The Grand Duke's Trap and the Nest Construction Plans
The room was filled only with practical furniture. In the center of the space where threatening monster taxidermies were displayed, Arthur, the Grand Duke of Libertas, sat in a plush chair and listened to everything that had happened so far. After hearing the objective explanation that considered everyone's positions, he looked at me with serious eyes.
Translation: That bastard stole your prey without any manners?
Translation: Yeah, they're total bastards, right?
Translation: What an absolute piece of shit.
Translation: Right?
Given the gravity of the matter, we had kept the conversation diplomatic and formal. Once the formalities were over, we sipped the tea placed on the table.
Over the past few weeks, I had successfully completed the requests in the North and achieved the remarkable feat of escorting thousands of different races to the North. I had subjugated over a hundred nobles who had thrown the Empire into chaos, left the cleanup to the imperial princes and princesses, and returned to the North. The most important thing to me was rescuing the different races according to the North's request and escorting them here.
When the refugee administrator organized by the Edenberg territory checked the number of different races emerging from the Water Realm and dropped his notebook with a dazed expression, I felt a surge of pride. Thanks to that, I had gained quite a reputation among the various different races active in the North, receiving their cheers.
But escorting the different races to the North didn't mark the end of my request. To discuss more constructive matters, I headed to the front lines where the Grand Duke was stationed. And now I stood here.
At my words, Arthur clapped his hands as if he'd forgotten, rubbed his chin, and then broke into a bright smile.
I chuckled at Arthur's chilling words and shook my head. Their crimes were far too vile to simply end with death. Knowing this, Arthur let out a small laugh and nodded.
Arthur looked intrigued by my suggestion. To stop the Mountain Dragon Magranas, the front lines were focused on reinforcing the defensive line by mobilizing all available manpower in the North. Numerous artisans had come up to design ways to strengthen the fortress, and executing those plans required a massive workforce.
Using powerful adventurers would be ideal, but it was cheaper to use artisans than to waste high-quality manpower on construction labor. Moreover, the adventurers at the front lines were busy wiping out the monsters in the area, so they couldn't be spared. In that situation, the large supply of volunteers I had brought would be an enormous help to the front lines. As for the danger... they'd just have to handle it themselves.
There was no need to worry about rebellion. Unlike Northerners, Central people rarely had awakened mana. Their efficiency would be lower compared to Northern laborers or miners, but numbers would make up for it.
After hearing the excellent supply plan, Arthur looked satisfied and praised me.
Perhaps because he had heard about what happened at the ancient civilization's ruins? Arthur easily accepted my achievements and looked at me with the kind smile of a friendly neighborhood older brother. Thanks to my tremendous accomplishments, the atmosphere in the room was very warm, and my companions and I wore gentle smiles filled with pride.
I tilted my head at the Grand Duke's words, which maintained a gentle smile. Usually, these matters were handled by others, not adventurers, but listening to Arthur, it seemed like it might be better if I did it? There were rare cases where adventurers finished the job, so I was about to accept without much thought when—
"Kiiiit!"
"Rata?"
"Kiit! Kitkit! Kit!"
Rata, who had been hiding in my pocket until now, climbed onto my shoulder and urgently patted my cheek. For a moment I was puzzled as the little one slapped my face, yelling at me to snap out of it. But after listening carefully to what Rata was frantically explaining, I felt an incredible chill run down my spine.
Ominous!
I smiled awkwardly and firmly refused the persistent Grand Duke's suggestion. My companions looked flustered by the sudden change, but only Neon seemed to grasp the seriousness of the situation and wore a dumbfounded expression. It was as if he was doubting whether what he understood was really true.
The Grand Duke clicked his tongue briefly, certain that his plan had failed.
The once gentle expression vanished, replaced by a face full of concern as he let out a deep sigh. Arthur looked at me with regretful eyes and made one last attempt.
Where does he get off trying to sell me that nonsense?
No matter how much he ruled the North as Grand Duke, there were things he could do and things he couldn't. At Arthur's earnest plea, I smiled brightly and raised my middle finger. Even in the North, where the gap between nobles and commoners was small, it was a dangerous act—but since Arthur had tried to trick me first, this was self-defense.
Exactly! Arthur had realized I was a descendant of the ancient civilization's royal family and prepared a trap to seat me on the administrative throne!
At the absurd plan, Neon, Beatrice, and even Adela looked on with dumbfounded eyes. Regardless, Arthur grumbled about not wanting to work until the door to the office opened and a man entered. His face immediately turned gloomy.
Edenberg, who had given the cold assessment, sighed and looked at us. The way he acted like a secretary cleaning up after Arthur's messes made me realize this wasn't the first or second time Arthur had pulled something like this.
So it was like a ceremony to earn the mark of an adventurer acknowledged by the Grand Duke? As expected of the North—the way they gave out the Grand Duke's certification mark was quite unique.
I lightly ignored Arthur, who was shouting like a sealed great demon that he would escape the administrative throne someday, and spoke with Count Edenberg.
Like a wish ticket. At Count Edenberg's words, I scratched my head. I had already received sufficient compensation, so there was nothing I needed right now. But saving it for later didn't seem like I'd be able to ask for anything too big. As I pondered what wish I could use right now, a brilliant idea struck me.
"Argo....!"
Adela looked at me with a touched expression. Anyone watching would think I was her savior in life. Count Edenberg listened to my words with an intrigued look and nodded, while Arthur, who had been ranting, stopped his outburst at the interesting topic and offered to help.