Chapter 64
Chapter 64
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 64
Chapter Title: Siege of Dalisi (5)
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Lian didn't have many memories from his past life that he could call cherished.
Even so, if he had to name a time that was at least somewhat enjoyable, it would ironically be his days at the orphanage, which had been his makeshift home.
His early elementary school years.
For some reason, wrestling had been all the rage at the orphanage for a while.
The older boys using the younger kids as practice dummies for their moves had seemed so fun back then.
Lian was mostly on the receiving end, but he'd been genuinely disappointed when watching wrestling on TV got banned.
Yes. Looking back now, those memories were definitely fond ones.
"Hiyaak! Guys! Help! My head's gonna split!"
As Lian locked Firka in a headlock, he reminisced about those hazy memories deep in his soul.
"No helping it. This is all the mage's own doing."
"Why! It worked! We got through safely thanks to me!"
Sure enough, thanks to Firka's idea, Lian hadn't faced any suspicion.
To start, he'd dyed his hair black to avoid reminding anyone of Lian and added a ponytail wig.
Then, just a touch of Firka's makeup had produced astonishing results.
With a solid base to work from, there wasn't the slightest incongruity.
Though it did have the side effect of drawing excessive attention from people.
Curiosity was far better than suspicion or wariness.
"Damn... Do I have to keep going around like this for a while?"
"It's fine! You look really pretty! I'm even jealous... Kyaaak! It hurts!"
But that didn't erase the grudge for the humiliation she'd inflicted.
In the end, Firka flailed around for a good while with her head caught between Lian's elbows.
She finally collapsed limply onto the dirt-caked floor of the inn room.
"So, what's the plan going forward, then?"
"For now, we hold out undetected until the fourth day. While we're at it, we can lay some preliminary groundwork."
"But if we end up dealing directly with the lord, it could be a golden opportunity. How about assassinating him to decapitate their command structure in one go?"
"No, Martin. That might not hit as hard as you think. It could even backfire, putting someone far more competent in his place."
"Hmm. That's true..."
Unless this territory's lord was some extraordinary genius,
it was a position anyone could fill in his stead.
Which was why Lian had no desire to introduce unnecessary variables.
"For now, let's move covertly and sabotage key defensive facilities bit by bit."
"Ah. On that note, I have a proposal."
"Yes? What is it?"
Martin seemed to hesitate a moment before answering.
Then he pulled a small pouch from the auxiliary bag at his waist.
"This is something General Tullio entrusted to me. It's refined powder from white poison grass."
A hush fell over the room.
Everyone could guess why he'd brought out such a thing.
"If we slip this into the wells, we could take this place with ease."
"Is this a personal mission from General Tullio? Are you sure you can tell me about it?"
"No. He left the decision entirely up to you, Lian."
"In that case, we won't use it."
Lian refused without a second thought.
No matter the goal of victory, suggesting a plan that massacred civilians was too much.
General Tullio really was hard to like as a person.
"You don't want to sacrifice fellow countrymen, then."
"No. It's just simply impractical."
"...That's an unexpected answer."
This wasn't some excuse to brush off due to conscience; it was Lian's honest opinion.
Even if they won the battle this way, they could lose the war.
"Our goal is occupation, not destruction, right? The moment we seize it, our forces have to switch to hunkering down here. Contaminating the water supply would be foolish."
After occupation, Dalisi Citadel would serve as both an outpost and a bulwark to draw in and block the enemy.
They needed to prioritize capturing it in a state ready for prolonged siege defense.
"Plus, the citizens are a vital component in maintaining the fortress. Even if soldiers filled their roles, it'd still mean a loss of manpower."
"True. Even expeditionary forces require non-combat personnel."
"And when we need their goodwill and cooperation, we can't start by turning them against us."
Public sentiment was surprisingly simple.
In the end, it would always sway toward whoever treated them better.
Depending on how they handled the people after occupation, invaders could be repackaged as saviors in an instant.
"Above all, I'm a merchant. To me, an item's future value matters far more than its current one. I absolutely won't devalue a product just to grab it now."
Martin gazed at Lian with a look of genuine surprise.
He'd always thought merchants were shortsighted, fixated only on immediate gains.
Lian was decidedly different.
Suddenly, it made sense why Valua II had named him Madela's new leader.
"I see. Truth be told, I wasn't keen on such a dishonorable method either. Pretend you never saw this."
"No. Hand it over to me anyway?"
"Pardon? You just said not to use it..."
"Just because I don't trust you yet."
Lian held out his hand, demanding the poison pouch right then.
"...A fair point. Here."
