Chapter 154
Chapter 154
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 154
Chapter Title: Athena Hopper (1)
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Demian headed toward the entrance with Cynthia.
Already, many mercenaries had gathered near the entrance. They were all cheering while staring somewhere.
In the direction of their gazes, four young men and women were riding into the camp on horseback.
Behind the group, a massive cart was being pulled along. On top of the cart lay an enormous snake coiled up in death.
“Is that the Basilisk that ruled the Alpaca Mountains?”
“It’s insanely huge. You can tell at a glance it’s no ordinary Basilisk.”
“That thing’s at least three hundred years old. Armor made from its hide would be incredible.”
The mercenaries kept marveling at the snake on the cart.
It wasn’t just any giant snake. It was a Basilisk, known as the king of serpents.
A dangerous monster said to petrify any living creature with just a glare.
But its petrifying curse wasn’t the only threat. Its hide was tough enough to resist even famed swords, and its blood was as potent as any deadly poison.
With its massive size came tremendous strength—enough to crush ogres or trolls just by brushing against them.
It was so perilous that even High Class adventurers avoided it. And yet, these four young ones had hunted it down.
“Plus, they cleanly severed only its head. Impressive.”
Demian gave a brief murmur of admiration as he examined each of the four one by one.
As First-Gen Sacred Bloods, they had features that clearly set them apart from the Second-Gen Sacred Bloods.
It was the color of their hair.
The Second-Gen Sacred Bloods’ hair was no different from anyone else’s.
But the First-Gens, like the Mercenary King, all had white hair.
The shade of white varied slightly. Those with less had hair that looked almost gray.
And among them, only one girl had hair as brilliantly white as the Mercenary King’s.
“Athena Hopper. Just like in my past life.”
The heroine who had resisted Dorgo after her father stood before him now.
The four headed toward the Mercenary King’s tent amid the mercenaries’ cheers.
Then, suddenly, Athena Hopper’s eyes met Demian’s.
She passed by him indifferently without a second glance.
“What’s your impression now that you’ve seen them in person?”
Once the four had vanished, Cynthia asked Demian.
“They’re all impressive.”
To be honest, Demian was only interested in Athena Hopper. He hadn’t paid close attention to the other three.
Even so, their overwhelming auras felt natural enough.
“The Mercenary King is a fair man. His confidence is so absolute he wouldn’t even consider foul play.”
It had been the same in his past life.
The Mercenary King was far removed from trickery. Even on the battlefield, he preferred charging straight in over elaborate strategies.
That didn’t mean he rushed in blindly at every enemy. He had a peculiar talent for creating advantageous situations and battlefields.
“So you won’t have to compete against Master Class Sacred Bloods. If you beat those four High Class Sacred Bloods you just saw… the Mercenary King will acknowledge your victory.”
Cynthia continued in a firm tone.
“But as your senior… that won’t happen.”
Cynthia was a Master Class.
She saw and sensed far more than High Class fighters.
And she was stating it with conviction: Demian couldn’t beat the First-Gen Sacred Bloods.
“Thanks for the advice. But I’m the type who does it just to spite people telling me not to.”
Of course, Demian ignored her words.
Right now, he was concealing much of his ability and talent.
It was only natural that he looked weaker than the First-Gens in her eyes.
“…If you insist on suffering, there’s nothing I can do. Come on, I’ll show you to your lodgings.”
With that, Cynthia started walking. Her back seemed a bit annoyed.
* * *
“I’m so glad you all returned safely!”
The Mercenary King spoke as he looked around at the seated First-Gens.
“Truth be told, I worried after sending you off. I wondered if this commission might be too much.”
The Basilisk the Sacred Bloods had hunted had settled in the Alpaca Mountains, devouring countless people.
Grape Kingdom’s High Class adventurers had stepped up to slay it, only to become its prey.
Having lost such a precious asset, Grape Kingdom urgently contacted the Mercenary King and entrusted him with the subjugation request.
“But seeing what you’ve brought back, my worries were unfounded. To complete the commission so splendidly—you’re all my pride.”
The Mercenary King smiled in satisfaction. The Sacred Bloods here wore similar expressions.
All but one, who was lost in deep thought and ignoring the Mercenary King’s words.
“Athena, is something wrong?”
The Mercenary King asked with a concerned face. Athena Hopper then spoke.
“When we came in earlier, I saw some weird guy. Who is he?”
At Athena Hopper’s question, the Mercenary King gave a peculiar smile.
“As expected, you noticed. That’s the free knight I hired this time. Name’s Demian Haksen.”
Even at the name Demian Haksen, everyone’s eyes widened slightly.
He was famous enough that even these First-Gen Sacred Bloods had heard of him at least once.
“Do you know what that guy did while you were away? He beat Valtin and Kuesi. And without even properly fighting them.”
The Sacred Bloods couldn’t help but be stunned.
Valtin and Kuesi were top talents among the Second-Gen Sacred Bloods.
For those two to lose without a real fight? It was hard to believe.
“How dare he tarnish the Sacred Blood name.”
“What an arrogant punk.”
“You just let him be?”
