My Demons - Chapter 246



Only Krnovel

My Villains Episode 246

49. Visitors (9)

Immediately after Baron Inomen left the guildhall, he gathered Ellen, Utequoi, Hayla, and Kol. It was to discuss a proposal he had made.

“… … Well, that was roughly the story.”

After finishing the brief explanation, I leaned back against the backrest.

“It was practically a threat.”

“Threat?”

“huh. “They asked me to choose whether to be the king’s standard-bearer or a traitor.”

“o uh…”

Ellen crossed her arms and had a serious expression on her face, and Utequoi tapped the armrest with his thick fingers. She looked lost in thought, resting her chin on her chin as she said Hail.

As silence continued, Cole looked around the group and cautiously opened his mouth.

“What do you want to do, Phoenix?”

“••••♦•That.”

I scratched my eyebrows and opened my mouth.

“I don’t really feel like it.”

“Why?”

“The king’s rider is actually the king’s hunting dog. “Who likes being grabbed by a leash out of nowhere?”

The Kingdom of Milano is a feudal state, and accordingly, lords and subjects enter into bilateral contractual relationships.

Simply put, when a lord grants a fief, his vassals offer swords and taxes. Of course, because the kingdom is large and there are many lords, master-servant relationships that deviate from this basic framework are very common.

A notable exception is my relationship with Prince Ulkar. He made me a knight and gave me the manor of Lavalton, but made no demands.

-Protect the weak and do good.

This short phrase was all he commanded. Therefore, my master-slave relationship with Ulkar does not have much influence on me. This is because there are no specific obligations.

“It would be different for Lionel III and Crown Prince Zacharis. “They will try to manipulate me somehow, and I may end up stranded in this territory that is on the verge of disaster.”

“So what you’re worried about now is the danger that will come if you reject Baron Innomen’s offer?”

“uh. “I’m worried about direct threats, and there’s nothing good about being indifferent to the king.”

Ute Kwai, who was tapping the armrest, nodded, ‘Hmm.’

“difficult. “It’s difficult, but there is only one answer.”

“There is only one answer? What?”

“If you follow Prince Ulkar, you will gain a great enemy, and if you follow the King, you will lose freedom and honor. Prince Ulkar is the answer.”

“… … “Why is fame suddenly appearing?”

“Serving two masters is betrayal. “It’s not honorable.”

I waved my hand with a sullen expression.

“Hey, that’s enough. “Take that out of the calculation.”

“… … “What do you mean?”

“I don’t care if it’s betrayal or honor. Instead of worrying about other things, think about which choice we should make to make sure we are safe and that there will be no disruption to our journey.”

Utequoi wiggled his eyebrows and placed his chin and palm on the table.

“Phoenix.”

“There is only one thing that separates a thief from a warrior. honor. “Something that cannot be calculated.”

It was a low voice, no different from usual, but it felt like a warning and a slight anger at the same time.

“You are a warrior. He is not an ordinary warrior, but a warrior who receives the attention of the gods. Even if you are buried alone in the barren sand, you must protect your honor.”

I frowned at his very serious attitude, then adjusted my posture and sat down.

“I’m sorry, Ute Kwai, but I’m not that kind of person.”

“That is correct. Everyone is originally nothing. A warrior is forged through life.”

“No, that’s not it… …

I brushed my hair and chose my words.

“So, if the land where Prince Ulkar stands is a wasteland where my body will be buried, I won’t even look in that direction. “I am that kind of person.”

“Those are cowardly words.”

“I have work to do, and I have colleagues and subordinates to follow. “We won’t all crawl into the grave together because we’re afraid of people pointing fingers.”

“Wrong!”

Utekwai retorted in a slightly louder voice.

“You have nothing to fear, not pointing fingers. “They are the gods watching over you.”

A glimpse of brilliance flashed through his stern eyes. Is it because of its brilliance? A cold draft blows in, making the previously cool room feel hot.

