Episode 179 Operation: Escape from the Demon King's Castle (1)
Tarak, a large city in the northwestern part of the Ion Continent, welcomed the morning as the sun rose.
It was a bustling city that wasn't quiet even in the middle of the night, but the activity now was on a different level from the night, as most people started to wake up and move about.
Creak—
"Then I'll be going!"
"Alright, be careful with the carriage!"
And Diana, who had recently moved to Tarak, was also busy.
She left the house early in the morning, like everyone else.
But her face was filled with a smile—.
Everything was unfamiliar because she hadn't been here long, but she was very satisfied with her current life.
'And this house! It's a long-term lease, but still...'
This cozy house was incomparably larger than the living space attached to the grocery store where her family of five used to live, and the facilities were clean and new, with no need for repairs.
And its location was in the safe central district, so there was nothing more to say!
It was literally an 'expensive-looking house', with all the factors that affected housing prices.
So it was only natural for her to like it.
"Ah! Hello, Grandma!"
Diana, who was hurriedly leaving, spotted a familiar neighbor and greeted her cheerfully.
The old woman, who was sitting on a rocking chair on the terrace and leisurely enjoying the breeze, turned her tattooed face towards her and chuckled softly.
"Hehehe… You're going to work already? You're diligent every morning."
"Ehehe, I'm still learning. I can't disappoint Master Hu… I mean, Master Hubert, who trusted me with this!"
"You're such a good girl at such a young age. Hehehe…"
At first, she had been worried that a scary-looking grandma lived next door, but fortunately, she was very kind to children, unlike her appearance.
Not only did she give them snacks like a real grandmother, but she was also a great storyteller.
Thanks to that, the children, who had been wary of her at first, had become close to her.
Even her younger brother Aaron, who was shy, was now comfortable visiting her next door, let alone Rafi.
'That grandma is also receiving support from Hubert's Trading Company… If mister trusts her, I don't have to worry.'
Of course, it was difficult for Diana to trust anyone easily after her recent experience with betrayal, but she couldn't live her life with suspicion forever, so she also had to make an effort.
She had to at least try to open her heart to those who had been verified by someone she trusted.
"Then I'll be going!"
"Alright, be careful on your way. Well… you don't have to worry too much in this area."
Hubert's Trading Company was now the most influential trading company in Tarak.
From their strong connections with the Church and the lord's family to their unique and excellent products, their immense capital that allowed them to instantly recruit talented merchants, and their advantage in covert operations through unknown means…
Thanks to those various factors, they had rapidly taken over the market in just a few years, and this area where they were currently located was their home ground, where their influence was the strongest.
Sniff, sniff—
Diana's nose twitched as she walked down the street.
Familiar scents were emanating from all directions.
The city's security forces, who had been assigned to patrol this street due to some backroom deal, and the security team of Hubert's Trading Company, who were stationed in the commercial district to protect important figures and stores.
And on top of that…
The faint scent of blood, emanating from the shadows throughout the city.
'I never thought I would feel reassured by this smell.'
It was a scent she used to fear and avoid, but now she felt uneasy without it.
It was only natural, as all the vampires in this area were those who obeyed mister's orders.
'Come to think of it, it's amazing. It's only been about two years since mister became a vampire, how did he manage to do this much?'
Judging by the number of subordinates he had in Tarak right now and the smooth immigration process, he must be in a very high position.
Considering the situation in the Talia Kingdom, which she had heard about… he was practically a high-ranking noble.
'Well, I don't need to know that much. It's enough if I can repay his kindness.'
But Diana shook off her distracting thoughts and headed towards the company's headquarters with quick steps.
Unlike her uncle, who was doing ordinary work related to food delivery, the task she had been entrusted with under Hubert's influence was quite important.
She was practically an inspector, in charge of checking the quality of the goods handled by the company and ensuring consistent quality control.
Naturally, there were many who opposed her parachute appointment…
But Hubert's authority within the company was absolute, so they were just watching her, waiting to see what she would do.
'…To be honest, I'm nervous, but I have no choice but to do my best to live up to his expectations.'
And as Diana reached the company's headquarters with a firm resolve,
Murmur, murmur—
She heard an unusual commotion nearby.
Along with a very welcome scent.
"Ah, Master. Hello!"
"Yes, Diana. You're here early again. You're so diligent."
She happened to encounter Hubert, who was also heading towards the company building.
But unlike his usual relaxed demeanor, the reactions of his bodyguards were a bit different…
Unlike before, when they kept a distance except for a few, they were now completely surrounding him, and some were even showing hostility towards Diana, who was approaching.
'Huh? And this scent…'
And some of them even had wounds and a faint scent of blood on their weapons, as if they had just been in a battle.
Something must have happened before they came here.
"Um… did something happen?"
"Hmm? Ah— It's nothing. Just something that happens periodically. There are always those who try to push their luck."
Hubert answered nonchalantly.
He had already prepared thoroughly, so he led Diana, who was tilting her head, towards the company headquarters.
