Rezhen's Chaos

How long had it been since he met someone who stiffly raised their head before him?

Though Salavan wore an expression of disbelief, he didn’t snap at Pernok.

Because he judged Pernok had confidence warranting that.

‘As expected, he seems to have greed toward heading to wider places. Force expansion must be an essential element, but is this alone insufficient?’

Though inwardly flustered that Pernok didn’t even consider the proposal he’d spit out after considerable resolve, Salavan didn’t show it and nodded.

“I’m thinking of staying here for a week. Let’s have drinks together occasionally.”

“It’s an honor, Your Highness.”

Pernok smiled, and Salavan’s head began aching.

Recruiting Pernok wasn’t as easy as expected.

* * *

Pernok chuckled while looking down at people lined up before the association.

Through his proposal, he could confirm many things.

Including why he tried taking care of even all the mercenaries here.

“Salavan tried making this place his own.”

It resembled the method Pernok used when killing Jake and creating the three-way alliance.

Gaining people’s respect and justification to engrave his name and plant strong forces.

The difference from Pernok is that Salavan didn’t bring forces directly.

Salavan planned to win over Pernok and absorb this place as is.

“Allowing me to proceed with the summit training facility was because of that.”

Because he was confident Pernok would become his ally.

To anyone’s eyes, Salavan was this nation’s next throne candidate.

He probably didn’t think mercenaries would easily refuse such a power holder’s invitation.

“He knows how to give carrots.”

“Looking at how he handled Baron Ivan, his stick won’t be light either.”

“Did you find something?”

“I grasped Rezhen’s royal family relationship chart. But since information isn’t abundant, I only confirmed rough outlines.”

Rio presented a thick bundle of papers.

Pernok quickly flipped through pages while grasping critical things.

“He embraces more emerging forces than expected.”

“Favorable evaluations praising his emphasis on talent are widespread.”

“In contrast, the 1st Prince receives veteran support.”

“Because he’s the eldest son.”

“Skilled at diplomacy too. He’s in solid relationship with Illumina Kingdom’s 1st Prince.”

“I find that point curious. Why did Rezhen’s 1st Prince join hands with Illumina’s 1st Prince? Even though Rezhen’s 1st Prince receives no halo from the Rakis Empire whatsoever.”

“Someone must have proposed. We want to borrow the Rakis Empire’s power but don’t want to be swayed. So, let’s join hands and escape the Rakis Empire once we obtain thrones.”

“That’s likely from Illumina’s 1st Prince’s side.”

“The two princes’ relationship is tighter than expected.”

Pernok examined the word supplies.

“Small amounts of weapons and food flow into Illumina through the bordering frontier. Roughly, they exchanged steadily for 4 years.”

“Illumina is a remarkable nation after all. No matter how much they covet thrones, how can all royals openly discuss exchanges with other nations? If defeated in throne struggles, how will they handle those repercussions while continuing to extend hands?”

“That’s why Illumina’s 1st Prince is advantageous. Backed by the world’s strongest nation while preparing countermeasures and building diplomatic gains—would other kingdoms easily covet it? If I were nobility, I’d support both kingdoms’ 1st Princes. Because that’s safest.”

“Though Lord Ruin joined, that alone is difficult to face this solid alliance.”

Pernok stared at the information and asked.

“Enri said Jad and Zodiac joined the 4th Prince’s side.”

“A foolish choice. Jad and Zodiac will definitely fail.”

And failed mercenaries’ fate is wretched slave life.

“Could there be something about the 4th Prince they must join despite knowing?”

“Everyone has hidden cards. I doubt it’s enough to overturn the situation.”

“But many mercenary corps joined other royals. If even making exclusive contracts, wouldn’t there be something significant?”

“Even so, our plan won’t have setbacks. We just buy up A-rank guilds broken and chipped away clashing with each other.”

Pernok shook his head.

“Then force expansion becomes meaningless. We must recruit A-rank guilds intact as much as possible.”

“Didn’t they join other royals? If they made exclusive contracts, unless we kill the royals…”

Though Rio’s eyes widened, Pernok spoke calmly.

“I want to make Rezhen’s throne structure very simple.”

“It’s dangerous. One wrong step and Named might fall into a quagmire.”

“Unlike you, you’re insisting on too simple methods. Must Named as a whole step forward?”

