Chapter 110
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 110
Chapter Title: The Swordsman's Path
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On the way back to Strange Castle.
We rendezvoused with Kaipa's unit in front of a massive river that cut across the south.
"How come you haven't returned to the castle yet? Didn't you say you'd just check the barrier and head back?"
"Things just ended up this way."
I subtly nodded toward Angelina and Pavlov, whom I'd brought along earlier, whispering softly.
"Do you happen to know them?"
Kaipa glanced at their faces under the pretense of scanning the surroundings, then shook his head.
"Not at all. Aren't they people the Family Head brought?"
"They are, but they said they received help from Baron Kaipa."
"From me? Where?"
"They told me they were merchants from the east. They said you permitted them to gather herbs in the south because they were in dire straits."
"No way!"
Kaipa raised his voice unwittingly before clearing his throat and lowering it.
"My apologies."
"It's fine. They probably didn't notice we were talking about them anyway."
"Ha—by the way, what you mentioned earlier? That absolutely did not happen. How could I permit eastern merchants to gather in Strange territory without permission from the main family?"
"That's what I thought too. I just asked you to be sure."
I sped up my horse a bit and continued as I moved forward.
"The woman's name is Angelina, and the man's is Pavlov."
"First time hearing both names. And they're not names used in the south or the east, either."
"That's why I found it suspicious. They said they came from the north."
"The north?"
"Yes, they said they became merchants in the east due to some circumstances."
Kaipa gripped the hilt of the sword at his waist and hawked up phlegm.
Kaaack—ptui!
"They seem like spies. Should I kill them?"
"No need. I already knew they were lying anyway."
"...May I ask why you're keeping them alive?"
"Because I think there are many ways to use them."
"Use them?"
"Yes. Think about it. If we just kill them, we won't know who's targeting us, right?"
"Well... the Glazers, obviously?"
"That's the most likely, but it could be someone else."
I recalled the first time I'd met him.
Pavlov fighting kobolds with thick black smoke billowing behind him.
Even with a limp from a kobold bite on his leg, he stood tall, gripping his dagger with both hands as if wielding a two-handed weapon.
Like a seasoned adventurer, not a merchant.
That's not all.
The bodies of his supposed comrades, who he'd claimed were killed by kobolds, bore marks not from monster claws or beast fangs, but from more precise human blades.
Shallow at the start but deepening toward the end—similar to the thrusting axe strikes of northern pirates.
"They're probably northern pirates."
"?!"
"I don't know their exact skills yet. But since no Guardian Spirits are visible, they don't seem like a major threat."
Kaipa's eyes changed.
Moments ago, he'd been reading the surroundings with a cold expression. Now, his eyes narrowed in anger.
"Mere pirates daring to target the Family Head?"
"They must have taken a commission."
"I want to kill them right now and send their heads back to the enemy."
"In terms of results alone, I'm no different from you, Sir Kaipa. But as I said earlier, we should use them to find out who's behind this first."
"Do you have a good way to do that?"
"Yes, that's why we're crossing this river."
"The river?"
I lightly patted Kaipa's back, then crossed where the river shallowed, eyeing the horse's belly reflected on the water's surface.
This depth should be fine.
I waited between the starting and ending points of the crossing for the others to pass.
Splashing through water-mud mix, the common folk began fording the river.
When about half the marching group had crossed, Angelina appeared, leading Pavlov's horse.
This was for her injured husband Pavlov, so Angelina herself waded into the river.
"Angelina."
"Yes? Lord Berddin."
"Give me the reins and cross first."
"The, the reins?"
"It must be hard for a woman to lead a horse. I'll take Pavlov to the other side."
"No! How could I let a young master of Strange handle such a thing?"
"It's fine. Here—hand over the reins and go ahead."
She hesitated.
Pavlov overheard our conversation, pondered briefly, then spoke cautiously to Angelina.
"Do it."
"But."
"It's okay."
"...Alright."
Angelina handed me the reins.
She seemed bothered by something, constantly looking back as she crossed the river after handing them over.
This is far enough.
The point where they could still fool me. I'd planned to interrogate them at the castle, but wrapping it up here might be better.
I took a few steps forward to lower Pavlov's guard, then kicked the horse's belly the moment he looked away.
Thwack!
"Hiiing!"
