Chapter 250: Just Accept It (2)
Chapter 250: Just Accept It (2)
Patrick, who was using the royal castle as a temporary office, looked more exhausted than ever.
“Lord Patrick, we’ve searched the entire capital using spirits, but there really is no food left.”
“…I see.”
“Brother. Rumors are spreading that our Orc warriors are eating human children.”
“…I’m sorry.”
“Patrick, the citizens in the northwestern district revolted today. Our magic swordsmen stepped in and detained them all, but…”
“Was anyone killed or injured…?”
“No. We wouldn’t do that to the people…”
“I’m talking about the citizens, not you guys.”
“…A few who resisted violently were injured, but there were no fatalities.”
“…….”
This is driving me crazy.
Patrick clutched his head, lost in agonizing thought.
The world often labors under a misconception: that the ‘Double Dragon’ Patrick Schneider is peerlessly capable and can do anything.
To be fair, he had left behind a trail of achievements so incredible it was hard to believe a young man barely over twenty had accomplished them.
Starting from being the youngest winner of Arcana, to his knight training, and even the pioneering of the Great Forest…
They were, quite literally, feats that would go down in history.
However, the truth was different.
At his core, Patrick was simply a warrior with a diverse set of skills.
He possessed no great political acumen, nor did he have any experience in actually leading a nation’s affairs.
‘The capital’s population of over a million is starving, so save them.’
He had no way of fulfilling such a mission.
What on earth am I supposed to do now?
He had already requested aid from his territory and contacted the Elvador Merchant Group to airlift food.
But Patrick knew the truth. It was practically impossible to transport massive quantities of food all the way to the capital of a foreign nation in the middle of a war.
He was truly surrounded by enemies. Patrick felt he finally understood how Xiang Yu must have felt at his end.
Is this how I lose?
The word ‘defeat’ flickered through Patrick’s mind.
But then…
“Young Master. A guest has arrived.”
Sanson suddenly opened the door and reported urgently.
“A guest?”
A guest in this situation?
He couldn't even begin to guess who it might be. Moreover, it was rare to see the usually calm Sanson so flustered.
“Who is it, and where are they from?”
“Yes. Well… that is…”
“Speak calmly.”
“He says he is from the Yuzef Kingdom. His name is Marquis Noah Gregory.”
“…Huh?”
It was a visit from a guest Patrick had never even considered.
* * *
Black hair and brown eyes.
He had a somewhat handsome face, but upon closer inspection, it was hard to find any distinguishing features. He looked like the type of man whose face you would forget the moment he passed you by. This man’s name was Marquis Noah Gregory.
In the current continent, he was famous by another name.
“Right. So you’re the Overlord’s Snake?”
The Overlord’s Snake.
As Sierion’s fame spread across the continent, his inner circle gained renown as well.
There was the Black Knight Matthias Carvan, who overwhelmed other 7-Star knights with sheer martial prowess.
And then there was Noah Gregory, the Overlord’s Advisor—commonly known as the Overlord’s Snake—who supported the Overlord’s path with his brilliant strategies.
The world referred to these two as the Overlord’s twin wings.
He bowed politely to Patrick and spoke.
“It is an honor to meet the great hero, the Double Dragon.”
“You’re quite polite to a brat who doesn’t even have a title yet.”
Noah Gregory was not the legitimate heir of a noble house; he was born an illegitimate son.
However, he had made a name for himself as the Overlord’s advisor, achieving distinguished merits and rising through the ranks on his own. Now, he was a Marquis of the Yuzef Kingdom, a powerhouse in the north.
Such a man smiled at Patrick and said, “You are not someone to be judged by mere titles or status.”
“…….”
“Above all, my lord has recognized you as his equal. Therefore, I would not dare be so impudent as to show you disrespect.”
“The Overlord said I was his equal?”
“Yes, that is correct.”
“That bastard is even more arrogant than I thought.”
“…….”
For the first time, a flicker of emotional disturbance appeared on Marquis Noah Gregory’s face.
Patrick didn’t miss it.
He’s not a snake; he’s a dog. He’s definitely on a leash.
