Chapter 51 : Chapter 51
Chapter 51: Fake Mission
“How is the 6th Sword Order?”
“Fundamentally, it’s on a different level from the 3rd Sword Order. I was the only official knight there.”
Everyone in the 6th Sword Order was a war participant and a high-ranking knight.
They were tough knights for Deban, who had just become an official knight, to look up to.
But Deban quite liked the 6th Sword Order.
Being surrounded by the strong meant there were many opportunities to become stronger.
“Did you lose to all of them?”
“It’s still a bit tough. Because the young master didn’t keep his promise.”
“I’ll help you after this mission is over.”
“I hope that day comes soon.”
“What’s the rush? You’re so young.”
“I don’t think that’s something I should be hearing from you, young master.”
“What are you going to do once you get strong so quickly?”
“Everyone has someone they want to kill.”
“That’s true.”
“Do you have someone like that too, young master?”
“Fucking many.”
“Me too.”
Leaving the main castle without being seen off by Meram was quite awkward. But Simurtr didn’t bother to visit her laboratory.
‘She would get angry.’
Meram had said she was staking her life on her research purely out of worry for him. And in the midst of that, he was leaving the main castle? He might have to dodge her magic for the first time in years.
***
“Welcome to the Kainan territory.”
Using the Magic Gate, Simurtr and Deban arrived at the County of Kainan.
The territory of the Margrave that protects the west of the Empire. The target was said to be in the northwest, outside the Empire.
‘This must have been the best they could do.’
A mission area that wouldn’t bring Bahab, located in the north, to mind. Aran had set the mission area as far as possible from Huit and Jabad, which had become restricted zones.
‘Because there’s the Magic Gate.’
The usage log of the Magic Gate was under the jurisdiction of the Information Bureau. With Aran, who had a connection with the Director of the Information Bureau, there was no need to worry about their tracks being discovered.
‘All of this is being recorded in the Information Bureau.’
Simurtr thought as he filled out the log according to the guard’s guidance. The Information Bureau probably didn’t just have the Magic Gate log.
They would have already compiled information on the young Mecteras. And not just them, but other imperial nobles as well.
‘The pretext is to prepare for emergencies, but it’s really surveillance.’
This was an era where the direct bloodline was a treasure. The aftermath of the war had greatly reduced the number of bloodlines, which was a big factor.
To preserve the blood of the remaining nobles, under the pretext of preparing for any eventuality, the Information Bureau was said to possess the family trees of all sorts of noble houses.
‘The Information Bureau has gotten a lot stronger.’
In the old days, they were just pigeons.
Perhaps the Emperor’s authority had grown. The Information Bureau was directly under the Emperor, and the Emperor would have his own grievances regarding the Hero Families.
‘For now, I just need to be careful myself. Aran will take care of such trivial problems.’
He didn’t know the exact nature of the relationship between Aran and the Director of the Information Bureau, but judging from Aran’s words and actions, it didn’t seem to be a problem worth worrying about.
As long as they didn’t do anything foolish, there was no fear of being caught. Simurtr caressed his own heart. He once again thought it was a good thing he had learned Phantasmal Ability.
“Are there no Magic Gates outside the Empire?”
The aftermath of the war swept across the entire continent, but there were, of course, nations that resisted annihilation. There were also quite a few nations that survived by changing their names.
“There are some, but not everywhere.”
“They’re only in places they like?”
“Places the Empire likes.”
“The Empire… I heard even the Imperial Family can’t easily touch the Hero Families.”
Magic Gate.
That warp device that used the rifts of the Doom Species was developed by Basor's Magic Tower. As such, the installation locations would also be up to Basor’s discretion.
“You’ll get arrested for saying that.”
“I won’t get arrested.”
“I will.”
Deban glanced around and let out a sigh.
“It’s a monopoly, but I heard it might not have been.”
“What are you talking about?”
“Actually, I heard the Magic Tower once made a proposal to the Sage's Castle. That they would share the formula for the Magic Gate.”
“And?”
“They refused. Because they didn’t like the condition the Magic Tower put forth.”
“What condition?”
“I heard they rejected some research proposal. I don’t know the details either. Only the parties involved would know.”
