Chapter 272 : Chapter 272

Chapter 272

I ‍​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​​​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​​​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌​​​​‌‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​​​​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​​​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌​​‌​​​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌​​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌‌‌​​​​‌​‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​​​​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​‌​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌‌​​​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌‌​​​​‌‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌‌​​​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌​‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​​​‌​‌​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​​​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​​‌‌​​​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌​​​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​​​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​​​​‌​‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​‌‌‌​​​​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌​​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​​​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​​‌‌​​​​​‌‌‌‌​​​​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​​‌‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​​​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​​​​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​​​‌‌​​​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​​​​‌​‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​​‌​​‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​‌​‌‌‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​​​‌​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​​​‌​​​‌​​​​​‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​​‌‌​​​​​​‌‌‌‌​‌‍lived as a sword for a very long time.

I ‍​‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​‌‌‌​‍spent thousands of years sealed inside a cold blade that possessed no trace of warmth.

And ‍​‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​‌‌‌​‍each time I awakened from my deep slumber, I gave rise to a hero.

But ‍​‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​‌‌‌​‍being a hero did not grant one eternal life.

I ‍​‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​‌‌‌​‍sent my partners away without even a proper farewell, and in the end, I had to accept such an existence.

It ‍​‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​‌‌‌​‍felt bleak and suffocating.

Every one of my comrades told me they would break my seal.

“I’m sorry, Adamas.”

Yet it always ended with them apologizing for dying before me.

Thousands of years had passed since I was sealed inside a blade.

That unfathomable span of time had diluted even my awareness of once having been Human, along with my hatred of the Gods.

Only the teachings of the Mana Heart that I repeated countless times and my understanding of Authorities continued to deepen.

I thought the time ahead would be much the same.

But this time was different.

My reincarnation as Killian Eurasia allowed me to exist as a warm-blooded Human rather than a cold blade.

Being freed from the loathsome Gods’ seal in such an unexpected way brought me unparalleled joy.

And so, I spent my days honoring a comrade’s request and pursuing the faint traces the Gods had left in the world.

In the meantime, new companions gathered around me.

That pleased me.

And so, I taught them without reservation.

Haman, Julian, and the Blue Knight Order.

Everyone whose path crossed mine.

Any Human who chose to forge a life without relying on the Gods.

I taught them without ulterior motive, hoping they would one day reach the same realm as me.

Of all of them, I had spent the most time with the Extermination Squad.

They were the hidden blades of Eurasia, forged by Simon Eurasia and Escardo Schtenberg.

They were talented even by Eurasia’s standards, so the speed of their growth could not be compared to that of ordinary knights.

Serena reached the realm of a Superhuman sooner than expected, while every one of the others reached 6-Star and stood just before the wall.

I had no doubt that if they continued to train and accumulate experience until they surpassed their limits, numerous Sword Masters would be born in Eurasia.

‘I told them to gain experience walking the line between life and death. I didn’t tell them to do things that would get them killed.’

Yulian, Aron, Portran, and Gala.

Along with Serena, they were the companions who had laid the foundation of the Extermination Squad under Killian’s command.

‘I won’t forgive them if they’re dead.’

Leaning back in the rattling carriage, he worried whether they were alive or dead.

Then.

“We have arrived.”

Serena checked outside the window as she spoke.

“All right.”

Killian shook off his thoughts, climbed out of the carriage, and entered the tavern before him.

***

It was an unofficial establishment operated by Bacardi.

Like most Walker guilds, it concealed its true nature beneath the guise of a tavern.

Though everyone was chatting boisterously, it was not difficult to tell that the tavern’s patrons were watching them.

“They’re being rather blatant about staring.”

“Well, anyone who comes here is bound to have fairly close ties to Bacardi.”

Just as Killian and Serena had concealed their appearances with Polymorph magic, most of those here had probably come to conduct business while hiding their identities.

Then.

