Episode 421
“Today is my last day.”
“Uh, um?”
Bacchus, the owner of the tavern [The Last Glass of Wine in Life], tilted his head at those words and looked at his customer.
James, the knight of Badniker.
To be exact, Ludwig, currently disguised as James, slipped a coin to Bacchus, causing him to burst out laughing.
“What is that? The bill has already been paid. Our store accepts payment in advance.”
“I know. This is just a tip.”
“The tip is too much.”
It wasn’t a strange reaction since the coin was golden in color.
Ludwig chuckled.
“Thanks to you, I’ve been able to stay comfortably for the past month. I’m not doing business, so please just take care of me.”
“Well, if it’s the guest’s sincerity, it’s not polite to continue to refuse.”
Ludwig saw Bacchus quickly take the gold coins and put them in his bosom.
Despite his actions, he wasn’t a particularly greedy person.
Ludwig suddenly became curious and asked.
“By the way, isn’t the owner leaving this place? The atmosphere in the south has been quite chaotic lately.”
“This is my hometown where I was born and raised, so where would I go?”
“If it’s the owner’s skill, I think business will go well even in the system.”
“That’s a serious joke. I would have to empty my entire fortune to open a store there.”
“Even if it’s not a system, it’s probably better than here. It looks like there aren’t many customers anymore.”
Even though it was an awkward afternoon, neither lunch nor dinner, the shop, which was also a hotel and bar, was teeming with flies.
Bacchus, seeing the sight, shrugged his shoulders indifferently.
“There’s nothing I can do. Sometimes I just have to hope that customers like you will give me a big tip.”
The owner was surprisingly stubborn, so Ludwig didn’t try to persuade him any further.
I also thought it was a bit odd, and I thought that no matter what I said, it would be difficult to change this stubborn man’s determination.
“Anyway, I hope you are doing well. I hope you are in good health.”
“You too. There have been all sorts of incidents, but it hasn’t been too bad this past month. Take care.”
As Ludwig left the store, he looked out into the street and pondered Bacchus’ words.
‘one month?’
Has that much time passed already?
Coming to the south, infiltrating the workhouse, uncovering the cult’s schemes, and still being summoned by the Demon King, and the disaster that killed thousands.
Of course, the streets were relatively clean considering the disaster, but that was only on the surface.
The metropolis of Airuga was already collapsing. Of course. It was a city that had been maintained solely by the Golden Ball’s talents.
If you ask whether a mere one person can create a large city, even Ludwig would have doubts.
If that’s possible, then he must have been granted the title of Grand Duke, one of only five in the Empire.
That golden ball is dead.
She lost her life along with thousands of her close associates and legions of soldiers, without even finding their bodies.
Since the central force that led the city suddenly disappeared, it was only natural that Airu would also slowly collapse.
The role of the Golden Palace was equally great.
This is because it was deeply involved in all areas, including not only city security but also self-government, delegation, finance, internal affairs, and transportation, and was effectively an institution no different from a parliament.
Usually, when such an institution disappears, it causes chaos on a city-wide scale.
The city that Ludwig was seeing now was rather peaceful.
Because the name of the family that temporarily ruled this Airuga in place of the Golden Duke was feared even in the South.
Ludwig is currently on his way to the Golden Palace.
It was called the Golden Palace because it was the residence of the Golden Duke.
For the above reasons, the residence is now called by a different name.
Iron Blood Hall.
The one currently staying at the Iron Blood Hall was the Iron Blood Lord Delak C. Badniker.
* * *
“Father is away right now.”
“ah…….”
Ludwig’s eyebrows lowered in embarrassment.
And he spoke in a somewhat cautious tone, observing the other person’s complexion.
“Then… will Master Hector be in charge of the Iron Blood Party from now on?”
“… First of all, you don’t have to call me by that funny title, Ludwig. I heard about your true identity from my father.”
“aha.”
Ludwig’s voice sounded awkward again.
No matter what, he revealed his identity without consulting me…
Well. If I think about what we’re going to talk about from now on, it would be right for us to reveal our identities to each other.
