Chapter 169

Chapter 169:  Master of the Trade Route (6)

"I heard everything, Lord Roger."

The Empress nodded, seemingly satisfied with my response.

After that, she clasped her hands behind her back, rose from her seat, and signaled her escort.

The Sword Saint, who had been quietly drinking three full refills of tea all by himself, also got up from his seat.

Unlike at the beginning, when he seemed eager to return to his quarters, he now looked reluctant to leave, smacking his lips as he stared at his empty cup.

"I'll discuss this matter thoroughly with His Majesty."

"I leave it in your capable hands, Your Highness."

I walked beside her and expressed my gratitude.

Perhaps Margaret was also pleased with the matter, as she replied in a gentle voice.

"Don’t worry too much. If the trade route expands, of course a knight order to maintain security will be necessary. And the land you proposed seems spacious enough."

"It’s the largest of the three villages."

Valdes, who had been listening from behind, didn’t look pleased.

With a cold, expressionless face, he took a step back and discreetly pulled out a crystal orb—one only granted to those ranked bishop or higher.

A high-grade crystal orb.

The highest tier of messenger orbs, a treasure that allowed communication only among its owners.

Holding it in his hand, he quietly made his way to the bathroom to contact someone in secret.

"Yes... they’re planning to establish a knight order on the second daughter’s land."

The bishop was relaying what he had just heard, word for word.

"Is there any clear solution?"

Even from his perspective, there didn’t seem to be a good way to block the establishment of the knight order.

It was incredibly difficult to drive a wedge between someone who already had a connection with both the Empress and the Emperor.

And if the intent were to be discovered by mistake, it could instead worsen relations with the Imperial Family.

Especially for Valdes, a staunch imperialist, caution was paramount.

Within the national church, the Imperial Family was his only real ally. If that relationship soured, he would almost certainly end up isolated.

"Rather than confronting a smart opponent, it's better to go after those around him."

Fortunately, the person beyond the orb immediately began devising a plan.

Hearing this, the bishop let out a short breath, seemingly reassured that he had found a proper lifeline.

"Who do you mean by ‘those around him’?"

"People who are easily swayed by a single word, and always stick together in groups."

At that meaningful comment, Valdes listened attentively.

Soon, his expression brightened, as if he had just been told a satisfying strategy.

Then he tucked the orb back into his robe and strolled back leisurely.

"……."

I felt a strange sense of discomfort but still courteously escorted the Empress and the bishops outside the hotel.

Margaret maintained a calm expression even as she boarded the Imperial carriage.

"I had a lovely time today, Roger."

"It was an honor to host you, Your Highness."

I bid farewell, beginning with the Empress.

"It was a pleasure, Roger."

Next to board was Valdes.

Unlike when we first met, he now spoke to me in a very relaxed tone.

"I hope things go well with the Nord mountain range."

"Since Your Grace has spoken so kindly, I’m certain it will."

Two long-eyed men exchanged glances.

Then, each turned away, their faces once more cold.

Bang.

I personally closed the door of his carriage.

Then, silently, I turned and walked toward Istina’s carriage.

She hadn’t boarded yet, one foot resting on the step.

In the dim night streets of Old Luton, she stood alone, glowing faintly.

Her sacred silver hair made the space in front of the hotel seem even more radiant.

“Why didn’t you board first, Saint?”

“It’s fine. Thanks to this, I’m not cold at all.”

The Saint gently stroked the scarf I had given her as a gift.

“If this matter goes well, you’ll be officially titled Baron, right?”

“Yes, I’m quite looking forward to it.”

I clasped my hands behind my back, dressed in my black coat.

A soft warmth flowed from inside her carriage.

“I’ll be made a bishop soon, too.”

“Congratulations.”

I sincerely offered her my congratulations.

However, Istina didn’t seem satisfied with my reaction.

Even after hearing my response, she continued to gaze up at me quietly.

“Is that really all you have to say?”

“Pardon…?”

I looked blankly down into her sea-blue eyes.

Then the Saint stared straight into my dull, dark eyes before sighing softly.

“No, never mind. It’s actually a relief that you’re this dense.”

As she turned, her silver hair danced beautifully in the light.

“Have you ever been in love?”

“Love, you mean…? No, I’ve never had time for such things.”

The Saint paused for a moment and murmured quietly.

“Even busy people make time if they have someone they want to see… You really haven’t, even once?”

“Yes, that’s right.”

Let me think for a moment.

In this life, only a year had passed—so it was impossible, of course.

Then in my previous life…

Come to think of it, in thirty years of living, I had barely spoken to any woman.

At best, only to a few young ladies visiting the mansion or the maids working there.

Even then, I had been busy cleaning up after the young lords’ misdeeds.

