Chapter 26
Chapter 26
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 26
Chapter Title: Ashley
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“For the first three days, while everyone was just testing the waters, Ashley made a bold move. He won over the territorial army, formed an alliance with other unsavory families like his own, and pulled in the neutral factions.”
Hearing Sea's account,
Ashley was a schemer beyond imagination.
I'd always had the impression he was cunning, but not to this extent…
It was enough to make me wonder if he'd been deliberately hiding his true nature out of fear of Ksias.
He used sweet talk to stir the warriors’ anxieties and expectations.
*Lansen will try to rule Kushan City now.*
*If we form a powerful coalition, not even Lansen will be able to push us around.*
He stoked their fears in this way,
Then dangled his various entertainment businesses and money before them.
He promised them a life of even greater luxury and pleasure than they had now.
It was a highly effective tactic against the territorial army warriors and neutral factions, who knew little else besides fighting.
Being known as “Ashley of the Harem” only made his promises more potent.
“And just like that… the Red Warriors were won over too?”
“Yes. That’s what completely tipped the scales in his favor.”
The Red Warriors were the most elite unit among Ksias’s territorial army.
Forty men in total. They were the infamous warrior band under the direct command of the master-level Expert, Grand Warrior Uksala, composed solely of intermediate and advanced Experts.
They were so skilled in joint tactics that it was openly boasted that Grand Warrior Uksala and the Red Warriors could even kill a Sword Master.
‘…And they weren’t wrong.’
In fact, the Red Warriors were the very reason I hadn’t dared to challenge Count Ksias even after I became a Sword Master.
Count Ksias himself was stronger than the average Sword Master, and with the Red Warriors at his side, his presence was overwhelming.
“Then, on the fourth day… he started making a show of force, no longer content with just building his power behind the scenes. With you gone for four days, he started getting greedy.”
“He must have thought I was dead or injured.”
“Exactly. After that, he went wild. He subjugated other factions by force, terrorized the citizens, and offered a carrot to those who followed him and a bloody purge to those who didn’t.”
“Divide and rule…”
“Yes. It even caused a rift within the Vigilante Corps. The number of scumbags willing to follow him grew.”
“Impressive.”
“More than that. In just seven days, he seized control of half the armed groups in Kushan City.”
“Hah.”
As Sea said, it was a remarkable feat.
Due to the nature of Roverland, where magical beasts ran rampant, most of the population was concentrated in cities.
As a result, each city was large enough to be considered a small nation.
The population of Kushan City was about 750,000.
Considering that Bandar, the capital of the Vanroah Kingdom before its fall, had a population of 1.5 million, this was a massive scale for a single city.
As such, countless armed groups existed within its walls.
From the Vigilante Corps organized by citizens for their own security and safety, to mercenary bands and exploration groups gathered to hunt magical beasts, to the families formed by hooligans and fugitives from all over, and even the territorial army and various warrior bands under the direct command of Ksias, the city’s ruler.
Excluding the riffraff, the number of people who lived purely by the sword easily exceeded ten thousand.
And he had taken control of half of them in just seven days…
“He’s so greedy. He must really want this city. He even hired the Kalserik Brotherhood, perhaps to keep the Red Warriors in check. On top of that… there are rumors that Ashley himself has reached the highest level of Expert.”
The Kalserik Brotherhood.
They were one of the most renowned mercenary bands in Roverland.
Their leader, Kalserik, was a master-level Expert at the highest level, a man of exceptional talent who was expected to become a Sword Master within ten years.
‘I heard they were a band that appreciated a bit of romance…’
They were also one of the few mercenary groups on this lawless continent, rife with fraud and betrayal, that still valued faith and honor.
Hearing all this sent a slight chill down my spine.
“…If I’d been just a little later, things could have gotten really bad.”
How many highest-level Experts were in this one city? This was practically the military power of a small kingdom.
“Yes. He was already starting to apply more overt pressure. Our current strength is about half of Ashley’s.”
“What kind of pressure?”
“…”
Sea, who had been speaking in a flat, expressionless tone, hesitated for the first time.
Why was she acting like that?
It was Daisy, who had been listening quietly from a corner of the round table, who answered.
She pressed her hands to her forehead and said,
“…He asked me to marry him.”
What?
Did I hear that right?
“To be honest… that bastard has been sending me letters for a year now… But this time, he made a formal proposal.”
That madman?
I felt like sparks were about to fly from my eyes.
A pervert famous throughout Kushan City for the filthiest sex scandals… daring to covet someone?
A sexual deviant who strangled his partners to death, with a harem of concubines numbering…
*Fwoosh!*
If anyone were to look into my eyes right now, they would see dark blue flames burning within my pupils.
It was a characteristic of our Vanroah royal family and noble houses for flames to ignite in our pupils when our emotions ran high.
“A whole year? Why didn’t you tell me?”
“…There was nothing you could do even if I told you. Even when Sir Ipsen… well.”
