I Became a Veteran Who Has to Stir Up Trouble to Survive - Chapter 98

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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[098] A Visit to the Noble Mansion
One day had passed since Doran annihilated Count Valter’s private soldiers.
In a darkened space lit only by the faint glow of candlelight, silhouettes clad in black robes gathered together.
“Count Valter has fallen.”
The words were spoken with perfect composure.
Yet not a single person in the room showed any sign of surprise.
The air hung silent and indifferent, as though they were merely discussing the weather.
“Count Valter was merely bait. Thanks to him, we were able to accomplish our objective.”
Someone spoke softly.
“However.”
The candlelight flickered ominously.
“Who exactly was responsible for this? We had planned for the Count’s involvement in this incident to remain hidden for much longer.”
All of Count Valter’s private soldiers.
They were no ragtag militia.
Though they were expendable pieces meant to be executed by the Kingdom Army, they were nonetheless carefully selected forces, and among them were soldiers directly planted by the Religious Orders.
“It’s said that two people infiltrated the Count’s Mansion, but one of them essentially slaughtered all the soldiers single-handedly.”
“It’s the same person who destroyed the Kairon Company.”
“Intelligence reports indicate this is the same individual who defeated the demon in the Medaolinum Dungeon and interfered with our plans in Liberta.”
A brief silence fell.
“…A Transmigrator, then. And clearly one of considerable skill.”
“How shall we handle this, High Priest?”
As someone posed the question, all eyes turned toward the figure seated at the head of the table.
One candle flickered weakly and extinguished.
“Merely one person.”
There was no trace of agitation in that voice.
“One person’s desperate struggle cannot defy the destiny of an era. There is no need to concern ourselves.”
“But what if this thorn continues to trouble us?”
“Kill them.”
It was succinct.
“Anyone who obstructs the Religious Orders’ plans is an enemy. Whether they be a nobleman, a king, or even a god….”
No one objected.
“And.”
The figure addressed as High Priest raised a hand, moving to the next matter.
“We prepare for the next phase.”
Eyes gleaming with madness in the darkness flashed, and the black robes bowed in unison.
“According to the prophecy, their descent draws near.”
A low, reverent voice filled the chamber.
“”All things exist for their return.””
* * *
Two days had passed since the bombing terror, yet the Agatha Temple remained bustling with activity.
Cots lined every corridor, and priests moved ceaselessly back and forth, tending to the patients.
Fortunately, thanks to the intensive care they received, both Malton and Karen’s conditions had improved dramatically.
“We’ve treated the wounds with divine power, but the muscles are still in shock. If you exert yourselves too much, you risk severe recovery pain. I recommend you remain bedridden for the time being.”
“Understood. I’ll convey your message.”
“But… how did you come to possess a pendant imbued with Agatha’s divine power in the first place?”
“That’s… a secret.”
As the priest departed with a regretful gaze, I turned to look at Malton and Karen lying side by side.
“How are you feeling?”
“My whole body aches and itches something fierce. Still, it’s far better than when I couldn’t move a muscle.”
“Ugh… I feel like I’m dying from the pain.”
“That’s good news. I’m relieved to see you’re recovering so well, Karen.”
I spoke with a gentle smile.
I couldn’t express how fortunate I felt to be able to speak so casually like this.
From what the priests told me later, Karen would have been on the brink of death if we’d arrived even slightly later.
‘I wish we had an Agatha Temple priest among our party members.’
Perhaps I should seriously consider hiring a healer for the party, even if it costs a fortune…
While I was pondering this, I heard priests whispering in the corridor.
“That explosion incident from the day before yesterday—apparently there’s a rumor that Count Valter’s House was behind it…”
“I heard that too! And they say all his mercenaries died in a single night. I can hardly believe it! Some mysterious mercenary supposedly stormed the Count’s Mansion alone and wiped them all out. Does that even make sense?”
“Ah, it’s probably just an exaggerated rumor. Surely it’s not true.”
