Episode 143 Recruiting Talent (3)
[Earth… Very interesting.]
A low voice echoed ominously, as if freezing the space.
But it was just a sound caused by the vibration of magic power, not a real voice, so he couldn't grasp the emotions contained in it.
'Whew… Damn it, what a shitty situation… How did things turn out like this?'
Andrew Weber cursed inwardly, smiling obsequiously on the outside and constantly bowing, but his head was about to explode from the current reality, Siana's change in attitude, who had been his protector, and his worries about the future.
'But judging by the situation, it seems like they won't kill me. …As long as I don't die, it's fine, as long as I don't die.'
Unfortunately, he had recently consumed quite a few points to enhance his unique skill, so he couldn't 'return' to Earth and escape right away.
But how had he accumulated Karma so far?
He had been steadily acquiring points safely and easily just by providing the necessary information to Oath of Heaven's Defiance.
'Yes, in a way, this is better. It'll be more advantageous to join this side than Oath of Heaven's Defiance now that the Immortal King has started to move.'
Some were still optimistic about the situation because a full-scale invasion hadn't begun yet, but…
Actually, those with any insight were evaluating the current Immortal King as the worst threat in history.
'Especially his mobility and concealment abilities are fatal to large, slow-moving forces.'
No barrier could stop his movements, and no tracking could detect his location.
Just those two abilities meant that the game was already over.
The traditional strategy against the Immortal King, 'restraining the immortal army with the allied force and then deploying the expedition to finish him off', was completely blocked.
'Right! Even Oath of Heaven's Defiance is just watching and being cautious of the Immortal King, so let's just join this side. The points will be even sweeter.'
Judging by how Siana was subtly sucking up to him, it seemed like he could sufficiently prove his worth through her.
And once he accumulated enough Karma points…
Swoosh—
At that moment, Andrew unconsciously shivered from the sudden chill and subtly raised his head to look ahead.
And…
'Ugh! Shit, I'm startled!'
He made direct eye contact with the Immortal King, who had approached him at some point and was examining him.
His eyes closed shut, and his head bowed deeply.
The menacing skull, clearly visible because of the broken mask, and the fiercely burning ghost fires were imprinted in his mind.
His heart pounded madly even though he had only looked at him for a brief moment.
[Hmm.]
No, actually, it was difficult to even maintain his composure because of the fear that was relentlessly shaking his mind.
If it hadn't been for his mental strength, enhanced by his unique skill, and the support of "Clear Mind", he might have fainted.
And this experience only strengthened his resolve.
'…Right. I've accumulated enough Karma, so I'll immediately return to Earth as soon as I have enough points.'
His opponent was the Immortal King, practically the embodiment of death.
There was no guarantee that he would be safe just because he had survived this time.
It was better to leave when he had the chance than to regret it later.
Thwack—
"Hiik?"
But at that moment, a hand wearing a black leather glove grabbed the top of his head.
The stiffness and coldness he felt despite the glove instantly amplified his sense of foreboding, but…
[Ah— Don't worry. I have no intention of killing you.]
Hans continued speaking in a nonchalant tone.
[It's just a light restriction. It would be troublesome for both of us if you tried to run away. Hehehe.]
"Ohoho, you're absolutely right. Please do as you please, Your Majesty."
Siana's fawning was annoying, but Andrew didn't have the time to think about anything else.
"I-Immortal King? Hans? Ugh…!"
[It's not Hans.]
Dark magic power instantly penetrated his mind.
[My name is Hannibal Strauss.]
He thought there was a strange hint of annoyance in the voice that shouldn't have any emotion—.
And so, 'Andrew Weber', the awakened one from Earth, was subjugated by the Immortal King.
And as time passed,
While Hans, who had peacefully recruited talent through a home visit, was having a meeting with them,
Swoosh—
A faint smoke gathered next to them, forming the shape of a woman.
[Your Majesty… as you commanded… the purge is almost complete…]
The attacks, mainly targeting large noble families and underground organizations in back alleys, were progressing smoothly under Olivia's command.
It was originally intended to just draw attention, but it wasn't bad to make them an example since they had already started.
'How is it that the Empire, which is supposed to be the strongest, is so corrupt? Of course, my standards as a modern person might be too strict…'
Anyway, the selection of targets itself was just for his own satisfaction.
He had overcome it, but it wasn't like he had forgotten the obsessive-compulsive disorder that had even traumatized him.
'I never thought I was righteous, deceiving the entire continent.'
It was no different from a selfish standard to protect his own heart.
…And while Hans was lost in thought, Olivia and Siana's gazes met.
"Ah, hello? Olivia? It's been a while."
[Siana…]
They greeted each other after three hundred years.
They were closer than the others because they had similar ranks and duties in the previous immortal army.
[To think you're still alive… I was hoping you were finally dead…]
"Oh my, it's nice to see you too. But do you ever wash that dress? It seems like you're always wearing the same thing."
The two women exchanged friendly greetings with gentle smiles, but unfortunately, their conversation didn't last long.
[Then we'll be going. Siana, you stay here and clean up the situation, then join us later. I still have a lot to ask you.]
