Chapter 379: To Think You’d Be Here (1)
No one knew the exact moment when the period of calamity began in the previous life.
It was because strange and unknown monsters had suddenly started running rampant across the continent.
One thing was certain, though: it happened after the civil war in Ritania had ended and the Ducal Family began developing the Forest of Beasts.
At that time, I was living as a mercenary, ceaselessly honing my skills. It was only after significant exploits during the period of calamity that I could ascend to the position of King of Mercenaries.
‘The timing aligns too perfectly, almost unnervingly so.’
Without a doubt, I had changed the future. I had defeated Count Desmond and claimed dominion over the North.
Because of me, wars that hadn’t occurred in my previous life broke out, and countless things shifted. As such, people believed that I had hastened the civil war.
‘That much is true, but…’
Looking at the current situation, it was evident that I had indeed accelerated the civil war. However, when compared to my past life, the timing of the war was almost identical.
Due to the drought, the Royalist faction, which had already been weakened, was completely crushed during this period.
‘In my previous life, the Ducal Family easily wiped out the Royalist faction, which should’ve been significantly weakened by now.’
But this time, the Ducal Family’s intervention wasn’t because the Royalists had weakened. It was because I had disrupted their plans, leaving them no choice but to act.
Though my actions had accelerated events, I had also delayed the timing by aiding the Royalist faction during the drought.
It was as though events destined to happen could not be avoided, no matter the effort.
‘This actually works in my favor.’
As long as the future wasn’t completely derailed, I could still maintain control over the situation.
Preparing not only for the civil war but also for the upcoming period of calamity was part of that effort.
Before that time arrived, I needed to eliminate all those who posed a threat.
“Hurry and make your decision.”
“Hmm…”
At my urging, the Marquis of Branford let out a low groan.
He was a nobleman with a profound sense of honor and pride. Never once had he acted without just cause, which was why he was so respected by the kingdom’s nobility.
For a man like Marquis Branford, attacking someone without a valid reason was no easy task.
Surprisingly, Maurice, the embodiment of simplicity, was better suited for matters like this.
“What’s there to think about? They’re bad guys, right? Let’s just take them down! I’ll take full responsibility!”
Having received plenty of gifts, Maurice was in such high spirits that he seemed ready to take on anyone I asked him to.
I subtly chimed in as well.
“If the Marquis finds it troublesome, I can lead my forces to clean up the capital first.”
“……”
The Marquis of Branford chuckled faintly. Such a notion was absurd. How was this any different from making him a figurehead while I acted independently?
‘A time to prove strength…’
Fighting was inevitable. If anything, striking first at suspicious individuals was more efficient.
‘This is an opportunity to strengthen royal authority.’
True to his seasoned political acumen, he was already considering additional gains. Displaying power without justification would instill fear in many. That fear would serve as the foundation for elevating royal authority.
All he needed to do was abandon his convictions and honor. Even if he earned the stigma of being a servant who stood above the king, so be it.
“I’ll distribute the list. Strike them immediately before they catch on. Notify the lords of each territory as well.”
As the Marquis of Branford reached his decision, I smiled. Meanwhile, the Royalist nobles wore tense expressions.
After all, this meant that swords would now be wielded without any pretense of legitimacy.
Only Maurice cheered exuberantly.
“Gather the men! Let’s hit them all at once!”
He sprang into action, brimming with enthusiasm, and the other Royalist nobles followed his lead.
The Marquis of Branford, shaking his head a few times, turned to me with a weary expression.
“It seems you still have more to say.”
“Yes, I do have a request.”
“……”
Of course, this man never gave anything for free. What would he demand this time?
Sure enough, I grinned slyly as I spoke.
“Please give me a single gift.”
“…What is it?”
“I’d like to obtain a fragment of a Dragon Heart from the royal treasury.”
“……”
It wasn’t even a secret that the royal family possessed fragments of a Dragon Heart. Among the royal treasures, the fragments were considered the highest-grade artifacts.
Even the Ritania Kingdom, with its long history, had managed to secure only one Dragon Heart. Since humans couldn’t absorb it in its entirety, it had been split into fragments, passed down to loyal retainers over generations.
“That is a treasure that can only be given to those who have pledged their absolute loyalty to the royal family.”
“It is not something just anyone can receive, even if they pledge loyalty. It is given only to those who truly need it.”
