Chapter 51
Chapter 51
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 51
Chapter Title: Expedition
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“Are you saying you know about this?”
As Allen spoke in a confident tone, he could feel the eyes of everyone in the room fixated on him.
Without a moment’s hesitation, Allen answered.
“The current incident is related to black mages.”
“How do you know that? No, wait…”
A flicker of interest appeared in Gaiel’s inorganic eyes. The Knight Commander, who had opened his eyes in silence, and Gadel, smiling with a benevolent face, also reacted.
A torrent of various emotions flowed from them all.
Expectation, suspicion, surprise.
This situation was firmly under his control.
“Yes, I happened to hear about it from a merchant when I visited Bergen some time ago.”
In reality, Soned probably knew nothing, but it didn't matter even if he did.
For now, all that mattered was that it seemed plausible.
“He told me that black mages have been appearing near the Divine Beast’s Forest for some time now.”
He was simply reciting events that had occurred in the past.
“He said that security around the Divine Beast's Forest has been greatly tightened as a result.”
“No, wait… yes. You said it was the Dyke Merchant Guild, didn’t you? It’s well known that the guild master has ties with the elves…”
After a moment of thought, he realized Allen's words made sense and nodded.
“Yes, and from this point on, this is my own speculation, but… perhaps the elves never intended to ask our family for help from the beginning.”
“That would be right. Even the children in the domain know we are on bad terms.”
“And if this were an official request from the elves, they wouldn't have sent just one person. They would have sent a formal delegation.”
“Wait, does that mean…”
Gaiel slowly muttered to himself at Allen’s words.
“The elf who requested aid… wasn’t alone from the start?”
“Yes, either that, or it’s more accurate to say they were so blockaded that it was difficult for even one to escape alone.”
Allen’s insight reminded Gadel of Eliza.
*That woman’s son, is he.*
To deduce this much from the fact that a single injured elf had arrived.
Of course, he wouldn’t have been able to guess this far without the information from the Dyke Merchant Guild, but even having such connections was just like that woman.
“Yes, that makes sense.”
“This is, of course, merely my speculation. However…”
Allen closed his eyes, recalling the feeling of spirit affinity he had felt at the Spring of Spirits, and materialized a spirit nearby.
A soft hum.
“I have other evidence.”
A multicolored sphere, constantly shifting its hues, appeared around him.
“Is that… a spirit?”
For the first time, Gaiel’s expression cracked.
Allen watched with inner amusement and opened his mouth.
“Yes, though I have yet to form a contract.”
“How did you…”
He knew Allen's talents well. He wasn't sure about his mana sensitivity or affinity, but he shouldn't have had any talent for spirits…
“When I made progress with my magic last time, there was a slight change in my body.”
Gaiel’s expression showed he found the explanation hard to accept, but being unfamiliar with spirits, he forced a nod.
“Well, it is surprising, but… what does that have to do with what you’re trying to say?”
“Although I haven't formed a contract, I was able to hear, to some extent, what this spirit was saying.”
Allen checked Gaiel’s expression, but he had already returned to his impassive face, as if it had never cracked.
“Numerous black mages, battle, retreat, defeat, fire, monsters, and… a corrupting forest? A divine beast? I am still too inexperienced to understand this part.”
Dismissing the spirit he had materialized with his affinity, Allen met Gaiel’s gaze.
“To conclude, the elves are most certainly in danger, and we can use this to create a significant turning point in restoring our relationship with them.”
No one interrupted him while he spoke.
“Even if that’s not the case, the mere presence of black mages near our domain is reason enough for us to subjugate them. And…”
There was no one here who could refute his logical argument and the evidence that supported it.
“Even if we gain nothing tangible, we must go.”
As if to seal the deal, Allen stated the final advantage.
“If we can re-establish our influence on the border with the elves' territory, that alone can serve as the signal flare announcing the beginning of our family’s revival to the outside world.”
*Of course, if we fail to show a changed image after this, that will be the end of it.* But considering the achievements Julius and Allen would accomplish in the future, that was unlikely to happen.
*After all, it’s a matter of saving the world.*
Allen sneered inwardly and glanced at the man who would become a future ‘hero.’ Julius was staring at Allen with a dazed expression.
When he finished speaking, the conference room fell silent.
Gaiel closed his eyes as if to organize his thoughts, then slowly nodded.
“Alright. If we know who the enemy is and can use it to our advantage… it’s worth a try.”
It seemed Gaiel had already predicted the enemy's strength by combining the clues of the elves' attitude, the black mages, and the Divine Beast's Forest.
“In that case, I will assign half of the knight order and 300 regular soldiers. Allen, you and Julius will go together to provide support…”
“W-Wait!”
Just as the meeting was about to conclude smoothly, Julius belatedly shouted.
Gaiel’s curious gaze turned to him.
*Is it really ending just like this, without me getting a word in?*
He couldn't let that happen.
This was a golden opportunity to make an impression…!
*Following the quest's instructions would make this flow of events advantageous, but…*
If he did that, he would be nothing more than a sidekick.
Julius didn't want that.
*Because I am,*
The chosen ‘protagonist.’
“Are you saying you’re deciding on an expedition just like that? Without any further opposition or discussion…?”
There was a hint of bewilderment in Julius’s eyes.
*Why, did the quest tell you to take the lead?*
Or did it tell him to help the elves despite the family's opposition?
But it was already too late.
His father, who had opposed the expedition, had now agreed with Allen's argument, and the Knight Commander and Gadel raised no objections.
The situation was unfolding exactly as Allen had planned.
“Julius, are you opposed to providing aid?”
