The Failure Marquis Is A Genius [EN]: Chapter 196

Chapter 23: Side Story – The Visiting Scoundrel

#1

The history of humanity, which faced an unprecedented turning point with the appearance of the Demon King Baal, had its destruction postponed by winning the final war.

It was a great relief that the result was good, but it was impossible to be entirely happy because so many sacrifices had been made.

Numerous soldiers became cold corpses buried in the snowfields, and so many commanders died that it was hard to count.

Even among the Seven Stars, there were casualties, including Hans, the leader of the Knights, who was once called the best in the continent.

Hans, the leader of the Knights, who was loyal to the current Emperor and called the Sword of the Empire, was subjected to concentrated attacks by high-ranking demons as soon as the battle began.

At first, he seemed to be holding out with his excellent personal combat skills, but eventually, he met his end.

It was the moment when the great star of the Empire fell.

Hans’ death was reported throughout the continent, and among those who heard this news was the leader of the rebels who had revolted against the Empire.

The rebels, who were holding out in the castle and fighting against the Imperial army, sighed in relief upon hearing this news.

“Phew, it’s such a relief that at least Hans is dead.”

“Indeed.”

The initial momentum of the rebels was fierce, like a fire spreading across the fields.

They had a cause.

The mysterious death of Crown Prince Alex, and the sudden appearance of Crown Prince Pahel, backed by the Desert Kingdom.

It was difficult for them to accept, as they advocated for the Empire’s pure-blooded lineage, and they started a rebellion with the support of many nobles.

At first, they were on a winning streak.

They completely seized the northwestern part of the Empire.

It was around that time that they heard the news of the appearance of the Demon King Baal.

“I still can’t believe that a Demon King really appeared. I thought it was just a rumor to distract us.”

“Thanks to that, our situation has become difficult. The lords who followed us are also wavering.”

The appearance of the Demon King, which they had dismissed as a rumor, was real.

As the victorious army returned triumphantly, survivors’ testimonies spread everywhere.

Only then did the continent know that a great war that could have determined the fate of Arnia had taken place in the northern snowfields.

Even the fact that many heroes were born there.

“Public opinion has turned. Now we have gone from being guardians of the Empire’s legitimacy to bystanders who watched the continent’s destruction.”

Of course, all the nobles gathered here refused Hans’ call to the Demon King expedition.

“Let’s continue since Hans, the most troublesome knight for the Crown Prince, is dead. It’s the same for them and us that there is no Sword Master, an asymmetric force.”

When the meeting was over and everyone was about to get up, a soldier burst through the door, panting heavily.

“Lord! Something terrible has happened!!”

“What is this rudeness? Come back in with proper manners.”

“This is not the time for that. There are enormous things outside the castle… It’s hard to explain. Come outside and see for yourself!”

The rebel leaders all stood on the castle walls and looked beyond.

And they couldn’t close their gaping mouths.

Thousands of unidentified giant golems were besieging the castle.

Even soldiers in unfamiliar uniforms were gathering, and their number seemed to be at least tens of thousands.

“Where on earth did these soldiers come from…”

“They are heroes. The hero who defeated the Demon King has come here himself to punish us.”

“What? A hero… Henon Lloyd?”

“That’s right!”

They had heard of it.

That the eighth star had risen in the small rural kingdom of Elden.

They had heard of Henon Lloyd, born out of wedlock, but it was such a distant story and it was so absurd that he had become a Sword Master at the young age of twenty that they dismissed it as a rumor.

That Henon Lloyd had come all the way here, the nobles from the Empire who led the rebellion became confused.

“Listen!!!!”

Clang!!

Hennon’s words were heard from the opposite side.

The amplified voice and the powerful energy contained within it were enough to make their legs give way.

“We defeated the Demon King and saved the continent. What have you been doing? Entrusting your fate to others and trying to take care of your own interests. What is pure blood and what is legitimacy! Do you think the values you pursued will remain even after the continent is destroyed?”

Hennon’s words were all true.

The nobles who led the rebellion looked around.

The soldiers, feeling ashamed, lowered their heads with reddened faces.

The atmosphere was not good.

“I’ll give you a chance now. Raise the white flag and surrender. If you do, I will at least give you a chance to save your lives. If not… you will experience the wrath of the continent with your whole body.”

The murmuring grew louder.

The nobles bit their lips until they bled.

Even if they surrendered, they, the ringleaders, could not survive.

It was best to fight to the end, throw their subordinates as bait, and then escape with some of the nobles when they saw an opportunity.

“Don’t be fooled by the serpent’s tongue! We can win. Long live the Calon Empire! We are the real imperial citizens… Keheok!! Cough! Cough!”

