Reincarnated with the Country System-Chapter 186: Loyalty Has Its Price
"Everything was going well,"
"Everything."
" But they ruined it—ruined it all. In just a few days… in just a few days, I had fulfilled my dream. And now… those bastards! I was so close, and they took it all away!"
His fists clenched, the knuckles white as bone. The dream he had fought for, the power he had grasped at, now lay in ruins.
Strom had fled the war and taken refuge in the forest. It was a large forest next to Blackfire Mountain. He had taken refuge here with his trusted men. It was a safe hiding place for them for now.
They had been on the run for several days. Like thieves and robbers. In fact, their crimes were greater than thieves and robbers.
While Strom was expressing his anger, someone handed him a bowl of soup and said, "Sir, eat something."
Strom took the bowl without a word, He drank slowly, letting the warmth spread through him, but it did little to chase away the coldness inside his chest.
As he ate, Strom turned to his butler. "Have you thought about where we should go next?" he asked.
The butler nodded quickly, his hands fidgeting. "Yes, my lord. I've considered our options. The safest route would be to head east through the forest. After two days of travel, we'll reach a small port called Mar. It's remote, barely more than a fishing village. No one there will recognize us. From Mar, we can take a ship to Indiana. It's risky, but it's our best chance."
Strom raised an eyebrow. "And if we can't make it to Indiana?"
The butler hesitated, then continued. "Then we can aim for Vangal. It's farther, but still within reach. Even on a small sailing ship, it would take us at least fifteen days. But it's a viable alternative."
Strom nodded slowly, his mind racing. "Good. Very good. Even in my current… predicament, you've proven invaluable. Thank you."
The butler bowed his head. "It is my duty, my lord. To serve you is my purpose."
Strom's lips twitched in what might have been a smile, but it didn't reach his eyes. He was about to say more when a rustling in the underbrush caught his attention. All eyes turned toward the sound, hands instinctively reaching for weapons.
A figure emerged from the shadows. His face was concealed behind a black cloth.
Like a ninja.
"Akal," Strom said, his voice tight. "What news do you bring?"
The ninja-like figure stopped a few paces away, his gaze sweeping over the group before settling on Strom.
"Sir, a reward of 20,000 gold coins has been announced for your capture. After the reward was announced on you, the local lords, villagers, townspeople, and adventurers around are now after you to catch you. If you don't run away from here now, they will catch you"
A murmur rippled through the group. Twenty thousand gold coins. The sum was staggering, enough to tempt even the most loyal of men.
Strom's eyes narrowed as he studied the faces of his companions. He could see the greed flickering in their eyes, the calculations being made. Loyalty, it seemed, had its price. They had followed him this far, but loyalty had its limits—especially when gold was involved.
"Twenty thousand gold coins," Strom repeated, his voice cold.
"That's quite the bounty. Enough to make even the most faithful question their allegiances."
The men shifted uncomfortably, their hands tightening on their weapons. Strom's suspicion grew. He was no fool; he knew what such a sum could do to a man's conscience. Money had a way of eroding loyalty, of turning friends into foes. Also, 20,000 gold coins was a bit too big a number. It was even possible to easily buy an entire viscounty with it. With which not only they but also the generations before them could sit and eat.
He turned back to Akal, his expression unreadable. "I'm glad you've returned," he said slowly. "And I must commend your loyalty. Even after hearing of such a reward, you didn't betray me. You came to warn me instead."
Akal inclined his head slightly, his expression hidden behind the black cloth. "Sir, I haven't told anyone about your whereabouts," he said, his voice steady.
For a moment, there was silence. Then, a faint smile appeared on Akal's face, visible only in the crinkling of his eyes. "Because," he continued, his tone shifting, "I want to take all the money for myself."
I knew it
Strom's instincts screamed a warning. He barely had time to react as Akal's hand flashed toward him, a dagger gleaming in the firelight. Strom's sword was in his hand in an instant, deflecting the blade with a sharp clang. The force of the impact sent sparks flying.
"Traitor!" Strom snarled, his voice echoing through the forest.
Strom had at least 7 people with him, although it wasn't a large group. It's enough. They all drew their swords.
Eight against one. But against who?
Then, Akal laughed. A low, knowing chuckle that sent a shiver down Strom's spine.
"Think, gentlemen," Akal said, his voice silk-smooth. "Twenty. Thousand. Gold. Coins."
He stepped back, pacing slowly, deliberately.
"You follow this man, but what has he given you? A life in hiding? The constant fear of the gallows?" His eyes gleamed. "He betrayed his own father. Do you think he won't betray you when it suits him?"
Strom's jaw tightened. "Don't listen to him—"
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The men shifted uncomfortably.
"Look at him." Akal gestured to Strom. "A man stripped of everything. A man on the run. A dead man walking." He smiled. "And all that stands between you and wealth beyond imagining... is him."
A heavy silence.
Then, one by one, the blades turned.
Not toward Akal.
Toward Strom.
He exhaled slowly, his grip tightening on his sword.
"Of course. Of course."
The betrayal burned, but he wasn't surprised. Only fools believed in loyalty.
Strom's gaze flickered from face to face. Men he had fought beside. Men who had once called him 'lord.'
His lips curled into a sneer. "I should've killed you all when I had the chance."
Akal tilted his head. "Perhaps. But you didn't. And now…"
He raised his dagger, the firelight dancing across the blade.
"...you die."
Strom bared his teeth.
"Like hell I do."
