Chapter 148: A Kingdom on Edge

Description

People appear rational but are exceedingly emotional.

‘The royal bastards seem to have crossed the line. The orcs are a problem too… This is chaos.’

To Rayrn, the greatest threat felt like the orcs. Just in numbers alone, they ranged from tens of thousands to hundreds of thousands. Orcs possessed a reproductive capacity that could double their numbers over a few years.

It was precisely this reproductive power that allowed the orcs to withstand the Empire.

‘On top of that, the orcs themselves have figured out how to grow stronger in new ways.’

A species once weak as individuals had now become stronger. When he first saw the orcs gathering in the Northern Mountain Range—what a thrill that was!

An unexpected powerhouse, while the weak gathered and steadily grew stronger. It was the ideal form of species-wide strengthening.

Looking solely from the perspective of growing stronger!

If the orcs overcame the Empire, or even entered a stalemate, they would likely target Malexia next.

In such a situation, the royal faction, instead of uniting, was taking measures to undermine Rayrn’s power.

‘They might borrow strength from other countries… or negotiate behind the scenes.’

They intended to use external forces. They could attempt to take Rayrn’s life, weaken his faction, or—

‘They could also obstruct him from growing his faction any larger.’

There were many methods possible. The problem was that they seemed ready to execute those methods immediately.

Now, no one could claim Rayrn wasn’t a strong individual.

‘But I don’t have the power to hold the entire kingdom beneath me.’

He lacked the strength and influence to overturn the entire kingdom. He was building a fortress and expanding his faction, but it was still a work in progress.

‘I need more time. But they won’t let me be.’

He had to find a way to buy time. He needed to build power unnoticed and deliver a decisive blow. And that enemy could be not only the orcs but also the royal family.

“Still, it’s fortunate that Arne brought me information.”

He had expected something like this, but he couldn’t pinpoint the timing. In this situation, the information Arne provided was quite helpful. He paid a considerable number of magical artifacts as a fee, but it was a fair trade.

“Hmm… I need to step up the pace.”

Rayrn began moving faster. Abandoning his relaxed demeanor, he moved at a frightening speed. He now brought hidden power from the shadows into the light.

“I formally establish the Iron Fist.”

The Iron Fist had been operating throughout the domain, carrying out tasks. They were even conducting espionage as far as the Duke Jisert’s household. Excluding those still in the shadows.

“…Is this a dream?”

“I hope I don’t wake up. It’s real.”

“Huh.”

He brought up everyone he could. Those from the Parakho background, former mercenaries, and later specially selected talented members.

A considerable number gathered under the name Iron Fist.

Swords, spears, greatswords, bows, even stealth techniques.

Each had their own distinct characteristics, yet at the same time—

They didn’t need to speak; their aura was intense. Having learned martial arts and been born through endless training, it would be strange if they were weak.

‘Satisfying.’

A force that could devour several knight orders. If they brought up their hidden power, they’d grow even stronger. They didn’t bother with knightly dignity nor shied away from cunning methods, making them tenacious.

It started modestly, but after a few years, the Iron Fist had become a powerful organization with a clear identity.

And the one to lead that organization was—

“The first captain of the Iron Fist is Gajei.”

He was the one who silently held the front, grinding himself down as if born for training, growing stronger.

“…It is an honor.”

He didn’t speak at length, nor did he break into tears. He simply accepted the position with a heavy aura.

“Wooaaah!”

It was the Iron Fist members, who had secretly regarded him as their leader, who cheered.

Hoden and Sian, who had been with Gajei from the start, watched with reddened eyes.

“…He really did it. At best, he was one of three mercenaries acting as leader.”

“Pfft, that’s old news. Now… it’s not lacking to call him a true captain.”

From when they had nothing.

When all they possessed were intact bodies, the three had been together. They had gathered with their own circumstances, but their situations were similar, so they could stay together.

Their small leader, who they thought would die as a mercenary or at best retire to run a small shop, had become—

“As the first captain, what I have to say—”

“Is nothing special. It’s just the same as usual.”

“…That’s Gajei for you.”

He became someone worthy of the position, a captain fully qualified to look down upon them.

‘Good.’

‘Hah… amazing.’

To Hoden and Sian watching, it was simply moving.

But the moment Gajei continued—

“By the way, my lord, there is one thing I must say.”

“What is it? I suppose it’s good to have some resolve?”

“Yes, I’ve set one. I will train them thoroughly.”

“Oh!”

Their lord Rayrn was satisfied, but the members who would be the targets of training—

“Dammit. As if he doesn’t push us nonstop already!”

Could only tremble involuntarily. If they could even half-match Gajei’s grinding training, they’d become elites. But now he said even harder? Wasn’t that dizzying just to imagine?

But he had the momentum to actually do it.

“It’s not that difficult, is it? Let’s all do our best.”

He silently watched them.