In this generation, the royal family’s Sword Master and the Tower Master of the Royal Magic Tower had been granted fragments of the Dragon Heart.
In any case, it was not something that could be given to Ghislain. Not only was he not the type to pledge loyalty to the royal family, but his territory was also geographically distant from the royal court.
Ghislain spoke, sounding exasperated.
“This isn’t the time to be stingy about such things. We need to strengthen our forces, even if it’s just one person.”
“You’re already a master. Must you harbor such greed?”
“It’s not for me.”
“Then who do you intend to give it to?”
“You’re aware that there’s a 6th-circle mage in my territory, aren’t you? They have the talent to surpass the barrier to the 7th circle, but they lack the necessary mana. Without something like a Dragon Heart fragment, that problem cannot be resolved.”
“Hmm…”
“The Ducal Family has Count Balzac and Elois. On top of that, they have many outstanding knights and mages under their command. In terms of both the quality and quantity of forces, we cannot overwhelm the Ducal Family. We need at least one more transcendent individual.”
“Hmm… But there’s no guarantee that they’ll overcome the barrier to the 7th circle.”
The royal Sword Master had overcome the barrier with the fragment. However, the Tower Master of the Royal Magic Tower, even after receiving the fragment, failed to surpass the 7th circle.
That mage had ended up as a 6th-circle mage with an excessive amount of mana.
Ghislain spoke firmly.
“They will definitely succeed. They already have enough insight and knowledge. The only thing lacking is the mana to break through the barrier.”
In his past life, Vanessa had reached the 7th circle despite practicing an inferior mana cultivation method. When it came to magical talent, she was second to none on the continent.
The Marquis of Branford also knew that Vanessa, as a 6th-circle mage, was unusually young. Such a prodigy was rare in the kingdom’s history.
Still, he was reluctant to grant her a royal treasure.
What if that blockhead Ghislain, already a master, had a subordinate at the 7th circle? After eliminating the Ducal Family, no one would be able to stop him. The thought alone was horrifying.
“Oh, come on. Are you really going to do this? After I’ve brought you such a grand gift this time?”
“……”
“I told you, it’s for the war effort, the WAR EFFORT!”
“……”
“If you don’t accept this, waging the war will be tough.”
“……”
Ghislain persisted with almost unbearable tenacity, pressuring the Marquis of Branford.
With a sigh, the Marquis relented. This was a man who would keep pestering until he got what he wanted.
Besides, while he was a troublemaker, he was certainly not interested in the throne. To fight the Ducal Family, having one more powerful ally would be beneficial.
“Fine. I’ll consult with my chancellor and procure the fragment as soon as possible. Just wait for a few days.”
“Thank you!”
Ghislain’s smile was bright for the first time in a while.
Vanessa, a 6th-circle mage, would be able to absorb the fragment and ascend to the 7th circle.
“Well then, while I wait, I’ll assist with clearing out the capital. Let me know if you need additional troops.”
“…Do as you please.”
With a tired wave of his hand, the Marquis dismissed him.
As always, Ghislain had managed to secure exactly what he wanted.
—
“My lady, it’s been a while. What can I do for you? Is there something you require?”
Jeffrey, the head of the Kellia Merchant Guild, greeted Rosalyn with a sly smile.
As the leader of a guild based in the eastern region, Jeffrey primarily dealt in trade between the East and the capital. As such, he frequently resided in the capital.
He also conducted a great deal of business with the Marquis of Branford’s household. Given the number of organizations under Rosalyn’s leadership, her group required many supplies.
Snap.
Unfolding her fan to hide her face below the eyes, Rosalyn spoke.
“You’ve made quite a profit thanks to us, haven’t you?”
“Pardon? Ah… Doing business with the Marquis’ household is always an honor. Thanks to your grace, my guild has been able to operate as it has. I’m always grateful.”
Though Rosalyn’s tone carried a sharp edge, Jeffrey replied smoothly.
Rosalyn smirked and continued.
“The dealings end today.”
“…Pardon? What do you mean?”
“The Kellia Merchant Guild will be closing its doors as of today. All assets in the East belonging to your guild will be seized by the Marquis’ household.”
“What… What are you saying?!”
Jeffrey exclaimed in shock at the sudden and devastating declaration.
Her fan concealed her face, so he couldn’t see her expression. However, the murderous intent visible in her eyes made it clear this was no joke.
