Chapter 144
Hainel’s forest villa.
It was a place where even high-ranking nobles could not enter without permission.
And it was here that Hainel had returned.
He looked at Villipt, who was standing in front of him, and asked.
“Did you look into it as I asked?”
“There were deeper connections than expected.”
“Can you give a brief explanation?”
Sensing a different air than usual, Villipt nodded and began to explain.
“The initial contact appears to have been made three years ago, right after Damian enlisted in the military.”
Villipt started with the mont Damian and the Hal Trading Company first crossed paths, then moved on to how Damian had granted the company exclusive operational rights in Erkal, as well as the delivery contracts related to the 6th Corps.
The Hal Trading Company had grown into one of the top three most influential trading companies in the Baroque Kingdom.
And it had achieved this trendous growth in just three years.
During those three years, Damian’s presence had been deeply embedded in the company’s activities.
“Recently, they also discovered a master blacksmith nad Torrel in Miltobern, and they’ve begun heavy investnt there. In addition, they’ve been cultivating massive amounts of wheat in the southern region of the Baroque Kingdom.”
Although it wasn’t only wheat they were cultivating, even Miltobern’s blacksmith, Torrel, had ties to Damian.
“Are you telling that Damian is controlling the Hal Trading Company?”
“I wouldn’t say he’s controlling it, but there’s no doubt they have a partnership. It’s true that Hal grew rapidly after receiving several opportunities through Damian’s achievents.”
Still, this wasn’t sothing that could be viewed negatively.
“In fact, there’s even talk within the military about changing the supply contracts for the entire army to be handled by the Hal Trading Company. Their performance has been that impressive.”
“Then…”
Hainel closed his eyes.
He had already taken a significant interest in Damian after the previous incident.
Although he had no concrete evidence, if he could steer things in the right direction…
“Do you think I’m being too speculative?”
“Regardless of that, the accomplishnts and talents he has displayed are genuine.”
Even Villipt, a man known for his extre caution, was willing to acknowledge Damian’s abilities.
If that was the case…
“Contact the Hal Trading Company and send them a ssage.”
“Understood. Is there any particular ssage you’d like to emphasize?”
Villipt asked, but Hainel shook his head.
“No, just…”
Hainel’s words trailed off, and Villipt nodded, understanding the unspoken aning.
“…Duke Hainel?”
“Yes.”
What ca from Diel’s mouth was quite unexpected.
It was a na Damian hadn’t anticipated hearing.
“Why is Duke Hainel contacting the Hal Trading Company?”
A duke.
A man with power nearly on par with a king.
Even if the Hal Trading Company had grown large, it was still just a trading company.
For soone like Hainel to contact them first was unthinkable unless there was a compelling reason.
“Well… there wasn’t a specific reason given. And technically, it wasn’t Duke Hainel himself who contacted us, but one of his subordinates.”
“Did that subordinate happen to be a tall, thin man with a sharp mustache and a dignified deanor?”
“…How did you know?”
So Villipt went himself.
If Villipt himself had gone, that ant Duke Hainel had given direct orders.
Seeing the realization on Damian’s face, Diel continued.
“They’ve agreed to grant the Hal Trading Company more freedom to operate within the Duchy as well as throughout the kingdom. To put it simply, Duke Hainel has beco a patron of the Hal Trading Company.”
A trading company backed by a duke.
It was clear that they intended to elevate the company to the highest position.
But why would Hainel do that?
“I can’t figure out his intentions. I have no idea why…”
Diel shook his head as he spoke, but Damian seed to be deep in thought.
“It’s undoubtedly a favor with a reason behind it. And… since it doesn’t seem like it will harm the company, let’s watch and see for now.”
If he ever got another chance to et Hainel, he could ask him directly.
But…
‘I can’t be sure I’ll ever et him again.’
The fact that he had t him even once could be considered a stroke of luck.
Hainel was known to avoid eting people in person whenever possible.
Diel nodded at Damian’s words.
There was no point in worrying about it right now.
Since they now had the Duke as a patron—
“We should push our ongoing business ventures forward as quickly as possible.”
Diel’s voice was firm.
Hearing that, Damian let out a faint smile.
“Then let’s head back inside. I’m feeling better now.”
More than anything, Damian’s thoughts were consud with only one thing.
He wanted to et Calon again.
***
The business in Miltobern was progressing far faster than expected.
No, perhaps it was more accurate to say that the Hal Trading Company’s driving force was simply that overwhelming.
“We’re currently manufacturing the standard weapons for the regular soldiers of the 6th Corps here in Miltobern. Of course… if the entire corps switches to our equipnt, we’re planning to convert another fiefdom’s district into a city of blacksmiths.”
“When that happens, I plan to relocate there myself.”
Torrel chid in with his own comnt.
It seed everything had already been discussed and decided.
“I’m sure you’ll handle it well. For now… just keep a close watch on the Empire’s movents. The mont they start to move, we won’t have any ti to spare.”
“Understood.”
Then, Torrel, who was standing nearby, asked Damian a question.
“Is there anything else I can do to help you?”
“Hmm… if I may, could I make one more request?”
“Of course.”
“Would it be possible to request a shield and a spear?”
“A shield and a spear?”
Torrel tilted his head, puzzled by the unexpected request. Damian nodded.
It was ti to present a clear path for the Caion Unit to move forward.
