Chapter 68
Chapter 68
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 68
Chapter Title: War Reparations
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Grada Territory had entered a full-scale overhaul.
They decided to erect defensive walls along all border lines, and the villages within the territory were also being reorganized.
To prepare for an enemy invasion, they built new structures or demolished old ones to ensure safe and swift evacuation.
As a result, Ban and the other territory residents assigned to construction worked day and night without rest.
Millerph stayed on-site all day, aiding them with magic.
Thanks to him, the progress was unbelievably fast.
"Come on, everyone! Just a little more!"
"Ban, once we finish this part, we can rest for the day, right?"
"What are you talking about? You know we have mountains of work piled up!"
Ban exploded in anger.
"Man, you're ruthless."
The man shook his head, trembling with frustration.
Arthur, who had been out scouting the territory since morning, made this his final stop.
Ban rushed over the moment he spotted him.
"You're here, sir!"
"It's already come up this much?"
Arthur was startled to see the defensive wall, which had risen at least five meters high.
"With Master Millerph's help, it's progressing faster than expected."
"What's the completion rate?"
"About sixty percent."
"In just ten days? At this rate, it'll be done in a month, not half a year."
"But there's one problem."
"A problem?"
"The workload has increased beyond the original plan, so we're running short on building materials. Especially the main material—iron—is about to run out."
"Iron..."
Arthur's face hardened.
In the sub-space inside his helmet, he had gold, jewels, and even oriharukon, but no iron.
It made sense; it wasn't a precious ore valuable enough to store in Rumakas's lair.
Either way, a variable had arisen, so he needed to find a solution.
"Is there nowhere to get it?"
"Not within the territory. We'd have to bring it from another one, but no one's willing to trade with us because of the 'devil worshipper' slander."
"I'll figure something out, so tell me about territories that have iron stockpiles."
"Hmm, there's Vulcan Territory, famous for its steel, but it's sided with Count Yarve!"
Ban trailed off, then his eyes widened.
"Nibon Territory!"
"What's that?"
"I heard from an acquaintance before that Nibon Territory has a substantial amount of iron ore deposits."
"Really?"
Arthur's eyes lit up.
If he played Count Yarve right, he could solve the iron supply issue easily.
"I'll handle it somehow."
"If we can secure a steady supply of iron, the defensive walls will proceed as planned."
Confidence overflowed on Ban's face.
Arthur nodded and looked at the wall.
High up on it, Millerph was flying through the sky, assisting with magic.
He moved with the skill of a true professional.
"Might as well change professions at this point."
Ban grinned in response.
"You're right. Thanks to Master Millerph fully understanding the blueprints, the work is going smoothly. I never knew he had such talent for construction."
"Anyway, I'm counting on you."
"Yes, sir! Just leave it to me!"
Ban thumped his chest with his fist and replied boldly.
Anyone else might have seemed arrogant, but as an artisan who had inherited the dwarf's skills, he inspired trust.
After surveying the site, Arthur headed straight back to the castle.
The castle was just as busy as the territory.
The moment Arthur received full family head authority from Medlin, he began reorganizing the organization.
Skevin, who had taken the temporary captain position, instilled in the knights that they were in a wartime situation and ordered them to maintain emergency readiness.
As a result, they lived in full armor 24 hours a day, with constant tension in the air.
Kyah-!
Roars echoed thunderously across the training grounds.
Training for the vigilante members and squire knights, which had been paused, resumed.
Arthur ordered Hector to have the Defen Knight Order join the training as well.
Every day, the training grounds rang with the furious shouts of hundreds of people.
Kyah-!
Each time those enraged cries reached his ears, Arthur wore a pleased expression.
They were the sounds signaling that everyone was growing stronger.
As Arthur turned toward the underground prison, Skevin and Adlan approached.
The Del Knight Order followed behind them.
"My lord."
Adlan approached and bowed politely.
"What is it?"
"Today is the day you promised, my lord."
"I see."
Arthur nodded, and she dropped to one knee, bowing her head.
The entire knight order followed suit.
"I dedicate the rest of my life to you, my lord. In return, allow me to kill Altros—the one who framed us as 'devil worshippers'—with my own hands."
"He's an archmage. You know he's not someone you can face, right?"
"I will grow stronger."
Though her head was bowed, her voice brimmed with resolve.
The venom in it was palpable.
"To grow strong, you'll have to endure bone-grinding pain and overcome it. Even that might not be enough."
Adlan lifted her head, her eyes blazing with fury as she stared at Arthur.
"I will become strong, no matter what."
The knights exuded a restrained rage as well.
"Very well. I'll leave him to you."
At Arthur's approval, Adlan bowed deeply.
"I, Adlan Kandara, swear to serve Arthur Julius as my lord."
Arthur placed a hand on her shoulder and replied.
"The Julius family will stand with the Kandara family."
"Thank you."
"Have the Del Knight Order train alongside the Defen Knight Order."
"Yes, sir!"
As Adlan rose and replied crisply, Arthur added one more thing.
"From now on, all responses will be 'Kyah!'"
"Kyah!"
Adlan replied sharply and headed to the training grounds with the Del Knight Order.
Watching their retreating figures, Arthur said to Skevin.
"Look into the Kandara Count family's situation."
"Understood. Also, I just got word from our informant—they've located Hazan's base."
"How long will it take?"
"If nothing unexpected happens, five days should be enough."
"Then depart today."
Skevin asked cautiously.
