Chapter 91 : Chapter 91

Chapter 91

Left alone in the commander's barracks, Escardo looked down at his torn hand.

“It’s been a while since I’ve felt this kind of pain, except for when I faced my brother.”

On the outside, it wasn't even what you'd call a minor injury, but because of the Haki that had penetrated the wound, it throbbed every time he gripped his sword.

It was a wound from his earlier fight against Konrad Norton.

“That aside…… so he was putting the puzzle together without me even knowing.”

he muttered, recalling the conversation he'd had with Killian.

Revric Roach.

The Count who led the Brussels Royalist Faction and an Arch Mage who had mastered the 7-star.

He was a political rival to Count Konrad, who was leading the war, and a vassal who had guided the kingdom for a long time, wielding more power than the king.

He hadn't simply hunted such a man, but captured him alive and had him detained in the kingdom's interrogation room.

Was that all? He'd also formed an alliance with Hennessy, the guild responsible for Bruges III's protection, and said that a significant number of the Annihilation Squad had already infiltrated Brussels disguised as Walkers.

Brussels had lost one of its greatest military assets without even knowing, and the king was unaware that a blade was at his throat.

“Are the heavens helping that child?”

So secretly that even the parties waging the war didn't know, the puzzle for Eurasia's victory was being assembled.

“Bastian would have been delighted to see this.”

Just as Escardo was lost in reminiscence, thinking of his departed comrade-in-arms.

Fred Perry entered with a brief report.

“The princes have all departed.”

“They moved quickly. I thought they would rest a little before leaving.”

“I don't know what Prince Killian is thinking. Are you sure we don't need to request support from Cornelia?”

Fred asked, trying to grasp his commander's true intentions.

It had been over a decade since he joined the Red Knight Order as a rank-and-file member and began assisting Escardo.

He had never questioned his commander's decisions until now, but this time was an exception.

“I know that Prince Killian's skills surpass those of his predecessor, Sir Bastian. But…… this is a dangerous plan.”

The number of troops the enemy allowed for the negotiation delegation was 100 from each side.

The princes brought five recovery mages from Cornelia, but that was merely a minimal precaution for a potential battle.

Fred continued.

“Even if Prince Killian…… no, the Annihilation Squad Leader's skills are outstanding, Konrad Norton is a knight who has mastered the 7-star. If anything goes wrong, the kingdom could lose crucial military forces.”

“Come to think of it, you carried out a subjugation with Killian.”

“……”

“What was Killian like back then?”

Fred, after briefly pondering the intention behind the question, opened his mouth.

“He seemed reckless. But he was overflowing with confidence.”

As if satisfied with the answer, Escardo's eyes curved into a smile.

“Now, I think I'll bet on that reckless yet confident plan myself.”

“……”

“I think I know how His Majesty sees me now.”

“Yes……?”

“He, too, always smiled first after hearing my words.”

“……”

Leaving his subordinate to struggle with his words, Escardo looked back on the levels of the three princes he had just confirmed.

Demian was showing a growth rate comparable to that of Simon Eurasia, who had raised the fallen Eurasia.

Paian had lost an arm, and his level had greatly regressed, but now that he had adapted to his prosthetic arm, he was recovering quickly and had found a clue for his next stage of growth.

And Killian…….

‘…….’

Tactician of the Blue Knight Order, leader of the Annihilation Squad, head of the Sepia Merchant Guild's negotiation delegation, the Fourth Prince of Eurasia.

Even the label of 'genius' and the explanation of a 'Great Awakening' felt insufficient.

‘The inside of the barracks was my domain.’

He had only adjusted its power so that the opponent wouldn't notice, but he had deployed Carpe in the area just in case.

He could quickly tell that Demian and Paian had stabilized at 6-star and 5-star respectively, but.

‘Killian's mana couldn't be read.’

It felt the same as when he had the probing battle with Count Konrad.

He was no longer in that unstable Superhuman state where only his Mana Heart had reached the 7-star, hiding his lacking physical abilities with skillful mana usage and sharp swordsmanship.

‘I never thought he would achieve it so quickly.’

A 7-star Master.

He had accomplished in less than five years of forging his Mana Heart what had taken him over ten years after becoming a Superhuman.

It was something likely impossible even for Edan Eurasia, the strongest knight in human history, who wielded the Magic Sword called Adamas.

