Volume 8 Chapter 26 The Break with Barreith
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
The sun had climbed higher in the sky when something strange happened at the front of Barreith’s city hall.
”Wait. What are you doing here? Weapons aren’t allowed inside the Presidential Office.”
Klock and Cianie exchanged glances.
The other side were looking for Hero. After discussing the report they’d heard from Boston, they decided it couldn’t be ignored. So today, they returned.
The spire looming ahead should mark the city hall. Yet, Klock had never heard of the old Federation’s Presidential Office being in this town.
”…I heard you wanted to see Hero,” Klock said, showing his adventurer card.
Cianie did the same, following their prearranged plan.
The two guards at the Presidential Office (?) widened their eyes and looked at each other—clearly shocked. One ran inside, and the other said politely, “Please wait a moment,” suddenly switching to formal speech.
Hero’s influence really is something else. Even strangers treat her with respect, and Klock felt a familiar itch from being a former thief.
A Presidential Office in Barreith? Then what had that “Barreith Provisional Government” even been? Klock sighed, sensing a headache coming.
Barreith was on the eastern edge of the old Federation. Would a Presidential Office even exist in a place like this? Klock, once a resident of the kingdom, didn’t know the inner workings of the Federation, but usually, such offices were in more prosperous regions.
A Presidential Office surrounded by miners? It sounded off.
”The President will see you,” the returning soldier said, opening the door and stepping aside.
It seemed they could meet the President without an appointment. Klock gave Cianie a glance as they stepped inside. The interior felt like any regular city hall—nothing that screamed “Presidential Office.”
”…Klock. Be careful,” Cianie whispered, drawing his attention.
Her warning meant she had noticed something unusual. A sense of caution rose in him.
”Well, well, welcome,” a voice called out warmly as they were led not to an office but to a guest area beside a courtyard. Three men were already waiting.
”I’m Bartolo, the new President of the Leelit Federation. Bartolo Accardo,” one said.
”I’m Ludovico, Governor of Barreith,” another introduced himself.
Both smiled in a seemingly friendly way—but their eyes didn’t match. The atmosphere felt tense, as if they were preparing for a political battle.
New President, huh. This could get messy. Klock already felt the trouble coming.
A gentle floral scent brushed past his nose.
”Klock. That man in the Cassock over there isn’t normal,” Cianie murmured, leaning closer.
She was pointing to the third man, seated quietly.
”…A Majin?” Klock guessed.
”I don’t know. He’s there, but I can’t sense any magic or presence. Completely blocked,” she replied.
Klock raised an eyebrow. No presence meant he could do what Merfolk soldiers could—like the Demon Lord’s Army. That wasn’t normal.
A spy…? And why was he wearing a Theocracy Cassock?
The city was looking for Hero. But how did they even know she was here? Probably because last night she had wiped out the Monsters’ forces—but could anyone really identify her just from that?
Impossible, Klock thought. Hero’s party always hid their true identities. Even if the town was on fire outside, it didn’t mean they could automatically link it to Hero.
Those who knew Hero? Only a few insiders—and the Demon Lord’s Army. Naturally, suspicion fell on a spy.
”Hero. Welcome to this remote land. How do you find Barreith?” Ludovico said formally.
He spoke directly to her, but Cianie ignored him—boldly.
Ludovico faltered, expecting polite acknowledgment. But Hero wasn’t the type for flattery. Only a handful in the world could draw such a response from her.
”I heard I were being sought,” she said.
”Yes, yes. That’s right. Following the Demon Lord’s Army invasion, we received word that Hero repelled the enemy forces. We rushed to welcome you,” he replied swiftly, trying to recover.
The conversation shifted quickly. Ludovico attempted to regain composure, though Klock secretly wanted to laugh at his unease.
”Our Federation faces an urgent crisis. We suffered heavy losses in the last war, barely survived, and now the Demon Lord’s Army has invaded our lands, reaching this town. I have done all I can to protect it, but the enemy is strong. Even with all our forces, resistance may fail. That is when we heard of you. A Hero in this town—”
”What do you want?” Cianie cut him off sharply.
Hero wasn’t a noble or politician; she didn’t owe him the courtesy of listening. She was far above a local governor in authority.
”By agreement, we ask you to help defend this town.”
Klock tilted his head. Agreement? What agreement?
”I understand you are busy. Yet we cannot wait. According to the Four Kingdoms Defense Pact, we ask Hero to aid in protecting this town. By cooperating, we can handle both internal and external threats. This framework was made by Dusselhelm, Fritz, Crotopone, and the Leelit Federation. Brave Knights have a duty to protect people, but the Federation is in crisis. We hope you understand the urgency,” Ludovico continued.
