Night of the Soulless Heathens – 99



#99. Nightcrawler 1

Azadin opened the fortress gates and sent all the fortress guards and civilians out.

“Won’t the Count’s army kill us all as soon as we go out?”

Everyone was trembling with fear and doubt but nothing happened when they left the fortress. The Count was too busy fighting the mysterious monsters and the undead that suddenly appeared to pay attention to the rear.

The members of the Arael tribe a herald clan allied with the Count were moving to avoid Azadin but they did not seem to have any intention of joining the Count’s forces right away.

If you go and help the Count’s army when it is in danger it will serve as an excellent excuse for not taking the fortress.

‘Ah we were about to capture the fortress but suddenly there was a commotion at the rear so we came to rescue you. If only you were sane we would have captured the fortress.’

This was because they could cover up their defeat at Azadin by making excuses like this. Those who opened the fortress gate and came out were bewildered to see the enemies retreating.

“Are you okay?”

“Yes that’s right.”

“Wow. Is this the Herald Clan? Amazing.”

The soldiers were in awe of Azadin who was proceeding with everything according to plan. As the sun set and the moonlight dimmed in the darkness they felt as if they were crawling through a cave with no end in sight.

The future is uncertain and anxiety and fear tighten the heart. Nevertheless Azadin boldly moves forward into the uncertain future.

‘This guy is really smart and wise. Did he predict that this would happen?’

‘And how can he be so bold and confident?’

As people looked at him in awe Azadin looked back at them.

‘I did it but… what is that? I thought Jecht would chase me if I unsealed the copy of the New King’s Book but no? And what about the undead army?’

In fact Azadin was also flustered. However he deliberately acted calmly because he knew that if he panicked or became anxious the others who trusted him and followed him would surely go crazy.

“Well then everyone. I must say goodbye here. May the protection of the three archangels be with you all.”

“….”

Everyone was shocked when Azadin asked for the angels’ protection.

They considered the Heralds to be soulless blasphemies god-killing emperor-serving horrible things. But from their mouths came out the words of the Order of the Knights Templar the religion they recognized and the celebration of the Angel Faith.

‘Is this man a member of the Angel Faith Knights? But the Herald Clan is a believer in Angels? Are they not soulless blasphemies?’

A being without faith or soul who kills the Yaegasu clan. That was the prejudice against the messenger clan.

For most people faith is something like proof of the soul. So people concluded that the messenger clan who killed the blood relatives of God without any hesitation ‘had no soul.’

But what about the believers in angels?

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Interest is not soulless. If there is faith then there is soul.

‘Somehow it saved us even though it had no benefit whatsoever.’

‘But why are we saying goodbye here?’

Azadin drew his sword from his horse’s saddle or rather from his goat’s saddle and pointed to the north road.

“Avoid Lantarik and follow north. You will be safe once you reach the place controlled by the King’s Church. My companions and I will act as bait to prevent the army from pursuing you so we will part ways here.”

“ah!”

“It’s dangerous.”

“Oh is that okay Your Majesty?”

Delmer asked so.

“It’s okay. But Shati you have to come with me.”

“….”

I will let everyone else go but I will keep the Naga agent Shati. When Azadin pointed that out Shati also gave up.

“I understand. I understand. I don’t think I can shake you off and run away.”

“Then may the angels’ blessings be with you again on your future path.”

When Azadin greeted them gracefully everyone was moved and stepped back. However there was one person among the people who did not step back…

It was Sir Brand the Knight of Brass.

“Sir Brand?”

“I will go with you.”

“Yes? You’ll follow me?”

Azadin was bewildered by Brand’s stubbornness.

‘Hmm. What should I do?’

He liked Sir Brand. It is difficult to do the right thing in a harsh world without going crazy.

‘A person who chooses to go mad rather than succumb to the world should be respected even if he is a madman. However it is difficult to grant this request. There is no way an old man who was not of the warrior class but a mere writer could endure the journey ahead. We must calm him down and let him go.’

So Azadin made an excuse.

“I Lord Brand entrust you with the task of protecting the escape of these people. Who else but the renowned Lord Brand of Lantaric can protect them?”

Azadin tried to coax and persuade him to evacuate with the people. But Brand said.

“First of all I am not a knight. My name is Brand clerk to Count Lantaric.”

“….”

Azadin’s face turned red with embarrassment.

‘I thought you were out of your mind so I kept talking nonsense… I’m embarrassed.’

Brand cleared his throat.

“Ahem. I wouldn’t say I’m sane. You wouldn’t believe it. But I’m a little bit back.”

“Are you okay?”

“Of course… well this is really a nightmare.”

Brand frowned rubbing his head.

“I can still feel the madness whispering. My family was slaughtered and trampled and then I….”

“Calm down. Are you saying you’ve come to your senses? Then why?”

