Chapter 87
Chapter 87
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: Vine
Chapter: 88
Chapter Title: The Outcasts' Dinner Banquet
-----------------------------------------------------------------
"You idiot! Not there!"
Bickering.
'The construction site's got nothing on this.'
There were no more refugees lingering in the Skywing Corps.
In their place, the hangars and various buildings were packed to the brim with a massive influx of wyverns.
'I need to move out soon.'
The rundown city of Denfos.
Aside from the Skywing Corps, which took up the largest space, there was nowhere else for me to relocate to.
Of course, there was Gaedin Castle where Viscount Lukens had lived, but I had no desire to use someone else's half-used castle.
Ding-ding-ding!
"Wyverns incoming!!!"
'Here they come.'
Ryker and Jenis, who were always stuck together like thread and needle.
The two of them were slowly landing in the central clearing of the Skywing Corps, escorting guests from the Habis Kingdom.
'Huh? That birdbrain looks familiar.'
Among the wyverns welcoming the Habis envoys was one strikingly familiar face.
'Whoa! R-Rosiatte!'
A female sky knight dismounting from the familiar wyvern.
It was Rosiatte, just as she had been when we amicably shared wild boar meat.
Clink.
The Habis sky knights who followed her down stuck to her like shadows.
Their familiarity with VIP protection marked them clearly as royal guard sky knights.
'Looks like a welcome guest has arrived.'
They had undoubtedly come to discuss the border incursion, so I had made preparations accordingly.
I, who had once unleashed spells on the crown prince's wyvern when displeased, couldn't be threatened by that corrupt little kingdom.
But the moment I saw Rosiatte, my mind changed.
Thud-thud-thud.
As the Habis knights and Rosiatte approached me, my own knights rushed to line up on either side.
'They've grown a lot.'
No lord could envy this.
The wyverns in the Skywing Corps clustered together like chickens chasing feed.
The sight of even gold wyverns lined up would intimidate them.
Click.
Rattle.
Rosiatte removed her helmet as she walked.
"Gasp!"
"Hmm...."
The knights and soldiers unwittingly let out groans at the sight of the stunning beauty with radiant wavy blonde hair gleaming in the sun and eyes like blue diamonds sparkling.
It was a moment to confirm Rosiatte's beauty, known as the flower of the north.
"Haha, welcome, Princess Rosiatte."
I bowed my head toward Rosiatte, who wore a pleased smile.
Even as an imperial count, she was a kingdom's princess.
"It's a pleasure to see you again, Count Kayer."
Not in a dress, she lightly bowed in return.
'Hmm, she smells nice.'
As Rosiatte approached, a faint violet scent spread everywhere.
"What are you doing? Escort Princess Rosiatte properly!"
Clang!
"Yes, sir!"
At my command, over twenty knights drew their swords and shouted in unison.
"Thank you for the warm welcome."
Rosiatte expressed her gratitude at the flawless reception.
"No need to thank me. You must be tired from the long journey. Please, come inside."
"I'm not tired at all. Seeing the vibrant Neruman Plains on the flight here has refreshed my spirits."
With eyes upon us, I conversed with Rosiatte while playing the part of an old noble.
"But... where did those gold wyverns come from...."
Rosiatte, who shared a border with the Raviter Empire and knew gold wyverns better than anyone, asked cautiously.
The gold wyverns, looking like mangy pups shedding fur after beatings from Bebeto and the beastkin.
They had their heads buried outside the hangar, enjoying their droppings.
"They were wandering the Kobiran Mountains, having lost their home, so I picked them up."
"Pardon? You... picked them up?"
Rosiatte's eyes widened at the claim of picking up gold wyverns, symbols of the Raviter imperial family.
'Curiosity killed the cat.'
"Want me to give you one?"
"Oh, no, thank you."
Knowing the significance of gold wyverns, Rosiatte startled and refused.
"Then please, come inside."
"Yes...."
Rosiatte, obedient due to the debt she owed me from the Bazran palace.
'My heart's racing.'
This thrill of inviting a beautiful woman home.
Only those who knew could understand.
★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★
'It's overflowing with vitality.'
Before leaving Habis Kingdom, Rosiatte had heard all the gathered intel on Neruman.
