Chapter 16
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Translator: Ace
Chapter: 016
Chapter Title: The Recluses
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Over the course of three days, a total of nine mercenaries threw themselves at him. Each had their own strengths and strategies, but the results were much the same.
Crack!!
The sharp crack of a whip rang out, followed by agonized screams. Every man struck by Woojin's low kick limped away.
Claire, who had been watching, asked,
"Is there a reason you only target their legs?"
"It's the only spot that doesn't hurt them too bad."
A person's thigh is packed with thick muscles and sturdy bones. Woojin had dialed back his strength just enough to turn his opponents into hobbling messes without causing serious harm, allowing them both to end things without major injuries.
It was so one-sided it barely qualified as a fight. The other mercenaries, witnessing this, gave up any thought of challenging him. No point in risking the humiliation.
"...It's unusually quiet today. Probably because the challengers have dropped off so sharply."
"Yeah."
After chasing off the mercenaries, Woojin was killing time chatting idly with Claire while picking up some magic basics.
It was just another ordinary day. This escort mission didn't demand much of him anyway. The group was simply too large.
Ten Tarasques, three mercenary companies, and the caravan's laborers all moving together. Even the laborers carried crossbows, ready to fight if needed. Few beasts would dare block a force this strong, and even if they did, the group could repel them with minimal losses.
On top of that, Golden Beetle's two sons had hired personal bodyguards.
Three Holy Knights from the Church Alliance, along with their Templar aides. Few in number, but elites far beyond any mercenary.
So, to sum it up...
"...Why are there so many troops?"
Woojin muttered suddenly. Claire, standing nearby, looked puzzled.
"Isn't more manpower a good thing?"
"Sure, but this feels excessive. Some of these guys have nothing better to do than pick fights with me."
That wasn't the only thing nagging at him.
"Golden Beetle's sons seem overly paranoid. The eldest is Cedric, right?"
"No, Derek's the eldest. Cedric's the second son."
Derek and Cedric. Derek, the eldest, was seen as Golden Beetle's true heir, while Cedric held a key position as a caravan executive.
They rode Tarasques instead of wagons, hunkered down beneath massive tents draped over the beasts' backs. Derek and Cedric had yet to emerge even once.
For some reason, the pair avoided showing their faces in public. As a result, Woojin and the other mercenaries didn't even know what their employers looked like.
"Jonathan said he's never spoken to them directly either, right?"
"Yeah. He handled negotiations through letters or proxies, so the job's gone smoothly."
"They seem way too cautious. At some point, you'd expect them to show their faces, no?"
Not even the mercenary leaders had conversed face-to-face with them. Golden Beetle's bloodline was playing hermit, hiding under those tents.
...Just like their father.
"Golden Beetle Wolf lived as a recluse right up until his death. We talked about that last time, remember?"
"Right. During our walk. Now that you mention it... yeah, this is pretty weird."
Before she knew it, Claire had her arms crossed too. The two put their heads together, lost in thought. But no answers came.
Several odd things had happened, but all Woojin and Claire had were rumors. They needed clearer clues to piece it together.
"How do we get intel?"
"Well, there's a kinda crude way..."
"What?"
"Spy on them, duh. Hide out near the tent, and you're bound to spot Derek eventually. Guy's gotta use the bathroom sometime."
Seeing Derek and Cedric would give them a read on their current state.
"Worth a shot."
"Uh... you're serious? I was just spitballing."
"We've got nothing else going on right now."
No time like the present. Woojin stood up. As he headed off, Claire trailed anxiously behind him.
"Maybe we shouldn't? It was my idea, but if we get caught spying, it'll put us in a tough spot..."
"Not getting close, so it'll be fine. I've got good eyes."
Reassuring her like that, Woojin climbed a nearby tree with practiced ease. His movements were so swift and acrobatic, he reached the top in a blink.
Far off, he spotted the Tarasques and the tents on their backs—the ones sheltering Derek and Cedric. A couple guards stood around, oblivious to Woojin.
Now it was a waiting game.
Woojin munched on jerky from his pocket while watching for anyone to emerge. About forty minutes later, a neatly dressed woman entered the tent.
'Who's she?'
Maybe a lead. He focused harder. Soon, she exited, carrying something new in her hands—a small jar-like container.
She headed to some distant bushes and dumped the contents out.
"...Okay, didn't see that coming."
A sigh escaped Woojin. Nothing more to see. He climbed back down.
"Careful not to hurt yourself."
Claire waited below, book in hand.
"See anything up there?"
