Chapter 36

The mansion of Count Obock was located on the central side of the city of Ainzas. Due to the legacy of the times when wars were frequent, the buildings were arranged in a circle to form a wall, preventing enemies from invading. As a result, the central area would be the safest place in case of war. This had been the case for generations, not just in the current era. However, to Lamber, it seemed like a symbol of Count Obock's obsession with self-preservation.

Beyond the massive outer wall, the elegant white building could be seen. Though only two stories high, it was wide and sprawling, giving it a castle-like grandeur.

Lamber stopped and stared at the mansion of Count Obock.

"Now, where should I attack from? If Almer knows any secret passages, it would be ideal, but there's not enough time to get accurate information. For all I know, what Germaine is going through right now is anyone's guess."

Almer, the survivor of the covert unit 'Dagger of the Night,' who had been walking in front of Lamber, thought that this might be the last good opportunity. He had been threatened by Lamber and brought to this point, but even if they tried to break in with just the two of them, it was clear they would be captured in no time.

The mansion of Count Obock had a basement. The interior was quite different from the opulent upper floors. Most of it was just a storage area, but part of it was a torture chamber. Officially, it was for intimidating enemies and punishing traitors, but in reality, it was largely due to Count Obock's personal interests.

Almer absolutely did not want to be taken to that room. However, if he continued to assist Lamber in this reckless assault, it was almost certain that he would end up there.

If he tried to escape, Lamber would kill him on the spot. Almer, who had seen Lamber's quick movements and agility, knew he wouldn't be able to escape. On the other hand, if he followed, he would be taken by Count Obock's subordinates to the torture chamber.

(…There's no choice but to act here.)

If he could kill Lamber, it would be a service to Count Obock. It would even be a merit. Lamber seemed to be completely off guard against Almer.

Almer stood in Lamber's blind spot, put his hand in his pocket, and gripped the silver needle he had hidden.

(I have to finish this in one shot.)

Almer held his breath and considered where to strike Lamber. However, the more he looked, the more he realized there were no gaps in the magic metal armor. At best, he could aim for the knee joint to disable Lamber's legs and escape.

Moreover, Almer began to doubt whether the silver needle would even work on this man. Even the silver needle launched from a blind spot by the captain of 'Dagger of the Night,' Hailzart, had been easily deflected by Lamber. Almer's needle combat techniques were taught by Hailzart. Could he succeed where his master had failed?

Sweat appeared on Almer's hand. Just as he swallowed hard, Lamber turned to look at him. Almer's shoulders trembled, and he averted his eyes.

"N-nothing..."

Just as Almer tried to justify himself, Lamber spoke.

"Of course, I didn't feel any killing intent."

Almer felt all the strength leave his body. He realized he had already given up on killing the man in front of him before he even gripped the needle.

"There's a torture chamber underground, you said. Where is Count Obock?"

"At this time... he's either in the torture chamber or the office."

Almer had already given up on lying to Lamber.

(The torture chamber is likely where Germaine and the other members of 'Twilight of the Spirits' are being held, but... it might be better to prioritize Count Obock. If we can take care of the count, the rest will fall into place. Conversely, even if we rescue them, if we let Count Obock escape, it will just be a delay.)

"...It's impossible to assassinate the count. There are indeed secret entrances and emergency escape routes, but they are all guarded. No matter where we enter, we'll be surrounded by the count's subordinates immediately."

"I expected as much. If it's the same no matter where we enter, it doesn't matter if we go in through the front."

"Y-yes... what?"

Lamber turned his back to Almer and started walking towards the main gate.

"Come on, hurry up. I intend to have you guide me inside. We can't afford to get lost."

"I-I don't think... if we go in from there... we'll be surrounded in no time..."

"You said it yourself, it doesn't matter where we enter. If we're going to be found anyway, it's better to go in through the front and capture them before they can escape. We're at a disadvantage in terms of terrain."

Lamber, as he declared, forcibly dragged the reluctant Almer and entered through the main gate. The gatekeeper immediately noticed and approached Lamber, switching his spear to point the blade at him.

"Who are you! Do you know this is the mansion of Count Obock?!"

Lamber pulled his arm back and thrust his large sword, still in its scabbard, at the gatekeeper. The tip of the scabbard pierced the gatekeeper's chest and sent him flying backward.

"Gah!"

