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HELHEIM SCANS
[Translator - Pot]
[Proofreader - Kawaii]
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Chapter 95: Barclava Has Changed
“Oh, are you asking about the conditions for a good port? There are truly many conditions one could list.”
I was receiving a lesson from my tutor for the first time in a while.
“I also have my own work. I can’t be attached to you all the time.”
Last night, Venion had said those words and announced his departure for a few days. I didn’t mind. I needed to take care of other matters in the meantime.
‘I wonder if Zizek is doing well?’
Well, if he can’t handle someone like Vincent, it means that he’s only capable of that much.
“Young Master, Young Master?”
No sooner had I started thinking about other things than my tutor stared at me with wide eyes.
“I’m listening. Please speak.”
“Hehe, my apologies. I thought you were spacing out again.”
“Would I do such a thing? In this sacred place of learning?”
“Oh, those are truly moving words.”
My tutor smiled broadly and spread out a map.
“Let’s first list the two most basic conditions for a trading port. The first is protecting ships from waves.”
He explained, pointing to the Duchy of Grunewald with the tip of his pen.
“Ships are much more vulnerable to waves when they are docked than when they are sailing. They could easily capsize, and more importantly, if the waves are severe, it becomes impossible to load and unload cargo.”
“Indeed.”
I said, looking at the scenery of Grunewald Port visible beyond the window.
“So, there need to be small islands like that to block the large waves coming from the open sea.”
“Exactly.”
My tutor stood beside me, pointing at the terrain. Although he was a head shorter than me, his upright posture and cultured speech made him seem by no means small.
“As you can see, that’s why Grunewald Port is located in a bay that is deeply recessed between the land.”
“Hmm.”
“While we’re at it, let’s continue the story while looking at this place.”
The tutor pointed to the people busily unloading cargo at the docks.
“A good port must have gentle waves so that cargo can be easily loaded and unloaded. Naturally, it must also have many dockworkers. Which means it is better if the population is large”
“I’ve heard that such manpower is generally managed by merchants and underworld organizations.”
“That’s because there are many rough individuals who live from hand to mouth. It is often more efficient for them to be under the control of even rougher individuals.”
It was a phenomenon that could be seen everywhere. It seemed that the Bisakino Brotherhood, the upper organization of Zizek’s organization, was also running such businesses.
“The water depth must also be appropriate. Large tidal differences are also not good.”
“Now that I think about it, that makes sense.”
“The weather must also be good. For example, if it’s too far north, the sea may freeze in winter. Too much rain, frequent fog, and frequent typhoons are naturally not good either.”
“In that sense, this city has very good weather.”
“Yes. Many nobles and wealthy people from Litvaleur also consider this place the best resort.”
“With abundant resources, good weather, and a large population, there couldn’t be a better place.”
“That’s right.”
The tutor, nodding, asked me a question.
“Finally, there is one truly important condition for a trading port. Do you know what it is?”
“Hmm. Can you give me a clue?”
“It could be a natural condition, or it might not be.”
At that ambiguous answer, I rubbed my chin and pondered.
“I should look at the map for a moment.”
After looking at the terrain of Grunewald Port and the distribution of nearby territories on the map, I muttered in a slightly unsure voice.
“Traffic connecting to the inland must be smooth?”
“Ah! That’s the correct answer.”
I must be a genius after all. I changed to a confident voice as if I had known it all along and added.
“Whether it’s a waterway on the river or a land route for pulling wagons over rougher terrain, being able to transport goods traded at sea inland is what makes a truly perfect trade route.”
My tutor nodded with a pleased expression.
“You are truly brilliant. In that sense, Grunewald Port faces the sea on the outside and is connected to a large river that divides the country on the inside.”
“In every way, Grunewald Port can only be called a naturally blessed port.”
I exclaimed in renewed admiration.
‘Isn’t this too much of a cheat?’
There was a reason why Grunewald held the title of Duke.
‘But it’s also a great feat that they’ve maintained this prosperity until now.’
Everyone would have coveted this land flowing with milk and honey.
“In that case,”
I said, recalling the story I had heard from Olivier yesterday, pointing to the former Webern County.
“It seems this place is a midway stop for river trade. Is that correct?”
“Ah, that’s right. It’s a place that used to be the Webern County, but the name changed after they lost in a territorial war.”
