Chapter 32
Chapter 32
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Translator: Ace
Chapter: 32
Chapter Title: Ominous Clouds of War (1)
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Rorschach was strong and intelligent.
No cat in the entire Meursault territory—no, even if you scoured the whole empire—could catch mice as well as her.
Countless criminals had been hooked on the barbs of the laws she established.
And sent to the afterlife by Federback.
The guillotine blade had to be replaced every few days, and the execution ground was so drenched in blood that it dripped continuously.
The lilies in the square had been dyed red with the blood of the condemned, so people now called them crimson lilies or blood lilies.
Ironically, despite all this, public opinion toward Federback among the territory's residents was extremely favorable.
"Security has improved dramatically ever since Young Master Federback started wielding real power."
"I'm infinitely supportive just because the northern orcs haven't invaded."
"No more getting gouged by those endless land taxes—finally, I feel like I can live."
"It's all thanks to Young Master Federback, who swept away the monsters and criminals."
Only criminals lost their heads at the execution ground.
And those criminals had always looked at commoners like insects, so no one felt sorry for them no matter how many died.
The more executions were carried out, the stronger the residents' support for Federback grew.
And thanks to that, the Meursault territory was gradually growing prosperous.
Federback sat cross-legged in the center of the room.
Tsutsutsutsutsutsu...
Cold energy swirled through the room.
The frigid mana of the north wrapped around and coursed through his body.
'Still a long way to go.'
He had only just refined a tiny handful of mana.
An insignificant amount compared to before his regression.
But it wasn't something to dismiss lightly.
The fact that he had subjugated mana from the atmosphere meant he could now draw in and accumulate external energy.
The foundation for leaping to the next stage was now perfectly in place.
He extended his hand, and the highly purified mana ignited at his fingertips.
A new mana refinement method discovered during the Great Demon War era.
The mana accumulation techniques of this age boasted yields incomparable to those of the previous era.
Even the same amount wielded vastly different power.
'Before moving to the next stage, I'll burn away all the impurities in my body.'
Federback focused on accumulating mana and refining it.
Then.
Knock knock knock—
Someone knocked on the door.
"Come in."
Federback stopped his meditation and spoke.
The door opened, and one person entered the room.
"Hello."
Rorschach.
She had fully fleshed out now, transformed into the form of a beautiful woman.
Federback nodded.
"Looks like you've been eating well lately."
"Have I gained weight?"
"Yes. It suits you."
"Aha. Is that Your Young Master's preference?"
"?"
As Federback furrowed his brow, Rorschach grinned broadly.
"Just kidding."
"Don't do it again. Time is short—give your report."
"As you command."
Rorschach bowed politely.
Then she continued.
"The criminal purge is nearly complete."
"I know."
"The Patriarch said it's about time you relinquished the position of warden."
"I was planning to."
Federback nodded.
Having nipped the future rebellion in the Abyss in the bud, he had no further business in the underground prison.
Rorschach said,
"What do you plan to take on after stepping down as warden?"
"I have something in mind."
"Would you share it with me too?"
"Why you?"
"Well..."
Rorschach hesitated for a moment.
Then, glancing at him slyly, she said,
"Because I want to serve you up close."
"Aren't you already?"
"Even closer."
"..."
Federback stroked his chin.
Rorschach was a useful blade.
There was no downside to keeping her nearby.
"Understood. I'll speak to the Patriarch. Once I transfer departments, finish up your work and follow."
"Yes, sir."
"Until then, do your utmost as law officer and administrator."
"Of course."
Rorschach bowed to Federback once more.
Federback nodded in return.
"I'm going to see the Patriarch now. Prepare yourself."
"Yes."
As always, Rorschach simply obeyed.
In the inner quarters of Meursault Castle, in the Patriarch's office where Soleil resided.
"..."
Soleil stared at the ledgers in shock.
"Those criminal scum have been living better than me all this time. They had more money than the lord himself—who knows how alienated the commoners must have felt."
Federback replied,
"We executed quite a few of the worst offenders and those who resisted during confiscation. What's left are the lesser criminals and the cowards who meekly submitted."
"Can we consider the root completely eradicated?"
