novelraw Chapter 184 : Everything Was Within Control
Chapter 184 : Everything Was Within Control
Chapter 184: Everything Was Within Control
Aliman’s loyalty was not to Lily Bole, the lord of White Mountain Territory, but to the Soderbell Family.
At the very beginning, he had indeed thought of obtaining a knight’s title through Lily.
But after Yam brought him the materials of the 【Hurricane Demon Tiger】, allowing him to successfully advance to the Third Tier, Aliman completely changed his mind一一he only wanted a knight’s identity so that the few people in the mercenary group, whom he even had to call uncles, could have some security. After all, the mercenary trade was not something one could do for too long. No one knew when death might suddenly arrive.
If not for this, his father and uncles would not have fought in the Western Region for so long because of the promises of the Siger Family of the Duke of Black Hawk.
So, when he found the opportunity to once again improve his strength, that one identity of a Bloodline Knight naturally no longer seemed so important.
Especially when Aliman discovered that the Soderbell Family was entirely different from the Bloodline Nobles he had seen before, he became more convinced that leading his mercenary group to directly pledge allegiance was absolutely a profitable bargain. After all, compared to those other Bloodline Knights,
the three uncles in the Shelf Mercenary Group had far more outstanding potential and aptitude!
So Aliman did not think their mercenary group’s future would be any worse than those who now already held knight titles.
With such a sharp contrast, how could he possibly accept Adema’s recruitment?
So, facing Adema’s gloomy, self-righteous tone, Aliman could not help but laugh.
「Talk.」
「You.
2
「Damn.」
Just as Aliman finished mocking, his right hand suddenly gripped the spear and swept it backward, a violent airflow instantly bursting out.
His whole body shot forward like a cannonball, charging directly at Adema.
【Hurricane Stream】, this bloodline ability, in Aliman’s hands was not just something as simple as breaking an enemy’s balance. By combining it with 【Suspended Zone】, Aliman could use this bloodline ability to create all kinds of high-speed movement techniques. The only flaw lay in flexibility一一【Suspended Zone】’s effect was to constrain and condense airflow into an area resembling a solid surface. Although this consumed the user’s stamina depending on height, distance, and area size, Aliman’s usage of airflow bursts to rapidly close or extend distance did not actually consume much stamina.
Adema had not clearly seen Aliman’s movement at all, but some instinctive sense of death still made him twist his body at the last instant, narrowly dodging the strike aimed at his heart.
But the blade-like airflow could not be avoided, leaving countless fine wounds across his body.
Aliman’s spear thrust, powered by 【Hurricane Stream】’s burst, pierced empty air.
Though he felt a trace of regret, he knew well that his opponent was a Third-Tier Bloodline User and could not be taken down so easily with a single strike. His mindset did not waver. Instead, as he brushed past Adema, his body adjusted midair一一the straight thrust that was like an arrow released from the bowstring turned instantly into a pivot. With a stomp of his left foot forward, 【Suspended Zone】 condensed beneath it, as if he were stepping on solid ground.
Of course, at the same time, another surge of 【Hurricane Stream】 burst out beneath his left foot, colliding with the linear charge’s airflow to generate a powerful counterforce, allowing him to halt abruptly in midair without harming his body.
This maneuver was one he had practiced countless times over the years.
It even included the ability to launch an attack at the very moment of sudden midair suspension!
The spear swept across!
In Adema’s eyes, Aliman had suddenly charged straight at him, and just as he barely dodged, the enemy abruptly halted at his flank. His body twisted into a spin, and the spear swept toward his neck with a thunderous roar.
Adema leapt back in shock, both hands hurling two short axes in quick succession.
These axes were not Rare Iron Weapons. Against Aliman’s refined weapon forged with special materials, they stood no chance. Both shattered under the sweep of his spear.
But Adema had never intended those axes to kill Aliman.
They were merely tools to disrupt vision and obstruct movement, more effective against ordinary foes or Bloodline Users without Rare Iron Weapons. So as soon as the axes flew, Adema sprinted toward the ruins where Aliman had first appeared—because his main weapon had been thrown there earlier when he was forced to parry Aliman’s thrust.
Even as he ran, he tossed two more axes, further disrupting Aliman’s sightline.
All four axes had been used, yet Adema’s expression stayed calm. He was less than three meters away from his weapon. Even if Aliman tried another sudden assault, he was confident he could retrieve it一一facing an enemy who was also Third-Tier, he knew better than to ignore the difference a weapon made.
