Chapter 447 – Sponsorship
The Duchy of Riviant.
After leaving the Magic Tower of Bohemirn and arriving on the Eastern Continent, Verden had taken it as a new starting point, a stepping stone for growth.
Within it, after becoming entangled and intervening in several incidents, it was in fact the nation where the heavy ties of Gluttony, the Ark, and the Society had all begun.
"By taking the lead in the subjugation of the Soul Tree, saving the citizens of Lorian, and even brightening the darkness of the Marquisate of Gardran together with the Marquisate of Ravishrun… if not for those feats, our duchy would have seen much innocent blood spilled."
The second prince, Belfons, set down a glass filled with a cold drink.
"In that sense, for a day to come when we may aid Lord Asher, this is a day that could not be more joyous and meaningful. Do you not agree?"
"Ah… ah, yes. Of course. I think so as well, Your Highness Belfons."
While Belfons appeared leisurely and composed, Liam Arein, though striving to maintain calm, betrayed signs of unease.
It could not be helped.
Barely five days had passed since receiving a sudden contact from the Duchy of Riviant, and now, no less than the duchy's second prince himself had come to the Ownerless Land.
Moreover, this was the very first time Liam had ever beheld royalty from another nation.
'Belfons Ruin di Riviant. Known as the prince of the duchy who personally renounced his right to succession and focused solely on state affairs….'
He had heard here and there that he was a peculiar figure, and upon seeing him with his own eyes, it was indeed so.
His appearance, voice, and demeanor brimmed with nobility, befitting one born of a royal line. Yet curiously, on that noble face, there was not the slightest trace of ambition.
At first impression… yes, it was solemn, as though he were pursuing some great cause.
Though there was no way to know his inner thoughts, at the very least it was clear that he was of a different caliber than the lords of the Ownerless Land that Liam knew.
Liam spoke.
"If Lord Asher had heard Your Highness Belfons words, he surely would have been delighted. It is only regrettable that he is absent, and I cannot convey it to him at once."
"I am now facing Lord Arein, whom Lord Asher himself supports. In that position, how is it any different from meeting Lord Asher directly? Do not trouble yourself."
With only a few words, he lifted the other while at the same time reminding him of the weight of his position, demanding caution.
It was difficult.
Not easy at all.
Casting a fleeting glance at Isabella, who stood in the role of guard, Liam raised his voice.
A conversation with the duchy's second prince.
Praising while probing.
Gentle, yet sharp.
Light jokes that carried weight within.
Consideration, and at the same time, subtle teaching…
In less than a few minutes, Liam already found even responding to be burdensome, sweat trickling down his back, such was the impression he received from his conversation with Belfons.
At last came the main point.
Belfons drew forth a letter from the King of Riviant, which he had kept close at hand, and passed it over.
"You may open it now."
It meant he was to open it at once.
Carefully breaking the seal, Liam checked the contents, finding a list of supplies to be sponsored to the North.
Magic stones by grade, food, money… even at a glance, it was no small amount.
Considering the scale of the nation, it was clear that the Duchy of Riviant had deliberated deeply before deciding on such a quantity and sum.
"With that, it may be insufficient to sustain tens of thousands, but throughout the competition, thousands of soldiers can surely be supported."
"…To have decided on sponsorship of this extent, I hardly know what to say. But the price…"
"Yes, I have heard that in the Ownerless Land, those who are sponsored by a power are obliged to pay a price in return. However, would it not be better to discuss such things later? Extinguishing the urgent fire before calculating profit should be the order."
To support in advance while leaving the price for later—that was no different from handing over the initiative in a transaction.
And yet Belfons had proposed it readily.
It was something already discussed internally.
In other words, it meant that the Duchy of Riviant was prepared to boldly invest in the North.
'They must already know that Lord Asher will not be participating in the competition… this is what prestige is.'
The fact that an entire nation would move on account of a single man made Liam swallow his saliva.
"As planned, all supplies shall arrive two weeks before the competition begins. It may be little, but I pray it proves of help, Lord Arein."
"Little, you say? Not at all. I am deeply grateful for the aid of the Duchy of Riviant, Your Highness Belfons."
"Think nothing of it. Well then, since I have conveyed my purpose… perhaps it would be best to conclude here today. You look quite fatigued."
