Chapter 56
Chapter 56
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 56
Chapter Title: Just Listen to What I Say
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"....Ugh."
"Urgh...."
The training grounds fell silent after a fierce clash of swords.
Not a single knight remained standing.
Clutching their chests and stomachs, they lay collapsed on the ground.
The mana-infused strikes had no doubt ruptured their insides.
"With such meager skill, you dared to strut around so arrogantly? Puahaha!"
Laughter boomed across the training grounds.
But unlike before, no one glared at me with hostility.
The knights groaned in pain, shocked by their own defeat.
"Those who wish to leave, go. I have no use for fools who can't even grasp their lord's intentions in letting you depart."
Time was short, and I had no need for idiots.
Shing.
I lightly sheathed my sword.
"Stay only if you're still dreaming, want to dream, or miss your dreams.... I have no need for those dreaming of the dead."
Fools who persisted in stupidity despite knowing the full situation.
Today would be their last.
Their loyalty to Count Yakus was commendable enough.
And I wasn't telling them to abandon Count Yakus in their hearts.
How could one forget their parents' embrace after stepping out into the world?
I simply needed companions to dream alongside me and live a splendid life.
"Bebeto!"
Kuooh!
Bebeto, who had blankly watched his master's flurry of punches, let out a mighty roar and spread his wings, flying low to approach.
Paht.
I kicked off the ground and gracefully mounted behind his saddle.
"Let's go!"
Kuooh!
At my command, Bebeto powerfully spread his wings and soared into the sky.
Neruman was still overwhelmingly busy.
There were far too many places in need of my touch.
★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★
The Skywing Corps returned from Orak Castle.
They integrated the surrendered Lukens Viscount soldiers with Baron Jenis's mercenaries, reorganizing them into a new unit. The vast grounds of the Skywing Corps buzzed with soldiers' movements.
Even with knights under Baron Jenis's command, the Lukens Viscount soldiers lost all composure the moment their commanding knights and officers vanished.
"Hey! Captain, can't you get it straight? What kind of captain can't even manage his own men? Want me to beat you into shape, or will you just do it right?"
Raiker handled the soldiers like mercenaries.
He barked orders at knights and senior officers alike, busy reorganizing the troops.
"Thanks to Sir Raiker, we should finish reorganizing by tonight."
"Have all the Lukens Viscount soldiers from the southern fortress surrendered?"
"Yes. Word must have spread, as the nasty knights and soldiers all fled."
There were said to be over a dozen large and small fortresses along the border with Habis Kingdom.
They hadn't warranted full battle, so they'd been left alone—but it seemed resolved on its own.
"Any other issues?"
Derbal must have been as swamped as I was.
Yet he showed no signs of fatigue despite the grueling work.
"We've roughly handled the major outlines, but we're short on manpower. It's too vast for me and a few knights to manage."
This continent lacked the computerization of the 21st century.
Everything had to be processed manually, with heads and hands.
"Scout around for administrators who can handle it."
"Already on it. That aside, my lord, we had visitors."
"Visitors?"
"The branch managers of the merchant guilds and Magic Tower in Neruman came seeking an audience. I told them you were away and invited them to dinner."
'They'd better show up. If they want to do business peacefully from now on.'
When a lord changes, they come bearing small tokens(?) of goodwill as expected.
What a beautiful sight.
"I was planning to meet them anyway. Perfect."
"We absolutely need their help. Especially to restore the wyvern magic armor, we must stay on good terms with the Magic Tower."
'The temples and Magic Towers—these are the real headaches.'
No sign of the temple branch in Neruman.
For stabilizing the populace, building a temple was essential.
Along with that, the Magic Tower was crucial.
Their aid was vital for the paradise I envisioned ahead.
"My lord... our critical supplies are running out. Over the past month, sensing the suspicious atmosphere, the merchants held back, leaving us short on essentials. Food, salt, cloth, and more—we have only a month's worth, including everything from Viscount Lukens's warehouses."
"Hmm... that's serious."
