The Worm’s Revenge

“…Quite a peculiar place to enjoy a banquet.”

“Haha, it’s an old tradition of the village to avoid outsiders. Please understand.”

The next day, around a suitable lunchtime.

In the open space 50 meters in front of Akran Village.

A modest meal took place between two men.

“If it’s tradition, then it can’t be helped. Rather, it feels refreshing with the surroundings being so open compared to a cramped interior.”

“…Also, due to yesterday’s incident, the residents’ feelings are currently quite poor. There’s concern about impulsive actions from some extremists, so this is entirely for your safety, Governor… Hoho.”

“I’ve apologized multiple times, explaining it was a misunderstanding. And is it really possible for me to be assassinated by an assassin?”

“Absolutely not! Even if the Assassination King of the Rocky Mountain brought the Seven Shadows, it would be completely impossible! Kuhahahahaha!”

Chew-

Hakan laughed heartily while tearing into a large piece of meat.

Clang, click-

Hulani ate gracefully, working his fork and knife.

It was obvious at a glance that he was a nobleman with high etiquette and cultivation.

“Ohh… This water tastes truly excellent. Did the White Sovereign really create this?”

Hulani’s eyes widened in surprise as he drank the water from his glass.

“Yes. It has now become a specialty product of our Akran Village.”

Hakan, sitting across from Hulani, grinned boastfully.

Chew, munch-

“Puruung-“

Hulani’s spirit horse, Raniaké, chewed on fresh fruits placed in a manger nearby.

Real fodder or hay couldn’t be fed to a spirit like a real horse.

Her tail swayed pleasantly with the delicious meal.

Hulani continued to express his admiration.

‘Truly excellent.’

Though described as modest, it was by no means shabby.

The number of dishes served exceeded ten.

After all, one couldn’t carelessly treat a governor who ruled the region.

“Hmm… These dishes are really excellent. Were assassins who live by killing so skilled at cooking? I’d like to recruit them as exclusive chefs in my governor’s castle.”

“As you know, cooking skill is also part of an assassin’s accomplishments. I’m quite confident too. Also, cooking is a proper form of assassination. Humans are most defenseless and let their guard down when sleeping, using the bathroom, and eating.”

“Hmm, is that so?”

“Of course, I know such things don’t work on you at all, Governor! Kuhahahahaha! Kuhahahahaha!”

“I know you’re a good person. That’s why we can converse like this.”

Hulani spoke while gently wiping his mouth with a napkin.

‘…Still, fortunately the village chief is trustworthy, and at least we can communicate with each other.’

Having finished his meal, Hulani placed his interlocked fingers on the table and asked.

“So I won’t be able to meet the White Sovereign today after all?”

“The White Sovereign is currently out. He periodically takes out his worms to search for other worms and conduct rider training.”

“That’s unfortunate. I came all this way to meet him.”

“If you had sent word a few days earlier… I never dreamed you would visit the very next day like this.”

Hakan rubbed his clasped hands like a fly.

Hulani closed his eyes and asked.

“I heard that the Rashka are trying to establish their own independent kingdom. Is that true?”

“Yes, we hold such a dream.”

Hulani opened his eyes and said.

“That absolutely cannot happen. An independent nation? Don’t think of anything else; you should continue serving and dedicating your power to the people in the existing way.”

“Why should we serve without compensation or pay? How long must we live like that?”

“Because that’s the way you’ve lived. Are you thinking of going against the tradition handed down from your ancestors?”

“Although the tribal precepts recommend doing so, there’s no forced mandate.”

Hulani raised his voice with emphasis.

“What’s wrong with sacrificing and dedicating yourself for the weak and poor? Such use of power, no matter how excessive, is not wrong. That is the standard and model of a righteous ruler!”

“We are originally those who flow freely like sand. The interpretation of the doctrine of the assassination order that serves the Desert God Karayan is also extremely liberal. That’s why some even fell and pledged allegiance to the Fiery Demon King of the desert’s depths. Some who are intoxicated with power are of quite poor quality. Well, isn’t that just how our lives flow?”

Hakan smiled bitterly and secretly clicked his tongue.

‘A human as narrow-minded and inflexible as a ten-fold city wall.’

Hulani was by no means a bad person.

He was the epitome of an incorruptible official praised by the people.

But his way of thinking was extremely rigid.

This was because he carried out governance based solely on thorough love for the people.

He wasn’t good at handling his subordinates.

Among his subordinates, many lower-ranking officials suffered from excessive work and overload.

‘Isn’t that why corrupt officials like Zaid emerged?’

His background from a strictly military family, following an elite course and growing solely as a soldier, made his thinking even more rigid.

Perhaps it was natural that Hulani failed to discover the corruption in his organization.

He never dreamed his subordinates would do such things.

Hulani still could not understand the lower-ranking officials who had committed corruption.

With his rigid thinking, he may never understand.

‘Is he really a suitable person to accompany the White Sovereign along with us Rashka…?’

