Chapter 129. This Is Why Academic Background Matters
When Parun came to his senses, he disappeared somewhere, then returned, neatly dressed in a new outfit instead of his tattered clothes.
However, the seat of honor was still mine.
“…”
“What, why?”
“Nothing.”
“Understand, Sir Parun. He behaves that way because he’s uneducated.”
That was true. Of course, it was the kind of truth that deserved a beating, but I didn’t throw a punch.
Anyway, after holding my ground in a short staring contest and keeping the upper seat, I looked at the two of them and opened my mouth.
“First, Sha— no. What should I call you?”
“Call me Master. It’s from ‘Master Knight,’ you see.”
Bullshit.
‘Master’ was a title a servant used for their owner. A name dripping with sly intent.
I lightly sidestepped Shine’s devious naming attempt and continued.
“First off, Parun. Speak. You acknowledge that insect eater’s joining us, right?”
“I acknowledge it.”
It wasn’t a question that needed to be asked, but I threw it out there for the sake of organizing the situation.
“Good, then now that our key player’s decided, let’s discuss the main schedule.”
I had already explained the plan to Parun, but since Shine was new, I went over it again.
“Let’s see. The deal between Lorutel and Dekulan will take place exactly ten days from now. The meeting point is here.”
I pointed to a part of the map Parun had prepared.
Though it wasn’t a detailed military map, it was sufficient for explanation.
My finger indicated a village called Baidun.
“It’s a village adjacent to Lorutel’s territory. To be exact, it belongs to some noble’s domain, so it’s technically outside both Dekulan’s and Lorutel’s spheres of influence.”
This was where Dekulan’s craftiness showed itself.
Dekulan and Lorutel, the location wasn’t within either power’s territory, but Baidun lay right beside Lorutel’s border.
At first glance, it looked like Dekulan was showing consideration to Lorutel, but…
‘Rather, they’re trying to prove their innocence.’
Everyone in the eastern continent knew Dekulan’s hands were dirty.
By setting the meeting point near Lorutel’s territory, they were indirectly signaling, “See? We have nothing to hide.”
Of course, Dekulan truly had nothing to hide.
To be exact…
‘Their scheming just isn’t aimed at Lorutel this time.’
“The original plan was to make contact when the Third Sword is escorting the Infinite Chain.”
“In what manner?”
“Good question.”
We’d make contact with the Third Sword who was transporting the Infinite Chain.
Easier said than done.
Meeting them wasn’t actually hard. There was only one route from Lorutel’s castle to Baidun, and if we positioned ourselves along that path, we’d inevitably run into them.
You know, like mountain bandits.
We’d wait there, and then…
‘Challenge them to a duel.’
…That was my answer to Shine’s question, after which I gave her a look asking if she had more to say.
“Well, contacting the Third Sword is one thing, but there still seems to be a problem.”
“Let’s hear it.”
“First, if the Third Sword refers to the third-ranked among the Ten Swords I know, their prestige must be considerable. However, not so great that they can decide their house’s major affairs singlehandedly.”
“That’s true.”
“Another thing… would such a person, burdened with a crucial duty, really accept a duel?”
“First, the duel with the Third Sword is merely a means to an end, a trigger to secure a meeting with the young lord. The first button, so to speak.”
“Young lord?”
“Right. To overturn Dekulan’s deal, we’ll have to reach at least the young lord. Anyway…”
I answered Shine’s final doubt.
“You asked if the Third Sword would accept a duel, right? I’m sure of it. They will.”
“I don’t know why you’re so certain, but… continue.”
Shine dropped her doubt for now.
That made things easier for me.
‘Because honestly, if she pressed for why, I wouldn’t have a real explanation ready.’
Lorutel was a house that revered martial prowess and chivalry. But relying solely on that tendency to push through a plan would’ve been reckless.
So why was I so confident?
‘Because it’s the Third Sword.’
Lorutel worshipped chivalry more than any other swordsmanship clan, and the Third Sword was one of the most devout among them.
In my past life, the Third Sword never refused a duel fought with honor. Not out of bloodlust, but out of respect for another warrior as an equal.
Of course… unless the family’s survival was at stake.
‘I’d seen plenty of similar cases before.’
That’s why I was confident.
“Anyway, winning or losing the duel doesn’t matter. What matters is…”
“To be acknowledged as a warrior. That’s what you mean?”
“Exactly.”
