Ch.381EP.79 – The Man’s Growth is Remarkable (6)

“If you have anything you want to ask, feel free to ask me.”

“?”

…Ihan wondered what this man was suddenly talking about.

“…All of a sudden?”

The two were sitting face to face, drinking the herbal tea that the maid had given them.

They hadn’t really had a proper conversation since the sparring ended and had maintained silence, but this wasn’t because their relationship was uncomfortable.

Ihan also needed time to get used to the newly awakened [Domain], and Caesar, knowing Ihan’s current state, simply remained quiet.

But while Ihan was learning about the domain, Caesar suddenly spoke to him out of nowhere.

And it somehow felt like he was toying with him.

“After losing 26 rounds straight, when you tell me to ask questions, how should I take that? I mean, how should I take that, sir?”

“Oh? Are you being formal with me again?”

“Earlier I was hot-headed and you seemed really suspicious, strange, and eccentric, so I spoke rudely… but now you seem somewhat normal.”

“…Isn’t that treatment a bit harsh?”

“That’s why I’m being formal with you now, aren’t I?”

“…This is like giving the disease and then the medicine…”

Caesar grumbled, but in reality, he didn’t seem to care much about Ihan’s attitude.

Ihan knew this too.

How did he know?

‘He may be simple and rough, but communicating with fists really is effective.’

Because trust had built up between Ihan and Caesar.

As they clashed physically and got to know each other, they began to feel respect and trust toward one another.

If they had simply exchanged blows while badmouthing each other and exuding killing intent, such feelings probably wouldn’t have developed.

‘Dokgo hyung used to say that the depth of human relationships doesn’t depend on how many times you meet, but on how sincerely you treat each other.’

That’s exactly right.

Their “conversation” may have been intense, but it had rules, and neither of them broke those rules.

Thanks to this, trust developed between them, and respect sprouted from the weight behind their honest fists.

That’s why, even though they had met less than half a day ago, Ihan and Caesar were now facing each other and engaging in casual conversation.

Because they treated each other sincerely. Because they came to know each other’s inner selves and histories through physical confrontation.

Because of that…

“It’s fine. What questions? The mercenary-style Q&A is meaningless anyway.”

“That’s true. But the reason I proposed the mercenary-style Q&A was because there was no trust between you and me. But now, don’t you think we both trust each other to some extent?”

“……”

“The Q&A was just part of the process. It was a necessary process for two men who had no relationship to become closer. Don’t you agree?”

“…Being on the receiving end of a one-sided beating makes it hard to agree…”

“Ahaha!”

So he had no choice but to agree with those words.

……However.

“But I don’t really have anything I’m curious about. Honestly…”

“?”

The fact that Ihan genuinely had nothing to ask was a problem that wasn’t really a problem.

* * *

The mercenary-style Q&A, or rather, the starting point of their conflict was…

– Can I kill Baltar Grace?

…due to Caesar’s provocative question, but that wasn’t what had irritated Ihan.

Rather…

“I was irritated because a stranger suddenly appeared and acted and spoke as if picking a fight. I don’t think I’m particularly curious about anything.”

“…So you’re saying you weren’t bothered by me saying I’d kill Baltar?”

“No, I wasn’t.”

“B-but he’s your master, isn’t he?”

“No, he’s not.”

“……”

“You really didn’t listen to a word I said. That man is not my master. If he’s an acquaintance, then he’s an acquaintance, but one closer to an enemy.”

One thing everyone seems to misunderstand is that Ihan is neither particularly close to nor respectful of Baltar Grace.

Although they fought countless times and had many conversations, even so…

“We never once showed our ‘true selves’ to each other.”

“……”

“We only fought and had some meaningless conversations. That’s all there was between us.”

Defining it in words like this makes it somehow more concrete.

Yes, for Ihan, there’s probably no one as ambiguous as Baltar Grace.

If they were close, they would be close, but they’re not entirely close.

If invited to eat together, he would eat with him, but he wouldn’t invite him to his home specifically to eat together.

If asked for help, he would help, but not wholeheartedly.

And even if…

“If that man dies? I’d feel bitter, since he’s an acquaintance I know. But I don’t think I’d actually be sad. I’d probably be eating normally after just an hour or two of finding out he died.”

“…I hate to say this myself, but isn’t that too cold-hearted?”

“Not at all. I’m just being honest, and since you misunderstood our relationship, I’m setting it straight. So roast him or fry him as you please. It’s outside my concern.”

“…So this is what they call one-sided love…”

“Excuse me?”

“No, that wasn’t directed at you.”

“?”

“Baltar, for the first time, I feel a bit sorry for him.”

