The Winner of the Whale Fight is the Shrimp

“Let’s finish lightly here.”

When Ruin took position, Jad and Zodiac made absurd expressions.

“Are you sane in the capital’s heart?”

“Even if the shop flies away, we won’t take responsibility.”

“Those without skills make loud noises.”

When Ruin sneered and wiggled his finger, Jad and Zodiac’s fury exploded.

“We tried treating you nicely!”

“Be moderately impudent!”

The two’s mana filled the space, and Ruin leisurely tapped the ground with his staff.

“Basics aren’t there at all.”

“…!”

That moment, all mana in space disappeared.

Before Jad and Zodiac’s eyes, the staff was already planted.

“Again.”

Then, the two felt inexplicable chills.

No matter how excited, they hadn’t activated magic considering this is the capital.

But when meeting Ruin’s eyes, the two unknowingly drew up all mana and manifested magic.

The moment flames blazed and the ground shook, Ruin shook his head.

Thwack!

In the blink of an eye, magic disappeared and Ruin’s staff struck both crowns.

The two covering heads with both hands looked at Ruin with shocked expressions.

‘Tsk tsk tsk, level 6 yet even mana domination is clumsy. Can they even lift one arm of Lord Pernok?’

Ruin just intervened in opponents’ mana and slightly scattered it.

If Pernok, he’d immediately react and tightly squeeze his mana, but with these two’s mana manipulation ability, even grasping what happened was impossible.

“Again.”

Jad and Zodiac’s blood completely drained.

‘A mage one grade above.’

‘Even Roland can’t handle us like this.’

The two thought if they combined strength, they could overcome about 1 level difference.

No, they couldn’t even conceive blocking magic manifestation itself from the start.

Because they thought the technique of stopping magic activation even when pushed in power versus power contests is only possible for Magi.

‘Level 7 level mana.’

‘Technique is Magus grade?’

Into confused heads, Ruin’s voice dug in again.

“Do I look like a Magus to you?”

“…!”

“Hehehe, your mana manipulation ability is immature. That pitiful sight still mistaking you were pushed in mana contest while misjudging the opponent’s capacity is truly pathetic and lamentable.”

Jad and Zodiac’s faces reddened but couldn’t open mouths.

“At least momentum was acceptable, but now even that disappeared, so no use. Scram.”

“Wait!”

“Please wait!”

Jad and Zodiac stopped Ruin’s steps.

They spoke with stiff expressions.

“If one hair, you definitely said you’d join?”

“Keep that promise.”

The two who realized the power difference became respectful in attitude.

‘Easy to tame.’

The attitude recognizing capacity differences and trying to learn wasn’t bad.

Thinking they have posture to command A-rank guilds, Ruin nodded.

“I’ll give one hour.”

The two burst all mana and activated magic.

When Ruin waved his staff, it flickered like candlelight then extinguished, but the two desperately clung and persisted.

Knock-knock.

Then, knocking sounds came from the back door.

The two in fierce battle and Isolun didn’t hear at all.

But Ruin noticed that signal.

Stop playing and proceed with work.

When Rio urged, Ruin smacked his lips.

‘I want to break this impudence more, but there’ll be many chances ahead.’

When one hour nearly finished, Ruin deliberately shook his head.

Hair fell to the floor and the two smiled brightly.

“H-hair!”

“That’s definitely the elder’s!”

Before they knew it, the two’s treatment of Ruin had risen higher.

Beaten so much their faces swelled puffy, the two rejoiced like children, and Ruin chuckled.

‘I’ll completely correct you from head to toe.’

Must change all these crude ones into useful ones and offer to Pernok.

Ruin burst into hollow laughter and looked back at Isolun.

“Hehehe. Good. Since a promise is a promise, I’ll also join.”

“Thank you, Naia!”

“But I’ll watch over time. First, 1 year. If you can’t produce appropriate results within this, I’ll unhesitatingly leave for Named.”

“Don’t worry! I’ll prove my ability!”

Ruin nodded and looked down at the two sitting collapsed.

“You two must receive instruction on handling mana from me going forward.”

“You’ll teach mana manipulation?”

Jad becoming respectful wasn’t unreasonable.

Though magic is a product of innate talent, mana manipulation developed across generations.

Mages with more efficient mana manipulation have overwhelming advantage when facing same-grade mages.

Excellent mana manipulation is often transmitted as secrets.

“Why, don’t you like it?”

“N-not at all!”

“We’ll gratefully learn.”

Even Zodiac stepped forward and quickly answered.

They also know mana manipulation, but grasped how excellent Ruin’s mana manipulation ability clashing directly was.

If they could learn that, they’d not refuse even errand running.

Exactly the situation Ruin aimed for.

“I’ll call you Your Highness going forward.”

“Do as you’re comfortable.”

“Your Highness, I’m thinking of introducing a very good talent—may he also join?”

“Who…”

“I did mercenary work in youth and exchanged feelings with comrades recently. I also met that son, and his skill at turning heads is extraordinary.”

“How much so?”

“If that friend and I join together, even Named isn’t frightening.”

“…!”

“He’s born with advisor qualities.”

“Q-quickly bring him! No, I’ll go greet him. Where is that friend!”

“I had him doing errands here, and he’s arriving just in time.”

