CH 441

As Vosk’s voice echoed into the surroundings, the people from the Levisor family were silent.

Of course, there were many things they wanted to say, but nothing would be convincing in front of the corpse of a man who was present at the site of the attack, clear evidence.

However, even so……as long as they served the Levisor family, they couldn’t quietly accept Vosk’s words.

Because of that, the man facing Vosk spoke out, while knowing it was unreasonable.

「There is no evidence that the corpse was really found at the site of the attack. It is possible that the Silva family just wants to settle the matter as quickly as possible and prepared this corpse to make it look like the work of the Levisor family!」

The man’s words were close to desperation.

But, those that knew that was close to the truth held their breaths when they heard that.

Those words had been spoken by chance. But, what if Vosk, who seemed to think of something when he heard that, sought to pursue the truth rather than just avenge his men?

That was why they raised their voices to stop the situation from going in that direction.

「That’s right! The Silva family wants to take the opportunity to destory the Levisor family, so they orchestrated this farce in order to blame the Levisor family for their own mismanagement that led to their warehouse burning down! We won’t forgive the Silva family! What should we do if not stand up here to protect the honour of the Levisor family!」

A voice rose up from the ranks of the Levisor family.

It was a flawed argument when one considered it normally.

If the fire was caused by accident by the Silva family’s adventurers, who were guarding the warehouse, then why would they have all died? Even if they did burn to death in the fire, there were clear slashes and arrow wounds all over their bodies.

It was obviously unnatural, but in this confrontational state filled with killing intent, few would have reached that conclusion. Even those that did would not have been able to reach the others by raising their voice due to the loud angry shouts in the surroundings.

「Quiet down!」

In the midst of all this, a voice echoed out.

The group from the Levisor family parted in two as an old man with a walking stick emerged from the crowd.

Appearing on the front line with several guards around him, he spoke with a somewhat astounded eyes as he looked at Vosk.

「I knew you were stupid, but I never thought you would do something like this.」

「Hmph, I’m fine with being stupid. I’m not smart enough to stand and watch my brothers get killed.」

「Why do you think we did it?」

Vosk pointed to the nearby cart with his chin at Schaffner’s question.

Schaffner looked over, but even after seeing the corpse on the cart, there was no change in his expression. Rather, he had a mystified expression on his face.

「Who is that guy?」

「Schaffner-sama, he served the Levisor family up until a few days ago, but was fired for causing problems.」

「……Hm? Come to think of it, there was such a person…..」

Mumbling to himself, he tried to recall the face of the dead man but could never bring it to mind.

Actually, Schaffner had met the man in person before. He did remember such a person, but he had been partially drunk at the time and couldn’t recall his face.

However, the man who had been arguing with Vosk previously had already confirmed the man’s identity.

「So, what do you think? Are you going to tell us why you attacked?」

If you say anything stupid in response, I’m going to smash you skinny body in with my claymore. Vosk spoke with those thoughts in mind, but Schaffner’s reply was simple and clear.

「Even if that person had served the Levisor family, it is none of our business after we fired him. That’s not going to change the fact that you are using force to intimidate me. While I’m still willing, you should go home with your tail between your legs. Then this matter may not be……forgotten, but I won’t blame you for it.」

It might have been because he was sure that the Silva family hadn’t actually attacked the Silva family, but Schaffner’s words were far too arrogant.

Perhaps, if Vosk had been a little calmer, they could have worked out a mutual compromise. But, in this case, it was completely counterproductive.

「Yes, I see. ……If you say that, it can’t be helped.」

「Hmph, that’s right. From now on, you should respect your elders……」

「Shut up old man!」

As Schaffner replied with a proud face, he was interrupted by a loud roar.

「Why-, y-you……」

「I see that it’s useless to say anymore. Then, from here on out, we will use all our strength! You lot, let’s go!」

『UOOOOOOOOOOOOH-!』

At Vosk’s words, the force from the Silva family gave a large shout.

The people from the Levisor family almost felt like running away immediately.

It was all a misunderstanding. It was true that true that Vosk was a hawkish person, but they didn’t expect him to actually launch an attack.

The fact that the Levisor hadn’t actually been involved in the previous night’s attack was also a major factor.

However, Vosk had no care for the other party’s feelings as he ran towards them with claymore at the ready.

A group of people who were on the verge of fleeing and a group of people who were attacking vigorously to avenge their friends. It was obvious what would happen when the two collided.

「Eat this-!」

「Damn it, how dare you all……」

「Hey, what’s wrong! You were the ones who started this! I’m only accepting your wish. Go on, fight back some more, ora-!」

「Hii-, hiiiii-!」

「Retreat, retreat immediately-!」

「Don’t run away you idiot! If you do that, they’ll push all the one in one go!」

Angry shouts echoed out all around as skirmishes broke out all the way down the road.

However, the skirmishes were all overwhelmingly in the Silva family’s favour.

Numbers, quality, momentum. The Silva family was winning in all three and the Levisor had started to flee from the beginning.

Fortunately, although Vosk had lost a lot of his brothers, he had no thoughts about killing the members of the Levisor family.

Even if he did swing his claymore with his large body, his enemies were only struck by the flat of the blade rather than the edge. Vosk effectively used it as a metal cudgel, beating them down.

