The Winner of the Whale Fight is the Shrimp

Rio arrived at the sleeping mountain where the Floating Castle rested.

Standing at the Twin Rocks path point, Ruin came to him.

“A gift from Lord Pernok.”

Ruin received and opened the box Rio presented.

Lionic’s final core material, the Hollow Eye, was contained within.

‘As expected, he succeeded in awakening.’

If he killed the mountain’s master, Pernok must have reached Magus.

Recalling the intense energy Pernok showed while subjugating demon beasts that day, Ruin smiled pleasantly.

“How is the mountain range?”

“The royal investigation team was dispatched, causing slight problems.”

“Who came?”

“Salavan. This nation’s 2nd Prince.”

“If that 2nd Prince bothers you…”

When Ruin’s eyes flashed coldly, Rio clutched his chest.

Pernok is frightening, but Ruin stimulates primal fear that constricts the heart.

“That won’t happen. Lord Pernok joined the 2nd Prince.”

“Don’t tell me he entered Rezhen’s throne struggle?”

“Yes.”

“Why make such a choice instead of going to Illumina?”

“Because that place’s 1st Prince maintains close relations with Illumina’s 1st Prince.”

“Does he intend to promote throne struggles to eliminate rear dangers?”

“It’s not only that. Through this war, we felt the necessity to reorganize forces once more. Lord Pernok plans to use the throne struggle to seize all of Rezhen’s talents and treasures.”

After pondering, Ruin nodded.

“Not bad. This nation’s royals each have clear specialties and hide treasures accordingly. Just bringing those one by one will dramatically elevate Lord Pernok’s forces. However, if Lord Pernok steps to the forefront, troublesome matters will occur if it fails.”

“That’s why Lord Pernok made one request of you, Lord Ruin.”

“What is it?”

Rio took a deep breath and spoke.

“He asked you to disguise yourself as a level 7 mage and join the 4th Prince.”

“Does he plan to fatten up the 4th Prince’s forces and devour them?”

As expected, Ruin has exceptional eyes for reading situations.

Even without additional explanation, he grasps precisely what Pernok wants.

“Yes. The 4th Prince serves to fatten the belly, and the moment the 3rd Prince checks and bursts it, Rezhen will establish as a two-faction structure of the 1st and 2nd Princes.”

“Then when returning to Illumina, we won’t need to worry about Rezhen’s side. If done well, we can grasp and shake even Salavan, so it seems a decent idea. Especially the point that Lord Pernok is a bastard will greatly help going forward.”

What Salavan lacks compared to the 1st Prince is diplomatic gains.

The 1st Prince gained many veterans’ power by emphasizing exchanges with mages and other nations.

But Salavan receives criticism for being biased toward nurturing young talent while neglecting diplomatic relations.

To turn around veterans who emphasize diplomatic relations, Salavan must also prove diplomatic gains.

“Revealing from the start isn’t bad either. Salavan will welcome it with both hands raised.”

“I said so too, but Lord Pernok seems to have other thoughts. He says he’ll reveal being a bastard after laying groundwork first.”

Ruin nodded and smiled.

“Hehehe, truly a bold person. Dancing with blades in the enemy’s heart while trying to cut flesh and attach it to himself.”

“Ah, he also asked me to convey this.”

“…?”

“Since you lost the bet, silently perform my mission. He says to play with the kids for a bit.”

“Hehehehehehe! Please wait just a moment.”

Laughing heartily, Ruin took the Hollow Eye and entered the Twin Rocks.

Shortly after, when faint tremors flowed through the earth, Ruin emerged again.

“I installed the Hollow Eye in the core. It’ll need at least a year to connect naturally with the core. Can we finish our journey within that time?”

“He said 6 months.”

“Since 2 years remain until Illumina, after 6 months the remaining time will be used for force strengthening.”

“I’m sorry for entrusting troublesome work.”

“Not at all. I was just thinking I should regain combat senses too. I’m rather glad it helps.”

As soon as Ruin smiled and circulated mana, changes occurred in his hair color and bone structure.

“How’s this?”

“You look 10 years younger.”

“I’ll use a young mercenary certificate as backup identity. And.”

