The Son-In-Law of the Magician Is a Transcendent Sword Master - Chapter 33

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Chapter 33

Black Crows mercenary group.

Despite its grandiose name, it was actually a third-rate mercenary group at best, wandering throughout the eastern continent and mainly taking on simple odd jobs or transport requests from rural villages.

When even such modest requests weren’t available, they would seek out areas ravaged by war to scavenge for spoils like hyenas.

Having been part of them and rolled around for several years, I knew their behavior better than anyone.

“And those guys are at the western edge…”

This was clearly strange.

I frowned as I glared at the Black Crows mercenary group’s emblem hanging on the street.

The Black Crows mercenary group’s main area of activity was the eastern continent.

According to my memories from before the regression, the mercenary group should be wandering around battlefields in the east right now.

What reason would a mediocre third-rate mercenary group have to travel all the way to Rodel, a city located in Mist Valley?

“It must be about money.”

Gerkin, the leader of the mercenary group, was a money-grubber who would take on any job if it paid well.

So I could think of one possibility.

“…Since I ran off with their money, the mercenary group’s finances became tight.”

For Gerkin, who was obsessed with luxury and pleasure, he would stop at nothing to make big money.

Eventually, the Black Crows mercenary group he led headed to a city in the western continent.

Coincidentally, that place was Mist Valley, the region where black mages would gather in a few days.

‘It can’t be a coincidence.’

There was only one conclusion.

‘They’ve been hired by the black mages.’

It meant they had been promised substantial compensation from the black mages and were doing so-called dirty work that they wouldn’t normally perform in regular requests.

“…Worthless bastards.”

There was no mention of the Black Crows mercenary group in the operation briefing.

This meant that Benheim’s informants hadn’t detected the collusion between the mercenary group and the black mages.

“Should I probe them once?”

There was also the option of reporting to Valen, the field commander.

However, the Black Crows mercenary group were once family who shared meals together.

Even though we were enemies, I still had some affection for them.

So I wanted to see with my own eyes whether they had really joined hands with the black mages, or if they had just come here by chance.

If, as I suspected, the mercenary group was definitely acting as lackeys for the black mages…

‘I’ll have to kill them with my own hands.’

I threw off my Benheim robe and slipped out of the manor while the members were sprawled out, supposedly recovering from travel fatigue.

But before I could even cross the fence gate, someone called out to me.

“Where are you going?”

When I turned around, there was a boy with short-cut blonde hair.

“Brock.”

Brock, a branch family mage of Benheim, was looking at me with puzzled eyes.

“Brock, you’re participating in this operation too?”

“It’s the family head’s orders. He said fights between black mages will become frequent, so as preparation for any contingency, all branch family members over seventeen are participating in operations.”

“…Under the pretext of practical training.”

Come to think of it, when I received training from Valen last month, branch family members were there too.

It seemed like they planned to take the branch family mages into real combat to gain experience.

“That aside, Reagan, where exactly are you trying to go?”

“Well…”

“If you leave the base carelessly, Captain Valen will be furious. He said secrecy is vital for this operation.”

“It’s fine. I don’t plan on getting caught anyway.”

With those words, I tried to exit through the fence gate, but Brock blocked my path.

“You don’t know how scary Captain Valen gets when he’s really angry. Don’t do anything reckless.”

“…Tsk.”

Brock was someone who didn’t have even a speck of flexibility. It was like that in my previous life, and it’s the same in this life.

I could overpower him and leave, but that would surely cause a commotion. It would only be a matter of time before my departure reached Valen’s ears.

‘This has become troublesome.’

After pondering for a moment, I looked at Brock’s face.

The current Brock was a young boy. A greenhouse flower who grew up within Benheim’s walls, ignorant of worldly affairs. I could tell just by looking at those eyes burning with a sense of justice.

Perhaps that’s why. A pretty good idea came to mind.

“Brock, listen carefully to what I’m about to say.”

Thud.

I placed my hands on Brock’s shoulders as I spoke. When I acted with a serious expression, the kid swallowed and nodded vigorously.

“I am currently carrying out a secret mission.”

“A, a secret mission?”

“That’s right. It’s a mission directly ordered by the family head himself.”

When I invoked the family head’s name, Brock covered his mouth.

For a Benheim mage, the authority of family head Stern was absolute. So instead of being suspicious, Brock believed it completely.

“The, the family head directly!?”

“Shh. Brock, you’re being too loud.”

I placed my index finger to my lips. When Brock closed his mouth, I continued in a solemn tone.

“Think about it. The black mages aren’t fools either, so wouldn’t they have prepared for us charging in with a frontal assault? Especially in a small city like this, there could be black mage scouts remaining.”

“Is, is that so…?”

“That’s right. That’s how it is. So we need to identify any black mages hiding in the city beforehand. The family head entrusted me with that mission.”

If Brock had asked why someone like me was entrusted with such an important mission, I was prepared to deflect appropriately.

However, Brock nodded obediently, or rather with reverent eyes. The rumors that I was designated as Benheim’s son-in-law and even received a treasured sword seemed to add credibility.

Well, it’s good for me that he believes it easily.

“Brock. I’m going to carry out the operation now. Even if Valen discovers I’m missing and interrogates you, just say you didn’t see anything.”

“O, okay.”

Brock nodded reluctantly. However, his pupils were shaking anxiously and cold sweat was beading on his temples.

‘At this rate, everything will be exposed.’

Brock was the type who couldn’t lie. Rather than leaving him behind and getting caught, it would be better to take him along and make him an accomplice.

“Brock, now that I think about it, I think I can trust you.”

“Huh, huh?”

