Chapter 105
Chapter 105
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 105
Chapter Title: An Eye for an Eye
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[You have perfectly deceived the count.]
[The count trusts your words!]
“...!”
Lee Shin broke into a triumphant smile.
He hadn't expected to succeed in deceiving him in one go, but it seemed the high contribution points he'd accumulated in a short time had helped.
Or maybe the count was just pleased that he'd badmouthed his rival.
“You’re right. That pig, Count Killaim, is more than capable of such a thing!”
“Indeed!”
...It seemed the latter was the bigger reason, but whatever the case, it was a good thing for Lee Shin.
This meant that half of his plan to sow discord was already a success.
Lee Shin continued.
“Don’t worry too much. In fact, this is a blessing in disguise!”
“A blessing? What do you mean?”
“If we didn't know who was behind this, we would have been helplessly victimized without understanding why, but that’s no longer the case, is it? It’s fortunate that we found out before suffering serious damage.”
“I suppose you could look at it that way...”
The count stroked his chin.
If what Lee Shin said was true, he had indeed averted a major crisis for the territory.
If a territory war had been declared while his soldiers and administration were in disarray from the daily riots, it would have been incredibly difficult to win.
The count let out a sigh of relief and said.
“As you said, it’s a relief we found out now.”
“That’s right.”
“...Alright. In that case, I'd like to ask you one more thing. Should we start preparing for war?”
“!”
Lee Shin’s eyes widened at the count’s question.
A count seeking advice from a mere adventurer!
It was a miracle for a mere adventurer to even have an audience with a count, so this showed just how much trust Lee Shin had earned in such a short time.
He collected taxes well, took care of the unexpected riots on his own, and said exactly what the count wanted to hear, like a silver-tongued courtier. Perhaps this was an expected outcome.
‘This is going well.’
Whatever it was, this was a favorable turn of events for Lee Shin!
After a moment's thought, Lee Shin shook his head and replied.
“I don’t believe that will be necessary.”
“Not necessary? Are you saying there won’t be a territory war?”
“Not for now. Our opponent isn't certain they can win a war yet, are they? There’s no need to start preparing so soon.”
Just maintaining an army in a state of readiness for war was quite expensive.
If the territory were wealthy, it might be a different story, but it wasn't. There was no reason to spend money like water in a situation that wasn't even dangerous yet.
“...Therefore, for now, I believe it would be best to focus more on monitoring the enemy’s movements.”
Save money while also making minimal preparations.
Lee Shin’s proposal, which secured both practical benefits and safety, was flawless.
“Hmm...”
But Count Rodin hummed, looking somewhat unconvinced.
Practically speaking, Lee Shin was right, but aside from that, simply backing down like this didn't sit well with him.
“Is something troubling you?”
“You are right, of course, but doesn't this mean I just take the hit and do nothing?”
Lee Shin immediately understood what he meant.
He didn't want to just back down.
Nobles, after all, lived and died by their pride.
Even if he couldn't return one blow with two, he had to at least spit in their face before retreating.
“Think of a way.”
“Then how about this?”
“Hmm?”
“We give them a taste of their own medicine.”
Lee Shin replied as if he had been waiting for this.
He had never expected the prideful count to accept his initial proposal at face value.
Lee Shin's real plan was just beginning.
“A taste of their own medicine?”
“Yes.”
“What do you mean by that?”
“Exactly what it sounds like. Just as they did to us, we will send spies into their territory to cause chaos.”
“...Ah!”
The count exclaimed at Lee Shin's answer.
An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth.
Unleashing spies to incite riots and cause chaos, just as the enemy had done.
This had two advantages.
First, it required very little money or manpower. Second, by returning the favor in kind, he could salvage his pride.
On the other hand, there were no real downsides.
Even if their spies were caught, they could simply cut their losses and disavow them.
The fate of the "tail" being cut off would be quite miserable, but from the count's perspective, that was of no concern.
“...Not bad.”
Count Rodin muttered with a satisfied expression, nodding his head.
A plan that was practical and also emotionally satisfying!
[The count is satisfied with your proposal.]
[The count's affinity has increased.]
“We just need to choose the right person for the job.”
“Ah, about that...”
“Hmm?”
“Could you just entrust it to me?”
“To you?”
“Yes. If you entrust this to me, I am confident I can inflict even more damage than what you have suffered.”
The count hesitated for a moment.
But he soon shook his head.
“...Confidence is good, but is it necessary? I was planning to select one of my knights for the spy role.”
No matter how much credit Lee Shin deserved for suppressing the riots, wasn't it better to send knights for such an important task?
“Are you confident you can do better than them?”
“I am.”
“...!”
“Please consider who it was that suppressed the recent riots. ...And practically speaking, sending me would be the better choice.”
“What do you mean by that?”
“Exactly what I said. It's not as if I'm going there to fight them, is it? There's no need to send such high-level personnel.”
