READ NOVEL ONLINE Chapter 31 - Supreme Council. (1)
The flickering candlelight barely illuminated the darkness.
In that faint light, figures in black robes sat in a circle.
Their faces were obscured by deeply pulled hoods, but the eerie aura emanating from them made it clear they were no ordinary adversaries.
“Everyone.”
After a moment, a hoarse voice broke the silence.
The owner of the voice raised his head and slowly looked around.
“First, I have unfortunate news. Simon’s energy has disappeared.”
At those words, tension momentarily hung in the air.
Someone couldn’t hide their surprise and asked again.
“Wait, are you saying Simon is really dead?”
“Impossible!”
A sharp voice retorted. The angry tone rose sharply.
“Simon is a child born with natural talent in black magic. To kill him would mean the Magic Tower made a move?”
Who is Simon?
Wasn’t she the one with genius-level abilities in black magic?
Even if not now, in a few years, she had high potential to surpass the capabilities of most Magic Tower masters.
“So who made a move? Did the Magic Tower really act? Or the Empire? It can’t be the Holy Kingdom, right?”
“I-If Simon revealed something, won’t it disrupt our plan?”
“You fool! How could he speak with the restraints on him?”
The response dripped with irritation.
Everyone began voicing their thoughts, creating a commotion when the one who announced Simon’s death quietly spoke.
“Enough.”
The hoarse voice was chilling and frightening, immediately silencing the surroundings.
“We are investigating who the enemy is. But remember, Simon was ultimately just one of our pawns. Her loss will not hinder our grand scheme.”
It wasn’t wrong.
Simon shone brightly but still needed more time to fully blossom.
Of course, losing a prized talent was lamentable, but small sacrifices were expected.
To them, individuals were merely tools for a greater purpose anyway.
Simon was no different.
Once the meeting ended, Simon’s name would likely never be spoken again.
Soon, the uproar settled, and someone asked in a slow, dry voice.
“But why choose the name ‘Crow’ of all things? Isn’t it a bit old-fashioned?”
An odd question for the meeting, but the others seemed curious too.
A few nodded their heads in agreement.
The gaze of the one leading the meeting turned to the questioner.
But before he could open his mouth, another beside him offered an answer.
“Allow me to explain.”
The mellow voice drew attention.
“Everyone, you recall the recent collapse of the magic crystal mine in the duchy?”
Of course they knew about it.
It had become so well-known that no one was unaware of it now.
The question was who destroyed the magic crystal mine and why.
“During the investigation into that incident, information from the Empire’s intelligence agency was obtained. The word ‘Crow’ appeared there. It suggested Crow may be involved in this matter.”
“Crow? Did they uncover its identity?”
“No, not at all. No information related to Crow emerged. Naturally, no organization using the name Crow existed either. However, seeing as it has no concrete form, I suspect this ‘Crow’ is Empire propaganda.”
His words continued.
“Or it could be a unit secretly nurtured by another kingdom. In any case, there’s a high probability it’s a force we have not identified.”
From the recent explanation, everyone now knew about Crow well.
However, that still didn’t explain why they used the name Crow.
“The point is this. For the grand scheme, there must be no variables.”
To cut off all potential variables, there could be no unknowns.
“It doesn’t matter if Crow is a real organization or propaganda. If we act first under the name Crow, they will respond in some way.”
If they used the name Crow, there would definitely be a reaction.
It was to observe that reaction.
“Ah, that’s all? I thought there’d be a grander meaning, how boring.”
Naturally, the reaction was indifferent.
They expected a profound significance, but it turned out to be nothing, leaving them feeling let down.
“Very well, everyone. Let’s end the idle chatter here. It doesn’t matter who is out there.”
An unwavering voice brought the conversation to order.
The meeting that had veered off track returned to its proper course.
“Although the Hartwell Territory matter failed, there is one piece of good news.”
The plan for Simon to cause chaos in Hartwell Territory by dying had failed.
However, there was no need for disappointment.
“It has been confirmed that a sealed monster has awakened. We are currently tracking that being’s energy.”
“A-A sealed monster… could it be…?”
A monster being sealed had significant implications.
It meant subjugation was impossible, so sealing was chosen as the next best option.
“Yes, correct. You likely remember the great catastrophe in the Berdrent Kingdom 12 years ago. The mastermind behind that disaster, the Succubus Empress, has awoken from her slumber.”
“…!”
The Succubus Empress.
The moment that being was mentioned, gasps erupted from all around.
The impact was different from the incident of Simon’s death.
“H-How could the Empress…”
The Empress’s existence was terror itself.
No one dared estimate the Empress’ power.
The Succubus Empress appeared in the Berdrent Kingdom 12 years ago.
Her charm was a problem, but the real issue lay elsewhere.
It was the shadow monsters she commanded.
They were truly hellish.
Magic attacks were ineffective; even if killed, their numbers multiplied endlessly.
That alone was enough to incite fear.
People’s fear soon turned to despair.
With no way to stop the shadow monsters, the collapse of the Berdrent Kingdom was a natural progression.
Moreover.
The entire continent of Elluncia may have crumbled.
But why?
The Succubus Empress abruptly vanished.
As if someone had sealed the Empress.
Naturally, the monsters the Empress commanded also disappeared.
As if they had never existed in the first place.
Regarding the events at the time, some spoke of the appearance of a hero.
That a hero had descended to set the chaotic world right.
Others said the Holy Kingdom intervened.
They praised that those receiving God’s grace had ended the great calamity.
Many claims emerged, but the truth was unknown to all.
“It is of no concern to us. Rather, it may accelerate our grand scheme.”
If the Succubus Empress appeared again, the continent would fall into terror.
