My Villains Chapter 423
64. Fog (10)
Icebovalt was a city directly ruled by Duke Avillambus. In other words, it could be said that it was a duke’s direct jurisdiction or a direct administration city.
Of course, the duke didn’t come to Eisbowald himself to rule the city. Generation after generation, dukes appointed and dispatched mayors to represent them. In short, it was not the aristocratic lord, but the commoner bureaucrat who ruled the city.
Is it because of these features? Eisbowald had a strong feeling like a free city.
It was a different atmosphere from port cities like South Harbor and Oduenne Proshafen, and it was also different from the kingdom’s big cities like Remeric and Modos Lianwell.
The first thing that stood out was the numerous handicraft guilds. There were more than twenty handicraft guilds in Eisbobalt, led by the Alchemy Guild and the Metal Combination.
Although the purpose of the group was to protect members such as alchemists, artisans, and miners, and to pass on their skills, of course, they were not the only ones.
Based on his enormous wealth and influence, he was deeply involved in governance, and it is said that he even reached Baeknyeonseong, the capital of the dukedom, and Miteltang, the imperial capital. Its prestige was so great that at one time even the mayor noticed the heads of the association.
The existence of the ‘Chambers’ was also one of Eisbowald’s characteristics.
The council is an organization similar to a parliament, centered on priests and influential people in the city, such as aristocrats, wealthy wizards, and so on. Because they are directly connected to the ‘Red Bishops’, the heads of the Kalandari Order, they are a group that even the mayor and even the Duke of Avillambus cannot deal with.
The usual meeting is like a nursing home where old people sip tea and chat, but when the old people start to clenched their teeth and tackle, even the mayor said that his hands and feet were tied.
In particular, when trying to enact city laws, there is a strange customary law that requires consulting the council at least three times, so if the council is closed, no law can be made.
Regardless of whether it was the Mitergueland Empire or the Kingdom of Milanol, it was basic that the lord had the right to judge. It is said that when there is a conflict between the people and a lawsuit takes place, the lord decides according to his own judgment.
If they did not comply with this, they had to go to the judges touring the territory or to the high judges in the capital to complain about their injustice. Of course, this kind of appeal did not mean much. It was extremely rare for a judge who was only a low-ranking noble to overturn the ruling of a local lord who had real power.
Well, if there was a king or a powerful lord behind the judge, that could happen, but it wasn’t a story that applied to ordinary people.
On the other hand, there is a permanent court here. This is another characteristic of Eisbobalt.
Eisbowald is a city with a lot of lawsuits because of its unreasonable atmosphere as a free city and its large population. It was impossible for the duke or his proxy, the mayor, to resolve these conflicts one by one.
Against this backdrop, the duke established a permanent court and dispatched judges. Thanks to this, in Eisbowald, when the guards caught a criminal, they had to send it to the court rather than deal with it themselves.
Therefore, to visit the dungeon, I had to go all the way to the courthouse on the other side of the city.
“It’s a really fun neighborhood… isn’t it?”
In response to my question, Bicon just snorted and said, “Kuhong.” I sighed slightly and fell into thought.
Permanent Tribunal of the Council of Mayors. In addition to that, even the handicraft guild. It seems to be looking at government agencies and corporations divided for the separation of powers.
Of course, in the eyes of a duke who enjoys king-like power, it would look like they were fighting for power the size of a rat.
However, in my situation, I think there will be a corner that can be used
.
Just because I occupied Eisbobalt doesn’t mean I will become the lord of this place. As the occupying force, it is my role to secure security and stabilize the rear. There is no need to worry about governance.
I licked my lips and looked around.
This is the northwest district of the city, and it was the district where nobles and rich judges mainly lived.
As befits an upper-class residential area, the flagstones on the floor were neat and the
34-story buildings lined up on the left and right were neat.
There were even street lights on the road.
Of course, it wasn’t a gas or electric light, it was just an oil lantern attached to a pole or outer wall. It was about to get dark, and a few magic lantern dealers were wandering around lighting up the streetlights.
“…So putting up a ladder for this family is so-so.”
“What is it all of a sudden?”
The man in the middle of a small talk turned his head to follow his colleague’s gaze, and then swallowed his breath.
“……A red knight.
” “Huh.”
The illusionists had their faces painted pale as if they had seen ghosts.
It wasn’t strange. It is natural to be scared when you encounter a demon with two horns on an empty street.
“You are suffering a lot.”
As I spoke to them as I slowly drove the bicorn, the two men’s complexions were almost blue, and Lesser shrugged.
“Ah ah- no, it’s better.”
“When did you start working again?”
“That Schönne came out before I left home, and this friend has been working since yesterday.”
