Chapter 144
Chapter 144
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 144
Chapter Title: What Do You Want to Do?
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"L-Lord."
Derbal, looking like he was about to sob with emotion.
As soon as I arrived at the open space of the salt pans on Bebeto, he greeted me with fervent passion.
'What’s with all this fuss over something like this. Ahem.'
It wasn’t just Derbal.
Armis and Isis, along with the territory’s important guests and knights, were all in attendance, plunged into a frenzy of emotion.
Endless salt pans strewn with white gems.
Everyone was excited by the sight of the enormous salt produced in a method unknown on the continent.
The pure color of the salt itself, incomparable to crude rock salt or boiled salt.
"Preparations?"
"Just give the order, and we’ll begin."
"Then let’s start."
"Yes, sir!"
Just as beads must be strung to become a treasure, salt must be gathered to be of use.
Over hundreds of sturdy soldiers stood ready today, holding wooden rakes for scooping salt instead of swords.
"Begin!"
Derbal shouted the vigorous order to start.
"Haaah!"
The soldiers’ long, resounding cry.
Grinding sounds.
With the cry, the soldiers energetically piled up salt using wooden rakes.
"Ooh...!"
"I-Is all that salt?!"
Salt heaping up thickly with every sweep of the soldiers’ rakes.
Whoosh. Whoosh.
Salty seawater swept along with the salt from the salt pans that weren’t fully dried.
It spat out white gems while raising pleasant foam.
'Heh heh heh. Money, money.'
I was still hungry.
The money earned through dwarves was astronomical, the trades with pirates brought massive profits, and the enemies who came to the territory gave me a windfall, but I was always starving.
The money earned this way was guiltless.
A valuable reward reaped from the sweat of me and the Neruman people.
It was more than worthy of praise.
"Brother Kayer, did you really make all that?"
Razsion, who had gone from promising prince of the Bazran Empire to my little brother.
He asked again, as if he couldn’t believe it.
"Of course. There is nothing in this world our lord cannot do."
Derbal, overdoing it.
As if I were a god—could I really do everything in the world?
"Truly astonishing. To so easily solve the mass production of salt, which magic couldn’t achieve..."
Isis looked at me with eyes sparkling in awe.
"A man overflowing with the blessings of wisdom."
Armis flashed white teeth even shinier than the salt and smiled at me.
'All this fuss over something like this.'
Not just them—the surrounding knights and soldiers all gazed at me with unified looks of respect.
"Sir Derbal, make sure to stack it all in the warehouses and let it drain properly."
"I’ve already given the orders, my lord."
Rumble.
Soldiers transferring the mountain-like piles of salt onto sturdy wooden carts with solid shovels.
They began moving it to the warehouses built throughout the salt pans.
'Good thing it’s going smoothly.'
The Rubis Merchant Group’s large caravan was due to arrive tomorrow.
Since the empires hadn’t officially blocked merchant travel yet, they could come.
'If this trade goes well, we’ll be set for a few years.'
The Rubis Merchant Group was coming with a large caravan this time.
Starting with over a thousand milk cows for the territory people’s health, plus pigs and sheep, various seeds, fabrics, and more.
They purchased goods that would allow the territory people to survive for years without trade.
'I’ll distribute at least ten or so milk cows per village and have them milked.'
There was plenty of idle land.
Pasturing cows and sheep there to get milk and meat would be perfect.
We’d supplied plenty of flour over the past year, but it still fell short of recommended nutrition.
'I need to distribute fruit trees on a large scale too.'
Among the spare land were gentle hills.
I planned to plant apples and various other fruit trees there.
'Just thinking about it fills me up.'
Thinking of prosperous Neruman filled my heart with abundance.
Seeds were densely sown on cleared land, salt production had begun, and wyverns numbered over two hundred in the territory.
I’d miss the prisoner soldiers when they left, but someday Neruman would be filled with elite troops.
As long as I didn’t abandon Neruman, it would surely happen.
'Wyverns from the Habis royal family?'
Amid my thoughts, a group of wyverns flying in from the Denfos direction.
They appeared with wyverns adorned with the royal banner of five spears and a shield.
'Rosiatte’s here too.'
Even though the rebellion was settled, she must still be busy, yet here she was, personally visiting Neruman.
Flutter.
Spotting me, the wyverns slowly flapped their wings and landed.
All eyes turned to the arrivals.
Click.
Rosiatte unfastened her safety harness and lightly dismounted to the ground.
She removed her helmet and approached me.
'Something up?'
Rosiatte looked tense, as if something was wrong.
"Greetings to the princess and prince."
Rosiatte paid respects to the familiar Isis and the little prince.
"Welcome, Lady Rosiatte."
Isis greeted her with a bright smile.
"Haha, welcome."
As lord, I welcomed Rosiatte.
"Is all that salt?"
She must have seen it clearly from the sky, yet she confirmed again.
"Yes, it is salt, Your Highness."
Derbal confirmed it was salt.
"Ah! What an incredible amount. To think such clear, transparent salt exists... astonishing."
