Chapter 160: The Archipelago (3)
Chapter 160: The Archipelago (3)
I took a step back for a moment.
I needed to hear what the others had to say.
No matter how many crises I had overcome on my own, if you stripped away the sword, I was no different from any other boy. I didn't truly know the vast world, nor did I possess the foresight befitting the title of 'Lord.' So, what then?
"Young Master, it seems like a good proposal to me. The Black Archipelago appears like a demon, offering what you need most only to make you pay the price later, but they are famous for their principle of never making an unfair trade. That is why they have endured and maintained themselves throughout such a long history."
I had to listen to others.
"It doesn't look bad to me either. Even if Sherizik helps us here, with just me, Tom, Hailyn, and Sherizik... adding individuals one by one won't be enough to overcome the crises ahead. The estate is growing to the point where we can maintain a decent army, but ultimately, we need a solid background. The Iron Kingdom is insufficient to serve as that background. Far from enough."
"The Black Archipelago might bewitch people, but it’s only to the point of being a minor irritation, nothing more or less. It’s only later, when you chew it over, that you might say, 'Looking back, I lost out on that one.' They aren't a group that engages in unreasonable or unfair trades. If they’ve assigned that much value to a Descendant of Steel from the start, the Black Archipelago will make a fine partner. There’s a maxim that always works when dealing with them: 'Is there enough gold prepared?' That means if you meet the Black Archipelago without sufficient value, you’ll have to pay a corresponding price—but conversely, if you possess enough value yourself, you can make a good deal."
Even the two sensitive witches spoke positively.
True, there was certainly nothing that struck me as suspicious. After several conversations, the last person I sought out was Sancho.
And then.
"It sounds good. But are you alright with this?"
Sancho asked about a different aspect.
"The safety of the residents is good, of course. Ultimately, a territory is only complete when there are people. Seeing the estate transform so beautifully lately has made me proud, reminding me of the past. It would be wonderful if we could protect them and ensure their safety. But... are you alright with just that?"
"What do you mean, am I alright with just that?"
"Young Master, you cannot abandon this land."
"..."
"Isn't that why you stayed here alone even after everyone else left? You remained on this land by yourself, even when it was a ruin and rumors spread that it was cursed."
Sancho had pierced the heart of the matter.
Yes.
I could not abandon this land.
"Someone might call it foolish. They might say that building new structures, receiving a title, and starting anew with the residents in a safe place is another way to succeed the Caravan name. If that is what you wish, then do so. I will respect whatever choice you make, Young Master. But... you took up the sword so that you wouldn't have to compromise."
"..."
"I know you won't listen to anyone else anyway, Young Master."
Sancho gave a hearty laugh.
"Whatever choice you make, I will be with you. Do not worry."
Yes.
Perhaps those words were the ones I wanted to hear most.
"I, Sancho, am with you until the end."
After hearing Sancho's words, I stepped outside the mansion.
As the cold air brushed against me, I slowly looked at Liam. There was only one person left from whom I could seek wisdom. The First Caravan, who would have as much lingering attachment to this land as I did.
"Master. What should I do?"
「 Do as you wish. 」
"I want to. But I am wavering."
「 About what? 」
"If the flow of the world is heading toward a fierce war, I must dive into the center of that war for my trial. In this situation, the Black Archipelago's proposal is too sweet. If I move all the residents to the Black Archipelago and receive their support, everything will go smoothly. I could grow stronger in the war instead of just protecting them. I could move more freely."
「 ... 」
"But my heart cannot let go of this land."
I looked at Liam.
"For some reason, I feel that achieving everything I want is impossible alone. I keep thinking that perhaps it's time to compromise. That maybe it's okay to take a bit of a detour. That's why I want to ask. Master, how did you overcome it alone? How did you achieve the glory of the Caravan by yourself?"
The flow of the world was racing toward a great war. I didn't know what Ian Chervil was expanding the board for. I didn't know for what glory other nations were shedding blood. What was certain was that a mere individual could not stop a war. It was impossible for a single human to go against the tide, to go against the heavens.
