The Winner of the Whale Fight is the Shrimp

Clap-clap-clap!

Matching applause sounds, Ludmila and Pernok turned their heads.

“It troubles me if you treat my guest like this, Duke.”

When Salavan spoke with a smile, Ludmila also grinned.

“He’s also my guest now, Your Highness.”

“I’m pleased you seem to have built rapport with each other.”

“Hahaha, you knew all along yet say such things.”

Ludmila held a smile across his face and turned his body to the audience seats.

“From today, Guild Leader Pernok is our ducal house’s guest! Never inform the outside that he’s here, and never be negligent in treating him!”

“Yes!”

Resounding voices all headed toward Pernok.

Ludmila seemed to firmly recognize Pernok as his own person.

Salavan looked at that sight contentedly and approached.

“Come to think of it, did Guild Leader Pernok separately have a master?”

“No. I sharpened magic while doing mercenary work.”

Ludmila spoke as if waiting.

“You’re born with good sense, but to go higher from here, you must learn one most necessary thing.”

“What do you mean?”

“Have you heard of mana domination?”

He trained day and night with Ruin.

But if a person without a master knows mana domination, it’ll only create strange suspicions, so Pernok shook his head.

“I’ll teach you mana domination if you become my disciple.”

Seems the talk of openly displaying greed for talent is true.

“Wasn’t asking for a pass because of that? You want to become my disciple?”

“I still have much work, making it hard to request learning from someone.”

“This person, we’re not meeting once or twice then parting—why hesitate so much? I felt while sparring earlier, but you’ll sufficiently master mana domination just staying by my side about a month.”

“Since brother will also rage from the research lab for the time being, how about Guild Leader Pernok training here?”

When even Salavan helped, Pernok smiled awkwardly.

“I’ll gratefully accept just your words. There’s much work to do now, isn’t there?”

“What’s so fun about being a cleaner that you rush work?”

“Since I made a contract, I must pay the price properly.”

“Then just be with me until the next request drops. I was bored having no one to spar with anyway, and it seems fun if you join. You won’t refuse even this?”

When Ludmila looked while applying force to his eyes, Pernok smiled and nodded.

“I’ll do my best not to be discourteous to the duke.”

“Kuhahaha! Your Highness, I’ll keep the guild leader for a while.”

“Do as you’re comfortable. Ah, and I prepared a banquet for the guild leader, but you’ll need to change clothes. Duke, do you have spare clothes?”

“I’ll prepare the finest.”

Ludmila called the butler and had Pernok taken inside the mansion.

* * *

Salavan walked side by side with Ludmila.

“How was Guild Leader Pernok?”

“He surpassed level 7.”

Salavan’s eyes widened.

“Then he’s a Magus?”

Ludmila shook his head.

“Magus must dominate space to establish their magic as new laws. Guild Leader Pernok seems to stand at the crossroads between magic imposed on individuals and forms spreading this to space.”

“So, you tried transmitting mana domination to the guild leader.”

“I thought to help him break through Magus’s wall.”

“It’s a dangerous thought.”

Ludmila chuckled.

“Didn’t we initially promise to each confirm separately—Your Highness handles strategy, I handle military force?”

“For a test, you showed mana operation methods in detail.”

“Haha, Your Highness isn’t even a mage yet has such exceptional eyes.”

“Does he please you that much?”

“It’s been quite long since someone planted a fist in my chest.”

“He’s someone who’ll leave someday.”

“Don’t you have confidence to hold him?”

Salavan made an awkward smile.

“Tsk tsk, unlike Your Highness.”

“From valor shown in the mountain range to handling this matter. It’s so clean beyond my thinking that goosebumps arise.”

“If such a remarkable person, you should bind through marriage.”

“Didn’t the duke have no daughters?”

“Didn’t you see earlier—my disciples’ eyes watching the guild leader? Haha, they all resemble me in liking the strong.”

He didn’t know Ludmila, usually picky in talent selection, would evaluate Pernok highly enough to connect with cherished disciples.

“As expected, too wasteful to rot as cleaner?”

