Volume 3 Chapter 144-2 The Confession Of Owl I
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
”Then… is there a real chance the Demon could revive early?”
”No. That’s not the issue we should be focusing on.”
”…You’re saying someone is trying to make the Demon revive?”
”There is a possibility. But if it returns, it’ll likely be from the region of Dacia. The Demon acts on instinct—it seeks the closest flesh and blood to devour. That path would lead it over the mountains and into the marshes… right into the Beastmen’s flank. In some ways, its revival would be a strategic advantage.”
Kian narrowed his eyes.
”And what happens after that?”
”Wouldn’t Ramsey get torn apart?”
”That’s something to think about after the Beastmen are crushed. For now, our top priority is to hold the front lines. That’s where our focus should be. Gunter, Julius—agree?”
”Yes.”
Gunter stepped forward.
”Lord Kian, before that, we must eliminate the ‘Storm Herd’ and the black panther tribe. If we don’t, Ramsey will become a wasteland. We’re desperate enough to borrow not just a cat’s paw, but even the hand of the Bloodsucking Kind.”
Julius added,
”Lord Owl is both a skilled necromancer and a master monster tamer. If he can control not only the Cain species but the Demon as well, then we have a real chance—even against the warriors of the Storm Herd and the black panther tribe. Isn’t that right, Lord Owl?”
”Indeed. A Demon revival would be desirable,” Owl said quietly. “I can’t share the details, but I have my reasons. That said, there are no current signs of revival, so it’s not something Lord Kian needs to worry about right now.”
Kian looked between the two.
”What are your thoughts on using the Bloodsucking Kind for national defense?”
The two exchanged glances.
”Before any talk of that, we need to protect this land from the Beastmen,” Julius answered firmly.
”He’s right,” Gunter nodded. “Five years ago, I was taken during an attack. I don’t want anyone else to go through what I did. We have to use every resource we can.”
”If Maribel had sent reinforcements, we wouldn’t be talking about relying on the Bloodsucking Kind,” Owl muttered, crossing his legs and setting down his cup.
”Speaking of reinforcements, I’d like to make another request to the princess. It would help if Lord Kian could add his voice to the matter.”
Kian frowned.
”If you want reinforcements so badly… why reject the Adventurers?”
That brought up the fourth issue. Owl’s expression turned grim.
”They’re not exactly reliable allies.”
”What do you mean?”
Julius cut in, his voice filled with disgust.
”Lord Kian, a few days ago, a group of adventurers from Izerland tried to assassinate Lord Owl.”
Gunter’s gaze darkened.
”They had the nerve to call him a monster. Can you believe it? They smuggled in twenty barrels of Azrael-made gunpowder to blow up the castle—claiming his necromancy and monster taming were ‘unnatural.’ Fools.”
”They know nothing of Lord Owl’s service to Izerland,” Julius added. “In the end, they’re mercenaries—stray dogs who’ll do anything for coin. And just to be clear, Lord Kian, that wasn’t a jab at you.”
Kian glanced at his fingers, deep in thought.
”Those must be the three parties Mr. Friedrich and Mr. Gonzales warned us about.”
”They were worried, yes.”
”No need to fret. We’ll be releasing them soon, as the guild branch requested. Keeping them locked up costs more than they’re worth.”
Kian turned to Owl.
”Would you hand them over to me after that?”
”If it’s your request, I won’t refuse,” Owl said. “But if they try blowing up the castle again, that’s a real issue. I’ll make sure to repurpose their remaining explosives before we let them go.”
”Thank you.”
Owl turned to Gunter.
”Once it’s done, please deliver them to Lord Kian.”
”Understood.”
”Will you be coming with us, Lord Owl?”
Kian asked, but Owl shook his head tiredly.
”The barrier around the fortress keeps breaking. I can’t leave right now. Honestly, if you hadn’t come, I wouldn’t even be here. They probably would’ve just told me to leave and tossed me in jail.”
Gunter and Julius nodded.
”Apologies, Kian. Any other questions?”
”Just one more,” Kian said. “After the treaty talks with the Alliance, once your elite troops arrive here… I’d like them to show signs of a counterattack.”
