Chapter 45

Chapter 45

***

"There's something called a deposit. There's a request, but the requestor is unknown. Not just anyone can do it, only quite reputable people or organizations can. Stories flow out here and there, but you can't know for sure. So, if it's true you completed the request, that deposit will be paid."

In the room where Rickart stayed overnight, Dunkel said while sitting on a chair in front of a small table. The room was filled with white light that was comfortable to the eyes.

Rickart and Bori-bori were sitting on the bed listening to the story. However, Bori-bori had an expression that plainly showed he was thinking of something else, so Rickart was the only one listening properly.

"So verification is needed. Besides the evidence."

At Rickart's words, Dunkel nodded.

However, there was a more serious problem than the request right now. Dunkel swallowed dry saliva once and spoke.

"Are you sure Nameless X and Mad Dog Steiner are dead?"

Instead of answering, Rickart slightly pulled out Steiner's sword, which was on the bed, and showed it. As the sunlight coming through the window grazed it, a subtle blue luster flowed.

Putting the sword back into the scabbard, he said.

"This is the sword Steiner used."

"......"

Killing Erze and Leto was shocking, but the content after that was even more shocking. Dunkel was speechless for a moment even now.

The reason he was this serious was partly because Rickart had accomplished something tremendous, but there was actually another reason.

"Did something happen that will make the guild go to ruin suddenly? Why are you acting like this?"

When Rickart asked, Dunkel barely calmed his still pounding heart and spoke.

"It's a power vacuum. The Ehrenberg 5's territory was the Central North. If they were just passing by, I wouldn't know, but the Adventurer's Guild couldn't establish a branch and act carelessly there. But since they're gone, what do you think will happen?"

Nameless didn't really have a territory. Because he just roamed the entire Empire chasing wanted criminals or taking revenge.

On the other hand, the Ehrenberg 5, including Siegfinger, had their own activity area. But that activity area was now empty.

That is, it meant ownerless land had appeared.

Of course, there were lords ruling those places and criminal organizations active in the shadows, but the Adventurer's Guild was an independent power spanning both the light and shadow.

Securing an activity area meant more than just earning more money; it meant being able to utilize the logistics and human resources there.

And in an era where the 'road' connecting city and city was more important than anything, having a wide territory meant transport costs could be significantly reduced.

Securing a new activity area meant profits in all aspects. Moreover, it was more important that it wasn't a one-time profit but a sustainable one.

"Then it's a matter of who occupies it."

Rickart understood immediately what he meant, and Dunkel nodded once again with a heavy expression.

"You probably remember too, but there was friction with the Rubens guys before. Such things can be roughly settled and covered up. But not this kind of thing. You can deploy power, no, you must deploy power. A convocation order has already been issued. Clan Masters, of course, and Clan Heads, adventurers of intermediate rank and above are all gathering."

It meant a guild war might break out. No, it seemed almost certain.

Anyway, while people dying was just glossed over, it was truly ironic that war would break out over a matter involving interests.

"So we must be cautious yet swift. Tell me the work locations. Then the guild will verify the facts and move. Since we know the information first, we have to utilize time as much as possible. And naturally, this fact is top secret. Don't tell anyone anywhere."

Since Rickart wasn't the type to go around bragging about what he did, he nodded immediately. However, his heart was somewhat heavy.

The upper echelons of the guild, including the Guild Master, would probably be having meetings until their heads broke by now. Whether to ambush the hostile organization first, preempt the Central North, go with a diversionary operation, etc.

But was that so important? Enough to shed the blood of young people?

Doubts arose, but asking the Guild Master wouldn't get an answer. The Guild Master had things to do as a Master, and he would be a fool not to move now.

Whether intended or unintended, the work Rickart accomplished over the last winter was bringing about a turbulent wave.

The act of stepping up to save Academy students from starvation had instead ended up causing a storm of swords.

When do people die the most? It is probably when the balance of power is askew and the landscape of influence changes.

Because the future hangs on it. Whether to live in humiliation pushed by power, or to solidify power by gaining the upper hand.

