Chapter 56 : Chapter 56

Chapter 56. I Am Rich Now (1)

After sending off all the souls, Patrick searched the black mage’s hideout a bit more.

If there was anything else dangerous left, he had to find it now and dispose of it. So, he meticulously….

“Tch, there’s nothing worth any money.”

Anyway, this bastard….

Patrick spoke with a voice thick with annoyance, filled with sincerity.

“Ah, this isn't right. This just isn't right. You bastards who don't even know this minimum level of decency.”

Patrick spoke as if he would have beaten the black mage to death if he were alive in front of him.

“Traditionally, when you subjugate demonic practitioners and raid their base, shouldn't there be a divine weapon, a peerless martial art, a precious spiritual medicine, or gold and treasures? At the very least, a peerless beauty sleeping in a stone coffin should be the norm, shouldn't it?”

To think this bastard was called a Great Master in his past life….

It's true that such things did happen occasionally in the Jianghu.

But that was the Jianghu, and this was the continent of Pangemonia.

“Deplorable... The principles of the Jianghu have fallen to the ground. Tsk tsk tsk, it wasn’t like this in my day.”

Regardless, the madman who only sought the principles of the Jianghu when it was convenient for him was blaming the innocent black mage.

In truth, it wasn't completely empty.

As it was what seemed to be the black mage’s hideout, there were some miscellaneous items.

The problem was that the value of most of them was unknown because he didn't know what they were used for.

“Damn it, they look suspicious at a glance, so I can’t even take them outside to get them appraised…”

Since he didn't know the value of the items, he couldn't distinguish whether they were worth money or just junk.

Still, just in case, Patrick meticulously examined the items.

It was an expression of his determination to find even a single scrap of gold to take back.

Rustle.

“Hm? What’s this now?”

He heard something rustling and moving from one side. He turned his head just in case. And was soon disappointed.

“Ehh, it's just bugs?”

What was there were just bugs.

There were many collection containers filled with bugs such as centipedes, moths, bees, and spiders.

“They look like poisonous creatures at a glance. Do black mages use poison too?”

In his past life, this could have been worth money.

At the very least, his in-laws would have been happy if he had brought it to them.

[Hahaha. Our son-in-law has caught a human-faced spider.]

His father-in-law in his past life was a man crazy about poison, so he was very happy when he brought such poisonous creatures.

But here, there was no place that would accept poisonous creatures even if he brought them….

“I have no choice. I'll just get rid of them all… huh?”

At that moment, Patrick discovered something.

“This is… that’s right, isn't it?”

Patrick was quite surprised.

He knew that his past life in the Central Plains and this continent of Pangemonia were different in many ways.

But this was undoubtedly that.

He had actually seen it before.

While working with a merchant guild in his past life, he had also confirmed this, which was the raw material in the process of making it.

If what Patrick was thinking was correct, then he could definitely make that. Which meant….

“Heh… hehehehe….”

Patrick’s mouth split from ear to ear.

“Khehehehehehe.”

Patrick, who had burst into a mad laugh, raised both hands and shouted loudly.

“I am rich now.”

Whether he was rich or not was unknown, but it was certain that he was a madman in anyone’s eyes.

* * *

Rewarding Merits.

After winning a war, the most important task is to praise those who have achieved merit and give them due compensation.

Count Parmas did not delay and quickly gathered the nobles to proceed with the matter.

The first person to be praised was….

“Hahaha. You were magnificent, Viscount Preis.”

“You praise me too highly, my Lord Count.”

It was Viscount Preis, who had clearly played a major role at the vanguard.

Viscount Preis, holding his helmet at his side, bowed his head respectfully to the Count.

At his dignified yet humble appearance, the other nobles could not hide their envy.

‘If I had known, I would have taken the vanguard…’

‘I was too nervous just because it was a black mage. I made a mistake.’

‘Tsk, it’s a pity. Our army could have done much better.’

