Lord of Rot

The Wandering Knight looked at Buerwell with disdain. ”You’re the leader, and I’m supposed to listen to you? If you hadn’t been the first to kneel, I would’ve charged over and killed Porcupine! You’ve gotten old, or maybe—”

A blade pierced the Wandering Knight’s throat. His eyes widened in shock as his body slumped to the side.

Buerwell withdrew his sword and swept his gaze over the other Wandering Knights, their expressions a mix of emotions. ”This is the fate of an oathbreaker who draws his sword on the lord he swore to serve!”

One who draws a sword on their lord must not be allowed to live. Unconsciously, the men even began to blame the slain Knight for their own impulsive actions. ’If it weren’t for him,’ they thought, ’we wouldn’t have to risk angering Leech.’

The dead make the best scapegoats.

Someone asked, ”What do we do now?”

”Follow the Baron’s orders and do our jobs,” Buerwell said. ”Life will be better than before, at the very least.”

Obey, and you get to gnaw on the bones...

...

「Bonta Market. A tavern.」

Kuer Oasis paced back and forth, restless and anxious.

The three people who held the fate of Bonta Market in their hands were gathered here.

They were Kuer Oasis, the town’s nominal lord; the leader of the Iron Fist Gang, who controlled all of Bonta Market’s pickpockets and thieves; and the elven girl, Bai Lu, who was stationed here representing Leech.

After pacing a few more laps, Kuer Oasis turned helplessly to the dozing elven girl. ”Lady Bai Lu, Lady Bai Lu!”

”Hm?” Hearing someone call her name, Bai Lu opened her eyes. ”Are you done talking?”

”The matter isn’t resolved yet,” Kuer Oasis said, shooting a look at the Iron Fist Gang’s leader. The leader reluctantly spoke up, ”Fifty Soldiers deserted their posts. They took their armor and crossbows with them.”

Bonta Market only had 120 personnel in total. Nearly half of them had fled.

”Hmm.” Bai Lu nodded gravely, but said nothing more.

Seeing her silence, Kuer Oasis prompted helplessly, ”Do you have any way to contact Lord Leech?”

”He sent a letter. It should arrive in the next day or two,” Bai Lu said. ”Is the problem that serious?”

”Extremely serious!” Kuer nodded. ”Those fifty Soldiers who deserted were all from the Wild Boar Mercenary Corps.”

His biggest worry now was his brother having connections to the Wild Boar Mercenary Corps. They were the local power in this desert. You could make money just by being associated with them, which was a testament to their strength.

Even a mighty dragon can’t crush a local snake. Although Baron Porcupine had many Extraordinary subordinates, he might not be willing to fight to the death with the Wild Boar Mercenary Corps over a small place like Bonta Market.

There was a knock at the door.

”What is it?” Kuer asked, his tone irritated.

”Lord Leech has returned.”

All three of their expressions changed at once.

”I’ll go see the Lord at once!”

’Leech is back! That means this headache is no longer my problem!’

...

Leech’s party rested for a night at a posthouse, refilled their fresh water supplies, and set out again.

After pushing on, they finally arrived at Bonta Market.

As soon as he returned to his residence, a group of young, lively maids gathered around, staring at the Horse-headed Eagle with a mixture of curiosity and fear.

An ordinary horse is already taller than a person, and a warhorse is so imposing you have to look up at it. The Horse-headed Eagle, however, was larger and more massive than any warhorse; a great beast like a lion would seem like a cub before it.

When ordinary people saw a beast of this caliber, their first reaction was fear. Only after that came admiration for Baron Leech, who rode upon its back. To be able to ride such a powerful magical beast was proof of his own strength.

Rocket was Leech’s most luxurious ”sports car” and his glory.

”KARR... KARR...” The Horse-headed Eagle looked around curiously, seeming to realize this was its new home.

A maid came over with a basin of water for Leech to wash away the dust from his journey.

He asked, ”Where’s Bai Lu?”

A young maid volunteered, ”Lady Bai Lu went out this morning to find Lord Kuer. She should be back soon.”

”Mm,” Leech said, wiping his hands. He looked at the Horse-headed Eagle. ”Don’t fly too far. There might be enemies around that we can’t handle. Be careful you don’t get shot down.”

”KRAAW!”

After being stuck on the ground for days, the Horse-headed Eagle finally had permission. It let out an excited cry, and amidst a chorus of gasps, it spread its massive wings and soared into the sky...

Kuer and Bai Lu left the tavern and hurried to Leech’s residence. Just as they drew near, they suddenly heard a loud, clear eagle’s cry.

A furious wind slammed into them. Bai Lu, as a Transcendent, reacted in time and quickly dodged. Kuer, however, was sent tumbling by the gust.

”SKREEE—!”

The Horse-headed Eagle ascended, gradually shrinking to a small black dot in the sky.

Kuer picked himself up, dusted himself off, and knocked on the door. ”We’re here to see Lord Leech.”

Shortly after they requested a meeting, a young maid led the two of them inside.

In the courtyard, under the shade of a tree, Leech was speaking to the Snake-man Nia, who was inside an iron cage. The young maids stood at a distance, watching curiously, but did not dare to approach.

”You’re just in time,” Leech said when he saw them, beckoning them over. ”Quick, come here.”

When Kuer saw the Snake-man Nia in the cage, his expression changed slightly. ’Just as I thought,’ he mused inwardly.

’No wonder Leech is so indifferent to the elven girl. So this is his type! They say the nobles from the Eastern Gorge and the central lands have certain... unnatural... tastes. Now I’ve seen it with my own eyes.’

At the same time, it all clicked into place. ’No wonder,’ he thought.

Looking again at the maids he had found for Leech, Kuer wanted to slap himself. ’Lord Leech isn’t interested in that type. My flattery completely missed the mark.’

”A Snake-man!” Bai Lu walked to Leech’s side, her voice rising slightly as she saw Nia. ”A Snake-man with a very pure bloodline!”

Leech pressed, ”She’s from the Panbo Continent too, right?”

”Yes. I’ve heard of them, but they live on the other side of the Panbo Continent. I’ve never seen one in person,” Bai Lu said. ”There are records of them in some elven books. Most of them just have a forked tongue and some scales. A Snake-man like her, with a full snake’s tail, is extremely rare!”