Skeleton Knight, in Another World (LN) - Volume 8 - Chapter Ep

Epilogue 

The Great West Revlon Empire covered a massive swath of land along the western side of the northern continent. 

To the northeast was a beautiful view of the Siana Mountains, at the base of which sat the town of Tisheng. The town had recently fallen to the Holy East Revlon Empire, as a result of their invasion and subsequent border expansion. 

Marked by a sharp nose, reddish-brown hair, and a well-fitted military uniform, Domitianus Revlon Valtiafelbe, the young emperor of the Holy East Revlon Empire, sat in a luxurious chair and gazed at a map pinned to the wall. He was in the home of the previous lord of Tisheng, which was, of course, now under the control of the Holy Revlon forces. 

A look of unbound desire filled his gray eyes as he stared at a point on the map far beyond the line marking the current border. 

A thin, bald man with a pair of glasses resting on his nose entered the room. He stopped to look up at the map for a moment before turning and bowing to the emperor. 

“Congratulations on your recent victory, sire. I am Tohd Straus, head of the Runeology Cloister. I understand that this was the first proper battle making use of our employ ring. May I ask how it went?” 

Domitianus smiled broadly. “I must admit, the employ ring and its ability to grant control over monsters is quite impressive. I heard you were the man responsible for creating it? I’d like to personally thank you for your efforts. If we had access to even bigger monsters, the West would have already fallen.” 

Tohd bowed low in the face of such praise from the emperor. “I am unworthy, sire. After I gather a few more frontline reports on the use of the ring, I shall return to the Runeology Cloister to begin work on even larger varieties.” 

Domitianus seemed satisfied with this response and nodded. However, just as he was about to send the man away, Tohd looked expectantly at the emperor. 

Domitianus motioned with his chin. “Is there something more?” 

Tohd bowed again. “I’ve heard a rumor from a close acquaintance that the pontiff of the Holy Hilk Kingdom has been slain.” 

Domitianus’s eyes went wide. “What?! Was there some sort of battle for succession?” 

“No, nothing like that. The Holy Hilk Kingdom had invaded three of its neighbors, and one of them, the Nohzan Kingdom, struck back with the help of the Rhoden Kingdom and the elves who live nearby.” 

Domitianus laughed heartily. “Gwahahahaha! The downfall of the Holy Hilk Kingdom has finally come! I want you to gather as much information about this as you can.” The emperor regained his composure and continued. “If this rumor turns out to be true, then that means the churches throughout our lands will lose their influence. We must undermine them as much as possible.” 

He laughed again to himself and looked back up at the map. 

“Soon, very soon, the borders will be redrawn. But we can’t let our guard down yet.” 

A twisted smile played across Domitianus’s lips. 

*** 

Vittelvarlay, capital of the Great West Revlon Empire, sat at the center of its domain, which spanned the entire northwest area of the northern continent. 

Exquisite buildings lined the streets as well-dressed residents went about their daily business. The difference between these people and visitors from abroad was like night and day. 

A beautiful woman, in an exquisite dress, walked delicately through the thoroughfare that served as the main artery of the capital. Her curvaceous figure drew the gaze of every man who caught sight of her. Her long, platinum-blond hair, flawless skin, and perfectly proportioned face also elicited rapturous sighs from the women she passed. 

Amid all this attention, she suddenly stopped in the middle of the street and turned to look at the southern sky. 

“Thanatos has failed?” 

The woman’s name was Elin Luxuria, and she was one of the seven cardinals of the Holy Hilk Kingdom. With a simple shrug, she turned back to the street in front of her and continued walking. 

She brushed her hair out of her eyes as a gentle sigh escaped her plump lips. 

“I figured something like this would happen when I heard that the Dragon Lord had left. I feel a little bad, considering he gave me this undying body and my eternal beauty, but it wasn’t like he ever stood a chance of winning against a Dragon Lord.” 

Many people watched her as she strode down the city streets, but not one of them had a clue about her true identity. 

She graced a few of the onlookers with a seductive smile before fading into the crowds of the busy capital. 

*** 

Soldiers of various species and nationalities stood shoulder to shoulder in the large courtyard in front of the castle in Saureah, the capital of the Nohzan Kingdom. They waited nervously for the ceremony to begin. Looking out at the crowd, I recognized more than a few of those in attendance. 

Up on the center stage were those taking part in the ceremony—the leaders of this ragtag army. 

Three of them were human: King Asparuh of the Nohzan Kingdom, Margrave Brahniey of the neighboring Salma Kingdom, and Prince Sekt of the Rhoden Kingdom. 

Then there were the other, non-human representatives: Fangas, a dark elf and high elder of the Great Canada Forest; and Goemon, a mountain person and warrior of the Jinshin clan. 

They sat at a long table with several sheets of parchment in front of them. One by one, they signed the documents and passed them on to the next person in line. 

Once this was finished, King Asparuh stepped around the table to address everyone. He looked carefully at all the faces assembled before him before speaking in a measured voice. 

“Today marks the beginning of a new era. I ask that you all serve as witnesses to the fact that we, fellow humans, elves, and mountain people alike, joined together to overcome a great threat to our nations. We will never forget this!” 

He paused between each sentence to emphasize the comradery created here, which defied the boundaries of species or nation. 

Tucked away in a corner of the courtyard, I yawned inside my armor. Ponta, sitting atop my helmet, followed suit. 

I reached up to scratch its chin. 

Ariane scowled at me and jabbed her elbow into my side. “Are you even listening?” she hissed under her breath. 

I fought off another yawn and whispered back. “Sorry, Ariane. I’m no good with formal ceremonies like this.” 

Something changed in Ariane’s gaze as she fixed her golden eyes on me. “Hey, Arc…what are you gonna do after all this is over?” 

I thought about all the different opportunities on the horizon, though I could only come up with one thing that I really wanted to do. 

“Once this is all settled, I just want to head out to the hot spring and relax.” 

“Kyii!” 

Ariane stared back at me, surprised at this reply. 

I felt like I’d been in this world for a lifetime, even though I knew it’d only been half a year. There was still so much I wanted to learn, but I didn’t feel any need to hurry. 

Like I’d done up until now, I figured I’d just explore whatever came my way. 

That is, after I got my bath in.