Chapter 41
Chapter 41
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 41
Chapter Title: Messen's Brothers (1)
-----------------------------------------------------------------
In life, there comes a time when cataclysmic events that should unfold over long years crash down like a storm in just a few days.
For Remtana's envoy, Enrico, this was exactly that moment.
"..."
While touring the underground fortress, Enrico was left utterly speechless. The mere fact that such a massive fortress had been hidden in his own jurisdiction was the stuff of novels.
But then, to learn that in this underground fortress, the Magic Tower had been breeding monsters captured during the subjugation order, scheming to turn them into an army, dispatching Ymir as an aide to carry out the plan, sacrificing countless people as fodder to build that monster army—and that this invincible barbarian had slaughtered the entire horde single-handedly?
"Hah..."
Even novels couldn't stretch that far. The trolls in the Twin Canyons or the Arch Paladin alone were headache enough. For one event after another to explode like this? He half-suspected the barbarian was spinning lies just to toy with him.
But the fortress's grim landscape proved his words were no fabrication.
They crossed narrow passages strewn with the shredded corpses of monsters. The thick stench of blood and rot rattled his nerves. In one room, he spotted the messengers and scribes he had sent, clustered together and rotting away. Enrico felt nausea surge as his scalp burned like fire.
After inspecting all the way to where the ogre had fallen, they finally escaped the fortress. Outside was a chaotic mess of burned harpy and goblin corpses. They hurriedly turned their backs on it and headed for the shade of a nearby rocky outcrop.
Only in the blood-free air did his head begin to cool. After nearly half a shichen sorting his thoughts, Enrico cleared his throat and spoke.
"First off... thank you for handling the job safely. This blew up far bigger than I'd asked. I figured it'd just be taking out Ymir, but who could've imagined the Magic Tower pulling off such vile deeds right in Remtana's front yard..."
"..."
"We Imperials think the Magic Tower safeguards the entire alliance, but the truth is a bit different. Their true allies are only Vesta's council; with the other councils, it's surface-level cooperation while they keep each other in check. Even if they pooled all their power, they'd struggle against the Empire—and now to find out they've been secretly building an invasion force by slaughtering innocents... It's a tragedy beyond words..."
Kadim had no interest in alliance politics. He propped his chin indifferently and changed the subject.
"So, can you spin the story right, envoy?"
Enrico swiftly shifted to a businesslike expression and nodded.
"No trouble at all. The Knight of Elga and Ymir's deaths can go as planned: Ymir intercepting the knight's unauthorized border crossing. But the fortress incident has to be framed as a separate matter uncovered after Ymir's death. Wouldn't want to accidentally justify the knight's incursion..."
"..."
"In any case, I'll do everything to erase your traces, so don't worry. Just burn Ymir's body as a holy knight later on. It's already mangled, but we need some evidence it was the knight who did it."
Kadim nodded readily. He doubted they could fully bury this mess, but for now, it was the best option. From here on, he'd have to trust the envoy's skills.
While Enrico sank back into thought, Kadim laid out his spoils from the fortress. The 'Soul-Squeezing Iron Chains' that could extract human spirits, and the fragments of the black stone pried from Ymir's heart.
The chains were a magic tool requiring 'mana' to use, making them useless to Kadim. When he asked if Enrico wanted to buy them, the envoy accepted eagerly, calling them prime evidence to pressure the Magic Tower.
"I'll pay 100,000 Luden for them. How's that?"
"200,000 Luden."
"...200,000 is a bit steep. 120,000?"
"200,000 Luden."
"Up to 125,000..."
"200,000."
"130,000..."
"Killing all those monsters has my shoulders stiff."
"...Fine. 200,000 Luden it is."
The haggling ended with generous terms. Then Kadim picked up the shattered stone fragments.
"You know what this is, envoy?"
"That's... a fragment of a 'magic stone,' isn't it? From Ymir's heart?"
"Right. You told me before that mages don't contract with demons. But this stone reeks of demonic energy. Any idea what that's about?"
"...!"
Enrico gasped, eyes widening before knitting in confusion. Gradually, his face turned grave.
"Magic stone production is one of the Magic Tower's highest secrets. They shatter the moment a mage dies, making proper analysis impossible. I had no idea demonic energy was mixed in. But how in the world did you detect it?"
"Fishy smell. Dank presence too."
"...To sense it like that—your senses are superhuman. If demonic energy truly taints magic stones, this is no small matter. Even without a direct contract, the Elga Church won't let it slide if they catch wind."
"..."
"No, hmm... but how could they not have noticed until now...? Priests are sensitive to demonic auras... Unless they're ignoring it on purpose... Sigh, I just can't make sense of it..."
Enrico roughly rubbed his face in frustration. There was nothing more to learn from him. Solid answers would have to come from the source itself.
The Magic Tower. The place Melissa built to train mages, now seemingly twisted into something unrecognizable.
Kadim stuffed the stone fragments into his pouch and stood.
"Let's head back to Remtana and settle the payment. The rest is on you."
"Hm? Planning to leave Remtana right away?"
"Yeah. I'll head to the Magic Tower first. If you find a way to access the records, let me know. Otherwise, I'll drop by later."
"..."
Enrico swallowed dryly.
In the chaos, he'd momentarily forgotten. Helping access the first Magic Tower Lord's records was a hasty promise to keep Kadim hooked. But to save his skin, he'd have to pull out all the stops now.
