Wizard of the Abyss – Ch. 217

Wizard of the Abyss

[Extra Novels]

Chapter 217 - Rakshasa (3)

"So, you’re saying the attacker is a member of Rakshasa, and you intend to assist with the search?”

"Yes. I’m their target, aren’t I? Then it’s only right that I deal with it.”

When I stated it as if it were obvious, Carose hesitated slightly.

"Hmm…If the target himself offers to help, it would certainly make contact easier, but there’s a bit of a problem.”

"A problem?”

"The Waxed Wings Unit wasn’t an organization that originally existed. It was hastily assembled to deal with Scarlet Abyss, so outstanding individuals were pulled from various Knight Orders. From the perspective of the commanders who originally had those Knights, it’s already like a bolt from the blue, and now some of them have even been killed by unknown assassins…”

"I see. So it’s partly my fault."

"No, no! That’s not what I mean. How could it be your fault that those lunatics chose you as their target? It’s just that there were some commanders even before this that questioned whether someone who isn’t even a Knight, and a Fallen, at that, should be serving as a vice-commander. So if you attend, the atmosphere likely won’t be very welcoming.”

In short, some of the commanders resented me, since their Knights had died because I was being targeted.

It wasn't a big deal. There were already countless things in this world trying to kill me at any given moment, so a few more Knight commanders wouldn’t change much.

"It’s fine. That won’t be a problem.”

"Well…if anything happens, report it to Her Highness.”

After saying that, Carose suddenly widened her eyes as if realizing something and gave me a stern warning.

"No matter what happens, you must not provoke the commanders first. In the end, they are still our allies. If we act first, we’ll be the ones at a disadvantage.”

"Understood.”

"...”

"I mean it. What would I gain from antagonizing people I have to fight alongside?”

I tried giving her my most innocent smile, but even as she guided me, Carose continued to look at me with deep unease.

All the way until the moment we opened the doors to the meeting hall.

'Oh.'

An antique cathedral near the imperial palace.

As we moved deeper inside, a priest-like figure guided us into a room with a round table where massive men were seated around a table.

The first thing I noticed was the thickness of their arms.

Biceps as thick as an ordinary person’s head, armor clearly tailored to match. It was obvious at a glance, but these were men who had spent their entire lives doing nothing but breaking things and killing.

As Carose entered with a composed expression and I followed beside her, the commanders turned toward me with widened eyes.

"Dame Carose. Was the message delivered to the target…Hmm, and who is that?”

"The target."

"...We asked you to deliver the information, not bring him here.”

"He wished to hear the details directly, so I brought him. I’ll report to Her Highness now, so decide on your course of action. And make sure…it is resolved through peaceful discussion.”

For some reason, Carose said that while looking at me, not the commanders, and then left the room.

My level of trust really was close to zero, huh? Shrugging slightly, I stood there as the commanders suddenly lit up and rose from their seats, approaching me.

"So you really are Sir Jern? It’s my first time seeing you in person.”

"I heard you were young, but I didn’t expect you to be this small…”

"Then perhaps the rumors that the Fallen don’t age are true. For all we know, you might already be several hundred years old. Ah, I’m Jirhan."

"My name is Jern Aspandil.”

Contrary to what I had heard, most of the Knight commanders treated me quite amicably.

If anything, I was the one unsure how to respond to that kind of attitude. As I stood there slightly awkwardly, the commanders spoke up with curiosity.

"By the way…since we’ve met, perhaps, about that…”

"Ahem. Sir Zahan, isn’t that a bit rude?”

"R-right?”

That?

Tilting my head, I looked at Sir Zahan, who scratched his head awkwardly with a hand the size of a pot lid.

"What exactly are you referring to…?”

"I heard something from Sir Brimdal. He may be an unpleasant man, but he doesn’t speak nonsense.”

"Th-the thing is…he said you possess a talent coveted by Knights. One that allows you to perceive and evade any sword path without fail. Is that true?”

"Aah."

My Tide Sense.

I shrugged lightly and replied.

"It’s nothing special. Sir Jahan, would you mind placing your hand on our sword?"

"Hm?"

"And try drawing it at any moment you choose.”

Though puzzled, Jahan placed his hand on the hilt.

Under the curious gazes of the other commanders, about seven seconds passed.

"Now."

"...!"

I stopped Jahan, who hadn’t even flinched slightly, with a single word.

"You were about to draw just now, weren’t you?”

"...Haha."

Jahan shook his head in amazement and removed his hand from the hilt, staring at me as if I were some kind of monster.

"Commanders, did I show any kind of tell?"

"No…even I couldn’t sense it. Recognizing it after the draw is one thing, but who could possibly detect the moment before it happens?”

"What a shame. To have such an ability and not be a Knight…”

"It may not be too late, even now…”

Hmm.

It seemed the commanders, like Brimdal, were drawn to the kind of talent I possessed, which deviated from the norm of Knights.

They also appeared to hold me in high regard for taking down one of the Scarlet Abyss’ Upper Tiers. Despite their intimidating appearances, the atmosphere remained surprisingly relaxed until one of the commanders who had remained seated at the round table cleared his throat, drawing everyone’s attention.

"Ahem. Sir Jern. I am Camelot Ravestran. I assume Dame Carose has informed you that you are being targeted by an unknown assassin organization?

"Yes. And that group is called Rakshasa.”

"...And how did you come to know that?”

"I acquired some information that they’ve recently been targeting the Fallen. Since Scarlet Abyss is so elusive, I figured they might go after the most well-known Fallen who defeated one of their executives and whose location is known. That would be me.”

Since I couldn’t mention the Lumia kidnapping incident, I brushed it off with a shrug. He nodded, the gestured to the others to sit.

