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“There’s something called a deposit fund. There’s a request, but you can’t know who the client is. Not just anyone can do it; only people or organizations with a decent reputation can. There are rumors floating around, but nothing can be confirmed for sure. So, if you’ve really completed the request, the deposit fund will be paid out.”

Dunkel said as he sat in a chair in front of a small table in the room where Ricardt had spent the night. The room was filled with a soft white light, easy on the eyes.

Ricardt and Boribori were sitting on the bed, listening to him. However, it was obvious to anyone that Boribori had a distracted expression, lost in thought. Ricardt was the only one paying proper attention to the conversation.

“So, you’re saying a verification process is necessary, aside from the evidence.”

Ricardt’s words made Dunkel nod.

But right now, there was an even more serious issue than the request. Dunkel swallowed hard and spoke.

“Is it true that Nameless X and the Mad Dog Steiner are dead?”

Instead of answering, Ricardt slightly drew Steiner’s sword from its sheath and showed it to him. As the sunlight streamed in through the window, it grazed the blade, revealing a faint blue sheen.

As he slid the sword back into its scabbard, he said,

“This is the sword Steiner used.”

“……”

It was shocking enough that Erze and Reto had been killed, but what came after was even more startling. Dunkel was momentarily lost for words, still struggling to process it.

The reason he was this serious wasn’t just because Ricardt had accomplished something incredible, but also because of another, deeper reason.

“This can ruin the guild? Why is that?”

When Ricardt asked, Dunkel barely calmed his still pounding heart and said,

“It’s because of the power vacuum. The Ernburg Five operated in the central northern region. If it was just passing through, it wouldn’t be a big deal, but the Adventurers’ Guild had a branch set up there, and they couldn’t operate freely. But now that they’re gone, what do you think will happen?”

Nameless X didn’t have any specific territory. He simply roamed the Empire, hunting down wanted criminals or seeking revenge.

On the other hand, the Ernburg Five, including Siegfringer, had a defined area of activity. But now, that area was empty.

In other words, a land without an owner had emerged.

Of course, there was still the local lord who ruled that area, and various criminal organizations that operated in the shadows, but the Adventurers’ Guild was a unique power that spanned both the visible and hidden sides of society.

Securing a territory wasn’t just about making more money; it meant gaining access to the resources and manpower in that region.

In an era where the ‘roads’ connecting cities were of paramount importance, having a wide territory meant significantly reducing transportation costs.

Securing a new area of activity would bring benefits in all aspects. More importantly, those benefits wouldn’t be one-time, but continuous and sustainable.

“So, the question is who will take control of that area.”

Ricardt immediately grasped the meaning, and Dunkel, with a heavy expression, nodded once more.

“You probably remember that time when we clashed with those Rubens Guild bastards. Incidents like that can be handled and swept under the rug. But this… this is different. We may need to deploy forces—no, we have to. The mobilization order has already been issued. Not just the Guild Master, but all the guild leaders and senior adventurers are gathering.”

It was a warning that a guild war could break out. No, it seemed almost certain.

It was quite ironic, really. People could die, and it would barely make a ripple, but when it came to matters involving interests and stakes, war was inevitable.

“That’s why we need to be both cautious and swift. Tell me the location of the site. The guild will confirm the facts and act accordingly. Since we have the information first, we should use the time to our advantage. And obviously, this is top-secret. Don’t talk about it to anyone.”

Ricardt wasn’t the type to go around boasting about what he’d done, so he nodded without hesitation. Still, he felt a weight settling on his heart.

The Guild Master and the upper ranks of the guild were probably in intense meetings by now, as if their heads were about to burst. Should they launch a surprise attack on hostile organizations first? Or should they seize control of the central northern region? Perhaps they’d opt for a diversionary tactic, and so on.

But… is it really that important? Important enough to spill the blood of young people?

The question lingered in Ricardt’s mind, but asking the Guild Master wouldn’t provide an answer. The Guild Master had his responsibilities as a master, and it would be foolish not to act now.

Whether intentional or not, what Ricardt had accomplished over the winter was causing a major stir.

The effort he had made to save the academy students from starvation had instead brought about a cold, cutting wind.

When do the most people die? It’s probably when the balance of power shifts, and the dynamics of forces change.

Because that’s when the future is at stake. Will you be forced to live in humiliation, pushed down by strength? Or will you establish your power and secure dominance?

The fear of disappearing due to a lack of strength, and the desire to survive by gaining it. So, the decision of whether to go to war or not wasn’t something that could be swayed by mere words.

