Chapter 4 – The Preparation Time Keeps Going On

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Imperial Calendar, Year 260 – Moon of the Diamond (April)

As I was doing governmental work in the office together with Irena, Brest, whom I had recruited for the storehouse construction, showed up.

“Albert, aren’t you preparing something fun behind the scenes? The folks of the Goshoot clan seem to be moving around quite a bit.”

Brest’s eyes were sparkling brightly. Those were the eyes of a warrior who was rejoicing after sniffing out the smell of battle.

“What are you talking about? I don’t have a clue whatsoever. The Goshoot clan is just doing its usual work.”

Asking the meatheads to depart to the front is the last step after all the schemes and strategies have been finished. Right now isn’t the time to rely on their muscles, so I’d like them to work hard at building the storehouses in light of the harvest in autumn.

“Don’t hide it. You’re gonna smash that armed organization called 『Hero’s Sword』, aren’t you? How about it? Will I get a turn as well? I will, correct? How many people can I cut down? Wait, wait, I haven’t said anything about a big battle. As long as I can 40 to 50 people…”

This old guy is quite capable of cutting down such a number of people in a small battle, so I mustn’t unleash him yet.

“Even if there is a battle ahead, the order for a departure will be handed out by Malida-sama. Rather than that, is the storehouse building proceeding well?”

“So, where is it going to take place? In the Alkor fief? Great. I’ll get the soldiers ready so they can depart at any moment.”

The hardcore musclehead warrior didn’t listen to a single word I said. Under these circumstances, it’s much easier to handle Malida-sama who becomes all lovey-dovey with me at night.

Still, oni are very sensitive when it comes to the slightest hints of battle.

“If we pick a fight now, all the schemes and plans I launched will come to nothing. If that happens, I will have Lator take over the post of chief retainer and make you retire, Brest-dono. And afterwards I’ll never use you in any battles ever again. Is that fine with you?”

I stopped writing my brush and looked at Brest in front of me.

“Wait, wait! I’d hate that! Depriving the right to go to battle from me; are you a demon or something!?”

“Dad, isn’t it fine for you to soon retire and leave the rest to me?”

The number of annoying people has increased by one.

Brest’s oldest son Lator cut into my conversation with Brest.

And if those two are together…

“You idiot of a son!! I still don’t plan to retire from active duty! As if I could entrust the valuable soldiers of the Erwin family to a greenhorn!”

“Ahh! Dad! I’m already a fully-fledged adult who finished his first campaign. I became a Warrior Leader. Stop treating me like a brat!”

“What was that, you lil’ piece of shit!? If you have any complaints, I’ll listen to them! Step outside!”

“Haaaah!? If you wanna have a go, just give it a try, old man!”

Yep, their usual quarreling started off. Therefore I’ll leave the two at the courtyard, where they had moved to, and go back to the office.

“If you want to fight, do it in the courtyard please. The damages will be deducted from your salary, so have fun. Also, please hand in the written report about the storehouse construction progress anytime soon.”

“”I have already handed it in!!””

“Is that so? Excuse me then.”

The damage caused by their daily brawls sums up to quite a sum. The payment for all the damages is being compensated from their salaries, but neither of them seems to learn from this.

I scanned the reports about the storehouse construction progress after Irena passed them to me.

Hmm, the supply of building materials is done and the foundation works are also completed by now. Right now they’re in the middle of building the upper parts. At this rate, I’d say we’ll have a new group of storehouses by next month.

Moreover, the construction plans were provided by oni construction experts, meaning the buildings would apparently be able to withstand a direct hit by a catapult stone. Even though they’re just storehouses.

It looks like they plan to stage a final defense in the storehouses at the very end, right before a possible surrender of the castle.

Nothing less of the oni. Their ideas lack common sense. But well, thanks to them, fires won’t occur in the storehouses and they won’t get destroyed by simple stone throwers either.

Ah! I forgot, but since I added a request to add countermeasures against mice and rats, the storehouses are fully equipped with those as well.

As I checked the written report, the two started their grappling fight in the courtyard. But to be honest, I’d like them to blow off their excess energy somewhere else.

When I tried to get back to my documents after getting tired looking at the two in the courtyard, Warid suddenly showed up in my office alongside a subordinate.

“Oh? Warid?”

