Chapter 182

Chapter 182

***

Hiding behind his subordinates to save his own life was truly an unsightly behavior for a leader, but Randel's subordinates didn't feel disappointed or hurt.

Because they all knew that he was, so to speak, a loser.

Whether that could act as a charm was unknown, but from the beginning, his subordinates had no expectations of Randel when it came to his character.

Randel had excellent judgment and execution, and he himself was strong enough to have been called one of the Empire's 9 Swords in the past. If he obtained something, he always shared it equally with his subordinates, and he was very affectionate.

Therefore, Randel's subordinates followed him out of human affection, not because they were drawn by any charisma or leadership.

When Rickart fiercely yelled at Randel in front of the castle Gates, one subordinate full of loyalty bravely shouted back.

"Stop bullshitting! If you're the King of Adelorn, I'm the Emperor!"

Everyone was quiet, suppressed by Rickart's momentum, but when one person bravely stepped forward, everyone suddenly turned to look at him. Then they snapped to their senses, quickly realizing that they were inside the safety of the castle.

"You crazy bastard! Strip it! Try stripping it! Try stripping the skin off! Isn't he a pervert, that guy!"

"So what are you going to do about it!? Huh!? What are you going to do!?"

"Strip your own wife!"

When his subordinates stepped up for him, Randel, being a bit drunk, was even touched, making his eyes tear up.

"You, you guys......"

However, naturally, Rickart was in the opposite position. He just quietly glared at the thugs who killed Count Caldebern as if he wanted to kill them. Leaving personal grudges aside, it was a fact that there was nothing he could did right now, which also made him feel resentful.

"Get lost! You scammer bastard! Do we look like a joke to you!?"

"King of Adelorn my ass! You piece of shit! I'm your dad!"

There was nothing to gain from exchanging more words with guys like that, and since it was better to show them with results than a hundred words, Rickart temporarily turned his horse around.

Then, as if their momentum had revived, the guys brought out crossbows, or threw stones from the top of the castle walls like monkeys. The arrows missed by a wide margin, and the stones only cut through the empty air, failing to reach Rickart who was getting further away.

"Wahahaahaha!"

"Idioooot!"

Mocking sounds could be freely heard behind Rickart's back.

They mocked him for a long time, but as Rickart disappeared again at the end of the road in the distance, their laughter subsided.

Since these people also had some sense, regardless of whether Rickart was the real Rickart or not, they knew that things were not flowing the way they thought.

"I think we're kinda fucked."

"Boss."

The subordinates all turned to look at Randel. With a serious expression, he rolled his eyes around in thought and said,

"Anyway, it's true that the 2nd Prince's people haven't arrived yet, right?"

"Right."

"Even if that guy just now is the real Red Cape Ricky, wouldn't it be difficult for him to make the castle fall?"

"I guess, so?"

"What's he going to do on his own? Am I right?"

Everyone nodded with blank expressions. Then one person raised his hand and said.

"He does have a record of taking down the royal castle of Basque. I heard he killed the king then."

"It's not like the knights are here right now, so what is he going to do all by himself? If he retreats like this, he'll really become a noble killer. Right? Let's hold out until the 2nd Prince's envoy arrives."

"But, hasn't the King of Adelorn crushed the 2nd Prince before?"

"No, fuck! So what is he going to do all by himself! Can't you understand what I'm saying!?"

Randel took his annoyance out on his subordinates who had stepped up for him. And then he quickly turned around and went down the castle wall alone, but the anxiety that had surrounded Count Reinwald while he was alive now wrapped around Randel.

Rickart retreated out of the opponent's line of sight and reached the vicinity of the forest. There were about 20 people in his party who had followed him. The monks of the Michela Sword Monastery, academy students, and people from the Viola Clan.

Each and every one of them was an excellent swordsman, but they didn't have the capacity to lay siege to a castle or carry out military operations.

However, there was someone Rickart had brought along, and just protecting her was doing their job.

"Sister-in-law."

Rickart called out as he got off his horse. Then Eileen, who was resting sitting on a rock next to a tree, turned her head and looked at him. She was wearing a hood, and sweat had formed on her face from coming in such a hurry.

