Chapter 153

### Chapter 153. The Son of a Bitch and Putting You in Your Place

The central square of Baidun Village.

It was noon, the exact hour when the plaza should have been bustling with activity, yet only two figures occupied the space.

A massive mage and a withered, elderly knight.

The pair sat shoulder to shoulder near the fountain, bathed in the midday sun and gazing forward—a scene so serene it resembled a painted canvas.

The sky was a vast expanse of blue, dotted with pristine white clouds, while the sun radiated a gentle warmth alongside a soft breeze that stirred their hair.

It was an ideal afternoon for slumber.

However.

That tranquility was shattered before long.

“So, old man. Did I hear that correctly?”

“Why don’t you clarify what you think you heard first? I lack the ability to read your mind, after all.”

“…….”

The massive mage, Hollend, fell into a brief silence. Then, keeping his bloodshot eyes fixed straight ahead, he spoke.

“Lortel plans to rebel against Deculan. That is the conclusion I drew.”

At that statement, Hamelan burst into a sudden laugh.

“Hahaha, rebel! Rebel, you say……. Well, word choice aside—you certainly have a gift for blowing things out of proportion. What exactly did you hear to arrive at such a dramatic conclusion?”

Hamelan’s lips curled into a smirk, finding the notion thoroughly absurd.

His amusement faded when a stray puppy of unknown origin wandered up to him.

As Hamelan reached out to stroke its coat, the yellowish pup submissively accepted the affection, its tail wagging gently.

Scooping the puppy into his arms, Hamelan continued to pet its soft fur as he spoke.

“Pay attention. We dissolved the agreement simply because we faced inescapable circumstances. How does a broken contract equate to ‘rebelling’ against Deculan? Claiming a failed promise is an act of rebellion—honestly, you exaggerate.”

“Which means, in the end, your allegiance goes to the Magic Tower and the Sword Garden. Those nobodies.”

“Good grief, I just finished explaining that isn’t the case, and you persist? You are remarkably stubborn for a young man. See here—forfeiting the Infinite Chain to the Magic Tower and the Sword Garden is an action the main house can only offer regrets for. But what choice did we have? It was the decision of the Head of House. It is nothing more than that. A canceled agreement. No more, no less.”

“…….”

“And do not entertain the thought of using this failed deal as a pretext to strike at the Magic Tower and the Sword Garden. If you take that foolish path, the exact conflict you are anticipating will indeed become reality.”

Hollend offered no reply.

He merely stared into the distance.

Though the surroundings were peaceful, the view within his crimson, bloodshot eyes was an absolute inferno. And his internal state mirrored that vision.

Simply suppressing the homicidal urges surging within him felt like enduring torment.

Conversely, Hamelan remained entirely composed. He watched with quiet amusement as the stray pup frisked around in his lap.

“On another note, were you aware?”

“…….”

Gently patting the dog, Hamelan shifted his gaze toward the horizon.

A boy, perhaps ten years old, stood at the entrance of a nearby pathway, peeking out to observe them. He was likely the puppy’s owner.

Hamelan looked back down at the dog, scratching it lightly. After a brief pause, he resumed speaking.

“Canines take after their masters. That youngster over there seems quite well-mannered. He will pout in moderation and act endearing in moderation as well. Had I ever wed, I might have possessed a grandson of similar years.”

“So…… is the old man the one who forgets his position?”

“I am well aware of my position. I am hardly low enough to share a bench with someone of your stature. However, my current remarks concern a particular rabid hound that Deculan keeps on a leash.”

“…….”

“Is that the reason? Because it is deranged, it fails to recognize its boundaries. It wags its worthless tongue and dares mention Lortel. Tell me—does a mongrel bark as it pleases without its owner’s consent? Well?”

“……You are referring to me.”

“And unintelligent to boot. Canines are meant to mirror their owners, yet—my word.”

Finishing his thought, Hamelan set the puppy down upon the cobblestones.

The pup panted, gave a quick wag of its tail, and bolted back toward the mouth of the alley.

Yet, it bypassed the young boy entirely, suggesting that Hamelan’s assumption about its owner had been incorrect.

Regardless.

“It is quite pointless to waste energy on another household’s illegitimate mutt, but you would do well to stop interpreting the main house’s motives as you see fit. If you are a bastard hound, then behave like one and execute your master’s commands properly—that is my advice to you.”

It was an explicit threat.

Cease uttering ridiculous claims that hold no weight, and return to deliver the plain facts.

Though the phrasing was intensely degrading, Hollend remained entirely motionless.

And into the ears of the silent Hollend, Hamelan’s words continued to pierce.

