Overpowered Extra Noble in a Novel

37.

A commotion arose among the mercenaries.

The Brión Mercenary Corps is finished.

The decision came from the husband of the Empress who rules the Altain Empire.

The hard work Batan had put into cultivating the mercenary corps was now pointless, just like the head that fell to the ground.

In an instant, the newly unemployed mercenaries were left standing there unable to move, merely bowing their heads.

The more experienced veterans among them sighed inwardly.

‘…We’re still alive.’

Even though the dissolution of the mercenary corps meant the loss of jobs, it was not a significant issue.

There were many places that would hire them due to their accumulated experience.

Indeed, other mercenary groups were watching the situation from a distance hoping to absorb the disbanded forces.

If the young duke had gone mad and ordered everyone executed, they would be searching for ways to survive.

‘Looks like he’s not insane. Lucky us.’

Just as the veteran mercenaries were sighing with relief, Cain plunged his sword into the ground and declared.

“Mercenaries formerly associated with the Brión Mercenary Corps will have part of their fee recovered to the national treasury depending on the severity of their past offenses for approximately 5 years. Additionally, a fine with a payment period of one year will be imposed if they change professions.”

“Uh, uh?”

“Fine?”

Cain continued speaking.

“This administrative order is issued under the law and doctrine of the Empire and considers your opportunity to explain your sins.”

The mercenaries stood speechless, looking at Cain.

Thus, the judgment on the future of the mercenaries was delivered.

“In case of delay, refusal of payment, or failure to fully pay the fine, it will be considered abandonment of explanation, forfeiture of status, and assignment to indefinite labor in mines and quarries.”

The mercenaries’ eyes shook.

Though they didn’t understand all the complex words, one thing was clear.

Either work like a dog or become a slave.

“The verification of the progress will be entrusted to the Administrative Management Office, the Central Mercenary Union, and each region’s Lord’s Castle. That concludes the summary trial.”

As the sword returned to its sheath drawing an elegant trajectory from the ground,

Kruel stomped his foot at the same moment.

BOOM.

The heavy sound of the foot hitting the ground.

The mercenaries quickly stood up.

“Show gratitude for the Duke’s mercy and leave immediately.”

“Go, thank you!”

“Thank you for giving us a chance! We’ll do our best!”

That’s how the mercenaries scattered hurriedly at Kruel’s intimidation.

When the two of them headed towards the center of Barhen with several guild records in hand,

“Let go! Let go, you cowardly bastards…!”

A commotion erupted in the distance that caught Cain and Kruel’s attention.

“That’s….”

“It’s approaching us.”

The loud outcry from a man surrounded by rapidly approaching people drew their heads towards it.

The dazzling emblem on the collar glimmered.

The elegant formal attire and the sword at the waist marked them unmistakably.

“Ugh…!”

The Barhen nobles forced a middle-aged noble to kneel.

At Cain’s questioning gaze of “Who are you?”, the Barhen nobles bowed their heads.

“We meet the Duke.”

Following the lead noble, the rest of the nobles bowed respectfully.

Watching this reaction silently, Cain asked,

“You are the nobles of Barhen. What is the matter?”

“The noble of Barhen hastens to present an offering to the Duke for the glory and order of the Empire. Please forgive our rudeness with your generous heart.”

The nobles who replied pointed at the growling middle-aged noble who was kneeling.

“It is Viscount Gellern. Your Highness. Ignoring the deep intentions of His Majesty, he attempted to use mercenaries for personal gain and revealed his greed for supplies.”

“Hmm….”

Cain couldn’t continue speaking at this absurd situation.

That the nobles voluntarily brought Gellern seemed strange.

Lost in his thoughts, the viscount suddenly yelled out in a fit of rage,

“You bastards…! Where was your cooperation when it was convenient? Now that the duke has come with swords, you’re all scared stiff and stabbing me in the back!”

His outburst caused the Barhen nobles to respond sternly.

“Dear Viscount Gellern! Not only do you fail to repent for your sins, but you also spew shameless lies. What disgraceful behavior!”

