1.
The story rewinds to a moment ago, just before facing the Empress.
After summoning Lactea and Luna through a messenger bird, I arrived at the capital branch’s gate with Ruby, continuing acting.
“If you interfere, I’ll kill this woman.”
“…No. Stay steady and hold your positions. Do not let them escape from the Blue Magic Tower.”
Though the magicians of the capital branch, informed by the Gapelt Viscounty branch, surrounded the gate fully prepared…
“Th-the intruder is judged to be one of the top 10 in the world!! Everyone, fall back!!”
Thanks to the Blue Magic Tower’s upper echelons gravely misunderstanding the situation, we managed to escape with surprising ease.
“Heh. Those idiot magicians. They think our Captain is just ‘top 10 in the world’.”
Right.
For magicians to get so spooked by a regular person and make such an inflated assessment—calling it generous would be an understatement.
“By the way, Ruby.”
“Yes, Captain?”
After exiting the capital gate, I whispered to Ruby, who was acting as my hostage.
“Gapelt is still alive?”
It was a question I had shelved momentarily due to the chaos caused by Han-Ryang and the Empress’s status windows.
“Ah. I forgot to mention it earlier, but it seems he didn’t fully die because of a transcendent recovery artifact he had.”
“A transcendent artifact?”
The glimmer of those words caught my attention.
In the <Babylonia> setting, items are categorized into four ranks: <Common>, <Legendary>, <Mythical>, and <Transcendent>.
‘If it’s transcendent, that’s practically an endgame item in the <Babylonia> universe!’
Even finding a single <Legendary> artifact could turn an average person into a mercenary in this world.
And now, a <Transcendent> artifact appears before the prologue has even concluded?
“Yes, Captain. One transcendent item and five legendary ones. These items, which were circulating in the underworld, are all known by their unique names and previous owners. If we sold them all, we could probably establish a small kingdom.”
“And Gapelt had all of that by himself?”
“Yes. But then again…”
As I reflexively questioned further, Ruby responded with a sinister smile.
“That’s just how Gapelt is.”
That’s just Gapelt.
A classic shadowy merchant who pretended to be kind while deceiving people for his pleasure, earning the alias “Golden Merchant”.
‘Come to think of it, in the original story, Gapelt survived until episode 12 out of 15.’
It finally clicked. The spoils the <Hero Party> would have obtained later were now in my hands, even before the prologue ended. No wonder it felt strange.
This situation was akin to a beginner in a game stumbling upon an endgame item, but it wasn’t my fault that I was forcibly possessed in the first place.
‘Screw you, admin. I’ll use this well. Balance patches? Do whatever you want.’
In any case, as soon as I heard the words ‘transcendent recovery’, an idea came to mind. I held out my hand to Ruby.
Plop.
Ruby instinctively rested her chin on my outstretched palm.
“…?”
“…?”
I lightly nudged her soft cheek aside and gave her another command.
“Hand over all the artifacts.”
“Huh? Ah, yes, Captain! Let me explain each one first….”
Ruby, her face as red as her name, hurriedly began explaining.
“This one here is…”
Among the spoils obtained from eliminating Gapelt’s crew, three items stood out.
Transcendent – Iaso’s Ring (SS+)
Mythical – Vulcanus’ Ring (A+)
Mythical – Sword Specter’s Necklace (A+)
Each possessed unique abilities: <Ultimate Recovery>, <Magic Nullification>, and <Aura Absorption>. However, the most critical one was <Ultimate Recovery>, <Iaso’s Ring>.
‘The others are useful, but I’ll deal with this matter first.’
After selecting the ring I’d use personally, I whispered to Ruby, who nodded and handed over Vulcanus’ Ring and Sword Specter’s Necklace.
And finally, for Iaso’s Ring—
“Hand it over, you bastard.”
“Kiieeeek!!”
“Oh? You want to live? Fine. I’ll turn you into a doll, but give me the ring first.”
“Keeepp ittt!!”
Crack!
“Alright! Here you go, Captain!”
“Uh, thanks. Yeah… thanks….”
Ruby pried the ring from what was left of Gapelt and cleaned off the blood and flesh before placing it on my finger.
【Transcendent Artifact – <Iaso’s Ring (SS+)> is now active.】
【<“Remember, no pain will ever be able to kill you.”>】
With those soft words, the ability of Iaso’s Ring flowed into me.
‘Recover without dying.’
Simple and straightforward, yet absolute in its potency.
The other equipment was similarly impressive.
【Legendary Artifact – <Vulcanus’ Ring (A+)> is now active.】
【<“Magic, like heated iron, will break if met with true force.”>】
A firm voice emanated from Vulcanus’ Ring.
【Legendary Artifact – <Sword Specter’s Necklace (A+)> is now active.】
【“Covet it, and it shall become mine.”】
The voice of Sword Specter’s Necklace was far more sinister, barely suppressing a madness that felt akin to a nightmare—more unnerving than Ruby herself.
‘…With this.’