“What's important now isn't 'how,' I suppose.”

“Yes……?”

“There are three knights on the battlefield who have mastered the 7-star. Two of them are from Eurasia.”

“……!!”

Understanding the meaning, Fred's eyes widened.

“Commander, don't tell me……”

“He didn't say it with his own mouth, so there's no need to purposely spread rumors. We will also move as planned.”

“Ah, I understand!”

Fred offered a sword salute and hurriedly left the barracks.

Following that, the sound of him infusing mana into his voice to command the knights penetrated the barracks.

Shing.

Escardo paid it no mind and drew Escardo Schtenberg's Sword.

Ssssss.

For a moment, his blood-red mana formed a Carpe.

Rumble.

The barracks shook as if there was an earthquake from the Haki imbued in the Carpe.

“This is enough to hunt a Superhuman.”

Recalling the past, now just a memory, of when he served as the first Annihilation Squad Leader, Escardo gave a faint smile.

Whether the negotiations succeed or fail.

In today's battle, Brussels will have to shed a great deal of blood.

***

The central area of the encampment, designated as the negotiation site between Eurasia and Brussels.

The man leading the party at the front dismounted from his horse.

He was wearing blue armor engraved with two dragons symbolizing Eurasia, indicating he was an officer of the Blue Knight Order.

“I am Rhodos, the head of the Sepia Merchant Guild's negotiation delegation. And who might you be, sir?”

The man with a wrinkled face, Rhodos, asked politely.

“I am Diark, the commander's aide. Did you come alone?”

“I don't know what you mean.”

“I believe we told you to bring the First Prince and the Second Prince as the negotiation leaders.”

“Ah, if that's the issue, I will meet the commander in person and explain. The merchant guild has prepared a small token of sincerity, so the Count won't be disappointed.”

When Rhodos spoke while pointing to the carriage that came with them, Diark nodded.

“Follow me.”

“All of you, wait here.”

Leaving the knights behind, Rhodos followed Diark for about five minutes.

Soon, they reached the temporary barracks set up for the negotiations.

“Go in.”

Just as Rhodos hunched his body to enter at Diark's words.

“Let me give you one piece of advice.”

“……?”

“Don't get on the commander's bad side. The princes not coming might have already been a mistake.”

“Thank you for the advice, Sir Diark.”

Upon entering the barracks, Konrad was sitting at the head of a large round table, drinking tea.

“You're not the face I was waiting for.”

“I am Rhodos, the head of the negotiation delegation personally appointed by the Third Mistress, Emma Eurasia, who is both the august queen of Eurasia and the daughter of the Sepia Merchant Guild.”

“Your tongue is needlessly long.”

“……”

“Well, if you're someone the queen sent herself, you must have brought a suitable negotiation fee, right?”

“Indeed.”

“The queen is worried for the safety of her knights, whom she considers her own children. Furthermore, moved by the Count's magnanimity in making a humanitarian decision even during a war, she has expressed her wish to pay 2,000 gold more than the proposed amount.”

“Hoh.”

At the higher-than-expected sum, the corner of Konrad's mouth twitched.

3,000 gold alone was enough to buy three or four decent mercenary groups. And they were adding another 2,000 gold to that?

“This must be the price for not including the two princes in the negotiation delegation.”

“……”

“Well, it's certainly not a bad sum.”

Konrad let out a pleased laugh as he scanned Rhodos.

Unlike a typical merchant, he had a solid build, and the faint leakage of 6-star mana.

“You look more like a knight than a merchant.”

“Just because I work for a merchant guild doesn't mean I can't wield a sword.”

“Have you any thought of working for me? I could even grant you a title if you wish.”

“I appreciate the offer, but I am merely a merchant belonging to the guild.”

“Is that so.”

“We will pay 3,000 gold here and now in continental currency, and the remaining 2,000 gold will be delivered via a carriage waiting nearby after the hostages have been fully exchanged.”

“Good. Diark, bring the hostages.”

At Konrad's command, about thirty Blue Knights were dragged into the barracks shortly after.

They were all battered from reflux symptoms, but Julian's face looked the worst among them.

His swollen eyelids and split lips gave a hint of the life he had been living.

“Your Highness Julian!”

