STGB Episode 494
Declaration of War(5)
There’s a saying that before you marry someone, you should first take a look at their room.
The room is a good indicator of the owner.
You can tell whether they prefer extravagance or simplicity, whether they’re lazy or diligent, what colors they like, what hobbies they have, and even what their profession is.
Even if you know nothing about the owner, just by looking at the room, you can roughly sketch out an outline of who they are.
For example, like the reception room I’m sitting in right now.
“……”
The interior is filled with a solemn and luxurious atmosphere.
It’s not overtly extravagant, but you can tell at a glance that a lot of money has been spent on the furniture and decorations.
Crunch.
The table is filled with a variety of snacks, so much so that it’s hard to believe it was prepared for just one person.
Swoosh.
A dedicated attendant stood at the entrance, ready to approach and refill the cup whenever it was half empty.
Ah, of course, there’s a cherry on top.
‘I don’t think I’ve ever been in a reception room with a private musician.’
In one corner of the reception room, a bald musician is seated, consistently playing soothing melodies on a string instrument.
“From the way he’s playing, I don’t think he was brought in, especially for today.”
I now understand what kind of person the owner of this guest room is.
‘A merchant at heart’
This room is more about hospitality than about showing off.
So just by sitting here, you can tell.
Not how wealthy the owner of this house is, but how hard he is trying to treat me well.
‘The appointment is in 5 minutes. It seems he’s planning to arrive right on time.’
With that thought, I crossed my legs and spread out the newspaper.
Although I picked up the newspaper randomly, the front page had a story about me.
Well, it would have been the same with any newspaper.
[The hero Baron Jandel, recorded in the Stone of Honor, draws his sword against the rebels of the black market…!]
The events that took place in the black market three days ago have finally been made public and reported in the news.
Well, even though Mozlan tried to keep it quiet, it’s impossible to hide nearly 400 slaves without anyone noticing.
‘Still, it doesn’t mention that most of the buyers were nobles, huh.’
Though the article was full of holes, it still contained a lot of useful information.
For example, slaves who had been processed as dead had regained their identities.
They’re staying in temporary shelters prepared by Mozlan, and as part of the relief efforts, a policy is being prepared to exempt them from taxes for five years.
Ah, there was also an interview.
[…He told us that the ones who should regret all this aren’t him, but you guys.]
Even though it was anonymous, looking at the content, it seems like it was the kid in the cage.
Oh, and it looks like the black market has been completely shut down. Well, in times like these, laying low is the best option.
While I was engrossed in reading the paper, the attendant who had been waiting at the entrance approached me.
“Count Alminas has arrived.”
“Really?”
I folded the paper I was reading and placed it on the table.
“Show him in.”
It was time to get down to business
「Character’s fame has increased by +10.」
「Character’s fame has increased by +10.」
「Character’s fame has increased by +10…….」
「…….」
「…….」
***
“Kuhahahahahahaha!”
“Heh heh…!”
My coarse laughter and the old nobleman’s dignified laughter overlapped perfectly in the hall.
And a photographer positioned next to the table was busy capturing our moment.
Meanwhile, a photographer by the table was snapping picture after picture of us.
All for a very business-like reason.
Each A-cut photo he took had a price tag of 2.135 billion stone .
“Baron Jandel, could you laugh a little more… wildly? No, I mean more manly?”
“Of course! Kuhahahahahahahah!”
“And Count Alminas, if you could look over there and smile, I’d be grateful.”
“Of course. Hahah! Haahah!”
Count Alminas offered to drop the 2.1 billion stone lawsuit if I took a warm, friendly photo with him.
My photo would be preserved in history, or so he said.
Given the old man’s age, it seemed he placed great value on how he’d be remembered after his death.
At first I thought, “What kind of nonsense is this?
But when I thought more about it, I found it somewhat understandable.
Like, imagine if your grandfather had a personal photo taken with Einstein. That’d make him look really cool, right?
“Kuhahahahahahah!”
“Ha ha haa! Hohohoho…!”
Anyway, for that reason, we’d been laughing for a while when the photographer started making all sorts of requests.
He said something about how this wasn’t enough to capture our “friendship transcending age and race,” or whatever.
Then the photographer handed me a cheap bottled beer and gave the Count a wine glass, telling us to clink our drinks for a toast.
And then…
“Perfect! Absolutely perfect!”
That became today’s A-cut.
