Poznyu Siege Operation (7)
Settlement had finally begun.
The street stalls set up throughout the city were packed away, and the piles of coarse grains from the food stalls were neatly stacked in warehouses.
Calix had shuttled back and forth to Kabala multiple times, dumping food into Poznyu, so the city's warehouses were overflowing with it.
Merchants who had gone bankrupt from their debts handed over their warehouses—and all the food inside—to Calix.
Of course, he'd forgiven their debts in exchange, but with Poznyu's food prices in the gutter, it barely made a dent.
This affair had bankrupted more than half the long-established merchants in a commercial city of 150,000 souls. And all their assets now belonged to Calix.
Gold and silver coins poured endlessly into Madam Hari's salon.
Yurin, in particular, was hardly in her right mind.
"Oppa, marry this girl. I'll serve you with all my heart and soul."
"...Your bloodshot eyes make you look kinda scary."
"Hohohoho! Ahh, this intoxicating scent wafting from the gold and silver! I can't hold back without getting drunk on it."
"...I don't smell a thing."
As the mountains of gold and silver grew taller, Yurin’s condition worsened.
Calix shook his head, selected Area Designation, and chose Store in Inventory.
In an instant, the coins vanished, reduced to mere icons in his status window.
"Ah... aaaah... It's gone. It really was just a dream."
Yurin was rambling nonsense.
Calix seriously wondered if this was truly the woman once called the Black Witch behind the curtain.
At that moment, a young man entered, carrying a chest on his back.
"This is the last one."
"Good work."
The young man hesitated instead of leaving right away.
"Um..."
"Something you want to say?"
He bowed his head deeply.
"Thank you so much! Thanks to you, my little sister is eating well and staying healthy. And everyone in the slums is singing Young Master Calix's praises nonstop."
"Is that so? I just gave you work and paid you fairly for it. No need to be that grateful."
The young man shook his head.
"No, sir. They were all people who couldn't find work, or if they did, they got maybe a tenth of what others earned. You're the first noble to treat us this well."
Unable to bear the flattery, Calix waved him off.
"Alright, enough. Job's done—head out."
"...Call on me anytime you need something. Even if it's this worthless life you want, I'll give it gladly."
"Don't need it. Get lost and take good care of your sister."
He bowed once more and left the room.
Yurin said with an amused expression,
"It's fascinating. They provided labor, we paid them fairly—why are they so grateful?"
"...You're right. It's just that the world's full of trash, so normal people come off like saints."
"Hmm..."
Yurin poked Calix's side playfully.
"Not just the Red Wolf Mercenary Corps—over 800 veteran mercenaries who've reached Class 4 are all favorably inclined toward you now, Oppa. Even a great lord struggles to maintain a knight order of 800. And you did it by handing out a mediocre mana breathing method. Sure, you can't command them like limbs, but if you give them a cause, they'll lend a hand anytime."
Calix said nothing.
She was spot on.
Of course, he hadn't precisely predicted this outcome when he shared the mana breathing method.
If anything, the rewards had exceeded his intentions by far.
"And that's not all. You stripped the merchants bare and still earned a reputation as incredibly merciful. People think you started this to aid the slums."
A smile crept across Calix's lips.
"Meaning you don't buy that?"
"Not exactly—it's just that their praise is ridiculously high compared to what you actually did. Honestly... I'm still a bit immature in that area. I'm learning a lot."
"Good. If you started seeing my intentions as purely benevolent, I'd be disappointed."
"..."
"There are many ways to achieve a goal. Usually, there's the most efficient, easy path... and a slightly less efficient, harder one."
"Moving with justification means the latter, huh."
"Exactly. It's a hassle upfront, but it pays massive dividends later."
"Frankly, when I heard you handed out mana breathing methods for free, I thought you were a sucker... Glad my business partner isn't a total pushover."
"Ugh!"
She'd learned her sharp tongue well from Madam Hari.
A few days later, the 3rd Legion withdrew without gains.
Watching from the walls, Trias remarked,
"Rumor has it the cavalry captain who arbitrarily rounded up merchants got reprimanded. Apparently, he acted without the commander's knowledge."
Calix sneered.
"Just a scapegoat anyway. No need to pity him."
"Indeed. Word is it's a slap-on-the-wrist punishment for show."
Calix sensed his business in Poznyu wrapping up. He'd meant to head to the capital to woo Celestina Yurin, but he'd ended up lingering here far too long.
"Time to head back to the territory."
Krout's face lit up.
"A wise decision, my lord. Regent Viscount Russell must be waiting anxiously."
"Oh, right—Trias. Take this."
"What's this?"
