Chapter 104
My Villains Episode 104
interlude. pursuers
‘The 'Baetgodong Inn' was crowded with sailors, merchants, mercenaries, and soldiers as usual. This is because the vibrant vitality of the city has seeped into every corner of the alley..
“I decided to accept the request..”
Grania's declaration made her colleagues silent for a moment. The first to break the silence, as always, was Arnal..
“ Will it be okay??”
“what?”
“Of course the prince is a good man, but, well, the situation is not easy..”
Grania quietly munched on the cheese and then shook her head..
“We are mercenaries. There is no need to worry about the complex circumstances of your superiors..”
“But sister.”
Farrell, a young man with a rough beard, scratched his head..
“Just look at it this time. Even if you go through a lot of blood to save the city, you are blown away by a single command from the royal capital. Moreover, on the day when the ‘lion with its tail pulled out’ becomes king,.”
“The prince is a trustworthy employer and a warlord with 100 victories. What's more important??”
Olga, the nun fiddling with her beer mug, nodded slowly..
“Well, that's true. And the prince's army has also increased greatly. You may be kicked out of the city, but the outlook is not all bleak... … “What would you do if the number of heads increased? The placenta is chaff.”
Grania smiled slightly at Arnal's grumbling..
“The fact that most of the placenta is chaff is the same for our mercenary corps, Arnal..”
“……Wow, I never imagined those words would come out of your mouth. That's something to be proud of?”
“It's reality.”
Grania continued speaking while putting thickly cut cheese on the bread..
“If you want to be big, you need fame. To gain fame, you must have results, and to have results, you must have skills. You can get it all if you go under Prince Ulkar..”
Anton, who had been sitting quietly, sighed deeply..
“But sister, the plateau won't be easy. This is a place where even Prince Ulkar cannot guarantee victory, and a mercenary unit of less than thirty people can be reduced to dust in an instant..”
“Prince Ulkar destroyed the Empire on the plateau eight years ago. The prince now is much more skilled, wiser, and more famous than then. furthermore,”
“It's much lighter. You've become one-armed?”
As Grania quietly glanced at him, Arnal shrugged his shoulders. Then, he leaned back against the backrest and clicked his tongue in regret..
“Ah, I should have caught that guy. Because I became a knight.”
Farrell frowned at Arnal’s lament..
“That brother… … . I recognize your skills, but a little,”
“a little bit, whatever?”
“Everyone knows. It gets a little weird sometimes.”
Grania scratched her eyebrows at Farrell's words and said.
“……Farrell. If it's because of Uncle Gilius,.”
“No, it's not like that..”
Farrell waves his hands and speaks gibberish..
“Well, at that time, Uncle Gilius and I were both possessed by the witch and lost our senses, and my brother made that, um, mistake... … It must have been because he rushed at me swinging an axe. however… … ha." Farrell took a sip of his beer with a sigh. Then I put down my beer glass and bit my lip..
“Honestly, yeah, that guy is kind of weird. I stabbed Uncle Gilius... … For some reason, he had a happy expression on his face..”
“Farel.”
“And, don’t you remember when you first saw it? The one where you tied up dozens of human parts and dragged them around? That bastard is perfect,”
“Farrell, stop..”
“••••••Phew.”
As Farrell crossed his arms, Grania smiled slightly..
“I know. When Phoenix gets into a fight, he sometimes looks strange..”
“The extent to which it becomes strange,”
“But Farrell. Phoenix saved your life. Both I and Arnal have owed our lives several times. If it weren't for Phoenix, the city would have burned down and left nothing but ashes..”
“……And, I don't know if I'll ever meet Poinix again, no, even if it's not Poinix. If you meet someone that strong, don't show your teeth carelessly. Okay?”
Farel remained silent in response to Grania's sincere advice..
And that silence matched perfectly with the silence that fell over the entire first floor of the inn..
“what?”
As if time had stopped, the people filling the hall were looking in one direction, frozen as stone..
There, there was a woman. Shin-high boots and leather pants covered her long legs. As if they had been tanned by a skilled craftsman, the boots had a consistent texture and the pants had a subtle sheen..
He was wearing a good white shirt, a red vest with golden buttons, and a cloak he had just unbuttoned over his arms..
It was a strange outfit..
There was nothing that ordinary women liked to wear, such as a kirtle, gown, or headkerchief..
Since I didn't wear a robe, I didn't look like a wizard, and because I didn't wear armor, I didn't look like a mercenary..
However, the woman's appearance was too beautiful to be mistaken as to whether she was dressed as a man. And, the woman seemed to have no intention of hiding her beauty..
Moderate height, thin and long limbs. A curve full of tension flowing through the body. Porcelain-white skin contrasting with jet-black hair, sharp eyes, straight nose, and slender chin..
