44 – Counterattack
＜Chapter 44 – Counterattack＞
“I am Inon. Who are you?”
“Me? I am a knight of the Frontier.”
“Why did someone who can be a knight come all the way here? And why are you looking for me?”
“Madam is looking for you.”
If the knight of the Frontier is someone who can be called Madam…
“Is it Brilda?”
Brilda Frontier.
The Hostess of the Frontier.
And the Lord’s enemy.
“Why is the Hostess of the Frontier looking for mercenaries?”
“As you said… You don’t need to know about mercenaries. Just come with me.”
Listening to the knight’s words, Inon continued to ponder.
Whether to follow or refuse.
If they continue to insist, should they fight?
Generally, a knight is stronger than a mercenary.
“But considering the current situation…”
20 mercenaries vs 1 knight
They are not just ordinary mercenaries.
They all know how to use mana.
“Even if I fight, I might win, but…”
They excluded the possibility of combat.
The danger was too great.
Being dragged along obediently could worsen the situation.
As Inon was contemplating, a messenger entered their field of vision.
“No matter how much the Hostess is looking for you, you can’t go.”
“What did you say!? How dare you refuse the Lady’s command!”
Eunon put the sword back in its scabbard.
Then he raised both hands and shrugged his shoulders.
“Noble commands are important to knights, but what could be important to a mercenary like me? The only thing that matters to me is quickly selling the troll blood that I have accumulated.”
“You bastard…”
The knight lowered his stance and gripped the hilt of his sword.
With the knight’s skill, he could close the distance and attack immediately.
Eunon also lowered his stance.
“He’s quite hot-tempered. What should I do…”
It wasn’t easy to resolve this through conversation.
“Should I just follow him after all?”
Combat is the worst option.
Defeating the knight won’t solve anything.
As Eunon was about to make up his mind and speak,
“Stop.”
A woman’s voice echoed from the forest.
Eunon felt a chill run down his spine.
He hadn’t heard any signs of someone else besides the knight.
“Were there others? When did they approach?”
From Noble mtl dot com
Even after hearing the voice, he couldn’t pinpoint the exact location.
The only fortunate thing was that the knight relaxed his attacking stance in response to the woman’s voice.
“A woman who can command the knights of the Frontier. A skill to hide her popularity from the experts.”
It was impossible to guess who she was.
“Dispose of the contraband and come straight to the Frontier mansion. We cannot keep the lady waiting for long.”
The knight didn’t even listen to the response.
As if there could be no refusal.
Step. Step.
Step. Step.
Ilnon closed her eyes and focused.
She could clearly hear the sound of the knight’s footsteps.
In which direction,
How far the distance,
She felt it all.
“Where on earth is the woman? How can’t I even hear a small sound?”
“Commander, what should we do?”
“Everyone, rest. As soon as it gets bright, we will return to the outpost.”
**
**
Alf Village.
Outskirts farmland.
Kneeling devoutly, hands clasped together.
‘Magic Removal’
I felt the magic dissipating from the surrounding earth.
‘Magic Removal’
‘Magic Removal’
‘…’
After changing positions several times, I used the skill.
Having consumed mana like that, I stood up.
‘It’s definitely more efficient.’
With the transformation of Earth Recovery into Magic Removal, it specialized in ‘magic.’
Perhaps that’s why the efficiency increased even considering the rise in levels.
“After a short break, over there…”
While deciding on the order to remove the next magic,
A group of mercenaries approaching the village came into view.
At the forefront was Ilyon.
I brushed off the dirt on my knees and walked towards them.
“Lord… Elwin, greetings.”
Ilyon began to say “Lord” but, glancing at the surroundings, he called out the name.
“How was the hunt?”
“We subjugated numerous trolls. As you can see, we also managed to collect a lot of troll blood.”
Casual conversation ensued, and Ilyon once again surveyed the surroundings.
And then, he lowered his voice.
To the point that even I, who was right in front, could barely hear.
“I have something important to tell you.”
“Come to the central temple in one hour.”
“Understood.”
As Inon and the mercenaries entered the village,
I also organized my surroundings.
Because Inon’s atmosphere was unusual.
One hour later,
Central Temple of Alp Village.
Inside the temple.
There, I met with Inon.
“So, a knight from the Frontier came looking for you? All the way to the Troll region?”
“Yes.”
“And Brilda asked to see you?”
“Yes.”
Why was Brilda looking for Inon?
No, there was something else to confirm first.
“What was the impression of the knight?”
“He was quite tall and robust. A rugged appearance, and a temperament inclined towards violence.”
I asked several more times and could make an educated guess as to who it was.
“Like Pauron.”
Pauron.
