Chapter 132
rMe1eRMUpon arriving by ship at the port city of Ramons, in Frazia, Fernan first secured lodging.KcCk
hZReNJ“You’re saying the mercenaries who were helping us are in Ramons?”itq
H8mdS“Yes.”IBXza1w
RrIpawDuring the journey, he had overheard what had happened in Frazia.0gHX
9YeqJIp‘Did they use the mercenaries to sweep the corrupted hideouts?’D7s
IuGRHWhile they were tracking leads, they had been stalled by an obstacle—just when Fernan’s letter had arrived.tjW
1I4eQJJust in case, the mercenaries had continued searching for traces.Y9n
jxMkIn other words, they were waiting to be contacted by the mercenaries they had previously spoken with.CUOo
v3H“In Frazia, mercenaries have far greater power and numbers than I expected. They were very useful.”cju33
mLid1It made sense. Although Frazia was a large country, its territories were so vast and full of unexplored areas that the kingdom couldn’t manage them all.iBC
ORz7A sick giant. What little strength it had was propped up by mercenary recruitment thanks to its abundant resources, and naturally the power of the mercenaries grew.n9nstj
jE6NfBtProbably nowhere else in the world did mercenary power rival that of Frazia.WYM
WmZyiAM‘The nobles in Frazia who turned out to be corrupted must be desperate now.’ONl3
rkeaKFrazia wasn’t a country where nobles were weak, but they weren’t strong enough to face the disciple of the King of Mercenaries either.NpkQS
zHTu0kAt least within Frazia, no noble held more power than the King of Mercenaries himself.hObX
meyThat Aint was traveling with Varus had been a smart decision.sCC2
5jLCThough even without that, no lunatic would dare harm the enemy of demons, the symbol of the Empire, and the person the whole of humanity was watching.U6W
r2IXY5Aint dying in Frazia?GsdGnv
ePB0i5QThe demons themselves would rejoice, and the Empire would immediately hold Frazia responsible.UpX
or9“Didn’t you receive an invitation from the king? He can’t possibly be unaware that you’ve been hunting the corrupted in Frazia.”WVQrnAu
x3t“I actually saw him once. He just thanked me for working in favor of the kingdom.”4SWw
vqdmq6That he said no more was strange.mORY8b
JzSA king realizing his country harbored corrupted individuals, and only reacting like that? It was a lukewarm response.X5JjgGk
hww39“Wasn’t he corrupted?”nTlgN
UcPNWzI“I couldn’t directly check his insides with aura, but at least outwardly he didn’t seem like it.”NuF9XuE
Ltr0Vyu‘Maybe he’s just too old.’Gm20ne
hV19The king of Frazia was already over eighty, and he was neither knight nor mage.Xeb
x0dMbN5More accurately, he was bedridden, just waiting for death.eh0hFb
pXB0KN“And the crown prince, did you meet him?”2JL
ifzhihs“The crown prince…”Qls6WWn
tGjAs they ate and talked, a group entered the dining hall.eQOEypg
ykGmLeather armor, weapons hanging everywhere, a rough air. They were textbook mercenaries.VtqA
s5pkA“Fernan, that’s them.”cWAPRp0
Qr1There were three of them. Each commanded a company of over fifty men.gcC9S
6Qc“Sir Aint, it’s an honor to see you again.”kUcJ8
IcBwlqY“Thank you for calling on us again.”vcOx6V
GHJu0“We heard you earned great merit in the north.”7r0
MgjARAfter greeting Aint, Aria, and Verian, the mercenaries turned their attention to the unfamiliar man among them.vvqwhbm
UA7y“I’m Fernan Pellenberg.”DGtd
tyH“Fernan Pellenberg? No way, you’re that Fernan Pellenberg!”8VgO
Gxw“P-pleasure to meet you, I’m Rick Petra, leader of the Griffin Company.”liTsz
EwaKz“It’s an honor. I’m Roderick Fisher, head of the Blue Wolf Company.”1gL
0voEThey introduced themselves one by one.RjP6i
aGDOMercenaries, as loyal to money as merchants—or more so—naturally reacted with enthusiasm.042LQH
fbPjwd‘Roderick Fisher?’xiiu
FjM4VThat name felt especially familiar.Y53XfJw
C1Y2PFernan remembered instantly.JOQ9Wog
K3E2M‘Yes, he was on the list of suspected corrupted individuals my father gave me.’kFfTFiD
BsW5tH9Though he didn’t give it much importance.a0F1eZx
vkLKQyThe list included practically anyone with any recent achievements, so it was overly broad.HcgLI
xhjkZ0Even so, it was inevitable that he paid closer attention to him.0mQWDD
HSZLmco‘He has presence…’yNxq
bDhqIn fact, among the three, Roderick exuded the most notable strength.Gokn