“Since when did the Marquis’ household become a house of robbers? Nobles and merchants across the land will condemn you and cut off all dealings with the Marquis’ household!”
“I don’t care.”
“…What?”
“This is the end. You dogs of the Ducal Family.”
“What nonsense are you spouting?!”
“Seize him.”
Clang! Clang! Clang!
The knights and soldiers surrounding Rosalyn drew their weapons and attacked Jeffrey and the subordinates who had followed him.
“Arghhh!”
The subordinates of the merchant guild were slaughtered before they could even draw their weapons. From the beginning, the knights and soldiers present were of the highest caliber.
But soon, something extraordinary happened.
Clang! Clang! Clang!
At some point, Jeffrey had drawn his weapon, blocking all the attacks from the knights of the Marquisate. A faint blue light shimmered along his sword.
Rosalyn’s eyes narrowed as she observed him.
A mere merchant guild leader deflecting the coordinated strikes of elite knights?
It was highly unlikely, but not entirely impossible. With enough talent, wealth for nourishment, and ample time for training, such a feat could be achieved.
However, it was suspicious that someone with such skill remained largely unknown in society. In the current situation, that alone was enough to raise doubts.
And soon, those suspicions turned into certainty.
“You conniving wench! How the hell did you find out?” Jeffrey snarled, spewing vulgarities as if he had already accepted his exposure.
Smiling faintly, Rosalyn replied, “No need for you to know. Stop struggling and die already.”
“You bitch!”
Jeffrey lunged at Rosalyn in a fit of rage. However, his movements were quickly intercepted by the knights and soldiers.
Clang! Clang! Clang!
Though Jeffrey’s skill was formidable, it was impossible for him to handle the forces here alone. Gradually, he began to falter under their attacks.
Thud! Thud! Thud!
Eventually, Jeffrey’s body was pierced in multiple places, leaving him gravely injured.
“Heh heh heh…”
As he bled profusely and laughed maniacally, a knight approached, ready to deliver the finishing blow.
“Die!”
The knight swung his sword decisively.
Clang!
“What?!”
To everyone’s shock, Jeffrey blocked the attack once more, raising his sword.
And that wasn’t all.
Rip! Rip! Rip!
His body began to swell, and his clothes were shredded to tatters.
“What… what is this?”
Startled by the bizarre sight, the knight stumbled back a few steps, and the others wore expressions of disbelief.
Jeffrey’s muscles expanded grotesquely, with veins bulging to the point of bursting.
The knights felt a paralyzing pressure of mana emanating from his transformed body. It was unfathomable that such power could come from someone who had been on the verge of death.
Letting out an ear-piercing scream, Jeffrey’s voice sounded monstrous.
“Graaaahhh!”
His appearance now was devoid of sanity, resembling more beast than man. His monstrous form made everyone hesitate to approach.
“Kill him now!” Rosalyn urgently commanded, snapping her fan shut.
The soldiers closest to Jeffrey immediately thrust their spears at him.
Clang! Clang! Clang!
“What in the…!”
To their horror, the spears failed to penetrate Jeffrey’s now iron-like skin.
“Graaaahhh!”
Slash!
With one swing of his sword, Jeffrey decapitated the soldiers standing before him.
“You bastard!”
The knights, realizing the urgency, finally sprang into action and attacked in unison. But Jeffrey charged forward, ignoring the blows that landed on his body.
“Milady!”
“Stop him!”
Despite their efforts, no one could stop Jeffrey as he single-mindedly advanced toward Rosalyn.
Even in his berserk state, he had not forgotten his target.
“This… this is insane…”
Seeing Jeffrey close the distance in an instant, Rosalyn’s face turned pale.
The knights of the Marquisate were strong enough to hold off most powerful adversaries. The idea that Jeffrey could surpass them had never crossed her mind.
Or rather, it would be more accurate to say she never anticipated he could turn into such a monster.
“Grrrrrr…”
Jeffrey’s distorted face twisted as if he were laughing.
The moment he closed the gap, Jeffrey swung his sword at Rosalyn.
She squeezed her eyes shut, bracing herself. The knights were rushing in, but it was already too late.
Swoosh!
Just as Jeffrey’s blade was about to strike Rosalyn, the sound of something slicing through the air echoed sharply.
Thud!
A spear, hurled from somewhere behind her, pierced Jeffrey’s body.