Chapter 191
l1gBalrotan was a county located in the north of Esrin.pmMZxiJ
Qpb9jqgIt was the third-largest territory in the northern region, with a large population and fertile lands.LingWY
ccwK4y6It also served as a trade route with the northern kingdoms, so the flow of people was constant.KpgQ3
OeaNaturally, the roads to Valrotan were well maintained.ToXyB
9AYzXM1However, Aint’s group’s situation did not allow them to use them.WrWHCgw
WVB“We must move discreetly. Though I’ll try to shield us from Tulwin’s eyes as much as possible, there are no absolute guarantees. We must remain cautious.”l48L8Q
Z23Rlj6If it was discovered that Aint had mobilized mercenaries, the third prince would respond accordingly.TDKHk
8lCKTo avoid falling into a trap or returning empty-handed, the first prince asked them to use little-traveled mountain paths.zkJhn
CwdSAb“I know the way. I’ve worked a lot as a mercenary even here in Esrin.”Ljk
xOAeAnd their guide was none other than Roderick.4f2
p5PSomehow, the first prince trusted him and did not send any other guide.H4u
zXO‘Hypnosis?1J7DSV6
jwZTY— It’s possible.’SFBWmI
av2mDJxThough it was just as likely it wasn’t.mN1U
Hi9Roderick had earned fame in Frazia killing demons more than anyone else, even alongside Aint.tTxp
2DaXFor those who didn’t know the truth, thinking of him as a corrupt was absurd.wLVf
hsr6W4Even Aint would never have suspected him if not for Fernan.xX5FXlO
hmwh8S‘I feel like a pig being led to the slaughter.’GLyebV
5QI‘This doesn’t look good.’rHvdb
YJKiAAria and Verian whispered anxiously, but they had no other choice.cOykJYU
rOzRNzbIf they had planned to escape, they shouldn’t have answered the first prince’s call to begin with.S7wU2O
lnM51‘If we’re not there, it’s obvious the third prince and the corrupts will take over Esrin, right?’2kALi38
Aim— Highly likely.IyNox
TAUh‘Then we must stop them at all costs.’5QSzF
obYThat didn’t mean Aint was someone who risked his life without a plan.Qah
Ol7AThe letter he had sent to Fernan, and the reply he received, were the foundation of his confidence.RdBm8hx
5Zn“I’m counting on you.”iAhE1Em
8jvUG“Leave it to me.”N0v
ZMfL5GIn response to Aint’s acceptance, Roderick smiled maliciously.csEK
Pery‘I’ll guide you well.’Y0y
9pyRoderick’s role had three objectives.MhxmtX8
RdKGFirst, to lead Aint into the trap.zYOvf
FdTtDt1Second, to wear him down as much as possible along the way.tOjga
AnXAnd third, to fight alongside him at the designated location.isdxT
zon10Having completed the first, now he had to move to the second.E5A
5wyU‘I must wear down Aint Armian as much as possible.’BBhDK
WVAPcAfter repeated failures, they had learned something—no matter how much preparation was done, it was never enough.iAaozk
NUte9The confidence of thinking “this will be enough” only led to defeat.QnaS
EiRFernan Pellenberg’s obsessive caution had taught them that lesson.aNR
VWpSo, to face someone like that, they had to become just as meticulous.MWTA
wpaEven though they had prepared a deadly trap, that alone wasn’t enough.4SXunG
Clg16To eliminate all possibilities, they needed Aint to arrive tired and exhausted.4kUz0S
2GvZTFortunately, the first prince himself had provided an excuse for that exhaustion, so Roderick didn’t need to invent anything.i9j8Wh
CSArXH“The road is a bit rough.”YWE
TkQj“That’s because I chose less patrolled paths; it means crossing more mountains. If you prefer, I can find a more comfortable route.”36MBEY
0r1“No, it’s fine. We must be thorough.”XGqbx
KCc9ERs‘Let’s see how long that confidence lasts.’XLjC
