Wolves of Hader

Chapter 52

Shuyuuuuuk—

Bang—

A single firework shot high into the sky and exploded in midair.

Instantly, yellow light embroidered the night sky, spreading wide before gradually fading away.

It was a magical signal flare fired by someone following the lead pursuit team.

Since I intended to let just one of the slaughtered 21 personal guards live to alert them of this situation, things have turned out for the best.

The deputy-commander of the Syren family's personal guard and 20 personal guards were slaughtered without even mounting a proper counterattack.

It wasn't because of their lack of skill. The difference between the Sword of Light and regular knights was just that staggering.

I only used half my current magic power and just two of my skills. I doubt I'll have much use for the Berserker's area-of-effect skill in the future—unless the imperial army comes at me all at once.

I started walking again.

Now that the signal flare had gone off, other pursuers would be on their way within an hour at most. I wondered what kind of people would come this time.

After walking for a while, I gestured, and Donnie revealed his huge frame. He had been following me all along, clad in black armor in the darkness.

"Donnie."

"Yes, sir."

"Have you learned anything more about the Syren family's strongest?"

"It's all so secretive, almost nothing's known. If the deputy-commander of the personal guard who just died wasn't a Sword of Light, then there are at most four Swords of Light."

"The grand duke, the commander of the personal guard, Art Syren. Who's the fourth?"

"An unidentified guest warrior."

"Guest warrior?"

"Guest warrior refers to a mercenary with general-level skill—people who visit a house as guests."

"What kind of guest warrior?"

"Two years ago, there was an incident at a high-class tavern in the capital where six knights from a Syren faction house were killed. Rumor has it that a Syren family mercenary was behind it."

"The incident must have been covered up."

"Yes. There was testimony that the culprit spoke with a Beltern southern accent. So, it's suspected the person's from a kingdom destroyed during the southern Beltern war."

"If it's a Sword of Light, they'd probably be a knight order commander of a fallen kingdom, wouldn't they?"

"I've heard there are quite a few Swords of Light in Beltern. If he's a former knight order commander, it makes sense."

Why would someone from such a distant place come all the way to the empire?

If he cared only for money and not for honor, heading to the Tern Kingdom in the northern Beltern would have been better.

Did he turn to the Syren family just to taste power? Or did he join them with a particular goal in mind?

Yet, his name and face are unknown. That means he hasn't wielded power openly.

Either he's not greedy, or he's very cautious.

If so, it's highly likely that it wasn't him who sought out the Syren family, but the grand duke who recruited this skilled individual.

That means he may be someone worth talking to.

"Is the Syren family close to the southern Beltern region, by any chance?"

"It's possible. There must be some from houses destroyed during the war who entered the empire. Tern and the empire are enemies. If your house was destroyed by Tern, you couldn't live in the Tern Kingdom."

That's probably the case.

There's talk that the destruction of the southern Beltern kingdoms was due to the behind-the-scenes maneuvers of Tern, the mighty country in the north.

Whatever the truth at the time, since the southern kingdoms fell because of Tern, it would be hard for southerners to go there.

They may even be wanted.

That makes me even more curious. At the very least, he's someone who values pride and honor.

The problem is whether he became the Syren family's dog and committed evil acts.

"Is the rumor about the Syren family's mercenary committing the act based on hearsay, or is there a solid reason?"

"It's unclear if he was a mercenary, but he was definitely with the Syren family. A week ago, the intelligence squad spotted the mercenary. At first, they thought he was a sword technique master teaching the Syren family's knights."

"Sword technique master?"

"Yes. At first, they thought he was sparring with the knights, but it turned out the knights were simply attacking him one-sidedly. Since relations seemed poor, it was assumed he was a mercenary."

"He didn't kill any knights?"

"No one died. They all just had their arms broken, apparently."

"What did he look like?"

"He was said to be in his mid-30s, dressed in old, worn clothes. Plus, his long hair was wildly tangled and he had a thick beard."

"A vagrant, basically?"

"You could say that."

Even more interesting.

He stays with the Syren family but doesn't get along with their knights. The reason is obvious even without seeing it.

He's from southern Beltern.

He didn't kill anyone.

He's got long, tangled hair and a thick beard.

And that two-year-old incident.

Even with just these clues, there's a lot I can infer about him.

His fighting skill and style.

Character, and whether he's evil.

His mentality and purpose.

I think I even know why he joined the Syren family—he's there in pursuit of his dream or goal.

That man lives for only that one thing. He might die for that one thing, too.

So, if he can achieve his lifelong goal, it doesn't have to be with the Syren family.

On the contrary, he might be sinking into despair at the thought that he may never accomplish it.

A Syren family mercenary killed knights from a Syren-affiliated house in a tavern.

On the surface, it seems odd, but if my guess is correct, there's a clear reason for it. That was likely the trigger for his recruitment.

"What's your basis for thinking that mercenary is a Sword of Light?"

"There was a thick steel door at the scene that had been cut in half. No one paid it much attention, but it looked like it was sliced with a sword."

I nodded.

To slice thick steel—not armor plate, but actual steel—with a sword, means he has an extremely high degree of magic power condensation.

Clearly a Sword of Light.

Compressing magic power is far harder than expanding it.

Condensing magic power is the ultimate level achieved only through relentless training.

He might even be stronger than the Grand Duke Syren, known as the empire's mightiest.

According to imperial history, only the founding Emperor, called the [Divine Blade], ever cut steel with a sword.

So, even if I meet that mercenary, victory isn't guaranteed.