“For that, the guild leader’s method resembles an assassin. I heard he also has wide-area strike magic, but his hands striking vitals are fierce. As the guild leader says, people with such magic should be utilized as cleaners for good effect. He’s a delicate person who accurately grasps and moves according to what his specialty is.”

“I know that but…”

“Revealing cards isn’t always good. First, while having him active as cleaner during contract period, try entrusting big jobs.”

“…Then next?”

“When merits accumulate, he’ll covet honor. Since he’s someone who’ll climb to sunlight himself, then extend contracts again to recruit him as definitely Your Highness’s person. I’ll also spare no efforts.”

Salavan nodded.

“First, you must now spread people to erase shadows so the guild leader’s tracks absolutely aren’t exposed.”

“How many will you attach?”

“I’ll send disciples specialized in stealth magic as the guild leader’s errand runners. And when work finishes, even if extending contracts, it’s better to leave him as mercenary.”

“Why?”

“One Magus disappeared from Rezhen.”

Though in hostile relations, Zeef was one pillar supporting the kingdom.

As military head who must protect the nation, this tilted forces situation isn’t entirely welcome.

“The reason we didn’t properly clash with the 1st Prince faction until now is because if all-out war between Magi occurs, it acts as great loss to the state. They also know that. So, no matter how excited that inadequate Zeef bastard got, he didn’t directly step forward to strike Your Highness. Because he judged protecting national power comes first.”

“Then Duke, did you permit S-rank guild creation judging Guild Leader Pernok is the person who’ll fill Zeef’s empty seat?”

“I had slight expectations. Since Rezhen permitted the S-rank guild, eventually Guild Leader Pernok can’t defy Rezhen’s commands going forward. But not only because of that.”

“Then?”

“Other princes were noisy. Making exclusive contracts with A-rank guilds to gather even non-existent forces—it was too dirty to keep watching.”

Ludmila’s eyes turned cold.

“Time came to unify mercenaries as one. And if that owner is Guild Leader Pernok together with us, nothing better.”

“Shall I extend the exclusive contract?”

“That part is now what Your Highness must handle.”

As the banquet hall approached, Ludmila returned to a smiling face.

“As military head, I tolerated another faction arising in the nation. As I endured bleeding, I’ll properly enjoy with Guild Leader Pernok. If you can’t continue that relationship, I also must revise my evaluation of Your Highness.”

“…”

“Your Highness, a king must know how to most cherish people by his side. Since sincerity communicates, don’t spare cards.”

“I’ll keep it in mind.”

Ludmila opened the banquet hall doors.

Pernok who arrived first after changing clothes monopolized everyone’s attention.

Only the most core figures even in the 2nd Prince faction exist here—tight-lipped with thick loyalty.

Even among such people, only Pernok seems to uniquely shine.

Salavan clenched his fist tight.

Mediocre tests ended.

Now he must enter all-out war to make Pernok completely his own person.

* * *

Rezhen Kingdom’s 4th Prince Isolun stopped before an old antique shop.

Jad and Zodiac stood like escorts and nodded.

‘A level 7 mage is inside here.’

Isolun was also a mage.

But he felt no mana from inside the antique shop.

To confirm if Jad and Zodiac’s introduction is correct, Isolun opened the door.

Ding-a-ling!

At the bell sound, an old man turned his head.

A refined gentleman with hair slicked back and wearing a monocle.

“Welcome. Is there something you’re looking for?”

“Can you tell me where someone called Naia is?”

“Naia? You mean me?”

Isolun cleared his throat and approached the counter.

“Mage Naia, I came after hearing rumors about you.”

That moment, coldness settled in Naia’s warm eyes.

“Who are you?”

“I came introduced by Named Guild’s Sallio.”

“I asked who you are.”

“I’m Rezhen Kingdom’s 4th Prince Isolun.”

“Prince?”

“No need to be so surprised. I want to have good talks with you—do you have time?”

“Not interested.”

“Then I’ll visit again next time.”

Without showing any displeasure, Isolun smiled and left the antique shop.

“Did you meet Naia?”

