Synopsis and Starting Chapter Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Chapter 23
Chapter 24
Chapter 25 - Volume 2
Chapter 26 - Volume 2
Chapter 27 - Volume 2
Chapter 28 - Volume 2
Chapter 29 - Volume 2
Chapter 30 - Volume 2
Chapter 31 - Volume 2
Chapter 32 - Volume 2
Chapter 33 - Volume 2
Chapter 34 - Volume 2
Chapter 35 - Volume 2
Chapter 36 - Volume 2
Chapter 37 - Volume 2
Chapter 38 - Volume 2
Chapter 39 - Volume 3
Chapter 40 - Volume 3
Chapter 41 - Volume 3
Chapter 42 - Volume 3
Chapter 43 - Volume 3
Chapter 44 - Volume 3
Chapter 45 - Volume 3
Chapter 46 - Volume 3
Chapter 47 - Volume 3
Chapter 48 - Volume 3
Chapter 49 - Volume 3
Chapter 50 - Volume 3
Chapter 51 - Volume 3
Chapter 52 - Volume 4
Chapter 53 - Volume 4
Chapter 54 - Volume 4
Chapter 55 - Volume 4
Chapter 56 - Volume 4
Chapter 57 - Volume 4
Chapter 58 - Volume 4
Chapter 59 - Volume 4
Chapter 60 - Volume 4
Chapter 61 - Volume 4
Chapter 62 - Volume 4
Chapter 63 - Volume 4
Chapter 64 - Volume 4
Chapter 65 - Volume 4
Chapter 66 - Volume 4
Chapter 67 - Volume 4
Chapter 68 - Volume 4
Chapter 69 - Volume 4
Chapter 70
Chapter 71
Chapter 72
Chapter 73
Chapter 74
Chapter 75
Chapter 76
Chapter 77
Chapter 78
Chapter 79
Chapter 80
Chapter 81
Chapter 82
Chapter 83
Chapter 84
Chapter 85
Chapter 86
Chapter 87
Chapter 88
Chapter 89
Chapter 90
Chapter 91
Chapter 92
Chapter 93
Chapter 94
Chapter 95
Chapter 96
Chapter 97
Chapter 98
Chapter 99
Chapter 100
Chapter 101
Chapter 102
Chapter 103
Chapter 104
Chapter 105
Chapter 106
Chapter 107
Chapter 108
Chapter 109
Chapter 110
Chapter 111
Chapter 112
Chapter 113
Chapter 114
Chapter 115
Chapter 116
Chapter 117
Chapter 118
Chapter 119
Chapter 120
Chapter 121
Chapter 122
Chapter 123
Chapter 124
Chapter 125
Chapter 126
Chapter 127
Chapter 128
Chapter 129
Chapter 130
Chapter 131
Chapter 132
Chapter 133
Chapter 134
Chapter 135
Chapter 136
Chapter 137
Chapter 138
Chapter 139
Chapter 140
Chapter 141
Chapter 142
Chapter 143
Chapter 144
Chapter 145
Chapter 146
Chapter 147
Chapter 148
Chapter 149
Chapter 150
Chapter 151
Chapter 152
Chapter 153
Chapter 154
Chapter 155
Chapter 156
Chapter 157
Chapter 158
Chapter 159
Chapter 160
Chapter 161
Chapter 162
Chapter 163
Chapter 164
Chapter 165
Chapter 166
Chapter 167
Chapter 168
Chapter 169
Chapter 170
Chapter 171
Chapter 172
Chapter 173
Chapter 174
Chapter 175
Chapter 176
Chapter 177
Chapter 178
Chapter 179
Chapter 180
Chapter 181
Chapter 182
Chapter 183
Chapter 184
Chapter 185
Chapter 186
Chapter 187
Chapter 188
Chapter 189
Chapter 190
Chapter 191
Chapter 192
Chapter 193
Chapter 194
Chapter 195
Chapter 196
Chapter 197
Chapter 198
Chapter 199
Chapter 200
Chapter 201
Chapter 202 - Epilogue
Chapter 203
Chapter 204
Chapter 205
Chapter 206
Categories Genre: Action, All, Comedy, Drama, Fantasy, Mystery, Ongoing, Psychological, School Life, Seinen, Supernatural, Tragedy Status: Ongoing Alternative names: 아이작, ______
Total Chapters in book: 206
Estimated words: 651706 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 3259(@200wpm)___ 2607(@250wpm)___ 2172(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 651706 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 3259(@200wpm)___ 2607(@250wpm)___ 2172(@300wpm)
______
LIST OF LAST 10 CHAPTERS:
Page No. 206 Page No. 205 Page No. 204 Page No. 203 Page No. 202 Page No. 201 Page No. 200 Page No. 199 Page No. 198 Page No. 197 Page No. 196 Chapter 117
“The Marquis delayed their compensation to the families of the fallen, you say?”
