Episode 208 The Prelude to Chaos (3)
Undead were inherently beings that were destined to be rejected by the world.
Putting aside their generally grotesque appearance, the very fact that a dead corpse moved as if it were alive was bound to be unpleasant for the living.
Moreover, undead, defying the order of the world, instinctively craved life, so they didn't just envy the living, they even hated them.
And here, deep within the Northern Mountains,
The vicinity of the Immortal Fortress was practically a 'holy land of death', teeming with a massive number of undead.
The mountains and rivers were all withered from the aura of death emanating from that overwhelming number, and the surrounding air was so contaminated that even a healthy person would cough up blood and collapse after a short time.
Anyone who saw this sight would undoubtedly choose this place as the closest thing to hell on earth.
Clatter— Clatter!
[Kyaaaaagh—!]
Crack—!
At that moment, the swarming undead parted to the left and right.
And two figures, emitting an especially strong aura of death, approached the entrance of the Immortal Fortress.
[It's been a while since the King summoned us. Let's hurry.]
It was Drexler, a Doom Knight clad in black armor, over three meters tall, a knight of hell.
[…He usually only summons a few executives, what's the occasion?]
And Trev, a Dragon Warrior wearing a helmet shaped like a dragon's skull and skeletal armor, his entire body covered in bone equipment.
They had been hunting monsters at the outermost edge of their territory, as usual, and were hurriedly returning after receiving a sudden summons.
It had been quite some time since the Immortal King started to move in earnest, after the undead poured out of the abyss's boundary.
The Immortal Army had been steadily gathering their forces scattered throughout the continent, not just in the western region, and thanks to that, most of the surviving legionnaires were now gathered in one place.
Naturally, that included not only ordinary undead, but also high-ranking executives who had made great contributions under the previous Immortal King.
The two beings present were also part of that group.
And Trev, the Dragon Warrior created using a Dragon Heart, was a top-ranking executive, ranked within the top 10. He was a monster who had been actively roaming the continent for a long time after being suddenly dropped into the middle of human society and had joined relatively recently.
'I was really looking forward to it back then.'
As they passed the entrance of the Immortal Fortress and headed towards the grand hall,
Trev grumbled, recalling the thought he had already had countless times.
He had been overjoyed when he first heard the news that the Immortal King had been resurrected and settled in the Northern Mountains, rushing to join the Immortal Army.
To dedicate this body once again to the unfinished plan of conquering the continent from the previous generation.
But…
'It would have been better if I hadn't come here.'
He was an undead with an especially strong desire for slaughter.
That's why he had been enjoying himself, massacring humans and living a fierce life, even though he was surrounded by enemies after escaping the boundary.
'…What is this childish game? This powerful Immortal Army is stuck in these mountains, hunting monsters, instead of waging war against the human world!'
To him, who had only thought about joining the Immortal Army, standing at the forefront of the war, and enjoying slaughter to his heart's content, the order from the Immortal King, 'don't kill humans recklessly', was a bolt from the blue.
He was currently suppressing his thirst by hunting monsters, but these monsters consumed by madness couldn't satisfy his desires.
'Ah, this isn't enough. I need humans, humans! I want to hold a festival of blood and screams! How long do I have to endure this…'
He had also heard about the three-year reprieve the Immortal King had promised the hero.
It was ridiculous, but he tried to convince himself that the King must have a reason for making such a decision.
However…
'What's the point of sending out those weaklings?! Does he really want to conquer the continent?'
He had even requested to be deployed to the continent several times, but his requests were ignored.
And the ones being sent were just a large number of useless undead and clueless dark mages who he didn't even know where they came from.
He couldn't understand the situation.
[We're here.]
As Trev was suppressing his frustration and questioning the Immortal King's intentions,
Creak—
He quickly gathered his thoughts, seeing Drexler open the massive door to the grand hall.
No matter how dissatisfied he was, he couldn't show it in front of the Immortal King.
[Are we the last ones?]
Nearly twenty high-ranking executives were already gathered inside, prostrating themselves on the ground.
They were all ranked within the top 50 of the previous Immortal Army, humanity's worst enemies who had caused countless casualties.
The two naturally joined them, paying their respects to the empty throne high above.
This Immortal Fortress was a space created entirely by the King's power, so if he wanted to, he could…
[Is everyone here?]
…appear there, just like now.
[Yes… My King… all those summoned…]
[Ah— It's fine. Let's get straight to the point. You're all busy.]
Actually, except for Olivia, the head of intelligence, and a few other executives, none of them were busy, but they all just bowed their heads and waited for the King's next words.
[The amusement is over.]
And his next words were…
[I'm tired of playing games. It's time to take this continent… this world.]
It was a sudden declaration, considering how he had been acting so far.
But a being like the Immortal King wouldn't joke about something like this.
The executives' auras started to rise as they finally realized it.
[Hehehe— Of course, you'll be the ones taking the lead this time.]
