Chapter 597: The Visitor (3)
The White Swan Sect.
A cult founded by dark sorcerers, Oliver learned of its existence after the death of the Flesh Chef, during the search for his legacy.
It was then that Oliver first discovered the existence of the White Swan Sect and encountered one of its high-ranking members—a candidate for the title of Prince.
To be honest, it left quite an impression.
This candidate possessed recovery abilities that surpassed the limits of regeneration and wielded a dagger made from flesh, shaped like a drill, a weapon even Oliver found astounding.
Moreover, the sect’s practices were equally memorable—worshipping demons, yearning for the apocalypse, using followers as materials, and attempting to absorb even the “Sleeping Princess.”
Not to mention, they had helped the Flesh Chef with his sacrificial summoning rituals.
‘And now, one of the White Swan Sect's prince candidates suddenly wants to defect to Bin City…’
With more than a passing curiosity, Oliver looked across at the man sitting opposite him.
"Captain Mero."
"Yes, Mr. Dave?"
Captain Mero of Bin City's City Defense Force replied respectfully.
At the moment, he was traveling with Oliver in a six-wheeled military vehicle, heading toward the Cursed Lands.
The reason? A prince candidate who had sought asylum was hiding in the Cursed Lands.
"Though I've already asked, has there ever been a case where a prince candidate requested asylum?"
This question was less out of genuine curiosity and more to confirm what he already knew.
It might have been an annoying question to answer again, but Captain Mero, without showing the slightest irritation, responded sincerely.
"No, this is the first."
The first time. Meaning it was unprecedented. Oliver continued with another question.
"Do you mind if I ask you a few more questions?"
"Of course. The Mayor asked me to assist you here, so it's only natural. Feel free to ask."
Mero replied with genuine sincerity.
It wasn’t just a polite response, either.
After conversing with a White Swan Sect follower who had come to request asylum on behalf of the prince, Jack, realizing the gravity of the situation, proposed a substantial reward and requested Oliver’s help.
Oliver had accepted that request without hesitation.
He was already interested in the White Swan Sect and their recent activities.
In other words, he would have gone even if Jack hadn’t asked, but Oliver saw no reason to mention that aloud.
Living in Landa for several years had taught him that there were things best left unsaid.
So, following Mero's advice, Oliver asked his question directly.
"Could there be some internal conflict within the White Swan Sect?"
It was a speculative question. Mero, wearing a soldier's trademark stoic expression, shook his head briefly.
"I don't believe so. The Mayor himself said it wasn't, and I agree."
"But didn’t the person who came to request asylum say that a new prince candidate is attacking other candidates?"
Oliver glanced at the other six-wheeled military vehicle ahead.
A White Swan Sect follower, the one who had asked for assistance, was in that vehicle, and he had claimed that a newly appointed prince candidate was suddenly attacking other prince candidates.
Judging by his emotional state, it seemed truthful.
Though the details were unclear, there were signs suggesting division within the White Swan Sect.
Still, Mero’s response remained unchanged.
"Even so, I don't think it's the case. The White Swan Sect isn’t exactly a renowned organization, but it's not so fragile that it would be easily divided internally."
Sincerity.
"And why do you think that?"
"Although they're a relatively unknown group, they've exerted considerable influence over the Ibernia Republic for many years. You can tell by their history."
Indeed.
Before departing, Jack had explained that the White Swan Sect had long been exerting substantial influence over Ibernia, a developing agricultural nation, through dealings with its dictator, Antonio.
If Bin City was a city of dark sorcerers, then Ibernia was a land of cults.
Initially, it was hard to grasp, given the scale, but over time, Oliver began to see the possibility.
It seemed... possible.
Thanks to Antonio’s policies promoting pastoralism and religion, Ibernia's national productivity was even lower than that of Landa, with infrastructure that was far more underdeveloped.
A vast countryside, one might say.
With such a backdrop, it wouldn't be surprising if the White Swan Sect, with its ability to draw upon demonic powers through human sacrifice, wielded considerable influence. In fact, it might even be advantageous.
Those somewhat familiar with the White Swan Sect said the organization had deeply rooted itself throughout Ibernia.
Yet, for Oliver, it still didn’t fully feel real.
"People in Bin City seem to know quite a bit about the White Swan Sect."
"It’s our only neighboring country, so we’re forced to know."
A reasonable statement. Without further probing, Oliver asked a more productive question.
As previously mentioned, his involvement in this matter wasn’t solely due to personal interest.
Oliver, too, had his own objective.
"If it’s not an internal conflict, then why would a prince candidate attack another prince candidate?"
Oliver raised the question that even Jack, the mayor of Bin City, had been unable to answer clearly.
The reason they were heading to meet the exiled prince hiding in the Cursed Lands was to uncover the full story.
The unrest in the White Swan Sect could potentially lead to turmoil in neighboring Bin City...
"I don’t know the details, but I do have a personal theory."
"A theory, you say?"
"As I said, just a theory."
"I’d like to hear it."
Seeing Mero’s earnest attitude, Oliver felt it was worth listening to, even if it was a mere personal opinion.
Perhaps Mero himself wanted to have his thoughts validated, as he cautiously shared his view.
"I think they might be trying to consolidate power."
"What?"