"Your will be done."
Siana bowed respectfully at Hans's words.
He gave her a reprieve because he might use her position later, but there was no way for her to escape now that she was subordinate.
Of course, it was the same for Andrew.
And when she straightened her back, Hans and Olivia were already gone.
The Immortal King's barrier that had enveloped the mansion had also disappeared without a trace.
Their departure was as sudden as their arrival.
"······."
"······."
But Siana and Andrew couldn't speak for a while.
They were afraid that their words might reach the Immortal King's ears.
Murmur, murmur—
The silence was finally broken when those who had fainted in the mansion started to wake up one by one, and the entire city was busily trying to restore order.
"…Sis, I'm disappointed. To think you would sell me out so easily."
"Ha, Andrew? Why didn't you tell me sooner if you wanted to die early?"
Andrew, who had complained, shut his mouth and cautiously watched her reaction, which was sharper than he expected.
Siana ran her hand over her face irritably, sighed deeply, and then trudged towards the interior of the mansion to clean up the situation.
"It seems like we've suddenly changed sides. I never imagined things would turn out like this."
He quietly followed her and agreed with her as she started to mutter.
His tone was still cautious, as if he was wary of the surroundings.
"But it can't be helped, can it? We couldn't escape once we caught his eye, no matter how it happened."
He was still counting on 'Return', even though he had received a restriction, so he was just thinking about enduring for a while.
'I can just subtly return to Earth later. What can he do if I go to a completely different dimension?'
His subordination wouldn't affect him across dimensions.
Unless the Immortal King chased him to another dimension, Andrew had never heard of a being from another dimension appearing on Earth before coming to Auterica.
"But I like that this generation's Immortal King is handsome. I'm a bit picky about faces."
"…What?"
Andrew, who had been quietly following her, blinked and tilted his head.
He wondered if he had misheard.
"Honestly, the previous Immortal King… wasn't exactly handsome. Think about it, Andrew. I'm stuck among smelly undead, with nothing to look at, how could I be motivated?"
"Uh… w-well, yeah?"
"So the welfare in this unit is pretty good. Of course, it's best to avoid the army if you can."
He couldn't respond to her rambling, so he cautiously opened his mouth as soon as she paused.
"Um, but Sis. You're talking about… Immortal King Hans, no, Hannibal? …You're talking about him, right?"
"Of course. Who else would I be talking about… Ah! Right, you were human."
She glanced at Andrew, sighed, and shook her head in disappointment.
"To think you wouldn't recognize that perfect skull, those charismatic eyes and ghost fires, that strong jawline. Humans' aesthetic sense is truly uncivilized. Well, thanks to that, it's easy for me to handle you."
Siana, the succubus, smiled seductively, gently stroking her pink hair.
Actually, her appearance was the epitome of human aesthetic sense, but it was instinct to be drawn to what you didn't have.
"Whew, anyway! Andrew, go back to your room and pack your things. The situation will probably change a lot, so be prepared."
"Uh, yes… I understand."
And Andrew could only mumble something meaningless.
The stormy night, which brought many changes to them, was passing.
____________________
"Kuhung! This is strange. The number of monsters has noticeably decreased in the past few days."
The Iron Fortress, the northernmost point of the Tulk Kingdom.
Harley, dressed in his usual physique-showing attire, frowned and looked around.
The only thing he could see around him was a sea of monster corpses, but the number he had defeated this time was significantly lower compared to a few days ago.
"Don't tell me this is also related to the Rohan Duchy incident?"
Crunch— Crunch!
He frowned as he continuously put magic stones in his mouth and chewed.
If the border defenses hadn't just collapsed because of internal problems, but monsters were also deliberately lured there, it was a much more serious issue.
'Tsk, Siana in the Empire wasn't involved in that incident.'
And he had tried to use the information she knew to track down the mastermind behind the Rohan incident, the so-called 'revolutionary'… but of course, it didn't go smoothly.
"Indeed, living up to his reputation."
"Is that the famous Dragonborn Harley? I thought it was an exaggeration…"
As Harley entered the fortress with a troubled expression, he was greeted by familiar reactions.
From those who already knew him to those who were seeing him for the first time, gazes filled with awe and wariness were directed at him.
"Greetings, brother!"
"Good work today, brother!"
And the mercenaries who bowed their heads and greeted him as he passed by were also a familiar sight.
…Even though they looked much older than him.
'I'm still twenty years old on Earth, and it's only been about two years since I came to Auterica…'
But Harley's appearance, which had undergone repeated plastic surgery to become a perfect barbarian warrior, was already worthy of being called 'brother', so he couldn't protest.
He just waved his hand at them.
And when he entered his lodging and came out after showering,
A message had arrived for Harley.
It was a very special message, sent from the Tarak Temple, relayed through the mercenary guild and Count Aonia.
'It's finally here.'
Of course, he already knew what it was about before even checking it.
It was because—.
It was an invitation to the Roselia Cathedral in the holy land,
For Harley, who had been selected as a candidate for the 'hero party'.