Chapter : 75

Supplies were money.

The food the soldiers ate, the weapons and armor they used, and even various consumables like hay for the horses or medicinal herbs.

There was nothing that wasn’t money.

Besides, weren’t the nobles a bit extravagant?

They were the type to hold banquets for their own dignity even during a war.

The army of the [Pangea Universalise] era was a place where money flowed out with every breath.

Therefore, being in charge of their supplies was like sitting on a massive pile of money.

‘That’s why I was actually pleased.’

Moreover, most nobles considered matters related to supplies dishonorable, thinking they had to haggle with merchants over money matters.

As long as the supplies were delivered on time and the price and quality were reasonable, they didn’t pay much attention.

It was truly a world of blind money.

That’s why, apart from the complaints of my vassals, I thoroughly enjoyed building the supply network.

“I’d like to supply half of the goods you’ll be distributing from my domain. Would that be possible?”

“W-well, Your Excellency. Not only is the volume of supplies large, but we also have places we already source from….”

“Hmph. The goods from my domain are cheap and the production volume is high. If you’re doubtful, ask Baron Pierre. He will answer you faithfully.”

“Uhm….”

“In return, I will grant you permission to use the port of Mangtong City. The conditions will be as per the customs of each city, but you will have to restore the port that was damaged this time.”

Today, I was once again calling the Jubo merchants and using access to the port as bait to open up sales channels for the goods produced in my ‘factories’.

I had heard that there were an increasing number of items piling up due to overproduction, and now I could finally clear them out.

At a pretty good price, too.

Furthermore, by passing the restoration costs of the fire-damaged port onto the Jubo merchants, it was truly killing two birds with one stone.

Of course, Magician Agpiel found me absurd for doing so.

“What kind of lord loves money so much? Anyone who didn’t know would think you were from a merchant family.”

“Isn’t it all for the purpose of making the domain rich and strong and developing it?”

“And such a person burned down half of this massive city?”

“Urgh.”

He mercilessly beat me with facts.

But having committed a sin, I was lost for words and could only smack my lips.

“Tsk…”

The massive fire that swept through Mangtong City, contrary to my expectations, had caused enormous damage.

Half of the residential area was burned down, a part of the port was lost, the commercial district was paralyzed…. It was a complete and utter mess.

Thankfully, the administrative buildings, including the City Council Chamber, were undamaged, which made the recovery a bit faster.

‘The experience from Markel City also played a part in this…. I’m not sure if I should be happy about it.’

Because I had burned down a city once before, I could handle the aftermath quickly-!

It was something I couldn’t proudly boast about. If people around heard it, they would be horrified and point fingers….

As I was bickering with Magician Agpiel, a servant came in and brought an unexpected guest.

“Margrave.”

“Hmm? What is it?”

“Um…. The Prince-elector of Bohemia is outside requesting an audience.”

* * *

It was an unexpected visit, but the purpose of the elf king, the Prince-elector of Bohemia’s, visit was so simple it was anticlimactic.

He just came to say hello, he said.

Before leading his army out for the southern subjugation.

“Tsk, what a shame.”

And as soon as they met, the elf king, the Prince-elector of Bohemia, smacked his lips and expressed his disappointment.

“The battlefield needs people like you.”

“You praise me too much, Your Highness the Prince-elector.”

“What do you mean, praise! Think about the merits you’ve achieved. What can those foolish kingdom nobles do? There are no trustworthy human nobles. Ah, except for you.”

“……”

As always, listening to the words of the elf king, the Prince-elector of Bohemia, had a way of making my mind go blank.

“People are jealous of successful people, especially excellent elves like us. I, too, was subjected to much jealousy and checks in my youth…. In that sense, you really resemble me.”

‘Isn’t it just that they dislike you because you’re obnoxious?’

Honestly, that seemed more likely, but I managed to hide my true thoughts. If I said what was on my mind, an awkward silence might descend.

I smiled as brightly as I could and said.

“Is that so? It is an honor. I have always held Your Highness in high esteem. I suddenly recall the previous lord in my childhood saying you were the model of a knight.”

“Oh, really? I didn’t know that friend would have said that. He never showed it in front of me.”

When the elf king, the Prince-elector of Bohemia, tilted his head, I thought, ‘oops’.

“Wasn’t it all because he was shy? Besides, admiration is always expressed where the person isn’t present.”

“Hmm. Well, that’s true. Hahaha.”

Fortunately, the Prince-elector of Bohemia didn’t seem to be thinking too deeply. He was soon pleased with my flattering words.

‘Hmm, he seems somewhat pathetic…’

But what could I do?

Rank was king. Besides, since the Prince-elector of Bohemia was the commander-in-chief of this subjugation, it was necessary to be tactful and make a good impression.

A little bit of flattery wouldn’t kill me.

“By the way, do you really have no intention of going together? If you wish, I will crush the surrounding complaints.”

As I was thinking that, the elf king, the Prince-elector of Bohemia, asked casually.

I was startled and shook my head.

“No, sir. We must give them a chance to earn merit as well. Besides, I must repair the damage sustained during the siege.”

“Is that so?”

“Yes, Your Highness the Prince-elector.”

I had no intention of roaming the battlefields with that war-crazed elf king.

‘Am I crazy to go to a battlefield?’