「Clang——」
A sharp crack resounded.
The third and fourth axes shattered just like the first two, swept aside with ease by Aliman.
But undeniably, even such a simple sweep delayed him by a second or two. That was enough to prevent him from reaching Adema before the man reclaimed his weapon.
Yet Aliman still stepped forward, 【Hurricane Stream】 bursting forth again, and in an instant he was at Adema’s back.
Adema’s expression did not change.
His bloodline was 【Frenzied Wolf】 of the Third Tier. Though its ability was berserk transformation, combined with the speed of the Second-Tier 【Swift Wolf】, his movement was not slow一一this was why he had managed to dodge Aliman’s ambush several times already一一his only weakness lay in instant bursts, where Aliman’s airflow jets had the advantage.
So now, as he triggered his bloodline, his speed surged, and he lunged for his battle axe.
But the next moment!
Adema’s expression suddenly changed.
Without hesitation, he cut short his charge, body throwing itself sideways to the right before he could even think.
Almost in the same instant, several ice spikes shot past where he would have been!
Had he continued, the spikes would have pierced him the moment he grabbed the axe. Even with his bloodline’s speed boost, he would not have avoided Aliman’s follow-up strike.
「Boom一一!」
The spear, lunging with thunderous force, tore through the air.
The sonic blast from the strike blew the battle axe away.
Immediately after, another precise burst of reverse airflow halted Aliman in midair. His spear swung lightly, the tip pointing straight at Adema.
Seeing his opponent’s arrogant stance, Adema glanced again at the ice spikes buried in the ground. His face darkened.
It was then that he suddenly realized—Aliman had just introduced himself as the 「Commander of the Shelf Mercenary Group」.
Earlier, Adema had believed that Aliman’s mercenary group had only him as a Bloodline User. After all, he had just said that his men had been killed by wolf soldiers, so naturally, Adema had not suspected there might be other Bloodline Users. But now he finally realized how utterly wrong he had been—this mercenary group clearly had more than just one Bloodline User; there were at least two or more.
Yet he still could not understand.
They in White Mountain Territory had secretly investigated for over a year. They had even mapped out the fastest route to reach the Lord’s Manor of White Mountain City, who resided in that manor, the positions of the city’s security outposts, which gate was easiest to break through—all of this had been thoroughly investigated.
Thus Adema knew that White Mountain City had a total of four mercenary groups, the largest numbering between eighty and one hundred men.
But the name 「Shelf Mercenary Group」 was one he had never once heard of一一any mercenary group possessing a Bloodline User could not possibly remain obscure. Their reputation would inevitably spread across the entire territory; if strong enough, even neighboring lands would have heard of them.
Now, seeing this mercenary group appear so inexplicably, he also understood—tonight’s planned decapitation tactic was already impossible to succeed.
「It seems that unless I reveal some real ability, I won’t be leaving this place alive.」 Adema stood up, patted his body, and casually wiped away beads of blood from his skin. 「Did you really think that without my weapon, I couldn’t fight?」
「I never thought so.」 Aliman shrugged, still smiling. 「But if I can deprive you of your best weapon, then naturally I can win more easily, can’t I? Since that’s the case, why would I trouble myself otherwise?」
「A man without a shred of knightly spirit.」 Adema spat to the side, eyes full of disdain.
「I’m just a mercenary. What need have I for knightly spirit?」 Aliman chuckled. 「Taking your head in exchange for wealth—that’s what mercenaries like us are supposed to do.」
Adema glared at Aliman with a venomous gaze. His breathing began to quicken, the rhythm intensifying.
As he inhaled deeply, his body swelled at a speed visible to the naked eye, becoming increasingly robust. Muscles and veins bulged beneath his skin, and with his blood boiling, a crimson flush spread across his flesh. Mist steamed out through his pores.
Almost instantly, Adema’s frame had expanded, an overwhelming aura of might erupting from him.
「Awooo一一」
Throwing his head back in a howl, Adema seemed to transform into a true wild wolf.
Aliman’s face grew solemn as he watched.
Only at this moment did Adema finally display the formidable presence befitting a Third-Tier Bloodline User.
And with his howl, answering wolf cries soon echoed from all around.
The next moment, destruction and chaos spread rapidly; screams and shrieks became ever louder.
Aliman immediately realized—Adema had ordered the wolf soldiers to fight to the death.
『Come on.』 Adema sneered. 「Let us begin a true slaughter!」
He stretched his body, bones cracking like roasting beans. 「Are you ready to withstand my charge?」
Aliman gave no reply. He only tightened his grip on the spear, eyes sharp and focused on Adema.
