Declaration of War

Flegenheim Count territory mercenary association branch, about 200km from the demon beast mountain range.

Sallio and Enri entered the association’s upper conference room.

At a rectangular table sat the leaders of A-rank mercenary corps.

“Isn’t it bad manners for those who summoned the Ten Assembly to be late?”

Sallio and Enri looked at the platinum-haired man sitting in the head seat.

The master of Pride, a guild with forces rivaling Named, integrated through the three-way alliance.

Roland, a level 7 mage and the only gold-rank mercenary here at age 40.

His rigid impression that seemed to value rules and regulations felt eerie even after a long time.

‘Roland seems to have finished talking beforehand.’

‘Everyone’s silent.’

All the notable guild leaders greeted Sallio and Enri with silence.

They know the demon beast mountain range news.

Natural to send indifferent gazes to Sallio and Enri who forcibly summoned the Ten Assembly.

Moreover, from their atmosphere, Roland seemed to have conveyed various detailed information.

“Haha, sorry about that. The journey here wasn’t smooth.”

Enri sat in an empty seat with a shameless laugh.

When even Sallio sat across, Roland quietly watched the only remaining empty seat.

Originally where Jake should have been.

“Why don’t I see your leader who killed Jake?”

“Wha, leader? We’re an alliance! A coalition!”

“You didn’t call us to spout nonsense, did you, Enri?”

When Roland spoke as if knowing everything, Enri clicked her tongue bitterly.

“How much do you know?”

“That Named tried to conquer the mountain range summit and failed. And that the kingdom is closely watching and dispatched the Royal Guard Knights.”

“Then this’ll be quick.”

Enri coughed and signaled Sallio with her eyes.

“The reason for summoning the Ten Assembly today is to prevent foreseen catastrophe.”

“Catastrophe?”

“Three-way alliance Guild Leader Pernok climbed to the mountain range summit and discovered anomalies in the monument the kingdom planted. And he said the barrier is disturbed and the master can descend the mountain anytime.”

“The master…”

Roland shook his head.

“…The first subjugation force expected that monster called the master would rot and crumble within the barrier. Even if it recovers its body, it won’t be enough to harm the royal court.”

“That might have been then, but the situation’s changed now. The guild leader says the master can command the mountain range’s demon beasts.”

“Right. We definitely set base camp in a safe place, but demon beasts attacked!”

When Enri chimed in, Roland’s expression turned cold.

“Are you saying the moment that master is freed, all the mountain range’s demon beasts will descend to ground?”

“The master will definitely descend. And then, we need power to fight high-grade demon beasts. The reason for summoning the Ten Assembly is to make a ‘request.'”

“You’ll command A-rank mercenary corps under you?”

“Compensation for demon beast subjugation will definitely be paid.”

“And Named takes the honor?”

“No. The moment we subjugate the master, we’ll ensure all participating mercenaries’ names spread widely.”

“Success rate?”

“The Royal Guard Knights have joined.”

“They came to check you.”

“That might have been the initial purpose, but when they face the immediate problem, the story changes.”

“Well. Zeef is the most belligerent figure in Rezhen Kingdom. If it’s not related to his faction’s affairs, he shows quite ferocious appearance. Named already refused that faction’s invitation. Yet you expect cooperation?”

Sallio exclaimed inwardly.

‘As expected, Roland has been firmly watching Named.’

The faction invitation proceeded secretly.

Wherever he obtained that information, Roland seemed to find Named quite troublesome.

“Even if everything you say is true, why should we wastefully exhaust our forces?”

A-rank guild leaders nodded slightly as if echoing this.

“Each handling our own territory was an implicit rule. To think an A-rank guild would move the Ten Assembly saying they can’t manage their territory. No matter how I think about it, it’s so absurd I can only laugh.”

“We can’t be choosy about means and methods. For our purpose, we must even set aside pride.”

“When you settled in the mountain range, you should have been prepared for that much.”

“If you protect that rice bowl together, your fame will rise higher too.”

Sallio gazed at Roland.

“After the black-rank mercenary became a marquis of Rakis Empire, that position is currently vacant. If you, designated as the next generation’s black-rank, participate in subjugating the mountain master, I guarantee you’ll move one step closer to that dream.”

“Regrettably, I don’t intend to waste even minor forces. Because I must perform a request incomparable to demon beast subjugation. And that’s the same for others. Everyone’s conducting requests—where’s the leisure to participate in mountain range subjugation?”