After everything is over, anyone can say, ‘I could have done it too.’

But no matter what, in front of the person who actually did the deed, it is nothing more than a fading grumble.

Viscount Preis had risked danger, volunteered for the vanguard, and achieved a clear merit in anyone’s eyes.

To such a Viscount Preis, Count Parmas said.

“Thanks to you effectively blocking the zombies at the vanguard, our forces were able to settle the situation with an advantage.”

“……”

“As expected of Viscount Preis and your elite troops, who were renowned for their valor in their youth. To respond so calmly to the bandits’ trap. Is this why they say experience is so fearsome?”

At Count Parmas' praise, Viscount Preis did not know what to do with himself.

He wasn't just saying it; he truly thought so. Because….

‘Is it really okay for me to claim this merit as my own?’

It was Patrick who came to him and gave advice when his battle lines were in disarray due to the vanguard competition.

After that, when the war broke out, it was the soldiers of the Schneider fiefdom who took the lead and dealt with the zombies.

They even cleanly dealt with the bandits who were shooting arrows from both sides.

Yet he was the one being praised for the merit.

If he had a conscience, this moment could not be comfortable. And even….

“Baron Haspir and Viscount Baison also did well. You too fought bravely at the vanguard and upheld the spirit of the east.”

“Thank you, my Lord Count.”

“We only did what we had to do.”

Baron Haspir and Viscount Baison, who had made a mistake while fighting at the vanguard, fell into the enemy's trap, and depleted their forces, were also being praised.

In the end, it was hard to say they had achieved merit, but they deserved praise just for fighting bravely at the vanguard, which others were reluctant to take.

“I will surely restore the damages the two families have suffered this time. First, I will grant a three-year tax exemption, and I will also give appropriate privileges to the merchant guilds operated by your families.”

“Thank you, my Lord Count.”

“We are grateful for your thoughtful consideration, my Lord Count.”

At Count Parmas' words, the two men let out a sigh of relief.

The damages they had suffered this time were so great that the future seemed bleak when they thought about how to recover, but thanks to Count Parmas providing a breather, they could see a way out.

And if these two received a reward of this level, then naturally, Viscount Preis had to receive an even greater reward.

“Viscount Preis.”

“Yes. Please speak.”

“I will grant your family a five-year tax exemption, and also a reward of 300 gold in cash and 50 fine horses.”

“Thank you, my Lord Count.”

“If there is any other reward you desire, please tell me. What would I not give for the one who contributed most to this war?”

At Count Parmas' words, Viscount Preis let out a small sigh.

‘I can’t get any more indigestion.’

He didn't know what Patrick was thinking when he yielded the merit to him, but if he took it all like this, he felt like he would really get indigestion.

“With all due respect, my Lord Count. The reason our army was able to achieve merit at the vanguard this time was thanks to the efforts of young Patrick, the son of the Baron Schneider family, and the soldiers who followed him to support our forces.”

“Ooh. Young Patrick helped the Viscount?”

“Without him, our army would also have suffered immense damage. Therefore, I believe it is right to bestow a great reward upon Baron Schneider.”

Baron Schneider, who was suddenly named by Viscount Preis' words, wore a bewildered expression.

Seeing Baron Schneider’s face, which clearly showed the sentiment ‘Me?’, Count Parmas said.

“Young Patrick has already established great merit by saving my daughter once, and it seems he has distinguished himself in this war as well. Baron Schneider.”

“Yes, my Lord Count.”

“You must be proud to have such an excellent son.”

‘No. I’m not.’

Since he couldn't say that, Baron Schneider just lowered his head deeply, and at his appearance, Count Parmas nodded with a smile.

“Baron Schneider. I will grant your fiefdom a three-year tax exemption. Also…”

“My Lord Count. Please wait a moment.”

Before Count Parmas could finish his words, a noble stepped forward and said.

“Viscount Balson, what is it?”

