-Clop, clop.
The expedition began after passing through the gate procedures.
Inside the carriage, following the line of marching soldiers, I took the time to assess the current expedition’s finances with Cheska.
“While the troops are filled, it will be difficult to sustain the entire expedition with only the support from the Imperial Family. It might be manageable for now, but if the expedition is prolonged, it will be burdensome. Have you prepared any solutions for this?”
“Well, I thought about getting more support money by working hard on the subjugations and using bounties to reinforce the expedition...”
“If you run the expedition like that, there won’t be any salary left for the expedition members. You don’t plan to exploit them for free, do you?”
“...That’s absolutely unacceptable.”
Even now, I still remember not getting paid during my porter days. How could I treat people who follow me to the brink of death like that?
But I want to minimize damage, and pushing them too hard for results is not an easy task.
“...Is there any good way?”
“The best way is to recruit investors through promotion.”
“Investors?”
“During the expedition, we will arrive at garrison areas or gates, and there will be opportunities to reveal the subjugation achievements of the current expedition. If news of the achievements spreads throughout the empire, authorities or interest groups seeking to gain from the reputation will approach first.”
“That’s definitely a good opinion... But wouldn’t they have come by now if that was the case?”
In the first place, I had a perception of having risen from an outsider to a high position, so I wasn’t well-regarded by those in power.
Even this expedition barely received minimal support from the Imperial Family, so it was hard to expect things to go as planned, even if we achieved results afterward.
“There’s no need to worry about that. Sponsors are eager to take advantage of pioneering activities like this, so even if they pretend to cooperate, they all see each other as competitors.”
“Taking advantage, what do you mean?”
“Because sponsoring the subjugation team brings more than just a share of the bounty and fame. The main purpose of investors is to be the first to establish their name in the pioneering area and secure monopolies or distribution routes when stability comes.”
Right, this subjugation also held significance for territorial expansion.
If we focused on profit, the secondary benefits, such as real estate speculation, resource acquisition, and securing distribution routes, would be greater than the fame and rewards from sponsorship.
Additionally, sponsoring an excellent subjugation team would also raise their evaluation of the Imperial Family, providing a good opportunity to secure a position in the government that would change dramatically before and after the succession ceremony.
“...In short, if we achieve results, the environment will be created for investment to follow naturally.”
“Of course, given that Hero Woo Hyo-sung’s reputation among the authorities isn’t very good, some level of persuasion and incentive will be necessary. I will prepare measures for this, so please focus on the subjugation with the expedition members, Hero Woo Hyo-sung.”
“Oh, sure. That sounds good.”
“Next, I’d like to discuss the management of supplies and the expedition plan. In my opinion, doing it this way...”
After that, Cheska continued to explain in detail how to lead the current expedition.
It was very logical and easy to understand, even for someone like me who wasn’t familiar with such things...
Honestly, it felt like he could be an accountant or CEO in our original world without any issues.
“You seem to be quite familiar with this kind of work.”
“I have no choice but to be familiar.”
With that question accompanied by the curiosity of why such an excellent person would support my side, Cheska replied while reviewing the documents.
“As a noble managing an estate, organizing ledgers, and learning law are essential skills.”
“That’s true, but there are many nobles who don’t even do such minimal official duties... So why did you volunteer for the subjugation team?”
“This is also part of the investment. I aim to receive a share of the subjugation team’s achievements by directly providing personnel from my side...”
“No, I mean, if that’s the case, you could just send supplies or personnel. Why did you personally come here?”
No matter how much he was scorned as a royal bastard, he was still the head of an estate and family.
Isn’t it unprofitable for a person of authority to personally work on-site?
“...Sigh.“
With such a question, Cheska sighed, which was unusual for him, and put the document he was holding on the table.
Then he looked at me indifferently and said.
“We have no money.”
“What?”
“We can’t afford to add to the supplies, nor do we have personnel to help. My estate is so short of funds that it’s hard to even pay the workers, so I have no choice but to personally go out and work to pay next month’s salaries.”
“...”
“Let me treat you first. Calm down, and explain the situation...”
“Do I look like I can calm down?! The damn hero wrecked the expedition team!”
The adventurer yelled, pushing away the medics and clerics who had come to treat him.
Even now, blood was pouring from various parts of his body, but he was focused only on expressing his despair.
“I told them not to go! No matter how many orcs there were, only a hero could handle that number. What about the rest of us...?!”
“...I get the gist.”
Fortunately, we all had enough background knowledge to understand the situation just from his sobbing.
In short, another subjugation team led by a hero entered this canyon with confidence and was annihilated by a horde of orcs.
I don’t know what happened to the hero who charged in confidently, but judging by the condition of the hired adventurer, most of them didn’t fare well.
“Hero, what will you do?”
Sanson and the expedition members immediately asked me.
With their serious gazes on me, I took a moment to think.
The lieutenant and the administrative staff only assist with opinions. As the total leader of the expedition, the final decision rests with me.
We just finished resupplying, the soldiers were in perfect condition, and the opponent was a horde of orcs, which was less dangerous than demons or undead...
“Everyone, stay here. I’ll scout alone first.”
“What? You’ll scout personally, Hero...?”
“If the orcs have settled in the canyon, it would be better to move with a small elite team.”
Even though they were caught off guard, wasn’t an entire expedition team led by a hero annihilated?
In reality, orcs were stupid, and few could use magic, but their physique was bigger than humans, and their reproductive ability was strong.
If such orcs were swarming in this canyon before the subjugation would even begin, rushing in could be more dangerous.
“Scouts, focus on searching this area and looking for any survivors. The rest, prepare to defend against orcs possibly swarming out of the canyon...”
“Ah, yes. If you say so, Hero, we will follow.”
Alright, with this, the expedition team shouldn’t suffer major damage in case of an emergency.
I’d scout first, and if I deemed it safe, I’d lead the expedition team to start the subjugation.
“Please wait a moment.”
As I was planning and about to walk into the forest, Cheska called out to me.
As always, his indifferent gaze seemed to show dissatisfaction with me heading into the forest.
“What’s wrong? Is something bothering you?”
Come to think of it, he had a somewhat principled side.
I thought he might point out that it would be dangerous for the person in charge to step forward, or that it would disrupt the chain of command.
“If it’s alright, may I accompany you?”
“What?”
“I agree that a capable few should scout, but it’s better to have two than one in case of an emergency.”
“No, that’s true, but if we were to select personnel, we would take from the scout team. Why are you volunteering?”
Even though you volunteered for the expedition because you’re a poor noble, what follows is heading straight into danger.
When I expressed my concern, Cheska quietly answered.
“Because I’m interested in you.”
“What?”
“I want to watch you closely, so I said I’d follow. Is there a problem?”
“...”
I stared at him blankly for ten seconds.
After understanding what he said, I quietly averted my gaze and spoke with a slightly embarrassed voice.
“Sorry. I’m not into that, and I have a wife...”
“It’s not like that.”