Chapter 97 : Chapter 97

Chapter 97 - The Closest Ally

The East is fundamentally chilly.

This chilliness is less due to the weather and more due to Yin energy.

The fewer people there are.

The longer it has been since the warmth of the living has touched it.

The innate Yin energy of the eastern land would run more rampant, freezing the ground and making the climate harsh.

However, since humans are born with greed and avarice.

The borders were extended as much as possible to possess more land.

The wide frontmost boundary line had to be protected, but few were willing to go there.

So mostly criminals, at worst death row inmates, and at least illegitimate children of nobles, came here voluntarily.

Because if they came here, at least they wouldn’t die right away.

The boundary line today was also lined with trash who had come with a soft mindset.

“The mayflies have come again.”

The seniors on duty looked down from the watchtower at the mayflies called new recruits.

“How many days will those things last?”

“That stupid-looking one over there will last a day. That big one over there will last three days.”

“That one who looks like a noble is going to die by my hand today.”

Here, a world of rough men.

Among the new recruits, there was also one woman.

Of course, neither the new recruits who came with her nor the seniors up there noticed.

‘…Why am I here.’

One of the ten great mercenary companies.

Anthia Black Millesdusk, the captain of the Mille Mercenary Company.

She had separated from Reggie, who had come with her, at some point and became a recruit of the border guard.

It was truly at some point.

She still couldn't fully grasp the entire process.

‘We definitely came together close to the frontmost boundary line. As soon as I saw this frost-covered wall, Sir Reggie disappeared. Then when I was pushed again, I suddenly came out onto the main road….’

Came out.

And when I came out, my eyes met with the border guards on the wall.

They didn’t even ask what was going on.

‘I was showered with all sorts of insults, asking if I was late on my first day as a new recruit.’

Now I finally understand why Sir Reggie told me to maintain my male appearance here.

‘He did that to throw me in as a new recruit.’

Ppadeuk─

She ground her teeth.

A military life she had to start out of the blue.

But it wasn’t an incomprehensible action.

‘It would be easier for Sir Reggie to operate outside if I help out to some extent from the inside. But what can a new recruit like me do.’

In the military, they would start a new recruit with basic training, let alone a proper mission.

‘And this is the frontmost boundary line. The military discipline must be immense.’

That was certainly her prediction.

But the culture here was not like that at all.

At least, it wasn't the kind of military discipline she had in mind.

“Hey. You, the pretty one over there.”

Someone approached.

It was a man with a beard full on his chin and long hair tied in a ponytail.

“Yes?”

“Yes? Is Yes your name?”

“No. My name is─”

Hwoook─!!

A fist flew through the breath coming from her answering mouth.

Perhaps because he was wearing cold-proof gloves, the fist looked even bigger.

Ppeok─!

“……”

Her body flinched and stepped back.

Since she was a new recruit, she felt like she should probably take the hit.

But it seems she didn’t have to.

She could tell from the next words.

“Need a weapon? If you need one, grab one. Shield, mace, whatever’s good. But if you hold that, you’ll get hit even more.”

“…What are you doing?”

“I’m deciding your rank, you idiot.”

As he spoke, another fist flew at her.

This time, she dodged.

She bent her knees to get out of the path and straightened them again to push him as he was.

This body was made through Reconstruction.

A body made by expanding and filling with sorcery has completely different elasticity and strength from a normal body.

“Whoops.”

The senior border guard’s body floated up, and he might have been flustered.

But he caught his balance with a single breath and landed safely.

“Not bad? From your face, you look like some noble’s illegitimate child. Did they attach a teacher to you so you wouldn’t die?”

She ignored the worthless words and got straight to the point.

“If I fight well here, I’ll get a high rank even though I’m a new recruit. Is that what you mean?”

“That’s right. Here, the one who fights well is the law. We need someone who fights well, and we only need people like that. That’s how I can trust my back to them.”

“I understand.”