“Yes. With the war likely to drag on for a while, they are trying to stem their expenditures.”
“How long are they delaying it for?”
“They say they’ll make due on their payments once the war is over.”
“By then, everyone who’s struggling to make a living will be out on the streets! You think the Department of Administration will just stay put?”
It was paramount that compensation to the families of the dead was immediate. How else could they continue their livelihood. Not to mention, if the Marquis were to lose the war, all of its burdens would be shifted to the Count, and if the Count were to protest that its responsibility was entirely on the Marquis, months to years would be spent idly in the law courts, all while families of the deceased would be waiting helplessly. Therefore, the Department of Administration could not let this pass.
“Um… It may be because of us.”
“Why?”
“They cited the anonymous compensation through the Seven Grand Merchant Guilds as their excuse.”
“Tsk. It seems there’s always someone who tries to abuse the charity of others. Then again, this is one of humanity’s special traits. It’d be strange if it didn’t happen. But the Department of Administration wouldn’t have just accepted that pathetic excuse by itself?”
“It seems the Strategy had their hand in it too.”
“What meaningless hindrances…”
The Directorate of Strategy must have intervened in this, what with their lack of any friendly ties with Isaac. If the war was prolonged, they could dump all financial responsibilities on Isaac.
Even if Isaac was sitting on a fortune, he was bound to take a severe hit if things progressed this way. It was obvious what the Strategy’s intention was. A move to force Isaac into a blunder through recklessly. It’d be nice if it succeeded, and it wouldn’t matter if it failed.
“What shall we do?”
“You’d think they would reconsider at least once or twice before provoking me, what with all the history between us. Just how incompetent do they take me for? I was planning to stay on the line but scrap that.”
“… What are you planning?”
Saints worriedly asked Isaac.
“Didn’t we receive a new guest from the Marquis as the Chief Promoter recently?”
“Yes. The troublemaker Viscount Aintz, youngest son of Marquis, arrived.”
“The youngest son? Ah! That dumbass who botched the first battle? I guess even the Marquis is done dealing with his stupidity and decided to keep him in here. That’s going to make my job easier.”
“Shall I bring him here?”
“Hm? What could I possibly achieve by bringing him here? Tell Smartass to give him a very relaxing, luxurious stay. Let him enjoy everything. Alcohol, women, gambling, and more. You tell Smartass to keep that man so deep in debt he’ll have no choice but to reach out to his family for help, and Smartass will know what to do.”
“So you’re going to keep the Marquis in debt even if they win?”
“Debt? Debt exists to be repaid. Now that I think about it, all these Marquis’ have issues with their halfwits and numbskull sons. Is that why they’re high nobles?”
TLN: This is a pun in Korean. 후레자식 is an insult meaning “ingrate” or “son of a bitch,” and the word for “Marquis” is 후작 (taking the first letter and combining 자식 into 작).
Saints didn’t comprehend the meaning in Isaac’s comment, but Isaac’s snickering clued Saints into the boring joke. Saint’s heart trembled, fearing another one of Isaac’s insane plots.
After their first deployment, Isaac stayed in New Port City, receiving information at his desk and only handing out orders. The agents seemed to follow his orders to the letter, likely because they didn’t want to see Isaac in such a frenzy again. They hunted those who were suspected as turncoats within the Count’s ranks and handed over all the supplies they stole to Saints.
