Surviving as a Knigh Chapter 78 : Chapter 78

Chapter 78

"...It's embarrassing. Even I don't know what to do now. If it's like this even now, what will happen after I die? Isn't the current West Continent also in this state because the Unification Emperor passed away?"

Where had that astonishing aura from monts ago gone? Now, before Karl's eyes, stood nothing more or less than a weary old man worried about the aftermath of his own death.

"I'm already over 60 years old. An age where I would have sufficiently died and more if I weren't a Master. Now, I too am tired."

He truly looked exhausted.

Indeed, anyone would be tired after spending over 40 years on the battlefield.

Even if he were the rcenary Emperor, not just the rcenary King, there was no escaping the flow of ti.

"I ask of you. Please strive to keep those boys from going astray. I plan to announce the Succession War in a few days."

"Isn't that too irresponsible? It's ultimately sothing you created, yet you intend to throw everything onto the next generation and let a storm of blood blow?"

"...I won't deny that I bear so fault. Still, please understand that there are aspects unavoidable because we are rcenaries. This isn't about choosing a candidate for a knight order or a noble successor. It's about selecting the leader of those who have no enemies anywhere and belong nowhere. It's not sothing that can be decided just because I decree it."

While traveling here and listening to people's stories, Karl had thought Bahamut was the problem.

That if he had clearly designated a successor, things like this wouldn't have happened.

But that was Karl's arrogance.

'I thought wrong.'

Considering various factors, the rcenary King's words were correct.

No matter how firmly the succession was established, one couldn't build the sa standing as the current Bahamut, nor could they fulfill the role of the rcenary King, the leader of the countless rcenaries across the continent.

The rcenary Guild and the rcenary King were that symbolic.

"What is this Succession War?"

"The one who is strongest and followed by the most rcenaries becos the rcenary King."

"By what asure will that be determined?"

"One week after the announcent of the Succession War. The one who obtains the surrender of the other candidates at the heart of the rcenary Guild here wins."

"If that's all, wouldn't a fight to the death break out?"

"It won't be easy to see blood."

"Why is that?"

"Because I am alive."

"I see."

Montarily, Karl felt as if he had been struck on the head.

That was right; as long as the rcenary King Bahamut was alive, rcenaries couldn't move recklessly.

If so, the only thods were underhanded tactics.

Or a direct confrontation.

Clashing head-on with forces they could mobilize, or using underhanded tactics to eliminate the opposing candidate—only one of these two was an option.

"If underhanded tactics are used, the candidates will eventually die."

At that mont, Karl noticed the rcenary King's eyes gleaming.

"Don't tell , you...."

Bahamut was smiling.

Smiling very brightly, at that.

"You were hoping they would use underhanded tactics. And that mont would be when I am needed."

"Until recently, they called you the Knight of the Lighthouse, and now they call you the Knight of Salvation. I hope you will show us a miracle too."

"You seem convinced I will help you?"

"The Knight of Salvation in the rumors has achieved many great deeds, but there was one common thread."

"Is that so?"

"He consistently acted in a way that prevented the world from falling into greater chaos than it already was. So, what do you think will happen to the world if our problem isn't resolved?"

Along with his smile, a quest window popped up.

[Quest: Find the Traitor of Ulstein.]

Given the quest, it was difficult to refuse the rcenary King's request, but Karl's eyes glead.

"There's no such thing as a free lunch in the world."

"...You seed to have helped Owen?"

Karl took out an item from his bosom and showed it.

"...You received sothing like that.... Then, what do you want from ? rcenaries cannot be moved at will like the Alcantara Knights. That is sothing I cannot do even if I wanted to."

"Think carefully about what reward you will give."

The rcenary King's expression distorted strangely for the first ti.

Then, the rcenary King took out a golden plaque from his bosom and handed it to Karl.

"No matter what happens, I will personally grant one request you desire just once. Of course, that's not all."

[Pledge of the rcenary King: A precious item that can directly move the rcenary King Bahamut.]

Karl smiled strangely as he looked at the plaque he handed over.

So might think it could be broken because it was a simple verbal promise, but Karl could understand the absolute nature it possessed.

"It's insufficient."

"Your ambition is not small. I shall allow you to use that plaque until you die. While there's no compulsion over individual rcenaries, the structure of the rcenary 'Guild' itself will support you for life."

aning, just by showing this, he could imdiately operate as a top-tier rcenary, obtain information from the rcenary Guild, receive the best treatnt when hiring rcenaries, and use the rcenary Guild's facilities without limit.

It was a very profitable deal.

"Alright. I shall accept the request."

"Thank you. Sincerely."

***

A few days after Karl t Bahamut, the rcenary King's announcent, which shocked Ulstein, spread far and wide.

[From this mont on, for one week, I declare the Succession War. One of the successors will beco the final, sole rcenary King candidate at the rcenary Guild headquarters one week later.]

rcenaries constantly pondered the aning contained within that brief announcent.

And among those referred to as candidates, two, excluding one, distorted their faces in contemplation.

"What on earth is the Master thinking!"

The second disciple, Seonil, with his fiery temper, kicked a nearby chair and shouted.

"Has the Master ever done anything aningless? Seonil, you too must learn to control your emotions now."

The rcenaries nearby nodded at the words of the first disciple, Kavar, spoken in a bold tone.

"Isn't it a good thing for both of you, since you can beco the rcenary King candidate you so desired?"

The two n cleared their throats at the words of the third disciple, Verpin, who was looking at them with a gentle smile.

"You act as if it doesn't concern you?"

