Chapter 128:  Say Something That Makes Sense

At that moment, everyone in the conference room stared intently at Hardin.

Hardin shrugged and answered.

"The knights have all advanced by a rank. The 1-star ones became 2-star, and the 2-star ones moved up to 3-star."

"……."

As silence fell over the room,

Viscount Cobalt cleared his throat a few times before finally opening his mouth.

"Hardin, there’s no need to exaggerate the results."

"Sorry?"

"This meeting is also meant to prepare for the upcoming battle. We need a cool-headed, objective report so we can respond properly moving forward. So leave out the exaggeration and speak honestly."

Hardin responded with a puzzled expression, as if asking what he was talking about.

"I’m being honest though?"

"Hm?"

"Our knights can go toe-to-toe with Tread’s knights now… No, honestly, I think they’d even do better."

Hardin said it with a calm expression.

‘This guy again…’

Malion, who had been quietly listening, let out a sigh and shook his head.

"Say something that makes sense, brother. The knights of the Count of Tread’s house… they’re all at least 2-star knights. Are you really saying all our knights have advanced in level during that time?"

"Yeah, that’s right."

"Sorry?"

"I’m saying they all actually advanced. In the meantime."

"……."

For a moment, the atmosphere in the conference room turned icy as everyone narrowed their eyes at Hardin.

‘This is even more absurd than the ironclad ships.’

‘You really ought to say something that makes sense.’

Raising the rank of a knight.

It sounded simple enough, but it was far from easy.

The average knights or mana users of the Fabian Empire—

Six or seven out of ten would spend their entire lives at the level of 1-star or 2-star knights.

Unless they were geniuses… or had access to some exceptional secret manual or elixir, it would take a lifetime of excruciating effort just to move up a rank or two, if that.

And yet Hardin was saying that the knights had advanced in just over a month?

If it were that easy, then even Cobalt… or the former commander, Mulgybson, would have long become 3-star or 4-star knights and been leading the Fabian Empire.

Malion scratched his forehead and let out a deep sigh.

"Haaa… Brother, come on…"

"What? I’m telling the truth. If you don’t believe me, go check for yourself."

"Fine. Let’s just say you’re right."

"I’m telling you, it’s real."

Hardin spoke with a tone of injustice.

Malion waved him off with a snort.

"Sure, sure. That’s going to help a lot. Really."

"…Think whatever you want."

It’s not like he was talking about 4-star or 5-star knights.

At most, he said 1-star or 2-star knights advanced by one rank—was that really so unbelievable?

Hardin had a mountain of things he wanted to say but just exhaled deeply through his nose and shook his head.

And then—

Bang!

"Lord! Young Master!"

Suddenly, the conference room door burst open and Gadolph rushed in, his face flushed red.

"What is it?"

All eyes turned to him, and Cobalt asked.

"T-The Count of Tread’s house has sent someone!"

In that instant,

Tension swept across everyone’s face.

---

A short while later, in the audience chamber of the Daphne Viscounty Estate.

A young retainer from the Count of Tread’s house stood straight-backed, flanked by three escort knights, facing Cobalt.

"Greetings, Viscount Cobalt. I am Rohim, an administrator of the Count of Tread’s household."

He greeted them with a confident smile.

He seemed overly excited—and understandably so.

– You’ll be going as our envoy this time.

– Me, sir? But I…

– The steward told me about you. Said you’re quite capable. I expect you to show just how capable you are this time.

This mission had come directly from Count Vernian himself.

Among the administrators of Tread, Rohim was the youngest, and to be entrusted with such an important task—his pride was practically bursting.

But in contrast to Rohim’s swelling confidence, the faces of the Daphne retainers were turning sour.

‘So it’s come to this.’

‘Damn it, they really…’

Even Cobalt, seated in the audience chamber, and the retainers standing at his side, wore expressions of discomfort.

That arrogant look on the young man’s face made it all too clear what he’d come here for.

Of course, there was one person who felt something else entirely.

‘This little punk thinks he’s safe enough to act cocky?’

Hardin glared at Rohim and his escorts, his face already twisted in a scowl.

At that moment, Cobalt hid his thoughts and opened the conversation.

"Welcome, Administrator Rohim. So then… what brings you here?"

"Yes, I’ve come to deliver a message from Count Vernian."

"A message?"

"Rather than wasting time with words… it would be best for you to see it yourself."

Sssshk.

The administrator pulled a piece of parchment from his inner coat and nodded.

A knight beside him accepted it, approached one of Daphne’s retainers, and handed it over… which was then delivered to Cobalt’s hands.

Cobalt unfolded it and began reading slowly, while Malion, standing behind him with his hands clasped behind his back, peeked at it from the side.

…Over the recent period, due to the tyranny of the Daphne Viscounty, our house has suffered significant damages across various areas.

These damages are as follows:

First, constructing a trading port without our consultation caused us to lose numerous clients, resulting in immense financial loss.

