My Alter Ego’s Path to Greatness

Episode 215 Jeron’s Ordeal (4)

Inside the massive grand hall of the Immortal Fortress.

In an intimidating atmosphere with countless Death Knights lined up on either side, a noblewoman in a black dress was reporting to the figure sitting on the throne.

[…As you commanded, the continental invasion plan is progressing smoothly… The element of surprise isn’t as effective because of the Saint’s precognition… But this time, we were able to achieve satisfactory results by taking advantage of their unpreparedness and overwhelming them with our forces…]

Banshee Queen Olivia, the translucent noblewoman, then listed the results of the operation.

Over a dozen attack units, formed according to the Immortal King’s orders, had simultaneously struck various locations, and all but a few, including those where the hero party intervened, had succeeded in achieving their objectives.

Of course, most of the undead army was subsequently destroyed by each country’s subjugation forces, but the soldiers, excluding a few commanders, were all expendable from the beginning, so it wasn’t really a loss.

Undead were abundant near the Immortal Fortress anyway.

[Hehehe— Good work, Olivia. To think they would be so complacent while facing me. They must have thought I was a joke after playing with them for a while.]

He subtly gauged the countless undead swarming near the castle and swallowed his regret.

‘It would have been much more efficient to turn the continent upside down if I could move more at once. To think a dozen attacks are the limit, even after several days of preparation.’

Naturally, even if they had an abundance of undead to use as troops, transporting them to the invasion points was another matter.

It wasn’t easy to dispatch a large-scale army throughout the continent.

‘It’s only possible because I’m at this level.’

Mages were beings who showed the greatest efficiency in a well-prepared environment.

And that included the Immortal King, who could be considered the pinnacle of dark mages.

‘Using the death energy that fills this area as a catalyst, and the Immortal Fortress as the core of a massive magic circle. And with my near-infinite dark magic power…’

And that was how the portal, which allowed for large-scale transportation of undead, was created on one side of the castle.

It was possible because the Immortal Fortress was the ultimate magic “Eternal Labyrinth”, which he could manipulate at will.

The only drawback of this portal was that it was essentially a one-way trip, specialized for sending.

But that was a trivial matter, as only a few commanders would return, and they could just bring a few Liches with them.

[And I’m also investigating the matter you mentioned before… but I’m ashamed to report that we’re still struggling to approach the key figures in the south… However, we’ve been able to gather some information about the Obaifo Clan in the east…]

He listened to Olivia’s additional report, lost in thought.

The Calcos Tribal Federation in the south, which had cut off all contact with the outside world, as if trying to hide something.

And the Obaifo Clan in the east, who were taking over the Republic’s political scene, as if following in the footsteps of the Talia Kingdom.

‘It can’t be a coincidence that they’re all moving at the same time.’

And then there was the attempted assassination of the princess in the Empire and the anomaly in the Enamel Continent that Harris was currently investigating.

It was all very suspicious.

‘Should I leave them alone or eliminate them? Which is more beneficial?’

Of course, he wasn’t just concerned because they were causing trouble.

His only interest right now was acquiring a massive amount of Karma through his ongoing ‘continental invasion plan’.

‘They’ll make it easier to break the continent. In the short term, they’ll increase the amount of Karma I can acquire… but in the long run, they’ll become variables in Home Theater.’

Immortal King Hannibal Strauss, who had been lost in thought, subtly scanned his other avatars and then spoke.

[It seems like I’ll have to personally intervene.]

A single sentence that hinted at a major event to come.

______________

As Staub raised his claw-shaped dagger,

‘Ah… is this the end?’

Surprisingly, Riley didn’t feel much fear of death in that moment.

She was more filled with regret for the things she had done and guilt for the connections she would have to let go of.

‘Sister Seah will be very sad.’

She felt even more heartbroken when she thought of Isea, who had become closer to her than family.

To think she would have to leave like this, without even properly saying goodbye, let alone repaying her for her efforts.

