"But if you think about it, the things Azadin took down weren't all that impressive, were they?"
"If it's a follower of Arthra or Young Master Kozel, we could handle them too. For Aragasa, that's only natural."
"That's true. For us Aragasa, that's the bare minimum. But did the Azadin you remember really have the skills befitting our clan? No, right?"
"...."
"In other words, the current Azadin has made significant progress. We can't measure his growth, so judging him based on information from ten years ago is foolish, isn't it?"
"Th-that's true. But even so, aren't we being too cautious?"
"There's nothing wrong with being cautious. If we can pit others against him, why should we step forward and shed blood ourselves?"
Derick said with a smile.
"Then, shall we visit the Count now?"
"Huh?"
"The Count is desperate to find a copy of the Book of the Divine King, so we just need to spread a rumor that Azadin has it."
"Ah."
"It's the strategy of using a borrowed knife to kill. But will the Count believe the rumor?"
"We'll have to make it convincing. Just yesterday, a den of Mezeri cultists was discovered here, right? We can subtly suggest that a copy of the Book of the Divine King was found there, and that Azadin got his hands on it. We'll be rewarded for the information."
Derick spoke casually, fabricating a rumor without much thought… but he was unknowingly too close to the truth. His subordinates, unaware of this, were impressed.
"As expected of a former herald. It's amazing how the story aligns so well."
"The Count is already trapped in paranoia, so he'll believe it. But should we ask for a reward?"
"We are merchants of the Korasar Peddlers' Guild. If a merchant brings information, they should be paid. In this case, not asking for money would be more suspicious."
"That makes sense. Asking for money will make our information seem more credible."
"Exactly. Then, shall we go leak the information to the Count? If Azadin manages to survive again this time…"
"Come on, there's no way that'll happen."
"He's a useless fool who can't even use mana."
"Hmm. Then Lady Arael might resent me for it. That would be annoying. It would be best if he just suffered severe injuries and became crippled."
Derick imagined a future that would be convenient for him and smiled.
***
After sending Derick's group away, Azadin tried to sleep again. His exhaustion was so overwhelming that the moment he lay down on the bed, he fell into a deep slumber.
When he woke up after sunset, he realized that despite the long rest, his muscle pain hadn't gone away. There was no way his body would recover in just a day after such abuse.
"Hmm, I guess it's time to investigate the Count's castle."
Since it had been confirmed that a copy of the Book of the Divine King was there, he needed to start planning his infiltration.
Azadin quickly gathered his equipment and prepared to head out. But just as he was leaving his room, he ran into Tarkiev.
"Ah, hyung-nim."
"What?"
"Kozel has returned to Salasma."
"Kozel?"
"Yes, blind and castrated, barely clinging to life… He was transported here in a carriage."
"I see."
"The ones who brought him were from the Korasar Peddlers' Guild."
"...."
Hearing that name, Azadin clicked his tongue.
"This is bad. We need to get out of here."
"Huh? But Mother told me to make sure you stay here."
"I don't want to bring trouble to your mother."
"But Azadin, what exactly did you and my mother talk about during the day?"
"That… She just praised me for what happened yesterday."
"Praise?"
He couldn't tell the truth.
'Your mother proposed to me.'
No matter how much Tarkiev was a thoughtless noble bastard who tormented the commoners and wasn't worthy of respect, it wasn't something he could just say to his face.
"Well, for me, it was a great opportunity to receive five imperial gold coins in advance, so it was a beneficial conversation. Later, could you tell your mother that I'm grateful and that she shouldn't feel any obligation or debt toward me?"
"She'd be happier if you told her yourself."
"That would be troublesome for me."
"Huh? Why?"
"It's not good for an unrelated man to become emotionally entangled with a noble lady as beautiful as your mother."
"Pfft. Why would hyung-nim worry about something like that?"
"Good question."
Azadin moved to the next room and called for Midiam and Ishmael.
"Huh? What's wrong?"
"We need to leave. Pack your things."
"Ah, alright. That's a shame. I was hoping to finally get some proper rest, maybe take a bath and sleep in a real bed."
Midiam sighed regretfully but started packing without complaint.
***
Kozel, born from a legitimate wife, somehow managed to return alive. This was thanks to his knight protector, Zebeck.
Even though Kozel had plundered wealth and committed atrocities as he pleased, he had lost his subordinates, his sight, and his manhood, becoming a cripple. Yet, no one sought revenge against him—only because Zebeck had devotedly protected him.
However, when Kozel returned, Zebeck had to face punishment for failing to protect him.
***
In front of the king's church chapel, refugees wandered, begging for alms.
There, Zebeck let out a deep sigh. His punishment had been decided. Although it hadn't been carried out yet, it was effectively certain.
