Chapter 61
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 61
Chapter Title: Preparing the Stage
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Having fully absorbed the Ecstasy Grass, I returned to the village in high spirits.
Now it was time for battle.
But first, I needed to evacuate the villagers. After all, I'd planned to turn the entire village into a stage for the fight.
I turned to Naras, who was eyeing me warily from the corner of Bernard's workshop.
"Naras, your job from now on is to keep an eye on the villagers coming to gawk at Bernard's inventions."
Naras, who'd been paralyzed for nearly a full day before being released, finally managed a nod.
"Yes, understood. Leave it to me. That Bernard guy's always tinkering with his soil nutrient thingamajig or whatever..."
Slap!
"Call him Sir Bernard, not 'that Bernard guy.'"
Naras clutched his cheek, then startled himself and slapped the other side.
This guy was learning faster than I'd expected.
I gave him a satisfied smile and praised him.
"Impressive adaptability. Who knows, maybe you and I were fated to meet."
Naras shot me a look that screamed, 'Cut the crap, you bastard.' But not wanting more slaps, he forced a teary agreement.
"You're right. I'm grateful to have met you."
"Don't be so pessimistic about your situation. Soon enough, you'll think you're the lucky one."
His eyes said, 'What a load of bullshit.' But I let it slide this time.
Naras quickly masked his glare and replied.
"Thank you. And as I was saying, Sir Bernard... his inventions are so odd that even the mercenaries don't pay much attention. As long as they don't leave the village, it's fine."
"Bernard being a weirdo is turning out helpful."
"You could say that."
I turned to head back to the village but paused mid-step. Naras froze like a statue from head to toe.
"Oh, right, I almost forgot—if you feel wronged, feel free to get revenge anytime. The Tang Clan settles grudges cleanly, so we understand when others seek payback."
"N-no, I wouldn't dream of it."
"Good, that might be for the best. If you'd tried getting revenge on me, you'd be dead for sure."
Sweat trickled down Naras's forehead.
"Noted!"
"Take care."
Soon after, I brought Jayvolg and the others over first and introduced Naras as my new "retainer."
Marian and Nellin strutted around Naras—who was much bigger than them—calling him "junior," while he responded with strained laughs.
In the midst of it, Jayvolg sidled up to me and whispered.
"Young master, what are you planning? If you're thinking of taking on the village mercenaries, why not leave it to me?"
"No need. Just in case, stay here and protect everyone. And that Naras—if he acts suspicious, kill him immediately."
"Understood, young master."
"Alright, I'm off."
As I bid Jayvolg farewell, Marian and Nellin waved to me.
"Take care!"
"Will do."
I took a deep breath.
The roots of a hundred Ecstasy Grasses had become inner energy from the Ten Thousand Poisons Heavenly King Divine Art, filling my entire body.
Getting this much free inner energy—how could it get any better?
I changed into clothes mimicking the mercenaries' uniforms and descended the hill.
* * *
With the Tang Clan's secret acupuncture technique to slightly alter my facial features, plus the mercenary uniform, the mercenaries didn't pay me much mind.
Still, up close I could be recognized, so I kept my senses razor-sharp.
Where the hell was Bernard, anyway?
The thought had barely crossed my mind when...
"Die, you bastard! Die!!"
"...?"
I turned toward the sounds of brutal beating. There was Corel, wildly excited as he pummeled someone, while villagers tried to hold him back.
And beneath him lay Bernard.
Bernard's face was swollen like a chestnut as he yelled up at Corel.
"S-sorry, Corel! I'll explain everything!"
"Shut up, you jerk! Shut your mouth!"
Corel grabbed Bernard by the collar, his voice breaking.
"How could you do this to me? Do you know what I went through to say those words to you...?"
"N-no."
Anyone just listening might think Bernard had cheated on him. The villagers' gazes soured, and one pointed accusingly.
"Bernard, you trash! Cheating on Corel?!"
Bernard, oblivious even now, shot back.
"Cheating?! No, we're not even dating!"
"You shameless punk! Look at that smug face!"
If I left them like this, Bernard's life might end right here.
With no choice, I cleared my throat to announce my presence.
"You lot, stop causing a scene and get lost."
The villagers scattered quickly, perhaps because of my mercenary uniform—their eyes went dead in an instant.
Corel tried to drag Bernard away too. For all his harsh words, she was the one ultimately looking out for him. I stopped the pair.
"You two stay."
"...!"
Bernard positioned himself protectively in front of Corel, who looked ready to draw her sword.
I showed them my open palms.
"Bernard, it's me—no need to worry."
"Huh?"
"The one who tasked you with festival prep."
"Lo-Lord Deyan? Oh, yeah, it really is you!"
At Bernard's reaction, Corel tilted her head from the side.
"It is him? What's with the mercenary getup?"
"We'll talk later. Bernard, is everything ready?"
"Yes! All the items you specified are set up around the village, and I've placed inventions everywhere."
Bernard handed me a map marked with the areas he'd worked on.
Just one day, yet this much progress—a true genius's diligence on full display.
"Excellent. Now go tell the villagers the soil nutrient device is complete. Say it'll succeed this time. With that lady's help, everyone should come out."
"Got it!"
Bernard grabbed Corel's hand.
Corel stared at him, dumbfounded.
"Wh-what?!"
"Help me out first, Corel."
"What scheme are you cooking up now?!"
"Just come on!"
The childhood friends departed, and I waited until all the villagers had evacuated.
Soon, they began heading one by one to Bernard's workshop.
Now they would witness the fireworks show in the village.
