[WN] Emperor's Seventh Son : Chapter 1 - 1

1-1

Prologue: The Strange Book Says to Defeat Evil

Translator : PolterGlast

In short, the Strange Tome read as follows:

“To Ashley, the Seventh Son of the Emperor: If you desire a future, dirty your own hands. Become both judge and executioner yourself. Slaughter evil. Carry out the justice you believe in. Continue your insatiable challenge.”

As a self-proclaimed bookworm, I guarantee it: this is a genuine Strange Tome. It was like a workbook packed with assignments, but its contents were far from sanity.

To use terms from another world, if you were to casually flip through the thin pages of this Bunko paperback, countless unreasonable demands would appear along with the fragrant scent of ink. Furthermore, the book emitted a faint glow even in the dark night, silently asserting itself to the reader. I looked over it one more time.

---

— Purge —

• 【Bury 1 Villain】
• Completion Reward: EXP 200 / Shovel LV +1
• “Put an end to the breath of evil. Acquire the courage to execute justice.”

---

Unbelievable. This is nothing but incitement to murder... But what is even worse is the reality that I am about to put it into action. It cannot be avoided anymore. I have decided to do it.

That is why I chose this moonless dark night. Hiding in a back alley of the Imperial Capital's entertainment district with my Shovel, I simply waited quietly for my target. An evil that deserved to be condemned.

“Hey, you beggar bastard... Oi! I'm talking to you! Come on, I'll give you something good, turn this way!”

...He took the bait. Unfortunately, the target had taken the bait. In the darkness, a dull-colored knife was thrust at me, faintly reflecting the pale light.

This guy's name is Dags, a cold-blooded highwayman who parasitizes the people of the Imperial Capital. What a fool. Being threatened like this actually causes my remaining guilt and hesitation to fade away.

“That's a nice knife. But unfortunately, I'm completely hopeless with blades...” “Hah...? You... are pretty slow in the head, aren't you? Just take off your clothes, and those shoes too, if you don't want to die—”

“Ah, I know what comes next. Hand over everything I have to Dags-sama, right?” “Yo-You bastard...! My name... are you the Military Police!?”

This man is the worst. Even if I complied with his demands, the ending would be the same: kill the victim to silence them, strip them bare, and take everything. He is a crazy abnormal who cannot understand the risk of piling up murders in the Imperial Capital.

Incidentally, in the world within the book from another dimension, this type of person is called a Serial Killer. A definition that doesn't exist in this world.

“No, you're wrong. I'm bad with swords and spears, and of course, I have zero talent for that knife of yours; I'm quite troubled by it.” “You weird bastard... No, just strip everything, if you don't want to die.”

“Why don't you run away? You seem to have bought quite a lot of grudges.” “Don't talk stupid! There's no way a greenhorn like you could beat Dags-sama, you piece of shit!”

Reality differs from books. Villains in reality are short-tempered and fickle, and they especially love surprise attacks. The dull knife was pulled back slightly, then immediately thrust out, aiming for my stomach.

A hard sound rang out on my stomach—no, upon the brick paving stone I had concealed. The paved road here was in the way of burying a villain, you see. I took some distance from Dags the highwayman and provoked him just in case, to ensure he wouldn't run.

“One-pattern trick, huh? Is that how you killed only old people and children by surprise? You coward.” “Then you! I'm gonna kill you right now!!”

“That won't happen.” “Don't get cocky, brat! I'll torture you slowly so you don't die—”

Dags's bravado didn't last. That was because a misfortune he never imagined occurred. On the stone pavement of the dark back alley, a large hole deeper than a person's height had been dug by someone. Dags, having fallen into it, groaned and held his injured leg.

“Ugh... Wh-What is this!?” “It's your grave. A man whose mother you killed, a mother whose child you killed—they were weeping, wishing for your death.”

I am hopeless with swords and spears. But I have pride in my handling of a Shovel. As you guessed, I dug this hole. And now, following the demands of that book, I will bury Dags the highwayman. I have steeled myself, so I executed it.

“N-No way... Wait, wait, cough cough, what are you doing!? D-Don't bury me! Me! S-St-Stop! Stop it! Stop iiit!! Hii! Y-You, m-monster!?” “Curse if you want to curse, from the bottom of a hole in the entertainment district where no one will notice.”

Leave the handling of a Shovel to me. In just over ten seconds, his curses and pleas, everything, disappeared into the underground of the Imperial Capital. I have no intention of pretending to be justice at this point. In fact, the creature known as 'me' was a monster after all.

