The Regressed Mercenary's Machinations

Chapter 379

The exact moment when the era of calamities began in Ghislain’s past life was unknown to anyone.

One day, monstrous beasts of unknown origin began rampaging across the continent.

One thing was certain, however: it happened after the civil war in Luthania ended and the ducal faction ventured into the Forest of Beasts.

At that time, Ghislain had been living as a mercenary, tirelessly honing his skills. It was only after proving himself during the era of calamities that he rose to the title of Mercenary King.

The timing is almost uncanny, he thought.

Without a doubt, he had changed the future. He had defeated Count Desmuth and claimed dominance over the North.

Wars that had never occurred in his previous life had now taken place, and many events had shifted due to his actions.

People believed that Ghislain had accelerated the onset of the civil war.

Well, they’re not entirely wrong...

Looking at the current situation, it was true that he had sped things up. But compared to his previous life, the timing of the civil war had remained nearly the same.

In his past life, the Crown Prince’s faction, already weakened by the drought, had met its complete downfall at this point.

Back then, the ducal faction crushed the Crown Prince’s weakened forces with ease.

But this time, the ducal faction wasn’t moving because the Crown Prince’s faction had weakened. Instead, Ghislain’s interference had ruined their plans, leaving them no choice but to act.

Ghislain’s efforts to assist the Crown Prince’s faction during the drought had delayed their downfall, effectively buying time despite accelerating the war in other ways.

It was as if the events meant to happen would inevitably unfold at their appointed time.

This works in my favor.

If the future didn’t deviate too far, controlling the situation wouldn’t be difficult for him.

Ghislain’s preparations weren’t just for the civil war; they were also aimed at the era of calamities.

Before that era arrived, he needed to eliminate anyone who could become a hindrance.

“Make a decision quickly,” Ghislain urged.

“Hmm...”

Marquis Branford let out a low groan of contemplation.

He was a nobleman of honor and pride, respected by the kingdom’s aristocracy for never acting without justification. For him, launching an attack without a clear pretext was a profoundly difficult choice.

In this matter, the ever-straightforward Morris proved to be more decisive.

“What’s there to think about? If they’re bad people, let’s just take them out! I’ll take responsibility!”

Buoyed by the gifts he had received, Morris was in such high spirits that he seemed ready to attack anyone Ghislain pointed at.

Ghislain subtly fanned the flames.

“If the marquis finds this troublesome, I can have my forces handle the capital first.”

Marquis Branford chuckled softly. It was absurd. What Ghislain was proposing was no different from sidelining him and acting unilaterally.

A time to let strength speak, huh...

It was inevitable that they would have to fight. And if that was the case, eliminating suspected threats preemptively would indeed be more efficient.

This could also be an opportunity to strengthen the royal authority.

True to his political acumen, Marquis Branford considered the broader implications. Exercising force without justification could instill fear, and that fear could serve as a foundation for consolidating the monarchy’s power.

He only needed to cast aside his ideals and honor. Even if it meant earning the reputation of being a servant who overshadowed the king, the results might justify the means.

“I’ll distribute the lists you’ve provided. Move swiftly before they catch wind of this. Inform the lords of each territory immediately,” Branford ordered, finally making his decision.

Ghislain smiled as the marquis spoke, while the other nobles appeared visibly tense.

They were about to wield their swords without justification—a drastic shift from their usual cautious approach.

Only Morris remained enthusiastic.

“Gather the men and let’s wipe them all out immediately!”

He eagerly sprang into action, and the other nobles hesitantly followed his lead.

Marquis Branford, shaking his head, turned back to Ghislain, his fatigue evident.

“You still have more to say, don’t you?”

“Yes, I have one more favor to ask.”

“...Of course. What is it this time?”

Ghislain grinned slyly.

“I’d like a gift.”

“...What kind of gift?”

“I’d like a fragment of the Dragon Heart stored in the royal treasury.”

“...”