Because I'd make it happen.
No need for them to be present for the bloodbath. What had they done to deserve that?
Once the villagers were gone, only I and the mercenaries remained.
A hundred mercenaries in total.
Minus Naras and the two Evil Society executives I'd taken down earlier while pretending to be one—97 left.
Plus the black mage Cecil.
Still a formidable force.
The central village building especially—no sneaking in there. It would require a frontal assault.
The key was to eliminate as many mercenaries as possible without expending much effort before facing the black mage.
To do that, I needed to whittle down their forces from the outskirts.
I strolled the streets as naturally as any mercenary.
"Damn, off to see Bernard's inventions again. These villagers."
"Idiots. Like that'll ever work, no matter how many times they try."
"They're hopeless, so they cling to hope."
The mercenaries chatted among themselves, then noticed me approaching and cocked their heads.
"Who's that? Don't remember him."
"Me neither."
Remember this.
To survive in a tiger's den, become the tiger.
"Unbelievable. It's not been that long since we shared a pot of stew, and you don't even remember me?"
"Huh?"
My brazen attitude made them exchange glances—'Know this guy?' 'Nah.' Plain as day.
In moments like these, blending a bit of truth with lies makes a convincing weapon.
Like this.
"Disappointing. Naras said to grab you guys for drinks, so here I am. Whatever."
"Naras?"
"Yeah, it's his day off today."
"Oh, right. That's why we haven't seen him—he's out boozing?"
"And you can't even remember my name. Fine, I'll just drink with him alone."
I turned away curtly.
"Wait, sorry! Our bad."
"You get that you're sorry?"
"Uh... yeah?"
"Then you buy the drinks."
"Deal."
"Follow me."
I led them to a secluded alley. They followed, curiosity about my name getting the better of them.
"Seriously can't place your name. What is it?"
"Ralph."
"Ralph?"
"Yeah, Ralph."
Right beside them, I launched throwing knives in a surprise attack.
They were no match even normally; caught off-guard, they died without a scream.
"Three down."
94 left.
I sauntered out of the alley, then pretended to lounge at a terrace sipping coffee—slipping Ecstasy Grass powder into the cup.
Maybe because I looked so leisurely, not very mercenary-like, a patrolling group approached.
"Hey, you."
"Drinking coffee. Can't you see?"
"..."
To the flustered mercenaries, I offered seats.
"Don't be so stiff on duty. Have some coffee."
"No, we're working..."
"Come on, drink up."
Under my insistence, they sat and gulped it down hesitantly.
Moments later.
"Hahaha! This is good!"
"More! Gimme more!"
They lapped at the cups like dogs.
The Ecstasy Grass worked perfectly, leaving them defenseless and half-mad, weapons dropped.
"Seeing you laugh like that cheers me up too."
"Hahaha? Really? Me too!"
"Hey, mind if I check out that sword? Looks nice."
"Here! Take it!"
I drew one of their swords and reflected their grinning faces off the blade. Madmen laughing hysterically.
Perfect—go out grinning, then.
"Too noisy."
I swung a wide arc.
Slash!
They collapsed, still laughing as their throats were slit.
"92 now."
Time to keep moving. Village wasn't big; screams would draw them soon.
I left the bodies and hid nearby.
Soon, mercenaries found them...
"What the hell? Who did this?!"
They scanned wildly.
I picked them off one by one with needles.
91... 90... 89... 88.
But that didn't last.
Their numbers swelled, and the hawk-nosed man appeared.
The executive from before.
Hiding and sniping wouldn't work now.
Stealth? Not my style. Face things head-on.
I shed the uniform and dropped openly from a rooftop, striding like I owned the street.
The mercenaries spotted me; the hawk-nosed man tilted his head.
"Lady Cecil's guest...?"
He had no choice but to mistake me for an Evil Society executive. I scowled and clicked my tongue on purpose.
"What a mess. You mercenaries are utterly useless. Enemy's here and you can't even respond properly."
Belittling them, the hawk-nosed man flushed but asked.
"You saw the enemy?"
"Of course. Headed that way down the alley. Go catch 'em."
Grumbling but awed by my apparent status—even Cecil wouldn't cross me—he nodded and turned toward the alley. I stopped them.
"Wait, I can't trust you lot. I'll come too."
"You don't trust us? Even so..."
"Quiet. You go ahead."
The hawk-nosed man stormed off irritably, planning to vent his anger on the intruder.
Did that fool realize he was walking into a trap?
Nearly ten of them entered the narrow alley with me.
"Already gone?"
They scanned around. One noticed the drums placed sporadically.
"Why are there drums here...?"
By the time they sensed something off, I'd already used the Flicking Finger Technique to launch round beads at the drums.
Boom boom boom!!
The beads ricocheted between drums, hurtling toward them.
They raised swords to block, but...
Bang...!
"Gahhh!"
The beads exploded instead.
Bernard's shock orb invention earning its keep.
As they fell helplessly, the hawk-nosed man realized it was me and drew his sword.
"You sneaky rat!!"
He lunged.
An executive after all—he was wounded but not critically.
I dodged with Shadow Step.
We crossed paths in an instant.
I'd turned my back to him. He saw opportunity, but this was bait for his carelessness.
With my back turned, he couldn't see what I was doing upfront.
I flicked a bead at the drum ahead. It bounced back toward him.
"Gahhh!"
Seven beads embedded in his body; he staggered.
From his view, they came from nowhere.
Blood pouring everywhere, he muttered blankly.
"You... cheating bas... tard."
Thanks. For falling for it.