The man hit the wall and spat blood. Lamber had only intended to push him lightly, but the man had been impaled by a metal block and his sternum crushed.

"Of course. I came here to see the count."

Lamber said this casually. The commotion quickly spread, and Count Obock's private soldiers appeared from all directions, running towards Lamber. Nearly thirty soldiers surrounded Lamber and Almer.

"That's why! That's why I said it was so reckless!"

Almer, despite recognizing his position, couldn't help but complain.

"Well, well, the large man in the armor and... isn't that Almer from the covert unit? So, 'Dragon of Mithril' failed, did he? You're together, so you must have betrayed, right?"

The one who spoke to Lamber was a tall man with an all-back hairstyle and black hair, standing at the back of the soldiers. He had a handsome face, but his eyes betrayed a cruel nature.

"M-Markido!? Of all people..."

Almer's eyes widened, and he glared at the man. Markido, who had already lost interest in Almer, counted the two of them with his fingers, placed his hand on his chin, and sighed.

"Hmm... just two of them. This will be over quickly."

After observing Lamber as if evaluating him, Markido clapped his hands to draw the attention of the other soldiers.

"Hey everyone, let's play a game. How about cutting off a part of the body from those foolish intruders and the traitor? An arm, a leg, or even a finger. The more detailed, the better, but cutting from a corpse is a foul. Got it? You must cut from a living body. I'll give a reward based on the part."

Markido, with a grin, said this. The surrounding soldiers responded with lewd cheers.

--- Markido Marveran.

He currently serves as the head of the security force in Count Obock's private army. He has a sadistic tendency and a habit of turning combat and torture into games. He is a relative of Count Obock and is favored, with considerable financial means.

"I'll do it!"

"You, get out of the way!"

Immediately, five soldiers, responding to Markido's words, rushed at Lamber and Almer.

"It's over..."

Almer whispered, took out the silver needle from his pocket, and pointed it at his own neck. Lamber drew his large sword from its scabbard and swung it vertically. The movement was simple, but so fast that the onlookers could only see Lamber draw and sheath his sword.

The five soldiers approaching Lamber and Almer suddenly stopped. The onlookers, though unable to see Lamber's movements, felt a sense of dread and turned pale, falling silent. After a moment, the heads of the five soldiers who had attacked Lamber fell to the ground, blood spewing out, and their bodies collapsed one by one.

"...Huh?"

Markido, standing at the back, had no idea what had happened and let out a bewildered sound with his arms crossed.

"Just thirty men..."

Facing the trembling soldiers, Lamber looked around and counted them. Then, he slowly drew his large sword again.

"This will be over quickly."

Markido was speechless at Lamber's words. Lamber, with his second and third swings, advanced, and the blood and flesh of the soldiers he slashed flew through the air.

"What are you doing! Someone! Quickly, cut him down! I'll give you as much money as you want! Kill him! Kill him quickly!"

Markido's words were in vain. The soldiers who approached Lamber were reduced to chunks of flesh.

"Quickly... kill him, quickly...! How many of us are there? If we surround him and kick him from a blind spot, he won't be able to get up in that huge, heavy armor..."

Markido stopped speaking. In that huge, heavy armor, Lamber was moving nimbly, cutting down Markido's subordinates. During Markido's daze, the subordinates on either side of him were cut down and fell to the ground. The color drained from Markido's face.

"Ugh... ugh... ughhhhh!"

Markido roared and swung his sword. Lamber easily dodged to the side. As Markido tried to grip his sword to counterattack, his sword and severed fingers fell to the ground. A delayed, intense pain overwhelmed Markido.

"Aaaaaah! It's hot! Aaaaaah! M-my... my fingers! Aaaah, aaaah!"

Markido fell to the ground, scooping up his severed fingers with his left hand.

"Cutting off parts in detail means a higher reward, right?"

Lamber, breathing heavily in a half-mad state, asked.

"I'll give you as much money as you want, so, please, reattach... this..."

Before Markido could finish, Lamber's large sword split his body in two. Lamber, drenched in blood, calmly sheathed his sword.

"Now, it's only a matter of time before Count Obock hears about my intrusion. Hey, Almer, hurry up and guide me."

Faced with the easy slaughter, Almer had collapsed and was trembling. The silver needle he had intended to use for suicide had long since fallen from his trembling fingers.