‘I hope she doesn’t do anything reckless for revenge and safely returns to Earth.’

The next person who came to mind was Hesperon, another Earthling like Isea.

They hadn’t known each other for long, but she couldn’t help but think of him because his presence had been so noticeable since right before the incident occurred.

‘…He has a way to escape on his own, why is he…’

She could vaguely sense his emotions through their strengthening connection, as he fought the traitors, summoning all sorts of extraordinary items.

He was persistently trying to save her, with a strong will.

‘Just run away on your own…’

She had inwardly shouted that several times, but he just kept doing his thing, as if he hadn’t heard her.

She had briefly hoped, but it was over now.

Whoosh—!

Staub’s grotesque dagger was swinging towards her.

Riley closed her eyes tightly…

And instinctively grabbed something that suddenly reached out from her ‘connection’ with Hesperon.

Cough—

Immediately after, she opened her eyes, feeling a sense of familiarity, and the first thing she saw was…

“Whew, that was close.”

…a confident smile that couldn’t be hidden by the bloodstains.

And…

And…?

“Ah!”

Riley opened her eyes wide.

The familiar ceiling she always saw.

But it felt strangely unfamiliar.

“…Is this a dream…?”

She sat up in the soft silk bedding and ran her hand through her hair.

Her shiny blond hair cascaded down, scattering the morning sunlight streaming through the window.

“Ah.”

It still felt so vivid.

Well, it had only been a day and a half, so it was only natural.

She subtly glanced outside the window and then hurriedly got ready and went out.

Naturally, the incident where she was attacked had caused a huge uproar in Jeron.

When she suddenly appeared at the main gate of the imperial palace, covered in blood and in the arms of a strange man, the guards who rushed over were shocked, as it was an unauthorized teleportation.

It was only natural for chaos to ensue, as they had even committed a terrorist attack in the capital to assassinate the first successor to the throne, who had already been unofficially appointed as Crown Princess.

And the culprit was Staub, the captain of the Imperial Guard, who should have been the one protecting the imperial family!

The Imperial Guard was paralyzed because of the large-scale investigation, and even the Imperial Inspection Department, the imperial palace’s magic tower, and the Royal Knights, who only moved for the Emperor, were involved.

If it hadn’t been for the Immortal Army’s relentless attacks and her message that she was safe, Isea wouldn’t have stayed still either.

Naturally, Riley herself had a busy schedule today regarding the incident.

And the first place she went to after waking up was…

“Welcome, Your Highness.”

“How was he last night?”

…the imperial hospital where Hesperon was hospitalized.

She quietly asked the head doctor, who was standing next to her, as she looked at him, sleeping soundly in the bed.

“He had a high fever a few times, but he recovered quickly and is now stable. He’s incredibly well-trained for a mage. Actually, he wouldn’t have been able to hold out if it hadn’t been for that.”

This place, located on the outskirts of the imperial palace, was a luxurious hospital where the Empire’s best medical professionals were gathered, the opposite of the afterlife.

Pharmacists who could handle almost any medicine in the world, surgeons who could perfectly reattach severed limbs, alchemists who could create potions and even cultivate artificial organs, high-ranking mages who specialized in healing magic, and even a bishop-level priest from the Main God Church who was stationed here…

It was so renowned that some even said it was on par with the Roselia Cathedral’s infirmary in the holy land…

“We’ve treated him thoroughly, so his life isn’t in danger. However, he’ll have to be prepared for permanent disabilities.”

“…Disabilities… how severe…?”

But naturally, there were things even they couldn’t do.

The head doctor calmly answered Riley’s trembling question with an indifferent expression.

“We can’t do anything about his right eye because he sacrificed it for power. It’s strange how he even obtained such a high-level magic tool, as most of them are strictly controlled.”

If it had just been a physical injury, they could have somehow regenerated it or transplanted a newly cultivated eye…

But there was nothing they could do if it was the price he paid for a certain ritual.

