Chapter 85 - 85 Request from Evelyn
Steve and the others were at the townhouse in the Royal Capital belonging to Margrave Cleiman.
The Margrave was not there, and they were smoothly guided inside as it was an invitation from Evelyn. Passing through the gate, they went through a well-maintained garden where roses were in full bloom, arriving at the entrance of the mansion.
"As expected of Margrave Cleiman's mansion. Everything is perfectly arranged."
Christina honestly praised that level of completion. Marquess Mackintosh is a Marquess now, but until recently he was a Count, and regarding his financial power, he was far behind the Margrave, so the townhouse in the Royal Capital looked inferior compared to Margrave Cleiman's.
They were greeted by Evelyn at the mansion entrance. Scarlett was waiting behind her, but both Steve and Scarlett pretended to be meeting for the first time.
"Welcome. Thank you for listening to my selfish request."
"You're welcome. So, what is the matter?"
"I apologize for standing talk, so please come inside. I will have tea prepared now."
Thus, Steve and the others were guided to the salon. In a room surrounded by high-end furnishings, Steve was nervous about what would happen if he scratched something.
Regarding the cost, it was no different from Aurora's place, but unlike Aurora's place where he was used to it, and knowing he wasn't well-liked by Margrave Cleiman, he was tense.
When they sat on chairs, tea was served. Also, Nancy and Bella were guards, so they stood behind without sitting on chairs.
"Then, I will tell you the reason I called you."
Evelyn began to speak the reason she called Steve.
"Currently in the East, the Heiss River is flooding and causing a large-scale flood. My father is trying to do the restoration work himself without requesting national support. If it were only our family's territory, that might be fine, but many nobles in the Eastern region are suffering damage, and they are daily requesting support from my father. On top of that, the Kingdom of Cryptomeria is conducting joint military exercises with the Yellow Empire along the border, so we had to dispatch troops to deal with that as well. Even up to this point, my father does not request support from Your Majesty. Already in the Eastern region, deterioration of public order due to refugees has occurred. I heard that apart from Your Majesty, only you can solve this situation."
"I heard about the flood damage, but I didn't know the restoration work was stalled, or that there were even enemy nation military exercises. I am not reluctant to assist, but will Lord Cleiman give permission?"
Thinking it was unavoidable to help, Steve was indeed a good person. If this were Aurora, she would have started with condition negotiation.
And, regarding the assistance, he would confirm the matter of Margrave Cleiman, which was the biggest obstacle.
To Steve's question, Evelyn shook her head side to side.
"This is all me moving on my own. My father doesn't know, and I haven't obtained permission."
"No matter how much it is aid, if I do things on my own regarding other nobles' territories, I will be punished. Unless there is permission from there, we cannot do anything either."
"I will not obtain my father's permission. I will persuade the lords of the territories where damage has occurred. There should be no problem if we do not touch our Cleiman family's territory."
Evelyn intended to persuade the lords of the Eastern region herself. She didn't know how much the other lords disliked Steve, but she didn't think they would refuse aid in a situation where they couldn't afford to turn their backs on their bellies.
"However, why go to such lengths?"
"My Lord, that is because I am also a member of the Cleiman family. While entrusted with the Eastern region by Your Majesty, it is not permissible to have caused this situation. If it were only natural disaster, perhaps, but regarding the current refugees and military exercises, there are aspects of human error. If the Cleiman family had responded more skillfully, this situation should not have occurred. This is atonement."
As far as Steve could see, Evelyn did not seem to be lying. Naturally, because it was her true feelings.
When he thought he would accept this, Christina asked Evelyn a question.
"So, regarding your movement, what kind of reward is there?"
To that question, Evelyn made a troubled face.
"I thought I would speak about this later, but I have no money I can freely use. If I were to offer something, it is just myself. If you say that is unnecessary, I would have to take something out of the family treasure vault."
For Evelyn, the biggest hurdle was not Margrave Cleiman, but the reward to pay Steve.
Although she wanted to save the East, she held nothing in return as a matching reward. Even if she dedicated herself, who had lost her fiancé, she was worried whether Steve, who had Christina as his fiancé plus two female guards, would ask for her.
