The Dean was standing politely while wiping the sweat from his forehead with a handkerchief when I entered his office.

Right now, I was not here as a professor under the Dean, but as the one and only Dark Mage of the Griffin Kingdom.

I was here as the Soul Whisperer Deus Verdi.

- Have you arrived?

The expression of His Majesty, as reflected in the communication crystal on the desk, was grim. It did not resemble the face of the man who had firmly subdued the nobles and was now standing atop a power structure akin to absolute monarchy.

"The Soul Whisperer Deus Verdi greets Your Majesty."

I attempted to get down on one knee, as dictated by royal etiquette, to greet him, but Orpheus shook his hand to stop me.

-We're already past that, aren't we? You also know that I am not particularly fond of such formalities.

Upon hearing that, I didn't insist and slowly stood back up.

The Dean and Erica seemed quite shocked by His Majesty's reaction, but I paid no heed to them.

"I have briefly heard about the situation on my way here. The tribe from the Marias Great Forest on the eastern side have raided the Kingdom."

-It's a massacre. On top of that, it's on a grand scale. No one is left alive in their wake.

They killed people and consumed the animals.

They were like a swarm of locusts, solely focused on just two things.

"I heard their purpose is to avenge Chieftain Katoler and the residents of Setima."

-It has been years since the Chieftain was executed, hasn't it? I believe it occurred during my father's reign.

I knew about the Chieftain because he was one of the souls I had forcefully awakened using Lemegeton during the fight against Mage Tribunal Judge Tyren at the execution ground.

I clearly remembered his power from the bolt of lightning he unleashed.

- The grudge of the residents of Setima... I don't know the details, but I heard that you've already resolved it. You also asked the Zeronia Household to take responsibility and instructed them to erect a memorial monument.

"I can assure you that those people would never condone someone committing a massacre in their name."

They were pure souls who were willing to forgive the Griffin Kingdom and even the Zeronia Household, which brutally murdered them.

The fact that the Marias tribe were committing massacres under the name of Setima made me feel extremely extremely uncomfortable.

-Yes. Something felt off, so I conducted an investigation. The names of some rather troublesome houses emerged in the report.

King Orpheus gritted his teeth.

-Romerzan, Harroin and Boman. I received intelligence reports that a large number of the heads of the households that are still rebelling against me have gone over to the Marias Great Forest.

"...."

-Not only are they colluding with the Jerman Kingdom but are also preparing for acts of treason. They're absolutely insane.

They fled and recruited the Marias tribe because they were in danger of being exposed?

It felt like a scheme of pure malice, but in that case, I couldnt help but have doubts.

"I dont think the Marias tribe would follow them just by hearing a few words."

-Yes, those are my thoughts as well.

The nobles who defected may have done something, but that alone wouldn't have made it easy for the tribes of the Marias Great Forest to invade a powerful nation like Griffin.

-Thats why I first sent some soldiers there. And to show the Royal Familys determination to thoroughly protect our subjects, I also dispatched some members of the Royal Knight.

It was a rather aggressive response, but it conveyed the strong commitment to protect and keep their citizens safe.

That response was akin to wielding the mightiest sword, which defended the Royal Family, in order to take down the enemy on the battlefield.

And the Royal Knight Commander, Gloria Grace, was especially strong when compared to Mage Tribunal Judge Tyren.

I thought they would quickly return after a victory. However

"I guess they lost."

King Orpheus wouldn't be this worried if that was the case.

- ...Yes, the Royal Knight Commander was also defeated by them. We're trying our best to prevent the news from being spread , but I don't think it is possible for us to hide it completely.

The knights of the Royal Family were defeated by the tribal people from the east.

Just that news alone would once again drown the entire kingdom in chaos, and the impression of the unshakable royal authority we had painstakingly built would come crumbling down.

- I need your help. I've heard that he wields a unique power that isnt mana. And youre also the expert when it comes to puzzling incidents.

"...."

- Even Saintess Lucia has already headed there. She and Royal Knight Commander Gloria have been friends since childhood.

That information was already known to me.

After taking a brief deep breath, I lowered my head.

"I will accept the mission. We will depart immediately."

-I'm counting on you.

The communication crystal dimmed, and I slowly raised my upper body to look at the Dean.

"As you have heard, I will return shortly."

The Dean nodded vigorously in response.

* * *

It didnt take long to prepare for departure. Since it was a dangerous battlefield, we obviously left the pregnant Illuania behind.

So it was just Findenai, Owen, and me who set out.

Professor Fel Petra seemed regretful as she looked around the laboratory, which would once again turn desolate. Meanwhile, Erica apologized for not being able to accompany us.

Since students like Aria and Eleanor were in the middle of practical training, we were unable to bid them farewell.

"Gyaaaahhh, I just complained that I didnt have anyone to try this new item on, but I immediately found someone I can use it on."

