Chapter 412: The Hero Climaxes in Defeat Again Today[R-18] (15)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 412: The Hero Climaxes in Defeat Again Today[R-18] (15)
A banquet hall stained with blood.
Severed limbs and pools of blood soaked the white marble floor. Blood overflowed in place of wine, and the laughter of toasts was replaced by sighs and silence.
I slowly descended from the dais, looking out at the survivors.
The trembling nobles and their children. Some had committed minor sins, others were entirely innocent.
‘This should be a sufficient warning.’
No, it was more than sufficient. A cruelty unimaginable from the ‘Jin Alcladion’ of the past. No one would dare underestimate me or plot against me now.
‘Still, I need a carrot.’
Fear alone cannot maintain order. Humans kneel before profit and offer their loyalty for opportunity.
The lands and fortunes confiscated from the traitors were the perfect bait for my rule.
I walked slowly among the corpses, my sharp gaze falling on each of the surviving nobles.
“Today was about settling the past.”
No one dared to even breathe loudly, their attention fixed solely on my lips.
“But the future... is in your hands.”
A noble cautiously raised his head.
“The lands and fortunes of those beheaded today will be confiscated. And they will be…”
I paused, watching their reactions.
“…redistributed to those who pledge their loyalty to me.”
In that moment, faint gasps broke the silence of the blood-stiffened hall.
Greed and hope, sprouting from the depths of despair. That is what humans are, in the end.
“Of course, the condition is simple.”
I continued, slowly pointing the tip of my sword at one of the corpses on the floor.
“Complete loyalty. And absolute obedience.”
I walked among them again. Some prostrated themselves on the floor, some trembled, some squeezed their eyes shut. And some were watching for an opportunity.
“To those who abide by this condition, I will grant power and wealth greater than what you have now.”
“However…”
I turned my head to look at Olise's severed torso.
“If you break it, you will follow in their footsteps.”
Finally, a noble cried out in a trembling voice.
“…I will follow you, Marquis!”
With that, voices of submission and loyalty began to echo through the hall, one after another.
“Loyalty to the Marquis!”
“I will follow you with my life!”
I ascended the dais and looked down on them once more. Determination and fear mingled on every face.
“Good. From this day forward, a new South begins.”
“The Alcladion Marquisate is no longer an extension of the past. Under my rule, this land will become stronger and wealthier.”
Finally, I raised my glass.
“So do not forget what you have seen today. Do not betray me. There will be no mercy then.”
*
News of the blood-soaked banquet shook the entire kingdom in less than two days.
Rumors spread that the Marquis Alcladion had executed numerous nobles at a banquet he hosted himself. Stories told of how he had spilled blood instead of wine and declared judgment instead of toasts. The nobles' brutal ends and the horrific scene spread like wildfire from person to person.
The kingdom's high society was in an uproar. Among the nobility, in particular, fear and anger intertwined as they cursed him, grinding their teeth in secret.
“How dare he summarily execute someone who received their title in the king's name?”
“They say he became a Sword Master, and now he thinks he's above everyone…”
“He's not just cruel, he's gone mad.”
Soon after, when the execution list from Alcladion Castle was released, the reactions were divided.
Evidence of collusion with Kairosen.
Thoroughly organized documents and statements were submitted to the kingdom's treasury.
Charges of treason.
Secret meetings with an enemy nation.
Those who directly threatened the authority of the royal family.
The nobles fell silent. Not one of them could continue to openly criticize Alcladion.
“……And that is the story circulating outside about the Marquis Alcladion.”
Eira said, handing me a neatly organized report.
‘She's far more competent than I thought.’
At some point, she had begun to act less like a simple maid and more like a secretary.
Alfredo had even said he wanted to train her as his disciple, which said it all.
‘How old is Alfredo this year... seventy-two?’
He wasn't from a prestigious family, but he had earned trust through his excellent judgment and practical skills, and he had steadfastly held his position to this day.
‘Even as a mid-level Expert, it must be getting difficult for him now. No one can defeat old age.’
It was time to find someone to replace him.
Eira was emerging as the most promising candidate to fill that vacancy.
“There's no need to worry about outside opinions. What's important now is tightening our internal control.”
I shifted my gaze to the document and continued.
“More importantly, how much in assets and land did we confiscate this time?”
Eira opened another document and answered.
“A total of seven territories and a significant amount of monetary assets have been recovered.”
She explained, pointing to each item with her finger.
“The largest is Viscount Belzac's territory, followed by Olise's. The rest are manors belonging to minor nobles.”
“And converted to monetary value?”
“It's estimated to be around 600,000 gold.”
I raised an eyebrow slightly. It was a considerable sum.
“600,000 gold... They certainly hoarded a lot.”
“It's an expected result, considering they've been embezzling for ten years,” Eira said calmly.
“And you've already promised to distribute a portion of this to the nobles.”
“So, how much can we actually keep?”
“About 400,000 gold.”
