REAPER SCANS
The Reincarnated Martial God Brings Down the Heavens
[Translator – San]
[Proofreader – Abstract]
Chapter 167 - Escape (1)
At the largest and most majestic building on the continent,
“...”
A golden-haired, middle-aged man sat on the tallest seat in the grand hall, looking down arrogantly.
The report continued.
“There is information that the successor of the Great Hero has appeared.”
“...”
“Much like Ancelot Heil Edenberg, he is said to use numerous techniques lost from this continent, unconstrained by attributes.”
“...”
“Duke Thoerg went in person, but we need a more precise assessment of the situation. If you permit, I will go and confirm it immediately.”
The man speaking was dressed entirely in black, resembling a raven.
He was the head of the imperial intelligence agency, rivaling even the most extensive information network on the continent—the renowned Mask of Night.
“The successor of Ancelot Heil Edenberg...”
If such a prominent figure spoke with the highest form of respect, the other party’s identity was anything but ordinary.
Golden hair, golden eyes, a square jaw, and an overwhelmingly commanding presence.
“Hahaha, this is quite an interesting story in this otherwise dull life.”
It was the Emperor.
***
We swiftly returned to Raven’s hideout.
Contrary to his appearance, Count Kaiman was quite meticulous. A carriage was already prepared nearby, ready to leave.
However—
“We can’t use the carriage!”
Nella immediately protested upon hearing the escape plan involving the carriage.
“Master doesn’t have the strength to endure a carriage ride yet. His condition will deteriorate before we even reach our destination!”
Her concern was valid.
A constantly jolting carriage could even make a healthy person sick. There was no way Raven, in his current state, could withstand such jolting.
“Hmm… Indeed, we need a more stable means of transport.”
Count Kaiman turned to the side.
“I anticipated this and prepared accordingly!”
The person he was looking at, Leo, was already tying a large cloth around his waist.
“I’ll carry him on my back and run.”
I couldn’t help but chuckle.
This guy, who claimed survival was his top priority, certainly had quick wits.
“I’m sorry to object again, but I can’t entrust Master to an outsider.”
Nella eyed the two warily.
Well, they were Imperial Knights, after all. Furthermore, they played a part in obstructing her Master’s treatment.
Again, her skepticism was understandable.
That’s why—
“Then I’ll be the one to carry him.”
“...!”
Nella flinched at my words.
“Are… Are you sure?”
“I’m fine. I intended to do this from the start.”
I silently glanced into the cave.
Raven was in a deep sleep.
He had been sleeping more as of late, and Nella had apparently put him to sleep forcefully in case he resisted leaving.
“Let’s take him out now.”
“...Yes, please.”
For the first time, Nella relaxed and bowed her head.
I carefully carried Raven out of the cave. He had been cleaned up, so there was no foul odor. However, his body was painfully light.
Just like when… I once carried a newborn—Andy—on my back.
‘…Zion. If you really are a traitor, I will destroy everything you have built.’
This trip to the Empire hadn’t been fruitless. Rather, I had gained something significant.
I had identified the most suspicious individual and the likely traitor who had betrayed me.
‘Of course, that only matters if we escape safely.’
As if reading my thoughts—
“How about we send a message to the kingdom first?”
Count Kaiman suggested.
“We must prepare for the worst-case scenario.”
“Worst-case scenario?”
Nella, still on guard, asked.
“If the Hart Kingdom refuses to cooperate.”
“...!”
“We’re in a race against time. If we reach the border only to be blocked there, it’ll be disastrous.”
He was right.
Unlike the time I left, I wasn’t traveling alone.
“We must request assistance from the Hart Kingdom in advance. However, there are two additional concerns.”
Perhaps he had anticipated Nella’s objections. Count Kaiman didn’t wait for a response and raised two fingers.
“First, if the message arrives later than we do.”
“That’s not a problem.”
I answered shortly. After all, we had the best informant on the continent.
