by Ryota Hori
Well, they’re technically not wrong...
He might’ve been the lowest rank of noble possible, but a baron was still without a doubt a member of the aristocracy. And as such, he was supposed to expect the living standards and deference worthy of his station.
In the end, Ryoma could only chalk it up to a difference in culture.
“Well, just bear with it a bit longer! Once we’re past this ridge, Epirus’s castle walls should come into view,” Lione said with an uncharacteristically cheery voice, stirring everyone as she felt the peculiar direction the conversation was heading.
The group of men led by Lione included the thirty-three members of Lione and Boltz’s mercenary group, the Crimson Lions, as well as Gennou, Sakuya, the Malfist sisters, and Ryoma. They were too large a group to handle typical mercenary work, but too small to take control of a territory.
I’ll need people who can handle paperwork...
The only people Ryoma could see around them had their specialties overwhelmingly tilted toward military and martial matters. They might be good for filing paperwork, but Ryoma intended to manage a country, and the current situation was unsatisfactory for those purposes.
Well, we can do that little by little... I won’t be able to make the country I want overnight.
Ryoma whispered to himself with a small sigh and fixed his gaze forward, his heart burning with new resolve.
I will survive! And Lupis...! I will get back at you for this... I’ll see to it you pay for everything, with interest...
Ryoma swore in his heart as he watched Epirus’s walls gradually grow in size as he approached.
The citadel city of Epirus. The fulcrum of Rhoadseria’s northern territories, located at the root of the Wortenia Peninsula.
The city was surrounded by a deep moat and stone walls standing dozens of meters tall. It had three entrances. Two to the east and west, and one to the north. To the south stood the regional governor’s — Count Salzberg’s — castle.
All of Rhoadseria’s and Xarooda’s citizens knew this city stood as the stalwart rampart defending the kingdom. Xarooda had attempted invasion from the west, but the fortress had successfully pushed them back, which helped cement its reputation.
But all of the city’s denizens understood that the city they lived in was the lid to a crucible containing nothing but chaos...
♱
Ryoma was now resting at an inn, located opposite of Epirus’s main street. Ryoma’s group had finally concluded the formalities, and had at last reached what could be considered the entrance to the Wortenia Peninsula.
As Ryoma was resting in his room, he held a meeting with the rest of their primary members, led by Boltz. Its purpose was to decide their future policy.
“I expected the defenses would be heavy given this is a border town, but they’re doing more than just trying to defend against Xarooda.” Boltz shrugged.
His vast experience as a mercenary was showing its worth. While everyone else had been taking a break in their rooms at the inn, he walked around the town’s guild, gathering information.
“A breakwater to make sure the monsters don’t flock into Rhoadseria?” Ryoma asked.
Boltz nodded.
“I heard a lot of rumors about the Wortenia Peninsula during my time as a mercenary, but this is a much more difficult land than I thought...” he said. “We’ll have to really put in some effort if we’re to make something of this place.”
His words were met with small nods from everyone. They knew it would be a difficult land since the time they were back in the capital.
“That would mean we should prioritize our preparations in this city... Right?” Ryoma said.
Right now, what he needed was more detailed information about the peninsula and about this city, Epirus. He knew that walking into Wortenia in their present state would likely be suicide. It’d simply land them in the stomachs of monsters.
Ryoma and his group were lacking in everything, from equipment to topographical information. Apparently, the Wortenia Peninsula was dotted with pirate enclaves and demi-human villages. The key word was “apparently,” as there was no concrete proof of their existence. Even if there were such proof, it wasn’t as if they could barter with the pirates and demi-humans for food and water, anyway.
As such, food and water was their biggest concern, and until they formed a self-sufficient city, they would need to rely on Epirus for a stream of supplies. They’d need to find a company that would help them in that regard.
True to its name as the Fulcrum of the North, Epirus was dotted with countless firms of different sizes. Given the scope of their upcoming operations, they’d need a company that sells wholesale, while also not having too many attachments to the governor. There was a chance the governor might try to interfere with the trade.
“We’ll have to pick carefully from the companies here in Epirus,” Lione said.
“It’s like you said, Sis. If we just deal with any company we find, we could end up with the rug pulled from under our feet when we head deeper into the peninsula.”
They had already assessed the situation thoroughly. Every one of them was doing their best to ensure they survived.
“We will search for the right company...” Laura quickly allotted the two of them a role. “For now, we’ll check which businesses deal predominantly with commoners. Will that be acceptable?”
“Yeah, please do.”
This was proof that Laura had a solid grasp on the situation. Sara likewise nodded quietly, showing she understood just as well.
“Then Boltz, you handle the guild. We need as much detailed information on Wortenia as you can get. Especially the positions of any rivers or lakes, and everything you can gather about what types of monsters are breeding there.”
“Understood, lad! Leave it to me!” Boltz drummed a fist against his chest assuredly.
Ryoma nodded, and this time turned to Gennou. No one was more suitable than he and Sakuya for the task of gathering information. Upon noticing Ryoma’s gaze, Gennou’s eyes glinted sharply.