Neruman's vast farmlands lay undeveloped due to monsters.
Securing food was more essential than anything.
"Better order supplies before it's too late. Mention it tonight when the branch managers gather."
"Derbal, is food coming into Neruman more expensive than elsewhere?"
"Yes. It's our first large-scale trade, so exact prices are unclear, but even the flour we bought to feed the mercenaries cost twice the empire's price. Transport difficulties must be driving it up."
'Jobs to make money are scarce, yet essentials cost a fortune? They're practically telling us to die.'
This wasn't a 21st-century industrial society.
Farming was the cornerstone of territory and national security.
"Got it. Anything else?"
"Sigh... I don't know. It's overwhelming; I can't even find where to start."
Even a top graduate of the Imperial Administration Academy was at a loss.
Separate from his confidence, the sheer volume had him off-balance.
"Derbal, losing wealth loses you a bit of life. Losing honor loses much. But losing health loses more than anything—take good care."
"I'll etch your words deep in my heart, my lord."
"Good! Now back to work. We'll be busy tomorrow handing over troops to the supreme commander."
"Understood. Then..."
Derbal vanished with a stack of documents.
I needed to recruit administrative staff fast.
'Time to get moving.'
For Neruman's peace, much groundwork was required.
Among them, vital military strength.
And among that, the top-tier wyvern forces.
No telling how many Sky Knights would remain tomorrow, but I wanted to prepare gifts for them.
With these hands of their new lord...
★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★
'Bebeto, that guy's past life is suspicious, huh?'
One corner of the hangar used as an important storage.
As I approached, I saw Bebeto surrounded by wyverns he'd recruited from Viscount Lukens and the Temir tribesmen.
Not some gang boss, yet he lorded over them like a king.
Not left azure dragon and right white tiger, but flanked by the burliest ones, with lines of wyverns before him.
They clucked like chickens in some incomprehensible chatter.
'Are wyverns normally like this?'
I'd never seen group discussions among wyverns in the Kirphone Skywing Corps.
Wyverns assigned to Sky Knights rarely mingled with others.
Yet our clever Bebeto had formed an organized group.
'Whatever. As long as they don't mess with me, who cares.'
What did it matter?
Without Bebeto, there'd be no me today.
"Completely wrecked."
I currently owned thirteen wyvern armors. Three acquired crossing from the empire, eleven from Viscount Lukens, minus those bribed to Count Pabes—thirteen left.
But only three were intact.
"Hmm... To repair mithril armor, I need a magic forge. Sigh, headache."
Magic forges were essential for crafting magic items anyway.
The problem: I was a mage, not a blacksmith.
Especially for wyvern armor, it required a master smith skilled in mithril and a 6th Circle mage.
"The magic arrays can be redone, but these damaged armors are the issue."
Heavy wyvern armor crumpled or shattered from ground impacts.
Not solid pieces, the alloy ones lay piled in mangled heaps.
"At least the air plates are usable."
Mine pierced by my Blast Spear was minor compared to wyvern gear.
"These guys bickering over Grangers and Ticos for stolen plates. Give 'em, and they'll thank their lucky stars."
I wanted perfect wyvern armor for them, but the time wasn't right.
"Blast Spears should suffice at this level..."
Outside, heaps of insanely valuable items.
I rummaged through, packing gifts.
Someday, I'd have mountains of treasure like in a dragon's lair—a small, modest(?) dream.
★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★
"We congratulate you on becoming Neruman's new lord."
"You've accomplished something truly astonishing, Baron Kayer...."
The merchants awkwardly uttered "Baron."
'Oh? You think you're mages?'
Five key merchant branch managers and four mages, invited to dinner.
Seven Magic Tower branches supposedly, but some clearly had no intention of cozying up.
The visiting mages stiffly nodded like they had disk issues.
They probably figured inwardly how long I'd last.
"Haha, thank you for gracing us. Come, sit. Let's talk over the meal."
Count Pabes, who once lived in the Skywing Corps base, had built a small banquet hall in the commander's office as befitting nobility.
