Wolves of Hader

Chapter 121

"Aaahm~"

I let out a long yawn.

"Didn't you get any sleep last night?"

"Yes. I had a bit of trouble sleeping."

I was sitting with Count Parde at an open-air tea shop in Tris Plaza.

Count Parde was engrossed in reading the business proposal I had written.

We had wrapped up most of our conversation on the way back from the Urada territory.

The Count had mentioned that funding was insufficient to continue the construction work, so I had suggested an alternative.

Given the circumstances, Count Parde's response made sense.

The construction of the capital is not an immediately profitable endeavor.

The project required enormous funding, and the house simply didn't have that much money.

"Aaahm~"

"Why don't you try to catch a nap?"

"I'll take a break, I suppose."

As soon as I'd returned to Tris, I'd gone straight to Viscount Landan's hideout.

In the end, Landan slipped away.

Still, I achieved what I wanted.

I found what I'd been searching for.

Landan would have no idea that I was so knowledgeable in that field.

Landan probably waited for a chance to kill me, but we had no reason to do the same.

He wasn't going to run back to the capital out of fear.

That was why we went through with it.

If we managed to remove him, that was ideal; but even if we failed, it still counted as half a success.

He would believe it safer to follow us instead of hiding away in his mansion.

There were things I needed to verify personally, too.

Those who are extremely cautious only reveal themselves when perfectly sure of their safety.

There's only one situation like that.

That's when the best opportunity arises.

Not for Viscount Landan, but for myself.

In any case, this incident secured alliances with powerful houses.

The admiral of the Central Fleet.

Barako Merchant Guild, the major merchant in Tris.

And Count Parde of the central-west.

To strengthen this alliance, we must grow together.

Naturally, we have to earn enough money that no amount of bribery or threats could sway us.

We just need to show that we're superior to the Syren faction—whether in strength or in wealth.

Then there will be no reason for them to waver.

In fact, our side would only grow stronger.

Count Mals and Merchant leader Barako went to the capital some time ago.

As soon as they get the emperor's approval, there will be trade negotiations with Tern.

It will probably go through without much difficulty.

The captain of the palace guard said in a letter that there wasn't a single Secret Council elder opposing it.

It's for the Empire's benefit, and those elders and their children had all done things on the Pleasure Island after all.

The admiral stood a good chance to be promoted to Grand Admiral for opening up trade routes.

For a career soldier, that was the greatest reward.

So now only Count Parde remained regarding the business.

The Parde house specializes in transport, with their main products being specialty liquors and glass crafts.

That's why, in exchange for us handling the capital construction free of charge, we attached several conditions.

We asked them to handle the transport of supplies just once, and also proposed a new business idea.

"A rubber tree? What's this?"

Count Parde asked while flipping through the document.

The southern part of the Parde territory is warm all year round.

With the right environmental setup, cultivation seemed possible.

"You just have to build a house to grow the trees. Erect semicircular supports made of iron and cover them with black cloth. Then, raise the humidity level a bit."

"That would make it quite hot, wouldn't it?"

"Rubber trees thrive in such an environment. They are originally jungle plants—so they don't need much sun, and they're comparatively easy to grow."

"But if you cultivate trees, wouldn't you need a lot of water? Do you mean there's that much groundwater?"

"Yes. The west side of the western mountains and the east side are both connected by rivers and lakes. But to the south, there are no rivers at all—only wastelands and desert. Why do you think that is?"

"I see your point."

"It's because on the south side of the mountains, water only flows underground. The amount must be enormous."

It's just a guess, but I'm pretty sure.

Back in my previous life, the area in the Parde territory wasn't as barren as it is now.

It even had a big river.

But now, it doesn't exist.

The river must have gone underground, changing its course.

That river was just one of the many streams flowing down from the mountains.

If you want to know about underground water veins, you can just ask the western Dran tribe.

They also have magic that keeps their villages warm, so they could probably study the cultivation, too.

"So, in summary, you want us to transport the goods just once for free. And you're asking for 40% stake in this rubber tree business. What exactly do you mean?"

"We'd just like 40% of the raw rubber produced."

