Chapter 422 – Test (1)
When the time Verden had spent in the Great Forest and the Blue Mountains was added together, it came to about two months.
It wasn't a particularly short period of time, yet as expected, not once had Arein been attacked by other powers, including the Sovereign.
"After Sir Asher left Arein, a few days later, the news of the Diamoon tower master's death spread across the entire continent. As expected, the impact struck the Ownerless Land squarely."
Among them, the reaction of the Southern Alliance, which had been supported by the Diamoon magic tower, was the most violent. The reason was that the Diamoon magic tower had withdrawn a large number of its main forces from the disputed territories of the Ownerless Land.
That was only natural.
With the tower master and nearly half of the upper echelon, including his first disciple, dead, what leeway could they possibly have left?
'Besides, a succession struggle between the tower master's child and his second disciple is practically inevitable.'
For now, gathering their scattered forces and regaining control would be their top priority.
Their factional conflict would come after that.
Keirel reported.
"With the Diamoon magic tower gone, you can see them floundering even from a distance. Thanks to that, infiltrating the disputed territories under the Southern Alliance's control was much easier."
"Were there no problems?"
"The atmosphere in the disputed territories is bloody, sure, but in the end, it's still where people live."
Even the disputed territories had castles, cities, and villages. It wasn't only armies that resided there. Ordinary livelihoods still existed inside.
"If you disguise yourself as a peddler and adjust your identity, it's relatively easy to go in and out of cities and villages. Or you can just trick the sentries, and… the Mages Cain and Unia introduced to us are quite skilled in that regard."
The Society was an organization that operated out of sight of the magic towers.
Their excellence in disguise and infiltration was beyond dispute.
Above all, Cain and Unia were disciples trained by the Sages of the magic towers, the new generation of the Society, who were publicly declared to one day lead the magical world.
Though they had little practical experience, their talent could not be denied. They had already proven themselves through their activities in Gargant.
"And…"
Keirel rummaged through his robes.
He pulled out a silver bracelet that reflected no light, and a spherical Golem.
"This communication device, and what you called the memory Golem… where in the world did you get them?"
"Judging from your reaction, it seems you're pleased with them."
"It's not a matter of liking them, it's just that they're simply absurd. To be able to hold near-instant conversations across long distances, and even record scenes continuously for arbitrary playback. Not to mention it's impossible for outside interference. If this ever went into mass production, the entire landscape of the world's information wars would be overturned."
Keirel's prediction was no exaggeration.
The technology left behind by the First Demon King was of that much value.
"So, any useful information?"
"I got some. With items like this monopolized, failure is simply impossible. Here, this is footage we secured last month."
Keirel activated the memory Golem.
From how he handled it, he'd used it a few times before, his operation already skillful. On the empty wall, light imbued with magic power shone from the Golem.
The stored memories began to replay visually, in real time.
The first thing that appeared was Unia's face.
She waved her hand in front of the memory Golem's eye, her lips moving.
There was no sound playback, so nothing was heard, but by her lip movements, it seemed she said, "It's working, right?"
Unia leaned against a large rock.
Then, she subtly extended the memory Golem forward, letting it capture the scenery outside.
What appeared was a 'mine', where a considerable number of people were coming and going.
"As you can see, it's still inactive, under development, a magic stone mine. This footage was obtained in a hidden area under the Southern Alliance and Diamoon magic tower's control."
Mines were common in the Ownerless Land.
From Verden's experience, there was nothing particularly impressive.
"Is there something special about that mine?"
"Categorically, it's a complex magic stone mine with various metals mixed in. On the surface it looks ordinary in scale, but… the interior is on a whole different level."
The memory Golem showed the next scene.
Unlike the outer entrance, the tunnel facilities were not of normal standards.
They were, simply put, enormous.
"Our investigation confirmed the deposits were tremendous. Rare metals are even being found here and there."
***
A massive complex mine.
The discovery of a deposit of this scale was only the third in the history of the Ownerless Land.
One was operated within the Sovereign's territory, another lay in the domains of the Great Lords but had been closed decades ago.
"The Southern Alliance discovered this one the year before last, and began large-scale development in collaboration with the Diamoon magic tower last year. They invested quite a lot, so if things had gone smoothly for even half a year more, it would've been completed without issue… but now it's been exposed."
"Has word reached other factions?"
"With the Diamoon magic tower's calamity, the Southern Alliance was badly shaken. When an earthquake strikes, worms start crawling about, don't they? It seems some traitors driven by private greed have appeared inside the Alliance."
Keirel showed the third video stored in the memory Golem.
"Considering the Eastern Great Lords, famous for being so immovable, are sending quite a lot of supplies into the disputed territories."
Dozens of massive wagons marked with the symbols of the East traveled in long lines. Dust billowed harshly from the trampling of countless hooves.
Adrian and Isabella, who had been listening quietly from the side, were impressed.
"We had heard from my lord that memories could be recorded and the past revisited… but seeing it like this, the utility far surpasses expectations."
"Indeed. With no possibility of tampering, its credibility is assured. For information relay, it's overwhelming."
[…]
Alpha leaned back slightly.
He seemed quite pleased by the flood of compliments for his creation.
Verden asked.
"The Western reaction?"
"The Sovereign is quiet. Abnormally so. Without doubt, they're waiting for the Southern and Eastern conflict to escalate and explode, before making their move. The Sovereign is renowned for cunning schemes."
Keirel replied with firm conviction.
Verden sank into thought.
A massive complex mine secretly developed by the Southern Alliance…
'Tempting.'
Not merely for the immense profits the mine would generate.
Magic stones and metals.
If they could be secured in steady supply, Golem research facilities could be actively operated, mass production of Golems would become feasible.
