Player Who Became A Constellation [EN]: Chapter 168

168

Loki reached out and twisted the hilt of Cancun’s holy sword.

The unleashed slash headed towards the ground, scraping the floor.

Dust billowed up, and those at the front of the refugee crowd stared blankly at Loki and his group.

“……!”

Their eyes widened, displaying an expression of disbelief.

The soldiers on the wall and the guards who had been trying to stop the refugees also froze like statues, staring at the sharply split ground where the floor had caved in.

What if that slash had been aimed at them instead of the ground?

The wall would have crumbled, and the refugees would have been split in half, dying in droves.

Cancun bared his teeth like an angry wolf, growling.

“…….”

It wasn’t just Cancun.

Kudan had drawn Mjolnir from his back, and Shaman was also raising his staff.

If Loki hadn’t stopped Cancun, they would have slaughtered the refugees without hesitation.

And the survivors of Kanta Fortress, emboldened by their actions, would have rushed in, and eventually, Kanta Fortress would have collapsed.

“Calm down.”

Loki’s calm voice was heard.

“We’re here to escort that kid Johan, not to clean up trash.”

His voice was soothing Cancun’s anger.

“…….”

Cancun glared at the refugees with eyes full of intense murderous intent, then closed his eyes and took a deep breath.

He sheathed his holy sword and opened his mouth.

“I lost my reason. I… I am sorry.”

Kudan and Shaman also withdrew their murderous intent.

“I’m… I’m sorry!”

Johan quickly approached Loki and apologized.

Then he shouted at the guards.

“Push, push the refugees back!”

Only then did the guards come to their senses and push the refugees away, creating distance.

The guards had also felt it.

For a moment, their survival instincts were screaming.

That they should not make these people their enemies….

They were not ordinary people.

If they angered them, they would not be able to handle the consequences.

Was it because of Cancun’s threat?

The refugees retreated obediently.

Loki watched them and moved on without hesitation.

Johan followed Loki, watching his every move.

As they entered Kanta Fortress through the open gate, nobles were there to greet them.

They bowed to Johan.

“We have prepared warm water and a meal.”

They spoke to Johan, but they were also watching Loki and his group with tension.

The mercenaries hired to protect Johan… they had thought they were just ordinary.

When Johan praised them to the skies to Lord Helter, they thought it was just a child’s boasting.

‘They overwhelmed and drove back hundreds of Velet Kingdom soldiers with just four people!’

…Who could believe such a thing?

But after seeing the slash just now, it seemed it wasn’t just a child’s boasting.

‘That female warrior’s sword… it’s no ordinary sword!’

‘It may not be as good as the divine artifact of the Velet royal family, but it might still be useful.’

They had a distinctly different aura than the Nord mercenaries they had seen so far.

They called the servants and maids, ordering them to guide Loki and his group to the VIP room.

“They’re telling us to wash up and eat.”

Cancun, Kudan, and Shaman relaxed their expressions at Loki’s lighthearted joke.

They also wanted to rest after a long journey.

While Loki and his group were being led to the VIP room, the nobles kept talking to them.

It was a very friendly attitude.

It was the end of the war.

The power they had shown gave them hope that they might save their lives.

“…That’s a relief.”

Johan was relieved by the good atmosphere, which was different from before.

Johan followed Loki, sniffing his nose, wondering if he smelled.

“Ugh!”

A terrible stench.

Johan looked at a servant and asked.

“I want to wash up.”

“Yes, I will guide you.”

Johan headed to his assigned room.

***

“Ah… I feel like I’m alive again!”

Cancun had a very satisfied expression, perhaps because he was able to soak in warm water for the first time in a long time.

He was even able to relieve the anger he had felt a little while ago.

Wiping his wet hair, he looked at Loki, Kudan, and Shaman, who were gathered in the VIP room.

Loki and Kudan were looking out the window together.

Loki was examining the state of the fortress, and Kudan was looking at the refugees in front of the gate.

“There seem to be only about 1,000 guards in the fortress.”

It was the last of the Kartal Kingdom’s forces.

Their level would only be that of mercenaries.

