Chapter 112: Outcome of the Wager
「Franz, the deal with Viscount Barten is sealed, yes?」
「Yes. He’s suffered under the Prime Minister like we have—plenty of common ground. And the Chief’s pivot in tactics was impeccable.」
「Even if we obtain the Artifact, not knowing how to use it would be a disgrace. We need people who understand it—people who know which craftsmen are versed in it—brought over to our side.」
「Agreed. We can’t have him claim it’s ‘broken’ after we worked so hard to get it.」
「Our credit is on the line. We finish this perfectly.」
「What about Viscount Barten after we secure the Guinea Alchemin?」
「His role ends once he explains how to operate the Artifact. After that, it’s Lord Corinth’s call. Lord Corinth has promised to take us in. Viscount Barten is necessary to obtain the Guinea Alchemin. He won’t be treated poorly.」
「All the more reason we can’t let him out of our sight.」
「We follow him to the end. Commit all assets to this operation. Erich, Peter, Horatz—everyone moves. Send word to the village as well—start relocating the whole clan to Gantz. The path is set. Succeed or fail, we can’t stay in the village. We’ll rely on Lord Corinth; if worst comes to worst, be ready to leave the country.」
「Understood, Chief.」
Viscount Urs Barten made the usual preparations and set out for the gold mine on his regular schedule. A Royal Army detachment looks different from the clothes alone, and their papers were impeccable; the trip went exceedingly smoothly.
There were several routes to the mine. The unspoken rule was never to take the same road twice. This time wasn’t the shortest route but a detour—coincidentally close to the road toward Gantz. With thirty soldiers in tow, only a band of double that size would dare strike. Thanks to the recent bandit hunts, the big gangs had been smashed. With nothing at all happening on the road, the men grew lax.
Even so, Viscount Urs Barten never relaxed. He had a bet riding with those all-in-black men—the covert operatives who’d fallen to brigandage. What he’d said that day had been his true feelings.
「I don’t fancy the Prime Minister. As for this ‘Lord’ of theirs—let’s see if he’s truly fit to be called a hero.」
Late that afternoon, they entered a town. He oversaw his men as they brought the wagons into their usual inn. The gold went into long coffers and was carried to a room, to be watched under constant guard as arranged. Once the night watch was set and he finally allowed himself a breath, a voice spoke from behind.
「Go to the Merchants’ Guild and hear the news from Gantz.」
He turned, and no one was there. But he was certain it was the voice of the man they’d called Chief.
「I’m going to the Merchants’ Guild. We’ll check for bandit movements and notable reports. You lot hold the watch here. Don’t get sloppy.」
He informed his veteran adjutant and left the inn. Asking after local conditions at the Merchants’ Guild was standard procedure; none of his men found it strange.
It was a small town compared to the capital; the center plaza, where the guild hall was located, and the guild hall itself were so small that they barely deserved the name. He arrived quickly. In full Royal Army dress—uniform with matched sword and cuirass—he made the clerk jump to attention.
「At ease. I’m here to ask about notable news in the vicinity—bandit activity, and whether anything’s happened in Gantz.」
He flashed a small badge marking official royal business. The Merchants’ Guild charges for information like this—but not when it’s for the Crown. That’s the iron rule.
「Yes, sir. At present, no bandit damage has been reported.」
「None at all?」
「Yes. It seems Lord Corinth’s bandit hunts are bearing fruit. The merchants are all pleased.」
Lord Corinth, famed in the capital as the Bandit Hunter, was apparently delivering results along the highways as well.
「Excellent news.」
「As for the situation in Gantz, how much are you aware of, sir?」
「Situation? I’ve heard nothing.」
「Then please look here first.」
The clerk indicated a dispatch. It read: ‘Count Gantz invaded Lord Corinth’s barony with three thousand men and was slain. Until the heir succeeds, Gantz will be placed under the guard’s and guild’s administration under the Lord Protector’s protection.’
What is this?
His hand shook as he gripped the sheet. Perhaps because it was the only copy, the clerk quickly reclaimed it, worried he’d tear it.
「What is this…? So their story was true.」
Even if he’s the Lord Protector famed for bandit hunts—how did a mere baron, Lord Corinth, defeat an army of three thousand?
「Hard to believe at a glance.」
「When did this happen? Any follow-up?」
「The dispatch bears a date. Two days ago. And here is the next notice. Please be careful not to soil or tear it.」
The offered sheet was a copy of a public notice from the capital: ‘Until a successor to Count Gantz is confirmed, the governance of Gantz is entrusted for three years to Margrave Corinth.’
「Margrave…?」
A leap from baron to margrave was unheard of. But as a measure to steady the region after the Count’s death, it wasn’t impossible. A margrave’s role was, after all, to guard the frontier.
「Any further updates?」
He returned the paper and asked.
「That is the latest. Beyond this, you’d have to go to Gantz to learn more.」
「I see. You’ve been helpful.」
Leaving the guild, he started back toward the inn—when another voice called from behind.
