Chapter 133
Chapter 133
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: Vine
Chapter: 133
Chapter Title: A Deal with the Prince
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Upon reaching the 3rd Prince's encampment, I couldn't help but be shocked.
Frankly, it was far worse than I could have imagined.
Worse in what way, you ask?
“This place is a total dump.”
It looked less like a prince's camp and more like a shelter for a defeated army.
“Ahem! That’s… a bit harsh.”
At my candid assessment, Ellington cleared his throat loudly with an awkward expression.
It seemed he, too, found it shabby.
“We had no other choice. Time was short, and we had to be ready to abandon it at a moment's notice.”
Adel quickly came to Ellington's defense.
It was an attempt to save the prince's bruised dignity.
Not that it changed the fact that the camp was practically in ruins.
“Still, the location seems pretty good, though.”
I surveyed the area around the camp, assessing the terrain.
This was the Alente region in the midwestern part of the empire.
It was near the border where three kingdoms—Corinth and Railhash—met.
Roughly, if you headed straight west from here, you'd reach the Fairy Forest.
Though it was quite a long way.
In any case, I thought it would be best to keep using this spot.
“Now that I'm here, there's no reason to move anyway.”
“What do you mean by that?”
Ellington, who must have overheard my muttering, suddenly asked.
I glanced toward the northern plains where the 2nd Prince's army was located and replied lightly.
“It means we can finally fight a proper battle. We're no longer outmatched in terms of top-tier strength.”
The 3rd Prince's forces had grown considerably.
The troops from Count Poven's house, led by Curtis, had joined them.
On top of that, there were the vast military supplies from the merchant union…
‘Wait a minute. I went through hell to get this stuff. I can't just hand it over for free.’
Honestly, securing the cooperation of the Poven merchant lords wasn't that difficult.
Still, since I used my reputation, I deserved some compensation.
I subtly turned to Ellington.
“Why the insolent look?”
“Can I ask you something?”
“Now that we are allies, sharing information is essential. Go ahead, ask whatever you like.”
“In my opinion, this mountainside is a pretty decent location. What do you think?”
“It is a good spot, but… it's so far from any city that supply lines are poor. That's why we're in this state.”
The 3rd Prince gestured with a bitter expression toward the wounded soldiers lying scattered about without even a tent for cover.
Truly the posture of a proper monarch.
But to my eyes, he just looked like juicy prey.
“Alright. What if I were to turn this place into a fortress and ensure a steady supply line?”
“…Is that even possible?”
“Of course.”
“Then I will pay any price. Whatever you desire.”
“Oh, really?”
Hearing that, my eyes lit up.
‘This guy's making a mistake. Does he have any idea what I might ask for?’
But my triumphant feeling quickly faded.
Ellington must have noticed my expression, because he added a condition.
“Within my power to grant, of course.”
“Aw, you got my hopes up for nothing.”
“What on earth were you planning to demand…?”
“Hey, hey, did you really think I'd ask for the throne of a vassal state? Or tell you to sell off territory?”
“…”
I waved my hands in denial, but Ellington didn't seem to believe me.
“Seriously, you really think I'm that shameless?”
“Reflect on your conduct thus far. Are you not exactly the type of person who would make such a demand?”
“Wow! What's happened to my image?”
“Were you the only one who didn't know your reputation was in tatters? Then again, if you're shameless enough, I suppose it's possible. In any case, what is it that you want?”
“Hmm…”
Faced with the question again, I fell into thought.
Receiving anything in the identity of Ray Carter was meaningless.
This persona was merely a spy dispatched by the Rantzvergers.
I had to get something I could use even in my true identity.
“Then give me a token.”
“A token?”
“A marker that proves your promise when I present it to you. Whoever brings it can ask for one favor.”
“A sort of bearer bond, then?”
“Exactly.”
“That's not difficult.”
Ellington took something golden from his breast pocket, infused it with aura, and snapped it in half.
Then he abruptly held out one piece.
“This is…”
“My seal, proving I am the 3rd Prince. You can verify its authenticity by fitting the pieces together. Will this suffice?”
“Is it okay to just break something like this?”
“Once the civil war is over, the identity of the 3rd Prince will cease to exist anyway. Regardless of the outcome.”
I nodded silently.
Win this war, and he becomes the Crown Prince. Lose, and he's completely ousted.
The end of a power struggle was always set in stone.
It was only natural to eliminate any potential seeds of rebellion.
The losing side would likely not escape death.
“Good. This is sufficient compensation.”
“Then go ahead and build a magnificent fortress. I'm curious to see what it will become.”
“Look forward to it.”
I was about to turn away with a meaningful smile.
Just then, Ellington's voice stopped me in my tracks.
“By the way.”
“Yeah?”
“How long do you plan on speaking to me so informally?”
“…”
At the 3rd Prince's remark, I was at a loss for words.
I had just been talking naturally, as usual.
But thinking about it, the scene was strange.
We were no longer students at Venderford.
‘Right. The student council president title vanished when the school dissolved.’
Now, only the reputation of the past remained; the actual authority was gone.
Which meant my relationship with Ellington should have reverted to what it was before.
A prince of lofty status and me, the mere son of a merchant.