It was Christina who reacted to that offer.
"We are troubled even if Lady Evelyn offers herself. If word spreads that the Margrave Cleiman's daughter offered her body, it will lower your lordship's dignity."
Seeing Christina oppose in a strong tone, Bella and Nancy were desperately trying to hold back laughter.
With Evelyn added to the current situation, it was obvious Christina's heart was not calm. She thought it was becoming interesting. Unlike Christina, Bella and Nancy thought it was fine whatever woman Steve dated or children he made, so their thinking was different from Christina's.
Everyone else except those two was confused.
Neither Evelyn nor Scarlett had the price to pay Steve. Steve also heard Christina say this, and originally had no intention of taking Evelyn.
In the end, the answer Steve gave was postponing the reward.
"You don't have to decide to receive something right now forcibly. I don't even know how many Eastern nobles need my help."
"Thank you."
Evelyn was relieved at Steve's offer.
Since it was decided to do it, they would move immediately. Giving Evelyn only 2 hours to prepare, they decided to move to the East by Steve's teleportation magic after 2 hours.
Anyway, returning is also teleportation so large luggage isn't needed, but it was necessary to have her wear clothes easy to move in.
Utilizing that waiting time, Steve and the others went to Duke Stuart's mansion. It seemed they would be busy for a while, so they decided to tell Daphne about that.
Since they had visited many times already, they were immediately guided to Daphne.
Daphne soothing a child was rare for a noble. Many entrust it to a wet nurse. Especially if one becomes a high-ranking noble, that tendency is strong.
"Is that so, for a while to the East."
"Yes. It would be fine if only Nancy stayed, but she said she would come together."
"Because my place is decided to be by my husband's side. However, it is regrettable that I cannot see this lovely infant's face for a while."
Nancy also seemed to have her motherhood stimulated when seeing a child, and when visiting the mansion to train Daphne, she always looked at Daphne's child's face, sometimes holding them.
"The damage in the East is considerable, and I hear an epidemic is spreading. Please be careful."
"Thank you for your concern."
While Steve and Daphne were conversing, Nancy was looking at the child. Contrasting with Bella who showed no interest in children.
In the end, since Nancy was reluctant to leave, Steve sent Christina to the Archibalt Territory first, then came to pick up Nancy again, making some time.
And since time came, they moved to Margrave Cleiman's mansion again to pick up Evelyn. There, Evelyn who had changed from skirt to pants look was waiting with Scarlett.
"Then shall we go? First, where shall we go?"
"First, please at Viscount Griffith's territory. Viscount Griffith's territory is where the Heiss River breached, so I want to repair the embankment there and stop the water flow."
"Understood. Then let's go. Until you get used to it, you might feel sick. Please say so without hesitation."
Steve had been touring various places to be able to teleport within the country by the King's order. So, he could teleport directly to Viscount Griffith's territory. However, since the destination might be underwater, the method became Steve teleporting first to confirm, then teleporting Evelyn and others to a safe place.
Viscount Griffith's castle avoided submersion, and Steve teleported Evelyn and others there.
The gate guard was quite tense due to deterioration of public order, and was wary of Steve and others approaching.
"Who are you?"
"Tell the Viscount that Margrave Cleiman's daughter, Evelyn, has come."
"Is she the Margrave's daughter? However, I cannot believe she came on foot in this disaster without a carriage."
The gate guard was doubting whether Evelyn was real.
It was not believable that the Margrave's daughter visited the Viscount's castle with only women and children, without a carriage, in a great flood. However, if this was truly the Margrave's daughter, it would be a big problem, so they could not turn them away without confirmation.
"It is very rude, but please wait here until we can confirm your identity."
As a result, they decided to make them wait in front of the gate, and one ran to the Viscount. The Viscount was busy with orders for restoration work inside the castle. The gate guard came to report there.
"My Lord, a woman claiming to be Margrave Cleiman's daughter is at the city gate."
"Lady Evelyn? Not Lord Cleiman?"
