The Youngest Son of the Northern Grand Duke Wants to Break Off the Engagement

Side Story 9

Megarexor ultimately accepted the revised orders and joined the imperial forces. The Imperial Army would now handle the aftermath of this case, with the condition that eliminating the residents would only be left as a last resort. Since he had even attached documents stamped by the military high command, as the next Sword Saint, there was no way he could refuse any further.

'They still won't give up, even after going this far.'

Megarexor still harbored doubts about the massacre of residents. No matter how vicious a criminal someone might be, they couldn't be punished collectively simply for being from the same region. However, the upper echelons of the army maintained a consistent stance, excluding even such considerations.

'I'll try to stop it if I can... but if they keep hiding to the very end, there's nothing I can do.'

He had heard a rough explanation of the situation from the knight who delivered the order. The target was periodically changing hiding places, and it had even been determined that the residents were providing him with various supplies and money. In other words, even the residents were being treated as accomplices and would likely be eliminated all at once.

'If persuasion were possible, things wouldn't have gone this far.'

Megarexor could somewhat understand the predicament faced by the top military brass. Clearly, this was a group opposing the imperial household or the imperial forces, but swift capture was impossible due to some of the residents. Still, not all the residents were involved, which must have put them in a difficult position.

'Even if they threaten to kill everyone, wouldn't that only strengthen the residents' resistance?'

Megarexor knew all too well the solidarity among the locals. While working as a mercenary, he would naturally pass through remote villages or the countryside. These areas were practically isolated, so in reality, they were beyond the influence of the law and the military.

'They probably got the imperial household's permission. But since it's a sensitive issue, they couldn't issue an imperial decree.'

The imperial household essentially followed the Emperor's intentions, but sometimes the opinions of royalty or officials were also gathered. Hence, while acting as a substitute for an imperial command, sometimes measures were presented to satisfy the Emperor. Seeing the actions of the target, the Emperor was clearly irritated and the imperial household tried to take action first.

'Since I gave my reasons and refused, the imperial household must have changed their approach.'

Surely, the imperial household recognized that the reasons he gave were valid. Thus, they could not unilaterally force him or punish him for insubordination to orders. Of course, he also had to consider the dignity of the imperial household and the high military command, so he had to wrap things up with some compromise.

'Maybe the target's quite skilled. Otherwise, why would they come to me for help?'

If the target had a certain level of force, it would be difficult to handle with just an ordinary soldier. From that point onward, those who could wield mana had to be involved, and depending on the circumstances, mages or priests would be called upon. On top of that, if they wanted to handle it discreetly, they would have no choice but to request the help of someone powerful like himself.

'If that's the case, they should have brought the Sword Saint. They're just making this troublesome for no reason.'

He might have aged a bit, but in terms of swordsmanship or experience, he was still better. Yet, the current Sword Saint was using the excuse of having an heir to decline most missions, so Megarexor had no choice but to take care of the aftermath.

'I've killed many people, but... I've never harmed the innocent.'

Even though he had lived as a mercenary up until now, he'd tried to maintain at least minimal conscience. If he swung his sword like the other mercenaries, he would be treated as nothing more than a thug. That was why, as both a swordsman and a human, he had sought the right swordsmanship.

'Now that I've become the next Sword Saint, do they tell me to engage in meaningless slaughter?'

Of course, the title of the next Sword Saint was nothing more than empty honor for him. It didn't matter who became Sword Saint; their skill would prove them worthy. But if he carried the title of next Sword Saint, shouldn't he bear some responsibility for it?

'I've come this far already, so what could I do? I have to salvage this, one way or another... huh?'

Megarexor frowned unconsciously as he bumped into someone. Clearly, this person was lingering in the middle of the path to block him and his soldiers. But she didn't look like a local resident—rather, she gave off an air somewhat similar to that of nobles.

"Step aside. I have somewhere to be."

"If you continue like this, you'll regret it. You don't want to kill people, do you?"

"...?"

Megarexor was momentarily flustered and absentmindedly stared at her. He had never met this woman before, nor had he revealed his intentions to anyone. Yet, how had she seen right through his situation?

"How do you know what kind of person I am to say such things?"

"I know you're not with the imperial forces. You're the only one here in different armor."

"Ha! How ridiculous. I am Megarexor Yoldakerg, the next Sword Saint. State your identity."

"I am Uriel Astille, one of the great mage's disciples."

"......"

After verifying the great mage's insignia, Megarexor was instead overtaken by doubt. Why had a disciple of the great mage come all the way here? On top of that, she was interfering with his mission, which only made things more troublesome.

"What brings the great mage's disciple all the way out here?"

"... I'll try to persuade him. You only need to bring back one person, right?"

"You speak as if you know everything from the start. This has nothing to do with you."