Even someone like me, stuck in <Veil of Shadows Chapter 1 – Pretend to Be Strong>, would be a bit more powerful now.
As I was familiarizing myself with the basic uses of the items, a familiar voice reached my ears.
“Apologies for being late, Captain.”
“…I’m sorry, Captain.”
It was Vice-Captain Lactea and No.4, Luna.
As mentioned before, I had no intention of revealing the true identity of the <Black Wolf> for now, so I gave Ruby a curt order.
“Carry out the order.”
Ruby Red, who had acted as the hostage of the <Black Wolf>, vanished into the underworld, battered and bruised.
“Yes, Captain.”
Ruby disappeared swiftly, and only then did Lactea and Luna approach.
Notably—
“I-I’m so sorry! I truly apologize, Captain!!”
“…?”
“It’s my fault that Han-Ryang… because I sent him on a meaningless errand…”
Clink.
Luna removed her mask, emerald-green eyes glistening as her trembling frame came into view.
“This is my mistake. I’ll rescue him myself, so please, Captain, lift my <Restrictions>. No, I beg you, allow me to redeem myself.”
Clutch.
A scarred, petite hand gripped the hem of her black robe tightly, trembling with desperation.
Lactea added, explaining that Luna had sent Han-Ryang to purchase ingredients for a meal she wanted to prepare for me. Instead, he encountered the Empress, leading to the current predicament.
She felt responsible for placing both Han-Ryang and the <Black Wolf> in danger and was determined to take responsibility on her own.
However.
『If the person who made a mistake is a member of <Black Wolf>, most mistakes are overlooked without a word.』
This information was already ingrained in my mind, so—
“I’ll retrieve Han-Ryang.”
“…B-but Captain!?”
“Enough.”
Plop.
Pat.
I placed my hand on Luna’s trembling head, lightly stroking her hair before turning around.
“Let’s go.”
“…Huh?”
Was it my imagination?
“…Thank you, Captain.”
Even through the mask, it seemed like I could see her reddened face. But now wasn’t the time to dwell on such things.
“Lead the way, Luna.”
“…Yes, Captain!”
We immediately set out for the battlefield.
2.
And so, here we were.
“Luna.”
“Yes, Sister?”
Ssshhh.
Using Luna’s emerald-green veil, we infiltrated the battlefield between the Empress and Han-Ryang, waiting for the right moment while I fiddled with <Iaso’s Ring>.
Unlike the S+-rank Empress in peak condition, Han-Ryang, with his <Black Wolf> restrictions still active and without any weapons, was at most A+-rank.
“…Apologies, Captain.”
Han-Ryang’s defeat was inevitable.
“Dispel the veil, Luna.”
“Yes, Captain.”
As the veil lifted, we revealed ourselves, drawing the attention of the Empress and her knights.
“W-who are you?!”
“Shh. From this point onward, only I will speak. White Blade Ghost, Persona, open your mouths, and I’ll kill you.”
“Yes, Captain.”
“Yes, Captain.”
Lactea’s oppressive aura and Luna’s chilling mana instantly dominated the area, while I scattered Ruby’s Flesh Puppets like dust.
Boom, boom, boom…
BOOM!
The grotesque <Flesh Puppets>, each possessing physical abilities comparable to A-rank warriors, completely encircled the Empress and her dozen knights.
Suddenly, they were surrounded by eerie monsters and unexpected assailants.
For an ordinary person, it would have been enough to provoke terror and screams.
【<Veil of Shadows> activation failed.】
【Reason: Some do not feel <Fear> toward <You>.】
As expected of the Empress and her Imperial Guards—they flinched but showed no signs of fear.
“…Ruby?”
I slowly approached Han-Ryang, who belatedly raised his head, and grabbed him by the neck, whispering.
“You’ve disappointed me in the end.”
“Ah—C–Captain—”
“And thus, this is your punishment.”
At the same moment, Sword Specter’s Necklace activated.
【<Covet> – Temporarily steals the strength of target <Han-Ryang (S)> for 5 seconds.】
I drained Han-Ryang’s monstrous strength and tightened my grip.
Crack!
The sensation was grotesque, like snapping a waterlogged log with bare hands.
The shocking ease of it sent a chilling realization through me—murder could feel this simple.
“…He just killed that monster with one hand?”
“That can’t be! Confirm again!”
“He’s… he’s definitely dead.”
At last, the Empress and her knights showed fear, and a system window reappeared.
【Detected fear in target(s).】
【<Veil of Shadows (Ex)> has activated.】
The skill that had previously failed now triggered.
Calmly, I removed <Iaso’s Ring> from my finger and slid it onto Han-Ryang’s thick finger.
Crack!
As his crushed neck regenerated and breath returned to his body, I retrieved the ring and wore it again. Then I turned to Luna.
“Persona. Take him back.”
“Yes, Captain.”
As the knights and the Empress froze, too paralyzed by fear to react, we began preparations to retreat.
─『Subquest Activated!』─
◆ For the Worst
: Aggravate the Empress of Babylonia, <Reina Babylonia (S+)>!
