Chapter 102
Taking His Measure
As soon as Johan entered the city of Beldana, he headed straight for Staviana Castle.
An enormous fortress stretched out before him.
If Myatro Castle was distinguished by its antiquity, the Count’s castle was the pinnacle of splendor.
Even the soldiers guarding its gates wore gleaming armor.
They allowed Johan’s carriage through without conducting a separate inspection.
The countless iron gates within the castle opened and closed one after another.
Ilea drew back the curtain slightly and looked outside.
“It seems the Count has already learned of your arrival.”
Otherwise, there was no reason for them to have skipped the inspection.
The Count’s castle was notorious for its stringent entry procedures.
Johan nodded.
“The Count was probably informed that we had arrived the moment we crossed the drawbridge.”
Ilea considered something for a moment before speaking.
“I think it would be wise to establish a similar system in the barony.”
Compared to the county, the security system in the Myatro Territory was far too lax.
In truth, anyone determined enough could enter the lord’s castle.
The system needed to be changed.
Johan spoke.
“I was already planning to renovate the entire castle once this matter was settled.”
They needed to reinforce their shortage of personnel and repair the castle itself.
“That’s a good idea. I’ll help as well.”
“There’s no need for you to concern yourself with it. Focus on your own mission.”
Ilea would enter the Count’s household as his adopted daughter and take control of noble society. She would have no time to spare for other matters.
Ilea’s expression turned slightly sullen.
“My mission... It begins now, doesn’t it? I already have a feeling it will be boring.”
No sooner had she finished speaking than the carriage came to a stop.
There was a knock, followed by a calm voice.
“We have arrived. Please step out.”
Johan opened the door.
An elderly gentleman dressed in a neat tunic stood there with his head bowed toward Johan.
Behind him lay a verdant garden and an ornate building.
Johan addressed the elderly gentleman.
“A pleasure to meet you. Are you the Count’s butler?”
“That is correct. Please feel free to call me Baden. It is an honor to meet the Watcher of Narak.”
The man who introduced himself as Baden was remarkably dignified and composed.
Though likely a commoner, he carried himself like a noble.
“Very well, Baden. Where is His Excellency the Count? I would like to meet him immediately.”
Baden gestured toward the building behind him.
“Please proceed to the annex for now. His Excellency is presently receiving another guest.”
The Count was an exceedingly busy man. In truth, even a high-ranking noble would have to wait several weeks to meet with him privately.
Only a handful of people in the entire kingdom, Johan included, could appear without an appointment and still be granted an audience with the Count.
Johan nodded.
“It cannot be helped. I will wait, so lead the way.”
He headed straight toward the building before him.
***
In a guest room within the castle annex, Johan sipped tea as he waited for the Count.
A considerable amount of time passed, but the Count did not appear.
Instead, a familiar face entered the guest room.
“Sir Johan, it has been a long time.”
Myra, a middle-aged knight with a refined appearance, smiled at Johan.
Johan returned his greeting with a gentle smile.
“We meet again, Sir Myra.”
Myra was the knight who had previously visited the baronial estate to deliver the Count’s invitation to Johan.
“It is an honor that the Watcher of Narak remembers my name.”
Johan waved the compliment aside.
“There’s no need for flattery. More importantly, I would also like to greet Sir Campbell.”
Campbell had accompanied Myra when he visited the baronial estate.
He was the knight whose face was half-covered in scars.
The moment Campbell’s name was mentioned, a shadow passed over Myra’s expression.
He gave an awkward laugh.
“Ha-ha. Campbell is not currently in Beldana. He left to carry out another mission.”
The corners of Johan’s lips rose almost imperceptibly.
What mission could a traitor possibly be carrying out?
Campbell had fallen under Mapheltan’s influence and betrayed the Count.
By now, he had probably already joined forces with the Third Prince, Gawain.
Myra was concealing that fact.
Although Johan knew the entire story, he feigned ignorance.
“That is unfortunate, but it cannot be helped. Please give Sir Campbell my regards the next time you see him.”
Myra gave him an amiable smile.
“Of course. I am certain Campbell will also regret missing the chance to meet you.”
It was nothing more than empty courtesy.
Campbell held no goodwill toward Johan whatsoever, and Myra knew that perfectly well.
Johan immediately changed the subject.
“His Excellency the Count appears to be quite busy.”
Johan had already waited a considerable amount of time, yet the Count had not so much as shown his face.
Myra’s expression grew slightly grave.
“The truth is, an important guest is currently here.”
Myra’s dark expression piqued Johan’s curiosity.
“May I ask who it is?”
“Lord Wolfgang Eisenfeld, the kingdom’s Margrave, is currently meeting privately with His Excellency.”
Johan was somewhat taken aback.
That earthbound spirit of the North came all the way to the central region?
Wolfgang had countless epithets.
One of them was the Earthbound Spirit of the North.
Wolfgang rarely left the northern region.
Even when summoned by the King, he frequently sent a representative in his place.
He had no interest whatsoever in politics.
Only one thing interested him.
Slaughtering demonic beasts.
Wolfgang Eisenfeld was an incorrigible warmonger.
He did not even spare a glance for the peaceful central region.
There was no reason whatsoever for Wolfgang to visit the county.
Johan found it exceedingly strange.
“The Margrave is currently in this castle?”
“That is correct. It is a highly unusual occurrence.”
It was winter, and the northern region became overwhelmingly busy during the winter.
When the weather grew cold, the demonic beasts beyond the barrier gradually began migrating south.
Unable to endure the bitter cold, they descended toward the warmer central region.
