Limit Breaking Genius Mage Chapter 368

Episode 368: Land Without Owners (2)

“Sigh… I can tell it’s really Adrian since you didn’t hit me even once.”

Keirel, out of breath, threw down his sword.

She sniffled and wiped her eyes, then slumped down on the remaining chair. Judging by the fact that even her toenails were hidden, she must have calmed down.

Adrian sat down next to Kayrel, holding two glasses still wet with water and an unopened bottle of whiskey.

She was handed a moderately filled glass and drank it down in one go.

widely.

And in a small flame the cigarette burns out.

Keirel took a deep breath and sobbed with a sigh.

“……I know you’re not good at getting along with other people. It’s just your nature. That’s why you’re a loser. But I thought we were close.”

“I know.”

“Really? But why did you disappear without saying anything? And what the hell did you suddenly appear for? Huh? Tell me, what the f*cking reason was───!”

“The master has passed away.”

At those words, Keirel was shaken.

Eyes wide as if they were going to burst. Breathing becomes more urgent without me knowing it. The passion has disappeared without a trace.

She bit her lips, barely able to suppress all her emotions.

“Uncle Raymond… passed away? Why?”

“He was murdered.”

"lie."

“…….”

“Don’t lie! There’s no way that the old man would be hurt by anyone! And Adrian, you were with him too!!”

“It's my fault.”

Adrian briefly recounted the past in a low voice.

“That day, I was defeated by an intruder who came to my hiding place. My master became disabled while trying to help me, and eventually lost his life.”

It was a series of shocks.

Who is Adrian?

He is one of the four powerful men of the Central Continent. He is a monster who uses swordsmanship close to the extreme of speed.

The one who raised him like that was the flawless Raymond.

'But how… … .'

Keirel, who knew the strength of the two people better than anyone else, could only be astonished.

I can't believe it, and I don't want to believe it… … but unfortunately, Cheongeom, Adrian Chanbus, was not the type of person to make such a bad joke.

Suddenly, I remembered something from a dozen years ago.

Keirel, who interferes with robberies targeting citizens at every opportunity.

An attack by a back alley gang that viewed her as a thorn in their side.

A dagger was stuck in his side, and his left eye was half-blasted.

After desperately resisting, he managed to kill several and escape, but his fatal wounds remained.

The miracles of the Luas Church do not work on non-human beings. In the first place, there were not many churches in the land without owners.

I needed to get some potions to survive, but I didn't have any money on me, and if I went into the city I'd be caught right away.

How did you prolong your life with your unique natural healing powers, but in the end, that was all.

It was not enough to stop the worsening of the wound, which was filling with pus, spreading inflammation, and rotting.

Flies buzzed around, trying to lay eggs, and baby mice twitched their noses at the scent of blood.

As you can see, he was on the verge of death in a very horrible way.

───Master, there's a cat here that's dying.

───Well, the infection is too severe, so potions alone won't do. Let's take him quickly.

That was when.

The meeting between the boy Adrian and his teacher Raymond.

That was the beginning of a relationship.

Wow.

The glass that Kayrel was holding shattered into pieces.

The low growl of a beast resonates.

The face of the creature, a mixture of cat and human form, was distorted into a hideous grimace.

“Who is that kid who killed Uncle Raymond? Revenge?”

“I can’t tell you the details right now. Anyway, I need your help with that.”

"say."

“I need to list an item in Gargant’s auction house, but the conditions are holding me back.”

Kayrel didn't ask why, only what he could help with.

“If it’s worth putting up there, it must be something serious… Then that’s it. There’s a clause that says registration is impossible without investing in Gargant or taking on debt to the person in charge, Transcendence.”

“Is there a way?”

“There is someone who fits the criteria. He is on the verge of ruin, but if Heavenly Sword comes out, it will be enough.”

“I’m sorry, but I cannot let the world know that I am alive.”

“I know. I can tell by the strange metal mask and robe covering his face. What I meant was force.”

Even if someone like Adrian hides his true abilities, he can easily subdue most guys.

It was the judgment of his old acquaintance and assistant, Keirel.

“But there’s one thing I’m curious about.”

"what?"

“The person who came with you. Who is he?”

