My Alter Ego’s Path to Greatness - Chapter 118

#118

Foreshadowing (3)

“W—! Harley!”

When Harley washed up in the dorm and came out, there were people approaching him, excitedly calling his name.

They were a trio of southern warriors with hair and scars.

“Hey—I thought you were amazing before, but today, I think you’ve become even more of a monster?”

“Even the mercenaries from Tarak were scared because of that. “I’m sure there were more than a few people who were backstabbing me knowingly or unknowingly.”

“Thanks to you, it was so refreshing to see those who looked down on Calcos’s engraving not be able to say anything.”

As expected, Harley is the pride of the South, an example of a true warrior, etc…

As soon as he finished greeting me, I felt embarrassed as I listened to the three people surrounding him and showering him with praise.

“ha ha ha! Thanks friends! “But I don’t think you were here until recently. Where have you been?”

Eventually, Harley cut them off and gently changed the subject.

Considering how long he had been in the Northern Mountains on his rescue mission, it made no sense for them to arrive at the Iron Citadel only now.

“Ah, so far, we have been mobilized to establish a cordon behind the fortress. “This time, the lord himself came here and we followed him.”

“Even though this is a strategic point, we can’t stop every single one. “There are bound to be some who leak out.”

Due to the nature of the terrain, the steel fortress at the forefront was sticking out in front, receiving concentrated attacks from monsters… but

there was no way that one castle could stop all the monsters coming from that wide mountain range.

It was not for nothing that a large number of troops were needed for this incident.

Even so, the only part bordering the mountain range was the County of Aonia, which was the Tulk Kingdom, so the Azerion Empire, whose territory bordered the entire central part of the northern mountain range, was now doing its best to respond.

Harley chatted with colleagues she hadn’t seen in a long time, promised to meet again later, and headed to the center where the command center was located.

‘I’m not particularly tired right now, so I can just go see the lord right away.’

It was better to finish what I had to do right away when I remembered it.

Even if you told them to come when it’s convenient, wouldn’t they probably like it better?

However, when he almost reached his destination, he encountered the spherical opponent again.

“It’s been a while, Mr. Harley. I heard that your performance today was great. Well, it’s only natural for Harley.”

It was Ranger Charlton, who was sent on a rescue mission together and is now in charge of security in this area.

Unlike other mercenaries, he was in the military, so it was the first time we met since we parted ways…

We were able to briefly say hello and share what we’ve been up to.

“Hans is still hospitalized in the military infirmary and receiving treatment. “They said there was a potion, but the injuries were so severe that it would take quite a long time for him to move and recover.”

Still, it is said that Ranger Hans will be able to return without any major aftereffects for now.

As someone who carries on the name ‘Hans’, it would be natural to overcome that level.

“And Bordeaux…. The unit held a joint funeral with the belongings brought. “It seemed like the unit suffered significant damage while we were in the mountains.”

It is said that they plan to send his belongings to his hometown once the situation calms down to some extent.

Bordeaux didn’t have much of a relationship with Harley, but it was true that he was concerned because he died during the journey they were together.

But all he could do was nod heavily and express his condolences.

“Oh, I guess I was holding on to a busy person for a long time for no reason. The command center can go over there. Then, I hope you continue to perform well.”

Charlton pointed to the building inside, saluted him, and disappeared, saying he would look around.

‘Hmm, it seems like there are a lot of people I haven’t seen in a long time today. Surely there won’t be another one?’

He narrowed his eyes and looked around, approaching the building.

However, if you say that the only acquaintances you can meet in the Iron Fortress are the mercenaries who headed into the mountain range together.

And we were already exchanging greetings with them every time we ran into each other.

“You came early. “Let me guide you inside.”

But I felt that such a judgment was too hasty.

‘Oh, I forgot about this guy.’

Greeting him was Robin, the knight who had performed the request together.

Seeing that he was fully armed with neat metal equipment instead of the leather armor he had when he went hiking, I thought he was definitely a knight.

“I guess the driver has been doing well so far? “I feel like my mind has become clearer while I haven’t seen it.”

“It’s an illusion. Still, you can wash well here, so that’s probably why it looks that way. Due to the situation, there is no time to relax. “After going through all that hardship, I was immediately sent to work…”

Their conversation was informal as they had become close friends after going through hardships together.

However, since this was not a place to comfortably exchange updates, the conversation did not last long.

“First of all, I have told the lord about your personality several times, but I wish you would pay more attention to things like attitude.”

“huh? “Is there something wrong with my attitude?”

Harley shamelessly blinks and tilts her head.

Of course, his unique appearance only made him look odd.

“…Please… be as polite as possible.”

“Oh, don’t worry about that! When it comes to courtesy, isn’t this body? “I’ve never cut in line before!”

Of course, it is very common to unintentionally give in to the person in front of you, but it doesn’t matter because it was their voluntary consideration.

“I don’t even use violence recklessly!”

In the early days, there were quite a few people in the city clicking their tongues and gossiping every time a Harley passed by.

However, it was impossible to visit them one by one and arrest them.

The plan he proposed was to warmly embrace them.

Every time Harley uses her excellent five senses to figure out what’s going on behind the scenes, he just makes eye contact and gives a soft smile that reveals his teeth.