Ever since what had happened in Marquis’ supply base, Rivelia watched and reported Isaac’s every move with absolute vigilance. But on rare occasions, she’d be spotted staring blankly into the air, worrying those around her.
Isaac didn’t care about Rivelia’s act and spent his time idly, handing out orders to his agents, who had been divided into three separate task forces. For the few missions significant enough to warrant his participation, Isaac took Rivelia with him. And every time he did, countless civilians died alongside combatants, not even counting the massive collateral damage.
The war between Count and Marquis had been prolonged. Everyone expected the war to end within a month despite its large scale, yet the war was at a fierce stalemate with each side neck and neck. Some began to worry at the state of war, but the public didn’t dare presume the presence of someone behind the scenes orchestrating this result.
“You’re telling me to complete the mission quickly? I thought I didn’t have a deadline on this mission?”
Isaac complained about the news Mazelan gave him.
-You think we aren’t aware of what you’re trying to scheme?
Isaac shrugged nonchalantly at Mazelan, who seemed colder than usual.
“You’d have to be a fool to not know, since I never bothered to hide it.”
-… Every single one of them are precious citizens of the Empire.
“About that. I’m not from around here, so I don’t have any attachment to them.”
-Isaac!
Mazelan shouted out furiously, and Isaac replied with a cruel smile.
“It’s not the innocent lives of the Empire you’re missing, but the waste of manpower from the deaths of the soldiers. Do the Empire’s nobles not count as innocents here?”
-… Did you figure it out?
“I’d be a fool if I didn’t figure it out. In fact, isn’t this precisely the reason you guys left this to me?”
Mazelan let out a deep sigh before he asked.
-How much do you know?
“Really, do I even need to know about the intricacies? Especially when all I need to do is accomplish the mission?”
-Please cut us some slack. Even the Seven Grand Merchant Guilds are complaining.
“Why are they making a commotion?”
-Because they’ve mass produced the war supplies, only to have them sit in storage thanks to you.
“You know I’m not friendly enough with them to care for their situation.”
-You’ve already made enough haven’t you?
“It’s just additional income. Fine. I can’t just outright reject a request from my respected sunbae. I’ll finish the war before the winter comes.”
-That’s too long!
Isaac frowned deeply, frustrated at Mazelan’s outburst.
“You think I’m not aware of Strategy’s subtle sabotage? In fact, they weren’t even subtle but very blatant. I’ve been holding my tongue, but Strategy can’t even wait until winter?”
-Hng. You know nobody likes you. And if you prolong it until winter, Pendleton will intervene.
“What the, what’s wrong with him? Does he even have any pretext for intervening?”
Isaac asked back dumbfoundedly when Mazelan mentioned the Pendletons.
-You know precisely why he’s intervening. He’s been more than patient, considering his personality. Though the Emperor and the Queen are barely holding him at bay, the Emperor is becoming less and less enthusiastic on his part, mainly because of your disconcerting actions. And there’s a limit to how much the Queen can do alone.”
“Since you started the subject, let me ask. What did that damsel learn when she was young? How can that damsel have her head stuck in swordsmanship and innocent to the point being a flaw?”
-From Duke Pendleton’s perspective, it’s to keep her from seeing the world’s ugliness rear its head.
“Wow! My lovely daughter, only see the good in this world and live in the light. I will take care of all that is dark. Something like that?”
-Yeah…
“Jeez. Has he decided to condemn his family to ruin or something… Then again, is the Pendleton family so powerful that it doesn’t matter?”
-Anyhow, Duke Pendleton is furious. Even we won’t know how to clean up the mess once he steps in, so finish your work before he explodes.
“Che. I’ll finish my work before autumn ends.”
-Tha…
“That’s the biggest concession I’ll make.”
Mazelan held his tongue after Isaac’s final statement.
Count Wolfgang was shocked by the news he had received not even a day after hearing the news of victory. The route of Reinrant’s battalion due to a suspicious ambush.