For an instant, Liam touched his own face.
Facing the prince of a duchy with his poor speech had drained his spirit, and it showed outwardly.
"M-my apologies."
"As I said, pay it no mind. Ah, and also…"
Belfons turned his head toward Isabella, who stood behind Liam. His eyes briefly fell upon her neck and hand, before he spoke quietly.
"To think I would see here both the artifact [Center of the Three Primary Colors], personally bestowed upon Lord Asher by His Majesty the King, and the Ring of Permafrost made as a replica. Each one is as a treasure to any Mage, yet you possess them… you must be deeply trusted by Lord Asher."
"Well, that is… true."
Rarely flustered, Isabella touched her necklace and ring, nodding slightly. Belfons, seeing that reaction, smiled faintly.
Afterwards, Belfons remained in Arein for three days, treated as a distinguished guest, before returning to the Eastern Continent with his knightly guard.
Once the send-off was complete, Liam let out a long sigh.
"I somehow managed to get through it…"
Though in many ways an uncomfortable opponent, it was an undeniably fruitful time.
Having undergone a new experience, Liam felt himself growing one step further.
But that was not the end of the sponsorship.
***
Only a few days later, an envoy from the Republic of Beldirn arrived.
"Supreme Councilor Brillen has sent me. I am Councilor Corvan of the Republic."
Unlike the duchy, what the republic presented were not consumables, but all sorts of magic items.
Among them were even two strategic-grade magic items. Though they would only be loaned temporarily for the duration of the competition, it was nonetheless immense sponsorship.
"Haha, Supreme Councilor Brillen truly exerted himself. In the assembly, he gave an impassioned speech that the Republic must become a sponsor of the Ownerless Land! He said it was regrettable not to be able to provide even more support."
Councilor Corvan, politician that he was, twisted and turned his words again and again, making sure in every way to highlight the role Supreme Councilor Brillen had played in this decision.
'So then, rather than the republic's will as a whole, it was only possible because that man, Supreme Councilor Brillen, pressed for it with all his might.'
Liam offered suitable responses, before asking about the price of the sponsorship.
"We of course desire the magic stones and various metals produced in the Ownerless Land, but… ahem, perhaps it is best to speak of that once the competition is over! I shall take my leave now!"
Councilor Corvan, having slyly conveyed the republic's intent, departed back to his homeland without even staying a full day in the Ownerless Land.
"What is this, then. Is the republic too willing to take a loss and invest, like the duchy? When did nations become so full of consideration?"
"Hm. Our lord did slay the Bone-Relic Dragon, so this much is only natural."
"I want to tell the family head."
Within just a few days, after two visits had brought supplies and strategic weapons, Keirel, Adrian, and Isabella each in turn voiced their impressions.
Liam sat absentmindedly in his seat for a moment.
But the last visitor was the real one.
"They say she is the sole daughter of the Duke of Esperanza, Calia de Esperanza. I heard that our Honorary Count Asher was in difficulty, but, unwillingly, I ended up late. There is much to discuss, you see."
Among the statuses held by the Sacred of the Eastern Continent was that of an Honorary Count of the kingdom.
Naturally, the Kingdom of Estiria had carried out enormous sponsorship.
"Two medium-sized airships and three small airships, along with the strategic magic item 'Defensia' made by the Artisan Magic Tower, disposable siege weapons, and an immense amount of supplies including all sorts of magic stones and food. All of it will be moved here before the competition begins. Outwardly it is a loan, but you may return it whenever you wish. Of course, even if it is damaged, there will be no demand for compensation."
Though they called it a loan, in truth it was a gift.
"Once you've confirmed, please sign here, Lord Liam Arein."
"Ah…"
Liam scrawled his signature with a pen.
Having secured the sponsorship paper bearing his name, Calia continued speaking.
"Earlier, the Duchy of Riviant and the Republic of Beldirn both came, but they only promised material support, and said nothing of manpower… is there perhaps a shortage of soldiers? For example, mercenaries."
"That is true."
In any sponsorship, one could almost never expect a nation to willingly provide precious forces like knights or Mages.
War was not a game.
By poor command, or mere happenstance, lives could be lost in vain.
Unique human resources could not be replaced.
