Chapter 39
Chapter 39
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 39
Chapter Title: Estelle's Waiting and the Helian Deal
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After spending the afternoon with Erina, I saw her off as the sun began to set.
“Already this late? Looks like someone from Duke Helian’s side has arrived.”
As if he’d been waiting for our conversation to end, Eo appeared right away.
“Lord Als. I’ve come to escort you. Just as you predicted, the man requesting a meeting has arrived.”
Eo was holding the gray helmet I was to wear.
“Shall we head straight to the reception area?”
“Hold on a moment. I need to drop my bag off at the academy.”
The bag didn’t contain much, but if I left it now, it felt like I’d lose it forever.
“Why not ask Ymir to handle it?”
“At this hour, Ymir won’t be at the academy anymore. It won’t take long, so I’ll swing by. Wait here. I’ll be right back.”
“I’ll provide protection.”
“What’s going to happen at the academy? Just stay put.”
I left Eo waiting and headed back to the academy, making a beeline for the classroom.
Given the time, hardly anyone was around the academy.
‘I hope the door isn’t locked.’
Fortunately, it wasn’t.
Because there was someone inside the classroom.
“…Huh?”
Orange sunset light streamed through the window. In stark contrast, the back of the room was shrouded in thick darkness, creating a rather horror-like atmosphere.
There, by the window—precisely at my seat—someone was sitting.
“Estelle…?”
Behind her stood Ymir, who for some reason was fidgeting anxiously while watching Estelle’s mood.
Estelle turned to look at me.
The air around us grew heavy, as if she’d cast some spell.
“…You’re here.”
“Why haven’t you gone home? What are you doing?”
“I was waiting for you, Lord Als. I figured… you’d come back for your bag.”
“Thanks to you, I’m saved. If the door had been locked, it would’ve been a hassle.”
Something felt off, so I grabbed my bag to leave immediately, but thud! Estelle seized my arm.
Her hand was slender, but a strange chill made it impossible for me to move an inch.
“…Who is she?”
“Huh?”
“That young lady. What is she to you, Lord Als?”
“What do you mean, what….”
Her deep eyes, like gazing into the abyss. They carried a spine-chilling intensity.
They resembled the dead eyes she’d had before treatment, full of despair back then—but now, unlike that powerless void, they burned with unprecedented ferocity.
“She’s a friend. A friend from the academy before.”
“Now that you mention it, you did say you came from Julia Academy.”
“She’s from Gransel Academy, actually. There were various circumstances.”
“Are you… involved with that young lady?”
“Involved? I told you, she’s a friend. We haven’t even talked much in person, really.”
“Is that true? You’re not lying to me, are you? I hate lies. No lies. Please, no lies. Anything but lies.”
“I-I’m telling the truth.”
“……………………I see!”
Estelle smiled as if nothing had happened. Her eyes cleared up, and the heavy air lightened like a lie.
She glanced at the sunset through the window and widened her eyes.
“Huh? When did it get so late…? What have I been….”
Estelle looked around in confusion at the darkening surroundings.
She hurriedly gathered her things and left the classroom.
“W-well then, Lord Als. See you after your trip. I’ll tell you all the fun stories from my travels, so look forward to it.”
Only after she’d gone could I finally catch my breath.
“Whew! Thought my heart was gonna stop. I had a feeling it might turn out like this, but…”
It made sense. With no one else at the academy she could rely on, she naturally grew attached to me.
Even so, that level of intensity. As expected of a general’s daughter.
“Once she recovers, it’d be best to keep some distance.”
After she heals and makes new friends, she’ll forget all about me in no time.
*
*
*
After leaving the academy, I donned the helmet Eo handed me and headed to the government office in central Rainpole.
This building, once the lord’s residence, now functioned like a city hall.
Inside the top administrator’s office sat Anton—and a middle-aged man with a finely groomed mustache.
‘That man is definitely….’
One of the leaders of the Helian faction. Marquis Reinhart.
With Marquis Millias siding with the Salleon faction, he was now the undisputed second-in-command.
“You’re here.”
He narrowed his eyes at me in my helmet.
“Don’t do anything unnecessary. Als Ilrain.”
“Got it. Easier to breathe without it anyway.”
I removed the helmet and handed it to Eo, then sat across from him.
“So? What brings you here, Marquis Reinhart?”
“I said no unnecessary nonsense. You know why I’m here.”
“Even so, I can’t very well bring it up first, can I? You’re the ones proposing a deal.”
“Hmph. Annoying brat. Fine, mercenary Wade. I’ve come to propose a deal. Exactly as you’ve guessed: lead an army and drive out the invading foreign forces.”
“Before we get to the terms. How large is the army I’ll be leading?”
“Five thousand regular troops. About fifteen thousand hastily conscripted militia.”
“A total of twenty thousand…. And the enemy’s numbers?”
“At least thirty thousand.”
“Is that the best you can do?”
“What?”
“I asked if twenty thousand is your best. I agreed to lead an army, not perform miracles.”
“What, scared? I thought a mercenary like Wade could easily overcome a numbers disadvantage.”
“If that’s provocation, it’s falling on deaf ears. I’m not that hot-headed.”
Reinhart twitched his mustache in distaste.
“It should be fine. What we need isn’t advancing to crush the enemy—it’s holding a single region firmly.”
With that, Reinhart unrolled a terrain map and pointed to one spot.
