Episode 223 Calcos Tribal Federation (1)
"Hmm, the prognosis is very good. I expected a fast recovery, considering your physical condition, but this is even faster than I anticipated. Are you experiencing any discomfort?"
"Um... no. I'm fine. I actually feel stronger than before? Hahaha!"
Inside the luxurious imperial hospital located on the outskirts of the Azerion imperial palace,
The elderly gentleman in a white coat, the head doctor of the imperial hospital, nodded as he looked at the tablet-shaped magic tool displaying various readings.
"It's not just your imagination. We used all sorts of rare ingredients, like the Manticore's detoxification gland and the Inphisilen flower, so it's a natural result."
"Oh, I see. That's great! Then when can I be discharged?"
"Hmm— It's best to observe the condition of your eye and arm for a few more days. They seem stable now, but there might be complications later."
The head doctor answered his question with an indifferent expression, asked a few more questions, and then left the room with a slight bow.
"That's all for today. A nurse is waiting outside, so please call if you need anything. I'll be going now."After the head doctor left, Hesperon looked around the luxurious hospital room and then glanced down at his right arm.
"This treatment is a bit overwhelming... but I guess it's understandable."
His arm, from his fingertips to his upper arm, was wrapped in bandages with countless runes inscribed on them.
This was the price he had to pay for overusing Hans's special dark magic tools.
He had managed to purge the curse from his body, but his right arm was so severely mutated that amputation was the only option.
The doctors had warned that the curse might resurface and spread if it wasn't completely removed.
'But I don't think it'll come to that.'
Two days ago, three days after he regained consciousness from the assassination attempt, a system message had appeared before him.
《The individual gains enlightenment through repeated training. You have acquired the skill "Curse Resistance".》
He had gained resistance to curses after facing and overcoming an overwhelming amount of them.
Of course, he couldn't rely on just one skill, but with the additional seal from the bandages, there shouldn't be any problems.
'It's just a bit annoying that I can't see with my right eye. They said a normal transplant wouldn't work... Maybe Hans has a solution...?'
He sighed, touching the black eyepatch with gold embroidery that covered his right eye.
'…What a mess.'
He had been dumbfounded when he first woke up and learned what had happened, and it was still just as absurd now.
'Harris and Harley are out of control, but Hans is the biggest problem. Well, I understand his intentions… but…’
He could exploit the situation created by Oath of Heaven’s Defiance and reap the benefits, hindering their plans while maximizing his own Karma gains. It would also give Harley and the hero party a reason to intervene in the south. ȑã₦ο𝐛Ěş
It was a brilliant move, logically sound and efficient.
But the problem was the process…
“Ah! I don’t care! It’ll work out somehow.”
He gave up on thinking and buried himself in the soft bed.
There was nothing he could do from here anyway.
‘They all have such strong personalities… All I can do is…’
His gaze fell on the ancient-looking books piled on the table next to the bed.
<Magical Argumentation on the Composition of Existence and the Interaction of Entities>
<The Definition of Summoning & Contract through Topithel’s Theorem>
<······>
Gifts to keep him entertained during his boring hospitalization.
They were magic books from the imperial palace’s magic tower, normally inaccessible to anyone but their mages, let alone allowed outside.
Of course, they shouldn’t be here…
But the one who brought them was…
Knock, knock—
"Excuse me, Hesperon. Princess Riley Carte Azerion is here to see you."
Riley, who visited him at least once a day, despite her busy schedule.
She entered the room alone, closing the door behind her, and placed a new stack of books on the table with a smile.
“Heron, how are you feeling today? I heard you’re recovering well.”
“I’m completely fine! I could be discharged right now, but they’re just being cautious.”
“Just follow the doctor’s orders. He’s the best in the continent.”
“Well, it’s only a few days, so it’s not a big deal.”
He shrugged and then picked up a book he had already finished, waving it at her.
“But Riley, are you sure it’s okay to bring these here? I appreciate it, but wouldn’t the mages be upset? It might cause problems.”
Mages, especially those from the imperial palace, were known for being arrogant and difficult.
It wouldn’t be good for her to antagonize them, especially now that she was solidifying her position as the next emperor.
“Don’t worry about that. Especially now. The Tower Master already gave his permission.”
Her gentle smile hid a chilling truth.
Some of the mages who had betrayed her were from the imperial palace’s magic tower.
Naturally, there were still many sympathizers within the tower.
Her investigation was underway, and a bloodbath was sweeping through the tower…
Who would dare to question the princess taking a few books for her lifesaver, especially in this situation?
They were just ordinary books, accessible to any mage in the tower, not forbidden knowledge.
‘…Well, she’s smart, so I’m sure she knows what she’s doing.’
Hesperon nodded, trusting her judgment.
It wasn’t his problem anyway.
“Oh, right! Cecily asked me to give you her regards. She wanted to visit you in person, but she said she’s too busy to leave right now. She’s really sorry.”
Riley pouted, relaying the message with a disappointed expression.
She was the Iron-Blooded Princess, feared for her ruthlessness, outside, but here, she was just a cute girl her age.
‘…I think I know why she’s so busy.’
