Chapter 42
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 42
Chapter Title: Strategic Moves
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"…What did you say?"
The captain of the defense force guarding the northern border of the Baroque Kingdom scowled at his subordinate's report.
"Did you see them wearing Imperial armor or confirm any emblems?"
"No, sir. It's just a guess, based on their search methods and the tools they were using, which are characteristic of Imperial soldiers."
A mysterious group had suddenly appeared near the border.
The Baroque Kingdom's border defense suspected them of being Imperial soldiers.
"Why would they be snooping around our border?"
"I couldn't find that out… I'm sorry, sir."
The subordinate bowed his head at the captain's irritated tone. Just then.
"Perhaps it's something like this?"
"…You are."
"The Empire is currently at war with the Spenian Kingdom. However, rumors suggest that after they're done with the Spenian Kingdom, they plan to extend their reach toward our kingdom as well…"
The captain shot up from his seat at the sudden appearance of the man.
"What? How dare those madmen set their sights on us!"
Even an empire couldn't afford to make enemies of every kingdom.
The Spenian Kingdom and the Empire were currently at war over a conflict regarding the neutral territory near their border.
It was a war with a pretext, of sorts.
That was why the neighboring kingdoms were merely observing their conflict.
Unless a formal request for an alliance was made, they had no justification to join the war.
"Is the Empire planning to declare war on the entire continent?"
"That, I cannot say. However, if all the small kingdoms around the Spenian Kingdom fall and end up in their hands…"
The Empire's scale would grow in an instant.
And with the power and confidence gained from defeating them all.
"They might just turn their swords on us… is what I'm suggesting."
"…Does the high command already know about this?"
"Not yet."
The man shook his head.
The captain let out a short sigh and slumped back into his seat.
*Tap… tap… tap…*
The captain tapped his fingers on the table, seemingly deep in thought.
Soon after, he spoke.
"For now, we'll investigate this thoroughly on our end. First, we need to confirm if they are truly Imperial soldiers."
"Understood."
"Effective immediately, tighten security around the border. If you see anyone suspicious, capture them, using force if necessary!"
"Yes, sir!"
As his subordinate ran off, the captain simply stared at the man standing before him, a strange smile on his face.
***
Demian told Diel everything that had happened since he arrived in Erkal.
He explained the current situation of the Neokalitz Unit and what had transpired in the Broncerian Forest.
"…That's incredible."
"It was quite an ordeal. Of course, thanks to that, we were able to secure the exclusive operating rights for a year."
"But the Broncerian Forest is famous for amancho, is it not? The local bigwigs here must have a tight grip on its distribution."
More accurately, she meant they would have their own suppliers they dealt with directly, bypassing formal distribution channels.
Demian nodded.
"Of course, they do. But amancho isn't the only thing in the Broncerian Forest."
Until now, they had only gathered amancho because of its properties and the nature of Erkal.
With all the fighting in Erkal, soldiers from the Defense Force and the Neokalitz Unit were always in need of amancho.
Naturally, they gathered the most in-demand herb, which also happened to be commonly found near the forest's entrance.
"If you venture just a little deeper inside, you can find other herbs, including ingredients for elixirs. We plan to focus on those as our main products. And… for the next year, the herb gatherers here won't be able to enter the Broncerian Forest without my permission."
Baron Wilkis, the leader of the subjugation force, had made a stern warning before he left.
Unless the herb gatherers were out of their minds, they wouldn't dare ignore his words.
Furthermore, the Erkal Defense Force had acknowledged Demian's contribution, which only added more weight to his authority.
Understanding the whole situation, Diel nodded.
"Then the herb gatherers will need permits to enter the forest. We will meet with them and draw up separate contracts."
"That makes things simple. Also… please stockpile as much of this item as possible, releasing only small quantities."
"…What is this?"
"You must be careful with it, as it could become a weapon for us later on."
At Demian's words, Diel looked at the herb written on the paper.
"Understood."
Diel replied.
"And you should know, the current political climate on the continent is shifting in a strange direction."
"…Strange?"
Demian's expression hardened.
Diel continued.
"You're aware that the Empire and the Spenian Kingdom are at war, correct?"
"Of course."
The war had broken out over the neutral territory near their border, and soon, the Spenian Kingdom would declare its defeat and cede the territory.
*‘And in a similar fashion, it will force declarations of defeat from the surrounding smaller kingdoms… and four years from now, it will begin to act like a tyrant.’*
That marked the beginning of the Age of War.
The Empire would declare war on every kingdom on the continent, beginning a war of conquest with its overwhelming military might.
Diel went on.
"But we're receiving reports that Imperial forces are crossing the borders of other kingdoms. It's not confirmed yet… but it's being classified as highly sensitive information."
