Chapter 18
Josh (2)
On the continent of Kebania, monsters that have plagued humans since ancient times still roam the land.
More ferocious than wolves and stronger than bears, these creatures appear deep in the mountains or in certain areas, leaving fatal wounds on unsuspecting people.
Yondiar is one of the most notorious regions within Albern where monsters make their home.
“Didn’t you say earlier this year that due to financial issues, monster subjugation would be impossible?”
The mercenary captain, Krafun, who was sipping tea, fixed his gaze on the pile of gold coins stacked on the table.
He was a seasoned monster hunter, leading close to a hundred subordinates.
“It nearly was. But the lord thought differently.”
Noas, the elderly scribe with a head full of white hair, poured more tea into his empty cup.
“More for you?”
“I’ll pass. I prefer alcohol over tea.”
“A shame. This tea is quite expensive, you know.”
Setting the teapot down, the scribe looked steadily at Krafun, whose bow stuck out over his shoulder.
The mercenary captain’s face was sunken on one side, mauled by a monster years ago. He had even participated in the monster subjugation of Yondiar five years prior.
“Who else will be coming besides us?”
“Well, we’ll have to wait and see. I’ve sent carrier pigeons to several places. For now, head to Yondiar and wait there.”
“You do realize our men alone are nowhere near enough to subjugate the monsters of Yondiar?”
“Don’t worry. Even if finances are tight, we’re not reducing the number of mercenaries.”
Krafun stared for a moment into the scribe’s wrinkled eyes before standing up.
“Take the gold.”
“Yes, Captain.”
A large, sturdy man who had been standing silently at the side quickly approached and swept the coins from the table into a chest.
Those coins were the price of their lives.
“We’ll take our leave.”
“Go, but at least finish your tea before leaving. I hate it when things are left unfinished.”
Though he spoke with a smile, his eyes did not smile at all.
Krafun, who had stood there a while, slowly reached out, drained the remaining tea, and flipped the cup upside down.
“Is that satisfactory?”
“Thank you. Next time, I’ll prepare some liquor instead.”
The scribe rose and approached Krafun.
“Let’s head out together.”
“No need to see me off…”
“I’m not seeing you off. It’s just about time for the lord to arrive.”
Leaving the office, the scribe gave orders to his personal soldiers standing in the corridor.
“Leave the building without being seen by the lord.”
“Yes, sir!”
Like the treasurer, the scribe had his own retinue of soldiers who guarded him both at the office and at home.
“Sir Noas, if the lord is coming, I’d also like to wait and pay him my respects.”
The scribe stopped on the stairs and turned to look at Krafun in his leather armor and bow.
“The lord? And for what purpose?”
“Five years ago, before the monster subjugation, the late lord invited me and several mercenary captains for a drink. The current lord was there as well. I don’t know if he remembers me, but I’d like to greet him.”
“Ah yes, I recall that. The late lord even said he wanted to personally go hunting monsters with you all—it was troublesome.”
“It was just as troublesome for us. Protecting the lord’s safety was more important than the hunt itself.”
“You’re not wrong. Still, as much as I understand your intention, today won’t do. Let’s wait for another opportunity.”
The disappointment was evident on Krafun’s face.
“May I ask why?”
“Do I need to explain myself?”
The sudden coldness in the scribe’s eyes silenced Krafun.
“…Understood, Sir Noas.”
The scribe glared at him a moment longer before descending the stairs and exiting the building.
Outside the government office, the treasurer and dozens of officials stood in two lines, waiting to welcome the lord.
“Thank you for your efforts.”
“Farewell, then.”
As the mercenary captain and his subordinate left, the treasurer approached the scribe, who was staring after them.
“The lord summoned me at night, questioning every detail of the domain’s debt, and now, out of nowhere, he wishes to visit the office. I hardly know what to make of it.”
“Why take it so seriously, Treasurer? He was likely just restless staying inside the castle walls. Asking about debts out of curiosity isn’t so strange.”
The scribe replied lightly, glancing around the surroundings.
Word of the lord’s visit must have spread, because the crowd around the government office was steadily growing.
Most of them had never even seen the lord’s face.
“Feels almost like a festival, haha.”
“You laugh? He cut his own hand with a dagger in front of me, I’ll have you know.”
“Better that than him stabbing you with it.”
At the scribe’s half-smiling remark, the treasurer’s expression stiffened. Lowering his voice, he said:
“Scribe, you may find your jokes amusing, but I do not. Not in the least. Do you understand?”
“Relax. The boy has memory problems, does he not? We must overlook some rough behavior.”
“That’s exactly the problem!”
The treasurer jabbed a finger, his tone sharpening.
“I tried at first to be understanding. But action must be taken before it’s too late. What if his memory never returns?”
“And what sort of action do you mean?”
“A wild horse must be tamed with both whip and carrot.”
“And what would the whip be, and the carrot?”
