Chapter 223
Chapter 223
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 223
Chapter Title: The Village Chief's Militia
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As I climbed the highest wild mountain in the territory, I could see the sea and the adjacent territories stretching out in the distance.
“Poltus territory, and Sapan territory. That’s Mano territory over there… so the Mirage region must be that way.”
The ore vein in the Mirage region that Sharlow, Saladin’s younger brother from the past, had mentioned.
Geographically speaking, it wasn’t all that far from Olivia.
I felt a momentary urge to go check it out, but I quickly reined in my thoughts.
‘The Mirage region isn’t what matters right now.’
The Sword Family had halted their attempt to swallow up the southern territories whole and was now throwing everything into pirate extermination, led by Victor.
The Sword Family knew it too.
That the best way to expand their influence in the south right now was to drive out the island pirates.
The Mirage region could wait until after the pirates were wiped out—then we could slowly chip away at the Sword Family’s influence while investigating.
“We’ve agreed with the Colmar village chief to plow over the mudflats, so no need to worry there. Byri village is close to Poltus territory, so we’ll need to bolster defenses a bit. And Laine village… Hmm?”
As I scanned the territory broadly to get the big picture, something odd caught my eye along Laine village’s coastline.
“Load! Fire!”
Thwish! Thwiish!
The flying arrows carried crudely condensed power.
“Scatter!”
Shh shh shh shh!
The Blizzard Knight Order, clad only in light clothing, dodged the incoming arrows and charged forward.
“Disperse! Second squad! Throw the nets!”
Whoosh! Whoooosh!
The men who had fired the arrows hurled wide fishing nets toward the knights, the kind fishermen might use.
Nets that would be shredded in a second if aura was used, but not a single knight deployed any.
“…What’s going on here?”
It wasn’t strange for the Blizzard Knight Order to be at the coast since Beskin had taken them for training.
But the ones shooting arrows and throwing nets at the knights were the territory’s own villagers from Laine.
Why the villagers were training alongside the knights was secondary—their movements were anything but ordinary.
They shot arrows to keep distance, and when it closed unexpectedly, they scattered and lobbed restraints like nets to hinder movement.
It was the classic tactic soldiers used against knights, where raw power favored the enemy.
“The knights are caught in the nets! First squad, fire arrows to pin them… Oh! My lord!”
The man bellowing orders to the villagers until his voice cracked belatedly spotted me and bowed his head.
Muscles rippling under his grip on a harpoon for throwing, despite his advanced age—he was Elder Delro.
“You’ve arrived, sir?”
Far off, Beskin approached, his clothes soaked in sweat.
Regulating his ragged breath, it was clear to anyone he’d been deeply immersed in the training.
‘…Seriously training against villagers? Beskin?’
Even without aura, Beskin was a veteran among veterans.
Yet here he was, leading his knights and struggling against beach villagers.
‘What kind of guy is this?’
I’d sensed it during our pirate response discussion last time—this village chief was no ordinary man.
‘Maybe he can solve the puzzle Dwayne and I couldn’t.’
“You two, mind if we talk for a bit?”
“Why would I refuse when my lord calls!”
“Yes, sir. All hands, thirty-minute break!”
Unlike the excited Elder Delro, Beskin’s calm order rang out.
Thud!
“Ugh! Man, this is tougher than it looks?”
“Tell me about it. Feet sinking in wet sand drains stamina fast.”
“Yeah, and those nets too…”
The knights reviewed the training, and it didn’t look like play-acting no matter how I saw it.
I watched intently, put some distance, then cut straight to it.
“Beskin, what’s the story? You said training, but why are villagers joining in?”
“Well, it’s…”
Beskin hesitated, but Elder Delro beside him raised a hand.
“My lord, if it’s not too rude… may I explain?”
I’d asked Beskin to avoid putting Delro on the spot directly, but if he volunteered, it suited me fine.
With my nod, Elder Delro began.
“Truth is, I saw the knights training on their own at the coast. But in my eyes, their training seemed a bit lacking… so I overstepped with some suggestions.”
“You know that’s a pretty—nay, highly dangerous statement, right?”
Delro’s words were loaded. Defending the territory was the knights’ and soldiers’ domain.
For an outsider to meddle was something a prideful, hot-tempered knight might answer with a blade.
“Yes, of course. But I thought staying silent despite knowing better would be the real mistake.”
He admitted fault cleanly without groveling—a rare attitude.
I grew curious. Just how far did this village elder see?
“Let’s hear it. Sir Beskin and the Blizzard Knight Order are renowned even in the North. What flaw did you spot in their training?”
Names carry power and authority. I invoked their famed origins from the prestigious Banten to pressure him.
“Of course, this old man wouldn’t dare critique the knights’ noble training methods. But I’ve spent my life at sea. So I know pirate mindsets and combat styles inside out.”
Elder Delro glanced at the villagers sorting nets far off.
“We’ve lived under pirate exploitation our whole lives. We know their ways well. If those nets we threw could withstand knightly aura, and those toy arrows were real… casualties would’ve happened, even among knights.”
