Chapter 261 – Eastern Conquest Plan 2 (1/2)
Marcus was reporting to Emperor Ahar II.
“The preparations for the Western Conquest expedition are almost over, your Majesty. Would you like to hear the report today?”
“… No need. Do according to your will,” the emperor answered softly.
Ahar II’s face was drained of blood as if he was sick.
It had already been a long time since Marcus took decision-making control over the Theresian Empire’s important political affairs.
Therefore, it was safe to say that Marcus, for all intents and purposes, was the actual ruler of the Empire.
‘Everything is going according to plan.’
As he left the royal chambers, Marcus’ expression brightened.
He, a single mercenary of the Yen Principality, got this far entirely thanks to the turmoil of times.
Because of his ambitions, he lost his pregnant wife, but that too was used as an opportunity to become even stronger.
‘I will surely sit on a Divine Throne. Even if I have to reach the throne by building a tower of corpses through numerous wars.’
For a moment, Marcus’ eyes reflected his blood-hungry madness.
A black shadow appeared in the background and changed into the form of Aleister.
“You look good today, Marcus,” Aleister said as he observed Marcus’ state.
“Hahaha… there’s no reason for me to look bad. I’m sure I’ll obtain the world soon,” Marcus stated confidently.
His ambition led him to make an overarching plan wherein he’d secure all four epic dungeons and take all the rewards in them.
Marcus believed that he was the only worthy human being to sit atop the Divine Thrones. Thus, he coveted all four seats for himself.
“You must have the confidence to fight the Hero King and win. Have you ever met him?” Aleister asked.
“No. But I won’t lose. No person longs for the Divine Throne seats more than me,” Marcus replied.
“That’s a very confident mindset. Then, I’ll wait for the day you return in victory and sit atop the Divine Thrones,” Aleister said before he disappeared with a broad, meaningful smile on his face.
Marcus frowned after seeing Aleister’s smile, which seemed condescending.
‘I have no idea what that guy’s thinking.’
Thanks to Aleister, Marcus was easily able to take control over the Theresia Empire.
However, he could never get a sense of Aleister’s true intention.
Seeing that Aleister was constantly encouraging him to kill the Hero King, Marcus felt that Aleister and the Hero King seemed to have an unavoidable death vendetta against each other.
‘Well, it doesn’t matter. If he gets in the way, I can get rid of him later.’
He would stop anyone who got in between him and the Divine Thrones!
With a mad gaze, Marcus hastened his steps.
***
Within a conference room with a huge round table.
“It’s a little comforting to hear that your black wings sprout because of the power of the reaper and not because you’re a demon…” a paladin commented.
“By the way, can you tell us the story of fighting the legendary paladin, Reinhardt? I really can’t get enough of it,” another paladin stated.
The seven paladins were friendly toward Woohyuk.
Basically, he had defended the Empire when Fallen Angel Cruella descended and then defeated Alice the Queen of Thorns in the northern front.
Of course, when Emperor Tiberius was assassinated, many questioned his whereabouts, and suspicions about his true intentions continued to rise. When they voiced their concerns, Woohyuk had given a satisfactory answer to all their questions. It seemed he had completely deceived the seven paladins.
“… Would you like to get to the main reason why you’re here, Hero King? There must be a reason why you called us at such an important time,” Paladin Commander Hugo, who was silent and listening to Woohyuk’s explanations, asked Woohyuk with a serious expression.
Woohyuk nodded his head and pulled out Bhilante’s Dagger.
“This is the property of Paladin Reinhardt’s family, the Bhilante Family. He gave me this and told me to be acknowledged by the seven paladins,” Woohyuk explained.
“Recognition… that’s a difficult word to interpret,” Hugo replied pensively.
“For him to give you a quest personally, I think Reinhardt must have really liked you, Hero King,” another paladin added on.
The seven paladins turned to each other and looked at the Bhilante Family’s treasured dagger.
The authenticity of the item information could easily be seen on the system window.
Its market value would be at least a million gold if sold on the black market.
“I have come to you all to express my goals and aspirations and how I plan to realize them,” Woohyuk stated.
Before giving a lengthy speech, Woohyuk wanted to first establish the right atmosphere.
As a Lord and leader, he had experienced many of these situations in the past.
The seven paladins waited for his words with anticipation.
“Speak. We will listen,” a paladin said.
“I have been through a lot of adversity to end the constant waves of turmoil that have afflicted this land. I was able to withstand and overcome these adversities each time because I thought that only I could do the task…”
Woohyuk went on to retell many of his personal experiences.
The seven paladins couldn’t hide their tears after hearing how hard his journey had been.
“It’s so heartbreaking that you had to give up your beloved woman for the sake of humanity,” a paladin said through tears.
“If it were me, I would have given up many times over. I would have just cooked for myself. I am grateful for the Hero King, who has continued to give humanity a chance to thrive by sacrificing his own stomach and mental well-being for the good of the higher cause,” another said, swept with emotional fervor.
… They were positively affected by his story, though it was weird that they felt the pain and anguish of his tale at a seemingly minor part…
Woohyuk coughed and continued on.
“Paladins, you who defend the Empire according to a higher and nobler will, will you acknowledge my conviction? I will never stop until this turbulence is over.”
“I can’t help but admit it, Hero King. You are the true savior of this time,” a paladin cried out.
“Please bring peace to the Eeth Continent and always look out for Empress Eleanora. We will also help with all our might,” another paladin piled on.
The seven paladins had a surprisingly naive corner.
As the atmosphere rose, the Paladin Commander, Hugo, stood up and took Woohyuk’s hand, “I wish that you may come out victorious on this Eastern Conquest expedition, Hero King. Although we have to protect Empress Eleanora and remain in the Empire, we trust that you’ll be able to defeat them without us.”
“Thank you, Hugo. Please take good care of Eleanora while I’m absent,” Woohyuk replied.
Woohyuk took time to shake hands with the other paladins in turn.
Then, a system message appeared before his eyes.
[Your conviction has been recognized by the seven Paladins.]
[Legendary Quest: You have completed ‘Unbreakable Belief’.]
[As a reward for completing the quest, a passive ability, Battle Foresight, has been given.]
[You can know the opponent’s movement in advance through Battle Foresight. The degree of effectiveness varies depending on the gap in stats.]
Battle Foresight.
It was a kind of super sense.