For a moment, Martin wondered.
Maybe they'd seen through his true identity long ago.
The thought came to him belatedly.
As dawn broke, Dalisi Citadel grew extremely hectic.
Bells clanged noisily from the bell tower, and the urgent footsteps of soldiers echoed beyond the window.
"Looks like the general's arrived."
The main force of the 14th Legion, led by Tullio, had reached the citadel.
Of course, as planned, actual combat hadn't begun yet.
There would be formal negotiations between both sides for three days, during which each would prepare for battle as best they could.
The siege would kick off in earnest the moment talks predictably broke down.
"Right on schedule. Then let's quickly go over today's tasks."
"Hey, hold on. Don't talk. My makeup's smudging!"
Firka grumbled as she wiped away her crooked lip liner.
Lian stayed still as she'd asked.
Only then would this ordeal end sooner.
"Done! Even I'm impressed with my work... Ow!"
The edge of Lian's hand chopped down on Firka's crown.
"If we end up trading goods today, have Pablo handle it like yesterday."
"Anything I should watch out for?"
"Hmm. The key is a merchant's mindset, I suppose. We can't let on that we have any other motives."
"In that case, I'll do my utmost based on what I've learned watching you, Lian."
Acting like a money-grubbing merchant would only raise suspicions.
No wonder the classic merchant lie was "I'm selling at a loss."
A skilled merchant knew to hide their own gains and make it seem like the buyer was getting the better deal.
Openly chasing profit was amateur hour.
"Alright, then. Let me tell you how I expect them to play it."
And so began Lian's crash course for Pablo.
The best trade was the best merchant act.
"Got it? Just follow what I said, and they'll think, 'Now there's a born merchant.' Nothing more."
"Yes, sir! Understood."
Bang bang bang!
Just as the lecture wrapped up,
someone knocked on the inn room door.
"Hey, trader! You in there?"
The gruff, perpetually irritated tone.
A voice Lian recognized.
It was the soldier who'd opened the gates for their group last night.
"Yes, yes. What can we do for you?"
"The lord summons you. Follow me."
"Oh dear, yes! Right away!"
The group exchanged glances and nodded.
"Hm? Just you two?"
When only the beauty... disguised Lian and Pablo emerged, the soldier peeked into the room.
"Well, someone has to guard the wagon's cargo, right?"
Martin was genuinely on guard duty.
Firka was only pretending.
For now, she'd scout the citadel thoroughly while staying hidden.
After that, they'd finalize the sabotage plans.
"Fair enough. Can't guarantee no thieves in this town, especially now."
And so, Lian and Pablo followed the soldier to face the lord.
They spiraled up the helical hill along the walls to the towering central keep.
Capturing this building was essentially the siege's final phase.
Its narrow, winding approach was perfect for arrow barrages.
After navigating the convoluted path, they reached the audience chamber.
Lacking the splendor of Madela Castle or Castel Palace, it was dim and drab—Lian half-wondered if they'd stumbled into a torture room.
"You lot the traders who came last night?"
"Yes, my lord! Thank you for letting us in so late—we owe you our lives!"
"Tch. Bad luck, though. The enemy encircled us this morning."
"What? Really? No wonder it was so hectic at dawn! Of all the timing...!"
Was that a bit over the top?
Lian felt a twinge of worry, but Dalisi's lord didn't seem to mind.
If anything, his lingering gaze on Lian was a tad unsettling.
It stirred unwelcome memories.
"No worries, though. You'll be safe under my roof."
"Th-thank you! Your boundless grace leaves us speechless, my lord!"
Just as expected.
With the enemy at the gates, he'd use protection as an excuse to squeeze them for supplies...
"By the way. Why's the pretty one next to you so silent? I've personally granted you my grace, yet no word of thanks?"
The lord stared at Lian, a hint of petulance in his expression.
"Ah, my sister lost her voice to illness as a child. Please forgive her silence."
"Hm? Sister? That's your sister?"
"Haha! We don't look alike at all, do we? Embarrassing, but different fathers."
"Well, happens. Heh, a mute, and so lovely. What a pity."
Lian felt a flicker of unease.
Why had the conversation veered here?
And the lord seemed oddly cheerier after Pablo's reply.
"S-so, my lord? What of our goods...?"
"Ahem. Right. Name your price, any amount. I'll pay it."
"Really?"
"No brag, but we're wealthier than most territories. It's no burden."
Not "no brag"—he was bragging.
Complete with that smarmy pose to look dashing.
Right now, this man wasn't a territory's lord.
He was just an ordinary guy showing off for the beauty before him.