Chapter 160
Chapter 160
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: Vine
Chapter: 160
Chapter Title: Forced Cooperation
-----------------------------------------------------------------
One of the knights who had come to support Azis reprimanded me.
“Can't you see the situation? If you truly wish to speak with him, come back later.”
Strangely, I didn't point out his utterly atrocious tone.
I suppose that was because I was too strong.
“That's enough. It's not a serious injury anyway. You men go and help with the cleanup.”
“But, sir...”
“I said I'm fine.”
“Then we will take our leave.”
As Azis nodded with a solemn expression, the knights finally departed.
Watching the scene unfold, I let out a small scoff.
“You don't actually think of those guys as your real subordinates, do you?”
“Their decorum is a bit excessive.”
“As someone who... no, just as a passerby, let me give you a piece of advice. Guys like that are the first to betray you.”
I almost let it slip.
This is why old habits are so scary.
“I'll keep that in mind. But why have you been speaking so informally to me? This is our first meeting, and I appear to be your senior.”
“...”
Once I'd spoken harshly, the informal speech just started flowing.
We were on pretty familiar terms in my past life, after all.
Besides, it chafed me to have to speak respectfully to this rotten bastard.
“Then you can speak informally too. I've always lived a rough life. If you don't believe me, ask my family.”
“...”
My brazen response left Azis speechless.
He seemed to think I was some kind of madman.
“I am more comfortable this way, so I will continue as I have.”
“So, are we done with the small talk? Can we get to the point?”
“There isn't much to tell, really. We received a request from the Head of Rantzverger about two years ago and were dispatched here.”
Azis began his story, gazing into the air as if reminiscing about the past.
For the first six months, the Felton knights struggled to adapt.
From the demonic energy to the combat and supplies.
Nothing was easy.
Claude of the Black Sand merely assisted them for a while before suddenly departing.
Leaving them with the words to hold out for two years.
‘That roughly coincides with when the Head returned.’
The summons, followed by the dispatch to Venderford.
It seemed Claude was searching for another way to defend the Island of the Dead.
But at the same time, I couldn't help but wonder.
“But why isn't something this important being done publicly?”
“That is... because *they* are not yet aware of our presence.”
“*They*?”
Instead of answering, Azis pointed to the eastern sky, where the moon was peeking out.
I understood his meaning immediately.
“Are you talking about the mysterious beings sending the Golems from across the sea?”
“Precisely. You catch on quickly.”
“Why can't they find out?”
“Because it would trigger an all-out war. They believe they are taking over the Livius continent in secret.”
“So while a small force contains the spread of demonic energy, the continent builds its strength?”
“Exactly. Territorial disputes have likely decreased significantly. Have you not noticed?”
It was true; all the recent wars I'd experienced had been civil wars.
Moreover, Felton and Rantzverger were always feuding over territory.
As a result, it would have been normal for local skirmishes to frequently break out in the Luberick territory and the four autonomous districts.
Now that he mentioned it, there had been no such news recently.
If what Azis said was true, it seemed the two families had reached a perfect accord.
‘It's a pretty convincing story.’
I found myself nodding, but that didn't mean all my questions were answered.
I gestured toward the Felton knights, who looked little better than a defeated army, and spoke.
“But you know, your forces seem far too weak to be defending the Island of the Dead.”
“Hmm.”
As if I'd struck a nerve, Azis let out a low groan.
I soon found a clue in the direction of his gaze.
‘He definitely told Kamil not to make any mistakes.’
It seemed that guy had caused some kind of incident while fending off the Golems.
Anyone with manners would not have pressed the issue further.
But I had no intention of being polite.
They were my enemies anyway, so why should I cut them any slack?
“Kamil Felton, the third son of the direct line.”
“As expected of someone from Rantzverger, you are well-informed.”
“He doesn't seem like the type to make mistakes, though.”
Kamil had moved with extreme caution during the battle.
Even when Azis was struck by a counterattack and sent flying, he focused on maintaining the formation.
No, he hadn't even spared a glance, remaining engrossed in his duty.
To be honest, he seemed far more competent than the other Felton riffraff.
“He took command of the dispatched unit while I was away, and we suffered considerable losses. It was a rash action.”
Azis glanced toward the edge of the pit.
There lay the dozens of graves I had discovered with Rhys Ganiol.
“That created a gap in our forces. Reinforcements will arrive soon, but the situation is a bit precarious.”
“Still, it didn't seem like you were unable to hold them off.”
“Sometimes the cycle of the Demonic Illusions shortens, or two appear at once. If that were to happen...”
“You'd probably be wiped out.”
He had trailed off, likely trying to avoid saying something ominous.
But no such luck.
I immediately followed up with a sharp dose of reality.
