Night of the Soulless Heathens – 71



#71. Temple of the Serpent 2

The light of the king’s flower.

The foundation of the faith of the King’s Church and the reason why the Yaegas are revered as divine kings.

When a rightful king sits on the throne a white magic barrier protects the land and drives away the dark monsters. In particular the undead melt in front of the light of the king’s flower like a snowman in a summer heat.

“Hehe. The light of the King’s Flower. That is if a rightful king were to sit down. The blood of the Yaegas Gods is fading and their power is weakening. So in exchange for a copy of the Book of the Kings I will ask for Devislin’s protection.”

“Devislin’s protection?”

“The power of the Cobra Queen of the Kurt Clan will push back the light of the King’s Flower and help me seize the throne of Korasaar. Thanks to you the Herald Clan who leaked a copy of the Book of the New King I can once again challenge for the throne.”

“So you’re going to make the world a place filled with only undead and nagas? Do you think that’s beautiful? What you wanted was the throne of Korasaar. When you stand on that throne you’re satisfied even if all your subordinates are undead and nagas? Is that what you wanted?”

Azadin asked with pure curiosity. Perhaps that was why the Count answered seriously.

“What good is it to be beautiful in a world that is not mine? If I can get my hands on it I would rather have all the people of Hybris become undead. If I can’t have it the beauty of this world is disgusting.”

“Ah… is that so? So you’re that kind of person.”

Azadin clicked his tongue.

It is an absolute evil that cannot be persuaded and will inevitably become an enemy. No if left alone it will push those around it into the abyss of misfortune.

One who seeks power.

In a way it’s like Arael.

‘Arael….’

Azadin felt the old wounds from Arael start to sting.

*********

“I’ll give you whatever you want. Be on my side.”

The moment he opened Arael’s letter Azadin was sucked into a black space.

In a completely dark space there was a woman standing alone with her back to the light. It was Arael.

Because of the strong backlight you can’t see the face. No you don’t want to be seen.

Azadin’s eyesight can see through darkness and backlight so it must be her will that her face cannot be seen now.

“It’s been a while Arael.”

“Did you miss me?”

“No not at all.”

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Azadin caressed his face. An old wound was torn open and bleeding. This had never happened before but in this space Azadin’s wound was torn open and bleeding as if it had just been torn open.

“I didn’t want to see you.”

“Is that all you have to say when we meet again after ten years? Aren’t you curious as to why I betrayed you?”

“Not at all. It’s probably a story about wanting to take over the whole world or that the current herald clan is rotten.”

“The Senate and the Chieftain are obsessed with the Nether. You must know that right? I was deciphering the Nether language with Elder Kazas.”

“Yeah I know.”

The herald Aragasa studied many magics with the sole purpose of being freed from the curse of service. Among them were the forbidden black magics of the Nether.

However the magic of the Nether was considered to be dark magic so humans had difficulty approaching it. If a normal human were to speak the language of the Nether their tongue would dry up.

Azadin who had innate strong magical resistance took on the role of speaking the language of the Nether for Kazas and in return Kazas taught Azadin the Kazas method of the flower bird wind and moon.

“Okay. This story will be quick. Azadin I need you. I’ll give you whatever you want.”

“What do I want?”

“You want revenge on the clans that treated you badly? Get revenge on them. Once I’ve completed my conquest I’ll turn all of the Aragasa into your slaves. You can torture and abuse the men of the clan forever and turn them into giant six-walled monsters to display on the walls of your castle. You can turn all the women into your maids. Even Aldis.”

“…!”

“Yeah. You’ve wanted an Aldis since you were little right?”

“…You don’t know anything.”

Azadin shook his head.

“I want her to be happy. And that’s… not a dream that can be achieved that way.”

“You’re talking nonsense Azadin. Aldis loves Hatir the leader.”

“….”

“Are you just going to watch as what you covet becomes someone else’s?”

“If I try to take it it will be destroyed.”

“What’s wrong with that? If it’s not going to fall into my hands I might as well break it and take the pieces.”

“If you really think so Arael.”

Azadin glared wiping the blood flowing from the wound.

“I’m done with you. You’re my enemy.”

“…You must have a hard time having such a stupid younger brother.”

“I am your older brother.”

“Huh? You’re the only one who thinks so.”

Contrary to what she said Arael smiled in the backlight.

“Why are you trying to persuade me now Arael? Because you’re helping me study the language of the Nether?”

“That’s true but Azadin you and I are the only blood relatives in this world right?”

“Why are you saying that now?”

“Listen carefully. I want everything in this world. But if you think about it I’m not obsessed with good food clothes fancy castles or beautiful people. What I really want is just power itself.”

In reality she was not interested in anything other than power and might. To put it nicely she had no greed but to put it badly she had no love.

The only thing that attracts her is power.

There is only power.

