Chapter 473 - Transformation (1)
The Mercenary King's life as a prisoner was not harsh or grueling, but rather as comfortable as if he were resting in his own chamber at home.
Of course, after the bloody battle against Cain, his wrist bone had been snapped and dangled loose, and his internal organs were battered, leaving him suffering from injuries.
But the North treated him with top-tier potions, served him plentiful meals, and nursed him carefully, so now his body had recovered quite a bit.
'Well, it's still impossible to exert my full strength though.'
If a high priest of the Luas Church had been present, he would already have been in perfect condition by now… but that was something that couldn't be helped.
This was the Ownerless Land after all.
And with non-human races, mostly beastkin, interwoven into society here, the Church would never settle in.
The Luas Church was a world religion solely for humans.
'Still… I thought they'd come looking for me soon, but there hasn't been a shadow of them.'
The Mercenary King spun his neatly reattached wrist.
Months ago, the Sovereign of the West had made a ploy to test the North, or rather the Holy One's intentions at the time.
The lords of territories near the city of Arein—Lord Harsbeg, Lord Frol, Lord Delgar—frightened by the Holy One's rise, were urged to kidnap Liam Arein.
They even spent a fortune hiring one of the mercenary corps under the Mercenary King to make thorough preparations.
…But they couldn't even begin their scheme, as they clashed with the "Eye of the Great Forest", Merquien, who happened to pass by, and were annihilated.
In any case, since the West had been the first to provoke, it was natural the North would not look upon them kindly.
'Perhaps they're sharpening their blades, bearing a grudge.'
Of course, that was only one of many guesses.
Unlike other powers, factors at the very peak of the North, let alone access to concrete information, were utterly out of reach.
Never had the Mercenary King seen such a tightly guarded faction. Because of that, the basis for predicting their actions was exceedingly thin.
Therefore.
'I have to see with my own eyes.'
The king of the underworld, or the tyrant.
The Honorary Count of the Kingdom of Estiria.
The Holy One of the Eastern Continent.
Which was the true face?
I must know.
How does he speak, what is his personality, what is his ultimate purpose… everything.
'For the Sovereign's sake.'
That was why the Mercenary King had entered the competition as a representative.
Among the plans laid out beforehand was also the possibility that the Mercenary King would become the North's hostage and meet the Holy One.
It was a plan that relied entirely on the Mercenary King's resourcefulness.
And finally, the moment had arrived.
The Holy One… Verden, had come to see the Mercenary King for hostage negotiations.
"Are you satisfied with how you're being treated as a hostage?"
Verden asked.
…Gulp.
For an instant, the Mercenary King was struck speechless and swallowed quietly.
***
The tension lingering on the Mercenary King's face lasted only a heartbeat.
"Haha, thanks to you I'm living well. Though I do feel a bit guilty, leeching off you for so long."
The Mercenary King answered with a good-natured laugh, mixing in humor.
Lightening the atmosphere, was his trick to prolong the conversation.
"Guilty, huh."
Verden, facing him, slowly tapped the armrest of a chair—closer to a sofa—with his index finger.
"In the Mediation Zone, a man called Helmer told me this. That the best way to properly judge the ransom of the Mercenary King was to have a conversation with the man himself."
"To ask a hostage about his own worth… admittedly it doesn't make sense, but in my case, it's true. In the West, I usually handled high-level ransom negotiations myself. I know my value better than any—"
"I'm not interested in how much you're worth."
Verden cut him off.
"This meeting isn't for negotiations. What I'm going to demand is so simple it doesn't even require bargaining."
"Oh, so there is something else you want. A light ransom, is it? Now I'm curious. May I hear it?"
Feigning innocence, the Mercenary King showed interest in his own ransom, all the while hiding the complex emotions that had weighed on him since entering the room.
The blue eyes still stared directly into his.
"Until now, the West has been quite the nuisance. Using nearby lords to attempt the kidnapping of Liam Arein, turning a blind eye to the South's hidden schemes in the competition… always toeing the line, skirting right on the edge."
"That—"
"Yet the only reason I haven't retaliated, unlike I did with the New East, is because I'm interested in the Sovereign's moves."
"...!"
The Mercenary King's expression stiffened for a moment.
'If he says he retaliated against the New East by now… that must mean he rendered the South's plans utterly useless.'
Perhaps more than that, he might have outright massacred the leadership driving the New East faction.
'The response is too fast.'
Even if the ones replacing the great lords were incompetents, how long had it been since the talks at the Mediation Zone ended? How could he have already dealt with them so thoroughly?
And all in such silence.
The Mercenary King forcibly shook off the deepening thoughts and moved his lips.
"Haha, who would've thought you'd hold such interest in the Sovereign. What a strange coincidence. The Sovereign is also watching your movements… Ah, actually, rather than this, why don't we arrange a meeting, so the two of you can talk directly?"
"That is my demand."
Just as the Mercenary King tried to steer the topic naturally, Verden tilted his chin.
"Go and tell the Sovereign. That I will come to him myself later, and until then, he should 'read the mood' and behave. That is your ransom."
"..."
"If you understand, gather your belongings and return to the West."
Verden added that he had arranged a carriage for him, and with those words, issued the dismissal.
The Mercenary King rose from his seat without further words.
"Such thoughtfulness. I thank you. It was an enjoyable time."
"I enjoyed it as well."
Creak, thud.
The Mercenary King stepped out the door.
Then, guided by a soldier once counted among the Valiant Fugitives, he walked down the corridor.
