Chapter 92
Chapter 92
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 92
Chapter Title: A Sharp Blade (2)
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It had been about an hour since he met with the Agon faction councilors in the council hall.
Kadim wasn't in a great mood.
"......The evidence and the demons' heads can be verified in the seizure warehouse. Therefore, esteemed councilors, I request that you pay this mercenary a total of 1,454,000 luden—as the reward for the subjugation operation, after deducting the 146,000 luden pre-paid from the original 1,600,000 luden."
"Yes...... You've worked hard coming all this way, Ninth Gate Guard Captain. We've already confirmed the evidence, so you may withdraw."
His mood hadn't soured until the guard captain fulfilled his duty and the councilors agreed to pay the reward without fuss. In fact, he'd nearly felt a sliver of goodwill upon hearing they'd add a generous bonus for his troubles.
"Please have a seat and wait here, mercenary. It will take some time for the aide to fetch the reward payment. Why not share some casual conversation with us in the meantime?"
But when the councilors held the reward hostage to keep him pinned down, that goodwill evaporated clean away.
"We've heard all about your exploits, mercenary. The Demon Slayer who dyed the entire Golden Highway with demon blood! They were such unbelievable tales at first, but after seeing those mountains of demon heads yesterday, we have no choice but to believe now!"
"Even the empire's renowned high paladins of Elga couldn't have achieved such a feat. If the heavenly Elga notices we have talent like you in the Alliance, he might even grow jealous, haha!"
The councilors' conversation began with flattery on their lips......
"We heard you had a scuffle with some underworld thugs yesterday. They were harboring suspicious forces, weren't they? They were scum we'd have had to deal with for the city's security sooner or later anyway, so stepping up to clean them out first—we can't thank you enough."
"By the way, it seems the city has seen all sorts of incidents since yesterday. On one hand, there's the rare good news of a valuable guest like you arriving, but on the other, there's the bad news of a senior councilor going missing...... Though his conduct wasn't exactly exemplary and he clashed with us big and small, I hope he's safe......"
Going beyond mere probing about yesterday's events......
"We've always put in great efforts to ensure Atalains receive better treatment. You've already met the warriors of the Horde, haven't you? They were originally third-rate gladiators of no note. Without our dedication, they'd probably still be locked behind arena bars, choking on dust, haha!"
"Now we hold great influence not just in Agon, but across Galenta and the entire territory. Not to boast, but even street urchins can tell which way the winds are blowing......"
It reached self-aggrandizing tales of their own faces gilded in gold......
"But, mercenary, do you know that Atalains are still scorned in many places across the continent? Since Agon's Furious Horn was crowned champion, perceptions have improved a lot in the Alliance, but in the east around Vesta, there are still those who look down on Atalains as 'barbarians'......"
"......And the empire's Elga Church slaps the label of heretics on them and hauls away innocent Atalains......"
"If you would lend your strength to the Horde and stand against the other factions, no one on this continent would ever dare scorn the Atalains again. And to your satisfaction, we promise treatment befitting the Horde's leader......"
......Finally arriving at revealing their true colors.
The reason Kadim hadn't cut off this tedious monologue midway was solely because of his promise to the one-armed warrior. Without that promise to hear out the councilors, he would have long since told them to shut up and bring the reward.
But even that patience was wearing thin. The aide sent to fetch the reward was already approaching the door. It was plain as day they wouldn't pay until he accepted the offer.
Kadim furrowed his brow and parted his stiff lips.
"No, I'll pass. I have no intention of fighting leashed under someone. If the chat's over, let's go—hand over the reward already."
The councilors reacted with utter incomprehension.
Wondering if the bait wasn't enough, they promised more vulgar rewards like money, women, land, and relics. But Kadim's will didn't waver.
Then the councilors hardened their expressions. Shifting from persuasion, they began sinister threats.
"What a pity, mercenary. We understand your feelings. But you might regret this later. You won't get an opportunity like this again......"
"Well, what can we do? If you choose to turn your back on honor and kin for immediate freedom. Though many Atalains across the continent will continue to suffer scorn and persecution...... We can't force someone who refuses."
"When executing budgets over a million luden in the council, there are proper procedures, right? The review period is usually about three months? We expedited it as an emergency until now, but with the demon outbreak over, maybe it's time to normalize......"
"Ah, and about Councilor Vittorio. Shouldn't we root out the culprit thoroughly? He's a fellow councilor, after all—if need be, we could even mobilize the Horde......"
"......"
Kadim shot them a shadowed glare.
The distant councilors didn't notice. Only Adonis, facing him directly, felt a chilling premonition.
He hurriedly signaled the councilors to hold back and spoke to Kadim.
"Ah, no need to worry, mercenary. We can't retroactively apply budget procedures, so you'll receive your reward without issue. It's just a large sum, so there might be a slight delay—please bear with us generously. Do you have other plans afterward?"
"......I have to stop by Agon. Then head to the Magic Tower."
Adonis's lips curved into a forced smile, as if it were welcome news.
