The Icy Gaze of the Second Legion Commander

How truly terrifying this was. This was Mofimod, a demigod-level expert, one of the Norachi Kingdom’s most formidable warriors, and its Second Legion Commander.

General Baro, whose gaze had just been swept by Mofimod’s, felt none of his usual authority. Instead, a steady stream of cold sweat trickled down his back.

He stood rigidly before Mofimod, head bowed, not daring to meet those piercing eyes.

“General Baro, I am merely here on His Majesty’s orders to participate in this charity event in Morgan City, co-hosted by the Bellan Merchant Guild and the Adventurers’ Guild.”

“My role today is simply as an envoy representing the royal family, not as the Kingdom’s Second Legion Commander. The highest-ranking official within Morgan City remains you, General Baro, so there is no need to be overly formal. Please, sit.”

Though Mofimod’s eyes were utterly unnerving, his voice, surprisingly, sounded remarkably amiable.

“Hahaha, it was my oversight. I’ve made a fool of myself, Lord Mofimod. You must understand, for someone like me, you are an idol to all of us soldiers of the Norachi Kingdom. So, meeting my idol has made me a little nervous, hahaha.”

General Baro slowly took a seat opposite Mofimod, using a lighthearted, almost jocular tone to ease the awkwardness of the moment.

Upon hearing General Baro’s words, Mofimod’s lips curled slightly into a faint smile. Yet, his perpetually cold eyes made the expression appear somewhat derisive.

Fortunately, General Baro had long heard tales of the Second Legion Commander. He knew that Mofimod wasn’t truly mocking him; it was simply the ferocity of his gaze that created such an impression.

Thus, despite a sudden lurch in his heart, General Baro managed to compose himself.

“By the way, Lord Mofimod, besides participating in this charity event, do you have any other matters to attend to in Morgan City? I would be pleased to make arrangements for you in advance.”

General Baro clasped his hands together, asking with a touch of cautious deference.

General Baro’s underground network made him practically an emperor within Morgan City. However, his greatest deficiency was a lack of supreme combat power.

Even with vast wealth and considerable influence, what General Baro truly craved was formidable strength. This was why, upon hearing Bo Aibiyi’s report about the divine artifact, he had been lenient and spared his life.

He had also become intensely interested in Domu, the demigod-level mercenary known as the “Silver Reaper.” General Baro knew that Domu was not merely a demigod-level expert, but a true demon god summoned into this world.

For this charity event, General Baro’s primary objective was to establish contact with Domu. He had even prepared a contingency plan for this very purpose.

However, the appearance of the Kingdom’s Second Legion Commander, Mofimod Rigles, was entirely unexpected. This terrifying man had, years ago, personally slain the “Northern War God,” the Third Prince of the Actica Empire.

The prince had already been a demigod-level expert at the time, revered as a legendary figure within Actica. Yet, this legendary powerhouse was cut down by Mofimod, who had only been a Saint-tier practitioner then, amidst an army of thousands.

Now, this fearsome man was far stronger than before. He even wielded a Holy Artifact: the Rotten Dragon Blade.

This legendary artifact, a plain grey longsword, was currently strapped to Mofimod’s waist. Likely, no one would recognize the ancient, unassuming blade as the Rotten Dragon Blade, a Holy Artifact rumored to grant its wielder eternal life.

“General Baro, His Majesty did instruct me on one matter, which I must thoroughly investigate,” Mofimod stated, his icy gaze fixed on General Baro, yet his voice remained strangely gentle.

“Lord Mofimod… I wonder… what matter did His Majesty instruct you on?” A cold dread washed over General Baro. ‘This is bad… Has His Majesty discovered my hidden secret? Is that why he sent the Second Legion Commander to Morgan City to investigate?’

General Baro responded with a forced smile, but a storm raged within his heart. If his secret were exposed now, he knew that even with all his power, he could not stop the man before him. ‘Too weak… I am still too weak… The demon god matter must be expedited… For the revival of my family… for the rise of my race… I cannot delay any longer.’

General Baro clenched his hands, striving to conceal his fear, and continued to smile as he spoke to Mofimod.

“General Baro, your heartbeat is thirty-four beats faster than a moment ago. You’ve become more nervous.”

Mofimod’s sharp eyes, like a wolf’s, seemed to lock onto General Baro, shattering his carefully composed demeanor with a single glance.

