Chapter 187
On the edge of Reinhardt, deep in Wilhelm’s Forest, the chirping of birds accompanied the soft sounds of a beautiful leaf flute. Three men were standing on a narrow path—they were one of the judges of the Masters’ Battle. Specifically, they were the only Masters who weren’t from one of the three great powers.
Master Aiture, a middle-aged man with a cold demeanor from the Ice Kingdom of Draia, broke the ice and spoke, “Joshua Sanders is about to go down this path. Today could be our last chance.”
“However, I never expected him to skip all the other formalities,” mused Master Windmill of the Allied Powers of Palentine. “The only thing he did was engrave his name on the ancestral stone…”
“I heard he’s only interested in improving his skills. If he had given the outside world a little more thought, he wouldn’t have made such a foolish choice. I’m sure the vassals of Reinhardt kicked up quite a fuss. Hmph,” said Master Aiture.
“His martial arts skills really don’t fit into common sense, do they?”
The rumors were ambiguous, but they all had one thing in common. It made people think that Joshua had naively dived headfirst into politics, even though he didn’t really have that much knowledge about politics in the first place.
Master Hasegi had been quietly listening to Master Windmill and Master Aiture without interrupting them, but he finally stopped playing his leaf flute and said, “This is why he has to be eliminated before he becomes an even bigger threat. I still can’t believe the final move he made against His Highness Ulabis.”
“...” Master Aiture and Master Windmill didn’t say anything in response. They had no words to say because they were also stupefied by Joshua Sander’s move on that fateful day.
“Avalon’s influence and power are bound to become even stronger after this year’s Masters’ Battle. We all know that Marcus ben Britten—the reigning Emperor of Avalon—is a bloodthirsty monster...”
“He’s not crouching because he can’t stand up. He could definitely start a war anytime he wishes, but I’m sure he’s just looking for the justification and the opportunity to do so…” Windmill sighed as he trailed off.
“Joshua Sanders becoming king of Reinhardt is the same as Emperor Marcus controlling the most important location on the continent.” Master Aiture’s eyes turned cold as he stared alternatingly between Master Hasegi and Master Windmill before saying. “Do you really think that madman will miss a chance like this?”
“That’s…” Master Hasegi and Master Windmill sighed. Master Aiture had just told revealed the worry deep in their hearts.
“I’ve heard that the Swallow Empire is in a mess,” said Master Windmill.
“What are you talking about?” asked Master Aiture.
“There have been some strange movements from the people of Thran the moment the Masters’ Battle ended. His Majesty Verona also disappeared like a ghost as soon as the Masters’ Battle concluded, so I looked into it a bit more,” explained Master Windmill.
“You sound like you managed to dig out some dirt.”
“...” Windmill didn’t respond to that. He simply nodded stiffly. Afterward, he continued with a bombshell. “His Majesty Verona bel Grace’s life is apparently in danger.”
“...!” Master Aiture and Master Hasegi’s eyes widened.
“There are rumors about his sickness getting worse, and it was apparently triggered by an assassination attempt. I don’t know the details because the Swallow Empire has been silent about that. However, the most important thing is that Emperor Verona is in no condition to worry about anyone besides himself…”
Windmill looked worried as he continued. “Emperor Verona has no sons, only three daughters. Since he’s already out of the picture, the throne of Swallow rightfully belongs to—”
“Grand Duke Lucifer…!” Master Aiture said with a groan.
Grand Duke Lucifer and Emperor Marcus had one thing in common—both were bloodthirsty monsters. It seemed that a Continental War was nigh with both of them at the helm of two out of the three great powers.
“Have the monarchs of the other nations heard about that yet?” Master Aiture asked.
Master Windmill nodded and said, “The news had to have reached the other nations by now. Perhaps we might receive word from Swallow sooner or later.”
“Now, we just have to see what will happen to Hubalt…” Master Aiture muttered.
Master Hasegi finally spoke once more, “In times like this, all we can do is take things one step at a time.”
“...” Master Aiture’s trembling eyes slowly abated. “You’re right. Once a Continental War starts, the biggest names in history will be involved…”
“...” Master Hasegi and Master Windmill’s expressions turned grim. They didn’t say anything in response to Master Aiture’s words. They didn’t even want to think about it because they could understand Master Windmill’s worries.
Master Windmill was worried about the Dark God Aden von Agnus of Avalon. Aden von Agnus earned the moniker Dark God because he was famous for wielding his ink-black titanic sword.
Out of respect for his swordsmanship and his weapon of choice, the people of the Avalon Empire often referred to him as the Titan of Avalon. However, the people of other nations referred to him as the Dark God or the Battlefield Slayer.
Duke Aden von Agnus received such monikers because whenever he went into battle, he would always be dressed in black from head to toe while wielding an ink-black titanic sword.
“Someone’s coming!” Master Aiture exclaimed abruptly.
“...!”
They could feel someone slowly making their way down the other end of the road. The three Masters didn’t even need to think about the identity of the individual walking toward them. In spite of its name, the royal tomb of Reinhardt held no bodies or treasures. It was just a large building.
Of course, only one person should be here.
