Chapter 1286: The Demonic Realm Beyond Human Reach (9)

The Conjunction Spell Master relayed that the war between the Order Alliance and the Guido Cult continued within the Four Archangel Demonic Mirrors.

Was the Demonic Realm the Branching Point of this long-standing war, and was that why they sought Lennok’s cooperation?

It was an explanation he hadn’t expected to hear, especially as the Order Alliance Leader’s hunt for the Second Apostle hadn’t even begun.

However, what truly bothered Lennok wasn’t the war between the Order Alliance and the Guido Cult, but the identities of the Transcendent beings engaged in it.

“In the name of the Iron Spirit Spell Master, I formally request your cooperation. Join the Alliance in subjugating the Seventh Apostle in the Demonic Realm.”

“…”

The Seventh Apostle of the Guido Cult and the Order Alliance’s Grand Spell Master were clashing head-on within the Four Archangel Demonic Mirrors.

A top-tier Apostle, regarded as the Guido Cult’s ultimate fighting force. A Grand Spell Master, ruling as one of the four pillars of the Order Alliance.

It couldn’t be a coincidence that Transcendent beings from factions currently at their peak in the Central Front chose this specific moment to act.

Simply overlapping timelines couldn’t explain the justification for such powerhouses clashing in the Demonic Realm.

If the [Great Upheaval] in the Four Archangel Demonic Mirrors, which Aileen had mentioned, caused both the Guido Cult and the Order Alliance to mobilize simultaneously, then its cause must be—

“…I see.”

At that moment, Lennok intuitively understood the cause of the Great Upheaval in the Four Archangel Demonic Mirrors.

Such a powerful causality that it moved both the Order Alliance and the Guido Cult simultaneously, reigniting the intervention and war of Transcendent beings.

And if it was an event that had occurred extremely recently and was capable of shaking the Central Front, what else could it be but Ethan’s revival?

From the beginning, Lennok already knew the cause of the Great Upheaval that had occurred in the Demonic Realm.

‘Ethan Bajour’s revival must have caused some change in the Four Archangel Demonic Mirrors. Is that why both the Order Alliance and the Guido Cult mobilized simultaneously…?’

Kaiser, having taken over Ethan’s body, attempted to resurrect by seizing that very form, an event that occurred within the Four Archangel Demonic Mirrors.

If this caused some change in the Demonic Realm’s environment, and both the Guido Cult and the Order Alliance simultaneously perceived these repercussions and acted, then this situation could be understood.

The Ability Awakening Warband had already failed once in conquering the Demonic Realm, and they were likely too preoccupied with devouring Kabahim to pay attention.

“Evan Martinez. I apologize, but we don’t have much time.”

The Iron Spirit Spell Master, who had been staring intently at Lennok’s expressionless face, crossed his arms and bowed his head.

His roughly cut hair fell, slightly obscuring his cold, sunken eyes.

“The current battle within the Demonic Realm is significant enough to alter the tide of the war, making every matter urgent and critical.”

“…”

“I, too, dedicate all my attention to the war, save for the time I spend outside to resupply the Demonic Realm. Under normal circumstances, your very presence would have to be severely dealt with according to the Alliance’s standards.”

A silent hush fell over the vast warehouse filled with supplies.

The tense atmosphere felt even more awkward and sharp because no sound could be heard.

The Spell Master slowly twitched his finger, observing Aileen adjust her grip on her blade.

“If I subtract the time it takes to explain the detailed war situation to you, there won’t even be enough time for this negotiation. If you don’t decide here and now—”

“If one of the four Grand Spell Masters of the Alliance has stepped forward, there shouldn’t be any shortage of power in the first place.”

Lennok interrupted the Spell Master, raising his gaze with an expressionless face.

“Is facing that vampire so difficult that you need my help?”

“…What? Do you know Lariata Armush?”

As if Lennok’s answer was unexpected, the Iron Spirit Spell Master’s expression subtly shifted.

