Chapter 239 : Chapter 239
Chapter 239 : Uninvited Guest (2)
I took the trio and immediately sought out Noser's location first.
Secretly transported, he was resting in the depths of the mansion, under tight security out of reach of outsiders. It was thanks to Adeline and the Lord of Pretoria taking thorough measures just as I had requested in advance.
'There's no particular improvement.'
Standing by the bed, I examined Noser's complexion. It wasn't a disappointing result. Considering the condition of his illness that couldn't help but worsen over time, maintaining this state alone was close to a miracle.
"You worked hard."
I said to the trio. Their devotion in the meantime had managed to hold onto Noser's thin lifeline.
Perhaps my brief praise released their tension, the trio's shoulders imperceptibly heaved.
"Now, I plan to move Sir Noser to the Springeus family and leave him to the doctors there."
The two families, Springeus and Windermere, had a long history of chasing the identity of the family illness passed down for generations. Even if they failed to perfectly diagnose Severed Meridians Syndrome, the fundamental cause, the clinical experience and medical level accumulated during that long tracking and research process were unrivaled to the point of being peerless.
'If it wasn't the specialized realm of Severed Meridians Syndrome, leaving it to them to care for Noser, who is wandering the borders of life and death from external injuries, is much more certain and safe.'
Furthermore, even if it is now in name only, Springeus is a family that symbolizes the Sharon Faction. From their position, they would certainly serve the Left Camp Leader of the Imperial Capital Knight Order with utmost devotion.
"I am worried they might try to scheme something taking advantage of the fact that the Springeus family has secured Sir Noser's custody. For political purposes."
It was Ellen. Goosebumps instantly rose all over my body.
I had long expected that they would figure out our true identities. But I never dreamed they would develop the discernment to read even the complex political landscape of the Kingdom in that short time.
They had grown clever enough not to merely stop at reading the books I left behind, but to substitute that knowledge into the political dynamics of reality.
"..........There is no need to worry. I have a hold on Springeus's weakness. They won't even dare to try playing any tricks."
I spoke calmly without showing my inner thoughts.
As soon as my words ended, Tiaro curled the corners of his mouth askew and smiled wickedly.
"As expected of the Cult Leader. You truly are flawless."
Ellen nodded and chimed in at Tiaro's joke-mixed praise.
"Still, just in case, we will guard Sir Noser's side. Brakenport has its own system now, so it is running well even without us. Alkabang is there, and more importantly.........."
Ellen alternately looked at Tiaro and McRay on either side of him and cleared his throat.
"All three of us have devoted ourselves to studies by thoroughly reading the books you left behind, Cult Leader. In that process, we each found areas we became engrossed in and delved into. Centering on the Benkou Illusion Swordsmanship and the Sail Sword Art, I established the theoretical system of swordsmanship, Tiaro studied the ancient religious scriptures of the Empire, and McRay studied The Way of Medicine and the Sorcery Manual."
At this point, my eyes and mouth fell open without resistance.
In the end, what changed the lawless zone of Brakenport wasn't swords and martial force, but letters and wisdom.
"Experiences in the outside world will become a great foundation in completing our achievements. Please, give us your permission."
The three guys bowed their heads with discipline.
Just as I was about to gladly accept their polite request, I suddenly felt a sense of incongruity. I almost got swept up in the elated atmosphere and passed over it thoughtlessly.
Among the spoils the pirates of Brakenport had looted from attacking Imperial merchant ships in the past, there were not only gold, silver, treasures, and armaments, but also quite a few rare ancient books. I also knew the fact that Alkabang was secretly managing them.
So, apart from the books I left behind, it was fully understandable that Tiaro had come into contact with the Empire's ancient scriptures.
However—
'Sorcery Manual? Was there such a book?'
No matter how much I searched my memory, there was no such disturbing title in Alkabang's library.
'..........Kuhn.'
Only then did the scene of Kuhn scribbling something diligently pop into my memory.
