Chapter 247: Are You a Villain? Or a Hero? (1)
Chapter 247: Are You a Villain? Or a Hero? (1)
King Darius felt a sudden wave of dizziness wash over him.
Steadying his swaying body with sheer force of will, he gritted his teeth and spoke.
"What do you mean? How can the dwarves be marching on the capital? Has the siege been broken?"
"Our confirmation shows the siege remains intact. It appears a small group of dwarves managed to slip out in secret."
"..."
King Darius pressed his fingers hard against his eyelids, lost in thought.
Stay calm. I must stay calm.
There was no use taking it out on the attendant now. He needed to grasp the details of the situation and formulate a proper response.
Having reached that conclusion, King Darius spoke quickly.
"Where is Duke Krupa?"
"He is currently in his office—"
"Did you call for me, Your Majesty?"
Before the attendant could finish, a man kicked open the office door and stepped inside.
"Ah, Duke Krupa."
The man the King welcomed so warmly was an ordinary-looking middle-aged man in his early forties.
His frizzy brown hair was unkempt, and his clothes were so shabby they brought to mind a destitute scholar.
However, this man was none other than Duke Alexander Krupa.
He was King Darius’s right hand and the man widely considered the true power within the Harbor Kingdom.
Since his youth, King Darius had known he was an ordinary man.
He believed that because he was ordinary, he needed someone exceptional by his side to assist him.
After scouring the kingdom, the talent he had discovered was this very man.
A right hand who supported King Darius with a keen political sense and extraordinary wisdom.
That was Duke Alexander Krupa.
"I shall report on the situation. Grenberg Fortress, which blocks the path to the capital, has fallen."
"Grenberg Fortress?"
Grenberg Fortress was the gateway fortress guarding the route to the capital.
If it had fallen, it meant the enemy was within striking distance of the city.
As the King panicked, Duke Krupa continued his explanation calmly.
"According to our reports, the enemy consists of a large number of dwarves and mercenaries hired by them."
"Mercenaries? The dwarves hired mercenaries?"
"So it seems."
Hiring mercenaries for war was not unusual.
In fact, because the founding king of the Harbor Kingdom had been a mercenary himself, the country had implemented many preferential policies for them. As a result, the nation was so teeming with sellswords that it was often called a mercenary kingdom.
"I see. Mercenaries... The dwarves used their heads for once."
A small group of dwarves had somehow escaped the siege, contracted mercenaries to bolster their numbers, and were now marching toward the capital, Ratenov.
That was the reality King Darius now grasped.
"The scale of the mercenary force must be significant. How many did they gather?"
"From what I’ve heard..."
"From what you've heard?"
"Even by the most generous estimates, their numbers are around one thousand."
"One thousand? Not ten thousand?"
"That is correct."
King Darius’s mind spiraled back into chaos.
"Alexander, does this make any sense? I don't care what tricks the dwarves pulled—they took down Grenberg Fortress with a mere thousand mercenaries?"
"I also found it strange, which is why I requested additional information before coming here. New reports should arrive shortly."
"Mmm..."
Just then, a knight rushed into the office. He moved to kneel and pay his respects to the King.
"To the just and sole ruler of the Harbor Kingdom—"
"Enough. Report immediately."
Now was not the time for formalities. The knight stood up hurriedly and spoke.
"A new urgent dispatch, Sire. A reconnaissance report on the strength of the mercenaries who took Grenberg."
"Speak."
"Yes. First, a large number of Orc warriors were spotted, along with Elven archers. Furthermore, several Magic Swordsmen were seen flying through the sky."
Duke Krupa bit his lower lip.
Orcs, Elves, and even Magic Swordsmen...
"With that kind of strength, it’s understandable how they took Grenberg, even with small numbers."
King Darius nodded.
Beside him, Duke Krupa squeezed his eyes shut and asked, "Did the scouts see any human knights?"
"I'm not sure if they were knights, but many swordsmen using Aura were confirmed."
"...Did those swordsmen happen to use twin swords?"
"Ah? Yes, that is what was reported."
"Dammit."
Despite being in the presence of the King, a curse escaped Duke Krupa’s lips.
"What is it, Alexander?"
At the King's question, Duke Krupa replied, "Your Majesty, it seems... the Schneider Territory has made its move."
"The Schneider Territory? ...Ah!"
Only then did King Darius realize.
Elves, Orcs, and Magic Swordsmen...
