Clue to the Solution (1)
The locals still felt awkward around him, but it had been two weeks since his arrival. Jeong-jae had grown quite fond of this land. For one thing, the people didn't seem lazy or slothful—they were diligent, that much was clear. Of course, they might just be on their best behavior because a noble had shown up and was constantly wandering around watching them. Still, the fact that the territory had survived without major issues all this time proved laziness wasn't in their nature.
There had been some internal grumbling, of course, but under the shared understanding that these were desperate times, most of it was suppressed. The people generally recognized that their fate was tied to the mighty Hacker family, and that the Hackers had devoted everything to the empire's survival. Jeong-jae still wondered, though, if they truly supported the imperial council's policies from the heart. There was a vast difference between knowing war existed and feeling its sting on your skin. They knew war had broken out and that it was going badly, but they still felt their young men had been dragged away unjustly. This gap was bound to breed contradictions—but did it really need resolving? To bridge it, war would have to come to this territory. Destruction would have to strike. Even if it meant tolerating some contradictions and differences in opinion, preventing that was the top priority.
"If only it were up to me..."
Jeong-jae murmured with a sigh as he gazed out at the sea. Huck, the village chief standing beside him, turned and asked, "Is there something not going your way, my lord Baron?"
"Not much goes my way. It'd be nice if I could count the things that don't."
"I've overstepped, then. My apologies."
"No need for that. You're making me feel awkward."
The fishermen were hard at work out on the sea. Jeong-jae watched the scene for a moment before turning back to Huck. "It looks like you're not using all the nets I provided."
"Ah, well... Yes. The fishermen know the nets you made are better—more efficient, fewer hands needed. But many prefer their familiar tools, and..."
Huck trailed off into excuses. Jeong-jae waved it away. "I'm not saying it's bad. There are reasons, I'm sure. Familiarity's comfortable. Maybe they don't trust me yet. Or fewer workers means idle hands causing trouble. Or they're scared using my tools might break them and count as lese-majeste..."
He paused. Huck looked flustered, unsure how to respond.
"Point is, without proper trust, anything we do might just be wasted effort. I hope we find a breakthrough by next spring."
"The people are starting to see your sincerity, my lord. It will happen as you wish."
"Thanks. That's comforting."
Jeong-jae glanced toward the castle, the tallest building around but modest for a fortress. Eyeing its size, he turned back to Huck. "In an emergency, how many people could this castle hold?"
"I've never counted, so I'm not sure. It's not built for crowds. We could cram them in, but that's not what you mean."
"No basement? Underground passages?"
"I've guarded this place for decades. Never heard of any."
Jeong-jae smacked his lips and nodded. Huck, looking uneasy, pressed, "Do you think war's coming here? Any signs or intel?"
"No signs or intel. It's just that now I evaluate every facility by how defensible it is. The outer walls are low—can't hold the line there. The castle's too small for a siege. If we fight here, we'll have to use the villagers' homes as cover..."
"I'm asking seriously. Is there real danger of war?"
"No place in the empire is safe from war, Chief. This isn't a game. One tiny breach, and the flames of madness reach even the safest spots."
Huck didn't look satisfied. Among the villagers, he was a capable administrator, and he suspected why this famous war-hero mage had come to such a small territory. Jeong-jae's demeanor probably made him think an enemy attack was imminent. Jeong-jae regretted not having a better answer. He didn't even know why he had been sent here, let alone if an attack was coming.
"If you're unsatisfied, I'll share my deepest thought. Truth is, my presence here might draw enemies. I'd be the spark that dooms this village."
A remote possibility. Jeong-jae had some standing in the imperial army. If the Demon King learned of his movements, he might strike out of caution.
Huck frowned, suspicion lingering. "Isn't it the other way around? You came because disaster looms?"
"Walter H. Hellhound decided it. I don't know his thoughts or what he knows. Really. Cut me some slack, Chief—I was just as baffled."
Jeong-jae chuckled dryly, and Huck followed suit, his wariness easing as he nodded.