Driving the carriage, Findenai grinned contentedly as she looked at the Hand of Hemomancy I had given her.

It was necessary to check its performance in actual battle since it was an item that needed blood to function.

"Owen, I will keep you in the safest place possible, so you do not need to worry too much."

"Yes, I'll watch your actions closely with my own eyes, Soul Whisperer!"

"Hey, are you just going to watch while this Big Sister here fights her heart out?"

Findenai interjected with a teasing tone. I told Owen to ignore her and then fell into thought for a moment.

The words spoken by the Mountain Lord of the Norseweden mountain range during my last visit lingered in my mind.

I am already aware that the guardian deity of the Marias Forest has abandoned the forest.

If a guardian deity abandoned their home, they would lose their almost eternal life, and their formidable power would also weaken rapidly.

I couldn't help but feel that this incident might be related to Horua.

The Great Warrior, Valkzar.

By using a unique power that wasnt mana, he was able to defeat the Royal Knight Commander Gloria, one of the few powerhouses in the kingdom.

And the important thing was

He is not a character that appears in the game.

It was a completely unfamiliar name to me.

His existence wasn't even mentioned in the game.

And in the first place there weren't such large-scale events or scenarios where the Marias tribe invaded the Kingdom like this in the game.

Perhaps the changes I brought about had created a butterfly effect, bringing about such a storm.

Nevertheless, it is quite unsettling.

From someone using the residents of Setima as an excuse to commit a massacre, to a man known as the Great Warrior possessing superhuman strength.

Because it was full of things I couldnt understand and had various problems that bothered me, I took a deep breath to clear my mind and glanced out the window.

* * *

In the mountainside village in the east.

Thick smoke could be seen billowing over the burnt ground of the village, which the Marias tribe had turned into their stronghold.

It was inevitable that huge flames would rise with large amounts of meat being roasted and eaten. And this feast was accompanied by the tribe folk dancing around the fire.

Thump! Thump! Thump! Thump!

Inside the huge tent where the fierce drumming resounded.

The Great Warrior Valkzar tore into the meat as he gazed at the shaman who also had the role of a seer, Syong.

Shaking a staff with bells attached, Syong knelt before a large map of the Griffin Kingdom as he murmured something.

As time passed, one of the tokens on the map began to move ever so slightly.

Seeing this, Syong rose abruptly and pointed at the token with his staff.

"There. That is where the one closest to death, as foretold by the ancestors, was."

"Hmm!"

"He's coming! There's still some distance, but judging by the speed, he's riding a carriage! He's coming!"

"Hmm!"

"Only avoid that man! That was the revelation given to me by the ancestors!"

Valkzar wet his thick lips and made a displeased expression, but Syong rang the bells again as if urging him to focus.

However, Valkzar shouted loudly after roughly emptying his beer mug on his side.

"The souls of the ancestors on my shoulders rest! They guide me! They lead the way for me!"

It was a warning not to underestimate him. The Great Warrior possessed the fighting spirit fitting of his name.

"And on my back, are the fiery wings of Lord Horua! The guardian deity himself chose me and commanded me to find salvation for the Marias Great Forest!"

"...."

So, are you implying that despite everything I possess, I will still lose? Even the Kings mightiest warrior, the Crimson Female Knight, couldn't challenge me properly and was defeated."

"....I don't mean that you will lose to him."

Almost like a warning,Syong replied in a low voice.

"Frankly speaking, as you are now, who can defeat you in a duel? However, he is the judge of the dead."

Syong pointed directly at Valkzar's chest.

"The mere sight of him will make the ancestors flee. At his gesture, Horua will fall to the ground. That is the revelation."

"...."

"Please, prevent him from becoming a terror to us."

Valkzar fell in thought for a moment at Syong's advice. It was the first time he had heard such a desperate request, and it was also the first time he felt such overwhelming fear.

He was someone who could incapacitate him? Even with the power of the ancestors and the guardian deity Horua?

Honestly, Valkzar found it intriguing.

He wanted to go and fight against him once.

He wanted to feel just how much of a formidable presence he was with his own skin.

However, the three former nobles of the Griffin Kingdom, who were standing politely by his side, spoke up.

"He's called the Soul Whisperer."

"A mere someone who protected the North."

"He's a man who can't even handle his own excrement. We'll take care of him."

It was Deus Verdi, the Soul Whisperer, the same man who made these nobles flee like this.

With their fighting spirits burning, the three of them vowed revenge against the Soul Whisperer.

"Hmph, do as you wish."

Valkzar felt a little disappointed, but on thinking that if that person could be bested by just these nobles, he wouldnt need to intervene. So, he raised his cup again.

Honestly, he didn't think that these scarecrow-like nobles would be able to do anything even if they made their move.

The Great Warrior was confident that he would eventually come across that man, so as he enjoyed his dinner, he looked forward to his meeting with the Soul Whisperer.