Chapter 34
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A shabby pawn shop with worn-out furniture.
Uh uh.
Bradley, tied up with his arms and legs on a chair in a corner, struggled awkwardly.
With a bridle in his mouth and a dusty bag flipped over his head, he looked pitiful.
Your choice of location is excellent.
As he entered, Ian confirmed the sight.
This house was located on the outskirts of nkton Vige, even further out.
Without the guidance of Paton and Yukson, it would have been difficult to find.
Den, who had been leaning against the wall, smiled.
Unfortunately, I didnt do that part alone. This ce is where the governor enjoys secret meetings with the government. I just waited.
He approached Bradley.
As soon as Bradley heard his voice, he stopped struggling.
Den took off his bag.
Nice to meet you, Bradley.
What! What is this? Wheres Rose?
As the bridle was removed, Bradley, spitting out saliva, eximed in frustration.
Den shrugged.
Shes probably sleeping at home.
What kind of trap is this? Can you handle it if the master finds out?
Thats my concern. Bradley, you should worry about yourself first. Unfortunately, its not me who has duties for you today.
What?
Bradley finally turned to Ian and Philip, who had been watching since their entrance.
He now realized that Ian and Philip were not Dens subordinates.
Ian smiled.
We finally meet, Bradley.
Who are you? Ive never seen you before.
Bradley widened his eyes.
Ian stepped forward, pulling a badge from his pocket, and approached Bradley.
Thats right. Ive never seen you either. But I know you well, dont you think?
What nonsense !
With the badge confirmed, Bradleys eyes widened.
Where did you get this?
A ghost gave it to me. He asked me to release his grudge. He wants me to find the one buried beneath the ancient tree, the one who killed him.
Ancient tree? I dont know anything about that
Ian grabbed Bradleys sharp jaw.
Ians smile vanished as if washed away.
ck mineral eyes.
This is yourst warning. I wont ask again.
Ian looked down at Bradleys bound hand on the armrest and asked.
Under whose orders did you sacrifice these people?
Ancient tree? Sacrifice? What nonsense Aaargh!
Bradley yelled as Ian released his jaw.
Ian gripped Bradleys finger.
Whose orders was it?
You you bastard! Do you know who I am
This time, Ian snapped Bradleys little finger.
Bradley screamed and red at Den with bloodshot eyes.
I knew you were lowly and foolish. To fall for this bullshit and do crazy things- Aaah!
Another broken finger.
Despite shouting and screaming, no one came to the house.
It was also a ce where people barelye.
It was thanks to Paton and Yukson leading the gang and blocking the road to prevent anyone from approaching.
Dont think it will end with your fingers. Toes, ears, nose, eyes There are many ces to break, and breaking it doesnt mean it wont be cut. Of course you wont even pass out, and youll feel everything alive. I vouch for it.
Ian, who spoke in a low voice, looked at Bradley again, who was dripping with tears, runny nose, and even drool.
Whose orders?
It It was the Master!.
When Ian grabbed Bradleys finger, he vomited the words.
The Master gave the order.
Ians hand stopped.
Mason Burchard? Why would the master give such an order?
I dont know ugh!
His left little finger snapped this time.
Bradley vomited.
Damn! I said we should block the path. If we block just one path from Agen to Orundel, we can gain a strategic advantage!
Strategic advantage?
Dens smile, which had been watching like a y, froze for a moment.
Ians gaze signaled Den to intervene.
Does the Marquis know about this?
Of course It was what his excellency the Marquis wanted. He said the time is near.
The time is near .
Thats really all I heard. I mean, I was just following orders! If its for the glory of Orundel, the sacrifice of those lowly lives is nothing!
Bradley said with a blood clot in his mouth.
One corner of Ians mouth curled up.
Of course. With war imminent, sacrifices are necessary to achieve great goals. Especially if its about independence and founding a nation.
I understand. Dammit I didnt want to, but someone had to do it. And it had to be me.
Perfectly fitting answer. Its almost like you were prepared for when this came out.
Ians voice sank.
Well, if you want to keep the fact that youre a fallen hidden, this level is necessary.
!
Bradleys eyebrows twitched for a moment.
He never imagined such words woulde out.
Of course, that was only for a moment.
With a naturally furrowed brow, he asked,
Fallen? What nonsense is this? Aaargh!
Another broken finger.
I already knew that you were a fallen one. Dont bother with this bad acting. Your lord from the beginning has been a fallen one, so how can you, his sons servant, be innocent? Now, lets start again.
Ians voice chilled.
What were you promised as a condition to join them? Immortality? Power? Authority?
Bradleys eyes shook uncontrobly.
Ian was sure he knew everything.
When Ian gripped Bradleys index finger for a moment, Bradley suddenly spoke.
How did you know? Are there others who know this besides you?
