14-1 Part 2
The Frost Giant Bergelmir - Brilliant
Use of the Prodigal Prince -
Translator : PolterGlast
「Furthermore,
there is her. The super-warrior accompanied by problematic behavior
named Sigrun. She would become the best pawn no matter where she is
placed, but the anxiety of not knowing what she might do next is a constant
companion...」
「Wahahaha,
try taking my reins, Georg!」
No, please make an
effort to restrain yourself... As Aniue says, it's true she is
excessively strong, but Sigrun is also a troublemaker who moves on intuition...
「Furthermore,
if I dare to add, Durin-chan's alchemy is becoming sharper day by day,
and together with Princess Atomina-sama, she is greatly contributing to
the development of Erin. How
adorable...」
「Wh-Why
is Durin's name coming up there deshuka?!」
「Fufufu...
It doesn't feel bad. Now that it's come to this, we have no choice but to
thoroughly support Ashley and Georg.」
The brilliant
alchemist who causes miracles, Durin, and the Empire's other charisma, Atomina-aneue.
Both are unparalleled, powerful human resources.
「You
are being modest. Thanks to your great inventions, Erin is growing by
leaps and bounds. Your work is so impressive that one might overthink and
wonder if Ashley-sama is wandering the fields himself, going around
discovering talents to support the Empire.」
「...My,
was that so, Ashley?」
Although it's a
matter of hindsight, it seems to look as if I made efforts to discover talents
in the private sector. Aneue and Durin were looking at me with
eyes half-filled with surprise and admiration.
「Don't
take it seriously, Aneue. I don't have that kind of planning ability.」
「Don't
say that yourself...」
「It
doesn't matter, does it! As long as the results follow, anything is fine in
this world!」
The bizarre book,
the Book of the Evil Dragon, might have guided me to make things turn
out this way. However, I don't think Zirant is deciding the contents of
the book. If so, with what intent does that bizarre book present me with
numerous difficult challenges?
「And
then, the armed merchant fleet and Admiral Carral Hez. 2 former military
galleons, 4 carracks, and 1 highly maneuverable schooner. Admiral Carral
leads 19 high-class sailors and around 200 hired sailors.」
「But
everyone is hired in the end, so they won't join the fighting under their
current contracts. I suppose we want to contribute to everyone's support and
the development of Erin through transporting supplies and trading.」
I thought it was a
favorable approach, typical of Carral. Our goal is not victory. We just
want to maneuver in secret from the shadows from now on, and guide things to a
slightly better ending. The 500 beastmen reinforcements were certainly a
surprise, but more than that, the merchant fleet led by Carral is the
ultimate reinforcement. As long as the world isn't turbulent, the military has
no role to play.
「That
helps. But Carral, why are you devoting yourself to us to such an
extent? If you get deeply involved with us, you might lose your life, let alone
your fleet.」
「Eh...
Th-That is... That... I-I thought it was a business opportunity! The Hez
Company just wants to support Georg-sama and Ashley-sama, and
reap the sweet rewards later!」
「I see,
that helps. To be honest, it's a reckless plan, but if Carral and the
merchant fleet are on our side, we might somehow manage.」
「Oi oi
oi oi, you blockhead over there! Fine, I'll tell you! That Carral over
there is, with you—」
「W-Wait,
wait a minute Sigrun, you can't say thaaat!!」
I don't really
understand, but Carral plugged Sigrun's mouth as if pouncing on
her, and dragged her outside from the dining hall acting as a meeting room.
Blockhead...? I am aware that I'm dense, but I really don't understand why I'm
being told that at this timing.
「Geez,
I wonder why he grew up into such a child...」
「I feel
a little sympathetic deshu...」
Telling them to stop
the idle chatter, Georg-aniue let out his specialty throat clearing
there.
「And
then there's my younger brother, Ashley. He isn't an excellent General,
nor is he a lord excelling in political acumen. However, his martial prowess,
and his escape techniques using the power to dig holes, would be a top-tier
card for secret maneuvering from the perspective of our stagnant current
situation.」
I haven't directly
shown Aniue the power to dig holes, but it seems it was already known
via the Old Man and Puis.