He couldn’t look her in the eye, feeling guilty.
He was part of the reason… no, the main reason for Isea’s busy schedule.
Hans, Heinrich, and Harley.
Isea was just one of the victims caught in their chaotic mess.
Along with the other members of the hero party, who had just arrived in the…
________________________
“Ha… To think I’d end up here.”
Isea sighed, looking at the vast wasteland before her.
She had planned to visit the imperial palace for a few days after the summit, but her plans were ruined by the recent incident.
She had initially thought Harley’s outburst was just a minor incident… but then Heinrich’s ‘premonition’ had turned it into a serious issue, forcing her to join them.
‘The High Chieftain of the Tribal Federation is brainwashing the other chieftains and preparing for war against the continent…?’
She had been suspicious of the sudden break in diplomatic relations.
The southern representative hadn’t shown any signs of dissent during the summit, and the discussions had ended amicably…
But to think there was such a shocking reason behind it…
‘This is serious. It means things are worse than we thought.’
She had been concerned about the south’s actions, but she hadn’t expected them to actually wage war in this situation.
They needed the consensus of all the chieftains to declare war in their tribal system. It would be impossible to start a war without their agreement, especially now.
‘But it makes sense if the Immortal King is involved. To think he’s creating a distraction with the undead and giants while secretly preparing for war in the south…’
It was a clever move. He hadn’t technically broken his promise with the Saint.
After all, the ones who declared war were the Calcos Tribal Federation, not the Immortal King.
‘Wait, the Republic is also in turmoil… Could it be that the Immortal King is involved there too?’
She couldn’t help but be suspicious of everything now.
Even the assassination attempt on Riley seemed like part of a larger plan.
‘…Isn’t that exactly what’s happening?’
Anyway, that’s why the hero party had rushed to the south.
They had left the cleanup to the others and focused on their primary objective: to prevent the war from happening by eliminating the mastermind.
‘Just the six of us…’
She glanced at her companions.
“Even if the Continental Alliance starts preparing, it’ll be too late. We need to stop this before it escalates…”
“Don’t worry. The Main God will guide us. So, first…”
Saintess Liesta and Saint Heinrich were discussing the situation with serious expressions.
“The Immortal King is here…”
Geos Calkin, the spear knight, glared at the desert horizon with burning eyes.
“This is my first time in such a barren land. It’s not a pleasant environment… But my Fire Spirit is stronger here, so it’s not bad for combat.”
Lydia Granwood, the High Elf, took a deep breath, observing the strange surroundings.
“Oh—? So this is the south.”
Harley, the barbarian warrior, stared at the desert with sparkling eyes, seemingly fascinated.
‘They’re all strong… But our opponent is the Immortal King and a tribal leader with an entire nation backing him.’
She sighed inwardly.
But even though it was overwhelming, this was their true purpose as the ‘Anti-Immortal King Special Mobile Strike Force’.
They had been so busy dealing with the Immortal Army’s invasions that they had forgotten their original duties…
Rear infiltration, assassination of key figures, sabotage of strategic facilities and strongholds…
The previous expedition, which had defeated the Immortal King, had also operated this way, so there was no point in complaining.
“Khahaha! I was going to walk across the desert, but this is much more comfortable! Magic is amazing! Hahaha!”
As she was pondering their next move,
The barbarian warrior, oblivious to her worries, burst into laughter.
“Ha, Harley. This isn’t the time to be laughing. We’re in the south now, but the real work starts here.”
They had crossed the desert and arrived at their destination based on their intel, but it wasn’t easy to pinpoint the exact location of their target. The Calcos Tribal Federation was incredibly secretive, and their tribes were constantly moving.
If they wasted time, the High Chieftain would learn about them, and their plan to eliminate him before he could react would fail.
‘Worst case scenario, we might have to fight the entire Tribal Federation before we even find him.’
If he kept running and using his tribes as cannon fodder, they might be exhausted before they could even reach him.
“Huh? What’s the problem? It’s simple!”
Of course, it was hard to imagine that mountain of a man being exhausted.
Isea stared at him, hoping he had come up with a brilliant solution…
“We attack their base! We fight anyone who gets in our way! We crush everything that tries to stop us! And then we kill the High Chieftain! What could be easier? Wahaha!”
“Ah… yes… That’s true…”
But she shouldn’t have expected anything else.
She wasn’t even disappointed anymore.
“Don’t worry. We already know where to go.”
The hero, their leader, approached her and spoke confidently.
He gazed at a spot in the distance, his expression grim.
“The desert city over there, Beorsen—. That’s our target.”
“…Is the High Chieftain there?”
“Yes, and…”
Heinrich’s face hardened.
He hesitated for a moment, then continued in a low voice.
“…The Immortal King… Hannibal Strauss.”
________________________
Beorsen, the stronghold of High Chieftain Baltheon.
[…So they’re coming. Well, that’s not bad either. Kihihihik—]
Deep inside the largest building in the city, a figure shrouded in darkness chuckled.
He was anticipating their reunion.
Visit and read more novel to help us update chapter quickly. Thank you so much!
Use arrow keys (or A / D) to PREV/NEXT chapter