Chapter 164: The Hidden Power

The monster was pierced by Duke Gisert’s hand like a skilled machine.

He was venting his anger by killing.

‘Damn.’

The reinforced link had weakened enough to need rebuilding. It was only natural since one of the central points had collapsed.

“How many monsters are coming down?”

“At least over forty thousand.”

“That’s a lot.”

It was forty thousand monsters.

‘Isn’t it like someone is luring them?’

After all, rumors had long circulated that there were invisible walls at Mercenary Gate and Merchant Castle.

If they could create invisible walls, what was luring monsters?

Even without evidence, it was clear that Rayrn had sent the monsters.

‘Can’t I see him as a Black Mage?’

He thought of several ways to get rid of Rayrn.

He sent all those methods along with a messenger to the Royal Palace.

Things like being a Black Mage who controls monsters, or creating Magic Weapons using Sinister Power.

Even while dealing with the monsters, he came up with political schemes to corner his opponent.

But.

“I heard that Rayrn of House Ofern inherited the Dragon’s Knowledge?”

“Really?”

“Probably? He’s suddenly getting stronger, isn’t he? This doesn’t make sense, right?”

“Maybe… but it’s not just inheriting the Dragon’s Knowledge—maybe he’s receiving its blessing?”

“Oh, that makes sense.”

It seemed useless.

Even the soldiers following Duke Gisert did not believe that Rayrn had obtained Sinister Power. Only rumors circulated that he had grown strong by inheriting the Dragon’s Knowledge or receiving its blessing. The words that were created as an excuse for inheriting Mugong were spreading throughout the kingdom.

‘Nonsense. He gained the people’s hearts… maybe they believe it.’

Since the result itself was plausible, even Duke Gisert, who wanted to disbelieve, found it hard to completely deny.

If he had known this would happen, he would have tried to establish ties with House Ofern from the start.

It was hard to change course now. Aside from pride, there was no justification. He couldn’t just admit complete defeat.

“Advance!”

Duke Gisert could only do what he could.

However,

‘Let it work…’

He could only hope that the behind-the-scenes maneuvering he sent to Rayrn would succeed.

“Got him!”

The spies sent by Duke Gisert were being caught as soon as they arrived.

Having finished her work, Sian released her team as soon as she returned. They joined forces with the Iron Fist in each area to capture the spies.

The size of the Iron Fist was no longer small.

Even before, when it had over a thousand members, it was by no means a small scale.

‘Now it’s double that.’

Now it seemed to be over several thousand, perhaps even close to ten thousand.

Of course, not all of them had learned Mugong from Rayrn or officially became Iron Fist.

Only those with decent aptitude among those who controlled the back alleys of each region qualified to enter under Rayrn.

Instead.

“Older Brother, what should we do with this guy?”

“Do as you see fit. He’s a traitor, isn’t he?”

“Right? Got it.”

Many lower-level members emerged who didn’t even know they were under the Iron Fist’s orders. Those who crossed the line were crushed by the Iron Fist’s hands, so they had long since disappeared. These people were in the Underworld, but they lived within the moderate boundaries that Rayrn set.

“Then I’ll take care of this and go report.”

“No, I’ll handle the report.”

Beyond the Ofern territory, there were many such people in various fiefs. The numbers naturally increased.

Though they were weaker than the elite Iron Fist, their numbers could not be ignored.

Using these people, Sian located and captured spies.

Thanks to that.

“What do we do if you take away all our work?”

Arne, who belonged to the Information Guild, felt a bit disappointed, but Rayrn had no intention of stopping the current situation.

Instead, he ordered the Iron Fist, including Sian, scattered everywhere.

-Increase your influence.

That was the order.

On the surface, the power of the Royal Court and many other nobles surpassed that of Ofern.

But.

‘The real power is hidden below.’

Rayrn knew that if the hidden daggers grew, they could kill even the Royal Court or nobles at any time.

The power of those below was often ignored, but when it actually rose, it was considerable.

Revolutions on Earth were the same.

‘Even a powerful figure couldn’t rise without the lowly.’

Haomun, which was said to be gathered from the lowest in Murim, also exerted considerable strength when assembled. They even dealt significant damage to the Demonic Cult using their power.

With much experience and knowledge, Rayrn had been building his strength from the bottom all along.

Those who heard the order.

“Of course.”

“Then I’ll establish a Mercenary Group. It’s good to travel around.”

“Can we also gather thieves?”

“It might be good to create a salon, not just back alleys. That was my dream.”

Naturally, they gathered people in a way similar to the Haomun of the Central Plains.

They gathered the lowest of the low and embraced the ordinary people connected to them.

‘Similar to Haomun. However.’

It was a situation similar to how Haomun was created in the Central Plains. But the difference was.

‘They have power.’

While those were extremely weak, the Iron Fist were strong.