“Then wh─”

Ppeoeok─!!

Two teeth and a little bit of blood.

And one large man.

These were the things that one fist had dropped to the ground.

….

The area became quiet.

The new recruits who had come with her, as well as the seniors who were watching, just gaped.

‘What is this. Is it over now.’

Just as she thought that.

“So you can easily beat a first-year. I’m James, a fifth-year watchtower spearman. What’s your name?”

“It’s… Anthia.”

“Anthia. A girly name. Well, it doesn’t matter. Here, as long as you kill monsters well, that’s all that matters. What weapon do you handle?”

“I don’t think I’ll need one.”

“…Good.”

As expected of a fifth-year, he knew how to survive well.

If the opponent showed what could be arrogance or overconfidence, he just accepted it.

A fifth-year of the boundary line and a five-minute-old of the boundary line faced off.

“Keok─!!”

The victory belonged to the five-minute-old, no. Now the six-minute-old.

“Is there a next?”

…….

The boundary line became quiet once more.

***

“This is the private space where Sergeant Anthia will be living! Good work!”

“Right.”

She received some luggage and was assigned a log cabin in the living quarters within the boundary line.

Is it always like this?

She had just beaten about three people, and then the test ended, with them saying she had to accumulate years of service from now on.

After that, everyone called her Sergeant and followed her around.

For now, she was just going with the flow.

The person who had caused all this knocked on the door.

“Sergeant. Are you there?”

“…Are you really going to be like this?”

She opened the door and let Reggie in.

Somehow, he had managed to sneak in here, which was full of border guards.

“How did you get in here?”

“This place was once my home. I know the side roads like the back of my hand. That’s how I knew you would easily become a sergeant, Anthia.”

“Even so, it was bewildering.”

Anthia looked at him with a pout, but Reggie just laughed heartily.

“Please don’t be too angry. From now on, there will only be interesting things.”

“If there’s something like that, please let me know too. I feel like the Young Master is hiding things from me little by little.”

“That’s probably because you have a big job to do later, Anthia. Hearing about such things in advance will only be a burden.”

“I hope that’s the case…. But more importantly, what’s the interesting thing?”

Reggie stood up from his seat with a smile.

“A vengeful spirit that couldn't die peacefully due to injustice and wanders the boundary line. The Third Prince repeatedly appears before the border guards.”

The commander of the boundary line, whose body was never found even at the time of the incident.

“Was he actually not dead? If you constantly spread such rumors and Anthia amplifies them, they will reach the royal family.”

“…Then the First Prince will hear.”

“My older brother wouldn’t just hear it; he’d have a fit and react very violently.”

A huge outburst of emotion is an opening.

An opening that can be pierced.

Also.

“The Millesdusk Elder will gladly seize that opening and strike. The incident will break out in no time.”

“And at that time, we will lead the elite troops of the front line and advance?”

“Yes. If Anthia's mercenary company buys us time, we will appear, and the Young Master will destroy the altar.”

It would be the moment when the troops that came for a coup d'état were transformed into a rescue force in one fell swoop.

“I hope it goes according to plan.”

Reggie nodded.

“The same goes for me. Then.”

The ghost and vengeful spirit of the battlefield went to do his job.

And a few days later.

A strange rumor that the Third Prince had returned alive began to spread like wildfire on the frontmost boundary line.

***

“Military Affairs Grand Officer…. What is this bullshit.”

The king uttered vulgar words unbefitting his position.

But neither the Military Affairs Grand Officer nor anyone else could stop him.

“The Third Prince has returned alive at the frontmost boundary line…? And the ghost of the Third Prince appeared and saved them from a battle that was about to cause great casualties?”

“…Your Majesty. Please compose yourself first─”

“The Third Prince─!!”

The eardrums of those listening trembled.

But what trembled even more was the First Prince’s body.

“He has returned alive now…. He has appeared again at the frontmost boundary line, hasn’t he?”

