Chapter 733: Earl?

Chapter 733: Earl?


The melody of Mélomee’s singing still seemed to echo faintly in Rhodes’s ears, and the images of dancing mermaids shimmered like afterimages in his mind, but that was already yesterday’s dream.


Now, he and Mira were aboard a flying ship bound for the Joya Kingdom, their first time taking one since leaving home.


Normally, they would have chosen a slower, more scenic route, taking in the sights along the way. But this time, they had already accepted a royal invitation, and lingering too long on the road wasn’t an option.


"Beyond that mountain lies Joya’s territory," the pilot explained nervously. "Sorry, but we can’t go any farther. Too many gangs patrol these skies. If we continue, there’s a real chance we’ll be shot down as intruders."


The flying ship descended, landing at the foot of a rocky ridge. The pilot refused to budge any further.


Rhodes tried to reassure him. "I’m quite skilled in defensive magic. I can guarantee your safety if you continue."


The pilot gave a bitter laugh. "Maybe so, but who’ll guarantee my safety when I fly back alone?"


No matter what Rhodes said, the man wouldn’t relent. The rumors about Joya’s instability clearly weren’t exaggerated.


Resigned, Rhodes paid the fare and let the pilot leave.


Then, to confirm the situation for themselves, he and Mira began hiking up the mountain trail on foot.


It turned out the pilot’s fears were justified.


By the time they crossed the ridge and started descending the far side, more than twenty rough-looking men sprang out from the undergrowth ahead.


They weren’t wearing uniforms like the Petryula Gang, but they clearly belonged to the same crew, their boots were all the same muddy yellow, and their weapons were standard issue.


The leader, a burly man with a thick beard and a chipped saber slung across his shoulder, stepped forward with a grin. "Well, look at that, two rich folks just waltzing into our arms!"


A man behind him asked, "How can you tell they’re rich?"


"Are you blind? Look at that skin! Look at that dress! Especially the woman, climbing a mountain in high heels like that? She’s gotta be some noble’s daughter sneaking out for a spring stroll."


It was February, Joya’s spring outing season. And it wasn’t uncommon for young nobles to sneak off for "adventure" without guards.


Such people made easy ransom targets.


The bearded leader’s gaze darkened. "Heh. This young lady’s especially pretty today..." He paused, then shook his head. "But money’s money."


"Wait, she looks kinda familiar," one of his men muttered.


"Huh? You mean we tied her up before? Even better. Her family should be easier to... negotiate with this time."


Rhodes was struck by how much he’d learned from just a few lines of their chatter.


First, the gangs here were completely lawless, openly kidnapping nobles like it was routine.


Second, the nobles themselves were so weak that this apparently happened often, with no real retaliation.


And third;


Rhodes turned to Mira with a small chuckle. "They just praised you for being beautiful. Discerning bandits, don’t you think?"


"Oh my~," Mira said, cupping her cheeks with mock bashfulness. The gesture was so convincingly cute it could’ve melted hearts, if she weren’t doing it in front of armed thugs.


From the bandits’ point of view, though, that bashful smile just confirmed their assumptions. Clearly, these were frightened nobles trying to win favor before the ransom.


But the couple’s relaxed demeanor also annoyed them, it felt like they weren’t being taken seriously at all.


The bearded leader spat and waved his hand impatiently. "Enough talk! Tie them up and take them back! Let’s show ’em the power of the Makhno Gang!"


"Take Over: Demon Lord Sadou!"


Darkness pulsed across Mira’s skin as her transformation activated. Her complexion deepened to an obsidian hue, her ears elongated into sharp elven points, and her flowing white hair spilled loose around her shoulders. Black leather formed around her body like molten night.


The bandits froze, blinking in confusion. Their bodies had already started moving before their minds caught up, charging forward as per the order.


But Mira’s shadow suddenly rippled outward beneath her, splitting into twenty jagged spikes that lashed toward the bandits’ feet.


"Ah—!"


"She’s a Magician!"


"So painful!"


The bandits hit the ground one after another, weapons clattering across the dirt. Only the bearded leader was still standing, barely.


Mira’s shadow rippled once more and retracted beneath her feet. She released the Take Over form with a faint sigh.


"As expected, I still can’t control it perfectly," she said, sounding almost disappointed. "One of them’s still on his feet."


Rhodes chuckled. "Next time, you should practice with the Void grubs. Catching them is harder than not killing people."


"You, who the hell are you!?" Big Beard shouted, gripping his saber with both hands. "How dare you resist the Makhno Gang!"


The blade in his hands burst into flame, but after witnessing Mira’s magic, the sight offered him no comfort. The fire flickered uncertainly, as though even the sword itself was afraid.


Mira didn’t bother answering. She extended her hands forward. A small purple magic circle bloomed before her, and a spectral chain shot out from its center like lightning.


Clang!



The chain’s tip struck the flaming saber squarely. Cracks spider-webbed across the blade, and the fire winked out at once.


Big Beard cried out as pain lanced through his wrists. The weapon flew from his hands, spinning through the air before clattering at Mira’s feet. He stumbled backward and fell, gasping, both arms numb and useless.


Mira smiled faintly. The technique had worked even better than she expected. "Not bad," she murmured. "This chain’s more practical than I thought. I’ll have to practice with it more often."


Rhodes stepped forward, lightly pressing his boot against the fallen saber’s hilt. With a flick, he lifted it into his hand. The cracked blade hovered just above Big Beard’s neck.


"Tell me," Rhodes said quietly. "Are you the boss of the Makhno Gang?"


"I...I’m not!" the man stammered.


"Then where’s your stronghold? And what does your leader look like?"


Perhaps hoping to save his own skin, Big Beard answered without hesitation. The hideout’s location, the leader’s description, he told them everything. After all, it wasn’t really a secret. In his mind, these two travelers were walking straight to their deaths.


But half an hour later, that same "deadly mistake" was marching in front of him.


Rhodes and Mira walked side by side, chatting idly, while behind them trailed a long, orderly line of monsters, each one hauling a bound and gagged member of the Makhno Gang.


Rhodes looked over the bizarre procession with satisfaction. "It wouldn’t do to visit a king without bringing a proper gift," he said lightly. "So I thought I’d deliver this little gang as a meeting present."


The situation in Joya Kingdom turned out to be even worse than he’d imagined. They hadn’t gone far when they encountered the royal escort sent to welcome them, and that escort was surrounded by yet another gang.


Both sides were locked in a tense standoff.


The gang demanded "travel tolls," arguing that anyone who crossed their territory owed tribute. The royal guards refused to yield, unwilling to disgrace the kingdom by handing over valuables in front of foreign guests.


Yet neither side dared to start a real fight, the gang feared losses, and the guards feared embarrassment if anyone was injured.


Then Rhodes’s procession appeared over the hill.


A column of monsters carrying prisoners was not something anyone expected to see, and for a moment, both sides froze in confusion.


When Rhodes waved a hand and casually dispersed the gang with a pulse of magic, only the royal escort remained stunned.


Their captain, a man in a plumed uniform, blinked twice before recognition dawned. His eyes widened, and he hurried forward, dropping to one knee with a hand over his chest.


"Welcome to the Joya Kingdom, Your Excellency... Earl."


Rhodes froze. "Earl? ...Who?"