Abyssal Chronicles

Chapter 765 - 766: When It Was Already Too Late

Returning to Anvika’s tavern, Amon, upon learning of the Ghostly Flame Mercenaries’ betrayal from the frontline soldiers, stood as if turned into wood and stunned. After all, it was he who proposed sending the Ghostly Flame Mercenaries to support the South. If the Frozen Ridge defense line failed, he would be held responsible.

’But why?’

’How could the Ghostly Flame Mercenaries occupy the Frozen Ridge Fortress from within?’

Although Amon eventually agreed to hire the Ghostly Flame Mercenaries members to guard the southern defense line, he always harbored suspicions against this evil mercenary group. Therefore, when arranging troop deployments, he deliberately scattered the Ghostly Flame Mercenaries’ forces, assigning them to guard relatively unimportant checkpoints. That way, if something happened, they could respond in time.

There were hardly any Ghostly Flame Mercenaries members stationed at important checkpoints like the Frozen Ridge Fortress. So how could they have taken control of the Frozen Ridge Fortress from within?!

However, as Amon posed this question, the scout’s reply was like a hammer blow to his mind.

"Your Highness, initially, there weren’t many Ghostly Flame Mercenaries members in our camp. But as the borders were breached, more and more stragglers gathered at our fortress. General Barov, hearing of the valiant battles fought by the Ghostly Flame Mercenaries on the front lines and their fierce resistance against the Black Rose, allowed them into the fortress... We hoped they would continue fighting alongside the Black Rose in the fortress, but..."

As he seemed to recall the cruel scenes and the comrades who met their tragic ends in front of him, the scout painfully beat his chest. He felt deeply ashamed that he alone had escaped back to safety using a spatial magic array.

As a warrior, he should have died on the battlefield with his comrades, not escaped to the rear to prolong his miserable existence.

...

On the other hand, upon hearing this, Amon clenched his fists in frustration. How could he, who was so intelligent, not have realized the Black Rose’s scheme?

The Ghostly Flame Mercenaries fought fiercely on the borders, either as a pretense or with false information, all to deceive the Frozen Ridge Fortress’s defenders and earn their trust. Unfortunately, General Barov did not see through this plot, which ultimately led to the rapid fall of the Frozen Ridge Fortress.

"Damn Black Rose."

’Not only the Sadik Royal Family but even the Ghostly Flame Mercenaries were their people?!’

’What had these human traitors been doing on the continent all these years?!’

’Damn it, there was no time to think about this now.’

’With the fortress lost, the Black Rose could march straight to Anvika.’

’It is necessary to retake this strategic town before the Black Rose consolidates its position and gains full control over the Frozen Ridge Fortress. Otherwise, the defensive positions on the fortress will eventually become a hindrance to the Red Leaf Warriors’ great slaughter ’

’However, with the southern allied forces defeated, how could we possibly retake the stronghold? Wait for the central army to reinforce us? It might already be too late. In that case, we need to seek help from others...’

’Among those close to the Frozen Ridge Fortress, could it be the Elves?’

’Although the Elves had a good relationship with the Black Rose family in the past, at this critical juncture, these righteous Elves would not likely aid the enemy, right? If the powerful Elven race were willing to lend a hand, there might still be hope’

’But how should we ask for their assistance?’

Amon’s mind was in chaos.

Just as Amon clenched his fists in frustration, unable to come up with a plan, the scout who had been beating his chest suddenly dropped another bombshell on him:

"Your Highness!!! This time, you must severely punish those logistics bastards!"

"Huh?"

Taken aback by this outburst, Amon stared at the man, his face filled with resentment, in confusion.

"Why do you say that?"

"When the Ghostly Flame Mercenaries breached the fortress defenses, we still had a chance to regain control. But our weapons, cannons, almost all malfunctioned at the same time for no apparent reason! We missed our best opportunity to rectify our mistake! You must punish those logistics people! They dare to provide us with fake supplies! It’s infuriating!"

"What did you say? Bad weapons?..."

Upon hearing this, Amon was momentarily speechless, not knowing how to respond.

Because all the military equipment provided to the Frozen Ridge Fortress was under his responsibility. Could he have become an inside traitor?

That was, of course, impossible.

Amon knew that although he had sent people to deliver these weapons to the southern military district, most of the weapons were supplied by another supplier. And this supplier was none other than the deeply trusted Ainor Merchant Guild...

’Wait a minute?!’

’Could it be?!’

In an instant, a flash of insight struck Amon, and a sense of sudden realization rushed into his mind.

Thinking carefully, these weapons were actively provided by the Ainor Merchant Guild. It was also a member of the Ainor Merchant Guild who had previously proposed hiring the Ghostly Flame Mercenaries to guard the southern region. Moreover, the Ainor Merchant Guild even offered a huge sum of money! He originally thought that the Ainor Merchant Guild was acting out of humanitarian principles, but now it seemed...