Such a blow would carry immense force; even if I blocked it, I'd take internal damage.

It would definitely be too fast to dodge easily.

He could be called the strongest man on the whole continent without exaggeration.

Having someone like that in the Syren family is a huge obstacle to our path forward.

Why would the Grand Duke Syren recruit such a formidable warrior?

The grand duke should have no need for another powerhouse.

Was the empire not enough for him?

"Do you think they'll send another personal guard unit this time?"

"Hard to say. The one who launched the signal flare will no doubt give his report, but the Syren family won't be so sure. After all, 21 of their elite fell to a single person."

"To get a more accurate picture, they'll send one of two types."

"Who?"

"People whose deaths aren't much of a loss."

Donnie immediately caught on.

"So, either elites or mercenaries."

"Probably a strong guest warrior leading elites. If we take them down, then the real target will finally move against us. Just defeating them will fulfill our objective in the capital this time."

"If it's the real deal, could the personal guard commander show up?"

"No matter if his son was killed, the personal guard commander must protect the grand duke. That nameless guest warrior will come."

Concern clouded Donnie's face as he looked at me. He was worried I might get hurt.

To be honest, I'd always thought my only real rival was the grand duke, the empire's mightiest.

"Don't worry. No matter how strong he is, a mercenary is still a mercenary. Once he assesses our strength, he won't risk his life. He'll only step in after all the elites are down, if he thinks he can win."

"All right. I'll send in the Berserkers first. The people Syren sends this time will be meant to test our skills."

"Good. Donnie, go with them. Watch out for the guest warrior or any traps."

"If it's a trap, even better."

Donnie moved out from the coffin, mounted his horse and rode off. Then, with the Berserkers, he galloped away.

Onward I went.

The strong guest warrior aside, I wondered what the grand duke was thinking. Was he perhaps considering invading Beltern?

In the last twenty years, the Syren family had seized control of the empire, and now lacked worthy opponents—they'd purged them all.

Soon, once the Empress gives birth and the child turns seven, the Emperor will die, and the grand duke will become regent.

He will eventually take the imperial throne. That must have been the original plan.

Then, he'll strike Beltern.

That's why he brought in an unnecessary powerhouse—especially one who holds a grudge against the Tern Kingdom.

Did the grand duke see this continent as too small for him?

This isn't just about one man's endless greed. What's the real reason?

Somewhere, I had a chilling feeling, like the scent of blood was in the air.

My intuition had grown particularly sharp since coming to this world. It felt like there was another reason entirely.

If that's the case...

Then why am I in this world?

What's the connection between the game Rac, linked to Earth, and this living reality called Rac?

My gut tells me: there's some point of contact between the Rac connected to Earth and the real Rac.

Maybe the grand duke is creating that point.

Maybe I've come to this world because of that point somewhere in the future. This goes beyond mere coincidence.

A set destiny.

Or if some being intervened—then for what?

Why Earth and Rac?

And why me?

Whatever the case, I'll find out if I keep moving forward.

But I won't walk the path of predetermined fate. I came to this world along an inevitable route I had no say over.

But the road ahead—I'll decide that for myself. That is my fate. Even if that itself was predestined.

The stench of blood was real.

Around the coffin, more than forty Syren family knights lay scattered, horribly, here and there.

Now that the Syren family has witnessed our power, they'll send the real deal.

It's a thirty-minute ride to the capital gate.

He'll show up soon.

Had I walked another ten minutes?

A red signal flare shot up into the sky ahead—a mere five minutes away from me!

The moment I saw the flare, I sprinted.

Donnie launching a signal flare for support means the Berserkers are in danger!

There must have been more Syren family elites right behind the scattered bodies—or perhaps those dead were just bait!

"Elder brother Ross!"

"Speak!"

"Give the order—you should support the fight!"

"Be careful! That guest warrior may have arrived!"

"Got it! I'll try not to be spotted by them!"

"All right!"

I saw torches ahead.

When I saw the battle, I couldn't help but grit my teeth.

The Berserkers were fighting well, but there were just too many of the enemy!

They had been lying in wait, hiding their presence in the darkness.

This was the trap I spoke of, and Donnie knew it too. But we never thought there'd be this many.

Nearly 400 Syren family knights had surrounded our Berserkers. Even after our Berserkers had struck down about a hundred!

Shwaeaeaeak—

Suddenly, a sound echoed from the front!

Kicking off the ground, I darted to the left. Arrows thudded into the road I had just been running on.

There were archers in the darkness over there.

I'll have to dive among them—otherwise, they'll just keep shooting. Unless they want to kill their own, anyway!

Chaechaechaeng—

Tukeong—keukeukeukeong—

The clash of greatswords and armor. Swords striking swords, sparks flying.

Our elites formed a ring, focusing on defense. They weren't using skills, just blocking attacks with their greatswords.

Had they run out of magic power?

Or were there fallen comrades?

Why weren't they trying to escape?

The enemy knights didn't seem to know how to break them, either.

No!

Donnie was conserving his strength!

Waiting for me to arrive!

"Donnie! Now's the time!"

Donnie cried out.

"All units, Whirlwind!"

"Uwaaaaa—!"

Tuteuteuteu—

Like a semicircle expanding!

All eight unleashed Whirlwind at once. Greatswords hammered into enemy armor and swords with explosive force, and the energy burst outward. The scene was spectacular.

The Berserkers hadn't used any magic power until now, and with this Whirlwind unleashed, they poured their magic power in.

The Syren family knights who had surrounded our Berserkers were blown away in all directions, as if enraged wild bulls had smashed through a wall of men!