Ch.84Alive

1.

After escaping Flora’s mental world, the aftermath proceeded quickly.

First, Flora.

In this race toward a happy ending, what they lacked most was information about the Eclipse.

‘If we take Flora for interrogation, we could obtain relevant information.’

After contemplating her fate for a while, Nahan briefly commanded Dallan.

“Take her alive.”

“Yes, Commander.”

Though the sorrow of separation still lingered, Dallan followed the Black Wolf’s order.

Still melancholic,

Still longing,

Still reluctant to let go,

-Dallan, what did you truly love?

-Obviously Rose, it was you.

Because the one I love would surely want me not to grieve.

Dallan managed a faint smile, then began preparing to leave the cave.

“I’d rather die–!!”

Thwack!

A clean strike.

“The commander said to take her alive.”

Dallan approached Nahan with Flora and Ruby slung over each shoulder.

“Preparations complete… Commander?”

He’s so close yet doesn’t notice me. What is he doing?

As Dallan’s gaze moved from Nahan’s back, across his shoulder, and finally to his face.

“…!!?”

Dallan involuntarily stiffened.

‘…A demon?’

The thought crossed his mind because Nahan’s expression was utterly vicious as he swept the accumulated goods into his spatial storage.

Various luxury items,

Magical supplies,

Even artifacts.

‘Once I reach the happy ending, I’ll never have to worry about making a living.’

-…Brother, what about my dream?

‘You can achieve that here too, idiot.’

It’s not like anyone would know me if I went back anyway. Nahan smiled as he confirmed the supplies filling his spatial storage.

Yuria, Luna, Hanryang.

And now Dallan and Rose.

‘Five out of ten completed…’

Half of the members remained.

With clues about the Eclipse and work to save the Emperor and Hero progressing sequentially,

‘We’ll reach the conclusion soon.’

And one different from the original,

‘A happy ending.’

After escaping from the Eclipse’s hideout,

“Here’s Count Valentine’s cold head, Commander.”

“…Good work, Casler.”

“It’s Cold Heart.”

“……Right.”

Having overcome one incident, Nahan returned to the hideout to plan his next move.

.

.

.

【Bad Ending 9 – You have prevented <The Emperor’s Death>.】

【Bad Ending 10 – <The Dissolution of Light> is accelerating.】

【Bad Ending 11 – <The Mastermind – Duke Hallorand> is accelerating.】

【Bad Ending 12 – <The Appearance of Eclipse> is accelerating.】

*

【Main Scenario – <The Unsaved Ones – Pedro & Ria> begins.】

【”What I believe in is your good heart.”】

2.

Three days had passed since the Emperor’s purge list operation.

Despite numerous nobles dying horribly in what was literally a night of blood and iron.

“Did you all see the victim list…!? They were all bastards who sucked the blood of the people…!”

“As expected of the Black Wolf…!”

“Damn, let’s toast, toast!!”

Far from mourning, people were gathering everywhere for drinking parties.

Yes. To be honest, it was a blessing.

Weren’t all those purged merely pretending to be clean while being rotten to the core?

The Black Wolf, who punished criminals in place of the empire’s laws that had grown lax before power.

The high nobles who now watched their step around the Black Wolf, and the rapidly decreasing crime rate.

Currently, the Black Wolf was not an object of fear for good people, but one of admiration.

Of course,

“Still, criminals are criminals. The Golden Dragon is the true hero.”

“Damn it, Mud. You became a mercenary just to lick the boots of that noble over there?”

As always, not all public opinion was positive, but this actually helped create an atmosphere where people couldn’t carelessly show interest.

“It’s not boot-licking, it’s the truth. Some good people died in this Black Wolf attack too.”

…That guy’s going to have a mental breakdown when he finds out they were all trash.

Anyway, while gathering information at the mercenary union as usual, Dallan, sipping his beer, casually asked.

“How is it going?”

“How is what going?”

“Your dream of creating a better world. It seems to be progressing smoothly.”

Dallan’s smile still held some sadness, yet also relief.

Nahan clinked his water glass against Dallan’s beer mug and smirked.

“I didn’t know I had such a dream.”

“Come on.”

No, I really didn’t know.

‘Who would have thought that the Black Wolf’s goal would be something virtuous that only a hero would have.’

As Nahan noted this unexpected fact in his mind, he pretended to listen for information while checking the newly appeared system window.

【Bad Ending 10 – <The Dissolution of Light> is accelerating.】

【Bad Ending 11 – <The Mastermind – Duke Hallorand> is accelerating.】

【Bad Ending 12 – <The Appearance of Eclipse> is accelerating.】

The accelerated bad endings.

Given that the three status windows were identical, unlike the separate eighth and ninth bad endings, they were likely part of a single event.

Originally, the next event would have been dealing with corrupt nobles one by one, but,

‘I already killed them all.’

So there was now a gap in the <Light>’s movements that wasn’t in the original work.

‘The only event that might still follow the original plot is… the clash with the <Black Wolf>?’

The collision between the Black Wolf and the Light.

The confrontation episode between these two organizations—essentially the endpoint of this novel, <Babylonia>—was one of the few events likely to occur going forward.

And then the original work would end.

