Chapter 107: Whether You Do or Don’t

Dejir was taken aback by Raion’s sudden proposal.

Then, Raion spoke again.

“Do you dislike it?”

“Why would you make such an offer to me, knowing who I am?”

A knight devoted his life beneath the lord he had sworn loyalty to.

That lord was, of course, King Laskan Canel of the Canel Kingdom.

Naturally, since he also served under the Chancellor’s command, Duke Alito also held the position of his superior.

“A free knight…”

“…Pardon?”

Dejir questioned Raion’s quiet murmur, as he hadn’t caught it clearly.

In truth, Raion faintly remembered feeling uncertain when he first heard Dejir’s name.

‘Free Knight Dejir Malon. A Sword Master whose origins were as unclear as Jade’s.’

Fate or coincidence, he wasn’t sure.

Dejir was originally one of the few Sword Masters counted on one hand in the future.

‘But to think he was once part of the Black Lion Order of the Canel Kingdom… Yet in the future I knew, no one ever learned of his origins.’

Dejir had earned great fame across the northern continent.

He was well-known as a wandering Sword Master who refused to serve under anyone.

Though Raion hadn’t known what Dejir would become at first, after spending some time with him—his nature, affiliations, and skill made it clear.

“Do you dislike serving under me?”

“If you truly are a prince, wouldn’t it be easier to simply ascend the throne?”

As a knight, Dejir was naturally bound to serve the next heir to the throne.

Moreover, Raion himself was a Sword Master—a title even the First Prince, Ashuran Canel, had never attained.

That alone gave him ample grounds for royal succession.

“I don’t intend to become your lord in that way.”

“That’s a strange thing to say.”

“Very strange, huh? Well, if you dislike it that much, I’ll just have to kill you here.”

A blue aura rippled along the sword in Raion’s right hand.

If that sword were to swing, Dejir’s head would hit the ground in an instant.

“Do as you please. Though I was unaware, I’ve tailed the heir to the throne—so I’ll accept the punishment I deserve.”

Clank—!

As he said that, Dejir lowered the sword hanging at his waist to the ground.

At the same moment, Raion’s sword blurred out of sight and reappeared before Dejir’s left neck, stopping just short.

“……”

The four watching nearby said nothing, only to flinch in shock.

“Your eyes don’t waver. Killing you would only be a loss for me.”

“Are you saying… you won’t kill me?”

“Do as you wish. Run to Duke Alito and tell him everything about me—whatever you please.”

Raion turned his head toward the three adventurers.

“You three also know my identity now. What will you do? I plan to return to Kanas as is.”

At that, Howard looked even more startled.

“Sorry? Kanas—as in, the Kanas Territory beyond the Clamen Mountains west of Praizen?”

“That’s right. Is there any other Kanas?”

“But to get there, you’ll have to cross the Clamen Mountains full of terrifying monsters.”

“You’re well-informed.”

Even for three B-rank adventurers, crossing those mountains would be no easy feat.

Of course, they had a Sword Master with them—but it was still a cause for concern.

Clack!

In the meantime, Raion sheathed his sword and stepped forward.

“So, what will you do? I won’t fault you for choosing not to follow.”

Howard, Allen, and Aizel exchanged glances.

Meanwhile, Cayman fidgeted anxiously, uncertain of how things would turn out.

“Are you not going with him, brothers and sister?”

“Hm?”

“Well, it’s just that…”

It was already shocking enough to learn that Raion was a prince.

And traveling across the Clamen Mountains to the Kanas Territory felt burdensome.

“What do you think about going?”

At Aizel’s suggestion, both Howard and Allen looked surprised.

“Are you sure?”

“Why not? Honestly, if it weren’t for Master, would we have even had the chance to see greater heights?”

“Well, that’s true, but…”

“With Master around, the Clamen Mountains might not be a problem. So, I’ll go.”

“I’ll go too! What about you, Howard?”

Once Allen decided as well, Howard scratched the back of his shaggy head.

“Great, now I’m the only bastard left behind. Guess I’ve got no choice but to go too!”

“So everyone’s going together!”

Cayman seemed the happiest of them all.

Only Dejir, still deep in thought, kept his mouth shut.

“Let Dejir decide for himself. The rest of us will depart.”

Raion took the first step forward.

Seven days passed.

While waiting for word from Chelon, Duke Alito happened to encounter Aspar Daker, the Captain of the Black Lion Order, during a visit to the royal capital.

“There’s still no news?”

By now, there should’ve been at least one report.

But the silence remained—unnaturally so.

“None, my lord. We’ve discreetly sent troops toward Chelon, but…”

“It’s been quite some time already. Would that even be possible?”

Chelon was practically under the dominion of Duke Saliann Arenvatz.

If they were caught moving troops into his territory, their entire plan could crumble before it even began.

“I’ll find another way, my lord.”

“This is troublesome. I was told he was someone reliable.”

“He must be in danger. There’s no other reason he wouldn’t have reported back.”

“Hmm… unless, of course, Chelon itself made contact with him.”