He wasn’t wrong. Numbers trump all, across eras. Especially in chaotic naval battles, casualties were inevitable.
“I only offered advice hoping the knights protecting us stay safer.”
Delro bowed apologetically. Behind his lowered head, Beskin shot me a quiet look—one I read clearly.
“Village chief, the young folk followed your orders sharply. Other villages too?”
“Yes. Forgive my impertinence, but past lords showed no interest in our defense… so they’ve grown used to following me.”
Meaning most villagers could move like that.
‘A chance to slash navy training time dramatically.’
I’d check his background later—the priority was different.
“Village chief, starting tomorrow, select navy recruits from the three villages. Promise higher pay and better conditions than their current work.”
Delro’s eyes widened at my abrupt declaration, but I wasn’t done.
“You, Delro, will be in overall command.”
No refusal allowed. True talent burns to ash running till the end.
At King Peter’s words about the Mercado takeover attempt, a sinister air filled the room.
“…That scum who should vanish is still pushing the slave trade?”
Recalling Millia’s kidnapping, Ash growled lowly through gritted teeth.
“Indeed. Truth be told, quite a few commoners support Duke Albans’ house. Not everyone shares my view.”
A sigh escaped King Peter.
“It may sound foreign to you, but for humans, money is power and authority. Among the Five Nations Alliance, Sharon Kingdom handles the largest fortunes. That wealth transforms our people’s lives.”
Ash faltered at King Peter’s words. Contrary to them, elves and lycanthropes now grasped money’s power too.
Goods from Banten trade were upending their lives entirely. Maintaining that required money for them as well.
“Overturning a kingdom’s foundation and starting anew isn’t easy. So the duke’s resistance is understandable.”
“……”
Money. It all boiled down to money. Abandoning the slave trade that built their fortunes meant forfeiting their vested interests.
But understanding their stance and tolerating the trade were separate matters.
“…I get it, but that doesn’t mean I’ll let it slide.”
“Exactly. I think the same.”
Resolve returned to Peter’s weary eyes.
“Even under the previous king, I believed this path was wrong. Persist in it thinking it’s easy, and ruin will come someday.”
Peter’s insight rang true. After his death, pleasure-seeking slave traders seized Sharon, only to be crushed by imperial boots.
“So, what’s our move?”
Ash asked quietly, reading Peter’s firm will.
“Simple. The duke struck first—likely noticed your spies caught. To repay your benefactor who sent you, we sweep them out and cleanse Mercado.”
King Peter steeled himself before the elf and lycanthropes. An invisible war’s prelude bloomed, unknown to Sharon’s people.
Days after Ash and Banten’s support forces led by lycanthropes arrived in Sharon Kingdom.
Shoo! Shoo! Shoo!
The teleportation circle beside Azanta Palace glowed ceaselessly.
Many visited from across the continent to trade slaves at Mercado, so the lights weren’t unusual to capital folk.
But today, the circle’s front was jammed like a marketplace.
Shoooo! Shoo!
“What, still more? How many pirates did they catch…?”
Exaggerating a bit, it surpassed a week’s worth of Mercado’s total slave trade.
“Wait, that red-hooded pirate… Isn’t that Samuel? They caught a big one?”
Someone recognizing Neptune Pirate Crew’s Samuel sent the crowd into frenzy.
Shoooo!
With a final endless-seeming flash emerged a man flanked by human-like puppets.
“Whew, damn. Finally moved them all. Why so many?”
“Good work, Young Master Saladin.”
Miron and Misha, who’d arrived early to manage the pirates, approached the grumbling Saladin.
“You two worked hardest. Numbers match?”
“Yes. All accounted for.”
Saladin nodded curtly and turned toward Azanta Palace.
“Too many eyes. Let’s see His Majesty first and hear the situation.”
Leading the long line of bound pirates, Saladin’s group neared the palace. Knight Yorn, who’d heard ahead like before, gaped.
“Long time… Young Master Saladin. Those behind you, surely…?”
“Yep. The ones I mentioned before coming. Neptune Pirate Crew as the core, plus about ten minor crews.”
Yorn shook his head at Saladin’s nonchalance.
“Good grief. Young Master Jerome—no, Baron Jerome—is as unordinary as ever. Come in. Much to discuss.”
Saladin shrugged at Yorn’s words.
“What’s there to hear? Elves and lycanthrope packs say it all. Situation’s basically wrapped, no?”
Grasp Sharon progress, hand over pirates, take innocent civilians back to Olivia.
Five adamantium ingots for that simple job. What a sweet deal.
‘Worth the griping. Heh heh.’
Acting pissy netted five precious ingots—Jerome’s gotten bold since his title.
Yorn wore a wry smile at Saladin’s casualness. Spotting it, Saladin instinctively felt his nape stiffen.
Oh, please.
No.
Don’t do this.
Prayers failed. Hearing Yorn’s explanation inside the palace, Saladin ground his teeth.
Of course.
‘That bastard never does losing deals.’
Got played again, shit.