Chapter 41

Ian sat astride the bed and tightened the straps of his cuirass.

The stifling sense of unity he hadn't felt in days.

He sighed and looked at the items laid out before him.

Shoulder guards, greaves, arm guards, and gloves. Boots and other equipment.

As befitting the servants of a knightly household, they had cleaned and polished the items to a shine, but for some reason, he felt no joy at all.

Suddenly, he was reminded of the morning of his reserve duty.

The memory of feeling drained and sluggish just from putting on the uniform.

That was exactly how he felt now.

"...It's closer to re-enlistment than reserve duty, though."

Even the day of his discharge was unknown. Damn.

Despite his complicated inner thoughts, his body mechanically put on the equipment in precise positions.

Without any help, Ian returned to his usual appearance in just a few minutes.

Daggers and throwing knives were secured across his body and on his waist.

These throwing knives were new additions from Ondel.

After a few test throws, he found their accuracy to be surprisingly high.

Though his agility stats weren't high, his mental strength and focus traits clearly played a supporting role.

After turning his body to check everything, he finally picked up the Sword of Judgment, which he had leaned against the head of the bed.

That was the end of his preparations.

"...I think I've accumulated enough skill points to use them. After this is over, I'll seriously consider it..."

As he sat on the bed, continuing his personal musings.

Knock knock.

The door opened with a knock.

Philip poked his head in.

"It seems you can come in, sir."

It's a familiar scene.

Thinking this, Ian left the room.

Passing through the corridor with a view of the garden, he stopped in front of the study.

Philip opened the door.

Meb sat in the main seat, and the men lined up on either side of the table were revealed.

"..."

"..."

Their gazes focused on Ian.

Ian calmly entered the room.

Click. As the door closed, Meb spoke.

"Let me introduce you. This is Ian Hope, the assistant I mentioned. He is the mercenary I trust the most and the real mastermind behind the events you've heard about."

The men's gazes swept over Ian.

The emotions in their eyes were more openly conveyed.

Familiar things to him.

Curiosity. Caution. Competitive spirit and distrust.

Meb's voice continued.

"And these are the members of the Royal Guard, Ian. I've personally selected the most trustworthy among them."

Ian nodded and finally turned to look at the men.

A total of seven. Their reactions varied when their eyes met his, but none of them looked away.

"The explanation of the current situation is complete. They will assist us."

"Have you also explained your plan, sir?"

"Simply."

"Hmm..."

Ian nodded and moved.

He slowly circled around the members.

A strange tension spread.

With a leisurely gaze, he scanned each of them and spoke.

"Protect the king you serve. That is all you need to do in this plan."

"..."

"..."

Some of their eyes showed overt displeasure.

Clearly, they didn't like being told this by a mere mercenary.

They probably didn't fully believe what they had heard from Meb.

If Ian truly had such skills, he wouldn't have a reason to wander.

Their inner thoughts were visible, but Ian continued without hesitation.

"And do not reveal anything discussed here, not even to your family. There is no option to refuse."

"What if we refuse?"

Someone spoke up.

A young man who had been sending competitive glances.

Tension appeared on Miguel's face, standing behind Meb, and a chill ran through Philip's eyes, standing by the door.

Ian smiled.

"You'll die. You're asking an obvious question."

"What...?"

The young man's brow furrowed.

Though he didn't speak, the other members' eyes sharpened.

If Meb weren't there, they would have drawn their swords immediately.

Miguel's lips twitched as if he wanted to stop them.

Only Ian and Meb showed no signs of disturbance.

Ian continued.

"If the plan fails, I won't suffer. I can just leave this country. Those who will suffer are the ones left behind, you and the people of this country."

"If we follow the plan, can we prevent all this tragedy?"

A middle-aged member, who had been pressing the young man's shoulder, spoke.

Ian shrugged.

"Maybe. But at least, we can prevent this country from falling into the hands of the corrupt."

"Is there really... so many traitors hiding in Agel Ran?"

The young man, barely suppressing his emotions, spat out.

Ian approached the table.

Leaning against the back of a chair where one of the members sat, he said,

"There is. One is even in this room."

"..."

"Sir, step back."

The young man's brow furrowed, and almost simultaneously, Ian drew his dagger.

Crack!

The dagger embedded itself between the neck and shoulder of the man sitting in front of him.

"Aaaah- Uh?"

Before the scream could end, Ian grabbed the man's hair with his left hand and slammed him onto the table.

Bang! Bang! Bang! Crack!

Blood splattered, and the table shattered after a few hits.

Ian pinned the man's head to the floor with one knee and drew the Sword of Judgment.

As he gripped the sword with both hands and raised it.

Smack!

Someone lunged to stop him.

It was the young man, who had been slammed into the wall.

The man, with a face full of anger, threw a punch at Ian.

Ian turned his head and deflected the punch with his left hand, momentarily considering whether to stab the man in the stomach.

Deciding not to, he kicked the man in the stomach instead.

The young member, who was thrown to the ground, gritted his teeth.

"You crazy bastard...! You son of a bitch, Roten! Look at this! This guy is...?"

His voice trailed off.

His gaze turned to the other members.

