Chapter 32 : Apostle of Corruption (3)
"Hey, did you hear that rumor? Those strange guys are doing heinous things near the border?"
"Ah, I heard it from merchants who came from Volmada a while ago too. They say strange guys whose skin falls off in clumps are plotting something in the Volmada border region?"
"It is not just Volmada. They say suspicious things are happening in Nefam too."
"Oh my, if it is Volmada and Nefam, those are the countries right next to our Zodiac. Then aren't we unsafe too?"
Did they say there are no eternal secrets in this world?
Even though Alcala's apostles paid so much attention to secrecy, the abnormal events occurring in the border region were carried by the blowing wind and hovering around people's ears.
Right around that time, a fierce debate was taking place in the Reichart Inner Castle.
"Why are you hesitating so much when several suspicious signs have already been discovered in Nefam and Volmada? We must send troops right now to remove any potential threats."
"If we hastily dispatch a large-scale force in a situation where nothing is certain yet, it will only agitate the people. It is not too late to officially send troops after the situation becomes clearer."
The Pro-Family Head Knights, who wanted to dispatch troops to the border immediately to check for suspicious movements, and the Pro-Grand Madam Faction administrative officials, who said troops should not be moved hastily, were confronting each other without an inch of retreat.
"It is called a border, but in reality, the border regions of Nefam, Volmada, and our Zodiac are practically mixed together. And didn't they say Alcala's apostles were confirmed in those two countries? Then it is only a matter of time before those guys appear in our Zodiac too. Moving right now is the only way to minimize damage."
"Sir, your words are merely circumstantial evidence. Are you saying we should send troops relying simply on circumstantial evidence? Do you know how much of a massive budget is consumed for the knights to go on an expedition at once?"
The people of the territory treated it as merely floating rumors, but the high-ranking figures here already knew.
That the encroachment of Alcala's apostles had progressed significantly in Zodiac's neighboring countries, Volmada and Nefam.
'Even if the worst happens, it is a problem at the northernmost end, so there is no chance of us being directly endangered. Even if there is public agitation because of the apostles, that is a problem for the Family Head to take responsibility for, so it is not bad for us.'
The officials were inwardly thinking this and delaying the dispatch of troops day by day.
The one leading this opinion in the middle of this discussion was a young man with outstanding beauty.
"It is true that suspicious things are happening in Nefam and Volmada, but in the end, it is other countries' affairs. There is no need for us to be agitated because of other countries' problems."
It was a very cold remark, but the reason the young man's attitude did not seem frivolous was probably due to his natural charm.
Helkane, a young man whose wavy blond hair resembling Rishu's was particularly beautiful, overwhelmed the audience through his outstanding eloquence.
And the atmosphere of the meeting hall was naturally being decided not to dispatch troops under Helkane's lead.
"You must not act like that."
At that moment, the door of the meeting hall burst open and a middle-aged man revealed his appearance.
The people inside the meeting hall rose all at once and bowed their heads.
"We greet the Family Head!"
Redin, who appeared in the meeting room, threw a remark like a bolt from the blue to the Pro-Grand Madam Faction figures as soon as he sat in the chairperson's seat.
"I will dispatch an expeditionary force to the border region as soon as possible, so Sirs, please start preparations accordingly."
"Father!"
"The expeditionary force will include at least three knight orders, and I will review keeping the possibility open to draft all knight orders except Ares, so you must gather opinions as quickly as possible."
"We receive your orders. Family Head!"
The reactions shown by the figures sitting in their seats to Redin's remark were divided into extremes.
"Father, I am not unaware of your deep heart worrying about the potential damage to the people. However, dispatching more than three knight orders is……."
Thud.
Before Helkane's words could end, Redin held out a document stamped with the Family Head's seal on the meeting table, and he hurriedly examined the document.
"Do you intend to say my decision is hasty even with this?"
"……No. Father, this son's thoughts were short."
Helkane immediately bowed his head.
In the document Redin held out, the encroachment plan, which was clearly written by Alcala's apostles, was written in detail.
And in their plan, Reichart's domain was clearly included.
Since things had come to this, opposing the troop dispatch was an act with absolutely no justification, so the Pro-Grand Madam Faction including Helkane had no choice but to back down quietly.
"Since I have also reported to the capital and neighboring countries, troops will soon be dispatched to the border region from the capital as well. However, we will mobilize knights and troops ahead of them, so know this and devote yourselves to preparations."
"Understood. Family Head."
Around the time the meeting was almost finished, Redin looked at Helkane and spoke.
"Helkane, you and the Harm Knight Order will also be included in this expedition, so be prepared."
"Understood, Father."
Redin, who watched Helkane accepting his order without complaint for a moment, spoke in a voice whose intention could not be known.
"Helkane!"
"Yes. Father, please speak."
"If you go to the border region, you will be able to meet Hein there."
Helkane's pupils dilated largely upon hearing unexpected words from Redin.
"Family Head, what did you just say? You say the Young Master is there?"
"That is correct. Tower Master."
"The Young Master is in that dangerous place? Does the Young Master not have a proper escort knight order right now?"
