282. The Hawk Flies (3)
Now, it was a group that could be called “Fernandez’s party.” Kirhas, Abel, and Freya were in the carriage, while Fernandez sat in the driver’s seat, quietly lost in thought.
After the conversation with Orcis, the time Fernandez spent lost in thought grew longer and longer. Despite Kirhas’s jokes, Freya’s grumbling, and Abel’s gentle encouragement, Fernandez’s condition seemed to worsen with each passing day.
However, contrary to their thoughts, he was neither frustrated nor worried. He was quietly continuing his thought experiments.
-This is impossible too. You know that. How could the [Bent Spear] conquer Ares? That assumption itself seems flawed.
‘We must keep all possibilities open. Just because they were insignificant groups in my past life doesn’t mean they will remain so now.’
-If we go by that logic, we’d have to consider every small gathering tucked away in some remote corner of the countryside. That’s neither feasible nor meaningful.
The future is already flowing in a completely different direction from the past. Relying on past-life knowledge to monopolize future events has become meaningless.
Dane, Infermur, Phaeirn, the 50-Year War, the Empire and the Sultanate, the Northern Sea… even Necropolis. If time continues to flow like this, the gap will only grow wider.
At this moment, when it became impossible to base strategies on past-life knowledge, he pondered Orcis’s words.
A group that didn’t exist in the past life. Yet, a group capable of bringing about the world’s destruction. Events that didn’t happen before and the ripples they caused.
Where could it be? Where will it start? In his mind, a vast continental map unfolded. Black flags were being planted one by one. The so-called “safe zones.”
Regions that have been thoroughly cleansed. Areas where the remnants of the past life’s defenses have been completely eradicated. Looking at it this way, the eastern part of the continent was almost a vacuum.
‘There is one thing that’s certain.’
Though we don’t know when, where, or how the world’s destruction will occur, there is one thing that’s certain—
‘Behind it all is the Great Demon.’
The Insect King Urkasia. The Seven-Crowned Yekaset. The Crimson Duke Tyban. Only three Great Demons remain. Even during the thousand-year war where gods, demons, and heroes of various races clashed, their unyielding thrones remained intact. But now, cracks have appeared.
What could the Great Demons be thinking? Anxiety? Anger?
‘Joy.’
-That must be it.
The Great Demons, in their arrogance, don’t even consider the possibility of their own failure or downfall. Even though they were all confined to their own dimensions during the thousand-year war.
Their thinking is very simple. Perhaps because they have become more than half conceptual beings. Their thoughts are not sophisticated. Some might say they are beings of madness, whose contemplations are too deep for mortals to grasp, but to Fernandez, they are no different from immature brats.
They must be enjoying this. The variables arising on this monotonous, straightforward path to destruction must be thrilling to them. Or perhaps, they find it amusing to watch their future competitors for dominance over the material world crumble on their own.
Every time a Great Demon falls, their mad laughter will echo from the abyss below. Growing louder, more intense. For the Great Demons, this is a welcome event. After all, they are confident that victory will be theirs.
Laugh. Laugh all you want. Laugh until your sides split. That will be your epitaph. Fernandez closed his eyes, gazing at the shadow sprawled in the driver’s seat.
In an era where demons smile from every shadow, we’ll see how long your thrones remain unshaken.
* * *
The moment they arrived at the port, Kirhas jumped onto the carriage roof and started bouncing around. True to her wilderness origins, she had a tendency to love open spaces.
“The ocean!!”
“Can you see the ocean?”
“…I can smell it!”
Of course, it wasn’t some rural port—this was the Empire’s largest port city. The ocean wasn’t visible from the city gates, but the unique atmosphere of the port city seemed to delight her.
Gur was an incredibly prosperous port. At least twice as developed as Fernandez remembered. The streets were filled with goods from all over the world, regardless of origin or affiliation.
Kirzit’s spices and silks, exotic fruits from some distant western land, nameless woolens and carvings, merchants of various skin colors shouting at each other in anger.
At that moment, Kirhas poked her head out from the roof and shouted.
“Your Excellency! Doesn’t this remind you of that time?”
“That time?”
“When we were invited by the Elven King!”