bXtaKrnWhile feigning calm, Roderick led the group toward a monster nest.6cOM6g
tT4Ld4With the demonic power he wielded, finding them was easy.853sH3m
l0LIt wasn’t long before a large tribe of orcs living in the mountain noticed their prey and launched an attack.Ho1A8
BnSHn“Orcs!”vLp2B
VArpZk“Prepare for battle!”yRjkIH
ZQvM9e“They’re blocking the path, what do we do?”ozqb
nCNR3“Would going around take too long?”iLIINMB
BaBmn“Yes, at least twice as long.”MKcu9g
vNf“Then let’s force our way through.”AHK15Ac
poBZZThe battle was tough, but the orcs ended up as cold corpses.tSSZndR
5h1Aint, Aria, and Verian came out unscathed, though Roderick wasn’t disappointed.Z4e
QclGqmThis was only the beginning.OygQ
s8mhUKobolds, gnolls, werewolves, even a cockatrice, a subspecies of basilisk…tsEE
oXTMonsters in unusual numbers met them with ferocity, unleashing relentless battles.XrW1T
i2TmM“Damn it, why are there so many monsters?!”3FVGxA
OH5“Even for mountain areas with little traffic, isn’t this too strange?”dFf
umnEven Verian and Aria noticed, and in the end, everyone was injured to some extent.XMIz
t3KRoderick thought that the accumulation of those injuries would take its toll.vyVT
pUGnhW“What’s that?”kY9TW
eoR“Top-grade potion.”rpZ
PPIvKBut Aint applied costly top-level potions without hesitation, even on the smallest scratches.W0K
iw6One could expect someone to carry one or two as vital resources, but he kept pulling out more and more without end.VxfS2cx
3sY“…He’s got quite a few potions, huh?”lzqTbkT
YoIJs“I brought a few extras.”5UbX3cu
kt6vs9Roderick then understood that the potions wouldn’t run out; the monsters would be exterminated first.KID1Bt
lrB‘Fernan?’6WCz
1eBNo, he didn’t even need to think.znUV0W
ooqr‘Definitely Fernan.’UaUgx
zLoZThat overflowing dimensional bag could only have come from him.8dp
c9YN5x‘He couldn’t come, but he sure loaded Aint with supplies.’jkLX
KvwFine. Even so, everything has a limit.w7wLg
1o2JSeeing that the monsters weren’t wearing him down, Roderick changed plans.OAVna
EAXNrThe next day, while passing a path alongside a cliff, he used his power and caused the rocks to give way.GrzLT
rmf“The path…!”JrdmUv
YFa“It’s collapsing!”DppCjTn
s2hyZOmSome mercenaries nearly fell but managed to hold on; however, almost all the luggage was lost in the fall.ttjl
IEpYId“Everyone okay?”8pcK
BnQ“Yes, no one fell, but the provisions. I’m sorry.”4uCiYD
4UBu9fnWith the tents, food, and essentials lost, morale plummeted.LOJG
urQDUR‘Let’s see if they can endure now.’jY1a
nhpzTCEating and sleeping were critical.qGN8
HR5bA bed was not the same as a tent, and even less so sleeping out in the open.rnXE
Lc6PIn a few days, fatigue would inevitably accumulate.cAXQA
ZKS5VA“It’s fine. I have supplies.”Bo1kpPN
RoT“Huh?”BPT7p
cgS12“I brought food too in my dimensional bag.”6sv
5WNThen Aint pulled out luxury dried meats and magically frozen meals that looked freshly cooked when heated.2yM
v9YiGKL“Why didn’t you say that earlier…?”n9NM1a
4yZypB3“I was saving them for emergencies. It’s not much.”iIxTSYV
wOzYdM“…Ah.”vSRtXUl
eapOaLuBut from that “little” he kept pulling out astonishing amounts.mkd
J7ma5‘What the hell? Did he bring an entire restaurant?’llRXoYT
dyLO99Had he already foreseen this situation?Waxr5
jD2Knowing Fernan, obsessive as he was, it was possible.1gM8
vdjQtBut the worst was yet to come.CxI6o
4bZD“…What’s this?”AwgS
qPQDNC“A spare tent, just in case.”WlH
cxit“That fits in your bag?”49C
DERdsr3“They say it’s top-notch.”LY22
