Chapter 232
EHpMEAThe ship advanced swiftly.yIWI
aolAfter passing through the Kaldis Strait, between the continents of Lutar and Pandrein, they reached their destination.7zoPfc
uX6h6o“Finally, solid ground.”bSNroM
LWSLuina, who hadn’t been able to train with her sword as she wanted on the ship, stretched as she stepped on land.vWV
A8GmhM“Are we heading to Lake Parma now?”GsW
QyWFF5“Yes, Sir Garrett. From Lake Parma we’ll take a boat to enter the kingdom of Linelt.”3sa
hSd2Jjf“And that’s where I come in?”b3pQr
hq6A“Exactly.”X77rNC
TevsKrFernan recalled the prophecy.vpGlV
5R6xdIThe 62nd-ranked demon, Valac, would be summoned.fvDZ
YawYVtmA summoning that would end up destroying the kingdom of Linelt and later unite it with the two demons who had devastated Bercheff in a terrible future.8XL
5vzIPSoThe summoning of Valac was different from the previous ones.hcLQM
6W1eNEOUntil now, demons had been summoned in secret, avoiding the eyes of the powerful. But this time it would be the opposite.2E9SzsW
SK2l“If you go personally, Sir Garrett, they will have no choice but to receive you.”XIoL
SbnThGarrett wasn’t just any mercenary—he was the Mercenary King and a Royal Knight.6stt
H3z045There wasn’t a nation that could ignore that status.oF9r7C9
9QtNeither the nobles of the kingdom nor the infiltrated cultists could openly reject his visit, even if they didn’t understand why he had come.MBlQ
uZZThat would be the beginning.N0chD
LHdyIf the cultists reacted, they would be caught under that pretext. If they stayed quiet, they would be agitated until they were forced to come out.LxTX
PjnThe key was simple—with the arrival of the Mercenary King, destabilize the palace and use the confusion to approach key figures and extract information.iAY
9cu7ndGThe prophecy book gave an overall vision, but with so many changes, it could no longer be fully trusted to play out exactly the same.QaQEn4g
0XUOY“And that’ll be enough?”jEX
YwyL“Leave the details to me. All you need to do is simple—be received as an honored guest in the kingdom and, when the demon is summoned, kill it.”DBI
D5D“That’s what I do best.”RAZZfsR
WInfFJGarrett laughed, baring his teeth. Knowing Fernan would handle the complicated parts put him in a good mood.bIvGHz
77Kw“But since it’s inside the royal palace, couldn’t it escalate into a diplomatic problem?”Xns
mVTHj“That’s precisely why you must be at the forefront. That’s the reason.”U1rT
WjWiGarrett, after all, was a mercenary with no official allegiance.1kTvOSO
b4J8Upon arriving in the kingdom of Linelt, Fernan went straight to one of the secret hideouts of the Golden Turtle Guild.hh1Lu6
R46He could have used the guild’s trade networks directly, but with so many people coming and going, it was safer to remain hidden.9K1TG
wgc0JFGAint and the rector were far too recognizable to go unnoticed.opszlp
2kTThe hideout was a luxurious mansion in one of the capital’s upscale neighborhoods.BlZkQ
JB5NIt had been acquired under a false name, and only the guild’s high command knew its true ownership.7rl
uyIlAdditionally, in the basement, there was a training field sealed with magical circles so no sound or impact would leak outside.aNJja7
JC4YMtiIt was the perfect hideout for an operation that wouldn’t be resolved quickly.o1bL
9yvOt1“Then, for now, leave the preparations to me. You all rest here. The important thing is that you don’t leave under any circumstances. Especially you, Rector, and Aint.”ImXFg
Ls5“Understood.”wWw
eXA6d“Yes.”DsX
sMYeHda“Did you say there’s a training field in the basement?”zKbdg
dyuoFHKLuina, still feeling stiff after the journey, went straight down to train. Aint followed her.ePaJ3TL
y3d“Me too?” asked Gismond.YN4UQG
iq7“Of course, senior. If you want to face demons, you need more training.”qum
PDAURecalling Fernan’s request to keep a close watch on him, Aint dragged him down almost by force.TxYC1Vp
O4g3qACThe rector, on the other hand, was taken to the best room in the mansion to rest in comfort.xRB3lV
unlx“All right, then I’ll go.”KYkWuR
56tK“Yes. You don’t need to do anything special, they’ll react on their own.”KcypD0M
ICL7k3“Very well.”GMmmpi
T9maIoThe Mercenary King headed to the inn where the Red Wolf Company was staying. From there, he would go directly to the palace to meet with the king or, failing that, his representatives.0cROF9
