Chapter 74

It's been a while. Today, we start Chapter 5 of the Ancient Era. This time, it turned out to be longer than I expected. I won't be able to respond to comments due to my busy schedule, but I'll make a reservation post.

Additionally, it will be published by TO Books. The cover is already up on the TO Books website, so feel free to check it out if you're interested.

The Great Empire of Subarokia was experiencing unprecedented military weakness.

The cause was the Revolutionary Army. Originating from the vassal state of El Dorado Kingdom in the east, it had now allied with many other vassal states.

It had absorbed economic power, military strength, and knowledge, growing into a massive organization.

To the point where it had a real chance of defeating the Great Empire's army in a direct confrontation.

Of course, this was only possible due to the weakening of the Great Empire's military and the strengthening of the Revolutionary Army.

"So, this country is about to fall, huh."

"Yep."

Shu and Iris were relaxing at their home in the capital, discussing the future.

The Great Empire of Subarokia had not yet been invaded, but the Revolutionary Army had formed an alliance with most of the vassal states and was now rebelling against the empire.

The pressure from the Revolutionary Army was not the only issue; the Great Empire was also crumbling from within. Some nobles were even preparing to betray, believing the Revolutionary Army would win.

As an assassin known as the "Reaper," Shu had access to such rumors, leading him to believe the Great Empire would collapse soon.

"It seems the Holy Grinia is also getting involved with the Revolutionary Army."

When society becomes chaotic, the underworld emerges.

The dark organization, Black Cat, was also becoming more active. Of course, Shu, as the "Reaper," had carried out numerous assassinations and earned a fortune. He used this money to buy information from Black Cat and gain various knowledge.

"Eagle Eye" is a senior member who manages information for Black Cat, but information can also be purchased from other sources.

"That country is very enthusiastic about spreading its religion. They must have promised the Revolutionary Army the expansion of the Demon God religion in return."

"Poor Revolutionary Army. Even if they succeed in their revolution, the Holy Grinia might just take over..."

"That's what they're likely to do. They have seers who can predict the future."

"Preemptive investment, I guess."

The Holy Grinia is a major eastern nation. It is a great state that spreads the teachings of the Demon God religion, and all surrounding countries have adopted it as their state religion. The belief is that those chosen by the god of magic, El Magia, should rule humanity.

The Holy Grinia aims for a controlled, equal society.

The top of the Demon God religion is striving for the unification of the continent.

The Revolutionary Army, a collection of idealists and opportunists, is easier to manipulate than the resilient Great Empire of Subarokia.

"If the entire continent falls under the influence of the Holy Grinia... it will be troublesome."

"It will be difficult for us to live there."

"Exactly. I intended to let the empire and the Revolutionary Army fight a bit more, but I might have gone too far."

Shu earns money by working for Black Cat. For the underworld to thrive, a state is necessary.

He had made the Revolutionary Army and the Great Empire fight to strengthen Black Cat, but he had overdone it as the "Reaper," significantly weakening the Great Empire.

The Holy Grinia was also secretly interfering, so the Great Empire was on the path to collapse.

This was Shu's prediction.

"Before it falls, we need to gain more power."

"What are you going to do? Develop magic?"

"No... steal."

Shu summoned a shadow spirit.

A black snake, the shadow spirit, spat out documents.

"This is information on the Great Empire's magic research institute that I bought from Black Cat. We're going to steal the records of magic from here."

"Is it safe?"

"It should be. Most of their main forces are fighting the Revolutionary Army. It seems the awakened magicians haven't been deployed yet."

"Even you, Shu, might not be able to handle multiple awakened magicians."

"True. So far, I've only fought young awakened magicians."

Awakened magicians have broken through the limits of growth. In other words, the longer they live, the stronger they become.

Shu had fought two awakened magicians: Celstar Altrain and Ruto Reivan. These two were relatively young and not very strong.

The Great Empire and the Holy Grinia have awakened magicians who have lived for over a century.

It's unclear whether Shu could defeat such opponents.

"To deal with awakened magicians... using necromantic power might work. But it will consume a lot of magic power."

"Without magic power, you can't maintain your existence."

As a powerful demon, accumulating magic power is a challenge for Shu.

Necromantic power is his trump card, and he doesn't want to use it continuously. He absorbed a significant amount of magic power when he killed Ruto Reivan, but using necromantic power continuously would deplete it quickly.

"Regarding magic power, I've learned how to absorb mass energy. By destroying everything, I can recover magic power... but I don't want to destroy entire countries, so it's a delicate balance."

"Without a country, life would be inconvenient."

"Exactly. Large-scale destruction of mountains would be noticeable. It's more efficient to take magic power from living beings."

Magic power is energy far exceeding mass energy.

Naturally, creating rocks or generating extreme heat with magic requires significant energy. Stealing mass energy only recovers a moderate amount of magic power.

The most efficient method is to kill in large numbers during wars.

