Morning broke.
For some, it marked the start of a new day, but for me, it was just another day like any other, with only the light of dawn changing the scenery. This change came about after I donned the necklace of Gorzas, which completely wiped away my need for sleep. I did not desire rest, hence I did not sleep.
Consequently, I hadn’t felt the unique and refreshing sensation that comes from waking up after a deep slumber for quite some time now. Of course, that was not all bad. It allowed me to inspect the inner workings of my fiefdom, gather intelligence from outside, and focus on my own progress.
On this morning, I was deep in conversation with Valdes, who had come to visit. We had collected substantial material for the autobiography I had dictated. I would narrate, and Valdes would take notes with remarkable synchronization.
“A time of chaos may present an opportunity for some, yet I do not see it that way. What countless citizens yearn for is one wise ruler amid the turmoil. To achieve that, the order of the continent must be stabilized first.”
“Very well, my lord. Please, continue.”
“The people must not be made to suffer unconditionally for the sake of war. As their leader, I can direct them to contribute their labor and resources. But when they return to their hometowns after a long war, only to find their lands in ruins and their families in poverty, it spells tragedy and disaster.”
“Exactly. That is quite right.”
“Through governing wisely, creating stability, enhancing efficiency to boost production, and establishing systematic supply and transport systems, only then can leaders and citizens unite as one, maintaining a healthy body and mind that can prepare for war, be it for the nation or the fief.”
“Absolutely splendid!”
“Valdes, while I appreciate your agreement, are you merely offering flattery?”
“Certainly not! I have said before, my lord, that I cannot utter empty words. If I must, I would prefer silence.”
“Understood. This is not a statement inspired or borrowed from elsewhere, but purely my own thoughts.”
“Yes, my lord. I could sense that too. After all, you are the lord who has been managing the territories of the Great Cribian effectively.”
Valdes nodded, expressing his understanding. I was diligently advancing both the development of the Sanctuary of Sanare and the fortification of infrastructures in preparation for the impending war. In particular, I focused heavily on supply chains. As wars prolong, the significance of supply exponentially increases. In games where one manages territories with a keyboard and mouse, supplies are managed automatically. Yet, reality is entirely different.
To adequately supply food for ten thousand soldiers, a minimum of double that amount in manpower is required. Moreover, as the war extends, the food and personnel needed for supplies increase correspondingly. Without maritime routes, transport would have to rely on horses and carts overland, which consumes both time and resources. Thus, there were many concerns to address.
On another note, I had received word recently that the southern region of the Nas Continent had just entered its rainy season. Consequently, the Master Potion was flying off the shelves. Without the sales from both the Ronnella Healing Potion and Master Potion, the finances of my fief would have run dry long ago. However, thanks to these two items that we could supply exclusively within our territory, the coffers were filling, akin to an ever-flowing well. It was quite fortunate indeed.
[Valdes has been greatly inspired by your beliefs, significantly increasing his loyalty! Loyalty has increased by 45! When loyalty reaches 200, he will enter ‘First Awakening’ state!]
‘Oh!’ Simply speaking coherently about my beliefs had led to a significant change in Valdes's mindset. The more we conversed, the more I realized our thoughts were aligned. Valdes had also provided me with many inspiring ideas. Back when I first met him at the Cribian Pub, he had mentioned the need for naval training. From that point, I recognized the strategic necessity of establishing a port.
Just as I was lost in these thoughts, Valdes spoke up in a subtle voice.
“My lord.”
“Hmm?”
“In truth, I am neither a military expert nor a responsible official, but… there are a few pieces of information I acquired through discreet connections that I must share.”
“Let’s see it.”
Valdes retrieved a packet from his bag, presenting data from the Malus Kingdom and the Bonus Kingdom. Notably, it detailed the military and naval personnel managing the coastal cities and ports that I was so keen about.
As I quietly sifted through the documents, I was astounded by the depth and the sensitive nature of the information contained within.
“Please don’t ask me for the source. It was obtained discreetly through connections in the dark world.”
At first, I had regarded Valdes merely as an enthusiastic promoter, but it seemed he had quite a few secrets concealed beneath. Surely, not only cultural figures frequented the Cribian Pub; light and darkness undoubtedly coexisted within.
“I won’t question the source. The crux of this information is about the naval officers treated as outsiders by both kingdoms and facing terrible discrimination.”
“Yes, that’s correct. The navy incurs high costs but lacks substantial results…”
“To the foolish kings, they must appear quite displeasing, like money-pits devouring funds, or rather, like greedy spirits.”
“Indeed.”
