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HELHEIM SCANS
[Translator - Pot]
[Proofreader - Kawaii]
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Chapter 116: The Daughter of the Enemy
Balthazar, having poured tea for Zizek, began to recount an old tale with the leisurely manner of a storyteller.
"The mountain people who inhabit the Virgenhrid Mountains are, in fact, an ethnic group composed of several large tribes. For a long time, we've maintained a structure where the tribal chiefs representing each tribe would hold regular meetings to gather opinions."
"Oh, I see." Zizek nodded as he was surprised. "I didn't know it was structured that way."
"It's difficult for outsiders to know. Each tribe has survived in the rugged mountains in their own unique way. These ways varied widely, from hunting and gathering to raiding and trading."
Zizek nodded and listened intently to the old man's story.
"However, it's natural for a leader to emerge when people gather. Over the long years, our Eisenach clan, the most powerful and culturally advanced, came to occupy a leading position."
Balthazar smiled bitterly and sipped his traditional tea.
"To outsiders, we were the 'King of the Mountain People.' But among ourselves, we were called 'Roadstir,' a title meaning 'one who coordinates meetings.'"
"...It's the first time I've heard that name."
"That's usually the case. Our clan boasted the most outstanding knowledge of herbalism and spirit medicine among the mountain people, and we passed down powerful martial arts from generation to generation. We weren't very closed-minded to outside knowledge. It wasn't just goods that came in through trade."
"Is that why the Eisenach clan was able to form a marriage alliance with Duke Grunewald?"
"That's right."
Balthazar reminisced with a bitter expression, setting down his teacup.
"The more we learned about the world outside the mountains, the more we came to believe that living in harmony with nature in the mountains wasn't the best way. We were strong, and we possessed the wisdom of the mountains, but..."
He pointed at Zizek.
"Compared to the strength of Grunewald, which prospered through competition among the goods gathered from various places, we were like fireflies under the moonlight. We feared them. At the same time, we yearned for the prosperity of the city."
Zizek imagined the mountain men looking out at the distant sea and the harbor of a thriving city.
"Even while we lived in the mountains, the situation outside was changing constantly. We couldn't keep living as bandits and pirates forever. If things went wrong, they could come to subjugate us."
"Hmm."
It was a tangible fear. Zizek had often heard insults about the mountain people and the harmful effects of their piracy.
"Unlike the 'plain dwellers' with their vast plains and wide seas, food was always scarce in the mountains. If we didn't gather herbs and skin animals to sell, if you didn't buy our goods..."
Balthazar stroked the head of his granddaughter, Tara, who was quietly eating a snack.
"How many of our people would have starved to death? It's unthinkable."
"So, we decided to form a marital alliance with Duke Grunewald. We believed it was the best choice to end the long conflict and a path to peace."
However..
"We never imagined that the marriage, intended as a symbol of unity, would become the seed of internal strife and ruin."
"What happened?"
"There were fierce opponents within our clan. Those who were the most aggressive, who advocated for the entire clan to engage in banditry and piracy, and make a living off of looting - the Angantyr clan."
As soon as that name was mentioned, Knut cursed under his breath.
"Damn those bastards who deserve to be chewed up and spit out."
Zizek felt a chill run down his spine at the cold hatred in the old man’s voice.
“Trade wasn’t a satisfying business for them. There were many crazy bastards who openly said ‘Why should we give them anything when we can just take it all?’”
“…Hmph. They have a different way of thinking.”
“That’s because they didn’t know any other way. But even so, I could have somehow suppressed their discontent. At that time, the chief of the Angantyr clan was an unusually calm and wise man. The problem was…”
Balthazar’s fingers trembled slightly.
“After ‘Grimnar Angantyr’, the chief’s son, ousted his father and became the leader of the clan, things changed. That brutal man incited radical young people and intimidated the elders into submission before heading towards ‘Forbidden’.
And then, he harvested the poison of the ‘Nocturban’, a bird that drinks poison, and assassinated the chief of the Eisenach clan. He was my brother.”
“….”
“While we were consumed by grief and anger, they attacked us as if they had been waiting for this moment. Their surprise attack was so sudden and perfectly prepared that we had no choice but to flee.”
The old man’s fingertips trembled, filled with hatred.
