Royal Road of the Extra Scribe

39

I spent the afternoon with Erina and bid her farewell as the sun began to set.

“Already this late… It seems someone has arrived from the Helian Duchy as well.”

As if waiting for the conversation to end, Eo immediately appeared.

“Lord Alc. I came to meet you. The person requesting an audience has arrived, just as you predicted.”

Eo was holding a gray helmet for me to wear.

“Are you heading to the audience area right away?”

“Just wait a moment. I left my bag at the academy.”

There wasn’t anything significant in the bag’s contents, but leaving it now felt like I would lose it forever.

“Would you like me to ask Yumir to take care of it?”

“At this hour, Yumir won’t be at the academy. It won’t take long, so I’ll stop by. I’ll be back soon.”

“I’ll guard it.”

“I’m worried something might happen at the academy. I’ll stay here.”

Leaving Eo behind, I returned to the academy and headed straight to the classroom.

Considering the time, there were hardly any people in the academy.

“I hope the door isn’t locked.”

Fortunately, the door was not locked.

There were people in the classroom.

“…Huh?”

A burnt orange sunset was visible through the window. In stark contrast, the inside of the classroom was shrouded in deep darkness, exuding a rather eerie atmosphere.

By the window. More precisely, someone was sitting in my seat.

“Estelle…?”

Behind her was Yumir, who seemed to be observing Estelle’s expression with a puzzled look.

Estelle turned to face me.

At that moment, it felt like the air around us became heavier, as if some kind of magic had been cast.

“…You’ve arrived.”

“I didn’t go anywhere. What were you doing?”

“I was waiting for Alst to come back. I was sure… he was coming to find his bag.”

“Thanks to you, I survived. It would have been a hassle if the door was locked.”

Feeling something eerie, I tried to grab the bag and go back, but Thump! Estelle grabbed my arm.

Although it was a frail hand, I couldn’t move at all due to a strange chill.

“…Who are you?”

“Me?”

“That lady. What’s her connection to Alst?”

“What…?”

Deep eyes that seemed to gaze into the abyss. In those eyes, I felt a chilling intensity running down my spine.

It was similar to the dead eyes full of despair before receiving treatment, but unlike the helplessness back then, the current gaze was more intense than ever.

“She’s a friend. A friend from the academy I used to attend.”

“Come to think of it, Alst came from Julia Academy, right?”

“She’s from Gransel Academy, actually. There are various circumstances.”

“Are you in a relationship with that lady?”

“A relationship? Just friends. In fact, we haven’t met and talked that much.”

“Is that so? You’re not lying to me, are you? I dislike lies. Lies are not allowed. Please don’t lie. Just don’t lie to me.”

“I’m telling the truth.”

“Fine then!”

Estelle smiled as if to say when did that happen. Her eyes cleared up, and the heavy air lightened as if it were a lie.

She widened her eyes, looking out the window where the sun was setting.

“Oh, wait? When did the time…? What am I…?”

Estelle looked around the darkening room in confusion.

In a hurry, she grabbed her belongings and left the classroom.

“Well, then, Alst. See you when you return from your trip. I’ll tell you interesting stories from the journey, so look forward to it.”

From Noble mtl dot com

Only after she left could I breathe a sigh of relief.

“Phew! I almost lost it. Maybe I thought it could turn out like this, but…”

It made sense. There was no one else at the academy to rely on, so naturally, I ended up being fixated.

Even so, this level of intensity. Could she really be the daughter of a general?

“It’s better to keep a distance when one is sick.”

Once the illness is healed and new friends are made, it’s as if I won’t care about people like me anymore.

***

Wearing the helmet given by Eo, I headed towards the town hall located in the center of Reinfall.

Once used as a noble’s mansion, the building now served a role similar to a city hall.

In the main office of the building, Anton was there. And sitting there first was a middle-aged man with a well-groomed mustache.

