CHAPTER 188

"Even if they are bandits, we cannot underestimate the strength of the Black Blade Bandits. If we bring them in, Martai will retreat with its tail between its legs."

Martai was a city in Naurillia with a convoluted history.

Sometimes it was a city under the Eastern Mercenary King, and other times it was a territory of Naurillia.

As a result, it was a city where two ethnic groups mixed, but currently, it was a city of Naurillia and a territory ruled by a self-proclaimed general.

Half belonged to Naurillia, but the other half was an Eastern city.

And Martai had recently declared something akin to a declaration of war against the Border Guard.

So such discussions were emerging.

The speaker was one of the nobles of the Border Guard.

There were several nobles within the Border Guard. Though their power was inferior to that of the central nobles, they were not to be completely disregarded.

They had secured significant influence within the Border Guard city.

For instance, the person in front of him was one such noble.

What was his name again?

Marcus didn't even bother to remember his name.

'The guy who took gold from the Black Blade Bandits.'

He just remembered him like this.

He considered him to be a member of the Black Blade Bandits.

He felt like beheading him on the spot, cutting off his head and walking away.

The Fairy Company Commander was his subordinate in name, but not in reality.

It felt like whatever he did, there would be consequences.

Marcus valued his instincts.

For various reasons, he couldn't just cut down the person in front of him.

After all, Marcus wasn't such a brute. He wasn't the kind of person who solved everything with a sword.

Moreover, if he thought a bit more, he realized that killing this person wouldn't be that difficult.

Narrow-minded people are always easy to catch.

"Though the advance of Martai is troublesome, we can focus on defense." 

Marcus said decisively. The noble of the Black Blade Bandits pouted and then shut his mouth.

If he had said anything more, Marcus might not have been able to resist smashing his head.

'Though I wouldn't go that far.'

But he could give that impression. Marcus was nicknamed the War Maniac for a reason.

It was an image and nickname he had cultivated for this purpose.

Marcus stared at his opponent with a blank expression. It was both a glare and a mere look, but it was effective.

The warlike and indifferent gaze of the War Maniac shut the noble's mouth.

After silencing him, he said, "Next agenda?"

It was a regular meeting. The Border Guard was both a military and fortress city.

Just because they had pushed out Aspen didn't mean there was nothing to do.

There were reports of a large group of monsters moving up from the south because some southern nobles hadn't properly dealt with the monsters and had driven them northward.

If they left the monster horde alone, it would become a problem. Therefore, it was an issue that needed to be addressed.

The fact that the monster movements in the south were affecting the northern Border Guard was, well, quite troublesome.

'Those damn bastards.'

Nobles were always corrupt. They only cared about their own land and wealth.

This was why people said the country was doomed.

The same went for the nameless noble in front of him. He was really disgusting to look at.

Thinking about this kind of stuff would shorten his life.

So, Marcus deliberately redirected his thoughts.

His thoughts then turned to Encrid. While he didn't want to remember the noble's name, he couldn't forget Encrid's name.

'Jumping into the knoll horde to save the pioneer village?'

Wow, that was a story that made one sigh in admiration.

They said he single-handedly slew a thousand knolls.

It was probably somewhat exaggerated, but it was certain that his skills had improved. The 4th Company Commander had confirmed it.

"In actual combat, no one can easily guarantee a victory."

Marcus had a vague sense of the Fairy Company Commander's abilities.

She was better than most renowned warriors. Her achievements on the battlefield proved that.

Encrid was someone she acknowledged.

'He used to be considered unskilled and just a training maniac.'

There was even talk that he was just a soldier with good luck.

Nonsense, it wasn't luck, it was skill.

He had the right personality too.

Even if it wasn't obvious on the surface, one could tell by his attitude and the results of his actions.

Most of all, the image of Encrid talking about his dreams was imprinted on Marcus's mind.

The battlefield, the sword, and something shining.

Could he really become a Knight?

Marcus, who had seen many people over the years, could say rationally that it was impossible.

But if he were to speak based on his personal impression of Encrid...

'I don't know if he can, but I hope he does.'

Day and night were the same.

Even with changing weather, nothing changed.

He was consistent. Each day was the same. He lived each year as if it were today. Such a person he was. Suddenly, Marcus felt a desire to support his journey.

A gentle smile appeared on Marcus's face as he thought this.

Seeing this, the Black Blade noble abruptly spoke again.

