Dark Fantasy: Magical Eye Knight – Chapter 212

Chapter 212: The Undead Hordes (7)

 

The late supper was as delicious as the house owner’s kindness to his guests. As a result, the large table was brimming with numerous foods.

 

The party paused their conversation momentarily, their fighting spirits rising toward the food on the table.

 

Russell, in particular, was practically inhaling his food. He ate quickly, but his movements were so deft and impressive that he never spilled a drop of food or stained the tablecloth. However, no one could watch him for long, as everyone was famished.

 

Jess and Elenora, who had been riding for days with little food and water and had spent hours tending to patients after landing in Brasilt, ate without hesitation.

 

After eating, anything seemed possible. Whether it was greeting, complimenting, or organizing things,.

 

The meal, which was delicious but served more as a means to fill their stomachs, was finished. Servants approached in an orderly fashion, clearing the empty plates and serving drinks or tea.

 

Only Russell, Calia, Asharin, Lexi, Scilio, Weizen, Elenora, and Jess remained in the dining room after the owner made his decision.

 

As the heat from the meal dissipated, Jess cleared his throat noisily and looked at Russell.

 

“We greeted each other earlier, but I should probably greet you again. It’s been a while, Russell-nim.”

 

“Yeah. How long has it been?”

 

“About four or five months. This is the first time I have seen you since we parted ways at the Errandis estate. Irrucil-nim isn’t with you?”

 

“She had to stay at home for personal reasons. That is why I am here. How about you? Have you found Hailyn?”

 

When Russell asked the question, Jess stared at Elenora. Elenora, who had been sipping tea, set it down and stared at Russell.

 

“It has been a long time. Almost a year since Calisden?”

 

“It has been much longer than that. It’s nice to see you.”

 

“Yes. So, what exactly was that we saw earlier?”

 

The question was valid. Elenora, Jess, Scilio, Weizen, and Asharin all glanced at Russell and Calia. The ratio was around 50:50.

 

Calia leaned her chin on her hands while speaking.

 

“I’m just speculating, but that giant seems to be similar to the giants who once roamed this land in ancient times.”

 

Jess appeared puzzled.

 

“Hadn’t all the giants vanished? I heard they disappeared thousands of years ago.”

 

“I thought so too. In reality, past periods left many signs that we now don’t understand. The foundations of the cities that remain today are built on the remnants of past civilizations that came before us. All the history books mention that the point in time when giants and dragons disappeared was somewhere around the same point. No one knows why though.”

 

“Do you know something, Calia-nim?”

 

“I am just speculating. Asharin, you were with Aella. Hasn’t Aellasis said anything? I’ve never seen her suddenly turn into a dragon and become aggressive.”

 

At those words, everyone recalled the white-scaled dragon soaring above the city. It was hard to forget the sight of the dragon, with its overwhelming presence, stealing magic from the air.

 

Asharin, who had been drinking wine from a large glass, wiped her lips before looking up.

 

“Come to think of it, I heard her mutter something about how it shouldn’t happen. Her expression was also blank. “

 

“Her expression was blank.”

 

“Yeah. It seemed as if she was recalling something or reflecting on a forgotten memory. As far as I know, dragons pass down knowledge from soul to soul. Maybe that’s why.”

 

Jess inquired with a perplexed gaze.

 

“What do you mean by passing down knowledge from soul to soul?”

 

“Simply put, the learning process is automatic. Even if they don’t know anything, they will learn it if it was previously known by other dragons. And if Aellasis learns something new, it is passed down to her offspring.”

 

“Huh, can dragons do that?”

 

“Dragonkin can do that too, can’t they? I also learned magic from my parents. Of course, it’s quite difficult and takes meticulous planning.”

 

‘Did she inherit her magical skills from her family?’ Russell fiddled with his glass while thinking about Asharin, who had been racing around wielding flames like if they were her limbs. That’s very convenient.

 

“I’m not sure what transpired between the giant and the dragon, but the fact that Aellasis attacked with exceptional anger suggests they weren’t on good terms. Perhaps one of them started the fight?

