Chapter 83
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 83
Chapter Title: A Pleasant Rebellion
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3.
The soldiers standing behind Decal began to stir.
Treason? The lord was plotting treason?
This is madness! If we get involved, well die too.
Our families our families will be harmed
Their morale broke in an instant.
The soldiers, who had stood here with the goal of stopping the rebels, saw their morale plummet the moment the tables turned.
In a way, it was a natural reaction.
That was the nature of treason.
Decal, watching the situation unfold, shouted urgently.
Dont be swayed by this nonsense! We are not rebels!
He tried to calm the soldiers, but he couldnt stop the cracks that had already begun to form.
Moreover, Karrons words relentlessly began to sway them.
You were all merely following the orders of your superior. Join our side now and help us suppress the rebels. If you do, I will grant you leniency. But if you choose to stand against us you will die as traitors. I swear it on my grandfathers name.
Karron, even bringing his familys name into it.
The soldiers there knew the name Karron Leston well.
That was why they couldnt help but be tempted by his cunning offer.
Its over.
Karron watched the wavering soldiers and smiled silently.
This was a method he had used effectively back when he was the commander of the Imperial Guard, suppressing rebellions under the Evil Emperors command.
Rather than crushing them outright, he would incite internal conflict and force their surrender.
In a situation like this, where his forces were outnumbered, there was no method more effective.
Kobler.
Karron called to him quietly, and Kobler replied, lightly covering his mouth with his hand.
Yes, Young Master!
How many of the soldiers are involved with the slaves?
Hmm, not many, Id wager. Margrave Leandro doesnt trust anyone who isnt a noble. The commanders are surely involved, but holding the rank-and-file soldiers responsible seems a bit excessive
When did I say I would hold them responsible?
He had no intention of killing them all anyway.
Though, of course, a thorough investigation would follow.
With a light nod, Karron raised his sword and pointed it at Decal.
The soldiers seem to have made their choice. What about you?
What is it you want from me?
The same thing. Betray your master, just like Nur.
To that, Decal replied in a strained voice.
And what do I get in return?
It was then.
Karron surged toward Decal in an instant.
Caught by the sudden attack, Decal tried to block with his sword, but the tip of Karrons blade whipped like a snake and grazed past his shoulder.
Thud.
He stared blankly at the ground, hearing something fall.
His right arm, still clutching his sword, lay on the floor.
And in that moment.
Guuuhhh.
An agonizing pain surged from where his right arm had been.
Seeing this, the knights behind Decal trembled as they raised their swords.
V-Vice-Commander!
But not one of them could bring themselves to thrust their sword at Karron.
Attack and you die.
Their instincts screamed warnings at them.
You asked for something in return, so Im giving it to you.
Karron said, stomping on Decals severed arm on the floor.
Ill let you live.
Decals face contorted with pain and humiliation.
But Decal couldnt even think of resisting.
His body was frozen. He wanted to fight back against this monster, but his body wouldnt obey.
He looked at Karron, his legs trembling.
Loyalty to Margrave Leandro?
In this situation, there was no room for such a thing.
And so, Decal fell to his knees and cried out desperately.
Ill be a w-witness. Margrave Leandro was plotting plotting treason.
A betrayal faster than the speed of light. You were a born turncoat, werent you?
Ill say whatever you want me to say.
Yes, the turncoats are always the ones who survive the longest. You have to live. Whats more important than living?
An arm was a very cheap price to pay for his life.
Just like that, Decal crumbled. When their vice-commander surrendered, the other three knights obediently dropped their swords.
Watching this, Karron gestured lightly to Kobler.
Tie these bastards up and throw them in your holding cells.
At that, Kobler replied with a troubled expression.
For men of their caliber, ordinary restraints will be diffi
Is that all you need me to solve?
Yes, thats ri
Before Kobler could finish his sentence.
CRACK-!
CRACK.
Karron slammed his fists into the chests of the kneeling, surrendered knights.
A sound like an exploding bomb erupted, and all four knights, including Decal, foamed at the mouth and lost consciousness.
A sudden, merciless act of violence.
Hic.
As the stunned Kobler hiccupped, Karron dusted off his hands and spoke.
I half-shattered their mana cores, so theyll wake up sometime tomorrow. Problem solved, right?
O-Of course, sir. You lot! What are you doing? Get these honorable knights out of here, now!
Koblers men scrambled to drag the knights away like sacks.
Karron watched them disappear into the distance, then suddenly remembered something.
I should have asked where they keep the slaves.
As Karron muttered in annoyance, one of the soldiers, who had been watching him with a terrified expression, hesitantly approached.
Then, in a trembling voice, he spoke.
L-Lord Karron Leston. I have I have something to report.
A young soldier with a somewhat dazed, simple-looking face.
Karron greeted the soldier with a bright smile.
Whats your name?
Its Kobi.
Alright, Private Kobi. A good attitude. What is it you have to report?
Kobi shivered at Karrons gentle tone.
It was no wonder, as the image of him cutting off Decals arm and mercilessly beating the knights was still fresh in his mind.
