Chapter 53
Chapter 53
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 53
Chapter Title: An Unexpected Deal
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"Yes, yes!"
"H-How did that happen..."
"Wow! My lord, that's amazing!"
"Hmm..."
As I explained the terms of the deal with the pirates, four different exclamations echoed through the office.
And how could they not be surprised? Holy water, which still wasn't all that useful, had suddenly become a massive haul exceeding ten million gold.
"Won't that be dangerous? If word gets out to the Empire that we've made a deal with pirates, it could get messy."
Jeniss wore a cautious expression.
"Messy? Hell, what have those bastards ever done for us? If push comes to shove, we'll just declare independence."
He seemed to have quite the grudge against the Bazran Empire, practically spitting fire.
"It would be best to handle this quietly. Not just Count Yaiks, but the people here won't take kindly to dealings with pirates either."
"I agree. Better if no one finds out about this."
"So, how shall we proceed?"
"We'll load it into covered wagons and move it to the harbor at night. The soldiers who were guarding the place all fled to Denfos when the pirates showed up, so it should be fine."
Those cowardly soldiers who ran at the mere sight of pirates after who knows how many beatings they'd taken.
If they fell into my hands, I'd whip them into shape.
"But can we trust those guys?"
Berkes, Jeniss's Sky Knight, voiced doubts about trusting the pirates.
"Of course not. That's why you'll be on emergency duty with me tonight. And gather some reliable soldiers. They'll handle the exchange."
"Understood!"
I'm no fool—how could I trust those credit risks with no collateral?
"My lord, there's an urgent matter that needs handling."
Once the bartering details with the pirates wrapped up, Derbal shoved a stack of documents my way.
"The 4,000 private soldiers under Viscount Lukens have been bound as prisoners. Baron Jeniss's men are watching them for now, but we can't hold them forever. The knights are especially tricky. Unlike the regular soldiers, they can wield mana, and their loyalty to Viscount Lukens runs deep."
*Sigh, already swamped with work.*
I'd half-expected this after the nonstop forced marches.
But orders had to be given.
After all, I was the highest authority here.
"Seal the mana holes of any knights who actively cooperated with Viscount Lukens. At the same time, detain the soldiers guilty of heinous crimes. Turn them all into slaves. As for the captured soldiers who wish to return home, let them go. The rest will join Baron Jeniss's forces and form new units according to Imperial military structure."
"Understood!"
In this official setting, the knights placed their right hands over their hearts and acknowledged the command.
"Sir Jeniss, what are the current wages for the private soldiers?"
"Standard infantry get 1 gold per month. Knights receive 50 gold, and Sky Knights 1,000 gold."
"I assume Viscount Lukens's men were paid similarly?"
"Most likely."
*Beyond wages, factor in food, lodging, and supplies at 2 gold per man... That's a fixed minimum of 500,000 gold a month.*
Yaiks's men from the Neruman Plains: 20,000. Lukens Viscount and Jeniss Baron's combined: about 5,000. Mercenaries: roughly 1,000.
Not even a month since arriving, and I was commanding a massive army.
*What an imbalance.*
I hadn't investigated in detail yet, but this vast Neruman territory probably didn't have more than 500,000 people.
25,000 soldiers for 500,000 souls was an insane number.
Having the strongest men tied up in the military was a waste.
*I need to train elite troops. Send the rest back to villages as reserves...*
My mind raced.
A pure Korean kid from 21st-century South Korea, but drawing on the Romance of the Three Kingdoms, Water Margin, and all the history knowledge I'd devoured from my favorites, I sorted it out quickly.
*The real issue isn't regular soldiers—it's how many wyverns we can secure.*
Even the most fearless monsters tucked tail at the apex predator of the food chain: wyverns.
Nothing countered them like another wyvern.
*As Derbal said, we desperately need help from the Magic Tower and the Temple. And to upgrade the outdated facilities and defenses... Whew.*
My whirring brain paused there.
The territory and population were too vast for me alone.
In elementary and middle school, my only official titles were a few class presidencies—this was way too big.
*I need experts in administration, judiciary, military, and economy.*
The military structure could be handled by those here, but economy and administration were real problems.
"You all must be tired. Take a break until afternoon. I need some rest too."
"Heh heh. Damn right. My whole body's sore—I could use a drink and a hot soak."