“Are you aware of the shame, Viscount? It would be good for a noble to not further tarnish your honor and face judgment.”

“This…!”

With a face as red as if it would explode, Viscount Gellern started to curse loudly.

Continuing his taunts on the nobles’ behavior through vulgar language, the viscount eventually brought up scandals and sensitive information.

Similarly, this sparked furious curses from the enraged nobles who went wild hurling insults back.

It felt like the scene from a government meeting moved to this spot, and Cain pressed his forehead.

The street was more chaotic than the mercenary office, drunk in broad daylight.

This scene appeared as if it would drag on until sunset.

Cain immediately struck the wall of the nearest building.

Bang!

Startled by the sudden loud noise, the nobles fell silent.

“….”

“….”

Looking at Cain checking everyone’s tense faces quietly, he spoke softly.

“Let’s relocate first to Gellern Viscount’s Manor. I will make a decision then.”

*

Cain and his entourage quickly arrived at the Viscount’s Manor.

And they were about to start the investigation immediately, when…

“I shall guide you! Starting from the first floor library on the left!”

With a glint in his eyes, Gellern Viscount personally led them.

Following the Viscount’s lead, various evidence and documents appeared.

Without giving the Barhen nobles any time to react, it was as if the viscount, committing a desperate act, handed the evidence directly to Cain and Kruel.

Not just Gellern’s, but documents containing transaction records and contracts from other cooperating nobles.

“What have you gone mad?! Are you out for blood?!”

“Hold your tongue! You pile of filth!”

Once again, the nobles turned hostile towards each other.

Cain sighed internally as he drew his sword.

Ssssshh-

The chilling sound silenced the nobles.

A sharp, cold aura swept across their backs like the harsh winter frost.

Looking at the pale-faced nobles, Cain said,

“As entertaining as it would be to end your ridiculous behavior now…,”

gulp

Firm eyes filled with tension turned towards Cain.

“I will confiscate half of your wealth for the treasury. And the other half will be used to supplement the lack of supplies under the guise of supporting the winter plan.”

“What…!”

“How are we supposed to survive with this much gone?!”

At this insane idea of taking 70%, the nobles strongly resisted,

‘Still complaining when you’ve skimmed off so much separately.’

As Cain touched his sword, their mouths shut.

The Barhen nobles had no choice but to endure this brutish announcement.

They knew well,

The frightening side of the duke who drew his sword right in front of them.

Cain MacBilian,

The man who slashes through mana manifesters and handles monstrous creatures alone.

There have been plenty of nobles who had their heads fly off.

Some were suspected of rebellion, but there were plenty who weren’t.

The bloody purges conducted by the Duke using the suspicion of rebellion as justification.

Any resistance to his bloody path is met with death.

And behind him, silently watching over them, is that grey-haired man.

‘The Royal Knight Corps…’

If you don’t want to be hanged in the square, it’s best to wait quietly for the storm to pass.

The nobles nodded their heads, tears in their eyes.

“Your loyalty to the Empire and your dedication to the citizens will not be forgotten. Please continue to work towards the prosperity of the Empire.”

“G, thank you, Your Highness.”

As Cain sheathed his sword and continued speaking,

“Originally, your actions were unforgivable and punishable by death. However, her Majesty in her mercy doesn’t desire such, so the punishment is held back. I’ll be watching your future actions closely, so be cautious.”

“The merciful decision of Her Majesty is always appreciated!”

“Long live the Empire! Long live Her Majesty!”

Thus, the storm in Barhen came to an end.

Once they took a short rest at the most expensive inn and left Barhen as soon as it was bright in the morning,

***

“Tiring…”

Trying to sound stern was mentally exhausting little by little.

Maybe I’ve done too much work.

Need to wrap up and go back. I’m starting to miss Iris’s face.

With that, I organized my thoughts while walking, when Kruel spoke.

“The fog… is quite thick. We can’t even see distant things.”

Even though it was the middle of the day with the sun blazing, you couldn’t see more than five steps ahead.

This limited vision was severe; all you could see around was the white haze of the fog.

“Wasn’t this place called the Foggy Plains? It certainly lives up to its name.”

