Chapter 92 – 92 – Strategy Completed…?
I know a guy who is nothing short of a god of thugs and scoundrels. He’s a crazy guy who doesn’t do anything he hasn’t done before, from stealing commission payments to assaulting party members.
And if you live a life with such a bully for not even a week, not even 24 hours a day, but even a year passes by, you will naturally develop eyes to recognize the bully’s physiognomy.
And, truly unfortunately, the moment when the Archduke got off the military carriage.
“You’re a bastard.”
Of course, physiognomy is everything, but it can also be a prejudice. Maybe I’m just thinking useless thoughts when I see a normal person. He may be a completely different type of person than Adamantone, whose angular personality had flattened for the first time in his life a few hours ago.
But···.
“I knew it as soon as I saw him get off the carriage. It seems that His Highness the Archduke of Linden was a more grumpy person than I thought.”
“There was no need for an forensic eye.”
“Yes?”
“It’s not that important, sister.”
After vaguely brushing aside random thoughts, I opened my eyes and looked with suspicious eyes at the Archduke who was approaching me groggily.
And he was shocked to see the person walking out with him after him. There was a hint of murder in the corner of Eshen’s eyes.
“Hey, is that the bitch you saw back then?”
“I almost didn’t recognize you because you were taking off your armor. I think you’re right.”
The impression is very different from when they scolded us on that thunderous day. It is surprisingly small and wears calm casual clothes, so it doesn’t seem out of place if mixed in with the general public.
But how can we forget the mean smile underneath that neat bob? I frowned, remembering what happened in Visserk.
“It’s Christansen. I thought you’d be locked up in a monastery somewhere as punishment by now, but you’re moving around just fine.”
“That’s right. I should have just cut the head off.”
While Eschen grits his teeth, Christensen whispers something into the Archduke’s ear. The Archduke nods his head loudly and turns his steps.
They were dragged out of the cave, bound, and brought to a gang kneeling in the vacant lot of the military camp.
Walking around, twitching his tight white pants, he passed in front of the Tigris who were happily dozing off while wearing restraints. He passed by Garam, who was glaring at the Archduke as if asking what he was doing. A little faster than before.
Also, the archduke’s leather shoes, whose clinking sound was bothersome, stopped right in front of the man with the largest physique in the entire area.
Gunther Waldenhardt, who had tied up dozens of restraints just in case, raised his head, looking like a lump buried in a metal shell.
Archduke Lindborg began to fawn in an exaggerated voice.
“Oh no! Isn’t this the renowned Bishop Gunther Waldenhardt!”
Gunther looked at Christensen with eyes demanding an explanation. As Christensen whispered something, Gunter gave a dry smile.
“Who would disrespect such a true believer? He is the shepherd of all people, but what kind of disgrace is this? The God of the Sun is looking down on this terrible tragedy. Release him immediately!”
I think I roughly understand the situation. The leader of the principality was wearing a golden sun necklace with a chain constantly rattling on his neck, which had frivolous tattoos that did not match his dignity.
Since it is a popular religion, it is not strange for the national leader to be a believer, but wearing such large accessories somehow seems intentional. As if he was intentionally emphasizing that he was a believer.
“It looks like you’re trying to build a connection with the parish president?”
“You guys are having a good time.”
Morgan scoffed.
I understand. In the case of Mithraism, the population of a single diocese was often equivalent to that of a kingdom. Of course, not everyone who goes to church will give up their liver and gallbladder for the parish leader, but it can be said that he has an intangible influence equivalent to that of the leader of a nation.
As if the thought of incurring debt to such a person made him feel hot, Archduke Lindborg pretended to go berserk and began to grab the local militia and shake them. But it’s all in vain. Because we have the key to unlock Villena’s restraints.
I couldn’t let Mr. Lorenzo, who was so embarrassed, listen to all that nonsense. We exchanged glances and approached the Archduke.
However, before Nenya, who took the lead in bowing, could even open her mouth.
