Chapter 228

Passing through Rustroom, across the sea to the continent of Rumemia.

On a quiet road in the Federal Autonomous District, a procession of vehicles rumbled heavily as they drove along.

After a long drive, the vehicles arrived at a secluded villa in the midst of a forest.

The stone villa, boasting hundreds of years of tradition, was quite distinguished and elegant, yet surrounded by barbed wire and turrets that created a chilling atmosphere.

Heavily armed federal soldiers patrolled in squads, and tanks were stationed in various spots.

The sight of the entrance being triple-locked was also striking. Above all, a multitude of suppression magic formulas surrounded the villa.

If a skilled mage were to witness this place, they would surely think of a cage.

This place existed to imprison someone, not to protect.

In front of that fortress-like entrance, the armored vehicle convoy came to a halt.

The soldiers stationed at the guard post tensed at the unexpected arrival of uninvited guests.

“Stop! Halt!”

As the senior soldier began to report, the door of the armored vehicle opened, revealing heavy humanoid metallic beings.

The soldiers checking the entry procedures were taken aback by the sight and aimed their guns.

“It’s Armored Knights! Maintain alert status!”

Only then did the veteran soldier notice the emblem attached to the convoy.

Anvil, Steel, Shield.

“Report quickly! The Restraid Clan has arrived!”

Startled by the unexpected appearance of the high-ranking figure, the soldiers hurriedly set up barricades and activated turrets.

Thanks to their usual intense training, their response was swift, but a shadow of worry loomed in the hearts of the soldiers.

‘Will this really be of any use?’

Fortunately, the knights approached slowly without drawing their weapons. They seemed willing to talk.

“Please cooperate for identity verification. This area is currently managed by the Federal Army. There is an incarcerated individual, so a visitor’s pass is required…”

In response to the soldier’s cautious words, one of the Armored Knights retorted brusquely.

“Hey, our commander is here to meet the Count. Open the gate already!”

Despite the unexpected reaction, the guard tried to follow the procedures he was trained to execute.

Since he couldn’t recklessly allow contact with the inhabitants inside without knowing the identity and intentions of the visitors.

“For an interview with the incarcerated individual, it’s essential to be accompanied by a Federal Army officer. You must present a visitor’s pass. Do you have it?”

“A visitor’s pass? You mean documents?”

“Yes, that’s correct.”

The knight hesitated momentarily before communicating with his comrades via radio.

It seemed like a misunderstanding had occurred.

– What should we do? They’re asking for documents, but I didn’t hear anything about that.

– Wait, documents? Didn’t they say we were getting in verbally? Who was in charge of this?

After a moment of silence, one flustered knight responded awkwardly.

– They’re right, but… I’m sorry, I forgot to bring the documents.

Soon, complaints from the senior knights filled the radio waves.

– What an idiot. How could you leave that behind?

– You fool! Don’t even dream of getting promoted to knight anytime soon!

The grumbling soon faded. The federal soldier urged for an answer.

“Excuse me but…”

Due to a comrade’s mistake, an important interview was about to be delayed. What an embarrassment this was.

Following the rules, they should either ask for permission or reissue the documents.

However, doing so would disrupt the schedule of the great commander.

Even now, there were plenty of subjects that needed attending to, and monsters that needed dispatching.

They had flown all the way from Rustroom to the Federation, how could they afford to waste time?

Moreover, thinking back, their blunder was largely due to the Federation’s failure to provide proper guidance.

– We can’t step back.

– Right. A knight never turns his back in front of commoners.

After a brief discussion, the knights reached a conclusion.

“Listen, soldier. We’ve already come with permission from above. Enough with the useless chatter; just open the gate!”

When the figure in armor shouted, the bewildered soldier protested.

“It’s not allowed. You can’t enter without a visitor’s pass. Stop! Cease movement—”

“Arguing? You’re just a powerless commoner!”

Before the soldier could finish his words, the enraged knight kicked him.

– Crack!

“Arrgh!”

The ordinary guard who adhered to the rules clutched his shattered leg and screamed.

Just then, federal reinforcements along with an armored unit arrived, blocking the entrance.

“Halt! If you proceed any further, we’ll open fire!”

An officer in charge of the containment operation quickly called for backup.

In the tense standoff, the highest-ranking armored knight stepped forward and removed his helmet.

“I am Hermann Austro, the captain of the Restraid Clan’s First Armored Knight Order and the heir of the Austro Barony! Who is commanding here? Answer me!”

“I am Colonel Dent! You are currently unlawfully invading the territory of the Federal Army! Step back at once!”

Captain Austro ignored the colonel’s warning and yelled louder.

“Shut up! Do you even know who is visiting the mansion right now?”

Another knight stepped forward and began to announce his identity.

“Listen closely! The one coming here today is Duke of Etheneb, Guardian of Elysion, Protector of Southern Rustroom, Slayer of the Mountain Beasts of Sote… Commander Cordona Almas Restraid of the Restraid Clan, the thirty-first heir to the throne of the Arnor United Kingdom! Clear the way!”

