428 - Regressor of the Fallen Family

Chapter 428 "Hmm, that's an intriguing rumor. That sacred sword... What on earth is happening in the Holy Nation?" The elderly man's words were barely a murmur as his counterpart bowed hastily from inside the communication orb. [We are investigating, but it seems it will take some time. Due to the recent incident, Miss Tracy's network has been completely dismantled...] "Find out as quickly as possible. I have a strange feeling about this." The old man's expression was subtly complex. Having reached the level of an Archmage and lived for over a hundred years, there were times when he experienced peculiar premonitions. They went beyond mere intuition or knowledge, allowing him to vaguely sense matters he'd usually remain unaware of. These premonitions mostly concerned his own wellbeing, functioning as a sort of survival instinct. 'That Emperor, who reached the Archmage's plateau in such a short time through inherited power, would never understand.' What was critical, however, was the fact that in recent years he’d felt a foreboding premonition absent for decades. So, as he gathered information broadly, especially around the Emperor, this rumor made its appearance. And the bizarre part was that this ominous feeling vanished right after hearing the rumor. Not knowing why the feeling had emerged and disappeared left him uneasy. "The sacred sword did something for me? That's a ridiculous notion." While the old man was engrossed in his thoughts, the voice from the orb continued. [The Holy Nation seems to have taken the rumor as fact. Former Pope Austin has temporarily returned and is considerably expanding the scale of their pursuers, otherwise known as snake hunters.] A smirk. "If they had been able to brainwash the sacred sword, things wouldn't have been this tangled. Those insignificant fools aren't worth worrying about. Find out the reason and report back." Having said that, a faint suspicion crept into his mind. The additional details accompanying the rumor about the sacred sword triggered a possibility. If it involved relics and posed a threat to him personally... "Could it be an Apostle?" [I beg your pardon?] "...No, never mind." Despite the conjecture, it still seemed implausible. Would the leader of the Holy Knights have a reason to resist an Apostle? "Unless they wanted to welcome him with open arms." Every time the gods dispatch an Apostle, their divinity diminishes. If they sensed any signs that their essence was consolidating, they might rush things; otherwise, there'd be no reason. Indeed, it has to be this way. Though a tiny seed of doubt lingered as to whether he was clinging to hopeful thinking, he decided to put aside any unnecessary worries. "All of this is merely speculation. We'll have to wait for more information." For now, managing the massive variables that had already arisen was more urgent. "What about that Logan McLaine?" The old man's voice dripped with irritation. No matter how much he altered fate, to think he could drive that empire to defeat. Besides the unimaginable weapons and sudden emergence of superhumans, his ability to kill the Sword Saint and stand against the Emperor—such monumental variables had overturned all expectations. Moreover, the energy supposed to gather in the east had barely amounted to a third of its goal. There were even rumors that the one intended as a sacrifice had died, leaving the old man exasperated on multiple fronts. [Elder Louisa and Mr. Gerard are currently unavailable. They’re rumored to be at least in critical condition, which seems credible.] "Could someone who defies fate fall so easily?" Despite muttering so, the old man’s face remained rigid. If that person had truly died, many more sacrifices would be required. It can't be. It mustn't be. "What about the truth behind the rumor of him fighting the Emperor?" [Mr. Gerard claims to have witnessed it directly. However, it was a one-sided battle until someone intervened, allowing him to narrowly survive.] "A one-sided struggle…." That didn't sit well with him either. It was unlikely the Emperor went easy on him, so the fact that he managed to withstand was testament to significant skill. "The strongest among the elite aura users... No, they mentioned he defeated the Sword Saint. Could he really have reached the level of an Aura Master as the rumors suggest? Unbelievable, even for one who bends fate, at that age..." He felt anew the loss of knowledge about these fate-defying individuals handed down through the tower's lineage. What they currently knew were cryptic records suggesting "the cause that alters the world's flow, its fate," and tales of a golden aura. These even overlapped with information about ancient adversaries, making it difficult to differentiate the two, consuming ages in sorting them out. "The loss of information in the conflict with the royal family is truly lamentable." Most notably, records about the Magic Saint's bloodline had vanished. Had they secured the progenitor's bloodline, preparations for the rite would have been far more manageable. Knowing that the three great relics of the progenitor respond to their direct bloodline was useless when that very lineage's records were missing. [But didn't the Tower Master restore a trove of knowledge? Without those efforts, initiating our rituals would have been impossible.] "...Yes, that's true." Indeed, the old man felt a sense of pride. And with that pride came trust. He believed that on the glorious day, ascending as the First Apostle, he would hold power over all earthly domains on behalf of the newly risen. Thus, he had to first verify every variable at play. "If new variables arise, we adjust our plans accordingly." [Exactly.] "Who is this third party that stood against the Emperor?" [He is said to be a mercenary named Haymon. He supposedly