“I came to give you a report on the progress. Just as instructed, we spread the scandals of 『Hero’s Sword』 within Alexa. Orgis, who has been suspected of colluding with 『Hero’s Sword』, put Bleach and the higher ups of the organization on the wanted list. He’s desperately trying to break up 『Hero’s Sword』. Because of that, Bleach and the higher ups abandoned the shaken believers, falsified their identities, and fled the capital while taking with them all the assets they could carry. They tried to escape to Alexa’s south to wait for things to calm down, but Orgus’s arrangement prevented that and now they’re aiming for the territory of the mountain folk where 『Hero’s Sword』 still operates as an organization.”

Warid’s mouth twisted, his face clearly an abysmal disdain, as he reported on 『Hero’s Sword』.

“Thanks for the report. Because of the scandals you spread for us, it looks like no one inside Alexa will cover them anymore either. Just as planned, the 『Hero’s Sword』 folks took refuge among the mountain folk.”

“I was confident that we’d succeed, but for things to proceed this smoothly was unexpected. I have no choice but take my hat off in light of your ability to employ schemes and plots, Albert-dono.”

“I had my eyes on 『Hero’s Sword』 ever since the time when I still lived in Alexa.”

I had plans to annihilate 『Hero’s Sword』, which was corrupting Alexa, as Orgus’s right-hand man, if he had been a decent prince.

The schemes I used this time had been arranged to be of benefit for Elancia, and they showed results just as planned.

“Now then, the scheme is entering the next stage. Is everything ready?”

“Yeah, we finished the preparations in accordance with your instructions.”

Warid looked like a boorish guy, but he was a determined man who had been keeping his clan alive by selling information to nobles as well as precious pelts and medicinal plants. Because he’s the type of man who moves after carefully thinking things over while esteeming intelligence highly, he was quite outstanding when it came to strategic work for schemes that relied on speed.

“I plan to accompany you as well for the upcoming dissemination of groundless rumors and diversionary tactics towards the mountain folk. It will probably be necessary to make small adjustments on-site.”

“Yeah, it’d be a big help if you could do that. It’s also a fact that the mountain folk are cautious of me. If you persuade them directly, a great number of them should change their mind. I also summoned a guard for that sake.”

Warid shifted his eyes to the small subordinate next to him. Her whole body was clad in black clothes, but her golden eyes were impressive. Seeing the shape of her hood which outlined beast ears, and the tail growing out of her butt, I judged that she’s a werewolf just like Warid.

“This is?”

“She’s called Luminas. She’s my daughter. I’ve trained her in the martial arts and techniques of our clan. Please use her as your guard while you’re active in the mountain folk territory. Malida-dono is the best bodyguard, but her appearance is too conspicuous, so her identity would be immediately exposed.”

“My name is Luminas. I shall take care of your escort, Albert-dono.”

Going by her voice, she’s quite young, but Warid’s daughter, huh…? I’m curious what she looks like.

“Please take off your hood. I’d like to know the face of the person who’s going to guard me.”

“Yes, as you wish.”

Once she pulled back the hood, you could see wolf ears perking up from a gray shortcut, just like her father.

The small beast-eared girl tickled various fetishes in me… This girl has a high destructive force. For the sake of grasping her abilities, I used my power on her.

• Name: Luminas Goshoot
• Age: 17
• Gender: Female
• Race: Werewolf
• Valor: 63
• Leadership: 43
• Intelligence: 61
• Domestic Affairs: 21
• Charm: 78
• Three Sizes: B81 (D-Cup) W54 H84
• Status: Daughter of the Goshoot Clan Chief

Contrary to her appearance, her Valor is unexpectedly high. It should allow her to carry out her job as bodyguard without any problems.

Besides, I’m pretty sure she’s the beauty Warid promised to send over once he became the representative of the mountain folk.

As I looked at Luminas while chuckling in my mind, I heard Lichere reprimanding Malida.

“Malida-sama! You still haven’t finished stamping your documents! Keep moving your hands!”

“Lichere! I want to see Luminas’ face as well! Don’t stop me! For goodness’s sake, please let me go!”

“Malida-sama! Luminas-chan isn’t our retainer, but Warid-san’s child!”

Malida had been stamping documents on the other side of the office, but now she showed up in front of me while dragging Lichere along.

Casting a fleeting glance at Malida’s face…hadn’t been necessary since I could hear her panting hard while looking at the beastgirl. My wife really loves beautiful girls after all.

“Albert, isn’t it possible to have Luminas guard me? Haa…haa…intruders might trespass into this castle.”

“I think it’d require quite a high level of skill to get in here, seeing how the oni are guarding the place, joined in the shadows by the youths of the Goshoot clan.”

“I cannot sleep at night because I’m so scared and worried about getting assassinated.”

