King Rex Draigo stood still near the Jackson territory.
The two houses that had agreed to join forces were gathering.
The Pantora family, composed of Lizardn.
The Dom family, made up of Dwarves.
They had appeared to quell the unrest in the Jackson family at the behest of Draigo.
Riding a black horse, Rex Draigo gazed at the approaching Lizardman, Mir Pantora, the head of the Pantora family.
Mir Pantra got down on one knee and said.
The Pantora family has assembled in accordance with His Majestys command.
Draigo waved his hand dismissively, skipping the formalities.
Right now, there was a more pressing matter at hand.
Start explaining. Make it brief.
Rex Draigo commanded the head of the Pantora family with an intimidating presence.
He had received an urgent call for help concerning Gale but was severely lacking in information.
He knew only that a critical problem had arisen for the hero party.
The head of the Pantora family spoke as ordered.
Ive heard that the succession struggle within the Jackson family has escalated into a civil war.
...Even with the hero party there?
Yes. After the heroes eliminated the boss monsters, the third-in-line heir took the opportunity to ambush everyone. This, of course, followed other issues caused by other sons of the Jackson family.
Rex Draigo let out a bitter laugh at this ridiculous truth.
...And naturally, the hero party was also involved?
Thats correct.
Rex clenched his teeth.
Custom 404 Error Page Template in D...
Please enable JavaScript
Please enable JavaScript
These mad bastards...
As he exuded a combative aura, everyone nearby began to tense up.
It was a well-known fact that the fury of the dragonian surpassed that of any other race.
And among all the dragonians, the anger that ran in the blood of the Draigo family was known to be the deepest.
King Rex Draigo, usually benevolent, was also acknowledged for the cruelty he could exhibit if he so chose.
The knights of Draigo were ntally preparing themselves, aware of their lords volatile state.
It was a day that could potentially end in endless executions.
...?
Then, one by one, they turned their heads towards the sound of the earth trembling.
Rex too sensed the change and looked in the direction of the disturbance.
From a distance, cavalryn, shaking the ground as they charged, ca into view.
They advanced at an unbelievable speed, maintaining formation and posture, a testant to their rigorous training.
...Can you see the flag?
Rex asked this to his aide, Gendry, while observing the approaching group.
Gendry, with furrowed brows, scrutinized in that direction.
Without needing to be ordered, so of Rexs soldiers moved forward to confront the cavalry.
After a mont, Gendrys eyes narrowed as he declared, Its the Red Flas group.
...Hmm.
Interest sparked in Rexs eyes.
He had received a letter from Gale a few days ago with so brief information.
Gale had ntioned going to rescue the vice-captain of the Red Flas group and the hero party.
A new candidate for the Warrior of solitude... and the man loved by the Saintess.
Assuming all had gone well, they must have t by now.
...It seems the information from Gale was true, Rex Draigo muttered to a companion.
It appears that Berg, the human rcenary, did go to rescue the Saintess. Seeing the Red Flas group rush like this.
............
The Archbishop of the Hea Church remained silent.
He just looked down at the ground, his expression frozen and lost.
The Archbishop, after hearing about the betrayal of the Jackson family, seed more sharp-edged than ever.
He opened his mouth as if to say sothing to Rex Draigo but...
...
He couldnt say anything and bowed his head again.
...
Rex looked at him and then dismissed it from his mind.
His problem was his own to solve.
Rex wasnt particularly inclined to concern himself with it.
Instead, his attention was drawn to the approaching Red Flas group.
Rex had developed an interest in the Red Flas, a group that had risen rapidly and was now exuding considerable power.
For months, he had been hearing incessantly about Adam and Berg from the Red Flas group.
Especially Adam, who at first seed just a wise leader, turned out to be a candidate for the Warrior of Solitude and a close associate of Gale.
Berg too was a candidate for the Warrior of solitude, deeply connected with the Saintess.
