Chapter 68
Chapter 68
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 68
Chapter Title: Dog's Death (1)
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Lian leaned against the side of the well, shaking the remaining water from his hair as he caught his breath.
Having returned to his original appearance for the first time in days, it felt like he'd finally taken off an invisible mask he'd worn all day long.
Looking down at the city's scenery with a profound sense of freedom...
It wasn't just his imagination that it felt especially bleak compared to the previous evening.
Especially not a pleasant experience, watching the bereaved families clutching the corpses of dead soldiers and sobbing uncontrollably.
"Here, use this to dry off."
"Ah, thanks. Pablo."
Lian thoroughly wiped away the remaining water with the towel Pablo handed him.
Even so, his gaze lingered on the families of the enemy fallen.
"I don't think you need to feel responsible, Sir Lian. War's always like this, ain't it?"
"I'm not really bothered. You know I'm a born merchant, right? I was just briefly wondering how to turn this situation into profit."
"Yes. I know that well."
But because he'd seen up close how that moneymaking had always brought positive change to those around him.
Pablo somehow felt those words were warm.
"By the way, how's the public sentiment right now?"
"For now, the betrayal toward Lord Gregory seems much greater than any resentment toward the Castel forces."
What the citizens had seen was nothing more than an illusion created by magic.
If the truth came out, public opinion could flip in an instant.
But Pirka's additional report eased those concerns a bit.
"As the cause of defeat spreads through the surviving soldiers, even worse rumors about the lord are circulating."
"Hmm. Really?"
"Yeah. Stuff like how he collected taxes hand over fist under the pretext of territory defense but did nothing to prepare. Things like that."
"That's right. So more and more people are believing the dead soldiers met a dog's death because of the lord."
Rumors were truly frightening.
Just a slight nudge on the back, and it snowballed like this on its own.
It was probably all the pent-up dissatisfaction of the citizens bursting out at once with this opportunity.
"Hmm. At that rate, even without silencing Lord Gregory, people won't figure out the truth."
Honestly, Lian didn't think he'd deceived anyone.
The lord had just dressed it up in flowery words to incite them.
In the end, what he'd said amounted to telling civilians to play meat shields until the main army arrived.
If the lord had truly prioritized the citizens' lives, surrender would have been the obvious choice in that desperate situation.
"So the hero of victory was here after all. I wondered where you'd gone."
A voice came from behind—General Tullio, brimming with elation.
His face bloomed with as wide a smile as his tone.
"Well, I'll be. Never in my life have I claimed such an effortless victory. Thanks to you, I'm almost embarrassed to take credit for it."
"Not at all. We couldn't have done it without your army in the end."
"I'm grateful you see it that way. I'll detail your exploits thoroughly in the report to His Highness."
General Tullio didn't seem to be saying empty words; he genuinely planned to credit everything to Lian.
There wasn't a hint of pretense in his tone.
"Will you stay here in Dalisi and keep advancing, General?"
"I suppose so. The defenses just need a few fixes here and there. Thanks to you, our losses are negligible, so holding the city won't be much trouble."
"I see. You've worked hard."
"Truth be told, I'd love to keep pushing north like this. Ha ha ha!"
The general's hearty laugh revealed the eyes of a beast hungering for battle.
This wasn't mere jest.
Then, suddenly...
Lian recalled one battlefield that hadn't yet concluded.
"Speaking of which, what happened at Randal Fortress?"
"Ah. According to the messenger, an unexpected raid threw our plans off a bit."
"An unexpected raid? Did they get ambushed or something?"
"Exactly. Enemy cavalry appeared out of nowhere with flute signals, sweeping through the rear. Apparently, magical beasts were mixed in too."
"That's strange. Was there some hidden path we didn't know about?"
Lian had of course scouted the Randal Fortress area beforehand with his magic.
But there were no suitable positions nearby to hide cavalry.
Unless it was an enemy cavalry unit just happening to pass by...
It was truly an out-of-the-blue raid.
"Maybe their goal was disruption from the start. They retreated quickly, so our losses were light. But chasing them scattered our forces, and with the fear of another raid, it was hard to fight properly."
The moment he heard that, a possibility flashed in Lian's mind.
Randal Fortress was the gateway connecting eastern Bordia.
One person came to mind who might have led cavalry through that area recently.
In that case, the cavalry's goal probably wasn't disruption.
They'd likely charged straight into enemy lines just to find someone.
With no success, they withdrew.
Who would attempt such madness? But if they were already mad, it made perfect sense.
"So what happened to that cavalry? Did you repel them all?"
"Looks like a few got away. Beacon fires lit up that evening anyway, and they gave up the chase after that."
"Meaning that cavalry is still somewhere in Dalisi territory."
"Even so, they've probably secured the fortress by now, and I've ordered separate pursuit. No need for you to worry."
But thinking of cavalry haunting the land like ghosts in search of Lian made it impossible not to worry.
"By the way, you found some spy-related documents at Bringen Fortress, right? Could I learn about them too?"
"Hmm. Sorry, but I can't share that with you."
"I understand."