“I heard it all. You bastards! How dare you, this bunch of rotten whores-“
The verbal abuse poured out as if it belonged to a criminal with a criminal record rather than a leader of a nation. I wonder if someone is a descendant of a bandit warlord.
I, who was behind the group, quickly covered the sister’s ears. Then someone gently placed a hand on my ear.
When the swearing was over, I turned to the person who had covered my ears.
“What did the Duke say?”
“I’m jealous of you for not listening.”
As we flirted and giggled, the Archduke, whose face was bright red from anger, burst into laughter.
Meanwhile, Nenya responded in a tone that made him want to wash his long ears with water.
“So, are you saying that we should admit that the contract we made right before the attack on Magul was unreasonable, that the bill the duke had to pay was a fraud, and that we should release the Bishop of Waldenhardt here?”
“I’m glad there’s at least one bitch who doesn’t pretend to cover her ears. Lord’s seal? Are you threatening me with such nonsense? Is the noble title of King of Dragons the name of someone’s dog?”
“It may be presumptuous, but Your Majesty, admitting that the contract and note are invalid sounds like admitting that we engaged in armed activity without being hired. There is no guarantee that we will not be governed by local laws, is there?”
As I raised my hand and spoke, the regular army soldiers lined up behind the duke began to look at me in fear.
The Grand Duke, who was scratching his tattooed neck, suddenly pulled out a dagger and thrust it towards me, quite frighteningly.
Not only was it a long way away, but Nidrogar was frowning as if he had seen a toothpick, so I wasn’t scared at all.
“Somewhere, the porter bitch intervenes.”
My words sound more noble. Eshen chuckled and raised his hand after me.
“Then can the combatants intervene? Duke, it may seem absurd to us, but why do we have to let go of the humans who follow and attack us while we are attacking the Demon Cave?”
“Is there any evidence? I mean, is there any evidence of the injuries you suffered?”
Christensen smiled sinisterly.
“How can a high-ranking clerical leader in charge of a diocese threaten the lives of ordinary people like you? Who will believe him?”
“There is a witness. Ask my brother and others.”
“···Do you think I will take your side? Are you an asshole?”
Garam, who was groaning because of his uncomfortable posture, opened his eyes towards Eshen.
However, other Tigris joined in, sticking their heads out next to him.
“Captain, but wouldn’t it be too ugly to say that we even attacked and lost, but we never fought?”
“What I’m saying is, I also courted him and even kicked him, so I just want to ignore it as never happened, but still, as a warrior, my pride is at a low point. It was a good fight.”
“Honestly, I have nothing to say even if they killed me and disposed of it, but if they saved me, shouldn’t I be thankful?”
“···Are you all assholes, or am I the only one who is an asshole?”
Garam looked like he would have been in pain if he could. Tigris, who had been kicked by Lenny, shrugged her shoulders.
“The terms of the contract said, ‘Once you kill him and come back, keep quiet.’ Even though he failed, he wasn’t told to keep his mouth shut.”
“It’s natural to keep the client’s demands, you idiot!”
Garam eventually screamed. Kris Tansen began to flutter the corners of her eyes. She seems to be fed up with the behavior of Tigris, who seem to be thoughtless and complaining.
But people who act stupidly like that are not stupid at all. Of course, I’m not sure which had more to do with their admitting the charges: Eshen’s fearsome gaze or his personal conscience.
Maybe he took our side because of his intuition. Something like a beast-like survival instinct.
I glanced at the sky where the sunset was starting to set. Nidrogar held back his laughter and waved his hand at me.
“Not yet.”
“Hmm.”
Eshen, who nodded his head at Nidroga’s words, shot at Christ Stansen in a slow and harsh tone.
“Well, I wonder who will believe what these idiots say, but anyway, we felt our lives were in danger. There is no guarantee that we won’t be attacked if we release them right away. Even if Mitra himself comes down here, he won’t release us.”
The Duke started swearing again. Eschen, who plugged his ears in the duke’s direction with his fingers, suddenly giggled and glared at Christansen.
“And you’ll see me ‘later’. It’s a good catch.”
“···A bit later?”
