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There was no helping it. Although the conversation had ended peacefully, they’d been fighting to the death just a few hours ago.

Naturally, this included the leaders of the group—Marquis Foltaine, Narakas, and Krong.

Then suddenly,

“Hey! The captain and His Highness are returning!”

“……!”

Good news arrived. Everyone’s attention instinctively turned to one spot.

“……Looks like the talk went well.”

Marquis Foltaine was the first to crack a smile. Milon looked at him with a puzzled expression.

“How do you know that?”

“Can’t you tell just by looking at their faces?”

“……I can’t.”

“Just look at that smug face. Makes you want to give him a good smack. Clearly, he’s very satisfied with the outcome.”

“……”

Milon was left even more confused by the answer.

‘What the…… Are they really not blood-related?’

Soon, the stars of the show arrived at the scene. Krong, who had been waiting for this moment, quickly stepped forward.

“Your Highness.”

“Huh?”

“If you’d permit it, we of Verdant Vale would like to stay here at Black Swan.”

Even Trevor, standing nearby, widened his eyes at the statement.

“……I can’t say I understand. Aren’t you already living well beyond the border without my permission?”

“We cannot continue imposing on foreign lands forever. We wish to become your first subjects.”

At that moment, Ancelot glanced sideways.

“How about that? Quite a satisfying result, wouldn’t you say?”

Marquis Foltaine, meeting his eyes, smiled and asked.

“You truly are the greatest businessman.”

“It’s too early for that. This was merely a mutually beneficial deal. A kind of ‘win-win’, if you will.”

“Win-win?”

Krong interrupted.

“I’ll explain. The marquis here proposed another condition, that we serve as a sort of bridgehead.”

“A bridgehead……?”

Krong respectfully turned towards Trevor.

“A plan to build a city in this barren wasteland. He suggested we gain the cooperation of the dwarves for this endeavor.”

“……!”

Even Ancelot was quite surprised by this proposal.

‘Building a city in the land of death?’

It wasn’t that he had never considered it. However, using the dwarves to establish the framework was something he had never thought of.

They were such a reclusive race.

‘If it can be done, it would be perfect.’

Ancelot quickly made an intrigued expression. Beyond this canyon was a land filled with non-humans and monsters.

It had its clear cons, but its pros were equally undeniable. A resource-rich area with rare minerals and materials.

An entirely independent territory, without the need to worry about interference from surrounding nations. Even from a geographical standpoint, it was practically a natural fortress.

This was because there was no other way other than this long canyon.

‘And what’s more, the closest territory to the canyon’s entrance is ruled by Count Arsene.’

If Ancelot decided to establish this as a base, it meant even the supply route would be secure.

“However, it’s our captain who has connections with the dwarves…… Ah! Of course, the final decision lies with the Swordsman of Illusions. I’m merely explaining the situation as it stands……”

Krong subtly glanced at Trevor for his reaction. But judging by Trevor’s face, his mind was already made up.

‘It’s a pretty satisfying deal for them as well.’

As long as their safety is guaranteed, wouldn’t Verdant Vale also find this to be the perfect place of refuge?

“It’s settled. Haven’t I already entrusted this matter entirely to you?”

“……Captain……”

“I’ll speak to my dwarven friends. But I can’t guarantee the outcome, so don’t get your hopes up too high.”

Then, in an uncharacteristically humble tone, Marquis Foltaine murmured,

“Our final decision-maker is His Highness.”

“……”

Ancelot got a warm feeling in his chest. Of course, this wasn’t even a matter worth debating from the start.

“We won’t force a specific outcome. That would be too harsh.”

“……!”

Ancelot’s resolve was clear. Finally, Krong, as well as the rest of Verdant Vale, brightened visibly.

“I’ll do my best.”

“Your body isn’t even in the best condition. Don’t overexert yourself.”

“……”

Trevor quietly observed Ancelot.

“Forgive my boldness…… but I have a request for Your Highness.”

“What is it?”

Ancelot responded politely, given the crowd present.

“These people gathered here, they all admire me—or more accurately, the Swordsman of Illusions.”

There was a trace of bitterness in Trevor’s expression.

“But in my current state, I can no longer give them hope. It’s a shameful thing to admit, but……”

“Hm, so?”

“I ask of you. Now that we are like family, could you help shape these ragtag bunch into proper people?”

At this point, Trevor didn’t care about Ancelot’s age. It was natural, considering the person he served.

The heaven above the heavens.

In Trevor’s eyes, the Great Hero he revered transcended borders and age—and stood taller than any other.

He was sure that treating Ancelot with such respect was the right course of action, given that he possessed talent that was in no way inferior to his own.

“Before that, I have one question.”

“Please go ahead.”

“Not to you.”

Ancelot glanced at Trevor, then turned his gaze to Verdant Vale.