Listening to the current state of affairs, Ricardt felt a keen sense of this reality.

“Reto and Erze’s bodies should be near Reto’s lab in Sidria Swamp. That is, if no one’s touched them since. The others are in the ruined village of Lindveil. The closest city is Rigenhafen. Head north from there, and you’ll find it. But as for where Nameless is buried, I can’t tell you. That’s a deeply personal matter, so I hope you understand.”

Since the most important task was verifying the deaths of the Ernburg Five, Dunkel nodded without hesitation.

After all, confirming their deaths was literally just a matter of ‘verification’. Given that Ricardt had Steiner’s sword and the Phantom Sword in his possession, Dunkel was convinced that the entire Ernburg Five were indeed dead.

“But, um…”

Boribori, who had been quietly listening the whole time, finally spoke up. Given the seriousness of the situation, the atmosphere was heavy, but judging by his expression, Boribori seemed blissfully unaware of it.

“If all the skilled adventurers are being summoned, does that mean we’ll get to see Volka, Ice, and the others who graduated first?”

At the innocent question, Dunkel, who had been holding his breath, suddenly felt a bit of relief and smiled gently.

“They won’t be staying in the city for long. Once the higher-ups make their decision, they’ll be deployed to the field. Well, if things overlap, you might get to see them, but if not, then probably not. We have to move quickly. If too many people start mobilizing, the other guilds will definitely sense something’s off.”

“Is there anything I need to do separately?”

Ricardt asked.

“No. It’s not that we don’t trust you, but right now, you’re a high-profile individual, both inside and outside the guild. For the time being, stay at the academy. You’re practically no longer just a student. Do you understand what that means?”

“I suppose it means I’m walking on the edge of a blade.”

Ricardt said, looking out the window. His past life came to mind. A life walking on the edge of the blade. It was familiar, but not something he welcomed. Had anything really changed? He didn’t know.

“Yeah… so just rest for now. Don’t worry about anything else. And… to be honest, you’re starting to scare me a little.”

It felt like an unnecessary addition to the conversation, but it was also sincere. Ricardt, still gazing out the window, merely smiled faintly in response.

Dunkel couldn’t quite grasp the meaning of that smile. Had Ricardt really killed a Sword Master at the age of twelve? What would he be like as an adult? Could he grow even further? Was that even possible? Perhaps they were witnessing the birth of a legendary hero right before their eyes.

Both Dunkel and the guild found themselves deeply troubled by how to deal with Ricardt. He was, after all, far beyond the bounds of common sense.

With that, Dunkel left the room filled with soft, white light.

As soon as he was gone, Boribori, who seemed uncomfortable sitting in place, flopped onto the bed. He lay on his stomach, crossing and uncrossing his legs, and then asked Ricardt.

“What are you going to do with the deposit fund once you get it?”

“Well, what do you want to do with it?”

“How about buying outfits for all the academy kids?”

“Hm?”

“We’ll all wear the same clothes. Of course, it’ll be a bit different for the girls, but wouldn’t it be fun?”

Ricardt briefly imagined all the students wearing the same clothes in his mind. Since he didn’t know exactly what they’d be wearing, it was hard to picture clearly.

However, when it came to things like sewing well or liking flowers, it seemed Boribori had some solid ideas in mind.

“Sure, let’s do that.”

Ricardt agreed without much thought. Boribori, already finding the idea amusing, grinned widely. Ricardt smiled along with him.

The room was filled with clear light, but in the distance, the winds of war were approaching. It wasn’t the kind of situation where they could laugh freely, but sometimes a lighthearted decision left a longer-lasting impression.

Ricardt and Boribori wandered around Beringen with Marie.

Just as Volka had done before, they showed her the city’s layout, dividing it into east, west, north, and south, and pointed out the areas to be cautious of, as well as the locations of important shops.

They sold the armor and bought clothes and other items needed for academy life. When selling the surcoat, the fabric merchant looked puzzled, but it fetched a decent price for a second-hand item.

They could have bought a sword too, but for the time being, Marie had decided to hold on to Steiner’s sword.

“I’ll give it to you if you come in first place. Until then, it’s just on loan.”

“So, you’re basically telling me to beat you, Ricky?”

“Well, I guess that’s what it comes down to. Anyway.”

“By the way, this seems like a really good sword. I know a little about these things.”

“Sometimes, a sword being too good is a problem. There’s no place suitable to sell it.”

Honestly, it was a bit of a hassle. Going to a large city, putting it up for auction—that whole process.