“That makes things easier to explain. The Seventh Apostle is a True Ancestor Vampire of the Crimson Star Clan who fell and became an Apostle. She’s the most bizarrely corrupted among all Apostles, so she essentially has no fixed hierarchy.”

“…”

“Befitting an Apostle, her innate martial prowess is tremendous, and she simultaneously possesses the Blood Magic of a True Ancestor Vampire, making a single approach impossible. Furthermore, she wields the authority of the Blood Tribulation Outer God she serves, making her undoubtedly one of the top-tier monsters among existing Apostles.”

Lennok also knew that the Seventh Apostle was a powerhouse, possessing formidable strength even among the highest-ranking existing Apostles.

She was a corrupted Transcendent whose very status and origin were, quite literally, different from the fallen former Ninth Apostle he had faced at the seabed terminal.

Even Eldrich, the Fifth Apostle encountered in Torquepaz, couldn’t match Lariata in raw power.

The fact that she had flawlessly avoided Myeong’s Gabihaeng at the First Gate implied that the Seventh Apostle’s power was strong enough not to be constrained by numerical ranks.

“She is notoriously cruel, as befits a True Ancestor Vampire, but it was only after witnessing the massacre on the Southern Front that I truly understood how broken that vampire was.”

Just recalling Lariata Armush seemed to stir emotions, as a low, metallic rasp entered the Spell Master’s voice.

“Having regained her sanity through the power of the 11th Priestess, she is now a testament to Ureka Naydree’s authority. Regardless of her vile nature, her abilities are extremely formidable, making it difficult for the Alliance’s current dispatched forces to confront her alone.”

“…Formidable abilities, you say.”

Given he held the epithet of Apostle-Slayer, perhaps he had been solely dedicated to confronting the Guido Cult within the Order Alliance.

The Iron Spirit Spell Master seemed quite knowledgeable about the information and abilities of the high-ranking Apostles of the Guido Cult.

“At best, the Grand Spell Master can fight the Seventh Apostle on equal terms, but due to the nature of their spellcraft, they lack suitable means to pin down the vampire. As a result, the Alliance’s main forces are continuously being massacred by that monster.”

“…”

“The Grand Spell Master is also indiscriminately slaughtering those cultist priests to stop her, but as you know, the Cult has an endless supply of humans. This war of attrition is by no means a favorable situation for the Alliance.”

While both the Order Alliance and the Guido Cult boasted immense scales in the Central Front, there were significant differences in their organizational structures.

The Alliance was composed of spellcasters dedicated to the study of spellcraft, and the members who assisted them.

The sheer numbers of the Guido Cult, which accepted anyone with faith as a member, were incomparable from the outset.

Unlike spellcraft, which relied on talent, the Cult’s Forbidden Magic could be wielded by anyone with faith, which was another difference.

It was natural that the Alliance would suffer immense losses if forced into a war of attrition in the extreme environment of the Demonic Realm.

“It means you need some variable to break through the current situation, in whatever way possible.”

“Precisely. The more opponents the Seventh Apostle has to worry about, aside from the Grand Spell Master, the more room we’ll have to maneuver.”

The Iron Spirit Spell Master nodded.

“At the very least, we need a force capable of holding one front, even if the Guido Cult initiates a war of attrition. That way, the Seventh Apostle won’t be able to ignore the Grand Spell Master and rampage as she pleases.”

“…”

“The authority of the Blood Tribulation Outer God possessed by the Seventh Apostle, unfortunately, has excellent compatibility with the environment of the Four Archangel Demonic Mirrors, making her even more difficult to deal with. Even the Grand Spell Master is struggling to contend with the vampire precisely because of this…”

The Spell Master continued his explanation, but Lennok momentarily ignored him, lost in thought.

He distinctly recalled hearing a similar account of this situation in his identity as Adamant Thunder.

Helping the Order Alliance fight against the Guido Cult’s highest-ranking Apostle.

