Hero without Blood or Tear Chapter 74

Chapter 56.  The Knight's Territory (1)

On the way to Dresden, a message was placed to Wittenweier for the first time in a long while.

-Pappenheim.

-My lord!

He sounded happy to hear from me.

-How is the map coming?

-It has been completed.  We're just in the mode of adding any new changes as they occur.

-Excellent.  That map is going to be used in important future matter.  Your work is commendable.

-I'm thankful for your words.  My lord.

-By the way, I have one favor to ask of you.

I was planning to call in Schulz Merchants who were staying in Wittenweier.  It has already been 4 months since the battle of Harfheim.  The injury that was sustained should be almost healed by now.  They were trustworthy people, so I should call on them to utilize them.

-Relay a message to Shultz merchant, Thelman, Max and Van Hort.  Tell them to join me at Lantzhuit in Niederbayern as there is something to work together on.

The four of them were especially loyal and trustworthy, even among all the mercenaries that have been with me.  They would be big help going forward.

-Yes.  My lord.  Any other orders for me, my lord?

-I plan to attack Pajemut after crossing the Rhine River later.  There should certainly be a location in the upper part of the river where it can be crossed without a bridge.  Go find it.

-Yes, sir.  I believe that there must surely be a section with a slow enough current.

After finis.h.i.+ng my conversation with Pappenheim like that, I moved to Dresden.  As soon as I arrived, I went to pay a visit to Bellia Merchant.

“Tell the head of the merchant that Valer has come to see him.”

Although the gate keeper was unfamiliar to me, initiating the authority of a great leader was not necessary.  As I have changed a lot since then, even an ordinary person would lower or bow to me when they met my eyes, these days.

“Yes, sir!”

After the gate keeper ran off in a hurry, I was soon led inside.  Then there I was met by the head of the merchant who was full of antic.i.p.ation.

“Welcome, your grace!”

The head of the merchant could not hide his excitement.  He must have sensed that I found the miracle drug as I audaciously entered the room.

“Have you brought it?”

“I did.”

“Ah!”

Greatly moved by it, the head of the merchant bowed deeply.

“I've heard the news.  I would not have guessed that you and the demon dragon were going to destroy the demon king Odgarsh.  When I first heard the news, I truly couldn't stop being awed.  Not knowing your greatness, I had acted rudely on that day.  Please do offer me your grace and forgiveness.”

The head of the merchant displayed extremely submissive posture.  It was as if he would lower his head to the ground, should I give him a look.  In fact, it wasn't something that couldn't be understood, either.

The beings such as the demon dragon and demon kings were viewed as extremely scary ent.i.ties to ordinary people.  Having fought with and against such beings, I must have come across to him a similar being.

“Here, look at this.”

I took out and showed him the miracle drug that I've obtained from Glossglochner when I had the chance.

“It's called Luyberungen flower.  Your sons' muscular disease will be completely healed after taking its well prepared root juice.”

“Oh, my!  Thank you very much!”

Forming tears in his eyes, the head merchant was very happy.  He must have had much heartache due to his son's illness.  Of course, he would be moved to tears since he finally had a way to treat his son.  However, I did not handover the miracle drug to him although he extended his hand out.

“First, you have to make a payment.”

“Ah!  My big mistake!  Please tell me.  I will not spare any amount.”

Approving his att.i.tude, I nodded my head as I proposed what I wanted.

“What I want is simple.  Hand to me the debt papers that you hold on the Rajter Knight family.”

The head merchant had a surprise expression on his face.  Perhaps, the demand wasn't something that was in line with the nature of what he had antic.i.p.ated.

“Head Merchant.  Is there a special condition that prevents you from transferring the debt?”

“No, that is not it.  If they approve it after notifying them then it is possible.  Would it be safe to say that the transferee will be Duke Valer?”

I shook my head when I heard that.  There was no way that they would approve it if the transferee was me, since they would already be grinding their teeth on my name.

“Please tell them that Leve Shultz merchant will be the transferee.  Should they ask who that is, you can just tell them that he is a retiree due to sustained injuries in the Harfheim battle, and that he wanted to make an investment by paying the market price for the debt.”

“I'll do.”

The head merchant went to notify them, and after a long while, he returned with a discouraged look on his face.

