/
A few world messages rang in Minhyuk’s ears just a few days later.
[Qingdao Kingdom has been established.]
[The king of Qingdao Kingdom is Xu Jiaqi.]
[The Rothschilde Kingdom has been established.]
[The king of the Rothschilde Kingdom is Calauhel.]
Finally, after some time of Minhyuk becoming the first king in Athenae, two other kingdoms had been established, in just a span of a week at that. But that was not all. The game experts and commentators expected the establishment of at least five more kingdoms this year.
‘There’s a high chance that the Qingdao Kingdom and the Rotschilde Kingdom already had the power and the funds to create a kingdom long ago.’
From what they had gathered these two kingdoms had their eyes on the Luvien Empire. However, Minhyuk had swept away the Luvien Empire’s Black Knights not too long ago. So, Xu Jiaqi and Calauhel both struck while the iron was hot.
Since several more kingdoms would be established in the near future, the Beyond the Heavens Kingdom needed to start their own preparations, for none other than the establishment of their empire.
‘It will probably take a long time.’
What were the most necessary things for the establishment of an empire? A large territory, enough people, plenty of soldiers and many more. None of these had been met by the Beyond the Heavens Kingdom yet.
Although the strength of the Beyond the Heavens’ troops was high and they could tear down several enemies, their numbers were not even close enough to rival the number of soldiers that an empire should have. The reason for that was very simple.
‘No matter how many immigrants we receive, we’re still being limited by our territory’s small land mass.’
It can be hard to make great work when its stolen from "pawread dot com".
There was a limit to the number of people that the current Beyond the Heavens Kingdom could accommodate. What would be a good alternative then?
‘We can also build strong alliances.’
What if they formed an alliance with the Mercenary King that united the whole world?
‘It’s amazing just to think about it, right?’
However, that was nothing but a thought.
“To be honest, I don’t think it’s possible to make an ally out of Sir Venteio, the one who will become the Mercenary King, Your Majesty.” Haze began to explain calmly. “The Luvien Empire is currently putting pressure on the Mercenary Elders and the Mercenary King Candidates by saying that they would start another Mercenary Hunt. Even if Venteio becomes the Mercenary King at this time, do you think there’s still anybody that will want to follow him?”
Haze’s words were the truth. Even if Mercenary King Venteio united the entire continent, there would still be a lot of people that would harbor great distrust toward him. Sooner or later, he would be dismissed from his post and the mercenaries, under the pressure of the empire, would turn on him. He would be nothing but a king in name alone.
“It would take a miracle to unite all the people that have lost trust in Venteio. He might be someone that have united and integrated four continents but there are still many candidates that can replace him as the Mercenary King.”
“In other words, Venteio has to be made into someone that cannot be easily replaced.”
That was impossible even for someone like Minhyuk. He had to ponder deeply and recall what Haze reported to him to think of ways to approach Venteio.
Brod had asked Venteio to help Minhyuk. However, what Minhyuk needed to know here was who Venteio really was like as a person. What if Venteio was a strange person that thought about the other mercenaries as nothing more than bugs?
‘Everything will be a mess, then.’
Minhyuk actually did not possess much information about him. After organizing his thoughts, he said, “In that case, I should go with the thought of winning over Venteio as the individual and not winning over the entire group of mercenaries.”
“Indeed.”
That was wise thinking. It would be a big boost to the Beyond the Heavens Kingdom if Venteio could move to their kingdom, even if he failed to become the Mercenary King.
‘But if that does not work out, then, there’s nothing I can do.’
This was Minhyuk’s first time helping Brod after receiving help from Brod so many times. It was fine even if Minhyuk would not be able to get anything from it.
‘I heard that once someone becomes the Mercenary King, the God of Mercenaries will drop God-grade ingredients. I’m really curious about them.’
However, it seemed like it would be very hard for him to get those in his hands. Minhyuk rubbed his chin in thought and said, “Right now, they are catching and killing the mercenaries that call themselves the Wolf Mercenaries, no?”
“That’s right, Your Majesty.”
This was one of the things that Haze had reported to him. Minhyuk could roughly predict how the situation would unfold for them. Nodding in answer, he stood up from his seat while changing his appearance with Great Demon Verus’ Mask and said, “I’ll be on my way then.”
Haze sighed bitterly as she looked at Minhyuk. As the Beyond the Heavens’ prime minister, she did not want her king to do anything that would be of no help to their kingdom. After all, she could tell that it would be very difficult to bring Venteio over to their side and have him settle down in Beyond the Heavens Kingdom.
‘I look forward to whatever results you bring back, Your Majesty. After all, you always exceed my expectations.’
