Chapter 210
“A-am I dreaming…?” a mercenary muttered, shattering the silence.
In some people’s eyes, they gazed upon a god. Some, a role model or a goal.
Mercenary King Barbarian had fallen. He wasn’t just a nobody. He was one of the Twelve Superhumans and was a paragon of Igrant. However, he fell in the face of a younger opponent. Even worse, he didn’t manage to land even a single hit.
In this unbelievable truth, Marquis Crombell shook like an aspen tree in the wind.
Marquis Crombell trembled like an aspen tree in the wind at the absurd reality.
Ryan Geiger, the Lion King, stared like a goldfish at the astounding scene. He eventually recovered his wits and smiled. Meanwhile, Cain, Leo de Grans, and the Wilhelm Knights really wanted to say something, but they remained silent.
“...”
Joshua didn’t pay even an ounce of attention to the crowd’s reaction as he stared firmly fixed at the fallen warrior. The man’s long braid had come undone and was splayed across the mud, and his best friend lay in the grime in two pieces as well.
His body was covered in cuts, which were still weeping blood. Such injuries would have long claimed the life of any ordinary individual, but the Mercenary King was definitely anything but ordinary.
Still, the injuries he sustained this time were too grievous that the only sign that he was still alive was his faint breathing.
“The weapon was right in front of you, but you didn’t even look at it,” said Joshua.
“...” The Mercenary King remained silent. Honestly, it seemed like he wasn’t even remotely interested in what Joshua was talking about. Still, Joshua continued speaking as if he didn’t care about the Mercenary King’s feelings.
“You didn’t even try to know your enemy because you’re certain that you’re the best. You have such a lofty position, yet you’re still looking for more. You’re not willing to settle at all, and your confidence has long crossed over to arrogance.”
“...” The Mercenary King was still silent.
“You’re a seasoned veteran of many years, so I’m sure you know the possible outcome of challenging an opponent who is stronger than you,” said Joshua.
“...!” The Mercenary King flinched. From his point of view, Joshua’s words were insulting. Joshua sounded like he was insulting his years of experience as a mercenary.
.
“Kkk… Grrr.” An animalistic growl slipped from between his gritted teeth.
“Incredible…” The Mercenary King’s dark red eyes peered through his fallen, bloodied hair. “You fooled me. To be able to pin me down and instantly shred my Aura Overlay. I don’t even know if the word ‘Absolute’ can still be used to accurately describe you…”
”I want to know…” The Mercenary King drenched in his own blood stared intently at Joshua’s face before asking. “Just who are you?”
“I’m Joshua Sanders.”
“You know damn well that I’m not asking for your name.”
At that, Joshua said seriously, “I’m a knight and a soldier like you. The only difference between us is that I know how to gauge my opponent.”
“...” The Mercenary King didn’t know what to say.
“And—” Joshua started but was interrupted by the approaching mercenaries. They were definitely hostile, judging from the light in their eyes.
The Mercenary King’s defeat meant that they would be forced to face the consequences of their choices. Of course, there was no reason to feel sorry for them because they made their own choices of their own volition.
They were simply reaping what they sowed.
Joshua simply glanced at them before saying, “Those who stand by me consider me their master and king.”
Cain, Leo de Grans, and the Wilhelm Knights were already next to Joshua. They started moving upon noticing the mercenaries’ movements. They were here to keep the mercenaries’ in check while staring at Joshua with soulful eyes.
“Master.”
“Your Majesty…!”
Joshua took in their expressions before continuing. “I understand why you’re here. You have a duty to protect your king, even though he lost. However, I am simply talking to him, so there is no need to muster such killing intent toward me.”
The mercenaries shivered as the Wilhelm Knights fiercely glared at them with their own killing intent.
“It’s no surprise. You need skill and charisma to lead. A leader’s words can make or break the entire organization.”
“Then perhaps you knew it all along.” The Mercenary King ignored Joshua’s confused look as he lifted his upper body and shouted, “Listen up, my comrades! The war starts now. Kill everyone and seize Peril Castle!”
“W-what are you…” Marquis Crombell stuttered.
“Are you worried about me?” The Mercenary King smiled at the stuttering Marquis Crombell. “Your worry is useless. Right now, you have to stick to the plan.”
“But…” When Marquis Crombell glanced at Joshua, fear flashed through his eyes. It was the type of primal fear that often gripped the heart of prey while standing in front of a predator.
“Three thousand people abandoned us, but there are still five thousand here. Even those three thousand can be called back with a communication crystal ball…”
”The enemy only has a hundred knights here, so we have time and numbers on our side. You shouldn’t worry about me. You should worry about the man behind us.”
“P-please be quiet, Mercenary King…!” Marquis Crombell hurriedly yelled.
Unfortunately, there was no way their conversation could have escaped the man’s ears, even if they talked in whispers. With a frown, the man stepped forward and interrupted.
“Do you really think that I’m just going to watch?”
“Lion King…”
“You did think I was just going to stand here, didn’t you? Barbarian, you swore that the war would end with the Battle of Superhumans. I heard you agree to the terms loud and clear.”
“This war is none of your business…” retorted the Mercenary King.
The Lion King stared at him. “What?”