Such a woman was currently the successor to the Count.

Although there were places where a woman succeeding to a title was prohibited, local customs played a stronger role than the law in the succession of a title. Rickart's hometown merely tabooed women's succession, it didn't completely forbid it.

In other words, if Eileen were to inherit the title of Count of Caldebern, it would be an unstable succession in many ways, and what was important at a time like this was the use of force.

After beating the thugs to death and recapturing the castle, if Eileen stayed and Rickart protected her, she would have all the formal legitimacy she needed.

Paolo recommended that Rickart take the title of Count, but Rickart didn't want to did that as it felt too harsh on his sister-in-law.

There were times when matters need to be handled coldly, but there were also times when one must fulfill their human duties.

"How did it go?"

Eileen asked.

"Judging from the atmosphere, it seems to be true. The Count is dead. And your nephew too."

Rickart deliberately didn't beat around the bush and just spoke calmly and clearly.

His sister-in-law Eileen didn't seem to be in great shock. It just seemed like she needed a little time to accept the current situation.

Even though he was her father, they had been living apart for over 10 years, feeling both close and distant. She wasn't that sad, but naturally, there was no reason to be happy either.

"What do I need to do?"

"For now, I think you should calm the residents down. After that, I will definitely beat all the bad guys to death."

"......"

Whether it was because she had heard shocking news, or because she had to bear the burden of the work, she had become less talkative.

Rickart stopped himself from saying words of comfort, and said to the people following him.

"Ten of you guard my sister-in-law's side. The remaining ten will come with me and kill Randel of the Iron Arm and his subordinates. I'll take volunteers."

Then the monks of the Michela Sword Monastery stepped forward first. They were all in their late teens to early twenties. Bori and Ice were not present right now, and Roy was guarding Stormhearts Castle.

Next, the people of the Viola Clan stepped forward, and apart from Blatt, there was no one Rickart knew.

Anyway, about 10 volunteers were selected, and the remaining personnel decided to guard Eileen.

Rickart got on his horse again and headed towards the village below the castle. Then, even though she had lived away for a long time, the villagers immediately recognized Eileen. In their memories, Eileen was a troublemaking girl.

"My Lady!"

"It's the Lady! It's the Lady! The Lady has come!"

Perhaps because it was a society centered on bloodlines, just the fact that Eileen had come seemed to bring great comfort to the people. With some thug-like bastards killing the Count and running amok, it would be a lie to say they weren't anxious.

It was also been a while since Eileen had returned to her hometown, and seeing the people of her hometown, her suppressed emotions burst out and tears streamed down her face.

Then everyone came closer, knelt around Eileen, and sobbed loudly.

In the midst of all this, Rickart riding on a bright red horse was both fearful and, on the other hand, reassuring. Because from the people's perspective, he appeared to be someone Eileen had brought with her.

"I am Rickart, the King of Adelorn. I have come to punish the wicked and establish justice, so rest assured."

They had seen him riding past earlier, but not knowing he was the famous Rickart, the people were greatly surprised with their tear-stained faces.

However, Randel's subordinates were watching all this from the top of the castle walls.

Looking at the state of things, it didn't seem like they would come out of the castle, there weren't enough people to tear down the castle walls by removing the foundation stones, and the terrain made it look difficult to set up something like ladders.

Rickart first took control of public sentiment and the village, and as he was deeply pondering a plan, an unexpected figure stepped forward.

"Is it not the Young Master?"

Wondering who it was and turning around, surprisingly, it was Dr. Reno.

"Oh!?"

Rickart was startled and quickly got off his horse. He was Eileen's tutor when she was young, and the person who guided Rickart to the path of an adventurer. He also helped Rickart when he was poisoned.

"You were alive?"

"......Well, I tried to persuade the Count several times that we shouldn't let them in, but it didn't work in the end. As a person serving my liege, I should rightfully die with him, but as you can see, I am an old body now, and adding one more corpse wouldn't have much meaning, so......"

