Translator: Wan ED/PR: Fan
Chapter 85. Viscount Chepplan family
[Those things, eh?]
— The spy nest!
Latta continued Russell’s words.
[Do you know what those are?]
Bethel asked.
[Not only do we know, didn’t Lucion forge information in one of them?]
Russell spoke, showing surprise.
He thought it was some unspeakable place, but in no way had he expected it to be created by the Neavera Kingdom.
“And because there’s not even one branch in Cronia, they used other methods…”
“Wait. There’s no branch in Cronia?”
Thinking that this situation was unfolding differently from the novel, Lucion reacted to the name ‘Cronia’ Pete brought up and asked.
“The border is a place that warlocks can’t enter. I actually wanted to ask if it’s not the contrary.”
For a second, Russell and Bethel did their best to control their expressions.
The fact that there was a Death Knight, who was killing warlocks and took Cronia’s mansion as his base, was a secret they kept from Lucion.
‘A place that warlocks can’t enter…?’
Lucion was confused.
‘Aren’t I a warlock?’
“I’m not a warlock, so I don’t know, but I heard that there’s something that kills warlocks. However, looking at it now… It seems to just be a baseless rumor.”
Pete spoke looking at the alive warlock standing right in front of him.
How scary was Novio, the ruler of Cronia, that such words circulated?
“So, do you know the locations of those branches?”
Lucion put the nonsense aside.
He was a warlock, so if the rumors were true, wouldn’t something have already happened to him?
“I know the branches’ locations, but there are probably no people who know who the bastards managing all six branches are. That bastard knows that if someone finds out his identity, he will be killed, so he always thoroughly hides himself.”
Cross scar, blackened fingernails.
That was all the information he had until now.
‘How thoroughly he hides himself, that no one knows?’
Lucion fiddled with his fingers.
“He was changing his voice, and when meeting Roberio, he used a thin wall, or covered himself with cloth, etc. The bastard who met with Roberio may not even be the real one. Anyway, because people mainly meet him at night, he is called ‘Owl’.”
[If it’s someone who hides his identity, he is someone who suffered considerable damage, or his face is well-known to the public, so there is a high chance that he is a high-ranking government official or a noble.]
Bethel spoke, contemplating it.
As she worked as a knight, she often saw high ranking nobles in important positions.
[In addition, we know that he has a cross scar on the back of his hand and black fingernails.]
Russell informed Bethel of the additional information.
[Cross scar…?]
Bethel’s eyes shook for a moment, and Russell asked:
[What? Do you know someone?]
[… I do. The trash I served who betrayed me. I know that that bastard had a cross scar on the back of his hand.]
Bethel gritted her teeth and clenched her fists.
While Lucion looked at Bethel, Pete stopped in his tracks.
“Even so, there is a way. But, no matter who you are, it’s difficult to use.”
“Speak.”
Lucion urged Pete.
“Instead of having a branch in Cronia, they planted people. If You chase those bastards and the bastards connected to them, You can reach Owl. However, the problem is that it’s not easy to enter Cronia.”
When the word ‘Cronia’ came out, the corners of Russell’s mouth twitched.
Cronia’s youngest child was right in front of his eyes.
And Lucion already used the way Pete was proposing as a solution.
“I heard that they are extremely cautious, closed-off and there are many tests one has to get through. How difficult can it be that some even say that it’s more difficult to enter Cronia than the imperial family?”
‘Very, very difficult.’
Lucion knew about those tests.
There were seven of them.
The tests didn’t differentiate between knights, menservants or maids.
However, the treatment was better than in other families, and though there were bastards who lost their heads due to their mistakes, no person readily left Cronia.
For a second, Hyum flinched.
Didn’t she enter Cronia just like that?
“It wasn’t that bastard Roberio didn’t attempt it. But he frequently failed.”
“Even so, give me the list of bastards you know were planted in Cronia.”
When Lucion stretched out his hand, Pete handed over the document with a sorry face.
“I apologize that I can’t be of any great help.”
[No, that was very helpful. Because it gives certainty to the work Lucion was doing.]
Even though there was no way for Pete to hear him, Russell looked at Pete and nodded, as if saying ‘well done’.
‘Well then, I should organize the power relationships.’
He confirmed through Pete that there was Owl behind Roberio, and there was the Neavera Kingdom behind Owl.
“Then what about the warlocks, no, the Hand of Void bastards? Did they just make a contract with Roberio, or are they holding hands with the Neavera Kingdom? Speak if you know.”
“… How did You know those warlocks were from the Hand of Void?”
When Lucion asked, Pete asked, flustered.
“I have my ways. So? Who is holding hands with the Hand of Void?”
“They’re warlocks sent by the Neavera Kingdom to be used by Roberio.”
At Pete’s answer, Lucion couldn’t speak for a moment.
‘Crazy…’
When Roberio said the Hand of Void is in the Neavera Kingdom, he’d naturally thought it meant that the Hand of Void had a base there.
A kingdom was holding hands with warlocks?
‘No, it’s more like the Neavera Kingdom is winning over the warlocks.’
Who would have thought of joining hands with warlocks in a world that considers warlocks the enemies of humanity.
And it wasn’t just a group, but a kingdom.
[What is….]
Russell was also flustered.
He sneered and continued to speak.
[Was the Neavera Kingdom such a courageous country that would without hesitation hold hands with warlocks, knowing that it could be clubbed by any country?]
‘Right. That Neavera?’
Lucion revealed his doubts after Russell’s words.
Why was the empire the empire?
No matter how the Neavera Kingdom was 2nd, it couldn’t match even half of the power possessed by the Tesealla Empire.