Amid awe and anxiety, the Iron Fist declared its founding.

Iron Fist.

It became the biggest topic in Machinery Castle.

Anyone in Machinery could encounter the Iron Fist directly, not just through rumors. Although they hadn’t openly used the name before, the Iron Fist had always been one pillar of Machinery’s military power, so it would have been strange not to encounter them.

In particular, many of the strong instructors said they belonged to the Iron Fist.

Bringing them to the surface served as a great stimulus for the academy’s mercenaries.

“Look, even former mercenaries are being properly treated, right?”

“Did you see their equipment? They say that’s basic gear?”

“That’s basic?”

Having been mercenaries themselves, they understood the importance of equipment. The Iron Fist’s basic gear started with robes imbued with anti-magic power.

They were filled with equipment enchanted with various buffs. Even iron plate scrolls, useful on the battlefield, were given out several per person.

That was the baseline. It was equipment surpassing that of most knight order knights. While the Ofern knight order’s gear was already sufficient, this level of support was a dream in other domains.

For a moment, greed flickered in the mercenaries’ eyes.

With that gear, they could easily hunt prey they previously couldn’t catch. In fact, they wouldn’t even need to hunt; selling the equipment alone would let them live comfortably for a lifetime.

But they didn’t dare think of stealing. The Iron Fist they had encountered were strong.

“Hey, I heard there’s separate gear given based on missions?”

“How did you know?”

“I heard it in passing. The instructors tell us. I’d like to join the Iron Fist if I get the chance.”

“Hyaa… that wouldn’t be bad.”

Instead, their motivation surged. If only they could get a chance to join the Iron Fist.

“I heard there are even former thugs in there. So why can’t we?”

“…Right? If we endure here somehow, it’s possible.”

“I heard new contracts are out for academy trainees. Want to go check?”

“Hmm… let’s do that.”

There was hope of not only becoming stronger but also receiving good treatment. It was only natural for their motivation to surge.

Around the time many mercenaries in the academy began looking forward to the Iron Fist—

News of the founding spread as information to all corners.

—A new military force? But there’s a fixed number of knight orders, isn’t there?

—They say it’s not a knight order. They call it a special unit, like heavy cavalry.

Some expressed concern over House Ofern’s power.

—Investigate thoroughly. It’s impossible to create something like that with just thugs.

—Yes.

Some wanted more information.

—Can’t we use them?

—We have no justification.

Even those who wanted to exploit it.

The news of the founding added fuel to Malexia, already in complicated times.

Concern, anxiety, expectation. The kingdom grew noisy with various emotions.

Those who had moved cautiously—

—We should prepare too.

—It’s about time we revealed ourselves. After all, Ofern was the first to show their hand.

Abandoned secrecy and began accelerating.

—We are concerned about House Ofern’s solo run!

Even some made absurd accusations.

Rayrn created all these changes himself.

“Aren’t you scared? It’s quite noisy out there.”

“No one is causing trouble in Machinery, are they? They’re just frightened dogs.”

Rayrn, who had created that scene, remained calm. Ru-an, who was channeling mana beside him, was even more anxious.

“They’re not just noisy dogs; they’re nobles. They’re strong.”

“I know. But barking alone doesn’t matter.”

“Don’t be careless. Their power isn’t fake.”

Ru-an was right. Rayrn wasn’t ignorant of their strength. But—

‘They can’t move easily anyway. They can’t even unite, so what attack could they launch?’

Rayrn was composed. There was no need to fear.

He simply continued his work, using mana quietly.

“Are you worried about me?”

“…I’m worried I won’t be able to continue my experiments. Worried? Please.”

“Huff.”

Ru-an made a rather cute remark. Drawing on her mana, Rayrn silently produced magical artifacts.

Swish—

The basic gear of the Iron Fist, already known, was being created alongside even more advanced artifacts.

“…Those are items fit for lords, going to the common members.”

“Well, yes.”

“Are you planning to start a war?”

War.

As Ru-an said, it was quite outrageous equipment. During Ofern’s poor days, such gear was a dream. Even Count Ofern wearing it would have been fortunate.

Rayrn intended to equip not just the Iron Fist but also the knights with such gear.

‘That’s just the start.’

Furthermore, he planned to create equipment for the new units he imagined, so this was only a fraction.

It was amusing that even this small part was enough to startle Ru-an, who came from the Magic Tower.

“Even if I don’t want war, there are those who charge in to start one.”

“It might really be war preparation. War…”

Rayrn didn’t bother denying the word war.

‘If it comes, so be it.’

Because he had no intention of avoiding war if it broke out. If it happened, he planned to crush the enemy with overwhelming force, so there was no reason to avoid it.

But to win perfectly—

Huummm—

He simply kept moving.

“Let’s keep making them.”

“…Yes!”

Rayrn’s mana continued to shine.

When that light faded, a massive artifact was being formed.