“That man is clearly…”

One of the leaders of the Helian faction. Marquis Lindhardt.

Now that Marquis Milias has attached himself to the Salion faction, Lindhardt could be considered the prominent second-in-command.

“You’ve come.”

He narrowed his eyes at me, wearing the helmet.

“Do not engage in unnecessary actions. Alz Eilane.”

“Ha, understood. It makes breathing easier for me as well.”

Handing him the helmet, I sat across from Eo.

“So? What brings you here, Lord Lindhart?”

“I said not to engage in unnecessary actions. You must know why I am here.”

“Yet, isn’t it not my place to speak first? It is you who have come to propose a deal.”

“Hmph. Quite the cheeky lad. Yes, Mercenary Wade. I have come to propose a deal to you. The terms are as you expect. Lead the army and drive out the foreign invaders who are invading our territory.”

“Before hearing the terms of the deal, how many troops do I lead?”

“Regular army of 5,000. Quickly gathered conscripts would be around 15,000.”

“A total of 20,000… And the number of troops we would face?”

“At least over 30,000.”

“Is that the best you can do?”

“What?”

“I asked if 20,000 troops are the best you can offer. I said I would lead the army, not perform miracles.”

“Why, are you afraid? I thought a mercenary like Wade could easily overturn the odds of troop strength.”

“If this is a provocation, it won’t work. I’m not as bold as you think.”

Lindhart grumbled disapprovingly, stroking his mustache.

“It should be fine. What I want you to do is not to defeat the enemy, but to firmly guard a specific region.”

Pointing to a spot on the terrain map, Lindhart continued, “Sestes Crossroads.”

“Yes, one of the plains in the western region. You just need to guard that place.”

“Why here? Wouldn’t it be better to defend the Jumelt Gate? It allows for fortification.”

“But it allows the enemy to establish supply routes.”

“…Is that the plan?”

“Yes. That’s the plan.”

The essence of this defensive operation was to prevent the enemy from creating supply routes within Calipher’s territory.

If a supply route is established, it becomes the root of supply, leading to the construction of military fortresses.

In that case, without a doubt, the control of that territory will be snatched away by Albad.

‘On the other hand, by deploying defensive forces like this, it becomes difficult to establish supply routes.’

The enemy will have to create supply routes and build a new front line within their own territory.

This will make them feel pressed for time. The replenished Crossing could lead troops to support.

Therefore, from the enemy’s perspective, it was urgent to quickly establish supply routes and build military bases within Calipher. Even if Crossing came to support, they could gain tactical advantages.

Areas including Sestes Crossroads and the regions chosen as Helyan’s stronghold were crucial in cutting off those supply routes.

“You are determined not to concede anything to the enemy.”

“Yes, the Duke intends to prevent Albad and Mardon from gaining any advantage on our territory.”

“Still, isn’t this coming on too strong? I don’t see Calipher’s army having the strength to successfully execute such an operation.”

“That’s why I’m even lowering myself to ask favors from a cheeky fellow like you.”

“Lowering myself? Isn’t your attitude towards me rather disrespectful for that?”

“I was against this from the start. If you were a man born under Calipher’s grace, shouldn’t you have volunteered first without expecting anything in return?”

“If you demand patriotism, you seem to have misjudged the direction.”

“Hmph, so it seems. …Are you already in bed with Crossing?”

Linhart sneered at Anton and me in turn.

“A rat-like fellow.”

This provoked Eo’s anger.

“You! How dare you insult Lord Alz!”

“Calm down, Eo. I don’t feel insulted in the slightest.”

Acknowledging the connection with Crossing made it easier to converse from that angle.

Seeing my lack of hesitation, Linhart made a face like he had bitten into something sour.

“Why would the Duke deal with someone like this…?”

“Because there’s value in using each other. Isn’t it better for you folks if I align with the Salion faction rather than sticking with you?”

“There’s no room for such clumsy individuals.”