Gaiel asked with a puzzled expression. To remain silent throughout Allen’s speech and only interject just as the meeting was about to end.
*Could it be, he’s connected to that side…*
Gaiel discreetly exchanged glances with Reina, who lowered her head as if to say she knew nothing about it.
“…That’s not it. It’s just, it will surely be dangerous, so I thought it might be better to reconsider one more time.”
Julius felt like he would go mad with frustration.
*‘Push for aid despite the family’s opposition,’ it said!*
That’s what was written in the [Quest Window].
Didn’t it say to restore relations with the elves and, furthermore, to save the divine beast on the verge of corruption?
Julius had intended to follow it quietly, as he also wanted to make contact with that divine beast, known as a hidden boss in the original story.
*But why.*
Why was everything proceeding without him even having a chance to voice the opinions he had prepared?
“Did you not hear Allen’s argument? Black mages are appearing in the Divine Beast’s Forest.”
“But we still don’t know the extent of the enemy’s forces.”
However, the meeting had already proceeded without a hitch, with no need for him to argue for aiding the elves, and before he could say a word, it was nearly over.
“With the importance of the Divine Beast's Forest, the elves' attitude, and the enemy being narrowed down to black mages, it's not difficult to gauge their strength.”
“The elves will have their own forces there, so if we combine our strength, it should be sufficient.”
As his question was thus refuted, Julius desperately squeezed out another.
“Even so, how can you be sure there won't be an unexpectedly powerful enemy? For example, what if cultists are involved…”
So that’s how you want to play it?
Allen, as if to say it was a futile effort, asked with a hesitant expression.
“Julius, …do you not trust your older brother?”
When Allen feigned a calm but hurt demeanor, Julius could only grit his teeth and shake his head.
“…No. I trust your information, brother. But if it comes to that…”
As he was speaking, the Knight Commander, who had been silent until now, spoke in a deep, low voice.
“Our knight order is not so weak.”
“But…”
“I will lead the expedition myself, so there is no need to worry. Perhaps you do not trust me, young master?”
“That’s…”
His firm and solid gaze was fixed on Julius.
“Knight Commander Basil is a rare powerhouse even within the western kingdom, so it will be fine, young master Julius.”
Following him, Head Butler Gadel chimed in at the perfect moment, and Julius, who had been trying to raise an objection, could only twitch his lips and reply.
“…No. I was being overly anxious.”
With the situation resolved, Gaiel continued with the words he had left unsaid and concluded.
“It has been decided that we will provide aid. 300 soldiers and half of the knight order, including the Knight Commander, will ride out with Allen and Julius.”
“Understood.”
“Julius, do you have any other opinions?”
Allen watched Julius’s somewhat dissatisfied face and swallowed a laugh.
“…I have none.”
“In that case…”
Gaiel uttered briefly.
“We ride out.”
It was the signal that marked the end of the suddenly convened meeting.
* * *
After the meeting, they immediately began preparations to depart.
Allen watched the soldiers preparing in an orderly fashion in the outdoor training ground.
Among them, knights moved busily, checking their equipment.
Seeing them, Allen’s expression soured for a moment.
*…Tsk.*
Allen had given up any expectations for them ever since they had remained silent about Julius's strange behavior.
He could only hope they would one day face judgment for it.
He watched them for a moment with disappointed eyes before turning his head.
And he found it.
A spot a little away from the other knights.
“Think about it. It might be better for you to come under my command, you know?”
“Young master, I have no intention of supporting anyone in particular.”
“That’s not what I mean. I’m saying that because you’re a female knight, you’re being discriminated against…”
Julius was talking with a female knight.
No, it would be more accurate to say Julius was pestering her.
Allen’s gaze shifted to the female knight. Neat features and deep black hair.
*Camilla Carter.*
The knight who had given Linbelle her basic training, and a female knight of the family's order.
And.
*The only commoner among the knights.*
Her father was one of the coachmen for the estate’s carriages.
She had caught the eye of the previous Knight Commander, who happened to notice her talent, and was able to join the knight order, and because of that…
*She’s being discriminated against.*
She wasn't being insulted or beaten, but she was being ostracized by the other knights.
Did she end up becoming Julius’s subordinate in his past life?
*I can’t remember clearly.*
At some point, she had vanished from his journey, so he knew little about her.
There were countless subordinates of Julius who had disappeared like that.
“No, I’ve changed, you know? Don’t you know what my reputation is like these days?”
“I am aware. However… I apologize.”
Allen briefly considered recruiting her, but quickly dismissed the thought.
*Not now.*
Her role was too limited to recruit her now, and he judged that the right time to bring her under his wing was still far off.
*No need to touch her yet.*
She needed to mature a little more.
Just like ‘he,’ who was already beginning to ripen perfectly.
*…I hope she also moves as expected.*
Allen left them alone to meet their predetermined fate.
Because he would be able to use them.
After another thirty minutes had passed, a soldier shouted loudly.
“Young masters! The entire knight order! Preparations are complete.”
Turning his head, he saw that the Knight Commander had also finished his preparations and was mounted on his horse.
“Brother! Please, come over!”
Allen smiled affably and mounted his horse.
“Sorry for the delay.”
The midday sun was still heating the earth, and a stern sense of discipline emanated from the prepared soldiers.
The Knight Commander shouted loudly.
“Then, we ride out!”
“We ride out!”
With the knights’ echoing response, the troops began to leave the estate.
*It’s starting now.*
Allen’s eyes turned toward the Divine Beast’s Forest, far beyond the mountain range.
The time had come to find a clue about his younger brother.