Chapter 131: Grudges (Part 2)

The staff and butlers inside the mansion peeked nervously through the windows. Outside, the soldiers had surrounded the estate, fear spread quickly among the household servants.

The head butler wasted no time. He hurried upstairs toward the study room where his master was staying, hoping to inform him before the situation escalated further. His footsteps echoed down the hallway as he approached the study door. He was just about to knock.

Then—

BOOM!

A single gunshot exploded from inside the room.

The butler froze for a split second, then panic took over. He quickly pushed the door open without knocking.

“YOU BITCH! YOU DARE TRY TO TAKE MY TREASURES AWAY?!” Rondo shouted from inside.

The butler stepped in and immediately froze in horror. Rondo Stoneale stood in the center of the room, holding a hand-cannon that was still faintly smoking. On the floor nearby lay his wife. Dead.

Blood slowly spread beneath her body. Around her were scattered gold coins, jewels, necklaces, and gemstones—spilled across the floor during what had clearly been a violent struggle over the treasures. The glittering valuables were now mixed with dark red blood.

“S-S-Sir…” the butler stammered.

Rondo turned toward him calmly. His face showed no panic, no regret. Nothing.

“Close the door,” Rondo said coldly. “And put all the valuables back into the boxes.”

The butler hesitated for a moment, but then he obeyed. He slowly shut the door behind him and knelt down to begin collecting the scattered jewelry and coins from the floor. His hands trembled as he worked. He tried very hard not to look directly at the body or the blood.

Behind him, Rondo walked casually to his desk. He poured himself a drink.

“S-sir…” the butler said carefully while picking up jewels one by one. “There are soldiers outside…”

“I know,” Rondo replied.

“T-The staff are confused and panicking…”

“I know!” Rondo snapped, raising his voice.

The butler flinched.

“What should we do… sir?” he asked quietly.

“Sigh…”

Rondo placed his empty glass down, then he looked at the butler. The man was still crouched on the floor, carefully gathering the valuables. An idea slowly formed in Rondo’s mind. He stood up and walked toward him.

“Say,” Rondo said casually.

“You have the same size as me, right?”

Click.

Rondo pulled back the trigger of the hand-cannon.

The butler froze.

---

Present

Nyanjara Mayor Mansion

I’m lucky I managed to fool those soldiers and escape with a handful of wealth until I reached Beast Island.

Rondo Stoneale thought to himself while pacing along the hallway. Back and forth, back and forth.

But I’m already sick of this cover as a brothel owner.

For countless days he had endured living in this miserable backwater town. A place far removed from the luxury and prestige he once enjoyed.

I should be back in a real civilization. Back to fine clothes.Back to proper mansions.Back to servants who knew their place.

Instead, he had been forced to hide here, Waiting. Until one day, opportunity had knocked on his door. The Prime Minister of Murica himself, in the flesh.

Rondo’s lips slowly curled into a grin.

Now, if everything runs according to plan, I can bargain with the Celeste Kingdom and the church. Wealth.A new identity and a comfortable position within their kingdom.

Honestly, i would even accept one of their vassal kingdoms.As long as I have my own mansion again… and servants.

The grin widened slightly.

“Hey, dwarf!”

The loud voice shattered his thoughts. Rondo looked up. The guard captain was walking down the staircase from the second floor.

“What are you doing circling around like an idiot?” the wolf mocked.

Rondo swallowed the insult quietly.

“The mayor wants to see you. Follow me,” the captain ordered.

“Y-yes!” Rondo replied quickly.

He hurried after the captain.

---

The Mansion Backyard

As Rondo followed the captain toward the back of the mansion, he suddenly noticed something strange. Something he had never expected to see inside the mayor’s residence.

Tents and fire pits. A temporary camps. The backyard had been transformed into a military encampment.

Dozens of beastmen moved around the area. Different species—rhinos, wolves, lynx, and others. Their appearances varied wildly, but their expressions all shared the same hardened look. They were checking weapons and adjusting armor. Preparing for battle.

Rondo slowed slightly.

“Are these… mercenaries?” he muttered.

“Stop asking questions,” the captain replied coldly.

The guard captain led him deeper into the camp. At the very center stood the largest tent. Just as they approached it, several beastmen stepped out from inside. Each one looked more dangerous than the warriors stationed outside. Their armor was heavier, their movements more confident. Most likely the officers of the mercenary force.

The captain lifted the tent flap and stepped inside with Rondo followed behind. Inside the tent stood a large table with a detailed map spread across it. A wolf guard was currently clearing the table, moving several markers aside. Across the table stood a lion. He wore elegant, noble clothing and he was waiting.