“Well. They must have rejected it because it was a shitty proposal.”
It couldn't have been a normal proposal. From way back, the Magic Tower and the Sage's Castle were on terms where they could be considered enemies.
Just by looking at it, the fault was with the Magic Tower. Because the Magic Tower was a place where that conscienceless bastard from Basor was the master.
“You’ll be in big trouble if you badmouth the Magic Tower outside.”
“No one will know if only you die.”
“Wouldn’t they also not know if you just kept quiet?”
***
“Should I have rented a carriage?”
Clip-clop. The leisurely sound of hooves.
Denin Korg sighed as he listened to that tedious noise.
“No. It costs gold coins, not silver.”
His thoughts were the same then and now.
But contrary to his will, his weary body craved a carriage.
Denin Korg leaned his upper body on the horse’s neck. He glanced ahead and saw that the forest, which had been distant, was now quite close.
“Once I cross that, I’m finally halfway there.”
Lampina Forest. If he could just pass through it, the distance to Kainan in the Empire would shorten to a four-day journey.
“If only that bastard hadn’t disappeared, I wouldn’t have had to go through this trouble.”
Denin Korg’s expression crumpled as he recalled the cause of this journey.
Memen Artang. If that contemptible merchant head hadn't disappeared, he wouldn't have had to go all the way to that distant Lampina.
“Vanished, you say. Nonsense. He sure ran away well.”
Memen Artang had disappeared, leaving his merchant group behind.
Some speculated death, but to Denin Korg’s ears, it was a preposterous story.
“He’s probably planning to enjoy a quiet retirement. That damn bastard.”
To his regular customer, Denin Korg, Memen Artang was not an easy merchant to deal with.
Didn’t he cut two gold coins from the price of the last deal, using a mere scratch on his knee as a pretext?
There was no way such a petty and cheap bastard hadn’t prepared for his safety and retirement. He was probably living somewhere on the frontier, throwing money around.
“I’m not far off either.”
Clink, clink. Every time the horse took a step, a pleasant sound echoed from within his clothes.
Denin Korg grinned. The forest he had entered was filled with wind rustling through bare branches, but the sound of gold coins remained steadily clear.
“This is enough.”
Prices in Lampina were higher than in the Empire. To be precise, higher than the Artang Merchant Group, not the Empire.
Five children. For just five, he earned 15 gold coins. If it had been that wicked Memen Artang, he would have found fault somehow and not even given 10 gold coins.
“With this much, I should be able to get into Baramant.”
Baramant.
A free organization that pursues the remaining Doom Species. The dream of free knights.
If it was in the name of a donation, joining that place wouldn’t be a dream.
“120, they said.”
A sort of community exists among free knights. 120 gold coins. If offered as a donation, one could become a rank-and-file member of Baramant.
“Or The Unsetting Sun is also fine.”
A group based in the territory of the Sword Tower.
“It’s a bit sketchy, but if Baramant doesn’t work out, there’s no place better than that.”
The Unsetting Sun was said to revere Exa Baperr.
Although it was a very secretive place, had a separate entrance exam, and favored knights who had experienced the Doom War.
“They’ll probably have preferential treatment for donations too.”
It might even be easier. There’s a possibility of starting not as a rank-and-file but as a mid-level member.
Weren’t they unable to secure their own territory and mooching off the Sword Tower? They were probably suffering from financial difficulties.
“I should rest a bit.”
The vibrations transmitted through the saddle grew stronger. The horse had reached its limit.
“There was a rest stop.”
Lampina Forest was safe. It was a place many travelers passed through as it lay in a straight line from Lampina to the western gate of the Empire.
It was cleaned periodically, and there was a resting place in the center of the forest. He had used the cabin there when heading from the Empire to Lampina as well.
He had a pretty hard time back then.
Three of the five had jumped over the window and fled into the forest.
When he caught them, the other two were hiding, prostrate under the cabin floor.
“Since the brats are gone, I should rest comfortably.”
Not far away, he saw the stumps of felled trees. They had been cut down by travelers.
The same sight as last time. Having confirmed the entrance to the spot, Denin Korg smiled and kicked the horse’s side hard.
“Just a little further.”