“They said that they can never do that.”

There was one reason that I could think of as to why.

“Is it because of Saxon Feudal Lord?”

“How do you!  That's right.”

“Of course.”

As far as they were concerned, if the Bellia Merchant was to drop this matter, then the Saxon Feudal Lord's interjection would also dissipate.  Ironically, being pushed to a corner, the Rajter knight family needed one big name that could look after the debtors and creditors as their only one unique hope.

“Just push it harder.  Head merchant.  Tell them that Saxon Feudal Lord appears to be mobilizing in order to take over the Knight's territory.”

Should give the carrot and the stick at the same time.

“For that, if he was to approve the transfer of the debt to Shultz merchant, then he will extend the payment due date by 2 years.  He will have no choice, but to bite.  If you want to save your son, do go back and convince them with more fervor.  Chup!  How could you be so mellow!  Are you truly the head merchant!”

I clicked my tongue, and he lowered his head even further.

“I'm sorry.  I'll go and put more pressure on him.”

“Good.  Put more energy into it.”

The head merchant went away with a more resolute look on his face.  Then after a long while, he returned with a brighter expression.

“It's done!  I've done it.”

I was magnanimous to someone who did his own fair share of work.  I encouraged him with bright expression.

“Hahaha!  What did I tell you.  How good is it to be able to put realistic pressure?  Here, take this and save your son.”

“I've really intimidated them well.  Ahahahaha!”

We completed our transaction with loud laughter.  For handing over the miracle drug, I took in the debt papers.

Good, with this, everything has become perfect.  Saxon Feudal Lord was about to exit from this matter completely.  And I've taken over the debt of the Rajter Knight family.

It will most likely be too much for Rajter Knight Family to pay back.  I did not intend to get paid back with money, anyway.

I wanted the land, instead.

Immediately after taking care of the business in Dredsden, I headed south towards Lantzhuit where Walpurgis was.  My heart raced as I thought of seeing her again.

When I went to the residence of the d.u.c.h.ess, the government officials who were taking walks ran towards me when they saw me.  Everyone seemed to have some urgency.

“Get him!”

“Get that b.a.s.t.a.r.d!”

What, what's going on?  I stood motionless as I was stunned, and the government officials began to surround me from all angles.  With determined looks on them, they all appeared to draw swords on me right away.

“What is the meaning of this?”

I did not feel any murderous intent.  So, I asked as I was losing my mind over their actions when one familiar senior va.s.sal spoke.

“You cannot escape this time, Duke Valer!”

“What was that?”

“I understand that you took off last time because you felt obligated.  However, please think it over this time.  There is no woman like our d.u.c.h.ess!”

“That's right.  It isn't right for a man to desert and leave his woman behind!”

“Right!  Take responsibility.  That's the att.i.tude of true gentleman!”

I couldn't close my mouth as I was so surprised.  However, I soon learned why they were acting that way.

“I heard that you're making your marks famously these days!  On top of that, you haven't visited here since you left last time!  Our d.u.c.h.ess only speaks of you, Duke Valer, every chance she gets, and do you know how terrible I, an old servant, felt!”

“That's right!  How could you have been so callous after you've stolen the heart of an innocent girl!”

“Last time I saw, she was even making clothes to give to you, have you been in contact with her, at all?  With such disposition, how could you say you are the son in law of Nierderbayern!”

It seemed that everyone was angry that I have been inattentive to Walpurgis.  I couldn't speak easily as I was both embarra.s.sed and felt bad.  They seemed to believe that I and Walpurgis were going to be married for sure.  I, without much recourse, responded.

“…I'll be more mindful.”

Only then the old servant looked satisfied as he nodded as he sternly spoke.

“A person that takes down a demon king is not a knight, but someone who protects the purity of a girl's heart is!  Please, remember that!”

What is it?  It felt very cheesy, but I felt like I just heard some great words.

“….I will.”

When I did not resist, the officials elatedly exclaimed.

“Here, here, let's put up statues of Duke Valer and the d.u.c.h.ess!”

“Agree!  We should at least show that much respect to the son in law of Niederbayern!”

“Let's go!  I know a dwarf!”

“Then, see you again!  Son in law of Niederbayern!”

