I'll Smash Everything with Passive Skills-Chapter 67: 0. Guest from the South (1)

Evangeline, faced with the truth, weakly lowered her head.

The amount of mana one possesses is not the absolute measure that determines the outcome of a battle. However, it is undoubtedly a significant factor.

"How... can a person possess such mana?"

Amidst the silence that had settled, a low voice belonging to the Grand Duchess could be heard.

Evangeline, having released her concentration of power, wore a hollow expression. The cause of this was something even Veris could not discern.

"What's important is a different matter."

"A different matter...?"

"Grand Duchess Evangeline, you said you wanted to borrow my power to eradicate the Demon Cult."

"That is correct."

"Then I will ask again. Evangeline, what can you offer me in exchange for borrowing my power?"

At Veris's question, Evangeline tightly shut her mouth.

In truth, it was a question that did not have a clear answer at the moment.

The true power of Veris that she faced was astonishing. It was hard to believe he was human, so what more could be said?

Thus... there was nothing she could offer to sway Veris.

Money and honor? Power? Authority?

Regrettably, Veris possessed a power that transcended such things. What could she possibly offer to someone who had instilled a sense of helplessness that she had never felt even when witnessing the great knight of the empire, the Sword Saint?

"It would be good news for you. I also dislike the Demon Cult."

"What do you mean by that?"

"Evangeline, cooperating with you is not a difficult task. As I mentioned before, I intend to demand a corresponding price. I am neither an easy target to exploit nor a volunteer."

At Veris's low voice, the Grand Duchess nodded vigorously.

Surely, anyone in their right mind would not consider such a powerful individual an easy target to exploit.

"I will keep that in mind."

Perhaps feeling pleased by the completely transformed atmosphere of the Grand Duchess, Gunther smiled broadly.

Even Gunther could not know how the Grand Duchess had caught a glimpse of Veris's true power.

However, for Gunther von Haruen, it was only natural to feel pleased by the sight of the Grand Duchess bowing her head to Veris, whom he sincerely followed.

"You are indeed a broad-minded man, brother."

"More nonsense."

"I speak sincerely. It is rare to find someone as strong as you who is still sane. Right now, that Grand Duchess, who is bowing her head to you, is a powerful figure that the entire nation of the empire must be wary of."

"Is that so?"

Veris looked at the Grand Duchess, who was hesitating, with newfound interest.

The magnitude of the power he felt was extraordinary, so it was only natural that he vaguely anticipated her strength.

But to think she was a figure that the entire nation should be wary of? That was news to him.

"She is referred to as the protector of the kingdom. It is a matter of pride, but she is a powerful figure who could easily subdue someone like me."

"Hm... is that so?"

"Well, it's meaningless talk in front of you anyway. Hehe!"

Leaving behind Gunther's inexplicable sneer, Veris fell into thought.

If she were such a powerful figure, she could easily eradicate the Demon Cult on her own. Why did she insist on recruiting him to join the hunt?

Previously, the Grand Duchess had mentioned it was due to a feeling. If that were true, what kind of feeling would it be now?

"Grand Duchess Evangeline."

"Speak, my lord."

"How do you feel now? Do you still feel that you need me to take down the Demon Cult?"

"...Of course. If anything, that feeling is burning even more intensely."

At the Grand Duchess's confident reply, Veris nodded.

From the situation, it seemed the Grand Duchess was mistaken about Veris's power. Even so, she had shown signs of trying to sway him, so it was quite amusing that she was now having different thoughts.

"Speak accurately."

"What do you mean?"

"Right, take your time to think about the price. What's urgent now is to eradicate those Demon Cult bastards, isn't it?"

"My lord!"

At Veris's favorable response, the Grand Duchess's face lit up.

Veris couldn't help but let out a small laugh.

She was a Grand Duchess with a personality so arrogant and self-righteous that it was almost unpleasant. Perhaps it was a natural disposition formed from never having to bow to anyone or lower her head in her entire life.

Yet now, she was bouncing in her seat like a child.

It seemed she viewed the Demon Cult as her father's enemies, and her level of hatred for them felt like it easily surpassed Veris's.

In any case, just like that, Veris and the Grand Duchess decided to align their intentions.

In that realization, Veris recalled a girl.

"Now that I think about it, Maria, despite being a princess, has a sense of propriety."

For some reason, this made Veris feel a sense of resentment towards the Grand Duchess.