If that assumption were true, it would be the worst-case scenario.

Because that would mean another Sword Master had joined King Laskan’s ranks.

And that would mean the foundation for the Third Prince, Raion Canel’s succession, was being laid.

“Do you have anyone who can move covertly?”

“I’ll make a selection.”

“Choose only those who leave no traces.”

“Ah, and—there’s been some movement in Jaycal and Molin as well.”

They were two territories located at the southernmost end of the Canel Kingdom.

At the mention of their names, Duke Alito’s brows furrowed deeply.

“What’s the matter?”

In response to the Duke’s question, Aspar lowered his voice as much as possible.

“It’s said the number of those who’ve starved to death has exceeded twenty thousand.”

“Hm… Those two territories guard the borders with Rozarin and Laboner, so it’s only natural that food supplies are difficult.”

“The lords are reportedly doing what they can to stabilize things, but news will likely reach the royal capital soon.”

“Isn’t that something inevitable?”

“I fear His Majesty will not sit idly by.”

The Jaycal and Molin Territories were managed by nobles under Duke Alito’s command.

They had rotted completely from within—where bribes, taxes, and all forms of exploitation occurred as casually as eating meals.

Of course, most of the wealth collected there ended up flowing into Duke Alito’s own pockets through various connections.

They were feeding off the blood and sweat of the people of the Canel Kingdom.

“There’s no need to worry about His Majesty.”

“If you say so, my lord, I shall not trouble myself further. Then, are we to leave the two territories as they are?”

A portion of the funds gathered from those two territories also flowed into the lands held by Ashuran and Valet.

On the surface, it served to cover their deficits and strengthen the foundation for royal succession—by sacrificing the same territories as offerings.

“Leave them be. Once the matter of succession is settled, those places will be cleaned up neatly. Besides, aren’t there many refugees from Rozarin and Laboner settled there? They should consider it an honor to give their lives and become soil of the kingdom.”

Duke Alito’s cold gaze narrowed.

“I’ll send word to Jaycal and Molin.”

“Make sure no unnecessary rumors spread.”

“I’ll keep that in mind.”

After replying, Aspar withdrew from the room.

Then, Duke Alito set off to meet King Laskan for the sake of his plan.

Raion continued traveling toward Kanas with his companions.

Among them, Dejir—who had rejected Raion’s earlier proposal—still followed from a distance without leaving the group.

“Master, are you just going to leave Sir Dejir like that?”

At Cayman’s worried question, Raion cast a brief glance backward.

“Let him be. He’ll decide for himself.”

“But if Sir Dejir reports to the royal capital, won’t that cause problems for your plans, Master?”

“Do my plans look that flimsy to you?”

“N-No, not at all. Never.”

Cayman had been kidnapped from the Kanas Territory and had since traveled all the way to Chelon.

It had been quite a long journey, and perhaps because of it, his skills had improved since then.

At the same time, his concern for his master and lord, Raion, had grown, making it hard for him not to worry.

“So, are we reaching Clarman soon?”

It was a territory they had hurried through on their way to Chelon.

“Will we just pass by again this time?”

“No. We’ll restock here, get horses, and then head straight to Kanas.”

“I’ll arrange accommodations first, then look for horses.”

They quickened their pace.

Along the way, some beasts and goblins appeared, but they were no match for the group.

Before long, they arrived at the Adventurer’s Guild in Clarman Territory.

They secured rooms for the night and took their rest.

Night deepened.

In the still of the darkness, a man entered the Adventurer’s Guild and knocked on a door on the second floor.

Knock knock.

It was Raion’s room.

When the door opened, Raion looked surprised.

“Who are you?”

The man’s presence felt neither friendly nor hostile.

Then, he spoke calmly.

“I come from the Eye of the Moon.”

“What business do you have with me?”

Normally, messages from the Eye of the Moon were directed to Patrick.

It had been arranged that no contact would come directly to Raion himself.

The odd situation put Raion on edge.

“It’s not something I can say here. I’ll have to ask you to come with me to the Blue Sunset.”

“At this hour?”

“It’s a matter of great importance.”

“Hmm… Very well.”

Raion gathered his clothes and equipment and followed the man.

The Blue Sunset wasn’t far.

It was located in a bustling, somewhat grimy district—much like those around the royal capital or other territories.

Step, step.

He entered the quiet tavern called the “Blue Sunset.”

Despite the silence, a good number of patrons were inside, drinking.

“Seems business is good here.”

“Regulars, sir. Please, head downstairs.”

They descended a long stairway.

A narrow, elongated corridor stretched ahead, and the man guided Raion to a room.

Inside sat a broad-shouldered, middle-aged man.

“Welcome, Sir Raion Dragonia. I’m Charad Turner, head of the Eye of the Moon’s Clarman branch.”

“You seem to know exactly who I am.”

“You’re an important client, after all. And since something major happened during your stay in Clarman, we had to call you here.”

“You’d better have a good explanation for what was so important that I had to come here in person.”

A sharp aura emanated from Raion as he spoke.

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