Chapter 145
Chapter 145
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 145
Chapter Title: I'll Squeeze You Dry
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"Are the prepared documents sufficient?"
"As per your orders, my lord, we have perfectly compiled records of the Magic Tower branches' illicit dealings and tax evasions."
"Then, as of this moment, seize all buildings and assets of the Magic Tower branches. At the same time, arrest the mages!"
"Yes, sir!"
The Magic Tower branches that had looked down on me.
They must have found my single warning amusing, as they kept sending Lumicar to spread news of Neruman to the outside world.
And now, the time had come.
"Also, seal all borders. Do not allow mercenaries or anyone else into the territory without permission."
"Yes, sir!"
Not just the Magic Tower—I would control access for mercenaries and merchants as well.
We could maintain public order and exterminate monsters without mercenaries, and run the territory without merchants.
'Before they lock me out, I'll barricade the doors myself.'
I had given Rosiatte justification to defy the emperor.
The border dispute between Neruman territory and Habis Kingdom.
Tomorrow, while releasing the Raviter Empire's prisoner soldiers, I planned to stir up chaos at the border.
Of course, Poltbiran wouldn't believe it, but buying time for a while was all I needed.
"Execute this swiftly. And summon the head merchant of the Rubis Merchant Company."
"Yes, sir!"
Derbal and the other administrators shouted their affirmations from the office.
'Today, you're getting properly shaken down.'
All this time, I had bribed people to place all sorts of orders with the Magic Tower branches.
Unaware, the branches had stockpiled items secretly when orders flooded in from the Magic Tower.
They were worthless trinkets in my eyes, but reports confirmed the branches had amassed magic-related goods that could fetch a decent price on the market.
Enough to cover the territory's low-grade magic materials for the time being.
"Sir Derbal."
"Yes, my lord?"
I called back Derbal as he turned to leave.
"Move the dried salt to the front of the main gate."
"Understood, my lord."
Derbal answered without question, accustomed to my odd requests.
He bowed his head and exited.
Knock knock.
Shortly after, a knock came at the door.
"Come in."
Creak.
The office in the Foreign Sky Squadron's building, still in use since the mansion wasn't complete.
An old door opened, and a figure entered.
'Oh? That guy!'
The total head merchant Jamer was too busy, so a branch head merchant had led this trading expedition.
But the man entering the room was someone very familiar.
"Greetings to Viscount Kaiyer de Neruman."
"Haha, when did you go from branch manager to head merchant?"
"It's all thanks to you, my lord. Hehe."
Indeed.
The newcomer was Renkis, the Neruman branch manager once treated like an outcast by the Rubis Merchant Company.
"Congratulations."
"Thank you, my lord. I will never forget this grace, even in death."
Neruman had risen to a very important position in the Rubis Merchant Company.
It seemed they had promoted someone I knew.
'People should dream big, after all.'
It was partly luck meeting me well, but the branch manager's ability and foresight in trusting and following my words had played a part.
A place like the Rubis Merchant Company wouldn't appoint an incompetent to head merchant.
"There won't be any issues with the goods, right?"
"Of course not, my lord. We've brought only the finest. On the total head merchant's orders, we've even prepared pigs from the Indes Kingdom, renowned for their sturdiness and prolific litters."
Knowing my tastes, the Rubis Merchant Company had prepared top-quality goods.
I was pleased.
"You've done well."
"Oh, no, it's nothing of the sort, my lord."
It was a fair trade for money, but the words slipped out.
Without the Rubis Merchant Company, Neruman's development as an outcast would have been much slower.
"As I told the total head merchant, there will be no trades for a while aside from tomorrow's salt."
"We understand. Even without that, the total head merchant sends his regards. He said to stay healthy until we meet again."
"Haha. Convey the same to Total Head Merchant Jamer."
Jamer would know the board was like charging into fire with dynamite strapped to his body.
He had prepared thoroughly, but enemies beyond imagination lurked.
One moment of carelessness, and the carefully built tower could crumble.
★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★
Boom!
The Gauss Magic Tower branch in the city of Denfos.
Over the past month, sellers of monster blood and hides had surged, and sales of low-circle magic items had been quite profitable. Then, the branch's door was smashed.
"Wh-who is it!"
Mages sorting goods shouted furiously at the broken door.
Despite the lord of Neruman's warning, no further restrictions had followed, so they assumed the lord recognized the Magic Tower.
Thus, the mages knew no one in Denfos would dare touch them.
They glared angrily at the shattered door.
Thud thud thud thud thud thud thud.
"Huh?!"
But that lasted only a moment.
Dozens of knights in armor and heavily armed soldiers stormed in, turning the mages' faces pale.
"By order of the lord! Arrest all mages for defying his command, illicit trade, and tax evasion. Confiscate all assets and goods! Those who resist may be executed on the spot!"
