Chapter 158
Chapter 158
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 158
Chapter Title: After the Capital Invasion (2)
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We moved to a quiet garden to talk.
"I've heard the stories. They say you went all the way to Jeron and put on quite a show."
He was dressed in neat, formal attire, his hair slicked back with oil in a perfect pompadour.
The man in his late thirties, who introduced himself as Patrick, looked more like a civil servant than a mercenary.
"As you know, with Mercenary King Kanble's death, our guild has fallen into considerable chaos."
One might dismiss it as just the head of a bunch of ragtag mercenaries, but on this continent, the title of Mercenary King was no light matter.
In a world where monsters and bandits were everyday threats, mercenaries were a common sight everywhere.
Naturally, they needed groups to represent their interests, leading to the rise of countless small guilds across the land.
Three hundred years ago, the first Mercenary King unified those scattered guilds, binding their power into the system we have today.
With transcendent martial prowess and continent-spanning influence through the guild, he earned the 'King' title from other powers.
To mercenaries, he was a legendary figure.
'He was also part of the crusade that took down the Second Immortal King.'
But as history records, the crusade didn't end well.
The Mercenary King survived until the final battle somehow, but he ultimately fell at the site where the current Pikaol Grand Temple—where the holy sword was sealed—was built.
To honor him, the mercenary guild began passing down the Mercenary King title, and other factions tacitly approved, turning it into tradition.
'That's why the Mercenary King is inseparable from the Immortal King battles. Kanble probably would've ended up joining the hero party through gritted teeth if Hans hadn't killed him. Or retired outright.'
Regardless of whether Heinz accepted it or not.
"Since the Mercenary King position became vacant, things have gotten incredibly messy. The largest faction in the guild lost most of its influence after Kanble and Peyton died, so normally, another faction that absorbed their power would push their candidate... but..."
Patrick, who had been speaking calmly, flashed a meaningful smile.
"Becoming Mercenary King means joining the crusade somehow. Even if the Saint rejects you, that'd spark qualification debates, so no one's stepping up recklessly."
In the end, they were all just watching each other.
"Hmph! So what're you getting at? Why dump all this on me out of nowhere?"
Harley knew this man well.
He'd been part of the delegation, so investigations were already complete.
The guild's chief secretary was appointed directly by the Mercenary King, and he'd recently taken the role after the previous one retired.
In other words, he was Kanble's close aide and a member of what had been the guild's largest faction—now a hollow shell, as he himself admitted.
'He's on pretty thin ice himself. If he'd been outside the barrier during Hans's temple raid, he'd have been taken out too.'
Cross-referencing reports, he wasn't one to initiate misdeeds but rather cleaned up after orders from above.
A textbook yes-man.
But that also meant he'd earned trust from bad apples by doing his job well, so he wasn't entirely innocent.
"You stepped up voluntarily against Immortal King Hans this time."
"Yeah, he was supposedly stronger than the hero, and it bugged me! Well... he was strong, alright. Thought I could at least land one hit, though!"
"No, regardless of the results, you've already proven your valor and strength. Even the Saint acknowledges it."
At that moment, his ever-calm eyes sharpened.
"Harley, are you perhaps not interested in the Mercenary King position?"
"...Hoo?"
Harley instantly grasped the man's intentions.
'Ditching the rotten branch to switch lines?'
His position was secure for now due to the circumstances, but once a new Mercenary King was chosen, he'd be ousted.
After years of toil to reach that spot, it had to sting.
His breakthrough? Harley—proven in strength, unaffiliated with any faction.
'Come to think of it, he recommended me after Kanble died. As chief secretary, he'd know branch intel inside out... Kingmaker play to hold onto power, huh.'
The guild valued strength above all, but as a 300-year-old organization, politics couldn't be ignored.
With Patrick's lingering authority backing Harley's raw power and lack of ties?
"Kuhaha! Mercenary King? Intriguing offer! Let's hear the details."
No reason to pass up a visit like this.
***
The ultimate spell usable only by transcendent black mages: 'Eternal Labyrinth.'
Its interior was like an isolated mini-world; escape required specific conditions, and the exterior shrugged off anything short of dimension-slicing attacks.
The caster could manipulate every part at will—typically to repel intruders, befitting its name...
'Nice.'
Hans used it enthusiastically for personal castle-building and housing.
"Hup—!"
"......!"