The existence of Dragon Heart fragments in the royal treasury wasn’t exactly a secret. These fragments were among the most precious treasures of the kingdom, obtained through centuries of Luthania’s history.

The kingdom had only managed to secure a single Dragon Heart, and due to its immense power, it was divided into smaller fragments and bestowed sparingly to loyal servants across generations.

“That’s something we can only give to those who have proven their utmost loyalty to the crown.”

Even among loyal subjects, only the most deserving could receive such a fragment.

This generation’s recipients included the kingdom’s Swordmaster and the master of the royal mage tower.

It was out of the question to give it to someone like Ghislain, whose domain was largely independent from the crown and who clearly lacked any intent to demonstrate loyalty.

"Aaaaah!"

The merchant guild members barely had time to draw their weapons before they were overwhelmed and slaughtered. The Marquis’s forces were of the highest caliber, leaving no chance for resistance.

But then something unexpected happened.

Clang! Clang! Clang!

Jeffrey, who had seemingly produced a weapon out of nowhere, parried every strike from the knights. A faint blue light enveloped his blade.

Rozaline’s eyes narrowed sharply.

A mere merchant guild leader holding his own against elite knights?

While it wasn’t impossible for a wealthy merchant to be skilled in combat, it was rare. They had the resources for quality training, but such martial prowess would typically be well-known.

And yet, Jeffrey’s exceptional abilities had gone unnoticed until now. This raised suspicions, which were quickly confirmed.

"You bitch! How the hell did you find out!"

His venomous tone was enough to betray his allegiance.

Rozaline smiled coolly.

"You don’t need to know. Just die without making this any uglier."

"You witch!"

Jeffrey lunged at Rozaline, but the knights and soldiers blocked his path.

Clang! Clang! Clang!

Though his skills were impressive, Jeffrey couldn’t fend off the combined might of the Marquis’s forces indefinitely. He was quickly overwhelmed, his body riddled with injuries as blood poured from his wounds.

"Ugh... hah...."

As Jeffrey staggered, blood dripping to the ground, one of the knights approached to deliver the final blow.

"Die!"

The knight’s sword swung down toward him.

Clang!

"Impossible!"

Despite his wounds, Jeffrey managed to raise his weapon and block the attack.

But that wasn’t all.

Rrrghhh!

His body began to swell unnaturally, his clothes ripping apart as his muscles expanded grotesquely.

"What... what is this?"

The knight staggered back in shock, and the others froze, their faces pale.

Jeffrey’s grotesque transformation was accompanied by a palpable surge of mana, so intense it made the knights’ bodies tingle with dread.

The once-wounded merchant let out a monstrous roar.

"Graaaagh!"

His distorted appearance and unearthly howl made it clear he had lost all semblance of humanity.

"Kill him now!" Rozaline snapped, folding her fan as she barked the order.

The nearest soldiers thrust their spears at Jeffrey.

Clang! Clang! Clang!

"What the—"

To their horror, the spears couldn’t even pierce his skin.

"Dieee!"

Slash!

Jeffrey swung his blade, decapitating the soldiers in front of him with a single sweep.

"You bastard!"

The knights finally regained their composure and attacked in unison. Jeffrey, now a monstrous figure, absorbed their strikes without hesitation as he charged forward.

"Milady!"

"Stop him!"

Despite their efforts, no one could halt Jeffrey’s advance. His monstrous form barreled toward Rozaline with singular focus.

"This... this can’t be...."

As Jeffrey closed in, Rozaline’s face turned pale.

The Marquis’s knights were strong enough to fend off most adversaries, but she hadn’t anticipated Jeffrey’s transformation into such a monster.

Graaaaah!

Jeffrey’s distorted face twisted into what resembled a grotesque grin as he swung his sword at Rozaline.

Rozaline clenched her eyes shut, bracing for the inevitable. The knights were closing in, but it was already too late.

Swoosh!

A sound like the air itself being torn apart echoed through the battlefield.

Thud!

Before Jeffrey’s sword could reach her, a spear flew through the air and pierced his body, halting his attack in an instant.