Whenever I tried to see what she was doing, she kept hiding it, so I just thought she was writing a diary. She was embarrassed to show others and passed it off as nothing important.
"Hmm."
"What is the matter, Cult Leader?"
I thought it wouldn't be bad for at least one person to know the true nature of sorcery, but seeing McRay's wicked face, an unknown sense of unease crept up.
Anyway, to think he mastered that abstruse The Way of Medicine..........
They just hadn't gotten the opportunity to learn, their talent was by no means lacking or insufficient.
There were probably overflowing amounts of people like these guys in the world. Pitiful stars silently fading away without ever being able to bloom their brilliant talent because they couldn't encounter a single line of sentence, a single book..........
"Sir Bihen!"
It was then.
Suddenly, an urgent voice was heard from outside the door. As if there was no time to ask for understanding, the door was roughly flung open right away.
It was Adeline.
Showing how hurriedly she had run over, she panted heavily with a deathly pale face for a long time. Her usual characteristic composure was nowhere to be found.
"What is the matter, Your Grace?"
"O-Outside, outside the mansion—"
Adeline's large eyes shook violently.
"..........Zisair has arrived."
***
—Ah, there is one thing I remember.
—What is it?
—H-He's ugly..........
—Pardon?
—That he's a serious eyesore..........
—Well now, that is a feature I never expected.
—..........I am embarrassed.
The conversation I had with her before leaving Conwell came to mind.
Adeline, who had spoken such venomous words, was currently stiffened with a deeply nervous look beside me.
In this tense standoff situation where it felt as if everything around us had frozen..........
I couldn't hide the chuckle spreading across my lips. In the end, a short laugh leaked out with a pfft.
"..........What is that laugh, Bihen Benkou?"
A middle-aged knight standing beside Zisair jabbered as if he were displeased. The thin mustache growing shamelessly above his philtrum was impressive.
The forces he brought along behind him were only about a dozen people. Seeing how every single one of them was armed with full-body plate armor completely closed off up to the facial area, it seemed all of them were of knight rank.
Aside from them, there were a few more people, and among those unfamiliar faces, a familiar and welcome face caught my eye.
'The Imperial Capital Knight Order Commander Ludsilla, and Chief Attendant Ternien.'
I lowered my head and scratched my brow.
'He brought all the key figures of the Imperial Capital with him.'
..........What kind of trick is this?
For now, I didn't avoid the middle-aged knight's question and responded.
"Is there any special reason? I am laughing because laughter comes out."
"Hah! Bihen Benkou, that attitude—"
"..........Wait."
The one who stopped him was Zisair. His arm, smoothly extended toward the knight standing below while seated on his saddle, was bizarrely long enough for his fingertips to touch the knight's abdomen.
"Then wouldn't it be better to laugh together?"
Zisair said. He was being quite brazen.
By the way, the moment I saw that face, I almost burst out laughing without fail again. I quickly lowered my head again and somehow covered my mouth with my hand. My shoulders trembled as I suppressed the laughter trying to burst out.
'What is with that guy?'
It wasn't just because of his ugly appearance that laughter came out.
I found it ridiculous because he could mold the appearance of his flesh however he wanted, yet he obstinately clung to such a bizarre shape while pretending to be human, and the very sight of him struggling to act human in front of an opponent who clearly knew his true identity was comical.
'There's no way he doesn't know.'
We know each other well. I was absolutely sure of it. Our internal intimacy was deep enough that if we peeled away the humans we had wrapped around ourselves, we would immediately reveal our true colors.
'In that case, shall I play along for a bit?'
First of all, I was extremely curious. With what kind of nerve did he show himself so confidently in front of me like this, when it wouldn't be enough even if he took the King hostage and holed himself up deep inside the royal palace?
"Why are the high and mighty personages of the Imperial Capital out here? You could have just comfortably come inside and looked for me, instead of making it embarrassing by keeping precious guests standing outside the door."
Zisair replied in a soft tone to my sly question.