“Sir, I’ve brought the dwarf,” the captain reported.

“Ah… the dwarf pimp,” Scarf said mockingly.

“Lord Mayor Scarf, I have something to report,” Rondo said, bowing courteously.

Scarf’s eyes drifted to Rondo’s face.

“Hm?” he said. “What happened to your nose?”

Rondo hesitated. He glanced briefly toward the captain.

“I punched him, sir,” the captain answered flatly.

“Oh, Captain… My captain...” Scarf muttered while shakes his head slowly. “Is it funny?”

“It is, sir,” the captain replied with a grin.

The two of them chuckled. Rondo remained silent, forcing himself to endure the humiliation.

“So,” Scarf said at last, leaning slightly over the table. “What are you here for this time, dwarf? Speak.”

“It’s about the group of travelers I told you about before, Lord Mayor,” Rondo said carefully.

“The boarman and the three humans that you somehow want to capture as slaves?” Scarf said. “What about them?”

“That’s right, sir,” Rondo replied. “I need your men to seize them tomorrow night.”

“Tomorrow night?” Scarf murmured thoughtfully. “Hmm… that might be difficult.”

He turned his head slightly.

“Captain. Can we spare several men tomorrow night?”

The captain considered for a moment.

“I think we can still spare a few dozen,” he replied. “Although I’m not particularly comfortable with it.”

“Oh dear,” Scarf said lightly. “My own captain feels troubled.”

He tapped his fingers on the table before continuing.

“But still, I am a man of my word.”

He looked at Rondo again.

“Since I already agreed to lend you help for four hundred gold coins, you may use my men as you wish.”

“F-Four hundred?!” Rondo exclaimed in shock. “Didn’t we agree on two hundred before?!”

“Well, you see,” Scarf said calmly, “tomorrow will be a busy day for me as well.”

“I have an important guest that I must welcome.”

He smiled faintly.

“But I am still generous enough to lend you my men.”

Scarf glanced at the captain.

“Don’t you think so, Captain?”

“Yes you are, sir,” the captain said with a smirk. “Very generous.”

Rondo clenched his jaw. He forced the anger down.

“V-Very well,” he said through gritted teeth.

“Good,” Scarf said with a grin.

Then he tilted his head slightly.

“By the way… I didn’t bother asking earlier. But why would a brothel owner suddenly become so interested in acquiring these travelers as slaves?”

“I—I just happened to learn that there’s a bounty for them in a small kingdom in Meridinia,” Rondo replied quickly with a lie.

“Is that so…” Scarf muttered.

Before he could say anything further, a guard stepped into the tent.

“Sir, the Lizardman tribes have arrived,” the guard reported.

“Alright then,” Scarf said, clapping his hands once with a pleasant smile. “You can discuss the details with the captain.”

He turned away from the table.

“Now, if you’ll excuse me. I still have plenty of work to finish, even though it is already past midnight.”

With that, Rondo and the captain stepped out of the tent.

Moments later, they were replaced by a lizardman commander whose appearance alone made it clear he was someone dangerous.

“Scarf,” the lizardman commander said. “I’m here as requested.”

“Good, good,” Scarf replied pleasantly.

He gestured toward the map on the table.

“Let’s not waste any time.”

Scarf’s expression slowly shifted into a confident, dangerous smile.

“I need to brief you on how the ruler of Beast Island will soon be changing.”

---

Inn, The Misfits Room

Meanwhile, back at the Misfits’ room in the inn, the financial crisis had finally been resolved.

“THERE! FINALLY!” Irving declared triumphantly as he slammed a small pile of gold coins onto the floor.

Compared to the pitiful stack of coins they had earlier, the pile in the middle of the circle now looked… respectable.

Not impressive, but at least respectable.

“Nooo! My moneeey!!!” Ivy wailed.

She was on the floor directly in front of Irving, dramatically reaching toward the pile with both arms like a tragic heroine trying to grasp her future.

Across the room, Kovalski sat in the corner against the wall, sulking deeply. His shoulders slumped. His eyes empty. Meanwhile, Bella occupied the opposite corner. Also sulking silently.

Everyone had contributed, and nobody was happy about it.

Outside this small room, the town of Nyanjara was quietly preparing for tomorrow. Without realizing it, everyone had already placed their pieces on the board. Each player with their own purpose.

Some wanted to create change.

Some wanted to prevent change.

Some wanted to teach someone a lesson.

Meanwhile, Ivy was still trying to reclaim her gold. Her hands reached desperately toward the coins pile. But Irving tightened his grip and pushed her back with his foot. Ivy still refused to surrender and it had become a very slow and very determined tug-of-war.

And this particular group… might not even know what they actually wanted.