The Extra Strategist’s Royal Road Chapter 32
The hidden truth about Ars that I heard from the King of Parain.
I couldn’t help but be shocked.
‘To think Ars had such a hidden story.’
I vaguely knew he wasn’t just a simple extra, but the story I heard was on a different level entirely. It was explosive content that could become the core of the story.
‘If that’s the case, there’s one thing that makes sense.’
It’s the major incident that Yumir caused near the end of the story. The incident where Ars was framed as a traitor and destroyed.
Yumir’s attempted assassination of the protagonist.
‘But if that’s the case…’
The story becomes complicated. It shakes the very foundation of the story I knew.
It becomes unclear whether Ars is really on the protagonist’s side.
‘Because the possibility that Ars was truly the traitor has now emerged.’
It took quite a long time to organize these confusing thoughts.
‘It’s too early to draw conclusions. There’s definitely more to the story that I don’t know.’
I needed to gather more information about this part.
And one more thing.
It was about the Seven Vassals.
The meaning of these Seven Vassals could be completely reversed depending on whether Ars was a traitor or not.
I had one major premise about them.
That they were individuals who would be on Ars side no matter the situation, unwavering.
‘But what if Ars is really a traitor?’
There’s a high possibility that among those seven, there’s another traitor who was trying to trap the protagonist along with Ars.
Or conversely, if we assume Ars is not a traitor, there might be a traitor who infiltrated to keep an eye on Ars. Considering Ars’ hidden identity, that would be natural.
Either way, my vague trust in the Seven Vassals hascrumbled.
‘For now, I can trust my master. I have to trust her.’
But what about the other six?
I can’t help but suspect Rutger, whom I’m supposed to meet in a few days.
Rutger is a character who acts blindly for the sake of his sickly daughter, but he might have another background.
And as the situation turned out like this, his stock naturally rose.
“Eo.”
“Yes? What is it?” She answered with a pure expression devoid of duplicity.
‘I can trust Eo. Any time.’
Because obtaining her in the first place was an unexpected event. There’s no way Juras deliberately lost that chess match.
“I trust you. Thank you always.”
“…!?” Eo stuttered for a moment, then her expression softened with a hehehe laugh. “It’s my honor to serve you!”
If this was all an act, I decided to just go along with it cleanly.
* * *
After finishing my audience with the King of Parain, I turned my course towards Rainpol.
The meeting with Rutger Rosenberg. Given how the situation had turned out, I could no longer fully trust him, but for that very reason, I wanted to meet him in person.
I planned to stay in Crosshorn for a day and leave for Rainpol the next morning, but Eo approached me hesitantly.
“Um… Lord Ars . There’s something I’d like to ask of you.”
“Speak freely. What is it?”
“Could you grant me about a week’s leave? There are people I’d like to meet in Crossing.”
She was referring to the citizens of the Kuravel Holy Kingdom, which had been destroyed by Crossing. Most of them had become slaves, and Eo wanted to see their living conditions.
“If that’s the case, sure. But I’m a bit uneasy about sending you alone.”
Since it was within Crossing’s territory, I was about to assign Anton, who had newly pledged loyalty to me, but Eo showed clear signs of dislike.
“Yumir, you go with her. I’ll go with Anton.”
“But young master.”
I shook my head at Yumir, who was about to say that Anton couldn’t be trusted yet.
“That’s why I want to spend time with him. If Crossing had wanted to do something to me, I’d already be dead.”
“I… Understand.”
Having Yumir accompany Eo would also help cover for Eo’s tendency to get into trouble.
I decided to head towards Rainpol, located in the southern part of Crossing, with Anton.
* * *
Rainpol, a medium-sized city with a population of 140,000.
While a population of 140,000 was quite sizable, this place still didn’t have a lord.
That’s because it was a disputed border region between Crossing and Calliper.
“You’ve come… Wade.”
Master calmly changed his words after looking at Anton beside him.
“It’s alright, Master. This man also knows my identity.”
“The Red Knight? My goodness… What exactly happened in the capital?”
When I revealed the incident with King Parain, master nodded.
“So King Parain had such thoughts. Though his methods are extreme, it seems he too is thinking about the future of the continent.”
“You speak as if you understand something?”
“Living in Crossing, I came to understand. That this kingdom isn’t just a wicked nation as others slander it to be. This kingdom is a great power.”
