Chapter 30 - Berserkers’ Gathering (1/2)

I remember it was Alhart who first complained that it was a troublesome ‘plan’.

It was certainly troublesome.

Rain thinks he wasn’t the only one who agreed with it.

“Why’re we goin’ in such a roundabout way?”

Rain asked the question while the plan was being prepared steadily behind the scenes, during the time when the members of the Two-Name Holders gathered at the guild branch.

“Ah, I thought so too.”

The one who followed up with a response was Alhart, who lazily leaned with his upper body over the table as if he found the situation truly troublesome.

“Why are we going out of our way to lend power to 2 countries? If we’re setting up a war, isn’t it better to just lend our resources to Rulan Kingdom and take Rideiran Kingdom after destroying it? Even the Saintess can be captured during the confusion in the battle. Then, we can just as easily have her purify the tainted lands for us. In the first place, even if we don’t set up a war, we can easily capture 1 or 2 countries if we felt like it.”

It was an extremely honest opinion.

It was a fact, not an overestimation.

In capturing 2 countries, their usual way of dealing with it was usually through directly challenging their opponents instead of expressly scheming behind the scenes.

However, the plan this time was to operate behind the scenes and to revisit the KO-counter just before the end of it all.

If this plan succeeds, the damage to both countries will be great. Especially, Rideiran Kingdom, who will be rattled as they suffer attacks from demons on the inside and from the neighboring countries on the outside, and be shown further hell right after their country is lost…… particularly for the Royal Family and those who follow them, it is no exaggeration to say that they would be driven to the edge of despair.

The same applies to Rulan Kingdom, who has wanted to acquire their neighboring country for a long time, whose allies will turn their fangs on them after working together.

And then, they, The Dipterous Sword, will avenge their scorned comrade, and in addition, obtain their own country.

However, if it slips, then it will be just that.

“Certainly, I don’t like that Syl-san was hurt either. ‘M so angry, I wanna kill those guys too. ‘F ya want revenge, then I’ll lend you a hand. However, it’s a plan that takes such a long time to work on, and people who din’t wanna help will help, but isn’t exacting “revenge” against Rideiran Kingdom through the guild and obtaining a new guild “headquarters” a lil’ too lacking?”

Clarina laughed loudly at Rain’s dissatisfied comment.

“Ahahahaha!! Certainly. But Rain-kun, think deeper. It’s as Al-kun said. Even if we didn’t go through the effort of doing such a troublesome thing, we can easily carry off 1 or 2 Saintesses in the confusion, destroy both countries, force the Saintess to purify the tainted lands, and from there, build our headquarters anywhere we wish. However, Jin-sama’s plan is to lend a hand to both sides, guiding them to a desired end while scheming behind their backs, finally betraying their expectations at the end, and building our headquarters in a strategic location. I’m sure everyone, including me, thinks that this plan takes such a long time. Rather, I think everyone has thought of it at least once, no?”

Clarina nods, as she teared up from laughing too much.

“But… But!!! Won’t it be boring if we just destroy the people who hurt and mocked Sylti?? In that case, then, it’s better to pile despair with more despair, humiliate them, and show them a living hell that would make them think death would be better! Those people hurt Sylti. Even that isn’t enough. That’s why, even after everything ends, each time we look at the new headquarters, we will remember. The humiliation we received. Complete defeat. Fear of the strong. Hopeless despair. For eternity, until death, as many times as we want. It’s easy to destroy. But that’s not enough. Not enough at all. Our comrade was hurt. They can’t just die easily. They have to live and continue suffering.”

It was definitely insane.

Crazy. Broken. Abnormal.

However, even if they understood it with an “ahh, I get it now”, it was still strange.

“That’s what I thought. Err, suspected.”

Rain speaks to the man in front of him.

Golden hair and lilac-colored eyes. The man, who shares the same coloring as Syltina, was called Zeld Balratona.

“Actually, issit us who are strange? Or issit the world that’s strange? …… Hey, what d’ya think? Syl-san’s ex-oniisama*?”

“……”

“Ya look like ya dun’ understand why I’m ‘ere. Y’okay?”

“……Why,”

“Yes?”

“Why is someone from The Dipterous Sword here!? Also, revenge? For such traitors……”

“Heeh, comin’ from ya? That’s funny. Haven’t ya heard from Galdt-san?”

“…… Father… knows about this?”

“He knows, and yet…… Y’really haven’t heard, huh. What’s he doin’, that Galdt-san…”

Thinking how truly troublesome it is, Rain exhaled and looked at the man in front of him.

Rain started to grow dark emotions towards the man.

“You bein’ here must mean Galdt-san’s already forgiven you and yer brother, but unfortunately, I don’t intend to forgive ya.”

“What?”

“2 years ago, ya betrayed someone ya shouldn’t’ve betrayed. Ya hurt someone ya shouldn’t’ve hurt. Just cuz’ yer dad’s our ally doesn’t make us your allies. Fer us, Galdt-san is an ally, that’s why we’re also Galdt-san’s allies, but don’t ever forget that we’re not your ally.”

“……”

Ahhh, I want to strangle him right away.

Such are my feelings for someone who’d betrayed my comrade. That’s it. That’s just how it is.

“Well, Galdt-san says it’s about time he sent ya here, so from now on it seems we can use you, too. I’m pretty much here ta explain things to ya.”

“……Wait, are you maybe telling me to carry your palanquin**?”

“A palanquin? Impossible! There’s no such thing!!”

Rain fervently shakes his head as the corners of his mouth lift into a smile.

“This isn’t a place for palanquins. You…… Galdt Balratona and the previous Duke Balratonas, have been working with us, The Dipterous Sword, for some time now.”

“Eh?”

“The only ones who dunno about it are you and yer brother. Din’t ya find it strange? 2 years ago, why was Galdt-san silently watching as his daughter was charged with a crime that was only based on the Prince’s and the Saintess’ accusations and not enough evidence?”

“……”

“From that time on…… I’d say, but things have already started moving under the surface for quite some time now. And, then, it all surfaced 2 years ago. Ev’rythin’ started speedin’ up with Syl-san’s expulsion from the country. I really din’t notice it. The next prime minister’ll be shocked when he hears it. Well, s’not like you’ll become one anyway.”

At that point in the conversation, horses’ neighs could be heard from several kilometers away.

“Oh, looks like the next guy’s arrived. They’ll give you all the details, so just sit tight o’er there.”

“Wait a minute! So soon–”