Chapter 50
Chapter 50
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 50
Chapter Title: Fishing
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'Heh heh. This is the life.'
Shiiiiiik. Shiiiiiik.
He couldn't hide his joy, his mouth nearly splitting his face inside the helmet.
Bebeto flapped his massive black wings striped with gold, slicing through the wind.
The cool breeze today sang boldly of spring's arrival.
'Cute little guys.'
He turned his head.
There, five wyverns came into view.
They weren't wearing wyvern magic armor, but just seeing them was reassuring.
With Bebeto as their leader, they flew vigorously behind him.
'Uhahaha! Two million gold each means ten million for five! Thank you, God!'
Wyverns were known for their fierce loyalty to their Skyknight masters.
But that meant nothing to him and Bebeto.
No business like show business, as the saying went.
He'd steadily beat the crap out of them, then toss them to Bebeto for some "education."
Afterward, he'd follow up with a heal spell and some medicine.
Repeat that a few times, and most wyverns would shit themselves in fear and beg him for mercy.
Bebeto's monstrous talons were something only those who'd felt them could truly appreciate.
'If we keep recruiting enemy wyverns like this... Heh heh. Even a kingdom would be jealous.'
He'd never heard of anyone retraining captured wyverns for their own use.
Wounding them just enough during battle to capture them wasn't easy, and their loyalty rivaled that of knights.
Yet against him and Bebeto's combo, they surrendered without a fight.
A few more rounds like this, and he could form entire wyvern squadrons.
'But will those guys be okay? I hear they weren't raised with holy water.'
Temir mountain wyverns, marked with strange runes instead of magic orbs.
Turned out those were tattoos etched by shamans.
Holy water immersion from birth was supposedly needed to purge their demonic nature for military use.
But the Temir used shamanic powers to train them instead.
'What does it matter? Whether they ride motorcycles or bicycles, as long as they get to Seoul, right?'
Whatever happened later, right now they obeyed him and Bebeto faithfully.
Especially the females, subtly wagging their tails at Bebeto.
'Crossbreeding wyverns... Most aren't rebellious— just the males. Typical male wariness toward a stronger male.'
He'd fought several battles mounted on Bebeto, but none went berserk at the sight of him like the rumors claimed.
Just the males showed more aggression than the females.
Like lions in a pride reacting to an intruding male—instinctive behavior.
'Anyway, hope nothing goes wrong.'
Using the military-only communication orb, he'd heard that Lukens Viscount's soldiers and wyverns hadn't attacked Denfos.
Still, he worried about an ambush en route.
Ground forces he could handle somehow, but wyverns would send the Sky Corps mercenaries fleeing.
"Ah...."
Soon after, amid his worries, Denfos city appeared in the distance.
A sigh of relief escaped him.
This continent had no real hometown for him.
But seeing the weathered city sparked a sudden joy, like coming home.
'One month, huh... Perfect! I'll have Lukens Viscount on his knees before then!'
A showdown with over 20,000 soldiers and Lukens Viscount, the official lord of Neruman.
No backing down or compromising.
This was the path of the man Kang Hyuk.
Only glorious victory lay ahead.
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Kuooooooo!
Spotting the Foreign Sky Corps, Bebeto let out a long cry to announce his return.
Kiooooooo!
Kuuuuuuuuu!
The following wyverns echoed with roars that shook hearts.
Ding! Ding! Ding! Ding!
The sight of multiple wyverns sent mercenaries popping out like beans from a hot wok.
Bells clanged wildly, signaling the enemy's arrival.
'Not bad!'
Despite being outmatched, the mercenaries nocked arrows and gripped weapons, assuming combat formation.
Their soldierly discipline warmed his heart.
"Run!"
"Uwaaaah! If you wanna live, run for it!"
"Mooommy~!!"
'Gah!'
But that warmth soured in under three seconds.
'Yeah, figured as much. Sigh.'
Terror-stricken mercenaries scattered like rabbits startled by an eagle.
They bolted so fast, they could've set a 100-meter world record.
"Th-the lord!"
"Huh? It's really the lord?"
A few who kept their wits spotted him and shouted.
In his absence, even the mercenaries had decided to treat him as lord.
