Chapter 55
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Translator: Ace
Chapter: 55
Chapter Title: Desert? Me to the Desert! (2)
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Dominic's flustered expression drew laughter for only a moment before he began to wonder if "go to the desert" was some kind of idiom.
He never imagined it could mean literally sending him to a desert.
"If we're packing up and heading out, we'd better hurry."
"...You're not seriously telling me to go to an actual desert...?"
"You think I'd joke around after treating you to such a fine meal?"
"No, Old Lord! What on earth are you talking about? A desert?"
Only then did Dominic realize the Old Lord was dead serious, and he yelped in shock. Ian and Karim were just as stunned.
'A desert out of nowhere?'
It made no sense without any context.
"It's a message from the Lord's castle."
"We'll head back to our lodgings and stand by."
Karim and his colleagues immediately grasped that this was important and hurriedly gathered their meeting notes to leave.
When the Old Lord mentioned the "Lord's castle," it meant an order from the ruler of these lands. They figured outsiders like themselves—or lowly officials—had no business sticking around.
"Where do you think you're going?"
But Dominic blocked their path, as expected.
"How long are you going to keep calling yourselves outsiders? We're in this together now, sink or swim."
"...Mayor!"
He'd acted on the thought that smart folks like them would be useful, but Karim's misunderstandings were piling up.
"Old Lord, it's all right if they join us, yes?"
"If that's what you think, no problem at all. Heh heh."
"Perfect. So, what's this about? A desert all of a sudden?"
"Ah, right. That centipede we caught in the Great Mountains."
"The one from the monster extermination op? The one we auctioned off?"
The Old Lord nodded.
"Yes. The Lord said you remarked that even if it looked similar, the vast size difference meant it could be a different species."
"Yeah, something like that..."
"They found that suspicious, so they sent the corpse to the capital's magic tower. The results just came back. Being so rare, even the tower folks were divided on it."
"So, it wasn't the same species as the ones in the Great Mountains?"
"Exactly."
"And it came from the desert?"
"Spot on."
Now the full picture was coming together.
'Knew it smelled like trouble...'
Finding a desert creature in the Great Mountains—not deep inside, but right at the foothills—was no small matter.
"If a tricky beast like that molted just as southern domain forces were assembling... You suspect the desert's behind it, Old Lord?"
"Quick on the uptake—I like it. Well, they can't claim total ignorance. But..."
The Old Lord chose his words carefully.
"What bothers me is that the desert kingdoms don't play such shallow games."
That was why his head throbbed.
In their harsh environment, they'd amassed vast wealth—like persistent hawks cloaked in the savage guise of lions.
They might seem hot-tempered and brutal at first glance, but most of it was meticulously calculated and prepared.
Those who failed to grasp their true nature always lost out in desert dealings.
"If they really planted that centipede themselves, something bigger must be lurking behind it."
"...And you want me to uncover it?"
Dominic, who'd been listening quietly, was dumbfounded.
"I've never even been to a desert."
"You're village chief and mayor not because of experience, but because you excel. I trust you."
Don't, Dominic swallowed the retort and let out a deep sigh instead.
It seemed the decision was already made. Resisting would just hurt him.
'Fine. I was planning to go someday anyway.'
He'd always wanted to visit a desert kingdom for the spices that flowed through to the Empire.
The distance had made him hesitate, but getting travel expenses covered wasn't bad at all.
'If you can't avoid it, enjoy it.'
He resolved to make the trip worthwhile.
"All right, I'll go. But charging blindly into the desert won't yield clues. First, we need a way to meet their higher-ups."
"Hmm, that could be tricky."
The Old Lord seemed not to have considered that far.
As a high imperial noble, he'd always been welcomed by local powers abroad—he'd never had to worry about it.
"We need the most natural approach. Drawing suspicion would just limit us."
Karim chimed in carefully.
"Any viable ideas?"
"Tough one. Direct trade between the south and desert is limited."
The Old Lord tapped the table regretfully at Dominic's question.
"Could we get help from Viscount Delt's house?"
"Viscount Delt?"
Karim, lost in thought, spoke up.
"Yes. I've heard plenty of merchants buy grain from Viscount Delt's lands in winter through early spring and sell it in the desert. Traveling with them could be a solid option, but..."