“You have two specific messages to convey. Lortel dissolved the arrangement due to unpreventable matters. The opposing parties are the Magic Tower and the Sword Garden, and they stand as Lortel’s companions. Nothing more. If you intend to speak beyond those facts, let me know now. You may belong to someone else—but I am fully capable of teaching an unruly dog a lesson.”

With those final words, Hamelan wiped off his attire and rose to his feet. He then cast a parting glance down at Hollend.

“Do you require confirmation that the main house does not view Deculan as a foe?”

Hollend raised his bloodshot gaze to meet Hamelan’s.

Hamelan returned the stare with the chilling intensity of a phantom, a slight grin appearing on his face.

“If validation is what you seek, return to your lord, offer your neck, and utter these words.”

> The object resting upon my shoulders is the token of peace delivered by Lortel.

“What say you, Captain of the Crimson Jade. If your skull is delivered back completely intact, wouldn’t that serve as an excellent gesture of peace?”

No reply came.

But Hamelan expected none.

He maintained his grin at Hollend, then let out a wide yawn that seemed as though it might split his jaw as he faced the brilliant afternoon sky.

Following a prolonged, lazy stretch, Hamelan shifted his weight and began to walk away.

“Since you comprehend, I shall take my leave. My schedule is far more demanding than yours.”

With that, Hamelan departed from the central square.

Long after the old man’s form had vanished from view, Hollend remained frozen in place.

He only stared ahead with raw, bloodshot eyes.

Within his mind, he chanted the names unceasingly.

Lortel.

And…….

‘Magic Tower, Sword Garden. Magic Tower, Sword Garden. Magic Tower, Sword Garden. Magic Tower, Sword Garden. Magic Tower, Sword Garden. Magic Tower, Sword Garden. Magic Tower, Sword Garden. Magic Tower, Sword Garden. Magic Tower, Sword Garden. Magic Tower, Sword Garden. …….’

The existence of those wretched vermin who had dared to oppose Deculan.

A significant amount of time drifted by in that manner.

Finally, Hollend stood up and prepared to depart. At that moment, the bird that had kept its distance to evade Hamelan flew back down.

“Hollend, what occurred?”

“Send word to the Head of House.”

“……?”

“The agreement is void. Lortel surrendered the Infinite Chain to the Magic Tower and the Sword Garden. Furthermore, she declared she will grant them protection.”

“What in the world—”

The bird grew agitated by the abrupt declaration, but Hollend cut off any further inquiries.

“One final detail.”

“……?”

“Inform him that I am claiming the position I have long avoided.”

Leaving those words behind, Hollend strode out of the central square.

The bird failed to grasp the meaning, but the “position” Hollend had avoided referred to the seat among the Seven Mages.

An office that appeared prestigious on the surface, but was plagued by tedious political schemes and swarming with parasites.

An office capable of wielding authority far exceeding that of a mere division commander—yet he had abstained from it until now purely due to the annoyance it brought.

However.

‘I will… incinerate every single one of them.’

To avenge this permanent insult, he needed to become an active participant.

Not a mere pawn on the board, but the hand that directs the pieces.

Hollend memorized the path to the closest member of the Seven Mages, marching forward with purpose.

To claim his rightful seat.

Thus, Hollend departed.

—

Upon the rooftop of a structure overlooking the entire plaza.

Hamelan observed the scene until even the bird took flight, then retrieved a magical communication orb from his robes.

“Head of House, One Sword speaking.”

[Go ahead.]

“Precisely as anticipated. Everything unfolded exactly as we foresaw. Hollend did not arrive unaccompanied; Deculan’s bird was present as well.”

[…….]

Muhad offered no immediate reply.

It was a silent cue to proceed with the briefing.

Understanding the prompt, Hamelan detailed the entire interaction to the Head of House. Once the account was fully delivered—

The Head of House, who had remained quiet throughout the explanation, finally spoke.

[What was your impression of him?]

“Are you referring to the Captain of the Crimson Jade?”

[Indeed.]

“He is certainly not an individual to be underestimated.”

Though Hamelan had openly degraded him to his face—labeling him a bastard mutt and the like—Hollend remained an adversary that could not be easily dismissed.

Setting aside raw power levels, the man’s disposition itself was remarkable.

[Elaborate.]

“As you likely surmised from the timing of my report, this old man delayed our schedule by roughly three days. I will gladly accept whatever discipline you deem fit, however….”

[Was that an experiment? Your old tendencies are showing again.]

“My apologies. Yet in truth—he is precisely as the rumors suggested. His rage reached its absolute peak, filled with intense hostility… and yet that was the extent of it. He did not permit a single drop of malice to slip out. He merely contained it. Ah, those eyes… you would truly need to witness them firsthand, Head of House.”

