The Return of the Iron-blood Sword Hound

Chapter 426: Night Walkers (2)

Dolores, Tudor, Sancho, and Figgy entered the tent.

Inside, Cindiwendy, the sponsor of the Night Walkers, was seated with a serious expression.

Cindiwendy. She was Vikir’s appointed aide and the lover of Osiris Le Baskerville.

She had spared no expense in purchasing a vast amount of relief supplies.

Preserved food and drinking water procured from all over the empire were still continuously arriving.

Even more astonishing was that Cindiwendy had been working on this project for years.

Given that the fortress of Tochka had enough supplies to feed the entire imperial population for several months, it was clear that Vikir’s plan had been in motion for a very long time.

This was even before Vikir appeared in the capital under the alias “Night Hound.”

However, not even the great Cindiwendy fully understood Vikir’s intentions.

This was also true for Chihuahua and Minipin, who handled all the tasks as Cindiwendy’s left and right arms.

“Why did Vikir order us to gather the refugees in this highland region? Even after all these years, I still don’t know.”

“Do you think I would know? Even if you are close to him, he doesn’t reveal his true intentions. We just need to do what we’re told, right?”

They were engaged in various conversations when Dolores and the other Colosseo Academy graduates entered, turning their attention to Cindiwendy.

Cindiwendy opened her eyes and asked Dolores, “How is the myth-making going?”

Dolores nodded at her question.

“Yes. We have created a new concept called ‘The Ark.’ We are spreading the message to the people that those who cto Tochka will be saved.”

However, Dolores’ expression was somewhat dark as she spoke.

In truth, the idea that coming to Tochka would bring salvation was not something found in prophecies or ancient texts.

This myth was a fabricated concept, created by Dolores, Martin Luther, and shigh-ranking priests of the Quovadis Clan to make it easier to bring refugees to Tochka.

‘…Honestly, I was surprised. That Pope Nabokov would approve of this.’

When Dolores presented this plan, prepared to face divine retribution, Pope Nabokov I had simply smiled warmly and nodded.

“If such a myth doesn’t exist, then we make one. All myths were created by humans from the beginning. God respects human free will, my dear.”

With these words, Pope Nabokov I had stroked Dolores’ head and concluded.

“Your steps will beca myth recorded in the scriptures one day.”

Pope Nabokov I gave Dolores all the power she could spare.

Complete trust.

Because of this, the Night Walkers could safely travel across the continent with the covert support of Quovadis temples located throughout the empire.

…Of course, Quovadis was not the only one supporting the Night Walkers.

Morg, Bourgeois, and surprisingly, even the Baskerville Clan were providing secret assistance.

Those providing the most significant help included Banshee from Morg, Lovebad from Bourgeois, Mozgus from Quovadis, and Isabella from Baskerville.

They supplied resources, dispatched personnel to protect the movement of supplies, and provided various information about areas where battles were occurring or monsters were appearing.

Thanks to these supporters and allies spread across various cities and towns, the Night Walkers could continue to exist.

Additionally, many individuals like Gordon and Dogma, who had been involved with Vikir in the abyss, and Lovegood, who had met him in the National University league, were already working with the Night Walkers.

An unofficial group operating solely for the people, citizens, and masses, independent of the civil war.

The Night Walkers were a somewhat aggressive vigilante group, unafraid to use force when necessary.

Meanwhile, Cindiwendy was carefully examining the maps on the table.

Dolores asked, “Is everything quiet on the Western Continent?”

“Hmm? Oh, don’t worry. The Baskervilles are fully cooperating with us. The Ballak tribes have reappeared, so trade isn’t an issue.”

At the end of her response, Cindiwendy added something as if she had just remembered.

“Oh, speaking of the Ballak… I’ve heard there’s a new guardian deity that has appeared there recently. They say it’s quite a ‘reliable friend.’”

A reliable friend?

Everyone tilted their heads in confusion, but Cindiwendy didn’t seem to know the details either.

Finally, she got to the main point.

“The reason I requested this meeting today is because of the food and water supplies.”

Even before Vikir entered the academy, he had ordered Cindiwendy to fortify Tochka.

Thus, Cindiwendy had spent almost all the money she had earned over the years on purchasing preserved food and water.

The stockpiled food and water were enough to feed a massive number of refugees for more than three months.

However, Cindiwendy still looked anxious.

“Vikir instructed us to gather enough supplies to last at least 150 days, five months. We’re still far from reaching that goal.”

Recently, it has becincreasingly difficult to purchase food and water.

The prices of food and water were skyrocketing due to famines, droughts, massive wildfires, and monster outbreaks happening one after another.

“We’re trying to buy them even at inflated prices, but it’s becoming increasingly challenging.”

Dolores looked worried at Cindiwendy’s words.

“Well, Cindiwendy, your financial resources aren’t limitless. It’s both a great relief and a concern.”

“What?”

Cindiwendy turned to Dolores as if she didn’t understand what she was saying. Then she burst into laughter.

“Ha ha ha— What are you talking about, Saintess? I’m Cindiwendy. Are you underestimating my financial power? I have plenty of money. I haven’t even spent 10% yet, so don’t worry.”

“What? Then why…?”

Everyone, including Dolores, widened their eyes.

Cindiwendy, with a cautious expression, pointed at the map and revealed the real issue.