"The lord's here!"
Confirming him atop the distinctly massive Bebeto, they finally stopped fleeing.
Shiiiiiik.
Bebeto flapped down slowly onto the Sky Corps runway.
Flutter, flutter.
The other five wyverns landed behind.
"Th-those are Temir wyverns."
"Gasp! Why are they here?"
True to Neruman mercenaries, they recognized the shaman-wrapped Temir wyverns.
"You've returned, my lord."
Derbal rushed over amid the stunned mercenaries rolling their heads in confusion.
"No trouble?"
"None at all. But these wyverns..."
"Picked 'em up."
"Picked up? Wyverns?"
"The Temir tribe somehow knew and donated five to smash Lukens Viscount. They even butchered two dead ones as gifts."
"As expected of you, my lord!"
Derbal gazed at him with eyes brimming with awe and respect at the absurd explanation.
He'd probably believe the guy could make bread from dirt.
"Wooow! What are all these moneybags?"
Raiker sauntered in, clothes disheveled from the chaos, eyes gleaming with greed at the wyverns.
"Sell just one... Heh heh... Gulp."
Raiker's lecherous eyes, filled with thoughts of women and booze.
'And he still wants a wyvern? Shameless bastard.'
No matter how badly he needed Skyknights, he wouldn't give one to Raiker.
What difference from leaving dried fish with a cat and going out?
"Derbal, build a hangar for these wyverns to rest in immediately. And fetch some fresh food."
"Yes, sir!"
'Heh heh. Kids, this is your new home now. Let's make it work.'
The naive country-bumpkin wyverns settled protectively behind Bebeto.
Looking at them filled him with warmth again.
'How much could we make hunting with these guys?'
In Neruman Plains, a little effort meant straight cash.
Now it was just a matter of raking it in.
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"Temir wyverns—five of them?"
Lukens Viscount asked again, his nerves frayed from overseeing vital cargo.
"Yes. No precise details yet, but reports confirm five Temir wyverns have joined him."
Lukens wasn't a fool.
Among the mercenaries young Kaier had gathered were his own spies.
Important intel flowed in steadily.
"An alliance with the Temir?"
"Unlikely. As you know, my lord, Temir are uncompromising zealots. Alliance doesn't fit—they'd have accepted your offer long ago if so."
Lukens had negotiated with the Temir for years.
He knew their edge: unlike any empire or kingdom, they tamed wyverns effortlessly.
One reason they survived the monster-infested northern continent—elite combat prowess and wyverns.
"That guy's getting under my skin...."
The rookie baronet, barely arrived in Neruman, was slowly unnerving the epitome of composure, Lukens.
His brow furrowed slightly.
"Just say the word, and we'll handle him now."
The adjutant quietly pressed for attack, reading his inscrutable lord.
"Keh keh. No. Delivering the goods comes first. Anyway, how far are they?"
"A message bird says they've just departed the harbor. We launch the transport ships from here in four days."
"Four days... Heh heh, can't wait."
Lukens, who rarely showed emotion, flashed a faint toothy grin.
Once the goods were exchanged and promises kept, no one in Neruman could touch him.
With their backing, he'd turn Neruman into the continent's top territory in no time.
"As always, give it your all till the end. Everything rides on this."
"Understood—doubly so."
Senior adjutant knight Delbado bowed to Lukens's order.
As they spoke, darkness thickened over Gadein Castle.
Just as quietly as the scheming humans' hearts....
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"Can't approach?"
"Insane security. Death to any within two kilos of the transports, no exceptions. Over half the private troops deployed, wyverns patrolling constantly."
'What the hell's in there to guard like that?'
"Strange... Even if they sail, pirates will strip 'em at sea. Why guard transports so hard? Unless..."
Raiker spat out a rare smart observation, drawing stares from Derbal and him.
"Heh heh. Think Lukens modded the transports into... luxury mobile bars? Ah! Damn, that was my saved business idea. Lukens! Not some pushover!"
Raiker clenched his fist, venting fiery regret.
Pow!
"Argh!"
He slammed a fist into Raiker's left cheek.
Crash.
"Ow! Why'd you hit me!"
Raiker clutched his eye, whining.