Born as the Seventh Son of the Emperor, my birth was never celebrated. Because I was born with Dragon Eyes and a White Arm. In other words, a monster just ate a monster; it has nothing to do with those born normally.

“Dags the highwayman, you were much more of a monster...”

Perhaps because his breath finally stopped, the book in question began to emit a pale light. I opened the small book with one hand and looked down at the previous page.

---

— Purge —

• 【Bury 1 Villain】 (Completed)
• Completion Reward: EXP 200 / Shovel LV +1 (Received)
• “Child of the Emperor with Dragon Eyes, that was splendid.”

---

The light emitted by the book flowed through my whole body and eventually vanished. Not only that, the information on the fourth page was replaced by a strange power, and a new objective was presented.

---

— Purge —

• 【Bury 3 Villains】
• Completion Reward: EXP 500 / Shovel LV +1
• “You are strong. Go further down the path you believe in, endlessly with me.”

---

This thing is crazy. The book whispered to me to slaughter more of them. The so-called Tome of the Evil Dragon I received from Evil Dragon Zirant was wishing for a self-righteous justice from me.

“I see...”

I decided to test out what this Shovel LV +1 reward actually was. I thrust the tip of the large excavation Shovel into the stone pavement that shouldn't be diggable.

Crunch... with a hard sound, my Shovel cut through the brick easily, like soft clay. This is amazing. My hobby of excavating ruins seems like it will progress even further.

Evil Dragon Zirant, I suppose I will make the most of your power as well. Just so this deformed Prince, who doesn't know when he might be assassinated, can continue to live in this world.

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[WN] A Hero From a Remote Village : Chapter 109

Chapter 109

Strong Resolve

Translator : PolterGlast

When we stepped outside, Ginia and Aoi were waiting for us with worried expressions. In the end, we didn't let the two of them inside, and considering it wasn't a place meant for them to see, it was likely for the best.

"Graham-san, are those three women... the ones you purchased?"

"Yeah, that's right. They are quite debilitated, so I want to get them to the inn immediately. Will you two help me?"

"Of course I'll help! Should I lend them a shoulder?"

"............I-I am, okay..."

Aoi stood next to them and tried to offer her shoulder, perhaps out of a sense of feeling sorry, but the woman showed no sign of accepting the help. The other two, aside from the beastman I was carrying, were also extremely weak. However, even if Aoi tried to assist them now, they likely wouldn't accept her shoulder either.

"...In that case, could you two return to the inn ahead of us? It would be a huge help if you bought some easy-to-digest food and water. Also, some blankets."

"Ah, understood! We'll head back to the inn first and get everything ready for immediate treatment!"

"Roger! I'll go back with Ginia and prepare!"

"Sorry. I'm counting on you two."

"Leave it to us! We're heading back now!"

Ginia and Aoi told us so, then hurried back to the inn to prepare. The Guild Master, Max, and I slowly made our way out of the Black Market, keeping a close eye on the condition of the three women, and somehow managed to return to the inn where we were staying.

"This is the inn we are currently staying at. We're going inside, so please follow me."

"...R-Really... is it okay...?"

"Of course it is. The two from earlier should have prepared things, so first, please eat something. After that, I want you to take a shower."

"...U-Understood. ............T-Thank you so, so much."

The woman who appeared to be the eldest was shedding tears, and seeing those tears made my heart ache. The dark-skinned woman, who could barely walk, seemed unable to speak and simply bowed her head to me repeatedly.

I knew from seeing the slave trader's shop earlier that their 'normal' was far from normal. Wanting the three of them to rest as soon as possible, and to get the beastman girl sleeping in my arms to a room quickly, I walked briskly toward Ginia and Aoi.

"Graham-san, welcome back! We are ready!"

"Yeah. Is it okay if I leave the rest to you two?"

"Of course! Food, then a bath, then sleep, right? Since all three seem to be women, please leave the rest to me and Aoi-chan!"

"Leave it to me! We'll handle the treatment perfectly!"

"Yeah, I'm counting on you. Once all three are asleep, call me. I will use Healing Magic."

"Understood! We'll take care of them now!"

I woke the beastman girl sleeping in my arms and tried to hand her over to Ginia, but... she grabbed my arm and wouldn't let go. It was a weak grip, but it held a strong will, and I hesitated to pull her away.

