Volume 3 Chapter 192 Visitors From Châtillon
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
Teleportation light shimmered and vanished. Kian stood at the southern gate of Ramsey.
Beyond the towering open gate, a red-brick aqueduct stretched across the land. Past that, golden waves of wheat shimmered in the evening breeze, rustling softly. From the viewpoint of the castle, the field undulated like the sea in motion.
Along the main road cutting through the fields, five silhouettes on horseback descended the gentle slope, their shadows elongated by the setting sun.
Kian stepped forward with Natra and Homork III to welcome the arriving riders.
Just as the travelers crossed near the aqueduct, the two parties finally met.
”Lord Guy, Ms. Priscilla—welcome!” Kian called out.
”Yo, Lord Kian! Been about a month, huh? Long time no see! Hahaha!” boomed the large man at the front.
It was Guy—massive in build, curly hair betraying his heritage from Renaud. He wore a bright red surcoat and laughed without a care.
Behind him, a silver-haired witch raised her hand, winked. “Hey, Lord Kian.”
The woman—Priscilla—was without her usual pointed Witch’s hat today. Instead, she wore luxurious riding clothes: shirt and pants. A rare sight, as Kian was used to seeing her in skirts.
”Been a while… in the real world.”
”Yeah. Thanks again for your help… in the dream.”
”I didn’t do anything though?”
Priscilla offered a half-smile, but Kian shook his head slowly.
”Thanks to you, I pulled through on a reckless quest. Truly, I’m grateful.”
”It’s fine, it’s fine. More importantly—you’ve got the samples I asked for, right?”
”Yes.”
By “samples,” they meant living thorn monster specimens. When Kian had told Talia, she’d hesitated—calling it like selling her own kind. But eventually, she agreed, saying, “It’s just a lifeless shell now. The body’s trashed and useless anyway.”
”They’re stored in the Catacombs. Send someone and I’ll hand them over.”
”No need. I’ll collect them myself.”
At her waist, Priscilla touched the handle of her umbrella. Instantly, two elegant ghosts appeared beside her—familiars under her command, dressed in formal wear.
”I’ll guide you to the castle first. Then we’ll head to the Catacombs.”
”Thanks. By the way,” she smirked, her sharp grey eyes flicking up and down Kian’s form. “You’ve cleaned up.”
She tilted her lips like a crescent moon. “Trimmed your beard. Hair’s tidy. Got more female attendants now, huh?”
”Hahaha.”
”What’s with that fake laugh?”
(Oh? Did that piss her off…?)
Still, Priscilla had no right to complain about other women. They’d only… shared a mouth moment. Totally safe.
’You’re the only one who thinks that,’ Glasses muttered.
Then Guy spoke up with a bright, brotherly grin. “No need to return the sword, Lord Kian.”
But his eyes weren’t smiling—gleaming instead like a merchant eyeing precious goods. He’d long wanted Kian as his vassal.
”Anyway, the old man’s still shut away in Izerland. That sword’s too good to rot in storage. If it helps your journey, use it.”
”No, but… Lord Renaud will find out and I’ll be crushed.”
”Hahaha! If he challenges you to a duel, I’m not helping. Priscilla and the others won’t either. Heck, they might cheer him on.”
”Please don’t joke like that… I don’t want drama.”
”Hehe,” Priscilla chuckled, “Says the guy who snatched Windsong Blade from the old man in a duel.”
Guy dismounted with a grunt. “Dokkoi shō.” Then pulled Kian into a firm handshake.
”You’ve grown stronger. Compared to Châtillon, your whole presence leveled up.”
”Only because you supported me. Without your repairs on Windsong, I’d have died five times already.”
”Don’t flatter me. Still, it makes me happy to see my work in action. —And your attendant’s getting the hang of it too, huh?”
Guy glanced at Natra. The boy gave a polite bow.
”Yes, this sword’s performance is extraordinary. Thank you, Lord Guy, for creating such a fine weapon.”
”Good to hear. If I get my hands on rare materials again, come ask me. I love making gear more than pushing paperwork.”