"A detailed manual on monster habits, countermeasures, and territory mapping. It's not perfect, but it'll help."
"I'm getting too much..."
"Don't worry about it. Once your mercenaries' strength surges, this shallow knowledge will spread anyway."
"Still..."
"If it bothers you that much, seize control of Poznyu for good. Then you can back me up when I need it."
"I will, without fail."
Trias's eyes blazed at the half-joking words.
"Ugh, whatever."
Calix gave up on dissuading him and turned away.
"Ah, Madam Hari."
"Yes?"
"I need someone to stay here awhile and lead the merchants. I'd like you to take that on."
"And the princess...?"
"I'm coming too! I'm gonna learn from you, so don't even try to stop me!"
Calix gave a wry smile.
"I'll guarantee her safety. And the princess... with a little polish, she'll unleash tremendous potential. Coddling her too much would only hinder her growth."
Her expression was conflicted. Three weeks ago, she never would've allowed it. But after witnessing Calix's character and abilities, trust had taken root. She couldn't just dig in her heels.
"...Understood. But I'll assign a few attendants who can serve as her hands and feet. They're all sharp merchants with decent martial skills—useful either way."
"Perfect. Do that."
Calix secretly winked at Trias.
Make it work! I'll even throw in the annoying baggage for you.
Thank you, young master!
In the days while Krout prepared to depart, Calix reflected on the journey.
It began with First Prince Gail storming his territory. Meeting him risked gaining a powerful patron—but at the cost of freedom.
That was why Calix had fled in haste.
Of course, he couldn't just wander aimlessly. So he'd set two goals he'd mulled over before.
One: meet Yurin, invest 100,000 gold, and pull her into his camp. Unfortunately, she was only 14 upon meeting—someone he had to raise himself for now.
But as a genius who shone just 2-3 years from now, she'd be a huge asset soon enough. No real worries there.
The other: boost his current and max levels to ease the brutal training.
With a modern soul, honing combat skills was tough on body and mind.
Fortunately, after twists and turns, he'd swept up rewards from Perum Infinitus, slaying a Class 6 powerhouse, and absorbing the chimera's elixir.
Current level: 32. Max level: a whopping 60. Daily training felt far easier.
No wonder Krout was amazed.
"Impressive, my lord. You're improving daily. Even grown a bit taller. As expected of Count Collin's blood—your talent is exceptional."
He meant it sincerely. Russell's training regimen was no joke, yet Calix followed it flawlessly.
"But, young master."
"Yeah?"
"You're practicing the mana breathing method every morning and evening, right?"
"Uh... yeah."
"Don't skip it, even if it's a hassle. It speeds muscle recovery from training and cuts next-day fatigue."
"O-of course."
"You might not feel much yet with low mana in your Mana Hole, but stick with it— it'll surge suddenly one day."
"Got it. Enough nagging."
"Yes, sir..."
Calix's head throbbed looking at Krout's dejected face.
His status window showed he'd mastered the Szczecin family's hereditary mana breathing method.
But he remembered none of it.
Ugh, gotta snag a mana breathing method quick without tipping anyone off... Overwriting the original needs a higher grade, and that's no easy feat.
Learning two at once risked clashes based on compatibility. Synergy was rare; conflict, common.
The simplest fix: a superior-grade method.
But the Szczecin secret was A-grade.
Only S-grade or higher would safely override it, regardless of synergy.
And S-grades weren't easy to come by.
He brainstormed options, but none seemed feasible.
Calix's worries deepened.
3rd Legion Commander Grima Baron stared at the chessboard, deep in thought. His black pieces probed everywhere, but the white side held firm.
The black pieces faltered from exhaustion.
After the game, the man opposite spoke.
"You're too cautious. You're adept at finding and shaking weaknesses, but you often miss golden opportunities chasing perfection."
"Hahaha, what can I do about my nature, Your Excellency?"
"This 'training' was the same."
"No choice. The enemy defended too well."
"Really? Was Calix that sort of child?"
"Ah, come to think of it, Your Excellency knows him better."
"Hmm..."
Moments later, as the man rose, Grima asked,
"Leaving already?"
"No need to see me out. And our meeting..."
"I'll erase it cleanly from memory."
"Appreciated."
"Compared to what the Count did for me, this is nothing."
"Count... I've cut ties with the mortal world—don't call me that."
"Next time we meet... I will."
"Hahaha! You've become quite the sly fox."
"Thanks to a fine teacher."
"Then, farewell."
In the blink of an eye, the man vanished.
Even as a Class 5, Grima couldn't track him.
A chill ran down his spine.
A master... Hard to believe he's even human anymore.