Chapter 109. Treaty (1)

They say that sound also has a time when it is heard well.

For example, even if you chat with the same volume outdoors, it is said that you can hear it from further away at night.

This is due to the density of the air; the earth and the air around it, which have cooled rapidly during the night, have a higher density than the upper atmosphere, so sound, which is a vibration of the medium, is refracted downwards.

Conversely, during the day, sound spreads upwards.

This is why the sound of conversation from a distance is heard less clearly than at night.

If we add a little imagination, since sound spreads upwards, wouldn't birds flying in the sky hear better during the day?

So, the proverb left by our ancestors, 'a bird hears the day's words and a rat hears the night's words,' is scientifically quite accurate.

“Hey, have you guys tried the new cookies? Battalion Commander Karen developed them, and they just melt in your mouth…!”

“Oh my! Wasn't that what Sir Tember was eating earlier?”

Right now, I'm in the bird's position.

Because I'm on the third floor of a high-ceilinged bakery with a panoramic view of the plaza.

The noise from the plaza comes in unfiltered through the slightly open window.

Among them, the conversation, which sounded like screams from some unknown women, was particularly piercing.

“No, I left my bible behind earlier and hurriedly went in through the back door of the church, and guess what? Sir Tember was washing himself in the backyard today!”

“Hmph? You girl!”

“I didn't mean to look. But his sculpted body was so handsome….”

This is ridiculous.

Indecent talk in the plaza.

Isn't that public indecency?

As a lord whose spiritual home is a country of ‘boys and girls should not sit together after the age of seven,’ I couldn't stand it and briefly looked down.

I doubted my eyes for a moment.

They are priestesses.

Judging by their attire, they are not official, but novice priests.

“Is it Sir Tember this time? You're going to get called by Bishop Alina again if you keep this up.”

“Oops, keep it a secret…!”

I closed the window after hearing the sound of their giggling.

I need to give Tambourine a firm warning.

For such scandalous remarks to be exchanged between the holy priests of the church.

The prestige of the Luark Church is being tarnished.

“Bishop Alina… you mean the priestess who came to Gunterburk with you before?”

Guild Master Kambad, Darwin Kambad, who was sitting opposite me, asked, lifting his teacup.

In the spacious reception room, myself, Darwin, Bart, William, and old man Poodle were sitting around a single table.

We were in the middle of discussing the design of the western blacksmith district.

“You remember? I don't think you've seen her face.”

“I only heard the story that she protected the soldiers with a tremendous miracle in the plaza battle.”

It's true.

It was when the defensive line that had blocked hundreds of Horned Ones was breached by the Praetorian Guard Minotaurs.

It was a fierce battle.

Half of the Imperial soldiers I was commanding that day died.

The Minotaur unit that broke through the main gate of the Cathedral quickly began to slaughter the soldiers.

We managed to hold them off, but one that broke through the spear wall charged at the crossbowmen in the rear.

If it hadn't been for Alina, the crossbow squad would have been annihilated on the spot.

The collapse of the crossbow squad would have inevitably led to a lack of firepower.

In conclusion, if it hadn't been for the [Shield of Faith] miracle she performed, less than ten people would have survived that day.

It would be better to borrow the words of William, who was protected in the rear, rather than mine, who was fighting a life-or-death battle with the Minotaurs, to describe her performance.

“When the Bishop raised her hands high into the sky, a brilliant white light enveloped us and formed a shield….”

I thought to myself, listening with my chin propped on my hand.

Perhaps it's because the topic has shifted this way.

The words Alina said last night began to linger in my mind.

“…….”

It was definitely a regular report as usual.

Until the very end.

‘What is our relationship?’

I'm not a fool.

I know what that question means.

I know she has feelings for me.

I'm not unaware that it's a feeling that goes beyond simple respect or the affection of a brother and sister who share the same faith.

I'm a man in my prime.

I was before I fell into this land, and the body I wear here, although I don't know its exact age, still retains the vigor of a young man.

For someone like me to reject someone like Alina, who cannot be called ordinary even with empty words, is not an easy thing to do.

