Limit Breaking Genius Mage Chapter 462

Episode 462 Night Price (2)

The payment of ransom for prisoners of war in conflict zones is handled by neutral parties within the arbitration zone.

As an exception, hostages belonging to the sponsoring side that supported each force can negotiate arbitrarily without going through the mediation zone.

This was one of the post-facto rules to end the war more cleanly.

“Ugh.”

Therefore, the Cardric Lord, who was captured by Cain in the North, was brought to Medillon at the request of the East and is currently locked in an underground solitary cell.

One of the stone lanterns installed on the ceiling is broken or has fallen off, exposing the ominous metal bar.

“Not even a single room for me is properly managed. How much damage must the neutrals have done in the middle of this…….”

Cardrick complained nervously.

A sealed room with all sides blocked off.

Because of this, not only did he not have to restrain his limbs separately, but he also did not risk suffocation thanks to the air circulation provided by the magic item… … but it was quite frustrating for the great lord who had wielded power in the East at will.

“Still, it’s fortunate that he survived.”

When I return to the East, I'll have to be quite careful, but anyway, the responsibility for the loss in the competitive match lies with the dead Cheolph.

He simply followed the leader.

If you secretly save up your wealth and offer it to Marquis Gerdom, the leader of the Eastern Lords, you can obtain immunity.

“Fuck……!”

It was a shame in many ways, but I tried not to think about it because it was much better than being expelled or executed.

Rather, he consoled himself by cursing Zeolph, who had been defeated by the young sorcerer, Melconi, and the divinity who had cunningly hidden its power.

… … Creak.

At that moment, a thick door opened.

Light that is not too bright or too dark.

Three shadows with their backs to each other approached with brisk steps.

Cardrick blinked.

“……Huh? Neutralists? Are the negotiations between the East and the North already over? No, it’s probably not time yet. But what about that rope……”

Kkwaddddddddddddd.

“Ugh.”

The rope is wound.

If Cardrick uses the bed and small chair in the solitary cell appropriately, he can climb up to the location of the magic stone lantern, which is easily within arm's reach.

Dangling dangling.

There was no magical light there, but a dark shadow.

If there are those who claim to be neutral, you should never trust them openly, but always be suspicious.

life.

A large sum of money.

Threats against family.

Happiness that can be obtained with one choice.

If the mind exists and has no absolute binding force, then the behavior of a self-proclaimed neutral human being can change at any time depending on the situation.

* * *

A single-story building 47 steps up, the conference hall of Medillon.

As before, each force fills each cardinal point of the east, west, south, and north, but naturally, the representatives except for the north and south have changed.

In the West, a bespectacled man known as 'Helmur', one of the ruler's closest associates, accompanied the mercenary king as his escort.

In the East, a rather handsome 'old man' with neat clothes appeared in place of the absent Count Ceolph.

Even if that were the case in the West, the Eastern side, which had suffered the most damage, was expecting that at least a Marquis-level lord would emerge.

But then a completely unfamiliar person appeared.

'… …Who is it?'

Yunia tilted her head inwardly.

Up until now, I had collected a lot of information about the East, but I had never encountered a single impression of that old man.

And above all.

'It looks a bit dangerous.'

A sense of caution arises involuntarily.

On the outside, he looked like an old butler managing a mansion, but the gaze hidden beneath his expression was sharp as a dagger.

There is no doubt that he is a man with at least one move.

It wasn't just Yunia who sensed him; Cain and Isabella also turned their nervous nerves toward the east where the old man was sitting.

quiet.

Their gazes intersect.

The old man in the east had a small, kind smile on his face, while Gideon in the south had his hands clenched and his expression stern.

“Ahem. Then…….”

The host at the center of each faction cleared the air by coughing, then spoke again clearly.

“I have confirmed that Lord Helmer Rocinand from the west, Lord Seddon from the east, Lord Gideon from the south, and finally Lord Arrain from the north have each attended the meeting as their respective representatives.”

The roll call is over.

Today's main purpose is not so much to hold a meeting as to officially announce the results of the competition that everyone already knows.

If there is no objection, ownership of the large mines will soon be transferred to the North.

“First, I will tell you about the fortresses we captured in the East, West, and North.”

The territory in the disputed area taken in the competitive match was literally taken.