After rallying the remnants of the defeated battalion, not even half of its original numbers had survived. Chaos ensued within the ranks due to a lack of information, but when scouts returned with the news of Reinrant’s death and complete annihilation of his cavalry unit, there was only silence.
Count Wolfgang, who was planning to ride the momentum from the initial victory, had no choice but to fall back. An ambush that forwent a war judge’s oversight automatically disqualified the aggressing party, so Count Wolfgang immediately reported the attack to the Department of Administration.
But another unbelievable piece of news reached Count Wolfgang not even a day after he withdrew his army. Marquis Lichten’s supply base had been pillaged, and all of the guards were murdered.
Wolfgang first suspected it to be an inside job, but when he heard that even the civilians were butchered, that suspicion faded.
Supplies be damned, civilian deaths in war were rare incidents. The war was no longer the issue.
Central had to intervene. But Count Wolfgang couldn’t just sit idly by, so he protested strongly and pointed at Marquis Lichten as the culprit. In response, the Marquis argued that it was one of Count Wolfgang’s schemes.
While both sides exchanged accusations, Central concluded their investigation very quickly – quite unusual for them. They explained the group that destroyed Reinrant’s battalion and robbed the supply base had nothing to do with either families. They were the congregation of deserters and defeated soldiers that had become bandits. Their name was Black Bandits, and Central gave the Marquis and Count permission to kill them on sight.
Meanwhile, the Marquis exploited the fact that they didn’t hear any news of a ceasefire, and immediately advanced into Wolfgang’s territory. All Wolfgang could do was swear vengeance in the name of his dead companion and rally his troops.
The war went on into a stalemate, further infuriating Count Wolfgang.
Count Wolfgang had won each and every battle thus far. They had never lost grasp of tactical superiority thanks to the Marquis’ incapable leaders. Yet they were losing in the war, which drove him insane.
“We’ve been had again!”
Slam!
Count Wolfgang couldn’t hold back his wrath and slammed the table with his fist. He had lost count at this point.
His plan to finish the war within a month was but a scrap of paper at this point. The war that started in summer was now approaching autumn.
Soon, it would be harvest season. Considering the movement of merchants and flow of goods that entail it, the area they could fight in would shrink. They were already at a disadvantage in numbers against the Marquis, but the shrinking battlefield would then further limit their mobility. When the large forces of the Marquis amassed, their battle lines would collapse.
During this situation, his main force never had the chance to properly rest because of the constant ambushes from those Black Bandits, what with their preposterous names. Their stamina and morale plummeted each day.
Plus the constant raids of his supply bases and supply lines had to be addressed with a greater number of escorts, and the growing number of deserters made the war even more difficult.
The Count hadn’t been taking the beating idly. He attempted to use dummy supply transports and even prepared ambushes at his supply bases. But these Black Bandits nonchalantly destroyed the Count’s elites with sheer force alone.
This power was beyond what one would expect from mere bandits. Survivors would murmur about the “white devils,” who massacred their friends mercilessly. Within the slits of their cone-shaped hoods, only bloodthirst could be seen in their eyes.
One would mock them at first, asking why they’re called the “Black Bandits” when they wore white. But soon after, they’d watch the hoods turn black. How Wolfgang detested them when he realised the dye was the blood of his loyal soldiers. This was no mob born from the war. This was an armed organisation created precisely for this task from the start.
“I hear the Marquis aren’t in any better shape.”
Willeim, Wolfgangs advisor and friend, muttered bitterly. In fact the Marquis had suffered even more. The Count could manage to rally his forces even in defeat because thanks to a few capable officers. But the foolish, incapable officers from the Marquis were the first to run when they heard the name ‘Black Bandits.’
Their armies were never in control, and their soldiers had no faith in their leaders. But the Marquis couldn’t be happy with that result, since Marquis’s routed forces often became bandits themselves.
Total Chapters in book: 206
Estimated words: 651706 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 3259(@200wpm)___ 2607(@250wpm)___ 2172(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 651706 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 3259(@200wpm)___ 2607(@250wpm)___ 2172(@300wpm)
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