"Then that simplifies things. As you’ve said, this incident does indeed involve an assassin organization known as Rakshasa.”

"...?"

Most of the Knight commanders reacted with confusion upon hearing the name Rakshasa.

Though a few turned visibly grim.

"And as Sir Jern mentioned, they have recently begun gathering Fallen. They somehow located the villages where the Empire had isolated them, kidnapped them all, and executed those deemed useless on the spot. It seems they intend to use the Fallen for something.”

"Is there a way to track their location?”

"...According to old records, there was once a rendezvous point where the Empire’s forces met with them. It’s certain their base lies somewhere in that region. The records are quite old, so it’s not entirely reliable, but it’s the best lead we have for now.”

Camelot spread a large map across the round table.

"Considering they dared lay hands on imperial Knights, they must be made to pay dearly. The moment Her Highness heard of this, she ordered their complete annihilation. This is the first time she has taken such a hardline stance, so there must be no room for failure.”

At the mention of Sharmia’s name, the commanders stiffened and swallowed. Watching these hulking men visibly tense at the mere mention of her was oddly amusing.

"We will form a subjugation force and move out as soon as possible. Support will be arranged. Those who can depart immediately will accompany Sir Jern. Any volunteers, raise your—”

"I object."

At the sudden cold voice, the commanders who began raising their hands awkwardly lowered them again.

"I do not believe the vice-commander of the Waxed Wings Unit should accompany us.”

One of the commanders seated at the table glared at me, speaking in a low voice. He was younger than the others, appearing to be thirty, and was a man with a refined yet sharp appearance.

Before I could respond, Jahan frowned and warned him.

"What do you mean? If they have a specific target, bringing him along would make luring them out easier.”

"If that target serves no purpose beyond being a hostage, then he is merely a burden. Are we not delivering exactly what the enemy desires straight into their hands?”

"...That sounds as though you’re saying Sir Jern is incapable of fulfilling his role.”

"That is precisely what I am saying.”

"Morzan. Remember your place and the responsibility your words carry.”

As Jahan’s anger slowly rose, Morzan responded calmly.

"Sir Jahan, do not misunderstand. Even if you were the target, I would say the same. I am merely stating that we should not hand the enemy what they want.”

"..."

"Enough. Sir Morzan’s words are not without merit.”

As the atmosphere began to escalate, Camelot raised his hand, rubbing his temple.

"It is true that feeding the enemy exactly what they want may not be wise. This is not a matter of doubting Sir Jern, who defeated a Scarlet Abyss executive. However, using him as bait would be an unsightly course of action.”

"...Understood. However, bringing Sir Jern along would greatly aid in drawing out enemies who may be hiding anywhere.”

"That’s precisely why—”

The discussion was beginning to spiral, leaving me out of it entirely as they argued among themselves.

'Let’s see…what should I do?'

I calmly sat back with my hands behind me, thinking.

Setting aside my personal interest in Rakshasa, I had to participate in this expedition.

If what they said about the Fallen villages was true, then Rakshasa had already taken a large number of Fallen. And judging by what Aksha had shown, they had clearly gained something from it.

If that continued and they truly managed to create an assassin resembling a Fallen—

Then they wouldn't be able to deal with them without me.

In the end, this was for their sake. I would have preferred to just go along with things quietly, but since the situation was heading elsewhere, I let out a small sigh and stepped into the increasingly heated discussion.

"Sir Camelot, is that how I should address you?”

"Ah, yes. That’s fine. My apologies. We’ve been speaking without including you…”

"It’s fine. This doesn’t seem like something I get to decide anyway.”

"...How blunt. Still, I have no intention of ignoring your opinion. Just know that this is all for your sake…”

I cut him off before he could continue.

"I see. In any case, since the two of you don’t seem to reach an agreement, I have to compromise.”

"Hmm, let’s hear it.”

"From this point on, I’d like to take full authority over the subjugation force and determine the personnel, strategy, and planning. I’d appreciate it if all of you followed my orders unconditionally.”

"?”

Camelot tilted his head for a moment, then frowned.

"Hmm, is this some kind of joke popular among the youth these days? At my age, it’s hard to keep up.”

"It’s not a joke. From what I’ve seen of Rakshasa, even the Empire’s esteemed Knight Orders are at risk. You’ll need to operate under my command. This sort of thing happens to be my specialty."

At my completely serious tone, the entire room froze.

It was about time they got up. I silently counted to three.

3, 2, 1.

-Bang!

"I’ve stayed silent until now, but enough is enough! Know your place!”

Morzan slammed his hand on the table, his face flushed red as he rose to his feet.

"You have no authority here! Do you even understand where you are?!”

"I may not understand this place quite that well, but I do know a lot about the Fallen. It seems you still don't grasp how dangerous they are. If assassins and Fallen are combined, they’ll be far more dangerous than you expect.”

"I’ve taken the heads of plenty of Fallen. Are you mocking us?!”

"I’m not like them.”

"How absurd. What’s the difference?”

"The world I live in.”

I calmly looked at him and raised my hand.

A sword was in it.

Morzan’s sword.

"?!"

Startled, Morzan reached for his waist. Of course, there was nothing there.

"My apologies for borrowing it without permission. I’ll return it.”

-Clatter, rooooll...

I let the sword tumble across the table toward him.

Then, looking at Morzan’s now deeply flushed face, I counted again.

3, 2, 1.

"...Jern Aspandil!”

"Yes?”

"I challenge you to a duel! If you win….”

"Yes, then I won’t participate in the subjugation force. And if I win, I’d like to have some authority over it. Not necessarily command, but enough to influence decisions.”

"H-huh?”

Watching the realization dawn on his face, I let out a quiet sigh.

Knights were such easy creatures to manipulate.

_______________________________________________________________________