"One more word, and tomorrow you'll emerge as Bebeto's shit."
"Ungh...."
The pervert Raiker, testing human patience to its limit.
Only after a beating did he shut up.
"Raiker's onto something suspicious. Would Lukens, no idiot, prep transports knowing Neruman's seaward bay is pirate playground?"
Derbal closed his eyes briefly, deep in thought.
'Pirates and Lukens. Perfect cockroach duo.'
The answer was obvious.
'Trading something with pirates. Whatever it is...'
"Probably..."
Derbal, lost in thought, finally spoke.
"That, right?"
He gave Derbal a meaningful look.
"Exactly. Ignoring our provocations means whatever's on those ships matters more. And linked to them, no doubt."
He nodded at sharp Derbal's words.
"Uwaaa! What're you two yapping about? Probably what? What's 'that'? Talking in code like I'm dumb! This is too much!"
Raiker, ears perked, exploded at their cryptic exchange.
Thwack!
"Arghhh!"
Fist responded before Raiker finished.
Pow pow, thwack!
Raiker rolled on the floor, right eye then left battered.
Two feet joined the punishment.
"Uwaaak! Help! Save me!"
Raiker squealed like a pig at slaughter under the barrage.
'Whatever my foot's hitting ain't human—it's an orc, orc.'
He tuned out, self-hypnotizing.
Thud! Thud! Pow pow!
Hypnosis fueled harder kicks.
Jackpot today.
Lesson from wyverns: words fail, fists prevail.
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"Temir wyverns came?"
"Five, astonishingly."
"How? Their wyverns have unmatched loyalty...."
Baroness Jenis's long lashes trembled with her hollow voice.
"Kaier now has seven wyverns. If armored up or Skyknights added..."
Her Skyknight Berkes trailed off, face grim.
He'd expected Kaier to beg aid after provoking Lukens.
Logically, inevitable.
Even elite Skyknights and wyverns kneel to numbers.
Yet Kaier exceeded expectations.
Killed Palmeer, claimed his wyvern—now housed Temir ones too.
All in under a month since arrival.
Silence fell at Kaier's name.
"Unfathomable. How'd he rally so many mercenaries and win Denfos hearts so fast..."
Jenis voiced her distress.
Plans derailed, head spun.
"Shall we visit?"
Short, sturdy Atisian suggested seeing Kaier.
"Not yet. Full hangar means nothing without Skyknights. Wyverns won't easily betray old masters."
Berkes countered.
"Hmm...."
Jenis dithered.
If Kaier bowed to Lukens, she'd have full forces ready.
"Watch a few more days. Monitor Kaier and Lukens closely."
"Wise choice."
"Tch, that rolling stone grew this big..."
The two Skyknights grimaced at her order.
The stone that rolled in might not dislodge the embedded one—but shatter it.
Bitter that this enigma achieved in days what they'd failed at for over a decade.
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Perfect weather.
Pitch-black low clouds blocked starlight.
Dressed in skin-tight black assassin garb, he infiltrated.
'Security's insane.'
Lukens trading with pirates? Plausible.
But the cargo? That's the issue.
Curiosity drove personal recon.
The scene: squads of a dozen soldiers patrolling thickly around the docks. He caught his breath.
'What could be so vital?'
Cargo mystery deepened.
Ships larger than expected.
About 30 meters long, 5-meter freeboard.
Plump dedicated transports.
Five in total.
'Invisibility spell would be perfect—if only.'
7th-circle transparency.
He knew the formula, but lacked the circle.
No retreat now.
'Fog rolling in nicely...'
"Fog!"
He cast from between large trees.
Rain-threatened riverbank, low clouds.
Sssssssssss.
Fog bloomed 100 meters away, spreading everywhere.
River humidity and weather boosted power by half.
Mana drained heavily, merging with air into mist.
"What's with all this fog?"
"Tch, a month's misery already."
"Shh. Too loud. Overseer hears, it's flogging."
Nearby patrols grumbled.
"Haste."
As they passed into thick fog, he cast Haste.
Flash!
Brief glow from spell, but prone under black robe, little light escaped.
He scanned—no one spotted him.
