Episode 42. Eat Lots of Vegetables
“Most people think Valerian Agtas retired on his own, but that’s not the truth.”
As they headed to their next destination, Belid explained.
“He was pressured by the five great families of the continent. Regal’s family probably joined in as well.”
“Yes, Yustia said the same.”
Sirius knew about the internal affairs of the Agtas lineage because Yustia had informed him in advance.
“They deemed Valerian too dangerous and decided he shouldn’t continue as the head of the family.”
“That’s right. He was researching necromancy.”
“The Necromancy….”
Necromancy is said to be magic that utilizes the dead.
It is said that one can even use corpses or skeletons as soldiers.
The fact that the prestigious Agtas family in the East was researching such magic, must have stirred up the five major families on the continent.
“Here, there are those who seek power that defies fate….”
“…?”
Even the faction that split from the Celestial Church, the Blood Sect, created what they call Blood Revenants.
During the White Demon’s campaign against the Blood Sect, they had quite a hard time dealing with the Blood Revenants.
“Anyway, Valerion couldn’t withstand the pressure and had to step down from his position as the head of the family. Valerion was a mage of the 8th circle, but if he turned all five major families into enemies at once, he wouldn’t have survived.”
“….”
“For the past twenty years, Valerion hasn’t made any significant moves. Kayen did well as the head of the family, and people in the world have forgotten about Valerion. Many probably even think he’s dead.”
Vellid’s expression turned serious.
“But if Valerion had died, the Agtas family would have held a funeral for him… Perhaps he would have hidden somewhere, quietly continuing his research on necromancy. Not on a grand scale, but quietly.”
“….”
“My father mentioned it last time. If the Agtas family faces a crisis, Valerion might reappear, so be prepared at that time.”
Vellid’s father, Clind Albrym, was also wary of Valerion.
That’s how dangerous Valerion was.
“Anyway, Sirius… Do you really intend to fight Valerion?”
“Of course.”
Sirius replied in a calm voice.
“There’s no need to keep someone who wields power defying fate alive.”
“You’re really confident….”
Vellid made a disgusted expression.
“Valerion is not just of the 7th circle, but the 8th. Moreover, he must have honed his magical skills over the past twenty years. No matter how strong your unique magic is….”
“Vellid.”
“Why?”
“Let’s say Valerion is stronger than me.”
Sirius said.
“Does that mean if Valerion and I fought, there’s a 90% chance I’d die?”
“Well….”
“In that case, it might be better for me to just end it if I come across Valerion. Fighting hard would just tire me out, that’s all.”
“….”
“Vellid, just because a stronger opponent appears, don’t always think about retreating. No matter how strong someone is, they will die if you stab a knife into their neck.”
Alerion, who was standing nearby, flinched.
The conversation just now was similar to what Sirius had said to Alerion before.
“Let’s say Valerion is much stronger than me, with a skill gap where I’d lose 99 out of 100 fights. But that means I can win one out of a hundred fights.”
“Ah….”
“So, if I make the situation where Valerion and I actually face off that one time.”
“…!”
Vellid’s expression showed shock.
“In actual combat, there are various ways to achieve that one victory.”
“Oh, really? Are you devising a cunning strategy?”
“Not just that. For instance….”
Sirius’s gaze shifted to the sword hanging at Valied’s waist.
It was the sword he had replaced recently after it broke during the battle with the Black Heralds.
“To ensure that you can unleash your full power without faltering in any situation, rigorous training is one way to do so.”
…!
Leaving Valied, who was catching his breath, Sirius turned his gaze forward.
“Valied, don’t step back just because a formidable foe has appeared.”
“Sirius….”
“The most crucial thing to achieve a victory in real combat is to exhibit your skills unwaveringly against any opponent.”
Beside him, Alreion nodded with a face of realization.
Valied seemed to be interpreting the meaning behind Sirius’s words in silence.
“It seems like there are bandits over there. Let’s eradicate them.”
“Understood, Sir Sirius.”
“Good!”
