Chapter 180 – Hardeon (12)

On a dark night, obscured by thick clouds, where not a single star shone.

The only things illuminating the military camp were the torches set up here and there among the barracks.

I was walking nonchalantly through the spaces between the barracks.

The cool night air was refreshing, and the incessant chirping of the insects created a rather nice atmosphere, making me think it was a perfect night for killing someone.

There were sentries who occasionally stopped me on my path, but my identity was clear, so I passed without issue.

Before long, I reached the northwestern edge of the military camp where I had planned the assassination.

If I went straight up the slope I was facing and stood on that large rock, I would have a bird’s-eye view of the entire military camp.

Of course, there was one thing I had to take care of before that.

“Who goes there! State your affiliation and name!”

A sentry patrolling the area had stopped me.

It was only natural.

A single soldier loitering in this secluded place would look suspicious to anyone.

“I’ll ask again. Affiliation and name!”

“Kalia. Johan Raven.”

“What? Who from where?”

SMACK!

A light chop to the back of his neck, and the fiend lost consciousness and slumped to the ground.

He would get a few hours of deep sleep, and after that, he might get entangled in a very troublesome situation.

This sentry had become an important witness who had last seen the legion commander’s assassin.

It was unfortunate, but that was this fiend’s fate, and I did not hesitate to climb the slope towards the planned spot.

While doing so, I expanded my senses to the maximum, carefully watching to see if I was being exposed to anyone.

In case of an emergency, I might have to activate Plan B.

Of course, such an unexpected variable was assuming a one-in-a-million situation. The entire process was smooth until I settled on the rock.

‘There it is.’

The legion commander’s barracks came right into view.

The torches had not been extinguished yet.

Thanks to that, the target’s silhouette was revealed with utmost clarity.

The aura emanating from it was also clearly that of the legion commander I had previously identified.

There were no variables, so I immediately took out a dagger.

From now on, extreme concentration was required.

It was an ridiculously long distance to attempt an assassination by throwing a dagger.

No one but me could even think of trying it.

“Hoo.”

Accurate aim was important, but overwhelming the target with sheer power was also key.

If the legion commander were to resist, I would have to shatter that resistance and press on.

ZING-

The mana I infused into the blade of this small dagger was being highly compressed.

Not even a speck of mana loss could be tolerated.

This was true even after it left my hand.

All preparations were complete.

There would be no second attempt.

Just one.

The tip of the sword would accurately pierce the legion commander’s heart, leading to instant death.

Whoosh.

And so the sharp blade was shot and flew through the air.

***

The temple of Roland Village, which I had visited again.

Miruel was the same as ever.

Neatly trimmed hair and immaculately arranged clothes. Today, too, he was strolling through the temple garden, tending to the flowerbeds.

He noticed my presence from a distance, turned his head slightly, and then focused on watering the trees again.

‘What an indifferent client.’

I silently approached his side.

Then I picked up a watering can and watered the flowerbed alongside him.

“Have you heard the rumors?”

At my question, Miruel smiled faintly and cut off a rotten branch.

“You mean the rumor that the legion commander of the northern border region was assassinated by someone?”

“It seems the rumor arrived sooner than I expected.”

“Three days ago, a small star fell from the northern sky. That’s when I first knew.”

“A star… I didn’t know the legion commander was such a big shot.”

“Because he is one of the most important people in the current political situation of Hardeon.”

After hearing Miruel’s words, I wondered if I had interfered too much in this world, but it was probably not the end yet.

This world was now on the verge of a historic upheaval.

“I knew you would succeed, of course.”

“Is that why you don’t seem very impressed?”

“Just because one legion commander is dead doesn’t mean we’ve achieved anything yet. And there is a more important task remaining for you.”

“As far as I know, my request here is finished?”

“I never said ‘here’.”

With that, Miruel handed me a note.

After reading its contents, I could not help but let out a hollow laugh.

“Don’t tell me this is…?”

“Yes. It is the Yellow Code you will be contacting.”

It meant I had to go back to where I had come from.

The person I had to meet was part of the force that was currently at war with the Hardeon Empire in the northern border region.

“Are you saying that the Yellow Code has infiltrated the Barbarian side as well?”

“Yes. We need their strength to bring down Hardeon.”

“The shaman, Remme…”

“Yes. Cross the northern mountains, go to the land of the Barbarians, and meet him.”

“You’re saying that there will be a more important task there than assassinating the legion commander.”

“That’s right.”

Compared to the content of the report I had received from the Gwangun Sword Family, the tasks I was being given felt much more difficult.

“This is a bit strange.”

“What is?”

