Chapter 41

Chapter 41

Seated on the bed, Ian tightened the straps of his breastplate. It was a constricting sense of unity he hadn't felt in days. He sighed briefly as he looked over the items spread out in front of him: shoulder guards, greaves, arm guards and gloves, boots, and other pieces of equipment.

Though the servants of the knightly family had stripped them of old dirt and polished them to look like new, strangely, he didn't feel good about it. Suddenly, the morning of the reserve force call-up came to mind—the memory of feeling drained and listless just from wearing a military uniform. It was exactly like that now.

...It's more like re-enlistment than reserve forces. A re-enlistment with no known discharge date. Fuck.

Despite his complicated feelings, his body automatically put on the equipment in the correct places. Without anyone's help, Ian returned to his usual appearance in just a few minutes. Daggers and throwing knives were positioned across a band and around his waist.

These throwing knives were newly acquired from Orendel. Having thrown the dagger a few times, the accuracy was higher than he had expected. His Agility stats might not be high, but his Mental Fortitude and Concentration surely played a supporting role. After checking himself over, he lastly picked up the Sword of Judgement that had been leaning against the head of the bed. His preparations were complete.

It seems like I've accumulated enough skill points to use them. After this is over, I'll seriously...

In the midst of his personal contemplations while seated on the bed—

Knock knock.

The door opened with a knock, and Philip peeked his head in.

"It seems you can come now, my lord."

It was a familiar scene. Thinking this, Ian left the room. Passing through a corridor with a view of the garden, he stopped in front of the office. Philip opened the door. Seated in the chair of honor was Mev, and revealed were the men seated long across the table on either side.

"...."

“...."

Their gazes concentrated on Ian. Ian entered the room with composure.

Click.

As the door closed, Mev began to speak, "Let me introduce him. This is Ian Hope, the assistant I mentioned. He's the most trusted mercenary I have, and the real person who solved the issues you've heard about."

The men's gazes swept over Ian. The emotions in their looks became a bit more overt. These were familiar to Ian: curiosity, caution, competitive spirit, and distrust.

Mev's voice continued, "And this is the members of the royal guard, Ian. I personally selected these, the most trustworthy men."

Ian nodded and then finally looked back at the men. Seven in total. The reactions when their eyes met varied, but none averted their gaze.

"The explanation about the current situation is finished. They will help us," said Mev.

"Did you also explain to them about your plan?” Ian asked.

"Simply," answered Mev.

"Hmm..." Ian nodded and began to walk. He slowly circled the knights. A strange tension spread.

With a leisurely gaze, Ian examined each one of them and then spoke, "Ensure to protect the king you serve. That's all you need to do in this plan."

"...."

"...."

Displeasure was evident in some of their eyes. Clearly, they didn't like hearing such words from a mere mercenary. It was obvious they didn't fully believe what Mev had told them. If Ian truly had such skills, they thought, he wouldn't be living as a wanderer. While their inner thoughts seemed apparent, Ian continued unfazed.

"And don't disclose the conversation we've had here to anyone. Not even to family. There's no opting out," said Ian.

"What if someone refuses?" Someone blurted out, a young man who had been sending looks full of rivalry.

As tension appeared on Miguel's face standing behind Mev, and a chill started in Philip's eyes guarding the door, Ian smiled, "They would die. You're asking the obvious."

"What...?" The young man's brows furrowed.

Though none spoke out, the eyes of the other knights also hardened. Had Mev not been there, swords might have been drawn immediately. Miguel seemed ready to intervene at any moment, his lips twitching.

Only Ian and Mev remained undisturbed as Ian continued. "If the plan fails, I'm not the one who will suffer. I can just leave this country. It's the ones left behind who will endure the pain, like you or the people of this kingdom."

"Can we prevent all those tragedies if we follow the plan?" A middle-aged knight who had been pressing down on the young man’s shoulder spoke.

"Who knows? But at least, we can prevent this country from falling into the hands of the corrupt." Ian shrugged.

"Are there really that many traitors hiding in Agel Lan?" The young man, barely containing his emotions, spat out the words.

Ian approached the table.

As he leaned his hand on the back of a chair where one of the knights was seated, he said, "There are. Even one among us here."Step back, sir," said Ian.

Almost simultaneously, the young man’s frown deepened, and Ian drew a dagger.

Crack!

Rotan’s head was cleanly severed.

Mev, her gaze emotionless, turned to look at Ian, "I am ashamed. I thought I had chosen well."

"They must have kept that in mind and sent a minion. They had to keep an eye on you somehow. They wouldn't have known I could distinguish them though," Ian spoke nonchalantly.

Ian had requested this meeting precisely to root out any corrupt beings that might have infiltrated their ranks. Mev nodded at the knights, her gaze now icy compared to when she looked at Ian.

"As you can see, Ian is a holy warrior recognized by the stern Goddess herself. Without merit, she would not bestow her blessing. Moreover, I am not an Apostle of Judgment. I am an apostle of vengeance, and all corrupt beings in Agel Lan are my targets for vengeance. So, if there's still anyone who doubts, speak now."

"...I do not doubt."

Starting with the middle-aged knight, one by one, they responded.

"I do not doubt."

Jonathan, the last to answer, bowed his head toward Ian.

"I sincerely apologize for the misunderstanding and rudeness. I will accept any punishment.”

What a knightly thing to say, thought Ian. Ian smirked at the polite tone and expression, then nodded.

"Just keep to what I've said," said Ian.

"...Of course. Um...." Jonathan trailed off.

"Call me Ian," said Ian.

"Yes, Sir Ian. I will follow you with all my heart," Jonathan replied.

I’m not a knight though, Ian chuckled to himself, exchanged a glance with Mev, and nodded.

"Let's get back to the main topic. When the meeting is convened, we'll start with how you all should proceed," said Ian.

The knights nodded, their faces solemn and devoid of smiles. They were finally beginning to understand what they were protecting the king from.

***

By the time everyone had left and the meeting was over, it was already deep into the night. While Philip and Miguel were handling the body and the servants were cleaning the bloodstains, Ian and Mev stood facing each other in the garden.

"If they just do their part, things will be easier," said Ian.

"Now that the presence of the corrupt has been confirmed, at least they won't betray us," said Mev.

Ian's gaze, nodding along, suddenly stopped at the far end of the corridor. Lucia, who had been watching them, quickly turned away.

"Ah, right. I haven't introduced that child to you." Mev spoke, looking in the same direction.

"We've already met. She even came looking for me." Ian shook his head.

"She did? For what purpose?" Mev asked.

"To ask me to protect you," said Ian.

Mev opened her mouth in surprise at the unexpected statement.

"Seems you looked precarious enough in her eyes," Ian smirked.

"...It's hard to imagine Lucia saying that, she hardly ever shows her inner thoughts," said Mev.

"That's probably because she believes she's cursed,” said Ian.

"Cursed...?" Mev asked.

"Yes. A curse that people she loves die." Ian looked back at Mev, who squinted her eyes.

"Perhaps that's why she doesn't open up." A flicker of sympathy and tenderness crossed Mev's eyes.

Ah, here comes another lengthy sob story, Ian thought to himself.

"Anyway, we don't have much time. At the very least, we need to start before the duke notices the connection between the rebellion in Orendel and you," said Ian.

Mev's expression darkened.

Ian added softly, "If he realizes there's undeniable evidence, we can't predict what he might do."

"...We'll act at dawn then,” said Mev.

However, it was two more days before the date for the meeting was set.