Hearing that fact, Bolpar pressed Redin with a bewildered expression.
Hein, who should be at Haken, is at the border region alone without escort knights.
It was too dangerous.
"Tower Master, it seems you do not need to worry. Sirs, listen well too. The reason damage by Alcala has not occurred in our territory is very simple."
However, Redin continued speaking with a calm expression as if he did not care about Bolpar's worry.
"They say Hein broke the enemy's vanguard together with the Haken Knight Order. It is thanks to the hard work of Hein and his knights that the wicked groups are not able to set foot in our territory."
"Are you saying the Young Master smashed the apostles' plan?"
"Haken is there? What does this mean, Family Head."
And the reactions of the people who heard Redin's words were clearly divided.
Although they did not know the detailed reasons, the knights rejoiced at the words that Hein had established merit, and the Pro-Grand Madam Faction officials were surprised and protested at the words that Haken had left the fortress.
"The Haken Knight Order must not leave the fortress. This is a clear abuse of authority by the Young Master!"
"Abuse of authority? If it is that problem, there is no need for you to worry, Sir. Since I decided to delegate all rights regarding the Haken Knight Order to that child before Hein took office as the commander."
"You know well what kind of people Haken, Haken are, don't you, Family Head? This is too dangerous. Please reconsider that decision……."
"……."
One of the officials who could not overcome his passion raised his voice without realizing it, but immediately shut his mouth when he met Redin's sharp gaze.
"How welcome is the news that Hein, that child, established great merit in the border region?"
Perhaps intending to refresh the somewhat heavy atmosphere, Helkane opened his mouth with a voice as refreshing as his appearance.
He spoke with a cheerful voice that seemed full of sincerity.
"Actually, I also wanted to meet my younger brother as soon as possible. But to think he is already at the border region……."
Helkane met Redin's gaze, which was directed at him before he knew it, straight on without wavering and said,
"I will be waiting for the day to meet Hein with a happy heart. Father."
***
"Captain, it's all done. Cleanup is finished here and there too."
"Good work. Sir Pierce. Everyone worked hard too."
"What hard work with just this much. No, I guess we did work hard. Since I barely held back from vomiting while dealing with those disgusting bastards."
Pierce shook his head side to side and looked at the apostles' corpses that were gathered in one place and burning.
"By the way, no matter how much I think about it, our Commander is truly skilled. How on earth did he know that those heinous guys were hiding here?"
"I do not know that well either. I am just moving following the locations the Commander told us."
One week since the Haken Knight Order left the fortress.
During that time, they moved busily following Hein's orders and went around destroying the pollution bases that Alcala's apostles had built throughout the Reichart territory.
The pollution bases Haken destroyed during that time numbered as many as 20, and thanks to their activity, the Reichart territory could be safe despite Alcala's conspiracy.
"Vice-Commander, we rescued all the people trapped in the underground prison. There were about thirty people, and fortunately, thanks to us arriving not too late, everyone seems safe. Heheh."
"That is truly a fortunate thing."
And the number of territory residents they had rescued so far approached a thousand.
"Hey, you ten over there. Take these people safely to the fortress. I will tell you the meeting place later, so don't forget to check the crystal ball."
After ordering a few members to guide the rescued residents to Haken Fortress, Pierce turned his gaze to Ismael.
It was an expression asking 'Is this right, Captain?', so Ismael smiled and nodded.
"Oh my, Knights, thanks to the Knights, we survived like this. How should we repay this grace……."
Those who were waiting to become puppets while kidnapped by the apostles shed tears and offered thanks to the Haken members, and every time, the members spoke as follows.
"What thanks, look here, listen well. We only followed our Commander's orders, so give your thanks to our Commander."
"You remember clearly what our Commander's name is, right? It's Hein Reichart, Hein Reichart. Since he is the Family Head's second son, if you meet other people later, don't forget to tell them. That Hein Reichart, the Commander of the Haken Knight Order, saved our lives. Ahem!"
Thanks to the members spreading it so enthusiastically, Hein's name had become quite famous among the residents of the border region.
Of course, Hein was unaware of this fact.
"Doctor, I brought everything the Doctor mentioned. It's right to take a little bit from the strange bottles in that warehouse over there, right?"
"Yes, that is correct. Correct. Thank you. Sir Knight. And as I told you several times, I am not a doctor but an alchemist, hehe."
"I don't know about alchemists or whatever, but anyway, since you are curing us, you're a doctor, brother. Anyway, since I did the errand, I'll get going now. If you have another favor to ask, speak anytime!"
And Gabriel was engrossed in his main profession, research, in one corner of the raid site.
Originally, Gabriel vehemently opposed joining this expedition.
However, because there was a special order from Hein to accompany Gabriel without fail, he had no choice but to bite the bullet and follow the knight order.
Of course, as time passed, his grumbling gradually decreased.
The research materials he would be interested in were prepared quite handsomely in the apostles' pollution bases.
Thanks to that, his research samples were also faithfully increasing.
"Gabriel, we intend to depart soon, is the cleanup all done?"
"Ah, yes yes. Vice-Commander. I will finish right now, so you may depart."