She was a beauty whose fan art was mass-produced even when she appeared as the 'Fallen Saintess' in the game.

Naturally, now that she is not fallen, she is even more beautiful.

But.

‘I'm sorry.’

I refused.

‘I have no intention of getting married or having a lover right now. I don't know about later, though.’

To be precise, it was a postponement on my part, but in a way that the other person might not take it as such.

‘…Is that so.’

‘Alina, it's not that you're not attractive. I mean it.’

I'll be honest.

I think I deserve to be criticized.

What if this were a novel or a game?

A nickname like 'impotent protagonist' would have been attached to me in the game reviews or comments.

But even if I went back to yesterday, I would have given the same answer.

‘May I ask for the reason… if it's alright?’

‘I know it sounds weak, but I'm afraid of the time when I won't be able to protect you after you become my lover.’

It's not a lie.

A deep relationship with her would be a burden on my heart.

Of course, my mind itself is thoroughly protected by [Lord’s Unyielding Mind].

However, one must not forget that among the very few heroes who possess [Lord’s Unyielding Mind] is our psychopath iron-blooded Emperor.

That cheat trait only keeps the holder's mental strength in top condition.

It doesn't mean it leads their personality in a positive direction.

It's unlikely, but let's say a neighboring domain declares a domain war, and Alina, who has become my lover, dies on the battlefield.

To put it bluntly, is there a law that says I won't turn the Empire into a sea of fire for revenge?

Or let's say she dies in a battle with orcs.

Wouldn't I declare a subjugation to wipe out the orcs?

Even at the risk of losing many soldiers and perhaps another commander-level casualty in the process.

The battlefield is a place where anyone can die in the blink of an eye.

I can't take on any more risks.

I'm already having nightmares every night just from the deaths of my soldiers.

What was unexpected was Alina's answer.

‘I had no idea. That you possessed such delicate sensibilities, my benefactor.’

‘…Sensibilities? Well, yes.’

‘Thank you.’

‘Huh?’

‘The weight you carry on your back. I still don't understand it all, but I was able to understand at least a little bit.’

‘…….’

‘The relationship we have now is good too. I will be waiting here. Someday, when that weight becomes too much to bear, so that I can share even a little of it….’

I don't remember the conversation after that very well.

The only thing that's certain is that I awkwardly left the place and returned to the city.

After that, I took a short nap in the lord's castle and then came here.

“This way, like this, and I'll put pillars here and there….”

I sipped my tea and watched Darwin and old man Poodle discussing the blueprints.

That guild master, surprisingly, also had a knack for design.

He got along well with old man Poodle, who had already gained a high level of skill through many construction projects.

“If you build it like this, the pillars won't be able to support the load. You either have to change the ceiling or distribute the center of gravity with three pillars from here to here….”

“Oh, by Luark, that was a close call.”

“Where do you get the quicklime from?”

“We import it. We get it from the quarry near Gunterburk.”

“The quality will deteriorate if the transportation period is long in the hot and humid south. I know a limestone quarry. It would be better to get the stone itself from there and make it here….”

In between, stories I didn't know began to be exchanged.

I listened moderately and sank deep into the sofa.

Creak-

I turned my head.

I saw a flock of birds flying north outside the window.

Half a year has already passed since the Lumer ruins incident.

They were peaceful days.

It was the first time since I fell into this land that an incident hadn't occurred for this long.

Looking back, in the early days, a fight broke out almost every other day.

Is it because of that memory?

For some reason, my gut tells me that this peace won't last much longer.

“…….”

It's a seasoned player's intuition.

***

I've been making good use of the communication crystal sphere that Viscount Pewin gave me.

I didn't think much of it when I didn't have it, but now that I do, I can't imagine a life without it.

Just like a computer or a smartphone.

I can see why the nobles spend a fortune to get a communication crystal sphere.

[A dwarf prince? That's amazing. To have crossed the wasteland and the Vampire Archduchy all by himself.]

Lately, I seem to be talking with Archduke Gabir quite often.

