Chapter 88

The continent's western side, including the Great Empire of Subarokia, is home to many guilds. Guilds are mercenary organizations formed by magic knights, providing personal protection and other services. Since the military does not provide personal protection, a certain number of these organizations are necessary. Some guilds even create their own magical tools and magic.

They are like companies that provide military power.

And among the guilds, illegal ones are called dark organizations.

In particular, the Black Cat is composed of elite members and has tremendous influence.

They have established several bases in the capital, a city of brilliance.

Today's meeting was held at a different place from the high-end bar used previously. It was a high-end restaurant serving traditional cuisine of the Great Empire.

"Let's get started, shall we?"

The boss, Black Cat, announced.

The eleven gathered executives sat around a round table, eating while attending the meeting.

"Review from last time... I hear that Death and Hawk Eye have been up to all sorts of tricks? Let's hear the results, shall we?"

Although he said this, all the executives present already knew.

The only abnormality in the capital, Aldar, was one.

Death, Shu, answered with a lazy tone.

"Most of the nobles of the Great Empire are dead. Because of the moving corpses. There are still moving corpses lurking around."

"You would say that."

In response to Shu's insincere answer, Phantom Book looked exasperated.

At the previous meeting, Shu revealed that he was the Death God Aclight. And the deeds of the Death God Aclight are well-known.

"Eliminated the capital of the Kingdom of Ramza, killed the holy knights. After that, successfully assassinated many and led the revolutionary army to victory. It's said that he can even use forbidden spells."

The additional explanation by Phantom Book seemed to be known by all the executives. No one showed any change in expression.

Shu had anticipated this much.

He had also considered the possibility that Hawk Eye might have sold information, but it didn't matter.

"Got a complaint, Phantom Book?"

"The moving corpses are probably your magic, right? I remember you said you use death magic. Large-scale destruction magic, complete freezing magic, and moving corpse magic... quite a diverse range. Fascinating."

"Want me to teach you later?"

"Hmm. So you admit it?"

"There's no point in hiding it."

Shu openly admitted to his actions.

It was a fact that was bound to come out eventually. He wasn't at all troubled.

"Whoever caused it, it doesn't matter. The fact is, the capital has lost most of its functions. This is a fact that can't be changed even if we struggle from now on. As Death and Hawk Eye said, let's think about what comes next."

Black Cat, whose expression was as unreadable as ever, summarized.

Currently, the incident of moving corpses in the noble district continues to spread. Despite more than a day having passed, the military has not been able to eliminate all the zombies.

The reason is that it's impossible to distinguish between living humans and moving corpses.

Unaware nobles have been bitten by relatives and friends they approached. The disturbance also occurred at night, leading to insufficient information dissemination. As a result, many nobles turned into moving corpses before they could be on guard.

The moving corpses are a new type of magic created by Shu's magic.

The Great Empire's military hasn't even identified the cause. They only suspect it might be a terrorist act involving magic knights. With many nobles killed, there is also political instability. The emperor and the duke are working tirelessly, but the system will eventually collapse.

The Great Empire, for better or worse, is a place where power is everything. To become a ruler, one needs money and power. In other words, the nobles govern the vast empire. Without them, political chaos is inevitable.

The zombie incident that won't subside.

The advance of the revolutionary army.

And the pressure from the Holy Grinia.

With just one trigger, the empire could fall.

"We want to support the Great Empire."

"I do too. I want to study the moving corpses..."

White Snake and Young Branch still seem to want the Great Empire to win. The same goes for the Balance, who deals in gambling and lending, or rather, they are even more desperate.

White Snake and Young Branch, who research magical tools and drugs, can also conduct legal research if they wish. However, the Balance, who deals in gambling, would not be allowed by the demon god cult.

"Hmph. I will support the emperor. I've already made a large donation!"

"Then are you going to start a war?"

Shu directed a cold gaze and declared.

The Balance, who knows Shu is the Death God, feels anxious. He is the strongest assassin. It would be disastrous to be killed by a mistake. However, today's Balance is confident.

"Even if you are the Death God's monster, it's impossible to oppose the Great Empire! Fool!"

"Is it?"

"Of course. You don't know about the Great Empire's awakened magic knights!"

Shu's gaze intensified, and he looked around.

A cold atmosphere descended.

Everyone stopped eating and focused on Shu.

"Actually, I received a request from the revolutionary army. To destroy the second regiment."

"Hahaha! Destruction is my job!"

"I have a track record of destroying fortresses. My killing range varies from individuals to groups."

Everyone thinks it might be an assassination.

Shu, while being the Death God, is fundamentally a monster. Any action is possible. Destroying one of the four regiments sent by the Great Empire to crush the revolutionary army is not impossible.

The silent Red Hare, Ash Mouse, Black Iron, and Hawk Eye are observing the situation.

