Chapter 373 – Proclamation
He tore open the seal engraved with three horses using his sword.
Liam skimmed through the letter sealed inside, furrowing his brow.
"Harsbeg, Frol, and Delgar. The lords ruling the lands around Arein are inviting us to a meal. The date is set generously for five days later… What do you think?"
Liam, showing proper courtesy, glanced at Verden for his reaction.
The news that Dallehin had been crushed by the Divinity of the Eastern Continent had already spread.
Naturally, the word had reached Liam's ears as well, so he had no choice but to tread carefully.
Yet, to be honest… strangely enough, his heart was at ease.
Probably because this was his first time seeing a Reacher of Mado, and it didn't feel real.
Keirel replied.
"Those bastards still have ears, so they're probably fishing for information. They'll be curious what kind of relationship you have with that man, and how close you are. Maybe they want to use you as a bridge to the Divinity."
"Most likely."
Liam and Keirel did not bother with formalities between them.
From Liam's perspective, he was simply grateful that Keirel had taken it upon himself to act as Arein's vigilante corps, keeping the city safe.
From Keirel's perspective, he simply did not see fit to treat a young lord as his superior. This was the temperament of a beastman.
Liam scratched at his temple.
"But the invitation isn't only for me. Look, Lord Asher's name is written here too."
"What?"
"See for yourself."
Liam flipped the letter over.
Amidst the pointless flowery phrases, the words Liam and Asher were written clearly.
Keirel stroked his chin, tail swaying.
"Interesting. Maybe they really mean to meet in peace. Guess they're scared out of their wits."
"It could be a trap."
"No way. There's no chance they could make those kinds of preparations in just a few days…"
At that moment, Adrian, who had been polishing his demonic sword, leaked killing intent.
If given the order, he looked ready to march off and assassinate them at once.
He had recently obtained a stealth-type artifact, [Shadow Spider], from Tersau, so wiping out three lords without leaving a trace would be entirely possible.
"…After all these years, that temper of yours hasn't changed a bit. You don't mean to let that thug run wild, do you?"
"Since they invited us, it's only proper to meet them first."
They hadn't attacked first, nor was there concrete proof of a trap. It was merely an invitation to dinner, so there was no need to react too sharply.
And no matter what tricks they pulled, there was enough strength to crush them head-on.
"That's a relief."
Keirel sat back down on the sofa.
Compared to Adrian, it was a truly rational response, and he felt reassured.
Then, Verden thought.
'Do we really need to bring the invitation?'
Normally, of course, one should… but since his face was already well known, it probably didn't matter.
Besides, making a trip all the way to Dallehin just to fetch a letter from some lords felt troublesome.
As he pondered this deeply, a sudden tapping came from the window.
Looking over, he saw a bat holding a letter in its mouth, sealed with the same insignia Liam had received.
When the window opened, the bat flapped its wings and cried out.
"From Dumal?"
[Kyack, kyack!]
The bat bobbed up and down.
It seemed to understand human speech to some degree. That was probably because it had been tamed by a Vampire.
Adrian exclaimed in admiration.
"Oh, to deliver messages without sending a person. Quite a useful abnormal species."
Verden nodded deeply, taking the letter.
It felt wrong to send it away empty-handed, so he gave it two pieces of sliced fruit from the platter that Liam's maid, Mires, had prepared.
[Kyack!!]
The bat bounced in delight, gobbling one piece of fruit on the spot.
Then, it carried the other piece in its mouth and flew off. Likely planning to eat it later if it got hungry.
Anyway.
"Since I don't plan on staying long, only Liam and I will go. The rest of you will remain in Arein."
"Yes, my lord."
"Understood."
Adrian and Keirel nodded.
Liam, taking a deep breath, rose to his feet with determination.
"I will prepare for departure immediately."
"No, later."
They were planning to travel by
So there was no need to leave early and waste time, and even if they were late, it wouldn't be a problem.