“Infermur, you mean. Yes, it’s somewhat similar.”
To Fernandez, comparing Gur to Infermur was frankly an insult to Gur. Even though Infermur was one of the northeastern maritime trade hubs, it couldn’t compare to Gur’s stature.
But to Kirhas, ports probably all looked the same, especially with the ocean’s scent and the unfamiliar foreign goods stimulating her.
“The market!”
“…Do you need something?”
“Chicken skewers! Like the ones back then!”
On their first night in Infermur, they had wandered the market alleys searching for a spy. Half to blend in, and half to appease Kirhas, they had bought chicken skewers from the market.
Was she hungry? But Kirhas’s face didn’t show any signs of hunger. Instead, she seemed lost in some nostalgic thought. Fernandez watched her for a while—
‘Kirhas’s face is too well-known… And this is Iron Side’s backyard.’
He nodded.
“Taking a break now and then isn’t a bad idea. Go ahead, Kirhas.”
“What are you talking about, Your Excellency?”
“Huh?”
“Of course, you’re coming with me! It’s my turn this time!!”
There was no way to know what she meant by “her turn.” It sounded like she was treating it as a public resource. Kirhas playfully shouted and disappeared back onto the carriage roof. She immediately began scouting the city for a good eatery, fruits she wanted to try, and bustling plazas.
* * *
“Someone’s watching us.”
“I know who it is.”
At Abel’s quiet whisper, Fernandez replied nonchalantly. It was only natural. At this point, having earned the name [Untouchable] among various intelligence agencies, and considering that just half a year ago, every intelligence agency was scrambling to locate him in the Eastern Kingdom.
Of course, there was no need to consider other organizations. This was Gur, and its ruler was Count Tremule. Given Robert’s paranoid self-management, it was impossible for spies from other nations to enter this city.
“But it’s excessive.”
“Do you want them chased away?”
“Meow?”
“Then next time, it’ll be double. It’s better to leave it alone.”
Fernandez ordered warm tea and snacks from the inn servant as he spoke. Unlike Abel, he didn’t even try to lower his voice. The inn servant flinched for a moment, then calmly took the order and left, glancing back briefly.
It was a very brief change in expression, but for Diemonica, who could catch a flying crossbow bolt with his eyes, it was a level of disguise that meant nothing. He watched the departing inn servant for a moment, then scanned the bartender in the hall and the scattered travelers.
‘Wouldn’t it be better to just invite them directly?’
– He’s a noble.
‘Haha. More like a merchant’s approach than a noble’s.’
Fernandez smiled bitterly as he sipped his tea. At least everyone in this inn was either from Iron Side or one of their planted spies.
Even though Robert knew of his presence, he didn’t make direct contact, which was either due to the pride of a noble or closer to a merchant’s sense of trade. The one in a hurry digs the well first. In the old customary laws of the Empire’s noble society, this meant, ‘The one who digs the well first is at a disadvantage.’
Fernandez bowed his head for a moment and tapped the table. There was no need to engage in a battle of wits with Robert. Before calculating gains and losses, they could at least be considered allies within the Empire’s political landscape.
However, the reason Robert was trying to take the lead with his sense of trade now… It had to be interpreted as a request for understanding.
[I know you are aware of my surveillance. But I cannot reach out first. Just as you came to me seeking something, I too have something I desire. I want a transaction, not a one-sided command.]
In truth, considering his relationship with Rene Philippa, Robert could never defy Fernandez’s words. There might be some threshold, but the most stable political position Robert could think of was being the Emperor’s closest confidant and the leader of Iron Side.
But now, Robert had something he wanted from Fernandez. It was something difficult to offer in this kind of one-sided relationship. Therefore, simplifying Robert’s current actions, it carried this tone:
[I ask for your understanding.]
It was a very noble and very commercial gesture. A very twisted metaphor typical of the Empire’s nobility. Fernandez nodded readily.
“I should go visit first.”
“Where? To those who are watching us now?”
“When a Great Noble bows their head first, ignoring it could lead to trouble. And I’m curious about what the issue is.”