“There is one shortcut we used to the north, and three paths to the west. Each path has a barrier, and about 300 soldiers are guarding it.”

It was a small force.

Even if you add them all up, it would be at most 2,000.

In that state, with thousands of refugees in the front yard who could riot at any time, the soldiers here would be uneasy.

“Open the gate!”

“Let us in!”

Refugees were gathered at the gate of Kanta Fortress, protesting and demanding that the gate be opened.

When someone threw a stone at a guard, the guard threatened them with a spear.

Only then did the refugees back down.

Even if they lost their minds in despair, they would lower their tails as if nothing had happened when their lives were threatened.

After a while, the supplies Johan had promised were moved to the front yard.

As soon as the supplies were released, the refugees gathered like ants. They even fought each other to take the supplies.

“I don’t know who the barbarians are.”

Loki laughed at them.

“They’re probably just struggling to survive.”

At Kudan’s words, Shaman groomed his staff with a handkerchief and said.

“Heh heh, if they were Nord, they would have tried to occupy this fortress rather than clinging to such meager supplies.”

Cancun smiled awkwardly at those words.

“They’re pathetic.”

The three people looked at Cancun at those words.

“……Why?”

Cancun tilted his head, and the three people shook their heads.

Knock knock-!

At that time, the door opened with a knock.

A servant bowed and said.

“Dinner is ready.”

***

The dinner was splendid.

Rare dishes were placed on the table, and an orchestra played sweet music next to it.

It was quite a luxurious meal compared to the situation.

With that thought, Loki pondered.

Was it a reward for saving the young king?

Loki shook his head.

‘No, they probably eat like this all the time.’

Well, to them, the refugees were no longer citizens of their country.

The country had fallen, and only exile remained.

They must have chosen luxury for themselves rather than helping others.

“Welcome!”

The nobles of Kartal rose from their seats and bowed.

“Thank you once again for saving His Highness.”

A young noble reached out and offered a seat.

“I heard you haven’t eaten anything since marching last night. Please, sit down and eat.”

At that sight, Cancun whispered to Loki.

“They’re polite.”

Loki was also surprised.

Considering that it was a country that discriminated against Nord, the actions of the nobles in front of him were quite friendly.

A middle-aged noble said.

“His Highness will be here in a little while. He told us to treat the benefactors first, so you can enjoy the banquet right away.”

At the nobles’ invitation, the meal began.

“It’s delicious!”

“Oh, this wine is quite delicious!”

“…I don’t know how long it’s been since I’ve tasted foreign food.”

Cancun, Kudan, and Shaman were satisfied.

Loki tasted the food and showed a surprised expression.

The noble smiled at their reaction and said.

“Do you like it?”

“Yeah.”

The muscles in the eyes of the noble who spoke to Loki twitched at Loki’s bluntness.

But he didn’t complain.

“Our kingdom’s food is famous even on the continent. If you wish, I will tell the chef to write down the recipe.”

The conversation flowed smoothly.

It was a friendly atmosphere.

When the atmosphere was ripe, the nobles brought up the main point.

“Ah, His Highness Johan mentioned it. It’s about your employment….”

It was then.

“L, Lord! No! A, and who is that woman?!”

“What do you mean no?! Damn it, you’re enjoying a banquet without me?! Even if I’m a king, everything in this fortress is mine! Don’t use it without permission! And what does it matter what I do with my things!”

“T, there are His Highness’s guests inside! Most of them are Nord. If you show this side of you…!”

“Ah! Right, there was a woman among the mercenaries, wasn’t there? Is she a beauty? Then she should come to greet me first! I’m the owner of this castle! That’s why barbarians are…! They have no manners!”

The outside was noisy.

Accordingly, the nobles frowned.

“Ah, that ignorant…!”

“That’s why warlords are….”

“…Excuse me for a moment.”

It was when the middle-aged noble stood up and approached the door.

The door burst open.

“Haha!”

A boisterous laugh.

“Kyaaak!”

In contrast, a scream was heard.

Cancun, Kudan, and Shaman’s faces hardened.

Loki put the glass of wine to his mouth and turned his gaze to the entrance of the restaurant.

