After the capital invasion (2)
We moved to a quiet garden to talk.
“I heard the story. He went to Jeron this time and did a great job.”
Formal, well-groomed attire and oiled hair pulled back in an all-back style.
The man in his late 30s, who introduced himself as Patrick, had the impression that he looked more like a civil servant than a mercenary.
“As you may know, our guild is in a state of confusion as the mercenary king, Kanble, died in battle this time.”
It could be dismissed as the head of a group of mercenaries, but the position of the mercenary king on this continent was not that light.
In this world where monsters and bandits are commonplace, mercenaries were a job that could be seen everywhere.
Naturally, they needed a group to represent their interests, and so many small guilds sprung up all over the place.
And it was the first mercenary king 300 years ago that united the scattered guilds and united their powers to establish the current system.
Based on his transcendent military power and continental influence through guilds, he was recognized as the title of ‘king’ by other forces.
To the mercenaries, he is a great man like a legend.
‘I was also a member of the death squad that defeated the 2nd Immortal King.’
However, as is well known, the end of the death squad was not so good.
The mercenary king also somehow survived until the last battle, but in the end he too was killed in action at the place where the great temple of Pikaol was built where the holy sword was sealed.
Later, to honor him, the mercenary guild began inheriting the title of ‘Mercenary King’, and as other forces tolerated it, it became a tradition as it is now.
‘That’s why the mercenary king can’t be removed from the fight against the immortal king. If Kanble hadn’t been killed by Hans then, he would have volunteered for the warriors’ party to cry and eat mustard. Or retire altogether.’
Regardless of whether Heinrich accepted it or not.
“Since then, the position of the mercenary king has become vacant, and the situation has become very complicated. The biggest faction in the guild lost most of its influence with the deaths of Master Kable and Master Peyton, and it would be normal for another faction that absorbed that power to come up with the next mercenary king…”
Patrick, who spoke calmly, smiled meaningfully.
“If you become the mercenary king, you have to somehow join the death squad. Even if the Holy Son refuses to participate, it will also lead to controversy over qualifications, so we are not able to step forward recklessly.”
In the end, it was said that they were only looking at each other.
“Sniff! So what do you mean? Why are you suddenly saying that to me?”
Harley knew the man in front of him well.
Of course, he was also included in the delegation, so the investigation was already over.
The secretary general of the mercenary guild was a position directly appointed by the mercenary king, and he had only recently risen to the position following the retired former president.
In other words, he was a close aide to Kable and at the same time a member of what was said to be the biggest faction in the guild.
As he himself said, the now obsolete faction.
‘Actually, this person is also quite dangerous. If I had been outside the barrier when Hans attacked the Great Hall, I would have dealt with it together.’
As a result of collating the contents of various investigations, he tended to settle what had happened according to orders from above, rather than committing evil deeds first.
You can see him as a typical yes man.
However, it was said that he did a good job enough to be trusted by the bad guy, so he couldn’t be completely innocent.
“Haley-sama voluntarily participated in the fight against the Immortal King Hans this time.”
“Ah, they say I’m stronger than that hero, so it’s really itchy! Well… it sure is strong. I thought I could feed you one shot though!”
“No, apart from that achievement, Lady Harley has already demonstrated sufficient valor and strength. Even the Holy Son has already acknowledged that.”
At that time, his eyes, which had been talking calmly from beginning to end, flashed sharply.
“Harley, are you not interested in becoming the mercenary king?”
“… Hoo?”
Harley was able to clearly see the man’s intentions.
‘Are you going to throw away the rotten line and change the line?’
Due to the situation, he still maintains his position, but he was destined to be dismissed as soon as the next mercenary king was elected.
After suffering for a long time, he finally made it to that position, so it is inevitable for him to feel unfair.
So, it seems that the breakthrough they found was Harley, who did not belong to a specific faction, but whose power was proven.
‘Come to think of it, it was after Canble died that he recommended Harley. The secretary-general would be familiar with the information of each branch… Do you mean to become a kingmaker and maintain power?’
Due to its nature, the mercenary guild’s primary value was military force, but since it was an organization that had been going on for over 300 years, of course the political side could not be ignored.
However, what if Patrick’s authority, who still maintains the position of general secretary, is added to Harley, who has sufficient force but no foundation within the guild?
“hahahaha! Are you the mercenary king? What an interesting suggestion! Would you like to share more details?”
There was no need to turn down the opportunity.
***
The ultimate spell that can only be used by warlocks who have reached transcendence, the ‘Eternal Labyrinth’.
Its interior was like a small, isolated world, and it was impossible to escape unless certain conditions were satisfied, and the exterior surrounding it was also unblemished unless it was an attack that cut through dimensions.
Also, it was possible to manipulate all parts at will, but normally it was a function used to exclude intruders, befitting the name Labyrinth…
‘It’s nice.’
Hans actively utilized it for housing to decorate his own castle.
“Huup—!”
“…!”
Black bricks that seem to absorb even the light, bloody decorations such as demons and skulls engraved everywhere, and spiers that are tall and pointed like thorns.
The sky over the castle was covered with black dark clouds, and a dreary wind was blowing with a thick black fog covering the surroundings.
[Kyaaah—!]
Less, less!
In addition, with the addition of the ghost castle and the undead army to the end of the dragon, the demon castle with an awesome atmosphere was completed.
[Keukeu— You better not even think about running away. I can’t even go out anyway, but I mean.]
After giving a low warning to the two captive imperial family members, Hans went inside, feeling proud of their reaction.
The interior also had a basic interior that was no different from the exterior, but unlike the outside, a separate space was provided for living creatures.
“Oh, come! King!”
“Ahh-! Judge of this immoral world!”
