Chapter 156 - Leader of Hunt
“Hidden gem of a restaurant?”
As expected, Lily immediately reacted to those words. The two feet that had been kicking aimlessly in the air suddenly froze, and she leaped down right in front of me.
A strand of her black hair tickled the tip of my nose as a pleasant scent brushed past. It wasn’t like she wore perfume, yet she always carried a fresh and uplifting fragrance.
“You’re not lying, right? I didn’t find any good restaurants here.”
“How would you know that?”
“Because I tried them all.”
“…”
“…All of them?”
I thought she’d been sleeping in her room, but it seemed she had already gone around tasting everything in the nearby restaurants.
Was it because the village was small?
Or did she just love food more than sleep?
“I eat well, you know. My grandma always nags me about gaining weight, but she can’t stop me. Hmph!”
Why was she acting all smug about this?
While boasting about her eating habits, she started fumbling with the basket lid, grunting as she struggled. Watching her antics, I couldn’t help but chuckle.
“You said you tried all the food in this village.”
“So what?”
“Aren’t you full?”
“I played with that mutt until we were both exhausted. I’m starving.”
Just how much energy does it take to tire out a Hellhound?
I was starting to understand why she never gained weight.
“That damn— I mean, where’s Keros?”
“Asleep.”
As she answered, she casually swept her flowing hair back, revealing an earring that caught my eye.
She was wearing the jewelry set I had given her.
The ring and necklace, too.
Just like with her preference for oversized clothes, her taste in accessories leaned toward large and flashy pieces.
“Ugh! It won’t open!”
“You push it, not pull it.”
I shook my head and effortlessly slid the lid open, revealing a sandwich inside.
“Oh? I haven’t seen this kind of food before.”
She picked up the sandwich, sniffed it, then took a big bite.
For a moment, she chewed in silence. Then her brows furrowed deeply.
Seeing that, I smirked inwardly. I knew it.
The Frown of Truth.
It was the expression she made whenever she ate something absolutely delicious.
Her eyes widened in shock.
“This… This is incredible!”
Lily chomped down on the sandwich like she was possessed, completely oblivious to the sauce smearing around her mouth.
I smoothly pulled the basket away.
“More!”
“I’ll give you another one if you answer my question.”
“One question, one sandwich.”
“You don’t want it?”
“I’ll do it! Just ask already!”
I had many things I wanted to ask, but for now, checking on Lochter took priority.
So I started with the most urgent question.
“Is the Millennium Tree safe?”
“Huh? You know about the Millennium Tree?”
“…Can I eat this?”
“N-No! You can’t!”
She answered without hesitation.
The exchange was over in an instant.
After confirming a few things about Ordor Forest, I nodded and handed her the sandwich.
“If you visit me in the morning, I’ll have more for you. I’ll even make a special one.”
“Mm-mm!”
She nodded enthusiastically, her mouth too full to speak.
Leaving her to enjoy her food, I turned and headed toward the clearing where Lochter was training.
A sigh of relief escaped my lips.
The Millennium Tree is safe.
The nightmare I had of the forest’s devastation had been too vivid. I was worried that something had changed drastically, but fortunately, the worst-case scenario hadn’t come to pass.
The tree was unharmed, and the forest had no major issues.
It was surprising that Orta hadn’t followed Lily out, but for now, I needed to focus on the Mad Butcher.
“Haah!”
The sharp sound of the wind being sliced through echoed in the clearing.
Lochter was still fully immersed in his training. Under the moonlight, his body was drenched in sweat.
For nearly twenty years, he had been practicing the same slashing motion.
To an ordinary person, such repetition would be unbearably monotonous.
But for someone at the level of a Five-Star Swordsman, did this training even hold much meaning anymore?
I wasn’t sure.
I grabbed a handful of stones from the ground and hurled them at him with force.
Swish, swish, swish—!
In an instant, the air gleamed as the stones were sliced cleanly in half.
No matter the stance, no matter the situation—his precision was terrifying.
It was truly impressive.
“What’s the matter?”
“We’re leaving the village at dawn.”
“At dawn? I thought we were waiting to assess the situation.”
“Elton brought some critical intel. The plan is set. Sit down, this will take a while.”
