Episode 23. Coming Right Up
“Sirius, you are truly remarkable.”
“No, my lord.”
A village situated in a corner of the Rigel family’s territory.
There, Sirius and Lutvein sat facing each other, having a meal at a restaurant.
“Thanks to your presence, we were able to easily clean out the bandits. Finding and eliminating even those hiding in the forest, your senses are truly sharp.”
“It’s all thanks to my lord for annihilating their main forces.”
For the past few days, Sirius had been clearing out bandits in the vicinity with Lutvein.
They were opportunists who had crept in during the recent lapse in security.
“My lord.”
“Why do you say that?”
“From what I’ve observed so far, with your skills, it seems there’s no inadequacy in maintaining the security of this area.”
The Rigel family was lacking in manpower.
However, their lord Lutvein possessed skills that the riffraff wouldn’t dare challenge.
The issue lay in his demeanor, more like a gentle scholar, not one to actively display his strength.
Sirius pointed this out.
“Just for a short while would be fine. Please, my lord, show your strength actively. Just that alone will keep the riffraff at bay.”
“Hmm…”
“I will take care of the outside for a while. With that, this area will stabilize.”
They had relied on the Yuterus family until now because Lutvein alone found it difficult to deal with the dark forces inside and outside the territory.
But now, Sirius was here.
While Lutvein displayed his authority, if Sirius swept away the surrounding forces, the situation would change completely.
“Coincidentally, I had a similar conversation with Yustia.”
Lutvein nodded.
“I will do my best. You focus on external matters.”
“Thank you.”
Lutvein sent Sirius a trusting gaze.
“And… the second one will be returning soon.”
“If it’s the second daughter….”
“She’s the little sister of Yustia.”
Rutvein had three daughters.
The eldest and the second had left for territories outside, while the youngest, Yustia, remained by Rutvein’s side.
“The second one may not have a talent for magic, but… her husband seems quite skilled. He could be quite helpful.”
“….”
Would he really be helpful?
Sirius felt doubtful.
Because there was a possibility that they could restrain Sirius and Yustia.
In this world, the order of birth and gender are not considered important when choosing a successor.
Any of the three sisters could become the head.
If Yustia’s little sister is aiming for the position of the head, she could hinder Sirius’s actions.
“My lord, those people…”
When Sirius was about to ask Rutvein a question.
A commotion was heard from outside.
“What’s going on?”
“I’m not sure. I’ll go check.”
He stopped the meal and got up from his seat.
As he opened the restaurant door and stepped outside, Rutvein’s subordinates were seen hesitating.
“What’s happening?”
“S-Sirius, my lord.”
They looked relieved upon seeing Sirius.
Having fought together for a few days, they had a deep trust in Sirius.
“That person…”
A nimble man was staring in their direction.
“So, you are Sirius. Nice to meet you.”
“Who are you?”
“I’d appreciate it if you could let me in first.”
The man spoke in a leisurely voice.
“I want to speak directly with my lord. This matter…”
“Hey.”
Sirius cut in with a cold voice.
“I asked who you are.”
“….”
The man fell silent for a moment.
“I apologize for the intrusion.”
“So, who are you?”
“I’m Ragnus, from the Oblea Mercenary Corps.”
“….”
The Oblea Mercenary Corps.
One of the black-market organizations expected to target this area.
“How did the Oblea Mercenary Corps make it this far? I thought they mainly operated in the south.”
“hahahaha, seems like the security here is lax.”
…”
The man’s voice exuded confidence.
“Since the dispute with the Yuterus family, the surrounding defenses have become much weaker than before. This won’t do.”
“And so?”
“What do you think, Lord Sirius?”
He said with a smile.
“The Oblea Mercenary Corps will protect the Regel family.”
…”
Sirius pondered Ragnar’s proposal for a moment.
Then, tilting his head, he asked,
“For free?”
“hahahaha, you have a good sense of humor…”
Ragnar’s expression stiffened slightly.
“Do you know that Kalstein is dead?”
“I do.”
“It’s said that a skilled operative sent by the Alliance took out Kalstein and seized control of the organization.”
Sirius chuckled.
He was fully buying into the rumors spread by Sirius.
If he had looked into it a bit more closely, he would have noticed flaws in the information due to his haste in making moves blinded by greed.
Everything was going as Sirius had calculated.
“Why are you laughing?”
“No, please continue.”
“Hmm… Anyway, if the Alliance is seriously getting involved in this area, the Regel family is also in danger.”
Ragnar said, his expression grave.
“They don’t uphold legitimacy like the Yuterus family. Before long… blood will be shed.”
“So, you’re saying the Oblea Mercenary Corps will protect the Regel family?”
“That’s right.”
“For free?”
…”
Ragnar’s expression hardened even more.
“First, let me meet the patriarch. I will talk to him.”
“Ragnar.”
Sirius approached resolutely.
“Let’s talk somewhere else.”
“Somewhere else?”
To the wary Ragnar, Sirius whispered in a low voice.
“Currently, our family holds the reins of the Regel family’s finances tightly.”
“…!”
“If you want to talk about money, talk to me. Let’s leave out the lord.”
Ragnus’s pupils moved quickly.
