Ch.362Side Story 1 – Southern Continent Travelogue (17)

A deep silence filled the room.

It was a heavy stillness, so profound that not even the wind blowing outside the window could be heard.

“Ha!!”

I burst into a hollow laugh, finding the situation utterly ridiculous. Across from me, Jawill Wilson cautiously gauged my reaction.

He rubbed the back of his neck, attempting to speak several times before finally letting out a deep sigh.

Then, with difficulty, he managed to say something.

“…Young master, are you alright?”

Jawill Wilson’s voice was careful.

No, perhaps it was tinged with anxiety.

I slowly raised my head, narrowing my brow.

“Are you mocking me?”

“M-mocking you? I wouldn’t dare say such a thing!”

Fuck, I never thought I’d suffer such humiliation in my life.

It was my fault, though.

I chose to wear this ugly transformation skin, and I did initially prefer being ignored.

But.

Isn’t this going too far as time passes?

Beyond indifference, I’m being completely disregarded, which stirred a slight anger within me.

And on top of that, whaaat!?

Superior genetic user!?

Judging superior genes by appearance alone in this fictional world?

And not even considering a mercenary’s skills!?

I wanted to proudly raise my voice about this in front of Merin earlier, but I had a feeling I would only embarrass myself further if I spoke up.

I let out a short sigh.

“Think you can handle eight women?”

“In my current mood… I could handle eighty.”

“…You might actually be capable of that.”

Jawill Wilson carefully spoke with a somewhat pitying expression.

“Why don’t you take off the transformation skin now?”

“If I remove it, there’s a high chance my identity will be exposed.”

“Well, people might recognize you in other southern continent territories, but this is clearly foreign territory, isn’t it? No one here will recognize your face.”

“No, I don’t want to make this a bigger issue than it needs to be.”

“Honestly, your face is the most handsome across all continents, isn’t it? If they saw you without the transformation skin, the entire Red Moon Clan would probably come running.”

This bastard…

Is he trying to comfort me?

To think the day would come when I’d receive such consolation from Jawill Wilson…

My head was throbbing in so many ways.

“Forget it. While you’re bedding the Red Moon Clan women, I’ll just enjoy a delicious meal here.”

“…What? You can enjoy delicious meals in Lake Territory too. Did you really come all this way just to eat?”

“…Then should I join you for some training instead?”

At my words, Jawill Wilson slightly pulled back his body and showed his palms.

“N-no! I’m fine! I have to sleep with eight women—if I train on top of that, I’ll wither away and die!”

“…By the way, will you be alright?”

“About what?”

“They said they want superior genes over there…”

“A-are you saying I’m not superior?”

“That’s not it. Of course, your swordsmanship and physique are superior. But they seem to be looking at appearance.”

As soon as I finished speaking, Jawill Wilson’s expression didn’t flare up, but his eyes narrowed slightly.

His gaze shimmered subtly.

His eyebrows rose slightly, and a faint smile appeared at the corners of his mouth.

“…Young master, are you perhaps jealous?”

“It’s not jealousy, I’m just concerned. It’s practically fraud.”

“Isn’t it also fraud to make a contract and then flee in the night after sleeping with them?”

“So you’re going to be brazen about it?”

“Eight virgins? Honestly, where else would I get such an opportunity!?”

Right.

Everyone is responsible for their own life.

Jawill Wilson’s words weren’t wrong either.

*Swoosh*

I rose from my chair.

With a smooth yet firm movement, I picked up the wooden sword that was placed to one side.

The familiar weight settled in my palm, and I casually swung it once.

‘Since it’s come to this, I can’t just eat and do nothing.’

At that, Jawill Wilson raised his voice in panic.

“I-I told you I’m not training!”

“Who said anything about that?”

“…Huh?”

“You can finish within a week, right? I’ll just train alone during that time.”

At my words, Jawill Wilson’s eyes sparkled.

“A-are you really allowing me to do this!?”

I felt annoyed, but what could I do?

One of the purposes of traveling to the southern continent was to grant Jawill Wilson’s wish.

I placed the wooden sword on my shoulder and smiled faintly.

“In return, you’ll train hard when we get back to Lake Territory, understood?”

