Chapter 64
Chapter 64
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 64
Chapter Title: Windfalls Rolling In
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'Huh? Why are there so many people?'
It didn't suit my temperament to trail behind the caravan with a clatter after everything had wrapped up.
There was no way those fleeing wyvern mercenaries would come back unless they got shot in the head, so I left five Sky Knights behind and sent the rest back to Orak Castle.
Having handled that, I rode Bebeto to the Skyport, breathing in the fresh air, where the caravan had arrived ahead of me.
A long line of commoners was squeezing into the spacious Skyport.
'Food distribution or something?'
I'd left most matters in Derbal's hands while I was away.
Derbal was unmatched in handling detailed administrative orders, so I'd trusted him with it.
"The lord has returned!"
"Waaaaah! It's the lord!"
The people and soldiers who recognized Bebeto and me waved their hands and cheered.
I was probably the only lord in the continent loved this much by his subjects.
Of course, I wasn't officially appointed by the emperor.
Flutter flutter flutteflutter.
'Huh?'
The sight visible while Bebeto was landing.
A large tent sat squarely in the middle of the runway, with people lined up in front of it.
They were even making pious gestures, crossing themselves reverently.
'Who's come?'
Derbal was nowhere in sight, even though I was back.
"Loyal!"
As Bebeto landed, the wyvern-handling soldiers ran up and saluted.
"What's going on?"
"A priest has arrived, my lord."
"A p-priest?"
The soldier, his face beaming with 'I'm so happy,' answered vigorously.
'Volunteering?'
Armis's face flashed in my mind, but it wasn't her.
There'd been no word from the Rubis Merchant Company, and besides, covering that distance in such a short time was impossible.
It was a journey that required riding hard over mountains and rivers right after receiving my letter.
'Whoever it is, I'm grateful. Coming all the way out here.'
For people living hungry and exhausted lives, nothing comforted like the voice of the gods.
The benevolent gods who understood all human suffering possessed the power to heal as well.
Just calling their names, or receiving even a clumsy blessing from their priests—that's what humans craved.
And they would forever, until they realized their own perfection.
Clack.
I removed my flight helmet and held it in one hand.
Even as lord, I was just a frail(?) human in need of solace from a priest of the gods.
'Heh heh, a female priest would be even better.'
Armis's holy beauty still lingered in my memory.
Here, the criteria for priests seemed to be pure heart plus good looks.
Every female priest I'd met on this continent was pretty.
Humans and gods alike had the same taste in beauty, clearly.
"By the hand of the god, I forgive the sins of this lamb and permit healing. Cure."
Flash!
"Waaah...."
"The touch of merciful Neran!"
'Huh? Ne-Neran?'
The people stared only at the tent, unaware of my approach.
Warm holy power sparkled as light.
"Th-thank you! Thank you, servant of Neran!"
A middle-aged man, his illness cured, wept in gratitude.
"I'm sorry.... If only I'd known of your pains sooner...."
'That voice!'
The faint woman's voice in my ears.
My soul trembled as if struck by lightning.
"L-Lord!"
"Make way, everyone. The lord is here."
The people who recognized me hurriedly stepped aside.
Step step.
Feeling my heart pounding with each step, I walked toward the tent.
Rustle.
Then, white leather shoes emerged from the tent's entrance.
Swoosh.
A slender body wrapped in white robes slowly revealed itself in the warm sunlight.
Thump! Thump! Thump!
My heart raced ahead of my soul in recognition.
Swish.
The woman, half-hiding her face with her robe.
She drew it back with long, pale fingers.
"Ah...."
An involuntary groan escaped me.
"The humble servant of Neran... Armis greets Kaiyer."
She pressed her left hand to her chest over the robe and bowed her head.
'A-Armis!'
She had come.
I'd sent that absurd letter in a desperate moment, and here she was, Armis, truly come.
Her soft blue hair, tinged with silver sheen, tied modestly to one side, appearing before me with a holy halo as backdrop.
"I sincerely thank you for coming all this way."
Everyone was watching.
So I bowed my head without a hint of impropriety, showing respect to Armis.
"All is by the will of the gods...."
Armis murmured 'by the will of the gods,' her translucent face flushing pink.
Thump thump thump.
My mouth stayed shut.
Only the roar of my heartbeat filled my ears.
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'How can she do that all by herself?'
The steel-stamina envoy of the gods showed no fatigue.
The sun dipped low, yet Armis tirelessly bestowed divine blessings and grace on all who came.
"Impressive holy power. Handling so many alone...."
Even Derbal was amazed.
By his knowledge, no priest divided holy power among so many individuals.
"Derbal."
"Yes, my lord."