The noble, who was inciting his subordinates, felt a burning pain in his chest and coughed up blood.

A blood-soaked blade pierced his heart and protruded out.

When he turned around, an officer was looking at him with a mournful expression.

“How dare… you betray me?”

“You betrayed us. How can you say we should fight after seeing that? You were trying to kill us all because of your personal greed.”

The officer, who pulled the sword from his chest, then cut off his head.

That was the beginning.

The remaining leaders were hunted down by their subordinates one by one.

After a while.

Spears with the heads of the rebellion leaders skewered on them were lined up on the castle walls, and next to them, a white flag fluttered.

The rebellion was over.

* * *

The castle gates opened, and the suppression forces entered.

The rebels, who had eliminated their leader with their own hands, prostrated themselves before the new sun of the Empire.

Crown Prince Pahel looked down at them with a troubled expression and spoke to Henon, who was next to him.

“Thanks to you, it ended smoothly.”

The rebellion ended without a fight.

Even if Hans, the leader of the Knights, had been alive, they would have had to fight at least a minimal battle.

This was the power of the hero.

Pahel had to admit it inwardly.

The Empire’s power was still strong, but with the Demon King incident, the Calon Empire would decline, and the hero’s presence would become even greater.

“If they said they would fight even after seeing the golem corps, they would be crazy. Giants that weapons can’t even penetrate would break down the castle walls in an instant and ravage the inside.”

Said Night Spider, who was watching Pahel from the side.

Originally the ruler of the Empire’s back alleys, she had risen to the surface along with Pahel’s rise to the Crown Prince.

Now, she held the plausible title of Grand Preceptor (the Emperor’s teacher), received the title of Countess, and stood by Pahel’s side.

There were many rumors about her actions, which suddenly appeared and took over key positions, but she was such an active and quick-witted woman in politics that she would soon be able to take control of the imperial family.

“Henon, what are you going to do now?”

Pahel and Night Spider’s gazes all turned to Henon.

Hennon was lost in thought.

The Imperial army, including Hans, the leader of the Knights, sent reinforcements to defeat the Demon King even though their own house was on fire.

Hennon, grateful for their will, had suppressed the rebellion to repay them.

He had done enough.

Now, all that was left was…

“Don’t look for me.”

“Hoo?”

“Are you going on vacation or something?”

“That’s right.”

There would be no more involvement with the upper echelons of the Empire.

There might be later, but at least not right now.

“Night Spider, I hope I never see you again in my life.”

“Likewise. If a hero appears, it means that the continent has fallen into chaos.”

Pahel took Henon’s hand.

“I have a slightly different opinion from the Master. Anyway, you are the one who made me the Crown Prince. Come to the Imperial Palace anytime. The Calon Empire welcomes heroes.”

Whether Pahel’s smile was a genuine smile for Henon or a smile to get in touch with the continent’s powerful figures in advance was unknown.

In any case, Henon had gained the favor of the person who would rule the great empire in the future, and it was clear that this peace would continue for the time being.

#2

『Erica Hope』

『The northern mountains where the Demon King appeared! We serve the same honey mead that the hero Henon drank every day.』

A pub located in the Imperial Square hit the jackpot.

The young female owner, who came from the Kingdom of Elden, was named Erica, and she opened a pub named after herself as soon as she came to the Empire.

In fact, she ran a pub called Black Honey in Black Castle, and the pub she ran was called the heart of the castle.

Unlike the soft beer that was previously handled in the Empire, consumers who were fascinated by the sweet yet rough taste flocked to Erica Hope like clouds.

“Three honey meads here!!”

“Hey, boss, give me two beers over here too.”

“I’m in the mood for tomato stew today?”

“Please give me some simple snacks too.”

Perhaps because the word of mouth was so great, not only rough men but also high-ranking nobles and women in dresses came to taste it.

Erica made full use of her unique touch and taste to capture the footsteps of her customers.

A young female boss who earned a lot of money, had outstanding beauty, and was young.

Naturally, many men ran at her with their eyes on fire, including commoners, the sons of wealthy merchants, and even nobles who had received the title of Baron.

But Erica refused them all.

No one knew the reason for the refusal.

They only speculated that she had a deep wound related to men.

From then on, she was nicknamed the Unbreakable Snowflake.

*

Today, Erica was having an insanely busy day, and when the customers subsided for a while, she sat at the counter and rested.

Ting-a-ling

The bell installed on the door rang, and three customers came in.

Two men and one woman.

They were wearing hoods so deeply that their faces were not visible, but their physique and the energy they exuded were unusual.

“Welcome.”

“Three honey meads.”

“Yes, please sit down.”

As she turned around to pour the beer, the customer grabbed her.

