Chapter 182

The human body becomes stronger the more it is trained.

Even a person like Lady Trentia can emerge unscathed from a large-scale “Corpse Explosion,” and Seberik, the Sword Master with the blood of giants, can endure the magical barrage from destructive mages. A prime example would be Valenciaunos, who underwent the Dragon Rite and is resistant to flames.

Cariosa comes from one of the finest bloodlines in the continent and is a top-tier magic swordsman who has undergone grueling training.

With her family’s treasure, the iron plate armor, she is impervious to most attacks.

However, the premium consumable, the obsidian pillar, froze the mana in the area, and her once nearly indestructible iron armor was reduced to just a well-crafted piece.

Her skin was tough like leather armor, her muscles woven together like sturdy wire, and her bones as strong as forged steel, but Rudi’s magic bullet was the essence of magic created by archmages centuries ago.

Boom!

After a staggering gunshot rang out, blood splattered from Cariosa’s thigh.

Several scales fell from the iron-plated armor hanging under her coat, and red spots began to accumulate under her feet.

Though the magic bullet had enough power to easily pierce through a few infiltrators, there was no blood flowing from the inner side of Cariosa’s thigh.

Rudi, upon seeing this, widened his green eyes in shock.

“Lady Valencia said this bullet could pierce even a rock giant!”

Nevertheless, her fervor heated only her heart, while her mind grew even colder.

A human capable of withstanding a magical bullet that could penetrate rock giants was now closely pressed against Valenciaunos.

Rudi calmly pulled the trigger.

Bang!

The second round struck her calf.

Thwack!

The tough sturgeon leather pants tore as blood once again splashed.

Clang! Whoosh, and then click.

Rudi spun the break-action magic gun and loaded two large magic bullets, continuously pulling the trigger.

After exhausting all 24 rounds of the “Kaspa” magic bullets he was holding, he drew the revolver-type magic gun “Agathe” and unleashed an additional 36 bullets.

Immediately after the first magic bullet struck, Cariosa raised her right arm to shield her head.

“Hey!”

Thwack! Boom!

Every time the bullets tore through her body, Cariosa twisted as she tried to escape Valenciaunos’s grip.

However, from the moment Valenciaunos changed his gaze vertically, he had raised the power of the incantation and was covered in scales, entirely focused on holding Cariosa.

No matter how skilled Cariosa was, it was difficult to shake off someone like Valenciaunos.

Valenciaunos whispered into Cariosa’s ear.

“Sink down. Summerlin. To the very depths.”

The black pupil of Cariosa expanded rapidly.

It was what her ancient ancestor said when sending off the sea monster Summerlin.

“Valenciaunos!”

Cariosa’s nails pierced into Valenciaunos’s forearm.

Shark-like sharp teeth dug into Valenciaunos’s neck.

Despite bleeding profusely, Valenciaunos did not release his grip on Cariosa.

Suddenly, Cariosa gazed into Valenciaunos’s eyes.

It was not the gaze of a dragon, but of the royal family’s distinct and intense greed reflected in those golden eyes.

An unwavering will that he would never let go.

“I have to subdue you without borrowing the emperor’s hand… to drag you before the emperor. I must entrust the affairs of the East to you, but I cannot give you the throne or even offer myself. The only flesh I can offer is that of a duke?”

Political strategy.

This term, which comes up as naturally as breathing among nobles, implied seeing the other person not as a human being but rather as a position, ability, title, or symbol.

“You once said that you wanted to marry into the royal family and become king.”

Crack, bang!

Hearing the loud gunshot, Cariosa closed her eyes and released her grip on Valenciaunos’s arm.

Thinking it was a prelude to a counterattack, Valenciaunos tightened his grip around her waist.

“Just as I climbed this far with my obsession with the royal family, are you likewise obsessed with Asenorta?”

Ultimately a political strategy.

Cariosa would suffer losses while protecting the ports of other great lords, and Valenciaunos would kill his grandfather and seek out his granddaughter for negotiations.

Because royal nobles defined their positions not just by their titles but also by who they were.

Political strategy might indeed be the truest form of relationship.

As Valenciaunos was a duke, Cariosa was the grand duke of the East.

“This obsession… isn’t too bad.”

Drops of blood pouring from Cariosa formed several large pools.

Rudi sighed as he looked at the empty bullet belt, his face twisted with concern.

Duke Sorelazie completed the lightning spear magic and prepared to fire it as Valenciaunos and Cariosa separated.

Lady Trentia, pierced in the shoulder and thigh, finally stood up the steps.

Within Cariosa’s eyes, a blue-gray light shone, and a shimmering haze resembling sea mist danced on her shoulders.

“By my own hand, I bring the tidal wave!”

She sang aloud towards the sky.

Crack!

In the next moment, the obsidian pillar activated by Lady Trentia cracked wide open.

With the sound of shattering glass, the frozen mana was released.

The knights’ armor became lighter, the Acquatague flowing from Valenciaunos’s uniform returned to its rightful place as if time had been reversed, and every piece of Cariosa’s iron scales glimmered with white light.

Rudi’s face turned pale, and she clenched the magic daggers “Vivid” tightly with a determined expression.

Cariosa briefly glanced at her, who was hiding in the bushes, and smiled like a predator.

Then Cariosa raised both her hands.

“This is enough. I surrender. You said I can’t be given death, and if you kill me, I would die too. A hunter should only fight battles they can win.”

* * *

As always, the aftermath of a battle was far more challenging than the combat itself.

Especially when the captured prisoner is an esteemed noble, and the prisoner’s army of 4,000 in the castle is alive and ready for battle.

