Salvation Through Delusion C124

Chapter 124

“There’s someone the Sarne family has been hunting for decades.”

Because I was curious, Rick explained without much hesitation.

“However, Sarne has been extremely thorough about concealing information, so we don’t know who they’re chasing or why.”

“Decades without catching them? What are they, a squirrel or something?”

“There’s a possibility they are a squirrel.”

“…What?”

“Sarne once let slip that the target was connected to a black magician. It’s possible they used black magic to inhabit a squirrel.”

What kind of nonsense is that?

I nearly said it out loud, but Rick’s deadly serious expression made me swallow the words out of courtesy.

“At some point, the one-sided pursuit turned into open conflict. We don’t know whether the squirrel counterattacked directly or had help. But one thing’s certain—it gave Sarne a great deal of trouble. So much so that one of Sarne’s Swordmasters personally stepped in.”

“The Swordmaster who died?”

“No. Her mentor—another Swordmaster—Sarne Baiyan. She was the one who pursued the target.”

Just hearing the name made it obvious she was from the Sarne family. That alone was surprising.

Two Swordmasters from the same divine-beast family? That’s rare.

Sensing my confusion, Mo added an explanation.

[Long ago, knights chosen by divine beasts were recorded as possessing swordsmanship on par with Swordmasters. As sword arts developed to combat monsters, the Swordmaster realm emerged. More than half of them originated from divine-beast families.]

Ah. So divine-beast bloodlines already had the aptitude.

Figures—they really do keep everything to themselves.

Rick continued.

“Sarne has gone several generations without manifesting divine-beast power, so they’ve invested heavily in cultivating Swordmasters. Of course, you already know that.”

I absolutely did not—but nodded anyway.

“Right.”

“And Sarne Baiyan was famous for traveling all across Tuvine in her youth, searching for disciples. That’s how she found a talented individual in the Kroll region and raised them into a Swordmaster…”

Rick shook his head regretfully.

“Three years ago, she was seriously injured while chasing someone alone, and earlier this year she passed away. The one she was chasing was likely that ‘squirrel.’”

“Anyone capable of doing that to a Swordmaster would have to be a Swordmaster themselves. Did the squirrel become one? That’s impressive.”

“Or they received help from another Swordmaster.”

Rick didn’t rule out the possibility.

“But since losing her disciple, Sarne Baiyan has gone completely berserk this year. Even if the squirrel is a Swordmaster, it’s dangerous. Several of Baiyan’s disciples are Sword Experts, and they’re roaming around together, swearing vengeance. If you get caught by them—well.”

Rick shuddered, clearly imagining it.

I frowned instead. If the target were truly a black magician, there’d be no need to become a Swordmaster. Remembering Dorgo, black magic alone could be terrifyingly strong.

Which meant the squirrel probably wasn’t a black magician.

And since Sarne had started the chase in the first place… I found myself oddly rooting for the squirrel.

“I hope the squirrel wins.”

Rick looked horrified.

“You absolutely must not sympathize with black magicians.”

Normally, I’d agree—but I hated blindly condemning someone based on rumors alone.

“Even if the squirrel is a Swordmaster, an individual can’t defeat the Sarne family. Absolutely not.”

“There’s no such thing as ‘absolute’ in the face of time.”

The words didn’t sound like Rue at all. Rick gave me a strange look, but I didn’t feel like pretending anymore.

Even if I never reached a happy ending myself, I’d be fine just becoming one stone in the path. That belief was one of the reasons I’d endured for so long.

Unfortunately, Rick was a realist.

“Timing matters. Even if the Borhumi bastards provoked the Grand Duke into occupying their castle, that’s stretched our forces thin. Before more problems arise, we should abandon Borhumi Castle or—”

“….”

“…Good night.”

“I heard everything.”

I caught Rick by the collar before he could escape.

“You’re saying the troop shortage is because Borhumi Castle was occupied? There’s no way the other divine-beast families would just sit back and allow that.”

Rick shut his eyes briefly, as if cursing his loose tongue.

“…For now, they are just letting it be. They’ve submitted formal objections, but haven’t moved troops toward Borhumi.”

“So they’re scheming something.”

“Yes, but we have no idea what—”

“They don’t need Borhumi Castle now. They’re waiting for the right moment.”

“…?”

“Imagine something huge happening in the future. Something that could wipe out everyone in that castle.”

Rick stared at me, puzzled, but I continued.

“The only thing that could do that is monsters erupting beyond control.”

Rick flinched.

“How would they know monsters would erupt in the future? Unless Hoiga made some kind of prophecy—ah.”

He understood on his own.

But then he looked at me with conflicted eyes. Hoiga did look exactly like a true Savior, after all.

I didn’t claim the title. I only needed to fool one person.

“Ahem. I appreciate your input. Going forward, you really don’t need to concern yourself with this.”

I nodded.

“Right. It’s no big deal.”

Rick immediately frowned at my sudden agreement.

“Lord Rue, you don’t fully grasp the situation yet—”

“I’ll fix it.”

“…What?”

“The problem is troop numbers, right?”

I turned and started walking toward the manor. Rick hurried after me.

“And how do you plan to fix that?”

“By increasing the troops.”

Even after hearing the answer, Rick still looked lost.

Now I was the one giving him a suspicious look.

“Where would you get more troops?”

I smirked.

“No idea.”

Rick’s face twisted—until my next words made his eyes widen like he’d spotted a bluebird.

“That’s my younger sister’s job.”

“…The Western Mercenary Guild?”

Tyroc read Rick’s letter and asked calmly.

“The Western Mercenary Guild?”

The captain of the guard nodded, continuing his report with a puzzled look.

“Yes. Mages have opened portals near Crystal Lake and are transporting mercenaries. At first, we suspected an attack from another divine-beast family, but they’re all here under commissions from the Western Mercenary Guild.”

Tyroc said nothing, but the captain sounded relieved.

“If something happened at Crystal Lake, our forces alone wouldn’t have been enough. This unexpected reinforcement is a blessing. And with the guild involved, even the unruly mercenaries have quieted down.”

“The Western Mercenary Guild wouldn’t move without reason…”

Tyroc muttered, then stopped after noticing a line in Rick’s letter. His gaze sharpened, but the captain missed it and continued.

“Since Borhumi is their main area of activity, perhaps they’re finally stepping in to protect their territory.”

“They only move for money.”

“But Borhumi wouldn’t be able to pay them.”

Tyroc folded the letter, lifting cold eyes.

“Then someone else paid.”

Who?

The captain sensed Tyroc knew the answer and swallowed the question. Seeing Tyroc’s foul mood, he changed the subject.

“Well, with this settled, you should be able to return to the manor. Your fiancée must be longing for you.”

Tyroc froze, the letter halfway to the flame.

“…What?”

“Lord Rue. You left for monster suppression shortly after he arrived at the manor.”

“And?”

“They must be missing you terribly.”

“…Are you saying Rue asked Adeye to provide funds because he wanted me to come back?”