"Let's build a city."
"A city, you say...."
Derbal looked puzzled at my sudden words.
"A massive city on land vast enough to rival the Empire. At least bigger than any continental capital or royal city!"
"Huh....!"
Derbal gasped at words beyond expectation.
"What, no confidence?"
I turned from the window to face him.
"No, my lord. Whatever you command will surely come to pass!"
Derbal, who swallowed blind loyalty like daily bread, answered firmly.
"And in three years."
"Y-Yes! In three years?!"
Derbal's shock doubled at 'three years.'
Even imperial capitals took decades, yet I spoke of something grander in three.
"Inside the walls, an inner citadel the size of Denfos City. Beside it, a Skyport for at least three hundred wyverns. And on the other side, a grand temple matching the Skyport. Sound good?"
"....."
Derbal gaped, speechless at my question.
He seemed lost in imagining it all.
"M-My lord, that's not a city, it's...."
He stammered, trying to voice his thought.
'Yes, a man's ambition.'
The blueprint of paradise taking shape step by step.
It had gone splendidly so far.
And it would continue.
"Dismiss the people for now. And prepare a fine dinner."
"Understood, my lord."
Even one drenched in divine blessings had limits to stamina.
Armis needed rest.
'Keep going like that, and she'll collapse. Need another way.'
The Neruman folk, starved for divine love.
Word of Neran's priest would bring crowds from everywhere.
'Time for a bath.'
Magic cleaned me daily(?), but today I craved warm water.
Couldn't dine with an honored guest from afar like this.
'Heh heh....'
An inexplicable smile crept across my lips.
Every moment tonight with Armis.
Just thinking made me happy.
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"Delicious."
Such simple words, yet no more needed.
"Thank you, servant of the gods."
Lucia's mother beamed at Armis's modest smile and praise.
"Makes me jealous. Seems tastier than my usual."
"S-Sorry...."
"Haha, kidding. Same as always. Though some dishes are new...."
Lucia's mother bowed her head, embarrassed.
To continent folk, servants of gods held such status.
Those who ignored common hearts, blinded by money and fame.
If they didn't go to hell, who would?
"Was the journey hard?"
My pounding heart had calmed by meal's end.
Dining with Armis in formal attire I rarely wore.
Food tasted better.
"Not hard at all. The moment I got your letter, I nearly prayed for wings from the god."
It must have been grueling.
Traveling perilous roads with rough caravan mercenaries, yet Armis smiled radiantly, stirring guilt.
"Thank you."
I gazed into her clear brown eyes sparkling under magic light, with honest eyes.
Swish.
In reply, Armis offered a milkshake-soft smile.
A similar one bloomed on my lips.
"But how do you know our lord, Priestess Armis?"
Derbal, deftly eating one-handed, asked cautiously.
"By the grace permitted by the god."
Short, concise, perfect.
Merciful Goddess Neran knew people well.
"Without Kaiyer, I'd still wander lost, ignorant of Neran's teaching on humble love...."
Armis trailed off, gazing at me soulfully.
Gulp.
Dry swallow down my throat.
"Without Lord Romero of fates, I wouldn't have met our lord, who saved my wretched life...."
Both pairs of fervent eyes turned to me.
'These folks are embarrassing me.'
My face burned.
I'd thought myself thick-skinned, but unstained praise embarrassed me.
"I'll convert one Skyport hangar into a temple."
"No need...."
"No. We have spares. It's humble, but wait briefly—I'll build a grand proxy temple for Neran. Not for you, but my earnest devotion to the god."
Words poured unbidden.
How could I feign devotion to unfamiliar Neran?
"Thank you. If the world had more like Kaiyer, the eternal rest and peace the god promised would flow like rivers in paradise."
Armis rose, bowing deeply in thanks.
'Good for sister, good for brother-in-law. Uhahaha!'
Benefits from a temple were plenty.
Stable lives for Neruman folk.
Proxy temple would raise priests like Armis.
'And the holy water produced.... Heh heh.'
Holy water trade: more profitable than golden geese.
Even gods wouldn't mind nesting here for free.
Give and take kept bonds tight, gods or men.
Just my thought, though....
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Screeeeech.
Flap flap flappity flap.
Bebeto's vast wings spread wide enough to blanket the earth.
Sucking in sky-permitted winds, casting long shadows.
"Ah...."
Low moan in my ears.
'Urgh....'
Hot groan I barely held back.
Nosebleed spared, lucky.
The promised night flight with Armis.
Late night after dinner.
Moon sang hymns of light from heaven; I called sleepless Armis.
Night flight began.
Weather at early summer cusp.
Shed air plate, donned flight leathers.
Krooooar!