sustained severe injuries and fainted in the process, yet when he awoke, it is reported that he ambushed Logan McLaine.] "What? Ha... that's absurd." A formidable entrance of another contender capable of confronting the Emperor. Yet then to conspire an ambush against Logan McLaine? It's nonsensical. "Is there a rumor that this Haymon saved King Logan?" [No such claims have circulated. In fact, if not for Mr. Gerard’s report, we wouldn't even be aware. The fight had become so chaotic towards the end...] The old man couldn't help but chuckle at those words. What a relief. "A staged gamble. He must be fine." [Still, many have seen Logan McLaine's hair turn half-white. It’s also said that he coughed up blood multiple times after the battle ended. It's unlikely he's in a sound condition.] "Well, that's even better. As long as he's alive, that's all we need." The real issue was that the supposed assailant, who reportedly ambushed Logan, possessed skills formidable enough to face the Emperor. The presence of such a powerful individual in McLaine was a significant variable. 'There can't be many with such skills. But why would Logan McLaine pretend to be at the brink of death?' The skilled individual, capable of countering the Emperor, disappeared after being accused of ambushing the King of McLaine. The obvious theory was that Logan McLaine had discarded this so-called Heymon. Like boiling the hound once it’s no longer needed. But based on McLaine's past actions, such a betrayal didn't align with his character. 'Turned on their objective and defected to the Empire for the Emperor's favor? No, no, that's too flimsy. Besides, using someone so skilled in that manner would be a waste. Hmm...' Despite pondering, he couldn't deduce any logical reason. The information was simply lacking. As he continued mulling over the situation, the mystery of Heymon’s identity pricked at his thoughts. 'Wait, can such a skilled individual appear out of nowhere like this?' To have stood against the Emperor would mean they were at least at the high level among aura users. "Heymon, Heymon... Could it be Harman?" He chuckled at the thought. It seemed too ridiculous, like children playing dress-up, to assume the alias was that transparent. Yet... 'How many top-tier aura users are there besides the sacred sword?’ The chance that a top-level aura user worthy to contest the title of the continent's best swordsman had remained unknown and then appeared suddenly in McLaine. And the chance that the sacred sword Harman, in disguise, aided McLaine. The narrow possibilities lent credibility to the seemingly absurd conjecture. If Heymon were Harman. 'Then did the sacred sword fake an ambush in McLaine only to cause chaos in the temple? What madness is this? Why would Logan McLaine cooperate?’ It was tangled—hopelessly tangled. "Hold on, the vanished pope... They said the saintess was from McLaine, right?" [Yes, that’s correct.] "Hmm, could it be all due to that one connection…?" After pondering for a long time without reaching an answer, the old man clicked his tongue and redirected his focus. "…Cancel the previous orders. Above all, find the sacred sword. His disappearance seems to be the greatest variable here." Finding the sacred sword seemed essential to unravel this twisted mystery. [Understood.] “And what of the other affairs?” [The Western War might present a problem. If the Emperor personally intervenes, the Western Ten Nations could easily crumble.] Tsk. The mention of the Emperor made the old man grimace slightly, but his response was swift. "It doesn't matter." [Excuse me?] "Our objective is simply to amass blood and chaos. Who wins or loses is irrelevant. As long as the war drags on, that suffices." [Wouldn't it require intervention to ensure that happens? Left unchecked, they might be crushed swiftly.] “With the Western Ten Nations’ combined troop strength at 15 legions, they won't...” [All their commanders are effectively acting like fools.] "What?" [Seeing McLaine defeat the Empire alone has spurred each of them to plan their individual conquests.] “Individually? Even a conquest?” [Yes. Within the alliance, the atmosphere is as if they've already defeated the Empire. Due to the distance, McLaine’s achievements are treated as mere rumor, yet simultaneously, the Empire is being underestimated across all Western Nations.] "Hah... Why are there so many fools in this world?" The old man genuinely lamented. While it sometimes made them easier to handle, such stupidity occasionally drove him to the brink. Drafting a meticulous plan only to find the target too dumb, rendering it ineffective? What an infuriating situation. Crunch. His few remaining teeth ground together irritably. Advertisements “…Relay this to Banzoni.” [To the new elder?] “Yes. Tell him to start by destabilizing the underworld in Acelian, delaying the Emperor’s personal advances as much as possible. Then mobilize the Mage Knights as mercenaries in the Ten Nations.” [But wouldn’t that alone be insufficient…] “His dark sword can be catastrophic to novice warriors, equivalent to a great spell. It will suffice for sacrifices. That was the intention behind his training.” [Understood.] Despite the dubious expression on his counterpart's face, he didn’t question further. “And instruct Louisa and Gerard to wholeheartedly cooperate with McLaine. Until that day comes, they must build trust. At least once, they must be able to mobilize him at the alliance's request.” [You mean the site for the ceremony. But the McLaine royal family is aware of Elder Louisa’s true identity. Even with trust, will he comply?] “It’d be ideal if he does, but if not, other methods will arise. For now, tell them to build trust. He doesn't seem like the sort to easily sever ties.” [Understood.] “Just do as I say.” The old man ended the communication with a faint smile.