Then Enri appealed frustratedly.

“You’re planning to refuse the meal already laid out?”

“The Ten Assembly is strictly a small gathering to exchange each other’s recent news. You quite easily speak of bringing your danger there and asking us to bear it together.”

Roland’s smile faded.

“Don’t mistake. We’re not friendly brothers where someone cares for someone. Just as you and Jake confronted each other in the mountain range, in the outside world A-rank mercenaries also compete with each other. Compensation? Honor? Not soft enough to join hands and walk with such fine-sounding pretexts.”

A voice filled with terrible hatred.

All who knew Roland’s past fell silent.

The day Pride first rose to A-rank guild.

The A-rank guilds from before generational change, under the Ten Assembly name, summoned Pride and sent all manner of envy and jealousy.

Even several A-rank guilds who found the flourishing Roland disagreeable would constantly extort his requests or pick fights.

Roland overcame harsh trials with his own power.

Toppling other A-rank guilds and creating new order in the Ten Assembly. Those sitting there now are Sallio, Enri, and other A-rank guilds.

The reason Roland sits in the Ten Assembly head seat is precisely that.

“In the end, even that black-rank mercenary abandoned mercenaries. Doesn’t Named also want to secure a good position? Summit conquest… If you’d proceed while even drawing Rezhen’s glares, are you heading to Rakis?”

Roland sneered and rose from his seat.

“Find someone else to use as a stepping stone. I’m not interested in what you do. Don’t get involved with me either.”

Scattering cold laughter, Roland left the conference room.

Though Sallio and Enri looked around at other guild leaders, they too shook their heads and exited the conference room.

The two left behind looked at each other. Then Enri sighed.

“Fuck this. Haa, that bastard, really. He’s grabbing our ankles after all.”

“Roland not cooperating was somewhat expected.”

“But he’s even inciting the others.”

“In the mountain range, Named is master, but in the outside mercenary world, Roland rules. No benefit provoking Roland’s mood needlessly.”

“Geez. Those A-rank guild bastards reading fellow guild faces…”

“Anyway, did someone stuff waste in that snout? Your foul mouth habit’s still the same.”

Sallio and Enri turned their heads following the sullen voice.

One man was re-entering the conference room with a mischievous smile.

A-rank guild Ravis’s guild leader, level 6 mage Jad.

“What? You were the one reading Roland’s face out of fear.”

“Heyyo, I’m not frolicking in Roland’s territory, so why would I read faces? Other old fogeys maybe, but I don’t care what Roland says.”

Enri and Jad climbed to A-rank guilds in the same period and recognize each other as peers.

“Then why were you keeping quiet?”

“I had to calculate how much the stakes are. Right, uncle?”

Jad turned his gaze behind.

A middle-aged man in brown robes entered.

Vichestur’s guild leader, level 6 mage Zodiac, rich in hunting experience.

“That damn speaking manner of yours never changes.”

“Can you complain, uncle?”

“Tsk tsk, not a single promising sprout besides Sallio. Not one!”

Sallio had ties to Zodiac from performing cooperative requests when he was a B-rank guild.

Zodiac liked Sallio’s abilities and invited him to his guild several times, but ultimately failed and continued their connection by occasionally exchanging news.

“By the way, Sallio. If such things happened in the mountain range, you should’ve informed me first.”

“I had no such opportunity. Enough to open the Ten Assembly and rush straight here.”

“That’s why you should come under an easy-going guild leader like me.”

“Hahaha, if you met Guild Leader Pernok, you’d understand everything too, guild leader.”

“What?”

“With what confidence he’s causing such things.”

Instantly, Zodiac’s and Jad’s eyes gleamed.

Sallio and Enri looked at each other and nodded.

“Everyone considers it absurd, but a war with very high odds will unfold.”

“Magus Zeef will ultimately have no choice but to help us too.”

Zodiac stroked his beard pondering, while Jad just smiled with feet crossed on the table.

To the two seeming to say make a more attractive proposal, Sallio pulled out the decisive card.

“We’ll draw the mountain range’s master to the ground.”

* * *

Zeef savored tea leisurely while appreciating the setting sun.

He was feeling leisure he couldn’t enjoy at the royal court after a long time.

It would be even better if Pernok just moved as intended.

‘He’s quietly trapped in the guild.’

Zeef also threatened the association to absolutely prevent Pernok from climbing to the mountain range summit.