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“I am the secretary of Count Lantaric and know many of his secrets. So I was afraid that Count Lantaric would get rid of me so I took my family and fled but I was captured by that Donair.”

Brand looked back at Azadin.

“It was hell. I want to repay you somehow for freeing me from that hell.”

“What’s the reward?”

The medium who was listening looked puzzled.

“To be honest I used to hate the Herald Clan. But who would have thought that the ones who helped me when I was most in trouble were the Herald Clan? It’s embarrassing. I want to repay the favor even if it costs me my life.”

“What will you give me in return? The hidden fortune of Count Lantaric?”

Medium was puzzled. Brand currently had neither money nor an incredible sword. How could he possibly repay him?

“Do you know why the Heralds clan is attached to Count Lantaric?”

“yes?”

“What if the original plate that made the Emperor’s gold coins existed?”

“…!?”

“uh?”

Midiam and Ismail Azaddin knew what the old man was talking about.

“The Emperor’s Mint?”

It was almost a legend among the messenger clan.

The Emperor’s gold coins are enchanted with indescribably complex and powerful magic making them impossible to replicate and use. But what if you could find the Emperor’s mint and uncover the secrets surrounding the Emperor’s gold coins?

By mass producing the Emperor’s gold coins you can free the Herald Clan from the curse of service and you can also freely use the Emperor’s voice and the miracle of petition.

It is of course important to find a copy of the Book of the New King and interpret it to lift the curse of service. The Book of the New King is the most powerful book on the continent of Hybris and contains the secrets of the power of the Yaegas gods. However it would not hurt to secure the Emperor’s Mint separately.

“You would be interested in the Emperor’s Mint right? If you are a Herald?”

“Is there a mint in Lantaric?”

“That’s not it… The clue is in Adirov.”

Adyrop is another fief owned by Count Garnahair of Lantaric.

“Okay let’s go together.”

“Thank you.”

Brand thanked Azadin.

“Then take the Brand here.”

Azadin mounted Brand on his mountain goat.

“Then let’s go to Lantaric.”

“You mean Lantaric? Isn’t that dangerous?”

“Now that the Count has withdrawn his army it is a good time to move. The Count is probably trying to wipe out all the residents of Salasma but you should be able to bypass his soldiers without difficulty. Isn’t that right?”

“That is true but.”

“There lies a clue to finding the Emperor’s Mint.”

“Okay then let’s go.”

Azadin decided to follow Brand’s advice.

‘I was curious to know what kind of undead attacked us but I guess I’ll have to postpone that confirmation.’

Since he had accepted Brand as a non-combatant he had to avoid any combat situations as much as possible. Azadin put Brand on his ram and started moving towards Rantarik with his party.

*********

Azadin’s party stopped near the River Kora. The dock for crossing the river was already lined with Count Lantarik’s soldiers.

It was clear that the Count had deployed a considerable number of troops and reliable commanders here as it was a bridgehead connecting Lantarik and Salasma. If this place fell supplies would not be able to be brought in from Lantarik and the Count would be isolated in the middle of enemy territory.

“Let’s rest here for now Shati.”

“Why do you call me your dog? I’ve lived longer than you. Call me Shati.”

“Do you feel like your balls are going to fall off?”

Shati gulped as Midiam pointed a knife at her throat.

“Azadin cure your wounds.”

“ah.”

Jibek wanted to see how Shati healed her wounds. Then Brand suddenly spoke.

“Do you know the prophecy of Jupiter?”

“That is a forbidden statement in the King’s Church.”

Zibek sighed. The prophecy of Jupiter which is so profane that it is hard to even mention is a prophecy of doom that madmen love to utter.

A prophecy that as the Age of Jupiter approaches the King’s Church will lose its power and the ancient evils that once roamed this land before the Kurts will one day resurrect.

Of course it was a remark that could not come out of the mouth of a sane person as it was an insult to the king’s church.

“To be precise when the Age of Jupiter comes the old masters who have sunk into Netherstrom will return the light of the King’s Flower will weaken and even the glory of the three Archangels will disappear. That is the prophecy. It is a terrible prophecy that not only the King’s Church and the light of the King’s Flower but all sources that provide white magic to this land will weaken.”

At Brand’s words Zibek’s eyes sharpened. Was he telling him to endure the prophecy that would attack not only the King’s Church but also the angelic faith of the Knights Templar?

“That’s nonsense. Only a madman would say that.”

“No it’s true. In fact the light of the King’s Flower is fading.”

“…!”

At that moment the eyes of Zibek who seemed to be worn out from fatigue opened wide. The anger itself seemed to burst out of his eyes like a flame ready to roast the old man Brand before his eyes.

But Brand was taking on Zibek’s murderous intent without even blinking an eye.