Chapter 100
Chapter 100
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 100
Chapter Title: Van Helsing (1)
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The current situation was merely a lull, a powder keg waiting for a spark.
The Northern Alliance needed to solidify its bonds, stabilize its surroundings, and grow in size. At their current scale, they stood no chance against the Empire.
On the other hand, the Empire had to increase the number of followers of the Raelian Church. After all, that was a direct symbol of the Emperor-turned-god's power and authority.
Furthermore, stabilizing the continent was essential. The monster wave had left many monsters scattered across the land, and their numbers had to be culled to a level where people could travel again.
Of course, any praise that came from this process would undoubtedly go to their god.
And although it wasn't apparent on the surface, beneath this lull, a fierce, unending struggle of checks and sabotage was taking place.
Like the heist of the Lubeck Central Bank, which the Empire hadn't noticed, a period akin to a Cold War on Earth was unfolding.
Of course, the difference in power was absurdly large, but it was only possible because the Empire was burdened with several self-imposed penalties.
And once this lull between the two sides ended, all that remained was war.
"In any case, while we've grown in size thanks to the influx of mercenaries, the most important thing is to reduce the enemy's strength."
"The problem is that we can't openly kill anyone."
"If I had my way, I'd just sneak in and take out their leaders."
A regular meeting. The leaders of the alliance had gathered to discuss countermeasures, but the problem was that no viable plans were emerging.
"Hah. I never knew being unable to move openly would be this difficult."
"It's not easy for the mercenary corps either. We're already recognized as enemies of the Empire, so it's hard to travel around for missions."
Gleb and Peri Batoni couldn't help but sigh. They were planning ways to strengthen their internal forces, and some of those plans were already being implemented.
They were accepting the people who had migrated with the Holy Kingdom, and the reconstruction of Adma was also underway.
This time, not as a frontline castle defending against the Demonic Realm, but as a new home for the people.
However, they were struggling to implement external measures. After all, they needed to chip away at the Empire's power simultaneously.
"Hmm…"
"How is the effort to win over other territories going? Surely not all of them follow him."
"A few lords have shown interest, but they aren't making any moves just yet."
Not all of the Empire's nobles offered blind loyalty to the Emperor, so they were quietly contacting those identified as not being his followers.
"For now, most of them are just testing the waters. The Emperor's power is still at its peak."
One wrong move could trigger an all-out war, and if that happened, the Northern Alliance would instantly be on the defensive.
"That makes sense. Still, keep in contact with them."
It was fine if they didn't join their side. As long as they didn't point their swords at them when the war eventually broke out, that would be enough.
"The inspections and searches of mercenaries have gotten stricter lately."
"I suspect it's the aftermath of the Lubeck bank incident."
As soon as Lubeck was mentioned, the leaders who knew who had robbed the bank subtly met each other's eyes.
"Why are you looking at me? The ones who got robbed were the fools."
"Well, you're not wrong."
The fallout from the Lubeck heist was clearly affecting the entire continent.
Word must have come down from above about the failure to properly control the mercenaries traveling to and from Ashar, as their movements were now even more strictly restricted.
The Ashar mercenaries were fine, as they carried special passes prepared by the Empire, but for regular mercenaries or those not affiliated with Ashar, traveling for missions was becoming increasingly difficult.
In smaller villages it might be different, but in larger cities, they had to have their departure point, destination, and even the inn they stayed at designated for them.
Since many had become mercenaries for the freedom it offered, complaints erupted everywhere, but the Empire was thoroughly ignoring them.
"And to think the mercenary corps were the ones who could move most easily."
"Hmm. A way… a way. Kratos, do you have anything in mind?"
As the two gray-haired gentlemen looked at him simultaneously, Kratos let out a small smile and nodded.
He already had plenty of things to take care of, and combining them with this didn't seem like a bad idea.
"We just need to put on a show."
"A show?"
And Kratos, who had been silent until now, nodded and pointed at the map.
"A demon hunter, Van Helsing."
"A demon hunter?"
Kratos grinned, the corners of his mouth lifting.
"Yes. Van Helsing. A lone hunter who seeks out demons. Not affiliated with the Holy Kingdom, nor a mercenary."
In any case, he now had to collect the ruins scattered across the continent one by one.
The incident in the southern mountains meant the Empire would be targeting the ruins even more tenaciously.
They knew the gate could be opened, and they must have confirmed the existence of some kind of key to open it.
Of course, he also needed to find out why they were after the ruins.
"He's a figure who travels alone, literally hunting those tainted by demonic energy. It's similar to how Prometheus had multiple identities."
"So that's why you called it a show. Hmm… What's the specific plan?"
"It's just a concept. A being who hunts evil alone. We'll need to spread some rumors, of course, but the fewer people who know of his existence, the better."
"Alone? Wouldn't it be better to go with your unit members?"
He nodded at Peri Batoni's question. He was right, but it was better to handle this task alone.
"It's better for the unit members to focus their efforts on rebuilding the mercenary corps for now. They'll be a great help, especially with matters concerning the Demonic Realm, since they know it well. They were there from start to finish."
"That's true. Besides, their skills have improved immensely."
After the war broke out, they would need to move as one, but for now, it was more advantageous to carry out the mission alone.