Solar salt incomparable to boiled salt made by pouring seawater into pottery and burning firewood, or rock salt.
Rosiatte stared blankly at the growing salt mountain.
The inland Habis Kingdom likely had never seen so much salt.
"If you need it, I can supply the Habis Kingdom at a low price."
"Your words alone are thanks enough."
Ally kingdom Habis.
Neruman’s sole gateway to communicate with the continent.
"Sir Derbal, don’t we have anything prepared for this auspicious day?"
The knights and guests gathered after so long.
I couldn’t just send them off.
No, my body was itching.
"We’ve prepared a modest celebration."
Derbal, perfect match.
As Neruman’s lady of the house, she showed no shortcomings.
"Hahaha. Then lead the way. A good day like this can’t be without a drink."
"Heh heh. Of course. We did morning patrols, so let’s properly relax today."
Raiker, always leading when it came to fun.
His eyes lit up at the mention of drinks.
"Hmph, when did you ever patrol?"
"What are you saying? I took down two orcs flying here. If that’s not patrol, what is? I’ve more than earned my keep today."
"You’re so full of yourself."
Raiker and Jenis bickering.
They fought like they’d devour each other every day, yet never parted.
'Are they dating or something?'
Jenis, like a nagging mother-in-law, suited the playboy Raiker well.
It looked like they’d grown fond through fighting.
'But really, what’s going on? Why so gloomy.'
Rosiatte, wearing a dark expression.
An ominous aura peeked from her.
★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★
"You found the crown prince?"
"Yes, Your Majesty. I apologize for only now easing your worries."
"Hoh, for that personality of his to still be alive after all this—impressive."
"..."
A man speaking of the crown prince’s survival like chit-chat about the neighbor’s son.
Just into his early fifties.
Plump face, blue curly hair half-bald with a shining forehead, eyes twinkling with mischief.
Ruler of the Ofern Empire, overlord of the southern continent, standing shoulder-to-shoulder with the northern continent’s two empires.
Emperor Rubert von Ofern III.
At news of the crown prince, he showed more surprise at his survival than joy.
"Y-Your Majesty. Still, His Highness the Crown Prince is the one to lead the next generation of the empire—such words..."
The man sweating coldly at the eccentric emperor’s remark.
The emperor’s friend and Ofern Empire’s strongest, rumored to be a Blade Master or beyond, and the crown prince’s swordmaster tutor, Duke Yarbaizon.
"What words? He said he’d survive five years on the continent first, so he did. What’s my crime? The guy who lounged in the palace fondling palace maids’ rears ran off after one word from his father? Sheesh..."
Even to a duke and friend, Emperor Rubert spewed words unfit for an emperor.
Thinking of his runaway crown prince made him smack his lips in anger.
"It’s because he inherited Your Majesty’s blood, isn’t it? Didn’t Your Majesty go on a beauty expedition(?) to the Iraqts Empire with me in your youth..."
"W-When did I? And what beauty expedition? It was a fact-finding trip to the eastern continent’s Iraqts, risking danger at Silphir."
The Ofern emperor stammered at Duke Yarbaizon’s remark, who knew more than expected.
"Ahem. True as it may be... Don’t you remember how many romances you made touring Iraqts Empire and Dobes Kingdom? The eldest daughter of Count Piarias of Iraqts, the twin sisters of Viscount Antimioson, and the young widow of Duke Tepiarn..."
"Shh! Yarbaizon, what’s with you today? What if the empress hears?"
Rubert paled as fingers counted off the women’s names.
Duke Yarbaizon smirked invisibly at the sight.
"Wouldn’t it be best to forgive His Highness now? The northern continent is unsettled, they say. Especially where he is—several major battles have occurred."
Yarbaizon raised the sole legitimate crown prince of Ofern’s safety.
He truly worried for the crown prince he’d raised like his own son.
"What is he doing?"
Sensing gravity from the duke who never lied, the emperor asked what he was up to.
"They say he’s a Sky Knight in a dangerous northern territory."
"Sky Knight? Who could be his lord? The guy won’t even bow his stiff neck before me..."
Emperor Rubert marveled that the crown prince, who thought the world held only women and himself, had become someone’s Sky Knight.
"It’s the one I reported to Your Majesty recently."
"To me?"
"Yes. The one who repelled two legions of Rabiter with his territory’s forces alone."
"Ah..."
The emperor groaned at the duke’s words.
He remembered.
The true master of the northern continent’s Rabiter Empire, which even fearless Ofern hesitated to face.
The legendary hero who drove off two legions with mere territory troops.
"Count Kayer de Neruman—His Highness resides under him."
The name of Count Kayer, resounding even to the southern continent.
Duke Yarbaizon cautiously let the name slip.
"Kayer de Neruman... I’d like to meet him someday. To hold such charm that he keeps that guy..."
The mischief vanished from Rubert’s eyes, now gleaming with curiosity.
"What will Your Majesty do? If you command now, I’ll bring His Highness."
The empire’s might to mobilize over a thousand wyverns for the crown prince.