“Ben.”
Whoosh.
At my call, a figure wearing a green mask appeared before me.
“You called for me?”
He was a personal informant that Narakas had assigned to me. Although he never announced his presence, he had been shadowing me since we entered the Empire.
“Hahaha, I see now. You told us not to mind this presence because he was one of your people, Your Highness.”
Count Kaiman mused, looking back and forth between me and Ben.
His expression seemed to ask, ‘When did you recruit someone from the Mask of Night?’
“In that case, we only need to worry about the second issue.”
“And what is that?”
“If the message is delivered but the kingdom refuses to cooperate.”
“...”
As Count Kaiman spoke, Nella’s face hardened.
“Even if he’s a noble from their own country, he’s still just a baron. They might simply ignore the prince’s request for help. In fact, it’s highly likely. They won’t risk offending the Empire over a low-ranking noble.”
Count Kaiman glanced at me.
“That being said… Will the high-ranking nobles of the Hart Kingdom come to your aid again, Your Highness?”
“…We’ll have to see.”
They were indeed favorable towards me. However, I couldn’t take their support for granted. If I kept forcing their hand, this relationship would eventually crumble.
‘That would be my selfishness.’
This was a politically heavy burden for them as well.
“Regardless, let’s send the request. If everything fails, I’ll apply for asylum myself.”
Nella said with forced optimism.
“I agree. At the very least, it’s better than heading to the kingdom with no preparations.”
“Are you sure about this, Count? Helping us escape will put you in a difficult position.”
“Hahaha, I’m already marked by the higher-ups. I’ll handle my side—just focus on your escape.”
Count Kaiman absentmindedly ran his fingers over the scar on his cheek.
“Honestly, that’s my biggest concern. I know all too well how nobles behave...”
“Anyway, since we’re done talking, let’s move.”
I turned my head. There was something I needed to do as soon as we departed.
“...?”
Leo, who had been petting the horses by the carriage, tilted his head.
“Why are you looking at me like that?”
“Good thing I spared you.”
“Huh…?”
Leo blinked in confusion.
At the same time, everyone’s gaze turned towards him.
“Wh-Why are you all staring at me like that? It’s embarrassing.”
“Enough. Get in the carriage.”
“…Didn’t you say we weren’t using the carriage?”
A faint smile formed on my lips at his question.
“Since we have it, we might as well make full use of it.”
In a crisis like this, we needed to utilize every available resource.
* * *
Reaper Scans
[Translator – San]
[Proofreader – Abstract]
Join our discord for updates on releases! https://dsc.gg/reapercomics
* * *
Marquis Foltaine had just received a telegram.
[Sender: Baron Ancelot
Location: Near the Empire’s border.
Message: Being pursued by imperial forces. Requesting assistance to cross the border on time.
Recipient: Head of the House of Foltaine]
It was a telegram sent via the Mask of Night’s express service.
Judging by its content, the same message must have also been delivered to Duke Herman and Marquis Milon.
Among them, Marquis Foltaine was the first to take action.
Crumple.
“What a troublesome brat.”
He chuckled as he crumpled the telegram in his hand and swiftly left the mansion.
Step, step, step.
Without delay, he walked along the royal road.
“Marquis Foltaine, welcome–huh?”
The royal knights guarding the palace tilted their heads as they spotted him approaching.
Marquis Foltaine, who was known as a merchant, was openly carrying a sword at his waist.
This was unprecedented.
‘Is he carrying it for decoration?’
One of the knights shook his head.
Considering the marquis’ well-known dislike of cumbersome things, that was unlikely.
‘Rules are rules, regardless.’
Quickly shaking off his thoughts, the knight spoke up.
“If you intend to enter the palace, you must leave your sword over there before proceeding.”
“Would you be so kind as to allow this old man to keep his sword on, just for today?”
“Excuse me? That’s…”
“This is a request. Please relay the message.”
