Chapter 175

The broadcast was impactful, to say the least. Mazelan announced the discovery of new cases, the locations of the quarantine zones, how hed manage the situation, and a plea that all citizens remain inside until the situation calmed down. The already-vacant roads were now completely devoid of anything.

Shops closed down, and clothes of varying colours hung from the windows.

Itll be difficult to manage everything with just us alone.

Colins said as he watched clothes cover the buildings. There were only 400 Invaders available to mobilise in a city full of 1 million people. They were severely lacking in manpower.

Selling Centrals name makes things so much easier in times like this.

Therell certainly be a backlash later.

But its not me wholl get it. Itll be Central.

Authority and fear were the most efficient ways for a few to control the many. Central embodied both. Central was undeniably superior in terms of power. Though most ordinary citizens would scarcely see a single agent in their lifetime, they were all more than familiar with the frightening rumours regarding Central.. Making an example of a few who resisted would make controlling the citizens a simple matter.

But wont we need some kind of escort? We dont know what the demon and angel will do together.

Everyone except Rivelias group, Colins, and Isaac were scattered across the city. All of the cases that newly developed across the city must have been the demons doing, and they were most likely already prepared for Centrals attack. Colins expressed his worries, afraid that they were walking into what was clearly a trap.

Why dont you be honest. Are you scared?

Ahaha. I dont know what youre on about.

Colins feigned innocence as cold sweat dripped down his back at Isaacs jab. Unlike before when the Invaders were all around them Colins was the only Invader here. Though there was little chance itd happen, Colins will have to give up his life if Rivelias group decided to escape now.

You guys can vent your frustrations out on him if you want.

Isaac spoke, and everyone looked to Colins eagerly like starved predators. Feeling the voracious stares, Colins hastened his steps.

Were here! This is the gate to Milros Countys inner keep.

Colins smiled brightly, all his nervousness evaporating. Reisha and Rizzly dashed their lips disappointingly.

Its quiet.

Isaac mumbled as he looked at the firmly shut gates. The keeps separate inner and outer walls, an architectural practice of a bygone era, loomed over him as a testament to the Milros Countrys deep history. But the Milros Family that boasted of its honour and tradition was now finished.

Oh yeah. Do you need this? I had a feeling you werent supplied since you came in a hurry, so I got some for you.

Well, thank you.

Isaac smirked as Colins handed him an ammo box with twelve shotgun sh.e.l.ls. Isaac immediately loaded two sh.e.l.ls into his gun and stuffed the rest in his pocket. Kunette approached Isaac and pulled at his pants.

Isaac, its a different world there.

Hm?

Isaac didnt quite understand what she meant and looked about. Reisha grumbled with absolute disdain on her face.

Wow. How could we not notice the demonic powers obvious presence?

It seems that the news that the angel and demon joined forces is true. The angels power is camouflaging the demons.

So we came to the right place. Lets go. I suspect well need to beat this plagues cure out of that demon. So lets cooperate on this, okay?

Rivelia frowned at Isaac, but without a choice, she stepped forward.

She took a deep breath, preparing to shatter the gates. She lowered her stance, then c.o.c.ked her head, and stood back up straight.

What? Is something wrong?

Rivelia silently approached the gate and pushed it. With a creak, the gates opened ajar.

A dull, somewhat disappointing mood set in. Isaac smirked and got a new cigarette for himself.

Itd be rude for us to not enter when theyre welcoming us so eagerly.

Isaac boldly stepped forward, and the others followed hesitantly.

Its too quiet.

Yeah. And not a single corpse in sight.

Absolute silence. There was not a single noise from a bird nor insect. One could hear their own breathing in this frightening calm.

The demonic corruption will take a toll the longer we stay here. We have to terminate the demon quickly.

Reisha spoke as she quivered. As an elf, she was the most vulnerable to demonic corruption. Everyone hastened their steps.

Where do you think theyre holed up?

Final bosses tend to stay in their throne rooms waiting for the heroes to arrive.

Except he isnt the final boss. Nor are we heroes.

Isaac joked with Colins, yet they still headed for the throne room. The throne room, typically reserved for the succession ceremony and other important festivals, was situated in the centre of the keep.

After trudging through the hallways in an uncomfortable silence, the group found a crowd gathered in front of the throne rooms doors.

Wow

Colins whistled at the number of people gathered here. As residents of the inner keep, they were likely higher cla.s.s citizens. Yet their clothes were covered in filth, their hair sticky, and their faces covered in masks. All of them held a weapon in their handsbe it a club, a kitchen knife, or a stick. And they all glared at Isaacs group.

There were nearly a thousand looking at them with hostility. Despite knowing there was nothing to fear, the mood was akin to a horror movie.

Is this just to buy time, or do they have nowhere to go now?

Isaac asked, and Rivelia clenched her teeth as she drew her sword.

Now that theyve been found, they wont ever be able to escape Surveillance.

Thats back in the old days when you guys did a proper job. These days, Im not so sure

No! We do a good job!

Kunette furiously kicked Isaacs leg. Although it didnt hurt, Isaac wondered why she was so sensitive about his comment. Reisha panicked and picked up Kunette.

Shes just sensitive because of the Invaders. Please understand, sunbaenim.

Reisha pulled to the back with Kunette on her. Colins smirked and pulled out a pistol, pulling the slide.1PRN: A pistol slide is used to move the bullet into the barrel and ejects the casing when its fired. Heres an image of it in action.

But arent we somewhat outnumbered?