"...It's alright. These two women are allies. I want you to trust me."

"........................Ye, yeah."

"Good girl. I'll come to check on you once you've recovered some energy. Until then... please rest easy."

After I smiled at the beastman girl, who gave a small nod, she went into Ginia's arms without further resistance. While being carried on Ginia's back, the girl stared at me anxiously until they left the room. I continued waving at her, then entrusted the other two women to Ginia and Aoi as well, and returned to my own room for a moment.

I felt suddenly exhausted, even more so than after the Exchange Match. I let out a heavy sigh and leaned back against a chair. The Guild Master, who had returned to the room with me, also looked tired, his face grimmer than usual.

"I've seen places where slaves are sold several times before, but that slave trader this time was shocking. I recommended it, but I didn't think it would be that terrible."

"Johann's place is the absolute bottom tier, even for the Black Market. Perhaps... a different shop would have been better?"

"No, that shop was fine. Including the negotiations, you really helped us out."

"No, no. I haven't done anything. ...I met Johann for the first time in a long while, and I realized just how hideous he truly was. Although I wasn't quite as terrible as him, I was cut from the same cloth, so seeing him gave me a lot to reflect on."

I could feel a strong sense of regret from Max's eyes. Even when interacting with Johann, he was openly disgusted. Leaving the Unbearable God Cult must have allowed him to view things objectively for the first time.

"It might not be my place to say as a mere Guild Master, but I can say that Max, you are a completely different person from Johann. As long as you possess the capacity to feel disgust toward him."

"I feel the same as the Guild Master. You are different, Max."

"............Thank you. I have renewed my strong resolve to see my activities as the Grey Volunteers through to the end. From now on, I will strive to expand our reach to include the issue of slavery as well."

"Yeah. I'm rooting for you from the bottom of my heart."

With the Guild Master's encouragement, the light returned to Max's eyes. Looking at Max... it really makes you think that you never know what life holds. Though, my life has changed drastically as well.

"Graham-san, are you stopping at purchasing just those three slaves?"

"Yeah. I intend to limit it to just the three of them this time. The current me cannot take responsibility for any more than that. ...However, I have made a strong resolve to eventually destroy the slave system."

That was how shocking this incident was. I am a smaller person than everyone thinks, and I can only do what is within my power... but inside my heart, I swore to destroy the slave system.

However, what I must do right now is care for the three I purchased this time. We waited quietly in the room for Ginia and Aoi to finish their treatment.

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[WN] Jitsuwa 3-Domedatta : Chapter 209

Chapter 209

(Kyle Calendar Year 511: Age 18)

The Special Envoy's Return Home

Translator : PolterGlast

The day after the banquet, the civil servants entrusted to us from the capital who had accompanied us got to work on trade agreements with the ministers, while we held several meetings with the merchants we had been introduced to regarding personal purchases and trade.

 

Claire and Yoltia were busy running around checking prices and selecting trade goods. I left the assessment of the value standards between Kyle Kingdom and Principality of Fearalt gold coins, as well as the setting of exchange rates for trade, entirely to the two of them.

 

For this trip, as a budget I could use freely as a special envoy, I had been given a considerable amount—no, a very large amount—of Principality gold coins by the Foreign Minister in advance.

 

Thanks to that, we had no trouble whatsoever with shopping. However, in the future, when we trade independently, it won't be so easy.

 

After spending our days on such matters, on the morning of the fourth day, we had an audience with the King at the Royal Palace to bid farewell before returning home.

 

"Demon Territory Count, I am reluctant to see you go. I wanted to talk with you more..."

 

No, no, you say that looking disappointed... but Your Majesty, didn't you come incognito to our lodgings every night and drink until late?

 

Especially yesterday, saying we should set aside formalities, you drank with our mages... I remember Count Flame holding his head in his hands.

 

Your approachable nature, uncharacteristic of royalty—no, of a king—is one of your good points, but...

 

Even Claire was dumbfounded and froze. Well, even if it's a neighboring country, anyone would freeze if His Majesty the King poured them a drink.

 

Even Raphael, who was normally so lively at such drinking parties, was humbled and quiet. Especially those who were born soldiers, having lived in a strict hierarchy, were so stiff they probably couldn't even taste the alcohol.

 

Even the usually boisterous Walrus and Aral were shrinking into themselves.

 

Recalling all this, I had a hard time suppressing my laughter right there.