I wonder whether someone actually exists who could assassinate Malida, the strongest creature alive.

“I will do my best with the protection of Malida-ane-sama, so count on me!”

Liese, who had been handling governmental work on the seat next to Malida, hit her own chest, apparently feeling responsible for Malida’s protection.

“Liese-tan…you care so much about me! Haa, I wuv you. I really wuv you!”

Being deeply moved by Liese’s words, Malida hugged her and rubbed her cheek against Liese’s.

Let’s depart while Malida’s attention has been diverted from Luminas. Warid will also cooperate with us, but until he becomes the representative of the mountain folk, he probably won’t be able to devote himself to me. Hence, I don’t want to offend him by telling him to offer his daughter as a concubine.

“Lichere, please take care of Malida.”

“Yes, please leave it to me. I shall make her do her job properly.”

“Irena, please act as my proxy together with Milevis. You can use the Malji Company through Lichere to send me emergency messages.”

“I shall handle it. I won’t be able to proceed with things like you, Albert-sama, but I will try to do as much as I can.”

“Liese, please watch over Malida as well.”

“Sure, count on me. Take care of yourself. I’ll send a notification to the retainers of my family to assist you, Albert.”

After handing out my instructions to all of the girls, I faced Warid once more.

“Okay, let us head to the mountain folk territory.”

“As you wish.”

“Argh! Albert! I’ll go to fight as well! Leaving me behind is terrible of you!”

“Malida-sama, you have work to do. Come on, please hurry up with the stamps.”

“Nooooo! Uuuuhh…I’m the family head, and yet my treatment is so cruel.”

“If you wait for me like a good girl, I will definitely prepare a battle to finish up everything for you.”

“It’s a promise! Definitely! I believe in you!”

Once I left those words to the teary Malida who had been taken to her desk and was forced to hold the stamp by Lichere, I got onto the carriage prepared by Warid and headed for the mountain folk once again.

■

The tall mountains were still covered by a blanked of deep snow, but you could feel the gentleness of spring working its way through the region, compared to my last visit in deep winter.

“With the pay we received from the Malji Company, we became able to buy food from the Alkor family’s farm villages at the base of the mountain even without hunting and gathering, and foreign currency entered our settlement. This is also thanks to you, Albert-dono.”

While the residents of the Goshoot clan’s village looked skinny and malnourished during my last visit, they’ve visibly put on some flesh these days.

“As far as I’m concerned, I’m just paying you people proper salaries for the work you do for me.”

“So far we haven’t been able to do work that would counterbalance the money we’re receiving. That’s why we’ll put all our effort in this operation.”

Because the position as representative of the mountain folk was on the line, Warid’s motivation was different from usual, too.

By the way, the mountain folk are a gathering of various races. Beastmen like the Goshoot clan have been living in the mountains from the start. A few dozen of their clans have been cooperating to form an influential power in the region. On the other hand, farmers, who hated their lord’s heavy taxation and ran away into the mountains, joined over time as well.

A part of those farmers have cultivated the flat parts in the mountains to do agriculture, but because fertile, even land is rare, they’ve been living a poor life. Therefore, half of the mountain folk hunts and gathers resources in the mountains. A part of the clans then sells those resources to the surrounding countries, turning them into money.

Because they’ve settled in the mountains, the ties between the clans are weak and it seems common for once clan to not know the members of another clan on the other side of the mountain. Given those weak relationships, it’s been set for a third clan to listen to both sides and mediate a settlement, whenever two clans close to each other quarrel.

Right now I was planning to visit a clan called Warihara which often takes responsibility for such mediations. The Warihara clan is a beastman clan, which has lived in the mountains from the start, like the Goshoot clan. Unlike the Goshoot clan, they’re tigerpeople, however.

Even when the Goshoot clan was labeled as heretics by Hero’s Sword and got isolated by the mountain folk, the clan chief of the Warihara, Hakim, kept trying to find a solution for the problem to the very end, I hear.

Because of that, Warid would introduce him to me as key figure in the upcoming operation.

“Now then, we don’t have the time to take a nice, long break in the village. Let’s go to the place of the Warihara’s clan chief.”

“Sure, I got it. We must cross two mountains to reach them. Albert-dono, please put on light equipment as you aren’t used to traveling mountain paths. We will take care of ‘that’ luggage.”

“I will take you up on that offer then.”

My body’s training is average, but crossing two mountains all of a sudden would be asking too much. Let’s try to make it as easy as possible for me by just carrying on me what I absolutely need.

