Chapter 360

Proving Hersela’s existence wouldn’t be that difficult.

Just recount stories only she and Jahan know, or even relay a conversation between Hersela and Jahan midway. There were plenty of ways.

The problem was whether that guy would accept this situation. The same goes for what I’m about to do next.

‘It’s about time I mention this, but you know what my goal is, right?’

[Yes. Didn’t you say it yourself before? That ridiculous wish of protecting the weak.]

In short, that’s about it.

Though I never mentioned specific plans.

‘Right. And honestly, Ka`har is nothing but an obstacle to achieving that goal. As long as they glorify plunder and slaughter as virtues of a warrior, their mere existence will only cause conflict.’

Yes. My ultimate goal is to bring peace to this world.

And as far as I know, there’s only one way to achieve that.

Eliminating all enemies.

I don’t know any other way. Is there even one?

So…what I need to do is clear.

Pull out the fangs of the beastmen.

Burn the ambitions of the fairies along with the World Tree.

Raise Damien to exterminate the source of the monsters.

The same goes for Ka`har.

If they insist on glorifying slaughter and plunder as their barbaric culture, I’ll have no choice but to slaughter them until they stop their madness.

Only on a sea of blood, where even the chains of hatred are severed, will peace finally be achieved.

‘That’s why I can’t leave Ka`har alone. What you call warriors are nothing but ugly plunderers to me. If you refuse to give up plundering, then go do it in hell.’

[…It’s always amusing to hear. You, who are more warrior-like than anyone, denying the way of the warrior. And in the most warrior-like way, no less. How entertaining.]

Hersela sneered.

[Well, it’s none of my business. If you want to annihilate Ka`har, go ahead. If you can, that is.]

‘Whether it’s possible is a later issue. What I want to know is whether Jahan or the others can accept a life that denies Ka`har.’

I doubt the great warriors of Ka`har would listen to being told to stop plundering and live like decent people.

They’re not going to thank me for stopping their demonic ways.

[Well…Jahan might follow if I say so. He won’t listen to your orders, though. But I can’t say how the others will react.]

‘Any thoughts on persuading or ordering them?’

[None. Why should I? By your standards, I’m just another ugly plunderer.]

Her tone sounded a bit prickly.

Oh, is she actually sulking?

[……After all I’ve done to help…I’ve spared no effort in assisting you, even teaching you my techniques, and you call me ugly…? How ungrateful….]

Judging by her muttering, she really seems upset.

But hey, you *are* a plunderer. Aren’t you the one lacking a conscience here?

‘…Sorry about that. Anyway, if you can’t persuade your subordinates, it’s not me who’ll be in trouble, but you. You know the Empire won’t accept pure Ka`har favorably, right?’

I was accepted into the Empire easily, but…that was probably due to my background and lineage.

[What’s the problem? Just change the targets of plunder from westerners to other races. Do you think northerners skinning beastmen don’t count as plunder?]

‘…That’s defensive warfare against invading enemies, not plundering civilian homes. Anyway, I’m talking about curbing their violent culture, like always reaching for their swords at the slightest provocation. And the fact that they kill anyone I even mention is also a problem.’

Just imagining what they’d do in the Empire if they killed chefs for unsatisfactory meals makes my head spin.

[Is that your concern? If so, there’s no problem. The extremism of the Imperial Guard Cavalry was something I deliberately encouraged. If I tell them to stop, they’ll obey.]

‘…What?’

One of the reasons I decided to leave them in the east was because of that, and now you’re saying Hersela ordered them to act that way on purpose?

‘Why would you…’

[Not all of my Imperial Guard are loyal to me. In fact, most are spies. There were plenty in Aishan who opposed me, too. What better way to naturally weed out those spies?]

…Well, that makes sense.

Most of her own Imperial Guard being spies? This woman really had no support back home, huh.

No wonder she only mentioned Jahan and Mersin.

Were they the only subordinates whose names she even knew?

—

After smoking two cigarettes worth of negotiation, I finally managed to reach a compromise with Hersela.

In exchange for her ordering her subordinates not to cause trouble in the Empire, I’d guarantee their livelihoods and provide them with enemies to fight.

Enemies are plentiful, so that’s not a big issue.

