Chapter 259 - Parabellum (Patreon)

Viers wanted to say ‘Guns, lots of guns’, but his self-preservation instinct exceeded his want of saying movie quotes so he didn't.

Viers put on his suit while the others took glances at his arms collection. He had a lot because he killed a lot. Of course, Viers didn't exhibit weapons that might compromise his identity. These weapons were specifically selected for public viewing.

“Whoa… incredible craftsmanship, these two,” Conn was admiring a pair of gauntlets not within his arms’ reach.

Among the Silver legion, Conn was the one who looked up to Viers the most. It was simply admiration. The two were of similar age but Conn accepted Viers to be stronger than him. Very much so.

Not that Conn didn't find any vault in Viers. For instance, Pinaca's kidnapping was a red mark in his book.

“Would you like a tasting? I can see your fondness for the Zargen varietals, but I can wholeheartedly endorse the new breed of Yustusians. Tachon 24 and 26.”

Viers submitted another pair of gauntlets.

“What do the numbers represent?” Conn asked while trying them on.

“Numbers of enchantments. Textured grips, Taugwell-enchanted for greater impact. And I know you appreciate the custom plating… Next, how about something robust, precise.”

“Huh?”

Viers presented Conn with a sword.

“The Arung Gara. 11.5-inch. Compensated with a territe-bonded metal blade. Tridirium balancer with one-six weight alteration.”

“Thanks, but I don’t use swords,” Conn said a bit uncomfortably. Why did he feel like Viers was trying to sell the items to him?

Viers continued professionally. “For the end of the night. Something big… bold.”

Next came a manly-looking broad ax.

“May I suggest the Levinelli Executioner. A masterpiece ax head on Century Oak handle. Textured grips, should your hands get… wet. A Pyrian classic.”

“Right… It’s great but-”

“Finally, dessert,” Viers opened a box of knives. “The finest cutlery. All freshly stoned. Every mom should have these in their kitchen.”

John Wick gun shopping scene… Can't forget it even if I wanted to.

Most of the technical jargon was stuff that he completely made up. The original scene depicted guns, Viers had to get creative.

The collection looked impressive but truthfully, the legionaries’ personal weapons were better. The Silver Legion was not a run-of-the-mill organization. Rank and file adventurers would salivate looking at Viers’ collections but not them.

But it was fine. Viers’ objective was to expand his Horizon by recreating a famous scene. He’d missed this. The opportunity was scarce after the Book World.

“Mom? You think these are kitchen knives?” Wendy was amazed. The sharpness of these knives would have no difficulty cutting the chopping block below the ingredients in half.

“I gut my enemies like moms gut their cooking ingredients in the kitchen so calling them kitchen knives isn't exactly wrong.”

“Goddess’ tears… Are you preparing for war?” Ciel sighed.

“Here’s a story for you. A child returned home and said to his family: I got into a fight… The mother said thus: Violence is not the answer.”

“Good advice,” June approved. Viers could see Rose slightly nodding from the side.

“The father said thus: Stand up for yourself,” Viers continued.

“Hmm, I can't fault that answer but it sounds a bit confrontational and aloof,” Damon said after a brief period of thought.

“I second that thought,” Ciel said.

“The grandfather showed his collection of weapons -just like what I’m doing now- and said thus: Be ready.”

It was too different from the previous two. The legionaries were temporarily stupefied.

“That's…”

“The grandfather is a bit extreme.”

“A bit? He’s a maniac! Who would teach their grandchildren that?”

“My dad said old people have the wisdom of age so there might be merit in hearing what they say…” Conn argued.

While the students were arguing, teacher Viers took control of the classroom.

“Now, class, all three are not wrong so the question is not who’s wrong. Which of the three do you adopt? You already know my pick.”

“I pick the mother’s advice!” Wendy came out as the vanguard.

“Mmm,” Viers nodded approvingly. “Then the Church should disband the Silver Legion immediately. If violence is never the answer, why do you guys have an army?”

“Bu-but, the Silver Legion fights demons and injustice!”

“With violence,” Viers calmly reminded.

“As the last result!”

“Still violence, no matter how beautifully you try to frame it. No violence is a beautiful sentiment but the world we live in is not so simple. Rejoice. Even with the flaw, the mother’s advice is certainly a correct one.”

“I believe standing up for yourself is the most correct!” Bryan threw his hat in the ring.

“Didn't you hear I just said that there's no wrong answer?” Viers sighed. “Oh well, that’s fine too. Where were we? Oh right, then in accordance with that line of thought, the Silver Legion should cease helping people.”

“Wha-!? Why?”

“That’s what it means to stand up for yourself, doesn’t it? If there’s a demon infestation, let the people deal with it themselves. Robbery, famine, plague, Beast Tides… no one should help one another. Every man, woman, and child for themselves. The law of the jungle reigns.”

“There would be casualties in the thousands, millions!”

“A horrifying number indeed but that is called natural selection. Those who survive have proven themself worthy before the eyes of mother nature. These people would be tempered by the hardships and equipped with skills and resources to live in this cruel world. The unfit died out, the fit carried on. As a result, the world will be filled with those with desirable traits. One could argue this approach advances the standard of species and makes a better world,” Viers explained his point of view stoically.

“How can such a selfish world be better!” Rose was the first to admonish him.

Viers only shrugged. He didn't want to waste his breath after already giving the answer.

Mita kept her silence while she prepared the Road of Silver Arte but she heard the discussion from the start.

“Viers, do you mean the grandfather’s answer is the most worthy? I can already see tens of problems by doing that,” Damon shook his head.