”Of course. Timing will be crucial. Gunter, get Lord Kian’s permission to open a teleportation gate inside Ramsey. Is it just Ms. Linca on your side who needs to register?”
”For now. Two others will open gates later, but we’ll authorize them as needed.”
”Then I’ll assign one of my Wing Cain to them. If anything happens, they can contact it, and it’ll link to me directly.”
”Should it wait somewhere away from your camp? We also have confidential matters to deal with here.”
”Understood. I’ll send one as soon as you both leave.”
Owl stood up.
”Apologies. The barrier at the northeastern fort has collapsed. I must go.”
”Eh!? Are you alright, Lord Owl?”
”I’ll manage. Gunter and Julius will escort the prisoners to Lord Kian. Kian, Ms. Linca—sorry for the abrupt departure.”
With that, Owl waved, took his staff and hat, and disappeared into a quiet alley. The teleportation gate had to be used where no civilians were around—it would be dangerous otherwise.
Kian also rose.
”I’ll handle the payment,” Julius offered, bowing politely.
”I’ll help.”
”No need. If the customer pays, we’ll get scolded later.”
”Do you have a place for tonight? If not, we can arrange something.”
Kian looked to Linca.
She shook her head.
”We already have lodging secured. No need to worry.”
”I see. If you change your mind, visit the outpost. We’ll arrange it anytime.”
Kian and Linca thanked them. Julius paid the bill, and the four left the shop together.
* * *
Outside the prison beneath the hilltop castle, the adventurers from Izerland were handed over.
After a quick thanks to Gunter and Julius, Kian led the adventurers toward the Ramsey branch. The sky had turned orange. He’d hoped to take care of Sarah’s errand afterward, but it might be too late.
”Man, you really saved us there.”
The leader of the ‘Gauntfang Pack’ scratched his head and walked beside Kian. The other two party leaders followed closely.
Kian stayed behind Linca, careful not to lose sight of her along the narrow, quiet path.
”I’m just glad everyone’s safe.”
”Yeah, now I can finally get back to monster hunting.”
The Leader of the Gauntfang Pack smirked, the corner of his mouth curling upward.
Kian narrowed his eyes.
”Are you planning to target Lord Owl again?”
”What else could it be? Owl’s a monster, right?”
”Yes. There are rumors he controls the Bloodsucking Kind—turning into a giant bat and drinking the blood of locals. That guy’s definitely the vampire. As soon as Leap got involved in the investigation, he started cracking down on adventurers, saying his Knight Order could handle it. Classic case of tripping over your own pride,” one adventurer said.
Others nodded in agreement.
In truth, Owl was a monster, so Kian had no real way to dispute their claims.
If Owl were to be killed somehow, Kian might be falsely accused of being his accomplice.
Still, as someone who served the same princess, Kian had to say something.
”I’d recommend backing off, as someone working under the same princess. You’re only making things worse,” he said.
”Huh? Weren’t you sent here to hunt vampires too?”
”That’s true. But if Lord Owl is the culprit, what happens to Ramsey’s defenses if we kill him? And if he’s not? Then all we’re doing is weakening our forces for nothing.”
”We don’t care about national politics,” another adventurer muttered. “As long as we get paid.”
”Gonzales and Friedrich promised a fat reward once the Ramsey mess is sorted. Hah! That bounty’s ours. I’m not walking away from a jackpot.”
”After wars, Ghouls always show up. And there are still Cain breeds roaming around. We’ll be cashing in for a while,” someone else added.
(Selfish bastards…)
But this was normal for adventurers.
Kian wasn’t so different. He couldn’t lecture them too harshly.
”In any case, follow the Ramsey branch’s command from now on. Do not act on your own. Also, cease any attempts to assassinate Lord Owl. You’re moving to kill without proof. That makes you criminals. If necessary, I’ll report this to Her Highness.”
A chorus of annoyed sighs and tongue-clicks followed.
”Fine, fine. We’ll lay low for now.”
”Good. Please respect the Guild Master’s judgment. Thank you.”
”The hero of Izerland sure is uptight,” someone grumbled. “Boring guy.”
Just then, Linca appeared from around the corner.