“They are truly a disgrace to their golden crowns!”
I spoke my thoughts candidly. It was a sentiment that could only be shared with Valdes.
“Their loyalty is as fragile as a sandcastle on the verge of collapse.”
“I understand what you mean.”
I could guess what Valdes was implying without even hearing his full words. What they needed were reasons and justification. Should they be provided with sufficient motivation to turn their hearts away from their sovereign and choose a new master, they would shift without hesitation to a sturdier and more reliable vessel. The information Valdes provided and the records of their discreet conversations confirmed this.
We continued conversing further, correcting missing parts in the autobiography and refreshing areas where beliefs needed to be added. Before long, as the sun stood high in the sky at noon, our extensive review came to an end.
“Now we are nearly finished. After completing all corrections to the main content, we will arrange for notable figures to read the autobiography in advance and leave their commendations. Of course, this will be limited to those whom I truly wish to have endorse it.”
“Sounds good. That part I leave entirely to you. I am merely grateful for you to have crafted such a rich autobiography despite my shortcomings as a lord.”
“My sole focus is to make you the greatest hero on the Nas Continent, my lord. Please keep feeding the fire so that I can burn my all for this endeavor.”
“Hahaha! I will ensure you have plenty of fuel, so it never extinguishes!”
“Thank you, my lord!”
Thus, my meeting with Valdes concluded. And just as he was leaving, Aki arrived at the perfect moment.
“My lord! I found him! Aserro! I finally tracked down that blacksmith!”
“Are you certain? Have you verified it accurately? It isn't a namesake or some other individual?”
“My lord, do you not trust me? I came all this way because it’s true!”
Aki leaped with excitement, quickly dispelling my rational doubts. It seemed we were indeed on solid ground. Aserro was a renowned blacksmith capable of manipulating Kelldia, a metal stronger than iron, with the ease of water and air. He was known as the Father of Metallurgy!
We had finally found Aserro!
That evening, Jared and Arkenes were on their way to the Plenus Mine, where Aserro was located. The Plenus Mine was a gigantic site situated at the border of the Pauper Kingdom. The location was quite distant from Jared’s territory, which was based in the north of the Western region of the Nas Continent. Typically, the fastest means of travel would be to use the long-distance teleportation magic circle located in the northern part of the Cinders Kingdom, making way to the allied Pauper Kingdom.
However, Jared possessed a unique means of transportation that others did not have, namely Tatra Nex. To stretch its mobility, he hugged Arkenes and flew westward along less visible mountain paths.
This method was much faster than flight magic, and thanks to the stability of the transcendent body, he could carry Arkenes in a comfortable position.
“My lord, this is truly amazing. How did you come across such a device, or should I call it an artifact? A golem? Regardless, how did you obtain something like this?”
“Oh, I just stumbled upon it.”
Jared offered a vague response. The story of acquiring Tatra Nex was tiring to recount, even to close companions.
“It feels a bit strange! With you holding onto my waist like this while flying, looking at the same direction as me…”
Arkenes’ hair danced left and right in the brisk autumn breeze. True to his fashion-conscious nature, he emanated a very pleasant fragrance.
“Don’t get any funny ideas! I’m not into men. The extent of physical contact I can do with a man is just a handshake, so today’s circumstances are unavoidable.”
“Hehe, am I the first to attempt waist contact with you then?”
“Watch it! Dangerous words! Be careful not to set traps like a crafty serpent!”
“Giggle. My lord, I’m sorry.”
“Regardless, you've worked hard. Finding someone across the continent with just a name and a couple of lines of information isn’t an easy task.”
“In reality, if the person gathering information puts in diligent effort, it can shorten the time! It just takes longer because they don’t usually put in that amount of passion.”
"Are they all corrupt given the poor working conditions at the Plenus Mine?"
“Yes. From the gatekeepers to the overseers, none of them were clean. Just slip them some money, and they’d manipulate the performance of the laborers, making promotions easier.”
“What a rotten place.”
“As you know, my lord, the Pauper Kingdom has a high corruption index, right?”
“True enough,” Jared nodded. If the Bonus and Malus Kingdoms had kings that were unqualified, the Pauper Kingdom was a land where bureaucrats driven mad by money held all key positions. A nation rotting to the core, so much so that corrupt officials seemed to have passively equipped themselves with the skill of bribery. Naturally, the greed of the king at the top was at its most rampant.
‘It’s frustrating that all these nations aren’t far from my territory...’
A sigh escaped Jared’s lips. Excluding the Cinders Kingdom, where Izuel was the king, all surrounding lands were practically enemies.