"That still wouldn't cover construction costs, would it?"

"It's relatively easy to lay water pipes in Parde territory. The cost of making the water pipes is higher than the construction cost."

"I see."

In the Parde territory, there are only sand dunes to the south; most of the rest is barren flatland.

No one travels in the wasteland, and the ground is hard—so there's no need to bury the pipes.

"But is there anything that needs to be transported from the west?"

"Yes. We plan to buy minerals from the Dran tribe in the western mountains. We'd like you to transport them."

"I do know the western Dran, but none of our people have actually been there."

"You're familiar with Lala Village, right?"

"Of course. It's at the northernmost edge of our territory."

It's the village where Donnie sent his message when we traveled to the western mountains.

Donnie met Urendo, a Dran tribesman there, who acted as our guide.

"The Dran tribe often comes to that village to get food. If you give them my name and my intentions, they'll be your guides. I'd imagine, by now, they've even installed the elevator platform and such."

"So, you even know the western Dran tribe?"

"I even went to the Dran capital."

"The more I see of you, the more amazed I am."

Count Parde nodded.

"But what is rubber used for?"

"It can be used to make rubber tires."

"Rubber tires?"

"Yes, by fitting rubber onto carriage wheels. The outside layer is very tough, but the inside is a honeycomb structure."

"What's the advantage of using those on carriages?"

"It gives a very comfortable ride. The carriage will go about twice as fast, and the horses will be less exhausted."

Count Parde's interest was piqued.

It was as if the future of his house depended on this.

"Soon, the eastern merchant guilds will begin making new types of carriages. If you produce rubber tires and supply them to the eastern guilds, you can expand your business as well."

"I see."

Count Parde's expression brightened considerably.

Construction costs had been his biggest headache.

"Since the Parde house is in the transport business, carriage parts and freight carriage businesses will be a good fit. Gathering materials is also easier in Parde territory."

"Is there sand in the rubber tires or something?"

Count Parde joked.

"Actually, sand is one of the raw materials."

"Is that so? You're not joking?"

"Yes. Sand is used to create an additive that prevents the rubber from cracking. Since you make glass, you must know all about silicon."

"Oh! Now I understand what rubber is. It's a substance similar to silicon compounds. So the raw rubber from the tree and a compound extracted from sand are synthesized together!"

"That's correct."

Silicon is made by heating sand at high temperatures.

It's also an alloying material, and depending on how you synthesize and crystallize it, it's used for glass, ceramics, or silicon.

For both rubber tree cultivation and rubber tire production, parde territory is perfect.

The eastern merchant guilds can make springs for the wheel axles and fully assembled carriages.

"Even if you sell those rubber tires only within the Empire, you'll make a fortune. Once people experience the ride, they'll never go back to wooden wheels."

"I can imagine that, even without seeing it."

Count Parde confirmed that all details I just described were in the rest of the document and closed the file.

His face was clearly pleased.

"I should treat the admiral who persistently convinced me to a drink. I'm sure Merchant leader Barako and Count Mals persuaded him first, though."

"You're friends and now also in-laws, so you have to go together."

"That's true."

The smile never left the Count's face.

"The mineral transport, can that start right away?"

"Yes. I'll give you the payment for the purchase today. It's free transportation, but I'll provide ample advance funds for the expenses."

"Understood."

Count Parde and I headed to the bank.

It was the Eastern Bank in Tris. Our house's funds were deposited there.

Not far from the Eastern Bank, another building was being prepared for a new bank.

That was Dote Bank, owned under an alias by Count Mals.

Count Mals could earn a huge profit from this venture too. I suggested it to him a while ago.

I told him to try being the king of finance.

So, Count Mals promised to invest in almost every new business about to start.

He's also investing in merchant guilds listed on the exchange, in coordination with the Eastern Bank.

He also planned to establish the first-ever securities and asset management company.

Nobles had always been his clients, and his methods had always been different anyway—it was his business from before.

Count Mals would link the nobles to us through their money.

By consistently delivering profits, he'd get them, quietly, to side with us.

