192 — Red Rule (2)

Exorsus seethed. Kim Han’s proclamation—and his threat—sent a huge ripple through both the representatives and the continent dwellers.

The continent dwellers naturally supported Kim Han. From their perspective, he was stepping up to do what even the guard had failed to do—there was no reason to view him negatively.

Perhaps it was because so many continent dwellers had already died unjustly; their fervor burned like a blazing fire.

From that moment on, thanks, small gifts, and letters began piling up in front of Kim Han’s mansion.

The continent dwellers gradually stopped tolerating the representatives’ injustices and began demanding answers.

It started as a small stir, but at least within Exorsus there were signs that the representatives’ authority was waning.

In that atmosphere, the representatives couldn’t mount a strong backlash.

There were several reasons for that, foremost being that Kim Han had single-handedly taken down well over a hundred representatives—the number was often exaggerated, but the damage was real.

For example, a few representatives who had denigrated Kim Han at a drinking party were found the next day with their throats cut.

No one knew the perpetrator, but since the representative had been in the southern region, the prevailing—and correct—opinion was that it wasn’t Kim Han or the Rebound Legion.

Next, the Benialis faction, which should have been the loudest in opposing Kim Han’s proclamation, remained conspicuously quiet.

Rumors spread that Benialis had been intimidated by him, and the incident in front of the Garden of Gods square circulated by word of mouth, lending credibility to the whispers.

Finally, representatives from Violentia and Benialis who had entered the Garden of Gods spread word that the new “Setting” would force many to leave Exorsus—a further reason not to pick fights.

It wasn’t the time to squabble over relations with the continent dwellers or to call out Kim Han’s arrogance. They had to prepare immediately for the new “Setting.”

Amid this mood in Exorsus, Violentia arrived at Kim Han’s mansion accompanied by attendants.

The news spread swiftly, and everyone focused their attention on the mansion.

Some predicted that Violentia, the demon god’s representative, would object to Kim Han’s declaration or, at worst, clash with him.

It seemed persuasive that Kim Han had issued his warning in Violentia’s presence.

But at the audience, Violentia looked as if she’d been struck by a high-grade mind magic.

“What?!”

“We do not have to leave Exorsus.”

“Why? Wait, how?”

Her voice quivered; tears brimmed in her large eyes, as if on the verge of falling.

“Because this place is the Rebound Legion’s legion house.”

“What?”

“A legion house can be registered only once. Are you aware of that?”

“Ah, no…”

“If it’s registered as a legion house, you can remain in that city. The city becomes a base until the legion is disbanded. So under the ‘Setting’ we can stay in Exorsus. We’ve invested a lot in infrastructure here, so it’s the best option for us.”

“Ah…”

Violentia, who had risen hastily, sank back into her seat with a thud. Her pupils darted, her shoulders slumped, like a woman watching her loved one depart for war.

“You will be heading to the Dark Empire, Violentia.”

“…Yes.”

Her voice was flat—she sounded as if she’d lost her world.

“We won’t see each other often from now on. But you can drop by sometimes, can’t you? Besides, those trash representatives fooling around outside will soon have to leave Exorsus. As you know, unless they join the Benialis faction or your faction, their only destination will be the northern fortress city.”

“That makes sense.”

“Violentia, did you also hear about ‘absorption’?”

“Yes? Ah, yes.”

“Then wait for that moment. Break through the Monster Belt as quickly as possible, enter the Dark Empire and secure a position, then ambush one of the routes heading to the northern fortress and ‘absorb’ the passing representatives.”

“Ah…! That’s a way!”

Violentia sprang to her feet in astonishment. She almost left the chamber, then froze mid-step, turned, and looked at me.

“Thank you, Mr. Kim Han. But… why are you treating me so well?”

Crazy bitch, who are you calling treated well! I’m just getting rid of you because you’re bothersome. And later I’ll fatten you up to eat!!

I wanted to say that, but—

“Of course, our legion and Violentia’s legion have special exchanges, don’t they? It’s not easy for us to pull out since we’re establishing a foothold in Exorsus, but wouldn’t it be good if you and your underlings—given our special relationship—became stronger?”

“Ah… Mr. Kim Han…”

With a dazed expression and flushed cheeks as if dreaming, Violentia finally let the tears she’d been holding slip down.