He had, of course, heard of Adema’s title, 【Wild Wolf】. So he dared not relax in the slightest. He even refrained from using 【Hurricane Stream】 for another headlong assault, knowing well its flaw—if his strike failed and Adema seized the opening, he could be gravely injured. The aura now emanating from Adema was far too intense.
Aliman’s eyes narrowed.
He saw Adema crouch slightly, lowering his center of gravity, cracks forming in the ground beneath his feet一一a classic sign of imminent explosive force.
For Aliman, who often used 【Hurricane Stream】, this was all too familiar. He quickly shifted his stance, preparing to defend.
「Boom——!」
As expected, a terrifying blast erupted in the very next moment!
But!
Aliman’s face froze, then flushed with humiliation.
Adema had fled!
Using explosive power, Adema hurled himself forward, heedless of houses and obstacles in his path一一his massive, muscular frame smashed through stone and timber alike一一bursting through several buildings and swiftly widening the gap between them. Because of those obstructions, Aliman could not use the straight-line burst of 【Hurricane Stream】 to pursue.
「Damn it!」 Aliman cursed. 「This is your knightly spirit?! Spouting fierce words, then turning tail to run?」
「Boss?」
「What do we do now?」
Aster and Avis rushed out from hiding. They too had not expected such an outcome, and now, faced with the chaos all around, looked equally at a loss.
「You two go assist Kaso in dealing with the wolf soldiers. I’ll pursue.」 Aliman drew in a deep breath. 「The enemy hasn’t realized our ties to the Baron yet, but they already know our details. If he escapes, they’ll be prepared for us. We—」
「Ah——」
A scream suddenly rang out in the distance, cutting Aliman off.
Having just fought Adema himself, Aliman instantly recognized the voice—it was Adema’s.
And then, a violent blast erupted not far away.
Purple-blue lightning speared skyward, dazzling against the night, impossible for anyone in the city’s north to ignore.
Aliman said nothing more. He immediately rushed toward the source of the lightning.
Uncertain of the situation, he kept to higher ground, relying on 【Hurricane Stream】 to move through the air. To guard against possible ambush, he landed every dozen to thirty meters, then took off again from another spot.
This naturally slowed his pace, but it ensured his safety.
When he reached the site of the lightning strike, he saw an armored man slowly lifting a severed head from a corpse.
Gazing at Adema’s lifeless face, still twisted in shock, Aliman’s expression grew complicated as he turned toward the Bloodline User holding a knight’s longsword.
He knew this man well.
Foss.
A Bloodline Knight of the Kasein Family.
Though he knew the man’s identity, Aliman could not reveal it. He could only ask in a deep voice: 「Who are you?」
「Sir Aliman.」 Foss turned, his demeanor calm. 「Thanks to you, I was able to so easily slay 【Wild Wolf】 Adema.」
Aliman did not reply. But his gaze made his meaning clear: if Foss could not provide a reason, they might well be enemies.
「Don’t be nervous, Sir Aliman.」 Foss raised his hand to show no hostility, and even sheathed his sword to prove his sincerity. 「I was sent here by Marquis Monica. –In fact, not only me. Knight Eric, Commander Dean, and Lord Tyrot are also in White Mountain Territory right now.」
「I don’t understand what you mean.」
「Enough, Sir Aliman of the Shelf Mercenary Group. We are not enemies, so you need not continue pretending before me. Besides, do you really think the Kasein Family would allow a Third-Tier Bloodline User like you to wander Red Eagle Territory unchecked?」 Foss shook his head. 「During the operations against Bayor Territory, after Lord Yam passed several highly accurate reports to Marquis Monica, she discovered your existence. Precisely because of your close ties to the Soderbell Family, no action was taken against you.」
Aliman pressed his lips together and remained silent.
Foss’s words revealed something: the intelligence networks he had built in Bayor Territory—and likely also in Red River Territory—had probably already been discovered. That explained why they had heard nothing further from either.
Still, Aliman tried to maintain the disguise. 「I am not of the Soderbell Family. Our relationship is only one of employment.」
「That doesn’t matter.」 Foss shrugged. 「What matters is that we are allies now. —All you need do is tell Lord Ion that although an accident may prevent reinforcements from Red River Territory, with Lord Tyrot and Commander Dean here, White Mountain Territory will not fall.」
「Everything is within Marquis Monica’s control.」