Chapter 49 Part3 (1/2)
<chapter 49.=”” arranging=”” the=”” stage=”” -=”” 3=””>
”s.h.i.+n Woo, didn't you say that the Magic Emperor oversees the golem network? So then how did Seagald get up there undetected?”
”Seagald has his Annihilation Flame. Maybe he used that to mess with the golem network.”
”Is that even possible?”
”Innate elements make it possible. In laymen's terms, they're like Haki in One Piece. In the first half, the characters fought with their Devil Fruit and their abilities, but in the latter half, they added Haki, which completely ruined the power balance.”
”I'm not sure I understand, but I get that it's a cheat.”
There was also a high chance that he used Annihilation Flame to pa.s.s through the barrier. The barrier, which doesn't allow any living being to pa.s.s through it, wasn't just some conceptual barrier, but also acted as a physical and magical barricade.
If the barrier was destroyed, then the Emperor would surely know. So the fact that the Emperor didn't know that Seagald was here meant that he'd used his Annihilation Flame to erase his and his subordinates' presences to pa.s.s through the barrier undetected. It really was an overpowered ability.
”I can't understand it logically.”
”It's not a power that makes logical sense.”
Comparing innate elements and determining which one was better was laughable, but Lee s.h.i.+n Woo really felt that the Annihilation Flame was incredibly powerful. Seagald's Annihilation Flame was more powerful than the Emperor's Lightning Bind.
Most importantly was the fact that the Emperor wasn't always using his Lightning Bind to control the golem network. If that's the case, then it would be stranger if Seagald had been found.
”It's possible. He might already be forming a bridgehead to invade the surface.”
”Like what you did by acting like a hero and hiding the fact that you were undead, s.h.i.+n Woo?”
”No, there wasn't anyone suspicious in the Empire besides me. No matter how amazing the Annihilation Flame is, it wouldn't allow him to act perfectly like me. He, as well as his subordinates, wouldn't have been able to hide in plain sight.”
”Then?”
...He's probably in a dungeon. The citizens of the Empire resented the Empire for neglecting the dungeons that endangered them. It's entirely possible that Seagald had found an abandoned dungeon and transformed it into his base.
No. If the surface's sewers had been converted into secret facilities like the underground's, then there was a chance that he could even be in the capital at this very moment...
”Ha. What a vicious b.a.s.t.a.r.d. To think he was already preparing himself for an invasion of the surface.”
”s.h.i.+n Woo, you're smiling.”
”I can't help it.”
By learning of Seagald's plan beforehand, he would be able to turn things in his favor! Kratia watched him and gave a silent prayer.
”Annihilation Flame Sword G.o.d... It was truly the perfect plan. It's unfortunate you had to meet s.h.i.+n Woo.”
”All plans look perfect until you figure them out.”
Lee s.h.i.+n Woo recorded Seagald's location and reported it to the Emperor through the communication device. Once he did so, the Emperor was furious beyond belief.
[The surface!? You're saying that that lowly undead fooled me!? How dare he trick me!?]
[I'm 100% certain. He's confusing us by quickly moving between the surface and the underground. That's why my report was late; I had no idea that he could return to the surface...!]
[Grr...]
Lee s.h.i.+n Woo could hear the Emperor grinding his teeth. The angrier he got, the easier it became for Lee s.h.i.+n Woo to trick him, so there was nothing better for him.
[I got it. Arema, you did well; you brought this to my attention before it was too late and I won't forget it. Now that I know he's here, there's no one that can stop me from punis.h.i.+ng him!]
[It's an honor, Your Majesty.]
[Some of his forces must still be underground. That works in our favor. A few of the 12 Generals have finished their training, so finish off the rest of Anti-Skull with their help. We can't let them provoke Jissehanu no matter what. Don't let them even think about coming to the surface. Do you understand?]
[I understand, Your Majesty.]
Mm. As he thought, the Magic Emperor was indeed afraid of the Undead Emperor, Jissehanu. It was only natural; Jissehanu had studied magic like a madman for hundreds of years all in order to take his revenge and was also level 9. If the Magic Emperor was truly afraid, then... Lee s.h.i.+n Woo thought about it, but first bowed his head deeply before the Emperor.
[As you wish, Your Majesty.]
[They'll arrive shortly. Don't let any of them get away.]
[Of course, Your Majesty.]
The line went dead. Lee s.h.i.+n Woo left the room and released the Arema disguise, sporting an even larger smile than before.
”Soon...”
”Soon what?”
”Jeez, you surprised me!”
Just a second ago, there was definitely nothing there, but Jin suddenly appeared before him, raking the air with her hooves! Lee s.h.i.+n Woo took a step back in shock and Jin spoke boastingly.
”No matter how good your perception range is, or how fast your reflexes are, it's impossible for you to react when someone instantly closes the distance from outside of that range, right?”
”I'm more surprised about how nonchalant you are about doing it.”
”I almost have a full grasp on my speed. Now all that's left is you getting on and getting used to it too.”
No, wait. He couldn't keep up with her speed, yes, but Wild Card was always active and had a huge range, so if she were able to fool even him, then... In a way, she had done something even more surprising than the likes of innate elements like Annihilation Flame or s.h.i.+ning Flame. Lee s.h.i.+n Woo gazed at Jin, who snorted boastfully and looked at him doubtfully.
It didn't happen nowadays, but looking at her now, so confident, reminded him of the time when he'd had to get used to her speed.
”...Do I really have to?”
”It's ok. Lately, the a.s.similation skill hasn't been gaining much proficiency. It'll work out as long as we level it up some more.”