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HELHEIM SCANS
[Translator - Peptobismol]
[Proofreader - Demon God]
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Chapter 128 - A Slap for Every Penny Found (10)
The ground cracked slightly under the nameless swordsman's feet, indicating the immense weight he carried.
It could have been due to his massive frame or the giant sword still resting on his shoulder.
The swordsman slowly stood up, lowering the greatsword at an angle. The description of it being "the size of a person" was no exaggeration; it was so huge that it looked more like a steel pillar than a sword.
"Where do you think you’re going?"
The nameless swordsman finally spoke.
"There is no paradise to be found in escape."
"Fire."
Orendi’s attack spell hit the nameless swordsman directly.
It was at close range, and the spell landed accurately, prompting cheers from the mercenaries.
"No matter how tough you are, a magic blast evens the playing field!"
But Hindrasta didn’t celebrate and shouted back.
"Quiet down, everyone! It’s not over!"
As the dust from the explosion began to clear, the nameless swordsman reappeared, holding his greatsword in front of him like a shield.
"What the hell is that guy?!"
"He took a direct hit from magic and he’s still fine!"
"There is no paradise to be found in escape."
The swordsman finished his sentence, as if the attack hadn’t interrupted him at all.
The nameless swordsman rested the greatsword back on his shoulder and calmly scanned us without much expression.
He was tall, draped in a worn black cloak. His hair was cut short, and his face had no scars, which was unusual for a seasoned warrior.
I studied him closely, but he wasn’t familiar, nor had I heard of anyone with a similar appearance. It was odd, considering how unique he looked.
Most people would’ve been seriously injured from a fall from that height, but he was fine. Magic didn’t faze him, and that absurdly massive sword—how much strength would it take to wield it so effortlessly?
Whatever the case, he looked extremely dangerous, and the fact that he was blocking our escape was the biggest problem right now.
"Did you bring the ransom? I know the terms were confirmed and delivered. But…."
The nameless swordsman’s eyes shifted to Scala and Hindrasta.
"Judging by how things are, that doesn’t seem to be the case."
"Damn it, you piece of—!"
Hindrasta interrupted him, stepping forward.
"So what? Stop blocking the path and either fight or get out of the way! We don’t have time to listen to your crap!"
"You are not human, are you?"
The swordsman eyed Hindrasta with curiosity.
"You appear human, but there’s clearly something else inside."
"What? How the hell do you know that?"
"I’ve been watching from above. Is it normal for a young human girl to throw full-grown men like they’re pebbles? I’d like to see for myself."
The nameless swordsman raised his greatsword, drawing it closer to him.
"Let’s find out what’s really inside."
"This isn’t going to work."
Hindrasta said, picking up a spear from the ground.
"He’s not going to listen. Can I kill him?"
"Hmm, well…."
Should we consider rescuing prisoners from a territorial conflict by force a crime, or just an extension of the battle?
Is capturing prisoners in a territorial war legal or illegal?
It’s definitely legal. Sure, mercenaries are irregular forces that don’t always get POW status, but that’s more of a wartime issue.
When it comes to conflicts between territories outside the Empire’s jurisdiction, it’s all up to the whims of the local lords.
And according to the mercenary leader, this guy isn’t even officially affiliated; he’s just a wandering mercenary....
That means there shouldn’t be any major problems.
This is just a fight between mercenaries. It just so happens to be taking place at the lord’s castle.
We did break a couple of doors, but that’s something we can compensate for later if needed, and so far, no one’s been seriously hurt.
"Kill him."
With a spear in hand, Hindrasta charged forward.
At the same time, the nameless swordsman twisted his body and swung his greatsword with tremendous force.
As Hindrasta thrust her spear, the swordsman’s massive weapon sliced through the air, causing everyone—mercenaries and guards alike—to flinch and shrink back.
It was a truly immense display of power.
As the greatsword swept in, Hindrasta planted the spear into the ground, using it like a pole vault to launch herself into the air.
The spear broke in half as it collided with the greatsword, but Hindrasta somersaulted and landed on the swordsman’s shoulder.
"Haah!"
Everyone watching gasped at her nimble maneuver.
"Die, die, die!"
Wrapping her legs around the swordsman’s neck, Hindrasta began pummeling his head with her fists.
"He can’t withstand that."
"Sophie’s always been better with her fists than any weapon."
Seeing her fists slam into the swordsman’s head and face, the mercenaries talked as if the fight was already over.
If a polymorphed dragon were beating on you like that, it would usually mean your skull was about to be crushed.
"This is weird."
