The clash between the regular army and the revolutionary forces, which had divided the principality, came to an ambiguous end due to the sudden appearance of a demon.
However, the rumor that the revolutionary forces were responsible for summoning the demon spread publicly, causing public opinion to naturally sway in favor of the regular army.
If only Alejandro hadn’t seized the prince.
“What do you want?”
“It’s simple. You desire the same thing as I do, Ehram. The normalization of the principality.”
“…If you really want that, release Prince Raul.”
“Do you really believe that? Do you sincerely think releasing Prince Raul will lead to the normalization of the principality? Don’t utter things you don’t mean.”
Ehram had removed his armor and wore only the kind of robes ordinary court nobles might don. It was hard to believe he was the symbol of the principality’s military power, now looking entirely like a prisoner.
Of course, even without armor or weapons, he was capable of mowing down hundreds of men. However, the fact that ‘Ehram had disarmed’ was immensely significant on its own.
It would send a clear message to the rulers of the principality, including Prince Raul and the various lords who ruled their lands like kings due to the vast territories they controlled.
“The corruption of these landowners and Prince Raul has reached irredeemable levels. Their sins are too deep to be undone, giving rise to revolutionary forces.”
“Ha, revolutionary forces… You mean those demon worshipers?”
“Demon worshipers, indeed. But most of them have merely risen to escape their wretched lives.”
“So, you propose handing the country over to the very organization led by those demon worshipers? Do you intend to make us a vassal state of the empire at this opportunity?”
“I see no problem with that.”
“Welt…!”
Ehram, showing hostility, shattered the table between himself and Welt as he stood up.
“Even if the revolution succeeds and power shifts from the nobility to the commoners, do you think the principality can maintain its sovereignty? Without knights or mages?”
“It’s possible. Especially if they themselves have fought for their freedom.”
“…….”
“Let’s be candid. My original plan was to gradually weaken the nobility’s power in this land and eventually create a place without social hierarchies.”
“That’s insane.”
Welt chuckled bitterly at Ehram’s sharp sneer.
“Yes, it was insane. When those speaking of revolution succumbed to the whispers of demons and eventually summoned them, I realized something clearly. The timing isn’t right yet.”
“…….”
“Securing Prince Raul and driving out the summoned demon. The revolutionary forces couldn’t achieve anything. If such a revolutionary force were to seize power, it would inevitably lead to the rise of another tyrant.”
“So, what do you suggest?”
“The current power holders cannot be forgiven, and the revolutionary forces that should be the new backbone of the principality are ineffective. The only course left is mutual compromise.”
“Compromise?”
“Both sides must make concessions. The principality’s governing system will stay as it is. However, the faces holding the power must change. Fortunately, we have someone to replace a fool like Prince Raul.”
Ehram thought of the prince’s young sibling, whom he had tried hard to forget. A princess whom Prince Raul himself exiled to the outskirts out of fear of losing his authority.
“The lords will all be executed, but the prince’s life will be spared. Instead, he will live his life under constant surveillance, just as the princess has.”
Ehram neither confirmed nor denied it, but it was evident that this was a tacit agreement.
‘It’s the only way to save the prince.’
Ehram’s power in this principality was absolute.
However, the strength of the barbarian warrior and his party, who had secured the prince and defeated the summoned demon on behalf of Welt and the revolutionary forces, surpassed Ehram comprehensively.
By now, Ehram could no longer understand why such powerful beings had chosen to assist him. It might make sense from the perspective of Welt, the revolutionary leader, but ‘Welt, the vigilante’?
‘Initially, I suspected ulterior motives….’
But that didn’t seem to be the case. The tales of the barbarian warrior and the two paladins defeating the demon single-handedly at the canyon gate were already becoming legendary.
If they wished, it wouldn’t be difficult for them to secure significant positions within the principality.
However, the barbarian warrior and his party demanded only ‘providing a location,’ without any further interference. They even offered the favor of keeping the prince safe to help restrain Ehram.
‘I’m starting to feel uneasy from receiving so much help.’
For Welt, who had spent his youth training to become a knight and dedicated his life to revolution, such benevolence was difficult to comprehend. Yet, it was a kindness he couldn’t refuse, so he decided to accept it calmly.
‘Come to think of it, I wonder if Eson managed to carry out his request well.’
***
『Level: 32』
Gaining one level and more than half of the experience bar from dealing with Kereaktu, I realized it wasn’t just another incantation entity like Augrabes, which only partially descended in a possession-like form. Instead, Kereaktu appeared as a physical avatar derived from parts of its actual body, hence the experience points counted fully.
It wasn’t just an ordinary demon, but a vanguard under a high demon, which perhaps explained the hefty experience points. Frankly, I expected leveling up to become increasingly difficult past level 30, but…
‘That just means I’ll be encountering more challenging foes. Not necessarily something to be thrilled about, is it?’
