LIGHTNOVELONLINE Chapter 4 - Monsters of Darkness.
Red candles illuminated the long corridor.
A strange light flowed from the walls decorated with splendid jewels.
The footsteps of two figures broke the gloomy silence.
It was Ariel, the silver-haired High Elf, and Walter, the white-haired old gentleman.
“Is this really the best option?”
Walter muttered softly.
There was anxiety in the voice of the Sword Saint.
As someone who knew what this meeting meant, his expression wasn’t good.
“Yes, we must meet Celestia. It’s what the Leader wants.”
“At the same time, it’s also an action that goes against the Leader’s orders.”
“I think it’s the best option in the current situation where the Leader is absent, Sir Walter.”
Determination was evident in Ariel’s response.
“Hah, if that’s the case, there’s no helping it.”
Walter nodded.
Ariel was the only being who could feel the Leader’s will.
Walter had no authority to stop her.
He could only hope for a good result.
“By the way, it’s quite far. As I get older, everything becomes burdensome.”
Walter threw a simple joke to change the atmosphere.
The place they were walking was a dungeon.
If it had been an ordinary dungeon, there wouldn’t have been anxiety in Walter’s voice.
This was the dungeon where Celestia, a member of Black Raven and the Empress of Succubi, resided.
The dungeon itself was hidden in such a deep and secretive place that it wasn’t well known.
Moreover, not everyone knew about this place even among Black Raven members.
There were several organizations within Black Raven, and this was a place where visits were not allowed unless you were part of the Supreme Council.
“Can we really negotiate with that demon?”
It was natural for Walter to worry.
Celestia wasn’t human, but a monster.
Not only that, but she was a being with tremendous, overwhelming power.
‘7-star mythical grade…’
Even as a Sword Saint, Walter couldn’t defeat Celestia.
Even if he joined forces with Ariel, he couldn’t be confident of victory.
‘Only the Leader could handle that demon.’
Celestia only followed the Leader’s words.
Was that why?
The Leader took some kind of ‘measure’ regarding Celestia.
No one knew the reason.
In this situation, would she listen to Ariel’s words?
Even if they were both members of Black Raven, the perspective of humans and monsters was far apart.
Everything was uncertain and questionable.
But Ariel smiled and answered.
“Don’t worry, Sir Walter. Celestia’s loyalty to the Leader is firm.”
There was no hesitation in Ariel’s eyes.
Treading on the smooth marble floor, they walked deep along the long corridor.
At the end was a magnificent door.
Grotesque statues decorated the door, their flickering eyes seeming alive as they stared at Ariel and Walter.
A moment later, the door opened by itself.
Beyond the door, a huge hall welcomed them.
In the hall’s center was a splendid throne, and a woman was sitting on it.
Abundant jet-black hair flowed down, and lips like red roses held the incoming light.
A being with a faint golden glow at the end of her seductive eyes.
It was Celestia, the Empress of Succubi.
“It’s been a while.”
Celestia opened her mouth with an arrogant expression.
The black monsters surrounding her growled and drooled.
The monsters exuded a contradictory presence. They were present yet intangible.
If there were living darkness, it would look like that.
They constantly writhed and undulated, wandering around Celestia.
“So, what brings you here to see me?”
The cold voice froze the air.
Red glowing eyes occasionally appeared and disappeared in the fluttering darkness.
It was eerie, as if countless eyes were watching Ariel and Walter from all directions.
“……”
Walter felt a chill run down his spine.
The fear that these monsters could pounce immediately following Celestia’s orders overwhelmed him.
At the same time, the Leader who could use such beings as his subordinates seemed amazing.
But Walter was an old gentleman full of loyalty.
He stepped forward and spoke first.
“The Leader has returned.”
For a moment, Celestia’s eyes widened.
She stood up from her seat and looked at Ariel.
“Really?”
Her voice was trembling.
Ariel nodded slightly.
“Ha!”
An indescribable emotion flashed across Celestia’s face.
As she waved her hand, the fiercely growling monsters retreated.
“Tell me in detail. What exactly happened?”
Celestia, who had come down from her throne, approached closer.
Her usual arrogance was nowhere to be seen.
There was even expectation in her voice at the question about the Leader.
Walter glanced at Ariel.
It was now Ariel’s turn.
“The Leader gave an order.”
“Yes, Ariel. You said you can feel the Master.”