“That doesn’t mean I’ll give up the treasures slaves and kingdoms that are right in front of me. I intend to get all the money wealth and honor. Otherwise I’ll destroy everything. Anything that I can’t get my hands on isn’t worth existing.”

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The ambition to possess everything without any material desires and to destroy anything that is not mine.

Azadin laughed as he heard Arael’s statement that he would only be true to his own ambitions regardless of whether it harmed the world or not. It was the kind of nonsense a drunkard on the side of the road would utter.

The problem is that Arael’s power is closer to that of a living goddess. She has the power to put into practice the madness she spouts.

“My stupid and disgusting followers will be useful until then. But when I think about sharing the wealth and fame I will gain with those guys you suddenly come to mind. After all it would be better for you my blood relative to enjoy the wealth and fame rather than those disgusting things. If I do that the other followers will know even if they don’t like it. That our blood relatives are precious.”

“….”

Is this the kind of thinking that comes when egoism and narcissism reach their peak? In a way it was truly an admirable statement.

“You are my only blood relative Azadin. I have decided to love you in my own way.”

The person who caused Azadin the deepest wound… declares that he loves Azadin.

But is that really love? She doesn’t know how to love her own life so she doesn’t feel happy when she gets what others want. That’s why she turned to Azadin.

If you love Azadin as your own blood relative then it will make sense to share what you have. Are you talking about ‘love’ just for that reason?

“I refuse. I don’t need that kind of love. It’s not love it’s a decoration to decorate your ambition. It’s not a decoration to praise your victory…”

Azadin put his hand to the wound on his face.

“I have pride too!”

“Didn’t you say Azadin?”

Arael woke up in the backlight.

“There is no need for anything that does not fall into my hands to exist. Even if that thing is you my only blood relative!”

As the blood flowing from Azadin’s face fell to the ground… Azadin broke free from the letter’s magic.

*********

Now Count Kazel was standing in front of Azadin. And he was saying the same thing as Arael.

‘It’s a power-oriented human-like way of thinking.’

Azadin recalled the letter from Arael that had tried to persuade him and felt his wounds start to sting again.

“Count why do you care about that blasphemous thing?”

The Count expressed his displeasure at the thought of having a serious conversation with Azadin.

‘I don’t know if it’s because I’m a raccoon or because I’m stepping on a statue but I’m hearing people say I’m disrespectful.’

Azadin who was listening laughed.

“I know you were proud of your Herald slaves but even without them there is nothing that can stop your forces.”

For the Count defeating the Herald Clan and making them his subordinates was a great source of pride. That’s why he’s after Azadin but now that he’s got his mummy soldiers… he doesn’t really need to keep the Herald Clan slaves.

“Yes that’s right. You can just subdue them with force. But there’s something interesting about this guy. He feels different from the average messenger clan.”

The Count felt a sense of alienation towards Azadin from the other messenger clans. That’s why he wants to have him.

“He is a desirable talent. Even more so if he managed to subdue those two messengers without causing any serious harm.”

Count Casel said so and smiled bitterly.

“Still we can’t get everything. Now raise the mummies.”

“yes.”

The Nagas cast a spell.

“Then it’s difficult.”

Azadin took out the blood-soaked arrows from the statue. He fired the arrows he had obtained from his predecessors Harad and Kebna at the Count.

The Count tried to block the arrow with the invisible barrier that had previously blocked the arrow… but the arrow that Azadin fired curved in front of the Count spraying blood. It was a transformation that would normally not be visible but the blood-soaked arrow spun around and sprayed blood.

“hmm?!”

Azadin’s arrows curved and aimed at the Nagas next to the Count. The surprised Nagas jumped and dodged like vipers but the arrows passed through their stomachs and chests.

Although they could not penetrate their torsos due to the strong scales of the Naga they did inflict serious wounds.

“Kyaak!”

“Char!”

The enraged Nagas cast a spell. Droplets of blood rose from the statue and flew towards Azadin but he had already seen the magic.

-Shhhhh!

Azadin threw his dagger and hit the rising blood droplets before they could shoot at him. The blood droplets burst like balloons and Azadin fired his arrow again.

“Damn it!”

“Damn messenger!”

While everyone was tense and running around trying to avoid Azadin’s arrows knowing that they could bend them freely and hit their targets the Count stepped forward and threw himself at the arrows.

-pop!

A spherical magical barrier appeared in front of the Count’s body and the arrow exploded.

“You’re harassing my girls too much. I’ll deal with that guy so you go wake up Mummy.”

“yes!”

“All right!”

As the Nagas retreated and cast their spell the blood from the underpass began to gather on the mummies.

As they are soaked in blood the mummies lying on the floor rise. Their eyes blossom with natural beauty and a terrible curse takes hold of them.

“I can’t leave it like that!”

Azadin fired an arrow.