As if he sensed something significant in Eshen’s grinning expression, the venom in Christensen’s eyes disappeared.
The duke, on the other hand, only grew louder.
“You sluts!”
“Stay fixed, Your Majesty. The eyes and ears of the people are open!”
The adjutant, whose complexion was becoming increasingly pale, tried hard to stop him. They look very similar and seem like relatives, but their outward appearance is much nicer.
“The archdiocese’s rescue may be politically significant, but please consider the other side as well. The six nearby comunes would have been swept away by a medium to large-sized demon mine that suddenly appeared, and if it had been left unattended longer, dozens of comunes would have been swept away. They are the ones responsible for such a situation- “
“Komune?”
“···It is an administrative unit. The Duke, who studied in the Empire, must be more familiar with the term community.”
“If you know, don’t talk about things in front of me that only hillbillies use.”
“···Your Majesty. These people will soon be called heroes to the people of this region. Moreover, considering the seriousness of the matter, they have resolved your crisis at a very honest price. In addition, the possibility of However, if you refuse to pay the price, the warrior party may become a type of armed force in some cases-“
The founder of the Lindborg family was an armed warlord. The duke’s eyes sharpened at the words that touched the family’s secrets.
The adjutant was horrified and changed his words.
“-So, there is no need to be hostile to a group with strong military power.”
“Are you trying to teach me politics, Adjutant? No one can threaten Lindborg in Linden. No one! The mere rumor that he was helped by male prostitutes or prostitutes is intolerable, but how dare you-“
I chuckled.
The meaningful context of ‘refusal to pay’ was leaked by an adjutant who, although more cautious than the archduke, was a bit clumsy with his words. Of course, the deputy tried his best to silence the sound at that point, but there are many people in our party who have much better ears than the average person.
Refusal of payment. I won’t pay. In order to save troops, they will hand over the solution to the local area, putting people in danger, and then, since they have resolved the problem, they will treat it like a party that caused a riot without signing a contract and kick them out.
It’s quite ironic when you think about the fact that the founder of that family became a warlord because his feelings were hurt by the client’s misdeeds.
Of course, you may feel bad. The ransom of our party members is quite high, and the bills were stamped without their knowledge.
But···.
“-In front of the eyes of this devout Barbo Lindborg, are you forcing the head of a parish to kneel? Among the powers of this world, is there anyone higher than Mithra, the god of light? Even if you don’t know the law, there is a degree!”
“I don’t know if he is higher than Mithras, but he is much closer and scarier than he is.”
Reflexively frowning at the word “That damn law,” I pointed to the sky.
Nenya blinked a few times, then sighed and shook her head.
“Your Excellency, I advise you for the first and last time. If I were you, I would kneel first.”
“Are you saying that a power so great that the duke has to kneel and wait is coming? Then why are you guys grinning peacefully?”
“···Why do so many self-destructive writers get into trouble these days?”
Mr. Lorenzo Salamanca, who did not know anything about the word self-destruction, just blinked. The adjutant began to shake his eyes as if he sensed something ominous.
And Waldenhardt, who was expressionless, began gazing into the distant sky after us, as if his clairvoyance aptitude had been activated.
I don’t know your Excellency well. No matter how you look at it, he doesn’t seem like a good person, but it’s unclear whether Barbo Lindborg committed a crime so serious that he had to be caught up in an incident like this.
But what can I do? It’s already happened.
“···What is that?”
The disaster we had summoned appeared, tearing the horizon. Lindborg’s regular army and militia, as well as Christensen, who seemed to have never even thought of such a thing, retreated to the other side of the figure.
However, even if you run away with all your might, you will not be able to escape. Because the shadow was approaching faster than any cavalry.
Each time the powerful eight-pronged wings are stirred, they produce a roaring sound like a catapult hitting a castle wall. The dark red horns that sprout from the nose to the starting point of the cervical vertebrae look as if they were glued together from lightning flashing in a cumulonimbus cloud.
That living disaster has a name. Ragnaroka.
He was the owner of the stamp on the bill.
