Volume 5 - CH 13

Chapter 13 – The Current Situation in Lucca and the Request of the Marquis

As we took turns keeping watch until the sun rose, soldiers began to line up on the walls of Lucca. A few moments later, Lucca’s gates opened, and the captives were being retrieved.

I wondered what happened to the ships on the Lucca side when the port was blockaded.

I watched them for a while, but I couldn’t figure it out, so I woke everyone up for breakfast.

“Mage-sama, after breakfast, is it okay if we leave for the gate?”

“Yes, the Lucca side has already come out to collect the prisoners, so I think it will be fine. I’m not going to talk much in Lucca, so I’ll leave the negotiating to you.”

“Yes. As per the contract, I will take care of the negotiations.”

It’s a very strange feeling to be called Mage-sama first thing in the morning. Well, I’ll get used to it sooner or later since I’m going to be called “Mage-sama” all the time once I enter Lucca.

After breakfast, we got ready and headed for Lucca on the Lutto. Wow, there are wrecks of ships floating all over the sea. What are they going to do with all those sunken ships?

It looks like a large magic ship or something of value is there… Yeah, it might be surprisingly easy to salvage it if you use magic.

We headed for the port, avoiding any obstacles that we could avoid. The soldiers on the ramparts seem to be on the lookout for us. Well, of course, they are. A hooded man who claims to be a mage, whose name is unknown to them, is coming. It makes you cautious.

If I wasn’t here and it was just Girasole, I’m sure they would be welcomed with cheers. I am sorry.

The imperial camp is also in turmoil, and I hope they won’t attack us out of the blue. Well, the soldiers on the ramparts should be able to keep them in check, so it should be fine.

We’ll dock at the port and repatriate the Lutto… Hmm… I don’t want to repatriate it in the middle of such big attention. Should I leave it as it is? I’ll just leave it there and head for the gate.

“Master, aren’t you going to repatriate the Lutto?”

“Yeah, since we’re at the center of attention, I won’t go out of my way to stand out. If someone takes it by force, I can just repatriate it. Do you think I should repatriate it, Shea?”

“I wonder. I think it would be troublesome if the Empire attacked the Lutto.”

“Ah, but if they do, the soldiers on the ramparts will fight them off, so it won’t be a problem.”

“Yes.”

When we got to the gate, the city gate opened a little, and two knights and more than ten soldiers came out… I think the number of people is slightly too many.

“My name is Bronn. You are Girasole and Mage-dono, aren’t you? Let me inform you of Lucca’s decision.”

That’s out of the blue. Well, there’s no room for small talk in a place like this, is there? I’ll be doing very little talking from now on, so I’ll be observing. Good luck, Alessia-san.

“Yes.”

“Despite your excellent work, we can’t suddenly invite a mage without a name into the castle. I would like to discuss this with Girasole first and then decide how Mage-dono will be treated. Or so it is said. We will prepare a room for Mage-dono, but you will be under surveillance.”

Eh? Is waiting in a room with supervision different from… house arrest? Either way, please don’t do that.

(What would you like to do, Master?)

(Ness, would this be bad if I refused?)

( I wonder? I am only a former adventurer myself. Would you like me to tell Alessia-san about it?)

(Yes, I don’t want it to be monitored or anything, so tell Alessia-san that I’ll be waiting for them on the ship. But tell her I’ll endure if it’s not nice to refuse.)

(Understood)

Ness whispered to Alessia-san.

“Knight-sama. Mage-sama said he would wait on the ship because it was too uncomfortable to be watched. Is that all right?”

“Mm, but it’s dangerous, isn’t it? It is true that being watched will be uncomfortable, but I assure you that it will be safe.”

“If safety is the only problem, then no problem. Then I will ask Mage-sama to wait for us on the ship.”

“I understand. Let me show you the way, Girasole.”

We parted ways and returned to the Lutto, leaving the ship a short distance from the harbor, entered the owner’s room, and took off our hoods. Rimu also popped out of the bag.

“Whew, I feel bad for Alessia-san and the others, but it’s good to be back.”

“But Master, wouldn’t it be troublesome if the Empire attacked us?”

“Ness, you must use proper, polite language.”