“Even just assassinating the legion commander was an important task that could determine the fate of the organization. Not only did you entrust that to an outsider like me, but now you’re saying I will be performing an even more important task? This is beyond simply being called strange.”

“I know. But this isn’t the first time something like this has happened in Hardeon’s history, is it? The age of magic ended 400 years ago, and the empire of the sword was established, all because of the Barbarians’ power.”

A history I did not know.

I could only remain silent at this part.

To change the subject, I took out the volcanic rock and showed it to Miruel.

“There’s one thing I want to ask.”

“Please speak.”

“When I showed you this volcanic rock before, you said you knew nothing about this object. You only said you felt an evil power.”

“Yes, I did.”

“Do you really not know what the organization is planning at all? In relation to this volcanic rock.”

Miruel gave me a meaningful smile and asked back.

“Is that important?”

“As a fortune-teller, I thought you would have a vague idea. Seeing your reaction, it seems that’s really the case.”

“As you said, I only have a vague feeling. But for you to ask me in such an interrogating manner now, is it because you think this is not a just cause?”

I could not deny it.

The world they wanted was to end the age of the sword and open the age of magic again.

But I had no choice but to question the means they were preparing for this.

‘Zombies.’

This was a monster that could turn the world into a living hell.

They intended to build a world of mages again on ruined land. Revenge was fine, but I wondered if it was really necessary to go this far.

Since I was a stranger here, I did not meddle in the history that the people of this world were creating, but if there was a force planning such a thing on Earth or in Kalia, I would have immediately led them to the path of annihilation.

“Justice…”

Sometimes, it was the most difficult problem to define.

“I think I know what you’re thinking. But what’s important to us is not justice.”

Of course, I could understand their position to some extent.

For me too, the biggest goal of my second life was revenge.

It was by no means something I did because it was just.

“And I am only fulfilling the mission given to me at my given position in the organization.”

“Then Miruel, do you think that great undertaking will be achieved?”

“Just because I’m a fortune-teller doesn’t mean I can know everything in the world. Everything will flow according to its own course.”

Miruel’s appearance, speaking as if he were enlightened about the world despite his young age, was very impressive.

He continued to speak while watering the trees.

“The lifelong wish you hold in your heart would be the same.”

“How does it look? Does it still seem dangerous?”

“I have nothing to say but to just keep striving. That too will be part of the natural course of things. However…”

“However, what?”

“It has only been a few days, but your fate feels a little deeper. It means that time has gotten a little closer.”

Because they were the words of a fortune-teller that I could not just ignore, my mood just became a little strange.

***

The northern border region of the empire, which I had visited again after a few days.

Winter had taken another big step forward, and the wind had become much harsher.

After the assassination of the legion commander, I heard that the 3rd Legion, which was in charge of defending the border, was in a state of chaos.

Fighting a war with a sudden acting authority must have been something they had never imagined.

Thanks to that, entering the Valdes Mountains became easier than I had thought.

Taking advantage of the weakened security, I was able to cross the border without any hindrance from the legion.

Of course, that did not mean that crossing this mountain range was an easy task.

As the altitude increased, the biting wind became fiercer, and the unmelted snow of ten thousand years mixed with the wind, obscuring the view.

“I can see why they call this place a natural fortress, Unit Leader.”

“It’s the Barbarians who cross these rugged mountains who are amazing.”

Moreover, the Valdes Mountains were a paradise of monsters where all sorts of creatures appeared.

I could see for myself why, for so long, the Hardeon Empire had not been able to conquer the land beyond the mountains.

Spending a night in a place like this was a terrible thing.

I had to cross the mountains in one day, no matter what.

To do that, I had to pass through the shortest route that Miruel had told me.

You will most likely encounter a Yeti, though.

A monster I had never seen on Earth or in Kalia.

When the fiend stood up, its height seemed to be at least 7 meters.

If you take the Yeti’s heart, you will be able to win the Barbarians’ favor.

The reason I was at a loss when I first heard that the Yellow Code was in the land of the Barbarians was that I knew of the Barbarians’ deep suspicion of outsiders.

Since I could not become friends with them by subduing them with force, I was at a loss as to what to do when Miruel presented a solution.

“Ah-yeon, step back. This doesn’t seem to be a monster you can handle.”

The gatekeeper blocking the shortest route through the mountains.

Seeing it in person, I thought it must be an annoying existence for both the Hardeon Empire and the Barbarians.

This huge monster that moved nimbly even on the snow-covered mountain was not on a level that could be caught just by pushing with numbers.

‘I have to just give away the heart of a monster like that?’

Since it was undoubtedly a spiritual beast, the heart it held would surely have tremendous effects.

It was only natural to worry about it even before catching it.

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