“B-But if the being that sealed the Empress appears again…”
One concern was not knowing the identity of the one who sealed the Succubus Empress.
“You need not worry about that. If the Empress emerges, we will support her with all our might.”
If that happened, the world would be engulfed in chaos.
In the darkness, sinister smiles spread across the faces of the dark mages.
* * *
“Aqua!”
With my incantation, a stream of water flowed from my palm.
It was barely enough to wet my throat, but it was a big achievement.
Until recently, I could only sense mana. But now I skillfully chanted spells and manifested magic, a remarkable advancement.
“That’s amazing!!”
An exclamation of admiration rang out from Erin, my tutor and the mage teaching me magic.
Her eyes were filled with pure amazement.
“Such fast casting! You’re by far the best among those I’ve taught, Young Master!”
Erin’s praise continued ceaselessly.
“Your level of understanding magic and ability to attune mana is beyond imagination…!”
However, there was one truth she was unaware of.
My understanding of magic wasn’t that exceptional.
‘Even if I don’t know, I can just memorize it.’
I memorized using the study methods from my past life.
And by absorbing the abilities of dark mages, I gained two characteristics.
‘Mana affinity and elemental affinity.’
Game-breaking characteristics that allow me to keenly sense the mana crucial for magic use.
On top of that, elemental affinity enables me to utilize magic of all attributes.
Even if I only gained two characteristics, my magical prowess skyrocketed.
Of course, I couldn’t tell her the truth.
I bowed my head with a smile at Erin’s praise.
“You flatter me, Teacher. This is all thanks to your excellent instruction.”
Even with these characteristics, Erin’s teaching was remarkable.
With her skill level, rather than a tutor, she could do well at the Academy.
At first, Erin was uncomfortable being called Teacher, but now she was used to it.
However, as he was a mage and not a noble, a strange relationship formed in which I, her student, had a higher status.
‘If this were an academy, we’d call each other by name.’
However, she was a tutor.
Well, Erin didn’t seem to mind.
Rather, she was interested in my magical talent.
“No, Young Master. Of course, I did my best to teach, but this is only possible with your innate talent. I feel my instruction may soon become unnecessary.”
I shook my head at her words.
“Please don’t say that. I still require your teachings.”
Why are you expressing regret?
Even if you say that, I had no intention of ending my learning yet.
‘I sense it, but there are limits to how far I can advance on my own.’
If her teachings ended now, my skills would stagnate.
The current results were achieved by absorbing abilities.
‘Should I hunt down all the dark mages this time?’
I could absorb the abilities of dark mages the squad members hunted.
That was a huge merit for me.
‘No, let’s not act rashly.’
I could just tell Black Raven to wipe out the dark mages, and they would find and purge them somehow.
But I didn’t know what kind of aftermath that would bring.
‘Instead of something grandiose, a simple command should be fine, right?’
Narrowing the scope seemed okay.
‘Eliminate any being that threatens Black Raven.’
Anyhow, dark mages were a threat to the continent, so I planned to give that command.
* * *
The information brought by Mist’s director, Kazas, caused a huge stir.
The Supreme Council was urgently convened.
Vice Leader Ariel was also preparing to attend the Supreme Council meeting.
“To think someone would dare impersonate Black Raven.”
Sword Saint Walter’s voice was laced with anger.
Walter was one of Black Raven’s founding members.
As such, his affection was extraordinary, so the fact that dark mages were tarnishing Black Raven’s name in particular infuriated him.
“Ariel, I will also raise this matter in the Supreme Council this time. So don’t worry too much.”
Supreme Council.
The highest authority in Black Raven, second only to the Leader.
Those on the Supreme Council, excluding Ariel, were all approved by the Leader.
Ariel belonged to the Supreme Council not by the Leader’s approval but through the authority of the Vice Leader.
Because of that, some within the Supreme Council were displeased with Ariel’s presence.
Of course, it was a minority opinion, but they may use the recent events to question her qualifications as Vice Leader.
For instance, releasing the Succubus Empress Celestia from the seal on her own was a prime example.
However, Ariel was undaunted.
“It’s alright, Sir Walter.”
Come to think of it, didn’t the Supreme Council ultimately approve of her becoming Vice Leader as well?
Above all, as Walter said, this incident was different.
They dared to sully Black Raven’s name so the Supreme Council wouldn’t remain still.
“……”
Ariel looked at Walter and flashed a slight smile.
Seeing Walter get angry over something seemed so human.
Of course, Walter was indeed human.
But among humans, he was one who had seen the tip of the blade.
Even if aged, he could readily defeat the Empire’s Imperial Knight Commander.
A human who transcended the limitations of being human yet remained as one.
When would Walter ever show anger like now again?
Ariel told Walter not to worry.
“I was planning to propose mobilizing Purge anyway.”
“Oho, you already thought that far. As expected of the Vice Leader.”
Purge was an organization solely dedicated to purges.
Similar yet completely different in nature from Mist, which tortured and interrogated in the underground prison.
The biggest difference was that Purge had no mercy.
Above all, to mobilize them, the Supreme Council’s consent was necessary.
Precisely put, Purge was a brutal organization to the extent that it needed the Supreme Council’s control.
“The Supreme Council will agree to this matter.”
As dark mages were involved this time, they would need to make an example.
As she said that, Ariel inwardly thought of the Leader.
‘Leader…’
She aimed to mobilize Purge due to the Leader’s orders.
– Eliminate any being that threatens Black Raven.
The order that appeared in a timely manner was suitable for the current situation.
‘Leader must be enraged as well…!’
Those who earned the Leader’s wrath could expect no mercy.