 

"We, too, are reluctant to leave, but please forgive us as we have matters in our domain to attend to. I will certainly convey Your Majesty's kindness to my King."

 

"Please tell King Kyle that I was truly touched by his heartfelt parting gift. My return gift has been entrusted to Count Flame, whom I am sending along with you as a return envoy, but regarding the lamps from that night, I would like to place a special order with you."

 

Yes, at the strong request of the King of Fearalt, the lamps displayed at the banquet were lit every night thereafter. Not only in the Royal Palace but also in the plazas and main streets of the Royal Capital.

 

Last night too, he had privately told me that he would buy them all and wanted me to leave them behind.

 

"Yes, as you wish. We will leave all 2,500 lamps here."

 

Since we use the existing stock for events back home, I had brought all new ones this time. We had a considerable stock for sale, but more than half were made in a rush, so Workshop Master Karl was screaming with joy.

 

They were bought in bulk at the price the other party named, 5,000 gold coins, which was far higher than selling them within the kingdom. It was probably meant not just as a purchase, but also as a thank you for the nightly light-up.

 

"Then, Your Majesty, we shall take our leave. We would be honored if you would continue to bestow your unchanging friendship upon our country."

 

"And with you as well. I pray for your safe return. You have done a great service!"

 

And so, we set out on our return journey. We'll stop by Kylar to report, so we should be able to return to Teigoon in around 20 days.

 

With this, maybe we can make it in time for this year's harvest festival?

 

After that, aside from staying an extra night in the city of Salaam to pick up goods and let the soldiers rest, we traveled with a minimal itinerary, so the return trip took less than 10 days from departure, and we arrived in Kylar.

 

After the public report as special envoy and the audience for the return envoy of the diplomatic event were over, I was called into another room.

 

"Now then, Demon Territory Count, this time I wanted to hear about various complicated matters as well. I have selected those gathered here."

 

In the separate room were His Majesty the King, the Foreign Minister (the old fox), the Minister of Commerce, the Minister of Finance, the Minister of Military Affairs (Count Model), and from the Royal Knights, Knight Commander Gouras, Corps Commander Hoffman, and Corps Commander Schultz.

 

"From your perspective, how was it? Is the King of Fearalt trustworthy? What is the situation in his country? I would like to hear your frank opinion on whether they will pose a threat to us in the future."

 

The old fox, acting as moderator, broke the ice.

 

"First, there is something I wish to say. We are significantly behind the Principality in intelligence warfare, and they knew our internal situation in considerable detail. This was subtly suggested to me by the King of Fearalt himself."

 

"Oh? To what extent?"

 

"Is there anyone here, other than the Headmaster, who knows the results of the individual sword matches I conducted as part of a class at the academy? The King of Fearalt knew them correctly. Just from this, I believe you can all understand the extent to which Corps Commander Hoffman spoke."

 

"I see. He knew, and dared to tell you. Does this mean that the weakness of our country, the hole through which information was leaking because the Restorationist faction was in control, still exists in this country? And that information could potentially be used by the opposition faction to the King over there, or by other foreign countries. Does this mean they have done us a favor?"

 

"Yes, as Corps Commander Schultz says, that country is still divided. Between the majority anti-king nobles and the minority pro-king nobles. The current delicate state of stability is solely because the King has full control of the Royal Guard Division. If the opposition erupts, there is even a possibility of it developing into a civil war that splits the country."

 

"I see. Similar to my situation in the past. And regarding the King's character, and the crucial control of the Royal Guard Division, what was your observation?"

 

"Yes, Your Majesty. I felt that the King himself values his friendship with the Kyle Kingdom and is a trustworthy person. Originally, he had been removed from the succession and chosen to live as a warrior, so... there are aspects of him that are un-kingly, but for that very reason, my sense is that the loyalty of the Royal Guard Division is unshakable."

 

Yeah, this alone will be hard for the listeners to understand. I guess I should tell that story...

 

"Actually, the King slipped out of the palace every night and visited our lodgings incognito. There, he drank with my subordinates regardless of their status...

 

It seems he was like that even when he was the Commander of the Royal Guard Division before his ascension. Pardon my impoliteness, but I felt I caught a glimpse of a side of him that somehow reminded me of my brother, treating everyone without discrimination and being trusted by the soldiers."

 

"Hahaha, the King himself! That is something even I cannot easily do. I would like to follow his example."