"Planning to go to Agon? Perfect timing. It's our home ground, so we can assist with anything. What business takes you there?"
"To kill Agon's Furious Horn."
"......"
"“......”"
The air froze.
Adonis and the Agon faction councilors stared at Kadim with souls drained from their faces.
Kwa-ang!!
Afterward, Kadim smashed the stone desk with his bare fist, snarled with his nose bridge viciously twisted, and growled.
"And if you don't hand over the reward right now, I'll slaughter you lot first."
"“......”"
A killing intent that chilled spines and numbed loins.
The councilors' faces blanched white as one.
Adonis desperately signaled the aide peeking through the door crack to bring the reward immediately.
*
The corridor outside the council hall was littered with shocked faces.
The guard captain with sunken eyes bulging out, the merchant gnawing his nails in anxiety, and Perun and the Atalain warriors with their weathered faces rigidly set.
All sensed some major friction had erupted inside. Kadim wore a faint smirk.
It wasn't a wise move.
He'd already caused no small commotion in this city. To minimize backlash, he should have kept relations amicable with them as much as possible. Yet he'd threatened their lives and declared war by vowing to kill Agon's Furious Horn—enmity was now inevitable.
Still, he had no choice.
If he hadn't stated his intent so firmly, they'd have clung desperately without paying. Since enmity was inevitable anyway, better to secure what he could and implant solid fear.
Thus, the main purpose of coming to Galenta was achieved.
1,654,000 luden for the demon subjugation reward, with a bonus tacked on. Including the advance from the guard captain, a total of 1.8 million luden. Kadim's hands dangled with pouches bulging with gold coins like fruitful tree branches.
Duncan approached first, asking in a low voice.
"M-my lord...... What happened in there? Did you get the full reward? The councilors didn't catch on to last night's incident, did they? If so, we need to flee right now......"
"......"
Kadim shook his head slightly and approached Perun.
"Did you hear the talk inside?"
"......"
After a moment of conflicted deliberation, the warrior's words came haltingly.
"......I heard, brother Kadim."
"I'm not your brother. Nor your ally. I've kept my promise by meeting the councilors and listening, so we're square now—nothing left between us."
"......No, even so, the fact we stood on the same battlefield, and you avenged the share of my severed arm by slaying demons—that doesn't change."
Perun clenched his fist and met Kadim's gaze.
"I can understand you taking down Tundal, the subjugation leader. But this time, I just can't comprehend. Explain. Why go to Agon to kill the one who leads us......"
Kadim sent a gaze dry as wilderness wind.
"Do you truly believe Agon's Furious Horn is Atala's Great Warrior?"
"......"
Perun wanted to ask why such a question now. But those eyes staring him down brooked no retort. Mulling his confused feelings, he unconsciously nodded.
Kadim twisted his lips and added.
"Then there's nothing more to say. Just this—if you don't want to see your heads roll, there's one way."
"......"
"By wilderness law, challenge me to a duel and kill me now."
Perun's eyes widened.
Abyssal pupils bored into him. Kadim's words rang with unfeigned sincerity.
Perun felt it. Emotions clashing chaotically in his heart. Doubt and confusion, fear and rage, and above all, the fighting spirit blazing toward that great foe, fueled by the duty to protect their leader.
He raised his hook hand as if to declare the duel at once, lips trembling perilously.
"......"
"......"
......But in the end, he couldn't open his mouth, lowering hand and head.
As Perun abandoned the challenge, the other warriors halted. Kadim glanced indifferently past them and approached the guard captain, handing over a heavy pouch.
Clink!
"Take it, Guard Captain."
"Wh-what's this?"
"Horse feed money. Didn't you pull the cart hard all the way here?"
"......"
Yulitan peered into the pouch. Even roughly, it matched years of his salary. Normally he'd rejoice, but...... not now.
"N-no, more importantly...... What the hell happened in the council hall? I heard something shattering...... You didn't threaten the councilors, did you?"
"I did. So we should leave before they snap out of it. You still have to help with something, so follow."
"Wh-wha?"
No time to tell if joke or earnest. Yulitan was dragged out by the scruff, and Duncan hurriedly chased after the dazed pair.
And heavy silence.
Only the Atalain warriors remained in the corridor. They stood like ominous statues, staring long at where Kadim had vanished.
One warrior stepped forward to Perun.
"What now, Perun? He declared he'd kill our leader, the 'Great Warrior'...... Are we really letting him go like this?"
"......"
After long torment, replaying wilderness visions behind closed lids.
Perun finally opened his eyes and lips.
"Brothers, have you ever......"
"......"
"......"
"......Ah, no. First, let's check on the councilors' safety and head inside."
But swallowing the rest, the warriors never heard the full question.
Perun drowned in anguish. They didn't know yet. Even if they'd seen the same visions as him, heard Agon's Furious Horn's words, would they think the same now?
'Perun. If I hadn't met that shaman...... I wouldn't be anything now. That shaman made me Atala's Great Warrior.'