I spoke with a sense of frustration.
Liam answered shortly after.
「 It is not impossible. 」
"Pardon?"
「 An individual can go against the heavens, can go against the tide, and can make the impossible possible. Is that path not at the end of the road you wish to walk? 」
Going against the heavens.
Going against the tide.
An individual who makes the impossible possible.
"...A Swordmaster."
A Swordmaster.
Yes, if one were a Swordmaster, it would be possible.
「 My young descendant, did I not tell you? If you achieve your legend and emerge from the Sky Mountain Range, then it will not be you who must endure the world, but the world that must endure you. 」
"..."
「 Do you wish to compromise with the world? Are you starting to feel that it is too much for a young boy? 」
I wanted to say yes.
But.
「 Then can you throw everything away and forgive your enemies? Can you live a normal life while Ian Chervil and Carlos sweep across the world and are worshipped as heroes? When you grow old one day, can you brush aside your resentment and praise and admire them? Can you live while completely forgetting the moment your parents died? 」
"I could never do that."
As expected, I couldn't change.
「 Indeed, you couldn't. Because you are like me. 」
"..."
「 Young descendant. 」
"Yes."
「 Do not compromise. Do not bow. Do not break yourself. Even if everyone else does, you do not have to. Steel has no need for that. 」
Under the night sky, Liam's eyes sharpened like a blade.
「 Accept their proposal. Take the gold and the mercenary group from the Black Archipelago to buy yourself some time. Become their champion for a while, just as they suggested. 」
"Then..."
「 But there is no need to leave this land. Stay here. You ask what will happen after the contract ends and the mercenaries leave? You ask what if an endless war breaks out and this estate is swept away and vanishes? No, that will not happen. Because by the time that era arrives, you will be an absolute being who can do anything. 」
A heavy voice.
Along with it, Liam's aura poured out terrifyingly.
「 Arhan, the Last Caravan. 」
My name. Master called my name.
「 The First Caravan shall pass on to you the true Sword of the Caravan. Steel shall return, and the world shall pay the price for forgetting the Caravan. 」
Those words sent a shiver down my spine.
「 You shall become a Swordmaster before you turn eighteen. 」
Master. He had never once told a lie regarding the sword.
「 From now on, you shall prepare for transcendence. 」
Not once.
* * *
"I knew you would eventually accept. It was a proposal where we stood to lose quite a bit, after all. It was an offer you couldn't refuse. From now on, you, Lord, will be our champion dispatched to the war that will break out on the Southern Continent. We will provide maximum support in that process. A mercenary group from the Black Archipelago will arrive soon. They will keep the residents here safe while simultaneously helping them relocate safely to the Black Archipelago. Your citizenship will also soon—"
"No, there will be no relocation. You only need to guarantee safety and support. Instead, please extend the period the mercenary group stays here."
"...Pardon? What do you mean by that?"
The man frowned at my words.
"No, this is a great opportunity for this estate. Are you perhaps afraid of retaliation from the Iron Kingdom? Retaliation from the Iron Kingdom is nothing to fear under the shadow of the Black Archipelago. Besides, the Iron Kingdom wouldn't protect a weak estate like this. They're more likely to plunder it than protect it."
"You're right. But I will protect this land."
"You won't be able to. No matter how great a hero you are, it's impossible to protect this land—which lacks proper defensive facilities and is flimsy at best—in the coming Great War."
"I can do it."
"By what means? Unless you're planning to face an entire legion alone..."
"I said, I can do it."
Seeing my firm attitude, the man went "Hmm" before nodding his head.
"Well, if you say so. For us, it just means extending the mercenaries' stay, so it ends up being a cheap deal. But it is a shame. I was planning to invest a bit here, open up some trade routes, and secure customers, but that's all gone now. Since it'll be destroyed anyway."
"It won't be destroyed. Go ahead and open them. Our estate will not disappear."
"I'm not fooled by such optimistic words."
"You'll regret it later."
The man's eyebrows twitched at my remark.
"...Regret? Really?"
