Chapter : 154
The whirlwind that seemed capable of sweeping everything away had, fortunately, subsided.
But that didn’t mean that the ominous events were over.
Sebastian clenched his fist without realizing it.
“Damn it.”
He knew that the real disaster was just beginning, so he muttered a low curse and gritted his teeth.
As he was about to mutter even harsher curses, he swallowed them, clinging to the thread of reason.
Schoppen spoke quietly, his voice firm.
“Your Highness, I believe you should return immediately. That direction… well…”
Before the Shadow Captain could even finish, Sebastian nodded knowingly, as if he already understood what Schoppen meant.
The column of black smoke was rising in the direction of the Acliff Grand Duke’s townhouse.
Although he had yet to see it with his own eyes, an indescribable unease was creeping up—a very bad omen.
‘So that’s it.’
The image of an unknown woman, bearing an uncanny resemblance to Erica in both face and attire, flashed in his mind.
Even though he knew she was an imposter, he had deliberately acted as if he were deceived and refrained from interrogating her immediately—planning for the future.
‘Besides, she didn’t exactly look stable.’
He thought it might be useful later to expose the corruption and misconduct of Marquis Blanche, using it as leverage.
So he had purposely kept her under his control.
“Damn it. Could that woman really have had a magical stone? But who is she exactly? To cause that level of explosion, she’d need divine power or prolonged exposure to it…”
Sebastian’s head throbbed painfully.
‘Anyway, that place no longer seems safe. I can’t take Erica and Mother there.’
He swallowed a sigh and prepared to give Schoppen his next instructions.
“Schoppen, you take Erica—”
Then—
“No.”
Erica interrupted.
“Don’t worry about Mother or me.”
Her voice was firm, leaving no room for argument.
Even amidst the chaos, she could sense that the situation was escalating dangerously.
‘And I’ve seen that column of black smoke before.’
Though she had never approached it closely, she knew that a violent conflict had erupted in the past after such a phenomenon.
“Mother and I will take care of ourselves. Sebastian, Schoppen—or rather, Sir Schoppen—and Jorge, you need to go immediately. That’s more important right now.”
Knowing full well the urgency, Erica’s expression was resolute.
If they didn’t act fast, the capital would soon fall to the monsters.
Erica had no choice but to urge them forward.
But Sebastian could not leave her behind while her safety was not guaranteed.
“But Erica—”
“Hurry.”
Just as the struggle between them seemed like it might drag on—
“Let’s all move together.”
Jorge, who had been quietly observing, interjected calmly.
“In this chaos, separating would be far more dangerous. Staying together seems safer.”
Sebastian looked at him as if he were speaking nonsense, but the young cleric continued steadfastly.
“You’d also feel more at ease keeping Her Highness beside you, wouldn’t you?”
“…Hmm.”
Sebastian muttered briefly.
Objectively, keeping Erica close was indeed the safest course.
Besides, Jorge, though not yet formally commissioned, held a rank equivalent to a deputy minister. He could be a great help in emergencies.
“You’re right, Sir Cleric.”
Sebastian nodded firmly, having made up his mind.
In truth, Jorge had intended to act if necessary, knowing Erica’s divine power, though he hadn’t spoken yet.
Pellose was adjacent to the Holy Nation, allowing them to establish barriers immediately in the early stages.
Additionally, clerics of mid-level or higher had been summoned from across the country, providing significant manpower.
But this situation was different.
If they had noticed the anomaly in the capital’s ministers’ hall and responded, that would have been ideal. Otherwise, they would have to handle the initial containment themselves.
Until reinforcements arrived, even a small hand could be of help.
‘Of course, Her Highness, daughter of Nicholas, has considerable strength, so she’s no minor asset.’
Jorge fully believed she would provide substantial support.
Still, he hoped, fervently, that the crisis was far smaller than he feared.
Meanwhile, Erica, unprepared for how events had unfolded, hesitated briefly but quickly steeled herself, realizing she couldn’t refuse.
“I won’t get in your way.”
Julia, somewhat caught up in the moment, nodded along.
Sebastian, now resolute, spoke quickly.
“Then it’s decided. Let’s move immediately. Schoppen will take Mother, and Erica will ride with me and Gunter.”
All four nodded in unison.
They mounted three horses, divided among them, and swiftly set off toward the capital.
Acliff Grand Duke’s Townhouse.
The central building, where the master couple’s bedroom was located, was destroyed beyond recognition.
The structure, once grand and elegant, a source of pride for all who worked there, was now gone.
In its place, a horrifying column of black smoke swirled into the sky.
The ground shook, and the loud, successive crashes left people disoriented, as if momentarily stunned. They scrambled to escape the building.
“Ahhhhh!”
“Someone, help!”
Even in the middle of the night, voices screamed as people fled.
Some stumbled and fell onto the floor.
Then someone, terrified, pointed toward a dark corner inside.
“What… what is that?”
“Gah!”
Gasps echoed throughout the townhouse.
Grotesque monsters, unseen until now, were crawling from the upper floors toward the people below.
“M-monsters!”
“Save me! Ahhhhhh!”
The building twisted violently with the tremors, and the stairs connecting the floors collapsed.
Though fortunate to witness that, relief was a luxury in this chaos.
The monsters didn’t need stairs to move—they didn’t care about the height or potential injuries.
Thud, thud, thud—
Forward, forward, forward.
The monsters simply fell downward, moving relentlessly.
Those who watched were paralyzed with fear, unable to move.
Only when the creatures reached their feet did people regain composure, screaming as they crawled and fled.
“Everyone, stay calm and get out! Leave your belongings!”
At the butler’s command, the staff began running in a frenzy.
Unfortunately, some were crushed by debris, others devoured by monsters, losing their lives in the chaos.
As everyone fled the townhouse to save themselves, one person alone seemed frantic, trying to get inside.