“Your Majesty. You must not believe such baseless rumors.”

“…Recently, my youngest brother has been appearing in my dreams. He reprimanded me, cursed me, and tried to kill me. And recently, the Administrative Grand Officer also disappeared like a ghost. Hah….”

“I have sent out a pursuit team. And I, this Military Affairs Grand Officer Albert, will definitely protect Your Majesty.”

Even if that were so.

The old official’s words didn't inspire much confidence.

“No. You probably don’t find me trustworthy either. My younger brother, who was always superior to me, should inherit the throne. You think so too, don’t you.”

“…Your Majesty.”

The Military Affairs Grand Officer continued in silence.

“It does not matter to me which prince becomes king.”

“…What did you say.”

“Just the person who is currently sitting on the throne. He is my king and the master of this land. I will definitely work with Your Majesty to make Julsin prosper even more.”

“……”

The First Prince pressed his hand to his throbbing forehead.

What was needed at a time like this was not an old official.

True power, a military force that would not be swayed by anyone, was needed.

“Where is the elder?”

“It seems he is currently spending time in the forest.”

“I wish to see him. Bring him to the palace.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

Only a direct blood relative could summon a Millesdusk Elder.

But Elder Kian would gladly visit even at the summons of a mere king.

He was grateful for that fact, and the elder’s air of authority was simply admirable.

Just looking at him felt like his uncomfortable thoughts were being purified.

“Your Majesty. You were looking for me.”

“Yes. Thank you for making the trip so many times.”

“Hahaha. Not at all. You have given me a precious forest. You would not know how valuable your call is to me.”

“Thank you for saying so.”

The two enjoyed tea with smiles and laughter.

Today, too, the tea leaves were prepared by the elder.

“I cultivated this myself. The aroma is a bit sharp, but if you get used to it, a sweetness awaits.”

“Yes. That is indeed so. At first, my tongue was not used to it, but now the taste is truly excellent.”

Kian gently raised the one corner of his mouth that remained.

“As befits one born of a precious bloodline, you seem to adapt quickly to such refined hobbies. You are indeed worthy of being the sole heir.”

“Thank you.”

The First Prince laughed heartily and drank his tea.

Indeed.

When with Elder Kian, worries and anxieties disappeared.

With such a brilliant and steadfast person with our kingdom.

How could the future be said to be dark?

The First Prince wore a smile as Elder Kian changed the subject.

“By the way. I hear a strange rumor has been circulating in the capital recently.”

“……”

His face instantly stiffened.

But Elder Kian did not stop.

“A rumor that the Third Prince has returned alive at the frontmost boundary line.”

Is it true?

Elder Kian asked.

The First Prince’s eyes trembled anxiously.

He slowly nodded.

“You do not need to answer. I merely asked to see if there was anything I could do to help as an ally of Your Majesty.”

“That is… uncertain, so my answer is not clear-cut.”

“But seeing you so anxious, it seems the source was quite reliable.”

“…I am sorry. I did not want to show you such a shaken appearance, Elder.”

“No, no.”

He shook his head.

You shouldn't.

You shouldn't be strong.

Become weak, become soft, become endlessly tender.

A wrinkled hand slowly massaged the First Prince’s shoulder.

It felt as if the negative emotions held within the body were flickering at his fingertips.

Almost. Almost there.

“Please rest assured and send your father off well. Did you not say he was gravely ill?”

“Yes. If even the elder saw it that way, then it must be so.”

“After the funeral is held.”

The eyeball, one side of which was exposed due to being melted by poison.

And the normal opposite eyeball contained the weak-hearted king.

“I will not forget the kindness Your Majesty has shown me, and I will make you a king who will be remembered in the history of the East.”

The corners of the First Prince’s eyes grew moist.

Droplets formed like apples and fell.

“Thank you…. Thank you, Elder….”

Kian embraced him comfortably.

“Don’t mention it.”

It was the first sincere thing he had said all day.

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