***
The mercenaries from all over the world were all shocked and confused. Just a few days ago, the Luvien Empire led their army and massacred all of the mercenaries stationed in the small village of Edith. They did so under the pretext that the mercenaries were the first to attack the soldiers of the Luvien Imperial Army. 413 mercenaries died that day.
This sudden event brought fear and terror to the mercenaries all over the world. All of them were afraid that the Mercenary Hunt, an event that various empires and kingdoms had carried out in the past, would be reenacted once again.
There were four Mercenary Elders and three Mercenary King Candidates sitting around a table. A diplomat and representative from the Luvien Empire had sat with them just a few moments prior.
‘This contract states that you will earn 3% of the mercenaries’ profits as long as you sign it…’
The Luvien Empire had told them that they would create laws that would ensure that they gain profits through the mercenaries’ earnings and make sure that they would enforce it to be adopted. By "enforce", they literally mean that they would double down on all of the mercenaries from all over the world to sign contracts and fulfill them.
For them, this was a very happy and welcome thing.
‘Even if we sit still, we will still gain money? Only the people below us have to complete the missions?’
‘This is like sitting on a pile of gold.’
‘I can play and eat for the rest of my life.’
‘And if we so want it, the Luvien Empire will provide us with a home and a citizenship. There is no other better opportunity than this…!’
Their eyes were stained with greed, except for one elder.
Elder Sven shook his head. “This is a ridiculous clause. How can we just sit here and take the money that the mercenaries risk their lives to earn? If we accept this offer now, we will all be reduced to nothing but the empire’s tools. You must have completely thrown away the Mercenary’s Pride that the former Mercenary King Brod had instilled upon us!!!”
“Ahem…”
“Keuheum…”
The others coughed and groaned. They could not forget the Mercenary’s Pride.
‘Do not be treated as tools but as comrades and warriors. Stand tall and never yield to any kingdom or empire.’
The greatest Mercenary King had instilled this pledge of pride in all of the mercenaries. Accepting this clause proposed by the empire would be stamping on the pride of the mercenaries, effectively turning them into tools once again. In other words, they would return to being their meat shields.
“Then, are you suggesting that we go against the Luvien Empire?”
“You want to get beaten like this without even being able to resist?! True, Venteio made a mistake by betraying the empire! However, he is the only talent and candidate to become the Mercenary King!”
“…”
“…The only talent and candidate to become the Mercenary King.”
The Mercenary King Candidates all looked at Sven coldly. In fact, they admitted that fact too. Venteio was the only one with the qualities and the power to become the Mercenary King. That was actually the reason why they were here, to weed him out. The Mercenary King Candidates had already verbally agreed that the new Mercenary King would not be Venteio, but Avak.
Avak had always been second to Venteio, hidden by the tremendous shadow cast by Venteio. Avak had a strange and eccentric personality but his skills were undeniable. He was also a shrewd and clever person that aimed to make peace with the empire at all times.
“Elder Sven,” Avak called out in a low voice.
Sven was startled to see the coldness in Avak’s gaze. However, he still glared at the man, his gaze firm and unrelenting.
“Madam Jeronie is quite healthy and well, no?”
“…!”
Sven’s eyes opened wide.
“You know, I’m just saying that the madam is in good health.”
“You, you…!”
Indeed. Avak had expected that Elder Sven would oppose this. Right now, Avak’s men were with Madam Jeronie, Elder Sven’s wife, and were ready to kill her at any given moment.
“Elder Sven, Venteio is a guilty man. He had killed the soldiers of the Luvien Empire and caused the death of several innocent mercenaries.”
“…Do you really not know? The reason why Venteio had to act as one of the empire's Black Knights is for the sake of all of the mercenaries?”
Venteio was a firm believer and follower of the Mercenary’s Pride. However, at that moment, Venteio realized that he did not have the strength nor the power to follow that pride. That was why he became the empire’s dog.
Venteio intended to make contributions there, become the Mercenary King and build a friendly relationship with Nerva. Afterward, he would use his voice to speak about the Mercenary’s Pride.
It was somewhat similar to what Avak intended to do, yet also different. Venteio was willing to sacrifice himself for the sake of the mercenaries, while Avak wanted to sacrifice and sell the mercenaries to build a friendly relationship with Luvien and satisfy his own personal greed.
“But in the end, what was the result? He went against the will of the empire and now everyone else has to pay for it.”
“…”
Sven’s body shook and trembled. He still firmly believed that Avak should not be the Mercenary King. If Avak became the Mercenary King, then the only future that awaited the mercenaries were to become dogs.
Avak stood up from his seat and patted Sven heavily on the shoulder. “All you have to do is join everyone here in choosing me as the next Mercenary King.”
