Chapter 133. Young and Tender Pillars (1)
Baron Tigor Baum, the owner of the Baum Mine.
The territory he rules is called High River.
The Baum family’s territory was named High River because of the river that originates there.
The river that starts here flows across the east and west of the Kingdom of Felix, passes through the capital Baltimere, and continues to the Free City Baywood, where it soon splits and flows into the Three Kingdoms.
There were people traveling down that grand and vast river.
“It’s certain that transporting goods by boat allows for a much larger quantity to be moved than by land.”
Vitelli stood next to Blanc and said with a smile.
The delegation of vassals heading to Norington was moving along a newly planned route instead of the existing land route.
The intention was to review Blanc’s plan by actually moving along that path.
“If we use this route well, Norington could truly become the center of southern logistics.”
Vitelli’s eyes glinted white.
“But would Baywood, the existing logistics hub, just stand by? From their perspective, it would be like having their profits stolen….”
Although Franz often did foolish things, his essence was based on that of a cold-headed mage.
Just as Franz said, from Baywood’s perspective, Blanc’s attempt to take away their flow of goods would not be viewed favorably.
The Free City Baywood, where lawlessness, disorder, and sin run rampant.
However, behind the facade of Baywood, there was an invisible order laid down by the influential figures of the Three Kingdoms.
At Franz’s words, all eyes naturally turned to Blanc.
Blanc shared his thoughts with them.
“For now, I intend to promote Norington with the concept of being another option that can replace Baywood, but…”
As Drogan, the chieftain of Brotswav, had said, the atrocities committed in Baywood were already crossing the line.
The influential figures of the Three Kingdoms hiding behind Baywood were only interested in the profits generated by the city, leaving the rest to be, in a sense, ‘free’.
However, the order in Baywood, left to its own devices under the name of freedom, only became more corrupt over time.
Blanc believed that if Norington could skillfully exploit this point, it could emerge as a new trade hub to replace Baywood.
“For now, we have secured the transactions that occur in Brotswav to come our way.”
No matter how diligently the facilities were built, if there were no people to use them, they would just be a pretty but useless thing.
However, Blanc, who had seen through all of this, had already made behind-the-scenes contact with several lords who were struggling under the pressure of Count Lacie, along with Brotswav.
“If things go well, the Kingdom of Anton might lend a hand as well.”
He was also considering other measures.
Vitelli looked at Blanc’s meaningful smile and asked.
“It would be difficult to bring about change in Baywood with the influence of just any powerful figure, wouldn’t it? Besides, Baywood will still suffer damage due to Norington’s existence. They will surely resort to some strange tricks.”
Vitelli’s concern was both reasonable and valid, but that was a situation Blanc welcomed.
“…If it comes to that, I would be even more pleased.”
A fierce momentum began to stir within Blanc’s smile.
“If they give me the justification first, that is.”
As a knight, Blanc wielded the sword of Aselheit, but as a lord, he wielded a sword forged of justification.
He was a man who had vanquished the enemies that stood in his way, along with the three barons, by wielding numerous justifications and honorable titles.
“…I see.”
Looking at Blanc’s fierce smile, Vitelli was realizing something new.
The fact that perhaps the one who could wield the sword of justification best in this world was the nephew standing right in front of him.
“So, don’t worry too much. If I need it, I will ask for your help.”
Vitelli and the vassals around him nodded.
Although making Norington the center of southern logistics was a difficult and uncertain task, they could be certain of the person leading it, Blanc.
Words of praise for him flowed from all around, but Blanc looked at the flowing river from the boat and quietly recalled his past life.
Baywood, the place that had ruined his life by killing his faithful gamekeeper in his past life.
Although Blanc had caught and killed Batai of the Black Tooth Mercenary Corps in this life, that alone was not enough.
The regressor’s thirst for revenge, which had been festering for 30 years, was hot and sticky.
To appease it, he had to either take Baywood or burn it to the ground.
The absence of existence.
That was always the end of the revenge Blanc desired.
“I sincerely hope they show their teeth to me first.”
Blanc simply wanted to burn all the sins that existed there.
***
“This is the tunnel I created, everyone!”
The party, having landed near Baywood, followed the tunnel created by Franz and arrived in Norington via the newly established road.
“Indeed, this seems worth a try.”
Vitelli nodded as he observed the dwarves roaming around and the Dwarf Craftsman Guild building being erected in the center of the city.
Although the dwarves had limited interaction with humans, the items they created and the skills of their craftsmen were welcomed everywhere.
“From now on, anyone who wants to hire dwarves will have to come to our Norington.”
Blanc, the first human lord to officially establish relations with Brotswav, intended to make full use of that.
Guided by Blanc, the party arrived at the highest point in Norington and, following Ciella who had been waiting in front of the Cadmus family mansion, moved to the banquet hall.
“You’ve worked hard.”
“This is my duty, after all.”
As it was the first banquet she was hosting as the lady of the house, Ciella had paid a lot of attention to it.
To the point of wringing the neck of the treasurer, Bonas, with both hands.
Although his neck wasn't literally wrung, Blanc saw Bonas' pale complexion and thought he should quickly hand over the investment money from Berger.
“Welcome, everyone! Please enjoy yourselves to the fullest!”
The people who would build the new County of Cadmus gathered in the newly built mansion.
