Wolves of Hader

Chapter 140

It was definitely Ross's voice.

He was looking for me together with Johnny.

"Ross! I'm over here!"

After shouting, I listened carefully.

"Wait! Wasn't that Roger's voice just now?"

"Yes! From underground!"

Tak tak tak tak. Thud—

Clang. Tak tak tak tak. Thud—

I heard the sounds of someone running down the stairs and the iron door opening in succession.

"Johnny, wait here!"

Tak tak tak tak. Clang—

The sounds came closer and closer.

"Donnie! Wake up!"

Only then did Donnie open his eyes.

There was a bead of blood at his nose.

He really did suffer an internal injury.

"Ross! Over here! In the vault room!"

"What were you doing there?"

I heard Ross crawling up over the pile of coins. Then as he looked over at us—

"What on earth are you doing right now?"

"As you can see."

Donnie said with a tearful face.

"Please spare me, family head."

"What?"

"Please save us."

"So, you two were just...?"

Ross stared hard at Donnie and me.

His mouth twitched.

Even his nostrils began to flare.

"Bwahahahahaha!"

"Yeah, laugh it up. Go ahead."

"Ahahahahaha!"

Ross grabbed his belly and rolled around. He writhed on top of the treasure, laughing so hard that tears welled up in his eyes.

"Is it that funny?"

"Hahaha! Ah, I'm gonna die!"

Donnie and I both shut our mouths.

It seemed—

A shameful black mark was now part of my life.

Ross continued laughing so hard it sounded like the whole castle would come down. Even the bodyguard knights thought, 'Has our family head lost his mind?' and ran down to the basement.

/ / /

Donnie and I hurried through our meal.

Ross kept staring at us as we ate.

"You could've just watched for a bit and stepped back—but why did you stand there until you got buried?"

"I told you, it was like being possessed."

"Possessed? Is there a ghost in the castle or something?"

"Anyway, neither of us was in our right mind."

Ross didn't ask any more and just kept laughing.

Our disheveled state must have been hilarious, but since the house had gained a huge fortune, he couldn't keep his mouth shut anyway.

"Both of you have reached a new level."

"Is it that obvious?"

"Very. Even though you're just eating, a wave of ki keeps emanating from you."

"Is that so?"

I looked at Donnie and he held out his hand.

"Look."

A gentle light shone from Donnie's hand.

So did mine.

"It feels like the dragon's magic power has permeated throughout my whole body. Your hand isn't the only thing glowing, young lord—even your face is shining."

"Bellen and Lok's bodies were glowing too."

"Really?"

Ross chimed in as well.

"It's because you were buried in those magic power coins for hours, right?"

"Yeah."

"Russell and I should try that too."

"We need to set up a separate training room and fill it with magic power coins. It could be dangerous if your level is too low."

"I'll bet. If Donnie even suffered internal injuries..."

Ross looked at me with a warm gaze.

"Did it really feel like possession?"

"Yes. In the dream, I saw an unidentified old man—he told me to come somewhere."

"Was he malevolent?"

"Not particularly. Do you know where Hairopro is?"

"Never heard of it."

Donnie shook his head as well.

He hadn't dreamed anything.

Who on earth was that old man I saw in my dream?

He was dressed entirely in black. Did he say the elders were waiting for me? Who were they, and why are they waiting?

Hairopro.

Even if I don't know where it is, I have a feeling I'll encounter it someday on my journey. I'll figure it out as I go.

"How are the wedding plans going?"

"Fine. Planning something simple, like my sister did."

"Wouldn't it be better to find a newlywed house?"

"Probably, right?"

"The fortress will be turned into a citadel soon. We'll give the castle to the knights, and all us siblings can live elsewhere."

"Is there a suitable house?"

"We'll have to look. There are a few places that are easy to guard and close to the fortress. I'll check them out."

"Thanks, I'll be counting on you."

It would be a house to gift my sister when she returns.

If our family could gather together, and the Berserkers and special forces lived nearby, it would be perfect.

After the meal, I went to my room.

I was scheduled to have a meeting with Johnny after lunch, but had disappeared for hours—so they'd come looking for me.

