The Return of the Iron-blood Sword Hound
chapter-440

Chapter 440: Dreaming the Impossible Dream (4)

The recovery of Donquixote’s Clan was in progress.

Knights roaming the vast plains with a bag of sticks were released from the demon’s control.

Tudor Donquixote, The legitimate heir to Cervantes and the true master of the Donquixote Clan.

The young lion, who had been driven out, grew up and returned as the head of the family, killing his wicked uncle and avenging his father’s enemy.

It would have been a major event that could have turned the entire empire upside down in the past, but given the current circumstances, such issues hardly spread beyond a certain extent.

It was an era of civil war where thousands, even tens of thousands died every day.

But the liberation of the Donquixote Clan was a great boon to the night walkers.

“Finally, the supply routes have reopened.”

Dolores said in a cheerful voice.

The supply routes that demons had cut off were reconnected.

Finally, food and water began to be supplied to the Tochka Fortress.

There was a risk of great chaos due to the increasing number of refugees.

“….”

Vikir was looking out at the view of Tochka through the window of the conference room.

Tall and thick walls.

Plateaus where oxygen was scarce.

Rocky areas surrounded by cliffs as if they had been carved out.

It was indeed a fortress of high and lonely iron walls.

“The only problem is that there is insufficient water. It would be great if we could get water on our own. At the very least, there should be areas beyond one mountain where water is presumed to exist.”

Dolores muttered with a hint of regret as she looked at the map.

But Vikir showed no sign of unease.

“The water issue will be resolved soon.”

“…Pardon?”

Everyone, including Dolores, looked puzzled, but Vikir didn’t elaborate further.

At that moment, Tudor, who was sitting at one end of the table, spoke up.

“I’ve fully assessed the power situation of the Donquixote Clan.”

As the newly appointed head of the Donquixote Clan, Tudor decided to fully cooperate with the night walkers.

It was only natural.

“We’ve completely rooted out all the individuals associated with demons through this incident. And we’ve reinstated all those who were previously punished wrongly or dismissed.”

“How many fighters do you have?”

When Vikir asked, Tudor immediately disclosed all the confidential documents without hesitation.

“The situation isn’t as bad as we thought. About 60% are in good condition. However, most of them are concentrated in the fleet. The cavalry suffered too much damage…”

Tudor gspeard discreetly at the side as he spoke.

Camus was sitting there with her arms crossed.

“Well. How is it my fault that your family’s cavalry suffered such a devastating blow?”

“Oh, no, not at all. It’s not like that. The invincible cavalry suffered so much damage because they were continuously circling the war zone under demonic influence. Apart from my incompetence and those wicked demons, who else could be blamed?”

Tudor chuckled slyly.

But it wouldn’t be just laughter.

Despite avenging his father’s enemy and removing the skin from the demon’s hide to make a rug for the spear, the debt would never be fully paid.

Vikir looked at the leather strap from Chimera hanging under Tudor’s spear with a heavy heart, and said…

“It will make those around you courageous. Carry it with you at all times.”

“…Thank you.”

Tudor nodded towards Vikir and continued speaking.

“Still, Donquixote’s invincible fleet has hardly suffered any damage and remains fully operational. It seems that the sea level has dropped significantly, preventing the fleet from approaching the coast. They won’t be much help in the civil war.”

Vikir’s eyes sharpened upon hearing Tudor’s words.

“That’s perfect.”

The invincible fleet of Donquixote had been the subject of Vikir’s greatest interest.

Many had doubts about this point.

“But, big brother. What’s the reason for needing the invincible fleet? We’re currently in the midst of a civil war in the heart of the continent, and there doesn’t seem to be any imminent naval battles, is there? Even if it’s because of the supply routes through the sea, with the sea level significantly lower now, the fleet wouldn’t be of much use, would it?”

Sinclaire’s question mirrored the curiosity of everyone gathered in the conference room.

To address this point, Vikir shifted his gaze from the map and raised his head.

“The fleet will soon become very important. And when that moment comes, Tochka’s water shortage will also be resolved…”

Just then, someone interrupted Vikir’s words.

“Ugh, fucking meetings, meetings, meetings. What a damn boring kids they are, aren’t they?”

Originally, there weren’t many among these members who could interrupt Vikir.

Marquis Sade. He was looking bored to death as he stared at Vikir.

“Vikir, my friend. You know, right? Now there are only two left.”

Sade smiled, raising two fingers.

When escaping from Nouvellebag, Sade owed Vikir a debt.

In return, Vikir asked Sade to kill 3 people of his choosing, which is why Sade continued to follow Vikir.

Orca, who was sitting next to Sade with his arms crossed, was in a similar situation.

“Unlike this escapee, I keep my word. You said you’d get me to protect up to three people. Now there are only two left.”

Sade referred to Monte, and Orca referred to Tudor.

Although they indirectly killed and indirectly protected, it was helpful in any case.

“…I remember.”

Vikir nodded and turned his gaze away.

