Book 1 Chapter 989
989.
“Hero Alliance?”
“Brother Leo is the new leader?”
Celia and Chelsea, who heard the news from Karl, opened their eyes wide.
“Yes. Whoa. Ugh~ I’m tired.”
Karl made his characteristic sly voice and patted his shoulder.
“I had no idea.”
Abad also looked surprised and glanced at Eliza.
“Did you know?”
“I didn’t know either. Because this person didn’t tell me.”
“Don’t blame me too much. Lord Hergin told me to keep this matter absolutely secret.”
Seeing Eliza glaring at him, Karl chuckled mischievously.
It was true.
The gathering of the heads of the heroic noble families to elect a leader was, quite literally, top secret.
Even the successors of each family had no prior notice.
Within the Rhodlen Empire, only the Emperor of Rhodlen, his closest confidant, and Seld and Chade, the heads of the Zerdinger and Rwallyn families, knew about this fact.
The fact that the Emperor of Rhodlen was not the leader of the vast power known as the Hero Alliance was something that could cause a backlash from the Empire's nobility.
However, if it was a decision approved not only by the Emperor but also by the heads of Zerdinger and Rwallyn, then there could be no opposition.
It was no exaggeration to say that the formation of the Hero Alliance was complete.
Karl had been chosen as Hergin’s representative at the noble family meeting, so he had heard the news in advance.
“Even so, it’s a bit surprising that you didn’t even tell Eliza.”
At Celia’s words, Karl gave a thumbs-up.
“I am Karl Thomas. A man who endured in Rumerun with only trust. No matter if she’s my girlfriend, I can’t betray Lord Hergin’s trust.”
At that, Eliza, who had been glaring at Karl, poked Karl’s side repeatedly with her finger.
She understood, but it was Eliza’s way of playfully showing her disappointment.
Knowing this, Karl playfully screamed “Ouch!” in response.
Watching them, Celia said.
“Seeing you two like that, you really look like a married couple.”
At Celia’s words, Karl looked a bit awkward, and Eliza merely let out a light snort with her characteristic haughty expression.
‘A couple I couldn’t have imagined when we were freshmen.’
Karl, a commoner who had maintained just-passing grades since admission.
Conversely, Eliza, who had excellent grades and was brimming with the pride of a heroic noble family.
If someone had gone back to their freshman year and told them, “You two will get married later,” what kind of expression would they have made?
While he was thinking that, Abad subtly slipped next to Celia.
“Are you envious?”
“Don’t stick to me. Butter.”
Abad smiled faintly, watching Celia frown and create distance.
Chelsea frowned slightly at the sight, but she didn’t lash out.
“You two are still not getting along.”
Eliza shook her head, saying they were just like their usual selves.
But Karl alone picked up on the strange atmosphere between the two.
‘Oh my? Look at these two?’
Karl stroked his chin, his eyes sparkling.
His quick wits, rapid grasp of the atmosphere, and exceptional perceptiveness were his greatest strengths, and true to form, Karl immediately noticed the subtle atmosphere flowing between Celia and Abad.
Just then, Karl met Chelsea’s gaze.
As close friends since freshman year, Chelsea knew that her perceptive friend had vaguely noticed something between Celia and Abad.
‘Don’t even breathe a word.’
Chelsea conveyed the message to Karl by just moving her lips.
Seeing Chelsea clench her fist in a way that only he could see, Karl made an awkward expression and turned his head.
Chelsea wished for Celia and Abad’s relationship to be revealed as late as possible.
Because she knew well that if their relationship became known, she, not the individuals involved, would become the target of teasing.
‘We fought with Celia so much, and they’ll definitely tease me about her becoming my sister-in-law!’
At the thought of such a dizzying situation, Chelsea made a resolution.
‘I will do whatever it takes to keep their relationship from being discovered!’
While Chelsea was strengthening her resolve.
“By the way, Karl. Are you alright? Apart from the results of this meeting, I think there might be quite a few people who hold ill feelings towards you.”
At Abad’s words, Eliza snorted.
“Isn’t it funny? They wouldn’t even look at themselves if Karl wasn’t there, you know.”
For Eliza, it couldn’t help but make her furious.
Eliza gritted her teeth, recalling those who couldn’t even grasp their own standing and harbored vain dreams of becoming her partner.
Of course, the most infuriating reason was still the fact that Karl had been disrespected.
Watching her, Chelsea whispered to Celia.
“Look at Eliza and learn.”
“What?”
“She’s genuinely angry because of her future husband.”
“What are you whispering about?”
“Nothing.”
Chelsea quickly pushed Celia away.
Watching them, Karl said.
“I’m fine.”
***
Bang—!
“How dare the heroic noble families form an alliance on their own!”
Lord Zeltian, with bloodshot eyes, slammed his fist on the table.
“Isn’t this a clear act of disrespect towards our noble families!”
He shrieked angrily in his rage.
With the heroic noble families united, confronting Leo, who had been nominated as the leader, would be an utterly unprofitable action.
Immediately, even the noble families who had harbored resentment against Arhi regarding the new alliance’s launch were now watching cautiously and showing signs of defecting from the anti-Arhi faction led by Zeltian.
“Those bat-like creatures!”
Lord Zeltian gritted his teeth.
“Hoo…”
But no matter how angry he was, maintaining the anti-Arhi forces had become difficult.
Lord Zeltian, having composed himself with a deep breath, gritted his teeth.
Just then.
Burst—!
“Father! What about my marriage talks?”
“Wait!”
