Volume 4 Chapter 28 Siblings
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
It seems Alphonse is unaware of his sister’s true identity.
To gather information from Veronica, I decided to send a bureaucrat to keep Alphonse from noticing.
”If Alphonse is convinced, I’ll ask my mother-in-law to prepare a post. There’s a shortage of personnel among the officials, after all.”
”I may be an unworthy sister, but I ask for your support.”
Alphonse was pleased that Veronica would become an internal official, but in reality, she would be sent out as my information gatherer.
”Ah, leave it to me. Also, I will appoint Alphonse as an information strategist, giving him the rank of deputy commander under Kondrad. His exceptional ability to organize information will greatly assist my army.”
”Ha, I will work tirelessly to the best of my ability.”
Alphonse responded with a royal salute, placing his hand on his chest.
* * *
*Gwain’s perspective
Standing while absentmindedly gazing out the window of the office, I sensed a presence behind me.
Turning around, I found Sven, the head of the intelligence organization, standing there.
”Don’t stand behind me without permission. I won’t let you complain if you get cut off…”
”I apologize for the intrusion. I thought I should report the findings from the spies we infiltrated into Estfort.”
Sven peeked out from his black robe, revealing his wrinkled face.
”Estfort… Ah, that young man named Kent… It seems he is starting to be recognized in the royal capital as the man who married the foolish daughter.”
”As for Lord Kent… I have been investigating through multiple sources, but reports indicate that his combat skills are average, and there is no remarkable talent in combat command.”
”Then why has he achieved such great feats 3 times in a row? It’s an accomplishment that ordinary people cannot achieve.”
”According to the reports, it seems that the side concubines and aides, including Lady Miriallia, possess exceptionally high abilities.”
The abilities of the aides and concubines… Why are such competent individuals flocking to this young man?
Just a few months ago, he was just an ordinary person…
”So, is it that Kent is skilled at gathering competent personnel?”
”One should say that they are not neglecting investment in competent personnel. It seems the Estfort army is paid 20 percent more without deductions.”
If they truly receive 20 percent more without deductions, it’s likely that the soldiers and officers are effectively earning nearly 50 percent more.
”Is Kent a fool? To hire soldiers and officers at such high wages…”
”However, due to previous military accomplishments, they are currently being paid by the country…”
”That is true… but does he have no intention of accumulating wealth?”
”It appears he intends to rely on Lady Miriallia’s wealth and the profits from the granted territory. According to the person I had inspect it, once development is completed, it is expected to generate at least ten large gold coins annually.”
I was surprised by Sven’s words.
This is because only a few significant nobles, those with multiple territories, possess lands that can earn such a profit of ten large gold coins per year.
”There’s no way such a territory exists in the south…”
”No, Estfort is planned to be a territory of the same scale as Abyss Vena. The inspector asserted this.”
”The same scale as Abyss Vena! Don’t be ridiculous! There’s no way a city for 50 thousand can be easily built!”
”The population is still around 5 to 6 thousand, but considering the volume of the city walls, I believe it is indeed comparable to Abyss Vena…”
The south has a strong image of being a borderland, making it rare for people to migrate there, resulting in a constant population shortage.
”Building such a city in the south would be meaningless, wouldn’t it? There’s no way people would gather.”
”That cannot be said so easily. Recently, I’ve heard that Lord Kent may be pulling the strings behind the ‘Southern Orphan Relocation Plan’ submitted by those associated with the orphanage.”
”‘Southern Orphan Relocation Plan’──is that the plan to round up those worthless orphans from the capital and send them south? It is a truly well-crafted plan. It allows us to take out useless trash for free, along with a contingent of criminal prospects from among the orphans.”
”However, that would mean transporting a thousand people south, including orphans and those associated with orphanages.”
”But they’re all useless, aren’t they?”
”That cannot be said outright. It appears that there is such a labor shortage in the south that even a cat’s paw would be welcome.”
Whether they are orphans or a criminal underclass, they will use anyone… These thousand will likely be treated like slaves and die.
Fools.
”In the royal capital, the number of unemployed moving to find work is starting to increase. The merchant guild, which has set up a branch in Estfort, is actively sending the hired individuals from the capital to Estfort.”
”If the incompetent who are struggling in the royal capital move south, the uneasy atmosphere should settle down.”
”However, the south will increase in population and strength. Indeed, the southern independence mentioned in General Gertroud’s letter may become a reality.”
