Chapter 130
Chapter 130
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 130
Chapter Title: Another Woman (2)
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Regina Hopper was born as the Mercenary King's 98th grandchild.
The Mercenary King, Karl Hopper, was as famous for his lechery as he was for his exceptional skills.
Not content with changing women every day, there had even been times when he had ten in his arms in a single day.
Because of his promiscuous private life, the Mercenary King had more than two digits' worth of children. His grandchildren numbered far more.
Uniquely, all the blood relatives who inherited the Mercenary King's blood possessed outstanding talents.
Regina Hopper, in particular, seemed to have inherited his blood thickly, showing remarkable talent in swordsmanship from a young age.
She learned faster than others, grew faster, and her realm advanced faster as well.
Thus, Regina Hopper believed herself to be a genius.
That absurd misconception was shattered at a clan gathering she attended at age ten.
Among the blood relatives she met for the first time in her life, there were geniuses far superior to her.
Some had already manifested Aura at ten years old, or slain six or seven orcs single-handedly.
Devilish geniuses who casually accomplished unbelievable feats.
The Mercenary King favored only them, keeping them by his side, and called them by the affectionate nickname "Sacred Blood."
Regina, who couldn't even reach their ankles, received no recognition from the Mercenary King and had no choice but to wander outside.
"You're......"
In Regina Hopper's eyes, Demian Haksen was comparable to those monsters.
No, not even that. None of the Sacred Blood she had seen could match Demian Haksen.
After all, who else in this world would consume two spirit medicines at once and raise their realm like that madman?
"You dare...... demand payment from me?"
That didn't mean she was admitting defeat.
Right now, Demian Haksen had just ascended from mid-class to high-class.
Moreover, he had suffered considerable internal injuries from his antics moments ago.
Demian Haksen was undoubtedly a monster. But at this moment, she was stronger.
"Arrogant brat. I'll cut that tongue out first."
On top of that, Regina Hopper's specialty was the swift sword.
The swift sword was simplistic in its attacks, making it disadvantageous in prolonged battles.
But in short engagements—especially the first strike—it wielded near-guaranteed lethality.
No matter how great a genius Demian Haksen was, he had only just entered high-class.
He couldn't possibly match the swift sword she had honed her entire life.
I'll kill him in one stroke.
Regina Hopper drew out her mana to the maximum, ready to slice Demian at any moment.
But for some reason.
Even with victory assured, something felt off. Fear seemed to creep up her legs.
"You'd better not spout any more nonsense."
Demian approached closely. Fearlessly stepping into Regina's range.
At that instant, Regina swung her sword. A flash-like slash cleaved toward Demian's neck.
Or it should have.
Her arm swung, but the sword didn't follow. Regina looked down in bewilderment.
The sword remained sheathed. And her wrist was caught on the hilt.
"......Huh?"
She turned her gaze to the arm she had just swung. There was nothing below her wrist.
"W-What did you...... just......"
"I struck first."
Demian said nonchalantly as he swung his sword through the air. A single drop of blood scattered to the ground.
When did he cut it? No, when did he even swing?
Countless questions arose. But Regina forcibly pushed all doubts to the back of her mind.
Right now, fighting was the priority. Fortunately, she had practiced swordsmanship with her off-hand as well.
She couldn't wield it as skillfully as her right, but it was enough for combat......
"Your guard is down."
Demian kicked Regina in the stomach. Her vision flashed white as her body doubled over.
"Kuhk!"
Regina let out a short scream as she flew backward.
"I told you. I'd make you pay for your insolence."
Demian immediately pursued. At that moment, Regina kicked off the ground and charged at Demian.
A dagger was now in her left hand. She aimed to stab Demian with it.
Demian kicked her shin without a hint of surprise.
Crack. The sound of bone cracking rang out as her body pitched forward.
"Kyaaak!"
A scream burst out involuntarily. In that instant, Demian kicked Regina in the face.
Her jaw shattered, teeth scattering. Regina clutched her face, trembling.
Demian stared at her intently before uttering a single phrase.
"You haven't paid the full price for your insolence yet."
A chill ran down her spine.
Regina felt the terror of death. If she stayed like this, she'd really be beaten to death.
"S-Spare me......"
Regina hurriedly prostrated herself at Demian's feet.
"I-I'm begging like this...... p-please...... just spare my life...... p-please......"
"Fine. I'll spare you."
Demian nodded readily. Regina's face brightened.
"But I'll take a wrist in exchange."
At those words, her face twisted in horror.
"Y-You already cut one."
She held out her severed wrist and said. Demian replied indifferently to her action.
"Severance in combat doesn't count."
"B-But...... if a swordsman loses both wrists...... it's over......!"
There were ways to regenerate lost limbs, but they were troublesome and all expensive.
Crucially, regenerated parts had to be retrained from scratch.
Thus, Regina desperately tried to protect her remaining wrist.
"P-Please...... I'll pay money! A-All of it...... s-so...... please......"
Demian swung his sword. Even without manifesting Aura, Yeomyeong easily severed Regina's wrist.
Her second wrist fell to the ground. Regina failed to comprehend the situation for a moment.