“I understand what you mean. Let’s change the location then.”
“Good idea.”
Smiling, Sirius led Ragnus towards the alley.
“Let’s talk here.”
Entering a suitable vacant house, Sirius spoke in a leisurely voice.
“So, will the Oblia Mercenaries protect our family?”
“Yes, that’s correct.”
Ragnus’s voice had become more sinister than before.
“Sirius and Yustia of the Regal family already have a firm grip.”
“They’re aiming for the next lord position. They’re in the preparatory stages.”
“I see, I understand now.”
Ragnus nodded quickly.
“If that’s the case, I believe our Oblia Mercenaries can be of assistance to both of you.”
“Not for the Regal family, but to help our couple?”
“We need to push for the next lord to take over.”
After saying that, Ragnus smiled meaningfully.
“Normally, we frequently intervene in power struggles within the family.”
“I understand what you mean.”
In the Regal family, there are two more individuals who qualify for the next lord position.
It was implied that, if necessary, they could remove them for Yustia.
“But here’s the thing, Ragnus.”
“Yes?”
“Currently, our biggest obstacle is that skilled individual who killed Kalstein.”
“….”
“Can your Oblia Mercenaries handle him? We need to confirm that before we can proceed with any contract with you.”
Ragnus slowly nodded.
“Our leader should be able to handle him adequately.”
“Is your leader that strong?”
“Of course.”
“Would a 9th Circle suffice?”
Ragnus hesitated at Sirius’s question.
“Sirius, with a 9th Circle, one could make a name for themselves across the continent. If we had a 9th Circle in our mercenary group, we would have already expanded to the center…”
“Then, what level is he at?”
“Our leader is a 7th Circle mage.”
It is said that leaders of mid-sized factions that influence regions are mostly 7th Circle mages.
If they were below the 6th Circle, they would easily fall prey to other factions or face annihilation, and around the 8th Circle, they would aim for bigger stages.
“Wasn’t Kalstein also a 7th Circle?”
“That’s right.”
“He’s the one who brought down Kalstein. But do you think your 7th Circle leader can handle him adequately?”
“From what I’ve heard, that guy seems to be a magic swordsman like Kalstein.”
Ragnus spoke confidently.
“If he doesn’t allow close combat, even if he’s an 8th Circle, our leader will prevail.”
“Are you saying a 7th Circle can defeat an 8th Circle?”
“If they fight using the same magic, the 7th Circle will be at a disadvantage. However, a fight ultimately comes down to tactics.”
“Hmm…”
“Just cast long-range attack spells from afar. Magic swordsman? If you kill them with long-range magic before they get close, it’s over.”
Ragnus’s voice was filled with confidence.
“With our leader’s skills, we can even overpower an 8th Circle magic swordsman.”
“Quite confident.”
“By the way, let me tell you, our leader is stronger than the head of the Valkain Guild.”
“Is that so?”
“That guy mainly uses flame magic, which has a short range. That’s why there have been times when he got injured by our leader.”
They even obtained unexpected information about the Valkain Guild.
Sirius felt gratitude towards Ragnus for sharing various information.
“You explain things well. I’ll be sure to bring in a lot of contracts as usual.”
“hahahaha, I’m the sales king of our mercenary group.”
“But Ragnus, a question arises.”
Sirius asked, stroking his chin.
“If your leader is strong against magic swordsmen… why did you leave Kalstein alone for so long?”
“That’s…”
“Kalstein was not even an 8th Circle, but a 7th Circle. Yet you couldn’t even touch him. It was only after hearing he died that you started acting urgently.”
The Oblea Mercenaries had always avoided a direct confrontation with Kalstein.
Only after hearing of Kalstein’s death did they finally take action.
“There must be a reason, one of the two.”
Sirius said, holding up two fingers.
“The guy you call your leader is actually not a 7th Circle but below 6th Circle.”
“T-That’s not true!”
Ragnus denied urgently.
“Or… opposite to what we discussed earlier, when you consider compatibility, your leader may have been at a disadvantage.”
“…!”
In simple terms, a mage who can attack from further away would have an advantage.
But a fight is not that simple.
In fact, Sirius had the upper hand against powerful long-range mages like Nael.
“R-Ragnus, are you suggesting we should consider that?”
Ragnus asked, bewildered.
“Aren’t we supposed to protect the Regel Family now? Why do you keep…”
“Ragnus.”
Of course, Sirius’s goal was to obtain information about the Oblea Mercenary Corps.
Concealing such intentions, Sirius spoke in a calm voice.
“Let me share one top-secret information with you.”
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“Top-secret information?”
“Come closer so no one can overhear.”
“….”
“It’s about the person who brought down the Kalstein Sword Division.”
Ragnas, who had a skeptical expression, was taken aback upon hearing about the individual who had defeated the Kalstein Sword Division.
“What, what do you mean?”
Ragnas leaned forward.
Approaching Ragnas closely, Sirius whispered as he brought his face near.
“I am the leader of the Heaven’s Blade Division that killed Kalstein.”
“….”
A moment of silence passed.
And as Ragnas urgently moved back and raised his right hand.
“Swish…!”
With a swift motion!
Sirius’s outstretched hand struck Ragnas’s face.