"I have no interest; the life I desire cannot be obtained by becoming the rcenary King. Why would I covet that position?"

"Hmph! What exactly do you desire that you would refuse the rcenary King's seat?"

"To live comfortably and enjoyably."

Seonil's face contorted heavily at Verpin's smiling words.

"You half-wit. Still, if you are the rcenary King's disciple, you should harbor great aspirations. Being born a man."

Despite Seonil's criticism, Verpin rely maintained a serene expression.

"So, what are your thoughts, eldest brother?"

"What do you an, what thoughts?"

"Anyway, if that Verpin fellow says he's not interested, it's a fight between you and , brother. Aren't you also ultimately aiming for the rcenary King title, brother?"

"Your words are flippant."

"Hmph! Unlike you, brother, who always pretends to be dignified while backstabbing. Wasn't it your doing, brother, bringing in Marquis Baltimo to strike the Espino rcenary Corps?"

"You speak recklessly. Joining hands with external forces is taboo for us rcenaries. Are you saying I broke that principle?"

"If not, why else would Marquis Baltimo have moved?"

"You must have brought them in."

The gazes of the two n crossed, and flas of anger ignited in each other's eyes.

"A week is a long ti where anything could happen to anyone. You should take good care of yourself, brother."

"Yes, please take care of yourself too."

After exchanging such regards, the second disciple, Seonil, left first.

And in the remaining space, only Kavar and Verpin were left.

"Verpin, I know you have reached the highest realm among us. In the future, when I beco the rcenary King and take responsibility for the Guild, there will be many difficulties. It would be good if you were by my side then. If you just stay by my side, I too will guarantee your position for life and do my best to let you do what you desire."

As soon as Seonil disappeared, Kavar imdiately tried to recruit Verpin.

"Brother Kavar. Thank you for your words. However, I do not wish to get involved between the two of you. I will do nothing, so I hope the two of you will compete for the rcenary King's seat. I will exert no influence whatsoever in that process."

Verpin flatly refused Kavar's proposal and rose to his feet.

"Verpin, no matter how much you say you won't interfere, how can one trust so easily?"

His face, which had been only benevolent monts ago, seed subtly hardened and twisted.

"Wouldn't it be better to trust ? Rather than making

beco your enemy, brother?"

Verpin's face, which had also been smiling just monts before, hardened, revealing a cold impression.

"Truly frustrating disciples."

After Verpin too left the place, only Kavar's muttering echoed there.

***

Verpin headed towards a tavern as usual.

"Sir Verpin, you've arrived!"

Being a regular at every tavern within Ulstein, there was no one who didn't recognize him wherever he went.

Verpin familiarly ordered a drink at the tavern he hadn't visited in a while.

"Haven't seen this owner before?"

"I've only been here about three months, didn't you know? I newly acquired this place. My na is Anne."

"Such a beauty running a tavern frequented by rough rcenaries?"

"Oh my, thank you for calling

a beauty. Wouldn't being a beauty be more advantageous?"

The mont she smiled and walked away, Verpin's gaze followed her steadily.

'A dangerous woman.'

In that brief mont, Verpin discerned that Anne was no ordinary woman.

Just then, the door slowly opened, and a man walked in.

He was a man dressed in typical knight attire, wearing a surcoat over chainmail.

His jet-black hair and eyes were striking.

His interest piqued, Verpin watched until the man took a seat and ordered a beer.

"What brings you here?"

"Ca for work, right? Just happened to acquire a new shop."

"There was a reason Sancho was nearby."

The man who had just entered through the door seed to know the shop owner.

The shop owner who changed three months ago, and a knight unlikely to be in Ulstein, knowing each other.

Could they be related to the recent incident where the Marquis Baltimo family massacred the Espino rcenary Corps?

Verpin's mind raced rapidly.

His words about having no interest in the rcenary King succession were sincere.

However, it wasn't that he lacked affection for the rcenary Guild.

He also clearly rembered his debt of gratitude to the master who had taken him in, a war orphan with nothing.

"By the way, how does the owner know that knight? I'm a local here, but I've never seen that knight before. Didn't you say you've only been running the business for 3 months?"

Despite Verpin's sharp question, the smile didn't leave Anne's face.

"If you knew who that knight was, you wouldn't be saying that."

"Huh? Who on earth is that knight?"

"Isn't he the most famous knight these days? The Knight of the Lighthouse. And now, the one called the Knight of Salvation, Sir Karl Reitz yer."

"...What did you say?"

Montarily, Verpin's face went blank.

What on earth did that an?

He had heard rumors about the storm he raised and then cald in Alcantara recently.

Was he saying that man was now in Ulstein, just a few days later?

"Co to think of it...."

A surcoat embroidered with a black diagonal cross, chainmail, and a single longsword without a shield.

Black hair and a manly impression.

Everything matched the rumors about Karl yer.

However, in a world where many impersonated Karl yer these days, Verpin couldn't easily believe him.

"Are you truly Sir Karl?"

"What do you think?"

With that short phrase, Verpin found himself gaping without realizing it.

'Ah... Huge!'

From the young man before him, Verpin felt a presence as imnse as the rcenary King's.

That the rcenary King, counted among the best even among Masters who had reached the highest realm, and the young knight before him possessed similar auras was an utter shock to Verpin.

He had no choice but to acknowledge that the man before his eyes was truly the Knight of the Lighthouse from the rumors.

"You must be the third disciple."

The one among the rcenary King's three disciples who had the least ambition yet reached the highest realm.

It was Verpin, who had recently entered the realm of Master.