Volume 3 Chapter 18 The Misunderstanding of the Monopoly Guy Who Needs to Be Taught with Fists
Six people, all wearing cloaks, arrived at the front gate of the hero's mansion.
Robert was leading the group of 5.
"...Hey, Robert. I guess you're just as much of a fool as ever."
"What did you say?!"
Horace, who had been waiting by the gate, sighed and stepped outside to face Robert.
"I've been wondering, why you were assigned the Terra Disas sealing mission... seems like you've got a lot of confidence in your 'troops.'"
Horace took a look at the 5 people Robert had brought.
They all had their hoods pulled deep over their faces, so he couldn't see their faces, but they seemed to be in their mid-twenties.
Based on their builds and equipment, 3 were male swordsmen.
And the other 2 were females, likely magicians.
"I know the role of the Order of the Sealed Dragon, but I didn't know the 'organization's structure.' It seems there's a clear divide between the management side and the troops. Robert, you're on the management side, and these 5 are your top pick of troops, right?"
"Exactly. They all have the skill to match S-Rank Adventurers! I'll wipe that confident look off your face right away. Hand over the gemstones quietly!"
Robert had a twisted smile on his face.
"Not gonna happen."
"You don't seem impressed by this firepower. I guess you have no observational skills. It's dangerous for a man like you to have the dragon's gemstones!"
"It's more dangerous to give power to someone who solves problems with violence if they don't listen to reason."
Horace felt like he was about to throw a large boomerang, but he decided not to worry about it.
"Don't you dare talk back to me! You're not human, you're a monster! The enemy of mankind! Don't get carried away. I could kill you, and I wouldn't be guilty of any crime!"
"True enough. Certainly, killing me wouldn't be a crime. You can't be blamed for killing a monster. But that doesn't mean I'm gonna get carried away, and it doesn't give you a reason to hand over the gemstones."
As Horace, he acknowledged that there were parts he had to accept, parts he had no choice but to concede.
But above all, he was 'irresponsible.'
No matter what everyone else says... even if they keep shouting, 'You could kill Horace and nobody would care,' it doesn't bother him.
It isn't because he's a monster that he ignores human standards.
Horace, being aware that, deep down, he himself is 'irresponsible as a person,' feels no need to care about right or wrong as a principle.
Also, he has no intention of just going along quietly.
For humans and monsters alike, the rule's the same: hit someone, and you'll get hit back.
"Robert. What you're talking about is just 'monopolization.' Hoarding the power of dragons—the strongest race in existence—and using it to flaunt your authority. Do as you please. But the 'right to monopolize' doesn't belong to the strong."
Without hesitation, Horace stares directly at Robert.
"No one is guaranteed the right to monopolize anything."
"Hah! And that's what a monster has to say? Enough talk! You'll regret this!"
Robert snaps his fingers.
In the very next instant, the men all draw their swords and charge at Horace.
Horace responds by breathing out a sharp "haah" into his right hand...
"Catch this!"
He dodges the blades and lands a punch square in the men's faces!
"Guh!"
"Next!"
"Buh!"
"Last one!"
"Gah!"
"Just kidding!"
"""Gef!"""
He decided to sock each guy once; even though he called it 'the last one' with the third, he figured he'd give them one more for good measure.
Even though he called it a lie, he made sure each of the 3 guys got a hard punch, leaving them writhing on the ground.
"...Huh?"
"Hm? Oh, right. You're surprised because I'm moving way slower than usual."
"W-What are you idiots doing?! How can you struggle against one guy who looks so weak?!"
"Let me explain. Mana seeks stability—stronger individuals refine it to enhance their bodies. But when faced with someone stronger, their mana gets 'overwhelmed,' destabilizing their own enhancements."
"I've never heard of that!"
"You need to study more."
Horace starts walking toward Robert.
"Hii! Y-You there! Kill him!"
""!""
Two female magicians raised their staffs and quickly unleashed their spells.
A fireball shot out from the staff, aimed right at Horace... but as soon as Horace exerted a bit of pressure, the magic destabilized and dissipated into mist.
"Huh..."
"No way..."
Horace brought his fist down on the heads of the two.
""Ouchie!""
The two, struck by the fist, stumbled and fell to the ground, clutching their heads in agony.
"Wh-what are you doing! It was just one shot..."
"Magic seeks stability, but mess with it and you can create a real mess. If you slam your fist into the head of a magician who usually channels magic through their head, they'll end up wobbly like after a big party."
"Wh-what the hell are you!"
"Just a Golem Master."
"Like hell you are!"
Horace identifies as a Golem Master, but he doesn't use this title during such disciplinary actions.
Moreover, in his case, he has a technical nature that allows him to handle high-performance golems by 'limiting his control range to the extreme.'
He could force himself to use it, but honestly, a good punch is faster.
"Well, to put it simply, because I understand the principles, I can handle high-performance golems. That's all there is to it."
Horace claps his left hand onto his right fist, making a loud clacking sound.
"W-wait, I apologize. I won't──"
A iron fist drives into Robert's cheek.
"Gwaaaaaaaaah!"
Robert spins around in mid-air before crashing to the ground and sliding to a stop, silent.
His face, however, remains unscathed.
It seems like the kind that doesn't leave any marks.
"Pretty cool, huh? It stimulates the pain receptors without causing physical damage. The pain will fade soon, but next time, I'll just punch you normally."
Horace turns his back on Robert.
"Hey, you guys should be able to get up now. Collect that guy and let's get out of here."
"Guh, dammit..."
Looking at their expressions, it's clear they're not convinced by Robert.
Still, they shouldn't have thought it would be easy to lose.
Grumbling, they collected Robert and left.
Once they were out of sight, Horace muttered to himself.
"...The way those soldiers moved, it's like they're using the 'Blood Chalice' to suppress any 'rebellion'. If they're planning to 'monopolize' not just the dragons, but people too, then that organization is rotten to the core. Seriously."
* * *
Four days later...
In the northernmost mountain of the Chaos Stone Dragonstone Kingdom, a massive typhoon suddenly struck.
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