The horse sped up as if it understood. It was a smart horse. If he negotiated well when reselling it in the Empire, he should be able to get a considerable amount of money.
“Looks like there’s someone here already.”
Hee-heeh. He was almost at the entrance to the clearing when he heard a horse's neigh. It wasn't his horse. To the left of the entrance, two horses were tied to a tree.
“It’s been a while since I’ve seen people.”
Traveling alone is lonely and desolate. His loneliness had become so deep that he had started talking to himself more.
On the way here, he had been sick of the brats’ voices, but now he even missed their wailing.
“This is good.”
Arriving at the entrance of the clearing, Denin Korg tied his horse to the left of the entrance.
In the middle of the clearing stood a cozy cabin.
Denin Korg knocked on the door, imagining it would be nice if the person inside was a woman.
“Anyone here?”
Knock, knock.
“I am Denin Korg, a free knight from the Luoir family of the Empire.”
He heard a sound from inside. Denin Korg pricked up his ears. He’s here? Who is it? He says he’s Denin Korg. Oh, really? With a little concentration, the voices were quite clear.
‘Men.’
Both voices were deep and low. Denin Korg sighed and opened the door.
“Denin Korg?”
Just as he stepped in, he met the eyes of the man sitting on the sofa in front.
Black hair and black eyes. Contrasting white skin. His voice was quite low, but his face was youthful.
He was handsome enough for anyone to nod in agreement, but his sharp eyes were a shame. Of course, depending on one’s taste, it could be a plus factor.
‘A young master.’
Eighteen? Nineteen? At most, that would be his age. Judging by his appearance, it hadn’t been long since his voice broke.
He was wearing simple martial attire, but an air of nobility flowed from him overall. Clean skin, unconsciously revealed posture, composure. It was obvious he was a noble.
“Yes, I am the free knight, Denin Korg.”
Denin Korg said, placing a hand on his chest and slowly bowing his head.
“Right. Enough with the greetings. Let me see your face.”
Denin Korg bristled at those words but didn’t show it. It was certain he was a young master, but he still didn’t know his family. In times like these, it was best to be cautious.
“Yes, may I ask for your family name….”
“Is it him?”
The young master didn't even listen to Denin Korg and spoke to the man next to him.
“Didn’t you see the picture?”
The ordinary-looking man used honorifics. The probability of that young master being a noble grew even higher. Denin Korg maintained his smile. Being interrupted was not a big deal.
“I saw it but forgot. It was a fucking common face. That bastard looks common too, so I think it’s him. Ah. Just give me the picture.”
‘Where from?’
A family located in the western part of the Empire?
First of all, it wasn’t the County of Kainan. Their children were all adults. Denin Korg’s brain spun rapidly. What families were located in the western part of the Empire? Manoa? Ryuras?
“What, it is him.”
“I never said it wasn’t.”
“Do you want to see your senior?”
“Knight Juyce will be reborn as a bug in his next life, right? I’ll be the snake that eats it.”
“What. Do you believe in the Kua Holy Order?”
“No, absolutely not?”
“Crazy bastard.”
Denin Korg was so busy guessing the other party’s family that he didn’t even hear their conversation.
“Hey.”
The most likely candidate was the Marquisate of Ryuras.
“Hey.”
Excluding Kainan, it was the closest, and their children were not yet adults.
“Can’t you hear me?”
When Simurtr finally furrowed his brow.
But wasn’t the Ryuras bloodline silver-haired? Denin Korg was still muttering to himself.
“Forget it, go.”
Denin Korg’s vision was covered in white.
“Uh……?”
And then, it turned completely black.
Thud. His head fell to the floor.
***
Denin Korg was a very easy mission target.
For example, his infamy was high, but his skills were lacking. He hadn’t known that the Information Bureau handled and provided such trivial information.
“This is strange. Dregs like this aren’t usually assigned as missions.”
Let alone to the 6th Sword Order. Deban’s eyes narrowed as he looked at Simurtr. Like someone who belonged more in Degrate, he must have noticed the suspiciousness of this mission.
‘This is why you shouldn’t get too famous.’
This was also due to Aran's reputation. Simurtr tried to ignore it and dragged Denin Korg's body outside.
