[WN] Emperor's Seventh Son : 15 - 4 Part 1

15-4 Part 1

A New Sea Route: Scrape the Rocky Reefs of Erin

- Pre-established Harmony -

Translator : PolterGlast

Because Zirant overate as pre-established harmony, we waited a little while before boarding the schooner owned by the Hez Company. The destination is the rocky reef area along the coast of Erin, the beginning of a harsh job.

「Wow... it's moving, it's moving, we're floating on the sea, Shinza?!」

「That is so. If it sank instead of floating, it wouldn't be called a ship.」

Kachua was in high spirits on her first ship. This is that secondhand schooner that Carral and I obtained by joining forces. I felt a little proud.

「Big Sister, course is OK! Going straight like this—」

「Don't call me Big Sister in front of Shinza! Say it again and I'll hang you from the bow over there!」

「No way... please spare me, Big Sist—Admiral Carral!」

「I said, don't call me Big Sister!!」

The operation of the schooner was handled by the high-class sailors formally employed by Carral. They are good-natured folks. Moreover, I was impressed by the sight of Carral being adored and splendidly acting as a Big Sister—no, an Admiral.

「Even so, it's fast! I didn't know ships were this fast!」

「Yeah, it advances smoothly to a creepy extent. A schooner is an amazing ship.」

「Hehehe... It makes me very happy to have the ship praised by you two! Nn, nnn~? But, hey, was our ship this fast...?」

Carral looked up at the sails and checked the wind direction. The lateen sails spread wide, turning the crosswind into forward propulsion.

「It feels kinda strange, it's as if the bottom of the ship is being pushed by a whale.」

「No, it's definitely strange! It's certainly a fast ship, but our ship really isn't this fast!?」

「Strange things happen, huh...」

With unnatural swiftness, the Hez Company's schooner heads north aiming for Erin. Well, whatever it is, it's fine. It's best if it's fast.

『Y-You fool... urgh, urp...?!』

By the way, as for Zirant, she started throwing up towards the stern shortly after setting sail. She herself said she was invincible, but she suffered a crushing defeat. Or rather, dragons get seasick too, huh...

『50%, skill, urgh buuuuuurgh...!!』

I'm begging you, Zirant, don't talk to me until your nausea subsides... There's no trace of the divine majesty from the day we met anymore. Now, Zirant was becoming established as the puking character.

「Zirant-san, because she ate that much... Ah, are Shinza and Kachua okay?」

「Yeah, seem to be fine! I (Ore), want to try helping with Carral's work once the commotion in the Empire settles down!」

「Sure! I heard from Atomina-sama, but Kachua's bow skills are amazing, right! You'd be suited for a sailor!」

「I-Is that so... Maybe I'll seriously consider it a bit...」

Since they are somewhat noisy, I moved towards the bow. Everyone is excited, but I'm gradually getting nervous. I have to jump into this freezing sea and scrape rocky reefs. I wouldn't go so far as to say I want to run away, but I needed to brace myself once again.

「Shinza, is there anything you want?」

「Nothing in particular. How much longer until Erin?」

「Soon. Somehow the ship's condition seems good today.」

「Or perhaps we’ll build up too much momentum, crash into a reef, and sink just like that.」

「It's fine! Our sailors aren't the kind to make such a blunder!」

Drawn by those words, when I turned my eyes toward the stern—for some reason, those sailors were watching me. They hurriedly hid themselves and pretended not to be looking this way.

「Do your best, Big Sister... do your best...」

「Ah, I can't bear to watch... We have to do something for her...」

「No, it seems Big Sister also thought of a plan for that, for the time being. The rest depends on that Prince-sama...」

I wonder what it is about. I ended up hearing their whispering secret talk. Carral is trying her best. Having a plan is reassuring. It's also true that it depends on me. No matter how much the sea robs me of my body heat, I have no intention of retreating until I completely destroy the rocky reefs.

「U-Um, Shinza...」

「What is it?」

「I... you know, I... um... H-How is my—ship?!」

「It's the best. I don't know an Admiral as reliable as you.」

'That's not it, Big Sister!' I heard a sailor's small grumble, but since I didn't really understand, I let it slide. Now, the rocky reef area along the coast of Erin is soon.

