Chapter 57
Chapter 57
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 57
Chapter Title: Magic Tower (3)
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Lin stared down at Merrillda with an utterly incredulous expression.
"..."
As far as the Absolute Ruler of Darkness knew, beastkin were inherently aggressive and battle-loving by nature, with pride to match.
And among them, the Merrillda she knew had pride that stood out even more.
Once, she'd nearly come to blows with the Hero King himself just because he'd gotten under her skin a little.
She'd even clashed with the Absolute Ruler of Darkness a few times.
And that was just the start. Whenever her pride was wounded, she'd charge headlong into danger that could kill her without a second thought. She was the epitome of a beastkin who valued pride over life itself.
No, in a way, Merrillda's pride surpassed even the typical beastkin she knew.
While most beastkin would bend their pride against stronger foes, she never yielded, no matter how powerful the opponent.
So Lin had been absolutely certain Merrillda would never kneel before her.
At least, not the Merrillda she knew—she wasn't the type to bow her head.
But then...
"Ha...?"
As if she'd tossed that pride into the distant past, Merrillda flipped through the air in a triple somersault and slammed her head straight into the ground. The Absolute Ruler of Darkness couldn't help but wear a dumbfounded look.
"Step on me quick."
"No."
"Step on me quick...!"
"Hold on—"
"Step on me!!!"
Ku-du-duk—!
The Absolute Ruler of Darkness paled at the sight of Merrillda scraping her head along the ground like some farm tool, pushing toward her.
"You crazy bitch—!"
The words slipped out before she could stop them, but—
"Crazy bitch is fine, just step on me already! Hurry—!"
Merrillda shoved forward, her head reaching the Absolute Ruler's shoe, shouting desperately. Shivering in disgust, the Absolute Ruler pulled her foot back.
"Infamy!"
"...Infamy?"
"Yes, beastkin. You've gone that far, so I'll tell you as a special favor."
She brushed down her arms as if goosebumps had risen, then turned and walked away.
Not long after, Merrillda—still not dusting the dirt from her head—pondered Lin's words deeply.
"!"
She realized what they meant.
Her master couldn't accept her because of her infamy.
In other words, if she erased all her infamy, she'd get another chance to earn his affection...!
With a bright smile, Merrillda thought,
'Just erase the infamy...!'
But then,
'...Erase the infamy?'
She remembered.
All the territories she'd ravaged.
"...Huh?"
Merrillda's smile cracked.
Lartania territory's public order was steadily declining as time passed.
The reason was obvious: mercenaries flooding in like mad.
The labyrinth had only opened, and they were barely into the second week, but the rumors had spread far and wide. Mercenaries kept pouring into Lartania nonstop.
Estimates put the current number over 5,000.
In contrast, Lartania only had about 200 soldiers to maintain order—and subtracting those managing the first-floor rest area left just 120. Public order had no choice but to drop.
Mercenaries were rough by trade, after all.
The gradual decline accelerated sharply once their numbers topped 5,000.
Up until then, minor incidents had been manageable thanks to the territory's compact size within the walls and hard work from soldiers and Elena. But past 5,000, manpower shortages let accidents slip through.
Once guards failed to handle one incident, the rowdy mercenaries—embodying the broken windows theory in the flesh—started causing trouble everywhere.
"Hey, you wanna die?"
"Die? Wanna try it yourself?"
It began with light scuffles.
"Goddamn it, just refund me!"
"You've already slept here a night! Does skipping the inn fee make sense?!"
"Quit yapping. Seriously, just dunk your head in shit?"
"I-I'll call the guards!"
"Like those busy guard bastards will come, huh?!"
"U-Uwaaah—!"
Before long, it escalated to assaults.
In just days, the sudden spike in violence in the markets and residential areas sent the already plummeting security rating into a nosedive like a rollercoaster.
Yes. Right up until yesterday.
"...What's that?"
"Heard he assaulted a territory resident, then resisted the guards who came. Got locked up like that."
The next day, mercenaries and residents stared at the man caged in a wooden prison smack in the central square, gawked at like zoo animals. They soon spotted the words above the cage.
The mercenary confirmed the double-amputee collapsed unconscious below the massive sign.