Excited with beauty aboard, Bebeto roared mightily, launching signature dive rollercoaster.
Crunch.
Armis gripped my waist hard in the plunge.
'Hngh!'
And the swell felt on my back.
Not from flight, mind reeled.
'Mooooom!!!!!!'
Thrill of calling mom heartily.
Like joyriders with short-skirted pretties on crotch rockets.
Ecstasy only flight boys(?) knew.
'Bebeto, another loop!'
Seize chance, go all in.
Yanked reins, conveying desperate wish.
Kroooooar!
Quick-witted Bebeto knew my joy insured his comfy future.
Post-dive, triple spin maneuver.
"Eek!"
Armis's hands(?) pounced like waiting.
What a heartwarming(?) flight.
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"Ah... so beautiful."
Wild storm flight over, now gliding calm waves over sea.
Bebeto's gentle wingbeats rustled like breeze, easing pace.
Moonlit sea intoxicated Armis; she spoke of beauty.
'You are more beautiful.'
Armis rested head on my shoulder, admiring sea.
Face unseen, but all pictured.
"Anytime... just call. For you, I'd fly storm-tossed seas."
"Thank you... Kaiyer...."
Armis's frail whisper from behind.
Vibrations pleasantly hummed through my back.
"'Fate's thread knows no end, overturning skies and earth.' I never want to let go of that thread...."
'With you, Armis.'
Confession unvoiced in brief moment.
Swish.
As if hearing, Armis's soft arms embraced my waist.
Flap flap flappity.
Bebeto glided quietly over sea.
Dreamlike time flowed.
Like respite in harsh life, happiness winked at me lightly.
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"Five million gold in Empire gold, please. The other five million, leave as reserve with your caravan for ready use."
"Trusting our caravan so—on behalf of the head merchant, thanks again."
Jamer bowed at my bold proposal.
"Sky Knights and soldiers will escort to Neruman borders. That's all I can offer."
"Haha, plenty. Who'd touch Neruman's envoy? Need anything, tell Renkis branch chief anytime. We'll mobilize full caravan might."
'Now it begins.'
Rubis Merchant Company, led by Jamer, returned.
Upon Denfos arrival, they'd depart on business.
Sell goods before rumors spread, rivals act.
"Wish you great success."
"Thanks once more. We'll repay this grace manifold."
'Of course! Bite and bolt, you'd regret.'
"Sir Raiker, escort them safely beyond borders."
"Heh heh, trust me. Will see them off proper."
Raiker and Jenis bustling for safe trade routes lately.
Oddly compatible, they paired well.
"Then, we're off."
"Wait, take this."
"This is...."
"Holy water. Fresh morning premium grade."
"Gasp! P-Premium holy water?!"
Faint blue glow in glass vials.
'Taste it, endorse later. Heh.'
Offered pure spring water to praying Armis early morn.
Post-prayer: top-grade holy water.
With Armis, never starve.
"Such treasure...."
Jamer overwhelmed by the emotional combo.
"With your aid, Rubis, Neruman revives."
"Understood. We'll honor lord's noble will."
Few free words won Jamer's heart.
His gaze toward me utterly changed in minutes.
Winning a merchant's heart.
Harder than winning all girl group fans.
"Depart!"
Dozen wagons loaded pure dwarf masterpieces, no bulk food.
Neigh!
Rattle rattle.
Escorted by thousand soldiers, off vigorously.
'Time to play.'
"Derbal, all gathered?"
"Yes, my lord. At Skyport runway."
'Rumors spreading now.'
Dragged captured merchants, mercenaries, mages to Skyport before folk.
Towers, guilds, merchants frantic grasping situation now.
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"Defiling Bazran Empire, imperial house, my honor—you plotted rebellion in my domain. Rightly, all beheaded. But no defiling sacred soil with filthy blood, so exiled by force! All gear and wealth confiscated as reparations!"
"....."
Relief and emptiness on faces of captives, days as prisoners.
"Korbein Caravan sub-leader Teske, agree to my judgment?"
"...One bears own responsibility."
Teske's words barbed.
"Gauss Tower sub-master, any grievance with verdict?"
"Grind...."
Mana bracelet mage gnashed teeth instead.
Wanted to smash his skull, but dignity in holy(?) court forbade.
"Hers Mercenary Captain Sedlian, agree?"
"Yes."
Stabbed deep thigh, but my heal limited blood loss to bowlful; Sedlian nodded calmly.
Then he stepped forward, eyes burning into me.
"Lord, a request."
"Request?"
"Take me and my mercenaries."
'Huh? Jackpot?'
Sudden from Sedlian.
Master-class, rare even in Empire—dozens tops—leading knight-order mercs seeking asylum.
