Chapter 304: Plan B
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 304: Plan B
In the midst of that absolute, deathly silence, a soft sigh suddenly and abruptly... rang out.
It came from the carriage.
It came from that incredibly mysterious sixth carriage—the one Muen had forbidden anyone from approaching since the moment they set out.
"Sigh, and here I thought this would be a job where I could get paid for doing nothing."
It was a helpless, light sigh, carrying the frustration of someone whose hopes of slacking off had been dashed. Then, a hand reached out from the carriage and gave a casual wave toward the cracks in reality.
Like clear water washing away ink, the cracks vanished instantly.
Clarity returned to the world. The onlookers, who had just taken a stroll along the edge of death, were drenched in cold sweat, their minds still reeling.
Even Pink Bear’s eyes were a bit glazed as he looked in shock at the carriage. Even he hadn't noticed anything unusual about it.
On the other side, sensing a power that rivaled his own, the Indra King’s expression turned solemn. "You are..."
"What, you recognize that embarrassing fellow, but you don't recognize an old friend like me?"
The carriage curtain was swept aside, and a very kind, genial-looking old gentleman stepped out.
He wore a black formal suit and a black top hat, with a flamboyant bouquet of bright roses pinned to his chest. He looked even older than the Indra King, his hair white at the temples, but his eyes were exceptionally spirited.
The old gentleman looked at the Indra King, tipped his hat in greeting, and said with a chuckle:
"Long time no see, Indra King. Seeing that you're still alive is truly... quite vexing."
"The Vice President of the Adventurer's Guild... no, you should be the President now. Stargazer Adolf Lovis!"
The Indra King’s face darkened.
"How strange. You would actually stoop so low as to personally protect a brat who’s barely grown into his feathers? Is the Adventurer's Guild really that short on work?"
"Rest assured, I am not the President right now, merely the head of a branch guild. I’ve left that seat for the talented youth. As for why I’ve 'stooped' to protect this kid... well, it’s for the same reason as you."
Adolf winked and laughed without a hint of shame.
"If you can stoop to hunting a child for money, why can't I stoop to protecting him for money? As long as the pay is right, money is money. There’s no shame in it."
"...Fair enough."
These were the same two words Muen had used earlier, but coming from the Indra King now, they carried a distinct tone of humiliated rage.
"Holy crap, holy crap, holy crap!"
Pink Bear suddenly grabbed Muen by the collar and shook him violently, shouting in shock, "You actually tucked a Crown Bearer into the convoy? Since when?!"
"Since the beginning."
Muen broke free from the bear’s grip and rolled his eyes. "I thought you knew. Even Professor Prang noticed; you mean you didn't? You’re pathetic."
"Dammit, you were acting so mysterious that I thought you had a giant cannon hidden in there! I never expected you to drag this old rascal Adolf along. How did you pull it off?"
"How else? I paid him enough," Muen sighed. "To scrape together enough cash to hire Mr. Adolf, I had to sell two of my father's manors. I don't know if he'll beat me when he gets back."
"Hehe, well, you get what you pay for. Quality comes at a price," Adolf said, his face glowing with a radiant smile. It was clear he had made a killing on this trip.
"Oh, please! Your old man holds vast tracts of fertile land in the Campbell Territory and controls thirty percent of the Empire's military industry. He doesn't rely on manors for income. What are you worried about?"
Seeing their side receive an epic reinforcement, Pink Bear’s spine immediately straightened. He wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth and slapped Adolf’s clean, pressed suit with a heavy hand, booming, "Old man Adolf, long time no see! You’ve still got that flair. Good, very good! With the two of us teaming up, we’ll absolutely steamroll that old bastard Indra King!"
"...Long time no see, Lord Oranriel."
Seeing his suit stained with blood, Adolf’s eye twitched imperceptibly. However, he maintained his gentlemanly grace and said, "I doubt there will be any 'steamrolling.' Based on my understanding of our friend over there, he isn't the type to do something that offers zero benefit."
Adolf looked at the Indra King and smiled. "Am I right, Lord Indra King? Even if you forced a confrontation now, you likely wouldn't gain anything. Why not just withdraw?"
"Fair enough."
It was those two words again, but the Indra King did not retreat immediately. Instead, he turned his gaze toward Muen.
"I have a question. I wonder if you could enlighten me?"
"Hmm?"
"Since you had such a trump card, why was your first thought to run?" the Indra King asked with a hint of curiosity.
"If I didn't run, was I supposed to stay and get in the way?"
Muen frowned slightly, stepping back behind Adolf. He wasn't sure what the old fox was up to. "Besides, who knew if you had any trump cards of your own? One must always be cautious, right?"
"I see."
Upon hearing the answer, the Indra King suddenly sighed with a sense of melancholy.
"No wonder those people were willing to pay such a high price to have me kill you. Forbearance, caution, natural brilliance... and most importantly, a good father and a good engagement. For some people, Muen Campbell, you have indeed become someone to fear."
Between the heaven and earth illuminated by the morning sun, a sudden breeze blew, fluttering the Indra King’s tattered robes.
His hands remained pressed together in prayer, just as he had done every day during his century of asceticism.
But Adolf’s expression instantly turned grave. He took a step forward and barked, "Indra King, have you lost your mind? This isn't like you!"
"Of course it isn't. It seems I truly have no way to kill him now, but... that boy isn't the only one who is cautious."
A Brilliant Crown rose into the air. The powerful aura of a Crown Bearer erupted without restraint, like a world-drowning tsunami from an apocalyptic prophecy.
The Indra King separated his hands. One hand formed a palm, striking toward Pink Bear; the other formed a fist, smashing toward Adolf.
Instantly.
The world shook.
The breeze transformed into a hurricane that tore through everything, churning wildly like countless blades.
"Holy shit, you're serious?!"
Pink Bear cursed under his breath, raising his mace in a hurried defense.
On the other side, Adolf unleashed his aura to protect the people behind him. He met the fist with his palm, not giving an inch, though his eyes turned exceptionally dark.
"What exactly are you trying to do, Indra King?"
"It's simple. Since I can't kill him, I won't."
Facing two opponents at once, the Indra King’s expression returned to a state of calm.
"I'm not the only one taking money to get a job done, after all. Next... is Plan B."
"Plan B?"
Everyone’s heart skipped a beat. Before they could react, a melodious song drifted through the howling gale.
The voice was like a lament, distant and lingering. It sounded like a love poem calling to a far-off lover, filled with melancholy, yet it also resembled the song of a siren at sea, carrying a hint of eerie enchantment.
But anyone with even a passing knowledge of magic knew exactly what that sound represented.
Chanting.
Magical chanting.