“Right. I apologize. Master, what would you do if the Empire attacked?”

“They may not attack us. If they do, it won’t be a problem if we stay on the ship; it’s better than being under surveillance. If it gets too much trouble, we can just leave and relax until the next move.”

“”Yes.””

～From Alessia’s point of view～

Wataru-san, I couldn’t see his face because he was hidden by the hood, but he was absolutely happy to be back on the ship. Well, I forced him to come with me, so I guess it can’t be helped.

They will probably ask a lot of questions about Wataru-san, and I have to make sure that I don’t cause him any trouble by using the contract as a shield. We got on a carriage led by the knight and entered the castle.

The city I saw from the carriage was not lively, but it was a nostalgic scene. I wanted to see my family as soon as possible, but I can’t do that now. The city has not turned into a battlefield, so I’m sure they’ll be fine, and I’ll definitely get some time later.

We left our weapons at the door and were led to the back. It’s sad that you’re entering your hometown castle for the first time, and you’re not enjoying it at all.

When I opened the door I was led to; it was a conference room. …I wonder if it’s not the audience chamber in a case like this?

“I am Justin de Lucca, lord of this city. The defeat of the Imperial Navy was brilliant. Normally I would reward you in the audience chamber, but I have to hold a military meeting immediately. I apologize.”

“No, thank you for your kind words.”

“Well, I will give you your reward later. Now I have a question. Are you sure that the naval battle was a result of the mage’s cooperation?”

“Yes. Without Mage-sama’s help, none of that would have been possible.”

“As I thought, I know some of the rumors about Girasole. You’re excellent, but I’ve never heard of your work on the sea. Now tell me about the mage.”

“I apologize, sir. I can’t tell you much about the mage because of my contract.”

“Hmm… first, let me hear what you can tell me. I’ll check the contract later.”

Hmm, I wonder why the lord keeps asking me questions when there are so many people gathered for the war council meeting. I’ve had a few opportunities to meet with nobles since I became an A rank, but I’ve never met anyone as high up as the Marquis. It’s exhausting.

“Very well. He is a man who hates conflict and does not like to stand out. When I heard that Lucca was surrounded, I forced him to come, but I could not speak about Mage-sama because of the contract I had made with him at that time. The only thing that he is willing to cooperate with us is to help us on the defensive side in defense of Lucca. If we have to escape from Lucca, the contract is for him to help us escape to the best of his ability.”

“Well, can we expect any cooperation with Lucca?”

“No, I don’t think so, but I don’t think we can expect any cooperation other than the agreement we signed. The contract we have signed includes that he will not participate in any negotiations and that he will not be forced to do anything he doesn’t want to do.”

“I see… What can he do?”

“I apologize, sir, but I can’t tell you.”

“Then we won’t know anything! This is a question from the Marquis; you must answer with sincerity!”

“Dumun, calm down. You know that they are bound by contract not to talk about the mage, right?”

“Yes, I apologize.”

“Then I will tell you what is happening in Lucca. Then please talk to the mage and ask for his cooperation in any way you can.”

“Yes, sir.”

“Marquis-sama, let me do the explaining.”

“Very well, but I will not allow you to raise your voice as you did earlier. Is that clear, Dumun?”

“Yes, very well.”

“Now, let me explain the situation. You know that Lucca is surrounded by the imperial army. You have defeated the navy. The sea side is free. But Lucca’s navy has been destroyed. Only a few ships remain. Lucca itself has managed to repel the Imperial Army in time with its defense system. However, the stockpiles of food will eventually reach their limits. By then, we will have to either repel the imperial army or import food.”

“May I ask you a question?”

“Go ahead.”

“Where did the Imperial troops around here come from? I don’t believe they brought that many by ship. I also heard rumors that the royal capital is surrounded.”

“…..”

“It’s all right, Dumun, tell them. The word has already spread.”

“Yes. Girasole, although this is a story that has been spreading, it is not to be spoken of lightly. Is that clear?”

“Yes.”

“Fort Lughorn has fallen.”

“Fort Lughorn…?”