Fear of disappearing due to lack of power, desire to survive by gaining power. Therefore, whether to war or not wasn't a problem that could be persuaded with words.

Listening to the situation going on now, Rickart felt such things.

"Leto and Erze's bodies should be near Leto's laboratory in Sydria. If no one touched them in the meantime. The rest are in a ruined village called Lindveil. The closest city is Rigenhafen. If you go north from there, it appears. But I can't tell you where I buried Nameless. This is quite personal, so please just understand."

Since the most important part was confirming the deaths of the Ehrenberg 5 anyway, Dunkel nodded coolly.

Death confirmation was literally 'confirmation'. Judging by his possession of Steiner's sword and the Ghost Sword, Dunkel was certain the Ehrenberg 5 were all dead.

"But excuse me..."

Bori-bori, who had been listening quietly, opened his mouth. The atmosphere was serious as the situation was what it was, but judging by his expression, he didn't seem to know such things well.

"If skilled adventurers are being summoned, can we see Bolka, Ice, and friends who graduated first?"

At the innocent question, Dunkel felt his blocked breath opening, so he smiled rather gently.

"They won't stay in the city that long. They'll be deployed to the field as soon as a decision is made from above. Well, if things overlap here and there, you might see them, or you might not. We have to be swift. If many people move, other guilds will sense something strange too."

"Is there something I should do separately too?"

Rickart asked.

"No. It's not that I don't trust you, but, how should I put it, for now, you are a person of interest. Both internally and externally to the guild. Stay at the Academy for the time being. You have surpassed the status of a student in reality now. Do you know what that means?"

"It probably means walking on the edge of a sword."

Rickart said looking out the window. His past life came to mind. A life walking on the edge of a sword. Familiar but not welcome. Has nothing changed? I don't know.

"Right... Then rest. Don't think about other things. And... I'm a bit afraid of you now."

It felt like he added unnecessary words. But it was also honest words. Rickart still looked out the window and just smiled slightly.

Dunkel couldn't know what that smile meant. Killed a Sword Master at the age of 12? What happens when he becomes an adult? Will he develop further from here? Is that possible? Maybe he was witnessing the beginning of a legendary hero right before his eyes.

For Dunkel, and for the guild too, how to handle Rickart was indeed one of the serious headaches. Because strictly speaking, he was far beyond common sense.

Dunkel left the room filled with clear white light.

As soon as he left, Bori-bori, perhaps uncomfortable in his seat, flopped onto the bed on his stomach. And crossing his legs back and forth, he asked Rickart.

"What will you do when you get the deposit?"

"Well, what do you want to do?"

"How about buying clothes for all the Academy kids?"

"Mm?"

"Everyone wearing the same clothes. Of course, it would be a bit different from the girls. Wouldn't it be fun?"

Rickart imagined for a moment all the students wearing the same clothes in his head. Since he didn't know what they would wear, it didn't come to mind well.

However, Bori-bori seemed to have some ideas in this direction, like being good at sewing or liking flowers.

"Okay, let's do that."

Rickart agreed lightly without much thought. At that, Bori-bori smiled beamingly, finding it fun already. Accordingly, Rickart smiled too.

The light in the room was clear, but war clouds were gathering in the distance. They couldn't just laugh brightly, but sometimes light decisions last longer.

Rickart and Bori-bori took Marie around Beringen.

Just as Bolka did in the past, they taught her the districts divided into east, west, south, and north, things to be careful of, where major shops were, and so on.

They had her sell her armor and buy clothes or other items necessary for Academy life. The fabric merchant tilted his head when selling the surcoat, but she received quite a good price for a used item.

She could have bought a sword, but Marie decided to keep Steiner's sword for the time being.

"I'll give it to you if you take 1st place. Until then, I'm lending it."

"Isn't that telling me to beat you, Ricky?"

"It turns out that way. Anyway."

"By the way, this seems like quite a good sword. I know how to look a bit."

"It's a problem if it's too good. Because there's no suitable place to sell it."

Honestly, it was a bit bothersome. The series of processes of going to a big city and putting it up for auction.