Since Pernok seemed to be testing him, Rio pondered long.

After calculating several situations in his head and recombining the board, he arrived at one conclusion.

“How about instigating the 4th Prince?”

“Why?”

“Current Rezhen’s throne has the 1st and 2nd Princes as solid top priority while the 3rd Prince fiercely pursues behind. But the 4th Prince also has considerable power. If we highlight that existence, other princes will definitely start being conscious of it. Royals positioned below will feel crisis and check the 4th Prince.”

“Won’t Jad and Zodiac become endangered?”

“We just attach one of our cards to the 4th Prince.”

“Who?”

Seeing the smile hanging on Pernok’s lips, Rio was certain.

“Lord Ruin.”

Pernok grinned.

“Since revealing him Magus identity is dangerous, we hide his skills appropriately and attach him to the 4th Prince’s side.”

“Level 7 level would be good. If such a master hides in the field, the 4th Prince will also search with fire in his eyes.”

“If Lord Ruin infiltrates the 4th Prince like that as a starting point and devours lower royals in order.”

“The 4th Prince’s forces swell. And the 4th Prince can also take other royals’ hidden power.”

“Then the 3rd Prince will feel crisis toward the 4th Prince.”

“Two enlarged forces clash. The 4th Prince breaks, and the 3rd Prince also receives considerable damage.”

“Then the 1st and 2nd Princes will completely crush the weakened 3rd Prince.”

Pernok used Soul Discernment.

As expected, Rio’s talent that had stagnated after the war showed color.

“You want to create a two-faction structure?”

He has no intention of leaving Rio simply as a warehouse keeper managing money.

He plans to raise him as an advisor who can entrust full authority when absent.

Rio’s growth method is simple.

Throw him onto battlefields with countless variables and induce him to ponder and find solutions himself.

And now the optimal battlefield for him was prepared.

“Make the 1st and 2nd Princes watch only each other’s movements and check each other so they absolutely can’t turn eyes to other nations.”

“Then the connection with Illumina’s 1st Prince will also blur.”

“And the princes’ competition will accelerate.”

“But I judge that level alone is insufficient justification for you to move, Lord Pernok.”

“Is there more to gain here?”

“The power royals hid.”

“You know what that is?”

“Because we don’t know, it has value worth investing in. That’s why you’re attaching Lord Ruin to the 4th Prince, isn’t it? So when the 4th Prince merges other royals to grow forces, you can devour that power, Lord Pernok.”

An operation to fatten the goose.

If Ruin just exerts a little power, the 4th Prince becomes strong.

The moment forces gathered at the 4th Prince are smashed by the 3rd Prince, Pernok plans to use Ruin to bring all scattered power.

And to accept those powers intact without being broken away, only one choice must be made.

“I must make the 2nd Prince hang himself on me.”

The 3rd Prince who struck the 4th Prince.

The method to check him from going too far is the 2nd Prince’s influence who presented ‘force expansion.’

“So I can take broken royals’ power intact.”

It’s difficult to predict how much power royals prepared for throne succession.

But if he obtains that power, Pernok’s forces will dramatically expand, finally satisfying the power to advance to Illumina.

In other words, Rezhen’s throne structure is a golden field that will fill all Pernok’s deficiencies.

“Didn’t you refuse the 2nd Prince faction’s invitation, Lord Pernok?”

“It’s on hold. I left only lingering feelings preparing for cases where other royals visit, but when I actually set the board, the 2nd Prince is the core. Moreover, he absolutely can’t give me up.”

One of Rezhen’s three Magi died.

One Magus on the 1st Prince’s side, and one on Salavan’s side. Only 2 total remain.

The one who joined Salavan grips all this nation’s military authority.

If a skilled person like Pernok joins here, they’ll absolutely not kneel to the 1st Prince in military force.

“Thus, I’m thinking of going alone to the 2nd Prince.”

A method to act without revealing the guild and avoid glares from other princes.

‘Going alone while hiding my name and operating covertly.’

Becoming the 2nd Prince’s shadow warrior and proceeding while erasing traces.

“You’ll handle dirty work.”

“That’s how to obtain good items.”

The 2nd Prince knows well how to utilize a skilled blade.

He judged that level of strategy was executable.

Surely he’ll use Pernok to ambush political enemies or utilize him to dig into secrets royals hid.

