Chapter 154
Chapter 154
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 154
Chapter Title: Usefulness of a Traitor
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"What... method?"
"First, we must secure the Valderian family ruins again. The place guarded by the religious order... ultimately, it requires people to guard it. So we can actually use this food crisis as an opportunity. The pretext is that we will retrieve the artifacts there, establish it as a base, and expand westward."
"Expansion?"
"Yes. Strictly speaking, the Valderian's sphere of influence includes the sea, but the western forests were difficult to develop because many dangerous monster species live there. But we have them. As you saw from capturing the 'Black Drake,' the combat power of the 'Magic Armor' is extremely useful for western development."
Previously, they had to deploy many soldiers, knights, and adventurers to engage in dangerous battles, but he pointed out that the Magic Armor dramatically increased the possibility and survival rate of hunting large, dangerous monster species, and proposed developing the previously inaccessible west.
"Hoh?"
"And now, these ruins are perfectly suited as a foothold for advancing into the western territory. Even though they're destroyed, the stones that were used and the leveled ground are already prepared. So we use that as a pretext to negotiate with the order."
"Negotiate? Is that possible? That place has been a forbidden zone for over a hundred years."
"That's why the current food crisis is an opportunity. Religion exists to comfort and guide people, but that's only true when people are peaceful and can maintain order. When chaos begins and hunger arises, faith is the first thing to disappear."
It was the same in his past life.
Even in this world where miracles from the Goddess genuinely exist, people only readily believe in religion when they are full and warm. Otherwise, religion is nothing more than a tool to incite violence and rampage.
p>The Goddess's church heals sickness with miracles, but prayer cannot make bread.
Of course, this food crisis could conversely become an opportunity for proselytization, but if the entire continent suffers a food shortage and famine occurs, that's a different level of story.
If the entire continent-level food crisis leads to starvation and everyone is hungry, whether it's the Goddess or a Demon God, whoever fills their stomach becomes the absolute deity.
Thus, in Beonald's perception, religion was ultimately nothing more than a large-scale farce.
'Even knowing the Goddess exists... my original perception hasn't changed much.'
"Hmm... So, we must bet with the food we have stockpiled. At the point when the value of food is highest... the moment the order feels a sense of crisis?"
Even if the order farms, the cost of maintaining the order takes priority; saving the populace is not the primary concern.
But when it seems the order's influence might wane, they can strengthen their religious power even more by aiding the populace, so the idea was to use food as bait to negotiate with the order precisely at that time.
"Your quick understanding is truly admirable. However, it's likely to cost less than the expense of cultivation. And... the value of food will rise around the time news spreads that food isn't coming from the granary region of the Vanilo Count's family, which would be around this winter."
"Hmm, and until then, we prepare in advance and stockpile even more?"
"We can emphasize that we are developing the western forests and mountains, not the ruins, by proceeding with hunting in the west ahead of time. A plausible plan, isn't it? Well, even if they suspect it's because of the artifacts? We can say it seems there are family treasures there~ It's easy to make an excuse."
"Hmmmmm......"
Oswald fell into thought for a moment.
Beonald's opinion was certainly good, but it also carried considerable risk.
Ultimately, they had to offer a massive amount of food enough to persuade the Goddess Church, and making such a decision alone was too burdensome for him.
"Of course, it would be better to get the Count's approval, right? We have time, so......"
"Right! Ah, I should hear my elder brother's opinion too. Hahaha, then I'll send a message immediately. Since it's a close matter... I should write it using the family cipher."
"Yes, please do."
Deciding to get the Count's approval first, Oswald immediately began writing a secret letter.
Thinking this much was sufficient, Beonald asked to be informed when the Count's reply arrived and then headed for the Count's family office.
That place was where the Count's family's retainers and administrators gathered to conduct business, essentially the administrative heart of this territory.
"Oh, isn't that Lord Beonald? What did you discuss with Lord Oswald?"
The one who spoke to Beonald was Baron Rinkret, one of the Valderian family's administrators. He was a man in his forties with a slender build, wearing glasses and sporting a stylishly groomed beard, giving off an academic impression.
A graduate of the Imperial Academy, he had worked for the Valderian family for about 15 years now, making him practically a seasoned bureaucrat.
Such people usually distrusted and ostracized Beonald, a rolling stone that came their way, but since he was an Academy graduate, possessed swordsmanship at a senior knight level, and had established his position by creating magical tools and achieving actual military feats, it was a reality that they couldn't even dream of asserting territoriality or pressure; rather, they were the ones treading carefully.
"We discussed that the food crisis seems likely to be prolonged. So I intend to increase monster hunting and prepare for developing the western region."
"Is that so? Wait, the food crisis is being prolonged? This year's farming at the Vanilo Count's family hasn't even started yet?"
"That's what the Garccan Republic is aiming for. They intend to shake the entire Empire. Anyway, I'll go discuss this with Young Master Cedron. It would also be good to inform the territory of this fact."
"Ah, understood."
Clearly, Beonald was the newcomer, but his attitude was so confident and natural that it was hard to tell who was the master.
Although he himself was a Baron, he had absolutely no talent for the sword, so he was essentially maintaining his noble position and power under the protection of the Valderian family, and Beonald was someone favored by that very Valderian family, so he went to convey his non-command command to the other administrators.
"Young Master, it's me. I've returned from speaking with Acting Lord Oswald."
