Episode 192
“Zenith is back?”
“Wasn’t she captured by the Kingdom?”
“I heard she was an adventurer, not the Kingdom?”
A large space inside the criminal group’s hideout.
The people who had gathered after receiving Calliva’s call were looking around and chatting.
“Alright, this way.”
Just then, a crowd emerged from a side passageway.
Leading the way was Calliva.
Behind him were Zenith and a few others dressed as adventurers.
“Thank you all for responding to my call,”
Calliva said, looking at the people filling the space.
Most of those watching him were victims of nobles with their own backstories.
He had deliberately not contacted the real criminals. Because
it was impossible to predict what actions they might take.
By now, they were likely wandering somewhere on their own.
-There are so many;
-Isn’t that fewer than I expected?
-Didn’t just the representatives come? -Yeah
, they probably have subordinates.
-A real organization, wow .
As some viewers mentioned, the victims gathered here are closer to representatives.
The total number could reach the thousands.
In other words, persuading them is the most important task.
“It’s good to see everyone here.”
Stepping forward, Zenith surveyed everyone’s faces.
Slowly meeting their gazes, she got straight to the point.
“I will help the Kingdom of Raven stop Emeter’s invasion. I have gathered you all here to ask for your help.”
“…What?”
“You’re saying you’ll help the Kingdom?”
“What kind of nonsense is that!”
Everyone raised their voices in shock at the bewildering news.
The Kingdom of Raven was an enemy.
Emeter was, after all, an ally. To think
she would turn that upside down. Moreover,
it was unthinkable that such words would come from Zenith, who had lost her family.
“I understand your surprise. First, let me explain the situation.”
Zenith explained the circumstances to everyone.
Unless she had invited actual criminals, there was little to hide.
She was confident that everyone present would follow her lead.
“The conclusion is this. Emeter’s fiancé, with whom she is still in contact, belongs to the House of Artois. And that Artois will gain even greater power after the usurpation of the throne. You all know that the nobles who committed atrocities in the past are under Artois’s influence, right? They will not keep their promise to us.”
The reason for helping Emeter plot the invasion of the Raven Kingdom
was the promise that upon seizing the new throne, they would investigate the crimes of the nobles from the past and severely punish them.
However, if Artois’s power grew stronger, this was a promise that could never be fulfilled.
“Haa…”
“Nothing changes like this.”
The emotion everyone felt was despair.
The goal was to help Emeter’s invasion and cut out the rotten parts of the kingdom. It was
n’t a grand ideal, but a glimmer of hope .
A wish that something would change due to the monumental event of the King’s death.
But at this rate, it seemed that no matter which side they took, only the nobles would be smiling.
Zenith knew their inner thoughts well.
“This invasion will expose the truth about Artois’s treason. Since the King has suffered under their influence, he has shown a determination to decisively eliminate them using this pretext. If we clean up the deep-rooted corruption within the Kingdom, we will be able to take a significant step forward.” “
…I understand that you can deal with the Artois family. But will the King and the nobles change? It would be meaningless if people like us reappeared. I think it would be better to just let the Kingdom be destroyed.”
A woman listening to the explanation spoke with a disgruntled expression.
The destruction of the Kingdom.
It was the extreme wish she had previously feared.
“Of course, trust paid only in words is meaningless. That is why we will proceed with this operation after exchanging vows with the King. Considering the current situation, he won't be able to refuse.”
A magical quill pen acquired from the black market.
It was a special item used to forge a vow by engraving a mark into each other's mana.
Its effects and details had already been determined through an expert.
“Furthermore, the destruction of the Kingdom is the very path that will produce more victims like us. If the Holy Kingdom sees Raven in such a tattered state, they will try to swallow it whole with all their might. A massive force, incomparable even to this invasion, will pour in.”
“…….”
The woman fell silent at Zenith’s prediction.
If things turned out as she said, what would become of the commoners and the poor?
It was a foregone conclusion.
“If you had only dreamed of revenge through destruction, this place would have had no reason to exist. I hope everyone considers what the best choice is. That is the overall outline.”
Having finished speaking, Zenith took a step back.
Silence settled over the vast space.
Watching everyone, Kaliba soon spoke up.
“I will help Zenith protect the Raven Kingdom. I believe this is the only chance to set the kingdom right while protecting the weak. We must not create any more innocent victims.” It
was a decision made with firm resolve.
The sincerity contained within was deep enough for anyone to recognize. Because
Kaliba had voluntarily abandoned a stable position to choose a path of hardship, her sincerity resonated even more strongly.
“…The nobles who committed crimes in the past will surely receive punishment, won’t they?”
a man asked after deep thought.
Zenith nodded and replied,
“The oath is absolute, but if any variables arise, we will use force. Not only Kaliba, but the adventurer Black Dragon will also stand with us. He is a skilled individual capable of being considered for the investigation team.”
She added an explanation, as if introducing Hanbit.
That name elicited a distinct reaction.
“Black Dragon? Could it be the adventurer who killed the Snow Drake?”
“He’s the one who caught the believer even in Edlen.”
“I heard he caught the corrupt mayor too? I heard he was from the Artua family.”
“Is that why he killed the administrators so easily?”
-He’s become a big name now. Haha.
-Look at that flashy resume.
-Make the Black Dragon the next king!
-I will stand on the throne.
The Black Dragon’s name, naturally known due to his various achievements.
Although he had never agreed to the use of force, he didn’t mind empty promises.
After all, he already knew the conclusion of this episode.
“I am the adventurer Black Dragon. I promise to stand by your side until this is properly concluded. At least, we will not fail due to a lack of strength.”
Hanbit expressed his resolve, matching the atmosphere.
It might have appeared somewhat overconfident, but the path the adventurer Black Dragon had walked carried sufficient weight in his words.
