Chapter 14: Tinnitus (3)

Chapter 14: Tinnitus (3)

How, why?

From Roadmalis mouth, a question flowed out.Updated from novelb(i)n.c(o)m

How on earth?

There was not a single thing that wasnt a question.

From the moment he became involved with Lartania, there was not a single thing that didnt raise questions.

It was a mystery why one of Lartanias heroes was secretly operating in the Kingdom of Calan.

It was also a mystery why Red Eyes was rampaging on behalf of a lord who now had nothing but ruins, unlike ten years ago.

The biggest mystery was that Red Eyes was standing right in front of him.

This was, without a doubt, a strange story.

Roadmalis had died.

He had only been resurrected with the power of an artifact, and his death was an undeniable fact.

Even so why?

Red Eyes was waiting for Roadmalis.

As if she already knew that he would come back to life.

Thus, to Roadmaliss unwittingly thrown question, Red Eyes,

Intuitively.

Gave an answer that was so void of substance it left Roadmalis feeling utterly desolate.

The next moment.

Swoosh!

Aaargh!

Roadmalis screamed in terror as he realized his legs had been severed by Red Eyes.

The moment Merilda, without a word, picked up a wine bottle she had placed to one side and opened it while stepping on Roadmaliss chest.

Why are you doing this! Why!! Why are you doing this to me!!!

A scream burst from Roadmalis mouth.

Merilda looked at Roadmalis indifferently with the bottle cap off.

Its strange, all of it is strange, everything!!

However, Roadmalis, filled with indignation and anger over the injustice rather than the fear he had just felt, began to shout as if spitting it out.

Red Eyes! Why are you doing this for the Lord from ten years ago!? Why is the Absolute Ruler of Darkness secretly operating in the Kingdom of Calan!?

Youre not part of Lartania anymore, are you! Neither the Absolute Ruler of Darkness nor you!

Roadmalis knew that even though Red Eyes had attacked the territory, she was not a hero affiliated with Lartanias territory.

No, he had to know.

Those who became Lords with the power of the Territory Stone could know whether they were bound in a contractual relationship with heroes by their colors.

Red indicates a hero who has already made a contract and cannot make another.

Green indicates a hero who is available for contract.

Grey, showing no color, indicates a hero who belongs nowhere and has no intention of being recruited.

And when Roadmalis first saw Red Eyes in the territory of Sertoa, he saw, just in case, by using the power of the Lords Stone.

That the color emanating from Red Eyes body was grey.

Why are you doing this when youre not even affiliated with that lord anymore why!!!

Spitting blood from his mouth as if venting his frustration, Roadmalis regained his senses after all his words and wore a terrified expression.

The moment he spoke out, he felt as if the whole world was holding him back, shouting out of a sense of injustice, but after venting his anger, fear began to creep in again.

However

Surprisingly, Red Eyes, who had been listening to Roadmalis angry cries, looked down at him with an unexpectedly indifferent expression, unlike before.

?

Just as he felt puzzled by this,

Theres one thing that everyone, including you, has got wrong.

She spoke calmly, not with anger as before.

My relationship with my Master is not bound by just such a contract.

Red Eyes leaned down.

Who do you think is the reason I have this much strength, being chased by slave hunters?

Who do you think taught combat techniques to a clueless fool of a Langin tribe?

Do you know from whom I received the epithet and name that you all shout and remember?

These clothes, this hairstyle, even the instinct to realize that you would come back to life-

She looked at Roadmalis.

All of it, I received from my Master.

Without exception, all from my Master.

Red Eyes looks at Roadmalis.

So, how much longer until the territory starts functioning properly?

[As you might expect, you should be able to start managing the territory properly 20 days from now, once the forge, barracks, tavern, and trading post are fully constructed.]

Really?

Hearing Lorias words, Kim Hyunwoo nodded in satisfaction and looked over the residential spaces beyond the Lords castle.

The population had certainly increased significantly from before.

Seeing refugees from outside setting up mats and starting to sell goods, as there was no market constructed yet, Kim Hyunwoo suddenly thought about where the refugees had come from.

Sertoa-

The Sertoa territory.

The representative of the refugees, who came shortly after an event popped up, said that they became refugees and came to Lartania after Red Eyes had destroyed their territory.

Upon hearing that story, Kim Hyunwoo realized one certain fact.

For some reason, Merilda was helping him.

Of course, Kim Hyunwoo could not fully understand why Merilda was helping him.

However, considering that every territory Merilda had attacked was after some slightly inconvenient events for Kim Hyunwoo, it was hard to attribute it to mere coincidence.

He inwardly thought his speculation was correct.

Therefore,

Maybe I should meet and talk to her once I get the chance, as a way of saying thanks.

As Kim Hyunwoo was thinking this, Loria spoke up.

[But-]

Hm?

[Once the basic form of the territory is completed, how do you plan to expand the territory? The population has been met for now, but as you know, it won't be easy to grow the territory in the usual way given the current situation.]

Hmm.

Lorias point was certainly valid.

While he was relatively free now due to not being able to manage just yet, he couldnt afford to leisurely grow the territory as he did in Arteil.

While it might not seem a big deal now as the territory hasnt grown much, once it does grow and resources begin to accumulate, other territories will eagerly start conflicts to plunder those resources.

Moreover, due to the territory level being higher than the development level, strong monsters from the Labyrinth would periodically emerge, and if Kim Hyunwoos predictions were correct, high-risk, high-return events would occur frequently starting from territory level 30.

Things like major raids would proceed just the same.

So, if Kim Hyunwoo were to manage the territory in the usual way at this point, it would naturally fail.

No, it wouldnt just be likely; it would be inevitable.

However, despite knowing this

Its okay. I have a plan.

Kim Hyunwoo confidently stated.

[May I ask how you plan to manage the territory?]

Following Lorias question:

Im going to create a Labyrinth city.

[A Labyrinth city, you say?]

Yes.

Kim Hyunwoo smirked and murmured,

A city where the best talents from across the continent cant help but gather.

The Lord of Raipel, a territory located to the east of the Kingdom of Calan, also ranks among the top three in prosperity among the territories belonging to the Kingdom.

Duke Raipellaoshin, one of the top three most powerful figures in the Kingdom, fundamentally possesses an arrogant character.

However, most nobles and even the King of Calan have not criticized the Dukes arrogant nature.

The reason is simply that Duke Raipellaoshin was in a position where he could afford to be so.

He is among the top three most powerful people in the Kingdom, including the King, and he has more than eight heroes in his territory, heroes whose reputations go beyond mere fame to the level of legends.

Moreover, his territory has thousands of soldiers that the Duke can call upon at any time, and its the only territory in the Kingdom to have a significant number of combat guilds established.

Thanks to this, there are mercenaries who can be hired at any time for the right price, complementing Duke Raipellaoshins arrogant nature.

Why dont we just kill him? The Master was bothered by him, wasnt he?

Shh, Ruin. The Master said to just give a warning and nothing more.

I want to kill him; cant I just do it?

Do you want to trouble our Master?

Ha. I dont understand why we should spare that pig who doesnt even listen to our Masters words, the one who didnt heed the single warning to never touch Lartania territory.

Shut up, Ruin, it could inconvenience our Masters Master.

Why?

Shouldnt we give him the opportunity to do it himself?

Ah.

Right?

Then, shall we kill just half?

Hmm-

Trembling in fear, thanks to the Five Swords of Calan who had come to follow the command of the Absolute Ruler of Darkness.