Following Ruin’s gaze, everyone looked at the back door.

The door opened and Rio disguised as a middle-aged man appeared.

He tilted his head as if knowing nothing.

“Why is the shop so messy?”

“Something happened. Ah, come here. Very precious guests want to see you.”

“Me?”

When Rio slipped close, Isolun urgently shouted.

“I ask your favor going forward!”

“Pardon?”

“I’m this nation’s 4th Prince. Hearing you’re excellent talent, my heart rushed ahead.”

“What is this…”

“Hmm, I decided to join these people going forward. You also follow without idle words. It’s a good opportunity to unfold your ability to the world.”

When Ruin laid groundwork, Isolun took it as if waiting and persuaded Rio.

After words exchanged until day darkened, Rio answered.

“One condition exists.”

“Speak.”

“I’ll show my ability. Instead, entrust all full authority to me from then on.”

“Why wouldn’t I when you’re proving ability!”

“Then I ask your favor going forward.”

“I’m reassured. Hahahaha!”

Isolun’s laughter seemed to pierce through the shop.

Jad and Zodiac also didn’t hide pleased emotions from gaining the reassuring mage Ruin.

Military force and strategy.

Easily gathering both sides, Ruin and Rio also smiled at the smooth 4th Prince faction joining.

* * *

“Let’s exchange greetings. This is Guild Leader Pernok.”

Thanks to properly stamping eyes with Ludmila. Whether seeing Pernok as talent who mustn’t be easily lost, he even called unscheduled confidants.

“Though one leaving after 6 months, who knows? Perhaps intentions match with us to stay together long?”

When Salavan smiled and sliced meat to eat, confidants glanced at Pernok and began meals.

Ludmila kept talking about something beside Salavan, and confidants once each offered cups to Pernok exchanging light greetings.

Pernok already monopolized their attention.

“Wait, I have things to discuss with the guild leader.”

When Salavan approached, confidants gathered among themselves and chatted as if nothing happened.

Though free atmosphere, strict control and lines to keep seemed to exist separately.

Pernok followed Salavan while carefully observing the more orderly faction appearance than expected.

The two faced each other on a terrace where sunlight shone well.

“They’re people I most cherish.”

“More than expected. I thought at most two or three would gather to eat, but no matter how trustworthy, is there need to show other people the fact I’m here?”

“Other royals also know Named is together with us. Our confidants were also curious, so I arranged a seat. Don’t worry too much. Everyone’s tight-lipped. We’ll absolutely prevent knowing that Guild Leader Pernok is here.”

Pernok also left a guild member mimicking himself as proxy in the mountain range just in case.

If the fact Pernok performs work beside Salavan spreads, it means other royals’ spies hide among confidants, so it could become opportunity to kill that and thoroughly tighten security.

“You must bring Named here at least once. Having barely made exclusive contracts, if holed up only in the mountain range, everyone will wonder.”

“If even frontal war occurs, I can immediately dispatch guild members.”

“Hahahaha, guild leader. In stages eroding each other’s forces, we don’t carelessly cause frontal collisions. If forces wanting collisions exist, it’d be my brothers. I want to covertly scrape political enemies’ forces, politically press, and ultimately make them kneel.”

“You want to have an intact nation as much as possible?”

“Think the greed is excessive?”

“Insisting only on peaceful methods won’t accomplish desires.”

“Isn’t the guild leader handling appropriate military force?”

“Mana Flash Cannon… I think that alone is insufficient. If shaking anyway, must plant a more certain wedge.”

Salavan smiled and offered a thick bundle of papers to Pernok.

Pernok quickly scanned then had to hide surprised expressions.

Because it was information related to one core facility armory of the 3rd Prince receiving large merchant group support.

“Have you heard of Tunnel Folk?”

Beastmen who existed since the era Lord of Despair lived.

Naturally can’t not know.

Tunnel Folk’ weapons are far superior to ordinary blacksmiths’ weapons.

They complete such quality weapons uniformly and quickly.

If other blacksmiths need decades to match 100,000 troops’ weapons, Tunnel Folk finish all processes in just one year.

Even weapons’ hardness and delicacy resembles weapon levels famous blacksmiths must cling to for months.

[Those small ones also had exceptional strength. Wearing good weapons and charging brutishly, even considerable masters stuck out tongues. It felt like huge rocks moving. And since they dug tunnels so well, sieges were also easy.]

Lord of Despair saw Tunnel Folk very impressively.

‘Does that mean those Tunnel Folk known to all have died in ancient wars still lived?’

Pernok strove to manage surprise and spoke.

“Tunnel Folk? First time hearing.”

Though hundreds of years of history were lost, the fact Tunnel Folk’ name is mentioned was unique.

“You would. I also only saw the word Tunnel Folk once in books recording 200 years ago history.”

Pernok was slightly disappointed.

He had slight expectation whether Salavan possessed lost records, but as expected no records existed.

‘Then Tunnel Folk continued lineage even after history was lost, and that existence was discovered intermittently.’

Tunnel Folk active enough even after new chronology arose.

Pernok began excited like a gourmet before a feast.

“They have innate talent in making weapons. Those descendants are making weapons under my brother now.”

Salavan spoke like planting a wedge.

“Even if you can’t destroy core facilities, can you at least handle just Tunnel Folk?”