Rebirth of the 8th-Circle Mage

Chapter 76: The Second Time For Sure (2)

“What did you say?”

“If you’re planning to give me the same reward as last time, you don’t need to.”

Eisen didn’t have to give a reward; he was doing this purely out of his own goodwill, which was why he felt offended. “You impudent bastard! Who do you think you are to say such a thing?”

Eisen seemed angry enough to punch Henry on the spot. Henry hurried to say, “Respectfully, Count Eisen, I already have enough. However, I desperately want something other than treasures.”

“Something you desperately want? Okay, let’s hear it! What are you hoping for that is better than my favor?”

“My life.”

“...What?”

“I wasn’t sure of it until now. Count Eisen, I’m afraid of Marquis Aubert.”

As Aubert’s name came out of Henry’s mouth, Eisen’s expression changed. “What do you mean?”

“Count Eisen, I killed the bandits the first time because I was only doing my job as a mercenary, but this time, I killed these men even though I knew that they were imperial knights.”

“So? Are you saying that you’re scared because you have killed people that are associated with the imperial palace?”

“Not quite. The person that I’m truly afraid of is Marquis Aubert.”

“Aubert? Why are you afraid of Aubert?”

“I recently heard that someone was investigating me. It’s likely that Marquis Aubert has issued a retaliatory order to take revenge against the person who wiped out the assassins. Although I have done this to help you, Count Eisen, what do you think will happen to me when Aubert finds out about this?”

The investigation part was a lie, but Henry was certain that Aubert would start investigating soon. ‘If I’m unlucky, Aubert will send people to fight me.’?

Henry wasn’t scared of Aubert’s assassins. If he got rid of them, that would be the end of it. However, if he failed to kill Henry, Aubert would most likely try to harm those around him, which would be difficult for Henry to handle by himself.

‘He won’t be satisfied using his own people to threaten the Million Gold Organization, he’ll also use people like Vhant.’

Just thinking about it gave him a headache. Henry needed a strong shield that even Marquis Aubert could not destroy easily. ‘If he finds out that Eisen is behind me, he will target Eisen first.’

When children’s quarrels turned into adult fights, the situation would begin to get out of hand. However, if the adults grew too involved in their fights, they would forget that it was the children that triggered them in the first place. Henry was hoping for this.

Eisen nodded and said, “Hmm, now that you mention it, I guess that is a possibility. Okay! Since you have put in a lot of effort, I will be responsible and protect your life.” Eisen took a golden badge from his shirt and threw it at Henry.

“Count Eisen, this is…?”

“It’s a Shonan badge that symbolizes the Shonan family. Only the head of the family can give it to someone. If you carry that badge with you, they will not be able to harm you, at least not officially.”

Carrying the golden badge meant that you were protected by a head of a Patrician Family. When Henry received something more valuable than he’d been expecting, he smiled slightly. Then, he quickly hid his smile and said, “Thank you so much! However, if he is planning revenge, he will surely send assassins. What should I do in that situation?”

“Assassins? Assassins… Hmm.” Eisen began to display his foolishness again.

Henry said, “Count Eisen, why not use this chance to show your power off to Marquis Aubert?”

“Show off? How so?” Eisen suddenly became interested.

“By provoking him. You now have solid evidence to call another reporting order. You should intentionally leak information to the marquis before calling the order.”

“And then what?”

“The marquis will do everything in his power to prevent you from issuing the reporting order. You can then challenge him to do something about it.”

“Are you telling me to start a territorial war?”

“No. If you start a territorial war, a war will form among the Patrician Families. The others will only point and laugh at you, so you’ll have to make the offer in secret.”

“Are you telling me to fight in secret?”

“That’s right. If an unofficial war breaks out and you lose, which is very unlikely, you can just immediately call the reporting order. And in fact… Marquis Aubert’s family is known for being devious, but they don't hold much power, right? Therefore, you can use this opportunity to show the power that you hold, Count Eisen.”

Eisen clapped in joy. “Okay! That’s a good idea!”

He would issue a challenge that couldn’t be rejected and fight in the area where he had the most confidence. If things didn’t go according to plan, he still held a trump card that would trap his opponent. It was the perfect opportunity for stupid Eisen to show off his power.

Eisen liked Henry’s suggestion so much that he began to look excited. “Hehehe, that damned Aubert, he has always looked at me with a nasty expression. I can use this chance to finally let loose all the resentment I’ve built up.”