Basically, Adrian never forms parties.

Because he is self-righteous and has the skills to be so.

He is also an old-fashioned practitioner who never speaks politely to anyone except his master, regardless of social status, and would rather train with a sword than become friends with noble people.

But companionship?

I couldn't give it to you without asking.

To that obvious question, Adrian answered confidently.

“This is the person I serve.”

“Oh, right…….”

Keirel, who had been nodding, opened his eyes wide.

"what?"

* * *

'This person… … .'

Kayrel flicked her tail slightly and glanced at the strange man sitting across from her.

A human race that covers their entire body, including their face, with shabby robes.

Although his physique was not large on the outside, he was well-trained, but there was no sign of a bladed weapon such as a short sword or long sword around his waist.

Sniff sniff. The vivid energy stimulates the sense of smell.

Moreover, judging by the number of accessories of inestimable value on both hands, it was clearly a wizard… …yes, a young wizard.

'I guess I'm not strong since I can't feel anything.'

Separately, it seemed like there was a ton of money.

Could he be the child of a wealthy family?

So I didn't understand even more.

There was no way that a notorious, if not famous, prosecutor in the Central Continent could be bought for mere money.

So you were attracted to the noble status? Of course not.

Adrian was a great man who would cut down kings and nobles without hesitation if given the chance.

however.

“My lord, my name is Keirel of the Cavalette tribe. He is a beastman of considerable fame in the Land of the Unclaimed.”

There is sincerity in his voice.

It was just like that of a knight who had sworn loyalty.

Even though he is not a teacher, he is still speaking politely.

'This is driving me crazy.'

I was speechless when something I had never imagined unfolded before my eyes.

Anyway, observation is necessary.

If we want to understand this unidentified man even a little bit.

Kayrel coughed slightly.

“Ahem, Cabalette is my species name, and to put it simply, I’m a cat person. My hometown is an ownerless land, so I just settle down and live there.”

“I heard the gist of it from Adrian.”

It doesn't bother me even when I'm being treated like this.

There was a natural pressure in the man's voice.

At the very least, he must have been a noble or a royal… or a person of comparable rank.

'Is he a celebrity since he hasn't even revealed his name and I can't even see his face?'

It's suspicious, it's suspicious!

The doubts in Kayrel's heart deepened.

But the conversation didn't stop.

“……I heard that you want to meet the conditions for registering your items at Gargant’s auction house. And there’s a family that fits that criteria perfectly.”

“Where is it?”

“This city is Arain.”

Also known as the Arane family.

A family that ruled a city for six years in an ownerless land.

“Once upon a time, he was a highly respected merchant in Gargant, but he was eventually defeated in a competition that was so difficult to control that he was forced out of Gargant. At that time, he handed over all the shares and goods that were difficult to dispose of to the Transcendent, and obtained the right to register the auction house. After that, he came down to the ownerless land and took the position of lord. He was quite resourceful.”

For a power that was granted by a transcendent being, the process is incredibly simple.

At the man's silence, Keirel shrugged his shoulders.

“Even though it is hosted by the Transcendent, the registration rights themselves are not very valuable. Those conditions are meant to elevate the status of the auction and give it specialness.”

Phew.

She took a drag on the tobacco and continued speaking.

“So, if you use the Arane family, you can use the auction house. I know the procedure well. But there is one problem.”

"problem?"

“Last year, the lord died of old age. So his only son, Liam Arlane, succeeded him… but the timing was bad. A war broke out between the neighboring lords. And most of the vassals who didn’t trust the young lord fled.”

"then……."

“Yes, that’s right. Liam will die soon. The family line will be cut off, and the registration rights will be lost.”

Kayrel glanced at Adrian.

“Of course, it would be different if you guys came forward.”

Liam's survival.

It's simple and clear, so there's no reason not to move.

I plan to meet up and talk. In short, it was a business proposal.

The man immediately got up.

Keirel opened his eyes wide and quickly put the cigarette in the ashtray.

“You have a quick temper. But it would be better if you didn’t go right away. Liam will be meeting with the envoy of the nearby lord by now.”

“He’s an envoy. I don’t think negotiations will go well.”