“Just one question.”

“Please speak.”

“Is this really the pub that the hero Henon visited?”

Erica’s face brightened rapidly when Henon’s story came out.

That’s because, to her, Henon was a benefactor who changed her life and a mascot who made Erica Hope a hit.

If this pub was not related to the hero, it would never have grown this far.

Erica, who knew this exactly, smiled brightly as soon as she thought of Henon and answered the customer’s question.

“Of course!! I still remember it. At that time, the hero was not so famous. Rather, he was being criticized as a scoundrel. He was abandoned by his family and became a Ranger, and after training, he always came to Black Honey and drank the beer I made.”

Looking at Erica chattering brightly, a thin smile formed on the lips of the man whose lower half of his face was revealed under the hood.

“Good story.”

“Because it’s a story based on facts. Anyway, please sit down. I’ll give you the same beer that Henon drank.”

The customers sat down, and Erica hummed and made beer for a long time.

Suddenly, the door broke open with a crash, and rough men rushed in and tracked mud inside.

“Kyaaaaak!!”

The noble lady who was sitting screamed sharply and ran out of the pub, and the remaining customers buried their heads on the table and glanced at the uninvited guests.

“W, who are you?”

A man who appeared to be the leader looked at Erica and frowned.

“I heard rumors. Are you the swindler who monopolizes the neighborhood’s liquor prices?”

“Yes? What are you talking about?”

“I’m right, aren’t I? You never even peed north, let alone the north, but you lied that you ran a pub in the north.”

Erica was speechless when she saw the man taking a bad posture and swaggering.

“That’s…”

“No? Am I wrong?”

“I really ran a pub called Black Honey in the north.”

“Heeey, just go crap. You’re saying that a frail girl like you was in the north where the Demon King came out? Guys, do you think that makes sense?”

“No, brother! That girl is definitely a swindler.”

“It’s obvious that it’s all nonsense that she served beer to the hero. I don’t even need to see it.”

“It’s true!”

Erica’s face turned red, and she screamed.

She was so angry that she took a rough breath and opened her mouth.

“You can think whatever you want that it’s a lie that I ran a pub in the north. But please take back your remarks about the hero. This pub is a promise with him and my friend Zion, who served him.”

The thugs who heard Erica’s words looked at each other and twitched their lips.

Then, as if they couldn’t stand it anymore, they finally burst into laughter.

“Keh heh heh heh heh!!!”

“Puh? What? A promise?”

“Now that I see it, this girl is completely delusional.”

The man who laughed at Erica for a long time walked up to her and narrowed the distance.

Erica, who instinctively felt threatened by the approaching large man, unknowingly took a step back until her back touched the wall.

The man, who brought his face close to Erica, smiled hideously and said.

“Okay. Let’s say what you said is true. Who will prove it? Huh? Who will say that the beer you made is the same as the beer the hero drank?”

“That’s…”

“Should I open a pub in front of your house tomorrow and say the same thing? That it’s the beer the hero drank? Then who will prove my words? Will a passing dog tell me? Euhahahahaha!!!!”

The pub became a sea of laughter.

Tears streamed down Erica’s face with resentment.

Nevertheless, she couldn’t say anything.

Because, apart from the rude behavior, the thug’s words made sense.

“I’ll give you exactly one week. Knowingly close up shop and get out. If you ignore it… you know better than anyone what will happen.”

The man left Erica, who was shaking her hands with anger, and turned around.

Just as he was about to open the pub door and leave.

A strange man’s voice was heard in his ear.

“It’s the same as the liquor the hero drank.”

The leader-like man stopped walking.

Then, the thugs who were following him stopped walking all at once.

Including the customers in the room, even Erica fixed their eyes on the man who had just made the sound.

“…What did you say?”

“Are your ears blocked? I said it’s exactly the same as the liquor the hero drank. The taste is the same even after several years.”

Some of the customers who were sitting down clicked their tongues and sighed.

This was because they thought that the man had made a mistake because he couldn’t overcome his youthful spirit.

Why wouldn’t they be angry?

The pub where they were enjoying delicious honey mead was about to be forced to close.

Nevertheless, the reason they endured was because their own safety was more important than sympathizing with Erica’s plight.

“Hoora, here’s another stupid colt who can’t tell the difference between heaven and earth.”

A thug who clenched his fist walked towards the man who had just uttered the outrageous words with a swagger.

“Did you want to come forward because the store manager here is pretty and the liquor tastes good? Did you want to raise your voice in front of guys like us and get applause? But what should I do? This is not the kind of place you think it is.”

Kwaaaang!!!

The table was broken by the thug’s kick, and the snacks and beer glasses on it were all scattered on the floor.

