Barbarian in a Failed Game

Chapter 078: Rebellion (10)

“Ashes. How on earth does that scoundrel from the Mercenary Guild know the exact location of the ‘workshop’? He even seems to know what’s happening inside─!”

Bang!

The rage of the Duke, crashing down onto the armrest of his chair, was directed at Ashes, his Advisor Mage, and the one who had connected him with the Followers of Truth.

“Moreover, they’ve even spread rumors knowing the identity of the ‘Puppeteer.’ How is this possible? You assured me yourself! Even the empire’s intelligence division couldn’t properly identify members of ‘that group,’ so there shouldn’t have been a risk of exposure!”

“…….”

“Explain how I am supposed to accept this situation! Right now!”

Ashes, bearing the brunt of the Duke’s fury, bowed his head deeply.

He, too, was at a loss regarding the current situation.

‘Only a very few within the Duke’s family are aware of the workshop’s location. Myself, the Duke, and the Puppeteer. Even the soldiers guarding the door don’t know what lies inside. But…….’

How did the Guild manage to find out?

No matter how much he pondered, the answer eluded him. Or rather, his clear rationale had long concluded a possibility, but….

“It might be best for me to investigate this matter separately, Duke. Given the lack of information at present…….”

“The Puppeteer. Has he betrayed us?”

“The Puppeteer dreams of the experiment’s completion more than anyone. That’s unlikely—.”

“You’re not covering for him just because you’re in cahoots, are you?”

“Duke……!”

Ashes protested fiercely as suspicion turned towards him.

“Do you truly doubt me? Who has served only you all my life? Ashes, who dedicated his lifetime of study to your secret cause amidst those lunatics!”

Whether his desperate appeal made an impact or was simply ignored, the Duke’s expression remained unreadable.

“…Then, explain. How could they possibly know about the workshop?”

“I cannot say for sure at the moment…. It would be wise to postpone questioning the Puppeteer. His mind is unstable from having his soul separated, unnecessarily agitating him won’t do any good. For now, why not interrogate the soldiers who have guarded the door?”

“……Very well. But, until that puppet proves his innocence, I will prohibit entry to the workshop. Since there are no additional experiments until more sacrifices arrive, it wouldn’t matter, would it?”

“Yes.”

“And summon the royal guard. It appears we need to advance our troop gathering. Before any unnecessary interference comes…….”

*

*

*

“As you requested, the rumor has spread throughout the entire North. Not just among mercenaries, but even the ordinary citizens know by now. It’s only a matter of time before the roads are abuzz.”

“Your efficiency is commendable.”

“So, what’s the next step you’ve thought of?”

“I intend to disrupt the Duke’s troop rally. There’s a suspicious stench in the air.”

“How? Spread more rumors about the Duke?”

“Tch……. Typical of medieval folks to not understand. If the news keeps repeating the same thing, even the most shocking news eventually becomes bland.”

“What on earth are you babbling about…….”

“It means we need a new stimulus.”

“A new stimulus?”

“If rumors spread that someone in the neighboring house found a centuries-old ginseng in the back mountain, everyone would rush over like a pack of dogs.”

Although it was something he had planned to save for later, which made it a bit regrettable…. Khan dusted himself off and stood up with a look of reluctance.

“Let’s leave that matter to run its course. We have our own tasks to attend to.”

*

*

*

“Sigh…….”

As usual, Karl was wasting his time in a tavern.

With the recent turmoil unsettling the North, he hadn’t dared to take on any quests.

Luckily, he had some savings to fall back on which prevented immediate financial problems, but his typical lavish spending as a mercenary meant he would soon run out of money.

‘But venturing out for a quest feels a bit…….”

He thought of seeking safer opportunities away from the North, but recent disturbances caused by mercenaries in the region made even that difficult. Considering menial jobs within the city hurt his pride….Karl, who had been pondering over his dilemma, noticed a mercenary with whom he often shared drinks, fully armored and wandering about.

“Hey! Where are you headed now? Don’t tell me you’re off on a mission?!”

“Haven’t you heard the news?”

