# Ashcliff
Baron Ashcliff opened his eyes in the oily darkness. Beneath his blackened pupils, the world appeared small enough to fit in his hand.
He buried his tired body deep into the chair.
-Thud!
Beyond the massive conference room, at the end of this enormous interior that humans would rightfully call an "audience chamber." Past the thick doors adorned with ivory and ebony, far away.
A small noise came from the distant corridor.
-Thud, thud!
Getting closer, becoming more threatening.
Soon, crack. A long fissure appeared in the solid wooden door. Despite this, Ashcliff did not rise from his chair.
Boom, boom, boom. The monotonous bursting sounds continued. With perfectly identical rhythm. Soon the rupture in the door spread widely. The cracks connecting like spider webs quickly reached a critical point.
Crash! Dust rose and sawdust flew. Through the gap, an axe head peeked through.
"I settled on this island 500 years ago."
Despite the voice that sounded split in two, the intruder continued walking, unconcerned.
"During that time, there have been fifteen events worthy of being called great wars, and a total of 38,312 subordinates died."
"..."
"The last time someone pointed a blade at me was 212 years ago. Before that, and after that. I survived."
As Ashcliff finished speaking, the intruder silently approached, treading on the long carpet of the audience chamber.
At a distance where they could clearly see each other's features, Ashcliff quietly asked.
"You've killed only 57 of my subordinates to get here. That's all, out of the four thousand who reside on this island. Do you think my forces end here? Do you think you can escape alive?"
"Where are they now?"
"What?"
"Only the living consider the future. Elf. Where are all those numerous forces you boast of between you and me?"
At the intruder's words, Ashcliff gritted his teeth. Of course they were outside the island, most even at sea. Who would station their entire force inside a castle?
Elves don't act this way to begin with. Assassination was too undignified an action for elves.
Rather, they attack politically, rather, they pressure economically. Raising armies is a matter for later. And sneaking in with a sword for a night attack is the worst of all.
Those who are like kings, each and every one, never plunder victory like thieves.
"If all elves were like you, my job would be easier."
"Human. Show some respect."
"I don't tend to show respect to corpses."
That's how it's been since killing the god of necromancers.
At Ivan's words, Baron Ashcliff rose from his seat. Grinding his teeth, he spoke in a low voice.
"My years are no different from the history of your kind. How many like you do you think I've seen during the years I've lived?"
With each of his steps, darkness floated like oil. Magic power that had escaped control due to anger deeply stained the audience chamber.
With each step he took, the earth seemed to shrink.
They say light becomes white when mixed. Likewise, when colors mix, they become black. The combination of all colors is no different from murky, contaminated filth.
The head of the Alchemy Faction was just like that. Such was the anger of the old king who had to open the castle gates without time to respond due to the sudden raid.
But he is still a king. A monarch of a nation, and his very existence is proof of the passage of time.
So each step still carries dignity. The killing intent that swirls terribly has physical force in itself. Ivan stood straight, facing the cutting killing intent.
"No one has remained alive after standing before me. No one!! Human, how many years have you lived? A mere 30, 40 years, a race that declines and ages!"
"Lucia."
"Eek, yes?!"
"Don't age like that."
"...What...?"
Is this the time to say such things? Lucia, who was clinging tightly to his back, stared blankly at Ivan.
With a face devoid of humor, Ivan said gruffly.
"As he says, my lifespan is not long. You have inherited Enrique's bloodline, so you will live for a very long time. So as a long-lived race, you should not age like that."
"Um... thanks for the advice, I'll... I'll listen... But, um..."
-CRASH—!!
Perhaps having lost patience after hearing their conversation, a burst of energy exploded from Baron Ashcliff's body.
"How dare—!!"
"A typical symptom of dementia. The deterioration of vocabulary, I mean. Doesn't the Alchemy Faction have medicine for dementia?"
"I'll tear out your tongue, gouge out your eyes, and cut off your limbs!! You will live long. Using every elixir I have, I will make you scream in eternal time!"
No further dialogue was necessary. There were still many curiosities, but satisfying curiosity always comes after neutralizing the opponent.
Pre-battle conversation is all meaningless except for provocation. And since provocation was already sufficient, Ivan put Lucia down and picked up his axe.
"Master? Should I step back? I should, right? I don't want to get in the way?"
"Didn't you say you'd try not to remain a nuisance after that day?"
"Hey, that was just a few months ago. Still a long way to go~"
"I'll flay him for you to handle."
"...Uh..."
Lucia stared ahead with fearful eyes. Dealing with a crazy old elf who's been stewing in black impurities for over five hundred years should be a job for fellow madmen, right?
