Vol 3 Chapter 2 (1/2)
Chapter 2
Chapter 3 Episode 2
Editor: SniperIRL
Western Continent Calendar August 5, 2812: (Towards the Peninsula 2)
Fort city Epiroz.
The city is located northwest of the Rozeria Kingdom, and it is a key border point.
The city was protected from invaders by a 10 meter high wall.
The city itself has 3 entrance points. They are positioneds at the east, west and the north side of the city. The lords castle is located in the south.
Everyone within the kingdom knows that the city is a defense facility, a protective wall between the Rozeria and Zalda Kingdoms. The result, the citizens know the city as a city that was able to prevent multiple invasions by the neighboring country. However, those who live in the city know that living in this city feels like a kettle lid holding down what's inside...
Currently, Ryouma's group is inside a room they rented in an inn within the city.
After finis.h.i.+ng all the procedures they reached the fortified city, the gateway toward Wortenia peninsula.
Currently, Ryouma's core member up to Bolts is inside the room while relaxing.
They are discussing their future plans.
”Because this was a border town, it is no wonder being a defense specialized, but it seems like it was not built just for preventing invasions.”
Bolts said those words while shrugging his shoulders.
There is something that someone who has been working as a mercenary for years always does first before doing other things.
And that is purchasing and gathering information the moment they arrived at the inn.
”Rather than invasion, they built the city like this to prevent monsters entering the Rozeria Kingdom, am I right?”
Bolts nodded his head.
”It seems like the place we're heading is more severe than we had initially thought...”
Everyone nodded their head agreeing with Bolts' words. They all know that it was a harsh land since they were at the royal capital. However...
”For now our first priority is prepare everything we need in this city...”
What they need now is detailed information regarding the fort city and the Wortenia peninsula. If they entered the peninsula just like this, they would undoubtedly end up dead. Geographical information, necessary equipment, Ryouma does not have all of these aspects in his possession.
Not only that, pirates and demi-human villages seems to have existed within the peninsula. Next, there's also a problem of food and water.
There's no doubt that they can't buy them from the pirates and demi-humans. Which means, until Ryouma and the others can establish a town, they would have to buy their necessity from this fortified city. Considering that, one has to also carefully choose a trading partner properly.
They need to know all the circ.u.mstances within this neighborhood.
Because they have to do their best to survive.
”We sisters will be the ones who are going around for negotiation with the various companies...”
”Fumu, I leave it to you both then...”
Laura has picked up both sisters role.
Ryouma also understand that she has a clear understanding of what to do for the present situation.
Even Sara also understands that which she, in turn, nodded agreeing with her sister suggestion.
”Then Bolts-san should go to the guild. Gather information about the peninsula as much as possible. Especially the locations of rivers and lakes. And don't forget all the information regarding the mo
nsters inhabiting the peninsula.”
”Understood, young master! Please leave it to me!”
Bolts tap his chest with his right arm.
After nodded Ryouma turned his eyes toward Genou.
For him, there are no qualified people other than Genou and Sakuya when it comes to gathering information at any place.
Noticing Ryouma's gaze, Genou's eyes s.h.i.+ne sharply.
”Genou investigate the influential people in this town... Family composition, character, weakness, strength... I want all of that information since we're going to make our base here for a while...”
”I see... Indeed, it is best for us to make sure the influential people in this town are on our side...”
Ryouma nodded his head, satisfied with Genou's answer.
”However, don't do anything noticeable alright? It would be troublesome if they turn hostile toward us right now...”
”Please rest a.s.sured... I will answer my lord’s expectations without fail...”
Genou gently lowered his head.
”Boy... Then should I get some mercenaries?”
While Sakuya joined Genou in gathering information regarding the influential people, only Ryouma and Lione left.
But, it seems like Lione already understand what her role was.
”Indeed... Only Lione-san is capable of doing this job, please select capable people with good skills... I would like to increase our numbers as much as possible, but since we don't yet have clear revenue, we need to keep it reasonable...”
