The Founding Monarch Became the Mastermind

Chapter 72

“The acting lord of the Pamel County has agreed to accept all the demands.”

“I see. You’ve worked hard.”

“It wasn’t much trouble. After all, we gained so much. Honestly, I’m wondering if this was really okay.”

Officially, Joan had been sent as a righteous referee by the king (at least, that’s what the Pamel County believed without a doubt). But in reality, he was no different from a match-fixer who had placed a huge bet on illegal sports betting. His shamelessness knew no bounds.

In return for sending Joan to mediate between the two families, the king had gained significant interests and strong influence over the Pamel County.

The Pamel County and the Si-on Duchy were the two most powerful forces in the southern region of the Kingdom of Obla.

If they had truly clashed, the entire southern region would have been thrown into chaos.

Whatever the inside story, the king’s envoy had succeeded in mediating.

In other words, the king’s name would now resonate throughout the southern region, a place where his influence had previously been minimal.

Just that alone meant the king had gained everything he could have hoped for.

“But where is Lord Si-on?”

With a satisfied and lazy expression, like a cat that had just finished an entire can of food, Joan asked, and Yonas squinted.

“What do you mean? He left yesterday.”

“What?”

Joan’s narrow eyes widened.

“He left? Ah, did he return to the duchy?”

“He went to the August Estate. He said he needed to check on one of his subordinates.”

Though, from what I saw, it seemed more like he found something to torment them with.

Yonas swallowed that last part.

At that, Joan suddenly stood up.

“Oh no. His Majesty told me to relay something once everything was wrapped up here. I’d better head out, too, Lord Handler.”

“You’re going to follow Lord Si-on? Well, do as you please.”

Knowing that Joan was one of the few who knew Si-on’s true identity, Yonas nodded.

“See you next time. Until then, take care.”

Even though he seemed in a hurry, Joan still bowed politely before turning to leave.

Watching his back, Yonas couldn’t help but click his tongue.

“Geez. He’s probably going to get tangled up in something while trying to relay that message. Well, he’s the king’s secretary, so I’m sure he’ll handle it.”

Handler of the Si-on Duchy, Yonas, went back to the paperwork that had never been part of his original fate.

Truthfully, he wanted to follow Si-on himself, but he knew that, no matter what, more work would pile up in that direction. So, though clumsy, he worked diligently with his pen.

* * *

*Clip-clop, clip-clop.*

Two horses, one black and one yellow, slowly trotted along a dirt path winding through the dense forest.

It had been a day since Yonas and Si-on parted, and now Si-on had just arrived at the border of the Pamel County estate.

“Whoa, let’s take a break.”

With no particular reason to hurry, Si-on maintained a routine of moving for an hour and then resting for about twenty minutes.

While Blackie and Goldie drank peacefully from a stream, Si-on pulled bread, jerky, apples, and wine from the pack strapped to Goldie.

Sitting on a blanket spread over a tree stump, Si-on enjoyed a late lunch, feeling the cool breeze of the forest.

“I’ve definitely been eating more these days.”

He finished off a large loaf of bread that could easily feed two adult men, two fist-sized pieces of soft jerky, and two apples, all while drinking half the wine from his leather flask.

He had always been a big eater, but ever since seeing the “Level” in Buksan, his appetite had increased by about 1.5 times.

“Is my metabolism accelerating? Or am I just starting to be more influenced by the system?”

Either way, his physical abilities seemed to have improved somewhat compared to before.

“Well… I suppose it’s not a bad thing.”

Decades ago, he had already been certain that no one in this world could rival him in terms of strength or physical ability.

And now, he had become even stronger.

Of course, that “little stronger” was at a monstrous level.

Si-on absentmindedly stared at the dagger he had used to peel the apple before slicing it across his palm without hesitation.

“Hah….”

A faint red line appeared, but his palm didn’t even suffer a scratch.

Si-on let out a hollow laugh.

Had it been someone else’s hand, their palm would have been split in two from the force he had used, but on him, it was nothing.

At this point, it seemed there was no need for armor.

“But I can’t let that happen.”

If others saw that a sword couldn’t even wound him, it would cause an uproar.

Rather than dealing with such nuisances, it was better to continue wearing chainmail or padded armor, like he did now.

Besides, whether it was hot or cold, his body temperature wasn’t affected by external conditions, so wearing armor didn’t cause any discomfort.

“Hmm. On another note, more people seem to have figured out who I am….”

There was no problem with the ministers of the Twin-headed Eagle Castle.

They were so loyal that they had been re-registered as clan members, and they already considered Si-on to be half-man, half-god.

Stelman, the leader of the Janstrick Mercenary Group, had been quite shocked, but he had already half-regarded Si-on as his lord even before that.

And once he learned that the benefactor who played a decisive role in the founding of his father’s mercenary group was Si-on, he treated him even more reverently.

Blaho was the same.

When Blaho found out that “Sir Salen,” who had made him quit the Black Eagle Regiment, was in fact Duke Si-on, he began following Si-on around all day, from morning till night, asking for guidance.

After all, Si-on was the origin of the swordsmanship his grandfather had founded, and his father had perfected.

At any rate, like his father, Blaho was so annoyingly persistent that Si-on had to set a day aside to spar with him properly. After that, he quieted down.

It wasn’t that he had gained some great insight or reached a profound awakening—he was just unable to move for about three to four weeks due to the multiple fractures he sustained.

“That Joan fellow is a bit of a problem… I’ll have to give Marco a word.”

It’s not that he didn’t trust the king, but the man was getting on in years.

With age, judgment could become clouded, and he might do things he wouldn’t have done in the past.

Si-on didn’t want just anyone to know the “truth” about him.

“How many people even know about me?”