Hah…
She was right. She was absolutely right.
We were everyone’s punching bag.
This was why she had wanted to become a vampire.
And I, ignorant of it all, had only scolded her. I hated myself for it.
As I grew more agitated, Sea glanced at me nervously and quickly changed the subject.
“Anyway. The joint meeting tomorrow was supposed to be his coronation. But now that you’re back, that’s off the table. Our military strength and public support are stronger now.”
Right.
I couldn’t let a guy like that control Kushan City.
“But the problem is, we can’t get rid of him now.”
Sea looked a little weary.
I thought I knew what she was worried about.
“Because of the magical beast subjugations?”
In Roverland, the primary criterion for a city’s existence was the periodic subjugation of magical beasts. For that, a certain number of warriors was essential.
Rivera Pietro, who had been listening quietly, burst out in frustration.
“Dammit… I wanted to execute that bastard Ashley more than anyone…”
I looked at Rivera for a moment before asking Sea,
“There are a lot of scumbags, aren’t there?”
“A lot is an understatement.”
Sea slid a book across the table to me.
The cover read “Death List.”
I slowly flipped through it.
The front section listed names in blue ink, the middle section in red, and the final section in black.
“Blue is the list of factions that have some sense of decency. Black is for the irredeemable trash, and red is for those in between.”
I scanned the pages.
Having knocked around Kushan City for fourteen years, I recognized most of the names.
‘They might be called ‘in between,’ but even the ones in red are utter trash.’
The businesses run by those listed in red were drug dealing or loan sharking, and they were infamous for imposing high taxes in their territories and treating people cruelly.
The ones in black were, of course, even worse. Their main business was murdering and kidnapping innocent people.
“We have to endure it. We have to accept and acknowledge those in red. That’s the only way to maintain the city. But now the problem is… we can’t even get rid of all the ones in black. See the red dots among the black names? We have to accept them too. They’re part of Ashley’s faction.”
“…”
More than half of the black list was marked with red dots.
I didn’t answer, staring intently at the death list.
Sea continued in a resigned, matter-of-fact tone.
“Still, I’ve reached an understanding with the factions on the blue list. They’re firmly on our side. In terms of strength, that’s about a quarter of the total. If we can persuade some of those on the red list, we can secure a decent foundation for governance.”
Sea explained the complex political situation entangling Kushan City.
But I wasn’t listening closely.
I just stared at the death list and asked her,
“So. All the people listed here will gather tomorrow?”
“Yes.”
“Good. Then leave the rest to me.”
I stood up from my seat.
“You’ve worked hard, Sea. And Lord Rivera. Let’s call it a day.”
“Lord Rivera? That’s too formal. I am your vassal, so please, just call me Rivera.”
“Alright, Rivera.”
Rivera grinned.
Sea, however, seemed worried.
“Shouldn’t we plan a strategy for tomorrow?”
“Don’t worry. I’ll handle it.”
Sea eyed me with suspicion, but I just gave her a wave.
Katrina chimed in.
“Yeah! Sea! Don’t worry! Lansen said it’s fine! Now! Let’s have a drink to celebrate the family being back together! The kids should go to bed first!”
Katrina giggled as if she didn’t have a care in the world.
She was actually the cautious and thoughtful type when needed… but it seemed today she was feeling nostalgic.
Reminiscing about the golden days of our family… when everyone trusted and followed my decisions.
With her taking that stance, Sea couldn’t press the issue further.
Instead, I had something to say to Rivera.
“Rivera. I have a favor to ask of you for tomorrow.”
As I whispered in his ear, Rivera’s eyes lit up.
“Lord Lansen, is that…!”
“I’m counting on you.”
“Excellent. I’ll do it.”
He was a refreshingly straightforward man.
In that case, I’d have to put on a refreshing show of my own tomorrow.
***
The joint meeting was held at the ruined lord’s castle.
It was the center of Kushan City and a neutral territory, belonging to no armed faction.
As there was a three-person limit for attendance, I brought Katrina and Baren with me.
“Wow… there are so many people.”
Despite the attendance limit, nearly 300 people were crowded around the ruined castle.
“It’s Lansen…!”
“It really is Lansen…”
“He was alive…”
My appearance set off a stir all around.
People hastily made way, whispering amongst themselves.
“Oh! Lord Lansen!”
As I slowly walked toward the center, Ashley greeted me.
‘Still has that smarmy grin.’
His eyes were slits that barely showed his pupils, and he always had that annoying smirk on his face. He was the same as ever.
“You really came. I’m glad you’re safe.”
He grinned, glancing furtively behind me, and asked in a voice full of mirth,
“But did Miss Daisy not come with you?”
…He was crossing the line from the very start.
“Why do you ask about Daisy?”
“Because I like strong-willed girls.”
“…”
I stared down at him, wondering just how far he would push it, but he kept running his mouth.