“I see, so that’s what happened.”
I asked again, pretending not to know.
“It seems it would be quite troublesome if they weren’t cooperative with our Grunewald. Is there anything like that happening?”
“As far as I know, they are showing greedy behavior by raising tolls on that route.”
“……Indeed.”
Now all the puzzle pieces in my head fell into place.
‘So that’s how it is?’
Supporting the young ambitious man’s revenge and secretly backing him so he can seize the position of lord. Without stepping forward and without investing large sums.
‘Exquisite.’
It couldn’t have been anything but a scheme born from deep cunning.
‘It was a political judgment unrelated to romance after all. Well, my father isn’t the type for that.’
But it was fine. The story of that man’s revenge resonated deeply in my heart. That was enough.
‘If helping his revenge is a business that the Grunewald Clan considers important.’
Some other opportunity might come to me, who had once performed a task admirably.
…I felt as if a storm was approaching from afar.
***
After finishing the morning lesson, I ate a full meal.
“Burp.”
In the afternoon, I borrowed the training grounds and practiced the Azure Sea Moon Shadow Swordsmanship and trained in the Scarlet Cloud Ghost Path.
After checking my martial arts, it was time to train my mind and body. After strenuous physical training, I performed a full circulation with the Eternal Ocean Chain Technique.
“Are you all finished?”
“Yes.”
Jeffrey clicked his tongue.
“You train as if you’re going to war.”
“The more you sweat in peace, the less you bleed in war.”
This was also a golden rule that Karzan in previous life hadn’t listened to very closely.
‘That’s why he died.’
In any case, even while Venion was away, my training continued silently.
“Alright, spar with me lightly.”
“I’m the one who should be asking you to go easy. It’s starting to get a bit burdensome.”
With my body feeling thoroughly drained, a light wooden sword sparring session would conclude today’s training.
Today’s sparring partner was Jeffrey, the captain of the Royal Guards and my escort. Olivier was left behind to handle some work.
“Haiyaaaat!”
“Could you please not shout those strange cries?”
“Shut up, it’s my prerogative.”
“This is driving me crazy.”
I recalled the battle with Mordecai, wielding the sword like a black market cutthroat facing someone raised in the military.
“Wow. What exactly did you just do?”
Jeffrey, who had been receiving my techniques, exclaimed in admiration.
“This isn’t a form from the Azure Sea Moon Shadow Swordsmanship that I know.”
“I used the technique of the guy I fought yesterday. It was quite vicious and practical swordsmanship.”
It occurred to me again that the swords wielded by the underworld figures of 17 years ago were slightly different from the swords used by the underworld figures of today. The weapons also felt a bit lighter.
‘Is this what they call a change in fashion?’
Of course, it might be a difference stemming from different countries and cultures.
In any case, Mordecai’s sword style had some points worth referencing even from Karzan’s perspective.
“Unbelievable. It doesn’t seem like something you can say so easily.”
Jeffrey grumbled.
“That’s why geniuses are generally a pain in the ass to deal with. Clan’s secret martial arts, the Royal Guards’ swordsmanship, and even those strange swordsmanship of the underworld guys?”
“It’s just like a mixed stew, what else could it be?”
“Usually, it’s difficult to master even one thing thoroughly.”
“That’s true.”
We continued the sparring without mana even while talking.
“By the way, you were amazing yesterday. Even if I were given the same mission, I would never have achieved such results.”
“Hmm. What would you have done?”
“Well, that kind of mission suits the Special Operations Division better than me.”
Crack!
Due to the recoil from blocking the sword head-on, we both took two steps back. Jeffrey shook his tingling hand in the air.
“Your strength is increasing day by day. Anyway, when surrounded by that many people, shouldn’t a person receive at least a few stabs to be considered human?”
“That’s the proper way.”
“The fact that you weren’t hit even once is just too unbelievable.”
“No, I did get a few strands of hair cut off.”
“Never mind, then.”
At that moment, Peter, who had been watching the sparring, interjected.
“Young Master, Captain! Please have some water!”
We simultaneously drank the cool water that Peter offered.
“Kuh.”
“Kyaa.”
The water tasted good. It felt much cleaner and smoother than the water from my hometown and Flanders.
“By the way, Jeffrey.”