"You can."
At Federback's words, Soleil let out a relieved sigh.
"As lord and father, I am ashamed. To think I didn't even know rats like these were running rampant. I am unfit to be lord."
The days when he fretted over the 30,000 gold borrowed from House Levarb swelling to 100,000 now felt like a dream.
Soleil looked at the son before him with profound admiration and pride.
Yet despite these achievements, Federback remained impassive.
"You should make good use of Law Officer and Administrator Rorschach. She'll be a great asset to the house."
"Mm. I've heard about her family background. I've apologized several times, but she still hasn't opened up to me."
"...?"
Federback felt puzzled.
Rorschach was undeniably extremely favorable toward him.
But Soleil shook his head.
"That child serves not House Meursault, but you. And after I drove her parents to their deaths, how could I have the face to command her?"
"Then what about Rorschach's treatment...?"
"Handle it yourself entirely. I'll grant you full authority over personnel matters."
For the Patriarch to cede personnel authority was extraordinarily bold.
But that wasn't all.
"I'll also entrust you with the confiscated funds this time."
"Can I use them as I wish?"
"Yes. You can't use them for personal gain, but if there's a business you've wanted to try, go ahead. No obligations for recovery or dividends. All the glory if it succeeds is yours; all the responsibility if it fails is mine."
This too was a bold declaration of support.
Federback immediately got to the point.
"I have a place I want to use the money we've earned this time."
"Mm. What is it?"
Soleil had somewhat anticipated Federback's answer.
Relief for the slums, fortification of defenses.
Based on his past actions, it would likely be such proposals.
And sure enough.
"I want to provide relief to the city's poor and build defensive lines against monster invasions."
Federback spoke exactly as Soleil predicted.
As Soleil was about to nod,
"And one more thing."
A completely unexpected third proposal followed from Federback.
"I'd like to start a war."
"...!"
He declared war as casually as discussing business.
Soleil asked in bewilderment,
"Son. What are you saying?"
"House Meursault's current forces, excluding knights, number about five hundred."
Federback counted on his fingers.
"Every one of them battle-hardened soldiers tempered by the northern cold and fights against monsters."
"Yes. Among them, a hundred cavalry, a hundred artillery for the monster front lines. Including standing army, reserves, and militia, we total around a thousand."
"Good."
Federback turned and pointed to the wall.
A map of the north was posted there.
Federback said,
"I'll divert all confiscated funds to military expenses. And we'll recruit soldiers en masse and train knights."
"Hmm."
Soleil stroked his chin.
Soon, he continued with concern,
"Son, I understand your thinking, but troops can't be expanded just by throwing money at it. We need a justification to avoid provoking the surrounding houses, then recruit and train gradually over time..."
"I have neither justification nor time."
Federback cut through Soleil's concerns sharply.
"If we say we're doing it, we do it. Meursault, lord of the north, wants to expand its forces—no need for the consent of the local rabble."
"What if they pressure us?"
"Why worry after we've already expanded?"
"!"
Soleil's mouth fell open at Federback's words.
Indeed.
Though now reduced to an empty title of honor, Meursault was still the lord of the north.
It made no sense for such a house to command fewer than a thousand troops.
Federback stated clearly,
"We will expand the military. Any house that complains will be made an example—like House Levarb."
"..."
Soleil's gaze turned to the map.
There were the five houses that divided Meursault's territory into five pieces.
House Portofino, House Furosange, House Modificata, House Daytona, and House Levarb, now effectively wiped out.
Commonly called the Five Northern Houses or Meursault's Five Fingers.
Federback placed his hand on his sword hilt and eyed the map.
"With Levarb broken, four fingers remain."
"Son, House Levarb was a merchant house, but... the remaining four are different. Their military might surpasses Meursault's. Especially Furosange's rangers—they rival our knights."
"That's why I said we're expanding the army."
"Ha ha—"
Soleil laughed.
Federback's answer was always the correct one.
Having already vowed to trust him, there was no doubt.
Soleil nodded decisively.
"Understood. I'll take all responsibility, so give it a go."
"Leave it to me."
Federback bowed his head.
Who would break and who would bend?
Only time would tell between long and short.