"What if I become an individual who can stand against the world, beyond just a legion? What if I become a being who can face anyone who attacks, any threat that comes, with a single sword?"
The man's dry expression cracked at those words. Soon, he let out a "Pfft" and started laughing.
"Lord, do you know what your words mean right now?"
"I do."
"There is only one such being on the entire continent."
"Yes, a Swordmaster."
"No, even a Swordmaster cannot do that. That is something only the greatest among Swordmasters can achieve. Namely..."
"You're talking about the Foremost Sword of the Continent."
The man stopped laughing at my words.
"I just have to become like Swordmaster Carlos. That won't be a problem."
After all, that had been my goal since before I even picked up a sword.
"My target was him from the very beginning anyway."
In the end, everything came back to the starting point. To kill a Swordmaster, I must become a Swordmaster. To kill the Foremost Sword of the Continent, I must become the Foremost Sword of the Continent.
The moment my revenge succeeds is the moment everything I desired is fulfilled.
"Ha, haha, pfft, puhahaha!"
The man listening to me laughed as if he had heard a hilarious joke. His dry face broke into a joyful laugh, and he let out a long breath. Then, he looked at me with half-open eyes.
"Are you serious?"
"Yes, I am serious."
"You, who have just turned seventeen, are going to become a Swordmaster and fight and defeat Sir Carlos, the Foremost Sword of the Continent? Do you know how absurd that sounds? It's more ridiculous than when I first visited the Black Archipelago's auction house and got fleeced until my pockets were empty. It's flimsier and less logical than a merchant's trick of selling glass beads as diamonds."
Flimsy and illogical. The man who said that was still smiling.
"But for some reason, I'm drawn to it."
"..."
"Ah, this is why one should wear a mask as much as possible when doing business. I've been warned so many times never to trade emotionally... but at a moment like this, I simply can't help myself. I really can't stand it."
The man slowly closed his eyes.
"If it fails, my status within the Red Bank will plummet to the bottom, my assets will vanish into thin air, and I'll lose everything I've built to start over from the very bottom—an all-in! A gamble among gambles where I might end up as a homeless person frequenting the free soup kitchens of the Black Archipelago..."
"..."
"But if it succeeds, I'll maintain a close relationship with the future Foremost Sword of the Continent, have the chance for exclusive trade with the land he protects, and even the opportunity to become a legendary investor who recognized and invested in the greatest Swordmaster before he established himself. A chance to prove to the world the 'Zeppelin-style Investment Method,' which is practically my life's motto: identifying something cheap and investing quickly for massive future gains...!"
The man muttered something to himself and then opened his eyes. When he did, his pupils were different from before. His eyes had been a dull black, but now they were glowing golden. A brilliant gold that seemed almost blinding.
"Alright, I've decided."
"Decided what?"
"I'm making an additional investment beyond what I mentioned before. I'll empty my personal coffers and pull in investments from elsewhere to pour money into this estate. A mercenary group to protect this place? I'll raise them to the highest grade. Let's develop this land into a fortress that can withstand even the Ash Knights of the Iron Kingdom. And let's grow this estate beyond just a territory to the level of a city-state. So that even if those around us try to scrape at us, we can just declare independence without any problem."
"...Are you joking?"
"Why would I joke about something like this?"
The terms were unbelievably good. If the investment proceeded as the man said, the Caravan estate would become a fortress in its own right. Since a mercenary group maintained by the gold of the Black Archipelago held great prestige across the continent, something like a Magic Corps sent by the Machine Empire as an infiltration team wouldn't be able to break through the perimeter. My heart would be much more at ease.
But to invest all this without any conditions?
"However."
Right. Of course not. The man pulled a single gold coin from his pocket.
"The final decision on the investment will be made by a coin toss."
"A coin toss?"
"I'll flip the coin, and if it lands on heads, I'll invest as I said. But if it lands on tails, the extraordinary terms I just mentioned are off the table. It's a test of your luck, Lord. Becoming the Foremost Sword of the Continent is a miracle that can only happen if the heavens help. If the heavens won't even help with a simple test of luck like this, how can I believe in you?"