The Count personally checked the photo and seemed very satisfied, handing out a hefty bonus, and with that, today’s business was concluded.
“Hehe, you’ve worked hard, Baron. You must be tired, so why not stay for a meal?”
“It’s fine. I’m hungry.”
“…?”
Ah, my mistake.
“There’s someone waiting for me at home. Unfortunately, I’ll have to pass on the meal for now.”
“Hehe, I see… It’s always better to have meals with family.”
The Count, with his business sense, laughed at my slip.
And then he made a proposal.
“By the way, I heard you did something remarkable recently? That thing, where you disrupted the black market and saved 397 slaves.”
“Ah……”
“Watching your youthful energy makes my blood boil too! I thought I might lend a hand in your good deeds…”
I wondered what he was getting at.
He was asking so politely if he could join in.
I was about to refuse outright, but his next words made me change my mind.
“Those friends of yours. There are nearly 400 of them, and they still don’t have proper housing, right?”
“…And?”
“If you’d let me, I could help. Even if they are exempt from taxes, they need a house to start a new life, don’t they?”
It was a rather surprising proposal.
Offering a house each to over 400 people.
No wonder the Alminas family is considered the wealthiest in the kingdom.
“Having more heroes is good for the world. Do as you please. Why would I refuse?”
I readily accepted the Count’s offer.
Even if it wasn’t purely out of goodwill, it would be a huge support for those involved.
“Don’t worry. You’ll still be the one in the spotlight.”
With those final words, I left the Count’s estate.
The next morning, the front page of the newspaper had a massive headline.
[Count Alminous promises a personal donation worth 2 billion stones. When asked why—just helping an old friend, nothing more.]
The photo taken that day was featured along with it.
***
“Ugh, looks like I’ve been plastered in the newspapers again.”
I set down the paper, feeling an inexplicable sense of defeat, just as Shabin, the head of the Administrative Corps, burst into the tent, panting.
And…
“The labyrinth closed ages ago, and you’re just showing up now?”
She shouted at me, her tone prickly with irritation.
“Uh… Huh?”
“Take these documents first! Don’t even think about leaving until you’ve checked and signed each and every one of them!”
Shabin seemed to have become much rougher since I last saw her.
I brushed it off, assuming it was just work stress.
“Ah, I’ll look at them, so don’t get mad. Okay?”
“….”
“But why are there so many documents? I delegated most of the authority to you, didn’t I?”
“…These are just the remaining parts that weren’t delegated. With the tribal budget increasing rapidly, we need to set a total budget every month, and I can’t do that, can I? Since you didn’t show up, I had to prepare temporary approval documents each time and make temporary entries in the ledger, so what should’ve been a one-time task had to be done two or three times!”
“Oh, is that so…?”
How can I escape this?
Just as I was thinking that, shabin’s eyes sharpened
“Don’t even think about running.”
“……Can’t you just handle these too?”
“Ha! Sure! Let me decide the tribe’s budget, scribble down land sale prices, and even set my own salary while I’m at it!”
Shabin raised her voice in a disbelieving tone.
Honestly, I didn’t get it.
I know she’s using sarcasm, but…
“Why can’t you?”
“……Huh?”
“Shabin, I trust you. More than anyone else.”
“……?”
“Even if mistakes happen, I won’t blame you. I’ll take full responsibility. I’m the one who trusted you and put you in that position. That’s why I’m the tribal chief.”
“….”
“So, trust yourself and give it a try. You’re the best in this field, aren’t you? Just like I’m the expert in the labyrinth. Your decisions, made after deep consideration, will be better than mine.”
Okay, judging by her expression, she’s almost convinced.
Now it’s time for the final blow.
“Your salary is the same. Take as much as you want.”
“……You’re really going to regret this, you know?”
“Maybe. But if it’s the value you place on yourself, I’ll never deny that.”
After I finished speaking, Shabin stared at me for a long time without saying a word.
And after what felt like an eternity…
“…I’ve always thought, ‘If I were in that position, I wouldn’t do it like that. I’d do it better.’ But the moment I actually had to take charge… I guess I was scared.”
“Everyone’s scared at first.”
At my encouragement, she clenched her fists.
With my warm encouragement, Shabin clenched her fist as if he had made a decision.
“I’ll do it. If I don’t even try after hearing this, then I would just be making excuses. I’d be nothing more than that kind of person.”
“Good, do your best.”