Who would have thought that among re rcenaries, there would be two such remarkable individuals?
Rex even contemplated if they could be the final pieces needed to end the war against the demons.
The Red Flas group halted at a respectful distance.
So of their cavalryn broke ranks, approaching and conversing with Rexs soldiers.
Soon, a man from the Red Flas group, leading a horse, made his appearance.
He followed Rexs soldiers, joining the main body.
The human man, robust and handso, dismounted from his horse.
His overwhelming presence was unmistakable.
...
Rexs interest grew even more at the sight of him.
Without needing an introduction, Rex could tell this Human was Adam.
Adam approached Rex Draigo with confident strides, offering a polite nod.
I am Adam, leader of the Red Flas group.
...
Rex smiled as he looked at the commoner, who was bolder than the average aristocrat.
Such uniqueness must be why he stood out so much.
Humans indeed were an exceptional race.
Like the sons of the Jackson family, often producing worthless beings... yet simultaneously giving rise to such fascinating and extraordinary individuals.
And to think there were two such beings within the Red Flas group.
What brings you here?
Rex probed Adam with his question.
Adam responded without hesitation.
I heard my dongsaeng* ca here to rescue the hero party. Since we were initially commissioned by Your Majesty, I ca to join them, albeit belatedly.
Ah, then youll join us. Ive heard the Jackson territory is still in chaos. We need to enter and execute a few vermin.
Adam responded without hesitation to the proposal.
Ill help.
Ah, thats to my liking, then, Rex said.
****
Adam had learned of Bergs decision from a letter sent by Gale.
Berg had taken the Head Hunter unit and went to aid his childhood friend, the Saintess.
It was a journey for Berg to confront his deadliest weakness.
Recalling how long he had kept this story hidden, and how he had pushed away won over the last seven years, it was easy to guess what the Saintess ant to Berg.
Which made it all the more worrying.
The state Berg was in.
...Of course, after receiving the kings request, Adam had asked Berg if he would like to help the hero party.
But asking and deciding are different things.
Even if Berg had decided to help the heroes, Adam had planned to go with him to keep an eye on his condition.
However, now that Berg was alone, Adam was even more concerned.
Knowing Bergs tendency to act on emotion only amplified this worry.
-Thud.
Before entering the Jackson territory, Adam donned his helt.
His plan was to calm the succession conflict and find Berg.
From what hed heard, Berg wasnt in grave danger.
This wasnt really a war, after all.
It was a suppression.
Adam thought the fight would end more easily than expected.
The sons of the Jackson family, who had started factions, couldnt possibly defeat an army ford by several houses.
Leader of the Red Flas group.
As he was preparing to depart, soone called out to Adam.
It was the kings aide.
...You shall not depart yet. His Majesty wishes to speak with you.
...?
Adam felt puzzled, thinking their brief conversation had concluded.
Yet, he had no intention of refusing.
It was the king, after all.
After the war, this was the man who could guarantee the safety of the Red Flas group.
Adam nodded at Gendry.
-Thud.
He took off his helt.
Then, he turned to his two officers and instructed them.
...Theodore, Krian. Find Berg first.
Theodore nodded in agreent.
Of course. Dont worry, Captain.
Ill be back soon, Captain.
.
.
.
Except for a few guards, all the soldiers rushed into the Jackson familys castle.
King Rex Draigo quietly observed this scene.
Adam maintained silence behind him.
The king, gazing at the landscape, spoke softly.
...These past few months have been interesting. Watching the Red Flas group grow.
...
First, a rcenary group that used to be quiet, now accepting nobles as paynt... Then hearing about an extraordinary vice-captain... And even overtaking other rcenary groups to get priority in assignnts...
...
And now, to top it all off, having two candidates for the Warrior of solitude. Quite fascinating, isnt it?
Adam remained silent.
It wasnt a question that necessarily required an answer, so he offered none.
