Chapter 2
Chapter 2
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Translator: Ace
Chapter: 2
Chapter Title: Outsider (2)
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Federback thought back to his family.
The Meursault House.
A renowned swordsmanship clan that ruled over the snowy mountain region in the North.
The northern bulwark that protected the Empire from the demonic beasts surging in from the harsh snowy mountains and icy seas.
A house hailed as the strongest among all the Empire's border marquises.
'...Of course, that's all ancient history now.'
Federback walked down a corridor leaking water in places here and there as he pondered.
The world they lived in now was called an era of peace.
With the demonic beasts no longer crossing the borders, those who wielded swords had lost their place.
A world where martial officials were scorned and civil officials were favored.
Even the Meursault House, once famed as a swordsmanship dynasty among the border marquises, had no choice but to see its prestige wane.
No, it had waned so much that they were now struggling with financial difficulties.
'Ever since our ancestor, the Sword Saint Camus Meursault, passed away, the house has been in steady decline. And in the midst of it all, I was lost in my artistic pursuits.'
Of course, this decline wasn't just a problem for the current generation.
About a century ago, the house's elite knights had ventured beyond the northern border to subjugate demonic beasts.
They vanished in a horrific accident, and with them went the methods to awaken the house's bloodline factors and the higher sword techniques, lost in an instant.
After that, the Meursault House rapidly lost its reputation as a swordsmanship powerhouse.
Naturally, the wolves and vultures circling around increased in number.
As Federback was lost in such thoughts...
"We've arrived."
Administrator Yuda opened the door in front of him.
Inside the meeting room.
Thud—thud—thud—
Federback raised his expressionless face and stepped into the room.
At the head of the table in the meeting room filled with numerous people, a middle-aged man with sharp eyes turned his gaze toward Federback.
"The youngest has arrived."
Soleil, patriarch of the Meursault House.
His sharp eyes softened ever so slightly upon seeing Federback.
"Sit."
"... ."
Federback gave a slight bow of his head before taking his seat.
At that moment.
"What is that outfit, Federback?"
A sharp voice rang out.
Where Federback looked up, there was a woman with a cold demeanor.
A beauty with snow-white hair tied tightly back and a black eyepatch over one eye beneath it.
Cardina, the eldest daughter of the Meursault House and Federback's older sister.
She spoke to Federback in a frosty tone.
"This is a formal meeting. You should dress properly. What good is it coming covered in paint like a child?"
"... ."
"Be more careful next time."
Cardina clicked her tongue once and turned her head away.
She seemed to have mistaken the ash powder on Federback's body for black paint.
Meanwhile, Federback glanced back and forth between Soleil and Cardina.
'Father, who was assassinated by an assassin. Sister, who fell in battle against the Demon King's army. Everyone looks healthy now.'
All the other collateral relatives were familiar faces as well.
Family and kin who had all been trampled by the Demon King's army and died miserable deaths.
Soon, the meeting began.
Patriarch Soleil gazed at the map on the table with a grave expression.
"The number of demonic beasts crossing the Frost Mountains in the North has surged in recent weeks, hasn't it?"
"Over thirty villages have already suffered damage. The number of serfs who've died is beyond counting."
Eldest daughter Cardina bowed her head slightly as she continued.
"Twelve outposts on the northern ridges have been destroyed by the beasts already. We can't even send sentries there anymore."
"What kinds of monsters?"
"Various types mixed in, but orcs make up the majority."
Cardina, capable in both intellect and swordsmanship with no shortcomings, had the damage situation perfectly grasped.
Watching her, the old saying "one talented daughter is worth ten sons" seemed to fit perfectly.
Cardina pointed to the X marks on the map as she continued.
"The orcs crossing the northern peaks aren't ordinary orcs. They're ones adapted to the harsh blizzards and the thin air unique to high altitudes. Their subjugation difficulty is much higher than those from the plains."
Tension flickered across the faces of the Meursaults gathered in the meeting hall.
Orcs.
Humanoid creatures resembling humans in form but far larger and ferociously savage.
Their average height reached two meters, and their bones and muscles alone weighed nearly a hundred kilograms.
Their appearance at the northern borders was a clear ill omen.
Soleil let out a small groan and stroked his chin beard.
"If they come down to the foothills, it'll be a big problem. We need to subjugate them before they cross the 50% line. Select three hundred soldiers with snowy mountain combat experience. I'll lead them personally."
"What about armaments?"
"Of course we'll prepare thoroughly. For now, let's plan for two weeks of rations..."
Right then.
"Patriarch."
A mild voice interrupted Soleil.
Yuda. The administrator of the Meursault House smiled with his eyes as he interjected.
"If I may say a word?"
"We're still in the middle of strategy discussions."
"I think my opinion needs to be reflected in that strategy."
"...?"
Soleil's eyebrow twitched at Yuda's words.
Soon, Yuda continued.
"Orcs occasionally raiding the outskirts of the territory— in my view, they have no reason to push deeper inside. Orcs inherently avoid and fear humans, don't they?"