The madman on "our side" standing beside her spoke stoically.
"Practical training in a controlled environment, in a situation where safety is guaranteed."
Ivan held his axe at an angle and closed his eyes.
"We call that training."
Finally, the elf who had lost his reason charged toward Ivan.
Baron Chesterhold, Elfihera, and Edelplat were sitting at a table on the ship, blankly passing time.
How much time had passed? Finally, the distant east was beginning to break.
Dawn had passed. The darkness crumbled, leaving a deep blue color. The always clear sky of Kalion was beginning to shine refreshingly today as well.
-RUMBLE—!!
"?!"
Everyone at the table jumped up. People's gazes gathered toward the massive vibration coming from the direction of the island.
Armed forces, extremely tense, ran toward the castle. The soldiers already gathered outside the castle were swallowing nervously while looking at the high walls of the main castle.
-RUMBLE—!!
The epicenter of the vibration that shook the entire island was clearly directed at the main castle. Edelplat narrowed her one remaining eye and smiled.
"How refreshing."
"What do you see...?"
"Is there a need to see? It's about feeling."
"Feeling what...?"
"The mental energy that would be shown by a swordsman who has reached the end of self-cultivation."
Finally, sunrise was complete. The sun that had risen beyond the distant horizon was illuminating the morning of Kalion.
-CRASH—!!
A streak of black smoke rose. Completely destroying part of the main castle, it rose high, stretching long like a crack in the blue sky.
Murmurs continued among the soldiers. Edel looked at Baron Chesterhold with a sardonic smile.
"Don't you need to command your troops?"
"...Is this plan from the Sword Faction, or from the Astronomy Faction?"
"Plan?"
"The plan to raid the Alchemy Faction!! Have you joined hands with the Black Magic Faction? Their behind-the-scenes machinations are true! The Privy Council is being deceived right now!"
"Then we'll investigate those guys too."
"...What...?"
Edel smiled at the confused Chesterhold and said.
"We were just passing by. We got curious when we were driven away. While curious, there happened to be someone among us who is very curious. And we tend to have many ways to satisfy our curiosity."
"What does that... This was all coincidence? Weren't you afraid of the aftermath, Edelplat Coenwulf! Without even circumstantial evidence, you raided the main castle just because you were passing by?!"
"Aftermath? Who says?"
Edel clicked her tongue at Baron Chesterhold who had jumped to his feet.
Her snow-white finger was resting on her sword hilt.
"Don't move. Chesterhold. Not a single step from that spot."
"Taking hostages and threatening...? All the elves on this island are watching your actions closely. Do you think the Privy Council will sit idle?!"
"It's neither hostage-taking nor threatening. It's advice. Leave if you want to leave, counterattack if you wish. Do you know?"
I have never been defeated in any 'duel' that took place where both sides' arms were confirmed.
As the owner of the Sword Faction spoke in a low voice, Baron Chesterhold bit down hard on his teeth and glared at her with burning eyes.
He was within sword range. Within this distance, she was a woman who had once single-handedly blocked even the Seven Dragon Generals.
"Lord Coenwulf! They're coming! They're safe!!"
Elfihera's bright voice rang out. Edel turned to look at the castle.
The gathered soldiers were hesitating and retreating.
The arrogant elves were stepping back a couple of paces, sweating coldly and swallowing dry saliva.
-Thud.
Though it shouldn't be audible at this distance, the heavy footsteps seemed to ring clearly in Edel's ears.
With Lucia on his back, a man was creating a long shadow with the east behind him.
With each step he took, the path opened. The elven soldiers were in disarray without receiving orders from their commanders. Some were seen glancing urgently in Baron Chesterhold's direction.
"That's right. They should make way. That's what the hero of the age should do."
Edel smirked and turned her head. Chesterhold had his eyes tightly closed.
"He seems to know a lot. The most curious one among us has returned alive, shall we compare notes?"
"Will the companies remain idle? Will the old men of the Privy Council overlook this situation?"
"I was about to meet Her Majesty the Queen. This works out well."
"Ha."
Chesterhold finally bowed his head with a sigh.
"So it was a scheme by that old queen. That greedy old woman who never lets go of anything that comes into her hands."
Edel didn't bother to deny it. Misunderstandings often make good material when leading a conversation.
She intended to find out what exactly was happening in this country, what the Privy Council was plotting, and what Beolgreen was doing.
"He's here."
When Edel turned her head, Ivan had boarded and was walking toward them after throwing the half-dead Lucia onto the bow.