Ross had just come back, too.

/ / /

A few days before the New Year.

I stopped by a quiet restaurant. Here, I was to meet the owner of the mansion we intended to buy.

I came with an employee from the East merchant guild and Johnny. From now on, Johnny would convey my intentions to the guild. We had just finished all recent meetings about our future business.

Anyway. If you leave the hut and look north, you can see the mansions I found. After asking the East merchant guild to look into various places, we located these.

Behind the mansions, a tributary of the East mountains stretches out, and to both sides are massive gorges. The front is wasteland like our own fortress, and there's a large river ahead.

Six mansions sit in the gorge beneath the mountains. A low fortress wall encircles the mansions in a semicircle. And it's not far from our fortress.

Between the fortress and the six mansions rises a rugged rocky mountain. In about a year, we could connect underground. The problem is—these mansions are extremely expensive.

"Is Baron Ud'l coming in person?"

"Yes. The one in the center belongs to Baron Ud'l. The rest are his relatives' mansions."

The East army once surrounded our fortress, and their commander then was Baron Ud'l. We weren't especially distant, but there was no reason to become close, either.

I had heard plenty about him.

A typical noble. He tried to edge in on the East merchant guild but was refused several times.

It was Count Urke keeping an eye on us. For Baron Ud'l, he was just following orders from his superior and commanding troops. Because of that, his presence in the east diminished greatly.

In truth, I'd tried looking for other mansions. I didn't think Baron Ud'l would actually sell, and there were some better mansions to the south, though they were less ideally located.

But last week, an imperial edict arrived—so we decided to buy the Ud'l estate. I had no hard feelings toward him, so we decided to proceed in a way that benefited us both.

"Johnny, how are the Ud'l family's finances?"

"They've worsened since last year. They used to invest in Lord Urke's business and such, but not anymore. They were originally in the mining business."

"They ran a mining business?"

"Yes. It's gone under now."

I realized it went under because of us.

"They won't last much longer, will they?"

"That's probably why they're moving. The baron's father-in-law and cousin have put their houses up for sale. Oh—there he is, arriving now."

I looked out the window to see a carriage approaching.

He's selling the house to start a business. If things keep going like this, he'll end up having to sell the remaining houses too.

Clatter.

The door to the hut-restaurant opened and knights entered. The miners, startled by the unexpected visitors, jumped up from their meal. I didn't know why he'd brought knights along.

Once the knights stood at the door, a man wearing a fur cloak over his shoulders entered. To anyone watching, he'd look like a general just returning from battle.

Baron Ud'l looked at me, strode over, and dropped heavily into the seat across from us. He seemed to feel that any possibility of good relations with us was already sunk.

"Long time no see, Lord Roger."

"You're heavily armed, I see."

"I'm the deputy-commander of the East army. This is my casual attire."

Baron Ud'l frowned when he noticed Johnny. As if thinking, why is this boy at the table?

"This isn't a seat for an attendant."

Johnny started to stand up.

But I made him sit back down immediately.

"He's not an attendant—he's my secretary. You seem to have some ill feelings toward me."

Baron Ud'l gave a bitter smile.

"Why would I have any good ones? Your house sabotaged our business, and now you aim to destroy us—on the basis of a grudge that isn't even a grudge."

"There seems to have been a misunderstanding."

"A misunderstanding? Who took over our business with money and barred us from setting foot in Mouk? Now that things are going your way, I suppose you're pleased?"

It was meaningless to bring up that Count Urke acted on his own judgment. We could not prove we hadn't masterminded it.

"Don't you intend to sell the mansion, then?"

"You said you were buying all six, right?"

"That's correct."

"We will not sell two of them. If you want all six, give me 10,000 gold coins."

The merchant guild employee swallowed dryly.

Johnny's jaw dropped wider and wider.

"That is excessively expensive."

"The size and location of the mansions alone are enough to justify it. And I must account for the damage you've caused."

"What will you do if you sell the houses?"

Baron Ud'l's brow deepened.

Did he find the mere question impudent?

"What business is it of yours what I do?"

