25-283

EP.283. [Eugene, Marianne, and Charlotte Head to Pangaea.] 

“Bahad, not Heitenberg???” 

The Imperial Knights are divided into two main branches: the field-oriented Arena and the headquarters led by Antoine. The Arena is based in the capital, Helios, while the main headquarters is in Heitenberg, one of the four great cities. Although Antoine often works from Helios, he returns to the headquarters in Heitenberg to take command during major incidents. 

That’s why Eugene expected Marianne, after extracting Jeanne’s group from Pangaea, to head for Heitenberg. But instead, Marianne chose to return to Bahad a place far from both Helios and Heitenberg. Eugene was visibly surprised by this unexpected decision. 

“It may be hard to understand right now. But Eugene, Charlotte, can you trust and follow me? In this situation, staying away from both the imperial family and the duke is the best choice,” Marianne said, her gaze unwavering, asking for their trust. 

“If the ‘eldest of the imperial family’ is meant, does that mean the current emperor, Louis XV…?” 

Victoria, having heard from Raonjena that the goddess’s mark is passed to the imperial family’s eldest, quickly realized that Antoine’s target was indeed Louis XV. 

[That’s right,] Raonjena nodded. Alexis Saint-Pierre had imperial blood but was not the legitimate heir. The true heir by pure blood and the eldest is Louis Hyden Elysium Louis XV himself, who, according to secret imperial legend, bears the goddess’s mark. 

[The mark is inherited by the eldest, but only manifests when the heir becomes emperor and is baptized at the goddess’s fountain. That’s why Antoine made Louis Hyden Elysium emperor instead of Alexis.] 

This was also the reason Antoine betrayed his friend Alexis. To neutralize the goddess’s mark a barrier to the descent of the demon king blessed by the demon god Antoine needed it to manifest. If it didn’t, killing the bearer would only transfer the mark to another. Knowing this, Antoine betrayed and eliminated Alexis, then raised Louis XV as emperor, fattening him up like a pig for slaughter. 

“So Antoine intends to eliminate the emperor, Raonjena!” 

Victoria had read legends and mystical texts about the goddess’s mark, the demon god’s eye, and the legend that the goddess grants a wish when the demon king blessed by the demon god is slain. But she had never taken them as literal truth until now, as Raonjena’s testimony and the unfolding events made the connections clear. 

[Correct. The moment you broke in here, Antoine turned his blade toward the imperial palace. He sent you to me because you could never be swayed to his side, but he couldn’t simply eliminate you either you’re Adrienne’s daughter, whom he wants to save.] 

Antoine had often praised Victoria for resembling her mother Adrienne in both character and appearance. But this also meant Victoria could never be part of his grand scheme. If Antoine started a rebellion, Victoria would surely side with the imperial family. So he isolated her by exploiting her desire to defeat Sophist, sending her on a special quest. 

“Duke Antoine isn’t that reckless. Even with such a goal, he wouldn’t risk triggering a crisis with Tyrannos right now. That’s why he sent me here.” 

Victoria recognized that, emotionally, Antoine’s motives were plausible. But in her year by his side, she’d seen him as a cautious, risk-averse strategist he wouldn’t start a civil war while monsters ran rampant, risking everything before achieving his goal. 

[Heh, exactly. Antoine is never reckless. He’s cunning as a snake and only fights battles he’s sure to win.] 

Raonjena smiled wryly, implying that Victoria still hadn’t fully grasped Antoine’s true nature. 

[Antoine is a co-leader of Tyrannos. He’s had ties with them since his youth, and after eliminating Ulysses, he grew strong enough to become their leader.] 

Antoine had already set the stage so there was no risk left. He’d built connections with Tyrannos long ago, and now that he’d waited for this day, he had even brought Tyrannos under his influence. 

“Ah…” 

Victoria could only gasp at the string of shocking revelations. 

[I only learned this recently myself. It turns out Antoine’s ability to roam the perpetual snow mountains in his wandering days was thanks to Tyrannos’s help.] 

Raonjena, too, realized she’d been playing into Antoine’s hands for over a decade, thinking she was outsmarting him, only to be completely outmaneuvered. 

[When I caught on, he sabotaged my elixir, weakened me, and set things up so you would end my life with your sword removing his last loose end, Victoria von Bayern.] 

Raonjena had planted spies in the Imperial Knights, but they were nothing compared to Antoine’s. By the time she realized the difference in power, her body was ruined by the elixir and she was forced into hiding. 

[What I still don’t understand is why Antoine proceeded with his plan, knowing I would tell you everything. I don’t know what he stands to gain.] 

Having said all she needed, Raonjena stood up, her expression changed. 

[I didn’t want to play along with his plans, but I had no choice. I couldn’t die without telling you everything.] 

She was keeping her promise: if Victoria came alone and listened, she would reveal the truth and the way out. Now, Raonjena was ready to die by Victoria’s sword. 

[There, in that dark corner, is a sluice gate that opens every other day. In about a day and a half, you and your companions can escape through there.] 

She pointed out the escape route. 

[Now, keep your promise. End my life with your sword, Victoria…] 

Raonjena turned away, her skin pale purple and veined from the elixir’s side effects, ready to receive Victoria’s sword. 

“Alright, I’ll keep my promise.” 

Victoria drew her sword. 

“But first, is there anything else you want to say?” 

Raonjena paused in silence. 

[To Eugene Schneider… tell him I beg forgiveness with tears of blood. Tell him I did it out of jealousy. I’m truly sorry and ashamed, Victoria…] 

Tears of blood flowed again. While her guilt over Ulysses was the root of her self-torment, the one she wronged most was his son, Eugene Schneider. She hadn’t been able to say it before, but with Victoria’s insight, she finally confessed. 

“Now, let me grant you peace.” 

With that, Victoria raised her sword and struck. 

 Slash!!! 

“With the Gray Bear Mercenaries, we should be able to hold out for several days, Commander Memphis.” 

Duchess Marianne, clad in silver battle attire, reassured Bahad’s defense commander Memphis. Eugene, Marianne, and Charlotte had finished their preparations to leave for Pangaea the next day. With Bahad’s three strongest defenders leaving at once, Memphis was understandably anxious. 

“Yes, Commander Memphis. We’ve worked hard to prevent any more dimensional rifts from opening. There shouldn’t be another monster outbreak like last time, so don’t worry,” Charlotte added. 

“Understood, Sister Charlotte. But please return as soon as possible. If word gets out that you and the duchess are gone, it could cause panic.” 

“Yes, we’ll do that.” 

The three weren’t just a matter of military strength Marianne and Charlotte had deep ties with the people of Bahad, so their absence for even a few days could cause major unrest. 

“ Kuwaaaaaaah!!!!” 

“ Uwooooooooh!!!” 

 Dududududududududu!!!! 

Eugene Schneider’s party left Bahad and were immediately confronted by purple mutant orcs. 

 Swaaaaaaang!!! 

“The Heart of the Sun really did its job!” 

Eugene drew his greatsword. While the Heart of the Sun suppressed rifts in Bahad, outside, more and more dimensional rifts were opening, unleashing a flood of monsters.