Chapter : 42

All preparations to leave the domain were complete.

Internal sources of conflict had been dealt with in advance, and I had given all necessary instructions for the tasks to be carried out while I was away at the Holy See and back.

All that remained was to head to the Holy See. However, I couldn't depart for the Holy See right away as I had planned.

‘Hmm…. what a headache of an era.’

Traveling during this period, especially in [Pangea Universalise], was no easy feat.

First, the roads connecting the domains were not properly maintained, and to make matters worse, they were teeming with bandits due to the constant wars waged by the lords for their own reasons.

In particular, mercenaries would often pillage villages and raid merchant caravans under the pretext of not having received their pay.

‘It will be even more dangerous since I have various valuables and trade goods to present to the Holy See.’

I didn't know when or how those jackal-like bastards, having caught the scent of money, would try to tear us apart.

One might think they wouldn't dare attack a group flying a noble's banner, but these outlaws lived their lives without a thought for the consequences.

‘Of course, that’s not the only problem.’

In fact, there was a bigger problem.

The world I had entered….

This [Pangea Universalise] world was a fantasy world where the mysteries of magic and mythical monsters ran rampant.

‘A world threatened by large monsters and unknown mysteries….’

It was a stroke of luck amidst misfortune for humanity that the large monsters preferred to live alone rather than in groups.

This was because it was relatively safe if people traveled in sufficiently large groups.

Therefore, even a noble had to be thoroughly prepared before embarking on a journey, especially a long-distance one.

Thus, I first summoned the Blackrock Mercenary Company again through Captain Konrad.

Experienced dwarves, heavily armed with halberds, would be safe even on this long march.

In addition, 200 of the newly trained pikemen and an entourage of 30, including knights, were to accompany me.

We were, in a word, thoroughly prepared.

Thanks to this, I was able to leave the domain with a much more relaxed heart.

* * *

Thump, thump, thump.

Soldiers marched on the road, their spears, over 3 meters long, resting on their shoulders.

Captain Konrad, on horseback, was busy coordinating the soldiers, moving from side to side.

Unlike other infantry, pikemen had difficulty changing direction due to the nature of their long weapons.

Therefore, they needed prearranged signals, and the role of the non-commissioned officers who could confirm and give these signals was crucial.

Since the pikemen unit had only recently been formed, there were still many problems in this area.

If this road had not been maintained since the time of the ancient empire, countless problems would have occurred.

‘Still, it seems to be going well.’

I muttered as I watched the marching soldiers from my horse.

There were still many clumsy aspects, but these were not knights who had honed their combat skills since childhood, nor were they battle-hardened mercenaries.

Considering that they were serfs until recently, this was a huge improvement.

No, in terms of discipline, they surpassed the knights and mercenaries.

Since they were deliberately recruited from village units, the sense of solidarity among the soldiers was exceptional.

In addition, their serf-like disposition of being submissive to their superiors also played a part.

And Captain Konrad, a dwarf, was surprisingly adept at training such soldiers into fine elite troops.

‘I was a little worried, but it was unnecessary.’

Seeing things change according to my rough plan put my mind at ease.

I had placed talented people in the right places and given them authority, so the domain would now develop on its own.

Just like the pikemen unit led by Captain Konrad right now.

“Mehehe. I was the one who called for him, but isn't Captain Konrad quite a fine fellow, mer? You must not forget this Marco's contribution, mer!”

Beside me, this goat beastman approached, stroking his beard.

It was Bishop Marco who had first recommended Captain Konrad. He was putting on airs after seeing my satisfied expression.

“Yes, yes. Thank you very much.”

Now, even such a sight felt quite cute.

In a way, you could call him an easy character to read, couldn't you?

Bishop Marco, the goat beastman, was greedy, but at least he wasn't the type to scheme insidiously behind the scenes, so that was a relief.

“Mehehe! Actually, Captain Konrad is from one of the influential families of the Canton Confederacy, mer!

If it weren't for me, you wouldn't have been able to hire him so easily, merrr!”

“Oh?”

The Canton Confederacy.

A confederation of nations in the Arhen Mountains of [Pangea Universalise], composed entirely of dwarves.

A nation where domains ruled by individual families called cantons were united under the name of a confederation and led by a kind of council of influential figures.

No wonder Captain Konrad's abilities had seemed unusual all this time; to think he was a member of one of those influential families.

“If you say so, he must be from a pretty influential family, right?”

“Mehehe! Of course, my lord. Didn't you feel it when I introduced the dwarf craftsmen last time, mer? I didn't say it, but he is a direct descendant of an influential family that rules one whole canton, merrr.”

If that was the case, he was an influential figure in name but no different from a noble in reality.

Moreover, the cantons of the Arhen Mountains were often located at key trade junctions, so their power was comparable to that of a city-state.

It was a moment when I saw Captain Konrad in a new light.

“Hehehe. Human lord. Why are you looking at me like that? Do you have a favor to ask?”

Sensing my gaze, Captain Konrad, who had been commanding from a distance, laughed and approached.

“What favor could I possibly have? I was just listening to Bishop Marco talk about you.”

“Aigoo! That loose-lipped goat beastman bishop must have told you everything.”

Clicking his tongue, Captain Konrad glared at Bishop Marco.

Bishop Marco had already slipped away to the outskirts and was preaching, or rather, proselytizing to the soldiers and mercenaries.