“Ugh……”

At Rhodos's cry, Julian groaned and lifted his head.

“It is I, Rhodos! Do you recognize me?!!”

“Rhodo……s?”

“Please wait a little longer! I will rescue you soon!!”

Julian looked at Rhodos and Konrad with a face that could hardly grimace anymore.

He looked as if he wanted to ask something, but the negotiations proceeded swiftly without any room for him to intervene.

The Eurasia side laid out the chests loaded on the cart, and the Brussels knights quickly confirmed the amount.

A moment later, Julian and the Blue Knights were able to receive treatment from the mages dispatched from Cornelia.

Rhodos politely bowed his head to Konrad.

“The master of the Sepia Merchant Guild will also be grateful for the Count's magnanimity.”

Having politely bowed, Rhodos signaled to the knights.

“We're returning! Load the injured!”

At the command, the Blue Knights boarded the prepared carriages.

Just as the smoothly proceeding negotiations were coming to an end.

“Stop.”

Konrad's mana-infused voice echoed throughout the area.

Rhodos, who was about to belatedly mount his horse, let go of the reins he was holding.

“Sir Konrad, is there still something you wish to say?”

“Come to think of it, one of the guests I invited didn't show up.”

“Regarding Prince Demian and Prince Paian……”

“Killian Eurasia.”

“……”

“I sent him a letter as well, but there has been no reply yet.”

At the unexpected quibble, Rhodos's face became troubled.

“I believe Prince Killian…… has no connection to these negotiations.”

“You disappoint me. The only thing you can say is ‘I understand.’”

“……”

“I'll add another 2,000 gold to the remaining balance of 2,000.”

“……!!”

“You can take the other fellows. But I'll have to keep Julian Eurasia until the remaining 4,000 gold arrives.”

“What kind of trickery is this! If you suddenly make such an absurd demand……”

“Insolent!”

His aide, Diark, shouted as he drew his sword and released his mana.

Before the knights of Eurasia and Brussels could even react to that.

Diark charged forward with the speed of a lightning flash.

His sword, having passed Konrad, was swung at Eurasia's head negotiator, Rhodos.

Swish.

The sound of a body part being cleanly severed.

“……”

Not only Konrad, who was watching the situation as if enjoying it, but even the triumphant Brussels knights' faces stiffened.

Because what rolled on the ground was not Rhodos's arm, but Diark's.

“For a 6-star knight, you're acting rashly. Or was this the script from the beginning?”

Rhodos muttered with an indifferent face as he sheathed his sword.

As everyone stood speechless at what had happened in the blink of an eye.

“So you weren't an ordinary fellow after all.”

Tzzzzzt.

The mana emanating from Konrad occupied the area.

“Carpe.”

All mana that touched the dominated space was shaken.

The knights of Eurasia released their own mana in response.

“Everyone, prepare for the reflux!”

Just as one of the knights was desperately shouting to resist the mana that raged as if to swallow them whole,

Tzzzzzt.

Mana rose from Rhodos.

A deeper blue than the color one first awakens to upon forging a Mana Heart.

With just a single step from Rhodos, the space in the area was split in two.

Konrad's face twitched.

‘When I checked in the barracks, he was definitely at the 6-star level.’

But now, he was exuding the aura of a Superhuman who had surpassed the wall.

“Falling for this level of mana manipulation? As expected, you're a few steps below Sir Escardo.”

“You…… what the hell are you.”

His anger-laced voice trembled faintly.

Rhodos grinned and infused mana into his pendant.

“Weren't you the one who sent the letter of invitation?”

The blue mana that touched the pendant was dyed violet.

As the violet mana enveloped his body.

Fwoosh.

The Polymorph magic that was cast on him was released.

The wrinkles on his face disappeared, revealing a scar that ran under his eye and the silver hair, a symbol of Eurasia, that grew down to his earlobes.

The man lowered his stance and brought his hand to the hilt of his sword.

In a flash that could be called simultaneous, Konrad gripped his sword.

“I am.”

At the opposing ends of the divided Carpe, the sword wielded by the man who was Rhodos and Konrad's sword clashed.

Claaaaang.

The long, drawn-out clang of metal subsided.

The silver-haired man, after roughly shaking off his opponent's sword, gave a harmless smile.

“Killian Eurasia.”

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