Especially since it was the Neavera Kingdom, which was squirming at the border because Novio trampled it about ten years ago, and its sometimes stormy actions changed to something closer to showing off.
If the war occurred, it was obvious who the Holy Nation Nevast would stand for, so anyone could guess the ending.
‘… By the way, didn’t the Hand of Void grow bigger by absorbing simple villains?’
Now Lucion understood the secret behind the Hand of Void’s growth.
‘The Neavera Kingdom is trying to swallow the empire. The Hand of Void needs power for the warlock’s rights and freedom. It was perfect for them to join hands.’
Lucion’s mask turned orange.
Feeling like he was secretly hit in the back of the head, annoyance surged in him.
“So what are those bastards’ goals? What are the Neavera Kingdom’s and the warlocks’ goals?”
“I don’t know. However, I thought that it’s not exactly the same as Neavera wanting the empire’s collapse.”
“Then, in the end, Neavera and the Hand of Void have their issues, and they will target Cronia, which is the shield and spear of the empire?”
Lucion tried to sound out Pete.
No matter how much Pete had a debt of gratitude to repay, he probably wouldn’t tell him all of the information.
“To enter Cronia, You have to pass through Cronia, so it will naturally be their goal.”
“But Cronia is wide. An experienced shield won’t be pierced, right? There would only be exactly one weakness.”
At that moment, Pete was shaken.
[It’s the right answer, but…]
Russell spoke with a disapproving face.
How would Lucion feel to have to personally bring up that name?
Lucion spoke up again.
“The youngest, Lucion Cronia. He is the only ordinary person in Cronia, which is made up of monsters, right?”
Pete took a deep breath.
Anyway, he recognized that it wasn’t something he could hide.
“I can’t speak for certain. But I think this is the only card that can shake the ruler of the border, Novio. And even without it, Lucion’s importance rose and is extremely high right now.”
Bethel examined Lucion.
But because his face was covered by the mask, it was difficult to know what expression he was making.
Pete pointed to himself.
“Hamel-nim. Do You know why I told You this?”
“Because the organization has to destroy those six branches.”
“Yes. I was observing this organization for the last few days. However, no matter how much I think about it, the owner of this organization seems to be Hamel-nim, not Krone.”
‘Quite sharp, eh?’
Lucion held back his laughter.
“I heard that it has only been two weeks since this organization was stabilized. No one could grow this fast. I have to admit, I admire the power Hamel-nim has.”
“So?”
“After destroying the six branches, please accept the shield of the Tesealla Empire and grow even bigger.”
Pete took out a piece of paper.
Lucion accepted the paper.
At that moment, blue threads revealed themselves.
‘… Six blue threads?’
First, many blue threads that were likely related to the six branches wrapped around him.
Lucion suppressed the swears that threatened to spill at any moment.
He didn’t know how many of those blue threads would change into red threads.
“You want me to help in your revenge?”
Lucion asked Pete, while he looked at the blue threads connected to his body.
They didn’t budge, like revenge wasn’t the way.
“Yes. I won’t lie. But it will surely help this organization.”
As Pete said, by destroying the six branches, and revealing the Neavera Kingdom behind this, they could receive the empire’s protection, and the organization could rapidly and safely grow.
“No. My organization will cooperate with the empire, not come under it.”
But Lucion didn’t want to take this road.
“We have to grow as an independent force.”
“…?”
“Even so, I hope you stay with us. I’ll certainly help you achieve your revenge. I promise.”
Destroying the Hand of Void was something he had already decided to do to change his future.
He will not destroy those six branches, but rather use them.
At that moment, the six blue threads became taut.
Pete got on one knee.
His eyes were very firm.
“What is there to hesitate? I, who had no future, was given the future by Hamel-nim. From now on, my second life and my magic belongs solely to Hamel-nim.”
“Okay.”
Lucion answered happily.
His goal was revenge, but Lucion got his hands on the best defense mage.
***
Lucion walked up to Syandra to get home and took off his mask.
“… Haa.”
It wasn’t that stuffy, but he really liked the feeling of the wind touching his skin.
While he was about to take off the cloak, Latta spoke up.
— Why is Lucion targeted?
When Latta made a sullen face, Lucion smirked.
“Because I’m Cronia’s weakness.”
— No. Lucion is not a weakness. Latta knows.
“I was until three weeks ago. No. I was like that until I met Master-nim.”
Bethel had troubled hiding her startled expression at the words ‘three weeks’.
He could use such magic in just three weeks?
— Then why do humans hate warlocks? Darkness is not bad. Darkness is kind. Latta knows that, too.
[They raise the dead, and can communicate with ghosts — the beings which people don’t know about. As they don’t see them, they can’t help but be scared.]
Russell replied instead of Lucion.
— Latta doesn’t know. Latta thinks it’s just that the usage of power is different.
It was truly commendable that Latta tried to think so hard, so Lucion crouched down and stroked Latta’s head.
“Young Master.”
“Yeah, Hyum.”
“Do You perhaps plan on going somewhere else? How about calling it a day and going back to the mansion? Young Master looks very tired.”
“Yeah. We should return to the mansion. As we were wandering the whole day, I’m a bit tired.”
Lucion put the clothes, like mask and cape, in the magic pocket, and climbed Syandra.
Hyum and Latta also climbed up, and Syandra moved.
Feeling the wind, Lucion, fell into thought.
The fact that the enemy he had to face was the kingdom wasn’t shocking, but rather it made him grind his teeth.
‘The Neavera Kingdom again? Those bastards again?’
The enemy country that kidnapped him was Neavera.
*~*~*
Translator’s note: Trying to bite big, huh?
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