Cursed Thrones
Chapter 49 - The Next Step

Inside this magnificent throne room, two holy order commanders kneeled before the Emperor.

The faces of the two were only able to stare at the floor, without the slightest hint of courage staring at Emperor Starrus.

"What's going on there?" asked Emperor Starrus curiously. He had never seen the figure of the two Commanders of the holy order so frightened.

Even when facing the invasion from the previous leader of the Frost Elves, there was not the slightest expression of fear this deep.

"Your Majesty.... Was in this region of the empire a magician more talented than Cassandra?" greyhart asked in a slightly trembling voice.

"More talented? No. gabe. There shouldn't be. Cassandra has been adopted and trained in magic towers since childhood by great magicians. So there should be no one better than him in this empire." the Emperor replied confidently.

Emperor Starrus knew very well how Cassandra grew and matured. After all, they were also companions trained together in the magic tower.

And throughout her leadership, no one showed more magical talent than Cassandra.

It was also what made the girl adopted by the magic tower, due to her monstrous talent.

But the question from Greyhart really made Emperor Starrus curious.

"Say, is your opponent a better wizard than him?" asked Emperor Starrus back while staring at Cassandra.

"I.... I don't know if it's better or not but, he can emulate Cassandra's original magic in just a few minutes."

Hearing that answer, both of Starrus' eyes immediately opened wide. Hundreds of assumptions began to flow through his mind.

And in an instant, fear began to grow within that Emperor.

"Don't say...."

"Your Majesty, I'm sorry. That mysterious figure managed to replicate my teleportation magic."

The fear of Emperor Starrus proved real.

The magic that spearheaded the Luvelia Empire in exterminating those demons, now turned around. To be a weapon against humanity itself.

With almost limitless abilities and opportunities, that teleportation magic would give the Devil nation an enormous edge against humans.

But....

All of this is under the assumption of the Emperor. Until Greyhart gives the next explanation.

"The problem is, one of them is not the devil. But humans."

'Deg! The deg!'

Starrus' heart started to beat fast. The fear grew faster in him. Flashbacks began to cross his head.

Reminds him of memories he has long forgotten.

"Man?! A Man?!"

The question of Emperor Starrus made Greyhart raise his head.

'Hmm? Does the Emperor know anything?'

Putting aside his suspicions, Greyhart retorted truthfully.

"No, a woman. It was rather slender in stature but had the appearance of resembling a demon. Even so, I'm pretty sure he's human. There was not a single shred of demonic-power in his body." Greyhart explained.

"Well...."

Emperor Starrus was seen breathing a sigh of relief after hearing that reply.

But his attitude makes Cassandra and Greyhart more convinced. That the Emperor might know something about all this.

'So.... Not you huh?' ask Emperor Starrus in his heart. In his mind, he remembered an acquaintance in the past.

About a talented young man he met at the academy.

......***......

...Mapleford city...

The sun had long set, and now Brian's group had rested in a room with 4 beds.

Brian looks to be cleaning up his gear. Put the skin armor so that it can be cleaned and dried tomorrow.

The same thing was done by Cecilia without so much concern for the existence of Brian.

Unlike Hella who had to go down to change her clothes.

"So, what are we gonna do next?" asked Cecilia while laying her body on the soft mattress.

"Aarrggh! I'm so tired. Cecilia, what if we just retire?" ask Brian.

"No problem to me. So which region are we going to buy land in?"

"Eh?! Retired?! Waitaminute! After everything I said just now you guys are going to retire?!" ask Hella to panic.

Previously, Hella had been willing to put aside her trust for the sake of this group. But not for long, the group itself even wanted to retire.

End their adventure.

"I thought I was going to farm. Can you raise a farm?" brian asked, ignoring Hella's question. He also began to lay down his body on his bed.

"If I can hunt, maybe I can also raise, right?"

Hella who felt exiled at the talk finally got up from her seat. Stepping towards the door of this room limply.

Only with sadness in her heart did Hella start to pull that wooden door. Intend to step away leaving them both.

Before finally....

"Well, it's definitely gonna be a beautiful life. If only there were no demons to bother."

"agree. Before that, maybe we should hunt more demons? Hella, what about you? What are you gonna do when we retire?"

"Hella? Where are you going? Find food?"

Hella's footsteps immediately came to a halt after hearing those words.

The adventure he was waiting for, along with those two quite strong figures, seemed to still continue.

Wiping tears on her face, Hella replied.

"I.... I want to learn to fish...."

......***......

The next day in the Guild....

"You guys always take dangerous quests huh?" ask Adelle as a Guild employee.

"Whatever the origin of the prize is great." reply Cecilia.

"No, actually we want to explore the ruins there. All of you take this Quest." Brian replied.

On the brownish sheet of paper, you can see a sketch of high mountains with dense forests.

The thick black writing confirmed what mission they were taking.

...[.The Empire's Knights need your help in hunting down the remaining demons in the Frostbite region! Official mission of the Empire! Reward: 100 gold coins if you can hunt at least 300 demons of any type. Evidence of hunting must be attached!]...

An official Quest of the Empire itself. The prize is no joke. But so is the task charged.

"Di-he's right. Isn't this Quest too dangerous? Considering the leader of the Frost Elves has just been defeated?" ask Hella.

Hella's words have a point.

"Not all the Frost Elves took part in the battle before. There must still be something left behind in the Frostbite region.

And knowing their King had been defeated, they would most likely be extremely aggressive towards humans. You sure?" adelle asked once more with a serious look.

Brian who heard the words of the tax collector was a little astonished. He began to narrow his eyes while asking. Certainly in a whisper.

"Hmm? Since when do you care about anything other than the money we make?"

"Stupid, if you die I'll lose my extra source of income right?" reply Adelle.

"Ah, right too."

"What are you waiting for? Quickly give us the stamp and let us go! I can't wait to slaughter as many demons there as possible!" cecilia said with a big smile.

He even made a pose by clenching his right hand. Not only that, he also showed off the muscles of his right hand that is not so visible.

"Well.... Be careful."

'Cloth!'

Adelle handed him a copy of the sheet after giving him the stamp. Where Cecilia grabbed him so quickly.

"Time to hunt!"

With the paper in her hands, Cecilia immediately stepped away leaving the Guild.

"Tu-wait! The cecilia! We have to secure the paper! Let me take him!" hella shouted trying to chase after the Elf girl's footsteps.

Leaving Brian alone in front of Adelle's desk.

"Basic.... At least wait for me and...."

Unexpectedly, Adelle stopped Brian by holding his hand.

"Hmm? What's up?"

"Wait a minute." Adelle replied.

He is seen taking a blank piece of paper and drawing something on it. The image resembles a simple map with natural markers such as mountains and valleys.

After a while, Adelle handed the simple map to Brian.

"Among these highest mountain valleys, there was an ice castle inhabited by Frost Elves. You won't miss it because it's the tallest mountain there.

My advice, stay away from that territory. It would be very dangerous if you were too close to the Frost Elves' territory." explained Adelle at length.

Brian listened to everything carefully without missing the slightest detail in it.

"Thank you. I didn't think you'd care about us." Brian replied with a friendly smile.

"Well, I only care about my money-making resources."

Armed with that knowledge, Brian also walked after his two colleagues. Embark on his new adventure in a region covered by eternal snow.