The Returned Lord Is a Genius of Gun Law - Chapter 1

chapter 1

The Returning Lord is a Gun Law Genius – Episode 1

The Returning Lord: GUN Law Genius Episode 1

Episode 1

“Are you out of your mind?”

Brandon Steel, one of the biggest players in the mercenary world and CEO of Iron Gate, a top-tier Private Military Company (PMC), stared at the man across from him with an expression of utter disbelief.

The reason for his reaction was the single sheet of paper the man had placed on his desk:

Resignation Letter

In an industry where dozens of people are hired, fired, or killed every day, this wasn’t exactly a rare occurrence. But there was a problem.

“I just appointed you as Training Team Leader yesterday. And now you’re submitting your resignation?”

This position, relatively safe from the life-or-death dangers of the industry, was responsible for overseeing all employee training. It was a role that would normally require a proven record of combat success.

The position of Training Team Leader was one of the most crucial and fiercely competitive in the company. Since its founding, no one had ever resigned from it. Brandon couldn’t help but stare at the man across the desk with a bewildered expression.

“I figured it was better to submit it now than later.”

Yet, the man, Yoo Jin, showed no trace of regret. His resolve seemed unshakable, his expression resolute.

Watching him, Brandon pressed his hand to his forehead and asked, “What on earth could a mercenary with your experience be lacking?”

“……”

“I know your body isn’t what it used to be due to your injuries, but considering your combat career, you could still excel as Training Team Leader.”

“……”

“You know it’s unlikely you’ll be able to return to combat as a fighter. For mercenaries like us, finding ordinary work in society isn’t easy.”

“……”

“Think about it again. Why turn down a position others would kill to get? If money’s the issue, we can adjust the compensation. Take this back.”

With that, Brandon pushed the resignation letter on his desk toward Eugene.

As the company president, he saw the mercenary before him, despite his injuries, as a valuable asset worth retaining.

100% mission success rate. Frankly, that’s an impossible number for a human. Especially against those monsters.

Since the Great War, the mercenary market had grown steadily each year, fueled by an increase in limited engagements in hard-to-access areas, including those beyond the Gates.

In this era of growth, where the company’s position was improving day by day, an exceptional mercenary and instructor like Eugene was, quite literally, a treasure to the company.

It wasn’t for nothing that Brandon was trying to keep Eugene at the company.

However.

“I’m sorry.”

He couldn’t break Eugene’s resolve.

“…I understand. If that’s how you feel, there’s nothing I can do.”

Realizing Eugene wouldn’t change his mind, Brandon sighed, retrieved the resignation letter he had offered earlier, and spoke.

“Alright then. What do you plan to do outside? It won’t be easy for someone like you to find ordinary work, you know.”

“I’m going back to my hometown.”

“Huh?”

Brandon looked puzzled by Yujin’s swift, almost rehearsed answer.

It was understandable.

“Your hometown… weren’t you raised in an orphanage?”

As far as he knew, Yujin had no hometown to return to.

To be precise, he’d been left at the orphanage so young that he didn’t even know where his hometown was.

“I found out recently.”

“…That’s good to hear. So, where are you going?”

Yujin answered briefly, still looking at his CEO with a slightly disappointed expression.

“To Amyr.”

Amyr.

The word referred to the second dimension beyond the gate that had opened forty years ago.

Seongsan-eup, Seogwipo City, Eunpyeong-ri.

On this land, once designated for the second Jeju Airport, now stands a massive building of similar purpose:

Amyr-Seogwipo Gate Terminal

This is the only gate terminal in Korea among the dozens of Amyr Continent gates open across the globe.

Inside, the terminal buzzed with activity, teeming with people. Among them stood Yu Jin.

No, that wasn’t his name anymore.

“Passport check, please. Hmm… Baron Eugene Crocus?”

Baron Eugene Crocus of the Amyr Empire.

That was the new name and identity Eugene had acquired upon discovering his roots.

Nod.

When Yujin silently nodded, the immigration officer at the terminal adopted a slightly more cautious demeanor than before.

“You’ve had your Amir Empire citizenship and title restored through the Luxembourg Accords, I see.”

“…”

“Are the items you’re bringing with you personal belongings?”

“…”

“Very well. According to the Accords, security checks will be waived. And…”

The officer, unfazed by Yujin’s silent nods instead of verbal responses, slid a document across the desk.

“In accordance with the Accords, upon arrival in Amir, all your Korean citizenship, real estate, bonds, and other assets will be forfeited, excluding personal belongings. If you agree, please sign here.”

“…”

The officer pointed to the blank signature line on the document. As always, Eugene nodded and, with an impassive expression, picked up the pen and signed.

Though he had lived as a Korean for over twenty years, Eugene no longer held any lingering attachments to Korea or Earth. He had already converted his meager assets into precious metals and packed them in his duffel bag.

Unless something unexpected occurred, Eugene would likely never return to Earth or Korea.

Swish

After signing, Eugene handed the document back to the officer. The officer verified his signature and nodded.

“Confirmed. All exit procedures are complete. Please use the yellow exclusive entrance lane on the left.”