Regaining his composure, Noah Gregory spoke.
“The reason I have visited today is to propose a deal.”
“A deal? What kind of deal?”
“First, what I am offering is the thing you desire most desperately right now.”
“Why? Did you bring enough food to feed the entire capital?”
“Yes, I did.”
“……!”
For a moment, Patrick, who had been acting indifferent, nearly jumped out of his seat. He looked at the composed Noah Gregory and said, “Since you called it a deal, I assume there’s something you want in return.”
“Of course.”
“Speak. I’ll grant almost anything.”
He wasn't joking.
If enough food could be supplied right now, Patrick was willing to give away all the treasures he had obtained while capturing the Ratenov royal castle.
Perhaps sensing Patrick’s desperation, Noah continued.
“If you agree to the three conditions I propose, I will provide the food.”
“Three conditions, huh…”
“That is correct.”
“Lately, I’ve developed a list of things I hate, and ‘three conditions’ just became the seventy-ninth item on it.”
“I’ve heard the rumors, but you truly do have many dislikes.”
“Phew… Fine. Tell me. Let’s hear them.”
At Patrick’s words, Noah spoke.
“First, in exchange for supplying the food, I want priority negotiation rights with the Dwarves.”
“Priority negotiation rights with the Dwarves?”
“Yes. The cause of this war was originally the depletion of the ore veins in the Iron Mountains, which led the Dwarves to decide to migrate.”
“And?”
“There is an undeveloped mountain range in the northern part of our kingdom. The terrain is rugged and infested with monsters, making development difficult, but it has recently been cleared to some extent.”
“You want to lure the Dwarves there?”
“Exactly. Of course, I am only asking for the right to persuade them, so please rest assured. Everyone knows how stubborn Dwarves are; it would be impossible to take them by force anyway.”
“You certainly make stealing the yolk out of an egg sound easy.”
Patrick was blunt.
Most of the Harbor Duchy’s territory was mountainous.
Furthermore, most of those mountains had already been hollowed out by the Dwarves, the world’s greatest miners.
In other words, if the Dwarves were taken away, the value of this land would naturally plummet. However…
“Fine. I accept.”
Patrick was the one in a hurry right now.
“Tell me the second one.”
“The second condition is that you accept me as your advisor.”
“…What?”
“Until this war ends, I will lend you my wisdom by your side. And if possible, I ask that you prioritize my strategies.”
“…Are you crazy?”
Patrick realized for the first time that there might be someone even more insane than himself in this world.
Marquis Noah Gregory.
The Overlord’s Snake and the strategist who had achieved brilliant merits in the northern wars.
Despite his young age, people called him one of the top five strategists on the entire continent.
Such an outstanding individual was offering to lend his wisdom?
That was good. Great, even. But there was a problem…
“Why?”
No matter how much Patrick thought about it, there was no reason for this man to lend him his wisdom.
Because of his connection with the Overlord?
No. What kind of ‘good connection’ was that?
I almost killed him.
To Patrick, Sierion was a walking contradiction.
Considering the atrocities he had committed across the continent in league with dark mages and the ambition he harbored within, he deserved to die.
In fact, Patrick had intended to kill him then. However…
[Imperial Sword Form.]
The man’s sword had spoken.
It said he was a warrior who walked the king’s path with dignity.
A warrior might lie with his mouth, but he cannot lie with his sword.
The Overlord’s conviction embedded in that sword intent was real. And above all…
[You will never know what it means to serve a true king.]
The Overlord’s subordinate had cried out.
That he was the king they needed…
He had shouted it with a desperation that bordered on agony.
That was why Patrick couldn't bring himself to kill him.
If he thought of righteousness as a warrior of the Jianghu, he should have killed the man a hundred times over.
But he couldn't be certain if it was right to measure the ‘Way of the King’ by the standards of a warrior.
So he had let him live, yet the lingering discomfort of that decision made him agonize over it again and again.
To Patrick, Sierion Byssus Yuzef was that kind of existence.
So why would the strategist who was that man’s closest confidant…?
“I’m asking for the reason.”