wxKz69The tent was more comfortable than the previous one and even had the emblem of the Golden Turtle engraved, which made Roderick boil with rage.54zr
yqkf74‘Fernan, damn bastard!’E832Sp
omNEWR3Potions, food, and now a luxury tent. What’s next, a whole house?Xghs
bKTdAnd to top it off, the tent had enchantments that eased fatigue during sleep.KhDvGZ
Cl5GPRoderick had no choice but to abandon his plans.1lV
Mkxfy6‘All that’s left is to hope Daniel set the trap well.’1x1
JyZZkkAt last, after stretching the journey as much as possible, three days later they arrived at their destination.4UxSsPb
zlr0H6n***VBqBP
UMbrDp1Most of Balrotan County was plains crossed by good roads, but the northeast was different.POQ5
cYOFAt the far northeastern edge stretched the foothills of the Great Befalecio Mountain Range, plagued with monsters, and thus considered a forbidden zone by the county’s inhabitants.6j8jBe
99wJOHIt was there that a group set foot—Aint and his companions, along with Roderick and the mercenary company of the Blue Wolves.5qM0
XIhasC“This place definitely looks made for monsters or demonic creatures.”2ifLvB3
SnC2The dense forest barely let any light through. In that gloomy atmosphere, Aria clicked her tongue.XXQy
lcv“Shhh.”qLFxWiM
lRZxRoderick, who was leading the way, stopped.pX9CE
CREt“Do you see that cave?”CrX2N2G
v0E31MD“We see it.”gRAN2
bEM“That’s the site described in the request. Do you sense the demonic magic?”Ebw6DD
nVN“…A little.”aw9L8
0QttA faint flow of magic emanated from inside the cave. It wasn’t much, but its mere presence was unnatural.iTCzr3
CsiuV“What do we do?”4tAhe
8HptT9c“Go in and hunt the corrupt.”D8Z
yyRTItThey had come to capture them, so that’s what they would do.U4X
sHJRmFAt Aint’s calm response, Roderick could barely hold back a laugh.EfpjJI
ulWal“We’ll check if there’s anything nearby first.”TblMw
CIUWlq“I’ll leave it to you.”8lD
nXh2Z3UThe mercenaries inspected the surroundings, but found nothing outside the cave.jXwN
55tZZHThat only made everything even more suspicious.SL1Oko
v8Y“Let’s go in.”akj
hHwFdhMEven so, Aint moved forward without much hesitation.wRB5fkf
ZGPc‘He’s blinded by the thought of the corrupt and the creatures. Heh.’C3qg
Nc8Roderick had no reason to object.h2anKj
ltACYDarkness greeted them. Though the entrance seemed small, the interior was spacious.cr4lB
tQd1fThe passage was wide enough for ten people to walk side by side.VUKR
6nD“So quiet.”Z1qll
HFKvjL“I feel it too. It’s definitely demonic magic.”qoun
qqKA9lt“It’s always repulsive.”ysDgE
tTIjVNcAria and Verian whispered.zlr
9gEAnd as if to contradict their words, just as the light from the entrance vanished, multiple presences began to be felt.4G1zRNM
GBa“This is…”uQxh
ea8J“They’re demonic creatures.”niLt
t94XTIA chilling magic, feral breaths. Nothing human.kJDi34O
aw3AJmEyes gleamed in the darkness.mRmZ
uJEgdoEveryone went on alert. The mercenaries swallowed hard, tense.TkL04v1
B5ro2“Sir Aint, looks like there are a lot of them.”9BuGx
qytY“Yes, at a glance there are dozens.”Yxcik
t5QBpY3Dozens of black-furred quadruped beasts, and among them, massive monsters shaped like bears.B9rh
OeCvM2— They’re Tradens and Urs. Rank 7 and 5 respectively.94Fd9
c1zrZ— Tradens hunt in coordinated packs.LTesKhe
XjfmCUAint reviewed the information Gardner whispered to him.AHomj
TAs“I’ll go up front. Let’s advance and eliminate them calmly.”luP
RiMkgV“Yes, understood.”ZIrob
BBWRoderick nodded.g4QvZ15
lHYQO3At that moment—BxEuqwT
TBFV4MGroooaar!vOvaFsi
UHoLThe creatures let out a roar and charged violently.yLYyK
cwz─!fAq