Naturally, such thoughts often crossed my mind:

‘If I end up dying doing this kind of work, or get framed and imprisoned…’

What would happen to a woman who gave her heart to me?

And if we had even married and had children?

They would only live miserably, resenting me for the rest of their lives.

Such fears of the future had made me distance myself from love altogether.

‘And it’s the same in this life.’

Considering I had nearly died in the mining village not long ago…

Entrusting my heart to someone was never going to be easy.

For both me and the other person, it would only leave deep wounds.

“Haah… Anyway, you’ll be spending some time within that vast mountain range, won’t you?”

I was pulled from my wandering thoughts when the Saint spoke again.

“Well, yes.”

“When my schedule’s finished, I’ll come to help you again, so take care of yourself until then.”

She had already helped me back in the mining village, and now she wanted to come again?

Her excessive kindness brought those earlier thoughts back to mind once more.

‘Don’t tell me… this person… didn’t see me as just a business partner?’

Up until now, I thought all her kindness was just performative—meant to please the public.

But now, with all these thoughts swirling, I felt a strange heat rising within me.

“Will you be all right? Isn’t your bishop inauguration coming up soon?”

“It’s a brand-new city in the making. Of course the Silver Truth Church should establish itself there. Isn’t this a golden opportunity?”

For a moment, the Saint’s eyes took on a worldly glint.

Less merciful and sacred—more mature and cunning.

“Ah… so that’s what this was about.”

“What? Were you thinking something else?”

Her deep eyes once again settled on my face.

They brimmed with the teasing energy of a little devil.

“No, not at all. I’ll see you then.”

Of course not.

There’s no way the Saint would fall in love.

With a faint laugh, I shut her carriage door.

Then, hiding a secretive smile, she gave the coachwoman the signal to depart.

――――――

After parting ways with her like that…

The next day, I headed to the Nord mountain range ahead of Echina.

More precisely, to the And Plain, where we planned to build the city.

Several villages were already nestled tightly together there.

Most of the population, I’d heard, lived off logging.

The lumber they harvested had to be taken all the way down to a lower town, which took four hours.

In many ways, transportation and infrastructure were so poor that even lighting streetlamps was a challenge.

To keep lights on in this frigid wind, one would need oil or mana—but they lacked both. Even oil was too precious to waste.

As expected, the scenery perfectly reflected that bleak atmosphere.

Houses made of the North’s characteristically black timber, dreary roads…

Here and there, I spotted children running about, which at least gave the impression that people lived here.

“Echina’s going to be shocked.”

The Grand Duke’s daughter, who had spent her entire life in cities and among knight orders, would probably be speechless.

Building a metropolis in a place like this—just thinking about the starting point was enough to feel overwhelmed.

Watching the children play, I followed behind with a fatherly smile.

Then, turning around the back of what seemed to be the village’s main hall…

I saw a large crowd gathered in the square.

‘What’s going on?’

Men and women bundled up in thick clothes were all gathered together.

They were focused intently on one man standing on a makeshift platform.

He had hung a large banner and was passionately sharing some information he claimed to have heard in Nord.

「We Strongly Oppose the Establishment of a Knight Order in And Plain!!」

The moment I saw that banner, I immediately understood whose doing this was.

Valdes—who had snuck off with a crystal orb into the bathroom last night.

That guy had surely chirped the news straight to the archdukes like a little bird.

And our wicked sons must’ve moved right away.

‘So the first strike is incitement.’

It was a tactic I’d taught them in my past life.

But now that I’d become the public enemy in this one, they seemed to have mastered it all on their own.

Eric always did have a knack for this kind of thing.

“Everyone, do you really think only good things will come if a knight order is established in And Plain?”

Most of the townsfolk seemed to think it was a good thing.

“Of course it is, isn’t it a government institution?”

“This could be a great opportunity to boost the village’s competitiveness! The roads will get wider too!!”

Most of the younger men seemed to agree.

They were hopeful that they wouldn’t have to travel all the way to Nord anymore just to find work.

But then—

“Everyone, are you aware that if a knight order of brigade level is established, a level-1 detention center will be built alongside it?”

A level-1 detention center.

A facility that houses heinous criminals who have committed national-level crimes.

“Think about it—such dangerous criminals coming to a place completely isolated from the city. If they ever escape, this village will be in total chaos!!”

Newspapers often reported stories of prison breaks and the havoc caused by the escapees.

At this, the middle-aged citizens—those with children—began to grow uneasy.

“B-But won’t the knights stationed here keep close watch?”

“Well, even the newspapers say prison breaks happen frequently. Even in the capital, where the Imperial Knight Order is based!!”