“They all died. The parents of these children, my brothers and sisters, and my cousins. We vowed revenge and hid somewhere in the vast mountains. We waited for Grunewald’s salvation, biding our time.”
Zizek was unaware of the full details of his superiors' affairs due to his time spent in the underworld.
However, considering their situation, it was easy to predict that salvation would not come.
“The Duke didn’t seek revenge. Instead, he recognized that brutal usurper as the new Roadstir. In exchange, he received countless treasures, warriors, and Grimnar’s youngest daughter as a hostage.”
“Damn it. Is that how all the high-ranking people are?”
Balthazar smiled slightly at his reaction.
“How do you think we felt? We were on the verge of madness from betrayal and hatred. Some even said that we should go and kill the Duke because we hated him more than Angantyr.”
At this point, he patted Knut on the shoulder. Knut closed his eyes without a word.
“But only I had the responsibility to somehow gather and lead these defeated remnants. I suppressed my anger and sent people to gather information. But the more I looked, the stranger it became.”
“What do you mean?”
“The Duke had rejected Angantyr’s request to divorce Lusatia and take Grimnar’s daughter as wife. As a result, Angantyr submitted and offered a vast amount of wealth. Of course, that was stolen from our treasury.”
“….”
“First, I needed to understand the Duke’s intentions. Consumed by anger and grief, Lusatia had strangely secluded herself and become a wife who could no longer depend on her Clan's power. He didn’t abandon her and protected her until the end.”
“…Why would he do that?”
“There must have been circumstances that outsiders didn’t know about. I also knew that the Duke had many enemies. Perhaps it was an unavoidable choice for him.”
Balthazar was a wise old man. He had the eyes to set aside his emotions of anger and betrayal and reason about the essence of the situation.
“Governing this vast duchy is like walking a tightrope against internal opponents, those who are always ready to be mobilized, and external enemies who are waiting for an opportunity. Even the Duke’s seemingly absolute power and authority could collapse in an instant, given the right circumstances.”
Just like my younger brother died so meaninglessly, the old man said.
“We don’t know if the Duke plans to avenge his wife. But one thing is certain, the Duke has tolerated our existence.”
“What?”
Zizek asked in surprise.
“Elder, what do you mean?”
“No matter how many enemies he has, Duke Georg is the one who has defeated and subdued them all and rules over the duchy. Could he really not have known about our existence hidden in the shadows of his territory?”
“….”
“I think he knew everything but didn’t show it. The more I learned, the more I realized that there were invisible eyes and hands in the underworld of Grunewald.”
“Hmph…”
For Zizek, who was at the very bottom of the tower of the underworld, this was all unthinkable. His perspective and worldview had broadened in an instant.
‘My head is spinning, damn it.’
"I’ve heard so much, my head is spinning."
"If I ever meet the Duke, I’d like to punch that handsome face of his."
"Oh, don’t do that, you’ll get into big trouble."
"He wouldn’t dare kill his brother-in-law. If I get locked up, just bring me some food."
The old man chuckled and sighed.
"We’ve been clinging to life, waiting for revenge and to one day meet Lusatia and Allenvert."
He pointed at Zizek.
"But to think that Allenvert would send someone to find us first."
"..."
After hearing the tragic story between Allenvert and them, Zizek’s expression was heavy.
"It's so strange. The Allenvert I know would never do something like this."
Zizek asked curiously.
"What was he like originally?"
"Well, when he was young, Allenvert came to visit his maternal grandparents a few times. Tara is too young to remember much, but..."
"I was quite close to him."
Knut said, finally smiling for the first time with a serious expression.
"That kindness must have come from Lusatia. Everyone loved that child."
A warm smile appeared on Balthazar's lips.
"In my memory, he was a bright but pure and somewhat delicate child."
"I heard that he changed after he recovered from a serious illness, Grandfather." Knut said.
"Yes, it's a rare occurrence, but it happens sometimes. Certain events can completely change a person."
"...Even so, I never thought he would create his own force in the underworld and send someone to gather information about us."
"That man named Karzan, who you say he recruited, seems quite capable."
At this point, the old man and his grandson looked at each other questioningly.
"So who is this Karzan anyway? We've never heard that name before."
"...Perhaps he's an immigrant from a distant foreign land."
