Rogue Villain-Chapter 256: Maggot Snorter

Ackster had kind of figured it out, but he still hadn’t expected that he would have been stuck in the ruins with the Sword God for almost half a year. He now had a little more than six years before the destined appointment.

During that time, the Guild had tracked down and secured Kargas while also investigating the Land of Dragons.

With everything they needed at their disposal, it didn’t take long for Ackster and Wilma to come up with a plan to defuse the situation or at least prevent it from turning into a full-blown war between Kargas and the Guild and the Land of Dragons.

The Guild would have no choice but to get involved when the Land of Dragons targeted their Guildmaster. And since a large part of the Guild was free adventurers, their only fighting force was the employees, who were strong in their own right, especially the higher-ups and special forces like Ackster. But it was an unnecessary battle against the Land of Dragons that would cost them unnecessary losses.

Ackster’s head buzzed as he thought about the situation he had put himself, Wilma, the Guild, and the Land of Dragons in. He felt a little guilty toward Wilma, but he was still confident his plan would have made it easier to fight The Hero.

The Hero wouldn’t have the justification to get involved with the Land of Dragons against Kargas, especially if the Guild were handling it. The Hero should also be busy with other things. The Kraken most likely wouldn’t show up due to Ackster’s adventures at the Sea God Temple and in the ocean.

Ackster wouldn’t be surprised if he altered the oceanic ecosystem with his drawn-out battle when he acquired his Martial Body. The Kraken, with its strength, would have made different choices than it did in the original story, even if it was young.

Ackster was also confident The Hero would be too strong for the Kraken by now. So, The Hero was either dealing with politics, the Seed of Calamity up north in Myrrhia, or another Seed of Calamity somewhere since it should be time for those to start popping up like weeds.

When Ackster thought about it, he realized that it was unlikely for The Hero to be heading north since he had a feeling Tetraxia was dealing with the Seed there. Even if she didn’t, she would at least delay the Yeti migration that prompted The Hero’s visit.

’Wait a minute...’

"Wilma, what about the Hydra?"

"Yeah, we found it. But a certain someone who called dibs didn’t show up, so someone else is handling it. It’s not someone who will disappoint us."

’Yep. The Hero.’

It was just a feeling, but defeating a Hydra was something that suited The Hero perfectly. It was a shame he couldn’t train his Poison Resistance. But none of The Hero’s companions used poison, so it should be fine. If they did, he could just train it during the final battle.

"And the arsonist?"

"I have a list. You’ll get it when we’re done in the Land of Dragons."

"Can I check it now to see if you found the person I’m looking for?"

"...Sure."

"Thanks. And stage two?"

In addition to a file, Wilma also handed over a wooden box without saying another word. After Ackster received them, Wilma continued staring out over the horizon as the wind whipped her hair around while she leaned on the hot air balloon’s railing.

Ackster didn’t know how gruesome the next stage of Nold’s secret technique would be, so he trained his mana for the rest of the journey, letting the sacrifice suffer through the painfully tense silence Wilma caused.

’Mio did one hell of a job, that’s for sure.’

Ackster took one last look at the lookalike before closing his eyes and concentrating on training his mana as much as possible before they arrived at the Land of Dragons. It was both a long and a short journey, but they arrived before Ackster could make any earth-shaking progress.

Well, they didn’t arrive at the Land of Dragons, but they entered the continent’s air space, which was all it took before the Land of Dragons sent someone to greet them.

Ackster smiled slightly as he looked at who came.

"Well, my business here is done. Don’t forget, if you don’t handle this properly, Ack—If you don’t handle this properly, you will be the first to die, either by the Land of Dragons or by the Guild."

"You’re not coming with?"

"No. If this goes sour, the ones first to die will be you two. I’m too valuable an asset to be sacrificed for a mere conflict like this."

’’A mere conflict’ when she’s been pouting for several weeks straight. Sure.’

"I see. Goodbye then."

Ackster couldn’t refrain from speaking with a hint of finality in his voice. He had no plans to handle this ’properly.’

Wilma heard the difference in Ackster’s tone of voice but chalked it up to him being emotional or feeling guilty over deceiving her.

"Yeah."

"I greet the mediators from the Guild and...I never got your—IS THAT HIM!?"

Tararat stood on the neck of his wyvern and had a welcoming expression until he caught sight of the Kargas lookalike. He instantly pointed his lance at him in anger, ready to charge.

"Calm your tits, Tararat."

Ackster picked up the sacrifice by the scruff of his neck before standing on the hot air balloon’s basket ledge.

"You should have been informed that this is a fake, brought to your Land for, well, peace reasons or something."

"...Are you sure?"

"Would Kargas see a wyvern and not stab it as soon as he did? Or a dragonling, for that matter?"

Tararat lowered his lance slightly.

"I guess that is not untrue. I have heard that Kargas, that filthy fucking maggot-snorter, has gotten more crazy since he left the Land of Dragons." 𝐟𝕣𝕖𝐞𝐰𝕖𝚋𝐧𝗼𝚟𝐞𝕝.𝗰𝐨𝐦

Seeing Tararat calm down, Ackster jumped onto the wyvern.

"Well, you and your Land will find out the truth at wherever you’ve decided to hold this investigation, but I’ll tell you right now that it’s partly my fault, and I’m sorry."

"Nonsense. It’s Kargas’ fault. Although it is slightly shameful to be deceived by a fake, Mastrax’s minions aren’t known for their intelligence."

"I’m not related to the Dragon of Life."

"Oh...sorry."