Like when he destroyed the capital of the Ramza Kingdom.

"For now, the plan is... to completely destroy the Great Empire. Let the Revolutionary Army invade the capital, and then the King of the Underworld will use the 'Gluttonous Black Crystal.' Recover the magic power... I think this scale will allow for the next evolution. After that, we'll go into hiding."

Shu and Iris have infinite lifespans.

Living in a country where revolution is simmering is less appealing to Shu than causing chaos and exploiting magic power.

"So, first, we'll steal the magic books."

"Exactly."

The King of the Underworld smiled.

(The Great Empire also has something interesting sealed away...)

◆◆◆

"What? You were refused?"

"Yeah. Got some excuse about his schedule not matching up."

"Damn... He's a convenient one. That 'Reaper'."

Emperor Geass and his cousin, the head of the Noaz family, were secretly discussing.

The topic was the signs of rebellion in the northern vassal state. They had tried to have the 'Reaper' assassinate the leader of the rebellion, but he refused.

"If we can't use him... we'll use the awakened magicians. They can quell the rebellion even alone."

"I don't really want to use them. They were supposed to be our trump card against the Holy Grinia."

"True. Generations of emperors... no, the four great families have kept them secret. Even for suppressing a rebellion, we can't officially deploy them. Ruto was still inexperienced, so he was included in the 'Reaper' assassination mission... but that was a risky move."

"Yeah, it's difficult to deploy the awakened magicians."

Noaz scratched his head.

Since involving the 'Reaper,' the Great Empire has been in decline. After the execution of the Inferno General, Schmidt Aliur, the military power has continued to decline.

However, the decline in military power is not significant enough to affect the war with the Holy Grinia.

But continuous internal conflicts are affecting the economy, which is a problem for the Great Empire. In fact, the overall economic situation of the Great Empire is worsening. While it hasn't affected the capital, Aldar, yet, if it continues, it will impact war preparations.

"Your Majesty, should we take down the Holy Grinia now?"

"That's an option... but what about after?"

"True. As it is, ruling the entire continent will be difficult."

Taking down the Holy Grinia means ruling the entire continent. To rule the continent, significant influence is needed.

The current Great Empire lacks the centripetal force. Even if they use the awakened magicians to take down the Holy Grinia, extending their influence afterward will be difficult. Noaz understood this.

"Perhaps we need to show our strength again with Albein's staff. We'll consider the awakened magicians."

"Agreed."

The legendary hero Albein, passed down through the Great Empire. The myth based on real events still exists, and the staff that sealed the Infernal King, Belorg, is Emperor Geass's trump card. They reconfirmed what was already decided.

◆◆◆

Shu infiltrated the capital's magic research institute as planned. This institute, adjacent to the castle, is filled with military secrets and has strict security. However, Shu easily infiltrated by etherealizing and passing through the walls.

Of course, there are magical devices to detect magic, but none to detect demons. Shu's ability is not magic but a form of magic, and he concealed his magic power, making detection impossible. Physical detection could be handled with necromantic magic.

(Quite a collection.)

The library of the institute was filled with numerous magic books. There were also many papers on the research of magic and magicians.

Despite it being late at night, a few researchers were still wandering around the library.

Shu disguised himself with a light magic spell and pretended to be a researcher. The other researchers, seeing an unfamiliar man, did not find it strange because he was in a researcher's outfit.

(They probably don't have the forbidden spells just lying around.)

Shu picked up a book and flipped through it.

It was a list of military magic for fire, water, wind, and earth, along with their effects. Some forbidden spells had unknown effects, but the list was quite detailed. However, it was not suitable for learning magic.

Currently, the military uses the Apollis method, which is the most efficient and adaptable. It uses the smallest magic array to achieve maximum effect, and is considered the best magic system that cannot be improved further.

The magic arrays are kept as simple as possible, making it easy to adapt.

However, higher-level spells, such as those of the eighth tier, are more difficult.

(I see. There are even these forbidden spells.)

The list included the fifteenth tier, or divine spells. It was a very detailed list.

He decided to take it just in case.

He couldn't summon the shadow spirit here with magic detection, so he started searching other books while holding it. In a researcher's outfit, he could carry valuable books without arousing suspicion.

Of course, the fact that he wasn't suspected indicated that the researchers' vigilance was lax.

(If there are forbidden spells...)

They would be clearly sealed.

The seal would require a special magic key to open. However, since it was sealed with magic, Shu could easily remove it with necromantic magic.

(Well then.)

He checked the surroundings and confirmed no one was around.

He extended his hand and grasped the magic power.

All that was left was to take it.

"Death."

As he whispered, the seal disappeared.

The alarm device for unauthorized seal removal also had its magic power drained, so no alarm sounded.

Shu stepped into the sealed area of forbidden books.

"Please wait a moment."

A voice came from behind Shu.

At the same time, a hand was placed on his right shoulder.