Chapter 193: The Most Valuable Head
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 193: The Most Valuable Head
The old woman waved her withered arms, making a powerful, clanging declaration that completely belied her frail frame.
Under the influence of her words, the eyes of the many gang leaders who had been backed into a corner began to light up, as if they could already see the beautiful vision she described.
Justice!
Peace!
Autonomy!
A Lower District that belongs only to us!
How wonderful, how...
"Pfft..."
A sudden, mocking snicker shattered the beautiful fantasy.
"What the hell? A council? Hahaha... A council... a union? Am I hallucinating?"
At the bar, Muen held his stomach, doubled over with laughter. It was as if he had just heard the funniest joke in the world.
"My dear... Lady Mediator, surely you aren't unaware? The current Council is nothing more than a gathering place for a bunch of pot-bellied, brain-dead nobles to scream at each other like children. It’s utterly useless, yet you actually want to imitate it?
Or do you really think these guys beside you, who would hack each other to pieces at the drop of a hat, are capable of sitting down together and discussing matters calmly?"
"I believe such issues can be resolved," the old woman nodded solemnly, her conviction unshakable.
She was the Mediator of the Lower District. Under her prestige, everyone could sit down peacefully and plan the future of the Lower District together.
"Ah, is that so?"
After staring at the old woman for a long moment, Muen took out a handkerchief and wiped the tears from the corners of his eyes.
"I thought you were some formidable figure, but it turns out you're just a fool playing at power because of your status as a 'mistress'?"
If they truly established a so-called autonomous Lower District, they wouldn't be greeted by justice, peace, or autonomy. Instead, they would be met by the iron hooves of the Royal Knight Order.
Playing at democracy right under the Emperor's nose? Kid, do you even know how to spell the word 'execution'?
"You—"
The old woman’s face suddenly contorted, as if Muen had struck a raw nerve.
But then her gaze turned venomous, and she sneered, "Laugh all you want, boy. I don't think you'll be acting so arrogant for much longer. Once we all unite, you'll be nothing more than a lamb to the slaughter.
When that time comes, I’ll tear that face of yours off and use it to decorate my collection room. I'll make sure you understand the consequences of offending me!"
"But you won't get that chance."
"What?"
"I said, you won't get that chance."
Muen lowered his hand, his expression returning to a calm state. However, his pale blue eyes, hidden in the shadow of his top hat, were filled with absolute mockery.
"Perfect. I'll use you to show everyone who's still hesitating another side of my power. And while I'm at it, let's verify if that 'unity' you speak of is actually feasible."
"What exactly do you mean?"
Is he... going to kill again?
A sudden, intense sense of unease rose within the old woman. She instinctively backed away, seeking protection from the people behind her. But those men, who had seemed moved by her words just moments ago, now recoiled in unison.
The old woman’s eye twitched as she cursed these useless cowards in her heart.
But then, she suddenly puffed out her chest, craned her neck, and glared at Muen, shouting sharply, "If you're going to kill me, then do it! Let everyone see clearly that you're nothing but a madman who kills indiscriminately! A madman will never earn anyone's respect!"
She looked like someone ready to die for a cause.
However—
Glancing at the old woman’s trembling legs, the mockery in Muen’s eyes intensified. He lowered his gaze and asked softly, "Do you know why I call myself Bruce Wayne?"
"Wh... why?"
"Because while I don't have any superpowers, I do have one very formidable ability."
As the old woman’s eyes filled with growing dread, Muen slowly extended a finger and pointed at her.
Is... is it coming?
Knowing she had no way to resist, the old woman closed her eyes and prepared for death.
But after a brief wait, death did not arrive.
Instead, a rich, clear voice spoke, loud enough for everyone to hear.
"Now, Lady Mediator, your head is worth one hundred million."
"Huh?"
The old woman froze.
She opened her eyes, frowning in confusion, unable to comprehend Muen’s meaning.
One hundred million?
My head is worth one hundred million?
What does that mean?
Can you kill me with just a sentence?
Ridiculous.
But at that moment, she heard breathing.
Heavy, beast-like breathing.
And greedy gazes that stung the skin like needles were all converging on her.
She snapped awake, a bone-chilling coldness enveloping her body. She turned toward the crowd and screamed in terror, "Don't fall for it! This is his scheme! A scheme!"
"This isn't a scheme; it's a promise."
Muen habitually adjusted his top hat and looked at the crowd, a playful smile on his face like a joker taking a final bow.
"You all climbed your way up to your positions; you should know better than anyone that at a time like this, I would never lie. If I say one hundred million, then not a single Emiel will be missing.
Furthermore, whoever successfully takes the dear Lady Mediator’s head can walk out of here safely. I will not take any retaliatory action afterward."
Muen held up three fingers toward the ceiling. "I swear by the Goddess."
I swear by the Goddess.
Those words were like a magic spell. The gang leaders, who had been mere bystanders, began to grow restless.
One hundred million.
Plus a promise of safe passage.
For them, it was a temptation that was impossible to refuse.
And the price they had to pay was merely killing the mistress of some great noble.
Haha, a mistress.
She was already this old; how could that noble possibly still remember her?
Those so-called connections had long since lost their deterrent power.
As for prestige... can you eat prestige?
This was a deal where they had everything to gain and nothing to lose.
However, no one made a move yet.
Everyone was still hesitating. They weren't stupid; they wouldn't lose their heads over a hundred million just yet.
Taking action for this money meant... acknowledging this man’s status. It meant acknowledging that he stood above them, the gang leaders.
"Don't fall for it! Don't fall for it! Think about what I just said! Unity! Only unity will work right now! Don't let that man divide us! Do you really want to live under someone else's thumb?"
The old woman’s face was pale, her voice trembling as she pleaded.
No matter how foolish she was, she knew this was her only way to survive.
But in reality, no one was listening to her anymore. One only had to look at the eyes of the others to know that the so-called "equal unity" was nothing but a fantasy.
Everyone was secretly calculating, weighing the pros and cons.
Is a hundred million not enough?
Muen’s eyes flickered.
Then I'll just add—
But before he could speak the words to increase the bounty, a piercing whine interrupted his thoughts.
The old woman suddenly shrieked and collapsed to the ground, howling in agony.
Blood mist filled the air. A magic-infused bolt had directly pulverized one of her calves into a mess of shredded meat and gore.
Everyone turned in shock to look at the person who had pulled the trigger.
The Rat King, Sam.
"Sam?"
Muen raised an eyebrow in surprise, turning to look at the dwarf-like figure.
"I didn't expect the first one to act would be you."
"What's there to be surprised about? I'm just making the choice I believe is right." Sam remained expressionless, as if no one could fathom his current thoughts.
He slowly approached the old woman and raised his repeating crossbow again.
"Sam! You... you bastard! You really are in league with him?!"
In her agony, the old woman’s eyes were bloodshot as she roared. But immediately after, another bolt hissed through the air, turning her roar back into a scream.
Sam shot through her other foot and said nonchalantly:
"Don't get it twisted. No one hates this guy more than I do. He put a knife to my throat, he lied to me..."
"Then why... you!"
"But there's one thing he said that I agree with."
Sam reloaded, then took aim. This time, he still didn't aim for a vital spot.
"—Since everyone needs a master, why not him? At least, unlike those stingy, cowardly nobles...
He’s actually willing to pay a hundred million."