”Should we offer them knight job?”
”No... In the future, I will employ all of you as knights under me, but for now, I want to hire people as mercenaries employed by me...”
Of course, he wants to hire people as knights under him, but it would be too dangerous to hire people in a situation where everything is not yet clear. Anyways, it was not even clear if Ryouma can secure the salaries if he wants to hire them as knights.
”I see, I guess that makes sense... It may be better for us to keep the knight's employment away until the territory development has gone on track...”
Lione who has the experience of leading a mercenary group understands how big military expenditure can get.
”Well if that the case please leave it to me! How many people are you going to hire? It will cost money if you want skilled people, you understand that, yes?”
Naturally, good mercenary comes with high price. If Ryouma did not say how much budget he has, Lione won't be able to begin the negotiation.
In respondse to her question, Ryouma's eyes turned to Laura. All of his money is in the hands of the Marfisto sisters.
”We have 35 million baht in funds. This all is Ryouma-sama's personal a.s.sets.”
Lione opened her eyes wide hearing Laura's words.
”Eh?! You're actually quite rich aren't you?!”
Her reaction was natural.
Because Ryouma’s a.s.sets are comparable to that of intermediate n.o.bles.
It was the money they got after taking the slave trader’s gold and selling all the jewels.
”However, we will need some funds when we begin creating a village. Developing the land, and we also need some helping hands...”
”In other words, we can only use a small part of that budget?”
Answering Lione's question, Ryouma nodded his head.
This money will become his and the others lifeline. He has to spend it carefully if he wants to survive.
”How about 5 million baht? Hiring them for one year, including their food and water, we should get around 200 people, I think?”
Toward Lione's suggestion, Laura nodded her head in agreement.
”Sure, if it was that much we can prepare it...”
”Alright then! I leave the rest to you Lione-san...”
In respond to Ryouma's words Lione nodded with great power. For her who has the experience of leading a mercenary group, hiring someone with good ability is as easy as eating breakfast. It was a perfect role for her.
Now, Ryouma is the only one who has not yet discussed his schedule.
”Then, what Ryouma-sama planning to do?”
”Me huh? I think I should meet with Earl Salzberg.”
Answering Sara's question, Ryouma told everyone what he was planning to do since a while ago.
”Isn't that person the Epiroz city lord? Why do you want to meet that person? He might involve you with something unpleasant you know? Besides, the n.o.bles here despise commoner rising in status, won't they hara.s.s you?”
Everyone nodded their head agreeing with Lione's words.
Her anxiety can be said as something understandable.
Because of Lupis’ betrayal, a ruler of this very country. They had become distrustful toward the royalty and n.o.bility of this country.
However, Genou seems to agree with Ryouma.
”I see... I think that was not a bad idea though?”
”What do you mean? Genou.”
Lione can't comprehend why Genou agreed with Ryouma.
She turned her questioning gaze toward Genou.
This is where she can be said as a good leader. She has her own opinion yet still willing to understand others. This quality is the one which the n.o.bility within the Rozeria Kingdom is lacking.
”Certainly, not many people within n.o.bility is good... However, we should not isolate ourselves either just because we have misgiving feelings toward them... Looking at the reality, Epiroz city is next to Wortenia peninsula, it is not a bad thing to meet the lord of the city... In fact, it might end up troublesome if we don't visit them immediately and they took it as an insult.”
Hearing Genou's words, Lione can imagine that they will take it as an insult.
In any case, right now, for Ryouma and the others to be able to survive within Wortenia peninsula, they need some supply from the city. If Ryouma makes a mistake and the Earl’s mood turn bad and then ends up putting some pressure so that Ryouma was unable to do any business in the city, Ryouma would end up dried up alone.
”... Certainly... That's highly possible...”
”See... n.o.ble people have a high pride after all...”
Everyone is convinced by Genou's words.
”Well, for now, I would like to see what kind of person he is and if he would become our friend or enemy.
Everyone nodded after listening Ryouma's words.