“His right hand… It’ll be difficult to completely heal because it’s deeply contaminated by a curse that’s mixed with the abyss. We can weaken it to some extent, so the best option is to suppress the curse with a seal to prevent it from spreading.”

But he added that there was a risk of the curse sealed in his right hand rampaging again if he overexerted himself.

Hesperon was just a mage who had barely surpassed the Beginner level, even with his enhanced stats.

He had faced countless high-ranking knights and even restrained a master-level knight, so there was no way there wouldn’t be a price to pay.

He wouldn’t even be alive right now if it hadn’t been for Heinrich’s holy power.

“Ah, we can also amputate it and transplant a new arm. It’ll take a considerable amount of time for rehabilitation, and he won’t be able to exert as much power as before due to side effects, but it’s not a bad option if he’s going to live as a mage.”

It was a choice between living with a dangerous seal for the rest of his life and maintaining his previous strength, or getting a new, weaker arm and completely removing the source of the problem.

Riley stared at the sleeping Hesperon with trembling eyes.

It wasn’t her place to decide.

He would have to make the choice himself when he woke up…

She couldn’t help but feel guilty, knowing his immense talent.

“Hmm, I apologize if my words sounded too negative. But we were able to fully restore his vitality and life force, which were damaged from excessive use of dark magic tools. We used a lot of precious materials in the process, but he’s your lifesaver, Your Highness, so it was only natural.”

The head doctor added, but Riley didn’t react and just quietly stared at Hesperon.

The head doctor stopped talking, bowed politely, and quietly left the room.

Maintaining composure in any situation was his creed, but that didn’t mean he had no social skills.

Swoosh—

As soon as he left,

She slowly extended a hand and gently stroked his right arm, which was wrapped in bandages with densely inscribed runes.

And her hand slowly moved up towards his closed right eye.

“…I’m indebted to you again.”

She hadn’t even finished repaying her previous debt.

He could have escaped on his own, but he had recklessly used dangerous items to save her.

He probably expected this to happen.

‘…Foolishly.’

But he didn’t hesitate for a moment and chose that path.

As if he was satisfied with just saving her, with a smile that showed no regret.

Tears welled up in her eyes.

Riley hurriedly withdrew her hand and took a deep breath, trying to suppress her emotions.

She stared at him for a while longer, then turned and left the room.

“I’ll come back later.”

She still had a lot to do.

Her expression gradually hardened as she left the room, and by the time she completely left the ward, a chilling aura emanated from her.

“…What’s the situation?”

“We’re currently pursuing Sir Staub, but we expect to capture him soon, as he’s not in his best condition.”

“We’ve already apprehended all the traitors and started interrogating them to identify their accomplices.”

“We’re compiling a list of those who showed suspicious behavior before the incident. We’ll report back by today.”

Her attendants, who had appeared behind her like shadows, each added a few words.

“Thoroughly. Including those behind them. You know what I mean?”

“Yes, we’ll relay the message to everyone.”

“We’ll do our best.”

The Iron-Blooded Princess, enraged by the preemptive attack, bared her fangs for revenge.

Gathering all her power and the Empire’s support.

______________

The outskirts of the Elven Kingdom in the Enamel Continent.

It was the fourth day since he had embarked on a search, following an unknown intuition.

Harris finally found a group that seemed to be the cause.

‘Ah… what are those…’

They walked on two legs and had beast-like heads, resembling beastmen but with a completely different aura. They were a race he had never encountered before.

Lycanthropes, the werewolves, a race ostracized as much as vampires, instinctively unsettling at first glance.

But as he looked at them, another thing caught his attention, making their strange presence almost undetectable without direct eye contact.

It was because of that that he had had so much trouble finding them.

If he hadn’t followed his intuition and roughly determined their location, he wouldn’t have found them so quickly.

But even that critical fact wasn’t important right now.

‘Why is there a crack of the abyss here…?’

Compared to the existence of a pitch-black hole, devouring even light, that had opened wide before them.

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