Whats there to worry when we have a Swordmaster?

It was a sword master with a defensive coat. The problem wasnt the number of enemies, but how long itd take.

Hm. Dont tell me youre having second thoughts here too?

Isaac asked, and Rivelia shouted as she charged at the crowd.

There is only death to those who cooperate with the Angel!

Bang! Bang bang bang!

Rivelia jumped into the crowd like a lion into a flock of sheep. Rizzly followed behind her in his bear form. Colins fired his pistol at any who approached him and Isaac. Isaac simply stood idly as he watched the situation.

Um how about some help?

Colins asked as he reloaded his pistol, somewhat shaken up by the soldiers, who charged on without regard for the storm of death around then. Isaac, in the meantime, watched them die as he smoked away.

Its different from what Id heard.

What is?

Reisha, who walked up next to Isaac, asked as she loosed her arrow. Isaac blew out his smoke and spoke.

Look over there. Those people are frightened, knowing that they are no match. Isnt that difficult to see in fanatics?

You have a point.

As Rivelia cut through the combat knights in a single strike and Rizzly ma.s.sacred the soldiers, the crowd s.h.i.+fted away like a plank drifting at sea. The children and elderly shook in terror as they watched the tragedy, yet they maintained their place in front of the doors.

Oi. Give me one.

Isaac asked and Colins handed him a reserve pistol. Isaac pulled the slide and walked to the door.

Huh, huh? Youre going straight for it? Wait!

Colins tried to follow Isaac, but his pistol jammed at the worst time. In this opening, Colins was swept up by the crowd.

Hm. Im sure hes fine since he has the coat.

Isaac continued to make his way, firing one bullet at a time at those who tried to stop him while Colins was swept up by the crowd. Soon enough, Rivelia and Rizzly came up next to Isaac, protecting him.

Isaac threw away the empty pistol and picked up Kunette, who came to him. Reisha threw her hidden knives at the enemy as Rivelia and Rizzly opened a path.

Like an unstoppable force, they cut down all that stood in front of them. But when they finally reached the door, both Rivelia and Rizzly hesitated.

Move.

I, I cant

A gentle-looking old man tried his best to control his shaking, but was kicked away by Isaac.

Move.

Isaacs cold tone split the crowd. Isaac pa.s.sed through the crowd and climbed up the stairs. A rock flew at Isaac, but was intercepted by Rizzly.

You demons!

No!

A child looked at Isaac fiercely. A woman who seemed to be his mother wrapped her arms around him protectively.

Ha. Fanatics you say?

Isaac watched the scene for a moment and smirked. He continued to make his way up the stairs. For just a moment, Rivelia and the non-humans paused their advance, but they quickly followed when Isaac was far away.

With a creak, the throne rooms doors opened. Isaac entered, and on the throne was a man, holding on a womans body.

Since the Blue Rose was the angel, you must be the demon.

The man raised his head in response.

And you must be Isaac.

Lets make it easy on ourselves. You have a lot to explain. First, give us the cure for this plague.

Kukuku. And why are you asking me?

The man snickered. Isaac sighed and pulled out his shotgun before switching to his customised crossbow.

Yeah, yeah. Like always, you need some violence to make things run smoothly. Why dont we think after we exchange blows.

Just when Isaac was about to shoot his crossbow, Reisha held Isaac back.

Sunbaenim, he isnt a demon.

What?

I dont feel any demonic power from him. In fact, its been strange since a while ago. I could feel such powerful corruption at the gates, but there isnt any demonic power in here.

Maybe he used all his power?

Then he wouldnt be alive.

Isaac frowned.

If youre not a demon, who are you?

Isaac asked, and Rivelia answered instead.

Hes the grand prince of Milros County.

Then wheres the demon? Did it run already?

Huhuhu. You played us for a fool and feign innocence now?

Now thats funny. Who played who for a fool again?

Isaac put down his crossbow and asked. The grand prince wept as he held the blue rose closely.

Elenia loved me. And she grew to love humans too. Thats why she smiled despite the excruciating pain. And how did you treat Elenia? It was you! You Central b.a.s.t.a.r.ds. You approached Elenia and threatened her! I did everything you asked! Money and supplies! Even manpower! I gave you everything you wanted, and you even took Elenias power! All I wanted was Elenia! So why did you do this! Casting some strange magic to isolate the keep and spread a plague! Are we not citizens of the Empire too?! Elenia used all of her powers to heal us! And her weakened body couldnt handle the stress. I curse you. Ill curse you even in death.

The grand princes frenzied cries echoed throughout the throne room.

It wasnt the demon who spread the plague?

The demon

Just when the grand prince was about to reply, a gunshot rang out. With a bang, the grand prince collapsed onto Elenias body.

Ah, you really have a talent for complicating things.

Colins entered, and behind him were a group of Invaders, surrounding Isaacs group. Rivelia, Reisha, and Rizzly formed a perimeter around Isaac, guarding against the Invaders.

Its the one thing I can boast about.

Isaac lit a new cigarette.

I see you still misunderstand things in a positive way.

Have those guys arrived after receiving your call for reinforcements, or have they been following me from the start?

Isaac asked, and Colins shrugged.

We cant let our guard down while protecting VIPs.

You sure know what to say. What did you do outside?

We arent merciless killers, you know. Theres no need to deal with the runners. Central will take care of them anyway.

You really do know how to mince your words.

1PRN: A pistol slide is used to move the bullet into the barrel and ejects the casing when its fired. Heres an image of it in action.