To eliminate the bandits hiding on the mountain path, Sirius advanced without hesitation.
Once they crossed this mountain… the stronghold of the Agtas lineage would come into view.
***
“That’s the situation, Lord Cayenne….”
……..
Cayenne Agtas bit his lip.
Before him, Balduin, the second in command of the Ultenstein Council, was kneeling with injuries that rendered him immobile.
“Sirius sent me here. To be a spectacle in every passing village….”
Seeing Balduin being carried in a carriage, people began to understand.
The Ultenstein Council had truly fallen.
Now, there was no need to fear the Ultenstein Council anymore.
“My Lord, the rumors have already spread far and wide.”
One of his aides cautiously spoke.
“It is said that Sirius has been dismantling not only the Ultenstein Council but also many other Black Heralds.”
……..
“The voices praising Sirius among the common folk are growing louder. Many wish for Sirius to visit their villages.”
How is this all unfolding?
As Cayenne bit his lip, wearing a pained expression, a voice came from beside him.
“He’s quite the cunning one.”
An elderly man stood with his robe turned inside out, carrying a burden on his back.
The patriarch… Valerion Agtas.
“It’s clear what his intentions are.”
“Father, do you know what Sirius’s intentions are?”
“Of course.”
Valerion spoke in a leisurely voice.
“He’s spreading slanderous documents about us all over the place, isn’t he?”
“Yes, that’s correct.”
“In the end, he wants to shape public opinion.”
Saying so, Valerion pointed at Kaien’s face with his finger.
“Kaien Agtas, unable to even handle the Black Guild properly, secretly concocting cowardly plots and schemes.”
“Yes…?”
“On the other hand, Sirius Canisroot, the hero among heroes who swiftly eradicated the Black Guild troubling the people in the southeast.”
…!
Watching Kaien’s face turn red, Valerion chuckled, his shoulders shaking.
“Moreover, Sirius is a family man who loves his wife deeply. Everyone would wish for someone like Sirius to rule over the southeast.”
“Oh, Father…!”
“You fool, you’ve completely fallen for Sirius’s strategy.”
It was the first time Valerion fully understood Sirius’s intentions.
“Even if Sirius were to barge in here now and assassinate you, the masses in the southeast would applaud. They would even ask Sirius to rule over them.”
“Father, even if that’s the case, it’s just too absurd…”
“Has there been anything Sirius did so far that wasn’t absurd?”
…
“He’s a man who surpasses your comprehension. Just accept it.”
Valerion chuckled as he looked at his silent son.
Then he turned his head and asked a question.
“Do we not know where Sirius is right now?”
“We are tracking him, but… it’s just three of us moving, and he’s very elusive…”
“Tsk tsk, useless.”
After licking his lips, Valerion turned his gaze to Baldwein.
“Did you say your name is Baldwein? You must remember their faces, right?”
“Y-yes, of course. I remember all three of them.”
“Good, then give them the chance for revenge.”
Baldwein raised his head in surprise.
“Y-you’re saying you’ll give us a chance for revenge?”
“Aren’t you thinking about it?”
“N-no, not at all. Please give us the chance, sir.”
Baldwein’s voice was desperate.
“Yes, any chance for revenge…”
Right at that moment.
Valerion struck the ground with the metal cane he held in his hand.
And… a common shadow swept across the floor.
*Thunk…!*
Baldwin twisted his body.
Just a moment ago, he couldn’t control his arms and legs properly, but now he was thrashing around.
“Oh, Father, what are you doing…!”
“Just watch quietly.”
Baldwin’s body started to change gradually.
Muscles swelled all over his body. Even from his previously severed right wrist, new flesh sprouted.
And slowly, he deviated from human form… transforming into a terrifying creature, a monster.
“Father! Creating not only the incurable disease but also such a monster…!”
Valerion ignored him.
Facing Baldwin, now transformed into a monster, he spoke as though to a hunting dog.
“Track them down. Your brain must remember their scent, so you should be able to find them for sure.”
“Grrr….”
The monster growled, its nostrils flaring.
