Fun Territory Defense by the Optimistic Lord (Novel) - Chapter 102 - Arte's Resolve
Chapter 102 – Arte’s Resolve
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Translated by Sylph
Read it only at Novelbyu.com & Utoon.net
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In addition to the mobile ballistas and catapults we had brought back, I made ten more.
Matching the number of arrows and shells was a struggle, but since I’d already made so many by now, I somehow managed.
All that remained was persuading Arte.
“…I mean, even if it’s only as reinforcements, it’s still taking part in a war, right?
So I really do think it’d be better if I came too…
look, I’ve gotten pretty used to wagon travel by now, and honestly, I’ll be fine.
So don’t talk about debts or obligations or anything.”
I’d repeated that sort of persuasion again and again, but Arte stubbornly refused to listen. Every time, she politely and sincerely turned me down. I’d never seen Arte be this stubborn before.
“This is a problem. Well, I’m forcing the mobile ballistas and catapults to go along anyway, but…”
What to do? I was fretting over that when, at a moment when no one else was around, Arte came up beside me and tugged lightly at the hem of my clothes.
Wondering what it was, I looked over and saw huge tears floating in Arte’s eyes.
“W-what’s wrong? Is it because you’re worried and want to leave already? We’re supposed to be able to go tomorrow, though…”
I told her that, but Arte only trembled and shook her head from side to side.
This was bad. Had I really failed to understand a woman’s heart to this extent?
Not knowing what to do, poor innocent Van-kun’s pure heart only grew more and more filled with guilt.
For a while I just watched her in a fluster as she quietly sobbed, but at last Arte calmed down enough to speak.
“…I am sorry. Van-sama is worrying for me so sincerely, and yet I…”
That much was enough for me to finally understand Arte’s complicated feelings.
Really, I never do manage to absorb the way nobles think.
“…Right. If I ended up saving Count Ferdinand’s territory in its hour of crisis, then House Ferdinand would…”
When I muttered that, Arte looked up at me with her swollen eyes and buried her face in my chest as if clinging to me.
“I’m sorry…!”
It was an apology wrenched out of her like blood.
That settled it.
What troubled Arte was the noble way of thinking that required her to prioritize the interests of the count house. Under normal circumstances, it would have been a good thing for me, the man she had been sent to as a fiancée, to distinguish myself, but this time I had distinguished myself far too much.
My territory was tiny to begin with. On top of that, it was in the frontier and adjacent to the Kingdom of Yerinetta, which was now at war with us.
From the outside, it was my ballistas and catapults that had turned what had looked like a decisive defeat into a huge reversal. His Majesty would naturally have to reward my achievements.
If he rewarded me only with money here, it would likely be taken as a harsh slight against poor Van-kun, who held only a tiny frontier territory. Some of the nobles might even begin to distrust the king’s judgment.
For landed nobles, the most stable source of income is tax revenue from the people. A noble with broad and fertile lands is respected on that alone.
Then, if Van-kun were to be given territory, where would that land come from?
The only lands that could realistically be given as a reward were land from Marquis Fertio’s territory or Count Ferdinand’s territory.
If, in that situation, I went and helped defend Count Ferdinand’s territory, what would His Majesty do? Count Ferdinand, whose standing had already been declining, would likely lose even more land.
That said, the count had taken part in the battle to retake Scudetto himself, so there was no reason to punish him. That meant the reward would probably take the form of money, or of cutting land out of the Yerinetta side and granting that in compensation.
It was hard to say how the other nobles would judge it, but because they’d want to expand the territory of Van-kun, owner of the strongest ballista and strongest catapult corps, that seemed the most likely line.
Arte had realized all of that, and wanted to save the count territory by the strength of someone who belonged to House Ferdinand.
Though, with His Majesty’s personality, even if Arte were the one in command he’d know the weapons were mine and would probably still try to make it my achievement.
Thinking that, I crossed my arms and groaned.
“…In that case, it can’t be helped. Since Arte is making a temporary return home, let’s send ten knights as guards and twenty adventurers with her. And you can take the puppet you liked so much as a stand-in for me.”
When I told her that with a sigh mixed in, Arte wiped her tears and bowed deeply.
“Then we’ll be off.”
“Don’t push yourself too hard. If things get dangerous, you can retreat once and fight again later.”
When I said that worriedly, the adventurer Orto thumped his chest and lifted his face.
“Leave it to us. We’ll guard her.”
At Orto’s words, the others nodded with smiles too.
“Leave it to me, sir. I’ve gotten good enough to join Van-sama’s mechanical bow unit by now.”
With that proud declaration, Kusara struck a pose while holding a Repeating Mechanical Bow in each hand. Dual pistols are a man’s dream, but when chubby Kusara does it, the result is comical.
Incidentally, Kusara really had mastered the handling of the mechanical bow just as promised, and was now doing something like serving as an instructor for the other adventurers.
In that sense as well, the adventurers staying in Seat Village and Espada’s village had reached a level utterly removed from adventurers elsewhere.
“…Don’t worry. We’ll protect your future wife.”
Plurier declared that forcefully too. But for some reason she was half-smirking, which made it annoying. That was the look of a bad older-sister type teasing a child.
“Please. If everyone completes the mission without a scratch, I’ll pay a special bonus on top of everything else. I’m counting on you.”
When I said that with a wry smile, the adventurers raised both hands and let out a cheer.
After that, Till and Kamushin, who had grown thoroughly close to Arte, said their goodbyes as well, and Arte and the others set out for Count Ferdinand’s territory.
I had thought that if I just secretly tagged along with such a large group and kept it quiet, maybe it would be fine, but you can’t stop people’s mouths. It would be exposed somewhere along the way.
As frustrating as it was, this time I had no choice but to trust Arte and send her off.
I stood blankly before the gate, still not moving even after Arte and the others had disappeared from view, when Espada approached with a pointed little cough.
“Now then, Van-sama. There is work piled up to the heavens. Let us begin at once.”
“W-wait, the afterglow… read the room here, Espada. We just had a somber farewell…”
“I already allowed sufficient time to gather your feelings. Time is up. From here on, you must think of your territory as its lord.”
“Eeh… I’ve worked quite a lot since getting back, you know? I haven’t rested in quite a while. I’m going to die.”
“As long as you are still capable of complaints, you will be fine. Now then, first I shall report on the condition of the village while you were away. Besides that, Lord Radavesta of the Apkallu and Bell of the Bell-Rango Company have both requested an audience.”
“…Could you rank the priorities for me, Espada? Let’s do them in order. Ah, but tonight is a festival, okay? I won’t compromise on that. If there isn’t a barbecue, I’m going on strike.”
“…Very well. Though the plan had really been for study tonight…”
“A demon!? I thought you seemed suspicious before, but you’re a real demon, aren’t you!?”
As Espada and I went through that sort of exchange again for the first time in a while, big laughter rose from around us.
Instead of defending me, even Till and Kamushin were laughing.
Honestly, what unbelievable retainers I had. If I weren’t their lord, someone would have already gotten very angry at them.