Second, attacking our warship anchored off Mudside and causing it to run aground led to damages equivalent to five warships.

Accordingly, we hereby demand the following compensation measures be enacted immediately.

– 20 million gold, or equivalent assets.

– The unconditional shutdown of the Mudside port.

If both demands are not fully met within ten days, we will consider it a deliberate infliction of harm against the House of Tread. To protect the property, rights, and honor of our house, we will not hesitate to take military action in response.

– Count Vernian of Tread –

The moment they finished reading the letter, both Cobalt and Malion’s faces twisted simultaneously.

‘What sort of absurdity is this…?’

‘They’re blaming us for their ship running aground?’

Viscount Cobalt, still holding the letter, trembled slightly, then lifted his head and stared with intense focus as he spoke.

"Rohim… you said you’re an administrator?"

"Yes, Viscount."

"I’ve read the letter, but I must say… the contents are rather difficult to accept."

"Well now, what part exactly?"

Rohim played dumb with a sly smile, and Cobalt pressed his fingers hard into his brow before continuing.

"You say the House of Tread suffered losses due to the opening of Mudside’s port… I’ll grant that. But how is it our fault that your ship ran aground? We were the ones harmed by your sea blockade, and we didn’t run your ship aground either."

"Hmmm, well, I wouldn’t know. I’m just a mere administrator—I don’t have all the details."

"You came as an envoy for something this serious and don’t even understand the details? This is a grave matter, so answer properly."

Cobalt’s expression contorted even more, his tone rising.

Of course, the Count of Tread knew that it was Hardin’s doing that caused the ship to run aground.

But writing such a claim in an official letter without evidence was something entirely different.

Besides—

‘They were the ones who started an unreasonable blockade at sea… wasn’t that what triggered all this in the first place?’

It was a textbook case of the guilty party acting outraged.

At that, Rohim stroked his chin briefly, then deepened his sinister smile and replied.

"Well, what does any of that matter? Our Lord has made his judgment."

"What?"

"You know as well as anyone, don’t you? Our house is Tread… and this place is just Daphne."

In that moment,

Everyone from Daphne standing in the audience chamber could no longer hide their fury.

‘That insolent bastard…!’

‘And he calls that a diplomatic statement?’

Everyone ground their teeth and clenched their fists tightly.

If they had it their way, they would’ve beaten him senseless and hung him upside down on the spot.

However… not a single person dared act on it.

‘We mustn’t provoke Tread further.’

‘…Or this could escalate into a full-scale territorial war.’

The fight the Count of Tread’s house was about to provoke would not be a full-scale territorial war.

Even starting a war over such a petty justification would bring considerable political backlash.

And even if they were to win, the distance between the territories of Daphne and Tread was far too great, making it practically impossible to maintain control.

Taking all of these factors into account, the answer to what they should do now was obvious.

For victory’s sake—

And to defend the port—

Everyone had no choice but to grit their teeth and swallow their fury.

Of course, Rohim understood these circumstances all too well.

‘What could lowly worms like you possibly do in the face of the name of the Count of Tread?’

Whether they shoved a baseless document in their faces, or had a mere administrator acting arrogant before a Lord—

Unless those fools had lost all reason, they couldn’t do a single thing about it.

That strange atmosphere lingered in the chamber—until it was abruptly shattered.

"The hell kind of tone is that?"

"Huh?"

"Uh…?"

All eyes turned at once toward the sudden voice that broke the silence.

Unsurprisingly,

It was Hardin, scowling fiercely, pointing his finger at Administrator Rohim.

"H-Hardin?"

"……."

W-What now!?

Everyone from Daphne wore awkward expressions.

"What… did you just say?"

Administrator Rohim furrowed his brow and lowered his voice menacingly.

Hardin snorted sharply and began walking toward him, slow and deliberate.

"Step back."

Tadat!

The knights beside Rohim quickly stepped in front of him, drawing their swords.

Uuuuuuuung!

A fierce blue glow surged around their blades.

Weapon Enchant.

That meant they were all at least 2-star knights.

"Brother! What are you doing?!"

"Ah, don’t worry. I’m not gonna cause trouble, so relax."

Hardin brushed off Malion’s hand that tried to hold him back and kept walking forward.

Just a few steps away from Rohim,

Hardin crossed his arms and spoke in a clearly mocking tone.

"Vurdian or Vernian or whatever—just because that bastard yaps something, we’re supposed to just go along with it?"

Everyone from Daphne had their mouths agape.

‘Is this lunatic… actually serious right now?’

Rohim twitched an eyebrow in disbelief, then scoffed and replied.

"…Well, of course we do."

"What?"

"I believe I made it clear. We are the Count of Tread’s house… and this place is Daphne. Isn’t it only natural that weak insects obey the strong?"