y1VOne of the huge claws of an Urs struck Aint. He raised his sword and blocked it, though the force was crushing.FWgmCn
EbzMMfRight after, a sword that should’ve been directed at the monsters forgot its purpose.kDx4
tmJYThe blade veered and aimed straight for Aint’s exposed back.fke43
WGt────!m6L2
aJVcDM“…What…?”aNXCHjL
KIyG9wKRoderick blinked, stunned.9gAg
CP4It was the perfect opportunity—Aint trusted him, had his back turned while fighting monsters, and was completely defenseless.ckNp
3E9The strike had been a flawless surprise attack.e4EmvP
hSg4So why was it blocked?PhUuI1l
wSAt4Q3It wasn’t Aint’s sword, nor Aria’s or Verian’s.z3qzu
0izf7mIt was a thin barrier—a magic shield.9oY
W807Only then did Roderick notice the glow of the necklace on Aint’s neck.nS0bfk
6PE9agJ“…An artifact?”qgluwlY
T56F“Senior Fernan gave it to me.”t41
VjHwD6Aint parried the Urs’s claw and spun around. A flash of light cut through the monster in a single slash.hJNNV
j6jxHis face remained calm, as if he had foreseen it.UVOI
0YkH179“How is that possible? A simple artifact barrier blocking my attack…?”OKL
N9F1“It’s top quality. He said it could withstand almost any hit.”ESF
tNwIrlThe price was that it only worked once, but that was enough.MHKsLk
DuwGsB8Aint tore off the now-spent necklace and threw it to the ground.mQB
JxmQp4Aria and Verian immediately moved to his back, covering each other.SX0NSn
cBNc“I was wondering when you’d try a surprise attack. Finally showing your true face.”VNaeJMV
q7cx“What…? You knew I was corrupt?”jXv
zWiVM“Yes. We knew.”BWyexwn
4wp7“Since when?”RuA
xJTme“From the beginning, of course. You were always dancing in the palm of our hands.”bsq
lKOAria looked at him with mockery.u9UbI2P
etW3“Wasn’t it Fernan who found out?”j5IgL
24d“Verian, please, have a little intuition.”ILPN
dKdfcev“…From the start?”mdzWUe
zxzAs they spoke, Aint added,1H1kqbk
JVhdEih“But that doesn’t matter, does it? After all, you’ll be dead soon.”mRciis
BQO“…How dare you mock me?”xVhBa
c6SzVQm“If I were you, I’d use that time to run with my tail between my legs.”larVyx
doe0Aint’s sword shone with even more intense aura, lighting up the darkness.qDfKg
wRZrThe monsters howled in pain just from sensing it.B2r
teWZS“…Fine, fine. That damned Fernan, with his sick paranoia, saved you… But don’t think this is over.”Eq5
GnI9SThe fact that you’ll die here today won’t change.TNefIy
uI1g3─!AAXGAP
PuMdRoderick struck the ground hard.ThHx
mSxRumble—S3qW
TQBpXFThe ground opened beneath their feet. The abyss’s darkness tried to swallow Aint and the others.wtMf
7KqR“Hehehe…”Bgu2
Yt7v9But his laughter froze instantly.29Rb
OVATwK“…What the hell is that?”XMcgNi
SW4QsXAint, Aria, and Verian were falling, yes—but was that even falling?kjgQz
jg7UCn1More like they were gliding gently, like birds.Iqv
U2s57tTheir bracelets glowed with a faint radiance.ahu
H5N“What did he say? They’re enchanted with gliding and flight magic. As you can guess, senior Fernan gave them to us too.”qVh
TeueAint smiled.mf3
9ZrES“So far, everything he predicted has come true.”MO8o
b3ulO2q“Is there more? I’m curious how far he’ll be right.”H3S
ls7u97“Is Fernan a god? He said the corrupt always try to collapse the ground, and he was right again.”uXpU4n
1dQ“He’s simply a smart man who knows how to foresee.”bXbGzk
sAJThe calm banter and mocking broke something in Roderick’s mind.EwH
F4X425“Damn insects, mocking me!”adMFEKT
mKpyipHe too jumped into the abyss, unleashing a torrent of demonic magic aimed at Aint, Aria, and Verian.nkU6DA
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