I had already earned all the merit I could.

I had no intention of going to war and earning the resentment of the surrounding nobles. I just wanted to leisurely suck the honey from the supplies in the rear.

Besides, with this decision, I could pretend to give the nobles a chance, which was truly the icing on the cake.

Of course, the elf king, the Prince-elector of Bohemia, seemed to think that my actions were because I was wary of the nobles.

“An outstanding warrior like you has no need to be wary of those small fries…. Doesn’t a warrior need fierce battle, not the counting of lowly coins?”

Taking a step back, the Prince-elector of Bohemia sighed as if disappointed.

No matter how good the position, if the person himself didn’t want it, there was nothing to be done.

As I politely refused, even the reckless elf king, the Prince-elector of Bohemia, had no choice.

“If you truly think so, then it can’t be helped. I will respect your wishes.”

“Thank you, Your Highness.”

“But be sure to remember this-!”

“???”

I paused.

Why the emphasis…? Could it be that he still hadn’t given up?

“When the southern heretic subjugation is roughly finished, I will call for you. To drag the King of Aragon from his throne. If you stand at the vanguard with me then and achieve great merit…”

But at the words that followed, I couldn’t help but widen my eyes in surprise.

“I will give you the port city of Figueres in the Kingdom of Aragon. This is not mere rhetoric, it is real. If you wish, I can even notarize it in a document.”

“!”

The port city of Figueres.

Though not as great as Tarragona, the capital of Aragon passed down from the ancient empire, it was still one of the most prominent trading ports on the southern coast.

The tax revenue from that place was comparable to that of a decent county, and its value could not be expressed in words.

And now.

“What do you say? Bellua Margrave.”

That Prince-elector of Bohemia was offering to give me such a city.

* * *

“What did you talk about for so long? The elf king left with a very pleased expression.”

“He asked me to join him when he attacks the Kingdom of Aragon, so I said yes.”

“Hmm, the Kingdom of Aragon? Are you thinking of participating in a war that far away?”

“Haha…”

At that question, I laughed awkwardly and scratched my head.

Just a short while ago, I had said I would focus on supplies and internal affairs in the rear. But to come and reverse it today. It was awkward to explain.

But Magician Agpiel just chuckled as if it were nothing and replied.

“You must have received something. Did you receive a domain? Hmm, fiefs would be difficult since you have to take care of your vassals… you must have received a city?”

“Oh…?”

I was amazed at his incredible deductive power.

To grasp the context and get it right in one go.

“Can you read minds or something? As it happens, the Prince-elector of Bohemia offered Figueres.”

“Mind reading? What’s that?”

Magician Agpiel seemed more interested in the term ‘mind reading’ than the city the Prince-elector of Bohemia had promised.

I thought, ‘oops’.

“Ah-! It’s like a miracle of reading minds that they talk about in the Eastern Empire. Haha…. I happened to read about it in a book.”

“Hmm, I see. A strange ability I’ve never heard of. Do you remember the name of the book? Perhaps I might discover a mystery I don’t know of there.”

“W-well, it was so long ago that I don’t remember, Magician Agpiel.”

“Is that so? What a shame…. If you happen to remember, please let me know.”

I quickly made it up, but thankfully, Magician Agpiel seemed to believe me. I let out a sigh of relief inwardly and continued.

“Ahem. Anyway, I thought a city like Figueres was a good offer, so I accepted.”

“Hmm, Figueres is good. As a major trading city in the southwest of the continent, you could see great profits by linking it with Mangtong City, which you’ve acquired.”

At Magician Agpiel’s words, my face brightened.

“I was thinking the same thing.”

If I used my connections with the merchant guilds participating as Jubo merchants this time to establish a trade network connecting Mangtong City and Figueres, I might be able to sell the vast amount of goods produced in my domain far and wide to the southwest of the continent.

Furthermore, it might even be possible to reach the desert kingdoms across the sea.

“By the way, that elf king must think very highly of you. To give you such a city in return for participating in the war…. I thought he would give you a small city.”

“Doesn’t that just mean the situation within the Holy Empire is that complicated, Magician Agpiel?”

“Indeed, if he makes a great lord of another country on the empire’s border his ally, it would be a huge headache for the emperor. Haha.”

Just as the Kingdom of Elang was divided, the Holy Empire was also in chaos.

The prince-electors were covetously eyeing the imperial throne, and the old emperor, though still powerful, was becoming increasingly isolated.

It was because he had made too many enemies in his youth.

On top of that, the Holy See was also coveting influence over the secular monarchs, so it was a complete mess, five minutes before chaos.

But that’s why Magician Agpiel advised even more cautiously.

“Still, you must be careful. The Holy Roman Emperor is still rich and has a strong army. He is not someone to be taken lightly. There is no need to make an enemy of him.”

“Hmm, I understand.”

It was a valid point, so I nodded my head.

Wasn’t I in a situation where I hadn’t even dealt with the threats around me? In this situation, if the Holy Roman Emperor also became an enemy, it could be disastrous.

However.

Still, I had my own calculations.

‘The Great Famine…!’

A massive global event that would shake the power structure of [Pangea Universalise] was approaching.

When that time came, they would have no time to pay attention to me-! So until then, I planned to walk the tightrope as much as possible.

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