"Ah, ah...... Aaaah! Uwaaaah!"
Regina screamed. But with both wrists gone, she couldn't even tend to the wounds.
"You! You think you'll get away with this! I...... I won't let you off! I'll tell Grandfather......!"
"You're fearless. I still hold your lifeline."
Demian rested Yeomyeong on Regina's shoulder. Her face paled at the blade's chilling edge.
"And I doubt the Mercenary King would bother with discarded blood like you."
Regina's eyes widened in shock at Demian's words.
"H-How did you......"
"How could I not know? The Mercenary King keeps only the blood he recognizes by his side. Those wandering outside like you are nothing but rejects to him."
Rejects.
Her eyes blazed red at the insulting word.
But expressing anger could mean her end.
"Let me show you something else interesting."
Demian showed Regina a silver necklace. Her eyes widened upon seeing it.
"H-Holy Knight......?"
"Honorary Holy Knight, to be precise."
Demian said as he pocketed the necklace.
"Attacking me or my family is tantamount to declaring war on the Church. I doubt even the Mercenary King wants that."
Regina's last shred of hope vanished.
"Then get lost. Before my patience runs out and I kill you."
Regina fled in panic at his words. Demian watched her back until she disappeared.
"Demian!"
Luise ran toward him. She inspected Demian's body all over.
"You're not hurt anywhere, right?"
"You saw it. I handled her so easily. How could I get hurt?"
"But still, you never know."
Ballard looked at Luise in surprise.
"Why are you here......?"
At Ballard's words, Luise froze. She turned to him with a face full of guilt.
"W-Well, you see......"
Luise confessed the reason she had come. Ballard let out a wry laugh.
"So you suspected me?"
Feeling guilty, Luise could only nod silently.
"I'm sorry I didn't tell you either."
"Y-You're forgiving me?"
"Of course."
The two embraced tightly. Demian turned away with a grimace.
"Still, I wonder what the mayor will say. After causing this mess......"
Ballard sighed deeply.
They had just forged ties with platinum-plate mercenaries. And he'd ruined it.
"Does the mayor know about your engagement?"
"He does. Why?"
"Then you don't need to apologize. He knew and still ordered you to entertain Regina."
"That's true, but...... I might have to look for other work now."
"Then just come to the Haksen family."
Demian said casually.
"Huh?"
"Yeah?"
The two reacted with confusion.
"With our promotion to earldom, we'll be short on hands. It'd be perfect if you helped out."
"That...... makes sense."
Ballard scratched the back of his head. It seemed too simple a solution for him to have thought of it himself.
"But...... is that okay?"
"What do you mean?"
"If I come, won't it make you uncomfortable, Demian......"
Ballard hesitated before speaking. He seemed aware that Demian didn't like him.
"......What strange things you're saying. You're about to become family. Why would I be uncomfortable?"
Demian smiled as he spoke. Ballard's expression turned genuinely surprised.
"Please take good care of my sister from now on."
At Demian's words, Ballard nodded with a serious face.
* * *
Soon, the city's guards arrived in droves. They clicked their tongues at the devastated scene.
"Wh-What the hell happened here......"
The mayor, who had come out with them, looked around in disbelief.
"B-Ballard Wigo! What is the meaning of this! Explain yourself at once!"
"Well......"
At the mayor's words, Ballard recounted everything he had seen.
"Wh-What? Regina did that to you......"
The mayor frothed at the mouth as he shouted.
"You madman! I told you! Cater to her every whim! Do that, and high-class is within reach! Got it? High-cl......"
"If it's high-class you're after, there's one right here."
Demian stepped behind Ballard. Seeing Demian's face, the mayor shut his mouth.
"Ah, ahaha...... Sir Demian."
"You've profited plenty selling out my brother-in-law until now, yet you say such things."
Demian's sharp tone paled the mayor's face.
"Then, brother-in-law, talk it out."
"You don't have to go this far for me......"
Ballard hinted at submitting his resignation to the mayor. The mayor flew into a rage upon hearing the circumstances but quickly quieted down.
Because Demian stood firmly by Ballard's side.
Thanks to Demian accompanying him, Ballard smoothly wrapped things up and joined the Haksen Earldom.
"Ballard wants to work for our family?"
The Haksen Earl was initially taken aback but soon welcomed him warmly.
"Haha, splendid. We were short-handed and frantic. I can trust you with anything."
"Entrust me with whatever. I'll work hard."
Ballard replied confidently to the earl's words.
And so, Ballard Wigo joined the Haksen Earldom. Thanks to that, Luise's face was wreathed in smiles for a good while.
* * *
Having traveled the long road from Haksen Earldom to Osean City and back, Demian had no time to rest before preparing to leave the family again.
'I still haven't dealt with Gasdal.'
In the future, Gasdal would become Dorgo's trusted aide, playing a key role in supporting the legion.
'A dangerous one. I need to prepare thoroughly.'
Gasdal was already a grand black mage at this point—a genius among geniuses.
A grand black mage was equivalent to a master-class knight.
In other words, a transcendent being beyond human limits.
'I'll kill Gasdal and obtain the fragment of Erebos.'
With his plan set, Demian departed for Almond County.