"If you're relocating, there's a good place, and if you're doing business, I might be able to help."

Baron Ud'l's eyes went wide.

That was surely an unexpected twist.

"Is that for real?"

"You may have whatever misunderstanding you wish about us. But you're deputy-commander of the East army, and one of the region—there's no need for hostility."

Baron Ud'l's expression brightened considerably.

He clearly hadn't anticipated this.

"So you'll really pay that price?"

"Is the amount acceptable to you?"

"It's on the high side, but whether I move or go into business, I'll need capital for both."

He nodded.

"If you sell, where will you move to?"

"Haven't decided yet. I should move into a smaller house than this one. I'll have to start a business there."

"How about Kiris?"

"Kiris port, you mean?"

"Yes. The viscount Kiris has a castle at Kiris port. Three or four families could easily live there."

Baron Ud'l stared at me in silence.

He must have wondered what my intentions were.

I pressed on.

"Your father-in-law who put the house up for sale—he was in mining, right?"

"That's right."

Baron Ud'l fell silent again.

I continued with a smile.

"Here's my proposal: Baron Ud'l, you relocate to Kiris, and persuade your father-in-law to move to Kali."

"The viscount of Kiris and Baron Urada?"

"Both have taken asylum in Tern. They won't be returning to the empire."

"I see. Then..."

Baron Ud'l's face brightened.

"You mean, exchange your territory's castles with our mansions?"

"That's correct."

"And the income from the territory?"

"Both territories are ours. Baron Ud'l and your father-in-law can manage them, and pay tax to our house."

"Taxes, too?"

"Both territories are small fishing ports, so the tax burden is minor. It's only taxes paid by fishermen and merchants. We're not simply sharing that tiny amount."

"Then what?"

I pulled out a prepared map and unfolded it.

Baron Ud'l looked it over.

"What's all this?"

"A road from Tris to Mouk."

"A road?"

"We'd like you, baron Ud'l, to take the position of Kiris branch manager in the East merchant guild, and your father-in-law to manage the Kali branch. Since your father-in-law ran a mining business, he can participate in mining in our Urada territory."

Baron Ud'l's jaw dropped.

It was something I'd seen often this year.

"Soon, the East merchant guild will build a road and start a carriage transport business as well. As branch managers, both of you can of course invest in the branch business."

"Will you really do that for us?"

"Baron Ud'l, it was only misunderstanding between us. When there's a right man for the job, there's no reason to look elsewhere."

"Then what about the taxes?"

"Just pay 60% of the total tax income."

"Sixty percent?"

"Both ports will develop, and business income will be over fifty times the tax. For us, gathering enough only for the imperial tax is sufficient."

Baron Ud'l was unable to hide his happiness.

Taxes alone couldn't be enough to administer a territory anyway.

There was still a problem left.

"The deputy-commander post concerns me."

"The imperial edict came a short while ago. Soon, a Far East fleet will be established under the East army, and I've recommended you, baron Ud'l, for the position."

"Truly?"

"Yes. You'll retain the deputy-commander post for the time being. Once you transfer to the Far East fleet, our family head will take the East army deputy-commander role."

"Astonishing."

It seemed that the fact my brother and I hadn't joined the army had weighed on Count Watts's mind. If something happened, only a military man could take command.

So Count Watts recommended Ross to the imperial family. He was fully qualified. His marquess house was already that of a margrave. I, too, intended to join if things turned bad.

The West and East armies are not standing troops but territorial defense forces—militias belonging to the empire and local lords. Most soldiers have day jobs, making them reservists and active-duty at the same time.

"So, what do you think? Will you join us?"

"I will. It seems I'd misunderstood you."

"You can move to Kali and Kiris right away. If you need capital for branch business, the East bank will loan it at a low rate to employees."

"Do you think we don't have enough money for that?"

Baron Ud'l stood and held out his hand.

"Isn't this how you always say hello?"

"I guess I'm famous for it."

"I wanted to do it at least once."

"As much as you wish."

I took Baron Ud'l's hand.

At last, I appointed managers for two territories that had been without an overseer for too long. Getting six mansions was just a bonus.