◆ Conditions
- Mention <Black Wolf>.
- Receive an elite wanted notice.
- Kill three imperial guards. (0/3)
◆ Reward
: <Lactea Babylonia (S+)>’s love.
◆ Failure or Refusal
: <Lactea Babylonia (S+)>’s death.
Once again, a subquest appeared.
But this time, it wasn’t my life on the line—it was Vice-Captain Lactea’s.
“Captain, what will you do?”
Lactea’s life now hung in the balance.
Tock, Tock-Tock.
Without realizing it, I had adopted the <Black Wolf>’s habit of tapping my thigh.
Running away was already nerve-wracking enough, but now I had to provoke the Empress?
If something like this happened:
-Your Majesty, scratch?
-…?
– Scratch? Scratch? Oh, it scratched, haha.
-…Fear be damned, I’ll kill you right now.
-Ah.
What was I supposed to do if such a scenario unfolded?
That S+-rank monster would be impossible to handle.
‘On top of that, the conditions are ridiculous.’
First, I had to reveal that I was the Black Wolf.
Second, I needed to earn a top-tier bounty.
Third, I had to kill three of those A+-rank monsters masquerading as Imperial Guards.
‘Damn you, admin.’
As if mocking my earlier taunts about balance patches, the system had slammed me into hard mode.
“Captain, what is your decision?”
“…That’s what I’m wondering.”
Everyone stood frozen, waiting for my next move.
Honestly, it was a bit overwhelming.
But as the first light of dawn began to peek through, I made my decision.
‘Let’s see… something to provoke the Empress….’
With my full knowledge of the original <Babylonia> and the setting guide, I stood up and approached the Empress.
“P-Protect Her Majesty the Empress!!”
“Urgh…! M-my legs won’t move…!”
“Ahhh! Don’t come any closer!”
The knights were louder than the Empress herself, though it created the perfect opportunity to speak directly to her.
“…What is your name?”
The terrified Empress glared up at me, her eyes wide with fear.
“Black Wolf.”
【Condition met!】
【Condition 1. Successfully mention <Black Wolf>.】
I immediately fulfilled the first condition and leaned in to whisper to the Empress.
“Reina. If your father could see this, he’d burst out of his coffin in rage.”
“…”
Forgive me for the harsh introduction.
‘But I had no other choice.’
The Empress’s greatest complex, as described in the novel, was her family.
She had lost her father to the schemes of the nobles and her only sister in the war.
For someone like her, this was the most effective way to cut deep.
As expected.
“Did you say Black Wolf?”
Crack.
Crack-Crack!
The Empress clenched her teeth so hard it sounded like they might shatter, veins bulging as she resisted the fear and stepped forward.
“…Say that again.”
“I said, if your father could see you now, he’d burst out of his coffin in sheer fury.”
“…I see.”
Reina nodded once, then slowly lifted her gaze to declare to me.
“Once your head is gone, you won’t be able to speak anymore.”
“…?”
“Knights of the glorious Sun Empire, hear me! From this moment forward, this man, the Black Wolf, is an enemy of Babylonia and its allies.”
The moment her proclamation ended, the eyes of the knights burned with unmistakable hostility.
【Condition Met!】
【Condition 2: Successfully receive a <elite wanted notice>.】
With the bounty declared, Reina drew her sword and pointed it at me.
“How dare you insult the late Emperor not once, but twice! I shall sever your neck here and now.”
The fear that surged over me now was worse than when Ruby had suspected me, but a sense of injustice burned within me.
I cautiously opened my mouth to object.
“…? Once. I only insulted him once.”
I had only said it once, hadn’t I?
Reina’s face contorted, and she stomped forward, heavy and deliberate.
“Once when you first said it, and twice when I told you to repeat it. That makes two.”
【<Reina Babylonia (S+)> advances, imbued with <Fear (Ex)>.】
“Then I shall kill you twice, Black Wolf.”
Wait, hold on.
‘The second one was because you asked me to repeat it!’
Outraged and ready to argue, I opened my mouth, but—
Sshhk.
A chilling sound of a blade slicing through the air pierced my ears.
“…?”
It was a strike so fast that even my heightened senses couldn’t follow.
As I stood frozen, stunned by the impossibility of it all, a soft, melodic voice soothed me.
“Allow me to sever this cursed bond with my own hands.”
But I wasn’t the only one who heard her voice.
Another figure, lowering the blade they had just swung, spoke quietly.
“…Sister?”
And then, in the next moment—
“It’s been a while, Reina.”
Still as incredibly stupid-looking as ever, aren’t you?
.
.
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【<Black Wolf Mercenary Corps>】
– Alias: Incompetent Mercenary Corps (Temporary), Trash Heap (Temporary), Mercenary Kindergarten (Temporary)
– Rank: D (Temporary)
– Members:
◆ Captain: <Nahan – Black Wolf>
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◆ Vice-Captain: <Lactea Babylonia (New!) – White Blade Ghost>