◇ ◆ ◇ ◆ ◇

With the destination rocky reef area right before our eyes, the schooner anchored. This is the absolute limit distance; it seems they can't get any closer than this.

「Neither Shinza nor Kachua get seasick at all, huh. Both of you, help out with this job too once things become peaceful. ...Wait, Shinza was a Prince, right.」

「Ahaha, doing this makes you almost forget, doesn't it...」

I wouldn't mind at all if you forgot. Well, my resolve is set. Shall I begin.

『Most likely, it's... the influence... of the Direction Sense, skill... I think... Pant pant...』

I see. Does that mean I'm a stranger to seasickness. But Zirant, you don't have to force yourself to explain right now. Rest over there.

「Now, shall I begin.」

「W-Wait, Shinza-san, that outfit is a bad idea!?」

Just at the timing of going, for some reason I was surrounded by the sailors. Since it won't be seen once I enter the sea anyway, I just took off all my clothes and threw them away.

「Don't suddenly strip on the deck of someone else's ship!!」

「I-I didn't see anything, I (Ore), didn't see anything, u-uwaaa...」

「Shinza-san, we'll tie a loincloth for you, so please don't go yet!?」

It was greatly frowned upon. But they were very attentive. When the loincloth was tied tightly, I see, it's not bad. This seems easier to move underwater than being completely naked.

「Eh, Shinza, what's that scar...?」

「Ah, the scar you got in Ratatosk is still there too...」

Wondering what they meant, it's the gunshot wound on my chest and the slash wound from Yord. Both have become white scars. The two of them were staring at the scars for quite a long time, so I felt a little ticklish.

「These? Actually, I was bitten by a half-asleep Zirant.」

「Seriously!?」

「No, that's a lie, definitely a lie! The ones on your body are the ones you got from the armor doll and Prince Yord, right!」

Furthermore, a sailor tied the Shovel and my body together with a rope. Then let's go. I go up to the bow and look at the sea surface where the waves swirl. I was already prepared to jump.

「If I freeze to death, tell Aniue this: It was cold enough to die.」

Conveying only that, I jumped into the sea.

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[WN] A Hero From a Remote Village : Chapter 257

Chapter 257

Wishul Kingdom

Translator : PolterGlast

After receiving Bane's hospitality and fully enjoying the mansion on the Old Abandoned Road, we returned to Biodasdal. It was good that the Guild Master judged there was no danger, but I understood firsthand that an encounter between monsters and humans is a difficult thing. After all, that was the reaction of the Guild Master, who is overwhelmingly on my side and has faced off against numerous monsters.

It would be difficult for a normal person to come to an understanding, and I clearly understood the reason why they became hostile with the neighboring country. While thinking in my heart that it might be difficult to convince them, there is no option to just do nothing. Harboring anxiety, I got my preparations in order and headed to the meeting place at the city entrance.

「Sato-san, good morning. It will be a bit of a long journey, but are your preparations in order?」

「Good morning. Of course they are. Sorry to bother you again following yesterday.」

「There's no need to apologize. I made you accompany me all the way to the Royal Capital, after all. Besides, it's a fact that public order has improved, and it's not just your problem, Graham-san.」

「I appreciate you saying that.」

After conveying my thanks to the Guild Master, we immediately departed for the neighboring Wishul Kingdom. Partly because he had prepared a carriage, it was an extremely comfortable journey. Inside the carriage, I was able to hear about the Old Abandoned Road and the Wishul Kingdom, and the time passed in the blink of an eye.

Although it was my first time crossing a border, partly because the Guild Master is a person of high status, we were able to enter the country surprisingly easily. And then...

「The capital of the Wishul Kingdom, Flimble, is coming into view.」

「The capital is located close to the border, isn't it. Even so, the city walls are as solid as the Royal Capital's.」

「The Wishul Kingdom is a small country, and attacks from monsters are frequent, after all. The capital is near the border so they can immediately ask for help. The reason the walls are so solid is also to protect against monsters.」

「Hmm, so their vigilance against monsters is high. Is that why it developed into a dispute with Bane and the others this time?」

「I think so. The Guild Master of the Adventurer's Guild in Flimble is an old friend, so I want to meet the Guild Master first. ...Though I don't know if he's still serving as the Guild Master.」

I'm grateful we have connections. That being said, it seems they haven't met for many years, and if that person has stepped down as Guild Master, it looks like we might have a hard time. Having been able to enter Flimble easily as well, we got off the carriage and decided to head to the Adventurer's Guild.