"If you think your presence might bring war, it makes sense not to tell the people."
"They already look at me sideways. Tell them, and I might get chased out—no bed tonight."
Jeong-jae turned back to the sea. The coastline wasn't wide, but it could anchor six or seven large ships. Why was the castle built so close to the shore? Almost as if to defend against seaborne foes...
Seaborne foes? The scenario flashed through his mind. If the Demon King's army advanced by land, they'd target the Hacker family first. If Hacker County—direct imperial territory in the rear—fell, the war was lost. But preparing for that was pointless. If the Demon King targeted Harriet Territory because of him, it would be...
"If enemies come, it'll be from the sea."
"I see. Should we build wooden barricades to block landings? How soon, and how many troops?"
Huck took every word gravely. Jeong-jae waved it off with a hollow laugh. "Hypothetical. Honestly, the Demon King probably won't bother with a speck like this. I'm just a worrier. Don't overthink it..."
Something tugged at him—a vague foreboding that his scenario wasn't mere fancy. It had happened before since becoming a mage in this world. And his instincts rarely missed.
"Still, if we have spare hands, open the armory for a hundred spears. Prepare barricades bit by bit to block landings—spears pointed seaward, so they can't charge easily. But don't overdo it."
"Understood, my lord."
Huck now seemed convinced war was coming soon. Rumors would spread during preparations. Jeong-jae questioned if he'd done right, but the water was spilled. He couldn't retract before Huck's resolute vow to defend their home.
Then, the count's exhausted daughter staggered up and flung herself at Jeong-jae's back.
"Professor... Professor... So sleepy..."
"Whoa, what's this now?"
Jeong-jae hurriedly steadied Jenis, who had all but collapsed against him. She'd looked more fatigued each day; now she was a zombie, barely keeping her eyes open. Jeong-jae thought even he might mistake her for a Demon King zombie in battle.
"Jenis? I told you to take it easy. What happened?"
"Nothing... happened... Why nothing? Weird... There should be something..."
Fearing delirious nonsense, Jeong-jae shooed Huck away with a gesture. Huck bowed understandingly and left. Jeong-jae shook Jenis's shoulders.
Her head lolled. She mumbled petulantly, "That won't wake me... Pinch my cheeks..."
Ridiculous, but he pinched her cheeks with two fingers and pulled. She snapped awake, jumping back.
"P-Professor? What's going on? What was I doing? Why do my cheeks hurt?"
"Got busted wandering high on drugs. I punched your cheek hard."
"No way! I wouldn't! Liar—you just pinched lightly! I remember vaguely!"
Work was her drug, so not entirely wrong, but Jeong-jae conceded. She seemed sharper, but exhaustion lingered.
"Rest. Your health matters more than the mission."
"Glad you say that. But I can't sleep like this. No results in two weeks! It's crushing my straight-A pride!"
"The mission was vague from the start. What wore you out?"
"Observed the whole territory with detection magic every night. No food sneaking out or anything! But to move bulk without suspicion, shipments weekly, right? How no signs in two weeks? Food is vanishing!"
"No signs means nothing's leaving the territory?"
Her words piqued his curiosity. She was too skilled to miss it. Deception would require a master mage.
"Yes. I'd tail merchants or whatever, but nothing! Really nothing!"
"Something's there—too obvious to notice?"
"Maybe... Nothing else comes to mind."
"And nights aren't everything. Days too?"
"Of course! But locals are self-sufficient. Only trade with Hackers every three months. Maybe hiding inside?"
"Hacker Count would sense them... No. Think. People do leave—not at night, but day..."
"Not night, but day—evading my watch... Oh my god, I got it!"
Jenis whooped and bolted toward the village. Jeong-jae, caught up in excitement, called after her, forgetting her state.
"Jenis? Student? Hey! Go sleep first! Are you sane?"
Threats fell on deaf ears. The bold count's daughter had steel nerves—even the fearsome elf princess hadn't fazed her.