Chapter 316
(Kyle Calendar Year 514: Age 21)
Omen of an Anomaly
Translator : PolterGlast
Having finished dealing with the somewhat amusing merchant
caravan, I decided to move on to my original purpose. Well, Bart and the
others will probably handle things well during the bidding.
Thinking so, I began going around the various places
scheduled for inspection. I went along the rivers flowing around Kusanagi,
inspected the embankments (defensive walls) under construction there, received
reports on the construction status, and spent time expressing appreciation to
those working.
And finally, putting myself in the shoes of an invading
enemy army, I looked up anew from the Empire side at the outer walls of Kusanagi
standing on the hill across the river.
「Phew, I knew it from the design,
but... it's a spectacular sight from here.」
Seen from the Empire side, the outer walls of Kusanagi
standing on a steep hill tower as a massive wall. Because Kusanagi is
constructed at the southern end of the hilly terrain, when viewed from the
south, it showed its majestic appearance just like a mountain castle.
「Indeed. The Empire side, which took
in all the strategic points in various places, probably never thought this
place would become a strategic point either.」
Saying so, Elan smiled wryly. Certainly, normally
this hill shouldn't possibly become a strategic point. After all, there's no
water supply, and even to advance south, steep cliffs are in the way, requiring
a large detour. And beyond that, rivers flow as if surrounding the outer
periphery of the entire Izumo area, making it a very inconvenient place
for us to go on the offensive.
When viewing it from the river, I somehow recalled Inuyama Castle standing facing the Kiso River. It has that much of a unique
atmosphere.
Though, since Kusanagi is at the southern end of the
plateau, seen from the opposite side, it's just a fortress city standing on an
ordinary flatland.
「Because Sieghart-dono
probably wouldn't have thought you'd open up waterways on this scale either.」
「Hahaha, more than half of the Mages
summoned from the Royal Capital also agreed to extend their contract periods,
and anyway, tens of thousands of people are involved in the development. What
we struggled with until now—a sufficient number of Mages, manpower,
funds—we have all of that this time. Besides...」
Yes, even a project of that national scale would likely have
progressed at a snail's pace if there was no one to oversee it. But I have
Minister of Internal Affairs Raymond, whom my mother evaluated as having
the talent of a King's Advisor. He is fully demonstrating that ability, and all
the gears are moving in synchronization.
「The merchants who come to bid every
three months are also wide-eyed with surprise every time.」
「Hahaha, I bet. By the way, will the
bidding whose deadline is tomorrow also be monopolized by those three companies
again?」
「That might be the case. Because the
contents of their proposals are always outstanding...」
Yes, the awards for excellent participants in the first and
second biddings were monopolized by the Durouza Trading Company, Kampurna
Trading Company, and Astral Trading Company. The Durouza Trading
Company in particular is favorable to us, and rather, the head of the
trading company himself is cooperating devotedly.
「By now, this round of bidding should
also have a fair number of bidders, so let's head back to the administrative
office for now.」
Just as we were talking about that. Bart came rushing
in vigorously on horseback.
「I apologize while you are
inspecting. There is something I urgently wish to bring to your attention!」
Receiving those words, I looked around. Other than the close
attendants, there is no one around me right now. Confirming that, I nodded
slightly.
「In this round of bidding, there is a
merchant who reported that there are disturbing movements in the neighboring
country... no, the neighboring country of the Empire rather than ours. Due to
the nature of the content, I kept that merchant at the administrative office,
thinking he should speak the details directly to Lord Takuhir... so I
came here.」
「Understood. Let's meet him
immediately!」
Answering so, I immediately mounted my horse and hurried to
the administrative office. ‘Don't tell me... has what Sieghart was
talking about before already begun?’ Unease was suddenly welling up inside
my chest.
※
We hurried into the administrative office and moved quickly
to the meeting room as we were. In a room there, Minister of Internal Affairs Raymond,
Demon Territory Knights Commander Weiss, Claire, and Yoltia
were already waiting. And... simultaneously with the arrival of me, Bart,
and Raphael, the merchant in question was invited in.
「First of all, I thank you for
responding to the bidding again this time. I heard you have important
information you want to convey directly to the upper echelons of the country?」
When I said that as my opening remark, the merchant
prostrated himself with an expression of astonishment.
「Yes! To have Your Majesty the Archduke himself come, receiving an audience is
an unexpected honor and I am extremely humbled. However... I excused myself
thinking it is a crucial matter for the country. I am a humble trade merchant
named Handler.」
Well... he probably didn't even imagine I would come. Normally
it's impossible for a King to meet directly. He must have surely burned my face
into his memory at the first bidding briefing session.
