The Count's Gun-Shooting Scoundrel-Chapter 40

“My lord, Sir Kalov has arrived.”
“Let him in.”
Count Yarve stopped what he was doing and looked at the door.
A moment later, a man in a black robe with his hood pulled up entered the office.
It was Kalov, the mercenary mage hired along with Yakim.
Count Yarve asked with a stern expression.
“Why has no one ed? Surely they aren't still having a drinking party, toasting to victory?”
“Please do not be surprised by what I am about to say.”
“What are you talking about?”
Yarve frowned.
Kalov took off his robe and met his eyes.
“We were annihilated.”
“……!”
Yarve's eyes shot open.
“The Rose Knights, as well as the Red Warriors, were defeated by them.”
“H-how…”
“The House of Count Julius was hiding its strength.”
“Are you saying they had a Sword Master?”
Yarve scowled and shouted.
“There was someone comparable to one.”
“Don't tell me that bastard Skevin awakened as a Sword Master? In such a short time?”
“Arthur Julius.”
“Arthur Julius, you say…”
“He is the youngest son of Count Malcom, who was called the scoundrel of Grada. He killed Yakim and fended off the Rose Knights and the Red Warriors.”
“Wh-what did you say!”
Yarve's gaze wavered violently.
“Furthermore, the strength of the Phoenix Knights was completely different from the intelligence we gathered. One-third of their forces were Sword Experts.”
“That can't be! I confirmed it myself!”
“You were deceived by them.”
“How dare they!”
Yarve, in a fiery rage, swept the books off his desk.
CRASH!
“I will never forgive them! So, what are they doing now?”
“As of now, there don't seem to be any particular movements.”
“With that kind of strength, they'll surely try to get revenge, won't they?”
Yarve seemed to think for a moment, then said in a low voice.
“I need to go somewhere.”
Just then, a man in black attire, complete with a hood, appeared from one side of the office.
It was Jakal, Yarve's escort knight.
He approached Yarve and knelt on one knee.
“Your orders.”
“Go to Hazan and tell him I need beasts. Tell him it doesn't matter how much money it costs, to gather as many as possible and bring them himself.”
“Yes, my lord.”
As soon as he replied, Jakal silently left the office.
Kalov, who was watching him, gave a meaningful smile.
“I didn't know you kept an assassin by your side, my lord.”
“He is my escort knight.”
“I understand that keeping an assassin is a violation of imperial law.”
“How dare you bring up imperial law in front of me? Weren't you hired by me because you needed money?”
“It seems I have overstepped my bounds.”
Kalov bowed his head slightly.
Yarve found nothing about his words or actions to his liking, but he was a 5th-Class mage.
Considering there were only five 6th-Class mages in the empire, he was a valuable asset.
Therefore, even though he was displeased, he had no choice but to endure it, but his pride wouldn't let it slide completely.
“You're too stiff. If you need money, you'd do well to bow your head lower.”
“I will do so from now on. There's nothing I won't do, as long as you pay.”
Kalov did bow his head deeply, but a hint of sarcasm could be felt in his tone.
“Hmph…”
Yarve glared at him with a stern expression before shaking his head and speaking.
“Know this, if something like this happens again, you'll end up with not a single penny.”
“I'll keep that in mind.”
“ immediately if you see any particular movements from them.”
“Then, I shall take my leave.”
Kalov left the office.
Yarve stared at the door he had left through with an angry expression.
“This is why you shouldn't work with mongrels with no pedigree. Anyway, Arthur Julius…”
If Yakim, a Sword Master, was defeated by him, Hazan's forces alone would not be enough.
He needed a Sword Master.
Since Yakim was the only one among the mercenaries, he was in a situation where he had to ask someone for help.
“Who should I approach…?”
Yarve walked to the window, looked up at the sky, and was lost in thought.
After a few seconds.
A suitable person came to mind.
Count Daemor of the Balkan territory, who had recently sought an exchange, would surely step up for him.
The steel products produced in the Balkan territory accounted for 70 percent of the entire empire's distribution.
As a result, the main source of income for the Balkan territory was inevitably its steel products.
However, they had reached a point where their iron deposits were nearly depleted, forcing them to import from other territories.
On the other hand, the Nivon territory had deposits of the highest-grade iron, but it was being neglected as their steel industry was not a high priority.
Count Daemor, knowing this fact, had wanted to make a deal.
He had planned to make the deal anyway, but since the matter with the House of Julius had gone awry, it seemed he could make a conditional deal.
On the condition that he would temporarily lend him Kapo, the commander of the Steel Knights.
Of course, he would hide the fact that the opponent would be the House of Count Julius.
Kapo was a Sword Master like Yakim, but on a different level.
He had reached the rank of Sword Master 10 years ago, and was now known to be almost at the intermediate level.
He would be more than capable of dealing with the brat from the House of Julius.
Count Yarve sat back down in his chair with a vile smile.
“What should I write in the letter to Count Daemor to make him come running?”
***
“Are the preparations complete?”
“We have selected 30 men based on the criteria you mentioned.”
Upon receiving Skevin's , Arthur nodded and asked.
“I'll take it from here, so you stay at the castle and maintain combat readiness with the Knight Order.”
