Chapter 94

The castle was still filled with many people.

Most were rejoicing at the success of the revolution, but occasionally, one could see someone crying out in front of a corpse, perhaps having lost a family member.

"I can't stand it."

No one responded to my mutter. I think they heard it, though.

Even if someone had replied, I doubt it would have registered in my head.

Amid the joyous clamor, I headed to the designated place with a gloominess akin to a funeral procession. It was a spacious hall that looked like it was used for audiences. The high ceiling gave it a church-like feel.

As I walked through the wide hall, I saw a small pile of rubble.

"What's that?"

"It must be where the throne was."

Indeed, upon closer inspection, that area was slightly elevated, and placing a chair there would make one look quite grand.

One of the people clearing the rubble turned to look at us.

"How's the wound?"

It was Myrle Bahar, the head of the Fishermen's Guild. He was still the same tanned handsome man.

"Yes, it doesn't hurt much. The doctor said I might have a fever, but I think it's because I slept soundly that I don't have one."

I thought I heard Chelina's response. It's normal to have a fever after a serious injury. I should have prepared painkillers and antipyretics. It's strange how I suddenly feel pain when I become aware of my injury.

I'll get her some loxoprofen and a cephalosporin antibiotic later.

"That's good. I'm having chairs set up now. They were supposed to be ready earlier, but the damage was worse than expected."

Bahar chuckled. Who would be stupid enough to carry away chairs?

"At least it wasn't set on fire. There are fewer embers, but if the castle had burned, reconstruction would have been impossible."

It seems Bahar and his group understand the difficulty of reconstruction. Great people are those who should be great.

As I helped clear the rubble, I sensed someone's presence from the back. Yarai reacted, and Hagg paid attention to the entrance of the square.

"Sorry to keep you waiting. The shape is a bit messy, but it's fine, right?"

Leading a group of the Wave Dojo's apocalyptic disciples was none other than Minister Blau Soar.

He was the one who threw me in jail and sentenced me to death on false charges. I couldn't forget that.

"You're still alive?"

It was mainly a sarcastic remark, but I really didn't think such a pillar of the kingdom would survive this turmoil.

"Yes. I'm surprised you're still alive... No, were you at the center of this chaos?"

Blau sighed with a half-smile. It was annoying.

"I'm just a supporting character. The main characters are that wild girl and the tanned man."

"I'm not old enough to be called a man."

I know, I know. I did it on purpose!

"Hehehe... No, I recognized you as a dangerous person, but you exceeded my expectations."

He laughed in a humble and annoying way.

"What makes me a dangerous person? I'm just a harmless civilian."

"\"That's not true\""

For some reason, Hagg and Yarai chimed in. Weren't they like oil and water? Damn!

"Hey, tanned man, why is this guy still alive?"

I changed the subject.

"We couldn't let him die. He's essential for the new country, no matter what."

Bahar crossed his arms, looking uninterested.

"I thought you'd be hanged with the king."

"We can't run the country with just us. Unfortunately, no matter how hard Chelina and I work, the country isn't that easy to manage."

Hmm, this guy has a good grasp of reality.

"Aren't you just a merchant?"

"Tanned man, don't be mean. This guy is different. He started as the third son of a farmer, became a merchant, established a trading company, was appointed a baron, and became a minister. He's a treasure of this country, worth more than any amount of money."

I gave Blau Soar a sleepy look.

"He almost killed me, you know."

"He'll work so hard it'll be like he's dead."

"Hmph..."

I responded with a snort to Bahar's bitter words, which sounded like he was grinding his teeth.

"You're not liked, are you?"

Blau muttered, looking bitter.

"Don't mind it, it's just personal grudges."

"Sure, sure."

He shook his head and shrugged.

"I don't care anymore. Shouldn't we start the meeting?"

I think the chairs are ready, and there are even a few extra.

"An important person hasn't arrived yet."

"Oh, the lord."

Indeed, it's important. It seems the lord also prepared the ballistae that broke the city walls.

As if on cue, a group of people entered from the entrance. The hall was long, so I couldn't see clearly, but it looked like Baron Lethel was leading the group. Hagg reacted, but when Bahar said, "It's fine," Hagg put down his mace.

As they got closer, I saw that behind Baron Lethel were a middle-aged man and woman dressed in the country's traditional clothing. The others were probably guards. When Chelina saw them, she called out.

"Father! Mother!"

Chelina stood up and went to them.

"It's been a while, Chelina... But you should greet Baron Lethel first."

Her father, who had a strict but sun-tanned face, gently scolded her.

"I apologize... I should apologize to Baron Lethel."

Chelina bowed, and the baron waved his head side to side, looking flustered.

"It's fine, it's fine. It's been a long time since we've seen our family, take your time."

He looked creepy but had a good personality.

"Baron Lethel, this way."

Bahar led the lord to a chair.

"Still, why is Father here?"

"Just to save his daughter, of course."

"Yes, you never grow out of being a wild child."

Following her father was a voluptuous and alluring woman. What a weapon. From a distance, I thought she was middle-aged because of the veil, but she might be around my age. ... How old is Chelina? ...

Wait, Chelina must be in her late teens or early twenties. That means this lady is much older than me...

No, no... But... Huh?

I decided not to think about her age anymore.

Still, she's an incredibly beautiful woman. Chelina's father is lucky...

I caught Chelina's gaze, and it was filled with killing intent. Scary.

"I tried to contact you many times, but there was no response, so I thought you had deviated from the planned route."

"You did deviate from the planned route. You were at the shipyard in the south of Liberi Bay."

"Really?!"

Chelina exclaimed in surprise at her father's words.

"So you were there from the beginning?"

"Yes, we were."

The man nodded.

"We had been secretly building them for a long time, with the support of Baron Lethel."

"Building...?"

"Yes. Three warships that will be the new symbol of this country."

That's when I realized.

"Could those iron arrows be...?"

I blurted out the question that had been on my mind.

"Yes, you must be Akira, Chelina's advisor. I'm Chelina's father, Cargue Veriello. Nice to meet you."

"Ah, yes. I'm Akihiko Endo. Nice to meet you."

I was caught off guard, and my tone was a bit off. It was a mistake.

When I introduced myself, Cargue's gaze sharpened, but I didn't notice.

I shook his outstretched hand and gave a forced smile.

"As Akira said, it's probably the most powerful ballista for ships. We developed it with all the resources of Veriello."

"I've never heard of it."

Chelina didn't hide her displeasure.

"The design of the ships and ballistae was done by me and Paros."

"Really! My brother kept such a secret from me... It's humiliating..."

Oh, come on.

"But how did you manage the guild's work?"

"Of course, I left it to Fliena."

"...Mother..."

"Hehehe..."

Fliena, the bombshell, smiled seductively. Is she some kind of monster?

And this Fliena also has business skills on par with Chelina. What a family.

"By the way, isn't your brother here?"

"Paros is on the ship. I don't know who he takes after."

Fliena glanced at Cargue with a look of exasperation. Cargue slightly averted his gaze.

It was clear who was in charge in this relationship.

"And he wouldn't be useful for this meeting anyway."

You're a bad father! Give your eldest son more credit!

"That's true."

Chelina!

"Yes, that's true."

Oh, come on!

I feel sorry for Paros...

"Ahem... Shall we start?"

Blau cleared his throat dramatically.

"My apologies. Chelina, take your seat."

"...Understood."

She hesitated for a moment at her father's words but then composed herself and sat down.

Blau nodded at Bahar, the baron, Chelina, and Cargue.

"Let's discuss the future of this country."

For some reason, Blau was in charge.

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