Chapter 222
Chapter 222
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 222
Chapter Title: Manpower Crisis
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“We urgently need people.”
Those were Dwain's first words upon returning to the lord's castle after touring Olivia, led by Elder Delro, Byri, and the village chief of Colmar.
“Didn't we agree to hand the pirates over to Mercado and bring back the others?”
“No, the navy isn't the issue.”
When I asked, Dwain shook his head, indicating that wasn't it.
“The territory's situation is far worse than we thought. It's not just the troops—right now, boosting the territory's development takes top priority.”
Even if we had a bunch of fresh recruits, they'd just eat us out of house and home without anything else. A war with the archipelago wasn't going to wrap up in a day or two.
“In war, endurance is key. Battles can be won or lost any number of times, but without the stamina to keep the fight going, defeat is inevitable.”
Thwack!
Dwain had somehow procured a map of Olivia and hung it on the conference room wall. His pointer moved without hesitation.
“As you can see, Olivia is surprisingly vast for such a rural backwater. And there's an insane amount of undeveloped land.”
Dwain's pointer headed toward the coast.
“First up: land reclamation. Not the spot where we landed at Rainer Village, but around Colmar Village—it's packed with prime tidal flats. Reclaim that vast expanse, and we'll be able to produce massive amounts of food on our own down the line.”
Dwain kept going.
“The Cyclopes from the Dragon Mountains have agreed to supply high-quality weapons. The royal family is sending carpenters for defensive structures and reinforcements from the Royal Knights. And thanks to Marquis Midas's influence, the kingdoms of Yak, Millen, and Dalton are pitching in with their main export goods too.”
...Putting it all together like this, it hit me just how ridiculous the support was for this little territory of mine. Not even the Sword Family would have a chance to interfere.
“But we're missing the most important piece. Warriors to wield those weapons, soldiers to man the defenses and watch for enemies, common folk to handle the reclamation work. Without them, this is all just a shiny paper tiger.”
“...Hmm.”
Dwain had nailed the core issue.
What good were all the resources if we lacked people? Wars were fought by humans, after all.
And war wasn't just about killing and being killed.
There were blacksmiths forging gear for the soldiers, farmers growing their food, cooks and innkeepers providing rest and meals...
Getting all that running smoothly was the bare minimum foundation for victory.
“Looks like I'll have to beg King Peter for quite a few favors.”
Ironically enough.
This was the same man who'd written me a letter begging to wipe out Mercado—and now here I was, asking him to deal with the pirates there and send over the people we'd rescued.
“Yes. No time to waste, so you'd better move fast.”
“No teleportation circle here, huh? What's the closest neighboring territory?”
“Poltus Territory is geographically nearer, but I'd recommend taking the detour to Sapan Territory. Out of the three territories friendly to the baron, it's the closest.”
The distance meant half a day's extra ride on horseback.
Shouldn't be a big deal.
“Now, the key question: who to entrust this to...”
I pictured everyone who'd come with us.
This job seemed simple on the surface, but it was trickier than it looked.
'Not Beskin. He's mellowed out lately, but he's still too rigid.'
I needed someone who understood the habits of the elves and lycanthropes we'd sent to Sharon Kingdom, could verify they were working properly there, and had the flexibility to handle any surprises.
'Can't send Miron or Misha either. They're not versed enough in etiquette yet.'
One slip, and crafty nobles might toy with them.
I needed someone from a noble house who could maintain decorum and protocol even abroad.
'Not Princess Seira, Aria, or Set either.'
Even if I asked, it could spark diplomatic or political issues.
There was only one person in the group who fit the bill perfectly.
I met Dwain's eyes, and he clearly had the same thought.
“...He's gonna throw a fit again, isn't he?”
“What can we do? No one else is suitable.”
“Ugh, get a message to Marquis Midas quick. Ask him to slip in a few chunks of adamantium before the supply shipment heads out.”
“Got it.”
I couldn't help but grimace at the grumbling already echoing in my ears like an auditory hallucination.
“Why me again!”
Predictable as ever. I suppressed the urge to plug my ears and coaxed Saladin.
“You think just 'cause I've put up with you, I'm really your underling or something? Hey, I might not be as strong as you, but you think I've got no pride...”
“Five solid chunks of adamantium.”
“...You've got it spot on! I'll be back before you know it.”
Saladin rubbed his palms together, flipping his attitude 180 degrees. Annoying as it was, I couldn't help but chuckle.
If there was one guy who'd been consistently the same from my past life to now, it was this one.
“Take Miron and Misha with you. I'm uneasy sending them alone, but with you watching over them, it'll be fine. They'll pull their weight.”
“Babysitting kids isn't my thing.”
“After working together, you still say that?”
“Fair point.”
Saladin nodded in agreement at my retort.
“So, where am I headed?”
“Sapan Territory. Poltus is closer, but it's awkward, right?”
Saladin had a history of offing the heir to Poltus Territory, after all—no way I was sending him there.
“Yeah, Kain from Sapan is a friend of my little brother's anyway. Might be more comfortable there.”
The next day, Saladin lined up the bound pirates like strung-up fish and set off with Miron and Misha in tow.
“Baron, we'll be back.”
Unlike the complaining Saladin, Miron and Misha gave crisp farewells.
“Alright, then...”
With the pirates—who'd been inflating our population density—gone, the already sparse territory felt even emptier.
Lampang was busy tending to Karma, Beskin had headed to the coast with the Blizzard Knight Order to get used to sea fights.
Strictly speaking, riverine and naval warfare were different beasts.
