Volume 10 Chapter 16 The Bandit’s Reckoning
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
The bustling activity within the fort was a stark contrast to Klock’s first visit. From his vantage point atop the fortified wall, he surveyed the transformation below. Soldiers moved with purpose, their armor catching the sunlight as they navigated the courtyards. Beyond the walls, two layers of fences and a wide moat stretched out, a testament to the relentless efforts of the past month.
The defense system was nearly complete. What was once deemed impossible—doubling the moat—had been achieved. The walls were reinforced, the wells deepened and filled, and underground storage rooms held enough food to sustain them for months.
It was unbelievable. Work that should have taken half a year, perhaps even a full one, had been completed in a fraction of the time.
A month after Klock’s arrival, the renovation was almost done. Initially, progress had been slow with just a hundred untrained people. But then, everything changed.
Now, the fort was teeming with Forestkin. Out of five hundred workers, two hundred were Forestkin alone.
All of this was thanks to Forestkin reinforcements from another realm. They had sent supplies, earth mages, and laborers, solving the manpower shortage. That decision had been a turning point.
”Repair timber secured. The dual fence installation is complete, so our defense system is mostly finished,” a calm voice said beside him. “If you plan to build the vanguard tower mentioned in the draft, I recommend starting immediately. It will take time.”
”No, forget the tower,” Klock replied. “We’ll need an escape tunnel instead. If tunnel fighting happens, that tower would just be a risk.”
The speaker wasn’t Suzette. His steady, sincere tone was similar, but his pointed ears gave him away.
Epoch, the Queen’s personal guard and commander, led two hundred Forestkin soldiers here under Queen Isabella’s direct orders.
Flavia had just returned to the Void for supplies. Two days later, the Forestkin troops arrived, stunning everyone. The regular supply wagons continued, but the extra manpower was the real blessing.
Their earth magic sped up work tenfold. Mages raised ramparts with a hand wave, deepened moats in minutes, and shaped soil into walls. The land seemed to obey their will.
”Sir Klock,” a voice called.
”Yeah?”
”Lady Primrity has arrived. She wishes to deliver the food shipment.”
”Let her in.”
The Sanctum was another crucial ally. Cooperation seemed impossible, but Primlena’s persistence convinced Priestess Primjune to support them discreetly.
Primjune, a Demon Lord’s Army general, couldn’t openly assist. They disguised the aid as a secret arrangement by Primlena and her cousin, Primrity.
”They brought herring from the northern sea,” someone reported.
”Herring?” Klock blinked. “You mean… six hundred of them?”
”Yes, packed tightly into the wagons.”
”You’re kidding… We can eat herring out here?”
Fishkin stay near the southern Demon Continent seas. Northern waters are sea-dragon territory, too dangerous for them. Bringing northern fish likely hid the true source.
Herring spoils quickly and doesn’t dry well. Best to feast tonight and lift spirits.
”Klock,” someone called again.
”Hey, good work,” he said, raising a hand to the orange-scaled Merfolk who approached. It had been a week since they last met. Out of respect for Suzette’s presence, they shook hands rather than hugging.
Primlena had been traveling between the sea and fort for days.
”The High Priest refused to provide obsidian,” she said regretfully. “He said the risk of exposure was too high.”
”Figures. It was worth asking, though. The mana stones alone help enough.”
Fishkin use Black Mana Stones (obsidian) to mask their presence. All beings emit magic traces, and these stones hide movements. Without them, enemies sense threats, like Viola sensing Cianie. These stones mean the difference between ambush and annihilation.
The hundred water mana stones were a huge gift. With them and fortified wells, they could store four months of drinking water, even if the river was cut off.
”Klock?”
”Yeah?”
”Maybe it’s time to act.”
Primlena pointed at the wall.
Klock followed her gaze and spotted a black-haired, violet-eyed girl glaring at him from behind the tower.
”Leave her be,” Klock said flatly. “She’s part of the decoration now.”
”Decoration?”
”Yeah, like furniture.”
Primlena frowned, confused. Suzette ignored it, and Epoch stayed silent.
Understandable.
