Empires Crumble in Moments

Something like building up a tower isn't easy, but its collapse can sometimes happen in the blink of an eye. The downfall of a guild is no different. Just like the situation with the Vanguard Guild, who had fallen right into Vulcan's trap.

Raseu Count's fury blazed uncontrollably, and Vanguard had nothing to extinguish those flames. Of course, the guild's leadership, who learned of the mess too late, had rushed over, bowed their heads, and tried shoving bribes his way to calm him down. But that only fanned the flames higher, acting like kindling for Raseu Count's rage.

He wasn't someone who lacked for material wealth, after all. No matter how greedy a man might be, he wouldn't forgive those who shook the foundations of his domain over some paltry compensation.

'As expected, they're cutting their losses.'

- Yeah, humans are like that. Wasn't this the outcome we predicted?

There had been room to try harder. They could've mobilized other count-level nobles to clear up the misunderstanding, or begged a higher-up like a marquess or duke. But New Age Guild and their allied top guilds boldly abandoned Vanguard.

Vanguard had been the type to recruit and nurture promising talents from late 200s to early 300s levels, sending them off without shying from dirty work. But investing that much in them now felt like a waste.

Of course, recognizing Raseu Count's wrath and the severity of the incident, they pulled back to avoid getting dragged down too.

'Yeah, that's how it is. They're just one guild, after all.'

Once Vanguard's leadership—who had come to apologize for the "personal misconduct" of their rookies—even got rounded up and left in limbo, neither dead nor alive, everyone sensed the fury was no joke. They all rushed to declare no ties. Everything played out exactly as Vulcan had calculated.

A third-rate guild like Vanguard could recover quickly by splitting off members to form a new one or absorbing existing subordinates. But there'd still be a hit. Building trust to hand them important tasks took time, after all. Their growth and expansion would stall, even if just a bit.

And in that time, Vulcan would grow ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠even more.

'Wasn't aiming for this, but it worked out.'

On top of that, there was an unexpected bonus. Napas Guild freaked out and severed all ties with them too.

They'd been desperate to impress Vanguard, mobilizing every member to reclaim the Blizzard Staff. But with Vanguard in that state, they withdrew everyone and voided the commission just to claim no involvement.

Without knowing the staff's true value, they wouldn't chase it obsessively. Thanks to that, Vulcan slipped free from their widespread surveillance net effortlessly.

"I don't even know how to praise your contributions. Thanks to you, we've prevented a major crisis in the territory. Tell me what you desire. I'll grant anything within my power."

But even that was just a side benefit. The real reward Vulcan had sought from this quest from the start returned even greater than before.

"It was all Lord Radin's will. I merely followed."

Having vented by dismantling Vanguard—not just breaking them apart, but issuing warrants for their leadership and every member—Raseu now praised Vulcan and Shairun with a much softer demeanor.

Vulcan could've schemed for more in this opening, but with Shairun beside him, he played humble first. She loved overt face-gilding like this.

"Even so, we can't neglect someone who's accomplished such a feat."

Pleased that Vulcan credited everything to Radin—or precisely, the temple—Shairun graciously elevated Vulcan's contributions too. It aligned with Vulcan's aim, and she knew a greedy man like Raseu wouldn't mistreat someone who'd fought to protect his assets.

"Quite right. I'll make a separate offering to Lord Radin, but those who ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠carry out his will deserve proper recompense. If I ignore it, the other nobles will mock and curse me. Speak your desire without worry."

Thus, Raseu urged Vulcan once more, and Vulcan reluctantly spoke up.

"Let me think. As a craftsman, do you want high-quality metals? Or perhaps valuable crafting tools, since your caliber seems low? If you wish, I can support you as the territory's master smith."

"I'll gratefully accept whatever you offer. But if I may make one request, I'd like to join the upcoming hunting tournament."

"The hunting tournament?"

"Yes. As you said, I'm a craftsman. I'm not accustomed to combat and have many shortcomings. If permitted, I'd like to observe and experience it up close this time to gain much-needed know-how."

Raseu, showing Vulcan immense favor, first suggested craftsman-appropriate rewards. Vulcan carefully voiced his true desire without dismissing the offer outright: permission to join the hunting tournament.

Of course, claiming unfamiliarity with combat was a lie, but nobles loved false modesty, so he downplayed himself. Securing a good spot there meant free experience points, after all.

"That makes sense. I failed to consider such hardships. Very well, then."

Raseu nodded in understanding, replying with eyes full of favor toward Vulcan—beyond expectations, no, a giveaway he hadn't even dreamed of.

