161 - A Certain Hero’s Resolve (1)

“Haah… so not only weapons but tools as well… and multiple kinds of potions at that.”

“If you didn’t know their effects, you wouldn’t present them as bargaining material. You should assume he naturally knows what they do.”

I know, I said, letting out a sigh and leaning back in my chair.

Since then, I had managed to hear as much as possible from the former mercenary Orland, said to be the first to make contact with the new monster “Argos.”

But the contents were absurd.

In a word, eccentric behavior.

I expected an opponent beyond common sense, but I could not understand actions uncharacteristic of a monster.

The problem was not those actions, but the fact the monster was using tools made by humans.

The most troublesome among them were healing potions.

And apparently they were quite high-grade, with even antidote ones—learning that meant losing another tactic, which irritated me.

“So basically, ‘if it escapes, its wounds heal,’ right? I suppose it’s fortunate we learned why that hand reattached so easily back then.”

“I envy how positively you think.”

You’re the cause of part of it, you know, I sighed.

‘Well, the Seizerian female mage bears more responsibility. Still… what sort of history leads someone raised in that country to decide to negotiate with a monster?’

Just in case, I checked and new information came in.

Apparently that female mage was the first discoverer of Argos.

I wanted to hear from her, but she had already returned home, so I gave up.

I asked Orland what she had said… but he scratched his head and apologized, “Sorry, I barely remember,” adding another sigh to my count.

“…We must finish it in one encounter. Then what strength is necessary?”

“I don’t wanna think about it.”

I glared at the former mercenary who reacted to my muttering.

“Don’t glare at me. Honestly, I already felt that thing wasn’t something humans could handle. If negotiation is possible, there might be other options, right?”

“I don’t deny it has a rational side. But that rationality may not last forever. If we must fear its intelligence, we must also consider it might exist to make us careless.”

More than that, we must consider it could be mimicry.

Some argue intelligent monsters are the most troublesome; broadly speaking, I agree.

From what I know, most monsters spoken of in legend share high intelligence.

It was easy as an example to persuade the lord, but whether it fit merely as an example was questionable.

‘The worst case—something like a fairy tale… a threat that could destroy a nation. How should I convey this properly?’

I tried organizing the information but failed.

I lacked a decisive trump card, clearly insufficient to persuade the lord.

Since moving the army would unquestionably require budget, I needed returns matching it.

Or if there were a reason we had no choice—something forcing resignation—then we could act to slay him.

‘I have neither. Or rather, I do… but whether he accepts it is another matter.’

As expected, persuading Lord Kirias proved difficult.

Perhaps something had been planted beforehand—whatever I said was taken as excuses for this failure, and I wasn’t taken seriously.

So I deceived him.

Simply put, I declared Argos “a monster even the Sword Saint could not kill.”

Using that, I pressed for elf cooperation, passionately arguing how we must eliminate the budding national threat now.

Naturally I hinted at future praise afterward, somehow getting his approval.

Thus preparations for subjugating Argos began well enough.

We designated Lecole—the town with the most sighting reports—as the frontline base, gathered people and supplies, and as preparations steadily progressed, the most crucial report finally arrived.

“…I never thought even Sword Saint Shuvard couldn’t finish it.”

That was my first remark after hearing everything.

The elves refused participation.

They even dismissed our conditions on the spot.

Worst of all, they calmly affirmed knowing the Sword Saint incident.

‘The Sword Saint!? How can they stay calm with a threat even he couldn’t defeat right beside them!?’

I slammed my fist into the desk, gritting my teeth, face twisting.

I reviewed the information repeatedly, fearing I had overlooked something, but only the threat stood out.

‘…Did the generation change? A new… no, successor born? Someone surpassing Argos!?’

Considering the Sword Saint’s age, it was plausible.

Thinking so, the elves’ refusal suddenly made sense.

At the same time, new information arrived.

Surprisingly, internal information from the Republic.

Apparently data gathered during trade had been compiled and sent here.

According to it, the elves had recently fought an unknown monster, losing dozens including warriors.

There was no need to say what that monster was.

“I misunderstood the premise…”

We would not gain their cooperation.

I looked up at the low ceiling of the small meeting room and lamented my failure.

Then suddenly the door burst open without knocking.

“Yo, you’ve got visitors.”

It was Orland, the collared former mercenary.

Behind him were three hooded figures who entered silently.

Before I could scold their rudeness, they removed their hoods and revealed themselves.

Fine features and long ears—they were all elves.

“You are Sir Alberto, correct? For this Argos subjugation, we of the Zesat clan will cooperate.”

The male elf who stepped forward bowed.

They were supposed to have refused participation.

Yet here stood participants.

I could guess why.

‘You killed too many, Argos.’

Even if the Republic decided non-participation, restraining personal grudges was difficult.

For now, I could only be grateful for this additional force.

Understanding the situation, I extended my hand and it was firmly grasped.

Heaven had not yet abandoned humanity—I smiled at them.