For Ludwig, who had kept his identity hidden for a long time, he was not happy about his identity being exposed like this.
“To answer your question, yes, I have been appointed as the temporary lord of Airuga.”
“What about the Knights Templar?”
“I asked the captain directly for his understanding. After hearing about the situation in the south, he was convinced and approved my indefinite leave.”
“… … .”
Hector sighed as Ludwig smiled faintly.
“… I know. It’s a difficult position for me to handle. I lack the experience. That’s why my grandfather came with me.”
“If it’s your grandfather… surely it’s Master Zenon?”
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“okay.”
Of all the elders of the Badniker clan, the most picky one has come.
However, as the author was once the head of the great family Anatos, he would be familiar with such administrative tasks.
‘And at the same time, I helped Hector develop his political skills.’
Anyway, he’s a sinister old man.
The old man is probably still wondering how he can swallow badnickers without getting sick.
Hoping that his precious grandson, whom he would never hurt even if he put it in his eye, would monopolize all wealth and power.
‘…Actually, other than that, it’s not a bad greeting.’
Hector was born with a natural political sense, enough to form his own faction at a young age.
As I said before, Xenon will make up for any shortcomings.
With this combination of two, Airuga won’t fall apart even if Ironblood is absent.
In any case, the imperial family must have taken some drastic measures since they couldn’t turn the large city of Airuga into a ghost town right away.
‘I wonder if the owner would be happy if he found out.’
After a moment of idle thought, Ludwig shook his head and slowly got back to the main point.
“Where is your father?”
“I am talking to my grandfather.”
“aha.”
“however…….”
Hector hesitated uncharacteristically, then asked with his eyes tightly shut.
“…Is that true?”
“what?”
“That guy, that Luan is dead.”
Ludwig looked at her with slightly surprised eyes. She said that she had been treated badly by Luan… … .
Have you started to develop feelings for each other in the meantime?
‘I hate you… … .’
It’s not my place to talk about others.
Ludwig laughed bitterly.
I thought that my brother’s life wouldn’t matter no matter what happened.
Even after a month had passed, Ludwig’s feelings were still complicated.
It felt a little different than the simple sadness or anger of losing a bloodline.
That can’t be helped.
The Badniker brothers have a rather special relationship.
‘Ah… I see.’
Hector must be feeling exactly the same way.
It’s a complex feeling that’s hard to describe in words.
“The body hasn’t been found yet.”
“then-.”
“Still, it’s hard to hold onto hope. As the lord said, the last time he saw Luan, he was exposed to the Demon King’s poison and his entire body was rotting away. If the instrument had also infiltrated him, it wouldn’t be strange for him to literally disappear without leaving a single drop of blood behind.”
“… … .”
“First of all, it’s already been a month. As you probably know, hyung, there’s a golden time for missing people. Usually, if they’re going to come back alive, they’ll come back within a day or two, or at most three days. But it’s already been a month… … .”
Ludwig paused for a moment, his mouth turning bitter as he spoke.
“… He must already be dead.”
Hector was silent, then replied curtly, “I see.”
And then suddenly he started laughing like a crazy person and said:
“This has happened before… … .”
“what?”
“At the retreat, that guy suddenly disappeared for about a month. I thought he was dead, but he came back alive and started participating in the retreat again halfway through… … I was so surprised at that time.”
“… Was that so? Well, he’s a bit of a tricky guy, but he’s been a bit odd since then.”
“Yeah. Sometimes when I see you, it’s hard to believe that we share the same blood.”
“Well, isn’t that the case for us now too?”
“That’s true.”
Hector’s low laughter suddenly stopped. And Hector’s suppressed voice flowed out.
“… He really is dead.”
“… … .”
“Ludwig, what are you going to do now?”
“I have to do what I can.”
Now that the religious order has lost its central focus, the religious order is likely to be experiencing unprecedented chaos.
Such confusion was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for Ludwig.
Of course, as chaotic as it is, the ship is more dangerous than usual – but Ludwig is not afraid of danger.
If I had that kind of personality in the first place, I would never have stepped foot on the fence called Badniker.
therefore.
