Chapter 145 : Expedition Group(2)
Expedition Group(2)
The expedition heading north to capture the Sin of Greed Cult Leader.
The members gathered more easily than expected.
The first to join were Scarlet and Judy of the Noxcar blood kin.
"Hi~ Ian! We met again so soon!"
"We came because we absolutely had to tell you something."
Having read the memory of Archbishop Bertolf, they claimed to have found out some serious information, and so came to find Ian late at night at Sunshine Castle.
What they shared was about the Sin of Greed Cult Leader.
The Sin of Greed Cult Leader was targeting the Heavenly Sword Lord.
"You don't look that surprised?"
"Well...."
That was because he already knew.
Scarlet put her hands on her hips and said,
"The Heavenly Sword Lord is someone who cherishes you. If you just leave things be, even the Family Head will be in danger. The Sin of Greed Cult Leader... has all sorts of artifacts. It wouldn't be strange if he even has some weapon that seals demigods. No, there's a high probability he has one. That must be why he's going through with this plan."
"......"
This, too, was something Ian already knew.
Ian finally spoke.
"We have to stop him. But I have no way to do it alone."
At those words, Judy and Scarlet smiled.
"That's why we're here, right?"
"Let's go together~ Ian Greysel."
They, too, had a grudge to settle with the Sin of Greed Cult Leader and agreed to join the expedition.
Morgan and Marcus couldn't join since they were busy saving other blood kin, but still, Ian could count on the help of Judy and Scarlet.
Next to join was the Sword Fiend, Silence Doomraven.
Ian straightforwardly invited her to go north together, and she easily agreed.
"There's no need to be so formal and ask politely."
The Sword Fiend's low, deep voice rang out from behind her mask.
"I'm now a knight appointed by Yuria, and in rank, I'm your subordinate. So you should just give me orders. I will simply follow."
"......"
This attitude from the Sword Fiend was utterly unexpected for Ian.
From what Ian knew, the Sword Fiend was a mercenary to the bone who never helped without reward and who was obsessed with collecting demon swords, forever wandering and never settling anywhere....
What kind of emotional shift had she gone through to change so dramatically?
Ian's eyes naturally narrowed.
"You don't need any compensation?"
"Hmph. Knights don't demand rewards for every mission."
"... That's suspicious."
"H-hm?"
"I'm not an expert on you, Silence, but at the very least, you're not the type to show favor without compensation."
"... H-hmm!"
"So you do want something, don't you?"
Ian had never heard the reason why the Sword Fiend joined Yuria's knight order.
He'd been so happy when she'd agreed to join that he accepted right away, but now it was about time to hear her reasons.
"I think it's time you told me. What exactly is it that you want?"
He had to know to judge whether he could give it to her or not.
He might at least need some time to prepare in advance.
"......"
The Sword Fiend hesitated for a moment before quietly replying,
"... It's not that I don't want anything."
"Thought so. There is something, isn't there? Please, just tell me."
"Not now."
"Pardon?"
Just what in the world could it be that she couldn't say now?
"Just... until the time is right... just make sure you stay in good health. That will be enough."
"Hmm... health?"
Ian was a bit unsettled.
"Do you want my organs or my body or something?"
"T-that's not it!"
The Sword Fiend hurriedly waved her hands.
"I have absolutely no intention of harming your body."
"Hm... if it's not my body... then is it perhaps my soul you want? Or my magic power?"
"N-not that either! Do you take me for some kind of demonic human?!"
"Hmmm..."
Ian's eyes narrowed further.
Though her mask hid her face, it felt like the Sword Fiend was avoiding his gaze.
"I honestly have no idea. I can't even guess what you want."
Ian ruffled his own hair in frustration.
Tightening the straps on her mask, the Sword Fiend replied,
"S-someday you'll find out. But I promise. I'll do my utmost to make sure you're not harmed..."
"So there may be harm?"
"... That... depends on the situation, I can't say for sure until the time comes."
Of course, there would never be any magical or physical harm.
But depending on the circumstances, there might be some 'social harm'.
After all, to properly receive the seed of Hammah from Ian... she had to do it at least once.
If Ian had a lover at that time, well... she'd have to be careful not to get caught up in a scandal.
"I have no idea what you want even more now."
"...."
"Well... fine, then."
Ian couldn't guess the Sword Fiend's motives at all, but decided to let it go for now.
"Still, I can tell you're not after something I can't give."
Though Ian didn't know what the Sword Fiend wanted as compensation, her intentions didn't seem malicious, and since Ian had the Authority of Projection, he could grant almost any request anyway.
"When the time comes, tell me. I'll do my best."
"M-my best!? H-hmph! Hrm!"
― Squeeeze! Squeeeze!
The Sword Fiend, strangely, kept tightening her mask's straps today.
As if she absolutely could not let her mask slip right now.
"Then perhaps, as preparation, let's take a step forward now...."
"A step forward?"
"H-hm..."
With a slight cough, the Sword Fiend continued,
"How about, from now on, you speak informally with me? Ian Greysel."
"Pardon?"
"Well... it's awkward for a commanding officer to keep using honorifics with a subordinate. And since your knight order will soon grow, it could undermine your prestige."
"Hmm... that's true."
"But—but, I just mean you can be informal. I have no intention of switching to honorifics with you! Let's both talk casually. Like... big sister and junior!"
"...?"
Ian tilted his head.
"Like big sister and junior?"
"Gasp! N-no! Like big brother and big sister!"
"... Big brother and big sister?"
"H-hah! N-no! Like big brother and junior!"
"...?"
Ian blinked in confusion.
The Sword Fiend was clearly avoiding his gaze.
"Well, fine then. I look forward to working with you, Silence big sis."
