Chapter 101

Chapter 101 – Estate Construction Plan (1)

For those who had remained behind, the mood was tense.

There was no helping it. Although the conversation had ended peacefully, they’d been fighting to the death just a few hours ago.

Naturally, this included the leaders of the group—Marquis Foltaine, Narakas, and Krong.

Then suddenly,

“Hey! The captain and His Highness are returning!”

“......!”

Good news arrived. Everyone’s attention instinctively turned to one spot.

“......Looks like the talk went well.”

Marquis Foltaine was the first to crack a smile. Milon looked at him with a puzzled expression.

“How do you know that?”

“Can’t you tell just by looking at their faces?”

“......I can’t.”

“Just look at that smug face. Makes you want to give him a good smack. Clearly, he’s very satisfied with the outcome.”

“......”

Milon was left even more confused by the answer.

‘What the...... Are they really not blood-related?’

Soon, the stars of the show arrived at the scene. Krong, who had been waiting for this moment, quickly stepped forward.

“Your Highness.”

“Huh?”

“If you’d permit it, we of Verdant Vale would like to stay here at Black Swan.”

Even Trevor, standing nearby, widened his eyes at the statement.

“......I can’t say I understand. Aren’t you already living well beyond the border without my permission?”

“We cannot continue imposing on foreign lands forever. We wish to become your first subjects.”

At that moment, Ancelot glanced sideways.

“How about that? Quite a satisfying result, wouldn’t you say?”

Marquis Foltaine, meeting his eyes, smiled and asked.

“You truly are the greatest businessman.”

“It’s too early for that. This was merely a mutually beneficial deal. A kind of ‘win-win’, if you will.”

“Win-win?”

Krong interrupted.

“I’ll explain. The marquis here proposed another condition, that we serve as a sort of bridgehead.”

“A bridgehead......?”

Krong respectfully turned towards Trevor.

“A plan to build a city in this barren wasteland. He suggested we gain the cooperation of the dwarves for this endeavor.”

“......!”

Even Ancelot was quite surprised by this proposal.

‘Building a city in the land of death?’

It wasn’t that he had never considered it. However, using the dwarves to establish the framework was something he had never thought of.

They were such a reclusive race.

‘If it can be done, it would be perfect.’

Ancelot quickly made an intrigued expression. Beyond this canyon was a land filled with non-humans and monsters.

It had its clear cons, but its pros were equally undeniable. A resource-rich area with rare minerals and materials.

An entirely independent territory, without the need to worry about interference from surrounding nations. Even from a geographical standpoint, it was practically a natural fortress.

This was because there was no other way other than this long canyon.

‘And what’s more, the closest territory to the canyon’s entrance is ruled by Count Arsene.’

If Ancelot decided to establish this as a base, it meant even the supply route would be secure.

“However, it’s our captain who has connections with the dwarves...... Ah! Of course, the final decision lies with the Swordsman of Illusions. I’m merely explaining the situation as it stands......”

Krong subtly glanced at Trevor for his reaction. But judging by Trevor’s face, his mind was already made up.

‘It’s a pretty satisfying deal for them as well.’

As long as their safety is guaranteed, wouldn’t Verdant Vale also find this to be the perfect place of refuge?

“It’s settled. Haven’t I already entrusted this matter entirely to you?”

“......Captain......”

“I’ll speak to my dwarven friends. But I can’t guarantee the outcome, so don’t get your hopes up too high.”

No, more than that—

“H-Hey! What are you doing?!”

Suddenly, they rushed forward, lifting Ancelot high into the air.

“That dual sword technique earlier was super amazing! You’re the hope of us wandering souls!”

“Thank you, my lord! For helping us continue to dream!”

“You’re our new benefactor!”

“Long live the captain! Long live His Highness!”

As he was lifted high into the sky, Ancelot scratched his head.

‘Not a bad feeling.’

Soon, a faint smile crept onto his lips.

More than anything, he couldn’t let his adoptive father’s efforts go to waste. It was clear from the mood.

‘Marquis Foltaine must have decided to let go of his personal grudges for my sake.’

How could he ignore someone who would do such a thing?

‘The plan to establish a base here is brilliant. But......’

As Ancelot soared higher, he furrowed his brow.

‘......I never thought the first step would be as a bandit leader.’

If he had to give this journey a title, it might be something like, ‘Once a Prince, Now a Bandit Leader!’

Meanwhile, inside the royal palace of the Hart Kingdom.

Fwoosh!

The candlelight flickered, deep into the night. At the same time, Count Kaiman, who had been quietly reading, adjusted his glasses.

“Count, it seems the Mask of Night has betrayed us.”

He slowly looked up from his book and smirked.

“Betrayed?”

“They’re making excuses, saying they lost track of them in Death Valley, but......”

“The timing is suspicious, isn’t it? Right as the prince and their leader arrived.”

“......Yes.”

Clap!

Count Kaiman closed his book, his smile deepening.

“Interesting. I didn’t expect the guild master’s control over his organization to be that strong. Have I underestimated him?”

After a moment of thought, he shook his head.

“......No, that’s unlikely. If he had that much power, he would’ve taken full control by now.”

“......”

“It’s better to see for yourself than hear a hundred times. ‘The prince is simply too capable’—that’s a much more reasonable explanation.”

With that, Count Kaiman rose from his seat.

“Seventh Prince of the Meeke Principality, and heir to the Great Hero, Andrew von Meeke......”

“Shouldn’t we inform His Majesty soon?”

“......No, not yet.”

Count Kaiman’s voice was firm.

“There’s no need to stir up the Empire with uncertain information. I’ll handle this.”

“As you command.”

“Anyway, since Plan A has failed, we’ll need to prepare Plan B immediately, right?”

Count Kaiman’s eyes curved into a sly smile. Before him, ten figures in black robes knelt, having appeared without a sound.

“We’ve been far too quiet for far too long.”

“......”

“If we return empty-handed after the prince’s activities...... How will others view the Empire? We’ve always held our heads high, and now we’re being chased out of some backwater country.”

Count Kaiman shook his head in disbelief.

“That won’t do.”

“Just give us the order.”

“Hmmm...... What to do......”

Under the moonlight, a chilling grin spread across Count Kaiman’s handsome face.

“Whether we leave or stay depends on the will of the host......”

In a monotone voice, he continued,

“......Shall we set an example and kill the mother of this country first?”

***