“Gennou, I need you to investigate this city’s influential figures, namely Count Salzberg. Their family structures, their weaknesses, their strengths, everything! We’ll have to make this city our base for a while.”
“I see, milord... Having the influential figures of this city on our side would be ideal,” Gennou replied.
Ryoma’s expression became pleased.
“But don’t do anything that would make you stand out. Be especially careful around Count Salzberg. From what Lady Helena told me, he’s got a very... particular personality. The worst thing we can do is accidentally antagonize him.”
“Consider it done...” Gennou bowed his head reverently. “Do not worry, milord, by tomorrow I will have answered your expectations.”
“Boy... You want me to handle the mercenaries?” Lione asked.
Ryoma turned his gaze toward her. With Gennou and Sakuya investigating the town’s influential figures, Ryoma and Lione were the only ones left without a task. Lione knew her role well enough, though.
“Yeah... But not in the way you think. I want you to pick out the really skilled people, and do it behind the scenes... Honestly, now would be a good time to build up our numbers, but given that we can’t expect any income right now, that will be difficult...”
“Should I tell ’em we’re looking for knights, then?” Lione asked. “Saying we’re looking for knight candidates attracts a different crowd compared to if we say we’re looking for mercenaries.”
Ryoma shook his head. It was equivalent to looking for full time workers as compared to part time workers.
“No... Of course, in the future they might end up being our knights, but for now keep them employed as mercenaries. We should pick up and keep whoever looks worthwhile among them. And that way, we can filter out the problematic ones... See?”
“Problematic ones...?” Sara repeated the words quizzically.
“Like spies sent i
n from the governors of the neighboring countries,” Ryoma answered with a light smile.
“Those would be annoying,” Lione said in a teasing tone. “If we’re hiring some nobodies we’ve never heard of before, why not hire groups like Arand’s and Gran’s? They have a great deal of respect for ya.”
Ryoma met those words with a smile. He was close enough to those people that, if it weren’t for Queen Lupis and her foul tricks, they all considered forming a new mercenary group led by Ryoma. Taking them along would usually have been the obvious course of action, but Ryoma didn’t choose to do so.
“Well, I considered that... But I figured that since I’ll be needing trustworthy people later on, I’d rather squander people I’m not as attached to... You know?”
“By the gods, you’re such a frightening, evil man...” Lione cracked a thin, dark smirk.
“Investing in the name of a better future... I guess that about sums it up.” Ryoma shrugged.
It would take years for this groundwork to begin bearing fruit. In a sense, this was something of a wasteful choice on Ryoma’s behalf, given that his life depended on the success of his governing over the Wortenia Peninsula. But on the other hand, preparing for what he was to do in the event his groundwork paid off was also an apt hand to play.
Whether this groundwork pays off or not is all a gamble that hinges on me being able to make this peninsula my land.
Ryoma’s mind wandered to Gran and the others, who were now spread out across the continent. Lione was likely thinking the same thing. After a long moment of silence, Lione parted her lips to speak again.
“Well, I guess that’s enough about Gran... So, I should hire them as mercenaries.”
“Yeah, for the time being. We might not have money to pay any salaries later down the line, after all.”
He honestly wanted to hire them as knights, but given how unclear their outlook was, employing them for the long term was too dangerous. They were better off with mercenaries that would simply stop working for them once they ran out of money, than with knights that might turn against them once things go sour.
“You might be right... Maybe refrain from hiring any more knights until the peninsula’s development is underway.” Being the leader of a mercenary group gave Lione some insight into how running an army is a high-cost, low-return endeavor. “Well, anyway, I’ll handle it! How many people are ya gonna need, though? The skilled ones cost a pretty penny.”
Skilled mercenaries requested higher wages, of course. Lione wouldn’t be able to progress things without knowing what their budget was. Faced with her question, Ryoma turned his gaze to Laura. He’d let the Malfist sisters handle the tasks of depositing and withdrawing his money.
“We have roughly four thousand gold coins on hand,” she replied fluently. “That’s Master Ryoma’s personal wealth. Besides that, we have the five thousand gold coins promised to us by Queen Lupis, but we’re set to receive those at a later date.”
“Well, hell, I didn’t know you were rich!” Lione said, her eyes wide in surprise.
Her surprise was understandable. Four thousand gold coins was the wealth of a middle-tier noble. There were a few reasons as to why Ryoma had amassed such a fortune. First, there was the money and jewels he stole from the slaver Azoth when he rescued the Malfist sisters. That accounted for most of his funds, but there was also the money he earned as an adventurer and the reward he received for his activities in the civil war.
And the five thousand gold coins the Kingdom of Rhoadseria was to deliver to them in development funds was added to this. It gave the illusion that his financial situation was secure, but there were many problems to address.
“But we’ll be starting by building up a village, and it’ll be in an undeveloped, unpopulated land...”
It wasn’t outright impossible to develop a wasteland from the ground up in this world, but that was assuming it was only an undeveloped frontier, and not a blasted hell of a land.
“We’ll need a bit more leeway than this, eh?” Lione asked.
Ryoma nodded. It would take years from the point in time they built a stronghold in the peninsula until their income stabilized, and until then, these nine thousand gold pieces were Ryoma’s lifeline. Honestly, it didn’t matter how economical they might be. It wouldn’t be enough.
