Chapter 122

Holy crap, this was a big deal. Since we were away, Count Holstead’s mansion was practically empty. Sure, there were guards, but that wouldn’t mean much to that monster Gawain. Honestly, if I hadn’t made a contract with the Spirit King, I wouldn’t have been able to beat that bastard. Even if Lorcha and I fought together, the outcome against that monster would’ve been uncertain.

“Lorcha, stay here and conserve your mana while taking care of Glacia and Airi. I’ll go to the mansion alone.”

I tried to look cool, but the backlash was unexpectedly fierce.

“Stop talking nonsense, you idiot! You’re burned! And you want to fight alone? Have you lost your mind?”

“Master, have you gone mad? If something happens while you’re chasing after them alone, what am I supposed to do?”

“I’ll go with you. If the enemy is as dangerous as that Lancelot guy we just met… I can’t let you go alone, Lord Werner.”

That bastard was also pretty injured, and on top of that, he was exhausted from spewing out flames. Sure, I had burns on my arm, but this level of injury was just part of my daily life. Setting hotels on fire, creating chaos, and killing targets to erase evidence was my specialty. Of course, in the process of fighting, burns were just like accessories.

“I’ll be fine alone.”

I couldn’t leave someone like Count Holstead alone. I hated the idea of such a foolishly kind person dying more than anything. If he died without me knowing, I’d feel sorry for him, but since I’ve met him face-to-face, I won’t let him die so easily.

“I’m Werner Altan. The world’s strongest mage.”

I gave them a firm look, instilling confidence in them. That I’d be fine, that I could at least keep myself alive. Seeing my determined gaze, they had no choice but to let me go. They knew I wasn’t someone who could be tied down by words.

I’m unchained, a man who can never be restrained.

“Then, I’ll be back.”

Lorcha grabbed my collar.

“If you come back injured again like last time, I’ll kill you. I’ll kill you, stuff you in formaldehyde, and turn you into a decoration.”

I wish she’d just pick one—tsundere or yandere. I didn’t want to become some mysterious figure like a news anchor from some country, so I had to come back without a scratch. It’s like a no-hit challenge quest in a game.

“Yeah, I’m not scared to leave.”

With those words, I started running toward the mansion. There was a flat path, but it would take too long, so I took a shortcut through the forest. The forest was dark, damp, and hot, but I didn’t care. The only thing bothering me was whether I’d be too late.

After running for a while, a smell that grated on my nerves hit me. The thick stench of blood and human waste.

“Stop with the half-assed ambush and come out, you bastards.”

Their hiding skills were terrible, but… judging by their aura, their combat skills were top-notch. So, they must be the type who enjoy straightforward battles rather than assassinations. Revealing themselves were 10 Black Round Table lackeys in masks and a young man and woman who seemed to be leading them.

“Wait, you’re just a mage, but you run like an assassin, and you noticed we were hiding… Are you really a mage?”

“If it weren’t for the boss’s orders, I’d honestly ignore you…”

“Don’t lie. You’re itching to kill him.”

“Damn, you caught me… But opportunities like this don’t come often. Getting to kill one of the most famous heroes on the continent is the best.”

“Ha, you pleasure-seeking murderer.”

Sigh… As expected from fellow professionals, their conversation was crude. Occasionally, there were guys who enjoyed such things. And most of those guys had incredibly vulgar mouths, to the point where comparing them to trolls on community sites would be an insult to the trolls.

“Kukuku, you’re one to talk. You were laughing while cutting that count’s ankles last time. I don’t enjoy torture like you, you torture-addicted bitch.”

Wait, what did that bitch just say…?

“You’re the one who raped and killed that count’s younger sister and pregnant wife right in front of him last time. I don’t do stuff like that.”

“Bullshit~ You’re the one who sliced open that woman’s stomach…”

I couldn’t let this slide. Normally, I’d talk cheerfully like Yibai and laugh while thinking like that child. But… with bastards like these in front of me, I couldn’t laugh.

“Hahaha… So even the great Archmage is scared in a situation like this? Shaking in his boots…”

“Hey.”