We were crossing the famous southern plains after leaving Barhen.

If you were to name a famous place in the south, there are two that are often mentioned.

One is the Great Forest beyond the southern border.

The vast forest that cuts through between the Beast-Man Union of feudal states and Altain has trees so tall that they block the sky.

Known as a region where nature remains pristine, untouched by human hands.

According to guides and rangers who travel through the forest, it is said to be the only place in the Western Continent where you can meet elves.

It is reportedly due to the elves living deep within the Great Forest that it has been preserved over the long history of the continent.

Since this is the only way to encounter elves in the Western Continent, unlike the Eastern Continent, the Great Forest is often regarded as a must-visit for pilgrims and adventurers.

The other place is this foggy plain that we’re crossing now.

A vast plain covered with fog year-round regardless of the weather.

It is also the most dreaded area by visitors to the south.

“The last time I passed through there wasn’t any fog…”

The previous time when I crossed the Foggy Plains, the fog was low to the ground but the surroundings were visible.

The fog’s density periodically thickens and then diminishes, and it appears to be in the thickening period now.

Even in the southern region, the air was quite brisk, and all around were only mists.

“Not a very good condition.”

“Yeah.”

It’s certainly a great place for ambush.

In the plains swept with cold winter winds, not a single bug existed.

The only sounds we could hear were our footsteps and the dried grass of the plain rustling in the wind.

Though it was daylight, the atmosphere was filled with gloom.

“Until we know better, don’t let your guard down.”

The shortest route from Barhen to the Earl’s territory is to cross this Foggy Plains.

Other routes are blocked by rugged mountains, resulting in a major detour.

It would make the journey longer, but we had no choice but to pass through the Foggy Plains even though it felt uneasy.

“Let’s endure just a little longer. Knight Commander Kruel, let’s take a long rest once we return.”

“Yes, understood.”

As we were aimlessly walking across the Foggy Plains with Kruel,

The sun, which had reached its zenith, slowly began to sink towards the west.

Crack.

A faint sound echoed near the ear.

A slight tremor in the ground.

Turning around at the presence approaching in the distance,

An inquisitive Kruel’s mouth closed.

The overwhelming pressure that felt like pressing down on his entire body.

The grey eyes, dim until now, suddenly widen.

“This…!”

The power emerging from the hidden realms of the world.

The distinctly intense pressure unique to those who manifest mana was enveloping us right here.

At the same time, a flash of blue light through the dense fog.

“Knight Commander Kruel. Focus not on combat, but defense. And under no circumstances proceed.”

“Mana manifestor…”

A shadow gliding with a blue glow cutting through the mist.

Faint sounds of hooves that had been heard previously now enveloped the whole plain.

‘Just had to cross the Foggy Plains…’

He drew his sword and gripped the hilt so tightly it might snap.

The mana manifestor racing across the plain.

It was heading straight for us, and the intent was clear.

“To face this head-on will mean death. Prioritize survival…”

Before his words ended, a strong intent to kill pricked his skin.

The sound of air tearing through.

He pushed Kruel away and tilted his sword upward into the sky.

Whooosh!

The mist swirling caught in the mana currents.

A horse cloaked in fog and its rider emerged.

The whole body encased in steel armor.

A glimpse of blue light between metallic helmets. And…

‘Lance Charge…!’

The spear glowing with white light made contact with the sword.

BOOM!

“…!”

Even though he managed to block it at an angle, a powerful shock that couldn’t be counterbalanced thrust him back.

“Captain!”

Kruel, who had drawn his sword and moved, was waved off with one hand, and then looked at the figure that had passed by earlier.

Thud. Drip.

The silhouette of the knight, mounted on a nimble stallion taking a turn.

A flash of blue light came from the figure disappearing into the fog again.

Two other powerful presences of mana closing in from all sides soon followed.

“…”

Three superheroes overwhelming the world.

It’s an excessive amount of power for dealing with ordinary people.

This must be the work of those who are well aware of my strength.

‘Had it been the old me, I would be struggling.’

As he observed the knights approaching with shaking earth beneath them, he summoned Calion.

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