“If you want a reason, I can give you many. From the fact that you must win this war for us to receive our due compensation, to the justice of the continent and the rights of the demi-human Dwarves? Well… I can attach any reason you’d like.”
“…….”
“But if I were to speak my true feelings, it’s mostly because I want to observe you at least once.”
“Me?”
“Yes. The existence that my lord, the Overlord, most guards against and fears, yet at the same time, most recognizes and admires…”
“Ahem!”
“…….”
For a split second, a look of ‘What kind of crazy bastard is this?’ crossed Noah’s face.
Sanson and the other knights pointedly looked away, trying to deny the reality before them, while Noah calmly continued.
“In any case, I am interested in the being known as you.”
“Sorry, I like women.”
“…….”
This time, a look of ‘Should I just go home?’ appeared, but Patrick spoke up before he could.
“Fine. I’ll accept the second condition too. I was desperate for someone who could use their head anyway.”
“Thank you.”
“Now, the third and final one. Speak.”
“I will tell you the third condition after this war is over.”
“That’s a bit problematic.”
It was Patrick’s creed never to hand out blank checks.
At that, Noah smiled and said, “You may refuse the third condition. However, you must at least listen to the proposal.”
“…Just listening is enough?”
“Yes, that is correct.”
“…….”
Patrick pondered.
What was he plotting?
Looking only at the conditions, they were far too favorable for his side. However…
That’s exactly why it’s suspicious.
It was a headache because he couldn't read the other man’s intentions.
Suddenly, he missed his friend from his previous life terribly.
If that ugly bastard were here, he wouldn't have to strain his brain like this.
As Patrick hesitated, Noah spoke.
“May I offer a piece of advice to help you decide?”
“Fine. Go ahead.”
“Then, I shall speak as your advisor.”
“Go ah—”
“Just accept it, you moron.”
“…Huh?”
What did he just say?
To the stunned Patrick, Noah spoke without restraint.
“You’re going to be ruined anyway without the food I brought, so why are you playing hard to get? Are you really in a position to check if the bread is moldy? Just eat what you’re given!”
“…….”
“That is all.”
“…….”
“Ah, I have a habit of my tone becoming a bit coarse and aggressive when I advise on strategy.”
“…….”
“It is to convey my opinions without filter, so please understand.”
Patrick realized one thing.
This guy wasn't normal either.
Patrick smiled broadly and said, “I accept your advice.”
“Thank you.”
“Then, I shall give my advisor his first command.”
“Please, speak.”
“Let’s start with a beating.”
“…What?”
Watching Patrick approach with a clenched fist, Marquis Noah Gregory realized something.
He wasn't the only abnormal person in the world.
* * *
In a small forest clearing about two hours away from Ratenov.
Noah Gregory, who had led Patrick there, spoke.
“Here is the promised food.”
“It really was here.”
“Of course.”
There, piled high, were enough sacks of grain to truly resolve the capital’s food crisis.
“To think there was a place other than my territory that stockpiled this much food during this great famine.”
“Let’s just say I had foresight.”
“And how did you bring this all the way here in secret?”
“There are ways. Ways you can probably guess.”
“Hmm…”
“What is it?”
“Are you sulking by any chance?”
At Patrick’s question, Noah snapped back.
“I am not.”
If only one of his eyes wasn't bruised a deep purple, he might have been slightly more convincing.
One had an unbridled mouth, and the other had unbridled fists.
It was only natural that it resulted in this.
“Anyway, thanks. With this much food, there shouldn't be any more problems.”
Looking at the food that could easily fill three large granaries, Patrick breathed a sigh of relief. And…
“Hopeless idiot.”
Noah muttered under his breath, letting out a sigh of a different kind.
Patrick whipped his head around.
“What? What now?”
“May I offer some advice?”
“Go ahead. Who’s stopping you?”
“Are you going to hit me if I do?”
“…….”
He was definitely planning to hit me.
Noah gnashed his teeth as he looked at Patrick, who avoided his gaze before speaking.
“Can’t we compromise on just hitting you lightly?”
“…….”
“Fine, fine. I won’t hit you. Speak.”
Only then did Noah open his mouth.