“That's right! You can use this chance to show who’s the real boss.”

“You said you’re called Henry, right? It’s impossible for me to like you because you have the same name as the person I hate the most, and I almost didn’t recognize a gem!”

“I’m flattered, my lord.”

“Flattered! I'm Eisen Shonan! I don’t shower praise without reason!”

Henry smiled when he saw that Eisen’s mood had risen to the roof. After Henry let Eisen have his moment, he continued to speak according to his plan, “Could you leave this job to me, Count Eisen?”

“Oh, you want me to trust you with this job?”

“Yes. If you give me a chance, I will do everything from leaking information to starting a battle with Marquis Aubert.”

“Hmm, I’m not doubting your capabilities since you did bring me those damned snake bodies twice in a row, but… Are you confident about the job?”

“If you give me this chance, I won’t embarrass you.”

“Okay! I will leave everything to you, so go and have fun with it!”

“Thank you. Count Eisen!”

Everything had gone as planned. Henry would certainly win Eisen over if he triumphed over Aubert in a few days.

* * *

A few days later, Aubert summoned Salmora to his mansion.

‘What could it be?’?Salmora was nervous. He hadn’t even finished his preparations for Eisen’s assassination and being called out meant that there was something else going on.

As soon as Salmora opened the door and poked his head inside Aubert’s office, a flying ashtray hit his forehead, causing him so much pain that it felt as though his skill had cracked. “Argh!”

The ashtray the Aubert threw was none other than the jade ashtray that Salmora drank from. It left his skin torn and dripping with a considerable amount of blood. However, he couldn't show that he was in pain. Salmora entered the office and bowed. “...You called, my lord?”

“What the fuck have you been doing?”

Salmora’s nervousness doubled since Aubert rarely lost his temper. He had to think hard about what he had done wrong, but couldn’t think of anything other than the previous incident.

Aubert then let out a small sigh and tossed a wrinkled letter at him. “Read this.”

The floor was full of cigarette ashes and butts from the ashtray. Salmora’s blood had also created a little puddle. The letter was dirty now, but Salmora picked it up anyway and started to read it. “This is…?”

The letter was from Count Eisen, and it stated that he had the bodies of the assassin team. He was getting a reporting order ready. The letter was more of a provocation than anything else. Salmora could finally understand why Aubert was so mad. He bowed once again and said, “I apologize, my lord.”

“What the fuck have you been doing? You’ve been living an easy-ass life… The least you can do is not lose to Eisen.”

“...I apologize.”

“If I had known this would happen, I would have selected someone else as the tenth sword.”

Salmora hated hearing this the most. Although he had taken the last seat of the Imperial Ten Swords, it took more than skills to gain the position.

He was fuming, but Salmora knew that if he expressed his rage, his head would join the cigarette ashes on the ground. He had no choice but to bow again and apologize for his incompetence.

“I apologize, Marquis.”

“Do you think I summoned you just to hear you apologize?”

“No, of course not.”

“Go to that bastard Eisen right now. No matter what happens, make sure to bring back those damn bodies. If you don’t, then… sigh…” Aubert picked up a cigarette and lit it.

His cigarette calmed him down a little. In a calmer voice, Aubert said, “A change of plans. We will kill Eisen after we retrieve the bodies of the backup team.”

“...Alright.”

“And if… if you fail me again this time, you’d better prepare yourself. This is your last chance to prove yourself.”

“I will! I will successfully bring the bodies back!”

“Get lost.”

Salmora had no choice but to bite his lips. ‘These fucking bastards…!’?As he left Aubert’s mansion, he couldn’t hold back his anger any longer and punched the closest building next to him.

Bang!

Even though he hadn’t loaded up any aura, a deep dent the size of a fist formed in the wall. It was a prime example of collateral damage.

Salmora returned to the knights’ headquarters, wiping the blood off his forehead.

“Sir, someone asked me to pass you a letter.”

“A letter?”

His secretary handed him a letter and said, “Yes, but… The letter was for you, but the sender didn't provide his name, so we don’t know who it’s from.”

“Who handed you the letter?”

“It was a servant, but he said that he’d picked it up in front of the headquarters.”

“Give it to me, and get some bandages and sanitizer.”

After sending the secretary out, Salmora opened the letter. However, he couldn't help getting angrier after reading it. “Eisen, you fucking bastard…!”

The letter had been sent by none other than Henry.