Welcome to the Café of the Dark Guild’s Successor - Chapter 151

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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A café operated by the heir to the Dark Guild.
Chapter 151
“Welcome. I hear you were out. Where have you been all night?”
The Emperor greeted Biedler with visible delight.
Biedler exchanged glances with the knights stationed beside the Emperor and offered a proper bow.
“Yesterday was my mother’s death anniversary.”
“…Ahem. Has it been that long already?”
The Emperor, discomfited by Biedler’s cold tone, cleared his throat awkwardly.
“Are you saying you observed the death anniversary of a criminal who died for treason? Your loyalty to the Empire is truly admirable.”
Clione let out a derisive snort, her displeasure evident, but Biedler ignored her and kept his gaze on the Emperor.
“What did you wish to see me about?”
“Last night, three territories sent emergency communications. Some have even come in person to request aid directly.”
Biedler’s eyes shifted to the people lying in the back of the conference room.
They had been treated for their wounds, their armor torn in countless places and bandages wrapped around their injuries.
“Demonic beasts attacked the territories—if one is to believe it. But not just one place; several… This is troubling.”
“Is it?”
The Emperor floundered, taken aback by Biedler’s indifferent response.
“I would like to entrust the handling of this to you, as you are most experienced in such matters….”
It was then.
Seeing Biedler show no disturbance at the mention of demonic beasts, Arthur cried out.
“You did this!”
“What?”
“You plotted this to steal my position, didn’t you? To ruin my wedding ceremony…. Now it all makes sense.”
Biedler looked at Arthur with contempt—the man, oblivious to the gravity of the situation, prattling on about weddings.
“By what means would I command demonic beasts?”
“How should I know? Perhaps you’ve sold your soul to a demon in pursuit of the Emperor’s throne.”
“It is strange that demonic beasts appeared so suddenly, Your Majesty. Perhaps we should verify whether this is genuine and not fabricated?”
Seeing Clione side with Arthur, Biedler’s expression darkened.
“Have these people finished giving their report?”
“Not yet.”
Those who had rushed here seeking aid had been left unattended all this while.
Biedler exhaled deeply and approached them, bending down to meet the eyes of a knight groaning in pain.
“Which territory do you belong to?”
“The Hizzle Territory, owned by Count Mermen.”
“Hizzle. I have been there before. It was a place abundant in resources. Give me your report.”
“It was an ordinary day, but suddenly at night, demonic beasts erupted and began attacking people. They destroyed homes and killed indiscriminately… They were impossibly strong.”
“How many appeared?”
“From what I saw, six. We managed to kill three, and the others vanished abruptly, but… our losses are severe. If those beasts return to the territory, we have no strength left to defend it. Everyone is trembling with fear.”
As Biedler listened to reports from another territory that had come seeking aid, the situation proved similar.
“We are no match for them alone. Many of us were gravely wounded in yesterday’s battle. Please, we beg for the Imperial Palace’s support.”
Biedler placed a heavy hand on the shoulders of the pleading knight.
“I will devise a plan and send aid without fail. For now, focus on your recovery.”
“Thank you. Thank you so much.”
Hope finally filled the knight’s eyes, which had been brimming with despair. Tears streamed silently down his face—the weight of his suffering had been too great.
“The loss of comrades and acquaintances you lived alongside cannot be filled by anything. But if you have time for self-recrimination, dedicate it instead to training. To avoid repeating the same regrets, you must grow stronger.”
“…Yes. I will remember your words.”
Biedler, who had traversed battlefields for years, understood the despair and helplessness these knights now felt better than anyone.
‘War again.’
Forced to traverse battlefields since childhood, Biedler abhorred war with a passion.
He too had survived by killing others and trampling them underfoot, yet the battlefield was hell. He wished for no one to experience that again.
In the wake of war came only countless wounded, orphans, and poverty.
Wishing to avoid it, he had even postponed war with the Strophane Clan as a last resort, yet an unexpected conflict was about to unfold.
“Your Majesty, demonic beasts are being sighted across the entire Empire. This is a grave matter. We must investigate it thoroughly.”
The Emperor did not believe for a moment that Biedler was behind this, but he watched Clione’s expression and summoned the Knight Commander.
“What is your assessment?”
“The wounds on these people are indeed torn as if inflicted by beasts. As the Second Prince suggests, it seems necessary to form an investigation team and dispatch them to the territories.”
“Then let us do so.”
“That alone is insufficient.”
Biedler, returning to stand before the Emperor, spoke with firm resolve.
“Multiple communications have arrived—demonic beasts have been sighted in numerous territories, not merely one or two. While we investigate, further casualties will mount.”
“What do you propose?”
“Separate from an investigation team, the Imperial Palace must deploy every available soldier across the Empire to provide support.”