"Hmm, even so, isn't that a bit much?"
The mercenary's skeptical tone.
Of course, he knew the caged mercenary was in the wrong.
But despite that, he defended him because they shared the same profession.
As a fellow mercenary, Lartania's hardline response grated a little.
The other mercenaries felt the same, their expressions subtly uneasy.
"Honestly, it's harsh, but take a closer look at that guy's face."
"His face?"
"Yeah. That's Kupa."
"...Kupa?"
At his comrade's words, the man recognized the prisoner as Kupa.
Kupa.
A hero chosen by the world, yet a troublemaker who stirred incidents across territories—mercenaries included, naturally.
"...If it's that problem child getting his comeuppance, not exactly pitiful."
"Right? And he resisted the guards. Can't be helped."
Nodding in understanding, the man asked,
"Fair, but how'd they catch Kupa? One of Lartania's heroes?"
"Nah, heard it was three guards."
"Three guards...? That possible?"
He doubted it because he knew Kupa's reputation.
As a world-chosen hero operating solo, Kupa was well-regarded among mercenaries for his skill.
So getting nabbed by three mere guards? Unbelievable. He pressed,
"Heard he ate a magic scroll."
"...Magic scroll? The ones starting at 10 gold each?"
"Yep."
Shocked, he glanced where his comrade pointed.
"...Real magic scrolls on their belts? Three each."
"Word is, all Lartania guards started carrying them recently."
"Every guard? I know their numbers are low, but that's feasible?"
"Honestly, hard to believe, but there they are. Even used ones."
"True enough."
They chatted, eyeing the guards' belts.
"But how can guards afford high-end magic scrolls?"
"Rumors say tight ties with the Magic Tower."
"...Magic Tower? Only four or five territories have close relations with them, right? All major ones."
"What else explains every guard packing that many? Territory's not even big."
"Fair... If they can equip all guards with scrolls, the lord must be cozy with the Magic Tower. Come to think of it, wasn't Lartania pretty strong 10 years ago?"
After chatting a while, the mercenaries dispersed.
"Anyway, better not stir trouble here. Could end up like that."
"Yeah."
From the edge of the lord's castle, Kim Hyunwoo watched with satisfaction.
"Impressive, my lord."
"Pardon?"
"Catching someone amid dropping security from mercenaries isn't easy. Didn't expect this method."
Adria, who'd been watching beside him, continued admiringly.
"Smart move. Nabbing a bad-rep guy with scroll magic and displaying him prevents sympathy votes among mercenaries, keeps their opinion from souring, and showcases the guards' strength."
"...You're right."
Truth be told, catching Kupa—a hero with poor rep among mercenaries—was coincidence, but Kim Hyunwoo aimed to restore order this way, as she said.
It avoided pity for Kupa.
Plus, imprinting the guards' power and spreading rumors of the lord's Magic Tower ties would bolster security for now.
Mercenaries didn't want beef with tower mages, after all.
'Still, mercenaries grew faster than expected. Gotta hire more guards.'
Turning to Adria, Kim Hyunwoo asked,
"So, what brings you here, Merchant Leader...?"
He asked because she'd visited Lartania just two days prior.
Specifically, to deliver magic scrolls requested from the tower.
'Wish I could get them via trade post.'
Unfortunately, these scrolls weren't available there, so he'd asked the Tiinus Merchant Group for regular deliveries.
Two days ago, he'd received them from her. Yet she'd dropped by yesterday too, and now today—three days straight.
Puzzled, he asked cautiously.
Staring at his face, Adria gave an awkward smile.
"Today, I have some words about Lartania's magic stones—"
It sounded oddly like an excuse.
"Ah, I see."
The next day, after chatting with Adria—who'd started staring piercingly at his face unlike before.
"Um... Hello, my lord?"
"Ah, yes... Hello, Merchant Leader...?"
Facing Adria's return visit, Kim Hyunwoo couldn't help but imagine a hook dangling over his head.
Pok! Pok!
"...!? Why the sudden head-pats?"
Startled by Adria suddenly tapping his head, he asked in confusion.
"Ah, haha. It's just... a bit noisy."
"...???"
He could only stare at her awkward response in bewilderment.