But Valerion frowned.
“Hmm…?”
“Father, why are you like this?”
“Judging by this reaction… they must be surprisingly close by…”
On all fours, the monster tried to leave the room.
Just then, the door creaked open.
“My Lord, there’s news that just came in… Aah!”
“C, close the door!”
The subordinate who rushed in panicked at the sight of the monster.
“It’s Father’s magical creature! Don’t worry about it and just report!”
“Ah, understood. Actually…”
The subordinate spoke with a frightened expression.
“Sirius Canisrute… is here in the lower city!”
“What!?”
Cayenne urgently looked at his father.
Even Valerion, seemingly caught off guard, was biting his lip.
* * *
The Agtas family’s nature is dual in structure.
First, there are the surrounding walls encompassing a wide area, within which the commoners live in the lower city.
At the center lies the fortified castle, where the Agtas family resides.
Sirius confidently entered through the castle gates, revealing himself to the commoners in the lower city.
“Is that man Sirus, Lord Sirius?”
“That handsome man is the one who took down the Ultenshvine?”
“He’s incredibly handsome! Oh, if only he weren’t married…!”
At the moment, Sirius was dining at a street restaurant in the market square.
People began to gather, starting to admire Sirius.
“Excuse me! Is it true that you single-handedly wiped out the Ultenshvine Assembly in a day?”
“Was it you, Sirius, who disbanded the Nineburg Alliance?”
“hahahaha, let me explain step by step!”
Responding to people’s curiosity, Valied was beaming with enthusiasm.
“All the rumors you’ve heard are true! Sirius Canisroot here has taken down numerous dark societies, bringing peace to the southeast!”
“Wow…!”
“Would you like to hear more details? Then allow me to tell you! By the way, I am Valied Albraim! The second son of the Albraim family, graduated from the academy with excellent grades…”
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Watching Valied start a street speech without even having a meal, Alleon grumbled.
“Why is Valied out there campaigning?”
“Leave him be.”
Sirius replied while skewering meat with his fork.
“Seems like that’s his calling.”
It seemed like Valied had the talent to confidently show off in front of people.
Since Sirius also wanted to sway public opinion, Valied was a perfect fit to lead the way.
“So, I single-handedly brought down the head of the Nineburg Alliance with this sword…!”
“Wow…!”
As Valied boasted, Alleon furrowed his brow.
“Is there some exaggeration mixed in?”
“Hmm…”
Sirius took a piece of meat from Valied’s plate.
“Alleon, you take one too.”
“Me?”
“Let’s take one each whenever he brags.”
“Alright.”
While Valied mainly talked about Sirius’s exploits, he tended to exaggerate his own achievements in the process.
Each time this happened, Sirius and Alleon took a piece of meat.
“Phew, I’m hungry. Hold on a moment. Let me have a bite and continue…”
As Valied, who had been making a fuss, tried to eat, he checked his plate and widened his eyes.
“Huh? Why are there only vegetables here?”
“Here, the food is delicious.”
“Indeed, Your Grace.”
Sirius and Alleon wiped their mouths and put down their chopsticks.
“Valied, it’s all cold. Hurry up and eat.”
“Okay, but Sirius, my dish has only vegetables…”
“Stop sulking and eat. Eating lots of vegetables is good for your health.”
“Alleon, who are you to lecture me…”
When Valied raised his head with a grin and picked up his fork.
Pushing through the crowd, soldiers approached.
“Sirius Canisroot, is that you?”
“…”
Sirius looked at them without saying a word.
They cautiously spoke, mindful of the gazes of the people crowded on the street.
“Lord Agustus invites Lord Sirius. We will escort you to the castle.”
“….”
Sirius wiped his mouth with a napkin and stood up.
“Let’s go, guys.”
“Huh? I haven’t even finished my vegetables….”
Bellid frowned in discontent, but Alreon smacked his back, urging him to get up.
“Lead the way. Lord Agustus wanted to discuss the current issues in this region.”
“….”
As Sirius spoke confidently, the onlookers gasped in admiration.