Chapter 100
(Kyle
Calendar Year 507: Age 14)
Special
Mission: Foreign Intelligence
Translator : PolterGlast
The long-awaited reply
has arrived. The trading caravan that previously allowed Bart to accompany them
to a northern country with a coastline is now set to travel south. This is
something I've long hoped for (gathering information about rice), and I've been
waiting for the right moment. This time, however, there's a different
objective. I immediately contacted the caravan and requested that Bart,
Raphael, and one other accompany them. After negotiations, their consent was
secured.
Their destination
involves touring the major cities of the Gryphonia Empire, ultimately reaching
the city on its southernmost border. This city is said to be near the border of
the Sura Duchy, and it's where the Third Imperial Prince has established his
main camp. I've entrusted Bart with demon realm products (materials for
weapons, armor, and ornaments obtained from monsters) that are not found in the
Empire.
The merchants'
conditions were two things: we had to provide a portion of these products to
the caravan as goods, and on the outward journey, Bart's spatial storage would
be used for the caravan's cargo transport. By agreeing to these terms, the
caravan has agreed to facilitate their journey.
※
In fact, I possess an
unusually large quantity of monster-derived materials. After the Southern Gate
battle, we actively participated in the post-war cleanup and acquired many
spoils. The collection and burial (cremation) of abandoned human and horse
remains across the battlefield, and the disposal (incineration) of monster
carcasses strewn across the plain, were urgent tasks that required immediate
attention at the time. Monsters overflowing from the demon realm had advanced
into and were active in the Southern Gate plains. Stopping and repelling them,
and proceeding with their extermination to secure the safety of the plains, was
an urgent matter. Therefore, even after the war ended, the entire army
continued to engage in this task for a while.
During this operation,
we achieved considerable results. Margrave Hastburg had issued a directive
allowing us "free reign to cut and take" during collection, so I had
Bart store every noteworthy monster carcass we found. While other units had to
hastily process (incinerate) to avoid attracting more monsters, we were able to
systematically proceed with collection. Other units, it seemed, were unable to
carry out the laborious task of dismantling carcasses as effectively while also
performing incineration.
As a result, we
amassed a large quantity of monster materials that could be traded at high
prices in Kyle Kingdom and even higher prices in the Gryphonia Empire.
After the post-war
cleanup progressed and things settled down to some extent, those who had distinguished
themselves in battle headed to the Royal Capital for commendations and awards.
However, the forces comprising the largely ineffective First and Fourth armies
of the noble coalition seemed to have remained on-site, continuing the monster
extermination.
Later, we processed
the gathered materials, prioritizing the securing of catalysts used for Mage
aptitude confirmation and other valuable materials. The relatively easily
obtainable monster materials were put on the market for sale. I've entrusted
Bart with bringing these commercial materials, in particular, to the Empire.
Even during wartime, trading caravans carrying such valuable products from Kyle
Kingdom are often welcomed by the Empire, making entry and movement easier.
※
In early spring, as the
snowmelt began on Teigun Mountain, the three quietly embarked on their journey,
blending in with the caravan. Bart is expected to return in six months at the
earliest, or a year at the latest, while Raphael is scheduled to return earlier
once sufficient information is gathered. I've also entrusted Bart and Raphael
with several investigations, within a reasonable scope.
<Requested
Investigations>
·
Investigation of Margrave Goth's territory
·
Investigation of Marquis Bradley's territory
·
Investigation of the First Imperial Prince's faction
and the Third Imperial Prince's faction
·
Acquisition of rice, or confirmation of its
availability
·
Acquisition of sugar, or acquisition of sugarcane
The investigation in
the neighboring country, which we requested, covers a wide range of topics.
While some information can be obtained through merchant connections, I
particularly wanted accurate, reliable information that wasn't influenced by
merchants' speculations. Merchants use information as a commodity. For them, a
mere viscount in the frontier, and his son who is only a baron, meant the
quality and quantity of obtainable information were limited. Information on the
Empire's movements, obtained by Bart and his companions directly inspecting the
locations, would be incredibly valuable to me.
