Chapter 80
Chapter 80
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 80
Chapter Title: Omen (2)
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The territorial war between the Bellun Count Family and the Banheart Count Family quickly reached the ears of Logan Deolic, the patriarch of the Deolic Count Family.
“Bellun Count, doing something so foolish…….”
He hadn’t expected them to lose a territorial war this quickly.
Even so, as a prestigious family, he thought they’d at least end in a mutual defeat, but he never imagined a one-sided loss.
“I hear Clay Banheart called in mercenaries from Aintban.”
Leon Deolic didn’t look pleased either.
The Banhearts beating the Belluns wasn’t the issue. No, given the situation, he’d even hoped for it.
If the mithril mine and magic stone mine held by the Banhearts fell into the Belluns’ hands, all their plans would go awry.
The problem was how quickly the victor had been decided.
“The Bellun Family seems to have weakened more than expected, which likely played a role.”
Logan and Leon had naturally assumed the Belluns would hold the advantage, planning to support the Banhearts with conditions if they fell into a disadvantage.
Specifically, the condition of handing over one of the mithril mine or magic stone mine.
After that, it would be simple.
The defeated Belluns would self-destruct on their own, and the Banhearts, losing a key resource line, would lose momentum and plummet once more.
Naturally, it would create a situation where both families could be swallowed up.
“But for it to end in a single battle? Does that even make sense!”
With his vision crumbling, Logan’s irritation boiled over.
A territorial war wasn’t child’s play—how could it end the moment the fight began?
It showed just how lightly Bellun Count had underestimated Clay.
Or perhaps the leisure from their wealth had vanished, clouding their judgment.
“……What will you do?”
“We can’t just hand over the Bellun territories to him like this.”
With the funds from the two mines plus vast territories added, the Banhearts would undoubtedly become a threat.
They couldn’t let that happen.
Leon let out a faint sigh as he watched his father grind his teeth.
‘Ever since Byan died, Father’s lost his composure.’
Byan’s death had greatly tarnished their honor, and if things continued, they might even lose hegemony over southern Talua Kingdom.
He could understand his father’s state of mind.
“But Father, antagonizing the Banhearts isn’t wise. We should step back this time and bide our time…….”
“Shut your mouth!”
Logan shouted in a heated voice at Leon, who had spoken cautiously.
“You soft fool! Is this because of some childhood sentiment? He’s the enemy. I value your composure, but you must step up when it’s time.”
It was the first time he’d seen his father this agitated.
The Leon Deolic he knew was always composed, calmly assessing situations.
That had changed with Byan’s death.
More precisely, as the ghost of the Banhearts he had abandoned drew closer.
‘Karma, in the end.’
Leon sighed inwardly.
Who would have thought the choice to abandon the Banhearts would come back to choke them like this?
‘Father, please don’t do anything dishonorable.’
Those were the only words Leon could offer his father, who was tearing at his hair in rage.
* * *
Having lost the territorial war, the Belluns had to pay us an enormous sum in reparations.
“But that won’t happen.”
I nodded at Maria’s calm tone.
“They’ll report to His Majesty the King that they’re forfeiting the territory and declaring bankruptcy.”
Normally, when a nearby territory goes bankrupt, the vacant land is divided among surrounding lords.
Or it might be granted to a noble without lands, but with no such nobles available now, it was likely to just sit empty.
“Most of the territories under Bellun Count’s management will end up under the Banheart Family.”
Considering the reparations the Belluns originally owed us, the territorial rights were already ours.
The other nobles would have no choice but to divide up whatever we chose to leave behind……
“The Deolics won’t stay quiet.”
“Logan Deolic isn’t one to let profit slip through his fingers.”
Conversely, he discards anything unprofitable without mercy. Just like he did with our family before.
“I’ll manage things on this end for now. I’ll let you know right away if the Deolics make contact.”
“Thanks. I’m counting on you, Maria.”
“Not at all.”
As expected, no one was as reliable as Maria when it came to money matters.
“Clay, so we’re heading to Kitten Forest now?”
“Yeah. Riya’s coming along this time too…… Are you ready?”
“Of course.”
Riya pointed to her outfit with a very bright expression.
It was extremely light attire, just like when she first visited our territory.
Maria watched us with a slightly worried tone.
“But needing Her Highness the Princess’s help—what’s happening in Kitten Forest? Is it a disaster or something……?”
“It’s not a disaster. But something just as frightening is about to happen. Oh, has Lutia said anything unusual?”
“No. Mother says her precognitive dreams come suddenly, regardless of her will.”
“I see…….”
Truth be told, I had many questions about Lutia’s precognitive dreams too.
In the original story, Lutia should already be dead by now.
So, would Lutia have precognitive dreams afterward? Or not?
Since she possessed the ability, it might activate, but if it did, would she dream of the ‘original’ story as before, or of this altered world? I was curious.