"..."
"Haha, it's absurd, isn't it? But no one believes in superstitions more than those who play with money. I am also one of those faithful believers."
The man shook the coin in his hand. I spoke.
"It's not absurd at all. I think it's perfectly reasonable. If I'm broken by a mere coin toss, then it's something I could never achieve anyway. Flip it. I won't resent you regardless of the result."
"Yes, then, ah. May I ask one more question?"
"What question?"
"Do you truly believe you can fight and defeat Sir Carlos, the Foremost Sword of the Continent? Do you sincerely believe that is something you can do?"
The man's golden eyes shone exceptionally sharp as he spoke. The question was asked in a strangely low voice. However, I answered immediately without a moment's hesitation.
"Yes."
With that, the gold coin flew into the air with a ting. After spinning several times, it landed precisely on the man's palm. The result?
"It's heads."
The man smiled brightly after checking the coin.
"I will invest everything I have."
An unexpected windfall. With this, the Caravan estate had secured investment from the Black Archipelago. A gain I hadn't even imagined. It was a gift that felt as if the heavens themselves were helping.
"Since we're partners now, let me introduce myself formally."
While I was inwardly thrilled, the man extended his hand.
"I am Zeppelin Gold."
"...Gold?"
"Ah, yes, it's the Gold family you're thinking of."
In his golden-glowing eyes, my face was reflected.
"It is an honor to be your partner. I am Zeppelin Gold, descendant of the 'Fair Scale,' the second son of 「Gold」 of the Great Five Families."
A descendant of the Fair Scale. The owner of the Red Bank that ruled the Black Archipelago, the wealthiest family among the Great Five Families, said to control the gold of the continent. A descendant of 「Gold」 had become my partner.
While I was still dazed, Liam muttered.
「 Ho, this audacious brat... he played a trick, didn't he? 」
I had no idea what he meant.
「 It seems he intended this from the start. Well, I expected he would throw something our way once the Caravan name spread. But to put on such a ridiculous play and hide behind my young descendant, pretending it wasn't his doing... he's still as full of shame as ever. Still as dim-witted. 」
"Pardon? What are you talking about?"
「 You don't need to know. 」
Amidst my confusion, Liam grinned.
「 This is a story for us old folks. 」
* * *
Zeppelin Gold, the second son of the Great Five Families' 「Gold」, sat in a remote shack and pulled out a crystal ball that glowed with iridescent colors. As he stroked the crystal ball, the image of a woman with long, flowing red hair soon appeared. Upon seeing her, Zeppelin Gold immediately smiled.
"Matriarch, Matriarch. I've made the contract just as you said."
「 I see. I trust you made it sufficiently fair? 」
"Oh, of course. Naturally, I made a few terms a bit better for him, as you hinted. The rest I judged and contracted myself. If this fails, the loss will be enormous."
Zeppelin Gold's words were true.
The reason he, the second son of a Great Family, had come all the way to this outskirts was solely because of the Matriarch's words. She had told him that in this estate resided a benefactor who would turn Zeppelin Gold's life around. A descendant of a legendary family that was once greater than any other but was now forgotten by history. As soon as Zeppelin Gold heard the Matriarch's words, he came to this distant place to make him his partner. And he had succeeded. Proudly so.
"Matriarch, but it really won't fail, right? If I go completely bust, you'll at least give me some support, right? As you know, I'm quite bold. So I really went all-in, you know? If this goes south, I won't just be penniless; I'll be buried under a mountain of debt."
「 I believe I said I would only give advice and that the judgment was yours to make, child. 」
"St-still, it's nerve-wracking."
「 Did that boy look like an unstable existence to you? 」
"Hmm."
Zeppelin Gold pondered the Matriarch's question for a moment.
"No, he didn't."