Even in this wide world, there weren't many places that could bring such a diverse group together.
And if they were Aura users wielding twin swords...
"Does this mean the Double Dragon has personally taken the field?"
"The probability is high. Considering how quickly Grenberg, our gateway fortress, was captured..."
"Wasn't it said he had only just risen from his sickbed?"
"I don't know the reason, but he must have had enough strength to join the front lines."
"Why is that fellow here... Curse it all..."
King Darius started to demand why Patrick had come here, but then he fell silent.
Why? He knew exactly why.
It was because of the mess his worthless son had caused.
"The Double Dragon of the Schneider Territory has joined hands with the dwarves and is attacking us."
As Alexander Krupa neatly summarized the situation, King Darius felt the world turn gray before his eyes.
* * *
After capturing Grenberg, the gateway to the Harbor Kingdom's capital, Patrick stayed there for a while to reorganize his formation.
"Now that we're here, how long will it take to reach the capital?"
"If we travel by horse without stopping, it should take two days."
"So it's just a stone's throw away. Then it's about time they took the bait..."
Patrick called Riman over.
"Hey, still no news?"
"None. The Harbor Kingdom's blockade is as firm as ever."
"...They're not biting."
Patrick let out a sigh as he stared at the ceiling.
A gateway fortress leading to the capital had fallen.
Naturally, the Harbor Kingdom should be terrified. It was like having a blade pressed against their throat.
Therefore, the Harbor Kingdom should have lifted the blockade and mobilized all their forces to protect the capital.
That was exactly what Patrick wanted. However...
"So they're maintaining the blockade. Mmm... this is troublesome."
This changed the plan.
Originally, he intended to act as bait here to lure the Harbor Kingdom into lifting the blockade and attacking to reclaim the fortress.
At that moment, the dwarves in the Iron Mountains were supposed to burst out and strike the enemy from behind, crushing the Harbor Kingdom's army in a pincer attack.
But since the enemy was acting outside of Patrick's expectations, he had to rethink his next move.
"Tsk, they must have someone clever over there."
Hardy, the leader of the dwarves, nodded in agreement.
"It is likely Duke Krupa."
"Who's that?"
"The Chancellor of the Harbor Kingdom and the King's right hand. He is effectively the one in control of the kingdom."
"From what you're saying, he doesn't sound like a swordsman... I guess he's a strategist."
"Indeed. I believe the blockade placed on us dwarves was his idea as well."
"A strategist, huh..."
In his past life, Patrick had occasionally wondered: If I had to face one of my friends as an enemy, who would be the most difficult?
The answer to that question was always the same.
The Dragon-Chasing Scholar, Zhuge Hyeon.
Honestly, the thought of that guy becoming an enemy gave him chills.
For one, he would never engage in a fair, head-on fight.
He would surely use his wicked cunning to do only the things his opponent hated most.
When Zhuge Hyeon was an ally, watching him toy with an opponent according to his instructions could literally make the enemy die of rage, bleeding from their seven orifices.
Every time that happened, Patrick thought: It’s a damn miracle this bastard was born into the Zhuge Clan and not some Unorthodox Faction.
He's exactly the type I find most difficult to deal with.
Patrick mused that while he didn't know the level of Duke Krupa’s strategic skill, he should be sufficiently cautious. But just then...
"Lord Patrick."
A mage approached Patrick and spoke.
"What is it?"
"The Harbor Kingdom has requested a communication link."
"Oh? Really?"
"Yes. Shall I connect it?"
Patrick thought for a moment, then nodded.
"Let's hear what they have to say."
Once the mage established the connection, a voice echoed from the other side.
—I am Darius Michael Harbor. Let the person on the other end of this link state their name and status.
The one who had initiated the call was the King of the Harbor Kingdom himself.
Patrick nodded slightly and spoke.
"I am Patrick Schneider of the Atronia Kingdom. It is an honor to meet you, even if only by voice."
—I see. So you are the one...
King Darius paused for a moment before speaking with a sigh-laden voice.
—Are you alone there?
"Hardly. I am accompanied by Lord Hardy, the leader of the dwarves, and the representatives of the allied forces who are lending their strength to help me."
—I wish to speak with you privately.
"I refuse."
Patrick cut him off with a firm rejection.
He had to avoid a private conversation with the King.
Regardless of the content, it could lead to misunderstandings that a secret pact had been made.