She knew of the massive trade with large merchant guilds, especially Rubis Guild, with enormous cargo flowing daily across the border to Neruman.
But negative reports outnumbered the positive.
Everyone on the continent knew that the empire had abandoned it just recently, pulling back its regular legions.
Moreover, the Neruman Plains, now inhabited by nearly a million monsters instead of people.
So Rosiatte hadn't believed the rumors that a man named Kayer, as interim lord, had achieved tremendous progress in mere months.
As Habis's top heir to the throne, she knew better than anyone that national and territorial management couldn't change in a few months.
But flying here, the sight of Neruman shocked her.
From Habis to Denfos, Neruman's heart, she saw not monsters, but hundreds of cavalry units marching in formations.
Monsters appeared sporadically, but not in threatening numbers.
'They said crops were scarce, so where did those vast fields around the city come from?'
Even more unbelievable were the enormous farmlands surrounding Denfos.
Just recently, it was said Denfos might fall to monsters, yet now green autumn wheat swayed in the wind like a lie.
'The knights and soldiers all have alive, vibrant eyes.'
Escorted by Kayer, Rosiatte entered what seemed a modest office for a lord, glancing around to gauge Neruman.
"Dinner is prepared. Rest a bit, and we'll meet this evening."
At the entrance to what looked like the Skywing Corps commander's office, Kayer gave a reassuring smile, saying we'd meet at dinner.
"I'll see you this evening."
Rosiatte's face flushed softly at Kayer's pleasant voice.
She slightly bowed and headed toward the waiting maids at the entrance.
Feeling her heart pound with every step.
★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★
"Neruman seas ahead, sir."
"Anchor the fleet."
"Yes, Commander."
Far in the hazy distance, a coastline appeared.
On the deck of a massive wyvern transport ship where over ten wyverns coiled, Grand Commander Chrisia of Kesmir issued the order.
Chrisia, third daughter of the Kesmir king—who called themselves a maritime kingdom, not pirates—and commander of the kingdom's 2nd Fleet.
Her skin, lightly tanned from daily sea life, made her toned figure all the more alluring.
'The contact came later than expected.'
The bait tossed when exchanging for top-grade holy water.
She had paid generously with magestones and more, beyond other deals.
She tested the man Kayer with essentials vital for a crumbling territory's growth.
Chrisia had no doubt.
With that much payment, he'd contact her quickly for more trade.
Abandoned by the empire, surrounded by Temir foes and monsters, Kayer had no one else to turn to.
Yet unexpectedly, Kayer hadn't contacted her for quite some time.
Worse, incoming reports claimed he'd acquired over forty wyverns in months, bolstering his forces.
'Slack off, and the plan falters. The kingdom's dream of a continental foothold could crumble.'
How long had they waited for this?
Neruman was too hot for anyone else to swallow.
They had annually threatened the Bazran Empire, pressuring their withdrawal.
Kesmir Kingdom sought to quietly secure Neruman, naturally purging local factions.
They couldn't forever blockade imperial and royal sea routes, surviving on piracy and middleman trade.
Securing stable food was the island-only Kesmir's greatest wish.
'Kayer... Kayer....'
Everything went as planned until this unexpected wildcard.
The greenhorn called Junior Baron Kayer.
Days ago, urgent intel: granted countship and Neruman as fief by the emperor.
"Stand by the wyverns!"
"Yes, sir!"
Even after the bait, Kayer hadn't called.
No, she couldn't go.
"Hehe...."
Kayer, with his striking black hair and eyes.
Thinking of him, Chrisia let out a quiet laugh.
Even to her, hardened by rough seas, he seemed manly.
Today was the day she'd finally meet him.
★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★
"A dinner banquet?"
"Why so burdened?"
"Oh, no, it's not that...."
Not Sister Teresa, but Armis, devoting herself daily to god and the sick.
Having bestowed divine grace on hundreds of citizens at the temporary temple, exhaustion etched her face.
Even a priest bathed in god's love couldn't escape bodily fatigue.
"I'll wait."
"Y-Yes...."
Truly an obedient woman.
Armis watched whatever I did, offering silent support.