"Yes. However, there is nothing to confirm it is her personally, so I came to report to ask for your lordship's instructions."
"There should be a crest painted on the carriage."
"That is not a carriage."
"Suspicious. Were there servants?"
"There were women and children."
"Only that?"
"Yes."
Viscount Griffith pondered based on that information. As for Margrave Cleiman, he holds many mages. Female mages might be stronger than male soldiers. Also, he knows of the existence of teleportation mages. Whether Margrave Cleiman holds them is unknown, but as a Margrave, that possibility is high.
However, he could not understand why the daughter was coming, not the Margrave himself.
"Shall we meet?"
"Shall we invite them into the castle?"
"Do so. There is a possibility they are fake, but if it is the real person, it becomes a problem. Well, there is no loyalty or anything to a Margrave who does nothing in this situation."
"I will pretend I didn't hear that."
Viscount Griffith also reached his limit of endurance regarding Margrave Cleiman's response, and was thinking he might have to appeal directly to Your Majesty.
Even if Lady Evelyn herself visited now, he was thinking it would be okay to treat them roughly.
Thus, Evelyn and Steve were guided into the castle, and it was decided to meet with Viscount Griffith.
Viscount Griffith was surprised seeing Evelyn. Not only was Evelyn the real person, but the one with her was Dragon Head Medal Archibalt.
Regarding the combination of the Dragon Head Medal whom Margrave Cleiman despised and his daughter Evelyn, he didn't know what was what.
"Welcome. Lady Evelyn. Also, is that not Lord Archibalt behind you?"
"Good day, Viscount. That is correct, I have brought Lord Archibalt."
"What is the matter? Unfortunately, I am not free due to disaster response."
Viscount Griffith's words had thorns. Both Evelyn and Steve felt it.
"Yes, I have heard of the Viscount's desperate situation, so I have brought Lord Archibalt here to help with restoration work."
"To your lordship?"
"Yes."
"Is Lord Cleiman aware of that?"
To Viscount Griffith's question, Evelyn answered with a dazzling smile.
"Viscount, do you think my father has such magnanimity?"
"No."
Viscount Griffith, pressured by Evelyn, spoke words of denial and regretted it. He had been heard by Evelyn, the daughter, and Steve, speaking ill of Margrave Cleiman.
"Ah, I do not have the intention to criticize your lordship."
To Viscount Griffith hurriedly patching things up, Evelyn did not break her smile.
"You don't need to hide it. The current tragic state of the East is a human disaster caused by my father's narrow-mindedness. Instead of my father who cannot bow his head, I bowed my head to Lord Archibalt and asked him to come like this. My father does not know this. So, even if he knows, will he ask Lord Archibalt for assistance?"
Viscount Griffith could not answer immediately when asked that. Now the Viscount's brain was running at high speed. He didn't know how serious Evelyn was, and didn't know what would happen if Lord Cleiman's ears heard that he owed a favor to the Dragon Head Medal here.
However, there were circumstances where he couldn't choose his belly over his back. He was simulating at high speed what the best option was.
And, the answer that came out was
"Please. It is a situation where I cannot do anything by my own power anymore. I was thinking of moving to appeal directly to Your Majesty tomorrow. Later on, I will be hated by Margrave Cleiman, but that will be dealt with then."
Despite requesting support many times, he gave up on Margrave Cleiman who was a dead end, and grabbed the hand of Evelyn who reached out to him.
And, he actually shakes hands with Steve.
"I will help with my weak strength."
"I do not view your lordship as an enemy. However, regarding Margrave Cleiman, inevitably..."
"Ah, I am not concerned about such things."
Viscount Griffith tried to make excuses about past grudges, but Steve stopped him. He was not angry, so words of apology or excuse were unnecessary.
"So, first I want to block the Heiss River embankment. Meanwhile, please prepare a map and decide the order of towns and villages to restore."
"Understood. My Lord."
Steve immediately summoned a bird to search for the collapsed embankment. Then, he teleported there and rebuilt the bank with earth magic. This stops new water outflow. The rain had already stopped, and the water volume from upstream would not increase further, but just in case, he made the surrounding embankments higher than before.
