I Became the Guild Leader in Exile

28 – #5 Lion King of the Valley (7)

Edkan, the commander of Nemea Fortress, sensed the presence of the culprit with fear upon receiving a letter from Isaac. After all, he was not so incompetent as to not recognize the handwriting of his direct subordinate.

However, a lingering doubt tormented his mind. He thought of Isaac as a worthless noble brat, but still, they shared the mission of protecting the people of the same kingdom.

No, maybe.

He wanted to believe that.

As a commander who wouldn’t hesitate to take action for the sake of his duty, Edkan immediately mobilized his forces. It was to arrest the criminal who had violated military law and caused a terrible massacre.

But the opponent was formidable too. Realizing Edkan’s mobilization, he led his personal guards to block Edkan’s way. Edkan bit his tongue and spoke.

“The rot goes all the way to the core.”

Well, he couldn’t have executed everything alone. Even with the external pressure of the Lion King. Edkan’s sharp gaze, having taken a hit, focused on a figure.

He tied his light brown hair back. However, behind the glasses, the eyes were no longer smiling. Instead, there was a mixture of disdain, like looking at a bug. Mac Clinton, the strategist of this fortress.

“Why did you suddenly mobilize the troops, Commander?”

“Indeed, it didn’t seem like you were without urgency.”

“I’m relieved you know. Although it’s already too late.”

“But I couldn’t let the soldiers suffer any more losses.”

Three years. Three years of countless soldiers sacrificing themselves due to his incompetence. So, he couldn’t afford to increase the losses any further. That was the duty of the commander of Nemea Fortress.

In response to Edkan’s words, Mac sighed deeply. He never taught such weak nonsense. Well, he had probably already understood everything. He had taught him, after all.

“You should already know, right? Because I taught you.”

“…The kingdom’s expansion policy has already stopped due to internal turmoil. Nevertheless, there were continuous losses at Nemea Fortress.”

“What about the usual kingdoms then?”

“Replace the person in charge, or send elite soldiers. Negotiate with the other side. If the situation had been so bad that none of those options worked, we would have abandoned the fortress and retreated.”

“But what did the kingdom choose?”

“They supported ‘only’ more troops.”

It was a strange thought. Maintaining this phenomenon only meant that the young soldiers were losing their lives. Nevertheless, the kingdom deployed additional troops. Yes, that was all.

“It seemed strange to think about it. With such enormous losses, there is no reprimand, not even gratitude.”

“Isn’t it obvious what that means?”

“Co, Commander. What does that mean?”

“It means the kingdom has tolerated this massacre until now.”

Unlike Edkan, who calmly spoke the truth, confusion quickly spread among the soldiers. Edkan’s words were no different from saying that the kingdom used them as expendable pawns.

“What could be the reason? Does the kingdom desire this kind of slaughter?”

However, no matter how much he thought, Edkan couldn’t figure out the reason. Why? To sacrifice soldiers holding weapons for the sake of their own country, what kind of benefit could they possibly obtain?

“The number of soldiers sacrificed in the past three years is 576.”

“…We already know that…”

“Even considering only the soldiers consumed this year, it amounts to 41. As an annual average, the estimated number is 93.”

“What are you trying to say?”

“It means that sacrificing such a number in the world brings significant advantages, Commander.”

Initially, an enormous sacrifice was required to transform the Red Heat Tree from a miracle into a curse. However, over time, resistance decreased and management became more efficient.

“Not even one person per day. By sacrificing one person every five days, our kingdom can stride towards becoming a stronger superpower.”

“…”

“Do you understand what I mean? Even the detestable neighboring country or the indigenous people in the valley can all be driven away by force!”

Now that stable access to the Red Heat Tree’s leaves was possible, related research was already underway. Among them was an army of immortals who could keep fighting even if killed.

93 per year, and even that number would decrease over time. If he closed his eyes just once now, he could get revenge on the detestable Lion King. Certainly, it was an enticing proposition.

“What meaning does that gained power hold?”

“Are you out of your mind? Can’t you see revenge is also possible?”

“In the first place, the target for revenge is you, MacKlinton.”

Of course, his heart still commanded him to tear apart the Lion King. However, let’s be rational. Let’s focus on objective facts. Who started the slaughter?

MacKlinton.

No.

The kingdom behind him.

The commander had to remain especially calm. That was the only way to prevent further casualties. Even if it meant losing a cow and fixing the barn, Edkan drew his sword.

“What is wrong must be corrected.”

“How amusing. Are you planning to oppose the kingdom?”

“Is it normal to sacrifice one’s life to obtain great wealth?”

“A foolish choice… well, never mind. There is a way.”

Mac raised his hand. It was to completely eliminate the fool. However, that did not happen. A sharp sound reached Mac’s ears.

“Huh…?”

