Chapter 52 - The Changing Seasons
――― The operation this time ended without incident.
A report came from the village—the hunt for the small-sized monster was a success. Lately, the Shallow Forest had grown noisier. There had been more frequent sightings of monsters. However, whether through aggressive reconnaissance or reconnaissance-in-force, we had achieved satisfactory results. Preparations were progressing steadily. At least, that’s what I wanted to believe.
The soldiers’ training was improving day by day, and the accuracy of the shooters’ shots were also increasing. As for the infantry, perhaps thanks to the guidance of Old Man and the sergeant major, they were demonstrating unparalleled resilience in battles against monsters. It felt as though all the gears of this operation were meshing perfectly.
We emerged from the shallow region of the Demonic Forest, traveled along the road, and arrived at the village.
I informed the village representative that the monsters spotted by the villager had been dealt with, and I conveyed the sense that things should remain quiet for a while. The lives of the common folk here at the edge of the forest often depended on the Demonic Forest itself. Being able to hunt in the forest relatively safely was essential to their livelihoods.
――――
Adventurers put their own lives on one side of the scale to do their work. Even if the monsters were small, most were reluctant to enter a forest teeming with them. The money they brought, however, was an attractive asset to this village at the edge of the forest. Inns flourished, and the taverns and eateries were packed with adventurers. As long as the area remained relatively safe, life in this village could be sustainable.
But if adventurers were to leave, the village would barely scrape by. Therefore, the moment a threatening monster appeared, it was necessary to report it immediately to the knightly family and request countermeasures. Human peace and stability could crumble so easily.
――― I truly loved the smiles of the common folk.
To protect those smiles, I never shirked my daily efforts. Even if it was dangerous, I had to face it head-on. Loving this land and protecting the people’s living space was a pride that belonged to the men of the knightly family.
―――
I traveled down the road, returning to the town. I was heading back to Father at the main estate, where he awaited my report. Second Brother, prepared for deployment in case I deemed the situation beyond my ability to handle, had already made the necessary arrangements. When I returned, he acknowledged me with a rugged yet warm smile.
Inside the estate, Mother, Eldest Brother, and Sister-in-law recognized me and showed relief in their expressions.
“I have just returned. The operation is complete. The small-sized monster that was reported has been subjugated.”
“Good work on your duty. Lord Husband is waiting for you in the office. Go report to him.”
“Yes, Mother.”
“I am proud of the achievements you continue to build. Perhaps the main force will see less action soon?”
“I’m not quite there yet, Eldest Brother. But if my actions can be of help to Second Brother, then that brings me joy.”
“He is counting on you as well. Now, go on and report to Father.”
“Yes.”
I offered my deepest gratitude to my family for their warm welcome. In this harsh frontier land, the affection of one’s family was what warmed the heart the most. The “feeling of being loved” gripped my heart strongly, and I cherished and respected them deeply in return.
I opened the heavy door to the office and made my way inside to report my return and the results of the battle to Father, who was waiting for me. With words of affection and respect, I delivered my message.
“Father, I have just returned. The operation is complete. The small-sized monster that was reported has been subjugated.”
―――――
After reporting the successful operation to Father, I returned to the Fortress. I allowed the soldiers to rest their bodies in the knightly family’s barracks. At the Fortress, I shared with everyone the ideas I had been considering during our brief break in the forest. Everyone nodded in agreement when I explained that it would be a useful means of mid-range combat. I decided to issue detailed instructions to the shooters at a later date.
We would proceed with mass production of the so-called magic bullets.
It seemed I would need more black iron again. I would have to negotiate directly with Mother to procure it. After concluding the meeting with everyone, I headed to the Fortress’s office. Mother had often chided me about how this Fortress had begun to resemble my home.
“It’s unbecoming to hole yourself up in the Fortress without maids, attendants, or even junior staff,” she would say.
In truth, I didn’t want too many people entering because of the dangerous research and tests I conducted here. I made sure to return to the knightly family’s estate whenever possible. This place was meant to be a temporary Fortress (a place to stay). That said, I had spent so much time here... that it could indeed be said I was practically living in it.
At the royal capital’s Magic Academy, I had always handled my own affairs, so I never felt the need for servants. As the third son of a knightly family, my position was practically no different from that of a commoner. I didn’t think it was a big deal, but... Mother seemed to disagree.