He roughly threw it outside the cabin, in a place not easily seen by travelers, and searched the man’s belongings. 15 gold coins. And a crystal orb the size of a fist.
“What’s this?”
The gold coins must have been earned through this human trafficking. The Information Bureau would handle that. Simurtr showed the crystal orb and asked.
“It’s a rift detector.”
“This is?”
Simurtr’s eyes widened.
A Doom Species rift detector.
A magic tool that reads the manifestation or remnants of a rift. In his past life, it was bigger than a person’s head.
“Yes.”
“They still use things like this?”
The war was over. Although Doom Species were said to be hiding somewhere on the continent, rifts were said to no longer open.
“Most families have one. Just in case.”
20 years.
A short time, if you think about it.
The continent had not yet fully recovered from the aftermath of the Doom War. Many still remembered the horrors of the war and the Doom Species.
“Right. There’s no harm in having one.”
Simurtr nodded. A rift. It was something that even the Sword Net of his past life couldn’t detect, composed of a power other than magic.
“But this guy doesn’t have a family.”
“Denin Korg was an aspirant for Baramant. It’s not strange for him to have one. They still hunt Doom Species there.”
“There are still places like that?”
Simurtr put the detector in his pocket and asked again.
“They’re famous.”
“For being trash?”
“In the opposite sense.”
“So only this bastard was trash.”
The princess of his past life. The emperor of that time was a wise ruler in public, and the Information Bureau was her hands and feet.
In other words, Denin Korg was trash acknowledged by the wise ruler's Information Bureau.
“Isn’t the Information Bureau just getting all the sweet deals? They just crawl over later and clean up the bodies.”
“Hey. It’s good for both sides.”
No messy business, and they get to build up their achievements. That’s what Deban thought.
“Good for my ass.”
To Simurtr, it only looked like Mectera had a weakness that was being exploited. The Information Bureau was getting what it wanted without lifting a finger.
The relationship between Aran and the Director of the Information Bureau seemed amicable, but this was a loss for Mectera. They got busier after the war? How busy could a mere information bureau be?
‘In the end, it’s a fact that they’re getting a free ride.’
No matter how he thought about it, Mectera had become a dog.
A fucking dog that rolled over if the Emperor commanded.
“Aren’t you taking it this time?”
“What. If you mean the detector, I already took it.”
“No, the head. Last time, you took every single one.”
“Ah, Huit?”
“Yes.”
“I needed proof back then.”
He didn’t have a hobby of collecting human heads. The reason he beheaded the knights and stacked their heads in the subspace was all for Janya.
“If you want a tour inside, just say the word.”
“Do you collect the heads of allies too?”
“As if it’s something new. Your senior’s head was in here too, you know? Two of them.”
“Ah, right.”
One’s true nature only comes out when facing the weak.
It was different from when he faced the knights of Jabad. The sense of accomplishment from overcoming the numerical disadvantage and even defeating a Sword Master must have killed any thrill he got from killing.
But before that? And now? Simurtr didn't hesitate even when killing the weak. He had killed Andre Koitro and his escort without hesitation, and he had cut down Denin Korg with a yawn.
‘He’s 16 years old?’
It was an eerie calmness. He was natural with everything related to killing. Deban sometimes forgot Simurtr’s age.
‘No. He doesn’t act like a sixteen-year-old usually either.’
Ael came to mind. The second child of the main family. Simurtr had soothed and calmed her when she cried.
The process… was by no means gentle. Appropriate stick and carrot. Simurtr had handled her by cleverly mixing the two.
‘It’s not easy for one’s values to solidify at that age.’
He had admired his eloquence, but.
What he admired more was his set of values. Simurtr had already established his own unique values and was acting according to them.
Talent, effort, an objective view of them, a hard worker who doesn't rest on his laurels, and even a kind of line he has drawn for himself.
…Although it was a bit strange how he called his older sister a child and said it was okay to live recklessly until she became an adult.
‘Isn’t that just an excuse?’
It’s okay to make mistakes before becoming an adult. That’s what Simurtr had said. The problem was, the person in question still had three years until she became an adult.
‘Is he laying the groundwork in advance?’
A plausible hypothesis.
The thought suddenly occurred to Deban, and he nodded.