[Translator - Pot ]

[Proofreader - Kawaii ]

Chapter 297: The Fruits of Vengeance

Cleaning up was not difficult.

"Grimnar Angantyr is dead. Throw down your weapons!"

The mountain people, having lost their king, surrendered all at once, as if they were relieved.

"We surrender."

"We ask for mercy."

Some accepted their fate calmly.

"Th-thank you. Oh, liberator."

"It feels like we've been freed from tyranny."

There were even those who welcomed defeat.

"...Lordstir has fallen."

"He lost? I can't understand it."

Many, having lived like slaves, could not believe their master's defeat.

"Then we will pay for our sins."

"Lord Allenvert will not forgive us."

Others were terrified by the fact that the time had come to pay for their karma.

"Do not be afraid."

The one who reassured them was the old king's elder brother, the great elder Balthazar Eisenach.

"Only those who have truly sinned will be held accountable, and I, Balthazar, will oversee the process."

Balthazar spoke with the severity of an autumn frost.

"If you are truly innocent, you have no need to fear retribution."

Is there anything sweeter to the defeated than the mercy of the victor? With that one statement, the submission of the Angantyr clan was easily achieved.

"La-Lady Rudgarda."

"So you were all alive."

"You have finally returned."

"Yes. Abandoned by my father, I have returned after surviving somehow as a hostage."

Much like the retainers of ancient kingdoms.

The abandoned princess had returned.

"The position of Lordstir will rightfully return to the Eisenach. However, I will take responsibility for the remaining clan members."

"This is truly a moving moment. That we are finally reunited."

Rudgarda smiled bitterly at the weeping vassals of Angantyr.

"I have spent seven long, dark nights where the only driving force in my life was the thirst for revenge."

If it weren't for Allenvert, her revenge would have been impossible.

"You have all endured well in your respective positions."

"We will serve you as our new matriarch."

"Yes, but before that-"

Rudgarda knew.

She knew who in the clan could be trusted and who was a villain deserving of death.

"The sins of the family and clan must be washed away with blood. The price for the rage and resentment of the Eisenach, and for the tyranny wielded against the mountain people, must be paid."

***

A day passed.

In truth, there wasn't much for me to do in the aftermath.

Regeron, an agent of the Shadow Division, negotiated 'Grunewald's position' with Balthazar, while Rudgarda took the lead in weeding out the survivors of the Angantyr side.

During that time, Ulbhild, Zizek, Nagan, and I tended to and healed the wounded, and discussed the route of advance toward Count Webern's domain.

"The Angantyr clan requests to surrender to Lord Allenvert Grunewald."

Grimnar's brother, who had been living in confinement, knelt before me, old and powerless.

"We will entrust the position of the next head of the family to Grimnar Angantyr's daughter, Rudgarda Angantyr, and will humbly accept any punishment."

The gazes of the mountain people on me were filled with fear.

It was only natural.

Grimnar Angantyr, who had ruled them with terror, was defeated by the power of just four people, including me, and died without even leaving a corpse behind.

"...Listen."

I spoke with a voice full of dignity.

"Your command."

Seeing the fear of the prostrated mountain people, I felt power and authority settle on my shoulders.

"I am a child of Eisenach, but I am also a child of Grunewald. I have avenged my maternal clan with the sword, but-"

I looked at Knut and said.

"The title King of the Mountain suits my brother Knut better. He is a man who has built his strength leading his clan through the nights of Grunewald, and is destined to be called the future King of Fists."

Knut stepped forward and spoke.

"Allenvert. I will become Lordstir, so you shall become the Duke of Grunewald."

The young king continued.

"Virgenhrid will thereby rightfully be your domain, and also the fiefdom you have granted me."

This was Knut's declaration that he would become my vassal.

"Granduncle, please assist my brother as an elder of the Eisenach once more, just as you did seven years ago."

Balthazar smiled faintly.

"Will that be alright? Until just a moment ago, I was an elder of the Bisakino Brotherhood."

At that, the young leader, Nagan, quickly said.

"Please don't worry. We have received much guidance, so we can manage well enough on our own."

Zizek also added with a bittersweet expression.

"We truly learned a lot thanks to you, Elder."

At this moment, Rudgarda also stepped forward.

"After I have fulfilled my duty with the Special Operations Division, I wish to return to Virgenhrid with your Lordship's blessing in the future."

"As a victor, after all the wars have ended?"

I grinned.

"Your ambition is great."

"But of course."

Rudgarda corrected her posture and knelt on one knee, showing the courtesy of a vassal to their lord.

"Though we were once bound by a blood oath, I will now become your vassal and your sword."

This was also the price she was paying to me for completing her revenge.

"...In this moment."

Ulbhild placed a hand on my shoulder.

"Your influence has surpassed that of my brother Verdzig, Allen."

I smiled at her words.

"My martial prowess should now be at least his equal."

By absorbing the deadly poison that Grimnar had accumulated over a lifetime, I had entered the third stage of the Ink Soul Sacred Shadow Technique.

Now, I was certainly a worthy opponent for the Verdzig in my memory.

"And from now on, I will try to surpass my brother."

Eldarkion Eisenach.

