Chapter 198

Chapter 199. The Lazy Genius (3)

Joyray, upon hearing Keter’s words that there was a force to help the mercenaries, dug up buried memories.

To define the lawless city of Ruquer in one word, it would be a ‘melting pot.’ That many races and ideologies live together.

As such, there are countless groups and factions, but among them, the five most influential groups can be named.

The ‘Black Forest,’ which practices cannibalism, human experimentation, and human sacrifice.

The voluntary beggars who live as idlers, the ‘Sandman.’

A group of talentless but malice-filled trash, the ‘Mage Thieves.’

The ‘Mercenary Guild,’ which has the second-largest number of members after the beggars and is even more skilled.

The ‘Red Eye Gang,’ led by Marhan, one of the four great madmen.

Excluding the Mercenary Guild, four groups remain.

Joyray’s brow furrowed mercilessly. No matter how much he thought about it, he couldn’t figure it out.

‘Who on earth would help our Mercenary Guild?’

The Black Forest, Sandman, Mage Thieves, Red Eye Gang.

None of these groups would even think of helping the Mercenary Guild; they would either ignore or exploit it.

‘Even getting help from minority factions is distant. They have immense pride. And having pride doesn’t mean they won’t betray.’

Though small, groups composed of beastmen or similar races like dwarves or elves come to mind, but they also have no reason to help the Mercenary Guild.

Alliances, cooperation, bribery, threats… Joyray was certain that no means or methods could secure their help.

“Keter, I admit it. I really don’t know. Who on earth could help our Mercenary Guild?”

Joyray was secretly preparing to hit Keter if he was talking nonsense.

Knowing the limits of Joyray’s patience well, Keter revealed the answer just before an explosion.

“Maknun. On the count of one, two, three, say it together.”

“Haha! It’s been a while since we did this. We used to do it often with Brother.”

“One, two, three.”

“Infinite Bank.”

“Infinite Bank.”

The two spoke simultaneously without a 0.1-second error.

Then, they bumped fists, up and down once more, and finally clapped hands.

Perfect synchronization. Watching, Joyray had a ‘what kind of lunatics are these’ expression, but the two involved were just having fun.

“Both sides are talking nonsense, it’s dizzying. Did you just say Infinite Bank?”

“Captain. You’re probably thinking, ‘The Infinite Bank is an absolutely neutral force; this rule has never been broken.'”

“Master. Why do you think the Infinite Bank maintains absolute neutrality, and what is the reason they can uphold it?”

Without giving Joyray a chance to speak, Keter on the right and Maknun on the left continued like a rapid-fire.

“The Infinite Bank only cares about money. Even if the world is about to end, they’ll demand repayment before it does. That means they’ll definitely step in for money-related issues.”

“The fact that there’s an Infinite Bank in Ruquer means they want currency circulation here too. Since it’s stopped now, they must be very uncomfortable.”

“Now, does that mean the Infinite Bank is just rich and incompetent? Not exactly. They must have strong individuals, but why don’t they step forward? There must be some constraints.”

“But those constraints are likely ‘direct’ intervention limitations. As evidence, the Infinite Bank remains in place. If they couldn’t intervene at all, they would have closed the bank and left.”

“Wait, stop! Both of you are talking in similar tones, it’s driving me crazy. And I roughly understand now.”

Joyray pushed Keter and Maknun away with both hands and took a deep breath.

“So, the Infinite Bank is waiting for a force to restore Ruquer’s economy. That’s a plausible deduction. But, even if the people of Ruquer are fish heads, some think like humans. Do you think none of them had the same idea as you?”

“There must be. But you can’t meet the branch manager of the Infinite Bank in Ruquer.”

“Why?”

“To apply for a meeting with the branch manager, you need at least a special-grade rating with the Infinite Bank.”

“To get a special-grade rating, you need a deposit of over 5 million gold. But the people of Ruquer don’t even trust themselves, let alone a bank. So, in Ruquer, there are only two people with a special-grade rating that I know of.”