“The beer here could rightly be called a local specialty. I recommend that you each try another glass.”

A stooped, middle-aged man sat down before them.

“You seemed busy, yet you came in person?”

He was referring to how often Killian left the capital despite being the commander of the Extermination Squad.

“I happened to have some time.”

“You care for your subordinates more than I expected.”

“They’re my companions too.”

“Companions, you say…….”

Clack.

Tial Salamander quickly emptied his glass and grinned.

“How romantic. I imagine that is what stirred her heart.”

“Is that Polymorph?”

“How many people here do you think have not concealed their identities? As you know, the Empire’s territory is not far from here.”

Serena’s eyes narrowed at the casual way he mentioned the Empire.

It was a warning to mind his words.

“How foolish. Did you intend to oppose the Empire without risking even that much?”

“Watch your mouth.”

“You are the one who should watch yourself. If you make your tension that obvious, even people with no interest in you will grow curious. And one more thing.”

Tial Salamander pointed upward with his index finger.

“The people who run this place are watching too.”

It meant that whether they hid themselves or not, they could not deceive Bacardi’s eyes and ears.

This was a space created by Bacardi, solely for Bacardi’s clients.

And the man who held all of its information was its guild master, Tial Salamander.

“You’ve invited us to an interesting place.”

“I hear you dislike wasting time. Which would you like to hear first, the good news or the bad?”

“The good news.”

“I have confirmed the whereabouts of all your subordinates. Their lives are not in immediate danger.”

Aron, Portran, and Gala.

The three had scattered and avoided being taken alive, but they had been surrounded and could not escape.

“And the bad news?”

“Every one of them is seriously wounded. Without outside help, they will die where they are trapped.”

Killian was relieved.

No matter how serious their wounds, he could find a way to heal them as long as they remained alive.

‘There’s a reason we’ve maintained relations with those people from the temples.’

“It seems you’ve forgotten someone.”

Serena cut in.

“What about Yulian? Is that bastard safe too?”

“You are impatient.”

Tial Salamander paused, then raised his glass and drained the remaining liquor.

“His circumstances are a little different.”

“Orchid told us that Isaac captured him.”

Isaac’s private estate on the outskirts of the Empire.

Tial was the one who had passed the information to Orchid Owl.

“Yes, I did say that. I hear you have fought Isaac Heinrich before.”

In the Cornelian war and then the Eurasian war.

Isaac Heinrich had been defeated by Eurasia’s sword in both wars.

“I hear an object called the Magic God Stone lets him wield power at the level of 8-Star.”

It had enabled him to manifest Overlord, his Carpe Illusion, in reality.

“Well, the last I heard, he still lost and was pushed out of the struggle for the throne.”

In the war he had started to gain the upper hand in the struggle for the throne, Isaac lost his patron and his forces. While he was weakened, Krusty was selected as Emperor. Dissatisfied, Isaac plotted a rebellion.

“The Emperor subdued him with pathetic ease and absorbed even his remaining forces.”

Isaac’s imperial blood and personal might were the only reasons he was allowed to live, awarded the empty title of duke.

“And your knights infiltrated that man’s private estate.”

That had brought about the present situation.

“They must have discovered something. And you appear to know what it was.”

“As expected, I enjoy dealing with someone who understands what I’m saying.”

He was proposing a deal.

Not through Orchid Owl, but a personal deal between Killian Eurasia and Tial Salamander.

Serena’s expression turned fierce.

Her companions’ lives hung by a thread.

She had come here in person, braving the danger to gain a clearer grasp of the situation. She did not like that he was proposing a new condition and speaking of a deal.

Even at that very moment, her companions were likely groaning in pain.

“There’s no need to accept an unreasonable demand.”

Orchid Owl also had a rough idea of the location.

The only reason she had not come with them was that she had dispatched Walkers to verify the information.

‘Now that we’re all but certain where Yulian is, all we need is enough force to break through the encirclement and extract him.’

There was no need to accept excessive terms.