“Yes, I was also surprised seeing Crossing’s cities. Their governance is quite excellent.”
“Indeed. Here, there’s a well-established cycle from the people to the state, and from the state back to the people.”
“It’s possible because there are no nobles.”
When nobles are present, they primarily take the taxes collected from the territory’s people. If they properly used those taxes to provide sufficient benefits to the people, it would be an ideal form of local autonomy, but many nobles fail to do so.
They fill their own pockets first, and after paying the allocated taxes to the state, there’s not much left for the territory’s people.
“Moreover, due to the slave system in Crossing, labor is unbelievably cheap. When they invest all the wealth produced by that cheap labor into the citizens under state leadership, they can’t help but become a great power.”
Of course, this form could collapse at any moment.
It’s working because King Parain is doing it properly, but if a king seeking personal gain were to ascend to the throne, Crossing could fall apart in an instant.
Furthermore, despite adopting a republican system, that republic has become a nominal institution. It’s no different from a kingdom. In this situation, even the slightest trigger could lead to the revival of the aristocratic system.
“That’s why Crossing’s succession issue might be complicated. Ars, you probably know too. It was just a few years ago that Juras Pamilion was first in line for the throne.”
“Did King Parain fail to find a suitable candidate among his own children?”
“That’s likely. But things are different now. King Parain has passed on the right of succession to his last prince. There are rumors that it might be a fabricated story since his identity is shrouded in mystery.”
“Hmm.”
As I looked at Anton just in case, he smiled and said, “It’s not a fabricated story. The prince who received the right of succession certainly exists. He’s just turned thirteen now. You’ll be able to meet him someday, Lord Ars.”
“I see.”
Master, suddenly aware of Anton’s presence, said with a start, “Oh my, we got caught up in conversation despite having a guest. Please, come in.”
“Don’t mind me. I enjoyed listening to your insightful discussion, feeling my mind open up.”
Guided by master, I entered the temporary quarters prepared in the Mercenary Association. I planned to rendezvous with Rutger at night, and until then, I decided to go through transfer procedures at Rainpol’s secondary academy and find a mansion.
Now that my connection with Crossing had become stronger than expected, I felt the need for a new base.
For example, if we brought Anton to our territory to work, it could cause various issues. Master had also been active only in Crossing recently.
In that sense, Rainpol, a border region between Crossing and Calliper, could be an optimal base.
Finding a mansion took unexpectedly long.
This was because mansion prices had risen significantly due to Rainpol’s recent rapid development.
Drawing on my memories from modern times, I bought a two-story large mansion along with the land for 10 million sillan.
If Rainpol develops further and becomes like a new city, I could resell it for at least three times the price.
After acquiring the mansion, night had fallen deeply.
I was a bit tired and thought about postponing the rendezvous with Rutger to the next day, but whether master had informed him of my arrival, Rutger barged into the Mercenary Association’s quarters without warning.
“Let me meet him!”
He was a slender middle-aged man. Though not very old, probably in his mid-40s, shadows were cast on his face, suggesting he had been through significant mental distress.
Master was trying to dissuade him, looking troubled. “Please wait a little longer. We have our circumstances too.”
“Consider our situation as well. We’ve been here for a month already. I can’t wait and endure any longer! Please. Let me meet him!”
He seemed worried that I might suddenly disappear. Well, Wade had that kind of image among people.
Because the gray helmet made impersonation possible, there were many who impersonated this name, and if you just listened to the rumors, he boasted an elusiveness that rivaled Hong Gil-dong.
“…If you’re looking for me, I’m here.”
As I put on the helmet, Rutger’s eyes widened. His attendants, George and Ings, were signaling to Rutger that it was indeed the voice they had heard.
“Are you… Are you the Wade who was active in the recent Three Lions War?”
“And who might you be?”
“I’m Rutger Rosenberg. I heard you knew my name, but I guess not.”
“Well, I do know your name, at least. You’re quite famous as the Jade Rosenberg, the Ironwall Rosenberg.”
Perhaps because we met at different times, he looked different from the illustration I knew. In the illustration, he was an old man with snow-white hair, but now he looked more age-appropriate.
“So? Why did you want to meet me?”
“Don’t play dumb. You treated my daughter.”
“Was there such an incident? Well, I don’t remember every private matter.”