I'd coveted, but mere greed.
Sedlian spoke decisively, as if settled with men.
"Our band homeless now. Thanks to you, invincible myth shattered. Take responsibility for us."
'Huh.'
Unsure mercenary world details, but plausible.
As knights prized honor life-like, mercs deemed contract success essential.
'Eyes alive.'
But deeper certainty.
Quiet fire burning deep.
"Good. But treated as regular soldiers. Still come?"
Fools accepted blindly.
Tested pride bend.
If true caliber, I'd gain new wings.
"As lord wills. Sir Sedlian pledges to lord!"
"As you will!"
Sedlian knelt in fealty.
Five hundred mercs followed, roaring vows.
'Wait, dream or real?'
Blade knights honored continent-wide.
Recent Neruman mercs: such elites barely dozens.
Now over five hundred under me.
'No ordinary mercs!'
Felt it.
Sedlian's band aura unlike rabble.
Like well-drilled domain knights.
"Rise. You are my soldiers now."
"Thanks, lord!"
Probe reasons later; moment joyful.
Looted Korbein pockets for extra revenue.
Three more wyverns warehoused safe.
Plus useful five hundred mercs.
Luckiest guy alive.
Like multi-jackpot lotto.
"Exile merchants and mages beyond domain!"
"Yes!"
Worthless Teske, two mages now.
Game over easy.
"Sir Derbal, assign quarters. Sedlian, talk with me."
"As lord commands."
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"How dare... that tower seen as...."
Unbelievable bolt-from-blue; mage's hand shook writing report.
Gauss Tower Neruman branch chief Oltoys trembled in rage.
Kaiyer, wild as multi-life cat.
Now declared war on Korbein Caravan and Gauss Tower, shockingly.
"6th Circle magic swordsman.... Grind."
Urgent to Gauss Tower.
Youth suspected 6th Circle magic swordsman and spiritist; Oltoys shuddered writing unbelievable report.
Pure mage jealousy.
Magic from age ten; fifties nearing 5th.
Yet green kid 6th Circle.
Plus smashed two sub-masters, three wyverns—absurd feat bred fear.
Once Gauss praised talent.
Now Kaiyer's incomparable circles.
Must kill.
Rage and killing intent filled report faithfully.
Click.
Into Lumicar's leg-box—1,000km+ daily flight.
"Go."
Flap flap flap.
Lumicar vanished fast through open window on Oltoys's order.
In two days, massacre known.
Continent's Empire-fearing Gauss Tower pride stung.
Oltoys bit lip envisioning screamer's end.
"Heart... I'll chew it."
Mage's burning fury.
That instant, Lumicars streamed over Denfos skies.
Storms brewing for Neruman future.
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"What do you want."
Tea before us, stared down Sedlian.
Forties early, golden-brown hair.
Striking brown eyes.
Angular but decent face: Captain Sedlian.
Met my gaze steadily.
"Life changed when my sword broke to you, lord. Vengeance gone; lost dream returned."
Confessional tone from Sedlian.
"Wandered world. Youth exiled home, merc life rambling. Countless near-deaths honing strength to kill home-thieves. Vengeance near end—your sword broke mine. Futile, realized as blade pierced. No one knew me there; seizing by force wouldn't reclaim lost time."
'Noble born.'
Hidden meaning revealed nobility.
Commoner wouldn't wander decades amassing power over home loss.
"Want to be knight. A splendid... knight."
Splendid knight.
Fine words.
Myriad knights world; true splendid rare.
Standards varied, but Sedlian's boyish glow promised splendid dream.
"Lord, help fulfill wish. Be great mountain for we clouds tossed by winds! No—you can. Last night, dead father dreamed: end wandering, find dream."
Harsh merc captain's unfit words cascaded.
Splendid knight's dream.
Pure soul scent from forties merc uncle.
"Your skill could pick fine lord; why remote Neruman, me? I offer only hope...."
'Ugh, driving me nuts.'
Hated my butter-rice speech shift.
What words from hardened rogue?
"Lord... share that hope. Help achieve dream before death!"
Moth uncle lured by rogue words.
"...No regrets?"
"None!"
"Captain Sedlian of First Knight Order, do well henceforth."
"Huh...."
Sedlian gulped at 'knight order captain.'
"Splendid knights need captain rank. Neruman First Knight Order Captain Sir Sedlian. Haha. Splendid, no?"
"L-Lord...."
Famed merc captain fine, but knight order captain heavier.
'Go big or go home. Trust me once. I'll back you full.'
Needed knight order anyway.
One shredding average monsters instantly.
And god-sent Sedlian.
Perfect moment snared.