Chapter 144
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 144
The lords ultimately had no choice but to bite the bullet and provide food and lodging.
It would have been nice if they could have made do with thin, watery porridge and straw mats, but their guest was none other than the Conqueror of the North. Knowing the potential consequences of a poor reception, they had to pay close attention to every detail, even if it meant incurring massive costs.
“How much food and spice do we have left in the warehouse?”
“We have enough to last about ten days without any issues. However, we’re short-handed in the kitchen…”
“Even if it takes time, make sure the food is prepared properly. If we serve them half-dried rations, the Duke won’t let it slide.”
“What about sleeping arrangements? We can’t possibly fit all those people inside the castle.”
“We’ll have to pitch tents outside the walls and provide blankets. If we give them wool ones, they’ll be warmer than they would be in most inns.”
“High-quality wool blankets!? We don’t have that many in stock!”
“Scrape together everything we have! Buy them from merchants if you have to, and if that’s still not enough, ask the neighboring territories for help!”
The lords moved frantically to accommodate the sudden influx of guests. At the same time, they wept bitter tears as they watched their gold coins vanish into thin air.
Do you have any idea how hard it was to save that money!
However, the tribespeople receiving the hospitality were far too busy marveling at their surroundings to care about the lords' feelings.
“My goodness. Look at this. There are chunks of things in here I’ve never seen before. There’s so much to eat!”
“Are vegetables really this easy to come by? And what is this sharp, pungent taste on the tip of my tongue?”
“This is insane. To feed this many people in a single day… just how many resources do they have?”
Even though the lords had put effort into the food, it was merely a stew one might find in an ordinary household. Yet, that simple bowl of stew was enough to deliver a massive shock to the tribespeople. To think that even food not meant for the high and mighty could be this rich in ingredients.
“That’s not all. Look at those massive stone walls. It feels like they could hold back all the armies in the world just by closing the gates.”
“And what about their metallurgy? The tip of that gatekeeper’s spear is sharper than my own weapon, and I’m a warrior.”
“To think such a land existed less than a fortnight away. If the King hadn’t led us here, by now we would have…”
As one warrior trailed off, the entire tribe shuddered. They imagined themselves shivering in the cold and dying of hunger while these people were patting their full bellies right next door.
Amidst the heavy silence, someone suddenly hoisted a steaming bowl of stew into the air and shouted.
“Glory to the King who led us to the land of salvation!”
“…Long live the King of Prophecy!”
“May the blessings of the Great Ancestors be upon him!”
Once the praise began, it spread through the tribespeople like a tidal wave. Their thunderous roars echoed even inside the castle walls, frightening the commoners. The lords, busy overseeing the hospitality, grimaced as they heard the cheers for Lucian.
Damn it, we’re the ones feeding you right now!
We’re the ones spending the money, but that man gets all the credit.
Endure it. If we show our frustration here, the Duke will remember our faces.
It was a bitter pill to swallow, but they had no choice; they were still paying for the original sin of siding with Calix. The lords had to suppress their resentment and continue emptying their coffers to treat the tribespeople, all while watching their own devotion be transformed into loyalty toward Lucian.
Lucian continued his journey toward Asagrim with the tribespeople in tow. Naturally, all expenses incurred along the way were borne by the lords who had ties to Calix. The tribespeople continued their praises, constantly surprised by the food and lodging provided to them.
Eventually, Lucian arrived at his own territory, which was closer than Asagrim.
“Welcome back, Your Highness. I have been waiting for you.”
“Fritz?”
Lucian’s eyes widened at the appearance of an unexpected figure. Fritz, whom he had appointed as the Herald in Asagrim, was there to greet him.
“Why are you here instead of Asagrim?”
“The Acting Family Head sent me. He said that since Your Highness is bringing a significant number of people who are unfamiliar with the ways of the Empire, you would need my help.”
A Herald was a position responsible for diplomacy. In other words, their job was to enter unfamiliar cultures alone and successfully negotiate. Consequently, their ability to analyze and grasp alien cultures was superior to that of any other official.
“Managing immigrants isn’t exactly my job, but he said I would handle it much better than the other officials, so he told me to come and assist Your Highness first.”
“Good grief, that fellow worries too much.”
Despite his words, Lucian couldn’t hide his smile. One of the key skills of a manager is the ability to substitute an existing talent when the perfect candidate isn't available. In that regard, Hans’s judgment was spot on. He had sent a Herald who was accustomed to dealing with people from different cultures rather than a simple administrator.
If he had grown just a bit more, he wouldn't have been caught in Dominic’s scheme… the timing was just unfortunate.
It was a pity, but people grow through trials. Though it was an unpleasant experience, Hans would surely grow further because of it.
Finishing his thought, Lucian looked at Fritz and asked, “What is the current situation in Asagrim? Anything unusual?”
“As per Your Highness’s instructions, we have granted the exclusive trading rights to the Dominic Merchant Group and are conducting all transactions on credit.”
“And the Dominic Merchant Group or the other guilds haven't expressed any dissatisfaction?”