"I have nothing on my conscience and nothing to hide. If you have something to say, say it openly."
At Patrick's words, a voice tinged with faint rage came through the communication tool.
—Nothing on your conscience? You lead an army into my country without permission and interfere in a war, yet you have nothing on your conscience?
"Yes. None at all."
—You little...!
"Me little what? Go on, keep talking."
—...
"Hello? Are you there? The connection didn't cut out, did it?"
The connection was perfectly fine.
It was King Darius’s patience that had nearly snapped.
Faint whispers of "You must endure, Sire" could be heard from the other side. After a short while, the King spoke again.
—Ahem. My apologies. The connection was momentarily unstable.
King Darius’s voice sounded a bit more composed. He continued in a dignified tone.
—I can guess why you have joined this war.
"And?"
—I failed to raise my son properly. I will issue an official apology. I will even pay reparations if you wish. In exchange...
"In exchange?"
—Withdraw from this war.
"Hmm..."
As Patrick seemed to be considering it, King Darius quickly pressed his advantage.
—Honestly, what do you gain by taking the side of the dwarves? Was there some sort of deal?
"No. We are simply allies who joined hands out of necessity."
The alliance between Patrick and the dwarves was merely a temporary one intended to give their common enemy, the Harbor Kingdom, a big, beautiful middle finger.
After that, they could go their separate ways.
King Darius spoke.
—I will pay 100,000 gold in reparations.
"Oho..."
—I will also issue an official apology to Count Schneider and the victim, the Countess. And...
"And?"
—I will leave the punishment of my son to you.
"..."
This was a bit surprising.
Patrick thought for a moment before asking, "As far as I know, that damn bastard is the sole heir to the Harbor Kingdom. Is that not the case?"
—As you said, he is a damn bastard.
Whoa, this old man has a temper.
King Darius continued in a voice filled with genuine fury.
—I cannot entrust the future of the nation to such a man. This is for the best.
"Uh... isn't that a bit too extreme?"
—Tell him this: even if he returns, he will never ascend to the throne.
"..."
In that instant, Prince Dawson’s value as a hostage effectively vanished.
King Darius had hardened his heart and abandoned his own son.
Do whatever you want with him—grill him or boil him.
What value did a hostage have when their father said that?
Patrick had lost a useful card in the negotiations. And then...
—I have one additional proposal.
King Darius pushed even further.
"What is it?"
—Capture the dwarven leadership present there and hand them over to me.
The dwarves flinched.
King Darius spoke rapidly.
—If you do that, I will pay an additional 90,000 gold in reparations.
"..."
That meant he would pay a total of 1,000,000 gold. It was a sum so massive it even made the great Patrick Schneider fall silent for a moment.
After some time passed and Patrick regained his composure, he spoke.
"The Harbor Kingdom..."
—...
"Must be very, very rich."
—Of course. That is the truth.
There was even a hint of pride in King Darius’s voice. He was that confident in his wealth.
The riches they had accumulated by monopolizing trade with the dwarves for centuries were truly immense.
They were overwhelming even among the three central kingdoms, and they wouldn't fall far behind the Empire or the Holy Kingdom.
In terms of pure financial power, they were likely the best on the continent, alongside the Magic Tower.
Therefore, the 1,000,000 gold King Darius offered was no empty promise.
The Harbor Kingdom was a place that could pay such a sum in a single lump sum, not even in installments.
Now, what should I do?
Patrick glanced at Hardy and the other dwarves.
They remained silent, but their expressions were stiff with tension.
If Patrick abandoned them now, the only fate awaiting them was ruin.
Patrick smirked at the frozen dwarves. Then, he spoke into the communication tool.
"It is a very, very tempting offer. But I refuse."
—What?
King Darius was shocked. Patrick shrugged his shoulders.
"I'm greedy for that million gold, but I've already made a promise to the dwarves, you see?"
—...
"Well, it can't be helped."
—Is that promise worth more than the practical gain I have offered?
"Gain... value..."
Patrick gave a bitter smile.
[Cheon-ah, integrity is truly sublime only when it is kept to the end without weighing profit and loss. Do not calculate interests and gains when it comes to that.]
What a frustrating thing to say...
Yes, Master. I know.
I know.
Even a child could see which option was more profitable. But as long as his Master's teachings remained vivid within him, the answer was already decided.
"As long as the other party does not betray our trust first, I will remain faithful to the end."
—...
"That is the way I live."