Chapter 178: Golden Star (2)
Chapter 178: Golden Star (2)
“Master, I have a favor to ask.”
「What is it?」
“There is a possibility that the targets of my revenge may expand to include the Seven Chief Gods and the Nine Goddesses. Since the creation of the First Land, they have reigned over the seven races. To challenge them is essentially to turn the entire world against me.”
「That is true.」
Indeed, my revenge might not end with Carlos. Unlike Carlos, who acted alone, the Seven Chief Gods and the Nine Goddesses were beings who had exerted influence over this land throughout its long history. If they were to issue an oracle to ‘kill Arhan Caravan,’ every nation on the continent, countless organizations, and every religious order would hunt me down.
The Caravan fief? Protecting it would be impossible. Not only that, from the moment I realized the gods were involved, I could no longer trust anyone I encountered on the continent. The ‘Seven Chief Gods and the Nine Goddesses’ were like a massive shadow looming over the land. I would find myself doubting my friends, my people, and everyone I might cross paths with in the future. Operating like that would be an unbearable burden.
And so...
“Moving while doubting and distrusting everyone is too difficult. I won’t be able to handle it, nor will I be able to protect my land and my people. Eventually, I’ll have to give things up one by one. If that happens, I might even give up on this revenge someday. After all, I am but a mere human.”
「Hmm.」
“Master, you said the gods’ purpose would be the same as what Ismael told me. I cannot yet be certain that Carlos is the Sky Sword or that his goals align with the gods’... but the former alone is lethal enough. That is why I need your help.”
I needed a weapon of my own.
「What kind of help?」
“As you know, the fastest way to gain trust on this continent, and the most powerful oath one can take, is to swear under the names of the Seven Chief Gods and the Nine Goddesses. According to the law—”
「Enough with the fluff. Tell me what you need.」
“...At this rate, I won’t be able to trust anyone. Now that I know the purpose of the Seven Chief Gods and the Nine Goddesses, I can’t even trust oaths made in their names. I need a way to be absolutely certain I can trust someone. Can you provide that for me, Master?”
To be honest, Master was the root cause of this situation.
If Liam hadn't run so wild during his lifetime, and if he hadn't made so many enemies for the Caravan family, none of this would be happening. Therefore, Master had an obligation to provide at least a little help to his poor descendant.
「Fine, very well.」
Liam nodded.
「I shall grant you the power of a single vow.」
“A vow?”
「From this moment on, anyone who swears ‘before the Land of Swords’ in your presence must keep that oath. It will be a vow incomparably more powerful than any made in the names of the Seven Chief Gods and the Nine Goddesses. A very, very powerful oath.」
“....”
「However, you can only use this once a month.」
Once a month.
There was a restriction, but it was more than enough.
How many people living on the continent even knew of the ‘Land of Swords,’ and how many would understand the weight of an oath sworn before it? This would become another weapon. And to use it as a weapon, there was something I needed to know for certain.
“What happens if they break the vow?”
「They will pay the price.」
“The price...?”
At my question, Liam smirked.
「The Land of Swords will summon the one who broke the oath.」
*
“I apologize for dropping by so abruptly.”
As soon as I opened the door, Zeppelin Gold bowed his head. Having come to my quarters, he skipped the pleasantries and started with an apology. His manner was exceedingly polite.
“I assumed you would be quite exhausted, so I’ve prepared some modest gifts. From armor made of Sky Steel—of which only five pieces are produced annually in the Dwarf Kingdom—to daggers enchanted with magic for use in emergencies...”
“....”
“Ah, and I’ve also sent various gifts to the Caravan fief. I heard there are more children in the territory lately, so I’m currently building a school for them. Furthermore—”
Zeppelin Gold had brought a mountain of things.
Beyond that, he shared news of other projects he had initiated that I would appreciate. What was this? Why was he suddenly showering me with such favor? After a moment’s thought, the reason became clear.