There was absolutely no violent response.

The effect was amazing.

His sincerity seemed to have resonated, as such cases drastically decreased after that.

‘Of course, the number of people who make eye contact has actually increased, but such cases are unavoidable.’

Isn’t avoiding a dispute something a manly Harley would do?

However, since he did not use violence first, this could be seen as an embodiment of etiquette.

“…okay. Still, it’ll be okay since I’ve made a contribution. … Because I have the skills.”

Robin, overwhelmed by that confident claim, nodded and led him into the living room.

And before long, Harley was finally able to face him.

“oh! “You are Harley, come and sit down here.”

Count Tarmin Aonia, the ruler of this area.

“I’ve heard so much praise from Zaonic and Robin that it hurts my ears, but seeing you in person is definitely different.”

Youngju, who was now in his late thirties, twitched his eyebrows for a moment when he saw Harley’s unique outfit, but soon gave him a compliment without showing any emotion.

“Haha! I really don’t know what to do with this! In fact, I just moved in exchange for compensation. Hahaha—!”

The lord’s eyebrows twitched again at the sight of him laughing heartily.

Robin, who was standing behind the manor, closed his eyes tightly, but Harley didn’t care.

Just using an honorific expression was enough effort for him.

‘Ah, this is Harley manners. Still, seeing Robin’s face, I gave in as much as I could!’

Youngju, perhaps aware of Harley’s feelings, slowly took a sip of tea and opened his mouth again.

“Hmm, anyway. As with the request, you are doing a great job this time as well, so I called to see your face in person. “I want to give you at least some additional compensation.”

At the same time, the compensation he hinted at as a favor was not very desirable.

‘It’s a knighthood, so of course it’s natural to try to recruit Harley when you look at his power, but…’

It’s not like he was giving it away as a reward, like he was being generous.

At least that was the case for him, who has proven himself time and time again.

And Harley, a wild and free-spirited berserker, had a very resolute disposition in these matters.

“Oh, I don’t really want to do that. Instead of that, why not just give it in kind?”

“That… something like that? cash?”

“Why? I think it would be great to have a large, sturdy two-handed axe. “The guy I’m using now is so poor!”

“…….”

As he spoke, his tone slightly dropped, but the lord, who had a sober expression on his face, seemed to have no time to argue with that.

Robin, who was standing behind him, was just looking at the ceiling with an expression of liberation.

“Yes… you! How dare you refuse the lord’s offer! And what rudeness!”

However, the lord’s other knights seemed to have no intention of letting go.

The knights who had been frowning and glaring at him since he entered the living room showed hostility and placed their hands on the handles of their weapons.

Of course, Harley just looked at them with a sullen expression.

‘It’s been over a year and a half since I came to Outerica.’

There was no way he didn’t know about the physiology of this place, as he was now full of time.

It was common sense that one should not act rashly in front of a powerful group called nobles, but…

“That’s enough. “Everyone step back.”

“But, my lord…!”

“Didn’t I tell you to step back!”

The knights bowed their heads with sad expressions and fell back at the lord’s words.

‘In difficult times like now, strength is everything. And Harley proved that in abundance.’

Moreover, he was a strong man who was a great help in stopping the monsters flooding the northern mountains.

One rejection is only a very minor problem.

Originally, in order to attract good talent, it was considered a basic law to consider three times and three times.

“Yes, you said axe, right? I’ll make one custom-made for you through Xiaonic. “You too will be satisfied.”

Like the lord who is trying to smile right now.

“Haha! Thank you, my lord. As expected from someone who rules a large territory, he is very generous!”

“That’s right, I’m not stingy when it comes to giving to my subordinates. ha ha ha!”

Yeah, where do you go to eat raw food?

In order to attract talent, you had to show some convenience, give gifts, and pour attention and affection on multiple occasions.

‘Of course, there is no guarantee that you will be able to get it even then.’

There is nothing perfect in this world. It’s all like that.

In this way, Harley was receiving excellent treatment in the northwest and was gaining influence and fame.

***

“All investigations have been concluded. We have also completed cross-verification of the information received from Yeokcheon’s pledge.”

“okay? “Is there anything wrong with the information?”

“yes! We have even confirmed that two Jinhyeol have moved to their positions to defend the Forest of Monsters due to the current madness situation. “At most, the only Jinhyeol left in the capital city of Talaria are Brokoslak’s former lord and the current lord.”

“Hmm… It’s too bold to call it a decision from Mulo, who is so cautious. Is this the new Lord’s intention?”

The person who was listening to the subordinate’s report touched the corners of his mouth for a moment and then burst into laughter.

Actually, that was probably an unrelated issue.

‘I am confident that I will win even if we face each other head-on, but even Jinhyeol is absent… This is going to make things too easy, isn’t it?’

The power difference is overwhelming.

I’m not sure about the level of the current Lord who swallowed Brokoslag, but I’m sure it’s not holy blood.

“Well, okay. Still, it would be better to make sure things are done. “Assemble other Jinhyeols and prepare a combat unit.”

Bisque Eupersch, a man with white hair and white eyes, muttered lowly as he looked at the subordinate bowing before him.

“…We are going to Talaria.”

The Eupersch Clan, the strongest vampire group on the continent in name and reality, has begun to move.