"Besides, this mission must be done alone. The Empire will surely be paying attention."
"That's right. There are likely spies here as well."
"And who said I'd be alone?"
At those words, Ditto, who had been quietly curled up on his head, rose as if stretching and transformed into the shape of a giant eagle, soaring toward the ceiling.
As if showing off its presence.
***
"Ah…"
Hearing that Kratos was going on a solo mission, Niceta let out a small sigh.
It wasn't just Niceta; Seamus and Reinhardt were the same.
Being a small unit of four, and having endlessly fought life-or-death battles together, their camaraderie was stronger than most.
It wasn't that they didn't understand. It was just a little disappointing.
"It probably won't be for long."
He really did intend to finish as quickly as possible. In his judgment, the start of the war was not far off.
The number of monsters was already decreasing to the point where even small mercenary groups could take on missions.
Of course, this was a natural phenomenon that occurred as the monsters, rather than disappearing, formed their own territories.
From Kratos's perspective, the current situation was akin to regression. The aspect he had put the most effort into while building the Empire was safe travel. His top priority had been monster extermination.
"Until then. We will be ready."
Niceta gripped the hilt of her sword tightly, her expression saying she needed to improve, that her current strength was not enough to protect what was precious to her.
"The Demonic Realm needs a lot of help, too. And who in the mercenary corps knows it better than us?"
"And we must improve our skills."
"That's true."
Kratos smiled and nodded at Reinhardt's words.
"By the time you return, we'll have improved so much you'll never think of leaving us behind again."
"I'm looking forward to it."
A sense of grim determination was visible on every unit member's face. Even though it was a mission he had to do alone.
"You're planning to leave right away, aren't you?"
"You should always take care of things quickly, as soon as they come up."
He had already finished his preparations. No, he was always prepared. Ready to embark on a mission at any moment.
"I should stop by the Demonic Realm and check on things before I go."
The pioneering of the Demonic Realm was already proceeding step by step. Under the leadership of Dwalin, who had moved his workshop to the Demonic Realm, many dwarves had visited Rzhev and then departed for the realm.
To the dwarves, the Demonic Realm was an unfamiliar place, but also a treasure trove where one never knew what kind of minerals might be found.
Of course, the word was that they were more captivated by the Dragon Bone and Eternel-Adamant alloy that Kratos had provided.
Besides, he needed to erase his tracks once before leaving.
Just as Hattie Shaw had said, the Empire would surely remember the name Kratos.
***
The road to the Demonic Realm had changed significantly compared to before.
A path had been forged from the many people who traveled it, and the bumpy road had been smoothed out. It was still too dangerous for a town to be established, but a small rest stop had been built.
"Wow. That's pretty fast."
And at the edge of the Demonic Realm, where the former royal castle and the Empire's base once stood, the sounds of construction and people's shouts filled the air with vitality.
"The power of money, indeed."
Buying materials, repairing the royal castle, renovating the interior.
"Hey- Kratos-!"
The mercenaries in charge of the reconstruction mission waved at the approaching Kratos from a distance, their expressions much brighter.
"It's been a while-"
As he got closer, he could see the distinct changes. All the crumbling houses had been demolished, and new buildings were being constructed according to designated zones.
Furthermore, in the already completed buildings and plazas, mercenaries were training or heading out for missions.
"Hah. Amazing. It's like a mercenary kingdom. Something you'd only see in a fantasy."
Though, of course, it wasn't finished yet.
"Ah…"
And on the way to Dwalin's location, in a vast, park-like green space closest to the central headquarters, countless weapons were stuck in the ground.
"Is it a sculpture? No. They're real swords."
As he drew closer, he could see the words engraved on the swords.
[Ren]
[Gaud]
[Arsha]
The names of the countless comrades who died at Ashar's headquarters.
"This was the first place we built."
As he took in the names engraved on the hundreds of weapons, Dwalin's voice came from behind him.
"If you're at headquarters, you should come straight here. What are you dawdling around for?"
"Did you make these, Dwalin?"
"Who else would make them if not me?"
A flash of sorrow crossed Dwalin's face. As he crafted each of those hundreds of weapons, he must have been burying his fallen comrades in his heart.
"You've worked hard."
"Worked hard? The ones who went first are the ones who suffered. No, maybe they're better off. They don't have to see this mess."
"I haven't forgotten my promise."
"Of course not. It's a promise with me, after all. Forgetting it would be a big problem."
A war was about to begin, and by the time it all ended, that field would be filled with even more weapons.
Whether they were distant comrades, or close ones.
"I heard you're going on a mission."
"That's..."
He followed Dwalin and arrived at the workshop.
"Of course, I'm the only one who knows, so don't worry. I've also finished everything you ordered."
He pulled back the cloth covering them, revealing a set of clothes.
It was an outfit similar to the one from the movie *Van Helsing*, starring Hugh Jackman, which was released in Korea in 2004.
A fedora, a leather coat, and a vest. It was truly a fantasy-esque outfit.
"I also finished those weapon-like things you talked about."
Stakes and crosses, knuckles, even a crossbow. How very Van Helsing-like.
"And… the most important thing."
Dwalin slowly opened the lid of a box as large as his own body.
A dark, inky color was gradually revealed. A dignified hammer, neither flashy nor plain.
"Your weapon, too."