Chapter 143
Chapter 143
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 22
Chapter Title: We Advance Step by Step, Steadily. (1)
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"The cold in the north is brutally harsh, so it's best to wear thick fur garments. If you wear cloth clothes, you'll turn into an ice statue and won't be able to move a muscle."
"What kind of food should we prepare?"
"In the north's climate, preservation doesn't mean much. You don't need to pack dried goods—stock up on meats rich in fat instead."
Mikel, who had been looking around, slowly spoke up.
"Are there any more questions?"
The people sat quietly without raising their hands for more questions.
"Lastly, pack plenty of fuel for fires, and don't forget first-aid supplies and other essentials."
Mikel slowly closed and opened his eyes before concluding.
"The north is no easy place."
After finishing, he turned to look at Emperor Theodore. The emperor nodded toward him and opened his mouth.
"We must prepare without any oversights, just as Lord Mikel has said. Given the gravity of the situation, wrap it up within this week."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
The attending nobles all bowed their heads.
"Once the knight orders from each territory have assembled, we'll depart immediately. However..."
Emperor Theodore's gaze landed on one spot.
"The Sud Knight Order may be a bit late. Isn't that right?"
"I apologize, Your Majesty."
The proxy seated in Carlo's place bowed deeply.
"The lord said he would handle matters as quickly as possible and head straight to the north. As a gesture of atonement, the Ardante Family will provide some of the supplies needed for this subjugation."
The quantities and amounts of items he proposed were considerable. Emperor Theodore smiled in satisfaction and waved his hand.
"There's urgent business in the territory, so it can't be helped, but don't be too late."
His red eyes scanned the surroundings carefully.
"Who knows? The subjugation might end before the Sud Knight Order even arrives?"
In particular, when he said the last words, Emperor Theodore's gaze lingered on me.
"With knight orders from every territory participating, surely someone will stand out?"
The people's gazes followed the emperor's to me.
"Even so, the Sud Knight Order is quite formidable..."
"But this is the Ovest Knight Order. Their reputation isn't something to take lightly."
A murmur tickled my ears, but I remained seated silently with an expressionless face.
"Hmm."
Emperor Theodore let out an enigmatic smile and raised his hand.
"Then this temporary meeting is adjourned."
He left with his attendants. Only then did the nobles stand and begin exiting the conference hall.
"......"
Mikel, who had been standing rigidly at the podium, stepped down. He seemed to miss the floor for a moment and staggered.
"Care—"
I quickly reached out and steadied him, averting any mishap.
"—ful, Lord Mikel."
"...Thank you."
Mikel's face looked far more gaunt than the last time I'd seen him. His features had paled dramatically in just a few days since receiving the urgent report.
"Are you all right?"
"Why wouldn't I be? Monster raids in the north are commonplace."
"But not this frequent. And a massive outbreak like this is unprecedented."
At my response, Mikel's eyes twitched. I met his gaze steadily and spoke calmly.
"You can be honest with me. I'm not the type to attack you over something like this."
"......"
Mikel soon ran a hand over his face. A long sigh escaped through his fingers.
"...To be honest, I'm most worried about my daughter."
"You mean Miss Lea."
"Yes. The northern residents are accustomed to these situations, and their unity is strong. Their loyalty to our family is remarkable too."
Mikel's eyes deepened and darkened.
"That's why Lea won't be able to bear seeing them suffer. She'll step up to resolve it somehow, tormenting herself in the process."
"......"
"I'm terrified she'll throw herself into something beyond her capacity and harm herself. That's my honest feeling."
Mikel let out a faint sigh and took a step.
"I just hope she doesn't overdo it until I arrive. But I can't just rush off alone either."
"You need to lead the way for the rest to reach Nord Territory safely. You know the terrain and supply base locations precisely."
I spoke slowly to reassure him.
"Only by going together can we properly aid the affected civilians, right?"
"You're right on all counts. All of it... but..."
Mikel gazed at the cloudy sky visible through the window.
"...I don't know why I feel so uneasy. I hope it's just the ramblings of an old man."
Mikel's instincts were sharp. He had keenly sensed the unprecedented disaster approaching.
"It'll be fine."
I whispered to reassure him. But truthfully, my own stomach wasn't entirely settled.
'The urgent report from the north shouldn't have come this quickly.'
Certain events were unfolding far faster than in the original story.
In the original, the northern subjugation began after Cain obtained Cadenza and the urgent report arrived.
The incidents I'd accelerated and other situations progressing ahead of schedule were intertwining in complicated ways.
'I need to move cautiously.'
There was no guarantee such things wouldn't happen again. It would be wise to prepare contingency plans—options two and three.
"Thank you for saying that. I really wanted to invite you, Young Lord Abel, to the estate..."
Mikel trailed off with a gloomy expression.
"...But as you see, things are such that I can't even think straight. So don't take it too hard that I'm not inviting you."