”Hey, Big Bro? Can we move on already?”
A boy with wild cat-like hair dismounted. His long bangs hid his right eye, revealing only a sharp left eye beneath a shaved brow. Skin pale as death, voice slippery.
Creepy aura.
Behind him, a red-dressed Witch dismounted, sitting sideways on her horse. She held a chain in her right hand, binding Aisha—the dark elf who’d once served Oswald.
”Oh right. Kian, this is my little brother Louis. Runs several guilds in Châtillon’s entertainment sector. He’s also a military leader when needed.”
”Nice to meet you. Though, I believe we’ve met before—at the Châtillon arena?”
”Yes.”
Kian offered a handshake. Louis’s cold hand felt like ice.
Guy then gestured to the Witch in red.
”This is Lishena. One of the Châtillon witches.”
”I’m Lishena. I’ve greeted you before—though I doubt you remember.”
”I do. You were heading to the docks with Louis and Adrian, right? Something about Mr. Gosh eating the ship.”
Lishena’s eyebrows lifted, impressed. “You remember well.”
”It was a nightmare to clean up. Would prefer not to recall it,” Louis muttered.
Kian kept smiling and turned to Guy. “How’s Lord Abbas doing?”
”Still alive. For now. If no one pays his ransom, he might end up a slave.”
”Huh? But wasn’t it half-price last week?”
”Yeah. Still missing 4,500 gold.”
”Can we not talk about money?” Louis groaned. “I came to forget reality. Starting vacation mode today.”
”This is a battlefield, Lord Louis. Not much of a vacation.”
”Huh? We’re not fighting. We’re just tagging along behind the Master Knight. It’s Priscilla who wants to join the action.”
”I’ll support you, Lord Kian!” Priscilla flexed her arm through the sleeve of her riding shirt. “This is a debt, you know. Once it reaches three—you’ll be my husband.”
”…Huh?” Natra’s voice froze like icicles.
Kian felt cold sweat trickling down his back.
”Ms. Priscilla, if it’s debt repayment, then maybe you don’t have to fight.”
”Why not? You’ve got no allies. Wouldn’t you be in trouble without me?”
”Having you helps, but… it’s not like I can’t survive otherwise…”
”You’re lying.”
”Hahahaha. Priscilla, seems like Kian has a miracle strategy for this impossible battle. I was wrong.”
”Just admit it. Do you really hate joining our family that much?”
”I just don’t want my already tangled mess of relationships to get messier.”
”Yet you keep adding more women?”
”No, I…”
”Lord Kian.”
Louis cut in sharply. He forced his sister to quiet down, glaring at Kian with an icy stare.
”I don’t approve of you. You may be strong, but I’m not handing my sister to some smooth-talking stranger. Don’t think flattery works on everyone.”
”Elder Brother Louis, stop—!”
”Quiet, Priscilla. You’ve been locked away in the Archive too long. Marrying a suspicious man is absurd. All my subordinates look just like this guy—useless playboys. You should find a pious priest from the Western Church—”
”I’d rather die than marry a priest! Idiot brother! Sis-con freak!”
”Wha—?!”
Beside the stunned Louis, Guy looked toward Aisha.
”Lady Aisha, could you greet Lord Kian?”
”No need,” Kian interjected. “I’m the one who defeated her master.”
”No,” Aisha said softly.
The chains binding her wrists clinked as she stepped forward.
”…It’s been a while, Kian.”
”Yes. It has.”
”I’d be lying if I said I didn’t resent you for killing Sir Oswald. But…”
She gazed toward the castle—toward the barrier Rufna and the others had hastily erected—before continuing.
”You didn’t walk away. You’re staying to handle what you took responsibility for.”
”I was planning to abandon Ramsey at first. Becoming lord was… kind of fate. Not really a choice.”
”Still, you’re protecting it.”
Aisha looked straight at him.
”For Ramsey’s sake, I’ll work under you for now. I can’t use high-level spells or fire the magic bow freely, but I should still be useful within a few hundred meters. Please—let me help.”
