novelraw Chapter 138 : Chapter 138
Chapter 138 : Chapter 138
Chapter 138. Bad Blood (2)
The Becken Empire, with its vast territory and population, had achieved leaps of progress unlike other kingdoms.
Most notable was its weapon technology, endlessly evolving under the Emperor’s ambition.
Thus, the Emperor punished design leaks with death, while showering engineers with wealth and honor to prevent leaks.
The Empire’s weapon technology was tightly controlled, impossible for other kingdoms to replicate.
‘Not just that bastard Emperor—anyone holding imperial power strictly guarded technology leaks. Especially technology that could shift the tides of war.’
Among those technologies, the Empire’s pride was the Mana Core.
A device that imbued weapons and equipment with power beyond their design, it was a remarkable technology that infused the equivalent of Qi into armaments.
Naturally, no one outside the Empire could access Mana Cores, and other kingdoms could only mimic similar devices.
Yet, such Empire blueprints appeared here, in the hands of Kandahr warriors, across the sea.
‘Why and how did the Empire’s top-secret designs reach this place?’
I glared fiercely at the Black Snake warrior.
Interrogation was the only way to get answers.
“You really know nothing about the one who gave you the blueprints? Are you sure?!”
Having tasted my brutal torture, the warrior trembled but desperately denied.
“I swear I don’t know! As I said, I never saw his face. Only the chieftain met him. I swear on Bakan’s name!”
Seeing his desperate expression, Rona took over the interrogation.
“Did he come to the kingdom after giving you the blueprints? To return to the Empire, he’d have to pass through here.”
The warrior suddenly fell silent.
His eyes wavered, and he bit his lip.
His actions clearly betrayed that he was hiding something.
“Where is he now? Was he with you?”
“That… I…”
The warrior hesitated, clearly knowing something.
“If you won’t talk, no choice. Evan, step in—”
“Wait! He likely slipped in with us during the invasion. But I swear I don’t know his whereabouts after that.”
Rona’s face hardened.
“He came with you? Then he’s likely still in the kingdom. All ships have been grounded since the war began. Why did he come with you?”
The blueprints were likely given long before.
Why come to the kingdom now, with the Kandahr?
‘Did he think it easier to move during war? No. He already reached the Kandahr in peacetime. That’s no reason. Let’s watch Rona’s interrogation.’
I crossed my arms, frowning, as the warrior answered with labored breaths.
“He said he wanted to watch the kingdom fall. If it fell to the Kandahr, he’d negotiate then…”
“What negotiation?”
“He said he’d claim his reward for helping us.”
The one who gave the blueprints still had business here.
At least, according to the warrior.
“Negotiating over the kingdom? Laughable.”
Rona clenched her fist, barely containing her anger.
“Evan, if he’s telling the truth, the one who gave the blueprints is still somewhere in the kingdom. As I said, all ports have banned sailings since the war.”
“That’s a relief. But finding him in this vast land is daunting.”
The Empire’s reach had extended to this remote corner of the world.
Their intent was unclear, but it was undoubtedly an ominous sign.
‘I must find him. I need to confirm why he brought the Empire’s technology here.’
Who he was, or even if he was a man or woman, was unknown.
But if he was in the kingdom, I could find his trail.
***
The subsequent interrogation yielded little.
Handing the warrior to the executioner, Rona and I left the dungeon.
―Step, step.
We ascended to the surface in silence, each consumed by thoughts of the one who provided the Empire’s blueprints.
‘Where to start…’
Emerging into the blinding sunlight, I broke the silence.
\“Commander, are you also planning to track the one who gave the blueprints?”
“Of course. I can’t let the one who devastated the capital roam free. Especially if it’s tied to the Empire—we can’t let it slide.”
Rona was equally troubled by the figure.
But practical difficulties made her hesitate.
“The problem is we lack the resources to form a pursuit team. Monitoring the Kandahr is overwhelming enough, and rebuilding the capital is the priority.”
“The bigger issue is we have no clue where he might be.”
“Exactly. The kingdom’s land isn’t as vast as the continent, but it’s still large.”
Someone capable of such a scheme would hide their identity thoroughly.