She replied 'Yes' to my words.
'Today's my lucky day.'
Busy all day, yet a dinner invitation in the evening.
With three beauties outshining world-class misses.
Just thinking made me smile.
Ding-ding-ding!
Raucous bells rang outside.
"Wyverns spotted!"
A lookout with a booming voice announced new guests.
★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★
"I'll kill him! Rip that bastard to shreds! Raaargh!"
Crash-clang!
In the Raviter Empire's palace—the continent's mightiest military power—one of the three great empires.
Screams of rage echoed through the bedroom of Ofarn Palace, where Second Prince Alskane resided.
"Calm yourself, Your Highness. Your body isn't fully recovered."
"Calm? How can I be calm while that bastard breathes! I won't sleep until he's dead! Prepare the troops now! I'll speak to Father; Grandfather, muster the sky knights! I must reclaim my wyverns and honor from that Neruman mongrel brat!"
Prince Alskane, starved over a week in a cave.
For him, it was his first taste of death's terror.
Born to the continent-ruling Raviter imperial family, raised in luxury and adoration, Prince Alskane—seen as prime material for the next emperor over his brother Crown Prince Perpias—screamed at Duke Yanovis, summoned from his lands, eyes bloodshot.
"Troops are preparing. But he's a Bazran noble. Invading without cause risks inter-empire war."
"Cause? I, an imperial prince, nearly died—what greater cause? Since when has our empire cowered before Bazran scum?!!!"
Alskane, more violent since escaping death.
I knew the pain: mana bound, starved in darkness over a week.
But Duke Yanovis knew war wasn't sparked on mere displeasure.
"We need precise intel and justification. Wait a bit longer. This humble servant will unleash your rage all at once!"
"Raaargh! I'll chew that bastard's heart! That bastard... Raaargh!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"
Alskane's rage, burning to his chest, shook the Raviter palace.
Unaware the 'bastard' basked in happiness.
★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★
"It's nothing fancy, but please eat up."
"Thank you for inviting me."
"Oh, foods made from fresh grains?"
'Heh heh, a flower garden.'
The Skywing Corps mess hall, shabby compared to any noble house.
On the wide table, dishes from local grains filled the spread.
Invited the best cooks from Denfos inns.
Hearty roasted potatoes, salad of fruits, veggies, honey, milk; grilled tuna and mystery fish from sea and river.
Soft white bread, smoked beef, pork, chicken—even I thought it a splendid feast.
By my standards, of course. Pirate-born Chrisia, attractively sun-tanned, exclaimed brightly; Rosiatte just looked indifferent.
"Let's eat before it gets cold."
Starved after running around all day.
In school, this hour would've been after-school cram; prowling the canteen like a hungry wolf for cup ramen and snacks.
Dinner began.
Me at center: Armis and Derbal left, Chrisia and Rosiatte right.
"Delicious! Best potato ever!"
Pirate spirited, Chrisia forked and chewed potatoes, exclaiming.
"Haha, that's because they're specially grown."
I'd tasted them; far superior to others.
"Specially?"
"Seeds disinfected with top-grade potions before planting."
"Y-Yes?! Top-grade potions?!"
The lavish top-grade potions she'd bought from me.
Her face went from stunned to dumbfounded at using them for seed disinfection.
"Quite the unique method...."
Even quiet Rosiatte muttered, speechless.
"Thanks to Priestess Armis here."
The two women turned to Armis at my words.
Pure angel Armis blushed at sudden attention.
"So this is the priestess."
Rosiatte eyed Armis, asking as if confirming.
'Time for business.'
Rosiatte's visit pleased me, but I knew she came as Habis representative.
"Since it came up, let's talk. How does Habis plan to compensate my territory's damages?"
".....?"
Rosiatte looked baffled, like I'd drummed on a sleeping window.
"Boldly stating: we demand reparations and prevention from Habis Kingdom—or precisely, Cabaron Barony—for sheltering criminals whose crimes are unspeakable. This is demanded in the name of Kayer of Neruman, granted title and lands by His Imperial Majesty of Bazran."
Officially recognized, I used 'of Neruman.'
"Th-That...."
"Insolence! How dare you threaten!"
