Chapter 309
Chapter 309 – I Walk Trusting You. (3)
“Hey, hey, let’s go!”
“Ugh, this dreadful territory. I won’t step foot in the North ever again.”
“A truly disgusting lord with a disgusting territory.”
Complaining while packing their bags were Max and the resolvers, who had been captured since the Cabaldy War.
They had worked in the territory to earn their keep but couldn’t easily be released. Day in and day out, they earned only enough to cover the laborers’ wages, making it hard to save any real amount.
That said, they had no intention of paying it back. The money they received from Rosalyn and Meriel was just too significant to let go.
While they were stuck in this situation, the war with Desmond broke out.
Max and the resolvers finally gained their freedom by deciding to participate as commanders of the labor assault troops.
“We are free!”
“Whoa!”
Following Max’s shout, the resolvers cheered. This was truly the end of the dreadful territory.
Today was a special day. As Max and the resolvers were cleaning up and shaving their bushy beards, Claude came to visit.
“Wow, you’re really leaving? You all worked hard during this time.”
“Uh, um… Is that you, Chief Officer?”
Max greeted Claude with a reluctant expression. It was Ghislaine who had detained them, but it was Claude who had sent them to the construction site and rolled them around mercilessly.
He was so rough that Max felt he could seriously consider assassination. If caught, it seemed like a life sentence, so he wouldn’t dare attempt it.
Despite Max’s reluctant expression, Claude spoke warmly.
“So, what are you going to do now that you’re going back?”
“After all the hard work, I’m thinking of finding something suitable instead of tough work for a while.”
It was a truthful statement, but Claude pretended not to notice.
“Ah, isn’t it a waste for someone of your skill to do trivial tasks?”
“I plan to save a bit more and aim for retirement. I can’t keep doing this forever, can I? I’ll buy some decent land and live comfortably.”
“I see, it’s a bit regrettable to hear that.”
In reality, Max and the resolvers were quite skilled. That’s why they were also tasked with rescuing Ghislaine and appointed as commanders of the labor assault troops in the war.
Claude spoke as if genuinely sorry and slyly dropped a hint.
“Then, you’re going to need a lot of money. How about making a big score all at once?”
“A big score? How?”
“This time, the lord created something…”
Claude began to explain enthusiastically about a ridiculous product he had mentioned to Alfoy. Max and the resolvers agreed with what he said.
However, the skill the lord had shown so far was frightening. Although they hadn’t witnessed the process of making improved wheat and cosmetics first-hand, they had certainly heard enough rumors.
Seeing Ghislaine fighting on the battlefield was shocking as well. There was a reason they dared not run away.
But to bet against such a lord? Max immediately shook his head.
“No, we’ll just go back. We don’t want to get further involved with this territory.”
That was an expected reaction. Claude nodded, seemingly anticipating it.
“20,000 gold.”
“……!”
“If you win, you could get 20,000 gold each.”
The staggering amount left Max and the resolvers wide-eyed. With that kind of money, they could retire right away.
His hands shook at the figure, but Max didn’t jump at it immediately. He was the leader of resolvers who had seen it all.
“Why… are you telling us this?”
The strange powdered food the lord had made certainly had a high chance of failing. But why was he telling outsiders like them?
Noticing Max’s suspicious gaze, Claude spoke in a soft tone.
“You’ve held quite a grudge against me, haven’t you?”
“……A little.”
“I had no choice. There was a shortage of manpower in the territory. I had to take on the role of the bad guy. I’ve always felt sorry for you.”
“Chief Officer……”
“You know, even though you’re a small group, as a leader, you understand how hard it is to lead people.”
Max nodded silently. Although the rumors weren’t great, wasn’t it true that Claude had pushed people hard in the name of the territory?
As it came time to leave, he somewhat understood his feelings.
Claude took Max’s hand and continued to speak.
“It’s no big deal. I just want to fairly give you a large sum before you leave. I wouldn’t be able to hand over that kind of money without a good excuse.”
“Chief Officer……”
Max and the resolvers felt a lump in their throats. They felt like they might cry. They had thought him a bad guy, but he was actually quite deep-hearted.
