Chapter 112
Chapter 112
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 112
Chapter Title: Too Many Fallen Nobles 5
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Azadin reined in Zibek.
"Easy now, calm down. I did some asking around, and it seems his wife turned into a cultist and caused all this trouble. If he admits his wife became a cultist, not only would she have to be executed, but he'd face interrogation too as an accomplice. So he's keeping it secret."
"Ah, that's the reason? A cultist... Well, if his family was involved, even Sir Brock had no choice."
Guillaume Balt clenched his fist.
"Now that we know the reason, let's help him. I don't know what tricks the cultists used to seduce Sir Brock's wife, but she might still come back to her senses. If we can persuade her and bring her back safely..."
"Hmm."
Azadin clicked his tongue at those words.
"Are you in your right mind?"
"Pardon?"
This time, everyone stared at Azadin in surprise.
'Isn't this guy supposed to be a fearless hero?'
Midiam had thought Azadin was a fearless hero, but his refusal left her flustered. Ismail felt the same bewilderment.
'He has a habit of mutilating the genitals of those who oppose him, but I thought he liked helping people?'
Everyone was taken aback by Azadin's opposition to the rescue. Still, Ismail welcomed Azadin's decision.
"We agree this time. I was worried you'd want to help without a plan again."
"No, but didn't you say saving people is a beautiful thing?"
Midiam was the one curious why Azadin was refusing.
"Fine. Let me explain, Midiam. Of course saving people is beautiful. But letting it be read and used by others like a fool is nothing short of stupidity. Do you think that's stingy?"
"I don't quite get the principle."
Midiam still couldn't understand Azadin.
'Sometimes he helps for free without hesitation, and other times he nitpicks.'
Azadin knew exactly why she was confused. She was a teenage girl, easily influenced by others. And as a proud Etar bloodkin, it was natural for her to obsess over pride and aesthetics.
"Midiam, I'm grateful you understand this aesthetic. But those who pursue aesthetics must guard against them being exploited and defiled by others. With that in mind, let me explain why I'm not jumping in to help here. First, look around. Lots of refugees, right?"
"Yes."
"How many horses, oxen, donkeys, and wagons are there? Compared to the people?"
"Hmm. Not many."
"In other words, most of these refugees fled on foot. We don't know what disaster happened, but it was an environment where they could escape on foot. Fair assessment?"
"Yes."
"Then the chance innocent civilians are trapped in the fog is low. They could have escaped on foot easily enough."
"But what about that Sir Brock's wife?"
"He's a vassal with his own fief. He and his wife and family are responsible for it. If Sir Brock's wife became a cultist and helped summon this fog, she's a perpetrator against the manor residents, not a victim. Yet Sir Guillaume Balt is saying we should help her just because he's an acquaintance. Our help isn't that cheap."
"Ah, I see. That's what you meant. We definitely can't waste time here. We need to hurry to Rantaric, make that man the count, and get the clue to the emperor's treasury..."
Midiam nodded in understanding after Azadin's explanation. Even Sir Brand, the Brass Knight, approved.
"It's only right for a knight! If his wife fell to cultists and harmed people, it can't be called knightly duty."
"And above all, we need to hurry now. So, Sir Guillaume Balt, let's take a detour."
That was when Azadin spoke.
"Hmm. You actually think things through. Let's go."
Shati urged them onward.
"......"
"What?"
When Shati noticed the stares and asked, Scott grumbled.
"You pulled off being a ducal agent pretty well with a body like that."
"What?"
"Hey, take a look here. This used to be the naga southeastern branch. When things went south for that woman Shati in Salasma, this must've been where she was supposed to deliver the New King's Scripture."
"Y-You bastard! What do you think you're doing!"
"I was trying to keep your secret. But if you're drawing suspicion with that lame act, what can I do? For the record, as an intellectual being, I don't enjoy watching torture even on retarded, foolish nagas. I'm saying this to skip the torture."
If I hadn't spoken up, Azadin would've interrogated you with torture. That was Scott's message to Shati.
"No way that would happen."
Despite being Azadin's prisoner, Shati was convinced for some reason that he wouldn't torture her.
"A-Anyway, can we trust this orc?"
"Tch, your actions are only making trust in me thicker. You dumb naga bitch. But fine. I'll show you the ultimate oath guaranteeing my trustworthiness right here."
"What's that?"
Azadin asked out of curiosity.
'Ah, I shouldn't have asked this guy. Nine times out of ten, he'll say something ridiculous and make my blood boil.'
Azadin regretted giving in to curiosity, but the words were already out. And sure enough...
"This."