“But I can no longer listen to people talking about Eliza Hergin and Karl Thomas…!”
“Quiet! Didn’t I tell you to wait! How can the one who is to lead Zeltian be so impatient!”
At Lord Zeltian’s scolding, his son flinched, then quickly scurried out of the room as if fleeing.
“Useless fellow!”
Lord Zeltian sighed deeply and clenched his fist.
‘As things stand, I have to deal with that Karl Thomas, at least!’
“Lord Zeltian.”
Just then, a voice came from behind.
Lord Zeltian flinched and quickly turned around.
Standing there was a demon subordinate of Sigaas, the King of Greed, with whom he was cooperating.
“Where is Sigaas, and why have you, a mere subordinate, come?”
“The King of Greed is busy. You should be grateful that I came.”
“Ugh! A mere demon…!”
“More importantly, Karl Thomas just left the Rwallyn mansion.”
“…!”
‘This is an opportunity!’
***
“Ughhhh.”
The brown-haired man hugged himself and shivered.
“It doesn’t seem that cold, so why are you shivering so much?”
“Boss. Autumn nights in the south aren’t this cold!”
“Stop exaggerating…”
Karl clicked his tongue at the beastman.
He was Tyri, the leader who oversaw the intelligence network Karl created.
And…
‘A former Shadow.’
He had left his work as a Shadow and started a new life, but nevertheless, given his background, he could be considered top-tier talent in this field.
‘Except the salary is expensive.’
“Boss. You mustn’t forget the special bonus you promised this time.”
“Yes, yes.”
Karl nodded, inwardly shedding tears of blood.
“But… if we’re moving so openly and suspiciously, will they still come?”
Perena, who was next to Karl, asked with a puzzled expression.
To which Karl replied.
“Because they won’t have any more opportunities once I return to Rumerun.”
Lord Elkan of the Hergin family, who had foreseen this situation, had already moved all of Karl’s family to Hersia.
Since his family was under the protection of the Hergin family, kidnapping them for blackmail was impossible.
And if he returned to Rumerun, the opportunity for assassination itself would disappear.
No matter what anyone said, Rumerun was one of the safest places in the world.
Those who wished for Karl’s death were those who desired a political marriage with the Hergin family.
As time went on, Karl’s position within the Hergin family would solidify.
‘By then, even if they succeeded in assassinating me, they would have judged it difficult to arrange a political marriage.’
At that point, the Hergin family would move to find the mastermind.
Of course, it was the same now, but those who sought Karl’s life were probably entertaining the shallow thought, ‘Would Hergin really move for a mere commoner in a situation where nothing has been officially announced?’
“When they’re impatient, they tend to make hasty moves.”
“What if they don’t move?”
“By then…”
“Then?”
“We’ll have to plan a new strategy.”
Karl himself did not want to leave those who sought his life alone.
Moreover…
‘The probability of them being involved with demons seems high.’
Karl scratched his head.
The noble families would know best the true power of the Heroic Noble Families.
Attempting an assassination despite the possibility of becoming hostile with the Hergin family meant they were confident they wouldn’t be caught.
If so, there was only one answer.
There was a high probability they were dealing with Tartarus.
Of course, he didn’t explicitly state this.
While Karl was lost in thought.
Tyri’s eyes changed suddenly.
Seeing that, Karl let out a hollow laugh.
‘Looks like they’ve come.’
***
Leo, perched atop the clock tower that offered a clear view of the street, looked down.
Behind Leo, Melina was standing attendant.
“When Karl uses his quick wits, he’s just like Licinas.”
“I thought demons would appear since there were signs of the King of Greed moving, but… it seems the Zeltian family has been abandoned.”
“Was it Sigaas? That Legion Commander, the King of Greed.”
Leo said calmly.
“He’s as cunning as the King of the Dead. Unlike his name, he isn’t overly greedy.”
“The Zeltian family was a pawn from the start, then.”
The King of Greed’s objective was simple.
To weaken the noble families’ power by instigating internal strife, no matter what.
Even just instigating a large noble family like Zeltian and causing its downfall was a benefit to Tartarus.
If they truly succeeded in dealing with Karl, he would have judged that to be a significant additional gain.
So, he might have helped the assassins move stealthily, but he wouldn’t have offered any more assistance.
Because losing demons would be a loss instead.
While Leo was thinking about the Legion Commander, Melina spoke.
“Still, Karl’s handling of the situation is remarkably clean.”
“He has to do at least this much. Otherwise, I’d be in trouble.”
Leo said with a faint smile.
Watching Leo, Melina opened her eyes wide.
“Why?”
“You seem to be in a slightly different mood.”
“What?”
“How to put it? A sense of ease? It feels like you’ve shed a little burden from your heart?”
“Huh. How did you know that?”
“Because I always watch over and assist you, Leo-nim. It’s good to see.”
At Melina’s words, Leo let out a wry chuckle.
“Is that so?”
“Yes. By the way, did you have any change of heart?”
“I got a bit of a scolding from someone.”
“Hmm.”
“What?”
“Since you said your thoughts changed after a scolding, may I also say something?”
“…Do you have a lot pent up against me too?”
“A little.”
“….”
“No. A little a lot?”
“Go on.”
“Leo-nim, I think you should trust me more. No. Don’t treat me like a child in the first place. Do you even know how old I am?”
Seeing Melina, who seized the opportunity to pour out everything she had been holding back, Leo wore a weary expression.
‘Shouldn’t have asked her to speak?’
“Leo-nim. You’re thinking something else, aren’t you?”
‘I definitely shouldn't have asked her to speak.’