I passed my luggage to a Goshoot clan member, and with my weight having decreased quite a bit, I followed Warid, heading towards the village of the Warihara.

■

“I think you have already heard about it from Warid, but the representative of Hero’s Sword, which you people worship, has been excommunicated by the Head Temple of Eutel. They have been expelled from the church as organization. On top of that, the higher ups of Hero’s Sword have been exiled from Alexa as illegal organization, you know? Of course, His Majesty the Demon King has long since designated Hero’s Sword as illegal in Elancia, so I believe you understand that they won’t be able to continue existing as organization at all.”

“Us mountain folk maintains neutrality when it comes to politics. However, each clan chief holds the authority over deciding the religion allowed and worshiped in their clan. It has been quite unexpected for us as well that this particular religious organization would arm itself.”

I was talking to Hakim, the clan chief of the Warihara, inside a dim house deep inside the mountains. The Warihara clan members possess pronounced traits as tigers and they can be counted as senior clan among the mountain folk. Because they’re often chosen as mediators and take on the role of messengers between the various clans, they’re are quite well-connected.

The reason for me coming here is my wish to use Hakim’s influence towards other clans. Using the opportunity I used my power on him in order to get a read on his abilities.

Name: Hakim Warihara
Age: 35
Sex: Male
Race: Tigerman

Valor: 55
Leadership: 59
Intelligence: 52
Domestic Affairs: 56
Charm: 49

Status: Clan Chief of the Warihara

It’s a perfect display of averageness. Now I can also understand why he’s being relied upon by various clans for mediation.

“I have informed Elancia’s Emperor about the matter with the Goshoot clan. We have been ordered to annihilate the mountain folk, if you are going to back the illegal organization Hero’s Sword. In such a case, it is planned for my Erwin family to be the vanguard.”

Well, such an order hasn’t been made yet, but it’s very likely that His Majesty will tell us to do it.

Hakim’s face stiffened. Even the mountain folk, who are extremely confident in their mountain battle abilities, seems to fear the oni of the Erwin family.

“The Erwin family will take the vanguard…you say?”

“I think you might already be aware of it, but my family’s head Malida-sama is hailed as 『Blood Oni』, the Empire’s strongest fighter. The oni under her are all skilled soldiers who excel at battle. They’re a clan who will thoroughly attack anyone they deem as enemy.”

“So you want to say that you won’t stop fighting until all the mountain folk has been eradicated?”

Hakim’s cramped face turned pale.

“That’s only natural with Malida-sama’s personality. And I will assist her on this to the fullest of my abilities.”

“W-Wait! Wait a moment! It’s not like all the mountain folk worship Hero’s Sword!”

Perceiving that we were quite capable of going through with this for real, Hakim completely changed his attitude from up until now.

Hmm, it looks like my threat showed the desired effect. I guess he’ll now listen what I have to say.

I grabbed Hakim’s hand and started to whisper to him, “The earlier story will only matter if our negations break down. As far as I’m concerned, I would prefer to avoid an all-out dispute with the mountain folk.”

“Albert-dono, are you say there’s still room for negotiations?”

Hakim clearly looked like he found a ray of hope. Even I didn’t want to pointlessly use our war fund and let our soldiers die. As long as the mountain folk fell under the umbrella of Elancia with Warid as their representative after removing Hero’s Sword, I’d be more than happy.

“Yes, I wished to have a conversation with you because of that.”

“Did you choose me as your negotiation partner because I possess connections to all clans?”

Hakim is no idiot, so he immediately guessed my aim behind choosing him as conversation partner. It’s a big help that Warid as well as Hakim possess enough wisdom to make long-winded explanations unnecessary.

“It is just as you say. In line with this, I would like to borrow your connection to get in contact with all mountain folk clans. Of course, I won’t be asking this of you for free. I have prepared an appropriate compensation for your assistance.”

Warid, who has been standing behind me, held out a clump of melted gold coins to Hakim. Gold coins with an affixed value could be traced back to their origin, but gold nuggets had the trait of being hard to trace back, even though they were of lower value.

In the eyes of the mountain folk, who advocated neutrality towards all powers, gold nuggets were convenient as they could be used for payments.

“Are you telling us to sell out the mountain folk for this gold?”

It was clear from Hakim’s face that he was troubled about them being attacked by the Erwin family over Hero’s Sword, but having said that, he was obviously wrestling with himself since accepting the gold would basically mean he’s supporting a specific political power.

