The Berserker’s Second Playthrough in the Game - Chapter 209



Only Krnovel

Episode 209. The Signs of War (5)

In the past few months, there has been a major tectonic shift in the political world of Delutana, the ‘City of Gold’.

There were several major incidents such as the death of an Archpaladin and a high-ranking wizard, a mercenary who slaughtered demons on the Golden Road rose to prominence, the threat of the Empire became visible, and the Chairman of the Council fell seriously ill… … As expected, the biggest reason could not help but point out the joining of the ‘Indomitable Army’.

An elite Atalain force led by the so-called ‘Unyielding Army’ and ‘Agon’s Angry Horn’.

A military force that suddenly gained a lot of attention due to the fame of its leader and its activities on the Golden Road.

The unit was originally a direct unit led by the Agon faction members of the Galentana Council. However, after Agon was destroyed for some reason, they left their hometown and transferred to the Delutana Council. Thanks to this, the ‘Golden City’, which had relatively weak military power compared to its wealth, now had a strong guard within its fence.

And needless to say, the greatest contributor to that achievement was the ‘Turis family’.

The reason the ‘Unstoppable Force’ came to Delutana in the first place was because they were introduced to the family’s connection. At first, when some barbarians rolled into the corner of the house, they couldn’t help but panic… … But the brothers of the Turis family responded very quickly. They realized that the interests of the warriors who wanted a place to live and the council who wanted watchmen coincided, and they arranged for them to become direct units.

The ‘Turis Family’ was already a well-known family in Delutana. They even managed to greatly strengthen the previously weak military force… … It was probably a very natural progression for the power structure of Delutana to be reorganized around the ‘Turis Family’.

Pellico and Enrico, the brothers who lead the Turis family, quickly stood at the center of Delutana politics. No one would have thought it strange if the Turis brothers attended a meeting with representatives of a large city on behalf of the sick chairman of the council.

The reason this meeting was convened was to discuss responses to the threat from the empire. To put it more bluntly, it was a place where Delutana, whose feet were on fire, was asking for help from other major cities.

But somehow… … as we talked, the flow of the conversation became quite unusual.

“I repeat, the Galentana Council has no intention of cooperating with the Empire.”

Valerio, a leading member of the Galentana council, drew a clear line.

Pelico, a prominent member of the Delutana Council of Councilors, narrowed his brows. Remtana’s counselor, Enrico, said while managing his expression with difficulty.

“This… … I don’t think it’s a matter of whether you think about it or not, Representative Valerio. “Do you really think that Galentana will be safe even if the Empire invades the Alliance?”

“Oh my, you guys took away our direct command unit, so what are you talking about? Because of those guys leaving, even if it’s not the Empire, the security of Galentana is seriously threatened… … .”

Enrico almost burst out laughing.

On the contrary, Valerio was in a position to benefit greatly from the transfer of the ‘Indomitable Army’. Because of this, the ‘Agon faction’, the political enemy that raised the unit directly under his command, fell, and the ‘University faction’ to which he belonged came to take control of Galentana again.

But that was just the situation beneath the surface, and if you look at it only on the surface, his point was morally sound. Valerio seized the justification that his immediate unit had been taken away by another city, and did his best to express his justifiable displeasure.

“Don’t even talk. As the aftermath of the Golden Road outbreak was not fully resolved, a catastrophe occurred with the collapse of Agon’s arena, and to make matters worse, the unit directly under his command that was supposed to prevent the chaos was transferred… … “The territory under Galentana’s jurisdiction has already become a battlefield with the entire area devastated.”

“… … A devastated battlefield? “Did you hear that Agon is turning into a green area after the arena collapsed?”

“W-what are you talking about? And well, hmm… … Even if there were about a million pyeong of green space, do you think you would be able to keep up with the profits from just one dumping ground?”

“So, didn’t we say we would provide support funds to restore the dumping ground? If only Galentana would cooperate militarily with us and fight the Empire together… … .”

“Keuhum, hum hum… … No matter how many chests of money you have, what good will they be if the imperial knights attack? … . Well, back in the old days, the great golden lord, Remillion, saved the city with just one gold coin… … Our respected members of Delutana don’t seem to have that kind of ability… … .”

The flow of conversation was starting to lose steam. Before it could drag on any longer, Pellico stepped forward.

“Then, tell me something. “What are the conditions Galentana wants?”

“… … Returning the ‘Indomitable Army’ back to Galentana, and bearing the full cost of restoring the arena and the Golden Road. Unless these two conditions are met, we will never help the ‘Golden City’ against the empire.”

“… … .”

The conditions are like a bunch of giant nosed dogs running amok. Brothers Felico and Enrico were speechless. Galentana probably viewed the empire’s threat as nothing more than a dog fight taking place beyond the arena fence.

In the end, the conversation turned to the Vestana representative. But what he said was even more shocking.

“I hope that all wizards currently dispatched to Delutana jurisdiction will be returned to the Magic Tower as soon as possible.”

“… … What are you talking about, all of a sudden? Weren’t they sent under a legitimate contract?”