The liveliness of the city is about on par with Biodasdal. I was curious about the high number of people who looked like combatants, but the frequent monster attacks is probably a major reason for that. The Adventurer's Guild is also solid enough to rival the one in the Royal Capital, indicating a high demand for adventurers.

「This is the Adventurer's Guild. Compared to Biodasdal, it's an overwhelming building.」

「It's the capital, and considering the public order is bad, I think it's normal. I imagine it's complicated for you as a Guild Master, but it's just proof of how peaceful the vicinity of Biodasdal is, and I think it's something to be glad about.」

「That is true. I tend to become self-deprecating, but I'm always snapped out of it by your words, Graham-san. Anyway, let's go get an appointment with the Guild Master.」

We entered the Adventurer's Guild and aimed for the reception desk where the receptionist was. The inside of the Adventurer's Guild is the same even in other countries, and there are quite a few guys glaring at us, being unfamiliar faces. Since getting tangled up with them would get us nowhere, we headed to the reception desk without casting a single glance their way.

「Welcome. What's your business?」

The receptionist was a woman with rather heavy makeup, and her customer service was also quite sloppy compared to Biodasdal. Reaffirming just how proper our usual receptionist is, I kept my mouth shut and left the handling to the Guild Master.

「I'd like to meet the Guild Master, but is he currently in the Adventurer's Guild?」

「Huh? The Guild Master? ...What? Do you have an appointment?」

「I don't, but I am an old friend of the Guild Master... or I should be.」

「What's with that vague answer? ...Suspicious.」

Since it wasn't certain whether the Guild Master of Flimble was his old friend or not, it ended up being a vague answer. Because of that, the Guild Master was being glared at by the receptionist with a bad attitude.

「Sorry to interrupt, but we came from a city called Biodasdal in the neighboring country. This person here is the Guild Master of Biodasdal, and it seems he was an acquaintance of the Guild Master of Flimble.」

「The Guild Master of a neighboring country? ...Sounds suspicious, but whatever. Do you remember the name of this Guild Master you claim is your friend?」

「It's Spencer, but is he still serving as the Guild Master?」

「...That's correct. I'll go check for now, so wait here.」

Even after learning that he was the Guild Master of a neighboring country, the receptionist, without changing her attitude, disappeared into the back room. My impression of her isn't good at all, but the sole fact that she doesn't change her attitude even when she knows she's dealing with a VIP is a favorable point.

After waiting for a while, the receptionist from earlier returned. However, judging from her overly dubious expression, perhaps she couldn't get the appointment?

「How did it go?」

「He said I can let you through. The room at the back on the third floor.」

「I'm grateful you put the word through, but why are you in such a bad mood?」

「Because I got scolded for not asking your name.」

That makes sense, and it's troubling to be shown an attitude as if we were the ones at fault. Anyway... it seems we are allowed to go to the Guild Master's office, so I suppose we'll head there without paying any mind to this receptionist.

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[WN] Jitsuwa 3-Domedatta : Chapter 343

Chapter 343

(Kyle Calendar Year 515: Age 22)

All Quiet on the Southern Front?

Translator : PolterGlast

When the winter of the Kyle Year 515 ended and the soft spring sunlight began to melt the snow covering the peak of Mt. Teigoon, far to the south in the new territory of the Griffonia Empire, there was a man working busily day after day, contrary to his own wishes. For the past few months, he had been working diligently almost without rest.

The Big Bridge Fortress, constructed as the linchpin of the defense of the new Empire territory. In front of his office, where he was stationed permanently, a large number of military and civil officials stood in line, rapidly seeking reports and approvals, and on his desk, reports and approval documents were piled high.