Ruin ran his hand over Rio’s face.

In the blink of an eye, Rio transformed into a dark-complexioned middle-aged man.

“Even if an S1 Magus comes, they’ll absolutely not detect it.”

“Thank you, Lord Ruin.”

Ruin pressed down a fedora.

“When does work start?”

“Start as soon as we arrive at the capital.”

“Shall we enjoy ourselves lightly?”

“I ask your favor.”

Ruin, who’d covered the Floating Castle with massive mana, headed with Rio toward Rezhen Kingdom’s capital.

* * *

Pernok explained the plan to deputy guild leaders.

Everyone became honeyed mutes at the absurd scale, but no one opposed.

Even if things go wrong, they just move their base to Illumina.

“I don’t think there are pathetic fools here who’d discuss conscience while distinguishing good and evil after coming this far.”

Pernok looked around at the stiff-faced deputy guild leaders.

“For us who are merely a guild to reach higher places, we must become heartless and ruthless.”

“Don’t frighten too much. I’m actually not interested in royals.”

Enri smacked her lips bitterly and continued.

“I know Jad by acquaintance. If I can just bring him, I actively agree with the guild leader’s opinion.”

“Likewise. Zodiac is an excellent mage. There’s no reason to refuse when we can recruit even other A-rank guilds.”

“Didn’t we follow knowing the guild leader is a bastard from the start? We expected such things would happen. We’re just surprised it’s sooner than expected.”

While climbing to this position, is there anyone who hasn’t dipped hands in filth?

“It was needless worry.”

To those who wouldn’t refuse even guild wars to gain profit, Pernok spoke gently.

“I’ll finish things within 6 months. While I’m absent, have a mage skilled in transformation disguise as me and stay here.”

“Understood. But can you execute everything within this short time?”

To Sallio’s question, Pernok answered firmly.

“Royals are greedy. Enough to find and cut sprouts even of bastards if necessary.”

With just slight fanning, Rezhen Kingdom’s fuse will ignite.

“No one can control desire while seeing opportunities before their eyes. We just need to fan there slightly.”

Pernok knows well from experience.

He still doesn’t forget how the nation he served in life collapsed.

“Don’t think hard. Think only of our profit we’ll gain.”

The three nodded with resolute expressions.

* * *

Sallio approached Zodiac.

“Our guild leader decided to join the 2nd Prince’s side.”

Zodiac’s face stiffened.

“Is there reason for Named to specifically join the 2nd Prince?”

“I don’t know well either. But the 2nd Prince seems to have presented very good conditions to the guild leader.”

“Conditions we can’t present?”

“Probably. Once the guild leader decides, he never backs down.”

“Haah…”

“Will you keep joining the 4th Prince?”

“I already made an exclusive contract. For the next 2 years, I’m stuck together.”

“We must hope not to clash with each other.”

“It’s regrettable. I wanted to coordinate with you again.”

While examining Zodiac’s stiff expression, Sallio pulled out a map from his pocket.

“Though it’s inadequate as a substitute, try visiting here once.”

“Rezhen Kingdom’s capital? It says antique shop—why here?”

“That owner is a level 7 mage. No affiliation, and extremely few know his identity. I also learned by chance and kept trying to bring him to the mountain range—a precious person.”

“…!”

“I’ll tell the guild leader in two weeks.”

“Why give this…”

“You still shouldn’t die futilely.”

Sallio patted the speechless Zodiac’s shoulder.

“If the 2nd Prince gains power, won’t he clean up weak royals first?”

Zodiac gulped dry saliva.

“I repeat—two weeks. If the 4th Prince’s capacity doesn’t meet his expectations, I’ll unhesitatingly bring this person to Named.”

Sallio turned around.

He can tell without looking what expression Zodiac wears.

He’s not someone who’ll easily miss such opportunities.

* * *

“Tell the 4th Prince. Don’t clash with the 2nd Prince by any chance.”

When Enri spoke cheekily, Jad swallowed a bitter smile.

“Tsk, things are flowing quite difficultly. Hey, can’t you persuade your guild leader somehow?”

“Forgot the sight of him entering the mountain range alone? Would you be able to if you were me?”