“Setes Crossroads?”
“Yes, one of the western plain regions. Just hold that position.”
“Why there? If it’s just about defense, Jumelt Pass would be far better. You could even fortify it.”
“But that would let the enemy establish supply lines.”
“…I see. That’s the plan.”
“Exactly.”
The key to this defensive operation was preventing the enemy from creating supply lines within Caliper territory.
If they did, those lines would root supply depots and military fortresses.
In that case, we’d inevitably lose control of that territory to Albad.
‘But with defensive forces positioned forward like this, it’ll be hard for them to set up supply lines.’
The enemy would have to create them in their own territory and rebuild their front lines.
That puts them on a clock. Crossing could send reinforcements once ready.
From their perspective, securing supply lines and bases inside Caliper quickly was priority—to gain tactical advantages even if Crossing intervened.
The regions selected by Duke Helian, including Setes Crossroads, were positioned to sever those supply lines.
“Not yielding a single inch to the enemy.”
“Indeed. His Grace intends to ensure neither Albad nor Madon gains even a foothold in our territory.”
“Even so, isn’t this too aggressive? I don’t think Caliper’s forces have the strength to pull off a strategy like this.”
“That’s why we’re humbling ourselves to an irritating punk like you.”
“Humbling? Your attitude toward me isn’t exactly deferential.”
“I opposed this from the start. A man born under Caliper’s grace should have volunteered first—without demanding payment!”
“If you’re appealing to patriotism, you’re barking up the wrong tree.”
“Hmph, so it seems. …You’ve already thrown in with Crossing, haven’t you?”
Reinhart sneered, glancing between Anton and me.
“Rat bastard.”
Eo bristled in outrage.
“You scum! How dare you insult Lord Als!”
“Calm down, Eo. I don’t feel insulted at all.”
If anything, them acknowledging my Crossing ties made things easier to discuss.
Seeing no reaction from me, Reinhart looked like he’d bitten into something sour.
“Why would His Grace rely on a wretch like this….”
“Because we can use each other. From your side, isn’t it better than me joining the Salleon faction?”
“We don’t even consider those petty types.”
“Those petty types are about to doom the nation.”
“Hmph.”
“More importantly, shall we get to the point? What’s your offer?”
“One hundred million silane. Fifty million upfront.”
“Impressive.”
Tempting. Considering I earned forty million silane in the Three Lions War, this was over double.
“I’ll pass.”
“…What?”
“I’m already flush with cash.”
I could ask King Parain for support and get far more.
Plus, with Anton as Rainpole’s top administrator, I could indirectly manage Rainpole’s taxes—nearly one hundred million silane per quarter.
‘Though dipping into that would be embezzlement.’
What I wanted wasn’t money.
“Give me Rainpole. Transfer the vacant lordship to my brother, Baron Max Ilrain. With the Salleon faction weakened, that should be easy for you.”
“You…! How dare you spout such nonsense! Are you truly abandoning Caliper for Crossing?!”
Reinhart shot to his feet, pointing accusingly. He’d grasped my intent.
It would prevent them from holding my family hostage. Rainpole’s border ran through the city, making defection a breeze if needed.
“I just asked for a vacant lordship. What’s the problem?”
“You vile cur!”
“Heh, judging by your face, Duke Helian already hinted at this too, didn’t he? Of course. The moment I made Rainpole my base, you saw it coming.”
“Guh!”
“So, what did Duke Helian say about this condition? Did he approve?”
“…He did.”
“As expected.”
They’d crunched the numbers.
“Just so you know, I have no intention of defecting to Crossing. But I won’t let you use me either. The Rainpole lordship is just insurance.”
Given the diplomacy, a Caliper-Crossing alliance would likely hold for the next decade.
So, they figured not to push me too hard—aim for mutual benefit without driving me fully to Crossing.
“No choice, then. Deal.”
“Yes. At least you’ve succeeded in hiring me.”
“What’s that mean?”
“Now it’s my turn to make demands. And they won’t be bad for you either.”
“Let’s hear it.”
“First, to secure Rainpole’s lordship, we need a victory, right?”
“Obviously. No way administrative changes happen without one.”
“Yes. So, for that victory, you’ll need to pay extra.”
“What?”
“Eight hundred million silane. Do that, and I’ll secure twenty thousand Crossing reinforcements.”
“Crossing’s tied up checking Bekavia—they won’t have spare troops. And they wouldn’t conscript civilians lightly, not during planting season.”
“According to Prime Minister Juras Pamillion, it’s not impossible. Plus, Crossing has plenty of people in unique circumstances—those desperate to escape slavery.”
“…!”
“Hire those slaves with pay, and twenty thousand is doable. Of course, it requires convincing Crossing’s leadership. It costs them too. I can handle that for you.”
“…Can you manage it in time?”
“Of course.”
“…….”
Reinhart squeezed his eyes shut, then nodded.
“Accepted. But the payment goes to Crossing, not you. Through official diplomatic channels.”
“You think I’d skim it?”
“Yes.”
“Fine. We’ll do it that way.”
Better than nothing—they’d accepted.
We’d already decided with Juras to use Kurabel Holy Kingdom slaves as soldiers and formed the support force.
If Helian rejected it, Crossing—Juras specifically—would eat the eight hundred million loss.
Seeing Juras cry might’ve been fun too.