Chapter 242
Chapter 242
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 242
Chapter Title: Rookie Holy Knight Azadin 3
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Azadin called Camilla to help resolve the situation.
"So what's got you so worked up, Azadin?"
Camilla asked with a grin.
"The circumstances make it clear the soldiers are embezzling, but I don't have solid proof. If I could just figure out where the supplies are leaking to, I could press them on it."
"Solid proof? You don't need that crap. Just hang 'em high on circumstantial evidence alone. Why not?"
"That would be the end of this fortress. If I'd planned to kill them from the start, I wouldn't have bothered investigating in the first place. I don't want to kill them."
"Huh? They might've murdered the previous squad leader. And they're all criminals who got dragged here after committing crimes anyway?"
Camilla said it didn't matter since they were convicts regardless. But Azadin knew she didn't really mean it.
She was a convict herself, after all, dragged here just like them.
"Camilla. I didn't come here just to be satisfied with a Relief Knights squad leader position."
"Huh?"
"I know the Relief Knights don't welcome me. But I came anyway because I want to prepare them before the era of Jupiter arrives."
"Prepare them?"
"Yeah. To do that, I can't settle for just a squad leader spot. I need stronger power and authority, and faster. You don't seriously think I came here just because the knights ordered their martial dolt to, do you?"
"Honestly, yeah, that's what I thought this whole time. Hmm. Got it."
Camilla pulled something out from her bosom after hearing Azadin out.
"What's that?"
"Dwarven ale. See the brewery name on the bottle?"
"...That's not the kind of thing that should be flowing into a backwater like this."
Dwarven ale was an expensive luxury good. The Relief Knights demanded frugality from all members, so while the higher-ups might indulge, there was no reason for it to reach this remote outpost, Vermilion Fortress, where the lowest ranks were stationed.
"Right. Apparently, outsider merchants show up every two weeks to buy raw silk at top dollar, and in exchange, they supply the fortress with necessities, luxuries, tobacco, drugs, and even whores."
That was clear embezzlement.
"How'd you find out?"
"I didn't want to know. The guys saw me, said I'd outshine the whores if I dolled up, and offered me some to play around with them."
"...Ah, I see."
"Guys' mouths go loose around a beauty like me."
Camilla handed over more intel she'd gathered. It was more than what Azadin had dug up through his own efforts—the soldiers and villagers had spilled plenty while hitting on her.
'Camilla was testing me too.'
She'd sat on all this info until Azadin proved his worth.
That made her no pushover either.
"So, Azadin. What now?"
"This is solid proof, so I need to confront the squad leaders."
"They'll try to kill you then. Want me to call your little sister and Bernard?"
"No. No need. I'll handle it alone."
"Alone? Isn't that underestimating them?"
"Bringing a posse guarantees bloodshed. That's what I'm trying to avoid."
With that, Azadin headed out.
"Wow. Is that confidence or balls hanging out? Whatever, he's got the skills, I guess."
Curious how Azadin planned to handle it, Camilla followed him.
*********
-Rumble!
Storm clouds gathered over Vermilion Fortress.
The soldiers' barracks were littered with everything from standard rations to fancy booze, smokes, and drugs they couldn't brew in the village. The soldiers lounged amid it all, playing cards.
That's when someone threw open their barracks door.
It was Azadin.
"Well, if it isn't the squad leader? What brings you here?"
The half-elf squad leader, Rijon, spotted Azadin mid-throw at a target and smirked.
"You're playing surprisingly clean."
"Pardon?"
"I half-expected women in the barracks."
"Oh. We just recommend taking care of that outside. Since I became squad leader, I've been keeping to the rules. Public barracks aren't the place, right?"
The soldiers snickered at Rijon's words.
"So, what's the business?"
"You're embezzling. Every two weeks, outsider merchants come, buy raw silk, and supply fortress needs in exchange? Paying way more than the Relief Knights rate, plus booze, smokes, drugs, and whores to win hearts."
"Hmm?"
Rijon and Kallan eyed the visiting Azadin with interest.
"Impressive. It's only been two days, and you've figured that much out."
Rijon clapped in admiration. Kallan, meanwhile, bristled with rage, his hair and beard standing on end.
