Chapter 349 – Old Friendship
It has been about a week since I returned to Merinesburg.
Ellen and Amalie-san’s delivery date is getting closer and closer, and according to what I hear, the pioneer village I built is off to a good start. Well, it’s no surprise since I built a solid field and a wall to protect it.
One day, while I was listening to such reports, taking care of Ellen and Amalie-san, spending time with Sylphy and the others, observing the education of the beastmen girls, and approving letters to the Merchant Guild and the Adventurers Guild asking them to report on the progress of the management of the funds I had provided, I was visited by a face I had not seen in a long time.
“It’s been a long time.”
“Really. I’m glad to see you are well.”
It was Sir Leonard who came to see me. He looked like a lion as usual, and I couldn’t tell whether he was old or not, but he didn’t seem to be injured, so I guessed he was fine.
“You look like you are not well. That’s the way it’s always been.”
“Just leave me alone.”
It’s just before noon. My body is still in a lazy state. People say that I have been taking beautiful women, including Sylphy, but the reality is the opposite. It has been replaced several times. It’s a situation that is very satisfying for a man, but it’s also very hard on my body. Moreover, they are all very aggressive, inspired by Ellen and Amalie-san’s growing bellies.
“So, have you come here to chill out after a long time? I don’t think it’s a good idea to drink at this hour, so I’ll at least offer you some tea.”
“I would be fine with a drink, but I think tea is the safest bet. After all, Kosuke is very weak.”
“As I said, leave me alone.”
Forcing my sore muscles to move, I got off the bed, sat down at the table, and brought out a tea set.
“So? What’s up with you today? You didn’t come all the way back from your business trip just to say hello to me, did you?”
“Umu. There is no point in trying to make things up to Kosuke, is there? Actually, I came here to ask you for a favor.”
“A favor, huh? Well, let’s just hear what you have to say.”
“I need weapons. As many as possible.”
“That doesn’t sound good.”
“I don’t know if you’re aware of this, Kosuke, so I’ll explain… there are signs of civil unrest in the Holy Kingdom.”
“I’ve heard that.”
When I said that, Sir Leonard nodded his head in satisfaction.
“As expected of you, you have a quick ear. That’s why I’m thinking of infiltrating a small elite force into the Holy Kingdom in secret to stir up civil unrest.”
“And weapons? Are you going to supply them to the subhuman slaves in the Holy Kingdom to incite them to rebellion?”
“That is one way to do it, but it could cause great harm to the former citizens of Merinard. Therefore, I intend to support the forces that are trying to start a civil war.”
“I see. But if they carry it around, the weapons I make could be used by the enemy.”
The quality of weapons I make are of medium to high quality, according to the craftsmen of this world. I don’t want to see an enemy army with such high-quality weapons.
“It is only natural. So, first of all, we will try to understand the situation, right? The provision of weapons will not be immediate but will be in the final stage. We are trying to get things done while we still have time.”
In other words, he was laying the groundwork in advance. This is the kind of thing you would expect from a former noble, isn’t it? He is not just an old man who is a glutton for food and a combat fanatic.
“I don’t mind as long as Sylphy and Melty give their permission. You won’t give them crossbows or firearms, will you?”
“Of course not. High-quality swords, shields, and spears would be good. We also need a lot of arrows.”
“Okay, then, I’ll make the preparations. Is 10,000 of each sufficient?”
“I would like about 100,000 arrows prepared.”
“Roger that.”
If it is not an immediate matter, there will be no problem if I make them steadily. Even if they are no longer used, there is plenty of demand for swords, shields, spears, and arrows in this world. It will not go to waste.
“So, my side is the same as ever, but what about your side? There were a few people who loved you, weren’t there?”
“My love is for my late wife, you know.”
“But that’s not the way it works in this world, is it? You have to fulfill your responsibilities as a man, don’t you?”
If it wasn’t for that, I wouldn’t be in this situation either. No, I wouldn’t be. Probably. Surely. Maybe.
No, that might not be the case! I think it’s going to be the same in the end!
“…I shall remain silent.”
“I see; you are in a situation where you have to keep silent.”
“…..”
Sir Leonard gently turned his head away from me. Sir Leonard is a man of power and position, but due to the organization of the Royal Army of Merinard, there are many opportunities to have women by his side. This is because the Liberation Army, the predecessor of the current Royal Army of Merinard, itself had many women by unavoidable circumstances.
So, when a woman is by your side, and she is pushing you, it is very difficult to escape. In any case, they would involve the surrounding people to fill the outer moat and lay siege to the area. It is extremely difficult to win a siege battle or break through the encirclement.
“Give up and come to this side. Once you get used to it, you will be in heaven.”
“There is a saying, “there’s no other appealing place like home. You might admire the place where you settled down,” but that is simply because you just get used to living in the harsh and inhospitable circumstances. You just became numb with your situation. I mean, for a ‘dense’ beastman like me, procreating outside of the regular mating season is quite exhausting…”
“If it’s not that you can’t do it, then just go for it with gusto.”
“They’ve been trying to force me into heat lately, so I have to be on my guard…”
Ah, I see. So-called ‘dense’ beastman has a hard time making babies if they are not in heat, but there is some way to force them into heat. They seem to have good noses, so maybe it’s something pheromone-based. Well, it would be difficult if they were not in the cycle, so I guess there must be something like that.
“Do you want me to give you some energizers? There’s some good stuff in there, mister.”
“I’m afraid I’m going to die if I overdo it, so I’m going to refrain. I am not young anymore, you know.”
“Don’t worry, it’s actually safe. In fact, I haven’t died yet.”
“I heard that Kosuke’s life force is as strong as that of a cockroach, and that’s why you haven’t died yet.”
“Who told you that? I feel like I can’t deny anything, but this is okay. I’ll even put a life potion on it if you want.”
“In the first place, I don’t want to live a life that requires me to rely on drugs.”
After that, Sir Leonard tried to refuse to accept the medicine from me, but in the end, I succeeded in forcing it on him, which he did not like.
No, if I don’t force him to take it, he might die suddenly if he falls. Basically, women in this world have a lot of vitality. They are tough.
After I gave Sir Leonard a set of medicines, I told him about the Battle of the North, or conversely, I asked him about what had happened in the eastern part of the Merinard Kingdom, and we warmed up our old friendship for a while.
In the end, we ended up drinking alcohol in the daytime, but let’s just say that there are days when you want to get out of control.