Chapter 59
Chapter 59
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 59
Chapter Title: A Use for Even the Treacherous
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After that, preparations for the war continued behind the scenes.
The approval from the Callermain Earldom came through as if it were a foregone conclusion. Next, a meaningless but courteous exchange of messages took place between the Royen Viscountcy and the Zelkerd Barony, naturally setting the stage for the war's procedures.
Finally, a mediation meeting was held through a three-way discussion between Count Callermain, Viscount Royen, and Baron Zelkerd. However, since both sides were already mentally on the battlefield, the talks predictably broke down. The key issue now was just how high the stakes for this war would be.
"Young Master Beonald is a treasure. He possesses a precious talent for nurturing my daughter, who is of marriageable age, into an excellent knight. You know this, don't you? The military power of every nation on this continent is essentially determined by the number of knights. Therefore, a talent capable of raising knights would be worth more than a thousand gold pieces, wouldn't you agree?"
"No matter what talent he possesses, he is ultimately a criminal. Moreover, that bastard scarred the face of Lady Maela, the mistress of the Callermain Earldom. This is tantamount to an insult to the Callermain Earldom itself. Are you saying we should just let such a man go unpunished?"
"Getting so heated over something that a priest's miracle could easily fix is utterly ridiculous. Is the amount the Callermain Earldom donates to the temple not even that much? I wonder who is insulting whom."
While it seemed like a fierce argument on the surface, it was all just for show. In poker terms, it was like bluffing against each other and seeing how high they could raise the stakes.
Since the war would be fought under the Count Callermain's jurisdiction, the problem now was how high the stakes would go. Both sides were confident of victory, so the pot was bound to grow larger and larger.
"This is intolerable. I cannot possibly forgive that insolent attitude! I shall stake my family's honor on this war."
"You speak the words I was about to say, Viscount. So, if I win this war, will I be promoted to Viscount?"
"Ha! Look at this audacity! There's no end to your arrogance. Fine! Go ahead and take it if you can. Remember, for every gain you seek, failure will cost you just as much."
"Yes, yes, of course."
And so, stakes of a size that should not have been placed on such a small war were put on the gambling table.
An agreement was reached, with Renngel, the acting head of the Callermain family, Lady Maela, Sir Malderov, and even the high priest of the Callermain territory summoned as witnesses.
Now it was a situation with no way out. The date for the war was set for immediately after the harvest, right on this very field where the final meeting was held.
"...That is how it stands, Lord Beonald."
On the way back after the meeting, Baron Zelkerd explained everything that had happened to Beonald and informed him of the war date in detail.
"...Having more time than expected is good. And it's fortunate it wasn't hastily decided by a duel between knights."
"At any rate, all the pieces are now arranged according to your will, Young Master. But... the decisive battle will be fought on that plain, facing each other. Can we truly win? Most of the mercenaries have already been hired by the Royen Viscountcy, so we are outnumbered in troops as well."
"Having staked the family's fate, it's only natural to feel anxious... but please do not worry."
"Understood. Then I will focus even more on the training of the soldiers and knights."
Returning to Baron Zelkerd's territory, Beonald devoted himself to producing Benofis steel at the base.
The opposing side was also being extremely cautious. Because the stakes had become quite high, more time was available than initially anticipated, allowing for the construction of proper facilities to increase productivity.
"Hmm, the answer truly is scaling up. Moreover, having ample capital means we can purchase and use magic stones and scrolls. Good."
"If it weren't for that, I'd be dead by now. Phew~ Finally liberated from labor......"
"But haven't various skills improved thanks to that, including mana control and enchantment?"
"My knowledge hasn't increased, though! Ugh... If we were going to have this much time to spare, why were you pushing me so hard before?"
"Hmm? Time is not something you have 'to spare'. Should you measure the grains of sand in an hourglass as few or many? You must do your best with what you have. And you've also learned a lot about smelting methods and other things."
"But hard work is still hard work."
As her role was crucial in creating Benofis steel, Selina had been worked to the bone. Even as they bickered, the distance between them had significantly decreased.
Beonald had worked her even harder than when she was studying as a mage. However, since he thoroughly compensated her, she couldn't complain too much.
Furthermore, with more time available, he scaled up the blast furnace installed on the ley line, replaced some spells with enchantments to improve efficiency, and reduced her workload.
"But the resource efficiency still isn't there, and the ley line's mana is being drained too much. Ugh~"
"Isn't it amazing enough as it is now?"
"I'm hoping for something smarter and more efficient. The time spent installing this is a waste, you know."
"Even after making that much?"
Selina looked at the dozens of Benofis steel ingots piled on the opposite side of the furnace with an expression of disbelief.
Even though productivity had improved remarkably after refining the furnace structure and tweaking some spells, Beonald's dissatisfaction seemed absurd.
Of course, for Beonald, he kept seeing ways to improve efficiency even further, and it was frustrating to have to leave things as they were.
