Chapter 191
Chapter 191
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 191
Chapter Title: Shadow of Corin (7)
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“This isn’t just some external force at work.”
“……!”
“There are signs of movements that could only be pulled off with an insider.”
Quick on the uptake. Definitely not Darien’s kin… That guy was utterly clueless.
I silently regarded Callisto. Just how much should I reveal to this elf? I mulled it over, struggling to come up with an easy answer. Then.
“If I make a ‘vow,’ would that put Theodore’s mind at ease, even just a little?”
Before I could respond, Callisto drew his dagger. The blade gleamed with a faint ivory hue as he pressed it against his wrist.
A vow.
It wouldn’t carry the same binding force as one made in a temple, but this abbreviated ritual still held power. Especially when blood was used as the medium. Breaking it might not mean instant death, but the agony could feel close enough. That was why hardly anyone ever violated even a simple vow like this.
It showed just how serious Callisto was. I glanced back and forth between him and the dagger at his wrist, then…
“Yeah.”
I nodded. Callisto immediately sliced his wrist with the dagger. The blood flowing from the wound didn’t drip to the floor but floated up into the air in droplets.
I drew the dagger from my belt and thinly sliced my left wrist. My blood rose into the air in droplets as well.
“I, Callisto of Lüset, vow never to utter any secrets shared in this room.”
“……”
“Should I break this vow, may I live in the most wretched, horrific, and ugly torment.”
The floating blood droplets began to whirl like dancers. I took a deep breath and quietly replied.
“I, Theodore, accept that vow.”
The droplets swirled rapidly, merged together, and then evaporated into nothing. The vow was sealed.
Typically, an unnamed god of death oversaw these informal vows outside of specific temples. A god of inevitability whose true nature was unknown—far more powerful, in some ways, than Arjan, Donar, or any of the others combined. That was why even an informal vow carried such weight. It was also why I’d never answered Legion when he cutely asked if I’d “vow” not to die.
Now that the vow was made, it was time to tell Callisto about the Crows.
His demeanor and gaze, not to mention the vow, made me feel I could trust him.
‘…He might even make a good ally.’
Hah, was that jumping the gun?
I explained everything that had happened so far, step by step. Not just in Lüset, but in Lavata and the Swamp of Death, the deep-sea dungeon, Deheid, the Silver Mountains, and even the village where the Dawson couple lived—the Crows’ atrocities, their methods, and the vague sense I had of their true nature…
Callisto listened with a grave expression, utterly focused throughout. Once I finished, he looked at me with eyes that somehow shone even brighter than before.
“As expected…”
Expected?
“There’s a reason why Her Majesty bestowed the ‘Emblem of the Flower’ upon you, Theodore.”
“…Huh?”
“Theodore, I’ve longed endlessly to meet someone like you. Someone to save the world from those who devour life! I once desperately wished to be that person myself, but at some point, I painfully realized I wasn’t cut out for it.”
“……”
“I haven’t abandoned that dream. By Her Majesty’s command, I’ve wandered the continent, training to become her ‘Sword.’”
I-is that so? But this guy was definitely just collecting ‘easy commissions’ on the plaza bulletin board…
Of course, I’d heard the tales about Lüset’s ‘Queen’s Sword.’ To become it, one had to travel the continent, gaining experience and virtue. There were specific missions involved, but as a non-elf, I had no clue about those details.
‘Anyway, he’s an elf wandering the continent not as a mere mercenary, but to become the Queen’s Sword.’
That explained his reaction to the Emblem of the Flower Dianta gave me.
In short, an elf who dreamed of becoming the Queen’s Sword but got hit with reality from the continent’s sleazy humans outside Lüset, now killing time with easy gigs…
What a piece of work. Should I thank the gods (for sending him to me) or pity them (for creating him)?
“Helping you, Theodore, might be how I prove my worth as the ‘Queen’s Sword.’”
Oblivious to my thoughts, Callisto spoke in a voice thick with emotion. Well, if a ‘Queen’s Sword’ candidate was offering to help me… I had nothing to lose—hell, it was a huge win.
