Night of the Soulless Heathens – 472



#473. Northern Qi and the Overlord 8

As the season fully entered winter a bitter cold swept across the world.

Last winter was extremely harsh but this winter has been so terrible that it puts even last year’s winter to shame.

When swept by the northern gusts the blood in one’s body would instantly freeze so all coastal ships had to anchor but the sea was so frozen that the ships would break apart.

Even in the Kingdom of Assander which benefits from geothermal heat there were many people freezing to death so it goes without saying that it would be even worse in other places.

The Azadin army was preparing to invade Assander by logging and building ships in the West but that work was also completely halted.

The expeditionary force Azadin’s army was caught in the cold and was trapped in Seocheong and Changgok-gwan so they had no choice but to survive the winter by pillaging the scarce supplies.

The Northern Qi was thus confident of its victory.

But then a report came in from the agents of Northern Aragasa.

There was news that King Azadin had infiltrated Assander with only a small guard.

“So King Azadin has just entered Assander?”

“yes.”

“No what are you doing?”

The Northern Emperor asked back:

I understand that you want to do something because it’s cold and you can’t stay stuck in the city.

But the passage beneath Assander could never transport a large army.

How could the king himself enter such a narrow and rough road with only a few guards?

If he had sent a spy to infiltrate the place I would understand but the fact that the king himself came can only be explained as a new form of suicide.

“You said you came to persuade me.”

“Persuasion? Are you in your right mind? Then what are you trying to persuade me with?”

“Well fighting is useless so let’s all join forces and defeat Fimbulbert. Something like that. But the elves have been causing a lot of trouble.”

“What the hell? What the hell?”

“They completely treated the elves as the culprits saying that the elves had corrupted the Three-Handed King. And they also said that the Nether cultists who burned down the food warehouse were also moved by the elves. They threatened the elves to either die by their hands or cooperate with them depending on their crimes.”

“So what did the elves do?”

The Northern Emperor was fed up with Azadin’s absurd behavior and asked him.

“You actually admitted it. You beat around the bush but you basically admitted it right?”

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“In fact? Those elves admitted it? They must have really pushed me hard. But it’s good. Let’s catch that bastard Azadin this time. Gather all the Assander Capital Defense Forces right now!”

“Yes I understand. But even so he is the king so what is his justification?”

“The guy is an enemy of the King’s Church. There is enough justification to capture him. Of course I will be criticized for being a bit reckless but rather than being a guest here and missing out on a big catch I will capture him now and end this long fight…”

But before he could finish speaking a loud noise was heard and armored royal guards flew into Cohen’s office.

“Excuse me. Have you had dinner Cohen Lioner?”

And the one who blew away the royal guards walks in.

It seems that his forces have already subdued the royal guards and entered here.

“You?”

The Northern Emperor asked knowing who he was talking about.

It was obvious who the black-haired Harconian-like eyes young and beautiful-looking young man was.

“I am the Emperor’s representative the guardian of Arangi the king of Banling the representative of Chitai and Azadin the chieftain of Aragasa.”

“Chief of Aragasa?”

Cohen Lionaire turned his gaze to the side.

Next to Azadin the Northern Aragasa trio were avoiding his gaze.

Agent Aragasa who had been reporting beside him nodded.

“Actually there’s one thing I forgot to report… King Azadin crossed the border two weeks ago.”

“Two weeks ago…..”

The two-week journey from Changgok-gwan to Ascendar the capital of Asander is a speed only possible for galloping horsemen who constantly change horses.

In other words Azadin and his party quickly infiltrated the palace without much resistance and rather with everyone’s cooperation.

The fact that no report had been submitted by then means that the Aragasas had betrayed him.

Cohen Lioner never thought he would feel something called betrayal.

In all that time he had never had anyone take away his loyalty let alone have others betray their previous masters and come to him.

Of course he knew that the elves were up to something else but he never imagined that the northern Aragats would betray him.

“You guys…..”

“Oh that’s….”

“I lost.”

“what…?”

Cohen Lioner knew what was going on just by that.

So Azadin defeated the Northern Aragasa Trio gathered them and invaded the Northern Qi’s own residence.

All of the Northern Aragatha agents have fallen to Azadin.

Judging by the appearance it is clear that the elves have also fallen.

“You guys. Are you out of your mind? There is a limit to how uncivilized you can be. How can you decide the position of governing a country or a people through a duel?”

“Haven’t you already proven your qualifications? He already manages all the southern kingdoms so he’ll probably be able to manage our tribe well.”

The Aragasas answered as such but they also turned their heads away in shame.

That’s true but isn’t it funny that I changed my master all at once after serving him so far?

If you are wondering if it is shameful to have attacked King Azadin and then been defeated coolly and betrayed your master that is not the case.

“Then shall we have a serious talk? Cohen. But before that….”

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“Don’t make me laugh. I’ll admit that you won but more than that….”