Lastly, bright red and plump lips that attract attention..
In short, she was a fatal beauty..
“……Wow, fuck.”
Forgetting the conversation we just had, Farrell let out a shallow exclamation. At the sound that broke the silence, the woman's eyes turned to Farrell..
Gulp.
Farrell swallowed dryly without even realizing it. It was only after making eye contact that I saw a new side of the woman..
The pitch black eyes contained no emotion. The white face without blood or expression looked like a lifeless doll..
The woman quickly took her gaze away from the frozen Farrell. Then I slowly walked towards the bar. Even though I didn't make any footsteps, dozens of pairs of eyes followed me..
A woman stopping in front of a bar looks at the young waitress, the young waiter, and the middle-aged man in turn..
“you are the owner?”
“……yes, that's right.”
“I want to hear the story about the bloody prosecutor..”
A low, slow voice. The innkeeper wet his lips without even realizing it, as his tone conveyed a certain elegance..
“Yes, that, which one.”
“……It's too noisy. There is no quiet place?”
The innkeeper was about to nod as if he was possessed by something, but suddenly came to his senses and was embarrassed..
“The clerks are all inexperienced, so I can't leave the place. Sorry, lady..”
The woman wordlessly took off the pouch hanging from her belt. Then, white fingers without calluses picked up a gold coin and placed it on the bar..
“If you like the story, I'll give you ten more chapters..”
The innkeeper accepted the gold coin without saying a word..
The woman was very easy-going, not befitting her noble appearance and dignified manner of speaking. That's what I saw when I walked into an empty room and sat down on the dirty bed without any objection..
And while the innkeeper told the story, the woman sat motionless. I just blinked slowly, occasionally..
After a long story, the woman finally opened her mouth..
“So, where did it go?”
The innkeeper was silent for a moment, then touched his nose and answered..
“Was it a week ago? He said he was going west by boat. He probably didn't go to the Empire, but he probably went to Abidden..”
The woman nodded quietly. And then I opened my mouth again.
“You know more.”
“……yes? what is that,”
“Don't hide it, tell it. 'Cause I really need to know where Poi went.”
The innkeeper closed his mouth after being speechless for a moment. Then he asked with a bit of doubt in his eyes..
“Are you acquainted with Phoenix, or rather, Lord Phoinix??”
“huh.”
“……What kind of relationship is this??”
“That's not polite..”
The innkeeper made an expression of ‘oops’ at the sudden remark. But the woman answered obediently..
“cousin.”
“cousin? Are you saying that Phoenix is a cousin??”
“huh. And, she's also my fiancée..”
“••••••Yes?”
The innkeeper opened his mouth wide at the woman’s leisurely confession..
“No, my cousin… … Did you say fiancee??”
“huh. Now tell me. what you know.”
The innkeeper looked confused for a moment and then shook his head..
“I haven't heard that Poynix has a cousin and fiancee..”
“okay? Why didn't you tell me?”
“I don't know. Is there any way to prove the relationship between the two??”
The woman blinked for a moment..
“well.”
“……Well, I'm sorry, but I can't tell you..”
“why?”
“Because I am indebted to Phoenix. “If it weren’t for that friend, this inn would have been reduced to ashes.” The woman blinked again.
Silence followed. Just as the innkeeper was considering whether to get up from his seat, the woman spoke..
“Phoenix of Zahakar. I am 21 years old this year. My father corrected me, my mother died while giving birth to Poi. My older brother died a few months ago, and I have three cousins. He's a hand and a half taller than me and weighs less than twice as much. By nature, he flies like a leopard and is so healthy that he has never had a minor illness in his life. He is a genius at martial arts and loves riding horses, but perhaps because of his mother, he is somewhat lacking in blood manipulation skills. I like cows, pigs, and sheep, I hate chicken and vegetables, and I can't eat fish. He is always confident and hates talking to people of low status. I hate alcohol and think hanging out with women is a waste of time. With me too,”
As the woman continued speaking slowly and endlessly, the innkeeper waved his hand with a tired expression on his face..
“Wait, girl, stop..”
“why?”
“I know you know more about Phoenix, but……
“however?”
The innkeeper scratched his chin and made an embarrassed expression..
“Still, I can't believe she's engaged to Phoenix..”
“You don't believe it? why?”
“It’s very different from the Phoenix I know..”
The woman's eyebrows twitched slightly..
“Different? how?”
“Um, that's... … I don't think you even know what Poynix likes to eat..”
“I like cows, pigs, and sheep. Grind the fennel, sprinkle it, and add blood to it.,”
“No, miss. You said Phoenix can't eat fish.?”
“huh. I can't even put it in my mouth.”
“The Phoenix I know is a friend who is very excited about fish..”
“……You ate fish? Poiga?”
