Chapter 139
Chapter 139
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 139
Chapter Title: Visiting Guests
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"Who's here?"
Having patrolled the territory and inspected the construction sites before returning to the office.
Just as I was about to catch my breath in the office, Derbal entered and reported that a guest had arrived.
"A special envoy has been dispatched from the Raviter Empire."
'Those bastards came quickly.'
The empire's special envoy, faster than expected.
If the envoy demanded it, I'd have to return the prisoners I was putting to good use.
The promise I made in my name with the prisoners.
It had to be kept no matter what.
"Who is the envoy?"
"One of the empire's five great dukes, a man named Lubidium."
"A duke?"
'Ho~ They're coming on stronger than I thought.'
As the lord of Neruman, I was only a viscount, so given the empire's arrogance, I figured at best a count-level envoy would show up.
Yet one of the empire's top dukes had come.
"Where is he now?"
"In the reception room."
"Tell him to come up."
"Understood."
Even if it was an enemy nation, noble etiquette dictated that I, the lower-ranked one, should go to him—but I didn't.
You can't call the guy who stabbed you "big brother" just because he's older.
'It's about time they showed up.'
While waiting for the envoy, I was also waiting for another guest.
To craft the new Spear of Spirits, and for the high-grade magic stones needed throughout the lord's castle and territory, they were absolutely essential.
That's why, once the winter gale Kajov had quieted, I sent Lumikar to the Kesmir Kingdom.
Knock knock.
"Come in."
Creak.
The door to the old office opened, and Derbal entered with an elderly man.
'That guy's the empire's duke?'
An imperial duke should exude arrogant dignity, but this Lubidium duke had a kindly, next-door-grandpa vibe.
"Haha, welcome. You've come a long way."
Even as I spoke, I was startled by myself.
Still so young, yet the words coming out of my mouth were like those of an old-timer.
Without realizing it, I'd become a real lord.
"Heavens, I had no idea Neruman's master was such a young hero."
Lubidium exclaimed in admiration upon seeing me.
'A hundred-year-old ginger.'
Unlike his plain air plate armor, his eyes gleamed like jewels, this Duke Lubidium.
Even with a smile on his lips, I didn't let my guard down.
"Is His Imperial Majesty well?"
"Haha, you know full well he's not sleeping a wink thanks to you, yet you ask such a mischievous question."
A probing remark met with a master-level response from the duke.
Anyone else would have replied that he was well or safe out of respect for the emperor they served, but this ginger grandpa openly admitted the emperor couldn't sleep because of me.
"Oh dear, something unfortunate?"
But I wasn't one to back down either.
I responded with a genuinely concerned expression.
"It seems I can get straight to the point with you, no need to drag it out."
A master recognizes a master.
Duke Lubidium had sized me up as someone harboring a hundred sly foxes in his heart.
Heh.
A bold grin spread across his face.
"50 gold per regular soldier. 5,000 gold per surviving knight, 10,000 per mage."
The lines I'd prepared spilled from my mouth.
"Agreed."
"Gah!"
'What, what the hell?'
But after my words, he accepted without batting an eye, and I let out a strangled cry.
'Th-that's the empire for you.'
Over 10 million gold in total, yet he approved it like it was nothing.
"The payment will be in gold iron plaques issued by the continent's five great merchant guilds. That fine?"
"Uh... y-yes, of course."
The sudden blow left me stammering.
'Did I price it too low?'
Honestly, I'd expected him to haggle at this amount, and then I'd refuse, leading to that human touch in negotiation.
Even if the "goods" were people, money was money.
'Derbal's face says I didn't mess up.'
Derbal looked as shocked as I was.
In the face of the empire's massive generosity, I had to admit defeat in the deal.
"Then, one month from now, at the Havis Kingdom border."
"Haha, thanks for the business. Let's meet again sometime."
"...Allow me one word of advice to you."
The short deal wrapped up in an instant.
As Duke Lubidium turned to leave after the brief transaction.
His wise eyes fixed on me as he said he'd offer a word of advice.
"Speak."
I met his gaze calmly.
"The empire's true strength... is not the thousands of skynights or the million-strong army."
