Chapter 111
Chapter 111
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 111
Chapter Title: The Lawless City of Ilek
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Negotiations with the merchant guild masters went swiftly.
After witnessing the grand warrior duel that was practically forced upon them, they had no choice but to prepare countermeasures.
Everyone must have concluded that the probability of facing a similar scheme in the future was very high.
Though their hidden evils had been exposed, the power of the Crimson Blood Clan remained unchanged.
"Hah! What a complete con artist."
Watching me collect the solidarity fees from the merchant guild masters, Frixon shook his head.
It was because I had quoted a high price for my name, even though I had no intention of staying in Foven.
And I had subtly used Jerome Klevitz's reputation to do it.
Of course, this wouldn't be a problem.
I hadn't gone around promoting myself as his disciple directly.
The people who had witnessed the Ruinous Glory had simply misunderstood on their own.
"What con? This was a legitimate transaction."
"Five thousand Gelde a year just to put your name on the grand warrior list is insane. Does that even make sense?"
"They were willing to pay. Besides, it only comes out to ten thousand Gelde anyway."
Only two merchant guilds participated in the grand warrior mutual aid.
After receiving a hefty contract fee, I planned to leave Foven immediately.
But that didn't mean it was a dine-and-dash.
'If a duel ever does occur, they've agreed to stall for time until I arrive.'
Of course, as long as Jerome Klevitz's reputation exists, that's unlikely to ever happen.
But why hadn't they taken such precautions before?
Because there had never been a madman like Silant, whose character was dredged from the gutter.
In any case, thanks to the Crimson Blood Clan's ambition, the major merchant guilds had a reason to unite.
*Rustle! Rustle!*
I started packing my things, humming a tune.
The profits I'd earned in Foven were so substantial that my backpack was about to burst.
It was an amount that could never be carried by human strength alone, so I had to minimize its volume and weight.
By exchanging the gold coins for expensive jewels and the like.
"Whoa! How much is all this?"
The amount was so large that even Frixon's eyes went wide.
With a proud expression, I estimated my earnings.
The treasure from the first emperor's tomb was worth roughly forty thousand Gelde, which I neatly disposed of through the Mulgier Guild.
And what I earned in Foven was twenty thousand Gelde.
'So, about sixty thousand Gelde in total?'
Even after paying off the balance for the villa, a considerable amount would be left over.
As I pictured a life of luxury, a pleased smile naturally formed on my lips.
"Anyway, when are you coming back?"
"Probably in two or three months?"
"I don't know why you have to go to that lawless zone, but since it's you... I'm sure you'll handle yourself just fine."
Frixon scanned the map I had spread out with a dubious expression.
His gaze fell upon Ilek, the lawless city in the southernmost part of Reilhasch.
The place was so notorious that he seemed to be worried.
"Then come with me. There'll be frequent battles, so it's a good chance to gain some real combat experience, right?"
"Nah, I can't."
"Don't tell me you're scared?"
"It's not that. I just got back after a long time, so I need to see my girlfriend."
"...Wait, girlfriend?"
"Yeah. My lover. Is there a problem?"
As I asked with a furrowed brow, Frixon shrugged and replied.
He had an annoyingly smug look on his face, as if it were obvious he'd have one.
This guy, who's below average in looks, has a girlfriend when I don't?
What kind of messed-up situation is this?
"How is that possible...? Ah! She must be ugly. Right?"
"What are you talking about? You'll be stunned when you see my girlfriend."
"This bastard is lying. If that's true, I'm your little brother."
"Oh really? You're going to regret saying that."
"Hmph! You think I'm going to believe you?"
I shook my head firmly and crammed my belongings into the saddlebag.
The jewel box was quite heavy, but thanks to lightening magic, the horse didn't collapse or anything.
Finally, having finished all my preparations to leave, I was about to bid Frixon farewell.
But it was right at that moment.
"Hello. I've heard a lot about you. You must be Mr. Carter, right?"
A woman suddenly approached and spoke to me.
Typical of a southerner, she had slightly tanned skin, a slender figure, and large, distinct features.
She had a very different air from the people of the Empire, but she was quite a beauty.
Since we were talking in front of the main gate, it seemed she recognized me and struck up a conversation.
'Looks like having a reputation is pretty great after all. To think a beauty like this would come to me on her own.'
I turned to Frixon with a smug look and said.
"See that?"
"What?"
"You have to be on my level to win over a beauty."
At that, he shook his head with a baffled expression.
"You're really something else. Isn't your narcissism a bit much?"
Frixon immediately moved to the woman's side and abruptly offered his arm.
To my surprise, she naturally linked her arm with his, creating a warm and friendly scene.
"This is Reina. If nothing major comes up, we plan to get engaged during the school break. That's why I said I couldn't go."
"..."
As he continued his explanation, I was at a loss for words.
So his claim about having a girlfriend wasn't a bluff, but the truth!
I immediately faced Reina, adopted a formal posture, and said with a serious expression.
"A pleasure to meet you. My name is Ray Mulgier."
"...Excuse me?"
Seemingly flustered by the sudden remark, Reina blinked rapidly and glanced at Frixon.
Her gaze seemed to ask what on earth was going on.
Frixon had his palm on his forehead and was letting out a sigh.
Regardless, I continued speaking nonchalantly.
"As of today, I'm the youngest son of the Mulgier Guild. Big bro, you have to leave me an inheritance too."
"Cut the nonsense."