“Joshua Sanders!”
A flow of powerful energy emerged, seemingly in response to Aiture.
‘Ah, this energy does belong to a Master.’
“...!”
The three masters’ eyes widened. They felt the presence of someone else. They thought it would be the Lion King, but they were mistaken.
“Joshua Sanders and… someone else?” Master Hasegi muttered blankly.
There was something wrong. An individual finally appeared in their view. They knew the individual in question, but he wasn’t the one that they had been expecting.
“Kekeke…!” The young man got close enough to smell them. The young man licked his lips with his bright red, snake-like tongue. “I’ve been waiting for this for so long now… I can’t let you go…!”
“You—Heup!” Master Windmill inhaled sharply. The young man’s energy was so powerful it was suffocating. In addition, he arrived in front of them in the proverbial blink of an eye.
‘He’s a Master like us, but how did he move so fast?’
Master Windmill broke out into a cold sweat. The three Masters knew that there was a difference between Masters from the three great powers and Masters from the other nations, but they knew that the difference shouldn’t be this huge.
As such, they instantly realized that the young man in front of them was special.
“This will be a great pre-meal workout,” said the young man.
Master Windmill froze at the young man’s strange voice as well as at the sight of his snake-like tongue that quivered as the latter spoke.
“Goddamned it,” Master Aiture cursed. “This is exactly what we were talking about.”
“This is no joke. However, it seems that the Imperial Masters have gotten arrogant enough to think that just one of them can defeat the three of us at the same time.”
The furious Master Aiture and Master Hasegi took on a stance while glaring at the young man.
“Well…” The young man smiled and said, “I find it annoying to be compared to the likes of you…”
When the young man’s words fell, he vanished without a trace.
***
“I will follow you.”
“...” Joshua looked troubled at the pair of stubborn eyes in front of him.
“I didn’t expect that you going to abandon us just like this after I gave you Reipon.”
“Iceline…” Akshuller, the man standing next to Iceline, scratched his head while looking at the fuming Iceline. “You know he didn’t really mean that, right?”
Iceline became like this the moment they heard that Joshua was leaving on his own.
“I know…” The fuming Iceline finally raised her head and said, “I know that he’s going to confront the Mercenary King. He must have been worried when the Mercenary King jumped into the fray and started attacking the Pontier Family…”
“I know that I can’t stop him from going there because he had always been the kind of person who would never turn his back on danger for the sake of protecting his people.”
Iceline was sad as she stared at Joshua. She had never really thought about it before, but she didn’t expect to be this sad upon realizing that she couldn’t really help someone precious to her.
Iceline had enough reasons to support the Pontier Family, so even if Joshua weren’t supporting the Pontier Family, Iceline would have done so because the enemy of an enemy was a friend.
After all, it had long become clear that Marquis Crombell was involved in the downfall of the Rebrecca Family.
Unfortunately, Iceline would only become a burden if she were to follow Joshua.
“When we see each other again… it will be my turn to help you, and…” Iceline blushed furiously before continuing. “As Reipon’s value rises, I will be asking for my deserved price. I want you to be ready for them.”
Joshua boisterously laughed at that before saying, “I thought our deal’s already complete?”
“Huh? What do you mean?”
Joshua smiled slyly and explained, “This is all because someone taught me well. Don’t tell me you have already forgotten about Baron Provalum.”
“Oh, my… I didn’t expect that you know that…” Iceline remarked before stretching her hand out and saying, “Make sure you come back. Do something foolish, and I’ll chase you all the way to hell.”
“Pffft!” Joshua chuckled before taking her hand. “I promise.”
“That’s nice to hear. Honestly, I want to follow you as well, but I still have to take care of this cheeky young lady who looks like a ripe tomato.”
“What?” Joshua blurted out. He made a sidelong glance at Iceline and saw the blush on her face. Iceline looked like Akshuller had just caught her red-handed.
Fortunately, Akshuller changed the topic and said, “You should be careful. The Mercenary King is different from His Highness Ulabis.”
“I will be...” replied Joshua with a nod.
Akshuller smiled and took a step backward.
“Is it finally my turn?” Lilith moved forward and said, “My offer still stands. It’s strange that you turned down my second offer and challenged the Mercenary King, but you are still our—no, my priority customer.”
Lilith smiled coquettishly as usual and said, “I can’t wait to see you again, Master Joshua Sanders.”
“Hey, stop it with that smile, will you? Anyway, I’ll bring the Holy Grail back no matter what.”
“I would appreciate that.”
“And…” Lilith could feel someone else’s glare, which prompted her to cover her mouth in apparent surprise. Afterward, she smiled slyly and said, “The next time we meet, let’s continue what we were doing that night. I suppose I’m not asking for too much, right?”
“What?”
Iceline and Akshuller simultaneously exclaimed.
However, Lilith didn’t even wait for Joshua’s reply as she said, “I will be off, then.”
She then departed, leaving confusion and silence in her wake.
“...”
“That night…?”
Amidst the deafening silence, many ambiguous scenes popped up in Iceline’s mind as she stared at Lilith’s gradually disappearing back.
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