Take this recent incident, for example.
I intended to assist Welt, the revolutionary leader, in dealing with Ehram, but never anticipated having to confront a summoned demon. At this point, even hearing the word ‘butterfly effect’ gives me PTSD.
『That’s my line. Imagine how I feel, facing bizarre things every time I wake up.』
Who told you to devour everything in sight?
I couldn’t deny the complaints of the vengeful spirit, but the root of the problem was its habit of eating anything and then sleeping to digest it. From the start, I never understood how it regained its strength.
‘First, it was the power of the void, then the dragon’s soul… What will it devour next?’
Receiving anything given to it without adverse effects was fortunate, but the spirit showed no signs of strain. On the contrary, it seemed to recover strength and gain new abilities.
─Golden Dragon’s Eye: The power of the golden dragon Areolus’ eyes.
‘Not a very tangible description.’
『Indeed. Even I cannot fathom its exact use. What good are the eyes of that greedy Areolus?』
As the entity mused in its ambiguous tone, it was clear that the ability had yet to prove useful. While facing Kereaktu, it didn’t reveal any new insights.
‘Useless.’
『You speak ill freely, rude human.』
Well, it’s hard to call any change entirely useless. Some change in its appearance indicated a recovery of strength, aligning more congruously with the ‘Intermediate Swordsmanship’ skill due to its increased weight. It no longer felt too light and mismatched in my hands.
『Indeed, there is no need for me to wield a blacksmith’s hammer sullied by dwarven hands.』
Ignoring its unfounded confidence, I stood up. I sensed the annoying presence of someone who had been monitoring my every move for the past few days.
“What do you want?”
“Uh?”
“Why have you been skulking around like a dog needing to relieve itself? If you have something to say, spit it out. Stop being so timid.”
A huge frame but a timid nature. I couldn’t fathom how such a person was ever known as the ‘Mad Dog.’
“Is it because of the half-blood in your veins?”
“……!”
“Looks like I guessed right. At first, I wasn’t sure, but considering everything, that skin tone gives it away.”
The piercing blue eyes, common in Midland but rare in the ash-gray eyes typical of Hoarfrost Gorge, wavered significantly.
“From your parents? Or further back?”
“I heard my grandfather was from Hoarfrost Gorge. I never met him, though.”
“Your grandmother had quite an eccentric taste. Choosing someone from Hoarfrost Gorge of all places…”
Knowing what kind of people the barbarian survivors from Hoarfrost Gorge were, it was hard to understand such peculiar preferences.
“Well, don’t think that being part Hoarfrost Gorge will make me help you. By their standards, you aren’t even considered a person here. Because you aren’t a warrior.”
“Not a warrior…?”
“Indeed, all children in Hoarfrost Gorge undergo trials before reaching adulthood.”
The trial of the warrior.
Failing to prove oneself in that accursed trial means being treated as less than human in Hoarfrost Gorge. If I hadn’t possessed this body, ‘Gordi Khan’ would probably have met that fate. He certainly wasn’t the barbarian type.
“Anyway. If you wish to gain my favor, prove yourself a warrior or offer something equivalent.”
“Prove myself a warrior….”
“I can’t say whether Hoarfrost Gorge will accept you, though.”
That marked the end of my conversation with Eson.
I can’t be certain if he will actually head to Hoarfrost Gorge to take the warrior’s trial. Frankly, I doubt someone accustomed to life on the continent could survive in Hoarfrost Gorge—the land of inhuman trials.
For anyone lacking exceptional physical and mental fortitude, they would freeze to death at the entrance or run away.
『A place teeming with monsters like you… I’m curious. What kind of place is it? Why not visit sometime?』
‘Shut up.’
The mere thought of recalling my time fighting Kereaktu, with its frost powers, made me shiver in dread. Return to that hellish place? Not even if there was a sword at my neck. If it came down to that, I’d just break the sword.
“Boss! Lady Ludmilla has found something!”
“I’m on my way.”
Ludmilla, who had demanded some alone time, had entered the mage’s ruins carrying an empty void gem and had been out of touch for days. Hearing that she had sent word, I quickened my pace.
‘I hope it’s good news.’
The ruins of the mage near the principality’s ‘City of Stars’ were a sort of tourist attraction among mages. The principality managed the facility to make mages’ visits comfortable, and as I traversed the expansive corridors expanded post-excavation, illuminated by mana-powered lights, I found Ludmilla awaiting me with the twisted void gem in hand.
She welcomed me with an eerily ominous smile.
TL’s Corner:
There are rare instances where Khan is in a first person perspective.
Just as he was thinking badly about Hoarfrost Gorge, I think I know where their next destination is.