“…”
Indeed. Once that happened, Avak would become the Mercenary King and he could then devour the entire continent.
“…What are you going to do to Venteio?”
“He deserves to be punished for the crime that he committed, right?”
“…”
That was right. Venteio would die today.
“It seems like the mercenaries are arriving one after the other,” Avak said, blocking whatever words would come out of Sven’s mouth. Then, he walked outside.
The mercenaries, who wanted to witness the selection of the Mercenary King, would cross the continents and gather in one place. However, all of them were required to wear robes up until the Mercenary King was chosen. Only the candidates to become the Mercenary King were allowed to not wear robes.
The mercenaries from all over the world marched toward Aeopia, the land of the mercenaries. Avak smiled widely as he watched this scene.
Thud— thud— thud— thud—
The sound of the advance of hundreds of thousands of mercenaries made Avak’s heart pound. He was filled with excitement at the thought of becoming the king of these people.
At that moment, he caught sight of a man of huge build and without any robe on his body walking silently among these people. Avak could not help the slight groan that escaped his mouth at the overwhelming charisma that the man exuded.
However, Avak had already secretly told the other mercenaries, ‘Those that protect and defend Venteio will all die.’
The mercenaries also felt fear when they heard the name of the Luvien Empire. On top of that, Venteio had been labeled by the empire as a criminal charged with high treason. In other words, none of the mercenaries here would side with Venteio. Instead, all of the people present here were on Avak’s side.
Avak raised his sword and pointed it at Venteio in front of him. “Sinner Venteio, pay for your crimes!!!”
At that moment, hundreds of thousands of mercenaries stopped and looked at Venteio before pulling their swords and pointing it at the man.
***
Venteio stared at the hundreds of thousands of sword blades pointed at him. He already knew that he would die today. In fact, Venteio could have run away. He could have chosen to live in seclusion in a place where no one could find him.
‘I will never back down, master.’
He knew that he had no power to protect the Mercenary’s Pride so he chose to become the dog of the Luvien Empire. However, he did it for the sake of all of the mercenaries.
Today would mark the day in history when he, a candidate for the Mercenary King, would die a miserable death. However, he knew that there were people that fought hard to protect the mercenaries’ pride. And those that would remember him would definitely carry on this pride.
“You have broken and betrayed the Mercenary’s Pride!!!” Venteio shouted at the top of his lungs as he pointed his sword back at the hundreds of thousands of mercenaries that were aiming their blades at him.
Shiiiiiiing—
Avak laughed. “Pride? Can that be turned into money, Venteio?”
“So you chose to become the empire’s dog! A mercenary whose descendants will forever be ashamed to admit that he was their ancestor!!!”
Venteio slowly took a step toward the mercenaries that blocked his path. The mercenaries all faltered at the sight of Venteio walking slowly with his sword hanging loosely in his hands.
“It seems like you are willing to let our descendants live in a world where they are persecuted and used!!!” Venteio shouted, his slow steps turning into a full run.
Avak just laughed louder, “Bwahahahahahahahaha!”
The man was alone. No one would come to his aid and help him defend his pride. However, Venteio, who scolded them and reminded them once again about the pride of the mercenaries, swung his sword that was overflowing with power.
“Mercenary’s Pinnacle Swordsmanship. Chapter 4.”
Venteio also knew that he would be all alone here. However, he fought bravely and without any fear at the thought of him.
‘What’s wrong with being alone? Isn’t it an honor for someone to fight for their pride?’
So, he would continue to fight, even if he was alone.
“Keuhahahahahahahahahaha!” Avak’s laughter grew louder and louder as he continued to watch Venteio.
Shwaaaaaa—
Fwooooooooosh—
Swoooooooosh—
At that moment, tens of thousands mercenaries threw their robes to the sky, revealing the symbol of a roaring wolf on their backs. Their swords, which were originally pointing at Venteio, immediately switched to the other mercenaries beside them. The history and the pride that he left behind was none other than them, the Wolf Mercenaries.
“Wh, what…?”
“Mercenary’s Pinnacle Swordsmanship. Chapter 4.”
They also swung their swords and cast the same skill that Venteio used. At the same time, the running Venteio leapt to the sky with his sword creating a seven-meter-long red sword light behind him.
The powerful force from the sword light struck down on the other mercenaries, along with the same Mercenary’s Pinnacle Swordsmanship Chapter 4 that the other mercenaries cast.
“Wolf’s Death.”
“Wolf’s Death.”
Baaaaaaaaaaaang—
Bang, bang, bang, bang, bang, bang!
The sword of the ones that carried on his ‘pride’ connected, and carried out judgment upon those foolish and ignorant mercenaries.