Thanks to that, she also knew that Ariel was serving as the vice-leader in Black Raven.
“The Leader told us to investigate the mana stone mines.”
“Mana stone mines?”
Celestia’s brow furrowed.
Ariel calmly continued her explanation.
“Recently, the Arcadia Empire tried to look down on Black Raven. The Leader wants the mines of the Duchy of Hailstone as payment.”
Celestia fell into deep thought.
Ariel continued speaking.
“The Leader wants to send a clear warning to the empire. That’s why we need Celestia’s help.”
“Indeed, a decision worthy of the Master.”
The corners of Celestia’s mouth curled up.
She sat back on the throne in an alluring pose, crossing her legs as she spoke.
“What exactly kind of help do you need?”
Moistening her lips with her red tongue, Celestia smiled.
Ariel smiled back and answered.
“We will destroy all the mana stone mines the duchy has. We’re not considering anything other than thorough punishment.”
“Then, Ariel, ‘that’ is prepared, right?”
As soon as the words ended, Ariel’s gaze changed.
Ariel, undeterred, took another step towards Celestia.
Then she took out an old parchment from her bosom.
The yellowed paper was densely covered with unknown symbols.
“I declare from this moment. In place of the Leader, with the authority of the vice-leader, I will release the seal placed on you, Celestia.”
With this solemn declaration, blue flames rose from Ariel’s hand.
“Celestia. As a member of Black Raven, please continue to fulfill your duty from now on.”
The blue flames writhed and devoured the parchment as if they were living beings.
The paper turned to ash and scattered in the air in an instant.
And then.
Crack- Crackle-!
As soon as the parchment disappeared, the invisible wall surrounding the dungeon began to crack.
Finally, a sharp sound, like a huge glass window breaking, hit their ears.
The suppressed energy poured out in all directions, shaking the air.
Grrrr-!
The black monsters let out a roar full of joy.
Celestia stretched out her hand and stroked the monsters.
“I like your answer. I’ll gladly play along.”
The smile on her lips was cold and cruel.
Beautiful like a poisonous flower, but at the same time deadly.
It was reminiscent of a demon who escaped from hell.
No, an evil aura emanated that would make even demons sick and run away.
“Go, my servants.”
Celestia whispered lowly.
“Give them nightmares.”
The monsters of darkness howled and scattered in all directions.
* * *
The first thing I did when I woke up was stretch.
‘Another refreshing day.’
I smiled as I took a deep breath of fresh air.
Although the dawn meant the start of hard labor, I just felt good.
‘They must be investigating by now.’
Three days ago, I ordered the Black Raven through the status window.
The content of the order was to investigate the mana stone mines of the Duchy of Hailstone.
With Black Raven’s skills, they would conduct such a thorough investigation that they could turn the duchy’s mines inside out.
They might even discover critical corruption.
Starting with that, I’ll change the atmosphere of the underground mine to be chaotic.
The chaotic atmosphere of the mine will give me an opportunity.
The corners of my mouth naturally lifted at the thought of a free future forming in my mind.
‘By the way, the synchronization has stopped.’
The synchronization progress was stuck at 10%.
Thanks to that, I could give orders to Black Raven, but I felt a bit regretful.
‘If it goes higher, couldn’t I do other things?’
I had hoped that I might be able to use everything like in the game, not just give orders.
Just as I was thinking that.
“Move quickly! You bastards!”
The sharp shout of the supervisor echoed.
But even that sound felt good to my ears today.
My steps were light as I headed to the dining hall after finishing the pointless morning roll call.
A strong smell pricked my nose as I entered the dusty dining hall.
Of course, such things didn’t bother me in my good mood.
“Ethan, did something good happen?”
As always, Emilia spoke to me while ladling out the gruel.
She was the one who looked at me strangely when I asked for more gruel on the day I regained my memories.
Since then, I kept asking for more, and we naturally started talking.
Now, we were on a first-name basis.
Above all, she gave me a lot of gruel without me having to ask.
“Ah, does it show?”
Of course, just because I was talking with Emilia doesn’t mean I could say ‘I’m in a good mood because I think I’ll escape soon’.
“I just feel very refreshed today.”
I brushed it off casually, but Emilia looked at me dubiously.
It was the same expression as when I first asked for more gruel.
“Yeah… You’re really a strange person, aren’t you?”
Ignoring Emilia, I roughly found a place on the nearby floor and sat down.
Today I felt refreshed, so even the gruel should taste good, right?