"No. You did well. You did really well. You don't know how glad and relieved I am to see you alive like this."

"......Thank you for saying that. I don't know what to do with myself."

"And actually, it's a bit awkward to say it's a good thing, but......"

Rickart whispered that he originally intended to kill the Count himself. He wasn't sure if there was a need to say this, but he considered it necessary to accurately convey the situation at hand.

And just as Rickart didn't scold Dr. Reno for surviving alone, Dr. Reno also fully understood Rickart.

Dr. Reno suddenly looked back at Rickart. Seeing the innocent-looking boy from a rural noble family from when he was around 10 years old grow up so majestically and wonderfully made him feel an inexplicable sense of emotion.

As those feelings were conveyed through their eyes, the two naturally embraced each other tightly. Rickart didn't particularly shed tears, and Dr. Reno sniffled.

"A King. A King. To think the Young Master is a King...... It's not only the glory of the family, but the glory of Stormhearts."

"But since I've opened a new royal family now, strictly speaking, it's not the same family."

"I don't think there's a need to say such things."

"That is true."

Exchanging light jokes, smiles finally appeared on the faces of the two.

"I know a secret passage. I will guide you that way. If the King punishes those thugs, my surviving will have some meaning."

It was welcome news to hear. Without delay, Rickart quickly put Dr. Reno in the lead and headed to where the secret passage was.

The entrance to the secret passage was very far from the castle. It was a low forest, and river water flowed. Like most secret passages, it was a path connected through an underground aqueduct.

Rickart thought this was it. And waiting for night to come, he entered the deep underground aqueduct with the 10 volunteers.

Pitch-black darkness filled the area, so everyone held torches, and since it wasn't an independently well-maintained waterway, the water reached their knees, splashing as they walked. But there was no hesitation in their steps.

When they reached the end, terrain that looked like stairs, though not man-made, appeared. The intervals were irregular, and the stones to step on were uneven.

"Watch your step."

Rickart held a torch and took the lead at the very front.

It was just a bit problematic because it was dark, not that dangerous. Anyway, after passing through the pitch-black passage connected to the castle, a ladder appeared, and climbing up, they found themselves in an isolated corner of the food storage within the castle.

Shining the torch here and there and looking around, it was a complete mess. These rotten bastards had been eating recklessly however they pleased.

After waiting for all 10 members of the suicide squad to come up, Rickart checked the personnel and said,

"We take control of the inner keep first. Two people to a room, sweep everything from the 1st floor, and then five people guard the stairs. The rest will follow me and wipe out the upper floors. Kill everyone in sight. Whether it's Randel or Randel's subordinates, a pimp or a whore. Understood?"

Rickart ordered complete death. Perhaps because they lacked experience, it was obvious they were nervous.

But before they could even fully prepare their minds, Rickart opened the storage door. However, it was locked from the outside and wouldn't open.

Rickart thought for a moment, looked back, and firmly reminded the people.

"We have to move fast. Things like techniques aren't needed. Just fast unconditionally. If you think it's not working, run to me. Got it?"

And then he fiercely kicked the door. With a *Bang!* sound, the latch and hinges snapped and broke. At the same time, he swiftly ran towards the inner keep.

There were people who looked out upon hearing the loud noise while wandering outside at night, but regardless of whether they looked or not, everyone just rushed into the inner keep.

Just as Randel and his subordinates had killed the Count and the people in the middle of the night, Rickart also launched a surprise attack in the middle of the night.

Everyone already had their swords drawn in their hands, and as soon as they entered the 1st floor, two people quickly entered each room and killed. Rather than slashing, it was mostly stabbing. Stabbing deeply into those covered in blankets and pulling out, the blades and blankets were heavily stained with blood.

But perhaps because there were few people, and unlike Randel's group, they weren't used to this kind of thing, screams erupted from here and there.

"What! Fuck!"

"You dog-like...!"

"Come on! Come at me!"

There were guys thrashing wildly while bleeding, and those who rushed at them in their pajamas. The operation wasn't that clean.

Rickart quickly made a judgment. Anyway, the 1st floor was roughly cleaned up. If people who heard the screams were flocking in, they were from the upper floors and outside.