However, the territories in dispute, whose ownership changed due to rules set by the South, had an obligation to pay 30% of the taxes to the Confederacy for the next three years.

The names of the fortresses are listed one by one through the host's mouth. Among them are castles that Cain and Junia had personally taken over.

The twins puffed out their chests and raised their chins after an overwhelming debut with a brilliant performance in the competitive match.

“……Up to Fort Derkadil. The North has acquired a total of three fortresses. Now, I will announce the results of the competitive battle.”

The host swallowed and cleared his dry throat.

“With the death of their representative, Count Ceolf, the East was eliminated, and with the surrender of their representative, the Mercenary King, the West was also eliminated, so the only remaining representative is Lord Arlene. Since no major rule violations were found during the process, in the name of the arbitration zone, Medillon───I hereby certify that the North is the victorious force in the competitive battle.”

A rolled up certificate is placed in front of Liam.

Upon untying the string and examining the text, I discovered that it contained evidence proving that he was the owner of a large-scale complex mine within the conflict zone.

For a moment, Yunia thought she had been worrying for nothing… … But, as expected, the host’s announcement was not over yet.

"and……."

The host's gaze turned to the east.

“Separately from this, there was a major incident in the East a few days ago. All the High Lords except for High Lord Kadrick are now dead.”

* * *

There are a total of 12 great lords who rule the East.

Excluding Ceolf, there are as many as 11 living great lords.

'But you died overnight?'

Liam clenched his fists under the table and glared at the host.

“Please explain in detail.”

“That’s it.”

“Stop, host. I will personally explain what happened in the East.”

An old man introduced by the host as Se-don stood up from his seat.

“First, let me introduce myself. I am an old man named Se-Dun, representing the ‘revolutionary army’ of the East───that is, the righteous knights of the East.”

… … Revolutionary Army?

Cain, who had never heard of such an organization in the East, looked at him with a questioning look.

Sedon said.

“So, to briefly explain the circumstances… Those who sat in the so-called great lords ruled the eastern part for a long time. They lived as powerful people for quite some time in an ownerless land. However, everyone knows that the longer their rule continues, the worse the situation in the eastern part becomes.”

There is no one here who does not know how vicious the Eastern forces are.

You can tell just by watching the competition.

After subjecting the Western mercenaries who were taken hostage to horrible torture, they burned them, impaled them with long skewers, and hung them outside the castle walls… …all for the sake of primal pleasure.

It is obvious how the great lords who lead such people and allow such things rule their territories.

“The great lords have not only neglected the festering wounds, but have also torn them open. The East has rotted away. Can even a single blade of grass grow on such rotten land?”

It is clear that the unclaimed land is a place where conflicts are endless, but it is also a place where people live.

If you claim to be a lord and unconditionally exploit citizens to fill your stomach, it is no different from eating your own flesh.

But the future is far and reality is close.

Up until now, many lords have either died from greed and their stomachs burst, or have been killed by someone else's sword.

Betrayal, rebellion or revolution.

It's a very common occurrence in this masterless land, which literally has no established owner.

“We were the lord’s men… but as men and as knights, we could not stand by and watch their tyranny go beyond the limits. We wanted to save the East. However, their power was so great that we could not act rashly, so for years we hid our swords in our bellies, waiting for the perfect opportunity….”

Sedon let out a breath filled with heat.

“And finally, I finally achieved my goal. I killed all the fat pigs who treated the residents like toys.”

“……Why now of all times?”

“It was possible because it was right now. The East suffered an unexpected defeat in the competition, which left them in a state of chaos and gave them an opening to dig in. Strictly speaking, it was all thanks to the North. I will express my deepest gratitude as the ‘new power’ of the East.”

Sedon bowed his head towards Liam with a gesture of sincerity.

“…….”

Liam was dumbfounded.

It was difficult to understand the sudden change in the situation, including the greetings from the rebels in the east out of nowhere.

"for a moment."

Then Isabella stepped forward.

“A new power in the East… What does that mean?”

“It simply means what it says. We declare that we will not follow in the footsteps of the great lords of the East.”

It was a fresh will to be reborn as an East different from before… …but the North could not just ignore it.

In other words, he was saying that he would withdraw from the forces that had agreed to participate in the competition.