I nodded in satisfaction.
“That's enough. We can use that money to redevelop the territory and strengthen our military.”
“Which will you prioritize?” Eira asked, picking up a pen.
“Expand the knight order, and completely replace their weapons and equipment.”
“Yes.”
“And one more thing. I plan to completely transform Belzac's territory.”
“Belzac's territory? Why there, specifically?”
“The South is fine and all, but it's boring. It's all about pointless dignity, everything is so heavy and rigid.”
“…So, what do you plan to use it for?”
“I'm going to turn it into a city of entertainment. A 'paradise' of pleasure and debauchery.”
Eira blinked and spoke cautiously.
“Um... will our reputation be alright? A city of entertainment is bound to... attract a lot of gossip.”
“Gossip is the fate of the powerful. And as long as it's not illegal, no one can say a thing.”
“So you mean you'll regulate it in a licensed form…”
“Yes. Officially, it will be a legitimate establishment.”
Eira nodded silently for a moment before speaking cautiously again.
“But that will require a considerable amount of funding.”
“Money is not an issue. I can procure as much as I need.”
Eira nodded for a moment, then continued cautiously.
“In that case... I think it could work. It would mean creating a tourist destination that could draw people to the otherwise featureless South.”
“Also, find me some dwarves.”
“You plan on hiring dwarves as well? That... will cost an astronomical amount.”
“The money is fine. Just look into it.”
“Understood.”
I leaned back deep in my chair and gazed out the window.
I planned to build an elf pregnancy factory in Belzac's territory. A city of entertainment on the surface, and my own private space underground.
I found myself lost in thought as I looked out the window.
‘The demons should be plotting something soon.’
It was about time a demon executive showed up somewhere near the kingdom.
‘The Hero... I still don't know where he is, but he's bound to show up eventually. I can secure him then.’
Moving cautiously while wearing the mask of a normal person was reaching its limit. To execute my real plan, I need military power, information, and the chaos to justify it all.
‘But if I act too rashly, those bastards from the church won't stand by idly.’
It was too early to completely ignore the order of this world, which is ruled in the name of gods. For now, I was still in the stage of deceiving their eyes.
But if the demons made a move, the church's attention would naturally shift to them.
‘…Should I just awaken the Demon King myself?’
The thought crossed my mind, but I quickly shook my head.
‘No. That would awaken the Demon King too soon.’
If the Demon King awakens, war will be inevitable. And when war breaks out, the world will rapidly go up in flames, forcing every faction to move.
The church, the kingdom, the empire. Even the 'messengers of the gods' who had been observing from above would likely be forced to act.
‘That would shatter my scenario. And... the Demon King might become too strong, too quickly.’
What I want right now isn't a rampage. It's controlled chaos, an induced conflict. It's only meaningful if I can control each step according to my design.
This is just the prelude. There's no need to be hasty, no reason to be impatient.
‘…For now, it's better to return to the real world and finish things there.’
To seriously manage my funds in this world and push my plans forward... I first had to deal with Alexander in the real world.
I could procure resources from the Blazing Flames of the Battlefield world, but I didn't like having to constantly be aware of his gaze.
‘Should I try selling things like spices or cosmetics? There should be demand.’
There were items here that could be replaced with magic, but they were absurdly expensive. If I brought such things cheaply from the real world, they would become premium products in this one.
Besides, if I could get the dwarves on my side, they could probably replicate most things just by seeing the real object once.
‘Bi-yeon.’
‘Yeah?’
‘We're returning to the real world.’
‘Really?! Finally?!’
‘Yes. So hurry up and come here.’
Bi-yeon, who had been instructing Marienne, returned to my side. I grasped her again in her sword form and returned to the real world without delay.
*
Back in the real world after a long time.
The familiar air, the familiar smells. And on the floor, Ayame was still lying naked and unconscious.
“Looking at her like this... makes me want to fuck her in the ass again.”
At that moment, the blade of Bi-yeon's sword, which I held in my hand, vibrated with a low hum.
— Vmm... vmm...
‘Hey. Let's deal with this quickly and go to Korea.’
“Alright, don't rush me.”
Then a thought occurred to me.
“More importantly... Minerva's power. According to you, I can use it in the real world, right?”
‘Yeah. I'm sure of it. I think what we talked about before should be possible too.’
“Good. Then... shall we get moving?”
With the sword slung over my shoulder, I turned my gaze in the direction where I could feel Alexander's presence quietly approaching.
‘Are you going to handle him alone?’
“Yeah. It's a good chance to test my new power. If it gets dangerous, I can just bolt.”
I stepped on the windowsill and leaped up.
I raced across the city's rooftops, skimming over them as lightly as the wind. The presence grew closer. And at its center, there he was.
Alexander must have noticed me, because his movement stopped.
And Bi-yeon's warning echoed in my head.
‘He's coming!’
The next moment, a brilliant golden light shot toward me, slicing through the air in the shape of a cross.