Chapter 109
Chapter 109
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 109
Chapter Title: The Subjugation Order
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109
All of it happened in an instant.
It was a speed even Rohan couldn't stop.
Yet the result was nothing short of explosive.
*Ching!*
Rohan, Roberta, and Dantalu had drawn their weapons in a flash and now held their swords simultaneously to Collan's throat.
Collan's guards were in the same stance, though their blades were aimed at Rohan.
"...What is the meaning of this?"
Rohan barely managed to speak, suppressing his rage.
He had agonized over Collan's request to see Sein in the infirmary.
Rohan had debated giving permission, but ultimately decided that hiding it might arouse suspicion.
He never imagined this.
No matter how reckless Collan was, Rohan hadn't thought he'd pull something like this in Dante.
"Right now!"
Rohan shouted.
"Explain yourself!"
In truth, everyone present was radiating killing intent, ready to cut Collan down.
The only reason they hadn't moved yet was one.
Jane.
Because he hadn't drawn his sword.
"I must have startled you."
Collan showed no sign of agitation, even with three swords wreathed in aura pressed to his neck.
Instead, he spoke in a calm tone.
"I wasn't trying to kill my brother."
"...After stabbing a dagger into his heart?"
"See for yourself."
They kept their eyes fixed on Collan while checking on Sein.
And soon, they realized something astonishing.
"......!"
Despite the dagger plunged into him, not a single drop of blood had spilled.
The blade, embedded as if passing through something transparent, pulsed with white light at the center of Sein's chest.
"...What is this?"
"It's called the Dagger of Purification."
Collan said.
"I obtained it by chance. It's an artifact that neutralizes most poisons."
"......"
"Tampia's poison is potent, but not fully matured. It should work."
Everyone there was a powerhouse.
Discerning whether Collan spoke truth or lies wasn't difficult.
Above all, Jane's glance signaled them to lower their swords.
—It's true.
Collan was telling the truth.
"...I won't say it was a discourtesy. It was an action bound to cause misunderstanding."
"I understand."
Collan replied nonchalantly.
"The effect will kick in soon. One way or another."
"Why go this far?"
Even without full details, the Dagger of Purification clearly wasn't ordinary just from the name.
Especially the one embedded in Sein's heart—it was already crumbling into powder and scattering.
A one-use artifact.
It was baffling that he'd used such a valuable item on a rival like Sein.
"Because he's too valuable to simply eliminate like this."
Collan said.
"I hold Sein's abilities in high regard."
Every word rang true.
"I'm certain he'll one day be a great asset to Demorus."
It was a statement possible only because he knew Sein's reputation.
"One day."
Collan said.
"I hope he'll stand by my side and support me. This is simply a gesture of grace."
Everyone's faces hardened.
Only then did it become clear.
Collan believed without a doubt that he would become the family head.
"Do I need to explain further?"
Only then.
"No need."
Everyone lowered their swords and stepped back.
*
*
*
'Collan Demorus.'
He was an unusual one.
The man who most resembled the family head, and the strongest contender.
Already, five out of ten in Demorus supported Collan.
When you factored in those who declared neutrality or the few backing Barje, his solid backing far outstripped even Sein, who had claimed Tampia.
The reason was simple.
'They say he's the most fitting to be Demorus's family head, above all others.'
His personality, his blessing, his abilities.
Collan was evaluated as overwhelming in every aspect.
Sein himself acknowledged that much.
'Still...'
He recalled the events in the infirmary.
'To think he'd do something like that.'
True to his unpredictable nature, he'd pulled off something equally unfathomable.
Had Sein not caught a glimpse of the dagger leaving Collan's hand, Sein might have struck first and severed Collan's neck.
That would have sparked all-out war.
And that was not what Sein wanted.
"Jane."
Rohan called for Jane.
He wasn't alone.
Sebu and Ballack as well.
Collan hadn't come to Dante just to see his ailing brother.
There was another reason.
"You called, Master?"
That was it.
"From now on, the three of you will temporarily detach from Black Sword."
"......?"
"This is a duty incumbent upon all who serve Demorus."
Ballack and Sebu, who had looked puzzled, finally nodded in understanding.
They had learned the true reason for Collan's visit to Dante.
"Collan Demorus, heir candidate, has ordered the conscription of talent."
It was common for branch organizations to lend personnel to the main family's events.
