Became The Son Of The Final Boss [EN]: Chapter 121

121.

By evening, I had scouted a total of three potential ambush locations.

All of them offered excellent terrain for hunting Wyverns.

Just before sunset, we set up camp in a cave near Death Falls.

It was more spacious and comfortable than the caves actually inside Death Falls.

We pitched the tents and had dinner.

“Your Highness, after inspecting just one more location tomorrow, the reconnaissance of potential sites will be complete,” Hamilton said.

I nodded in response.

“We should arrive back at the castle around the day after tomorrow. I’m expecting a letter from Ken by then.”

I stretched, letting out a small groan. My whole body felt stiff. The field felt more familiar than the Crown Prince’s palace, but the bedding was inevitably less comfortable.

“Let’s get some rest early. Fortunately, the Orcs have scattered, and we haven’t encountered any monsters.”

While scouting ambush locations near Death Falls, we also took a look at the Orc Legion’s main camp.

The Orc Legion’s main camp was no longer swarming with Orcs; only scattered groups of tribes remained.

Also, we didn’t encounter any monsters during the reconnaissance, making it relatively easy and saving time.

Among the three ambush locations we saw today, I favored the second one the most.

First, I wanted to hear the opinions of others.

“Which location do you think is the best?”

“I thought the first ambush location we saw was the best. The cliffs are high, and there are plenty of trees, making it easy for archers and knights to hide. Plus, the trees could provide at least some cover against a Wyvern’s attack,” Riorden answered first, followed by David.

“I liked the second one. Although the terrain is relatively flat, archers can ambush effectively from the hills. The terrain is also wide, making it easy for knights to maneuver. And, in case of an emergency, it’s possible to evacuate to the cave.”

Gayle also agreed that the second one looked promising.

I then gave my own opinion.

“I like the second one too. It’s the only one with a viable escape route. The other two risk total annihilation if the hunt isn’t successful.”

Hamilton also picked the second ambush location.

“Let’s prioritize the second ambush location and check out the last one tomorrow.”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

Riorden didn’t show any disappointment, even though his opinion was rejected.

“Good. Let’s rest for today.”

* * *

The last ambush location was some distance from the Wyvern’s nest.

I spent the whole morning looking at it, but the second ambush location still felt like the best option.

Everyone agreed with my assessment.

“Since we’re here, let’s check out the escape route from the second ambush location.”

“You mean check the escape route?” Gayle asked.

I nodded.

“We’ll re-confirm the second ambush location and take a look at the caves. We’ll check where they lead and whether they can definitely provide a safe escape from a Wyvern’s attack.”

Hamilton stepped forward.

“That’s a good idea, Your Highness. Now that you’ve decided on the ambush location, it’s wise to take a closer look at the potential escape routes.”

“Are the supplies holding up okay?”

The original schedule was two to three days, but it was extended by one more day.

“Sufficient.”

At David’s answer, I immediately started moving.

“How far is it from here?”

Hamilton replied.

“It’s not that far. The road is a bit rough, but we can go directly.”

Hamilton seemed to know more about the Dark Forest paths than Riorden.

Riorden also pointed out that fact.

“The Baron seems to be a resident of the Dark Forest. I’ve been around quite a bit myself, but the Baron knows much more.”

Hamilton smiled.

“I’ve come to know many paths while wandering around during reconnaissance missions.”

“Baron Hamilton has a good sense of direction! Let’s hurry.”

I quickened my pace.

* * *

As Hamilton said, the distance to the second ambush location was not far.

The road was rough, but we didn’t encounter any monsters.

“I like that we haven’t met a single monster on this reconnaissance.”

Riorden agreed with my words.

“We’ve fought so much lately that it feels strange not to meet one.”

“Right. Let’s go to that cave over there first.”

There were a total of five caves in the second ambush location.

The entrances were all clustered nearby, so it didn’t seem like it would take too long to scout them all.

We decided to scout the cave on the far right first.

Gayle took the lead with Hamilton. I followed behind and immediately summoned Phoenix [a spirit of light].

Phoenix brightly illuminated the inside of the cave.

“The cave isn’t as big as I thought.”

Since the entrance was huge, I naturally assumed the cave would be large too.

The passage inside was only wide enough for about three people to pass.

‘It’s important to know the condition and exits of all the caves.’

Since it was an escape route in case of emergency, I carefully examined the surroundings.

I summoned Sylph [a spirit of wind] while speaking.

“I’ll send the spirits ahead first.”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

Sylph flew forward.

‘I hope Undead don’t come out.’

It wasn’t a cave near Death Falls, and monsters might live there, but I didn’t expect Undead to appear, especially since I killed the Lich [a powerful undead sorcerer] who could summon them.

I heard rumors that there were Undead inside the Dark Forest, but it hadn’t been confirmed.

We were heading peacefully towards the cave exit.

“Your Highness, it’s the exit,” Gayle announced.

I widened my eyes at Gayle’s words.

“Let’s hurry out.”

* * *

Ken, who had come up to the capital, met Soris right away.

“I heard the news of the victory. His Highness has done a great service.”

“What’s the atmosphere like in the capital?”

Soris smiled bitterly.

“Everyone seems to be more interested in the East than the West, because His Majesty went on a personal expedition.”

“How’s the war going there?”

“What do you think?”

“They must be winning every day.”

Soris nodded.

“It seems like the Pyreon Kingdom will soon disappear from the map. All the major cities except the capital have been captured. It will probably take less than a month.”

Ron Carl Leord, the Emperor of the Empire, was called the God of War.

