364

Episode 364 Who is bullying whom? (1)

Hubert had no choice.

It was clear that Earl Fenris had risen to the rank of Master. He and his other disciples had also clearly seen his power.

It meant that the rumors that were spreading like wildfire were true.

The true power in the North is now Earl Fenris. There is no good in being targeted by someone like him.

Hubert quickly came to his senses and took control of the situation.

"Ahahaha, you're flustered, Count? Alas, that won't happen between us."

"Right? We're not on good terms, are we? If we don't want to cut off the Rune Stone and food aid, we have to fight together."

"Yes, that's obvious… … ."

Hubert, who was embarrassed, laughed while sweating profusely. It was really impossible to escape now. Without the runestones and food provided by Count Fenris, the magic tower would be shaken.

The results of relying too much on others were now showing.

Still, I was wondering how I could find an opening to step in, but Jiselle continued speaking.

"Send all but a few wizards to the Marquis of Branford to guard the Magic Tower. He will send them to the territories that are short on wizards."

"Ugh… … Right now?"

"Yes, right now."

It really looks like we're going to be caught in a civil war. Hubert nodded with tears in his eyes.

'As they say, there's no such thing as a free lunch… … .'

It wasn't for nothing that I gave you so many runestones and food and destroyed the Crimson Tower.

I've been treated so well that now I have no choice but to pay for it.

"Then let's see during the war."

As Giselle spoke with a smile, Hubert nodded, shedding a tear.

After sorting out the matter with Matap, Giselle went outside with Gillian's help. She had to return to the estate quickly.

When they came out of the tower, they were shocked by the sight before their eyes.

Jiselle looked around with an amused expression.

"Oh… … What is it?"

All the magicians belonging to the Red Flame Tower were present.

When he first came to sell the runestone, even the gatekeeper ignored him. But now, unlike before, all the wizards come out and politely see him off.

That wasn't all. When the people of Matap City heard the news of Jiselle's departure, they came out and cheered.

"Wow! It's Earl Fenris!"

"Sword Master of the North!"

"Please look here!"

Within a week, the rumor had spread so quickly that the streets were packed with crowds.

They were surprised and delighted by the mere fact that a master had come from the North. Even though he was from a different territory, he was also from the North.

And even if she wasn't a master, to them, Giselle was like a hero who had fulfilled their long-held desires. Because Giselle had stepped on the Crimson Tower.

Since everyone was relying on the Red Magic Tower, it was only natural that they would hate the Crimson Magic Tower, which had taken away the position of the best magic tower in the North.

The crowd grew more excited as Giselle raised her chin and waved her hand.

"Gyaaaaaaah! Count Fenris!"

"From today onwards, I am your follower!"

"I'm going to Fenris too!"

The city was filled with cheers and shouts from the people. It seemed like there would be more followers like Dominic.

Jiselle smirked as she looked at the cheering people.

"Well, I don't feel so bad."

I'm definitely more popular now than I was in my previous life. Thinking back, I realize that in my previous life, only some weird people liked me.

'Was it because you were scared because you had so many scars? Or was it because of your job?'

Well, what does that matter? If everything is going well now, that's fine.

Although he returned to the territory to such great cheers, Giselle could not rest.

As soon as Claude saw Giselle, he ran towards her with a troubled expression.

"A guest has arrived. I was waiting for your return, my lord."

"customer?"

"A man was sent from Marquis Rodrique."

"oh...."

They came sooner than I thought. It seemed like they had already found out that Martin was dead.

Jiselle, who still hadn't recovered, slowly walked towards Daejeon.

Let's sit down and wait a bit. A group of people came in. A messenger in fancy clothes followed by knights.

They didn't seem particularly nervous about coming to someone else's territory. Instead, they were busy looking around with arrogant expressions.

The one standing in front looked at Jiselle and bowed his head slightly.

"I greet you, Earl of Fenris, the Divine Lord of the North. I am Tennant from the House of Rodrik. May the Goddess bless your lands… ."

"Okay, I don't need a long example, just get straight to the point."

Tennant glanced at Giselle, who cut off his words with a blank expression.

'They say he's the scoundrel of the North.'

He was young and seemed impatient. There were rumors that he was a man who threw away manners, but there was no need to be formal. Tennant straightened his back and continued speaking.