“Haha! Isn’t this too much? Enjoying a banquet without me, the owner of this castle?”

A man with a handsome beard and a sturdy physique entered.

His face was flushed, as if he was already drunk.

His body was also staggering, unable to stand properly.

He was holding a woman’s hair in his hand, and the woman’s hair color was blue, so you could tell she was Nord.

“P, please stop. Please… I did as you told me. So please, let my child go!”

The woman was covered in tears.

Her arms and legs were full of wounds, and it seemed that the tendons were cut off except for one foot.

The nobles were startled at the sight.

“H, Lord Helter! What are you doing!? H, how can you treat Nord like that in front of the benefactors!”

The nobles glanced at Loki and his group and shouted.

Lord Helter raised the corners of his mouth.

“Huh? Are you saying that I’m the only one who’s wrong? Treating the Nord like this is….”

Lord Helter pointed to the nobles.

“Aren’t you the same?”

“……!”

The nobles flinched.

They looked at Loki and his group.

Sensing that Kudan, Cancun, and Shaman’s eyes were turning cold, they quickly approached Helter and grabbed his arm.

“W, what nonsense are you talking about!”

“Why? Among the hired mercenaries, didn’t you send the ignorantly strong guys to the front lines to use as meat shields, and trick the stupid ones into capturing them and using them as slaves?”

“L… Let’s go out first!”

The middle-aged noble stopped Lord Helter and tried to take him out of the restaurant.

The young noble looked at Loki and his group and smiled awkwardly. He approached Loki, who was the representative, and spoke.

“H, haha! There must have been some misunderstanding. First of all, let’s talk about this….”

The young noble was sweating profusely and trailing off.

Loki noticed.

Come to think of it…. These Kartal nobles had never spoken to Kudan, Cancun, or Shaman.

They were unconsciously despising them.

“Oh! What, there was a beauty? And I don’t know about that old man, but that bear-like guy will be quite useful! He’s perfect as a guard slave!”

Lord Helter said, alternating between Kudan, Cancun, and Shaman.

And he found Loki.

“Are you the owner of these slaves?”

“…….”

Loki put down the glass of wine.

He reached out, tore off a large roasted leg of meat, and put it in his mouth.

When the person who seemed to be the leader didn’t react, Lord Helter took it as encouragement.

“I heard you’re a mercenary? Then I’ll hire you. I want you to escort us when we go to another country.”

Loki chewed the meat and turned his gaze to the entrance.

The guards guarding the front of the restaurant were watching.

“Leave. I’ll talk to them.”

At Loki’s words, the guards looked at the nobles.

The nobles put their hands on their foreheads and nodded.

The soldiers closed the door and left.

Silence and the sound of Loki chewing food filled the restaurant.

Lord Helter said with a smile.

“I heard you have extraordinary skills? I have enough money to hire you. If it’s not enough, I’ll give you slaves.”

“Slaves?”

Lord Helter nodded. He pointed to the Nord woman with his finger.

“Yes, I have a lot of spoils of war from me and the nobles here.”

“…….”

“So….”

“Coming here was the right answer.”

Loki got up from his seat.

Facing Lord Helter.

“I find you really unpleasant.”

“What?”

“Do you know that we are mercenaries of Asgard?”

“…What does that matter? You’re not Nord, are you?”

“No. But…”

Loki pointed to the Nord woman with his finger.

“That person is my thrall [a person in bondage or under the dominion of another].”

“Thrall? Not a slave?”

Lord Helter tilted his head.

Words don’t work.

Not just because he’s drunk, but because his values are different.

“Then let me ask. How many captured Nord are there?”

The drunk Helter babbled.

“There are many Nord. About 50 people? I carefully selected the ones to sell to the nobles when they defected, and I thought it was better to kill the rest than to have them taken away by the Velet guys, so I killed them all. So….”

“I see. The place you’re trying to defect to will be the same, right? Thanks for the good information.”

Loki ate all the last meat he had in his hand.

He even chewed the bones.

Then, he sharpened the remaining bones.

Loki grabbed Helter’s crown and pierced the sharp leg bone through Lord Helter’s neck.