"Of course. With even events scaled back, I understand completely."
"I see. The Ovest Territory will send its knight order too, right? The official notice must have gone out already."
"Probably."
"Do you know who's coming? Perhaps?"
Mikel's eyes held faint hope, but I slowly shook my head.
"My father's chances of coming are exceedingly low."
"I see. Then who do you think will?"
"I have a rough idea, but..."
A wry smile tugged at my lips.
❖ ❖ ❖
"You've seemed busy lately."
"I'm short on sleep as it is. I barely squeezed this time out because you, my lord, came."
Elice shook her head. Though she said that, an irrepressible proud smile played on her lips.
"They say Princess Violet hasn't taken off that necklace and earring set. The promotional effect is tremendous."
Elice held up a long sheet of paper.
"This is the full list of nobles who've commissioned engraving. I guarantee more than half the capital's nobility are now interested in Melina's cutting technique."
"Quite a few prominent families there."
"Yes. With the supply of blue pearls and red coral cut off, they're turning their eyes to other gems as substitutes."
Elice's eyes sparkled.
"Some nobles are even actively praising the new wave Melina has brought. At this rate, our merchant group might push out the Ardante Family and take that spot."
"Naturally. That's why we started this."
At my bold words, Elice broke into a beaming smile.
"Thank you, my lord. These days are truly enjoyable because of you."
"I imagine so."
I smirked and pointed at Elice's ear with my finger. A small earring, distinctive of Melina's craftsmanship, dangled there.
"This is..."
Elice shyly touched her ear.
"It's just for promotion. It gets good exposure when the merchant group's owner wears it."
"Hmm. Melina seemed to like you quite a bit. She doesn't give her work away for free easily."
Like Jack or Melina, Elice had a knack for drawing people in.
"Anyway, I can leave it in your hands."
At my words, Elice's face darkened abruptly.
"Will you be all right? They say northern monsters have stiff, thick fur and tough muscles that don't cut easily."
"Worried?"
"Of course. Even though you have incredible skill, my lord, fighting monsters is different from humans."
"Is it?"
I made a casual gesture of gripping my sword, and Elice's eyes twitched. It seemed to recall the day she'd been kidnapped by Ethan and rescued.
"...I've worried needlessly. Of course you won't come back having taken hits from monsters—you'd just beat them."
"Exactly."
"But my concern is genuine. We sent informants north, but the harsh climate made it hard to maintain them."
"It'll be different now. I'm going."
I snapped my fingers and looked at Elice.
"We'll expand our influence north soon. Secure supplies and manpower in advance."
"As expected of you, my lord...!"
Elice murmured her now-habitual exclamation and nodded.
"Understood. I'll prepare thoroughly without fail."
"How's the subjugation prep?"
Currently, each family's servants were bustling about, procuring goods. Fur pelts, fatty meats, and other cold-region essentials had skyrocketed in price as a result.
"We've secured them stably. At less than half the current price."
The day I planned to propose the northern subjugation, I'd instructed Elice immediately. Thanks to that, we weren't scrambling for supplies.
This was the advantage—and swift advance—of knowing the future.
"We'll store the purchased goods in the recently bought mansion."
"Good."
With steadily accumulating wealth, and under the pretext of venting frustration from Cain, I'd purchased a top-tier mansion.
"Good. And 'that'?"
"Ah, here."
Elice pulled out the prepared pouch and handed it over. A metallic jingle echoed from inside.
"Perfect. Time to go."
I tucked the pouch into my bosom and stood from the chair. Elice rose too, ready to see me off.
"To the mansion?"
I straightened my collar and grinned.
"Got to greet the guests."
❖ ❖ ❖
'The knight orders of the strong territories march out to save the beleaguered northern residents.'
This news was enough to excite the imperial citizens. None imagined they would fail.
"Pheasant! Pheasant!"
"Motail! Motail!"
They cheered the names of the knight orders entering the capital, praying for victory.
"Ovest...?"
"It's Ovest! The Ovest Knight Order!"
Following, the Ovest Territory's knight order entered the capital. At the appearance of the legendary order, the citizens all doffed their hats and waved them.
The Ovest Knight Order paid respects to His Majesty the emperor, then headed to an address as guided by waiting servants.
"Whoa... This is where we're staying?"
"Did we get the wrong place? Did our lord have such a lavish mansion?"
Before the grand, imposing gate of an enormous, antique mansion. Their chatter halted one by one.
"Is the address right, Vice Captain?"
The knight order's gazes turned to the man at the front. A red-tinged blond man in armor atop a massive horse.
"The address is correct. However..."
Orest Knight Order's vice captain, Conrad, entered the mansion without dispelling his dubious look. And upon reaching the central hall, he came face-to-face with a young man looking down from the central staircase. "You made it?"
"...Young Master Abel."
It was Abel Ovest Kindriel, the only son of his lord and mentor, Diego Kindriel.