Contract is void.

If that happens, the so-called new Eastern powers will be able to declare war on the North and even invade large-scale mines.

Yunia growled.

“Ha, is it possible to deviate from the agreement like that? With just one word, that the rebellion was successful? In the first place, to become a part of the power, you have to be recognized by the arbitration zone?”

The host wiped the sweat with a handkerchief.

“……The arbitration area has already acknowledged it.”

“If you do it so hastily, who will be convinced……!”

“It’s not unreasonable. Normally, it takes quite a while to get permission for an arbitration zone, but there are exceptions. Isn’t the North one of those exceptions?”

Gideon of the South pointed out.

That's right.

The reason Liam Arlane was recognized as the ruler of the North without any special procedures was because of the status of the divinity of the Eastern Continent.

For the North to object to this was tantamount to asserting that it could not be considered a power on its own.

I was speechless.

Gideon glanced north and asked Sedan.

“However, even though he is a hostage, there is still one High Lord left. If Count Kadrick opposes the existence of the rebel forces, even if he receives permission from the mediation zone, he cannot be considered an eastern force right away.”

“So I’m going to pay the ransom and hand over the body of Lord Cardric.”

“Do you really think we’ll just hand over the hostages after hearing that?”

Liam indicated his intention to refuse.

Cain, who was standing next to him, turned his gaze toward the door and muttered softly.

“I think it’s already too late.”

Bam!

After a while, familiar faces to Liam and his group entered the conference room in a hurry, sweating profusely.

They were neutrals who took the Cardric Lord they had received from the North and took him to prison.

“I’m sorry, but I’m interrupting the meeting……!”

The host frowned.

“What’s going on all of a sudden?”

“Lord Cardric…… That, that is, that, hanged himself……!!”

* * *

Lord Cardric committed suicide.

There was news that he had strangled himself by tying a rope he had obtained from somewhere to the metal bar on which he was installing the magic stone lamp.

thud!

Gideon slammed the table.

“Suicide in a prison in the arbitration zone! Surely such a thing would have been prevented in advance. What on earth is going on?”

Neither the host nor the neutrals could respond to his rebuke.

All he did was bow and apologize to everyone, including Liam, with a thoughtful face.

Se-don stroked his chin.

“Huh, Lord Cardric. That wicked man took his own life. Was he afraid of being held responsible for his defeat in the competition, or was he simply scared by the news of the rebellion? What the…….”

A voice filled with embarrassment.

Even the facial expression was so natural that I reacted with genuine surprise.

"ha."

Isabella took a deep breath and ran her fingers through her dark green hair.

“You guys, are you determined?”

“No, you planned it. It seems like there was some huge misunderstanding… I swear it wasn’t us. And isn’t it the responsibility of the Arbitration District to not take proper care of the hostage? So I think it’s right to receive an apology and compensation from the Arbitration District. Don’t you think so, Moderator?”

“Yes, yes. If we look at the precedent…….”

“Shut up and tell me what you want.”

This is a play.

So the conversation is meaningless.

There was no need to go into detail about the situation. Kadrick had already died according to the script.

“Well, since you insisted so much, I’ll explain why I came to the meeting. To be honest, our Shindongbu is not in any way denying the contract for the competition. We just want to make up for the damage we suffered from the Great Lord.”

Sedon held up three fingers.

“If you pay us 33 percent of the annual production of the large mine for the next five years, we will follow the competitive contract without a word. Of course, we will include people from the east as management personnel.”

“Are you crazy right now?”

Liam was so dumbfounded that he rarely responded with a curse.

The percentage of mine output that had to be paid to the Confederacy for five years was already 23 percent.

If you add the demands of the East to that, it comes to a whopping 560 percent.

Even if you include the cost of mining development that the South could not complete… … from the North’s perspective, it was an astronomical cost.

“I know it’s too much to ask, but we can’t help it. Don’t we have to eat to survive? We also have to revive the failing Dongbu. Of course, I will never forget your kindness. I will definitely repay you.”

“If you refuse.”

“Then, until you listen, we have no choice but to be stubborn. According to the rules of the conflict zone. It’s the struggle of those who want to live.”

Although Seden did not explicitly state his intentions, he implicitly declared that he would indefinitely delay large-scale mining development by blocking it.