The succubus queen, Kispe Shisa, had been acting this way for weeks. She appeared occasionally, glared from afar, and ignored everyone. She ran off whenever Klock approached, sulky but refusing to leave.
She was strangely stubborn. If uninvited, she could’ve stayed in the Crimson Spire. But Kispe Shisa complicated things just by existing.
Soon, rainbow-scaled Primrity arrived, signaling work was done. She led Primlena back to the sea.
”I didn’t expect the Merfolk to be so dedicated,” Suzette murmured as she watched them go.
Klock waved goodbye and said, “Primjune fought the Hero before. She won’t underestimate us. She’s ensuring Primlena’s safety.”
Suzette sighed. “If she truly cared, she wouldn’t have sent Primlena alone.”
”Nah,” Klock said with a shrug. “They probably sent Primlena here just to test things out. When she managed to slip in successfully, that’s when Primjune decided to commit fully—to soften us up through her.”
Primjune’s diplomacy is split between her sisters. The elder sister supports the Demon Lord’s Army. Someday, the sisters might fight each other.
Primjune isn’t foolish. If she’s planning for that outcome—
”Maybe she’ll make the winner the next queen,” Klock muttered.
”The winner becomes queen?” Suzette asked.
”If the Demon Lord’s Army falls and Primlena becomes High Priestess, Fishkin backed the Hero. If the army wins, it’s reversed.”
Making the victor ruler lets Fishkin side with the winner, avoiding a purge.
”Boss, dinner?” a man called.
”Go ahead. Women eat old rations first. Cut herring heads and guts, then salt them fresh.”
”Got it!”
The man jogged off cheerfully. Those men were Valture District humans, sent two weeks ago by Baron Kreis.
He drafted two hundred workers in Valture, paid them well, and sent them here.
”Most only have knives,” Klock sighed.
Suzette nodded. “New recruits. Weapon shortages are an old issue.”
”Yeah, I know.”
He asked for noncombatants. The letter was clear. Two hundred laborers were enough, but trained soldiers would’ve been better.
”I worry more about her being here,” Suzette said.
Klock tilted his head. “Rosalie?”
He sent her back to Valture. Now she’s here with reinforcements. Baron Kreis approved. She’s an overseer.
Klock frowned. “Why send her here? If the fort falls, she dies. Unless… he trusts us.”
He leaned on the parapet, eyes on the horizon. “Strange. The Demon Lord’s Army hasn’t moved. I expected an attack sooner.”
They expected battle in three days, but six weeks passed.
”Better if they don’t come?” Suzette asked. “This place is tiny. How long can we hold out?”
She frowned, uneasy. Klock understood. Defenses were solid, but the scale was small.
”Location is key, not numbers. They’ll test us hard. Can we survive the first assault?”
He glanced at the plains. “They’ll come at least once, if they’re pushing north.”
”Once?” she asked.
”If they march north, they won’t leave us behind. They’ll attack fast, but with only three hundred here, they’ll move on.”
Currently, they have five hundred. Once the enemy arrives, Forestkin withdraw, leaving three hundred eight defenders: ninety-two trained fighters and two hundred sixteen civilians.
”Human troops would hesitate. Monsters under brainwash…”
”They don’t flinch,” Suzette said grimly.
They fought monster troops twice. Klock was at Polet Village. The second time, he was at the Crimson Spire. Witnesses described something uncanny.
Monsters ignored their own burning. They charged through flames silently, fearlessly, as if pain didn’t exist. That’s brainwashing.
”The battle won’t last. Once Orrid’s army moves south, monsters will focus elsewhere. No time for us.”
”Orrid’s forces are forty thousand now?” Suzette asked.
”Yes. They’ll use a pincer formation. We just need to hold out until they clear the monsters.”
Epoch spoke to an aide, then approached Klock.
”Lord Klock,” Epoch said. “New info from Flavia.”
Klock straightened. “Go on.”
”Princess Avery frequently visits Fairy territory. She’s close with princesses Ella and Sisi.”
”I knew it,” Klock murmured.
The three stood on the wall, wind tugging cloaks. Klock folded his arms, thoughtful.