"Were you thinking of bringing the Horcamun tribe? What do you think?"
"We don't know what situation we'll face there. What if they lose control? Bring them only if you can manage them."
"I'm sorry, I hadn't considered that far."
"It'll be fine to bring a few for family verification."
"Yes, sir. I'll report once preparations are complete."
As Skevin bowed and turned to leave, Arthur glanced at the underground prison and said.
"But first, there's something I need to do."
***
Swish.
Someone entered the underground prison.
It was Jackal.
Based on his observations of Arthur, he should be in his office receiving reports right now, and Skevin would be at the training grounds.
On top of that, as if heaven itself were helping, the knight guarding the entrance had been constantly running to the bathroom since morning.
Seizing the gap with no sentries, he infiltrated the underground prison and descended without hesitation.
Inside, he spotted Yarve lying spread-eagled behind the iron bars.
"My lord."
"Who's there?"
Yarve's eyes snapped open as he bolted upright.
From the shadows beyond the bars, Jackal removed the mask covering his face and bowed.
The moment Yarve saw him, he rushed to the bars.
"What the hell have you been doing? Showing up now?!"
"I'm sorry."
"Open it, quick."
"Yes."
Jackal inserted a special key into the lock and turned it.
Clunk.
The door opened easily.
At the same time, the door at the underground prison entrance slammed shut with a loud 'Clunk!'
"......!"
Jackal's eyes flashed as he glanced toward the entrance.
Skevin stood there, his face grim.
'What the—?'
Jackal was inwardly flustered that he hadn't sensed Skevin's presence until the door closed, and he quickly hid Yarve behind him.
"Just wait a moment."
"Hurry up."
"Understood."
Jackal charged at Skevin, swinging both arms.
Sharp daggers like awls sprang from his wrists.
"......!"
Skevin's face flushed slightly at the faster-than-expected attack.
He dodged backward swiftly, but the next assault came flying in.
"Hmm."
He drew his sword to block.
Clang!
Jackal pressed relentlessly, thrusting and swinging his arms.
Clang! Clang! Clang!
Skevin could only defend desperately.
'Where did this guy come from?'
Arthur had said earlier that if he went to the underground prison, he'd find a guest waiting.
At first, he hadn't understood and was puzzled, but as he descended the stairs, he felt an ominous presence.
That's when he realized what Arthur meant.
But this wasn't an ordinary foe.
His movements were so fast that even Skevin, at the peak of Sword Expert, struggled to keep up.
He couldn't block every thrust.
'What the...'
No time to draw up mana.
A sinister aura emanated from Jackal as he unleashed attacks, and a black aura began to flow.
'That!'
Skevin's face twisted.
An assassin!
One at least at peak Sword Expert level.
He might lose if he wasn't careful.
Skevin swung Excalibur with all his might.
Clang!
The foe recoiled, shoulder shoved back.
At the same time, Skevin drew up his mana.
A blue aura rose from him, enveloping Excalibur with sword aura.
"......!"
The enemy vanished from sight.
Skevin scanned around frantically, trying to sense his presence, but felt nothing.
'Did he flee?'
As he frowned, it happened.
Stab!
"Urk!"
Skevin grimaced and swung his sword sideways.
Clang!
Jackal blocked upward with his dagger and dropped down at him.
"What are you dawdling for? Kill him already!"
At Yarve's urging from behind, Jackal's eyes grew even colder.
"You've lasted a while."
He vanished again.
Skevin focused all his senses on his eyes and ears, trying to detect Jackal's presence.
But he felt nothing.
"No choice."
He decided to sacrifice flesh to take bone.
Lure an attack by showing an opening, then counter.
Jackal's goal was rescuing Yarve, not killing Skevin.
To prevent pursuit, he stabbed a dagger into Skevin's thigh.
"Stab!"
The moment it sank in.
"Urk!"
Skevin gritted his teeth and swung Excalibur.
It flew like lightning.
But Jackal dodged even that effortlessly and shouted to Yarve.
"Now!"
"Hurry!"
Yarve bolted for the entrance.
The instant he grabbed the doorknob!
Bang!
The door flew open violently, sending him tumbling backward.
"Ughhh..."
Yarve rolled on the ground, clutching his waist.
Jackal, about to deliver a finishing blow to Skevin, saw Arthur appear at the door and his face contorted horribly.
"H-How..."
Arthur glanced at Skevin, cornered against the wall, and asked.
"Got careless?"
Skevin shook his head, his face rigid.
"...No, sir."
"I see."
Arthur gave a meaningful smile and shifted his gaze to Jackal.
"I was curious what kind of guy you were."
Seeing Arthur's smile, Jackal realized this had all been his scheme.
"Damn it! You lured me out? How long have you known?"
"A week."
"Then why not catch me right away?"
"Had something to confirm."
"Hmm..."
Jackal let out a groan.
He felt utterly toyed with.
But it wasn't over.
"You'll regret this."
Having gauged his opponent once, he charged with full power from the start, thrusting his dagger.
Whoosh!
He shot forward like lightning, slicing the air.
But Arthur didn't flinch—instead, he grinned without blinking.
"Not bad."
"Die!"
As the dagger flew at his face, Arthur sidestepped and seized Jackal's wrist like a hawk snatching prey.
He twisted the wrist, slamming Jackal to the ground.
Thud!
Arthur wrenched the arm to disarm the dagger and pressed it to Jackal's throat.
"Unfortunately, that won't happen."