"I'll hold this hunting tournament for you. Join me at my side. All soldiers and knights will treat and move for you as they do me, so worry not. I've built up considerable stress from this incident myself, so it'll be a nice change of pace."

"My thanks for your grace, Count."

Not just letting him participate, but holding the entire tournament for Vulcan. Even the lord would join, but treating him on equal footing and hunting side-by-side was shocking beyond belief.

'This guy's nuts.'

It might sound minor, but Vulcan knew its true weight. In a hunting tournament, the lord just loosed a few arrows. Knights and soldiers did the real shooting and killing.

'So if I just land the first hit, I can hog the experience?'

Yet all loot and experience went to the lord. The tournament itself was designed for experience boosts tailored to Raseu, who lacked combat prowess. Plus, it came with a double experience buff.

If things went his way, Vulcan could skyrocket levels explosively.

"Wait, can you ride?"

"Regrettably, I haven't had the chance yet."

"Good. I'll lend you a warhorse. Learn it before the tournament. Raising affinity early helps for future use too. Heh."

"My thanks."

Raseu's generosity didn't stop. Not just for the tournament—he gifted a mount for everyday travel too. Mounts like horses cost a fortune, making it a huge reward in itself. But the lord of the grain-rich territory had gold to spare.

Vulcan bowed, suppressing his rising grin.

"Since we're at it, I'll give you some fine steel and rare metals. Tell my adjutant anything else you need."

He even received various metals. Trivial compared to saving the territory, but invaluable to Vulcan now.

'This is plenty. No need to get greedy...'

"Ehehehit!!!"

"...What's wrong?"

"Noth, hehit, ing. Hehit!"

As Vulcan exited the Lord's Castle, the extra rewards popped up before his eyes. This time, he couldn't hold back his leaking grin, Shairun's odd stare be damned.

- ...Crazy bastard.

"Once you've claimed the horse, visit the temple when you have time. You've done great work for Lord Radin, so we must reward you properly too."

Shairun eyed Vulcan as strangely as Tud, but this incident proved his reliability. With Raseu sure to donate massively to Radin Temple as thanks, she spoke to him with generous warmth before heading back to the temple first.

She'd framed Vanguard as the culprits to the count, but she knew they weren't the masterminds. Mere immortals couldn't wield such power.

Unable to pinpoint the true culprits quickly, she'd wrapped it up for now. Meaning separate forces had planted the Plague Origin in the sewers—and Radin Temple would hunt them down relentlessly.

'Might tie into the main scenario quest.'

The true identity of the mysterious Mastermind behind the scenes likely aligned perfectly with whichever dark ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠organization the main scenario had already begun to implicate. Shairun had probably suspected such a connection for quite some time now, so it stood to reason that the formation of the Temple Alliances might accelerate much faster than originally anticipated in the game's timeline.

'Yeah. Hustle hard. Meanwhile, I'll be sucking honey.'

Vulcan welcomed it. Normally, he'd anxiously grind levels until the next main scenario triggered. But with the massive hunting tournament tomorrow, he hoped the temples convened fast to kick it off.

That way, he'd get another explosive level-up chance.

"Lord Vulcan? I've brought the horse."

"Oh! Thank y...ou."

Grinning slyly in anticipation, Vulcan received the horse from the soldier as promised. It was a sturdy, robust beast that looked arrogant at first glance, wrinkling Vulcan's brow slightly.

Its level was too high.

'Damn, that's why he smirked.'

Raseu had grinned oddly when offering the horse. No malice from his favorable stance, but pets higher-leveled than their owner tended to rebel fiercely. Wild horses had pride, and trained warhorses were no different.

Easier to tame than wild ones, but probably resistant to anyone below knight level.

"If it's too hard to tame, I can swap for a milder one."

"No need. This one will do."

But succeed, and it'd be hugely useful. Fast travel, battle-ready with fear resistance training. Vulcan chose it despite lacking the riding skill—worst case, he'd craft affinity-boosting saddle and reins.

"Puhihihng..."

"...?"

"Wh-what's with this guy?"

Then something odd happened. The warhorse met Vulcan's eyes, hid its arrogance, and bowed its head.

Acknowledging him? No. Something else lurked ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠in its eyes.

'Ah! Dragon Eye!'

Terror. Deep-seated fear melted its gaze and buckled its legs. Vulcan had activated Dragon Eye to check its info.

"It worked."

He'd thought Dragon Eye just pierced essences, but it was a dragon-infused gaze. No horse, not even the finest steed, could resist its overwhelming presence.

Thus, Vulcan discovered Dragon Eye's new utility.