Ch.360Back to Randenburg

Proving Hersella’s existence wouldn’t be too difficult.

I could share memories that only she and Jahan knew about, or even relay conversations between Hersella and Jahan. There were many ways.

The problem is whether that person would accept this situation. The same goes for what I’m about to do.

‘Since it seems like an appropriate time, let me remind you of my goal. You know what it is, right?’

[Yes. Didn’t you say it yourself before? That absurd wish to protect the weak.]

That’s a brief summary, I suppose.

Though I never mentioned the specific methods.

‘Right. And to be honest, the Ka’har are nothing but obstacles to achieving that goal. As long as they glorify plunder and slaughter as warrior virtues, their very existence will 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 it.

Destroying all enemies.

I know no other method. Is there even one?

So… what I need to do was clear.

Pull out the fangs of the Werebeasts.

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

Raise Demian to exterminate the source of monsters.

The same goes for the Ka’har.

If they insist on maintaining their barbaric civilization that glorifies slaughter and plunder, I have no choice but to slaughter them until they stop their madness.

Peace will finally be achieved on top of enough bloodshed to break even the cycle of vengeance.

‘So I can’t leave the Ka’har alone. To me, what you call warriors are nothing but vile plunderers. If they refuse to give up plundering no matter what, they can go to hell and do it there.’

[…It’s amusing every time I hear it. You, who are more warrior-like than anyone, trying to deny the warrior’s way of life. And in the most warrior-like manner, no less. How interesting.]

Hersella sneered.

[Well, it’s no concern of mine. If you want to exterminate the Ka’har, then do so. If you can, that is.]

‘Possibility is a later issue. What I want to know is whether Jahan or your other subordinates could accept a life that denies the Ka’har way.’

I wonder if telling the Champion of the Ka’har to stop plundering and live like a decent person would even work.

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

[Well… Jahan might follow if I tell him to. Though he wouldn’t listen to your orders. But even I don’t know how the other subordinates would react.]

‘Are you willing to persuade or order them?’

[No. Why should I? Even by your standards, I’m just a vile plunderer too, aren’t I?]

Her tone suggested she was offended.

Wait, is she actually sulking?

[…After helping you so much… lending my strength without reservation and even teaching you my techniques, you call me vile…? Such a shameless fellow…]

Judging by her quiet grumbling, she really is sulking.

But you are a plunderer. Aren’t you the one without conscience?

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

I was easily accepted by the Empire, but… that was likely due to my backing and bloodline.

[What’s the problem? Just change the targets of plunder from westerners to other races. Are you saying that northerners skinning Werebeasts isn’t plundering?]

‘…That’s not plundering because it’s defensive warfare against invading enemies, not raiding civilian homes. Anyway, you also need to restrain that violent culture of drawing swords at the slightest provocation. Like killing people just because I said something they didn’t like.’

Just thinking about what these people who kill chefs over disliking a meal might do in the Empire makes my head spin.

[Is that what worried you? Then there’s no particular problem. The aggression of the Guard Cavalry was something I deliberately encouraged. If I order them to stop, they would comply.]

‘…What?’

One of the reasons I decided to leave those guys in the east was because of that, but it was actually Hersella who ordered them to behave that way?

‘But why…’

[Not all of my guards are loyal to me. Rather, most are spies. There were quite a few who opposed me in Aishan. What better way to naturally weed out such spies?]

…She did have a reason.

Most of her own guard being spies? This woman must have had terrible standing in her homeland.

No wonder she rarely mentioned anyone except Jahan and Mersin.

Those two might be the only subordinates whose names she even knew.

—-

After negotiations lasting two cigarettes, I finally managed to reach a compromise with Hersella.

In exchange for ordering her subordinates not to cause trouble in the Empire, I would guarantee their livelihood and provide enemies for them to fight.

There’s no shortage of enemies, so that shouldn’t be a problem.

If there’s no one else, I could always make them Demian’s practice partners.

Shortly after, Lena and Minea returned patting their full bellies, and that day’s conversation ended there.