”Thank you. But you belong to Oswald. I’ll try not to place you in danger.”
A complicated expression crossed her face, and she stepped back.
Kian turned to Guy. “I return the Misty Magic Sword now.”
”I told you, keep it.”
”But Lord Renaud might…”
”Doesn’t matter. Just pay him later if he finds out.”
”Paying with what? I’ll go bankrupt. My whole party will suffer.”
”Then marry my sister. Problem solved.”
”That is the problem! If I add one more love interest, things will implode.”
”Priscilla, are you really fine with him?”
”I am, Elder Brother Louis.”
”Ms. Priscilla… this is truly a headache,” muttered Natra.
A crisp clap echoed in the golden wheat field.
”Alright, let’s drop the sword talk for now,” Guy said casually, brushing invisible dust off his palms.
Priscilla, with that ever-elegant smirk of hers, hadn’t agreed to fully hand over the Misty Sword. But she did strike a deal—Kian could keep using it temporarily in exchange for the thorn monster sample.
The trade meant more contract paperwork, sure.
But a little bureaucracy in exchange for holding onto that sword longer?
Not bad. Not bad at all.
”Ms. Lishena,” Kian turned to the cool-eyed woman. “Please release Ms. Aisha’s chains. From here on, she’s under my custody.”
Lishena’s brows knit slightly. “If I remove them, she might escape…”
Kian smiled—just a touch too wide.
His sharp canines peeked out from the corner of his mouth, a quiet threat wrapped in silk.
”It’s alright. I’ve already memorized her blood’s scent. If she runs, I’ll find her.”
”…Understood.”
Lishena didn’t argue further. With a gentle wave of her hand, magical energy shimmered, and the chains began to unlock with a soft click.
Aisha’s gaze met Kian’s. Steady. Serious.
”Let me make this clear. I have no intent of opposing you, Mr. Kian. I’ve been ordered by Lord Oswald to cooperate for the sake of Ramsey’s safety.”
Kian nodded. “I understand.”
From behind, a firm voice rang out—Homork the Third, who had silently stood by, clenched his large hand into a fist.
”Aisha, let’s fight together again.”
Aisha glanced around one last time at the endless sea of wheat glinting under the sun. She exhaled slowly.
”…Yes, Homork. For Lord Oswald. For Ramsey.”
* * *
They stepped into the barrier Rufna and the others had prepared. As soon as they were all inside, Natra opened a gate—and with a flash of light, the group was teleported to the castle square.
The square, closed off from public use because of teleportation protocols, stood empty and quiet.
Guy stepped through the gate, his earlier cheerfulness now replaced with a faint crease between his brows.
”So… what’s the real situation? Do we stand a chance?”
Kian answered without delay. “Enemy magicians are down to about thirty. The real issue is Fraus and Arminus. Both can transform into dragons. Fraus has fourteen scales. Arminus… over a hundred.”
Guy grimaced. “I’d like to help, but I’m here as an auditor for Princess Maribel’s performance. Intervening is a no-go. Priscilla’s only allowed to send a familiar.”
”I understand,” Kian replied calmly.
”You’re loyal, Kian. Admirably so. But dying pointlessly would make you nothing but a fool. Tell me—do you really have a shot?”
”If I didn’t, we wouldn’t be having this conversation, Lord Guy.”
A small laugh came from over Guy’s shoulder.
Priscilla peeked out, her presence always dramatic.
”You’re going to explain the plan soon, right?”
”Yes,” Kian nodded. “I’ll present it properly before the ‘Eyes of the Nobles’ gathered here today. If you’re able, please attend. The schedule’s tight—we’re running late, aren’t we, Natra?”
Natra, who had come in last, gave a firm nod. “Yes. Any later, and it’ll be past everyone’s bedtime. The venue’s ready.”
Homork the Third added, his voice as composed as ever. “We’ll handle the Arminus countermeasures separately. Kian, you take care of the ‘Eyes of the Nobles.’ Gunter, Gary, and the old butler will support you. Head to the north wing’s dance hall.”