'A short conversation.'
And he hadn't been able to lead the topic as he wished.
The time was far too lacking to observe and grasp a man of such deep stratagems.
'Still, there was a result.'
From the first moment he saw the Holy One, that unsettling sensation—like facing an entire army of overwhelming power alone.
His experience and instincts screamed.
The Mercenary King was convinced.
Cold sweat, suppressed all throughout the conversation, now streamed down his body.
'If I clash with him…'
I'll die.
He must hurry to report this to the Sovereign.
***
Liam Arein's day was nothing short of endlessly busy. From the moment he woke in the morning until he went to bed at night, his schedule was filled to the brim.
Even meal appointments were among them, so he could hardly enjoy eating in peace.
That was why he felt glad.
Exchanging letters through bats with the vampire Dumal, who ruled the city of Dallehin as regent, seeking advice and gradually stepping forward as a lord.
Meeting people of every sort each day, he could feel his skills of leading conversations, his ability to manage people, steadily growing.
A life of fulfillment, day by day.
Of course, there were times when it was too much for him, but whenever that happened, his maid, Mires, was always there to encourage and cheer him on.
The one retainer who had never left his side…
'If only Father could have seen the Arein of today.'
Carrying the longing for his late predecessor in his heart, Liam was heading toward his office when he sensed a presence and lifted his head.
By the corridor window, sunlight spilling through, stood Verden.
"Ah, Lord Asher!"
Liam immediately went to stand at Verden's side.
'Every time he came to me in this way, he always had something to say.'
Learning from the past, Liam straightened his back as if by habit.
Verden spoke.
"It seems the North's security force is gradually taking shape. Nothing hindering it?"
"It's proceeding smoothly. There's a bit of noise since it's about organizing that massive mercenary corps, the Valiant Fugitives, but Captain Lester is handling that well."
"And the sponsoring nations?"
"We've scheduled meetings in the order of the Beldirn Republic, the Riviant Principality, and the Estiria Kingdom. Ah, but… is it all right for me to handle this?"
The nations of the Eastern Continent all had deep ties with Verden. Liam wondered if it was proper for him to step in.
"Of course. That is precisely the lord's prerogative."
With a single word, Verden scattered Liam's hesitation, then turned his head.
Tearing his gaze from the city outside the window, he fixed it on Liam.
"Liam Arein."
"Yes, Lord Asher."
"By now, you must realize it well enough. That I have many things hidden. Yet despite taking you under my wing, I've not told you anything proper. Doesn't that trouble you?"
"Not at all."
Liam answered without pause.
"I am alive thanks to you, Lord Asher. Everything, being with Mires and with everyone, all of it… I like it as it is now. Yesterday, today, and tomorrow, living as a lord, I am content. If there is one regret, it's only that I am too lacking to be of greater help to you."
To Liam, no matter what secrets Verden kept, he truly did not mind.
Verden, recalling the time when he had first met Liam—flustered before the envoy of Dallehin's lord—extended his hand.
From subspace, he summoned a spare communication device—a bracelet—and handed it to Liam.
"This is… a magical item?"
"Yes, go to Keirel, she'll teach you how to use it and what to beware of. It's very precious, so handle it with care."
"Understood. Thank you, Lord Asher."
Liam stroked the bracelet in wonder.
At the same time, his chest swelled. It felt as though he had been acknowledged.
As Verden passed him, he said.
"Continue building your capabilities little by little. For later, when you'll have to oversee the lords of the East as well—it would be overwhelming for you as you are now."
"Of course…"
Hm?
"The East?"
Liam turned back.
But Verden's figure had already vanished.
It was only a few days later that Liam would hear from Keirel the secret news that the New East faction had been annihilated.
***
At last, the appointment with the Sages of the Society, after finishing their meeting, was set.
The date, about eight days later.
Time flew quickly, and soon, the day arrived.
"Your Excellency, we shall depart."
As before, Heras tore four Society Island-exclusive scrolls one after another to activate the spell.
The formula of mana rose in the air, rearranging as space rippled. Violet waves welled around them.
'I have already decided how I will persuade the Sages, to make them lend their support in carrying out the Black Hour usurpation plan.'
What Verden chose was the direct method.
Proof of overwhelming existence.
There was no need to explain in words, they would have no choice but to acknowledge.
With power so absolute no one could deny it.
"Heras, I'll be making adjustments, so don't be too startled."
"…Pardon?"
Heras didn't understand what he meant, but nodded anyway.
By then, the limited spatial teleportation had been completed.
Fwaaaaaaah!
In an instant, the two of them moved to the Society's headquarters.
***
Leaving the silver citadel of the Society, the Sage of Wisdom, Melard, personally came forth to greet the guest soon to arrive.
'Unintentionally, I made him wait far too long.'
Because the Sage of Guardianship had returned late due to personal matters, the meeting had started late. There had been much to discuss as well.
Thus, the second meeting with the Holy One had been delayed longer than expected.
"…The Holy One."
Melard repeated that epithet.
There was much she wanted to ask.
Because she had more or less realized what unpleasant matters had occurred between him and the Bohemirn magic tower.
Though she had yet to hear it directly from the man himself, leaving it in the realm of conjecture, it was nonetheless a matter the Sages had no doubt about.
'He has come.'
Mana surged on the outskirts of the island.
Melard slowly turned her wheelchair toward that direction. Soon, two figures emerged from beyond space.
In that moment, the presence of a transcendent shook the entirety of the Society Island.
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