“Please give it some thought, and if you feel you cannot join us, you may leave.”
Silence descended with Zenith’s words.
And after a short while, people began to make their decisions one by one.
“I… will join.”
“I will join you. I cannot let the powerless suffer.”
“If I can hold that noble accountable, that is enough.”
“I cannot help those Artois bastards.”
There were various reasons for their choices.
Some who wanted to protect the kingdom and prevent innocent victims. Some who
wanted to hold the noble responsible for the tragedy that befell them accountable.
Some who wanted to stop the Artois family from consolidating their power.
All were decisions not to side with the exiled Crown Prince Emeter.
“Lord Black Dragon, but why isn’t anyone mentioning a reduced sentence?”
Hanbit asked in a low voice as he watched them.
Hanbit spoke as he watched the people making their decisions.
“The goal of the people here is not survival. They have been trudging along, clinging on with emotions like hatred, anger, and a sense of injustice. If that yearning is fulfilled, a reduced sentence is of no concern.” “
Then, what happens if we help Emeter succeed in the rebellion? I don’t think there will be any rewards.”
“Everyone will be executed. Since they will be used like expendables on the front lines anyway, there will hardly be anyone left.”
“Uh… this is the worst.”
Hanbit had also witnessed the situation when the anti-state forces were fully assembled.
The front lines, where the criminals were deployed, were literally hell.
Bodies piled high like mountains, and rivers of bright red blood flowing across the ground.
He still could not forget the bloodshot eyes of those dying with deep sorrow.
“Thank you. Not a single one of you left.”
When the people’s choices were finalized, Janice smiled.
It was because everyone—both criminals and victims—had stayed in their places.
“If I’m going to die anyway, I might as well die properly.”
“Right. It’s a damn kingdom, but let’s protect it. We can’t let anyone else suffer like me.”
“I wanted to hear those noble bastards scream before I went, you know.”
Those who had expressed their resolve foresaw their own deaths.
Standing in the way of the anti-state forces’ invasion.
The consequences that would follow were all too obvious.
However, that wistful atmosphere did not last long.
“I haven’t mentioned this. The most important thing in this operation is to escape. We are going to keep pretending to be defeated and retreat to the rear. I will not tolerate anyone risking their lives recklessly.”
“…Huh?”
“Escape?”
“Retreat?”
Everyone looked bewildered at hearing this for the first time.
They had braced themselves for death, only to find the operation was to flee.
How were they supposed to accept this?
“Before explaining the strategy, I will first proceed with a detailed troop count. Please provide the most detailed information possible. Oh, and I would appreciate it if you could find other allies in the meantime, Black Dragon.”
Leaving those words behind, Zenith began gathering information.
*Ding*—an
alarm sounded immediately, and a message popped up.
[Main Quest #3 completed.]
[800,000 Gold received.]
[5 Stat Points added.]
[Experience increased by 1,500,000.]
[Progress rate increased significantly.]
[Main Quest #4: Assistance]
Successfully persuaded the scattered members of the criminal group.
While the detailed composition and strategy are being established, you must find other allies.
Objective: Move to another city and find those who can lend their strength.
Rewards: 1,000,000 Gold, 2,000,000 Experience, 5 Stat Points
*Current Progress: 18 percent
The people here, too, have been through thick and thin, but they are not accustomed to the battlefield.
Experts are needed for defeat and escape to deceive the enemy.
“I’ll be right back. Please wait here, everyone.”
Whoosh—
Hanbit used his ring to teleport alone.
Along with a strange sensation, the scene inside a building appeared.
At the same time, a voice was heard.
“Black Dragon?”
“Huh?”
It was the Adventurer’s Guild of Ifrit.
Guild Master Jinuk and the receptionist Glingko, who were standing in front of the bulletin board, had their eyes wide open.
“I have a favor to ask.”
Hanbit approached and explained the current situation.
Jinuk, whose expression had been growing serious, let out a short sigh.
“Artua… is it?”
Even though he had not been recognized by his family, he too inherited the blood of Artua.
Considering his sister who had been arrested, it was not surprising that his feelings were complicated.
However, Jinuk made a decision immediately.
“I’ll help. We cannot let anyone harm the Kingdom. I will try to gather soldiers from the city and other adventurers… What do you plan to do about the Dwarves?”
He added with enthusiasm.
Recalling their first meeting, it was something hard to even imagine.
“Just give me the situation for now. I’m going to Edlen for a bit.”
“Alright. I’ll have everything ready so you can move immediately, so don’t worry about the time.”
“I’m counting on you.”
Whoosh—
Hanbit used the ring again to teleport.
The destination was the top floor of the Edlen Central Office.
“Ack!”
A familiar voice was heard the moment he arrived.
Turning his head, he saw a blonde girl who had fallen on her bottom.
“…Oppa?”
—Liventia Hi hi
—Look at that stack of books.
—You’re studying hard.
—The next mayor, yikes .
The girl, Liventia, with wide eyes, couldn’t understand the situation.
It was because the Black Dragon had appeared completely out of the blue.
“Long time no see.”
“Wow, I’m surprised. How? Where did you get in from?”
Getting up, she looked Hanbit up and down with curiosity.
“The Black Dragon?”
Just then, Guild Master Cowen appeared from the entrance.
He was carrying a bag full of snacks.
“I have something to tell you.”
Hanbit briefly explained the situation to the two of them.
Upon hearing the story, Liventia furrowed her brow slightly.
“Artua… that was that man’s family.”
The incompetent sword that had branded her father a criminal and led him to execution.
It was not surprising that there was another victim of his actions.
After a moment of contemplation, Liventia met their eyes straight and said,
“I want to talk to someone named Zenith.”