If there’s no one to fight, I can always have them spar with Damien.

Not long after, Rana and Minea returned, knocking on the boat, so that day’s discussion ended there.

—

After a few more days of travel, we finally arrived at Landenburg.

“Count Median has returned! Everyone, salute!”

The knights and soldiers all saluted upon seeing my carriage.

Unlike before, they now know I’ve been officially recognized as the heir to the Margrave.

Effectively, the young lord has returned to the main family, so it’s only natural they’d show respect.

As we headed toward the Margrave’s estate, Rana opened the carriage window and kept looking around.

“Everyone looks so tense…?”

“Well, of course. They have no idea when Ka`har might attack.”

If they knew when the attack would come, they could prepare, but since it’s certain yet unpredictable, all they can do is stay on edge.

For the soldiers, there’s no more exhausting situation than this.

“I’ll be staying in this city for up to four days. If you’re returning to the capital within that time, just call me again.”

“Alright. Good work.”

Minea stayed in Landenburg, saying it’d be too burdensome to enter the Margrave’s estate with her status.

She planned to wait there for four days and then return to the capital by joining a caravan or something.

Well…considering the number of bandits we encountered on the way here, that sounds like a great way to get killed.

Or worse.

“If your dream isn’t to become the shared wife of bandits, it’d be better to wait here. If you need money for your stay, I’ll give you some.”

I handed Minea ten gold coins while advising her.

It wouldn’t be pleasant to find the corpse of someone I know on the way back.

“Ah, ahh…?! Th-thank you!!”

Minea, startled by the gleaming gold, bowed at a perfect right angle to express her gratitude.

—

“Princess Ha-shal-leur, you’ve returned!”

Waiting for me and Rana at the Margrave’s estate was a female knight with a bright smile and navy-blue hair.

Nigel. The injuries she sustained fighting Ernst seemed to have healed completely, as she looked brimming with health.

“Long time no see, Nigel. How have you been?”

“Very well. I’ve been training diligently with my seniors.”

Nigel grinned and flexed her noticeably stronger left arm.

The muscles on her forearm were clearly defined.

“Glad to hear it.”

“Nigel! I’m here too!”

Rana, who had been standing behind me, peeked her head out and shouted.

“Long time no see, Priestess Rana. It’s good to see you in good health.”

Nigel smiled softly and nodded lightly.

—

After settling our luggage and Rana in the assigned room, Nigel and I headed to Ludwig’s office.

“So, your seniors are currently at the barrier, you said?”

“Yes. Sir Blake destroyed the Margrave’s training grounds…”

Joshua Blake, Landenburg’s top swordsman.

At forty-seven, he’s a middle-aged man, but he’s said to be a knight strong enough to rival Grand Duke Valdemar and the Empire’s second-ranked knight.

While sparring with his juniors, he suddenly seemed to realize something, swung his sword, and blew away one side of the training ground’s wall.

…Isn’t that a Heroic Tale?

No ordinary master could produce that kind of power.

It’s quite an interesting story.

“What exactly did he do?”

“Well, it’s hard to explain…”

After hesitating for a moment, Nigel finally spoke under my urging gaze.

“It’s hard to believe, but from what I saw, Sir Blake’s sword itself suddenly grew as large as a pillar and smashed the wall. It looked like a giant swinging a weapon.”

…Definitely a Heroic Tale.

A technique that increases the size of the weapon to amplify its power, huh.

Well, it was about time for a hero-level knight or two to appear, aside from me and Valenstein.

Newly ascended masters like Damien or Freide might not be ready yet, but those who’ve been near the peak, like the Ghost Sword, could reach the realm of heroes now.

“That’s impressive. I’d like to see it sometime.”

“…You believe me?”

“Of course I do. I have a technique that defies common sense too, you know. Like Valenstein’s Ghost Sword or Or-han’s Indestructible God of Fire. Techniques like that are proof of reaching the realm of heroes.”

Since it’s a technique that makes the sword faster, it’s hard to notice unless you face it directly.

“I see. Heroes, heroes… It’s truly astonishing. Do you think I could reach that level someday?”

“Of course. If a mediocre old man like Valenstein can do it, there’s no reason you can’t, Nigel.”

After all, I’ll make sure of it.