"Th-that was a slip of the tongue!"
"Haha, just kidding."
And so, the Sword Fiend also joined this expedition.
The third member to join was Aris.
As soon as dawn broke, Ian met Aris at the Heavenly Sword Palace and suggested going north.
"You contacted me again so soon, young master, I wondered what it could be... You always find a way to surprise me. But I never expected you to bring something this big..."
To go subdue the Sin of Greed Cult Leader.
Ian leaned in toward the table and said,
"It is a big deal, but we'll never have another chance like this. It's the perfect time to take down the Sin of Greed Cult Leader. We have enough information, and already three companions at the Grandmaster rank. If you join, lady Aris, that'll be four—and with Sir Roxy, five. Including my own strength, that's more than enough to take on a whole nation. The Sin of Greed Cult Leader is nothing compared to that."
"That's... true."
Aris tapped her plump lips with a finger.
"You've already gathered three others before me. I must admit, I'm a little hurt the young master didn't ask me first. I thought I was your closest partner."
"......"
Ian tried to soothe Aris's feelings.
"It's just such a big task. If I'd asked you before putting things together, wouldn't you have been disappointed in me?"
Aris smiled, turning up the corners of her lips.
"If it were anyone else, yes. But you are the exception, young master. You may rely on me as much as you please."
That was as far as her gentle jest went.
"But..."
Aris asked, her tone shifting slightly,
"These three you invited before me—who are they? I'm curious about what kind of people they are."
"I was just about to introduce them, actually. And there's something I should tell you up front."
"... Something to tell me up front?"
"Yes. Two of my companions are vampires."
"... Hooh."
Aris's eyes narrowed.
"You already said they're Grandmaster rank, so they must be ancient vampires, yes?"
Ian nodded.
"Well, well... Ties with ancient vampires, the Greysel heir really does form strange connections. How did you meet them?"
"... We met by chance while hunting demonic humans."
"By chance while hunting demonic humans? I'd like to hear a bit more detail."
"What exactly do you want to know?"
"How close you are with them, and whether I can trust them."
"You have my word—they're trustworthy."
"Humans, trusting vampires... you must think pretty highly of them."
"Yes. They're different from the other vampires who indiscriminately slaughter humans. They're moderate and rational."
"... Oh really."
Aris licked her lower lip and said,
"If you say so, I'll believe it too."
"... That's easier acceptance than I expected."
He'd thought she might dig deeper.
"Hmph... I trust you, young master."
"...."
Lie.
For Aris, truth and trust were separate matters.
No matter who told her something, she couldn't rest until she'd checked for herself.
"If you're thinking of doing a background check, please don't. They're very sensitive about their privacy."
Aris chuckled.
"Busted. Since you noticed, I won't do it."
"...."
"Well... I'll be seeing them soon enough anyway, so I can judge for myself then. I'll trust your word for now. This is... really rare for me."
"... Thank you for your consideration."
"Oh, it's nothing. So... who's the third companion? If two are vampires, the last must be interesting as well."
"You already know that person."
"Oh? Do I?"
"Yes. The Sword Fiend, Silence Doomraven. Until recently a guest at Hisperion, and a swordsman who joined my knight order a few months ago."
"Aah~."
Aris nodded.
"I'd heard. The Sword Fiend became a direct subordinate... joined your knight order. I was shocked, because the Sword Fiend wandered for over a hundred years, never joining or settling anywhere. And then, suddenly, she joins—not just anywhere, but your knight order. I even tried to recruit her myself. She turned me down flat. She was quite stubborn. How did you convince her? Did you have any special connection?"
"... I'm not sure myself, actually."
"You don't know? That's a surprise. I expected you to dodge or call it a secret again."
Aris narrowed her eyes and smirked.
"So maybe the Sword Fiend has some shady scheme to get close to you?"
Ian smiled faintly.
"Maybe so."
"Oh my, I was joking—are you serious?"
"Yes. Who knows what she's thinking. But she didn't seem to have any ill intent. You can trust her too."
"I never doubted the Sword Fiend's skills or partnership. I hired her for jobs several times myself. But I'm even more curious now: why is she by your side?"
Aris's gaze sharpened.
"Come to think of it, both the vampires and the Sword Fiend are all centuries-old beings. It seems you have a knack for getting close to such ancient creatures. Even my father's unusually fond of you..."
"......"
"Are you secretly hundreds of years old yourself, young master? Maybe even thousands. Building up relationships over those long years. Now you hide your real identity, posing as the Greysel heir. Like a dragon sporting for fun."
"...."
Ian broke out in a cold sweat at Aris's imagination.
"I never expected you to have such a vivid imagination, lady Aris."
"Is that so? But you do look awfully tense. Did I strike a nerve?"
"......"
Ian was a little tense simply because Aris was staring at him without blinking.
Anyone would get nervous under her gaze.
Even the Heavenly Sword Lord wouldn't be exempt.
She probably didn't realize how frightening her stare could be.
Before Aris's gaze could bore a hole in his skin, Ian hurriedly changed the subject.
"... Enough chit-chat, I'd like your decision. Will you come with us?"
Fortunately, Aris withdrew her sharp look without protest.
She placed her hands in her lap and smiled softly.
"Of course I'll go. It's a good proposal, even business-wise. Both the force and information are sufficient. But it's not just the favorable conditions. If it's you, I'd follow you to hell itself."
"... Thank you, even if it's just words."
"Fufu. I meant it."
After confirming Aris's answer and saying goodbye, Ian left the auxiliary palace, sweating with relief.
Now, the final recruit was the Heavenly Sword knight order commander: Preben Hisperion.
He would be the greatest strength in this operation.