‘For now, we’ll have to wait and see.’
Lutia’s ability was just a supplementary element.
If it activated, great. If not, nothing to be done. We couldn’t base future plans on uncertain factors.
“Anyway, let’s go. There’s someone I want to introduce you to.”
“Yes. Let’s hurry, Clay.”
Riya followed behind me with an excited face.
As she trotted along, she suddenly whipped her head around to stare at Maria, still seated at the table.
Heh.
The moment I thought I heard such a laugh, Maria’s pupils trembled faintly.
[……Dragons originally love showing off their treasures. She must have been quite frustrated not being able to do so until now.]
‘…….’
I didn’t know why she was directing it at Maria, but Riya looked extremely pleased.
She hadn’t seemed in good spirits when talking about Maria and the territory earlier. What a quick-changing girl.
* * *
「Clay, you seem to attract quite a few special children.」
Kitten Forest after a long while.
Beatrice, whom we met in the fairies’ land, said as much.
「Last time you brought a child of luck, and now one with dragon blood…… No, a human child who could truly be called a dragon herself.」
“I’m sorry for not mentioning it first.”
「No need. It’s my first time seeing the imperial bloodline in person, so it’s fascinating.」
As she said, Beatrice looked at Riya with curious eyes.
Riya looked back at Beatrice with equal curiosity, but without Mone’s hyperactive energy. She was simply observing her surroundings with interest.
Riya stopped looking around and bowed to Beatrice.
“I’ve heard about you from Clay, Fairy Queen of the South. I am Riya Asktalin, Princess of the Empire.”
「Hehe, what an amusing child. To think I’d meet a precious human who can use Dragon Words.」
Beatrice chuckled as if truly entertained by Riya’s dignified greeting.
「But coming here means you have a request for me, right?」
“Exactly. It’s a bit embarrassing.”
「Not at all. It’s probably for our sake too. Something related to Rugal, I assume.」
“……Yes.”
Since we were already here, I decided to lay it all out.
“Could you allow me to meditate near the Fairy Wood?”
「I see, to absorb mana.」
“Yes.”
Agatram increases its owner’s mana absorption rate.
And the most efficient spot was right near Beatrice’s Fairy Wood.
「That’s no trouble. Use it as much as you like. Oh, with that child’s help, you could achieve even greater efficiency.」
“Yes?”
「Dragon Words touch the principles of the world. With her help, we could infuse the Fairy Wood with Dragon Word power, allowing your body to absorb mana several times faster.」
No, such a method existed.
I looked at Riya in surprise, and she nodded with a puzzled expression.
“I’ve never tried it, so we’ll have to see once we do.”
She was right, as expected.
But if Beatrice was correct……
‘We could cut the time in half—more than that, achieve far greater results!’
I couldn’t believe I hadn’t thought of this sooner.
I wanted to test it immediately, but today was just to get Beatrice’s permission.
“Understood. Then I’ll impose on you starting tomorrow.”
「Hm? Not today?」
“Yes. First, I need to check Rugal’s seal.”
At those words, Riya lightly tugged my sleeve.
“Isn’t the only one you’re introducing me to the Fairy Queen?”
“One more. I bet even Riya will be shocked.”
Riya looked like she doubted anything here could shock her further.
Well, having met the Fairy Queen, it’d take something extraordinary.
But the person we were about to meet surpassed even that.
* * *
With Solaris in hand, there was no need for the complicated methods to cross the passage anymore.
Just like Sior had done—slice through the spatial boundary and pass through.
‘Solaris might actually be the most versatile, huh?’
It was that cheat-like.
Solaris could block most ranged attacks, and hiding or evading was simple too.
In any case, Riya and I crossed the passage into the familiar cavern.
The moment we faced Damian waiting there, Riya’s eyes widened as expected.
Of course—Damian was a Death Knight with a will, radiating an extraordinary aura at first glance.
“Clay, do you know who this is?”
“You’ll know if I tell you the name.”
Gazing at him as he fixed his eyes on us, I calmly opened my mouth.
“Sword God Damian Viet. He looks like this now, but it’s definitely him.”
“……He’s as astonishing as the Fairy Queen.”
Naturally.
One of the original Seven Heroes, the Sword God Damian.
Unlike Beatrice, Damian showed no particular interest in Riya.
“A mage with an unusual presence. There must be a reason you brought her here.”
“Yes, of course.”
Considering the upcoming battle with Rugal, I needed to bring Riya beforehand and explain.
“Sir Damian, the Dark Lord Rugal was a mage, right?”
“Indeed.”
“That’s why I brought her.”
I slowly introduced Riya.
“No matter how powerful a mage, they’re helpless before a dragon wielding Dragon Words.”
Magic is the power to interfere with the world’s laws using one’s mana as a medium.
Dragons not only wield such magic freely but can manipulate it with mere words.
In other words, no magic could surpass the suppressive force of Dragon Words.