So he slammed the inner keep's door shut, locked it, and went up to the upper floors alone. Because the castle was a defensive tower, the passage going up the stairs was very narrow and spiral, and it was structured in a way that a right-handed person swinging a sword would get caught on the wall.

However, Rickart thrust his sword into the belly of the first guy he encountered, and pushed with all his might, pushing down all the people behind him as well. It was strength like a bull's.

"Uh-uh-uh!"

"What!"

The people behind were pushed back without even knowing what was going on. As people tumbled down the narrow passage, Rickart pushed and stepped on both walls to go up, leaping over the enemies in one breath. And then he immediately reached the 3rd floor where the Count's bedroom would be.

As soon as he reached the 3rd floor, he bumped right into him. The figure of a man with a steel prosthetic arm running away through another path.

Rickart held his sword in one hand, pulled it back, and threw it forcefully forward. The sword flew, spinning at a tremendous speed.

*Kang!*

A startled Randel dodged, practically falling to the floor, but the moment he tried to get back up, there was a flash before his eyes. Rickart had crossed that long distance in a single breath and kicked him in the face.

*Thwack!*

Not even a scream came out. Randel merely swung his exclusive weapon, the steel arm, and drew a dagger with his left hand. To make such a movement even while losing consciousness meant he wasn't just some ordinary greenhorn.

However, against no one else but Rickart, under these circumstances, it was all useless. Rickart grabbed the steel arm and forcibly pulled it out.

*Cruuunch!*

"Aaaaaaaargh!"

Only then did a scream burst out from Randel's wide-open mouth. As he writhed in pain and collapsed to the floor, Rickart held his prosthetic arm in his hand and ruthlessly smashed it down on his head as if striking with a club.

*Thud! Smaaack! Crack!*

His head was smashed to pieces, and the steel arm was ruined, quickly becoming tattered. Coincidentally, it was the exact spot where the Count had died.

After beating Randel to death, Rickart casually tossed the ruined steel arm onto the floor. It made a *Clang* sound.

Then, picking up the sword he had thrown, he alternately looked at both hallways once. The enemies were all staring with shocked eyes.

"It would be best to fight to the death. Otherwise, your skin will be peeled off. Because I keep my word."

Rickart didn't even tell them to surrender. Because there was no mercy to be shown to noble killers.

The volunteers who had finished cleaning up the 1st floor were swarming up, and the stairwell was a mess of people tripping and stepping on each other because of Rickart, resulting in a one-sided massacre. So they scrambled back up, but Rickart was there.

Noisy sounds echoed throughout the castle. Unlike the time when Count Caldebern was assassinated. Well, anyway, since killing everyone was the same, it didn't matter.

It was a format where Rickart chopped up the bunched-up enemies, and the volunteers pushed through. So numerical advantage or disadvantage was meaningless.

The inside of the castle quickly became covered entirely in corpses. There were a few survivors, but Rickart didn't kill them; he locked them in the underground dungeon, and the next day, at a high cost, he invited a torture technician.

Because he had publicly declared he would peel off their skin. Randel's ruined head and steel arm were exhibited in a high place, and the torture execution took place right in the middle of the village.

They screamed their lungs out for half a day, but after half a day passed, perhaps having no more strength to scream, they were quiet. And they lived until the third day.

Impressed by the torture technician's excellent skills, Rickart paid him handsomely.

Count Caldebern, Rickart, and Randel and his subordinates each had their misjudgments, but the result was this.

And there was one more person who had misjudged. It was none other than the 2nd Prince, Lotharius.

Unaware that Rickart had already taken the castle, he was leading his army down under the pretext of punishing the noble killers.

His underlying intention was to use Randel to eliminate Count Caldebern and take the Count's territory for himself.

Only then did Rickart clearly understand how the situation had been turning out. Now, there would be no more misjudgments.

And around that time, Bori arrived leading the Adelorn Royal Knights, all former members of the Flame Knights. It was 200 heavily armed knights.

Chapter 37 – Misjudgment. End.