By the way, regarding
this dispatch, I had approached Margrave Hastburg last autumn when the
"inspection team" visited, expressing my desire to implement it once
preparations were complete, and received his tacit approval.
〇 Detailed Investigation Objectives
<Margrave Goth's
Territory>
Who will succeed
Margrave Goth is a matter of great concern to us. Given that the head of the
family was killed in battle and the entire army was annihilated, it is
practically impossible for the remaining family to take over and act as
Margrave. A powerful noble capable of taking over the crucial task of defending
the important border is bound to emerge. In the final pursuit battle of the
Southern Gate Bloody Battle, there was an army that demonstrated skillful
military command. If the commander of that army were to succeed as Margrave, it
would be extremely troublesome. Even otherwise, if a zealous and capable
individual were to govern as Margrave, it would significantly impact us.
<Marquis Bradley's
Territory>
In that sense, Marquis
Bradley's territory is also in a similar situation, having been completely
annihilated along with its lord in the war. In this case, since it is also the
home territory of the prisoners in Teigun, I am concerned about its fate. It
would probably be of greatest concern to the prisoners as well.
<Imperial
Succession Struggle>
The movements in the
Empire's succession struggle are a top priority for us. Currently, the factions
are dispersed and mutually checking each other, but if a successor is
determined and internal affairs stabilize, in the worst-case scenario, there is
a possibility of a full-scale invasion. If that happens, a massive force
incomparable to the previous Southern Gate Bloody Battle would surge in. If we
were to face an invasion of at least 50,000 troops, meticulously prepared, we
would stand no chance. Even rallying the current Hastburg Margrave's faction
and the southern nobles would be like pouring water on a hot stone. Especially
if it's the First Imperial Prince, there's a high probability he would target
Teigun to avenge his previous defeat. Ideally, it would be best if they
exhausted each other within the Empire and fell together, but that is unlikely
to happen. Investigating their movements was a mission worthy of being given as
a "special mission" to Bart and his companions.
<Acquisition of
Rice>
This has been a
long-cherished desire. When I coincidentally obtained information about it from
someone living in the Empire, I was so delighted I almost jumped for joy. This
is why I'm asking them to extend their journey to the city where the Third
Imperial Prince has his base. I'm expecting them to find some clues. Regarding
cultivation, there's nothing we can do about the climate, but the water problem
might be solved by Elan's proposal in the New Year. I had given up on rice
cultivation in Teigun due to the difficulty of securing large amounts of water,
so this felt like a ray of hope.
<Acquisition of
Sugarcane or Sugar>
Honestly, I think
sugarcane cultivation might be possible given the climate. But what I urgently
need is a large quantity of sugar. In this world, especially in Kyle Kingdom,
sugar is rare and expensive. In the Kingdom, sweets made with sugar are
classified as luxuries enjoyed only by nobles or the wealthy. However, if you
go south to the Sura Duchy, sugar is common and reportedly affordable even for
commoners. The sugar production area is in a neighboring country, which is also
at war with its own neighbor. Because of these circumstances, sugar passes
through many merchants before reaching Kyle Kingdom, causing its price to
skyrocket. Similar to how pepper was incredibly expensive and valuable in
medieval Europe, sugar was extremely expensive and valuable in Kyle Kingdom. It
seems sugar is produced in the southernmost regions of the Gryphonia Empire, so
it might not even be necessary to go all the way to the Principality of Sura.
This time, we are aiming to acquire that.
I had burdened Bart
and his companions with many tasks, sending them to the geographically
unfamiliar Empire. I internally felt bad about it, but I believe the person
accompanying them this time will surely be a great help to the two. I
emphasized again that they should not overexert themselves and conveyed that to
them.
Receiving my
intentions, the three embarked on their journey.
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