"From now on, you will move with Heir Candidate Collan Demorus and carry out his mission."
It was an order impossible to refuse.
"What mission?"
When Sebu asked, Collan approached from behind Rohan with a relaxed expression.
"Subjugation."
Subjugation.
"A monster?"
Darklings or shadow beasts.
Subjugation usually meant those.
"No."
But Collan said it casually.
"Humans."
"......!"
"I'll brief you on the details later."
Collan's eyes sharpened.
"Prepare yourselves. We won't be back for a while."
With that, Collan vanished.
Ballack and Sebu moved to prepare, leaving Rohan and Jane behind for a moment.
"It's gone as you said."
This was it.
"Of course. After all this hassle?"
From the beginning.
"I don't expect to catch Collan in just this one go."
Sein's target was Collan.
He had saved Tampia to hunt Collan, and the plan had begun with taking her in.
But Collan wasn't someone who could be felled in one attempt.
"Still, I can create an opening."
All great undertakings started from small changes.
Collan, with his rock-solid support base, would crumble from this incident.
And Sein planned to exploit that crack and devour him completely.
"Rohan."
Jane called to Rohan.
"It won't be long now."
"......"
"When I become family head, I'll unleash the winds of change, as promised. Don't forget."
That was what Rohan desired.
"I trust you."
"Good. You should."
This was the moment Sein's plan truly began.
*
*
*
The carriage that had entered Dante now departed it once more.
But unlike when it arrived, the group had grown.
Three in cloaks: Jane, Sebu, and Ballack.
"So excited, are you?"
Jane asked Sebu.
"Of course! Being conscripted for a main family mission is a huge opportunity!"
Sebu couldn't hide his elation.
"Heading to the main house?"
"...Not exactly."
Sebu gave a wry smile.
"But if I can climb higher, I should."
"With Captain Ballack right there, is that what you should be saying?"
"Hey!"
Sebu raised his voice at Jane.
Drawing stares, he took a deep breath and lowered it.
"Captain Ballack is basically confirmed as Dante's next master anyway."
Sebu said.
"There's no rule saying I can't become captain."
Sebu spoke with a dreamy expression.
"What if Lord Collan scouts you, Senior Sebu?"
Such things happened often.
Lending personnel from branches for missions, then taking the ones they liked permanently.
"......"
Sebu hesitated to respond.
"No loyalty, huh."
Jane said.
"What? It was just a passing thought. I have no intention of betraying Lord Sein."
"Why not? You're not even that close."
"There are two people I respect. One is Captain Ballack."
"With him right—"
Jane shut his mouth at Sebu's glare.
"The other is Master Rohan."
Sebu said.
"As long as they support Lord Sein, so do I."
*Pfft.*
Jane chuckled at the sight.
"You laughing? You think that's funny?"
Sebu seemed annoyed by Jane's reaction but soon spoke in a subdued tone.
"I was just a errand boy in Dante back then."
Sebu recounted his past.
"No one would give a guy like me a chance to wield a sword."
It was common.
An organization like Dante didn't recruit just anyone as new blood.
They took proven talent from other sub-organizations or gave chances to those who joined young.
"It was Lord Rohan who first put a sword in my hand."
Rohan.
"And since Lord Rohan trusts Captain Ballack, so do I."
And.
"Since Lord Rohan backs Lord Sein, so do I. That's all there is to it."
The position Sebu spoke of—up to Black Sword captain—that was enough.
He asked for no more.
"I'll do my utmost on this mission so I don't embarrass Lord Rohan."
Jane and Ballack nodded at Sebu's words.
"It's a main family mission, so it'll be dangerous."
Ballack, who had been listening, chimed in.
"So what? I've got Captain Ballack by my side."
*Smirk.*
Sebu grinned.
"And this guy's here too."
Jane had started off as an annoying prick, but now Sebu genuinely acknowledged him.
"But, Senior."
Jane spoke up.
"You should stop talking now."
"Why?"
"That..."
Jane gave Sebu a meaningful look.
"It's a death flag."
"......?"
"No idea? Whatever. Looks like we're almost there."
Ahead, Collan's leading carriage had stopped.
Even without that, Jane and Ballack had already sensed it.
Far off, a dark and sinister aura emanating from the mountain ridge.
—This mission.
Collan's words echoed.
—Is human subjugation.