1t7oBz“Now the busy part begins, Hyde.”NTx
NpWW9“Yes, young master.”XOSL1
fpbTu“Investigate Herbis Linelt, Antenor Linelt, Gerlan Linelt, and Yuli Linelt.”dbC62F
n9IgrRt“The king, the first and second princes, and the eldest princess of the kingdom of Linelt.”wa0ju
TNt4mp“Also look closely into the second prince’s close associates.”bmB
IU2F64V“Is he the culprit?”cdk
gLKVer“Yes.”8fn
CBcyVThe origin of it all—the demon’s summoning and the fall of the kingdom—was tied to the second prince, Gerlan Linelt.y0QnA8l
O7LutTEAt least, if the prophecy unfolded exactly as foretold.l08SSe
z3HXQMost of the changes caused by Fernan had affected the Empire, not external kingdoms.ZOwOLq
MwfThat’s why, in Linelt, there was a higher chance the story would follow its original course.1eba
kk1And if not, there should at least be traces.APubY
YFr“The kingdom of Linelt walks on a knife’s edge. So, instead of using the Golden Pillar’s people or the family, use the Black Turtles.”EiHpb
TlKl“Are you sure? The Black Turtles report directly to the duke…”84naBis
kpTEM“I already have his permission.”39jXAhY
2t7goWdFernan tossed him a letter bearing the patriarch’s seal, temporarily granting him command over the Black Turtles.vrO
JN5kaHe had written to the duke before leaving and had received the reply during the journey.P1LggsR
WNfSurely the Black Turtles had already activated their intelligence network in Linelt.rTuP
2YVz“As expected of you, young master. I’ll leave at once.”moz
NZ9mA“Good.”Ri46V2H
1y5JcHyde disappeared swiftly. Fernan remained, staring at the large mural map of the kingdom of Linelt.xj5
oLuc“Dantalion…”atL
z4zW1EHe recalled the face of the demon that had escaped him. Perhaps Dominique’s face wasn’t his true appearance.R8S
yF9Dmc“Has he completely abandoned this place? Or just doesn’t expect me to arrive so soon?”wnI8PDr
VPvXMuHe would soon have his answer.zuT
IrroDV***IRFy4
GR7TQHyde returned after two days.sqZBwAt
1vNGHb“For now, I’ve brought the most general information. Currently, in the Kingdom of Linelt, the second prince, Gerlan Linelt, is serving as regent.”2x9j
LLRm0“The king is still bedridden, it seems.”z0H
mpW“Yes.”i19YX
Hju8BFThe current king, Herbis Linelt, had suddenly fallen ill about three years ago.RdaWc
h9GUntil then, he had been healthy, but from that moment he contracted such a severe illness that he could barely move and ended up relegated to spending all day in bed.8V5
h2GFinally, in just a few months, he appointed the second prince as regent and withdrew.rKQx
17KXIf someone asked why it wasn’t the first prince but the second who assumed the regency, the answer was something known even without needing the prophecy book.jMMF1Tc
It4y7kIt was an incident that had once made noise not only in the Kingdom of Linelt but across the entire continent, and Fernan remembered it well.tx13qKv
Pu6rH“Is Antenor Linelt still locked up in the secondary palace since that incident?”YLcdJWE
XGWMi“Yes, that’s what they say.”I1BBu
cgGF3“His exact location?”oszemM
I19“Not clear yet, but the Black Turtles are investigating it.”B2F
cXKMdc“When they find him, bring him immediately.”hyQG
uGK3JEP“Understood. And here are three people considered close to Gerlan Linelt.”R0Tv1HB
n7lHyde handed him a thick report.qPVPF
tJb71e“Then among these there must be a corrupt one.”dlC
UNBTIf the prophecy book had mentioned specific names, it would be easy, but it hadn’t.CUoob
LRBj1yfSo there was no choice but to examine the three one by one and wear themselves out in inquiries.ZFo
wgHfCvWhile slowly leafing through the documents, Fernan asked about the most important thing besides the corrupt:nISet
8U7“Where is Yuli Linelt?”3UnUE
9NZnThe first princess of the Kingdom of Linelt.prJvm
N2XThe essential key to this entire matter lay in her hands.0CykX
Wl1Mg***41U
o6aOA high ceiling adorned with a lavish chandelier.2H1xEXM
wtYLemThe carpets were luxurious and the ornaments elegant.5EqhG
WQIuiQTo Garrett Schreiner, that opulence of the palace was suffocating.oCt
Cmx‘It’s not the first time I’ve entered a palace, but every time I come I break out in hives.’rxNZji
Vcmw46Perhaps it was because he had spent his life on the streets.fpfR