As Blanc exchanged drinks with them, his gaze turned to the strangers sitting in a corner.
“Are those them?”
“Yes. They are the delegation sent by the Second Prince of Gartaria.”
Blanc already knew that the Second Prince’s envoy had come to see him through a letter Ciella had sent in advance.
‘Why do they look so dejected?’
However, it was impossible to fully grasp the situation from just the short letter.
“They look quite disheartened…”
Ciella, who hadn’t taken her eyes off her husband for a single second since his long-awaited return, answered as if she had been waiting.
“Perhaps they were intimidated by the majesty of the developing Norington?”
Ciella’s words were plausible, but it was unlikely that people of the stature of a prince’s envoys would be intimidated for such a simple reason.
‘Not that it’s a bad thing.’
Blanc thought that perhaps the Second Prince’s situation was more difficult than he had expected.
“Let’s raise our glasses!”
When Blanc, the rightful and sole master of Norington, raised his glass high, everyone in the room followed suit.
Even his uncle and a man of Tolome, Vitelli, raised his glass along with Blanc.
In Baltimere, Blanc had been mindful of Tolome and respected them, but here in Norington, it was right for him to respect Blanc, who was the master.
“I would like to take this opportunity today to express my gratitude to all of you who have believed in me!”
Although Quiesco was not present at the joyous banquet, Blanc bowed his head and expressed his gratitude to the people of his maternal and marital families who had helped him.
“Are we not one family, mixed by blood? From now on, Cadmus and Tolome will sail on the same ship!”
Vitelli treated Blanc with his usual hearty laugh.
As the raccoon dog made the first move, Hopkins, not to be outdone, also raised his glass high and shouted.
“While we are of mixed blood with Tolome, are we not of a relationship to mix blood with you, Neudorf!”
Hearing Hopkins' words, Ciella turned her head and laughed as if embarrassed.
“You are all correct!”
While Blanc laughed and solidified his resolve with those who had raised their glasses high.
Blanc, engrossed in the banquet, was unaware.
Of the sight of Ciella, who had turned her head as if embarrassed, naturally slipping something into the next glass Blanc would drink from.
Hopkins and his party, who had noticed, quietly smiled at Ciella.
“For Cadmus, Tolome, and Neudorf!”
Blanc drank from his glass without a pause.
Something pink, hidden in the alcohol, was spreading inside his stomach.
Not only Hopkins, but everyone except Blanc watched the scene with a proud smile.
Everyone here was an accomplice.
***
The people of the Kingdom of Felix were overjoyed when Blanc became the Sixth Knight of Aselheit.
It meant that they now had a knight they could proudly present.
One they could proudly present.
When it came to knights representing the Kingdom of Tolome, one could mention Schumacher of Tolome and Horst, the Captain of the Royal Knights, but even they had a massive wall they could not overcome.
The Balthazar family of the Kingdom of Anton.
The ducal family of the oldest kingdom and the one that had produced the sharpest swords.
And the family that had the only Knight of Aselheit before the appearance of a knight named Blanc.
“My junior has sent me a letter.”
A middle-aged man with some white hair mixed in his gray hair smiled faintly and shook the letter he was holding.
The letter he held was stamped with the symbol of a black wolf.
“What a rascal. I even sent him a birthday present, but instead of repaying me, he’s asking for help one more time.”
Though he called him a rascal, a smile never left his lips.
Because his junior, Blanc, was continuously raising the prestige of being a Knight of Aselheit.
As the Sixth Knight of Aselheit shone, there was someone whose fame was bound to rise as well.
The Fifth Knight of Aselheit, Duke Wesler Balthazar.
The strongest knight of the Kingdom of Anton handed the letter to the man in front of him.
“Go and give him my answer.”
The young man standing before Wesler asked.
“What should I tell him, Father?”
The young man, who had the same hair color as his father, looked at his father with deep eyes.
“Tell him I will do it.”
Wesler Balthazar clasped his hands under his chin and spoke to the young man.
“I never liked what those Baywood bastards were doing anyway.”
The young man who received the letter quietly touched the black wolf symbol drawn on the envelope.
“Get a price in return.”
The young man, who had been looking down at the letter, raised his head to look at his father.
“What price should I get?”
At his son’s question, Wesler quietly shifted his gaze.
The young man in front of Wesler also turned his head to follow his gaze.
There, in a magnificently decorated suit of armor, was a beautifully preserved sword.
A sword engraved with a blue tanzanite.
“The Knight’s Sword, the sword of Aselheit. In principle, all knights are given the right to challenge the one who holds that sword.”
Wesler’s gaze deepened.
“Go and exercise your right as a knight, Gornas.”
A strong light of conviction was present in Wesler’s eyes as he looked at his son.
“Go and announce your existence to the world.”
In his past life, there was a man who was called the last hope of humanity.
The one who was called the final Sword Saint, who had executed the Void at the forefront of the Liberation Front.
The one who had killed the Void Knight Simon Diez and cut down three Void Trees.
-Do not forget. That Pleasure and Speed suit you.
And the one who had passed on the vision of Assinsao to the mercenary Blanc Scar, who had been rolling on the ground.
“I understand, Father.”
Gornas Balthazar.
He was moving toward Blanc Cadmus.
Gornas' gaze was fixed on the blue sword his father had received, but his steps were moving toward the green sword that would be in Norington.