The scribe asked evenly.
“The lord is fifteen now—old enough to produce an heir. We throw him into the company of beautiful women. That way, his attention drifts away from governing.”
“And the whip?”
“We make him sick again. Confined to bed, staring at a dark ceiling, losing track of night and day.”
“Hmm. If the whip is too harsh and he dies, we gain nothing.”
The scribe shook his head, displeased.
“The whip is too risky. I can’t agree. Let’s go with the carrot.”
“Very well. We can revisit the whip later.”
The treasurer nodded. Then, hearing the distant sound of hoofbeats, he looked ahead.
At the end of the boulevard, through a sea of people, the lord’s banner appeared.
“Waaah! The lord has arrived!”
The crowded townsfolk jostled forward excitedly to catch a glimpse, quickly turning the street into chaos.
“Make way!”
“Any who block the carriage will not escape death!”
The cavalry riding at the front shouted threats, brandishing their spears menacingly.
Startled, people stumbled back; some fell hard to the ground, and a child burst into tears when a spear nicked off a tuft of her hair.
Watching through the carriage window, Ian pressed his hand to his forehead, pained by how the street had become one of terror.
‘This will only ruin my reputation further. Fools, the lot of them.’
Though the soldiers meant to protect him, their methods were far from what Ian desired.
“Rondo, stop the carriage.”
“My lord, the crowd is in chaos. We’re nearly at the office—it’s best to continue straight there.”
“They all gathered just to see me. I dressed well for the occasion, didn’t I? I should at least greet them.”
“I wasn’t going to say this, but… my lord, to the people, you are…”
Riding alongside, Rondo hesitated and trailed off.
“They hate me? Some even want me dead? I already know. Now stop the carriage. I’ll handle this.”
“My lord…”
“Do it.”
Reluctantly, Rondo blew a sharp note on his whistle. He could not disobey.
The carriage halted, and the cavalry tightened their guard around it.
The once-raucous street fell into silence, all eyes turning to the carriage in confusion.
Suddenly, the door burst open, and before Rondo could stop him, Ian leapt onto the roof of the carriage.
“M-my lord!”
Startled, Rondo tried to climb up, but Ian’s stern glance forced him back.
Catching his breath, Ian stood atop the carriage, scanning left and right.
Not only the street, but even the rooftops were filled with residents of Camu staring down at him.
He marveled at how quickly news had spread to draw such a crowd.
“Greetings! I am your lord, Ian Albern! Look well at me! See this face so you can describe it to anyone—this is the lord who lives in that castle!”
“…”
Ian slowly turned atop the carriage.
Though he told them to look, not one person dared meet his gaze directly.
‘What’s this? Now that I told them, they won’t look?’
Embarrassed, he thought for a moment, then straightened and shouted with all his might:
“I will cut Camu’s taxes in half!”
At his shocking declaration, the townsfolk who had been bowing their heads all snapped them up at once.
Disbelief was plain on their faces.
“I will cut your taxes in half!”
Repeating himself, Ian left no doubt. The people erupted in cheers, raising their arms in jubilation.
“Long live the lord!”
“Ian Albern! Ian Albern!”
Men, women, elders, and children alike shouted his name, their voices rising until the air trembled.
“Yes, call my name! I am your lord! Hahaha!”
Ian laughed heartily, basking in their joy, and signaled to Rondo.
“Take us to the office like this.”
“My lord, it’s dangerous—the carriage is unsteady.”
“The mood is good. Just go.”
Reluctantly, Rondo urged the carriage forward at a slow pace so Ian could keep his balance.
The news of the tax reduction spread like wildfire, swelling the crowd along the road to the government office.
“Ian Albern! Ian Albern!”
When Ian spotted a poor little girl clutching a dirty doll, crying out his name with the others, a broad smile spread across his face.
‘This feels amazing.’
He could feel the power of authority.
His words became law—at least to the people of Camu, who believed wholeheartedly.
—You really are a strange one.
Blanzor’s voice muttered with either admiration or sarcasm as he looked back at the throng.
The road behind the carriage was packed with people following toward the office.
“At the very least, Camu’s people are on my side now, don’t you think?”
—It does look that way, somewhat.
Amidst the roaring cheers, Ian finally arrived at the office.
Dozens of officials lined up in formation bowed deeply.
“We greet the lord!”
Ian did not simply pass them by.
Curiously, one row was headed by the treasurer, while the other was led by the scribe, stretching back behind them.
“Welcome, my lord. Was your journey here comfortable?”
The scribe, bowing politely, inquired after Ian’s condition.
“Ah, yes. Perhaps because the village is so close, the trip was quite comfortable.”
“Ah, that’s a relief. Though, standing atop the carriage looked a bit dangerous.”
“Was it? I’ll take more care.”
Ian then turned his gaze toward the treasurer, whose stiff face looked as if he were suppressing something.