…
I waited until the priests left before quietly slipping out of the temple.
As I turned onto the Main Street, the building ruins that had cluttered the streets had been mostly cleared away, yet the faces of passersby still bore the lingering shock of the terror that had unfolded the day before.
‘That’s only natural…’
A massive bombing attack had occurred in the Royal Capital—the heart and soul of the nation.
Yet in a single night, Count Valter’s House had been identified as the culprits and utterly destroyed by a single person.
It was only natural that the entire Royal Capital was in turmoil.
I walked past the gossiping crowds with my robe pulled over my head.
There was another reason for avoiding people’s gazes beyond simply concealing my identity.
Ding—!
「Your ■■ stat has grown one level higher!」
「Current ■■ value: 2」
「■■ elevates your potential to the next stage! The effects of all skills, including [Antagon’s Rune], increase dramatically!」
「Your presence becomes far more formidable than before! Demons will now target you with increased frequency. Some lesser gods may attempt to approach you!」
‘More troublesome things to deal with.’
This hidden stat, which had been dormant for so long, had returned with an upgrade—it was infuriating.
Right after this hidden stat appeared, I nearly died to a demon. If something like that happened again, it would be disastrous.
Especially that part about “some lesser gods may attempt to approach you.”
‘What exactly is this stat that it behaves this way?’
I’d have to ask Diogenes about it later…
Avoiding the eyes of the crowd as much as possible, I arrived at Belmont’s Mansion to find him already prepared.
“You’re late.”
“I hurried as much as I could. So what was it you called me for today?”
“We’ll be visiting the mansions of the nobility. I’ve prepared formal attire for you—put it on.”
I took the clothes and coat Belmont handed me and stood before the mirror with a displeased expression.
Formal wear tailored to the standards of the Royal Capital’s noble social circles—unbearably uncomfortable.
The collar strangled my neck, and these dangling sleeves were absurdly long….
‘At this rate, I won’t even be able to draw my sword in one motion.’
With the help of an attendant, I fumbled into the clothes and let out a complaint.
“Couldn’t you just make something up and report it, Belmont? After all, when we blew up the Kairon Company, things were smoothed over easily enough.”
“You fool. Terror has struck across the entire Royal Capital, and a Count’s Family has been decimated. Do you really think such a flimsy excuse will suffice?”
Belmont sighed and turned away.
“The matter has already reached the ears of His Majesty the King. Because you showed your face at the last strategy meeting, rumors about you have been spreading among the nobility.”
“….”
I smiled bitterly and adjusted my appearance.
To some extent, rumors about me spreading was unavoidable.
With an entire Count’s Family in ruins, there was no way this could pass without incident.
My identity had been exposed in multiple ways, so it might actually be better to establish connections with the nobility while I had the chance.
“And you understand as well—this matter falls squarely within official duties.”
“Official duties?”
“Though House of Count Valter has fallen, there will certainly be remnants remaining. Your role is to identify anyone suspicious among the nobility.”
“…I understand.”
Belmont and I rode in a carriage toward the Northern District of the Royal Capital, where the wealthy neighborhoods clustered.
The visits to the noble mansions went more smoothly than expected.
The pretext for this visit was ostensibly an “investigation into damages suffered by the nobility of the Royal Capital due to the terror,” but no nobleman took it at face value.
Moreover, upon hearing news of Belmont’s visit, the nobility had prepared themselves and welcomed us with proper courtesy.
“Oh, welcome! We’ve been waiting for you, Belmont!”
“For the head of the Ignas Family to grace such a humble place with his presence! I hardly know what to do with myself!”
“….”
‘Seeing it like this… I’m freshly reminded just how formidable this old man’s power truly is.’
Though Belmont belonged to the Ignas Family, which was a Count’s Family, it would be unfair to place them on the same level as House of Count Valter, which I had demolished.
In feudal systems, the power of a noble family is not determined by rank alone.