The Mercenary King smiled at the Lion King’s dumbfounded look before explaining, “This is between the Pontier Family and the Crombell Family of Avalon. I don’t think you have any say in this. It is also well beyond the scope of the Battle of Superhumans…”
”Moreover, you and I are both outsiders. If you get involved, do you really think that the Emperor of Avalon would stay still?”
“Do you have any shame?!” The Lion King exclaimed furiously.
“I don’t care whether it’s shameless or not.” The Mercenary King stuck his tongue out at the Lion King and smiled before saying, “As a leader, I’m more than willing to sacrifice my honor for the greater good.”
“...” The Lion King didn’t know what to say in the face of the Mercenary King’s shamelessness.
All of a sudden, the Mercenary King started moving to face the rising sun.
“Give me a weapon.”
“What—?” The mercenary hesitated for a moment, but he grudgingly retrieved his sword in the end. He was only a gold card, one of a million mercenaries, and not even a veteran. Perhaps that was why he wordlessly obeyed the Mercenary King’s order.
‘If we go back with nothing but the bitter taste of defeat…’
In addition to the Mercenary Guild’s reputation hitting rock bottom, they would also eventually starve because there was no way people would request their services again, considering their reputation by then.
‘That can’t happen…’
The mercenary was about to hand over his sword with a determined look.
“Ice Spear.”
The mercenary went stiff as three shards of ice barely missed him.
“Enemy mage…!” He hurriedly spun around to see who dared to attack him.
The attacker was a mage clad in a robe from top to bottom, but next to the mage stood a familiar man. The Mercenary King was also staring at the man because there was no way he would forget the man’s face.
“Akshuller?”
“Mercenaries should never abandon their honor.”
“Akshuller-nim!”
The mercenaries were startled upon seeing him. Some of them even started shouting. It couldn’t really be helped because Akshuller was second only to one man in the Mercenary Guild and was also a Diamond mercenary.
“This is getting interesting…” remarked the Mercenary King with a wide smile when he saw Akshuller’s face.
“Barbarian.”
“Ah, I heard you became a Master. I’m late, but congrats! I’d congratulate you properly, but as you can see, I’m not in good shape. We’ll have our party later, and I’ll make it grander than any other banquet on the continent….”
”You’re the face of our guild, and we’re proud of you.”
“...” Akshuller didn’t know what to say at how the Mercenary King emphasized the word ‘our’ when mentioning the Mercenary Guild.
“Lead them for me. As you may know, I signed a contract with Marquis Crombell.”
“...I will lead them in your place.”
“Akshuller…” The mercenaries were deeply surprised. Akshuller’s relationship with the Mercenary King was no secret within the guild. If he was accepting the Mercenary King’s orders, then…
One by one, the mercenaries raised their weapons once more.
“Ah, the Mighty Akshuller. I’ve heard a lot about you.” Marquis Crombell smiled. They were still facing a monster, but with another Master on their side, they still had a chance. Plus, they had a clear numerical advantage over their enemies.
“I’m breaking the deal.”
“What?”
“Listen, mercenaries! As your new leader, you are to obey my orders. The contract is now terminated. Every mercenary here should leave.”
“You crazy…!” Marquis Crombell was furious, and he started cursing. “Do you even know what breaking the contract means? The termination penalty is ten times the down payment. Do you have any idea how much money your king got from me?”
“Our mercenaries’ peace of mind is more important than petty cash.”
“What did you say?!” Marquis Crombell furiously turned to look at the Mercenary King. His shoulders were trembling as he said, “Mercenary King, are you going to let me listen to his bullshit?!”
“Akshuller,” said the Mercenary King with a smile. He was smiling, but sadness was clear in his eyes.
“Barbarian, your time is over. I'll take care of everything after this, but I'm not going to clean your mess.”
“How dare you act like that in front of me! I am your king! I am the Mercenary King, Barbarian, a Superhuman! Obey me! I am your king! Kill them all!” The Mercenary King glared at the unmoving mercenaries and prepared to embolden them with another mana-filled shout.
However, before the Mercenary King could embolden the unmoving mercenaries, Joshua interrupted him with a soft smile.
“You’re done.”
“All of the participants in the Battle of Superhumans are to blame. The Nine Stars and Twelve Superhumans are established such that we’re never content with what we have, even though we have plenty, is that right?”
“You’re correct,” said the Lion King with a nod.
“No one can get involved or be held responsible for conflicts between us, right?”
“You’re correct about that as well.”
“And…” Joshua trailed off as he turned to the Mercenary King. The gazes of the two met in mid-air as Joshua continued. “The Battle of Superhumans is still ongoing. I mean, you still haven’t surrendered.”
“...!” The Mercenary King glared at Joshua.
“It would be for the best for you to disappear. Only when you’re gone can the Mercenary Guild start from scratch.”
“You insolent brat—”
The Mercenary King didn’t get to finish his sentence as Joshua swung his spear.
It happened in the proverbial blink of an eye…
Joshua’s spear flickered as he swung his spear, sending the head of the Mercenary King flying high up in the sky.
It was the definitive end of an era.
This 𝓬ontent is taken from f(r)eeweb(n)ovel.𝒄𝒐𝙢