“News? That the Duke is actually a lich that’s been around for hundreds of years?”

“No, that’s ancient gossip…! So that’s why you’ve been dilly-dallying around!”

“What’s the rumor that’s got you all worked up?”

“Shh. Lean in. This is something only you should know……”

What could possibly have caused such a stir? After grumbling, Karl leaped in surprise upon hearing his colleague’s whisper.

“What…! A wyvern corpse?!”

“Shh! Keep it to yourself!”

“Cough-hem. Ah, there’s nobody around. It’s all good!”

Feeling embarrassed, Karl coughed and asked for more details.

“So, you’re talking about Al-Rasdel, you say……”

After hearing the entire explanation, Karl immediately returned to his lodgings to don his dust-covered equipment and left the city.

Concerned about encountering bandits turned mercenaries, Karl was apprehensive. However, he soon realized that the mercenaries were too preoccupied with their quest for the wyvern’s corpse to notice him, so he quickened his pace.

Occasionally, he saw others with the same goal headed for Al-Rasdel, but a silent agreement to fight only after reaching their destination led to an unusual camaraderie among them.

“I heard from the market in Al-Ranzas that they are desperately looking for a craftsman who can process wyvern bones. That news has the mercenaries swarming to Al-Rasdel.”

“Did you also hear? Several mercenaries who tried to steal the bones ended up crippled and were kicked out of the city… It’s best to not mess with Al-Rasdel.”

“Hmm. There could be hundreds of those bastards gathered there. To get a hold of the wyvern, maybe we should team up…?”

“Not a bad idea. But what about when we get the corpse……”

At that moment, when suggestions of a temporary alliance among the mercenaries gathered at Al-Rasdel were made,

They let out sighs of awe and frustration upon seeing the sight of Al-Rasdel from afar.

“Oh, sanctuary of deities…”

“It looks like the wyvern really wreaked havoc! Completely devastated!”

The central tower, a symbol of Al-Rasdel, towering high into the sky, was shattered.

The collapse of the tower and the impact it had on the ground extended to the outskirts of the city, forcing the mercenaries to dismount.

“My dear mercenaries, if you give me two silver coins, I can safely store your horses!”

“Store our horses? How do I know you won’t take off with them?”

“Oh dear. What a terrible thing to say. Can’t you see the crest here? We belong to the Perran viscount’s trading company. If we were to do something like that, the market lord would have our heads.”

“Then, alright……”

“Hehe. A wise choice indeed. And if you are looking for tools useful for excavating the wyvern, they are being sold over there. They’re a bit pricey, but surely you’re not planning to dig with your bare hands, right?”

Before he knew it, as the slick-tongued merchant spoke, Karl’s pockets grew lighter, and eventually, he had to put up his equipment as collateral.

‘I needed to spend that money……’

The other mercenaries who arrived in Al-Rasdel with Karl found themselves in a similar situation, their eyes burning with a fierce determination as they approached the city walls.

At all costs, they were resolved to obtain the wyvern’s corpse… The mercenaries were confronted by mercenaries wielding crudely made flags.

“No one can pass here. Leave if you wish to live!”

Whether the mercenaries had agreed among themselves to keep the wyvern’s corpse, sweeping their forces to control the walls-

“Shit. Leave? You get lost, asshole!”

“Do you know how much I’ve spent to dig up this corpse? Block my way, and you’re dead!”

Suddenly impoverished or rather indebted, the mercenaries saw red.

“Push! Kill them all─!”

“We must take the wyvern with us today! Let’s go!”

“Those, those madmen!”

The mercenaries, roaring, charged toward the city gates.

Attempting to interfere, the mercenaries shot arrows and threw stones, but the mercenaries, as if by agreement, advanced with shields covering their entire body.

These were, in fact, items they had just bought from the merchant they encountered earlier.

Bewildered, the mercenaries didn’t know what to do; the merchants of Al-Ranzas hadn’t sold them any supplies.And there was another fact they were unaware of.

“I owe more than just a thing or two to that barbarian, it seems.”

Viscount Perran, lounging in his office in Al-Ranzas and enjoying his drink, cracked a smile.