Except for Hawk Eye, they think the Great Empire could fall or win. They seem interested in Shu, who claims to be the monster of the King.

"This is rare. Our Black Cat is split in half."

On the other hand, the boss, Black Cat, remained the same.

Even in a situation that should be worrying, his unreadable expression and tone did not change.

"Then let's confront each other. Black Cat is no longer on either side. Fight as opposing camps and stake the future of Black Cat. Show your power as executives."

A dark organization must be united. If there are multiple factions, they can be undermined.

However, Black Cat allowed it.

For mutual benefit, he acknowledged the division and conflict of the executives' opinions.

"Let's split into the Great Empire, Holy Grinia, and neutral. I am neutral."

As the boss, he announced.

He respected the executives' opinions rather than the organization's stance.

Shu and Hawk Eye immediately responded.

"I am with the Holy Grinia."

"I am the same as Death."

In opposition, the Balance shouted.

"I will support the emperor of the Great Empire! I will never lend a hand to the demon god cult!"

Phantom Book, White Snake, and Young Branch also agreed.

"I will too."

"Same here."

"Me too."

"That makes it two against four. What about the other executives?"

The number of executives is in favor of the Great Empire, but in terms of power, the Holy Grinia side has the advantage. The best assassin and a notorious information dealer are on their side. They can't lose.

The Great Empire side was anxious.

A voice of salvation came.

"I will support the Great Empire. The fight will be more exciting that way."

The executive of destruction and brutality, Tyrant Dragon, reassured the four.

His overwhelming offensive power can even destroy the demon god cult's sanctuaries. His track record makes him reliable.

On the other hand, some trusted Shu.

"I trust Death. The Death God Aclight... the one the demon god cult is desperately chasing. To manipulate the people who love that demon god, that's impressive."

"So you're with the Holy Grinia?"

"Right, boss. I don't know Death's goal, but I'm sure the Holy Grinia will win."

The smuggler, Red Hare, trusted Shu.

It's based on years of intuition. Smugglers generally don't fight. They meticulously plan routes, prepare escape routes, and read the atmosphere. These are necessary skills for their job.

Red Hare sensed the danger of Shu, the Death God, from his cautious attitude.

"I'm with the Holy Grinia... no, with Death."

The thief, Ash Mouse, also sounded an internal alarm.

He felt that the Death God was dangerous and should never be an enemy.

"I won't interfere with Death."

"I agree with Red Hare and Ash Mouse. You might not realize it, but the monster of the King is dangerous. I won't oppose it. But I will remain neutral."

The bodyguard, Black Iron, was very afraid of Shu.

Most of the executives looked at him, wondering why.

Black Iron then spoke briefly.

"I have seen the King. The Undead King Xenon Life. A foolish noble was determined to defeat the Undead King and brought me as a bodyguard to his base. Everything was destroyed in an instant."

"Oh, you've seen the Undead King?"

"I survived by chance. Seeing that threat, I won't oppose the monster of the King. I can't trust it either, so I will remain neutral."

Red Hare, Ash Mouse, and Black Iron chose not to oppose Shu more than to support the Holy Grinia.

The Holy Grinia side has four.

The Great Empire side has five.

And two are neutral.

"It's a clean split."

Black Cat's preparations were complete.

The internal conflict of the organization, the civil war of the Great Empire, and the war that will shake the continent... the situation is progressing on various scales.

"That's it for now. Let's do our best."

The second Black Cat meeting ended by dividing the executives into two forces.

◆◆◆

The clash between the revolutionary army and the Great Empire's army occurred in the south for the first time. It's not a war with a vassal state but a war with the Great Empire. The revolutionary army is facing the Great Empire's army for the first time.

The enemy is the second regiment of the Great Empire's army.

The revolutionary army is a coalition of two vassal states.

"That's the fifth legion of the Great Empire, as I've heard."

One of the generals, peering through a telescope, muttered.

He is a general of the Flasio Kingdom's army, and this is his first war. The Flasio Kingdom has long been a vassal state of the Great Empire, allowing the country to survive. Therefore, the army has become an organization to deal with the threat of monsters and criminals within the country.

This is the first time General Alai has fought an army.

"I've heard there are five S-rank magic knights. According to the information from the spies, the general is leading them..."

"Seems we can't win in terms of quality. The Great Empire has a deep bench. The commander's skills will be tested."

"General Alai will surely win. I will support you with all my might."

To be honest, he was anxious.

General Alai even complained to his adjutant.

As a commander, he shouldn't show weakness to boost morale. But just the thought of fighting the Great Empire made his legs shake.

"..."

He couldn't keep being afraid.

General Alai gave the order.

"The enemy is the Great Empire! For freedom, for a new era, let's risk our lives! Charge!"

The two armies collided, shaking the earth.