I'd been exchanging secret letters with Count Mals about all this.

He had an accurate understanding of how fortunes and power would shift from here onward.

So, in fact, Count Mals was leading this current effort. He deliberately avoided meeting me directly.

He likely wouldn't openly reveal our relationship in the future, either.

With this, everything was finished.

The grand duke might look relaxed on the outside, but he would be somewhat angry.

That may even be why he sent Viscount Landan.

/ / /

More than twenty days passed.

I spent the days leisurely.

For the first time in a while, I enjoyed a true rest.

I'd get up in the morning and eat some bread, milk, and fruit.

I skipped lunch, then had a proper dinner with beer in the evening.

At the same time, I kept a close eye on the situation with the order, the capital, and Tern, preparing for events to come—no matter what the order did or what move Viscount Landan made.

The Goro Merchant Guild building finished renovations and started anew as the Hader Merchant Guild.

All the former Goro staff remained. Only a few were managed by Kudo's men.

Tonight, as before, I drank beer in front of the Goro building.

The front area was fixed up like an open-air tea shop, where employees could take a break anytime.

Just as I finished my beer and was about to order another, the masked intelligence squad leader approached.

Apparently, there was accumulated intelligence to report.

"Is here all right, sir?"

"Is there something confidential?"

"No, sir."

"Go ahead here. Have a beer, too."

"I'll have a drink later, sir."

He gestured to a boy standing in front of the tavern. The boy quickly brought over a glass of beer.

I ordered here every day, so he knew the routine.

"First, the knight orders stationed at the viscount and baron houses returned to their strongholds. Only a few stayed to manage the castles, and they're surveying the territories."

"Has recruitment of soldiers started?"

"Yes. They say they'll pick thirty knights for the special forces unit and about a hundred regular soldiers. The selection process will be much stricter than before, since there could be spies among them."

"As it should be. What about in Urada?"

"They'll recruit two hundred soldiers and foster about thirty knights. That brings it to roughly 330 total."

The knights and soldiers from the surrendered viscount and baron houses were sent through the central gate.

We promised they'd be accepted after working there for two years.

Those people had already been abandoned by their own houses.

"You got word from Johnny as well?"

"Yes. The eastern merchant guild business is proceeding smoothly, and the fortress is quiet. The head of house finished his vacation at Urada Castle and returned to the fortress."

"Did Jena go back with him?"

"Only the head of house returned."

So, elder brother Ross wasn't as neglectful of the house as I thought, even though he was infatuated with a woman.

He really just took a vacation. In truth, he hadn't had a proper break for over five years.

"And yesterday the trade fleet made it safely back to Mouk. The next trade run is already confirmed."

"That's a relief. Any word on Urald?"

"In fact, that's why I came. There's news that the generators, electric motors, and transformer devices were successfully manufactured. Along with the medicines you requested, they're also sending elemental weapons."

"They don't need to send the weapons, though?"

"Since they were sending the medicines you requested anyway, they must've decided to send the weapons, too. The person bringing the medicine... happens to be arriving now."

The squad leader looked toward the alley.

Wondering who it was—

"Hey! Roger. Doing well?"

"What are you doing here?"

"What else! Old man Urald asked me to deliver some weapons!"

"You insisted on delivering them yourself, didn't you?"

"Turns out you had a spy at the fortress, eh!"

Should I laugh or sneer?

Allen had come to see me.

He'd said he was drinking and having fun with the exchange staff in Mouk, but I guess he'd gotten bored of playing.

"Good work."

The intelligence squad leader silently bowed to me and withdrew.

There's one more piece of news he'll report soon.

I already know what it is.

Allen glanced at the squad leader and asked,

"Why's that guy wearing a mask when the weather's this hot? By the way, did a war break out or something? I saw the knight order returning."

I grinned at Allen.

"You want to come with me to the order?"

"The divine order?"

"There's going to be something interesting."

"Really?"

In a few days, the imperial fleet and trade ships would set sail.

For the historic trade negotiations with Tern.

And then, I'd go to the order with Allen.

Steal everything we could get our hands on—

And pin all the blame on Allen.