Chapter 22: The Campaign

Ten minutes later…

Silence…

Andrew sat quietly, a thoughtful expression on his face as he reasoned what the Broker, aka Reginald had said.

According to him, about a year ago, Isvan and every other Kingdom across the continent ruled by humans,were summoned by Haikos Empire, for a Territorial Campaign against the Monster Region.

While a death threat was also passed onto every kingdom,more importantly,if discovered that they didn't send out their elites.

As a preventive measure too, war between kingdoms was temporarily forbidden, this way everyone would relax while leaving their homes unguarded, after all anyone who failed to abide by the rules would face the Haikos Empire next,in other words instant annihilation.

Based on this, Andrew began to ponder ' just how strong are they?' but if he asked he knew that it would be too strange.

But then, he decided to bite the bullet.

Raising his head, "What's so terrifying about the Haikos Empire?" Andrew asked,his eyes bearing no hint of amusement which confused Reginald even more.

" Hum?"

'Just where the fuck is he from? Is he some kind of old monster that recently came out of seclusion after breaking through a high rank that I can't even think of? Even to the extent that he doesn't know about the Haikos Empire', finding no reason why someone,a human as per se, didn't know how terrifying the Haikos Empire was.'

'He's even asking?' Reginald thought, feeling his heart gripped by terror as he stared at Andrew in a new light.

??

Noticing how dumbstruck Reginald was, Andrew couldn't help furrowing his brows in a questioning manner.

Meanwhile…

Realizing his silence, Reginald trembled a bit more before speaking.

"Haikos is the strongest human force led by a saint, and by a saint I mean someone of the Saint Rank,the highest one could ever achieve in this world, below that isn't known to normal people."

" Currently the human race already occupies 25% of the continent not covered in water bodies, while the remaining 75% is called the monster region. There evolved monsters with intelligence, called beast rule based on species and bloodline, divided into clans." Reginald revealed, earning another thoughtful glance from Andrew.

"Are the monsters weak?" Andrew voiced out his confusion, noticing the impossible reverse clichè in what Reginald said.

"No of course, naturally monsters are stronger than humans on the same level, and even more they span in uncountable numbers."

Pausing…

"But when it comes to beasts, they are not. Although every monster out there is a potential beast, almost 90% of them fail to acquire intelligence. Mostly because their bloodline concentration/grade is minimally low compared to their counterpart who evolved into beasts."

" Still, even on that scale, beasts dominate the whole of the human race across the continent."

"While humans have a saint, there are 4 Noble Beasts comparable to a saint."

"And as for now, it remains unconfronted why the Haikos Empire rallied a campaign against the monsters."

" But I can tell you one thing, although it is said that Monsters are naturally stronger than humans on the same level. After being enabled with intelligence then beasts would have crushed humanity long ago."

"Although monsters should naturally dominate humans on the same level. As humans, we have many sources of strength…"

" Not common knowledge, Humans have the ability to partially take in bloodlines, merging them and becoming stronger. And sometimes,this influences their ability and mutate them. The only requirement is achieving a high rank that even I have no knowledge of.

"Ok." Surprisingly, Andrew said flatly, then he continued.

" How many among the upper echelon of Isvan were summoned and who?" he questioned.

Surprised, nevertheless Reginald answered his questions.

"The Queen,also the strongest person in Isvan."

"The Grand Duke,and other three Dukes, accompanied by the elite knights from their Houses, alongside the Marquis and every other high nobles with considerable strength. Starting from Mystics (Mystic Rank)."

" Also the rising genius, Star of Isvan,the first princess,Ava Faust."

"Although it is said that she awakened an A+talent, according to insiders in the royal family, she has an S instead."

"Before the campaign 1 year ago, she broke through to become a Mystic."

" There are also others with acknowledged presence, and thankfully I already wrote about that." saying this Reginald handed Andrew a booklet.

" Ranks and information about those that were dispatched, though it should be outdated by now." Adding…

"Around that time it was urgently sought." Reginald said.

Raising his burrows, " And the unease?" Andrew questioned, signaling with his eyes about what had happened before and why everyone looked spooked.

" Oh, about that…" Reginald continued.

"Naturally, since every man power in the Kingdom was dispatched, instinctual human greed took over the people."

"With those in power gone, there was no law enforcer present. The current knights and soldiers were too little to spread out. With most protecting the palace and other important places, while also guarding the nobles. Commoners have no one to look after them."

" Bandits reappeared."

" Then the Three Brothers Gang came about, composed of three Mystics."

"In exchange for protection,they requested money."

"Each day under a specified time the Three Brothers would lead a caravan out of the capital."

"That's all" Reginald concluded, explaining why everyone appeared on the edge since they were in a hurry to meet the specified time.

3 seconds…

Andrew nodded in satisfaction,now he had a clear view of this world.

Standing up he said, "That's about fifty percent of what's in there."

"And as for the remaining fifty percent, don't go far, I'll come for you when I have a request." finishing that, Andrew left the secret room, while also paying no heed to the receptionist as he left the brothel.

Author's Note:

The word Mystic is only used to term someone who reached the Mystic Rank and above. Before that they are called awakened.

The term Mystic is used to separate practitioners from the common folks who after awakening their Mystic ability didn't cultivate their strength, even if they did without reaching the Mystic Rank.