The initiative lay with Verden.
"Ah, yes."
Liam, looking a bit embarrassed, sat back down.
***
Time passed, and Verden and Liam left the city.
The carriage soared through the sky, and Liam, overwhelmed, fainted midway. The journey was therefore quiet.
In just a few hours, they reached the appointed place.
An old castle standing atop a remote hill.
After having their identities confirmed by armored knights, they entered, greeted with warm hospitality by the three lords.
"It is an honor to meet the Divinity of the Eastern Continent. We have heard the tale of your battle with the Bone-Relic Dragon, and our hearts raced. You are far more striking in appearance than the rumors suggested."
"It has been some time, Lord of Arein. It seems you have been well."
"Haha, despite the sudden invitation, to have both of you come here, we are truly humbled. Please, please, have a seat. You must be weary from the journey."
Their tongues were oiled, their words smooth to the point of being greasy.
Just days ago, they had been eyeing Liam's life and Arein itself, yet not a hint of it showed on their faces now.
Their brazen shamelessness, thick enough to repel any magic, made Liam's eyes twitch.
So this was the power of strength.
It could flip another's attitude in an instant.
Verden accepted their greetings casually and was led to the seat of honor.
Though he was the guest, he was treated as the master. The lords' intentions were transparent.
"We shall serve the meal."
At a snap of the steward's fingers, servants departed.
Soon, a full course was laid out.
From appetizers, to a mushroom soup simmered for hours, to fish seared with butter and spices, the dishes were served in order.
The taste was decent enough.
Meanwhile, meaningless chatter filled the air.
The three lords talked without pause.
In place of Verden, who ate silently, Liam responded awkwardly, yet with a noble bearing befitting his position.
The atmosphere was lively with laughter and chatter, but also heavy.
Because, in the end, everyone was watching one man.
Lord Frol, whose cheeks were sunken, personally introduced the main dish.
"This is steak made from the belly of a wyvern. We obtained it with great difficulty at the adventurers' guild auction, and its flavor is truly───"
"So."
A deep voice cut the explanation short.
Naturally, all eyes turned in one direction. Verden, resting his chin on his hand, continued.
"What is it you want?"
Pointless conversation ended here.
The lords, instantly understanding the meaning, fell silent.
In the stillness, with ornamental candles flickering, Lord Delgar spoke up.
"We arranged this gathering because we wish to form an agreement with you two."
"Speak."
"We intend to offer continuous tribute, a considerable amount, so that we may live in peace without war."
Survival through tribute to the stronger.
This was a common thing in the Ownerless Land.
In fact, these three lords were already maintaining their positions by paying tribute to other great powers.
Verden spoke.
"Why should I accept tribute? I could just seize your cities."
"Of course, yes, you're right. That would be more profitable, and with your magic, you could expand your territory without much difficulty. But, it could bring losses instead."
Lord Delgar twitched his thin eyebrows.
"You may not know this, but the Ownerless Land cannot be ruled. Why, you ask? Because conflict makes money. The great powers, the magic towers, the rising factions, they all invest here to take their share of the profits. Meaning, if you try to take the Ownerless Land, the eyes of the world will all turn to you."
Lord Harsbeg and Lord Frol added to the explanation.
"In truth, part of this land is ruled by one of the Four Powers of the Central Continent, the Overlord. That is one of the great forces in the Ownerless Land."
"Not only that, but the Central Continent's magic towers each have their own territories, and there are countless other factions. Of course, it is not that Your Divinity would fall short against them… but the collateral damage would be immense. The Lord of Arein here would be swept away mercilessly."
The three lords' gazes shifted to Liam.
It was a look urging him to be persuaded, that a pact would be in his best interest.
"..."
Liam stayed silent.
Because he knew his place, and he knew debts of life and death.
If not for this sudden turn of fortune, his head would have already been severed and displayed on Dallehin's spear.