“Okay then get out of the way before that.”

“what?”

“Get off the throne.”

Cohen was shocked at that moment.

Although he was not king from the beginning he reigned as king for a long time.

Even when he was a knight who had been pushed out of the line of succession to the throne and had become a monk no one could do this to him.

But now you want to make way for him on his way to the throne?

“Don’t make me laugh! I was once called the Northern Emperor. If you want to get me out of here you have to kill me…”

“That’s it. I can’t listen to it anymore.”

At that moment Azadin shot an arrow at Bukje. Not only Azadin but all the northern Aragasas shot arrows at the same time and they were all aimed at him on the throne.

If you abandon the throne and take refuge you can avoid it but if you stand guard over the throne you will be hit by arrows.

The bewildered Northern Emperor hesitated for a moment before dodging the arrows.

It happened so quickly that the Northern Emperor dodged and then clicked his tongue.

“See? How embarrassing it would have been if I had said out loud that I could only get out of the way if I died. Aren’t you glad you got out of the way before that happened?”

“Ugh!”

As the Northern Emperor trembled with rage Azadin stepped into his gap without a second thought.

He came in close enough to touch him if he drew his sword or even closer and before he knew it they were shoulder to shoulder. He placed a hand on Bukje’s shoulder and patted him on the shoulder as if he were comforting a friend before passing by.

“….”

The Northern Emperor was forced to watch Azadin pass by him unable to move as if frozen.

Everything was so sudden and unexpected that the Northern Emperor was unable to come to his senses.

Meanwhile Azadin sat on Assander’s throne.

Assander’s quartz throne pulsed.

A pulse of power It felt as if the throne was awakening from a long slumber.

“Oh.”

“…also.”

The northern Aragats who came with Azadin and Azadin’s subjects watched the scene as if it were natural.

“So Cohen Lioner?”

“Kill him.”

“Why should I do that?”

“Are you planning to keep me alive as your trophy of victory? Don’t make me laugh. Even if I die I won’t be your plaything.”

“Ha. Why is your level of thinking like this? If I could really kill you I would.”

“What?”

Cohen was taken aback by Azadin’s boastful remarks.

Isn’t that what it means to want to kill someone but not be able to?

What does this mean?

Until just now I had been determined to die cleanly and avoid seeing the dirty sight rather than tarnish my honor but curiosity raised its head.

This guy’s curiosity. He must have been dulled to the point of being dulled by all the wealth fame and pleasure in the world but even so the emotion called curiosity still pierced his nose and dragged him along.

When I die I become curious and want to hear what this guy is talking about before I die.

“Listen carefully. I’m not threatening you. I’m asking you Cohen Lioness. If I could I’d kill you and replace you with one of your more obedient children but I can’t so I’m trying to convince you not to think on your level.”

“….”

Judging from what he says it seems like he needs Cohen’s help but judging by his attitude it seems like he’s trying to threaten and not persuade.

“Truly I need your help.”

“My help? What do you mean?”

“So… ugh.”

Azadin covered his mouth with his hand then after a while he vomited blood.

“……”

“your majesty!?”

Azadin’s servants were embarrassed and tried to approach him.

But Azadin waved his hand to keep them from approaching and leaned back on his throne.

“Whew. It’s okay. For now.”

“but….”

“I know my body well. It’s okay for now. It won’t be okay in the end but at least for now I can manage it well enough up to this level of the throne.”

‘Huh? This guy….’

Cohen Lioner was taken aback by the sudden and unexpected turn of events.

Seeing Azadin coughing up blood in front of him and the mood of his subjects why…

‘Is this guy suffering from a fatal disease?’

“Cohen Lioner.”

Then Azadin spoke.

“I want to protect people.”

“….”

If Azadin had brought up this at a diplomatic envoy meeting at a place like Changgok-gwan before this happened he would not have even heard it.

What good things can’t you say with your mouth?

But now that he is holding the life of the Northern Qi in his hands it is persuasive to say this.

This kid… is really doing this to save people.

Suddenly a somber thought occurred to me.

“This winter will be nothing like last year. Here in the north the air will freeze over and become liquid rain later… When that happens all human-made winter facilities will be useless. No matter how many bonfires you light they won’t work. When the cold starts to freeze even the flames everything except the underground city of Asander will die.”

“then….”

“We must subdue the mushroom colony located underground in Assander and the Nether god behind them secure the underground city and evacuate the northern residents.”

Even if we evacuate only the residents of Asander it is a huge undertaking that we cannot be sure will be completed on time.

However Azadin was talking about saving not only Assander but also all the people of the northern region including Karasar Tarasar Chitai.

You can’t do this by killing Cohen and installing another puppet king.

Tarasar and Karasar will not trust Azadin and will resist until the end.

‘You crazy bastard. Are you really here to convince me?’

Cohen was horrified to realize that Azadin had truly risked his life to convince him.