Claude didn’t speak logically or rationally. He stirred the emotions of Max and the resolvers instead.
Looking at Max with warm eyes, Claude turned his gaze slightly away and said,
“And this is also for the Lord.”
“For the Lord?”
“Yes, our Lord is truly an outstanding individual. He’s overcome difficulties and succeeded in many things. However… the problem is, he’s never faced failure before.”
“Why is that a problem?”
“His arrogance keeps growing. In youth, one must experience failure and trials to grow further. It’s better for him to suffer a significant loss sooner rather than later.”
“Why is now better?”
“Honestly, if this fails, it’ll just leave the lord slightly embarrassed. But if he loses a lot of money, he’ll really sharpen his awareness. His arrogance will lessen as well.”
“Hmm……”
“Think about it. If he goes into the next war still arrogant, what will happen? One mistake in war can cost lives. We need to correct the lord’s mentality now. Losing money might actually be a cheap lesson.”
“Ah……”
Max and the resolvers understood Claude’s words. It was no longer a secret that Ghislaine had been marked by the Duke Faction.
If a powerful enemy lurked and he remained drunk on success, it would definitely lead to great trouble.
Max had seen many such cases while working as a resolver. Arrogance invariably leads to disaster, especially for those with many enemies.
There was nothing wrong with Claude’s statement.
‘He truly is a loyal subject!’
‘We didn’t know he was like this…’
‘Ah, he must be a big person to hold such a high position in this great territory.’
Max and the resolvers were moved. Claude put all the wrongful accusations and blame on himself, solely thinking of the lord and the territory.
It was only when they were leaving that they realized this. They felt a twinge of guilt.
Of course, that was that, but a bet is a bet. There was nothing wrong with Claude’s logic, but still, Max couldn’t shake an uneasy feeling. His intentions were good, but what if they lost?
As if knowing Max’s feelings, Claude smiled.
“The mages of the Mage Tower have all agreed to participate. The mages have already completed the verification. There’s no need to worry.”
“Oh!”
The resolvers gasped in admiration. If the mages had verified it, there was no more to say.
Especially since the mages were from the Tower of the Bloody Flame, once regarded as the best in the North. Plus, Vanessa was a 6th Circle mage.
Mages confirmed to participate? It would be foolish not to take part.
Claude intentionally emphasized that clever mages were participating because they were experienced enough to not easily sway.
Of course, he never mentioned that Vanessa was no longer affiliated with the tower and wouldn’t be participating in the bet.
“I’ll do it!”
Max shouted boldly, and the resolvers all agreed. Thus, Claude had tied together the mages and the resolvers.
‘Phew, now it begins. Just tell everyone not to worry since we’re definitely going to win.’
Still, he had developed just a bit since then.
Having succeeded in enticing the group, he didn’t rush to find Ghislaine right away.
Using his authority as Chief Officer, he clandestinely took some prototype powder and, with a solemn expression, mixed it and tasted it.
“Mm… flavorsome enough.”
Eating it did leave a slight heaviness in his stomach, but it wasn’t too uncomfortable. In fact, it even felt somewhat filling.
He went on with his work until dinner time.
“Feeling a bit hungry?”
Having mixed powder with water, it was natural to feel hunger. After eating another portion, he decided to take a quick nap before continuing his tasks.
“Oh, I’m starving. This is no good.”
He was hungry. He wanted something delicious to chew. As those thoughts hit him, he felt even hungrier.
He decided to stop eating the powder and, after filling himself with a hearty meal, he said aloud.
“I’m not going to starve to death with this. I absolutely can’t fight with this stuff. Hahahaha!”
He gave up after only one day of eating it. He was so hungry and constantly thinking about it that he could hardly endure it.
For this time, he was certain the lord had failed.
Seeing Claude’s arrogance, Wendy spoke cautiously.
“Isn’t it a bit much to decide after just one day? You should at least try for three…”
“Oh, come on. I can’t live off just this. This is a failure, a failure.”
“……The Lord has always produced unexpected results.”
“This time it won’t happen, and even if I lose, it doesn’t matter.”
“……?”
Wendy raised an eyebrow in surprise. How could someone who wanted freedom say it didn’t matter if he lost?