Still, it was no losing deal.
This man had proven his superhuman prowess. An emperor would grant him title and lands, a city magnate endless gold, a northern warlord legendary dwarf relics. Stumbling into an alliance like this without effort was absurd luck.
And Enrico wasn't one to let luck slip from his grasp.
"Of course, I'll keep my word. But how about one more commission?"
"..."
"Nothing tough like this time. Just escort me along your route. On second thought, to clean this up properly, I need to visit Delutana's council myself."
"..."
"We'll leave as soon as I've sorted things here. Travel together to the Golden Highway fork: I head to Delutana, you to Vesta as planned. Pay whatever you want, plus horse and expenses on me. Not a bad offer for you, right?"
He met impassive eyes that gave nothing away. Enrico steadied his nerves and waited. Kadim stroked his chin thoughtfully, then spoke.
"Delutana, you said?"
"...Yes."
"Then one more in the group won't hurt."
Ignoring the puzzled envoy, Kadim hurried off without further explanation.
Clang, clang, clang!
Loud hammering echoed from beyond the iron door. The acrid iron dust scent lingered, but the door was unlocked this time. As it creaked open, the forge's sweltering heat washed over his face like scalding water.
"Come on i... Hm? Oh, it's the mercenary! What brings you here?"
Kadim let out a faint chuckle.
His wild hair and white beard were trimmed short. He wore neat work clothes without holes. The grumpy, irritable tone had turned hearty and boisterous. Aside from the limp in his right leg, everything had changed. 'Ironhammer' Gullak seemed like a different man altogether.
"Looking sharp, old timer. Way better than the first time."
"Back at the forge! Makes me wonder how I lived like a shut-in all that time. Jobs flooded in right after yours—haven't caught a break!"
"Good for you. Time to gild that anvil soon."
"Kehahaha... All thanks to the envoy and you. But you didn't come just to say hi, right? Weapon trouble?"
"Nah, it's flawless. That dagger's a gem."
"Oh? Then maybe you missed that liquor from last time..."
"Bring that swill again, and you'll eat soft food the rest of your days."
"...Tch, uncouth barbarian."
Kadim and Gullak both snorted laughs. Unlike last time, the mood stayed light. After forging the weapon, a strange camaraderie had formed between warrior and smith.
Gullak set down his hammer. The two sat across a small table. No sooner had Kadim planted himself than he plunked down a heavy pouch. Wrinkles deepened on Gullak's brow in puzzlement.
"...What's this? I already got paid, as I recall."
"Tried the dagger—better than I thought. Your pittance last time wasn't enough. Good work deserves fair pay."
Gullak pulled out a gold coin, his cataract-clouded eyes trembling faintly. But he slowly pushed the pouch back, shaking his head.
"No need. Getting back to work was gift enough. What would an old coot like me do with that much coin? Like you said, not gilding the anvil..."
"Could settle in a big city with your family. Nest egg."
Gullak startled, white brows shooting up. A bitter smile tugged his cracked lips.
"...Heard about me from the envoy?"
Kadim neither confirmed nor denied. He just laid it out.
"Envoy's heading to Delutana on business. I'm escorting to the Golden Highway. Figured one more won't hurt, so told him you're coming too."
"What? You serious?"
"Leaves when he wraps up in Remtana. Pack light—essentials only."
"B-but with this limp, I can't travel that far..."
"Envoy promised a horse. Luckily, not a lame one."
Gullak's eyes quivered.
Moisture gathered in the parched well of his emotions, cracked and dewless for so long. He bit his chapped lips, staring at the floor before finally lifting his gaze, voice thick and hoarse.
"Why show me such kindness? I... I haven't done enough to deserve this from you..."
Reason?
There was none special. Parted from family, heel severed, lifelong savings stolen—the old man's misery was commonplace in this world. A few decent weapons didn't make him pitiable above other wretches.
But Kadim reflected.
To survive, he'd wade blood-soaked mire and drink filth without hesitation. Yet when life wasn't on the line, he'd pass his crust to the hungrier man.
Days left to uphold this final creed—before becoming a humanity-less fiend—were few.
So while he could, extend a hand to the pit-dweller nearby.
"...Nothing like that. Call it fate's whim."
Gullak's hollow expression lasted a moment before he clucked his tongue in a rusty chuckle. He briskly wiped his reddened, misty eyes with his forearm.
"Damn it, eyes watering at a time like this... Must be all that forge heat..."
"..."
"Anyway... thank you. Can't put it into words—truly grateful. Call it repayment or whatever, but before I kick it, I'll forge you a 'masterpiece'... Swing by Delutana someday."
Kadim rose without a word. No telling when he'd reach the Magic Tower. Empty promises were best let in one ear and out the other. Whether paths crossed again was fate's call.
But as he turned to leave the smithy, Kadim spotted something on the workbench.
"...?"
Familiar olive gleam. He grimaced like he'd seen filth. Couldn't not ask.
"Why's that here? What're you making, old timer?"
"Oh, Remtana soldiers all want 'em on their armor. Trophy from some monstrous beast, they said... Got a dozen more to go. Sigh, better hustle if I wanna finish before leaving Remtana."
"..."
Kadim shook his head. Gave the hydra-scale-studded armor one last glance, then left the smithy with a hollow laugh.