“The gods will remember an honorable death. “I will also remember my miserable life.”

A black light with a strange heat.

It was proof that ‘Mother’, the god of the prairie, was watching Utequa.

“Life is short, death is eternal. “You need to know this.”

The numerous daily miracles that occur in Middle World prove the existence of gods. Even after facing these facts, my values ​​did not change much.

“••••••Phew.”

I met Utekwai’s burning gaze and sighed deeply. And she slowly opened her mouth.

“I don’t care about the afterlife, I decide my honor. “Not the gods.”

“It is not my honor to gain prestige in front of people or to die gracefully. “It is my honor to protect those I must protect and to act according to my conscience.”

“… … Your honor?”

“Yes, my honor.”

Utequai made a strange expression for a moment. I added quickly to avoid prolonging the pointless argument.

“Well, we’ve been getting along well so far, respecting each other’s values ​​and religious views, right?”

“I wish the honorary officer would be like that too. “How about it? Is it okay?”

w OO ugh” ■ — ■ — •

As he asked that question and shrugged his shoulders, Wu Tequai crossed his arms with a mysterious expression. And he leaned back against the backrest, as if lost in thought. The leather-covered couch creaked and screamed.

Unlike Utequoi, who chose Prince Ulcar citing honor, Ellen showed a slightly ambiguous attitude.

“… … Is there really a need to follow Prince Ulkar? “Looking at the sincerity shown by Baron Inomen, I don’t think a single king would be that bad, right?”

I was a little dumbfounded and burst out laughing.

“No, at some point the Jeore royal family will be

Are you saying they are like dog butchers? But do you support the king?”

“In my opinion, the most ‘Zeore-like’ of all the existing royal families is Prince Ulkar. “He’s already your master, so what’s so different about kings?”

The air must have been a little chilly, so Ellen lit the fireplace with a wave of her hand. Because she sprinkled her sawdust on well-dried firewood, she quickly burst into flames.

“And, King Doksil is a king. He is said to be the most powerful person in the country. “With a little luck, Poi, you too can become a great lord.”

“Great lord… … . Hmm.”

Ellen must have read my indifferent expression as she added some advice with a very serious expression.

“Yes, Highlord. Wouldn’t it be a much better life than living as a wanderer like now? “You have to finish your trip someday and settle down somewhere.”

“Well, that’s right, but… … . I feel like troublesome things will happen too often. “The king must have a lot to ask for, I have to take responsibility for the residents of the territory, and I have to rule over this village right away.” “That’s right, you just have to change the contract a little bit.” “… … What is the contract? how?”

Ellen shrugged and showed off her small, white palm.

“I don’t know. “If we talk about it enough, we’ll find an answer.”

“What is that.”

“Anyway, isn’t what Baron Inomen wants to do to appease you?”

“Yes, but.”

“Since the territory is in ruins, I ask to be exempted from various obligations for 10 years. “If it’s a shame, won’t you accept it?” Hmm, in short, just take the land and gut it. It’s a very gangster-like method that I like.

At that time, Hayla, who had been contemplating while resting her chin, opened her mouth.

“It’s no use.”

“huh? why?”

“Lionel III will die soon. “When Zacharis becomes king, he will eliminate all such privileges.”

“Oh right. That’s right… …

Hayla blinked and expressed her opinion.

“And, Poi has no choice.”

“huh? why’?”

“If you become Lionel III’s standard-bearer, the family elders will raise an army.”

The family she was talking about was Jaharkar and Baluin, the Dukes of Eyland.

The Jeore royal family is already a group of people gnashing their teeth, but if the impregnate, who is the blood descendant of the family and is supposed to give birth to an heir, becomes the king’s hunting dog… … . okay. I might really raise an army.

“Then how do we prevent the king from being checked or threatened?”

“Although it is a temporary solution, there is an effective and simple method.”

“what is that?”

“Just assassinate Baron Innomen.”

“… … what?”

Her mouth widened in shock, but Hayla paid no heed and continued her explanation.