"Yes, sir!"
The soldiers roared their affirmation in a chilling tone at the knight's command.
"Wh-what is the meaning of this? Illicit trade and tax evasion? The Magic Tower branches hold exemption privileges and tax immunity across all Bazran Empire territories. This absurd..."
The mage managing the Gauss Magic Tower branch parroted their rights like a parrot.
Step step.
The knight approached the mage.
"The lord here is Viscount Kaiyer de Neruman. His word supersedes all imperial law. In Neruman, the lord is god!"
The knight stood before the mage, exuding cold hostility.
Rooooaaarrrrr!
At that moment, wyverns roared powerfully from outside.
"Carry out the execution!"
The mages, terrified by the knight's icy tone.
Rustle rustle rustle.
Soldiers charged at the mages with mana restraints.
Yet none resisted.
They had momentarily forgotten Neruman's lord, Kaiyer.
As the knight said, in Neruman, he was no different from a god.
★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★
"You've all worked hard these past days."
Outside the main gate walls of Denfos Castle.
On the vast plain, Raviter Empire prisoner soldiers, who had toiled after capture, stood in formation, gazing at me.
'You're the only ones who'll return fatter than when you arrived as prisoners.'
The line seemed endless.
They numbered 180,000 on paper, but Derbal and the administrators had astoundingly coordinated them flawlessly for Neruman's construction.
Even with centurions, chiliarchs, and knights assigned, poor placement would have led to chaos.
But the administrators had executed my orders perfectly.
Lately, they were even selecting their own administrative aides to maximize efficiency.
"As I promised in my name, per the prisoner exchange agreement with the Raviter Empire, I will hand you over to the empire. You will begin moving today and leave Neruman in two days."
"..."
'What the? Aren't you happy? Why the long faces?'
I thought prisoners would rejoice at repatriation news.
No matter how well I treated them, it couldn't beat home.
But the prisoners' expressions were gloomy.
As if they didn't want to leave Neruman.
"And as promised, I will now pay you for your efforts over the past month plus. Before boarding the wagons, each soldier will receive 3 gold."
"..."
'Huh? Not even excited about money?'
I was paying more than promised, yet no joy.
"And finally, my request: I pray you never set foot in my territory of Neruman again. I earnestly ask that you not disrupt the Neruman built by your sweat."
Even if the Raviter Empire wasn't foolish, they wouldn't redeploy once-defeated soldiers.
Especially these, who had been treated so well they assimilated into Neruman.
They had no fight left.
"May the goddess Neran of mercy bless your futures..."
From the ramparts, I drew a holy sign in farewell.
They were enemies, but what sin did these soldiers bear?
Mere pawns obeying nobles.
I sincerely wished them safe return.
Plop.
'Hm?'
Plop plop.
Then it happened.
Some soldiers in formation suddenly knelt.
'W-what?'
Not just one or two.
One by one, then hundreds, no, thousands knelt.
"We wish to stay in Neruman! Please accept us, my lord!"
"Please accept us! My lord!"
Following one cry, the soldiers begged in unison to be taken in.
'Gasp!'
My head spun.
I expected thousands at most, but over 10,000 had defected by rough count.
They must have families in the Raviter Empire, yet they knelt, abandoning them for Neruman.
And not just them.
The rest, though not kneeling, watched enviously.
Their hearts seemed no different.
'Heh heh heh. What a jackpot!'
It was calculated goodwill.
I'd treated them no better than regular Neruman soldiers.
Yet it paid off big.
Over 10,000 elite troops.
With them alone, Neruman could hold off 100,000 using the terrain.
"My lord..."
Even Derbal beside me trembled.
He expected some defections, but not this many.
"Thank you... Your sincerity to me and Neruman today will be repaid someday. My soldiers!"
"Waaaaaaaahhhhhhhhh!!!!!!!!!"
"Long live Neruman!"
"Long live the lord!"
The prisoners sprang up, cheering as I accepted them.
'Long live! Long live!'
I cheered inwardly too.
Heaven's bonus for my virtuous life.
I gladly accepted.
★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★
"Sir Shailt, take over my role for a while."
".....!!"
Sir Shailt, summoned suddenly to the office.
He widened his eyes in shock at the request.
"Wh-what do you..."
"I must leave the territory urgently. A month at most, half a month at least. Disguise a wyvern as Bebeto and fly over Denfos once a day."
We had seized the spying Magic Tower branch, but enemy watchers remained.
The only way to fool them briefly was a stand-in for me and Bebeto.
"Sir Derbal, remember this matter concerns only you and key knights."
"Understood, my lord."
I roughly explained to my right-hand, Derbal.
The Haieldrian Empire's emperor, supplier of magic stones, threatened to cut them off if I didn't appear.
