Chapter 84
Chapter 84
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 84
Chapter Title: Force Reinforcement
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"Wa-water... please...."
Yarve clung to the iron bars, pleading desperately.
But the iron door remained firmly shut, not budging an inch.
"Damn it...."
He slumped against the bars in resignation and sank to the floor.
Clunk.
The sound of the iron door opening rang out.
Yarve whipped his head around.
The guard collapsed limply as Jackal appeared.
"Oh...."
Yarve's face broke into a wide smile, but it quickly twisted into a scowl as he exploded in anger.
"Why are you so late!"
Jackal approached him silently as always and sliced through the lock with his dagger.
Thud.
As the iron door swung open, Yarve crawled out on all fours. He then sprawled out on the floor, breathing in and out deeply, over and over.
Suddenly, he recalled the condemned prisoners who had spouted nonsense just before execution when they stepped out of their cells.
But now, those words rang true in his heart.
"The air really is different."
Satisfied, he struggled to lift his upper body and asked Jackal,
"How many troops did Marquis Valtre send?"
Jackal said nothing and just glared at Yarve. Yarve's face contorted.
"What's with that look?"
Jackal stepped closer and spat out a single word.
"Mesha."
"What?"
"You haven't forgotten her, have you?"
"What the hell are you talking about!"
Yarve bellowed, and Jackal pulled something from his bosom and tossed it at his feet.
Thud.
"Th-this is...."
Yarve's eyes shook violently.
It was his diary, hidden in the secret safe!
His mind raced faster than ever, realizing why Jackal was acting this way.
"N-no. You're misunderstanding."
"Remember who she is now?"
"Don't do this. Once we get out of here, I'll explain everything. So lead the way."
"I've always wondered. Why I'm filled with such rage toward the world. Reading that cleared it up."
"I told you it's not—"
"Now I finally understand. Who I should use this dagger you gave me on."
Jackal vanished the moment the words left his mouth.
"Gasp!"
Yarve's eyes bulged as he frantically scanned his surroundings.
No matter how hard he looked, the man was nowhere to be seen.
With every passing second, his blood ran cold, and the shadow of death crept closer.
"You lowly cur! After all I've done for you, what is this betrayal!"
Yarve roared in fury.
Stab—.
"Arghhh!"
His eyes flew wide as he let out a scream.
Jackal, who had plunged the dagger into Yarve's shoulder, whispered in his ear.
"Here comes another. Hang in there."
Jackal yanked the dagger free and stabbed into his side.
Stab—.
"Guh!"
Yarve's mouth gaped open.
The pain was so intense that no scream would come.
His lips cracked dry as his entire body trembled like a leaf.
"I've always thought one of those beggar scum was my father or mother. Or maybe I was just the unlucky result of their carnal pleasures."
"Ugh...."
Yarve's jaw quivered in terror.
"But it was all your doing."
Yarve's face drained of color as he began losing consciousness, his eyes half-closing.
"I've erased everything connected to you. Everyone who followed you is dead without exception, and the castle is a pile of ashes. This is all that's left for you now."
Jackal held up the bloodied dagger.
"Kuh-wek."
Yarve spewed blood as he faded.
Jackal grabbed his hair to keep him from collapsing. He locked eyes with Yarve, his gaze filled with murderous intent.
"Learning that you raised me as an assassin just for your amusement made my blood boil."
"Kuh...."
Yarve was crushed by Jackal's killing intent, unable to even breathe properly.
At the same time, he realized death was upon him.
"You... spared me... but you betray... me too...."
"I'll return the last thing you have left."
Jackal drove the dagger into Yarve's throat and shoved him backward.
Thud!
Yarve collapsed, blood fountaining from him until he breathed his last.
His eyes remained wide open, staring fixedly at Jackal.
As if even in death, he cursed him.
Jackal stared piercingly for a long moment before turning away without regret and leaving the place.
***
While Arthur spoke with Rasety in the office, Skevin checked on the Ventarr Merchant Group.
The intelligence room held a great deal of information gathered on Nibon Territory in recent times.
Among it was data on the Ventarr Merchant Group.
It was the only merchant group in Nibon Territory that operated independently, free from Count Yarve's interference.
Its finances weren't overwhelmingly superior to other groups, but it had buildings in every territory, along with minerals like iron ore and even large ships.
Much like the Ryuman Merchant Group, the largest in the Oscar Empire.
Above all, it had no ties to Count Yarve, and its reputation was that of a benevolent group that performed good deeds.
"Not bad."
Skevin continued reviewing the information with a satisfied expression.
***
At that moment.
Arthur, Ingenium, and Rasety conversed, gauging each other.
Arthur kept a calm facade, but inwardly, he felt favorably toward her character.
If the person she had shown so far was genuine, there was no need for hesitation.
But since she might be scheming to approach him, he decided to wait for Skevin.
Rasety continued with a kind smile.
"If it's not rude, may I ask one thing?"
Arthur nodded.
"What do you wish to make of Grada Territory?"
The unexpected question left Arthur momentarily puzzled, but he soon understood and smiled faintly.
