Chapter 34: The Shadow Within the Throne

The three men—Raize, Potic, and Muratone—were speechless, staring at Galico in shock.

A mage’s mental fortitude was formidable, especially at higher circles.

For a 6th Circle mage like Galico to be reduced to such a state—what had he endured?

“I’ve destroyed his circles. It’ll be hard for him to rebuild,” Gaon said, addressing their gazes.

“Even if he does, 2nd Circle will be his limit.”

Gaon had obliterated all six of Galico’s circles and imposed a restriction to prevent him from ever regaining his former power.

The restriction wasn’t absolute, but even if Galico broke through, recovering his previous strength was impossible.

“Sleep!”

Gaon set Galico down and cast Sleep.

Thud!

Galico, still drooling, collapsed into a deep slumber.

Turning to Raize, Gaon asked, “How long will it take to gather all the Abyss members in the city?”

The Abyss in the Raco Kingdom consisted of the 3rd Branch and 2nd Sub-Branch.

Galico had been the head of the 2nd Sub-Branch, but the body, arms, and legs—other cadres and members—still remained.

Not all were in Raverium, but due to the special auction, most had gathered here.

Gaon intended to deal with them all this time.

“The sooner, the better,” he added.

News of Galico’s downfall would spread quickly, and the Abyss wouldn’t sit idly by—they’d either flee or resist.

“I agree,” Potic said, trailing off. “But we need a reason to gather them…”

At that moment, Raize spoke up.

“We’ll summon them tomorrow. A crown prince coronation should bring everyone together.”

In the northern region of the Raco Kingdom, Duke Bring of the Amoa family, the kingdom’s only Swordmaster, was leaving the residence of the palace magic corps leader.

His expression was grim.

Where did he go?

He had come to meet Galico, but Galico was absent.

Did he know I was coming?

Recently, an troubling incident had occurred at the ducal estate, and intelligence suggested it was linked to Galico.

Bring had come to question him, but Galico had left without telling anyone.

Perhaps he had fled, anticipating Bring’s arrival.

With a bitter expression, Bring headed to the grand conference hall for the crown prince coronation.

It’s a joyous day, yet I have to bring up this matter.

The occasion should have been filled with celebration, but discussing Galico soured his mood.

“Duke!”

“Duke!”

At the entrance to the conference hall, two knights greeted him, and Bring smiled in return.

“You’re working hard. Has the palace magic corps leader arrived?”

“I haven’t seen him,” one knight replied.

“He hasn’t arrived yet, as far as I know,” said the other.

“I see.”

Bring nodded in understanding.

At that moment—

“Duke! It’s been a while!”

Muratone, the 1st Knight Commander, emerged from the hall.

“Oh, Muratone! It’s been—”

Bring stopped mid-sentence, then grinned.

“You’ve had an epiphany!”

Muratone’s aura had changed.

He hadn’t crossed the wall yet, but he was close.

“Yes, I had a valuable experience recently,” Muratone replied with a faint smile.

“Haha, I knew you’d cross it soon!”

“You flatter me.”

“No, your senses already surpass those who’ve crossed the wall! Haha.”

“Thank you for the praise.”

“Even humble! Congratulations. The kingdom’s future looks bright!”

The demonic energy in the northern coexistence zone was growing thicker, causing concern about monsters and demonic beasts.

If Muratone crossed the wall, he’d be a great asset in holding them back.

“By the way, have you seen Galico?”

“Ah…” Muratone let out a soft sigh.

…!

Bring’s eyes sharpened at the reaction, sensing Muratone knew something.

“You’ll find out soon,” Muratone said cryptically.

…?

Puzzled but nodding, Bring entered the conference hall.

Many were already present.

He glanced at the princes’ seats as he headed to his own.

The 1st Prince’s expression was calm, while the 2nd Prince’s was twisted.

Their faces alone told him who would be named crown prince.

Soon after—

“His Majesty the King has arrived.”

King Raize entered.

Bring’s face grew bitter as he saw Raize, noticeably more haggard than three years ago.

The passage of time was cruel.

Their eyes met, and Bring bowed slightly in respect.

Raize smiled faintly in return, then scanned the hall and spoke.

“I’ve gathered you today for the crown prince coronation, as you’ve heard.”

The hall buzzed with anticipation.

“But first,” Raize continued, “I’d like to introduce someone.”

As he spoke, a man entered through the same passage Raize had used.

He had thick black hair, jade-like skin, and a lean, muscular physique ideal for swordsmanship.

Even to another man, he was strikingly handsome.

Which family is he from?

Raize’s respectful tone suggested high status, likely not from a Raco Kingdom family—perhaps a foreign royal or a scion of a prestigious house.