‘They need to evolve into a unit with even more overwhelming offensive power.’
Stronger and faster than anyone.
A unit that could serve as both an unyielding shield and a piercing spear capable of shattering the enemy.
Damian sat down and began sketching a shield and spear design on a sheet of paper.
The shield was a rectangular design, large enough to stretch from the shoulders down to the knees.
The spear, on the other hand, had a unique design, with a slight hook-like curve at the bottom of the spearhead.
As Torrel looked at the spear design Damian had sketched, he nodded in understanding.
“How many of these do you need?”
“Two hundred.”
“…That’s quite a lot. Looks like I’ll be hamring away non-stop for a while.”
“It’s not an urgent need, so work on it alongside your other tasks. I don’t want to rush and ruin the overall plan.”
“Understood. I’ll do my best to make them. But… who are these shields and spears for?”
While the designs were unique, the fact that Damian was taking such a keen interest in them was what stood out.
“Are they for your soldiers, Damian-nim?”
“Yes, that’s right.”
Ever since hearing Calon’s na, sothing had been burning more fiercely inside Damian.
The thought that he could encounter him at any ti left him feeling restless.
‘I have to be even more thoroughly prepared.’
He cald himself again and again, suppressing his anger as he awaited that day.
“Well then, I’ll see you next ti.”
Damian raised the spear Torrel had made for him with a casual lift as he spoke.
Beside him, Dianal also bowed his head toward Torrel.
“I’ll use it well. Thank you very much.”
“No need to thank . I hope to see you again soon.”
After exchanging their farewells, Damian turned his body.
When he returned to the unit, he intended to have a serious discussion with Leonhark about training the soldiers.
Based on all of his experiences so far, he had a clear idea of the direction the Caion Unit needed to take.
“…Let’s head back.”
“Yes.”
From now on, there was a mountain of tasks to handle.
With that resolve, Damian and Dianal headed back to Valphate.
***
At the sa ti, a shocking scene was unfolding.
“…What did you just say?”
“The Empire’s forces are advancing through the sea route…!”
The Empire’s blade, which had never struck the Artian Kingdom even once before, had finally extended its reach toward them.
***
The Artian Kingdom was a kingdom located in the southwestern region of the continent.
The structure of the continent was like a thick crescent moon with its mouth open to the left. To reach the Artian Kingdom, one had to pass through the Baroque Kingdom.
This geographical advantage was one of the reasons Artian had been able to remain unscathed for so long.
This was because one of the continent’s great powers, the Baroque Kingdom, stood firmly at the entrance, acting as a protective barrier.
The only alternative route was by sea.
With the Artian Kingdom’s eastern border touching the Baroque Kingdom, its western, southern, and northern sides were bordered by the sea. This ant they always had to be cautious of mariti invasions.
Still, the Artian Kingdom had two Aura Masters of its own, which put them in a position of relative safety.
However—
“…What is that?”
At the northern coastal watchtower of the Artian Kingdom, a soldier on lookout duty frowned as he noticed sothing strange in the distance.
The sea at night was especially dark.
If one stared at it for too long, it beca difficult to tell where the sea ended and the sky began.
But in the middle of that vast darkness, he noticed a faintly shadowed mass.
The soldier turned to his senior beside him.
“Sergeant Calbison, sothing’s appearing over there, don’t you think?”
“Ah… Damn it, what could be showing up at dawn, huh? What, is it a Kraken or sothing?”
“No, it’s not that…”
The soldier trailed off, his eyes gradually widening in shock.
There were no lights on it, but his instincts told him one thing.
There was an enormous fleet of ships out there.
The soldier’s voice suddenly rose to a shout.
“Enemy warships! Enemy warships are approaching!”
“What?!”
Sergeant Calbison, who had been dozing off, shot up from his seat, rubbing his eyes as if to clear his head.
He strained his eyes as he looked ahead.
Just as his junior had said — warships.
Not just one or two. It was an entire fleet.
“Th-The Empire! It’s the Empire!”
Clang! Clang! Clang! Clang! Clang! Clang! Clang!
Calbison grabbed the alarm bell and rang it like a madman.
“Enemy warships! The Empire’s warships have appeared!”
His booming voice roused the soldiers stationed in the coastal barracks below, and they rushed out in confusion.
The commander of the coastal defense forces, Captain Hormund, looked toward the sea with a furrowed brow.
“…So they’ve finally co here as well.”
He had known the Empire was waging a war of conquest across the continent.
But he had assud it would remain a land-based campaign.
He never imagined they would reach them so soon.
Even so—
“You’ll regret stepping foot on this land.”
Hormund imdiately took command of the soldiers, preparing them for battle.
He ordered the archers to be ready to fire as soon as the enemy soldiers set foot on the shore.
“Prepare the ballistae!”
“Yes, sir!”
They also prepared the giant siege weapons known as ballistae, designed to destroy warships.
With all preparations underway, Captain Hormund’s eyes glowed with sharp killing intent.
“Before you even set foot on this land, I’ll make half of you into fish food…!”
Soon, the prepared ballistae were locked onto the approaching fleet of imperial warships.
Hormund raised his sword and pointed it forward as he roared his command.
“Destroy every last one of the enemy warships! Ballistae, fire!”
KABOOM!
With a thunderous roar, the enormous bolts from the ballistae shot toward the Imperial fleet.
It was the first battle between the Empire and the Artian Kingdom.
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