“Hmph. Getting recognized by a green brat rubs me the wrong way, but… if it’s for the plan, so be it.”
Anyway, the rest of the plan wasn’t complicated.
‘The Third Sword promises one favor to any warrior they acknowledge. We’ll use that promise to arrange a meeting with the young lord.’
A promise made on honor, there was no way the Third Sword would refuse. They might prioritize their mission, but…
‘That’s what my trump card is for.’
Whatever compensation Dekulan offered Lorutel, I was confident it wouldn’t surpass the value of the “card” I’d prepared. However…
“That’s how the plan originally went.”
“Originally?”
I savored the superior view from my top seat and looked between Parun and Shine in turn.
“There’s been a variable.”
“A variable…?”
I nodded at Shine’s question.
“It seems Dekulan didn’t just send out Hollend. They’ve got a skilled tracker on their side.”
I explained to Parun and Shine about the tracker, Crow, and what that title meant in Dekulan, as well as how troublesome and formidable her pursuit abilities were.
When I finished, Shine leaned back into the sofa with a bored expression.
“So, what are you suggesting?”
Parun, on the other hand, spoke with his deep-set eyes narrowing.
“We’ll have to revise the plan. If this Crow’s abilities are that refined, she could detect our contact with Lorutel. However…”
Parun trailed off.
He couldn’t quite figure out how to revise the plan, naturally so.
This plan already relied on many risky assumptions. Everything hinged on the Third Sword’s personality and their relationship with the young lord.
Then Shine spoke up.
“Why not just off the Third Sword altogether?”
“…?”
What the hell?
“I mean, even if the Third Sword is powerful… with our current strength, we could probably handle them, right?”
“Are you insane?”
To be fair, she wasn’t entirely wrong.
If we unleashed our transcendence fully, either Shine or I alone could likely take down the Third Sword.
‘…Though the aftermath wouldn’t be pretty.’
We might barely survive, if at all.
But that was only a last resort. Whatever the odds, I didn’t want to add Lorutel as another enemy while we already had to deal with those Dekulan bastards.
Shine seemed offended by my reaction and muttered irritably.
“Tch, then what? The plan’s ruined, everything’s a mess… tch. We might as well just storm in and smash everything. Wouldn’t that be faster?”
That’s when I snapped my fingers… Snap!
“Exactly, that’s it.”
“…?”
“What is?”
“Say it again.”
“Tch, we might as well just storm in and—”
“The part after that.”
“The plan’s ruined and everything’s—”
“Further.”
Unease flickered in Shine’s eyes, but my gaze was so intense she reluctantly obeyed.
“…Storm in and smash everything?”
“Exactly, that’s it.”
I nodded with satisfaction.
“Of course, we won’t actually smash everything. Just… move the meeting place a little.”
“Don’t tell me, that place is…”
“Exactly.”
We’d need to act fast.
So fast Dekulan wouldn’t see it coming, too bold and swift for them to react.
‘I thought about it, how could we move boldly yet quickly?’
And the answer turned out surprisingly simple.
“We’ll storm into Lorutel.”
“…”
“Oh, I mean, not literally storm in. Just, you know, go there, have a friendly duel with the Third Sword, yeah? That’s it.”
“…”
“It’s just a change of venue, that’s all. From the roadside to inside Lorutel, right?”
Shine stared at me like I’d lost my mind. She probably couldn’t grasp the brilliance of this idea.
Well, of course. How could someone like Shine possibly understand the genius of me? You’d need a mind like Parun’s for that.
As expected, Parun’s deep eyes met mine.
And he said, “Are you insane?”
“…”
“No matter how cornered we are… I didn’t think you’d actually suggest invading Lorutel.”
I told you, it’s not an actual invasion!
“If you want to end your life, do it alone.”
Damn… This was a perfect strategy to outwit Dekulan!
“Hey, at least listen first, will you?”
This is why academic background matters.
When someone’s educated, they just get that you’re smart without needing proof.
Today, once again, the poor black-and-white district vagrant shed tears. Not sometimes. Almost always.
* * *
Near Lorutel territory.
Village of Baidun.
Hollend sat inside a pub, wearing a robe bearing Dekulan’s crest.
The pub was silent.
Not because it was dawn. Even though it was early morning, Baidun’s only pub was usually crowded with drunkards who drank till sunrise.
But now, it was empty.
Why? Because of Hollend.