Rubbing salt in the wound, so to speak.
“By the way, can I say one more thing?”
“What is it?”
“Doesn't Felton's third son lack command authority in the first place?”
“That is correct. Though he is of the direct line, he joined as a common knight. It is part of his training.”
“If he has no authority, he has no responsibility, right? Seems to me it's the fault of the commander who was absent in the first place. If a Golem suddenly appeared, someone had to take command.”
“...”
Ah, did I cut too deep this time?
It wouldn't be an exaggeration to say I had beaten him senseless with words.
Azis stood there with his mouth agape, unable to say a word.
I was almost worried a bug might fly in.
‘Somehow, I ended up defending Kamil.’
If I was going to take a side, it was better to support my new friend over a traitor.
Now that I had the full story, there was no reason to waste any more words on this rotten bastard.
Though it was hard to believe Claude of the Black Sand was acting as the continent's protector.
I tossed my final request at Azis.
“If you get something... you know how it goes, right?”
“What do you want?”
“Lend me some manpower. You said having more people prevents being entranced by the demonic energy, right?”
“To be precise, it lowers the probability. Because someone can snap you out of it.”
“Whatever. Are you going to give them to me or not?”
“...I suppose I must.”
Watching Azis's stiff face as he nodded heavily, I smiled with satisfaction.
It felt as if I'd just landed a serious punch right in his gut.
Whether with fists or words, beating someone down is always refreshing.
* * *
The so-called manpower Azis provided consisted of a mere two men.
It was a decision made in consideration of the Golem attack cycle, which could shift at any moment.
‘But why this guy, of all people?’
Coincidentally, one of them was Kamil Felton, my friend from my time as Ray Carter.
Well, that part was fine.
The other one was the problem.
He was the sycophant who had rushed over first when Azis was knocked down.
“It's an unwelcome assignment, but let's get along. Just call me Johnson.”
Johnson introduced himself with a swagger.
His expression seemed to ask why he was being dragged into this useless business instead of helping out back there.
To others, that might have seemed like a huge leap in logic.
But just look at his face, like he'd just chewed on shit.
Even if that wasn't his exact thought, it was clear he was extremely dissatisfied.
Kamil, on the other hand, seemed to have no thoughts on the matter.
“Hey.”
When our eyes met, he gave a slight nod, just as he always did.
‘He's treating me the same way he did back in Venderford?’
It seemed he acted like that with everyone.
“You said four would be enough, so it shouldn't be dangerous. Let's finish this as quickly as possible and return.”
Rhys Ganiol rubbed his palms together, his face wreathed in a smile.
The mission had essentially been a complete failure, forcing them to start over from scratch.
The inadequate investigation of the Island of the Dead was a clear mistake.
Honestly, it was grounds for disciplinary action.
For Vice-Captain Rhys, this must have felt like a ray of light in the darkness.
“So, where are we going? I've lived here for two years and haven't seen a single building.”
Johnson asked, his tone full of discontent.
He still seemed to doubt the mission itself.
But Rhys Ganiol began to explain calmly.
“According to Young Lord Azis, they've never been to the center of the island. They had no reason to go that far in.”
“I suppose just stopping the Golems on the coast would have been a handful.”
As I chimed in to agree with the Vice-Captain, Johnson immediately reacted.
He seemed offended by the suggestion that the Felton knights had struggled.
“What?”
“I wasn't trying to criticize you. I was just stating a fact. Why the sudden attitude?”
“You...!”
“If it weren't for me today, you all would have taken a huge hit. All because someone broke formation without permission.”
My speech had shifted to an informal tone without me noticing.
No need to be respectful to trash like this.
At the mention of how he had severely hindered the mission, Johnson's face turned beet red.
I think I knew why this guy was assigned as support.
Azis was probably annoyed by this classic opportunist too.
So he took this chance to get rid of him along with Kamil, who was also a thorn in his side.
‘I helped him out a lot, but this is too much. He could have at least sent someone useful.’
I briefly considered going back to protest, but it didn't seem like it would change anything.
If I were in his shoes, I probably would have made a similar decision.
“Damn it!”
Unable to find a comeback, Johnson cursed and clenched his fists.
He looked ready to throw a punch at any moment.
But he never got the chance.
Because I beat him to it.
*Thwack—!*
Using Soul Shadow Evasion, I moved behind Johnson, somersaulted, and delivered a spectacular kick.
His eyes rolled back as he crumpled forward.
A chilling silence fell over the area.
Rhys Ganiol's eyes widened in disbelief, and even Kamil looked startled.
But I turned to them and said calmly.
“He was entranced by the demonic energy.”
“...”
“I'm serious.”
I offered my heartfelt explanation, but no one believed me.