Chapter 86

The story takes a step back in time.

The setting is the former Golden Dawn, now known as Zayed Village.

Of course, the protagonist is none other than...

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My name is Zayed Gandar Baelroad.

I am the second son of the Baelroad Margrave, who rules the largest territory in the Kingdom of Mauvaria.

My mother is Bella, who was the second wife at the time.

After the death of the first wife, Ilima, my mother Bella became the current wife. Despite this, my father seems to favor Ilima's children.

But!

Who is more suitable to be the next Margrave than me, who has the greatest ability of all!?

As long as I carry my father's blood, favoritism is not allowed!

Not only do I have a track record of governing part of the Margrave's territory, but I also rule the land that my brother Kyle abandoned, thanks to Bella's advice!

In this situation where I should be evaluated, all I hear is praise for Kyle!

What kind of trickery is he up to!

The existence of a younger brother surpassing an older brother is not permissible!

However, Kyle's achievements do indeed look impressive.

Most likely, his achievements are just good-sounding, empty accomplishments, no doubt about it.

Therefore, I must also produce impressive results.

As I was thinking about this in circles, there was finally a knock on the door.

"Are you calling me, Master Zayed?"

"You're late! Jabeel!"

The one who entered the room was Jabeel, who serves me... well, not exactly, but it's close enough. Jabeel is an alchemist who serves me.

Jabeel used to have a nice figure that I liked, but due to an experimental failure, she ended up with a child-like body. I was shocked when I first saw her, but it was a real waste.

However, despite her child-like appearance, her intellect remains as sharp as ever. Except for her inflexibility and stubbornness.

"I am busy writing a thesis, you know."

Jabeel continued, muttering, "It's because that idiot keeps sending new formulas one after another."

"Huh? Did you say something? Your voice is too low."

"It's just talking to myself."

I snorted.

"Writing theses that may not be useful is fine, but is the healing potion I asked for ready?"

"Of course. But what do you intend to do with such a large quantity of healing potions? As I've said before, I don't want them to be used for commercial purposes."

"Remember our contract. Don't worry. This is for the soldiers."

"Still, it's a large quantity."

"Hmm. I'll tell you this: I plan to clear out the monsters in the swamp soon!"

"What!?"

Zayed snorted, pleased by Jabeel's surprised face.

However, there was a gap between Zayed's thoughts about Jabeel and the reason for Jabeel's surprise.

"Master Zayed, that's a bit reckless. That place is very vast, and even Golden Dawn gave up on eradicating the monsters..."

I slapped my hand down hard.

What Jabeel said last was the key.

"Yes! The fact that Kyle gave up is important!"

I interrupted Jabeel, spreading my arms wide with a pleased expression.

Jabeel swallowed her words.

"Sorry, let me rephrase that. It's not that they gave up on eradicating, but rather that Kyle is hesitant to develop the swamp because it's closer to Zayed Village."

I snorted again.

"Hmph. The claim to the development area goes to the first one to act. While the distance from Kyle's village to the swamp is indeed far, it's not that far from this village. If they withdrew, it means they gave up!"

I spoke the truth and the right answer.

I was confident that I had finally outwitted Jabeel, but this woman put her hand on her hip and sighed.

"The eradication of the swamp monsters... From what I've heard from my apprentice, with Golden Dawn's current strength, it's definitely possible. So, the reason they haven't acted yet is either a lack of interest or preparation..."

"Hmph! They must be scared! If the swamp is cultivated, a large amount of rice can be obtained, and there will be no food shortage!"

"That place already has a large farm run by my idiot apprentice, so there's no food shortage..."

"Shut up, Jabeel! No matter what tricks he used, Kyle gave up! Logically, the development of the swamp should be easier than dragon slaying, right!?"

That's right!

No matter how you look at it, the difficulty of eradicating the swamp is lower than dragon slaying. That's proof that Kyle used tricks or foul play!

"No, considering the distance, it's not easy to send a large force. The swamp is vast, and there are many powerful hydras scattered throughout. It's much more troublesome than dragon slaying. Given the current size of Golden Dawn, they are already busy with defense and local eradication... Yes, you don't understand."

Who listens to your nonsense!

You always argue and can't see the truth!

"By successfully developing the swamp, I will show that Kyle's achievements were exaggerated and prove my excellence to the world! There's no reason not to do it!"

Jabeel was speechless again.

It seems she finally understood the meaning of my words. I nodded in satisfaction.

"I will deploy all 300 of my private soldiers and reduce the numbers first, then systematically eradicate them over time. I originally planned to clear them all at once, but the captain advised me to be cautious. Hmph. It's too cautious, but I must ensure success."

"Wait a moment! You don't plan to hire adventurers for this mission!?"

"Huh? Of course not. Most of the adventurers who come to this village are registered in Kyle's village."

That's right.

Most of the adventurers who come to my village are either hired as caravan guards or go to the swamp to hunt hydras.

They just stay in the village's inns.

