LIGHTNOVELSTORY Chapter 146
– 1 –
Suddenly, I woke up at dawn.
I shut my eyes again out of habit for a moment, then slowly sat up.
Being someone who didn’t really need much sleep, I had no need to force myself to go back to sleep.
‘Something…’
I had a hunch.
Nothing had happened for the past five days, so I felt like something would start happening soon.
Then it happened.
– Master! We have contact!
“Yeah. Merry.”
The two communication crystals I had placed in my room glowed with bright light at the same time.
– There’s still no news about the Dream Witch.
– There’s no noticeable movement from the Count’s side either.
The respective reports came from Daniel, the mercenary leader, who was continuing to hunt monsters, and Etna, who set up ants and spiders near Count Guiles’ territory.
Even though it wasn’t quite morning yet, both of their voices were lively.
‘Both of them are incredibly diligent.’
I felt quite satisfied.
“Keep monitoring the surrounding situation. It may get boring, but stay vigilant.”
– Of course. Don’t worry.
– I’ve been doing boring things from the start. I will definitely carry this out reliably.
Once the confirmation of the Dream Witch’s arrival came, it was sure to draw a swarm of mercenaries and adventurers.
They are sensitive to rumors.
Right after the communication ended, another crystal lit up immediately.
– The ‘Owl’ and other birds caught a ‘Rat.’ Sir.
The heavy voice of the Information Guild leader.
There was a report that the eighth princess Michaela, disguised as the daughter of the noblewoman who killed Alexis, was being swarmed by informants and other information brokers.
“Have they made contact yet?”
– Not yet.
His dependable figure flickered beyond the crystal.
Seeing several other people nearby, I could guess why he was using a secure communication method.
It seemed we were starting to get a handle on guild members other than the Cerebrum Skull.
“Will they really make contact?”
– As you know, the only rival of the Owls is the Falcons. They will definitely want to know what the Rat has.
It was said that the informants, curious about what the Information Guild had purposefully concealed, would surely attempt to contact her.
Owls refer to the information broker ‘The Man of a Thousand Faces’, while Rat refers to Michaela.
And Falcons refer to the Information Guild.
Of course, it’s just a nickname we use internally.
The room fell quiet for a moment, and after glancing at the brightening sunlight outside, I spoke up.
“You know well, but let’s not make them realize our true objective is not the Rat’s protection, but the Owls themselves.”
– Don’t worry. They won’t even think that they’re the prey.
Having only half of the information network was certainly an unstable factor for me as the number of enemies I would have to face gradually increased.
I needed to have both Falcons and Owls under control to feel secure.
“By the way, have you found out why the Owls have taken an interest in the Rat?”
– It seems they intended to use dead Rats for the Owl King’s hatchlings.
“… What a coincidence.”
The ‘dead Rat’ refers to Alexis. The hatchlings probably refers to illegitimate children.
Alexis must have reached out to the Underworld Trading Company for his own survival.
His struggles ended up creating an opportunity for me.
“Wasn’t useful alive, but now that he’s dead, he’s doing his part. How pathetic.”
– He was never meant to succeed. Full of greed but unaware of his limits.
There was a strange stain on the words coming from Talhan.
After thinking for a moment, I soon guessed the reason.
Sense of kinship.
“Unlike you, right?”
– …
Silence fell once more. He seemed stunned into silence.
I could sense his embarrassment even through the crystal.
Continuing with a light chuckle, I said,
“Jason. I’m starting to trust you slowly. You’re doing well.”
– I will dedicate my life to ensure that trust isn’t betrayed.
“Save your life, and just hone your skills. Then I’ll prepare a reward for you.”
– Yes. Master.
As the communication light went out, I approached the window.
“Phew…”
Knock, knock.
– Master! It’s Sonia.
“Come in.”
The morning of the fifth day when the operation was about to begin.
A lot was about to kick off from now on.
– Good morning! Master!
“Yeah. Indeed.”
The sunrise felt like it illuminated my path ahead.
– 2 –
Meanwhile, there was another movement at the riverbank west of the mountain range.
Chtchk…
Feeling the water dripping from his head, the Lizardman Chief Zarax narrowed his eyes.
His yellow eyes gleamed like a predator discovering its prey.
From the stone bridge built over the river, the creaking of wooden wheels could be heard.
A heavily laden cart swayed, accompanied by the presence of many humans.
[Let’s torment the humans. But if it seems dangerous, make sure to fall back.]
It had been five days since their great master had issued those orders.
It was time the Lizardmen reached the downstream of this river.
They cut the time that would have taken at least two weeks for humans to less than half.
In the water, they could move faster than any creature on land.
At the same time, the Harpies flew over the mountains, allowing them to reach the river upstream swiftly.
Even though they had to move hidden from human sight, they managed to do this in such time.
A testament to the swift speed of the robust Harpy warriors.
“You know this, right? Don’t do anything dangerous…”
With the Chief’s words, bubbles rose from the river, soon followed by similar bubbles emerging around.
In the darkness of the river, the Lizardmen’s eyes, resembling the color of mud, glowed yellow.
– Krrrr…
“Of course…!”
“For Boksu…!”
This wasn’t a full-scale war, but rather an operation to escalate the war between enemies to be more ruthless and maximize damage.