Ah, right. Klock remembered. Hero’s party, the Brave Knights, weren’t ordinary adventurers—they solved state problems as well as hunting monsters.
So, they want her to secure this town first. The request made sense—but it was irritatingly overbearing.
Klock glanced at the man in the Cassock. He seemed completely uninterested in them. Suspicious.
”…Klock,” Cianie signaled. Help if needed. She knew Klock was better at smooth talking anyway.
”Ah, that’s if this were the Federation. The Federation is gone. You aren’t the Federation,” Klock said bluntly.
Helping defend Barreith? That wasn’t wrong, but Hero had her own duties. National matters were the responsibility of the nation itself.
”I’d appreciate it if you minded your manners. Your attendant should step back.”
”Huh?”
The governor deliberately tried to check Klock with a visibly annoyed expression. The message was clear: irrelevant people should stay silent.
”He’s a member of the Brave Knights. Not an attendant,” Cianie said firmly.
”…What? I thought the Brave Knights were an all-female party—”
”Ah, I’m the fifth and last to join. It’s understandable if you didn’t know,” Klock added, suppressing a flicker of irritation and a hint of pride, showing his adventurer card again.
The governor and the new President both blinked in surprise. Behind them, the man in the Cassock furrowed his brow and glared.
Of course they didn’t know. He had joined just recently, after all. Klock wondered if showing so much of himself in so many ways was wise—using what could be used, but hoping it wouldn’t cause trouble later.
”I’m leaving. Handle the defense of this town yourselves,” Cianie said, cutting the conversation abruptly. She clearly found it tiresome to deal with them.
The governor naturally tried to stop her.
”Wait! You’re right that the Federation has fallen. But we are the successor state. The Federation still exists, officially.”
”Declaring yourself a successor isn’t enough. Others out there are doing the same,” Klock shot back, thinking of the people shouting in the streets day and night—calling themselves the Barreith Provisional Government, probably rivals of Barreith itself.
Judging by the governance situation, it was obvious Ludovico had no real influence. His goal seemed clear: win Hero over, so outside factions would back off. Bartolo, the self-styled new President, was likely in on this too. His appointment clearly hadn’t followed proper procedure.
”We won’t side with you. If you’re a successor, get approval from a neighboring country. Until then, we won’t be convinced,” Klock said.
”Theocracy,” the Cassock man said simply.
Impossible, Klock thought—only to be countered from an unexpected direction. The Cassock man spoke.
”…What did you say?”
”That man, Bartolo, was a permanent member of the Federation and its legal director. We of the Theocracy recognize him as acting President of the Federation.”
Legal director. Could it be the same one who’d forced a chaotic escape from Rushelora, causing countless casualties? Acting President meant he wasn’t truly the new President—it was a wartime temporary measure—but he had presented himself as newly appointed.
”Thanks for the recommendation, Cardinal Hanover,” Bartolo said.
”…Cardinal…?”
Apparently, the Cassock man was a high-ranking official from the Theocracy. His presence alone indicated rank, but it was even higher than Klock had expected.
”This is troublesome. The Empire… our princess hasn’t mentioned this at all,” Cianie muttered under his breath.
”Hmm. Dusselhelm hasn’t taken a stance. The Third Princess may be fully occupied with defense and keeping distance from Parliament,” the Cardinal said with a dismissive snort, sipping from a cup as if brushing off the matter.
Klock bristled. This guy oozed arrogance—deliberately trying to provoke anger. Political operators like this were cunning, especially those skilled at manipulating emotions. Dealing with them was a trap.
”The Federation’s representative is asking you. To ignore it would be abandoning the people,” the Cardinal pressed.
”…A bit dramatic, isn’t it?” Klock said.
”Not at all. If Hero refuses to protect the people, the disgrace won’t stop at mere insult. Hero has that much power and influence.”
In other words, refusal meant abandoning Barreith’s citizens. They were essentially threatening her: obey, or suffer consequences.
Great. This would get messy. Refuse, and they’d find some charge to pin.
With Hanover speaking, Bartolo and Ludovico fell silent. The power dynamics were obvious from appearances alone.
Who was this guy? Human? No presence, yet acting like a Merfolk—maybe he was a Demonkin from the Demon Lord’s Army? Klock cursed himself for not asking Primlena earlier.
A spy from the Theocracy? Or someone already inside it? Why protect Ludovico? To keep Hero in this town?
