Chapter 30
Chapter 30
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 30
Chapter Title: Indefinite Contractor Tackles Expedition Duties on the Road (3)
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Northern dispatch, week 8.
Taking a break inside the carriage, Daniel glanced at the person sitting across from him.
'Working hard again today.'
Irina, diligently studying with an open magic tome.
She must have been pretty worn out from the expedition duties herself, yet she never missed a day. It was downright impressive.
'Can't fight your bloodline, huh?'
At first, he'd pegged her as just some "well-connected academy kid" tagging along to pad her resume.
He'd been wrong.
Irina was far more capable than Daniel had anticipated.
While dashing through expedition duties, Daniel visited various territories.
Mostly lands under Viscount Karon's faction.
"Imp. Dark Bolt!"
"Kieek!"
Daniel's magic, which had crushed the Horse Demon Tribe and Steel Scale Tribe, shone just as brightly here.
Countless barbarians were routed and fled.
The nobles, saved from crisis, welcomed Daniel with open arms.
"Oh! Sir Daniel. You saved our lives."
"No need for thanks. I just did what needed doing."
"Such humility. We've prepared a modest feast as a token of our gratitude. Please join us."
"I'm sorry, but I must decline. I'd love to accept your kindness, but there are many places that need my help, so I can't stay long."
"Ah, of course. Forgive me. In my joy at surviving, I forgot about the others."
"It's fine. The barbarians are the real villains here."
Most nobles backed off with just a mention of being busy.
But there were always the persistent ones.
"Heh heh. Come on, just one night. One night to unwind. No boasting, but our city's ladies and liquor are top-notch. Surely that's a well-deserved break?"
"No, I really am busy."
"That hurts my feelings, Sir Daniel. Just a day or two. Think of all the hardship you've endured. You need to let loose! I'll provide everything."
"No, I mean..."
Daniel felt frustrated.
For someone like him, who had to cover his mistakes with results, their stubbornness was nothing but a hindrance.
That's when Irina stepped in to help.
"Please step back."
"Irina?"
"Any more insistence, and we'll have to deem it an insult."
"What?!"
A warning laced with calm resolve.
The noble flushed red with rage.
"Who the hell are you?! How dare you interrupt a conversation between Sir Daniel and me?!"
"I'm Sir Daniel's esquire. I believe I have every right to intervene."
"Eh? E-esquire?"
A knight, even if honorary, had the formal right to appoint a squire.
Of course, it was honorary too, but the qualification held.
Irina addressed the speechless noble.
"Sir Daniel is currently on duty as a knight of Carta. Asking him to rest a day means ignoring his orders for a day. What intent does the lord have in urging such disrespect upon him?"
"What?! No, that's not— I had no such intention—"
"Then may I ask what you meant by that remark?"
Daniel was impressed inwardly.
She wielded his mere honorary knight status like a weapon, expertly fending off a noble desperate to entertain them. She was truly exceptional.
He couldn't deny giving her high marks for handling what was essentially a malicious complainer.
"My apologies. Team Leader Daniel. For impersonating an esquire. Please forgive me."
"Don't sweat it. It worked out fine. Just give me a heads-up next time."
"Understood."
"By the way, Irina, you've got quite the silver tongue. Where'd you learn that?"
"I studied, obviously."
"You can study that?"
"I'm more surprised you didn't. Didn't you go to the Imperial Academy? They teach it all there."
'Ah, that politics class I blew off?'
"It's a required liberal arts course for aspiring Magic Tower mages."
"I dropped out."
"...Right."
"Don't worry about it. Doesn't matter anyway. An indefinite contract Magic Tower mage is still a Magic Tower mage, right?"
"Regular staff would never acknowledge that."
From then on, Daniel started bringing Irina to meetings with nobles.
He'd desperately wanted someone to handle these political headaches after the last incident, and luck had smiled on him.
'What should I get the boss as a proper thank-you?'
The longer he stayed up north, the more the grade of gifts for Titania seemed to skyrocket, but there was no helping it.
He owed her, and he'd sinned against her. Time to pay up.
Finishing his break, Daniel unrolled the map.
His eyes gleamed with the fervor of an indefinite contractor racing to atone sins with merits.
Irina glanced sideways.
She saw Daniel pondering the next battlefield.
'What on earth is Daniel's deal?'
After two weeks of expedition duties together, they'd naturally started using names and trading jokes, building real rapport.
Thanks to that, she'd glimpsed new sides of him she hadn't known before.
And that left her confused.
Daniel didn't fit her image of a mage at all.
'Why is a Magic Tower mage so clueless about Tower politics? If you want regular status, paying attention is basic, right?'
It might make sense if he had no interest in going regular, but that was absurd.
An indefinite contractor with no ambition for full-time? She'd never even heard of such a mythical creature.
'He doesn't totally lack political talent, either.'
Three days ago, she'd started suspecting: 'Maybe he doesn't suck at politics—he just doesn't bother.'
Entering Rohenberg to hero's cheers after driving off the Snub-Nose Tribe, Daniel immediately met the castellan.
"I owe you a debt, Sir Daniel. I don't know how to repay this grace."
Baron Rodni bowed his head.
"Think nothing of it. I merely did my duty."
"Haha. I'd heard rumors of you, Sir Daniel, but they fell short. You are the very model of knighthood."
"You're too kind."
Daniel called forward the knight standing behind him.
"This is Sir David, leader of the Ironclad Knights, who fought alongside me. You two must know each other."
"Indeed. Long time no see, Sir David."
"Yes. It's been a while, Baron Rodni."
The Ironclad Knights were Viscount Karon's cavalry.
Baron Rodni had been part of Karon's faction.
Impossible not to know.
Daniel's reason for introducing them was simple.