「 Why? 」
Asked why, Zeppelin Gold recalled the moment from earlier. Before deciding on the investment, he had suggested a coin toss. But the coin he had pulled out wasn't an ordinary one. It was the 「Maiden's Coin」, imbued with magic to distinguish truth from lies. If you ask a question and flip this coin, it lands on heads if the answer is true and tails if it's a lie. And the result?
"He's a man who sincerely dreams an insane dream."
「 An insane dream, you say. 」
"I can trust a man like that. Hehe."
Zeppelin Gold laughed brightly. With a pure smile, he said.
"Aren't you going to invest, Matriarch? If you advised me that much, you must be quite interested yourself. If you give me the investment funds, I'll slip them in secretly under a different name. You mentioned before that you received some help from this legendary family a long, long time ago, didn't you? Karvan? Caravan? The name is even hard to pronounce. Anyway, since you told me to give him good terms, you should invest too."
「 No, I'm fine. 」
"Why? Is it a scam property?"
「 Tsk, the things this child says. Anyway, it's not that. It's just— 」
"Just?"
Beyond the crystal ball, the woman with flowing red hair hesitated for a moment before speaking.
「 ...I just don't want someone seeing my name. 」
"Who?"
「 Just, someone. An unpleasant human who was always scolding me not to play with money and teasing me for being dim-witted. A persistent old man who was so damn strong I couldn't even talk back to him. 」
"Gasp! How could someone be so rude! I'll give him a piece of my mind!"
「 Haha. You say the most amusing things. 」
"Hey, I'm not joking. Where else is there a descendant who thinks of you as much as I do? My older brother and my younger siblings are all obsessed with money, but I'm the cute descendant who contacts you every single day. Just say the word, and I'll teach him a lesson."
Beyond the crystal ball, the woman laughed as if it were truly the funniest thing she had heard.
「 ...You, doing something that even the Seven Chief Gods and Nine Goddesses couldn't? 」
* * *
Zeppelin Gold's help was truly reliable.
The destroyed estate was quickly restored; in fact, it was reborn in a state even more brilliant than before. Furthermore, Zeppelin Gold opened up trade routes so that goods previously circulating only within the territory could be distributed across the continent. He even packed the warehouses to the brim with wheat and meat, calling it a bribe to win my favor. Honestly, the thought crossed my mind: was this man an angel descended from the heavens?
“The mercenary corps from the Black Archipelago... their caliber is truly insane.”
The quality of the mercenaries stationed at the Caravan estate by Zeppelin Gold’s summons was far too exceptional to be dismissed as a mere ‘mercenary corps.’ While the Caravan estate reached a level beyond respectable—becoming truly magnificent—even Hailyn, who had been unconscious, regained her senses thanks to the elixirs Zeppelin brought and the aid of a priest from the mercenary group. Upon waking, Hailyn limped outside to take in the sight, and I still cannot forget her first words.
“Money... money really is... the best...”
“...”
A landscape that even a genius of estate management could not achieve, no matter how hard they strove, was completed in an instant through the power of capital. Remarking that there was a mountain of things she could accomplish with the funds invested here, Hailyn tried to handle various affairs despite her unrecovered body, only to be scolded by Audrey. Seeing them bicker while looking after one another, they seemed quite close. Elizabeth was also watching Audrey with a strangely touched expression.
At any rate, the normalization of the estate, which had been ruined in the aftermath of war, was proceeding smoothly. Yet, I felt a simultaneous sense of dread. The real war had not even begun. The horrific scenes I had witnessed in the War Duel, the terrible events seen within the memories of the 「Lantern」—could the peace and happiness of this village be maintained when such an era arrived? I could not be certain. War has a way of sweeping everything away.
In the end, the answer was always the same. To possess sufficient power.
In the past, I would have been defeated.
But now, I had grown strong enough to treat things like the Magic Corps as mere trifles and sweep them aside. Yet, Caravan could become even stronger. There were still heights left to climb. If so, I had to ascend further. I had to become great. Greater than anyone else.
“Descendant of Steel.”
Of course, there was still work to be done before that.
“You will grant our request now, won’t you?”
“It is time for you to bring us our sisters’ treasure, 「Thunder」.”