Chapter 58

Lambert was led to the guest room of Count Mondo's mansion.

As the adventurers of "Dancing Sword" took their seats one after another, Lambert stood in front of the table.

"What's wrong? You can sit down, you know."

Count Mondo frowned in puzzlement.

"Hey, Lambert."

Yunos urged Lambert in a whisper. For Yunos, after being refused by Lambert to join, he wanted to avoid any situation where Count Mondo would take a liking to Lambert. He speculated that if Lambert joined Count Mondo's private army, the opportunities for Count Mondo to rely on the Adventurer's Guild would drastically decrease due to Lambert's individual prowess. However, if Lambert were to be overtly rude, it could also tarnish Yunos's own impression.

"I am not suited for such a grand occasion. I only came here to ask the Count a question. I am aware that this is impolite, but once I am done, I will take my leave."

Lambert was aware that he was making a difficult request, but inside his armor, there was only bone and mana left. He could not eat, and there was a limit to how much he could pretend. Ideally, he should have avoided such an occasion, but the matter at hand concerned not only the city of Baraila but the entire Kingdom of Legios.

Count Mondo frowned even more. Though he was a patient man, his mood was not particularly calm. However, the armored man was the savior of his niece, Chris, so he did not interrupt Lambert.

"Most likely, the city of Baraila is being targeted by the 'Flute Devil.' Do you have any preparations or forces to counter this threat? I cannot imagine those private soldiers being of any use in a critical moment."

"Lambert! That is too disrespectful!"

Yunos stood up and moved in front of Lambert.

"…It's fine. We have received warnings about the 'Flute Devil' from the royal envoy, but I did not expect a mere traveling swordsman to give the same warning."

Count Mondo stopped Yunos and addressed Lambert.

(The royal family must have been strengthening their vigilance against the 'Flute Devil.' Then, perhaps the worst-case scenario is not upon us.)

Lambert's concerns about an attack on Baraila seemed to be shared by the royal family of Legios.

"I have already given the same response. This land has many excellent adventurers. There is no place in the entire Kingdom of Legios with as many strong individuals. Terrorists are not worth fearing."

"…Your words, but there is a significant difference between adventurers and private soldiers. In a war, many adventurers would leave this land. The difference between adventurers hired on a case-by-case basis and private soldiers kept on hand is substantial. When the city is truly in danger, how many will risk their lives?"

Adventurers existed even during the Eight Nations Unification War. However, most of them were outcasts who refused to serve their country despite their power. They moved freely between countries, preferring relatively peaceful areas and slaying monsters rather than people.

Lambert could not imagine such people fighting for the city in a crisis. He also believed that adventurers who did not owe their lords any favors would not go that far. If the many Adventurer's Guilds were willing to take risks, the 'Flute Devil' would have no chance to act. But that was impossible.

Count Mondo's words seemed correct on the surface, but depending on the scale and nature of the threat, they could easily collapse, as Lambert saw it.

Count Mondo's eyebrow twitched.

"…Are you saying that the many Adventurer's Guilds have no meaning in defense?"

"I didn't say that, but the current structure is a weakness. If things continue as they are, the damage in an emergency could be severe. I advise the immediate dissolution of the current private army. It may be a waste of time, but it would be better to have none at all."

Lambert's blunt words made the air in the guest room heavy. Even with the favor, his words were too harsh. Count Mondo was almost about to ask him to leave the room.

However, Lambert's words could not be dismissed as mere nonsense.

Count Mondo had been thoroughly supporting adventurers in Baraila. When the royal envoy urged vigilance, he had the various Adventurer's Guilds submit new documents to assess their strength and estimated that there was no immediate danger. However, he had not completely overlooked how many Adventurer's Guilds would mobilize in a crisis. Hearing Lambert's words, he realized that his assessment might have been too lenient.

"……"

Count Mondo fell silent, beads of sweat forming on his forehead.

"I'm sorry, but from what I can see, there is no hope for these private soldiers. Depending on the kingdom's level of vigilance, we might be able to borrow the Royal Knights. It might damage your reputation, but if we consider the worst-case scenario, it should be done."

At that moment, the door was flung open. The man who appeared, with bandages on his face and a pig-like snout, was Grasco. Behind him stood five private soldiers. Grasco had changed his clothes after wetting himself in fear during the mock battle with Lambert.

"W-We, the private army, are not to be expected to do anything!? This is not only an insult to us but to Count Mondo as well! D-Death! Count Mondo! Let's execute him!"

Grasco, unable to contain his anger, had brought his subordinates to the guest room. However, he did not think he could do anything against Lambert and had been pacing outside, occasionally eavesdropping on the conversation. Hearing Lambert's words about the private army being useless, he could no longer hold back and burst in impulsively.

Lambert glared at Grasco in silence. Grasco flinched and stepped back, fully aware that he could not match Lambert's strength.

"There seems to be no point in continuing. I do not know much about the city of Baraila, nor do I understand the Count's plans or circumstances. I only hope that you will take immediate action."

Lambert approached Grasco. Grasco shuddered and backed away.

"W-What? What, what… what! If I, Grasco, were to get serious, you…!"

Lambert moved past the gap Grasco had left and exited the guest room. He had only wanted to pass through the door, but Grasco had been in the way.

Grasco's face twisted in fear, and he panted heavily. Seeing that Lambert had turned his back on him, he saw an opportunity and twisted his lips.

Grasco was short-tempered. He felt a strong anger towards Lambert, who threatened his position as a private soldier. Adding to that, the suggestion to dissolve the private army was more than enough to provoke him.

Grasco placed his hand on the hilt of his sword and quietly approached Lambert. By the time his subordinates realized it was a bad idea, it was too late.

"Die, you bastard!"

Grasco drew his sword and swung it at Lambert's neck. The sword seemed to pass through Lambert, at least from Grasco's perspective.

"…What?"

It took a moment for Grasco to realize that the tip of his blade was missing. His neck was grabbed and lifted, and the blade of his own sword was pressed against his throat. Lambert had used a hand strike to cut Grasco's sword and then moved behind him to hold the blade.

"Did you intend to kill me? Then you should be prepared to be killed."

Grasco's face turned pale, and he trembled violently. He seemed to faint, rolling his eyes and collapsing on the spot. Lambert silently lowered Grasco and let him fall to the floor.