There are no adventurers who base their operations in this village.

The captain's advice is probably a polite way of saying it's impossible.

Jabeel can only sympathize with the soldiers.

"Master Zayed, is this already decided? Perhaps the captain's advice is a polite way of saying it's impossible?"

"My soldiers are not weak!"

Jabeel sighed softly.

"Understood. Then I'll bring stamina potions made by my idiot apprentice. Take them with you."

Jabeel's idiot apprentice... Craft, right!

His stamina potions are valuable!

"What? They sell for a good price. Are you giving them to the soldiers?"

"If you want to sell them, I won't provide them. They are my personal items."

"Hmm... You can't make potions of that quality. It's a bit of a waste, but I'll arrange it for you."

"Yes. They were given to me as a gift and sample from my idiot apprentice... Considering the soldiers' safety, he would understand."

Jabeel sighed deeply.

"Well, I won't run out of potions for my daily use. Since I've already submitted my thesis, it doesn't matter if there are no samples left. More importantly, reducing the number of casualties is crucial."

"I don't care about the details. I'm taking them... Can't you ask Craft to provide the stamina potions he sells?"

"If you ask me to do that, I can't stay under Master Zayed."

"...Understood. Forget it."

Hmph. She's sentimental about her apprentice.

It's inconvenient.

Well, it's fine. From now on, it's my era!

Thus, with full preparation, my elite soldiers bravely set out for the swamp.

They set out...

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"What is this!? What's going on!?"

The soldiers who returned were in tatters. It was a miracle there were no fatalities.

The captain, bandaged, knelt and bowed.

"Master Zayed! I apologize! We did our best, but the swamp is vast, and the hydras kept attacking without rest, forcing us to retreat!"

"What... What!? That's strange! The adventurers from Kyle's village hunt them for materials, right!?"

"We observed the adventurers on-site, and they are strange! They seem to have the strength of B-rank adventurers in Gandar..."

"They're just adventurers! How can you, who are trained and paid, be inferior to rogue adventurers!?"

The captain clenched his teeth.

"...The adventurer parties have mages and clerics, and their overall balance is good. Their goal is to collect hydras' magic stones and materials, so they move after hunting a few, unlike us who aim to eliminate all the enemies..."

I folded my arms, hmm.

It's easy to call my soldiers incompetent, but I can't accept the idea that they are inferior to adventurers.

Moreover, what he says is not wrong.

Especially since this was the first strategy. It's good to be lenient.

"Then, reevaluate the strategy! You are my soldiers! You must not lose to adventurers!"

"Hai! Hai!"

The soldiers bowed in unison.

Yes. By not holding them responsible, they will be grateful to me, show greater loyalty, and ensure the next operation's success.

I am indeed an excellent leader!

"Master Zayed..."

I turned to the voice, which was Jabeel.

"What is it, Jabeel? I thought you were treating the soldiers?"

This child. She has knowledge not only in alchemy but also as a doctor. It would be a waste not to use her in such situations.

"Of course, I am treating them. But, seeing this mess, are you going to repeat it without a plan?"

"Planning is the soldiers' job! Are you dissatisfied with not holding them responsible!?"

"Umm..."

Jabeel folded her arms and pondered for a while, then raised her head with determination.

"Master Zayed, I've said it many times, but the swamp is vast. While it would be a great achievement if successful, it's too much for this force, isn't it?"

"Hmph. That's why it's a great achievement. If I can do what Kyle gave up, I can even surpass my brother."

"But..."

"Stop being stubborn, Jabeel! This is a decision!"

"...Understood."

Jabeel sighed and returned to her laboratory. On the way, she muttered to herself.

"Well... I'll have to give up my research for a while and make potions for the soldiers."

Hmph. She should have made the potions from the start.

But, it's true that I would be in trouble if Jabeel got upset. She's a troublesome child to handle.

Surrounded by incompetent subordinates, I headed to the office to fulfill my duties as a noble.

And then...

"Master Zayed! It's an emergency!"

It was a few days after the soldiers returned.

While I was working on paperwork, a clerk burst into the office, pale-faced.

"Here, please look at this!"

The clerk was carrying a large number of wooden tablets. They didn't look important since they weren't made of parchment.

I picked up one of the tablets and read it. My face drained of color.

It was a resignation letter from a soldier.

I picked up more tablets.

"These... These... All of them are resignation letters! What's going on, clerk!?"

"They are ordinary resignation letters... All of them state that they want to resign immediately, waiving their severance pay and pension."

My cold head suddenly boiled over.

"F... F... F... F... F... F... F... F... F... F... F... F... F... F... F... F... F... F... F... F... F... F... F... F... F... F... F... F... F... F... F... F... F... F... F... F... F... F... F... F... F... F... F... F... F... F... F... F... F... F... F... F... F... F... F... F... F... F... F... F... F... F... F... F... F... F... F... F... F... F... F... F... F... F... F... F... F... F... F... F... F... F... F... F... F... F...