7W7‘But if Aint has been with him for a while, then he can’t be corrupted…’KsYef
P0WyK5Not a guaranteed seal of approval, but at least an initial filter.d0QjeW
RtarTjJ‘If anything’s off, it’ll eventually show itself.’gUsl9
XZQiB5lWith that thought, Fernan finished his greeting.oako3XV
AOD69jBAfter the introductions, Aint got straight to the point.MhXo
B8K“How was Frazia while I was gone?”COb
PG7g“No notable incidents.”7gDbz1x
oKmO“Yeah, though we were surprised by how many corrupted there were in Frazia, so we did a bit of our own investigating…”fwBq1
35uzThey began recounting what had happened.0lA
l8utpThen Fernan noticed something protruding from Roderick’s armor.soH5mfw
U5dW“Is that a book? Looks expensive.”qfO
lN5VJU“Yes, it is.”ZCxGTX
DcOfZ“Roderick always carries a book on his chest. He’s a little weird that way.”7jh
skkOne of the other mercenaries chimed in, laughing.6M7
GYgf“A mercenary with an orc’s face always carrying a book—it’s strange, isn’t it?”hlO6y
VT0koKrRoderick let out an awkward laugh.anwni
NjKCew“I don’t think it’s strange. Nobody said mercenaries can’t read. I wish more did.”ejAQUL2
FyUJ7ZsAfter all, the Golden Turtle Guild also dealt in books.Q1u9sf6
jkfz“It was a keepsake from my mother. She always carried it—until one day it stopped a knife and saved my life.”cHGvRec
zaEYs5G“No wonder you always carry one. Is that particular book the keepsake?”f04
nTx8rIE“No, this isn’t it. But ever since, I can’t feel at ease unless I have a book with me. It’s like my own artifact. It doesn’t do anything, but still.”8tiGP
gXgiHe added one more note.JOvmv
w6PFP3“Even so, this time I found something valuable thanks to it.”B2wIMg
tPisz31“Something valuable?”NtYq3f
0FeMGt“Yes. I couldn’t just sit by and watch the corrupted move through my zone. So I followed some traces and found this.”fQL9p
zUOsHe opened the book and pulled out a map, burned on one corner.jR12en
0fJV“I found it while rechecking one of the corrupted hideouts after you all left.”HJ5wo
pOZ“It’s scorched.”VOu0E1
seCQP“Yeah, they destroyed almost all the documents before fleeing. But this one fell between some rocks, and the wind caught it there.”R3uwh
IH45The map marked five hideouts.m1Q8dpz
3l6If the corrupted had already fled, it might be useless. But if not, it was a huge find.ofP
eRxmy5Of course, it could also be a trap.ZfyIf
8NmEven so, they weren’t too concerned.lkkgN
Odqvg‘With this power, even if it is a trap, we can handle it.’4307A
hv391zAint had already absorbed the power of the demonic egg. It was unthinkable that mere corrupted could defeat him.QGEK
ML1UV‘Though just in case, we should reinforce the squad with more mercenaries…’eL7
ji8UE“Fernan. I think we should go check it out.”K0n
y8fb0“Yes, I think so too.”5ckeL
J1WIRFernan handed Roderick a small pouch.MI8Bm7
NIHS“For the information. If it checks out and we get results, you’ll get more.”aF7
cG9“I swear loyalty to you!”vLc5KbU
H8jD“Not to me. Wasn’t your loyalty supposed to be to money?”8YPv
02AiP4“Well, right now it is.”ai7V8lI
IeTQdb“I like you.”WeJUH
s8xbmKJFernan read pure greed in his eyes.wgdK
5FL‘Those who follow only money are the most trustworthy.’FHNWBs
FX5tlJSure, there could always be a bigger offer—but no one had more money than the Pellenberg.uRr0sq
20QOSThat’s why Fernan valued mercenaries.T35t
9qAiD‘And besides, it’s wise to strengthen ties with the King of Mercenaries.’cs20f
yD0cIt cost a fortune every time, but there was no safer card to play.0OVzI
kOu4Fernan leaned toward Aint and whispered.G3TUBr
pou0fi“Among the mercenaries, who’s the most worthwhile?”IVe
5gkc8O“Roderick Fisher. Of all I’ve seen, he’s the strongest.”trYvJ
RQBK34“I see.”DPtHc4g
c52X“Keep good relations with as many mercenaries as you can. They’ll always be useful to have around.”uRNw
2sz“Of course—though we should first check there’s nothing suspicious.”y0RKI
dMqMBcK“I’ll handle that.”vxo
Iix7w9T“I’d appreciate it, but… I don’t have any money…”wBb
9XEY7FT“Money? And you’re saying that to me?”1VO9d1
2pyc“I wouldn’t be able to pay you back.”pPl
0Vd“When we’re done with the demons, you’ll have the means.”HWzglT2
ci8“…Are you saying—?”YhvU
TNyjBAint looked at him in surprise. Fernan shook his head.hrxv4
xkXPb9“This isn’t something to talk about here.”eVy6ak8