「I don't mind. Please continue
without hesitation.」
「Yes! Although we are a petty trading
company, we made our living by obtaining sugar from the Empire and wholesaling
it to the Istoria Imperial Kingdom. Because of that, we were familiar
with the circumstances of that country... and I thought to present that
information as our 'unique proposal' for this bidding.」
「Oh, foreign intelligence, huh. That
is content well worth considering. Please continue the story.」
The Commander sitting next to me is handling the response in
my stead. I see, it's better for the King not to converse directly too much; is
that what it means?
「I will state the conclusion.
Currently, there are signs of civil war in the Imperial Kingdom. No, it
has already erupted.」
「What do you mean? There shouldn't be
any proper military force left in that country, right? I don't think they have
the leeway to be having such internal disputes.」
「Yes! It is exactly as you say. But
right now, the border guard soldiers stationed at the border between the Empire
and the Imperial Kingdom have already sided with the faction leading the
civil war. That momentum is expanding day by day...」
「My word! With what are those people
causing a rebellion?」
This time Raymond asked my question in my stead.
「Yes, according to them... 『Do not forgive the Pope and
Cardinals who concluded peace with the Kyle Kingdom on such humiliating
conditions. That is the cause of the people's destitution! O people, to obtain
daily bread, rise up now!』 Saying so, inciting the people panting in destitution due
to the reparations... no, actually they are distributing massive amounts of
food and gathering the territory residents.」
「But that country's banner is the
church. I think it would be difficult to raise the standard of revolt against
the church?」
「That is true. But the faction
leading the rebellion is also the church.」
「Oh? That is again...」
「The one leading the rebel army is
Archbishop Castro, who was thought to have died in battle in the
previous great war.」
「「「What!」」」
This surprised everyone, including myself. Because we
learned that a person we thought had already disappeared from the front stage
was alive.
「Are you certain it is the person
himself?」
「Yes, because I myself had the
opportunity to meet him previously. He seemed slightly haggard, but it was
unmistakably the person himself. Because of that, the penetration of his
influence is fast, and he is already bringing the southern frontier region
under his influence...」
The details Handler told were content sufficient to
astound us.
First, a group of nearly a hundred people visited the border
with the Empire from the Empire side. When the Imperial
Kingdom's border guard soldiers thought this was suspicious and tried to verify, the attendants rebuked their rudeness and announced
that it was the party led by Archbishop Castro,
who was injured in the previous great war.
It happened that the guard captain knew the Archbishop, and
when it was understood to be true, the party was reportedly welcomed
courteously.
Afterward, the Archbishop, who established a base in a town
near the border, unsparingly distributed massive amounts of food brought in
from Empire territory, going around helping people suffering from
starvation.
『Why must our nation's people, who
adore God and serve God, be so destitute? Why does the church not extend a
helping hand to them? What is the reason we must suffer and be destitute?』
Saying so, he issued proclamations throughout the southern
frontier area, denouncing the current regime while solidifying his foundation,
it seems.
And even after that, carriages fully loaded with supplies
like food arrived at this town one after another from the Empire side, and
territory residents who heard the rumors gathered from the neighborhood as
well, and it is said Castro is revered as a new savior, a guide of God.
And the other day, they finally declared the establishment
of the 'Istoria Orthodox Theocracy', and while denouncing the central
church, are reportedly bringing the southern frontier area of the Imperial
Kingdom under their control.
Hearing this much, I myself spoke up.
「What is their
military force? The Imperial Kingdom is a nation of a certain standing;
I don't think it would waver from just a rebellion in the southern frontier.」
「Yes, to be honest, there are parts I
cannot know accurately, but at the point we left that country, it was around
3,000 personnel including the border guards. But now... there is a possibility
it far exceeds that.」
「To the point that momentum cannot be
ignored?」
「Yes, the circumstances of that
country are special. As an Archbishop, he is in a key position of the country
with correspondingly great power, so his words carry weight and people easily
believe them. Moreover, the influential figures in various places, we
merchants, and the upper echelons of the military have been fed up with the
corruption of the church from before. In that respect, the only 'decent' one
was Archbishop Castro, so...」
「I see... They are strangling their
own necks with their deeds up to now. The atrocity of the upper echelons over
there is exactly as the Mages who defected here have been saying.」
「It is exactly as Your Majesty the Archduke says. We had offered sugar to the
Archbishop in the past. Precisely because we had that connection, we were able
to offer our cargo of sugar this time as well and obtain permission for 'free
border crossing'. Having received the duty of transporting military supplies to
them again...」
「Hmm... We must urgently convey this
to Frontier Duke Hamish. Also, if supplies were brought in from the Empire
side, it is thought that there are people pulling the strings behind the scenes
on the Empire side as well.」
「The Minister of Internal Affairs'
concern is correct. Handler, since it's a good opportunity, apart from
this bidding, won't you conclude a new contract with me? A contract for the
mission of loading the supplies I prepared, entering the Imperial Kingdom
again, and gathering information. Of course, the supplies are on me, and you
may use the sales for expenses and profits.」
Here Handler smiled broadly. As if convinced that his
read had hit the mark.