He also told Borden to thoroughly monitor Named guild among those climbing the mountain.

He made the process of distributing demon beast materials to other castles more difficult by adding several procedures.

For Pernok, there’s no method besides spending idle time in the guild.

“Pressure that mercenary to make him kneel. And if possible, giving him a final chance wouldn’t be bad either.”

The Chancellor, while dispatching Zeef, ordered him to proceed with a secret invitation for Pernok to enter the 1st Prince faction.

The reason he strongly pressed Pernok from the start was precisely this.

‘Even if level 7 mages are precious, isn’t he too bound to mercenaries? With such lowborn bloodline serving the Prince who’ll ascend the throne, really…’

Zeef, who’d been shaking his head, set down his teacup.

‘…If only the duke hadn’t attached to the 2nd Prince side, we wouldn’t have needed to do regrettable things.’

Just like Illumina Kingdom with its new succession structure where the king wanders at death’s door, Rezhen Kingdom also had complex factional warfare progressing.

Though the 1st Prince was the leading candidate, the 2nd Prince’s exceptional wisdom earned support from the duke, one of the kingdom’s three pillars.

Other princes also expand their respective forces, so the Chancellor tries to recruit various forces at this opportunity.

In that sense, Named led by a young genius mercenary is very good prey.

An opportunity sufficient to create a new knight order.

‘Having scolded him this harshly, that fellow should have understood.’

If the kingdom wills it, they can strike down all businesses related to demon beast materials.

Having shown this firm stance for a full week, Pernok’s thoughts must have deepened.

Now just need to drive the wedge to crack his firm heart and turn his course toward the 1st Prince.

And forcing someone and making them kneel was Zeef’s specialty.

“Summon the members. We go to Named.”

Zeef personally led the Royal Guard Knights.

As if showing the knight order’s majesty to mercenaries, he even occasionally released mana, striding proudly through the streets.

Standing at Named’s entrance, Rio rushed over hurriedly.

“Your Lordship! What brings you all the way here?”

“Is there a problem with me meeting this incident’s party?”

“No. Well…”

“I have things to say meeting the guild leader, so I’m entering.”

Then Zeef strode inside.

Rio rushed urgently to the office.

Shortly after, Pernok descended.

“Sir Zeef, what brings you without notice?”

“I have things to say—don’t you even have a reception room?”

“If you’d informed me in advance, I’d have prepared. But…”

Pernok looked at the Royal Guard Knights and frowned.

“…What’s that?”

“Hm?”

“That person looking around this place at the very back.”

Everyone’s gaze turned toward Albert.

The moment Albert blinked bewildered at the concentrated gazes—

“I sense demonic energy.”

“What are you saying now…”

When Zeef wore a displeased expression, sharp wind sounds rang out.

Clang!

It happened in an instant.

Albert moved the ground to surge sharpened stones like awls from the earth toward Zeef’s back, and Zeef made wind into a barrier to block the stones.

Only after collision occurred did the knight order grasp the sudden ambush.

As their eyes widened, Pernok’s hand blade pierced Albert’s throat.

Wooong!

The knight order’s mana surged.

Though hostility burst reflexively, no one could act.

Even Zeef stared with wide eyes at Albert’s rolling head.

“Ominous human.”

Pitch-black demonic energy flowed from Albert’s eyes, nose, ears, and mouth.

“As expected, you humans…”

Soon Albert’s body and head explosively burst.

When Zeef waved his hand, the explosion was swallowed by wind, but the knight order’s expressions hardened stiffly.

Words the wind couldn’t wash away lingered at their ears.

[…A calamity that must absolutely never be left alive.]

* * *

Below the mountain, dangerous humans began gathering.

He’d implanted demonic energy in a human mage to observe the castle’s appearance without other humans noticing.

Beings called Magi and high-level mages joining.

That alone was threatening, yet they even equipped weapons to annihilate demon beasts within the castle.

Dangerous.

Humans will definitely infiltrate the summit again like that time to aim for his neck.

Unacceptable.

He didn’t want to suffer the humiliation of being defeated by humans and imprisoned a second time.

Power has grown.

The mountain range’s flow grants him infinite power.

Now fear is humans’ portion.

Grgrgrgrng!

The mountain range’s master opened its eyes.

The master who’d implanted his demonic energy in the massive flow penetrating the mountain range shouted.

[Awaken.]