Chapter 148
Chapter 148
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 148
Chapter Title: Thunderbolt's Proposal
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"…What?"
Ian stared at the Thunderbolt Kid's face as he read the unexpected proposal scrawled on the paper.
His clear eyes shone brightly through the gaps in his bandages.
They were pure eyes, utterly free of any scheming.
Looking into those eyes, Ian couldn't help but ask.
"…Why?"
The Thunderbolt Kid from the side branch was a talented individual who proudly claimed his own spot among the Little Stars.
Not just any talent, either—he was said to be the strongest among them, perhaps even surpassing everyone except Alex.
Yet here he was, a prime candidate close to the Patriarch's seat, wanting to join him?
Ian couldn't wrap his head around it.
Scritch, scritch!
As if anticipating Ian's doubts, the Thunderbolt Kid—Kasar Lichtenauer—scribbled more words on the paper.
"What? Casualties from the Great Desert Expedition…? Ah."
Ian trailed off, catching on to something from Kasar's bitter expression.
During the Great Desert Expedition.
Leading the vanguard had been none other than the Tiger Cloud Unit and Alex Lichtenauer.
But even vanguards needed scouts.
The low-tier strike teams sent out to pinpoint the sandworms' positions and directions… had mostly been side branch members.
Unfortunately, many of them had fallen into the traps laid by Drakellas.
Naturally, some of those teams had included supporters of Kasar Lichtenauer.
That's when Ian finally understood why Kasar had chosen him over Alex.
Alex was the one responsible for leaving his family and loved ones—practically kin—to perish in the frigid northern wastes. There was no way he'd ever consider serving under him.
"What about the other three great vassal families?"
Pfft!
Kasar let out a chuckle through his bandages and wrote more.
In other words.
The Lichtenauer seat belonged to someone who bore the Lichtenauer name.
The bout with the Red Death Squad, the troll king hunt, the Aslan royal ambush, and even subjugating the earth dragon.
Kasar brimmed with pride in his own skills, but even he couldn't have racked up such visible achievements in so short a time.
"…No, wait. Hold on. This is all too sudden… Let's talk later."
Dazed by the abrupt turn, Ian rubbed his throbbing temple and pushed away the overly forward Kasar.
"Right now, I have some urgent business to handle."
After hearing Paon's story, Ian headed straight for the delegation gathering area to claim the earth dragon byproducts.
'One year is short.'
Especially if that time was meant to propel him into the clan's successor role.
And unlike the heirs of the three great vassal families or Alex, Ian shared Kasar's weakness of thin backing.
Even with the Magic Tower and Midas as sponsors, that support would only solidify his position after he secured the successor seat.
So, to stand out among the candidates… he had no choice but to bring back a massive achievement from outside the clan.
When Ian arrived at the Lichtenauer report hall, the shabby-dressed Hiren from yesterday was waiting for him.
As if he'd known Ian would come.
"I've been waiting, Young Lord Ian."
The head of the Creep Merchant Company, Hiran, flashed a toothy grin.
Ian smiled back upon reaching him.
"Because Father said to deal fairly with all delegations, I'm afraid there's nothing I can do to help."
"Haha, what are you saying? Even if my company is on hard times, I've survived decades rolling in the northern continent."
Hiren waved it off as nonsense and held up the small box in his hand.
"Fair dealings mean clear market prices. With the funds I have, I could never afford this much. It's impossible without your help, Young Lord."
Ian just smiled silently at Hiren's words.
As expected, last night he'd made a separate request to the hall's gatekeeper.
The gatekeeper had been hesitant at first, but only briefly.
To put it bluntly, Ian's stellar feats in the earth dragon subjugation were known even to the clan's lowly dogs.
Many warriors in the Martial Clan now viewed him favorably, overshadowing his past disgrace. And the amount he'd requested wasn't burdensome anyway.
It was such a minor favor that the gatekeeper agreed after little deliberation.
"I'm grateful you see it that way. I wish you success in all your northern continent plans. This is a small gift from me."
Swish!
"This is…?"
Hiren's eyes widened as he opened the pouch Ian offered.
It was filled to the brim with gold coins.
"I hope your journey isn't too rough. And if things go as planned… please pass this message to them. I'd be grateful."
After handing over the gift for Hiran, Ian produced a paper with his true intent.
"Delivering this will surely aid your future endeavors."
"…Good lord. Young Lord Ian, you…"
Hiren gasped after glancing at the paper.
His instincts were still sharp as ever.