‘Will this work? Father.’
At the same time, I had a question.
My path is set.
It’s clear what to do.
but.
‘…What are you going to do now?’
Ludwig’s gaze turned to the office.
* * *
“I admit it. This old man was mistaken.”
“… … .”
Delak woke up from his reverie.
Lately, I’ve been having a strange feeling of being wide awake, but I’ve never had this happen in front of people.
I must be careful not to do this in front of the enemy.
Delak, who was thinking alone, stared ahead with an indifferent gaze.
An old man with a grumpy expression was sitting there.
‘This old man… … .’
Xenon.
Zenon Anatos.
He is the grandfather of Hector Badniker, the second son, and currently holds the top spot among the elders of Badniker.
Delak asked in a somewhat slow tone.
“What does it mean?”
“It means that you underestimated the head of the household. I didn’t know that the head of the household, who had lost his memory and was weakened, would achieve such results. To think that he could almost single-handedly stop the advent of the Demon King… … .”
“I didn’t do it alone.”
“Of course. There was a name that went up and down with the head of the household. A lizardman clearly called ‘Vulcan’… … . I think his name was Luzard.”
Delak’s hand resting on the armrest gained strength.
Zeno, who did not realize that fact, continued speaking.
“Recently, beyond the South, the name has been called by the foreign races all over the Empire. They say that the lowly ones are rising to prominence as heroic beings… … .”
Tch.
Zeno clicked his tongue in displeasure.
“If only that lizard hadn’t been there, his reputation would have been absorbed by the family… … It’s a shame. If he had been alive, I would have found fault with him or at least tried to persuade him, but he lost his life in the final battle. He’s the most annoying type. He becomes deified through death.”
“… … .”
“Ah. Excuse me. I got sidetracked. Anyway, the results that the head of the household has achieved this time are quite remarkable. He will be able to refuse royal duties for the next month or two under the pretext of recuperating. The head of the household has secured time for himself to recover his strength. Well, actually, if he is capable of defeating the Demon King alone, he may not need recovery time.”
“I couldn’t handle it.”
Delak said.
“He was fatally wounded, but not killed. The leader… no. The purple demon lord is still alive. He’s probably recovering his strength somewhere in the south.”
“Is that so? That’s too bad.”
“It was thanks to Luan that I was able to defeat the Demon King in the first place. This wasn’t an achievement I accomplished alone.”
Zeno’s eyes twitched at the name.
Luan Badnicker.
I never thought such a thorn in the eye would appear in Badniker.
This is the case even with Delak this time.
Bringing the Iron Blood all the way to the South? Hopefully things will work out well, but what would have happened if things had gone wrong?
For this reason, Zeno spoke in a somewhat curt tone.
“But I heard that the child died.”
“… … .”
Delak muttered after a short pause.
“… Yeah. He died.”
Delak closed his eyes for a moment.
There were countless unanswered questions.
Why did that kid make himself a scapegoat? Wasn’t he afraid of dying? He said he wouldn’t gamble, but that was all a lie.
Above all.
The instrument that was felt at the last moment.
“But the truth doesn’t matter now.”
“What does it mean?”
“The Purple Demon King must be defeated by Gaju alone. Only then will the reputation of the Iron-Blooded Duke be further enhanced.”
“It’s a false reputation.”
“Yes. Given the circumstances, that is what we must prioritize above all else.”
“Old Zenon. Did I misunderstand? We were talking about the death of a child.”
“Of course I understood correctly. But wasn’t it for times like this that you ‘created’ many children in the first place?”
Zeno continued.
“Possibility lies dormant in the blood… … . That’s what the head of the household used to say. That potential blossomed beautifully and was of great help in the battle against the Demon King. The dead child will have no regrets. Rather, if he was of help to the head of the household through his death, he will be happy in the afterlife. Of course, the funeral will have to be held with great magnificence. I will also have to take care of his maternal family so that they won’t be disappointed… … Leave those minor matters to me.”
“… … .”
The moment the last words reached his ears, Delak’s eyes turned to Michael, who was sitting next to the office table.