Just one more push, I suppose.
「In addition, recognizing that you
made a particular contribution in this bidding, I will also give you priority
in future transactions... I won't force you, but how about it?」
「Hahaha, I too am a humble merchant.
When it comes to a profitable business negotiation with someone who understands
the value of this information, one would fly there even weighing their life on
the scale. I gratefully accept the order, but I have one request.」
Saying so, Handler, who had been humbled until now,
smiled fearlessly.
No, no, once it becomes a business negotiation, the
quickness with which his attitude changes completely... Did he bring the
information anticipating this? Or... in his own way of understanding the value
of this information, was he conversely evaluating me?
「Right, if it's a merchant who brings
me beneficial information, I intend to treat them warmly, regardless of their
scale or past transaction record.」
「Hearing those words, I too am
relieved. As far as I know, the only ones who can ensnare the hearts of merchants like this are Your Majesty the Archduke and one other person.」
「Hahaha, then why didn't you go to
that side (Sieghart) this time?」
「I myself was astonished and
impressed by Your Majesty the Archduke's behavior that time, and the system of
public bidding. Well, this is the ostensible reason. Even if I were
hypothetically given preferential treatment on that side, there are already
many large trading companies receiving similar preferential treatment. But Your Majesty the Archduke is different. Other than the trading
companies commanded by the three major houses, no trading company has jumped
into your pocket yet. Besides... from before, I have harbored considerable
interest in the products of Teigoon.」
「Hahaha, that merchant-like way of
speaking of yours rather puts me at ease.」
Saying so while laughing, I looked at Raymond. He was
smiling and nodding.
「Right, if it's an ally capable of
such rational judgment, I also welcome them. Including the merchant-like parts.
I'll arrange it right now, so could you wait outside the room? The Minister of
Internal Affairs here will place the order directly.」
「Eh? I-Is that fine?」
「Is it surprising?」
「No, to be trusted this much upon our
first meeting... I hadn't even imagined it.」
I bet. But for appraising people, I have a powerful ally
second to none. If Raymond says it's fine, I place my full trust in him.
And if he holds the reins, it will be perfect.
Then, when Handler, who had a slightly puzzled face,
left the room, I faced everyone anew.
「The Imperial Kingdom was
unexpected, but the anticipated flow has begun. From here on, we move on that
premise.」
「Yes, we should probably share the
information with Frontier Duke Hamish and the Third Prince's camp (Sieghart).」
「As the Minister of Internal Affairs
says. Also, just in case, I'll pass the story to the Old Raccoon in the Royal
Capital and Frontier Duke Model, who shares a border in the north. I ask
you to arrange the messengers for that. Also, Raphael!」
「Yes!」
「Slip a trustworthy subordinate in as
a member of the Handler Trading Company. Minister of Internal Affairs,
please smooth it over by saying it's to conduct an independent investigation
within the Imperial Kingdom.」
「Is that fine? It might also invite
the suspicion that they are being doubted.」
「I don't mind. If they think we
unprincipledly trust someone who was in the enemy camp until now based on
information alone, steering the ship from here on will conversely become
difficult. Give them an appropriate compensation and ask for them to be
accompanied.」
Raymond also
nodded greatly at this instruction.
「This is my intuition, but it will
probably still take a little time before it becomes a concrete threat. But,
noticing it at that time will be too late. Tell Alexis and Elan
to prioritize the eastern side and proceed with the construction of the
defensive walls surrounding Izumo. The Commander, construct tactics in
preparation for an invasion from the eastern side, and investigate the
topography suitable for using an army. If there's nothing else in particular,
dismiss with this and handle your respective tasks!」
「「「Yes!」」」
They began to move all at once. In preparation for the coming emergency...
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