Considering the vast wealth Gur possessed, Robert’s personal spy network, and the military power of the private fleet ‘protecting’ Gur’s harbor, there weren’t many personal requests he would make to Fernandez.
Fernandez stroked his chin, thought for a moment, and then stood up readily.
“Kirhas.”
“Yes, Your Excellency!”
“Are you very hungry?”
“No!”
Though she said that, Kirhas’s tail was tapping the floor. At the very least, she needed to manage her tail before reclaiming the Chieftain’s authority. Fernandez smiled wryly and nodded.
“Lately, it’s trendy in Gur to eat raw fish sliced fresh. Do you eat raw food well?”
“Yes! Your Excellency!!”
– Tap! Tap! Tap!
It was like the reaction of a puppy hearing it’s time for a walk. Fernandez chuckled at Kirhas’s lively voice and ruffled her hair once.
“Bring some fruits when you come!”
“Fruits?”
“A devotee coming to the Goddess cannot come empty-handed! The Goddess wants to try new fruits!”
Freya shouted like that and was immediately distracted by the food brought by the innkeeper. Since divine power depends on the followers’ influence, she didn’t have dominion over all plants across the continent.
She truly wanted to see a wider world. She tended to get distracted by new fruits, flowers, or foods she hadn’t seen before. Fernandez nodded and left the inn.
* * *
“…Where did they go?”
“They started sightseeing at the market, sir.”
“The market…? Sightseeing? Did they not notice your presence?”
Robert never underestimated Fernandez’s abilities, but he couldn’t help but ask with a somewhat puzzled expression. He, who understood the Empire’s nobility better than anyone, couldn’t believe such a blatant gesture was followed by a market visit.
“That’s not it. They even directly told one of our agents disguised as an innkeeper.”
“What did they say?”
“‘Then I should go visit,’ they said, sir.”
“And then they headed to the market? Who accompanied them?”
“Chieftain Hearttaker.”
“Haha… Hahaha!”
Robert laughed heartily, tapping the table. It was the first time the cold-hearted noble had laughed so boisterously, so Iron Side bowed deeply and started to gauge the situation.
Robert, who had been laughing heartily, wiped his teary eyes and spoke to Jean Albre sitting beside him.
“Did you hear that? Isn’t it amazing?”
“I… I don’t really understand. What’s going on…?”
“Do you understand the metaphor I sent to him?”
“…No.”
“Learn from now on. Attaching surveillance to a high noble and deliberately letting it be known carries one of two meanings. Either they are openly hostile to you, or they want to meet because they have something they desire.”
“Why is that?”
Robert looked at his naive friend, clicked his tongue, and continued.
“What do you think the meaning of a secret known to both of us is? It’s a metaphor for sharing the same secret. Is there anyone in this world who likes surveillance? Why would they do such an uncomfortable thing to an ally? It means they have something they want to convey without others noticing.”
“So?”
“But this is Gur. A place where it’s impossible to go unnoticed. Yet they still take such an approach? It means revealing my weakness and lowering my position. So, in short, it can be interpreted like this.”
I respect your authority, but please come to me directly.
“But didn’t they tell the innkeeper, ‘Then I should go visit’?”
“So why the sudden market visit…?”
“Haha. That means this.”
I understand your sincerity, but you come to me.
“Such arrogance!”
“Arrogance…? The right-hand man of the Empire’s next Emperor, who with a small force completely neutralized an Elector Count, is now the most influential saint of the Church, and holds the most rights under the Temple’s religious laws as an Inquisition Officer, isn’t it okay to be a bit arrogant?”
Especially when such a person has close connections with leaders of various countries.
“But rejecting my intentions so subtly means this in reverse.”
– I also have a request for you.
“So this is a kind of duet. A duet sung by two singers who perfectly know what rhythm to follow. Such refined political language. Such bold decisions. Duke Vares, learn well. This is how a politician should act.”
“So what are you going to do?”
“If invited, I should visit from the disadvantaged position.”
Robert smiled faintly and stood up. Iron Side bowed and stepped back upon hearing their words. The inner door opened, and the vassals waiting for him showed deep respect and made way.
“Let’s see if you can reclaim your territory.”
“It won’t be easy.”
“It won’t be that hard either.”
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