Alucard, led by Effman, arrived at the palace of the Harald Kingdom, walking across the red carpet.
"So you’ve arrived, Alucard—no, the North Blue noble, Dracula D. Alucard," Cnut, seated on the throne, spoke as he saw Alucard.
Alucard looked at the person on the throne with a hint of surprise. It was indeed the first time someone had recognized the origin of his surname.
"There’s no need to elaborate on the surname. Just get to the point. Why did you summon me?" Alucard had no interest in what the surname represented, or what Cnut intended to convey.
Cnut, assuming Alucard disliked having his family background mentioned, didn’t press the issue and got straight to the point. "I am Harald Cnut, the one who hired you this time. As you probably know, our nation is currently at war with the Joris Kingdom. There’s a particular individual hindering our victory, and I want you to kill him."
Saying this, Cnut held up two fingers. "The remuneration: two hundred million Berries!"
Alucard’s expression flickered slightly. He hadn’t expected such a sum. Even in the New World, individuals with bounties exceeding two hundred million Berries were rare.
For Cnut to offer such a high price just to kill one person indicated that the target’s strength was extraordinary, and they were a significant threat to Cnut.
"The target’s name is Nelson Cahill, the primary enemy of our Harald Kingdom’s opposing nation," Cnut said, grinding his teeth as he uttered the name.
"Is that guy strong?" Alucard’s red eyes gleamed with a ferocious light as he asked excitedly.
"He won’t be any weaker than the pirates you’ve hunted so far," Cnut stated firmly.
"Interesting. I’ll take this job."
In a world primarily centered around pirates, such mercenary assignments were exceedingly rare for Alucard right now, and he found it quite intriguing.
"Effman, you’ll be responsible for sailing Alucard to the battlefield in the Joris Kingdom."
Just as Cnut was about to instruct Effman to lead the way, Alucard suddenly stopped him. Under the confused gazes of the ministers in the royal hall, he stated as a matter of course, "Hiring requires half the payment upfront. Didn’t you know that rule?"
Indeed, in the underworld, this was a rule for mercenary and assassin organizations, but no one had ever heard of pirate hunters having such a rule.
However, if an underworld organization could kill Cahill, why would Cnut go to such lengths to find Alucard for the job?
According to Alucard’s rule, he would demand a hundred million Berries upfront before even starting work—it was utterly preposterous.
Who knew if he would just take the money and run? He was an individual, not an organization.
Immediately, a minister stepped forward, angrily exclaiming, "What kind of joke is this?! How can we pay such a large sum upfront!?"
Alucard’s lips curved.
Cnut above him suddenly felt a sense of danger and raised a hand to stop the minister from speaking further. He said in a deep voice, "Someone, fetch one hundred million Berries."
"Your Majesty King Cnut!"
Seeing Cnut actually preparing the money, the ministers were shocked. Is this necessary? We have so many people here; there’s no need to be intimidated by one pirate hunter, is there?
"Truly worthy of being a king. Having your own unique insight is a good thing," Alucard chuckled, waiting calmly until someone presented a black briefcase, opened it before Alucard, revealing it filled with banknotes.
Alucard took the case and tossed it into the shadow behind him. This scene was the first time those present witnessed his ability.
Mercenaries were the type who worked for money, and Alucard didn’t dislike that.
The war was already ongoing.
Both countries were islands, so battles naturally took place at sea.
Sailing from the Harald Kingdom to the Joris Kingdom would take only two days with favorable winds, otherwise three to four days.
Both nations had previously launched offensives into each other’s territory. But last month, the Harald Kingdom gained the upper hand, launching a full-scale invasion of the Joris Kingdom.
However, this was not yet a victory.
Cahill, a formidable general, stood in their way, forcing all the Harald Kingdom troops to the coast, unable to advance further. And he was Alucard’s target.
The twenty-person squad accompanying Alucard on the same ship was merely to guide him and prevent him from escaping midway. Most of the royal army was already on the island.
After landing on the island, Effman said, "Alucard-san, please follow me to the military camp to speak."
Upon reaching the Harald Kingdom military camp, under the astonished gazes of numerous soldiers, Alucard casually found a chair and sat down.
Effman, acting as a commentator, announced to the assembled officers, "Pirate Hunter Alucard-san, personally sanctioned by His Majesty the King as reinforcement, is about to cut off the head of that damnable scoundrel, Nelson Cahill, the enemy who deserves ten thousand deaths, for our Harald Kingdom!"
Alucard smiled without a word.
The Harald Kingdom was the invading party, yet they described their opponent as deserving ten thousand deaths.
However, he felt no sympathy for the Joris Kingdom.
This world was just like that: no good or evil, only strength.
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