"We must deceive eyes for at least half a month, so keep that in mind."
"Yes, sir!"
Loyal Sir Shailt asked no more.
"Deploy the new defectors to Orak Castle and eastern patrols for now."
"As you command."
Their defection was heartfelt, but empire threats might sway them.
Only half had defected so far.
Until roots grew in Neruman, manage them strictly.
"Once all prisoners are gone, tightly control the borders. Strengthen patrols and capture all intruders. Kill resisters."
Further orders.
From now on, protect the territory rigorously.
With self-sufficiency established, no need to open up.
I wouldn't tolerate hyena-like mercenaries and greedy merchants roaming freely.
"Derbal."
"Yes, my lord?"
"How goes the selection of key cities in the territory?"
"As ordered, we're designating hub cities and attached small towns. In half a month, the outline will emerge."
I wanted it like Korea.
Provinces with central cities, then districts and neighborhoods for administration.
No sloppy continental-style management.
'I'm the biggest worry.'
Just now, a Lumicar arrived from Crisia.
Meet at the port airspace at sunset today.
"Prisoner transport done?"
"Sir Raiker just reported: prisoners reached the border."
"Good it ended well."
170,000 minus 10,000 defectors had left.
Via completed roads and wagons to Denfos-Habis border, swiftly.
"I've asked elves and dwarves to accelerate border fortress construction. Just make it sturdy—no long wait."
"Yes, sir!"
With roads complete, couldn't leave the border open.
As planned, build fortresses as the first defense line.
In 1-2 years, villages would sprout along roads—no enemies allowed even a step in.
'Sigh, can I really leave them?'
Derbal and Sir Shailt answered vigorously, but unease lingered.
If my absence leaked, would empires stay quiet?
Sky knights alone, without infantry, would raze Neruman.
Neruman had only elementary-level military might.
Like parents leaving children behind.
'Time to go.'
Twilight dusk filled the window.
Sign to depart.
'Haieldrian... wait. I'll squeeze you dry!'
Every moment away tied to Neruman's safety and growth.
Yet Haieldrian's empress summoned me.
She picked the wrong target.
I'd etch deep that I'm no pushover.
★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★
"Kuhuhuhuhuhu..."
Bazran Empire's capital.
Just a year ago, spring brought endless laughter from flower-drunk maids across the palace. Now, even blooming flowers brought no smiles.
Emperor Poltbiran, publicly called a rut-mad dog.
Boasting cruelty, he beheaded maids or servants on whim.
Pretty maids suffered constant violation.
Yet he laughed.
His birthday neared in days.
Empire nobles and neighboring kingdom envoys would surely attend.
But one defied his command.
"Rosiatte... you dare ignore me... kuhuhu."
A letter from Habis royal family.
Border unrest from Neruman-Raviter prisoner exchange prevented attendance.
Instead, a polite envoy with full rites; do not be angry—Princess Rosiatte's courteous missive.
Sensible folk would believe it.
Nobles' reckless campaigns weakened the kingdom, plus Loen Duchy rebellion and crisis.
All knew Habis barely breathed amid Neruman-Raviter clash.
Yet one ignored Habis's plight.
Emperor Poltbiran, twisted since ascension, fulfilling warped desires.
Madness and perversion gleamed in his eyes, fury now blazing.
Hatred for defying his edict.
It ignited into flames instantly.
"Silberon."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
Viscount Silberon, at life's power peak thanks to the emperor.
Recently knighted without merit, elevated to count unprecedentedly.
Now wielded power even dukes feared.
"That wench Rosiatte rejected my command. What now?"
Poltbiran called a princess "wench."
"Naturally, punish to uphold Your Majesty's dignity. Command me, and I'll fly now to capture that insolent wench alive."
Silberon professed loyalty, eager to lick the emperor's boots.
"Why do you think Habis, weaker than one legion, defies me?"
Half-mad, but childhood lessons endured.
Furious, yet analyzing per training.
"Seems they trust that man."
"That man being..."
Silberon wasn't dumb.
No fool could advise a mad crown prince to power.
"From my findings, Rosiatte and Neruman's lord Kaiyer are close. Reports say he personally resolved the Loen Duchy army issue."
"Ka... Kaiyer."
Poltbiran spat the name like hurling a fireball into flames, eyes wilder.
"Kuhuhuhu... Kaiyer, Kaiyer, KAIYER!!!!"
Clenching fists, repeating the name.
Thinking of him nearly burst his heart.
From trainee days, defying the empire's crown prince—himself.
He still remembered.
Those arrogant black eyes viewing him like a bug.
"Grind..."
Poltbiran gnashed teeth.
"Summon Duke Omer."
The emperor called for Duke Omer.
He thought he'd endured longer than expected.
Without killing that Kaiyer and the thorn-like imperial siblings there.