Rezhen's Chaos

“We’ll cooperate with everything the team leader desires.”

At Pernok’s firm words, Salavan responded with a smile.

“I’d like to reach the summit today.”

“It’s already dark. And reaching the summit will take two to three days.”

“Then let’s move first thing tomorrow.”

“Are you fine camping in the middle of demon beasts?”

“Haha, I’ve traveled around various places since childhood, you see. I’ll expect to depart tomorrow morning.”

“We’ll prepare.”

“Then I’ll organize all situations as soon as field investigation concludes. Everyone rest comfortably knowing this.”

When Salavan stood, Ivan and Borden followed.

Pernok returned to the guild and selected executives to prepare for climbing the mountain range.

* * *

Contrary to appearances, Salavan boasted guard-grade stamina.

He dismissed the palanquins they’d prepared and walked alongside Pernok.

“So this is the mountain range… certainly as fierce as I heard.”

“Your first time?”

“I have memories of following His Majesty to the mountain range when very young. But I watched from afar and returned straight to the palace.”

“Please speak casually, team leader.”

“Aren’t you the hero who protected the mountain range? Besides, I’m someone who’ll view this place fairly, so let’s set aside formalities for now. Rather, Guild Leader Pernok, my breathing grows heavy yet you show no fatigue at all. Is the mountain range truly a place that endangers mages?”

“The closer mages approach the summit, the more they’re crushed by dense demonic energy and even suffer mana poisoning. Ordinary people without mana can’t feel this difference at all.”

“Oho, then wouldn’t it work to climb to the summit using only guards?”

“Unfortunately, once past 2000 meters altitude, demon beasts appear that far exceed ordinary people’s physical capabilities.”

“I don’t feel any threat right now.”

“The mountain range entered a breathing phase.”

“How can a mountain that isn’t even human breathe?”

“The mountain’s master made this mountain’s demonic energy run wild. After calming that down, the mountain became peaceful at some point. As if taking rest.”

This is why executives can stand guard leisurely.

“High-grade demon beasts’ regeneration time usually takes a month. But even after war ended, high-grade demon beasts still haven’t regenerated.”

“Does that mean problems occurred with the mountain’s functions?”

Ivan nearby pricked up his ears.

Pernok shouted forcefully so Ivan trying to find fault could hear.

“As I mentioned, the mountain range is going through stages of circulating demonic energy normally. By our judgment, high-grade demon beasts will also regenerate after a month, allowing hunting in the mountain range like before.”

“Then are mercenaries all just idling now?”

“No. They’re frantically busy processing spoils of war.”

Salavan nodded.

“No problems with industry then.”

“Material processing continues as usual so market problems won’t occur.”

“Right. If supplies flood out all at once, price problems arise.”

“Items to tribute to the kingdom are processed separately, so don’t worry about this.”

“Haha, His Majesty will be pleased. Very neat work. Whose idea was it?”

“Our guild leader’s, team leader~.”

When Enri shouted leisurely from behind, Sallio poked her ribs while frowning.

As Enri closed her mouth, turned her head, and began whistling, Salavan smiled.

“Excellent skills with deep respect too. Worth being called a hero, Guild Leader Pernok.”

“I’m embarrassed. It’s excessive praise for me.”

“Not at all. Seeing directly, I understand. Guild Leader Pernok’s position and authority in this place.”

At the meaningful words, Pernok only smiled.

Salavan glanced at the executives then hastened the path toward the summit again.

Because high-grade demon beasts hadn’t regenerated, they climbed very easily, and they arrived at the summit on the third day.

Salavan admired the beautiful scenery.

“Below the clouds is utterly hideous, yet the summit is absurdly clear and beautiful.”

“Originally the mountain’s master was absorbing demonic energy at the summit. Thus, at least this summit maintained its inherent beauty without demonic energy spreading.”

“Now that the master disappeared, shouldn’t the summit become murky?”

“Demonic energy no longer climbs to the summit. I think it’s aftereffects from moving the mountain range excessively.”

“Could it interfere with industry?”

“No. This summit had no other demon beasts besides the master anyway. Whether demonic energy spreads or not, it’s not a space where demon beasts can be hunted, so don’t worry.”

“I didn’t see demon beasts even at 9000 meters altitude…”

“The Royal Family there just die and scatter as sand. Obtaining materials itself was impossible to begin with.”

“…Then how will you manage 9000 meters altitude and this summit going forward?”

“I heard the kingdom will grant me one reward. If the team leader also permits, I’d like to build a training facility here.”