"Doubt they'd cooperate. Our Lord and Viscount Delt aren't on great terms."
Dominic grimaced.
Viscount Delt controlled the south's largest granary. His output was among the Empire's top, with massive exports.
The desert was always a key buyer.
'The problem is they're rivals with our Lord.'
It had shown during the monster op.
The Lord had even offered Dominic tax breaks to one-up his rival. Dominic doubted he'd help with something this uncertain.
"What? Nonsense. Delt and Petric are thick as thieves."
The Old Lord tilted his head, as if Dominic had lost his mind.
"Pardon? But..."
"Those two? Best friends. Stubborn as mules, neither will admit it, but facts are facts. If neighboring lords started a domain war, they'd ally up without question."
"Really? Then why...?"
"Boys grow up fighting. Heh heh."
Only the Old Lord could call two major southern lords "boys."
"So, shall we aim for crossing via Viscount Delt's lands to the desert?"
"Yes. We'll prepare that way."
The academy opening was three months out.
'I have to be back by then, no matter what.'
Evergreen's future as a city hinged on the academy's success.
Dominic vowed to witness its launch firsthand.
Dominic still couldn't ride a horse, so he was in a carriage.
But now that he'd made decent money, he'd splurged on a comfy one—no more worries about bruised buttocks.
'Travel like this ain't half bad.'
This was why people earned money.
Dominic grinned nonstop, feeling the warmth from the heating spell chair Perot had made.
Ian rode horseback.
Dominic had offered to share the carriage once, but Ian shook his head, so he didn't push.
"Even I was surprised, but the permit came through so easily."
"Lucky break."
He called out the small window to Ian.
"Ever been to Viscount Delt's lands?"
"First time."
"What about you, Anton?"
"Me too."
It was a short prep time, but Dominic had roped in Anton.
The promise of big profits had hooked him instantly.
'Stick with Dominic, and gold falls from the sky even in sleep! Gotta bulk up before the port's done...'
From what he'd seen, Dominic would turn Evergreen into a wealthy hub with the new port overnight.
To ride that wave, Anton needed to scale up now and become a true partner.
He was desperate in his own way.
'I won't fall behind!'
Anton hoped to stand by Dominic's side forever. Someone else shared that drive.
"Once we reach Viscount Delt's lands, we'll head straight to the viscount's castle. He's agreed to broker us with the desert caravans."
It was Karim.
Unwilling to miss out, he'd insisted on coming along.
[Mind if I tag along? But will your side manage without you, Karim?]
[Yes, Mayor. All urgent decisions are done; just fine-tuning left, which we can handle.]
The other four officials nodded, and Karim's determination made refusal awkward, so Dominic brought him.
'One more mouth won't break the bank.'
Plus, extra help with paperwork.
Dominic took it easy.
And so, the three rode in the carriage while Ian was on horse, leading dozens of Rondo Merchant Group wagons down the road.
"There it is."
Viscount Delt's lands sprawled across endless plains.
"Whoa—coming in autumn would've been a sight."
Even post-harvest, the scale was staggering.
"Those buildings—granaries?"
"Looks like."
Long structures dotted the plains here and there.
'This yield must be a nightmare to store.'
After fishing village life, seeing a real breadbasket like Delt's lands left Dominic chuckling wryly.
Dong... Dong... Dong...
Then, percussion sounds echoed from beyond the hill—deep, resonant tones with an unfamiliar rhythm. Tension gripped everyone.
"...Desert folk."
Karim said.
"Looks like our paths crossed."
As he spoke, hundreds of desert merchants crested the hill.
Odd hats, silk robes embroidered with gold leaf—but what caught the eye most was...
"Camels!"
Dominic shouted before he knew it.
"Quiet down!"
Ian hissed a warning, but it was too late—Dominic was half out the window in excitement.
Desert caravans were like armies.
Each merchant a trained warrior, they'd draw blades at the slightest slur to their honor. Empire common sense: avoid contact on the road.
"Aw, come on! Double-humpers! Bactrian camels are a man's dream!"
Dominic ignored it all, gawking at the camels. Ian scowled at the bizarre outburst.
Dong... Dong...
The drums cut off abruptly, silence falling.
"What did you just say, Empire merchant?"
The voice carried slow, heavy menace with a peculiar accent.