“Wait, you’re saying the leader of the Restraid Clan? What is this…”

“Now, are you understanding the situation?”

A stir spread among the soldiers.

“What if that person is really the Restraid commander… then those who came along are…”

“The First Armored Knight Order, that’s the Steel Guard!”

Fortunately, at that moment, new orders were issued from above.

“…Let them through.”

The commander sighed in resignation and gave the order to the soldiers. They swallowed their humiliation while parting the way.

A bald man with an imposing presence exited the armored vehicle that had passed through the villa’s main gate.

“Commander, we’ve got permission, but this is too… Ugh!”

The commander attempting to protest was sent flying by a powerful shock. Even an awakened officer was no match for the knights of the Steel Guard.

“Tsk tsk, that colonel brat is getting too cocky…”

Cordona Almas Restraid sneered as he casually disappeared into the villa, as if he were opening the door to his own house.

Upon entering, he found a middle-aged man in a robe sitting at a table, quietly savoring tea.

“That was quite a loud entrance you made.”

Cordona responded curtly to the man’s words.

“Thanks to the commoners of the Federation, who are unnecessarily getting in the way. It’s ridiculous seeing those meat shields acting tough whilst merely filling in for the breach in the barricade. What a world we live in, calling it rights and freedoms, and then giving those pigs a chance to raise their heads.”

“Your great-grandfather would surely be proud to see you now.”

“What, did I say something wrong? Those commoners don’t even know who’s protecting them while they whine…”

“Enough. Let’s stop there.”

Sensing the mage’s displeasure, Cordona changed the subject.

“By the way, elder, how’s your arm doing?”

“I’m fine. I felt it when I manufactured the Stregonics, but the foundation’s technology is truly impressive. I’ll have to contact Pagan again later. I’m not the only one needing a prosthetic.”

Cordona’s gaze rested on Noctis’s arm. The visible left arm under Valefor’s robe was an elaborate prosthetic. Cordona could not help but chuckle to himself.

‘To be taken down by some unknown commoner. How absurd.’

“So, what brings you personally here?”

“Hah, it’s nothing much. I merely came to check on the old man.”

“Come on now, spare me the nonsense. You must be very busy shaking up the Federation recently, so why waste your time coming all the way here?”

“Well, why now are you concerned about efficiency? Isn’t it you who fell flat on your face trying to shake up the Federation? It was utterly foolish to even think of using a bunch of brats from the Academy.”

“Yeah, I messed up. I have no regrets. You came under the pretext of sharing pleasantries, so let’s have a cup of tea.”

As Cordona received the tea poured by the mage, he took a sip.

“This is Alebor Mountain black tea. It has a rich aroma and a clean aftertaste.”

“Hmph, it seems I’ve truly become a senile recluse. I wonder if I’m developing dementia.”

“Oh please, don’t you worry about me. If I happen to go senile, I’ll walk straight into the entrance of Laplacian myself. Instead of worrying about others, I recommend you count the number of surviving roots you have.”

“I can’t win with words, can I? Isn’t it embarrassing to be acting like a child in front of someone younger than you?”

“Isn’t it a much healthier mental activity than being a king without territory?”

“You’re mad, old man.”

The two exchanged trivial banter for a while.

“By the way, about Councilor Remar. He is doing wonderfully in Parliament, I hear? Already 33 consecutive victories. He’s likely to achieve 40 soon. At this rate, he’ll set a new record.”

Cordona’s words prompted Valefor to listen quietly.

“Oh, by the way, about this villa, aren’t you getting bored? It seems like it isn’t properly connected to the outside world or the internet.”

“I’ve been managing this villa myself long before I was even given a pension. I have amassed many books and paintings over the years. It’s quite enough to keep me occupied.”

“Are you talking about the paintings? Hmmm…”

Before proceeding to the main issue, Cordona took a tour of the mansion under the mage’s guidance.

Valefor Count was not one to invite outsiders to his villa.

This might be the first time he had stepped into such an unfamiliar space.

‘Well, it can’t be anything grand…’

However, what he saw was indeed impressive.

“Oh my, elder. You’ve hidden away something precious! That’s not… isn’t that the Black Knight trilogy by Francisco Miler? I thought it was lost during the two-dimensional invasion.”

Cordona couldn’t hide his surprise at the painting of the black knight riding a galloping horse.

The original of this painting, inspired by a famous playwright’s dramatic works, had survived only in one piece.

“Indeed. It’s one of the paintings based on Nolreyos’s plays.”

“That one is ‘The Exile of the Black Knight.’ That line about ‘Unleashing the dog. Chase the knight away.’ And that’s ‘The Return of the Black Knight.'”

“You know your stuff. Look closely. Miler vividly captured the quintessence woven by Nolreyos in narrative and language with bold strokes. I was able to retrieve it before Vittorio City fell.”

‘This old man is hiding away quite a valuable piece. Not something that should be tossed into a corner. Tsk tsk…’

As Cordona shifted his attention to a new painting, he noticed portraits of women hanging next to it.

Women with vibrant orange hair.

