Chapter 15
Chapter 15
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 15
Chapter Title: Bonds in the South
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Dragging our battered bodies back to Mano territory, Viscount Edwin was greatly shocked and asked what had happened.
Having learned the truth through the guides and workers who had accompanied us, Viscount Edwin expressed his deep gratitude to us.
Of course, all the spotlight in that process went to Beskin. Officially, it was he who had repelled the orcs. Well, that didn't matter one way or the other.
Viscount Edwin also formally expressed his separate thanks to me.
"Third Young Master, thank you. I should properly express my gratitude to the Count of the Shield Family, but I cannot fail to thank you as well, the representative of these heroes. If you ever have business in the southern territories, be sure to contact me. I will help you to the best of my ability."
Viscount Edwin made it clear that his thanks were no empty words by generously supporting us with ample supplies for our journey to Philador.
"Hey."
"What."
I called out to Saladin, who was sitting there blankly watching the packing, just as blankly as I was.
"You sure you don't want to see him before we go? You've done plenty to deserve recognition from Father."
Saladin shook his head at my words. Even after saving the family territory, he had no intention of seeing his father.
I'd half-expected as much from his personality. And of course, I knew what his answer would be.
"Nah, this much recognition is chump change. I need to build up more momentum so he comes running out barefoot to greet me."
He flashed me a grin.
"Plus, after seeing that crazy side of you negotiating with orcs, I figure sticking around you might be fun. Wouldn't want you getting caught by the family and me left behind."
Yeah, I figured he'd say something like that.
As Saladin and I were deep in conversation, Beskin approached slowly and spoke up.
"Third Young Master, you're here."
"Ah, you're back? Is the prep mostly done?"
"Yes, but..."
Beskin glanced at Saladin, as if he had something to say.
"Young Master Saladin, would you mind giving us the room for a moment?"
"No problem at all. Whew, it's cold out here. Guess I'll head into the carriage."
Maybe he'd read Beskin's mood. Saladin dusted off his rear and headed for the carriage.
"......"
"......"
A heavy silence settled in for a moment.
"...Yesterday, you said this incident aligns the family's affairs with the kingdom's."
Beskin was the first to broach the subject.
"That's right."
I affirmed it.
"Did... did you anticipate this?"
"Of course."
I affirmed it again.
"Mano territory is traditionally aligned with the Sword Family faction. I... naturally assumed that if we shed blood, it would mean nothing to them."
Of course, that was the conventional view. But it was narrow-minded.
"Not just Mano, but the other southern territories are divided by Sword Family factions. Many think that way. But is that really the case?"
"......?"
"If you want to get technical, the north is held by our Shield Family, the center and east by the royal family, the west by the Sword Family. The south just happens to be geographically closer to Sword Family lands, so it's lumped in with their factions."
Beskin shook his head, as if he couldn't agree.
"Maybe that's how it started. But over long years, the south has supported the Sword Family. Regardless of origins, doesn't that mean this land is already under their shadow?"
"No, it's that very 'ambiguous' geographical position. The south harbors subtle resentment toward the Sword Family."
"......?"
"The west has major territories including the border counts. But the south is mostly populated by bureaucratic nobles. From the Sword Family's perspective, it's a place they can't afford to pay much attention to."
Human psychology works that way. It's geographically distant, and even less important. Naturally, less interest follows.
But that's from the perspective of those giving attention. From the receiving end, it's bound to breed resentment.
"In that situation, whether on official business or not, people who never even thought of factions before saw us shed blood to help them. This story will spread not just through the south, but the entire kingdom."
Just as my brother had said in the past. I didn't expect Viscount Edwin's family to flip to the Shield Family faction over this alone.
No, if they switched that easily, it'd be reason enough to be wary. But.
"At the very least, we've forged a new thread in the south. Haven't we?"
"Just to make such a thin thread..."
"You must know how much effort past Shield Family lords put into even forging such a thin thread."
"......"
"No need to overthink it, Beskin. We protected Mano territory without sacrificing a single soul, drove off the orcs, and created a connection for future advances into the southern territories. The process doesn't matter. Only the results speak for themselves."
I didn't know how Beskin would view the orc negotiations, but I had no regrets.
Yes. In the end, I'd saved Mano territory through negotiations with the orc Hatan, without sacrificing anyone like my brother had.
On top of that, I'd even gained a favor from the orcs. Achieving optimal results with far less effort.
Insist on a bloody fight knowing the heavy losses? Just because they're orcs? Why bother? I'm no scapegoat.
"Let me say it once more, Beskin. Look far ahead, think far ahead. A time will surely come when we need ties to the south."
Yes. To end the power struggle between the Sword and royal families early.
"Let's head back, Beskin. We've no more business in Mano territory. Time to resume the original schedule."