The profits he had garnered by dumping responsibilities on mercenaries from all over had already far exceeded the city’s taxes for several years. It was regrettable that he couldn’t do the same to the mercenaries…

‘Well, that’s nothing. Considering the money I’ve made, it’s laughable.’

“Tsk. You’re grinning ear to ear.”

“Can’t help but feel good… So, is there something more you desire? As long as it’s not asking me to openly oppose the Duke, I am willing to grant it.”

Ron looked at Viscount Perran, who was laughing unabashedly, with a nauseated expression. “Khan is ruining many lives…”

“Don’t worry. It’s not that kind of request. Actually, it might be something you’d welcome with open arms.”

“Hmm. What could it possibly be?”

“There’s a high chance that the Duke’s side will send someone soon. You’re smart, so you probably have some idea.”

“So? You want to keep me from cooperating with them?”

Viscount Perran, speaking as if he was more than willing to oblige, received a shake of the head from Ron, signaling disagreement.

“The opposite. Treat them as kindly as possible when they come. I even said it’s okay to switch sides…”

*

*

*

Lebron, the court minister, grimaced as he observed his thinning hair. Surely, this was due to the abundance of concerns that had recently increased.

‘The death of the Royal Guards is virtually confirmed. It’s hard to believe that they all died chasing a single barbarian, but with the communication cut off to this extent, there’s no room for doubt.’

But that wasn’t the only problem.

The mere rumors related to the Duke were enough to give him severe bouts of indigestion, but hearing news that a wyvern corpse was buried in Al-Rasdel caused the mercenaries to break free from control.

Ideally, the mercenaries should have been assembled by now, but the enemy’s trickery indefinitely extended that timeline.

Just a few days ago, the Duke erupted in fury, demanding a solution.

Lebron had no choice but to personally intervene.

“Is everything you’ve said true? Viscount Perran. That a person from the guild came and blackmailed you into giving those orders?”

“Yes, absolutely true. Why else would I defy the Duke’s wishes if not? Though I couldn’t join the earlier gathering. As you’ve seen, Court Minister, Al-Ranzas has no extra manpower to spare.”

“…I’m aware.”

‘Cunning man.’

Lebron clicked his tongue discreetly.

Viscount Perran might seem dull and cowardly at a glance…

‘It’s all an act. Too neat in his dealings to be a fool. Whether it’s the result of blackmail or a prearranged scheme with the guild, he surely knows the benefits that come back to him.’

Though Lebron guessed as much, he didn’t let it show.

“Then, when the Duke issues a condemnation statement against the guild, would you be willing to put your name on it as a witness?”

“Of course. Just give me a heads-up, and I’ll issue the statement right away.”

“Just in case, prepare a document sealed with your family’s crest.”

“Ha. Of course. Oh! Seeing as you’ve come from afar, you must be quite tired. Would you like a place to stay?”

“I intend to. I need to disband the assembled mercenaries and mercenaries.”

“Then, we’ll prepare a separate lodging for you. You know there’s a nunnery in Al-Ranzas, right? We’ll leave it empty for you. It’s secluded within the city, perfect for a peaceful rest.”

“I’ll accept your hospitality.”

The Court Minister smiled lightly.

He had come knowing that the Al-Ranzas Nunnery was, strictly speaking, under the domain of the Pantheon Church.

Unless Viscount Perran had lost his mind, he wouldn’t backstab him by attacking the nunnery.

‘Abbess Berta is known for her stalwart spirit, having repelled the viscount’s attempts several times.’

Moreover,

‘She’s the former deputy commander of the Paladins. It’s not impossible she might be interested in matters the Duke has branded as the doings of a demon’s pawn. Perhaps securing her cooperation isn’t too far-fetched…’

With that thought, Lebron, escorted by the knights and soldiers provided by the Duke, headed to the nunnery.

However,

Lebron could never have imagined,

“Even chosen by the goddess, you handle your aged body quite harshly.”

Srrrng──.

That a paladin, who retired from active duty decades ago, would once again take up his sword, heeding the goddess’s will.