He needs me.
I had come to the Southern Continent as a mercenary.
And as soon as I arrived, I proved that I wasn't just a simple Sword Runner. I had killed a Great Warrior of an Order—classified as the top tier of power in the Southern Continent—single-handedly, without any assistance. Proving oneself before someone's eyes is always more effective than merely listing achievements. From Zeppelin Gold’s perspective, my market value had skyrocketed.
Zeppelin Gold’s goal was to make me a hero in the Southern Continent, starting with Vicente. And my fame is already spreading. Before he could even do anything, I struck down the Great Warrior of the Cross Order, the villain of the Southern Continent.
Honestly, what was the Great Warrior of Condemnation like when I fought her?
She wasn't an enemy a Sword Runner could handle. What about a Sword Expert? Honestly, I didn't know. I couldn't gauge exactly how powerful they were. But at the very least, one would have to be a Sword Expert to stand against a Great Warrior. A single wing wouldn't even be enough to leave a scratch on them.
In other words, killing a Great Warrior was a feat only a Sword Expert should be capable of. Since I had accomplished that, my value would be treated as that of a Sword Expert. At the very least, it would be close. And the value of a Sword Expert was the highest on the continent, as Swordmasters weren't beings who ‘moved’ in the first place.
My value has hit the ceiling. And since such a person has been holed up in his room for two days after the fight without saying a word, he must be getting anxious.
I understood the situation immediately.
And then.
“I apologize again for visiting when you must be weary from the life-and-death struggle you faced recently. Allow me to explain why I’ve come.”
Zeppelin Gold began to speak candidly about his circumstances. He said he understood my hard work, that he knew even the fighters in the Arena were guaranteed rest after a battle, but that a difficult situation had arisen on his end.
Hmm.
And the situation Zeppelin Gold described?
He must have had quite the headache.
The unexpected actions of the Cross Order.
The death of a Great Warrior, the chaos that had descended upon the port city of Vicente, and the distress he felt as the person in charge of deciding how to respond. And then there was ‘my’ silence, the one person who could explain it all. His head must have felt like it was going to explode.
I didn't expect the Cross Order to act like that.
According to Zeppelin Gold, the Cross Order seemed to already be aware that Great Warrior Ismael had been abandoned by her god. It was incredibly fast. That could only mean one thing.
The moment Ismael died, a new Great Warrior appeared in the Cross Order. And that new Great Warrior was told of Ismael’s betrayal.
As religious people who are most sensitive to distrust and betrayal, the defection of their highest Great Warrior must have been a horrific event. That’s likely why they desecrated her body so openly. Regardless, the Cross Order must be in quite a state of turmoil right now. They already had enough to worry about with the war in the Southern Continent, but now their existing Great Warrior had betrayed their god and died, and a new one had emerged.
From Zeppelin Gold’s perspective, he must have been stunned.
He probably wondered if they had all lost their minds—assuming he didn't know about Ismael’s betrayal.
“That is why I’ve come, Lord Caravan. You and I are in an employer-employee relationship. As it was when we signed the contract, we are closer to partners than a hierarchical relationship. Therefore, I intend to clearly reward you for exceeding all expectations. I will significantly increase the protection and support for the Caravan fief, and the rewards for you personally will be of the highest quality.”
“....”
“Of course, that includes your victory over the Great Warrior of Condemnation. Those rewards will be separate. It was a battle that wasn't previously agreed upon, you accomplished what I should have done myself, and you essentially saved my life when it was in danger.”
Zeppelin Gold stared at me intently.
“Tell me what you want, Lord Caravan. I will reward your brilliant achievement. And, though it may be difficult, could you explain what happened two days ago? It is something I must know if I am to support you fully going forward. As I said, aren't we partners?”
With that, Zeppelin Gold flashed a grin.