I set the basket down and plopped onto the ground. Lochter gave a brief nod, sheathed his sword, and sat across from me.
I offered him some food.
He took a bite of the sandwich, paused for a moment, then quietly continued eating.
A presence lingered nearby, accompanied by an intense gaze.
I turned my head.
Lily was squatting next to the basket, staring at me.
“…What?”
“More.”
“Didn’t I tell you to come in the morning?”
“Yeah.”
“…Fine. Just eat.”
What was the point in arguing?
It was easier to just give her my portion.
Leaving her to her meal, I slowly began explaining the plan to Lochter.
More importantly, there was something I needed to tell him.
Having already lost too many people, he needed to hear this.
“You can’t protect everyone while fighting. Accept reality. You are not a god.”
As expected, he let out a quiet groan at my firm words.
After I finished outlining the plan, Lochter, who had been listening in silence, finally spoke.
“…Is this truly the best option?”
“For now, yes.”
“Then I just have to stand by and watch as people die because of me?”
“If you grow stronger, things will change.”
“I’ve dedicated my entire life to becoming stronger.”
“You are not strong.”
His lips pressed tightly together.
Had I hit too close to home?
But it was the truth. If Lochter had been truly powerful, the innocent wouldn’t have perished in the first place.
“More precisely, we are not strong enough. That’s why we need a strategy. That’s why sacrifices are inevitable.”
“I want to become stronger.”
“Do you even know what it means to be strong?”
“…What it means to be strong?”
He hesitated for a moment before nodding gravely.
“The power to exact revenge.”
As expected of the Knight of Betrayal.
But I shook my head.
“Revenge is a word used by the weak. You were powerless, so you suffered. Because you suffered, you seek vengeance. Let me ask again. Is the power for revenge true strength?”
“…?”
“A true strong person has no enemies. Strength means making sure no one even dares to challenge you in the first place.”
Invincible.
Having no opponents to stand against you.
“If you were truly strong, the hunters wouldn’t have taken hostages. They would have fled at the mere sight of you. That’s real strength.”
My definition of power was victory without battle.
I wanted Lochter to see beyond revenge.
Because once his revenge was over, he would be lost.
He fell silent, deep in thought.
After a moment, he looked me in the eye and asked,
“How do I become truly strong?”
“Join Hunt. I’ll show you the way—just like always.”
Would the day come when Lochter Felice was called the Invincible Knight?
It would be difficult.
Every enemy we would face from now on was stronger than us.
But if Lochter was the last man standing on the battlefield…
Then he would truly be a legendary warrior.
He stared at the hand I extended toward him.
“…Arthur Clayton.”
For the first time, he spoke my real name.
“What is Hunt’s ultimate goal?”
“To survive.”
“…Survive?”
To survive in a world where villains only grew stronger, we had to hunt them down endlessly.
And our first target…
“Kamel Blazer—the first person we must kill to stay alive.”
Lochter didn’t hesitate.
Perhaps, after fighting by my side at the Battle of KorunRiver, he had already made up his mind.
His revenge was impossible alone, but with me… it might be within reach.
Kamel’s hunt.
Lochter gripped my hand tightly.
“I’ll follow you. Maybe then, I’ll understand what true strength is.”
“I’ll show you.”
“I’m counting on you, Captain.”
Captain.
Not a bad title.
I smiled and nodded.
“Welcome to Hunt, Lochter Felice.”
I had successfully recruited the hero, Lochter. He was a man who never went back on his decisions.
That meant I had gained one of the most reliable allies possible.
With this, the foundation to divide Blyer was complete.
Now that Lochter was officially a member of Hunt, I could use his name openly under our banner without any hesitation.
Lochter Felice, Captain of Hunt’s Operations.
Rumors would soon become reality, and his name would be etched into people’s minds.
As I exchanged a firm handshake with Lochter, I suddenly felt another intense gaze from below.
With a sigh, I turned to look at Lily.
“We’re out of sandwiches now…”
“I want in too!”
“…??”
“Hunt!”
Lily sat squatting on the ground, looking up at me with eager eyes. The weight of her stare was suffocating. She sparkled with excitement as she declared her desire to join Hunt.