Hakan looked at Hulani with crossed arms and a very dubious gaze.

Hulani, with firmly interlocked fingers, continued to preach in an admonishing tone.

“I’m concerned that you, having gathered and gained strength, might harbor strange dark intentions. When powers gather, dangerous thoughts can arise. That’s why I’m trying to persuade you.”

“As I said before, we didn’t originally belong anywhere. Nor did we settle in this land for free. In exchange for tax exemption privileges, we protect the lives and property of the surrounding people.”

Hakan closed his eyes and spoke passionately, his lips trembling.

“…We have endured much until now. Everywhere on this continent, the Rashka are being heavily exploited. As a means to check our growth. This is all done by the countries to which we belong. The countries are trampling on our basic rights and lives. Because we can no longer endure such things, we want to establish an independent nation for the Rashka alone.”

Hulani fell silent and listened.

“The finance department official Zaid, who was recently executed by us, ultimately crossed the line, which is why that happened. We never touch ordinary people without reason. Those who do are garbage heretics who have betrayed the honor of the Rashka.”

“…I didn’t know. That’s my fault for not managing my subordinates properly.”

Hulani acknowledged in a subdued tone.

“…After all, doesn’t the governor bear some responsibility for the incident with the thousand soldiers? If you had handled your subordinates more loosely yet strictly, such an impulsive situation wouldn’t have happened. You should have maintained a proper balance.”

“…That’s also correct. I have nothing to say.”

Hulani raised his voice again.

“Even so, rebellion can never be tolerated. As long as you are on this land, you are the Amir’s people. Whether you have tax exemption privileges or not, once your feet touch the ground, there’s no difference. You having an independent country can never happen.”

“We just want to live, though.”

“It’s no different from rebellion. Your actions will not be welcomed anywhere in the West Continent.”

Hakan opened his eyes, sighed softly, and asked.

“…Hoo, let me ask you a question here. Why are you looking for the White Sovereign?”

At Hakan’s words, Hulani fell silent.

Wondering if there was some problem, Hakan tilted his head.

After a moment of silence, Hulani finally spoke in a subdued voice.

“I… have a mission to become friends with the White Sovereign.”

For a moment, Hakan’s eyes widened in surprise.

“Ha, haha! What a joke!”

That was all he could immediately say.

Hulani spoke with power in his eyes.

“It’s not a joke. I’m telling the truth.”

“Hmm…”

“I must become his friend.”

Hakan harbored deep concerns about those words.

He was worried in many ways.

‘I really don’t know. Truly.’

Setting aside the hierarchy of power.

There was no guarantee that he wouldn’t clash with the White Sovereign in terms of disposition.

Though he faced him as someone who prided himself on being very close to the Sovereign, he really wasn’t sure.

“…We have truly been patient all this time. I hope you understand.”

“…Alright. For now, I’ll convey that intention to the Amir.”

Hakan spoke with a sigh, and Hulani reluctantly answered.

Then both rose from their seats simultaneously, as if by agreement.

Because they knew that communication between them wasn’t working.

“When the White Sovereign returns, I’ll send word to the governor’s castle.”

“Yes, I’ll be waiting.”

Hakan withdrew hastily as if he had urgent business.

His hurried appearance seemed awkward.

Hulani stared at him fixedly.

The spirit horse Raniaké approached and said.

[What a shame. We came to meet the White Sovereign.]

“We’ll probably meet him if we visit again tomorrow. I plan to keep visiting.”

Hulani stroked Raniaké’s neck mane as if by habit.

Eventually, he flew up lightly like the wind onto his beloved horse’s saddle.

Just as Hulani, mounted on Raniaké, was about to leave.

Rumble…

Suddenly the ground where they stood shook, and then.

Kwaseuuuu─────!

Right beneath the table that had been set.

A super-large landmine buried beneath suddenly exploded massively.

As the soil mound shot up like a bomb, a huge circular dentition opened like a bear trap.

Kwachaaaaang─────!

Thick blood splattered in all directions.

The Palace Demon and the spirit were crushed in an instant.

Messages appeared in the White Sovereign’s view, who had been lurking one meter underground.

[Aptitude Predation has been activated.]

[S-rank Aptitude: Archer has been acquired.]

[S-rank Aptitude: Spearman has been acquired.]

[S-rank Aptitude: Swordsman has been acquired.]

[S-rank Aptitude: Wind Direction Magician has been acquired.]

[Physical Predation has been activated.]

[A-rank Physical Form: Wind Elemental has been acquired.]

Hulani was a Quadruple Class with four S-rank aptitudes, while Raniaké was an A-rank wind spirit.

It could truly be called a tremendous and outstanding combination.

The gifts weren’t just that.

[The power of the separated half-soul awakens. Divinity has been bestowed.]

[To Myth… 1%……]

[The power of the separated half-soul awakens. Spirit Affinity has blossomed.]

[Spirit Affinity Rate: 20%.]

Two completely new types of messages appeared.