However, by making this higher, other places would become easier to breach, but unfortunately Steve did not have that knowledge. Fortunately, no additional breaches beyond this occurred.
Steve, confirming that the water had returned to the original river flow, immediately returned to Viscount Griffith's castle.
"The embankment has been repaired. Where next?"
"So soon?"
Viscount Griffith was surprised at Steve's incredible speed.
Despite asking Margrave Cleiman for weeks, nothing was done, but it was solved in less than an hour. He once again realized the power of the Dragon Head Medal he had tried to oppose and regretted it.
"In my territory, there are four towns and ten villages. Five villages are in a state of annihilation, houses were washed away, and the subjects moved to the towns. So, I would like to request in this order starting from the towns."
Viscount Griffith requested the construction of temporary housing in order starting from towns with relatively little damage. There, Steve asked something he was curious about.
"Viscount, what about the epidemic?"
"I am not aware of that. However, those in poor condition are gathered in one place and isolated."
"Well, is that all there is? Let's have the Viscount come along too. It will be faster than me explaining."
"Understood."
As usual, an epidemic had also occurred, and Steve thought he had to solve that too.
Even if he knew the town's location, he didn't know the isolation location, and even if Steve visited, the soldiers managing the town would likely be suspicious, so he decided to take Viscount Griffith along.
Upon arriving at the first town, Viscount Griffith ordered the guarding soldiers to take them to the patient isolation place.
"Where are the patients?"
"They are isolated at the edge of the town. Are we burning everyone?"
At the sudden visit and order of the Viscount, the soldier was tense.
"Would you do such a thing!"
Viscount Griffith scolded the soldier.
"I apologize. Without medicine, I thought I would burn them to prevent further spread of the disease."
While apologizing, the soldier was relieved. There were familiar faces, so he was thinking what he would do if ordered to burn them to death.
"Lord Archibalt will treat them."
"That, the Dragon Head Medal?"
"Yes. The person present here is Lord."
The one introduced to Viscount Griffith was a child. The soldier was suspicious, but thinking carefully, Lord Dragon Head Medal is a child. In this situation, the Viscount would not carry him, so he believed the child before his eyes was Lord Archibalt.
"Excuse me, My Lord. I will guide you."
Thus guided by the soldier, they went to the isolation place. All patients were just lying on the ground. It was unavoidable as there were not enough blankets, but with this, it seemed even healthy humans would die.
Steve used healing magic to treat everyone. People were surprised that not only the disease but also injuries were healed. However, stamina does not recover, so they do not suddenly become able to move energetically. He explained that to the soldiers and headed to the temporary housing construction site.
What Viscount Griffith designated was the plain area outside the town.
There, Steve used earth magic to build houses. The entrance and windows were left open, but still better than being exposed directly to wind and rain. After building a hundred units, he decided to teleport to the next town.
Thus it took until night, but within that day, the treatment of patients and construction of temporary housing in Viscount Griffith's territory was completed.
Finally, Steve tried to clean up the flooded river water with storage magic, but unfortunately mana was insufficient, so he gave up on that, and told Viscount Griffith that from tomorrow he would do restoration work other than treatment and temporary housing.
"Please stay tonight. Due to this disaster, I cannot offer much hospitality."
"No. As expected, if an unmarried noble daughter stays out overnight, it becomes a problem, so I will send Lady Evelyn, and tomorrow we will visit here together again. Tomorrow we will do land leveling, etc."
Viscount Griffith thought a bit at that offer.
"My territory's disease treatment, temporary housing construction, and embankment repair are finished. After that, even if it takes time, we will manage somehow. However, Baron Teniton and other nobles' territories are not like that. Treatment and temporary housing construction are urgent matters. Please prioritize those. Yes, tomorrow I will accompany you as well. I think it will be helpful when persuading other nobles."
Viscount Griffith said his territory was fine now, and requested support for other nobles' territories. Evelyn agreed to that, and asked Steve to go to another noble's place.
"Understood. Let's prioritize treatment and temporary housing construction."
Thus, the support for the East began.
Thank you always for typo reports.