「I
think so too kyan. Ashley-sama's that is already at a cheating level kyan...」
「O-Our
village was, Shinza made a moat around the village and turned it into a
fort in the blink of an eye... ah, uh... h-he did that for us, yes!」
「I beg
you, please speak the same as always. When you use honorifics or build a wall
between us, it hurts more.」
Perhaps she felt she
had to say something too. However, the country girl unused to honorifics
faltered and withdrew her words.
「The
rest is the connection with the Mayor of Ratatosk, and the pilgrim
Priest Yungwi-san.」
「Yeah.
That said, Priest Yungwi is not in a position of the mainstream faction.
We probably can't expect that much backup.」
「Fufufu,
you're making friends everywhere you go, Ashley♪」
I informed them of
our relationship with them just in case. A regional Mayor and a mere priest,
but they worship Zirant. They are existences that will become our
allies. No, Zirant was being noisy telling me to say it, so... I felt it
was unnecessary, but I ended up reluctantly conveying it.
「That's our current strength.
Now then, shall we consider what we will do from now on?」
It was basically
saying this would drag on. I want to go back to my room and sleep already.
Suppressing that feeling, I watched over the meeting led by Puis and Georg.
◇ ◆ ◇ ◆ ◇
「Now
then. Next is the main issue.」
As I was dozing off
because it was so long, Puis stood up, purposefully making a noise, perhaps to tighten the
atmosphere. Because of that, my sleepiness cleared up a little, and I ended up
looking up at him.
「Clearing
away the darkness of the Empire. In carrying out this vague plan, there is, so
to speak, an existence that serves as the key. Yes, Ashley-sama. So, how
should we use his power. Let us decide this.」
「Does
that mean I don't have the right to veto or freedom?」
「You do
not. Please stop making such undignified excuses every single time.」
I repeat the usual
thing, but is this man really my retainer...? This is just like that strict
tutor Puis as always, isn't it...
「It's
your fault for making Puis your right-hand man. Prepare yourself.」
「Listen,
Ashley. I think Ashley's power is an amazing power! The reason
I'm being called Admiral right now is all thanks to Ashley, after all!」
「Ditto kyan!
The beastmen were also saved by Ashley-sama's power kyan!」
「Umu!
It is the strongest power that swiftly gives us an exhilarating feeling!」
「Durin
was saved too deshu! So I will repay the favor even a little bit deshu!」
Today is a day that
makes me feel like I'm going crazy, being praised and dropped by people. Aneue
and Aniue also float smiles when their proud younger brother is praised.
Yes, that Aniue. If it comes to this, even drunkenness will sober
up.
「Yes,
then how shall we use that exhilarating power from now on? Everyone, do you
have any opinions?」
At Puis's
perfectly calm words, Sigrun stood up.
「Umu!
How about stealing wealth like crazy from villains taking suspicious actions!?」
「W-Wait
a minute Sigrun, that story is... Uuu, sorry Ashley, I... I told Sigrun
the story about that time... Ah, but you see, if Ashley steals it and I
sell the goods outside the Empire, it won't leave a trail, and just by doing
that the bad guys weaken and we get stronger. Isn't this—」
「The
most swiftly refreshing and good feeling! A true chivalrous thief, let's do it,
Ashley!」
「Hoh, a
Prince engaging in thievery... That is an interesting story. Right, Ashley?」
Georg-aniue
is noble... My act of being a chivalrous thief was abruptly exposed to the
person I wanted to know least... This is his way of speaking when he's going to
give a long lecture later...
「Ashley-sama...
To think you were doing such things deshuka...」
「That plan
isn't necessarily bad. No matter what kind of villain, they cannot move without
money. ...Now, are there any others?」
Conversely, Puis coolly gave it a high evaluation. Right now he's my retainer, but if Puis settles in as Aniue's staff officer someday, I'll be able to rest easy. Such an emotion crossed my mind.
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