He briefly considered selling it through the guild, but given the current situation, the guild didn’t seem to have the capacity to handle that kind of thing.

“Thanks. Can I name it?”

“A name? For what?”

“For the sword.”

“That’s something only girls do.”

“…Huh?”

“Ah.”

Ricardt suddenly realized he had misspoken. Marie was a girl.

“Sorry.”

But Marie didn’t seem to mind at all, instead breaking into a playful smile.

“Well, since I’m a girl, I guess it’s fine. I’ll name it Ricky. The great sword, Ricky.”

“Haha…”

Ricardt could only chuckle awkwardly, feeling a bit guilty.

“What? Me too, me too! I want to name mine too!”

Just as Ricardt was feeling embarrassed, Boribori excitedly jumped in.

“Doesn’t it already have a name? It’s called the Phantom Sword.”

“No, I don’t like that. It’s not my style. What should I call it? Hmm… The Nameless Sword. Yeah, that’s perfect. A sword with no name is its name.”

“…”

Ricardt, knowing the story behind it, couldn’t bring himself to make light of the situation and found himself at a loss for words.

But Boribori wasn’t upset or gloomy, just excited. As if to keep the lively mood going, Boribori turned to Ricardt and said,

“You should name yours too, Ricky.”

“I’d rather not. It’s fine.”

“They say you should treat a sword like your best friend, or like your most beloved lover. It wouldn’t hurt to give it a name, right?”

Marie chimed in, supporting Boribori’s idea. Who knew where she picked up such thoughts, but Marie did have a slightly old-fashioned way of thinking at times.

“No. There’s no need to indulge in such sentimentality. A sword is just a sword.”

“Ricky, sometimes you talk like an old man.”

“Do I?”

Ricardt’s eyes widened at Marie’s blunt criticism. Boribori found it hilarious and burst into laughter, agreeing with her.

The three of them seemed to have become close already in just a few days, perhaps because they had shared hardships sleeping outside together. Of course, it helped that they all clicked well, but one way or another, the three of them had become fast friends.

The conversation flowed without pause, and there was no hesitation in teasing one another. And whoever was on the receiving end always took it with a smile.

When Marie was picking out clothes, Boribori took charge, recommending an outfit similar to riding gear for dueling. It seemed he was already thinking ahead, planning to use the experience when they later bought clothes for all the academy students.

Marie, being tall, made an excellent model. When she wore slightly fitted clothes, her well-trained physique became evident—her strong thighs, slim ankles, and straight posture suggested she could swing a powerful sword.

It’s not always the case, but you could roughly gauge someone’s skill just by looking at their usual posture. That’s how Ricardt felt.

They bought several outfits: battle gear, training clothes, and casual wear. Since they had sold the armor, they had plenty of money to afford it, so it wasn’t an over-the-top purchase.

The three of them had fresh chicken soup and bread at the guild building before heading back to the academy.

On their way, they passed through the open fields. The vast, dew-kissed plains spread out beautifully before them. Scattered here and there were flowers that Boribori liked.

Violets, daffodils, and star bellflowers… Wait, violets I can understand, but how do I know all these flowers? Ricardt thought to himself.

By the time they arrived at the academy after walking for six hours, it was early evening. Though the air was cold, the large moonflowers blooming on the distant fields gave off a gentle feeling.

They ascended the long cliff stairs, with the stars above their heads, passed through the castle gates, and finally arrived at the academy.

Ricardt pointed to a building in the courtyard and said to Marie,

“That’s the girls’ dormitory. The boys’ dorm is over there. Since it’s nighttime, no one’s here to greet you. Soon enough, the kids on night watch will show up. Anyway, let’s catch up tomorrow.”

“Yeah, thanks.”

“No need for thanks. If you have any troubles, just let me know anytime.”

“Alright.”

With a subtle smile, Ricardt headed into the inner castle with Boribori. But something felt off, a strange atmosphere hanging in the air.

As they walked through the hallways, a student passing by suddenly saw Ricardt and shouted in surprise.

“Ricky!”

“Long time no see. Have you been well?”

Ricardt replied casually, but upon hearing the name ‘Ricky’, a crowd of kids suddenly poured out from the dorms. They rushed toward Ricardt, almost piling on top of him.

“Ricky!”

“What’s going on with you guys?”

“I thought you were dead.”

“Not me. I knew you’d survive, Ricky.”

“Thanks to you, not many of the kids died.”

“What on earth have you been up to?”