”Understood.” Kian bowed lightly in thanks and turned back toward Guy and Priscilla. He lifted a hand, gesturing toward the approaching servants.
”We’ll take your luggage from here. If you need to fix your outfits or anything, just say so.”
”No issues on our end,” Guy replied after checking with Louis and the others.
Priscilla, eyes glinting with curiosity, spoke again. “So you’re saying there’s no complete plan for Fraus and Arminus yet. What’re you going to tell them?”
Kian’s tone stayed composed. “We’re working on a strategy. According to Her Excellency Maribel, if we pressure their non-combatant force—seventeen thousand of them—we might force Fraus and Arminus into defense. Annihilation of both combatants and non-combatants is the current consensus.”
”Make sure that was clearly confirmed in the salon,” Guy advised.
”I’ve discreetly confirmed with the Lords’ representative. If total annihilation’s an option, they’re all for it.”
”As castle lord of Châtillon, I have no objections,” Guy said bluntly. “Do it.”
”They’re northern barbarians, after all,” Louis added dryly. “Let’s go bathe after this, Lishena.”
The shift in tone was absurd.
No tension. No stress. Just a vacation vibe.
Priscilla leaned into Louis, her blouse rustling softly as she wrapped her arms around him. “Lord Kian. I do have some military experience. If you’re short-handed, I can help. I’ll join the countermeasure meeting.”
”Is that a favor?” Kian asked, eyebrow raised.
”It’s not. I’m not some shady merchant,” she replied, smirking.
”Then, Ms. Priscilla, as a guest, please do attend the strategy session. But during the operation, watch from somewhere safe.”
”…Hmm. Sounds like you’ve really got something planned. Surprising.”
”────”
”Alright. But if it looks like you’re short-handed, speak up. I’ll help.”
”Thank you.”
”Oh, and if your magic sword needs tuning, let me know. I’ve got tools on me. I can do quick repairs.”
”Really?”
”Of course. I’m here to soak in a hot spring, drink beer, eat sausage Sage, and maybe go gamble at Ramsey’s tavern.”
Homork joined in. “Apparently, a ‘usurper’ is going around beating Ramsey’s Four Heavenly Kings in the card game scene. Word is, he’s collecting rare cards. If Guy gets involved, he might snag an ultra-rare.”
Guy’s eyes lit up. “As a player and a collector… I can’t ignore that.”
(…He really is on vacation…)
Kian let out a quiet, invisible sigh. Then he turned, leading Guy and Priscilla inside.
* * *
The plan was explained.
Afterward, a brief dinner party with the nobles, Guy, and Priscilla took place.
During the buffet, Guy ended up giving a short impromptu lecture—with Priscilla assisting—on Azrael’s explosive bullets.
They covered the legendary ‘odorless blast bullets’ technique, a secret of war strategist Umar Vahid. Guy, wide-eyed and scribbling notes, hung onto every word.
Kian regretted sharing such a dangerous technique with someone so… enthusiastic.
But the debt he owed Guy was too big to ignore.
In return, Guy promised: if they defeated Fraus and Arminus and delivered their materials, he’d craft any weapon they wanted, for free.
After barely an hour at the dinner, Kian excused himself and headed up to the 4th floor for the Arminus countermeasure meeting.
Progress had been slow—until crucial intel arrived.
Sarah’s agent had dug up something big.
Arminus had fallen out with Malbodous and Kakaka.
Apparently, during a previous battle, Arminus had nearly crushed Kian’s group—but a false report from the two forced him to retreat. Enraged, Arminus had grilled them during a union meeting.
Worse: while Kian fought for his life, Malbodous had been drinking alone in a nearby village tavern. No witnesses. His hooded attempt at secrecy had backfired.
Kakaka had brought Ninini’s soulless body to a tribe shaman—an alibi only their people could verify.
To cover their leader’s shame, the alliance turned on Kakaka and Malbodous. Kakaka got caught—evidence showed she’d been in secret talks with Umar. She ratted on Malbodous to save herself. Malbodous denied everything. It was messy.