”Sir Kian, we’ve arrived.”
Turning the bend, the group saw a tall building with a triangular roof—the Ramsey Guild branch.
A spacious plaza stretched out in front, with a paid water-drawing station installed nearby.
(Hopefully that’s groundwater…)
Kian handed over all three adventuring parties—including the Gauntfang Pack—to the Guild staff and gave a quick report to the Guild Master.
He ordered them to remain quiet and refrain from causing further incidents. Otherwise, they might be tried for attempting to assassinate a castle lord.
The Gray Bear’s group and Rean were already in custody.
As for the remaining party—the ones supposedly captured by the Storm Herd—they were missing. The Storm Herd’s camp was empty, suggesting they had been relocated.
The Guild Master bowed deeply. Kian returned the gesture in Azrael style, and then left with Linca.
By the time they returned to the narrow street from the plaza, the sun had already sunk low, casting long shadows and dimming the road ahead.
”How will the inspection results be delivered?”
Linca walked beside him, speaking calmly—but her guard never dropped.
She was still alert, likely sensing the magical energy lurking in the dark windows of surrounding buildings.
(Linca’s detection skills are seriously impressive…)
In terms of combat, healing, summoning Shikigami, and teleportation magic, she was far better suited for guard duty than Sarah.
It was surprising that Jibril hadn’t kept her close as a personal aide. Perhaps he simply had too many skilled subordinates.
Among the Wolfmen, the woman with the short sword might have even better racial abilities. Maybe Serena would become like her in time.
”We’ll observe for now. Lord Owl’s response was unclear.”
”You mean…”
Kian relayed Owl’s response in full.
Linca nodded. “I see.”
”So she didn’t deny drinking blood from the locals.”
”And didn’t deny creating undead either. She didn’t claim responsibility for the chaos, but… it’s all very suspicious. If this were peacetime, she’d have already been summoned to Izerland for questioning.”
”With a three-day travel schedule, will you start interviews tomorrow?”
”Yes. I’ll visit the Guild and the Ramsey Catacombs. I also want to speak with victims and witnesses if possible. Once I’m done, I’ll return immediately. On the way back, I’ll contact Owl through Wing Cain and finalize our pincer strategy with Sarah.”
”What about shopping and supplies?”
”We’ll check any stores still open. I want something besides Sage Sausages for once.”
Linca gave a small nod.
Then, after a moment, she hesitated—looking unsure.
”U-Um…”
”Hm?”
”About our hideout…”
”Yeah?”
”There’s no bath.”
”We can just use a bucket and wipe down with a wet cloth.”
But Linca stepped forward, her tone suddenly intense.
”No! That’s not enough to recover! A proper bath is important for rest!”
”But we can’t exactly summon a bath in the middle of the street…”
”There’s a bathhouse nearby.”
”I see. Though I bet some of those places double as brothels. And the water might not be safe.”
Linca didn’t back down. She even grabbed his hand.
”It’s fine if we go together, Sir Kian.”
”If it’s divided into small private rooms, I guess it’s fine. I just don’t want other men seeing you naked.”
”Don’t worry. It’s a little pricey, but I know a good place. Last time I came to Ramsey, I really wanted to try it. It’s a natural hot spring.”
Apparently, during her infiltration mission from Jibril, Linca had also been enjoying some local tourism.
Even when they first met, she’d said it was her “day off.” She was way too free-spirited.
”Alright, let’s go then.”
”Yay! They say the water is great for your skin! I wonder how smooth I’ll get… ah, I’m already excited.”
”You say that, but you still haven’t dropped your magic sense. Scary.”
Kian shrugged and followed after Linca as she skipped ahead down the narrow alleyway.
Notes:
• Gunter – Male. One of Owl’s knights, fully armored in a turtle-like appearance. He is easily distracted by Linca’s charm and struggles to maintain professionalism. His relationship with Owl is one of a subordinate, and he is often scolded for his behavior.
• Linca – Jibril’s favorite girl. High-ranking warrior monk woman from Shin, with strong abilities like ignoring attacks and poisons.
• Serena – Wolfmen Girl
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Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
Thanks for reading.
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