"How are territorial transfers in the disputed region usually handled? Is it simply like here, where you declare a territorial war and seize the land to become its rightful owner?"
"In the disputed region, large-scale wars are mainly carried out by 'agreement'. The leaders first meet, then conduct in-depth discussions. Surprise attacks without prior notice are rare."
Keirel perked up her cat ears.
"For example, if you invade another power's controlled territory and succeed in occupying it, you return the land you seized, and the hostages you captured, in exchange for the compensation agreed upon beforehand."
"And if the price can't be paid, then the land is simply taken away for good."
"Exactly. The disputed territories flow according to these unspoken rules. They treat war itself as a kind of business."
The Ownerless Land was a legal battlefield, and the disputed territories were its very front line. The profits created in the process of devouring and being devoured were immeasurable.
That was why the world did not wish for the Ownerless Land to be unified under a single ruler.
Because they did not want conflict to vanish forever.
As said before, the Ownerless Land had been created out of necessity.
"..."
Verden fixed his gaze to the side.
The map, which had originally only been roughly divided into regions, now had its territories clearly marked. The disputed territories, which until now had almost no information, were no exception.
The location of the newly discovered massive complex mine was included as well.
All of it had been noted down by Keirel.
When the technology of the Demon King was placed in the hands of a beastkin born and raised in the Ownerless Land, the results were impressive. It was excellent capability.
Truly a talent worthy of Adrian's recommendation.
'In any case.'
The course had long been decided.
The plan he had gradually been conceiving in his mind. How he should act from now on was obvious.
Verden, at present, held no hesitation.
***
"Who's next?"
"Helfen, the merchant master of the Gray Bear Company. The topic of the meeting is the development of the central plaza of Arein. The scheduled time is 7 p.m."
Mires, who served both as maid and secretary, flipped through her notebook.
Liam was enduring a busier schedule than ever, hardly able to rest.
Though he had once studied the duties of a lord, this time it was of little help. Even his father had never ruled over two territories.
'If not for Dallehin's Vampire, it would've been impossible…'
What's more, people of influence had been pouring into the city recently, requesting counsel every day. The matters he had to worry about were endless.
"You looked tired, so I prepared a refreshing fruit drink, my lord."
"Thank you, Mires."
The maid, Mires, smiled warmly.
Even though his father had passed and the retainers had all departed, she remained the only servant by Liam's side.
'And she even rejected Sir Asher's offer.'
Mires had declined the chance to leave the Ownerless Land and live a comfortable life.
She wished to live in Arein, to remain beside Liam. He was grateful. He couldn't help but feel a sense of debt.
'Yes, I must work harder.'
Liam shortened his nights of sleep, focusing on his duties so as not to remain a powerless lord.
To care for his people, he had to prove his potential value, and to grow into a capable lord was his own wish as well.
"Liam Arein."
"…!!"
At the sudden voice, Liam jerked his head up.
From the shadows of the office, where the light of the magic stone lamps did not reach, Verden revealed himself.
It wasn't that surprising.
He had gone to greet him earlier that afternoon when he returned to Arein.
But still—
"Sir Asher, what brings you here…?"
Suddenly, Liam felt déjà vu.
The image of Verden barging into the castle unannounced, dismissing the envoy sent by Dallehin, and proposing a deal, resurfaced.
Liam straightened his posture.
Verden spoke.
"Before I went to the Great Forest, I told you. While ruling two territories, gradually raise your own prominence."
"I remember."
"The result."
"At the very least, I believe I've made the name Liam Arein known to everyone."
Liam answered with confidence.
There was no benefit in shrinking back with false modesty when he had results to show.
Of course, he hadn't embellished his achievements either.
"Good. Despite it being an unfamiliar experience, your overall management wasn't bad. Where you lacked or didn't know, you actively sought advice from Dumal… Is the role of lord a good fit for you?"
"I still have much to learn, but yes. If given time, I'm confident I can govern well."
"Even if the territories increase further?"
Liam blinked.
"May I… ask in detail what you mean?"
"As you know, I have no intention of managing the territories directly. I plan to entrust them to suitable people like you or Dumal. But once the land grows wide enough, a deputy will be necessary."
By deputy, he meant a lord with higher authority, ruling in Verden's stead, by gathering together multiple subdivided territories.
"Right now, the Ownerless Land is divided into three—South, West, and East. The disputed territories as well. Meanwhile, Arein is distinctly located in the North. With that in mind, Liam, I ask you."
Verden quietly proposed.
"Would you not like to become the ruler of the North?"
A shift in the balance of power.
The main stage was beginning to form.
***
The four-way division of the Ownerless Land.
In the end, Liam Arein accepted Verden's proposal.
Isabella touched her lips.
"Liam Arein, huh. Last I saw, he looked barely twenty or so. Isn't it too soon to entrust him with such a big seat?"
"Age isn't everything."
"Well, that's true… But Liam might see himself as nothing more than a puppet of the head of house. Whether intended or not, that is the reality."
"Liam is more rational than he appears. Even if he thinks himself a puppet, instead of showing it, he'll focus on learning what he needs. And in doing so, he'll come to realize he's no mere puppet."
Of course, Verden knew well that the position of ruler of the North would weigh heavily on Liam.
Yet he had no intention of rescinding it.
This was, in essence, a test for Liam Arein.
"It isn't always right to employ only those already prepared. If someone lacks ability, then you raise them. An investment now will become the foundation of power later."
Adrian and Isabella had already heard of Verden's plan. They all understood the ultimate goal they sought to achieve in the Ownerless Land.
At that moment, Verden said.
"But aside from that, we cannot deny that, for now, strengthening our immediate power is the highest priority."
Verden looked at his hand.
"A new weapon is needed."
Dragon materials.
He would have to meet the Dwarves.
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