The hidden power was greater than the power they revealed themselves.

Unbeknownst to the nobles, factions were formed everywhere, and they were organizing and lending strength.

A Haomun of this world was being created.

Count Ofern, who vaguely sensed that power.

“Is it necessary to go this far? Even though Owen and Gisert have collapsed?”

“They’ve become nothing more than small fry.”

He expressed concern for a moment.

“Haha, they’re small fry… Yes. That could be. Rayrn, I see how far you’re looking.”

“It will be beyond your expectations.”

“Beyond expectations… Hmm, I thought we might rest a bit, but I need to refine things more. Understood.”

But hearing Rayrn’s words, he seemed to realize something.

‘Just Gisert and Owen. Even if we stay still, there are many who will touch us.’

Though he had missed it in the temporary victory, he realized again that there were always enemies around House Ofern.

Count Ofern seemed to have felt something from his conversation with Rayrn.

“I’ll leave things to you for a while. During that time, I, your father, must rebuild the Knight Order.”

“With new talents and resources, it should be fully possible.”

“Of course, just wait. I’ll produce results soon.”

As the Master of the House of Ofern, he began to move to fill the military aspects.

Meanwhile, Rayrn.

“My Lord! It’s been a while!”

He was facing Birence, a natural genius in construction—more precisely, in making things.

“Long time no see. There’s a lot of work to do now that you’re here.”

“That’s how it seems. It’s all ruins… even more than Helk Castle.”

“That’s right.”

Birence, whom he saw after a long time, had been refined.

‘He’s not just strong.’

It was clear that he had realized something through creating and breaking.

Previously, Birence was like a rough gem before it sparkles, but now he was a well-polished jewel. A jewel that had become even harder than the rough gem.

With talent as his foundation, he had been refined using the power he received from Rayrn.

He was full of enthusiasm.

“What should I do now?”

Of course.

Like any talented person under Rayrn, his enthusiasm lasted only until he heard Rayrn’s order.

“Build everything.”

“What?”

“I said build everything. From the castle to the fortress, training grounds, market, walls. All of it.”

“Really?”

“

”

Rayrn nodded instead of answering.

Birence, who had worked with him for a long time, could not fail to feel his sincerity.

“Instead, I’ve already arranged for plenty of administrative officers and architects. As for workers, there are many who lost their homes and are short on food, so I hired them all.”

“Teaching them is also work.”

“But you can do it, right?”

The look Rayrn gave Birence was,

‘If you just push through, everyone can be happy.’

How could Birence fail to read that meaning?

“……Damn lord.”

“Hehe, do your best.”

“……I shall obey.”

Refusal was already out of the question.

Despite having thrown a brief tantrum, Birence quickly did well.

He had his own way of rolling under Rayrn.

“From this one to that one. Give me all the guys on the list.”

“Take as you please.”

Those who had rolled under him.

Those who belonged to the Iron Fist but had talent in making things rather than combat. Now he placed under him those formally named as engineers.

A proper engineering corps mixing soldiers and Iron Fist was formed.

As soon as it was created, they began work.

“This castle goes in a similar style to Mercenary Gate. And here, yes. Let’s create a new training ground. They said they’re forming a new Knight Order, right?”

“That’s what I heard?”

“

”

“Then what are you doing, man? Move quickly! Get the blueprints!”

“……Yes!”

Experience.

It had the power to make people understand immediately.

They made blueprints.

“There’s a part lacking here; I’ll fix it separately.”

“I trust you with it.”

It was basic to make adjustments on the spot according to the site. And sometimes,

“You missed this? I’ll finish this part.”

“Oh… that’s well thought out.”

There were even cases where Birence created something entirely new that he hadn’t thought of.

Work was proceeding smoothly.

The northern part of House Owen, now the southernmost part of House Ofern, was being rebuilt.

They accepted fleeing refugees, purchased new slaves, and accepted without suspicion those prisoners who converted.

They became the new domain residents of House Ofern.

“Ugh, heave!”

“Oh, lift!”

They moved to build their new home.

Since they were receiving rations of high-quality grain produced by House Ofern, they no longer starved as before, so they worked with vigor.

The situation was being rebuilt in an instant.

‘Birence is doing better than I imagined. If that’s the case…’

For Rayrn watching the scene, it was an astonishing achievement.

‘I could give him more work. We have spare hands, right?’

It was a surprising thought that would make Birence tremble if he knew. He might even pack his bags and raise a fuss about going back to prison.

‘Anyway, that’s for later… There’s still work to do.’

Fortunately, Rayrn did not put that thought into action immediately. Even for him.

“I’ve prepared everything.”

“Good. Then shall we go now?”

“Everyone is really looking forward to seeing how you’ll do it again.”

“Hehe, I won’t disappoint.”

There was another new task to do.