“…!”
The royal knights widened their eyes.
A great nobleman had just ‘requested’ something. This was beyond their authority to decide.
“I-I will report inside first and get back to you.”
“Thank you.”
Marquis Foltaine nodded lightly.
After roughly thirty minutes of waiting—
“Y-You may enter.”
At last, permission was granted.
Without any hesitation, the marquis walked straight to his destination—the royal chamber.
“Welcome, Marquis Foltaine.”
King Terry, seated on his throne, greeted him with a puzzled expression.
Alongside him were numerous royal knights, including Duke Kairos, the king’s close aide.
“Marquis, I never expected you to be so stubborn about carrying a sword to the palace.”
Even Duke Kairos cast a peculiar look his way, as though he had much to say but was holding back.
“I brought the sword precisely to avoid such pointless war of nerves.”
“What do you mean?”
“My apologies for informing you so late, Your Majesty.”
King Terry’s frown deepened.
“Apologize? I have no idea what you are talking about, Marquis.”
“Before Your Majesty ascended the throne…”
Before he even finished his sentence—
Hummm!
“…!”
A deep, resonating hum filled the royal chamber.
Shiiing.
Marquis Foltaine had drawn his sword.
Crackle!
As if that wasn’t shocking enough, another shape materialized above the curved saber.
A second blade, overlapping the first.
“S-Sword spirit?!”
Someone gasped in disbelief.
Clang! Clang!
The royal knights instinctively drew their own swords, tension filling the air. But the marquis wasn’t finished.
Crack!
With a single motion, he drove his saber deep into the marble floor, as if it were mere tofu.
“As you can see, I have achieved meaningful results not just in business, but also with the sword.”
“Hah…!”
King Terry made no effort to hide his astonishment.
“M-Marquis Foltaine—to think you were a Master! I heard about it in passing, but I dismissed it as a mere rumor…!”
Strangely, the king did not seem displeased.
Even though Marquis Foltaine was a key figure in the noble faction, currently, even the so-called royalist faction couldn’t be considered fully loyal to the king.
Those were just convenient labels for political groups. Hadn’t they all worked together to depose the previous king?
“And so, I humbly request—please send me to the Empire’s border.”
“You want to go to the border…? What do you mean by that, Marquis?”
“Baron Ancelot is currently being pursued by imperial forces.”
“…!”
King Terry’s eyes widened.
“Baron Ancelot? By the empire? Are you saying he committed a crime there?”
“Whether he committed a crime or was falsely accused, that remains to be seen.”
Marquis Foltaine’s voice was firm.
“But he is a baron of the Hart Kingdom now. He is one of our nobles and a citizen of our nation. The first investigation must be conducted by us.”
“That’s…”
“Even if he must be punished, he should be judged in our country. Furthermore… The Empire is the same vile entity that once dared to set fire to the last king’s palace. We cannot entrust them with this matter.”
“Hmm…”
As King Terry fell into deep thought, Duke Kairos frowned.
“Marquis! This is not a simple matter—”
“If I am allowed to go to the border!”
Marquis Foltaine raised his voice slightly.
“Consider it a gift in celebration of my newfound mastery. In return, I will devote myself even more to Your Majesty and the kingdom.”
“…!”
A faint smile spread across King Terry’s lips. Gaining the loyalty of the kingdom’s newest Master?
That was hardly a bad deal.
Sensing the king’s thoughts—
-Marquis!
Duke Kairos urgently sent a telepathic message.
-Do not try to stop me this time, Your Grace.
Marquis Foltaine had no intention of suffering the agony of losing a child again.
And so—
-If you insist on getting in my way… My first official act as the kingdom’s fourth Master will be a challenge.
-…!
In other words, he would fight Duke Kairos himself. Marquis Foltaine made his stance clear.
He wouldn’t yield or waver.
“You…!”
At the same time, Duke Kairos’ face twisted in frustration.
* * *
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