Lord Delgar, licking his parched lips, clasped his hands.
"This may sound unpleasant, but this is no threat. It's just that instead of chopping down a great tree, we would live beneath it, enjoy its shade that blocks the sunlight, take its sap and live in abundance, and gain many benefits."
"To live as parasites on a great tree. You are calling yourselves insects."
"…Life requires symbiosis, that is what I mean."
Symbiosis?
Verden gave a low, mocking laugh.
"Strange words for lords who coveted Arein."
"This case is different."
"No, it's the same."
Tok, tok.
Verden tapped the table with his index finger.
"The strong take everything. Wasn't that the only rule in this land?"
"There are unspoken rules in the Ownerless Land as well. That is why it has never been unified. Realistically, no one could handle so many powers."
"Then it seems an exception will arise."
"No… think carefully, Your Divinity. If that happens, the repercussions will be enormous───"
Showing he no longer cared to listen, Verden stood.
Liam, sensing the moment, shoved his chair back and hurried to stand behind the ashen Magus.
Verden fixed his gaze firmly on the tense lords.
Then, he declared quietly.
"If you lack confidence, then get lost."
It was not spoken only to the three lords.
The words exchanged here today would spread far and wide.
This was, in truth, Verden's proclamation to the Ownerless Land.
***
On the way back to Arein.
Liam Arein, by now somewhat accustomed to the flying carriage, exhaled deeply.
"Phew, it felt as though I was in the eye of a storm."
Barely twenty years of age, with little such experience, it had been a difficult ordeal for him to endure.
"I wonder how those lords will act from now on… would it not be more useful to take them in as subordinates?"
"Such men are not needed. They'd pretend obedience while feeding information to another great power. They even introduced themselves as parasites."
"Haha… well, in truth, in being attached to the tree, I am no different, so I can't say much."
Sitting in the driver's seat, Verden, guiding the carriage with
"Ours was a fair trade. We exchanged what was needed. And if you wish, I can relocate you outside the Ownerless Land. Establishing a place in the Eastern Continent is nothing."
"To leave…"
Liam thought deeply, then asked Verden.
"If I am gone, who would govern Arein? Lord Asher will not remain in one city."
"Well, someone suitable must be found."
"I see. Then I will stay."
His answer came without hesitation.
"Arein's streets are shabby, but it is the city my father put great effort into. It is his legacy. And, I like Arein as well. I cannot abandon it so easily."
"I see."
"Ah, but… could you send Mires elsewhere? She was born and raised in Arein, but it is too dangerous for her to keep living here."
Was he thinking of his maid, who never abandoned him, even to the end?
Verden nodded readily.
"If she agrees, then so it shall be."
"Thank you."
As they exchanged a few more words, the city of Arein came into view beneath the clouds.
Thud.
Verden swiftly lowered their altitude, landing in the courtyard of the lord's castle.
The only task left now was registering at the auction.
After storing the carriage into subspace, Verden stepped toward the castle.
"…!"
Suddenly, Verden stretched out his arm to stop Liam.
"Lord Asher?"
"Liam, you know the location of Keirel's safe house, yes?"
"Yes? Ah, yes, I do."
"Go there and stay until I call for you. Do not even glance at the castle."
Though Liam still did not understand, he dashed off without question.
This was the judgment of one who had survived the Ownerless Land for years.
Sensing Liam's presence grow distant, Verden's eyes gleamed.
'Something's here.'
An oddity that only now, this close, revealed itself.
Even spreading
No, he could not detect anything at all in front of him.
'…The castle has been taken.'
It seemed to be some form of magic, but he could not discern its nature.
Whoever it was, they were no trivial Magus.
Verden summoned Orient, activating his mana circuits.
"Show yourself."
His voice, laced with magic, rang out with menace.
Silence.
No one appeared, but there was a response.
Clatter.
The door leading into the castle swung open.
The intruder who had seized the home was inviting Verden inside.
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