Sharon and Ryan Hyde now finally understood Royce's feelings for her.

At the same time, it suddenly dawned on me.

Even the most stubborn and strict man in the world would be changed when faced with such a person.

"Please let us help... No, rather, please let us join the Liberator! Please let us do what we can as companions!"

"My feelings are the same as Master Sharon's. Although my swordsmanship and my life have long been dedicated to Lord Rouse and Master Sharon, I do not know how it happened that I am a brave man, holding the Holy Sword. I want to do my part to change the world. Please command me."

"...Well, come with us. Towards a new future."

It is currently unknown how many "Apostles of God" remain.

The combat effectiveness of the Light Guard Knights remains unknown.

It is still unclear to what extent these newly emerged threats, such as the semi-apostles and the mass-produced Seven Sacred Arms, have become widespread.

However, no one felt uneasy at all.

That's not out of optimism.

It was simply because of the determination in his heart, a determination that was stronger than steel and was willing to sacrifice his life. That was a determination that only humans could possess.

"Go to a world where humans can live with free will."

The crowd echoed their leader's voice, like the roar of hundreds of beasts.

Prequel 5 Chapter 4: Liberator Assembly

——This is Dastel, the capital of the Grandat Empire.

The Empire, a major magical nation, boasts numerous magical educational institutions and research facilities, including state-owned, public, and private institutions. One such institution is run by the family of Baron Rackman. Baron Rackman is renowned for his passion for magic. Even in an empire where magic reigns supreme, he earns the nickname "magic nut." This title stems from a mixture of frustration and admiration for his fervor.

"How to use attribute magic to induce phenomena similar to those of the Age of Gods" has always been a major research topic at this institute. Ultimately, this research is considered a composite magic, and it has made a certain contribution to the Empire, so it is highly valued. However...

“Research is explosion.”

This was a famous quote from the current head of the institute, Baron Adel Rackman. As it said, this institute would explode somewhere approximately every seven days, so other imperial nobles and nearby residents naturally kept their distance.

This elusive and frantic research attitude caused the baron to neglect the management of his original territory in the north, which was eventually confiscated. Even so, he remained unchanged and unmoved.

Not only that. In order to investigate the "Count Lesin Family Massacre Incident" and the "Imperial Heretic Conspiracy Incident" four years ago, all the imperial nobles were investigated at the same time. However—

--Baron Rackman is a man with a mental problem. We can't waste our time with this research geek.

Even the Inquisitor said so, there was nothing they could do to him.

Adel had just turned sixty this year. His hair, a mixture of black and white, was completely untrimmed and untidy, and he always wore a pair of heavy glasses on his face. His appearance was very strange, and he did not look like an aristocrat at all.

As a result, no one would be willing to approach him.

The only people who would associate with him were those who were classified as freaks like him, or those who were just as crazy about magic as him.

Other than that, there were soldiers and the like who had to come to him for official business.

Today, a middle-aged male squad leader, leading ten Imperial soldiers, arrived at the entrance of the Rackman Research Institute. This three-story chalk-white building was only particularly beautiful on the outside.

"Welcome to the Rackman Institute. What can I do for you today?"

The door was still tightly shut, and a polite, courteous gentleman in his fifties came from inside. He was Adel's butler, Henriette Logie.

"Ah, uh~ Recently, the 'white terrorists' have been causing panic in the imperial capital. I'm the captain of the third investigation team, who was ordered to investigate."

"Thank you for your hard work."

Henriette's words of comfort were full of sincerity, which made the squad leader feel a little embarrassed.

The White Terrorists—a group that began to appear across the Empire when the Empire accepted the Divine Kingdom's request and was about to join the war against the Republic—were elusive, dressed in white, and led demonic creatures to wreak havoc within the Imperial Capital.

After the war, the group's appearances became much less frequent. However, with the Empire's proud air force nearly wiped out and the capital in turmoil, the group would occasionally appear to add fuel to the fire.

Fortunately, no one died as a result of their activities, not just ordinary citizens but also imperial soldiers.