"Will you say the same thing even after killing innocent people?"

"Don't say whatever you please. Just because you're the great mage's disciple, do you think I'll go easy on you?"

Megarexor immediately drew his sword and pointed it at Uriel. Whoever the opponent, if they got in his way, he would cut them down firmly. Especially those who flaunted a shallow status or pride—he would respond even more forcefully.

"You know you can't cut me. You just need to let me handle it for a moment, right?"

"I cut down anyone I see as an enemy, no matter what. Even if it's a woman or a child, I'll never abandon that creed."

"You just need to make sure the soldiers don't come. It'll only take a moment."

"Hey! Do you really want to die? This is your last warning. Move aside now."

"If you want to regret it, do as you wish. I won't stop you."

Uriel, firing back boldly, brought her neck right up to his sword. Megarexor was so dumbfounded that a hollow laugh almost escaped him.

"Are you out of your mind? What do you gain from going this far?"

"I don't gain anything. Still, I can save multiple lives, can't I?"

"... What a troublesome woman."

Megarexor glared at Uriel, then reluctantly sheathed his sword. She acted so boldly that his resolve wavered slightly. More than anything, since she had even exposed his inner thoughts, perhaps he had unconsciously accepted her words.

"I won't wait for long. If things don't work out, I'll move in right away, so do what you must."

"I'll finish quickly and come right back."

As soon as she heard the answer she wanted, Uriel immediately turned and walked away. Megarexor stared vacantly at her back for a while, then shook his head.

'She's got a pretty face, but why go to such lengths?'

Though rather displeased, Megarexor did not deploy the forces. After all, he had already promised, so he would have to stay put for a while. Of course, something could still happen, but then they would have to decide who was at fault.

'Still, as the great mage's disciple, she should be able to handle herself.'

* * *

Before long, Megarexor met Uriel again. Uriel brought the target back without restraining him. The soldiers, though puzzled, immediately arrested the target, and couldn't help but furtively glance at Uriel.

"Did you really persuade him just with words?"

"Yes. I was a bit lucky, though."

Uriel replied calmly, looking at the target. By reading the future, she managed to grasp a way to persuade him. Initially, it was impossible even to have a conversation, but at last, she managed to turn the target's heart.

"That's ridiculous. If that was possible, we wouldn't have come this far."

"Exactly. That's why you mobilized the forces, right?"

"I still can't understand it. This mission was supposed to be strictly confidential. How did you know about it?"

"I didn't find out separately. I just noticed some troubling signs."

Uriel gave a plausible answer, trying to gloss things over. At times like this, her identity as the great mage's disciple was quite useful. Magic, while it clearly existed, was also associated with ambiguity. That meant even just mixing truth and illusion could serve as proof of magic's principles.

"I still don't like it, but thanks to you, things have been handled smoothly. I'll let this matter slide quietly, then."

"I can just call you Megarexor, right? You still look unsatisfied."

"Weren't you the one who stood in my way first? And you were even asking me to kill you with my sword, so how could I see you in a good light?"

"If I hadn't stopped you, you would have had to kill innocents. Do you think that's right?"

"It's not the right thing to do. But my mission is more important."

"You followed my words because you knew it wasn't right."

"It's better than destroying the great mage's disciple. I don't want to get swept up in controversy."

Megarexor narrowed his eyes and stubbornly refuted her words. Just as Uriel guessed, he felt doubtful about this mission. But since a stranger saw right through him, he couldn't acknowledge it so easily. So for now, he had to make up any excuse to protect his pride.

"Hoo... Let me say just this before you go. Never expose your vital points to someone holding a sword. Even if it's by accident, you could be killed instantly!"

"Did you say that when you never even meant to cut me?"

"Hey! I'm not worried about my life—I mean your life! Who treats their own life so lightly? Oh, right. Going to meet a criminal alone? What if something had happened to you?!"

"Well, I am a mage so I could at least protect myse—"

"This woman! Normally, I would never have let you go alone! This only happened because you kept insisting!"

"But it worked out we—"

"Do you think everything is just fine as long as you get results? How am I supposed to report this? I'll have to come up with some lame excuse about the great mage's disciple getting involved!"

"......"

Uriel started to retort but soon closed her mouth. From Megarexor's point of view, this was indeed a complicated situation. On top of that, he had suddenly thrown the mission onto a mage who appeared out of nowhere, so the military high command could demand an explanation at any time.

'But if I hadn't done this... he would have been framed.'

Seeing into Megarexor's future, Uriel had only taken appropriate action. Normally, he should have risen to become the Sword Saint, but this incident would have driven him into a crisis. Thanks to her intervention, Megarexor could keep his pride and honor intact.

'That means, this person could be my companion, too...'