210 – No, betrayal here?
“Do you get kicked in the mouth?”
The next day, Nero called us again.
It was enough to say that I brought you this time. Unlike yesterday, when we came on horseback, we even sent a carriage.
‘The expression on the shuttle’s face when it came to pick me up was very eye-opening.’
-… Please leave your luggage here.
As I was thinking about the GOAT of the shuttle world, who not only had experience but also mastered the bag, the warrior sitting next to me opened his mouth.
“The scent of the tea is very unique. It has a quite luxurious flavor.”
“You recognize it. It’s called dragon tier, and it’s brewed from a plant that only grows on swirling reefs. It’s only served when valuable guests come.”
Hmm. I’m not sure what it is, but I’m sure it’s very expensive.
Nero shows a cooperative attitude that cannot even be compared to yesterday.
However, this was only a favor for me personally and did not apply to the entire warrior party.
I’m having a conversation with the hero, but his eyes are only fixed on me.
I said as I put down the cleanly emptied teacup.
“Anyway, it looks like someone was executed overnight.”
“You must have seen it hanging outside the castle. They are traitors trying to devour beautiful Tuscania, so there is nothing to worry about.”
I felt embarrassed seeing him talk so calmly as if it was someone else’s business.
‘I never thought they would kill me. I guess the shock was bigger than I thought.’
Except for him, the other kings in the game are each their own sons. In other words, rush in with the prince. They say it’s to show off as the next king in front of the soldiers, but anyway.
At first, I thought he had been left behind because he was too young, but after defeating him, I was able to learn the truth about him from the conversations between the surrendered soldiers.
-Damn it, Nero and you are suffering…. It’s all because of that queen.
-Even if that b*tch hadn’t run away with the prince….
Originally, the plan was to bring the prince with him, but the queen came out with the prince. Afterwards, you can find their whereabouts in the subquest called Reconstruction of the West.
-I am familiar with your achievements. Would you please help rebuild Tuscany? Don’t worry. I have no intention of falling in love with the empire like my foolish father.
Even though the king and prince looked different, they were very different. Rather, he resembled the servant who guarded the queen’s side.
A pong-pong man who got cuckooed. Are you really scared to get married?
Family affairs stained with infidelity are far from mine, so let’s get to the point.
“I never thought Tuscania would be such a beautiful city. I almost regret not having visited it sooner.”
“I don’t have anything to worry about because they appreciate this.”
Nero smiled in satisfaction, as if these words were not empty words.
“Indeed. I personally have high expectations about what other countries will be like.”
Nero was inwardly amazed at Ian’s words.
‘As expected, you’re not an average bet. I never thought you would say something like that with a warrior by your side.’
At first glance, saying that you regret not coming sooner did not seem like a problem, but judging from the content left in the note, it was clear that it meant a change in direction.
‘And the next words probably mean that he wants to meet other kings as well….’
He hesitated for the last time. I wonder if we can really bring interest to our side.
Ian, who was watching Nero in agony, laughed to himself.
‘The kid is worried.’
If you push me just a little bit, I will believe you because you have already reached that point.
‘You just need to act as a stepping stone.’
-Clatter.
I pushed the finished tea cup towards Nero.
“Can I ask for one more drink?”
“Ah, yes. Of course…”
Nero, who was about to pour tea, was startled when he saw something.
‘This is…’ .’
Because a piece of paper similar to the one left yesterday was slightly sticking out from the bottom of the glass.
I was crazy curious. What exactly is written this time?
“Why are you doing that?”
“No. It’s nothing…”
The worries did not last long.
Sigh.
He picked up his note and put it in his pocket without anyone noticing.
***
“Hmm~ Hmm~”
A bathroom full of hazy steam.
Salazar, lying in the huge bathtub, hummed and looked at his hands.
“Huh… I really can’t believe it when I see it.”
He bowed his head faster than anyone else and swallowed up the West while others were full of scars, but there was nothing he could do as time passed by.
In the past, no matter how much money you spent, all you had to do was delay it for a while.
Unable to give up what he had once held in his hands, he felt like he was dying day by day.
But what about now? His own shriveled skin was gradually regaining its elasticity.
‘It’s such a powerful force.’
He thought of an unidentified man who came to his bedroom not long ago.
-Hello! Is there anyone there?
While I was sleeping. Salazar fell out of bed when someone lifted the blanket.
-Even if you scream like that, no one will come.
At some point, the man was standing behind him.
-Well, what… ?
-I’m here to make a deal, so don’t be too surprised.
He heard the man’s words trembling and could not help but be shocked.
-Surprised the empire! Do you think that’s worth it? Even if the West were to unite, it would be sure to be trampled by the Empire again, and that would be suicidal!
-Ha, as expected, it doesn’t deviate from what I expected.