Sedon turned his head.

“I would like to ask what other people’s opinions are.”

Gideon from the South and Helmer from the West, who were given attention in turn, answered.

“Well, I have a lot to say, but if you think about it, this is a matter that only concerns the North and the East, so I don’t think it’s something we should interfere with.”

“The West is the same.”

The two claimed to be bystanders.

Sedun, who respected that opinion, slowly nodded his head.

“That is what they say. What will the North do? Will it accept the new East’s offer, carrying with it hopeful lives? Or will it cruelly reject it?”

They secretly use the persecuted citizens in the East as an excuse.

Liam and his group certainly weren't fooled by such wordplay, but that doesn't mean they could come up with a simple answer.

Isabella bit her lip.

'Information is lacking.'

If they can swallow up the East in one fell swoop, they must have a power greater than that of a major lord.

Not only that, the existence of the old man named Se-don is extremely annoying.

'If they really had the ability to delay large-scale mining development… … then the plan to move the dwarven village of Gaju would be postponed by that much.'

Moreover, the opponent is not only Shin Dongbu.

Among them, there are forces that are trying to gain advantage by secretly joining the rebellion in the East.

'It must be the South.'

It was the Confederacy that proposed the competition.

Was this the plan from the beginning?

Perhaps they had been working behind the scenes to deal with the great lords for a long time, and then it even led to a competitive war.

anyway.

“Do you need more time to think about it? I’d like to get an answer today, if possible.”

Sedon urges.

Naturally, Liam, Cain, Junia, and Isabella had no intention of accepting his offer.

However, the matter felt too important to make a decision right away without any special meeting.

The second hand moves without stopping.

It was no one here who broke the silence.

Boom!

The entrance to the conference room opened.

Two doors, pushed back by an invisible force, slammed into the wall.

“I heard that today they are only announcing the results of the competitive battle in front of each force.”

The shadows were long.

“The atmosphere is not good.”

Verden, the de facto summit of the North, arrived at the conference hall in Medillon.

* * *

"divinity……?"

Everyone's eyes were focused on one place.

There were looks of shock, bewilderment, and joy.

Thud, thud.

Verden walked slowly and exchanged leisurely glances with Isabella, Junia, and Cain.

“Lord Asher……!”

“Sit down.”

Verden gently pushed Liam's shoulder as he tried to stand up and made him sit back down on his chair. The chair in the corner flew over, drawn by <telekinesis>.

dump.

Verden, who had taken his seat at the northern table, looked around the room. Then he asked Liam, who was sitting next to him, quietly.

“What's going on?”

“Yes, so…….”

Liam explained the situation surprisingly fluently, even to himself.

Rebellion in the East.

New Eastern Demands.

Verden, who had been listening quietly, stared at Seden.

“I bet you didn’t think we would accept such a proposal.”

“…….”

“Of course you brought other suggestions, right?”

Silence fell.

Gideon, who had been watching the situation with bated breath like a snake hiding in the bushes, wiggled his fingers.

'Divine intervention has already been assumed.'

The result doesn't change anyway.

This matter involves not only the Confederacy, but also powerful forces such as the Volcano Island Tower and the Larian Tower.

Besides, it wasn't that broker. No matter how the divine appeared, there was no way the plan would fail.

But there was one thing Gideon overlooked.

"I am……."

Se-don took his dry lips off.

"therefore……."

Sedun───Real name: Sedun Broden.

A true powerhouse who was once an adventurer and lived at the bottom of the Obsidian class.

Although he has been living as a broker since retiring over a decade ago, everything he has experienced so far is still etched in his senses.

Having traveled the world and seen and felt many 'beings' up close, Serloh is proud to say that he has never wasted time.

To put it positively, he had an excellent ability to detect danger because he had crossed the line of fire, and to put it negatively, he was very perceptive, to the point where he could even notice things he didn't necessarily want to know.

This was the price of the night.

Cold sweat forms on the tip of my chin.

Serlo, his face stiff and his hands shaking slightly, declared.

“The offer is as if it never happened.”

“Then how will the North judge…….”

Shoulders that stopped.

“……????”

Gideon's eyes, which had been active behind the scenes during the competition, grew wide as if they were going to tear.