FVN Chapter 183
Chapter 183
[Translator - Pot ]
[Proofreader - Kawaii ]
Chapter 183: The Soldier and the Ant
"So this is why people rarely stay on the second floor."
Zizek chuckled as he entered the hidden room on the second floor.
"Turns out this place is for business dealings."
"You’ve done your re
I didn't stubbornly block the third strike—instead, I retreated to create distance—
"Hm!"
—then lunged forward, thrusting with a swift, precise strike aimed at Harold.
"Your Highness, that was too straightforward and predicta—"
Harold's casual remark cut off mid-sentence as his sword met mine.
"!"
Because I instantly twisted the direction of our clashing forces, disrupting his balance.
"This technique—the 2nd Commander’s—"
I didn’t miss Harold’s shock.
'Shadow Flowing Phantom Sword.'
The second technique surged toward him.
***
Meanwhile
Verdzig observed the duel from the rooftop of his private residence.
"Look. Allenvert has already reached the mid of the 5th tier."
His keen vision allowed him to see the distant battle as clearly as if it were right before him.
"A genius is a genius. Even I can’t keep up with that rate of growth."
Of course, he knew progressing from the 5th tier to his own level would be several times harder.
"But Harold isn’t an opponent to be taken lightly."
Harold’s counterattacks, effortlessly dismantling even feints, were now putting Allenvert on the defensive.
"He’s faced these moves countless times against Ulbhild. He won’t fall for tricks."
Verdzig held Harold’s abilities in high regard.
"What kind of man do you think Harold is?"
He turned to Skella, who stood silently beside him.
"A fine soldier and a fine martial artist."
Skella answered bluntly.
"A fine soldier?"
Verdzig sneered.
"Do you know what makes a good soldier?"
"......"
"One who obeys orders to die without question—that is a good soldier."
Verdzig declared.
"Security, missions, conflicts, ambushes... At every crossroads of life and death, a soldier’s duty is to hold their ground, knowing full well it may be their grave."
Why?
"Because that’s what makes the calculations work for the commander."
Skella didn’t respond to the twisted logic.
"Thus, Harold is a fine soldier. He worked hard, survived, and earned his place."
That much was praiseworthy.
"In return, Grunewald rewarded him with fitting honor and pride, securing his unwavering loyalty."
Verdzig pointed at the ground.
"In that sense, his position is no different from the ants scurrying beneath your feet."
Skella asked with faint disdain:
"Is that how you see him?"
"It’s the perspective a ruler must have."
"Quite ruthless for someone aiming to lead Grunewald."
Verdzig smirked at the sarcasm.
"Ruthlessness is competence. A good commander places pawns well, a good chancellor assigns bureaucrats well, and a good lord positions his kin well. That’s how the world works. Logic must precede emotion."
This was Verdzig’s creed.
"That’s why Allenvert’s sentimentality will one day be his downfall. He’s done well so far, but—"
How long can such a precarious balancing act last?
"At the most critical moment, irrationality—disguised as emotion—will lead him to a fatal misjudgment."
Skella countered:
"And yet, isn’t that very trait what draws people to him? The Special Operations Division, Young master Barclava, the head butler."
"Sharp as ever, Skella."
Verdzig remained unshaken by the veiled provocation.
"But Father won’t refuse me the throne. He doesn’t break his principles."
"......"
"Even if he favors Allenvert more, if I win the succession battle, he’ll pass Grunewald to me without protest."
'Of course, I’ve laid the groundwork to eliminate any uncertainties beforehand.'
Verdzig swallowed those words.
'Even if it means dismantling the entire Bergen faction.'
To claim the throne, one must dominate not just in personal merit but in the factional wars waged under one’s banner.
'Even if Karl, Ulbhild, and the Visquera side with Allenvert—
By rallying Somerset and uniting the Bergen and Agrippa factions, how could his own faction possibly lose?
'Even if the 4th Lady Lusatia and the Eisenach remnants resurge, they’re too weak.'
But thoroughness meant extinguishing even the smallest embers.
Verdzig’s eyes and ears had already uncovered the Eisenach remnants living under the name Haglandere.
"If Allenvert ever brings the Lady Lusatia out of hiding—"
The moment his long-cherished wish is fulfilled, the moment hope blooms—
"—it wouldn’t be so bad to slaughter the Eisenach remnants and plunge him back into despair."
Verdzig grinned at Skella.
"You’ve played no small part in this, Skella."
Skella closed her eyes heavily.
Hatred and contempt. Yet her duty bound her to serve this man—a chain suffocatingly tight.
"Skella, open your eyes and watch the fight."
Verdzig yanked her arm roughly.
"Look. It might end with the next move."
Allenvert, weathering Harold’s onslaught, had finally seized the advantage.
[Translator - Pot ]
[Proofreader - Kawaii ]