Chapter 51: Kasmask (1)

The gentle waves that washed up on the shore left a trail of foam before subsiding. The sea was calm.

Kalin gazed at the coastline, squinting his eyes due to the sunlight reflecting off the water.

Now eighteen, he had grown taller and his appearance had matured.

The salty breeze swept through his hair. Kalin was delighted to see the sea.

It had been almost six years since he last saw the sea on Earth.

Islands dotted the vast horizon. They were part of the Western Archipelago he had seen in the game.

There would surely be more islands further out.

"Kalin, I’ve booked our accommodation and told them to prepare lunch. How about we get moving right away?"

"No. Since we just arrived, let’s take it easy. We’re two days ahead of schedule, so we’ll rest today and start tomorrow."

"Alright."

Tun Zaha stood beside Kalin. The vast sea seemed to fill his heart.

It had been a long time since he last saw the western sea. The depth of his contemplation matched the years he had lived.

It had been half a year since he started moving with the child who saved his life two years ago.

Kalin was the leader, and Tun Zaha was under him.

—Prioritize Kalin’s life in any situation.

This was a direct order from the intelligence chief.

At first, he was taken aback. The child had saved his life, but he was only seventeen, after all.

However, his thoughts changed with the first mission.

In the six months since turning eighteen, the child’s judgment and ability to read situations were truly impressive.

Intelligence agents are broadly divided into three categories: field, brain, and those who can do both.

While it’s impossible to specialize in just one, there are inevitably areas of expertise.

Specialized agents are respected, but those who can do both have more opportunities to advance.

Kalin excelled in both.

Thus, Tun Zaha now fully understood the intelligence chief’s intentions.

"Is this your first time seeing the sea?"

"Yes."

They were in the western part of the continent, slightly north of the western region.

The southern plains of the western region, bordering the Great Forest, were home to natives like Cedric.

Tun Zaha felt that Kalin’s smile in response was somewhat enigmatic, but he didn’t pay much attention.

"Seeing the sea for the first time is quite a sight. It’s a magnificent view. I haven’t seen the western sea in a long time."

"How long has it been?"

"Let’s see. Fifteen years? Seventeen years? I can’t quite remember."

Kalin sensed the years of experience in Tun Zaha’s indifferent words.

He thought it would be fine to ask about what happened during that time.

"What kind of mission was it?"

"Hmm. Was it to kill someone? Or to observe? I can’t remember. Only the sea I saw back then remains in my memory."

"It doesn’t seem like it was a particularly difficult mission."

"Right. If it had been difficult, I would have remembered it."

Tun Zaha shrugged.

"But I was definitely annoyed. I’ve never liked coming to the west, even then or now."

Kalin chuckled. He could somewhat relate.

The western region of the continent. A place where a dozen or so minor kingdoms are densely packed. Wars break out almost daily.

It’s a chaotic region where, over a long period, one kingdom disappears and a new one emerges.

In fact, there have been a few times when unification almost happened, but external interference prevented it.

The Empire and nearby kingdoms have been working together to hinder the unification of the west.

If someone gains an advantage, they support the opposite side.

'Unification of the west would just create another headache.'

Moreover, the barbarians living in the Western Archipelago are a problem. Well, they’re not exactly barbarians.

Think of them as similar to the old Vikings on Earth.

Due to the lack of resources on the archipelago, they raid nearby kingdoms.

The chaotic situation in the west can’t stop this.

"Even after a few years, the territory changes, which is a real headache for someone like me."

"But you’ve memorized everything, haven’t you?"

"It’s just a hassle. You’ll understand when you’re my age. It’s a pain in the neck."

This was why Kalin could relate. The western region is one of the most avoided areas in the Haisen Intelligence Agency.

There are too many changes.

When assigned a mission to blend in with the locals, how many pieces of information do you need to memorize?

The history of this complex region, the sentiments of the locals.

Fortunately, this time they came as mercenaries, so there was no room for suspicion.

Currently, most mercenary groups are in the west.

'It started two years ago.'

The Empire is about to face a succession struggle among the princes.

With internal turmoil, they are trying to reduce external problems by inciting conflicts across the continent.

The west was just the beginning, and Haisen couldn’t avoid it. They had to endure it, even knowing it.

If the Empire shows favor to Altena Temerjan, Haisen will suffer.

Inevitably, other kingdoms will compete.

However, there is one discrepancy: the chaos in the west is spreading more than the Empire intended.

'Heroes emerge in troubled times.'

The second prince of Rohalak successfully overthrew the old and sick king and his elder brother, with the Empire’s support, but he also had his own abilities.

To prevent internal turmoil, he turned his attention outward and first hired large mercenary groups.

Thanks to this, he has already annexed two kingdoms.

He’s not a good person, though. He doesn’t hesitate to carry out massacres.

In fact, he is the one who will create the ruler of the Western Archipelago.

'I hope I can meet him this time.'

Kalin came here to select individuals or groups that Haisen could support.

Not all of Haisen’s information comes from their own agents.

For various reasons, in places where Haisen can’t exert significant influence or where it’s not necessary, they use cooperative groups.

Essential information must be obtained.

'In a sense, they’re like subcontractors.'

This time, he came to find such a cooperative group.

There are candidates, but the information is indirect. He needed to observe and judge whether they could be trusted.

"How about it? Do you have anyone in mind?"

"I’m not sure. I need to observe them directly."

"Those Empire guys sure make things complicated."

"There’s nothing we can do."

All the previous cooperative groups had failed. The information about the Empire supporting the prince of Rohalak was the last straw.

Unfortunately, they were all in Rohalak and nearby kingdoms.

In any case, Kalin hoped to meet the future ruler of the Western Archipelago through this mission.