It used to be once every fortnight, but at some point, the interval shortened to once every ten days, and now it's about once a week.

Perhaps I've been included in his 'important people' list.

It's not strange.

There has probably never been a domain that has grown at such a rapid pace before.

[So, what did that dwarf prince come all that way for? Was it a pilgrimage?]

“It seemed a bit desperate to be a pilgrimage. He said he was requesting reinforcements.”

[Reinforcements?]

Anyway, the topic of today's call is the dwarves.

About the visit of the dwarf prince, Balkan, son of Ungol, and his request for support.

I also explained the reason why we are not sending support.

Not in too much detail.

Just something like, if the dwarf hold has fallen by more than half to the orcs, something must have gone wrong.

[The timing is coincidental. Just a few days ago, Viscount Pewin set out on an orc subjugation.]

“He's already left? I heard he was preparing.”

[Viscount Pewin is the type to act quickly. The target areas won't overlap, but I'll have to tell him to consider supporting the Everlasting Mountains Hold if he has the capacity.]

The Archduke said.

Actually, it's a story I heard two days ago.

Thanks to old man Brol.

This is because his information network has become quite wide after nearly a year of growing his organization.

[What does the dwarf say he will do? Will he return to his homeland immediately?]

“He says he'll stay for a while.”

[Really? I see.]

“Have you investigated the ruins?”

[Thanks to you. Fortunately, it seems none have awakened yet. Thank you for sharing. Count Maenenwood also asked me to pass on his thanks.]

Half a year ago, after dealing with the Lumer ruins under the mine, I discreetly warned the nobles I knew.

I said something like, after investigating the ruins, it seems that if one awakens, others might awaken as well, so it would be better to be careful if there are similar ruins nearby.

The Imperial court and Archduke Gabir must be well-informed about the Lumer Emperor.

It is said that they have taken measures such as dispatching Imperial troops to the domains with ruins for security.

Among them was Count Maenenwood, who was granted the Berenburg domain for his service in the civil war.

He was practically responsible for the early development of my domain.

I should at least do this much for him.

[There are claims that we should impose a customs duty on Wolfskrig's steel, saying it's destroying the market….]

After that, we talked about various things for about ten more minutes before ending the call.

[Aren't you just producing high-quality steel at a low price for the Empire? Considering the price of steel in the north, the south was too expensive.]

[I'm thinking of requesting the enactment of a law to prevent the imposition of inappropriate tariffs.]

[Is the construction of the magic tower going well? It's a bit different from building a normal building. Let me know if you need help.]

They were exchanged like idle chatter, but they were stories that could determine the speed of my domain's development.

[I hope you will continue to work hard for the Empire and His Majesty the Emperor.]

After the call, I thought for a moment.

Viscount Pewin's orc subjugation army.

It's a good opportunity.

Putting a hold, especially the most powerful one, in my debt is like gaining a permanent allied force armed with steam engines and gunpowder weapons.

And if I join forces with Viscount Pewin, the chances of victory will be much higher than I previously predicted.

According to old man Brol's information, the number of the subjugation army alone is over thirty thousand.

It is a subjugation order that he, who had been sharpening his sword against the eastern orcs for over half a year, finally proclaimed in the Emperor's name.

It is said that he gathered all the support troops from the neighboring domains, including the support of the Imperial army, and marched into the wasteland.

‘If it's an orc subjugation, would that woman, the Mad Fire Witch, have followed along?’

Of course, it's not easy right now.

To join him, I have to go to the eastern wasteland, and the road to the wasteland is the territory of the Vampire Archduchy.

Although we are officially in a hostile relationship with the Vampire Archduchy, we are currently maintaining a precarious peace using the identity of Tribus.

It means there's no need to go out of my way to stir things up.

Just like before, it's better to postpone the decision for now.

It was the moment I thought that.

“Viscount! Viscount, there's big trouble!”

Old man Brol burst into the office.

He said, stroking his bandit-like beard, which was beaded with sweat.

“An undead army! Thousands of zombies and skeletons are marching from the Vampire Archduchy towards the southern part of the domain!”

This changes the story.