He always won, no matter which battlefield he went to, and was a person who didn’t know defeat.

How strong can an individual become? Perhaps God created Ron to test that.

Ken opened his mouth with a low sigh.

“The victory of the Eastern expedition was a foregone conclusion, but it’s happening faster than I thought. I thought Duke Beregon and Duke Austin would try some tricks since they followed.”

“Tricks?”

“Yes. It’s been a while since the two meritorious subjects went to war themselves, so they might have tried to cut off one of His Majesty’s limbs and return [sabotage the Emperor’s efforts].”

Soris swallowed a hollow laugh.

“Those two Dukes?”

“The two Dukes are not easy people. It’s just that His Majesty is too strong. Because His Majesty is strong, the skills of His Majesty’s shadows have not been accurately revealed.”

“Is that so?”

Soris put aside the war story and asked about Arun’s work.

“Why didn’t His Highness come up?”

Ken briefly explained the situation and also gave a hint about Baron Hamilton.

When Ken’s story was over, Soris immediately decided.

“When Baron Hamilton comes up, the guild members should be entrusted to him.”

“Are you personally acquainted?”

“How could I know a war hero? I’ve only heard his name. And after staying alone in the capital, I found my aptitude.”

Ken tilted his head.

“Aptitude?”

“Butler.”

Ken chuckled.

“That’s good news. His Highness will also want Soris to lead the administrative group.”

Arun didn’t tell Ken exactly, but Ken already knew Arun’s heart inside and out.

“Is that so? I said I would let the guild members live in the sun someday…….”

The Shadow Walk Guild, darkness was inherent in the name.

Assassination, disruption of enemy lines, information gathering, etc., were all done in the shadows.

“It’s His Highness’s direct organization, so of course, it can be said to be in the sun.”

“Direct organization?”

“Isn’t it obvious? Which prince runs an assassination group? Baron Hamilton will probably be appointed as the commander of the Knights.”

“Still…….”

Soris smacked his lips as if he was disappointed even with Ken’s explanation.

“Then are you just going to make them work as servants? Their abilities are superior to anyone else. Moreover, if they meet a good person like Hamilton, their abilities can grow several times.”

“That might be the case.”

Ken continued.

“Baron Hamilton is a war hero. Becoming a member of an organization led by him is a completely different life from being a guild member.”

Soris finally spoke a little more comfortably at Ken’s words that relieved his guilt.

“That’s a relief.”

“I’m going to go straight to the Riverhill family. Can I borrow a carriage?”

“There’s only His Highness’s carriage…… I’ll give you money to borrow one from the village.”

Ken nodded.

“I need a carriage because I’m taking a hostage.”

“Hostage?”

“Atran de Ram.”

Soris’s pupils widened.

“You mean Lord Ram?”

“Yes. I caught him properly this time. It means that the Riverhill family and the Atran family were trying to harm His Highness after all.”

Soon Ken explained in detail about Ram and Thompson, which he had not been able to finish earlier. The more he heard the story, the more Soris’s eyes widened.

“Crazy bastards. It’s unforgivable. His Highness will completely take over the West.”

“Of course.”

Soris took out a few letters from his desk drawer.

“These are the letters that arrived before you. His Highness’s letters.”

“I was a little late because I was dragging Ram, so the letters came before me?”

“Yes.”

Soris did not open Arun’s letters. Since the recipients were all Ken, he didn’t need to see them.

“I’ll see them on the way to the Riverhill family’s main house.”

“Why don’t you take some guild members with you?”

“No. Now that it’s known that I’ve entered the Imperial Palace, there won’t be anything dangerous.”

“That’s true.”

“I’ll tear off a lot and bring it back [extract wealth]. If there’s anything you need in the Crown Prince’s Palace, please tell me.”

Soris welcomed Ken’s words very much.

“Really?”

Soris’s voice continued.

“Actually, the Crown Prince’s Palace budget is smaller than I thought, so it wasn’t easy to feed the guild members.”

“Budget?”

“Don’t you know?”

Ken exclaimed, “Ah!”

The guild members came in around the time Soris started managing the budget.

As there were many numbers, naturally, there was a lot of money going into them.

Arun didn’t have a strong maternal family like other princes, and he had no choice but to use all the money within the budget.

It wouldn’t be appropriate for the Crown Prince to earn money elsewhere.

“Bring as much as possible if you can.”

“Of course. I have to pull out one pillar from each of the two Duke families. It’s treason with witnesses and evidence.”

“You’ll invest a lot in the West, but you have to renovate the Crown Prince’s Palace too.”

Soris’s words continued endlessly.

Ken smiled as he listened to Soris’s words.

‘This guy has really become a housekeeper.’

I definitely needed someone to look after the internal affairs, and Soris was perfect.

Ken felt good as Arun’s power organization chart seemed to be completed one by one.

“Then I’ll be on my way. I have to quickly finish negotiations with the two families and go back to the West.”

“By the way, I heard the story that His Highness was active, but how far has your spiritism improved?”

“He freely controls three high-level spirits.”

Neither the victory nor the treason of the two families shocked Soris so much.

“You’ve become a high-level spirit master?”

“Well, I don’t know exactly, but he summoned the high-level spirits of wind, fire, and earth and killed a hundred Orc sorcerers. The battle between the Sword Master and the Orc King was also spectacular. I missed everything because I was coming.”

Soris clicked his tongue.

“That’s a really scary talent.”

Ken nodded.

“Yes. He’s talented enough to change this country.”