"I need to discuss Ironclad Knights' supply issues. Do you have a moment?"
"Of course."
And so the meeting began in the castellan’s office: Daniel, Irina, Baron Rodni, and David.
But it quickly stalled.
No progress in negotiations.
"To execute proper operations, we need at least this level of supplies."
"Sorry, Sir David. That's impossible."
Baron Rodni shook his head.
"The barbarians have attacked relentlessly these past two weeks. Our damages are immense. Considering recovery costs, this is the best I can do."
"These supplies won't last a week!"
"This is my limit."
"Kuh!"
David gritted his teeth and bowed his head.
'If only Viscount Karon were still fine, he wouldn't dare say that!'
His body trembled with despair.
Viscount Karon had fallen.
To secure Daniel as a savior in crisis, he'd committed a grave error.
He'd broken noble society's rules publicly, sacrificing his position and honor.
Upon returning to his territory, under the pretext of taking responsibility, he'd handed command of the Ironclad Knights to Daniel and stepped down from all duties.
Finally, converting his family's wealth into supplies for the knights, Karon had said:
"This is the debt I, as faction leader, must bear. Sir David, please protect the men who trusted and followed me alongside Sir Daniel—and safeguard the citizens."
The people Karon had forsaken his honor and power to protect.
Them now ignoring Karon's final effort was colder than a northern winter.
"Baron Rodni! You...!"
"One moment."
As David's patience snapped and his voice rose, the silent Daniel interjected.
"This isn't getting anywhere. How about we do it this way?"
"Sir Daniel?"
All eyes turned to him.
Daniel flashed a grin.
A suspicious smile.
"I understand Baron Rodni's difficulties. Every city is ruled by its budget. But we do need supplies for our mission. So, let's request a different form of support."
"Different support?"
Daniel looked at David.
"Sir, you're certain this supply volume is necessary?"
"Yes."
"I see, I see."
Nodding, Daniel turned to the baron.
"To be blunt, Baron, just give us the cash. Let's say... this amount."
"What?!"
Thud. Seeing the figure on the table, Baron Rodni recoiled in horror.
An eye-popping number.
Pure value exceeded even what David had requested in supplies.
"What insolence is this?!"
"Insolence? Misunderstanding."
Daniel smiled softly.
A foxy grin.
"I'm just trying to work some ~magic~ where everyone wins."
"What are you talking about?"
"If you give us this money, we'll head to the city merchants. Pay them for the supplies."
"What?"
Everyone blinked.
Why go through the hassle and loss?
Daniel leaned in, voice low but clear.
"Next year, Baron, just send tax officials after those merchants. Squeeze some taxes, recover most of it, right?"
"......!!!"
The baron's eyes widened at the unexpected ploy.
The room's air shifted.
David panicked; Irina gasped involuntarily.
"If we buy in bulk, merchants might hoard and hike prices—just prevent that. We'll handle the rest."
"Th-that is..."
"Ahh, what a joyous day!"
Daniel spread his arms dramatically, voice booming like an opera singer.
"The Ironclad Knights get their supplies. And I meet a noble like Baron Rodni—trustworthy and loyal. What luck!"
He spoke loud enough for the baron to hear.
"Despite your own struggles, honoring your bond with Viscount Karon and aiding the North with such generosity. Truly magnanimous, Baron. Young Lord Rainer would approve."
".......!"
This was blackmail.
This was an offer.
Factions were sometimes gatherings of the weak: unite to live, scatter to die.
Karon's faction had been that.
Now leaderless and disbanded.
Baron Rodni desperately needed a new "umbrella."
Daniel was saying:
[Join hands. I'll introduce you. Refuse, and you're out cold.]
Daniel's card: the big name Rainer.
Baron Rodni panicked.
No time to deliberate.
"Sun's setting soon."
Red sunset glowed through the window.
"We leave at dawn. Want supplies done before night."
"......."
"So, Baron Rodni. Decide."
Decide now.
At the crossroads, Daniel asked:
Acceptance or refusal?
Speak.
Now.
"...Wait. I'll check the warehouse."
"Take all the time you need."
The next morning.
Carriages loaded with supplies in tow, Daniel departed Rohenberg with the Ironclad Knights.
Irina's mind was a whirlwind.
A negotiation blending cunning and coercion.
Pressuring the opponent while offering gains—a masterful balance.
This was the skill of a schemer.
Political magic only a politician could wield!
'He doesn't suck at politics? Has he been fooling everyone all along?'
Daniel's political prowess shattered her assumptions about his duties, and she couldn't hold back.
"You handle politics pretty well, Team Leader Daniel. Where'd you learn that?"
"Politics? Just mimicked what I saw in the field."
"Pardon? What do you mean?"
Irina pressed at his casual reply.
"In the Foreign Legion, politics creeps in whether you like it or not. 'I can't do politics' doesn't fly. So, what do you do?"
"...Sigh, imitate?"
"Bingo. Remember how seniors or colleagues handled it and copy. Keeps things moving."
"...That works?"
"It did. After a few times where easy jobs went to hell because it didn't."
Irina fell silent.
Daniel's field-practical, pragmatic answer made sense yet didn't.
Pretending ignorance despite knowing politics?
Then his zero lobbying for regular status didn't add up.
Truly clueless, just imitating others?
Too slick against Baron Rodni—like a decade-plus veteran.
'What. The hell. Is this guy?'
Irina couldn't figure it out.
That Daniel was a reincarnate, a corporate politics ranker who'd climbed to section chief in his past life.
That after dying from that ordeal, he was now YOLO-ing as an indefinite contractor—but recent screw-ups forced him back to pro mode.
To cover sins with merits, sparing no means, the returned pro operative prepped his next task.
A task that would bring cheers from northerners, screams from barbarians.
What results it would yield? Only the gods knew.