However, it is truly infuriating that all equipment and military-related facilities were completely destroyed without reservation.

They also attacked the mansions of the nobles, robbed their property, and distributed it to the poor residents living in the slums, acting like chivalrous thieves who robbed the rich to help the poor.

At first, the citizens of the empire thought they were terrible terrorists and were very scared, but now some people have begun to regard news of their activities as a form of entertainment in life.

This was a situation that the nobles of the empire were extremely unhappy to see.

Therefore, they had to come to this notoriously dangerous research institute to search. Since no one wanted to go, the team leaders had to draw lots. And this team leader drew the lucky number.

"Uh, um. What I'm saying is that someone reported seeing a suspicious figure at the window of this research institute, and that messenger birds were coming in and out quite frequently."

"I see. Our institute does frequently exchange correspondence with other research institutes, and therefore often uses messenger birds... But your mention of a suspicious figure does sound unsettling."

"That's right! Therefore, please allow us to search inside immediately—"

Just as the squad leader was about to exercise the authority granted to the search team and forcibly search—

Suddenly, a terrifying explosion sounded.

A room in a corner of the top floor of the research institute exploded. Flames shot high into the sky, and shockwaves radiated outward. Cries of terror echoed from the nearby residents, like, "Ahhh! This is the third time this week!" "Is it Lachman again?!" "Replace all the window panes with crystal. My shop will be safe!"

Then──

"Ha—Gagagaga! Finally! It's finally here! A new era is about to begin—! Gaga—Gagagaga!"

A man with disheveled hair and tattered clothes appeared from the other side of the blown-down wall.

Even though the floor looked like it would collapse at any moment, he didn't care at all. He raised his hands high and let out an unbearably weird laugh.

This person is Baron Adel.

Then, two young people, a man and a woman, chased out. Judging from their attire, they must be researchers.

"Captain! Please break the spell! It's on fire, on fire!"

"This is serious! The other magic circles are also triggering a chain reaction!"

The researchers shouted, desperately trying to pull Adel back into the house. A moment later...

"Captain, please come in."

“Eh!?”

The squad leader and his team members slumped to the ground, bewildered. When Henriette called out, everyone turned to look at him.

Henriette remained completely unmoved. It seemed that even the shock of the explosion hadn't shaken him. His clothes remained clean and tidy, completely unstained by the ash from the explosion. Henriette continued with a smile:

"To search for terrorists hostile to the Empire, our research institute will fully cooperate and spare no effort—this is the master's order. Please come in. Please search every corner as much as you can."

"..."

The male team leader turned around and looked at the faces of his team members. Everyone shook their heads at him.

This is understandable. Entering such a place to search is like challenging a maze filled with deadly traps.

Then, the squad leader stood up, brushed off the dust on his clothes, straightened his collar, and said seriously:

"No, everyone seems busy. Let's search again later. Goodbye!"

After saying this, the squad leader immediately turned around and left, and his subordinates quickly followed.

Henriette still smiled and watched the group leave.

"Ah... thank goodness. Looks like we won't be staying in this research institute for long."

Henriette breathed a sigh of relief, glanced at his still laughing master, a wry smile crossed his face, and he walked into the house.

He walked through the entrance hall of the institute and headed towards the director's office, which had lost its walls. At this moment—

"Mr. Henriette."

A woman peeked out of a doorway. Her features were red hair with some black highlights and tan skin.

"Ms. Margaret. Are you still not used to it?"

She is the female warrior leader of the Xuni clan.

This Rackman Research Institute is the Imperial Capital branch of the Liberator, and Adel Rackman is the branch chief.

Of course, Henriette and the male and female researchers mentioned earlier are also members of the branch.

The Xuni clan, led by Margaret, used this place as their base and used the secret tunnel from the research institute to the outskirts of the imperial capital to engage in sabotage activities, robbing the rich and helping the poor.

Even Margaret herself was troubled by Adel's strange behavior, and Henriette's eyebrows drooped in a splayed position at her questioning.