"What nonsense is that? Serfs on the outskirts are already taking casualties."
"That's why I'm saying... do we really need to sacrifice the many to save the few on the outskirts?"
"What?"
Soleil's expression filled with bewilderment.
But Yuda pressed on undeterred.
"Subjugating the orcs will increase defense expenditures, which would inevitably shrink the main estate's budget. As you know, this year's finances are a bit tight."
"If it's tight, tighten your belts. Isn't that the administrator's job?"
"We can't tighten them any further. The budget's already at its limit. Are you planning to burden the central serfs, who pay their taxes diligently, to save those in the outer regions who barely pay any?"
A few administrators nodded at Yuda's words.
Soleil's gaze sharpened.
"Administrator."
"Yes, Patriarch."
"Let's speak plainly."
He pointed successively at Yuda and several administrators.
"Do you think I don't know you're siphoning off the house's assets to line your own pockets?"
"... ."
"Shrinking the main estate's budget means less for you to embezzle, doesn't it?"
Soleil asked directly.
But Yuda deftly evaded.
"I don't know what you're talking about, Patriarch. Please refrain from baseless accusations."
"Don't cross the line. In any other noble house, you'd be beheaded without a word of complaint."
"But this isn't 'any other noble house,' is it?"
"... ."
Soleil fell silent.
Yuda's defiance had its basis.
Yuda had served the house from the previous patriarch, Camus Meursault, right up to the present.
Over the long years, he had woven all the local landowners into his network, and he held sway over every butler, administrator, and even servant in the estate.
Without Yuda, tax collection would falter, and the local sentiments would scatter.
That's why he was acting so boldly now.
At that moment.
...Bang!
Someone slammed the table.
"Administrator Yuda. Have you lost your mind?"
Cardina. She glared at Yuda with her single eye wide open.
Yuda feigned sorrow as he replied.
"Lady Cardina, that's too harsh."
"What's harsh is your attitude. How dare you speak so insolently to the patriarch..."
"I've served Soleil since he was still a boy. I even raised you on my back, Lady Cardina. How can you treat me like this?"
Cardina flinched at Yuda's words.
"I've devoted my entire life to the Meursault House, yet you twist my sincere intentions. It's heartbreaking."
Finally, Soleil let out a sigh.
"Very well. I'll take into account your opinion, given your long service to the Meursaults. So, how much budget can we allocate for the subjugation operation?"
"It's difficult, but if we scrape and squeeze from nothing..."
Yuda fiddled with an abacus for a while.
Then he bowed his head.
"Armaments for fifty soldiers. And rations for three days. That would be the limit."
"You crazy bastard!"
Cardina slammed the table again.
"Fifty soldiers? Three days' rations? Are you telling my father to go die?!"
"That's why I suggested not going at all from the start, my lady."
Yuda shook his head with a sigh.
"I'm telling you about a reality harsher than the northern snow mountains. Shrinking the main house's finances means losing prestige. The serfs will mock the house, taxes won't collect properly, and the territory will only get harder to manage."
Silence descended over the meeting room.
Even as a vassal openly defied the patriarch, no one stepped forward.
That was how immense Yuda's influence within the house was.
As the saying goes, more than half the people in this room would agree if Yuda called a deer a horse.
Yuda declared firmly.
"Armaments for fifty soldiers and three days' rations. I can't provide more. If you won't heed me, I'll submit my resignation along with my people."
"... ."
Soleil's eyes trembled faintly.
If Yuda, who handled all finances and administration, left, the vacuum would be incalculable.
Moreover, the number of people in the estate connected to him was beyond count.
The moment his resignation was accepted, even the maids cooking, washing dishes, and sweeping would quit en masse.
And the aftermath would be worse.
If the local landowners, who had been paying taxes steadily, started resisting or evading, it would be a headache.
Soleil suppressed his anger and asked.
"Fifty soldiers. Three days' rations. Is that truly the maximum the main estate can muster?"
"This winter is especially harsh, isn't it? At least until spring next year."
"For a force led by the patriarch himself, that's pathetically meager administrative support."
"It's unavoidable. Everyone goes hungry in winter, don't they?"
Yuda remained composed.
As Soleil was about to sigh...
"Father."
Someone spoke up from the back of the meeting hall.
All eyes turned to one spot.
"?"
Soleil looked up.
There stood a short boy of fifteen.
"I'll go take care of it."
Federback.
The young master attending a military meeting for the first time.
Soleil blinked.
Cardina's mouth fell half-open in a 'Has he gone mad?' expression.
Everyone around was at a loss for words.
Even the ever-poker-faced Administrator Yuda was stammering.
"Y-Young Master...? This isn't about poetry recitals or concerts. We're discussing a battlefield against orcs..."
"I know."
Federback waved it off as he continued.
"I don't need fifty soldiers or three days' rations. I'll head up the mountain alone and..."
As if going for a stroll in the backyard.
"...sever the heads of every last orc."
He said it with perfect composure.