Well Actually, I didnt know everything.
What?
All I knew was that the governor you serve had be a fallen one. Now its certain that Marquis Burchard has also be a fallen one.
Ian snapped his fingers.
Thanks to the proof you just provided.
This This is You bastard!
Bradleys face turned red.
Ian put the bridle back on Bradleys mouth.
As a reward for your cooperation, Ill send you off now. Its better not to move. If you want to diefortably at once
Ugh!
Ian drew his Sword of Condemnation.
Bradleys eyes looked as if they were about to pop out.
Wait a moment.
Dens voice echoed.
As the conversation continued, his face, which had been stiffening more and more, now even looked bewildered.
This was because he could no longer follow the context of the conversation from a certain point on.
I wouldnt object to killing, but it seems like exining things properly to me shoulde first.
Den, who was blocking Bradleys path, said as he looked at Ian with eyes devoid of amusement.
Ancient tree, rebellion, followed by independence, and now a fallen one. What is all this talk? Are you saying that my father is dreaming of rebellion against the kingdom and has even gone so far as to be a fallen one?
Thats right.
What in the world is this nonsense-
You haventpletely cleared yourself of all charges yet. So, well
Ian suddenly stopped speaking.
A faint smirk finally appeared on his lips that had been slightly tightened.
Right. It wasnt just a promise you received.
What?
A muffled sound echoed from behind Den, who was still staring in confusion.
It was the sound of the chair that had bound Bradley breaking.
Thunk, thud, thud-thud-
A gruesome sound that seemed like bones breaking followed.
As shadows began to rise above Dens head, Ian, who had rushed towards him like a crescent moon, pulled him backwards over his shoulder.
Protect the young master, Philip.
A calm voice that contrasted with the action.
Philip grabbed Dens arm, which was trying to copse to the ground, and said,
Stay behind me.
Suddenly, he drew his sword and faced backwards.
Without retorting, Den turned around.
His eyes widened as he looked back without saying anything.
Thunk, thud- Thuddd-
It was because of the sight of Bradleys figure transforming into an eerie shape.
His muscles were growing as if proliferating, revealing red flesh torn between the expanding skin.
Bradleys angr face contorted like a tumor, buried within the growing muscles.
Thorn-like protrusions, resembling arthropod exoskeletons, pierced through his shoulders and sides.
Shing-
Amidst the transformation of Bradleys figure, Ian leaped above.
The Sword of Condemnation in his hand drew a sharp trajectory as it fell.
Quash-!
A protrusion on Bradleys shoulder blocked Ians sword. It had prated more than half of its length, but it hadnt beenpletely severed.
Bradleys eye, bloodshot as if about to burst, traced the trajectory of the sword.
A feeble strike heh hehe.
An eerie voice mixed with a curse.
A triumphant expression appeared on Bradleys distorted face.
So this is power heh hehehe. I was foolish to fear not being able to return to my original form even in the face of such overwhelming power
Am I being treated like a transparent human, you muscle-bound brat?
Ian, gripping the hilt, retorted, suspended on the protrusion.
Bradleys smile deepened.
Thats not heh, heh. You can move Its not like Ill let you off easily
Yourst words arecking in imagination.
Ians arm, gripping the hilt, tightened. A blue light akin to mes spread down the thorns.
Bradleys eyes widened.
His eyeballs popped out towards the front.
Divine? Divine power?
Thats too clich as well.
Ian, holding the hilt, spat out. He swung the sword with all his might.
Bang! Thud!
Divine power exploded like a sh, blue trails slicing through Bradleys body as it fell.
Ian, sword now lowered,nded on one knee.
Ugh ah aaargh
Bradley, split from shoulder to groin, let out a scream as he copsed to the sides, pain and terror mingling on his face.
With his face sttered with blood, Ian, pretending not to notice, began wiping it off.
Den is watching everything with a bewildered face.
Bradleys severed head rolled at his feet.
Den, who had been staring at Bradleys head, which was absolutely not human, looked at Ian again.
You What What is your true identity? Are you really just a mercenary who came to solve a request?
Ians gaze, which was about to say something, suddenly turned to Philip.
Philip took a step forward.
He sighed resolutely.
This is my role.
Do whatever you want.
Let me introduce him properly.
Meanwhile, Philip, while recovering the sword gracefully, began to speak politely.
A swamp dragon hunter. Resolver of Balcray. Executioner of the Werewolf, Ancient tree, and the headless knight. The purifier of Graveyard Forests ordeal, and also the official agent of the apostle of TyrEn, an enforcer of the southern border, and the official representative of Agen, Sir Maeve Liurel. This is Sir Ian Hoff.
?
Stunned and open-mouthed, Den couldnt even respond.
Philip, his hand on his chest, gave a slight bow and also formally introduced himself.
I am Philip, a servant serving the master.
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