Fallen Monarch Chapter 103

103. Undecided (1)

Halsem smiled widely. Three months had passed since he had co to the Demon Kingdom. He had been extrely uncomfortable at first, interacting with so many unfamiliar people in such a foreign land, but he had eventually gotten used to it.

The treatnt he received now from everyone was different compared to back in his gambler daysmainly the acknowledgnt he received. Other rchants now spoke in whispers about him as he traveled around the continent.

They said that person is the rchant who interacts with the Demon Kingdom

He looks normal Is he actually a very skilled person or?

Why would a job like that need extra skill? He might just have the right personality!

But from what Ive heard he is paid a lot of money to do what he does.

Look at that expression! Such composure He also kind of has a mysterious vibe?

Halsem had traveled to places all across the continent because of his job and his fa had spread fast. On top of that, the rumors about him had been exaggerated and he was now called The Great rchant by others in the trade.

Receiving his own title and becoming so well respected had far surpassed the original goals that Halsem had set for himself after deciding to beco a rchant in the first place.

Ahh, Im satisfied!

He shook his head.

No. I cant be satisfied with just this!

Higher! Lets go even higher!

But I dont have anything else to set as a goal, do I?

Halsem had gone to see Tom after thinking about this.

His arms were crossed.

I want to set a new goal.

You want to what? Tom asked, smiling awkwardly as Halsem burst into his office.

He had been checking over so equipnt and supplies and didnt really feel like getting into a conversation.

I want to be in a really high position!

Do you want to be a king?

Uh what?

Halsems eyes grew large.

Tom smiled.

Im kidding, of course.

Dont say things like that please, he replied. His eyes were dull and his smile was hollow. Even as a joke. Because it feels like everything you say will really happen. It makes look forward to it for no reason!

Even though its , it would still be extrely difficult to make you king, Halsem. But, well

Tom organized his docunts and placed them all on his office desk. Then he glanced back at Halsem before he spoke once again.

I can make you a noble if you want.

A n-noble?

Yes. A noble of the Demon Kingdom.

Halsems eyes widened and Tom nodded his head.

Youve more or less settled down in the Demon Kingdom, havent you? In fact, your contribution to our diplomatic efforts through your trading cant be overstated. Youve done great work. Even Her Highness the Demon Lord is acknowledging that.

I-is that so?

But many clans would be envious of you or feel uncomfortable since youre a human. I an theyd be uncomfortable about you being a noble, anyway.

I-is that so?

If you can do one more thing for , then I can probably make it happen.

What is it?

There will be a war against the Lo Kingdom soon. I want you to play an active role in it.

Youre telling to fight in a war?

Halsems face turned pale. He frantically shook his head in disapproval.

Tom bead back at him.

Im not telling you to fight. I want you to deliver items as a rchant.

Deliver items? I-if thats all you want, I can do that. But

Transporting items as a rchant was surely sothing he could do. But there was still one thing that he was concerned about.

How important are these items? Are they going to determine the outco of the war?

Tom used a crystal ball to make a call.

After a while, a knock was heard and Tom smiled.

Co in.

The person on the other side of the door seed to hesitate for a few monts before finally opening the door.

It was Ellin.

A few other humans entered after her.

W-why did you call here? Ellin asked hesitantly and with an awkward expression.

Tom found this mystifying but didnt let it show.

Strangely, Ellin had been avoiding him after the return of Aylans ambassadors and their representative, Akareal, three months ago. Tom had noticed this so ti ago and was extrely uncomfortable about the whole thing because he had no idea about why she was doing it. But at the sa ti, he hadnt wanted to just spring it on her suddenly. He had been hoping that shed co to him after a while to explain herself.

He also had many other things on his mind and had been distracted.

It seems like she heard sothing from Akareal Im curious about what it is.

But, for now, he needed to focus on the preparation for the Lo Kingdoms invasion. After glancing at Ellin and the Dopplegangers disguised as humans behind her, he shifted his gaze over to Halsem.

Do you know what kind of demon Ellin is?

What do you an by what kind of demon?

The clan.

Isnt she a Doppelganger? Disguised as a human?

Yes. And all the people behind her are also Doppelgangers just like her.

At Toms words, Halsem stared at Ellin and the Doppelgangers behind her with wide eyes. No matter how he looked at them, they still appeared like common, rural farrs.

R-really? They look exactly like humans though?

Even priests cant tell whether these people right here are Doppelgangers or not unless they see their blood. Their ability to transform into humans is outstanding. I want you, Halsem, to transport these people.

What do you an?

Please transport them to Lo Kingdom.

Was he talking about this when he said transporting items?

Halsem looked at Ellin and the doppelgangers. If it was these people, nobody but the Holy Kingdom would ever be able to tell that they were demons.

He would need to do sothing about their identities, though. He could pull this off if they were able to sneak in as a small group of rchants with fake nas.