“……”

“We wish you safe travels.”

When told the inspection was complete, Yujin nodded, slung his large duffel bag over his shoulder, and followed the staff member through the yellow entrance toward the gate.

It’s quiet.

He walked slowly through the corridor, which was neither long nor short, and found no one else in sight.

Before long, his destination appeared before him.

Whoosh!

It was the gate to the second dimension, the continent of Amir.

Unlike a typical door, it resembled a jaggedly torn rift in space.

Even though it was morning, a considerable number of people were passing through the gate.

“Phew.”

Standing before the gate, Yujin took a deep breath.

He had passed through such gates many times during his mercenary days, but this time it held a completely different meaning.

Home… I guess.

Home.

The word “parents” had always been meaningless to Eugene, who had lived his entire life without knowing who they were.

If not for the Luxembourg Agreement, ratified at last year’s Dimensional Conference, which allowed the Amirs’ dragons to cast a global search spell, Eugene would likely have never known he had a home to return to.

Baron Crocus’s territory, right?

This was Eugene’s homeland, the place where he, as the heir to the Crocus baronial family, claimed rightful ownership.

Though he knew nothing more about it than that it lay somewhere within the Amir Empire, that was enough.

Well then, time to go.

With his decision made, Eugene turned and walked toward the gate.

Unlike an airport, the gate allowed passage anytime after initial processing. Standing before it, Eugene glanced up at the white, split rift in the dimensional fabric, then stepped through.

Flash!

A blinding white light instantly filled Eugene’s vision.

“I’ve arrived.”

After drifting through the space between the gates for what felt like a long time—about five minutes—Eugene suddenly sensed he was nearing the world beyond the dimensional barrier.

Unlike the polluted, heavy, and stifling air of Earth, a refreshing and light breeze flowed down his throat.

Swoosh!

As he exited the gate, Eugene’s vision cleared, revealing the world beyond the dimensional barrier.

“Amir.”

The capital of the Amir Empire, and the city where Eugene would be staying for the time being.

“It’s always a unique place.”

As Eugene surveyed the distinctive landscape outside the terminal—a blend of medieval, modern, and contemporary Earth—

Clack-clack.

Someone approached him.

The man wore a suit common on Earth, but his monocle over his left eye and the flame-shaped brooch on his chest gave him an attire not easily found on Earth.

“Are you Baron Eugene Crocus?”

“…”

Eugene nodded at the man who stopped before him.

The man bowed and introduced himself. “I am Albes, from the Imperial Noble Bureau. I sincerely welcome your return, Baron.”

“…”

The name wasn’t unfamiliar. It belonged to the department that managed the empire’s numerous nobles. Since engaging with nobles was essential for carrying out missions in the empire, it was one of the terms he had to know.

“According to the treaty, you have regained your status as an imperial noble. However, you likely remain unfamiliar with the rights and responsibilities of nobility, as well as other necessary knowledge.”

“…”

“My role is to provide you with the minimum knowledge about nobles and their territories, and to ensure your comfort during your stay.”

Having finished speaking, Albes smiled at Eugene.

After spending several days in Amier, where he acquired a basic understanding of the nobility, the Empire, and the world, as well as the Barony of Crocus, Eugene finally set out for his homeland.

As he sat in the carriage heading toward the barony, Eugene recalled the words of Albes, who had been teaching him:

“The Barony of Crocus has been managed by the Noble Council for three years since the death of the previous Baron, as no heir from the Crocus family has emerged. If it had remained under their control for another year or two, it would have become a direct imperial territory or been transferred to another noble house. For the Baron, this is fortunate.”

“Perhaps I could have met my father…”

Of course, it was a futile thought.

After all, if not for the Luxembourg Accord, he would never have even known of his father’s existence.

Still, I should at least be able to hear some stories.

People who knew his father, the previous Baron, likely still remained in the territory. They would probably possess information about his father.

Just as Eugene was lost in thought,

Screech!

The carriage came to a halt with a jarring noise, jolting him out of his reverie.

Immediately, the imperial knight in the driver’s seat opened the carriage door and bowed respectfully to Eugene.

“My Lord, we have arrived at Baron Crocus’s territory.”

“……”

Eugene nodded, slung the duffel bag he had brought from Earth over his shoulder, and stepped out of the carriage.

Then, his eyes fell upon the people lined up in front of the square.

The territory’s retainers, perhaps.

They had likely gathered here after hearing in advance of his arrival.

The people who had been with his father, a man he had never even met, were gathered there.

Yujin watched them with a hint of curiosity.

Then,

“Yujin… Yujin, young master!”

The oldest-looking man among them rushed forward, calling out Yujin’s name.

Wham!

“We always believed that one day, one day, you would return and restore the prosperity of our domain!”

Yujin silently looked down at the old man, who was weeping while clinging to him, then turned his gaze to the others.

Things must be bad.

Every one of them was armed with swords and clad in metal armor, looking as if they were ready to wage war at any moment.

In the end, I’ll have to use this.

Feeling the heavy weight of the duffel bag pressing down on his shoulder, Yujin’s eyes lit up.