"It's just... unpleasant to look at. Sigh~ I wish the iron ore would arrive sooner... Even while we're like this, the ley line's mana is being consumed. Tsk~"
Moreover, the delayed arrival of materials like iron ore only served to increase Beonald's irritation.
In truth, he would have preferred not to attend that final war meeting at all. However, not knowing what variables might arise, it was right for him to go and prepare.
"Lord Beonald, the meal is ready. Lady Selina, please come as well."
"Alright, Sian~ I'm coming now. Well, let's go eat."
In the end, even the most urgent matters must wait for a meal. When mealtime came, they had to stop.
At Sian's call, Selina and Beonald left the furnace and gathered at the table beside the log cabin serving as their temporary shelter.
The table was laden with dishes that seemed impossible for the outdoors: freshly baked bread, vegetables, and well-grilled meat with sauce.
"Indeed... nothing is more important than a meal. Mmm~ Even though cooking ingredients and equipment must have been severely lacking... Sian, if you need anything, don't hesitate to speak up."
"Isn't a meal just something you need to survive?"
"What nonsense. Life is limited time, and meals are an indispensable part of it. Isn't it only natural to make them as enjoyable and happy as possible? In that sense, Sian's value is well worth it. Perhaps even more than yours, Selina."
"I, I am undeserving. That such simple cooking... could be compared to the Mage......"
Sian blushed and bowed her head in embarrassment at the excessive praise. Meanwhile, Selina, displeased at being undervalued despite her hard work, puffed out her cheeks and cut into her salad and steak, stuffing them into her mouth.
Then, as she couldn't help but acknowledge the rich flavor in her mouth, she tried to take revenge by snatching the steak from Beonald's plate, only to be stopped by his knife.
"Tsk!"
"...What's with the 'tsk'?"
"Um, there's more if you need it. Lady Selina, Lord Beonald."
The flustered Sian tried to mediate, but Selina just turned her head away and sulked.
"It's not because I'm lacking anything~ Hmph!"
"...Don't be petulant. Anyway, Sian, we don't need more. More importantly, are you eating properly and getting enough sleep? Your body is no longer just yours; it is also mine. I cannot forgive you treating it carelessly."
"Please do not worry, Lord Beonald."
Touched by Beonald's warm words, Sian bowed deeply, as if to hide her eyes, expressing her gratitude.
Feeling left out again as the two played out their lovey-dovey scene, Selina interjected with a sarcastic remark.
"Wow, how sweet. Heehee~ Why don't you just get married?"
"I fully intend to do so."
"Wha, what? R-really?"
"However, the question is which wife she will be. Aside from the fact that the position of the first legal wife must be left open for political reasons......"
"...Are you in your right mind?"
"Of course I am. It's the natural action for a noble. It's no different from expanding and tending a garden. Sian is a woman perfectly suited for that. Of course, that doesn't mean I would force her. I must wait for her choice."
Due to his father, Felix von Neumel, Beonald truly detested forcing a woman into his hands for any purpose.
Perhaps in cases of power struggles like Lady Maela, it might be different? But regarding romance, Beonald, with one exception, always said his piece and gave the woman the choice, determined not to follow in his father's footsteps.
"I... have already made my choice, more or less. However, I fear it might put Lord Beonald in a difficult position now. So, when the position of the future legal wife is filled... I wish to be acknowledged then."
"Is that so? If that is your choice, Sian, then that's fine. But you can always talk to me if you change your mind. And......"
"...Heidiiiiiii! Please come back soooon!"
While Beonald and Sian exchanged their cringeworthy, lovey-dovey conversation with perfect composure, Selina, suffering from their perfect harmony, could only desperately call out for Heidi, who had gone to procure iron ore from the forest.
And not long after, Heidi returned, clad in newly made heavy armor, riding the equally heavily armored Alterio, pulling a cart laden with iron ore and various other materials.
"Oh, you've finally arrived, Heidi."
"I apologize for being late. But as expected, it wasn't easy for the cart to climb the mountain......"
"It's fine. It's enough that you arrived safely. I had already considered such difficulties. More importantly, forget the cart for now; how is your coordination with Alterio?"
"Well, it was difficult at first, but I think he's slowly starting to accept me as his master. Of course, the feeling of leading by force is still strong."
"Is that so? That guy, really......"
Neigh!
Alterio, heavily armored in Benofis steel plate, was currently emitting happy sounds as he received food and water from Sian.
Having fully matured into an adult, Alterio had grown large enough for Heidi to ride him long ago, so riding wasn't a problem, but taming him had been a bit of a struggle.
'At any rate, I'm truly looking forward to it. It's been so long... since I'll get to wage a proper war. When was the last time...? Was it when suppressing the northern barbarians?'
Even after seizing power as the empire's second-in-command in his past life, 'war' had never ceased.
Other nobles coveting his position, barbarian tribes, various issues causing rebellions in lands... He took to the front lines in the Emperor's stead to maintain the military's real authority.
And in his later years, having built a force that no one dared challenge, he hadn't waged war for a long time. But knowing how grand a gambling table 'war' could be, he imagined the gains after victory and eagerly awaited the day it would come.