“Yes.”
“Is it common for the guards to participate in battles on the scale of territorial wars?”
Jeffrey stroked his chin.
“Not very often. Most engagements are small local wars or suppression campaigns.”
“I see.”
As I thought, it was clear that Grunewald also avoided large-scale battles.
‘War is a business that costs too much money.’
Moreover, the diplomatic preparations for that one battle, and the diplomatic responses to prepare for subsequent checks and balances, were even more troublesome.
Then the Webern County’s revenge war, which would happen in the future, might become quite a large incident. It would be a battle of a scale that rarely occurred.
‘Of course, even when that time comes, Grunewald won’t start a full-scale war.’
They would probably just support them with weapons and supplies and provide some assistance in the diplomatic arena. My guess is that they would exert their power thoroughly from behind the scenes, without revealing their identity.
‘A silent war waged between shadows.’
Therefore, people call this kind of fight, conducted secretly with plots and schemes exchanged like in chess, an intrigue.
‘It’s a fight I’m familiar with.’
Then, the thought occurred to me that my own revenge in the distant future, and the matter of seizing the position of honorable successor—
Wouldn’t be achieved conveniently by starting a large war and seizing everything in an instant.
‘I’ve already been caught up in the Dark King’s business and lost once with that method.’
But Karzan is not the kind of man to be defeated twice by the same method.
***
“Uhh, I’m so fucking hungry. Let’s eat dinner quickly.”
“Young Master, gentlemen like you don’t use such language, do you? Please maintain some decorum, or at least save face….”
“Shut up, that’s just your narrow-minded thinking.”
On the way back while facing the sunset, I discovered a familiar boy swinging a sword at a nearby training ground.
“Huh?”
It was actually an absurd scene. It was none other than Barclava who was swinging his sword in solitude.
“……What?”
Barclava was drenched in sweat.
“Has he been doing that for hours?”
“It seems so.”
I approached Barclava’s escort, who was startled.
“Y-Young Master!”
“It’s been a while.”
“It has been a while.”
“Was it the first time since then?”
“Yes. It is.”
This was the man who had spoken carelessly about whether I could handle this and was thoroughly scolded. He greeted me with eyes that were uncomfortable yet slightly welcoming.
“I greet Young Master.”
I asked, pointing at Barclava.
“What happened? He’s changed a bit.”
Each of his movements was much more refined than before, and there was a sharp glint in his eyes.
‘If he had trained like that from the start, he wouldn’t have been so easily toyed with by me.’
Is the Grunewald bloodline truly that great? Even Barclava, whom I had inwardly thought of as an average person, was showing outstanding potential that surpassed even talented individuals once he had made up his mind.
“Jeffrey, what do you think?”
“He’s quite something.”
Jeffrey exclaimed quietly in admiration.
“I-I apologize for saying this, but I didn’t know the Fifth Young Master had such qualities.”
“…He’s had a big change of heart since that day.”
I nodded at the escort’s reply.
“Is that so? Then it seems I’m partly responsible.”
“…….”
The escort maintained his silence with a complicated expression.
“Barclava!”
As I waved my hand and walked over, Barclava made a disgusted face.
“What is it?”
“You’re giving me that look when you see someone.”
“If you’re going to pick a fight, go away. I’m training.”
“Wow, I never thought I’d hear such wholesome and admirable words from you.”
I clapped my hands and asked.
“I was wondering why it’s been so quiet lately. You’ve been training alone in solitude? Excellent.”
Perhaps I’d developed some affection for him despite the initial dislike? When I first saw him, he was utterly pathetic, but seeing him trying so hard now was good.
“…….”
Barclava had a face that looked like he wanted to say many things, but he tightly closed his eyes as if there was a reason he had to hold back his words.
“I told you to go away if you’re going to pick a fight.”
“My bad.”
I raised my hand and apologized cleanly. I’m a man who apologizes quickly like this.
“By the way, your movements have improved a lot. Did you receive any teachings from someone?”
To my question, Barclava replied in an indifferent tone.
“Earlier, Sister Ulbhild gave me some advice.”
“Huh?”
Really?
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HELHEIM SCANS
[Translator - Pot]
[Proofreader - Kawaii]
Join our Discord for release updates!
https://discord.com/invite/dbdMDhzWa2
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