Judging by the occasional clinking sound, he seemed to be secretly selling indulgences again.

“Haha, don't be so harsh. He probably meant no harm.”

“It’s a bigger problem because he means no harm, human lord.”

It seemed he had intended to remain quiet, as he hadn't revealed his identity.

But what could be done? The cat was already out of the bag.

“Isn’t that the bishop’s charm?”

I chuckled at the sighing Captain Konrad.

“By the way, I heard you are a direct descendant of an influential family. Why the mercenary work?”

“Well, I am a direct descendant, but there are over ten above me, human lord.”

“Aha?”

“We dwarves don’t give the position to just one person like you humans do…. Still, the canton is too cramped.”

Captain Konrad said with a shrug.

It seemed this dwarf had chosen to go outside rather than fight internally.

Considering the large number of dwarves working as mercenaries under Captain Konrad, he must have had some renown.

“But how did the two of you become so close? To be honest, Bishop Marco is a bit difficult to get along with….”

A sudden curiosity prompted me to ask. They were quite an odd pair if you looked closely.

A goat beastman and a dwarf.

Moreover, one was a mercenary captain and the other a bishop. And as mentioned before, Bishop Marco was a very greedy person.

For the dwarf race, who are second to none in their greed for money, they could be seen as polar opposites in a way.

“Hehehe. Bishop Marco is indeed very greedy, human lord. It's difficult for dwarves to get close to him.”

As if reading my thoughts, Captain Konrad laughed heartily.

“Meeeh? Lord? Did you call for me, mer?”

Just then, Bishop Marco, who had been busy selling indulgences from a distance, raised his head.

“No. Just keep up your business.”

“Mehehe! Understood, mer.”

He sure is quick on the uptake.

It seems he has a sixth sense for when people are talking bad about him.

“But that’s why we became close so easily, human lord.”

“How so?”

“Well, to be honest, he was so openly greedy that we had a lot of conflicts at first, human lord.”

Captain Konrad’s lips curled up as he spoke, as if a distant memory came to mind.

“But as I watched him, I realized that Bishop Marco was not only greedy for money, but also had a considerable desire for honor and vanity.”

“Oho? And so?”

“Hmph. What else. Every time he helped us with our work, I just thanked him and built him a plaque and a statue in the canton.”

Was there such a method?

If he had tried to entice him with cold hard cash, it would have cost a fortune, but that was a very good method.

“Hehehe. After that, he worked hard to represent our interests at the Holy See, human lord. Keep that in mind for when you need to use him later.”

“That’s very good advice.”

I'll have to try using that myself.

* * *

On the third day of our journey to the Holy See.

We had already passed the outskirts of the domain and were about to cross the border, having been received by the external domains.

“How about it, would you like to visit our canton on this occasion? Human lord.”

At the crossroads where the main road leading up to the Arhen Mountains and the road leading down from the mountains met, Captain Konrad asked.

“Our canton is not as large as the human lord’s land, but it is one of the main trade routes and a quite prosperous city.”

“Mehe! Not quite. It is extremely prosperous, Lord! They rake in money with a rake, mer!”

“Oho? Really?”

“That's not all, meeeh~. It's also famous for tourism, mer! The hot springs and the fiery dwarf women are excellent there, mer! Mehehehe.”

I don’t know why hot springs and fiery dwarf women (?) were mentioned in the same context, but it seems Captain Konrad's family’s canton was a major one in the confederacy.

“Ahem, ahem. Bishop Marco, please don't say such things.”

Captain Konrad said with a feigned cough, trying to be modest. But he couldn't hide the pride in his expression.

“If we turn towards our canton from here, I will treat you very well, human lord.”

“Hmm.”

I contemplated his proposal for a moment.

Visiting the canton in the Arhen Mountains would be a detour, so the journey to the Holy See could be longer.

As if reading my thoughts, Captain Konrad stroked his magnificent beard and exclaimed in a voice full of pride.

“I know what you're worried about! But our canton has maintained the roads of the ancient empire very well! You can actually get there faster than by taking the downward path.”

“Really?”

“Of course! The road, maintained with smooth stones and not a single blade of grass, is the pride of our Canton Confederacy!”

“Mehehe. That's right, mer.”

With Bishop Marco also saying so, it was a rather tempting offer….

“The specialty of our canton is beer, human lord. It's an amazing brew. The fizzy beer with bubbles popping up.”

“Oh?”

Beer.

And fizzy beer at that?

For me, who had always just been drinking watered-down rich wine, I was suddenly intrigued.

On top of that, Captain Konrad's next words sealed the deal in my wavering heart.

“You have probably never tasted it, human lord. That cold beer. You can only drink the cold beer made with the eternal snow of our Arhen Mountains in our canton!”

“Oh????”

Cold beer?

“Alright. Let's go right away. To your canton.”

I can't resist that.

* * *

And a short while later.

“???????????”

“??????”

As we made our way up towards the Arhen Mountains along the road, we couldn't help but have question marks pop up above our heads.

“Did we… take the wrong path?”

“Uh…. that…. I’m sure this is it…?”

“Meeeeeeeeh???????”

The road ahead of us.

This ancient road leading to the canton was completely blocked by lush undergrowth and barricades made of various pieces of wood, as if it had not been maintained for a long time.

Like ruins.