Count Parmas said with a hardened expression to Viscount Balson, who had appeared, cutting off his words.

To that, Viscount Balson bowed to apologize and opened his mouth.

“I apologize, but considering the weight of your words, my Lord Count, I thought it would not be good to cancel something once spoken, so I have hastily intervened. I beg your forgiveness.”

To Viscount Balson, who was skillfully apologizing while arguing that there was a proper reason for it, Count Parmas let out a small sigh and said.

“Hmm, state your business.”

“Yes. I am sorry, but while I can acknowledge the merits of the three families who volunteered for the vanguard, it is difficult to acknowledge the merit of the Baron Schneider family, who were on standby in the rear.”

“You cannot acknowledge it?”

“Yes. I have heard that the soldiers Baron Schneider brought were merely 100. With that number, how much of a contribution could they have made even if they joined the vanguard?”

“……”

“Moreover, the position of the Baron Schneider family was not the vanguard, but the rear guard behind it. To leave one’s position during a war and arbitrarily join the vanguard is also a violation of military law.”

“Violation of military law…”

“That is correct. Originally, this is something that should be punished. It is not as if the other families lacked courage and were just waiting in the rear, is it? There was a military formation ordered by you, my Lord Count. We who received the order naturally did our best in our own positions according to it.”

“……”

It was a cunning turn of phrase.

He did not acknowledge the merit Baron Schneider had achieved, and instead, he questioned the crime of clearly leaving his position.

At the same time, with words that meant, ‘We could have done it too, but we were just following orders. The very orders you, my Lord Count, gave,’ he gained the sympathy of the surrounding nobles and at the same time made it difficult for the Count to rashly side with Baron Schneider.

If he were to forgive and reward someone who had ignored the military law he himself had issued, it would be no different from Count Parmas diminishing his own authority.

‘That bastard’s tongue, I swear…’

Count Parmas frowned.

Viscount Balson was originally from the central nobility and had been appointed to the east after the faction he belonged to was heavily pushed out in the power structure of the political world.

In effect, he had been marked as a political scapegoat and demoted.

Unlike the other eastern nobles, who were mostly military nobles, as a noble who had survived in the central political world with his political skills, his tongue was indeed very skilled.

Count Parmas personally did not like such people. But….

“Hmm, Viscount Balson’s words have a point.”

“With the Count’s command in place, one should not carelessly leave one’s position.”

“It seems right to punish rather than reward this.”

The words themselves were correct, and the moment other nobles agreed and a public opinion was formed, Count Parmas could no longer ignore his words.

‘This is why I hate politicians.’

The troubled Count Parmas could not easily open his mouth. Instead, the one who did was….

“Do you think you can say anything, you cunning bastard?”

It was the fiery-tempered Viscount Preis.

As he stepped forward, shouting in anger, Viscount Balson flinched for a moment but soon put on a straight face and said.

“Cunning? What groundless insult is that?”

“A man who only watches from behind and runs his mouth dares to belittle the merits of those who fought, shedding their blood with swords in their hands. The soldiers of the Baron Schneider family fought more bravely than anyone. Without them, the tide of battle would have been very difficult.”

“Are you saying that the soldiers of the Baron Schneider family, who have no knightly order and are just mere soldiers, greatly influenced the tide of battle?”

“That is correct.”

“Hahaha… It seems the Baron Schneider family and the Viscount Preis family are closer than I thought.”

“What did you say?”

“Otherwise, there is no way you could be so unreasonable, is there? The number of soldiers the Baron Schneider family can mobilize is only 100. What influence can that much force have on the tide of battle?”

“I saw it clearly with my own two eyes. The soldiers of the Baron Schneider family, though soldiers, are far more powerful than most knights.”

“How absurd. At this point, it is beyond unreasonable…”

Viscount Balson said with a strange smile.

“I have no choice but to suspect that there was some kind of backroom deal, but?”

“What did you say!?”

Viscount Preis shouted in a rage.

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