“yes. I liked grilling them whole on skewers, tearing open fish shells and putting them into porridge to eat, and frying them in oil. I especially enjoyed eating it with beer. It was ready to eat anything with fins..”
“……Even beer? Nope. That can't be possible.”
“And there aren't any women... … . hmm.”
As the innkeeper's expression darkened, the woman pulled out her pocket. Then he held out a handful of gold and silver..
“tell me hurry.”
Silver and gold coins flowed from the woman's hands. The innkeeper’s mouth opened slightly..
“I'll give you this.?”
“I'll give it to you. tell me quickly.”
The innkeeper, who had a shocked expression for a moment, became lost in thought. The woman waited patiently, and the innkeeper finally sighed..
“……You said you were Poynix's fiancée.‘?”
“huh.”
“then… … . I don't think you'd be happy to see Poynix with another woman.?”
“It's a story about the fire witch.?”
“Yes, you know..”
“Poi is not interested in women. Even if we're together, I won't have any other feelings..”
The innkeeper’s face was slightly distorted..
“Phoenix might be like that. But not the fire witch, that bitch.”
“why?”
“At our inn, there was a child named Daria..”
The story continued about the relationship between Daria and Phoenix, Ellen's relationship with Phoenix, and the relationship between Ellen and Daria. The expressionless face of the woman distorted slightly, just slightly..
““A few days before Phoenix left, Daria came to see me.” The woman was quietly blinking her eyes..
“I told him I couldn't let him go like this and that I would follow him. The boy said that Poynix and his group were lying about getting on the boat, that they were definitely heading to Longville..”
“longville.”
“yes. however……
Tears streamed down the innkeeper's rough cheeks..
The woman listened quietly..
““That night, Daria disappeared.” Quiet blinking. crossing eyelashes.
“The next day, three days, and a week later, he didn't show up. I don't have the courage to see Amel..”
twinkling. Jet black eyes.
“They say the patrolmen saw it. Dari, that kid... … I'm with the fire witch.”
I forgot. indifference.
“I tried talking to the security guard, but they are fucking bastards. Those bastards always have nothing to do. Even when the inn was attacked, they came late and showed their form. They always said bullshit like they must have left the city, been kidnapped by thugs, or had their limbs torn apart by an artist..”
The innkeeper sobbed..
The woman stopped blinking. If you look closely at the black eyes, you can see red energy, curiosity, and interest..
The woman opened her mouth.
“They say he must have been torn limb from limb by the artist.?”
“Mmm, big. Ah, yes. An artist. He's crazy. There were rumors that he was a guy who killed people in the back alleys and took their blood. Come to think of it, it was uproar for a while, but it's quiet these days..”
“……tell me in detail.”
“……Isn't it obvious? This guy is a blood magician. He said the blood was gone, so he must have played something with it.!”
A man with a dignified appearance and a bulldog-like appearance spoke passionately..
Across from him, a parchment scroll
A man was sitting at a scattered desk..
A man with gray hair. He was a handsome man with a gloomy aura. He nodded quietly..
“I understand..”
A heavy voice that matches his appearance. The man with a red face cleared his throat..
“……Hmm, I guess I got a little carried away..”
“I think of it as a passion for the city. Guard captain.”
“Thank you.”
“Well, I have confirmed your request. Thank you for visiting this morning..”
Light brown eyes stared at the guard captain. The guard commander, who realized it was a celebratory guest, quietly left the room..
The gray-haired man quietly leafed through the parchment. After some time passed, someone knocked on the door..
“This is Dirk.”
“Come in.”
What appeared after opening the door were men wearing black cloaks. Bounty hunters led by a one-eyed man.
“I found it?”
“I searched every village from Lidburn to here, but I couldn't find it..”
“Yes, it was hard..”
The handsome man glanced at the men and smiled slightly..
“Is this everyone’s first time in South Harbor? Go to a place called Drunken Pony. Everyone will be eating breakfast. Oh, Dirk and Tobias are staying.” " ancient." While the men were rushing out, the handsome man was leafing through the parchment. The one-eyed man, Dirk, wet his lips and opened his mouth..
“Captain.”
“hmm‘?”
“I think this job will be difficult..”
“why?”
“Is there no way to find your goal?.”
“You are biased. Anyone can see at a glance.”
As the handsome man called the captain spoke with a grave expression, Dirk sighed..
“Didn't the Captain say that the Marquis of Ivail would have cast a spell while he was dying?.”
“It was like that.”
“Is there anyone in the world who can take the Marquis' spell and be safe??”
“ Probably not.”
“Captain!”
The handsome man answered while continuing to look through the parchment..
“The Marquis asked me to tell him the last spell he might have fired..”
“yes?’’
“The new Marquis personally responded. Corruption, mutation, decrepitude, torture.”
