novelStraightening up of Evan D. Sherden (2)
| ← Ch.351 | Ch.353 → |
Regardless of how outsiders viewed the Knights, days at Astray were spent busily. The reason was the scenario of gathering the plotting scum in Sherden.
'I can't ignore the fact that there will be innocent victims in the final outcome. '
It was the genuine evil that stood at the apex of the scenario made by Evan. It was such an evil that couldn't be dealt with just one or two human lives once it became a reality, and the good that Must Save must have as its leader would stop it from happening, which would be the end of the scenario. But those who gathered in the city for the sake of the scenario wanted to actualize their current desires, like violence, rape, murder, and more...there were even more of them who would commit lesser evils and petty crimes.
And it was that evil which Evan must stop. Although he didn't precisely know what vast plans the evils who conspired with Miriam were planning (at least within the scenario), he was the absolute protector of the city who punished those that posed a threat to the city's safety. Evan must become someone who makes the villains think a million times before they move even a finger.
'So that they move discreetly while being alert against me. While they hide until the moment to turn everything around, they won't be greedy enough to do the petty evil doings. '
Perhaps they dream of being able to roam freely within the city as they want after they were done restructuring the city's order by Miriam's side. That would come to life if Miriam were able to secure the sovereignty of the city.
"Whew, I'm worn out. There are all sorts of things when you gather up all kinds of bastards. Some thugs were even trying to hit on me."
"Mother Miriam, you're still young and beautiful."
"Yes, I am sure you know well!"
It was the same Miriam, the person standing at the bottom of the affairs to take over the city through a revolt against the Marquis' family, that was having teatime with Evan on good terms.
"Oh boy. You think it's not happening to me? A few moments ago, a young fellow who naturally sided with the Trade Alliance while opposing Maybell fell head over heels for me and offered me a ridiculously high-priced necklace. He couldn't believe that I was a mother of two children. He had an innocent childish love."
"You are also young and beautiful, mother."
"Oooh, of course, certainly."
It would be hard for the conspirators to believe that Redine, Miriam, and Evan were having tea together. This surely was an awkward scene to be shown to the outside, so their meeting was held in secret within the Marquis' household.
"So, both of you are still desired by many, and you want to brag about it, but you can't possibly do that in front of the father, so you both are telling it to me."
"More or less."
"Well, it's personally something to be proud of, but I can't make trouble for him, right?"
Actually, it was a good thing. Their marriages must have passed 20 years at least, but it was amazing for them to love the Marquis as freshly as ever. Evan thought of whether he would love his wives as much even at an older age, and he ended up laughing. He had other problems at hand right now.
"Have there been any dangers so far?"
"I have a trustworthy bodyguard."
That reliable bodyguard was standing right behind Miriam. A young boy who wore pitch-black clothes with a silver mask had a handsome and tall stature and hadn't reached the age of 15. It was Jhin.
"Jhin took care of the person who tried to hit on me."
"It's my duty."
"Good, you're doing well."
"It was all thanks to the Commander's guidance. I will do better in the future."
Redine's eyes sparkled as she looked at Jhin's calm reply.
"Son, won't you set me up with a bodyguard?"
"That's not needed since you are with the Ironwall Knights, mother. I've even made a special request to the leader."
"But that won't complete the look of an escort knight. The appearance matters, you know?"
"You are already doing great, so don't worry..."
Just with how she said it, things seemed to be fine. Evan sighed heavily at the sight of the two delighted mothers giggling and enjoying tea and cookies and called Jhin to come forward.
"So, tell me about the flow of the scenario on your side. Has there been any conflicts?"
"There was no problem on the other side. The alliance with the Demons finally happened, and the negotiation with Ms. Maybell as the leading member is going smoothly. But in terms of starting a direct conflict with the ones in charge of the good, what I mean is..."
"What do you mean?"
"Those two damn kids are too excited and jumpy everywhere."
"..."
The only people Jhin referred to as "damn kids" were the twins: Lin and Lan. Evan was a little worried to dispatch them officially, but it was a hard call that had to be made in order to have them polish their techniques...
"...Do you think they were caught?"
"No, that's not the case. It's just that I'm a bit more irritated."
"You must have hard times..."
"And..."
Jhin hesitated whether to say it or not, but he ended up opening his mouth.
"Must Save...he has a peculiar expression whenever he sees me."
"What expression?"
"It's hard to say exactly what, but...It's that look that Mr. Raihan has when he looks at Mr. Shine."
"...Like you also have a hard time?"
It surely wasn't Evan's place to speak since he was the person who usually made Shine stress more, but looking at Jhin's strange expression when he heard him, he guessed it hit the point.
"He must have surely realized."
"But how on earth is that possible?"
"It's an acceptable outcome. Based on my perception of him, he has been strangely intuitive of everything till now..."
And consequently, things moved as Evan wanted. It was just an assumption, but what if he thoroughly knew the scenario currently being carried out in Sherden yet didn't act abruptly...
"I can ask him myself, so just let him be."
"Would that be all right?"
"Why wouldn't it?"
Evan understood. He started to think about how the scenario was flowing too smoothly. Perhaps it was because the protagonist clearly understood his role.
"Do your best for a little longer. It's my request."
"This isn't a difficult matter considering all the good deeds you've bestowed upon me. I will complete it at all cost."
"Okay, thank you."