"..."
I waited silently for his next words.
"His Imperial Majesty... to us, he is no different from a god."
From the words of an imperial duke, advanced in both rank and age, I felt fear and awe toward the emperor.
'Hardbery von Raviter III...'
And one man's name came to mind.
"Thank you for the advice."
I bowed my head in gratitude.
"Business concluded, so I'll take my leave today. But we'll meet again soon, I suspect."
Even as an enemy, his demeanor conveyed that his emperor was no pushover.
The duke was no ordinary man either.
"Take care."
He surely hadn't come just to discuss prisoner exchange.
Sending such a shrewd man as envoy meant he was the emperor's spy to gauge me and Neruman.
No need for long talks.
With my farewell, the duke gave a slight bow and left.
'The emperor, huh...'
For a mere village lord of Neruman, these were formidable foes.
Vazran and the Raviter Empire's emperor.
"Heh..."
But I wasn't afraid.
After all, they were just humans like me, frequenting the toilet.
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'Impressive.'
I'd come with some intel on Neruman beforehand.
But Neruman had changed from the empire's reports.
Next to the rundown old city stood a castle under construction rivaling the imperial palace in scale. The outer walls were fully complete, and the wide road connecting to Denfos City stretched endlessly into the distance.
Everything embodied the boldness of Neruman's lord, Kaier, whom I'd just met.
'However... you don't know His Imperial Majesty's true face.'
Thinking of the emperor sent chills through my body.
No corner of the Raviter Empire escaped the emperor's reach.
Nobles and knights vanished without a sound.
Anyone voicing even a single complaint about the emperor disappeared one day, unknown to all.
The emperor's meticulous and ruthless nature, day and night.
And now, his blade was aimed.
At this place where a young lion cub named Neruman was growing...
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"Haha, come in."
"It's been a while, Lord Kaier."
After sending off Duke Lubidium, I was lost in thought over an inexplicable unease when the guest I'd awaited from the Kesmir pirates—no, kingdom—arrived as if by magic.
"You've grown even more beautiful since last we met."
"Hehe, thanks, even if it's empty flattery."
She was quite the vixen, but compared to the Lubidium I'd just met, Krisia was mere chicken blood.
Her healthy smile alone lifted my mood as she sat down.
"I've missed you."
"Oh my, I've missed you too, my lord."
'She's no pushover.'
Most women on this continent would startle at a man saying he missed them, but Krisia countered instantly.
She toyed with her glossy blue hair, flashing a seductive smile my way.
'A fox.'
Her look evoked the image of a gumiho that bewitches and devours men.
"You're amazing. Neruman grows so fiercely with every visit. Just last autumn, these buildings weren't here, and the Skywing Unit is packed with wyverns... Sigh, maybe I should marry you this time. No worries about starving for life, right?"
I knew she was bold, but not this blatant.
"Haha, I've got a spot open—interested? I'll reserve it for you."
"Really?"
'Huh, does this woman not get jokes?'
Krisia was a rare beauty.
Especially her sun-kissed skin from sea life, brimming with vitality.
But women were a no for me now.
I could barely handle what I had; no room for more.
"Just kidding. If a wretch like me took a beauty like you, Krisia, the Kesmir knights wouldn't stand for it."
"Pooey, what a letdown. I was seriously interested."
'Gah... what's with women these days?'
Krisia left me speechless.
Ignoring her heated gaze, I got to the point.
"Actually, I asked to see you for a favor."
"Go ahead."
She listened with an inscrutable smile.
"I want more magic stones."
"Oh my, you've used up all those already? That amount would last even a magic tower a year..."
Krisia seemed genuinely surprised.
"Price doesn't matter. High-grade, low-grade—I want them all."
"Hmm..."
At my words, Krisia looked troubled.
"That's exactly why I wanted to see you, my lord."
"Yes?"
Her sudden statement.
"She wants to see you."
Out of nowhere, "she."
"She... who...?"
"Her Imperial Majesty, the Empress of Hildrian, has formally invited Neruman's lord, Kaier."
"What? Th-the Empress of Hildrian?!"
TO BE CONTINUED