As he stood there, a female knight approached him. It was Meiya, the executive knight of the bishop of Salasma.
"Are you alright, Sir Zebeck? I heard a rumor that you are to be impeached and made a penitent knight."
"It's true."
"How could this be…? Sir Zebeck, didn't you do your utmost? Where is the justice in such an unfair decision?"
Meiya had once learned swordsmanship from Zebeck. She knew of his upright character, his exceptional sword skills, and, above all, his outstanding medical knowledge.
"Young Master Kozel doesn't even have a good reputation, does he? The fact that he survived such severe injuries without infection is solely thanks to you, Sir Zebeck, and yet…"
"The Countess must be displeased. Since he lost his ability to reproduce, he's completely out of the line of succession."
The Countess, the legal wife of the Margrave of Salasma, was the daughter of Count Lantarik, a great noble of a territory adjacent to Salasma, one wealthier than Salasma itself. Since a noblewoman from such a powerful land had entered a political marriage with Count Kazel, their marital relationship was far from amicable.
Their only child was Kozel. After his birth, the Count indulged in his concubines, while the Countess also took lovers, each bearing illegitimate children separately.
But now, with Kozel castrated, he had lost his inheritance rights, rendering the political marriage meaningless. If the couple had a good relationship, they could have conceived another child to establish a legitimate successor, but unfortunately, their relationship had grown far too distant for that.
"The Countess now has two options—either divorce and remarry, or…"
Zebeck trailed off. What followed was something he, as a knight, should not say.
"Assassinate her husband and take over as regent?"
Executive Knight Meiya finished what he had left unsaid.
"And what will the bishop decide?"
The Countess had demanded Zebeck's impeachment and punishment. However, Zebeck was not a vassal of the Count—he was a holy knight of the king's church. His fate was in the hands of the church, meaning it was up to the bishop and the heads of the knightly orders to decide his punishment.
If the Bishop of Salasma rejected the impeachment, Zebeck could remain in his position without consequence. However…
"The bishop has decided to accept the impeachment and send you on a penitent mission, Zebeck."
"I see."
From the perspective of the king's church, ignoring the request of the Countess, the daughter of Count Lantarik, would have been difficult.
"Well, that works out. Aren't ogre tribes swarming over the Desert Spine? It wouldn't be so bad to serve in a penitent knight's campaign against them."
"But it's dangerous. Will you be alright?"
"If holy knights shy away from danger, who else would step up? Oh, but Executive Knight Meiya."
"Yes?"
"Do you know anything about the Herald Clan?"
"The Herald Clan? You mean those cursed, soulless ones?"
"...."
"Why do you ask?"
"It's nothing. Hm?"
While talking with Meiya in front of the church, Zebeck noticed a group of armed men moving through the crowd. They looked like vagrants but were clad in mismatched armor.
"What's going on?"
Zebeck approached them.
"Ah, isn't it Sir Zebeck?"
"Beldon, is that you?"
Beldon was Kozel's foster brother, the son of his wet nurse, making him Kozel's milk sibling. Though a trusted confidant of Kozel, his obese physique made him unfit for the expedition to find the Book of the Divine King, so he had remained in Salasma.
And yet, here he was, hiring thugs?
"You've come at a good time, Sir Zebeck. Actually, Young Master Kozel ordered me to recruit mercenaries and adventurers."
"Mercenaries and adventurers? For what purpose?"
"Young Master Kozel said that, of all people, he cannot bear to see Lord Tarkiev become the family head…"
"What?"
"So, he plans to attack Lord Tarkiev."
"Are you out of your mind? You're planning to assault the mansion of Baroness Nord?"
"I tried to stop him, but… sigh, he's completely out of his mind right now. How could I possibly dissuade him? The Countess despises Baroness Nord, too…"
The Countess was known for her unattractive appearance and harsh personality, to the point where those who knew her secretly called her a harpy. Of course, they only did so behind her back—if she ever overheard, they would quite literally end up like prey in a harpy's den.
On the other hand, Baroness Nord was a renowned beauty with noble conduct, highly praised by many. While her son, Tarkiev, was an idiot, the Baroness herself had an excellent reputation.
Thus, the jealous Countess, upon hearing of her son's castration, had flown into a rage and was now encouraging her son's madness.
What Beldon was revealing could easily be considered a crime, yet he spoke without hesitation. He seemed on the verge of breaking down, desperate to vent his worries to someone.
"And you think it's wise to tell me this?"
"Honestly… I'm scared too."
Beldon looked troubled. He was only following orders, but in truth, Kozel was completely out of the succession race now. The only futures left for him were to become a holy knight of the king's church or a knight of salvation. Anyone who had lost the ability to reproduce could never become the family head.
"Are you asking me to stop this?"
Zebeck directly questioned Beldon's true intentions.