“The group can leave here first, and the group can hide in the hideout for two or three days and then assassinate the target. “Baron Innomen is a knight of high reputation, but he can handle a bunch of them.”

I quietly listened to her plan and quickly shook my head.

“That’s nonsense. “Why are you assassinating the Baron because he did something wrong?”

“If you assassinate the Baron, you can hide the fact that you received the offer. “If we take the opportunity and assassinate the other two riders, it will become clearer.”

“••••••ha.”

I sighed deeply and scratched my eyebrows.

“I don’t want to get Mungchi’s hands dirty with something like this. “I will never do anything like assassination.”

“why?”

Hayla looked at me with a look of complete confusion.

“… … Why? This is a child who grew up suffering all kinds of abuse since childhood to the point where he can’t even remember. “I don’t want to give you any more bad memories.”

“Bad memories?”

“okay.”

Heyla, who normally would have quietly retreated, somehow blinked and opened her mouth again.

“Moongi doesn’t hate murder.”

“… … It’s not a matter of whether you like it or not. I don’t know if you have no choice but to take out a knife to protect yourself, but assassination is not allowed. never.”

She blinked her eyes three or four times in a slow motion and nodded. After her discussions, it seemed unlikely that she would collude with Lionel III. My hidden identity as the conceived son of the Zahakar family was decisive.

Even though we came to this conclusion, we couldn’t take action right away. All I could do was prepare for the trip and continue to worry.

Meanwhile, something unexpected happened the next day.

While stationed in Modos, the number of refugees flowing in from outside already exceeded 1,000. Dozens of people had gathered, saying they wanted to join our group.

The only ones who could be considered skilled warriors were a few guards who followed the merchant, and most of the rest were young men who belonged to vigilante groups.

Also, most of them were people who secretly escaped to escape conscription while the vigilante group was being converted into a garrison force.

I thought they were just some strangers who had approached me with a vague envy of the group’s reputation and a career as a mercenary, but it wasn’t that bad.

They were idiots who wanted a life wandering around the world holding a sword rather than living in Modos, which was essentially a pioneer village.

After long consideration, I accepted them.

I am a shrimp caught between the most violent whales in Middleworld, Lionel III and Prince Ulkar. Rookie mercenaries who would be satisfied with just three or four coins were not bad material for bulking up.

Of course, they did not accept all of those who flocked in, and mercenaries who had served as soldiers, such as veteran Conwyer and archer Cole, were selected to select the number of people.

A total of thirteen people were selected, and the number of mercenaries following me was 25. I have a feeling that if they continue to grow in size like this, they will become a group of mercenaries, or rather, a warlord.

For a moment, I was confused by the sudden gathering of people. Peace was restored to the guild hall thanks to veteran mercenaries such as Esson and Fritz flocking to the bar with a group of newcomers.

Until a visitor from the distant East appears.

Jinglang.

The first sign of popularity I felt was the sound made by the captain (禪杖) as he entered the guild hall. The clear sound made by the rings on the ends of the captain hitting each other.

Me, U Teqwai, and Heila, who were spending time in the hall, heard that sound and stiffened. This was because Jang Han, who had a stocky build, was standing at the entrance to the guild hall like a ghost.

And out of all of that, I ended up screaming inside. It was because I was familiar with the visitor who appeared without a sound.

“Hmm.”

A visitor from the East lifted his hat and looked around the hall. Then he looked at Ute Kwai, me, and Heila in that order, and his eyes lit up.

Utequai opened his mouth, placing his hand on the war hammer that was attached to his belt.

“… … Who the hell are you.”

“Amitabha Buddha, nice to meet you.”

It was fluent Milanol, without any awkwardness. It was also a voice that conveyed solidity.

“The frequency is called Iljin.”

“… … “Iljin?”

“exactly. “I’ve been looking for you for a very long time.”

Saying that, the monk of Qi Wu Zhong smiled slightly.

Crazy, why is a martial artist here?