Flavia had sent word from the Void, where she was still investigating the assassination plot. Just as he’d suspected, Avery’s connection to the Fairies ran deep. There was nothing inherently wrong with that—they were allies, after all, and both came from another world. But given the suspicions surrounding Avery, the political undertones were impossible to ignore.
If Avery’s tainted, Fairies are involved.
”What did the Queen say?” Suzette asked.
”No comment,” Epoch replied.
Isabella knew about the investigation. Flavia tried to keep it quiet, but Isabella approved continued probing.
Flavia’s investigation continued.
”We can’t confront Fairies in the Void. Without Cianie, their influence is too strong.”
He exhaled, nodded. “Tell Flavia she did well. Wrap it up and return soon.”
”Understood,” Epoch bowed.
”One more thing—”
Klock raised a hand, pausing Epoch.
”Tell Isabella I want a meeting soon.”
”Understood,” Epoch bowed and left.
Once Epoch left, Klock sighed quietly.
”What will you do?” Suzette asked. “The assassination needs delicate judgment.”
”Yeah, a royal mess,” he muttered.
Avery’s the culprit, Fairies pulling strings.
If true, the goal is to stop Fairy interference, especially the provocateur.
No proof. Avery’s the assassin, but Fairies would deny and blame Forestkin.
Impossible to act. Diplomacy’s Forestkin’s domain. Fairies manipulate Forestkin.
Not real allies. Leaving it to both sides risks political fire.
Bad.
Hardest part: finding a solution. Siding with Fairies offends Forestkin. Klock owes Forestkin too much.
If Forestkin stop supplies, the fort collapses. Prioritize Isabella, cut Fairies loose.
Negotiate Primlena’s assassination, but it risks Void conflict.
”I need to talk to Isabella. Share info, decide together.”
Strong allies mean strong enemies. Isabella might compromise, open Fairy channel. Discuss without knowing Forestkin’s true feelings.
”Is Isabella safe?” Suzette asked.
”Isabella knows. Avoiding her won’t help.”
Real danger: Fairies siding with Demon Lord’s Army. Unknown Fairy power, Forestkin loyalty.
”We must talk. Can’t afford two battlefronts.”
”Boss!” a voice called.
A female warrior ran up, armor rattling. Almost bare upper body, armored legs. Adventurer, not soldier.
”Messenger for you,” she said.
”Messenger?”
”Left already. Deputy commander inspects tomorrow.”
”Golden Count,” Klock muttered.
Inspection: check troops, weapons, levy requirements. Enemy delay allowed inward focus.
”Short notice,” Suzette said. “Forestkin?”
”Send Forestkin back. Their work’s done.”
Forestkin exist globally, even here. Claiming their presence isn’t unusual, but showing nonhuman allies before inspection is bad.
”Scouts are human adventurers. Forestkin return before nightfall. No weakness shown.”
He glanced at Suzette. “We’ll handle inspection. Rosalie can join if asked. Keep Primlena, Flavia hidden.”
That evening, Forestkin withdrew to the Void. By nightfall, the fort was quiet.
Three hundred people, silence settled. Exhausted from labor, they slept deeply. Herring meals and rest prepared them.
The next morning, fate decided to remind Klock that karma always circles back.
Just as breakfast ended, a woman arrived at the gate.
”I’m here on behalf of Count Grasso,” she announced. “To conduct the inspection.”
”…Oh, hell,” Klock whispered under his breath.
A small group stood at the entrance, and leading them was a woman carrying a halberd on her back. The moment Klock saw her face, a cold sweat ran down his spine.
She stepped closer, heavy boots thudding on the ground, and clapped a strong hand on his shoulder.
”Been a while, thief,” she said in a low, dangerous voice near his ear. “You haven’t forgotten me… have you?”
Her grip tightened painfully. The look in her crimson-lined eyes was sharp enough to pierce steel.
”…Excuse me,” Suzette cut in, sensing danger. She moved between them, brow furrowed, standing protectively in front of Klock like a proper maid-guard.
Behind her, the so-called lord of the fort looked about ready to melt.