Didn’t this feel similar to the hunt for the Second Apostle that Lennok had previously been offered by the Order Alliance Leader?

He didn’t know if the subordinate Spell Masters were emulating the Leader’s methods or if it was merely a coincidence.

If he accepted the Alliance’s proposal, he might gain experience, feeling as though he were previewing the hunt for the Second Apostle.

“If you accept this offer, we will drop the charges of illegally trespassing on Alliance territory. The Order Patrol currently tracking you will also return to the main force.”

The Iron Spirit Spell Master spoke while Lennok was lost in thought.

“Furthermore, while you are confronting the Guido Cult, we will not hold you accountable for any of your actions, and we will personally guide you to the very heart of the Four Archangel Demonic Mirrors.”

“…”

“The corpse of the Ars Nova Imperial Palace Grand General, said to be buried deep within the Four Archangel Demonic Mirrors.”

The Iron Spirit Spell Master asked with a strange expression.

“Cheonbeon. Aren’t you also here in the Demonic Realm to confirm that very thing?”

Silence fell.

It was because he hadn’t expected the Order Alliance to be the first to mention the most critical secret residing within the Demonic Realm.

Did this mean the war currently raging within the Demonic Realm was intensely fierce and desperate?

Aileen, who had been aiming her gunblade, also seemed to sense it, turning her gaze slightly with a strange expression.

“Martinez. That proposal…”

As an Agent, she wouldn’t be particularly pleased about Lennok joining hands with the Alliance.

But instead of voicing that opinion directly, Aileen shook her head slightly and changed her words.

“…If you’re considering cooperating with the Alliance, there’s one thing you should be aware of.”

“…”

“The Grand Spell Master who’s currently in the Demonic Realm is, in all likelihood, the Yeonri Spell Master. Other Grand Spell Masters, like the Stillness Spell Master, have their own jurisdictions and can’t move immediately, so it’s almost certain to be them.”

The Iron Spirit Spell Master glanced sideways, but Aileen didn’t stop speaking.

“The Yeonri Spell Master is a spellcaster who newly accepted the Grand Spell Master position for the reconstruction of the Great Connection, and they are renowned within the Alliance as an exceptionally skilled War-Mage.”

“…”

“Not only are they currently engaged in the war with the Guido Cult, but even before becoming a Grand Spell Master, they achieved an enormous number of military merits, earning them the epithet ‘Aura Heaven’ in the Central Command—”

“Ranger. I fail to see what you’ve been trying to say this whole time.”

The Iron Spirit Spell Master, with an expressionless face, interrupted Aileen, his arms crossed.

“This is hardly the time to enumerate praises about the Grand Spell Master’s character and achievements in front of Cheonbeon, is it? I asked if you intend to cooperate with the Alliance’s proposal to face the Guido Cult.”

“…”

“Decide clearly whether you will cooperate with the Order Alliance or not. Don’t ruin the atmosphere with unnecessary explanations.”

The Iron Spirit Spell Master’s attitude was sharply different from the calm demeanor he had displayed moments before.

A strange reaction, as if something in Aileen’s words had bothered him.

“It wasn’t such a meaningless explanation, Iron Spirit Spell Master.”

Lennok, who had been observing the situation, stepped forward and spoke.

“She was merely trying to tell me why you didn’t directly reveal the identity of the Grand Spell Master participating in this war.”

“…”

“A spellcaster who rose to the position of Grand Spell Master relatively recently among the four Grand Spell Masters supporting the Alliance. A War-Mage who filled a vacant seat.”

Lennok, facing the Iron Spirit Spell Master, asked casually.

“A Spell Master who took the seat, replacing the Conjunction Spell Master. Isn’t that right?”

“…Martinez.”

The only Grand Spell Master currently active within the Alliance. And simultaneously, a monster who rose to the Grand Spell Master position most recently.

If so, wasn’t the Yeonri Spell Master the successor who had taken the Grand Spell Master’s seat, replacing the Conjunction Spell Master whom Lennok had killed at the First Gate?