"I have come to ask you, Count, a small favor, under the orders of the Marquis."

"what?"

"Please hand over the Drake Mercenaries to us."

Tennant's expression showed his confidence that Giselle would naturally grant his request. He had never seen the other person refuse a request from the Marquis.

Jiselle, who had been staring at that confident expression, leaned back in her chair and said.

"Why?"

"I have a clue that they killed Prince Martin and ran away."

As expected, it's Marquis Rodrik. They came looking for him with full confidence.

Even so, he had no intention of handing over the Drake mercenary group. He had already decided to take responsibility for that matter.

He is a man who never avoids his responsibilities, said Giselle with a twisted smile.

"I refuse. The Drake Mercenary Company has already been absorbed into the Fenris Mercenary Company."

"The Marquis promised a great reward."

"It seems I don't have much to receive from the Marquis."

"Are you thinking of holding a grudge against the Marquis?"

"There's nothing I can't do."

"… … ."

Tennant glared at Giselle for a moment. Even if the Earl of Fenris was known as the strongest in the North, he was no match for Marquis Rodrik. The West had a different economic foundation from the North.

'Can't you grasp the topic?'

Having earned the title of Strongest in the North, he seemed to think he was the strongest in the kingdom.

Tennant didn't seem particularly disturbed by the refusal. Instead, he simply looked Giselle over from head to toe.

'There are rumors that he's Master-level, but he doesn't look that strong. His face is pale and he looks sickly. His spirit also looks weak.'

Tennant, who came as an envoy, was a strong knight and a knight commander, enough for the Marquis to trust and send him.

Originally, it was not my place to directly participate in such an undertaking. However, I came to see the famous Earl of Fenris in the kingdom with my own eyes and judge his inaction.

'It seems the rumors are exaggerated. In fact, the white hair next to him looks even stronger. Is that the author Gillian, the so-called White Lion?'

Gillian's fame in fighting against Desmond's forces was now spreading throughout the kingdom.

Kaoru would have been furious if she heard that.

Tennant glanced at Giselle and the people around him and laughed inwardly.

'It seems that the activities of the subordinates are being packaged as the Count's merits. It's a common occurrence.'

Tennant ended up coming to that conclusion on his own.

Currently, Jiselle was out of mana and seriously injured.

Tennant, unaware that he had fought the 7th Circle wizard Delmud just a few days ago, had no choice but to judge what he saw.

"I know that you, Count, are the strongest in the North. But even so, there is no benefit to being at odds with Marquis Rodrik. I will ask you one last time. Are you not willing to hand over the Drake mercenary band to us?"

"does not exist."

Tennant also no longer had any regrets after hearing Giselle's simple and clear answer. He too had great pride as a vassal of the Marquis, who was the strongest in the West.

Of course, I had never even imagined doing something like hanging on to negotiate with the other party.

"… … Then Rodrik and Fenris will now be enemies."

"Do whatever you want."

"See you on the battlefield next time."

Tennant bowed his head and turned away. He looked at the expressions of the Fenris vassals again as he walked out.

'What the heck? These guys?'

It was as if the strongest man in the West, Marquis Rodrik, had declared war.

Even if he doesn't engage in an all-out war, he is a Marquis who has enough power to harass and ruin the Fenris Territory.

But there wasn't a single person with a tense look on their face. They all just had a blank expression, as if they were saying, 'Whatever.'

Actually, Tennant saw that part exactly. All of Fenris' vassals were thinking the same thing.

'Whether you attack or not.'

'They're going to fight anyway, so what?'

'I've heard so many threats that I'm not scared.'

Up until now, all those who fought against Giselle had died. And Fenris was preparing to fight the Duke one day.

So there was no reason for them to be afraid when they had to fight Marquis Rodrik.

Because everyone's liver was already swollen to the point where it could swell up as much as it could due to past experiences.

Tennant, who was not satisfied with the response, finally blurted out a word as he left Daejeon.

"Those crazy guys."

It seemed like they were the kind of guys who would only come to their senses if I showed them my strength. A whip is the best medicine for crazy people.

Of course, Tennant wasn't the only one who thought that way.

Claude muttered quietly as he watched Tennant's back as he left.