After teatime, Evan looked for the Phoenix Guild. It was the force participating in the fight on the frontiers with Save's party, so he could expect a different story aside from Louise's report, who was within the party.
"Master Evan, it's been a long while."
"It sure has."
Eloa, who was in the guild house at that time, greeted Evan personally. She offered him cookies with a welcoming expression.
"As I've said it in the previous banquet...congratulations once more on your engagement with Princess Serena. Is the room for a concubine still empty? I'm always ready."
"What? You're a noble. Don't dream of becoming a concubine."
"What noble? I walked out of the house that gave me my empty title."
"And you've become the guild master of Phoenix Guild."
As her standing in cooperation with Evan became as solid as ever, she had become the guild master of Sherden's best guild, which nobody could ever reach. Yet, she aimed to become a concubine for Evan, not for succeeding the land heritage; such words were literally unthinkable.
"Whew, we're on the same boat, yet you still are a cold person."
"You'll find a great man, so cheer up, Eloa.
"Uhm, but after knowing a perfect person like you, other people don't look good enough to me. I've got to seriously think of how talented and gorgeous ladies get attracted to you."
Evan made an awkward expression and started to think. It was because of her behavior that he didn't want to come here.
"Let's talk about that some other time. I came to double-check on how things are going."
"That's already prepared."
As Eloa flicked her fingers, a thin ice board arose above the table. As she drew on it with her hand, data of the forces along with the summary of the events and their progress began to be marked on it.
"Your control became even much better."
"It's not that good compared to Belois. That child even researches the higher attributes. Through which methods can a person acquire such overwhelming power...oh, perhaps sleeping with the Master helped her?"
"I assure you, that's not the case."
Actually, he felt a bit guilty. It would be a lie to tell her that his relationship hadn't affected Belois' growth. So, he cut corners on his words and started to focus on the thin ice board.
"Indeed...so, it has progressed as far as they noticed the interference from the Demons. Moreover, Save's party is on the frontier. Everything looks smooth."
"It wasn't an act, but I was amazed. The fact that someone was fully controlling the Demon tribe would surely be surprising even if it were told beforehand...so, what about the scenario on the evil side? I've heard that Maybell dealt with it amazingly."
"Most negotiations with the Demons are handled by her. Serpina is helping, too."
Maybell was very fluent with negotiations as if her former job was a merchant. With Serpina, who had a sharp sense of dealing with information and people, those two wouldn't have any formidable foes.
Evan saw the mutual understanding between those two and abruptly realized that such a combination was indeed dangerous.
"But it's the Demon tribe. Won't they be in danger?"
"Nonsense. The Demon tribe is easier to maneuver than the human race. Their objectives are very obvious."
The resurrection of the Demon King, all purposes of the entire Demon tribe pointed to that. The much difficult Mahwa Tribe wasn't an exception, and it was no sweat to manipulate an opponent whose objective is crystal clear.
"Moreover, you have a bodyguard next to you, so don't worry. Raihan Hyeong from our party is also playing a role on this side."
"So, it's Sir Raihan. Thinking of confronting him even under a pretense...huhu, it's becoming more exciting. So, when are you planning to drop the bait?"
"As long as the Demon tribe joined their camp, their ultimate motive is just one. To get rid of me."
Of course, the attempts to revert back authorities such as the merchants and the temple of Sherden through Maybell from the Brotherhood Cooperation and Serpina from the temple would become the groundwork, but those have already been dealt with beforehand, so when the scenario ended, everything would conclude smoothly.
"So, if they don't end up killing me even after they attempt to wreak havoc on Sherden, they will never stop. They will come forth with a duel that involves natural strength, and they will have a card up their sleeves. A magical approach to crushing the greater opponent through preparation. Eloa, you know about it, right?"
"The magic circle."
Eloa came up with the answer right away. Evan nodded and gave an explanation.
"Strictly speaking, I've experienced it once in Leonine, but I'm not certain whether the information has reached Sherden. Anyways, they will prepare a magic circle. Astray's alert is thorough within Sherden so that it will be a hassle for them, so I believe it will be set up nearby. And the place that would draw out most of the negative energy to complete the magic circle...would be around this place."
The undead dungeons had been recently appearing up everywhere near Sherden. All of them were a beginner's work to confront Evan. The dark magic circle required a vast amount of negative mana, and the best way for that was to use the undead as the offerings. And the place where Evan pointed out was precisely nearby the center of those undead dungeons.
"Well, this is an acceptable location."
"It would be difficult to discover it. Perhaps the Four Heavenly Kings are interfering."
"That statement hurts my pride."
"Of course, with Belois' ability, it would not be a problem to spot it, but they are determined, too."
But it was certain that this side would spot it first. It's because Belois was there. Even if it were beyond Belois's capability, it couldn't fool the high elf's eyes. And they couldn't have estimated the extent of Belois's abilities or Mirole's.
"At the decisive moment, well, when the characters from the evil side declare war against me, that would be the time when the magic circle activates. But of course, it won't. If things go well, that magic circle can be altered to give us the upper hand."
The over-reacting magic circle, and those who are bewildered by it. And beyond them, the magic circle would offer a single monster. A monster that's referred to as a dragon.
"...So, how old is the dragon right now?"
"One-year-old. You can hold your expectations since it's still in its growth phase."
Eloa showed a subtle expression as Evan spoke with a huge grin. Perhaps she wouldn't be able to make such an expression again once she saw it.
| ← Ch. 351 | Ch. 353 → |