The peerless divine martial art, passed down to a single successor, left by the man who was once a great enemy of the old empire, lay dormant somewhere in this mountain.

***

"Knut, look at that."

We entered the clan's vault, which Grimnar Angantyr had seized.

"So much of the long-hoarded wealth has been emptied. To think he used it all for his own protection."

Balthazar clicked his tongue.

"There were many more valuable ways to use that wealth than just acquiring poisons, buying artifacts, and purchasing weapons. The man who claimed he hated the mountain people being tainted by the 'plainsfolk' was certainly trading well behind the scenes."

Indeed, the equipment of the warriors we fought was quite good.

'That's not something that could be done by the craftsmen within the mountain tribes alone.'

Making armor from the hides of magical beasts or monsters was one thing, but smelting the byproducts from monster carcasses and various rare minerals, especially high-quality steel, to create longswords, was beyond their technological capabilities.

"It is a futile thing. To think he rampaged on about protecting his own safety, only to be completely annihilated in the end without even a piece of his corpse remaining."

Knut sneered.

"It is a fitting end for a man who was only interested in sitting on the throne and protecting it."

I agreed with that.

"In the end, he should have deeply contemplated what he would achieve while sitting in that position."

We continued deeper into the vault, conversing.

"I must take you, granduncle, brother Knut, and Rudgarda with me."

Now it was time to consider how to stand against the 3rd Prince, the clan of Montera, and the Black Society.

"Do so. Don't worry about this place."

"Understood."

"A ship to go up the Lindela River is already being prepared. It's a boat Angantyr used for piracy and trade. It's low and fast, so it should be enough to make it in the expected time."

While discussing the current issues, we examined a very old vault, one of a style quite different from Grunewald's.

'It's strangely built.'

I knew nothing about architecture, but I could tell it was built based on a naturally occurring cave.

"Allen, this way."

We continued into a place where almost no light penetrated.

"In the deepest, most secret part of the vault, a place that no one but I knows of now-"

Balthazar said.

"Lies the secret manual of the martial art our ancestor left behind, Silent Night Soul-Soaking Divine Art."

Balthazar took something out from his robe.

"Without this key, the vault will not open."

It is a joyous thing that the fruits of vengeance are this sweet.

'But my revenge has only reached the halfway point.'

The fruits that will come when all my vengeance is complete will be even sweeter than this.

***

"Your Highness the 3rd Prince, urgent news."

The 3rd Prince of the Litvaleur royal family, and the man who joined hands with the Black Society for the next throne.

Boldunhar Litvaleur lifted his head.

"His Highness the 1st Prince, no, the 1st Prince's army has moved."

"What? To where?"

"Humus Harbor."

"...Why there?"

The 3rd Prince frowned.

"How unexpected. Does he dare to divide his forces when he's already struggling to handle our offensive?"

Then, a vassal cautiously asked.

"Could it be related to the 8th Prince?"

"It must be, that cunning bastard."

The 3rd Prince thought of his younger brother who had shaken off his pursuit and finally fled to the Grunewald Duchy.

"It's about time he put some scheme into action."

The only sibling he was wary of was the 8th Prince.

"That's right. Besides, with Allenvert on the move like that, it's strange that Verdzig is being too quiet."

"...Don't tell me?"

The 3rd Prince was greedy, but he was no fool.

There was no way he wouldn't understand his subordinate's cautious concern.

"How far has my brother's army gone?"

"We are currently assessing. However, since they departed a day ago, it will be difficult to catch up even if we leave now."

"This is fucking bullshit!"

The 3rd Prince slammed his fist on the table.

"That damn raccoon is interfering with me after all. He must be trying to seize the port to land Verdzig's forces."

"You need not be so displeased."

Lavinia, who was the 1st Princess but now openly acted as the 3rd Prince's lover, spoke.

"My father is already leading his army down. The moment the Tiger of the North roars, everything will be over. How can the tide be turned just because someone like Verdzig lands a small army?"

"...Of course, if my 'father-in-law' steps in, it will be so."

The 3rd Prince replied.

"But matters of state must be handled with caution upon caution. We must not take even small variables lightly."

He turned to his vassals and gave an order.

"Send an urgent message to the garrison defending the port. Tell them to be fully prepared for an attack from the rear, not the coastline."

"Understood."

"And-"

He looked at the executive of the Black Society, his biggest supporter alongside the Duke of Montera.

"You all will have to step up as well. It would be good if you could support us with troops."

The man in black replied in a calm voice.

"Of course. Your Highness need not worry."

"...Time is not on our side. We need to end this quickly."

"Of course, I know."

This was already a fight to become king or fail and die.

'Grunewald, Grunewald.'

He never thought the 8th Prince would ask Grunewald for help.

'Things have become annoyingly complicated.'

Originally, he would have ended the war in one fell swoop with the help of the Duke of Montera, but-

'Allenvert and Verdzig. If those bastards intervene, there's no telling what will happen.'

He was not foolish enough to openly show his anxiety in front of his subordinates.

However, his hands were quietly becoming drenched in cold sweat.

[Translator - Pot ]

[Proofreader - Kawaii ]