"Then how did he manage to make that man his servant? I have no idea at all."
Of course, no one could reach the absurd conclusion that Karzan and Allenvert were the same person, or even that Karzan had reincarnated as Allenvert.
"Anyway."
Balthazar changed his expression and looked at Zizek and Rob.
"Even though we've unexpectedly got in touch with Allenvert, this old man is very suspicious."
"Ah, of course I understand. Even I..."
"What I suspect is."
The old man interrupted Zizek.
“I doubt whether the one who sent you is Karzan's backer, Allenvert, or one of his other brothers, like Verdzig or Karl."
"...!"
"Their maternal families, the Counts of Bergen and Agrippa are still pursuing us. If this is their scheme, we must hide immediately."
"...What should I do?"
"Do this..."
Balthazar summarized.
"I'll write a letter. It will contain a code that only those of the Eisenach lineage, like me and Tara, who are herbalists, can understand."
"...!"
Zizek exclaimed.
"You said there was a way to contact Allenvert, right?"
"Yes."
"Then show this letter to Lusatia and have her reply in her own handwriting."
Balthazar pointed at Zizek.
"That's the condition for trust."
"I will."
"No need to look so serious. I don't doubt you, but rather the man named Karzan and his backers."
Balthazar patted Zizek on the shoulder.
"It's late, so why don't you stay the night? I'll provide you with dinner and a place to sleep."
"Oh, is that alright?"
"Of course. Let me treat you to some of the Eisenach's delicacies."
Zizek asked cautiously.
"...Elder, I hope there aren't any bugs in the food, right?"
"That's a very discriminatory and narrow-minded thing to say."
"Oh, I'm sorry. I was just joking."
Zizek apologized immediately.
"But you have a keen insight. If you boil centipedes long enough, the poison disappears, and they have an incredibly deep flavor."
"...!"
Zizek exclaimed.
"Just kidding."
Balthazar chuckled.
"But they do go into liquor. It's an incredibly precious liquor, and I'll treat you to it today."
"Oh." Zizek's face turned pale.
***
"Are you saying that you're establishing a secret force in the underworld?"
Rudgarda asked incredulously, her eyes wide with shock after hearing my surprising secret.
"How is that possible?"
"An appearance changing mask, a retainer who can come and go as they please, exceptional martial arts skills and quick thinking, and strict control of information. And finally, the cunning to outmaneuver my suspicious brothers."
I closed my hand into a fist.
"When all of that comes together, it becomes possible."
"Unbelievable."
Rudgarda shook her head.
"They said you were the perfect fit for the Special Operations Division. So this is what they meant."
"My sister said that?"
"Indeed, Young Master."
She still looked stunned.
"But I find it strange. Why tell me all this?"
"A foolish question."
I pointed at Rudgarda.
"From the outside, we seem like two people who could never stand on the same side. There's a history of deep-seated resentment between us—resentment that seems impossible to untangle."
"That’s true."
"My mother, my maternal clan—they would be furious if they knew I was even speaking to you."
"…I suppose they would."
I pressed a hand to my chest.
"That's why I'm revealing my weakness first. If you wish to stab me in the back, go ahead. If you want to betray the trust of a man with no way out, who is offering you his last chance—then do it. If you were that foolish, you wouldn’t have survived this long."
"……."
"Just as your father would have wanted."
"…Damn it."
Rudgarda swore under her breath.
"You really know how to talk. The Second Commander was right about you."
She let out a fierce laugh, then fixed her gaze on me.
"In that case, I will accept your trust with the weight it deserves."
Rudgarda drew a curved dagger and made a shallow cut on her finger.
Blood welled up—red as wine.
Her blood and mine were no different. It was almost ironic.
"I swear on this blood." Rudgarda declared solemnly.
"If I betray your trust first, I will drive this blade into my own throat and spill my life upon the ground."
"……"
I met her serious gaze and, matching her tone, responded.
"That’s quite the declaration. A bit excessive, don’t you think?"
"……."
"I'm joking."
And so, I forged a blood pact with the daughter of my enemy.
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HELHEIM SCANS
[Translator - Pot]
[Proofreader - Kawaii]
Join our Discord for release updates!
https://discord.com/invite/dbdMDhzWa2
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