Lord of Rot

Although the Magic Battery—the energy-storing crystal—was a single-use item, the piece of pigskin inscribed with Runes could indeed be used countless times.

That afternoon, Leech received a pigskin glove made by a craftsman.

He put it on his left hand and infused it with Spiritual Power.

The Runes on the glove gradually began to glow. Leech could feel his strength slightly amplified. He grabbed the Dragon-Slaying Sword with his left hand.

The greatsword, which had felt quite heavy in his hand, now suddenly felt a bit lighter.

After swinging it single-handedly a few times, he plunged the sword into the ground.

”It can amplify a portion of my strength. If I can popularize Rune equipment, I might really be able to form an invincible army!”

Leech didn’t need the pigskin Rune glove himself, so he handed it over to Toma the scholar for future research and comparison.

After finishing the tasks at hand, Leech mounted his Horse-headed Eagle and left Porcupine Territory, heading for Iron Wall Castle.

...

A troop departed from Iron Valley.

Four Corpse Ghosts.

Aina, Ah Yamei, Guy, and Rabbit were all clad in armor, their faces concealed by cloaks, making them unrecognizable.

They rode on horseback, flanking Leech as his personal guards. Behind them were thirty matchlock cavalrymen, forming his escort.

If a conflict did break out, this troop could both fight and flee, so it shouldn’t be a major issue.

They set out from Iron Valley, heading for Burning City.

The journey was smooth and didn’t take long.

Just as the troop entered the city, a young boy dressed in tattered, patched clothes hurried over.

However, he was stopped by the cavalrymen before he could get too close.

The boy shouted loudly, ”My lord, I was sent by Mr. Deni! He told me to inform you that the house now belongs solely to you.”

As he spoke, the boy in the tattered, patched clothes raised his hand. In it were a ring of keys and a parchment Scroll.

”Is Deni in Burning City now too?” Leech asked with interest.

He was quite friendly toward his merchant friends, and his relationship with Deni was mutually beneficial.

”No, my lord. Mr. Deni hasn’t been to Burning City for a long time,” the boy explained. ”But a while ago, he sent a message, specifically telling me to wait at the castle gate for a troop carrying the Porcupine Banner and to present you with this key.”

’It seems the fame I gained from the battle at Longship Castle gave Deni some ideas. He must have specially arranged for someone to wait at the city gate for the day I might arrive in this town.’

’It seems demonstrating one’s own strength is the best way to make more friends.’

”Thank him for his gift,” Leech said with a nod.

A nearby matchlock cavalryman dismounted, walked over, and took the keys and the parchment Scroll.

It was a letter containing some simple pleasantries, which Leech scanned in an instant.

’I did quite like that house. After all, I still have a crypt in the backyard...’

There were still two days until the round table meeting was scheduled to officially begin.

Leech had plenty of free time over these two days. He wandered around Burning City, buying a number of unique trinkets.

For example, he found a few children’s toys that could only be found in a place called Giant’s Foot, which he could take back to Little Lieder.

The first day passed without any particular incidents.

But on the second day, Leech suddenly sensed that something on the streets was not quite right.

The calls of the street vendors, usually loud and boisterous, were much quieter.

Furthermore, a merchant he had seen selling maids and female slaves yesterday had completely vanished today.

The entire city had fallen into a strange state, as if deliberately trying to create an atmosphere of peace and prosperity. It suddenly reminded Leech of an official inspection tour by a high-ranking leader.

’Looks like some big shot from Giant’s Foot is coming.’

Leech thought idly, ’Perhaps the same thing happens in Porcupine Territory.’

’Deceiving superiors and fooling subordinates—it’s standard practice in every world.’

’It would take considerable effort for them to pull the wool over my eyes, though. I have countless pairs of eyes watching over the territory’s development. Deception on a grand scale is impossible. The only thing I can’t stop is the secret, private scheming that happens behind the scenes.’

’Porcupine Territory should be fine... but I can’t be so sure about Iron Valley! After this round table meeting is over, I should secretly investigate the situation there.’

「Nightfall.」

Leech didn’t have the undead Guy attend the round table meeting in his place. Instead, he donned a cloak and went alone.

Leech was a little disappointed that there was no ”little mouse” to guide him this time.

He descended the winding spiral staircase.

He continued all the way to the very bottom.

The flickering light of candles came into view.

The room was already filled with people, many of whom were unfamiliar figures Leech had never seen before.

Only two empty seats remained.

Guy and the Necromancer Ah Yamei hadn’t come, and the Beast-speaker hadn’t appeared either. But with only two empty seats, it meant one extra person had arrived.

Just as he stepped out of the darkness and approached a chair, the muscular Black Ball who had presided over the last meeting spoke up. ”Who might you be?”

Leech replied with perfect composure, ”If you didn’t know who I am, you wouldn’t have let me in. Guy isn’t coming. I’m here in his stead.”

Only a newcomer would mistake this person for a fat man. In reality, beneath that bulging cloak were muscular arms thicker than a man’s thigh.

Everyone in this group knew that Guy Marvin was one of Baron Porcupine’s men. After all, it was impossible for some information about the battle at Longship Castle not to have leaked.

As it happened, Leech couldn’t be bothered to hide his identity. By revealing who he was, others would be more inclined to trade with him, trusting in his financial resources.

This was also born from Leech’s confidence in his own strength. As long as his opponent wasn’t beyond the Extraordinary realm, he truly had nothing to fear.

Leech then added, ”Don’t worry, I won’t be the one to actively expose my identity.”

He wouldn’t actively expose his identity? After a speech like that, who present *wouldn’t* know he was Leech Clarence!

Black Ball was about to say more, but a rather short person sitting next to him, completely shrouded in a black cloak, slowly raised their left hand.

”Very well.” Black Ball immediately ceased his attempts at persuasion and warning. ”Let’s begin.”

This reaction piqued Leech’s interest.

’What’s this short person’s story?’

’To make Black Ball listen so obediently...’

As Leech’s gaze shifted to them, the person gave him a slight nod.

Leech nodded in return. He couldn’t get a read on the person, but he could tell they were at least a Transcendent.

Most likely a high-ranking Transcendent.

Leech suddenly recalled the ”official inspection” atmosphere outside and formed a rough guess as to their identity.

’Still, they nodded in a friendly gesture. It would be impolite to keep staring.’

The first to speak was the man who could enchant weapons.

The price was still 200 Jinri.

’Leech was extremely curious about his enchanting techniques. If he could get his hands on that technology, or even just his help, and combine it with Rune technology, he might be able to create some truly interesting things.’

’But 200 Jinri... I really can’t afford that right now.’

Leech found the items offered by the others quite interesting as well.

But as soon as money came up, his interest plummeted.