―――――
On the desk in my office, there were several letters. Old Man, who acted as my adjutant, also handled some of the paperwork for me. I truly appreciated his efforts. Among the pile was a letter from my friend in the royal capital. Unlike usual, the envelope was thinner and sealed with the wax insignia of the high comital house, belonging to the Minister of Magic.
Thinking it must be something important, I broke the seal and pulled out the letter. Oddly enough, much of the paper appeared blank. Had the invention mentioned in a previous letter finally been completed? Following the instructions from back then, I raised my hand and wove my internal mana into it. Gradually, words emerged on the page, as if being revealed by invisible ink. It was one of the secret communication methods developed by my friend. I couldn’t help but think that he comes up with some truly interesting ideas.
It seemed there was some special ink used in writing this. My friend had mentioned before that he wouldn’t part with the patent rights. Apparently, it had already brought him substantial profits, as he proudly recounted in a prior letter.
But as I read the letter written with this concealment technique, my brows furrowed slightly.
The update on my friend’s life was all well and good. He had been immersing himself in daily study and research, and like this, we continued exchanging information and ideas. The contents reminded me of our heated debates at the Alchemy Tower, which was a source of great joy for me. However, the sections about rumors, behind-the-scenes stories, and the state of affairs in the royal capital carried an unmistakable whiff of something unsavory.
One of these rumors detailed the lives of the common people and matters of governance, spreading even before official proclamations from the royal palace.
Apparently, the price of wheat in the capital had risen. Even the cost of bread at a certain well-loved bakery had gone up, leaving people troubled. There was also talk of a reduced circulation of iron coins, causing change shortages in various shops.
Then there were the whispers from within the palace. The ceremony to name the crown prince had been postponed, it seemed. Consequently, the wedding of the First Prince was also delayed. The reasons for these delays remained shrouded behind the thick veil of the royal palace, but there was undoubtedly something urgent at play.
It was also mentioned that the Minister of War had been frequently entering and leaving the palace, with intense efforts being directed toward military drills. Meanwhile, the Minister of Magic was reportedly ordered to develop magitech tools useful for warfare—a fact my friend described with evident bitterness. He wrote, “Magitech tools should exist to bring happiness to people, not harm.”
He also mentioned that, for him, the weapons I had developed were forgivable only because they were intended to protect people. But he warned me that if their power were ever turned against people, our friendship could not continue.
I understood his point. In fact, I agreed with it. Magical technology should exist to protect and bring happiness to people. That, I believed, was the shared hope of everyone who worked with magitech tools.
But the rumors painted a grim picture: the growing militarization in the capital, the declining circulation of wheat and iron, the fall of the Minister of Foreign Affairs from favor, rumors of royal students from abroad, the dwindling trade in the northern regions, and the unsettling movements among the nations beyond the Demonic Forest to the north. There were even whispers of a country that fell due to the northern kingdom’s extending evil influence.
It was all a series of suspicious and unsavory stories. I could sense some kind of intention behind them. Perhaps those in the capital, with their limited view, found it hard to grasp the kingdom’s situation. Was this list of rumors meant to prompt action or guide me toward a conclusion?
Was it my friend’s intent to present a series of facts that he knew and let me find the connections? If so, he was asking the wrong person. That kind of deductive reasoning was better suited to the heir of the Minister of War—the one I used to sit beside in the Knight Department at the Magic Academy. He had a natural talent for that sort of thinking.
Still, this letter was sent out of my friend’s goodwill, so I owed it my full consideration. I began piecing together the scattered facts and events, painting a picture in my mind.
These situations had been recorded in many war histories, national records, and even the restricted texts kept under lock and key...
Why were grain prices rising in the capital? Why was the military so focused on training? Why were the officials in charge of foreign affairs so busy? Why was the northern kingdom’s activity shrouded in mystery? Why was economic stagnation creeping into the kingdom’s northeastern regions?
Why had the royal family delayed their joyous ceremonies? Surely, there must be a compelling reason.
I assembled the pieces, tore them apart, and rebuilt them... Discarding all wishful thinking, I pushed my analysis forward. Drawing upon the war histories and lessons from the Knight Department classroom at the Magic Academy, I reached a hypothesis. After testing it against war histories and general histories and comparing it with current events, my hypothesis became a prediction—and then a conviction.
Yes...
―― The kingdom had entered a season (preparation) of conflict (war)—between men.
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