「Hey—how about we have our talk in that tavern?」
He turned to find a man in ordinary traveler’s garb. No mask. He stood there baring his face to an enemy, Barten. No—having lost the bet, perhaps he now considered them comrades.
Barten followed the man into a tavern. The man ordered an ale and handed it over. The Viscount drank in silence.
「Looks like I lost the wager.」
「I’m glad to hear you say it. That makes things easier.」
「Your tone’s different, Chief.」
「That was my working voice. In public I mind my words—less conspicuous that way. Right now I’m merely the collector come to claim a gentleman’s stake from a Royal Army knight. Call me Erwin, not Chief.」
He smiled, genuinely pleased.
「Erwin, I’ll pay what I owe. But you’ll have to explain a few things first.」
「Naturally. We should coordinate. I’ll sneak into your room tonight—shall we settle the details there?」
「My room is no good. The men are next door. There are things I’ve set them to guard. I can’t clear the place out.」
「Hm. What about a brothel?」
「That’s a place I can visit without raising eyebrows.」
The mine wasn’t in a city. On the road, soldiers sometimes visited brothels in rotation. A bachelor officer going alone wouldn’t strike the men as odd.
「Please choose the most expensive house you can along the way.」
Erwin slid over a pouch heavy with gold coins. The weight in Barten’s palm told the tale.
「Lavish.」
「We can’t afford to fail. We couldn’t buy Viscount Barten outright for that sum, could we?」
「No. I agreed because I heard you out—and confirmed your master’s feat. Not for coin.」
「Good. For now, please keep it. If you treat your men as well, it will be all the more natural for you to go to a brothel.」
「True enough. I’ll do that.」
Keeping the troops sweet was never wasted effort. Under the Prime Minister, expenses had been slashed; few soldiers were paid enough to marry. They were sick of the work. Draining his ale, Barten returned to the inn with news of Gantz as his ‘souvenir’.
The brothel he chose was of high grade. When he scattered the entrusted gold, his men happily saw him off. The mine lay close; this would be the last large town. Everyone wanted to cut loose. As the officer responsible for guarding the gold they transported, he’d have to return early.
Without a word, the brothel led Barten to a room—where Erwin was waiting.
「No girl?」
「We have things to discuss that others shouldn’t hear. No.」
Erwin motioned for him to sit. Wine and simple snacks had been set out.
「Well?」
「With your cooperation, Viscount Barten, we can change the shape of this. We’ve put our heads together.」
He offered a single sheet.
A map of the mine? So they’d obtained one?
Thinking that, Barten took it—and found something unexpected.
「A recruitment notice from Lord Corinth? What is this?」
「Why not win over your men?」
「I see. On these terms… not bad. Better than what they have now.」
Barten was confident his men respected him. They disliked the Prime Minister and their current duties. They must have grievances. Even so, if he rebelled alone, there would be nowhere to go but banditry; at best, a third of the thirty would follow.
「But if I present myself to Lord Corinth with a gift in hand, the men will come, too—that’s your read.」
Lord Corinth had seized Gantz and, without delay, a ruling from the capital favored him; he’d been authorized for large-scale recruitment. With a clear envoy and terms, his men would accept their commander’s persuasion. Besides, the mine under the Prime Minister’s absurd demands was no pleasant workplace.
「He holds Gantz; the capital swiftly issued decisions in his favor. He’s been permitted a major levy. That shows where His Majesty’s trust lies.」
「True enough. Short of flying, you don’t reach the capital quickly. This wasn’t prearranged. His Majesty heard of the outcome at Gantz and chose to back Lord Corinth.」
「An unpopular, inept Prime Minister… and a young hero who seized Gantz, raised to Margrave, and serving as Lord Protector. Which benefits the realm more?」
「Lord Corinth, no doubt. My peers and subordinates know how foolish the Prime Minister is. If there’s an alternative, they’ll support it. Truth is—」
Viscount Barten drew a paper from his breast
「What’s this?」
「A demand from the Prime Minister. ‘Prepare these items’—so polite, in his own hand. I argued for a retraction—patiently. No luck.」
「This many gold coins in two months… is that even possible?」
「Likely not. And the deadline isn’t two months out. He ordered it sent back with the unit rotating in as I depart. In other words, two weeks after our arrival.」
Even Erwin was stunned.
「So—what will you do?」
「I am not a man suited for subterfuge. I’ll persuade my men and my peers openly. The Prime Minister kindly provided evidence. Either they indulge his private greed—or they sign on to Lord Corinth’s levy and help set the realm right. I’ll force the choice. If it goes well, the matter’s settled; if it goes poorly, they’ll fight each other—and in that opening, you take the Guinea Alchemin. How about it?」
Erwin fell silent, then finally nodded.
「Very well. With your temperament, teaching you trickery would be wasted. I’ll stake it on luck.」
「I’m no child of fortune.」
「Not your luck. I’m betting on Lord Corinth’s.」
Comment (0)