Swish. Ssswish.
Reed-choked riverbank. He slipped through like wind.
Mana staff synced with Haste.
Speed tripled full sprint—insane.
'Squad that way.'
Mana-open senses pinged soldier presences sharply.
He slithered past like an eel, nearing the ships.
Kuo!
'Damn chickenheads!'
Fog-shrouded river wyvern low-cried overhead.
Cursing, he reached dockside.
Tap tap, tack.
Foggy but bonfires lit enough to see.
"Summon Sylph."
Silence was life now.
Spirit over spell: Sylph summoned.
Swish.
Sylph appeared with faint breeze on command.
Near-invisible in fog.
"Sylph, snuff those fires."
Nod nod.
Whoooosh.
Clatter crash.
"Gasp! What the—!"
"Wind this fierce?"
Sylph's breath scattered bonfires; soldiers startled.
"What're you doing! Light 'em up!"
Furious knight bellowed.
Slink.
Briefly, fires gone, fog engulfed area.
He lofted lightly onto stern.
'Thrilling beyond expectation.'
Spielberg spy or 007 vibes.
Like a thief's wisdom: stolen apple tastes best. Tension buzzed thrillingly.
'Few on deck.'
Plenty ashore and around, but deck sparse.
Just occasional knightly movements.
Tap.
Cat-soft steps to central hatch.
Max mana sense: empty hold.
Enter hold, mission success.
Ssswish.
'Safe!'
Baseball steal-slide into hatch, safe called.
Infiltration success.
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'Huh? What's this?'
Inside the hold.
As expected, lattice cabins packed with goods.
Sturdy wooden crates, 50cm cubed.
Neatly stacked, rope-bound secure for voyage.
'What the hell are these?'
Not jewels or food—certain.
Too small for weapons.
'Mana stones? Gold?'
Continent valuables flashed in mind.
Nothing clicked.
Drip.
No brain-racking needed.
Untied inner crates' ropes.
'Heh heh. If all gold or mana stones...'
If so, jackpot—main goal to crush Lukens achieved.
Calming excitement, he pried one open lightly.
Click.
Nailed tight, but mana-hand popped it easy.
"Eh?"
Mystery exclamation at contents.
'What is it?'
Crate held vial nestled in soft wool.
Round glass bottle.
Inside: glowing blue liquid.
'Booze?'
Carefully stored liquid screamed liquor.
'Raiker right? Building a bar?'
But luxury bar in remote hellhole? Insane.
'Pirates short on booze?'
Nonsense too.
Pop.
Uncorked presumed booze bottle.
"Haa...."
Instant nose-clearing fresh scent wafted.
Spring floral? Minty? Unplaceable.
'Familiar smell...'
Genius brain dredged memory.
'Wait, no way!'
Flash— one item.
Gulp gulp.
One-shot the contents.
"Kyaa...."
Smooth, refreshing, cool, fizzy, tingling—gas patent medicine bliss down throat.
'Top-grade potion!'
Incredibly, not common—aged 3+ years, divine special, top-grade!
'One bottle worth thousands gold minimum! Whole ship...'
Ding ding ding! Brain raced.
Top-grade potions heal severe wounds instantly, miraculously.
Knights' must-carry in battle; quality gauged income.
Priceless.
About a thousand crates.
'Millions gold minimum. Continent price. For holy-water barred pirates...'
Money irrelevant.
Potions vital against sea beasts.
Kesmir Archipelago pirates ruled seas—top sea thugs.
Need massive potions.
'Heh heh heh. That's why the babying?'
Empires/kingdoms block pirate trade over headaches.
No sane kingdom sells rare holy water to pirates amid that.
Clear answer.
'Frontman Lukens secures holy water supply? Heh heh. Pirates repay with favors.'
Even Lukens couldn't hold Neruman with current forces alone.
But pirate aid for holy water? Game-changer.
With pirate backup, monster hunts and Temir suppression easy.
'What to do with these?'
Blast with magic? Lukens seppuku-worthy.
But sucked from Neruman folk's blood—pity to sink.
Step step.
'Huh?'
Mid-dilemma, approaching footsteps inside.
Rustle.
Hastily re-lidded, re-roped.