“There seemed to be some bickering regarding the exclusive trading rights, but they have been strangely quiet about the credit issue. To be honest, it’s suspicious.”
Fritz furrowed his brows as if he couldn't understand it at all. No matter how much collateral there might be, merchants are usually sensitive about credit. There are plenty of people who take goods on credit and then disappear or feign ignorance. Yet, the Dominic Merchant Group remained perfectly calm despite the enormous amount of debt being racked up.
“In my personal opinion, I believe they are hiding some sort of scheme. Please be careful.”
“You don’t need to worry. I already know what they’re up to.”
“Pardon? What exactly…?”
“It’s no fun if I tell you now. You’ll see it for yourself later. Anyway, is there still room in Asagrim? I’d like to relocate all of these people there if possible.”
Lucian wiped the playful smile from his face and asked with a serious gaze.
“Hmm, I don’t think it will be possible to move everyone. Quite a few new settlers have arrived while Your Highness was away.”
“What about distributing them appropriately among the surrounding territories?”
“That should be possible. The vacancies left by the commoners we took from the Calix territory haven't been fully filled yet.”
“Good. Let’s do that then.”
Lucian called Einar and tasked him with selecting the tribespeople to be distributed to the other territories. If they were to be split up, it was best to keep familiar faces together. If he mixed them randomly and separated families or close friends, it would surely lead to headaches later.
“I give you full authority over the five tribes. Select and place the population to be distributed appropriately. Call upon the former chieftains if you need them.”
“Yes, my Lord.”
“Helen and Marius, you stay here and explain the situation so the departing tribes don't feel anxious. It would be troublesome if they misunderstood and thought I was abandoning them.”
“We will soothe them well to ensure there is no confusion.”
“Fritz, consult with Einar regarding tribal culture, but make sure either Helen or Marius is present. If only the two of you talk, there’s a risk of miscommunication.”
“I will keep that in mind.”
At Lucian’s decisive orders, his subordinates bowed in unison. After giving detailed instructions, Lucian selected the group he would take to Asagrim and set out once more. Now that the minor tasks were settled, only one thing remained.
“The rest of you will return to Asagrim with me. Prepare yourselves.”
“Yes!”
Hearing the thunderous shouts of his subordinates, Lucian looked toward Asagrim. It was time for the Master of the White Castle to return to his home.
Einar selected the people to be distributed from the five tribes, excluding the Blue Dragon Tribe. Specifically, he chose the majority from the Red Wolf Tribe. The tribespeople who were suddenly being separated from the group were bewildered.
“Why are we the ones staying here?”
“There is a lack of space in the capital where the King resides, so it cannot be helped.”
“Then why must it be us! We also wish to serve the King closely!”
“I’m sure everyone feels the same. The problem was the attitude of the one representing you.”
“What do you mean by that?”
“The chieftain who once ruled you was extremely insolent to the King. It seemed he was ready to gather his supporters and aim for the King’s head at any moment.”
“…!”
“Since I cannot tell who is a supporter and who is a loyal subject of the King, I have no choice but to categorize you all together.”
He said those words, but in truth, it was half a lie. What did the chieftain’s sins have to do with the tribespeople? However, if he didn't explain why they were the ones suffering a disadvantage, resentment would build. The important thing was where that resentment was directed.
“I didn't want to do this either. If you want to blame someone, blame the chieftain you once served.”
“…Damn it all!”
The tribespeople, unable to go with the King, stamped their feet in frustration. No matter how much they lived in a tribal society, they weren't ignorant of how human society worked. The closer you were to the one in power, the more benefits you received. Since they were being moved away from Lucian, their potential gains would surely decrease.
“Chieftain, you useless man!”
“Was it a lie that you swore loyalty the moment you saw the King!?”
“Just what did you say to the King!?”
“No, I wasn't the only one who was rude!”
Naturally, the resulting resentment was poured onto the former chieftain who had supposedly been rude to the King. Broindolf, the former chieftain of the Red Wolf Tribe, was driven to the brink of madness by the injustice. It wasn't just him; all the other chieftains had resisted, so why was he the only one being singled out like this!
“The others did it too! Everyone was exactly the same!”
“So, you’re admitting you were rude to the King?”
“No, that’s…”
“See! I knew you had something on your conscience!”
“It’s all your fault!”
But Broindolf’s excuses fell on deaf ears. Whether everyone else was the same or not didn't matter; if he had behaved properly in the first place, would this have happened? To the tribespeople, Broindolf was to blame for providing the excuse, regardless of the reason.
The former chieftains of the other tribes swallowed hard as they watched Broindolf become the scapegoat.
If we’re not careful, could we end up like that too?
Most likely. The King wouldn't hesitate to use us as sacrifices if necessary.
…To hell with power. I should just live quietly for the rest of my life.
The former chieftains decided to completely abandon any lingering lingering ambitions. If they tried to reclaim their meager former power, they were in a position to lose even the shred of respect they had left.
Having finished the internal cleanup without even realizing it, Lucian headed toward the White Castle of Asagrim. It was time to sweep away the uninvited guests who had made a mess of his home while the master was away.