Oriana was stuck in the Theocracy, powerless despite her strength. Even Hero could become constrained by political strings. Cooperation with these people was out of the question. The Cassock man’s true identity aside, Bartolo and Ludovico could be aligned with the Demon Lord’s Army.
If the goal was ending the war, there was no reason to insist Hero stay in Barreith. They likely had no counterstrategy planned. Their words were suspicious, at best. The city’s leadership might be traitors—or at least self-serving, even if claiming Theocracy backing. Either way, no benefit came to Klock’s side.
”We’ll fight the Demon Lord’s Army our own way. We won’t abandon the people. Not belonging to Barreith is just an efficiency choice,” Klock said.
”Ah, unfortunately, that’s impossible. The Federation has laws against private war. Any independent military action against foreign states is punishable,” Ludovico explained.
”…Huh?”
”So, we want you to act under our jurisdiction. Official capacity means your actions aren’t private warfare.”
Klock paused. What was he even saying? Behind him, the Cassock man laughed softly, clearly mocking them.
This war wasn’t the finale of their lives. Klock had to consider what came after. He couldn’t let Cianie take the blame due to some country’s political games.
Attacking the town, punishing citizens who resist? Ridiculous. They’d planned to trap Hero from the start. Fine—if that’s how it is, they’d play along.
Humans were still humans. Even during this ongoing interspecies war, allies or foes among their own kind mattered differently. Klock knew what needed to be done.
”Sorry, but we’re leaving this town,” he said.
”Oh? Ignoring the pact and abandoning the citizens?”
The tone dripped with sarcasm. The smirk, the attempt to force Hero into a corner—it made Klock’s blood boil. But he wasn’t weak.
Klock had run from every bad thing in life. Even if they tried to corner him with tricks, he had a plan: grab the woman and get out.
”I don’t care about your wars. We’re just tagging along because she’s Hero—taking out the Demon Lord, that’s all. Once it’s done, we retire to the countryside,” Klock said, picking his ear with his pinky and yawning.
The sudden rudeness made the officials frown.
”So, do me a favor and stop telling my wife what to do,” he added.
”…Wife?”
Klock exaggeratedly pulled Cianie close, draping an arm over her shoulder.
”This is mine,” he said with a grin, radiating pure rogue confidence.
”I don’t recognize you as the Federation. If you want recognition, get it from the Empire. Oh, and handle the defense of this town yourselves. From now on, if you speak to my woman, you go through me. That’s that.”
The man had suddenly gone completely off the rails. Even the smooth-talking Cassock man faltered, raising an eyebrow and pausing mid-sentence. Perhaps he thought they were engaging in some kind of intellectual duel.
Too bad. He was dealing with a thief who had crawled through life by his own rules—expert in sticking out his tongue and flipping the middle finger.
”W-wait! What are you saying?! Hero is the savior of humanity! You can’t drag her along for your personal reasons!”
”Ha~? Savior? Don’t care. She just has to cook my meals,” Klock shot back, tugging Cianie’s waist and making his claim obvious as they started to leave.
Leaving the dumbfounded governor behind, they walked quickly out of the courtyard. Even Cianie, being pulled along, looked a little bewildered at Klock’s sudden change.
”Klock… are you sure saying that’s safe? Won’t they come after us later?”
”Eh, whatever. Too much hassle—ignore it. Besides, look, since it’s just the two of us, let’s have a little date before heading back,” Klock said, masking his intentions with a casual grin.
Once outside the city hall, he caught Cianie’s eye and pressed a quick kiss to her lips. She blinked in surprise as he led her on a playful walk before returning to the ruined streets.
Should they have just had Cianie cut everyone down back there? No, that would have been reckless. The Cassock man’s identity aside, the governor was human. Killing him without proof of betrayal would make them criminals.
Any action against corrupt officials should be done legally, with the state leading. It would have been easier if Hermine were safe and nearby.
Dealing with politicians was messy. If Hero were falsely accused, and the news spread, the whole world could turn against them. Then all the fighting would feel pointless.
Come to think of it, they really couldn’t stay in Barreith any longer. This was a pain. They’d come in the wrong order.
More importantly, what about that Hanover guy? Could they confirm if he was human? If he were a Demonkin disguised as Theocracy, it might be tolerable. But if Majin had infiltrated the Theocracy leadership itself, that would be disastrous.
”How rude. We must issue an immediate warrant and detain them,” Ludovico’s voice rang out as he stormed away.
Bartolo, left behind, looked bewildered by the unfolding chaos, glancing nervously at Hanover but remaining silent.