 

“I’m interested in the stories about dragons and giants, but I want to get back to the original topic. So, why did that giant appear?”

 

Everyone turned to look at Russell when Jess asked the question. He was the only one who had been at the far end of the collapsing castle’s great hall.

 

Russell took a sip from his drink and spoke.

 

“After I defeated Jayvir, a guy named Livenbus attacked me. We fought, he split into two, and one of them performed some kind of ritual. Then the giant appeared. After that, as you all saw, we fought and killed him.”

 

“Hmm……”

 

“Before he died, he mentioned Rihelatur or something. Based on his tone and actions, it appeared to be a group founded out of a hatred of incompleteness.

 

Elenora, who had been calmly listening to Russell, unexpectedly raised her head.

 

“Did you say Rihelatur?”

 

“Yeah. Do you recognize the name?

 

“I’ve heard about that. It was the name of an ancient tower mentioned in an old text.

 

‘A tower?’ The people tilted their heads as Elenora proceeded.

 

“It was a tower built so long ago that it’s hard to even guess the year. The tower was built with bricks filled with people’s wishes. One day, when its height surpassed the clouds and reached beyond the heavens, the angry gods punished it, and the tower collapsed. Why the gods were angry, what happened to the collapsed tower and the people inside, remains a mystery. There are only many hypotheses, but nothing concrete is recorded.”

 

It’s the same everywhere people live. Elenora continued.

 

“However, historians and scholars argue that the tower named Rihelatur in the old book is not a real tower. There is no trace or ruin of a tower that tall anywhere on the continent.”

 

“So it’s a metaphor?”

 

Elenora nodded, astonished by Russell’s words.

 

“Yes. Maybe the mention of a giant, tall tower was a metaphor for a structure that could have such a long history.”

 

“Then that Rihelatur might have been a tool to reach the gods.”

 

“That is possible. Maybe the name Russell-nim heard was uttered again because……”

 

Russell smirked bitterly as he spoke.

 

“They must have nothing better to do. They’re all the same, whether it’s gods or whatever. It’s all nonsense.”

 

“Have you experienced something like this before?”

 

“No. But I can tell that everyone is the same. Anyway, Jesse, why are you here?”

 

Jess gazed at Elenora before turning his attention to Russell.

 

“I came to ask for help.”

 

“What kind of help?”

 

“I know where Sir Hailyn’s whereabouts might be…… what he’s become.”

 

Jess gulped hard and spoke with a hardened face.

 

“Undead hordes are currently rampaging over the empire’s northwest region. I’ve heard that a city has already collapsed, and refugees are pouring in from two provinces.”

 

“Undead hordes?”

 

Calia interjected.

 

“What undead? It can’t be that a city collapsed due to a group of reanimated corpses.”

 

“Yes. Qualled Umberto, a warlock, is their master. He was a mad wizard who attempted to turn the province of Avalson into a kingdom of the dead hundreds of years ago.

 

Jess described the warlock’s origin and defeat. After hearing the explanation, Russell crossed his arms and spoke.

 

“Is Hailyn there? How did that happen?”

 

Jess stated.

 

“Do you remember when I told you he disappeared during the battle with the orc shaman?”

 

“Don’t tell me it’s because of that.”

 

“Elenora and I made that guess. The refugees referenced a Death Knight in their perplexing rumors. And when we put together the knight’s armor and sword, it looks quite close to what Sir Hailyn was wearing.”

 

“Is it now in the northwest of the empire?”

 

“Yes. It is collapsing and causing havoc. This area, Brasilt, is in the empire’s southeast, so it isn’t real to us yet, but the cities Elenora and I passed through have declared a state of emergency.”

 

Weizen, who had been calmly sipping his drink, leaned over to speak with his sister.

 

“Do you understand what’s going on?”

 

“Do you think I’m you, little brother? If you don’t understand, just shut up. At least you won’t be treated like an idiot.”

 

Weizen decided to follow his sister’s advice and adopt the posture of an inanimate object. He picked up his glass, drank it, and then filled the empty glass with more drink.

 

Lexi clicked her tongue.