“Didn’t you put a condition that if a serious problem occurs in the Magic Tower, everyone will be restored? Currently, the Mage Tower is short on manpower to track the whereabouts of the missing tower owner and clean up the civil war between the two elders. Oh, this also applies to Galentana and its jurisdiction, so please bear with it.”

Forsilion, a member of the Vestana Council and a Conjurer-ranking wizard, dropped a bombshell.

They had kept a standing army of magicians in case of danger, but they were blatantly trying to take advantage of past gains and get out. On the contrary, it was Galentana who exploded more than Delutana. They had already experienced something similar during the demon infestation on the Golden Road… … .

The hall became a moment of chaos as lawmakers grabbed hold of each other. However, in the meantime, Pelico clearly understood Porsilion’s intention.

“The reason the Magic Tower lacks manpower is not because of the aftermath of the disaster… … “Isn’t it because of the research on ‘something’ that came back recently?”

“… … .”

It was obvious what he was saying. ‘Ancient Mana’, the supernatural energy that was the original source of magic.

The energy that was known to be exhausted suddenly returned to the continent a while ago. Not many people know about it yet, and the Magic Tower has only just learned about it… … If the method of using it is established and the ancient magics are restored, it is clear that the continent’s map will be shaken.

As it was a top secret, Porsilion of course changed the subject while taking a break. However, the direction in which he changed the subject was quite a key and strange direction. The Galentana and Vestana councilors who had been growling at each other as if they were going to kill each other suddenly joined forces and began whispering among themselves.

And then, soon after, they all gathered together and asked:

“Counsel Enrico, did you really give a pass to the Golden Road to a mercenary called the ‘Demon Slayer’?”

“Is it really true that you are in collusion with the ‘Demon Slayer’?”

“… … .”

No answer. Enrico looked away without saying a word.

Council members from other cities all opened their eyes wide and declared in unison.

“I will add a condition. Until the new recruits of the ‘Demon Slayer’ are handed over to our side, Galentana will never cooperate with Delutana.”

“When you return the dispatched wizards, I would like you to send the ‘Demon Slayer’ back with them. He is deeply involved in all the recent disasters that have occurred in the Magic Tower.”

““… … .””

The Turis brothers tried to hide their agitation and pondered their mixed feelings.

*

The talks ultimately ended without any agreement or outcome.

Pellico immediately left for another place for individual negotiations. Enrico joined the Goltarans and Atalain warriors who were waiting in front of the conference room. The Galentana councilor who had been shouting for the return of the ‘Indomitable Force’ inside the conference room, ran away without saying a word when he actually met the parties involved.

Goltaran burst out laughing and glanced in Enrico’s direction. He knew what was happening inside without having to listen.

“As expected, those from other cities won’t cooperate, Councilor.”

“… … exactly.”

“Well, that’s what I expected, so it’s not a huge surprise. However, there is both unexpected bad news and good news.”

“What is that?”

After checking to see if there were any ears listening, Goltaran muttered lowly.

“The bad news is that ‘Old Man Hammer’ has declined the order. He said that since the orders are already piling up, it would be difficult for him to make more weapons even if he were to pay ten times the premium.”

“… … .”

“Furthermore, he refused the offer to evacuate to the rear, lest war break out. He said that it was enough for a blacksmith to abandon his forge once. Even if Delutana fell, he seemed determined to remain there and continue hammering and chiseling.”

The corners of the counselor’s mouth twisted bitterly.

The limping blacksmith was originally a man who had been confined to Remtana. He had brought him with him to Delutana at the request of a mercenary. Thanks to him, he had been reunited with his family from which he had been separated for life, had set up his own workshop, and was finally enjoying a somewhat happy old age, but then, at this very time, war with the empire broke out again… … I couldn’t help but feel sympathy for the blacksmith’s strange fate.

Enrico dried his face and sighed.

“Breaking the stubbornness of a craftsman like that would be harder than cutting an iron rope with your teeth… … . “While you are in Delutana, please take special care to ensure that old Sledgehammer and his family do not suffer harm, Lord Goltaran.”

“… … i get it.”

“Okay, so that’s the bad news, and what’s the good news?”

“The good news is that some of the women on our side, the Daughters of the Wild, have been killed by Atal… … .”

Goltaran quickly cut off his words and kept his mouth shut. Because he sensed the presence of people and the life of unfamiliar beasts.

– Woof, woof, woof! Woof! Woof!

– Wow, wow! Wow! Crrrrr… … .

The sound of an animal resounding loudly. A stocky man appeared out of nowhere, holding the leashes of animals that could be wolves or dogs and blocking their path.

“No, isn’t this the respectable member of the Turis family, Commissioner Enrico? Hahaha, I was just walking my dogs at the time, what a coincidence… …. By the way, did you come back from your meeting with the other city?”

“… … .”

Atalan warriors quickly covered the councilor and leader. Enrico clicked his tongue behind him.

Those who were upset with their uncooperative attitude were not the only ones on the outside. The man in front of them was also, to put it mildly, their own saboteur.