"Oh, so we’re insects. And you’re the strong ones? So no matter what kind of nonsense you spout, we should just shut up and take it?"

"H-Hardin!"

Cobalt tried to stop him, but Hardin simply waved him off.

Rohim, seeing this, curled one corner of his mouth as high as he could and continued speaking.

"Well, you understand perfectly. You're clinging to your pride because you don’t know any better, but if our Lord so much as wishes it, a house like yours…"

At that moment—

Wham!

"Guhaaaah!"

Hardin’s fist slammed into the face of one of the knights from the Count of Tread’s house, who had been standing between him and Rohim.

The knight’s body was flung backward, crashing into Administrator Rohim and collapsing to the floor.

"Y-You maniac!"

"What do you think you’re doing?!"

As the other Tread knights tried to draw their swords and charge—

Wham!

"Urgh!"

Thwack!

"Grgh!"

Hardin effortlessly dodged their strikes and landed a clean punch on each of their jaws.

The Tread knights dropped like sacks of potatoes, curling up on the floor and shivering in pain.

‘W-What the hell is this…?’

Rohim, sprawled on the ground, had eyes wide like lanterns.

Both of those knights had been at least 2-star Beginner-level combatants.

And yet… with just two punches, Hardin had taken them both out cold.

‘Was it a lucky hit? Or maybe…’

Rohim’s face flushed with rage as he shouted.

"Wh-What do you think you’re doing?! Do you think you’ll get away with this?!"

"Get away with it?"

Step. Step.

Hardin began walking toward him again.

Then—

Crunch! Craaaack!

"Aaaaaaagh!"

He stomped on the hands and elbows of the knights rolling on the floor.

The screams that poured out were so piercing they made your heart race.

Hardin looked at Rohim again and said,

"And what about you? Did you think you’d get away with all this?"

His face was expressionless, but there was unmistakable fury in his voice.

Rohim’s eyes trembled violently.

Hardin took another step.

Then—

"Uwaaaah!"

One of the knights who had collapsed beside Rohim suddenly sprang up with a roar and thrust his sword forward.

Crack!

"Aagh!"

Hardin kicked the knight’s wrist, twisting it backward with a brutal snap.

The sword flew from the knight’s hand…

Whoosh! Thud!

It sliced past Rohim’s cheek and embedded itself in the door behind him.

Sliiiiide!

Blood trickled down from Rohim’s cheek.

"Eeeeeeek!"

Terrified, Rohim began crawling backward on all fours, his entire body trembling.

But Hardin caught up in just a few quick steps… and grabbed him by the collar, lifting him into the air.

"Eeeek! L-Let go! I said let go of me!"

"Calm down."

As the man squirmed, Hardin opened his palm.

And then…

Smack!

He slapped Rohim’s cheek hard and said,

"I said, calm down."

"……."

Rohim stopped his frantic flailing and looked at Hardin with a face swollen like a bruised fruit.

Hardin’s face was calm, even smiling lightly, full of composure.

But somehow, beyond that smile, Rohim sensed a sharp, demonic presence. His breath caught in his throat.

"Why are you doing this…? Why…?"

As Rohim’s tone shifted into a clearly more respectful one, Hardin let out another sigh—

Smack!

"Urgh!"

—And slapped him again.

"This isn’t the time to be asking questions, is it?"

"What do you…"

Smack! Smack!

How many times had Hardin’s palm struck now?

Rohim, face swollen like a ball, eyes streaming tears, finally broke down.

"I-I'm sorry… I'm sorry! Please… just spare my life, please!"

"Aww, now you’re finally speaking some sense. But here’s the problem."

Hardin wiped the smile clean from his face and spoke coldly.

"I feel like the only way I’ll cool off is if I snap that precious neck of yours."

"…Ah… Ahhh…"

Overwhelmed by terror, Rohim opened his mouth silently, unable to form words.

Just then—

"Hardin! Stop!"

"Brother, if you go any further… this will blow up!"

The urgent voices of Cobalt and Malion called out from behind him.

Hardin snorted and turned his head back slightly.

"Ahaha. I’m kidding, just kidding."

Thud!

He let go of Rohim’s collar, and the administrator crumpled to the floor like a puppet with its strings cut.

Hardin looked down and spoke in a low voice.

"Tell your Lord this loud and clear. If he’s so greedy for someone else’s port… he can quit yapping and come try to take it by force, or whatever else he wants to do."

Rohim nodded his head vigorously without saying a word.

"I’ll give you ten seconds. Get lost."

At Hardin’s declaration, Rohim shouted frantically.

"G-Get up! Now! We’re leaving!"

"Urrgh…"

He kicked his knights repeatedly to rouse them…

Bang!

Then violently shoved the doors open and stormed out of the room.

At last, the room filled with heavy sighs.

"W-What the hell was that…"

"Hoooooo…"

Everyone’s face, except for Hardin’s, was painted in complete shock.

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