“Of course, since the power gap is so big. This is just Liam’s own struggle. No matter how you open your mouth, no matter what price you promise, you’ll still die… Anyway, I’ll make an appointment, so let’s rest today and meet tomorrow.”

If you stand out for no reason, it could cause some annoying friction.

Kayrel wanted things to be done more covertly, and it actually made sense to do so.

The man, Verden, answered him.

“Why me?”

* * *

Those who hold power in the land of the uninhabited are usually rough, violent, and cunning.

That's the only way to prevent the opponent from rushing in recklessly. Seeing yourself as underestimated will cause you a lot of trouble.

Liam Arlane, the lord of the city of Arlane, was not one of those men.

Just as his father had kept the line, he also kept the line. Furthermore, he had a passionate sense of responsibility and the blood and will appropriate for his age.

He sought harmony and compromise rather than pressure and submission.

However, the vassals who had been close to him left to save their own lives as soon as Liam's father died.

Not only that, but he even sold information about the unfortunate circumstances of the city of Arein to other territories… … .

All that was left by Liam's side was Mires, a young maid with nowhere to go.

But even that couldn't be kept.

“Whoa……!”

The lord's envoy snorted and tossed his teacup aside.

Hot tea poured into the air and hit Mires. Fortunately, she did not suffer any serious burns, but the atmosphere was still heavy.

“So. You want to make a treaty with our lord?”

He has an arrogant voice and an extremely hateful expression.

Still, Liam clenched his fists and bowed his head cowardly.

“I still have a lot of property to dispose of. I will pay the price monthly, but please exclude Arane from the war for one year. After that, I will hand over the position of lord of the city.”

“Oh, so why should we? We can just occupy it and take everything. Right?”

“……If that happens, there will be some damage. And wouldn’t it be difficult for you as well?”

Liam quietly handed over the envelope.

The envoy licked his lips as he looked at the thick wad of cash inside.

“Well, if our lord says he will let us go from the war, we will… The other lords won’t stay still.”

Of course, that would be the case, but the lord who sent this envoy would not sit idly by.

Because there was no way he could just sit back and watch the city, Arane, and the surrounding lands be taken over by others.

The current negotiations resembled a kind of defense treaty.

“Please.”

“Hmm, let me explain first… Whether it works or not, let’s talk about it later.”

It also meant to prepare another bribe.

Liam felt like he was going to explode, but he managed to keep his expression under control.

'We must make time.'

Not to cash in on his father's legacy, but to figure out a way to save the city.

Despite the worst of circumstances, Liam has not given up on the city yet.

If the nearby lords swallowed Arane, the citizens… … it was obvious what would happen to the maid, Mires.

Even if he runs away, he will be tortured to death by the group that wants his property.

Survival and duty.

Liam chewed his lip.

That was when.

Boom!

Suddenly the door to the reception room opened wide and uninvited guests came in.

There are three numbers in total.

Two of them were wearing robes so I couldn't tell who they were, but the other one had a familiar face.

'Kayrel?'

A ferocious beast who calls himself Arain's vigilante.

It's not that we didn't know each other at all, and I would have to say we were somewhat acquainted, but… … I don't remember inviting him to this place.

I was just blinking blankly at the sudden intrusion.

At some point, a man wearing a shabby robe, Verden, approached.

“Are you the lord of Arane?”

“That, that’s true, but…….”

I answered absentmindedly.

Somehow I felt like it had to be that way.

Meanwhile, the envoy who had been watching the series of events crumpled his face.

I felt uncomfortable.

Soon he glared and kicked the seat hard.

“No, what kind of writers are you that dare───”

Thud!

A shock wave erupts from a light gesture.

The emissary bounced off, hit the wall, and fell to the cold floor.

Although he had lost consciousness, he must have bitten his tongue, as bright red blood flowed from his mouth.

Verden lay down on the seat where the envoy had been sitting.

Mires, startled, covered her mouth with both hands.

Liam, unable to contain his shock, desperately squeezed out his voice.

“T-Thou art attacking the envoy……! Why, why did thou do such a thing?! Who the hell are you!”

“It’s not a robbery, so there’s no need to yell.”

Verden said.

“I’ve come to make a deal, Liam Arlane.”