“??”

* * *

While Ihan wasn’t particularly curious, Caesar couldn’t afford not to be.

It might seem strange that someone called the Mercenary King would find himself in a situation where he needed to explain, but what could he do?

“I came to Vulcan because I received a certain request.”

The one who needs something has to speak first.

“I told you, you don’t have to tell me.”

“Even if you’re fine with it, I have business with you, so what can I do?”

“You live such a tiresome life. I thought someone of the Mercenary King’s stature would live more comfortably.”

“I wish I could too. But this client is someone I dare not disobey.”

“…Disobey?”

Considering that the word “disobey” itself is only used when addressing a superior, Ihan couldn’t help but blink in surprise.

It was a level of respect that seemed incongruous coming from the Mercenary King.

‘He has a superior?’

Not only was he of advanced age, but he was the legendary Mercenary King, a figure that even emperors and kings couldn’t treat lightly.

Of course, there was his individual strength, but he also commanded the vast military force known as the mercenary collective, and if one were to gather just the mercenaries who respected him, they could overthrow two or three kingdoms.

Hence the curiosity.

What kind of figure could possibly handle the Mercenary King?

“Is it a War God?”

“Heh, War God? He’s just a dead man. And above all, I don’t particularly respect the former king. I never swore loyalty to him in the first place.”

“…But I heard you were from the Order of the White Dragon?”

“Still a disgusting past.”

“……”

Caesar snorted as if he’d heard something not even remotely funny.

Almost as if he detested it.

“Among those who joined that White Dragon or whatever knight order, not even half joined of their own will. Every single one was forced to join, including me.”

“What?”

“The Order of the White Dragon, more than half of those who joined were defeated by Baltar and forced into the order. Including me.”

“……”

“It’s not even funny. Without any desire to become a knight, being forcibly made one and then being called the strongest or whatever. There’s no greater clown than that.”

“……”

…In a way, this explained certain questions.

Typically, exceptionally extraordinary individuals all have strong egos and tend to dislike belonging to any organization.

But how could such extraordinary individuals with strong egos be gathered into a single organization called the Order of the White Dragon…?

‘…He gathered them by force?’

It’s certainly not a romantic founding story.

“You know what’s even more ridiculous? The only condition for leaving the White Dragon Knights was to subdue Baltar himself and become the leader. …It’s utterly disgusting.”

“…That man was quite vicious.”

…It didn’t feel like someone else’s story.

Ihan somehow felt that his situation was similar to Caesar’s.

After all, the reason he joined the Order of the Silver Lion was because he was defeated by Baltar, wasn’t it?

Even the condition for leaving was the same…

“Only after the former king died was the Order of the White Dragon forcibly disbanded and everything became inconclusive, but for the knights who were part of the White Dragon, Baltar remains like a mortal enemy. He forcibly put a ‘leash’ on our necks, and even now, after the disbandment of the White Dragon, he left us with the humiliation of feeling like that leash is still there.”

“…Is that why you want to kill that old man?”

If that’s the reason, it seems somewhat understandable.

However…

“That plays a part. But that’s not the only reason I want to kill him.”

“……”

In Caesar’s eyes as he spoke, there was a certain firm resolve.

It was an unwavering belief that could only be described as ‘determination’.

“Well, are you curious now about why I want to kill him?”

“Not really.”

“…You’re no fun.”

“I hope old grudges are resolved between the parties involved, but more importantly, who is this client of yours?”

Who could possibly have business with him and be able to make a request to the Mercenary King?

When asked about this…

“Hmm, it’s not entirely unrelated to you. You can use this technique, right?”

Ting-.

As he lightly tapped the teacup with his finger, the tea inside shot up like a fountain.

Splash!

It was a smaller, condensed version of the technique he had used to shatter the rock while grilling fish, and it demonstrated incredibly delicate control.

“Internal Water Technique…”

“So that’s what you call it? The original name of this technique is ‘Angry Bear Paw’.”

“…The name is really…”

“I know it’s rustic. But did you learn this technique from Baltar?”

“…I just saw it with my eyes and roughly imitated it.”

“That’s a relief. At least he didn’t pretend it was his own technique.”

“Is that originally your technique?”

“No. I also learned it. Specifically, from my ‘brothers’.”

“?”

Brothers?

Ihan thought he might be referring to the people in his mercenary group as brothers, but he quickly realized that wasn’t the case.

The ring he pulled out from his chest the next moment provided a hint.

…The ring had an engraving symbolizing the “Light of Radiance.”

“In the world, my brothers are called this: The Shield of Radiance, and the Holy Warriors who crush evil with their fists. Another name for them is…”

—Monk.