"Anyway, there are a lot of guys who need to be hit to come to their senses."

Wendy glanced at Claude's face.

It was to the point where I couldn't tell who was talking to whom.

* * *

"That kid refused?"

"Yes, the atmosphere was such that they would not hesitate to fight."

"Kukukuk… … ."

Marquis Rodrik laughed after hearing Tennant's report.

The chair he was sitting on was very large and ornate, because its owner's body was several times larger than that of other people.

But no one dared to laugh at Marquis Rodrik's appearance.

Marquis Rodrik was a great lord who ruled over the entire West, and he was second only to the cruelest man in the kingdom.

Marquis Rodrik said, laughing for a long time with his jaw rippling.

"So, what was your impression of seeing that little girl in person?"

"I think there was a bit of exaggeration in the rumors."

"A manager?"

"I could barely feel the mana. My face was clearly sickly and my body seemed weak. However… … ."

"but?"

"All the people around me looked outstanding."

"Didn't you say that that kid was active in the North? There are even rumors that he got close to the Master. All the intelligence agencies in the kingdom have confirmed this. There are many people who have seen him fight in person."

"That makes me even more curious. When I saw it, it definitely didn't look that strong."

At those words, Marquis Rodrik became lost in thought.

Tennant is a high-ranking knight and is considered one of the strongest in the Marquisate. Since he has seen it in person, it may be more accurate than rumors.

But Marquis Rodrik was as suspicious as he was greedy and cruel.

"There's no reason for such rumors to spread. Whether it's magic or something else, he must have some kind of power that can't be seen at first glance. Think of that kid as the Northern First Sword and plan your strategy. Do you understand?"

"All right."

Whose order could he refuse? Tennant did not refute even though his own report was ignored.

Of course, the feeling of contempt that had seeped into his heart had not completely disappeared.

Marquis Rodrik pondered for a moment over Tennant's report, then asked the staff member next to him.

"How about raising an army now and just wiping them out?"

"The civil war doesn't last long anyway. Why don't we just move with the Duke?"

"Tsk tsk tsk… … That guy just rejected my request. Are you just going to leave him alone? And if a civil war breaks out, we have to occupy the capital first, so when are we going to go north?"

Marquis Rodrik was not at all angry about his son's death. He was more angry that Giselle had refused his request.

His goal is to reclaim the Drake Mercenary Company and bring them to justice.

It's not because I'm sad about my child's death. It's because I need to show everyone that anyone who dares to touch Marquis Rodrik will pay the price.

If that's the case, we need to catch them now. If we catch and kill them after the civil war starts, the meaning will fade.

The staff member spoke with a slightly nervous tone.

"The Duke's strategy is to blockade the North and quickly occupy the capital and the East. If we fight, it will turn into a territorial war."

"How about that?"

"yes?"

"A worthless bastard who can't even lead a single mercenary group properly created the pretext for a war over territory, so why should we avoid him?"

"That, that's why… … ."

"Of course, it'll be a bit difficult if he stays stuck in the North because of the distance. For now, I plan to provoke him to come out moderately."

"How do you say that?"

"That damn cosmetic is selling well all over the kingdom, isn't it?"

"Yes, that's right. The aristocrats of the West are also buying a lot of them."

"Okay, let's start with that. Hit the top of the biggest cosmetics market coming to the West."

Then the staff member's face turned white.

"That, that's a business that the Marquis of Branford is involved in. If you touch it, the Marquis of Branford won't stay still."

"Is the Marquis of Branford stronger than me?"

"… … ."

The staff officer said nothing. Marquis Rodrik glared at him with narrowed eyes.

"At best, he's just a guy who uses the royal family as bait to wield his power. Do you really think I'm weaker?"

Marquis Rodrik is the greatest noble in the West. He is also a lord who boasts enormous financial power as he occupies a strategic location.

Of course, the Marquis of Branford was also a powerful figure who could mobilize the royal army. However, Marquis Rodrik was confident that he could take over the kingdom even if he rebelled alone.

He was such a powerful nobleman. He simply gave up his ambitions and joined hands with the Duke's family because they were stronger.

"It doesn't matter if the Marquis of Branford interferes. If necessary, I can start a civil war with my own hands."

A cruel smile appeared on Marquis Rodrik's face.