And the fact that the Iron Spirit Spell Master had deliberately avoided mentioning this held much significance.

“If they succeeded Avesta Chapman as Grand Spell Master, they would surely know about me.”

Lennok spoke quietly, watching the silent Iron Spirit Spell Master.

“Iron Spirit Spell Master. If you avoided mentioning the Grand Spell Master’s name and deliberately tried to hide that fact, isn’t it because the Yeonri Spell Master doesn’t hold very positive feelings towards me?”

“…I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

The Iron Spirit Spell Master retorted with a stiff expression.

“I simply didn’t want to needlessly bring up the former Grand Spell Master’s name and provoke each other. That incident was never a pleasant memory for the Alliance, to begin with.”

“…”

“If you had asked, I would have told you the Grand Spell Master’s name. I don’t understand why you’re fixating on strange details and quibbling.”

“The moment I mentioned the Seventh Apostle’s name, you immediately explained what kind of monster Lariata Armush was, as if you’d been waiting. But regarding the identity and spellcraft of the Grand Spell Master facing her, you said nothing, apart from the difficulty in pinning down the vampire.”

Lennok chuckled.

“To say you merely concealed information on the Alliance’s side, while frankly admitting the Alliance was at a disadvantage in a war of attrition with the Guido Cult, yet you strangely and carefully avoided mentioning the Grand Spell Master herself—that suggests another intention, doesn’t it?”

“…”

“They’re extending a hand, pretending not to care that I killed the Conjunction Spell Master, but accepting that before entering the Demonic Realm would be foolish.”

Lennok walked past the silent Iron Spirit Spell Master and spoke.

“I decline the Order Alliance’s proposal. I appreciate the explanation of the situation within the Demonic Realm.”

The Iron Spirit Spell Master, being part of the Alliance, wouldn’t have given an entirely objective account of the Demonic Realm’s internal situation.

Nevertheless, merely learning what was happening inside the Demonic Realm was meaningful enough.

At the very least, it was worth spending time here pretending to consider the Iron Spirit Spell Master’s offer.

“…Hah.”

The Iron Spirit Spell Master exhaled a low sigh, then lifted his head and spoke, almost a growl.

“Spellcraft Activation.”

KRAAANG!!!!

Metal fragments surged from beneath the Spell Master’s feet, instantly blocking the warehouse door Lennok had been about to exit.

“!!!”

“Don’t move, Ranger.”

Aileen drew upon her mana with a cold expression, but the Iron Spirit Spell Master spoke with a rigid face.

“This place is already within the range of my spellcraft. If you uselessly resist, I’ll tear your body to pieces.”

“Don’t make me laugh, Iron Spirit Spell Master.”

CLICK!! WHIIIRRR!

Aileen, her mana instantly rotating as she placed her finger on the trigger, spoke coldly.

“Do you really think such threats will work here?”

“The same goes for you, Martinez.”

The Iron Spirit Spell Master bared his teeth, turning to face Lennok, who had stopped before the solidly risen metal door.

“Even after falling so far, you haven’t learned to humble yourself. Even when we extended a hand first, you can’t even pretend to cooperate?”

“What are you trying to say?”

“What you did at the Legion Parade has been thoroughly reported to the Central Front. The Alliance headquarters has already verified all the details regarding it.”

SHING!!

As the Iron Spirit Spell Master extended his hand, metal fragments intertwined, coiling around his forearm like armor.

The Spell Master, his one forearm and shoulder instantly covered in armor, snatched Lennok’s shirt with one hand.

THWACK!!

“Your martial prowess, having been defeated in battle with the Marshal… was said to be inferior to what it was when you fought the Conjunction Spell Master. Seeing you enter my personal space so easily, your senses must indeed have dulled.”

“…”

“It must have been that way ever since you fought Adamant Thunder to save the Lighthouse Keeper. Aren’t you now suffering the backlash from overusing your power then?”