"Then we'll take our leave."
Liker, whose head was always filled with food and fun, had a gleam in his eyes at the thought of booze.
Jeniss and the others filed out of the office.
*Managing a huge territory... Can I really pull this off?*
With a heavy heart, I gazed out the office window.
Mercenaries lounging freely across the Skywing Camp, kids darting happily between them.
A lively spring vibe spread through the camp like a contagion.
*Whew...*
But a sigh escaped instead of a smile.
Back in Korea, I'd be my age—memorizing math formulas with kids, scarfing lunch in class.
Now, the Neruman Plains and countless lives were in my hands.
The unbelievable reality made my chest tighten.
It didn't feel real that the people's fates now hinged on my decisions.
*Lord...*
The weight of the title "lord" enveloped me.
Though the beginning was humble, my paradise would one day flourish.
The grand opening was imminent.
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*It's about time.*
As dusk fell, we mobilized ten tent-covered wagons and loaded the holy water from the hangar used as a warehouse.
To keep it secret, we used 100 tight-lipped soldiers.
In truth, they didn't even know it was holy water—just following orders.
The harbor pier, still deserted after the pirates scared everyone off.
Under the protection of Jeniss and the Sky Knights circling overhead, I awaited Chrisia.
*Here they come!*
Far off, a dozen wyverns appeared under the bright moonlight.
Unthreatening, they carried large bundles in their talons.
*Ho, that's how they transport goods.*
I'd expected ships, but wyverns hauling cargo was impressive.
Kuooooo!
At their arrival, Bebeto—who'd eaten a cow for dinner and was dozing with a full belly—let out a low rumble.
Kioooo!
Bebeto's deep, masculine cry was answered immediately by a wyvern in high-pitched tones.
Like secretive lovers cooing at the neighborhood mill.
*Showing off, huh.*
Amid the tension from the pirate wyverns, these two put on a flirtatious display.
Human anxiety meant nothing to them.
Flap flap flappity.
One wyvern landed beside me.
Under the moonlight gleamed a white wyvern with golden polka dots—and its rider, Chrisia.
Whoosh.
As the wyvern touched down, Chrisia lightly leaped to the ground.
No battle gear; she wore form-fitting black leather.
*Wheee! What a killer figure!*
I whistled involuntarily.
Chrisia's curves, hidden by her air plate before, were a work of art.
Near 170 cm tall, with long sea-blue hair evoking mystery.
Her voluptuous body—full where it should be, slim where it counted—set my young(?) heart ablaze.
*Exotic beauty, they call it.*
Her sun-kissed, taut skin glowed under the moon's light.
The smile playing on her lips was utterly seductive.
"Hehe. Wait long?"
Her voice was perfect too.
Light and crisp like tinkling silver bells, pleasing to the ear.
*Time to get myself a girlfriend.*
Chrisia's rose-in-the-night allure made my heart quiver, prompting reflection on my poor youth.
Everyone and their dog had a girl—my spot next to me was still empty. Unacceptable.
"The night breeze made it worth the wait."
Not a materialist, but unlike daytime, polite words slipped out.
To this beauty a few years my senior, I wanted to speak as softly as my silk(?) heart.
"Right? The Sharikna blowing this season is a blessing for us sea folk. It blows away Kajopne's fickle winter whims, bringing the ever-gentle smile of Sharikna... Our short, sweet respite."
Basic continental knowledge from the library.
Winds named after the sons and daughters of the Twelve Seasonal Goddesses: spring's Sharikna, summer's Aeon, autumn's Ruchakat, winter's Kajopne.
Especially distinct here in Neruman.
*Nice atmosphere.*
Daytime had been tense with last night's battle and pirate rumors, but night was different.
Chrisia's hair fluttered softly in the gentle breeze.
Unlike pirates whose heads were filled with swords, she seemed intellectual.
"Like people's moods. Spring hope for the optimistic, hot summer winds for the passionate, autumn abundance and comfort... Even harsh, hungry winter struggles... Humans and nature aren't so different."
"Yes..."
She nodded approvingly at my rambling—somewhere I'd heard it.
"Anyway, how do you plan to take the goods? Best to handle sensitive matters swiftly and precisely—for both our sakes."