"I think it's unreasonable to appoint him to a Company Commander position without proper organization. Even if he proved himself in his mission, there are widespread rumors that it's exaggerated…"

It was regarding Encrid's appointment. The words made Marcus's previously indifferent and cold gaze turn into a frown, and the corners of his lips turned downward. He scowled.

"That's enough. It's my decision. If you don't like it, why don't you become the Battalion Commander?"

While Marcus had previously left room for negotiation by rejecting the idea of involving the Black Blade Bandits, he was adamant when Encrid's name came up.

He was clearly unwilling to entertain any rebuttals or opinions.

It was obvious that opposing this decision would result in severe consequences.

The Black Blade noble found this most irritating.

However, there was nothing he could do to kill Marcus.

'Damn it.'

All his anger was directed at Encrid.

If someone receives cheers, trust, and love from others, they can also draw hatred.

The Black Blade noble, a core member of the Border Guard's power structure, felt this way.

He hated Encrid. He truly hated him for no apparent reason and even thought about killing him.

After the meeting ended and all the nobles had left, the Fairy Company Commander looked at Marcus and spoke.

"Who gave you the nickname 'War Maniac'?"

The Fairy was perceptive, and Marcus didn't bother to deny it.

"I did."

"You're clever."

"I take that as a compliment."

Marcus wasn't actually someone who loved the battlefield or was crazy about fighting.

He had crafted that image for outward appearances.

Why?

It served as an excuse not to be heavily involved in central politics and was useful for lulling the enemy into a false sense of security.

In reality, Marcus wasn't particularly skilled at waging war.

While he knew how to deploy troops effectively, his real talent lay elsewhere.

For example, in his keen taste for finding good tea.

"Well, you don't make jokes with me, do you?"

The conversations between Encrid and the Fairy Company Commander were somewhat famous within the barracks. This thought prompted Marcus to ask.

"I don't care much for jokes."

The Fairy Company Commander said this and turned to leave.

Marcus pondered the meaning behind those words and then let out a dry laugh.

"Well, that's difficult. A Fairy-style joke."

It was indeed a Fairy-style joke. It was a natural statement since Fairy loved jokes.

* * *

The name of the Black Blade noble was Vancento.

Vancento grew up in a region bordering the monster lands.

It was an area heavily influenced by the Demon Realm, where food was always scarce.

So, for young Vancento, everything was not something to buy but something to take. That was the norm.

A person's life was worth a loaf of bread. Sometimes, the bread was even more valuable.

Having survived a harsh childhood, Vancento eventually found his way to the city.

With some luck, he managed to establish a small trading company.

As the company grew, it involved swords, blood, fists, and threats, but there were no major issues.

It was around that time that he crossed paths with the Black Blade.

Their power was immense, and it became a strong backing for Vancento's growth.

After spending ten years building his company, he sold it, used a large sum of money to buy a noble title.

His life was built on taking what he wanted, just as he had in his childhood.

Now, Vancento's goal was the city of Border Guard.

Specifically, he wanted to swallow it whole with the help of the Black Blade's power.

He didn't have the lineage of a hereditary noble, and the title he bought with gold had its limits.

Therefore, Vancento wanted something greater than a title.

For instance, a city.

That was the future Vancento dreamed of.

A land ruled by the Black Blade, with himself taking control of a city there.

Becoming the mayor and lord of such a place would be ideal.

'If it comes to that, I'll have to capture that Fairy first.'

The Fairy, known as the 4th Company Commander, always had an alluring appeal.

"Should we kill Marcus, or perhaps that thunderous fool?"

"Not Marcus."

If Marcus died here, it would draw attention from the central authorities, which was undesirable.

"Just take care of that Encrid."

At Vancento's words, a member of the Black Blade and his bodyguard nodded.

The bodyguard also disliked Encrid for some reason.

'To think people fawn over someone so insignificant.'

It was a common deception. A sparring match? That could easily be staged with a few loyal soldiers.

The stories heard from various sources were completely flimsy.

A thousand knolls? Ridiculous, as if he were some Quasi-Knight or a member of the Knightly order.

He had seen Encrid's skills himself, not recently but a few months ago during training in the barracks.

'He's decent, but…'

He judged that Encrid wasn't as good as himself. People with narrow minds often consider only what they see as the truth.

In the meantime, Encrid had changed in unimaginable ways, but he didn't bother to see it. He simply concluded that Encrid was insignificant and left it at that.

'Of course, those subordinates of his…'

They were quite formidable.

They were the kind of people difficult to face even two at a time.

Why such skilled individuals were stationed at a border fortress city was a mystery.