Though they glared at Ian with murderous intent, that was all they did.

The young member, Jonathan, finally realized Meb had stopped them, and he frowned.

"Ha..."

Sighing, Ian stood up and said coldly,

"I'll say it again. Everyone, step back."

Just as the atmosphere was about to turn more hostile.

"Cough...! Cough, cough... Gasp... Gasp..."

The battered Roten coughed up blood.

His groans quickly turned into strange convulsions.

"Ro, Roten...?"

The members' faces finally showed panic.

Philip's expression hardened at that moment.

"Step back. Now."

"!"

Finally, they all took a step back.

In the meantime, Roten rose, his body bent like a bow.

"Gasp... Gasp..."

His bloodshot eyes rolled up, and purple veins bulged across his body.

From his outstretched fingertips, a chilling bone-cracking sound spread.

Whoosh-

A blue light spread from Ian's sword.

"Divine power...? How...?"

Shock spread across the faces of some members.

Ian, who had charged at Roten, struck with his sword.

Swoosh-

Roten's body, which was transforming, split diagonally from shoulder to hip.

Thud, the severed upper body fell to the ground, and the lower half collapsed, spewing blood and entrails.

Holding the sword, which still glowed with divine power, Ian turned to the members standing against the wall.

"Corruptors like this one can reveal their true form involuntarily. They can be easily killed during this transformation. Cutting off their head is the simplest method."

His calm voice continued, out of place with the situation.

"Even higher-level corruptors need to concentrate to reveal their true form. If you notice something strange, don't panic and strike immediately."

"..."

"True corruptors can freely change their form and have means to defend themselves. If you encounter them, run. Your skills are not enough to face them."

Ian lightly furrowed his brow.

"Understood?"

"Yes, yes...!"

"...Understood."

The members finally nodded.

"Cough... Ah... Ah..."

At that moment, Roten, who had been coughing up blood, groaned.

Despite being cut in half and his wounds burning, he was still alive.

This fact was certainly not a blessing to him.

"..."

Meb, looking down at him with a cold gaze, drew the sword on her desk.

Red divine power spread through her grip.

"!"

The members' eyes widened again.

They knew her divine power was blue.

But red, and even sinister.

Meb, who had stopped in front of Roten, struck without a word.

Swoosh.

Roten's head was cleanly severed.

Meb, turning her gaze emotionlessly, looked at Ian.

"I'm ashamed. I thought I had chosen well."

"They likely sent a lackey, knowing there might be one among you. They needed to monitor you somehow. They probably didn't know I could distinguish them."

Ian said nonchalantly.

He had requested this meeting to identify any corruptors who might be among them.

Meb, nodding, turned to the members.

Her gaze was as cold as ice, unlike when she looked at Ian.

"As you can see, Ian is a paladin recognized by the righteous goddess. She wouldn't bless him if he were unworthy. Also, I am not the Avenger of Judgment but the Avenger of Vengeance. All corruptors in Agel Ran are targets of my vengeance. If anyone still doubts, speak now."

"...I do not doubt."

Starting with the middle-aged member, the responses followed one by one.

"I do not doubt."

Finally, Jonathan, who had bowed to Ian, said,

"I sincerely apologize for the misunderstanding and rudeness. I will accept any punishment."

What a knight.

Ian, who had smirked at his formal tone and expression, nodded.

"Follow what I've said."

"...Of course. Sir..."

"Call me Ian."

"Yes, Sir Ian. I will serve with all my heart."

I'm not a sir.

Ian, who chuckled, exchanged a glance with Meb and nodded.

"Then let's get back to the main topic. When the meeting is called, I'll explain how you should act."

The knights nodded.

Their faces were solemn, without a trace of a smile.

They finally realized what they were protecting the king from.

***

By the time the meeting ended and everyone had left, it was already midnight.

While Philip and Miguel dealt with the body and the servants cleaned the bloodstains,

Ian and Meb stood in the garden.

"If they do their job, things will be easier."

"Having confirmed the existence of corruptors, they won't betray us."

Ian, nodding, suddenly stopped his gaze at the end of the corridor.

Lucia, who had been looking at him, immediately turned away.

"Oh, right. I haven't introduced you to that girl."

Meb, looking at the same spot, said.

Ian shook his head.

"I've already met her. She even came to see me."

"Came to see you...? For what?"

"To protect you, she said."

Meb, who seemed surprised, opened her mouth.

Ian smirked.

"You must have looked pretty precarious."

"...It's hard to imagine. She rarely shows her true feelings."

"That's probably because she thinks she's cursed."

"Cursed...?"

"That's right. A curse that makes everyone she loves die."

Ian looked at Meb, who raised her eyebrows.

"Maybe that's why she doesn't show her true feelings."

"..."

Sympathy and tenderness flashed in Meb's eyes.

Ah, here we go again with the dramatic backstory.

Ian, sensing it, said,

"Anyway, we don't have much time. We need to start before the duke realizes the connection between Ondel's rebellion and you."

Meb's expression darkened.

Ian added quietly,

"If he discovers undeniable evidence, we don't know what he'll do."

"...I see. I'll move as soon as it's light."

However, the meeting was scheduled for two more days.