Chapter 9: Akaron Territory

After swallowing up the Erdene Plains, the surrounding ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠villages, and cities, I left management to Sharel. With no real talent around me, I had no choice but to deploy the territory's one and only mage, Sharel. I really needed to find a way to recruit some people... but it was such a hassle.

Since I'd turned everything into such a shitshow a month ago, the gods weren't voicing any complaints during the march even without any action, and I was taking full advantage to slack off hard. Catching up on all the novels I'd put off, sightseeing leisurely as we advanced.

In the meantime, full winter had set in, with biting winds howling outside. Of course, the specially modified carriage let in zero drafts. Lounging by the brazier in perfect warmth, I felt no envy for any immortal sage.

"Milord! We've arrived at Akaron Territory! Baron Akaron's out there to greet you—what should we do?"

"Oh, yeah? Guess I should step out then."

You might think I don't need to bother, but that's knowing one side and not the other.

On the push toward the capital—about a week out now—we'd passed ten territories, and eight or nine out of ten had offered bribes. Rumors spread faster than feet in this world with messenger birds and short-range comms; my reputation(?) was exploding everywhere.

Even with the alliance of Count Asics's house, Viscount Leon's, and Baron Hamon's, they'd gotten utterly crushed. After that, I stuck to routes hitting only viscount or baron lands, and they—fearing I'd wreck them—coughed up some pretty fat bribes.

What about the ones who didn't? I'd pick pointless fights, half-slaughter their knights, or gut their forces till they couldn't hold out without paying up. This was true creative economics. The gods loved it, as I recall.

Of course, even that's getting stale now—they'd need fresh thrills soon—but no need to switch routes this late.

A geezer in his sixties, fully armored, came out to greet us. Bringing just a fraction of his knights suggested he had no plans to throw down.

"Aigoo, for the empire's hero to grace our humble territory—I'm at a loss!"

"Hero, my ass. Just bounced around causing chaos, and the title stuck."

"As humble as ever. Without you, the empire would've eaten a brutal counter from Espado Kingdom. If not you, then who deserves the name hero?"

"Hmph."

This old fart was laying it on thick. Sure, I was a new noble hailed as the empire's hero, but House Akaron was old blood. Descended from founding meritocrats, guarding the final fortress gate to the capital—they still got royal backing.

They'd slid from marquisate over generations, but he had no reason to grovel like this. Especially since we'd never met.

"Hey, you lot!"

"Yes, milord!"

Thud! They dropped chests bulging with gold coins.

"......"

Visited plenty of territories so far, but none had ponied up like this. Take more than needed, and they expect something in return. A token 10-20k gold? I'd scarf it down. But this looked like 50k easy.

"Hoho, soon you'll be named Northern Commander, and crushing those giantkin'll need serious war funds, I reckon. For the empire's defense, use it to ease this old man's worries."

"Er... I'll take it since you're offering, but I've got a conscience, you see. What's going on in your territory?"

Mention of conscience made Kainus and the knights' eyes twitch oddly. But I really did have one. Couldn't piss off the whole empire yet, so this was about playing nice. Meaning, for a bribe this size, I needed justification.

Otherwise, I'd just skim a modest sum and bounce.

Suddenly, Baron Akaron grabbed my hand.

"Sir Aron! Please, help us out!"

"Mm, helping's separate from the gift, and it ain't free—but let's hear it."

"A Twin-Headed Ogre's holed up in the Akaron Mountains ringing our territory! Damn thing brought hundreds of ogres, blocking the capital road! Merchants avoid us now. Hero, I beg you—deal with it!"

"Mm......"

I pondered. Monsters and mana beasts? Our own territory's crawling with 'em. Ogres? Common as dirt—you trip over 'em on the road. Gather the ones from the Forbidden Zone, and they'd trash a territory easy.

Why bother myself?

"Ahem, I'll take half the gift as a gesture. On imperial ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠orders to the capital, how could I unpatriotically weaken my forces?"

"Ah, milord! Please help!"

‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠

"Sorry it worked out this way."

"Aigoo, without driving 'em off, the territory's done for."

"Petition the royals—they'll handle it."

"By then, we'll starve out."

The ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠baron's eyes screamed desperation, pure dogged resolve.

In the end, he left an opening.

"Too late tonight—let's talk tomorrow."

"Hahaha! Indeed!"

Monster hunt? Why the hell would I bother with that cliché crap? No need now—after ruining the giantkin, I'd have plenty of time.

Akaron Barony lord's castle.

The lord, knights, and retainers rested in the guest quarters; Baron Akaron agonized over swaying Baron Aron.

Aron—worse than his bad rep—was a total scumbag. Retainers and kids vented fury.

"Father! Why bribe that bastard 30k gold? Just demand it back!"

"Right! Arrogant prick. He's fleeced 200k from lords en route—eastern big three aside. Using his infamy so shamelessly—gives me rage-stroke."

"Hey! Mind your words. Three hundred ogres. Led by a Twin-Headed one even mercenaries dodge. Full forces couldn't take 'em; royals send an army? Massive losses. No clue how much he'd gouge under 'subjugation' pretext. Better persuade Aron if possible."

"Damn it!"

Young lord Raon slammed the table. Deep in empire lands—why this mess?

Total steward Carlton cautiously suggested.

"Maybe the amount didn't please him?"

"Amount?"

"Royals' army means footing their pay, supplies—plus 100k+ grease to court. That's 300k minimum. Pushed 50k at greedy Aron; he calculated and passed."

"Makes sense."

"Aron's greedy as hell."

Murmurs rippled.

So, up the offer.

"Generous 100k'd be smart. Cheaper than multiples otherwise."

"Good! Aria!"

"Yes, Father."

He called his quietly listening young daughter.

Empire's flower—stunning beauty, swarmed by suitors, agonizing her marriage prospects.

Aria might sway Aron.

"You persuade Baron Aron."

"Father! That lecher—what if he tries something with Aria?!"

"But paying royals that much guts the pillar. Aria, you must."

"Understood. For the territory, my body's not too high a price!"

"Kuh!"

Retainers swallowed groans. No other way now.

Deep night. I lounged reading.

Gods'd stay quiet till giantkin fell—slack maximally now. Busyness loomed.

Knock knock.

"Who?"

"Hoho, milord—Amon here."

"What business this late?"

Amon entered; I scowled. Essential for my goals, but no need for frequent chats—this merchant.

Why visit?

Decided to hear him out.

"Milord, about the Twin-Headed Ogre."

"What about it? Done deal."

"Huh?"

"Something wrong, milord?"

"Nah, nothing."

First time gods paid attention since I massacred Viscount McCain's knights—and with massive rewards. Talos joining hit Favorites at 5, with prizes.

Shop! Knew the gods had one!

Slacking fine till now, but gods suddenly tuned in. Planned palace chaos for stimulation, but whatever.

Gods' voices echoed.

What the hell? Schism in the divine realm? Talos jumped ship for something from me.

Hm, this tickles. Play the gods' relations right, and some huge shit might drop.