Thrrrrrr-.

The government officials disappeared in the same way, like the wind, as they had showed up before.  I was completely lost by their unexpected surprise attack that I've decided to use the rear gate from now on.

“Duke Valer!”

A servant girl led me to where Walpurgis was.  She was still in her armor.

“You're really here!”

As soon as she saw me, she dashed toward me.  Then she jumped into my arms.

“d.u.c.h.ess, you really like to hug people.”

“Because it's you.  Have you seen me hug other people?”

Come to think of it, that was true.  Having thought that way, I was also happy that I hugged her back.

“I was delayed because of some things.  I'm sorry.”

“Not at all.  You've done great things!  I'm proud of you.”

Although I wanted to talk to her like this all night, there were a few pressing items that needed to be addressed.  First of all, I asked her about Walpurgis' military mobilization status.

“Since you do not need a lot of troops, I'd like to see you invest about one to two months.”

“Well, there is a slight problem with that.”

“Ah?  Don't worry about the recruitment cost.  I'll take care of it.”

Walpurgis shook her head saying that that was not the issue.  What was it, was there an issue with respect to the recruitment?

“We're being interfered with.”

“Interfered?”

Who would possibly be interfering with Niederbayern.  I couldn't immediately understand, but having heard the follow up explanation, I thought I forgot about something.

“The Rajter Knight family is interfering with the recruitment.”

As traditional war family, they could be thought of as being in the business of mercenary wars.

They were far from being the knights who were wors.h.i.+pped as the type of knighthoods in the literatures.  They were a warring group that gathers troops from anywhere from the empire for the purpose of interjecting in conflicts.

Hence, they had deep relations.h.i.+ps with the mercenaries around here.  Taking advantage of that, they were taking steps to interfere with Duke Niederbayern's efforts to recruit troops.

“I'm sorry.  Valer.  It may take some days.  It is a matter of contacting the mercenaries in other regions that are outside of the Rajter's influence.”

There were many troops and mercenaries, anyway.  Recruiting itself was not the issue, but it was just that it will take a little longer than expected.  However, I wasn't happy to hear that as I wanted to sweep them away, at once.

“Why not borrow a militia.”

As there was not a formal military in this area, professional troops, or mercenaries were recruited for battles whenever war broke out.  The Landknechts mercenary was the representative example.

Only that a few of wealthy territory owners had a militia formed by the citizens.   Walpurgis' uncle Bayern Feudal lord was one of such great territory owners.

“From my uncle, you mean?”

Only that as far as their ability to fight in war went, it fell far behind that of the professional military or the mercenaries.  Even with twice the number of the troops of the mercenaries, winning could not be guaranteed.

“Yes, I'll take care of the cost of the militia.  I think 500 troops will suffice.”

“Don't you think that's too little?  I heard that the number of troops that Rajter can immediately put together was over 300.  Then there must at least be 1,000 militias.”

Walpurgis, too, was not too confident of the militia's ability to fight.  She even went further and said that it might be better to wait until good mercenary troops could be put together.

“I know of an elite regiment formed by Walloon people.  They worked for my uncle for a long time.  They are currently in the northwest part of the empire for the purpose of making money, but they would not turn their backs on Bayern's trouble.  They have been together for over 70 years, and their fighting ability is also outstanding.  If the Walloon people would come, those knights won't be much of a challenge.”

Walpurgis was sure of a victory.  However, the problem was that it would take half a year for those Walloon people to arrive…. I could never wait that long.

“Don't worry.  A militia group will be sufficient.  There will not be an all out large scale war, anyway.”

When I said confidently, Walpurgis startlingly moved backwards.

“What' wrong? d.u.c.h.ess.”

“Now, I can see as I've been with you, Duke Valer, for a while now!”

“What are you talking about?”

“Are you not making, yet, another insidious plan?  Your face looked awfully evil, just a moment ago!”

Gosh, our cute female knight has become very intuitive since I saw her last.

However, I was not without an excuse.  To be truthful, I was not evil.  It's just that my plan was evil.

By the way, there was one essential condition for this plan to be successful.  If an order by the knight is to be issued, shouldn't one be a real knight.

“Before anything, please bestow me with a knighthood.”