“Second Prince…. Deploying all forces would be excessive, no matter the circumstances.”
The Knight Commander expressed his objection to Biedler’s proposal.
It was at this moment that Clione seized the opportunity to interject.
“Your Majesty, the Knight Commander is right—full mobilization would be too much. Let us send an investigation team to the provincial territories first. We need only maintain careful vigilance for the time being to prevent problems. Biedler will handle it splendidly.”
“My brother is here. How could I presume to lead the Imperial Knights?”
When Biedler demurred, Clione spoke again.
“Arthur has his wedding ceremony coming up soon. He must also care for the pregnant Crown Princess. How could he be away from the Imperial Palace for an extended time?”
It was as Biedler’s brow furrowed at the transparent words of the Empress that—
Suddenly, a loud commotion erupted outside, followed by screams.
An Imperial Knight who rushed to the window and peered out cried in alarm:
“A-A demonic beast outside…!!”
“We’re under attack!”
Before the knights’ cries had finished, a window shattered and a grotesque demonic beast burst into the conference room.
Everyone, seeing the creature for the first time, flailed about in confusion.
“Protect His Majesty!”
At Biedler’s cry, the knights snapped to attention and began converging to shield the Emperor and Empress, but the beast was already lunging toward them.
“Ahhhhh!!”
As the demonic beast drew near, Clione shrieked and yanked a knight forward, using him as a shield in front of herself.
The unprotected knight hastily drew his blade to parry the beast’s strike, but the sword shattered and his body was torn asunder.
Blood sprayed like a fountain. The horrific sight left everyone speechless.
Yet the beast did not pause after killing the knight; it pressed on to attack Clione.
“What are you all doing?! Save me at once!!”
Trembling, Clione swiftly dodged behind another knight, her voice shrill with command.
More demonic beasts poured through the window in succession. Unable to cope with the flood of creatures, Biedler moved to engage.
Deflecting the beast’s attacks with ease, Biedler glanced back at the Empress behind him.
“The beasts are targeting Your Majesty.”
Indeed, the beasts wove their attacks away from Biedler, directing their killing intent solely at Clione.
As though they had been assigned a specific target.
“S-Save me.”
“Is your esteemed brother not here?”
Clione turned to locate Arthur’s position.
Arthur, pathetically enough, had multiple knights surrounding him, and within that circle he cowered, trembling.
Having no choice, Biedler dispatched the beast, and the other creatures were eventually subdued after multiple knights swarmed each one.
“So those were demonic beasts. The reports… last night’s communications… they were true.”
The appearance of the beasts had freed Biedler of any need to prove his innocence.
“How did those creatures even breach the Imperial Palace?”
“The barrier appears to have been broken. I sense a disturbance in the mana flow from the sky. It is being sealed again now, but… to breach something like that….”
The Imperial Mage rushed in, ashen-faced, and explained how the barrier had been compromised.
After the barrier was repaired, no more beasts appeared, and the conference room—which had been a tempest moments before—fell into profound silence.
Biedler, still gripping his sword drenched in beast’s blood, fixed a sharp gaze on Arthur, who stood trembling.
“Do you still believe this was my doing, brother?”
“S-Stay back!”
Arthur, fearing Biedler might run him through with his blade, blinked rapidly and ducked behind a knight.
“Fear not. I find you so contemptible I cannot even muster the will to kill you.”
Biedler swept his sweat-dampened hair aside and stepped before the Emperor, whose face had turned ashen.
“An Emergency Declaration must be issued.”
“In over four hundred years, there has been no history of an Emergency Declaration. That such a thing should occur during my reign….”
“Nevertheless, it must be done.”
“Are you not being hasty in your judgment?”
“Excess preparation is better than insufficient. The swifter the decision, the fewer casualties there will be.”
The Emperor nodded, moved by the steadfast determination in Biedler’s eyes.
“Very well. Then we must also contact the Mage Tower and the Temple.”
“Yes. And please convene a full assembly. The cooperation of the Five Great Houses in particular is essential. We must gather our forces.”
The Emperor glanced sidelong at Clione. She had been watching for his lead, but she had changed enough now to voice her own opinions.
“Please also contact the head of House Isaac.”
“…Very well.”
Having witnessed the beasts firsthand and been saved by Biedler, the Empress swallowed her pride to address the crisis.
And so they ended the conversation and decided to rest until the next assembly.
As Biedler stepped outside, he saw the Imperial Mages working to seal and strengthen the breached barrier.
Among the knights milling about behind them, Biedler spotted Seniel and Orbis, and he naturally made his way to the Garden, a place rarely frequented.
Upon reaching the deserted spot, Seniel and Orbis, who had followed him, revealed themselves.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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