“I haven’t mentioned selling out the mountain folk with a word. Rather, I want to save you. Besides, you’re quite troubled by the worshipers of Hero’s Sword, aren’t you?”

I grinned while looking at Hakim’s distressed expression. Because of the 『Anti-Hero’s Sword Movement』 suddenly popping up inside Alexa, Bleach Oxner and the higher ups of Hero’s Sword were put on the wanted lists, the organization was exposed by the guard units in the various cities and towns, and many believers left Hero’s Sword. All of that happened within less than a month.

Because of that, an increasing number of Hero’s Sword worshipers from Alexa escaped into the territory of the mountain folk, which was considered to hide the organization’s higher ups.

Hero’s Sword is using those run-away worshipers to suppress the mountain folk believers with violence so that they don’t turn their back on the organization to reinforce the organization which is currently on the brink of collapse. Owed to that, there are a lot of quarrels between the mountain folk believers and the worshipers who ran away from Alexa. Hakim has also received many such reports, causing him to worry.

“You’re right. It’s true that many people ask me for consultation as they’re troubled by the methods of the Hero’s Sword worshipers. But, there’s no way that I’d leak the details about the mountain folk’s internal…”

“At present, we cannot tell whether all mountain folk will become our enemies because they worship Hero’s Sword. For this reason, our family head has been clamoring about slaughtering all mountain folk, since Hero’s Sword believers cannot be allowed to exist. Therefore I would like to grasp what the mountain folk clans think of Hero’s Sword.”

“What they think, you ask…”

“Yes, I’d like to sort them into the three categories 『diehards』 who support the doctrine of Hero’s Sword fanatically, 『moderates』 who only support Hero’s Sword to not get isolated among the mountain folk, and 『breakaways』 who have already decided to distance themselves from Hero’s Sword, but can’t do it yet. The one we want to see removed are the 『diehards』 and 『worshipers』 who most likely won’t abandon the doctrine of Hero’s Sword.”

Because the Goshoot clan has already been cut off from the majority of the mountain folk, I wanted to use the Warihara clan to do the categorization and persuasion.

“Gnnh…removing only the 『diehards』 and 『worshipers』… So you’re saying we won’t be attacked by the Erwin family and Elancia if we abandon the teachings of Hero’s Sword?”

“Indeed. If possible, we’d like to build good relations with the mountain folk.”

“But, the diehards you mentioned hold a lot of power, despite being few in number. Some among the clans loudly proclaim to launch a surprise attack on Elancia to join in the 『Holy War』. We will find ourselves in a dangerous situation, if we were to rub them the wrong way with our words.”

Seeing Hakim’s expression, it seems like the power of Hero’s Sword among the mountain folk is much stronger than I anticipated. But, I cannot afford to pull back here, if I want to annihilate Hero’s Sword.

“Then I shall take this as a breakdown in negotiations. Before long, the mountain folk will be subjugated by Elancia’s imperial army with my family serving as the vanguard. Given that the current demon king has ordered an eradication, the mountains around here will be thoroughly searched and cleaned of your people. It might lead to a lot of blood being lost. Of course not our family’s blood, but the mountain folk’s.”

I threatened Hakim once more as he was showing an indecisive attitude.

As far as I’m concerned, I’d like to absolutely avoid fighting in terrain where we don’t have the locational advantage. The only ones rejoicing about fighting under such circumstances would be our family’s muscleheads or some cheat hero.

Keeping the losses to a minimum and maximizing the gains as much as possible is my motto. But, there’s no way I could allow Hakim to get wind of that. I decided to laugh while meaningfully squinting at him, basically saying, 『we don’t really mind seriously duking it out with you guys』.

“Those eyes…are you really willing to go through with that!?”

Hakim apparently interpreted my attitude as me being serious.

“…I understand. We will help you, Albert-dono. Would it be alright to provide information on each clan’s stance towards Hero’s Sword and set up an opportunity to get acquainted with every clan chief?”

“Yes, that would be plenty. Thank you. If you could introduce me as your relative, I will be able to handle the persuasion from my side.”

“Okay, I understand. I will inform the clan chiefs of each clan about you as one of our relatives. It should allow you to freely visit any village, if you mention the name of my clan.”

I grasped the hand held out to me by Hakim. Given that I got permission from the clan chief of the Warihara, no one will suspect me if I visit the various mountain clans to give them my greetings. I guess I’ll get a full grasp on how to categorize the different clan before moving on to the next step of the plan.

With this it was decided that I’d make the rounds among the various clans of the mountain folk.

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