“Are you sure you don't need me to come along?”
“Do you still not trust me?”
As Arthur stared intently at Skevin, he unconsciously lowered his head.
Through the territorial battle, he had confirmed that Arthur was stronger than him.
He had become strong enough to deal with the Ogre, not to mention the Sword Master Yakim, all by himself.
Since his own skills were several levels below Arthur's, he was now in a position to be protected by him, rather than protecting him.
“……Understood.”
“Make sure the sentries don't let their guard down for a second. If word has reached Count Yarve, he definitely won't stay idle.”
“You don't have to worry about things here.”
“Good.”
Arthur grinned and patted Skevin's shoulder.
The two left the room and headed to where the knights Skevin had selected were.
As they entered the training grounds, a group of men was gathered.
Dark, upon spotting Arthur and Skevin, said.
“They're here.”
At that, the men who had been talking immediately snapped to attention.
Arthur stood before them and glanced around.
He was satisfied, as it seemed most of the people he had in mind had been chosen.
“How is everyone's condition?”
Dark answered on behalf of the gathered men.
“We rested well yesterday, so we've recovered a lot.”
“That's a relief. You must have heard the explanation from Skevin. We will search the western mountain range to ensure that monsters never come down to the territory again.”
“How long do you expect it will take?”
“One week.”
“……!”
Dark's eyes wavered slightly.
To search the entire western mountain range and root out all the monsters in one week?
Just hearing the plan, he could already feel how arduous it would be.
It seemed they would probably have to give up on eating and sleeping for a week.
The other men's faces also darkened, as if they were thinking the same thing as Dark.
Arthur gave a faint smile at their reaction and shifted his gaze to their waists.
Everyone's weapons were damaged; not a single one was intact.
If they were to encounter an Ogre, they would be helpless.
He decided to replace their weapons with the ones in his Subspace before they departed.
“Everyone, prepare for the expedition and reassemble here.”
“Sir!”
They gave a short, sharp reply and dispersed.
Arthur looked up at the pitch-black sky and was lost in thought for a moment.
Yesterday, as soon as he came out of the cave and returned to the castle, he went to Aild and handed him the Elixir.
Millerf, after drinking the Elixir, recovered as if by a miracle.
Hearing that he would be able to move normally by tomorrow, he could tell how incredible the Elixir's effects were.
With Millerf by Skevin's side, he felt much more at ease, and it seemed he wouldn't be anxious even if the search period became longer.
Thinking of Skevin and Millerf reassured him.
If these two could become even stronger, nothing would be better.
‘If I look, there should be something useful.’
Before walking away, Arthur said to Skevin.
“I'm going somewhere for a bit, so wait here.”
***
“Y-Young Master…”
Skevin's jaw dropped in astonishment.
Arthur's appearance as he reappeared on the training grounds after preparing for the expedition was awe-inspiring.
From the helmet shaped like a dragon's wide-open maw, as if roaring, to the golden armor.
When Arthur appeared, the surroundings brightened, as if seeing a light of hope in the darkness.
When he stood right in front of him, an immense pressure weighed down on his entire body.
“Take this.”
“……?”
Skevin looked at Arthur.
Suddenly, a sword appeared in his hand.
“How did you do that?”
His bewilderment was only for a moment.
A brilliant light captivated him.
The blade was shining, and it was extraordinary.
Moreover, the hilt and guard were carved into the shape of a dragon's face.
‘A sword carved with a dragon's face…!’
A certain sword suddenly came to mind.
It was from a time before the Demon King appeared, when humans and dragons coexisted.
There was a swordsman called the Dragon Slayer.
He had seen the sword he used in a book, and this one looked almost identical to it.
“It's a better sword than the one you have now.”
“Where did you get it?”
“Don't ask, just take it.”
As Arthur held out the sword, Skevin received it with both hands in a very respectful manner.
Then, when he grasped the hilt of the sword.
Regardless of his will, a deep blue aura blossomed from his hand, traveled up the blade, and shot toward the tip of the sword.
The blade shone with a deep blue color and was instantly enveloped in aura.
“Wh-what?”
Skevin was startled.
The situation was so sudden that he thought he had dropped the sword, but it wouldn't let go, as if the sword itself was holding his hand tightly.
At the same time, the sword's color changed to the same color as his aura.
It felt as if it was becoming one with Skevin's aura.
“E-Excalibur…!”
Skevin's eyes widened as if they would tear, and he even stammered.
This was the phenomenon that occurred when Excalibur accepted a new master.
He thought it was a sword similar to Excalibur, but it was the real Excalibur.
“To think I'm holding Excalibur…”
Made of dragon bone, its durability was beyond question, and there was nothing it could not cut.
The one called the King of Swords had chosen him.
His heart felt like it was about to burst, going beyond just being overwhelmed with emotion.
Arthur smiled at the sight, looking satisfied.
Then, he looked through the weapons in his Subspace.
“This one should be for Mulan. And this one for Rateil…”
He took them out one by one and stuck them in the ground.
Skevin, who had been lost in awe of Excalibur, stared wide-eyed as weapons suddenly poured out of Arthur's hand.
“Y-Young Master…”