Had Hollend simply allowed his bloodlust to spill over, Hamelan would have dismissed him entirely.

Had he masked his intentions behind a deceitful grin, the result would have been identical.

Yet Hollend did neither.

He was infuriated to a degree that was impossible to conceal, harboring a murderous desire within his soul—yet he kept his killing intent perfectly contained.

That display resembled… indeed.

“A highly disciplined Tosa hound. Capable of suppressing even its rawest impulses. I offered several provocations, but he remained unyielding.”

[Do you find that unsatisfying?]

In response to the Head of House’s inquiry, Hamelan countered without pause.

“Naturally I find it unsatisfying. From what I could discern, his capability places him on par with the Seven Mages… and how rare is the opportunity to sever a neck of that caliber? Hmph. For what reason does a man of that stature remain a mere captain?”

[You exercised restraint as well. It amounts to the same thing.]

“Perhaps it is a consequence of my advanced age…? Even if I could best Hollend individually, I lacked the certainty that I could also capture that distant bird.”

[Far preferable to an incomplete victory.]

“My gratitude.”

Hamelan offered a relaxed smirk as he looked toward the sky. The Head of House’s voice sounded once more.

[In comparison to the Master of the Tower, where does he stand?]

“……You mean Hollend?”

[Give me your candid assessment.]

“……Hmm.”

Hamelan paused to deliberate upon his wording.

The actual contrast was simple enough to determine.

However, he could not fathom the Head of House’s ultimate goal.

Nonetheless, the hesitation passed swiftly. Hamelan voiced his conclusion clearly. Regardless of any hidden motives, his duty was simply to answer.

“The Master of the Tower and Hollend. If I weigh the two against each other….”

The conclusion was straightforward.

“In a direct confrontation, I would perish ninety times out of a hundred.”

[And the remaining ten?]

“I would barely escape with my life intact.”

A severe judgment.

Yet entirely accurate.

‘It appears the Master of the Tower has likewise achieved Transcendence, but….’

The Hollend that Hamelan observed seemed to have stepped into the territory of a fully realized Transcendence. Hamelan could not determine the precise depth without an actual battle, but intuition dictated that Hollend had achieved at least that much—perhaps even eclipsing the Master of the Tower.

Of course, it was not as though the Master of the Tower was entirely without a path to victory.

Should he deploy that… terrifying sorcery he had previously turned upon Hamelan at the perfect juncture, he might successfully ensnare Hollend as well.

In reality, though, even that remained a marginal prospect.

Hollend was no ordinary practitioner—he commanded Deculan’s primary sorcery unit, a veteran combatant forged in a hundred engagements.

Curiously, though.

Head of House Muhad inquired further, his tone betraying a hint of astonishment.

[……Is the gap truly that significant?]

“Yes, it is.”

[You speak of him with great praise.]

“Do I? Yet within the identical tier… hmm. Framed in that manner, it becomes ambiguous. Let me express it differently. Under identical circumstances, I am certain the Master of the Tower triumphs regardless of the situation.”

[…….]

Head of House Muhad lapsed into silence.

This was not due to skepticism.

He relied upon Hamelan’s judgment as readily as his own observations.

On rare occasions, those perceptions erred, but such instances were uncommon.

Perhaps that influenced his next words.

Head of House Muhad spoke.

[In that case, it is acceptable to offer him a bit more backing.]

“……Excuse me?”

[Take some time to recuperate.]

“……?”

Hamelan cocked his head to the side.

Offering backing implied granting the Master of the Tower greater assistance—so why was he abruptly telling Hamelan to take a leave?

The confusion was brief.

[Take a journey near Deculan’s territory.]

“…….”

[An area containing an appropriate subordinate family would serve well.]

What did such an instruction signify?

It meant: gather the focus that was originally meant to be directed at Deculan, and rather than simply observing it—draw it in and provoke it even further.

‘……Is this meant to be a holiday?’

Hamelan suppressed the inquiry forming at the tip of his tongue.

Instead, he offered a hesitant… yet deliberate jest.

“I believe I shall offer my allegiance to the Young Head of House.”

It was an implication that he would align with the Young Head of House’s stance against mages. It was evident to anyone that the Head of House’s shift in perspective stemmed from the Master of the Tower.

In truth, it was a jest carrying serious weight.

The heir remained the Young Head of House regardless.

However, Head of House Muhad was not an individual to indulge in banter.

[Is that an official declaration?]

“…….”

[Then I must deploy an execution team. It has been an entertaining acquaintance.]

Hamelan swallowed the sigh rising within his throat, grinding out his reply through tight jaws.

“……It was merely a jest.”

Muhad answered.

[As was mine.]

Right, of course.