Meaning, very few people knew about it.
Demian asked.
"Are you saying they're going to war with other kingdoms?"
"Not right away, I imagine. But I believe it's necessary to start monitoring the Empire's movements from now on."
He had been worried the Age of War might be starting sooner.
*‘Phew, not yet, it seems.’*
Demian let out a sigh of relief and looked at Diel.
Finding Diel was truly a stroke of genius.
To think she was already grasping the continent's political state at this stage.
Demian nodded.
"First, let's finalize the deal on the exclusive operating rights for Broncerian. For the next year, we need to scrape together as much as we possibly can."
"Don't worry… about that."
Diel said with a confident expression.
Demian grinned in response.
"And the profits from the items out of the Broncerian Forest will be split 50/50. I think that's a fair ratio, considering I'm the one who secured the exclusive rights."
"Hmm… 50% seems a bit high. How about 40%? After all, we're the ones doing all the work."
Diel said with slight hesitation.
Demian shook his head.
"Without my permission, you won't even get that 50%. If I were to contract with another guild, I'm confident I could take at least 60%."
"…Understood. I see I can't win."
Diel conceded readily.
It was because Demian held all the cards.
In fact, his offer of a 50/50 split was a considerable gesture of goodwill toward the Hamel Merchant Guild.
Diel knew this as well, so she didn't press the issue.
Demian smiled slyly and said.
"And I will reinvest half of my share of the profits."
"Reinvest?"
"Yes, we'll use that money to plant people throughout the Empire and monitor their movements."
"…It seems you know something… May I ask the source?"
"No."
"It seems I've overstepped. My apologies."
As Diel apologized, Demian shook his head.
He couldn't tell her.
*‘Because there is no source.’*
That was why he couldn't answer.
Diel looked at Demian and said.
"Well then… it seems I'll be here for the next year. I look forward to working with you."
"The pleasure is all mine."
At Diel's words, Demian gave a slight smile and a nod.
***
A branch of the Hamel Merchant Guild was established in Erkal.
It was the Hamel Merchant Guild's very first branch.
Every day, a crowd of people bustled about.
"Alright, let's go! Let's give it our all today!"
"Heave-ho! Let's work hard again today!"
"Hey, rookie! Make sure you pack the snacks for the herb gatherers to eat while they work!"
"You can count on me!"
Diel signed contracts with every herb gatherer in Erkal.
Since Demian's permission was required to enter the Broncerian Forest, the Hamel Merchant Guild was acting as his agent.
"…Whoa, this is impressive."
Demian marveled at the sight of the herb gatherers and merchants heading out of Erkal.
He couldn't believe she had established this much in just a few days.
"Ah, Sir Demian."
"You look very busy."
"We need to get busier. We only have a year, after all."
"Well, after a year we'll have to share the pie, but we should still be able to have some fun for another year or so. After that, we'll need to pull back a bit."
"For now, we've contracted with all the herb gatherers in Erkal. It's a one-year contract, but we plan to renew it quickly before the exclusive rights expire. That way, any guilds that come in later will waste time trying to find gatherers."
"…Nice."
If she was already planning that far ahead, he had nothing to worry about.
Demian reconfirmed the important item with Diel one more time.
Diel nodded.
"I've already started stockpiling the item you mentioned. And this is something we found recently…"
Diel retrieved a small box from where the herbs were stored.
When she opened it, there was a single reddish herb inside.
"It's called Red Dragon's Fang Grass, so named because its leaves resemble a dragon's mouth."
"Oh? You're right. You found Red Dragon's Fang Grass in the Broncerian Forest?"
"Yes, you know of it?"
"Of course."
Dragon's Fang Grass was largely divided into blue and red varieties.
The blue type was highly effective for enhancing mana and improving skin elasticity.
The red type, on the other hand, was incredibly popular among middle-aged men for boosting stamina and virility.
To think the Broncerian Forest even had Red Dragon's Fang Grass.
"This has to be sold to nobles at a high price. You should secretly create a client list, especially of male nobles who are active in high society."
"…What are its effects?"
"It's good for virility."
"Ah."
A short exclamation.
It contained all of Diel's thoughts.
Diel nodded.
"I'll secure as much as possible."
"Good luck. Oh, and…"
Demian glanced around before stepping closer to Diel.
"Also, meet with the captains of the Erkal Defense Force and the Neokalitz Unit separately. You know what I mean, right?"
"As a matter of fact, I've already scheduled a meeting with them for tomorrow."
At her words, Demian gave a slight thumbs-up.
There was no such thing as a free lunch.
If you were making this much profit, you had to at least make a show of giving some back.
Understanding Demian's words, Diel nodded as well.
A few days later.
"Demian, the captain is looking for you."
As expected, Tarone had summoned him.