A table seating twenty comfortably.
I sat centrally, inviting them to join.
"Ahem...."
Five merchants on my left, four mages in spotless white robes on my right.
'That one's a 5th Circle mage.'
Golden embroidery on the white robe cuffs.
The mages sat with displeased expressions.
"My lord, dinner is ready."
"Thanks, Sir Derbal."
No butler, so Derbal doubled as one.
A disgrace for a knight, yet Derbal carried on unfazed.
"Thank you all for visiting amid your busy schedules. Hope the past few days weren't too noisy."
The ever-sickening noble tone.
Calming my churning gut, I opened the conversation.
"Noisy? Not at all."
"Indeed. We're simply grateful for restoring Neruman's peace so swiftly."
Renkis, Rubis Guild branch chief who'd entrusted his future to me, flattered first. Others chimed in eagerly.
'Look at these guys.'
But the mages said nothing.
A 4th Circle mage could snag a barony in most kingdoms—arrogance, or deliberate snub? Unclear.
Either way, it irked me.
'Heh. Go on, put on your show.'
Still, this was Neruman retainers' event.
Yet the mages were stealing the spotlight.
Clack clack.
Plates clinked.
Kitchen staff feeding mercenaries and soldiers had prepared accordingly, informed of guests.
Maids hired for cleaning and laundry brought the food.
'Oh ho, impressive today.'
Chicken soup, smoked pork BBQ ribs, steamed and grilled fish, warm bread with honey. Red wine in tulip glasses.
A feast impossible amid the chaos.
'These bastards....'
Merchants beamed gratefully; mages scowled.
Overly rich, probably found the portions lacking.
"Let's have a drink."
Unsure of noble etiquette, but movies showed toasts with words at such moments.
"Uh... Mages, a word...."
Renkis branch chief eyed them, requesting a toast.
"Gauss Neruman branch chief, Altois."
The showboating 5th Circle mage finally spoke.
"First, congratulations to interim lord of Neruman, Baron Kayer."
'Interim lord? Congratulations?'
Altois's words grated harshly.
My face chilled visibly.
"Truth is, we came for a firm answer."
The haughty "we" continued.
A Great Magic Tower 5th Circle mage ranked noble in the empire.
But this was rudeness.
Even if he merited such treatment, not before me.
"Firm answer? Heh. What answer?"
Twitch.
Altois's eyebrow twitched at my blunt chill.
"Viscount Lukens's unpaid 350,000 gold in magic stones and sundry debts—we seek fulfillment thereof."
"Osek Magic Tower claims 150,000 gold."
"Poseus Magic Tower holds 177,000 gold in bonds."
"Our Atipos Magic Tower has 75,500 gold."
"Gasp!"
"Oh...."
Merchants gasped at the mages' sudden demands.
'Look at these guys.'
No way to verify past debts with Viscount Lukens.
But what did that have to do with me?
"Apologies, a word please."
Derbal, who'd been listening, stepped forward.
"By imperial law, when territories or assets merge via noble duel, extant debts are waived. This coercion is..."
"Shut it! A mere butler dares interject?"
"Hmph, serving dog food and calling it hospitality. Viscount Lukens never slighted us so."
Altois barked at Derbal.
Another mage piled on, as if waiting.
"Haha, hahahahaha!"
I burst into roaring laughter.
They knew Neruman inside out.
Knew I couldn't afford to anger the Magic Towers—trying to squeeze a profit.
And my answer to such folk was singular.
"Get out."
A cold word echoed through the banquet hall.
"....."
"W-what did you say!"
"Y-you wretch! How dare a mere baron be so insolent! Do you mock our Gauss Magic Tower!"
Caught off-guard, Altois flushed, pointing and yelling "wretch."
Whiiiing.
His mana circles activated.
"Want to get beat, or leave nicely?"
Not one to cower.
"If you truly defy the Magic Tower, I'll show you heat righ—"
Shiiik. Thwack!
"Guhk...."