QIdAnd so, following the lead of Roderick Fisher, they marched to attack one of the corrupted hideouts on the outskirts of Frazia.y4bX
Nhf0rQf***VGZN
WR4bJ“It’s a raid!”bs0CJf
O3vo“It’s Aint Armian! Run!”Es3ixP
XCz“Damn it!”jtcdb
6HMVC0bThe hideout was real, and the corrupted, having not anticipated the attack, fell into chaos.8wXfm
cOC“Unlike the others, this one is much less prepared. Maybe we can follow a bigger trail.”ydup4
dUGkkjAint, excited, spread his holy light and began cutting down the corrupted and demonic beasts.iuKR4
Q6Xn2DAria, Verian, Fernan, and the mercenaries followed behind him.iPP
nHlFor a good while, screams filled the hideout.L8fJ
cbRSWhile everyone fought, someone slipped away silently toward the deepest part.zfTDF
dC9QpIt was Roderick.1vXQCro
JmcUpon entering a hidden room, someone waiting for him in the shadows bowed their head.bi6
TaKW3HM“Has he arrived?”ri8YB
fehpQm“This time I confirmed it. The problem was Fernan Pellenberg.”l1rcY
Dx2NMR1Fernan wasn’t always at Aint’s side.MPfZi
vk4hNu6But every time Aint fought the corrupted, Fernan was there. Even against Andromalius.WYjQ
VZLyAnd all of those operations had ended in failure.JwBEBXn
aWim“It can’t be a coincidence.”NFCVs
NDCK4qeOnce could be. But twice, three times in a row—never.5T4BI
0oIn5“I was wrong from the beginning.”Qg2FB
WizJdThey had considered Aint Armian the main enemy, the one pulling the strings, and Fernan Pellenberg just a supporting figure.Dos
mMCThat wasn’t the case.hh355
6Hk6As could be seen even in their conversations, the one calling the shots was Fernan.t4BpD2m
wpOJCgRWith the money and power of House Pellenberg, he was the one guiding Aint.4hUdGvA
MFe“If they don’t even know who the real target is, it’s no wonder everything’s gone wrong…”Id3
rduCkVAndromalius, the other plans meant to throw the continent into chaos.4Wdg
WLPsPYou couldn’t compare a fallen noble like Armian to the richest house on the continent—Pellenberg.J7Z4HUk
dZ2JnM“Fernan Pellenberg… damn you, not even devouring you whole would be enough.”fpWdC
Tlt7Rage flared up like fire.oW2oK
F7tC9If not for him, Aint Armian would already be dead. The continent would be divided and drowning in chaos.8iS
c4RiC7Things would have turned out very differently.quKSyw
2sL“…Not yet. All is not lost.”JYS
iCPPcfThough Andromalius and Kimaris had died, in the grand scheme of all the demons, it wasn’t a decisive blow.LKsDzZJ
vE3WThey had prepared in the cradle of the Empire, the Academy, had failed many times, but there were still many seeds scattered across the continent.jyN
3Z4If those took root, the plan wouldn’t stray too far off course.PnFAdb
dzdWF“That’s why we should have eliminated him earlier…”r9OglD
TAiZjHe only regretted that the plan hadn’t been completed during the Continental Academic Conference.Y5v
K7zcMxa“Gather all possible information about Fernan Pellenberg’s actions. In a sense, he might be an even bigger problem than Aint Armian himself.”uf4
ISXCw“Yes.”WVk7qX
qVnnThe subordinate bowed his head.XsK4OzM
9rdP“For now, cooperate and earn their trust…”3qb
lgoay5When the time comes, they’ll cut off both their heads in a single strike—Aint Armian and Fernan Pellenberg.Nv7
y0wdThen the continent, without hope, won’t withstand the even greater chaos that is coming.yWYZhu1
sdg71“For that, first…”thMu
sVK3He had to diligently earn the favor of Aint and Fernan.NgIMB
foZbG0D“Where’s the next hideout?”ikQYJ
q7Q“I had one leaked elsewhere, and I have the other one with me. That’s all there is.”CMvIL
AusY“If Kimaris, who returned broken and defeated, found out, he wouldn’t rest even in hell. Khuhuhu.”dKRG0
Lmz1legThough the Kimaris who would be reborn would no longer be the same.RdmoV
AVgU9PWRoderick Fisher let out a laugh.iRiM
DyY2“See you.”AFwRKSH
FNfIm“Yes, thanks for everything. The secret passage is under that desk. Someone else has entered—chase and catch them.”aV0
4NypsQISlash—D5SF7
uuJf“Sir Fernan! Sir Aint! There’s a corrupted here!”fLq3o
TFDCWith one slash, he cut the man’s throat and shouted loudly.5VB
brRYLAs he returned the way he came, he didn’t notice something.Fmf74o
9VtEHZz— Kyu?tlQ0sI
Puje7In the place where he disappeared, something rolling among the stones glowed with lit-up eyes and began to rise.X0uf
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