Interesting. Hanover seemed amused. Hero hadn’t refused the pact of her own free will—she was being forced along by her companion and husband, Klock.
The Cardinal’s faint, knowing smile barely moved his lips, carefully controlling his expression.
The Brave Knights were led by Empire’s princess, Hermine. The Empire would back Hero, meaning no one could legally prosecute her afterward. Even if Hero made strategic mistakes in wartime, Klock would take the blame.
If needed, a slave mark could be used as proof of the husband’s control, giving the citizens a reason to accept Hero’s protection. Hanover had analyzed the situation perfectly: even if they won this battle, Hero needed to remain on the front lines as long as Gasthira was alive.
The sudden appearance of the fifth party member—claiming to be her husband—carried no magical aura, yet his gaze radiated the cunning of a politician. Not just a lizard’s tail.
He chuckled softly. From the side, anyone would furrow their brow in suspicion. Bartolo looked away, pretending ignorance.
But Hero—what a formidable presence. The Cardinal could only marvel. She projected the weight of a massive dragon descending from the sky. Delphina and her six horns weren’t the only titans in the world. Not even Bandanzine or Dainheorl could stop her. The next hundred years might have been Majin’s era—but now, the future was uncertain. Viola alone couldn’t handle this. The Moon Court would have to rethink its approach.
Hanover rose calmly and began walking away. Bartolo panicked slightly but quickly lost interest as Hanover disappeared from sight.
If it were Bandanzine, he would surely schematize around this chaos. He would take advantage of it—after all, he wouldn’t waste time playing a little girl’s game forever. The Nobility (Ujeny) were probably fed up with the mixed-up rogue too. Time to act.
”W-wait, Your Eminence! Cardinal!”
”…Still something?” Hanover replied without turning.
”Well, about that Rendlease matter…”
”Ah, yes. I understand completely. Theocracy is under wartime conditions. We’ve stopped arms exports to the Federation, but we’ll resume them for Barreith alone.”
”T-thank you! We are deeply grateful for your backing, Cardinal. Now we can fight…!!”
Bartolo said this with relief, and Hanover smiled faintly, twisting the corners of his mouth, before departing.
Notes:
• Cianie – A noble girl with a fluffy white and light blue dress, indicating her high status. She has a hesitant and flustered personality but is kind and courteous. Her relationship with Klock begins as an accidental encounter and develops into a romantic interest. She has a fiancé but expresses feelings for Klock, complicating their relationship.
• Boston – Adelina’s father, who holds a position of power within the church hierarchy. He has a dark secret regarding the death of his wife, Adelina’s mother.
• Leelit Federation – A political entity where Suzette used to work as a spy; seems to be an empire.
• Bartolo – A self-proclaimed president of Leelit Federation; meets Klock and Cianie to request Hero’s help defending Barreith
• Ludovico – He appears as Barreith administrator; confronts Klock and Cianie, demands Hero assist in town defense
• Rushelora – A port where demons are allowed to stay at embassies under special circumstances. It is a location where humans and demons have trade relations.
• Cardinal Hanover – He appears as Theocracy envoy; clarifies Barutoro’s legitimate authority and prevents Hero from being forced into Barreith’s political obligations
• Primlena – Orange-haired merfolk priestess, fierce yet elegant | First v8c3 | Sister of Sea General Primjune, subordinate to Primrity | Once captured and violated by Klock, now obsessed with reclaiming honor | Commands Obsidian Riders on giant fish, fights with trident | Seeks to drag Klock to Seabed Temple for marriage trial or execution | Unique note: revenge-driven siren bride who masks fury under ritual grace
• Oriana – A Princess. A companion who assists in explaining the situation to the kingdom. She is supportive and helps Anna navigate her responsibilities. Her appearance is slender, with dark hair and sharp features.
• Hermine – Daughter of the Emperor of the Second Empire of Dusselhelm. A companion and friend of Anna. The mage. She is pragmatic and encourages Anna to focus on her duties as a hero rather than her personal revenge.
• Gasthira – United Kingdom of Gasthira. Demonkin-led absolute monarchy; has a parliamentary system this generation; treats humans as enemies; suffers from poor working conditions.
• Bandanzine – They are one of the Four Heavenly Kings, appeared as a warrior with a dignified gaze, known for their frontline combat prowess.
• Dainheorl – He is the conqueror of the Demon Continent, appeared as the council leader, known for his godlike strength and four horns.
• Delphina – She is the Demon King’s daughter, appeared as a six-horned, water-blue haired figure, known for her godlike presence and influence.
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Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
Thanks for reading.
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