Altois, showboating with his mana staff.
Struck full-force by a hurled pork leg to the gut, he rolled groaning.
"W-what is this outrage!"
A mage shouted in shock at the sudden violence.
"What? Want some too?"
I chewed a chunk of meat, hefting the fatty leg.
"....."
Mages shut up like honey-mute bees.
They'd never imagined it.
Violence against Great Magic Tower names on this continent.
Even the emperor wouldn't dare.
"I'm a noble of the Great Bazran Empire. Imposing debts unfounded in imperial law upon me insults His Majesty and the law! Derbal, cuff that mad old mage with mana bracelets and imprison him. He'll pay dearly for scorning the empire and this noble!"
"Yes! Knights, seize him!"
Derbal bellowed outside.
Rumble.
Two waiting knights burst in, cuffing him with mana bracelets.
Suppressing mana-wielding knights and mages.
Hundreds in Viscount Lukens's castle.
"Th-this... will be reported formally to the Magic Tower... All consequences fall on you, Ba-Baron...."
One mage awkwardly honored me, refusing to bend pride.
"Do what you want."
A curt reply.
"...Tch."
"L-let's go."
Seeing superior mage Altois neutralized instantly, they sensed disadvantage.
They glanced warily and fled the banquet hall.
"Too busy to go far. Hahaha."
I laughed heartily at their backs.
"Come, eat up. Now the lunatics are gone, let's dine properly, eh?"
"Th-thank you, we'll partake."
"The meat is so tender and delicious."
The merchants, still dazed.
Chewing bread yet babbling about tasty meat.
'What fuss over this? You'll see it endlessly ahead.'
I refused to bow to power or violence.
Kang Hyuk—no, Baron Kayer—lived for the thrill.
He'd forge a legend.
The continent's boldest noble.
★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★
"Is Master Jamer well?"
"Yes, very. When I mentioned you, he said he'd visit soon."
"Haha, really? I've missed him too. Perfect."
After the hectic dinner, branch managers left small gifts and departed.
But I kept Renkis, whom I knew, aside.
"Uh... presumptuous, but are you sure?"
Renkis eyed me cautiously.
"No worries. If I feared that much, I wouldn't be here."
"Sigh.... Now I get why Head Merchant told us to cooperate fully with you."
'Jamer said that? Sharp eye as always.'
"Also, to be extra careful, as it's dangerous."
'Tsk....'
I smacked my lips at Renkis's follow-up.
"I called you quietly for requests and deals."
"What requests...."
A shrewd merchant, he'd know Neruman's shortages.
Thus, he leaned into "requests" over "deals."
"Haha, no need to fear. Very simple matters."
Giant guilds had communication nets rivaling military.
Enabling safe continent-wide ops.
"Spread a rumor. Deliver a letter to one in Dafis Kingdom, and if he wishes, escort him here. I'll pay any cost—utmost safety and speed."
"Hmm... the rumor...."
Renkis's eyes gleamed.
Easier than thought, he shifted cooperative.
"Spread continent-wide: Neruman stabilizes, welcoming many migrants unconditionally with land, taxes under 30%. Recruiting Sky Knight aspirants, mercenaries, artists, smiths en masse—triple normal pay."
"Tr-triple??"
Renkis gaped at triple wages.
Knowing Neruman, he doubted the finances.
"No money worries. Worst case, sell a wyvern."
"....."
Casually mentioning selling wyverns left Renkis speechless.
"And this letter—deliver secretly to him alone. As fast as possible, very fast."
I handed the magically sealed envelope, confirming again.
"Understood. No mistakes."
"Hahaha. Thanks."
"By the way... food shortages, right? Order today if...."
Renkis, true merchant blood.
Grinning amiably, he pitched trade.
"Get food, cloth, salt, warhorses, weapons galore. No budget skimping—tons."
"No worries! I'll procure maximum."
Renkis beamed at my words.
'Just listen to me, and your promotion's guaranteed.'
A world where giving enables receiving—beautiful.
My ideal utopia.