The other three, excluding Athena Hopper, grumbled with displeased faces. The Mercenary King nodded along as if in full agreement.
“That’s why I have a favor to ask you all.”
The Mercenary King looked at the First-Gens as he spoke.
“When you four compete against him, we made a bet on who submits first.”
At his words, killing intent emanated from the three.
Rage boiled at the thought of some High Class upstart trying to match their great father.
“Calm down, all of you. He’s cocky and rude as hell… but isn’t it fun? It’s been ages since anyone challenged you—or me.”
Most geniuses the Mercenary King had brought in before had submitted to the Second-Gen Sacred Bloods and crumbled.
Demian Haksen was the first to face the First-Gens—and challenge the Mercenary King himself.
No wonder the Mercenary King found it amusing.
“If you make that insolent fool submit and restore your father’s honor… I’ll pass on the ultimate technique I’ve developed recently.”
At that, the three’s eyes went wide.
Even First-Gen Sacred Bloods didn’t receive all the Mercenary King’s techniques.
He differentiated based on achievements and talent. Opportunities like this were rare.
“Father! Trust me! I’ll make him submit tomorrow if you want!”
“No, trust me! I’ll have Demian Haksen kneeling before you!”
“Don’t trust those two—they’re all talk. I’ll prove it with actions!”
The three clamored toward the Mercenary King.
He gazed at them fondly before speaking.
“I appreciate the words alone. You must be tired today—go rest. Oh, and Athena?”
Athena looked up. Unlike the other three, she hadn’t joined the conversation at all.
“You stay. I have something to discuss privately.”
* * *
The three left the tent.
“Damn, he calls only Athena again.”
Neil Hopper grumbled. He was the one with the dullest hair color among the three.
“No surprise there. Father favors her above all.”
MacDowell Hopper said curtly. He was just as unhappy about it.
“So, what do we do?”
Vanessa Hopper asked the two. She was the only other woman besides Athena Hopper.
“About Demian Haksen? No need to set an order. First come, first served.”
“That’d just make us fight each other. Whoever goes first wins for sure.”
The other two nodded at Vanessa Hopper’s words.
All three were absolutely certain they could beat Demian Haksen.
No—certainty might not be the right word.
To them, it was as natural as water flowing downhill.
“How about this?”
Vanessa Hopper said, her face lighting up with an idea.
“No order, but we each challenge him differently.”
“Differently how?”
“Each in our own way. Like a mana capacity contest. Or mana control. Plenty of options.”
“Sounds risky. We’d win, sure… but what if.”
“That’s the thrill. Winning guaranteed is boring. A bit of risk makes it fun, right?”
The other two nodded, liking Vanessa Hopper’s pitch.
“Then we each handle contacting Demian Haksen our way… and call it for today.”
With that, the three dispersed.
* * *
Alone with Athena, the Mercenary King busied himself.
He brought out hidden desserts. Even boiled water in a kettle himself to brew tea.
“Anneta, try some. It’s that Jade Flow Hall dessert you love. Took real effort to get.”
The Mercenary King spoke to Athena with eager anticipation, like he craved praise.
But she silently picked up a cookie and chewed. His shoulders slumped slightly.
“Was the journey tough? Any troubles?”
Undeterred, he pressed on. Athena grimaced in annoyance.
“Annoying… Can’t you stop asking? You do this every time I come back.”
The other Sacred Bloods would’ve fainted in shock if they heard.
The Mercenary King and Sacred Bloods’ relationship was near master-servant. They all feared him.
Treating him like Athena did was unthinkable.
“You must be really upset. Fine, no more questions.”
Shockingly, the Mercenary King wasn’t offended—instead, he soothed her.
Athena munched other desserts before asking him.
“But Dad, that Demian Haksen guy. Did he really beat the Second-Gens?”
At his daughter’s question, the Mercenary King frowned.
“Yeah, and not content with that, he provoked me. Said if he beats you all, I hand over an elixir… First time I’ve seen such a guy.”
“So you told us to make him submit?”
“Of course! I can overlook a lot, but insulting my bloodline? No. He needs a lesson, or…”
“Why not just leave him? He’d be a shame to break.”
At Athena’s words, the Mercenary King’s eyes shook wildly.
“What? What’s that supposed to mean?”
“He’s too handsome to ruin.”
He took another hit from that.
“Y-You’re not… falling for him, are you?”
He asked urgently. Athena held her index finger and thumb close together.
“A little?”
In that moment, the Mercenary King felt something inside him crumble.
“Y-You brat! A man’s not just his looks! Pretty boys are useless!”
“Then why do you pick women just for their faces?”
“C-Cough.”
Athena’s retort shut him up instantly.
“You’re not… serious about him, are you?”
“Don’t worry. I’d never drag a guy weaker than me to bed.”
He sighed in relief… then his eyes bulged again.
“Drag to bed?! Where’d you learn such vulgar talk!”
“From you? You bring two or three women to bed every night.”
“Cough.”
He was speechless again.
“A-Anyway… you’re not planning anything with him?”
“I told you. I like men stronger than me.”
Athena Hopper added while munching dessert.
“Never met one in my life, though.”