Kakaka now faced stoning. The smaller cat tribes were furious.
The alliance was crumbling. No more unified army.
Sarah handed the final report to Kian.
”Inside the Steel Tiger faction,” she said, “I’ve spread rumors that Malbodous is a traitor. In the black panther faction, whispers say Arminus has gone senile. Fraus lost 50 elites recently, too. Trust in all three is collapsing.”
After the meeting ended, Natra and Linca approached.
”My lady and I have a proposal for you, Sir Kian,” Natra said.
”What kind of proposal?” he asked.
They laid out their operation. Kian listened, thoughtful.
”Sounds good. But one condition.”
”…?”
”Show me your strength,” Kian said, looking between them.
”At midnight tonight, in the Catacombs, I’ll use my evolved powers. You’ll show me what you’ve got.”
”I’m fine with that,” Natra replied.
”Me too,” Linca nodded. “Shall I have a mock battle with Ms. Natra?”
”Yeah. All-out.”
”I’ll join as well,” Sarah raised her hand. “What about Ms. Serena?”
”I’ll observe. I’m still not strong enough.”
”I’ll pass,” Rufna said, waving her hand. “I need to work on that bacteria from Master. My big magic attack will hit Arminus regardless.”
”Then let’s eat. I’ll check on Ms. Priscilla, then wait at the Catacombs. Everyone participating, be ready.”
Everyone nodded.
* * *
Later that night, after handing the thorn monster to Priscilla, the training began.
Rufna aside, the rest trained together.
Serena quietly watched the swift, clean techniques of Natra, Linca, and Sarah. She saw with her own eyes what elite-level combat really meant.
Natra slashed like a phantom. Linca met the blade with her fist, pushing in with brutal counterforce. One hit to the chest sent Natra flying.
Linca jumped—fist raised—crashing down like thunder. The 4th floor cracked beneath them.
In the end, Natra won. But Linca’s physical growth was insane.
Sarah was beyond words. She wasn’t human anymore—her strength had reached that of monsters.
Kian clapped as he approached the two bloodied warriors.
Natra stood with her sword, Linca kneeling in front of it, both panting.
”…Ms. Natra. One more.”
”I’ll fight as many times as needed.”
”No. That’s enough.”
”…! But—!”
”Linca.”
────”Yes. Well, tonight was just for confirming ability.”
She smiled, offered her hand to Natra. They shook.
”You were strong. I might’ve lost if it was real.”
”I didn’t think I’d lose to a younger girl… but it was fun~ desuwa. Let’s fight again!”
”Yeah.”
Sarah and Serena stepped forward.
Kian looked at Natra. Then at Linca.
”…Permission granted. Execute the operation. Begin preparations immediately.”
Notes:
• Louis – Trusted subordinates from the Châtillon family, part of Guy’s elite force.
• Lishena – Trusted subordinates from the Châtillon family, part of Guy’s elite force.
• Abbas – The heir of the Shakerdoust family, a prominent clan within the Twelve Divine Generals.
• Mag – The wolfwoman under Yelmar—the one who was caught by Kian’s group earlier.
• Arminus – Male. Leader of the Black Panther Tribe. Possesses extraordinary physical abilities, enhanced by the tribe’s unique technique that repels energy and magic attacks. His speed and strength surpass those of High Warlord Isthbaran. Wields the magic sword Balmung, capable of cleaving through an ice dragon with a single strike. His black fur provides camouflage in low visibility, making him nearly undetectable. Relationship: Leader of the Beastmen Alliance’s delegation.
• Fraus – Male. Son of Arminus. Member of the Black Panther Tribe. Shares his father’s enhanced physical abilities and combat prowess. Relationship: Subordinate and family to Arminus.
• 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.
• Malbodous – Male. Member of the Steel Tiger Clan. A formidable warrior with significant combat experience. Relationship: Part of the Beastmen Alliance’s delegation.
• Kakaka – Male. Top warrior of the Cat Beastmen Tribe. Known for his agility and precision in combat. Relationship: Part of the Beastmen Alliance’s delegation.
• 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.
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