”I’m Ada,” the woman declared with a grin. “A-rank adventurer. These days, I’m playing troop commander for Count Grasso. And today, I’ve been ordered to audit your little fort, Mr. Klock Livorno.”
Her black hair streaked with red, her raised brows, her wicked smile—he recognized her instantly.
He knew she commanded the Fourth Northern Fort and worked for Grasso, but he’d never imagined she’d come here in person.
”Today,” she said sweetly, “I’ll be inspecting every last inch. Oh, and your name was… Lord Klock Livorno, right?”
”…Yeah,” he muttered weakly.
The memory hit him like a hammer—the woman warrior once pinned to a wall by a passing holy knight, the one he’d ended up sleeping with in the chaos of that night.
Of course she remembered. Of course his name was known.
There was no escape this time. And given the situation, asking Suzette for help was absolutely out of the question.
Notes:
• Suzette – The older maid from Viscount Fennec. The head maid at the Viscount Fennec’s villa. She is confident, clear-spoken, and professional.
• Isabella – Forestkin queen, appears after Klock meets the Phantasmal Beast. Leads peace talks with Humans. Mother of Avery, Flavia. Calm, strategic ruler.
• Flavia – Younger Forestkin princess (132). Gentle yet resolute. Sent by Queen Isabella as marriage pledge to Klock, the Chain Binder, symbolizing the Void’s loyalty to the Goddess Teekua.
• Primrity – Merfolk commander with rainbow-shattered fins and commanding amber eyes | First in v8c8 | Calm, strategic, and fiercely protective of her clan | Elder sister of Primlena | Led the Fishkin troops during the town uprising but ordered a full retreat upon realizing Hero Anna was present | Unique note: level-headed leader who will abandon even the Demon Lord’s orders to preserve her people’s future
• Primjune – She is one of the Four Heavenly Kings, appeared as a scaled and finned figure, known for executing the saint’s kidnapping plan.
• 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
• 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.
• Kreis – Baron of Valture and district chief. A middle-aged noble weighed down with gold chains and jeweled rings, yet it’s his hawk-like eyes and sly smile that mark him as dangerous. He meets Klock at the Borges family’s social gathering, greeting him by name as Maria’s son before Klock can even introduce himself—like a predator that already knows its prey.
• Valture – A district within the Conro Federation, administered by Baron Kreis Borges. Outwardly it appears stable and prosperous, but its politics run on favors and hidden bargains, making it a place where strangers like Klock can be measured as assets or prey the moment they arrive.
• Rosalie – Daughter of Viscount Albert Fennec, district chief of Basselow. Formerly weak and bedridden under Suzette’s care, she recovered after escaping Basselow’s fall to the Demon Lord’s Army. Now sheltered by House Borges, she stands as the surviving heir to the Fennec title.
• Orrid – Southern pleasure town near Conro, known for its chaos and vice. Serves as Brigante’s next destination and Count Grasso’s sphere of influence. Rumored den of spies and mercenaries.
• Avery – Forestkin princess, Isabella’s eldest daughter, appearing after Klock meets the Phantasmal Beast. Questions her mother about Klock, the Chosen One. Sister to Flavia. Linked to peace with Humans. No direct tie to Klock. Calm, proud, analytical nature.
• Count Grasso – Human noble of Conro known for strict discipline. His troops appear during Klock’s campaign march under the Borges crest. Leads the region’s highest-ranking house, commanding respect and tension with Klock’s forces. Alias: “The Silver Lion.” No direct ties to Klock, but his vanguard includes Ada, a former comrade turned rival.
• Ada – Female. Ada the Wild Wind. An A-rank adventurer. Her appearance is striking, with black hair mixed with fiery red, multiple earrings, and an axe spear as tall as she is. She is incredibly strong and fast, with a Unique Skill called the ‘Blessing of the Wind’ that enhances her speed and agility. Ada is ruthless in combat but shows a surprising willingness to negotiate. She is highly respected in adventurer circles and feared by criminals. Her relationship with Klock is adversarial, as he stole from her and escaped using trickery.
Please bookmark this series and rate ☆☆☆☆☆ on here!
Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
Thanks for reading.
Leave a Reply