「Lord Operations Commander, regarding the notified operational movements, we have received organizational reports from each unit. Please confirm.」

「Confirmation for what? If they are doing exactly as I instructed, you can just confirm it yourself.」

「Lord Vanguard Legion Commander, periodic report letters have arrived from the various regional armies. Please confirm.」

「I told you before that if there are no anomalies, detailed reports are unnecessary, and I just want you to settle it with 『no anomalies』, didn't I?」

「Lord Logistics Controller, requests for additional stockpiled food and deployment have arrived from various units. Please give your approval urgently.」

「I told you food resupply would be 『sent sequentially through merchants』, didn't I? I also said, 『Consume the current stockpile until it arrives.』 Does this mean it's a different situation from that?」

「Lord Chief Administrator, regarding the newly constructed signal fire towers, we have received reports and requests from various sites.」

「I should have told you that as long as it is on the schedule I communicated in advance, and if it is necessary, I don't need a report every single time for what is procured within the budget.」

「Lord Governor of the New Territory, the merchants have requested a meeting to report on the investigation they were commissioned with, but...」

「Ah, I'm busy right now... no, I'll listen to their report as soon as I finish up here, so ask them to wait a bit.」

「Chief of Staff of the Garrison Army, please give a report on the latest trends of each country and the deployment status in response to them...」

「I'm about to do that right now, so... wait, why is Your Highness here? Please give me a break.」

「Hahaha, you're working quite diligently, aren't you. That's a good thing.」

Saying so, the Third Prince (Grat) laughed. He currently had Sieghart hold various posts concurrently, throwing not only the operational movements of the occupied territory they held, but also military and political affairs entirely to him, while he himself specialized in inspecting the front lines and pacifying the soldiers.

Initially, to make things easier for himself, Sieghart abolished the waste and inefficiency of political affairs, and while giving discretion to the local sites, he unified the chain of command to eliminate injustice and incorrect instructions, but... His overly perfect command and control corrected deficiencies, and in the process of streamlining the inefficiency of instructions and orders, it also birthed a small negative effect.

Originally a muscle-brained group leaning towards warriors, the middle-ranking commanders in the occupied territory who were used to the 『loose』 system until now lost their confidence in the face of their perfect superior's commands and orders. They hesitated to exercise the authority granted to them, and became anxious unless they checked every single thing with him. That matter was currently in a transitional period, and it weighed on Sieghart as a heavy pressure.

「Your Highness, this is no laughing matter. I feel like I'm going to use up a lifetime's worth of diligence right here. Because I am a person far removed from diligence in the first place, you know.」

「I would appreciate it if you could understand my struggles up to now even a little bit.」

「I mean, things have been way too loose up to now! Because of that, there was a lot of work for the sake of work, wasting time and resources, you know.」

「No, that's...」

「I understand that Your Highness's soldiers are basically a group of muscle-brains. But they are far too sloppy!」

「For that... I am very grateful. So, what about my question?」

Because the situation was far too unfavorable, Grat forcefully changed the subject and sought the answer to his initial question.

「I will interview the merchants and analyze the requested investigation and whether there are any other suspicious points after this. A report based on that will be at night. If you want a report based on information prior to that, I can give it right now, though?」

「Then please do it right now. I'm heading to the eastern front lines again right away.」

「Tch, it's not fair that only Your Highness...」

「If you going will raise morale, I don't mind taking your place, but...」

「Even if I, with my disappointing appearance, go, there's no way morale will rise!」

Grat could only smile wryly. Sieghart himself is already hailed by the soldiers as an undefeated famous general, a genius tactician, a wise general of both politics and strategy, and his popularity is exceedingly high, with the soldiers trusting him absolutely. If he goes to the front lines, although perhaps not as much as Grat, the soldiers' morale will surely rise. Whether his self-evaluation is simply exceedingly low, or perhaps... 『Hmph, he probably just simply hates standing out.』 Grat could only think so.

「Status of each front line, no anomalies. Deployment is being completed as scheduled. Stockpiles and construction work are also proceeding as initially planned. There are no notable movements in the trends of each country at present, and it is possible to consider the possibility that the enemy's negotiations are not proceeding well. If I had to say, I am concerned about the movements of the Istoria Imperial Kingdom and surrounding countries, but we are leaving that to Lord Takuhir. That is all!」

Saying so rapidly as if it were a hassle, Sieghart took a breath and turned a serious face.