Ellin, listening in to the conversation, interrupted next.

You called us here suddenly but are talking to each other by yourselves What are you talking about?

Apostle Ellin.

A-apostle?

Ellin looked surprised. It was the first ti Tom had called her by that title.

Apostle.

She liked it.

Tom continued.

I have a request.

What is it?

Its for Her Highness the Demon Lord and the Demon Kingdom. And sothing that could bring us to victory in the upcoming war with the Lo Kingdom!

Ellins whole body tensed up at Toms tone of voice.

Anything, just say it! Because Ill do anything if its for the Demon Lord!

Excellent!

Tom smiled before giving his orders.

Please sneak into the royal family of Lo Kingdom.

Ellin and Halsems expressions hardened.

***

A group of soldiers in heavy, sheet tal armor advanced. Their silvery armors were glossy and reflected the sunlight. Their horses were also armored and they glared forward with ferocious eyes while blowing air out their noses.

Knights were carrying their respective weapons as they rode. Long swords, lances, warhamrs, maces, and many other weapons could be seen. The white vapor from their breath was visible as it passed through their helts into the cool air.

The army was both dignified and intimidating, and the ground thundered with the hooves of thousands of horses.

A thousand knights with 30 thousand soldiers following after them. This was the army of the Lo Kingdomthe kingdom considered to have the best swordsn and the strongest knights on the continent.

Pygni, who was leading them on his own horse, frowned at the disparity between his own equipnt and that of those around him.

This is unfair. Im wearing this heavy armor

Pygni looked at Oskal beside him.

And yet so people are wearing only leather? Im uncomfortable with this, hmph!

Oscal was wearing leather armor that allowed him to move more easily and was riding his own horse.

He looked up at the sky as he replied to Pygni.

Well theres nothing we can do about it, right? Since it would put us in a tough position if the king died.

Dont say ominous things. Why would I die? Youd die way before I would.

Why is that?

Because youre both my sword and shield!

Haha! Oskal burst out laughing.

Pygni looked at the huge city seen across the winter snowfield.

It was the Holy Kingdoms capital city, Freitarok.

Pygni sighed as he looked at the city.

For them to get to the Demon Kingdom, they had to pass through either Aylans Kingdom or the Holy Kingdom. Since they were officially at war with Aylans Kingdom, they couldnt travel the roads in that direction, so they had been forced to co through the Holy Kingdom, taking a detour even though it was troubleso.

Ahh, I would invade the Holy Kingdom if I could.

The huge gate of the capital city opened. Lo Kingdoms knights traveled inside and found themselves on the streets. This was a city that had been praised as the center of the continent and the most luxurious place to live that you could find.

But contrary to what they expected, the city before them now was anything but. The knights stiffened uncomfortably at the tragedy welcoming them.

G-give food!

S-save my child! My breast milk isnt coming out! My childplease!

There were so many people begging on the street.

But the beggars werent the only ones there

Oi! Youre acting suspiciously!

Haha! Arent you a heretic? Why would anyone help you?

Oh, wow, Miss, you look amazing! Why dont you co with for a little while? Ill allow you to experience my holy grace.

People in black habits were roaming around the streets while using violence against the citizenry.

In the downtown area, there were traces of a large fire. Dead bodies were piled all over the place, frozen solid, that hadnt been cleaned up or dealt with.

The beautiful city which used to be so full of life and prosperity not so long agohad turned into hell.

Pygni shifted his gaze to the side.

The heads of the priests and the cardinals that had revolted against Salem and had been caught a few months ago were displayed on the houses all over the capital city.

It looked like there were thousands of them.

Awful. Oskal. Is your friend really this big of a monster?

Oskal broke out in a cold sweat. He hadnt known that Salems madness was this extre.

Welco! King Pygni and General Oskal.

Pygni looked up as a small group approached them.

They were black priests, mbers of a group of inquisitors that operated directly under the Pope. They looked up at Pygni with mocking expressions. One of them reached into his shabby cassock and scratched at his belly.

The muscles on Pygnis eyes twitched at the groups behavior and their open disrespect.

Welco? Their words are so short. On top of that, theyre quite cocky.

It also ant that they were looking down on Pygni.

Since the black priests were a group that had been ford using prisoners, this behavior was to be expected.

Why the heck is this country getting bigger instead of failing miserably? Is this whats left from such a horrid system?

A political system based on disordered and destructive tendencies. The Pope only got more powerful instead of losing everything in this sort of system.

Pygni glared at the black priests before glancing at Oskal.

Dont take out your sword.

Wouldnt it be okay for just a little? Oscal was gripping his sword handle, clearly not pleased with what he was seeing either.

Pygni sighed.

Id cut his head off if I could, too.

A diplomatic conflict would happen if he did, though.

After truly grasping just what sort of man the Pope had to be to allow the capital to devolve into such a disgusting state, Pygni gained a newfound fear for him.