He thought about selling it through the guild, but given the situation, the guild didn't seem to have the capacity to do such things.

"Thanks. Can I name it?"

"What name? On what?"

"On the sword."

"That kind of thing is what girls do."

"......Uh?"

"Ah."

Rickart realized momentarily that he made a slip of the tongue. Because Marie was a girl.

"Sorry."

But Marie smiled bashfully as if she didn't mind at all.

"Then since I'm a girl, it doesn't matter. I'll name it Ricky. Famous Sword, Ricky."

"Haha......"

Rickart just laughed awkwardly out of apologetic feelings.

"What? Me too, me too. I want to name mine too."

While Rickart was in a difficult spot, Bori-bori intervened excitedly.

"Doesn't that already have a name? Ghost Sword."

"No. That's not my taste. What should I name it? Hmm... Nameless Sword. Nameless Sword would be good. Having no name is the name."

"......"

Since Rickart knew the story behind it, he couldn't joke lightly, so he had nothing to say momentarily.

But Bori-bori wasn't gloomy or sullen, just excited. As if trying to continue that excited mood, Bori-bori said to Rickart.

"Ricky, you name yours too."

"I'm fine. It's okay."

"They say treat a sword like the best friend or the most beloved lover. Wouldn't it be good to attach at least a name?"

Marie chimed in with Bori-bori's words. He didn't know where she heard such things, but Marie had a slightly old-fashioned side.

"No. No need to get sentimental. A sword is just a sword."

"Ricky, sometimes you talk like an old man."

"Me?"

At words like Marie's raw criticism, Rickart's eyes went wide. Bori-bori laughed kya kya, agreeing that it was funny.

Perhaps because the three people slept outside and shared joys and sorrows in their own way, they seemed to have become close in just a few days. Of course, that was only possible if there were parts that communicated well with each other, but anyway, the three were like that.

Conversation continued without ceasing, and there was no hesitation in teasing each other. And the person accepting it also laughed it off.

When Marie bought clothes, Bori-bori got involved and recommended a dueling outfit similar to riding clothes. Probably, he seemed to be referencing it for when he bought clothes for Academy students later.

Marie was tall so she became an excellent model. And wearing slightly tight clothes definitely revealed her trained figure. Seeing her firm thighs, thin ankles, and straight waist, it seemed she would wield a powerful sword.

Maybe not all, but one could say skill could be roughly gauged just by looking at regular posture. Rickart was like that.

She bought a few sets of combat clothes, training clothes, and everyday clothes. Since she sold the armor, money was overflowing, so it wasn't overspending.

The three ate fresh chicken soup and bread at the Guild building and departed for the Academy.

Passing through the field road on the way, the refreshingly spread moist field seemed to be the best here. Flowers Bori-bori liked were also blooming sparsely.

violets, daffodils, starflowers... Wait, leaving aside violets, why do I know this? Rickart thought.

It was around evening when they arrived at the Academy after walking for 6 hours. Although the air was cold, the large moonflowers sprouting on the field far away gave a gentle feeling.

Carrying stars on their heads, climbing the long cliff stairs, passing the gate, finally they reached the Academy.

Rickart pointed to a building in the inner courtyard and said to Marie.

"That's the girls' dormitory. Boys are there. Since it's night, there's no one coming to beat us up. Kids on guard duty will come out soon. Anyway, let's see each other tomorrow or something."

"Uh, thanks."

"Don't mention it. Tell me anytime if you have trouble."

"Ung."

Rickart smiled slightly and entered the Inner Castle with Bori-bori. But the atmosphere was strangely odd.

One of the students passing through the hallway saw Rickart and shouted in surprise.

"Ricky!"

"Long time no see. Have you been well?"

Rickart just greeted lightly, but at the sound of 'Ricky', kids suddenly poured out of the dormitory. And they rushed at Rickart as if tangling together.

"Ricky!"

"What's wrong with everyone?"

"I thought you died."

"I didn't. I knew Ricky would live."

"Thanks to you, not many kids died."

"Where did you go and what did you do?"

Rickart was bewildered to the point of wondering if he was this close with the kids.