It would be like using a sledgehammer to crack a nut.
Besides, there were many other problems.
In fact, these were more serious.
“Other problems? What are they?”
“Well...”
For instance, there was this problem.
What if a knight, captured by the enemy, feared being disavowed and decided to defect instead?
What if, in exchange for his life, he revealed all of this territory’s military secrets?
Or what if he hid the fact that he'd defected and returned as a double agent?
“...Ah!”
The count gasped.
If any of those scenarios came to pass, far from getting revenge, he would likely suffer immense losses.
No, it wouldn’t just be losses; it could bring a great crisis upon the territory.
Of course, normally, the probability of honor-bound knights betraying their original master was very low.
Most knights would rather choose death than betray their lord.
However.
‘With the lord being the way he is...’
Glancing at the count, Lee Shin shook his head.
As the saying goes, if the stream is muddied at its source, it will be foul in its whole course.
Count Rodin was the type to collect exorbitant taxes even as his people cried out in suffering.
Therefore, it was impossible for the knights under him to possess true honor.
“...You have a point.”
Indeed, the count, seemingly unable to trust his knights 100%, agreed with Lee Shin with a grim expression.
“But are you any different? I have no particular reason to trust you either.”
“It doesn't matter if you trust me or not, does it? Even if I get caught, I have nothing to spill.”
Lee Shin had arrived in this territory only a few days ago.
Naturally, he couldn't possibly know any of the territory's secrets or important information.
“...Hmph.”
“In return, all I want is a small reward.”
“A reward?”
“Yes.”
Something like a managerial position in the territory.
He didn't actually need it, but Lee Shin deliberately said this to dispel the count's suspicion.
From the count's perspective, an adventurer he'd just met showing a bit of worldly ambition was more plausible than one offering to help for no reward at all.
Just as Lee Shin predicted, the count nodded after a long deliberation.
“……Alright.”
“!”
“I will trust you and entrust this matter to you.”
[Count Rodin accepts your proposal.]
[A quest has been generated!]
*Ting.*
Territory Quest – Count Rodin's Revenge
Count Rodin has always had a poor relationship with Count Killaim.
His pride is currently severely wounded because of the riots in his territory, instigated by Count Killaim's machinations.
He would love to pay back what he received twofold, but that would be highly inefficient given the territory's circumstances.
Carry out his revenge on his behalf!
Inciting riots in the Killaris territory would be sufficient revenge, satisfying both practical needs and his pride.
If you protect his pride in this way, he will come to trust you even more.
• Reward: Count Rodin's Trust, Knighthood, ???
• Time Limit: 14 days
Lee Shin bowed deeply.
“Thank you!”
“I’m counting on you.”
“Haha, you have nothing to worry about. Surely you don't think I would betray you?”
[Warning!]
[You have obtained this quest by deceiving the lord. If your lies are discovered...]
‘Whatever.’
I just have to not get caught.
Dismissing the useless warning message, Lee Shin immediately prepared to leave.
“I will leave at once.”
“When can I expect results?”
“Don’t worry. It won't take long. I will be back within a week at the latest.”
A week was half the original quest's time limit.
The count nodded in satisfaction at Lee Shin's confident reply.
“See that you keep your word.”
“Yes.”
* * *
After his meeting with the count, Lee Shin departed for the Killaris territory immediately.
It was a nearby territory, so the journey didn't take long.
[You have arrived in the Killaris Territory.]
[This is your first time entering this area!]
[All stats will be permanently increased by 1.]
“Hmm.”
Lee Shin looked around.
Most of the people in sight were wandering around in rags.
Filthy and haggard!
Of course, there were a few people in decent attire, but...
‘They’re players.’
He could tell by the weapons they carried.
They were either soldiers or players active in this area.
The majority of the NPC population, the common residents, were mostly dressed like beggars.
Seeing this, Lee Shin thought to himself.
‘Is the situation here similar?’
Judging by the state of the residents, the way this territory was run didn't seem much different from the neighboring one.
If that was indeed the case, things could become very easy.
‘I’ll know once I check.’
“Where are you going?”
“Just a moment, I’m not going far.”
“Huh?”
“Just keep watch here for a bit.”
Stopping his party from following, Lee Shin quietly slipped into an alleyway.
Then, he killed one of the petty thieves loitering in the streets.
*Stab, stab, stab!*
“Who’s there— Gak!?”
[You have killed a City Petty Thief.]
[You have committed murder within the city!]
[Warning!]
[The soldiers will now...]
[...The city's public security is extremely low!]
[The soldiers will not pursue you.]
‘...Just as I thought.’
Lee Shin nodded.
As expected, the territory's security was already paralyzed.
A perfect environment for the lawless Lee Shin to run wild!
Having grasped the situation, Lee Shin quickly formulated a plan.
‘I just need to meet the lord. One way or another.’