Unsealing Emptiness

Chapter 198: Unexpected Encounter.

“... Young Master, are these really the corpses of Rank-9 Beasts?” Irvin asked, he had trouble believing that the three helpless corpses in front of him were once Rank-9 existences.

Ozul looked unamused by his question. He never liked repeating things only because it was hard for them to believe it the first time. Being the target of his stare, Irvin realized it and immediately shut up.

‘As expected of the Young Master. Others have a hard time even hunting one such Beast after preparing so extremely but Young Master casually went on a trip for just a year and killed three Rank-9 Beasts!’ Irvin could not help but praise him in his heart.

Being a Rank-8 Mage, he did not know how strong his Young Master was compared to the rest of the Rank-9 Mages.

However, the three gigantic corpses before him was proof that he most likely ranked in the upper stages of Rank-9.

Unlike him, Haley was also a little overwhelmed, but she had already started thinking of everything that they would be able to do with these three corpses. A Rank-9 Beast’s remains were something that only the richest of the rich would be able to afford a part of, and she had three whole corpses before her! She could not help but think of all the possibilities and the time this would save their organization.

“Except for their Cores, there should be everything,” Ozul said, which made Haley’s eyes shine even brighter.

.....

“Even without the Cores, Young Master, these corpses will be a huge help!” she could not help but comment.

She actually did not have any use for the Magical Core as she had no way to put them to use except for selling them. However, she was more interested in using these corpses in part of formations and to also have better equipment and other accessories for the members.

In short, rather than selling them, Haley planned to add these to the organization’s treasury.

“Whatever you do with them, it’s up to you,” Ozul knew that this middle-aged woman was more experienced at this than she appeared to be.

“Thank you, Young Master! I would not disappoint you,” she bowed her head repeatedly and then stored the three corpses in her Spatial Ring.

Ozul turned his focus to Irvin and explained what he wanted to do in the next three years.

Irvin had completed the task of spreading the Three-Eyed Strangers to every corner of the Silverbird Kingdom in just a single year, so he thought that he would have some days off.

However, Ozul told him that he wanted the organization to spread over approximately 1/4th part of the whole continent! He wanted all that area separated by those forbidden zones from two sides.

There were 4 such areas in total and one of them was a total wasteland with no human settlements. That area did not have the geographical conditions or the resources that would make anyone want to live there. So only the 3 parts of the Mainland were populated.

Ozul wanted to spread the Three-Eyed Strangers to one of these 3 parts in the span of just 3 years. If anyone from outside had heard him, they would undoubtedly laugh at this plan.

“After that is done, we will move the main base to the Neutral Lands. From there, you will have 2 and a half years to cover the other two parts each,” Ozul stated so casually that others would have thought that he was joking or something.

However, Haley and Irvin both knew that he was not the person who wasted his time on jokes.

“Wouldn’t that be a little...” Irvin hesitated to continue.

“Farfetched? Maybe. But also take this into account that I don’t care if the men are strong or weak. I don’t want you to waste your time on cultivating their loyalties either... I just want information from every corner of the Mainland whenever I want,” Ozul stated.

Irvin gulped noticing his firm tone but nodded his head nonetheless. This was going to be a hard task. Growing an organization that would span over the whole Mainland without having people’s loyalties?!

Even a child could tell that this system was as delicate as the seeds of dandelion; just a single strong wind would scatter it all away.

‘But if that is what the Young Master wants... then I will just have to do it!’ Irvin hardened his gaze. He did not have to think about the consequences, these were the orders and he would just have to follow them!

“I will give it my all, Young Master!” he declared in a firm voice. Even Haley was there to help him do all the stuff that he had no idea about. He just had to recruit as many people as he could while maintaining that thin balance.

Ozul nodded his head in satisfaction. This is exactly what he wanted. Actually, even if they could not complete the task in exactly 8 years, it wouldn’t be such a big problem. It was him who had set the time target in the first place.

It was only because he wanted things set up as soon as possible. Ozul was also aware of how troublesome it could get, so he intended to help as much as he could.

Despite the fact that he had said that he could make do without the people’s loyalty, a few loyal people were necessary. Otherwise, it was an impossible task.

‘I guess you wouldn’t mind helping out...’ Ozul thought before looking in the direction of Count Oliver’s manor in the middle of the city.