However, the feeling wasn't exactly bad. Glad you've been well. With this, it was like achieving what he aimed for. Pride was embedded in his awkward and sheepish smile.

Anyway, since everyone was pouring out only their own words, he didn't know how to answer what.

And blocked by the kids, it was a bit hard for Rickart to go back to his room.

However, when Rickart reached his room, he saw something strange. Clearly 20 people stayed in each room, but only about 10 were inside.

Moreover, where did the bunk beds go? The top parts of 10 beds were all torn off.

Ten students inside looked at Rickart. And accordingly, the kids surrounding Rickart also suddenly became quiet and stepped back. Something was unusual.

Rickart looked at the ten students quietly, then unslung the sword on his shoulder and entrusted it to anyone before entering inside.

"Where did my spot go? And who are you guys."

"Are you Ricky?"

One student answered. Overall appearance was neat and unlike regular students, his clothes looked expensive.

"Who are you."

Rickart asked. At that, the student hung a sneer on his mouth and spoke.

"I am Karlich, the fourth son of the proud Rosten family. Nice to meet you, but we want to rest quietly right now, you know? Would you leave?"

It was a noble. They said nobles were coming, looks like they entered while Rickart was absent.

But Rickart stared at Karlich with an expression asking 'so what'. And said.

"Did you go through the initiation ceremony?"

"Pfft, we don't want to participate in such vulgar events."

"That's a pity. Whether to participate or not isn't for you to decide."

"What?"

The moment Karlich frowned and asked back, a flash appeared before his eyes.

Slap!

As a terrifying slap was delivered, Karlich fell to the side thud. At that, students who were half-lying or sitting on beds jumped up, and students leaning against the wall took their backs off the wall.

And all the students watching from outside the room gasped, Heok. Hitting a noble. That was a serious crime.

But Rickart's initiation ceremony didn't end there.

"Not done yet."

He grabbed the fallen Karlich's hair and slapped him on both sides once again.

"You... Wait!"

Slap! Smack!

After getting hit by two more slaps, Karlich half lost his mind and his eyes lost focus. Saliva mixed with blood flowed down from his torn mouth. Rickart kicked and stomped on such Karlich.

Thud! Thud! Thump!

"Weak bastard. Next? Is there any kid who didn't go through the initiation ceremony?"

Rickart looked around at the remaining noble students and asked.

"You, you, you..."

It was so shocking that other noble students stuttered. Rickart approached a guy nearby and delivered a low kick with all his might.

Wham!

"Ack!"

That student opened his mouth wide and collapsed in a single blow. And beating continued on him too.

Thud! Thud! Thump!

"You bastard!"

Someone shouted. And they all rushed at him in a flock, but that only shortened the time of the initiation ceremony. Rickart beat them all up like a rampaging tiger.

'Thud! Crash! Whack! Thump! Smack!'

The sound of beating students echoed inside the quiet Inner Castle. Regular students all held their breath and watched.

Then Karlich, who barely regained consciousness, spoke with both cheeks swollen.

"Y-you bastard. Do you know who my father is? You, doing this to a noble..."

Rickart didn't say anything and kicked him again as he was half getting up.

Thud!

"Ugh!"

And grabbing his hair, he dragged him out. Opening the Inner Castle door and throwing him outside, he pointed at the miserably fallen Karlich and said.

"Make sure to bring your father. Until then, you can't enter here."

"W-wait, wait."

Bang.

Rickart closed the Inner Castle door coldly.

Karlich, beaten soundly and left outside, felt a threat to his life in the chilly cold. Then forgetting status and everything, he knocked on the door and begged.

"L-look. Wait a moment. Look."

Bang. Bang. Bang.

However, inside was silent.

Rickart went back to the room and said to the remaining noble students.

"Since you guys tore down the beds, sleep on the floor until you restore them, whether by doing it yourselves or spending money. Anyone with complaints?"

"......"

Students groaning fallen on the floor couldn't raise any complaints. Because if they even opened their mouths, they could become like Karlich.

In front of overwhelming violence, there was no status, and everyone was just equal.