NOVPUB“Extra! Extra! Exxxxtraaaa!!”
“One Hoainoi, please. Gimme a copy.”
“Everyone, look at this—says there’s going to be a wedding! They’re holding a wedding!”
The royal capital, Monarch City, was louder and more hectic than usual upon our return.
Not that it was ever a quiet place to begin with—more like a whirlpool that churned with the affairs of the world.
But now, people shouting about ‘a grand wedding feast unlike any in the long history of Angmar’ filled the air like the constant buzz of bees.
And then, a man’s hearty laughter drowned out that buzzing.
“Truly a masterpiece! I never thought I’d see such a thing in my lifetime. Quite amusing. Truly delightful.”
That man was Reinhardt von Leones, Chancellor of Angmar and bearer of many high offices.
I’d come to his office to discuss all that had happened while we were away from the city. But the moment he saw my face, he burst into uncontrollable laughter—enough to make me feel embarrassed just watching him.
“I’ve never seen the Chancellor laugh like this.”
“Right? That cold-blooded man, the one they call Iron-Blooded...”
Even the maids flitting around Reinhardt and handling his various tasks couldn’t help whispering. But Reinhardt didn’t stop laughing.
“Five brides! Hah! Absolutely hilarious. Who comes up with the idea for a wedding like that? Is this what the youth are into these days? Makes me feel outdated.”
Sliiide.
He stopped laughing and opened his thin eyes. Maybe it was the sheer size of the man, or the thick platinum-blonde hair framing his head, but it felt like a beast crouching low, eyeing me as prey.
I spoke.
“Well, it wasn’t something I decided, sir. My opinion wasn’t even factored into any of this.”
“Of course it wasn’t. In this country, it’s the women who get the final say in weddings.”
Reinhardt stroked his beard slowly. He stared off into empty space for a moment, as if recalling his own past experiences.
“It was the same in my day. When I was young and preparing to marry, it was the bride’s side who demanded we prepare dowries and bridal offerings...”
I hated to cut into his reminiscence, but both he and I were busy men. If I let him continue, this conversation could drag out forever.
“Actually, the reason I came was to speak not about the wedding, but about what comes after the tournament and the expedition.”
“Mmh.”
The Chancellor of Angmar cleared his throat, apparently done with reminiscing.
“I’ve read the general reports—received them in writing. In that sense, this wedding isn’t such a bad thing. The young queen has used her head, it seems.”
“You mean Lady Ayra?”
“We’ll talk details outside. After several days of autumn rain, today’s weather is pleasant. A good day for a walk.”
Ssshhh.
When Reinhardt rose from his chair, the waiting maids quickly draped a cloak over his broad shoulders. As he stepped outside, I had no choice but to follow.
And indeed, the weather in the royal palace garden was quite pleasant. Autumn flowers were blooming everywhere, and the leaves were blazing red like the evening sun.
Below the trees flowed small streams and ponds. Thunder ducks, autumn swallows... wherever I looked, the scenery was like a painting. We passed through the palace grounds in silence.
━“We’ll provide escort, sir.”
Along the way, palace guards approached to join us, but Reinhardt waved them off.
“Why would I need an escort when the champion of the tournament is at my side?”
At that, the soldiers glanced at one another, then backed away without protest. It seemed they also believed my presence made extra protection unnecessary.
Of course, for me, the pressure was real. Having to escort Reinhardt of all people... The thought alone made my shoulders tense.
━“Open the gates!”
With a loud shout, the gates of the royal palace swung open. As Reinhardt strolled through them with ease, he spoke.
“I watched your tournament match. Everyone at the palace gathered around a giant crystal to view it. A spectacular match. Incredible, really—being able to watch such things live, without setting foot outside. The times have certainly changed.”
“I’m a bit embarrassed, honestly.”
“No need to be. For days—no, weeks—that match was all anyone talked about. People were thrilled. Although I imagine a few were chewing their nails.”
“Chewing their nails?”