"Who the hell snitched?"
"Can't say."
"So you know we're embezzling. What now? Gonna string us up right here?"
As Rijon asked, the barracks soldiers surrounded Azadin.
It was a blatant threat, but Azadin—who'd seen it all—felt no fear.
He just shrugged.
"Nah. I don't want to kill you if I can help it. That's why I'm curious."
"About what?"
"Why are you all so sure I'll die?"
Everyone had to chew on his words for a moment.
What was he even asking right now?
"What do you mean?"
"If you didn't want the embezzlement exposed, you should've poisoned my food or ambushed me in my sleep. But you acted like I'd vanish on my own without lifting a finger. Why?"
"Ah, you were on guard, squad leader. Cooking your own meals, sleeping who-knows-where."
"Obviously. I'd look like an idiot otherwise. You should've come up with something. You don't strike me as that stupid."
"......"
Azadin chided them for not attempting assassination despite his precautions—as if it were their failing.
The listeners were floored.
"So, if you're too scared to speak up, don't worry—I'll look out for you. Just tell me. Seems like you need my help."
Azadin acted like the soldiers were terrified and needed his aid.
It was so ridiculous they burst out laughing.
"Khahaha! What do we look like we're doing? This booze? These drugs? Know how much they cost? We're living better than petty nobles!"
Unable to hold back, the soldiers flaunted their bottles and drugs. Azadin just sighed pityingly at them.
"Drowning in booze and drugs to escape reality. Idiots. Any sane person happy with decent grub in a dump like this?"
"What?!"
The soldiers fumed at Azadin... but he was right.
Locked in a backwater like Vermilion Fortress, no food made that worthwhile.
But.
'Isn't that rich coming from you, the squad leader who has to keep us here?'
Azadin—the one duty-bound to hold them—saying that!
Then Azadin addressed them confidently.
"Embezzling a bit of raw silk for pocket change? Small-time. Follow me now, and I'll get you out of here."
"You little—!"
"Ka...kakakaka!"
Dwarf berserker Kallan, who'd been listening quietly, roared with laughter.
"This punk treating us like kids?! You wanna die right now?!"
"Kallan."
Rijon tried to stop him, but Kallan grabbed his battle axe from the wall. A dwarf poleaxe—or oversized two-hander to humans—he glared at Azadin.
"I was gonna spare you since the curse'll kill you soon and dirty my hands, but this cockiness? Nah. Come outside. I'll teach you manners."
"Curse?"
"Stop, Kallan. You're a berserker. Once you start, it's overkill."
Rijon held Kallan back.
"I'll do it."
As Rijon stepped up, Azadin scoffed.
"Just both of you come."
"...What?"
"I planned to straighten you all out anyway. Pathetic—thinking you gutter trash in the Relief Knights could kill the emperor's herald anytime? Get out here. I'll show you why the herald clan are called God-King Slayers."
"......"
Rijon and Kallan faltered at Azadin's sudden challenge.
"You bastard!"
Fed up, barracks soldiers charged with bottles or floor stones, but Azadin brushed them off—slaps echoing, blood spraying.
Light backhands, yet noses bled, foes flew into walls.
"Oho! This punk's got moves!"
Kallan snorted excitedly, shaking his mane, but Azadin ignored him and stepped outside.
-Shoooo!
Torrential rain poured. Azadin stood in its center.
"Weapons..."
"You can use 'em."
Kallan set his poleaxe down at Azadin's words.
"Fine, punk! First cocky bastard like you I've met!"
"I said grab your weapon. You'd be wise to listen."
"Perfect! Real men go bare-fisted!"
Kallan slapped his own cheeks ringing, roared, and foamed at the mouth.
"I'll show you why they call me Kallan the Bear-Ripper! You'll be ripped too after my lesson! Raaaaah!"
Berserk Kallan lunged at Azadin.
The watching soldiers grew uneasy.
"R-Rijon, squad leader."
"That okay?"
"Leave it. He's cocky 'cause he can back it. Let's enjoy the herald clan's show."
Half-elf squad leader Rijon watched with a faint smile, as if savoring the scene.