“As you know, this is an important mission with Benheim’s fate at stake. It would be more certain to have a skilled partner rather than going alone.”

I put emphasis on the word “skilled.” Then Brock gulped and swallowed.

“B, but… Reagan… we’re forbidden from going outside…”

“Brock. Think carefully. This is a ‘secret mission’ given by the family head for Benheim. Are you going to let this opportunity slip by? If we succeed, even that strict Captain Valen will see you in a new light, won’t he?”

Brock was just an eighteen-year-old kid.

The sound of the words “secret operation” must be quite sweet.

“…No! Let’s go together! We’re comrades, aren’t we!”

Brock fell for it beautifully.

* * *

The streets of Rodel, unlike the refined and orderly eastern cities, retained the roughness characteristic of western frontier settlements.

The dry wind blowing from the ravine direction, the smell of cheap ale wafting from various parts of the street, and men strutting around with weapons at their waists.

For me, who had made the west my main stage during my wandering mercenary days, this was a familiar sight.

“…This place is really… how should I put it, rough.”

However, from Brock’s perspective, it seemed like an unfamiliar scene, as he followed behind me with completely intimidated steps.

Eventually, perhaps to overcome his fear, Brock was the first to speak.

“Come to think of it, Reagan, I heard you became 4th Circle? The Rune Surveillance Unit members all saw it.”

“Well, something like that.”

“That’s amazing. Honestly… it makes sense that the family head granted you the elixir.”

Brock glanced at me sideways.

Seeing him offer praise he normally wouldn’t give, it seemed like he had something he wanted to say.

“Got something to say?”

“Well, that’s… you see…”

Brock continued hesitantly, fidgeting.

“If you’re okay with it… I was wondering if you could look at my magic. Things like mana manipulation… or know-how about 4th-tier fusion rune magic… I heard Deputy Commander Valen’s explanation, but no matter how hard I try, it just doesn’t work well…”

He spoke in roundabout terms, but he meant he wanted help with training. Well, Brock had been my training partner when I was at the separate residence. After I moved to the main house, he must have had to train alone.

“Well. How about it.”

“I’m asking like this!”

For that prideful Brock to bow his head, my reaching 4th-tier seemed to be as much of a shock as it was for Arno.

Well, I’d welcome it if Brock became stronger too.

His personality was stubborn, but his talent was genuine. His loyalty had also been proven through my previous life’s experiences. If I trained him thoroughly, he’d become reliable strength in the future.

“There’s nothing wrong with that. I’ll have to stay in Rodel for several weeks even after this operation ends anyway. I’ll help you when I have time.”

“Th, thank you!”

Only then did color return to Brock’s face.

While exchanging such idle conversation, we had somehow reached near the street where the Black Crows mercenary group was staying.

“…Reagan, this place is…”

“Mercenary District. Simply put, it’s a labor market. Any city of decent size usually has one.”

I surveyed the street.

The building with the Black Crows mercenary group’s flag was a three-story stone building, the largest and most splendid one located at the very center of this Mercenary District.

‘The location is too good.’

The prime spot with the best location in the Mercenary District.

To rent this entire building would require paying rent that only a first-class mercenary group could afford.

However, the Black Crows mercenary group I knew was third-rate at best.

“It doesn’t match their status.”

My conviction grew stronger. This was evidence that there was massive funding behind the mercenary group.

“Hey you there. I have something to ask.”

I looked at a shabby boy who was crouched at the entrance of an alley. The boy grinned when I showed him a silver coin from my pocket.

Like this, there are always street children who act as informants in the Mercenary District.

I handed the boy a silver coin and asked.

“Tell me everything you know about the guys going in and out of that building over there.”

“That’s the Black Crows mercenary group. They’re bad guys. They’ve already gotten into fights with nearby mercenary groups several times.”

“What kind of work do they mainly do?”

“Well, you see. Actually, I don’t really know either. They don’t show their faces during the day, but when night comes, they bring in a cargo wagon each time, you know?”

“…Cargo wagon?”

I frowned.

Unless the Black Crows mercenary group had suddenly changed their business to trading, this was clearly suspicious behavior.

I threw the kid another silver coin as thanks and started walking.

My destination was the loading yard where those cargo wagons would be. Infiltration wasn’t difficult. The main gate was firmly locked, but they had forgotten to close the skylight, leaving enough gap to get through.

“R, Reagan. Even so, this is…”

“Brock, this is a secret operation. Quietly.”

“Mmph.”

I gave Brock a look, then surveyed the wagons inside the loading yard.

Among them, I pulled back the cover of a notably large cargo wagon.

The cargo compartment was empty. However, the traces were clear.

“…This is.”

Shackles rolling around on the floor.

Dark red bloodstains dried between the wood cracks.

Even pitiful nail marks scratched into the walls.

“Human trafficking.”

These were clear evidence showing that people had been crammed in like animals and oppressed.

Above all, the disgusting aura filling the inside of the wagon.

“And black magic on top of that.”

This distinctive stench was a trace of black magic.

Understanding that much, my brow naturally furrowed.

“Damn bastards.”

Human trafficking.

Even for mercenaries, this was the final line.

No matter how much they were rogues who sold their swords for money, treating fellow humans like livestock was taboo even in the industry.

I had hoped it wouldn’t be true, but Gerkin had finally crossed the line.

“Tsk.”

I sighed and roughly closed the cover.

The situation assessment was complete.

The Black Crows mercenary group had colluded with black mages.

They were unquestionably evil.

“Brock, let’s go.”

“Are you planning to go report to the Deputy Commander?”

“No.”

I glared at the mercenary headquarters beyond the loading yard, brightly lit with lights.

“First, I’m planning to smash those bastards’ heads.”

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