“Then how about five hundred golds?” Lione suggested. “With that I’ll get enough people for a year... About two hundred or so men. That should give us some leeway for buying water and provisions, right?”
“Yes, I think we’ll be able to manage that much.” Laura nodded.
“Roger, roger.” Lione nodded vigorously. “Ya alright with that, boy?”
Having led a mercenary group for years, Lione was capable of discerning a mercenary’s skill with ease. She was a perfect fit for this role. Except...
Two hundred men... So two hundred and thirty, including us...
How skilled the men they found could greatly influence their war potential, but compared to this Earth’s logic, this was the number of men usually affiliated with a count’s household. Except, those numbers normally consisted of knights, and a normal noble would be able to conscript their subjects in order to bolster their army.
They both held the same title of count, but Count Salzberg was in charge of defending a border and Count Bergstone was situated at the capital. The number of knights serving them wasn’t the same, of course.
Thinking of it from that perspective, Ryoma’s current number of men was certainly small. Perhaps it could be seen as more than enough of a military force given his status as a newly-formed baron household, but since he didn’t have any people to conscript, his overall number of troops was quite clearly lacking.
The question is whether we can control Wortenia with all those powerful monsters crawling around... That’ll probably be a difficult task.
Truth be told, if this peninsula could be controlled with a force of this size, one noble or another would have probably tried to do so already. After all, from just a geographical standpoint, the region was overflowing with benefits. A cursory look at the map made it blatantly obvious.
Being a peninsula, Wortenia obviously had access to the sea from the north, east and west, with the only inland route being to the south. That route was also a winding, serpentine road strewn with perilous cliffs and forests. It didn’t give the impression of a solitary island, but upon closer examination, this no-man’s land would be revealed to have a mountain of treasure.
Foolish as the nobles may have been, it was hard to believe no one ever tried to make this region their own. And indeed, someone else seemed to have reached the same conclusion as Ryoma.
“But I do believe we’re a touch too understaffed to challenge that cursed land...” Boltz, who had kept quiet until now, parted his lips to speak. “It’s obvious our funds are not bottomless, but what do you have in mind, lad?”
He led a mercenary group alongside Lione, so it was perhaps natural he would hold these doubts. Ryoma himself wasn’t confident that his force of a bit over two hundred would be enough.
He’s right, but even if we want to gather more troops, we can’t do it now. We need more detailed information to craft a plan...
In strategy games, soldiers were but a number, a statistic on the screen, but in reality things were different. They need food, slumber, and clothes. The important part was knowing how to gauge the right number. Ryoma took a deep breath and put his thoughts into words.
“Yes, I agree with your concerns, Boltz. We may need more people... But Lione, keep gathering people like we decided. I’ll observe the situation and think of something we can do.”
He was only pushing the problem to a later date, but his conclusion was that there was no point thinking about it right now.
“Understood, lad... My apologies for speaking out of line.” Boltz lowered his head, sensing the conflict in Ryoma’s heart.
“Roger that, I’ll see to it!” Lione tapped her chest with her fist.
This left Ryoma as the only one without a task.
“What do you intend to do, Master Ryoma?” Sara asked.
“Me...? I think I’ll go meet Count Salzberg,” Ryoma said.
“Epirus’s governor? Why bother meeting with him...? Won’t he just look down on ya for being a commoner upstart?” Lione said, with almost everyone else nodding in agreement.
Her suspicions were well-founded. It was Queen Lupis’s betrayal that got them into this predicament, after all, and so being suspicious of the nobility felt like the natural response.
Gennou, however, seemed to be in agreement with Ryoma.
“Ah... A fine idea,” he said.
“What do you mean, Gennou?” Lione hadn’t caught on to the reason yet.
Her gaze fixed on the old man. Though it wasn’t an antagonistic glare; merely a curious, questioning look. This was where Lione excelled. She was poised to hear and understand the other party’s opinion.
It may seem like a simple trait to have, but it was actually quite hard to abide by it in practice. It was something the nobles of this world lacked as a whole, with Rhoadseria’s aristocracy being the most striking example.
“True, the nobles of this land are rotten for the most part. We’ve seen that well enough... And indeed, just as you suspect, Lione, it is quite probable Count Salzberg is up to no good. But the reality of things is that Epirus neighbors Wortenia, and so meeting with its governor would be wise... And conversely, should milord not give his greetings, the count may hold it against him and attempt to harass him for it.”
The idea of the count using that as a pretense to treat them unfairly felt vividly real to Lione. After all, if they were to survive in the peninsula, they would have to depend on Epirus for provisions. If they drew the governor’s ire for whatever reason, he could pressure local companies, and that would increase their expenses.
“Aye... I can see that happening.”
“Right? Nobles have a way of being very fragile about their sense of pride...”
Noble pride may have had a nice ring to it, but it was actually haughtiness and arrogance for the most part. They were blind to their own lack of respect toward others, while exceedingly keen when others were insolent toward them. Nobles of that type were the overwhelming majority. Everyone seemed satisfied with Gennou’s explanation.