“Have you heard that I proposed to her? I would appreciate it if you looked upon it favorably. If our families are joined by blood, it would certainly not be a bad thing for the new Count.”
He called me the “new Count.”
It seemed he was acknowledging my superiority for now.
But seeing him act so cocky, he must have been quite confident in the forces he’d gathered.
“Hm. It has been a while, Grand Warrior Lansen.”
Grand Warrior. A rather nostalgic title.
The man who called me by my old title had a face full of scars.
It was Grand Warrior Uksala, currently considered the strongest man in Kushan City, aside from me.
I didn’t bother to return the greeting, my gaze sweeping over the area.
Behind Grand Warrior Uksala stood Commander Sussjan.
He was the highest-ranking warrior in the territorial army and also a highest-level Expert.
‘Then that must be Kalserik.’
Next to Commander Sussjan was another man, a burly, bearded middle-aged man.
Judging by his powerful aura, which was no less than Grand Warrior Uksala’s, he had to be Kalserik, the leader of the Kalserik Brotherhood.
Good. Confirmation complete.
I turned my back on them and shouted to the assembled leaders of the armed factions.
“I hear some of you caused trouble while I was away. That you took the lives of innocent citizens and stole their property?”
A few of them flinched and began to murmur.
No need to look.
I pulled Sea’s death list from my coat and spat out the names of a few written in black.
“The Karu Family. Four days ago, you massacred an entire family and stole their property, correct? And after that, you kidnapped the nearby people who had lost the will to resist and sold them into slavery? What did you do with the money? Buy weapons and mercenaries?”
“L-Lord Lansen, that’s…!”
The accused Karu tried to make an excuse, but I simply opened my lips and spoke in a flat voice.
“Katrina.”
“Yeah!”
*Shing—*
She really gets it without me having to say a word. We hadn’t even discussed it beforehand, but Katrina knew exactly what to do.
Without hesitation, she drew her sword and charged at Karu and his attendants.
“W-Wait!”
“L-Lord Ashley! Lord Ashley!”
They desperately called for Ashley as they fled, but they couldn’t escape Katrina’s blade.
In an instant, Katrina returned to my side, spattered with blood.
“A highest-level Expert…!”
“When did she reach that level…!”
“I told you. All of Lansen’s siblings are monsters…”
While everyone was still stunned by Katrina’s power,
“Whoa— The new Count is terrifying. Establishing discipline right from the start. I suppose a Count needs this kind of authority.”
Ashley approached me with a wide grin, trying to act friendly.
The Karu I had just killed was technically part of his faction, but he seemed perfectly at ease, as if he was willing to sacrifice a few pawns.
His tone suggested I could vent my anger as much as I wanted.
It was the kind of confidence that could only come from being certain I wouldn't dare touch the main body.
I ignored him and continued to read from the death list.
“Next, the Rororan Family.”
“Yeah!”
“Yeah, yeah…”
Every time I called a name, Katrina would charge out excitedly, as if reminiscing about old times, while Baren would drag out his words lazily. Still, he did his job cleanly.
“The Heron Family.”
“The Dasviker Family.”
“The Lucas Family.”
I rattled off the names from the death list without pause.
After I had purged five factions, the air was thick with the stench of blood and piss.
As the other leaders watched and trembled, Ashley, his face now awkwardly stiff, tried to stop me.
“Haha— New Count. I think they’ve gotten the message by now. Coming on too strong could backfire, so perhaps at this point…”
Right.
I think the mood is just about right, too.
“Next.”
I completely ignored Ashley and read from the list again.
This time, I looked him straight in the eye.
“The three bandit groups: Tapun, Dust, and Kukurak. And the two human trafficking rings: Ex and Shadow Walker.”
Ashley could no longer smile.
The organizations I had just named were either directly under his command or in a close alliance with him.
“And Ashley, who made the citizens weep tears of blood with three drug manufacturing operations and twelve forced prostitution dens.”
I looked down coldly at the man with the slit eyes and concluded my sentence.
“The sentence is death.”
The moment my verdict fell,
*Shhhk—*
Katrina grinned darkly and drew out her aura threads, ready to charge at Ashley.
“Hey, sis. Look at the odds before you jump in.”
Baren grabbed Katrina from behind, holding her back.
He was right. There were three highest-level Experts on their side… no, four including Ashley. A fight of this scale was one I had to handle myself.
*Thump.*
I placed my hand on the hilt of my sword and took a casual step forward. I heard the sound of grinding teeth.
“What… is the meaning of this?! New Count?”
Ashley spat out the words.
His eyes, usually smiling slits, were now wide and sharp.
Between his slightly opened lids, his yellow irises gleamed cruelly, like a reptile’s.
The moment his bright yellow eyes emerged from behind their usual narrow slits…
It must have been a rather chilling sight for others.
But he’d picked the wrong person to intimidate.
“What, you slit-eyed bastard? What are you going to do now that your eyes are open?”
How arrogant.