“Do you have any particular reason for wanting to become stronger?”

“……”

At that, the members of Verdant Vale exchanged glances with one another.

“If it’s just to survive, there’s no need for further explanation. After all, there’s no clearer reason than that.”

Krong stepped forward to speak on behalf of the group.

“Most of us in Verdant Vale…… Were forced to leave the places we once called home. Ah, of course, none of us were exiled for committing crimes. We don’t take in that kind of trash to begin with.”

“Go on.”

“We have nobles who narrowly escaped being sold into slavery after their families fell into ruin, framed soldiers, knights who lost their honor due to unjust circumstances, and peasants who fled to avoid starving to death from excessive taxes…… Each of us carries a similar story.”

Naturally, Ancelot’s expression twisted with unease.

“So, you want to reform this unjust society? That’s a dangerous thought.”

“We don’t have such grand dreams.”

“Then?”

Krong smiled bitterly.

“We just want to live like human beings. We long for a world where people like us—victims like us—no longer exist.”

At the same time, Ancelot clicked his tongue softly.

‘So that’s why you only targeted the wicked.’

Among them was probably the eldest son of Marquis Foltaine.

“That is the ultimate dream of Verdant Vale. To live a proper life. For that, we want to become stronger. And……”

Krong glanced over at Trevor again.

“……And to the benefactor who made it possible for us to have such a dream—we want to return that dream to him.”

“……”

After a brief moment of consideration, Ancelot nodded.

“Well, if my subjects grow stronger, it’ll make me stronger too.”

“……!”

Krong’s eyes widened. The meaning behind Ancelot’s words was clear.

“Wooooaaaaaah!”

Overcome with joy, the members of Verdant Vale burst into cheers, their voices loud enough to tear through the air.

No, more than that—

“H-Hey! What are you doing?!”

Suddenly, they rushed forward, lifting Ancelot high into the air.

“That dual sword technique earlier was super amazing! You’re the hope of us wandering souls!”

“Thank you, my lord! For helping us continue to dream!”

“You’re our new benefactor!”

“Long live the captain! Long live His Highness!”

As he was lifted high into the sky, Ancelot scratched his head.

‘Not a bad feeling.’

Soon, a faint smile crept onto his lips.

More than anything, he couldn’t let his adoptive father’s efforts go to waste. It was clear from the mood.

‘Marquis Foltaine must have decided to let go of his personal grudges for my sake.’

How could he ignore someone who would do such a thing?

‘The plan to establish a base here is brilliant. But……’

As Ancelot soared higher, he furrowed his brow.

‘……I never thought the first step would be as a bandit leader.’

If he had to give this journey a title, it might be something like, ‘Once a Prince, Now a Bandit Leader!’

Meanwhile, inside the royal palace of the Hart Kingdom.

Fwoosh!

The candlelight flickered, deep into the night. At the same time, Count Kaiman, who had been quietly reading, adjusted his glasses.

“Count, it seems the Mask of Night has betrayed us.”

He slowly looked up from his book and smirked.

“Betrayed?”

“They’re making excuses, saying they lost track of them in Death Valley, but……”

“The timing is suspicious, isn’t it? Right as the prince and their leader arrived.”

“……Yes.”

Clap!

Count Kaiman closed his book, his smile deepening.

“Interesting. I didn’t expect the guild master’s control over his organization to be that strong. Have I underestimated him?”

After a moment of thought, he shook his head.

“……No, that’s unlikely. If he had that much power, he would’ve taken full control by now.”

“……”

“It’s better to see for yourself than hear a hundred times. ‘The prince is simply too capable’—that’s a much more reasonable explanation.”

With that, Count Kaiman rose from his seat.

“Seventh Prince of the Meeke Principality, and heir to the Great Hero, Andrew von Meeke……”

“Shouldn’t we inform His Majesty soon?”

“……No, not yet.”

Count Kaiman’s voice was firm.

“There’s no need to stir up the Empire with uncertain information. I’ll handle this.”

“As you command.”

“Anyway, since Plan A has failed, we’ll need to prepare Plan B immediately, right?”

Count Kaiman’s eyes curved into a sly smile. Before him, ten figures in black robes knelt, having appeared without a sound.

“We’ve been far too quiet for far too long.”

“……”

“If we return empty-handed after the prince’s activities…… How will others view the Empire? We’ve always held our heads high, and now we’re being chased out of some backwater country.”

Count Kaiman shook his head in disbelief.

“That won’t do.”

“Just give us the order.”

“Hmmm…… What to do……”

Under the moonlight, a chilling grin spread across Count Kaiman’s handsome face.

“Whether we leave or stay depends on the will of the host……”

In a monotone voice, he continued,

“……Shall we set an example and kill the mother of this country first?”

***