The agitator raised his voice to a sharp pitch, stirring an atmosphere of fear.

“Imagine those criminals escaping and building a hideout in a place like this—so hard to track anyone down. The mountain range will turn into a demon’s lair in no time!!”

Murmurs spread among the crowd.

This was clearly a remote region, far from the capital.

Even if a knight order were stationed here, it wouldn’t be easy to find escaped criminals.

Even the locals often lost their way and died from exposure.

Just a step off the roads led straight into a snowy wilderness.

“I believe we must not allow a knight order to enter our village, for the sake of our safety. I will not let the mountain range become a haven for criminals!!”

A few fiery youths began to join in support.

They raised their fists high into the air, trying to lead the mood.

But—

They quickly faltered at the sight of a man pushing his way through their group.

I had personally climbed up onto the platform, brushing them aside.

“Hold on a moment—let’s pause here.”

“Who are you…?”

The man who had been speaking clearly and confidently now scowled at my sudden appearance.

But I paid him no mind and calmly looked out over the gathered villagers.

“Pleased to meet you, everyone. I’m Roger Julius, from Nord.”

“Roger…?”

Some of them tilted their heads, seemingly having heard the name before.

Then an elderly man clapped his hands and spoke up.

“You’re that man from the papers! I remember now—you saved the city of Haman!!”

Maybe it was because I already had a record of saving a whole city.

The older folks, who read and reread the paper every day, recognized me.

“That’s right. And now, I’ve been assigned to oversee the urban development of And Village.”

I turned my gaze to the agitator.

He swallowed hard, visibly nervous.

“I happened to be surveying the village when I noticed an interesting speech going on, so I thought I’d come take a look.”

“Well, since you’re here, why don’t you explain it to us directly!!”

The elders graciously gave me the floor.

“Is it really true that a knight order would compromise public safety if stationed here?”

Before answering their question,

I looked over at the streetlamps, long since unlit.

Dust had caked the insides, as though they hadn’t been in use for quite some time.

“When buildings go up and the population increases, it’s only natural that crime rates rise as well.”

After all, not everyone in the world is a saint.

Even among kind people, conflict naturally arises when they live closely together.

“That’s only natural. It’s just how the world works. But cities form precisely because the benefits outweigh those small issues.”

I raised a finger.

Then, gesturing toward the streetlamps, I called everyone’s attention.

“Those streetlamps—can any of you remember the last time they were lit?”

The sudden question left the crowd momentarily stunned.

It seemed even they couldn’t recall clearly.

“Well… we’ve always just carried our own lanterns…”

“It’s too much to keep those lamps burning all day in a place like this. It’s not like we have oil to spare…”

Even one of the elders responded in a doubtful tone.

At that, I stepped down from the platform, wearing a pleased expression.

“Of course. To keep streetlamps running all day would require a lot of oil.”

I placed my hand on the cold lamp post.

It seemed to be an old structure installed by the state long ago—faint traces of mana circuitry still remained.

Though clearly unused for quite some time.

“Without streetlights, the nights here must’ve been pitch dark. It must’ve been difficult to go out… even harder to enjoy a drink with friends.”

Everyone nodded in agreement, their fur-lined hats bobbing in unison.

They looked like a cluster of mountain squirrels in the snow.

“With nights always so dark, I’d say that’s precisely what leaves you vulnerable to crime. You wouldn’t even know if something happened next door.”

Then I lightly tapped my narrow eyes with my fingers.

“And if someone runs away, no one will be able to help them. You can’t help what you can’t see.”

“That’s right! I once slipped on the stairs and hurt my back… but no one came to help me…”

One elderly person who lived alone muttered gloomily.

At that, the neighboring elders patted him on the shoulder in comfort.

“But did you know, everyone? If a knight order comes, yes, there will be a detention center too—but one more facility will also come.”

I sent a small pulse of mana into my arm.

Nowhere near the amount a full knight would use, but still…

“A mage tower.”

That was enough to light a single streetlamp.

――――――

A soft flame flickered to life in the dust-choked lamp.

For the first time in years.

“Of course, it won’t be as massive as the one in the capital. But it’ll provide more than enough mana to keep all the lamps in this area lit.”

A city that would remain bright even through the night.

A life where the setting sun no longer meant being shut indoors.

“If the whole world is glowing with bright lights, what kind of criminal would dare wander freely?”

The villagers all looked up in unison at the warm glow of the streetlamp.

They stared into the light that would shine on them even in the dead of night.

“If you put your trust in us, we promise you safe nights.”

Evenings where they could share a drink with friends after dark.

A security where, even if they suddenly collapsed, they would be found.

“Oooh…”

A gentle warmth began to descend upon the crowd’s snow-gray eyes.