“Ugh… blood and death…”
because of these guys.
A black magician who kidnapped villagers and experimented on human bodies, a dark warrior who went mad with slaughter due to excessive use of black magic, a demon follower who offered living sacrifices to summon a high-ranking demon, and a second coming immortal king who would serve as a god and spread death to the world. is a fanatic, etc…
They were lumps of cancer in the world that Hans had been diligently collecting, causing problems all over the continent.
At a glance, the two royal families, who had never seen such a race before, froze as they were in a group of people who were not normal at first glance.
‘Hmm, leaving them with them isn’t such a good choice. Should I make a separate quarantine area?’
This was a space entirely under his control.
When the will arises, the phenomenon occurs immediately.
Before they knew it, they were standing in a separate residential space from where they had been before.
And the person responsible for monitoring and assisting them for a while…
“Ugh, how did it happen in such a desolate place…”
“It’s noisy, Andrew. Because I really want to cry.”
It was Andrew Weaver, the Awakener of Earth, and Cyana, the succubus, who eventually came to the Devil’s Castle.
‘Because Siana is also excellent at disguise. It means that there was no talent like her to be in charge of Princess Riley.’
They say that it’s okay for the prince to just keep breathing, but isn’t it very embarrassing to treat the princess who was brought in unintentionally like that?
…I feel sorry to see Lee Se-ah, who is sighing and sighing next to Heinrich.
‘Hmm—after all, it’s no use keeping the princess in an environment like this for a long time. I’ll have to come up with a liberation scenario soon.’
In fact, I already had something else in mind.
It was an exquisite way to use this opportunity to buy the favor of the princess and the archmage at the same time, while being useful to herself, and using it most efficiently.
***
‘It’s a piece of shit.’
Heinrich, who had visited the imperial palace to discuss the future and come up with countermeasures, shook his head involuntarily as he left the meeting room.
Although he expected it to some extent, the aftermath of Hans’ invasion of the capital was more serious than he thought.
First of all, many influential people living in the capital suffered considerable damage, and among them, not a few lost their lives.
In a situation where even that alone could be said to be a huge damage, even the life and death of the two members of the royal family, who were closest to the next emperor, could not be grasped at the same time.
Even the emperor, who had been watching his successors to pass on the throne, was taken aback by that fact…
It was also natural that the crew members of the ship whose captain had disappeared began shaking and checking the liver.
The faction of the crown prince who had the largest power centering on the conservative forces with the advantage of time.
The faction of the 5th princess, which rapidly increased in size, led by emerging aristocrats with outstanding intelligence and political power.
And even the 2nd prince, who had already been pushed out of the mainstream, and the 6th prince, who had not been able to stretch their nerves, who started moving at the right time for an opportunity.
Perhaps the longer this situation lasts, the more chaotic the political situation will be.
Apart from the Immortal King, only because of their greed for power.
“Whoa— I’m sorry, saint. It’s a bit late because I’ve been comforting our people for a while.”
And it was she, Isea Pristine, who was making every effort to minimize the departure of the faction of the 5th princess.
Although she had a lower rank compared to her realm as she had not made any significant achievements yet, as she was the closest aide to the 5th princess and also a powerful archmage, her right to speak within the faction could never be ignored.
‘It’s supposed to be in case the princess comes back later. I’ve been trying to save it, but if it’s gone, that’s going to be a problem.’
Seeing him take care of the things he had to do step by step even though he must have been in a lot of haste, he was as cool-headed as a great wizard.
“So, saint? When are you going to attack the Immortal King? ah! First of all, I think we need to recruit people who will join us, but if you leave it to me, I will personally bring people who can be useful from each country… No, I will bring them.”
The lines he uttered with that calm voice were not cool at all, but this was a minor problem.
“I have already deliberately selected a few minutes. I don’t think anyone wants to take this job as mobility and mutual agreement are very important. In the end, you will have to fight alongside the Immortal King.”
“···Is that so. Too bad.”
Seah Lee lightly licks her lips with an expressionless face.
It also seemed a bit overdone.
“By the way, saint? I don’t doubt it, but are you sure you’re okay? Responding to an attack without any warning or foreshadowing. In fact, the Holy Son gave us a warning in advance about this incident, but in the end it turned out this way due to a lack of preparation…”
As Heinrich and I walked down the aisle side by side, she sighed worriedly.
Looking back on it, it seems that I regretted going out that day.
“it’s okay.”
And to her worrying words, he answered firmly in a voice full of conviction.
“I didn’t make that suggestion to him for nothing. As long as the Lord illuminates the way, everything will flow as it should. …I’m still lacking a lot, so I can’t say for sure that I can respond to all situations.”
Faithful cleric… More blatantly, the fanatic gimmick was so convenient that it could crush any doubts.
It is because the opponent cannot recklessly dispute the authority of the main god and saint.
Of course, I didn’t forget to make a hole to escape later by lightly attaching a word at the end.
“ah! And the princess should be able to come back safely soon. It feels that way. My intuition is fairly accurate, so you can trust it.”
“I really wish that was the case. I wonder if that child will be able to survive in such an environment. There are a lot of secretly hidden foods… Oh! sorry. Please pretend you didn’t hear this.”
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Muttering something more like a mother than a sister, she flinched and tapped her mouth lightly.
Although, considering the looks of Lee Se-ah, who looks like a middle school student, and Princess Riley, a mature woman, there is a considerable gap between them.
‘Anyway, then let’s break down the intrusive things in earnest!’
After the event of joining the party of the kidnapped princess and the archmage.
Starting with a heinous thought to be the hero’s innermost heart, ‘Home Theater’ smoothly entered the next chapter.