Even on Earth, where civilization and the rule of law were relatively developed, there were all sorts of dirty tricks when profits were involved, so there was no way there wouldn't be threats in this world, which could be considered much more barbaric.
Naturally, it was common sense here to prepare for that, and those who ordered the attack wouldn't have expected to succeed in one go.
They were probably just trying to intimidate him and see if there was an opening.
'To think they would try that on me.'
Naturally, it hadn't been all smooth sailing for Hubert's Trading Company to grow this much.
That's why he had to reinvest a significant portion of his earnings in preparing for such situations.
It would have been impossible for them to grow this much if it hadn't been for Harley and his friends' help in the early stages, and later, the Brokoslack Clan's support.
And after the Ufersh Clan's attack, he was even more concerned about their existing defenses and was wearing all sorts of expensive magic tools, but…
But as the current reality showed, the result was always his victory, despite all the struggles.
It couldn't be helped.
They had probably planned their scheme, assuming it was just a fairly large trading company, but the organization that was moving to counter them wasn't at that level.
'Now then… let's investigate who's behind this.'
Naturally, their fate was already sealed.
____________________
The Rohan Duchy, which had collapsed to the point where it couldn't even be called a country anymore.
They were barely holding out, having established a last line of defense near the capital with the help of the Empire and the Church.
It was ironic that they were able to do this much thanks to the Immortal King…
The number of monsters invading the duchy had started to decrease rapidly because he had become a breakwater by settling in the mountains in the north, where the most monsters were coming from.
Of course, no one was grateful, as they believed that the Immortal King was the one who caused this situation in the first place.
They just thought he was mocking them with another whim.
And at the heart of the incident—.
The demon king's castle… no, the Immortal Fortress, where no one had seen it in person but whose existence was well known. There were those who were dreaming of escaping after a long period of imprisonment.
"Heron, so how is it today? Do you think we can do it?"
"Hmm, wait a moment… It's tricky."
It was Riley Carte Azeria, the Fifth Princess of the Azeria Empire, and Hesperon, an Earthling and a novice awakened one who had been transferred less than two months ago.
They were in the middle of magic training, surrounded by a barrier as usual, when…
Hesperon frowned and made a troubled expression at Riley's question, which was asked cautiously as if she was conscious of the surrounding gazes.
Actually, he could start the operation whenever he wanted, so he was just stalling for dramatic effect, but it seemed like her patience was wearing thin after a few days.
"Whew— I can't even sleep because I'm so nervous, but you seem so relaxed. Are you sure it's even possible?"
She pouted, as if she was dissatisfied that she was the only one who seemed to be in a hurry.
"Hey, this isn't easy, you know? I was captured as soon as I was transferred to this world, so I don't know anything about this place. Naturally, I don't even know where we are or where we're supposed to go."
Accurately grasping the location was essential for spatial abilities.
Its usefulness was proportional to its danger, so if they made a mistake, it could lead to a disaster worse than not using it at all.
"That's true… but this place must be at the northern end of the continent, so if we just head south…"
"Where do you think south is from here?"
"…Ugh."
There was no way for them, who weren't high-level mages, to know the outside direction from inside this Immortal Fortress, which was practically a separate space.
Riley's face darkened as she finally faced reality.
"Then, is there really no way?"
"Of course not. I actually have a rough idea. I was just being cautious to be more certain."
Her expression brightened again at the renewed hope.
She was showing a variety of expressions, unlike her nickname, Iron-Blooded Princess, perhaps because of the extreme situation.
"…But aren't you being too casual with your speech?"
"Ah, come on, what does it matter? We're partners in fate now! Let's be comfortable, comfortable! Hahaha!"
He had at least pretended to listen to her when he was learning magic.
Her face was filled with disbelief at his shameless answer, as if he thought he had the upper hand now.
But it was true that he held the key to resolving the current situation…
"Sigh— Please be careful in front of others. Unlike where you're from, this place is full of people who are sensitive to status. It could really cause big trouble."
In the end, Riley sighed and compromised with him.
Actually, she had been sensitive to his casual speech because she had heard about Earth from Isea, not because she wanted to assert her authority.
If he got used to speaking comfortably to the princess when he had only been in this world for a short time, it would only increase the probability of making mistakes outside.
And if that happened, it would be him who would suffer, so she had been thinking of making him watch his mouth from now on…
'I don't know anymore. He's not stupid, so he'll be careful outside. …Although I'm not sure if I can trust him, judging by his actions.'
Riley sighed again, looking at him with a sly expression that didn't suit his intelligent appearance.
She pondered once more if she could really trust him.
But the conclusion was the same.
'I'm still anxious after two months, I can't stay here for years! I won't have a chance to turn things around by then.'
She had to try everything she could.
She had experienced the power of 'unique skills' firsthand through Isea, so she judged that it was worth trusting him.
And the fact that Hesperon's talent was even greater than Isea's also played a big part.
'…I hope this works out.'
Just a few days before the unexpected event that no one on the continent could have predicted,
The curtain was rising on the great escape.