As Rosiatte faltered, the senior of two rigid royal guards flushed, barking insolence.
"What's your name, sir?"
Even royal guards: I'm now an imperial count.
Smiling, I asked his name.
"Sir Lucias, stand down."
"But Princess...."
"Both of you, out. This is an order in Habis royal name."
"Yes, ma'am!"
Grumbling Sir Lucias obeyed, glaring murderously at me.
'Kid, you're lucky today. Who do you think you are, eyeballing me in my turf!'
Daring to provoke me here.
Even the emperor would get slapped sans situational awareness.
"My apologies, Count Kayer."
"No matter. A royal guard needs that loyalty."
Rosiatte's mood had cooled.
"But reparations is excessive. I came to resolve the border incident amicably. I stopped our nobles from blockading and demanding justice from you. If you take this hardline...."
Trailing off, her cold, hurt eyes met mine.
'Oh, I see.'
Rosiatte clearly favored me.
But favor alone couldn't settle Habis issues.
For Neruman's growth, relations with Habis needed sorting inevitably.
"I'm sorry. Because of me...."
Armis, knowing it her fault, apologized darkly.
"Nonsense! Kidnappers targeting indispensable Armis and their protectors are at fault—not Armis! Even a high priestess, or any empire or kingdom eyeing her... I'd hurl them to hellfire!"
Whoosh.
Mana swirled the mess hall with my emotions.
"....."
Space hushed.
My raw emotions laid bare.
"I'm jealous. Protected like that by you...."
Third party Chrisia eyed Armis enviously.
Rosiatte's face iced over.
"Bazran palace already answered: an individual lord's matter, empire uninvolved."
'Obviously. Heh.'
As expected.
Count of Neruman or not, it wasn't given freely.
"So?"
"Uh...."
One word stumped Rosiatte.
'Huh? Th-That!'
Interrogating the princess, my eyes caught a glinting gem.
It wept.
Rosiatte's blue eyes reddened slowly.
A teardrop beaded unjustly.
'Why cry? What did I do!'
This was official territory-kingdom business.
Yet words brought tears.
"Y-You can't... do this to me. I... trusted you... sob-sob~!"
Rosiatte suddenly covered her face.
She bolted up and fled outside.
'What the? What situation is this?'
Suddenly, I became the heaven's villain who made a girl cry.
Our ties: shared boar meat, saved from wolfish crown prince—that's it.
The two women's gazes stung at her 'you can't do this to me.'
"I'll go check."
Armis, pained, rose and followed.
"I-I'm stepping out too, something came up...."
Derbal, on thorns, excused himself.
'When bold, where's that? Women....'
Unfathomable as ever; didn't expect this.
"Making a girl cry... hehe, Kayer, worse than I thought."
'Gah! B-Bad guy?'
Branded bad too.
"Shall we talk then, Lady Chrisia?"
Already bad; turned arrows to Chrisia.
"Hehe, that look scares me. I'm a gentle lady."
'Huh, ladies must've frozen solid.'
Earlier called princess? Chrisia.
Two princesses, worlds apart.
"I sought you for trade."
"Trade...."
Shrewd as expected, she smiled with even white teeth, trailing off.
"Get me magestones."
"Magestones?"
"Word is Kesmir handles most from Ice Empire Hildrian. Sell us some."
"Oh, such nonsense rumors. We just pass Hildrian magestones with slim margins."
'Tch, pretty vixen. Lie with spit on your lips.'
Nine-tailed fox playing coy.
"So give me those slim-margin magestones."
No need for long talk.
Banter with fox just hurt my head.
"And what do I get?"
Tanned beauty propped chin, staring.
"Ask, and I'll do my utmost within power."
Magestones vital for planned growth.
Even dwarves couldn't source easily.
Plus, bad blood with all continent magetowers.
"Pinky swear? On your name, Kayer."
'On my name... not making me a pirate, right?'
"Kayer of Neruman, I swear on my name."
Promise within limits anyway.
Desperate me swore.
"Hehe, deal then, Count Kayer of Neruman."
Nine-tailed fox accented name and title sharply.
Grin.
Bright smile to inscrutable fox.
Knowing even allies were continental outcasts....