“Corruption, mutation, decrepitude, torture……
“If it were the curse of corruption, it would have already turned to dust. If it's the curse of torture... … Even the infamous Eastern assassin would have committed suicide..”
While saying that, the handsome man picked up a piece of parchment and held it out to the young man standing behind Dirk..
“Tobias, get this guy. If you give them enough money, they will follow..”
“ ancient.”
As the young man named Tobias left the room, the handsome man flipped through the parchment again..
“The problem is the curse of mutation and that week of aging. If those were the two spells the Marquis used, the assassin would have turned into something we don't know..”
Dirk's expression darkened..
“Then how on earth are you going to find him??”
“Be patient. If we finish our work hastily, the wrath of Marquis Alphard will be upon us..”
Saying that, the handsome man picked up a piece of parchment..
“All you have to do is pretend to do it. Doing something nutritious like this. ruler.”
“……What is this??”
“ Read it.”
“Erinar Radacalin, trainee at La-Palais Palace, 17 years old, beautiful blond face, escaped after killing Grandmaster Zemar... … Dirk flipped open the parchment and frowned..
“Wait, it can't be Radhakaline.……
“That's Radhakaline.”
Dirk shook his head..
“This is too dangerous. I'm against it,”
“I received an advance payment.”
Dirk's expression was sour at the handsome man's carefree answer..
“Captain! Are you saying that because being the Marquis of Alphard isn't enough, you want to get involved with the palace? After all, it's the Radhakaline family.,”
“three hundred gold coins.”
“alternative, yes‘?”
Dirk opened his mouth..
“I received three hundred gold coins.”
The handsome man leaned against the backrest and smiled..
“The down payment is 300 won, if you kill it, it is 500 won, and if you live, it is 1,000 won..”
As Dirk's mouth opened to the point where he could no longer open it, the handsome man's smile grew a little deeper..
Dirk swallowed his saliva and burned his remaining eye..
“What can I do, boss??”
“You keep chasing the assassin. I'll catch this bitch.”
“Do you have any clues??”
“She was nicknamed the 'Fire Witch' in South Harbor. Flying in the sky and sprinkling fire like rain.”
Dirk glanced at the parchment and narrowed his brows..
“It says you can't use magic.?”
“They say he ran away with a banned book. He probably learned the spell through that banned book.
hey.”
“Forbidden. I guess I'll have to retrieve that too..”
“okay. That's a thousand gold coins too..”
“Huh, crazy wizards. But why didn't my guys catch it and asked us to do it??”
“Some wizards from the palace came, and they said they had been captured by Prince Silver's pit viper and were drinking water..”
Dirk slightly frowned..
“The silver prince’s viper… … . It smells really bad, and it can be a nuisance..”
“Wasn’t that like that sometime ago? And, it's a lot of money worth taking.?”
Dirk read through the story about the escaped wizard..
“……Phoenix, Prince Ulkar's knight, is accompanying the barbarian 'Red Bear'. take a boat to the west……
“Those two are the problem. The bloody swordsman and the red bear.”
While Dirk frowned and tilted his head, the handsome man continued..
“If you listen to the story, well, there aren't really any monsters. A swordsman who slaughters dozens of people with a single sword, and a barbarian who rips out the head of an ogre..”
Dirk, who had been tilting his head for a while while reading the impressions of the target and his companions, scratched under his eye patch and answered..
“I don’t think it will be easy… … . Commander, do you plan to go out yourself??”
“That's how it should be. Because it's a big deal.”
The handsome man stood up and stroked his hair..
“But why did you go west? What's in the West.”
“Aren't you trying to become an empire?
peel?”
“well. Oh, and. While you're in town, do some more research on this guy named Phoenix..”
“You mean a bloody prosecutor??”
“okay. A bloody prosecutor, a bloody beacon… … What else did they say??”
Dirk looked at the records on Phoenix..
“The Silver Prince's Red Knight, the Beheader, the Witch's Guardian... … . Ha, it seems like people in this town really enjoy coming up with nicknames.” “There could be one more.”
“which,”
At that time, someone knocked on the door with the sound of urgent footsteps..
“Captain, this is Tobias.!”
“Come in!”
Seeing Tobias' expression as he opened the door, the handsome man knew something was wrong..
“what's the matter?”
“You know the guy I asked you to bring in? Owner of the Bathorn Inn.”
“however?”
“He died.”
The handsome man's eyes became sharp at Tobias' words..
“asleep?”
“yes. A body was just found.”
“why suddenly?”
“I don't know exactly……
Tobias spoke with a slightly strange expression..
“The body was found by a young woman, and she screamed that it was an artist's work..”
“……artist?" "yes. Well, they tore the limbs and took the blood.……
“ under.”
The handsome man’s mouth twitched. It was a ferocious smile that resembled that of a wolf..
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