 

"Your Majesty! Please don't. If you follow his example, we won't be able to handle the stress!"

 

True. Knight Commander Gouras is a worrier, and he must have been dragged around quite a bit until now...

 

"The King over there regards us as friends and said he wishes to deepen our unchanging friendship in the future. In my opinion, there is no lie in those words.

 

And he also said that if anything were to happen to the Kyle Kingdom, he would gladly extend a hand. However, this can also be taken to mean that he expects our assistance in the event of an emergency on his side."

 

"I see, so the opposition over there is connected with the Restorationist faction here, and we have a common enemy. Your Majesty, it seems they know the internal situation of this country well and are speaking with that foresight. Once again, as Foreign Minister, I have been made keenly aware of our lack of ability to gather information on foreign countries."

 

"I agree with the Foreign Minister. We may need to plug the holes left by the previous Foreign Minister and scoop up the water we have spilled until now. During my stay there, the opposition to the current King, the disgruntled nobles, showed a hostile attitude towards me, and none sought to actively engage with me.

 

For us, the continuation of the current King's reign seems to be the most correct option. And there is something I fear most."

 

"What is that? Other than your wife's mood, it doesn't seem like there's much you fear. Fohohoho."

 

"Headmaster, well... I have no retort to that. What I fear most is a two-front war."

 

"What! With the Empire?"

 

"Yes, just as Knight Commander Gouras surmises. In the previous Imperial invasion, our borders were threatened from the south and east as if by design, and the Royal Knights, the kingdom's greatest defenders, could not move.

 

The Imperial Kingdom will likely need decades to rebuild, but what about the west? I don't want to say it, but the defense of the western border is far too fragile compared to our neighbors. What would happen if, in conjunction with the Empire invasion, the opposition in the neighboring country, the Western Margrave, and the domestic Restorationist faction were to unite?"

 

"This country would be ripe for the picking from the south and west. Without reinforcements from the Royal Knights, the southern front cannot hold, and if something happens in the west, only the Royal Knights can deal with it. If there are defectors within the country on top of that..."

 

Corps Commander Schultz said this and closed his eyes. Similarly, everyone closed their eyes, envisioning the possible situation.

 

"So, Demon Territory Count, what do you think?"

 

"Yes, Your Majesty. At this point, it is still a perilous tightrope walk... but there is a plan. It is still a very thin thread, but we need to twist it together to make a thicker rope from now on."

 

I conveyed my current assumptions and the strategy that could be considered at this point in response. I couldn't speak of it here, but the conversation with Viscount Kämpfer could be the only turning point.

 

"In short, we should secretly make preparations based on this worst-case scenario of a two-front war. We cannot bind those who have committed no clear crime at this point based on the possibility of conspiracy or future calamity, but... at least we can check domestic movements."

 

Yes, there is still time to take measures in advance. If we move now, we should still make it.

 

"And there is one more important thing. Fortunately, we have the Minister of Military Affairs and the Minister of Commerce in our camp. Even if they secretly prepare soldiers, if the Minister of Military Affairs keeps a watchful eye, they might get caught in his net. To raise an army, logistics are essential. In that respect, if the Minister of Commerce keeps a watchful eye, we might be able to detect it."

 

"Hahaha, as expected, my eye was not mistaken. Giving you the authority of a Demon Territory Count, sending you as a special envoy to the neighboring country—I have realized once again that neither was a mistake."

 

"Minister of Commerce, it seems we two have been entrusted with an important duty. Let us further strengthen the surveillance system after the 'clean-up'."

 

"As Foreign Minister, I also need to reform our intelligence system toward the neighboring country from scratch. It's a pity, but this is no time for a comfortable retirement."

 

"We, the Knights, will make preparations in accordance with the two assumptions."

 

"The fact that we have predicted this response and are moving to deal with it must be kept strictly secret. Even from our allies. If the enemy knows we are predicting danger and preparing, we cannot deny the possibility that they will take even more vicious measures."

 

"Demon Territory Count, understood. By royal command, I order you all. Proceed with preparations based on this worst-case scenario, and keep the information secret from anyone other than those present here. From this moment, begin your calculations. In the future, establish a meeting to regularly report on the situation and formulate countermeasures. The name can be anything."

 

With His Majesty the King's declaration, the meeting ended.

 

I do not underestimate the backlash and corrective force of history.

 

What has been corrected will likely return as an even bigger wave than before. Just as it has until now... From here on, the battle against that will begin.

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