At Ismael's words asking if departure was possible, Gabriel gathered his research materials one by one and hurriedly got on the specially made palanquin.
Soon, dozens of knights flocked around the palanquin and lifted it easily.
"Now, we are departing, so hold on tight inside, Doctor. We don't know if you tumble from shaking inside. Haha!"
The total number of members flocked around the palanquin was 50, and these were personnel Ismael specially drafted to protect the non-combatant agent Gabriel.
Thanks to them, Gabriel could move fairly safely and comfortably.
"Hey Captain, departure preparations for all personnel are finished. We can depart anytime you give the order!"
Pierce, who confirmed the members' preparations were finished, raised his voice to announce that preparations were complete.
"Now, we move. The next target is Apose Canyon. All personnel, move out!"
Ismael sent the departure signal to the members and soon pulled the horse's reins.
Neigh!
"Let's go!"
"Let's move!"
Following that, Haken's members began to run furiously following him with thunderous shouts.
***
"Stupid bastards! What on earth are you doing! To think it takes this long!"
As 'Anton', the Paladin in charge of combat among Alcala's apostles, shouted loudly, the flesh hanging on his face dangled.
Despite his relatively young age, Anton was a prospect receiving expectations from the Alcala order for his recognized strength.
The reason such an influential figure came all the way here was to check the situation of the Reichart territory where progress was unusually slow.
"Since it's full of idiots like this, the plan has to be slow."
Sighs burst out continuously from Anton's mouth.
While heading to the secret base where contact with colleagues was lost, the return of the scouts sent out for reconnaissance was delayed.
At that moment,
Boom!
A loud explosion rang out in front of the waiting group.
Anton and the 50 or so troops following him tensed up all at once.
"Bishop…… Bishop…… It is a disaster."
One of the scouts who went out for reconnaissance returned in a mangled state.
The scout, who returned in an appearance hard to even recognize, spoke in an urgent voice.
"It is a disaster. Disaster, huff, cough, disaster……."
Whether he received a great shock, the scout panted continuously without being able to make a proper report.
Eventually, Anton, who could not endure the frustration, yelled and picked up the scout.
"Stupid bastard! What on earth is such a big disaster!"
There was a power that made the surroundings ring loudly in the voice spat out by Anton, who was tempered by hard training.
"If you went out for reconnaissance, shouldn't you make a report instead of spouting nonsense!"
Anton dragged the scout in front of his eyes and pressed him with a rough voice while having eyes burning with anger.
And,
Slash.
The head that was full of loyalty for Alcala was separated from the neck as it was and flew into the air.
"Your head looks like it's going to fly off, wouldn't that be a disaster, at least for you?"
What remained behind Anton's loyalty that collapsed in vain was only a terribly dry ridicule.
"Bishop! Guk!"
"Guh!"
Three.
Until the combat priests assisting Anton realized the situation was unusual, the sacrificed combat priests numbered as many as three.
"Why are you looking at me like that?"
The scout who disposed of three people in an instant—no, it was me, Hein Reichart.
I took off the scout's robe I was wearing and threw it away.
"……Y, you dare!"
"Do you think you guys would be any different?"
Before those words could end, two more combat priests lost their lives.
After that, no more words were needed.
I plunged into the enemy lines with a sword in one hand and magic flames wrapped around the other.
"Argh!"
A feast of necks losing their owners continued.
"Phew……."
After a while, having finished the battle, I took out a canteen and wet my throat.
'Is it really that there is no training as good as actual combat?'
Was the training at Haken for the past 9 months, and the recent actual combat experience effective?
My swordsmanship had unknowingly broken through the wall of the 5th Star and entered the early stage of the 6th Star.
It was the same for magic where there was significant progress.
Although I had not completely conquered the 7th Circle yet, thanks to the completion of the seventh Mana Ring, there was no great difficulty in using most 7th Circle magic in succession.
What was more welcome was that I had regained a few useful ones among the Unique Spells achieved in my past life.
'At this level, even if beggar-like guys bother me, I can save face.'
Screech!
When I was checking the realm I regained, a blue-tinted illusion beast flew from afar.
Coo.
The illusion beast in the shape of a hawk landed on my wrist with a light movement.
A letter left by Ismael was tied to the illusion beast's ankle.
-Commander, we succeeded in sweeping away the impious groups in all points the Commander mentioned. After joining with the members who are scattered and performing the Commander's orders, we will move to the assembly point you mentioned previously soon.
'Good, looks like this side is reasonably smooth too.'
Checking the Haken Knight Order's achievement, I nodded. Whether the effect of training wasn't just for me, Haken performed my orders without a gap despite it being a quite difficult and tough schedule.
'With this, for now, there won't be any event of Alcala bastards eating away at Reichart's territory. Now, what remains is.'
My gaze headed south.
Probably by now, troops dispatched from Nefam, Volmada, and Zodiac will be coming toward here.
But for some reason, a premonition that there would be a very welcome face among those coming here hovered in my mind.
'Well, I will know when I see them in person.'
I pulled out the Family Sword and moved my steps into the forest where darkness fell again.
In the spot I left, only the silence left by the subsiding corrupt life settled heavily.