As such, if they became too excited and ended up suffering losses, it would return as great sorrow to their master and their great master.
The subordinates were well aware of this fact.
“One more thing… Prohibit hunting Shiche…”
At Zarax’s words, the Lizardmen’s eyes filled with disappointment.
“Why…? The more meat, the better…”
“Knowledge of the attacker being monsters must remain known only near the mountains… This must be done stealthily among the Shadowdweller’s territories.”
Fortunately, most of the cargo on the cart was food, suitable for the omnivorous Lizardmen, in abundant amounts.
Thanks to that, the directive to not eat humans would likely be followed well.
The Harpies and some Lamia too.
They were already bringing in separate food supplies for themselves.
“For the Boksu of Chief Seondae…! And for the prosperity of our race… Ultimately, for the Lady who will reign over all monsters…!!”
““For…!””
At the Chief’s lead, the subordinates replied softly.
Their voices were perfectly drowned out, like a stream seeping into the river.
“Let’s go.”
The river began to come alive.
Shadows with scales surged forth from under the surface all at once.
To make sure that even more blood would flow in this river.
– 3 –
Currently, in the dungeon of Libertus, Josephine, the mother of Elenore, who works as a handmaiden and slave to Sonia.
Since the family’s downfall, she had hardly ever been sane.
Past glory. Revitalization of the bloodline. Prosperity of kin. Betrayal against humans and fanaticism toward the demon clan.
She alternated between showing love to her children and showing madness devoted to zealotry, gradually ruining her children.
Libertus, who had also suffered similar wounds, would never leave her be.
“I’m sure.”
The reason she was now cradled in Kamaya’s arms while recovering from dementia and retaining clear intellect.
At least, she wanted to create a chance to mend the relationship between mother and daughter.
“I heard recently that you had a late-life daughter. That must be her.”
“I understand. The target has been decided.”
Petulantly -!
Pointing towards a girl with sky-blue hair, activated long-range vision magic.
Kamaya, who nodded at that, flapped her wings once, a powerful wind swept through Josephine’s body.
She fiddled with the hood she wore to keep her hair from blowing up and looked up at Kamaya.
‘So dignified…’
The stout-bodied Harpy Queen appeared strong and beautiful.
Her red feathers shone like they held fire, and her sharp orange eyes bore a wisdom-filled intensity.
So different from how she is now.
‘I can’t believe it. I’ve regained my intellect and I’m in such a situation.’
It was hard to believe that she and Kamaya served the same master.
The feeling that she was lowering Kamaya’s stature by being her comrade was overwhelming.
Of course, the fact that she was not a noble at present added to that feeling.
The status of a slave to the disciple of the Dungeon Lord.
Having lived as a noble her entire life, it was hard to accept, but she had to understand.
“Do you have something to say? You keep staring at me.”
The clear voice slicing through the powerful wind.
Josephine shook her head silently.
She didn’t want to reveal her sense of powerlessness.
“Don’t worry. Our master treasures all pieces and carefully considers their uses.”
But it seemed Kamaya could sense what she was thinking without even looking at her.
It was the poise of a queen leading a group.
“How…?”
“Thus, do your best in what you have received. There is no time to think. For our revitalization.”
“Yes!”
“Good answer.”
With a smirk in her voice, Josephine felt a sensation she had never experienced before quicken her heart.
She was someone who had married not for love but for the family’s sake, and while her love for her children was intense, she had never known love between man and woman.
So she had no way of knowing what the feeling she was experiencing now was.
She simply felt that her ‘faith’ had deepened.
“It seems the Alraune are late.”
Kamaya muttered as she descended, and Josephine nodded along.
It was a gesture filled with cautious respect and reverence.
“They are originally people with much leeway.”
“… There’s no helping it. We’ll have to take a noble lord’s daughter ourselves.”
“Will that be alright?”
“Your role will be important.”
In some places, disguise outfits prepared by Libertus’ human subordinates were already at hand.
Kamaya pulled a thick hood over her head to hide her wings, putting on various armor and weapons.
She intended to look like a mercenary.
Josephine, who finally donned noble clothing after a long time, felt like she was returning to the past and pressed her chest down.
“Is there anywhere uncomfortable? I heard the sizes were fitted.”
The touch of feathers that warmly enveloped Josephine’s shoulders.
She suddenly looked up to see the figure of the mercenary woman, whose bulk seemed ready to swathe her whole body, and felt her heart race once again.
‘No way.’
‘What is it?’
Shaking her head, she soon smiled and said,
“I’m fine. I think it’s exciting since I’ll be carrying out some work for a part of the glory.”
“Good tension. I’ll protect your back, so focus on the goal.”
“Yes.”
Thus, the two of them began to take action, and soon after, they would place a certain girl under their ‘protection.’
They managed to keep her safe from an ambush from a dubious mercenary group but had to flee into the mountains.
“This turned out well.”
“I feel sorry for her.”
“It’s a common occurrence in this world. Just surviving as the child of an enemy is already enough luck.”
“Indeed.”
Josephine gently stroked the hair of the sleeping girl and felt a moment of sympathy, but that feeling quickly vanished.
The one who saved her was the Dungeon Lord, not a human.
Soon, her father, Count Aisaaf, would be able to find her trace.
In the territory of the hostile Count, Count Rubu’s Mathefit Territory.