Scala said, watching the scene.
"Why isn’t he going down…?"
Despite taking blow after blow, the nameless swordsman didn’t collapse; he didn’t even flinch.
"Sophie, get back!"
Scala shouted as she saw the swordsman’s hand begin to rise.
Hindrasta noticed the hand reaching for her and tried to leap away, but she was too late.
The hand moved like a serpent, separate from the rest of the body, and grabbed Hindrasta’s arm tightly.
"Gah!"
Her arm turned white under the intense pressure, and Hindrasta gritted her teeth, groaning.
She tried to break free, but the swordsman’s grip was unyielding.
"Sophie!"
The swordsman yanked Hindrasta off his shoulder and slammed her into the ground as Scala rushed forward.
"Watch out, Scala!"
The mercenaries, clutching makeshift weapons and broken spears, charged in behind her.
"Uraaaaagh!"
But they were swept away by the shockwave as the nameless swordsman swung his greatsword, scattering them across the ground.
He didn’t even hit them directly; the force alone knocked them down.
Overpowering a polymorphed dragon with sheer strength… that guy… he can’t be human.
"There is no paradise to be found in escape."
The swordsman said, lowering his greatsword.
"I made my position clear. I would release the prisoners if the ransom was paid. But instead, you resort to these rude methods. I cannot continue to respond politely or rationally."
As he lifted his greatsword again, the nameless swordsman looked down at the groaning figures strewn around him.
"Ahh! Head Professor! What do we do?! Even magic doesn’t work on him!"
Orendi’s panicked voice rang out as he ducked behind me.
I had thought that someone with extraordinary strength could be handled by Hindrasta, but it seemed I’d have to step in.
If my guess is right, this guy isn’t human. I’ll have to take him down and find out who he really is later.
"Uh, excuse me!"
Just then, someone called out to me from behind.
I turned to see a slightly plump man, sweating profusely.
From his richly adorned clothing, trimmed with gold, I guessed he was the lord of the castle.
Several others stood behind him, probably the castle’s retainers.
"I have a word to say! You look like mercenaries too, don’t you?"
"Technically, no. But what is it?"
"Please, do something about that lunatic!"
The lord jabbed a finger toward the nameless swordsman, almost spitting as he spoke.
"That bastard is ruining my entire estate! Please, I beg you—kill him or drive him out!"
"Wait, wasn’t he a mercenary you hired?"
"Yes! I hired him, but only for the territorial conflict! After it ended, he captured a bunch of prisoners on his own and holed up in the castle’s dungeon, refusing to leave!"
The lord’s complaints poured out like a dam bursting. I could barely keep up, but here’s the gist:
During preparations for the territorial conflict, this guy showed up. The lord, impressed by his skills, hired him under generous terms.
As expected, he performed exceptionally in the war, and the lord was pleased, paying him and ending the contract successfully.
But the nameless swordsman didn’t leave. Instead, he captured a bunch of prisoners, locked them up in the castle’s dungeon, and decided to stay.
He said he’d leave only after the ransom was paid, and whenever the lord protested, the swordsman would intimidate him with displays of strength, so he couldn’t be forced out.
The lord wanted to release the prisoners when we arrived, but the swordsman interfered, even deploying guards to gauge our strength.
"So, taking the mercenaries as prisoners was his decision alone?"
"Of course! There’s no profit in taking mercenaries as hostages! During a territorial conflict, mercenaries get paid regardless of the outcome! If word gets out that we’re capturing them, no one will want to work for us!"
The lord’s tone was bitter and resentful.
"So please, help me! I’m willing to pay if you can get him out of the castle!"
Well, well.
I was already planning to deal with that guy, and now the lord is even offering to pay for it? This is a great opportunity.
"Alright, then. How about you pay us the amount he’s asking for the ransom as our fee?"
"Wh-what…?"
The lord looked taken aback, clearly not expecting that.
"So, you’ll cover the ransom instead. It shouldn’t be too difficult, right? After all, you won the territorial conflict and must have taken plenty of spoils. You probably received a hefty compensation as well."
"Hmm…."
The lord glanced nervously at the nameless swordsman.
"There is no paradise to be found in escape."
"Ugh! Not this nonsense again!"
The nameless swordsman repeated his strange phrase once more, causing the lord to shout in frustration.
"Fine! I’ll pay! I’d do anything just to stop hearing that phrase again!"
"It’s a deal."
With the agreement confirmed, I stepped forward.
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HELHEIM SCANS
[Translator - Peptobismol]
[Proofreader - Demon God]
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