“Then, I could have you infiltrate the secret passage where they’re surely coming and going…”
“I already sent my companion Lloyd there.”
“As expected of you, Theodore. You’ve already seen that far ahead.”
“…It’s not that grand.”
The mood was starting to feel like he was putting me on a pedestal. It was getting awkward. I scratched the back of my head and pointed back to the map on the table.
“Honestly, I was going to ask you for something simple. Like covering for us in the Sequoia Forest…”
But now that Callisto knew everything, I could entrust him with something more important. That task that felt iffy for me to handle personally and a bit risky for Elle.
“Anything, as long as it’s to help you, Theodore…”
Before his praise could continue, I quickly cut him off.
“Cal, I want you to join the lord’s orc subjugation force.”
“Orcs… subjugation force, you say?”
Callisto stared at me, barely suppressing his disappointment, his face screaming confusion at why I’d assign him such a trivial job. Before his dismay could grow, I hurriedly added.
“It’s not about subjugating orcs. To be precise, I want you to keep an eye on Corin’s successor, ‘Daoud.’”
Someone of Callisto’s caliber would stand out the moment he joined the subjugation force—in a good way. If he caught Daoud’s eye, the man would pull out all the stops to keep Callisto close. After all, having a noble ‘elf’ from Lüset as a subordinate screamed immense power—not some common dark elf mercenary, either.
“Demand an insane amount of money. That’ll actually keep him from suspecting you. Make it seem like you’re only there for the cash, no ulterior motives.”
“…So, get close like that and pry information on the Crows.”
“Yeah. I was going to give it to Elle, but he’s still a bit young and unreliable. I could do it myself, but that’d be…”
“Of course. There’s no need for you to handle something like this personally, Theodore.”
…No, that’s not it. It’s just that I’m the type who draws suspicion easily. Whatever, though. Didn’t matter.
“The first subjugation is in a week. According to my sources, that one’s likely the real deal—like the ones before, sweeping orcs from the Sequoia Forest.”
“And that’s when I show my skills to catch Daoud’s eye.”
“Exactly, Cal. He’ll definitely call you aside. Then, for the second subjugation, he’ll give you a different assignment.”
Maybe a special mission, or if we’re lucky, bodyguard duty. Callisto nodded in understanding.
“Then I should sign up for the subjugation force.”
“Do it right before the first one starts. You’ll stand out among the mercenaries, so people will ask why you’re joining so late.”
“Should I quietly deal with anyone who asks?”
“…No, that’d be a problem. Just say this: You made a bet with a certain druid and got scammed, losing all your money.”
“A druid…”
“Name-drop me. Bonus points if they treat me like an enemy.”
“……”
Callisto hesitated with a reluctant look before finally nodding.
“Plenty of mercenaries lose money gambling or betting. No one’ll suspect you. If Daoud asks, give him the same story.”
“Understood.”
“Show them your stuff, Cal.”
Callisto met my gaze and flashed a refreshing smile—one that almost seemed mocking.
“Killing orcs is easier than eating breakfast.”
* * *
-Cawww!
A crow’s cry echoed from afar.
‘Faster than I expected.’
Blackie had returned. I bolted upright from my brief nap and headed to the window. The sky was dawning blue in the distance.
-Tap! Tap!
A soft pecking at the window. I opened it, and Blackie flew in hurriedly. He circled the room once before perching on the sill, tilting awkwardly. His body leaned slightly to one side. I picked him up and checked him over.
As expected, a letter was tied to his one good leg, while the other was gone. The Crows’ handiwork. I placed my hand on the missing leg and used [Breath of the Forest]. Thanks to the roots still in his body, the branch regrew quickly. I trimmed it neatly, then placed him in his cage. He settled on the perch, let out a soft caw, drank some water, ate, and promptly fell asleep.
I unrolled the letter Blackie had brought.
[ Suitable Sac ri fice ]
Suitable… sacrifice?
Putting everything together so far, a ‘sacrifice’ meant…
The inevitable price paid to summon something that shouldn’t exist in this world—couldn’t exist.
Like the Hydra in the Swamp of Death, or the demons in Lavata and Deheid.
So…
‘What the hell are they trying to summon this time?’