“You know that Fort Lughorn is an important fort that has repulsed the imperial army on numerous occasions. The nobles who have lands in the north also went to reinforcements first because the empire mobilized a large number of troops. Until now, they should have been able to hold out long enough for the national army to come to their aid. However, Viscounts Dupuis and Juma betrayed us. At midnight, the two viscounts joined forces to create a commotion inside the fort and open the gates. The imperial army, which had been waiting for them, apparently rushed in. There was nothing that could be done once they were inside, and Fort Lughorn fell. The imperial army invaded the Kingdom of Brescia, and the Brescian army, which was on the back foot, was unable to cope with the imperial army and was defeated, and the capital was surrounded. At the same time, warships appeared in Lucca, and we requested reinforcements from the surrounding areas, but with the country in turmoil, no reinforcements were sent to Lucca, and we were pushed into the city. That’s all I can tell you.”

“Yes, thank you very much.”

The situation is worse than we expected. It’s not just Lucca, but the whole kingdom of Brescia is in danger. I don’t even know what to do. Let’s hear as much as we can.

“The nobles of the regions that are not under attack will gather to oppose the empire. Is there any possibility that the Beast Kingdom will send reinforcements?”

“I can’t say that there isn’t. If the nobles do not gather, we will not be able to resist the imperial army, and the Beast Kingdom will probably try to provide reinforcements based on our past cooperative relationship. But just assembling them will take time. The Beast Kingdom will also be approached by human supremacist nations other than the Empire. There is no future for us if we just endure on the basis of that alone.”

“I understand. Thank you very much.”

“Girasole, this is not something I would ask an adventurer to do. The liberated port is the lifeline of Lucca. Can you maintain it?”

“Marquis. I am sorry. Without Mage-sama’s cooperation, we are useless at sea. I cannot answer your question at this time.”

“I see… Then, please talk to the mage and let him know that I am asking for his help in maintaining the harbor and importing food. Also, I cannot allow a powerful mage, who does not even give his name, to enter the city unsupervised. I would appreciate it if he would accept the surveillance.”

“Yes, sir.”

After confirming that we had a contract, we were rewarded. The rest of us, except Dorothea and I, split up to go check on our families and return to the ship.

It is a relief to see the Lutto as we exit the gate. It’s strange that I haven’t been involved for that long.

～The end of Alethea’s point of view～

While I was relaxing in my room, Alessia-san and Dorothea-san came back, so I put on my hood and greeted them.

“Welcome back. Where are the others?”

“I’m back. The others are going their separate ways to check on their families.”

“I see. Well, let’s have a cup of tea in the living room and talk about it.”

“Yes.”

I listened to the discussion over a cup of tea. Lucca itself can endure for now, but the Kingdom of Brescia itself is in a pinch, and eventually, Lucca will be in a pinch too… I feel like I’m already stuck.

Maintaining the port and importing food, huh…? There’s nothing that can’t be done. The ship summoning was more of a cheat in the fight than I thought. If there is someone on board with offensive capabilities, it would be the best mobile turret. I can maintain a port and import food, but I’ll be immersed in a war… What should I do? It would be very troublesome.

“Hmm, maintaining ports and importing food. I’ll think of a way. I really don’t want to be under surveillance, so please tell them I won’t accept it unless the situation gets really bad.”

“Yes, I understand. Also, this is the reward for the time being.”

I looked inside and saw ten platinum coins… a tremendous amount of money.

“Isn’t this… too much?”

“I wonder. I think it’s fair to say that we liberated a corner of the city that was completely surrounded by the imperial army, and we turned down a title and a territory.”

“Hmm, I see. Then I will take half of it.”

“No, please take all of it.”

“Eh? I think even five platinum coins are too much, but I can’t take the whole amount.”

“No, the contract calls for the payment of money within a reasonable range, so it will still be given to Mage-sama in the end.”

“Oh, I see. Then I will take it.”

“Yes.”

I feel guilty about monopolizing the reward. Well, if I stick with half of it and it will eventually come back to me, it would just be a hassle not to accept it.

The rest is importing food and maintaining the port. It’s a hassle, but I’ll do my best to think about it.

Funds on hand: 62 gold coins, 87 silver coins, 66 copper coins.

Guild account: 33 platinum coins, 70 gold coins.

Savings ship: 60 platinum coins.

Pepper ship: 485 ships.