"Don't worry about transport. Once we unharness the horses, we'll strap the wagons with leather thongs and fly them out on wyverns."
She answered casually, as if routine.
*Fine, I'll eat the wagon cost today—generosity.*
Daytime, she'd have charged full; but I didn't want to seem stingy before a beauty.
"What will guarantee the wyvern eggs?"
Business was business.
"That's why I have something to say..."
Chrisia smiled like a blooming peach flower.
"..."
I savored the delight from the beauty.
"Couldn't I be the guarantee?"
*Whoa!*
Her seductive smile and suggestive gaze sent a jolt through me like an electric shock.
*Sis, you picking me?*
The smug thrill of being chosen by a stunner.
In my heart, I welcomed Chrisia a hundred times over.
"Haha. You joke well. I trust goods over people."
But beauty doesn't blur public and private.
Goods have cash value; a beauty like her is just baggage.
And my paradise wasn't ready yet.
No inviting women lightly.
"Aw, disappointing. I thought you'd jump at a hostage like me."
Playful pout, coquettish tone—enough to fell most men.
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*Not bad.*
Chrisia, hailed as her kingdom's top beauty.
She felt even more drawn to the man who sliced through her half-joking offer like a blade.
Informants said Kaiser was big-hearted and bold.
Most such men melted for affection and beauties, but this Kaiser bucked the trend.
"I'll accept next time. Not now—it just won't do."
Unlike daytime, he was courteous and refined.
No sly noble airs—just a knightly demeanor.
"No, my apologies for the impropriety. If it's alright, how about the wyvern armor and air plate set you mentioned as collateral? What say you?"
She spoke ladylike, demure.
Something told her she must.
This man, Kaiser, was worth it.
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*Thank you very much!*
Prime contract terms.
No qualms snatching it from Viscount Lukens.
Thieves' hoards belong to the taker.
"No need to inspect. We'll meet often, I suspect."
"Grateful for that. Leave the sea to our kingdom—we'll handle it."
*Eat the pheasant, eat the eggs, clear the ditch, catch the crawfish—heh.*
Her words pleased me.
I'd reform Neruman full-throttle soon.
Pirates rampaging then would be trouble; she pledged nicely.
*Wheee!*
Chrisia whistled laced with mana.
Flap flap flap flap.
Wyverns overhead descended, dropping leather sacks.
Thud thud thud.
Sky Knights efficiently unharnessed horses and wagons, binding them with sturdy straps.
"Straps from the heartstrings of Parvens sea monsters. Can't be cut by ordinary magic or blades."
She explained kindly at my curious glance.
Even as I listened, my mind whirred.
*Tomorrow starts the frenzy.*
Neruman without Viscount Lukens.
Mountains of work.
"Preparations complete. Princess—no, Commander."
*Huh? Princess?*
A Sky Knight, having perfectly strapped the wagons in cross-patterns, approached Chrisia with odd words.
"Then depart. I'll follow right after."
She commanded brightly, as if nothing happened.
*Princess? Ah, got it.*
It clicked.
No matter the skill, commanding dozens of wyverns at her age as pirate underboss? Implausible.
"Sir Kaiser, time to go."
"Regretfully, until next time."
"Hehe. Dinner next time."
"I'll invite you properly."
Big client dropping unexpected fortune.
Feeding her once was basic courtesy of the East.
"Well then... Ack!"
Chrisia dipped her head for a reluctant farewell.
Then gasped at her wyvern.
"What... Huh!"
Following her gaze, I exclaimed in shock.
*Bebeto! You horny beast!*
Unlike his owner, Bebeto didn't resemble me at all.
In that brief moment, he'd somehow wooed her white female wyvern, embracing it with one wing.
The two wyverns had slipped into lovey-dovey mode without us noticing.
My face burned.
Not even my doing.
"Ahem!! Bebeto!"
I cleared my throat loudly, calling him.
Kuooh.
Only then did they notice, wyverns hastily parting.
"W-Well then..."
Chrisia, face flushed like mine, mounted hastily.
Flap flap flap flap! Flutter!
She took off after the Sky Knights clutching wagon straps.
Kuooooo!
Kioooo!
Bebeto wailed longingly.
Her female wyvern answered back.
*Sigh...*
All I could muster was a deep sigh at the beasts' heartfelt parting.