Chapter 534: Current Nakahara
I’ll head to the Horse Kingdom with Ruta later. A long ride—I’ll invite Ash too.
I often go out on horseback and have lunch during the day. But there’s been no progress at all. It seems like Tina and the Butcher’s Son are moving ahead. What exactly do I need to do to make progress? What does progress even mean?
No matter how I think about it, the cause is definitely me. For now, I believe we’re getting along well; I’ve captured her heart through her stomach! At least, that’s what I think. So, what should I do next? After pondering, I realized I had no ideas, so I guess I’ll just maintain the status quo.
If I’m going to spend the future with someone, I’d prefer it to be Ash. I can somewhat imagine what life would be like together twenty years from now, but I can’t picture the process at all.
“When we go to the land of horses, maybe I should invite Ash…”
It seems the bears Ash has been hunting around Kanum are dwindling. The rabbits, no matter how many we hunt, just keep multiplying faster than we can reduce their numbers.
“Stop it, Note’s got a good smile frozen on his face.”
“I can see the illusion of blood spewing out!”
Dinoss and Haulon intervene.
“If you’re worried, Note can come along too.”
There’s no need for concern since I lack the courage to make a move.
“…”
The Butler turns his head like a doll running out of oil.
“Don’t look at me.”
Retze is doing his best to avert his gaze from the Butler.
“I can’t go with you; I have to receive the Mail Wheat that arrived at Naruadeid.”
The next person the Butler looks at is Haulon, and when their eyes meet, he responds.
An adult who remains uninvolved in matters of love.
“I’m currently busy figuring out what to do with the Butcher’s Son.”
Dinoss.
Is the Butcher’s Son alright? King Wolf, that’s rather immature of you.
“By the way, Jean. The female pirate you were concerned about has infiltrated the neighboring country of Shulm.”
Haulon changes the subject, leaving the Butler behind.
A female pirate…
“Lady Rose?”
I remember her well. Honestly, Seabird-kun left a stronger impression.
“Yes. It’s a country located southeast of Shulm, practically a vassal state. They’ve lost all the coastal lands to others and have no notable products. It’s an unremarkable country, but perhaps that’s what makes it appealing.”
Haulon’s expression seems rather unremarkable as well.
“It seems they’re avoiding the nearest port and are going out of their way to transport food overland. Perhaps weapons too.”
“Is that area affected by the drought?”
I’ve heard that Shulm is prosperous, but what about food?
“Originally, the area beneath Shulm is somewhat outside the Wind Spirit’s blessings. Still, as a coastal country, there’s some exchange of people and goods through fishing and ports along the way to Naruadeid. But inland…”
It seems there’s nothing to be done about it.
Now that I think about it, the Nakahara region has a lack of trees and looks pretty bad, but thanks to the soil brought by the Wind Spirit, it’s fertile. They can’t even secure coastal lands and have no rich territories. They’re a country that lost a territorial battle.
“Shulm is reducing the wheat they were sending to that country and diverting it to places where they can sell it for a higher price.”
Retze states.
Yeah. Countries facing the inner sea affected by the drought are buying wheat at high prices.
“Is it like they’re not even acknowledging them over in Shulm?”
There’s a strong sense of disdain from Shulm towards that country.
“Exactly. —And while Amedeo is the one in the spotlight, Rosa and the others are still moving towards Shulm while repaying favors to the countries of Nakahara.”
Ah, so Rosa and the others are advancing from Nakahara, separate from the plan to betray Shulm at a crucial moment?
“It’s annoying when the people I want to recruit overlap sometimes…”
Haulon mutters quietly.
I see. He wants to throw Rosa and the others at the invading Shulm, but those very Rosa and others are in the way. It would be troublesome if Shulm starts meddling with Kanum, but for Haulon, it seems Rosa and her group are more of a nuisance right now.
“How about scouting ahead?”
“The other side has been planting people here and there since their country fell. If we make too much noise and attract the Hero’s interest during this founding period, it could become a hassle.”
Haulon sighs.
Now that I think about it, Karn and Haulon’s recent headhunting for nation-building personnel was quite recent. They were actually being outpaced by Rosa.
“The Hero is more of a nuisance than the country itself.”
Dinoss remarks.
“When dealing with a country, there’s always a preparatory phase. It might seem like it’s not, but it’s impossible to just show up and destroy it in a day without preparation. But with a Hero, that’s a different story. It’s enough to make anyone want to complain.”
He’s saying that if there’s a prelude, they can handle it, huh?
“There are those who suddenly appear and dig up the ‘King’s Branch,’ after all. It’s impossible to deal with a nimble and powerful individual.”
Retze says half-heartedly while sipping wine. What a sudden turn of events!
“I returned it to its original place.”
I made sure to bury it back properly! There was no owner anyway—well, the leader of the horse herd was the owner, but that horse had no intention of claiming it.
“Personally, I’d prefer it if you didn’t bury the ‘King’s Branch’…”
The Butler murmurs weakly.
“I too have been unearthed from the desert as the ‘King’s Branch’…”
Karn mutters with a serious expression.