Finding them seemed impossible for Rona and me.
‘But not entirely impossible. Every nation has spies, and there are those skilled at finding them.’
For instance, the Empire secretly nurtured underground organizations to prevent technology leaks.
Ostensibly criminal groups, they actually served the Empire, capturing covert spies in the shadows.
‘Of course, the Empire was aggressive because it was surrounded by enemies. The kingdom’s only real foe is the Kandahr, who aren’t this cunning.’
In short, the kingdom wasn’t prepared for such subterfuge.
At least, not Rona or the kingdom’s military.
‘Wait.’
A thought struck me.
“Commander Rona, I have a question.”
“Hm? Ask away.”
“Once, due to my family’s issues, I was pursued by the Viper Organization.”
I brought up a past experience.
“Really? You tangled with those nasty folks?”
“Yes. They were as bad as rumored. Could they find this person?”
“Ah!”
The Viper Organization, an underground syndicate.
For the right price, they’d handle anything, tied to the kingdom’s underworld.
“Viper?”
Rona pondered, then nodded.
“Why didn’t I think of that? Viper might be able to. They know the kingdom’s dark corners like the back of their hand.”
“If possible, we could try contacting them. But…”
“But?”
Recalling Viper, I suddenly felt unease, glancing around.
“Now that I think about it, why haven’t we seen a trace of Viper during this chaos in the capital?”
“They never get involved in losing deals. They’re too elusive for forced conscription.”
“They hid even during this upheaval?”
“Probably. Now that you mention it, it’s a bit infuriating. They’re citizens of this kingdom too.”
Rona didn’t hide her displeasure at Viper.
I felt the same.
“They didn’t fight despite the kingdom’s peril… even with the power to help?”
“Exactly.”
“Then shouldn’t such a group be eradicated? They’ll only threaten the kingdom.”
“I’d love to, but the timing’s wrong. The war with the Kandahr left us heavily damaged. Attacking Viper rashly could backfire.”
“They’re that large?”
“From what I know, yes. I don’t know details, but they have hundreds of skilled fighters.”
Rona spoke cautiously, indicating Viper was untouchable for now.
“And their base is unknown. It’s somewhere in the capital, but we haven’t found it. They haven’t been a major threat until now.”
“Weren’t you uneasy? With them roaming freely?”
“No choice. Long ago, tied to the Red Count, we made a non-aggression pact in exchange for their help.”
But I thought differently.
That was then; this is now.
“We can’t just let them be. Especially in times like these. I’ll meet their leadership myself.”
“Evan! That’s too dangerous. They’re ruthless.”
“But we can’t ignore them. Who knows? They might be involved in this war. We can’t rule out a connection to the Empire’s agent.”
Rona frowned at my words.
“They’d go that far?”
“No certainty, but it’s possible.”
“I agree. But meeting them on mere suspicion is risky.”
She understood my intent but tried to dissuade me, knowing the danger.
But I wouldn’t back down.
“Suspicion alone is reason enough to meet them.”
“Ugh… If you insist, I’ll assign trusted knights to you.”
Seeing my resolve, Rona relented.
But I refused even that.
“No. This is my solo mission. It’s better if the kingdom isn’t involved.”
“Why?”
“If this sparks trouble, we don’t want it reaching the castle now. There’s a non-aggression pact, right? If things go wrong, it’s cheaper if I die alone.”
“You’re going there prepared to die?”
“Ah, I misled you. I have no intention of dying. If anything, I might kill them all.”
“Haha! I can’t call that bravado after what I’ve seen. You’re really going alone?”
“Yes.”
This time, I was determined to resolve this without anyone’s help.
In my mind, I was already planning to contact Viper, lurking in the kingdom’s shadows.
“One question. Why insist on doing this yourself when you could delegate? It’s too proactive for just kingdom loyalty.”
“I’m patriotic, but I also have personal business. As I said, I’ve crossed paths with them before.”
It was to uncover the secret link between the Kandahr and the Empire,
and above all, to settle a personal grudge.
‘Those money-grubbing bastards chased me to Hell’s Path… It’s time they paid for trying to kill me.’