Duke Yarbaizon awaited the emperor’s order.
"No need. He’ll come when the time’s right. Let’s wait leisurely till then."
"But it’s too dangerous. Reports say not just Rabiter Empire, but Bazran Empire, nay—even temples and merchants target Neruman. If something happens to His Highness in such peril..."
The duke couldn’t continue.
"Yarbaizon."
The emperor quietly called the duke’s name.
"Command me."
"Trust the crown prince. He’s the strongest lion cub in imperial history."
The lion-like emperor Rubert quietly showed faith in his cub.
"I receive Your Majesty’s command."
The duke bowed at the emperor’s word.
He worried, but knew it too.
The empire’s youngest Blade Master, though still immature.
He could surely fend for himself...
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"Kyaa, the world’s full of beauties, but never have my eyes been this happy. Isis Princess, noble as a lily; Saintess Armis, epitome of purity; Rosiatte Princess, flower of the north... And Countess Irene? So alluring. Life’s worth living these days."
At the modest outdoor celebration Derbal prepared.
Oblivious Raiker chugged his drink, babbling nonsense.
'What’s that ghost doing, not dragging this guy off?'
The more I saw, the more wondrous.
Even as a rough mercenary, to casually discuss beauties before royalty.
Nearing thirty, yet far from maturity.
"Our lord’s capable too, right? Doesn’t look handsomer than me no matter how I see..."
"S-Sir Raiker, how can you say..."
"Sigh, here we go again."
Everyone immune to Raiker’s talk now, but Derbal frowned, Jenis shook her head.
'If not for that spirit of his.'
Raiker, great help in my hardships.
Using Neruman Mercenary Guild chief’s power, he brought mercenaries and turned them into territory troops.
In battles, charging without sparing life, a model for other knights.
Except that mouth and lechery.
'Wonder who his father is. Must’ve grinned proud at birthing such a son.'
Surely Raiker’s father shared that libertine mindset.
"Lady Rosiatte."
"Y-Yes?"
Even at the celebration, Rosiatte frowned slightly, lost in thought.
She startled at my call.
"Care to talk with me a moment?"
"Y-Yes..."
She’d come to see me, so I spoke first.
"I’ll step away to talk with Lady Rosiatte."
I excused myself from the guests and knights eating now-official feast item, pork belly.
"After you."
I led Rosiatte to the embankment crossing salt pans and sea.
No matter how busy, I couldn’t ignore a woman lost in sorrow.
Moreover, Rosiatte and I shared deep ties.
Coldly treating someone come in need didn’t suit me.
Step step.
We walked the embankment overlooking sea and salt pans under everyone’s gazes.
Swish.
Spring breeze rippled over waves toward us.
"What’s wrong?"
I asked, gazing at waves crashing before me, foaming.
"Hoo..."
Rosiatte sighed long instead of answering.
I waited quietly.
Seemed a difficult tale; she didn’t open easily.
"Sorry. Making you worry for nothing."
Rosiatte apologized.
"It’s fine. Even without you, fate won’t let you live easy. No need to fret."
I spoke sincerely.
Gods living to torment me, me living to spite those gods.
Carefree peace every day would be weirder.
"The emperor sent a letter."
'Emperor? Poltbiran?'
That wastrel’s name sprang up at "emperor."
"On the first day of Romero’s season, an invitation to the imperial birthday party."
Rosiatte revealed the letter’s content.
Worry oozed even as she spoke.
'That punk thinks he’s something, summoning busy folk.'
Obvious without seeing.
Now emperor, Poltbiran itching for debauchery.
No way he’d leave pretty Rosiatte be.
"I... don’t know what to do. Kingdom’s still weak to defy imperial order... but obeying the emperor..."
Rosiatte trailed off.
"What do you want to do?"
I gazed at her with a soft smile.
Her blue diamond eyes fluttered under my gaze.
"I-I..."
Her cute red lips quivered, then stopped.
'Why so tormented.'
Rosiatte embodied the weak’s plight.
Pity stung my heart.
Her violet scent rode the wind, piercing my soul.
"Do as you wish. I’ll help."
All I could give the trembling woman.
"Sniff..."
Tears she’d held burst as words ended; she bit her lip.
Slide.
My hand naturally reached her sobbing shoulder.
Rustle.
Her slender frame nestled into my arms as if waiting.
Whoosh—Rosiatte’s wavy long golden hair fluttered in wind, tickling my face.
"Sob sob... Th-thank you..."
Buried in my chest, she confessed gratitude through tears.
Air Plate blocked most, but her heartbeat resounded in mine.
'Sigh, what to do with that mad dog.'
Making such a good woman cry—a villain.
Tyrant harassing kingdoms with piddling power.
If before me, I’d slap him silly.
'No escape now.'
Couldn’t ignore her tears, lent shoulder—but location was wrong.
Embankment fully visible from everywhere.
Hundreds of gazes warmed on us.
But I shut all senses.
This moment, Rosiatte needed my chest corner, not their stares.