“One or two meetings make even conversation difficult. I’m thinking of continuously visiting.”

Isolun spoke firmly and led Jad and Zodiac.

And from the next day, Isolun continuously visited Naia.

Naia who initially responded with indifferent expressions also began showing irritated emotions as time gradually passed.

“Can you stop coming?”

“Please understand I can’t withdraw because my circumstances are urgent.”

Eventually, Naia left the counter.

“Why exactly are you so interested in me?”

“I desperately need one skilled person. If you join, it’ll be very reassuring.”

“Sorry, but Your Highness. I also have hearing ears. Aren’t the strongest factions in Rezhen the 1st and 2nd Prince factions? Even yielding a hundred times, even if succession structure is drawn up to the 3rd Prince, it doesn’t match the 4th Prince.”

“Well. Victory is unknown until the end.”

“If you mean those two idiots outside, I’ll say it’s impossible.”

“Hahaha, Naia, you alone look down on A-rank guild leaders.”

Isolun increasingly liked Naia.

A recluse master with mage-specific confidence standing out and mana depth not fathomable at all.

Though he didn’t believe when hearing from Jad and Zodiac, now conviction began arising.

‘A level 7 mage is absolutely necessary for me without a Magus.’

He had one secret weapon hidden.

He thought adding A-rank guild leaders and Naia there would cause upheaval in the succession structure.

“I’ll grant anything you desire.”

“I extremely dislike receiving orders.”

“I promise you needn’t receive orders other than mine.”

“Huh…”

“The world is changing. No matter how much you hide, as you showed me, a world with nowhere to flee will arrive. I’ll look down and watch so absolutely no pitiful people exist in that dead-end world, so please lend me strength!”

Isolun knelt before Naia.

Naia tried raising him with a flustered expression, but Isolun didn’t budge.

‘Hmm, a dreamer with only passion ahead…’

Ruin disguised as Naia found no king potential in Isolun.

‘…He can help greatly with Lord Pernok’s work.’

Though examining Isolun considering the possibility of failing to fatten him like a goose, there were no particularly worrying situations.

‘Let’s see. Now I just need to make him trust me blindly?’

Recalling the next sequence, Ruin examined the two people outside.

‘I must take those bastards, but in this state they’re merely baggage.’

Named guild members remaining in the mountain range are doing harsh training in training facilities Pernok instructed.

But Jad and Zodiac going around with Isolun leisurely rotting their skills was unpleasant.

‘From now on, these A-rank guild bastards who’ll enter need their heads thoroughly fixed first.’

When even one skilled person is precious, can’t bring in clumsy greenhorns.

When introducing to Pernok again, must show improved appearances than now.

Ruin hardened her eyes and spoke.

“Whew, fine. Then let’s do this. If those idiots outside can make even one hair of mine fall, I’ll join Your Highness.”

“Is that really true?”

“Shall I even write a pledge?”

“N-no. But such words…”

“Greenhorns! I know you’re listening! Come in quickly!”

As if waiting for those words, red-faced Jad and stiff-faced Zodiac entered.

“Do I look like I said something wrong?”

Jad and Zodiac couldn’t say anything and watched Isolun’s reactions.

Praising as remarkable and themselves being disrespected are clearly different stories.

Ruin properly scratched their pride.

“Named said to consider recruitment proposals because that guild leader and I are equal grade. But this side needs something to believe in.”

Isolun nodded.

Jad and Zodiac burst out held words.

“Old man, are you crazy? One hair? Do we look like a joke?”

“Confident you won’t regret those words?”

Ruin chuckled.

“What will you do if you can’t even make one hair of mine fall?”

“If there’s something you want, say it!”

“We’ll do anything.”

“Those words, you mean it?”

“Fine, we’ll stake our guild!”

“One hair? I’ll completely smash that hand!”

Ruin brought a staff.

“Follow me. I scouted an appropriate place, so one hour is sufficient?”

“Good. Prepare to thoroughly regret it!”

“One hour? Ten minutes is enough!”

That moment, the briefly passing smile—Jad, Zodiac, and Isolun didn’t know at all.