That was important.

Striking political enemies.

In other words, it meant Pernok could intercept treasures enemies possessed midway.

“Concentrate other foolish royals’ power on the 4th Prince, and I siphon off the big prey the 2nd Prince targets midway.”

“But the 2nd Prince will firmly trust Lord Pernok’s outward appearance after successful missions, so going forward, he can empower you considerably beyond just checking the 1st Prince.”

This side also has very good cards.

If Pernok reveals he’s a bastard, what reaction will Salavan, who’s inferior to the 1st Prince in diplomatic power, show?

Pernok grinned at the vivid future scene.

“How about rather firmly pushing so the 2nd Prince can become king?”

“It’s merely brief entertainment before going to Illumina. If capable, Salavan will handle it himself. We just think about what we’ll gain.”

“Then may I also join the 4th Prince’s side with Lord Ruin?”

“You?”

Rio’s talent blazes like sunset.

“Should we only fatten the goose intact? When it’s split open, we must invest deeply in more places where treasures emerge to gain several times the profit.”

“Do as you please.”

“Thank you. Then I’ll also move.”

Pernok and Rio reorganized all future situations.

Pernok, Ruin, Rio.

The three move to shake Rezhen and bring all the power and treasures they hid.

And create a two-faction structure of the 1st and 2nd Princes to cut all connections to Illumina.

After organizing matters clearly, Rio headed to Ruin.

* * *

Next day, Pernok visited Salavan early in the morning.

He faced Salavan leisurely drinking tea on a terrace where sunlight seeped in.

“You sought me?”

“Since it’s soon time to return, I want to hear your answer.”

“Well. Even I don’t know well what I want.”

“I’ll permit S-rank mercenary corps creation.”

At Salavan immediately mentioning what could only be done after becoming king, Pernok showed an expression of surprise.

“I think we had sufficient time to grasp each other. You know too that A-rank guilds are currently attached to other princes?”

Salavan deliberately called Pernok.

If he consistently plays dumb here, Salavan’s patience will also reach its limit.

Pernok spoke with a gentle smile.

“Yes. There were proposals wanting to recruit Named.”

“I’m trying to make this complex throne structure simple. Collisions between royals are inevitable. I’ll entrust safety of A-rank guilds that fall away in that process entirely to Guild Leader Pernok.”

“Didn’t you say S-rank guild creation was originally difficult?”

“It was only a matter of timing—I already received permission for it.”

Probably this nation’s other Magus who grips the military.

“The law will change within this month. Of course, I also endured considerable bleeding to pass that, but I judged Guild Leader Pernok has value beyond that.”

Salavan’s one week was time to establish that law.

“If a mercenary’s loyalty to the nation is guaranteed, having an S-rank guild is fine. Because that will definitely help national interests.”

So join if you want to become an S-rank guild.

“I too must prove value to Your Highness. Only then can I leap to S-rank guild.”

“Hahaha, now we’re finally communicating.”

“May I request two more things?”

“Just say it. If it’s something I can do, I’ll grant it as much as possible.”

Pernok smiled.

“Please block information so my name doesn’t leak out.”

“That’s…”

“I understand the desire to gather and boast of talent. But skilled blades should absolutely not be shown.”

Catching the intention, Salavan’s eyes sparkled.

“I learn one move. Good. Let’s do that.”

“The other is contract period.”

“Period?”

“Surely you weren’t thinking of a subordinate contract?”

“I know even exclusive contracts last quite long.”

Pernok shook his head.

“Six months.”

“Isn’t that too harsh a condition compared to the price?”

“However, within those 6 months, I’ll prove results that satisfy Your Highness.”

The shorter the time, the more one throws bait where big fish are.

The tight timeframe will rather guide Pernok to where other royals’ substance exists.

“If you can’t?”

“I’ll extend the period.”

Was he surprised by the bold proposal?

Salavan couldn’t hide his expression.

“I think similarly to Your Highness. Complex things must become simple. Blades should be used to cut out rotten things.”

Salavan, who’d been silently watching Pernok, finally burst into laughter.

“Hahahahahaha!”

And smoothly extended his hand.

“You’re exceptional. Good. Let’s do our best so mutual trust doesn’t break.”

“I ask your favor, Your Highness.”

Pernok clasped hands while grinning.