Maknun grinned and held up two fingers.

“One is the Grand Duke, and the other is…”

Joyray looked at Keter. Keter arrogantly shrugged his shoulders.

“Yes, it’s me. Hahaha!”

“So, you’re the only person in Ruquer who can negotiate with the branch manager!”

“Does it feel a bit more real now? An alliance with the Infinite Bank?”

“Ugh!”

One-eyed Joyray closed his other eye and began to ponder deeply.

An alliance between the Infinite Bank and the Mercenary Guild. He pondered how much synergy there would be.

‘The Infinite Bank takes collateral and offers loans.’

In this world, the Empire doesn’t hold the most treasures. The Infinite Bank does.

Magical tools and artifacts, and even famous swords and armor, are piled up like mountains.

‘The Infinite Bank in Ruquer must also have a considerable number of treasures stored. The underground of Ruquer is overflowing with rare metals.’

What if thousands of mercenaries could be armed with famous swords and armor?

Plus, there would be mountains of potions and elixirs stored.

“There might be some hope.”

People like Joyray don’t talk nonsense. If there’s hope, it’s real.

*Thud!*

Keter, who stood up slapping his thigh, extended his hand to Joyray.

“Since we’ve brought it up, let’s go now. First, we’ll visit the Infinite Bank to form an alliance, then go to the Mercenary Guild to gather the scattered mercenaries.”

“That’s unusually diligent of you. Are you busy?”

“It’s my principle to leave before regrets remain.”

“Leave Ruquer? How?”

“Your acting is clumsy pretending to be surprised. Captain, you could leave if you wanted to.”

“At least pretend to be fooled. Don’t embarrass people.”

“Isn’t it mutual? Let’s just go with it. Like we always have.”

“Like we always have…”

A bitter expression appeared on Joyray’s face. Seeing the regret and reluctance, Keter thought, ‘Oh no, damn. That’s the expression when he’s about to tell a long story.’

To persuade the branch manager of the Infinite Bank, being a special-grade member isn’t enough. The mercenary councilor must also come along.

‘Stubborn Joyray won’t go unless he tells his story.’

Just when he thought he’d have to listen to an unwanted story.

“Brother! Master! Someone has invaded the tavern.”

At Maknun’s words, Keter inwardly cheered.

‘Nice timing, Maknun.’

At the same time, Keter thanked the intruders who entered the tavern.

“Maknun. You handle it. Let’s see if you can protect yourself.”

“Ahem, it’s a bit embarrassing to show off in front of Brother.”

Actually, there’s no need to see. Keter has already faced Maknun’s Aura Blade.

Maknun can survive even a surprise attack by a 5-Star Master. Though killing might be difficult, holding out is possible.

Moreover, Maknun’s personality ensures he doesn’t create dangerous situations, so his ability to handle things is sufficient.

‘After dealing with the intruders, we can use checking who they are as an excuse to go above ground, then naturally head to the bank.’

Keter smiled satisfactorily, having perfectly planned the route.

Joyray, unable to maintain the atmosphere to talk about his past, changed the subject.

“If we’re leaving Ruquer, now is the last moment to pass on the Aura Blade. Show it without regret, Daat.”

“Yes, Master.”

Maknun also intuitively felt it. If he parts with Joyray this time, it will be a very long time before they meet again.

Therefore, he must show everything he has learned about the Aura Blade now. Learn more about what’s lacking and receive praise for what’s done well.

Maknun, holding three daggers in both hands, spread his arms.

Then, the three daggers floated up in his hands.

Like using telekinesis.

Each dagger seemed alive, floating in the air, then accelerating rapidly towards the ground.

Originally, such precise control is said to be impossible with Aura.

But the Aura Blade shatters that common sense. It controls and wields daggers with as much, if not more, mana than Aura.

Watching this, Keter and Joyray didn’t need to see with their eyes.