“I give the fourth advice: Talk to the one that fights with you and reach an understanding,” Rachel raised her hand.

“Fifth advice! Become so strong that no one dares to fight you but use that power not to oppress others but to promote harmony instead!” Max challenged Viers.

“Good, good. You all are really kind and noble children. This makes Teacher very happy.”

Viers nodded happily and walked around with his hands on his back. He was acting like a kindergarten teacher in front of kindergartens.

“You, don't make fun of us!”

“Feel free to follow it however you wish. I’m just sharing a story. As I said, there exists no correct answer. What exists is your fundamental principle, your way of life, and this is mine. Ciel, once you asked me about my code. Here’s another one of mine: If you want peace, prepare for war.”

Viers said the words as he fastened a sword to his belt and hidden knives to his clothes. Whoever saw it would feel Viers was indeed prepared for war.

“Hmph.”

Amidst the silence, a loud snort.

Max looked at Viers with disdain.

“How can there be peace when you’re always preparing for war and acting like you’re above the law? Sooner or later, you’ll lose your life in a war you've started. Enjoy your life, Viers, while you still can.”

Viers replied not with another contempt but with something more refined, something passive-aggressive.

“I will. And I hope you do too. For your sake.”

***

“You called for me?”

Viers approached Mita. The small woman hadn't stopped preparing for the Arte since Viers made an arms exhibition show, which was two hours ago. She was in a hurry because the Road of Silver had to be ready before the pursuers located them.

The others were preparing themselves for the showdown. They each had their own way. Planting traps, preparing Artes for later use, meditating, buffing themselves up, and so on. Viers was about to eat souls to temporarily raise his cultivation using Soulmight Celebration Arte but Mita sent a message.

The night was dark and dreary. Dawn was still hours away but none were in the mood for sleep. When Viers kidnapped Pinaca, it was night. Since then one thing led to another and here they were, Viers was acting together with the Church once again.

“You’ve really stirred up the hornet's nest, Viers,” Mita said with her back turned. The tip of her fingers glowed as they left trails of light in the air. It was a beautiful mandala-esque three-dimensional magic circle.

“Would me admitting I roped you guys into this make you feel better?”

Mita blurted a laugh. “Your ego, Viers, is ridiculously large and I find myself confused on how to handle it. Even in this situation, you’re having fun. Good. It means you are confident you will survive this.”

“...Fuh. I might simply be crazy,” Viers said while approaching until they were side by side.

Some might take it as an offense or lack of respect because one was a Level 4 but Mita paid it no mind.

“If only. It would make things easier…”

The Level 4 and the Level 3 didn't speak for a time.

“I fear for the lives of the people in the city. Are they controlled, or something else? As you put forward in the past, I suspect the blessing that they gave to the younglings is the cause. It is my failure to act that created this moment. If only I was paying more attention…”

Ah, good guys… So eager to blame themselves.

“Villains act and heroes react… It cannot be backward because the first attacker loses the moral high ground. Just like when two kids fight, the blame lies more on the one who hit first. You people always have it tough, don’t you?”

“You speak true…” Mita made a self-deprecating smile which Viers caught a glimpse of. “I lack the power to change this situation. Pathetically, I can only rely on my brothers and sisters of the Church. This is also the best hope for the people of Valkut.”

“Perhaps…” Viers replied with the night wind.

“...I need to ask you something. Take care of Rose and the others for me. Keep them safe for as long as you’re able.”

Viers raised an eyebrow, hearing the sudden request from the small-bodied Mita.

“Oi, oi, I’m your enemy you kn-”

“And if I become like Unem and the others, don't hesitate to strike me down.”

Mita looked into Viers’ eyes with a firm determination. She didn't ask Viers to lend his aid to Rose and the others if it was impossible because she understood Viers’ personality. She asked to help them if Viers was able.

And not for free, of course. She knew full well Viers wouldn't act without benefits.

Mita gave him a vial of water that was glistening like a crystal.

“Faith Water… Mita, you…”

Viers recognized that look in her eyes.

I see. She plans to…

“Fine, I promise you. Now you can go all out without regrets, right?”

“Apologies, but I need you to make an oath on your Intio,” Mita asked sheepishly.

“Ah, not trusting the words of a villain, are you? Wise. I, Viers Isuel, hereby swears- ”

He did not want to kill Mita as she was always good to him since the beginning but the promise was the price for the Faith Water so he made the Oath to strike her down.

But he made sure to include the phrase, ‘only if there is no other way’.

“...Thank you,” Mita said softly after Viers finished his Oath. “Faith Water is very versatile and can be used in many things. You should-”

Viers made a stop gesture with his hand. He knew what to do. Faith Water was one of the few things capable of raising a Pathseeker’s cultivation without drawbacks. When he was doing jobs for the cult at Luxore town, he had stolen Faith Water from the Church’s branch there.

The purity of that Faith Water was lower than the one Mita gave him. Mita’s Faith Water should be able to raise his cultivation by one small stage, from Level 3 low to mid. It was a godsend for this occasion. His chance of survival rose by a notch.

Higher purity Faith Water capable of raising cultivation of Level 4s and 5s existed but they were beyond difficult to produce.

Mita kept the Faith Water for emergencies. This was an emergency but she never dreamt of giving a unique Estellian Church treasure to an outsider, furthermore, he was a villain.

“A strange feeling, to be thanked by the person I vowed to kill. But I have to say you're really underestimating your disciple.”

“What do you mean?”

“When the time comes, you’ll know.”

Viers left it at that and took his leave.

The sooner he became stronger, the better.