Fortunately, the prisoner bore no further hostile intent and was exceedingly, exceedingly wealthy.

“I shall cover the costs for the healing potions for the wounded guards and knights, the offerings for prayers, and the repairs for armors and weapons. A single chest of gold should suffice, right?”

“…Yes. That’s sufficient.”

“Very well. I was regretful earlier.”

“There’s no need for such words. I am a servant of the Solletarass, and Your Excellency is a duke of Asenorta, are you not?”

In this world, one’s standing was determined by rank and title.

People of different statuses shouldn’t carelessly apologize to or accept apologies from one another.

“I didn’t expect you could dispel that.”

“I apologize, Your Grace, Duke Sorelazie.”

Seeing Duke Sorelazie wiping blood with a towel caused me to gasp.

Fortunately, she had remarkably controlled the mana reflux with her astonishing restraint, suffering only minor external wounds, and there was no issue with her heart.

“As a senior mage, I’d say, when you get dispelled, just give up on that spell. Being frugal with mana could cause your heart to burst.”

“Shut your mouth. When we meet again, I will make sure to knock you out in one blow. …Oh my. What is this?”

Though she looked annoyed and pouting, her eyes sparkled upon receiving a box of large pearls and a pair of pearl earrings from Cariosa.

“Ikaris. These pearls from the eastern sea are particularly good for enhancing flying magic. There’s a legend that they hold the tears of a boy who fell from the sky to the sea. For a magician, agility is crucial, so use them wisely.”

“Of course.”

“….”

Cariosa stared at Sorelazie for a moment before muttering softly.

“From the reports I heard, the arsonist rode the lightning and flew away… I roughly understand what happened. I will remember you, Student of Gestarte.”

“!”

Duke Sorelazie, Rudi, and Lady Trentia simultaneously stiffened their faces, while Cariosa chuckled.

“Hey, maid. Which house do you hail from?”

Rudi cast her eyes downward and replied.

She seemed to be trying to conceal her tension and hostility.

“I come from a humble family, too humble to speak of to the Duke. We are a fallen noble with a name; please allow me the silence.”

After a brief moment of silence, Cariosa nodded.

“…I see. I see. You handle the magic gun quite well.”

I gently squeezed between Rudi and Cariosa.

When I shook my head lightly, Cariosa nodded.

“You tongue-tied loser. Now, can we finally meet His Excellency?”

* * *

The audience and banquet were held in an outdoor tent with fabrics draped all around, as it was during Duke Marcus’s time.

The Eastern knights of the Duke’s house and the fighting mages, along with the Imperial Court’s Platinum Knights and their mages, had all gathered, maintaining a vigilant watch over the surroundings.

Once again, Duke Sorelazie found herself among the battle mages, now saying nothing while firmly clutching her staff.

Jeilliris said nothing about my uniform torn with holes, Cariosa’s iron plates damaged here and there, and Lady Trentia’s platinum armor missing protection on her right shoulder and left leg, as we had previously discussed.

“…I overslept, and thus the audience has been delayed. I apologize.”

“It is fine. Thanks to Your Grace’s wit, the last three days have been quite… tumultuous for my heart.”

“Indeed. As the elder brother of Jeilliris, one should at least afford such entertainment, right?”

“Indeed so.”

The conversation flowed as it should between high nobility and the emperor.

What it meant was that people like me had already arranged everything, and this was merely a final confirmation.

The banquet was lavish, filled with decadent dishes, but Jeilliris and Cariosa did not style their hair nor uphold the dinner manners, having only touched their sangria in a ceremonial toast.

“The territory owned by the Asenorta family seems quite burdensome for a mere duke to oversee.”

Jeilliris lazily stated, her golden eyes shining dully.

If that had been uttered in an unagreed situation, it could be interpreted as a demand for land, but Jeilliris, Cariosa, and I all knew it was not meant that way.

“Thank you, Your Majesty, for taking an interest in the affairs of the East.”

“Hence, I shall bestow upon you a dukedom to match your stature.”

Duke.

Following Seberik, the Grand Duke of the North, he was the second “true” duke.

Though I was a grand duke as well, I was a mere titular grand duke with no land to place a pin, so my might could not be compared with the two.

Yet, Cariosa’s mysterious face darkened.

Originally hoping to become a king who encompassed the entirety of the East, being granted dukedom would not sit well.

Considering she brought nearly 5,000 troops and formed a coalition army of 65,000, this was merely a close call, preserving her dignity.

It would not be an exaggeration to say she felt slighted.

So, I sought Jeilliris’s approval and decided to give Cariosa one more gift.

“Additionally, I appoint you governor of the Nayt Archipelago, the Serpent Island, and the Shipwreck Islands.”

I had no idea how many rare metals, gold veins, and various reagent mines had emerged from there before my return.

“!”

“From the islands of that region, exterminate the Undersea People and pirates, stabilize with a colonization policy, and mine various resources, including the gold vein from the islands. If conflicts arise with the Eastern Continent during this process, make decisions on your own accord in my name.”

These were places not previously occupied due to territorial disputes with the countries of the Eastern Continent.

That was why I had given her the position of governor rather than merely the duke of the three archipelagos.

She had to be allowed to act in the name of the Solletarass Empire.

“Your Majesty!”

Cariosa’s blue-gray iris and vertically-slit black pupil trembled.

With a face as radiant as if sprinkled with pearls, she blushed, and you could see her sharp teeth peeking through her parted lips several times.

She deeply bowed her head to Jeilliris.

“Cariosa does not know how to express her gratitude for Your Majesty’s grace.”