“Don’t mind me—go on. We’ll always be in Exorsus. Can’t you come by whenever you want? Once you cross the Monster Belt for the first time, you can use the transit portal, can’t you?”

“I understand! Then… Kim Han, let’s definitely meet again.”

“Yes. Take care—and until I absorb you—may you achieve all you wish.”

I saw Violentia off, repeating those unspoken words silently in my head.

She looked back several times with the tender expression of a woman sending her beloved off to war, then finally departed.

After Violentia left, another representative was scheduled for a meeting. Back in the audience chamber, I passed the time sipping the freshly served tea.

At the appointed time the chamber door opened, and a neatly dressed, handsome man entered.

“Have a seat, Makiira.”

“Yes.”

Makiira was always the same.

In some ways he resembled Lee Hyo-ju—always neat, never letting himself go except during training—even at drinking parties he never lost composure.

A man who drank with such disciplined restraint suddenly burying his head on the table was not something easy to forget.

“You said you had something to say?”

“Yes.”

“Make yourself comfortable.”

Perhaps because I had an idea of what he would say, I smiled at Makiira, leaned back in my chair, and relaxed my posture.

“…I’ve come to pay my respects for the help you’ve given me.”

“…Yes?”

I had expected a formal request to join our legion, but instead he unexpectedly said he was leaving. I had nothing ready for such an unanticipated remark.

“Has any legion member made a mistake?”

“Ah, no!”

“Hm… honestly, I’m taken aback. I thought you’d join our Rebound Legion.”

I looked Makiira straight in the eyes and, calm and weighty, let my disappointment show.

Makiira fidgeted under my gaze and continued speaking.

“Th-thank you for seeing me favorably. But I want to exert my strength where I can be more central than in the Rebound Legion. The Rebound Legion is already strong—Kim Han needs no mention, and the women close to him are powerful. The other squad leaders are formidable, and Proy Rium has even joined. If I join Rebound, I’ll be just one member among many. So I’m going to find my place elsewhere.”

I pondered Makiira’s words briefly, but I couldn’t force someone to join the legion.

Accepting Proy Rium, who was called Mussen, had been an unexpected gain. It would be ideal if the Sword Saint joined too, but I couldn’t force anyone.

“Yes. Then go safely.”

“…Thank you for seeing me off.”

In truth, there were many ways to coerce him—cripple him partially and force him through threats, for example.

But that could damage the morale of existing members. Furthermore, there was no guarantee that Proy Rium—who had been close to him—would remain mentally sound.

And if we killed him to remove a future problem, it could create a messy situation.

He might have set contingencies Proy Rium could discover, and Manus might later tell Proy Rium, making him feel betrayed.

Killing him would introduce more variables than leaving him alive, so for now I decided to let him go unharmed.

After all, we were strong and had plans to grow stronger.

“Haha, you joke well. How could I force Makiira, who is not a legion member? Oh, by the way, where will you go? Violentia or Giorgio…?”

“I…”

Makiira hesitated a moment, his voice a little hoarse from tension.

“…I intend to go to Violentia.”

“Ah! Then we’re not strangers. It’s practically an alliance.”

At my amused remark, Makiira smiled faintly.

“That’s why I’ve decided on Violentia.”

Only then did I begin to understand why he chose Violentia over the Rebound Legion.

Violentia came and went frequently. She didn’t just visit—when she came, she’d sit in the audience chamber for three or four hours without budging.

He must have thought there was something between Violentia and Rebound here.

And after staying several days, he had witnessed Rebound Legion members whose strength exceeded his expectations.

Even individual members possessed enough power to handle Makiira as he was now.

In fact, contrary to his worries, if he fully joined the Rebound Legion and trained, he might become even stronger.

In any case, Makiira preferred becoming an important representative in Violentia’s faction and interacting with us—whom Violentia’s faction mistakenly considered allies—rather than being merely one of the stronger members in the Rebound Legion.

It suited his character: not betraying loyalty while securing personal benefit.

It would have been the best choice if not for the fact that I planned to kill Violentia.

Finally, we smiled, shook hands, and Makiira left the mansion without meeting the other members.

A week after Makiira left the mansion, Violentia departed Exorsus with 3,561 representatives and headed through the western gate toward the Monster Belt.