“We can buy food and water. If we pay double or triple the price, we can secure the quantity… The main problem is distribution and supply.”

Distribution and supply. These are also critical issues.

We can procure food and water from distant places.

The real challenge is how to transport them to Tochka in the northern continent.

The journey is already long and treacherous, and encountering monsters, wildfires, or bandits along the way makes it even more difficult.

Thus far, Cindiwendy had relied on powerful mercenaries or knights dispatched from the Baskervilles or to gather food and water.

However, recently, the amount of food and water reaching Tochka had noticeably decreased.

“Sof my men are currently keeping large amounts of food and water in their strongholds, but new enemies are blocking the supply routes..”

Cindiwendy pointed to the X marks on various parts of the map.

These were the secret supply routes leading to the fortress of Tochka.

“It’s clearly intentional. Whoever it is, they seem to know we’ve set up a base here and are trying to choke us off.”

“Who are they?” Tudor asked anxiously.

If it were just ordinary bandits or monsters, Cindiwendy’s hired mercenaries would have already taken care of them.

However, the fact that such significant supply disruptions were occurring indicated that the obstacles were not ordinary.

Cindiwendy did not respond but stared intently at Tudor’s face.

“……”

“……?”

“……”

“……!”

After a moment of silence, a chilling shadow fell over Tudor’s face.

“Could it be the Donquixote Clan’s pursuit team?”

Cindiwendy nodded in response to Tudor’s question.

Tudor had left his Clan and joined the Night Walkers, but he was being pursued by a team from the Donquixote Clan.

Monte Donquixote.

He was the younger brother of Cervantes, the sick head of the Donquixote Clan, and Tudor’s uncle.

He was determined to eliminate Tudor entirely and take the position of Clan head for himself.

It seemed he had discovered that Tudor had joined the Night Walkers and was now chasing him.

Cindiwendy stroked the head of an owl with a green and gold ribbon and said, “I’ve heard that the Donquixote Clan’s ‘Invincible Cavalry’ is searching this area.”

“……!”

“If they track the refugee convoys or the food supply routes coming to the Tochka fortress, it’s only a matter of tbefore we’re discovered. Besides, with the myth created and spread by the Quovadis Clan, it’s almost a miracle we haven’t been found yet. The fact that everyone has been too busy with the civil war to pay attention here has been a stroke of luck.”

From the perspective of the demons, there was no particular reason to focus on this place.

After all, it was just a gathering spot for refugees in a location without a water source, so it was clear they wouldn’t be able to hold out for long.

Of course, they didn’t know how much food and water Cindiwendy had stockpiled in this fortress.

That was the only variable.

But now that variable was about to be exposed.

Because of Tudor!

“…It’s all because of me,” Tudor said, lowering his head in distress.

“If this place is discovered early because of me, it would be a disaster. I should leave immediately and draw their attention elsewhere…”

“No. That’s not why Cindiwendy called for this meeting,” Dolores interrupted Tudor.

Cindiwendy nodded in agreement, indicating her trust in Dolores.

Taking the cue from Cindiwendy, Dolores spoke calmly.

“This means that the decisive moment is approaching.”

“…!”

Tudor raised his head. Dolores reiterated.

“You are one of us, Tudor. Just as you care for us, we care for you.”

“……”

Tudor’s eyes grew moist.

Dolores looked around at everyone and continued.

“The demons are not going to leave this place alone. Now that they are finally showing their teeth, we must fight back. Whether we are ready or not isn’t the point. We cannot sit and wait for disaster.”

Sancho and Figgy also agreed with her opinion.

“If the Donquixote Clan has sent out their pursuit team… their main base must be undefended.”

“This might be an opportunity. A chance to assassinate a key figure!”

Living in a world that had becharsh and fiercely competitive, both of them had grown quite adept.

Dolores spoke with firm resolve.

“This time, let’s not rely solely on Vikir. Let’s handle it ourselves. Let’s capture Monte, or rather, ‘Chimera’!”

No one among the Night Walkers opposed this plan.

Cindiwendy spoke up.

“But be careful, remember the previous attempt to assassinate the head of the Reviadon Clan that failed? Even ‘Night Fox’ and ‘Miss Ouroboros,’ who were as strong as the ‘Night Hound,’ couldn’t succeed in assassinating one of the Ten Corpses.”

Everyone knew this fact, but it served to make the atmosphere even more cautious.

“Vikir told us that demons grow stronger over time. Several years have passed since Vikir hunted demons, so they will have becmuch stronger. We must exercise extrcaution…”

At that moment, someone interrupted Cindiwendy.

“Something terrible has happened!”

A knight burst in with a pale face, pulling aside the curtain.

He was one of the sentries from the wall.

“The Donquixote cavalry has appeared, they’re near, just a few kilometers far!”

Everyone’s expressions hardened at this news.

But that wasn’t the end of the bad news.

“The ‘Sniper of the Night,’ who was returning to the fortress, has been surrounded by the cavalry!”

There was only one person among the Night Walkers known as the ‘Sniper of the Night.’

Bianca Usher. She had been ambushed by the Donquixote pursuit team.

“……!”

As everyone urgently stood up and headed towards the door, one person had already broken through the wall and was rushing out into the distance.

His nwas Tudor.

A man with no surname.