The man laughed for a moment and then flicked his hand and something came through the window.
-Keeek!
A creature with a vicious appearance that may not be recognized as a beast. But Salazar could instinctively guess what it was.
-Demon, monster… !
-A thousand like this one. I’ll give it to you.
-Wow, a thousand?!
The identity of the man who runs a thousand such hideous things is also questionable, but if those things are released immediately, the West will be over that day.
-Are you planning to turn the West into a living hell?!
-Don’t worry. I’ll give you the power to control these guys.
It was hard to believe what he said next, but he was captivated by the sight of the man petting the monster in front of him like a pet dog.
-Is that really true… ?
-Now we’re finally making sense.
-Now, wait a minute, what are you doing now? Argh!
After that day, the man was never seen again, but the thousand monsters lurking underground and the power flowing within his body proved that it was not a dream.
‘If I think about it now, it was the perfect opportunity.’
At first I thought he was a suspicious person, but now I think I liked him.
A body that gets younger and younger every day.
In addition, there are enough troops to challenge the empire.
“I see. This is the scenery you were looking down on.”
In the past, when the emperor led the knights to the west. He could feel it as soon as he saw the emperor.
-How dare you expose your claws on the empire I built? Even with such foolishness, do you still call yourself kings?
That’s not someone you can do anything about.
The knights with that fearsome force were not even in sight. The emperor’s strength came from himself, not from the knights.
But that is now a thing of the past. As time passed, it was clear that the emperor also grew older.
Now that you can enjoy the same scenery, you will have an advantage because you have regained your youth.
The world is dying now. No, he had no doubt that he would begrudge him.
“hehehehe…”
At that time when he was intoxicated with an overwhelming sense of power.
“Salazar.”
I was brought out of my thoughts by the voice of a subject calling me.
“What is it?”
When he turned his head without hiding his discomfort, a subject and a servant came into view.
“A letter has arrived from the King of Tuscany.”
Then Salazar remembered that he had asked Nerowa to find out the intentions of the warrior party.
“I’ll check later, so go out.”
However, he did not like the retainer who suddenly came and interrupted him at a happy moment.
“But the same silver-winged seagull as yesterday brought it in…”
He was ordered to leave, but the subject remained steadfast and raised his voice.
Silver-winged seagull. It was a telegram used to communicate the most urgent matters among the kings of the West.
‘No way….’
He shook the moisture off his hands and handed over the letter.
-Finding results. It is said that the warriors are on the way to a holy country, but their real goal does not seem to be a holy country.
The contents of the letter were as feared.
‘How on earth did you notice?’
On the day he spoke, a party of warriors came to the west. It was impossible for information to leak.
‘Then perhaps that man…? .’
I suspected from the beginning that I had been played into the hands of a man, but I quickly shook my head. It’s impossible for an empire to raise monsters.
He was at a loss and realized that that was not all the content of the letter.
-I was almost fooled too, but one of their colleagues provided information and I was able to find out. They say they want to join us.
What is this again? Are you willing to betray me?
The timing is very appropriate. Maybe it’s a trap.
But even if they attack the empire, if they hold out until the warrior party returns, if it leads to attacking their own rear, it couldn’t be as difficult as that.
‘If it’s true, it will be of great help, and even if it’s a trap….’
Salazar closes his eyes for a moment and thinks.
-aaah.
Soon he got up from the bathtub, put on the robe that the servant gave him, and spoke.
“Assemble the kings of each country.”
It was decided that it would be better to keep them on a leash here than to let them run wild in the West.
“But Your Majesty, didn’t you call me just two days ago? The kings’ opposition will certainly be severe.”
“What?”
He showed his displeasure at the sight of his subjects expressing opposing opinions toward him.
“Are you saying I have to watch what those bastards think right now?”
“Your Majesty, please don’t do this… There’s something strange about your Majesty now. You weren’t like this before…”
-Kwasik.
A huge arm with prominent dark red veins swung towards the subject.
– Shake it off.
The body collapsed helplessly, leaving no trace above the neck.
“He seems like such a fool that he doesn’t even recognize his own master.”
Salazar, who was stroking his arm, which had turned into something grotesque, with cold eyes, turned his gaze to the servant who was trembling next to him.
“Do you know who the master you serve is?”
Then the subject’s brain began to spin rapidly.
“Yes…! Of course! The only person I will be loyal to is Salazar!”
Salazar, who must have liked the sight of him bowing his head, smiled in satisfaction and said as he passed by.
“You are much better. From today onwards, you are my confidant, so let them know. Go and tell the kings to gather together.”
I was a servant who suddenly rose in status, but that was probably a good thing.
“…I will do as you command.”
Because I had to do my best not to end up like my predecessor.