*

"Are the Eleventh Seat and the Twelfth Seat still not present?"

An old man was searching for them, as they had not appeared despite the approaching meeting day at the sanctuary of the order known as the "Round Table."

After all, they were the Twelve Seats, each living busy lives. Therefore, it was understandable that there would be many empty seats, but...

"Didn't the Eleventh Seat go to the east to lead the Twelfth Seat?"

"They should have arrived by now. The fact that they still haven't shown up means..."

The old man surveyed the meeting room with cold eyes.

It was hard to believe that this luxurious party venue was the sanctuary of the Demon Cult, which operated in the darkness of the continent. The massive table within it was almost empty of guests.

"Damn them."

These were the ones who refused to attend even at the call of the old man, the second in command of the Twelve Seats.

The old man muttered a small curse towards them.

"I can't help it. Waiting for the latecomers will only waste time meaninglessly."

The old man slowly rose from his seat. The luxurious yet old wooden chair creaked, but no one expressed dissatisfaction.

As he looked down at the seven holy dark knights seated, the old man soon opened his mouth.

"Recently, there have been some who have been obstructing our work at every turn."

"Have there not always been those who obstruct our endeavors?"

"This time is different. They seem to be very persistent and tenacious."

The old man slowly moved his steps. From the high seat he had been sitting in, he reached the empty seats of the Eleventh Seat and the Twelfth Seat, gently stroking the vacant chair.

"Is there anyone who knows my confidant, Theon?"

"Of course. He was known for his deep faith."

"That boy's plan has fallen apart. And regrettably, we could not even find the body of the boy who failed in his mission."

"..."

The old man's eyelids trembled. Everyone seated there was well aware of this fact.

The professor of the academy, Theon, was someone the old man, who led those present, had cherished deeply.

"If that were all, I wouldn't have called for an emergency meeting of the Twelve Black Seats."

Having slowly returned to his high seat, the old man sat back down in the chair he had just vacated.

Cold eyes. Casting his gaze into the void, he continued speaking.

"One barrier has been 'destroyed.' The barrier in the underground of the academy, which we could only locate but never penetrate."

"...! What do you mean by that?"

"Yes. The Lich that was sealed along with the barrier has met its eternal death without anyone knowing."

Only then did shock sweep through the assembly.

A Lich, that ancient dark being, had perished without a trace?

This was certainly a matter worthy of an emergency meeting of the Twelve Black Seats. To think that one of the dark entities that would play a significant role in the future had vanished so easily!

"This is not something to be taken lightly."

"I understand that well. Then... who could have done such a thing?"

This chapter is updat𝙚d by freeweɓnovel.cøm.

The old man had now taken out a small carving knife from his robe, fiddling with it. The sharp blade, fitting its size, bore a sinister aura.

"I've heard that Grand Duchess Wallenstein of Gallia has entered the academy under the pretext of looking for a groom. Could it be that she is behind this?"

"Hmph! That wretched girl doesn't have the capability for that. She has power, but she wields it foolishly, making it easier for such people to deal with. Just like her father."

"But is there anyone within the academy who possesses such power?"

"That is uncertain."

The old man put the carving knife back into his robe as he spoke.

"Even an ordinary class student can possess fangs that are terrifyingly sharp. After all, Theon aimed for the empire's princess. Surprisingly, it was said that a hidden princess was enrolled in B-Class!"

"What do you mean by that...?"

"We must unleash the hunting dogs of the Holy Kingdom."

"Understood!"

"Isn't that an excessive measure?"

At the old man's declaration, everyone looked at him with astonished eyes.

The hunting dogs of the Holy Kingdom. Was there anyone who did not know their identity? The blood, money, and time spilled to train them were beyond measure.

However.

"It seems you do not feel the sense of crisis."

"..."

"The plan is already greatly distorted. The Eleventh Seat and the Twelfth Seat, who had originally expressed their intention to participate in the meeting. If they were killed by the hidden enemies obstructing our plan?"

It was an excessively convoluted speculation. ❀ Nоvеlігht ❀ (Don’t copy, read here) However, the old man thought there was enough reason to suspect if the probability was not zero. "And do not forget... this is something that was instructed by that person."

Gulp!

When the name of the great being unexpectedly slipped from the old man's lips, everyone swallowed hard.

The hunting dogs of the Holy Kingdom. The fact that the great butcher was coming to the academy was under that person's orders!