"Shouldn't we observe proper etiquette? It is a neutral zone in name, so we, representing the Imperial Capital, must set an example first."
His tone was extremely plain. There was no malice, let alone a shred of sarcasm; it was just the way of speaking of a straitlaced Kingdom noble who valued etiquette.
"Please come in. However, you must adhere to the rule limiting the number of entrants to a total of five people, including the representative. There are no exceptions for anyone in the Neutral Zone."
"Of course. But before that, they say our side has some business with you, Bihen Benkou. Would you be alright for a moment?"
Was he finally going to show something now? I gave a light nod.
STEP.
At that moment, a man next to Zisair took his foot off the stirrup and lightly stepped down. He leisurely walked out to the front of our side in the standoff.
"I am Gunt, Commander of the Imperial Magic Corps."
"..........I am Bihen Benkou of the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult."
His thick, long blonde hair was dazzling. His appearance was also beautiful enough to be believed even if called a woman. If it weren't for the official uniform he was dressed in, I might have believed so.
"I heard a member of our corps owes you a great debt."
A member of the Imperial Magic Corps owes me?
I rolled my eyes up and pondered my memory.
'..........Raven?'
Right, there was him. That guy coaxed Isaac and led this war from behind.
Their plan was that once Windermere annihilated Springeus, they would drag in the Imperial Capital Knight Order and the Imperial Magic Corps to end the war, as if they had been waiting.
'To impose a gruesome extermination on the defeated Springeus, and a dishonorable extermination on the victor Windermere under the charge of treason.'
That was the essence of the plan jointly created by Isaac and Raven to bring down the families while keeping only their bloodlines alive.
Similarly, the Sword Demon, who was one of the masterminds—that is, Deganelo—also held the title of Right Camp Leader of the Imperial Capital Knight Order, so controlling the timing of intervention would have been a piece of cake.
'Is this person also related to Raven's plan?'
As I carefully chose the words to reply..........
"Raven was an outstanding talent cherished by our Magic Corps, and a scholar with deep learning. Not only that. He was a young man who served as a paragon to everyone due to his excellent character. In short, a promising—"
At the last part, I couldn't hold it in and eventually burst out.
"Hahahahaha!"
".........."
"Ahahahahahaha—!"
Only my laughter echoed in the silence. Even though I thought I was an absolute madman, I simply couldn't stop.
Did that man named Gunt know Raven's true identity was the Lust Demon and was making such a fuss?
If he was doing that even though he knew, that was maddening in its own way. No matter how much he was threatened, praising an evil demon intoxicated by lust and murder as a person of excellent character was something too much to handle with a sane mind, no matter how I thought about it.
"..........You are as audacious as I've heard, Imperial."
To stop the laughter that kept bursting out, I hurriedly recalled my dark past and the miserable end of my previous life.
After forcefully dragging out those memories, I barely succeeded in sealing my lips, but even that was a close call. It was truly maddening.
Then Adeline next to me let out a dry cough and shot me a glance.
Under that unspoken, fierce glare, my jaw was sealed shut at once.
"I committed a discourtesy. It was clearly my mistake."
"..........No, do not apologize."
Gunt extended his right hand. A few strands of fiery red flames bloomed over his palm, and soon they fiercely tangled together.
The core of the flame was compressed into a smooth spherical shape in an instant. The heat was so hot it twisted the surrounding air.
"I have heard plenty of the bizarre rumor that you cut magic. Originally, I only intended to verbally ask about its authenticity and the story regarding Raven, but thanks to you, I have made up my mind."
He glared at me with eyes bearing flames.
"I must verify it myself right here. If the rumor is true, this fireball will vanish on your blade, and I will not question the matter entangled with Raven right now. However, if that rumor is nothing but a bluff, this flame will swallow you whole."
As if responding to his words, the flame violently roiled.
"It means that as the Commander of the Imperial Magic Corps, I will strictly execute the price for putting Raven in a critical condition."
"..........Must you really do this?"