“Wasn’t it because of those clumsy individuals that the nation fell apart?”

“Hmph.”

“Shall we get to the point? What are the terms of the deal you bring?”

“100 million Silans. I’ll give 50 million as an advance.”

“I see.”

It’s enticing. Considering I received 40 million Silans from the Triad War, offering more than double.

“I decline.”

“…What?”

“I’m already sufficiently wealthy in monetary terms.”

If I had bluntly asked King Parain for support, I could have received much more money.

Moreover, with Anton becoming the chief administrator of Rainfall, indirectly managing Rainfall’s taxes, the sum amounted to nearly 100 million Silans each quarter.

“Well, that would be embezzlement if I used it.”

What I desired was beyond monetary gain.

“Give me Rainfall. I’m transferring the vacant lordship of Rainfall to my relative, Max Ilain Viscount. With the Salion faction weakened, it shouldn’t be difficult for you now, right?”

“You…! How dare you propose such a betrayal! Are you truly abandoning Calipha for Crossing?”

Linhart, sensing my intentions, stood up abruptly, ready to lash out.

This would prevent me from using my family as leverage. Given Rainfall’s location near the city’s borders, fleeing would be incredibly easy if things went awry.

“I don’t know what you’re thinking, but I simply requested the vacant lordship.”

“You despicable man!”

“Hmph, judging by your expression, you must have heard something from Duke Helian about that, right? It makes sense. From the moment I secured Rainfall as a stronghold, the intention was probably clear.”

“Argh!”

“So, what did Duke Helian say about these terms? Did he accept?”

“…He did.”

“As expected.”

They must have calculated on their end as well.

“Forgive my bluntness, but I have no intention of defecting to Crossing. However, that doesn’t mean I plan to be exploited by you. This Rainfall lordship matter is just insurance for that.”

Considering the diplomatic situation, the alliance between Calipha and Crossing is likely to last for over a decade.

Therefore, it’s probably a thought of not pushing me too hard to fully align with Crossing and instead aiming for a win-win situation.

“There’s no choice. The deal is done.”

“Yes. You’ve succeeded as much as hiring me.”

“What does that mean?”

“From now on, it’s my turn to propose a deal. It shouldn’t be a bad offer for you.”

“Let’s hear it.”

“First, to obtain the position of Lord of Rainfall, winning is an essential prerequisite, isn’t it?”

“Of course. Without a victory, such administrative tasks would be impossible.”

“Yes, so, for that victory, there’s something additional you need to pay.”

“What do you mean?”

“Pay 800 million silans. If you do that, I’ll arrange for 20,000 support troops from Crossing to come to you.”

“Crossing wouldn’t have the luxury to spare troops just to contain Beccabia, right? They can’t possibly conscript regular citizens either. Crossing wouldn’t take the agricultural crisis lightly.”

“According to the words of Jurass Family’s merchant, it’s not an entirely impossible task. Besides, there are many people in Crossing with special circumstances. Many are eager to escape their status as slaves.”

“…!”

“If you pay those slaves and hire them, you can gather around 20,000 troops. Of course, to do this, you’d need to persuade the Crossing authorities. It would be a loss for Crossing as well. I can handle that for you.”

“Can this be done within the timeframe?”

“Of course.”

“…….”

Linhardt closed his eyes tightly. He soon nodded his head.

“Agreed. However, the payment will be made to Crossing, not you. Through official diplomatic channels.”

“Do you think I might interfere in the process?”

“Yes.”

“It can’t be helped. Let’s proceed that way then.”

It was fortunate that the other party agreed, even if reluctantly.

It was all because back when he met Jurass, he had decided to utilize the slaves of the Kurabel Empire as soldiers and had already organized the support troops.

If Hellyan had rejected this, the 800 million silans deficit would have fallen entirely on Crossing’s side. More precisely, it might have been Jurass who had to bear it.

It wouldn’t have been bad to see Jurass crying over it.