“Kugh…”

“That’s why you shouldn’t have joined someone like the 4th Prince.”

“…Did I know this would happen! I thought mountain range mercenaries wouldn’t have contact with nobles!”

“Making carefree sounds. Really!”

“Haah. Hey, we’re also holding one really good card?”

“You’ll hit even the 2nd Prince with that?”

“The 2nd Prince is impossible but… maybe the 3rd Prince?”

Enri shook her head.

“Rather than that, there’s one method our guild leader occasionally uses.”

“What?”

“Know why Jake died and we unified?”

“Don’t know details.”

“Thought so. Listen well. Our guild leader also had a really tremendous card, but kept hiding it until now. He didn’t even reveal it when killing Jake.”

Jad pricked up his ears.

“So?”

“They looked down on him and attacked, then got cleaned out just like that.”

“What are you trying to say?”

“Why think of hitting upward with hidden cards, you idiot?”

“Huh?”

“Instigate the 4th Prince! If you have cards worth aiming upward, tell him to sweep up from below.”

“…Oh!”

“Freeze your admiration! Goodness, really not thinking.”

“K-krhm. Anyway sweep below?”

“Hey, our guild leader.”

Enri whispered in Jad’s ear.

“Kills the weakest bastards first. Then sweeps up all those bastards’ items.”

“Plunder?”

“Spoils of war. Your forces aren’t much to see. Then attack weak royals from below. Take all the power and strength they possess. If you grow scale like that, won’t it be worth clashing even with those above?”

As Jad’s eyes widened, Enri grinned.

“Don’t only look upward—look from below. A fight that’ll start anyway. If you can’t retreat, shouldn’t you at least fill your belly solidly before going out?”

Jad’s nostrils flare.

Not missing his habit that emerges whenever excited, Enri grinned.

* * *

Pernok boarded Salavan’s carriage in simple attire.

“Meticulous. No one knows the guild leader left the mountain range.”

“If one’s a cleaner, one must naturally be this way.”

Throne struggles make even trivial things turn nobles’ backs.

But the more intense the competition, the more corrupt desires emerge, requiring people to handle them.

Called cleaners, Salavan also possesses several.

But their level is merely 3 or 4.

In that sense, Pernok who volunteered as cleaner was currently the most desperate existence to Salavan.

“It’s regrettable—if we fought together revealed beside me, your fame would rise higher.”

“Originally sharp blades are hidden. Drawing them at moments no one expects to show their true value.”

“If the guild leader’s will is truly so, I won’t dissuade further.”

Salavan smoothly pulled something out.

Personal profiles with someone’s name and members written.

“What’s this?”

“Harmful people embezzling the nation’s livelihood. Please dispose of this group conducting private research with precious taxes.”

Examining the relevant area, Pernok tilted his head.

“Isn’t this area near the 1st Prince’s villa?”

Salavan smiled wordlessly.

‘Private research means the 1st Prince’s secret research lab.’

While investigating the royal family, they detected circumstances that the 1st Prince develops high-level mana weapons.

Salavan firmly grasped uncertain information only heard as rumors.

‘Destroy the research lab the 1st Prince covertly promotes and only bring research results. Then even after contracts end, my range of movement can’t escape the 2nd Prince. Quite clever thinking.’

It even contained the intention to make the nation’s closest to king eat water while preventing me from attaching to other royals.

Pernok chuckled.

Anyway, the 1st Prince’s and his paths differ.

Needless concern.

However, if this work finishes successfully, Pernok’s treatment, conditions, and value rise further.

“Please think of it as a request entrusting based on seeing the guild leader’s skills and clean work handling.”

“In this case I’m moving alone, so traces might remain.”

“I’ll handle trivial matters myself.”

He liked Salavan’s confidence telling him not to worry about cleanup.

Above all, the request contents contained within make him drool.

‘As expected, narrowing time short to make the 2nd Prince anxious hit the mark.’

Pernok grinned while examining information written at the end.

Mana Flash Cannon.

This research lab handled the core of tactical weapons researching the latest improved form of mana cannons.

‘What destructive power will emerge if I add this knowledge to the Floating Castle?’

At the thought of applying alchemy and mana weapons together, his hands already itched.