The horse tumbled into the river.
Splash!
Pavlov flailed at the same time.
"Gasp!"
Even in water only deep enough to reach between an eight-year-old's thigh and waist, he thrashed wildly, disoriented.
"Save me!"
I just watched without helping.
"Young master, what are you doing?!"
Angelina shouted.
But she didn't pull Pavlov from the water. As she tried to rush toward me, Kaipa extended his sword to block her.
"Take one more step. Your head will float downriver."
"...Lord Berddin, why are you doing this to us?!"
I met Angelina's gaze with a cold expression and replied.
"I am the new lord of Strange. I never forgive those who lie to my family."
"W-what? Lies? When did we ever lie?!"
I approached the flailing Pavlov and aimed my sword at his leg.
"I don't know when it started. But I think from the first time we met."
"The, the first time?"
"Yes, probably. I don't know how you knew we were coming there. But it seems you planned ahead for my arrival."
"What are you talking about? Please save my husband first!"
Shink!
My sword pierced Pavlov's left leg—the same spot he'd been wounded in the kobold fight.
"Guh!"
Pavlov groaned.
I gazed at the blood flowing from his thigh and said to Theresia.
"Heal him."
Maria Theresia immediately condensed mana in her hands and pressed it to his skin.
Shiiiik—
It was instantaneous.
The wound from my sword healed perfectly in mere seconds.
As expected of Theresia's abilities.
Everyone who witnessed her power couldn't hide their amazement. Of course, one of them was overwhelmed for a different reason.
"What are you doing to my husband?!"
Angelina screamed like a banshee. I looked at her and readied my sword again.
"That recovery ability you just saw? We used it three times on the way here."
"...?!"
"We chatted to keep you from noticing. Yet your husband kept limping."
"......"
"So I wondered. Was he lame from the start, or just acting?"
As I explained, Angelina fell silent. She listened to me with a stiff expression.
"That's why I dropped your husband in here. If he'd been lame from the beginning, he'd cross this depth without issue."
I infused aura into my sword tip and aimed at Pavlov's throat.
Swish—
"If he was faking, he'd keep flailing in this shallow water, pretending to drown till the end."
Everyone grew quiet.
Pavlov stopped splashing, relaxed, and floated to the surface. Holding position in the current like that wasn't easy—his sea otter skills were impressive.
Just as I thought.
Either choice proved the lie. Pretending to be lame offered a better chance at mercy.
"I don't know who commissioned you to capture me. But if you really want, I can fight you once."
Angelina groaned.
I continued watching her warily while addressing Pavlov.
"The reason you stabbed your breast in front of me was an act to get me to meet this guy."
I turned my gaze to Pavlov and went on.
"Probably part of a plan for something to happen when I met him."
Pavlov suddenly started chuckling creepily.
He stood effortlessly, as if his legs were fine, brushed off his wet pants with his palms, and said to me.
"For a kid, you've got some sharp instincts."
Seeing him, Angelina leaped back, drew a hidden pistol from her bosom, and chambered a round.
Click.
"Pavlov, that's what I said, right? Kill him when the chance comes."
"Ah, sorry. I underestimated him 'cause he's a kid."
"Whatever. We just need to kill that woman anyway. Let's finish quick and go."
Just the woman?
No sooner had they spoken than they bared their killing intent and lunged at Maria Theresia simultaneously.
Beyond the thickly wooded greenery in the central continent, on the path north, three men and women gathered in an underground tomb reeking of damp darkness.
This was Cynthia and Alfredo, once part of the same party.
And.
"Long time no see. I hope you've both been well."
'Judas,' who had suddenly vanished one day.
"Thanks. If you hadn't shown up, I really would've died."
Alfredo spoke as he tightly bound his forearm wound with cloth scraps.
"By the way, where have you been all this time?"
"Oh, just wandering here and there due to some circumstances."
"What circumstances?"
"...I can't tell you right now."
Cynthia, sitting opposite, conjured light on her palm with a holy spell, illuminating the tomb as she asked.
"Where is this place?"
"The tower's entrance."
"The tower's entrance?"
"Yes, a passage into the tower's interior without going through Legion. Of course... it's dangerous since we're evading the gods' eyes—"
Judas scratched his head with a sleazy grin.
"But if you can get through, it's the fastest way up the tower for anyone."