He was a skillful orator. He looked more like the man who had first arrived at the Caravan fief flying the flag of the Black Archipelago than his usual self. The face of a merchant. But it wasn't unpleasant. It was actually beneficial to me, and solving Zeppelin Gold’s problems was synonymous with solving my own. There was no reason not to tell him.
However.
“You’re right.”
I had to test what needed to be tested.
“Then, could you make a single vow for me?”
“A vow? Are you referring to an oath to the Seven Chief Gods and the Nine Goddesses?”
At the mention of a vow, Zeppelin Gold’s face contorted.
“Lord Caravan, do you realize what it means to suggest we speak only after an oath to the Seven Chief Gods and the Nine Goddesses? That is a vow suggested for sacred conversations between holy men, or during the interrogation of a criminal. It is an oath forced by the very high upon the very low. Simply suggesting such a vow is an act of disregard and a great insult.”
Oh.
He was reacting more sensitively than I expected.
“I know you aren't well-versed in noble society. Even so, this is difficult to accept. If you still insist on the vow after hearing this, I will take it. But as a descendant of the Gold family, I will not forget this humiliation.”
Zeppelin Gold didn't hide his anger.
I glanced at Master.
「Originally, an oath to the gods is never forced upon others unless one is proving their own innocence. It is a vow suggested only to criminals, slaves, or commoners. To nobles, the weight of one's word is heavy, and to the Five Families, it is heavier still. They weigh every word before speaking and know the gravity of their speech. Therefore, suggesting a vow is an act that defiles and insults their integrity.」
Oops.
I hadn't known that.
“I apologize. I didn't know because I’m a country bumpkin.”
“If you did it without knowing, it’s fine. I know you’re a suspicious person.”
“The vow I mentioned wasn't that. I was asking for a different vow, not one to the gods. You’ll understand once you hear what happened two days ago. Truly.”
“...Just what on earth happened? Besides, a vow that isn't to the gods? Do you mean an oath on your honor, or an oath on your family name?”
“Similar, but a bit different. Can you do it?”
Zeppelin Gold pondered for a moment.
It seemed that for nobles, a vow was not something to be decided lightly. After closing his eyes briefly, Zeppelin Gold eventually nodded as if he had made a major decision.
“Very well.”
“Then... can you swear that you will not speak falsehoods before the ‘Land of Swords,’ that you will not disclose the facts you are about to hear to others, and that you will never betray Arhan Caravan?”
“If that’s all. But the Land of Swords? Is that some tourist destination in the East?”
Tilting his head, Zeppelin Gold repeated the words after me. An oath uttered toward the Land of Swords. As soon as the vow was finished, Zeppelin Gold scratched his head with a hum.
“Is... is this it?”
“Yes, that’s enough.”
I smiled with satisfaction and glanced back.
Master was also nodding.
Looking at Master’s face, I mouthed a question.
Master.
「What is it?」
He won't die or anything just because he breaks this vow, right?
「Indeed, he won't die. The judgment will be carried out according to my will.」
Then... is it possible to give him just a small taste?
At my question, Master chuckled.
「That much is easy, my suspicious descendant.」
Okay.
I had permission.
Then I’ll need your help in a little bit.
Zeppelin Gold would get the answers he wanted. I would truly tell him everything that happened two days ago without hiding a thing. I would answer all of his questions. I would even help his plans in the Southern Continent succeed. With all my might.
“I will tell you everything now.”
Why?
Because now, Zeppelin Gold would become a partner I could truly trust. A reliable partner who would never betray me or lie to me. Of course, near the end of this conversation, there would be a ‘Time of Verification.’ I wouldn't be the one conducting that verification, though.
“You may ask as many questions as you like.”
“Ah, thank you for your consideration.”
“Don't mention it. Aren't we partners?”
“Ah, right! Partners! Hahahaha!”
“Hahahaha!”
My Master, who was a bit scarier than me, would be the one to do it.
I can probably stop being so suspicious from now on.
Master.
One is coming your way in a bit.