Still, it probably wasn’t more than a hundred.

According to Joan, even the king’s direct descendants didn’t know, and it seemed only two or three of his closest aides were aware, so it should be fine for now.

While pondering this, Si-on’s ears picked up a sound.

“A horse? Just one. A traveler?”

If someone was riding alone, there was a high probability they were a wandering knight.

But judging by the speed, it seemed more like a royal messenger.

A moment later, a brown horse came into view, galloping along the path winding through the forest at a pace between a trot and a canter.

“Huh?”

When he saw the rider, Si-on squinted.

“Ah, you’ve been moving quite leisurely, I see. It took me some effort to catch up.”

The rider who slowed down and approached Si-on was none other than the sharp and capable secretary, Joan.

* * *

“…So, that guy Boris seriously proposed to the vassals of the Pamel County that they become vassals of the Si-on Duchy?”

Si-on, riding alongside Joan, asked, surprised by the story Joan had relayed.

“Yes. Even I didn’t expect acting lord Boris to seriously suggest to the vassals that they join the Si-on Duchy. Of course, the vassals were in an uproar and rejected the idea, but all the other demands were accepted.”

“That’s good. If he had really proposed becoming a vassal, we would have turned him down.”

“Hmm. But the Pamel County is fairly solid and not a bad territory, is it?”

“We wouldn’t be able to squeeze much out of it.”

“True. Once they become vassals, it’d be hard to openly exploit them.”

A lord and vassal are bound by a contract of mutual “give and take.”

But Si-on wasn’t interested in giving anything; he only wanted to take from the Pamel County.

“And do you think our citizens would just accept it calmly? Even if Count Pamel took the fall and died, they still associate the Pamel County with the assassination of the former Duke Si-on. Outwardly, they might act like they accept it, but inside, they’d be boiling with anger. It would place too much burden on the new Handler and the ministers. So it’s not feasible.”

“Your political insight is quite remarkable.”

“…What do you take me for? I’m the one who founded this duchy.”

“I’m aware that the late Princess Stella handled most of the diplomacy and administration.”

“…Marco sure told you a lot.”

The current king had adored Princess Stella, his aunt and Si-on’s wife, since childhood.

So even after she moved to the duchy to live with Si-on, they exchanged letters almost every month, which is how the king came to know

a fair bit about the duchy’s affairs.

“My wife was quite extraordinary. Living with someone that exceptional for several years, it’s only natural I’d pick up a thing or two, wouldn’t you say?”

“I didn’t mean it in that way. In any case, the war between the Pamel County and the Si-on Duchy is officially over. Though, to be fair, we didn’t actually engage in any real battles.”

While Si-on’s group had taken out the mercenaries in the Forest Without Echoes, mercenaries were just mercenaries.

The elite forces of both families hadn’t even fought, and the war had ended.

“The Si-on Duchy now has the opportunity to gradually erode the Pamel County from the roots. During the time they’re paying compensation and reparations, you can legally strip the Pamel County bare.

In about ten years, even without forming a vassalage, the Pamel County will be almost completely subordinate to the Si-on Duchy. Congratulations.”

“Congratulations…?”

Joan flinched for the first time and turned to look at Si-on, whose voice had suddenly dropped.

Seeing the cold eyes of an immortal superhuman, Joan felt as if every hair on his body stood on end.

“My grandson and great-grandson were unable to live out their natural lives. I even had to kill my own descendants, though they were worse than beasts. Do you think that balances out with plundering a neighboring estate? Secretary Joan?”

“…I sincerely apologize for my thoughtless remark. I’m truly sorry.”

“I’ll let it go this time, because of Marco. But watch your tongue in the future.”

“I will, I swear.”

Joan, who had briefly forgotten that Si-on was no ordinary ruler, felt goosebumps rise along his arms as he bowed his head.

‘I must never forget. Duke Jang Si-on is someone who left the duchy he built with his own hands without hesitation, handing it over to his children. To judge such a person by the standards of ordinary men is a grave mistake.’

After swallowing several times to steady himself, Joan carefully asked.

“By the way, is there a special reason why you’re heading to the August Estate? I thought Miss Olrot regularly sent intelligence reports.”

“It’s not just about the intel. If my guess is right, the pests should start swarming over there soon.”

“Pests…?”

“Does anyone know that Marco sent you here?”

“No one. Officially, I’m on vacation.”

“I see. But don’t you think someone besides Marco would be interested in Sir Salen?”

“…You mean members of the royal family are going to come looking for Sir Salen?”

“I’ve been making a bit of a name for myself here and there, both by choice and by chance. Given the current situation, some of them are bound to be curious enough to send people to investigate me.”

“Hmm. Even the royals who have access to top-tier intelligence might hesitate to act, considering they don’t want to catch the king’s eye.”

It was a reasonable point.

However, Si-on, knowing that the secretary, while highly competent, had a slightly naïve side, chuckled.

“The higher someone’s born, or the higher they rise, the more curious they get and the more they overestimate themselves. Do you know which group tends to think, ‘Surely nothing will happen to me’ the most?”

“……”

Knowing that nearly nine out of ten high-ranking nobles and royal heirs in the capital behaved that way, Joan couldn’t help but stay silent.

“Well, I promised Marco I’d help as part of the mediation, so think of this as a preliminary skirmish.”

“You think royal heirs might send people?”

“Without a doubt. And I’ll treat the people they send as extensions of their masters.”

“You mean…”

“First-rate talents usually surround themselves with other first-rate, or at least second-rate, talents. But third- or fourth-rate people? They almost never hire anyone better than themselves. Instead, they surround themselves with trash.

So, by looking at the people they send, you can gauge the level of their master. It’s never failed me so far.”