Free City Poznyu (1)
A few days after Calix departed, the First Prince arrived in Szczecin County, using the excuse of consoling the border soldiers to slip away from the capital.
Russell led the knights out to the county border to greet him.
Szczecin County, located on the northeastern border of the Lock Kingdom, was a margraviate duty-bound to defend the frontier.
However, the Madrosa Kingdom across the border had neither the will nor the capability to emerge from the desert.
As a result, the duties and rights of a margraviate had dwindled to mere formality.
There were no border garrisons or outposts worth inspecting, so the prince's entourage headed straight to the castle and enjoyed a banquet with the county's nobles.
He had handsome features, a bold personality, and eloquent speech.
There wasn't a single flaw.
It was more than enough to inspire awe among the backwater lesser nobles.
Hahaha! Your insight is truly remarkable. If you ever visit the capital, I'd love to arrange meetings with other luminaries.
Ooh, Your Highness! The honor would be mine.
As one lesser noble groveled, Russell approached and spoke.
The border fare is rough. Please forgive us if it doesn't suit your palate.
Hahaha! What's food compared to good company and fine wine in fine company?
Gail Prince turned to the lesser noble he'd been chatting with.
Oh dear! I hope I haven't overstepped. I have no intention of poaching talent from the county. I merely offered to arrange some networking.
The flustered lesser noble glanced nervously at Russell upon hearing talk of poaching talent.
N-no, I just...
It's fine. If he returns more knowledgeable, won't the county benefit in the end?
The lesser noble was grinning ear to ear in ignorance, but Russell noted the prince's gaze was utterly serene.
He could confidently say the prince wouldn't even remember the fool's name after a trip to the capital.
Tsk tsk. Time to replace that one too.
As Russell clicked his tongue inwardly, Gail Prince asked,
I hear the newly appointed heir has left the county?
Yes, Your Highness. By the time your messenger arrived, he'd already been gone for days. My apologies.
The prince's face briefly soured, as if he'd been slighted.
He'd subtly inquired about the reason for Calix's absence, only for Russell to answer the question literally without a hint of awareness.
Asking again would seem too prying.
What a pity. I was looking forward to meeting him. Ah, don't take it personally. I was quite eager to meet you as well, Sir Russell.
The honor is mine, Your Highness.
Gail wondered if the knight before him was just a clueless wallflower or a black-hearted viper.
I'll be direct. Support me. You've already crossed the Rubicon with the Kosalin Viscountcy, haven't you? They already see us as allies. I personally delivered your letter to His Majesty the King.
I am truly grateful for that.
But how did you come to meet Jerard?
Didn't he tell you?
Ahem! I mean, what was your impression of him as viscount?
Gail seethed inwardly.
This shabby viscount had made him look like someone whose reports from his own subordinates couldn't be trusted.
The frustrating part was not knowing if it was deliberate or oblivious.
Russell was renowned for his upright, rigid personality.
When the royal summons came, we sent word that the young master's health delayed our departure, but it never reached you properly.
How strange. Problems on the royal road by horse?
We later learned the messenger's horse tripped on a rock and broke its ankle.
The prince gave an incredulous look.
Continue.
As I pondered how to explain, Jerard appeared and proposed a deal. Help him escape, and he'd forgive our debts and resolve my troubles. I had no idea one letter would lead to this.
Is that so?
Gail scrutinized Russell's expression closely.
But he found no trace of suspicion.
He's clean.
Russell might be a respectable knight, but that was all.
No sparkling talent.
He'd simply been conveniently placed when Jerard decided to flee.
That was his only luck.
Gail had held faint hopes for this Calix fellow, but upon arrival, he learned the boy was not only sickly but had even attempted suicide—a utter waste.
Not worth his attention.
So, what's your answer, Viscount Russell? Will you support me?
My answer...
Russell recalled Calix's parting words before leaving the county.
Russell tilted his head slightly.
Isn't that too modest? Trading per county means separate tariffs. Transit taxes and tariffs are distinct. How useful would that be...?
Heh, just ask for that.
This eccentric lord seemed to have another clever scheme.
Understood. It shouldn't be difficult.
As Russell reminisced, he realized Gail was pressing him again.
Truly nothing you desire?
Russell replied with a stoic face.
Well! If I must, there is one thing I'd humbly request!
Ahem! Speak freely.
Seeing the prince's awkward expression nearly made Russell burst out laughing.
Thud thud thud thud thud.
Ugh... I'm... dying.
Just a bit longer, young master. One more hour and we'll reach Poznyu.
My... my butt... it feels gone.
If you'd trained in riding beforehand...
No time for that!
Other noble heirs start at age five...
Don't blame me.
Who then?
Sh... Whatever. Shut it.
Krout eyed his young lord, mindful of his moody teenage phase. At fifteen on the Eren Continent, one was legally an adult, but also prone to emotional swings.
Still, some things needed saying.
Always blaming others is a bad habit. You were the one who fled riding lessons in fear as a child.
That wasn't me...
Blaming others again.
Ah... Can you just shut up?
Calix vowed: if he ever met this body's original owner, he'd burn its soul to ash.
One thing I'm curious about.
What?
Honestly, I can't figure how Jerard wormed into the prince's inner circle.
Krout looked desperate to know. Calix deflated at the cuteness.
Pfft! That bad, huh?
Will you tell me?
Think about it.
Ugh!
Heh, that obnoxious Gail needs parasites like Jerard clinging to him just to be a fair fight. Otherwise, he's too much of a Mary Sue.
Young master. That's a sleazy grin leaking out.
Ahem!
Why Poznyu anyway? Weren't we heading to the capital?
What if we run into the First Prince?
Why fear him so?
Fear? Do you avoid shit out of fear?
Ugh, still, show some restraint around His Highness. And dirty or scary, isn't running away running away?
I planned to detour through Poznyu on the way back anyway. Just swapped the order. It was always on the itinerary. Running? As if!
Krout found his flushed, ranting young lord adorable. Noticing, Calix fumed more.
Soon I'll surpass Krout. Otherwise, I'll keep getting babied by a younger guy... Damn it!
Calix calmed himself thinking of that dungeon in Poznyu.
He hadn't told Krout, but that was the real reason for the stopover.
Thanks to his clear reward, his minimap marked every conquerable site: ruins, dungeons, ancient cities.
Not all, but he knew key rewards for many—clear them to power-level fast.
If he could clear them.
Viable excavation sites were limited for a weakling like him.
Claiming rewards meant massive expeditions, and local lords wouldn't sit idle.
Hence, Free City Poznyu.
True to name, no meddling nobles, easy mercenaries.
Plus a nearby dungeon perfect for his next goal.
It housed an S-grade skill synergistic with his divine Pena Telum.
An hour southeast, a massive castle appeared, rivers guarding three sides.
They crossed the artificial moat on the north and reached the gate.
Guards inspected entrants.
Calix's group took the nobles' central lane.
The guard saluted the Szczecin crest on the standard-bearer's flag.
Welcome. Sign the guestbook and proceed. Thank you.
They passed easily and unpacked in a luxury inn annex.
First, gauge the vibe here. See how it matches my memories.
Calix gathered the group.
You've worked hard these days. Time to unwind before marching on. Anyone know a good spot?
Good spot, eh...
He smirked slyly.
Need me to spell it out?
Hehe, no need! We'll escort you to the best~!
Young master!
Krout called out in horror, but fellow knights subdued him.
Mmph mph!
Hahaha! Sir Krout seems tired today. Don't worry—we'll tuck him in and follow.
Alright? We'll head out first.
Yes, young master!
The hyped soldiers bellowed, nearly shaking the annex.