—-

After traveling for several more days, we finally arrived at Landenburg.

“Baron Median has returned! Everyone, salute!”

The knights and soldiers who saw my carriage all paid their respects at once.

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

It was natural for them to show respect, as essentially the heir had returned home.

While heading toward the lord’s castle, Lena opened the carriage window and kept looking around curiously.

“Everyone looks so tense…?”

“Of course they would. They don’t know when the Ka’har might attack.”

If they knew when the attack would come, they could prepare and strengthen their resolve, but knowing an attack is certain without knowing when it will happen…

They can only wait while maintaining endless tension.

From the soldiers’ perspective, there couldn’t be a more exhausting situation.

“I’ll be staying in this city for a maximum of four days, so if you need to return to the islands during that time, just call for me.”

“Alright. Thank you for your hard work.”

Minea, feeling uncomfortable entering the lord’s castle given her status, stayed in Landenburg city.

She planned to wait for me there for four days, then return to the islands with some northbound merchant caravan.

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

Or worse.

“Unless your career aspiration is to become the communal wife of bandits, you’d better keep waiting here. If you need money for your stay, I’ll provide it.”

I gave her ten gold coins with that advice.

I wouldn’t find it pleasant to see the corpse of someone I know lying on the road back.

“Ah, aah…?! Th-thank you very much!!”

Minea, startled by the brilliant gold, bowed at a right angle while expressing her gratitude.

—-

“Lord Haschal, you’ve returned!”

Waiting for Lena and me at the lord’s castle was a blue-haired female knight with a face full of welcoming smiles.

Nigel. It seemed the injuries she sustained while fighting Ernst had fully healed, as she was overflowing with visible health.

“It’s been a while, Nigel. Have you been well?”

“Yes. I’ve spent a very fulfilling time training martial arts with my seniors.”

Nigel grinned and raised her left arm, which had become more robust.

The definition of muscles was clearly visible on her elegant forearm.

“I’m glad you’ve been well.”

“Nigel unnie! I’m here too!”

Lena, standing behind me, poked her head out and called out.

“It’s been a while, Priest Lena. I’m glad to see you’re in good health.”

Nigel smiled gently and nodded lightly.

—-

After dropping off my luggage and Lena in the room I was shown to, I headed to the office where Ludwig was waiting, accompanied by Nigel.

“So, these seniors of yours are now at the wall?”

“Yes. Since Lord Blake destroyed the training ground of the margraviate…”

The First Sword of Landenburg, Joshua Blake.

Though he’s entered his forty-seventh year, he’s said to be a knight strong enough to rival Duke Valdemar and the Empire’s second-ranked warrior.

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

…Isn’t that a Tale of Heros?

No matter how you look at it, that’s not power possible for an ordinary master.

It was quite an interesting story.

“What exactly did he do?”

“Well, how should I explain this…”

After hesitating for a moment, Nigel finally spoke when she saw my urging glance.

“You may find this hard to believe, but from what I saw, Lord Blake’s sword itself suddenly transformed into something massive like a pillar and struck the wall. It looked like a weapon wielded by a giant.”

…It is a Tale of Heros.

It seems to be a technique that increases the size of the weapon itself to enhance its power.

Well, I was expecting a few more hero-class knights to appear besides Valenstein and myself.

It might still be too much for those who have just reached master level like Demian or Frider, but for strong individuals like the Ghost Sword who have been eyeing the barrier for some time, reaching the realm of heroes should be possible by now.

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

“…You believe me?”

“Of course I believe you. I also have a technique or two that defies common sense, like Valenstein’s Ghost Sword or Orhan’s Unyielding Flesh. Such techniques are the proof of having reached the realm of heroes.”

Since my technique just makes my sword faster, it’s not particularly noticeable unless you face me directly.

“I see. Hero, hero… it’s truly amazing. Will I ever be able to reach such a realm?”

“Of course you will. If a mediocre old man like Valenstein could do it, there’s no way you couldn’t, Nigel.”

Because I’ll make it happen.