Surprised by his colleague’s words, the illusionist came up with an excuse.
“No no sir. I hurt my back or leg the other day and couldn’t leave the house for a while. The news that the proclamation had been posted came in late, so
he stuttered and picked up excuses. I smiled bitterly.
Four days ago, I gave orders to those who were engaged in menial jobs in the city to resume their livelihoods. It was for this reason that various chores, including the illusion dealers in front of them, roamed the city.
Of course, not everyone returned to work.
I don’t know where or how the rumors spread, but the citizens of Eisbowald seemed to regard me and the army I was leading as little more than demons and their minions. It is natural that few people returned to work, and most of them were stuck at home and did not even come out.
Well, I understand that the citizens were surprised by this siege.
The city was captured overnight, over two thousand defenders were destroyed, and all the famous swordsmen and battle wizards were either killed or captured.
In addition, gossip about the Nudes, or even rumors containing more than half the truth, were circulating, so it was not unconvincing that Eisbowald had turned into a ghost town.
But no matter how much it is, I think it’s a bit too much to shake your body or cause a fight just by making eye contact. It’s not like I’m grabbing it.
I wanted to express my dissatisfaction, but the magic lantern dealers’ pants were already damp. It was because the bicorn was sniffing and drooling.
“…yes, please do your best.”
If I add more words here, it would be like ending my life for no reason. I greeted him with a smile and pulled the reins. Behind them, they heard the sound of two illusionists sitting down.
…Are those guys going to work tomorrow?
“Ugh.”
I let out a deep sigh and drove the bicorn down the dreary street.
The numerous buildings lined up along the street all had their windows firmly fastened and locked.
The Permanent Court was a stone building surrounded by a high wall. The pointed roof was impressive on a scale that was neither too large nor too small.
Although Eisbowald is quite a large city, its population is less than six thousand at most. Thanks to this, there were only four law officers staying in the city. There were about 20 people in total, including assistants to the judges, bodyguards, and building workers. There is no reason for the building of the Permanent Court to be larger.
“Meet the Commander!”
The spear-bearing men who stood guarding the courtroom saw me or the bicorn and raised a Milano-style courtesy. They had some moderation, but judging from how clumsy they were, it didn’t seem like they were soldiers who only crossed the blade.
“…vigilante corps?”
“Yes that’s right!”
“Have you been under Deogen since the beginning?”
“Yes that’s right!”
He was a thug.
It seemed that even if something went wrong with a gangster guarding the court, it was definitely wrong, but there was nothing I could do about it. What can I do when there are no people?
Of course, the Permanent Court was not entirely a den of gangsters.
After tying the bicorn to the stable and entering the building, you will see several soldiers with white sword patterns on their blue cloaks. They are private soldiers of Count Earl Shore.
We headed to the dungeon under the guidance of one of the soldiers.
Most of the prisons I’ve seen so far were tucked away in the basement of a castle or gate or in a corner of a defense tower. It was my first time seeing a prison in the basement of such a small stone building, so it was an unfamiliar experience.
Guarding the dungeon was a battle mage and forty elite soldiers. It was a waste of troops to use as a jailer, but there was no choice. It was because the most dangerous prisoners in Eisbobalt, such as imperial knights, swordsmen, and wizards, were imprisoned here.
It wasn’t until we reached the lowest floor, the 4th basement floor, that the soldier in charge of the guide stopped.
“Is the gate open?”
When I nodded, the soldier called the guard guarding the stairs. Then each of them took a key from their bosom and headed for the solitary cell in the corner.
There were two large locks on the solitary cell. The guard and the soldier unlocked the locks one by one and then retreated.
When I opened the door and entered the solitary cell, I found a large old man tied up in stocks. It is unnatural to have a chain in the cell, but thick chain restraints were also attached to his ankles and waist.
I didn’t think it was excessive. To confine a person who could be a master of the sword, he had to go through this much trouble.
“… it is. Your back must hurt a lot. Are you okay?” Old man Grimons Koval looked up at me. Now I see that he also has a gag in his mouth.
“What is it and why did you do this?”
When the gag was released, the old swordsman spat on the floor.
“I was worried that he would bite his tongue.”
“Oh, I see… you’re going to bite your tongue’?”
“Will a person embraced by the light do such a stupid thing?”
“Yes? Religion is good when it’s like this.”
I smiled and sat down on the chair the guard had provided.
“Have you considered the offer?”
“okay. It was a very arrogant proposal for a kid.”
What I proposed to Grimmons was sparring. Dalian without limit.
Instead, it was an offer to release Grimons himself, all of Corvalu’s disciples, and his grandson if he defeated me even once during the sparring.