The Sturun family?

The Sturun Ducal House, the continent’s greatest sword family, was known for its members’ dark hair.

The man’s physique supported the idea, but Bring wasn’t certain.

Why would a Sturun heir come all the way here?

“This man is the kingdom’s benefactor,” Raize said. “Without him, an unknown force would have taken our kingdom.”

…?!

Bring was shocked, as was everyone else in the hall.

It was an unexpected revelation.

…Something’s off.

Bring sensed a disturbance.

For a moment, some attendees’ expressions seemed strange.

Raize continued, “This unknown force calls itself ‘Abyss.’ And Galico, the palace magic corps leader, was one of their leaders.”

The revelation was staggering.

Bring thought of the absent Galico.

He fled.

Now it made sense—Galico must have escaped after being exposed.

If I’d come a day earlier…

Bring’s face showed regret.

Had he arrived sooner, Galico wouldn’t have gotten away.

At that moment, the man raised his hand, and Raize stopped speaking.

Bring frowned slightly.

Whoever this man was—Sturun heir or kingdom benefactor—this was improper.

He opened his mouth to say something, but—

…!

He was stunned.

The man’s aura surged explosively, reaching a level even Bring, a Swordmaster, found overwhelming.

If it was this intense for him, how must it feel to others?

The oppressive aura froze everyone in the hall, not just because of its intensity but because it dominated the surrounding space.

Bring resisted the pressure, thinking, What is this…?

He could control space to an extent, but not over such a vast area.

It was baffling, and he was desperate to know the man’s identity.

“I’ve received the list from King Raize,” Gaon said, scanning the hall.

“Now, I’ll verify its accuracy.”

He wouldn’t kill based solely on the list—Raize could be mistaken, or the investigation flawed.

He’d confirm it himself, which was simple: check for restrictions.

Abyss members inevitably had restrictions on their brains and hearts.

“Don’t think about running,” Gaon warned. “The King has authorized summary execution for anyone on the list who tries to flee.”

He approached Marquis Derna, seated to his right.

“What are you doing?!” Derna protested.

“Bind.”

Gaon subdued Derna with Bind and injected Pacheongi to check his body.

As expected, there was a reason for Derna’s resistance—restrictions on his brain and heart.

Gaon smiled faintly and detonated the Pacheongi.

…!

Marquis Derna died instantly, and his body burst into flames.

“Water Ball.”

Given the setting, Gaon extinguished the fire immediately.

He then moved to Earl Beltain, passing him to place a hand on Viscount Yurka’s shoulder.

Perhaps having seen Derna’s fate, Yurka didn’t resist.

Gaon injected Pacheongi and checked.

…Not him.

Yurka was on the list but had no restrictions—not in his brain, heart, or anywhere else.

If he were Abyss, there would be restrictions.

Like Bloody and Marin, the palace magic corps deputy leaders, he had likely been used.

They’ll handle it.

Gaon had no intention of killing him, but Raize might decide otherwise later.

That wasn’t Gaon’s concern—this was Raco Kingdom’s affair, not Gardion Tower or the Varta Kingdom’s.

He moved to the next target.

Besides Yurka, three others on the list weren’t Abyss members.

The rest were.

Swish.

After finishing the verification and cleanup, Gaon looked at Raize and smiled.

“I’ll leave now, as an outsider.”

Raize bowed in gratitude.

“Thank you again.”

Gaon waved dismissively and left the conference hall, heading for Scarlet Inn, where Rotes and Taylor were.

This wasn’t the plan.

He had come to Raverium for the Hedin Mercenaries’ bounty, not to cure King Raize or dismantle the Abyss’s 2nd Sub-Branch.

Yet, like a storm, it had all unfolded and concluded in less than two days.

If it’s this bad in Raco Kingdom, other places must be serious too.

The Abyss had infiltrated key positions like the palace magic corps leader and 2nd Knight Commander, as well as many nobles.

Without Gaon, the Raco Kingdom would have fallen into their hands.

And was it just Raco?

Other nations likely faced similar infiltration.

Even if they were fine now, given time, they’d end up like Raco—ensnared by the Abyss.

Do I need to upend them like before?

Gaon recalled the past, when he had crushed the Abyss.

As a Grand Archmage, Emperor of the Varta Empire, and Master of Gardion Tower, no one on the continent could stop him.

He had swept through, obliterating the Abyss.

Step!

Lost in memories, Gaon stopped walking and turned around.

Someone was approaching from the conference hall at incredible speed.

It was no stranger—Bring Amoa, Duke of the Amoa family, responsible for the kingdom’s north, and Raco’s only Swordmaster.

Gaon tilted his head, wondering, Why’s he coming?