"Safe travels, Merchant Lord Hiran."
After their exchange, Hiran boarded the ship bound for the northern continent.
The distance was vast, so haste was needed—and with his company's dire straits, he couldn't waste a moment.
Once he'd seen Hiran off, Ian turned elsewhere.
Many delegations had departed, but plenty remained due to the crowds.
Besides Hiran, Ian had someone else he absolutely needed to meet.
Hurrying to the eastern continent delegation's quarters, Ian knocked on one door.
Knock, knock!
How long after the sound?
The door creaked open cautiously.
Ian extended a hand with a smile at the familiar face.
"Long time no see, Viscount Sojen."
Viscount Sojen.
During the failed assassination of Princess Isabelle Aslan in Shurton, the capital of Aslan Kingdom, he'd recognized Ian's worth and sought his help to subdue the bandit group Ye.
He was also the noble who'd accepted Ian's bold proposal: instead of subduing Ye, ally with them to check the Khan Empire and open eastern trade routes.
In short, Viscount Sojen was the key to giving Ian an edge in the successor race.
"Long time indeed, Young Lord Ian. I was hoping to speak again. The banquet mood aside… with the Khan Empire so close to our quarters, I couldn't move. Thanks for coming first."
Nearly a year had passed since Ian's proposal to Viscount Sojen.
Yet the viscount's welcoming expression wasn't as grim as expected.
'Means he achieved results with my method. Good sign.'
A year ago, Ian had estimated three to four years for Fang Kingdom to change under Sojen's policies.
Along with administrative shifts, Ian's own influence needed to grow to persuade Ye.
But circumstances had changed.
Paon's successor selection had just one year left.
Ian had no luxury for three or four years' wait.
Fortunately, Sojen's face brimmed with questions for him.
This meant perceptions in Fang Kingdom had shifted far faster than anticipated.
All that remained was Ian's own demonstration of power.
'Not complete yet… but sufficient.'
Absorbing the residual mana from the dragon heart Karktus yielded, and growing accustomed to the Dragon Eye authority… that would be enough to minimally persuade Ye.
"Your vibrant aura suggests my advice worked well."
As Ian opened the conversation post-calculation, Sojen nodded eagerly.
"Yes, a truly miraculous experience. Those rampant bandits went quiet overnight… I could hardly believe my eyes. Young Lord Ian, I've been dying to know for a year… how did you predict they'd go silent?"
Sojen stared at Ian, curiosity burning.
A year ago, Ian had given two instructions.
First, immediately abolish high taxes on the populace and, even under Ye's attacks, never retaliate—hold the policy firm.
Second, hang red flags everywhere on the walls.
He had no idea how bandit incursions tied to these actions, but a promise was a promise.
Sojen had first implemented them in his own territory.
Sharing with others? Unthinkable.
Proposing such bizarre policies kingdom-wide without basis would paint him as a Lichtenauer puppet.
Half-doubting, he'd followed through—and the results stunned him.
After halving taxes and raising red flags, Ye invaded his territory again at first, indifferent.
But when Sojen unwaveringly stuck to the plan, the bandits stopped coming, like magic.
Nearby nobles dismissed it as coincidence once or twice, but as Sojen's lands stayed untouched, they inquired after the secret.
How had he repelled the bandits?
Sojen could only promise answers later, stalling.
It frustrated him, but necessary.
How could he explain a seemingly unrelated policy deterring bandits?
Even mentioning it risked accusations of colluding with Ye.
Thus, when word spread of Lichtenauer trading earth dragon byproducts, he'd volunteered without hesitation.
To learn the secret from Ian.
As Sojen finished, Ian smiled in satisfaction.
'Thanks to his proactive implementation, Fang's royals took interest sooner than I thought. Missing this chance would be foolish.'
Ian spoke slowly.
"Viscount, since it came up, may I visit Fang Kingdom personally?"
"Hm? What do you mean?"
Why offer a royal visit in response to a question about the secret?
Ian elaborated for the baffled viscount.
"Even if I explain to you, if you relay it, misunderstandings arise. Won't rumors fly that you're colluding with our clan or the bandits?"
"Mm, true…"
"So let me visit Fang myself and clarify how your experiences were possible. Wouldn't that be best?"
'One year, was it?'
As he persuaded Sojen, Ian glanced toward the audience chamber where Paon awaited.
'I promise. Within one year, I'll make every continent feel the Lichtenauer name to their bones.'
His reward would be the successor seat.