Ricardt was a bit taken aback by how familiar everyone was acting with him. Had he really been this close with the other students?

However, he didn’t mind. It was a relief to see everyone was alright. In a way, it felt like he had achieved his goal. His awkward, sheepish smile was mixed with a sense of pride.

But with everyone talking at once, he had no idea how to respond.

Plus, with all the kids crowding around him, it was hard to make his way back to his room.

When Ricardt finally reached his room, he saw something strange. Each room was supposed to house 20 students, but only about 10 people were inside.

Moreover, the bunk beds had their upper halves removed, leaving only 10 beds.

The ten students inside turned to look at Ricardt. The group surrounding him also suddenly fell silent and backed away, sensing something was off.

Ricardt silently observed the ten students, then removed the sword from his shoulder and handed it to one of the nearby students before stepping into the room.

“Where’s my bed? And who are you guys?”

“Are you Ricky?”

One student responded. He was well-dressed, looking much cleaner than the average student, and his clothes appeared more expensive.

“And who are you?”

Ricardt asked. The student curled his lips into a smirk and said,

“I am Karllich, the fourth son of the prestigious Rosten family. Nice to meet you, but we’d like some peace and quiet right now. Would you mind leaving?”

A noble. So the nobles had arrived and it seemed they had enrolled while Ricardt was away.

Ricardt simply stared at Karllich with a blank expression, that seemed to say, “So what?” Then, he spoke.

“Have you gone through the initiation?”

“Pfft, we don’t want to participate in such a vulgar event.”

“That’s unfortunate. It’s not for you to decide whether to participate or not.”

“What?”

As Karllich frowned in confusion, his vision flashed.

Slap!

With a powerful slap to the face, Karllich was sent sprawling to the side. The students who had been lounging or half-reclining on their beds immediately jumped up, while those leaning against the walls straightened in alarm.

All the students watching from outside the room gasped in unison. Hitting a noble? That was a serious crime.

But Ricardt’s initiation wasn’t over yet.

“We’re not done.”

He grabbed Karllich by the hair and slapped him across the face again, once on each side.

“You… you… wait a second!”

Smack! Slap!

After taking two more slaps, Karllich’s eyes glazed over as he teetered on the edge of consciousness. A mixture of saliva and blood dripped from his split mouth. Ricardt kicked him and then stomped on him.

Thud! Thud! Thump!

“Weak bastard. Who’s next? Anyone here who hasn’t gone through initiation yet?”

Ricardt glanced at the remaining noble students as he asked.

“You, you, you…”

The other noble students were so shocked that they stuttered. Ricardt approached the nearest one and delivered a strong low kick.

Thud!

“Aaagh!”

That student sat down abruptly, mouth wide open from just one hit. And the beating continued for him as well.

Thud! Thud! Thud!

“You bastard!”

Someone yelled, and several of them rushed at Ricardt all at once. But all it did was shorten the time for their initiation. Ricardt, like a rampaging tiger, thrashed them all.

Thwack! Crunch! Wham! Thud! Smack!

The sound of students being beaten echoed through the quiet inner fortress. The regular students watched in stunned silence, holding their breath.

Finally, Karllich, who had regained some semblance of consciousness, spoke with his swollen cheeks.

“Y-you scum. Do you know who my father is? How dare you treat a noble like—”

Before he could finish, Ricardt silently kicked him again as he was trying to stand.

Thud!

“Ugh!”

Ricardt then grabbed him by the hair and dragged him outside. He opened the gate of the inner fortress and threw Karllich out. As the pitiful noble lay sprawled on the ground, Ricardt pointed at him and said,

“Make sure you bring your father. Until then, you’re not coming back in here.”

“W-wait, hold on, wait a second—”

Bam!

Ricardt slammed the gate of the inner fortress shut without a second thought.

Beaten to a pulp and left outside in the cold, Karllich felt his life was in danger from the freezing weather. Forgetting all about his noble status, he began banging on the door and begging.

“H-Hey! Just wait a minute! Please!”

Bang. Bang. Bang.

But there was no answer from inside.

Ricardt returned to the room and addressed the remaining noble students.

“Since you’re the ones who tore apart the beds, until you fix them—whether you do it yourselves or pay for it—you’ll be sleeping on the floor. Anyone have a problem with that?”

“…”

The students lying on the floor groaning in pain couldn’t voice a single complaint. If they even opened their mouths, they knew they’d end up just like Karllich.

In the face of overwhelming violence, status meant nothing. In that moment, everyone was equal.

*****