The warriors of the North had to repel their invasion.
The moment the North fell, the entire continent would be mercilessly trampled.
Yet Wolfgang had left the North at a time like this.
No matter how much Johan considered it, he could not guess why.
Johan swallowed a groan.
“Sir Myra, forgive me, but may I ask you one question? Why has the Margrave come south?”
Myra looked somewhat troubled.
“I cannot even begin to guess. I can only apologize for being unable to help.”
Johan quietly clicked his tongue.
Just as he sank into thought, the ground began to tremble with heavy thuds.
The entire building was shaking.
It felt as though an earthquake had struck.
Johan murmured under his breath.
“What in the world...?”
He did not have time to finish.
The guest-room door flew open.
Johan and Myra froze for an instant.
An overwhelming presence had washed over them.
A towering giant stood in the doorway, staring into the guest room.
His eyes resembled those of a ferocious beast observing its prey.
An uncomfortable silence settled over the room.
Myra somehow regained his composure and spoke in a trembling voice.
“G-Greetings, Your Excellency the Grand Marshal.”
The uninvited guest was none other than Wolfgang.
Wolfgang Eisenfeld, the kingdom’s Grand Marshal and Supreme Commander of the North, now stood before Johan.
Johan was utterly bewildered.
To think he would encounter Wolfgang in the county. He had never expected it in the slightest.
According to the original course of events, Johan was not supposed to meet Wolfgang for another several years.
Their encounter had occurred far earlier than expected.
Johan’s mind stiffened.
Damn it.
Wolfgang was an exceedingly eccentric man.
The moment Johan displeased him, he would find himself in considerable trouble.
He had to leave a favorable impression somehow.
Johan’s mind raced.
Drawing upon the contents of the original novel, he tried to determine the best way to handle Wolfgang.
Wolfgang gave him no time to think.
He strode into the guest room.
The ground shook every time the giant took a step.
His stature, expression, and gaze exuded tremendous pressure.
He’s exactly as the novel described him.
Ordinary humans could not even look Wolfgang in the eye.
Even demonic beasts that knew no fear would tremble before Wolfgang.
Johan was also a little nervous.
No, he was extremely nervous.
He did not show it, however.
He maintained as composed an expression as possible.
Wolfgang stopped directly in front of Johan.
He slowly opened his mouth.
“How long do you intend to remain seated?”
Johan had yet to rise from his seat.
In effect, he was behaving discourteously.
Upon seeing the Grand Marshal of the kingdom, he should naturally have stood and paid his respects.
Johan replied calmly.
“Until you identify yourself.”
One of Wolfgang’s eyebrows twitched.
Myra was so shocked that he did not know what to do.
“S-Sir Johan, what in the world are you saying? Hurry and pay your respects to His Excellency the Grand Marshal.”
Johan frowned.
“Are you telling me this ruffian truly is His Excellency the Grand Marshal?”
Myra’s face turned deathly pale.
Count Staviana, who had entered belatedly, silently observed Johan and Wolfgang.
A vein bulged on Wolfgang’s forehead.
He stared directly at Johan.
“A ruffian?”
Johan did not avoid Wolfgang’s gaze.
“Are you offended? I don’t believe you have any right to be.”
Wolfgang had shown Johan no courtesy.
He had barged into the guest room without permission and addressed Johan as an inferior.
Strictly speaking, Wolfgang was the one who had behaved discourteously first.
Wolfgang spoke in a low voice.
“My name is Wolfgang. Does that give me the right now?”
Johan showed no sign of agitation.
He merely scoffed.
“Can you prove it?”
Wolfgang let out a disbelieving chuckle.
“Boy, say that again.”
Even after living for a hundred and fifty years, Wolfgang had rarely encountered a situation like this.
Johan spoke evenly.
“I find it extremely difficult to believe that you are His Excellency the Grand Marshal. Why would the walls of the North be standing here in the South during the dead of winter? Unless you prove your identity, you appear to me as nothing more than an impostor.”
Wolfgang stared silently at Johan before shifting his gaze toward Count Staviana.
Count Staviana spoke with an expression that appeared strangely satisfied.
“So says the Watcher of Narak.”
The corners of Wolfgang’s lips gradually rose.
A vicious smile spread across his face.
“Very well. In return, you must prove yourself worthy of being the Watcher of Narak. If you fail to meet my expectations, I will personally take your life.”
At the same time, Wolfgang tightly clenched both fists.
His upper garment instantly burst apart and flew away.
His bare body, covered in scars and bulging muscles, was revealed.
It was no ordinary physique.
It was the body of a man who had spent his entire life fighting through hell.
The surrounding air suddenly grew heavy.
It felt as though gravity itself were crushing the entire annex.
Every servant collapsed to the floor.
Even Myra, a knight, could not withstand it.
He gasped harshly.
He groaned beneath the unbearable pressure.
Johan frowned.
...It’s exactly the same as when I faced Beris.
When the Apostle Beris had been summoned, the overwhelming difference in their very rank of existence had pressed down upon the entire area.
It was the same now.
The veteran warrior who had reached the realm of a Transcendent was emitting a presence similar to that of an Apostle.
Enduring the crushing pressure, Johan forced himself up from his seat.
He looked Wolfgang directly in the eye.
“Johan von Myatro. It is an honor to meet Your Excellency the Grand Marshal.”
Blood streamed from Johan’s nose.
Yet his expression remained serene.
Wolfgang’s grin stretched from ear to ear.
He burst into roaring laughter.
“Ha-ha! What an entertaining bastard! Welcome to the North, Watcher of Narak!”