I felt Beskin's odd gaze on my back, but I didn't add more words. The rest was for that stubborn knight to mull over himself.
Just one nagging concern... that orc.
He said he'd become the 'king' of the orcs ruling the Dragon Mountains.
'What if he actually becomes king and comes after my head?'
Well, as long as I avoid the Dragon Mountains, it shouldn't be an issue.
Probably.
Hatan felt his body healing at a rapid pace as he headed north, ever north.
He had gained much from his pilgrimage to the south.
Though he hadn't fully attained the power of his great ancestors, he was still the tribe's greatest warrior.
Yet he'd been so powerless against a human knight. Which meant.
'Chit. In the end, if I don't temper myself, I'll just be tossed about by the power I'm given. Chit.'
In fact, hadn't the power of the white flowers left his mind hazy? After fighting humans and losing blood and energy, his head had cleared up considerably. In the end, it had turned out well.
His current power might grow slowly, but his body had already begun the same transformation as his ancestors.
This land was vast, filled with countless strong beings including humans.
To defeat them all and carry on his ancestors' feats, he had to temper his own power.
But it wasn't enough to grow strong alone.
The reason he'd been dragged along in the negotiations with that young human Jerome today.
Was ultimately because he'd been outnumbered and outmatched in power.
"Chiiik. I must temper myself and gather my kin to forge a mighty tribe."
A place with many strong kin, where he could strictly discipline himself.
And so, Hatan headed to the land of his birth. The Dragon Mountains.
The true king of orcs, the Overlord—the first and last in continental history—was quietly stirring in the small southern mountains, unknown to all.
But for now, it was a distant future matter no one could know.
The next day.
With all preparations complete, we finally left Mano territory and crossed the border.
Knock knock knock.
"Third Young Master, are you busy by any chance?"
It was the voice of the Blizzard Knight Order's vice-captain, Sir Ravins.
"No, it's fine, Sir Ravins. What is it?"
Ravins spoke politely to me.
"We're expected to cross into Philador Kingdom shortly. Would you prefer to have a slightly early lunch before crossing, Third Young Master? I'd like your opinion."
"...Yeah, let's do that."
"Understood."
Ravins bowed his head politely and rode forward, ordering the group to unpack.
"......"
For some reason, his attitude seemed a bit different since yesterday. Probably just my imagination?
Crossing the border wasn't difficult.
Philador Kingdom was Ikenia's traditional ally.
Moreover, with the Carviot Count family of Ikenia visiting, we were treated as honored guests and received warm welcomes.
And it was the same in our destination, Nile territory.
"Halt! This is Nile, territory of Marquis Midas of Philador Kingdom. State your affiliation and identity."
As usual, Ravins stepped forward and declared our identity.
"You've had a hard watch. This carriage carries Third Young Master Jerome von Carviot, third son of Ikenia's Carviot Count family. I am Ravins, vice-captain of the family's Ice Blade, the Blizzard Knight Order. We've come to see Marquis Midas."
"Carviot... Gasp, the Shield Family!"
The guard's reaction was no different from other regions.
"My apologies. We'll make arrangements for you to enter immediately. We sincerely welcome our honored guests."
With the guard's warm reception, the carriage slowly headed toward Marquis Midas's mansion.
'We've finally arrived.'
Nile territory.
Thanks to its warm climate, it was called the continent's granary—even among Philador Kingdom's lands, it was unparalleled in abundance, said to flow with milk and honey.
The land where my brother had failed to secure food.
The land that had stabbed the alliance army in the back during the great war and tangled with the monster emperor.
And the man who had shaped all that history on this land: Marquis Midas.
From now on, I had to negotiate with that hawk-like hero who had etched his mark in history.
This was different from before. Everything I'd resolved so far had leaned on the history I'd experienced in the past.
Coming up with a solution to the food shortage, preemptively dealing with the high orc's emergence—I'd referenced past events or confirmed failures of chosen paths and picked alternatives.
But this time was different. I only knew my 'brother had failed,' not 'why' he failed.
In other words, this negotiation was my first mission to resolve purely with my own experience.
The ones I'd ultimately face were the empire's monsters anyway.
Compared to them, Marquis Midas was just a minor ridge.
If I couldn't handle even this, there was no chance of surpassing my brother and sister to claim the family.
Lost in such thoughts, the carriage soon arrived at Marquis Midas's mansion.
After another inspection at the mansion gates, Ravins passed just as at the castle gate.
"I'll report to the lord immediately."
The soldier, showing a similar reaction, dashed into the mansion.
A short while later, the returned soldier guided our group.
"Thank you for waiting, Young Master. Please follow me."
Our group followed the soldier slowly to the mansion's main building.
And so.
We sat in the reception room of the guided main building.
We drank the served tea. Drank more.
Even now, after two hours of constant bathroom trips from all the tea.
Marquis Midas still had not shown himself.