It was clear which one of us should be bowing.
But I shamelessly held my head high.
“But why do I hate the idea so much?”
“What?”
“If you don't like it, you can speak informally too. Or you can beat me. I don't serve a lord weaker than myself.”
“…”
Ellington, clearly not expecting such a response, looked dumbfounded.
How's that?
A punch from the thick-skinned man you mentioned!
Leaving one last remark for the frozen 3rd Prince, I immediately turned away.
“Let's just call it a cooperative relationship. I'm not even an imperial citizen, am I?”
* * *
The construction of the fortress on an unnamed mountainside in the Alente region proceeded smoothly.
Needless to say, I didn't get my own hands dirty.
“I have minions, why would I work?”
The people bustling around the camp were the talented individuals I had brought with me.
Frickson had somehow become the quartermaster.
They were too far from the original supply unit, so he had taken the position temporarily.
Besides, since most of the supplies came from the Poven merchant union, Frickson was the only suitable candidate.
He was on good terms with all the merchants.
Meanwhile, the one building the fortress walls was none other than Mac Ties.
‘A spirit user really is the best kind of architect.’
Limited to earth spirits, of course.
Mac was continuously creating large bricks.
At first, he tried to raise a stone wall, just like when he had blocked the enemy's pursuit.
But its durability was too poor.
It would crumble after a certain amount of time.
So he opted for the method of creating bricks and building with them directly.
“Haaah!”
While all this was happening, I was holed up in a barn in a corner of the camp, yawning lazily.
Isn't a true leader one who creates a system where their subordinates work on their own, while they themselves relax to their heart's content?
To be faithful to my role, it was time for another nap.
As I stretched my arms and legs, the area around me suddenly darkened.
The lazy sunlight was blocked by something.
“Hm?”
I squinted one eye and tilted my head back to see a silhouette.
It was a woman in a lovely dress, completely out of place on a battlefield.
“Adel?”
She's pretty even when viewed upside down.
Usually, this angle is humiliating for anyone.
I blinked, admiring the shape of her nostrils.
“What brings you here? More importantly, how did you find me?”
“It was obvious where you'd be slacking off. I just checked the places people don't usually go.”
“Oh… have you been stalking me all this time? That's not a bad style. Not that you could do anything to me anyway.”
“What on earth are you talking about?”
“Ahem! So, what's up?”
“I'm calling for a strategy meeting, and I thought you should be there.”
Grand strategy and detailed tactics were all under Adel's purview.
The fact that they hadn't suffered a major defeat despite being at a disadvantage was thanks to her competence.
She was probably the most capable person in this inexperienced army.
‘Honestly, even I would have made her my strategist.’
But why was I needed at a strategy meeting?
My input wouldn't mean much anyway.
“Isn't that something you and Ellington handle on your own?”
“Normally, yes, but this time, we need your consent.”
“Whose consent? Mine?”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
Adel hesitated for a moment before speaking with a cautious expression.
“Because… it's a bit dangerous.”
“So you're planning to send me to my death?”
“You catch on fast… I mean, that's not what I said!”
She had unconsciously started to agree before catching herself and raising her voice in surprise.
I chuckled and stretched again.
The gentle breeze that happened to blow by was so refreshing.
Ugh! Just a little longer…
“Stop lounging around like a cat and listen seriously.”
“I'm listening. You want me to handle a tough mission, right?”
“To put it simply, yes.”
“I'll do it.”
She was about to explain something, but I cut her off.
I had agreed without a second thought.
Adel's eyes widened.
“What? Just like that? You haven't even heard the details of the mission.”
“It's fine. I already got my payment.”
“Ah… are you talking about that token?”
“Something like that.”
“Well, it was mostly a gesture, but what you got in return was quite significant.”
“I know.”
I also knew that Ellington had intentionally accepted an unfavorable deal.
He couldn't have recruited someone of my caliber for nothing.
I had been prepared to actively accept any mission from the start.
But the payment I was referring to wasn't that.
“If you understand, let's go. Huh?”
Adel gestured as she turned to leave.
But as her gaze fell downwards, she gasped in shock.
Her skirt had been lifted quite high.
It was a mischievous prank by the gentle breeze that had just been blowing.
“Aah! How long has it been like this? You should have told me!”
Adel, her face beet red, swung her palms wildly.
Lying on the hay and enjoying the spectacular view, I quickly rolled away to dodge.
Her slaps looked like they would sting more than I expected.
“I didn't see anything, so what was I supposed to say?”
“Really?”
“Yep.”
“Hmm…”
Her suspicious eyes scanned my face, but I maintained my poker face to the end.
Then I nonchalantly walked out of the barn.
“The sky is so blue today. That vibrant blue is just my style.”
Oops, I meant to just think that, but the words slipped out.
Realizing my mistake, I glanced back and saw Adel's face turning shades of red and purple.
“You saw! You pervert!”
“Hey, why are you blaming me for what the wind did?”
“It's all your fault! Die!”
I had to run like mad to escape a powerful slap to the back.
“Ahh, so this is what they call a lovers' quarrel.”
—I think you're gravely mistaken.
Alkheim interjected, but the smile on my lips didn't fade.