Chapter 120

My hand is on my forehead as I could feel the headache that’s budding deep within my mind .

(The Ashinto disappeared…!?)

A few days ago, it was reported that the Blood Champion Eve Speed fled from Monroy .

Duke Zuan departed from the royal capital to follow that were-leopard .

It is said that the Duke was accompanied by Ashinto in his pursuit .

(The only people remaining in that place… were the duke’s private army and the mercenaries he hired…)

It seems they couldn’t find the figures of the Ashinto anywhere near that place .

(Zuan, you bastard… Don’t tell me he had a dispute with the Ashinto…? Guh! Even though I kept on telling him to be really careful about his treatment with those fellows…!)

Something must have happened back there .

(There were only some weapons and armor left behind there… So that they could quickly leave with their horses, they left behind the heavy armors huh…)

It seems that they’ve decided that their prided sorcery would be enough even though they don’t have a weapon .

Incidentally, there were some traces that they have taken away the gold and some of the goods the others were carrying .

(According to the information I’ve obtained, Eve Speed wouldn’t have been able to defeat all of them alone no matter how much I think about it . )

Did the Ashinto join Eve’s side?

However, I can’t find any reason why they would join Eve’s side .

As I thought, I think it’s more probable that some kind of internal conflict happened within the pursuer’s ranks .

(I haven’t anticipated something like this happening…)

Duke Zuan had an excellent ability of organizing ruffians .

Is it because all of his subordinates and the people he hired were given some moderate freedom to act on their own?

Or perhaps, is it because he pays really well?

The Duke was well liked by people like that .

I valued that ability the Duke had .

Especially when it comes to negotiating with troublesome people .

I would entrust such negotiations to Duke Zuan .

The Blood Colosseum where distinguished individuals with their own idiosyncrasy gathers .

The Duke was also a part in the management of that facility .

He should have already been accustomed with the treatment he should give towards those powerful people .

Of course, I also know about the bad rumors lurking about him .

(However, the Ashinto fellows were more troublesome than I had thought . I thought it would have been fine if I entrusted them with that guy, but…)

I’ve never thought something like this would happen .

(I wanted to keep all of those who claimed that they were the one who killed the Five Dragon Warriors as my pawns in hand… Just so I could show them off towards the other countries…)

Even that Dragonslayer would end up as just another pawn in my hand after some time .

I thought that Ashinto would eventually be just another pawn of mine .

(Am I too naive, thinking something like that? Ngghhhh…! Most of all, most of all is that—)

How do I report this to the goddess?

This had to happen after the meeting at the Anti-Demon White Castle .

The Goddess had suggested that matter about the Ashinto towards me .

“As for that matter with the Ashinto, I guess I’ll leave it to Magister King’ hands, huh? Fufufu… I want you to make sure that you expose them, whether those fellows really killed the Five Dragon Warriors or not!”

The Goddess entrusted this to me .

The Goddess is relying on the King of Urza .

As evidence of that, the Vysis’ Apostle left my country just the other day .

She pulled out the observers that should have been dispatched to every country .

It could be seen as a sign that we’ve gained the goddess’ trust towards us .

Most of all…

(Even though I should be glad that eyesore lass Nyantan finally left…)

Her redeeming features were her beautiful face and her likeable body .

Her outfit was truly a feast for my eyes .

However, I would only get tired after looking at her if you put those features aside .

I can’t find any hint of etiquettes within her movements .

Her cold eyes that look as if she could see through anything .

There’s no warmth in her behaviour even towards me, the king of this country .

She became nothing but a first-rate eyesore .

However, I can’t do anything to her .

I heard that she’s special even amongst Vysis’ Apostles .

I don’t know what kind of retaliation they would do once I extend my hand towards her .

(Nngggghhh… It’s possible they would dispatch that annoying Nyantan to this place again . )

I firmly grasped the report I’ve received .

(When she was here, I always felt like I’m being monitored all the time and it really feels uncomfortable . . Uuuuhhh . . )

There’s no other choice but to find the Ashinto and renegotiate with them .

They have annihilated the Duke’s private army, including Costello .

I heard that there’s also famous mercenaries mixed along with them .

(As for the matter of killing the Five Dragon Warriors, I intend to take some time to verify whether it was really the truth or not but…)

There is no longer any room for doubt .

Their ability to kill the Five Dragon Warriors were the real deal .

It would be difficult even if I were to send my Magic Knights to deal with them .

(Though I say that, it would also be difficult for me to call back the Dragonslayer from the Goddess…)

[Umm… My King, what should we do?]

I became startled .

I forgot that my retainers were still nearby .

In a hurry to keep up appearances, I covered my eyes with one of my hands .

[Umu… I was just a bit shocked by the death of Duke Zuan… However, it’s alright now . ]

[And then, about this matter about the Ashinto… How should we report this to Alion?]

Cold sweat began dropping behind my back .

[We must report it immediately… It would be even worse if they were to find out later that we didn’t immediately report it…]

The Goddess is a really terrifying existen