Nevertheless, he mustered his courage.
The word treason had thoroughly scrambled his simple thoughts.
Anything but treason!
If he were unjustly implicated in treason, not only he but also his wife and children back home would be caught up in it.
He was the head of a household he had to protect.
That was why he decided to tell Karron what he had found suspicious.
Theres a garden behind the headquarters. Its a place even the soldiers arent allowed to enter but Ive seen knights going in and out of there!
Just the information I needed. I like this proactive cooperation of yours.
Th-Thank you, Lord Karron! Ive lived my whole life with pride as a soldier of the Empire. I I have nothing to do with this treas
Karron laughed and patted Kobi on the back.
Do you really think Id hold mere soldiers responsible? Dont worry. Kobi, I wont forget your enthusiastic cooperation. Ah, could you perhaps lead the way?
Of course!
It was finally time to free the slaves.
4.
Kobi led him to the garden.
In a corner wall, there was a door, well-camouflaged by bushes.
I can smell something fishy just by looking at it.
Karron knocked lightly on the door with his hand.
It felt heavy.
It seemed to be made of thick iron.
It was so thick one had to wonder why such a door was needed in a garden.
Youve done well, Kobi.
Karron praised the soldier who had guided him this far. He placed a hand on his shoulder and said.
From now on, you are the captain of the 2nd squad, in command of the soldiers outside.
C-Captain?
Since youve all decided to join our cause, you must fight with us, right? I promise a fitting reward once weve wiped out all the traitors. So youd better fight hard, wouldnt you agree?
At those words, Kobi snapped to attention and saluted Karron.
I pledge my loyalty!
Captain of the 2nd. Ill take it from here, so go and take command of the soldiers.
Yes, sir!
As Kobi quickly disappeared from sight, Karron stared at the door, Guillotine in hand.
-This door contains mana stones, Master. Looks like its been reinforced with magic, too.
The voice of Guillotine, the automatic magic detector, echoed in his head.
Just as Guillotine said, a faint magical energy emanated from the door.
The door was firmly locked.
The key was likely somewhere in the headquarters, but Karron had no intention of wasting time looking for it.
Woooooong-!
An aura surged from the blade of Guillotine, densely packed with mana.
An aura of dark blue, the same color as the blade itself.
That aura, possessing immense cutting power, was proof that Karron had surpassed the 6-star levela power unique to knights of his rank.
Without a moments hesitation, Karron brought his sword down on the door.
Claaaaang-!
The door split in two with a grotesque shriek.
One half, still attached by its hinges, remained on the wall, but the other half lost its support and fell backward with a tremendous crash.
A moment later, a staircase leading down was revealed.
Why is everyone in this town so fond of stairs?
Karron grumbled as he walked down.
According to the catalog Nur had shown him in the auction house office earlier, there were a total of seven slaves held here.
Among them were two individuals who had caught Karrons eye.
Beings who could lend their strength to his current endeavor.
This was also the reason Karron had come here first, bypassing other, closer holding cells.
Hmm.
How far down had he gone?
The stairs soon ended, revealing a prison-like facility.
The interior was deathly quiet.
Karron took a lantern hanging on the wall and lit it with a match.
Fwoosh.
The interior scenery slowly came into view.
It was an underground prison filled with iron bars.
And on one side, there was a section completely isolated not just by bars, but by a metal wall.
Without any hesitation, Karron approached that section and once again swung his sword, cutting the door down.
Kuuuung.
As he cut through the door and stepped inside, a voice reached him.
The smell of blood.
The voice that echoed was hoarse, as if its owner hadn't had water in a long time.
Karron raised the lantern to illuminate the source of the voice.
There lay a beastkin, their hands and feet bound.
Pointed animal ears and a tail proved she was not human, but a beastkin.
And next to her.
Human. Are you my enemy as well?
A giant, his head nearly touching the ceiling, looked down at Karron, his entire body tightly bound in chains.
Karron slowly approached them. Then, in a low voice, he spoke.
A pleasure to meet you, members of the other races.
At that, the tiger-kin woman spoke, her voice thick with suspicion.
A scent I dont recognize. Mixed with the smell of blood. Human, who are you?
I doubt youd know my name even if I told you Is a formal introduction really necessary in a situation like this? Ive come to set you free.
Positioning himself between the two non-humans, Karron continued in a gentle voice.
My name is Karron Leston. Youngest grandson of Grand Duke Halo, and a member of the great Ducal House of Leston. Do you know my name?
This time, the giant nodded in response to the question.
The Leston Ducal Family! A house of honorable warriors! It is good to meet you! My name is Utulla! A member of the Black Axe Tribe!
The giant answered with a vigor that seemed out of place for the situation.
What brings a scion of a noble house to a wretched place like this? Especially one reeking of blood.
The tiger-kin replied, her voice still sharp.
Karron smirked at their reactions, as different as their races. Then he spoke to them in a low voice.
Im thinking of giving you a chance for revenge.
The enemy of my enemy is my friend.
Karron gladly extended a hand to his new friends.