"Ah! But what are you going to do about Sophia?"
"Why are you suddenly bringing her up?"
"You denied it so vehemently, I thought it was real."
"I said no! You little brat!"
I watched Frixon jump in frustration and gave a wicked smile.
'Heh heh! It's already over, my friend. A woman's intuition sometimes skips the process and lands right on the answer.'
Though of course, sometimes it lands on the wrong one.
In any case, my intention hit its mark perfectly.
"Just a moment. Frixon? Who is Sophia?"
"W-well, she's a classmate from Venderford, from the Pennant Marquisate..."
Frixon desperately tried to talk his way out of the situation.
But I wasn't about to just stand by and watch him get away with it.
"Pretty."
"The pretty eldest daughter... huh?"
As I casually threw in that keyword, Frixon's explanation about Sophia got tangled up.
Before I knew it, a fiery glint was bursting from Reina's eyes.
Not literally, of course, but that's how it felt.
"Preeeettyyyy?"
"No, that was a slip of the tongue."
"A slip of the tongue happens because you're thinking it, right? Follow me. It seems it's time for a long-overdue lesson."
*Grab!*
Reina grabbed one of Frixon's ears, her eyes flashing.
"W-wait! This is a misunderstanding!"
"Be quiet."
"Aargh!"
And with that, she began dragging him toward the back of the mansion.
Frixon shot me a resentful look and screamed at the top of his lungs.
"Ray, you bastard! Just you wait!"
"Quiet down."
*Smack!*
But after getting smacked on the back by Reina, he quickly fell silent.
Watching this unfold with satisfaction, I finally turned to leave.
'Heaven for singles, hell for couples, you punk.'
I had more or less expected this outcome, but I knew they wouldn't actually break up over it.
I trusted Frixon to sort it out on his own.
* * *
The plains in the southernmost part of Reilhasch were a rather unique space.
Despite being near an untamed wilderness teeming with monsters, a massive city had formed.
It didn't make sense by common standards, but when I thought about its inhabitants, it seemed plausible.
'Because it's a city of outlaws.'
Most of them were fugitives who had committed crimes, which was why they had settled in such a harsh land.
I was slowly approaching this city, Ilek.
A traveler was approaching, but there were no guards whatsoever to stop them.
Nine out of ten were likely criminals anyway, so what would be the point of a search?
Besides, they were in no position to maintain order.
'It's not that their forces are weak, it's just a complete mess, so no one cares about security.'
That's how the information document I received from the Mulgier Guild defined Ilek.
A city of trash with a decent facade.
*Thwack! Craack!*
"Die, you son of a bitch!"
"You damn blue bastard! You die!"
These were the sounds I heard as soon as I passed what I presumed to be the west gate.
Glancing to my right, I saw two groups of men engaged in a bloody battle.
One group consisted of knights in blue armor, while the other was made up of ronin wearing red cloaks of asymmetrical length.
'Felton? Wolf Fang?'
I was able to identify them instantly.
Because the only ones who walked around dressed like that belonged to those two factions.
Indeed, the knights were using the Felton family's Rolling Earth Sword Technique.
'A lesser version of the Line-Drawing Sword Technique. They must be regular knights.'
They weren't top-tier experts, but they were fighting quite well.
In a chaotic brawl like this, Wolf Fang should have had the overwhelming advantage, yet they were managing to hold their own.
But then, the men who had been in the thick of the fight suddenly stopped moving.
The Felton knights and the Wolf Fang group abruptly turned to look toward the west gate.
More precisely, right where I was standing.
"Hey, why are you looking at me in a situation like this?"
I stared at them with a look of disbelief.
I was curious what on earth these guys were up to.
After a moment, the Felton and Wolf Fang groups glanced at each other, then swarmed toward the west gate.
"Heheheh! Judging by your appearance, you must be a traveler."
"If you want to live, hand over everything you have and get lost."
These words came from the apparent leaders of the two groups.
Everyone knows Wolf Fang is a group of classless thugs, but isn't Felton one of the Four Great Families?
For guys like that to be committing robbery in broad daylight.
I thought they must be well and truly insane.
I put on a stern act and rebuked the knights.
"Which knight order are you? Did Felton always have trash like this?"
I thought they might at least pretend to be ashamed if I asked for their affiliation.
But my opponents formed an encirclement without the slightest hesitation.
They moved behind me, blocking the entrance to the west gate.
'Ah! Right. When it comes to being unreasonable, these guys are second to none, aren't they?'
That's why they killed my father from my past life at a peace conference and immediately invaded Riverune.
"Take it all first!"
"Hyaaaah!"
The Felton and Wolf Fang groups began to shower me with a pincer attack, as if they had never been fighting each other.
It was truly an insane act, befitting a city of outlaws.
But these rotten bastards picked the wrong opponent.
'When it comes to being crazy, I'm not one to be outdone.'
Them coming at me on their own actually feels pretty good.
Isn't this a chance to get my revenge out in the open?
I swung the Black Dragon Sword with gusto and began to slaughter them.
*Swish—! Th-th-thump!*
"Uwaaargh!"
"Kraaaagh!"
Bundles of pale gray aura flew at tremendous speed, piercing the bodies of my enemies.
The Felton and Wolf Fang members screamed as they fell like leaves.
At their level, there was no way they could block the second form of the Heaven-Severing Demonic Chain Sword.
It was when I had cut down roughly half of them.
"Strike!"