Knowing that bastards like these were breathing made it hard for me to breathe properly. It’s like when you realize you’re breathing and have to manually control it.

“Don’t even think about going home alive. I won’t send you home, I won’t let you live, and I’ll destroy your homes.”

Holstead’s mansion is the priority, so I can’t torture them now… but I’ll tie them up and deal with Holstead’s mansion first, then torture them later.

—

The mansion wasn’t particularly large or small.

Gawain was climbing the stairs, dripping blood. It seemed that the knives Werner had thrown earlier had lodged in his side, causing the trouble. The wounds left by the daggers, which were frozen to prevent melting, were deep.

“That bastard… did something ridiculous… But I still have to complete the mission.”

Reaching the third floor, Gawain headed toward the master’s room with the largest door. He had already found out where the Spirit King of Steel resided, and now all that was left was to coerce him into handing over the relic.

“That damn Lancelot… Once I get back, I’ll brand that bitch Gallahad a traitor and kill her.”

However, when he arrived at the master’s room, he was greeted by an old butler. The old butler, freezing the door, spoke.

“Welcome to the Holstead family mansion. The Count is waiting for you, so please come in.”

“Hmph, trying to show off? Did you prepare an assassin inside?”

But the old butler didn’t respond. Gawain, thinking he had no intention of killing the old man, ignored him and entered the room. The butler smiled bitterly and began praying to the goddess.

Count Holstead, still coughing up blood, looked much more haggard than before. Mocking his appearance, Gawain smirked.

“You know why I’m here. Just hand over the item and die painlessly. It’s better for both of us.”

“The Black Round Table… Though I’m just a sickly countryman, gathering information is my specialty, so I’ve collected quite a bit about you.”

“What…?”

“Thirty years ago, a mysterious figure who called himself a king created an organization. Knights with unique physiques or who wielded unique weapons… and the number of subordinates rivaling a nation… Not to mention, they’ve infiltrated various fields in various countries… Though I didn’t have enough time to find out exactly who they are…”

“Most people don’t even know about their existence, but you really have a talent for this. Well, you’re going to die today anyway.”

“Yes, I’ve helped His Highness the Crown Prince a lot with this ability. Though I’ll die today.”

Count Holstead had accepted his death.

Of course, it wasn’t the death Gawain would deliver.

“This mansion isn’t large, but it has quite a few rooms… Yet, I only gave Lord Werner’s party two rooms. Do you know why?”

“Have you gone mad now that death is near? Why are you suddenly…”

“Because the rooms were full.”

“What are you talking about? The only people in this mansion are you and the old butler outside.”

Not just the mansion, but all the buildings within a 1km radius were empty.

“Since mining is the main industry here, we have more than enough explosives. We also have enough money to buy mana bombs from the Magic Tower. And as the lord, I could empty all the nearby buildings.”

The countless rooms Werner couldn’t enter were packed with various bombs and explosives.

“You bastard, don’t tell me…”

Count Holstead pulled out a magically enhanced button from his pocket. Pressing it would detonate the mana bomb, setting off all the other explosives. The explosion… was something Gawain, already exhausted and bleeding, couldn’t withstand.

Gawain hurriedly tried to kill Count Holstead and take the remote.

“You bastard…”

But his hand didn’t reach Count Holstead. In the count’s hand, lying on the sickbed, was a crystal orb.

[Angel’s Eye]

One of the relics said to have been used by Saint Media. A relic that temporarily paralyzes the movements of those who show hostility toward its owner.

“The goddess said revenge is a sin… but I’d rather go to hell than let you live… You who took Gawain’s place in the Black Round Table… You must be strong. Strong enough to treat someone like me as an insect…”

Count Holstead placed his thumb on the switch and spoke.

“You’ll die today at the hands of this insignificant insect… *cough*!”

“Stop… I can’t die like this…”

“The people you and your subordinates killed… My sister and wife said the same thing. So let’s… fall into hell together…”

With those words, Count Holstead pressed the switch, and the sickly count and the burning knight were swept away in the explosion.