‘All that remains is the eradication of <Eclipse>, the salvation of the <Black Wolf> members, and the salvation of the Emperor and Hero…’

Overwhelming force was still restricted.

‘From now on, instead of following the original work, I need to draw the future myself for a happy ending.’

Having made his decision, Nahan waved his hand to close the floating system window.

‘For that, I first need to see how <Light> and <Eclipse> will move…’

As he was hanging around the tavern with Dallan as the Golden Dragon, seeking information about these two,

Bang.

The door of the mercenary union burst open, and a massive shadow was cast.

Thud, thud, thud…

Each step was heavy, and the man’s face was deeply shadowed. A mercenary who had been observing the visitor exclaimed in surprise.

“B-Balkan!! It’s Sir Balkan Gardner!!”

“…Huh?”

Nahan inadvertently let out a dumbfounded sound as he carefully shifted his gaze.

Balkan Gardner.

The front-line tank of the Hero’s party—Light—and known as the Empire’s Guardian.

Unlike his intimidating build, he was always smiling foolishly. Now, with broken shields in each hand, he turned to face the mercenaries.

“Silence for a moment. I’ve come with a request.”

His tone was as oppressive as the subdued atmosphere.

“Is he telling us to shut up?”

“……Damn.”

“Shh. Let’s just listen.”

Just as silence fell over the previously bustling mercenary union tavern,

“Hey, Lord Guardian.”

A mercenary, indignant at the pressure, approached Balkan and thrust his face forward.

“If you tell us to shut up, we won’t just obedi—”

WHAM!!

The mercenary hit the floor without even a scream.

“Please.”

“……”

“……”

“……”

The union tavern fell silent again.

Whoosh,

Crash!

Balkan picked up the mercenary and threw him back to his original table, then spoke.

“Exactly one week from now, Light will set out to eliminate the Black Wolf. We’re looking for mercenaries to join us.”

The Black Wolf subjugation they had feared.

No matter how important money was, what use was it if you lost your life?

“Ha…! We’d have to be crazy to—”

As several veteran mercenaries tried to raise their voices against the intimidation,

“The payment is at least 10 gold coins per person. 10 just for participating, and if you land even a small attack, it’s multiplied by 10. The price will be adjusted according to rank.”

10 gold coins per person.

100 if an attack succeeds.

‘…That’s close to 100 million Korean won.’

As soon as he finished speaking, a money pouch opened, and every mercenary fell silent.

“Those interested or with questions. Raise your hands.”

At Balkan’s methodical murmur, several mercenaries raised their hands to ask questions.

“How is payment distributed for non-combat roles… like reconnaissance or combat support…”

“Reconnaissance is 100 gold for discovering the Black Wolf’s hideout or members. Combat support is the same. Additionally…”

Balkan’s explanation was flawless, as if he had planned everything in advance.

This made Nahan wonder.

‘That idiot memorized all that?’

Moreover, he showed the same awakened appearance as when he nearly lost Hestia the first time. After a moment’s consideration, Nahan cautiously raised his hand.

“You there, golden tin can, ask your question.”

…This bastard

Though momentarily angered, Nahan had more important concerns, so he held back and asked.

“What’s the reason?”

“Reason?”

“Yes. Why suddenly declare all-out war after staying quiet until now?”

Clank, clatter.

The Golden Dragon rose with his golden armor clanking and walked toward Balkan.

“Isn’t money everything to mercenaries?”

Balkan tossed the question at the Golden Dragon, but,

“Money’s good. But what use is it if you’re dead?”

The Golden Dragon didn’t back down and retorted, then stood face to face with Balkan and declared.

“Tell us the reason. Otherwise, no mercenary here will help you.”

A dictatorship similar to Balkan’s.

Already feeling the mercenaries’ gazes, Nahan quickly added.

“Listen well, everyone. If Lord Guardian doesn’t tell the truth, I’ll hire all of you at twice the price he offered.”

The request being,

“While Light fights the Black Wolf, we’ll just drink here. Of course, I’ll cover all the drinks that day.”

Cheers erupted as soon as he finished speaking.

Having thus preserved the mercenaries’ pride, the Golden Dragon asked the serious-faced Balkan again.

“So, planning to answer tomorrow?”

Balkan immediately realized.

That the man standing before him was the Golden Dragon, ranked 1st among the world’s top 10.

‘Must be bluffing.’

No matter how highly ranked he was, it would be difficult to afford such a sum.

Even if he hired everyone as promised, it would likely be his entire fortune.

‘But what if he does hire them?’

Mercenaries were unpredictable and prone to eccentric behavior.

‘…Do I have to concede?’

Light had already resolved to risk their lives to eliminate the Black Wolf. In this situation, they needed all the help they could get.

“…Damn it.”

Balkan finally opened his mouth to answer.

“Because they killed our friend.”

“Friend?”

“Yes. A man who was kinder than anyone, who always led us… who might have become the Pope of the Babylonian Empire.”

“…? Wait. Balkan, wait…”

“Remember his name…”

Drip, drip.

Wiping away thick tears, Balkan shouted loudly to all the mercenaries.

“Ian Red!!! The next Hero and Pope, our Light’s dear friend, was brutally murdered by the Black Wolf!!!”

*He’s alive.