“……”
“……”
The owner and the employee were frozen stiff at the sight of Hollend barging in at midnight.
“Isn’t that… that guy?”
“…Yes.”
“…Dekulan.”
In a small town like Baidun, even a knight from a noble house would cause a commotion.
But a magician, and one under Dekulan’s pay, appearing in the middle of the night?
The owner felt proud for not fainting. Truly, that was something to be proud of.
However, that pride didn’t last long.
Ding!
The bell over the door rang as it opened. The owner glanced nervously at Hollend, ready to greet the newcomer. But…
“W-welcome, sir—”
“So this is where you were hiding?”
“…!”
The moment he saw the woman wearing a crow mask stride toward Hollend, the owner’s face turned pale.
‘D-Did she just… talk back to a Dekulan mage?!’
Creeeeak! Thud!
The owner collapsed on the spot.
He fainted, imagining what horrors would follow.
“S-sir! Master!”
The lone employee went pale.
Creak! Creak!
Crow’s boots scraped against the old wooden floor as she stopped before Hollend.
“I’m sure I told you, report as soon as you arrive in Baidun.”
“I was going to. But… the village is too beautiful. I thought it’d make a fine work of art. Imagine it, Crow, burning the outskirts first, circling inward. As the villagers gather at the center, how will they act? Will they cling to each other, or climb over the corpses to survive?”
“…”
Crow shook her head, disgusted by Hollend’s delirious eyes.
Beautiful? Who in their right mind could agree with that?
Hollend’s sense of beauty was far beyond the realm of sanity.
As Crow thought that, Hollend’s eyes gleamed as he asked, “It’s already that late, huh. So, how’s the situation? Have you found the rats?”
“Not at all. They’ll likely move according to schedule.”
“They haven’t noticed anything?”
“Impossible. If their intelligence network were that poor, they’d have been wiped out long ago.”
“Hmmm…”
Hollend frowned faintly, humming low.
Sensing danger, Crow issued a warning.
“Don’t do anything stupid. This is a precious opportunity granted by the family head. Considering the disgrace Kalahan’s failure brought upon the house, you should be grateful your head’s still attached.”
That was when Hollend’s lips curled upward. A small chuckle, then laughter spilled out.
“Pfhah. I know. Of course I know. Otherwise, I wouldn’t just sit here watching your filthy mouth run.”
“……”
At that sharp, deadly aura, Crow clamped her mouth shut.
‘Was Hollend always this… terrifying?’
She served close to Paheren himself.
Paheren’s circle was filled with monsters, the strongest of Dekulan. Compared to them, a mere magic division commander was nothing special.
Yet here she was, feeling genuine fear. This… was like standing before one of the Seven Mages. Or perhaps, someone even beyond that.
Then Hollend’s voice rang again.
“So… I’m supposed to stay quiet until the day of the operation?”
“…Yes. You’re bait. I’ll monitor Lorutel’s transport personally, but they’ll most likely strike when you’re returning alone with the Infinite Chain.”
“Hmmm… you say likely.”
Crack! Crack!
Hollend crushed the glass of strong liquor in his hand. The shards tore into his skin and drew blood, but he showed no pain.
“If only… things would go that simply.”
“…?”
Crow tilted her head, but Hollend waved his bloody hand dismissively.
“Nothing. Just thinking those who stole the family’s secret art won’t act so predictably.”
“What do you—”
“Enough. Get lost, mighty Crow. This lowly commander needs his rest.”
“…”
Crow shot him a look of pure disgust before storming out.
‘…Lunatic.’
Hollend was as unfathomable as ever. No one could tell what went through that twisted mind of his, his thoughts were far removed from common sense.
When she left the tavern, Hollend plucked the glass shards from his hand and cauterized the wound with fire.
‘Madmen always defy expectations…’
Those who’d stolen the family’s secret, there was no way they’d walk into such an obvious trap.
Still, he wouldn’t just hand over the Infinite Chain to the family either.
“Heh, heh-ha.”
A hollow laugh escaped Hollend’s lips.
He was looking forward to it. Those damned fools who’d killed that dim but amusing idiot Kalahan, what kind of tricks would they pull to entertain him this time?
“Keeper, I enjoyed the drink.”
With that, Hollend left the pub.
On the table lay a pouch filled with gold coins, his payment for the drinks.
And that night… A fire broke out in the pub. The victims were the owner and the employee.