Regardless, the plan was progressing smoothly.

Here, the Kingdom of the Black Blade would begin.

Starting small, it would gradually expand.

Thus, Naurillia would disappear, and the Black Blade Kingdom would emerge.

The bodyguard and member of the Black Blade, lost in his own dreams, released a pigeon.

The pigeon would carry the message.

Even in removing an unsightly stone, the Black Blade wouldn't use people carelessly.

They were that kind of group.

Of course, their goals were larger than just killing one person.

* * *

The Black Blade Bandits sent ten warriors to the city in response to the internal communication.

Each one of them was formidable.

For example, the leader of the group was a well-known figure in the mercenary world.

She was a beastman named Dunbachel, and despite her delicate appearance, her scimitar was both nimble and destructive.

This made her a top-tier fighter, one who could gain a reputation in an entire city.

The other nine who accompanied her were of a similar caliber to Dunbachel.

"Apply pressure? They mean to scare him, right? Let's do it."

Dunbachel nodded, indicating she was ready to do the job for which they were paid.

They were just about to enter the Border Guard.

Dunbachel's nose twitched, picking up a smoky, sour scent mixed with a rotten stench.

It was the smell of a demon or monster.

There was also the scent of a human mixed in.

Dunbachel's head snapped to the side.

There stood a man in a black robe, and beside him, a menacing beast with gleaming eyes.

"Who are you?"

Dunbachel immediately assumed a combat stance.

The other side did the same.

One of the quick-witted members of the Black Blade Bandits assessed the situation and spoke.

"It doesn't seem like they're here for us."

Coincidentally, both groups were targeting the Border Guard.

While one group was the Black Blade Bandits, the other consisted of assassins sent by the Sacred Cult of Demon Realm.

They had already sent several skilled assassins, but they had all mysteriously disappeared.

It seemed something was happening inside the city.

They were here to confirm and, perhaps, cause some chaos in that unsuspecting city.

"Who are you?"

The cultist asked, his tone that of a monk or a practitioner of dark arts, making it difficult to deal with him lightly.

One of the more perceptive underlings answered on Dunbachel's behalf.

"Black Blade."

"What's your purpose?"

Annoyed by the cultist's questioning, Dunbachel was about to lunge at him, but an underling grabbed her arm from behind.

Why?

Dunbachel asked with her eyes. Why not just slice the throat of such an annoying cultist?

The underling shook his head.

Dunbachel restrained herself from pulling her arm away.

She was, after all, in a position similar to a mercenary.

Even though she was a leader, it was a position she held due to her strength alone.

One of the underlings, standing behind her, rolled his eyes and then spoke.

"This might actually be a good opportunity."

"Do as you see fit."

Dunbachel was cynical, displaying an attitude of indifference. She folded her arms and looked away.

As Dunbachel stepped back, a negotiation unfolded between the cultist and a member of the Black Blade Bandits.

"So, we'll each act in our own interests."

"The goal is clear."

They decided to cooperate cautiously, moving toward their shared objective.

"I'll begin."

The cultist spoke with a twisted smile, extending his hand to stroke the hair of his beast.

A growl emanated from it, sounding like a hellhound from the depths of the underworld.

It wouldn't be inaccurate to liken it to that.

The beast alone was terrifying, with three rows of sharp teeth, a tail like that of a scorpion, and a body and head resembling a lion's.

Its eyes gleamed with a split yellow hue, and each claw looked like a well-sharpened knife.

It was a manticore, a high-level monster capable of devouring an entire company of soldiers.

"Go, enjoy your feast."

At the cultist's command, the manticore sprinted forward, moving with frightening speed. It leaped up the city wall, scaling it without the need to breach the gates. It was indeed a formidable beast.

A terrifying roar echoed, instilling fear, and the manticore stood illuminated by the moonlight.

'Is that... a bear?'

Dunbachel squinted.

There seemed to be a bear-like figure in front of the manticore.

It was hard to see clearly from a distance, especially under the dim moonlight, but something was definitely there.

Even though he had received bribes, the noble in front of him was still officially a noble of Naurillia.

Killing him would be considered a crime against a noble, at least not in front of witnesses.

'It would be better to kill him in secret.'

Of course, that wouldn't be an easy task.

The noble's bodyguard seemed quite capable.

'Maybe I should try to win over the 4th Company Commander.'

After all, Fairies were natural-born assassins.

With their keen senses and stealth, she could easily take down such a target.

'But that would come with its own set of complications.'

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