「What concerns me is that the enemy's (First Prince's) movements are far too normal and sluggish, perhaps. Because everything is exactly as expected.」

「Is it not because they are idiots?」

「Precisely because they are idiots! Idiots sometimes have the possibility of pulling off things we can't even imagine. Much less, I don't think the Old Raccoon is just sitting back and watching the situation like this.」

「So, what will you do?」

「There is no 'what will I do'. Because there are no movements at all. However, I am somehow not convinced...」

「What happens if we just keep glaring at each other like this?」

「That is also a problem. The longer the encampment, the more war expenses it costs. Because our numbers are what they are...」

「War expenses are no joking matter, but the soldiers are also getting tired of it, is that what you mean?」

It had already been nearly half a year since they deployed the army corps to the front lines. They are rotating them to rear duties and transferring positions to some extent, but even so, the soldiers were beginning to get tired of the long-term inconvenient life on the front lines. That is precisely why Grat is taking the trouble to patrol the front lines and maintain morale.

「Yes, the worst thing is receiving a surprise attack when the soldiers have grown tired of the encampment and let their guard down. Right now, their very silence is incredibly eerie.」

「Indeed, even the Sura Principality, which was once full of fighting spirit, has become quiet like a lie. They don't even pay attention to the openings you prepared to provoke them anymore.」

Yes, there were three anticipated invasion routes from the Sura Principality. The highways on the south side, the center, and the north side of the vast border line. In response to that, Sieghart had deployed armies near the border as preparation in the south and north, but intentionally did not deploy an army only in the center. There is no military force blocking the highway in the center of the border, and they could advance straight to the fort of Big Bridge here. However, the Sura Principality was eerily watching quietly.

Actually, there was a reason for this. It was merely that negotiations regarding post-war compensation with Duke Harry had not reached a conclusion, but they had no way of knowing such circumstances.

『I should be dealing with everything that can be anticipated. So what is this anxiety? Is there still something I'm overlooking...』

This was Sieghart's thought recently. A one percent possibility—there was simply no leeway to deploy an army for something like that. If one were to entertain such notions, the Empire would have to consider the possibility of invasion across every inch of its vast territory and respond accordingly. Since it was impossible to cover everything, there was no choice but to implement countermeasures only where deemed necessary and, from there, arrange a plan for victory. He is proceeding with responses in order of the highest anxiety factors, analyzing the movements of each country and the situation as far as he could learn. However...

Pondering so, Sieghart raised his face.

「For the time being, I would like to receive Your Highness's permission to use the reserve funds.」

「Reserve funds... ah, you mean that? I should have already told you I leave it entirely to you, but...」

The reserve funds were the internal affairs budget Grat had newly obtained under the pretext of developing the new territory. Up to now, because there were gold coins generated through Sieghart's internal affairs efforts, commercial transactions, and other governance capabilities, they had not touched that.

「Of course I don't mind, but... do you need that much?」

「I might need it, that's about it. When the time comes, I'll use about half of it, you see.」

「!!!」

Grat unconsciously swallowed his breath. To use an amount reaching 200,000 Imperial gold coins nonchalantly?

「Well... if you say you need it, don't mind using it.」

「You won't ask for what purpose?」

「You’re likely thinking of something no good anyway, right? If it's not clear at this point, there's no point in asking about it here and now.」

In front of Sieghart's office, military and civil officials waiting their turn were still lined up. In such a situation and at this place, Grat had no intention of going into every little detail either.

「Hahaha, that loose part of yours, Your Highness, is exactly why I find being around you so comfortable.」

「Weren't you just criticizing that a moment ago? Then I'll continue to rely on your actions as an expression of your gratitude. I asked what I wanted to ask, and I will head to the front lines.」

Leaving those words behind, Grat walked away briskly.

「Thank you very much. You have my gratitude...」

Bowing his head and seeing him off, Sieghart, who raised his face again, was floating a grim smile. It was a face expressing his determination to do it without caring about appearances from now on.

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