“You might think so. But from the perspective of the elderly, there is nothing to lose, right?”
“If fighting a sword fight with a crazy kid isn’t a loss, then there’s nothing in the world that isn’t a gain.”
“Right? You are very positive.”
“…you don’t even understand the words.”
I somehow got amused, so I giggled and then cleared my throat.
“help me. As you’ve experienced, you know that I’m having a hard time because I’m not good at swordsmanship. I have a conscience too, so I won’t ask you to teach me swordsmanship. Just give me a few sparring opponents.”
Grimons twitched his brow.
“How old are you guys?”
“Three… No, twenty one.”
“To say that even with such achievements at that age, it is lousy. I don’t know if I’m being arrogant or being humble.”
“Is that a compliment?”
They jokingly talked, but the only thing that came back was the old swordsman’s lifelike gaze.
Well, since I lost more than 10 students during this siege, it was only natural for them to treat me as their enemy.
“…But I know that your swordsmanship is fundamentally wrong.”
“Yes? Somehow, I didn’t learn it in one place, but wandered here and there-” “
The tips I learned by donating are no big deal. The problem is Irish swordsmanship.”
“…I beg your pardon?”
“Isn’t it Ireland’s that forms the basis of your swordsmanship? That old-fashioned swordsmanship.”
As I struggled to manage my expression, I noticed a gleam of confidence in Grimons’ eyes and scratched my eyebrows.
“It’s strange, do I use Irish swordsmanship
?” “…what kind of stupid thing is that?”
“I’m asking because I really don’t know.”
“Isn’t that the case just by looking at sword tax and foot law?”
He said it as if it were obvious, but it was really the first time I had heard it.
Can you tell where you learned swordsmanship just by looking at the way you aim your sword or move your feet? No matter how I look at it, it seems to be there.
“…that’s odd. I thought I was only learning swordsmanship without fundamentals.”
“Isn’t such an ancient artifact without history? It’s just worn out and dull.”
I suddenly had a question, so I asked the old swordsman.
“But how do you know about Irish swordsmanship?”
“Have you ever fought a blood knight?”
Grimmons said nothing. The eyes fixed on me blinked slowly, as if I was lost in a flashback.
“…okay. Come to think of it, you look like him.”
“Who are you?”
“Admiral
Oleg Oleg. Aka ‘Burning’ Oleg.
He is the father of Duke Skiele and Count Akelle, and the grandfather of Phoenix.
“… What is Oleg? You say you look like me?”
When I asked a question pretending not to know, the old swordsman was silent for a while before opening his mouth.
“I will accept the offer.”
“…yes? Suddenly?” “Dan”
Gray-white eyes shone brightly.
“Not sparring, but a duel.”
“A duel?”
“okay. It gives the winner of the confrontation the right to take the life of the other person.”
The lifeblood emitted by the sword master filled the narrow cell.
I unconsciously placed my hand on the black ice. The old man was obviously bound in stocks and chained, but it looked as if he would come running and slit his throat at any moment.
“…you don’t need freedom and you’d be satisfied if you could just kill me?”
“no. The freedom of Beok and his disciples is a basic condition.”
“Aha…. You have a bit of a robbery side.”
“Are you not confident? After sparring with me and learning swordsmanship to my heart’s content, if I and my family are eliminated, there will be no regrets.”
“How can you kill an old man? Those who claim to have cut a knife at the empire will come rushing in and say shit, promising to take revenge.”
“My honor will be ruined just by being held captive by you and serving as a swordsman master. What kind of idiot would raise a knife for a mean old man?”
“Hmm.”
I averted my gaze.
I feel like I’ve been caught inside. In fact, the purpose of having Grimons as a sparring opponent was also to tarnish his reputation.
But, in the end, it turned out the way I wanted.
“All right. I will do as you say.”
“good night.”
I got up from my seat and smiled.
“Since you need to take care of your body, I will move your place of residence. Arrests will be minimal, but if you do something stupid,
“I know.”
Tied up in stocks, Grimmons looked up at me and smiled for the first time.
“Stop talking and wipe your throat clean.”
“Ugh, you’re scared.”
He pretended to shrug his shoulders and left the cell.
An infinite duel with the Sword Master. I’m sure you’ll be able to sharpen your swordsmanship this time.
I left the dungeon with light steps. Grimons was obviously a formidable swordsman, but he wasn’t too concerned.
That’s right, I reached level 40 a few days ago. It’s a level you should be ashamed of if you lose to a human sooner or later.
The excitement of anticipating the confrontation with Grimons was short-lived. I inevitably had to postpone my swordsmanship training.
It is because a letter from the east has arrived.