Having successfully made my escape, I left the tent without looking back.
Once outside, I found Aynar loitering near the sanctuary and gave her an order.
“Gather all the warriors in the sanctuary.”
“All of them? Why?”
Although I felt sorry for the overworked administrative corps, there was a reason why I had come to the sanctuary today.
This time, I needed a bit of a performance.
“I’ll try to gather them all, but there might be quite a lot.”
“A lot?”
“Didn’t you know? These days, warriors are overflowing in the sanctuary, eating and sleeping here while building houses.”
“I heard the third round of sales just ended, but even so, the number shouldn’t be that high, right?”
“You can’t build a house alone, can you? Everyone’s calling their friends’ friends and building houses every day.”
Oh, I see.
“Anyway, gather them all! Make sure to tell them there’s going to be something fun!”
“Something fun…?”
“You’ll see later.”
“Hahaha! You’re up to something! I don’t know what it is, but let’s do it! I’m in!”
With that, Aynar left to gather the warriors, full of excitement, and I waited at the meeting place.
As time passed, warriors who had heard the news began to gather one by one.
Most of them were unfamiliar faces.
It seemed like they had just been building houses, as many of them were holding hammers.
The fake hammers used for driving nails, that is.
“It’s the tribe chief!!”
“Ooh!! The great warrior recorded on the Stone of Honor!!!”
The first warriors to arrive became extremely excited upon seeing me. I was worried they might get angry if I called them while they were busy, but…
“You said there’s something fun!”
“What is it that you called all of us here for?”
“Let’s do it now!!”
It seems they’ve also been mentally exhausted from building houses.
“Wait! I’ll tell you once everyone’s here!”
After about an hour, the entire forest was filled with barbarians.
True to their nature, they turned the gathering into a festival—chest-thumping, roaring, and all.
Thud! Thud! Thud! Thud!
“Bjorn.”
“Here, it’s tribe chief.”
“…Tribe chief, it seems everyone’s here.”
“Is that so?”
Then it’s time to head out.
There was no need for long speeches with the already excited warriors.
“Everyone! Follow me!!”
A shout with no destination or goal.
“WOOOOAH!!”
“Bjorn, son of Jandel!!”
“LEEET’S GOOOOO!!”
A 100% pure barbarian parade.
When we arrived at the city gates connected to the sanctuary, the warriors on guard opened the gates without question.
Creak, creak.
The gates opened with the sound of crude machinery.
And just like on the first day I woke up in this body, the familiar gray city revealed itself beyond the gates.
The well-maintained roads and stone buildings.
The towering spires visible between them.
“LEEET’S GOOOOO!!”
Citizens scrambled to the sidewalks as we marched.
I felt a bit bad about the commotion, but…
“Wow! It’s Baron Jandel! Mom, that’s Baron Jandel, right?”
“Y-yes, that’s him…!”
“Waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah!”
Surprisingly, the onlookers didn’t seem at all disturbed. If anything, they were delighted, as if they’d found an exciting spectacle. They began to call out to others in their neighbourhood to come and see.
Rattle—!
The tightly shut windows opened, and behind them, countless citizens watched our procession.
With just one question in mind.
“But… where are they going?”
“I wonder…”
“Shouldn’t someone call the guards? That’s a mob!”
Sure enough, not long after, guards from the public security bureau rushed to the scene and appeared before us.
“Hey, greetings, Baron Jandel.”
“What’s the meaning of blocking my way?”
“W-well, we received a report…”
“Are you planning to arrest us? We’re just walking down the street.”
“N-no, of course not! Absolutely not!”
“Then that’s settled. Move aside.”
With that, I started walking again, and the captain of the guards, looking dazed, stepped aside.
And then…
“Bethel—raaaaaaa!!!”
This noisy procession continued until we reached the city center, where knights appeared.
“Greetings, Baron Jandel.”
A group of knights from the notoriously authoritarian Mozlan.
But their reputation meant nothing to me.
“Forgive the intrusion, but may we inquire where you’re going?”
“Why should I answer?”
“We have received no notification of such an event. We’re simply seeking clarification.”
Of course, I had no reason to answer honestly.
“I’m just taking a walk, mind your own business.”
“…Walk, you say.”
The knight from Mozlan looked perplexed.
Had I been a commoner, they’d have disbanded us and arrested a few “leaders” by now.
“You doubt my word?”