The deals Walkers demanded often required wagering the future of an entire kingdom.

Unlike the two Night Walkers who had already proven themselves, Tial Salamander could not be trusted completely.

‘He might sell information to the Empire and put us in danger.’

That was why she had spoken.

“Tell me.”

Killian crossed his arms and jerked his chin.

“Commander…….”

“Let’s hear him out first. Listening doesn’t make it a contract, does it? And…”

Killian looked at her and shook his head.

“Calm your emotions and face reality with a cool head. Right now, we need Bacardi’s information. The more information we have, the better, isn’t it?”

‘Do you think I don’t know that?’

Serena swallowed the words that had risen to her throat.

Then.

“…….”

She realized that something about Killian’s smile was different.

It was normally harmless.

Now, it was merely calm.

‘Could it be…… that the Commander is nervous too?’

The unfamiliar sight unsettled her.

He had looked so relaxed throughout the carriage ride that he seemed to be enjoying scenery he had never seen before.

Because her commander always appeared composed, she had thought this time was no different.

But now that she considered it, she was wrong.

‘The Commander has never made a deal over information while his companions’ lives were being held hostage.’

In other words, this was the first time he had faced a situation like this too.

‘You idiot.’

She bit her lip at her own foolishness.

To the Commander, it must have looked as though she was furious because she could not accept the situation.

“I apologize for my subordinate’s reaction. So, what do you want?”

“There is someone who wishes to meet you.”

“Me?”

“I cannot reveal their identity. Nor can I tell you why.”

“…….”

Serena frowned at the unreasonable condition.

“What if I refuse?”

Tial Salamander shrugged.

“You have shown sincerity by coming this far, so I will provide the information regardless. This is merely a personal condition of mine.”

“Oh?”

Killian stared into Tial Salamander’s eyes.

The irresistible offer he had made Tial Salamander at the temple before.

“I’ll relinquish ownership of Orchid Owl.”

It meant that although Orchid Owl followed him now for personal reasons, he would cast her aside when the time came.

An ordinary person would have shouted that he was mocking them with an absurd condition.

‘But he actually accepted it.’

Whether it was a man’s dalliance.

Or the benefit she offered as a Walker.

His desire to obtain Orchid Owl was genuine.

‘Well, I did think I couldn’t keep him bound by that condition forever.’

Tial Salamander was different from Crimson Wolf, which sought to grow alongside Eurasia, or Orchid Owl, who was fanatically obsessed with the Violet Magic Tower.

He was already a capable man who had stabilized his organization under the current system.

It was time to bind him with a new deal.

“Well, meeting one person is easy enough. But our business comes first.”

“Very well.”

Tial took two envelopes from inside his clothes and handed them over.

Serena accepted them on Killian’s behalf and opened the first.

It contained the locations and layouts of the hideouts where Aron, Portran, and Gala had concealed themselves. A map showing the deployment of the imperial forces surrounding the area was enclosed as well.

And then.

“This is…….”

Serena’s expression stiffened as she examined the contents of the second envelope.

“Isaac Heinrich and the White Duke, who inherited the Black Duke’s legacy, are conducting an experiment.”

He told them the experiments on individuals had already ended and the project had entered its final stage.

“Even we were uncertain of this information, but the Extermination Squad’s investigation confirmed it.”

“You keep talking around the point.”

Serena glared at Tial Salamander.

“What happened to Yulian?”

“I will start with the good news.”

Tial Salamander continued impassively.

“The Yulian you’re searching for is alive. If we consider only his physical injuries, you could say he’s healthier than the other three.”

Serena urged him on in Killian’s stead as Killian’s expression began to darken.

“And the bad news?”

“Isaac Heinrich has already killed him once.”

“…….”

“Yulian, the Second Sword of the Extermination Squad.”

Watching Killian slowly close his eyes and Serena freeze, the Walker relayed the information he had gathered.

“He is no longer Human.”