Nevertheless, Calia had been of the opinion that she should take part in the war if possible, but her father, the Duke of Esperanza, had adamantly opposed it.
───Rather than risk your life in such a way, it would benefit Asher more if you help from afar.
It was only natural, and indeed a reasonable argument.
Recalling that memory from not long ago, Calia turned her gaze to Liam.
"That works out well. I happen to have someone to introduce."
She motioned with her chin toward Vespa, the captain of the White Star Knight Order, who was beside her.
A moment later, Vespa brought in a man.
He was a middle-aged mercenary with a scar running diagonally across his face.
"I come introduced by Lady Calia. I am Lester Rodhart, captain of the 'Valiant Fugitives'. Please, simply call me Captain Lester."
"…! That name is…"
The Valiant Fugitives.
A colossal mercenary band of the continent, numbering in the thousands, famed on the battlefield for their extraordinary capacity to survive.
"I hear that in the conflict zones, where three-sided battles must be fought, mercenaries are hard to gather. Understandably so. To stake one's life on a rising power is the act of a fool."
But.
"I heard from Lady Calia what sort of man the Sacred of the Eastern Continent is, and I have caught rumors from here and there. If all of it is true, then a force led by such a figure cannot be ordinary…"
Captain Lester took Isabella into his sight, sensed Adrian's gaze openly fixed on him from somewhere, and grinned.
"Simply put, I judged that this North is undervalued by the world. Moreover, it is always at the low point that one can expect the greatest return on investment."
Captain Lester stroked the scar on his face, as was his habit.
"So, I decided to be a fool, just this once. For the sake of our Valiant Fugitives."
Supplies, weapons, mercenaries.
Thus, the three essentials of war were complete.
***
The ties Verden had once brushed past did not end in the past, but were carried forth again into the present. The footprints left behind remained distinct.
This was life.
'So the duchy sent Belfons.'
Belfons Ruin di Riviant was outwardly the second prince of the duchy, yet by another identity, together with the Marquis of Ravishrun, he was also a member of the Ark.
Judging from the Ark's nature, it seemed likely that Belfons had come purely to announce the sponsorship of the Duchy of Riviant, but…
'There must have been an element of observation as well.'
For Verden, who had no reason to be at odds with the Ark, it was of no concern.
At least, for now.
The future was known to none, and could not be guaranteed.
Thus, Adrian's explanation of the overall outline came to its end.
───…And so, half of the cost for the Valiant Fugitives shall be borne by the Kingdom of Estiria, while the other half shall be paid by our side after the competition. Separately, however, Captain Lester made one request.
"The content."
───If we win the competition, he wishes to have a formal meeting with you, my lord.
He wanted a private audience.
It meant there was something he desired beyond money. There was no reason to refuse.
"Understood. Since they were introduced directly by the kingdom, the mercenary band is worth meeting. Maintain minimum distance, but do not pry unnecessarily into his inner thoughts.
───Understood.
"And Calia?"
───She has already returned to the Kingdom of Estiria. Before leaving, she said that if you ever needed help, you should contact her… she also left word that she remembers the promise. My lord, do you have a separate contract with the kingdom?
The promise with Calia.
Verden had once vowed to tell her his true name, not Asher, someday.
Naturally, he had not forgotten.
"There is such a thing. More importantly, what of the intelligence on the conflict zones?"
───All necessary information has been gathered. With the memory golems, the communication devices, Keirel, and the Society all working together, the quality and quantity of incoming intelligence are on another level.
It seemed the twin siblings had done well.
They were, after all, talents regarded by the Society as the new generation of the magic world.
Therefore, they must be rewarded.
"Before the war begins, deliver the gifts I had previously set aside to Cain and Unia. And, tell them also that depending on their achievements, I am willing to give further gifts. That should be motivation enough. As for Keirel, you attend to him personally."
───Yes, my lord.
"And the strategy for the competition, is it conceived?"
───Of course. All preparations are in place… we intend to seize the moment when opportunity arises, and finish it swiftly and decisively.
Adrian declared.
───Before my lord returns, I shall have it all settled.
He proclaimed victory.
"I expect it."
Immediately after, with the duration of
***
Time flowed the same for both the Black Volcano and the Ownerless Land.
And soon, the competition approached.
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