A knight of the frontier.
But, he was different from the usual frontier knights.
He was the knight who had come along when Breelda got married.
If Pauron moved, it was at Breelda’s behest.
However…
“You heard a woman’s voice, right? And Pauron followed her?”
“Yes. The hierarchy seemed clear. Besides, there was no sign of popularity from the woman. Either she was exceptionally skilled, or…”
“Or?”
“She could be professionally skilled in concealment.”
Even after hearing Eion’s explanation, no one came to mind.
In the frontier, apart from Breelda, no woman came to mind to issue orders to Pauron.
Even contemplating here, the identity of the woman remained elusive.
So, we moved on to the next topic.
“I don’t know who the woman is either. Why was Breelda looking for you?”
“She didn’t say.”
If there was a reason Breelda was looking for Eion, it would likely be because of me.
To disrupt what I’m doing, or,
Or I could even plan an assassination.
Alternatively, I could start building a friendship now and wait for the opportune moment.
Innocent was the largest mercenary group in Ireland.
“Sell the monster products and go straight to Breda.”
“Yes?”
This is an opportunity.
Until now, Breda only realized and responded to Innocent’s plans after they were executed.
But this time, I knew in advance.
I even approached her subordinate, Inon.
“Meet Breda and find out what she’s planning. Also, investigate her backers.”
Breda has gained control over the Frontier’s divine messengers.
And overwhelmingly so.
How was that possible?
Just with her skills alone?
Perhaps there is someone backing her.
“It shall be done, my lord.”
Inon knelt down and performed the knight’s salute.
Looking at him, one thought came to mind.
What is crucial for a concubine?
Skill.
And loyalty.
One cannot immediately enhance their skill.
All I can say is to be cautious.
“When you go to the mansion, be careful with the maid Anna.”
“The maid, you say?”
“Do not underestimate her just because she’s a maid. She’s a clever woman.”
Memories from the banquet hall flashed in my mind.
Anna’s direct confrontation with my words.
‘She was quite sharp.’
“And be cautious with unknown women. If it seems problematic, there’s no need to investigate Brilda’s background.”
“Understood.”
What about loyalty then?
Once you become a concubine, you’ll meet Brilda.
You can receive good rewards from her.
Human relationships will also develop there.
Still, will she follow me?
Even in a situation closer to Brilda than me?
‘I will follow.’
Since I am connected through the goddess with Inon.
“Inon, how do you find this temple? Do you like it?”
Inon unfolded his knees and stood up.
Then he looked around.
“It feels different from Terra. The goddess will be pleased.”
“Yeah, we’ll build villages in the other two outposts too. We’ll construct a large temple in the center.”
“When I see you, my lord, I feel inadequate.”
“Inadequate?”
Inon’s gaze turned to the goddess’s statue.
“I heard you kneel and pray to the ground every day. And you even build such a huge temple. Your faith, my lord, is like the sea.”
“Uh… yeah… thanks. Join in the construction of the third temple as well. Let’s create a magnificent temple.”
“Understood! My lord! I will definitely complete this mission!!”
Inon saluted and left the temple.
‘This time will be different. Mother.’
When Inon was far enough,
I also left the temple.
There will be a lot to prepare for.
**
Iyon gathered a few trustworthy mercenaries and headed towards the heart of the frontier.
As he made his way there, he pondered.
How could he perfectly carry out his lord’s orders?
“Although my lord advised against it, I will definitely succeed. After I succeed, I will pray with my lord at the temple.”
Iyon thought more intensely than he ever had before.
The conclusion he reached was,
“I have to be a bit rough. I need to make it difficult for others to approach me. Even that maid, Ana, needs to be restrained…”
“Captain, we have arrived at the noble’s mansion.”
He raised his head at the soldier’s voice.
In front of him, the noble’s mansion came into view.
“I am the mercenary, Iyon. I am the mercenary, Iyon.”
He repeated to himself several times.
Then he spat on the ground.
“Ptah! Huh!”
“Captain?”
“You all should be a bit noisy too. Just enough to be rough mercenaries. But not too much.”
“Ah… understood.”
Iyon approached the mansion.
As he did so, he messed up his neatly styled hair.
“Look here! I heard the master of the house is looking for me! Open the door immediately!”
The security guard guided them into the reception room of the mansion.
As they waited there,
a maid entered.
“I will guide you to the mistress.”
“Tsk. Hmph! I went to the trouble of calling you, and you make people wait.”
Ineon spoke with an annoyed tone.
Then, he stood up and approached the maid.
“But, what’s your name, girl?”
The maid did not avoid Ineon’s gaze.
“I am Anna, the mistress’s personal maid.”