Ramulek Bolgaruis, son-in-law of the chairman of the Delutana Council and a member of the council who was competing with Pellico for the next chairmanship.

From Lee Ja’s perspective, the rise of the Turis brothers must have been a disaster. With his father-in-law lying sick, he had thought he would naturally absorb the faction and take the chairmanship, but with the Turis family at the center of politics, that dream was shattered. That’s why he was constantly picking on and nitpicking everything his brothers did.

“Hmm, well… … Seeing that you are taking your time walking your dogs like me, it looks like the meeting went well! “I look forward to seeing Galentana’s Councilors and Magic Tower Battle Mages entering Delutana in large numbers soon, Councilor!”

“If you don’t have lips, your teeth will get cold. “It may not happen right away, but it may very well happen in the near future.”

“… … .”

Enrico responded calmly, even though he knew the meeting had failed and heard sarcastic remarks. The Atalain warriors, who were called domestic dogs, also showed no particular reaction. It was a familiar insult that they had suffered countless times throughout their lives.

Instead, it was Ramulek’s dogs who got excited and started running wild.

“Oh my, my… … “Why are these guys suddenly like this?”

– Krrrr, krrrrr… … .

– Khuung, woof, keuhung, woof!

“Whoa, woah, guys! Calm down, calm down! You can’t try to turn the dedicated officer who devoted his life to Delutana into a rag!”

“… … .”

One of his nasty habits was to visit his political opponents and threaten them while pretending to walk my vicious dog.

Ramulek’s dogs were no ordinary dogs. They were ferocious beasts, rumored to be hybrids of saber wolves and Tosa dogs, raised on human blood. It was an open secret that a member of the National Assembly who had been investigating Ramulek’s corruption was found dead the day after the hearing, with only bones left behind, for “unknown reasons.”

Because of this situation, those who were afraid of dogs could not even dare to speak ill of Ramulek. Even those who have been around for a long time are bound to lose their minds and fall asleep when Ramulec loosely holds the dog’s leash or pretends to accidentally let go.

But today I met the wrong person.

“Oh, oh, oh my! “Honey, you want to come back!”

– Kung, keung, keung, keung!

As the unleashed fierce dog runs towards him, Goltarran grabs its neck with one hand.

Kwak – Get it!

– Keheng – !

A dog larger than a large calf lifted up like a puppy.

It wasn’t the first time. He had already let go of his leash several times before and threatened Enrico and himself. Goltaran decided to give that congressman a firm warning so that he would never do anything wrong in the future.

In the Atalain way.

Kwadeuk, blah blah blah… … .

A mouth that chews noisily, blood that pours out, a writhing fierce dog.

– Break it! Break it! Break it! Break it! Break it! … .

When the dog was released from Goltaran’s hands, only the lower part of its snout remained.

Ramulec froze as if his brain had been bitten off. Enrico was also momentarily taken aback, but she quickly concealed her expression. Goltaran chewed the top part of its snout, which it tore off with only its raw teeth, and spat it out on the floor.

“You got hurt after a fight between bastards, so I won’t hold you separately responsible.”

“Uh, uhh, uhh… … .”

– Squeak, squeak, squeak, squeak… … .

– Ugh, ugh, squeak… … .

A fierce dog that lost its nose and upper jaw struggled and returned to its owner. The other dogs were so tired that they backed away and urinated. Ramulec, who had barely come to her senses, began shaking her whole body as if she were having a seizure.

“Aesthetic, unexpectedly…

“From a domestic dog to a savage. Thank you, Senator. “You became successful in a short period of time.”

A sight that was completely unacceptable to human common sense. No matter how much he swore and bragged, the terrible fear rising from deep within him did not go away. Ramulec could not help but focus his gaze only on Enrico.

“You have a very, very, very ignorant bastard, Councilor… … ? A person like that is the head of a unit directly under the Supreme Council. Wouldn’t the citizens of Delutana be very anxious if they found out about this? … ?”

“Well… … I think it’ll be okay. The citizens of Delutana aren’t bad-headed, considering there’s someone running around the streets with a wolf disguised as a dog.”

A spark flew into Ramulek’s eyes. Forgetting that he had to hide his secret, he poured out all the information he had and denounced Enrico fiercely.

“하, 참사관님이 거느린 개새끼가, 고작 저자 하나뿐이 아님을 잘 알고 있습니다! Yes, there are more dangerous bastards out there! “I heard that other cities have requested recruits for ‘him’ in exchange for their cooperation with Delutana. How do you plan to deal with him, yes!?”

“… … I will send the medical expenses for the injured dog through the butler’s service. “It was nice to meet you and I’m sure you were very surprised, but please go in and get a good rest, Representative Ramulec.”

Enrico turned his back without answering the question. Goltaran and Atalan warriors followed in silence.

The voice of the dog owner who had been screaming loudly also faded away. On the way back to the mansion, Enrico and Goltara did not exchange a single word. Even so, it was clear enough that they were thinking the same thing.

The card they obtained by risking their lives to confront the Empire or other cities, but whose whereabouts are currently unknown, the ‘Demon Slayer’.

I had to find Kadim.