“That’s…”

After pondering, Salavan nodded.

“…Acceptable. I’ll tell His Majesty to proceed.”

“That won’t do, team leader!”

Everyone turned their gaze to Ivan.

“A training facility for mercenaries! You mustn’t allow them to raise private soldiers!”

“Private soldiers. It’s simply for training purposes.”

Ivan frowned at Pernok.

“Can’t you train on the ground!”

“Training methods using extreme situations where mana is restricted in the harsh mountain range help mages’ growth. Why should we abandon an environment several times better than the ground?”

“This place belongs to Rezhen. It’s not some mercenary corps’ private property!”

“If desired, I’m thinking of training castle soldiers here too.”

“What?”

“We faced great danger because of Marquis Zeef’s complacency…”

Pernok smiled and shook his head.

“…No, because Marquis Zeef saw the mountain range’s barrier yet that instruction to pretend not to see it. If such situations occur again, won’t we need power to protect ourselves?”

“How dare you mention Marquis Zeef’s name here!”

“As you can see, to show you now that no barrier exists, I merely mentioned the person in charge. Did I perhaps speak of non-existent facts?”

“Marquis Zeef only spoke thus to normalize the mountain range!”

“Yes. Because I know that, I had to withdraw the quest. And when problems occurred, didn’t we claim the summit after desperate struggles?”

That Zeef instructed Pernok to withdraw the quest is already proven by documents.

“Crisis is opportunity, they say. Since we crossed a difficult mountain, I think it’s proper to prepare so a second war won’t occur here.”

“You’d climb here breaking through high-grade demon beasts?”

“We’ll join forces with the castle. If we grasp high-grade demon beasts’ regen times, we can enter the training facility without difficulty. Plus, sweeping demon beasts during climbs gives industry momentum, doesn’t it?”

“Without a single processing plant here, what…”

“Ah! Excellent opinion, deputy leader. We’ll install a processing plant here too.”

Ivan’s face flushed red.

The more they exchanged words, the more he felt toyed with.

Salavan, who’d been carefully listening to their conversation, chuckled.

“Truly a difficult challenge, but I’ll add my share too.”

“Team leader!”

“Ah, Deputy Leader Ivan. Can’t we conclude now?”

“Are you truly saying Marquis Zeef caused the war!”

“Aren’t evidence and circumstances all clear?”

Salavan pointed at the shattered monument.

“Does it make sense that a Magus didn’t know the master would descend even though the surveillance network malfunctioned and was rebuilt?”

“…”

“To dismiss as insufficient skill—everyone in the mountain range reported the situation’s danger, they said. That fact remains in documents. Even our soldiers who fought desperately at the castle walls unanimously said Marquis Zeef fled elsewhere.”

“You heard testimony?”

“I heard it all before climbing the mountain range.”

“Khm, krhm.”

“I was proceeding with talk to preserve Marquis Zeef’s honor as much as possible, but seeing this situation, it’s utterly unacceptable.”

“Marquis Zeef is this nation’s Magus.”

“Was a Magus. Now absent, who caused the mountain range’s danger.”

When Ivan stared with a stiff expression, Salavan smiled.

“Further investigation seems unnecessary. I’ll record in detail the achievements of Guild Leader Pernok, Count Borden, Branch Chief Baltus, and all heroes who led this war to victory.”

Ivan couldn’t make a sound, only clenched his fists.

Salavan smiled and patted Pernok’s shoulder.

“You worked hard. Since achievements seem reduced compared to reports to the capital, I’ll examine this closely and rewrite it.”

“It’s an honor, team leader.”

“Hahaha, fewer words and humble compared to skills and achievements—a very rare mercenary.”

“I’m merely grateful.”

“A young person should play in bigger waters, but have you perhaps made an exclusive contract?”

“We’re overwhelmed just managing the mountain range. We have no leisure to turn our eyes elsewhere.”

That moment, Salavan’s eyes sparkled, and Pernok didn’t miss it.

“Treatment of heroes mustn’t be neglected. Let’s descend the mountain. And have a comfortable drink.”

Evaluation of Named concluded.

Salavan seemed to say so.

Throughout descending the mountain, Salavan tried building rapport by shaking hands even with Named’s executives.

He already anticipated what proposal would come.

* * *

The royal investigation team finished investigating the mountain range summit.

Though the Royal Family doesn’t emerge from above 9000 meters altitude, they confirmed demon beasts continue generating in sections below.

While Salavan mourned sacrifices, he sent congratulatory messages to heroes who led the war to victory.