It seems Sven believes Gertroud’s delusion that his real brother, Arbalest, is conspiring for independence from the True Demon Kingdom.
There’s no way my blood-related brother, Arbalest, who became Margrave with my support, would betray me.
”It’s a groundless fear. Even if Kent attempts to gain independence, Arbalest will stop him.”
”Sir Gwain is too trusting of his kin. Please consider the worst-case scenario.”
”I understand, I understand. I will keep that in mind.”
”Additionally, the spies have brought back some strange rumors. First, there seems to be a religious group called the Church of Kent, claiming that Lord Kent is the reincarnation of the demon king Orphée Bleu. They are gathering followers. Moreover, this cult seems to be restricted to women.”
A dubious religion limited to women… I suspect it was created for the boy to gather girls.
That said, claiming to be the reincarnation of Orphée Bleu is quite a tall tale.
”Is there any actual harm?”
”So far, there has been none. It seems to be a religion only propagated in Estfort in the south.”
”If that’s the case, ignore it.”
”Yes, sir, also, this is information relayed from the spy network I sent to the Black Dragon Dukedom ── it has been confirmed that Clayd of the True Demon Clan last stop with his daughter was the old eastern garrison.”
The moment I heard the information from Sven, I sensed a foul smell.
My instinct has kept me alive so far, so I decide to follow it.
”It’s suspicious. Do you think Kent and Clayd are connected?”
”There’s too little information to judge. However, it’s strange that Lord Kent has a concubine from the True Demon Clan named Carlamia and one from the Majin Clan named Delprius.”
A concubine from the True Demon Clan and one named Delprius… Did Clayd hide away after leaving his daughter with Kent?
Or could it be someone else with the same name?
”Have the spy sent to Estfort investigate this concubine named Delprius. Also, include Carlamia from the True Demon Clan.”
”Yes, I have already ordered that.”
”If Kent really has the western Black Dragon princess as a mistress, it becomes serious. The kingdom would have enemies to the west and south.”
”I will have them investigate urgently. I will also continue searching for Clayd, his father.”
Imagining the Black Dragon Dukedom joining forces with the south against the kingdom sent chills down my spine.
If Kent, who is likely connected to the military might of the Black Dragon Dukedom and presumed abundant resources, does unite with them, suppressing a rebellion could take considerable time.
If they are connected, we should eliminate Kent first, who is still weak.
I feel bad for Arbalest, but even as a stepson, he doesn’t seem like a useful person to keep alive.
Still, I can’t understand that brat Kent Blackdagger.
His reports state he entrusts all military and political matters to his subordinates, while he immerses himself in monster hunting and womanizing.
Is that really the case?
My honed instincts that have helped me survive say Kent smells fishy.
But, there’s still too little information to make a decisive move.
He’s becoming a hero for the south, so rashly eliminating him could genuinely lead to their independence, which would be problematic.
For now, I should focus on gathering more information.
Suddenly realizing, I noticed that Sven, perhaps gauging my mood, had quietly left the room at some point.
”Huh, speaking of which, perhaps it’s time to give up on Gertroud, who has been scattered by the same tactics. What should I do about his successor… what a hassle.”
I began the selection of a person to replace Gertroud after his dismissal.
It seemed that I would need to send someone equal to Arbalest, so the choice would be difficult.
While avoiding the diplomatic battles with Arbalest, finding someone capable of restraining Kent’s rampage was quite challenging, even within the vast kingdom’s military.
Could the weakening of the military be the price of having become too peaceful…?
Thinking such thoughts, I glanced at the list of generals from my faction.
Veronica Schweiger
Clan: Majin Clan
Age: 20
Card Color: Blue (6/12)
Remaining Skill Points: 11
Combat Job:
- Spy: Level 15
General Jobs:
- Noble: Level 20
- Clerk: Level 1
- Infiltrator: Level 30
- Intelligence Agent: Level 10
- Dancer: Level 30
Modifier Skills:
- Dagger Technique II (10)
- Agility Increase II (10)
Combat Skills:
- Stealth Magic I (5)
General Skills:
- Etiquette II (10)
- Information Gathering III (20)
- Source (10)
- Disguise (10)
- Fabrication (10)
- Misinformation (10)
Equipment:
- Right Hand: None
- Left Hand: None
- Armor: White Cloak
- Accessory: White Mask
Languages:
- Western Language
- Dragon Language
- Beast Language
Reading Comprehension:
- Western Language
- Dragon Language
- Beast Language
Titles:
- None
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Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
Thanks for reading.
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