“Is Cindiwendy still not here? We need to know the news from Usher to plan the next move.”

“I’m sorry to disappoint you, sir.”

As soon as Vikir finished speaking, the door of the conference room ominously opened.

Cindiwendy, carrying a stack of documents, walked over to the corner of the table and sat down.

“Aren’t you making your sister-in-law overwork too much?”

“Can’t believe you married into the family, I think you said you want nothing to do with the Baskervilles?”

Cindiwendy responded to Vikir’s words with a wry smile.

“The relationships between people tend to change. I was able to let go of Baskerville hate a while ago.”

“…How about you? Are you still carrying it?”

In response to that question, Vikir remained silent for a long time.

Cindiwendy had allied herself with Baskerville, the house that destroyed her own family.

Though she claimed to become its mistress and rule over Baskerville, in reality, it was an act of giving up revenge and compromise.

“Stop the nonsense.”

Rarely did Vikir’s voice, which had become harsher, startle everyone in the conference room.

It felt like she touched a nerve, didn’t it?

Even the mighty Sade and Orca seemed taken aback by Vikir’s sharp voice.

This was the real Vikir, a sight rarely seen except when confronting demons.

But Cindiwendy, with her usual charm, smoothly changed the subject.

“Oh my, how terrifying! It’s just like standing outside the prison bars back in the day. Nothing’s changed.”

She pushed some documents towards Vikir.

“Let’s get to the point quickly since it’s scary.”

As usual, Cindiwendy cut straight to the chase with the essential points:

1. Signs of deeper internal strife within the empire.

2. Alliance between Morg and Baskerville.

3. Alliance between Quovadis and the Bourgeois.

4. Alliance between Reviadon and Usher.

5. Donquixote declared neutrality and withdrew from the civil war.

“…Hmm. Other than that, QuoVadis is declaring a holy war against Reviadon over the Red Death incident. Donquixote’s declaration of neutrality and withdrawal from the civil war was directly proclaimed by Lord Tudor himself, so you should be aware of that.”

Quovadis had declared a holy war against Reviadon long ago, following the Red Death incident.

Movements of large groups usually start slow but gain tremendous speed once initiated.

Donquixote decided to feign seclusion for a while, citing various procedures related to the change of lordship.

Of course, this was merely a nominal seclusion; it was natural for Donquixote, now under Tudor’s lordship, to covertly support night walkers.

Camus looked at Vikir with her chin resting on her hand.

“So, our families have joined hands? It seems Mother has decided to actively support the Second Prince. Talking about a Second Prince who may not even exist, let alone his whereabouts.”

“Perhaps it’s more about restraining the Emperor than actually following the Second Prince. Quovadis is in a similar position to us.”

Dolores spoke up from across the table, looking at Vikir.

As their eyes met in the air, Sinclaire reached over Vikir’s shoulder from behind and pointed to a map.

“Our Bourgeois is also searching for the Second Prince. The rumor about him enrolling in the academy seems to be the most credible lead for now.”

The civil war is ultimately a struggle for legitimacy.

While demons rally under a single goal, humans confront each other with various principles.

Vikir thought of the elusive Second Prince, whose existence was shrouded in rumors.

Before his disappearance, the Second Prince never revealed himself.

A mysterious figure whose very existence remained unconfirmed.

“If he truly exists somewhere, perhaps he could unite humanity sooner than we think.”

Vikir, his thoughts racing, lifted his head to look at Cindiwendy.

“Among the seven great clans of the empire, which one is the most well-informed?”

“Hmm… That would be the Usher House, they employs a significant number of operatives specialized in assassination and infiltration, so naturally, they are the most knowledgeable.”

As Cindiwendy finished speaking, the door to the conference room swung open, as if on cue.

Bianca, her expression deeply agitated, addressed everyone present.

“The magic on the Divine Archer squad members has been undone. They now know everything about the internal affairs of our houses.”

Simultaneously, Vikir’s gaze grew intense.

The Usher house remained ensnared by the demons and stood as a central pillar in this civil war.

With Donquixote restored, there were no clans as threatening as Reviadon and Usher.

And currently leading the clan was, Madeline Usher.

A figure presumed to be the 3rd Corpse.

Swish—

Upon hearing Bianca’s words, Tudor was the first to rise from his seat.

It was Bianca who rescued Tudor at the moment of Donquixote’s downfall.

And now Tudor, along with Vikir and all their friends, extended their hands towards Bianca.

“Let’s go together. It’s time to restore Usher.”

“…”

A spark returned to Bianca’s eyes, which had been dimmed for so long.

Simultaneously, her eyes were beginning to glisten with tears.

“We must hurry. Strike before the rumors of Donquixote reach them.”

At Vikir’s words, the resolve in the eyes of the night walkers ignited with determination.

“Swoosh— So, is the second target now decided?”

“This should lessen our debts.”

Sade and Orca also rose to their feet, following Vikir.

The second demon hunt was about to unfold in quick succession.

It was highly unusual for Vikir, who usually left long intervals between hunts, to act so promptly.