Seira and Aria were deep in magic research, and Set was probably training in his own way. He had his own desperate reasons.
Dwain had holed up, saying he'd draft optimal plans based on whoever came over from Mercado.
In other words, I finally had some alone time.
Wandering aimlessly, I suddenly recalled the Olivia map Dwain had put up.
'My training's hitting a plateau anyway. Might as well tour the territory.'
Sure, I'd chosen it strategically to check the Sword Family's southern influence and the archipelago threat, but it was still my land.
A lord who knew nothing about his own domain? Unacceptable.
“Time to get hands-on like back in my ‘Territory Management Theory’ studies!”
Recalling those early days after my regression, I began exploring every corner of Olivia.
While Jerome's group crossed the western sea, encountered the sirens, wiped out the pirates, and arrived in Olivia...
A group from Banten was also on the move toward foreign lands.
Swathed head to toe in thick robes, they exuded an air of mystery that kept passersby at a wary distance.
“Halt! State your affiliation and identity!”
The Sharon Kingdom border guards weren't about to let such a suspicious bunch pass unchecked.
Swish!
But a slender white hand extended an invitation stamped with the Sharon royal crest, silencing them into letting the group through.
“Krr, easier than expected. What was Jerome so worried about?”
“Nothing seems more dangerous than that ‘krr’ you're growling right now.”
“Krr. Touchy.”
“Jerome's probably reached Olivia by now. We can't let down the guy who trusted us with this.”
“Krr. Fine, fine.”
The bickering group was none other than Ash leading the elves and Baukalrak leading the lycanthropes.
They were heading to the Sharon royal family at Jerome's request—and to settle some old grudges.
With the royal invitation, no one dared hassle them, and they entered the capital smoothly.
Then Ash and Baukalrak's eyes sharpened simultaneously mid-bicker.
Swish!
At their subtle signal, two from the rear melted naturally into an alley.
It was so seamless no one should've noticed—but those watching from the start were different.
“Damn it, we're made! Scatter!”
Someone shouted urgently, but...
“Too late.”
Pew-pew!
An arrow from the elf who'd vanished at the rear was faster.
The elf's shot pierced the hiders' thighs and calves in an instant, sending them crumpling with screams.
“Aaaagh! D-Damn it!”
Even amid the cries, a flicker of relief crossed the leader's eyes.
Two had slipped away.
'Good. I can report to Him...!'
“Give it up. The escapees will get nabbed too.”
“W-What?”
“Don't know who you are, but the trackers do.”
The elf was unfazed, as if reading the leader's mind despite the miss.
“Those wolf boys have noses like bloodhounds.”
“Huff... huff!”
Dark back alley.
The two who'd shaken the elf split in different directions.
No way they'd be caught.
'I have to warn Him. King Peter's got it all locked down tight.'
The king was insane. Why shut down a golden goose like this?
'He's crossing the line he absolutely shouldn't!'
Murderous intent gleamed in the man's eyes. He had to tell his master—the master had to cross that line too.
“Krr. All here?”
“!”
The man, steeling his resolve, whipped a dagger from his bosom at the beastly breath behind him.
But the intruder's hand—no, paw—was quicker.
Boom!
“Gahk!”
The man spewed blood, felled by the massive beast's forepaw.
In his fading vision, he glimpsed the other escapee slung over the beast's shoulder.
'That bastard...'
Thud!
Dulled senses followed, and darkness claimed him.
As night fell, Ash and Baukalrak's group waited until the streets emptied completely before heading to the Sharon palace, Ajanta.
Partially to hide their destination, but mostly...
Because of the "spoils" they carried.
“We've been expecting you, Lord Ash. This way.”
Yorn, a knight of King Peter who'd been pre-notified, guided them through a side door.
“It's an embarrassment to receive guests worthy of the main gate through a side entrance.”
“No need for formalities. Human customs mean little to us—don't trouble yourself.”
“Those people?”
Yorn finally noticed the bundles in the elves' and lycanthropes' hands.
“Flies that were tailing us.”
Ash said it casually, but Yorn's eyes darkened.
'Already, in that short time...'
Their sight was deeper, broader than expected.
“...Well done. Let's go. His Majesty awaits.”
How far did Yorn lead them, hiding his thoughts?
Not the grandest hall in Ajanta, but a modest reception room.
“You've had a hard journey. Ash, it's been a while.”
King Peter, seated not as prince but king, greeted the familiar Ash warmly.
“Indeed, Your Majesty. The princess sends her regards.”
“She does...”
Peter's weary face gained a bit of color at Ash's words.
Yet Ash felt strangely off about the king's appearance.
Wasn't a human king supposed to be at the pinnacle, in splendor?
But Peter sat plainly dressed in a simple room.
The clothes weren't bad, per se—but for Sharon's prestige, they were humbly modest.
Sensing Ash's mood, perhaps...
“Sorry to show you such a sorry sight after so long.”
Peter said with self-deprecation.
“Not at all. More importantly, do you know these rats?”
Thump! Thump!
The captives slung over elves' and lycanthropes' backs dropped in a heap.
“......”
Swish!
Peter silently stripped the unconscious men's upper garments, revealing pentagram tattoos stark across their bodies.
“All too well.”
Necks, armpits, sides—the positions varied, but the marks were unmistakable.
“These are men of House Albans, the ducal family.”
Ash and Baukalrak remained impassive at the name.
“Ah, you might not know it by that.”
No Sharon citizen was ignorant of it—but they weren't Sharon folk.
Perhaps this explanation:
“The ones seeking to devour Mercado, succeeding the late king's will.”
At that, their expressions turned chilling.