"I suppose it's natural to wonder."
"There may be a misunderstanding, so allow me to clarify. Please know I'm not switching sides just because Count Yarve has fallen. This is for the growth of our merchant group."
Rasety bowed her head politely.
Since it was a point Arthur was already curious about, he naturally followed up.
"But I doubt that's the only reason."
Rasety lifted her head, met Arthur's eyes, and nodded heavily.
'As expected.'
As Arthur thought of Jackal and looked at her.
Knock knock.
Jackal entered at the knock.
His shoulders slumped as he approached and stood before Arthur.
Arthur eyed the bloodstains on his clothes and asked,
"No regrets?"
"......Yes."
"But your face is full of them."
"It's guilt over the life I've lived until now."
"Unnecessary thoughts."
"What do you—"
Jackal stopped as Arthur's eyes flashed sharply.
"You moved on that guy's orders. Think back—have you ever killed by your own will? The guilt over killing will depend on how you live from now on. So don't waste your energy on pointless things."
"......Understood. Then."
As Jackal moved to offer the salute of a vassal, Arthur raised a hand to stop him.
"......?"
"I've never asked you to become my subordinate."
"Then what...."
Jackal looked baffled.
"I want you to be my shadow."
"......!"
The unexpected proposal startled Jackal.
He had only met Arthur in the prison and spoken briefly.
It wasn't enough time to build trust, and he hadn't shown actions warranting it.
Moreover, he was born with the temperament of an assassin, known as the icon of betrayal.
He probably didn't know that, which was why he made such an offer.
"Someone who betrayed once might do so again. Especially an assassin. Can you still trust me?"
"My decision stands."
"What makes you so sure?"
Doubt clouded Jackal's face.
Arthur met his eyes squarely and answered.
"Would it suffice to say it's because of your assassin-unlike convictions?"
"Convictions...."
"Yes. When a guy who always hides in the shadows spoke of chivalry and vowed to serve Yarve to the end, I liked you. So I tested you, and as promised, you carried out the mission and returned. I don't fully trust you as a person yet, but I'm certain you'll stake your life on any mission I give."
"......"
Jackal could only stare blankly at Arthur, speechless.
Rasety and Ingenium, who had listened from the side, were visibly flustered.
Anyone would deliberate carefully before appointing a key figure.
They'd assess loyalty, past achievements, and future utility.
Then select the most fitting one—that was basic.
For a closest confidant, one should investigate thoroughly, observe, and decide cautiously.
But Arthur was different.
He didn't prioritize what the person did for him. He judged based on their convictions and life so far.
He didn't consider personal interests at all.
How many nobles thought that way?
Ingenium saw in Arthur the imperial philosophy of emperorship mentioned in the Emperor's Treatise.
'Not someone to remain a count.'
Rasety thought the same.
'Things are about to get busy.'
As both felt strong affinity for Arthur, Skevin entered.
Sensing the heavy atmosphere in the office, he cautiously approached Arthur.
"Young Master."
"Wait a moment."
Arthur looked at Jackal and continued.
"I trust you. So don't try harder than usual—just do as you always have. And don't disappoint me, though that won't happen."
"I'll keep it in mind."
Jackal bowed ninety degrees—the utmost courtesy he could show Arthur.
Arthur nodded and shifted his gaze to Rasety.
At the same moment, Jackal vanished.
Seeing him immediately carry out his mission, Arthur curled his lips.
"Take care of it."
-I'll serve with my life.
Jackal's voice came from empty air.
Skevin heightened his senses to locate him.
He sensed presence about three steps behind Arthur.
'What is the Young Master thinking? Does he really trust that guy?'
Suppressing his rising doubts, he turned to Arthur.
Arthur looked at Rasety and asked Skevin,
"What do you think?"
"Could not detect him."
"Good."
Arthur smiled faintly and said to Rasety,
"I'll accept your proposal."
Rasety placed a hand over her left breast and knelt on one knee.
"Thank you."
"Skevin."
"Yes."
Skevin bowed deeply.
"Tell Andrew to prepare to receive the Ventarr Merchant Group, and you lead the knights to escort them here."
"Understood."
As Skevin left, Arthur said to Ingenium,
"You're done here. Go."
"Can't I stay a bit longer?"
"No."
"Tch."
Ingenium pouted and stepped out. As he walked the long corridor, he murmured softly.
"He seems to have a temperament like yours. What do you think?"
Ram appeared beside him and replied politely.
"Dangerous."
"Compared to you?"
"Not certain, but if we fought, one of us would have to die."
"Hmm. Another monster joins the ranks."
Moreover, though it was an unfamiliar merchant group, it opened a trade route for the Julius Count Family.
Ingenium's youthful face darkened, brows furrowing.
Then he recalled words passed down in the imperial family for ages.
-The Julius Family is more fearsome than the Demon King. Never make them enemies—keep them close always. That is how to protect the imperial line.
"The way to protect the imperial line...."
Ingenium shook his head in dissatisfaction and gazed out the window.
He frowned at tonight's particularly blood-red moon.
'In the end, blood will have to be spilled.'