“No… that’s not it… Lord Mofimod, I… I am simply honored and excited to be able to offer my humble services to His Majesty, which is why I’m a little nervous…”

General Baro pulled a handkerchief from his breast pocket, wiping the beads of sweat from his forehead, his voice betraying his unease.

“Is that so? This matter is indeed related to you, General Baro, so please answer me truthfully.”

Mofimod’s eyes remained cold, but his tone held a hint of suspicion.

“I… will absolutely tell you everything I know…” General Baro lowered his head, feigning humility, but his mind raced, calculating how he might escape this man if his secret were truly at stake.

“His Majesty is very concerned about Her Royal Highness, the Princess. He also learned that the Princess has been working as a mercenary in Morgan City recently, and has likely maintained contact with you, General Baro, correct?”

Mofimod stared into General Baro’s eyes for a moment before speaking.

“Ah? Ha… Yes, Princess Soronna occasionally visits me, and I have always done my utmost to fulfill all of her requests!”

General Baro, who had been on the verge of collapse under Mofimod’s intense gaze, felt a surge of relief when he heard the question. A natural smile appeared on his face as he adjusted his posture.

“Furthermore, His Excellency the Prime Minister investigated Princess Soronna’s mission records. One mission, approximately half a month ago, involved investigating an unknown energy fluctuation in the center of the Velsen Forest. The mission was ostensibly issued by the royal palace, but no such mission was actually issued internally.”

“Do you happen to know the reason for this, General Baro?” Mofimod nodded after hearing General Baro’s reply, then posed another question.

“This…” General Baro hesitated. This matter was indeed related to him, but at this moment, he wasn’t sure whether he should explain.

“Please answer truthfully.” Seeing General Baro’s hesitation, Mofimod’s voice became slightly more serious.

“It was… Princess Soronna… who instructed me to issue that mission in the name of the royal palace… Although I didn’t quite understand her intentions…” General Baro revealed.

General Baro had been very surprised at the time, even suspecting whether Princess Soronna knew about Soron Nemost’s summoning of a demon god in the Velsen Forest. However, judging from her subsequent behavior, she did not appear to be aware, so he had not paid much attention to the matter.

“Hmm… I understand. Then, there is one last thing… Princess Soronna… has she… fallen in love?”

Upon hearing this answer, Mofimod’s expression changed for the first time. His brows furrowed slightly, and a subtle ripple appeared in his gaze. Nevertheless, he nodded, then raised his final question with a hint of hesitation.

“That… regarding Princess Soronna’s private life, I am not entirely certain… However, when she was with the mercenary group in the city, she was always accompanied by two Great Swordsman-tier mercenaries, one named Karl and the other Os.”

“I have met these two a few times, but judging from her attitude toward them, it does not seem like a romantic relationship. However… Princess Soronna has recently grown quite close to Lady Domu, the demigod-level mercenary known as the ‘Silver Reaper,’ who was invited to this charity event.”

“But I doubt they are in a romantic relationship, given that Lady Domu already has a child.” General Baro deliberately concealed part of the truth.

His intention was to use Princess Soronna’s closeness with Domu to instigate a conflict between Domu and Mofimod.

If they were to turn against each other, it would serve two purposes: first, he could observe the true power of this summoned demon god, and second, he might be able to eliminate the troublesome Mofimod.

General Baro had never considered the possibility of Domu losing.

After all, Domu was a true demon god, and the fact that she had even defeated the powerful, millennia-old Demon Lord Soron Nemost led General Baro to believe that she would not lose to anyone—except, of course, himself.

Sure enough, upon hearing that Princess Soronna was close to someone who already had a child, Mofimod suddenly emitted an extremely chilling aura. This aura not only permeated the room but was also felt by the servants and soldiers throughout the entire City Lord’s manor.

It was the power of [Weaklings, Retreat], a symbol of absolute strength that only demigod-level experts could unleash.

“Will Princess Soronna be attending this charity event today?” Mofimod’s eyes had now grown cold, and even his tone became unusually detached.

“Probably… probably not. Only Lady Domu should be attending today.” Though continuously pressured by the chilling aura, General Baro could still barely endure it.

“Is that so? Then I shall witness for myself whether the one who dares to approach the Norachi Kingdom’s Princess possesses comparable strength!”

Mofimod rose, one hand resting on the Rotten Dragon Blade at his waist. His cold gaze slowly shifted toward the window, and he spoke with a hint of anticipation.