’These guys might not have good intentions either?!’

The entire Sadik Empire had pledged allegiance to the Black Rose. So, it wouldn’t be surprising if a merchant also pledged allegiance to the Black Rose.

Ignoring the scout’s report, Amon slowly turned his gaze toward the elegant young lady sitting on the sofa nearby, sipping tea.

She was a beautiful young lady dressed in a magnificent blue sleeveless gown, with long hair that transitioned from blue to gold. Her figure was tall and slender, and she was nearly perfect in every way, except for her left eye, which was covered by an eyepatch.

The young lady’s identity was self-evident, given that she could meet with two Red Leaf princes in a tavern and possess such distinctive features. She was none other than the daughter of the Ainor Merchant Guild’s leader, Eileen, a brilliant businesswoman and Amon’s "cooperative partner."

Originally, Amon had come to the tavern to express his gratitude to Eileen for providing financial and resource support for the holy war.

But now, after suspicions arose in his mind, Amon’s gaze at Eileen no longer held the previous friendliness and warmth. Instead, it was filled with coldness and hostility. As he approached Eileen step by step, Amon forced a smile and "kindly" asked:

"Miss Eileen, can you provide an explanation? Why did the weapons provided by your Ainor Merchant Guild fail at a critical moment?"

As soon as these words left his mouth, the temperature in the room seemed to drop sharply. Amon’s guards couldn’t help but grip the swords at their waists, warily watching the blue-haired young lady and her bodyguards.

However, when faced with Prince Amon’s question and the countless sharp gazes directed at her, Eileen did not immediately respond. Instead, she continued to sip her tea indifferently.

After placing her teacup down, Eileen slowly raised her head, revealing her usual sincere smile.

However, her words were not as friendly as usual, but rather filled with mockery and sarcasm:

"Don’t you already know? Why ask more questions, Second Prince… who thinks he’s so clever?"

"You are in cahoots with the Black Rose!"

As soon as these words were uttered, countless agents from the Investigation Unit broke through the windows under Amon’s command, surrounding Eileen along with Amon’s guards. Meanwhile, the Ainor Merchant Guild’s bodyguards were quickly subdued by the skilled agents.

However, Eileen, who was now isolated and cornered, did not show any signs of panic as Amon had expected. Instead, she smiled even more coldly and eerily.

"Heheheh~ Indeed, we helped the Black Rose. But so what? Are you only realizing this now? Isn’t it a bit too late, Your Highness~?"

"That’s not necessarily true."

"Oh? Is that so?"

Ignoring the sharp swords just inches away from her, Eileen slowly raised her hand and pointed at Amon’s forehead.

"Unfortunately, even if you could handle this situation, Your Highness, you will not have the chance to proceed any further."

"What do you mean?"

"You’re a smart person, so I’ll tell you plainly. As soon as you make a move, you’ll be the first to die."

As her voice trailed off, a surging blue-golden light began to gush forth like a burst dam, pouring out from the blue-haired young lady’s body...

....

"Prince Amon, can you die for me please~?"

The blue-haired girl smiled faintly and spoke with an elegant and courteous tone, uttering words that sent chills down everyone’s spine.

As the words left her mouth, the surging blue-golden energy suddenly expanded in all directions with the girl at the center! In an instant, the shockwave from the energy blast shattered the windows, cracked the walls, and unsurprisingly knocked back those with insufficient strength near the blue-haired girl.

However, in the face of the imminent threat, Amon chose to stare directly at the incoming gust and fixed his gaze on the Ainor Merchant Guild’s young lady.

"Impossible, how? This, this, this aura is?!"

At this moment, Amon realized that he had asked a very foolish question earlier.

Why did Miss Eileen betray humanity and help those despicable Black Roses?

Now it was clear as the blue sky – she was an Abyssal Demon!

’Why, why is it an Abyssal demon again?! Why are there Abyssal demons everywhere?! What the hell is going on in this world?!!"’

Amon’s mind was on the verge of collapse as he shook his head and muttered to himself. After the Sadik Royal Family and the Ghostly Flame Marcenaris, even the wealthiest merchant guild on the continent, the Ainor Merchant Guild, was under the control of the Abyssal Demons?

’Just how many schemes have these monsters been plotting within human society?!’

Amon’s mind was gradually overtaken by a sense of despair.

In such a critical moment, faced with Eileen’s growing power, Amon surprisingly managed to regain his composure and stood rooted to the spot in a daze.

The only thing he could hear was the terrified yet resolute cries of his subordinates:

"Quick! Protect the princes!"

As the cries rang out, a burly figure suddenly threw away his sword, turned around, and tackled Amon, shielding both Prince Amon and Prince Eldric beneath his body.