 

“Why is everything happening at the same time? Was the world always like this, or is it particularly so these days? I am not an elderly dark elf, yet even I find it unusual.”

 

Elenora smirked slyly as Lexi grumbled.

 

“That’s correct. This type of turmoil is unusual. In just over a year, lords have invaded each other’s territory, there have been border battles, and the empire appears to be unraveling from within. But if this organization called Rihelatur actually exists, maybe these events are things they’ve been preparing for a long time. But, fortunately, most of the issues that have arisen thus far have been addressed or are now being addressed.”

 

“Yes?”

 

“Think of the mad dragon in Calisden and the devil who was gaining power in the Lake of the Moon, Jess. And the Vampire Riot that broke out in Errandis – at this moment Calia’s eyes sparkled – and the Orc Gathering, are not coincidences.”

 

Elenora lifted her eyebrows. Before she realized it, everyone was focused on her remarks.

 

“It’s a law of nature that the answer exists right next to the problem. And that answer is right in front of my eyes.”

 

Russell, who was fumbling through his coat for a cigarette, came to a halt when he noticed the blue eyes staring directly at him.

 

Russell looked at those eyes for a moment and then glanced around at everyone sitting at the table. Calia didn’t avoid his gaze, meeting his eyes and smiling brightly. Asharin had her head lowered, seemingly deep in thought.

 

Scilio wore a carefree look, while Weizen blinked with an intoxicated expression. When Russell looked at Lexi, she nodded and smiled slyly. ‘Why were you nodding?’

 

He finally looked at Jess and Elenora. Russell nodded slowly as he glanced at Jess, who gazed at him like a puppy waiting for food.

 

“You don’t need to stare at me like that. You gotta stop your friend from doing stupid things.”

 

“Whew.”

 

Unlike Jess, who let out a deep sigh, Elenora looked at Russell with a stern expression.

 

“That isn’t the sole cause. I can’t imagine how much power a necromancer has accumulated over time. If the time comes for us to do so…

 

She paused before proceeding.

 

“Don’t hesitate. Deal with my brother. The fall of a paladin is something many priests are wary of. Someone who has lost faith in God can be worse than a devil.”

 

“I’ll keep that in mind.”

 

Dinner concluded on a gloomy note.

 

🔷🔷🔷🔷🔷🔷

 

When night fell and dawn arrived, the sky was still dark. The clouds were filled with seeds that were going to turn into rainfall. As the moisture in the dark clouds met the rapidly lowering temperature, unwelcome visitors dropped to the ground.

 

It was snowing.

 

The snow, which had begun in the morning, progressively became heavier and accumulated. Aside from the pandemonium in the city, children and dogs were excited about the snow.

 

Exhausted parents were unable to catch such children and let them be. They did not have to worry about robbery or looting.

 

Lord Roscell ordered the death of offenders found in the act of committing crimes, leaving those who did not want to lose their necks with little alternative except to defend themselves.

 

The falling snow muted the sound. The children’s laughter and shouts, combined with the barking of dogs, faded as fast as they spread.

 

Russell brought Kry, Calia, and Aellasis’s horses, which had been kept in the stable. Fortunately, the inn remained intact, appearing undisturbed by the aftermath.

 

As they left, paying the overdue lodging fees, the snow was starting to lessen. He saw people standing side by side in the snow.

 

Aellasis managed to get up and shake herself off, but she struggled to use her power. As Calia hugged Aellasis from behind, she spoke with Russell, who was approaching.

 

“Aella and I need to ride together. I guess I need to use some magic. And she seemed a little cold.”

 

“Okay.”

 

“Then I’ll ride the remaining horse.”

 

Lexi stepped up and took one of the reins. As Russell handed Calia the other reins, he heard horseshoes behind him.

 

Elenora and Jess were each guiding a horse. Jess, who had been gazing at the sky, grimaced.

 

“I don’t know if we’ll be able to ride well in this snow.”

 

Elenora, who had her hood pulled back over her priestess’s robe, spoke.

 

“Let’s get out on the road for now. It doesn’t look like it’ll snow for long.”

 

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