Volume 5 Chapter 5 Daughter Of Fabulanova
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
It has been 2 weeks since the Black Dragon clan’s Ludmila began to garrison here, but the main force of the royal army has been delayed in arriving.
In these two weeks, only 2 thousand from the royal army have arrived as an advance party.
Once those 2 thousand reached the western fortress, they stopped moving.
The reason seems to be that Gertroud is stubbornly trying to seize control of the army, causing confusion in the command structure.
Gertroud’s reputation has plummeted due to 2 major defeats and the subsequent mishandling, but he seems unwilling to give up, thinking he can regain glory in this expedition and return to the royal capital.
Feeling that Gertroud’s unnecessary meddling might further delay the deployment date, today, I was hunting around Godard village with the Black Dragon Dukedom army, who were idly waiting for the main force that had yet to arrive.
The troops I brought along include Ane’s cavalry and the ‘Black Bullet’ team Manon and ‘Crimson Bride.’
Of course, Dee is not participating.
In contrast, the Black Dragon Dukedom army had all their forces participating.
”Is that the serious Dragonewt species? I was surprised the first time I met them, but they truly are a race that comes to fight. After all, they can fly fast, are tough, and can attack from a distance──truly a triple threat. If Your Highness would allow it, I would want to hire them at a high salary.”
Various elemental breaths were unleashed from the Dragonewt species flying above, showering down on the horde of monsters before me, causing them to vanish in a beautiful swirl of black mist.
The monsters had few means to attack upwards, and even if they retaliated, their strikes were deflected by the tough scales of the Dragonewt species.
”Serious? If they were serious, this land would already be a scorched wasteland. They are probably just enjoying a leisurely hunt.”
A Dragonewt was flying above a horde of monsters at a slow speed, exhaling a flame breath that incinerated the monsters below.
Witnessing this spectacle, I was reaffirmed that the rumor of a single Dragonewt being able to battle a hundred soldiers was true.
Moreover, this Dragonewt revered the Dragonia as if they were gods and showed no mercy to those who harmed or opposed them.
Once Dee’s situation came to light, I envisioned being besieged by all Dragonewts if there was even a hint of misinterpretation.
That was something I absolutely had to avoid.
”So, the strongest military force of the True Demon Kingdom is no joke…”
If we became enemies with the Black Dragon Dukedom, there was a chance that Estfort would be reduced to ashes by their robust armor and high-speed attack units.
Furthermore, they supposedly had resistance to magic, with only about half the magical damage penetrating their bodies.
The Black Dragon race, with their sturdy defenses against both magic and physical attacks, felt like a cheat race known only as the ‘Black Nightmare.’
Of course, they were not invincible.
The membranes supporting their flight abilities were devoid of scales and had softer flesh than usual, making them prone to damage.
Additionally, the inside of their mouths, which served as the breath exhalation point, was soft and susceptible to attacks.
However, both areas were difficult to target, so they were not significant weaknesses.
”I see you’ve come to understand the strength of the Black Dragon army, Lord Blackdagger. I look forward to a lasting friendship with the Blackdagger family.”
It seemed that Rosvita was trying to draw something out of me by showcasing the strength of the Black Dragon race.
”Ah, I’m merely a humble local lord, but I do wish to maintain good relations with the dukedom.”
Rosvita’s eyes sparkled.
”I’ve heard that the southern region can carve out territories as they please.”
”Huh? Ah, I have received such notifications from the kingdom. I was able to receive a letter of authorization from the Kingdom to make Godard my territory. It required a considerable amount of funds, but I managed to succeed in the development.”
In reality, thanks to the groundwork laid by Akebus, the costs for development weren’t that substantial, but I had no intention of honestly revealing that to the vassals of other countries.
”Even so, judging by the prosperity of this Godard village, it seems you have a plan to recover your initial capital, and I’ve heard that Estfort is quite prosperous, with the Blackdagger family living well.”
Rosvita was glancing at my face, seemingly trying to broach a certain topic.
”Ah, thanks to that, my income and expenses are balanced, but… it’s because my wives and I are hunting and earning that I am managing to make ends meet…”
The conversation was starting to take on a suspicious tone.
”Actually, I have a confidential matter to discuss… I would prefer that your highness does not overhear it, so shall we talk inside the tent?”
It seemed that Rosvita had participated in this expedition on a secret mission from Fabulanova.
Reluctantly leaving my highness’s company to Ane, I headed with Rosvita to the supply tent.
* * *
Inside the tent, after ensuring we were alone, Rosvita took out a handwritten map of the southern region from her pocket and began to spread it out on the table.
I was surprised to see the map.
A map on which about 30 percent of the mineral resource information collected by Nikka and compiled by Alphonse was laid out before me.
I made an effort to maintain a calm expression as I faced Rosvita.
”What is this? It looks like a map of the southern region?”
”Exactly. It’s the map of the southern region that I created. Please forgive the handwriting, as I’ve compiled it in the last 2 weeks.”
The map indicated the locations of buried mineral resources such as gold, silver, copper, iron, pure silver, burning stones, and flammable liquids.
For a map compiled in 2 weeks, it appeared to be quite well done.
”It’s a map of mineral resources, huh?”
I wasn’t surprised since I was familiar with Alphonse’s map, but the southern region had been largely undeveloped for a long time, leaving many resources untouched.
”Yes, that’s right. The southern region is an unprecedented treasure trove of resources. Just a quick glance reveals minerals buried everywhere, making it a land of riches. So, I have a proposal for the Blackdagger family…”
”Are you talking about resource development?”
”Yes, I would like to jointly develop the resources and export them to our Dukedom at a low cost. For that, the Dukedom will provide the necessary mining engineers, refining technicians, and facilities. In return, I would like the Blackdagger family to manage the mining site as their territory.”
”So, you’re saying that the Dukedom will handle the extraction and product creation, and you want us to act as bodyguards?”
”No, I want you to become intermediaries for the resources. I want you to serve as a supply source for the True Demon Kingdom.”
In other words, Rosvita was requesting that the Black Dragon Dukedom, which has recently become a resource-importing nation, open a supply route that bypasses the True Demon Kingdom by making the mining site part of their territory.
”But you’re a Noble of the True Demon Kingdom, you know? You’ve even been granted the title of Viscount in the kingdom.”
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Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
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