Of course, there were those that were slashed by the blade or the tip, but he continued to swing the claymore as if he didn’t care.

All the members of the Silva family had been told not to kill their opponents, so the number of deaths was extremely small for the number of people fighting each other.

In the midst of all this, Vosk quickly looked around as he kicked the back of someone running away from him, sending him flying and knocking him unconscious after hitting the ground.

He was looking for Schaffner.

Rather than getting more people injured in the skirmishes, he wanted to quickly capture Schaffner and make him spill the truth of the incident. But, Schaffner, perhaps realising that he was being targeted, had disappeared into the forces of the Levisor family as soon as the fighting had started.

(Damn it, I wish I could have knocked him out with my first blow.)

Should he bemoan his lack of ability for letting Schaffner escape or should he praise Schaffner for his unexpectedly swift retreat, despite being an old man waiting to die? While clicking his tongue as he thought to himself, he blasted aside a Levisor family adventurer, who had realised he couldn’t escape and had stood in front of Vosk as a daring last ditch attempt. The blow sent the adventurer off to the right as Vosk proceeded on his way.

He glanced at the adventurer for a moment before deciding there wasn’t an issue as the man was still moving and his heart beating. Continuing down the road……a large mansion eventually appeared in front of his eyes.

Size wise, it wasn’t much different to the Silva family’s mansion. However, in contrast to the Silva family mansion, which had a simple and sturdy aesthetic, this mansion was vain and in poor taste.

Simple, sturdy, and aesthetically pleasing. While looking at the mansion that was the complete opposite of his own, the gates started to close to stop Vosk from entering.

「You dare to abandon your own comrades—–!」

With a shout of rage, Vosk slammed his claymore into the gate, ignoring the people from the Levisor family who had been left outside.

A high pitched metallic sound echoed out.

Those who were by the gate, whether from the Silva or Levisor families, involuntarily covered their ears at the sharp metallic sound that rang in their ears. However, Vosk continued to slam his claymore against the gate another two or three times, as if he didn’t care.

If the claymore in his hands had been an ordinary weapon, it might not have withstood such punishment. However, as the head of the Silva family, famous for its martial prowess, his claymore wasn’t ordinary.

「HAAAAAAAAH-!」

The blade of the claymore didn’t chip as it was swung against the gate with great vigour. On the contrary, it seemed to grow even more powerful as the blows against the gate exceeded 20……

With an unprecedented high pitched sound, the next moment, the gate was blasted straight off its hinges.

「Fuu, fu, fu……alright, you guys! There’s nothing blocking our path! Search the mansion! Look for information on the men who were hired to attack the warehouse, the abnormal speices, and anything else we might need! And, if you see Schaffner, make sure you catch him!」

Breathing hard, Vosk gave a loud shout as he held his claymore up.

Waiting for his voice to echo out, the next moment, he shook his claymore.

「However, listen up! We’re not rogues! Don’t touch any of the gold in the mansion! Don’t wield your strength without care for those in the mansion. If I catch any of you doing that, I’ll smash you to pieces! Understand!?」

『UOOOOOH!』

About 70% of his men entered the mansion with yells of assent while the remaining 30% scattered to search outside the mountain.

Watching them, Vosk turned his attention to his remaining confidantes.

「You should stay here and manage the information we find.」

In front of Vosk’s eyes was a reserved man wearing a butler uniform. It was Sanctions. Vosk’s right hand man.

「That’s fine, but what about you, Vosk-sama.」

「I’m heading in as well. It’s better to move on my own rather than just sit here waiting for reports.」

「If possible, I would have liked Vosk-sama to stay here as the leader of the Silva family’s forces……」

「Even if they are rotten to the core, it’s still the Levisor family. They might have someone skilled protecting them inside. In that case, it would be faster for me to go in myself.」

「……It seems useless to say any more. I understand. However, I have a bad feeling about this, so please be careful. Considering the bodies we found seemed to have been placed there for us, there may be more to the story.」

Vosk nodded at Sanctions, who spoke as he looked over at the corpse of a man that was on a nearby cart.

「Yeah, I understand your fears. But it is true that the Levisor family is suspicious. After all, the circumstantial evidence tells us that there’s something here. But, as you said, the timing is too good.」

「If you know what you’re doing, it’s fine. And, as Vosk-sama said earlier, please don’t be rough with the Levisor’s.」

「Yeah, I know. They are people of Exil……namely, the people I govern. Besides, I’m the bait. I have to show them I’m tasty enough to bite the hook.」

Vosk told Sanctions he understood everything as he walked into the mansion with claymore on his shoulder.

Watching Vosk leave, Sanctions couldn’t help but mutter.

「Fishing……is it? I can’t get used to the idea of the family head using himself as bait. But as long as we’re catching a big fish, there’s no point using ordinary bait. ……Vosk-sama, please take care.」

Praying for a few seconds for the safety of his master, Sanctions also started on his own work.

Later, a report containing the results of experiments using magic stones was discovered and a research lab near the slums of Exil was found. Although they immediately headed for the the lab, all the researchers there were found dead. Information found there also revealed that experiments were being conducted within the dungeon.

However, there was no evidence of any involvement by the Church of Holy Light. There was also no sign of where Schaffner had disappeared to.