*

In a dark room where a dim lamp flickered.

It was located in the deepest part of the Blood Wolf Clan’s headquarters, a space that only the clan’s key officials could enter.

A man quietly stepped into that space.

Thud— Thud—

It was Luke.

He wore a long cloak, and his dark eyes gleamed sharply.

A faint smile hung at the corners of his mouth, but there was something sinister lurking within it.

And.

In the center of the room where Luke was heading, a massive shadow was seated.

Cardo, the leader of the Blood Wolf Clan.

Beside him was an enormous greatsword, its size boasting the equivalent of two or three regular swords combined.

It wasn’t just the size.

The blade bore numerous scratches and reddish stains, suggesting how many battles it had been through.

Moreover.

Though Cardo was seated, his build was larger than two average men combined.

Thick forearms were intertwined with bulging muscles, and the line from his neck to his shoulders was heavy and rough.

It was as if the form of a beast had been embodied in human form.

“What’s the matter?”

Cardo was leaning back in his chair, seemingly indifferent, but an overwhelming aura emanated from him.

Luke carefully knelt before him.

“I have something to report.”

Cardo rested his chin on his hand and stared down at Luke.

“Speak.”

“According to intelligence, the Red Moon Clan has been moving to find seeds lately.”

“What kind of seeds are you talking about?”

“The Red Moon Clan is looking for men to continue their tradition. Because of this, their internal atmosphere has become unsettled, and their vigilance seems to have slackened. I believe now is the opportunity to attack.”

Upon hearing those words, the corners of Cardo’s mouth slowly curled upward.

He leaned forward, stroking his chin with his large hand.

“The women of the Red Moon Clan…”

The women of the Red Moon Clan flashed through his mind.

Despite each member possessing exceptional skills as mercenaries, they had another strength.

That was their beautiful appearance and perfect figures.

Cardo thought that any man who had ever fought against the Red Moon Clan would know this fact.

“But facing the Red Moon Clan would mean significant casualties for us, wouldn’t it?”

At Cardo’s question, Luke curled the corners of his mouth upward, as if he had been waiting for this.

“The Blind Ear Clan and the Shadowless Clan have agreed to join forces.”

“The Blind Ear and Shadowless Clans!?”

“On the condition that we divide the women of the Red Moon Clan equally.”

Strong yet enchanting women.

They didn’t lose their beauty even in battle.

That’s why many organization leaders coveted them.

To subdue them by force and bring the women of the Red Moon Clan into their embrace.

It was a natural instinct as males.

Cardo slowly moved his fingers, licking his lips.

“Interesting.”

“Considering the number of members in the Red Moon Clan, dividing them isn’t a bad condition.”

Cardo stroked his chin with one hand and fell into thought again.

Facing the Red Moon Clan with just the Blood Wolf Clan would be a significant risk.

They couldn’t be considered weak just because they were composed of women.

They were strong.

Each one was an exceptional mercenary, and their combat skills were no different from men’s.

If the Blood Wolf Clan were to attack the Red Moon Clan alone and face an unexpected counterattack?

Even if they emerged victorious, the damage would be immense.

Moreover, if rumors spread that they had suffered serious damage, mercenary groups that had been quietly watching would all rush in to invade the Blood Wolf Clan’s territory.

That had to be prevented.

Then what was the easiest way?

To bring in the Blind Ear Clan and the Shadowless Clan to destroy the Red Moon Clan.

“Are you certain the Blind Ear Clan and the Shadowless Clan will join forces?”

“Yes. If we use this opportunity to draw the Blind Ear Clan and the Shadowless Clan into an alliance, no organization in this area will dare challenge the Blood Wolf Clan in the future.”

“Kuhahaha!”

Cardo’s deep voice echoed through the room.

He rose from his seat, moving his massive body.

It was like watching a giant beast rise.

His black cloak rippled, flowing over his broad shoulders.

*Swoosh*

Cardo slowly looked down at Luke and gave a short, strong command.

“Tell the Blind Ear Clan and the Shadowless Clan.”

Luke straightened his body and listened attentively.

Then, Cardo’s voice resonated even deeper and firmer.

“We march in three days.”