He doesn’t know what he’s doing now, but he is from the kingdom of Laspal, where Kalin is now.

"Are you going to the Empire after this mission?"

"Yes."

Kalin nodded. It took quite a while. Seven months were added to the originally promised one year.

But he wasn’t anxious.

There are still five years until the start of the game.

He had time. After experiencing it, he thought building a career this way wasn’t bad.

A lot has happened in the meantime.

The Heid Mercenary Group became a large mercenary group in the north, and Haisen confirmed the existence of demon worshippers.

Although he didn’t delve deeply, Kalin thought this was enough.

It means the actions of the intelligence chief under the Empire are restricted.

'What is the duke preparing?'

When the promised year was over, Hafan Brusek asked him to wait a little longer.

He was planning an important mission. Kalin was curious about what it was, but he had no specific guesses.

"Are you coming with me?"

"I don’t know. I just follow the duke’s orders."

Kalin asked just in case, but Tun Zaha only shook his head. Kalin quickly lost interest.

"Tun, I have a favor to ask."

"Just say it. You’re the leader."

"No. It’s a favor. It might be a bit separate from the mission."

Tun Zaha looked at Kalin with a puzzled expression. Separate from the mission...

Agents sometimes do side jobs in their free time, but this was the first time Kalin had mentioned it.

"I’ll think about it."

"Find Kasmask, Kasmask Rodrigo, for me. Don’t tell the other agents."

"Rodrigo?"

"Yes."

"Do you know him? I don’t see him on the candidate list."

Kalin sensed something odd in Tun Zaha’s words. He seemed to know something.

"I’ll tell you after I find him."

"There might be no need to find him."

"Excuse me?"

Tun Zaha smiled.

"He seems quite famous. When I went to book our accommodation, I heard some thugs cursing Rodrigo."

What? So soon? Kalin was surprised at how easily things were going.

He wondered if he should have even brought it up. He had prepared an excuse, but he could have found out on his own.

"Let’s go. I’ll look for him."

* * *

Finding the location of the Rodrigo that Tun Zaha mentioned wasn’t difficult.

He was more famous than expected. He got the information from a street urchin for a few coins.

In any case, it wasn’t the Kasmask Rodrigo he was looking for, but there was definitely a connection.

Josh Rodrigo, the older brother of Kasmask Rodrigo.

The Rodrigo family.

A family of about fifteen, including relatives, who worked in fishing and ran a tavern.

'I didn’t expect such a large family.'

The reason the thugs mentioned the Rodrigo family was simple.

People who were focused on fishing recently started smuggling, encroaching on their territory.

In places with chaos and poor security, such gangs naturally appear.

The Rodrigo family was new to this business.

'This is good.'

He came to find individuals or groups that could become cooperative partners.

The Rodrigo family would definitely thrive as long as Kasmask was around.

Something would definitely happen in the future. The Kasmask Rodrigo he knew was alone.

Thinking the opposite way, this was an opportunity to build a relationship with Kasmask.

If he could protect their family later, he could become a benefactor.

This mission might end faster than expected.

'Convincing Tun won’t be a problem.'

They were just starting a criminal organization. They probably believed in Kasmask Rodrigo’s strength...

But this is our territory as professionals.

It shouldn’t be difficult to bring the Rodrigo family on board. There’s no need to worry about the other side.

I know Kasmask, the future ruler of the Western Archipelago.

He valued promises and loyalty.

In the long term, this was an opportunity to establish a connection with the actual ruler of the west.

'I should meet him before talking to Tun.'

How should I approach him? He didn’t really think he would meet the real Kasmask.

Be honest. Considering Kasmask’s personality, that would be best.

It took less than ten minutes to find Kasmask. He was drinking at the Rodrigo family’s tavern.

Ding— The bell at the tavern door rang, and the people inside glanced at me.

Kasmask was sitting at the bar. As I approached, their gazes became more intense.

At 22, Kasmask looked younger than in the game. Of course, it was just his face.

At 195 cm, Kasmask was taller than me even when sitting.

His long hair, tied back, reached his shoulders, and he had a tattoo on his shaved side.

"Kasmask Rodrigo, right?"

"Who’s asking?"

"I’m here to make a proposal that will benefit you. I’d like to talk about some business."

"You’re the one asking about the Rodrigo family, aren’t you?"

Kasmask smirked and waved his hand back. The tavern became noisy again.

I was a bit surprised.

Was he more cautious than I thought? Or maybe the kid was from the Rodrigo family.

"Get lost, kid. You look like an outsider. This isn’t a place for kids to play mercenary. It’s a place for sea men to rest."

When I looked at him silently, Kasmask placed a large hand on my shoulder.

"Get out while you can. What should I think when a kid who looks under twenty starts asking about us and then wants to talk business?"

"I’d be curious."

"…Do we look like fools to you?"

"Maybe. But it’s you who’s making me look foolish."

Kasmask’s grip on my shoulder tightened. It was quite painful, as if he was a named character.

I grabbed his hand with my right hand. A brief struggle. Kasmask looked a bit surprised.

"You should hear me out before making judgments."

"Right. You’re right. I did make you look foolish."

Kasmask smirked, looking amused. Maybe I passed the first test.

He scanned me with an interested gaze.

"Another drink."

Kasmask waved to the tavern owner. Soon, a strong drink was placed in front of me.

His eyes pointed to the glass. It wasn’t a challenge. I lifted the glass and drank, feeling the warmth slide down my throat.

"In return, I need to check if you’re useful first."

"I’m all for it. How?"

"I’m looking for someone."

Kasmask whispered, unusually softly. I smiled and asked, knowing it was my specialty.

"It won’t take long. What’s the name?"