Count Oliver had a limited talent in cultivation, but his wits and quick analyzing would left just about anyone doubt that he was only a Count. Unfortunately for him, the nobility titles were given based on the individual’s strength.

‘A little resources spent on him might even get him to at least Rank-7...’ Ozul thought of the possibilities. Since he had the support of the Ashin family, resources weren’t a problem at this moment.

In his mind, roping in Oliver and spending resources on him was definitely worth it. After spending the previous few years working together with him, Ozul knew that this Count was a man of many talents.

The only thing he lacked was strength which they would balance out using the resources.

“First have the detailed report of everything in the Kingdom, only then start to expand,” Ozul suggested.

While talking, the three had come out of the training ground and Ozul was just about to leave to meet with Count Oliver when he noticed something from the corner of his eyes that made him halt his steps.

“Is he...?”

When Haley and Irvin followed his gaze, they saw a shirtless man struggling with a pack of Rank-3 wolves that had completely surrounded him.

They were at the farthest corner of the city connected with the forest, so seeing some Beasts here wasn’t a surprise. What did make the old couple curious was the interest shown by their Young Master in this small matter.

They looked with surprised eyes when Ozul went ahead and killed that pack of Rank-3 wolves to save that shirtless man who seemed to be only a Rank-3 Fighter.

Ozul could not help but intervene to save that person when he recognized the person who was struggling.

‘Dibly... was that guy’s name?’ Ozul generally did not bother to remember everyone’s name, but there were a few that he would never be able to forget.

Dibly was the 2nd person who had shown kindness to him since the day he had gained sentience. Although it had never come to the point when he was required to use those Silver Coins, it was still goodwill from Dibly who, at that time, probably was short on money.

The least Ozul could do was to help him out in this situation.

When the entire pack of the wolves was suddenly decapitated, Dibly looked around in confusion. He was already slow in the head and together with his poor condition after fighting the pack made it unable for him to understand the situation momentarily.

Only after a few moments did he comprehended that the wolves who were probably going to feast on his body just a while ago were lying headless on the ground now.

He looked left and right before looking up, “God! I knew it! You were always there, and I always believed in ya! From now on, I will spend my whole life-”

“It was me,” Ozul cut in Dibly’s rambling

Dibly immediately turned around and the tears of gratitude towards the ‘God’ in his eyes disappeared as he muttered, “Nevermind then~”

“Hehe~ What a good person you are. Thanks for saving me! You were awesome how you immediately killed ’em all!” Dibly smiled like an idiot while praising Ozul.

“Where are the rest of your friends?” Ozul asked, surprising Irvin and Haley that he would take initiative to ask about someone else.

“Friends? Wait, do you know me?” It seemed that Dibly did not remember him.

“Yes. You helped me in the past.” Ozul answered. He did not bother to explain everything. All he wanted to know was where Dibly’s fellow bandits were since he was alone here.

“... O-... Oh! Oh! I remember ya! You are that kid!” Dibly almost jumped in the air because of the excitement.

“Yes... now, are you alone here?” Ozul got straight to the point.

“Haha... yes. Boss kicked me out, so I do odd jobs now. Pst! Don’t tell anyone that I was a bandit before,” Dibly said the last part while whispering.

“Hm... Want to work under me?” Ozul offered.

“Oh?! I will! Of course, I will! Unless you want me to become a bandit again. You see it is much better when I don’t have to always hide,” Dibly again put a hand on his mouth to secretly whisper the last part.

He did not even realize that his voice was audible even if there were some ordinary people around, not to mention Haley and Irvin who were both high ranked Mages.

Ozul looked at Haley and said, “Take him in. Just give him whatever he can do, but don’t trust him with anything important.”

Haley understood why Ozul had mentioned not to trust him with important stuff in front of his face since the guy seemed a little slow and... childish.

The only thing she could not understand was how a Rank-3 Fighter could help their Young Master who was a Rank-9 Mage. Not only her, but Irvin was also surprised at how such a random guy could gain favor from someone so important.

“Alright, I better go then,” saying that, he flew away leaving Haley and Irvin with the excited Dibly who’s eyes shone brighter than stars when Ozul seemingly disappeared into thin air.