With a grinning heart, I scooped up a spoonful of gruel and put it in my mouth.
“Ugh…”
The gruel still tasted bad.
* * *
The mealtime ended.
Just as everyone was about to start work after a short rest.
“Everyone gather around!”
The supervisor’s shout echoed.
He called everyone together as soon as he arrived.
“…An important person will be coming soon!”
An important person?
At least during my time here, no one had ever visited.
Who could be coming that made the supervisor wear such a stern expression?
As I observed the situation, glancing around, someone rushed to the supervisor.
“Su-Supervisor!”
He whispered something into the supervisor’s ear.
“…!”
During the secret conversation, I could catch a glimpse of surprise that flashed across the supervisor’s face for a moment.
“Shit! They’re already here?”
As the supervisor’s curse continued, murmurs arose around.
And that became the supervisor’s last words.
Splat-!
With a grotesque sound, the supervisor’s head shattered into pieces.
Blood splattered everywhere, and without even a scream of pain, the supervisor died.
“……”
Everyone held their breath and watched the scene at the sudden situation.
In the silence filled with terror, a man in a black robe approached with slow steps.
“How unpleasant, even for a supervisor. To utter curses in my presence.”
A cold voice, lifeless eyes.
The man looked down at the supervisor’s corpse as if looking at an insect.
Then he muttered, chanting a spell.
‘No way…?’
A chilling premonition flashed at the man’s appearance.
And the premonition was right.
“Go and do your job.”
Just one sentence.
With those words, the fallen supervisor’s corpse unnaturally raised its body.
The headless body picked up a pickaxe and entered the mine like a puppet.
“……”
Oh, my God…
Even I was speechless at that sight.
What the man just cast was magic.
Not just ordinary magic, but black magic.
‘Isn’t black magic illegal?’
The problem was that on the continent of Eluncia, black magic was considered heretical and strictly prohibited.
Moreover, magic that controls corpses was so abhorred by the Holy Kingdom that it was forbidden.
Yet a black mage revealed himself in this mine.
‘This is strange.’
Moreover, the existence of this black mage wasn’t good for me.
‘Security will become tighter.’
Everyone here has become aware of the black mage’s existence.
Would they let those who know the secret live and leave?
He probably revealed himself on purpose, thinking it wouldn’t be a problem since the children here are trapped anyway.
‘Shit….’
Besides, does it make sense to revive corpses and make them work?
Hah, this is…
I was speechless because it was so absurd.
A fate of swinging a pickaxe even after death.
It was incomparably sad.
My head became complicated in the current situation.
It was a variable that wasn’t in my plan.
Why did a black mage appear at this moment?
That question was only for a moment.
Another supervisor next to the black mage opened his mouth.
“Quiet! From today, this person will protect us! So everyone, be grateful!”
The supervisor’s voice was trembling with fear.
Even his eyes seemed to be swirling with terror.
It must be the fear that he might end up swinging a pickaxe after death if he makes a mistake.
‘By the way, why are they saying they’re protecting this place?’
Who are they trying to protect it from, to even mobilize a black mage?
The mine had been peaceful for a long time.
At least during the 10 years I’ve been here, nothing has happened.
It was only natural.
Although it was duchy territory, broadly speaking, it was no different from imperial territory.
Who would dare to mess with such an empire?
‘Ah… There is one exception.’
My organization, Black Raven, was the exception.
Except for Black Raven, there was no one who could touch the empire…
As my thoughts reached this point, I realized one fact.
‘The sudden appearance of a black mage.’
The black mage said he came to protect the mine.
That meant someone had been messing with the mine recently.
And 3 days ago, I had given orders to Black Raven to investigate the mine.
‘Could it be Black Raven?’
Black Raven had moved.
This was good news.
At the same time, one question arose.
‘How are they investigating that a black mage…’
But my thoughts stopped there.
Suddenly, the ground began to shake.
“What’s happening! Is there an earthquake?”
“We-We’ll quickly find out the cause!”
As the black mage said, the ground shook wildly as if there really was an earthquake.
Soon after, the entire mine shook with a loud roar.
‘Wh-What’s going on!’
In my confusion, just as I was about to move my body to avoid…
Red burning eyes appeared from the pitch-black darkness.
Grrrr-
Monsters living in darkness.
The bigger problem was.
“No, why are those bastards here!”
They were Celestia’s hunting dogs.