“How does headquarters know?”
Clion was stunned not just by Rapir’s death but by how the Rud Tower’s headquarters had learned of it so quickly.
“The Sailer family sent someone,” Kaf replied. “They said Rapir’s soul stone shattered.”
“Oh.”
Clion let out a soft exclamation. A soul stone, an artifact tied to a person’s life, confirmed Rapir’s death beyond doubt.
“It’s certain, then…”
Clion was reeling, and he wasn’t alone. Reak, too, was visibly shaken.
“Captain Reak,” Clion said, turning to him.
“Yes?”
“We need to check the site immediately.”
Time was erasing evidence. They had to investigate the scene of the mercenaries’ deaths to find clues.
“Let’s go now,” Reak said, standing.
Moments ago, he’d been convinced Rapir was the culprit. But Rapir’s death changed everything.
The likelihood of mutual destruction was near zero—someone else was involved.
Would Rud Tower or the Sailer family see it that way?
Objectively, yes, but they wouldn’t be objective.
If the true culprit wasn’t found, the Red Axe Corps would take the blame.
Reak led the way, with Clion and a few Rud Tower members following.
At the site, Clion frowned. Numerous bodies lay scattered, each pierced with holes, lingering cold emanating from them despite the passage of time.
He understood why Reak had suspected Rapir.
Without news of Rapir’s death, Clion would’ve thought the same.
Did he die afterward?
It was possible Rapir was responsible, only to be killed later.
That couldn’t be ruled out.
“Why were your men here?” Clion asked suddenly.
Why had so many mercenaries come to this desolate place?
“They said they found a good score,” Reak replied. “We’re still looking into what it was.”
Footsteps approached rapidly. Levi arrived, breathless.
“A young mage was at the mercenary guild,” he said. “Got a silver badge.”
“A young mage?”
“Yes, and it seems…” Levi trailed off, glancing cautiously at Reak.
Reak didn’t press further. He could guess the “score”—a wealthy young mage with a silver badge. An easy target for a big payout.
Was the mage connected to Rapir?
A picture formed. If the mage was tied to Rapir and Rapir killed the mercenaries, it made sense.
But why’s Rapir dead?
The mercenaries couldn’t have killed him—their skill was far inferior.
Reak glanced at Clion, whose complex expression suggested similar thoughts.
“Branch Leader…” A Rud Tower member approached Clion—one who’d visited the Slayers branch with Rapir earlier.
“During the day, Rapir had a run-in with a kid at the Slayers branch,” the member said.
“A kid?” Clion echoed, incredulous.
“Yes. Not an ordinary kid. The Slayers sorcerer treated him with respect. If that kid got a silver badge…”
The member trailed off, sharing his theory.
Clion and Reak exchanged glances, nodding in unison.
“We should start with the Slayers branch,” Clion said.
“Agreed,” Reak replied.
***
Hoo…
Garga, the Slayers Tren branch leader, sighed inwardly, facing Clion and Reak across from him.
They’d come about Gaon, the Gardion Tower mage, curious about his identity and motives.
Rapir’s dead.
Both Rapir and Red Axe mercenaries were dead, and they suspected Gaon.
I’ve stalled enough.
Delaying further would shift suspicion onto the Slayers.
Getting entangled in a faction feud was the last thing Garga wanted.
“I’ll tell you,” Garga said.
Clion and Reak leaned in.
“The young mage is Gaon, from Gardion Tower.”
“What?!”
Clion and Reak were stunned. Gardion Tower was the last connection they’d expected.
“How’s a Gardion mage here?” Clion asked, disbelief etched on his face.
“I don’t know,” Garga replied. “We only traded with him. Don’t misunderstand our involvement.”
“I understand,” Clion nodded. “Headquarters won’t think the Slayers were involved.”
He wasn’t just placating Garga—the Slayers had no reason to be complicit.
If they were, this wouldn’t have ended so quietly.
Reak, listening silently, thought, Time to back out.
Initially, he’d hoped to negotiate compensation with Rud Tower.
But with Rapir dead and the Sailer family involved, plus Gardion Tower in the mix, the situation had escalated too far.
The Red Axe Corps, despite being a top Tren outfit, was outclassed on a kingdom-wide scale. Staying involved risked a bad end.
Can I even back out?
Rud Tower and the Sailer family might overlook them, but Gardion Tower likely wouldn’t let the mercenaries—who’d sparked this mess—walk away.
Ugh…
Reak groaned inwardly, focusing on the conversation.
***
Sailer Family Estate, Glaco Kingdom
In the study of Patriarch Tomen Sailer, vassals gathered.
Bang!
Tomen slammed the desk. “What kind of nonsense is this?!”
Two days ago, his beloved third son Rapir’s soul stone shattered, confirming his death.
Tomen had contacted Rud Tower immediately, demanding answers. Their report just arrived.
“A Gardion Tower mage killed him, and they can’t track them?!”
They’d identified the culprit but couldn’t trace them.
“How incompetent are they?!”
Mana traces should’ve been detectable. Why couldn’t they track them?
No one dared speak, wary of Tomen’s wrath.
“Hoo…” Tomen exhaled deeply, turning to his heir, Lairen. “What do you think?”
“We know the tower’s incompetent, so we move ourselves,” Lairen said. “We have justification—no one will challenge us.”
Tomen scanned his vassals. “Other opinions?”
The vassals nodded in agreement, offering no dissent.
Satisfied, Tomen continued, “Search every inch around Tren. Focus on mages with a kid who got a silver badge. It shouldn’t be hard to find. As for Rabes…”
He frowned. The Sailer family’s influence was vast, but Rabes was under the rival Alion family’s control.
“Forget Rabes. A Gardion mage wouldn’t go there.”
The Alion family and Gardion Tower were bitter enemies, especially after the Alion heir was left near death by Gardion’s actions.
“Meeting adjourned. Get moving.”
The vassals, except Lairen, rose, bowed, and left.
Alone with Lairen, Tomen asked, “How’s that matter going?”
“Smoothly,” Lairen replied.
“No mistakes.”
“I’ll ensure it’s airtight.”
***
Alion Family Estate
In Patriarch Oris Alion’s study, he read a letter with a grave expression.
“Is this true?” he asked his head butler, Blanc.
“The contents aren’t confirmed, but it’s definitely from Gardion Tower,” Blanc replied.
“Hm…”
Oris eyed the letter again. A month ago, his heir, Gron, was attacked by a mage during a patrol.
The mage was from Gardion Tower, targeting Gron because Oris’s plans aided Rud Tower, their enemy.
The attack was a warning to stop. Oris, despising such threats and knowing Gardion’s limited influence in Glaco, pressed forward.
A week ago, Gron collapsed. Initially thought to be illness, no cause was found—not even a curse. But one thing was certain: Gardion Tower’s doing.
“Now they claim it wasn’t them,” Oris muttered.
The letter denied responsibility, offering to send mages to prove it and heal Gron.
“What do you think?”
“Meet them,” Blanc said. “We’re out of options, and they’re risking their lives to explain. That’s worth something.”
“Hm…”
Oris closed his eyes, deep in thought.
Finally, he opened them. “Arrange the meeting.”
Blanc was right—they had no alternatives.
“No telling when they’ll arrive, so prepare top-tier hospitality now.”
“Yes, my lord.”
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Garga was smart