Was this really intended to warn against the lord’s arrogance?
As she gazed at him curiously, Claude turned his head.
Muttering as he looked out the window of the office, he said,
“I’ve got nothing to lose… My life’s already a mess; I have nothing to lose…”
“……”
Claude had nothing left to stake. Therefore, he had to pull along others’ lives and bet with them.
Wendy, who thought he might be turning a new leaf, could only stare at the ceiling of the office.
*
The contracts were signed quickly. The mages and resolvers staked their lives, requesting freedom and money as a reward should they win.
Of course, Ghislaine accepted without hesitation.
Forty-six mages extending their contracts and ten new resolvers recruited was something that simply could not be overlooked.
Looking at Ghislaine, Claude confidently declared,
“I’ll handle the management. No sneaking in food.”
“Good.”
“Heh heh, don’t regret it.”
“You should be the one… Oh wait, you have nothing to regret.”
The rumor that the lord and chief officer were betting once again spread quickly through the territory.
Those close to Ghislaine, like Belinda and Gillian, who always tried to dissuade her, didn’t say anything this time.
They knew from past experiences that it was futile to try to talk him out of it.
And it was true that there was some anticipation over whether Ghislaine would succeed again.
The territory residents of old Penris, having seen such bets several times, predicted Ghislaine’s victory.
It wasn’t based on any particular knowledge. They just believed Ghislaine would win again since she always had.
“They say the chief officer has taken on another bet?”
“Tsk tsk, I don’t know why he keeps doing this when he keeps losing.”
“I heard this time is different. They say all the mages are participating.”
“Eh, even so. Didn’t the mages not participate before?”
There were more and more territory residents who laughed at Claude, given Ghislaine’s popularity.
Still, Claude wasn’t fazed. This time, he was genuinely confident in his victory. If not, then so be it.
While Claude was brazenly holding his ground, those participating in this test were not amused.
“What is this!”
“You want us to endure for a month just on this?”
“And then have mock battles? How’s that even possible?!”
The knights and soldiers drafted were furious at the flour they were given each day.
What was the advantage of the territory? Even if training was tough, at least they could eat their fill, and that was their only benefit.
There was certainly an abundance of food. Lately, the residents of Penris had been developing various sauces to make even the slightest dishes tastier.
It wasn’t that Ghislaine had instigated these changes. It was simply a natural result of the abundant food resources.
Yet, in this situation where food had become plentiful, they had to train while only drinking the flour-mixed water. It was bound to make anyone angry.
Among the drafted knights, the foremost seniors, Gordon and Lucas, were the most furious.
“I’m not training on this crap! I’m gonna lose muscle mass!”
“This is a plot by those envious of my genius! I won’t let it slide!”
The elves reacted similarly. Among the drafted, Ascon was particularly furious.
“Hey, you bastards! How old do you think I am to survive on this! XXX! XXXXX! XX! XXXX! XXXXX!”
The language was too harsh to endure.
They tried to rise up, but were swiftly subdued by Gillian and the other knights guarding the area.
Especially because those who did not participate in the experiment were working hard to prevent the participants from escaping.
The participants all shouted in anger.
“Wasn’t this all the chief officer’s idea?!”
“Damn! Why does it matter who wins?!”
“Why must you always take things so extreme?!”
It was inevitable that the experiment would have happened even without the bet. However, it wouldn’t have taken this form.
Originally, Ghislaine planned to check her condition gradually over the days. After all, this was emergency combat food, not a regular meal.
She could confirm its effect safely while doing other tasks.
But Claude had pushed things extremely for the sake of winning the bet, seizing on the month Ghislaine had mentioned.
In the end, the participants’ ire naturally fell upon Claude. They had to endure just water and flour for an entire month.
While the people’s complaints and blame rained down, Claude didn’t bat an eye.
‘I’m not hungry.’
He was the kind of man with such strong mental fortitude.
In any case, the bet had begun. Claude prepared for new arrangements to secure victory more reliably.
While the bet and experiment took place, Ghislaine decided to try out a training method she had long contemplated.
[Transparent Swordmaster]
It was based on the inspiration derived from the book that Gordon had written.