“There are some who’ve schemed against you for a long time, Sir Teo. Not that they’ve made a peep lately. But they haven’t vanished either.”
“Ah.”
I understood.
I’d drawn the ire of many nobles for a long time. I’d been slandered and vilified. Even among the palace bureaucrats, there were those who looked down on me from the shadows.
And now I’d displayed powerful magic before the entire realm. Some of them were probably lying awake at night, afraid a meteor might come crashing down on their mansion in the dark.
...Might not be a bad idea to make an example of one or two of them.
“So—what do you think? About this city as it is now.”
Reinhardt gestured toward the scenery below the hill. From the royal hilltop, the city stretched out in a wide, bustling panorama.
“It’s lively.”
“It wasn’t like this a few days ago. It was dark, somber. Between expeditions beyond the barrier and invasions by foreign tribes... anxiety was mounting. But this wedding—it’s breathed life back into the city.”
I could understand Reinhardt’s meaning. The world is always filled with sorrow and bad news. Especially in times of war.
In that kind of atmosphere, this wedding had likely been a brilliant move to change the tone. Even if Ayra hadn’t intended it that way.
Then, Reinhardt leaned in slightly, and muttered in a voice so soft it was like a whisper behind the throne.
“Of course, this peace won’t last.”
A man so proud and commanding whispering like an assassin made my ears automatically sharpen.
“What do you mean?”
“The Church is starting to move. They won’t want to draw attention, so they likely won’t act during the wedding itself. But it’s best to stay on guard.”
“The Church...?”
“I’ve heard rumors of internal changes within the Church. But the agents we planted there aren’t responding anymore. Do you have anyone on the inside?”
“An informant...?”
There was one. Monk Basago was still in the Church-controlled city of Gracia.
We’d originally planned to steal the Ars Nova embedded in the Saintess’s body. It had been a while since I last contacted him. If something was stirring within the Church headquarters, he’d know.
Or maybe—he was directly involved.
I’d better try to reach him soon.
Going through Professor Balan might work.
Come to think of it, it’s been a while since I’ve spoken with Professor Balan too.
Maybe it’s time to call everyone together and figure out our next steps.
Now that my identity is known across the continent, there’s no need to act like a secret society anymore.
***
This was once the district where I had lived as the wicked monk Teo Gospel. A wealthy area, known for its clean streets and strong public safety. A single splendid mansion stood along the main avenue.
Supposedly designed by an architect obsessed with artistic perfection, to the point of paranoia.
Etched into the front gate of the grand mansion were the words:
「Imp Sisterhood Federation」
And true to its majestic name, the inside of the building was filled with imps busily moving furniture or sweeping with brooms, dusting every corner.
Among them, someone was watching with an eerily pleased expression...
“Heh... heheheh... i-imps crawling everywhere... Absolutely delightful. This is a proper form of labor, oh yes. Th-their little tails... swaying, swaying...”
It was Professor Balan, unchanged from how I remembered her. Her crimson eyes darted over to me while she was still drooling over the imps.
“S-so, this woman here...?”
Ah, right. I should probably introduce her.
“This is Lady Kalira. She’ll be working with us from now on, so I hope you’ll get along with her.”
“Pleased to meet you,” said Lady Kalira, waving her hand gracefully. She soon placed her arms on the round table and rested her chin atop them in a poised manner.
“But really—Teo Gospel of Angmar, huh. I was genuinely surprised. Did you approach me while I was running my underground pharmacy... because I’m a member of the Skoll family, who once served the Angmar line?”
“Well... there were a number of reasons, but not exactly. Lady Kalira, let’s talk in more depth another time. In any case, I look forward to working with you.”
At that moment, someone suddenly raised their hand high into the air.
“I—I’m the top imp, Marmar...! I run the Imp Sisterhood, and also make dolls, and sometimes clothes too. I do a bit of everything...!”
Marmar seemed nervous. The way she was slipping into the old nymph-style speech patterns—something she didn’t usually do—meant she was probably feeling stressed.