Killed presence, hid between crates.
"Four days left."
"Yeah, months slaving over these—teeth chatter."
"Understandable. Deliver smooth, Neruman's ours and lord's!"
"Damn right. Once Bazran traitors leave, we defend Neruman ourselves!"
Mana signatures: clearly two knights conversing.
'Four days? Oh ho.'
"Speaking of, that Kaier's building force?"
"Yeah. Info guy says five Temir wyverns in his hangar."
"Filthy cur! Same as Bazran traitors—dealt with Temir somehow!"
'Pfft, writing fanfic now.'
Two spewing righteous fury sans facts.
Wanted to boot their yapping skulls, but stealth night.
"Next ship."
"Heh heh. Yeah, visit our pretties."
"Wipe drool. They're merchandise."
'Her? Merchandise?'
Knights vanished without clarifying, leaving questions.
'Other ships hold women.'
During Denfos takeover, few kidnapped women at Lukens's mansion.
Likely all shipped here.
'Pull back tonight.'
Learned of premium potions and kidnapped women—huge haul.
'Lukens, unforgivable scum.'
Never seen his face.
Curious about that inhuman mug.
Devil tormenting Neruman folk.
Wanted to beat near-death, then once more.
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"Where you headed?"
Next morning after cargo check.
Early, rod in hand, mounting Bebeto.
Derbal and Raiker appeared, inquiring.
"Wait a sec. Gonna reel in a big one."
"Heh heh. Kaier knows romance. Where to? I know prime spots."
'Sigh, this guy...'
Raiker: genius at eating/boozing.
Master-level skill impressive, but no life guarantee.
Yet no extra effort despite reality.
"Derbal, rest today. Raiker, give mercenaries a few days' leave—booze and fun away."
"Oh!! Thanks for the grand favor, my lord."
Raiker bowed deeply, oozing respect.
'Beatings useless on him.'
Despite warnings, no remorse or tension—just steadfast.
Some immune to rods.
'Bury next time?'
If rods fail, one step: dig 10m deep, plant.
"Be back, Bebeto! Let's go!"
Kuooooo!
Bebeto, cockier with wyvern entourage, bellowed sky-shakingly, spreading golden-striped wings.
"Wooow!"
Majestic Robert River crossed Neruman Plains.
Width several Han Rivers—deep, vast.
'Upstream near Habis Kingdom border. Canal later for efficiency.'
Hours from Lukens's transports, he picked spot.
'One hour sprint from Denfos. Ideal.'
Said fishing, but purpose elsewhere.
'Magic circles on those rocks perfect.'
Black rugged rocks lined both banks.
Splash splash.
Kuo! Kuo!
'Whoa, freshwater fish that big?'
Continent critters defied norms.
Eel-like carp leaped—nearly 2m monster.
Sharp-eyed Bebeto spotted, joy-crying.
"Yeah, you catch fish. I'll work."
Bebeto: zero help for his tasks.
No idle play.
Hop.
Leapt off Bebeto's back.
Held recent mana stone powder.
Thud.
Light knee-impact on flat rock.
Mana mastery: body feather-light.
Cold-resistant iron constitution.
"La la la~"
Whistling atop splash-side boulder.
Spring scents, gentle river—mood uplifted.
"Flat!"
Magic halved rock flat.
Crackle.
One spell: 2m clean flat surface.
Kuooooooo!
Splash splash.
Bebeto's excited roar turned head.
"Whoa!"
3m+ colossal fish clawed in talons.
Strong prey bent Bebeto's body bow-like in struggle outside water.
'Heh heh. One like that, never starve.'
Glutton fighter, but helpful Bebeto.
Gratitude to gifting god welled.
'Wonder how everyone's doing.'
Chaos sidelined fond faces.
Scooped mana powder, reminisced.
Parents, friends, Ye-rin, Artemis priestesses, Irene Countess, Highness, Isis Princess, and pure-first-kiss stealer Lusel the disguised woman.
Beloved faces flashed quick.
"Wait a bit. I'll dev Neruman into top city, invite all!"
Joyful thoughts fueled magic circle drawing.
For Paradise Continent Neruman: first, crush evil villain Lukens.