I am a baron of this kingdom, after all.
“Of course not. We’re merely concerned. A gathering of over a thousand armed individuals requires… oversight. We humbly ask for your understanding.”
“We have no intention of leaving Ravinion. Is that answer enough?”
I made it clear that we weren’t planning to go beyond the commercial district of Commelby, let alone the imperial capital-—the knights relaxed slightly.
“May… we accompany you?”
“I won’t keep you from going.”
“Thank you…”
In the end, even Mozlan’s knights fell in line, trailing our march.
And so we pressed on.
“Barbarians!”
“The barbarians are here!!”
Even though we were just walking, the news spread throughout the city, causing a commotion.
Citizens lined up along the route as if watching a parade, drawn by the unusual spectacle.
“The Mage Tower…! The barbarians are heading to the Mage Tower!!”
As we stubbornly marched in one direction, the citizens began to realize the destination of our procession. This only further fueled the barbarians’ excitement.
“The Mage Tower? We’re going to the Mage Tower?!”
“Bjorn, son of the great warrior Jandel!!!”
“The tribe chief is leading us to a sacred battle!”
“It’s time to grind the bones of the mages into flesh!!”
“Bethel—raaaaaaa!!”
The barbarians’ shouts reached the citizens.
“These… these lunatics…!”
“Are they really planning to fight the Mage Tower?”
“Why? But why?”
“Their hearts! It’s because of the barbarians’ hearts! The mages are using their hearts as magical ingredients!”
“…Whatever happens, today will be a rare spectacle.”
No matter what people around us said, I continued walking in silence.
And then, after some time…
Thud.
I finally stopped.
In front of me stood the tall, black tower, the square in front of it packed with onlookers.
And…
“…….”
Hundreds of mages, who must have rushed out when they heard the news, stood in a crowd.
“…….”
“…….”
As the standoff began, a hush fell over the thousands gathered in the square. You could practically hear the sound of someone nervously swallowing. Eventually, an elderly mage stepped forward.
“I am Wibels Guirn, Head Mage of the Lengman School.”
Being the “head mage” here is like being the top student directly under the sect leader in a martial arts novel. Since the Master of the Lengman School is the Lord of the Mage Tower, this old man is effectively the second in command.
“And who might you be?”
He obviously feigned ignorance, but that’s how mages are – they like formalities.
“Who I am, you say…”
I gave a faint smile and opened my mouth to reply.
The giant.
Leader of Clan Anabada.
Chief of the Barbarians.
Baron of Raphdonia.
But I skipped the titles.
“I am Bjorn, son of Jandel.”
After my brief introduction, the old mage let out a long sigh and nodded.
“I see. It’s a pleasure to meet the hero I’ve only heard about in rumors. But what brings Baron Yandel to the Mage Tower?”
“I’ve come to do something that should have been done long ago.”
“Something that should have been done long ago… I’m afraid my old age prevents me from understanding what you mean.”
“Is that so? Then I’ll say it directly.”
I shouted loudly enough for the half-deaf old man and all the citizens gathered in the square to hear.
“I, Bjorn, son of Jandel, declare this! The Mage Tower must stop using our hearts as ingredients for magic!”
“Really… is that why… … .”
The elder rubbed his temples, then let out an audible sigh.
In a calm tone, he tried to persuade me.
“This is legitimate research. Even as a baron of the kingdom and the chieftain of the barbarians, you cannot arbitrarily halt intellectual research for the sake of humanity. If you cannot accept this, you must formally raise an objection with the royal family—.”
“Keep it short.”
“……Huh?”
“Speak briefly, old man.”
Did the term “old” bother him?
“It seems the baron struggles to understand lengthy explanations, so I’ll keep it short as you wish.”
The old man glared at me, his wrinkled face creasing even more.
In a voice devoid of kindness, he spoke firmly.
“If we refuse… then what will you do?”
Though old, his gaze was fiercely defiant as he stared up at me.
“So what, exactly?”
the old mage asked.
“……!”
“……!”
After a slight pause, I answered.
“War.”
That single word was enough.
“W-war!”
“It’s warrrrrrrrrrr!!”
“Draw your weapons!!”
“Bethel—raaaaaaaaaaaaa!!!”
We’ve put up with this nonsense for long enough, haven’t we?
[Character’s Fame has increased by +10.]
[Character’s Fame has increased by +10.]
[Character’s Fame has increased by +10…]
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