While manga and novels tend to oversimplify for convenience, in reality, the size of one’s domain, population, revenue, and military strength mattered far more.
In that sense, Belmont’s position—serving as commander of the Royal Mage Corps and holding a lucrative domain—was absolute among the nobility of the Royal Capital.
“W-we know nothing about this matter! Truly! Please believe us!”
“Calm yourself. We’ve merely come to inquire after your wellbeing.”
“Oh, thank goodness… By the way, the person beside you—could they be….”
“My trusted subordinate.”
“Then you must be the one who performed such remarkable feats! This is a rare elixir we obtained with great difficulty from the Southern Region—please accept it as a small token of our gratitude for protecting our Royal Capital!”
“…Thank you.”
“You have consumed a special energy drink!”
“Due to the elixir’s effects, your Vitality has permanently increased by 1, and you will wake up refreshed tomorrow!”
Quite the worthwhile benefit, I mused.
I graciously accepted the Noblemen’s hospitality.
The Noblemen had prepared all manner of gifts to avoid offending either myself or Belmont, and being a class that valued appearances above all, their treatment was extraordinarily lavish.
At this rate, the circuit visits were proving well worth the time investment.
Since Belmont had steered most of the conversation, I simply sat beside him sipping tea and passing the hours.
It was when we arrived at the sixth mansion that something changed.
“My, if it isn’t Belmont himself. What an honor.”
The moment we stepped into the elegant Reception Room, an elderly Noblewoman greeted us with teacup in hand.
Belmont, unusually, relaxed the tension in his brow and offered a respectful bow.
“Lady Renar of the Kelenor Family—it has been quite some time.”
[Kelenor Family]
At the mention of that name, my brow twitched involuntarily.
The Kelenor Family… could it be?
Were they not a prestigious magical bloodline rivaling the Ignas Family itself?
When tracing the genealogy of mages throughout the Kingdom, the names Ignas and Kelenor invariably surfaced—both houses steeped in ancient prestige.
Yet they maintained a shrouded approach to their activities, so far less information circulated about them compared to the Ignas Family.
“And the companion you’ve brought is that famous Young Man, I presume? I’ve heard quite the tales.”
“…It is an honor.”
As Lady Renar regarded me with an enigmatic smile, I responded with the utmost courtesy.
Her attendant then carefully approached bearing a small box.
“Upon hearing that you protected the Royal Capital, I took the liberty of preparing a modest gift.”
As the lid opened, a jeweled ring gleaming with lustrous light was revealed.
“You have witnessed a [Flower-Shaped Jeweled Ring]!”
“While it possesses no special effects, it would certainly fetch an extraordinary price at the Auction House!”
“Surely I cannot accept something so precious?”
“Of course you can. Though, might I hear the tale of when you punished the Count? I do so enjoy hearing the exploits of heroes.”
Lady Renar leaned forward with keen interest.
I glanced briefly at Belmont before speaking.
“Well… truthfully, fortune favored me greatly.”
“My, such humility as well.”
Lady Renar laughed pleasantly and offered me tea, and I recounted the events of that day in measured detail.
Of course, I omitted everything concerning Diogenes.
Yet as I continued my account, my gaze became fixed upon a shield hanging on one wall of the Reception Room.
Upon its gleaming surface, illuminated by the light, was engraved a peculiar cross emblem.
It was neither the Kelenor Family’s crest nor that of the Kingdom Knights.
Yet I had undoubtedly seen it somewhere before—an emblem that nagged at my memory.
After finishing my account, I quietly searched my recollection and asked:
“If I may be so bold, might I inquire as to the origin of that shield?”
Lady Renar followed my gaze, and her expression softened momentarily.
“It was a shield my late husband received and used during his service. My husband was a knight, you see.”
“Might I ask… what order did your husband belong to?”
“The Teuton Knights Order.”
The Teuton Knights Order.
A familiar name.
I took a sip of tea and asked respectfully.
“Could your late husband’s name have been
‘Orgillian’?”
“Was it?”

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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