"Concentrating power, that is. Originally, there were eleven prince candidates in the White Swan Sect, but recently, after the attacks, that number has dropped to six. Seven prince candidates have been taken out, to be exact."
"So, wouldn’t that mean there are only four?"
"One of them survived with only injuries, and apparently, another new candidate was added."
Eleven minus seven, with one surviving, and another newly appointed.
"I understand."
"But as the number dwindles, the remaining prince candidates have grown stronger. It might be that they’re trying to focus all their power on a single candidate... However, there’s something that doesn’t quite make sense to me."
"And what’s that?"
"The reason behind the White Swan Sect's sudden, radical shift."
"Hmm… could it be because of the attacks?"
Although it was a reasonable suggestion, Mero shook his head.
"Not likely… The White Swan Sect has faced similar situations in the past, but back then, they chose to lay low and bide their time. That’s why they’re still around today."
"Could it be because of the Flesh Chef’s death, then?"
Oliver proposed another idea.
The White Swan Sect was neighboring the Flesh Chef, and his death might be prompting them to fully assert their power.
This argument was also reasonable.
Since the Flesh Chef’s demise, dark sorcerers who had been oppressed by him and others aiming to take his place were still in disarray.
Mero seemed to consider the possibility, though after a short pause, he shook his head again.
"I’m not sure. The White Swan Sect doesn’t pursue worldly wealth and power as its primary goal... though I suppose we’ll know soon enough."
Mero looked outside, and at that moment, the communication device chimed.
Chik—Chik—Click.
Mero pressed the button on the communication device, and a message came from the lead vehicle.
[We’re about to enter the Cursed Lands. From here, we’ll need to proceed on foot.]
...
The Cursed Lands.
A region situated between Bin City and the Ibernia Republic, serving as a kind of border. This was due to the various monsters that roamed the area and the numerous hazards, such as falling ill if one stayed for too long.
It was here that the prince, who had sought asylum in Bin City, was said to be hiding.
"The pursuit from the new prince candidate was so intense that I could not proceed any further."
Gabino, the White Swan Sect follower who had come seeking help on behalf of the prince, explained.
"Why weren’t you chased as well?"
Captain Mero, having disembarked from the six-wheeled military vehicle, asked.
"I am not a prince candidate, am I?"
Gabino answered as if it were obvious. However, Mero’s expression remained unconvinced.
Gabino’s explanation seemed logical at first glance, but the circumstances suggested otherwise.
It was clear that Gabino’s destination was Bin City, so they could have blocked him in advance.
For instance, simply cutting off paths through the Cursed Lands would have made it impossible for Gabino to reach Bin City.
Although the Cursed Lands were indeed a confusing maze of hills and sparse forests, the entrances and exits were relatively straightforward.
Undeterred, Gabino responded confidently.
"The new prince candidate is a Hongin. As I mentioned earlier."
"..."
"They wouldn't know the layout of this area, would they? Perhaps they didn’t think of it, or maybe they simply underestimated it."
The tone of disrespect and scorn was unmistakable.
As Oliver was reducing the six-wheeled vehicle in size with shrinking and lightweight spells, he experienced a strange sense of déjà vu—this unfamiliar place reminded him of encounters he had in Landa with people like Al, the employee from Forest, and Kevin, Merlin's disciple.
It seemed that, in the end, people everywhere had their similarities.
‘A Hongin prince candidate… It seems I made the right choice by coming.’
With added personal curiosity, Oliver finished shrinking the vehicle, stored it in his bag, and handed it to one of the guards.
Meanwhile, Gabino and Mero’s conversation had also concluded.
"Are you going to continue standing here arguing, or will you actually help us?" Gabino asked, pressing them with a hint of impatience, fully aware that the support from Bin City was more than mere goodwill.
Uncomfortable but duty-bound, Mero decided to proceed with the mission.
"Mr. Dave, is everything ready for us to move?"
"Yes, I’ve shrunk all the vehicles, so we should be good to go."
Upon hearing this, Mero issued orders to his men, and the City Defense Force promptly formed a double column.
Each guard scanned the surroundings, keeping watch on both sides, front, and rear.
As Gabino, not part of the City Defense Force, took the lead to guide the way, Oliver positioned himself in the center of the formation for protection.
Though it wasn’t a necessary measure, he saw no need to refuse it either.
Just before they set off, Mero turned to Oliver with a request.
"Would you mind keeping an eye on the surroundings and alerting us if you notice anything unusual?"
Mero’s request was not an attempt to shift the responsibility onto Oliver but rather a reflection of his caution, and Oliver gladly nodded, just as he had when Jack asked for his assistance.
He was intrigued by this cursed forest, as it reminded him of the strange energy sensed in Section Z’s underground passage, which Bartholomew, a senior member of the Development Opposition Committee, had shown him.
A place that sparked both curiosity and a sense of dread.
The vestiges of hell that had surfaced above ground.
"...I’ll monitor the surroundings myself. It’s not difficult. But in exchange, could I ask you for a favor?"
Surprised by the unexpected request, Mero asked what it was, and Oliver responded.
"Could you tell me what this Cursed Land used to be?"
"Why do you ask?"
"I don’t know, it just feels… strange being here. You don’t happen to know, do you?"
"Well, I know as much as anyone else. Originally, it was a holy site where devout followers lived… until it was destroyed by demon worshippers."