"Total waste of time."
"Why?"
Woojin gave a wry smile.
"The maid came out carrying a chamber pot."
Golden Beetle's sons were doing their business inside the tent. Claire grimaced at the news.
"...They're going that far? This is starting to feel seriously unhinged."
"Yeah."
Woojin agreed. Just like the rumors about Golden Beetle going mad, maybe his sons had mental issues too.
His motivation evaporated instantly.
"What now?"
"Let's head back. Won't get anywhere with rational methods."
Background-checking guys like that would be tough. Dig too deep, and they might catch on. Best to bow out now.
Claire felt the same.
"Honestly, I don't even want to get more tangled up with them. Feels like it'd damage my mental health..."
Anyone would.
...Not sure if that's why, but right after returning to camp, Woojin and Claire spotted a stranger.
A middle-aged man in full plate armor, poking at the dying campfire with a poker. He'd probably sat down because the fire was fading.
Woojin clocked him immediately. Full-body armor wasn't common.
'Church Alliance Holy Knight.'
One of the men guarding Golden Beetle's sons. Maybe even he wanted distance from the stinky chamber pots?
The only way to know was to ask. Woojin approached.
"What brings you here?"
The Holy Knight replied leisurely.
"One of my Templars ended up limping. Got curious who did it, so I came to see."
He'd thought it was just mercenaries, but apparently one of the Holy Knight's subordinates had been mixed in.
"Sorry about that."
"No need to apologize. The fool probably learned his lesson... Anyway, what's your name?"
"Call me Jin."
"I'm Raymond, a follower of the Goddess of Harmony."
Goddess of Harmony, Ea. A major deity frequently mentioned in the Demonic Realm Chronicles, overseeing law, arts, and judgment. Her Harmony Church held high standing in the Alliance.
After brief introductions, Raymond's gaze swept Woojin's surroundings.
"By the way... I heard you tamed a wolf beast. Where is it now?"
"Probably hiding. It's shy around strangers."
"Can't be helped, then."
Raymond gave up easily. He'd clearly hoped to inspect the wolf while he was here.
Wheeee~!
Woojin whistled. Rustling soon followed as Rex pushed through the bushes—a red wolf eyeing the Holy Knight warily.
"...Hah, you really tamed a wolf."
Raymond gaped at Rex, as if he couldn't believe his eyes.
Woojin found it baffling.
"Is it that impressive?"
"No precedents. The Church tried multiple times and failed every one."
The Church Alliance had attempted taming wolves repeatedly. Dogs and wolves seemed similar enough that it should be easier than other beasts.
But every try ended in disaster. Wolves stubbornly refused human commands, for whatever reason.
Thus, from Raymond's view, Rex was a tantalizing exception.
"Mind sharing how you tamed it? I'd make it worth your while."
Raymond proposed a deal. Asking for valuable info outright felt too shameless, apparently.
...Conveniently, Woojin had something he wanted too.
"How about we trade info?"
"Info swap... Tell me what you want first, then I'll decide. What is it?"
He voiced the question burning in his mind.
"Why are our employers so terrified?"
Excessive troops and self-imposed seclusion. He guessed it stemmed from...
Fear. Maybe Golden Beetle's sons were gripped by overwhelming dread. Even with all this protection, it wasn't enough...
"...That's a tough one to answer. I'm on duty, after all."
Raymond said after some thought. Exactly the response Woojin had half-expected. Talking about the principals was off-limits.
Still, he seemed reluctant, his eyes flicking repeatedly to Rex.
"Nothing else you need? Provide the info, and I'll report to the Alliance for a big reward."
"Nothing comes to mind."
"Then I'll come back later. Wasted too much time gawking at the wolf. Remember, my offer stands."
With that, Raymond left. Claire watched his retreating back, murmuring regretfully.
"Too bad. That was our shot at intel."
"Not a total loss."
Golden Beetle's sons were terrified. Just Woojin's hunch so far—no hard evidence, pure speculation from the circumstances.
Raymond had unintentionally validated it in their talk.
"'Tough question to answer,' he said."
"Yeah. Didn't deny it."
Calling it tricky meant it hit close to the truth.
Taking that as a given, let's speculate.
Golden Beetle's sons were in the throes of fear. The cause was unknown, but timing pointed to their father's death.
Derek and Cedric's voluntary seclusion wasn't enough. To survive, they needed somewhere safer—the Alliance walls.
Hence, today, the brothers hired maximum troops and set out.
In one sentence...
'...They're fleeing from something.'
Not a pleasant conclusion.