“I’ll give you one chance. Prove your statement. If you prove it, I’ll step back cleanly. But if you don’t prove it…”

Seureureung

The sword was half drawn from its scabbard.

“I’ll cut off at least one arm.”

A suffocating silence.

So much so that you could even hear the sound of swallowing dry saliva.

The man who caused the problem was wearing a hood so deeply that his expression was not visible.

The man who received the ultimatum slowly got up.

Then he took off the hat on the hood.

As the hat was taken off, glossy black hair came down, and white skin, a sharp nose, and mysterious green eyes appeared.

Kwadang!!

Erica, who was watching the situation from the counter, was so surprised that she fell on her butt.

She screamed as if screaming.

“Henon!!”

The ripple of the name she called was great.

The drinkers cheered all at once.

“Henon? Is that the real Henon?”

“A hero? Is that person?”

“I’ve heard of him. Black hair and green eyes. At least the appearance is the same.”

“Why is the real hero coming to a pub like this?”

“Haven’t you heard? The owner here is close to the hero.”

“Then all the things that the young female boss said are true?”

Hennon was just the beginning.

The man and woman next to him also took off their hoods.

As the large Campbell and the purple-haired woman Zion revealed themselves, Erica went to Zion without hesitation and hugged her.

“Zion! Campbell! It’s been so long! Heueong heueong.”

“Erica, I heard you opened a decent pub in Osdin City, and you really kept your promise. I’m proud of you.”

“Heueong heueong.”

Erica, who was crying as if the world was going to end, and Zion, who was hugging her tightly with tears in her eyes.

Even Campbell, who was quietly rubbing his eyes from behind.

The thugs were embarrassed by the sudden situation.

“No way… is it?”

“It’s the no way you’re thinking of.”

“Don’t lie!!!”

A thug who couldn’t believe the reality rushed towards Henon and stopped.

Because an iridescent energy was blocking his way.

The symbol of the Sword Master.

It was the Aura Blade.

“Aura Blade!!”

“It was real! That person is a real hero!”

“Oh my god, I’m actually seeing a hero in person!”

“Waaaaaaa!!!!”

The drinkers all got up and cheered.

Some of them climbed on the table and poured alcohol on their heads. (I don’t know why.)

It was truly madness.

The thugs, who judged that the situation was wrong, all knelt down and slammed their heads on the floor.

“I’m sorry!! We didn’t recognize the hero!!”

The thug boss sweated coldly and slammed his forehead on the floor until it bled.

“What are you doing? You’re making the pub floor dirty.”

“I’m sorry!! Please save us just once! We just received orders from the higher-ups!”

“There was a higher-up?”

“Yes!”

“Then have one person go and bring your boss. You know what will happen if you don’t bring him?”

The thug boss, whose face turned white as he made a scissor shape with his left hand and cut off his right arm, hurriedly ran out of the pub.

Soon after, 10 minutes later, the thug boss brought his superior, who had an unusual atmosphere.

The superior was already grumbling from outside the pub.

“What kind of nonsense are you talking about! It must be a hero impersonator.”

“No! He was a real hero who used the Aura Blade!”

“Aura Blade? Have you ever seen an Aura Blade?”

“No.”

“Then shut up. I’ve actually seen a hero, so I can tell right away when I see his face. I can’t forget the moment when that damn Henon broke my pub…”

The superior, who entered the pub, made eye contact with Henon and stopped right there.

A clear drop of sweat fell from his temple.

“…Hero?”

Hennon was also familiar with the superior’s face.

The Merrybo Pub, which he always went to when he had business in Black Night.

Because he was the manager there.

“You remember me, right? What was your name again?”

“Yes! I’m Olga!”

“Why are you messing with other people’s pubs instead of managing your own pub well? Especially the pub run by my friend.”

“I’m sorry!! I’ll fix it!!”

“There’s no need to fix it. Just guide me.”

Olga tilted her head at Henon’s words.

“Where to?”

“Where else but the Merrybo Pub.”

“Why would you go to my pub…”

“Why do you think I’m going there?”

Hennon asked nonchalantly and gave a devilish smile.

Only then did Olga realize.

That this time again, her pub would be destroyed by Henon.

He despaired inwardly and finally dropped his head.

“I’ll guide you.”

From that day on, the Merrybo Pub was completely destroyed, leaving only the sign.

The events that took place at Erica Hope spread like wildfire through word of mouth among gossipers.

As the hidden friendship between the hero and Erica was revealed, the men who had been flirting with her disappeared completely, and the business, which was already booming, became a huge boom and even opened a branch.

Erica.

Ten years later, she became one of the richest people in Osdin City.

And she married Campbell and had two sons and one daughter.