The king, as if he never needed a response from Adam, continued.
Smart move, Adam. The Red Flas will survive post-war.
...
Quietly, Adams expression hardened.
He felt the reassurance that his choice had been the right one.
Had they not been prepared, they might have been one of the rcenary groups facing dissolution.
Of course, this is assuming we win the war. Such incidents as this one must not happen again, the king stated.
He slowly turned his head.
eting Adams eyes.
Adam did not avert his gaze.
....Are you a warrior of Lynn? the king asked suddenly.
It was a serious question, asked with a stern expression.
Im not sure myself.
Adam responded with equal seriousness.
The king continued to inquire.
So, is your vice-captain a Warrior of Lynn?
Adam shook his head slightly.
...I dont believe so.
The king sighed.
We need to win this war, yet we still havent found the Warrior of solitude... Maybe this trouble arose because he wasnt here.
...
Adam, you must know. If we lose the war against the Demon King... it wont matter whether the Red Flas group survives or not. Dragonian, Elves, Humans... all will slowly perish at the hands of the demons.
Then, the king, with a hardened expression and a hint of intimidation, asked again.
...Could you or your vice-captain join the hero party?
...................
Adam pondered his answer for a long ti, deliberating over what stance to take and how to express it.
After much thought, he finally made a decision and spoke firmly to the king.
That wouldnt be possible.
He directly refused the kings request.
It was risky, but he had to gamble.
Without evidence of being the Warrior of solitude, joining the heroes would be a burden.
Theres also no evidence that youre not the Warrior of solitude.
...
Instead of responding, Adam just looked at Rex.
Rex held the gaze for a long while, then smiled.
Impressive courage. Theres been no one who has stood up to like this before. Youve earned my respect.
...
Rex let out a long sigh.
The atmosphere lightened.
Right, you make a good point. Without evidence, I cant force you. Even as a king, acting rashly can lose peoples hearts. Ah, being the leader of a rcenary group, you must understand my perspective to so extent.
...Ive found that carrots work better than sticks when I need to persuade.
Rex laughed heartily at that comnt.
He laughed robustly for a while.
No fear at all in this one! I like that about you, Gale comnted.
Rex, having cald his laughter, asked.
So, what carrot would you want?
...
Adam montarily recalled a multitude of long-held thoughts.
He rembered monts spent on battlefields for a long ti.
He also thought of his comrades who had died or left.
...And lastly, he considered Berg, weary from his rcenary life.
...
Adam hadnt forgotten the conversation he had with Berg in the Blackwood territory.
The thought had always occupied a place in Adams heart.
Im not a noble, so I dont have land. I cant even farm. Thats why I keep doing rcenary work like this.
It sounds like you wish to soday live a life farming, doesnt it?
If that were possible, it would be great, Berg. Like I said, after the war, we need to find a new path.
Adam pondered deeply before speaking.
.....A title and so land would be nice.
So, you wish to beco a noble.
The king looked at Gendry.
Gendry nodded in agreent.
With the aides affirmation, the king continued.
Yes, its not difficult. There are many lands now ownerless due to monsters. Once the war ends, what cant be done?
...
The king smiled.
You cant join the hero party, then?
Adam nodded again.
The king said,
Alright. Then let it be so. There have been tales that the Warrior of solitude acts independently of the hero party... true to the na, a solitary warrior.
He smiled, then added as if setting a safety net.
But rember one thing. If you make significant contributions in the war, I will grant you a title.
Adam looked at the king.
The king continued speaking.
Its a promise. If that mont cos... dont forget it.
The End of The Chapter
[TL: Dongsaeng: It ans younger sibling and it can be used for both males or females younger than you regardless of their biological relation to you.
Join Patreon to support the translation and to read up to 5 chapters ahead of the release: /readingpia
Join Our Discord for regular updates and have fun with other community mbers: /invite/SqWtJpPtm9 ]
Reviews
All reviews (0)