He didn't know how much word of Lian had spread in Bordia.
But at least Paula's lord seemed aware that Lian was fighting under royal orders.
This confirmed it halfway.
Cavalry led by Paula's lord was still lurking somewhere in Dalisi territory.
Having sensed his mortal enemy nearby, he was biding his time to strike personally.
"In any case, congratulations, Sir Lian. This makes you safely the governor of Madella."
"Thank you, General."
Either way, Lian's business here was done.
Though one loose end remained.
Now he just needed to report the victory to the capital, claim his promised reward, and return to Madella.
"Feel free to drop the formalities from now on. You're about to govern a territory as His Highness's proxy, after all."
"It's far beyond my station. Honestly, it still doesn't feel real."
"Humility is fine, but if anyone looks down on you, it's as good as looking down on His Highness. Be as brazen and bold as you need."
"Thank you for the advice."
Lian's promised status was merely a low noble title in name only.
But his actual position rivaled ministers at the king's side.
From now on, how those around him treated Lian—and how Lian treated those around him—would have to change.
"Ah, speaking of which."
"Hm? What is it?"
"Martin really doesn't suit covert work. He can't hide his status, for one..."
Lian nodded toward Martin, still dressed as an ordinary soldier.
"Ha ha! So they already figured out this guy's true identity?"
"Yes. Unless the goal is to behead someone, you'd better pick someone else for missions like this next time."
Why else would the general insist on sticking Martin to Lian's side?
Lian's origins weren't entirely above suspicion.
If he judged Lian might become Castel’s enemy someday, eliminating him preemptively would make sense.
"Is that so? I'll keep it in mind."
Tullio wasn't particularly surprised at having his intentions seen through.
If Lian hadn't noticed, he might have been disappointed— instead, he smiled contentedly.
Truly a cunning and shameless man.
"Well then, I'll be off to handle some business."
"Yes. See you before I leave."
"Very well. Martin, let's go."
"Yes, General."
General Tullio left the well, a smile playing on his lips as if thoroughly amused.
In contrast, Martin following behind looked grim.
"...I have no face to show."
"What for?"
"For my identity being exposed."
"It's fine. I knew from the start you weren't suited for this kind of mission."
In truth, it didn't matter if he was exposed from the beginning.
People act unnaturally when they know they're being watched, even if they've done nothing wrong.
But Lian had seen through it and acted all the more boldly and brazenly.
Because he truly had no skeletons in his closet.
Or because he was that audacious...
"Either way, I like it."
"Pardon?"
"Nothing. Looks like you didn't end up using what I gave you."
"Yes. Actually, Sir Lian..."
Martin carefully reported Lian's reaction when the poison came up.
General Tullio nodded along, letting out short exclamations of admiration throughout.
"Hmm. I see? What an entertaining fellow."
"But... were you really intending for him to use it?"
Honestly, when General Tullio handed him the poisoned pouch, Martin had thought it was a test for Lian.
But upon reflection, knowing his uncle as he did...
"Of course. Easier and more efficient to empty out and refill than to convert false sun worshippers."
"I see..."
Madella Island worshipped the same Luo as his own, so no issue there.
But Bordia was different.
If they wouldn't abandon their faith, blood would have to flow inevitably.
"Of course, Sir Lian has a point. Better to use whatever resources you can."
Just as with the convict soldiers.
In General Tullio's eyes, Dalisi citadel's citizens were mere consumables to be replaced at will.
Kiririk—kiririk—clang clang!
In a warehouse-like room tucked in a corner inside the walls.
The steady clamor of tools echoed quietly within.
Lian followed the noise deeper inside.
There, the dwarf craftsman Mandor was busily repairing the traps and defenses Lian had sabotaged.
"Mandor. How's the repair going?"
"That voice... Oh? Is that you, President Lian?"
As Lian approached, Mandor's eyes and mouth widened in surprise.
From mysterious black-haired beauty to tall blond young man.
Without the voice, he wouldn't have recognized him as the same person.
"You look far more manly and dashing like this! Heh heh heh!"
"...Let's drop that talk. Anyway, can you get the devices running again by today?"
"Don't worry. I just tweaked the gears and axles a bit. Back to normal in no time!"
Mandor demonstrated his confidence, banging away at the trap's mechanism with a spanner.
"What now? Planning to keep working the forge here?"
"Who knows. The contract with House Hampton's basically done. Depends on what the Castels decide."
"If things get uncertain later, come to Madella. You lost your job because of me, after all. I'll take responsibility."
"Oho! Now that's music to my ears!"
In Lian's view, the dwarf's skills held enough potential to spark an industrial revolution.
Of course, technology alone wouldn't suffice; various social conditions would need to align too.
But it would definitely make money!
"By the way, got time? If you're free, make me something. Paid, of course."
Watching Mandor at work, a good idea suddenly struck Lian.
"O! Tell me! If it's a request from President Lian, I'll make time even if I don't have it!"
"Alright, then..."
Lian leaned in, whispering as if sharing a secret.
A moment later.
Mandor's lips curved upward.