eGPNbHe preferred a hard wooden chair to a soft armchair, and a noisy tavern to a hall crammed with antiques.qnp732T
TD7‘Though it tastes good.’6GHwGyE
onx6tYHe bit into a fruit served by a servant and was surprised by how sweet it was. He liked it very much.E2jXLz
ccPHe was used to a simple environment, but that didn’t mean he hated the exquisite.0Sk8M
5dFHzzDAt that moment, he sensed movement outside. Knock, knock, someone tapped at the door.wiPRj
bxaNi1O“His Highness the Regent Gerlan Linelt.”mgBYH21
6QZZClick, the door opened.1Rhlii
sGqPGarrett finished swallowing the fruit and wiped the juice from his lips any which way. He stood to receive the prince.YNO
awsMVro“An honor to meet you for the first time, Your Highness.”IKxyh
K4xJ6nL“The honor is mine, to meet the famous Mercenary King.”fMMT
kEB6P1eThe regent of the kingdom, Gerlan Linelt, was a man with platinum blond hair and black eyes. He had a strong build and a handsome, gallant face.Edh2Gh
nWXHcF“Since His Majesty is unwell, I ask you to understand that I receive you in his stead.”XdanAw
pzFd“On the contrary, I am honored by your reception.”ygAj
VYBr“Honored, you say? But you’re the hero who slew a demon!”PggUY1
MISE6Gerlan sat across from him. At his signal, everyone left the room except for a personal guard.4vQUvZD
SD1oQZ“I was surprised that the hero everyone talks about came to our kingdom.”UKWIIa
GzcBPY“You might be even more surprised.”8k7r
xrnQ“What do you mean?”Aet
eXxKfVAt Gerlan’s intrigued look, Garrett continued.U4a7
gGBxKz“Aren’t you curious why I’m here?”2fTp
BuWzCB8“Of course, but…”g8e2H2D
yDwc5“I’m a man of few twists, so I’ll get straight to the point.”yef8gY
3AYJkGarrett leaned back in the chair with his arms crossed. His attitude seemed insolent, but Gerlan swallowed hard without retorting.pGwm7
dVya4ZThe position of the Mercenary King was no longer what it had been.KE3L
T8HWsNot only had he achieved the supreme title of Royal Knight as a mere mercenary, but he had also defeated a demon.fA16OnI
5FD7sA demon hunter.37PzeL
eKnhExcept for Aint Armian, who had killed a demon at the Academy, no one else could claim such a feat.TBz
YO0That’s why, even though his visit was sudden, he couldn’t be treated lightly.n4x
cEfuwwWith demons appearing one after another, and a man capable of facing and killing them standing before him, Gerlan had no choice. His value would only keep growing.BhLT
VlQlEyThat’s why he had rushed as soon as he heard the news, and now, with Garrett setting the pace of the conversation, he felt increasingly tense.zTt
A8hmJFH“You must know that I, together with the border count of Bercheff, defeated a demon.”Jl8EJo
rCJpbkh“Of course. It was the first to appear in a thousand years, and fortunately you were able to kill it. Without you two, it would have been impossible.”X5D4
FVv“That’s right.”gIe5NHl
KD9kDoGarrett smiled smugly.0MJYC5
azsY“In any case, that day I thought it was only the beginning.”tYv3Q
yTy6KN“I’m sure everyone on the continent thought the same.”gjLFumt
3yMDNAnd rightly so—a little later another demon had descended at the Academy. It wasn’t just a supposition, it was reality.FHBcfz
W7pfGtl“Since then I’ve been tracking the corrupt. It turns out they’ve been infiltrated for a long time, like a spiderweb. They were more than we thought and more widespread than we believed.”6EIMuk
HWdy“I see.”di1KA
nlsJ“And one of those trails led me here, to the Kingdom of Linelt.”tIY3a
03Q3b“…What are you saying?”xOVK
hJQGerlan’s eyes widened and Garrett drove the wedge in.Fivu2zo
4pB8“My idea was to handle it myself, but the truth is my experience is mostly in the Empire. In a foreign kingdom, if I start acting with my mercenaries it could cause problems.”SkOlcI
uNu9y3So—yF3K
6hiuX“I would like Your Highness to help me. To eliminate the corrupt hiding in Linelt.”zq3
lWRaThe Mercenary King smiled broadly.yQO1qs
bh3BmRE“For Your Highness it wouldn’t be a bad thing either, don’t you think?”FGoLNet
hSDOr rather, if he truly wanted to protect the kingdom, it was something that had to be done.2XVj4
tYKWZ‘Let’s see how he reacts.’6IfrLuM
OMwWiO6The wolf showed a calm smile, while his predator’s eyes slowly observed every movement of his prey.tz0oJ
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