Next to them was a photograph of what seemed to be the model for the women, taken during the youth of the mage.

Seeing the faded traces of the past, Cordona asked.

“It’s an honor to see your youthful self, elder. Who is the lady next to you?”

“She was my fiancée.”

“…So you’re talking about the Witch of Thunder. Ahem, my apologies.”

‘How stupid of me not to know this.’

It was common knowledge that the Witch of Thunder, Adriana Belestant, and the mage of the Pinnacle were once engaged. Yet, even Cordona never expected to dwell on it.

“It’s all in the past now, so don’t concern yourself with it.”

Fortunately, right below the photograph was a group picture that was perfect for changing the direction of the conversation.

“This is… Ah, it’s my great-grandfather. Given the background, it seems to be in the northern part of the continent.”

“Yes. It’s a photo taken after he received the title of Pinnacle. A historic moment when humanity reached the end of the Yellow Zone.”

In the photograph appeared figures that one would expect to see only in history books.

The greatest explorer and soldier, founder of the Arcite, Asam Satiya.

The greatest mind of humanity, the pioneer of Ether engineering, and first secretary-general of the Rumyx Research Foundation, Lloyd Valens.

The prince of a fallen nation and the last knight of Arnor, JeMont Restraid.

And the president of the Magnavis Group, alongside the great mage of the Pinnacle.

‘Truly, a living museum of history.’

Judging that it was time to move to the main subject, Cordona posed a question.

“I’ve heard that during your ascent to the Pinnacle while advancing north, you came across many strange things. I’ve even heard rumors of the souls of the dead wandering around.”

“That’s how we call it the Red Zone and Yellow Zone. It’s a place where the unknown and threats coexist.”

“In that case, elder, you must know what this is.”

As Cordona snapped his fingers, his aide entered the villa carrying a heavy box. After unlocking the double lock, a shimmering crown engraved with peculiar patterns appeared.

“…Where did you acquire that?”

“There was a cult called the Unity Cult causing a ruckus, so we swept them away with the federal army. During that process, we found this. I’ve seen many relics that control monsters, but this is my first time seeing something like this. It was so bizarre that I ordered my subordinates to investigate—eight out of ten have no clue, and the other two suddenly went berserk and had seizures while investigating.”

Cordona continued, unusually worried.

“This is typically dealt with by Magnavis, but the remaining researchers are claiming they can’t make heads or tails of it. Even the relic experts are stumped. It’s been determined to be an item from the time of the Great War, so I brought it to you, elder.”

Ripples crossed the expressionless mage’s eyes.

“Whatever the case, you are the only one among humanity who has seen beyond that threshold.”

“Right, it’s an item that crossed dimensions. You can only handle it in two ways: break it or seal it. Where did you find it? Who was the other owner?”

“I thought you might know. There seem to be quite a few people in my territory dealing with this item. We need a countermeasure; please offer some advice to this inexperienced young one.”

Valefor gave a detailed explanation. Once the story concluded, Cordona stood up.

“I’ll contact Chairman Almas. If I say it’s from me, he’ll cooperate.”

“Hmph, thank you.”

“And I have one piece of advice. You would be wise to abandon the Giant Plan. You cannot triumph over them with steel and brute force.”

“Hey, that sounds like the talk of an outdated old man. You won’t know until you try it yourself. I’ll take my leave now.”

After Cordona departed, Valefor remained for a while. The woman in the chair seemed to be gazing at him.

“Adriana.”

His fiancée, his beloved. The architect of practical combat magic and the master of electromagnetic magic.

All comrade and allies who had weathered both the best and worst times were no longer by his side.

The photos and paintings hung on the wall remained steadfast, transcending time.

Once he had believed he could catch up to that unwaveringness, yet he realized.

Even after the aging process was halted, time was relentlessly gnawing away at him.

The old heroes, nearly twenty thousand comrades and allies had all vanished.

Now, love, sorrow, and even longing feel dulled. What remains for him?

‘Hatred and obligation.’

This exhibition hall tinged with the past felt too hollow.

Overwhelmed by a wave of mental fatigue, the last heir of the Count family, who had vanished into another dimension, briefly closed his eyes.

The Violets started a new club activity.

It was none other than the Baking Club!

“Let’s make lots and lots of delicious bread!”

There were many benefits to making bread. One was the ability to self-supply.

“It’s cheaper than buying it!”

And secondly, there was the fact that they knew someone!

“Is Levi someone we know too?”

“Levi is our friend!”

To be honest, she wanted to engage in club activities with other friends. Levi felt more like a subordinate than a friend, which made it a tad awkward.

If there was a problem, it was personal circumstances.

“I’m sorry, Violet. I want to focus on training and studying for a while.”

“Umm… that won’t work. Balancing clan duties and studies is hard enough, so after-school activities are out of the question.”

“What? A club? Well, making bread isn’t really my cup of tea…”

“Alright, anyway, let’s make bread!”

“Yay! Yay!”

Our Violets proudly opened the door to the Baking Club.

“Hello!”

Let’s spark a production revolution in the Baking Club!

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