CHING!!!

Metal fragments, rotating along the Iron Spirit Spell Master’s arm, bound Lennok’s hands, transforming into solid handcuffs.

The Spell Master, clutching the chain secured at the center of the cuffs with one hand, said coldly.

“Your battle with the Conjunction Spell Master must have been your final blaze. That’s why you’ve been continuously hiding your whereabouts ever since.”

“…”

It was a question with a different direction than the rumor of the Legion Parade that the former Ninth Apostle, encountered at the terminal, had asked Lennok.

Unlike the Apostles, had the Alliance thoroughly utilized the Legion Parade’s information solely to gauge Cheonbeon’s true capabilities?

“The fact that you’ve revealed yourself now must be to borrow the power of the Dead Fire, which exists only in the Demonic Realm, to sustain your flame even for a little longer.”

The Spell Master narrowed his eyes and snapped at Lennok.

“Did you think the main Alliance, currently assaulting the Demonic Realm, wouldn’t realize why you’re here? You’re the one pulling useless stunts.”

“Stunts, you say…”

“I won’t explain any further. I won’t ask for your intentions again, so quietly cooperate with the Alliance.”

THUD!!

The Iron Spirit Spell Master, who had turned, dragging Lennok’s chains, took a step forward.

“If it’s Cheonbeon, who killed the Tenth Apostle, even the Seventh Apostle will pay some attention. Even if you can’t fight, do your part with your reputation alone.”

The Spell Master strode forward, threw open the warehouse door, and spoke, revealing the scene outside.

“From the beginning, you had no choices.”

“…”

WHOOOOSH…!!!

Around the dark warehouse corridor, dozens of magic circles had appeared, illuminating their location.

The lingering magical energy of spellcraft glowed in a circle, aimed at the warehouse as if poised to finish its incantation and activate at any moment.

Had the Spell Master explained the Demonic Realm’s situation in detail merely to buy time for the Alliance’s spellcasters to set up a siege?

And continuing the conversation while blocking the warehouse door was likely to prevent the spellcasters’ presence from being detected by the two of them.

He knew. Both what the Spell Master’s proposal was for, and what Aileen had been trying to convey to Lennok.

However, even knowing all that, the reason he had listened to the Spell Master’s story until the very end was—

“Quietly cooperate with the Alliance and become bait to draw out the Seventh Apostle. Then we’ll let you live until the Demonic Realm’s core.”

The Spell Master declared in a cold voice, grabbing Lennok by the collar and pulling him closer.

“If you ran from the Legion Parade and crawled into the Demonic Realm, you must not have intended to fight in the first place, right?”

“No.”

Lennok replied with an expressionless face.

“It’s the complete opposite. You’re mistaken about something.”

“…What?”

“Whether it’s the Alliance or the Cult, I have to step over them anyway, so I was just listening to whatever nonsense they were spouting. No matter how things unfold, what needs to be done doesn’t change.”

CRACK!!

As Lennok, bound by the restraints, turned his head, a hollow darkness surged and pulsed through his veins.

An ominous darkness of unknown depth settled in his body, seemingly assisting both his skeletal structure and muscular strength simultaneously.

Simultaneously, immense physical power surged through Lennok’s arms, seizing the restraints.

“I don’t know what kind of nonsensical guesses you’ve been making all this time, but…”

CRACK, CRACKLE…!!!

The chains and restraints creaked with an eerie tearing sound, shaking as if they would shatter at any moment.

Before the Spell Master could even feel a sense of unease from the tremendous power, uncommonly found in a wizard,

Lennok, cloaked in the tenets of the Black God Demonic Art, whispered coldly.

“I’ll teach you that even among Apostle-Slayers, there are ranks.”

“Marti—!!!”

BOOOOOOM!!!!

The restraints shattered, and the exploding flames crushed the Iron Spirit Spell Master’s face, slamming his body into the cliff face outside the warehouse.