[I deeply commend your achievements, gladly risking your lives for the nation’s safety and prosperity. All who participated in the war should collect proper rewards at the association branch.]

The official investigation concluded.

Many who participated in the war took gold coins and returned, while Named, who showed the greatest activity, received Salavan’s personal visit and commendation.

“I don’t know well how mercenaries’ after-parties go, but today I’ll buy everything, so get drunk and enjoy yourselves to your hearts’ content. I’ll look forward to your future activities for Rezhen’s future.”

“Uwahahaha! Thank you, Your Highness!”

“We’ll eat and play well!”

Though a banquet held quite after war ended, the fact that a nation’s prince personally hosted felt fresh.

Because mercenaries here were nothing but hunting dogs.

The appearance of power holders outside the mountain range lowering their eye level brought Named a refreshing atmosphere.

Quick-witted ones quietly sipped alcohol while only watching executives’ reactions.

Executives pretended to know nothing, heightening the banquet atmosphere and beginning to play with guild members.

And Salavan met privately with Pernok.

“Guild Leader Pernok.”

“Yes, team leader.”

“Now not team leader but this nation’s prince. It’s so blatant, you must know my feelings too. I’ll ask without beating around the bush.”

Salavan gazed at Pernok.

“Will you keep staying trapped in this land?”

“What do you think I’ll do?”

The questioning words seemed to raise interest rather than rudeness as Salavan held a faint smile.

“You’re talent too precious to remain here.”

“But the world has many people more excellent than me. They’re established outside the mountain range now. I don’t know well if it’s valuable enough to abandon the mountain range’s comfort.”

“How about joining the royal knight order?”

Pernok chuckled.

“Don’t you know? Knights don’t tolerate those of humble origins. Zeef already proved this.”

“A new royal knight order will be established this year. I’m thinking of deploying talents like you to go together from the start.”

“Is that Your Highness’s direct unit?”

“That’s right.”

“And I must abandon the guild?”

“Instead, even greater honor than now will follow.”

“If the price for abandoning freedom is Your Highness’s patronage, I won’t accept.”

“That price isn’t cheap though?”

“I want the mercenary corps too.”

“Excessive price might strangle your neck instead.”

“Thus, shouldn’t I stay here befitting A-rank mercenary corps’ limits?”

Pernok laid the groundwork, and Salavan cleverly took the bait.

“Then how about I sponsor you?”

“Your Highness would?”

Salavan’s expression became much more relaxed.

Pernok gave a clear option—if he didn’t notice, there’s no value in using him.

“The Rakis Empire’s black-grade mercenary took his subordinate mercenary corps and became marquis. I can do it too.”

“Those words mean…”

“I’ll release A-rank mercenary corps’ limits for you. Also guarantee appropriate titles together.”

“…The nation permits S-rank mercenary corps’ birth?”

“If I become king, nothing’s impossible.”

Audacious words, but the possibility seemed high.

Because Salavan boasts the top priority faction to inherit Rezhen’s new throne.

A fact Pernok knows too.

He’d already grasped through Rio how much power he possessed.

But the desired words hadn’t come out yet.

“Don’t recklessly issue promissory notes, Your Highness.”

“Hahahaha. Then how about this?”

What can you do right now?

At words testing like appraisal, Salavan spoke with conviction.

“If you make an exclusive contract with me, I’ll block the nation from touching you even if you command thousands of mercenaries.”

“Is that possible?”

“Nothing difficult.”

The conviction of one craving talent came sweetly.

“I command this nation’s military.”

The delicious prey finally couldn’t endure and revealed the card Pernok most wanted.

Force expansion.

A shield to block interference with that.

‘You want to take me somehow? Even paying an expensive price.’

Pernok laughed inwardly.

‘Won’t work. This level’s price is too meager.’

From the beginning, he’d shown excellent majesty and situation-handling ability all the way to climbing the summit so Salavan would covet Named.

Moreover, Pernok knows his value too well right now.

Force expansion is ultimately work he must do.

Just guaranteeing that’s possible won’t create solid troops.

‘So you’ll have to spit out more. If you don’t want to make me an enemy.’

Salavan came, and other princes will make contact too.

Whoever presents more drastic conditions will receive Pernok’s selection.

“I’ll think positively about it.”

“Think?”

“Don’t I need something called mental preparation too?”

“You know what’s happening outside, saying that?”

“Must I know?”

Pernok smiled.

“Named doesn’t refuse incoming proposals.”