“Private matter… I see. It might be so for you. But for me, it was a world-turning event. It’s the first time my daughter’s condition has shown improvement. Thanks to you, those hateful boils started to be controlled.”
“Ah, I vaguely remember now. The patient with large boils all over her body, right? Did you bring her here?”
“Of course, I brought her.”
“Then shall we check on her progress?”
“I’ll bring her right away!”
Rutger left with excited steps and soon returned with Estelle, whose appearance was hidden by a large cloak.
When the cloak was lifted, her appearance was revealed, and even master, hardened by battlefields, frowned for a moment.
‘Even so, she’s much better.’
Compared to when I mistook her for a drowned corpse, at least now she had a human form. She had no hair due to boils on her scalp, and scars from lanced boils all over her body gave a chilling impression, but her features could be clearly seen.
“She’s much better.”
At my words, master was shocked, thinking, ‘This is much better…?’
On the other hand, Rutger nodded vigorously. “That’s right. She’s like a different person compared to before. Now she can even take walks on her own.”
Estelle was staring at me with fear in her eyes.
“Yes, well. That’s good enough. I hope you continue to make efforts to live on.”
As I turned to leave, Rutger jumped as if struck by lightning. “What do you mean by that!”
“What do I mean? I just looked at the patient as requested. I’ve done my treatment, so I’ve checked on her progress.”
“Didn’t you say the disease wasn’t cured!”
“And?”
“And…?”
“Are you asking me to cure the disease?”
“Of course!”
“Ha!”
This was a kind of power play.
Now that the vague trust in the Seven Vassals had been shattered, there was a need to reestablish that relationship.
Until now, I had planned to gather them in advance and then have them pledge loyalty to the protagonist, but now it’s different.
‘I need to secure their absolute loyalty to me first.’
As such, I decided to thoroughly take control.
“Why should I do that? I’m not a doctor. If you’re asking me to sacrifice myself for a patient, you’re mistaken.”
“I-I’ll pay you!”
“How much can you pay? It will take roughly a year to cure the disease. Can you afford to pay for that period?”
“I don’t think it would be impossible, but…”
“That’s interesting. For your reference, Crossing paid 40 million sillan to employ me for a month. For a year, that’s 480 million sillan. Are you saying you can afford that?”
“480 million…!”
Rutger, who had recently given up his territory, couldn’t possibly have the means to pay this enormous sum.
“Moreover, crucially, you are a person from the Kingdom of Alvard. A kingdom that is hostile to me.”
“Are you saying that if my daughter gets better, we might return to Alvard and become hostile again?”
“It’s a possibility.”
“I swear. I will never return to Alvard. I’ve already given up my title and territory. Although the king has refused my resignation and it’s still maintained, I have no intention of going back.”
At this, George and Ings widened their eyes.
“The two behind you don’t seem to think so?”
“I’ll persuade them. And regarding the amount, I’ll find a way to prepare it somehow. So please. Cure my daughter.”
“…”
“I beg you!”
Thud! Rutger prostrated himself, hitting his head on the ground.
“If you still think I’m dangerous, that’s fine. Cut off my arms so I won’t be a threat to you! Cut off my legs! You can even rip out my tongue! As long as I have eyes to see my daughter get better, I don’t care!”
At this, Estelle wept bitterly, shedding tears like chicken droppings.
Somehow, I feel like I’ve become the villain.
“Wade, wouldn’t it be better to suggest that Rutger join our side? Then you could closely monitor the progress of the disease. If he works under you, you could also make some concessions regarding the financial aspect.” Master spoke, seemingly pitying Rutger and his daughter’s situation.
It’s truly a nice assist.
Pretending to give in, I spoke to Rutger. “Haah… If that’s the case, I have conditions.”
“Say anything!”
“First, could the two of you step out for a moment?”
At my words, George and Ings showed reluctance, but when Rutger ordered them to leave, they left the room with sour expressions.
“The condition is simple. Rutger Rosenberg. Pledge your loyalty to me. I’m asking you to enter my service, prepared to point your sword at Alvard, your homeland. If you show that level of resolve, I’ll start treating the disease without financial compensation.”
“…”
A brief silence. Rutger nodded firmly.
“I’ll gladly do so.”
“Huh. Good. Then shall we start talking in earnest?”
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