"Oh? Is that so?"
The Cedron that Beonald saw upon descending was currently training in sword and shield techniques using the family heirloom shield, having removed his Magic Armor.
Seeing Beonald, he immediately set down his sword and shield, approached, and listened once more to the content discussed upstairs.
"Hmm, I see. So... what have you come to me for?"
"It's spring now, the season when monsters and creatures become active. Let's form a hunting team. We have two Magic Armors, and it's better to improve them in actual combat, right? It's also good training."
"Ooh... That's not bad. Besides, leaving dangerous monster species alone is dangerous."
"Moreover, we have 'Alterio.'"
For predator-type monsters, humans were beings they didn't need to bother unless they were truly starving, but as you know, Griffins are rivals sharing territory disputes and prey, a matter of survival rights as fellow predators.
Just like with the 'Black Drake' case, if they just go and roar in the enemy's territory, the dangerous monsters living there will come running with bloodshot eyes on their own.
"Especially those that hibernated and woke up in spring are hungry, and if an invader appears targeting the prey in their territory, they'll charge in a life-or-death struggle. We just need to be careful of that. Let's go around tomorrow. I'll head straight to the Adventurer's Guild to see if there are any requests."
"Hmm, that's good. Getting food and training at the same time, truly killing two birds with one stone. Then I'll select the soldiers and knights to go. It'll be good experience."
"Yes. Please keep the number reasonable; too many isn't good either."
"Understood! Don't worry."
Thus, Cedron accepted the monster hunt and headed to the barracks where the knight order was to prepare, while Beonald went straight to the Adventurer's Guild in the territory's city center to investigate monster distribution.
The city ruled by the Valderian family, a high noble house, wasn't as prosperous as the imperial capital but was still more flourishing than the Callermain Earldom's city, with well-maintained roads and sewers, making it much cleaner.
'Hmm, am I getting used to it now? The scenery of the past is no longer visible.'
Although it was the same Valderian Count's city, to Beonald, it was two cities divided into 500 years ago and now.
And while the scenery of 500 years ago used to flicker before his eyes first, now he felt he had become so accustomed to this reality that the past scenes only appeared when he consciously recalled them. With that thought, Beonald reached the Adventurer's Guild.
"Welcome? Oh my! Aren't you the Drake Slayer?"
"I don't recall being called by such a strange title."
As soon as he entered, the female guild employee made a fuss, and he gave her a puzzled look. She brought out a booklet and showed it to Beonald.
It was the Adventurer's Guild's official document certifying the capture of the Black Drake, and it had Beonald's signature on it.
"Ah, this thing. But I don't remember receiving such a title. Besides, the request was successfully completed, and I received the reward, so isn't the matter over?"
"It's not that simple... A monster of the Black Drake's level is a tremendous achievement even for our Valderian branch, and it's news that would cause a commotion even at the guild headquarters in the imperial capital. During the war, the proof of subjugation was already sent to the capital headquarters for verification, but the... circumstances of how you captured it haven't been fully heard... so, you see......"
"In other words, you want me to tell you how I caught it?"
"Yes. The headquarters is also perplexed, wondering how three people managed to capture it......"
"If you don't want to acknowledge it, you don't have to. Asking an adventurer who hunts monsters to share hunting know-how is the same as asking a mage for their spell formulas or a knight family for their mana breathing technique and swordsmanship, isn't it?"
Beonald wanted to keep the Magic Armor from leaking outside as much as possible.
It was common sense that if anyone stood out regarding better weapons or armaments, they would attract attention and everyone would become wary.
Moreover, with the magic-obsessed Dyna Kingdom right above, if those guys heard about the Magic Armor, they would clearly go mad and come down, so it had to be concealed.
"Ah, even so... we need at least a reasonable explanation......"
"If you must, then tell them we used a theory about predator territory using a Griffin to set bait and utilized appropriate traps. A victory of strategy and tactics, so to speak. Anyway, the request forms here, may I take them?"
"Ah! Yes. You may take them."
"Then I'll take this one... the Land Drake. I want to acquire more Drake leather."
"If you wish, there is also the method of purchasing ones hunted in other regions......"
"Including shipping costs, it'll probably be quite expensive. And even if I buy it, the leather size will be smaller. Never mind. Hunting it myself to obtain it is a more cost-effective deal. Then I'll be on my way."
"Ah, have a safe trip!"
Hearing the employee's farewell, he only took the request forms and quickly exited, but Beonald suddenly felt a gaze as if someone was watching him.
However, acting as if he hadn't noticed, he moved naturally back to the mansion while checking several times, but it was certain.
Someone was watching and following him.
'Hmm, there are hardly any bold enough to act like this within Valderian territory.'
He reviewed the lower nobles, but none showed signs of opposing or rebelling against the Valderian family.
Partly because of military power, and partly because it was a region that had been greatly harmed by the Dyna Kingdom once, so there was a strong tendency to unite under the grand goal of 'Overthrow Dyna!'
'But the central government wouldn't have time to pay attention to me now.'
That Emperor would surely be reading the long-term trend of the food crisis, and the Kmel family was busy fighting the plunderers from the Borea Kingdom who kept coming down to wage war.
Then who remains? By process of elimination, it naturally narrowed down to one.
It was the nation bordering this Valderian territory: the Dyna Kingdom.