Did she even know what kind of organization Hunt was?
“Do you even know what Hunt is?”
“Of course not.”
“Then why—”
“Because it sounds fun.”
For a moment, I let my imagination run wild.
If Lily Base, the Grand Witch, joined Hunt?
First, Elder Medeia would personally visit to threaten me. Then the Ortas would come in droves, hounding me like a pack of chained beasts.
Would they just drop by to say hello?
No. They’d shower me with curses, threats, and hexes.
Hunt could disappear overnight without a trace.
A shiver ran down my spine at the thought.
“Absolutely not.”
“Why?”
“You need to be sturdy and manly like Sir Lochter.”
“What, beautiful and delicate isn’t allowed?”
…Who exactly was she calling delicate?
“Just… get your grandmother’s permission first. I’d like to live a long life.”
Lily pouted but took a step back. Asking her grandmother for permission was probably too much of a hassle.
Leaving her sulking behind, we headed back to the inn.
But at the entrance, an unexpected sight greeted me.
Karl and his group were waiting outside.
As soon as I appeared, they smiled and approached.
“You’re late.”
“I was talking to Lochter. Why are you out here? Didn’t you say you were going inside to reunite with your squad?”
“We did. But while we were talking, we came to an important decision. But before that…”
Karl licked his lips, then turned to Lochter.
“Well? Did you accept?”
When Lochter gave a small nod, Karl grinned, exclaiming, “I knew it!”
Then, with a smug expression, he lined up Elton and the other members in front of me.
…What was this atmosphere?
“We all want to join Hunt.”
“…Huh? All of you? Just like that?”
“We talked it over thoroughly and thought it through. It’s a well-considered decision, so take us in.”
Karl Bastain, the villain’s right-hand man.
The Shadows of the Butcher.
How could I refuse?
I was about to accept them without hesitation, grinning at the prospect, when Lily suddenly raised her hand and objected.
“Wait! They don’t qualify.”
“Huh? What do you mean?”
Karl frowned and looked down at Lily, who pointed at him before turning to me.
“You said recruits have to be strong and manly, right? Just look at him—he’s weak and ugly.”
“…What did you just say, you little—? I’ll give you one chance to apologize. I don’t go easy just because you’re a woman.”
“You go get your grandmother’s permission first.”
“I’ve never even seen my grandmother since the day I was born! What permission?!”
“Oh… sorry.”
“Don’t give me that pitying look!”
I groaned, rubbing my temples, then pulled Lily aside.
I needed to deal with her before we could have a proper conversation.
“…How about a picnic tomorrow morning?”
“A picnic?”
“Yes. I’ll pack a basket full of delicious food.”
As I lifted the basket slightly, Lily clenched her fists with excitement and nodded vigorously.
“That sandwich from earlier!”
“I’ll make plenty.”
“Great!”
Forgetting all about her earlier tantrum, she cheerfully bid me goodnight and marched off to her room.
As soon as she was gone, Karl approached me with a serious expression.
Behind him, Elton and the others looked anxious.
What was with this heavy atmosphere?
“…So I really don’t qualify?” Karl muttered. “I mean, at least I’m better looking than those guys…”
“There’s no way I’d reject you. In fact, I’m grateful.”
I swiftly cut him off and extended my hand for a handshake.
Another potential disaster was narrowly avoided.
After shaking hands with Karl, I went down the line, exchanging introductions with Elton and each of his men, officially confirming their recruitment.
Lochter Felice, the Knight of Betrayal.
Karl Bastain, the villain’s strategist.
Elton and his team.
A total of eleven members.
Hunt was originally established as a guild to meet the bare minimum requirements for an interracial alliance, but now it had truly become something substantial.
In this nameless little village, I had formally recruited two powerful figures with divine titles, along with some formidable shadows.
***
[Arthur Clayton – Divine Name: Divine Hunter]
[Third Level Mental Barrier]
[Siren’s Hymn]
[Heart of Retonicalus (Synchronization Rate: 25%)]
[Guide of Other Races]
[Ring of Desire (Survival)]
And now—
[Leader of Hunt]
The winds of change had begun to blow.