Black bricks that seemed to swallow light, menacing devil and skull motifs etched everywhere, towering spires sharp as thorns.
Storm clouds choked the sky, black mist shrouded the grounds, and eerie winds howled.
[Kiyaaak—!]
Clatter clatter!
Capping it with ghostly wails and undead hordes perfected the demon king's castle vibe.
[Kukuku— Don't even think about escaping. Not that you could anyway.]
After a low warning to his two imperial captives, Hans entered, inwardly pleased by their reactions.
The interior matched the exterior's grim aesthetic but included separate livable spaces for beings.
"Oh, you've arrived, my King!"
"Ahh—! Judge of this unworthy world!"
"Ugh... blood and death..."
Thanks to these guys.
Black mages experimenting on kidnapped villagers, dark warriors maddened by excess black mana into slaughter, demon worshippers sacrificing mountain folk for high demons, fanatics worshipping the returned Immortal King to spread death...
Scum Hans had diligently collected from across the continent—problems solved.
The imperial duo, unused to such freaks, froze solid.
'Hmm, rooming them together isn't ideal. Separate isolation zones?'
Under his full control, his will manifested instantly.
They now stood in a distinct housing area.
And their supervisors for the foreseeable future...
"Ugh, how'd I end up in this barren hellhole..."
"...Shut it, Andrew. I'm the one about to cry."
Earth's awakener Andrew Weaver and succubus Siana, dragged to the demon castle.
'Siana's disguise skills are top-notch. No one better for handling Princess Riley.'
The crown prince just needed to breathe, but treating the princess the same felt off.
...Especially seeing Isea moping by Heinz, sighing nonstop.
'Hmmm— Can't keep the princess here long-term. Time to devise a liberation scenario.'
He already had something in mind.
A exquisite plan to maximize gains from the princess and grand mage's goodwill—efficient and beneficial.
***
'What a mess.'
Heinz shook his head leaving the meeting room after discussing future plans and countermeasures at the palace.
He'd expected fallout from Hans's capital raid, but it was worse.
Many capital elites suffered heavy losses, including deaths.
In that chaos, the two heirs closest to the throne vanished without trace on the same day.
The emperor, watching successors for the throne, was rattled...
And crew on a captainless ship naturally tested loyalties.
The crown prince's faction, largest conservative force with time advantage.
The 5th princess's, ballooning via intellect and politics with new nobles.
Plus the 2nd prince and 6th, long sidelined, seizing the moment.
Prolonged crisis meant deepening chaos.
Separate from the Immortal King—pure power grabs.
"Hoo— Sorry, Saint. I was late calming our people."
Working to minimize defections from the 5th princess's faction: Isea Pristin.
Low title despite realm due to no merits yet, but as princess's confidante and grand mage, her voice carried weight.
'Prepping for the princess's return. No spot left after rescue would be trouble.'
Despite urgency, her methodical handling showed grand mage poise.
"So, Saint? When do we storm the Immortal King? Ah! We should recruit first—entrust it to me, I'll fetch—er, escort capable folks from each nation..."
Her calm voice belied the un-cool line, but minor issue.
"I've already selected a few after careful thought. Mobility and teamwork are key, plus we'll fight the Immortal King eventually—not taking just anyone."
"...I see. Shame."
Isea licked her lips blankly.
Seemed a bit aggressive lately.
"Saint? Not doubting you, but really okay? Defend against unannounced raids? You warned us this time, but prep fell short and... this happened."
Walking the hall with Heinz, she sighed worriedly.
Regretting going out that day, apparently.
"It's fine."
He answered her concern with firm conviction.
"I didn't make that offer lightly. With the Main God's guidance, all will proceed as fated. ...I'm still lacking, so I can't guarantee perfect responses to everything."
Devout cleric—bluntly, fanatic—gimmick crushed doubts handily.
No one questioned the Main God or Saint lightly.
Of course, he tacked on an escape clause.
"Ah! The princess will return safe and sound soon. I feel it. My intuition's reliable—trust it."
"...I hope so. Wonder if that kid can endure there. Picky eater too... Ah! Forget I said that."
She muttered mom-like words over sisterly, then smacked her mouth.
Middle-schooler looks versus mature Riley felt mismatched, sure.
'Anyway, time to smash the real annoyances!'
Post princess-kidnap and grand mage party-join event.
The hero's inner vicious thoughts kicked off the 'home theater' next chapter smoothly.