"Y-yeah...why are there so many explosions here? I can't tell if they're research or attacks, and honestly, it's quite troubling."

"But judging by the demons, they seem to be used to it."

"They seem to be able to judge by instinct. As expected of Ban-sama's servants."

I did not forget to express my full admiration and respect for Bandhu while speaking, please bear with me.

At this moment, noisy footsteps were heard from the other end of the corridor.

"Oh, you two came just in time! The Schnee kids are in the room too, right? Great! Joy should be shared!"

Looking closely, it was Adel running towards me. He was covered in dust.

In his hand was a crumpled letter.

"I've told you many times, please don't call us schnies..."

"Don't worry about such trivial matters!"

This person, as a rule, doesn't listen to others. This is one of the things I've learned from spending these two months together.

With that, Adel strode into the room.

The furnishings in this room are very similar to those of a classroom. On the right wall at the other end, there are two rows of blackboards, three in each row, for a total of six.

As long as you use a specific chalk to draw a specific magic circle at a specific location, one of the blackboards will become a door to a secret room. Originally, that was the mechanism, but...

“What are you doing!? Schnee kids, come out now!”

Adel banged his fist on the blackboard and shouted. Since he could exit from the other side—the secret room—using the normal method, he seemed too lazy to unlock it.

Henriette and Margaret watched helplessly. At this moment, the secret door creaked and opened.

"Onee-sama, can you really go out?"

A girl timidly poked her head out. She looked exactly like a smaller version of Margaret. Her name was Todalit Schnee. Although not related to Margaret, she admired her so much that she dressed to resemble her. Furthermore, although she looked only about ten, she was actually sixteen.

"The branch manager said there's no problem. Everyone else, please come out."

Several people emerged from the room one after another. Their appearances were a blend of demon and beastman. Then, several wolf-like servants emerged.

At the same time, a hurried, noisy noise could be heard from the corridor outside. All the researchers—or rather, the branch members disguised as researchers—came into the room one by one. Leading the way was the man and woman from earlier. It seemed that Adel had sent them to gather everyone.

Seeing that everyone was present, Adel seemed to be unable to hold back and started talking excitedly.

"Look! It's a letter!"

It went without saying that anyone could tell it was a letter—the cold, half-closed eyes of the crowd seemed to say so. But Adel didn't care at all. He let out a strange "ga ga ga" laugh while loudly announcing the key points.

"It's a letter from headquarters! It says they've successfully protected Ross Byrne!"

"Oh my..." Everyone let out a cry of joy and emotion. But, would Adel be so happy about this? His love for magic was innate, not fake. All the members who assisted this eccentric branch chief immediately had such questions in their minds, and then thought of a possible answer. Could it be that he—

"...Adel-sama! Could it be that, finally...!?"

Even Henriette, usually composed and composed, couldn't help but raise her voice an octave. Margaret and the others seemed to notice as well, holding their breath and looking at Adel eagerly, waiting for their inner assumptions to be confirmed.

"Yes, the time has finally come! Humanity will finally challenge the hateful God who hinders progress!"

Several people swallowed their saliva, and Adel looked at everyone with his bright eyes while announcing loudly.

"It's Miss Meredith's order!"

──The time has come, let's assemble.

Adel read out the leader's instructions. Suddenly, a roar like a scream echoed throughout the entire Dastel branch.

Under normal circumstances, this is an abnormal situation, and a team of guards or soldiers would come immediately to check the situation.

However, this is the Lachman Institute, and no one dares to approach the mad scientist here, fearing that they might get into trouble.

The nearby residents and passing soldiers could only leave quickly, trying to avoid it as much as possible.

──Also in the Empire, this is Mordo, the former capital of the Earldom of Lessen.

This is the place where the executioner clan, which is considered to be synonymous with fear, was attacked and annihilated.

A single family was capable of curbing the expansion of the Demon Kingdom, making them arguably the most powerful people in the empire. However, their complete demise overnight was a nightmare for the empire at the time.

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