like iron fortresses themselves, but not all of the gates were facing the outside of the forest.

Only the Red Gate and the Blue Gate faced outside, and the other five gates were built inside the Shadow Forest.

“Elio Lombardi is the guardian of the Red Gate, a Sword Master, and the eldest son of the crown prince of the elves.”

The emperor nodded at Leon’s explanation. The emperor liked big, strong, and cool things, so he liked stories about Sword Masters.

“I want to meet him at least once.”

Elio Lombardi.

Kamael and Leon called him the son of the ‘crown prince,’ but it was actually not correct.

Because the elves did not truly have a ‘king.’

However, Elio Lombardi was the heir of the Lombardi family who had the most powerful authority in the Privy Council, the decision-making group of the elves in the Shadow Forest.

Moreover, since he was also trusted by the elf capitalist, Vincenzo Lombardi, it was highly likely that he would take over the position of Lord President of the Privy Council after Vincenzo Lombardi passes away.

“The eldest son of the crown prince, huh…”

“It’s not like that.”

Because he was the grandson of someone treated like a king.

Jude briefly recalled the Elio Lombardi in the game.

In Legend of Heroes 2, he had a good character role. He was a trustworthy NPC whom one fought together in the fight to stop one of the 7 major calamities.

‘He was popular.’

Because he was handsome.

In fact, all the elf NPCs were good-looking, but Elio had a particularly handsome appearance as the king’s grandson.

‘Ahem.’

Jude unknowingly became worried and hugged Cordelia’s waist tighter which he had been hugging for quite some time, and Cordelia was confused so she turned to Jude.

“Why?”

“Nothing.”

And two more days passed.

Having moved along the mountains and forests to avoid the common roads, the group arrived at the Red Gate entrance.

***

“Wow.”

The Shadow Forest and Forest of Eternity had one thing in common.

It was the fact that huge trees densely stood like walls.

This chapter is scrapped from readlightnovel.org

Thick white fog lied beneath the large trees that were at least 20 meters tall, giving it an imposing atmosphere.

A land that most people did not dare to enter.

But instead of being afraid, the young emperor repeatedly expressed his admiration together with his younger siblings.

Because of the presence of a huge and beautiful door between the fog and trees.

Red Gate.

A large arched gate that was red as its name implied.

But it wasn’t as red as blood.

It felt rather cozy as it had a soft red color with a pink tint, which was like Cordelia’s hair color.

“Greetings to Your Imperial Majesty.”

When the Red Gate shining in the moonlight opened wide, well-dressed elven knights and soldiers came out and lined up in front of the gate.

In particular, the leader of the group, Elio Lombardi, even politely greeted them as he got off his horse and kneeled down.

“We have heard everything. From here on, this Elio Lombardi will serve you.”

“Ah, yes. I’ll be counting on you.”

The emperor was greatly pleased with Elio’s polite and elegant appearance, and the empress dowager also had a smile on her face.

The elves would often argue when it came to state affairs, but judging by today’s attitude, it seemed like they had not forgotten that they were vassals of the empire.

‘He’s the most handsome man next to Jude.’

Cordelia thought with a big smile and Jude gently hugged Cordelia’s waist, pulling her closer to him. Melissa looked at them with a cold expression.

“Please leave it to me.”

After bowing again, Elio turned and began to take the lead, and the emperor rode on horseback with the empress dowager, following after him with a wide smile.

The group walked behind them in an arranged order.

Jude’s group followed behind the emperor, and the elven knights and soldiers moved behind them.

“Wow.”

Seeing the inside of the gate, the emperor expressed his admiration again.

Despite it being a military facility and a gateway, the sight inside looked like something that could only be seen in fairy tale books.

Houses built on large trees, rest areas made of huge mushrooms, deer that were as big as horses, and small fairies flying around.

‘Fairy?’

It was when Cordelia’s eyes shone sharply.

“It’s late today, so we shall take you inside and lead you to the Orange Gate tomorrow morning.”

Elio who had been walking in the lead turned to the emperor and said, and the emperor nodded.

And a few steps later.

When Jude and his group as well as the elven knights and soldiers who followed them had passed through the gate, and the big and beautiful Red Gate was finally closed firmly.

Elio turned around.

He swung his sword, cutting the throats of the emperor and empress dowager with his sharp sword.

Without any sound or sign.

In just an instant.

His sharp sword severed the neck without even a single splatter of blood.

Elio’s sword attack was perfect.

And that was why he realized it.

“S-Sir Elio?!”

The emperor exclaimed.

His neck was not cut off. The sword only passed through the air.

How?

Elio who was not aware of the Fairy Steps then swung his sword a second time instead of asking for a reason.

But he was unable to do it properly again.

Because the empress dowager hugged the emperor, crying out.

“B-blink!”

A short-distance space leap scroll that a magic scroll craftsman could only make once a month.

At the moment of use, the emperor and empress dowager moved to Kirara and Sarah who were holding the emperor’s younger siblings, and Kirara quickly pulled out the Moon Crystal and shouted.

“Moonlight!”

The Rogue Master’s treasure was activated.

Elio hurriedly turned his gaze to change the direction of the attack, but by that time, Kirara and the emperor’s group had already disappeared.

So Elio understood.

That they had noticed from the very beginning.

A reaction that they otherwise would not do if they had not known.

And he wasn’t wrong.

“Ah, I knew it!”

Cordelia shouted with clenched fists, and Jude furrowed his brows.

They were fortunate that they got it right, but it was not a situation they wanted.

Elio Lombardi.

A good character in the game’s storyline.

In addition, the elves were strongly resistant to the demon’s temptation, as many people had mentioned including Jude himself.

For the elves who already lived a long life and had enormous wealth, the demon followers had little to offer.

However, Cordelia was still suspicious of Elio.

No, she felt that Elio would betray them.

Why?

For what reason?

“Because he’s a Sword Master.”

There was no other reason.

That was truly all.

But Cordelia had her own reason.

‘70%!’

Jude and Cordelia had met a total of ten Sword Masters so far.

And among them, seven became enemies of Jude and Cordelia, either because they had been brainwashed or because they were traitors.

Therefore, a new Sword Master they would meet was more likely to be an enemy than an ally.

‘There is… a possibility!’

Obviously, it was a baseless calculation.

It was truly a mess. There was no probability or statistics behind it.

But Cordelia strongly insisted, so Jude who was weak against Cordelia and trusted in her unique intuition then prepared a countermeasure, saying that trying it wouldn’t hurt.

And as a result.

“You b*stard! I knew that you’d betray us!”

You were a Sword Master! A great swordmaster!

And I noticed it when they kept saying that the elves wouldn’t betray us.

Wasn’t that a flag?

At the time when Cordelia’s strangely excited shout resounded, Elio made a decision. No, he had already decided when he drew his sword.

“Shoot!”

The troops who were hidden at the gate in case of an emergency were revealed. The moment Elio ordered them, more than a hundred elves began to attack.

“F*ck.”

Jude spoke and opened the sixth door