It was too close to call it a sound from the traitor’s throat. Sensing something strange, Mac turned his gaze to the side. Only then did he notice. His own severed wrist.

“Ah…!”

He couldn’t have imagined that he would be harmed. Mac screamed and collapsed. In response to his scream, blood began to flow from the severed area.

“Master…”

“Close your eyes for a moment.”

The master’s face was heavier and more serious than ever before. Zeke recalled his master’s teachings. Why the master used fists instead of swords when dealing with people…

[You should not become accustomed to taking lives.]

[But even so, moments you cannot avoid will come.]

[That is why, especially, we must be more cautious. Once a life is taken, it cannot be undone.]

[Draw the sword carefully. But once the sword is drawn, act decisively.]

When the master drew the sword against a person, it meant taking responsibility for their death. Knowing that, Zeke did not close his eyes. Instead, he looked directly at his master.

“Zeke.”

“I will not let the burden rest solely on the master.”

“….”

“Isn’t that what family is?”

“One blow hit the mark.”

“What are you doing? Hurry up and kill those brats!!!”

An order similar to Mac’s scream was given. The guards quickly unsheathed their weapons. However, they were too slow. Once again, a sword gleamed from Isaac’s scabbard.

“I will not take your lives.”

It happened in an instant. The weapons held by the guards, numbering over a hundred, broke precisely. They realized it immediately. If they were determined, they could kill as many as they wanted.

“So much blood has been shed until now.”

He walked forward confidently. There was no hesitation in his steps. But there was no one to stop him. They had all been overwhelmed by that strike.

“Just a moment! I am also a victim! I…”

Mac was never foolish. In a fleeting moment, he realized what he was saying. Mac’s desperate mind deduced the most likely course of action.

However, it was already too late. Isaac drawing his sword against someone meant taking responsibility for that person’s death and carrying its burden. Soon, his sword left the scabbard again.

“With today’s death, it ends.”

With a clanging sound, the view shook violently. It was the sight Mac Clinton saw last in the mortal realm. Isaac, who put his sword back into the sheath, raised his head.

“This tragedy ends in this fortress.”

There was not a single individual opposing his declaration.

* * *

The darkness within the fortress had been dealt with. However, that did not mean everything would be resolved in a snap. The lives sacrificed by soldiers up to now, and the chaos. It was all inevitable.

Moreover, the conflict with the Lion Tribe was not fully resolved just because the misunderstanding was cleared. After all, it was an undeniable fact that many soldiers had lost their lives at the hands of the Lion King.

Naturally, there were also hardliners who insisted on putting an end to the Lion Tribe within the fortress. No, even Commander Edkan himself wanted the same. But now, it couldn’t be done.

“There have been far too many sacrifices until now.”

“And it is the kingdom that provided the incentive for all of them.”

“I will no longer be played by those bastards.”

Edkan resolved. He would no longer be played. A commander must always remain level-headed. That way, they could witness a broader kingdom and shape the future. That’s what a commander is.

“…In the end, nothing is truly resolved.”

In the merchant caravan returning to the Mikes Kingdom, Zeke muttered discontentedly with a frowning face. His words weren’t wrong. The corruption within the kingdom had not been completely exposed.

The conflict between the Lion Tribe and the Nemea Fortress remained as it was. Of course, there was a magician that Isaac captured. However, compared to the grand scheme of things, it was merely a tiny pebble.

“The world is vast. Our actions within it are nothing more than casting a pebble into a lake.”

“Does that mean we can’t change the flow in the end?”

“If you’re alone, perhaps.”

Yes, at least on the surface, it seemed so. But gradually, it will start to change. The Nemea Fortress, as well as the Lion Tribe. Change always begins with something very small.

“Are you saying I should wear this necklace and attend the conference?”

“Yes, that’s the personal compensation I demand.”

“This is quite an unusual request, I must say. It won’t be difficult, though.”

“Urkan probably realized by now.”

Isaac, who received his promised compensation, demanded additional rewards. He asked for wearing the necklace and attending the conference with the Lion Tribe. By now, Urkan probably noticed.

Who his true son was.

“Dust particles accumulate slowly and become a mountain.”

“…”

Zeke looked at his master. Sitting and leaning against the shabby caravan, with dust settling all over him, the Master’s appearance was far from dazzling. Yet, still, he was smiling.

“I believe. By helping people in trouble right now, I am certain that a better world will come someday.”

Good intentions beget good intentions.

Rejecting the hand of injustice.

Demanding truth for oneself.

A world like that.

Zeke silently rested his head on Isaac’s shoulder. Yet, his pounding heart showed no signs of calming down; instead, it was increasingly beating more violently.

“I can’t look at Master’s face.”

Why am I like this?

Young Zeke couldn’t comprehend the meaning behind these palpitations.