I said,
“Marmar, you don’t have to be so stiff. You know Kalira and Professor Balan already. Just act like you normally would.”
Marmar scratched her head.
“R-really? I just thought since this is an official Angmar meeting, I had to be serious. It’s our first time gathering like this, right?”
“Well, yeah, this is the first time we’ve all gathered. Though not everyone is here.”
I glanced toward the empty seats at the table. One of them belonged to Gorgor, the ogre who now served under me. And another was for Monk Basago, who hadn’t shown up.
Swoosh. Like a model student, Lady Kalira raised her hand politely.
“May I ask something?”
“Go ahead.”
“I’ve been wondering since earlier... Is that spider also a member of the Angmar meeting? I have no idea what’s going on with that.”
━Hioooong...!
“Oh, um, that spider is...”
Before I could explain, Professor Balan cut in.
“Bael... To think you’ve fallen so low. You used to strut around so proudly, and now look at you, reduced to such a... tiny spider. At least now, y-you finally act like the youngest.”
━Krrrrng...!
This was [N O V E L I G H T] chaos.
But then again, I expected this. The entire reason I called this meeting was to somehow bring order to the madness these people caused.
Clap clap.
I clapped my hands to draw everyone’s attention.
“Alright, everyone, let’s cut the chatter and begin the meeting. First off—looks like someone submitted this suggestion, though I’m not sure who: that we should decide on a name for our group.”
Professor Balan shot her hand into the air.
“T-that was me, Balan. A name is important. It defines one’s purpose, goals, and identity. So... I propose we call ourselves a Legion...”
A legion, huh. Feels a bit too aggressive, doesn’t it?
━Hioooong...!
At that moment, the paper spider Bael waved her front legs side to side. Only Balan and I could interpret that signal. Balan scoffed.
“Angmar Company? W-what kind of ridiculous name is that?”
Angmar Company, huh... That one resonated more with my sensibilities. I reached over and gently stroked the paper spider Bael’s head.
“That’s not a bad name, Bael.”
At that, Professor Balan flared up.
“A-actually, I-I was thinking the same thing...!”
Alright, then. Let’s tentatively go with Angmar Company as our group name—for now. Time to get to the real business.
“As you all know, the wedding isn’t far off. But we’ve got a number of unresolved issues. Professor Balan, you mentioned you had something to show us?”
“Y-yes!”
Professor Balan cleared her throat and pulled something from her coat, placing it on the table.
━KIEEEEEK!
A sudden, grotesque screech echoed from the object, making all of us instinctively wince. It was a horrific, twisting shape.
I asked,
“Professor Balan... what is that, exactly?”
“T-this is a demon sword recovered from the assassin named Andromalli, whom Lord Teo fought. I examined it with the help of the elven research team, and we discovered something astonishing.”
“Astonishing?”
“This weapon... was created using the 72 sorceries of the Demon King. And—I have no prior record of it, which means it must have been made recently. Only a few people today are capable of creating something like this...”
“Who exactly?”
“Lord Teo, surely you remember who requested you to decipher ancient demon scripts and magic circles?”
Her words made me pause and think. Who asked me to analyze those demon magic formulas?
“...It was the leadership at Ark.”
“C-correct! I’d give you an A grade. After the Demon King’s death, the Church collected and managed all his magic and sorcery. That means Andromalli was likely an assassin sent by the Church.”
“Hm...”
A heavy silence fell over me. I’d just received a warning from Reinhardt about the Church—now, hearing this, a deep sense of unease settled over me.
Professor Balan, perhaps noticing my hesitation, quickly opened a book she’d brought and launched into rapid explanation.
“A-actually, Andromalli grew up in a Church-run orphanage. One of many facilities like that scattered across the nation...”
Swoosh swoosh swoosh.
Bael, the spider, pointed at a map with her front legs.
That’s when Marmar suddenly stood up. Her crimson eyes locked onto the same spot Balan was pointing at on the map.
“Th-that place...”
