Chapter 234 - 199: The Death of the Radiant Angels

The Metal Hourglass had no name.

Its dark-patterned metal frame radiated a bone-chilling Mighty Power. Inside, earthy-yellow sand flowed slowly, and time itself seemed to freeze around the hourglass.

Even though it was stored in a transparent, crystal-ball-like container, the Extraordinary Power radiating from it still drew the attention of the Legion Knights stationed in the hangar.

A Furnace Cast Level Wizard’s Secret Treasure was not only priceless but also the perfect vessel for an Earth Knight to develop a Knight’s Treasure.

But these were Imperial Knights stationed in the hangar, men of ideals. They were not Interstellar Pirates or greedy Wizards. Their interest in this Wizard’s Secret Treasure went no further than amazement.

In fact, the hangar maintained the grim and solemn silence befitting a Knight Battle Group.

No one spoke.

After Irenia and Barak departed, Reinhardt watched through a window as his old acquaintances and their ship disappeared into the deep void of the cosmos. He then put away the Metal Hourglass. Without pausing, he turned and boarded another vessel, setting off for the orbital port where the Punisher Ship was docked.

「Meanwhile.」

On the bridge, an Imperial Knight with a powerful build and the majestic bearing of a lion stood before a window. He was clad in pure white power armor, a bright red cape draped down his back. With hands clasped behind him, he watched the ship carry the uninvited guests away.

The Legion’s Think Tank stood behind him and said in a low voice, "My lord, do you really intend to let them leave just like that? When the Judgment Court asks, what am I to tell them?"

This Imperial Knight of extraordinary bearing was none other than Seth, the ’Hand of Justice’—supreme commander of the Imperial Administrative Region’s newly formed Fiery Sun Legion, Battle Group Leader of the Savior Battle Group under the Justice Temple Legion, one of the Old Empire’s Main Battle Corps, an Empire’s Chosen One, and a Six-star Earth Knight!

"Answer to them? Hmph. I’ll repay the life I owe Cicero some other way, not by helping him start another internal conflict.

I don’t care whether he or Sedon rules the Imperial Administrative Region. All I care about is the great mission the Emperor has bestowed upon us.

If the Administrative Region’s Judgment Court becomes a tool for Cicero’s power grabs, I will personally eradicate these heretics who desecrate the Divine Emperor’s majesty."

As he spoke, his deep, azure eyes focused on Reinhardt arriving at the orbital port.

"At any cost."

「Three days later.」

Perhaps the Fiery Sun Legion had changed its mind, or perhaps Reinhardt’s ruthless declaration had served as a deterrent.

They left the Lelag Orbital Port without any hindrance.

And just as the Punisher Ship entered the Net Path, a vessel from the Judgment Court rushed out of the Net Path and docked at the orbital port, clearly in a frantic hurry.

...

Radiant Calendar 1459, December, Iberian Time.

News that the Space Dragon Race’s fleet and a Demon Legion had appeared in the Ash Soil Star Zone hung like a terrifying storm cloud over the capital world in the heartland of the Imperial Administrative Region.

Even the local weather seemed to be affected by the panic and unease of the Imperial Citizens, as a dreary rain fell without end.

When the Punisher Ship appeared at the orbital port of the Iberian World, the local Iberia Defense Legion, stationed in a distant planetary orbit, was put on alert. The Punisher Ship was not on their whitelist, and furthermore, sensors detected the aura of the Space Dragon Race from within. For a moment, they believed it was a human ship disguised by the Space Dragon Race.

However, that was not the most important issue. The most important issue was that they had received two completely contradictory orders from the Government Hall.

The Grand Governor demanded they grant immediate passage and forbid anyone from approaching within three kilometers of the Punisher Ship.

The Governor Council, however, ordered them to impound the vessel immediately. Until the Judgment Court had clearly investigated their identities, the ship was not to make any move, and no one on board was permitted to leave.

When he received the orders, the supreme commander of the Legion in charge of the situation scowled, his brow deeply furrowed.

’Two orders?’

’What does this mean?’

’He knew the higher-ups in the Administrative Region were deep in internal strife, but wasn’t this going too far? It’s just a single unidentified ship...’

Then, a low, hoarse voice sounded from his private Radiant Beacon.

"This is Reinhardt. Stand down."

"Reinhardt?"

That name might not be well-known on other worlds in the Administrative Region, but on Iberia and Verne, the Emperor’s Vengeful Angels were known to all and had numerous followers.

’But if it really is him, why did the Legion’s Think Tank detect the aura of the Space Dragon Race from that ship? And why would the Governor Council want to intercept Reinhardt?’

The supreme commander of the defense legion was Quintus, a Four-star Earth Knight, a scion of Iberian World nobility, and the leader of the local Knight Battle Group.

His strength and seniority were not normally sufficient to qualify him for such an important post.

But for various reasons, when Sedon had taken control of the Iberian World, it was during the special period of the Great Rebellion. To unite all possible forces against the rebels, he had specifically appointed this native-born Iberian Knight as the supreme commander of the defense legion.

Quintus was silent for a moment. "I need authorization to grant you entry. My apologies."

「Onboard the Punisher Ship.」

Manon’s brow was tightly furrowed. The closer they got to Iberia on their return journey, the more uneasy he felt.

It was not just concern over how the Judgment Court and the National Church would deal with his Battle Brother, Agate, whose flesh had been contaminated by the Ancient Black Box.

His experience on the Lelag World had also made him realize that the internal struggles within the Administrative Region might have reached an irreconcilable point.

Now, the defense legion’s detaining them at the orbital port fully confirmed his suspicions.

"Sir, what do we do now?"

After his recent promotion to the Three-star Earth Military Rank, Reinhardt’s power needed time to stabilize, and his new Earth Ring had yet to be developed.

Whether or not they were granted passage was not something he and the Vengeance Angel Squad needed to worry about.

’If he can’t even handle something like this, then Sedon isn’t the political bastard I know him to be.’

He simply sat down cross-legged on the floor and closed his eyes to meditate.

"We wait."

’The Furnace Cast Level Wizard’s Secret Treasure in his hands has a Special Ability related to time control. It would obviously be the perfect vessel for developing the Earth Ring of his Frost Fist.’

’Irenia gave it to him as a gift. Her intentions were obvious.’

’Although he still considered the Witch cunning and her trustworthiness was a matter for consideration, this little scheme of hers, for once, did not make him feel threatened.’

’It felt more like a sincere parting gift from an old friend he had not seen in years, one he might never meet again.’

As Reinhardt had expected, after a five-hour standoff, the Death Battle Group stationed on the Iberian World dispatched a squad specifically to escort them back to their secret base in the Great Fortress.

Before the Punisher had even landed, Sedon and Lady Catherine were already there waiting for them.

As Reinhardt and his party disembarked, Sedon asked nothing about the Ancient Black Box. His expression was cold and exceedingly grim. His gaze swept over the members of the Vengeance Angel Squad before finally landing on Reinhardt.

"The Legendary Power of Archangel Tiberius, Lord of the Radiant Angel Legion... has been extinguished."