Scott pinched his nose with thumb and index finger.
"What does that mean?"
"It's the orc sign for staking your word. If I'm wrong, you can call me a human mongrel. It's the sign for 'I'm half-orc.'"
"......"
"Of course, everyone knows there's not even a one-in-ten-thousand chance that inferior human blood mixed with the blood of a super-genius orc like me."
"Please shut up. Why add useless crap and invite a beating?"
"Gonna hit me? Heh, violence is the only way you can counter my intellect. Humans can't help it. So barbaric."
"Please just be quiet."
Azadin silenced Scott and turned to Guillaume Balt.
"So, that's settled. Let's help."
"W-What are you people exactly?"
Guillaume Balt finally voiced the question he should've asked earlier.
"As you see. I'm from the Herald clan. This is a holy knight from the King's Church, that one's a ducal agent from the naga empire, and this guy is..."
"An orc who always gives his all to his employer, super-genius."
"......"
What a bizarre and motley crew.
"Don't look at me like that. It hurts my feelings."
Azadin said that to Guillaume Balt and pointed at the drunken, dazed knight called Sir Brock in front of the fog.
"Let's ask him to guide us."
*********
"Oh, Sir Brock. I heard the situation from the soldiers and others."
"Sir? Th-That's all rumors."
"Don't be like that. Hmm. Uh. How should I put it... um..."
Guillaume Balt failed to persuade Sir Brock and turned to Azadin for help. In the end, Azadin stepped in.
"Have you heard that Count Garnaheir went missing in battle?"
"First I've heard of it. But if that's true..."
"Yes. Sir Guillaume Balt is currently acting as count. That's why he's rushing to Rantaric to carry out his duties as acting count. But you agree he has full authority to decide all Rantaric matters as acting count, even without going there, right?"
"......"
'This guy knows that Adler kid is the real heir.'
Azadin noticed from Brock's lukewarm reaction that he was aware.
'Of course. He's the one granted land on the emperor's highway core. The count would've placed someone reliable, and naturally briefed him on the succession.'
Azadin caught on and cleared his throat.
"I already know the count designated young master Adler as heir and informed some vassals. But recently, a major fact emerged that overturns that."
"Pardon? What do you mean?"
"Do you know the real reason your wife became a cultist?"
"...Urk?!"
"Young master Adler has been in close contact with cultists. How else could they infiltrate the Bird's Height Fortress on the continental highway?"
"？！"
Zibek, listening in, clicked his tongue.
'I knew Azadin was good at lying, but this is...'
For Brock, whose wife was a cultist facing execution and loss of everything, it was a bombshell.
"But if you ignore that and side with young master Adler, we'll just detour and be on our way."
"W-Wait. You're saying Adler let the cultists in?"
"Ahem."
Azadin signaled to keep it quiet from others.
"Well, normally if the spouse is a cultist, the husband gets strictly interrogated too, and even if he survives, his ligaments and bones are shattered, leaving him crippled. You know that, right?"
"Ugh..."
"But our young master Guillaume Balt has always thought highly of Sir Brock's diligence. He regrets that punishing a diligent, loyal man like you just because he missed your wife's fall due to official duties would be self-harm, losing Rantaric's talent."
"Th-Then..."
"We'll investigate inside, resolve the incident, and incidentally forge some evidence so the blame doesn't reach you. Not exactly in exchange, but..."
"I swear my loyalty!"
Sir Brock offered his sword to Guillaume Balt, signifying he recognized and supported him as Rantaric's count.
"Sir Brock..."
Guillaume Balt teared up at the sight.
'How hated must he have been growing up to be this thrilled by a stab in the ribs?'
As Azadin was flustered by Guillaume Balt's reaction, another with reddened eyes was Sir Brand, the Brass Knight.
"Ah, such beautiful knightly loyalty."
"......"
Where's the loyalty in this? Azadin had practically dragged him here by the collar. If this was knightly aesthetic, he'd be weeping over a pig dragged to slaughter on a rope for its devotion.
"Then, Sir Brock, we ask for your guidance. The fog itself has magic, so regular soldiers unused to magic won't help much even in numbers. We'll need at least knights and priests."
"We don't have many like that. Guess I'll have to go in myself. But..."
"Don't worry about leaking any mishaps inside. If you become young master Guillaume Balt's vassal, we're in the same boat. Why would allies sow discord?"
"......."
Zibek, listening, let out a chuckle. Since when was Azadin Guillaume Balt's vassal, talking about being in the same boat?
But perhaps because of Sir Brand tearing up in joy, Brock fully trusted Azadin.