Chapter 44 Part1 (1/2)
<chapter 44.=”” bayran=”” infiltration=”” -=”” 1=””>
”Bayran.”
Bayran was located in the level 4 danger zone and was an extremely large city, which led directly to the capital. He knew he needed to go there eventually. But to think that Arema Steelworker was going over there... This was obviously no coincidence.
”Arema Steelworker, huh.”
[That's correct. You already knew that their movements were unusual following our last great battle. We've also seen the Emperor's forces and the Anti-Skull fight in a few small skirmishes, but...]
”Did they make any suspicious moves after that?”
[Yes. Arema Steelworker and some golems, which emitted a strong energy, appeared where you said they would, and we've confirmed that they're moving in a particular direction. It's the route to Bayran.]
”...As I thought. Good work. It's important info. But you mentioned that their movements weren't particularly hidden?”
[Yes. ...They moved so conspicuously that I suspect it was on purpose. Please take that into consideration.]
He could trust in the Chimeras' and their hostility towards Arema Steelworker, but something smelled off with their info...
Why was Arema Steelworker acting now, when he had been so quiet thus far? According to the information he'd procured on the surface, Arema Steelworker wasn't the type to take risks against the Undead Emperor. Moreover, he's showing himself and going to Bayran? That was way too suspicious.
'That guy's objective might be the heroes instead.'
Everything was progressing as the Magic Emperor wished. However, all of the heroes were currently underground and attempting to overthrow the Undead Emperor. A few of the 12 Generals had been killed, and killing the Undead Emperor had become an actual possibility. Perhaps Arema Steelworker was wary of the heroes interrupting his plan.
If not, then perhaps he was trying to eliminate them in case they posed a threat to the surface... No, that was unlikely. Since Arema Steelworker should have in-depth knowledge regarding the underground barrier.
'If it's none of those options, then there's only one possibility left... He may be trying to kill the Heaven Defying General.'
Paul Zero, or the Heaven Defying General was considered the 'hottest potato' underground. They didn't know where the Heaven Defying General would pop up and he was bizarre, as he acted outside the scope of normal undead behavior. No one could tell whether the Heaven Defying General was really an undead or not.
...Thus, there was a high likelihood of Arema Steelworker being wary of him. Arema Steelworker's conspicuous movements must be to draw the Heaven Defying General to Bayran and annihilate his forces.
'Let's a.s.sume this information has been leaked to the other heroes... He may be trying to get the Heaven Defying General and the heroes to meet.'
Lee s.h.i.+n Woo quickly organized his thoughts. And then, he smiled bitterly at the Chi Pauls, who were awaiting his orders, and said.
”I'm going to Bayran. I have another mission for you.”
[But my lord!]
”It's a trap, I know. He's probably trying to get us, the imperial troops, and the heroes to fight against each other. Going with a large force is a bad idea.”
[That's true, but my lord, I'm concerned for your safety!]
They claimed they were concerned for his safety, but they couldn't hide their thirst for vengeance that dwelled within their blazing goblin fire. If anyone other than their master, Lee s.h.i.+n Woo, had ordered them not to go, then they might have fought back. Lee s.h.i.+n Woo smiled bitterly and explained.
”If I bring you all with me, then they'll know I'm the Heaven Defying General. Also, you don't have to be concerned for my safety. Even if he attacks me with all four of the Four Heavenly Commanders, I can win all by myself. Of course, he could have something hidden up his sleeve, but the moment we face off head-to-head, he'll be no match for me. I'm sure of it. You see, I have a secret weapon of my own.”
[A weapon...?]
That's right. Once he'd ascertained Arema Steelworker's true ident.i.ty, he'd given Bisher Moon a single order through Rem.
Bisher Moon had fulfilled his duty and gotten Lee s.h.i.+n Woo what he'd wanted. Fortunately, Bisher had pa.s.sed it on to him before Lee s.h.i.+n Woo had to leave the surface. So long as he had 'that', there was no chance that he'd lose to Arema Steelworker.
'Though I wasn't able to create a new seal that surpa.s.sed Arema Steelworker's...'
The end justifies the means. What's important was that Arema Steelworker's golem army posed absolutely no threat to Lee s.h.i.+n Woo. Lee s.h.i.+n Woo didn't even consider him a target anymore. He was worried about the other 12 Generals interfering, especially...
'Seagald Von Retadane...'
One of the 12 Generals, who possessed the t.i.tle of Fire Slayer Sword G.o.d. He was part of the Four Heavenly Commanders. The undead who commanded the organization, Anti-Skull.
How would he, who researched till the bitter end so that his people didn't turn into the undead, have turned out? Would he be deluded, just like the Undead Emperor? If not, then would he be independent and free-willed like Lee s.h.i.+n Woo?
'Perhaps my greatest foe will be him...'
Would Seagald have missed Arema Steelworker's movements? Unlikely. He'd even encountered Lee s.h.i.+n Woo's troops, who had moved as secretly as possible. They had been quiet until now, but if they decided to act in earnest, then their mobility and information gathering wouldn't lose to any of the other factions.
”I suppose I won't know anything for sure until I meet him in person.”
”Meet who?”
”Anyone. This might be as big of a mess as the one on the surface.”
”You're the one who's going to make the mess, s.h.i.+n Woo. Just like what you've done up till now.”
”I'm just preparing myself thoroughly.”
Prepare yourself for the worst, ready yourself for every variable, and then make your move. This line of thinking had become even better ever since he'd gained the Wild Card skill. If Jin could read his mind, then she'd say 'so in the other words, you're going to make a mess of things from now on too.' and despair, but fortunately, she didn't possess a mind reading skill.
'I wanted to go only after I'd gathered a few more maps.'
He possessed three Bayran Inner Maps. These maps were dropped by the 12 Generals. Unfortunately, each of the three maps' contents were different.
If he had two more maps, or even just one more, then he would be able to compare the differences among them and create a singular map, but... It couldn't be helped. He didn't have any more. Lee s.h.i.+n Woo had no other choice but to arrive on site and rely on his Wild Card skill!
”Hoo... Mm?”
[Lord Paul Zero...!]
”Good grief.”
Lee s.h.i.+n Woo shrugged his shoulders and sighed. However, Chi Paul was looking straight at him. His gaze was so intense that it felt like lasers would shoot out of them.