And some of them trembled at the King's next words—.
'…I lacked faith. As expected of the King…!'
It was the sentence Trev and the other executives had been waiting for.
______________
The undead, whose numbers had been swelling aimlessly, started to be organized by the high-ranking executives of the Immortal Fortress.
It was more efficient to form an army for a full-scale invasion of the continent, unlike before when they were just stuck here.
And as everyone was busily moving about,
'It's not a good idea to break the three-year reprieve promise. It's a shame, there's no better way to acquire Karma than a full-scale war.'
Immortal King Hannibal leisurely sat on his throne, observing the progress and reviewing his future plans.
'It doesn't matter if I break the promise, as the humans' opinions mean nothing to me…'
His goal wasn't to actually conquer the continent, but to efficiently acquire Karma.
Of course, if he continued like this, he might end up destroying the world, but he needed to consider Heinrich's reputation for the smooth progression of the 'Home Theater' he was currently directing.
'The three-year reprieve has already become Heinrich's achievement. If I break it, it'll damage the Saint's reputation.'
The Church and other factions were all acting based on the Saint's assurance that there wouldn't be a full-scale war for the next three years.
But what if that trust was broken?
'Heinrich's credibility would be fatally damaged, and it would be a huge obstacle in the future.'
He didn't want that to happen either.
It would hinder his long-term Karma acquisition.
'Anyway, once the main body wakes up, we'll return to our original plan. So I should also think about what to do after that.'
He was a great Immortal King who had reached the transcendent level.
Naturally, he was aware that he was acting more aggressively than usual.
He wouldn't have gone this far if the main body was in control.
'That was a foolish thought. But I'm sure this is the right way. I have to make as much progress as possible in the next month.'
Hannibal's current state was like being drunk and acting stubborn after losing his brakes.
He actually believed that the main body's rationality was clouded by unnecessary emotions.
'There are many ways to do things. I only promised that I wouldn't wage a full-scale war.'
Then he could just use the agreement he had made with Heinrich more actively.
'To more places, with more numbers, with stronger elites—.'
He would raid the entire continent.
Of course, the sacrifices of innocent people in the process…
…were no longer his concern.
______________
'This is bad.'
Heinrich frowned and let out a deep sigh, massaging his forehead.
'Hans has started to move in earnest.'
He was running rampant, taking advantage of his main body's unconscious state.
Actually, it was as if Han Seong-hyeon had multiple brains, so even when he was asleep, unconscious control continued.
Like how people didn't consciously control their breathing or walking.
'But the situation is different now.'
Not only was the main body's control completely gone, but Hans's self-control had also been shattered by the aftereffects of the abyssal contamination.
Even though Hans was also aware of the other avatars' thoughts, just like Heinrich could grasp his mental state, he was charging ahead, convinced that he was right.
It was truly a nuisance.
'Almighty Main God, please guide me through this ordeal.'
Heinrich, who was racking his brains over the troublesome situation, unconsciously closed his eyes, clasped his hands together, and prayed.
"…Saint? Are you alright?"
He finally realized where he was at Cardinal Cordelia's worried words.
'Oh no.'
This was the grand conference hall where the Continental Summit was being held.
He had been sighing and groaning, lost in thought, in the middle of the meeting, and then he suddenly started to pray.
Naturally, the gazes of the representatives sitting at the central round table were fixed on him.
Except for Heinz the Second, who was also lost in thought with his arms crossed.
"Ah… I apologize. I was just…"
Heinrich, who was about to apologize with a forced smile, paused and subtly tilted his head.
Come to think of it, now was the perfect opportunity to inform them of the current situation and prepare countermeasures, as the representatives of each faction were all gathered in one place.
'The sooner we deal with this, the better. I should make this an emergency agenda item… Hmm?'
His gaze swept over the representatives seated at the table,
And landed on Saintess Liesta, who was fidgeting anxiously.
He remembered the conversation he had with her after hunting down the White Giant.
'She said she felt uneasy about the Immortal King being quiet. That she thought something big was going to happen.'
It seemed like Liesta had sensed something, both now and back then.
After all, her synchronization with the Main God was much stronger than his, so she might have felt something indirectly.
'…If there was something like that, it would have been better if he had given me a clearer revelation.'
And told him about it too.
'It must be because my faith is still lacking.'
Heinrich, who had come to that conclusion, clasped his hands together again and offered a short prayer to the Main God, then turned his gaze to the people looking at him and slowly opened his mouth.
"The Main God has just given me a revelation."
Whoosh—
Holy aura emanated from his body,
And a lie flowed out effortlessly.
"The Immortal King is preparing an attack on a scale unlike anything we've seen before. …And we must prepare for it."
His avatars' personalities were expressions of Han Seong-hyeon's inner self.
And they were maintained regardless of whether his main body was conscious or not.
'The Main God will allow this. He's a generous god.'
Even if it was Heinrich, whose faith and piety were amplified, regardless of that…
This was his true nature.