"Imperial. Do not make me into a shameless person. If you do not draw your sword, won't I have no choice but to exercise my power against everyone here for the honor of my colleague? Please, do not force such vulgar means upon me."
It meant he would take everyone hostage if I didn't comply. It sounded like a threat that he could blow away this tiny little territory with a single flick of his hand.
"Commander Gunt! Must you really go this far?!"
The one who shouted was the Imperial Capital Knight Order Commander, Ludsilla. She cried out, heedless of the gazes pouring from both sides of her.
"Have you forgotten how powerful even a small flame sparked by you, the highest-ranking mage in the Kingdom, is?! If even a fragment spatters wrong, not only the lives of innocent people, but even their homes could vanish without a trace! Are you truly planning to turn this entire place into ashes?!"
"Sir Ludsilla, just how insignificantly do you view me? Do I look so inexperienced that I cannot even control a single fragment of it?"
Gunt curled his eyes in displeasure and continued speaking.
"Regulating it so the fire demon doesn't spread to the surroundings is nothing to me. However, Bihen Benkou, it seems it will be a bit overwhelming to control the firepower directed at that man."
Gunt lightly waved his hand. The fireball slowly drifted toward my side, floating as if its overwhelming mass were a lie.
"..........Because until the moment it turns that man into ashes, this flame will burn without an inch of mercy."
Immediately, the sound of weapons being drawn was heard next to me. It was the Brakenport trio.
"Cult Leader! We will block it!"
"No, step back."
DASH—!
I kicked off the ground while drawing the Heavenly Demon.
The distance from where I stood to where the Imperial Capital figures headed by Zisair were facing off was roughly thirty paces. Gunt, who was a little further ahead, was at a distance I could reach in the blink of an eye without even needing to use movement techniques.
My figure, compressing that distance with a single leap, arrived right in front of Gunt's nose in a nearly instantaneous moment.
"Since I committed a discourtesy first, I'll save you the trouble of controlling it."
CLANG—!
The black sword light sliced through the air into multiple branches at once.
The viciously swirling, fiery red fireball shattered into pieces and scattered in an instant.
FWOOSH—
The embers scattered like sleet above my head.
I walked past the astonished Gunt and the other Imperial Capital people, fixing my gaze on only one person.
Zisair.
".........."
He was bizarrely quiet in the middle of this commotion. It was a composure that a pure human could never show.
The corner of his mouth that curled up for a split second proved everything.
That this situation was exceedingly satisfying and thrilling.
"W-Waaaah..........!"
Just then, a voice of admiration burst out from behind Gunt's back. It was so out of the blue that even I was startled.
"Truly amazing! To think the rumor was true!"
A man mixed among the knights threw off his helmet as if it were stuffy and walked forward. His expression and steps were even bright, like a child who had come to enjoy a festival.
"Did you see, Gunt! Your fireball was smashed to pieces with a single strike! Wahahaha! To think the Kingdom's finest mage would lose face like this! My, what a truly rare spectacle!"
The man even clapped his hands and giggled. It seemed he had no regard whatsoever for Gunt's complexion turning ashen.
'..........What is with this guy now?'
At that moment, Chief Attendant Ternien urgently shouted out with a deathly pale face.
"Y-Your Majesty!"
Starting from that shout, I heard a rustling sound pouring out from behind my back.
"We greet the great King of Aleos!"
It was an instant.
The people filling the front yard of the Pretoria mansion all took a knee and bowed their heads together as if they had made a promise.
The only ones standing were me and the Brakenport trio.
"Hahaha, my, my, I couldn't hold back and ended up appearing."
The man approached me. As he got closer, his appearance was revealed starkly.
A squashed nose, slightly unfocused eyes, and an abnormally twisted jaw. Moreover, he was a cripple whose body leaned to one side with every step he took.
"N-Nice to meet you, Bihen Benkou. Unlike the rumors, you're quite handsome."
This person was the supreme ruler of this country, Philinus II.