Martial artists of their level don’t see the world with just their vision. They read space with touch and hearing, inferring the opponent’s information. Even deep underground.

*Clang!*

A sharp metallic sound reached their ears. The daggers Maknun sent began attacking the intruders.

“Keter, you should watch closely this time too.”

“If you’re boasting about the Aura Blade, I’ve heard it until my ears are worn out.”

“That’s not it.”

Joyray pointed at Maknun with his finger.

“That guy is a genius.”

The words were positive, but his expression was grim.

“Daat. If that guy had just a bit more desire for martial arts, a craving for power…”

Joyray’s expression was more serious than ever.

“He would have surpassed you. Damn it! To get a lazy genius as a disciple in my later years. I must have sold the country in my past life.”

High praise from the mercenary councilor. But Keter wasn’t impressed.

‘I already know that.’

Keter found it amusing how Joyray spoke as if he had just discovered it.

* * *

Maknun doesn’t kill intruders indiscriminately. He follows Keter’s belief of only killing those worth killing.

So, even if they intrude into the tavern, he doesn’t aim for vital spots first.

He targets arms and legs first. If the intruder doesn’t retreat after being injured, then he uses lethal force.

‘It’s considered as being prepared to die.’

The current intruders were formidable opponents. Among those who have invaded the tavern so far, none have lasted this long against his Aura Blade.

‘Brother is an exception… What’s this? These guys have formally learned swordsmanship.’

People of Ruquer are similar to mercenaries. They don’t use formal swordsmanship but wield instinctive, self-taught styles.

But the intruder currently facing the Aura Blade was using a refined yet tyrannical swordsmanship against it.

‘I thought they were just sacrificial lambs to lighten the mood, but the intruder is master-level. And quite skilled at that.’

Villains appearing at the right time are usually third-rate. This was exactly that timing.

‘As Brother said, there’s no such thing as absolute in this world.’

But that doesn’t mean he intends to retreat shamefully. Keter is watching. Plus, the master of the Aura Blade is also watching.

‘Most importantly, I won’t get hurt, that’s it.’

That’s why Maknun likes the Aura Blade and has worked hard to learn it. Even if he loses, he won’t get hurt.

‘So I can go all out without worry!’

The Aura imbued in the three daggers became sharper and accelerated.

*Clang! Thud!*

The intruder, defending against the dazzling swordsmanship, got a dagger stuck in his shoulder.

‘I aimed for the neck, but he dodged. Incredible reflexes. But there won’t be a second time.’

Just as he was about to deliver the final blow to the intruder.

‘New intruder? When did they come!’

*Crash!*

The newly appeared intruder revealed their presence and slashed simultaneously. With that one strike, all three daggers were deflected and immobilized.

At the same time, the confident Maknun clutched his chest and groaned.

“W-what is this? Master? Why does it hurt?!”

At Maknun’s urgent question, Joyray, who was watching, frowned.

“Retrieve the daggers. He’s not someone you can handle. And I clearly said. If the opponent can sense the will imbued in the daggers, the Aura Blade user is also in danger.”

“You said such masters are hard to find, it’s fine!”

“I never said they don’t exist.”

As the two grumbled, the intruder above ground shouted towards the underground.

“Joyray. I didn’t come here for you.”

A blunt yet arrogant voice. In Ruquer, only one person has such a voice.

Hearing this, a smile naturally formed on Keter’s lips.

“I was a bit disappointed not to meet you last time, was it for today?”

Not just Keter, but Maknun and Joyray also knew who the voice belonged to.

It was unmistakable.

One of the four great madmen of Ruquer.

The one obsessed with swords.

The Sword Demon Walt, also a close aide to the Grand Duke.

Walt, as if knowing everything, walked towards the kitchen with the door leading underground and said.

“Keter. I know you’re here.”

*Thud.*

The footsteps stopped. Right in front of the entrance leading underground.

“Come out. The Grand Duke has left a message for you.”